Coachella Valley native becomes one of the youngest to ever make USA rugby team
The bag pipes whistling off the hills of Ireland, the pack stands full of rugby fans, that can only mean it’s time for the 2017 Rugby World Cup.
“Ireland is a traditional rugby country, games are sold out. Network TV and it’s going to be pretty nuts.” said Peter Steinberg, Co-Head Coach of the USA rugby team.
The grand daddy of the rugby world is coming up on August 9th, and it’s going to include the 20-year-old Annkaren Pedraza, one of the youngest to ever make the USA rugby team.
“It was all just speculation at first, I didn’t know if I would actually make it. Second game I got to start, which was huge for me. A huge accomplishment. I couldn’t believe the position I was in. It was a possibility that I could make the World Cup in Ireland.” Annakaren said about her status leading up to the decision.
Born and raised in the Coachella Valley, but as a senior at La Quinta her family packed up everything so Annkaren could be closer to the sport she loved.
“I loved La Quinta HS, really hard for me to move to Redlands, I never wanted to leave the desert. It was a turning point for me. It opened up a lot of opportunity but I never wanted to move.” Pedraza said.
From there she got a scholarship to Lindenwood University in Missouri, the crem’ de la crem of the college rugby rugby world.
“One of the best D-1 Rugby schools in the nation. Luckily going to Lindenwood University prepared me for multiple practices in a day.” Annakaren added.
The best women’s rugby players in the entire country are here going up against the best in the world, but also going up against each other for a spot on the World Cup team. For Annakaren she has played above her years.
“2021 World Cup they can play in together, the 2025 they can play together, and even the 2029 they can play together. To be able to go to 4-world cups that would be amazing.” Coach added.
This is not your normal 20-year-old.
“My friends have been starstruck a little bit, they are just like wow I can’t believe what you are doing right now. It’s a lot of work. I wish I could be in your position and chill for a bit but I am trying to do the things that I love.” Pedraza mentioned.
Going above and beyond with dreams of Tokyo and then we will see, if LA it will be.
“Obvisously that is the ultimate goal going to the Olympics, I am going to try and work my butt out and see if there is a possibility.” Pedraza finished.
“AK is super talented, very young player, one of the most potential I have seen in a scrum bag in quite some time.” said Annakaren’s teammate Christiane Pheil.
So when those bag pipes roar, and might be a US score, Annakaren continuing to soar.
