Colorado Mesa University women’s rugby brought the NCR Division II 7s national title back to Grand Junction after a dominant postseason run
For over a decade, Colorado Mesa University’s women’s rugby team has produced quality athletes and shown promise at national competition. For the second time in program history, the Mavericks defeated the defending national champions to win the 2026 National Collegiate Rugby (NCR) Division II 7s national title.
Defeating the United States Coast Guard Academy (USCGA), CMU’s championship run was full of upsets and intensity. At the Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds, Maryland, the Mavericks began the tournament as the No. 4 seed. The first match was a 20-0 shutout win over the No. 5-seeded University of South Florida.
In the quarterfinals, the team defeated top-seeded Roger Williams University 24-15. CMU then defeated No. 2-seeded University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire 19-12, securing a spot in the championship match against USCGA.
The Mavericks held the defending champions scoreless with a score of 17-0. Kaylee Burns tallied two tries in the championship game, and Gena Karpiel went for another try. Bentley Steyaert collected one kicked conversion as well. However, the most impressive performance of the day came from the Mavericks defense.
Along with the team’s success, sophomore standout Kaylee Burns was crowned the 2026 NCR Division II Most Valuable Player. Sophomore Chloe Coop also earned a spot on the 2026 All-Tournament Team.
“I knew we could all do this if we all put our minds together,” said Burns. “We just all love each other so much and we just know that if we work together, we can get anything done.”
CMU continues to grow their success in club sports, allowing more opportunities for students to get involved and be a part of competitive and successful teams. The Women’s Rugby Team has put in countless hours of training and sharpened their skills to perform on a national stage. Many club sports at CMU have found success, allowing for an exciting and bright future for the Mavericks.