The Boston Globe: "Franklin’s Kristi Kirshe named to US women’s rugby Olympic roster"

"Kristi Kirshe starred in soccer at Franklin High, and only picked up rugby in her first year at Williams College, but now the 26-year-old is headed to the Tokyo Olympics as a center/wing for the US women’s rugby sevens team.

Kirshe is one of 12 starters on the roster, announced Thursday, which also includes three reserves and 10 coaches, trainers, and health experts. The 5-foot-5-inch, 160-pounder is one of 10 starters headed to their first Olympics, with Lauren Doyle and Alev Kelter the returners from the 2016 Olympics in Rio.

The US finished fifth at the 2016 Games, but claimed five medals in six tournaments to end 2019 ranked No. 2 in the world. The US was ranked fifth in 2020 when the World Rugby Sevens Series was disrupted by the pandemic."

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/06/18/sports/franklins-kristi-kirshe-named-us-womens-rugby-olympic-roster/

Kristi Kirshe runs with the ball during an international tournament in February.DAVID RAMOS/GETTY

An Evening With Kristi Kirshe = Feb 12, 7 PM

"Excited to announce an Evening With Kristi Kirshe @FranklinHS alum & member of @USARugby"

When: Feb 12, 2020 7 PM at FHS Auditorium

An Evening With Kristi Kirshe = Feb 12, 7 PM

Excited to announce an Evening With Kristi Kirshe @FranklinHS alum & member of @USARugby ! @FHSSports @Fhsglax @fhsgvbasketball @fhsgvsoccer @HockomockSports @KirsheBar pic.twitter.com/e8DLZGk03H

— Pantherbook (@FHSPantherbook) February 5, 2020

Kristi Kirshe is up for the HSBC World Rugby Women's Sevens Series Rookie of the Year 2019

Via @FranklinRec

I'm voting for Kristi Kirshe to win the HSBC World Rugby Women's Sevens Series Rookie of the Year 2019! #VoteKirshe

— Franklin Recreation (@FranklinRec) June 10, 2019

“In all sports and no matter what stage you’re on, the second the whistle blows you’re just playing"

Josh Perry, Managing Editor of HockomockSports.com, has a great piece on FHS basketball, lacrosse, and soccer alumni Kristi Kirshe now making her mark in rugby.

"Every little kid who plays sports dreams of playing professionally and dreams of someday representing his or her country, whether it be the Olympics or the World Cup or maybe the World Lacrosse Championships (see Foxboro’s Sophia Dicenso, who was featured last week). Former Franklin star Kristi Kirshe, a former soccer state champion with the Panthers and Div. III national champion at Williams College, recently fulfilled that dream, although not in a sport she would have ever imagined. 

A former standout in soccer, lacrosse, and basketball at Franklin (being named MVP in soccer and lax as a senior), and a two-time All-American at Williams, Kirshe has achieved her dream of being a professional athlete as a rising star in rugby. 

Kirshe recently played with the bronze-medal-winning U.S. Women’s Eagles Sevens at the HSBC Sydney (Australia) Sevens tournament and scored five tries in three matches and is a full-time resident at the U.S. rugby base in Chula Vista, Calif., despite having not even picked up a rugby ball until one year ago this week. 

“I’d say this one tops it all,” Kirshe said this week about how playing for the U.S. stacks up to all that she has achieved in sports. “I think I said when we won the state title in soccer that it was a dream come true but I’m pretty sure putting on the USA rugby jersey topped that.

Continue reading about Kristi
https://hockomocksports.com/franklins-kristi-kirshe-finds-a-different-path-to-team-usa/

Former Franklin soccer, lacrosse and basketball standout Kristi Kirshe races for a U.S. try against China at the HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series in Sydney, Australia. (Mike Lee/KLC Fotos)

FHS alumni Clermont, Kirshe in the news

A couple of FHS alumni were in the news this weekend. Nicole Clermont by winning the Junior Women's 6K running for Boston College. Kristi Kirshe scoring 5 tries in her first international rugby tournament for Team USA.

Nicole Clermont FTW! Clermont of @BostonCollege takes the Junior Women’s 6K in 21:14.0. #USATFxc pic.twitter.com/lqOzbz2OLn

— USATF (@usatf) February 2, 2019

FHS alum Nicole Clermont wins the Junior Women's 6K

Complete results from the USATF Cross Country Championships can be found
https://results.usatf.org/2019XC/

FIVE. Kristi Kirshe has now scored 🖐️ tries in her debut tournament.

Catches Ireland looking, sneaks by on the left flank. Done deal.

USA 26-10 IRE#USAvIRE | #Sydney7s pic.twitter.com/QfIDW3ju5G

— USA Rugby (@USARugby) February 3, 2019

FHS alum Kristi Kirshe scores five tries in her debut International Rugby tournament

"Throughout the tournament, the Americans showed an unparalleled depth with newcomer Kristi Kirshe scoring five total tries in her debut tournament. Fellow new cap Kasey McCravey had brilliant touches as well, while veteran Naya Tapper scored her 65th try to pass Victoria Folayan and become the USA Women's Sevens all-time leading try scorer. "

Read more at https://www.usarugby.org/match/45234-usa-eagles-v-ireland/?kc6LUq5FZZ15qqi8.99


The Sydney7's tournament page  http://www.sydney7s.com.au/match-schedule/