Ava Mayo, a sophomore biology-chemistry major, strives for excellence as a D1 college rugby player by giving her all every time she steps onto the pitch. Her love for the sport started in her hometown, Indianapolis, Indiana, and has grown into something she cannot imagine her life without. Mayo is a key aspect to other students’ success on top of being a competitive, 4 ’10 ” rockstar. On top of her successful athletic career, she is an English writing tutor and dedicates eight to ten hours a week to helping others succeed.
Rugby plays a significant role in Mayo’s life and has since the mere age of 18. When deciding that rugby was the sport for her, Mayo expresses, “I played several sports before like basketball, soccer, flag football, and lacrosse, but the physicality level of rugby was unlike anything I had ever done before. It is fun, but the mental side of it is counterintuitive.” Most sports come intuitively, but rugby demonstrates the opposite where players pass the ball backward instead of forward to gain yards on the pitch.
Mayo’s rugby experience came later in her athletic career compared to others, but she does not let that hold her back. She states, “I am still learning the game; it is only my third year playing. SNU contacted me to play completely out of the blue, but I could not be happier that they chose me to be a part of their community.” Mayo uses her natural gift with athletics to be successful in rugby, and she dedicates every day to improving her gift.
When asked how rugby brings her joy, Mayo explains, “The camaraderie and trust you have to have with your teammates brings something to it that showcases admiration and respect for everyone involved.” Mayo loves being surrounded by her teammates and the cultural aspect rugby has to offer. A typical SNU women’s rugby practice brings forth challenging attributes, but she loves growing with her teammates throughout all of those challenges. “With practice, there is always something technical and physical. Rugby involves bronchos, a series of runs one does on the field in meters rather than yards, and they are quite challenging. After practice though, we all feel amazing, and it is always great to be surrounded by people who find joy in the same things you love.”
SNU women’s rugby brings forth Christ every time they meet. Mayo expresses, “One of the biggest components of Christianity is learning the material, although it is really in how you act. We all can get kind of a bad wrap since we are rough around the edges, but we really show up like Christ to each other as friends and teammates.” The SNU women’s rugby team is very open with their personal struggles as individuals, and Mayo sees how they help each other through those difficult times. Rather than leaving those individuals alone to fend for themselves, the rugby team shows up for one another as a support system to shine light on those dark times.
Mayo showcases passion, hard work, and dedication for both school and rugby. She is a prime example of what it means to be an authentic, loving athlete. She cares for her teammates like no other and uses the family atmosphere in the rugby community to showcase growth as a team and an individual.
Photo by: MaK Wilkerson