Summit High alumna Cassidy Bargell shines on world stage at 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup

As Cassidy Bargell stood within the tunnel resulting in the rugby pitch on the epicenter of the Stadium of Light in Sunderland, England, the 2018 Summit High School graduate’s ideas have been drowned out by the gang’s electrical hum.

Though Bargell is not any stranger to taking part in in entrance of passionate crowds, the thunder of over 40,000 fans on the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup was one thing else fully.

After taking a second to soak within the prematch vitality, Bargell charged onto the sector as fireplace powerfully shot up into the air to mark the doorway of the U.S. Women’s 15’s rugby crew. The drum of the gang simply bought louder as Bargell and her teammates ready to tackle the hosts of the World Cup — England.

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“It was kind of indescribable,” Bargell stated. “To play in the opener against the host country, the country that hasn’t lost since the last World-Cup final, we knew it was an opportunity. I just remember walking out from the tunnel and there were the fire cannons going, and it was so loud.”

Like any main worldwide competitors, the U.S. Women’s Rugby crew — nicknamed the Women’s Eagles — started making ready for the World Cup months earlier than its opening match towards England. In truth, Bargell says the method of choosing athletes for the World Cup actually started when the crew’s head coach — Sione Fukofuka — was given the reins of this system in Nov. 2023.

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“It is a long selection process,” Bargell stated. “We have been building towards it the whole time we have had Sione as our head coach. The World Cup is always in the back of everyone’s minds, but the ultimate selection came down to a camp in Maryland in July.”

At the camp, Bargell and near 40 different rugby athletes educated, scrimmaged one another and vied to be one of many athletes named to the nationwide crew competing at this 12 months’s World Cup. 

After years of dedicating herself to the game she fell in love with at Summit High School, Bargell was stuffed with pleasure when she discovered she could be one of many athletes touring to England for the 15’s World Cup. 

Like any profitable athlete, Bargell didn’t let herself lose sight of her main objectives within the sport. While being named to the 32-athlete U.S. World-Cup roster was a significant accomplishment, Bargell rapidly recentered herself and targeted on ensuring she bought the chance to safe taking part in time in the course of the match.

“All of us were there to get selected, but then we were also there to compete to make a roster spot, compete to play well and compete to win games in the World Cup,” Bargell stated. “The selection to the team of 32 for the World Cup was just the start because that is kind of where the extra hard work begins.”

Knowing that solely 23 women are literally rostered for the sequence of matches, Bargell dug deep to proceed to impress the U.S. Women’s Eagles teaching employees. 

Bargell ultimately was knowledgeable that she had made the crew’s roster, permitting the Summit County product to get the prospect to take the sector towards England within the opening match in Pool A on Aug. 22.

The U.S. tried to muster a win over England, however the formidable crew proved to be an excessive amount of for the crew to deal with. The U.S. scored one attempt within the first half, shedding to England, 69-7.

The U.S. then went on to face Australia on Aug. 30 at York Community Stadium in York, England. After trailing 14-5 at halftime, the Women’s Eagles made an enormous push within the second half. Needing a win to advance out of pool play, the U.S. scrounged for each level it may get however ended up tying with Australia, 31-31.

“We went into it with this mindset that it was us or them going through,” Bargell stated. “We have to win. We can’t lose. To come away with the draw kind of gave us a limbo feeling. We didn’t lose, but we also didn’t accomplish what we needed to do.”

The Women’s Eagles closed out pool play and its expertise on the World Cup by dealing with Samoa on Sept. 6. Feeling like there was one thing to show, the U.S. produced a complete of 10 tries with Bargell scoring her first of the journey in the course of the twenty seventh minute of the sport.

The U.S. handily defeated Samoa, 60-0

With a report of 1-1-1, the U.S. was not in a position advance out of pool play. England and Australia each moved out of Pool A, with the match hosts profitable the World Cup closing over Canada on Sept. 27.

Even and not using a lengthy match run, Bargell cherished the prospect to be a part of one thing she had by no means skilled earlier than. From signing autographs exterior of the stadium, to having fun with moments together with her shut mates, the 2025 Rugby World Cup was a real journey.

“People ask me if it was everything I ever dreamed of, and I always say that I never really dreamed of this,” Bargell stated. “I have never seen a women’s rugby game look like this. It was just insane. Especially the fire, you felt like you were on the main stage walking out for the anthems.”

One of Bargell’s favourite reminiscences from the seven and a half weeks she spent with the crew was the chance to boost the crew’s apparel. After the crew acquired a hefty donation, Bargell and her teammates made a visit to Boot Barn to attempt on and purchase cowboy boots for all the roster.

“They wanted more Americana in our uniforms, so we all went to a Boot Barn,” Bargell stated. “There was an insane budget that none of us were going to go over for our single pair of boots we were getting. It was so fun walking around shopping and seeing everyone find their style. It brought us all together.”

By taking part in within the World Cup, Bargell bought the chance to make quite a lot of teams proud. Beyond the Summit County and Summit women rugby neighborhood, Bargell additionally represented Harvard and people dwelling with an ostomy.

“That is the best part and the best feeling,” Bargell stated. “You are only a reflection of the community that you have had behind you and the support you have had from your people. Me being selected for the World Cup was truly a reflection of all that support. … The entire national team knows that I am a Summit County girl through and through. I love my Summit girls rugby, and I am proud to represent them.”

Bargell will now take a while to recuperate from the busy summer time earlier than starting prep for the buildup for the 2029 World Cup in Australia.