Kayla Canett (/kəˈnɛt/ kə-NET;[1] born April 29, 1998) is an American rugby union player. She made her debut for both the United States fifteens and sevens team in 2017. She was named in the Eagles 2017 Women's Rugby World Cup squad.[2][3][4] In 2023, Canett suited up with the Pittsburgh Steeltoes of Premier Rugby Sevens.[5]

Kayla Canett
Canett at the 2024 Summer Olympics
Personal information
Born (1998-04-29) April 29, 1998 (age 26)
EducationFallbrook High School
Pennsylvania State University
Height5 ft 5 in (165 cm)
Weight150 lb (68 kg)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Fly half
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2017  United States 7 (-)
National sevens team
Years Team Comps
2016  United States -
Medal record
Women's rugby sevens
Representing  United States
Olympic Games
Bronze medal – third place 2024 Paris Team competition
Pan American Games
Silver medal – second place 2019 Lima Team competition

Early life and career

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Canett attended Fallbrook High School and Pennsylvania State University.

She began her rugby career in her freshman year of high school in 2013. She previously played basketball and soccer.[6] She is majoring in Kinesiology at Penn State.

Rugby career

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College career

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Canett played collegiate rugby at Penn State University as scrumhalf and flyhalf. In 2017, Canett aided her team in winning its twelfth Division I National Championship after defeating Lindenwood University, 28-25. Not only was this the Nittany Lions' twelfth championship overall, but it was their sixth-straight.[7]

National Sevens Career

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Canett made her sevens debut at the 2016 Dubai Women's Sevens. She competed at the 2019 Pan American Games.[8]

Canett was selected for the U.S. Eagles sevens squad and made her Olympic debut at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.[9] After getting knocked out 21-12 to Great Britain in the Quarter-finals, Canett and the Eagles ended the games in sixth place.

In 2022, She was again selected in the United States team for the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Cape Town.[10][11]

Canett was a named in the USA women's sevens team for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.[12][13] Her side defeated Australia in the bronze medal final and earned USA's first ever Olympic medal in sevens.[14][15]

National XVs career

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Canett made her fifteen's debut against Canada in 2017.

Premier Rugby Sevens

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2023

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During the 2023 Premier Rugby Sevens season, Canett suited up with the Pittsburgh Steeltoes.[16] This marked the Steeltoes' inaugural season as PR7s expanded to eight franchises prior to the start of the 2023 season.[17] Canett and the Steeltoes ended the year tied for eighth place as they produced a 1-3 record throughout the season. Their lone win was a 22-0 blowout against the Texas Team on June 17, 2023.[18]

Statistics

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Team Season GP Tries Points Conversion Kicks Tackles Carries
Pittsburgh Steeltoes 2023 4 1 9 2 3 3

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "CANETT Kayla". Olympics.com. 2024. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  2. ^ Wise, Chad (July 17, 2017). "Eagles announced for Women's Rugby World Cup 2017 in Ireland". USA Rugby. Retrieved September 20, 2017.
  3. ^ "Women Eagles Name World Cup Squad". www.thisisamericanrugby.com. July 17, 2017. Retrieved September 20, 2017.
  4. ^ "New caps in Women's Eagles World Cup squad". Americas Rugby News.com. July 20, 2017. Retrieved September 20, 2017.
  5. ^ "Steeltoes". www.prsevens.com. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
  6. ^ Finlan, Jackie (March 15, 2016). "Player of the Week: Kayla Canett". The Rugby Breakdown: Women's News. Retrieved September 29, 2017.
  7. ^ Connelly, Steve (May 7, 2017). "The Dynasty Continues: Penn State Women's Rugby Wins 12th National Championship". Onward State. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
  8. ^ "Rugby 7 | Athlete Profile: CANETT-OCA Kayla - Pan American Games Lima 2019". wrsd.lima2019.pe. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  9. ^ "Kayla Canett-Oca". www.nbcolympics.com. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  10. ^ "USA names rosters for Sevens World Cup". Americas Rugby News. September 2, 2022. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  11. ^ Cahill, Calder (September 1, 2022). "Women's Eagles Sevens target podium chase as roster is named for the Rugby World Cup Sevens". eagles.rugby. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  12. ^ Peene, Sam (June 18, 2024). "Team USA announces Women's Olympic Rugby Sevens team for Paris 2024". olympics.com. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
  13. ^ Dean, Taylor (June 17, 2024). "USA Rugby announces Women's Olympic Rugby Sevens Team for Paris". eagles.rugby. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
  14. ^ Cahill, Calder (July 30, 2024). "History made as USA Women's Sevens win Olympic bronze in Paris". usa.rugby. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  15. ^ Dragon, Tyler (July 30, 2024). "US women beat Australia, win bronze, first Olympics medal in rugby sevens". USA TODAY. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  16. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
  17. ^ "Pittsburgh's New Professional Rugby Franchise Announces Name and 2023 Event | Premier Rugby Sevens". www.prsevens.com. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
  18. ^ "League Standings | Premier Rugby Sevens". www.prsevens.com. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
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