Savanah Graves Named NIRA First Team All-American

2017 Dec 19

Savanah Graves of Bomoseen has been selected as a First Team All-American by the National Intercollegiate Rugby Association (NIRA) as released by the conference office Dec. 11.

Graves was one of 43 athletes selected on the first team. She is also one of just eight flankers to receive recognition across the nation, including those selected as honorable mentions.

During the 2017 season, Graves led the Spartans defensively across a couple of categories. Tallying 78 tackles, she was more than 10 above her closest teammate and recorded a 20 percent share of the team's total.

A 17-tackle output against top-5 ranked Norwich and 16 more in the road game against Sacred Heart University played a large role in her strong finish. Graves also topped the team with 20 assisted tackles.

Offensively, Graves was second on the squad with four successful try attempts. The junior flanker notched the lone score for the team versus Norwich, while also notching a try at the University of New England, versus Long Island University Post, and at Molloy College.

Graves was also named the women's rugby team's most valuable player for the 2017 season during Castleton's annual fall award gathering.