Wheeling, W. Va. – After winning a National Championship in the fall, the honors keep on coming for the Wheeling University Women's Rugby team. Captain Alexis Dallas was announced as one of 16 nominees for the 10th annual Ma Sorensen Award for her work during 15's season. Dallas needs your help to set herself up for success, with a fan vote helping the selection committee pick the winner.
The Ma Sorensen Award is Rugby's equivalent of the Heisman Trophy, honoring the best women's rugby player across the country. The Award is presented by the Washington Athletic Club of Seattle, Washington, and the winner will be presented the award at a gala event in June. Of the nine previous winners of the award, all but one were capped at either the 15's or 7's season, and six have played with the USA Women's Rugby National Team. Head Coach Ken Pape is honored to see Dallas be recognized for her hard work on the National Stage after being a leader for his team throughout the 15's season.
"Alexis Dallas is a very hard worker and student of the game," said Pape. "She was made captain this year, and has taken to the role helping us off the pitch increase our team GPA to 3.16. On the pitch, she was our team leader in tries, tackles, and tackle percentage. Teh national championship game proved she is truly one of the best players in college rugby today."
Dallas was one of the leaders of the Cardinals in their first season, finishing with 17 tries and one conversion kick, while totaling 87 points on the season. Dallas was the team's leader in tries this past season with 17 and sat second on the team with 87 points, while going 1-1 on conversion kicks. She had four multi-try games on the season, with two of those four games coming during the team's postseason run. She set the program's single-game try record in their final home game of the regular season when she scored four tries and 20 points against Kent State. Dallas was also one of two Cardinals picked to the Allegheny Rugby Union All-Stars this season, but it was her work in the National Collegiate Rugby (NCR) Women's National Championship game that helped her stand out.
Dallas would score the Cardinal's first try of the National Title game, coming just minutes into the contest. While that was her only try of the day, Dallas would also assist on several tries and was a force on the defensive side of the ball. After the game, she was announced as the game's MVP for her early score and her defensive effort to round out the day. It was the capper on a big 15's season for the sophomore center as she helped the Cardinals win their first National Championship in their inaugural season on the field.
The MA Sorensen Award is named after MaryAnn Sorensen, who won a Rugby World Cup in 1991 with the USA and played in two more finals. She was a groundbreaking player, coach, and doctor, and remains a prime example of how high level rugby players achieve on and off the field. MA Sorensen has been present at every Washington Athletic Club awards dinner to present the trophy that bears her name. The rest of the nominees for the award are listed below:
Tiana Albert - BYU
Akilha Cathey - Brown
Alyssa Cunningham - Sacred Heart
Alexis Dallas - Wheeling
Allexia English - Life
Emma Gamboa - Army
Carly Lehman - Harvard
Nikki Lynch - Brown
Nina Mason - Life
Sia Meni - Dartmouth
Tiahna Padilla - Harvard
Jessica Postle - CWU
Freda Tafuna - Lindenwood
Cindy Taulava - Dartmouth
Telesi Uhatafe - Southern Nazarene
Anna Van Dyk - Quinnipac
Voting for the 2025 MA Sorensen Award will run now through April 7th and, while it won't officially determine the award it will help the selection committee narrow down its list of finalists. Vote now by clicking HERE.
