BRIEF: Grager joins national team

Enumclaw’s Mileka Grager has been selected to play on the 24-member women’s U20 United States national rugby team.

Grager, a three-sport athlete at Enumclaw High, enjoyed her greatest prep success in the spring, winning a Class 3A state championship in the javelin her senior season.

After heading to Washington State University, she picked up rugby and has quickly found great success. An incoming junior, she played in the lock spot for the Cougar rugby club that claimed the 2010 Division II national championship title by pulverizing Temple University 37-0 in late May.

Now, she switches to the prop position for the U.S. national team, which will travel to Nassau, Bahamas, Aug. 13-23 when the North American and Caribbean Rugby Association championship tournament takes place.

Grager is looking forward to the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but may not be able to make the journey.

USA Rugby is not funding the national squad, so each player must pay for her own travel tournament fees.

Grager, who was born and raised in Enumclaw, is looking to fund her trip by doing odd jobs. Those in need of a college student’s labor can contact Grager by e-mail at mgrager@wsu.edu.