Michigan native Joanna Kitlinski played in Women’s Elite Rugby during the 2026 season. She represented the Denver Onyx for her entire WER career.

Joanna Kitlinski began playing rugby while at Grand Valley State University and was named a Collegiate All-American in 2010 & 2011. Following her graduation she played with the Glendale Raptors (later the Merlins, then the Colorado Gray Wolves) in the WPL, winning 3 national titles. Kitlinski earned her test debut for the USA as Eagle #244 against Canada in July 2015, and represented her country at the 2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand while playing for the Exeter Chiefs in Premier Women’s Rugby in England. Following a season in Exeter, she signed with the Sale Sharks in 2022 before representing the USA once again in the 2022 Pacific Four Series.

Following two seasons with the Sale Sharks from 2021-2023, Kitlinski returned to the US and played club rugby with the Colorado Gray Wolves before retiring towards the end of 2023 after representing the famous Barbarians invitational team against South Africa and she was invited to do so again in September of 2024, also against South Africa. Although retired, Kitlinski was convinced to join the Denver Onyx squad for their 2026 WER season.

NARDB Player #1,716