California native Tiahna Padilla played in Women’s Elite Rugby during the 2026 season. She represented the Twin Cities Gemini for her entire WER career.

A native of Fallbrook, CA, Padilla discovered rugby at Fallbrook high school where she was named a High School All-American 3 times between 2019-2021, and represented the USA at U18 level and played on the World Rugby Tens circuit with the Rhinos Rugby Academy in 2021. She attended Harvard between 2022-2026, representing the Crimson Women’s Rugby team all four years she was there, earning two MA Sorensen nominations in 2023 and 2024, before finally winning the award in her senior year in 2026.

Although she was not named to a WER roster when they were announced in late April 2026, Tiahna Padilla was named in the starting XV for the TC Gemini’s Round 5 clash against the New York Exiles, earning her WER debut. Padilla appeared in 5 games for the TC Gemini during the 2026 season, starting all 5 as the team knocked on the door of the Legacy Cup match but fell just short, finishing 3rd with a solid 6-4 record. Following the WER season, Tiahna Padilla was named to the USA Falcons travelling squad for their August tour to Brazil.

NARDB Player #1,756