Position: Number 8

Calvin Ihrig

Chicago born back row Calvin Ihrig played in Major League Rugby during the 2025 season. He represented the Miami Sharks for his entire MLR career.

Born in Chicago to an American mother and German father, Ihrig spent much of his childhood travelling for his father’s work. He lived in Canada, Germany, and Vietnam before spending a decade in Thailand from 2009. He picked up rugby during his Sophomore year at International School Thailand, initially playing Sevens. He moved back to the US for college, attending the rugby powerhouse Lindenwood University in Missouri from 2020, where he played his first 15-a-side games, initially playing on the wing or at fly-half, before finding his groove in the back row. Ihrig played with the Lindenwood Lions from 2020-2024, and declared for the 2024 MLR Collegiate Draft.

Ihrig was selected in the 1st Round, 3rd overall by the Miami Sharks, and signed on with the Florida team for the 2025 MLR season. He earned his MLR debut coming off the bench during the Sharks’ Round 11 victory over Anthem RC. He earned 2 appearances for the Sharks in total during the 2025 season, before the Miami Sharks announced their withdrawal from the league in August 2025. A month later, Calvin Ihrig was included in the Chicago Hounds’ Autumn Performance Squad for their Fall season, while playing club rugby with the Chicago Blaze

achievements

2024 MLR Draftee: 1st Round (3rd Overall) – Miami Sharks

NARDB Player #1,541

Shamira Robles

Massachusetts native Shamira Robles played in Women’s Elite Rugby during it’s inaugural season in 2025. She represented the New York Exiles for her entire WER career.

Shamira Robles earned her WER debut when she was named in the starting lineup for the New York Exiles’ Round 2 clash with the Chicago Tempest. She attended the American International College, playing rugby while there. She has also played with the Locals in the PR7s, as well as New York Old Blue.

NARDB Player #1,537

Olga Niyibizi

Chicago native Olga Niyibizi played in Women’s Elite Rugby during it’s inaugural season in 2025. She represented the Chicago Tempest for their entire WER career.

Olga Niyibizi earned their WER debut when she was named on the Chicago Tempest bench for their Round 2 clash with the New York Exiles during WER’s inaugural season in 2025. She attended Saint Mary’s College and has previously played with Chicago North Shore in the WPL.

NARDB Player #1,536

Tonia O’Neill

Florida native Tonia O’Neill played in Women’s Elite Rugby between 2025-2026. She represented the Twin Cities Gemini for her entire WER career.

Tonia O’Neill earned her WER debut in Round 2 of the inaugural WER season in 2025, coming off the bench for the Gemini in their clash with the Boston Banshees. She has previously represented the Tampa Bay Krewe. O’Neill appeared in 8 of the Gemini’s 10 games during WER’s first season of play, starting twice. She returned for a second season with the TC Gemini in 2026.

NARDB Player #1,529

Mahie Wilhelm

Loose forward Mahie Wilhelm played in Women’s Elite Rugby during it’s inaugural season in 2025. She represented the Bay Breakers for her entire WER career.

Although named as an ‘on-call’ player, Mahie Wilhelm earned her WER debut in Round 2 of the 2025 season, when she was named on the bench for the Bay Breakers against the Denver Onyx, the first game in Breakers history. She attended Standford University, captaining the Women’s Rugby team while there and was named as the team’s 2023/24 Forward of the Year.

NARDB Player #1,526

Dana Alimena

Loose forward Dana Alimena played in Women’s Elite Rugby during it’s inaugural season in 2025. She represented the Bay Breakers for her entire WER career.

Dana Alimena earned her WER debut in Round 2 of the 2025 season, when she was named on the bench for the Bay Breakers against the Denver Onyx, the first game in Breakers history. She has previously played in the WPL with the Berkeley All Blues.

NARDB Player #1,525

Mona Lisa Tupou

California native Mona Lisa Tupou played in Women’s Elite Rugby between 2025-2026. She represented the Bay Breakers for her entire WER career.

A capped USA Eagle, Mona Lisa Tupou earned her WER debut in Round 2 of the 2025 season, when she was named on the bench for the Bay Breakers against the Denver Onyx, the first game in Breakers history. She has previously represented the Life West Gladiatrix in the WPL, and the East Palo Alto Razorbacks. Tupou earned her test debut for the USA in 2023.

Tupou started 6 of her 9 appearances for the Bay Breakers, scoring 5 tries during WER’s inaugural season and returned for year 2 with the Breakers in 2026.

NARDB Player #1,521

Rosaline Okpara

New York native Rosaline Okpara played in Women’s Elite Rugby between 2025-2026. She represented the Bay Breakers for her entire WER career.

Rosaline Okpara earned her WER debut in Round 2 of the 2025 season, when she was named in the Bay Breakers starting lineup against the Denver Onyx, the first game in Breakers history. She has previously played for the Cape Town Wild Dogs in the Rugby Tens Championship, and has represented the Nigerian national team in the Pan African Games. She also played with the Berkeley All Blues in the WPL.

Okpara started 2 of her 3 appearances for the Bay Breakers in WER’s inaugural season, scoring 1 try. She returned for year 2 with the Breakers in 2026.

NARDB player #1,513

Roxelle Thomas

Texas native Roxelle Thomas played in Women’s Elite Rugby between 2025-2026. She represented the Bay Breakers for her entire WER career.

Roxelle Thomas earned her WER debut in Round 2 of the 2025 season, when she was named in the Bay Breakers starting lineup against the Denver Onyx, the first game in Breakers history. She was named as a Foundational Five player for the Breakers, and has previously played as Co-Captain of the Life West Gladiatrix in the WPL, as well as the USA U23s.

Thomas started 9 of her 10 appearances for the Bay Breakers, scoring 1 try in WER’s inaugural season. She returned for year 2 with the team in 2026.

NARDB Player #1,511

Tonya Wessman

California native Tonya Wessman played in Women’s Elite Rugby from 2025-2026. She represented the Bay Breakers for her entire WER career.

Tonya Wessman earned her WER debut in Round 2 of the 2025 season, when she was named in the Bay Breakers starting lineup against the Denver Onyx, the first game in Breakers history. She has previously played with the Berkeley All Blues in the WPL. Wessman started 7 of her 8 appearances for the Breakers in 2025, scoring 3 tries during WER’s inaugural season and returned for year 2 with the Bay Breakers in 2026.

NARDB Player #1,510