Hello all - This week, we are so glad to share with you a little bit about USA Low Point Wheelchair Rugby Team athlete, Mandy Marchiano! Mandy is newer to the sport and has been playing wheelchair rugby for three years with her local squad, the Sportable Possums. She was drawn to the sport because it is a mixed gender, full-contact sport that allows women to show toughness. She likes how she is treated as an equal due to her intensity and power that she brings to the game. Mandy is also drawn into the sport by the camaraderie with her teammates and the learning/independence that comes with it. With rugby, Mandy has traveled more in the past three years, in comparison to the rest of her life, previously! Mandy is incredibly proud of her achievements in the sport, earning the PVA Code of Honor Spirit Award in 2020 and PVA Best Low Pointer in 2021. Mandy is very excited to have the chance to represent the United States at the World Games, this year, and looks forward to making an impact as a female in a male-dominated sport! Her long-term goals include making the squad for USAWR and competing more internationally at the highest levels of competition. Mandy is also a substitute teacher, and is the youngest of four siblings. She also admires the rugby career of USAWR Coach, Joe Delagrave, his dedication to the sport, and she especially values his faith. Mandy's quote to live by is "Press on, move forward and leave the rest in God's hands." We are thrilled to have Mandy as a part of the USA Low Point Wheelchair Rugby Practice Squad, that is preparing for Birmingham, AL in 2022!