Princeton Women's Rugby (PUWRFC)

Sarah Apgar ’02 Award | Malinka Kwemo ’27

Our highest individual honor, given to the outstanding player who combines athletic excellence with a deep commitment to the values of Princeton Rugby. 🐯🏆

This year’s winner led our program in assists, was a try-scoring force, made enormous defensive impact, and led in all the intangibles that don’t show up on a stat sheet — field organization, composure under pressure, the ability to make everyone around her better.

A favorite early moment of preseason was a 7:30am whiteboard session with her mapping game strategy — “should we call the 21 channel on the left side of the pitch 12 instead?” A deep student of the game.

The defining moment came in Tampa in our Tropical 7s Semifinal. Double-overtime against the reigning D1 NCR National Champions. 95-degree heat. No subs for the last 20 minutes. Full-time plus 14min OT — a staggering tournament record. She didn’t panic. She leaned into our 150s. She hung in for her teammates. She found space. And she brought us home.

In the words of Sarah Apgar, “For me this award celebrates our most essential self, shining a spotlight on a teammate and leader who through honoring her own essence, elevates all others. While we’ve never met, Malinka, I know you, because you were chosen to carry this torch. I know that you see in your teammates strength they may not. You find the 4th dimension when the other 3 seem to collapse. You know that resilience is a matter of trust in yourself and your team. You ensure that the collective hearts of the team beat as one both in victory and in defeat, creating the enduring and impenetrable bond of perseverance and love that is Princeton Women’s Rugby for those who choose it. Congratulations, and thank you, for continuing that storied tradition that connects us all.” -Sap

Congratulations to our 2026 Sarah Apgar ’02 Award winner: Malinka Kwemo ’27, who will return as a reelected Captain this fall for her senior year💥

👩‍🚀 Lexi Johnson ’12 Award | Annabelle Edwards ’26

This Award honors the student-athlete who made the biggest contribution this year threw off-the-field efforts — vision, passion, and the unglamorous, essential work of managing a program. It was created in honor of a two-time President whose unrelenting leadership helped power one of the greatest turnarounds in PUWRFC history.

This year’s winner was our command center all spring. A step ahead at Navy, West Chester, Tropicals, and Nationals. Her organizational instincts, deep care for our culture, and willingness to do what needed to be done — without being asked, without recognition, without fanfare — are the contributions that make a program run.

She leaves our team better organized, better connected, and better than she found it.

Congratulations to our 2026 Lexi Johnson ’12 Award winner: Annabelle Edwards ’26.

🐅 Tiger Award | Ciara Loughran ’26 & Sam Handwerk ’26

The Tiger Award goes to the student-athlete who lifts everyone around her — not through stats alone, but through presence, heart, and unmatched loyalty to the program.

Ciara and Sam walked on to varsity rugby together at the tail end of their freshman year. Four years later, their spirit is woven into the identity of the team: vocal leadership, quiet leadership, deep care, full dedication.

They’ve navigated a challenging and high-impact moment with grace and excellence. What they wanted to be known for at the start of the season: “turning the program around and leaving a long-lasting impact on Princeton Rugby history.”

Congratulations to our 2026 Tiger Award double-winners: Ciara Loughran ’26 and Sam Handwerk ’26.

Our 56th Annual Alumni Games: spectacular despite the rain! 🌧️🐯

Our Princeton Rugby Alumni Matches at Reunions this weekend brought out the best turnout in 20 years. Final score: Alumni 4, Undergrads 1.

To our alumni who showed up, laced up, and got back on the pitch (even if just for the final minute!): you are the shoulders on which we stand. Thank you for blazing the trail and your ongoing commitment to our students, community, and legacy.

To our current Tigers who worked hard during an intense weekend and competed graciously against some folks who’ve been playing the game since before you were born: thank you and Go Tigers!

Until next year, the Curtis-Signes Cup is back in Alumni hands! 💥🙌

🐯🧡 On Friday we honored our Class of 2026 at Princeton Rugby’s Senior Recognition Dinner. We celebrated our nine seniors who’ve left their mark on our program and passed the baton:

🏉 Alayshja Bable: rugby IQ, grit, and that unforgettable performance at Stanford under the lights

🏉 Alyssa Brigham: explosive speed, deep dedication to her craft, and a try at West Chester nobody who was there will forget

🏉 Luiza Chevres: our Orange rock all spring, bringing competitive fire and pure joy at every single tournament. Taking her game to the UK 🇬🇧

🏉 Annabelle Edwards: ownership, initiative, care. The blueprint for how to leave a program better than you found it

🏉 Kenzy Elshazly: incredible impact in the fall, across four years, and beyond

🏉 Megan Hickey: wit, energy, commitment and chocolate chips!

🏉 Ciara Loughran: your spirit IS the spirit of this team. Teammates will stand on your shoulders for years to come

🏉 Nanya Offor: from high-impact on the pitch to stepping up as team manager, you served this team in every way it needed

🏉 Sam Handwerk: “Sam was known as our ‘culture captain’ long before she held the official title. She is endlessly kind, invested in others, and uplifts those around her.” Just getting started!

We are so proud of you. Go get ‘em and Go Tigers! 🐯🧡

🙌 What a weekend! Our annual Reunions festivities were some of the best yet, with incredible turnout and joyful celebration. We started the weekend with a packed reception on the Tiger Inn rugby porch with Tigers across 60+ years (from ‘66-‘26!) together, swapping stories and building relationships (plus job opportunities!) for life.

Deeply grateful for our Friends of Rugby Endowment Board that hosts the Reunions events — one program, two teams (women’s and men’s) united. Rare and special.

Hip hip for Old Nassau! 🐯🐯🐯

A special night honoring a special group. 🧡🖤

The Class of 2026 were celebrated last night at the Gary Walters ‘67 PVC Awards Banquet!

Bringing one of the most gifted coaches in the Princeton! 🗣️

Vice President of the U.S. Women’s Rugby Foundation Kerri Heffernan is excited about what Karameli Fa’ae’e will add to the Tigers!

🙌 T-minus one week from our favorite time of year! Can’t wait to see ruggers, family, friends, and familiar faces at our reunions rugby events including our 56th Annual Alumni Games (ft. a new coed casual touch match open to all, with t-shirts at the fields that are first come first serve) on Fri-Sat, May 22-23!

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