Two Wellington-based sisters — Alexandra and Nicole Wantlin — are headed in late December to participate in a pair of All-American rugby camps/trials at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, CA. Alexandra is 16 and a junior at Wellington HS. Nicole graduated from Wellington HS this past spring and is enrolled at Army at West Point. Nicole is playing for Army’s varsity women’s rugby team. Both Nicole and Alex are members of the Wellington Wizards Rugby Club.
Alexandra is attempting to make the Girls High School All-American team — U18s.
Nicole is attempting to make the Girls Junior All-American team — U19s.
During the recently completed Thanksgiving weekend, Alex played in the New York 7’s rugby tournament as a member of Atlantis, a travel rugby club based out of Pennsylvania. The Atlantis team played in the Elite Girls HS U18 age division and won it. The tournament was held at the Randall Park in Brooklyn. It was repeat victory Atlantis as the team won in 2017, as well.
The All-American rugby program plays a pivotal role in the identification and development of future U.S. national team players.
Alex is three-year letterman in soccer at Wellington HS. To date, she is leading her team in scoring with nine goals for the Lady Wolverine varsity soccer team. Last spring, Alex and Nicole earned a letter with Wellington High School’s varsity lacrosse team. Plus Nicole lettered in lacrosse and cross country during her junior year, too. As a freshman and a sophomore in California at Rancho Santa Margarita’s Tesoro HS, Nicole lettered in cross country and in track & field where she threw the shot put and discus.
It’s also worth noting that Nicole’s twin sister, Jax, plays soccer for NCAA Division II Florida Southern in Lakeland.
At Wellington HS, Jax lettered in soccer, cross country, and track & field.
“It’s a pure joy to see how they have thrived and helped others to be good role models as teammates,” said Burt Wantlin, the father of all three girls.