Seated between her father and high school rugby coaches, the Academy of Our Lady of Guam Cougars’ Lola Rosario signed a letter of intent to play rugby for the Wheeling University Cardinals, a National Collegiate Rugby Division I program located in Wheeling, West Virginia.
Lola Rosario said that she chose Wheeling because of the strong bond she felt with the Cardinals’ players over the phone. She also said that she didn’t think Wheeling was interested in her because she had stopped hearing from their coaching staff.
“After I met with Wheeling, I thought they were done with me but turns out they were emailing me. I just didn't check my emails,” she said.
With encouragement from her many friends, family and former teammates who attended the ceremony Saturday morning in Asan, the excited and honored soon-to-be high school graduate agreed to play for the Cardinals, the reigning NCR 15s national champions.
“It's been an amazing four-year journey for Lola, and it's come full circle for her,” said Cougars head coach Tony Costa.
“We're expecting big things from Lola. We're always going to be behind her and backing her and betting on her, and I guarantee that she'll be in the rugby Hall of Fame someday,” Costa said.
Costa said Lola Rosario is “the best on the island, hands down, in her position. Nobody compares to her on the island right now.”
For his many years of support and tutelage, Lola Rosario thanked Costa.
“Coach Tony has been with me for a very long time, and he saw the potential I had in myself, even when I didn’t,” she said. Then, addressing Costa, she added, "Really grateful to have you, really blessed.”
Lola Rosario thanked her other coaches, teammates and her parents.
“My parents have really given me such great opportunities, and I'm just really blessed to have them here and have them support me through all of this,” she said.
Over the past two years, Lola Rosario helped lead the Cougars to a pair of undefeated seasons, both culminating in championships.
“Lola has put a lot of work into getting to where she's at right now,” said Jesse Rosario, the rugby player’s father, adding, “Wheeling University, they’re really benefiting from taking her.”
“She is the best on island, and she has been for the past two years. And her performance proves it,” he said.
Jesse Rosario advised his daughter to never forget her core values, be trustworthy, be a good person and enjoy the moment as she prepares to leave Guam for the East Coast.
“You’ve got the whole island, you've got your whole family and friends behind you. And we're very, very, very proud of you,” he said.
Before affixing her name to the contract, thus committing four years of her life to Wheeling University, Mike Mateo, a rugby coach at Academy, counseled his student-athlete.
“As monumental as this achievement is for you in your life, it's not going to be your greatest accomplishment. Throughout the process, remember to stay grounded and never forget what got you there,” Mateo said.
“As you endure in this journey, don't forget to embrace the struggle, embrace the process, because in order for you to get to the top, you must enjoy the journey,” he added.