---
title: Returning to Rugby Roots
date: 2022-07-21T14:30:00-04:00
author: University of Maryland
canonical_url: "https://today.umd.edu/returning-to-rugby-roots"
section: Articles
---
# Returning to Rugby Roots

*July 21, 2022* — by [Annie Krakower](/author/annie-krakower)


> Terp Olympian Presents Jersey From Tokyo Games to Club Sports

*Abby Gustasis Signed Jersey Gift 07212022 HH 0909 — Abby Gustaitis ’13, co-captain of Team USA’s 2021 Olympic rugby squad, presents a framed jersey to Club Sports on Thursday at the Eppley Recreation Center.*

Kids at Terp Quest, a day camp hosted by University Recreation and Wellness, are used to learning a slew of sports and games during their action-packed summer weeks. Today, they were treated to an Olympic-caliber teacher.

Abby Gustaitis ’13, co-captain of the United States women’s rugby team at the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo, stopped by the Eppley Recreation Center to present a framed jersey from the Games to Club Sports, where she got her start with rugby. With her former UMD coach, Pamela Gouws, on hand—as well as current women’s coach John Mohler, men’s coach Jeff Soeken, and other club players and representatives—she recounted her path to the Olympic stage, answered kids’ questions and even lined up for a short race with the campers.


*Abby Gustaitis races campers — Abby Gustaitis ’13, left, races Terp Quest campers. (Photo by Hong H. Huynh)*




**Topics:** [People](https://today.umd.edu/tags/people)


**Tags:** [Alumni](https://today.umd.edu/topic/alumni), [Athletics](https://today.umd.edu/topic/athletics-tag)


**Units:** [Division of Student Affairs](https://today.umd.edu/topic/division-student-affairs), [University Recreation and Wellness](https://today.umd.edu/topic/university-recreation-and-wellness)