Historic bronze.

How it happened.

For decades, an Olympic medal in rugby was something Team USA could only dream about. On July 30, 2024, at Stade de France in Paris, that dream finally became reality.

The U.S. Women's Rugby Sevens team entered the Olympic tournament as underdogs, but quickly became one of the stories of the Games. After fighting through pool play and a heartbreaking semifinal loss, the team had one more chance — the bronze medal match against Australia, the reigning Olympic gold medalists from Tokyo.

With seconds left on the clock, Alex "Spiff" Sedrick broke through the Australian defense, sprinting nearly the length of the field for a try and a clutch conversion to seal the win — 14-12. The roar from the U.S. crowd, the tears on the sideline, and the moment the medals were placed around their necks marked something bigger than a single match. It was the first Olympic medal in USA Rugby history, women's or men's.

For Ariana, the journey to that podium started years earlier — at Dartmouth, on the road with the senior national team, and through Tokyo 2020. Standing on that podium in Paris was the payoff for every early morning, every recovery, and every teammate who believed in what this program could become.

The bronze isn't just a medal. It's proof that women's rugby in the United States has arrived — and it's only the beginning.