Durbin, Navarro participate in USA Rugby's Stars and Stripes Camp

USA Rugby’s annual high school all-American camp is officially known as the Stars and Stripes Camp, and two Fallbrook High School players participated in this year’s camp July 13-16 at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley.

Incoming Fallbrook High School sophomore Lilly Durbin and incoming Warrior senior Michel Navarro were selected to participate in the camp which included 50 high school boys and 50 high school girls from throughout the United States.

“I’m really happy,” Navarro said of her selection. “I’ve been trying to work hard in rugby so I can be up there.”

The players were notified of their invitations in early July. “I was really excited when I got the e-mail,” Durbin said.

The players were selected by USA Rugby coaches who watched regional all-star tournaments. Durbin and Navarro were on the Southern California Rugby Football Union’s Griffins all-star team which won the Great Northwest Challenge Regional All-Star Tournament in Portland on June 21 and June 22.

“Going there was like an accomplishment for me,” Navarro said of her selection to the Stars and Stripes Camp.

Approximately half a dozen coaches provided instruction to the players at the Stars and Stripes Camp. “I learned a lot,” Navarro said.

“They were good coaches,” Durbin said. “I actually learned a lot going to the camp.”

The four-day camp concluded with the Stars and Stripes Game which was played July 16. Durbin played on the Stripes and Navarro was on the Stars. The Stripes defeated the Stars by a 27-10 score.

“It was pretty intense because everyone was really good, so it was harder competition for us,” Navarro said. “It was tough to complete against other girls.”

Durbin, who is a fullback, scored two tries in the Stars and Stripes Game. Navarro plays the flank position.