Though Team USA lost to France
in their final pool match on Monday morning, they advanced to the rounds after
wins over Japan and Brazil. The United States still has a chance to protect its
first Olympic sport medal since the sport's return in 2016.
Here's what you need to know
about Maher, who is in charge of Team USA:
Maher hails from Burlington,
Vermont, where she primarily shone in field hockey, basketball and softball
before playing rugby at age 17.
Where did Ilona Maher go to
college?
At Quinnipiac University in
Connecticut, Maher earned All-America honors three times and graduated with a
nursing degree. She was given the MA Sorensen Award in 2016–17, recognizing her
as the top collegiate women's sport player in the country. While at Quinnipiac,
he led the Bobcats to consecutive NIRA National Finals and unbeaten 7s seasons.
Maher is 5-foot-10 and weighs
200 pounds. She used her platform at the Olympics to supporter for body positivity.
At 27, Maher will celebrate
her 28th birthday on August 12, the day after the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Maher has been associated to
NFL running backs like Derrick Henry and Marshawn Lynch due to his standout
tight end during the Olympics. His unforgettable moves against Japan and Brazil
quickly became the most talked about highlights of the Games.