Alev Kelter
Eagle River’s Alev Kelter didn’t just lead her team to a Premier Rugby Sevens title, she outscored the other team by herself in the championship match.
At age 32, she is showing no signs of slowing down as opponents struggle to keep up – even in a professional women’s league sanctioned by USA Rugby.
Kelter made that perfectly apparent in the PR7s title match two weeks ago in Washington, D.C., where she led the Northern Loonies to a 21-12 victory over the New York Locals.
The 5-foot-6 Alaskan recorded a tournament-record 13 points and finished in the top 3 with seven carries and 12 passes as she showcased her do-everything skill set and earned Finals MVP honors.
That title-game takeover performance was just a sample of a dominating season that saw her record a league-high 29 points and 27 carries to go with three tries and three steals.
Kelter is the total package – a no-quit, no-fear playmaker who can deke, kick and tackle.
It’s why she’s now among the three finalists for the PR7s player of the year award, joining South Headliners’ star Naya Tapper and New York Locals standout Stacey Waaka.
Neither of them scored as much as Kelter. Few do.
The Chugiak High product is one of the most decorated American rugby players of all-time.
Not only is she a two-time Olympian, but she’s played in three World Cups, won a silver at the 2015 Pan Am Games and in May became the second U.S. player to convert 100 career tries at the World Rugby Sevens Series.
Women’s Finals MVP @kelteralev lead her team to victory with the most points scored by any female athlete in the tournament and placed in the top 3 for carries & passes made 🏆#PR7sDC pic.twitter.com/KFagfXODQC
— Premier Rugby Sevens (@prsevens) August 11, 2023