BY ANDY BAGGOT
UWBadgers.com Insider
MADISON, Wis. — Growing up in Alaska, Alev Kelter was such a sought-after multi-sport athlete that two Wisconsin coaches made recruiting trips to see her.
Mark Johnson with women's hockey and Paula Wilkins with women's soccer both made the six-hour flight to Anchorage to visit Kelter and sell her on their programs.
Kelter came to Madison, played both sports from 2009 to 2013, and compiled an enviable resume.
As a defenseman she helped the women's hockey team to consecutive NCAA title games, winning the championship in 2011.
As a midfielder she played in three NCAA soccer tournaments for the Badgers, a significant feat given they hadn't qualified since 2005.
Along the way Kelter recorded multi-goal games for both teams; was voted to the all-NCAA Frozen Four squad in 2011; and was a second-team all-Big Ten Conference pick on the pitch in 2010.
Kelter played for U.S. national teams in both sports growing up, so it's not a surprise that she aspired to be an Olympian someday.
That dream came true, but certainly not in the way she planned it.
Kelter is competing for Team USA in Rio as a member of the ground-breaking sport of rugby sevens.
The Americans open play in Pool A vs. Fiji on Saturday at 15,000-seat Deodoro Stadium in Rio.
Though an admitted novice to rugby, Kelter was among 12 players chosen to represent her country in large part due to her unique skill set and international experiences in hockey and soccer.
"Playing at the highest level at Wisconsin helped me be the rugby player I am today," Kelter said. "I wouldn't be in the Olympics for rugby if I hadn't played those two sports."
Or gotten a phone call out of the blue one early spring day in 2014, one that Kelter initially thought was a prank being played by her twin sister, Derya.
It was no joke. At the behest of a former high school classmate, Ric Suggitt, a respected international coach representing Team USA, called Kelter and asked if she'd be interested in playing some rugby. In other words, would she come to California and try out?Â
Kelter said yes, but not before she finished her final classes toward her UW degree in fine arts. In the meantime, she adjourned to her computer to find some YouTube clips on how to play.
Two weeks later, Kelter found herself at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, California. In short order she was learning how to tackle, pass and kick.
"When I got there the girls were so welcoming and so helpful," Kelter said. "They were so excited that people wanted to play rugby."
The opportunity in Rio casts Kelter and her teammates in the role of pioneers. Women's rugby is making its Olympic debut, while the men are back on the Summer Games marquee for the first time since the Americans won the gold medal in Paris in 1924.
"We're setting a lot of precedents for sports around the world, especially in the women's game," Kelter said. "I'm extremely proud and honored to be a part of that moment."
Kelter spoke while home in Eagle River, located just outside Anchorage, reveling with friends and family who arranged a fund-raiser as part of her send-off.
"I'm thankful to have that support," Kelter said.
According to Kelter, former Badgers teammates and coaches have reached out to send congratulations and encouragement.
"My Wisconsin family is such a big part of my foundation as a rugby player," she said.
Kelter brings an array of useful traits, instincts and skills – all gleaned from hockey and soccer – to her latest calling.
She has smooth lateral movements and a sense of anticipation from hockey.
She has a strong kicking leg and a natural sense of aggressiveness from soccer.
Both sports demand a high degree of persistent endurance – quick shifts in hockey; sustained attacks in soccer – which translates well to Olympic rugby.
"Alev has really come a long way in rugby in the short amount of time she's been playing the game," American coach Richie Walker said. "She adds a different dynamic to our team, which fits well with the style of play."
The fact Kelter played flag football at Chugiak High School – going unbeaten her senior season she's proud to note – helps her transition as well. One of her teammates on that squad, Lorri Clifford, is the friend who gave Kelter's cell phone number to Suggitt.Â
The object of Olympic rugby is to score more points than the opposition. The ball can never be passed forward, but players can advance the ball or kick it forward to chase it down.
Unlike traditional rugby and its 15-person attack spanning 80 minutes, Olympic rugby features seven players a side with two seven-minute periods separated by a one-minute break. Reduced personnel means that play is opened up significantly and versatility is embraced. The games move quickly and intensely.
When the ball goes out of play along the sidelines, the game is restarted with a throw-in. When the ball is jarred or passed forward, play restarts with a scrum.
Points are scored with tries, which are five points. That's where a player touches the ball down in the opponent's in-goal area at the end of the field.
Conversions, which are worth two points, are recorded by kicking the through the goal post after tries.
Penalty kicks and drop kicks that go through the uprights are worth three points.
"It's an amazing sport," Kelter said.
Both the men's and women's tournaments will be played at Deodoro Stadium in Rio. Twelve teams are split into three groups of four. Eight countries will advance to the knockout phase. The medal round follows.
Kelter still plays co-ed hockey and soccer when she can. She said some of her rugby training involved cross-over drills from the two sports.Â
"I miss it every day, but at the same time I know that God's calling me to play rugby and to reach out to young kids to get them to play any sport that they're passionate about," Kelter said.
"I wouldn't be the rugby player I am today without hockey and soccer, so I encourage people to find the sport they love and be passionate about it."
