Editor’s note: This story is the third in a weekly series profiling “Hidden Stars” across campus. A “Hidden Star” is someone who doesn’t normally get recognized and who excels in club sports, intramurals or other recreational activities. The series will run on every Tuesday throughout the semester. If you’d like to nominate someone to be featured as a “Hidden Star,” e-mail that person’s name, phone number, e-mail address and a brief paragraph about why he or she should be recognized to [email protected].

In the fall of 2001, Kristin Myers joined the ISU women’s rugby team, not knowing she would become an accomplished athlete.

At the time, Myers was a sophomore, and had never played the intense game before.

Her only introduction to rugby was the tape she watched along with her teammates the night before their first game.

“I really was confused,” said Myers of seeing rugby played for the first time. “I didn’t really understand it.”

That was just a year ago, but already Myers has made quite an impression on the field and among her teammates.

“She’s crazy, but an awesome teammate,” Jill Pomerenke said. “She’s so fun, and can always make you laugh.”

As a newcomer, Pomerenke said that she was intimidated by Myers at first, but soon learned she was very friendly and open.

“She’s nice and makes people feel welcome,” Pomerenke said.

Myers said she joined the team after seeing a flyer recruiting players floating around in her residence hall.

“I missed being on a team and being competitive,” Meyers said.

In January, she was invited to play with the Midwest under-23 Select Side in Atlanta, Ga. even though under normal circumstances she was have been required to try out at the Midwest under-23 camp in order to participate.

Participating in the Select Side in Atlanta made Myers the first ISU women’s rugby player to ever participate at a level that high.

“She’s a stellar player,” said teammate Shaunna Day, who has been playing rugby for four years.

In April, Myers played for the Iowa Select Side and was invited to attend the Midwest under-23 camp in May. During the camp, she was chosen once again to play for the Midwest under-23 team.

In June, Myers traveled to California with the team to play in the National Rugby Tournament.

Her team came away with the title, and she was selected as one of the 40 players who would attend the National Elite Camp.

Day said each player offers something different, and Myers pulls it all together.

“She’s a natural born athlete,” Day said. “She has an awesome stiff-arm. She can eject girls left and right.”

Myers said rugby has brought many different aspects to her life besides the opportunity to travel and to meet new people.

“I get to stay in shape,” she said. “And I get to hit people without getting in trouble.”

She went into rugby not knowing very much about the sport and within a year, she’s seen many goals reached and success earned.

“People should come out and try it,” Myers said. “Even if they’re scared, they should at least give it a chance.”

– Emily Arthur contributed to this article.