WHITEFISH TO RIO

Six years ago, Nicole Heavirland’s father convinced her to take up rugby, telling her he knew she’d be great at it.

Now Heavirland, 21, is leaving for Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Saturday as a traveling reserve for the U.S. Womens National Rugby team at the 2016 Summer Olympic Games.

“Dad’s usually right,” she said with a laugh.

The Whitefish native is currently in Florida for a scrimmage with New Zealand following months of training in Chula Vista, Calif.

Though she remembers watching the Olympics a bit when she was younger, Heavirland said she never really expected to actually be competing in the games. As a sophomore at Glacier High School, she began playing with the mens rugby club, practicing with them and playing on womens teams in Missoula and Hamilton. She also played soccer and basketball and ran track.

Having missed the cut for the final 12 active roster spots on the womens national team, Heavirland will be a traveling reserve, ready to play if any one teammate goes down while in Rio.

Heavirland said she’s still excited and thrilled to be a part of the Olympic experience.

“It’s pretty surreal and it’s a pretty awesome experience,” she said. “I’m just soaking it all in, trying to just enjoy it.”

She was standout for the Army West Point womens rugby team for two years, leading the Black Knights to the 2015 ACRA Sevens championship last spring. She was named MVP after recording 33 points in four matches.

Heavirland had to leave college at West Point to begin training for the Olympic team.

After the Olympics, she said she’ll head back to Whitefish to spend time with family and friends before applying to universities and finishing her education.

As far as future career plans go, Heavirland said she’ll be happy as long as she’s working with the human body, whether it be as a chiropractor, surgeon or physical therapist.

But for now, her focus is on Rio de Janeiro. Coming from a small town in northwest Montana, Heavirland said she’s proud to have made it to the world’s biggest stage.

“I’m excited to represent Montana in the Olympics,” she said.

The women’s rugby team opens Olympic action with two matches Aug. 6, the first day of competition, including an early-morning game against Fiji at 10 a.m. MT.