Corning, N.Y., June 17—A Legislative Resolution sponsored by State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C-Big Flats) and State Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C-Corning) honoring the Corning Rugby Club for winning the 2025 RugbyNY High School Girls Championship was presented to the team on Monday.

The Corning Rugby Club defeated Orchard Park, 29-10, to capture the championship on May 31, 2025 at Syracuse University’s Ballentine Field. The victory capped the team’s undefeated, 6-0, RugbyNY season.

An official Legislative Resolution (J1193/K00733) recently approved by the state Senate and Assembly was presented to the coaches and players at the team’s athletic banquet on Monday night in Corning.

The joint Assembly-Senate resolution sponsored by Palmesano and O’Mara reads, in part, “The coaches and all of the outstanding athletes in the Corning Rugby Club have clearly utilized dedication, determination and teamwork in providing a lasting contribution to the spirit of excellence which is a tradition of their school.”

The resolution pays tribute to coaches Bob McGee, Michael Larrabee, Craig Johnson, Ali Rhanime, Fionnagh Krenzer, and Cat Hill, and EMT Kirk Estrada, together with team members Alyssa Ainsworth, Silvana Bilcari, Jaylin Butler, Jana Butler, Lila Caprarella, Mia Caprarella, Keira Ceralde, Mckenna Clark, Kendra Close, Kendall Clowe, Katie Creath, Brianna DeMonstoy, Kaydence Ector, Lorelei Furney, Emma Hadlock, Sydney Hardee, Zoe Harmer, Jordan Hill, Kathryn Long, Cora McNeil, Lillian Medrek, Kiley Reedy, Kaegan Rhodes, Bella Scardina, Desirae Stickler, Karina Swarthout, Phoenix Wilcox, and Ella Yarnell.

In a joint statement, O’Mara and Palmesano said, “We appreciate this opportunity to congratulate and pay tribute to the Corning Rugby Club on their outstanding season that led to the ultimate achievement of a state championship! It’s an opportunity to recognize and honor the dedication, excellence, hard work, and success of these remarkable student-athletes who help our school communities stand out. They represent inspiring stories and stand as a source of enormous pride to the entire Corning-Painted Post school district, as well as to their families and friends, the community at large, and our entire region.”

Bob McGee, Director of Rugby for the Corning Rugby Club, said, "This championship was a culmination of years of hard work for a very talented senior group that has helped lay the foundation for the younger players and set the expectations for future teams. We talk a lot about leaving the club in a better place than when you joined. This group of girls through their play in the Elite Girls Rugby League and their successes in RugbyNY competition have set the standard that future teams need to reach and work towards exceeding."