Strasko finds success after switching to rugby

Central College

MARIETTA, GA. — Nicole Strasko ’13 used to score 2-point and 3-point field goals as a member of the Central College women’s basketball team. Now she’s vying for 5-point tries as a new member of the U.S. national women’s rugby squad.

Strasko, a native of Roland, Iowa, graduated in 2013 from Central as a four-time varsity basketball letterwinner and a two-time team captain. Upon graduation, Strasko journeyed to Marietta, Georgia to attend Life University and become a doctor of chiropractic. While at Life, Strasko took up rugby for the first team and quickly moved up the ranks. She was invited to attend the National All-Star Competition for the third time in her short career in early June. She emerged from a pool of 53 athletes to earn one of 26 spots on the United States national team for the Women’s Rugby Super Series in Salt Lake City, Utah in July.

In just her second year with the Life program, Strasko led her squad to victory at the 2016 Collegiate Rugby 7’s Championship, where she was named the Most Valuable Player and received all-America honors in 2015. The title at the CRC capped a 28-1 season.

Strasko travels to the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, California June 16-18 for an additional competition featuring collegiate all-stars and members of the U.S. women’s rugby 7’s team.