ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Navy women's rugby head coach Murph McCarthy announced the addition of former U.S. Women's Rugby 7s Olympic team captain Abby Gustaitis to his staff as an assistant coach. Gustaitis has been involved in the sport of rugby for over 13 years as a player, coach and analyst. 

"I'm thrilled for Abby Gustaitis to be coming aboard at Navy," said head coach Murph McCarthy. "Her enthusiasm for the game is apparent when you watch her play or listen to her from the broadcast booth. She will be a great addition to our team."

Gustaitis began competing in rugby while attending the University of Maryland and immediately caught the attention of the national team. She was invited to train full time with the U.S. Women's National Team in 2015 and made her debut later that year for the 15s side. In 2016, she earned a roster spot with the Scion Rugby Academy in Washington, D.C. In her first season with Scion, she captained the team to the National Clubs 7s Championship.

Gustaitis' first opportunity to compete in a World Cup came in 2017 when she earned a spot on the USA Women's 15s squad. She guided the U.S. to a fourth-place finish at the Women's Rugby World Cup in Dublin, Ireland.

Gustaitis switched primarily to rugby 7s competition to achieve her dream of playing in the Olympics. She garnered an opportunity to compete for the U.S. at the 7s World Cup in San Francisco, Calif., in 2018, where she led the U.S. to a fourth-place finish. Gustaitis also was a member of the U.S. squad that placed second at the 2019 Pan American Games. Team USA advanced to the championship bracket after defeating Trinidad and Tobago (55-0), Argentina (49-0) and Colombia (38-0) in the pool stage. The U.S. defeated Brazil (33-19) in the semifinals before dropping a hard-fought match against Canada (24-10) in the gold medal match. Gustaitis helped Team USA to its first-ever gold medal win in the HSBC Women's 7s World Series in Biarritz, France later that year and backed it up with another tournament victory on home soil in Colorado. 

Gustaitis not only achieved a roster spot on Team USA for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, but she was also named a team captain. The U.S. went undefeated in pool play, which included a 14-12 victory against Australia. Team USA would go on to place sixth overall in the medal playoffs. 

After returning from the Olympics, Gustaitis received a position as a color commentator for World Rugby and a sideline reporter and analyst for NBC Sports. 

Along with coaching, she continues to play professional rugby for the Southern Headliners. The team is a member of the Premier Rugby 7s, which is the first professional rugby 7s league in North America. Gustaitis was part of a squad that won the 2022 Premier Rugby 7s Championship and the 2023 Premier Rugby 7s East Division title where she was named MVP. Additionally, she continues to play for Scion Rugby Academy and aided the club to another National Clubs 7s Championship in 2022. 

A native of Baltimore, MD., Gustaitis attended the University of Maryland and graduated with a degree in physiology and neurobiology in 2013.

"I'm excited to be part of such a great program and Academy with such a strong history in sport. The team is filled with promising young women and a lot of opportunity for growth," said Gustaitis. "Women's rugby is very much on the rise and I can't wait to work with coach (Murph) McCarthy and see where we can take this team.

"I am grateful for rugby and the community in so many ways, but especially for this new opportunity. I hope to be able to give back to these women who are already going above and beyond for our 
country."

Navy begins its season against Queens University of Charlotte on Saturday at 1 p.m. in Greenwood, S.C.