2024-25 Terry O'Reily and Kevin Higgins Scholarship Recipient: Mia Blocher

Finding her athletic calling in rugby after leaving soccer and track, Mia Blocher's seventh-grade decision to try a practice with the Warsaw Area Middle School Girls Rugby Team transformed her life. That first season brought immediate success, winning her grade-level state championship and being voted team MVP.

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After losing her eighth-grade season to COVID-19, Blocher made an immediate impact in high school, starting varsity in her first game. Her sophomore year saw her team place second in the DI State Championship and first in the DII Midwest Tournament. Her leadership qualities earned her the role of varsity team captain for her junior and senior years.

"Mia is a very talented individual. For me, she is the perfect combination of a person: thoughtful, team driven, hard working/coachable and committed while staying humble," said Stephanie Coates, her high school coach.

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In her senior year, Blocher led her team to victory in the state championship and seventh place at Nationals. Her outstanding performance earned her several awards from Rugby Indiana, including Girls High School DI MVP and High School Girls Player of the Year.

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Beyond her high school team, Blocher joined the All-Midwest High School Girls Thunderbirds, participating in multiple tours, including an international tour to New Zealand. While excelling at rugby, she maintained a 4.26 GPA and graduated Suma Cum Laude with both academic and technical honors diplomas.

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"Rugby is the reason I gained self-confidence in my body and taught myself the importance of fitness, health, and physical wellbeing," Blocher shared. "Rugby also vastly improved my mental health by giving me an outlet for difficult emotions along with a community of teammates, coaches, and, really, a second family."

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Currently playing for the University of Notre Dame Women's Rugby team while attending Saint Mary's College, Blocher aspires to play on a Premiere team and potentially join the USA Women's National Team, hoping to inspire other female athletes along the way.