GRR: Tropical 7s
By our count the Tropical 7s has over 170 teams signed up for the April 7-8 event.
The tournament covers U12 to U23 brackets, with the largest being U18 Girls Open, which has 24 teams.
The Tropical 7s is almost full and will have close to 180 teams this year as it has found room to expand.
The move to Tampa has managed to retain the Florida-ness of the tournament despite not being in Orlando anymore, and in addition has the larger venue with enough fields to handle the massive turnout.
There were surprises throughout the Boys Elite U18 bracket at the Tropical 7s.
Coming out of Southern California action undefeated and with an almost perfect defensive scoresheet, Fallbrook Girls were favorites to contend in the U18 Girls Elite bracket of the Tropical 7s.
The USA Rugby South Panther program had a pretty successful weekend at the Tropical 7s, winning at three different age groups, including at the U16 level.
Mike Orefice scouted and assembled the team and Gary Anderson and Andy Thomas coached the squad.