CHARLESTON, Ill. -- Eastern Illinois women's rugby has inked a pair of student-athletes – Peyton Barr (Carmel, Ind.) and local Mattoon product Meghan McCain -- to National Letters of Intent for the 2015 season, as announced by head coach Frank Graziano today (Dec. 9).
 
"We are very excited about our two early signees," said Graziano, who just completed his 16th year as skipper of the NCAA Division I Panthers.  "Only once before have we ever signed an early prospect, so these future Panther student-athletes represent our continued improvement for the future."
 
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 Peyton Barr
Freshman … #8 … Carmel, Ind. … Carmel HS
 
Athletic Highlights:  During her sophomore thru senior years, she played prep rugby at Carmel HS, earning a trio of letters in the process.  Tallied 2014 All-State Honors while also a member of the National Honor Society.
 
Chose EIU:  "Because of the NCAA Division I rugby program, plus I also want to become a Spanish teacher and Eastern is a great school for future teachers."  While at Eastern, Peyton plans to major in Spanish education.
 
Coach Graziano Says:  "Peyton comes to our program with some rugby experience and we are very excited about her future as a Panther student-athlete. Peyton has played multiple positions on her local club rugby team in Indiana giving us several playing options during her freshman year at EIU. Initially, Peyton will start at the #8 position, but will also spend time at the flanker and lock positions. She is multi-talented with good athletic ability, she runs well, has excellent eye-hand coordination and enjoys the physical nature of a rugby contest. Peyton also possess an excellent running style which we plan to not only improve but utilize in our multi-phase attack.
 
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Meghan McCain
Junior … Scrum-half / Flanker … Mattoon, Ill. … Mattoon HS … Kaskaskia College
 
Athletic Highlights:  Played softball and was member of the golf squad at nearby Mattoon HS, earning multiple letters while also nabbing All-Apollo Conference golfing honors.  Member of the MHS softball squad that secured several conference titles, including a trio of regional titles, as the Green Wave advanced to sectionals twice and eventually finished fourth at the state championship during her junior season.  Her golf squad also earned a pair of league titles, as she placed seventh individually in conference and advanced to the state sectional meet as well.  Multi-year member of the National Honors Society.
 
Chose EIU:  "Because I fell in love with Eastern once I walked onto the campus.  It's a fantastic school and I have the opportunity to continue my athletic career."  Meghan plans to earn her degree in recreation administration while at EIU.
 
Coach Graziano Says:  "Meghan represents another one of our multi-sport athletes from the local area, as she is an alum of nearby Mattoon HS. During the recruiting process, we could sense the toughness she'll bring to our rugby program. Although she's not very big, we feel Meghan will have no trouble tackling athletes much larger than herself, which gives us many options related to her future rugby playing positions. As a successful junior college softball player her transition to the rugby field will be smooth and quick, since as many of her softball athletic abilities will translate well into our style of rugby play. We see Meghan's initial starting positions to be either at scrum-half or at the flanker position."
 
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Peyton and Meghan are set to join 13 returning women's rugby players next season, as the 2014 Panther unit finished their fall campaign at 3-4 overall, which included a pair of decisive season-ending road victories.

... for more info, contact Bart Rettberg, Asst. SID