Although she may have just completed her first year at Dartmouth College, Summit’s Paola Arredondo Almeida has already achieved several milestones since graduating from Summit High School in 2023. 

For those who may not be aware, Arredondo Almeida was a standout, multisport athlete while adorned in the green and white of the Summit Tigers. Whether displaying her athleticism and leadership on the rugby pitch, the basketball court or the soccer field, Arredondo Almeida helped lead Summit teams to the playoffs and to the top of the state rankings.

Following four state rugby championships at Summit, Arredondo Almeida seamlessly transitioned to playing collegiate rugby in fall 2023 and almost immediately began contributing to her new team. Manning the wing position for the Dartmouth Big Green, Arredondo Almeida tallied five tries in her first fall 15-on-15 season, helping lead the Ivy League rugby program to an overall record of 6-3.

After winning back-to-back National Intercollegiate Rugby Association Division I national championships, Dartmouth returned to the championship match again in 2023, when it faced Harvard University. In a highly competitive battle, Harvard University effectively halted Dartmouth’s pursuit for a third-straight national championship berth, defeating the Big Green 20-12.

Due to her impressive freshman season on the Dartmouth women’s rugby team, Arredondo Almeida drew the interest of those within the USA Rugby organization, including the USA Women’s U20 rugby team head coach. 

“The coach — Joel Bonnaud — is the 15s coach, and he just watches every single collegiate game,” Arredondo Almeida said. “Whether it be through the NCAA or whatever division. He just recruits his players, scouts and watches everyone’s games.”

With the first women’s U20 Trans-Atlantic Quad Series held in Wales in July, Arredondo Almeida was appointed to the USA Women’s U20 national team alongside Dartmouth teammates Cindy Taulava and Taylor Sadek.

“I was really excited to be selected because I don’t really play 15s,” Arredondo Almeida said. “Summit is not really 15s based; we are more 7s based. The one time we did play 15s, it was way different compared to the actual style of play for 15s. It was pretty cool to learn that I had learned so much in my first collegiate year for Bonnaud to notice me.”

Composed of athletes from rugby programs from across the country, Arredondo Almeida and the rest of the USA Women’s U20 team traveled to Mount Saint Mary’s University in Maryland to take part in an 11-day training camp prior to the tournament.

“The camp was super huge for us and the program because usually for any tournament we get together two days before playing and then are thrown out there,” Arredondo Almeida said. “Not only did we get to know people as people, but we also got to know people as players. It gave us time to adapt to each other’s playing styles.” 

Feeling more familiar with one another as teammates on the pitch, the U20 team then made the trip to Cardiff, Wales, for the start of the Trans-Atlantic Quad Series, which featured additional U20 teams from Canada, England and the host country, Wales.

On July 14, the USA Women’s U20 team officially began play, facing Canada. Arredondo Almeida was listed on the roster for the opening match, but the incoming sophomore at Dartmouth did not play due to a minor hamstring injury from practice two days prior.

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From the sidelines, Arredondo Almeida watched as the USA U20 team attempted to overpower Canada. In the end, Team USA fell to Canada, 23-10.

“The first match is always a bit tricky,” Arredondo Almeida said. “Although we were training with each other, playing with one another is a little different because you are playing against someone else that isn’t your own team. It was a little rough but also smooth. The best part about it is that we realized what we had to fix.”

Five days after the match against Canada, Arredondo Almeida successfully returned to the pitch to take on Wales on its home turf July 19. In the match, Team USA played more as an entire team unit, challenging Wales until the final whistle. 

Despite keeping Wales within reach for most of the match, Team USA lost its second game of the series, 38-31.

“Wales had a totally different playing style, but we knew what to expect,” Arredondo Almeida said. “During that week’s practice we focused on our style of play and how we were going to be dominant. We played really well, and it was super close. I totally think we should have won that game, but compared to Canada we grew so much.”

Wanting to conclude the Trans-Atlantic Quad Series with a triumphant win, Team USA entered its final match against England on Wednesday, July 24, poised and ready to make a statement. 

“Before our practices and games, we would always ‘clock in’ as a team,” Arredondo Almeida said. “… After those two losses, it was kind of tough. We felt like we had just tried for nothing. We were really focused on how we were going to get paid for all of our effort and work.”

From start to finish, Arredondo Almeida and her Team USA teammates put on a master class, outscoring England, 40-22, in order to secure a win to cap off the series.

“It paid off,” Arredondo Almeida said. “We worked until the end. I don’t think we were really ever down, but regardless, we played the game like it was 0-0. It felt super nice, and I think that win flushed out all of the other losses.”

Outside of representing Team USA on the field, Arredondo Almeida and her teammates also got the opportunity to see sights throughout Wales, including the country’s vast array of castles and unique shops. 

“We had some travel days after the games,” Arredondo Almeida said. “We got to go to Cardiff, saw all the castles, all of the stores. The agriculture is super unique over there. It is so nice to explore the world while doing what you love.”

Now back in Summit County, Arredondo Almeida is taking a break from training to enjoy her last moments of summer break before returning to Dartmouth for the start of her sophomore rugby season. 

“I am not doing any heavy training, but I do go to Touch Tuesdays every Tuesday at Summit High School to play touch rugby with my friends and some of my old teammates,” Arredondo Almeida said. “… Nothing too crazy, just some mild activities.”

Dartmouth is scheduled to kick off the fall season Aug. 31 against Army West Point.