In an eventful journey at the Paris 2024 Olympics, the USA Rugby Sevens team, led by Captain (Brother) Kevon Williams (’11 NΡ), showcased remarkable resilience and determination, even as their quest for an Olympic medal concluded earlier than hoped with a quarterfinal loss to Australia.
The Men’s USA Rugby team started their Paris 2024 campaign with a spirited 12-12 draw against France, highlighted by strong defense and tries from Lucas Lacamp and Marcus Tupuola. Despite an early try by Orrin Bizer in their second pool match, they were overpowered by Fiji, losing 38-12. Needing a win against Uruguay to advance, Perry Baker’s record four tries secured a 33-17 victory. However, early nerves and small mistakes led to an 18-0 quarterfinal loss to Australia. In the fifth-place semifinal, debutants Pita Vi and Adam Channel saw the USA narrowly defeated by Ireland 17-14, and a strong Argentina side handed the USA an 18-0 loss in the seventh-place match.
“Obviously, we didn’t get the results we wanted, and we wish we could’ve been on that podium, but I’m going to take the memories from the last eight years with the boys on the field grinding,” said Captain Kevon Williams. “We’ve had some bad years and we got really good, had some really great years, and then changed up the guard, but I’m just going to take the memories away. This was an awesome environment, awesome stadium, and a great team to be around. It’s hard to say because you want to win so much, and Mike says all the time that results don’t define us. It’s how we act and how we are is what defines us.”
Kevon Williams’ rugby journey is a testament to perseverance and triumph. Coming up through football in Houston, TX, and New Mexico Highland University, Williams found rugby in college before graduating with a degree in Computer Science. After four straight years of All-Conference honors in football, Williams joined the Denver Barbarians post-college.
Williams made his HSBC Sevens Series debut at the 2016 Dubai Sevens Tournament after impressive performances with the Denver Barbarians earned him National Team attention. He scored his first try against Fiji in the 5th Place Semifinal at the following Cape Town Sevens, cementing himself as a multi-talented sevens athlete.
In 2017, Williams stunned audiences at the Silicon Valley Sevens tournament, scoring in four out of the six matches contested by the United States. He moved on to suit up full-time for the 2017-18 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, helping his squad clinch their first-ever Cup title on home soil at the 2018 USA Sevens. Williams has since been a mainstay and was named to the 2020 Tokyo Olympic squad.
Since 2021, Williams has served as Captain of the USA Men’s Sevens and carried that title into the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Williams’ leadership and dedication have left an indelible mark on USA Rugby, and his journey from a football hopeful to a rugby star is nothing short of inspirational.
As the USA Rugby Sevens team sets its sights on the LA 2028 Olympics, the foundation built by Kevon Williams and his teammates will undoubtedly pave the way for future success. With young talents like Lucas Lacamp and Orrin Bizer stepping up, the future of USA Rugby looks promising. Williams’ legacy as a leader, mentor, and exceptional athlete will continue to inspire the next generation of rugby players.
Photo Credit: NCAA.ORG / Instagram @mrkevonwilliams
