Southern Arizona athletes lead charge in women's club flag football

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Three athletes from Southern Arizona - Marie McCaa and Rylen Bourguet at Arizona State, and Ryann Brooks at Arizona - are making their mark on the fast-growing sport of women's club flag football. With backgrounds in other sports like volleyball, soccer, and track, these versatile athletes are helping to redefine the game and push for greater inclusion of women in football.

Why it matters

Women's flag football is one of the fastest growing sports in the country, with participation surging at both youth and collegiate levels. The presence of these Southern Arizona athletes underscores the region's reputation for producing versatile athletic talent, while also highlighting the broader movement to empower women in competitive football and break down historical barriers.

The details

McCaa, a sophomore at Arizona State, brings speed and hand-eye coordination from her background in volleyball and track. Bourguet, a junior at Arizona State, has an even broader athletic resume with experience in beach volleyball, indoor volleyball, and soccer. Brooks, a sophomore at Arizona, is one of the rare collegiate players with direct flag football experience from high school.

• McCaa and Bourguet are currently playing for their respective university club teams in the 2026 season.
• Brooks joined the Arizona program in 2025 after graduating from Marana High School in 2025.

What’s next

As the Arizona State and Arizona programs continue to develop their women's club flag football teams, McCaa, Bourguet, and Brooks will look to lead their respective squads to success on the field and inspire the next generation of female athletes.