USA FOOTBALL U.S. JUNIOR NATIONAL TEAM AND SELECT TEAM ALUMNI NOMINATED FOR MAXWELL FOOTBALL CLUB FLAG FOOTBALL AWARD

U.S. Junior National Team and Select Bowl Athletes Nominated for Inaugural  Girls National Flag Football Player of the Year award 

INDIANAPOLIS, IND. – Several of USA Football’s U.S. Junior National Team and Select Team alumni were nominated by NFL clubs for the Maxwell Football Club’s inaugural Girls National Flag Football Player of the Year award as part of the 88th Maxwell Awards, which will be presented on Friday, March 14 at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga. 

NFL clubs submitted nominations to the Maxwell Football Club's national selection staff for evaluation throughout the fall, leading to the final 32 nominees. The Maxwell Football Club delivers several iconic football awards annually, including the Bert Bell Award, Chuck Bednarik Award and Maxwell Award, which acknowledge football players at the college and NFL levels. 

USA Football, the governing body of American Football in the United States, selects, trains and leads the U.S. National Teams for international competitions, including when flag football makes its Olympic debut on home soil in Los Angeles in 2028.  

USA Football’s pathway to the U.S. National Teams includes Junior National Teams at the 15U and 17U levels that compete under international 5-on-5 rules against the best teams from around the world annually at USA Football’s Junior International Cup.  

The 15U and 17U U.S. Girls’ Flag National Teams have swept the gold medal podiums each year since the Junior International Cup debuted in 2022. This past year’s tournament took place in Los Angeles at Dignity Health Sports Park, home of the LA Galaxy. Teams from Canada, Japan, Mexico and Panama participated in the event.  

The Select Bowl, presented by Under Armour, debuted in 2024 as part of USA Football’s National Team Development Program. The championship event fields Select Teams across several age divisions from around the country. Select Team athletes receive help from their specially trained coaching staff to hone their skills and raise their games as they compete for future opportunities to try out for the U.S. National Team. 

USA Football’s 2024 Heart of a Giant winner Vanessa Tepper also received a nomination. The award is presented annually by Hospital for Special Surgery and the New York Giants. 

Below is a list of all U.S. National Team and Select Bowl alumni who were nominated for the Maxwell Football Club’s Girls National Flag Football Player of the Year award:  

Nominated U.S. National Team Alumni 

Maia Helmar; Newport Harbor High School; Newport Beach, Calif.; Los Angeles Chargers  

• 2024 17U U.S. Girls’ Flag National Team

Alexandria Lofton; Columbus High School; Columbus, Ga., Atlanta Falcons 

• 2024 17U U.S. Girls’ Flag National Team 

Samaya Taylor-Jenkins; Hamilton High School; Chandler, Ariz.; Arizona Cardinals 

• 2024 17U U.S. Girls’ Flag National Team 

• 2024 Junior International Cup 17U Girls’ Division MVP 

Ava Wallace; Rouse High School; Leander, Texas; Houston Texans 

• 2022 17U U.S. Girls’ Flag National Team 

• 2023 17U U.S. Girls’ Flag National Team 

Kiona “Ki'Lolo" Westerlund; Liberty High School; Henderson, Nev.; Las Vegas Raiders 

• 2022 15U U.S. Girls’ Flag National Team  

• 2023 17U U.S. Girls’ Flag National Team  

• 2024 17U U.S. Girls’ Flag National Team 

Nominated Select Bowl Alumni 

Anna Anderson; Park Hill High School; Kansas City, Mo.; Kansas City Chiefs 

• 2024 17U U.S. Girls’ Flag National Team Alternate 

• 2024 20U Women’s Select Bowl Participant 

Eleana Lee; Chief Sealth International High School; Seattle, Wash.; Seattle Seahawks 

• 2024 20U Women’s Select Bowl Participant 

Lilly Rumrill; Mooresville High School; Mooresville, N.C.; Carolina Panthers 

• 2024 20U Women’s Select Bowl Participant 

Nominated USA Football Heart of a Giant Alumni 

Vanessa Tepper; Minisink Valley High School; Slate Hill, N.Y.; New York Giants  

• 2024 USA Football Heart of a Giant award winner 

About USA Football: USA Football is the governing body of American Football in the United States. As a Recognized Sports Organization of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee and the sole U.S. member of the International Federation of American Football, USA Football selects, trains and leads the U.S. National Teams in tackle and flag football disciplines, while delivering world-class football development resources, sport standards and competitive opportunities to empower athletes at every level. USA Football is committed to ensuring every athlete has access to develop and compete in the game through safer, inclusive and innovative pathways.