Cristina Mastrangelo

Nickname: "Teena"
Height/Weight: 5'2", 139 lbs.
Age: 25
Birthplace: Chicago, IL
Current Team: Chicago North Shore
Past Teams: U.I.C. Women's Rugby


College: University of Illinois at Chicago
Years playing rugby: 8
Occupation: Personal Trainer/Dietitian


Get to Know "Teena"

How did you get involved in rugby?
"I was a lifeguard at a Chicago Park District Beach and my mate played rugby and told me about it, so I went out to a practice and IT WAS LOVE AT FIRST TACKLE!!! "

Other interests:
"DANCING at home, DANCING at clubs, DANCING at the gym, DANCING basically anywhere where I'm allowed to & being a beach bum"

Favorite rugby memory:
"Being at the U23 ITT's tourney and performing a ’Äúspecial’Äù choreographed rugby dance with 3 of my other teammates’Ķ.I HAVE NEVER LAUGHED SO HARD’ĶThanks to Nemo, Christy, and Kitchin for helping me out with that!"

Rugby mentors/inspirations:
"There are so many . . . Pam Kosanke I would have to say is my most inspirational player!"

Coaching influences
"Mark Santiago because he never let me get away with saying to NO to anything! Now I'm as poor as I can be but I've had some AMAZING EXPERIENCES! Other great coaches include: Julie McCoy and her pack (Drew, Pudge/Chris), Barb and Martha and Bryn."

Favorite Motto/Saying:
"Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It's a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing! OR how about some Rambo: Live for Nothing or Die for Something! "