For the second consecutive year, Monona Grove asserted its dominance in youth flag rugby at the Lakefront 7s, sweeping all three divisions — 3rd–4th grade, 5th–6th grade, and 7th–9th grade — in a performance that leaves little doubt about the program’s depth and consistency.
Building on a perfect run in 2024, Monona Grove has now claimed back-to-back clean sweeps at one of the Midwest’s premier rugby festivals, further cementing its place as the team to beat in the youth flag rugby scene.
3rd-4th grade
In the 3rd and 4th grade division, Monona Grove topped a competitive group that included familiar names like Fond du Lac, Menomonee Falls, and Waukesha.
After a strong pool stage showing — where they finished unbeaten and scored consistently — Monona Grove advanced to the final against Fond du Lac, a team that had claimed this division’s title in 2023.
The matchup was a rematch of sorts and a chance for redemption. This time, Monona Grove came out ahead, sealing the championship and completing the first leg of their 2025 treble.
5th-6th grade
In the 5th and 6th grade bracket, Monona Grove’s path to the top was hard-earned. The group stages saw tight margins among the top teams, including the Skittles and Green Bay, both of whom were impressive in their own right.
The championship match proved a tense affair — one of the closest finals of the day — with Monona Grove narrowly edging their opponents to defend their 2024 title in this division and extend their flag rugby legacy.
7th-9th grade
The 7th through 9th grade division was arguably the most competitive, featuring larger pools and several undefeated teams coming out of group play.
Monona Grove emerged as the leader in their group, continuing their pattern of consistent scoring and tough defense. Meanwhile, Waukesha and Menomonee Falls also impressed, each putting together unbeaten records in their respective pools.
The knockout rounds brought together these top squads, and after a dramatic semifinal round, it was Monona Grove and Waukesha who advanced to the final. Monona Grove ultimately prevailed, completing the 2025 “Triple Crown” sweep and defending their title in the oldest youth division for the second year in a row.
In total, Monona Grove has now won eight flag rugby titles over the past three tournaments, an unprecedented run at Lakefront 7s. No other program has matched their breadth of success during this stretch, and their ability to win across multiple age groups highlights a level of cohesion and coaching continuity that other clubs are striving to replicate.
Looking ahead
Beyond the trophies, this dominance has implications for the broader flag rugby landscape in Wisconsin and the Midwest. The level of competition is clearly rising — tight finishes in the 2025 finals reflect a narrowing gap between the top teams — but Monona Grove’s consistency under pressure remains unmatched. Their continued success is raising the bar and pushing other clubs to evolve their approach, both tactically and in player development.
Meanwhile, teams Waukesha and Fond du Lac continue to demonstrate promise and are frequent fixtures in the latter stages of the tournament. Each of these programs has made finals appearances in the past two years and could be considered contenders in future editions. With small adjustments and continued growth, they may soon challenge Monona Grove’s grip on the flag rugby throne.
As the curtain falls on another Lakefront 7s, Monona Grove walks away with yet another clean sweep — a feat few could have predicted just a few years ago, and one that might be even harder to repeat moving forward. Yet, if 2025 has shown us anything, it’s that this club isn’t done yet. They’re not just winning games — they’re building a dynasty.
The rest of the field will be watching closely and training hard — because if you want to win at Lakefront 7s, it seems you’ll have to go through Monona Grove.
