Alaska Sports Hall of Fame

Alev Kelter

Eagle River’s Alev Kelter powered Team USA to a gold medal after she pieced together three straight strong scoring games on the final day of a World Rugby Sevens series tournament in Glendale, California.

The 28-year-old playmaker pumped in 27 of the team’s 74 total points, including nine in the championship game when the Americans beat Australia 26-7.

Kelter, of Chugiak High fame, scored nine points in a 19-17 win over New Zealand in the semifinals and nine points in a 29-26 win over Canada in the quarterfinals.

Team USA finished 6-0 on the weekend – 3-0 Saturday, 3-0 Sunday.

In each of the final three games, Kelter scored either a 5-point try or 2-point conversion in the opening eight minutes to get the U.S. on the board.

Twice, she converted a try in the opening 120 seconds after scoring in the second minute against Australia and the first minute against New Zealand.