SYDNEY — Carlin Isles and Perry Baker both had dreams of success in other sports but in August their scorching pace will be vital to U.S. hopes of a medal when rugby sevens makes its Olympic bow in Rio de Janeiro.
Sevens, a shorter version of the 15-man game, may not be just about speed but it certainly helps and in Isles, a former sprinter with a 100 meters personal best of 10.24 seconds, the Eagles boast the "fastest man in rugby".
Baker, a former wide receiver in college football and the Arena League, is a more recent convert but his pace is no less impressive, as any number of opponents on the World Sevens Series would no doubt attest.