In Burlington, family, friends cheer Ilona Maher's Olympic debut in rugby win over China

When Ilona Maher sprinted onto the field with her teammates at Tokyo Stadium, roars and hearty claps rippled through a Burlington bar in Vermont.

Some 6,500 miles away, Maher had her cheering section back home. And they couldn't wait to show their support for their Olympian.

Cramming into the Elks Lodge in the New North End neighborhood, family and friends of Maher, a starter on the U.S. women's rugby sevens squad, celebrated and hollered with every breath during Maher's Olympic debut on Wednesday night.

Maher's backers filled the age spectrum. Anna Cote-Wurzler, Maher's best friend, arrived in a red, white and blue suit she bought at the Burlington vintage store Old Gold. Jeff Hayes, a Burlington High School coach and athletic administrator, also attended, as did members of the Burlington Rugby Football Club.

"It's great to see someone go to this level out of Vermont. It's been an exciting thing for the younger generation to see," Hayes said. "For a Burlington alum to get there, it's amazing."

Cote-Wurzler: "She has such a huge fanbase behind her."

Results:Maher and Team USA compete in rugby sevens at Tokyo Olympics

How to watch:Follow Maher, US rugby sevens squad at the Tokyo Olympics

Follow them on social media: How to follow Vermont Olympians on Instagram, TikTok

And, of course, Mieneke Maher, Ilona's mother, organized the viewing party.

"For Ilona, to know that you have a community that is behind you, that is proud of you and that is willing to support you — it's a really fun and cool thing," Mieneke Maher said.

Ilona Maher and Team USA, among the medal contenders in Tokyo, got behind early to China in the teams' opening pool play game on Wednesday. The Americans leveled the score by halftime and then pulled away with three tries in the second half in an 28-14 triumph.

Maher didn't score a try, but made a couple tackles — showing glimpses of the former Burlington High School standout's athleticism and determination.

Profile:How Vermont's Ilona Maher turned into an Olympian

"I don't know anyone who is more deserving, she's the most hardest-working woman that I know," said Cote-Wurzler, who met Maher in preschool. "She has worked so hard our entire lives, from sport to sport to sport. Everything she has done has brought her to this moment and playing in the Olympics."

Already one of the breakout social media stars among Olympic athletes in Tokyo, Maher's influence could be felt locally in the near future.

"When she comes back, I think she'll have an impact on rugby in the state of Vermont and in her community," Hayes said. "I think a lot of these younger girls who haven't even touched a rugby ball are going to say, 'Wow, this woman did this.'

"Ilona's going to be an idol for them and a support person for them."

Only minutes after Wednesday's game went final, Mieneke Maher received a FaceTime call from her daughter. Mieneke Maher proudly waved her phone in the air to the crowd. A smiling Ilona beamed back.

"When you consider there are (621) athletes who are representing this country and there are two born and bred Vermonters and my daughter is one of them — it's just unbelievable," Mieneke Maher said. "It's very hard to describe. It's overwhelming."

Contact Alex Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on Twitter: @aabrami5.