
Photo Credit: Army-West Point
In a year of change for Rugby East, with Notre Dame College moving up from D1AA and Delaware, Iona and West Virginia leaving, much stayed the same. Penn State was able to repeat as conference champions, Army once again close, but fell just short of winning the conference. The middle of the ladder was shaken up a bit as Notre Dame in their first season was able to land on the podium and take out the bronze, after compiling a 4-2 record. Kutztown fell to 3-3 while Wheeling Jesuit and St. Bonaventure secured two wins, and Buffalo was unable to find its way into the winner’s circle.
This year’s All-Conference teams, as selected by the coaches of Rugby East, are reflective of the standings. Army had the most represented in the 1st XV, with four players being selected. Penn State had the most players selected overall with 7 players being selected into either the 1st or 2nd XV.
The 1st XV is as follows:
1) Michael Barkachy-Buffalo
2) Ryan Moshak-Army
3) Kyle Ciquera- St. Bonaventure
4) Mitch Sanderson-Army
5) Evan Anderson- Kutztown
6) Raaquim Rispress- Army
7) Malcom May-Penn State
8) Inosi Kau-Wheeling Jesuit
9) Jim Ronan-Penn State
10) Jon Kim-Army
11) Joji Vakasisikakala- Wheeling Jesuit
12) Jasper Windsor Clive-Notre Dame College
13) Dmontae Noble-Kutztown
14) Mike Eife –Penn State
15) Marcus Tupuloa – Notre Dame College
2nd XV:
1) Adam Adamcheck- Penn State
2) Zach Degnan- Buffalo
3) Frank Rolf- Wheeling Jesuit
4) Ieuan Nation- Wheeling Jesuit
5) Ryan McNulty- Penn State
6) Andrew Waggoner- Wheeling Jesuit
7) CullenBarelka– Notre Dame College
8) Rob Irimescu- Penn State
9) Eamon Matthews- St. Bonaventure
10) Cory Graham-Notre Dame College
11) Vetekina Malafu- Kutztown
12) Alex Holden- Wheeling Jesuit
13) Ryan Nolan- Kutztown
14) LJ Koi-Larbi- Penn State
15) Jake Lachina- Army
Honorable Mentions: Zach Barnes (Penn State), Will Burke, Thomas Del Pino (Penn Sate), Jayden Demmy (Army), Sam Klimkowski (Notre Dame College), Murphy Lill (Kutztown), Keyon McCloud Holman (Kutztown), Frankie Nugent (Buffalo)
Freshman of the Year- Brian Stella. Stella came into the Penn State squad and made an immediate impact starting in every match and scoring 80 points.
Back of the Year- Dmontae Noble. Noble ran in ten tries over the course of the season to wind up with a tally of 50 points.
Forward of the Year- Inosi Kau. Kau had a superb season at the back of the scrum for Wheeling Jesuit, running eight tries over the course of the season.
Academic Achievement- Cian Grendon. Grendon as a senior holds a GPA close to a perfect 4.0. He started every game that he played in for Notre Dame.
Player of the Year- Jon Kim. Kim was the director for Army throughout the season leading his team around the field, with a dynamic kicking and running game Kim totaled 90 points over the season.
Congratulations to all who were selected.