Seven rugby players named to collegiate All-America camp squad; one to junior tea
By Jarrod Beckstrom, USA Rugby
BOULDER, Colo. – Seven Arkansas State University rugby players have been named to the squad of players competing for spots on the USA Rugby Men’s Collegiate All-American traveling squad.
In addition, one Red Wolf player has been selected to the junior All-America team and ASU head coach Matt Huckaby joins the coaching staff. The players are in Houston, Texas, from June 21-24, 2012 in conjunction with the Men’s Senior National Team’s final June test match against Italy.
The players selected are forwards Jake Mizell, Steyne Benade, Shaun Potgieter and Robert Hayslip; and backs Dean Gereke, Zac Mizell and Pat Sullivan. Alex Goff is the junior All-America selection.
The Red Wolf rugby team, ranked third, fell short in its quest for a national title, dropping a close 49-42 decision to top-ranked Brigham Young May 19 in the USA Rugby Men’s D1A College Rugby National Championship in Sandy, Utah.
With the National Team staff on hand in Houston, USA MCAAs Head Coach Matt Sherman is putting the athletes through four days of camp activities that will consist of strength and conditioning testing, individual skill development, unit work, and conclude with a camp scrimmage. Sherman and his staff will select 26 players that will travel to Ireland in early August to take on Munster’s and Leinster’s academy sides.
Selection to the Men’s Collegiate All-Americans touring squad is an honor, but it also indicates an athlete moving one step closer to the Men’s National Team. A proven pipeline focusing on player development and talent identification, the All-American program is contributing heavily to the current senior National Team squad.
In fact, 13 of the 22 players dressing for the Eagles’ match against Italy on Saturday are former All-Americans. The future Eagles will get to watch the current Eagles in action on Saturday, giving the All-Americans a glance of what it’s like to be an international rugby athlete. Following is the camp roster:
USA Rugby Men’s Collegiate All-American Camp Roster | June 21-24
Forwards
Nick Mostyn (Utah)
Jamie Kelm (San Diego State)
Jake Mizell (Arkansas State)
OJ Auimatagi (Life University)
Mike Shepherd (Utah)
Glen Maricelli (Life University)
Jamie Gregory (Kutztown)
Demacus Beach (Davenport)
Jack Bristol (Air Force)
Nate Brakeley (Dartmouth)
Ryan Hargraves (Davenport)
Lester Soloai (Utah)
Jordan Badia-Bellinger (Claremont College)
Mike Erickson (Penn State)
Steyne Benade (Arkansas State)
John Hellman (Penn State)
Alex Menke (Stanford University)
Alec Gletzer (UC-Santa Barbara)
Robert Carlson (St. Mary’s College of California)
James Lynch (Life University)
Shaun Potgieter (Arkansas State)
Robert Hayslip (Arkansas State)
Nick Svob (Arizona)
Seamus Seifring (Navy)
Backs
Chris Saint (Penn State)
Paul Bosco (Cal)
Conor Mils (Texas A&M)
Sam Sirrell (UCLA)
Dean Gericke (Arkansas State)
Nick Evans (Tennessee)
Kalei Konrad (San Diego State)
James Gallo (UC-Santa Barbara)
Tim Stanfill (Central Washington)
Jake Anderson (Cal)
Mathius Harris (Lindenwood University)
Tonata Lauti (Utah)
Pat Sullivan (Arkansas State)
Luke Hickey (Ohio State)
Zac Mizell (Arkansas State)
Tim Maupin (St. Mary’s College of California)
Joe Cowley (Life University)
Jake McFadden (Life University)
Matthew Jensen (Western Washington)
Cody Naber (Arizona)
Darrian Woodson (Life University)
Jack McCaullife (Navy)
Men’s College All-Americans Staff
Matt Sherman (Head Coach)
Matt Huckaby (Forwards Coach)
Phillip Eloff (Backs Coach)
Craig Brown (Manager)
Chris Mizer, MS AT (Trainer)
Thomas Caldwell (Athletic Trainer)
