USA Rugby Boys HS All-Americans Undefeated in British Columbia

July 19, 2016

USA Rugby Boys HS All-Americans Undefeated in British Columbia

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Photo: USA Rugby All-Americans

Doug Coil

The USA Rugby Boys High School All-Americans arrived in Vancouver on Sunday, July 10 and played against the British Columbia’s Under 18 squad on July 13 and 16 at the University of British Columbia.

Salty Thompson’s Boys High School All-Americans won both matches in British Columbia 48-0 and 54-3, as they did in sweeping the Ontario Blues’ under 19 team in two matches over three days on the campus of Appleby College.

The team was made up mostly of young student-athletes selected from the Great Northwest Challenge and Rocky Mountain Rugby Challenge Regional Cup Tournaments. They consist of 1997, 1998 and 1999 born athletes.

Thompson’s coaching staff includes Scott Bracken, who was with the team in Ontario, and AIG Men’s Junior All-Americans Head Coach JD Stephenson. Bracken focused on set pieces, while Stephenson on defensive strategies. The coaching staff helped to develop the the players’ skill sets as well as identify players that will continue through the age-grade programs in the future.

Thompson said “It was a challenge, time-wise, to scout the Regional Cup Tournaments and select the BHSAAs ‘east’ and ‘west’ so quickly. The product was encouraging. It gave us a blend of seniors who will challenge for MJAA consideration and returning high schoolers providing continuity for the next cycle.”

BHSAA-eligible student-athletes reconvene at the Winter Camp in December.

Preview Article of BHSAA BC Tour: Boys HS All-Americans In Vancouver to Play BC Rugby’s U18s 

Boys High School All-Americans British Columbia Tour

Name Club Position Year RCT
David Ainu’u Liberty Prop Junior Northwest
Ben Broselle Chuckanut Center Junior Northwest
Brendan Curle Union Fly half Senior Northwest
Taylor Damron Back Bay Sharks Utility back Senior West
James Downey San Diego Mustangs Scrum half Junior West and North West
Owen Duvall Cathedral Catholic Prop Senior West
Carlos Gomez Danville Oaks Wing Junior Northwest
Benny Gonda Santa Monica Prop Senior West
Anton Grigoriou Back Bay Sharks Fly half Senior West
Ryan James Young Aztecs Wing Junior West
Justin Johnson Mira Costa High School Flanker Senior West and North West
Sean Lumkong La Costa Canyon Center Junior West and North West
Nafitalai Maafu Tempe Lock Senior West
Patrick Madden Young Aztecs Full back Junior West
Sosefo Mailangi-Ray Back Bay Sharks No. 8 Senior West
Sim Mander St. Paul’s, London Center Senior None
Lia Monis Rainier Junior Highlanders Lock Senior Northwest
Jeremy Ockomichalak Santa Monica Prop Junior West
Oscar Ockomichalek Santa Monica Hooker Senior West
Justin Oles Granite Bay Grizzlies Flanker Senior Northwest
Cutler Pons Peninsula Green Scrum half Junior Northwest
Kevin Saunders Danville Oaks Center Junior Northwest
Devin Short Blackhawks Lock Senior West
Elijah Tafao-Braganza Danville Oaks Flanker Junior Northwest
Halleluiah Tiauli Rainier Junior Highlanders Hooker Senior Northwest
Joshua Warnock Peninsula Green Lock Senior Northwest

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North American Rugby News With A USA Slant