April 28, 2017
Ani Mteto of Iowa Central Community College Named MVP 2017 NSCRO Challenge Cup
National Small College Rugby Organization (NSCRO) Release
“Heart & Soul”, “Most Impressive Tackler”, “All Championship XV” award were also announced at the ceremony following the championship event
Medford, NJ 27 April 2017 – Following the 2017 NSCRO Challenge Cup National Championship at Founders Field on 23 April 2017, Stephen Cohen, president of NSCRO, presented the following awards:
Most Valuable Player (best overall player during the event)
Ani Mteto, Iowa Central Community College
Heart & Soul Awards
NSCRO custom match ball is given to a player on each team who was been an inspiration and significant contributor to the club on and off the field. The match ball is signed by his teammates in appreciation of what he has meant to their club. The recipients were:
Trinity College – Tucker Bixby
Point Loma Nazarene University – Jesse Oleson
Iowa Central Community College – Tate Nelson
Bethel College – Nick Chevalier
Most Impressive Tackler Awards
A fit kit from NSCRO partner Impact Protection for a free custom mouthguard was presented to the player who tackled everything in sight. The recipients were:
Trinity College – Alex Mayer
Point Loma Nazarene University – Matt Calcagno
Iowa Central Community College – Ani Mteto
Bethel College – Jariel Brooks
NSCRO “All Championship XV”
NSCRO recognized the 15 “best” players by position. Each player received a custom NSCRO t-shirt courtesy of Rhino Rugby recognizing their selection. See the list below of the selected players.
POSITION PLAYER SCHOOL
MVP Ani Mteto Iowa Central Community College
1 – Prop Chris Richey Point Loma Nazarene University
2 – Hooker Ben Terrell Iowa Central Community College
3 – Prop Josh Teegardin Bethel College
4 – 2nd Row Graham Kelly Bethel College
5 – 2nd Row Aldo McGrath Point Loma Nazarene University
6 – Back Row Matt Calcagno Point Loma Nazarene University
7 – Back Row Jariel Brooks Bethel College
8 – Back Row Scott Cordner Trinity College
9 – Scrumhalf Riley Cannon Point Loma Nazarene University
10 – Flyhalf Matt Barker Iowa Central Community College
11 – Wing Evian Aikers Iowa Central Community College
12 – Center Ani Mteto Iowa Central Community College
13 – Center Tucker Morgan Trinity College
14 – Wing Adam Trejo Bethel College
15 – Full Ethan Glassock Bethel College
Trophies were also given to each of the teams, along with medals for each of the players on the top three finishing teams (gold – first place, silver – second place, bronze – third place). All teams were also provided gift certificates, courtesy of Rhino Rugby ($500 – first place, $250 – second place, $150 – third place, $100 – fourth place).
Photos of the Heart & Sould and Most Impressive Tackler are available on our website, http://www.nscro.org/photogallery.
About National Small College Rugby Organization
Since 2007, the National Small College Rugby Organization (NSCRO) has been at the forefront of fostering and developing small college rugby programs in the United States. NSCRO is comprised of more than 240 men’s and 135 women’s colleges and universities who participate in more than 30 leagues for an opportunity compete on a national level and showcase their abilities to a broader and larger audience.
