Seattle Seawolves & Cole Van Harn

The Seattle Seawolves re-signed flanker Cole Van Harn for the 2019 Major League Rugby season. Following the end of the 2018 MLR season, Cole returned to play with the Seattle Saracens in the British Columbia CDI League. Cole is 25-years-old, is 6’2″ and 215 pounds.

Cole went to Hamilton High School in Hamilton, Michigan, graduating in 2011. While there, he was a member of the wrestling team. During his Sophomore year, he and his father Steve traveled to Cebu City, the Philippines, for the World Eskrima Kali Arni Foundation Martial Arts Competition with Cole winning the gold medal in double sticks fighting and the silver in single sticks. His father also was a gold medalist. It was their second time that they competed in the competition.

After graduating from Hamilton, Cole attended the University of Michigan between 2011-2015, graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Botany/Plant Biology. While at Michigan, he was a Horticultural Assistant and also a Population Ecology Research Assistant.

Cole began his rugby career at the University of Michigan and played for the Wolverines in both fifteens and sevens. He played several positions for the team, flanker, No. 8, and center. He was a part of the Big Ten title-winning team in 2014, won Big Ten honors, and was the team’s co-captain for his final year. He also played sevens and was on Michigan’s roster for the Collegiate Rugby Championship in both 2014 and in 2015..

During the Summer in 2014, Van Harn traveled to Wellington, New Zealand and spent 2 1/2 months with the Poneke Football Club. Playing rugby there was an eye-opening experience for Cole. He said that“Rugby was just a way of life down there. There was much more understanding of the game and how it is played. When the play was on, everyone snapped into intensity. It is part of the sporting culture.”

After graduation, he moved to Seattle and continued his rugby career with the Seattle Saracens, playing in the BC Rugby Union CDI League. In May 2018 Cole signed with the Seattle Seawolves for the remainder of the season. The team needed the increased depth with a number of players unavailable due to playing in international tests.

Following the MLR season, Cole returned to the Seattle Saracens for the Fall and is now poised to contribute to the Seawolves for the 2019 season.

Seattle Seawolves Comments

The Seattle Seawolves are excited to announce 2019 re-sign, Cole Van Harn. “The flanker is known for being a pest at the breakdown and a strong tackler. Van Harn looks for work on both offense and defense, bringing energy to our attack and infamous Seawall. Welcome back to the Seattle Southside, Cole!”