Austin Elite Rugby re-signed Mason Pedersen for the 2020 Major League Rugby season. The 23-year-old prop (24 in September) is 6’1″ and 250 lbs.
After being a reserve the first week of the 2020 truncated season, Mason started the remaining four matches and cemented his role as a future starter at tighthead prop.
Mason played 456 minutes in 9 matches and scored one try in 2019. He carried 41 times for 193 meters, had 1 linebreak, 2 tackle breaks, 2 offloads, and made 56 tackles. He also made three appearances in 2018.
Mason was a key contributor for Austin Elite Rugby Club in 2018 and during the Fall played with Vancouver Rowing Club in the British Columbia CDI Premier League. Mason joined the Austin Huns for the 2017 season and helped the team win their first USA Rugby Club Division 1 Championship.
Mason went to Woodrow Wilson High School in Long Beach, California. Upon graduation, he attended college at the University of Arizona in 2014, majoring in Finance. He also participated in a study abroad program at the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom.
Mason Pedersen & USA National Team Rugby
Mason Pedersen was a member of the USA Rugby Junior All-American U20s team that went to Zimbabwe in 2016 to contend for the Junior World Cup Trophy. During August 2016, he went on tour to Queensland, Australia with the USA Rugby Men’s Collegiate All-Americans. By Fall 2016, he was selected for the USA Rugby Selects for the Americas Pacific Challenge. As a result of an injury sustained in the tournament, he was not available for consideration for the Eagles XV.
Other Rugby Involvement
Mason has also played College rugby at the University of Arizona and USA Club Rugby for both Belmont Shore and for the Austin Huns.
In 2016 Mason also played PRO Rugby for the San Diego Breakers. In 2017 Mason was selected for the Maccabi USA team that played in the Maccabiah Games in Israel. He was the vice-captain of the Gold Medal winning team.
In August 2017, he played for the Republic of Texas All-Stars against the Liberty Rugby Conference All-Stars in Bermuda. This match was held prior to the USA Islanders playing the Saracens, of Aviva Premiership Rugby.
Austin Gilgronis Comments
Pedersen became the first of six Austin Gilgronis to earn First XV Player of the Week Honors in season three of Major League Rugby. His 76-minute performance in Las Vegas was highlighted by his second-half try and viral hit on RUNY’s headline signing, Matthieu Bastareaud.
Pedersen held a leadership position with the AG’s, albeit only 23 years of age, and was a lead voice in assembling the club’s high-performance precinct.
“I’m not shy about trying to make this club strong,” says Pedersen. “I’m trying to leave my stamp on this turnaround and there’s really no time to look back now.
