JOHN CARROLL RUGBY TEAM PLACES 14TH AT NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS |
The John Carroll rugby team, which shared
the 2007 MIAA title with Calvert Hall, recorded a win and two losses to
place 14th at the USA Rugby High School National Championships, last
weekend, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The
Patriots, making the tournament in just their sixth season, opened with
a 17-0 loss to Notre Dame de La Salette Boys Academy of Olivet,
Illinois. Notre Dame proved too quick for the Patriots early in the
game. Although John Carroll found its power game and dominated the
closing minutes it proved to be too late.
The Patriots secured a
16-13 overtime win against Jesuit Prep of Dallas, Texas in their second
round game, coming from behind as they wore down Jesuit in the hot, dry
conditions. A series of mauls close to the line were rewarded when
hooker Zach Chell bulled his way into the try zone. Zach Barker added
the conversion. In the overtime, the sure-footed kicking of Barker, and
captains John Flagg and Rich English produced the victory.
�??I
was really proud of our team,�?� said John Carroll head coach Chris
Powell. �??All season long, we showed the ability to come from behind and
play our very best rugby when the chips were down. Getting a win on the
national stage proved we belong at the top level of high school rugby.�?�
In
their final match, the Patriots went down to Greenwich High School
(CT), 27-7. �??They were the best team we played at the tournament,�?� said
Powell. �??On the plus side, we did get to play all our subs. It was
important to us that all the boys got the chance to play at Nationals.�?�
The
highlight of the Greenwich game was a team record 17th try of the
season by senior prop John Von Paris. Von Paris, headed to Bucknell
where he will play football, powered over after the Patriots were able
to recycle the ball quickly from a series of rucks.
�??Overall, I
am delighted with our season. We are the first team from the Baltimore
area to make it to this level. This was a great step forward for rugby
in this area and reflects the tremendous growth in the sport in recent
years.�?�
John Carroll qualified for the event as the runner-up in
the Mid-Atlantic Rugby Championships, beating the top seed out of
Pennsylvania/Delaware, the Wilmington Colts. The season has concluded
with the Patriots winning the Potomac Rugby Union North Division title,
in addition to its co-title in the MIAA. The Patriots have now won a
title for five straight seasons. |
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