University Park, PA – Penn State Men's Rugby 2021-2022 campaign was one of highs and lows, playing 41 total games (including 15s and 7s) a record of 27 Wins and 14 losses, .659 win percentage on the year. The team enjoyed championship competition in both 15's and 7's and some incredible successes off the field in the classroom.
Firstly, we congratulate our graduating class of 2022 and are excited to see what they will do in their professional lives:
Jesse Capriotti
Carl Gerland
Nate Hensel
Pete Jean
Nik Lundqvist
Charlie Overton
Numa Pailhol (Graduate Degree)
Travis Preston
Ethan Russell
Noah Smith (December 2021)
Brian Stella (Graduate Degree)
Tom Treussard
Cullan Zampell
The team saw great success in the classroom with 11 members of the team making the Dean's List (3.5 or above) for the Spring 2022, including Ryu El-Asmar who managed a 4.00 semester GPA. In addition to the previously mentioned Dean's List an additional 9 members achieved 3.0 or greater. With these accomplishments our cumulative Team GPA for the 2021-2022 season was a 3.10, a testament to the hard work being accomplished away from the field.
The Fall 15's campaign saw the team fall just short in the NCR Championship match to St. Bonaventure (18-19). The group had some closely contested matches throughout the Fall with victories over: Mary Washington (Sheehy Cup), Delaware, Kutztown, Notre Dame College, Brown and Queens University. The season included losses to Army, Navy, St. Bonaventure and Ohio State. In spring the team rebounded winning the Iron Vine Series match against Navy, however falling just short of qualifying for the Spring 15's playoffs.
In sevens the team competed in the Big Ten series and finished 2nd overall, with a record of 14-5. The accomplishments in the Big Ten series earned an invite to the USA Rugby 7's Collegiate Championship in Kennesaw, GA. Penn State Men's Rugby managed a Bowl Championship (9th place Finish) falling to Arizona, Clemson and Lindenwood in Pool play, but defeating Indiana, Navy and Clemson on the road to the Bowl.
Two weeks later the team traveled to New Orleans, LA for the for the NCR Collegiate Rugby Championship (CRC), and in the final tournament of the year finished in 7th place with victories over Fordham, Northeastern, Cal Maritime and losses to Kutztown (Eventual Champions) and Wheeling.
As always, we could not accomplish any of this without the generous support of the Alumni, Parents and Athletic Department. For this we are extremely thankful, and we hope to see everyone at the Friends and Family weekend 14-16 October 2022 when we celebrate 60 years of Penn State Rugby.
We Are!
