Oct. 4th - CWU vs. Gonzaga - Score: 74-15 Oct. 11th - CWU @ SEATTLE MEN'S Club - Score: 32-24
Oct. 17th - CWU vs. UTAH (Ellensburg Main Campus)
1st IV - Kick off at 3:00pm
2nd IV - Kick off at 4:30pm
OCT. 18th - SKILLS SESSION OCT. 25th - HOME vs. UNIVERSITY OF OREGON (Homecoming) (Ellensburg, WA) NOV. 1st - @ Washington State University NOV. 8th - HOME vs. University Of Washington (Ellensburg, WA) NOV. 15th - @ Oregon State University NOV. 22nd - @ St. Mary's College, in Moraga, CA for the Pat Vincent
Tournament (Loyola & UCSB will also be in attendance)
Press Release: www.erugbynews.com CWU Beats Seattle Club
October 11, 2008 – Central Washington defeated Seattle men’s club 32-24
in a preseason friendly.
After an early travel day to Seattle, the CWU Rugby team started slow,failing to capitalize on several opportunities early in the first half. The Wildcats found themselves down by 10 with 15 minutes remaining inthe first half. Central got on the board and started to find their
rhythm before the break, scoring three tries before the first half was whitled.
The first came off a mishandled kick receipt by Seattle, which gave CWU senior Devin Snyder a chance to exploit the mistake for an easy try.
Within minutes CWU found themselves attacking inside the Seattle 22 when
center Ryan Hamilton took a switch pass from flyhalf Aaron Lee and
sliced through the defense. CWU’s Central’s third try came off a
defensive lineout deep in Seattle territory as scrumhalf Kurt Haisch cut
through the line and offloaded to No. 8 Sam Harb who sidestepped the
defense to touch down.
The second half saw Seattle come out strong with another quick strike
but Central began to exploit the space around the pitch and a few
minutes later they countered with some slick passing in the backline
before putting away fullback Mike Nelson for Central’s fourth try on the
day.
The rest of the match saw the two sides battle for momentum. Central’s
freshman standout Ryan Snider came into reserve quickly finding a
scoring opportunity out wide as Devin Snyder put him away on the inside.
Seattle would bounce back scoring two tries late in the game while Central continued to maintain their lead with the sure foot of standoff Lee, who slotted a penalty from 35 meters out to cap the scoring on the day 32-24.
”This was exactly what we need,” said Central captain Joe Schmid. “We needed someone to stretch our defense and we needed a tough physical game to test ourselves. We made some mistakes and hats off to Seattle for taking advantage of those situations and creating some of their own opportunities.”
”Coming from behind down 10 Central proved they are a team with no quit and a lot of heart. The boys played tough today and we definitely need to sort a few things out but we are moving forward,” said CWU coach Anthony Pacheco.
Next week CWU hosts the University of Utah.
CWU RUGBY wishes the best for our recent graduates!
Grizzlies Win College All-Stars
Saturday Jun 14, 2008 in Elite Level Rugby All-Stars by Alex Goff
The Pacific Coast Grizzlies men's college all-star team left Glendale, Colo. with the National Collegiate All-Star trophy, but it was some hard grind and plenty of perseverance that got it for them.
The Grizzlies never backed down from their commitment to run the ball and let the ball do the talking, and for the most part it worked surprisingly well for a team that came into the tournament with six hours of practice time.
The team overall emulated St. Mary's in their attacking flare - and so they should have with Kevin Swiryn, Matt Leatherby and Brendan O'Meara in the backline. But they also were ferocious in the tackle and physical in tight quarters; shades of Cal and BYU.
Matt Byrd was MVP. Jim Watje
In the opening moments the Pac Coast showed they can play in the forwards. A lineout near the West line produced a maul that was trundled over for a try for No. 8 Paul Jesseman. The Grizzlies kept up a more ambitious attacking outlook as time went on but things weren't quite clicking early. Passes would go to ground as they worked on their timing. The West took advantage, getting the ball back and consolidating well before flyhalf Hunter Leland sold a dummy, found a gap and beat two more cover defenders for an outstanding individual effort. Leland's conversion would give his Mustangs their only lead of the day at 7-5.
The Grizzlies scored moments later. Lock Eric Fry worked and scratched his way through the West forwards to set up quick ball for Leatherby. His snaking run was stopped just short, but quick ball and some unselfish passing made for an easy try for fullback Sam Thorley.
That was how it worked at Pacific Coast's best. At their worst they were fragrantly careless with the ball, making no-look passes when they didn't need to. And yet, their commitment to support play made sure nothing terrible happened. In the end it was Pacific Coast prop Derek Smith who would intercept a pass, and while he must have had hopes of making it himself, he smartly passed out wide to Jesseman for the Cal standout's second. Leatherby made several nifty runs early on and then showed he can do more - chipping the ball over and touching down in the corner. 20-7, and really the only blemish for Pacific Coast was Zack Triplett's missed conversions. Those would appear to mean much as West came back. Solid phase play opened up a gap for wing Jory Wasserburger to surge through. He was hauled down by scrumhalf Josh Schmitz pounced on a loose ball to score. 20-14.
Pacific Coast then suffered a blow when captain Swiryn had to leave with an injury to the face. West pressed, forced penalties, and finally No. 8 Tom Pasque dove over. 20-19 Pacific Coast at the break.
Determined to put the game away early the Pacific Coast did just that. They used little pop passes among their front row to make the gain line and then wing Brendan O'Meara beat his defenders to score. triplett found his kicking touch and it was 27-19.
Soon thereafter Jessemen scored his third, and it was a lucky on. The West had a lineout near their line and lock Ben Schnake had the ball and was forced back into in-goal. He appeared to touch the ball down as he was hit hard by flanker Steve St. Pierre. The referee said he dropped it, and Jesseman was right there. 34-19.
On defense Pacific Coast were very strong. They hit very hard, forcing numerous turnovers, and always challenged for the ball. This also got them in trouble and Leatherby received a yellow card for his pains. Still it was the Pacific Coast which scored. Center Matt Byrd took matters into his own hands and made one of his many impressive breaks. He found O'Meara and the wing had much more to do before he scored to make it 39-19.
West did get one back, after two silly passes from the Grizzlies gave them a shot fullback Saade Bou-Mikael broke a tackle and was in. 39-24. Now the game really opened up. As the ball went end to end. The West was able to force a turnover, though, and with Pacific Coast shorthanded again on a yellow card, Leland scored his second.39-29.
To put the game away Byrd once again made a statement, skipping out of a tackle and scoring after some good work from the forwards. The game ended 46-29, with Byrd MVP. A worthy honor, but the award could just as well have gone to a number of players, including Leatherby and certainly Steve St. Pierre.
It was entertaining, open stuff and certainly not safe. With all that pressure the Pacific Coast won well
South Collegiates Push Pac Coast
Friday Jun 13, 2008 in Elite Level Rugby All-Stars by Alex Goff
Pacific Coast college all-star coach Jonathan Griffin has never been one to hold back in his criticisms of referees, so reporters at ERugbyNews will be eagerly awaiting his comments after today's exciting 36-27 Pac Coast victory over the South.
The South were very much in the game, leading at halftime and within two points with 15 minutes to go, playing an aggressive, physical and adventurous style. They were aided in part by three yellow cards to the Grizzlies, including two within minutes of each other.
South came out firing on all cylinders, determined to use big Pete Burt at flyhalf to shake the Grizzly defense and using Benny Mateialona in the centers to break through. Theytook the lead early on a Ben Caswell penalty goal, and looked very close to scoring soon thereafter thanks to a Mateialona run and support work from big lock Ben Benvenutti.
Mike Nelson fights his way through.
But it was the Pacific Coast which scored next, scoring the best try of the day. A kick deep into South territory saw wing Kyle Grossheider run back effectively. His kick ahead was fielded by left wing Mike Nelson, who set off downfield and sent the ball wide right. Some superb ball-handling put the Grizzlies away on the right, they rucked quickly and then sent the ball through the hands back out to Nelson, who scored in the corner.
Down 5-3 the South replied, pressuring the Pacific into a penalty and scoring off the ensuing lineout - flanker Jean-Reese Meyburgh doing the honors. 5-8 the score for the South.
The Grizzlies scored to take the lead back, following a Zach Triplett ship kick well and with quick ball again thanks to their outstanding front row center Matt Byrd raced over for the 12-8 lead. Right before the break Burt stood up his opposite number, Matt Leatherby, and bulled over for the try and the 12-15 South lead.. Pacific Coast had one more scoring opportunity with a couple of penalty chances. But that all ended when Triplett's ill-advised chip ahead rolled dead.
Pacific Coast looked shaken by the South's physicality, but both teams had looked most impressive in trying to play wide, and keep the ball moving. The Grizzlies showed that right off the kickoff, winning the ball and sending it wide to captain Kevin Sywrin, who took and gap and scored under the posts. The Grizzlies made it 24-15 soon afterward. A slow maul was turned into an attacking opportunity when Stanford lock Pat Danahy ripped the ball out and galloped up the weakside before feeding wing Brenan O'Meara, who raced in for the score.
After that things went a little off the the Grizzlies. On a kick ahead the Grizzlies were penalized for playing the man without the ball in a clash of bodies where it seemed both teams were at fault. Referee Mitch Damm called Nelson over and told him he hadn't seen who had done the deed, and so was choosing him, and promptly gave Nelson a yellow card. The South used that extra space and a series of Grizzly penalties to pressure the Pacific Coast line, and when Byrd was seen to kill the ball at the line, he was sent for a ten-minute rest as well. Up by two men now, the South knew it was just a matter of time and flanker Paul Bester carried two men over for the try and the 24-22 scoreline.
But the Pacific Coast handled the sin-bin time after that. No. 8 Steve St. Pierre moved to cover space in the backs and did an outstanding job, tackling well and poaching the ball as well. It was St. Pierre who made the next try. With the Pacific Coast still shorthanded Swyrin laid in a massive tackle in the centers, forcing a drop. St. Pierre booted the ball ahead, waited for South wing Clint Whittler to gather the ball and regain his feet, and tackled him so hard Whittler dropped the ball. Running in support flanker Brennan Corbitt swooped in to take the ball and score under the posts. Triplett missed the easy conversion, but Pacific Coast led 29-22. Frustrated slightly by their inability to take the lead, the South made some iffy decisions in attack, and then were frustrated even more as Byrd, back from the sin bin, sliced through the South line to score.
South didn't give up and with Corbitt in the bin they got a try from Ben Goff to make it 36-27, but their physical superiority seemed to fade late as the Pacific Coast forwards, especially Danahy, St. Pierre and Eric Fry, were quicker, very fit, and took the punishment with glee. Out wide Swiryn was a champion, playing unselfish ball and showing eloquence in the tackle.
The South gave them all they could handle, but the Pacific Coast will be in Saturday's final.
CWU Rugby Players Selected Among 25 Top Athletes on the West Coast
Although the CWU Rugby Teams League Championship season finished up over a month and a half ago there are some players still at it. Eighth Men (#8) Cameron McVicker and Fullback (#15) Mike Nelson have both been selected to participate with the Pacific Coast Collegiate Grizzlies to compete in USA Rugby's Collegiate All-Star National Championships in Glendale, Colorado. This years squad will be defending their national championship as they open the competition in Glendale, CO at Infinity Park just four miles from downtown Denver. Facing off against the South All-Star Team at 3pm Friday June 13, 2008 these young men will have a great opportunity to be evaluated for All-American Honors and a chance to tour New Zealand with the All-American team this summer if selected.
McVicker vs. Utah
Nelson vs. Utah
Head Coach Bob Ford stated that he was "proud of these young men not only for their commitment to rugby but also to their academic pursuits". Both these guys are "tremendous athletes and will show well for the All-American selectors if they get a chance." In addition to Nelson and McVicker, Central had 3 other players selected to trial for the Collegiate Grizzlies including: (#2) Hooker Joe Schmid, (#10) Flyhalf Aaron Lee, and (#1) Loose Head Prop Kellen Gordon. Gordon was selected as an alternate and is waiting until Thursday night to see if he receives a call up for the squad. According to Ford "all these young men will be returning next year for Central so the future is bright and we are excited to watch this competition and support these guys."
For a full schedule or to watch the matches live please visit the link below!
Friday, June 13
11 a.m. - Southern Cal vs. Military Collegiates
1 p.m. - Midwest vs. Northeast
3 p.m. - Pacific Coast vs. South
5 p.m. - Mid-Atlantic vs. West
Saturday, June 14
Noon - 7/8th Place
2 p.m. - 5/6th Place
4:30 p.m. - 3/4th Place
7 p.m. - Championship match
Central Washington University Collegiate Sport Club Program
May 20, 2008
Central Washington University Men's Rugby team is proud to announce the 1st class of the "All Central" team. This year's class has been selected by nomination of opposing coaches in this year's Wildcat Highschool Rugby Classic hosted by CWU Rugby on May 17th & 18th on campus at Central Washington University. The following top 25 highschool athletes have demonstrated their capacity to play at a high level throughout the Wildcat Highschool Rugby Classic. Each of the athletes listed below have also been rated on 5 different categories including their: Decision Making, Defense, Ball Skills, Ability in the Tackle contest, and Sportsmanship and have stood out amongst their fellow teammates and competitors.
Chuckanut Champions
Photos by: Rick Schmid
Ryan Snider
Tim Satre - Tacoma
Jesse Evans - Liberty
Jake Anderson - Montana Select
Nick Wallace - Chuckanut Bay
Bronz Nelson - Liberty
TJ Staladi - Liberty
Aisea Mohulamu - Eastside, Oregon
Shain Brown - Liberty
Paul Smith - Chuckanut Bay
Chad Hanson - Montana Select
Jacob Bates
- Chuckanut Bay
Michael Gonzalez - Chuckanut Bay
Wade Reynolds - Tacoma
Drew Grant - Liberty
Jacob Blair - Tacoma
Scott Reynolds - Tacoma
Wade Moore - Liberty
Ryan Snider - Harbour
Louie Mitchell - Chuckanut Bay
Dylon Birklid - Tacoma
Chris Johnson - Valley
Nick Puccetti - Harbour
Adam Rhodes - Montana Select
Alex Reher - Harbour
Tyler Hatcher
- Chuckanut Bay
Bill Minter - Harbour
Eastside
Out of the 25 athletes named above 2 of these Athletes: Ryan Snider of Harbour and Bronz Nelson of Liberty have also been selected for their academic and leader-learner attributes reflected in their responses to the Central Washington University ROTC program and are receiving consideration for a full four-year ROTC Academic Scholarship pending their enrollment at Cental Washington University and their enrollment in the Central Washington University ROTC program to participate as the 1st ever scholarship athletes with the Central Washington University Men's Rugby team for the upcoming 2008-2009 season.
In addition to the accomplishments of these two young men, the following individuals have also proven themselves as scholars and athletes throughout their participation in the Central Washington University Wildcat Highschool Rugby Classic and are being considered for potential future scholarship opportunities by the Central Washington University's ROTC program and Central Washington University Men's Rugby team.
Chad Hansen - Montana
Jesse Evans - Liberty
Jake Anderson - Montana
Scott Reynolds - Tacoma
Dylon Birklid - Tacoma
Please join us in congratulating each of these fine young men and their teammates for their outstanding performances in the CWU Wildcat Highschool Rugby Classic. We wish you all the best and look forward to following your future successes.
- Your CWU Men's Rugby Team
For more information on the Central Washington University Men's Rugby Team please contact Head Coach Bob Ford at: robert.ford@cwu.edu
For more information on the Central Washington University Army ROTC program please contact Assistant Professor of Military Science Major Walter Botwinski: botwinsw@cwu.edu
Press Release May 19, 2008 Central Washington University
Collegiate Sport Club Department
For Immediate Release
CWU Rugby Celebrates their 2008 Championship Season:
Following a record breaking fund-raiser at the Central Washington University Men's Rugby team 36th annual Alumni Auction and Banquet the team took time out to honor athletes who have made great strides both on and off the field. Head Coach Bob Ford started the awards ceremony recognizing Cliff York with the first ever Bill Anderson - Club Man of the Year Award. Anderson a former CWU Rugby player that past away in a tragic accident was the kind of man that was willing to do whatever was asked of him during his tenure with the Men's Rugby team. A leader through action more than words and the kind of person that worked even harder when no-one was looking were the values that Anderson represented. York a freshman this year proved his values in much the same way never quitting always working to improve himself and constantly doing the work that many wouldn't recognize without careful consideration. Other awards included forwards and back-line MVP's., New Comers of the Year, most improved, and the Team MVP - Jonathan Douglas. Douglas one of three graduating senior's and current team captain delivered an inspiration speech that highlighted the individual development and new team culture which had permeated the team, instilling leadership and a family dynamic that has brought the team closer than ever as friends and teammates. Once the individual awards had been delivered the Men's Rugby team recognized each of the three graduating seniors from this years Championship team. With only three seniors graduating in the 2008 class, Ford spoke about the inspiring legacy these young men had left for others to follow and then announced the new 2008-2009 team Captain Joesph Schmid who was voted into the position by the club. Closing the ceremony the parents of the team recognized the team and coaching staff for the great strides they had made over the past year delivering a Marble Crest of the teams logo to Coach Ford which will serve as a constant reminder of the hard work and ethics that are required to replicate the success of this years team not only on the field but also in our day to day lives.
Senior Awards:
Douglas, Jonathan
Gese, Brian
White, Jason
James, Keith
Bill Anderson - Club Man of the Year: Cliff York
New Comer of the Year: Luke Yarwood New Comer of the Year: Tim Stanfill
Team MVP: Jonathan Douglas
Back MVP: Mike Nelson
Forward MVP: Joseph Schmid
Most Improved: Kurt Haisch & Devin Snyder
Club President Jonathan Douglas Phone: (206) 355.0476 Email:Douglasjo@cwu.edu
Vice President Kellen Gordon Phone:(206) 920-4175 Email:Gordonkel@cwu.edu
