GAEL RUGBY ACHIEVEMENTS

Jonathon Hackett | 2017 Kevin Higgins College Scholarship Grant Recipient

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Year: Freshman Height: 5'9" Weight: 195lbs

High School: De La Salle High School Hometown: Concord, CA

Grit and determination led 2017 Kevin Higgins College Scholarship recipient, Jonathon Hackett, to receive a rugby scholarship to one of the top programs in the nation. Hackett had always dreamed of competing at the highest level for football and wrestling, but when scholarship options drew short, he turned to rugby. His football and wrestling background allowed for an easy transition into rugby and molded him into a noteworthy player. Although his rugby experience might be limited, his opportunities are endless. Jonathon will be the first in his family to attend a four-year university, all thanks to rugby. Read more here.

USA Rugby Names All Americans for 2016 - 2017

Collegiate All-American First XV
#6 Alec Barton - Saint Mary's College
#7 Kevin O'Connor - Saint Mary's College
#9 Holden Yungert - Saint Mary's College

Collegiate All-American Second XV
#8 Vili Helu - Saint Mary's College
#15 Dylan Audsley - Saint Mary's College

Collegiate All-American Honorable Mention

#12 Aaron Matthews - Saint Mary’s College

Collegiate All-American First Team-Sevens

Dylan Audsley, Saint Mary’s College

June 29, 2017

Coach Tim O’Brien Named to USA Rugby Hall of Fame | By: Christian Portillo

MORAGA, CALIF. - Saint Mary’s Men’s Rugby Head Coach Tim O’Brien has been inducted as part of the Class of 2017 into the U.S. Rugby Hall of Fame. O’Brien, along with nine other members, will be formally introduced as a member of the Hall of Fame at an upcoming induction dinner.

Although he is not one that does things for recognition, his accomplishments as both a player and coach deserve to be honored. O’Brien’s career started with the Palo Alto Rugby Club as a 17-year-old. When he moved onto the collegiate level, he took his talents to and excelled at Cal Berkeley. As team captain, he led the Golden Bears to consecutive national championships in 1980 and 1981. Click here for full article

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2017 D1A Rugby National Champions SMC 30 vs. Life 24

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Saint Mary’s Defeats Life University 30-24 for Third National Championship in Four Years | Christian Portillo

MORAGA, CALIF. - A year after Saint Mary’s lost in the D1A National Championship to Life University 24-20 in front of their home crowd, they had the opportunity to avenge themselves on Saturday at Saint Mary’s Stadium. Not only was it a chance to make up for last year’s heartbreak, it was a chance to break the tie between the Gaels and Running Eagles over the past four title matches. Life won the championship in 2013 and 2016 while Saint Mary’s repeated in 2014 and 2015.

In order to beat Life, Saint Mary’s knew that they had to improve on their sloppy 43-7 semifinal win over Arizona. Cutting down both turnovers and penalties was a focal point in practice over the past week and defense, as always, was also heavily emphasized. With this in mind, the Gaels were aware that they would have to play close to a perfect game to overcome the undefeated Running Eagles. Click here for full article

Saint Mary's wins D1A | Alex Goff, Goff Rugby Report

Dylan Audsley scored 25 points, Holden Yungert was MVP, the ground in Moraga, Calif. shook with the vibrations of the tackles between Life and Saint Mary's, and Kevin O'Connor was superb as the Gaels held of an excellent Life team 30-24 Saturday.

The lead changed multiple times, and we attempted to describe the activities in this report (click here).

But sometimes it's about the pictures. Read full article here

SAINT MARY’S BEATS LIFE IN CLASSIC AFFAIR, WINS THIRD D1A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP | Alex Solomon, USA RUGBY

MORAGA, Calif. – In a fifth consecutive D1A Rugby National Championship meeting between the two schools, Saint Mary’s College defended Saint Mary’s Stadium Saturday in a 30-24 defeat of Life University. Read more here.

Holden Yungert named MVP

Payton Telea named Florugby College Freshman of the Year!

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Click here for full article

D1A Rugby | Alex Solomon
California's All-Conference Teams Announced

LAFAYETTE, Colo. – As they did a season ago, the Saint Mary’s College Gaels went undefeated in the California Conference. This spring, the Gaels made good on their regular season by capping the season with their third D1A National Championship. The team’s impeccable form earned Saint Mary’s more players on the All-Conference team than any other California side.

The only other California Conference team to qualify for the D1A Playoffs, Canterbury’s ninth-ranked San Diego State, was second behind the Gaels with six players named to the 1st Team. Click here for full article