BOULDER, Colo. – The U.S. High School All-American Boys’ National Rugby Team are assembling today at Seneca College in Toronto, Canada. The assembly will last until July 6 and will see the High School All-Americans take on the Ontario Under-18s on July 3 and July 5.
“This assembly provides us an opportunity to continue development on a number of incumbent H.S. All-Americans, while also beginning the development of a number of new student-athletes identified during the last six months,” Coach Scott Lawrence said. “We have a quality opponent to look forward to, as we are set to compete against Ontario, the U-18 Provincial Champions, and we have a busy week ahead.”
The High School All-Americans were formed in the spring of 2009. This Age-Grade National Team will be composed of the best High School enrolled players in the country. The purpose of this team will be to identify and develop the best high school aged players in the country as part of USA Rugby’s elite player pathway.
There are several ways to be selected to the High School All-Americans, including competing in one of the Regional All-Star Under-19 and Under-17 Tournaments, participating at the High School and Under-19 National Championships or being nominated by individual coaches.
This year, the Boys’ High School All-American Team is made up of players from across the country, including several players from this year’s top National High School and Under-19 programs of Xavier (New York), Highland (Utah), Jesuit (Sacramento, Calif.) Katy (Texas), Union (N.J.), Westlake (Texas) and Fallbrook (Calif.). In addition, three players derive from the small comprehensive high school located in Piedmont, Calif., and three U.S. citizens have traveled from their clubs in the UK to play for the American side.
“Given the shape and athleticism of the players coming into this camp, the selection process is yielding better rugby players who have the potential to grow into international athletes,” Lawrence said. “We're seeing that those players who are recognized during H.S. Nationals as top players at top programs have also performed well at the Regional Selection Tournaments. As before, the regional tournaments still continue to produce quality players who are not at H.S. Nationals, and in general both avenues are continuing to work well.”
The High School All-Americans first match kicks off on Saturday, July 3 at 4 p.m. (EST), while the second of the two matches against their Canadian opponent will take place on July 5 at noon. Both matches will be held at Fletchers Field in Toronto.
For more information on the U.S. High School All-Americans program, please visit www.usarugby.org/goto/boy_hs_allamericans. To follow the team while on tour, please visit http://usahighschoolallamericans.blogspot.com/.
The boys named to the U.S. High School All-Americans squad include:
Forwards
Tyler Black (Colorado Springs H.S. - Colo.)
Joe Brady (Union County H.S. - N.J.)
Michael Bush (Jesuit H.S. – Sacramento, Calif.)
Christian Castro (Davis H.S. - Calif.)
Patrick Coleman (Xavier H.S. - N.Y.)
Jason DeVilliers (Katy H.S. - Texas)
Brandon Dietz (Union County H.S. - N.J.)
Henry Hall (Liberty H.S. - Renton, Wash.)
John Hayden (Fallbrook H.S. - Calif.)
Carl Hendrickson (Piedmont H.S. - Calif.)
Cameron McFeely (Xavier H.S. - New York)
Daniel Metcalf (Jesuit College Preparatory - Dallas)
Travis Moscone (Piedmont H.S. - Calif.)
Brendan Murphy (Xavier H.S. - New York)
Tim O'Hara (Bellarmine College Preparatory - San Jose, Calif.)
Andrew Ohmann (Union County Lions - N.C.)
Cody Powell (Saint Thomas Aquinas H.S. - Overland Park, KS)
Backs
Tana Afeaki (Highland - Salt Lake City)
Mike Durant (Boston College H.S. - Mass.)
Tommy Flynn (Cobham RFC - Surrey, England)
John Gearity (Xavier H.S. - New York)
Ellis Glaw (Westlake H.S. - Austin, Texas)
Siona Hausia (Mt. Diablo H.S. - Concord, Calif.)
Madison Hughes (Cobham RFC/Wellington College - England)
Will Magie (Merchant Taylors’ School – Middlesex, England)
Zach Miller (Walton H.S. - Marietta, Ga.)
Jesse Milne (Piedmont H.S. - Calif.)
Adam Sandstrom (Oconomowoc H.S. - Wis.)
Joe Sullivan (Cathedral H.S. - Indianapolis)
Josh Webber (United H.S. – Salt Lake City)
U.S. High School All-American Coaching Staff
Head Coach: Scott Lawrence
Asst Coach: Dan Payne
Backs Coach: David Fee
Forwards Coach: Luke Gross
Manager: Justin Hickey
Strength and Conditioning: James Paul
Trainer: Ben Cowin
