Glendale, CO. -- Competing in the DII
USA Rugby College 7s Championship , the Thunder Chickens placed 10
th this weekend at
Infinity Park before a crowd of about 100 friends, parents, and alumni. They finished the tournament with an overall record of 2-3, defeating Saint Louis University, Norwich University, and losing games to University of Hartford, Southern Connecticut State University, and Norwich University. Graduating players include captain scrumhalf
Jaime Serna, wing Nik Hathaway, and prop Igor Agusto de Souza.
Several players were recognized for their performance. Hathaway tied for 5
th for the
total number of tries scored in the tournament with five tries, and (Travis) Scotty Marunde's 31 points had him tied for 7
th in the tournament for
most points scored. Hathaway was also one of twelve players named to the
"Rugby Commentators Dream Team."
Head coach
Ward Patterson commented, "It is a tremendous privilege to coach such fine men as they strive to achieve excellence. We are all a bit disappointed that we did not play as well as we know we can; but part of that is due to the caliber and intensity of our opponents. Our two pool play losses were to U. Hart and Southern Conn. whom played very good rugby, and both only lost in the semi-finals, in overtime. This year's tournament was filled with fine rugby teams and we are really proud to be 10
th in Division Two."
The Thunder Chicken's next league match will be on September 16
th against Southern Illinois University to kick off the start of the 15s season.
