KANSAS CITY, MO - The Thunder Chickens traveled across Missouri to play in the Mid-America 7s rugby tournament on Saturday. The tournament was hosted by the Kansas City Jr. Blues Rugby Club as an opportunity for developing players from the region to highlight their skills, and it had a jovial and collegial atmosphere. Principia won all six of their games to earn them their second First Place finish this spring!
Other teams in Principia's pool were Benedictine University (KS), Maryville University (MO), Central College (IA), and Pittsburgh State University (KS). All players from Principia played in pool games and contributed to ensuring the Thunder Chickens were able to take the top seed from the pool. In the semi-finals, the Thunder Chickens faced off against John Brown University (AR) and won 31-10. The championship game was against Wayne State University (MI), which ended up 40-10 in Principia's favor. Principia and Wayne State took a group photo afterwards (shown above).
To ensure that both pools had an even number of teams, Principia, Washburn University (KS), and the KC Jr. Blues put together a team that went 3-1, taking second place in their pool. (This team was not eligible to move on to the semifinals.)
In pool play, Celino Petersen and Nick Ismirnioglou won the team Man of the Match awards. Petersen and Damir Conci were awarded the Man of the Match awards by the tournament organizers for the championship game.
Up Next: The Thunder Chickens will vie for the conference championship in the Gateway 7s on Saturday, April 23rd at University of Central Missouri.
