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May 31, 2022
Men’s Premier
The Kutztown Golden Bears, on their third trip to the Collegiate Rugby Championship final, finally claimed a Collegiate Rugby Championship, defeating Dartmouth at the Shrine on Airline in New Orleans, Louisiana. Previously the bridesmaid twice, having finished second in 2016 and 2018.
In order to reach the final, Kutztown had to defeat three-time defending champion Lindenwood, who hadn't lost a game at the Collegiate Rugby Championship since 2017. Dartmouth advanced to the championship with a victory over Iona. The semifinal was much closer with the Gaels leading in the first half, but Jasper Green and the Big Green were too much in the second half. Lindenwood shut out Iona to take third place, with Air Force, Fordham, and Notre Dame College, all claiming consolation hardware.
Men’s DI
It was the Sam Houston State Bearkats downing Salisbury to take home the championship title, in a very tight game.
Men’s DII
Indiana University Pennsylvania claimed the DII National Championship, downing Lander in the final. The massive, loping Colton Moyer scored early in his match, and took home the MVP honors.
Men’s Small College
The New Mexico Tech Miners overcame an early deficit to defeat Christendom College. They were led by MVP Elijah Naranjo, who paired with fellow playmaker Milan Van Wyk to defeat the massive Owen Kennedy and Christendom college.
All-Tournament Team
Dartmouth places two players on the tournament team restart kicker Mike Weir and restart taker Jasper Green, who starved most teams of possession on the weekend. Also reaching the dream team was Lindenwood’s, Evan Williams, last year's MVP. Cal Maritime’s Jonah Wolf, who led the Keelhaulers on a Cinderella run to the elite eight, and Lorenzo Villani, the feisty scrum half for St. Bonaventure, who finished ninth. In the National Championship game, both Kekoa Kauwe and Mate Kvirikashvili put up astounding gamesmanship against Dartmouth, cementing their All-Tournament Team status.
Pat Clifton
Tournament Director
Watch Day 2 on YouTube
Watch Day 3 on The Rugby Network
View Official Tournament Brackets
