Article by Alex Solmon | Originally published at usarugby.org
Photos by Travis Prior / Brian Achenbach | KLC Fotos
LAFAYETTE, Colo. - Qualification for the 2016 USA Rugby Club 7s National Championships begins Saturday, June 11, when the Midwest, Pacific North, and South Conferences open competitions that will ultimately end in regional championship tournaments. The three aforementioned regions are the only competitions that play towards a championship qualifying tournament, while the other five Competitive Regions compete in a qualifying series, accumulating points at each stop.
Cin City 7s - Cincinnati, Ohio
The East Division of the Midwest will converge in Cincinnati for Cin City 7s, where 1823 Rugby has to be considered the favorite. The summer select side based out of Columbus, Ohio, beat eventual National Champions Seattle Saracens in pool play before falling to the Denver Barbarians in the Cup Semifinals last year.
Last summer's 1823 squad at Nationals included a few players currently suiting up for PRO Rugby's Ohio Aviators. Still, Paul Holmes' outfit seems to constantly be unearthing young talent, and should not have trouble reloading this season.
The Cincinnati Wolfhounds are one team that could potentially challenge 1823. The Wolfhounds finished in the bottom half of an extremely competitive Midwest DI conference, but still managed wins in 15s against the likes of Chicago Griffins and Palmer College. Do not sleep on the Cleveland Crusaders, either. Yes, the Crusaders play DII, but Cleveland had a solid 15s season, only losing league matches to a Detroit Tradesmen team that played for a Division II National Championship last weekend.
Cin City 7s - Cincinnati, Ohio
The East Division of the Midwest will converge in Cincinnati for Cin City 7s, where 1823 Rugby has to be considered the favorite. The summer select side based out of Columbus, Ohio, beat eventual National Champions Seattle Saracens in pool play before falling to the Denver Barbarians in the Cup Semifinals last year.
Last summer's 1823 squad at Nationals included a few players currently suiting up for PRO Rugby's Ohio Aviators. Still, Paul Holmes' outfit seems to constantly be unearthing young talent, and should not have trouble reloading this season.
The Cincinnati Wolfhounds are one team that could potentially challenge 1823. The Wolfhounds finished in the bottom half of an extremely competitive Midwest DI conference, but still managed wins in 15s against the likes of Chicago Griffins and Palmer College. Do not sleep on the Cleveland Crusaders, either. Yes, the Crusaders play DII, but Cleveland had a solid 15s season, only losing league matches to a Detroit Tradesmen team that played for a Division II National Championship last weekend.
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