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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.  Date: August 9-10, 2003
Location: Founders Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Men's Final Standings: 1. Riverside Rugby 2. Olympic Club Rugby 3. Denver Barbarians 4. Maryland Exiles 5. Washington Rugby 6. Hayward Griffins 7. Gentlemen of Aspen 8. Northern Virginia Rugby 9. Old Mission Beach Athletic 10. New York Athletic 11. Middle Tennessee Rugby 12. Montauk Sharks 13. Atlanta Renegades 13. Louisville Rugby 13. Metropolis Rugby 13. Red Mountain Warthogs Date: August 14-15, 1999
Location: Conshohocken, Pennsylvania Men's Final Standings: 1. Philadelphia-Whitemarsh Rugby 2. Northern Virginia Rugby 3. Seattle Fiji 4. Orlando Rugby 5. Tempe Old Devils 6. Baltimore-Chesapeake Brumbies 7. Elvis at the Opry Rugby 8. St. Louis Bombers 9. Belmont Shore Rugby 10. Louisville Rugby 11. Hartford Rugby 11. Kansas City Blues 13. Montauk Sharks 13. Olympic Club Rugby 13. Oregon Sports Union 13. Sacramento Capitals Date: August 22-23, 1992
Location: Alexandria, Virginia Men's Final Standings: 1. Old Puget Sound Beach Rugby 2. Old Blues Rugby (CA) 3. Northern Virginia Rugby 4. Maryland Exiles 5. Kansas City Blues 6. Metropolis Rugby 7. Dallas Harlequins 8. Louisville Rugby |
