KUTZTOWN, Pa. -- Mark this day, March 30, 2019, in the annuals of Kutztown Rugby. For the first time ever, the Kutztown Rugby Club had the distinction of fielding four competitive seven's teams, on the day. KU-1 and KU-2 traveled to Harrisonburg, Virginia, where they competed on the campus of James Madison University. KU-3 and KU-4 jumped on nearby interstate I-78 and took the short jaunt to Easton, Pennsylvania and the campus of Lafayette University. 
        
The top flight sides, KU-1 and KU-2 were continuing their season by competing in the second round of the Chesapeake Rugby Conference, seven's series. The cup champion of the previous week, Mary Washington University, loomed large and the KU-1 and KU-2 Golden Bears were determined to improve on their third and fourth place finishes of the previous week. The competition for the day was Mary Washington University, Virginia Tech University, Mount St. Mary's University, University of Maryland, James Madison University, Georgetown University and the University of South Carolina. 
 
 In the first game of pool play, KU-1 drew Mount St. Mary's. The Golden Bears disposed of the Mounts in superb fashion, 40-12, while setting the tempo for the remainder of the competition. Freshman Brock Stinson (Colorado Springs, Colo./Coronado ) had a hat trick when he found the try zone three times, as well as kicked two conversions for a total of nineteen points in fourteen minutes. He wasn't the only one to dot down, as Tai Kauwe (Orem, Utah/Pleasant Grove), Aaron Gray (Washington, D.C./Perry Street Prep) and Thorn O'Connell found the same try zone. In the next match, it was business as usual when Kutztown took down the Maryland Terrapins, 40-17. In that game, Thorn O'Connell led the way with two trys and five conversions, for a combined twenty points in fourteen minutes. Dmontae Noble wasted no time crossing the try line twice, while Breyten Maritz (Cape Town, South Africa/Paul Roos) and Aaron Gray (Washington, D.C./Perry Street Prep) dotted down one time each. 
 
The next match was the most interesting for the contingency from Kutztown. KU-1 and KU-2 were going to battle it out in the semi-finals. The players on both sides were anxious for the opportunity to test themselves against one another with a championship match awarded to the victor. Not to mention the chance to out preform one another, with the coaching staff evaluating their performance. It was a stellar contest, showcasing the athletic talent and the rugby skills of the 2019 Kutztown contingency. KU-1 managed to come out on top but had to overcome a ten point deficit when Lucas Ortner (Melbourne, Australia/Box Hill) scored two quick trys to put KU-2 ahead. It was 12-10 at half-time with KU-1 hanging on to a slim lead, thanks to trys by Aaron Gray (Washington, D.C./Perry Street Prep) and Brock Stinson (Colorado Springs, Colo./Coronado ). When the second half began, KU-2 James Meyer upped the ante with a try and lead his team with a determined display of defense. However, KU-1 was not to be denied when freshmen Tai Kauwe (Orem, Utah/Pleasant Grove) and Brock Stinson (Colorado Springs, Colo./Coronado ) scored hard earned trys. Thorne O'Connell (Johannesburg, South Africa/Jeppe) added to the score with three conversions, while KU-2 Brandon Boon (Unionville, Pa./Unionville) kicked one. The KU-1 squad was rewarded with a 26-17 win. 
 
Along the way to the semi-finals, KU-2 started the day with a 29-14 win over the Gamecocks from the University of South Carolina. In this match, James Meyer had two trys and Daquan Perry (Philadelphia, Pa./Conestoga), Jackson Clark (Greenville, S.C./Greenville Senior High Academy) and Brandon Boon (Unionville, Pa./Unionville) scored one time each.Brandon Boon (Unionville, Pa./Unionville) was two for three on conversions, while Jackson Clark (Greenville, S.C./Greenville Senior High Academy) went wide twice.In their second match of the day, KU -2 faced the tournament host, James Madison University. It was a hard fought battle as the home town favorites and their boisterous sideline and stands, urged their team onto a respectable showing but it wasn't' enough, as KU-2 took home a fiercely contested 19-12 victory. Lucas Ortner (Melbourne, Australia/Box Hill) had two trys and Jackson Clark (Greenville, S.C./Greenville Senior High Academy) found pay dirt with a nifty try. Brandon Boon (Unionville, Pa./Unionville) was two for three on the conversion line.
 
The Cup Final, now found the previous week's champion and new, Rugby East member, Mary Washington University, lined up against KU-1 for the very first time, ever. the tournament championship was on the line.The Golden Bears came roaring out of the gate and denied the Eagles much needed ball possession. Dmontae Noble had his most complete game of the day and scored twice. Aaron Gray (Washington, D.C./Perry Street Prep) and Breyten Maritz (Cape Town, South Africa/Paul Roos) chipped in with one try a piece.Thorn O'Connell was two for four on conversions. Mary Washington has excellent players and they fought hard to come back but the Golden Bear defense with the title on the line, was the stingiest they've been all year. The final score was a well deserved win in Kutztown's favor, 24-5.
 
Meanwhile, in Easton, Pennsylvania, the KU-3 and KU-4 teams were preparing to launch their 2019 seven's schedule.The Lafayette 7's tournament consisted of Lafayette University, Lehigh University, St. Joe's University second side, KU-3, KU-4 and Bloomsburg University. KU-3 opened up with a quality win over St. Joe's second side, 24-14. Trys were scored by Alex Doyling (Warwick, Bermuda/Bermuda Institute ), Kob Tuckson Anthony Sessa (Norristown, Pa./Faith Christian), and Blake Andrews (Elizabethtown, Pa./Elizabethtown Area). In their next contest, KU-3 took down Bloomsburg 36-0. The boys spread the scoring out, to include trys by John Marinucci (Glenside, Pa./Abingtong), Michael Early, Peter Reyes (Brooklyn, N.Y./Xavier), Dane Sandillo, Keyon McCloud Holman and Kob Tuckson.That win placed them in the semi-finals were they defeated St. Joes for the second time of the day, 19-5, behind trys by Dane Sandillo, Michael Early and Blake Andrews (Elizabethtown, Pa./Elizabethtown Area).

On the other side of the bracket KU-4 was paving their way to a 24-0 whitewash of host Lafayette. Trys were dotted down by John Williams (Easton, Pa./Easton Area), Aboubacar Bangoura and Kyle Murphy (Berwyn, Pa./Malvern Prep). The only blemish of the day occurred in their next game when they lost a thriller to Lehigh 12-10. Kyle Murphy (Berwyn, Pa./Malvern Prep) and Matt Rade scored to make it close. However, KU-4 drew Lehigh once again in the semi-finals and the boys from Lunckenbil Avenue took revenge with a 27-12 victory. Leading the charge with trys, were Nick Lapp, Max Kosman (Cincinnati, Ohio/Anderson), Ty Travaglia (Pittsburgh, Pa./Kiski Area) and Kyle Murphy (Berwyn, Pa./Malvern Prep). It was an impressive showing with KU-3 and KU-4 dominating the field on their way to 
the Cup Finals. Then in a show of solidarity, all of the Golden Bears decided to share the victories of the day and went home without doing battle against one another in the final. 
 
Across the broad spectrum that is Kutztown Rugby, this day was a noteworthy accomplishment. As the coaching staff and players work tirelessly in a unified effort to improve the club. RUN WITH THE BEARS !