SALISBURY, Md. -- On Saturday, February 22nd, the Kutztown Men's Rugby Club sent two sides to the first regular season rugby 7's tournament of 2020. It was hosted by the University of Maryland. The teams in attendance were, the United States Naval Academy (developmental sides), the University of Maryland, Georgetown University, James Madison University, Mount St. Mary's (1st & 2nd), North Carolina State University, Salisbury University, and Virginia Tech.
 
Kutztown also had another separate group of players that had just returned from winning the D1A National Qualifying Tournament in Las Vegas, Nevada. So those players took this particular weekend off and stayed back on campus. The current tournament traveling sides were divided up into two distinct
types of teams. One side was called "THUNDER" and was comprised mainly of larger men who traditionally play in the Forwards. The other team was coined "LIGHTNING" and consisted mainly of the men who are quick and play in the Backline. It was an experiment of sorts but was also designed to test the big men and their desire to excel at the fast-paced game of rugby sevens. The quicker backline players were under pressure to excel in the tournament and to prove their skill level was adequate enough to take home some "Hardware". Of course, the underlying purpose on both sides was to enjoy the competition and play at the best of their abilities, throughout the competition. 
 
THUNDER started out a bit sluggish but came roaring back to give Va. Tech all they could handle. The Hokies jumped out to an early lead but with two pile driving trys by Pete Reyes, the Golden Bears hung around long enough for Kutztown's Breyten Maritz (Cape Town, South Africa/Paul Roos), to find a way to score and tie the game, at the final buzzer. The conversion attempt was placed just to the left of the uprights. The official game clock had expired. Ty Travaglia (Pittsburgh, Pa./Kiski Area) had to slot the ball through the uprights for the Kutztown win. Unfortunately, his kick veered left and just missed the mark. Va. Tech escaped with the tie.
 
In the second pool game, THUNDER took on Mount St. Mary's II. THUNDER accelerated out of the gate and never looked back. Fly-Half Lucas Ortner (Melbourne, Australia/Box Hill) led the side with three tries. Breyten Maritz (Cape Town, South Africa/Paul Roos) continued his excellent play, with another try and Gerald Lowe (Pretoria, South Africa/Die Hoerskool Menlopark), along with teammate Bangourra Aboubacar, dotted down before time expired. The final score was Kutztown Thunder 32, Mount St. Mary's 10.
 
In the final pool game, the THUNDER fell to eventual tournament runner-up, Salisbury University.  The Salisbury Sharks had some very experienced and shifty backline players that found seams and gaps throughout the game, as they took full advantage of their speed advantage. The final score was 31-12
but there were bright spots for the Kutztown Thunder as Freshmen Gus Dellinger scored along with the another try by the up and coming Pete Reyes.
 
In the consolation game for seventh place, the THUNDER took on James Madison University. The Thunder found their rhythm and went on to physically
dominate the Dukes by a score of 22-0. Gus Dellinger scored along with Ty Travaglia (Pittsburgh, Pa./Kiski Area) but Pete Reyes continued to find the try line as he crossed it two more times, to lead the THUNDER in scoring for the day, with a total of five trips to the House.
 
The Kutztown LIGHTNING squad had a stellar day. I mentioned that they are quick but did I mention that the majority of the team are young. Like freshmen and sophomore young. This talented group had everyone's attention early on, when they defeated North Carolina State in the opening round
of pool play. Freshman, Christian Tanner (Crescent, Pa./Moon Area) had two trys and Sophomore Max Kosman (Cincinnati, Ohio/Anderson) dotted down once as Freshman P.J. O'Riley was three for three on his conversions attempts. The Wolf Pack was shocked 21-17.
 
In the second game of Pool Play, Kutztown Lightening defeated the Naval Academy, developmental side, 31-0. Once again, Christian Tanner (Crescent, Pa./Moon Area) led the charge with another two try performance. Individual trys we're also scored by Sophomores Alex Doyling (Warwick, Bermuda/Bermuda Institute) and Riley Walther. Freshmen Logan Bachman (Kutztown, Pa./Central Catholic)
 had an outstanding run to join the scoring party, when he touched down under the post. P.J. O'Riley was three for four on conversions. Max Kosman (Cincinnati, Ohio/Anderson) missed his only conversion attempt.
 
The third Pool play game saw the Lightening squad overpower Georgetown University. Sophomore Blake Andrews (Elizabethtown, Pa./Elizabethtown Area) ran wild and scored twice for the boys from Kutztown. Sophomore, Anthony Sessa (Norristown, Pa./Faith Christian) showed a great deal of promise as he had several line breaks on his way to one try. Classmate and teammate, Kyle Murphy (Berwyn, Pa./Malvern Prep) had a dream try in a support role. Freshmen, Christian Tanner (Crescent, Pa./Moon Area), wasn't going to be denied, as he touched down one time, along with P.J. O'Riley. P.J was once again three for Four on conversions. Riley Walther was one for one on conversion attempts and Max Kosman (Cincinnati, Ohio/Anderson) was still waiting to slot one through the sticks, as he went none for one.
 
The semifinal match pitted Kutztown against their opening game foe, North Carolina State. The Kutztown Lightning had the tables turned on them. The Wolf Pack broke the game open in the second half with hard running and an even harder attitude. A veteran, North Carolina State squad rose to the occasion and stopped the Golden Bears with a convincing 34-7 victory. The Golden Bears only scored one try but who other than the Freshman, Christian Tanner (Crescent, Pa./Moon Area). P.J.O'Riley hit the conversion and the boys were putting that one in the Rear -View mirror. They were now focused on getting ready to play James Madison University for third place in the tournament.
 
The Lightning were determined to make up for that North Carolina hiccup and earned the victory in a very hard fought 24-19 victory. Christian Tanner (Crescent, Pa./Moon Area) had an excellent day as he scored twice in this game as well. Sophomores Dane Sandillo () and Blake Andres touched down one time a piece. P.J. O'Riley was two for two, while Max Kosman (Cincinnati, Ohio/Anderson) missed twice in front of the sticks. The Lightning accomplished what was asked of them, as they were all in and departed with the third place trophy.