ANNAPOLIS, Md. - The 2023 Rugby East Champion Navy men's rugby team totaled a league-leading nine athletes named to the All-Rugby East teams, which was announced Tuesday morning. Honorees were selected by coaches and administrators from all 11 Rugby East programs.
Roanin Krieger,
Tanner Russell and
Vaughn Schmitz received First-Team All-Rugby East recognition.
Jake Beitia,
Sean MacLaney and
Max Smith garnered second-team honors. Additionally,
Jack Aleman,
Ben Haugh and
Austin Taylor collected honorable-mention accolades.
"We are delighted to see the acknowledgment of nine of our midshipmen on the Rugby East All-Conference teams. Their recognition is a reflection of the hard work of the team throughout the fall," said director of rugby
Gavin Hickie. "We are excited to get to work over the winter and carry our momentum into the spring season."
Navy and Life were the only teams with three athletes named First-Team All-Rugby East.
Krieger led the conference in scoring with 113-points scored against Rugby East opponents. He joined
Lewis Gray as the only two players to score 100 or more points in conference play in the last two seasons. The sophomore finished tied for first in the league in made penalty kicks (9) and tied for second in tries scored (6). He also compiled 28 made conversion kicks, which ranked second. The Placerville, Calif., native has collected first-team all-conference recognition in each of his first two seasons at Navy. Additionally, he was the only player to claim first-team honors that wasn't a junior or senior.
Both Russell and Schmitz garnered first-team accolades for the first time after receiving honorable-mention distinction last fall.
Russell was also a vital piece of Navy's offense that finished second in the Rugby East in scoring at 41 points per game. He totaled 30 points and finished tied with Krieger for the second-most tries scored in league action.
Schmitz played three positions due to multiple mids suffering injuries during the season. His effort was a key factor in Navy surrendering a league-low 11 points per contest. The senior also scored three tries to contribute 15 points.
The Mids will return to the pitch this spring to continue their quest to defend their Division I-A National Championship. Fans can stay up to date on news about the spring season by visiting NavySports.com(.)
2023 All-Rugby East First Team
1. Tanner Smith, Notre Dame College
2. Adam Chadwick, Life
3. James Aitken, St. Bonaventure
4. Cameron Mills Notre Dame College
5. Joe Sharrock, Mount St. Mary's
6. Tanner Russell, Navy
7. Matthew Conroy, St. Bonaventure
8. Vaughn Schmitz, Navy
9. Ishma-eel Safodien, Life
10. Bradley Crane, Life
11. Mate Kvirikashvili, Kutztown
12. Roanin Krieger, Navy
13. Nathan Gould, Army
14. Patrick Oglesbee, Army
15. Sebastian Schefermann, Mary Washington
2023 All-Rugby East Second Team
1. Elias Garza, Life
2. Jake Beitia, Navy
3. Roan Shawver, Queens
4. Max Plumb, Mary Washington
5. Ian Roudybush, Penn State
6. Lloyd Stephans, Mary Washington
7. Aidan King, Penn State
8. Gus Dellinger, Kutztown
9. Sean MacLaney, Navy
10. William Stanton, Southern Virginia
11. Max Smith, Navy
12. Evan Corbett, Mount St. Mary's
13. Gideon Wessels, Queens
14. Xavier Lock, Mount St. Mary's
15. Lachlan McDonald, Notre Dame College
2023 All-Rugby East Honorable Mentions
Billy Boldt, Army
Jonny Haley, Army
Tiaan Mosconi, Army
Shane Sunday, Army
Henry Thomas, Kutztown
Cameron Thurtell, Kutztown
Logan Ballinger, Life
Seth Kramlich, Life
Philani Simamane, Life
Kit Waddington, Mary Washington
Jude Fangmeyer, Mount St. Mary's
Shemar Lewis, Mount St. Mary's
Jack Aleman, Navy
Ben Haugh, Navy
Austin Taylor, Navy
Stephan Herbst, Notre Dame College
Remy Thompson, Notre Dame College
Quentin von der Leith, Notre Dame College
Dan Morariu, Penn State
Hilton Olivier, Queens
David Kendig, Southern Virginia
Sione Tokelau, Southern Virginia
Edward Nelson, St. Bonaventure
Adarsh Singh, St. Bonaventure
Greg Steffens, St. Bonaventure
