SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Lewis Gray,
Ben Haugh,
Roanin Krieger and
Jack McMahon of the Navy men's rugby team received Division I-A All-America accolades from the Collegiate Rugby Association of America (CRAA) for their efforts during the 2022-23 season.
Navy's four selections on the 23-person list are the most from a single program.
"It is wonderful to see the recognition bestowed upon our four All-Americans. Our men know that they have their teammates to thank for this accolade, but Jack (McMahon), Lewis (Gray), Ben (Haugh) and Roanin (Krieger) led from the front all season in our inaugural varsity year," said director of rugby
Gavin Hickie. "They all had key roles within the team, performed consistently and accurately throughout the season and are fully deserving of being named All-Americans."
Gray was a clear choice to be named an All-American after winning the Rudy Scholz Award, which is presented annually to the top collegiate rugby player in the country. He ended the season as Navy's leading scorer with 166 points. The Jupiter, Fla., native also led the Mids with 17 tries and finished tied as the team leader in made penalty kicks with seven. Additionally, his 30 made conversion kicks ranked second on the team. Although he didn't score in the national championship match, he forced a vital turnover after Cal had driven inside Navy's five-meter line in the final minutes of the game.
Haugh was also a nominee for the Rudy Scholz Award. He scored the second-most tries (14) and finished third on the team in scoring (70 points). One of his most important tries came in Navy's, 30-6, victory against Army in the Division I-A Playoff Quarterfinals. The Raleigh, N.C., native corralled a loose ball of a turnover and ran over 20 meters for a score to give the Mids a three-score lead in the 54th minute. Haugh will look to lead Navy to its second-straight national championship as this year's team captain.
Krieger was Navy's leading scorer in the national championship game with eight points on four made conversion kicks. He led the team with 36 made conversion kicks and sent seven penalty kicks through the uprights. He posted the second-most points scored (113) to join Gray as the only two Mids to finish with 100 or more points scored.
McMahon served as Navy's team captain during the 2022-23 campaign. He found the try zone five times during his senior season to finish with 25 points. McMahon was also a key figure on a defense that surrendered just 11.5 points and only 1.2 tries per match.
2023 Division I-A All-Americans
EJ Freeman – Arizona
Tiaan Mosconi – Army
Lucas Pattinson – Army
Gabe Mahuinga – BYU
Cole Semu – BYU
Max Schumacher – Cal
Emilio Shea – Cal
Alex Cleary – Central Washington
Calvin Liulamaga – Central Washington
Orrin Bizer – Life
Adam Chadwick – Life
Donovan Law – Life
Runako Brynard – Lindenwood
Connor Devos – Lindenwood
Nick Hardrict II – Lindenwood
Lewis Gray – Navy
Ben Haugh – Navy
Roanin Krieger- Navy
Jack McMahon – Navy
Dominic Besag – Saint Mary's
Kaipono Kaioshi – Saint Mary's
Joe Marchant – Saint Mary's
Daelen Denenberg, Santa Clara
Honorable Mention Division I-A All-Americans
Larry Williams – Army
Wyatt Parry – BYU
Rand Santos – Cal
Cade Crist – Cal
Tyren Al-Jiboori – Lindenwood
Jackson Zabierek – UC Santa Cruz
