ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Roanin Krieger and Andrew Baublitz of the second-ranked Navy men's rugby team were selected as nominees for the 2026 Rudy Scholz Award, presented annually by the Washington Athletic Club to the top men's collegiate rugby player in the country.
 
Navy is one of three programs (California and Saint Mary's) with multiple nominees.
 
Krieger and Baublitz are among 16 players nominated for the award. The list will be trimmed to a group of finalists through a public vote beginning March 30, followed by a selection panel of coaches and media members who will choose the winner the weekend after the College Rugby Association of America Championship at the end of April. The recipient will be honored at a gala hosted by the Washington Athletic Club in Seattle, Wash., on June 13.
 
"It's great to have two nominees for the Rudy Scholz Award," director of rugby Gavin Hickie said. "As each of our players know, any individual award is based on the support and work of his teammates."
 
Krieger, the program's all-time leading scorer with 630 points, leads the team this season in total points (139), conversions (43) and penalty kicks (7). He is also tied with Jake Cornelius and Kade Williams for third on the team with four tries.
 
Krieger earned First Team All-Rugby honors for the fourth-straight year and led the conference in scoring for the third-consecutive season with 77 points, recording 26 conversions, five penalty kicks and two tries in league play.
 
"Roanin is a special player who will go down as one of Navy's best players ever," Hickie said. "He has played a key role for us during his four years here and is truly deserving of this nomination."
 
Baublitz has been Navy's top try scorer this season, leading the team with eight. He is the program's all-time leader in tries with 35.
 
The junior helped Navy secure its fourth-straight Rugby East title, scoring two tries in conference play. He was also named First Team All-Rugby East for the second-consecutive season.
 
"Andrew has been a consistent high performer on our team over the last three seasons," Hickie said. "He's a leader on both offense and defense and is a very important player for us."
 
Krieger and Baublitz look to become the third Midshipman to win the award, joining Connor McNerney (2018) and Lewis Gray (2023).
 
2026 Rudy Scholz Award Nominees
Matteo Berenger, Arizona
Aaron Van Dyke, Arkansas State
George Engles, Army
Marco Lapierre, Brown
Rand Santos, California
Solomon Williams, California
Coby Baker, Cal Poly
Logan Ballinger, Life
Jack McAllister, Lindenwood
Hayden McKay, Mount St. Mary's
Andrew Baublitz, Navy
Roanin Krieger, Navy
Kieran Downs, San Diego
Dom Besag, Saint Mary's
Sosaia Pongi, Saint Mary's
Manu Taula, St. Bonaventure
 
Rudy Scholz Award Winners
2016: Dylan Audasley, Saint Mary's
2017: Bryce Campbell, Indiana
2018: Conor McNerney, Navy
2019: Harley Wheeler, Life
2020: Payton Telea-Ilalio, Saint Mary's
2021: Emmanuel Albert
2022: Larry Williams, Army
2023: Lewis Gray, Navy
2024: Wyatt Parry, BYU
2025: Oscar Treacy, Central Washington