University Park, Pa. – Head coach Pete Steinberg has narrowed his squad to twelve for representing Penn State at the Collegiate Rugby Championship Sevens Invitational on June 4 and 5. The team is comprised entirely of players from the fifteens roster.
“It was a very hard decision because everyone worked so hard and each player has gotten the team to where we are now,” said Steinberg.
The coaching staff trimmed the roster down from 16 on Monday, following the team’s last practice before leaving for Philadelphia. The team will depart for the CRC Invitational on Tuesday evening.
“Everyone fought so hard for a position on the team and because of that I wanted to see everyone travel,” said director of rugby Don Ferrell.
The travel roster will include three non-playing reserves.
The finalized team includes:
1. Chris Saint (c)
2. Joe Baker
3. Mike Cadau
4. Chris Calero
5. Arnold Chavis
6. Dom DeFalco
7. Mike Erickson
8. Ben Janssen
9. Joanel Joseph
10. Jay Mathias
11. Mike Throne
12. Greg Voigt
Non-playing reserves:
1. Chris Karas
2. Rey Riboul
3. Chris Rumple
Penn State has drawn Pool A for the championship, which includes Rugby-East rival Ohio State as well as Louisiana State along with favorite and College Premier Division fifteens champion California.
The Nittany Lions will open the tournament on Saturday against LSU at 9:58 AM (EST). The match will also be the first match of the day at PPL Park in Chester, PA.
The second match is slated for 12:54 PM (EST) against the Buckeyes, whom defeated the Lions during last year’s CRC Invitational, held in Columbus. Ohio State also bested the Ruggers in last week’s Larrimer Cup.
NBC will be televising Penn State’s final contest on the day, against the Golden Bears at 4:06 PM (EST). The match will also be the first to be nationally aired on NBC. Cal was the 2010 CRC runner-up.
The Ruggers are looking to redeem themselves from last year’s CRC contest, which saw Penn State fall in every match. The Lions lost to Bowling Green, Utah, Ohio State, and Arizona State at the Crew Stadium in Columbus.
Seven players on the current roster were present at the 2010 tournament. Baker, Chavis, Erickson, Janssen, Joseph, Saint, and Voigt all have been named to the squad for a second time.
“We are excited to see what the team can do this year,” said Steinberg.
Penn State has already been more successful during its 2011 slate, capturing the Subaru Sevens crown along with a strong performance at the Larrimer Cup. The other tournaments allowed the Ruggers to experience numerous CRC competitors prior to the event. Overall, the Lions will have faced 6 of the 16 teams, including Army, Navy, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Temple.
Prior to last year’s CRC Invitational, Penn State did not experience any competition.
Wednesday, the Lions are expected to have a practice during the morning, which will include a scrimmage with a team to be named.
Further information in regard to the CRC Invitational can be found at www.usasevenscrc.com.
Tickets to the Collegiate Rugby Championship Sevens Invitational, held on June 4 & 5 at PPL Park in Philadelphia, can be purchased through www.rugby.psu.edu. Admission costs $45 for the two-day pass, which also includes a free Drop Kick Murphy’s performance following the games on Saturday.
For more information: Jonathan Swart/Sports Information Director of Rugby/JSwart85@gmail.com
