Three Christendom student-athletes were named 2022 National Collegiate Rugby All-Stars, with all three traveling to Houston, Texas, this weekend to compete in the Men’s National Shield Challenge. The three players — Matthew Westin, Thomas Santschi, and Joseph Kokes — will all play for the Mid-Atlantic Sharks, looking to help their team of all-stars win the tournament.
Westin, Santschi, and Kokes were all instrumental in helping the men’s rugby team complete an undefeated regular season last fall, including a stunning comeback win against the Virginia Military Institute in their final game of the regular season. All three also helped lead Christendom to another Conference Championship title, with the only loss of the season coming in a 41-40 heartbreaker against Coastal Carolina University.
For the three all-star players, the National Shield Challenge offers an opportunity to compete with the best college rugby players in the United States, while continuing to hone their skills before the start of Christendom’s spring rugby 7s season. In addition, the National Shield Challenge will be hosting pro scouts and All-American selectors as well, giving the three Christendom all-stars further incentive to play their best competitive rugby.
Westin, Santschi, and Kokes can first be seen competing against the Great Lakes Thunderbirds on Saturday, January 14, at 10:00 am CST, with the game broadcast live on YouTube. They will next play at 12:00 pm CST against the Independents Red, before completing the day at 3:15 pm CST with a game against the Midwest Barbarians. If they make it through the first round, all three players will next be seen on Sunday.
For more information on the complete schedule, visit National Collegiate Rugby.