Christendom’s men’s rugby team won the James River RFC Christmas 7s tournament this past weekend, defeating Georgetown University 22-12 in the championship game to secure another trophy for the Christendom trophy case. The tournament marked the team’s first rugby 7s competition of the academic year, setting them up well for their upcoming spring season.
The men’s rugby team wrapped up their 15s play earlier in November, playing a strong regular season and making it all the way to the National Collegiate Rugby Sweet Sixteen. The team traveled down to Richmond, Virginia, to start their 7s rugby play, competing in the James River RFC Christmas 7s tournament. They started the weekend taking on Pax U23, defeating them 35-5, largely due to an incredible game from Hugh Wingate.
In the second game, the team immediately got to work against Roanoke College, with Wingate scoring back-to-back tries to lead off the game. Greg Kosten scored two tries of his own, and Christendom’s defense took it from there. The team won 45-0, sending them to the semifinal matchup against William & Mary.
Wingate got the game started once again, with both him and Will Kolesar picking up two tries a piece. For the third straight game, the team won handily: 38-5. The win earned them a trip to the championship matchup against Georgetown University. The game proved to be tighter, with a try, once again, from Wingate quickly followed by a try from Georgetown to take the lead. Christendom managed to retake the lead before the half and held it from there. Wingate scored one final try — his ninth of the tournament — to wrap up Christendom’s championship victory, 22-12.
The team outscored their opponents 148-17 during the tournament — a huge margin, and the perfect way to set the tone for the team as they prepare for the official start of the rugby 7s season in the spring.
For more information, visit christendomathletics.com.