Humboldt State’s Men’s Rugby Team Ranked Seventh in Final Poll
MARLTON, NJ--- Humboldt State University Men’s Rugby Team finished seventh in the nation according to the final 2019-20 National Collegiate Rugby (NCR) Poll that was released earlier this week by the NCR.
"I am very excited for this current group of athletes as well the players who have performed at a top level in recent years representing HSU Rugby,” said head rugby coach Greg Pargee. “It has been a bit of a process and a welcome challenge for the coaching staff to keep our team focused, fit, and motivated each year throughout the long rugby season...we train, practice and compete September-April.”
The Lumberjacks were one of two teams from the Northern California Collegiate Conference ranked in the top 20. The other small college ranked from the Northern California Collegiate Conference was Santa Rosa Junior College, who was No. 15.
“The hard work and commitment of individual players to improve both their rugby skillset and physical strength, be a student of the game, and concentrate on their academics at the University, has proven to be a solid recipe for success,” added Pargee. “I often stress to them to be 'patient' and 'unselfish' on and off the playing field, they are taking it to heart and are trusting the process of TEAM."
HSU men's rugby had a 4-1 record and was in first place in the Northern California Collegiate Rugby Conference, when the competition was stopped due to the pandemic. Leading into this year's national rankings the Lumberjacks have finished the last three years with a sweet 16 in 2017, and two Elite 8 finishes in the nation in 2018 and 2019.
The Lumberjack men’s rugby team was comprised of 32 Humboldt State students, all from the State of California.
2019-20 National Collegiate Rugby Top 10 Poll
- Loyola Marymount University
- Franciscan University
- Salve Regina University
- Claremont Colleges
- College of the Holy Cross
- Christendem College
- Humboldt State University
- Ithaca College
- Colby College
- Susquehanna University