This weekend will see some of the Western RFU’s top College Rugby players square off in Glendale, Colo. when the Heart of America RFU all star team travels to play two matches against an all star team from the Eastern Rockies and Rio Grande Unions.

The HOARFU team will be comprised of players from nine of the regions top universities including the University of Oklahoma, Kansas, Kansas State, Missouri and Truman State while the ERRFU/RGRFU side will pull from nine schools in the Rocky Mountain region including the University of Colorado, Colorado State, the US Air Force Academy and the University of Wyoming.

Both teams will also have compliments from smaller schools in their regions in St. Louis University, Benedictine College, Mesa State, Colorado College, the University of Denver and Lindenwood University.

 “We were thrilled to average about 40 players for both of our training sessions leading up to this event,” said HOA Coach Bill Sexton. “These were young, committed rugby players who were looking for an opportunity to play at a higher level, which bodes well for collegiate rugby.  There were many deserving players and it was a difficult process to select this team.  Everyone is very excited about playing this weekend.”

The weekend will serve as one of the selection vehicles for the Western RFU’s all star team that will compete in the Collegiate NASC June 9-11, 2011. 

Jim Snyder, coach of the combined Eastern Rockies/Rio Grande team, knows this is an important opportunity for his players.

“This is one of the first steps for some of these guys toward Collegiate All American honors next summer, performing well here will certainly put them on the radar for making the West so we’re hoping to see some spirited play from both squads,” Snyder said.

The teams will square off on Saturday at noon and then again on Sunday at 11am at Infinity Park in Glendale.  There is no charge for admission.

Eastern Rockies/Rio Grande College All-Stars
Baggett JoJo University of Wyoming
Beaudry Royce New Mexico Tech
Belviso Anthony United States Air Force Academy
Bryant Reggie University of Colorado
Chacon Jeremy University of Northern Colorado
Cleveland Carson United States Air Force Academy
Edwards LeRoi United States Air Force Academy
Ferguson Leo University of Wyoming
Fugier Rian Colorado State University
Gallagher Brennan United States Air Force Academy
Garrity Mike Colorado State University
Hanson Trever University of Denver
Hitt Kyle University of Northern Colorado
Interdonato Nicholas Colorado State University
Johnson Jordan United States Air Force Academy
Karlin Joseph Colorado College
Kempton Stephen University of Northern Colorado
Kilfoyle Sean University of Colorado
Lahman Luke University of Colorado
Loper Elliot United States Air Force Academy
Martin Chris University of Colorado
McCormick Blake Mesa State College
Murphy Scott University of Northern Colorado
Palm Justin University of Wyoming
Paniagua Esteban Mesa State College
Prudhomme Nick University of Wyoming
Quattrini Tony University of Colorado
Ruize Anthony United States Air Force Academy
Savage Zach University of Colorado
Silva Justin University of Colorado
Slinkard Wes Colorado State University
Sweet Mike University of Wyoming
Uresk Dan University of Wyoming
Vigil Stephen Colorado State University
Walker Ryan Colorado State University
White Andrew University of Denver
Zimmerman David University of Northern Colorado
 
Coaches 
Jim Snyder, Luke Gross, Micah Carter

HOA College All-Stars
Bachman, Ryan Oklahoma Center 20
Barry, Nathan Oklahoma Wing
Brotemarkle, Matthew Missouri #8 22
Budd, Nicholas Truman Flanker 19
Childers, Caleb Pittsburg State Flanker 22
D'Agostino, Joe Kansas State Fullback 22
Diver, Michael Oklahoma Scrumhalf 21
Henry, Bradley Oklahoma Wing 21
Hodges, Blake Oklahoma Lock 22
Hodges, Tyler Kansas State Flanker 23
Kloeckener, Daniel Missouri Lock 21
Kambarami, Tonderai Kansas Wing
Knapp, Dan Kansas State Hooker 23
Lewis, James Missouri Fullback 23
Locke, Trevor Lindenwood University Flanker 22
McDonough, David Truman Center 20
Mercer, Michael St. Louis University Flyhalf 22
Nugent, Christopher Kansas Prop 21
Ralph, Jason Truman Hooker 23
Ryan, Austin Oklahoma Prop 22
Scheitdt, Ryan Missouri Flanker 19
Scott, Kendrick Kansas State Wing 21
Stevens, David Truman Prop 20
Strohm, Matthew St. Louis University Center 23
Wilkinson, Arryn Oklahoma Center 23
Wilkinson, Dakota Oklahoma Flanker 19
White, Jack Benedictine College Flyhalf 20