Clemson, SC - August 20, 2012 – Clemson University Rugby Head Coach, Justin Hickey, is pleased to introduce the incoming class for the 2012-13 season.  The class includes 15 student-athletes from 7 states and 1 overseas.

The rapid growth of youth rugby in the state of South Carolina is apparent in this group, with 5 athletes in this year’s class, coming from within state lines. Multiple players have represented their state or union at the representative level.  Additionally, the incoming class boasts an impressive academic resume, and will represent the University very well in that regard.

“We’re extremely excited about this group of young men joining us this year,” stated coach Hickey, who begins his 3^rd year at Clemson this year. “The level of athlete we’re seeing each year is getting better and better. This is a real compliment to the high school coaches and programs that are laying down our roots. This year’s class is very athletic and the rugby IQ is impressive from top to bottom.”

With the support of the University, and the Clemson Rugby Foundation, Clemson has made a strong resurgence, finishing the season last spring with a record of 9-1 including a 6-1 a ACRL tally, good for a 2^nd place finish in the conference. Clemson supporters will expect big things now and in the near future, from the incoming class of 2012-13.

CLEMSON RUGBY RECRUITING CLASS 2012-13

NAME                        HEIGHT        WEIGHT       POSITION                 HOMETOWN

Chris Abraham            6’                     195                  Center/Wing                Charleston, SC

Michael Clapp             6’                     220                  Flanker                        Palos Verdes, CA

Kevin Cloy                  6’1”                 230                  Prop                             Augusta, GA

Josh Dyson                  5’8”                 200                  Center                         Washington D.C.

Ryan Gilroy                5’8”                 165                  Scrumhalf                    Washington, D.C.

Dylan Goulding          6’3”                 190                  Fullback/Flyhalf          Singapore

John Jamison               6’2”                 210                  Center                         Charleston, SC

Peter Kellerman          6’                     170                  Wing                           Raleigh, NC

Drew Nelson               6’                     193                  Hooker            /Flanker           Westlake, TX

Brandon Phan             5’7”                 170                  Scrumhalf                    Madison, CT

James Rogers              6’                     202                  Flanker                        Sparta, MI

Adam Scott                 5’9”                 168                  Scrumhalf/Wing          Greer, SC

Christian Staack          5’9”                 190                  Hooker                                    Easley, SC

Grayson Truslow         6’                     180                  Wing                           Myrtle Beach, SC

Rafael Villanueva       5’9”                 170                  Flanker                        Fairfax Station, VA

Chris Abraham – Academic Magnet HS/Charleston School of the Arts Rugby – Charleston, SC

• Charleston School of the Arts Player of the Year – 2012
• South Carolina All Star – 2012
• South Carolina State Soccer Champion – 2012
• North-South Soccer Classic – 2012
• Life Scholar

Michael Clapp – Palos Verdes HS/Belmont Shore – Palos Verdes, CA

• Belmont Shore U19

Kevin Cloy – Augusta Rugby – Augusta, GA

Josh Dyson – Calvin Coolidge HS Rugby – Washington, D.C.

Ryan Gilroy – Gonzaga College HS Rugby – Washington, D.C.

• Gonzaga Rugby Back of the Year - 2012
• 4^th Place USA Rugby High School National Invitational - 2012
• Water Polo Eastern Champions - 2012

Dylan Goulding – Singapore American School/Bedok Kings RFC - Singapore

• Singapore American School Most Valuable Player – 2012
• Singapore U20 15s & 7s
• South East Asian Schools Tournament Champions
• Top scorer in ACSIS (Singapore HS League)
• South East Asian HS Volleyball Tournament Champion – 2012
• Player of the Tournament SE Asian HS Volleyball Tournament
• Booster Essay Winner
• 3 subject AP student
• Calhoun Honors College Qualifier, Clemson Unviersity

John Jamison, Academic Magnet HS, Charleston School of the Arts Rugby - Charleston, SC

• 2012 Clemson Rugby Foundation Scholarship Recipient
• Captain SOA 7s – 2012
• South Carolina All Star – 2012
• South Carolina All State  Lacrosse – 2012
• South Carolina All Lower State Lacrosse – 2011 & 2012
• South Carolina All Low Country Lacrosse – 2011 & 2012
• Football Team Captain – 2011
• Football Team MVP – 2011
• Lacrosse Team Captain – 2011 & 2012

Peter Kellerman, Raleigh Rugby - Raleigh, NC

Drew Nelson, Westlake HS Rugby - Austin, TX

• Texas All State Team 2012
• Captain Westlake Rugby 2012
• 3 year varsity rugby player
• National Championship Tournament appearance 2010
• Western Conference Champions 2010
• Clemson University Out-of-State Academic Scholarship Recipient

Brandon Phan, Daniel Hand HS, Madison Rugby - Madison, CT

• Runner up Connecticut State Championship – 2012
• CAPT Scholar Honor Roll

James Rogers, Sparta HS Rugby - Sparta, MI

• Sparta Rugby MVP – 2012
• Sparta Rugby Forward of the Year – 2011
• Sparta Rugby Rookie of the Year – 2011
• Michigan State Wrestling Qualifier – 2012
• Wrestling Individual Conference Champion – 2010 – 2012
• Michigan State Track & Field State Qualifier – 2010 – 2012
• Track & Field Team Conference Champions – 2009 – 2012
• Varsity Letter Cross Country – 2009 – 2011
• Michigan Cross Country All State Team – 2009 – 2011
• Michigan Wrestling Academic All State Team – 2011 & 2012
• Michigan Cross Country Academic All State Team – 2009 – 2011
• Academic Varsity Letter, 4.05 GPA – 2009 - 2011

Adam Scott, Mauldin HS/Greer Spartans Rugby - Greenville, SC

• South Carolina U17 All Star- 2011 & 2012
• Greer Spartans Team Co-Captain – 2012
• 3^rd Place Finish South Carolina State Championships – 2011 & 2012
• Mauldin HS Football
• Mauldin HS Soccer

Christian Staack, Easley Rugby - Easley, SC

Grayson Truslow, Myrtle Beach HS - Myrtle, SC

• Transfer Tri-County Technical College
• High School Wrestler

Rafael Villanueva, Lake Braddock Secondary School/FPYC Rugby - Fairfax, VA

• Transfer Northern Virginia Community College
• Virginia HS Rugby State Runner Up – 2010
• 10 year soccer player