The New York Athletic Club has selected longtime NYAC and USA rugby player Mike Petri as their Men’s Athlete the Year.

Petri shares the award with Women’s Athlete of the Year, shot putter Jillian Williams.

This is the first time that a rugby player will receive this enormously prestigious award.

“This is a tremendous honor and thoroughly deserved for Mike,” said Mike Tolkin, new USA Head Coach and one who coached Petri at Xavier High School and NYAC. “For the panel to go outside of the sports they know and learn and understand what Mike has accomplished speaks highly of how open they were.”

Petri has captained the USA at U19, All American, Selects and Senior 15s levels.

“He did some amazing things at the World Cup,” said Tolkin. “And I cannot think of a more deserving recipient. They give these awards to Olympians, so for them to give it to a player from a non-Olympic team just speaks to what an impact he’s made.”