This past weekend, the University of Michigan Men’s Rugby team competed in National Collegiate Rugby’s national championship. Although the side has routinely taken the championship field, this was the club’s first time winning a guaranteed spot in the tournament. Traveling to Maryland, the Wolverines cut down some of the best teams in the country before losing to Kutztown, who would go on to compete in the championship game. Dropping to the conciliatory brackets, Michigan would fail in regaining its footing with twin losses to Maryland and Mary Washington.
In the first match of the multi-day tournament, Michigan found themselves in a once-of-its-kind matchup against Clemson. The clash of midwest and southern rugby ultimately saw midwest physicality win out. A pair of tries by Connor McNabnay and Joe Ounsely brought the Wolverines to an early 10-0 lead over the Tigers. Refusing to go down easy, Clemson scored a try of their own, but a second half break by Tommy Hamman, alongside a conversion by Ounsley, pushed the side ahead for their first win in a CRC match in years.
Back on the field a few hours later, the side came face-to-face with American International, a team Michigan lost to at the Monumental 7s Tournament. High off their previous game, the Wolverines refused to let that faze them. In a tough back-and-forth match, Ounsley made an argument for himself as player of the tournament. Scoring two tries and a conversion, Ounsley put up 12 of the Wolverines’ 19 points. Although AIC fought to keep it closer, scoring 12 of their own points, another try by Tommy Hamman, with a conversion by Armen Vartanian, put Michigan firmly in control 19-12. With their first round of 16 win in 10 years, Michigan felt confident in its ability to play on a national stage.
On the next day of the tournament, Michigan faced off against Kutztown, another top team. Despite their success, the First Side would go on to lose decisively by a score of 31-7. Their lone points, a try and conversion by Armen Vartanian, wouldn’t come until late in the 2nd half. Although they lost in the quarterfinals, Michigan still had the opportunity to compete for 5th place, which would place them as one of the top premier teams in the country. Their opponent, Kutztown, would go on to lose to Wheeling in the National Championship.
With their path to a national championship closed off, the Wolverines hardened their resolve. After giving up 31 points, their defense proved decisive in their next match against Maryland. After nearly 12 minutes of play, neither side had scored. A matchup of defensive giants, neither side wanted to relinquish their chance at the coveted 5th place spot. Although Maryland scored a late try to go up 5-0, the Wolverines held on to the ball in the final minutes. Despite a valiant effort, small mistakes and poorly timed penalty calls gave the ball back to Maryland, who kicked it to touch for the game-ender.
Michigan’s last match of the tournament would be against Mary Washington, a side of nearly all international commonwealth students. Despite their best effort, the Wolverines would go on to lose 35-12, with tries by Matthew Daines and freshman Gage Gretter. With an 8th place finish secured at the end of the tournament, the Wolverines fell short of their goal, a national championship trophy.
Despite this setback, Michigan went further in the CRC tournament than ever before. Returning many key players who made up this squad, head coach Christian Mentzer is confident in their ability to take another shot next year.
