Undefeated A-State Rugby Grabs Three Wins In Home Tournament
JONESBORO, Ark. — Chilly temperatures and gray cloudy skies didn’t deter Arkansas State’s rugby team as the Red Wolves claimed three victories in the Elite 7s Rugby Invitational Saturday at the Rugby Pitch complex. The wins extend A-State’s undefeated overall fall record to 13-0.
A-State defeated Oklahoma, 21-6, in the first game, then knocked off Lindenwood, 28-7. The third victory was a dominating 31-7 matchup over Davenport.
The 2013 USA Rugby College 7s National Championship is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 23-24, in Greensboro, N.C. Arkansas State University is the defending national champion.
“It was more like a warm-up tournament for all four teams,” said Matt Huckaby, the interim head coach for Arkansas State. “All of the teams have qualified for the national championship and it’s a long wait, so each program wanted to get in some more playing time and give some younger players some action.”
Huckaby was especially pleased with the play of scrumhalf Dylan Carrion. Carrion, a 5-8, 150-pound senior from Plano, Texas, blazed downfield to score twice in a matter of seconds against Lindenwood and was all over the field throughout the day.
“Dylan had an unbelievable day,” continued Huckaby. “He scored on about five or six tries. He was so quick and would just grab the ball and take it upon himself to fight his way through everybody, break away, and get downfield.”
Huckaby also praised the efforts of Harry Higgins, a 6-4, 225-pound sophomore from Brisbane, Australia.
RugbyMag.com ranks the Red Wolves number one in the Mid-South Conference and third nationally. Arkansas State won the South Independent 7s qualifier Oct. 28 by defeating Middle Tennessee State, 33-5, in the semifinal before taking down Life University, 24-19 in the final.
