Currently ranked fifteenth in the nation by RugbyMag.com presented by Selective Services, the Liberty rugby team is in the midst of their schedule led by current Patriot seniors Ian Wright and Scott Dean. They have started the season with a 3-3-1 combined record which includes the U-15 (0-1), U-17 (2-1), and U-19 (1-1-1) teams.
Dean brings a once in a lifetime experience to the team from his time spent on the U.S. High School All-American team during the summer. Fellow Patriot Wright was recently selected to the Rugby All-American team, with Dean being invited to try outs.
The three teams combined have scored a total of 178 points while only surrendering 130 points. In Rugby scoring involves the tri, the rugby version of a touchdown, which is worth five points and is followed by a field goal attempt worth two points. The only other way to score involves attempting a field goal during play, which is worth three points.
On February 23, the U-19 team played the top ranked team in Oregon and twelfth nationally by RugbyMag.com, Eastside Tsunami, and left the field triumphant, securing a 24-12 victory. In their first divisional game the U-19 team played Chuckanut Bay, ranked first in state and fourth nationally and lost a close game 20-19, surrendering all 20 points in the second half.
This team will also be headed overseas this year to participate in a tournament in Scotland. They will be playing the best teams in the United Kingdom and surrounding area. Last year, they traveled to New Zealand where they played the best teams in the world and learned a lot of the local culture; they plan to do the same this year in Scotland.