American International College earned a place in the CRC by winning the two-day Heart of America 7s tournament Sunday.

The tournament joined the LVI this year as a qualifier tournament, and featured 18 teams from around the country, attracted to Kansas by the promise of a place at the CRC. AIC started off a little shaky, edging North Texas 12-7, before shutting out Minnesota to win their pool.

Ohio State and Davenport also won their pools and were the top seeds coming out of Day One. Lindenwood-Belleville, Arkansas, AIC, and Oklahoma were the other pool winners. Wyoming, Lindenwood, and Missouri played off to get the honor of facing Ohio State, while Michigan, Kansas State, and North Texas played off for the chance to face Davenport.

Wyoming beat both Lindenwood and Missouri to meet up with OSU, a game the Buckeyes won to make the semis. Arkansas defeated Belleville 19-14, while AIC beat Oklahoma in overtime. Kansas State beat both Michigan and North Texas to meet Davenport, but the Panthers won there.

The AIC-Oklahoma quarterfinals was certainly dramatic. Oklahoma led 24-17 but AIC scored in th final minute, converted to tie it, and then scored again in overtime to move on.

In the semis, AIC beat Davenport 10-5, while Ohio State was a try too much for Arkansas.

So that set up the final, and AIC probably played their best game of the weekend, shutting out a very good Ohio State team 31-0 to win.

AIC and Arkansas in action. Photos Steven Zomberg.