2026 Scholz and Sorensen Award winners Solomon Williams and Tiahna Padilla. Photos Matthew Stamford and Harvard Athletics.
Author: Alex Goff
It's Awards Weekend in rugby as the Rugby Scholz and MA Sorensen Awards will officially be presented in Seattle on Saturday evening.
This will be the 11th presentation of these collegiate player of the year awards, presented by the Washington Athletic Club of Seattle. The Awards are sponsored this year by Kells Irish Restaurant in Seattle, and the WAC and collegiate rugby are grateful for their support.
Since the spring of 2016, the Washington Athletic Club has presented the Rudy Scholz Award to the nation's top men's collegiate rugby player, and the MA Sorensen Award to the nation's top women's collegiate rugby player.
The WAC Awards dinner is always a sought-after event in Seattle.
Rudy Scholz played rugby for Santa Clara (class of 1918) and served his country with distinction in World War I and World War II. He helped lead the USA to two gold medals at the Olympic games, in 1920 and 1924, and was a successful lawyer and dedicated rugby player and fan until his death at the age of 85 in 1981.
Rudy Scholz
MA Sorensen represented the USA at prop, helping the team win the 1991 Women's Rugby World Cup and make two more WRWC finals, in 1994 and 1998. A groundbreaking coach and successful doctor, a hugely respect anesthesiologist who has been in practice for over 40 years.
MA Sorensen, center, with Tricia Turton, left, and Liz Kirk, right.
These two people are excellent examples for the winners and how rugby helps lead successful players to success in other areas of life.
The Rudy Scholz Award and MA Sorensen Award will be presented at a gala event Saturday, June 13 at the WAC. Tickets available here>>
This year, Scholz Award recipient Solomon Williams (Cal) and Sorensen Award recipient Tiahna Padilla (Harvard) will be celebrated and officially receive their trophies.
They will join a list of excellent players who include the most-capped women's Eagle, the most followed rugby player on social media in the world, three US military officers, two Olympic medalists, the MLR-drafted player with the most MLR caps, and a USA Men's National Team captain.
As a 17-year-old Spencer Huntley required a waiver to play for the USA U20s, an indication of how he was rated in the USA age-grade pathway. He got that waiver and impressed for the USA U20s, and then moved up to the USA U23s. He led the San Diego Mustangs to a national HS Club championship in 2024.
He also played in the SoCal single-school league for Cathedral Catholic.
Hope Rogers began playing rugby at age 16 in high school and continued to compete during her time at Penn State University. There, she won four National Championships, was crowned MVP on two occasions, was named to the USA Under-20s and earned Collegiate All-American honors for four years. Rogers was also an impressive discus player during her senior year in high school where she broke a school record and won Gold at Districts for the sport.
Nathan Caruso is a steady, smart fly half who drives Villanova’s attack with calm decision-making and a reliable skill set. He’s been central to Villanova’s success in the MARC, controlling tempo and keeping the team organized under pressure.
Tonga Kofe is one of the most promising young front-rowers to come out of the American rugby pathway. A powerful and hard-working prop, he rose through the Utah Warriors development system.
Ray Santiago has emerged as one of RPI’s most influential forwards, a player whose size, athleticism, and rapid development make him stand out in the Division II landscape.
Christy Ringgenberg is one of the most accomplished and versatile players to wear the USA jersey, earning recognition on the Goff Rugby Report All-Time American list for her impact on both 15s and 7s.
