D2 Player of the Week: Brian Arnold, IUP
D2 Player of the Week: Brian Arnold, IUP
When IUP lost their most celebrated player and their captain to injury a few weeks ago, the team was shaken up, and while they won that game, rebounding from the loss of RJ Beach had to be a key part of the rest of their season.
Enter Brian Arnold, who stepped in as the captain, and now our GRR Men's D2 Player of the Week.
"Brian has been great," said Head Coach Seth Erwin. "Twelve tries on the year, elevated to Captain with RJ out a while; he has been our go-to dynamic threat inserting into our attack and steering the defense from fullback."
A smart rugby player who is also effective on defense and can poach a ball in the breakdown, too, Arnold scored three tries in the game where Beach was injured, and continues to stand tall for the team.
"Brian is a valuable leader," added Erwin. "From the 15 spot he's directing our defense much more with RJ being out of the lineup. He directs bodies to cover gaps and is a huge reason why we are averaging only 5.6 points against. He has great awareness to be able to insert into the attack in various spots creating overloads. That ability to read the open channels."
No wonder Arnold leads IUP all-time in career tries.
A senior, Arnold remembers not being able to play during COVID shutdowns and now is grateful to not only be playing, but playing on a team that plays well together.
"For me this season is by far the most enjoyable season yet since my freshman year in 2019," Arnold told GRR. "We have gotten the chance to play a variety of talented teams from all levels, with still half the season remaining! As a team what makes us special this year is the chemistry we have built throughout. The chemistry from one to 15 is, in my opinion, untouchable."
Add to that a "spectacular" bench and you've got a pretty good season going. "We know if a guy goes down, we don’t have to worry about who will come in," Arnold added.
An Exercise Science major, Arnold will not end his studies or his rugby after his senior year. He still has two years of eligibility left thanks to COVID and will be pursuing a Doctorate in Physical Therapy.
"My goal is to find a school where I can both play high-level rugby as well earn my Doctorate," said Arnold. Any school who brings Brian Arnold in will be very grateful.
Do you have a suggestion for player of the week? Someone who excels on and OFF the field? Let us know>>
