The finalists for the Rudy Scholz Award, given each year to the top collegiate rugby player in America, have been named.
With votes from a panel of coaches and media, along with votes from the American college rugby public, the 16 nominees have been whittled down to four finalists.
Those finalists are:
A record-breaking scorer for Navy, Krieger is an elite goalkicker and setup man for a national contender.
Capped by the USA and a multiple Scholz finalist, Besag has emerged as a multi-skilled back for Saint Mary's, working as a playmaker, as a strike attacker, and always an elite defender.
A brilliant scrumhalf who sparks the vaunted Cal attack, Williams is at the center of everything the Cal bears do.
A defensive specialist who is content to let others get the glory, Balling is Life's captain, their hardest worker, and their most physical presence as a shut-down defender in the back row.
The Scholz Award Panel will now select the winner from these finalists, with the awardee to be presented with the Scholz Award at a gala event at the Washington Athletic Club in Seattle on June 13.
De La Salle HS
Saint Mary's (Rudy Scholz Finalist)
USA U20s (Captain)
USA Men's National 15s Team (Debut vs Georgia 2023 at age 20)
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.
Mike played for Life College, Philly-Whitemarsh and played for the USA National 7s and 15s teams in the 1980s and 1990s.
He was also part of the Atlantis touring side, playing 7s for the team in several around the world.
