A Rugby Celebration as the Scholz and Sorensen Awards are Handed Out

06.18.2026College Men, College Women

Solomon Williams and Tiahna Padilla proudly display their trophies during the Awards Event at the Washington Athletic Club. Photo Quinn Toomey for the WAC.

Author: Alex Goff

The Washington Athletic Club hosted the Rudy Scholz and MA Sorensen Awards dinner Saturday night in Seattle, with Solomon Williams and Tiahna Padilla being honored as the nation's top collegiate rugby players.

The Awards Celebration was sponsored in part by Kells Irish Restaurant and Pub in Seattle.

The evening featured dinner and a celebration from the rugby community at the Washington Athletic Club, with Women's Rugby World Cup-winning Head Coach Kevin O'Brien offering words of wisdom and love of the game as the keynote speaker.

O'Brien marshaled the Eagle women to a world title in 1991, and several of his former players were in attendance, including Tara Flanagan, Liz Kirk, Jan Rutkowski, and MA Sorensen herself.

Kevin O'Brien speaks at 2026 WAC Awards. Photo Quinn Toomey for the WAC.

The 2026 WAC Awards Dinner. Photo Quinn Toomey for the WAC.

Also speaking on the evening were Jack Clark and Mel Denham, coaches of the awardees Solomon Williams and Tiahna Padilla, as well as MA Sorensen and the granddaughter of Rudy Scholz, Bonnie Puleo.

GRR Editor Alex Goff spoke briefly about how the awards were decided upon and also recognized all of the finalists:

Tiahna Padillan (Harvard), Freda Tafuna (Lindenwood), Telesi Uhatafe (SNU), and Yesenia Morales (Army) for the Sorensen, and Solomon Williams (Cal), Roanin Krieger (Navy), Domini Besag (Saint Mary's), and Logan Ballinger (Life) for the Scholz.

Tiahna Padilla with family and coaches. Photo Quinn Toomey for WAC. — Tiahna Padilla (with trophy) and her parents and brother, along with Harvard coaches Mel Denham and Matai Leuta. Photo Quinn Toomey for WAC.

Williams with family and coaches. Photo Quinn Toomey for WAC. — Solomon Williams (with trophy) with his brother, parents, and Cal coaches Jack Clark and Tom Billups. Photo Quinn Toomey for WAC.

Solomon Williams, even MC Mike Gastineau, and Tiahna Padilla. Photo Quinn Toomey for WAC.

In their speeches, both Padilla and Williams deflected the accolades, choosing instead to thanks their families, their coaches, and their teammates.

"I recognize that this award represents my team my family and my community," said Williams, who credited the love and support of his family, and how his brother, Tobias, served as a role model. "I am blessed for the values and qualities you have instilled in me," he said to his family.

Solomon Williams receives his Rudy Scholz Award trophy from Rudy's granddaughter, Bonnie Puleo, and her husband, Michael. Photo Quinn Toomey for the WAC.

Williams also pointed to his team's success, which was an undefeated season culminating in the D1A championship.

"Beyond that, it was the group that we had, the brotherhood," he said. "It's something I'll never forget."

Padilla honored Sorensen, recognizing her influence not only as a rugby player but as a professional. Padilla herself majored in Bioengineering and graduated summa cum laude from Harvard this past spring.

"MA is an inspiration as a player and also a woman in a STEM career," she said. Then she added: "Rugby is a team sport. I share this award with my entire team. And looking at all the jerseys on display here, I see I am part of an incredible legacy."