The USA U18s battled hard in hostile territory Saturday in Montevideo.
Playing their first of three major matches on tour in South America, the USA U18s lost 29-26 to Uruguay U18s.
To go down to Montevideo and win is very, very difficult, and it is certainly that much more difficult when the team you've put together is assembled from all over the country.
To get within three, despite a yellow card, is a solid showing.
GRR got a brief comment from Head Coach Luke Lewis post-match.
"I am very proud of the team," said Lewis. "It was certainly a game we could have won with the opportunities that we created."
We do know tighthead prop Oscar Hawtin (Wellington College) and No. 8 OC Lehner (Bishop O'Dowd) scored tries, as did Xavier HS standout flanker Liam Averill. The USA U18s also got a penalty try when Uruguay illiegally collapsed a maul.
This was a very good performance from the forwards especially.
The U18s play Uruguay again in a week.
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.
