WVU Wins Big XII 7s Qualifier

West Virginia University ran the table at the Big XII 7s in Norman, Okla., winning the tournament and qualifying for the USA Rugby Collegiate 7s Championships.

Luke Ellis paced the Mountaineers with six tries, while Austin Hoover scored five on the day and captain Cecil Wilson scored four as WVU finished 5-0.

In the opening game, the Mountaineers ran out to a commanding lead thanks to tries from Hoover and Eric Villani, and cruised 35-10 over hosts Oklahoma. Chris Mackenrodt was a perfect 5-5 on conversions. Next up was TCU, and it was once again something of a canter. Despite being snowbound this winter and in danger of being late to the tournament due to flight cancelations, WVU looked comfortable as two tries from Ellis paced them to a 31-5 victory.

That set up the last and toughest pool game. Hoover opened the scoring for WVU but Iowa State replied to make it 7-7 deep into the first half. But a key try before the brea by Ellis put WVU ahead, and one more in the second half, this time from Wilson, saw WVU through 21-7.

That set up a semifinal against Pool B #2 North Texas. This was a tough one for WVU as they struggled to shake the Eagles. The Mountaineers led 17-0 at halftime but UNT stormed back, scoring early in the second half and twice late to make it 24-21 with WVU in the lead. But North Texas couldn’t get closer and that’s how it ended.

So to the final, where Kansas State had been playing some outstanding rugby. And it was worth of a final, as WVU and K-State traded tries, putting the game at 14-12 for the Mountaineers. It was anybody’s game, when Wilson scored his third crucial try of the day, bursting up the middle to give his team a two-score lead. That’s how it ended, 21-12.

It was in the end a very competitive tournament, with Kansas State, Iowa State, and North Texas all putting their hands up as potential at-large invitees to the national tournament. But the teamwork and power running that earned WVU a Keystone title in 15s helped them to a Big XII title in 7s.

“Big XII means a lot,” said WVU Head Coach Richard Glover, who was unable to accompany the team to the event but spoke with Goff Rugby Report before the weekend. “I think this has been the easiest event for us to get support from the administration. They understand being part of the conference, and the idea that we could win the Big XII carries a cache.”

2015 Big XII 7s All-Tournament

Chris Wilson WVU
Chris Mackanrodt WVU
CI Demarco KSU
Collin Acedo KSU
Benny Sauer ISU
Ty Ash ISU
Grant Clancy OU
Colton Grantham OU

Below is the list of men's college 7s qualifiers, and the winners of the tournaments already played. Not all tournament winners are expected to accept a spot in the national tournament.