Pencil it in, Dartmouth men’s Ivy League Champions …

 

While many in the Ivy League would beg to differ, the Big Green still has the strongest rugby program in the conference. Head Coach Gavin Hickie has announced Eagle 7s player Madison Hughes as captain, and while Hughes may be called up for USA duty during the fall, his influence, leadership, and play should help Dartmouth roll.

 

Dartmouth have lost some important players, including speedy Kevin Clark, who is now working in New York, and the redoubtable Neil Greene. But they also return former USA U20 prop Chris Banks, recovered from an ACL injury. 

 

Growing into their roles include sophomore flyhalf Dawit Workie, who Hickies said “is a special talent,” who is fast, athletic, and learning to better take care of himself. Issa Sylla is a small but speedy wing out of Xavier HS in Brooklyn who is promising, while flanker Erik Warnquist is back from injury and could shore up the back row.

 

Kentucky product Zach Fowler returns in the back row, also, which could be an area of strength for the Big Green. 

 

With talent sprinkled through the back line, Hughes could be used almost anywhere. National team decision-makers want him to work on being a scrumhalf, so expect to see him there a few times. But when he’s needed at fullback or center, he will line up there.

 

The previous format for the Ivy League that split the conference into a North and a South has been ditched in favor of everyone playing everyone else.  There are no playoffs - the team at the top of the standings wins the league. Hickie and Dartmouth welcome the change, as it makes the season a little more organized. There will be an Ivy League 7s to end to call, but for everyone the spring will be about the post season, tours, and 7s.

 

Dartmouth will be busy in the spring, with a tour to Barbados, the Varsity Cup, and another run at the CRC (and potentially USA Rugby’s championship also). So you can’t blame Hickie for his closing remark:

 

“We are really excited for this season.”