If you are looking for perfect combination of accomplished college rugby team that has been playing a lot of 7s at a high level, well then, have a look at AIC.

The thing that might be nagging at the Yellow Jackets could well be the fact that they’ve finished 2nd in so many tournaments. Yes they won their qualifier, but if you look at the LVI, ACRC 7s, Kutztown 7s, they finished a close second in all of those. That can’t be fun.

But at the same time, at least they’ve been competing. Certainly AIC can’t say they’re rusty, and Head Coach Josh Macy feels good about their chances.

“We look great,” said Macy. “We’ve had nine days of solid training. It’s like pre-season training all over again.”

With the players done with exams they’ve been able to devote all of their time to winning a national championship in Denver, and the big advantage they have is that they have been in full serious 7s mode all spring.

“We’re excited for our pool,” said Macy. “there are some really good teams in the pool.”

So there are. AIC gets to face Bowling Green (winners of the NDC 7s), Mississippi State (SCRC Runners Up), and Wisconsin (Big Ten Runners Up).

They’ll do it with a squad of players such as Deshae Edwards, Christian Adams, Seth Halliman, Jacob Ponder, and Jihad Khabir who are working well together.

Ponder is perhaps the most intriguing, as he has hd to fight back from injuries. The Orlando, Fla. product is a freshman who has played his way onto a team that seemed very settled. 

And it’s still settled - perhaps as solidified a team in terms of personnel, and pattern of play, as any in the tournament at the University of Denver. That might well be enough.