Scholz Award | Goff Rugby Report

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05.12.2021College Men

Rudy Scholz Award Finalist Emmanuel Albert

Eagan, Minnesota product Emmanual Albert is a finalist for the Rudy Scholz Award because he has become the foundation upon which Lindenwood's best-ever 15s season has been built.

Quiet but a leader, Albert plays lock and flanker and excels at both.

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05.11.2021College Men

Rudy Scholz Award Finalist TJ van Rensburg

Johannesburg, South Africa native, Arkansas State scrumhalf, and Scholz Award finalist TJ van Rensburg is, said his Head Coach Jake Mizell, a dream to coach.

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05.11.2021College Men

Rudy Scholz Award Finalist Jack Wendling

Jack Wendling was a star for the Chuckanut youth program in northern Washington State before joining Central Washington University.

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05.05.2021College Men

Finalists For the 2021 Rudy Scholz Award Named

The finalists for the 2021 Rudy Scholz Award given to the best men's collegiate rugby player in the country have been confirmed.

With coaches, team representatives, and fans helping with the vote, and with a panel of experts also voting, the list of five finalists is as follows:

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04.28.2021College Men

Nominees For The Rudy Scholz Award Are Finalized

Fans and rugby experts around the country have selected the nominees for the 2021 Rudy Scholz Award, which is awarded to the best men's collegiate player in the USA.

Subscribe to Scholz Award

Photo Galleries

CRAA U19s at the 2026 RAN Championships. Photo @gabryedsphoto

08.23.2026Sean Duffy Looks Back at RAN U19s

USA U20s vs South Africa U20s. Photo Charmaine Sander for Stellenbosch/Rugby South Africa.

08.03.2026Why the U20 Women's Tour is a Sign for the Future

USA U18s training during their 2026 tour of South America. Photo Gonzalo Muinelo. @GonMuinelo.

07.30.2026U18 Boys Return with Lessons, and Points of Pride

USA U18s vs Brazil age-grade team. Photo Dan Caple.

07.15.2026USA U18s Handle Obstacles, Surprises to Beat Brazil Age-Graders

MSM Academy Tournament Atlantis Midwest or Ohio Aviators. Photos Alex Goff.

06.29.2026Day 2 Improvement Highlights Mount St. Mary's Academy Tournament

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06.09.2026Expanded Great Northwest Challenge set for Montana This Weekend

Harlequins vs EPA NorCal Final 2026. Photo Alex Goff.

05.11.2026Harlequins Impressive in NorCal Girls Win

USA vs New Zealand in Sacramento. Photo David Barpal.

04.12.2026Eagles Plucky in First Half as New-Look Team Falls to NZ

Action from the 2026 Friendship Cup. Photo Alex Goff.

03.30.2026Cardinals Excel at Friendship Cup, But Others Show Well Also

Lineout defense by Gonzaga. Photo William Seetch.

03.22.2026St. Ignatius Holds Off Gonzaga in DC

USA in the 2026 USA 7s in New York. Photo David Hughes.

03.15.2026Podium Claimed in USA's Most Consistent Performance Yet

Syracuse University-Leinster School of Excellent rugby camps

02.12.2026Syracuse University-Leinster School of Excellence Camps Keep Growing For 2026

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02.06.2026Applications for Boys HS Nationals Close Soon. Time to Act!

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01.20.2026Balancing Urgency and Patience in Age-Grade National Teams

Charlotte Catholic vs Cathedral Catholic January 2026. Photo Dan Caple.

01.19.2026HS Action Around the USA

Dom Besag vs Arizona 2026. Photo Rebecca Harper.

01.17.2026Dom Besag

Saint Mary's vs Grand Canyon Jan 10 2026. Photo J. Dalton Photography.

01.11.2026Long Day Of Rugby But Gaels Leave Arizona Winners

SOC Raptors vs New Trier in the 2025 Boys Tier 2 Final. Photo Griff Hastings.

12.28.2025Boys HS National Championships Applications: Keep an Eye Open

St. Ignatius vs Herriman in the 2025 Boys Single-School final. Photo Griff Hastings.

12.27.2025Boys School-Team Rankings 2026 Week 1

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12.23.2025Spencer Huntley

Hope Rogers is mobbed by her teammates after scoring the game-winner vs Australia in 2024. Photo World Rugby.

12.22.2025Hope Rogers

Siano & 1988 Hong Kong Plate Champions

12.22.2025Michael Siano

Aaron Cummings. David Barpal photo.

12.18.2025USA Men's 7s Play Pool Set for 2026

2025 Rugby World Cup Anthem Time. Photo George Wood World Rugby via Getty Images.

12.17.2025Q&A With Hope Rogers: The Past, the Future, and the Eagles

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12.16.2025CRAA and USA Rugby Confirm Women's 7s Championship for April in Indianapolis

Zach Szepiela for Bowling Green with his OT try. Roger Mazzarella photo.

12.06.2025NCR D1AA Semis: Bowling Green Needs OT, Tennessee Rolls

Tennessee vs Sam Houston State. Photos Will Fagan.

12.05.2025Something New and Something Classic in NCR D1AA Semis

Mount St. Mary's maul. Photo Calder Cahill.

12.01.2025CRAA Classic Offers Impressive Showdowns in South Carolina

USA Military vs British Army, Nov 11, 2025. Photo Alex Goff.

11.24.2025RMA Podcast: Why Rugby Has Value for Veterans

Kentucky vs Texas A&M 2025 Playoffs Ph Will Fagan

11.22.2025D1AA Quarterfinals: Changing of the Guard

Villanova Flyhalf Nathan Caruso vs. UMBC

11.18.2025Nathan Caruso

Mary Washington vs Ohio State Nov 15, 2025. Photo David Hughes.

11.17.2025Mary Washington Edges Ohio State in Solid Outing for Two Changed Teams

2025 University of Maine - Orono

11.13.2025University of Maine - Orono Men

USA Military vs British Army, Nov 11, 2025. Photo Alex Goff.

11.11.2025A Heroic Battle in the Mud as USA Military Takes on British Army

US Military 2025

11.07.2025Gameday Is Here for Military Team, But There's More To It Than That

Tennessee vs LSU November 1, 2025. Photo Will Fagan.

11.02.2025Thriller Semi Helps Decide Who Makes the SCRC Final

25-21 win over Dartmouth

11.01.2025Brown University Men

Tonga Kofe for the Utah Warriors. Photo Utah Warriors.

10.27.2025Warriors, Eagles, and Now Tigers, Too. The Tonga Kofe Journey

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10.27.2025US Military Team Roster Announced for UK Tour

Rugby Ohio Boys 7s 2025. Photo Alex Goff.

10.26.2025Ignatius Saves Best for Last in Ohio 7s

2025 Rugby Ohio Girls Finals. Photo Alex Goff.

10.26.2025West Pitt Takes Rugby Ohio Girls 7s

Army vs Mount St. Mary's October 25, 2025. Photo David Hughes.

10.25.2025Gamboa Sparks Key Army Win in Rugby East

U. Chicago vs Northwestern from October 18, 2025.

10.22.2025U. Chicago Squeezes Success into Tight Window

UMass Men Fall 2025

10.22.2025University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass) Men

Lindenwood vs Dartmouth. NIRA 2025.

10.21.2025Close Win for Lindenwood at NIRA Enters Crucial Weeks

usa v australia womens rugby world cup 2025 pool a 2 photo by george wood world rugbyworld rugby via getty images

10.20.2025Eagle Women's Coaching Decision a Crucial Decision This Fall

Iona vs Siena 2025. Alex Goff photo.

10.19.2025Iona Shocks Siena in Liberty Nailbiter

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10.13.2025Great Northwest Challenge Returns for 2026

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10.13.2025November Looms, Now What?

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09.30.2025Who Is Making an Impact in Fall HS Sevens?

Spotlight

Dom Besag

Position: Center

Team:Saint Mary's Men

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)

Dom Besag vs Arizona 2026. Photo Rebecca Harper.

Spencer Huntley

Position: Scrum Half

Team:Cathedral Catholic Boys

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.

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Hope Rogers

Position: Loosehead Prop

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.

Hope Rogers is mobbed by her teammates after scoring the game-winner vs Australia in 2024. Photo World Rugby.

Michael Siano

Position: Wing Forward

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.

Siano & 1988 Hong Kong Plate Champions

Nathan Caruso

Position: Fly Half

Team:Villanova Univ Men

Nathan Caruso is a steady, smart fly half who drives Villanova’s attack with calm decision-making and a reliable skill set. He’s been central to Villanova’s success in the MARC, controlling tempo and keeping the team organized under pressure.

Villanova Flyhalf Nathan Caruso vs. UMBC

Tonga Kofe

Position: Prop

Team:Utah Warriors Men

Tonga Kofe is one of the most promising young front-rowers to come out of the American rugby pathway. A powerful and hard-working prop, he rose through the Utah Warriors development system.

Tonga Kofe for the Utah Warriors. Photo Utah Warriors.

Ray Santiago

Position: #8

Team:Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) Men

Ray Santiago has emerged as one of RPI’s most influential forwards, a player whose size, athleticism, and rapid development make him stand out in the Division II landscape.

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Christy Ringgenberg

Position: Fly Half

Christy Ringgenberg is one of the most accomplished and versatile players to wear the USA jersey, earning recognition on the Goff Rugby Report All-Time American list for her impact on both 15s and 7s.

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Dakota Southworth

Position: Wing Forward

Team:Iowa Central Community College Men

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