… rewarded with additional salary cap room for implementing youth rugby initiatives. Each incentive had minimum … areas in which teams could reach the incentives – growing Youth Participation, creating a High School Academy, and forming a Development Academy. In the youth program, teams had to support the rugby development of …
… years old, leading the Washington Loggers select side to a Youth win at the Great Northwest Challenge (see photo of him … back to that kid seven years ago, who moved on from the Youth Loggers to the Varsity Loggers, HS All Americans, and … all before he turned 20. We asked Ainu'u if winning the Youth GNW in 2014 mattered a lot and what he thinks of it now …
… time. "Bryce demonstrated that you can go through the USA youth, high school, and collegiate pathway and become captain of the USA team. Thunder demonstrated that youth rugby players do not have to come from a wealthy area …
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.