Scholz Award | Goff Rugby Report

03.21.2019College Men

2019 Rugby Scholz Award Nominees Are Out

The nominees for the Rudy Scholz Award have been released.

The award is named after former Santa Clara rugby star and two-time Olympic gold medalist Rudy Scholz, and since 2016 has been given annually to the best men's college rugby player in the country.

12.27.2018College Men

Make Your Nomination For The Rudy Scholz Award

The Rudy Scholz Award is given annually by the Washington Athletic Club of Seattle to the best men's college rugby player in the country.

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06.20.2018College Women, College Men

Scholz, Sorensen Award-Winner Jerseys On Display

Game jerseys from each of the six current Washington Athletic Club award-winners are now officially on display at the WAC's Hagerty's Bar in Seattle.

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06.20.2018College Women, College Men

Scholz, Sorensen Award-Winner Jerseys On Display

Game jerseys from each of the six current Washington Athletic Club award-winners are now officially on display at the WAC's Hagerty's Bar in Seattle.

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06.08.2018College Women, College Men

Hawkins, McNerney To Be Honored By WAC This Weekend

The top two college rugby players in the country will be honored Saturday in Seattle.

The Washington Athletic Club began sponsoring the Rudy Scholz Award and the MA Sorensen Award for the top men's and women's college rugby players (respectively) in 2016. That year, Dylan Audsley of Saint Mary's and Hope Rogers of Penn State were honored.

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

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Siano & 1988 Hong Kong Plate Champions

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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.

ray santiago rpi 2023 rpi rugby 2

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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