Westlake Rugby Team Gears Up For Upcoming State Tournament

April 13, 2009

            The Westlake rugby squad begins final preparations this week for next weekend’s State Championship Rugby Tournament hosted by Dallas Jesuit.  Aside from Westlake, the four team tournament includes perennial Texas rugby powerhouses Dallas Jesuit, Strake Jesuit, and St. Thomas.  Westlake is the only first year team to qualify for the tournament and the only one that does not - yet - have a long and rich rugby tradition.

            But coach Al Niece is not at all surprised at the first season’s outcome.  “We have several players with two or three years’ experience at key positions and lots of talented athletes that, even though they are first year players, are quick studies.”  Niece feels that the Chaps are capable of beating any team in Texas if they play smart and aggressive rugby. 

            Underscoring Niece’s point was the fact that several Westlake ruggers (full back James Robison, fly half Markham Sayers, inside center Paul Brown, outside center Ellis Glaw, eight man Evan von zur Muehlen and scrum half Connor McNally) were invited to participate in a high school select camp last weekend at Burr Field in Austin.  Final selections for both an Under-19 team and an Under-17 Texas high school rugby team are expected to be made in May.

            Westlake faces St. Thomas on Saturday and then plays for either the championship or a consolation prize on Sunday.  The top two teams from Texas are assured a berth in the Western Regional tournament, to be held in Tulsa, Oklahoma the weekend of May 2.

Charles Vermont