Dartmouth First XV Players Rack Up Postseason Awards
While Dartmouth Rugby has turned its focus towards the upcoming USA Sevens Collegiate Rugby Championship, several team members are still gaining accolades for their work during the fall and spring XV seasons.
Of particular note is the recent selection of four First XV members– wing Chris Downer ‘11, scrumhalf Derek Fish ‘12, prop Charlie Grant ‘11, and No.8 Paul Jarvis ‘12 – to Rugby Magazine’s All-East Team for the inaugural year of the College Premier Division (CPD). Rugby Magazine made their selections based on input from coaches, film study, match reports, and their own writers’ observations. Considering the CPD was a significant step up in competition from previous seasons, all of Dartmouth’s selected players were excited and honored upon hearing the news.
Echoing the thoughts of the others, wing Chris Downer said, “It's an honor to be selected to the Rugby East Team. We played some really good teams this spring with some great rugby players so to be recognized was pretty special.” Downer also took time to thanks his teammates saying, “This award is a testament to the fourteen other players. In order to get opportunities to make things happen on the wing the team must execute everything cleanly.”
Like the other three members of the All-East team, Downer was also named to the All-Ivy 1st team last week. Joining them were another five members of the first XV: Lock Nate Brakeley ‘12, flyhalf Tommy Brothers ‘11, hooker Lane Bracken ‘11, prop David Gomez ‘11, and centre Will Lehmann ‘12. Coaches from each team in the conference voted to determine who would be selected. Overall Dartmouth had 9 All-Ivy 1st Team, 4 All-Ivy 2nd Team, and 3 Honorable Mentions selected. By far the most of any Ivy rugby program.
Dartmouth also had a strong showing on the Academic All-Ivy Team as well, with Brakeley and wing/fullback Clark Judge ‘12 both being selected. Each Ivy team is only allowed two nominations, and with a 1st XV median GPA of a 3.7, Dartmouth had a tough selection process. Both players were deserving honorees as Brakeley, an engineering major, currently boasts a 3.81 GPA, while Judge, a biology major, has a 3.85 average. Judge, who is also serving this year as club president, believes his performance in the classroom is a result of the team’s culture. “I feel like my time in the club has greatly helped me in my academic approach,” he said, “There are so many smart kids with good work ethics on this team that you cannot help but emulate them and work hard yourself.”
Finally, the club also gave out its internal awards Monday at its end of season banquet. The Wayne Young award, which is given to the most valuable First XV player as voted on by 1st XV members went to starting scrumhalf Derek Fish ‘12. The Dick Leisching award, given to the senior non-officer who contributed most to the club went to David Gomez ’11, who is on his way to Harvard Law after graduation. The Corey Ford Award, given to the non-senior who shows the most on-field dedication and enthusiasm went to co-captain elect, Will Lehmann ‘12. Lastly, the Walter Lutkus award given to the best freshman player went to standout lock, Dylan Jones ‘14.
For his part Jarvis, who was recently elected next year’s captain, is happy to see the team receive such a high number of awards. “It’s great to see so many DRFC players being honored in different ways. Recognition from your teammates and other players and coaches across the league is a huge compliment,” he said.
Coach Alexander Magleby ‘00 agreed saying he was, “just fortunate to be able to work with the caliber of students that are at Dartmouth, and rugby seems to attract some of the best of the bunch.”
Dartmouth Rugby will next be in action at the Collegiate Rugby Championship, which will be held in Philadelphia June 4-5th and be broadcast on NBC and Versus.
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