U-19 SQUAD NAMED FOR 2005 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

(BOULDER, COLO.) 2 March 2005 -- Since the USA Boys Under-19 squad returned from South Africa last spring, head Coach Salty Thompson has wasted no time in scouting the nations youth in a quest to suit up the best the United States has to offer for the 2005 World Junior Championships. That quest paid off with a North American Championship win in Trinidad, in July, where the new and improved U-19s beat Guyana 54-0 then favorites Canada 14-3 in the final. This memorable “Freedom Cup” win, the first ever over Canada at u-19 level, was a winner takes all dual. The young Eagles are on their way to Durban while Canada will stay at home. Nineteen of the twenty six players that helped us qualify are going to South Africa on March 26th for the five game championships. The U.S.A., in pool B, will open with Paraguay, April 1st; Namibia on April 5th; and Tonga, April 9th. After the three pool games each team will be seeded on performance and playoff for final places in Pool B. “This is our strongest squad in the three years I’ve lead the u-19 program,” said Salty Thompson. Each year has seen steady progress however the level of opponent has also increased dramatically. Twenty capped players make up the roster. Four u-19 veterans, Joey Brown (Minnesota), Michael Bunce, (New York), Eddie McKenna (California) and Gavin Secker (Washington) are returning from the 2004 World Junior Championships. Experience is a benefit at any level but international caps, at u-19 age group, are immense assets. “Each game is a huge chapter in a player’s experience, so having an experienced squad translates into better team performances”, says Coach Thompson. Adding to the veterans are newcomers Sam Britton (Pennsylvania); Logan Collins (Colorado); Alex Dresner (Washington D.C.); Mike Kopra (Hawaii); Pierce McPherson (Texas) and Josh Williamson (Washington D.C). This is a diverse group of young American players, ranging from the inner city of the nation’s capital, the majestic Rockies, to the beaches of Hawaii. In the past we’ve capped players who discovered rugby the same season. They were good athletes but had no idea how to deal with the pace, and skill facing them on a global level. This Team is vastly different and better prepared for the world stage. Returning are six players from the 2004 National High School Championship Sacramento Jesuit. Eric Fry, Sean McNamara, Zach Reed, and Ryan Taylor are seniors at Jesuit, while graduates Eric Forner and Chris Sardon are both on college soccer scholarships. In fact Eric helped the University of Seattle win the N.C.A.A. Division II National Soccer Championship this past fall. Meanwhile Chris chose Hartwick College, New York. California has also given us Benny Mateialona, former Burbank H.S., along with Eddie McKenna from Los Angeles. Both young men are attending junior college and playing Division II club rugby for Tempe and Los Angeles respectively. Jesuit’s arch rival Highland produced lock, Kory Olsen, ready to attend the University of Utah next fall. The success of the Texas youth programs has produced a significant talent pool. Leading the way are cousins Jason and Keegan Engelbrecht, both still in high school and playing for the Dallas Harlequins Youth Team, along with Pierce McPherson. Pierce is a newcomer to the squad at prop. Blinn College and Texas AM bound speedster Justin Boyd brings significant pace to the wing, scoring three tries in his debut against Guyana, last July. Wisconsin has an accomplished program at the local and LAU level. Last year they produced five u-19s and this year Aaron Fry emerged as a mountain of a young lock. Teammate Evan Koon, was in the Trinidad qualifying squad but an ACL tear in fall football ended his chances for the 2005 World Juniors. Indeed Evan was one of three football related ACL tears last fall that took Arizonan Jared Baker, and Nebraskan Craig Sheldon out of contention. All three are 1987 born players and will be healthy and eligible for the 2006 campaign. The east coast is well represented with standout scrum-half Nic Grala, a Penn State freshman. Nic captained the U.S.A. against Guyana, and came on to score the winning try against Canada last July. Fellow New Yorker Rob Caridi, plays club rugby at NYAC, and Michael Bunce spent the fall playing college football at C.W. Post. Rookie Josh Williamson, prop, is a success story out of the Hyde Academy in Washington D.C. Now a freshman at Kutztown University, Josh is a credit to the Tal Bayer program at Hyde. Also out of the nation’s capital is lock and eight-man Alex Dresner, an intern at MSNBC. Alex missed the last World Championships due to injury and is gaining valuable preparation at the Washington Rugby Club, under Coach Bernie Hogan. New England is represented by Chris Curro, a freshman at the University of New Hampshire, who collected M.V.P. honors at the last New York Sevens. Meanwhile Sam Britton, at eight, comes out of Pennsylvania via New Zealand, where he played high school rugby. Colorado contributes two players to the 2005 squad, James Patterson, center, and Logan Collins, flanker and eight-man. James is a high school senior in Colorado Springs while Logan is a freshman at the University of Northern Colorado. Our first Hawaiian u-19, Mike Kopra, is recognized on the islands as one of the best high school athletes. Mike competed in the state playoffs in both soccer and football this year and brings flair with pace to the National Team. This is a seasoned US u-19 squad with higher expectations going into Salty Thompson’s third Junior World Championships. Returning assistant coaches include Trevor Bracken, Seattle, with a resume that includes a professional playing career in Japan, coaching the ITT winning Pacific Coast at senior and collegiate levels. Forwards coach Sean O’Leary, Boston, and backs assistant Michael Engelbrecht, Dallas, bring a nice blend of styles and expertise to the team. Sean coaches Northeastern University, and Boston College Prep while Michael has brought the Dallas Harlequins Youth Teams, u-19 and u-23 to prominence. John Banarhall makes his debut at the Junior World Championships as Team Manager. John is a New England Y.D.O. and coaches Amoskeag senior and junior teams in New Hampshire.