1. Pacific West Champions
DU’s Men Club Rugby team has won the Pacific West
Championship and is now headed to Nationals.

2. On April 6, DU played against California Maritime in the semi-finals. Maritime was the
Pac West Champions last year and was the expected team to win it again this year. DU
was able to prevail 21-17, sending them to the championship game.

3. On April 7 DU faced Occidental College in the
championship game at Infinity Park. Both
teams fought with intensity in hoping to
become the Pac West Regional Champions.

4. Family and friends filled the
stands at Infinity Park during
Sunday’s game. Boone was
even seen at the game
joining fans to cheer on their
team.

5. It was looking good for the
Occidental Tigers in the
beginning of the game.
Within the second minute,
the Tigers were already up
three tallies. By the end of
the 20th minute Occidental
was up 17-0.

6. Denver did not let the score discourage their spirits. Instead, the team pushed
forward with execution and earned 14 tallies by the end of the first half. Casey
Slattery and Osa Aihie both scored and Joe Parker made the conversions.

7. DU started the second half refreshed and ready to go. Jake Miller scored the
third try and Parker converted. Denver was in the lead for the first time in the
game 21-17.

8. Both teams continued to play with intensity as the time winded down. DU
was down by one point with less than eight minutes left. At the last minute,
Slattery scored a try during the last play giving DU the lead. The whistle was
blown and DU won 31-27.

9. “I think anyone who watches the rugby team can see that they are a team with so much
heart and dedication. Every single one of those players wants to win so badly and you
can really see their love for the game on the field. No matter what the score is, whether
they are winning or loosing, the team always plays at 110 percent and I love that you
can really see their perseverance at every game,” said Ava Geupel, a dedicated fan.

10. Denver’s victorious win over
Occidental crowned them Pac West
Champions. This is the furthest DU
Rugby has ever gotten in playoffs.
The last time DU Rugby was in the
playoffs was back in 2007.

11. DU is in the final four
with St. John, Duke,
and New Hampshire
College. These four
teams will compete to
become National
Champions.
Winning the National
Championship would
be quite the prize for
Denver since the
National Small College
Rugby Organization
involves over 200
men’s teams.

12. “I am still in shock that we are Pac West Champions! This is the furthest I have ever
gotten in any sport I have ever played. This is also the furthest DU Rugby has ever
gotten in history. It was kind of unexpected. I am really proud and excited for our team,”
Gabe Bram said.

13. Casey Slattery, second position was
awarded MVP at Sunday’s game.
Trever Hanson was awarded with the
ball of the game.

14. “Casey totally
deserved to be
MVP. He is just
such a good
player and we all
see his hard work
both on and off the
field,” said Gabe
Bram about his
teammate.

15. DU will play against St. John on April 27. The Saturday game will take place at
Infinity Park in Glendale. Duke and New England will also be playing on April 27 at
Infinity. The winning teams will face each other on April 28 for the National
Championship.
Tickets are online and ready for purchase. Visit http://infinityparkatglendale.com/
index.php/rubytown/schedule/range.listevents/