The Wheaton Men’s Rugby team began their 2019 fifteenth season with new head coach Nick Patti. With few returning veterans and many new athletes joining the team, they considered it a “rebuilding” season for them. The players worked hard during the season, and many players fought through injuries and learned new techniques. They pushed through the season and challenged themselves at the 2019 Cianci Sevens tournament.
The Lyon’s finished first in their pool, defeating three teams, and went on to face new teams in the championship rounds. In semifinals, they defeated the opposing team, UMaine Orono. They were up to win the entire tournament, but the outcome wasn’t in their favor as they lost to the team representing Bently. Despite the loss, it was a great feat for the men to come so far in the Cianci Sevens tournament, finishing as Runner up.
The team will be at a loss next year due to the graduation of senior players, Calvin Riiska ’20, Aaron Howe ’20, Sean MacBride ’20, John Yish ’20, Ian Kobelenz ’20, Evan Jeannotte ’20, Anesu Makufa ’20, Tre Ayer ’20, and Daniel “Spoons” Mazzaro ’20. Still, in the meantime, they’ll be grinding for the upcoming season.