ELLENSBURG, Wash (Sept. 29) – The Central Washington University men's rugby team battled to a third-place finish this past weekend at the Vikings Seven Tournament on the campus of Western Washington University.
 
Saturday - Pool Play
 
The Wildcats opened the tournament with a 46-0 win over Oregon State University in what was the first of three pool play games. Cameron Marek (San Ramon, CA, California) and Tyler Coffman (Redmond, WA, Redmond) each scored three tries in the rout.
 
Game two of pool play would prove to be a tough battle as the Wildcats fell 22-7 to the University of Victoria Blue. Vili Toluta'u (Wailuku, HI, HP Baldwin) scored the lone try of the game and Scott Dean (Renton, WA, Liberty) added a conversion.
 
The Wildcats grabbed a much needed 35-0 in over Long Beach State University to advance out of pool play in into Cup play. Only the top two teams from each of the four pools would advance into Cup play.
Toluta'u added two tries and Marek, Maverick Schirmer (North Bend, WA, Mount Si), and Ian Wright (Renton, WA, Liberty) each chipped in with one apiece.
 
"It was a great first run out for our guys," Head Coach Tony Pacheco said. "We brought 10 freshman and sophomores so we were able to get some valuable match experience."
 
Sunday – Cup Play
 
Central Washington opened the day with a decisive 29-0 win over the University of British Colombia. Marek would lead the away with another try as Coffman, Bower, Schirmer, and Dominic Lindstrom (Kent, WA, Kentwood) would touch down for a score apiece. Dean added two conversions in the game.
 
The Wildcats would lose semifinal match between University of Victoria Gold falling 17-7. Marek score the lone try, his sixth of the tournament, and Dean bumped the Wildcat score to seven with a conversion.
 
The Wildcats would find retribution in the third-place game as they defeated University of Victoria Blue, 19-14. Wright, Dean and Marek each scored a try. Marek finished the tournament with a team-leading seven tries.

"UVic and UBC are two of the elite college programs in Rugby," Pacheco explained. "I was happy how we played against them and we will use what we learned to improve for our next tournament."

The Wildcats will be in action again Oct. 11 for the Palouse Sevens Tournament hosted by Washington State University.