Men's Rugby | 1/29/2016 4:53:00 PM

ELLENSBURG, Wash. (Jan. 29) – Central Washington University men's rugby player Aladdin Schirmer has been named to the inaugural Americas Rugby Championship roster for the United States led by Men's Eagles coach John Mitchell.
 
"This is a big time call up," Schirmer said about his selection.  "I got a text from Tony (Pacheco) saying the director of rugby had interest in me, and I told coach I was ready.  I knew there are always a lot of good backrow players being selected, so it is very humbling to be included in this group."
 
Schirmer, a North Bend, Wash. native, joins 36 other Eagles for the ARC.  He joins former Wildcats Tim Stanfill (2012) and Patrick Blair (2013) on the roster.
 
"Pat is a brother of mine, and Tim as well," Schirmer said about his former Wildcat teammates.  "I was a roommate with Pat and we formed a bond a long time ago.  On top of that I have played with the majority of these guys during the summer, so it is going to be fun to compete with them on the National level."
 
The Eagles kick off their ARC campaign against fifth-ranked Argentina before matches against Canada, Chile, Brazil, and Uruguay. 
 
The ARC is a five-week tournament, with the first three weeks held in the United States.  Schirmer will make the trip to South America for the latter two weeks, leaving on Feb. 19, and returning home on Mar. 7.
 
Schirmer was previously selected to represent the Eagles on the 7's squad in YEAR, making him one of a select few players to earn selections for both the 7's and 15's squads.
 
"I love 15's, it is fun and I feel it is what I am best at," Schirmer added.  "We are going to be going through some next level training, and my goal is to bond with my teammates, learn from them, and come back to Ellensburg better player and teammate."
 
The Eagles open play on February 6 in Houston against Argentina.