ELLENSBURG, Wash. (July 16) – The Central Washington University men's rugby team may be in the off-season, but five former Wildcats made history with the Seattle Seawolves.
Major League Rugby's inaugural season gave fans plenty to cheer about, including a Seattle Seawolves championship with plenty of former Central Washington University rugby players making a splash.
The Seawolves finished the 2018 campaign by defeating the Glendale Raptors 23-19 to claim the MLR's first ever championship.
Former Wildcat
Vili Toluta'u was named Most Valuable Player. Taking home the MVP honor isn't the only accomplishment the Skipper racked up this summer. The flanker was called up by the USA Eagles for their final test match with Canada in June.
Eagles' Head Coach Gary Gold called on Toluta'u to replace flanker Ben Landry in the second half, earning Toluta'u his first USA Eagles cap.
"Anyone who has played against Vili and the Wildcats the last four years knew that he would be a handful on both sides of the ball," CWU Head Coach
Todd Thornley said. "It has been awesome to see Vili replicate his performances for the Seattle Seawolves and consequently his form warranted selection for the National team. Vili joins a proud list of Wildcat alums who have made the most of our environment and taken their talents to the next level."
Joining Toluta'u on the Seawolves roster from Central Washington during Seattle's 2018 season were:
Aladdin Schirmer,
Jeremy Lenaerts,
John Hayden, and Kellen Gordon
Toluta'u, Schirmer, and Lenaerts all received All-American honors during their time at CWU, while Gordon helped guide the Seattle Saracens to three consecutive US National 7's Championships (2013, 2014, 2015) following his playing career at CWU.
