ELLENSBURG, Wash.—Central Washington men's rugby head coach Todd Thornley announced today his 11-man recruiting class for the upcoming 2021-22 academic and athletic year.
 
The class features players from five different countries, including the United States. Signing with the Wildcats are: Lewis Bonjean (Dubai, UAE), Drew Farrington (Sammamish, Wash.), Conner Grande (Saratoga Springs, Utah), Daniel McQuade (Knutsford, United Kingdom), Kenneth Paison (Colorado Springs, Colo.), Cohl Radulski (Renton, Wash.), Campbell Robb (Morrnsville, New Zealand), Andrew Rowe (Vancouver, Wash.), James Thomas (Brighton, Colo.), Arona Tauiliili (Anchorage, Alaska), and Oscar Treacy (Melbourne, Australia).
 
"This in-coming class has exceeded our expectations when we looked at our wants and needs going into the 2021-22 academic year," Thornley said. "Firstly, they all have big aspirations academically, and will instantly help maintain our success in the classroom. Secondly, they are all athletes with great potential as rugby players, and I would not be surprised if a number of them play significant roles this coming season. Lastly, they are great individuals whose work ethic and diverse backgrounds will fit right into our environment. I cannot wait to have them fully contributing to Wildcat Rugby".
 
Here's a closer look at the 2021 recruiting class:
 
Arona Tauiliili * Flanker * Anchorage, Alaska (Auburn Riverside)
Accomplished football player who crossed over to rugby in 2019-2020 and played for Rainer Rugby Club in Washington … also played in North American Invitational Sevens Tournament this Summer … chose CWU "because it will provide the best of both worlds for me to not only improve as a rugby player but also as a student and I can tell Coach really believes in me."
 
Lewis Bonjean * Flanker * Dubai, UAE (JESS Arabian Ranches)
Played for Dubai Hurricanes youth club from 2013-20 … moved up and played for the Dubai Hurricanes Men's Rugby squad in 2020-21 … JESS finished third in HSBC Dubai rugby 7s … nominated for the UAE team trials, which were cancelled due to COVID … chose CWU because "Todd (Thornley) was by far the most welcoming and best coach I spoke to out of all the universities, the team's ranking and my perception of their level of play, the geography of CWU, and the courses available to study."
 
Drew Farrington * Wing * Sammamish, Wash. (Eastlake HS)
USA U18 player in 2019 … chose CWU because it has a great construction management program along with a great Rugby culture.
 
Conner Grande * Center * Saratoga Springs, Utah (Westlake HS)
Helped lead Westlake High to the 2021 Utah state championship … chose CWU "Because they can take me further in rugby and academics."

Daniel McQuade * Prop * Knutsford, United Kingdom (Sir John Deanes)
Helped lead his rugby team to a Cheshire Cup championship in 2018 and a runner-up finish in 2017 … chose CWU because "Travelling half-way across the world for University was a big decision. CWU seemed like the right fit for me due to the attention and care I received from faculty during the application process, not to mention the high standard of rugby."
 
Kenneth Paison * Wing * Colorado Springs, Colo. (Discovery Canyon Campus)
Named both Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year and most improved … first-team All-State … chose CWU because "It has a great program for sports management and an amazing rugby team".
Cohl Radulski * Flanker * Renton, Wash. (Liberty HS)
Named 2017 MVP of Liberty Rugby … also selected as Best back in 2019 … choase CWU "because it seems like a great place to continue my academic and rugby career."
 
Campbell Robb * Hooker * Morrnsville, New Zealand (St. Paul's Collegiate School)
Member of the Chiefs U20 wider squad … also played for Waikato U19, Chiefs U18 and NZ Harlequin U17 … chose CWU because "It has the best experience to offer and a great rugby program."
 
Andrew Rowe * Prop * Vancouver, Wash. (Union HS)
Three-time varsity letter winner … chose CWU because of the quality of the electrical engineering program.
 
James Thomas * Center * Brighton, Colo. (Brighton HS)
Named to U19 All-State team in Colorado … named his team's player of the year … also chosen as backs player of the year … chose CWU because "I know how good the rugby program is, and would love to play at such a high level."
 
Oscar Treacy * Fullback * Melbourne, Australia (Wyverns)
Member of Melbourne's U18 Rebels Academy … also selected for the the U17 squad for Melbourne Rebels 7s … named as a choice fot eh U16 Melbourne Rebels squad.