ELLENSBURG, Wash.—Central Washington men's rugby head coach Todd Thornley is pleased to announce the signing of 12 student-athletes, all who will join the Wildcats this fall.
 
The class includes players from five different states and New Zealand. The Class of 2022 includes Oliver Cline (Auckland, New Zealand), Mathis Demandolx (Bellevue, Wash.), Myles Greener (Vancouver, Wash.), Quaid Hunt (Denver, Colo.), Taine Jones (Folsom, Calif.), Brock Kluempers (Lenexa, Kan.), Dominic Landin (Spokane, Wash.), Garrett LeDoux (Hockinson, Wash.), Andrew Miller (Renton, Wash.), Nicholas Powell (Spring, Texas), Garrett Salas (Seattle, Wash.), and Malaki Tacbian (Valley Center, Calif.).
 
"This is one of our most comprehensive recruiting classes yet as all of these student-athletes are excited to fully immerse themselves into life here at CWU," Thornley said. "We have great students, who's work ethic will translate into great Wildcat Rugby players for us. As always, I cannot wait to have them here and see them flourish in our environment as we look forward to another challenging season in 2023. Lastly, this is our first class where all these student-athletes are US-Eligible which is needed given we host a Rugby World Cup in nine years' time."
 
Take a closer look at the Class of 2022:
 
Oliver Cline * Fly Half * Auckland, New Zealand (St. Peter's Auckland)
Played for New Zealand during a U18 tour of the USA in 2022 … chose CWU to "further my education and to play high-level rugby."
 
Mathis Demandolx * Scrum Half * Bellevue, Wash. (Sammamish HS)
Helped lead his team to a championship at Tropical 7s U18 tournament in 2022 … also earned a U17 championship at Bloodfest in 2021 … received a Certificate of Academic Excellence at Sammamish High, given to students who achieve a 3.5 grade-point average of higher … chose CWU "Because of the rugby and major (academic) options."
 
Myles Greener * Hook/Prop * Vancouver, Wash. (Prairie HS)
Chosen for the select team for Rugby Oregon … played for the Portland Loggers … also wrestled in high school and received recognition from Prairie High School for advancing to the state tournament in both rugby and wrestling … received the Wrestling Academic Award … Honor Roll student … chose CWU because "I the environment there is amazing. I know the coaches will help me succeed and push me to my limits."
 
Quaid Hunt * Lock/Flanker * Denver, Colo. (South HS)
Named Most Valuable Senior in 2022 and Most Valuable Forward in 2021 … also received Most valuable Underclassmen in 2019 … honored as South High School Male Athlete of the Year in 2022 … chose CWU because "of its strong rugby program and a great coach who will help me develop into the best player I can be. The schooling at CWU is also great and offers opportunities to explore your interests."
 
Taine Jones * Flyhalf * Folsom, Calif. (Vista del Lago HS)
Played several years for Eagle Impact Rugby Academy in both Canada and Los Angeles … brother of current Wildcats Kye and Rhys Jones … participated in the North American Invitational 7s in Utah, Florida and California … chose CWU because "of the opportunity to play with my older brothers and pursue my academic interests."
 
Brock Kluempers * Flanker * Lenexa, Kan. (St. Thomas Aquinas HS)
Enjoyed successful amateur rugby career, participating in multiple international tours with Eagle Impact Rugby Academy, including twice touring Spain with both the U19 and U18 teams … named Most Inspirational Player in 2022 … toured Ireland, Canada and Dubai.
 
Dominic Landin * Scrum Half * Spokane, Wash. (Mead HS)
Helped lead his team to a third-place finish in the Cascade Union … chose CWU because "It's close to my family, affordable, and I want to play rugby for as long as I can."
 
Garrett LeDoux * Fly Half/Flanker/Wing * Hockinson, Wash. (Hockinson HS)
Received multiple Man of the Match recognitions over the course of his career … two-time team captain … also played football … named first-team all-league in football as a defensive end … chose CWU "to expand my academic and athletic career. I chose CWU because of their prestigious rugby program and the great coaches and team."
 
Andrew Miller * Center/Wing * Renton, Wash. (Liberty HS)
Transfer from Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, N.C. … helped lead the Crusaders to a 9-5-1 record in 2022 … named an NCR Southeast All-Star … also earned second-team Southern Conference accolades … chose CWU "To further my Rugby and Academic career to the highest level."
 
Nicholas Powell * Lock * Spring, Texas (Klein Oak HS)
Participated with Sabercats Junior Academy in 2020 … named MVP in 2021 … helped lead his team to back-to-back Texas state championships in 2021 and 2022 … chose CWU "because it felt like a place that could become home. Accompanied by a team that has boundless potential and coaches whom I know love this sport. CWU just felt like the right place in my bones, despite the fact that it's across the country for me."
 
Garrett Salas * Fullback * Seattle, Wash. (Roosevelt HS)
Chose CWU because "Central is close to home. And getting to play for one of the best teams in the country would be an honor."
 
Malakai Tacbian * Fly Half * Valley Center, Calif. (Valley Center HS)
Won a High School Tier 2 national championship in 2021 … team finished third at the Tier 1 level in 2022 … captain of the San Diego Mustangs in 2022 … chose CWU because "The environment on my visit to CWU stood out the most to me because of the camaraderie and teamwork and I felt like the program would be a great fit for me."