ELLENSBURG, Wash. - The Central Washington University men's rugby team earned the following three selections in the 2023 Major League Rugby Collegiate Draft on Thursday: Marques Fuala'au, Albert O'Shannessey, and Noah Wright.
 
"Our program is happy for these three recent alums to be picked up in the draft and have the opportunity to continue their careers in the professional game," Head Coach Todd Thornley said. "All three worked extremely hard over the last five years to build a foundation to take advantage of this opportunity. With seven players including two top-three picks occurring over the last three years, this is a testament to all the work those inside our program have put in. We look forward to watching our pro 'Cats from afar this upcoming MLR season."
 
With three selections in the draft, the Wildcats tied for the second most draftees in this year's MLR Collegiate Draft. The draft consisted of three rounds of 13 picks each, totaling 39 selections.
 
With the 3rd overall pick, the Dallas Jackals selected flanker Marques Fuala'au. A native of Kent, Wash., Fuala'au will head to a Jackals team looking to make an instant impact. The Jackals finished at the bottom of the Western Conference in 2023 with a 2-14 record.
 
"It's unreal. Shoutout to Todd Thornley, he's doing a great job over there in Ellensburg," Fuala'au said after being selected. "The Wildcats are up to something special and I'm really grateful just to have been a part of that."
 
Albert O'Shannessey heard his name called by the Rugby New York Ironworkers in the 2nd round with the 21st overall selection. The flanker from Christchurch, New Zealand joins an Ironworkers team that just made the postseason but fell short in the Conference Semifinals.
 
Joining Fuala'au in Dallas, the Jackals selected wing Noah Wright with the 36th pick. Hailing from Renton, Wash., Wright rounded out the group of Wildcats heading to MLR.