RUGBY5/23/2017 12:15 PM | By: Cal Athletics
11 Bears Net Conference Honors
Webb PAC Player Of The Year
BERKELEY – Eleven Golden Bears, including Player of the Year
Russell Webb, Freshman of the Year
Sam Cusano and Back of the Year
Anthony Salaber, have received all-conference honors in recognition of their 15-a-side campaigns as California continues its transition to Olympic 7s for the Collegiate Rugby Championship June 3-4.
Additional first-team All-PAC Rugby Conference selections include freshman scrumhalf
Keanu Andrade, senior center
Patrick Barrientes and junior fullback/wing
Jake Goena, who are joined on the first team by senior forwards
Kevin Sullivan,
Drew Gaffney and
Connor Sweet, and sophomore
Nic Mirhashem. Junior center/fullback
Aidan Flynn earned second-team All-PAC honors.
"Congratulations to these players," said head coach
Jack Clark. "They are all first and foremost team men, but they should be proud of this recognition. Certainly, our team is proud of them."
Webb's PAC Player of the Year award comes in recognition of his leadership and skill in his final year as a collegian. Also a candidate for repeat All-America honors in 7s and 15s, the flyhalf has been a starter for all of Cal's PAC Rugby Conference titles and will graduate with a degree in ISF - International Business.
Salaber, whose season highlights include three tries at Clemson in the national quarterfinals, is also in line to receive his third straight All-America honors in both 15s and 7s after his collegiate career ends at the upcoming CRC. He will receive his degree from Cal in ISF – Economic Development.
Cusano, who was also recently named Muscle Milk California Student-Athlete of the Week following the Bears' championship win on May 6, was an impact player all year in both autumn 7s and spring 15s competition. He, fellow freshman Andrade and senior Sullivan all shared the team lead for tries scored in the spring, with 10 each, while leading their respective position groups. Scoring highs this spring included four tries for Sullivan against Arizona, three for Andrade against Utah and two vs. Penn State in the Varsity Cup semifinals, and a hat trick by Cusano against Arkansas State in the national title match.
Barrientes, who brings talent and leadership to the team, and started the past two 15-a-side Varsity Cup championships, and will graduate with a degree in ISF - International Business, while Goena, a junior, had a strong season that included a hat trick at UCLA.
Gaffney rose to prominence in the back row in 2017, while Sweet, who was a starter in 2016, continued his standout play in the second row. They graduate with degrees in Sociology and Environmental Economics & Policy, respectively, while Mirhashem, still only a sophomore, was a first-choice starter for the Bears for the second straight year.
The Bears will depart after Memorial Day Weekend for Philadelphia, where Cal will compete for the national 7s title at the Collegiate Rugby Championship held June 3-4 and broadcast on NBC and NBCSN from Talen Energy Stadium, home of the Philadelphia Union of Major League Soccer.