Davenport Qualifies for 7s USA Collegiate National Tournament
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – The Davenport Rugby program went 5-0 on Saturday to claim the MAC 7s Qualifier hosted by Bowling Green State University. By winning this tournament, the Panthers guaranteed themselves a spot at the 7s USA Collegiate National Tournament that will be played later this year. The Panthers defeated Bowling Green State 36-12 in the finals.
Contrary to past seasons, where Davenport would play their 15s schedule in the fall, the Panthers will now use the fall primarily for 7s play and pick up with 15s in the spring.
In Davenport's first attempt at 7s a year ago in this tournament, the Panthers showed there inexperience with the format and struggled to a 1-3 weekend. This year the Panthers showed up with more confidence and the experience they had gained at the 7s Tournament in Las Vegas last spring.
The Panthers were put in Pool D with Cincinnati and Wheeling Jesuit. In pool play, Davenport defeated Wheeling Jesuit 22-17 and Cincinnati 31-0. In the quarterfinals, Davenport came away with a 26-0 shutout victory over Ball State. The Panthers used a 19-0 win over Notre Dame to advance to the Finals.
In the finals, Davenport scored four tries in the second half and held Bowling Green State scoreless in the second frame to lock up the bid to Nationals.
Nick Glocke led the Panthers with three tries and three conversions in the Championship match.
Anthony Welmers,
Jean Pierre Eloff, and
Michael Houston each added a try for the Panthers.
With the wins today, Davenport guaranteed themselves a spot at the 7s USA Collegiate National Tournament that will be played later this year.
