Top To Bottom, Green Hornets Rugby Shines At Local Tournament

By Colin Murphy

The Green Hornets Rugby program made a strong top-to-bottom showing at the Potomac Rugby Union Youth League’s end-of-season tournament at South River High School over the weekend of July 30. The seven-on-seven, non-tackle tournament drew over 75 Maryland rugby teams, and Severna Park fielded teams in the 9U, 11U, 13U, and 15U age divisions. The Green Hornets went a combined 10-4 over the weekend, including undefeated runs and tournament division championships by both the 11U and 15U teams.

The successful weekend began with a full slate of games for the 9U and 11U squads on Saturday, July 30. The 9U team—comprised of Grace Flynn, Isaac Roe, Robert Skelton, and Keith Powell—joined forces with the Arundel Barbarians, going 2-1 with victories over teams from Sykesville and Washington D.C.

The 11U Green Hornets—comprised of Quinn Freeman, Jenna Snead, Tad Naylor, Matt Kramer, Ry McMillan, Isaac Roe, Tara Rutherford, Robert Skelton, Dominic Triosi, Chris Flynn, and Grace Flynn—improved upon the winning ways of the 9U team, emerging victorious in all four of their matches on Saturday. After defeating the Andover Apaches and Sykesville’s Freedom Red in their first two matches, the 11U Hornets ran into a worthy challenger in the day’s third match, this time against Sykesville’s Freedom White. The Green Hornets fell behind 12-0 at halftime and were down 17-0 moments into the second half before storming back into the game on the strength of smothering defense and a reenergized effort of offense. Long runs by Chris Flynn and Jenna Snead set up tries by McMillan and Naylor, the latter scoring twice. Naylor’s second try of the half came with just seconds remaining on the clock, and the Hornets made the conversion for the final two points, capping a furious comeback and giving Severna Park the thrilling 19-17 victory.

“We just have to work together so we can win,” said Naylor, 9, who added that he loves rugby for the chance it gives him to run and engage in competition during summer, the off-season for his other sports—football, basketball, and lacrosse. “I just love all the running, it’s good exercise.” Following the exhilarating win over Sykesville, the 11U Green Hornets rounded out the tournament with a victory in their one playoff game, claiming division championship honors for the 11U age group.

John Studnicky, coach of the 11U team, elaborated on his players’ love for the game, characterizing Green Hornets rugby as a fun summer sports opportunity that provides excellent training.

“The two best things about rugby are, one, it’s co-ed, so it gives girls the opportunity to compete with boys on an equal playing field where they can show their speed and agility and not have to worry about getting hurt,” said Studnicky. “Two, it’s an excellent field sport to prepare a kid for soccer, lacrosse, football…any sport. And this is the only sport that’s played at full speed without a timeout or break in play. So it provides a high level of conditioning.” Studnicky cited four products of the Green Hornets rugby program—Zach Buchon, Ty Ferris, CJ Studnicky, and Ryan Norton, all of whom starred in football for Severna Park High School—as examples of athletes who have benefitted from the conditioning and foot skills gained from playing rugby.

On Sunday, the Green Hornets 13U and 15U teams took the field, looking to emulate the success of their younger counterparts. The 13U squad—comprised of Will Freeman, John Compere, Matt Hall, Corey Rutherford, John Carmean, Mika Naylor, Alex Ploof, Parker Daniels, Jake Binstock, Quinn Freeman, Tad Naylor, Jenna Snead, Cameron Noore, Joseph LaFleche, Brandon Fiocco, and Connor McNulty—went 1-2 on the day, with a victory over Freedom Gold and neck-and-neck losses to Lutherville/Timonium and the MD Exiles.

The 15U Hornets shined as one of the top teams in the tournament. Comprised of Ben Studnicky, Spencer Davis, Dominic Fonseca, Brendan Cantler, Dane Malanoski, Tristan Carmean, Kobe Naylor, Angelo Archibald, Rebecca Saltzberg, Will Woodward, Tanner Kutchman, Tony Wiemann, Eric Fritz, and Phillipe Dolimer, the 15U Green Hornets won their division with a perfect 5-0 record, putting the exclamation point on the highly successful weekend with a victory in the tournament division championship game against Ellicott City.

“It’s really fun and anyone can play,” said Ben Studnicky midway through Sunday’s slate of games. “It’s great conditioning, lots of running, so it’s fun. But the best part is just hanging out with everyone.”

The Green Hornets’ youth rugby teams are coached by Pete Freeman, John Studnicky, Gary Carmean, Beth Studnicky, and Sean Norton. For more information or to participate in Green Hornets rugby, contact Peter Freeman at ghrugby@gmail.com