[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 26 (Friday, February 12, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E180]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN RECOGNITION OF SAINT MARY'S COLLEGE OF CALIFORNIA MEN'S RUGBY TEAM 
      FOR WINNING THE 2015 DIVISION 1A RUGBY NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MARK DeSAULNIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 12, 2016

  Mr. DeSAULNIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today along with Congressman 
Swalwell to congratulate the Saint Mary's College Men's Rugby team for 
winning the 2015 Division 1A Rugby National Championship on May 9, 2015 
in Atlanta, Georgia.
  In their quest for back-to-back national championships, the Saint 
Mary's Gaels earned a spot in the national semifinal by defeating Utah 
University 72-26, and then defeated Davenport University by a score of 
48-32 to reach the championship match. In a repeat of the 2014 Division 
1A Rugby National Championship, the second ranked Saint Mary's Gaels 
defeated Life University by a score of 30-24 to complete the defense of 
their national title.
  The Saint Mary's College Rugby team has now reached the National 
Championship in three consecutive seasons and have earned the title of 
National Champion in back-to-back years. Saint Mary's College is a 
distinguished California institute of higher education with academic 
and athletic traditions grounded in core Lasallian values that have 
found consistent success both in the classroom and on the field.
  Congressman Swalwell and I are proud that the 2015 Saint Mary's 
College Men's Rugby team members are distinguished by their commitment 
to the highest degree of scholarship, athleticism, and teamwork. The 
2015 Men's Rugby team has represented their school honorably.
  At this time I, along with Congressman Swalwell, would like to 
recognize the outstanding achievement by the members of the 2015 Men's 
Rugby team: Roberto Arellano, Dylan Audsley, Alec Barton, Trey Boone, 
Alex Brewer, Jack Carso, Placido Castrejon, Billy Coen, Mason Colombo, 
Tony DeLaNuez, Dante DiMario, Nico Docolas, Jack Dowling, Alex Drake, 
Alejandro Duran, Michael Garrett, Henry Hall, Vili Helu, Xavier Hunter, 
Timothy Johnston, Patrick Keating, Cory Kroeger, Charles Loudon, Frank 
Maitia, Cooper Maloney, Canon Marin, Gabriel Marin, Mike McCarthy, 
Chris McDonnel, Kingsley McGowan, Declan McNeice, Austen Middleton, 
Alec Mills, Nate Mills, Kevin O'Connor, Michael O'Neill, David Onyike, 
Ryan Pratt, Danilo Rapadas, Casey Reilly, Bradley Roberts, Kraig 
Roscoe, Nick Schlobohm, Paul Tiernan, Michael Tillson, Marcus Viscardi, 
Dino Walden, Peter Waldren, Thomas Wallace, Ethan Waller, Anthony West, 
Cameron Wiggins, Holden Yungert, Francis X Vignoles.
  Congressman Swallwell and I would also like to recognize the coaches 
of the 2015 Men's Rugby team: Timothy O'Brien, John Everett, Mark Bass, 
Jon Straka and Athletic Trainer Shelley Taketa are highly skilled and 
dedicated to the success of the 2015 Saint Mary's College Men's Rugby 
team.
  I join with Congressman Swalwell in inviting our colleagues to join 
us in recognizing the members of Saint Mary's College of California 
Men's Rugby team, its coaches, fans, and athletic department for 
winning the 2015 Division 1A Rugby National Championship through their 
hard work, dedication, and athletic excellence.

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