Seven More Qualify for CRC National 7s

Seven new teams qualified for the Collegiate Rugby Championship National 7s over the weekend, with all but one division picking up a new team. 26 of the 144 bids have now been claimed, with 38 more AQs slated to be earned before Selection Saturday.  

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In Men’s Premier Cup action, Kutztown edged Brown in the battle of the Bears to win a third-straight Monumental 7s title in Quincy, MA. The Golden Bears went 5-0 on the day, winning both the semifinals and final by just a conversion. Kutztown is the fourth Men’s Premier Cup team to qualify, joining Notre Dame, Indiana and St. Bonaventure.

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Davenport posted a perfect performance to win Cavalier 7s in North Canton, OH Saturday, becoming the second Women’s Premier Cup team to automatically qualify. The Panthers pitched three shutouts in five wins, including a 27-0 semifinal over Aquinas and a 31-0 victory over Wheeling in the final.    

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Arizona State was equally dominant in winning Fool’s Gold 7s in Boise, ID to qualify in Women’s DI Club. The Sun Devils conceded just two scores in four wins, one in a 34-5 semifinal win over Oregon, and one in the 30-7 victory over Boise State in the final. They join Florida, Iowa and James Madison in qualifying.  

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Arkansas won its home tournament, Natural State 7s, to qualify in Women’s DII. The Razorbacks dropped a pool match to Oklahoma, 21-15, but avenged it in the final, shutting out the Sooners, 26-0. Arkansas is the fifth team to qualify in Women’s DII, following Coastal Carolina, Charlotte, Bowling Green and UT-San Antonio.

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In Men’s DII, Miami (OH) punched its ticket by winning Cowboy 7s in Pittsburgh, PA. The Redhawks went a perfect 6-0 in the seven-team round-robin, knocking off host IUP and already-qualified Grand Valley State. In addition to Miami and the Lakers, Montana State has earned a bid in DII. 

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Cowboy 7s also featured a Men’s DIII qualifier, which Slippery Rock swept in dominant fashion. The Rock posted shutouts in all six victories while piling on 211 points. The 2024 champions appear to be motivated by losing in the semifinals last spring, and then in the XVs final in December. Richmond and Denver have also qualified in Men’s DIII. 

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MiraCosta College earned a second-straight bid in Women’s DIII by winning the Northwest 7s in Monmouth, OR. The Spartans were 3-0 on the day, with two convincing wins over host Western Oregon and another over Willamette. MiraCosta joins Drury in qualifying for the 16-team bracket.

Keep up with teams as they qualify and tune into The College Rugby Show this Friday at 6:30 EST for the road to National 7s.