Ben Gibbons
Sports Editor
Mira Costa ruggers are tackling their way past high school season and are now moving on to play for the Los Angeles County All Star Rugby Team.
Four boys and one girl from Mira Costa’s rugby program were selected to be a part of the LA County All Star Rugby Teams on after trying out on April 9th. The boys selected for the varsity all star team were senior Harrison Dulgarian and junior Jonah Tavai. Sophomore Slade Gordon and freshman John Darcy made the JV team, and sophomore Taiana Fonua made the girls Northern JV team.
“Rugby is a very respectful sport,” Darcy said. “It has been fun to be able to play against others in club and then become friends with them on the all star team.”
These players joined teams of approximately 25 players each from schools part of LA County. The team held multiple trainings before competing in a showcase tournament against the Orange County, San Diego County and Tri-Counties teams. The Tri-Counties teams consisted of players from the Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties.
Click here for more information on the Regional All Star Teams.
“The award is a great recognition of their hard work,” varsity head coach and LA County All Star head coach Duke Dulgarian said. “They really earned it through their hard work and excellent play during the season.”
Videos: The Mira Costa Mustangs battle St. John Bosco in the CIF State Finals on February 23rd at Bosco. The Mustangs won the state match 46-29 and took the title.
The All Star County teams are put together by the Southern California Youth Rugby Association. After the showcase with the four county teams, the SCYR puts together a Southern California All Star team from the best players at the showcase that competes nationally, known as the Griffins team.
“I began playing rugby when I was 9,” varsity captain Harrison Dulgarian said. “Rugby has given me the opportunity to meet people from all around the world which I think is a beautiful thing.”
Photos: Mira Costa Mustangs play Torrey Pines High School in CIF.
The varsity LA team lost against San Diego 21-14. They also played Orange County and won 21-19. The team did not play the Tri-Counties team.
“I started playing this year for Costa,” freshman John Darcy said. “My goal is to next year make the Griffins Southern California team for nationals.”
For more information on the LA County All Star Team, click here.
The Costa Boys varsity Rugby team had an amazing year only losing one game during their entire season, according to Duke Dulgarian. The team was also invited to nationals but was unable to attend because it was the same day as prom.
“My Costa Rugby experience was awesome,” Harrison Dulgarian said. “I had the opportunity to meet some of my best friends.”
Next year the Costa teams will have an even bigger schedule and will play 5 international teams, according to Duke Dulgarian. The varsity team will be losing 15 seniors but will have a new assistant coach Karim Jamal, a professional rugby player in England and captain of the Lebanese international team.
“I thought it was a successful season,” Duke Dulgarian said. “I think we’re going to surprise some people next year.”
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