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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Davenport men's rugby team will head down to Greensboro, N.C. for the USA Rugby Sevens National Tournament after receiving an at-large bid. Head coach Kruger VanBiljon will take 15 players down to Greensboro for the tournament as they make their second ever National Tournament appearance in sevens competition. DU will kick off the tournament in pool D as the play Auburn at 9:40 a.m., San Jose State at 1:20 p.m. and Central Washington at 5:40 p.m. all on Saturday November 23.
 
DU has been placed in Pool D with Central Washington, Auburn and San Jose State, all the pool play games will be played on Saturday, November 23. On Sunday, November 24 all the elimination games take place and depending on the results on Saturday team will be placed in one of four elimination brackets; either the Cup, Bowl, Plate or Shield bracket.
 
Date: November 23, 2013
Location: Greensboro, N.C. (Bryan Park)
Time: 9:40 a.m.
Internet Coverage: USA Rugby TV
 
SCOUTING AUBURN
 
Auburn clinched an automatic berth in the National Tournament by winning the Southeastern 7s Tournament in Knoxville, Tenn. on November 10. Auburn was able to defeat South Carolina in the semifinal final of the tournament by a slim two point margin. Auburn went on to play Florida in the title game to determine who got the automatic bid. Auburn dispatched the Gators in final by a score of 28-22 to clinch the automatic berth.
 
The Tigers placed two players on the All-Tournament First Team, in JB Easterling and Ben Winiarcyzk on their way to the Southeastern 7s Tournament title, and sit at No. 18 in national rankings.
 
Date: November 23, 2013
Location: Greensboro, N.C. (Bryan Park)
Time: 1:20 p.m.
Internet Coverage: USA Rugby TV
 
SCOUTING SAN JOSE STATE   
 
The San Jose State Spartans are making their first National Tournament appearance in 41 years. The Spartans played in a sevens tournament at Sacramento State and also played in the Pacific Western Rugby 7s Championship were they clinched an automatic berth to Greensboro. This was the first season of the Pacific Western Rugby 7s Championship and San Jose State was able to beat Chico State, 19-12 in the final to punch their ticket.
 
Date: November 23, 2013
Location: Greensboro, N.C. (Bryan Park)
Time: 5:40 p.m.
Internet Coverage: USA Rugby TV
 
 
SCOUTNG CENTRAL WASHINGTON
 
Central Washington earned their bid to the National Tournament by winning the Northwest Conference 7s Championship. Central Washington was cruised to the tournament title by going undefeated, and is making their third straight appearance to nationals, and finished second place overall in 2011. They look to make another run at the national title this season.
 
After playing in four different sevens tournaments this fall the Wildcats are ranked sixth in country in Rugby Mag's most recent rankings.
THE PANTHERS
 
Davenport is ranked No.12 in Rugby Mag's 7s rankings released this past Thursday, and will look to for a successful trip to nationals this time around. DU makes their second trip to the National Tournament after making the dive into sevens play last fall. In the 2012 National Tournament the Panthers went 0-3 in pool play on day one of the tournament, but rebounded nicely as they were place in the Shield bracket and won all three games the second day to take the Sheild Championship.
 
The players VanBiljon has selected for the National Tournament are: Dominique Bailey, Willy Urena, Travis Kamstra, Mike Houston, Alek Mares, Mason Baum, Alex Dorrier, Reece Czarnecki, Sondai Adjei, Jean Pierre Eloff, Brady Gent, Nick Glocke, Gabe Sochanek, Andre Cargill and Vershawn Burke.
 
The Panthers first match of the day on Saturday will be at 9:40 a.m. against Auburn, followed by a match at 1:20 p.m. against San Jose State and they will close out the day against Central Washington at 5:40 p.m. All the games will be played at Bryan Park in Greensboro, N.C.
 
Men's Rugby Contact: David Gerhart | 616-554-5045 | dgerhart@davenport.edu
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