The summer of 2025 proved to be a breakout season for the Atlantic Rugby Conference (ARC), as several of its top athletes showcased their elite talent during National Collegiate Rugby’s High Performance tours. From international sevens glory in Portugal to a gritty XVs victory on home soil, ARC players stood tall in every arena.
The summer action kicked off in June with the Algarve 7s tournament in Portugal, where a select squad named The Griffins made headlines by winning the Men’s Open Division. The Griffins’ dynamic mix of speed, structure, and physicality carried them through the competition with dominance. Among the standout performers were six ARC athletes: Everett Boyd (Queens University of Charlotte), Harry Healy (St. Bonaventure), Archie Grayson (Kutztown), Michael Muleya (Wheeling), Rowan Sierra (Kutztown), and Aidan Smith (Kutztown).
Leading the charge was Everett Boyd, who delivered a phenomenal tournament and earned the title of Men’s Open Cup Player of the Tournament. Boyd racked up an impressive 42 points from 8 tries and a conversion, establishing himself as a two-way force and constant threat on the pitch. His performance was a key driver behind the Griffins’ title run and a testament to the high-level talent within the ARC.
Back on American soil, the summer wrapped with the NCR All Americans XVs squad facing off against Ballynahinch RFC—an elite Irish club—at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Boston. The match followed the MLR Eastern Final, giving a national audience a glimpse at the next wave of collegiate rugby stars.
ARC athletes made up a significant portion of the All Americans squad, including Shadrek Mendaza, Alex Nyamunda, and Joseph Iye (all from Wheeling), Manu Taulua, Tanya Takaendisa, Reynard Boshoff, and Maseah Young (St. Bonaventure), Remy Thompson, Matt Cooper, and Fraser Leslie (Walsh), and Trevion Reed (Queens). In a tightly contested match, Wheeling’s Joseph Iye emerged as the hero, tying the match with a penalty kick before sealing the 13–10 win with another at the end of the second half.
Rewatch the matches on the National Collegiate Rugby YouTube Channel.
As the 2025–26 season approaches, the Atlantic Rugby Conference continues to lead the collegiate game—not just through team competition, but by producing individual athletes who shine on national and international stages.