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The 1985 National Rugby Championships were a series of tournaments organized to determine a national champion in several divisions for United States rugby teams. The divisions included Men's/Women's Club, college, high school, Military, Sevens, and Interterritorial.

Men's Club

The 1985 National Club Rugby Championship was sponsored by Michelob and took place in Chicago, IL at Winnemac Stadium from May 11–12. The teams featured in the tournament were the champions of the four sub unions of USARFU. Milwaukee rugby club won the title for the first time.

Semifinals

Third place

Final

Champions: Milwaukee RFC
President: Tim O'Keefe
Coach: Tom Beckman
Captain: Bill Lemke
Roster: Mike Bahr (Lock), Tom Beckmann (Scrumhalf), Bob Bilda (Wing Forward), Pete Boese (Wing), Phil Callen (Prop), John Dabriener (#8), Tom Foley (Flyhalf), Steve Gramling (Wing Forward), Tim Gramling (Wing), Bill Hauser (Prop), Drew Howie (Center), Bill Jhung (Flyhalf), John Koeppen (Center), Joe Landry (Fullback), Mike Landry (Center), Bill Lemke (Hooker), Ed Martin (Prop), Vince Murphy (Hooker), Bill O'Connor (Scrumhalf), Drew Palin (Wing Forward), Tom Queoff (Lock), Mark Roseky (Wing), Joseph Sauer (Lock), John Starke (Prop/Lock).

Women's Club

The 1985 Women's National Rugby Championship was a tournament that took place at Golden Gate Park Polo Fields on May 25–26 in San Francisco, CA. Florida State won back to back titles and fourth overall after defeating San Diego Surfers 12–6 in the final. Minnesota took third place with a 8–0 win over Chicago. Kathy Kojm of Florida State was MVP.

Consolation games:

• Beantown 26–4 Texas A&M
• Belmont Shore 36–0 New Orleans

Quarterfinals

Semifinals

Third place

Final

President's Select XV:
Karen Lang (Minnesota), Sheila Hill (Florida St.), Patti Purcell (Chicago), Kathy Kojm (Florida St.), Lori Reese (Minnesota), Jackie Watts (Florida St.), Lisa Patefield (Minnesota), Cathy Flores (Florida St.), Kim Colweck (Chicago), Jill Goldberg (Belmont), Candi Orsini (Florida St.), Deb Ahrens (Minnesota), Micki McVann (Beantown), Suzi Rosen Arnsdorff (Florida St.), Pat Standley (Chicago).

College

The 1985 College championship was won by California. Maryland was runner-up.

Military

The 1985 National Military Rugby Championship was a sixteen team tournament that took place at Fort Sill, OK from May 11–12 and was won by Fort Ord of Monterey, CA with a 22–12 win over the Medical School of Maryland.

Championship Bracket

Final

Consolation Bracket

Open Division
May 11
Wheeler/Scott 9-3 Black Sheep
Coast Guard 34-3 Campbell/Bliss
Black Sheep 14-3 Campbell/Bliss
Coast Guard 32-0 Wheeler/Scott
May 12
Coast Guard 30-0 Black Sheep
Wheeler/Scott W-L Campbell/Bliss

Sevens

The 1985 National Sevens Rugby Tournament was an eight team tournament sponsored by Michelob and took place on February 17, 1985, at Robb Field in San Diego, California. The eight teams played two rounds of games and then were paired off in placement matches. The Pacific Coast A team won the final over the Eastern A team. Similar to the ITTs, the other purpose of the tournament was to select members for the U.S. Eagles Seven–a–side team.

All Star Sevens–February
First round:

• Pacific A 14–4 Midwest B
• Western A 20–10 Eastern B
• Eastern A 18–0 Pacific B
• Midwest A 16–4 Western B

Second round:

• Eastern B 20–4 Midwest B
• Pacific A 17–10 Western A
• Pacific B 16–4 Western B
• Eastern A W–L Midwest A

Seventh place

Fifth place

Third place

Final

Champions: Pacific Coast A
Roster: Dave Bateman (Old Blues), Gary Bunce (Old Blues), Pete Deddah (OMBAC), Steve Gray (OMBAC), Willie Jefferson (Harlequins), Mike Purcell (BATS), Denis Shanagher (BATS), Blane Warhurst (Old Blues).

All Star Sevens–December
A second All Star Sevens Tournament sponsored by Michelob took place in Orlando, Florida on December 7. The format was the same as the February event. Three rounds are played with winners and losers advancing to play each other respectively in the next round with the third round determining placements. Mark Gaetjen of the Eastern A team was MVP.

First round:

• West A 14–10 Pacific B
• East A 28–10 Midwest B
• Pacific A 18–10 West B
• East B 16–6 Midwest A

Second round:

• Pacific B 18–10 Midwest B
• East A 24–4 West A
• Midwest A 14–22 West B
• Pacific A 20–14 East B

Seventh place: Midwest A 24–12 Midwest B
Fifth place: West B 18–6 Pacific B

Third place

Final

East A: Mike Caulder(c)(Life College), Mark Gaetjen (NOVA), Hoover, Gary Lambert (Life College), Dan Parris (NOVA), Pete Peluso (Bethlehem), Joe Taranto (Union County).
Pacific Coast A: Dave Bateman (Old Blues), Del Chipman (OMBAC), Pete Deddeh (OMBAC), Mike Purcell (BATS), Denis Shanagher(c)(BATS), Lin Walton(OMBAC)(subbed M. Smith), Blane Warhurst (Old Blues).

Club Sevens
At the club level the National Seven–a–side championship was played as part of the 11th Annual Michelob Continental Rugby Classic at Hi Corbett Field in Tucson, Arizona on November 2nd. There were eight teams featured which included two representatives from each of the four territorial unions. The Old Mission Beach Athletic Club defeated the Northern Virginia Duck Brothers 26–12 to win the championship. Bethlehem finished third by defeating Quad City 10–6 in OT.

ITT

The Inter Territorial Tournament involved the four regional rugby unions comprising the United States RFU: Pacific Coast RFU, Western RFU, Midwest RFU, and the Eastern Rugby Union. The region teams are formed with players selected from the sub regional rugby unions. Subsequently, the USA Eagles are selected from the four regional teams after the ITT concludes. In 1985 the tournament took place at Miller Park in Sacramento, CA from May 25–27. The Pacific Coast RFU won the Junior Tournament for players under the age of 25.

Results:

Champions: Pacific Coast RFU
Coach: Bing Dawson
Roster: Rick Bailey-Prop (Old Blues), Dave Bateman-Scrumhalf (Old Blues), Ed Burlingham-Lock (Irvine Coast), Brad Chaboya-Flanker (San Jose), Mark Deaton-#8 (Old Blues), John Everett-Hooker (Old Blues), Whit Everett-Flanker (Old Blues), Gary Hein-Wing (California), Roy Helu-Center (Old Blues), Kevin Higgins-Center (Cal Poly SLO), John Jelaco-Prop (Los Angeles), Rose Malinowski-Prop (PAXOS), Pete McLaughlin-Prop (San Jose), Bo Meyersieck-Flyhalf (Old Blues), John Mikel-Scrumhalf (Los Angeles), Todd Samet-Fullback (San Francisco), Denis Shanagher-Center (BATS), Bill Shiflet-Lock (Capitols), Matt Taylor-Wing (Old Blues), Brian Vizard-#8 (OMBAC), Art Ward-Lock (Old Blues), Blane Warhurst-Flanker (Old Blues), Kent Weyand-Hooker (OMBAC), Barry Williams-Wing (Los Angeles).

Juniors

Semifinals

Third place

Final

Champions: Pacific Coast RFU
Coach: Jack Clark, Tim O'Brien
Roster: Bill Bicker-Center (California), John Blackburn-Flanker (California), Steve Blesio-Wing (Western Washington), Darrell Brooks-Fullback (Stanford), Mark Carlson-Flanker (California), Rick Crivellone-Lock (Portland St.), Steve Ellis-Center (California), Steve Fentress-Prop (UC San Diego), Jeff Keuchle-Lock (Oregon), John Knudson-Center (Western Washington), Kevin Lake-Flanker (California), Pat Lenihan-Fullback (San Diego St.), Mike McClintock-Hooker (California), John Metheny-Flyhalf (California), Bruce Miller-Scrumhalf (Idaho), Mike Minafo-Wing (Pepperdine), Rich Morgan-Flyhalf (Washington), Andy Odisio-Prop (St. Mary's), Ted Oschowski-Hooker (Washington), Tim Peterson-Prop (San Francisco), John Riddering-Lock (California), Tony Ridnell-#8 (West Point), Ramon Samaniego-Scrumhalf (California), Giles Wilson-Prop (San Francisco St.).

High School

The 1985 National High School Rugby Championship took place at the Tidal Basin in Washington D.C. The #2 seed Xavier (14-1-1) squad from Manhattan won the championship by defeating Highland (10-2-2) of Utah in the final by the narrowest of margins improving upon a 13 all draw with Highland earlier in the season. Highland advanced to the final beating #1 seed Burlingame (25-3) in the semifinals. Burlingame won the third place match against Vacaville.

Final

Champions: Xavier High School RFC
Coach: Nigel Milton
Roster: Sal Augeri (Scrumhalf), Kevin Best (#8), Peter Blessinger (Flanker), Paul Burke (Scrumhalf), Kevin Corbett (Flanker), Jim Cuddihy (Fullback), Artie Estrella (Hooker), Brian Fee (Wing), David Gallagher (Center), Spencer Gillen (Wing), Mike Grassi (Wing), Andrew Israel (Lock), Bruce McLane (Hooker), Luis Munoz (Prop), Vincent O'Grady (Flanker), David Peppis (Prop), Ronnie Rojas (Flanker), Peter Seccia (Center), Joe Sweeney (Lock), Mike Tolkin (Flyhalf), Tim Walsh (Center).

References

1. "Boston Plays For National Rugby Title". (May 10, 1985). Patriot Ledger, p.32 col.3–6
2. "Rugby". (May 13, 1985). Chicago Tribune, Sec.3 p.11 col.7
3. Foley, Pat (May 1985). "Milwaukee Wins National Crown". Rugby. Vol. 11, no. 3. p. 14.
4. "Women's Rugby In The City". (May 24, 1985). San Francisco Examiner, p.F5 col.1
5. "FSU Wins 2nd Straight Women's Rugby Title". (May 27, 1985). St. Petersburg Times, p.6C col.2
6. "Grizzlies Lead Rugby; Florida Women Win". (May 27, 1985). San Francisco Chronicle, p.50 col.1
7. "FSU Women Win National Rugby Title". (May 27, 1985). Tallahassee Democrat, p.1D col.2
8. "Ft. Stewart Wins Rugby Tourney". (June 11, 1984). Army Times, p.37 col.5
9. Hoehn, Jim (March 4, 1985). "Seventh Place". Rugby. Vol. 11, no. 1. p. 7.
10. Gaines, Bob (February 14, 1985). "Rugby Players Have A Passion For Their Sport". Times–Advocate, p.C4 col.1–3
11. Weinbaum, Larry (February 19, 1985). "Rugby Team: No Sissies Need Apply". Times–Advocate, p.C1 col.5
12. Hoehn, Jim (March 4, 1985). "Seventh Place". Rugby. Vol. 11, no. 1. p. 7.
13. Hoehn, Jim (March 4, 1985). "Fifth Place". Rugby. Vol. 11, no. 1. pp. 6–7.
14. Hoehn, Jim (March 4, 1985). "Third Place". Rugby. Vol. 11, no. 1. p. 6.
15. Hoehn, Jim (March 4, 1985). "Pacific Coast A Wins National Sevens". Rugby. Vol. 11, no. 1. p. 6.
16. Ewing, George (February 1986). "Third Place". Rugby. Vol. 12, no. 1. p. 11.
17. Ewing, George (February 1986). "East Wins Michelob All Star Sevens". Rugby. Vol. 12, no. 1. pp. 10–11.
18. Elsleger, Jim (November 1, 1985). "Collegiate Division Play To Open 36–Team Rugby Tourney". Arizona Daily Star, sec.F p.2 col.1–6
19. "UA Rugby Club Loses To Air Force". (November 3, 1985). Arizona Daily Star, sec.E p.11 col.1–2
20. "Sports, Etc.". (May 24, 1985). Sacramento Bee, p.C2 col.2
21. "S.L. Rugby Team 2nd In High School Championship". (May 20, 1985). Deseret News, p.D3 col.1
22. Richman, Mike (July 1985). "Xavier Wins High School Nationals". Rugby. Vol. 11, no. 4. p. 17.
23. "Area". (May 20, 1985). Washington Times, p.6C col.4

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