July 21, 2005

Berkeley, CA - The Varsity Rugby Program announced that nine players earned Academic Honors for their achievement in the classroom this past academic year. Senior Molecular/Cell Biology major Colin Walker was individually recognized for his academic excellence, as the Varsity's highest GPA student, Colin plans to attend medical school in the near future. Also included on this roll call of academic recipients were Dave Anderson, Daniel Grinter, Jacob Kloberdanz, Ryan Donnelly and Sean Wilhelmy, Nick Yancey, Jason Lee and Cody Stevens.

In addition, eleven student athletes were chosen to the annual Collegiate All-American Team, four of the All-Americans were among the returning honorees. Scrumhalf Joel DiGiorgio and hooker Tony Vontz were selected for the third year in a row, while prop Cyrus Dorosti was a 2nd time winner. Last year's honorable mention selection Andrew Blair was choosen this year following an MVP performance at this year's National Collegiate All-Star Championships held in Boulder, CO this past June.

Flanker Rikus Pretorius, eightman Andrew Lindsey, lock Louis Stanfill, prop Brian McClenahan and freshman hooker Chris Biller were all first time selections in the forward pack. Center Ryan Donnelly and wing Andy Hanks were also selected from the back division for the first time.

The Collegiate All-Americans will tour New Zealand in August, and play a two match tour against the University of Wellington and Massey University in Palmerston North.

Senior Andy Hanks was also selected to represent the USA 7s team in the World Games in Duisburg, Germany. Sophomore Louis Stanfill received a selection to the senior National Team and represented the USA in Tokyo versus Romania, Canada and host Japan. Senior Captain Tony Vontz, who was recently featured in Sports Illustrated Faces in the Crowd section, also received a callup to the National Team, but was unavailable with and injured shoulder.

On June 30th, the Golden Bear ruggers received a Resolution from the California State Senate. Within the resolution Cal Head Coach Jack Clark was recognized for his 17th National Championship and 2005 Team Captain Tony Vontz was highlighted for his exceptional performance as the Most Valuable Player in the National Collegiate Championship Tournament. The resolution went on to state, "Whereas, the citizens of the State of California are indeed proud of the athletic competitors of the caliber of the University of California Rugby Team, who provide our communities and state with the heritage of winning."

2005 Collegiate All-Americans
Chris Biller
Andrew Blair
Joel DiGiorgio
Ryan Donnelly
Cyrus Dorosti
Andy Hanks
Andrew Lindsey
Brian McClenahan
Rikus Pretorius
Louis Stanfill
Tony Vontz

Academic Honors
Dave Anderson
Ryan Donnelley
Daniel Grinter
Jacob Kloberdanz
Jason Lee
Cody Stevens
Colin Walker
Sean Wilhelmy
Nick Yancey