VMI 7s Rugby Squad Finishes Top 10 in the Nation

The VMI Men's Rugby team traveled to Boyd, Maryland, for the Collegiate Rugby Championships (CRC) 7's National Tournament. The team lost the opening match to New Mexico Tech after key player, 1/C Vincent Cyrus, blew out his ankle three minutes in, but the team kept fighting. It was a tough match, as New Mexico Tech won the Nationals two years ago. They are a tough team. Relying on the VMI "Never Say Die!" spirit, the team roared back in the next match to beat Providence 31 – 12 and subsequently beat Susquehanna by the same score. The team again faced archrival Christendom College the next day and walked away with a 17 – 7 victory, winning the Division III Bowl Bracket and placing 9th in the Nation! Star players in Nationals include 3/C player Caleb Chandler, a legitimate snub for the tournament's Most Valuable Player (MVP), who ended the tournament 6th in points scored with 25 overall, and second in tries with 5. "All praise is due to my teammates and coaches," said a humble and collected 3/C Chandler. "This is a team game, I can't make a play unless they do." 1/C James Li also made his mark in the tournament, scoring 18 total points on the weekend and tied for 8th overall in conversion kicks with 4. 3/C Nathaniel "Howie" Howerton put on a show of his own against Providence College of Rhode Island, scoring 14 total points with two tries and two conversion kicks to contribute to a 31-12 win, a game that lead them to the 17-7 win over Christendom College, with two tries score by Chandler, one scored by Li, and a conversion kick made by Howerton. 1/C Vincent also asked that his stats be shared, with "One minute played, one sprained ankle," according to himself. When asked how it feels to have finished in the top 10 collegiate rugby national rankings, 3/C Caleb Chandler assured me that "the job is not finished" and that with the 7s season-ending, it is time to prepare for 15s in the fall. Keydet rugby has earned a spot to move on from Division III to higher competition in Division II. The CRC tournament wasn't just a showcase of athletic ability but a test of grit, heart, and brotherhood only found among the Corps. Despite early adversity, VMI's rugby squad refused to fold. Every player on the field proudly wore the Red, White, and Yellow, proving that the Keydet spirit isn't just a motto—it's a mindset. Coach John Welsh praised the team's resilience, noting, "They responded the way VMI cadets should. They got knocked down, then got back up swinging. This is what we train for." With a top-10 finish on the national stage and the Bowl Bracket trophy in hand, VMI Rugby has made it clear: they're not just showing up anymore—they're competing to win. The 2025 7s season might be over, but the program is rising. With standout underclassmen like Chandler, Howerton, and 3/C JP Adams returning, the foundation is set for a substantial fall 15s campaign in Division II. My message for you as a member of the 15s team? Don't blink, we're just getting started. SUPPORT US: True to its founding, The Cadet remains independent, cadet-run, and relies on donations to operate. Please help us preserve the voice of the Corps and alumni by making a tax-deductible donation at: https://thecadetfoundation.org/participate-and-support/