Coast Guard Bears Claim DII Championship

The Coast Guard Bears showcased their formidable strength, claiming the Division II National Championship title with a commanding 51-12 victory over Wisconsin - Eau Claire Blugolds in Houston on Sunday, December 7. The Bears initially established a 10-0 lead through early tries from wing Hannah Warnke and eight-man Kaitlyn Boggs. However, the Blugolds fought back fiercely, with Maggie Kane and Olivia George scoring tries, supported by a conversion from Madison Cornell, to briefly take a 12-10 advantage. Prop Meirabella Rouane then grounded the ball, converted by Gabriella Kraus-Rivera, to put Coast Guard back ahead 17-12 by halftime. The second half saw the Bears unleash an offensive barrage, with Rouane adding two more tries, wing Avery Soca crossing twice, and centers Marley King and Hazel Mitrik also dotting down, along with three successful conversions from Kraus-Rivera. This dominant performance secured the national title for Coast Guard, underscoring the high level of competition in US collegiate rugby and marking senior Kaitlyn Boggs as the well-deserved MVP, a significant achievement for both the team and the broader landscape of American rugby development.