Premier Cup Qualifiers Start MA, OH

The collegiate rugby 7s season explodes into action this weekend, marking the first of two pivotal qualifier periods where twelve Automatic Qualifier tournaments will determine fifteen teams for the 2026 Collegiate National Championships. This initial slate of six tournaments offers seven coveted berths across the nation, highlighting intense matchups in Massachusetts, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. In the Men's Premier Monumental 7s in Quincy, MA, Kutztown, winners of the 2022 and 2025 events, aims for another title. Key player Jacob Stelluti, with 7 tries at Frost Bite 7s, leads the charge alongside Brown, while St. Bonaventure has already secured their Nationals bid. The Women's Premier Cup Cavalier 7s in Canton, OH, promises drama for three AQ spots, featuring Wheeling, who went 3-1 in a tune-up led by Alexis Dallas, Liz Sinatra, and Ema Tai. They'll contend with Northern Iowa's Morgan Linck and Aquinas's Lillian Stough, noted for an incredible scoring spree at Hawkeye 7s, plus hosts Walsh and Adrian. Finally, the Cowboy 7s in Pittsburgh spotlights Men's DII and DIII, with IUP’s Malcolm Johnson, who tallied nine tries at Frostbite 7s, looking to guide his youthful squad to Maryland. These high-stakes weekends are crucial for collegiate programs, providing direct pathways to national championship glory and unveiling the next generation of US rugby stars.