Three Rugby players make NSCRO Rising Stars Team

Sophomores Jonah Wolfe and Jacob Jenkins received the honor of being named to this year's squad along with freshman Alex Cortessis.

The Cal Maritime rugby season was cut short this past season due to the COVID-19 outbreak, but thanks to a few star players the Keelhaulers know they'll eventually rise again.

For the second consecutive season, sophomores Jacob Jenkins and Jonah Wolfe made the National Small College Rugby Organization Men's All-Americans Rising Stars squad. Cal Maritime freshman Alex Cortessis also made the squad for the first time.

"I'm so happy I was able to make the Rising Stars team with Jonah and Alex. That was so cool," Jenkins said. "It shows we got something going here at Cal Maritime. We may be a small school but we have quality players striving to play well."

Wolfe agrees with his teammate.

"We have a motto at Cal Maritime: 'We few,'" Wolfe said. "To have two of my brothers make this team with me is huge and hopefully next year we can have even more players make the team."

Wolfe played scrum half for the Keelhaulers, while Jenkins was an inside and outside center. Cortessis went to nearby Acalanes High in Lafayette, while Wolfe is from Sacramento and Jenkins is from San Diego.

A very young Cal Maritime that had just three active seniors through most of the year was 3-1 before its March 15 game against the University of Pacific was cancelled and any potential postseason play was called off as well.

Although Jenkins and Wolfe were each glad to be named to the Rising Stars squad, they both admit they want more.

"Last year I was super excited to make the Rising Stars team," Jenkins said. "And don't get me wrong, it's a huge honor to make the team again, but all it did is make me want to make the actual All-American team even more. I know the push I have to make next year in order for that to happen."

Jenkins said he made big improvements in his sophomore campaign, but knows there are areas he still needs to work on.

"The part of the game I need to get better at is with forward thinking," Jenkins said. "I need to be three, four or five steps ahead of each play. I've almost been playing passive and off my back foot. I'm reacting once I get the ball, not before I get it and that needs to change."

"I'm thankful I was chosen for the Rising Stars team and I'm not disappointed I didn't make the actual All American squad, but I know what I need to do next year now," Wolfe said. "I need to train harder and talk to my coaches more about advancing my game. My kicking was a lot better this year, but my vision needs to improve and I need a faster reaction time, especially when things might not be going well."

Both Wolfe and Jenkins said it's been tough to work on their game with the coronavirus shelter in place, but they're each doing what they can.

"I have a home gym, so I've been using that a lot," Wolfe said. "I've also gotten into road biking lately and have found that fun. Hopefully that can help with my endurance."

"I'm working out a lot at home with weights," Jenkins said. "I also go on a lot of runs and I've been practicing with my stepdad who was my coach when I was younger. Hopefully our team can all get out on the field again together soon."

NSCRO has over 6,500 active men's collegiate players. Players were primarily considered based on club nominations submitted to NSCRO and reports from NSCRO scouts at our Fall playoffs.

This year's All-Americans include seven 2019 All-Americans along with five 2019 Rising Stars rising to full All-American status plus thirteen new selections. The Rising Stars saw four players from 2019 receiving this honor again -- including Wolfe and Jenkins -- plus 21 new selections.

NSCRO All-Americans recipients have been determined by our selection committee to be the preeminent collegiate players within NSCRO. These 25 All Americans have demonstrated their skills, commitment and physical dominance that have made them stand out among their peers.

Each All-American selected player will be sent an NSCRO All-American t-shirt and a gold medal in recognition of this honor, while the Rising Stars will be sent a Rising Star t-shirt and a silver medal.

Article courtesy of Thomas Gase of the Vallejo Times Herald and the Cal Maritime Sports Information Department