Wild Weekend Ahead in Road to CRC

Collegiate rugby ignited with a "wild weekend" from March 20-22, 2026, as tournaments across the nation determined crucial automatic qualifiers (AQs) for the 2026 Collegiate Rugby Championship (CRC) in Maryland, shaping the national title race. At the Brown 7s, the Brown Bears chased an unprecedented fourth CRC championship, with Coach Rosalind Chou eyeing a record for 7s national titles, hosting a formidable lineup including last year’s runner-up Army and reigning DI-Club champions Northeastern. Men's DI-AA competition at the Sandman 7s featured powerhouses like 2025 XVs national champion Tennessee, runner-up Bowling Green, and 2024 7s national champion Louisville, battling for vital bids. Richmond 7s saw Susquehanna's men dominate with a 5-1 record and +141 point differential at Cowboy 7s, while Christopher Newport’s women emerged as a DIII favorite after winning the Mary Washington tournament. Iowa’s Renn Heimer and Nebraska’s Jordan Sweiss shone at City 7s, underscoring the fierce competition and rising talent aiming for coveted CRC spots.