Tech Rugby Honors Outstanding Performers

by Dave Wheelock, Rugby coach

SOCORRO, N.M., May 6, 2002 -- Israel Vaughn, a senior mathematics student, led a select group of players into New Mexico Tech Rugby Club's hall of honor on May 4, being selected the recipient of the Coach's Award for Inspiration at that group's annual awards dinner. Honorees were named in four other categories through team vote, and in addition five team members were recognized for their participation as Rio Grande Rugby Union All-stars.

Voted by team members as backline player of the year was Jeremiah Wright, a junior from Raton. Wright also served as team captain. Forward player honors went to Jason Lennane, a master's degree candidate from Savannah, Georgia. The outstanding defensive player was junior Nicholas Ledesma, a graduate of St. Pius High School in Albuquerque. The final elected honoree was freshman Patrick Simons of Moriarity, who claimed the Rising Star award as outstanding rookie.

Receiving certificates from the Rio Grande Rugby Football Union for their play at the Western U.S. all-star championships in Norman, Oklahoma in November were Vaughn, Ledesma, Brook Jilek (junior, Portales) Mark Kelly (junior, Albuquerque), and Michael Bauer (junior, Farmington). Kelly also serves as Rugby Club president.

Three NMT ruggers move on through graduation: Israel Vaughn (mathematics), Jason Lennane (geology), and Josef Hart (electrical engineering). Vaughn graduates with Highest Honors by way of his 3.77 cumulative grade point average at Tech.