June 16, 2009

BERKELEY - The University of California saw eight of its student-athletes from the Golden Bear rugby program receive 2009 USA Rugby Collegiate All-America honors, with one honorable mention, in an announcement made Monday.

Ryan Harris and Jim Barrett were named USAR All-Americans for the first time to end their collegiate careers, joining two-time honorees Keegan Engelbrecht, Dustin Muhn and Blaine Scully; three-time honorees Colin Hawley and Eric Fry, and four-time honoree Chris Biller. Ryan Taylor, a 2008 All-American, was named a 2009 honorable mention.

Graduating senior Paul Jesseman was also recognized as an All-American by American Rugby News, which also tabbed Biller, Engelbrecht, Fry, Hawley, and Muhn as All-America choices.

Harris, a wing, and Barrett, a prop, were seniors on the 2009 team that won 30 games and advanced to the national title match. Scully, who played inside center and wing, was previously recognized as both a USAR and ARN All-American following his 2008 season, before transferring to Cal.

The addition of three new players to California's list of USAR All-Americans brings the Rugby Bears' all-time total to 117.

The 2009 USAR Collegiate All-Americans are scheduled to take a two-match tour of South Africa, where they will play fellow touring side Argentina Universities on Aug. 1 followed by South Africa Universities on Aug. 7, both at Stellenbosch University in Cape Town.