Keelhaulers provide strong presence in NCR’s upcoming All-Star Tournament

VALLEJO, Calif. – When National Collegiate Rugby's All-Star Tournament commences this weekend in Austin, Texas, competition will include numerous members from Cal Maritime's rugby program. 

Among the 325-plus players competing on one of 12 regional all-star teams in front of professional scouts and members of NCR's All-American committee are senior Grayden Gunner — a Texas native who hails from Friendswood, a three-hour drive east from Austin – sophomore Roman Portilla and freshman Zion Jerge.

Cal Maritime's trio of cadet-athletes will represent the PacWest Collegiate Grizzly All-Star Team — a squad coached by familiar faces since CSUM assistant coach Edward Roberts was selected by NCR officials as the team's head coach.

Assisting Roberts are Cal Maritime head coach Steve Hiatt and assistant coach Dave Buckey as they will serve as assistant coach and team manager, respectively, throughout this two-day-long tournament.

Completing Roberts' coaching staff are Lief Williamson from Montana State and Aric Gilliland from Southern Nazarene University.

This week's announcement from National Collegiate Rugby is the latest highlight for a Keelhauler team that ended the 2023 season as Men's Small College West Regional Consolation champions after defeating Colorado School of Mines, 43-22, in a game Cal Maritime dominated from start to finish in front of its home fans at Bodnar Field.