OGs Run For Rugby

A group of alumni rugby players have entered into a grueling 185 mile relay race, from San Francisco to Napa, as a way of giving back to the program. Former players, Joe Midtlyng ’06 (former assistant coach), Evan Bariault ’04, and Brendan O’Meara ’09 (current assistant coach), were looking for a way to give back to a program that has done so much for them and their teammates. As younger alumni who are still building professional careers and families, it’s not as easy to just write a big check to support Gael rugby. They put their heads together and thought it would be great to come together with former teammates to show their appreciation for the program, especially their former coaches, who they are still close friends to. They came up with the idea of running a race together. In true Gael rugby fashion, it couldn’t be your usual 10K or Half Marathon, it needed to represent the physical extremes they were put through under Tim O’Brien and Jonny Everett. As Joe Midtlyng put it, ‘Our group found a way to compete as a team in a way that honors the grit and drive that have been keys to the program’s success under Tim and Johnny.’ The 185 mile race is a relay with 12 team members (with 2 alternates), all of whom are Gael rugby alumni. They have named themselves “Saint Mary’s Rugby OGs” with several members of the team part of O’Brien and Everett’s first season at the college. They are using the race to get the attention of former teammates and asking that everyone show their support and donate to a Fund that will go directly back to the rugby program. If the group reaches their goal of $10,000 before race day they have committed to each running 1 of their 3 legs with rugby ball in hand which would only add to the challenge. This is a great example of the comradery and lasting relationships built playing rugby at Saint Mary’s under our stellar coaches. “Gael Rugby Forever” is alive and well!

See below roster of the relay team:

Tyler Jones ‘02

Nick Haman '03

Evan Bariault '04

Matt Keathley '05

Cory Sichi '05

Damien Fatongia '05

Charlie Smith '06

Pat Follett '06

Joe Midtlyng '06

George O'Neil '07

Volney Rouse '07

Ryan Martens '08

Brendan O'Meara '09

Holden Yungert '16