VATOS repeats as national champs

FRUITLAND

Just two years ago the New Mexico Highlands University VATOS 7s rugby team was far from being a household name.

Highlands was known for its American football program but nearby the rugby team was on the verge of making a name for themselves.

Now, two seasons later, the VATOS are the back-to-back national champs after earning their second straight National Small College Rugby Organization College Rugby 7s Championship title on June 5 in Pennsylvania.

Navajo fly half Tom Rydell Chee, a position similar to a football quarterback, said it was a long time coming for the team.

“The first year a lot of people didn’t really know our team,” he said. “Then we made it to the finals last year and won, then this year we had a target on our backs.”

The VATOS 7s team defeated St. Mary’s University 31-7. Leading up to the championship match, Highlands defeated almost every team by nearly 20 points.

Chee said there was a lot of expectations heading into the season but he and the team managed to exceed them all.

“We basically flew by every team with our speed and our experience,” Chee said.

The recent NMHU graduate spent the last three seasons with the team. Chee was looking for something new and different to keep him busy when he discovered the rugby teams on campus.

He said they built strong team chemistry over the years, which ultimately played an important role in their success.

“It’s very exciting to see each of my teammates grow as players too,” he said. “We always pushed each other. It was our goal at the beginning of the year.”

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