National high school rugby title up for grabs at Rio Tinto

SANDY — Perennial power Highland will defend its U-19 rugby championship beginning today at Rio Tinto Stadium as the USA Rugby High School and Under-19 Championships get under way. Three other Utah teams will likewise be vying for titles.

Highland, which defeated Utah County up-and-comer United in the championship game last year at the Under-19 Championships, is seeded in the opposite bracket as United, thus setting the stage for a potential all-Utah championship game once again.

But six other elite teams from across the country will converge upon Rio Tinto this morning, all with hopes of keeping that Beehive match-up from happening. In all, 24 teams from across the country will be competing for various titles.

United begins its assault this morning at 11, facing Alpharetta Phoenix from Georgia, while Highland starts its quest for another championship at noon, squaring off against Union County from New Jersey.

Following opening-round games, only 30 minutes will pass before the winners play second-round games to see which teams will advance.

Snow Canyon, a team based out of St. George, is only in its third year of existence and will compete in the high school division. Snow Canyon will face Charlotte Catholic from North Carolina at 1 p.m. today.

Michael Puriri, who coaches Snow Canyon after moving to St. George in 2006 with the intent of building a top-notch rugby program, first cut his rugby coaching teeth with United nine years ago. Puriri eventually left the team in the capable hands of his brother, Colin Puriri.

Since the two teams will be competing in different divisions, the brothers won't have to face each other this weekend.Highland has set the standard not only for rugby in Utah, but for the country. Coached by Larry Gelwix, Highland has claimed 19 national titles since he began the program in 1975. He has amassed a record of 390 wins and only nine losses.

This is the stuff of Hollywood, and they indeed made a film about it — "Forever Strong." But the competition continues to get tougher every year.

Not surprisingly, Highland enters the tournament undefeated, but United boasts a record of 11-1, its only loss a narrow 18-17 decision to Highland.

United is led by Joshua Whippy, the team's leading scorer, and Ezra Hirawani, who coach Puriri calls "the heart and soul of our team."

Snow Canyon coach Michael Puriri can't help but gush when singing the praises of Chad Goff. "He is a monster of a player," Puriri said.

Girls play begins Saturday when Lowland, a team from Salt Lake, takes to the field at 10 a.m. to face Fallbrook, Calif.

e-mail: jewkes@desnews.com