Congrats to all the wonderful highlights for 2011.  The Valks give a special shout out to Pam Kosanke, Fall Brook High School Rugby, Megan Pinson, Amanda "Worm" Kingzett, & Leah Berard.  We are proud of our Midwest and Minnesota stand-outs!

2011 RUGBYMag Awards!

Written by Alex Goff   
Sunday, 01 January 2012

RUGBYMag.com and RUGBY Magazine has unveiled its award winners for 2011.  We will be publishing a digital magazine about all these award winners in about a week.

But here is our list. Look for the Year in Review digital magazines in the next several days: Part 1 will focus on champions, and Part 2 will focus on award winners.

2011 RUGBYMag.com Awards:

Men’s Player of the Year: Todd Clever
Todd Clever combined outstanding play with a new level of leadership. He was excellent for his club and for his country.

Women’s Player of the Year: Pam Kosanke
Pam Kosanke returned to international play and reminded us both there and with her club why she's a special player.

Men’s Back of Year: Paul Emerick
Always at the center of good things happening for the USA, Paul Emerick was player of the year in 2010, and probably better in 2011.

Overseas Performance of the Year: Chris Wyles
A regular starter for Premiership Champions Saracens.

Domestic Performer of the Year:  Samu Manoa
An awesome presence for Super League champions SFGG.

Women’s Forward of the Year: Amanda Kingzett
Led the Twin Cities Amazons to national prominence.

Men’s 7s Player of the Year: Zachary Test
Led the team in tries, and scored the winner in the Pan-Am Bronze Medal game.

Women’s 7s Player of the Year:  Katie Dowty
In a season of much change, she was powerful and steady.

Men’s College Player of the Year: JP Eloff
Electric for Davenport as they exploded onto the scene.

Men’s College 7s Player of the Year: Peter Tiberio
Broke his way onto the USA team. Led the CRC in tries.

Women’s College Player of the Year: Jess Sexauer
Led Army to two championships, 15s and CRC 7s.

Men’s High School/U19 Player of the Year: Chris Fry
A multi-dimensional forward and captain for the best HS team in the country.

Women’s High School/U19 Player of the Year: Megan Pinson
Led Fallbrook to a national title.

Men’s Breakout Player Player of the Year: Maka Unufe
Hardly known by anyone until the spring, when he showed world class speed and skills. Went from little-known high-schooler to top try-scorer at the Pan-Am Games.

Women’s Breakout Player of the Year:  Kelly Griffin
Part of Berkeley's championship youth movement.

Men’s Try of the Year: Mike Petri, USA v Russia
A beautiful try, and one that save the USA's season. Link to the try (one of seven) here.

Women’s Try of the Year: U20s Jen Sandifer

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Men’s Game of the Year: Men College Final, Cal v BYU
What a spectacle.

Women’s Game of the Year Women: College Final, Army v. Penn State
An upset, and some individual performances of the ages.

Club of the Year: Glendale
Champs in men's DI, 2nd in women's DI, earned spot in WPL for 2012.

College Program of the Year: Army
Women champs, women CRC champs, men CRC runners up, men D1A playoffs, and undefeated in East conference.

HS Program of the Year: Fallbrook
Girls champs, and boys 5th.

Coach of the Year: David Gonzales
Top four appearances for both Harvard and Boston Irish Wolfhounds.

Women Coach of the Year: Will Riddle
Army women Head Coach.

Referee of the Year: Leah Berard
Key whistle-blower in a series of top games.