10 Coastal Dragons Rugby Team members chosen for all-star squad

With the recent success of the U16 Coastal Dragons Rugby Team winning the Boys Southern California Youth Rugby Championship, 10 players have been rewarded by being picked for the SoCal San Diego Region Representative All-Stars Rugby Squad.

They will play a series of trials against Los Angeles, Orange County and Quad Cities teams in order to be potentially selected as a “Griffin” — the highest regional honor for youth rugby players in Southern California. The expert coaching of the Coastal Dragons under the direction of head coach Ed Petersen has helped shape these boys into fine rugby players. Here is a brief bio on each of the players:

Caleb Armendariz is new to rugby and the Coastal Dragons. He is a natural athlete, blessed with speed and size, and has become a very good wing in a very short time. He attends Santa Fe Christian as a sophomore.

Gavin Dill, a sophomore at Santa Fe Christian, has played rugby for the Dragons since 2009. He is a wonderfully conditioned athlete, and plays loose forward.

Will Fox anchors the scrum at tight head prop. Will has played rugby with the Dragons for the past four years. He is a sophomore at Tri City Christian School.

Nico Gilli is a wonderful competitive soccer player, and has put his kicking skills to good use at his favorite position of scrum half. Nico has been with the Dragons since 2009, and is a sophomore at La Costa Canyon.

Kevin Loney has been playing rugby for seven years, and joined the Coastal Dragons in 1999. He made the Southern California Griffins in his freshman year as a wing. He is a sophomore at Sante Fe Christian.

Niklas Lundqvist has played with the Dragons for the past three years. He is a big tough freshman from LCC with a great work ethic that makes him a dominant loose forward.

Sean Lunkong is the nephew to Robbie Lumkong, who represented the USA 29 times as 8th man, playing in the 1999 World Cup. Sean is a sophomore at LCC and has been playing rugby with the Dragons since their inception in 2009. Sean’s favorite position is inside center.

Reese Prefontaine is new to rugby and the Coastal Dragons. He is a powerful young man and a natural rugby player who has made amazing progress in his first year playing rugby. Reese is a sophomore at LCC.

Justin Petersen, a tenacious flyhalf and fullback, has been with the club since its formation in 2009. Justin is a sophomore at La Costa Canyon High School.

Blake Richards-Smith joined the Coastal Dragons this year. He has made dramatic improvements to his game, and has become a dominant lineout jumper and lock forward. Blake is a sophomore at Torrey Pines High School.

For information on the Coastal Dragons, visit https://coastaldragonsrugby.com.