Wheeler and Melphy to Represent USA at 2019 Pan American Games

Life University Athletics

The Official Site of Life University Athletics

Wheeler and Melphy to Represent USA at 2019 Pan American Games

Men's Rugby / 06.28.19

CHULA VISTA, CA. ---- USA Rugby announced the 12 players selected to the 2019 U.S. Pan American Games Men's Sevens team earlier in the week, with Life University alums Harley Wheeler (2019) and Cody Melphy (2017) being chosen. Wheeler will be making his national team debut as Melphy is already a senior player and will serve as captain.

Both Wheeler and Melphy were two-time All-Americans at Life University. This past year, Wheeler received the Rudy Scholz award as the best collegiate player in the country, and Melphy is currently a member of the USA Sevens Residency Program.

"This is a well-deserved honor for Harley who has put in so much effort and performed consistently very well at every level he has played thus far," Life University men's rugby head coach Colton Cariaga stated. "Cody has cemented himself as an integral team member within the USA 7s program, and though we know he's only scratched the surface of his goals, we are delighted to see him earn yet another international opportunity to compete and grow further."

The games will take place in Lima, Peru from July 26 to August 11. The PanAm Games come after a remarkably successful season where the USA men qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, reached a No. 2 World Ranking and won seven tournament medals.

The Competition in Lima will be used as a tool to ready a collection of up-and-coming players for the demands of senior international competition as the Olympic year approaches.

Founded in 1951, the Pan American Games are a multi-sport event hosted every four years in the year preceding the Olympic Games, featuring countries from the North, South and Central America as well as the Caribbean.

The 2019 PanAm Games will kick off on July 26 with the Opening Ceremony. Both women's and men's rugby sevens competition will be played from July 26-28. A final schedule and broadcast details will be confirmed closer to date.

2019 U.S. PAN AMERICAN GAMES MEN'S SEVENS ROSTER**

PLAYER	POSITION	CLUB/PROGRAM
Joe Schroeder	Prop	USA Sevens Residency Program
Jake Lachina*	Prop	Army West Point
Christian Dyer*	Prop/Hooker	University of California-Berkeley
Lorenzo Thomas*	Prop	Lindenwood University
Ben Broselle	Hooker/Center	USA Sevens Residency Program
Harley Wheeler*	Hooker	Life University
Cody Melphy	Fly Half	USA Sevens Residency Program
Naima Fuala'au	Scrum Half	USA Sevens Residency Program
D'Montae Noble*	Scrum Half	Kutztown University
Marcus Tupuola	Center/Wing	USA Sevens Residency Program
Maceo Brown	Center	USA Sevens Residency Program
Travion Clark*	Wing	Vail Rugby

Non-Traveling Reserves: Anthony Welmers, Will Holder, Kevon Williams
*Uncapped in HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series
**All Pan American Games roster nominations are pending final approval of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee.

2019 U.S. PAN AMERICAN GAMES MEN'S SEVENS STAFF

Print Friendly Version