After combing over statistics and results, and with the guidance of local athletic directors and coaches, we at the Daily News selected All-Stars for baseball, softball, boys and girls lacrosse , boys volleyball , boys and girls tennis, boys and girls track and field and rugby.
Although the sports and skill sets may vary, there’s no denying that this group put up otherworldly numbers this spring while helping their respective teams find success – whether that be on the diamond, field, court or track.
Without further ado, the Daily News presents its 2024 All-Stars for rugby:
Liam Cunniffe, Algonquin
A two-time Commonwealth Rugby Conference all-star, this senior captain and two-year starter at centre had seven tries in leading Algonquin to a 5-3 finish that included a trip to the Division 2 state tournament. In his three-year high school career, Cunniffe had 21 tries. A football captain for the Titans, Cunniffe also lifts weights and plays guitar. “Liam led from the front with incredible work ethic in every training session and in matches with his physical play on attack and defense,” said Titans coach Dominic McNeil. Cunniffe will study political science and play rugby at the University of Maine.
Ivan Diaz, Westborough
The junior prop from Westborough was the team leader in carries and metres made for the Algonquin co-op, achieving Commonwealth Rugby Conference all-star honors in just his first year playing rugby as the Titans went 5-3 and reached the Division 2 state quarterfinals. He also had three tries for the Titans. A left guard and a nose guard for the Westborough football team, he helped the Rangers win the Mid-Wach B title. “Consistent in lifting in lineouts, powerful in scrums, a determined defender, and a relentless ball-carrier,” said Algonquin coach Dominic McNeil. “A tremendous worker, Diaz was committed to improving throughout the season and played like a veteran from the very first match … With a work rate rare for a player of his size, Diaz never slowed down and led the team in carries and metres made throughout the spring, setting the platform for the rest of the attack and crossing the whitewash three times himself.” Diaz hopes to study criminal justice and play football or rugby in college.
Savyon Stewart, Lincoln-Sudbury
A junior and Commonwealth Rugby Conference all-star, Stewart has played varsity girls rugby at L-S for two seasons, playing eight-man and lock. “I love being a forward,” said Stewart, who helped the Warriors reach the Division 1 state tournament.
Niamh McLaughlin, Algonquin
The junior flanker and three-year starter earned Commonwealth Rugby Conference all-star honors after leading the Titan girls to a 5-2 finish that included the No. 2 seed in the Division 1 state tournament, where they lost in the state semis. McLaughlin scored 118 points, with 14 tries scored and 24 conversion kicks completed. “Niamh is one of the most powerful players I've had in a long time,” said Algonquin coach Emily Philbin. “She hits like a train, spoils every team's lineout, and runs so hard she is nearly impossible to tackle. It's no surprise she was our team's leading scorer this season. She is dedicated to improving during practice, on her own time, and through the off-season, as evidenced by the vast improvement in conversion kicks this season. Niamh truly breathes, eats, and sleeps rugby, and I couldn't be more proud and impressed by her this season. She is a fantastic athlete dedicated to her team's success, represents the Algonquin Titans proudly, and is truly the definition of an all-star.
Ollie Reinhardt, Lincoln-Sudbury
This senior fullback was one of two Warriors to be named a Commonwealth Rugby Conference all-star. Reinhardt also played football for the Warriors.
Macie Smith, Lincoln-Sudbury
A junior Commonwealth Rugby Conference all-star, Smith has played varsity girls rugby at L-S for all three years, starting at wing and then moving to outside center. Smith scored three tries this season in helping the Warriors reach the Division 1 state semifinals.
Nick Southey, Algonquin
A senior fly-half and Commonwealth Rugby Conference all-star, Southey led the Titans (5-3) in scoring and was, as coach Dominic McNeil put it, “a consummate leader on and off the pitch. He was another coach on the field and everything in attack and defense ran through Nick. Often the smallest person on the pitch, Nick was fearless and led the team in scoring with sniping runs, scoring six tries, and an accurate kicking boot, converting 80% of his kicks, including the match-winner against Lincoln-Sudbury, the program’s first win over a D1 opponent.”
Chloe Steffick, Lincoln-Sudbury
A junior scrum half, Steffick was the Warriors’ MVP and a Commonwealth Rugby Conference all-star, converting 11 tries for the Division 1 state semifinalists. Steffick also is a dancer and enjoys skiing.
Ryan Tasker, Lincoln-Sudbury
The senior fly-half was one of two Warriors to be named a Commonwealth Rugby Conference all-star.
HONORABLE MENTION
Elena Chacharone, Algonquin
Becca Correia, Algonquin
Ava Lefebvre, Algonquin
Jon Loizeaux, Algonquin
Gaby Lomuto, Algonquin
This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: The members of the Daily News Rugby All-Star team for spring of 2024
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