Thank You, Seniors: Honoring the Class That Made History

There are seasons that define a program, and then there are the players who make those seasons possible. As the 2025–26 campaign comes to a close, one that ended with a first-ever CRAA D1AA 15s National Championship and a move to the highest level of collegiate rugby in the country, Western Washington University Men's Rugby says goodbye to our seniors who played an irreplaceable role in getting us here.

To our seniors: thank you.

Liam Walsh | Loose Head Prop| Seattle, WA

Liam Walsh brought consistency and commitment to a Vikings squad that demanded both. Over the course of his time in Bellingham, he was part of a program that grew into a national powerhouse, and the 2025–26 season stands as the culmination of that journey. Every player who wore the blue and white this year played a role in making history, and Liam is no exception. The Western Rugby Alumni community is proud to welcome him as one of its own.

Oliver Kelleher | Outside Center & Fullback | Walpole, MA

Oliver Kelleher made the cross-country journey from Walpole, Massachusetts to Bellingham and brought with him the versatility that defines a true rugby athlete. Comfortable at outside center and fullback, Oliver gave the Vikings options in the backline that few players can offer. His ability to read the game from multiple positions is a mark of a student of the sport, and his time at WWU was defined by exactly that kind of commitment. The program is better for having him in it.

Elijah Ashmann | Wing | All-American

Elijah Ashmann's name now sits alongside the program's most decorated players, and the accolades to back it up are substantial. Named to the Men's D1AA 7s Finals National Championship All-Tournament Team at the 2025 7s Nationals in Lawrence, Kansas, Elijah demonstrated his elite-level ability on the biggest stage in collegiate sevens rugby. He followed that up by earning 2025–26 CRAA D1AA All-American honors, a reflection of a sustained, season-long commitment to excellence that didn't go unnoticed at the national level. His work helped carry the Vikings through the Final Four on the way to hoisting the national championship trophy, and the Western Rugby Alumni community will be watching his career with pride.

Harry Moore | 8 Man | All-American

Some players rise to the occasion. Harry Moore made a habit of it. Recognized as a 2025–26 CRAA D1AA All-American, one of just four WWU players to earn that distinction this season, Harry's impact on the field was undeniable. All-American recognition at the D1AA level means you are measured against the best collegiate players in the country and found to be among them. Harry earned that distinction through consistent, high-level performance across every match of a championship season. The rugby he played as a Viking will be remembered for a long time.

Gabe Galvez | Half Back

Gabe arrived in Bellingham from San Jose and stepped into one of the most demanding positions on the field. As a half back, every phase of play runs through you, you set the tempo, you communicate the system, and you make split-second decisions that shape the match. Gabe did all of that while also serving as Club President, carrying the dual weight of leadership on the pitch and in the program's administration. He finishes his WWU career having helped lead the Vikings to the most successful season in program history. That combination of competitive fire and off-field commitment is exactly what this program stands for.

Ben Piers | Lock & Flanker | Leavenworth, WA

Ben Piers came to Bellingham from Leavenworth and quietly did some of the most important work on the rugby field, the kind that doesn't always show up in highlights but wins matches. At lock and flanker, Ben was in the engine room and at the breakdown, two of the most physically grueling places to compete. At 6'0", he brought the kind of tenacity in the tight phases that sets the tone for everything that happens around him. His work ethic embodied what this program stands for.

Jaden Grace | Inside Center | Lake Stevens, WA

As a local product from Lake Stevens, Jaden Grace added to its legacy during his time in blue and white. Inside center is one of the most physically demanding positions on the field, requiring both the strength to carry through contact and the vision to distribute under pressure. Jaden brought both. As a member of the team Leadership Committee, he was one of the voices helping shape the culture and standards that made this program's historic run possible. His contribution to a program in the midst of its most successful era is something the Western Rugby Alumni community will not forget.

A Class That Leaves It Better Than They Found It

That is the standard at Western Washington University Men's Rugby. Every class inherits a program, adds to it, and passes it on. The Class of 2026 passes on something extraordinary: a national championship, a #1 national ranking in 15s, a #3 ranking in 7s, and a program that has earned promotion to D1A; the highest tier of collegiate rugby in the United States.

Director of Rugby Paul Horne, Head Coach Adam Roberts, and the entire coaching staff have watched this group grow from incoming players into program leaders. The Western Rugby Alumni Association, built on decades of Vikings who gave exactly what this class gave, welcome into a community that lasts far longer than any season.

Go Vikings. Always.

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