Match Report
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. Western Washington University Men's Rugby made history on Sunday, defeating Iowa State University in the CRAA D1AA 15s National Championship Final at KUNTZ Stadium to claim the program's first ever national title for 15s.
The Vikings, who entered the tournament as Northwest Collegiate Rugby Conference (NCRC) Champions, navigated a demanding tournament bracket by defeating Millennia Atlantic University in a hard-fought opening round on Friday before returning to the pitch Sunday morning for the right to call themselves national champions.
Sunday's final against Iowa State University proved to be a showcase of the quality and confidence WWU has built over the course of the 2025–26 season. In a match that lived up to its billing as a national championship final, the Vikings ultimately held their composure and finished with a victory that will be remembered as one of the defining moments in the program's history. Lyndon Bailey was awarded Man of the Match for his outstanding individual performance in the final.
🏆 Historic Achievement
First D1AA 15s National Title
in Program History
WWU Men's Rugby has long been a nationally competitive program with eight top-10 D1AA finishes and nine NCRC Championships over the last decade. Sunday's victory in Indianapolis adds the program's first ever CRAA D1AA 15s National Championship to that legacy, cementing Head Coach Adam Roberts' squad as one of the finest in collegiate rugby.
Reaction from the Vikings
The emotion of a first national championship title was clear in the immediate aftermath, with Captain Harry Moore, Director of Rugby Paul Horne, and Man of the Match Lyndon Bailey all reflecting on what the moment meant to the program and the people in it.
That is just all heart...we love every single one of these boys....we got it done.
Harry Moore
Team Captain · WWU Men's Rugby
You saw the end result, these guys played with so much confidence. That was a great game of rugby. The reality is that someone is going to win and someone is going to lose and we were fortunate enough today to get that (win) but it was well deserved.
Paul Horne
Director of Rugby · WWU Men's Rugby
We absolutely knew they were going to be physical...physical teams come and meet the shoulders of the Western Washington Vikings and it doesn't go well for them...we knew we were going to hit them with everything we had...and we gave it to them...
Lyndon Bailey
Man of the Match · WWU Men's Rugby
A Program Built to Win
Sunday's championship is the culmination of years of investment in the WWU rugby program. Head Coach Adam Roberts brought a new level of intensity and professionalism to the squad's preparation, driving a squad that plays fast, plays smart, and plays together.
The victory is also a testament to the broader infrastructure around the program. The Western Rugby Alumni's (WRA) continued support of alumni and donors has helped WWU recruit and retain the talent capable of competing at this level. With only three graduating seniors from this championship squad, the foundation for continued national success is firmly in place.
For a program that has consistently competed above its weight class against larger universities, Sunday's title in Indianapolis represents not just a first championship, but confirmation that WWU Men's Rugby belongs among the very best in the country.
Championship Match Details
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