Wheeling, W. Va. - With the National Collegiate Rugby (NCR) 15's National Championships just a few weeks away, the Wheeling University Men's Rugby team (3-2-1, 1-2-1) is getting ready to make a deep run. They will be led by junior flyhalf Taku Musingwini, who was just named the #3 Player in college rugby by The College Rugby Show Podcast. He was one of just two Men's Rugby players named on the list as he leads the Cardinal's kicking game throughout the season.
Musingwini is the Cardinal's leading point scorer this year, putting up 59 points through his first six games of the season. All of his points have come in the kicking game, where he has taken the lead for the Cardinals both in conversions and Penalty Kicks. Penalty kicks is where he has seen his most efficiency, going 11-13 and making 84.6% of those Penalty Kick attempts. He has already surpassed the single season Penalty Kick record, breaking the old mark of six held by Ayoub Jalli and former Cardinal Allan Hansen. Musingwini's success continued into the conversion kicks, where he holds a 14-21 mark (66.7%) this season. Musingwini came to the Cardinals from Iowa Central Community Collee and has brought a new dimension to the Cardinal offense.
He has hit his stride over the last two games, combining to score 34 points and being the Cardinal's leading scorer during that stretch. His top game came on NCR's Friday Night Lights against Queens University of Charlotte, where he finished with 21 points, going 5-6 on conversions and 2-2 on Penalty Kick opportunities. While he added some key points in the conversion game, it was his Penalty Kicks that helped the Cardinals secure the tie. With just seconds left in regulation, Musingwini would line up for a Penalty Kick opportunity from midfield. He would sail the kick through the uprights and helped the Cardinals secure the 36-36 tie. It broke a losing streak for the Cardinals at the hands of the Royals in 15's season.
Musingiwini was one of just two Men's Rugby players in all of collegiate rugby named to the list. He sits one spot behind the University of Notre Dame's Jack Waterhouse, who claimed the #2 spot on the list. Musingwini looks to continue his success in the kicking game as they chase down their first-ever national title during 15's season.
The Wheeling University Men's Rugby team returns to action on Friday, October 31st, when they take on Belmont Abbey with kick-off at 1 PM.
