Wheeling, W. Va. - With All-Star weekend behind them, and 7's season coming right around the corner, National Collegiate Rugby honored some of their top players from 15's season with the release of their Men's Rugby All-American Teams. After making it to the NCR Semifinal round for the first time in program history in 2024, the Wheeling University Men's Rugby team had two players honored on this year's list. Junior flanker Aaron Juma and Sophomore Wing Alex Nyamunda each took home honors, after leading the team to their best 15's season in program history.
Aaron Juma is bringing home the third NCR All-American honor of his career, winning the award in each of his three seasons with the Cardinals. The year started strong for the junior, who was drafted by Old Glory DC in the 2024 Major League Rugby draft in August. He took that momentum with him into 15's season, where he finished with eight tries and 40 points across the team's nine-game schedule. He would end up tying his career high in 15's season with eight tries and 40 points, while tying with teammate Panashe Mugorogodi for the team's third-leading scorer. In the Cardinal's NCR semifinal match, Juma was one of four try scorers for the Cardinals. Juma has been a leader for the Cardinal's offense since he stepped on campus during the 2022 15's season, and helped lead them to the NCR playoffs for the third straight season.
Alex Nyamunda is a first-time All-American, after having a breakout season on the pitch in 2025. Nyamunda would be the Cardinal's leader in tries during the season, finishing with 11, and sat as the team's second-leading scorer with 55 points. He finished the year with four-multi try games for the Cardinals, with two of those four coming on the run to the Big Rivers Rugby Conference (BRRC) Championships. His biggest effort came in the team's lone regular season home match, when the sophomore scored three tries as part of a 62-25 win over The University of Rio Grande. Nyamunda earned his first NCR Scholastic All-American award a season ago and is now earning recognition for his work on the pitch.
With the announcement of the 2024 NCR Division I All-American teams, the Wheeling Athletic Department has now had four athletes earn All-American honors this season. The Wheeling University Volleyball team had two honorees on the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-American list, with Karly Niesen and Riley Kindall earning the first two All-American awards of the season. During the 2023-2024 season, the Cardinals had six athletes honored as All-Americans and they look to at least hit that number again in 2024-2025.
The Wheeling University Men's Rugby team returns to action on Saturday, March 8th, when the Cardinals kick-off 7's season at the Peach 7's.
