There are titles to be grabbed this weekend. / Photo: Jackie Finlan
The candidates for national, fall and state titles further whittle down this championship weekend, which starts Friday. Senior clubs, colleges and high schools are awarding hardware; here’s an overview:
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
WOMEN’S PREMIER LEAGUE
Friday, Nov. 10 & Sunday, Nov. 12
Kino Sports Complex, Tucson, Ariz.
The 10 senior clubs are already in the Grand Canyon State warming up for the two-day national championship. Read more about the unique playoff structure and watch the games live (Mountain time) on The Rugby Channel. For more info on the national championship, click here.
NIRA
The National Intercollegiate Rugby Association is holding its first round of national playoffs (click here for match-ups) as well as the Cup Championship for the top Tier 2 teams. Click here to view the Cup Championship live. The NIRA final four will occur Nov. 17 and 19 at Quinnipiac University.
NSCRO
The National Small College Rugby Organization is hosting its Round of 16 and quarterfinals at four locations this weekend. Click here to see the full bracket. The national championship final four will be contested Dec. 2-3 at Life University in Marietta, Ga.
FALL CHAMPIONSHIPS
DIV I COLLEGE
There are two play-in games this weekend, and the victors will advance to next weekend’s DI College Fall Championship quarterfinals (see bracket):
Davenport vs. Michigan State (@ Notre Dame)
Kent State @ Boston University
DIV II COLLEGE
The DII College Fall Championship begins with a Round of 32, which includes a handful of byes. Click here to see the full bracket, which is divided into four regions. Next weekend’s games will name the fall final four heading to Furman University on Dec. 2-3.
STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
There are two HIGH SCHOOL state championships occurring this weekend: Colorado is hosting its final 7s tournament (stay tuned for schedule and bracket), and Michigan’s 15s trophy will go to either Grandville or Sparta/Rockford.
LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIPS
The Midwest Competitive Region is naming its DI and DII senior club champions Saturday in Lemont, Ill., and the victors advance to nationals in the spring. Read more.
The New England and Empire geographic unions are naming their champs, and those victors will cross over in the spring during Atlantic North GU playoffs. Stay tuned.
The Big 10 will also name its conference champion between Notre Dame and Penn State.