Photo: Jackie Finlan
Rugby NorCal’s Land Park has dropped out of the High School Club National Invitational Tournament (NIT), which is an unfortunate loss talent wise and given the western location. However, the omission means the Salt Lake City event can easily divide its 12-team field into an eight-team Division I and four-team Division II format.
The following teams are confirmed for the Friday-Saturday, May 17-18 tournament, and the organizing committee is currently finalizing divisions. Some interesting tactics, ones that would increase the first-round competition, are currently being considered. If that format goes forward, then we’ll get details on the shake-up.
HS NIT FIELD
Coastal Dragons – SoCal
East – Utah
Fallbrook – SoCal
Kahuku – Hawaii
Independence – Missouri
Lamorinda – NorCal
Pleasanton – NorCal
Rancho Bernardo – SoCal
Sacramento – NorCal
South Bay – SoCal
United – Utah
Wasatch – Utah
There is a notable lack of eastern teams, and it’s seen in the Single-School NIT as well (Michigan’s Grandville is the most eastern team). It’s unfortunate from a showcase point of view and should be noted that there has always been a western presence at the NIT, even when it was staged on the east coast on back-to-back years. The up side is that the Salt Lake City location has better engaged California and Utah, and it didn’t turn off Missouri’s Independence. The Single-School NIT in Glendale, Colo., has also better engaged more local teams.