Portal:2016 Fall Men/Memorable Events

West Back of the Year

Mitch Cochell, Air Force:

The Zoomies were dealt a difficult blow when it lost 2015 1st-Team center and captain Ben Burmester to an injury at the beginning of the season. Air Force’s season could have spiraled into mediocrity, but Cochell’s emergence as the new captain and primary playmaker in the midfield redirected the team’s path towards a Conference Championship.

West Academic Achievement Award

Chase Bocksturck, Air Force & Sam Jacobs, Wyoming:

Bockstruck nearly missed out on the All-Conference team for his play as an eight man, but still finds his way on the list of the West’s best for his diligence away from the pitch. Bockstruck scored three tries for this Zoomies this year, but even more impressive is his 3.69 GPA while majoring in Management and minoring in French.

First Team

Joe Carl, hooker: Carl throws lineouts like darts and is known for creating turnovers at the breakdown. Still, the senior earned 1st-Team accolades for the excellent work he did in attack that isn’t always expected of hookers.

Austin Lyons, lock: New to rugby, Lyons’ hard work earned him a starting position just before season’s start and he made good on his coaches’ confidence in him. Lyons didn’t miss a tackle and you can bet when he ran into contact he did so with both quality strength and technique.

Braden Smith, wing: Smith has an extra gear that he used to his advantage to run past opposing wingers and propelled the junior to more tries than any other Zoomie this fall.

Casey Rothstein, full back: As Air Force’s last line of defense, Rothstein’s tackling was so sure-handed the Zoomies still might have won a match or two this season if he was their only line of defense. If that wasn’t enough, Rothstein also recorded the second-most points for Air Force.

Second Team

AJ Hein, prop: The anchor of Air Force’s scrum, Hein scored a try against Utah State and was named Man of the Match in the Zoomies’ win over New Mexico.

McCord Thorley, prop: Thorley, a junior tight head, ran through a lot of attempted tackles and often stuffed opposing ball-runners – especially near his own goal line.

James Hanley, lock: As Air Force’s biggest body, Hanley added a lot of muscle to the Zoomies’ scrum and was the team’s best lifter in the lineout. Hanley would have had a shot at being placed on the 1st-Team had he not missed a couple of games due to his duties as a participant of the National Constitutional Lam Competition.

Dylan Brown, scrum half: The quick ball Air Force received in attack this season can be greatly attributed to Brown’s consistent play. Loaded with a fast and accurate delivery, the senior also delegated duties around the ruck very well.

Lawrence D’Agostino, fly half: Playing one of the deepest positions in the conference, D’Agostino’s 2nd-Team selection is a good indication of just how strong the fly half position was in the West this season. The senior was the orchestrator of Air Force’s attack, often spotting weaknesses in defenses and exploiting them.

Ref: http://d1arugby.com/news/forty-four-from-west-recognized-on-all-conference-teams/

Goff Rugby Report D1A Backs of 2016

Dylan Brown (SH), Lawrence D'Agostino (FH), Mitch Cochell (Center), Braden Smith (wing) and Casey Rothstein (fullback).

Men’s Collegiate All-American Camp

Dylan Brown (SH) and Mitch Cochell (Center)