Alex Sedrick and Payton Telea-Ilalio have claimed the top collegiate rugby awards in the USA. Sedrick has won the MA Sorenson Award as the nation’s top women’s player at college level, with Telea-Ilalio taking home the men’s equivalent Rudy Scholz Award.
Hailing from Herriman, Utah, Sedrick is a standout in both sevens and the 15-a-side game for Life University. The 22-year-old outside back was the top choice among five nominees that included Navy No8 Sarah Skinner, Harvard scrumhalf Cassidy Bargell, Central Washington center Sui A’au, and West Point flyhalf Alex DiMarco. Sedrick has already represented the USA Falcons development sevens side.
Telea-Ilalio is a four-year starting loosehead prop for the Saint Mary’s Gaels. Hailing from Hunters Point in San Francisco, California, the 21-year-old was a unanimous winner despite competition from AIC lock or flanker Tommy Clark, Cal Poly flyhalf Patrick Madden, and a pair of scrumhalves in Connor Buckley from Iona College and Life’s Ryan Rees. All could be part of the upcoming Major League Rugby Collegiate Draft set for the June 13 weekend.