Tag: Josh Shetler

Josh Shelter scores in first career MLR start

Former Vol Josh Shelter scores in first career MLR start.

Dallas defeated Anthem Rugby Carolina, 68-28, on Sunday in Major League Rugby.

Former Vol Josh Shetler made his first career MLR start. He scored a try during the 50th minute at American Legion Memorial Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.

“What I’m really happy about is them growing as a team and us as a management group,” Anthem RC head coach Alama Ieremia said. “The adjustments made at halftime for every game so far has had a big impact, we just have to find the right recipe in terms of how we can compete from the start.”

2024 is the first season for Anthem RC competing in Major League Rugby. Shetler played on Tennessee’s national championship team in 2021.

PHOTOS: Tennessee’s 2021 championship rugby season

Josh Shetler. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Josh Shetler makes inaugural Anthem Rugby Carolina roster

Former Vol Josh Shetler makes inaugural Anthem Rugby Carolina roster.

Former Vol Josh Shetler has been named to Anthem Rugby Carolina’s roster in 2024.

Shetler played on Tennessee’s national championship team in 2021.

2024 will be the first season for Anthem RC competing in Major League Rugby. Anthem RC is slated to play at American Legion Memorial Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to be part of the first Anthem Rugby Carolina team for the 2024 MLR season, everything has I happened so quickly,” Anthem RC head coach Alama Ieremia said. “There’s been a lot of work behind the scenes to bring this team of management, coaches and players together. We are grateful and extremely excited to showcase our abilities and create something special for the team. Not just for this year, but most importantly, for the future. We are realistic and know it won’t be easy, but we are committed to pushing each other hard and accelerating our learning through the high performance environment here in Charlotte.”

Anthem RC will play its first game on March 3 versus New England at American Legion Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. EST.

Josh Shetler. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Josh Shetler recaps competing in Collegiate Rugby Shield ahead of MLR draft

Tennessee’s Josh Shetler recaps competing in the Collegiate Rugby Shield ahead of the 2023 MLR draft.

The Collegiate Rugby Shield took place July 13 at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman, Utah.

The Collegiate Rugby Shield is an annual postseason international college rugby competition, providing collegiate players an opportunity to showcase skills for coaches and scouts ahead of the Major League Rugby draft.

The 2023 MLR draft is slated for Aug. 17 at 6:30 p.m. EDT and will be televised by FS2.

Tennessee’s Josh Shetler took part in the Collegiate Rugby Shield ahead of the draft. Shetler discussed his experience with Vols Wire.

“The honor of being one of the 50 invited is a dream and goal accomplished,” Shetler said. “The shield exists to bring the top MLR prospects into a week long camp where they train, test and play against each other. The first day all we did was travel, but you best believe the next morning we went right to work. We started the morning with a bronco test. The bronco is basically a shuttle run at 20,40 and 60 meters, and you do each five times. A good score is under five minutes. Then right after the bronco we split into our team and immediately went to training. We left that evening at 4 p.m. This took place in Herriman, Utah and let me tell you the elevation is up there and breathing is hard, so 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. is a long day already, but adding the elite level of play and the elevation, I was exhausted. I recovered that night and went back at it with the same schedule Tuesday, 10-4, and all we did was train.

“Wednesday looked a little different as this was the day we tested. We tested our 40 meter times and the T drill. After everyone finished that, we had a captain run and then back to the hotel to recover. At this point I was up to four ice baths and my legs were gone. Then there comes Thursday. Thursday was game day. We spent the morning in the city of Herriman shopping and looking at local places. Around 2 p.m. we left and participated in a youth rugby camp for local Utah kids. After that was game time. We played the game and won on the last play, 32-31. The overall experience was one of the best I’ve ever had in the rugby world. Getting to connect with MLR GMs and scouts was something I would have never gotten the opportunities to do if the shield did not exist. I grew as a player and a person from it. Now all eyes are on draft night.”

PHOTOS: Tennessee’s 2022 rugby season

Josh Shetler to compete in Collegiate Rugby Shield

Tennessee’s Josh Shetler to compete in the 2023 Collegiate Rugby Shield.

The Collegiate Rugby Shield is an annual postseason international college rugby competition.

The Collegiate Rugby Shield provides collegiate players an opportunity to showcase skills for coaches and scouts ahead of the Major League Rugby draft.

Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman, Utah will host the Collegiate Rugby Shield on July 13 at 8 p.m. EDT. FS1 will televise the game.

Former Vol Josh Shetler will take part in the 2023 Collegiate Rugby Shield.

The 2023 MLR draft is slated for Aug. 17 at 6:30 p.m. EDT and will be televised by FS2.

The Utah Warriors selected former Vol Greg Janowick with the No. 18 overall pick in the 2022 MLR draft.

PHOTOS: Tennessee’s 2022 rugby season

Josh Shetler earns top wing and fullback honors

Tennessee senior Josh Shetler earns top wing and fullback honors.

Tennessee senior Josh Shetler earned top wing and fullback honors from Goff Rugby Report for the 2022 season.

Shetler served as a co-captain for the Vols in 2022.

2022 top DIAA fall wing/fullback players:

Beau Abbott, Bowling Green
Ibe Akar, UMass Amherst
Andre Busnneault, Stony Brook
Juliano Chesnick, Bowling Green
Rowan Collins, Iowa State
Wes Cummings, Iowa State
David Do, Cincinnati
Brondon Eng, Virginia Tech
Hayden Friedrichsen, Iowa
Elisha Garcia, Texas State
Kyle Goodwin, Citadel
Chase Hanak, Pittsburgh
Josh Jones, IUPUI
Ian Kelly, LSU
Matt Kelly, St. Joseph’s
Cael Kuhn, Kansas
Aiden Lewis, Utah Valley
Pat Massman, Boston College
Aidan McMullan, St. Joseph’s
Patrick McMahon, Boston College
Tate Nelson, Oregon
Chima Okoro, Columbia University
Col Rinklin, Clemson
Will Richey, Virginia Tech
Jackson Schemmel, Kansas
Josh Shetler, Tennessee
Cam Smith, Lander
Gabe Spees, Western Michigan
Adam Strong, Kansas State
Aidan Stretch, Yale University
Etienne Tenie, Sam Houston State
Chase Travis, Alabama
Papi Young, Belmont Abbey

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Vols earn conference awards for 2022 championship season

Tennessee players and coaches earn conference awards for the 2022 championship season.

Tennessee concluded its 2022 rugby season Nov. 19.

Virginia Tech defeated Tennessee, 38-34, in the quarterfinals of the Collegiate Rugby Championship at Tennessee Rugby Park.

Virginia Tech won the national championship, defeating Louisville, 24-22, in the title game.

The Vols were seeking back-to-back national championships. Tennessee won the national title in 2021.

Tennessee won its third consecutive SCRC championship in 2022, defeating South Carolina, 27-22, on Nov. 12.

Tennessee’s 2022 rugby schedule

  • Sept. 10 versus Ohio State (L, 12-10)
  • Oct. 1 at Kennesaw State (W, 67-0)
  • Oct. 7 at LSU (W, 51-0)
  • Oct. 14 versus Alabama (W, 34-7)
  • Oct. 29 versus South Carolina (W, 27-12)
  • Nov. 5 versus Georgia (W, 39-19)
  • Nov. 12 versus South Carolina (W, 27-22)*
  • Nov. 19 verus Virginia Tech (L, 38-34)#

*SCRC championship game
#Collegiate Rugby Championship quarterfinals

PHOTOS: Tennessee’s 2022 rugby season

Following the season, the SCRC announced awards for the 2022 campaign. SCRC awards for Tennessee student-athletes and coaches are listed below.

SCRC championship: Vols set for top 10 matchup versus South Carolina

SCRC championship: Vols set for top 10 matchup versus South Carolina

No. 2 Tennessee will play No. 10 South Carolina Saturday for the SCRC championship.

Rankings reflect National Collegiate Rugby.

Kickoff between the Vols and Gamecocks is slated for 2 p.m. EST at National Athletic Village Field at the Pier in Seneca, South Carolina.

The Vols defeated South Carolina, 27-12, Oct. 29 at Tennessee Rugby Park.

“South Carolina was our biggest game of the year yet,” Tennessee co-captain Josh Shetler told Vols Wire after UT defeated the Gamecocks. “A generational rivalry that dates back years. Matching up with them was key. We worked hard all week to have a heavy defensive game plan this weekend. I think we did just that and more. We capitalized every chance we got and fired on all aspects. With nine freshmen taking the field, we showed that the SCRC championship has to come through Knoxville.

“Still some work to do to clean things up and play at the level we prefer, but we’re hard at work this week to take it to Georgia on Saturday. Playoffs are just around the corner and we can’t wait to go far. Again, this is Tennessee rugby and we expect to be in this position every year.”

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Josh Shetler recaps Vols’ top-five win versus South Carolina

Josh Shetler recaps Tennessee’s top-five win versus South Carolina.

No. 3 Tennessee defeated No. 5 South Carolina, 27-12, Saturday at Tennessee Rugby Park.

The Vols remain undefeated in Southeastern Collegiate Rugby Conference play.

Tennessee co-captain Josh Shetler recapped the win with Vols Wire.

“South Carolina was our biggest game of the year yet,” Shetler said. “A generational rivalry that dates back years. Matching up with them was key. We worked hard all week to have a heavy defensive game plan this weekend. I think we did just that and more. We capitalized every chance we got and fired on all aspects. With nine freshmen taking the field, we showed that the SCRC championship has to come through Knoxville.

“Still some work to do to clean things up and play at the level we prefer, but we’re hard at work this week to take it to Georgia on Saturday. Playoffs are just around the corner and we can’t wait to go far. Again, this is Tennessee rugby and we expect to be in this position every year.”

Kickoff between the Vols and Georgia in a regular season finale is slated for 1 p.m. EDT at Tennessee Rugby Park Nov. 5.

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Vols defeat Alabama: ‘Our intensity out matched them, beat them physically’

Josh Shetler recaps Tennessee’s 34-7 win against Alabama: “We got things going early and never took our foot off the gas.”

Tennessee defeated Alabama, 34-7, in rugby Friday.

Following Tennessee’s win versus Alabama, Vols’ co-captain Josh Shetler recapped the team’s performance.

“We knew coming in it was going to be a battle,” Shetler told Vols Wire. “Alabama versus Tennessee is always a battle, but this year felt a little more aggressive. We got things going early and never took our foot off the gas. Our intensity out matched them and we beat them physically everywhere on the field. Our discipline got weak a couple of times, but we’re going to use it as our motivator to get better.

“Excited to be 3-0 in conference play and look forward to South Carolina, who is also undefeated in conference play, coming to town in two weeks for a fight for first place.”

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Josh Shetler recaps Tennessee’s 51-0 win at LSU: ‘Our effort, discipline was unmatched’

Josh Shetler recaps Tennessee’s 51-0 rugby win at LSU: ‘Our effort, discipline was unmatched’

Tennessee (2-1) defeated LSU, 51-0, Friday in rugby.

Following Tennessee’s win at LSU, Vols’ co-captain Josh Shetler recapped the team’s performance.

“We made the trip down to LSU on Thursday stopping in Hattiesburg, Mississippi,” Shetler told Vols Wire. “We drove the rest of the way Friday stopping for a team lunch in Baton Rouge.

“Our B-side played first and showed up big with a 40-19 win getting the night started. We kicked off at 6:00 p.m. CDT and immediately put the pressure on the Tigers. Our effort and discipline throughout the entire game was unmatched from the team we were against Ohio State. This win was great strides in our destination of playoffs. 2-0 in the conference with a 128-12 point difference. This is Tennessee rugby.”

Below are highlight’s from Tennessee’s win at LSU.