Westlake's Justin "JB" Brown selected as US High School All-American
USA Rugby High School All Americans Stars and Stripes Inaugural Team 2013
USA Rugby High School All-American, Justin Brown, playing for the Stripes who defeated the Stars at the Inaugural Stars and Stripes Match in Colorado.
Westlake High School junior, Justin “JB” Brown, has been named a USA Rugby High School All American. Only 50 of the top boy’s high school rugby players across the United States were selected by USA Rugby selectors at State and All Star Tournaments to train in Colorado and compete in the inaugural Stars and Stripes Game on July 13th at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, CO. USA Rugby’s High School All-American Stars and Stripes Game is the first step in the elite player development program.
Brown has been a member of the Westlake High School Rugby Club for four years. He began playing in 8th grade and quickly fell in love with the sport. Brown says, “Rugby is by far the best sport I have ever played. I started playing rugby in 8th grade after watching my older brother, Paul, play for Westlake's first rugby team. The camaraderie their team shared got me hooked. I was allowed to start playing as an 8th grader and was taken in by this amazing high school team that treated me as an equal and took me in to the rugby brotherhood. I was able to play with my brother when he was a senior and I went to Nationals in Utah with the team. It was an amazing experience and I have loved rugby ever since.”
Brown started playing the position of scrum half as a freshman when Coach Aaron Cahoon recognized his natural ability at this position. Cahoon says of Brown, “JB is the epitome of the attacking scrum half. Quick, strong, and fearless, Justin has a hunger for the game that a player must have to reach the elite level. His love for the game is evident in the way he practices and plays.” By sophomore year, Brown was playing as Varsity scrum half and was chosen by Rugby Texas Coaches as the Most Valuable Player- Backs. Brown was the Captain of the Westlake High school Varsity Team this year and was again chosen MVP-Backs by Rugby Texas. Brown has also been selected the past three years to play on the Rugby Texas High Performance Select Team. He was captain of the HP JV team in 2012 and Captain of the HP Varsity team in 2013. He traveled to Aurora Colorado the past three years with this team and played in the Rocky Mountain Rugby Challenge Tournament against teams from across the United States. Justin gives significant credit for his success to Backs Coach Cahoon who also played Scrumhalf in his rugby career. Brown says, “Coach Cahoon has taught me the skills I need to develop as a scrumhalf and a top player. He has been my mentor the past four years and I have learned a lot about rugby and life from him.” Westlake Rugby Head Coach, Jason Spodick, has also been instrumental in Brown’s development. “Coach Spodick was my football coach at Westridge MS and I have developed a great relationship with him. He has helped me become a leader on our team,” says Brown.
Brown is excited about the opportunity to attend the USA camp and play with the top high school players. Brown enthuses, “Rugby is more than just a high school team. Rugby is a sport for life. Anywhere I go in the world, I can find a network of ruggers that would take me in and give me opportunities. It is unlike any other sport out there. The coaches are unbelievable and they respect their players and want to instill a love of rugby beyond high school. Once a rugger, always a rugger.”
Brown has been a member of the Westlake High School Rugby Club for four years. He began playing in 8th grade and quickly fell in love with the sport. Brown says, “Rugby is by far the best sport I have ever played. I started playing rugby in 8th grade after watching my older brother, Paul, play for Westlake's first rugby team. The camaraderie their team shared got me hooked. I was allowed to start playing as an 8th grader and was taken in by this amazing high school team that treated me as an equal and took me in to the rugby brotherhood. I was able to play with my brother when he was a senior and I went to Nationals in Utah with the team. It was an amazing experience and I have loved rugby ever since.”
Brown started playing the position of scrum half as a freshman when Coach Aaron Cahoon recognized his natural ability at this position. Cahoon says of Brown, “JB is the epitome of the attacking scrum half. Quick, strong, and fearless, Justin has a hunger for the game that a player must have to reach the elite level. His love for the game is evident in the way he practices and plays.” By sophomore year, Brown was playing as Varsity scrum half and was chosen by Rugby Texas Coaches as the Most Valuable Player- Backs. Brown was the Captain of the Westlake High school Varsity Team this year and was again chosen MVP-Backs by Rugby Texas. Brown has also been selected the past three years to play on the Rugby Texas High Performance Select Team. He was captain of the HP JV team in 2012 and Captain of the HP Varsity team in 2013. He traveled to Aurora Colorado the past three years with this team and played in the Rocky Mountain Rugby Challenge Tournament against teams from across the United States. Justin gives significant credit for his success to Backs Coach Cahoon who also played Scrumhalf in his rugby career. Brown says, “Coach Cahoon has taught me the skills I need to develop as a scrumhalf and a top player. He has been my mentor the past four years and I have learned a lot about rugby and life from him.” Westlake Rugby Head Coach, Jason Spodick, has also been instrumental in Brown’s development. “Coach Spodick was my football coach at Westridge MS and I have developed a great relationship with him. He has helped me become a leader on our team,” says Brown.
Brown is excited about the opportunity to attend the USA camp and play with the top high school players. Brown enthuses, “Rugby is more than just a high school team. Rugby is a sport for life. Anywhere I go in the world, I can find a network of ruggers that would take me in and give me opportunities. It is unlike any other sport out there. The coaches are unbelievable and they respect their players and want to instill a love of rugby beyond high school. Once a rugger, always a rugger.”
Six Westlake Ruggers Selected for the 2013 Texas HP Team
Brian Keeney-Justin Brown-Anthony Patino-Josh Latham
Congratulations Westlake Ruggers Justin Brown, Brian Keeney, Josh Latham, and Anthony Patino for being selected by Rugby Texas High Performance to play on their Varsity Select SideTeam. And to Bobby Butchofsky and Jack Lynn for their selection on the JV Team!! The six Westlake ruggers were selected for the Rugby Texas State High Performance Team 2013 after a series of tryouts in the Spring. They traveled to Denver, Colorado with the HP team and played in the 13th Annual Rocky Mountain Challenge June 15th-16th. These ruggers gained invaluable rugby experience and played teams from across the U.S.
Justin Brown represented the Varsity Side as Team Captain and was awarded Man of the Match for his play against Nebraska. Bobby Butchofsky was awarded Man of the Match for his play against Heart of America JV and was awarded JV All Tournament Team.
Justin Brown represented the Varsity Side as Team Captain and was awarded Man of the Match for his play against Nebraska. Bobby Butchofsky was awarded Man of the Match for his play against Heart of America JV and was awarded JV All Tournament Team.