NORTHFIELD, Vt. - For the eighth consecutive season, the Norwich University men's rugby team will head to the national stage as they prepare to compete in the 2026 Collegiate Rugby Championship (CRC) Men's Division II Cup.

The Cadets earned the No. 8 seed in the East Region and will open tournament play on Friday, Apr. 24, at 9:00 a.m. against No. 1-seeded and reigning national champions University of North Carolina Wilmington.  The tournament will take place at the Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds, Md., with all matches streamed live on NCR TV.

The Cadets enter the national tournament after another strong spring 7s campaign, continuing a run of national consistency that has become one of the defining standards of the program.  This year's CRC appearance marks Norwich's eighth straight trip to the national stage and the final national tournament appearance for longtime head coach Bob Weggler before his retirement.

The Cadets opened the spring with an international test at the Royal Military College 7s Tournament in Kingston, Ontario, where Norwich gained valuable early-season experience and closed the weekend with a decisive victory over Saint Lawrence College.  From there, the Cadets continued to build momentum across the remainder of the spring, posting a 4-1 finish and third-place showing at the Liberty 7s Tournament in Albany while outscoring opponents 135-43 and producing 20 total tries.

Norwich followed with another runner-up finish at its home Chris Munn Rugby 7s Tournament, defeating Boston University, Albany, and Middlebury College before falling to the University of Vermont in sudden-death overtime in the championship match.  The Cadets then turned in perhaps their sharpest all-around weekend at the Lt. Scott F. Milley Memorial 7s Tournament, opening with back-to-back shutout victories over Bates College and Vermont's B-side before defeating host New Hampshire in sudden-death overtime to reach the Cup Final.

Across those four tournaments, Norwich consistently proved capable of competing deep into the bracket. The Cadets finished third at Liberty, second at the Chris Munn 7s, and second again at UNH, with each of their last three losses on U.S. soil coming against the eventual tournament champion.

That body of work helped position Norwich for another bid into the CRC field, where 16 teams from across the country will compete for the Men's Division II Cup championship.  This year's bracket includes Albany, Coastal Carolina, Colorado Mesa, Drexel, Georgetown, Grand Valley State, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Memphis, Miami (Ohio), Montana State, Northern Iowa, Northwestern, Norwich, Towson, UNC Wilmington, and Vermont.

Norwich opens against perhaps the tallest possible challenge in the bracket. UNC Wilmington enters as the East Region's top seed and the defending CRC Men's Division II Cup champion, having defeated Montana State, 24-12, in last year's national final.  The Seahawks have established themselves as one of the premier 7s programs in the country, and Friday's opener will provide an immediate measuring-stick matchup for the Cadets.

Should Norwich advance, the Cadets will face the winner of Albany and Georgetown at 1:20 p.m. on Friday.  If the Cadets fall in the opener, they will continue tournament play in the consolation bracket and meet the loser of Albany and Georgetown at 12:00 p.m.  The tournament structure ensures each team continues through the weekend, with placement matches helping determine the final national standings.

Norwich is no stranger to making noise on this stage.  The Cadets reached the quarterfinal round in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2024, and 2025, while also putting together a third-place national finish in 2023.  Last spring, Norwich posted a 2-2 record at the CRC, defeating Memphis and Northwestern before falling to Colorado Mesa and Indiana University of Pennsylvania to finish sixth overall in the Men's Division II Cup.

That sustained success has helped cement Norwich as a regular national contender in 7s play, and this year's group will look to add another strong chapter to that history.  While the Cadets feature a young roster, they have continued to grow throughout the spring through a demanding schedule and repeated exposure to high-level competition.

"The boys are looking forward to the high level of competition that the CRC 7s Nationals will provide," said Weggler.  "I am so proud of this young 7s group and what they have accomplished thus far.  The plan is to continue to develop our 7s skills and discipline of play."

With another national appearance secured, a challenging opening draw awaiting, and one final postseason journey ahead for their longtime head coach, the Cadets will once again take the field with a chance to prove themselves among the nation's best.