NORTHFIELD, Vt. - The Norwich University men's rugby team welcomed eight teams from across the tri-state and New England region to Sabine Field at Haynes Family Stadium on Saturday, hosting the annual Chris Munn Rugby 7s Tournament in a day that blended high-level competition, program pride, and meaningful remembrance.

The tournament honors Chris Munn '81, one of two Distinguished Letter winners in the Norwich Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2021.  Munn was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in 2013, and Norwich has hosted the event annually since 2014 to raise awareness for ALS while celebrating his lasting impact on the university and its rugby program.  His legacy also lives on through the Chris Munn Rugby Scholarship, awarded to student-athletes in both the men's and women's programs.  Munn's contributions to Norwich following his graduation, along with his enduring influence on the program, remain deeply ingrained in its storied history.

With one of the largest turnouts in recent memory and near-perfect weather conditions throughout the day, the Cadets capitalized on the home atmosphere.  Norwich fielded both varsity and junior varsity squads, combining to play nine matches and showcasing the program's depth and energy from top to bottom.

The day carried additional significance as it marked Head Coach Bob Weggler's final home tournament at Norwich.  After 25 years at the helm, Weggler's impact was evident throughout the event, as a strong showing from his squad and a tremendous turnout reflected the foundation he has built.

On the field, Norwich's varsity side delivered an impressive run through pool play, going undefeated with victories over Boston University (24-10), the University at Albany (24-0), and Middlebury College (31-5) to advance to the championship matchup against intrastate rival the University of Vermont.

The final proved to be a tightly contested battle, with both sides locked in a scoreless stalemate through the first half.  Just one minute into the second frame, senior captain Jake Peterson (Trumbull, Conn.) broke through to give Norwich a 5-0 edge, with Hubert Lepeu converting the try to extend the advantage.

Vermont responded quickly with a converted try of its own, leveling the score and sending the match into a tense deadlock at the end of regulation.  The contest moved into sudden-death overtime, where the Catamounts ultimately found the breakthrough to secure a 12-7 victory.

Despite the narrow defeat, Norwich received standout contributions throughout the day.  Freshman James Fagley (Vernon, Vt.) led the Cadets with four tries, while Sebastian Yates, Joe Whiteside (Killingworth, Conn.), and Peterson each added two.  Lepeu and Brandon Smith (Charlotte, N.C.) also contributed tries, with Lepeu converting six on the day to pace Norwich's scoring efficiency.

The Cadets displayed resilience across the tournament, responding to challenges with consistent attacking pressure and cohesive defensive play, while continuing to build chemistry within a young and evolving lineup.

All told, Norwich finished the day 3-1 in varsity competition, combining strong individual efforts with collective growth in a performance that reflected both the program's present strength and future potential.

Norwich will look to carry that momentum into its next outing on Saturday, Apr. 11, traveling to Durham, N.H. to compete in the Lt. Scott F. Milley Memorial 7s Tournament, hosted by the University of New Hampshire.