Three Lynx named USA rugby All-Americans

Lindenwood University-Belleville freshmen Alex Quinn and Benjamin Martin and sophomore Jacob Gilliam have earned All-American honors.

All three members of the Lynx were named Division II 7s All Americans by USA Rugby, the sport's national governing body. 2016 marks the first year USA Rugby has named Division II All Americans, and only 16 players received the accolade.

The Lynx enjoyed a successful inaugural 7s season this spring, amassing a 24-14-1 record through seven tournaments against mixed Division I and Division II competition. It culminated with a semifinal berth at the national championship tournament.

Gilliam, who came to LU-Belleville as a transfer from Kansas State, led the team in tries, crossing the whitewash 23 times, including five times at Nationals.

Martin, a freshman from England, was second in tries with 22. The primary conversion kicker, Martin led the team in points with 134.

Quinn, a high school teammate of Gilliam, scored 13 times on the season. But he was most renowned for his defensive work, turning over possession and putting in countless tackles.

These honors put the icing on an impressive inaugural run for the rugby program at LU-Belleville.

It started with a fall 15s season in which the Lynx went 11-2 and reached the national quarterfinals, losing only to the two teams who competed in the National Championship game, and it continued with a top-four finish in 7s and three players being named All Americans in their first year in a first-year program.

This story was originally published July 12, 2016 at 9:22 PM with the headline "Three Lynx named USA rugby All-Americans."