Originating from a deep passion and an enthusiastic spirit for the game of rugby, the Arlington Stallions Rugby Club was born in 2004. The following is a partial timeline including the names of instrumental athletes that helped shape the Arlington Stallions Rugby Club from it’s beginnings through where it stands today.
Stallions alumni achievements in rugby since high school graduation
Dan Bartlett (Hersey HS): 5 years Rugby Illinois U14 Select Side Head Coach
Harry Bergman (Hersey): 3 years Chicago Lions RC
Zach Niro (St. Viator): University of Colorado; team captain
Nick Breitzman (Fremd): University of Iowa; team captain and club president
Kevin Lydon (Conant): Davenport Univ., Chicago Lions, Stallions 7’s Coach (4 state championships)
Spencer Krueger (Hersey): Ohio State Univ.; club president and team captain, 2018 Collegiate All-American
Cody Foss (Conant): Purdue Univ.; team captain
Joe Biagi (Buffalo Grove): University of Wisc/Platteville; team co-captain
John Maevski (Conant): Loras College; club founder and president; Northwest Woodsmen RC
Zack Lingen (Hersey): Davenport University
Jon Toriumi (Buffalo Grove): Univ. Illinois
Jack Carso (Hersey): St. Mary’s (CA), 2017 USA Rugby Collegiate National Champions
Joe Fasolo (Hersey): Louisville Univ. Rookie of the Year
Matt Moroniak (Hersey): Illinois State University
Zack Kaminski (Prospect): Univ. Charleston; team captain
Josh Bojes (Conant): Western Illinois University
Kevin McNulty (St. Viator): Washington Univ. (St. Louis); club president
Tony Lapiana (Fremd): DePaul Univ.
Matt Rivard (Buffalo Grove): Univ. Wisconsin
Bobby Habel (Conant): Loras College; club founder
Dave Woloch (Prospect): Univ. Illinois/Chhicago
Andrew Collins (Hersey): Univ. Dayton; current Stallions HS coach
James Trout (Lake Park): Northern Illinois Univ.; Team Captain and Club President
Ben Hirschmann (Stevenson): University of Colorado
Jack Tuttle (Prospect): University of Colorado
Max Derry (Wheeling): University of Colorado
Willis Goodwin (Rolling Meadows): John Carroll University
Bobby Barratta (Hersey): University of Maryland
2023
Added a girls’ team
2021
High School 7s state runner up
2018
U14 State Championship Runner-Up
High School Seven-a-Side State Champions
2017
High School 15’s Third in State Championship
High School Seven-a-Side State Champions
Spring 2016
For the first time in club history, the HS side went on a week-end road trip to Louisville to jump-start the season. The trip was deemed a rousing success as the sides played well, won two, lost two and all the players that got on the bus on Friday got off the bus on Sunday in Arlington Heights. Despite posting a 4-2 league record with defeats over Morton (2015 state champion) and New Trier (eventual 2016 state champion), the HS side could not get past Mt. Carmel at their home field in the play-offs’ opening round. Five Stallions; Luke Reinhardt, Alex Gountanis (both of Prospect HS), Joe Fasolo, Matt Moroniak (both of Hersey HS) and Assistant Coach Kevin Lydon (Conant HS) were selected to the Tornados tour to South Africa. Both MS and HS Olympic squads placed second in the Rugby Illinois State Championship Tournament, hosted by the Stallions at melas Park in Mt. Prospect.
Spring 2015
Despite a disappointing 2-4 record in league play, the HS side went into the play-offs as the #7 seed against #2 seed, powerful Neuqua Valley Wildcats. In probably the best game our HS side has ever played, they rallied from a 21-5 halftime deficit to score three tries in the last 15 minutes of play for a stunning upset 33-26. Ultimately, the side would take third in the state championship playoffs with a 31-15 defeat of former state champion Brother Rice. The HS Olympic squad, led by Zack Kaminski, Aiden Willimas (both of Prospect HS) and Ben Hirschman (Stevenson HS) win their second consecutive state championship, defeating the South Side Irish Academy 24-12 after an amazing 4 minute defensive stand in front of their own goal line.
Spring 2014
HS side wins Rugby Illinois Tier One East Conference, defeats Morton in the first round of the playoffs and narrowly loses to eventual State champions Waubonsie Chiefs in semi-final match. MS side defeats Naperville for Third Place in State Championship Tournament. HS players Tony Lapiana, Spencer Krueger and Zack Lingen are selected to the Rugby Illinois All-State side (aka the Tornados) for their semi-annual overseas tour to Great Britain. Behind outstanding play from senior Jack Tuttle (Prospect) and freshman Alex Gountanis (Prospect), the HS Olympic (Sevens) side wins the 2014 Rugby Illinois State Championship, defeating Mt. Carmel 44-0 in the championship match. Alumni Jack Carso takes his rugby talents to national collegiate powerhouse St. Mary’s College (CA).
Spring 2013
For the second year in a row, the high school side qualified for the Rugby Illinois Tier One Championship play-offs by defeating Lake Forest and Naperville in the regular season. Stallions Alum Kevin Lydon returned during the summer to coach the Stallions Sevens (Olympic Rugby) in the club’s first endeavor into this style of play. Undoubtedly, the highlight of the season was the Middle School’s Senior side’s defeat of Naperville to win the Rugby Ilinois State Championship. the majority of these players are still with the Stallions, playing in the high school program. High School Alumni Kevin Lydon (Davenport), John Maevski (Loras), Bobby Hable (Loras), Josh Cunningham (Xavier) and Josh Bojes (Western Illinois) all moved on to continue their rugby in college.
July 2012
The Stallions and Davenport University of Grand Rapids, Michigan announce Kevin Lydon as the first Stallions player to be awarded an athletic scholarship to play rugby.
Spring 2012
Competing in their first Tier 1 season in the most competitive division in the state of Illinois, the high school side posts impressive wins against perennial powerhouse clubs St. Charles and Waubonsie Valley. They narrowly lose to former state champion Morton Mustangs and qualify for the post-season playoffs. For the first time, the club fields a full junior varsity side, which goes undefeated until the last week of the season losing an exciting game to eventual state champion Morton. The middle school side once again finishes in 2nd place in the state championship. For the first time, the Stallions field a “MIDI” side of 5th and 6th grade players. Once again, multiple Stallions players earn their way onto the Illinois All-State sides at all levels of selection.
