OHIO CITY, OH - Team USA selections continue for the Saint Ignatius Rugby program. Mark French '25 has been selected for the U19 squad traveling to Mexico in July. French became one of three Wildcats chosen to join a Team USA roster.

"The Ohio State rugby coach and the Walsh rugby coach recommended me for the team and put me in touch with Team USA. At first, I didn't know much about this team because it is new," French explains. "In previous years, the US has done a U20 team, but there isn't a tournament for that team this year. There will be a tournament next year, so this team is looking to build toward that tournament and bring a tight group."

French is no stranger to international rugby. He was a member of two international tours during his time playing for the Wildcats, seeing time on the pitch in Argentina and Spain.  

"Playing rugby internationally has been very beneficial. All of the teams we will play in July are national teams from different countries, and I learned that the game flows differently in different countries," says French. "South American countries like Argentina love to kick the ball and use their feet as tools. We play Mexico, and they will likely use their feet a lot, just like Argentina. Also, these Spanish and Argentine teams feature well-conditioned players. It is a rapid game."

In 2022, French's freshman season, the Wildcats would win their first National Championship, creating a new standard for the rugby program. French would use his freshman and sophomore years to craft his game and prepare to be on the A-side for Varsity Gold. 

"I'm excited for Mark. He is a fantastic scrum half and will play with a great group of guys with the U19 team in Mexico," explains Head Rugby Coach Dan Arbeznik '00. "Mark has had a lot of opportunities to play abroad during his four years at Saint Ignatius. He was in Argentina in 2024 and in Spain in 2025."

French came on to the scene for the Wildcats in his junior year, earning a starting role. He was part of the State Championship team that finished as National Champion Runners-Up. In his senior year, French was an integral part of the team that saw the Wildcats win an eighth straight State Title and the program's second National Title. 

"As a sophomore, I had great seniors to look up to, and they helped me learn the game and solidify my spot on varsity. I started to love watching the game and wanted to learn as much as possible about it. Luckily, I had some amazing coaches, and they are a big reason I made this U19 team," notes French. "My teammates have pushed me every single practice throughout the years, and as I got older and moved into leadership roles within the team, I wanted to make my teammates to be better."

French began looking for more opportunities to carry the ball, opening the field for the Wildcats. By his senior year, French added another asset to his game that made him essential, becoming exceptional in his kicking game. 

"French is the consummate captain. He's cool under pressure and makes excellent decisions," Arbeznik notes. "He's a terrific athlete and is super shifty. It'll be fun to see how he performs in a tournament such as this."

French will travel to Queretaro, Mexico, for a Round-Robin tournament. The matches will begin July 9 and run through July 12. Team USA will play teams that feature some of the best talent from Trinidad, Bermuda, Mexico, Jamaica, Tobago, and the Cayman Islands. 

"I'm most excited about playing with some of the best players in the country. I'm hoping that they will push me to get better and I can learn from them," explains French. "Also, playing with some of these guys I've dreaded playing against will be fun."

French completed his varsity career, starting in over 40 matches for the Wildcats. He was an ironman for the Wildcats in 2025. "This team had a special bond on and off the field that was extraordinary from any team I have played on. I want to say that we were friends who happened to play rugby rather than just a rugby team," says French. "We held each other to the standard of being National Champs all year. Even when we had good games, we knew they wouldn't be enough, and there were always things we could learn from our performances. All 15 guys on the field were willing to go to war for their teammates. This was the favorite team I have ever played on, and I am extremely honored to play with the guys on this team this year."