Army West Point Athletics
Men’s Rugby George Engels Nominated for Rudy Scholz Award
March 25, 2026 | Men's Rugby
WEST POINT, N.Y. – Army West Point men's rugby player George Engels has been nominated for the 2026 Rudy Scholz Award, presented annually by the Washington Athletic Club to the top men's collegiate rugby player in the country.
Engels is one of 16 players nationally up for the accolade. A public vote beginning March 30 will trim the list down to a group of finalists, before a winner is determined in April. The Washington Athletic Club in Seattle, Wash. will celebrate the recipient in June 13.
The senior lock from Westport, Conn. has three tries on the season and has led the Black Knights to a 9-3 regular season record. Army won the Cannon Cup in its final regular season fixture with a 45-31 win over Canadian rival Guelph.
Army most recently had a Rudy Scholz Award winner, in 2022 with Larry Williams. The Blak Knights won that D1A national title that season.
2026 Rudy Scholz Award Nominees
Matteo Berenger, Arizona
Aaron Van Dyke, Arkansas State
George Engels, Army
Marco Lapierre, Brown
Rand Santos, California
Solomon Williams, California
Coby Baker, Cal Poly
Logan Ballinger, Life
Jack McAllister, Lindenwood
Hayden McKay, Mount St. Mary's
Andrew Baublitz, Navy
Roanin Krieger, Navy
Kieran Downs, San Diego
Dom Besag, Saint Mary's
Sosaia Pongi, Saint Mary's
Manu Taula, St. Bonaventure
Rudy Scholz Award Winners
2016: Dylan Audasley, Saint Mary's
2017: Bryce Campbell, Indiana
2018: Conor McNerney, Navy
2019: Harley Wheeler, Life
2020: Payton Telea-Ilalio, Saint Mary's
2021: Emmanuel Albert
2022: Larry Williams, Army
2023: Lewis Gray, Navy
2024: Wyatt Parry, BYU
2025: Oscar Treacy, Central Washington
Follow the Black Knights
Follow Army Men's Rugby on X @ArmyWP_MRugby and on Instagram @armywp_rugby. Fans can also like Army West Point Athletics on Facebook and learn more about men's rugby and other programs at goarmywestpoint.com.
Engels is one of 16 players nationally up for the accolade. A public vote beginning March 30 will trim the list down to a group of finalists, before a winner is determined in April. The Washington Athletic Club in Seattle, Wash. will celebrate the recipient in June 13.
The senior lock from Westport, Conn. has three tries on the season and has led the Black Knights to a 9-3 regular season record. Army won the Cannon Cup in its final regular season fixture with a 45-31 win over Canadian rival Guelph.
Army most recently had a Rudy Scholz Award winner, in 2022 with Larry Williams. The Blak Knights won that D1A national title that season.
2026 Rudy Scholz Award Nominees
Matteo Berenger, Arizona
Aaron Van Dyke, Arkansas State
George Engels, Army
Marco Lapierre, Brown
Rand Santos, California
Solomon Williams, California
Coby Baker, Cal Poly
Logan Ballinger, Life
Jack McAllister, Lindenwood
Hayden McKay, Mount St. Mary's
Andrew Baublitz, Navy
Roanin Krieger, Navy
Kieran Downs, San Diego
Dom Besag, Saint Mary's
Sosaia Pongi, Saint Mary's
Manu Taula, St. Bonaventure
Rudy Scholz Award Winners
2016: Dylan Audasley, Saint Mary's
2017: Bryce Campbell, Indiana
2018: Conor McNerney, Navy
2019: Harley Wheeler, Life
2020: Payton Telea-Ilalio, Saint Mary's
2021: Emmanuel Albert
2022: Larry Williams, Army
2023: Lewis Gray, Navy
2024: Wyatt Parry, BYU
2025: Oscar Treacy, Central Washington
Follow the Black Knights
Follow Army Men's Rugby on X @ArmyWP_MRugby and on Instagram @armywp_rugby. Fans can also like Army West Point Athletics on Facebook and learn more about men's rugby and other programs at goarmywestpoint.com.
Players Mentioned
Lock
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