Leading the Pack: Meet the 2025–2026 Husky Rugby Captains

As the 2025–2026 season begins, four standout players have been named captains of the Husky Rugby men's team — Vaea Tangitau, Josef “Pepi” Dostal, Sebastian Sosa, and Owen Prentice. Each brings a unique journey, skillset, and leadership style to the program, united by one mission: to elevate Husky Rugby to championship form.

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‍Vaea Tangitau

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‍From Las Vegas to Seattle, Vaea’s rugby journey has been one of transformation. Originally working as a caddy in high school, his golf club awarded him a full-ride scholarship to the university of his choice — and Husky Rugby is lucky he chose the purple and gold. Having played just a few months of rugby before arriving, Vaea has since become a dominant force on the field and a quiet yet powerful leader off it. His growth from newcomer to All-American and D1AA National Player of the Week reflects his relentless drive.

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“Husky Rugby has done great things for me and my life, but the main one is it’s shown me how to be a man and to lead,” Vaea says. “I have high expectations as most of our starting side are seniors so this is our year to win the conference and show everyone how far we’ve come these past four years.”

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‍Owen Prentice

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‍Owen’s story is one of rediscovery. A former UW football player, Owen left the program his junior year before finding his way back to rugby through Sunday touch games — and a bit of friendly persistence from Coach Wheaton. One of his old Eastside Lions teammates, Styles Siva Tu'ua, also joined the club after leaving Husky football. Less than a year after joining, Owen’s leadership, presence, and commitment to the team earned him the captain’s title.

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“Husky Rugby has given me a team and a brotherhood that I’d been missing,” Owen says. “My expectation is that we’ll be competing for the league title this year — and for years to come.”

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‍Sebastian Sosa

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‍Sebastian joined rugby as a sophomore and had been a strong soccer player. His dedication to rugby quickly promoted him to undeniable starter, and he's turned the soccer stereotype on it's head by being a fierce tackler and last line of defense at fullback.

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“Joining the Husky Rugby Club my sophomore year has been the best decision made in my college career.” Sebastian shares. “From the brilliant rugby community of teammates, coaches, and role models, to the team's mantra, Be Early. Be Connected. Be Tough., this is the core identity of the club and has influenced how I carry myself through life, both on the rugby pitch and off.”

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‍Josef “Pepi” Dostal

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‍Known for his athleticism and instinct, Pepi joined Husky Rugby after playing flanker in Colorado, but his versatility soon made him a weapon in the backline. He was a fast #8 and always good for a try. Now at outside center, he’s known for his poaches — recording a staggering five steals in one game against Trinity.

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“Husky Rugby has become my second family,” Pepi says. “Aside from the competition that I enjoy, the brotherhood, mentorship, and community of the Club has formed my college experience. I’ve gained friends I can rely on with anything, coaches I can ask any question to, and opportunities I normally would have trouble getting. I’m more than confident that the difference between last year and this year will be black and white. I’m expecting a more professional approach from players in all aspects of the game: staying focused during training, full out effort during games, and unrelenting tenacity to win.”

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‍Building a Legacy

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‍Together, these captains represent what makes Husky Rugby special — resilience, humility, and an unwavering belief in the program’s growth. As they lead the team into a new season, they carry forward a culture of accountability and pride that’s setting the standard for future generations of Dawgs.

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