Husky Rugby Scholarship

Originally from Issaquah, Washington, Cauchi is a first-year Mechanical Engineering student with 12 years of rugby experience. The sport has been a lifelong passion, and earning a scholarship was a meaningful recognition of his dedication. While not the deciding factor in choosing UW, it fueled his excitement to join the program. Over the next four years, he hopes to help Husky Rugby become a top collegiate contender while seeing where his continued commitment to the game may take him on and off the field.

From Vancouver, Washington, Reinebach is a freshman at the University of Washington studying International Studies. With nearly a decade of rugby experience, he started playing in 3rd grade thanks to his dad, a former Air Force rugby player who helped launch a youth club in their hometown. Since then, rugby has become a consistent source of community and opportunity in his life. Now playing as an 8-man or flanker, he’s excited to contribute to UW Rugby’s continued growth and hopes the team will rise to compete with top programs over the next four years. While he doesn’t have post-college rugby plans set in stone, he’s open to any opportunities that may come. Receiving a rugby scholarship wasn’t the main reason he chose UW, but it’s been a meaningful validation of his journey and commitment. With UW’s strong academics and athletic culture, he’s confident it will support his development both on the field and in life.

From Camas, Washington, Palomo is a freshman at the University of Washington studying Engineering and participating in Navy ROTC. After switching from lacrosse to rugby at the urging of a friend, he quickly fell in love with the sport’s physicality—and even more with the brotherhood it offered. Now playing prop for UW Rugby, he brings leadership, hard work, and a strong team-first mindset. Receiving a rugby scholarship was a key factor in his decision to attend UW, giving him the confidence that he had real potential at the collegiate level. Looking ahead, he hopes to continue growing with the Husky team while preparing for a future as a Naval officer. Whether through the military or a club team, he plans to keep rugby in his life and sees UW as the place where he’ll be shaped into the man and leader he strives to become.

From Puyallup, Washington, Moeck is a second-year UW student studying Construction Management and Communications. A former football and lacrosse player, he discovered rugby his first week on campus and was instantly hooked. In just a year, he’s made an impact as a flanker and 8-man, valuing the friendships, grit, and personal growth the game brings. Earning a scholarship became a powerful motivator, fueling his drive to help the Huskies rise to the top of the conference. After college, he hopes to continue playing at the club, MLR, or even higher levels—carrying with him the confidence and discipline rugby has instilled.

A freshman, from Tokyo, Japan, Nakatani is studying Applied and Computational Math Sciences. With four years of rugby experience and a background in baseball, he brings both athletic versatility and a strong competitive spirit to the Husky Rugby program. After stepping away from baseball, it was his father—a former rugby player—who introduced him to the game. From the moment he picked up a rugby ball, he was hooked. For him, rugby is about more than just physical toughness; it's about teamwork, grit, and trusting the people next to you on the field. That mindset has helped shape his approach to both sports and academics. While the rugby scholarship wasn’t the deciding factor in choosing UW, receiving it felt like a powerful acknowledgment of his hard work and passion. It added even more motivation and excitement to his journey as a student-athlete. As he embarks on his college career, he hopes to help build strong team chemistry, push his teammates to grow, and compete at the highest level. He’s also open to continuing his rugby path beyond college, potentially with a club team. For now, he's focused on making the most of the opportunities at UW—on the field and in the classroom—and is excited to grow in an environment that supports ambition in both sports and tech.

Xavior Moi Moi started playing rugby in grade school but took a break to play football at O’Dea High School. During his sophomore year, he joined his cousins back on the rugby pitch. He played for Auburn’s Rainier Highlander Rugby Club, where Wheaton saw him playing. “The chief recruiter,” Moi Moi said, got him interested in a scholarship.

J’same Fola started playing rugby at age 10 for the West Seattle Wildcats. Then he went on to the Rainier Highlanders and some select teams before graduating from Federal Way High School. He planned to attend American International College (AIC) in Springfield, MA, but the UW scholarship offer changed his mind. “The scholarship was a big influence,” he said. “I decided to take the deal and commit to UW.”

Michael Bruin started playing rugby with the Lamorinda Rugby Football Club in middle school and continued at Bishop O’Dowd High School. “My Mom was doing college research for me,” Bruin said, “and found the scholarship at the UW. She made me apply for it.” It became his first choice, and the scholarship helped with out-of-state tuition, Bruin said.

Thomas Williams was considering colleges in Australia and the United Kingdom, but discovered online that the UW offered rugby scholarships. Williams also liked the academics of the school and emailed Will Wheaton, the UW Rugby Coach, about his interest. Rugby is THE sport in New Zealand, and Williams has been playing the game since he was six years old. Videos of Williams’ play put him in the running for a scholarship. He’s not the first in his family to come to the U.S.; his older sister is at Princeton.