Mira Costa High School Rugby

THANK YOU North End Cafe FOR SPONSORING COSTA RUGBY!

We will continue to support you throughout these difficult times for local restaurants.

Try the El Porto Po Boy and the Fuego Burger!

Open til 10pm! northendmb.com

*Mira Costa Rugby Supports "National Take-Out Dinner Day" w/ Beloved Sponsor*

Coach Duke brought home incredible Mexican food from one of our favorite sponsors!

The great people at El Gr**go Manhattan's generosity keeps our boys and girls equipment sharp. We thank them for their continued sponsorship during these hard times for local businesses and families.

Next time you consider having dinner at home, don't forget the best Mexican food in town!

***Costa Ruggers Fall To San Clemente On Senior Night***

February 12:

The Mira Costa Ruggers were back home following their 14-38 loss at La Costa Canyon to take on the 2nd Place San Clemente Tritons. The Tritons had few issues dealing with the Mustangs as they handed Costa a 15-50 loss. The Mira Costa scoring was limited to a 23 meter penalty kick by Fly-half Giuseppe Meola early in the first half which ended 3-29. The Triton maintained possession for much of the first half forcing the Mus­tangs to play defense for the vast majority of the half. The Costa boys displayed great fortitude in battling the much bigger Tritons. It has been the issue for the Mustangs all years as they have been basically playing the varsity football teams from each of their opponents while the Mustangs have not one Junior or Senior football­er on their side. It makes for a massive disadvantage for Costa not to mention a great sport that the Costa foot­ballers are missing.

However, to show their herculean effort, the Mustangs fought extremely hard in the second half as they gained possession numerous times and pressed the matter to San Clemente. Captian Scrum-half Christian Hunter took a ball blindside off a 5 meter scrum to find pay dirt. Meola converted. Not long after it was Meola himself who found a gap in the Triton defense as he darted into the Try Zone.

The Mustangs boys are full of fight and despite another lopsided loss they nevertheless battled all night long. Despite the long odds they fought to the final whistle.

However, the night did belong to the Seniors as they were honored by their teammates. Backs Captain Sean Cascadden who will be moving on to the Naval Academy to become a Marine,; Prop Noah Im one of the most physical Mustangs; Number 8 John Darcy who struggled his 3 previous years to find a spot in the lineup only to become a huge force in the Forward Pack; Tony Cascadden who has Captained the JV 7s side to many wins and who is headed to the Coast Guard; and Forward Matt Vensel who unfortunately suffered an ankle injury in the off-season were all honored. They have contributed so much to the Costa Rugby program and we appreciate their hard work and dedication to our Family. Well done Boys!

We are tremendously heartbroken for the loss of Mira Costa Rubgy's friend, Erik Fleming. He was a great leader of the LA Royals Rugby Club and very often participated in MCHS touch events.

"What an outstanding man he was to his family and community. There aren't many people like him in this world. The entire Mira Costa High School and Rugby Community across the country shares the Fleming family's pain."
-Coach Duke Dulgarian

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Erik Smith Fleming

5/ 29/1980 - 1/1/ 2020

Erik Smith Fleming, age 39, passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 1, 2020. Erik was born on May 29, 1980, in Washington, D.C. to Dolores Caffey Fleming and Arthur Fleming, M.D. After moving to California when he was three, Erik attended Rolling Hills Country Day School. Erik graduated from high school at Choate Rosemary Hall and received his undergraduate degree from Brown University. Erik received his Ph.D. in Public Health from Walden University in 2014. Erik met the love of his life, Starr Plummer, in 2010. They married in 2014 and welcomed their son, Erik Smith Fleming, Jr. (EJ) on March 10, 2017. Erik was an outstanding athlete in grade school, high school, and at Brown where he ran track and played Rugby.

As an adult, Erik competed on the LA Rugby Team and the USA Touch Rugby Team. Erik started his career at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science where he was a Systems Analyst and Assistant Professor at his passing. His research focused on technology for disease management and prevention in underserved communities. Erik received national awards for his professional achievements. After Erik’s diagnosis in the fall of 2017, he wrote that stage 4 appendix cancer "renewed my appreciation of how blessed I truly am" and he encouraged others to "appreciate each day for the blessing it is." Erik is survived by his wife, Starr (Plummer) Fleming, son, Erik Smith Fleming, Jr., and parents Dolores Caffey- Fleming and Arthur Fleming, M.D. He is also survived by loving relatives Aunt, Joann Caffey McDowell, Uncles Smith and Stanley Fleming, D.D.S., the Gacitua family, Anthony Spratling (Gloria), Arthur Fleming, Jr. (Cathy), Jon Eric Fleming, Mark Fleming, D.O., Robert Fleming, Robyn Fleming and Bernadette Fleming. In lieu of flowers,

Please consider a donation to the Erik S. Fleming, Jr. Educational Fund via https://www.gofundme. com/f/educational-fund-for-erik-fleming-junior.

*Costa Girls Open 2020 with a Sweep at Lakewood!*

MCHS 10

Warren HS (A) 5



MCHS 15

Lakewood HS 5



MCHS 15

California HS 5



MCHS 15

Warren HS (B) 5

Thanks Goff!

Mira Costa Shocks St John Bosco The Mira Costa Mustangs pulled off a shocker Saturday, beating defending SCIRF champs St. John Bosco 34-31. Bosco won the 2019 final in the Southern California Interscholastic Rugby Federation, and this winter the school won the California Open Division state football championship. Meanwhile, a very...

*Costa Rugby Shocks the World! Defeats Defending Champion St. John Bosco*

FINAL 34-31

GAME WRAP UP:
The Mira Costa Mustangs took on the defending SoCal Champs from St. John Bosco in their home opener. The Costa boys were facing an extremely physically imposing Braves side, easily outweighing the Mus­tang by 100 lbs. on average. These guys just finished winning the HS football national championship.

Costa got on the board early with a 31 meter penalty kick from Fly-half Giuseppe Meola. The Braves answered by driving the ball down the pitch for a Try making it 3-7 Meola hit another penalty kick from 27. A few minutes later Bosco was called for a penalty. Captain & Scrum-half Christian Hunter found the Braves sleeping & raced 63 meters for a Try. Meola converted. 13-7 at the half.

Costa immediately gave back the lead as the 2nd half started. Bosco powered for a Try and not long af­ter that the Braves scored again to go up 13-21. It looked as if the Bruisers from Bellflower were about to run away with it. However Hunter would not allow it as he again alertly used a penalty to score from 7 meters; Me­ola converted 20-21. Bosco again responded with two more scores making it 20-31 and not a very rosy picture for the Mustangs. But the Costa boys refused to quit. They drove the ball deep into the Braves zone. Hunter took the ball on the weak side of a scrum and found Freshman Flanker Taveed Tamarin as he scored from 8 meters; Meola converted 27-31. Not long after that the Costa boys again drove deep into the Braves half. Fit­tingly, the final Try came from Hunter off a penalty; Meola converted. 34-31. However, there was still 6 minutes to play and the completely outsized Mustangs played some timely defense to secure the victory.

The win evens the Costa record to 1 &1 but more importantly was a huge step forward for the Mustangs!

*Alumni Come Home for Annual Touch Tournament with Students and Coaches*

In life, there is family by blood and family by choice. We at Mira Costa Rugby consider all of our players old and young to be part of our family forever.

"We are so proud of our boys and girls and what they have accomplished over the years. It's a great joy to welcome them back home. We Ride!" - Coach Duke Dulgarian

Mira Costa Featured in LA Invitational!

“We love the fact that it’s going to be right there with the International Tournament, so our players can play 7s and then go see the US, South Africa, New Zealand,” said Mira Costa HS Head Coach Duke Dulgarian.

LAI Exposes Players To Rugby Community And Rugby Stars The LA 7s World Series tournament has an invitational surrounding it which has over two-dozen brackets, one that gives players an exciting playing experience and while also exposing them to some of the top rugby athletes around the world. Teams will play February 28 at the Orange County Great Park i...

Moms and Dads! Bring your boys and girls tomorrow!
AGES 5-14!

Costa Rugby Coaching Staff Grows!

The Mira Costa Rugby Program is proud to announce the ad­dition of Cameron Chow to the Coaching Staff. Coach Chow’s positive coaching style with his emphasis of accountability will be a great fit for the Costa Ruggers as he takes on his role of Player De­velopment.

The Costa Rugby family is excited to have Coach Chow on board!

***On The Calendar***

November 11 - Little Rugger’s Day Camp

Season starts mid-November!

This is what you strive for in rugby, classy in defeat, magnanimous in victory.

Canadian rugby player visits opponent locker room to apologize for illegal hit - Article - BARDOWN Canadian rugby player visits opponent locker room to apologize for illegal hit BarDown Staff Must See: Larsen apologizes to Springboks for red card VIDEO SIGN OUT During Canada’s game against South Africa at the Rugby World Cup, lock Josh Larsen was ejected after being given a red card for an ille...