KINGS POINT, N.Y., February 4, 2025 - Earlier this month, United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) First Class Midshipman Jake Yates competed in the 2025 National Collegiate Rugby (NCR) All Star Tournament in Atlanta, Georgia, as part of the Tri-State Foundry rugby team. The elite team, composed of standout players from colleges across New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut "including Yale, Syracuse, Fordham, and Columbia” was assembled to compete against other all-star squads from across the country.

After a rigorous tryout process, Yates earned a spot on the Tri-State Foundry's Rising Stars (B) Team, training under coaches from Fairfield University, Fordham, the University of Buffalo, and St. Bonaventure. Preparation for the tournament included an intensive all-day training seminar in Fairfield, Connecticut, held despite snowy conditions. "Phones were banned to promote engagement between the team," he recalled. "Practice was tough, but I learned a lot and was tested both mentally and physically."

The tournament was held at Silverbacks Park in Atlanta, where the team faced off against the New England Independents and the Midwest Barbarians. After advancing to the finals in a grueling series of matches, Yates and his teammates played in the Championship game against the Barbarians.

"We played in the main stadium, on live TV, with real commentators and a scoreboard --certainly a luxury,"  he said. The match was a hard-fought battle that went to double overtime before Tri-State Foundry was named the winner. "I was exhausted, but I knew I needed to keep pushing for my team, myself, USMMA, and the trophy," he added.

The win was an incredible experience for Yates, who formed lasting friendships with teammates from across the region while proudly representing USMMA on a national stage.

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