Evan Prince, a sophomore at Interlake High School, has been selected as a member of the Washington Loggers u-17 All-Star rugby team, which will compete in regional rugby tournaments with spots on the national team on the line.

The selection is a culmination of two years of work and one harsh physical setback for Prince, who was also a member of the Saints 2A quarterfinal football team last fall. After deciding last year that he had a shot at making the Loggers, Prince was set for the initial tryouts when he tore his medial collateral ligament the day before the auditions began.

Now, after 365 days of waiting, Prince has realized his goal and will represent Washington rugby with the Loggers. “That [the injury] only made me work harder this year,” Prince told The Reporter by email. “I had been waiting for that Sunday tryout for a long time.” Prince’s rugby coach Josh Young was not surprised by Prince’s selection to the side, praising his energy, passion for the game and work ethic.

Interlake football coach Jason Rimkus had a similar perspective on Prince, who started at center for the Saints on their run to the 2A state playoffs. “He [Prince] does what is best for the team, works his tail off in the weight room and is a tremendous student in the classroom,” Rimkus said. “He has always had the mindset we value at Interlake.”

Prince, who began playing rugby in eighth grade, said he has taken on a new approach to the game this year. “I always have worked hard towards rugby, but this year was different,” Prince said. “I really developed a passion for the game and along with going to workouts five days a week, I have been doing everything possible to learn more about the game.” He also talked about how the skills necessary to success in rugby have made him a better football player. “Rugby has made me faster, stronger, more capable of reading whats in front of me (which is key for a center) and most of all just a better teammate,” said the Interlake sophomore.

The person who got Prince started in the game was Young, who Prince did not hesitate to give credit to for his development as a player. “I am at a loss for words for that man,” Prince said of Young. “He took me on knowing nothing about the game, and has been nothing but positive support ever since,” adding that his ascent to a roster spot with the Loggers would not have been possible with the help of his coach.

While this will be the his first time with the Loggers, it will not be Prince’s first go-round in national rugby competition. Last year, he traveled to New York with the Liberty High School Patriots and said he has met and competed with and against many of the same guys he will now team with on the Loggers.

Prince called his selection to the side another step in his rugby career and added that he hopes to take full advantage of the opportunity, possibly finding a spot on the Eagles national team along the way. “That is definitely a goal of mine at the moment,” Prince said of making the Eagles. “But if nothing else I know I will be a better rugger becuase of it.”