One of the best and brightest players to pass through the Saint Ignatius rugby program is representing the Wildcats and the United States abroad. 

Alex Chura '18, a key member of the Rugby Cats during the team's back-to-back state championship squads in 2017 and 2018, is currently playing with Team USA in Mexico City in the Rugby Americas North Championships. 

The tournament, featuring the best U19 teams from North America, including the U.S., Mexico, Jamaica, and the Cayman Islands, is going well thus far for Chura and the American side. 

Team USA defeated the Cayman Islands on July 8, 25-12, and triumphed over Jamaica on Wednesday, 23-12. Chura started each game at full-back. 

Chura and the Americans will face Mexico on Saturday at 12 pm. Click here for the link to watch and the full results page. 

To play in a prestigious tournament is another feather in Chura's cap. Chura enjoyed a great career with the Wildcats, anchoring the team as a critical playmaker and a team leader.  

"Recently at our awards banquet, the team had voted him as the Most Valuable Player for 2018," said Head Rugby Coach Dan Arbeznik '00. "He also received the "Bigger, Faster, Stronger" Award from Coach Rubino for his efforts down in the weight room.  We were blessed for the last three years to have had a guy who had MVP caliber skills but who also had the work-ethic to continually strive to make himself and his teammates better."

Chura has certainly stayed busy following an award-winning senior season for the Wildcats. The West Park native played with Celtic Rugby in June, helping the club win the Midwest Regional Cup Tournament along with fellow Cats Juan Pen '18, Joe Molnar '18, John Stuhldreher '19, and Ricky Rose '19. 

Chura has a chance to bring home more hardware on Saturday and add to his expanding trophy case. 

"Alex has always been the type of kid who enjoys challenges," Arbeznik said. "He's never satisfied with where he's at in his game and is constantly seeking to improve. I'm really happy that the selectors for Team USA noticed Alex's talent and gave him this tremendous opportunity to represent his country."

Win or lose, Chura skills on the pitch are undeniable. Chura's career will continue in the fall at St. Bonaventure University. Along with Pen, Chura received a scholarship to play for the Bonnies. 

On behalf of Saint Ignatius Athletics, good luck to Alex and Team USA on Saturday!