Another week of 7s qualifiers is in the book so we thought it would be helpful to see who has clinched a spot at the National Club 7s and who is close.
Midwest: Chicago Lions, 1823
Just by showing up at the Rock Hard 7s the Chicago Lions and 1823 clinched a spot. However, the teams did even better and both finished in the final. The Lions won making it three wins in five tournaments on the series. 1823 took another win while one tournament was rained out with no winner. Having played so well throughout the Midwest the Lions will have a lot of momentum heading into Seattle.
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Red River: Austin Blacks
The Blacks clinched a spot at the tournament a few weeks back with a sweep in the Red River Conference.
West: Glendale Raptors/Denver Barbarians/Kansas City Blues
The Kansas City Blues created a three way tie in the West with their win at home two weeks ago. The Omaha 7s this weekend are the last stop on the West series. Whichever teams finish in the final will claim the West's two spots. The Blues have the edge being closer to Omaha but both Glendale and Denver will have 7s camp invitees back. At least one semi-final is going to be electric.
SoCal: Santa Monica, Belmont Shore
Belmont Shore won the Sunsplash 7s at home over the weekend despite missing a few players. Santa Monica also had a nice weekend with their two sides coming in second and third respectively. By playing so well both teams have separated themselves from the rest of the pack. Only one stop remains and as long as Santa Monica and Belmont Shore do decently they should be the qualifiers.
Belmont Shore won the Sunsplash 7s at home over the weekend despite missing a few players. Santa Monica also had a nice weekend with their two sides coming in second and third respectively. By playing so well both teams have separated themselves from the rest of the pack. Only one stop remains and as long as Santa Monica and Belmont Shore do decently they should be the qualifiers.
PacCoast (NorCal/PNW): Seattle, SFGG/EPA Razorbacks
Seattle is the qualifier out of the Pacific Northwest. The Stanford 7s is the last stop on the NorCal series and SFGG and the EPA Razorbacks tied at the top of the standings. Olympic Club isn't that far behind and if they win and SFGG and the Razorbacks fall it could be theirs. There is an added complication in that SFGG may not elect to take the spot considering they are playing in the Limerick 7s the same weekend. That may mean the second place team could take the spot. SFGG could also elect to field a reserve team in Seattle.
Hawaii: Titans
The Titans have already won the qualifier in Hawaii.
Northeast: Old Blue, NYAC
Old Blue have the easiest road to qualify in the Northeast. With a 13 point lead in the Northeast it would be a major shock if they didn't make it. They have been the most consistent team in the Northeast this season and will get their Eagles 7s camp invitees this weekend. NYAC hold the second spot and have several strong players, Al McFarland, Chris Chapman, Troy Hall, and others. However, just behind them are New England Prime. If Prime, who were also missing several players last weekend, do well this weekend they took take that last spot from NYAC. The same goes for the Connecticut Bulldogs who are just behind Prime.
South: New Orleans, Atlanta Old White
The South held their qualifier last weekend in New Orleans. The hosts won the tournament over Atlanta Old White with both teams qualifying. Charlotte and Florida also played well but fell short.
MAC: Schuylkill River, Maryland Exiles
Both Schuylkill River and the Maryland Exiles have claimed a spot out of the MAC. They've each won a tournament and come in second once. Mathematically no one can catch them at the last MAC tournament this weekend.