The Las Vegas Invitational is now only a month away and most of the top divisions have a full registration. The late additions to the Men's Elite, Ace's and CRC will make for a more robust tournament than was thought even a month ago.
CRC Qualifier
The CRC qualifier has returned this year but until it's previous editions it's still missing the depth that drove the competition earlier. This year teams like Utah, Lindenwood, AIC, Arkansas State, and Air Force are expected to dominate the rest of the field. For this group of teams it will likely come down to the draw and see who they match up with in the later stages of the tournament.
Surprisingly, the competition also has a number of teams that are already in the CRC, including Kutztown, Notre Dame, and Dartmouth. Kutztown and Dartmouth are very solid teams so it will be interesting to see if they upset the competition. If a team like Utah or AIC has their potential berth upset by a team already qualified it could potentially sour future participation.
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Outside of the teams listed above schools like Miami (OH), Bowling Green, Notre Dame College, Wheeling Jesuit, and Oklahoma could cause an upset. None of the teams have the 15s depth to compete with some of the teams listed above but they definitely have the talent to compete at 7s.
Field: Saint Joseph's, James Madison, Miami (OH), Bowling Green, Stony Brook, Kutztown, Creighton, Air Force, Arkansas State, AIC, Lewis & Clark, Notre Dame College, Wheeling Jesuit, Utah, Wittenberg, Dartmouth, Notre Dame University, Pittsburgh, Georgetown, Buffalo, Oklahoma, Lindenwood, Claremont, Columbia
Men's Elite
The Men's Elite division has expanded this year. Normally that would mean a drop in the competition but this year there is still plenty of teams to make it a must watch for fans. The Falcons and the Maple Leafs will be representing the U.S. and Canada while France, the Northeast ODA, Serevi, and the Stars should be able to compete hard as well. You can expect these team to make it into the quarterfinals with ease where things will get interesting.
That said, teams like the Kansas City Blues, Atlantis, Lionheart, Mana Utah Select, the Selects, and the Arizona ODA could all be surprise teams. Arizona has seen quite a few strong 7s players emerge over the last couple of years while the Blues had a strong summer. As always there are a few military sides in the competition, including an All-Armed Forces team and the Air Force 7s.
Field: Selects 1, Selects 2, All-Armed Forces, 7th Airborne, Atlanta Old White, Ronin 7s, Austin All-Blacks, Falcons, Northeast ODA, Germany, Atlantis, Kansas City Blues, Lionheart, Air Force, France Developmental, Serevi, Stars, Arizona, Maple Leafs, Mexico, Mana Utah Select, Cayman Islands, Laie Lions, Florida Select
Men's Aces
The Aces division looks solid as well. The Selects will field a typical side and a College Selects side. The Northeast ODA, Atlantis, Stars, and Air Force will all field second teams. Making it a little more interesting is the presence of Team Quebec, Humless from Utah, and the PNW Loggers.
Field: Selects, College Selects, Northeast ODA, Atlantis, Upright Rugby Rogues, Stars, Air Force, Humless, Quebec, Klime, Army, Loggers
Women's Elite
The Women's Elite bracket has some top sides once again but will be missing a key team: the Eagles. Canada and Japan will be fielding two teams a piece and Argentina will be fielding a team. However, U.S. players looking to break through will have to play on either Atlantis, Serevi, or the two Stars sides. Apotella, who made it to the final last year, are once again in the field.
Field: Maple Leafs East, Atlantis, Maple Leafs West, Serevi, Stars, Argentina, Stars Blue, Ladies Sevens NL, Apotella, Japan 1, Japan 2, Scion Sirens
Boy's Elite
The Boy's Elite division has expanded but will still have a solid group of teams. Upright Rugby, Ontario 1, Ontario 2, BCRU, and Toronto will represent Canada. Select sides from Utah, Washington, and the Glendale Raptors will join two High School All-American sides and PV Rugby. As is usually the case, this is the most compelling bracket at the tournament.
Field: Utah Lions, Atlantis, Upright Rugby, Ontario 1, Ontario 2, Raptor Academy, Washington Loggers, BCRU, HSAA 1, HSAA 2, Toronto, PV Rugby