SAN DIEGO – After coming in fourth place last year and second place in 2023, the U18 San Diego Mustangs rugby team was crowned champions of the 2025 Boys High School Rugby National Championships on May 24 in Elkhart, Ind.
The three-day competition had 24 of the best high school and U18 club teams divided into three competition brackets, independent of each other, with three separate champions being crowned.
“The season was successful in the fact that we came together at the end, and that’s what pushed us over the line to get the championship,” said Westview senior Mateo Bresenden. “I’m proud of the club and the people that have come before because they set the stage for us. This was finally the year that the path they paved panned out in our favor.”
Bresenden will be attending the University of Utah after graduation.
Made up of a 45-man roster, the Mustangs played in the U18 Tier I bracket, defeating the reigning national champion Charlotte Cardinals 19-14 in the championship match.
“The players were up for the challenge, and fortunately, we were ahead when the final whistle blew,” said coach Matty Sandoval. “This was our 13th year at nationals, so we’d like to believe we’ve earned it.”
The tournament selected two Southern California schools to attend out of eight total teams in the bracket, with the Mustangs having to get by two opponents before reaching the championship match against Charlotte.
“They took us out of the tournament last year, so when we got a chance to play them in the final, it was a comeback game,” said Torrey Pines High School senior Bryce Simon. “We wanted to show that we had what it takes to be national champions.”
The San Diego Mustangs Youth Rugby Club was founded in 2004 and celebrated its 21st season in 2025. It’s one of the largest rugby clubs in Southern California, with over 300 youth club players aged U8-U18, and supports over 250 players in high school programs.
“The Mustangs have players from all over San Diego County, and they all came together as one, an essential ingredient for championship rugby,” Sandoval said.
For more information on the Mustangs, visit sandiegoyouthrugby.org.
