data:image/jpeg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAkGBxQTEhUUExQWFhUXFyAbGRcYGB8eGxwgHhwcGxweIh4cHyghGx4lHR4cITEhJSkrLi8uGR8zODMsNygtLisBCgoKDg0OGxAQGywmICQsLCwvLCwsLCwsLCwvLCwsLCwsLCwsLCwsLCwsLCwsLCwsLCwsLCwsLCwsLCwsLCwsLP/AABEIALcBFAMBIgACEQEDEQH/xAAbAAACAgMBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAFBgMEAAIHAf/EAD4QAAIBAgQDBgMGBQQCAwEBAAECEQMhAAQSMQVBUQYTImFxgTKRoRRCscHR8AcjUmLhM4KS8RVyJENjshb/xAAaAQACAwEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgADBAUG/8QAMBEAAgIBAwIEBQIHAQAAAAAAAAECEQMSITEEQRNRYfAiMnGhsQXRFSOBkcHh8RT/2gAMAwEAAhEDEQA/AH3vPJvljO88j8jjYIep+ePYb+o4z6C3WQtmQOTfI4X6OcK5qsUXV4VBn3tcYaIbrgVxPMinUphgZqEiVF7XGCo0DUmUG45WOpRRuNjAg/TC1xniDnUSgmwYwPkMHM1ks3U1vSqFUDkX0CYMQCxGFXMcQrFnpv8AdJWDBIO/Kxtzw+mSVsFxuirQzphUKgwZEjocdFydTVQpmIlAYxy/PCFVgSCDb88dOyrj7PSJt/LBPywYiTFDN1SMxVXUAjASOfqMRV8ySoVXIRTGocxgJxntHRFdnTVU5Sot8zE+2N+E8eWq2gSDvoYXMcxG+BKO9jwltQzhkpEAk3HhJwPNRaDP/MAVrKpIvO5+eKHHM21OmUIBdzKsBsBvv8v+sJOZkk62gnmTefX978sKoDOR1OgVKK2qCRJE2k9MXcpRZWlrj73pyv8Aljl3AuLtQOksrU+asD7wdwf8Y6nlQpUd5aTEdZ8sBxJqLWe4kfDcwTF/yxUdEGYVmIA0NbqGj5Yyrw5yYhTojfcg7HEVZAviYTIgG9p2+uIk0RtMmbJZQSShaNiGO2PHejC1FJBI0QD93a/TFjg1SmaJ1CGiIk4gq5ZR4VB8RF5vfe2DbF0xN14PlttRmbeIbc8G8rWQMe7MygQmQSNIthf7X5inRpKNRVmhQ4AMc9j1iMT9k8xTqUAQwLAAOwsZG89DiNyoKhFbhnKVCFJbxEHlvgbxHOOviAhW3Hn+uLWgIdS6t7w3LliPNZdayEgvbcTzwmljakUKPGFdDyI5Eb40p8SBYBbTfzjmMUqlBQZVWImDf54qa1WoACR19Dg6SWFuLZhvDAnU20X6zgvlKoAF7gXwFSsNdyTCwPKTz9hgrw2nqQsW2PQG2BTDaDVHMA254Rs7QoUxWzAEvGhVJtJUooA5kzHzwzvmLWY/IYWcxme7zDIwFmDgkdb7coMj2wUmPCSsV+P9lGouTTBalFoE6R0P6/PCzmqRBnl+mO0VSqqWcgLG5wqVq1LNVBl6SrLmAXG55XAhenO/TBjNsufTKW90adl+HkmjVWog00bg7iRpwwIpCJTJ1aU2EQTGF5OEvS1JWLUmRQoAYkNJbaPTzxGyKKbVDU8UQwkkzhpXwYkknY38CrO1JS7ACNhg/RViokaeuFvhDUlp0wKqaVUSdpMYIUK7OToqpp5E74rpj2g0aPnjMUabkC7rPvjMCmS0FY88ZzjA/JcXpVp7qWjyIFvPbHMeNdsq1eoe6YpRBhQLTHNjv7bYtK0rOvEHlgHxfPIuZy4M6vFFvLHOMjmqseL5yfy5/pghls9WSpSqVdbUdRGomdBIsZ3I8to2vbEW7oZxpWHuK06MMzKWZqndmdbQNQJACg6QfbffCnmeHozVWpSiI0bkgkbi/kfrg5xCrXzNGpWy6atLjUppz4VEhjfff2jphX4OKqqzFmGsksvL1g7HG3D0mfNJw8vMo6jq8GLHGXn5HmbpRpUn0HWcdF43l3GQIUme5i3pf6ThAzBgSeljzF/rjpauKmXUBpVkFwdwRivN0+TC6mhMXUY86TgwDkOxOUp0i1QByBu7QB6KI+s4R+0vDEpZii+XAjUoJQ6pYt5eWHriFDKojact3ivpNQsy6QAQRr1sCq8gQDcHykV2rqUO8y9Omg0O6uSPEWDGNybg+Z2xlT3OlKC0g/tPlxUzGVJB7pnCn/adXLqJwwP2VyDI7aqUTqLc1G8QLeWIeIqoVTELqUgaYgqQfb9MEc9kcrRovV7pFD02UsFJmRYHSDafyGCLjSpnPO1+WoFV+zENo3gdTAF94MfPHTuH5UBULEEKvvOFXthlaS0aYSmlMOFYwulieYPMR0wxcKzg0LYaeoM2O0xg9ivIqZeqku6gsDqBFjBEXE9cCuLalqrRsQWW52jEmUpRWZwCBIi9jy/XEXGKxDsFWQHTf6RgCFt8i1MAlhDuPRcWRTVQDqBIucSZ7JqQo3LNcDyGBnEOH1SYWIsBO4B64hBN/iE7vXFBCp73SwabrptHpzxc4bmqeVUhQ1411YMOYtsdp/6xJ2ho04u6tVpVjBDJsUjYmSAenPB3ghVcuNdGpUITVYKFJsNIlgCTY9N7jEndIsxLVdkGU7SU+8CGW12DWsYBA89x88MGWr2kLLc+n/eOc9ocnoqgqjUyzDwuwmSRtpJgSMdNzdIUkUgmTAPrtOAgTVMHmv8AGhUdRhazOWKVpImdh0tP44Zs7l6ly4i4gjpMYEcTDCqCLHS0E+onBFPcrqlqjLZoAI9Di7w+rcgyAP3GIuDq32ctUMASFtuYsfTliHI06vxP8M26E9cQgw0XQEMAbDCr23p0ncPWZ6TlDpFOCWg2kHpJvI98NGWDkSCNtgNsc84pWNfM1HZgfFpU/wBq2EDkDdv9xxC/psPizrsUeN8SrVEAmFAhQDuTaTzB8xGLXYvJP9qy4ClhTdWYgbKCCSeQ2xBWpzURVEyYA/ubwr+Yx1XhmQTK0qdJY1Mw1t/UxDaj6BUMeS4aCs19XOOJUueF/k17a01KKXUCncGqPjQxI3sVMERaTpAMkY53xzNigpVEVwy/6g+FgdiD1+o5xjqXFc+lGjUasNSKsMsA6mP3ADYm4HrPTHP8lQp5tmVtFN2Ad6fKKniR0MCGF5SIO0idQulGzkR4sF5V3dQhEJAgR+eHjhNGmFBCwY6fucQ0eEuaj00UKogSdrDceRFxgtleF1UEFkYcr3GKGMed91C4zFullSByPnOMwAiB2IqvVRgz1DpaIV4Fxa3PC/w+iHZaKAM+wBHPrb0+nPBPs5n3y1J1UDWzapInTbpzOK+XzrUq/fDSW16o0xuZ3nHRh+l55Ruq+pi/ifTxlpu/oFshwCt31JaoKqWmdJI8JuNhHoQN8Eu1gr1ayUKSABifiEAhRqNzIHSJBJ5RfEuV7Rj7PTZgqAPbQzHleQQCpJJtcc5virxXjqnQ3elPjgrBb4So3kDcnntjn1KEqa3R1lplHZ7Mo8HqsEq0lpVNZszd4aYUC0ESAbz8U74HZujUQ6WGk+xHzFjgrwviyFB3jpIXdqvxAlZNjc2MzfC9xritPWyIRpXbSPIbeXLHqcPUNydqvfvseSz9KlFad/L/AIBeIZ1g+gtv0w6fw44nNJsu26EsvmCZI9QTPvjn+bpqXpEAgs25Pphx4XSFVSKX8igkmrXJ8TQLgG1o+6LmZMA35nX54u4y57HX6DpZSScdl3DVXjtBTUSorsqMVDLBU2DFb9NX18sLudzIzNV6kEaFCUU3JY2BgX8Ik+ukYIVuHHMotPKqVpMsU0qMlIu9zqTVLVjEFmECxAMWw0dk+ztHhVIZjO1FFS8btBPTm7abTsBPrjlaHydhThF1d12FOr2iVNKVqZqgkAQYM+fIn5YtVkXMIQoICs3dp35psVkBxIkWb7rDYqZviHtlVTvaVSnS7l8xUP8AKiW0x4WK/dYm5A5H1xvluyNapSDLIrsdTUSNoFmJ2RidQ8REiOdsCi6UMbua29P6AnjNAzSpAqSFiFaVWWJjUT4oESx5g4i4RnauXoAAsVOqFjcXI0zyt8zgz2e7B5tq0ZkCkhtYhnJNrXIFpuYiZvjqee4BQrZZaOgBUAWmwHiXTtpPS23PD6HRnhmxL5ld/Y5bkO1RqIJp7iBpe9jvGm3PngnX4zSrVAqgoS9PwmNlPKN8AO0HZ2pkqkH+qQ4sjiDv0P1E8xuITNlWVx8SgNfkd7+sx7YR8mn/AM2OWPbnz7M6j2tr1KYNSiyjQsmR1MW88edlq7NSNavodQDeDHQXPPV9L9cKNXtK9RVWppXvYgmYA64OVKoq5TLZZGhXXVWK7hFUa/dpVf8AeDhJcHMlwC83xuozfa1oasrTJQ1NI2JWXH3rEbiwuDBnBPiJFRadOlU7vWJ1SYJElgfGoCkCZm/ITgvWq6KcLp0BdPchfDpiNPywh0Ms1V/sdJkGioe7eofCF0lgCd4CAA+ajFePFFSWlVtX+xIfBJNG3GVL5kVVGulTqLLTAY7wPeOtuuG3h3ajK1yabsVYfEKnw/8AIWHvGDnZrspTpUlNd0rkKwsIpiZ1sBJluWomwFovNXhHC6FND3SBZJvu8SbE7npi+Srk3XjmvXzLuZTUqqGDKVIUgzaNp54H5uiltUf6RX3kEfTFLM8HejU7zL/y5nUI8DeZWQJ898RVqVd9MlF0iJg3688JqRW8b7A/K1CTpbaYQcpIN/bDHlKQFmllC26SMC8pwVwysakFRAKj5m83wZy/C1i8t6kn8cTUieE+5FmNVZGRG7sMCCwF4NjHIet8Lud7EFUmm+ogfAwAn0ItOG9wKaydhhb432h0izDATZoxyeP5RZ7MOq5tS9hTDOwPLSIG/wDcRh37PcROYIr6lAOoUpI2mC+ndjyAiPiJMETyPtBnXirUEjvYVj5XLf8AKF+vXDH/AAtrlCKVwK0mbRqWY8xKg79BjRF0UZrzNyXZHTuI5WkVDPJ7sEqSSYMGXjYvudRBMkxvjknayqdblqLUS6rTKEg6QkGmQVtGkkQOYI5Y6pmKRIALEQZgEeKPumx8J5xBxyv+IGSakwcM7T/qsSTqJ5gbIo2A8iPu4tfBlg1e4y5LPjNUqDt4nSnpeHKyQSLhfSb/ANYxZrMlIM5SQiliBVflfrhO7JZkUaDVTspYkEfErOqtHSBDRz0Yd83RWrTdTBVlIHS464oybMuhFNAFOCZ3NDvu/WkDsmsnSNwCeZvjMa0+JuQDRGWprF1IvqFmJhd5H4YzCVL0LtGP1PHU6FNRRTrTdUbUunk250segZgRB8MwaxSfI9RjU5hQIOKTZ+NufJjE/Pf1E49nBLHFRcr+p4eWrLNyjGvwWDk2MjUYO4t+mKdHIMjQtSpoJ8YncdLb40/8+oMNIPmP0xMONodmGMuTD0uX5qv7mvDm6zDVceXb39DOFcKYkIiEsdgBv88MGU7H1m+JVpjq7D6BfzjFzsdxJEV6kqXY6VBIsBcn3Nvbzxbz3aikX0FAzbxdthOwmY32xzuq/UpY5vHiSpd/ex1uk/TY5ILJmbt71ftlL/8AwVBmUvmCxU/CsAH8SMFOK9jUrIi98yU6YhKaqoUdd7knzwPTtfVa1OhUAH3tB+kgDA2j2yqVX0JrJ5lpgDr4Un5TjkTyTyS1S3Z2I48eKGmOyH7gHA8srhBTUFrmpqY1GhYguxJ0xPhBiwxZ7ScJoK9FonSGIBJMHweK+7QAJN7DCRxTOV6S6u97x++7tAo00x4NTF2u8QSAFIJicUvtNYl9fcVDSu4pVKwdfDq3qlhVBAmDPwe2LdMtNMzprXqjwN/Es0FQx8TAgEOqvt91iYn3wc4e9UIEpfZqayTZmJPMm6yWPUkk45dwuvmK7ldPfLY92RZbyCGEd2Z2aQbYaaXE6VOky1aIWqPCA4TXePFqUGYUM2odDacVw5NXUxaSte/oX1rkVBqqNUr1T/LUtpVFFi8DZYBPnPmBhjyXEkqGoqSRTKrq5EmZA81ET/7DHJuJ5xnzHeZWpWdzPeUqaGVTcqCbadrEQLdBh24VxpBRpMF05d7UyU7tgeSstgSTsw3PzxZFuTMuSKiqCHafiKJSYVbqw0ld9U+X1/6xxzuA9MsCd5kx7coJA5kQOmHbiPEqlao6Cj3mldQLXAXYhh8LQYueq87mr/D+pTD1lqUlWqHJE3KqbgAH/TNjbePTAyl/R5NF2hC+0NRKspkr8J3jf9cMHD+P1u77wAMAChbpJm/Tp/tGDP8AEnI6qDVBJCEExymx9sCjQGVoUqKH+ZUpa6vPc29N8JGmVZrTdcA6rxWoRBkC36z88PvYLhQps+arLBKgU1IvF5qHVAWbqCYm/UYQuL5Z8s2Xq02KtpDwR4TfccvI4eeLZg1qNGtU8Kd9/NR1Q0wSo0l9YIGnSVDMIBYbThoJWJOFV6jrmM+tejUSk6hnVqatIZNUREoSJ8t7YUKHD3prUpHvldapCVNSoGSECEa5ESDZVP5YzsbRSsK1IstbUBrrUV0oALIuqiKcuLkFQYgmRbBPjmWFArWSl40SodbDdQhJUSS120XnlYYfSnuxbknpRzjOdo6y5irTeqG7tiobdTBImQBeQQTAuDgzQz+a7taoosUbYqQ1vT4vphc47QBzFemsNqqEKywdWtiwPUKFixjnbHQsvlxl8imokBVJv1Nz+OM06RvpcfcX6XbiPiUg3t/jBPJ9u6LGJIJ67fPC9lODUqymrVZ1Z6g0rBBC+hHinrjXPcGp06NaoUmXC02uGEb+EWODo9CtT2u0Ee1/aUnwU3UyNwZj5c8KWVAq6lYljpmx2vB9/PFrN5VWZygbwgT4TGw9sEKPDGp01aAQ0ajBlSRtO3th8a3KcknJC9nhqy5Vj4xPv3Z8R9xf/cMXeB53uRRfZk0sNQiYg7+ftipmKY+0KrGFasabHoKtOmJ9rn2wXzWWKE02ABU6dLiVOm3hbdT5EnynDZTX+nx1KR0qlxuk7VVbwGmgqaifC1MgEOD0AI1Tt6XwK7T8AGZpwGEkQjkagJgmB1MCDOFarmai0KOYQFKmWbum++pRpanqXdku6Wvtg72d4zR7lEDhVJK00qHwj/8AHXsSv3SYYrFpF7YSvZmLqMHhu19Pf15EJKWhloVCDTpuAYBBYA7X2AM+sDDSePnuqdKkoUhAGY3tEW/zhZ7TLpzT+d778xfztfzxWpZ1g9MbzIjoBLT6b4v6VY3n/mK0ZeplkWD+W6Y2cP7C0MwnelqiEmIWg7gxzBW1/wAZx7ibJZle7X+ZWIIkd2wCjqIPnOMxrydNgcm0zDj6jOopNCDm+KO1hpXpEk/hv6EYGZhDPjIJ8uXvzOJSwTYy3UbDyHU+fy6m3wGjS7wtXGpEE92DBY8r9Jxlnkl82R2zZjxxT041RX4Vw6nVfTUqiiCJViszHLe3rfFyvQp0iySh089wfcjE+b42xd6lNAphQqwDpA5D2xBQpyh7xNRqXVvMnkPI4yt6nyafk7HgqAAdPLDd2B4R3rmsdYpra9gx3ixuBYkdY88L3D+DvUqujHTTpAmrVIsg/NuQH6YYuJ9rgqpTyqlaajTcGbCIAnaLmeceuA5uKcVyx4x1NTfC+4R7f1VKlu8KQIAGzGeftzxR7KjRkqldRcm5+9AMD23wtFjmGK1CxMSL3n0+VsHeznFWoUayRekjAHmTMi3lOGh07jBS8yvJ1UZTcGuB2zFJM5kGZKgRhDBnJKhkj4ugKeEnkGPTCxQybl9apSy7GAa1TNio4WwJCRFTwCApn8xe7F9o2YCoQRTY6GPhHjAVjb70BgTt4dRJsAXtn0i9SkvkQF//AKUHDLcDbjwAez1SnQHdLAABvzbox6kiD7jCJ2u4utauWpj4RoLcmgmY8rxOHTtMuhO/Q0CVme7EEyIBPiOqDHIb+WOVKuMunTJmvxNcU/7jJw7N6kC1amWDgnRUat3VWmBOn4fE6STY8pvzw7ZDiAztOktNC4EAa9jojxyRJXVsYEkYG0OzdMhKCJl6lTQve1moglFj4ZJgsepE22OCfE89T4bQ7uiGq13IRVJuWaygxAQRyF4BiN8aIqjPknqK3HcyFqpTpLLoBTomb1atVxrO/wANMU9U7BtJ5DCj2Vqa8zWc2eo2smDDuWLMq/0qoYAMfPG+Yiln1Yv3jUqtMVG/qZWUsLWEt4VQE2CjYYzhWY+zVcy9Sm5VSUVVjVTMvpm+7LqJ/wBvXFcnqZq8Pw8Vvl0/fvz9Tptemj0QpXwVFIKnoeuOQduci9CrUq94SKg0gT4gAPh6QCLeow6dme2FH/QYkabJri46TO42xb7U8OyuYANdjTEt0khWZJvIElSRYmNJ5wEjcWVyqcaRU4/l0q5SkrrqJEL1kiFg9cH6GbQVa+XZiilzoY6bkmGGxEExZhB1dTBo5SvQenRNImotJxplgCGSG8UWNoNt55YH9p8yyuKwBQOxpM4GpU1+Jagi/hqIr3/pA54GN0yzNicuEOS5cIdRRHZdiCZXl8JB0ewE4T+2jLUfuyKqFsrWKwLSrUmb4CTdAwuBv54Z6XG8uKVNqrmk+mSuhiFIs/wg6AGB2K+eAfaLOrWbL1coWqvSq3HdNoNNxpqy7IojTe5O2NJii6aYq9i6NKtmGlf5ndkOyhQpuNLlbFHiVMCDvAk4Mds80XGlNPdUWRXBMamYiFHWBBPsOsT5OrRy1AlIhVLO9tTgA+Mx1ABA/vUDHLOMZsGt3mtirVNXiBAaCDccjNsUwqTt9jZnenaPccanEXqOzuWsdC7bLbGuR7UNQlgpYF9Ohhz/AKsVR2ho1aFZzRFPSRpjkee3I4HUM3Tr5asxWaysO7a8kzEAdIx1J51KFJdjjwxOOS35nT85xmhSy1Rik964lAt9VhPoIGBXFOIE0TUojUKwA0AGSgnXUjnA5kcpHmmt2iq5bMNTdiy7GmRBKmGgE7X6YZOG5idVeoi06IRQFbUUQCfiUElyL2OlLTJO3Nlk0wpd3Z01hUp3xSftipxSgDVcdBTq7dC9M/Qj5YN1j9po96CO9pgLWBEh1FkqEc7QhIuCqnY4mylBXzjRfvsrXpodOmSIqJ4fuyJtywvZbMtSfXTMeW4IO6kc1I3GJl5NPQv4XXKYe7JBaxr5XUVNaiwVGOoa08aFW5gQ28RbbCu2TYMfASDZ1Isw6GJg9G3Bvh17JcOL1aeZVe7UayEaZY6GH8pjAcGbjcRzF8C07E5pyXqUlQsS3x9TO6SPrhUnRfLJjcpKT229N91+KIm4D9or5Ze8aHoyXYDXpQwSbwXvpJuJGLicJy9HMvpBqKKWmGGoiQdW3OIv5nGUOC5qhqWHVR41fUHWAGFQXJ0yCGIEEhJgxZaTiVfK1dLNUWsTJDKQSG6Ai4PXDOMnuYVojLTz5Mu08+1H+WiKVU7sL+W29ovjMScZzK985pMugkEAlSRIBIJURIJNhttjMejjixtJ/sealkyJtfuL/BuEs475qbNQQjXG5G1hzvhj4nw+mz0W0VDSZdbEDxnVYAxzA5YZ8vkQAAogAQAOQxY+zR/3jzE8zk7PQQxaRU4F2XStUYA1KdMVrM4htOk2v5jc9cTZ7gi1VIy1OpqV9M1CAtgS3ncxfbDItLpJ98bNRPmML4g2h0TcD7LrXpKtRXp0oDugMNXqkAszEX0g9Iv00437Ufw7WsQcvposqwFiFPO8XnzvibhnE3pQgJ07zsY6E72xc4dx0d6wEOCOZPXlixZYheGco39jnGc7NZnJ06tVkLNGhGTxaZ+J5FxAEC0y3liDhWUKUCppVtbIQfCI6mOcz1w99peMU0o6SWXU1zMgLN7RO3TFLI8WpVQTTZHAF4/Q3GDLJsnEr8PdqQp8JovShkpMopEu4q2LgwraRBWQm6m7D/1x0Lsvn6tSlokO1EhG1LUJ0lQ1MlqRZSzUypIBsSRhezvaOlTpGqnd1PFo0C5IPxGBew5xEkYGZLtLl1rtUZa2k0lUICaZBTY6qRQRpgTBODje24+S5JLyOofYXYFWy1MqRB8ZWQd5AUmP/Y44vxrhr5bNmgBdTAdjKkiSYj+wgxBMj5GeK/xGqOhSg4pIbSWYt/zdi3/GPXC7W4hTRaLuGqFSWZjpMltWkgBgbAgbAX5wMPs2JWmLOj8L4nFDL06NRKZNRUqbGoS0gvB22Bn0FtsUe0pVM9Sprrr/AGam1Zk+6ah+DWQBtAMQTuAMJq9p6I8QJU7iEOr2JaBgLXz1R3q1NDulUg+MEkQZF7mAZ2th2kuGUptvdDVleHF6k1nCES2o6FAJInQrMFDGT4mNuh2wx0KVJ8wRBfWGeq6lgJmQ0vGu1i0KDKhRYY5imedvGSyAn4qS8/Mzq5gC/TBvI8X0tSerma9RdYDpUZmBF/FpY2ix9tsUyUaaRpnnnN7/AGCfEOEZehWVy7uoqglSogzMQeYB3w30lQLDtSqrvoqqYBJJsSGgX6Y2VKexRfliRqSblRjO5WNG48GnCxQqVNFHRRqJ4itFhocQfiBUaov0Ine+AXbXjhp0wFRe8qECpLQAVhhAUjxSARuPDMzgtmuH0WDKUEMIJFj8xfCx2s4dU0KKXeVFpIWdncsFBIVd/Q/LDQfxDZMlx35A3Du1Nahr00qJZ31lmQs0nmJcje/qTitxTtDmcwfHXqETZQdAH/GAfxxSJI5YhqZzkBbmAIPuCMaDNqZNxDiTmkEckhBpA67b+wUeir0xT4fSauDTCliviUDobN7Cx+ePc2ymkYLbizfluPrjOzeY7vM0m5awD6N4T+OBwtiW29w2vA3GVcaKmtolYG/UeWDfYrszKEVapyzKwINpmbEarROGlMrONamSBHLFXjyGliTv1FXtR2bNPN96tVs0DdtIBYREc4g4ucZ42OHUlWjpaswWQ51BQ0ljp6bLfB05MDmB9Mcr49SarmKtRbqWOkzuosLegn3wEvEe5ZGcscaXfYceA5qpVyn2tADVy1ZapVRA0qagqKOX+mwMTsPLGmX4V9oBrUgtMFyQKpAQCTYkkagLKff1wI7JcbbKJVot46NYeNb2lSsiLqRJ8XPmI2aeyvF8rTy5o5gKxTUaNdY2qKQym82JLadjIjbGh0+SuMckfkfPkN2UovUphcyodlhSUW0wCopagAJEMW5cjABWwq1reMVFG0yDHkxUj38OF7MducnSJ7qrUq3Y6I1WJ67/AAhRtsxwGz/8Ra7SaVGmoF5aSSfUG3tGDaJol329/wBx/WsPvKw5kMdvPVcxMeOWHpEjn/afgyNmXpJKnuzUoAkLoJOmrTBJhRq0uOQ1NFjhiyFKrmkSomcs5kAUgGmTqU6mI1gWPW/xDAftjwBBl6jrWqVKlIA6mI8OkwVhQBsB/wARhlIWUY8NgGj2OQIuuqoYiWBZLHYjxOCdt8Zjfs92bp5iglXv3ltwsAKea+2MxU+oxp1X5HXT5Grv8BpM8wgW/wCV/e2LVPOE/EAPecRUEX9nHqUUO+r3OMhaSrmR19zOMfMwd7HnONBl0PU41NFBNzHriENM7ndIDKbj3sRgWeLvTakVjU8iD5/5/HBLMZdWRlBIJEAzz5fXHPWLAlmJLKeZ2IxfhweLx2Ey9R4SDfHeMtVdVCVAy7qVMzzjqMAquXzJ/maGUbTsem2+Oh0KlN0RjMsAfmMb1cvrkURqqkeEEge5JsI3wsJuDpBnHXuzn1Kk0Xc28v2T88QZpOqg9YJWfWDBw0cQ7JZukCxpSlz/AC21wOn9RjrGFpA1SoKdMaif2dsXbMrd9yHLqjyWEBTAVmVV+cbexxXzNZqlQKNMbAKbWHWNhHIRgpmuDBGirrB6FdP0InG3DOFa6gp0gdT+ZiOp8hiCbsg4fwUTNRgR0B/Pf5fPB3I5YudNJTO1lJ3sJNyBMCTa+HvL9i8stELU1l4u4YgzzMfD8wcJ/F+G1Moe8pOe727zaPJhtHnsfLbC60x3jlFWLuYyjUapBBCExURrafUHbfn1xDkXWrnU/o1TB6L4r+sfXE3FuIBy2pSGffQYEc953MmPO2LPYfKA1HqsPCF0ieZJk/ID64ktkLFWx0qcapruZ8wCfwxJ/wCZT+sfI4xFpx8I9zjFqUiB4B13xmNBh4wl5P0OJ+F5WjnGYO9QooE01dlVrkgsBGqOWK4qUzfRibI5tVddHh1EBj5c5wVtwFJN7hrP9m8oqiMtTj0/OZOOfdquz1LU4oJDqs+EwDJWFgmPh1H2GOnV9TiBdAshvrhOy9RTqdgSWJPysPoBgqTHyQSVCfw7svmKkqFUERIZxaRM+Y5W6HBmp2JWioZ3UtOyqI+Zv9MGDnFSKlNSCN5m45j154ucRzyPRnkwlbfphvEYkMUasgpcVEA+V7c8Sf8AlALflgRwjiY0v3gUKraVMR53wcyYFSpoCSSN/L9/jhGqYBc7R8dqBdCKyz8VTSQCDaASI9/lhYUWx0vidF6ZIqLE+4I/A+mFvOcDpvdP5Z6D4fly9reWNMUktihy33FCqADDdbHaOcSMRmmNoDKPL6A/M/Lri/xfhlRB41t/Utx/j3wKyrX0nf6HzGCQsUagEqDBG3Rh09cbsIuu3l06Yp1rEWI6nkfTyxotU8tsQI69guMOpqZdQrlvEoa0wfEJnpcQCZFovhszStmFbTJIBVv61BsVcDcf3bY5NkM61GqlRJ1q0gg/Me4ke+OtZ9qNWh3uXfx6BLIx1CYIB2Pv9cNFiTXcU+y9dsrR0MACzl4N97Dbayg++MxYq5auzFnqgsTJJVpv6MPz9cZjO1Fvk0rJNKkXaZF9x6EY2ZR/Uduoxplq+qmhiNQBuo5ieuLAPWPlbFYSoroxHjmOn+MaioCYLNbn1HMYt6QR0M202vjyqRbc/TEAQNE21RythV7R5UU6kiQHE3EX54dadSLfr85wE4/nKS6RUVma+kBedubSByvB9MW4cjhK0JkxrIqbom4HXFTLppnwjST/AOtrYYOz1GKpP9v4kYUeymtDVpVAVIMgG1zYiLERA6b4aMrn1pmSwvaZ5g/4j5Yrnyy3Gqqx1z50058sLPZbhSNVfMhAHfwzG4BufUn56Rijx/tSKoWlTku5CgcpJA3w88Lyop0h0Aj5YiLJUUeMZenUTu6qh1PI8vMHcHzGBnZns5SyxbQSxdrM0SF5Lb8eeNuJZrXUAW9yBjxajnewU3jy69MBt0SMFyWeN59VUgfP8cIHGuLGqGpj4CCCOo/TE3anjTVY7sRTJIU83jfSN9INtXM7YGUOC1Ki3YoDvAlo5jeFJ89umGjtuyub7IWeA8OqZlgsmALt0HS9p6Y6FlcstNVRUCquwn9ycS5bIJTQLTUKo2H5859d8TP0/IYkp2JGNEDL5D0t+ePKdMLMTE7W/YGNg7ExpIHKFGNUVwd/nA/DCjHluh/fPbGJSAJYCP35Y9dXBmbRv0v64wM/Igj64gB50k5RiBB0GPWLYQHyrLaGkWg+n446RwOsHoKDysfbCt2ppFcwdIswBPlyxBpOxf7gzPi+e2PMvTrUjNJ1IIPgbb2ImB5YtOSLfSfxxqrtqKwP35ziATrgUuK97SJevYMxbwm09BGxx0T+GuVYUEqVDLMtvT9/lgVUyHfp3RA8duVuYPtv7YcMhQ7hRS6AD2xJS2GhHey9xHQ6lWEj9/I+eEfiWRNJuqHY/kfP9+jTm6s2jfEecemlI99Gki84aMqFyY1JCXUqgAztznCTx+hSZpokh5+Fdvbp6fhgjxTM1K9Q06AJUH4vLzPLBngfBRQvZqhF220+Qn8ef0xdKaRnjB2IVLiIYaao9GG49RzwR4Zl6R1M1UFVQtpWzMZCqt/hlmEnkAcWuOdn375npoSCZtB33EbzPlhfZPngp2HgLcWe+kJSANoQGRzHjYljym+GvsjVpVaWirVSi9A/6pJLFWkhQo+KDq52thI+1sZWmgTVAMSzEC8SZIEgGLbDfG9BKlOdwGEHzEz+P54IJNHU869N2BpoNIUDU7NqePvkBgAT08sZgXwegHoU2IWdIF1k2t+WMxnlLctS2M4O2qguncSJ6QbD5Yu93Nywnz/dsLfZEse8EjTY369MMYotE2g8rc/U4EuRkZ3YEW+px73YNrkeX4b41IvBMGLAwLfv0xrTpNNoAPKd/Y4BDyvl2iQSpHM8sQcNSrS7wFqbVHae8ZJYAgSJt4bDmMWWptzFvY41qloED5+XWLYZSa4A0nyCk4OwqvVNZi76iz6RfUZMX642pdn6JJ8TljM+KPW3K+ClJXIlj8rfrjE1ERefb8OeBbDRQ4JwhKGZSsWY0lmdVyCRAiNxfyiBvyds9xkVE0JUWIInn/jCqtDqZvtAiPz3wLz/AAmqgJoVHI50y1/YzHsfngjxlQw0KuqsmkgKltR2vacHqtWnDLTZWLEhiCD842wD/hrmVph2qMFPwzUYLLG+kSbkC5j+oYbeI00Y6mUG1ib+kHl6jD+Da5K31FOqOXLnVNchtK6IRfIKIF+V7n19MMnZ9RXrM0//AB1QgOLd45KkuvULGkHYlz0OETiXFhluIVSglNQ1ISYNhzPO++GhO2dE0iwbQRun39tgNyf7vhE4ZY6Yksra2CAsYJmCQenTfHrMFnnG376YX+A5411diQraySByDXEDy8S/7cFmpGCBB9dvwxTJUyxPYsd8PxHPGNmF9hiFFI2FuePabht/eQR0OFISGp5WB3jl7Y27wcvwv6TiFqQuTAHXYfU+WNFpHYkG9tv0t1tgkC3Du0VLKqxrPpRjaxN+kCeX4Yq8Q47SzNUmmHGlQCWEDeRzOBHEsiaiVKZKbSpBuGHWPYfPArg2Rr0WCZimUDCFYleVxsSRYEYZK0OmtLv+gfNdDMnbyJv5Rvj0VFuJHubj88RHSANbADkCd/rjf7TRH3lXa0j8Z2wohayNUU6iMNxAg+dj+OHDLZ5X2gsMJNNkd1CupYsNmBO97Dyw3MdCWWTgMshwVOK8VRNVR4VVGEbO5s5pi1Z9NIbUwYJ8z+mL3aihVNSm1QhUDA6d+Y3xPCmwNwRMQD7j09LYKFk+xWy9WioAVlA5RixRrqZAe/lt/wB43elaCIJ2sP2MbLQjckSI8h8v3fzxBTWAd2nCVxzKU+/Zl0srX578/hB5398O2YyQcBSdKnpz+Z6ciMDMx2bp6D3c6zOnxTcfTyw0ZJCyVgHJ5e3gWf8A1X8ZjG+ZyxA8UD+0bn1Ix7k+KR4WMeuJKlTUQTfD62BY0EOH8do06ao5IYbjSTzPTGYjo8IpvLEtc2gxyH5zjML8I1SC3DcmtJAija5I5nYkn8sWmpiZvfkf8W9sS/Zx0JjzAn6/jiRKYBuo9IXf3O/64UllKsFgNBnYmB+kn0x4qAbo0eRtz/cemCBETa46gbRvc8pxrXZgJsRINufsMSiNlRfIG3Pcx7nlj0JqBjY8wR6b4npV2IBA8Pp+ZuMe1HSLgc5EWHtiaWBSRCUk7WkiPrP0x63UqL7G1h6wcTtp3BveLW9Y5748DEXEEwJJEA/j9dsAayrWANjEzsbH/F8eVP7lEH97QZ/6xaerUJuVAJ5C/v4cZ3kQkyT/AGkefP8AdsQgjcZzU5lidk8IHp/mcVshxiujEUajLyCA+EsxhQVNtzMxsDipxfMTWqsNi7EehYkfTBfshkwG717R8JJA8URz/pU/N2/pxpb0opire4K432ezOpqpAeTJ0TIsPum/ynAEVCNxcddx+/PHYalZbSwBIm5F5+v1wmduMtT069IFXckEXAIW9/Eb2i8A8hZIzbe4ZRS4BvZDMVe90I0a4VSQCAzMoBM32nb9cOnAuMGupk6agsRsPa9x+FsL/Z5EolKpIHd02qXIuwUhAJ3YuQYGwnzOJ+x1ZKSMzsikwF1WbSJm/QmNuYxJqwQbsbO9JMhW3IieYHp9Z6Ympgn35/iMCm7R5dSD3k77ajG19vljaj2goN/9okm4Ooc/7tvpirS/It1LzCPcAjb67fvr5Y0OX5bz5Rsd7Y3p1NUaGkbCDI9/TyOJ1JNpAv5fn+74UYA1sxmJKpQamVtrFWmSwneDTt7nlinXo5x0FIU6SoDMDSPeBsW/q3uQSRbDMyg23mfvGZ5C3X9MeEIZAIMWPOxwW75QukUcn2arBtRqKltqcA36AgCLc8En7K02hnd3tzeT0M2t/wBYNBSttugAG1+sweeJGqQDBPoBf93wXJk0oG8B7PUqWYRk1TceLlbpGOh5JBfyws8DBavLEkAHcRGx98MJraAzcicK3b3LIqo7Cn22hqlJP6nA9hf8JwO/8FSb4l13tJgesD/OMfM99my33aQ9tR9PKfmMFKqnSbm/keW2588EV7srU6Kp4VUgDkCIP57enLEhBOzRMWAk3/LHlNbmCTHX8oAH/WNnQ+c7AzYidv38sAB5Ry8G7k+cR/jEpo7k8uQ54pvQZyNWq/RiAPnM+/5Yt0VIIiSOpMkev/cYhBa4/wADBbvFUkH4wtyP7o5+cfrgEqqp8NQEDzx0be3Lcjc32xWzPDKLmXp02tuVE/OcMmEV8vxldNsZgtW7LZZjIJUHkrED2EHGYGwbYWpAmQTbp+Uj9/jjyo8HUwEg722n6H2wLyPHKNXUVqLO5mVPKfiA9ZFjjevxqgpOqqrc4F/lAI/P5YOliakW8xmUYbKx+6C1ufTp098aZYbllSRswYmPKCbfn+NAdoMq0jvQByJn5C0n35Gxtb1ePZe+mqAwNrE+4F5n2xNLJqQYasOrkDlNuhge59MZTMiTIBsB+5HpOKVDjFKoQqvqbyQi/LeQPT8YxI3EwJEuT07tiAAJMGALQYwKZNi22onlB8tuk33j98saLTJ3H1v9N/bC8O1q6iBRqGNyAAbbmOXK3riKv2pq/wD15divLUDM+gFp5ehg4ZRkK3El4vXrd5UCOU7ukHCGYMuAxO0whZoH9Hnhf412greDSBb7wLXJkAi4tERHMegxbr5qtXZqgo1FcLBZbiBJNmHxGeosB0wCr1hp7zVUYs2nxARAA5gnltGHXqK/Q04dlzWqKqi567DzMXgb7XiOeHfK5HMACmHo00VY1IhZ53I8U3mSTuTJ54XeAOcvUq1GRGHwqWdEkeWojVJK7YbOH8WqVFBFNQTPw1kJAJEemDNskeKBtXg2aJH/AMpom06gfIx1xBxns8RQqGpmHchdVxA8MkXZieZ2tfDJTc6tNo3uwk7chy64g4hmA4q0opkaDEVPIiIAsZER54VSYaFBM3OR7saIa58KFhEbN8aggX6288W89w813prSRtC0lGoqYW7NBJFwAeXKDinlVH2amggs99wABFybwDe0jDjlOI0QoANIIJAAYk+QAIB6YMlumgRappi8OyDH/wC4R17s/wCLg+vLBvJdnKATSQG/qJ+I23n7voMWa3GUWJVjy8AkD3JGAWY7U6jakSoM3bxfTz87RgfGw/CgoezVAGQpEH7tRhE+4sPxxeyVFFlfGLyZYsfUSbDC6e1p5Ut9izWjztf/ABihm+01afBpA5Qg+km3/WBok+Sa4oe1aYk+9ieW8j9xj3ugQCp59OXr64Qsp2kzUkKdZJsNM39B6YKZbj1dBNXL1CLCUVhPrJI/DAeNoKyJjT3RsQ2087RzMQZM+WNKtObk35wJJ/PptHPCynbGXA7tgCR99eZk7iOlsM+4kCZvM22kQRaLD5++A4tcjKSfBJwrPKlY6yVlYBItvz6fhgvxqsWpaKUO72QKRc3tvHKZ8sEOA8Eo1KCvVpKztJlh4o2FxtYTbrgLxXsgKdanUy9ZqDd4IZkNQJY3HWBPxT1kRixYk1YvitbAXg/Ca1GiddNgRLu1jEKrmSDFkZTbebHF+pwuuNRNMjQusg7KoJv8XkRAuIMgWxZzHDqtKjXBqVFVKndPT0qS+ukhZmJqmAV0ixcgCQN4v53gmYeoi1K7E1ZpEmmIQBRWNP8A/QGDLiCShnaMLpJqBLcMqh4NOCBqMgKNM6d5geIRBMyAIxCmRrNoYKYqR3UwSZGu3QEQbxbBypRzAzSUvtR711Ud4FDAAy8aTZoN9did7RjXLcLrmotNc03dpSRlqBAdIqDukCgT93VLByIUn0mlE1MEUcjVhiaZOhtDRurSJ3aTBZLxF+WJBlKuvSKLGAfDYQAxQsZM6QwInlAO18T5nKVdGupXYscwENPRcVVgFmIIDBUpowJ3gCATOLWX4RUq1q9L7SXNIGmzsime8L6lhC2lCSZZoK6o0iBiaETUwRRRmRqqoTTS5JiBZWNp6EGY+9jM0rI2h6QV9wCbwSQDAMgSGvz3Fr4JUchVOVDrXAStoJpKi2FVxSnVJYiwkgKCBvOM4twx6DgM3e6hzTSQKemlsTOmAulp8Qk33wHGkFS3BoqRuV8oB/XrOPMSLRfkfkP8Y9woxzrMcD1KhpUnBPhGuorbTbkfT0xLleyzkr3jBbHUouwMkDlG2nnzOMxmHc2IoIJ5bsnTG7F55QBB33v6e/PkeocJp0rrTQECep5xvb6/K2MxmEcmxlFItM+kEkzysIg9ImD88a0qBIBtpN9ojy52tjMZgBN6dOJM25b33N/31xoUgreZJt+Xy/DGYzEIa1qbSCYsIiZH4fuOWOWZrIjxgPdQSARuQ+krbby5eeMxmHiLIYOHdoKVLLrT0FqgEGQInmJ59PbF9OKCqqgUaiAyo7t0UXUk8rWBO2MxmGkktxYu9jTIcNrkfzKcITYvVDMdrWUyLbGPzxtU7OFjJpoIsP5jSeY2AG83gehx7jMJrY+hEGV7JaFXvHQseqlgIvABO0Ai/XlgjQ4KEBZGRgRMGmBAErNtyTjMZguTBpSCFPI2Kyt40xqO4mST5cr4r0uC0t4BJG4ER1Nz+uMxmAmw0SUeC0tLBaSkLuzSennb0E/U4kHDKYUg00AMEyJ9+fXnjMZg2xaRNl8oijwKo6hRHp9ZxvomQQfQ7eX7jn5YzGYKI0QZvI0WB10ktvIkz7R9MVamapoqrTqMLQEE842Li20b7Y8xmOj03SwyfNfujldV1mTF8te7/Y04J/EyukLXSmyKIhV0m0ABSDE+vzwUz3aulnADl6bVHQ6mQwjrYjcwp3mQ02xmMxlm6TOjHejWnXvpak9M87rczzhjJ6zPviymVESBuZJBgneT64zGYz2XUbUqAGwi1o6AW+n448TIAxIsNgTaBMW2sdv3OYzEAe06M30kydiRz5/u/ljyrlJBtFjJNwZsdjN4/DHmMwLDRoKZ1GREDrPmPIQfXFilQvIFzaSfOBeJx7jMQhLVyZB+77bfhj3GYzBoh//Z
Knoxville, TN - South Carolina defeated Tennessee 19-15 in the Plate Final of the Southeastern Collegiate Rugby Conference 7s Championship in Knoxville, TN on Saturday. With the win, the Gamecocks finished third overall and wrapped up their 7s season with a final record of 21-3, including three Cup Championships, a Plate Championship, and a Bowl Championship.
In the final was the Crimson Tide of Alabama who defeated the Mississippi State Bulldogs 24-14 to punch their ticket to the Penn Mutual Collegiate Rugby Championship 7s invitational in Philadelphia, PA.
After finishing sixth in the final standings of the SCRC series, Alabama came out of nowhere to shock the field. The Crimson Tide tied Florida before beating Auburn and Tennessee in pool play. The 2-0-1 record earned Alabama the number one spot in its pool.
South Carolina, which had dominated the field with three tournament victories during the series, uncharacteristically lost a pool play match to Mississippi State. With the loss and an undefeated record for State, the Gamecocks finished second in pool play and met Alabama in the Cup Semis. In a nail biter, Alabama squeaked out a 22-21 victory over the Gamecocks.
In a day filled with upsets, Mississippi State defeated the second-seeded Tennessee Volunteers, 14-10, in the other Cup Semifinal. The Bulldogs defeated LSU and Georgia, as well as South Carolina, to move to 4-0 before the Cup Championship.
"While the result of the SCRC finals tournament was not what we had hoped for, the season is a big step forward for the rugby sevens program at USC," said Head 7's Coach Steve Darnell. "With a final record of 21-3 for the season we have built upon our appearance at the Collegiate Rugby Championship in 2014 and our Shield Championship at the USA Rugby Nationals in 2013. We will move forward gaining invaluable experience from the season with both the thrill of numerous wins and the bitter taste of loss at the conclusion of the season."
This year, South Carolina established itself as the premier sevens program in the Southeastern Conference, though was unable to finish strong at the end. Fortunately, many of the Gamecock's starting players will be returning next year giving them a solid foundation to build on.
"We look forward to future opportunities to make our mark on the national stage with the return of all players sans one that will be sorely missed. Zac Gorman has been an inspiration in training and in match play; he will not be easily replaced. James Whipper will return for the Fall, so all we need to do is make sure that he cannot bear leaving before the Spring of 2016 for his native Australia. With the return of injured players as well as incoming freshman the next rugby sevens season promises even more success."
The Gamecocks game plan suffered during the Championship event given the loss of their team captain and wing to hamstring injuries earlier in the day, placing them without their two top try scorers for the bulk of the tournament. South Carolina was also without senior center Michael Rudzinsky who is recovering from surgery and was unable to participate in any of the 7's competition this season. Thankfully, all three are on track for recovery.
With a renewed focus placed on the 7's game this year, Coach Darnell contributes his team's success to the development of individual players along with cohesive team play. "The contributions of all players are essential to a successful sevens team, in training and in match play. I am very grateful for those that gave their time and efforts often with little or no opportunities for match play. Others have had the opportunity to contribute with copious match time, perhaps more than they had wanted. This past weekend, with injuries to key players, several players were called upon to stretch themselves with extended match time. Christian Harrell was key in both forward and back positions, moving from prop, to center, to wing. Sean Barnes played multiple positions as well, along with Zac Gorman, James Whipper, and Thomas Coar. And while Brian Keown played only one position on the day, he played every minute and was our leading scorer. He had his best day yet kicking and sealed the win over Tennessee with a great individual effort."
With a healthy, returning roster, the future of South Carolina Rugby is on strong footing and the program looks to be early favorites for 2016.
"Endings are bitter sweet and this is no exception. I look forward to a less hectic schedule but I already miss the anticipation of the next training; the next match. Thanks again to all that support our program; this is indeed a special group of young men that deserve the support that they receive. They are a joy to coach and, with the taste of success from this season, I am certain that they are hungry for more!"
Carolina Point Earners
Sean Barnes: 1 Try
Thomas Coar: 4 Tries
Tim Hamill: 1 Try
Christian Harrell: 4 Tries
Brian Keown: 6 Tries / 15 Con
James Whipper: 3 Tries
Georgia (45-0)
Tries: Barnes, Coar 2, Hamill, Harrell, Keown, Whipper
Conversions: Keown 5
Louisiana St (26-5)
Tries: Coar, Keown 2, Whipper
Conversions: Keown 3
Mississippi St (14-17)
Tries: Coar, Harrell
Conversions: Keown 2
Alabama (21-22)
Tries: Keown 2, Whipper
Conversions: Keown 3
Tennessee (19-15)
Tries: Harrell 2, Keown
Conversion: Keown 2
Twitter
This post was edited on 4/20 6:31 PM by CarolinaRugby
Knoxville, TN - South Carolina defeated Tennessee 19-15 in the Plate Final of the Southeastern Collegiate Rugby Conference 7s Championship in Knoxville, TN on Saturday. With the win, the Gamecocks finished third overall and wrapped up their 7s season with a final record of 21-3, including three Cup Championships, a Plate Championship, and a Bowl Championship.
In the final was the Crimson Tide of Alabama who defeated the Mississippi State Bulldogs 24-14 to punch their ticket to the Penn Mutual Collegiate Rugby Championship 7s invitational in Philadelphia, PA.
After finishing sixth in the final standings of the SCRC series, Alabama came out of nowhere to shock the field. The Crimson Tide tied Florida before beating Auburn and Tennessee in pool play. The 2-0-1 record earned Alabama the number one spot in its pool.
South Carolina, which had dominated the field with three tournament victories during the series, uncharacteristically lost a pool play match to Mississippi State. With the loss and an undefeated record for State, the Gamecocks finished second in pool play and met Alabama in the Cup Semis. In a nail biter, Alabama squeaked out a 22-21 victory over the Gamecocks.
In a day filled with upsets, Mississippi State defeated the second-seeded Tennessee Volunteers, 14-10, in the other Cup Semifinal. The Bulldogs defeated LSU and Georgia, as well as South Carolina, to move to 4-0 before the Cup Championship.
"While the result of the SCRC finals tournament was not what we had hoped for, the season is a big step forward for the rugby sevens program at USC," said Head 7's Coach Steve Darnell. "With a final record of 21-3 for the season we have built upon our appearance at the Collegiate Rugby Championship in 2014 and our Shield Championship at the USA Rugby Nationals in 2013. We will move forward gaining invaluable experience from the season with both the thrill of numerous wins and the bitter taste of loss at the conclusion of the season."
This year, South Carolina established itself as the premier sevens program in the Southeastern Conference, though was unable to finish strong at the end. Fortunately, many of the Gamecock's starting players will be returning next year giving them a solid foundation to build on.
"We look forward to future opportunities to make our mark on the national stage with the return of all players sans one that will be sorely missed. Zac Gorman has been an inspiration in training and in match play; he will not be easily replaced. James Whipper will return for the Fall, so all we need to do is make sure that he cannot bear leaving before the Spring of 2016 for his native Australia. With the return of injured players as well as incoming freshman the next rugby sevens season promises even more success."
The Gamecocks game plan suffered during the Championship event given the loss of their team captain and wing to hamstring injuries earlier in the day, placing them without their two top try scorers for the bulk of the tournament. South Carolina was also without senior center Michael Rudzinsky who is recovering from surgery and was unable to participate in any of the 7's competition this season. Thankfully, all three are on track for recovery.
With a renewed focus placed on the 7's game this year, Coach Darnell contributes his team's success to the development of individual players along with cohesive team play. "The contributions of all players are essential to a successful sevens team, in training and in match play. I am very grateful for those that gave their time and efforts often with little or no opportunities for match play. Others have had the opportunity to contribute with copious match time, perhaps more than they had wanted. This past weekend, with injuries to key players, several players were called upon to stretch themselves with extended match time. Christian Harrell was key in both forward and back positions, moving from prop, to center, to wing. Sean Barnes played multiple positions as well, along with Zac Gorman, James Whipper, and Thomas Coar. And while Brian Keown played only one position on the day, he played every minute and was our leading scorer. He had his best day yet kicking and sealed the win over Tennessee with a great individual effort."
With a healthy, returning roster, the future of South Carolina Rugby is on strong footing and the program looks to be early favorites for 2016.
"Endings are bitter sweet and this is no exception. I look forward to a less hectic schedule but I already miss the anticipation of the next training; the next match. Thanks again to all that support our program; this is indeed a special group of young men that deserve the support that they receive. They are a joy to coach and, with the taste of success from this season, I am certain that they are hungry for more!"
Carolina Point Earners
Sean Barnes: 1 Try
Thomas Coar: 4 Tries
Tim Hamill: 1 Try
Christian Harrell: 4 Tries
Brian Keown: 6 Tries / 15 Con
James Whipper: 3 Tries
Georgia (45-0)
Tries: Barnes, Coar 2, Hamill, Harrell, Keown, Whipper
Conversions: Keown 5
Louisiana St (26-5)
Tries: Coar, Keown 2, Whipper
Conversions: Keown 3
Mississippi St (14-17)
Tries: Coar, Harrell
Conversions: Keown 2
Alabama (21-22)
Tries: Keown 2, Whipper
Conversions: Keown 3
Tennessee (19-15)
Tries: Harrell 2, Keown
Conversion: Keown 2
This post was edited on 4/20 6:31 PM by CarolinaRugby
