BARBOS HEAD TO SEATTLE FOR CLUB 7’S NATIONALS
Attention BarboFam!
It’s been far too long since the Barbos have taken the pitch, but luckily for us faithful Green & White supporters, the team is back and better than ever! This weekend, YOUR Denver Barbarians 7’s team heads to Seattle, WA. It is there that they’ll compete in the 2021 Club National Championships amongst the best 16 teams in the nation in a bid to be crowned number one!
So much has gone into getting the club back on its feet after almost a year and half away from the pitch. First off, thanks go out to legendary Barbo 7’s coach Steve LaPorta, who has volunteered his valuable time and sage wisdom when the club was dire to deliver a successful summer of 7’s. Deliver is what Steve has done, as his tutelage has molded and shaped the player group into a highly competitive unit.
A special thanks to our club president Logan ‘Corn Dog’ Collins who has helped behind the curtain to organize this season. And oh yeah, can’t forget, the ol’ guy still straps on the boots and competes on the pitch—no big deal. Final thanks go to Purvi Desai for helping keep the bodies healthy, to Bt Shea and Kelly Meek for coaching, to Riglie Reeves for her sadistic conditional sessions, and Carly Waters for lending a hand in drills at baking some darn good cookies.
Lastly, to our BarboFam faithful. You are the reason this team is desperate to deliver a 7’s National Championship. You are the reason the players have absolutely gassed themselves for the last three months (in record high temps and record low air quality). The players/coaches/organizers have all put their heads together to produce the result that this fanbase deserves. We cannot wait to represent the best darn rugby club in the country this weekend!
Let’s meet the team…
Celester Asuega:
It’s a bird, it’s a plane… No, it’s Celester flying through defenses like a hot knife through butter! Celester and the Barbos date back to 2016 when he competed with our 7’s team as a college player with the New Mexico Vatos. Celester’s skillset gives him an x-factor which allows him to sit down defensive lines through pace, pressure, and ball-handling. Off the pitch, you’ll find him to be a lighthearted fun-loving dude usually with a selfie-stick in hand. On the pitch, watch out before you catch his left shoulder in a thumping tackle. He’ll look to apply defensive pressure in key situations this weekend, which can be found on The Rugby Network!
Celester Asuega
Mickey Bateman (C):
Mickey is our Co-captain this summer along with Eric Sykes. His leadership skills were apparent on the first day of training when you could hear his voice three blocks from the field. Mickey first played with the Denver Barbarians in the summer of 2018 after originally playing against them and coming to the quick realization that no one wants to do that. When he joined the Barbos in 2018 he was business on top and party in the back, but now this guy is nothing but business (be sure to check out his food catering company Mickey's Meals). On the field, he’s constantly organizing, communicating, and pushing his teammates to capitalize on each opportunity. Sweeping back and forth behind the defensive line, you’ll be sure to hear Mickey orchestrating breakdowns and planning plays.
Mickey Bateman
Malik is built for the 7’s game. He’s quick, fast, shifty, agile, and lighting fast. More importantly, he’s become a student of the game and improved each week. He’ll look to cook opposing defenders on the fast turf this weekend at Starfire Stadium. Malik’s defense is relentless and his pursuit of the ball on defensive breaks is second to none. Try to catch him this weekend on The Rugby Network, but just remember if you blink you might miss him (because he’s so fast…).
Malik Bryant
Logan Collins:
Club president, tenured senior rugby player, wise and dependable private mortgage banker, dependable campfire starter, retired boy scout, rangy ping-pong player, deep-fried hot dog consumer, and quality friend... Is there anything Logan can’t do? We all know what this man does for the Denver Barbarians Rugby Football Club off the field, but what he brings on the field can only be described as invaluable. A form tackler, known ball poacher and a savvy lineout operator, opposing clubs know to always keep an eye out for the one they call Corn Dog Collins. If you give him an inch, he’ll take a few more inches and hit you with his patented “swerve” move. Next thing you know, you’ll be chasing him until he scores under the posts.
Logan Collins
Campbell 'Soup' Johnstone:
Big Campbell’s 7’s game comes down to one word: Versatile. He has owned the “link” position and his quick ball skills have opened many a winger for an unopposed try. As good as his passing is, it’s his character that’s stood out this season. This team’s youngest member (a young pup of 23 years), Soup learned the game of 7’s at the highest level this summer. He’ll look to slang the ball from sideline to sideline this weekend which you can see for yourself on The Rugby Network!
Campbell Johnstone
Matt Long:
Matt joined the Barbos in the summer of 2018. Since then, he’s only sharpened his skill set to compliment his big frame. On page one of Matt’s playbook you’ll only find: “run it straight and run it hard”… There is no page two… When he’s not taking on opposing defenses taunting them to try to slow him down (never mind stopping him), he can be found with gloves on and shirt off, pruning the rose bushes of his front yard. Look out for a hot flash of red across your screen as you watch the Barbos play this weekend.
Matt Long
Jeremy 'Missile' Misailegalu:
Webster’s dictionary defines the word MISSILE as “an object which is forcibly propelled at a target”. To expand on that analogy, Jeremy is the object, and the target is any poor son-of-a-gun standing opposite him. This weekend Missile rejoins the club that raised him into the professional rugby player he is today. A longtime Barbo since the summer of 2016, Missile will look to cap an amazing year playing professionally for Rugby ATL by hoisting a Club 7’s National Championship trophy in his beloved Green & White. You can find him forcibly propelling himself at targets this weekend on The Rugby Network
Jeremy 'Missile' Misailegalu
Rumor has it that Cristian is just a single-celled organism comprised of one fast-twitch muscle fiber cell. His speed can only be described as effortless, graceful, and lightning quick. Cristian has been playing with the Barbos since the summer of 2019. This kid can use his feet to step you in a phone booth. Before you have time to turn and grab him, he’s already through the gap and ten meters down field getting ready to step someone else. Add in the ability to distribute and tackle, Cristian is the all-around utility back that every team wants.
Cristian Ortega
Noah Pflaum:
Just as Gandalf’s wisdom helped guide the ring back to Mordor, Noah’s temperament, maturity, and professionalism has led the Barbos back to a National Championship tournament. A mad scientist on the pitch, the “Pflaumingo” isn’t scared to stretch his skinny legs and try something crazy to turn a game in a pivotal moment. Also note that you shouldn’t let his skin or his bones fool you, Noah’s down to get dirty in a messy ruck, because he knows his hairbrush is no more than 14 minutes away. Noah has been a been a Denver Barbo mainstay since 2017.
Noah Pflaum
Norvell ‘DJ’ Stewart:
DJ hit the ground running this summer and was a standout when the Barbos competed in Houston earlier this year. After his first try of running through, over and around his opposition, he was asked how he did it. With an impeccable Forest Gump accent, he responded with “I just felt like runnin”. DJ’s mix of speed and strength is sure to give defenders headaches all weekend as he looks to exploit mismatches in the wide channels. DJ comes from a football background and has only been playing rugby for a year. His game has blossomed this summer under the coaching of Steve LaPorta. He’s one to look out for this weekend in Seattle!
Norvel “DJ” Stewart
Eric Sykes Jr (C):
Anyone who knows Sykes knows that he is as scrappy and aggressive as it gets on the field. Never yielding an inch and unleashing a fiery intensity only rivaled by the sun itself. Sykes knows how to win the front foot. He loves a slick step and can’t wait to put his head down and take on the gain line. Whether you’re the smallest or the biggest player on the pitch, Sykes will step you in his XL sized shorts. A Denver Barbarian since 2016, Eric Sykes will lead his men from the front as the team enters the playing arena in Seattle this weekend.
Eric Sykes Jr.
Ryan Walker:
This Denver Barbarian veteran has been around since the Mesozoic era. Joining the club in 2013 as a young pup, Ryan has blossomed into a leader on and off the pitch. Don’t let his smedium jersey or fresh-out-of-college clean-shaven face fool you; his high rugby IQ, calm demeanor, and general scrappiness make him a key contributor to this year’s team. He’ll look to make an impact in the halfbacks and put games away this weekend either with his boot, pass, or unexpected counter ruck.
Ryan Walker
Alex 'The Worm' Wormer:
Someone once described a worm as being a slippery elusive creature which goes about its business silently and successfully. Well, our ‘Worm’ does the exact same thing! Alex is known to outfox ball carriers and pick their pocket in the ruck. At 6’3” his leaping ability in the restarts make him a potent threat from the first to last whistle. Alex has been with the Barbos since 2016 and his game has only elevated each year. Keep your eyes on Worm because he has the intangible qualities that makes good players great!
Alex Wormer
