Among the performances of note last month was a special second half from an unexpected quarter for AIC.

Long known (and rightly so) for an excellent backline, American International also features a pretty solid forward pack. Central to that was all-conference lock Corey Momsen, a big, powerful tight-five forward who made key defensive players, won rucks, and worked the lineout.

But, in the middle of a contentious and tight game with Iona at the U Rugby Bowl Series, Momsen went down with an injury. AIC needed someone else to make some big players in set piece, and in stepped freshman Tommy Clark.

“It’s been amazing, I’ve definitely learned a lot, developed my game, made it faster,” said the lock forward from Olympia, Wash. “I learned I have to be a harder hitter on defense and I know I have to keep excelling.”

Momsen’s injury may have helped reveal Clark as an up-and-comer, but Momen himself helped make that happen.

“Corey helped me a lot,” said Clark. “He’s my mentor. I know I am going to carry on when he leaves. I have to be more smart as a leader, because that’s what it’s going to be like next year. I have to be the workhorse lock - I started to take on that role this year. I learned all that from Corey.”

Our Eagle Impact Rugby Academy Player Spotlight is AIC freshman lock Tommy Clark.