By: Mitch Morelli
Wilmington, Del. - From a pool of nearly 20,000 players representing 632 collegiate rugby programs nationwide, the top collegiate rugby players have earned selection as 2025 NCR All-Americans.
Across Division I, Division I-AA, Division II, and Division III, these athletes stood out over the course of the season for their consistency, impact, and performance at the highest level of collegiate rugby. Representing 117 programs from coast to coast, this year's All-Americans reflect the depth of talent and competitiveness across every division of NCR competition.
The reigning National Champions were well-represented with three players earning All-American honors, the most of any team in Division III.
Christopher Ascough (So. Loughlinstown, Dublin / Mother of Divine Grace),
Lex Lang (Fr. San Diego, Calif. / Gregory the Great Academy), and
Joseph Moleski (So. Carrollton, Texas / St. Martin's Academy) were the three Barons to earn this distinguished, national honor.
"I am absolutely super proud and ecstatic for Joe Bob, Lex, and Chris on their status as All-Americans. It's a massive honor and an achievement that speaks to their talents and hard work. Joe Bob is the engine that makes everything run, while Lex is the driver and Chris is the turbocharger boost. Together, their dynamic playing styles catapulted the team to new heights never reached in Franciscan rugby history. They certainly made my life easier as a coach with their leadership and conviction in faith and commitment. Their tenacity and compassion for the game of rugby is unmatched, and they deserve the recognition of being All-Americans. I am humbled by how hard they worked and the dedication they gave day in and day out. They continue to carry the Baron Rugby legacy as excellent Catholics for the program and the University. I thank God for sending theses fellas to Franciscan!"
-- Head Coach
Jason Adams
Full List of 2025 All-Americans
Ascough, as well as Moleski, are the first sophomores in Franciscan history to earn this honor since John Thibault in 2021. "I'm blessed for every opportunity I've had to get me here, and I'm ready to defend the title," said Ascough.
The Irishman had a dominant start to the season while playing inside, but he was slowed down in the middle part of the season due to injury. After being snubbed for All-Conference last year, Ascough was out to prove that he belonged to the exclusive club. He was tasked with leading the pods with his powerful running style as well as the boot for penalty kicks and conversion points. An injury late in the season forced Coach Jason to tinker with the lineup again, and wanting to keep Ascough's nose for the tryline, he was moved out to the wing. Free to move around with space, Ascough ascended throughout the playoffs, leading all D3 scorers in overall points scored, with 36 points, 20 of those from 4 tries, and 16 from 8 kick conversions.
"Chris is an amazing talent with the rugby ball in his hands. Last year, he was asked to play various positions in the backline due to low numbers after we lost our whole backline from the #6 ranked 2023 team. He never complained and did as well as he could as a first-year player. I felt bad that he couldn't play to his potential, but he still led the ARU in overall points. This year, I was able to start him at his normal position as an 8 man. He continued to excel with the ball and his ability to stay on his feet is a master class in attacking with the ball. I can't say enough about him and his desire to be the best on the field. I will always appreciate him kitting up and playing tough through the duration of a grueling playoff path."
-- Head Coach
Jason Adams
Lang is the first freshman in program history to be named an All-American. Across all Franciscan varsity sports, he is the second freshman All-American, as Joseph James of Men's Lacrosse achieved this feat in 2024. Lang adds this honor to an already impressive list of accolades from this season. He was named ARU Co-Player of the Year and ARU All-Conference last month. "I'm so grateful for this opportunity, and I can't wait to see what this team can do again next year," said Lang.
Lex joined Franciscan late in the summer and was one of the last players to join the team. He was the missing piece to the team as 10/15 combo player and hit the ground running. He started out as the fullback as Coach Jason tried a few lineup adjustments the first few weeks and settled on Lang at 10 due to his skills in off-loading and kicking for space. Lex is not only just an offensive catalyst, but his defense just might also be better and just as important. He made countless tackles and poaches as well as counter-rucking. He was instrumental in leading the backline with his territorial tactics and threatening to score from anywhere on the pitch. His try at the end of the first half in the championship match ended up being possibly the biggest try of the season
"When I met with Lex over a zoom call, and we discussed his playing style, I told him that we could potentially have a shot at going to Nationals. I knew that he would be an excellent distributor of the ball, and his tactical kicking would provide a huge benefit to our backline. He was very coachable and understanding of what we wanted to do, and God blessed him with an excellence in kicking and tackling. I look forward to seeing him get even better as he progresses."
-- Head Coach
Jason Adams
Moleski came as no surprise after being named NCR Division III National Player of the Year last month. This was the first year that NCR honored a National Player of the Year, as he will always be able to say that he was the first to earn it. He was named ARU All-Conference earlier this offseason for the second year in a row.
"It means the world to be named All-American with Lex and Chris and to be able to represent Franciscan University as the school that got me here, said Moleski. Praise be to God!"
Moleski continued to be an exceptional captain and led the team in their march towards a National Championship. He is magician, with an unmatched high rugby IQ when it comes to directing the attack, passing bullets, kicking when it's unexpected and deftly adding touch when needed. Entering his sophomore season after a ballyhooed freshman year, but with uncertainty at the flyhalf position, Joe Bob was tasked with donning the 10 jersey for the first few matches as Coach Adams toyed with different lineups. Believing that Joe Bob needed to be in his regular 9 spot to take full advantage of his skills there, the Barons' attack took off.
"Joe Bob's relentlessness on the pitch led the team by example but his words of encouragement was just as important. We would not have win it all without his presence on the pitch and off it. He assisted me with trainings and staying on the guys to train as hard as they could. I will forever be grateful for Joe's leadership and commitment to excellence, and he exemplifies what a great Catholic rugby player should be."
-- Head Coach
Jason Adams
With three All-Americans, this year's team tied the 2019-20 team for the most All-Americans in one season for Franciscan Rugby. That was Head Coach
Jason Adams' first season with Franciscan. Josh Leatherby, David Prezzia, and P.J. Ernst were the trio to be honored that season by then the National Small College Rugby Organization (NSCRO). Coach Adams has now coached eight players who earned All-American honors, earned two National Final Four berths, and won one National Championship since being hired in 2019.
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