USRF Grant Recipient Kevin Swiryn Tied for 4th in Tries on 7s Circuit

San Diego, CA (April 13, 2009) – Another USRF Grant Recipient, Kevin Swiryn (pictured left, courtesy of www.numinaphoto.com), continues to make waves on this year’s IRB Sevens World Series circuit. Swiryn, the recipient of the 2008 USRFF High Performance Grant, is currently tied for 4th in Tries scored with 20 through the first six Series events. He’s also the leading points scorer for the US with 100, good enough for 16th place among this year’s IRB Sevens scoring leaders.Swiryn is not only leading the team in points but in the locker room as well as he has been the captain of the side for the last two Series events in Hong Kong and Australia. With former captain Cris Wyles returning to service with his club, Saracens, after the Sevens Rugby World Cup in Dubai last month, coach Al Caravelli was in need of a new leader and found one in Swiryn.“Kevin was the obvious choice as he not only leads on the field but off the field as well,” said Caravelli, now in his fourth year at the helm of the Sevens program. “From the first time he joined the squad he became a student of the game and put in the hard work that was necessary for him to excel in the international arena against the world’s best and finest athletes.”Swiryn knows there are still better days to come. “I’m still learning, especially in the game of sevens. The good thing for me is I’m a quick learner and sevens is a wide open game, which suits my rugby ability. I have to give credit to all of my past and present coaches and teammates for any successes that I may have on the field. I’m also thankful for the opportunities given to me in such a great sport and I just hope to be able to continue playing for at least a few more years.”The US is in the midst of their best Sevens World Series campaign as they are currently tied for 8th in the standings with Australia. The team’s 20 points through six events are already four points better than their previous best mark from 2001 and that was from 10 events. The last two remaining events for this year are the London Sevens (May 23-24) and Scotland Sevens (May 30-31).