Sawyer Troupe went 44-0 at heavyweight on the mat for the 2023-24 Flathead Brave Brawlers but figured there might be more to life than wrestling.

Now he’s playing rugby for Life. 

That’s Life University in Marietta, Georgia, a chiropractic school that, oddly enough, is a national power in a bone-rattling sport. On April 25 the Running Eagles fell to Navy in the USA Rugby D1A semifinals, ending a season that began last September. 

For Troupe it’s been a whirlwind. He’d spent the previous school year in Ellensburg, Washington. 

“Basically once I made the decision to not do wrestling, I committed to Central Washington for rugby,” he said last week. “I had a pretty good freshman season, started a majority of the games while playing a new position. I eventually got selected for the U19s.  

“Then right at the end of the year they surprised us by telling us the program was cut. Which was unfortunate.” 

If you’re wondering if college rugby has a “portal,” the answer is: Absolutely. Mount St. Mary’s, Lindenwood, Davenport University and the University of Arizona showed interest. Troupe chose a program with two national championships —- and that won a Rugby 7s title in May.  

“It’s all the way across the country, but it’s good,” he said. “I had to make a bunch of changes, to not only how you play but to your body type.” 

Troupe played “hooker” for the local Black and Blue side in high sachool, switched to something called Tight-head Prop at Central and is now a Loose-head Prop at Life. He figures he’s gained 20-30 pounds to handle the position.  

“I walk around at like 240,” he said. “I’m trying to get up to 260. I’m 6-foot, so it’s a lot to pack on. After wrestling, I can definitely say it’s harder to gain weight than to lose it.” 

As of this writing Troupe is all the way across the planet: He was again selected for the national U19s, and on June 27 he’ll play front row for the US at the World Rugby Junior World Championships. The Americans play Argentina first, then continue pool play with England on July 2 and Ireland on July 6.  

The site? Tbilisi, Georgia (the country), halfway around the world from Marietta. 

It’s an amazing time. The Running Eagles played host to Army last Sept. 20, and suited up for the Black Knights was Luke Leech, another Flathead graduate who played for the Black and Blue. 

“That’s where it all started,” Troupe said of the Flathead Valley rugby union. “We won two state championships.” 

Troupe played against Kolby Schrichte, a Missoula Loyola product who is also playing rugby for the Black Knights.  

“Three guys at top-five programs in the country,” Troupe said, before he flew into London last Thursday. By now he’s in Georgia, which makes it official: The world is Black and Blue all over. 

Sports Editor Fritz Neighbor can be reached at 406-758-4463 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.