West Potomac junior Darien Pickett was invited to play on the US High School All-American (HSAA) Rugby Team this week.

Pickett, who plays flanker for the Fort Hunt Warriors U19 rugby team, tried out for a spot on the U-17 side in December at Arizona State University. Fort Hunt Warriors coach Dale Roach attended the tryouts in Arizona as an observing coach.  

“The competition was fierce,” Roach said. “He competed against 120 other kids from all over the country, all the best players tried out to get on a team with 25 spots.”

Pickett and Roach received word that Pickett made the team on Monday evening, the day before the Warriors began practicing for their spring season.  

“It was very cool that we got news of making the team the night before practice,” Roach remarked.  

Pickett will fly to England in March to participate in the US HSAA Varsity Tour and play against teams from Wales, Belgium, and England South. 

Last year, Pickett was selected for the Virginia U-17 Rugby All-stars. He also attended the East Coast High School Rugby All-star Tournament last summer where his play was noticed by the Selectors and Coaches of the High School All-American (HSAA) National team.

For more information about Fort Hunt Rugby, visit fhyaa.org.