West Potomac Athlete to Try Out for 2014 National Rugby Team

West Potomac High School's Darien Pickett received another invitation to try out for the 2014 USA High School All American Rugby Team. Pickett plays flanker for the Fort Hunt Warriors and is a key varsity football player for the Wolverines.

Last year, Pickett received an invitation to try out and made the team. As a result, he was named to the 2013 USA High School All American Rugby Team and traveled to England in April to play in the Wellington tournaments on the USA U17 (JV) team. He also played in the inaugural USA Rugby Stars and Stripes game in Colorado this past summer.

Pickett started playing rugby after coach Dale Roach encouraged him to try out for the Fort Hunt team. When Pickett received his first invitation, Roach said there's simply something different about Pickett and how he plays the flanker position compared to other rugby players.

“The position Darien plays is usually for big, heavy kids that push other people around,” said Roach. “Darien with a ball in his hand or tackling out in the open field looks different than all the kids in his position. They pretty much pointed him out and said, ‘He’s different.’”

This year, Pickett is a leader for the Wolverines' varsity football team's defense. He's a senior this year and is playing the position of middle line backer. He also plays halfback and tailback on offense. For the 2013 USA Rugby team, Pickett played the position of prop.

Read more:

• Local Athletes Wow Coaches at Prestigious Football University
• West Potomac Athlete to Play in U.S. Rugby All-American Stars and Stripes Game
• West Potomac Athlete to Play on US All American Rugby Team
• West Potomac Athlete to Try Out for National Rugby Team