But just like each of the past 44 Can-Am tournaments, there were loads of memorable moments and experiences to go around as the event wrapped up its 45th year in the Adirondack Mountains over the weekend.

In addition to the Mountaineers winning their second championship in as many years, five other teams claimed titles during three days of rugby action and fun. The tournament also drew newcomers to the area for the first time, as well as ruggers who have been making the annual pilgrimage here for decades.

One of the most significant additions to the tournament was a visit by nearly 60 of the best American under-18 men and women 7s players, who were invited by USA Rugby to participate in an evaluation camp while playing a series of matches over the Can-Am’s three-day span. On Sunday, after all the rugby action ended, the U18ers were honored one more time during a reception at the Hotel Saranac. Each one was introduced and awarded a medal, much in the Olympic tradition that is embedded in our region. In turn, they thanked the tournament hosts and organizers, as well as Paul Smith’s College, where they were housed and fed.

As a token of their gratitude, the U18 ruggers all signed rugby balls and presented them to Cam Moody of the Mountaineers, and Jim Tucker and Josh Clemens of Paul Smith’s College, who are with the Bobcats’ athletics and events departments.

California’s Alex Cleary pitches the ball during a U18 men’s 7s match at Ken Wilson Field on Saturday. (Enterprise photo — Lou Reuter)

The reception ended with the naming of 16 boys players to the roster of the U.S. team that will compete in rugby 7s at the Youth Olympics in October in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Although the East Side Hyenas didn’t get the title they were looking for in the men’s social division following a 26-20 loss to the Mountaineers, the Detroit ruggers did take home a championship in the club division, which was their second straight. In that final, the Hyenas had their way with the Caves and Ditches, winning 57-10 for their second club division crown in as many years.

In the over 50 division final, Old Breed blanked the Connecticut Grey 21-0. Brockport’s Doggies also won a title in a shutout, blanking the Wild Rovers 22-0 in the over 35 division. In the over 45 division title match, Schenectady edged the Connecticut Grey 13-11, and in the women’s final, Beantown toppled Purple Reign 31-7.

Saranac Lake native John Burns has become accustomed to playing winning rugby at the Can-Am tournament. On Sunday, he was part of a championship team for the eighth time in 10 trips to the iconic bowl field at North Country Community College. This time around, Burns was a member of the Schenectady Reds, a team that reunited as former members of the long-time club that no longer fields regular squads. Burns got the Reds going by scoring the first try of the over-45 championship match, but in the second half they had to hold on as the Grey came storming back.

“I think that’s eight right now,” said Burns, who has played with various teams from the Albany area in the tournament. “Ten appearances right now, eight wins, a couple losses in there. It never gets old playing in the bowl. We got some of old guys back, dusted the cob webs off, and got a couple of friends from California back. We had some really classy players out there who were that played with the Reds a long time ago. It was a big homecoming for the club.

Sheila Decker of the Mountaineers women’s team is off and running during a Saturday match against Rochester in Saranac Lake. (Enterprise photo — Lou Reuter)

“The forwards brought some really good ball to the backs in the first half,” Burns said describing the title tilt. “With some of the classy players we have, we were able to put a couple of quick ones in. Just a little sloppy in the second half, which made it so close. We knew the Grey were always going to come hard. They’re tough. It feels great, even though we should have put in a couple more trys in the second half. It feels great. Saranac is always the best.”

The two other host teams, the Mountaineers Old Boys and the women’s side, certainly had fun over the weekend but didn’t get the results they wanted. The MOB played twice on Friday and lost both matches, falling to the Connecticut Grey and Chesty’s Disciples, which was one of seven Marine Corps alumni squads entered in the tournament. The Mountaineers women got off a solid start Saturday with a 29-5 triumph over Rochester but were eliminated after their next game of the day, which was a 37-12 setback to the BATS.

Longtime tournament director Jay Annis said the tournament again went smoothly, with the exception of parking on Sunday. That turned out to be quite a scene as many fans, players and families who attended the finals at North Country Community College lined their vehicles up for hundreds of yards along the McKenzie Pond Road.

“We were blessed with good weather. Everything seemed to go pretty well except for parking snafus on McKenzie Pond Road,” Annis said. “Next year, we’re really going to start pushing people to the upper parking lot. We don’t want to clog up the McKenzie Pond Road. We don’t want to inconvenience the local community.”

Annis said it takes a lot of work to put on such a big event and extended thanks to NCCC, the Saranac Lake Central School District, the police department and village crews for their efforts.

Clara Lemal-Brown of Wooster, Ohio runs with the ball in the rain during U18 womens action Saturday at the Petrova Avenue fields. (Enterprise photo — Lou Reuter)

Annis, who retired from competitive rugby a few years ago, said he was pleased to see the hard work put in by the young Mountaineers men pay off in a second straight Can-Am title.

“I’m very, very proud of those guys,” Annis said. “They dug deep. For many of these guys, the weekend was a defining moment in their lives. I think they now realize that that can actually play this game at the upper level.”