The Grand Canyon University men's rugby team has announced an all-star-packed incoming recruiting class of 21 athletes for the 2017-2018 academic year.

Following a successful 2016-17 season that saw GCU's 15-a-side team make it to the Spring DIAA semifinals and the Antelopes' sevens squad finish sixth at the National Collegiate 7s Championships, interest soared in the Phoenix, AZ, program. The addition of full-time coach Cam Wyper, a former international player and a former coach with Lindenwood University, also generated interest.

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The incoming class for 2017-18 is anchored by three players who participated in the high school All-American or men's junior All-American (U20s) program and one player from England. Grand Canyon welcomes back former HSAA and MJAA hooker/No. 8 Kris Sheckels, who is returning after two years away from the team. Sheckels played in GCU's inaugural rugby season (2014) and quickly made an impact as a team captain. The Antelopes also welcome two 2017 high school graduates who participated in the MJAA camps last year. Malachi Knox is a fullback/wing from the growing Ahwatukee High School team in Phoenix.  Knox was ranked in the top 20 among Arizona's 100-meter sprinters. Joining Knox from the MJAA program is hard-running center Bo Epperson from Colorado Springs. GCU will also get a boost from its first foreign national player -- 6-foot-6 No. 8 Cameron Dodson from England.

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Grand Canyon's incoming class includes 17 rugby athletes who were named to their all-state rugby teams -- many of whom played or will play in the Regional Cup Tournaments this June. This group includes a good mix of tight five forwards such as 6-foot-1, 275-pound prop Shaundre Sanchez; 6-4, 235-pound lock Sam Muter; and 6-foot, 245-pound prop Drew Rubado. The class also features some terrific backs, including NorCal all-star Christian Bucklin, speedy wing DeAndre Ector, brother of current GCU standout Maceo Brown, and Kasey Sheckels, who played in the high school national championship match with Fort Hunt RFC.

Rounding out the class are incoming transfers who should provide impact and depth for the Antelopes. Athletes of note in this group include Chris Berry, a 6-3 center/wing from Vancouver, WA, who has played elite-level sevens. Kyle Vermeulen, a 6-3 loose forward transfer from Washington State, provides great athleticism -- he was the top try scorer and MVP for WSU Rugby last season. GCU also adds two big men transfers who will provide solid depth in the forwards: 6-4 lock Kyle Carreno from Tempe Rugby Club and 6-2 lock Austin Campbell from Canton, Ohio.

The complete list of GCU Rugby's incoming 2017-2018 class is provided below:

Name	Position	Hometown	Club
Bo Epperson	Center	Colorado Springs, CO	Palmer RFC
Kyle Vermeulen	Flanker/8man	Vancouver, WA	Washington State
Cam Dodson	8man	Stoke on Trent, England	Stoke on Trent RUFC
Dominick Iacovino	Center/Wing	Oceanside, CA	Irvine Rhinos RFC
Nick Flaherty	Hooker	San Clemente, CA	San Clemente RFC
Chris Berry	Center/Wing	Vancouver, WA	Union RFC
Kyle Carreno	Lock	Tempe, AZ	Tempe RFC
Chance Glover	Wing	Phoenix, AZ	Ahwatukee RFC
Drew Rubado	Prop	McMinnville, OR	West Valley Rams RFC
Zander Tkel	Flyhalf/Wing	Vancouver, WA	Union RFC
Austin Campbell	Lock	Canton, OH	Canton Mad Dogs RFC
Cameron Johnston	Center	Grover Beach, CA	Arroyo Grande RFC
Sam Muter	Lock	Fort Wayne, IN	Carroll RFC
Kris Sheckels	Hooker/No. 8	Alexandria, VA	Fort Hunt RFC
David Tupua	Wing	Auburn, WA	Rainier Highlanders RFC
Christian Bucklin	Center/Wing	Castro Valley, CA	Danville Oaks RFC
DeAndre Ector	Wing	Chandler, AZ	Tempe RFC
Kasey Sheckels	Wing	Alexandria, VA	Fort Hunt RFC
Malachi Knox	Fullback	Phoenix, AZ	Ahwatukee RFC
Damarius Sharp	Hooker/Center	Phoenix, AZ	Ahwatukee RFC
Shaundre Sanchez	Prop	Albuquerque, NM	Albuquerque Eagles RFC