KHS Alum Max Goethals Selected to USA Rugby U19 Team; Will Compete in Tournament in Mexico July 9-13

Congratulations to 2024 Kingsley High School graduate Maximus Goethals, who will represent Team USA at a national rugby tournament this summer.

Max has earned a spot on the U19 Men’s National Team for the 2025 Rugby Americas North (RAN) Men’s U19 XVs Championship, taking place July 9–13 in Querétaro, Mexico.

“This tournament is a vital part of the USA Rugby player development pathway, offering young athletes the opportunity to compete in challenging rugby environments and represent their country on the international stage,” according to a statement from USA Rugby.

The RAN Championship is the premier U19 rugby competition across North America and the Caribbean.

It also plays a critical role in Team USA’s long-term strategy to elevate American rugby on the world stage.

Team USA's Moonshot 2031 initiative aims to develop homegrown talent and build a team capable of reaching the semifinals of the 2031 Rugby World Cup, which will be hosted in the United States for the first time.

Max earned his spot on the U19 team along with players from all over the country.

Max graduated Kingsley High School in 2024 after an illustrious career in academics and athletics. He made the Top 10 list in his class for outstanding grades, good character, and leadership, and was named academic all-state in three sports, football, wrestling, and track & field. He also competed on the TC Alliance Rugby team.

During his athletic career at KHS, he helped lead the Stags to a 2023 Division 6 State Championship in football and had 136 regular season tackles and returned an interception and a fumble for a touchdown during the big game. He also qualified for the State Finals in wrestling in the 175-lb weight class and excelled in Track and Field. He also led the TC Alliance Rugby team to a State Championship in 2024.

In 2024, he was named the #1 high school athlete of the 2000s by the Record-Eagle.

Max is currently a rising sophomore at Davenport University. He is majoring in finance and is in the university's honors program. He plays "flanker" on the rugby team alongside his teammates Caleb Bott, James Pearson, Brian Rialson, and brother Samuel.

Congratulations, Max!