California rugby will welcome 18 newcomers to Berkeley for the upcoming 2025-26 academic year as the reigning national champion Golden Bears embark upon the program's 144th season in history. Twelve newcomers are California natives while two are from out-of-state and four are international students.
 
"There are a lot of similarities in the class, even among the two transfers," Cal head coach Jack Clark said. "As a whole, they are accomplished students and active contributors to school life. Most are multi-sport athletes, and all are leaders in their schools and teams. They are a credit to their families, and we are fortunate to have such quality individuals join us."
 
Get to know the newest Bears below.
 
CALIFORNIA  
 
Tommy Ashton
Tommy Ashton is a 6-foot-2, 210-pound backrower who comes from Piedmont. The U.S. citizen attended Piedmont High School where he earned a Golden State Seal Merit Diploma.
 
Ashton played club rugby for Lamorinda Rugby from 2021-23 and the Danville Oaks from 2023-25 under the tutelage of Cal Athletics and U.S. Rugby Hall of Famer Kort Schubert. Schubert is a former Cal national champion, All-American and U.S. international. Ashton was captain of the Oaks for both seasons. A four-time Cal Rugby Summer Camp attendee, he led his Oaks squad to third-place finishes in Northern California in both 2023-24 and 2024-25.
 
Ashton is the son of Lisa, a public-school educator, and Cal alumnus, Pete, who owns an equipment rental business. He comes from a long line of Bear alumnis, with 10 family members dating back to the class of 1947 all receiving diplomas from the University. Ashton intends to study economics at Cal.
 
"Since third grade when I began playing rugby, becoming a Cal rugger was always my dream. To be able to join the best rugby program in the country while earning a degree from such a prestigious university is the opportunity of a lifetime. I am excited to become a better rugby player on the pitch, and an even better person off the pitch."
 
 
Jasper Buttles
Jasper Buttles is a 6-foot-2, 205-pound backrower from Danville. The U.S. citizen attended De La Salle HS where he was an NCS Scholar-Athlete and played for the Spartans' rugby squad. He earned Rookie of the Year and MVP on the junior varsity side in 2022 and 2023, respectively, before claiming Forward of the Year on the varsity squad in 2024 and the Ironman Award in 2025. Buttles and the Spartans were the 2024 California single school champions and NorCal Premier Division champions. In 2025, they made it to the division's semifinals. 
 
Buttles, a two-time Cal Rugby Summer Camp attendee, also played football at De La Salle and was a part of teams that were crowned the 2024 NorCal Division 1 champions in 2024 and the 2025 NorCal Open Division champions.
 
Buttles is the son of Tara Wood, the lead design project manager at Logitech, and Jackson Buttles, a sales trader at the United Bank of Switzerland. Jasper's step-mother, Ali Buttles, is the daughter of Cal football and rugby stalwart, Larry Sonsini, and sister of Cal rugby alumnus and California Rugby Advisory Board member Pete Sonsini. The Buttles family has strong ties to collegiate lacrosse with Jasper's father playing for Wesleyan, his uncle, Jason, and aunt, Melissa, both Princeton lacrosse alums and his uncle, Roger, a Harvard lacrosse alum. On his mother's side, Jasper's uncle, Lance, played tennis and squash for the U.S. Naval Academy. Buttles' major is currently undecided.
 
"Cal represents the highest standard of excellence – both academically and athletically – and I'm proud to be a part of a legacy that values discipline, tradition and relentless effort," Buttles said. "I'm most looking forward to becoming a part of the Cal rugby brotherhood, training with talented teammates, learning from top-tier coaches and growing through the challenges of the program."
 
James Curtis
James Curtis is a 5-foot-9, 180-pound scrumhalf/midfielder who joins the Bears from San Diego. The U.S. citizen attended Torrey Pines HS where he captained the school's rugby team and was named to the SCYR High School All-Star Team and the SCYR Back of the Year in 2025. He led Torrey Pines to the California state championship title in 2023 and SoCal championship crowns in 2023 and 2025. Curtis was also named an honor roll graduate, and he received the Torrey Pines High School Business Department Award and the Franci Free Excellence in Philanthropy Award in 2025.
 
Curtis played club rugby for the San Diego Mustangs, instructed by former Cal rugby All-American and U.S. international Ramon Samaniego. Curtis was vice-captain of the high school club national championship winning team in 2025. The Cal Rugby Summer Camp attendee was also selected to the U.S. U18 player pool.
 
Curtis is the son of Lani, the Director of Development for the San Diego Museum of Art, and Joe, a consultant at Bariba Consulting. His father played collegiate rugby and was a part of the track & field team at Western Colorado University. Curtis is the grandson of former NFL 1980 MVP and quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, Brian Sipe. His uncle, John Principi, is a Cal football alumnus and his grandfather, Pat Curtis, played collegiate football and baseball at Claremont McKenna College. Curtis intends to study economics, with a potential interest in pursuing a degree in business.
 
"It's honestly a dream come true. Rugby has played a huge role in my entire life, so having the opportunity to pursue it at the next level is very special to me," Curtis said. "I look forward to being in an environment with a long history and legacy of excellence where everyone is trying to be their best."
 
Elliot Lewis
Elliot Lewis is a 6-foot-1, 195-pound midfielder who is from Oakland, where he attended Bishop O'Dowd High School. There, he played for the school's rugby team coached by Cal Athletics Hall of Famer and former All-American and U.S. international Ray Lehner. The team claimed League Championship titles in back-to-back seasons in 2024 and 2025. Lewis, a U.S. citizen, was awarded MVP in his junior and senior seasons and graduated with the Team Captain Award in 2025.
 
Lewis, a two-time Cal Rugby Summer Camp attendee, played club rugby for the Lamorinda Rugby Club, also coached by Lehner. He earned Best Back and Best Teammate accolades in 2024 in addition to MVP honors in 2025.
 
A two-sport athlete, Lewis also played varsity football at Bishop O'Dowd, rarely leaving the field as a running back, linebacker and kicker. His team was the WACC League Champions in 2024 and runner-up in the Division II NCS championship. Lewis was named both Bishop O'Dowd and WACC Defensive Player of the Year as a senior, in addition to earning First-Team All-WACC honors in his junior and senior seasons on special teams. In the classroom, he earned First Academic Honors for exceptional academic performance. 
 
Lewis is the son of Kate, the Associate Director of Intellectual Property and Industry Research Alliances at UC Berkeley, and Justin, a software engineering manager at Stanford Healthcare. His father is a Sacramento State Track & Field decathlon alumnus. Lewis intends to study biology at Cal, with a special interest in marine biology.
 
"I've grown up attending games, and it has always been my dream to play with Cal rugby," Lewis said. "I am excited to challenge myself physically, mentally and academically in the top school and the top rugby program in the country. I hope to contribute to the team's successes and help to build on its accomplishments, including the recent national championship."
 
Flynn O'Connell
Flynn O'Connell is a 6-foot-3, 225-pound backrower who hails from across the Bay Bridge in San Francisco. The U.S. citizen attended St. Ignatius College Preparatory where he played rugby and was club president for two years. O'Connell also played for the San Francisco Golden Gate club, where he took a leadership role as a co-captain in the 2024 season. In 2025, he led SFGG to the NorCal Premier Division League Championship.
 
This past summer, O'Connell – a two-time Cal Rugby Summer Camp attendee - was selected to the USA U18 touring squad that traveled to Argentina and Uruguay. He started in all three games, helping the young side win two against Rosario Academy and Buenos Aires Academy.
 
O'Connell is the third brother in his family to join Cal rugby, following in the footsteps of recently graduated Kealan O'Connell and rising junior Roan O'Connell. His mother, Norma is the founder and CEO of AtHomeIVs, while his father, James is a Cal alumnus who holds the role of Battalion Chief at the San Francisco Fire Department. O'Connell plans to study economics at Cal.
 
"Being a kid from the Bay, I would always drive over the bridge to watch the Bears hoping I would one day be there myself," O'Connell said. "Playing at such a high level with a great group of guys will be key for my development and I feel very fortunate to be granted this opportunity."
 
Max Paga
Max Paga is a 6-foot-1, 210-pound midfielder/backrower who joins the Bears as part of the sophomore class after spending his freshman year at Sierra Community College. The U.S. citizen and Menlo Park native attended Folsom High School where he played for a football team that was crowned the 2023 CIF Division 1 state champion.
 
Paga, a three-time Cal Rugby Summer Camp attendee, played club rugby for the Granite Bay Grizzlies under the guidance of former Cal All-American and U.S. international Chris Miller. Paga's squad was crowned 2023 NorCal champion and placed third at nationals.
 
Paga is the second son of former U.S. international, Cal rugby national champion and football alumnus Shaun Paga to join the Bears after his older brother, Dom Paga, graduated this past May and took a commission in the Marine Corps. Shaun Paga is now an account executive at COHER while Max's mother, Kristin, is a labor and delivery nurse. He plans to pursue a degree in American studies at Cal.
 
"I feel very blessed to be in this situation," Paga said. "Joining Cal rugby means a lot to me as I get to put on the jersey that many decorated players have worn before me. I am going to have the opportunity to compete and play against the best competition in the country, and I am very thankful and excited for this opportunity."
 
Mateo Peracchi
Mateo Peracchi is a 6-foot-2, 207-pound midfielder/backrower from Fresno who attended San Joaquin Memorial High School. The U.S. citizen played rugby for the San Joaquin Memorial Panthers' rugby squad where he was named Best Back in 2023 and MVP in the 2025 season.
 
Peracchi – a three-time Cal Rugby Summer Camp attendee - also played club rugby for the CenCal Rugby Club. He was named the U19 Premier Final MVP at the Montana Invitational in 2025.
 
Peracchi is the son of Sandy and Jeff, who is a farmer at WVF Inc. His father played collegiate football, spending one year on Cal's roster, one season at Fresno City College - where he was a Junior College All-American and later inducted into the Hall of Fame - and ended his career with multiple seasons at Fresno State. Peracchi intends to pursue a degree in economics at Cal.
 
"This opportunity means everything to me because I have been dreaming of playing for Cal rugby since I started playing the sport in the fifth grade," Peracchi said. "I am especially excited to be able to continue my education at such a prestigious university and am really looking forward to the friendships I will be making and the memories that will last a lifetime."
 
Hayden Perkins
Hayden Perkins is a 6-foot, 235-pound frontrower from Tiburon. Perkins, a U.S. citizen, attended Tamalpais High School where he was a four-time NCS scholar-athlete and twice named all-league in football in addition to picking up an all-league honor in wrestling.
 
The Cal Rugby Summer Camp attendee played club rugby for the Marin Highlanders and was part of squads that reached a No. 7 national ranking in 2024 and a No. 9 ranking in 2025.
 
Perkins is the son of Scott, the founder of Marin Drone, and Katharyne Monier, the VP of Business Development for Connery Consulting. His mother was a collegiate varsity field hockey player at Miami University (Ohio). Perkins plans to study economics at Cal.
 
"It's an absolute honor to be selected for such a prestigious team and university," Perkins said. "The opportunity to play for the reigning national champions gives an extremely unique chance to compete with, learn from and grow alongside the best rugby student-athletes and coaches in the country. I am looking forward to the competition and the championship culture that has allowed the team to have all its historical successes."
 
Liam Spieker
Liam Spieker is a 6-foot, 185-pound backrower from San Diego. The U.S. citizen attended Francis Parker School where he was a part of a rugby team that was crowned the SoCal 7's champion in 2025 and he was named SoCal 7's Forward of the Year.
 
Spieker, a Cal Rugby Summer Camp attendee, played club rugby for the high school club national championship-winning San Diego Mustangs.
 
A long line of Spiekers have matriculated through Cal, beginning with Liam's grandfather Warren E. ("Ned") Spieker Jr., a former Cal men's water polo letterman. His father, Warren E. Spieker III, is a former Cal Rugby national champion and current member of the Cal Rugby Advisory Board, who now works as a managing partner of Continuing Life LLC. Liam's mother, Meghan, is a 1994 Cal graduate who worked as an attorney before her retirement and his older brother, Quinn, is a rising junior on the current squad. Liam intends to study economics at Cal.
 
"Having the opportunity to further my rugby career and education at Cal means the world to me," Spieker said. "I am most looking forward to playing with my brother again, and the brotherhood of Cal rugby. I have heard so many great things about the program from my brother, and I am excited to experience it for myself."
 
Samuel Violett
Samuel Violett is a 5-foot-11, 190-pound midfielder who currently resides in San Diego after spending part of his upbringing in Hong Kong. The U.S. citizen attended Torrey Pines High School, where he played for the Falcons' 2025 Southern California Rugby Championship squad and was its defensive captain in his senior season. He was named to the school's honor roll for exceptional grade-point average.
 
Violett, a Cal Rugby Summer Camp attendee, played club rugby with the San Diego Mustangs, who were the high school club national champions in 2025.  
 
Violett is the son of John Violett, the Managing Director at Global Solutions, and Lara Wozniak, the North American media relations lead at Accenture. He intends to study economics at Cal.
 
"Joining Cal rugby allows me to continue playing the sport I love at the highest collegiate level while simultaneously studying at one of the most prestigious universities in the U.S. The challenge of the athletic and academic rigor is what I'm most looking forward to," Violett said. "Moving from high school rugby to the collegiate level is difficult in and of itself, but pair that with joining a team that is hungry to win another national championship, and you get an even more competitive environment, which motivates and excites me."  
 
William Schreckengaust
William Schreckengaust is a 6-foot-3, 250-pound frontrower who hails from Encinitas. The U.S. citizen attended Torrey Pines High School where he was a multi-sport athlete playing rugby, football and lacrosse. He played varsity lacrosse as a freshman and sophomore, and varsity football sophomore through senior year in addition to rugby for his final three high school seasons. On the gridiron, he picked up All-League Defensive Lineman First Team honors as a senior. He also captained both the rugby and football teams in 2025 and was the North County student-athlete CIF conference representative.
 
Schreckengaust also played club rugby and was a part of the senior leadership council that led the San Diego Mustangs to the 2025 high school club national championship title.
 
Schreckengaust is the son of Amber, a teacher, and Scott Schreckengaust, a senior solutions architect at AWS who has a biomedical engineering degree from Harvard, where he also played football and rugby. Schreckengaust's grandfather on his paternal side played collegiate football at Penn State, while his grandfather on his mother's side played basketball at Nevada. He intends to study biology at Cal.
 
"It means everything to me to be joining such an esteemed and high-caliber environment," Schreckengaust said. "There is so much opportunity to succeed and make your own path, it excites me and pushes me to better myself. I'm looking forward to the camaraderie and to perfecting my craft."
 
Ryan Wenstrom
Ryan Wenstrom is a 6-foot-3, 225-pound backrower from Granite Bay, who attended Granite Bay High School. Wenstrom is a graduate student transfer from Cal Poly where he was a two-time captain and All-American starter for the Mustangs during his undergraduate career.
 
The U.S. citizen was a multi-sport athlete in high school, playing for the GBHS football, rugby and baseball teams. He earned All-Sierra Foothill League honors in 2021 for his performance on the gridiron. He also played club rugby for the Granite Bay Grizzlies under the instruction of former Cal All-American and U.S. international Chris Miller.
 
Wenstrom is the son of Lesley, a senior vice president of marketing at Bank of America and UC Davis women's volleyball alumna, and Marlon Wenstrom, an executive vice president of healthcare at JLL, who is a Cal rugby and football alumnus. Marlon Wenstrom went on to be a part of the San Diego Chargers' NFL roster for the 1986-87 season as a defensive lineman. Ryan intends to pursue a master's degree in information and data science at Cal.
 
"Growing up attending games with my family and hearing stories from my dad, I've always felt a strong sense of pride for the University and I'm grateful for the chance to contribute to its legacy," Wenstrom said. "I am most looking forward to competing at the highest level while building meaningful relationships with both the players and coaches. The Cal rugby community is special, and I'm excited to grow within it, both as a player and as a person."
 
 
OUT-OF-STATE
 
Julian Bishop
Julian Bishop is a 6-foot-1, 180-pound midfielder/fullback from Lake Oswego, Oregon. The U.S. citizen attended high school in Mill Bay, British Columbia at Brentwood College where he was a dual-sport athlete in rugby and basketball. He captained both the rugby and varsity basketball squads in 2025 and collected the Cooke Cup Rugby Award and the Ken Creer Memorial Award.
 
Bishop earned full athletic colours and the Heads Athletics award all four years of his high school career and was named Junior Boys Rugby MVP in 2023. In 2025, his rugby squad was crowned the Rockridge Invitational 7s tournament champion.
 
Bishop is the son of Ian, the owner of Catalyst Experts, and self-employed yoga instructor Annie. He intends to study economics.
 
"Joining Cal rugby and attending a university as prestigious as Cal is both an honor and a tremendous opportunity. For me, it means becoming a part of a legacy of excellence, discipline and leadership on the field and in the classroom," Bishop said. "It's a chance to grow not only as a student-athlete but as a person, surrounded by teammates who push each other to be better every day."
 
Brice Muller
Brice Muller is a 6-foot-6, 248-pound second rower who is transferring from Babson College into the junior class. Originally from Fairfield, Connecticut, the U.S. citizen attended Fairfield Preparatory. There, Muller captained his high school rugby squad that was crowned 2023 state champion, and he earned high school All-America honors the same year. Muller also received the Frank Decker Award in 2023 and added Most Valuable Forward honors in 2022.
 
Muller, who graduated summa cum laude from his high school, also represented the U.S. on its U20 side and, prior to that, played for the U18 side on the Corendon Summer Tour.
 
Muller is the son of Sandra, a professor at Sacred Heart, and Hunter, the CEO of HMG Strategy. He intends to study economics at Cal.
 
"I am excited to join Cal rugby because of the strong team culture and high level of play," Muller said. "It is an honor to be a part of the best team in the country, and I am excited to contribute to the team's success the best I can."
 
INTERNATIONAL
 
Oliver (Ollie) Bamford
Oliver Bamford is a 6-foot-4, 215-pound midfielder/wing originally from Bath, England. A dual-citizen in the United States and the U.K., Bamford attended Marlborough College where he was a part of the Marlborough XV and captained a squad in 2025. He was awarded the Marlburian Club Sporting Award in 2025, the school award for Sporting Achievement in 2022, '23, '24 and '25 and was named as a scholar athlete from 2021-25.
 
Bamford represented USA in age-grade competition on its U18 squad and was selected to play against Uruguay, Chile and Argentina in the 2024 South America Tour. The Cal Rugby Summer Camp attendee also featured for the Bath Rugby Academy on its U14 through U18 age-grade sides.
 
Bamford is the son of Monique, an interior designer, and Christopher, a property developer. He intends to pursue a degree in global studies.
 
"I feel an enormous sense of pride and gratitude to be able to represent Cal in all aspects of the community both on and off the pitch," Bamford said. "I am looking forward to being a part of a team that competes at the highest level and has such a prominent legacy. I am excited to build strong friendships and be part of a team that pushes one another to be their best each and every day, and I am truly honored to be working with such skilled and experienced coaches like Coach Clark and Coach Billups."
 
Arthur Braxton
Arthur Braxton is a 6-foot-7, 256-pound second rower who joins the Bears from Battle in East Sussex, England. He attended Marlborough College and was a part of the school's First XV rugby squad, where he was named Player of the Season in the 2023-24 campaign. Braxton also captained the school's basketball team and was named an academic scholar. He also played club rugby for the Cranbrook Rugby Club.
 
Braxton is the son of Sarah and Giles, who is a managing director at Haymaker Energy. He intends to study physics while also pursuing a minor in economics.
 
"I am extremely excited to further my rugby career at Cal and look forward to representing the University to the best of my abilities," Braxton said. "It is a great privilege to attend such a prestigious institution, and I will do everything I can to take advantage of this amazing opportunity. I am most looking forward to developing lifelong friendships with my teammates."
 
Gur Levy
Gur Levy is a 5-foot-10, 175-pound wing from Eyal, Israel. He attended Ami Asaf High School in Beit Berl and played for the Ra'anana Roosters rugby team. He also played for the Yizreel Rugby Club, which claimed the Israeli League Championship title in 2025.
 
Levy has featured for the Israeli national team, most recently in the 2023 Zagreb and Budapest sevens and the Lit 7s London tournament where he was the team's top try scorer in both events. Levy also played in the 2022 Maccabiah Games, where the squad won gold in sevens and claimed bronze in XVs. In age-grade competition, he played for the U18 squad that was runner-up at the 2021 Europe 7s Trophy, earning Man of the Tournament and top try-scorer accolades.
 
Levy is the son of Belinda, an elementary school administrator, and Nir, who is the manager of a metal factory. He intends to study film and media at Cal.
 
"This is a dream come true and the result of years of hard work, dedication and the endless support of my family, friends and coaches," Levy said. "I'm especially thankful to my parents, whose countless sacrifices and efforts have helped me reach this point, and to my uncle, Amnon, a proud California resident, whose guidance and support has made this dream come true. I'm looking forward to making an impact on the team and working hard to help myself and my teammates become the best versions of ourselves."
 
John Warren
John Warren is a 5-foot-7, 165-pound midfielder who joins the Bears from Hong Kong. He attended school at Mount Kelly in the U.K. where he captained the rugby team and was twice named MVP in 2024 and 2025. In the classroom, Warren earned the Headmaster's Commendation for exceptional performance in schooling.
 
Warren played club rugby for the Valley Fort Rugby Club and was a member of the Hong Kong China U19 and U20 squads, playing in the Asia Rugby Championship in 2024. The Cal Rugby Summer Camp attendee was also a part of the England Lambs U18 side in 2025 and earned Man of the Match honors.
 
Warren is the son of Marites and Tim Warren, who is an investor. He plans to study economics at Cal.
 
"It's an honor and a dream of mine to be continuing my education at such a prestigious university and, not only continuing my academic career at the highest standard, but also my rugby career in which I am fortunate to be a part of such a historic program," Warren said. "I'm looking forward to training at the highest standard and developing alongside my teammates both on and off the pitch."
 
 
STAY POSTED 
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