NEWS

Seawolves’ Phil Mack says being nominated for Sports Star of the Year ‘is a win’ for rugby

Phil Mack, who helped lead the Seattle Seawolves to the title in Major League Rugby’s initial season last year, says he was a bit surprised to be nominated for one of the top awards to be handed out Thursday night at the 84th annual MTRWestern Sports Star of the Year banquet.

But it certainly wouldn’t surprise our friends north of the border, where Mack, 33, is a rugby legend. He has played on the Canadian national team for a decade, leading the team to two Pan American Games gold medals. He was captain in November when the Canadians defeated Kenya, Germany and Hong Kong to earn a spot in this year’s World Cup in Japan.

“It’s a pretty humbling experience when you look at the list of other nominees, and see my name up there,” Mack said, referring to the Male Sports Star of the Year nominees, who also include Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett, Mariners outfielder Mitch Haniger, UW linebacker Ben Burr-Kirven, Washington State quarterback Gardner Minshew and Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer.

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