PHOTOS: The Gents are Aspen Ruggerfest champs again with win over Barbarians
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
The Gentlemen of Aspen Rugby Club defeated the Denver Barbarians, 67-12, on Sunday in the men’s open division final of Ruggerfest 58 at Wagner Park. The win once again puts the home side at the top, where it was during its four-peat from 2021-24, a streak that ended with last fall’s shocking early exit.
This was the final Ruggerfest with Ben Mitchell as head coach. The Gents’ leader since 2019, he plans to step down from the role after this season, although he will remain on as a player.
This was the 26th Ruggerfest title in the 58 years of the tournament for the Gents. The only other side to have reached double-digit championships at Ruggerfest is the Barbarians, who won their 10th only last fall. The Gents presented the Barbarians with a special plaque noting their 10 tournament wins prior to Sunday’s trophy presentation.
The teams won’t have to wait long to play again. After a weekend off, the Gents will host the Barbarians on Oct. 3 as Rocky Mountain Rugby Union play resumes. Aspen is 2-0 so far in its six-game Division II season, with this coming game against the Barbarians the last guaranteed home game for the Gents this fall. They could possibly host the RMRU final on Oct. 31 if they finish first in the league standings.
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Captain Chris Campbell celebrates with the trophy after the Gentlemen of Aspen Rugby Club beat the Denver Barbarians in the Ruggerfest 58 final on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, at Wagner Park in downtown Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
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Captain Chris Campbell walks forward to receive the trophy after the Gentlemen of Aspen Rugby Club beat the Denver Barbarians in the Ruggerfest 58 final on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, at Wagner Park in downtown Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
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The Gentlemen of Aspen Rugby Club plays the Denver Barbarians in the Ruggerfest 58 final on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, at Wagner Park in downtown Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
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The Gentlemen of Aspen Rugby Club plays the Denver Barbarians in the Ruggerfest 58 final on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, at Wagner Park in downtown Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
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The Gentlemen of Aspen Rugby Club plays the Denver Barbarians in the Ruggerfest 58 final on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, at Wagner Park in downtown Aspen. (Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times)
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
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The Gentlemen of Aspen Rugby Club’s Brad Hemopo brings the ball up field against the Denver Barbarians in the Ruggerfest 58 final on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, at Wagner Park in downtown Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
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The Gentlemen of Aspen Rugby Club plays the Denver Barbarians in the Ruggerfest 58 final on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, at Wagner Park in downtown Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
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Players celebrate with the trophy after the Gentlemen of Aspen Rugby Club beat the Denver Barbarians in the Ruggerfest 58 final on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, at Wagner Park in downtown Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
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The Gentlemen of Aspen Rugby Club’s Jeff Barnhill, right, presents a plaque to a member of the Denver Barbarians to recognize the side winning its 10th Ruggerfest title in 2025 on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, at Wagner Park in downtown Aspen. The Barbarians finished second on Sunday to the Gents.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
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Players stand for the national anthem prior to the Gentlemen of Aspen Rugby Club playing the Denver Barbarians in the Ruggerfest 58 final on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, at Wagner Park in downtown Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
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Players celebrate with the trophy after the Gentlemen of Aspen Rugby Club beat the Denver Barbarians in the Ruggerfest 58 final on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, at Wagner Park in downtown Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
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The Gentlemen of Aspen Rugby Club plays the Denver Barbarians in the Ruggerfest 58 final on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, at Wagner Park in downtown Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
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The Gentlemen of Aspen Rugby Club plays the Denver Barbarians in the Ruggerfest 58 final on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, at Wagner Park in downtown Aspen. (Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times)
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
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The Gentlemen of Aspen Rugby Club’s Brad Hemopo, center, looks for space against the Denver Barbarians in the Ruggerfest 58 final on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, at Wagner Park in downtown Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
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The Gentlemen of Aspen Rugby Club plays the Denver Barbarians in the Ruggerfest 58 final on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, at Wagner Park in downtown Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
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The Gentlemen of Aspen Rugby Club plays the Denver Barbarians in the Ruggerfest 58 final on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, at Wagner Park in downtown Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
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The Gentlemen of Aspen Rugby Club plays the Denver Barbarians in the Ruggerfest 58 final on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, at Wagner Park in downtown Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
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The Gentlemen of Aspen Rugby Club plays the Denver Barbarians in the Ruggerfest 58 final on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, at Wagner Park in downtown Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Reach Austin at acolbert@aspentimes.com
