Warriors Hand Captaincy to Former USA U20 Captain & Vice-Captaincy to Veteran Eagle

Bailey Wilson becomes the youngest Warriors Captain in the team’s history at just 22 years old while Mikey Te’o is the first Warriors Vice-Captain with both USA 7s and 15s Caps

March 16, 2021 — Herriman, UT.  On the eve of the 2021 Major League Rugby season kicking off, the Utah Warriors have handed the Captaincy to Bailey Wilson, a former United Rugby Club (Alpine, UT) high school standout and USA U20s captain, while veteran USA Eagles standout in both 7s and 15s will lead the Warriors as Vice-Captain. 

“Bailey and Mikey are the two examples you want leading your team from the front,” Utah Warriors Interim Head Coach Shawn Pittman said, “When it comes to putting their hands up and working for the team and our core values, they’re the prime example of what you want from your captains. It’s exciting to have two young Americans leading the team with a current Eagle in Mikey and a future one in Bailey.”

Wilson’s path to the Warriors began in his native Australia where he started playing rugby as a youth, but later moved to Utah at the age of 14 and continued his rugby pursuits with the United Rugby Club in Alpine, UT. 

Wilson’s high school career in Utah saw two selections as a High School All American which later led to his inclusion in the USA U20’s team in 2018 and 2019, which Wilson would later go on to Captain. 

Following a standout career in high school and with the USA U20s Wilson would go on to lead and star with the Utah Valley University rugby program before the Utah Warriors drafted him into service in the 2020 season where he would feature in the starting XV in all five games before COVID-19 cut the 2020 campaign short. 

“I’m very honored to be able to lead the team this year alongside Mikey Te’o,” Wilson said, “Utah has a strong rugby community and I’m excited to represent this state as we look to make the 2021 season our best yet.”

Serving alongside Wilson as Vice-Captain of the Warriors for the 2021 season is veteran Mikey Te’o. While Te’o is new to the Warriors this season he’s played in the MLR since 2018 with the San Diego Legion and is a multi-cap recipient with not only the USA 15s National Team, but also the USA 7s Nation Team. 

A native of Long Beach, CA Te’o played high school rugby and football but migrated to rugby following a short but successful college football career gaining promotion to the USA National Team set up in 2012. Since then Te’o’s career has seen him represent the USA at the highest levels in both the World Rugby 7s Circuit and the Rugby World Cup. 

“It’s a privilege to be part of the leadership group for this powerful program,” said Te’o, “We are in search of greatness this season. We want to give Warrior Nation a force to get behind.”

Wilson and Te’o’s Warriors team will kick-off the 2021 Major League Rugby season on Saturday, March 20th at 6pm MT as they take on the Austin Gilgronis at Bold Stadium in Austin, TX. 

To watch the Warriors’ MLR season opening match tune in to KSLSports.com or the KSL TV App using your Chromecast, Roku, or Apple TV connected devices. 

The Utah Warriors will host their season home opener against the Toronto Arrows on March 27th at 7pm MT at Zions Bank Stadium. For more information on the Warriors’ “Re-United” seating plan and options http://www.warriorsrugby.com/re-unite-with-rugby/.