Team

Petri started playing at local juggernaut Xavier High School. With the U19 National Team, he competed in two Junior World Championships, 2002 in Italy, and 2003 in France- when he led the team as captain. He continued to dominate at Pennsylvania State University, earning selection to the Collegiate All-American team all four years he was on campus. In 2006, he was voted as the Collegiate All-Star Tournament MVP.

In 2007, Petri joined Belmont Shore, winning a Super League championship his first year with the team. The next year, Petri linked up with his hometown team, New York Athletic Club, and won Super League/ Division 1 Championships in 2008, 2010, 2012, and 2015. He was the finals MVP in 2010 and 2015. During the 2010 season, he also spent time with Premiership’s Sale Sharks. In 2011, he made three appearances with the Newport Gwent Dragons in Wales. Later that year, Petri was voted the New York Athletic Club Male Athlete of the Year.

Petri earned his first cap with the national team in 2007, and has gone on to represent the United States 57 times, making him the most capped back in USA’s history. He has appeared in three Rugby World Cups, 2007, 2011, and 2015, and was voted as Vice-Captain for the 2011 tournament. He also made an appearance with the heralded Barbarians touring side in 2009.

In addition to being a star rugby player, Petri is also an accomplished author, writing the successful children’s alphabet book R is for Rugby. You are able to purchase his work here.

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