Chance Wenglewski Bio
Chance Allen Wenglewski is an American rugby union player who competes at the prop position for the Seattle Seawolves of Major League Rugby (MLR) and the United States men’s national team. Born and raised in Oklahoma, he developed his interest in contact sports through high school football before turning his focus to rugby at the collegiate level. He is also a veteran of multiple United States national age-grade setups, including the Junior All-Americans and the USA Selects.
Since turning professional, Wenglewski has played a key role in the front row for both club and country, combining set-piece strength with mobility around the field. Off the pitch, he lives with his wife, Mariah Wenglewski, and the family is known for keeping a white Labrador named Betsy.
Early Life and Background
Chance Allen Wenglewski was born on April 9, 1997, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in the United States. He grew up in the Tulsa area and attended Union High School, one of the larger public schools in the region. At Union, he played football, an experience that helped him build the physical foundation and competitive habits that would later translate to the rugby field.
Coming out of high school, Wenglewski pursued higher education at Lindenwood University, located in Saint Charles, Missouri. He joined the Lindenwood Lions men’s rugby program, an established amateur side known for producing American rugby talent. His time at Lindenwood exposed him to high-level coaching, structured weight training, and the disciplined contact work needed to succeed in the forward pack.
Path to Rugby
Wenglewski’s rise through the U.S. rugby system began during his collegiate years at Lindenwood, where he earned selection to the Junior All-Americans, the United States national under-20 side. He first joined the Junior All-Americans ahead of qualification matches against Canada for the 2016 World Rugby Under 20 Trophy and continued with the program during the 2017 qualification cycle, also representing the team at the 2016 tournament held in Harare, Zimbabwe.
His form at Lindenwood and with the junior national program led to additional honors, including selection to the Men’s Collegiate All-Americans for a September 2017 match against Oxford University. He also appeared for the USA Selects at the Americas Pacific Challenge in 2016, 2017, and 2018, gaining valuable experience against senior-level opposition. These steps established him as one of the top American forward prospects of his age group and paved the way for his move into professional rugby.
Chance Wenglewski Career
Early Career (2015–2019)
During his time at Lindenwood University, Wenglewski became a fixture in the Lindenwood Lions forward pack and a regular on the U.S. age-grade representative scene. His standout junior performances earned him spots with both the Junior All-Americans and the Collegiate All-Americans, providing a bridge between amateur rugby and the professional ranks.
By 2019, Wenglewski had committed to playing professionally in Major League Rugby. He signed with Rugby ATL and made his senior professional debut that season. Later in 2019, he was loaned to RUNY (Rugby United New York) for additional match experience, helping him adjust to the pace and physicality of professional rugby on the East Coast.
Rugby ATL Era (2019–2023)
Wenglewski joined Rugby ATL ahead of the league’s early seasons and quickly became a reliable presence in the front row. Listed at 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) and around 250 lb (110 kg), he offered a sturdy set-piece option at prop, with the mobility expected of a modern MLR forward. He featured consistently for the franchise across multiple campaigns in Atlanta.
Over four seasons with Rugby ATL, Wenglewski continued to develop his scrummaging technique and his role in the wider attacking and defensive structures of the team. His steady form at club level coincided with his growing involvement in the senior national team setup, allowing him to refine his craft against top-level opposition on both sides of the Atlantic.
Seattle Seawolves Era (2024–Present)
In 2024, Wenglewski made the move west to join the Seattle Seawolves, one of MLR’s most established and successful franchises. The transition marked a new chapter in his career, putting him in a deep, title-contending squad known for its disciplined forward play and physical defense.
Since arriving in Seattle, Wenglewski has continued to feature for the Seawolves while maintaining his place with the United States national team. His combination of scrummaging power and work rate around the breakdown has made him a trusted option in the front row, and he remains an active contributor for both club and country.
Driving Style and Strengths
Wenglewski’s game is built on the core demands of a modern prop: solid scrummaging, reliable tackling, and a willingness to do the unglamorous work in close-quarters exchanges. His background in football and his years of age-grade international experience have helped him develop the explosive first steps needed to compete in tight, while his conditioning allows him to maintain intensity across full MLR matches.
Notable Events and Milestones
A standout milestone in Wenglewski’s career came on November 3, 2018, when he made his debut for the USA Eagles as a starter at prop in an uncapped match against the Māori All Blacks. He earned his first official cap three weeks later on November 24, 2018, coming off the bench in the Eagles’ 57–14 defeat to Ireland. Earlier, he had represented the United States at the 2016 World Rugby Under 20 Trophy in Harare, Zimbabwe, marking his arrival on the international stage.
Chance Wenglewski Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Chance Wenglewski’s parents and broader family background is limited. He grew up in the Tulsa, Oklahoma, area, attended Union High School, and later moved on to Lindenwood University to continue both his education and his rugby development.
Personal Life
Chance Wenglewski is married to his wife, Mariah Wenglewski. The couple do not have children, but the family includes a white Labrador named Betsy. Wenglewski continues to be based in the United States, where he balances his professional rugby commitments with his personal life.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 Major League Rugby season, Wenglewski remains a key part of the Seattle Seawolves forward pack. His experience at both MLR and international level gives the Seattle coaching staff flexibility in selection around the scrum and at the breakdown, and he is expected to feature prominently across the regular season schedule.
At the international level, Wenglewski continues to be available for USA Eagles selection, adding depth to the American front row. With the Eagles regularly facing top-tier opponents and Seattle pushing for another deep playoff run, 2025 offers Wenglewski a chance to further cement his standing as one of the established American props of his generation.
Looking ahead, Wenglewski’s mix of professional experience, international caps, and familiarity with both Eastern and Western MLR franchises positions him well for a productive campaign. His continued development will be closely watched by Seattle supporters and by USA Rugby staff as both club and country build toward their respective competitive goals.