Lions senior Chance Wenglewski just returned from the Americas Pacific Challenge October 6-14 in Montevideo, Uruguay where he played with the USA Selects, the primary development platform for the USA Men's National Rugby Team. 
 
It was the second tour in two years for the loose head prop, who added some size to his frame in the past year, which should solidify him as someone to watch for future USA Eagle consideration.

Wenglewski talked about the Americas Pacific Challenge midway through the event.
 
"Same tour, but different experience," he said.  "This year's APC has been great.  There are a lot of new faces and we are a hungry group of guys."

The APC featured six teams just below full international level and is used to introduce more than 200 young players from the United States, Canada, Uruguay, Argentina, Tonga, and Samoa to high level rugby. 

Alex Corbisiero, retired England, and British and Irish Lions loose head prop, observed the USA Selects team in their pre-tour camp in Miami, Florida and noted Wenglewski as "coachable and keen to learn."  Corbisiero is working to carve out a scrum coaching niche for himself in the wake of his storied playing career and is expected to pursue players like Wenglewski.
 
The USA Selects played Tonga on October 6, Uruguay on October 10, and Argentina on October 14.  Wenglewski started the first game and found his hands on the ball quite often in a match that the Selects held a 30-22 lead at one point, but it evaporated in an eventual 39-30 loss. 
 
Wenglewski was still positive after the setback.
 
"We're playing at a high tempo and I can't wait for the last two matches on tour," he said.
 
Wenglewski started the second and third games of the tour as well, but the results were not as hoped with the Selects falling 33-18 to Uruguay and 55-15 to Argentina.  Still, the event provided valuable experience for the young USA team.
 
"This trip has allowed me to continue to sharpen my tools beyond just being a scrummager," Wenglewski stated.
 
Samoa ultimately finished first at the event with a perfect 3-0 record.  The Selects finished sixth out of the six teams competing.