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Thursday, March 28, 2024
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AU grad finds internet fame with Run Von Run meme

During a rugby game April 20, Von Gerik Allena, a 2010 graduate of the School of International Service, saw the ball fall to the ground, giving him the opportunity to run it up the field. As he ran, a fan took a picture of him which soon became a viral meme.

When Allena, a member of the Washington Renegades, a men's Division III club rugby team, began to run toward the try zone, he heard everyone from the sideline yelling, "run, Von, you have to run."

"I saw the try zone, which is like the touchdown zone, and I thought, "Oh my God, I might actually get my first try today," Allena said. "Then I felt someone's arms wrap around my legs and I thought, there goes the dream, it's over."

Allena ran about 40 meters across the field before an opposing team member tackled him to the ground. During that time, however, Nick Van de Grift, who photographs all of the team's games, took a picture of Allena running with the ball.

The picture quickly went viral. On May 16, Allena posted on Facebook, "waking up and realizing my meme is on the


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