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Rugby team to attend national championship

Cassie Callan

Miami University's men's club rugby team is heading to Orlando, Fla. in May for the Division II Collegiate National Championship.

Scott Skillman, vice president of the Miami Alumni Association, said this is the first time the men's rugby team has qualified for the national championship tournament since it played in the final four in 1984.

"Not many Miami teams have made it that far, so it's kind of a big deal for us," Skillman said.

The team's accomplishments this season include an undefeated performance in the Midwest division, with an average of more than 36 points a game and a record of 4-0 at the Division II championship tournament. Looking back on the team two years ago, team president Brandon Croley said he would not have expected to qualify for nationals.

"We started off with only 15 players and one coach," Croley said, before adding the team has grown to include 45 players and four coaches.

The team's players agree their determination played a large role in their unbeaten performance this season.

"You reap what you sow," senior Daniel LeMoine said. "Thankfully, we all wanted to do well."

LeMoine said the RedHawks defeated Kent State, Ohio University and University of Cincinnati during the regular season. The team went on to beat Slippery Rock University, West Virginia University, St. John's University in Minnesota and University of Wisconsin during playoffs. LeMoine said two of the playoff wins were shutouts. According to senior Kenny Edwards, a team captain, the team's performance in both the regular season and the playoffs earned the team a number three ranking in the country.

A rugby game is played for a total of 80 minutes, with a halftime, and with 15 players on each team.

Croley said though rugby is comparable to football, it has many differences. The ball cannot be passed forward, only backwards. A "touchdown" is worth five points and the "point after try" is worth two. One notable difference is that players don't wear padding.

"It's kind of like the backyard football everybody played as a kid," LeMoine said.

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However, the defensive aspects are the same; players block and tackle to keep the opponent from advancing.

Croley said few injuries occur on the rugby field.

"Football actually has more injuries," Croley said.

Edwards added size is not essential to be a rugby player.

"There's a position for everybody," Edwards said. "We need different builds and different types of athletic skills."

A rugby team needs players who can block opponents and push through the mud and muck, jump high to catch balls and outrun defenders to get to the try zone (similar to an end zone).

However, rugby players must touch the ball to the ground to score.

Croley said during the off-season, the team practices twice a week and works to stay in shape for the coming season. In season, the team plays one or two games per week. They travel to play away games and also play on Miami's club sports field on State route 73.

"It's not such a time commitment that it takes away from your schoolwork or anything," LeMoine said.

Edwards agreed, noting many team members are able to hold jobs on campus or in the community.