Author: Alice Bauer
The men’s rugby team took the pitch for the first game of the season on Saturday, Jan. 29, but were speared by the UC San Diego Tritons.
Although the game ended in 28-20 defeat, moral support from the women’s rugby team and a good fan turn-out created a vivacious energy for the Tigers’ premier. Saturday’s bright moments involved some well-executed tries by Sam Buckley (sophomore), Drew Hanson (junior) and Max Horton (first-year). Unfortunately, much time was spent at the try line, and the team was unable to break through in order to increase its number and come out triumphant.
After making the playoffs last season and achieving a victory during last semester’s non-competitive exhibition game against Cal Lutheran, the outcome of Saturday’s match did not meet the men’s expectations. Frustrated with the overall feeling of the night, the men rallied together atop Mt. Fiji and figured out what they wanted to achieve individually and as a team this season. This moment of zen helped them hone in on what they wanted to accomplish this semester. “[It] was a great way to refocus our minds and energy towards vanquishing every other opponent we will face this year,” Ian Nunley (senior) said.
Not a business to be taken lightly, practice keeps these men hard at work in order to cultivate their new attitude into strong and positive results. The numbers on the squad are plentiful this year, almost enough to field two sides. Bi-weekly conditioning and practices are headed by Coach CJ Threat ’03, and captains Josh Martinez (senior), Ian Boehme (junior) and Mitch Grummon (junior). Having more than 20 members and a rigorous practice schedule will help support the team throughout the season.
However, the team has run into some speed bumps. Graduating seven key players last year redesigned the team. However, according to Nunley, seasoned members are striving to elevate their performance to keep the team stalwart. In addition, veteran players such as Austen Barnem (senior) and Horton are keeping up with efforts to search for new talent.
The team would have had the chance to show off its skills against Point Loma University on Saturday, Feb. 5. However, due to weather conditions, the San Diego match was canceled.
The Rugby Tigers will now host a home game on Patterson Field Thursday, Feb. 11, against longtime rival Loyola Marymont for the Doherty Cup. “This match is really big for us,” Nunley said. “It’s the longest standing annual rugby match west of the Mississippi.” Last year brought the end to a ten-year Doherty drought, as the Tigers rose victorious against the Lions, winning the match 35-11. They are hoping for another victory to offset their defeat at the beginning of the semester.
“We’re looking forward to this Thursday for a chance to bounce back from our first game of this year,” Buckley said. “It’s a storied match-up between two old rivals that will definitely be a good game.”
With a fresh outlook and high hopes for the season, men’s rugby is ready to engage upcoming challenges. “As long as we keep up our conditioning and drive, I think we will be more than ready to face that challenge head on,” Nunley said. Looking forward to continuous support from fans, Oxy men’s rugby is supporting its hookers and exploding its scrums to pave the way for a great season.
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