The Gustavus Women’s Rugby team reigned supreme as the Gusties beat out the top 16 to be crowned Regional champs in Ohio on November 11th and 12th. They went on to the National Championship this past weekend at Life University in Marietta, Georgia and placed 4th.
“We were all super passionate this season. We have a lot of very talented girls and we were very passionate about going out there and playing the best rugby we could and it ended up working out very well for us,” Senior Anna Johnson said.
Rugby is a club sport, meeting four days a week for practice and over the weekend for games. The team consists of players of all levels and is coached by Charles Johnson.
“There’s a very unique dynamic to rugby as a whole. The girls are tenacious and hard working towards life in general and on the pitch. Rugby really brings out the best in people. It’s very welcoming but also expects a lot of you,” Senior co-captain Kristen White said.
Following a successful regular season, in which the team won the Minnesota state title, the Gusties qualified for the playoffs and captured the Central Regional title at the Sweet 16 Tournament in Delaware, Ohio this past November.
“We have a lot of very talented girls and we were very passionate about playing the best rugby we could and it ended up working out very well for us.” — Anna Johnson
They dominated their first round matchup against Denison University where they cruised to a 49-12 victory. They battled through a tough matchup in the next round and walked away with a 42-39 victory against Rochester University from New York.
“It was our intensity that really drove us to be so successful. It’s really challenging to play two 80 minute games back to back but we knew what we were capable of,” White said.
White, who won the Hardshell award, given out to those who embody the passion and ability for rugby, was also named the MVP of the tournament in Ohio.
The Gustie victories would move them into the final four, making them one of the best teams of the 98 National Small College Rugby Organization competitors. Along with Gustavus, the other top three small college teams consisted of Wayne State University (Neb.), Bentley University (Mass.), and York College (Penn.).
In the Final Four bracket played this past weekend, the Gusties opened play against Wayne State, who had won four straight regional titles, and fell 78-7.
“I think we got a little bit worn out in the second half. They were a very disciplined and well established team. But I was proud with the way the girls played. We showed that we had a lot of class and we played hard until the end,” White said.
“There is a lot of talent and leadership from our underclassmen and they have a really good shot at making a run at the championship again.” — Tory Makela
In the third place game, Gustavus went up against York College. Down by seven with under two minutes remaining, the Gusties pushed the game into overtime, where they eventually lost 43-36, after nearly 100 minutes of playing time.
“It was a really well fought game and we knew that we had the capability of winning and it was enjoyable to have my last game be such tooth and nail,” White said.
Gustavus was dubbed the fourth best small college rugby team in the nation to go along with one of the best seasons in eight years. The Gusties have a lot of young talent currently on the team and look towards a bright future.
“There is a lot of talent and leadership from our underclassmen, and they have a really good shot at making a run at the championship again,” Senior co-captain Tory Makela said.
With several seniors graduating this year, there will be many open spots on the team for new players.
“It’s something you never really thought you would be involved in but once you join, you will gain twenty to thirty new best friends and then get to have fun learning this new sport,” Johnson said.