SPORTS
11
March 18, 2011
Suiford men's rugby: it's all about team
By Ryan Gordy
Staff Writer
It doesn't matter who you are. There is no experience
required. There are no cuts. This is the Guilford Men's
Rugby Club.
The Guilford website defines the rugby club as, "An
inclusive association on campus, giving all comers an
opportunity to continue their rugby playing, pick up a
new game, get and stay in shape, and socialize in one of
the most down-to-earth sports environments at Guilford
College."
Senior players Andrew Slater and David Watters repeat
edly echoed what the website offered, saying that players
of all skill levels were welcome and would be respected.
"One of our main strengths as a team is that we really
have a sound group of guys; we don't go through the
motions," said Watters.
The team is comprised of former high-school rugby,
soccer, football, lacrosse, baseball players, and wrestlers.
The team doesn't just accept former athletes, the team
"accepts people from every walk of life," according to the
website.
The rugby team does not have a full-time coach because
it is a club sport, but the team is coached by alumni and
volunteers. They usually practice three days a week on
the practice football field, depending on light and aca
demics.
The team plays in the conference called the North
Carolina Rugby Union, known as the NCRU. Instead of
calling the total number of games a season, it is called the
matrix. This means the top three teams in the conference
with the best spring matrix record attain a spot in the
playoffs.
The rugby club is relaxed because academics come first,
but that does not mean that they are not competitive. The
Guilford rugby scene has improved dramatically the past
two years because of the team's first winning conference
matrix and its first undefeated season in recent history.
"What motivates me to stay on the team is everyone's
hunger and desire to win," said senior Randall Aldana.
"We made a commitment at the beginning of the season
to this team to win it all."
"We have been putting in a lot of work and we have
been seeing it pay off this season so far "The leadership on
the team keeps us focused for improvement and victory,"
Aldana said.
The rugby team reached the playoffs in 2009 without a
loss, but had to forfeit because of the numerous injuries
the team accumulated. Last year, the rugby team showed
potential in a rebuilding year but couldn't put everything
together because of injuries and leaving team members.
This year, spirits are high.
"It all starts in the mind; we are going to make the
playoffs," said Slater. "We are going to have a lot of soul
to work and train hard as a team."
To be in a club sport requires dedication and motiva
tion. For players, the team is the inspiration to endure the
grind of the matrix.
"What motivates me is the responsibility I have to the
other guys on the team, whether it's being at practice or
in the scrum," said Watters.
"The strength of our team is when everyone on the
pitch is playing as a unit and sometimes it's hard to do
that," said Slater. "The camaraderie of our team pushes
us to do well;you got to love the people you play with."
The team currently has two wins and no losses and is
looking to win more.
"The team stays motivated by winning," said sopho
more Aaron Craig. "Winning boosts the morale of the
team and we play more confident. Currently we're 2-0, so
we're very confident right now; we're feeling good."
Another common theme is the life lessons that being on
the team has taught them.
"Ru^y has been a safe place for me to learn, grow,
improve as a person, and as a member of a team," Aldana
said. "Everything from the hard work, to the people you
meet, things you learn, and skills you build in all areas
have been a great experience for me."
"I started playing my freshman year, and I was pretty
quiet and had a small group of friends," said Craig. "But,
when I joined the team, I became more vocal, and I was
introduced to more people through my teammates and I
made a lot more friends."
In order to make it to the playoffs and regional, a team
has to be consistent. That is why the rugby team is taking
the matrix one game at a time.
"We're looking at this season by a one-game-at-a-time
viewpoint," said Craig. "But, I'm looking forward to
seeing how well we do and if we make it out of the group."
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Sprinting into Spring
First-year David Cason, distance runner, and junior Derick Kosgei, middle distance,
race across the North/South field during an afternoon track practice.
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\A/hat s Going On in Guilford Sports...
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MEN'S LACROSSE
March 16 GUILFORD 8 Platsburgh St. 19
MEN'S TENNIS
March 14 GUILFORD I Washington & Lee 8*
BASEBALL
March 16 GUILFORD 10 Roanoke I*
WOMEN'S LACROSSE
March 12 Guilford 13 SEWANEE 16
SOFTBALL
March 16 Guilford 3 ROANOKE 11*
Guilford I ROANOKE 2
WOMEN'S TENNIS
March 14 Guilford 0 WASHINGTON COLLEGE 9
upcoming games and matches
MEN'S AND WOMEN'S TENNIS
March 18 GUILFORD v Chris. Newport
BASEBALL
March 18 GUILFORD v Me.-Farmington!
MEN'S LACROSSE
March 19 Guilford v RANDOLPH*
WOMEN'S LACROSSE
March 19 GUILFORD v Bridgewater*
WOMEN'S LACROSSE
March 19 Guilford v EASTERN MENNONITE*!
Key- *= ODAC Game != Double Header Home team in CAPS