2008 Woodie Awards
Lack of experience does not deter rugby team's confidence
Peter Yi
Issue date: 2/16/07 Section: Sports
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The Rugby team played their first preseason game on Saturday Feb. 10. Unfortunately their opponents from Central Washington were much bigger and stronger and the rugby club dropped their first game of the year 49-19. The team commuted to the Sea-Tac area to play to take on the Division I school.
Junior Dana Wikstrom, sophomore Jack Baber and senior John Zager led the team by each scoring tries for the Loggers. Andrew Chow, who was unable to play last semester due to multiple leg injuries, played his first game back on Saturday and scored a 22 meter conversion kick to contribute to the game. The Central Washington team had a bigger pool of talent to choose from and were more experienced than the younger Logger team.
Losing three players to varsity sports such as track and baseball this semester, the Loggers were fortunate to receive ten additional players, most of whom had never played rugby before.
Coached by Dan Cantolini, the Loggers look very promising this semester. Cantollini, a former Central Washington rugby alum, is known as a well respected player who brings toughness and great knowledge of the game. His mission statement emphasizes "respect, structure, and tenacity," where the hardest working players succeed.
Cantolini believes the team can embody that statement this year.
"We're looking really good this season," said Cantolini. "The more experienced players will aid in getting the younger guys better and smarter in the game and we'll do well if we can play together as a team and have confidence."
Led by senior John Zager, the rugby club ended last season with a 3-3 record. Zager is very ambitious and holds very high expectations this semester.
"It's my last season and I want to finish strong," said Zager. "This team put in a lot of effort and I really feel confident that we'll be very successful this semester."
In his career as a rugby player, Zager has received 20 Man of the Match awards, which demonstrates his talent and ability to carry a team to victory. Most of his teammates would agree that Zager's intensity, leadership and knowledge of the game serve as inspiration.
"His presence on the field is unmistakable," said Wikstrom. "Whether he's tackling guys three times his size, or grabbing me by the jersey and yelling in my face when I mess, he's always finding ways to help the team."
With players like Zager and the credo of Cantolini in mind, UPS hopes it has what it takes to slug it out this season.
• Peter Yi has decided to wear nothing but rugby jerseys for the rest of his life.
Junior Dana Wikstrom, sophomore Jack Baber and senior John Zager led the team by each scoring tries for the Loggers. Andrew Chow, who was unable to play last semester due to multiple leg injuries, played his first game back on Saturday and scored a 22 meter conversion kick to contribute to the game. The Central Washington team had a bigger pool of talent to choose from and were more experienced than the younger Logger team.
Losing three players to varsity sports such as track and baseball this semester, the Loggers were fortunate to receive ten additional players, most of whom had never played rugby before.
Coached by Dan Cantolini, the Loggers look very promising this semester. Cantollini, a former Central Washington rugby alum, is known as a well respected player who brings toughness and great knowledge of the game. His mission statement emphasizes "respect, structure, and tenacity," where the hardest working players succeed.
Cantolini believes the team can embody that statement this year.
"We're looking really good this season," said Cantolini. "The more experienced players will aid in getting the younger guys better and smarter in the game and we'll do well if we can play together as a team and have confidence."
Led by senior John Zager, the rugby club ended last season with a 3-3 record. Zager is very ambitious and holds very high expectations this semester.
"It's my last season and I want to finish strong," said Zager. "This team put in a lot of effort and I really feel confident that we'll be very successful this semester."
In his career as a rugby player, Zager has received 20 Man of the Match awards, which demonstrates his talent and ability to carry a team to victory. Most of his teammates would agree that Zager's intensity, leadership and knowledge of the game serve as inspiration.
"His presence on the field is unmistakable," said Wikstrom. "Whether he's tackling guys three times his size, or grabbing me by the jersey and yelling in my face when I mess, he's always finding ways to help the team."
With players like Zager and the credo of Cantolini in mind, UPS hopes it has what it takes to slug it out this season.
• Peter Yi has decided to wear nothing but rugby jerseys for the rest of his life.
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