October 2, 2003

SPORTS

The Norwich Guidon

NU men's rugby looks to stay above .500 against Harvard

By Chris Petrillo
Norwich Guidon Staff Writer

The Norwich University men's rugby team is looking forward to this season despite suffering major losses to the back line.

In a division with West Point and Harvard, the team is preparing for postseason play, according to coach Robert Weggler.

"We graduated six of our seven backs," said Weggler, who is in his second year at Norwich.

According to Weggler, the team has retained most of its front line, which will aid in ball retention. Already there have been preseason scrimmages against Bishop College and Brown University. This is just the beginning, though, as coaches and captains are aiming for a spot in the Sweet 16.

Preparation for the journey to the Sweet 16 began in late August with a training camp.

While there have been training camps like it in the past, "they were not to the extent that we did this year," said captain Ryan Scott, 21, a senior business management major from Mill Valley, Calif.

The camp worked by "bringing in a lot of outside help," Scott said, "including a physical trainer, a former U.S. National coach and a Colby College coach."

"It's a regimented training schedule," Scott said.

Depending on the day of the week, the team may be running individual workouts broken down by position or, according to Weggler, "working on the fundamentals of the game."

The training at both camp and practice has focused on overall improvement from physical conditioning to working on strategy. "It's a lot of hard work," said Joshua Strom, 19, a freshmen communications major from Meriden, Conn.

A focused training routine, coupled with determination, has the team confident of a place in the National Tournament. After missing the tournament by only a matter of points, players returned this year anxious to prove themselves.

"We only missed it by a little last year, and we are going to do it this year," said Nicholas Jacobs, 21, a senior international studies major from Brooklyn, N.Y.

After having a successful spring season, the team drew home field advantage for both of its key games: West Point on Sep. 27 and Harvard on Oct. 4.

The team is sure that with determination and support from the fans they will secure victory and a place in the National Tournament, a feat not yet accomplished by Norwich rugby.

"I think we are going to achieve great things," Weggler said.

After the team's first five games, the record sits at three wins and two losses. The three wins were against Bishop College 17-7, Brown 43-3, and Boston University 47-17. The two losses for the Cadets came from Army and Amherst.

The Amherst game was a hard fought battle, ending in a score of 15-7. The Army game wasn't as close, Cadets losing 3-37.

The next NU men's rugby home game will be on Oct. 4, at the Dog River Stadium. The game will start at 1pm and they will be playing Harvard.

The Norwich Guidon is a twice-monthly student newspaper distributed at Norwich University. It provides laboratory experience for students in the Communications program. Claims asserted by letter writers, editorials and other articles do not represent the positions of Norwich University. The Norwich Guidon welcomes signed letters to the editor. They should be no longer than 300 words. Unsigned letters will not be printed, but names may be withheld upon worthy request. All letters are subject to editing for length and good taste. Mailing address: The Norwich Guidon, Communications Center, Norwich University, Northfield, VT 056632. www.norwich.edu/guidon. If you have any questions or comments about the paper, please contact Professor Ken Bush at kbush@norwich.edu.