Rhino Ruggers ruck it out in Columbus tourney

Last weekend marked the third time the women's rugby team made an appearance at the Ohio Rugby Classic tournament in Columbus. The tournament was attended by some 78 rugby teams and included men's and women's club and college teams as well as high school and regional matches. The tournament was dominated by a huge showing from women's teams demonstrating the increased popularity and organization in the sport. The Oberlin team was proud to field two full sides at the tournament; the Rhino Ruggers' Longhorns and Shorthorns. However, their team mantra would prove true throughout the weekend's festivities: "It's not the size of your horn that matters, it's how you use it."

The weekend began on the ride down to Columbus when seniors Sophie King and Dana Loeb decided it wasn't a rugby weekend without some highway excitement. Their antics, while not interfering with the driving skills of senior Becca Barnes or sophomore Lauren Viera, did manage to attract some local attention. Senior Chris Boehm enjoyed the snacks provided on the two hour journey, specifically citing the pressed ham. It was 11 or 12 to a room at the Ramada Inn and the Ruggers settled in for a long night of pre-game strategy and secrets of advanced play technique. Sophomores Heather Foster and Vanya Hollis plotted their attack until the wee hours of morning.

The Ruggers reached the field bright and early on Saturday morning for the Shorthorns' 9 a.m. game against the University of Dayton. The game was hard fought and although they were unable to score against Dayton, the Shorthorns upheld the Rhinos hard thumping reputation, planting many Dayton players firmly in the soil. First-years Maria Victoria Albina and Yolanda Lowell delivered particularly hard hits. Sophomores Viera and Erica Davila also made some good runs. The Shorthorn's loss was due mostly to inexperience against a more seasoned Dayton team. This game would prove a building block for their hugely improved play in Sunday's game against Kenyon College.

The Longhorns faced their first opponent, the University of Chicago, at 1 p.m. on Saturday. At first they feared their curse of perpetual forfeits had followed them to the tournament when it appeared that Chicago would not be able to field a full side. However, after Chicago recruited from Bowling Green and University of Northern Illinois, the Longhorns took the field to face their motley opponents.

The teams were fairly evenly matched and at half time, the opponents were tied with one try a piece. The Ruggers' score came from senior second row Tina Barksdale who, with the aid of the hard-driving scrum, rumbled into the try zone to tie the game. It appeared the game might end in a tie until the final few seconds when senior Carissa Bennett broke several tackles and dove head first into the try zone, ultimately injuring herself in the process.

"It was beautiful," sobbed the always emotional senior Tara Ikenouye. Bennett's try was followed immediately by the final whistle to end the Longhorn's first match. "It was really tense," commented Boehm, who later subbed for the injured Bennett. "I wasn't sure if we were going to make it or not, I'm sure glad we squeezed that one out."

The Longhorns advanced in the tournament to face an under 24 select sides team from Ontario Canada. "The Ontario team was fast, faster than Becca even." commented sophomore Jen Kew while fellow sophomore Brenna Berman nodded in agreement.

The Ontario team was able to best the Rhino Longhorns with their speed and their kicking game; kicking in women's collegiate rugby has only recently become more common and helped give Ontario the edge over Oberlin. Also contributing to the Longhorn's troubles was the devastating shoulder injury of Bennett, the price she paid for awesome tackles toward the end of the game. Despite being shutout by the young team from Ontario, the Rhino Ruggers retained their fun-loving spirit, dazzling the referee with their on-field rendition of the Spice Girls dance. The Rhino Ruggers headed for the Ramada on Saturday evening well satisfied with their first day's matches.

Sunday was wet and dreary when the Rhino Longhorns took the field to face Purdue. Never one for whining, junior Katherine Higgins ordered the team to "strap it on." And strap it on they did; the Longhorns played excellent rugby against the Purdue team. Their powerful rucking game was lead by Higgins, junior Dina Lee, senior Anne Braucher and sophomores Heather Foster and Blair Winter. Making a rare appearance at wing and filling in admirably for the injured Bennett was Boehm. Although they lost to Purdue by a slim margin, the Rhinos were pleased with their playing overall and hustled over to field three to watch the Shorthorns show Kenyon what rugby is all about.

Even though a break-away run in the first few seconds of the game provided Kenyon with the only points of the game, this match was all about the Rhino Rugger Shorthorns. Hollis led the team with her skill at the eight man position and her ability to be everywhere on the field at once. Veteran first-years Kate Skillman, Spearman and sophomore Meredith Benton focused the inexperienced but fiery Shorthorn team into a position of domination through out the game. Kenyon tried endlessly to get the ball out of their half of the field but their kicks were returned beautifully by first-year Jill Warsett and sophomore Heather Lee. Driving the Kenyon scrum back to Gambier in the scrum downs were first-years Tova Hoicowitz and Trina Jackson. The quick foot of first-year Emily Aronow won the ball for the Oberlin Shorthorns. While the match was awarded to Kenyon, the Shorthorns improved their play markedly and dominated the "Ladies" in all aspects of the game.

The Rhino Ruggers, whose Longhorn team captured eighth place out of 19 teams, considered the tournament a raging success. The Rhinos played good, clean rugby and gained valuable experience playing teams of varied abilities. The Rhinos are looking to thump John Carroll University this weekend out on North Fields, Saturday at 1 p.m.

Sashi Kaufman is a member of the women's rugby team.

We are the warriors: Three member of the women's rugby team downed at least four quarters' worth as part of last Tuesday's all-engaging scavenger hunt around campus. Activities included jogging through A-level and acting out scenes from "Grease". (photo courtesy of Maria Victoria Albina)