By: Emilie Jenson
Public Information Coordinator
The Iowa Central rugby team is changing the landscape of the sport at the collegiate level across the United States.
"We are a standalone community college that is playing a varsity program," said Brent Nelson, Iowa Central head rugby coach. "We are trendsetters when it comes to rugby in America."
Playing the spring season in the 7's league, the Tritons won the Sunshine 7's Tournament at the University of Florida in February, landing among the top 32 teams earning an automatic bid to the Collegiate Rugby Championships (CRC) in Maryland April 26-27.
"We were the first team in the country to qualify this spring for the CRC's," said Nelson.
Iowa Central played in several national-qualifying tournaments this season, finishing second in Oklahoma City, second in Kansas City and third at the Big Rivers Rugby Conference 7s Tournament April 14. The Tritons went 3-0 in pool play and lost in sudden death overtime in the semifinals of the Big Rivers Tournament, with six of the top nine players on the depth chart out to rest, recover and prepare for nationals.
"Going into the conference tournament six of our top guys were out, and that resting paid off at the national championships," said Nelson.
The Tritons faced Iona the in first round of the CRC's on Friday April 26, defeating the Gaels 31-12, advancing to win against Belmont Abbey 17-14 in the second round, and Maryland 22-10 in the third and final game of day one, advancing to Saturday's semifinals.
"We were very fresh going into the first day of the championships," said Nelson. "That third game of the day can be trying but we were rested and more fit than the other teams going in and went 3-0."
The Tritons faced Kutztown in the semifinal round, falling to the eventual runners-up 24-14, and played Babson in the third/fourth place match, finishing fourth in the nation after a 35-14 loss to the Beavers.
Try scorers were Hlanga Mabele, 4; Takudzwa Musingwini, 2; Noah Champion, 2; Wayne Casper, 2; Walker Smith,2; Koen Webb, 1; Rashon Jennings, 1 and Matt Surles-Davis 1.
"Finishing fourth in the nation as the only community college that competes at the highest level of the sport is a testament to the support we get at Iowa Central from our administration," said Nelson. "We can not thank them enough for believing in us and backing us. We have one of the most unique programs in the country and are changing the college rugby landscape. Our success at this tournament proves that."