Spring Break
Heath hooks up with national rugby team
The OSU freshman who took up rugby four years ago is suiting up for the under 19 National Team
Noah Tinker
Issue date: 3/16/07 Section: Sports
Second year coach Duffin McShane is also quick to praise Heath. "He's very dedicated and has a great work ethic. A lot of his success comes from putting in the work outside of practice working on his skills and spending time in the weight room," McShane said.
Reflecting on Heath's selection to the National Team, McShane said, "as a freshman, to make the national squad is incredible, he's got a great attitude about it and his entire approach to the game, he's a coach's dream."
One drawback, however, has been his time spent away from the Beavers squad.
"I've missed a lot things with the team because of the national team, but they've been good about it," Heath said.
According to Kinhnaruth, Heath "has been at every practice, and for us that's a big deal because it reinforces that he's still a part of the team and everyone respects the fact that he can't be here because he's doing something that's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Everyone realizes that Zach is going to contribute his part when he can and the coaches realize that too."
Heath's commitment to the national squad takes him away on an average of once or twice a month. "We go and we play high-caliber teams from around the country, whether it be college or pro teams," Heath said.
This weekend they will travel to New York to take on No. 2 Army at West Point March 17.
On March 28, Team USA will travel to Belfast and start preparing for the tournament by playing the Munster U-19 team in Limerick.
Although not traditionally one of the best teams in the world, Heath is optimistic about Team USA's chances this year.
"I think our coach knows this is the best team he's ever assembled," Heath said. "We practice more than any other team, and I feel confident with our team and I think we can do well in our pool."
As evidence the team beat Canada for the first time ever last year, and Heath attributes that to the ability of the entire team being able to meet and practice together on a regular basis, which is also a first.
Reflecting on Heath's selection to the National Team, McShane said, "as a freshman, to make the national squad is incredible, he's got a great attitude about it and his entire approach to the game, he's a coach's dream."
One drawback, however, has been his time spent away from the Beavers squad.
"I've missed a lot things with the team because of the national team, but they've been good about it," Heath said.
According to Kinhnaruth, Heath "has been at every practice, and for us that's a big deal because it reinforces that he's still a part of the team and everyone respects the fact that he can't be here because he's doing something that's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Everyone realizes that Zach is going to contribute his part when he can and the coaches realize that too."
Heath's commitment to the national squad takes him away on an average of once or twice a month. "We go and we play high-caliber teams from around the country, whether it be college or pro teams," Heath said.
This weekend they will travel to New York to take on No. 2 Army at West Point March 17.
On March 28, Team USA will travel to Belfast and start preparing for the tournament by playing the Munster U-19 team in Limerick.
Although not traditionally one of the best teams in the world, Heath is optimistic about Team USA's chances this year.
"I think our coach knows this is the best team he's ever assembled," Heath said. "We practice more than any other team, and I feel confident with our team and I think we can do well in our pool."
As evidence the team beat Canada for the first time ever last year, and Heath attributes that to the ability of the entire team being able to meet and practice together on a regular basis, which is also a first.
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S Cain
posted 3/16/07 @ 11:22 AM PST
Copy editor says: Belfast is in Northern Ireland, not Ireland! Uh oh.
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