Spring Break
Rugby hits road
Oregon State's historically strong women's club rugby team to compete at Stanford's Invitational Tournament this weekend in Palo Alto, Calif.
Keegan Warrington
Issue date: 1/16/09 Section: Sports
As the old English saying goes, "soccer is a gentleman's game played by ruffians, and rugby is a ruffian's game played by gentlemen." Or, in the case of the Oregon State women's club rugby team, by ladies, who look to win this week's upcoming tournament being held at Stanford University.
The women's rugby team is halfway through the season, and is aiming high with hopes to win a large tournament that features many Pac-10 teams. The women's ruggers look to be strong, returning three All-Pacific-Coast players as well as junior and team captain Jennifer Ludwig. Ludwig has been playing with the team since her freshman year.
Women's rugby has been at OSU since 1994, and since then has been rolling strong.
The team travels all over the West Coast, and has even crossed borders to partake in Canadian tournaments. Recently, 2006 Oregon State graduate and former rugby team captain Elaine Schlarb was selected to the USA U23 Women's National Team.
"Women's rugby is open to anyone and everyone who wants to play," Ludwig said. "It is a great way to socialize, meet people and stay fit."
Rugby is often called the father of modern day football. At first glance, rugby may seem a lot like football, but the sports definitely have their differences. The sport of rugby is played with fifteen players to a side. It is a fast-paced, continuous game where all the players must play both offensive and defensive roles.
The teams advance the ball through a series of laterals, pitches and dropkicks. They score points by setting the ball down in the opponent's goal area - this is known as a try, and is very similar to scoring a touchdown. They also score by drop kicking the ball through goal posts, a lot like a kicking a field goal. After a try is made the team has a chance to make a goal by kicking the ball through goal posts, just like an extra point.
In the springtime the team hosts open, co-ed touch games where everyone is welcome and encouraged to come and play.
"It is an awesome time to learn the game, as well as a lot of fun." Ludwig said.
The Oregon State women's club rugby team plays its first match this weekend against the University of New Mexico, followed by a lineup of UC Davis and Cal.
OSU hosts its next home game on Feb. 7 against Western Oregon at Peavy Field, located on the west end of campus on 30th and Jefferson.
Keegan Warrington, sports writer
sports@dailybarometer.com
The women's rugby team is halfway through the season, and is aiming high with hopes to win a large tournament that features many Pac-10 teams. The women's ruggers look to be strong, returning three All-Pacific-Coast players as well as junior and team captain Jennifer Ludwig. Ludwig has been playing with the team since her freshman year.
Women's rugby has been at OSU since 1994, and since then has been rolling strong.
The team travels all over the West Coast, and has even crossed borders to partake in Canadian tournaments. Recently, 2006 Oregon State graduate and former rugby team captain Elaine Schlarb was selected to the USA U23 Women's National Team.
"Women's rugby is open to anyone and everyone who wants to play," Ludwig said. "It is a great way to socialize, meet people and stay fit."
Rugby is often called the father of modern day football. At first glance, rugby may seem a lot like football, but the sports definitely have their differences. The sport of rugby is played with fifteen players to a side. It is a fast-paced, continuous game where all the players must play both offensive and defensive roles.
The teams advance the ball through a series of laterals, pitches and dropkicks. They score points by setting the ball down in the opponent's goal area - this is known as a try, and is very similar to scoring a touchdown. They also score by drop kicking the ball through goal posts, a lot like a kicking a field goal. After a try is made the team has a chance to make a goal by kicking the ball through goal posts, just like an extra point.
In the springtime the team hosts open, co-ed touch games where everyone is welcome and encouraged to come and play.
"It is an awesome time to learn the game, as well as a lot of fun." Ludwig said.
The Oregon State women's club rugby team plays its first match this weekend against the University of New Mexico, followed by a lineup of UC Davis and Cal.
OSU hosts its next home game on Feb. 7 against Western Oregon at Peavy Field, located on the west end of campus on 30th and Jefferson.
Keegan Warrington, sports writer
sports@dailybarometer.com
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