It’s rugby time again on Lookout Mountain and the Covenant College Rugby Club is looking to rebuild after it graduated nine starters from last year’s team. Still a very young program, the team persevered to fight through a tough start to the season last year. The club’s determination paid off, with the team managing to win multiple rugby matches in one season for the first time in club history, picking up resounding victories over Bryan College and UTC. The Scots have lost several players, including scrumhalf Leo Barcley, and fullback Jon Igo, who will be tough to replace and sorely missed. However, this year’s team has a lot of potential and is evenly divided between veterans and promising new talent. The effort will be led by new club President Duane White and Vice President Josiah Hamernick, as well as co-captains Peter Hennigan and Bryce Stout. Coach Landon Gray will be returning for a second season, hoping to improve and make it to the Dixie Rugby League playoffs. To accomplish this, Covenant will have to knock off perennial powers, such as Sewanee and Lee University, to make it into one of the top positions in the Eastern side of the conference. Covenant has never beaten either of these foes but has come close on several occasions. The Scots hope that this season will be different and they will emerge with upset wins in both matches. The club had its first friendly match of the season this past Saturday against the University of North Alabama. The Scots fell hard by a score of 61-21, but the freshmen and new players gained valuable experience as they prepare for division play in November. The next match of the season is October 3rd when the Scots will travel to Atlanta to face Georgia Tech B-side.
Though practice has been in session for over three weeks, the Rugby Club is always looking for new players and participation is encouraged. Practice is on the new intramural field on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5-6:30pm. If you are interested you can show up at practice or email erik.vitolins@covenant.edu with further questions.
2014-2015 Rugby Schedule
-October 3rd @ Georgia Tech B-side
-October 11th TBD
-November 1st @ Sewanee*
-November 8th @ UTC*
-November 15th vs. Lee University*
-February 7th vs. Bryan College*
-February 14th @ Tennessee Tech*
-February 28th DRL Playoffs
-March 1st DRL Championship
*Dixie Rugby League match