CSB rugby rallies to successful season with new players

Established in 1978, the CSB rugby team has a deep history in Bennie athletics filled with many traditions and a close-knit team dynamic. Rugby has been gaining popularity at St. Ben’s, as most of the players on the team are new this year. There are 17 Bennies on the roster this season. However, they began the year with only three players.

“The involvement fair helped tremendously with the recruiting process…With a lot of new players joining, we had to go back to the basics. We spent most of our practices going over the rules of the game and practicing skills before our first competition,” CSB sophomore and team captain Alina Schillo said.

The team also remains close with alumni and the rugby community at large, which contributes to the tight-knit team dynamic.

“We have events with alumni, social gatherings with the SJU team and traditions that we continue to pass down each year,” CSB senior Hailey Karnowski said.

Karnowski has been on the team since her first year at CSB. She began playing rugby in her junior year of high school for Eagan Rugby. Karnowski has been out this season with a torn ACL and meniscus, but she has remained heavily involved with the team.

“I’ve spent most of the time helping with recruitment and coaching alongside our captains and head coach,” Karnowski said. “CSB rugby has given me the opportunity to grow as a leader and person. It feels like a place where I can be myself but also promote the growth of my teammates.”

CSB junior and team captain Mady Boettcher agrees.

“Rugby has brought me a team, empowerment and most importantly friends… I met all sorts of people in different grades that I never thought I would have ever met,” Boettcher said.

Boettcher joined the CSB rugby team after hearing about it at the involvement fair as a first-year.

“The CSB Rugby team was the first rugby team I have ever played for. I knew nothing about the sport prior to joining… I had no experience, but I was taught everything I needed to know just from the girls and our coaches,” Boettcher said. “Everyone has a spot in rugby no matter your age or height or ability. That’s what I love the most about it.”

This season, the Bennies took on St. Cloud State and Bemidji State University and hosted a home tournament.

“We have been doing pretty good so far this season. It has been hard to start out with a whole new team this year, especially with Tess Glenzinski and Hailee Thayer graduating. We had some big shoes to step into, but we have been playing really hard at the tournaments. The rookies are catching on pretty quick, which is great to see,” Boettcher said.

Despite having many new players on the roster this year, the Bennies have still found a way to foster a family dynamic within their team.

“Our team consists of Bennies from all cohorts, interests and majors. Most of us have played other sports in the past, so it’s truly a place where all backgrounds can come together and learn the sport as a team. It is a relaxed and fun environment,” Karnowski said.

CSB senior Kaitlyn McKenzie is a prime example of this. McKenzie is a new member this year but brings versatility from years of other sports, like many of the other players on the team as well.

“I’ve played soccer, softball, basketball, track and lacrosse before, and now I can add rugby to the list. Not only do I enjoy playing rugby, but I like the group I play with even more,” McKenzie said.

CSB senior and new rugby member Zora Mihelich says that the team welcomed her with open arms.

“The team is so great and supportive, and there is an awesome rugby community not just at CSB but with the schools we play against as well. Since most of us on the team are new, I have not felt out of place as a new player on the team,” Mihelich said.

The Bennies attribute their success and fun this season, in part, to the closeness of their team.

“This team truly is just a bunch of sisters, like a family… I felt like I belonged; I felt cared for. I’ve made some of the best memories in college being a part of this team. There truly is never a dull moment. Joining rugby has been the best decision of my life,” Schillo said.