Possibly one of the most unrecognized sports at WS is rugby. With a 2010 state title under their belts, they set the standards high for this new season.

SYC Rugby has had its breakthrough season last year.  The team for this area is called “West End.” Winning the state title has opened many more doors for students in the district.

“SYC is something anyone can sign up for from any school,” said senior Joey Stynchula. 

Students ranging from grades eight to twelve have the opportunity to join a team, as well as play with older players, giving them friends from other grades and hopefully, a memorable experience.

To those who are not in the loop with rugby: tackling, throwing, catching and kicking are all incorporated in the sport, which mixes soccer and football.   The physical contact and hard work are all in a day’s work for the players of this intense sport.

“I like playing rugby because I enjoy hitting people,” said senior Cody Cashman, who also was an offensive linemen on WS’s Varsity Football team. “I also had a lot of friends who played, who wanted me to play.”

Seniors can act as role models on and off the field, and also as friends. Besides the camaraderie of the seniors, underclassmen join for other reasons. For example, junior Michael Tobias decided to follow in his brothers’ footsteps.

“Both my older brothers played,” said Tobias. “I wanted to have something to do [in the spring] besides playing football.”

It is common that in off-seasons, student-athletes will participate in a complimentary sport to enhance and maintain their athletic skills.

For the West End Rugby team, practices will be tougher this year, in order to live up to the standards last year’s team set. The boys are ready to take on the challenge.

“We are a young, but experienced, team and will be good for years to come,” said Stynchula.