by AMANDA PERRY
Intern Sports Reporter

With the beginning of a new school year, Appalachian State University club sports teams start a new season.

The AHO men’s rugby teams officially began practice this week.

Since it is a new season, the team has to recruit new players for this year.

The team does the majority of their recruitment at the club sports expo and by word of mouth.

“Recruitment has been going extremely well,” sophomore marketing major and Treasurer Benjamin S. Llewellyn said. “The high school level rugby in the state is some of the best in the region, and a lot of young talented high school players have come to ASU. Also a lot of freshmen are overall just interested in rugby, so I would have to say it is the best I have seen since I started with the team.”

After finding the team players, the team devotes four nights a week to practice.

On Mondays the team has water polo and rehabilitation, and on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday the team practices two hours at State Farm Fields.

The schedule for the team this year includes competition from all over the South. 

They plan to play Clemson University, College of Charleston and the University of Georgia.

The team also wants to schedule a few fall tournaments to get ready for conference this spring.
In the past, AHO rugby has had a reputation in the realm of collegiate club sports.

“AHO has the reputation in the collegiate world of rugby as being one of the more physical teams,” Vice President M. Wilder Clark, a senior marketing major said. “This comes about through hard work and dedication of the players. We pride ourselves on being disciplined, even though we don’t have a formal coach. Every member takes it upon himself to achieve success on the pitch, and that is what makes us who we are.”

Some teams may be fearful to go head-to-head with AHO.

“I think all of us would agree that everyone in the state hates playing us,” Llewellyn said. “We hit hard and everyone knows it. But we are also quick and good, so that mix makes us top in the state.”

With this tradition and reputation in place, Clark finds the team looking good this season.

“We have the most experienced team yet, as of years played by current members and freshman,” Clark said.
Playing well is AHO rugby’s goal for the year.

“The team looks to finish first in the spring conference and head to regional playoffs and then some,” Clark said. “We would also like to bring home the trophy in this year’s Rucktoberfest.”

Rucktoberfest has been held annually in Boone for the past nine years.

This year’s Rucktoberfest will be held Saturday, Oct. 11, with championship rounds on Sunday, Oct. 12.
For rugby players, Rucktoberfest is an exciting part of the season.

“The most important part about Rucktoberfest is seeing 28 men’s and women’s teams playing full out for two days to represent their school,” Clark said. “It takes a lot out of an individual playing consistently for two days.”

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