TRUMAN STATE UNIVERSITY
RUGBY

Spring 2002 Season

Donley elected Team Captain / Walczewski elected Vice Captain
Junior hooker, Joe Donley, has been elected team captain for the 2002-2003 season.  Joe has been with Truman for 2½  years.  Joe is from St. Louis where he attended St. Louis University High School.  Joe also serves the club as treasurer and he has taken a strong role in fund-raising efforts this season.  Luke Walczewski, junior center and place-kicker, was elected vice-captain.  Luke is from Urbana, IL and has been playing with Truman for 3 seasons.  

Spring 2002 Playing Award Winners announced at team dinner

Outstanding Forward - Outstanding Back - Outstanding Rookie - Most Improved Player -

Harry Kuan   (Alumni Sponsor - Doug Bratcher) Greg Gallagher   (Alumni Sponsor - Jim Rohr) Ryan Worth   (Alumni Sponsor - Jim Rohr) Kevin Orcutt   (Alumni Sponsor - Archie Thomas)

Season-ender with Mizzou cancelled.
Unfortunately, our last match of the season against the University of Missouri-Columbia was cancelled.  In part due to field availability issues and in part due to low numbers by the Missouri team.  It was a disappointing cancellation for the six graduating seniors; Greg Gallagher, Harry Kuan, Christian McKeel, Turk Satterly, Matt Pieper, and Andy Holmes, who were looking forward to their final match for Truman.  They will have to remember their last match against KU.

Truman score big in victory of rival Kansas University  
Truman showed in fine form this weekend as they defeated arch-rival KU, 55-7.  Last fall, KU defeated Truman on a converted try on the last play in injury time 19-18.  This time, the tables were turned as Truman put up an 8-try performance.  Both teams played well and the action was back and forth until 21 min when flanker Kevin Orcutt, went over for a nice try in support of flyhalf Turk Satterly.  Luke Walczewski converted for the early 7-0 lead.  A few minutes later, hooker Joe Donley touched-down to make the score 12-0.  A Walczewski penalty kick at 34 minutes, was followed by some nice ball-handling and a 50 m breakaway try for center Christian McKeel (converted), for a halftime score of Truman 22 - KU 0.  On the opening series of the second half, Truman again spread the ball wide to put away wing Matt Strangeway for the converted try.  At 10 min into the half, wing Chris Bell scored a converted try for a 36-0 scoreline.  Five min later, Orcutt claimed his second try of the day, and was followed by a crashing try by Walczewski to make the score 48-0 with 20 min to play.  KU has pride and will  never quit, and they stepped-up the pressure and KU flyhalf (and HOARFU Collegiate All-Stars captain) Oliver Parkinson, exploded over for a nice try, which he converted (score 48-7).  With no time remaining, fullback Justin Carley closed out the scoring with a crashing try up the middle.  The converted try left the Final Score: Truman 55 - KU 7.  Full credit to KU, who with the assistance of some Truman players (Satterly, Holmes, and Orcutt), agreed to play a second game to provide the "B" side some much needed playing time.  Both teams played very hard leading to a scoreless first half.  Chris Bell playing in the second half at fullback for the Truman "B" team, split the defense to score on a nice miss pass from flyhalf Joe Rothermich, who converted the try for a 7-0 lead.  KU wouldn't let up, and scored with no time on the clock, however, the conversion kick was missed, and the Killer B's got the 7-5 win.  Click here for the complete rosters for both games. 

Truman Wins Men's Second Division at Ruggerfest
Truman put together three good victories en route to winning the Men's Second Division Championship this past weekend in St. Louis.  Truman started-off well in defeating Kansas State University 31-0, who although traveling under-strength, were very tough.  Truman put together a solid 5 try performance in 25-min halves, with scores from Kyle Stephens, Matt Strangeway, Matt Pieper, Christian McKeel, and Luke Walczewski, with 3 of 5 conversions by Walczewski.  Truman met the University of Missouri-Columbia in the semifinals, and came away with a 22-5 victory, on 4 tries and one conversion.  Pat Flavin scored two tries on the wing, while Joe Rothermich and Matt Pieper scored one each.  In the finals on Sunday, Truman faced a big, tough Hornets team.  Truman came from behind to eek-out a narrow 11-10 victory.  The Hornets came out very hard, and slipped in a converted try within the first 6 min to take the 7-0 lead, which held through halftime.  The Hornets added a penalty goal 3 min into the second half to take the 10-0 lead.  Truman answered 5 min later with a Walczewski penalty (Score: 3-10).  With Truman taking advantage of a quick tap inside the Hornets 22 m, scrumhalf Greg Gallagher fed flanker Tom Tajkowski for the driving try at 14 min; the angled conversion attempt was no good (Score: 8-10).  Walczewski added another penalty at 25 min, and Truman finally had the lead 11-10.  Truman played very good defense for the final 10 min, and used good clearing kicks to keep the hard-driving Hornets away.  This included a clearing kick from Walczewski from near the right touch line behind the Truman 22 m that got up into the jetstream, then took some good end-over-end bounces before going into touch on the left touchline 5 m from the Hornet's try line - traveling more than 80+ meters.  Final Score: Truman 11 - Hornets 10.  Over the three games, we were able to play 23 players, and got most of the new guys some playing time.  For taking first place, Truman received a very nice trophy (gotta' love hardware!), a bottle of champagne, and a box of cigars!  A nice haul!!

MANY THANKS to the all the Parents and Alumni who came out to see us yesterday and today!  Alumni included Martin Garcia, John Neudecker, and Alan Dewey.  John Brooks and Brandon Hamberg were there playing with the Bombers, and Chris Simpson was coaching the St. Charles United High School team.

Truman went 1-1 at the WRFU Collegiate Round of 12 in College Station, TX.  The road to the WRFU Final Four and the hopes of another visit to the USA Rugby Collegiate Sweet 16 ended this past weekend.  Truman came out flat against an Oklahoma team that was ready to run, and run they did, scoring a break-away try just 57 seconds into the match!  OU was willing and able to run the ball from anywhere on the pitch and loved to toss the ball around.  Their #8 caused loads of trouble for us in the first half, while their scrumhalf and backs loved to spread the field.  Truman didn't panic, and Luke Walczewski slotted two penalty goals (at 15 and 19 min) to make the score stood at 6-7.  OU drove over for a well-earned try despite good defense to hold a 6-12 halftime lead.  OU tacked-on a penalty early in the second half to take 6-15 lead.  Truman came to life again when rookie wing, Ryan Worth intercepted an errant OU pass and went 75 meters for the try.  The conversion attempt into the crossing wind was no good, and the score stood at 11-15 with 20 min to play.  A little later, senior Harry Kuan drove over for a try in the right corner (conversion not good) and Truman finally had the lead at 16-15 with 8 min to play.  Five min later Walczewski kicked an insurance penalty goal with to put Truman in the lead 19-15.  The match ended with OU attacking furiously with ball in hand, and Truman defending well.  It was a great match that saw OU test the will and determination of Truman.  Final Score: Truman 19 - OU 15.  OU was understandably disconsolate after the match, but picked-up their heads and headed over to chat with the Truman guys they knew from our visit in February.  The sportsmanship of the victors and the losers alike was admirable, and the had renewing old acquaintances. 

The win over OU put a real fire into the Truman team, however, we did lose Turk Satterly.  Turns out he suffered a minor concussion late in the OU game, and we had no choice but to sit him for the A&M match.  Matt Pieper filled in as flyhalf, and performed well, but as he had never played it before, it was difficult for him.  For the second match in a row, we lost the toss and we were going to have the wind in the first half - that means get a lot of points.  However, Texas A&M is a large (I mean "big"!) team with considerable experience, and they defended well.  Truman finally got on the board when Kuan dove over from a close ruck to score his second of the weekend, and Walczewski converted for the 7-0 lead.   A&M came back about 5 min later to score and unconverted try.  We attempted a deep kick with the wind from a 22 m drop-out, but their fullback came up with the ball, and mounted a counter-attack - which ultimately took them into the try zone!  Walczewski missed a penalty goal attempt at 38 min, but finished the half with a long-range penalty from near mid-field to make the halftime score 10-5.  Unfortunately, that wouldn't be enough.  A&M were determined to keep Truman pinned and to play in our end, and their experience at the halfbacks helped.  A&M punched in a converted try at 10 min into the half to take 10-12 lead.  Truman proceeded time and again to drive up the field, only to be undone by their own mistakes, a knock-on, or a poach, or penalty would allow A&M to boot the ball 50-70 meters back down field.  Truman played and defended like warriors, and no one gave anything away for free.  A&M finally broke the close game with a try at 33 min, and "impossible" conversion to take a 10-19 lead.  A late try in injury time made the Final Score: Truman 10 - Texas A&M 24.  This was a very good A&M team with 10 graduating seniors and lots of size and experience.

Throughout the weekend, Truman showed tremendous heart, fortitude, and sportsmanship as they played as well as they have all season.  While we are out of the playoff hunt, we still have some rugby to play, and players to develop this spring.  We are going to St. Louis Ruggerfest April 6-7, and we have home games against KU Collegiate on April 13 and MU on April 20.  We hope to see you one the sidelines!!   

Truman held off a strong Columbia Outlaws team this past weekend to post a 21-0 victory.  The first half was a scoreless, back and forth affair.  Neither team controlled their possession well, and couldn't get their attack on track.  However, both teams played staunch defense.  Truman got on the board nine minutes into the second half on a Greg Gallagher try, converted by Luke Walczewski for a 7-0 lead.  At 21 minutes, Walczewski gathered up a kicked ball for a try, and converted for a 14-0 lead.   Justin Carley closed out the scoring at 25 min with a converted try.  Final Score: Truman 21 - Outlaws 0.  In the "B" game, the Outlaws were good sports and took the field with their same 15 (plus a couple Truman players) to provide an opportunity for the Truman "B" to get a run.  The "Killer B's" prevailed 31-5 with scoring by Matt Pieper (3 tries), Andy Holmes, and rookie Austin View.  Gallagher, playing flyhalf was 3 of 5 conversions. 

Truman posts good win over Kansas City RFC "B".  The weather was cold and clear, and the wind from the northwest was brutal.  But the game went on.  Kansas City came out strong and pushed over a driving maul for a well-earned try 4 minutes into the match to take an early 5-0 lead.  However, credit to this young Truman side for bending, but not breaking.  Going into the wind, Truman defended well, and ran the ball effectively.  They began to create pressure, and with time running out in the first half, Nick Welchert stole a KC 5 m lineout, that was spun to Luke Walczewski for the crashing try under the posts.  Walczewski converted his own try, for a half-time score of 7-5.  With the wind at their backs, Truman came out strong in the second half, with Chris Bell scoring a nice try at 2:28, with the conversion by Walczewski.  Justin Carley crossed the line four minutes later, and with Walczewski's conversion, the score stood 21-5 after 6 minutes of play.  Scrumhalf Greg Gallagher fed flanker Tom Tajkowski from a ruck 5m out, and he crashed over through two defenders, conversion good (28-5).  Rookie wing, Ryan Worth took the ball down the left touch line to score in the corner (33-5), before Carley scored his second converted try of the day to take a commanding 40-5 lead.  Matt Pieper, playing outside center in his first game back since shoulder surgery, crashed over for a final try to close out the scoring.  Final Score: Truman 47- KCRFC "B" 5.  Truman was able to put up 47 straight points on 7 tries and 6 of 7 goal-kicking by Walczewski.  Clearly, the fitness training has paid dividends, and the team is beginning to execute their pattern of play.  Thanks to Charlie and the KC boys for playing under the cold and windy conditions!

Pittsburg State match Cancelled due to snow and extreme low temperatures - Welcome to spring time in the Midwest!!  Unfortunately, there will not be time in the spring schedule to play a make-up game.

Team rebounds against University of Illinois
What a difference a week can make!  After a disappointing start against Oklahoma and some vigorous training during this past week, Truman looked like a different team against the University of Illinois.  In fairness, not having a 9-hour drive and getting the U of I on their opening weekend probably helped.  Regardless, we worked at a higher rate, did a much better job of retaining the ball in contact, and defended well.  Earlier on Truman threatened to score on several occasions, but couldn't get on track.   Illinois counter-attacked into space to open the scoring at 16 minutes with a converted try.  Truman finally got on the board at 22 minutes when fullback Justin Carley put rookie wing Ryan Worth away to finish in the left corner (conversion no good).  Six minutes later Truman struck again, this time it was Carley finding his own space as he slipped between defenders to touch down between the post to make the conversion by Luke Walczewski a little easier.   With only 5 minutes left in the half, Truman was banging on the Illinois line, when the referee awarded an penalty try for repeated infringements.  The conversion was good, and the halftime score was 19-7.  Despite some good play and keeping the ball in the Illinois half, Truman did not score again until the 25th minute, to bring the score to 26-7.  With 10 minutes left in the game, Illinois picked-up the pressure.  A nice chip ahead to the Truman in-goal saw Carley tackle the pursuit player before he could get to the ball, resulting in the awarding of a penalty try.  The conversion was missed.  Final Score: Truman 26 - University of Illinois 12.  In the "B" game, Truman jumped to a 12-0 halftime lead on the strength of tries from Brian Wilson and Chris Bell with a conversion by Joe Rothermich.  Illinois put over two second half tries, but missed both conversions.  Final Score was Truman 12 - Illinois 10.

Truman Rugby slips in early season test.
The men of Truman Rugby drove to Norman, OK for some sunshine and some pre-season rugby versus the University of Oklahoma this past weekend.  Unfortunately, while there was lots of sunshine (temp in the high 60's and very sunny), we did not play our best rugby.  And to be fair, we did not really expect to play our best rugby with only 3 days of outside training to date, and realizing that no one is match-fit.  But, I think we expected more.  On the flip side, OU is a vastly improved team and have played several games already, and they played aggressively and challenged us in all phases.

Truman controlled the early phases of the game, but fatigue set in and OU put over a well-earned converted try at 32 minutes (0-7), and another unconverted try 4 minutes later (0-12) - for a halftime score of Truman 0 - OU 12.  Truman re-grouped in the second half and put over 2 unconverted tries from Greg Gallagher and Joe Donley to OU's penalty kick.  However, OU defended well and there was not enough gas in the tank to finish off the scoring.  Final score: Truman 10 - OU 15.  The "B" game was "a lot" to "a little" as OU ran out a strong Collegiate "B" / Club team against our "B's - rookies" and some guest OU Old Boys.  Regardless, it was fun and our "B's" acquitted themselves very well, and Joe Donley notched his second try of the day.  The up-side of an early season loss, is the realization by the team that they are not fit enough to play the game that they want to play, or can play.  As a result, we have had two of the best, most intense training sessions in Truman history.  This team is definitely committed!  More later.

Team Photo - February 16, 2002 in Norman, OK Check-out the new jerseys!

Index Article from Thursday, February 14, 2002

Spring 2002 Player Roster