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Catholic Memorial Excels at Midwests

  • 28 Apr 2021
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The Midwest High School Girls 15s Championship featured 11 varsity and JV squads from Wisconsin, Indiana and Ohio, and they all played two games in one day at the Moose Rugby Grounds in Elkhart, Ind. The Badger State performed particularly well, with its three clubs going 7-2 across both competitions.

RELATED: Fixtures & Results: April 23-25

Catholic Memorial High (CMH) defeated Indiana’s Penn 62-0 and Charger Rugby Club 65-5. It was a nice reward for the Crusaders, who, like their Wisconsin league mates, had their championship 15s season canceled in the fall. The team was, however, able to stay active during the fall and played some local 7s and 10s games.

“We had to wear masks during practices and games, but at least we were able to get together with our teammates,” Aly Cunningham, one of four CMH senior captains, explained. “We’ve been fortunate to have had in-person classes nearly the whole school year because our school instituted strict COVID-19 protocols, including masking, social distancing, tracking, and quarantining. We had a minor outbreak over the winter and went hybrid for two weeks, but we were able to return to classes after winter break and have been back at school ever since. Even with the pandemic, our school and rugby coaches have made it work, and we have cherished the time we have together as a team.”

Evelyn Barta, Emme Ohnmacht and Rachel Nikita join Cunningham as captains, and they had to get creative during an unconventional season.

“Over quarantine, my fellow captains and I were able to help organize team workouts and Zoom calls, including themed virtual ‘practices’ and fun team challenges,” Ohnmacht highlighted some unexpected responsibilities as captains. “We really worked on remaining positive, healthy and fit despite the lack of organized rugby. Throughout COVID-19, our team has become closer, which I think has helped us gel on the field and really unite as a team.”

On March 8, CMH was back on the practice pitch, only this time, there was 15s on the schedule. The captains are nicely distributed throughout the lineup, with Nikta in the second row or No. 8; Barta getting time at openside flanker and inside center; and Cunningham and Ohnmacht directing game flow from both halfback positions.

After a couple of warm-up matches, the Crusaders traveled to Indiana for the Midwest championships, which is traditionally the second of three major events for the Waukesha program. The state 15s championship in the fall is the first big event, followed by Midwests and then the Girls’ High School National Tournament in mid-May.

“In the weeks before Midwest, our practices emphasized defense and I definitely think our defense helped us win both matches,” Barta reflected on the combined 127-5 scoreline. “Our team continually showed the defensive skills we had been working on in practice throughout both games in their low tackles and rucks as well as their understanding of when to wrap around the pile. Although our offensive system helped us score tries, our defense helped us gain possession of the ball.”

“In addition to great defense, good communication and players willing to step up and play new or challenging roles was critical for doing so well,” Nitka added. “Communication is always important for games, but sometimes it can be difficult to focus on talking to others. [B]ut in this game everyone did a good job of being supportive after a try or good tackle, or telling people where to go in the lineup. There wasn’t a moment’s hesitation for people when asked to make changes … and [that] allowed us to play to the best of our ability.”

Barta, Cunningham and Ohnmacht are four-year veterans at CMH, but Nitka found the sport in her junior year, making this year’s Midwest championship her first. With Covid-19, the sophomores also missed out on last year’s regional tournament, and of course 2021 marked the freshmen’s first opportunity to compete. The leadership was very pleased with the younger classes’ and rookies’ response to the uptick in competition.

“As a rookie, Audrey Fryda has amazed me,” Ohnmacht praised the newcomer. “Her athleticism, vision on the field, and ability to run is unmatched.

“Another rookie that surprised me, and continues to do so, is Marie Dowling,” the senior continued. “She has shown both mental and physical toughness and adapted tremendously to the different roles thrown at her.”

Transfer student Bri Sanchez and Molly Flanagan are new to the sport, and have embraced it. Sanchez injects physicality onto the pitch, while Flanagan has speed, strong tackles and spirit.

Freshmen Elle Sheahan, Lucy Wilson and Fiona Holmes drew high praise as well. Sheahan has continued her quickly improving trajectory since the fall with better running, passing and on-field leadership. Wilson applies her hard work, fitness and speed on the wing, and Holmes shows strength in the tackle and ruck.

“Another surprising young player is Melissa Rogala,” Ohnmacht continued. “Mel has quickly learned the ins and outs of the game of rugby—a difficult task for a rookie—and excelled at it.

“Katie Stomma continues to excite me for the future of CMH Rugby,” she added. “With only four games under her belt, Katie Stomma embraced her new position as outside center and has been able to showcase her tremendous speed, toughness and passing accuracy.”

Sophomore Naiya Gairy has been on-point in her lineout throws and consistent aggression, and Alex Mazurczak, also a 10th grader, continues to assert herself as a rising scrumhalf. Ohnmacht also called out Ellie Hansen, who is strength and go-forward.

“Sometimes the choices that seem daunting at first turn out to be the greatest decision you’ll ever make,” Nitka spoke rhetorically to the younger classes. “It’s important to have confidence but also to be ready to fail sometimes, because that’s how you get better. On this team you are surrounded by one of the greatest support systems, so try your hardest and offer that same support back.”

There’s still more rugby for Catholic Memorial this season. The team will host the annual James Foley Memorial 7s Tournament this Saturday, May 1. At day’s end, the Crusaders will face cross-town rival DSHA in a 15s match.

“These are always tough games, and we often meet them in State, Midwest, and even National Championship matches,” Cunningham noted. “With our short season and the cancellation of Nationals this spring due to COVID-19, our coach is also trying to schedule additional friendlies with strong regional teams to complete the year.”

Cunningham, who is also an accomplished downhill skier, will continue her education and rugby career with Sacred Heart University, a DI NCAA varsity program in NIRA, and study business.

Play rugby and stick with it if it doesn’t work out at first,” Cunningham left words of wisdom for future CMH players. “Rugby is an unusual sport but what makes it unique is everyone is a family.”

Ohnmacht will have the opportunity to see Cunningham across the pitch during next four years, as she’s committed to DI Brown University, with the intention of studying biology on the pre-med track.

“Have confidence in your ability to be tough, strong, smart, and part of a team of excellent and diverse athletes,” Ohnmacht asserted. “The family that is CMH rugby is a once-in-a-lifetime experience not to be taken for granted. Coach support, parent support and teammate support are hallmarks of this program—something to be cherished for the rest of your life.”

Both Barta and Nitka also intend to keep playing rugby after graduation. Nitka is attending Carroll University in Waukesha to study physical therapy and is considering club options. Barta is heading to UW Platteville to study civil engineering and Spanish while playing collegiate club rugby in the Great Waters conference.

“These four years playing with CMH will fly by so it is important to be grateful for every moment you have with your teammates,” Barta closed. “The people you meet playing rugby with CMH will be some of the best friends you will ever have and the memories created on and off the field with them will be remembered forever.”

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