Colby Magazine: Mules on the Move

	Ruggers Earn Way to Nationals Mules show last year's success was no fluke

	Field Hockey Advances to Second Round of ECAC Wins over opponents first in program's history

	Sarah Toland '00 Wins All-American Honors in Cross-Country

Colby, in white, goes head to head with LeMoyne in the New England playoffs.(AMITY BURR '03)

by Matt Apuzzo '00

If opponents have underestimated the Colby men's rugby team, that should change. The White Mules clinched their second consecutive trip to national competition recently, and rivals are learning that last year's surprise appearance in the national spotlight was no fluke.

Last season, the Mules won one of two games in the regional tourney, but Yale University swept the playoffs and clinched the national tournament berth. When the Yale Bulldogs unexpectedly withdrew from the national tournament, depleted by injuries after a spring-break trip to Europe, Colby was given the nod.

This year, with a strong core of seniors returning, the Mules wanted to prove that they belonged with the best in the country. After a 7-0 regular season, they trampled Le Moyne College (N.Y.) 78-3 in the New England playoffs. The win sent a message to opponents waiting at the regionals. ³Yeah, we went to nationals last season but it was basically just blind luck," said veteran "prop" Sean Scott '00 after the win over Le Moyne. "It's very important to us this year to go out and win it outright."

When the Mules got to Amherst, Mass., for the regional playoffs, they didn't waste any time, jumping on SUNY College at Oneonta early and running to a 34-17 victory that put them one win away from nationals. Fans and players came to see Colby face Central Connecticut--a squad many believed to be one of the strongest and most talented in the region--to see if the Mules were for real. The result was a 20-10 victory that gave Colby more than just another tournament berth. It gave the Mules vindication.

"We heard other teams talking during the first game," said Steve Ward '00, who scored three times during the tournament weekend. "Everyone thought we were going to get killed by Central. It feels really good to show everybody. We lost a lot of players to graduation last year. To come back and do even better says a lot."

A lot indeed.

The White Mules were playing without captain David Normoyle '00, Russ Mink '02 and Corbin Brace '00 for most of both games. Injuries kept the three key contributors sidelined, but neither injuries nor opponents could keep Colby contained. "We have such great depth right now that there really wasn't too much to worry about," Brace said.

The Mules have all winter to rest, recover and train for national competition. Nor should circumstances easily sideline any Mules in the spring. Last year, when Normoyle found out Colby made the nationals, he put his studies in Spain on hold to fly home to compete. Chances are, since he will be in the country, he'll be on the field for the Mules this spring.

The tournament falls at the end of the spring season. Coach Robert Weggler reported Mayflower Hill will be the site for the Mules' opening game.

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