Wayne State College is the most prolific women’s program in the National Small College Rugby Organization (NSCRO). The Nebraska school has won a national championship every year since 2012. The Wildcats have won all three of the 7s championships, which began in 2014, and added its third 15s championship earlier this month (Wayne State also won in 2012 and 2013).
“Club house chemistry is by far the number one ingredient for a winning recipe,” Wayne State coach Darrin Barner explained. “Many people concentrate on plays, moves and schemes. Some focus a major amount of time on fundamentals and the Xs and Os of a playbook. But without clubhouse chemistry and team culture, you just don’t get the stove too hot.”
Barner modeled Wayne State after men’s club Fort Worth, for which the coach played in the 1990s. Taking lessons from then-coach Mike Kwedar, Barner nurtured a club-first attitude among the men’s and women’s teams, and members respect their history.
Winning is also part of that history, and heading into fall 2016, the Wayne State women felt good about their player pool. The Wildcats returned a powerful backline, one that helped deliver the spring 7s national championship and was capable of running up the scoreboard. Wayne State showed as much during the regional playoffs, defeating Western State Colorado University 100-0 in the Round of 16 and 2015 champion Minnesota State Moorhead 38-10 the day after. Those back-to-wins afforded a trip to Life University for the final four, and the Wildcats opened with a 58-5 victory over SUNY Cortland in the semifinals.
On the other side of the bracket, Colgate posted equally intimidating numbers, scoring 200 points in the three rounds prior to the final. But the final wasn’t set up to showcase well oiled offenses. Bitter conditions – heavy rain and sub-40 degree temperatures – made for wet ball, frozen fingers and cold hands.
“With weather like that, we had to do a complete 180 twist on our offensive attack, and trust me, the weather really hurt us and gave a great benefit to the hardest running forward pack we have ever faced,” explained Barner. “Colgate had four girls [who could] run through anyone at any time, and it would only be a matter of time before they would overpower us and five-yard us to death. It was all up to our defense off the base of the ruck area [to] step up and slam a shoulder in the ballcarrier every single time.”
As the fourth quarter approached, Wayne State led 6-0 on two Sam Warneke penalties. Whenever the team needed to regroup against the hard-pounding Colgate, it drew inspiration from the team-bonding exercise that occurred on the eve of the semifinal. Barner showed the squad “Hacksaw Ridge,” a World War II movie where American troops, outnumbered, “take the hill” to secure Iwo Jima.
“The part of the movie that says, ‘Take the hill,’ pretty much became our weekend battle cry,” the coach said. “I simply have a terrific group of gals who ain’t scared to play hard-nosed rugby.”
During the final quarter, Wayne State used a lineout 20 meters out to maul downfield and send Kelsa Mills across for the lone try of the game, 11-0. Colgate surged in the final minutes, but an excellent defense eventually turned over the ball at midfield to essentially secure the win.
It was the sixth national championship for the women, but not the only accolade of the season. Rugby America North (RAN) named Wayne State College the Program Development Award of the Year, and USA Rugby Collegiate Director Rich Cortez presented the award to Barner and top supporter Rod Tompkins, who has put the Wildcats on the map.
“They are amazing on and off the field,” Barner praised. “Nothing should change. Success builds success and I’m hoping after these seniors graduate, the younger freshmen step up and fill those holes.”
That cycle seeks to reproduce victories and championships, but also host one of the biggest collegiate tournaments in the country (March Madness) and maintain a top-notch rugby facility and clubhouse. Those successes honor the alumni who came before them and laid the groundwork for future riches.