Previously, Rugby Colorado (RC) held concurrent 7s and 15s leagues in the fall, but the 2015 season showed that the girls’ high school game couldn’t support that model just yet. So this year, the state has embraced a 7s-focused season with 15s friendlies peppered into the schedule. The state champion will be a 7s champion. [Photo: Westside Swarm Rugby]
“Over the last couple of years, there have been arguments as to which way to go, but the numbers have been the determination on a lot of teams,” said Darryl Lane, head coach of Westside Swarm and RC High School Girls Committee member, on the choice between 7s and 15s. “For example, two years ago, Glendale and Highland Ranch had over 20 players each. The next year, Highland disappeared and combined with Glendale, and they still only had 11 total. Last year, Fort Collins and Regis were both going to play 15s and then dropped to 7s. It’s a numbers game; you can only play with what you have.”
The season resembles the 7s world series in that tournaments will afford standings points that will name the state champion. There are 16 teams divided into four pools and six weekends’ worth of tournaments preceding the state championship. During each round, two tournaments will be held at separate locations, and two pools will play at each location. Every pool will play each other throughout the fall (middle school 7s will also feature between the end of pool play and before the placing round at certain tournaments). The final is on Nov. 12 in Glendale, however, the trophy will still be awarded to the team with the most standings points.
At present, five weekends of 15s have been worked into the schedule, but no 15s championship will be held. The flexibility in the schedule will also allow teams like Summit to return to the Pink 7s in Utah, and other Colorado teams are considering the trip.
“As long as they’re playing,” Summit coach Karl Barth had said when the 7s-oriented league was still being considered. “When you start to focus on how much [7s and 15s] are different, you lose track of how much they’re the same. And part of [being able to say] that comes after seeing really good 7s.
“For a young player, you’re developing the tackle, pass – and not just a short little thing – you need to be accurate in the ruck, and you’re teaching more decision-making.”
Colorado’s only 15s state champion, Summit, will relish its time playing 15s, indulging in things like its lineout and driving maul, a specialty that was on display at the first-ever single school championship last May. The Tigers are favorites in the upcoming 7s season, and the second side also promises to be good. Two-time reigning state 7s champ Westside is 37-0 since Lane took over the program, which graduated one player from its summer group. Chaparral, too, can never be overlooked.
If numbers improve, then 15s’ presence in the state will, too, according to Lane. The coach fully acknowledges that if players want to vie for college rugby programs, then they need to play 15s. Westside itself has just sent Emma Shipton to DI varsity Quinnipiac University, and Jade Garcia and Aubrey Rivera to DI Life University. The league has also sent Meg Rose to the Bobcats and Taylor Makowski to the Running Eagles, Becca Jane Rosko to Dartmouth, and Allyson Pothier to AIC – to name a few.
The season kicks off Sept. 10, with Summit and Chaparral hosting. The first 15s games occur the following week. Stay tuned.