Spartans rugby club takes fourth at state tourney

The Chisago Lakes rugby club had been battling all year in matches, and the state tournament last weekend at the National Sports Center in Blaine was no different. After finishing in third place in Tier II with a record of 4-3, the Wildcats drew Burnsville in the first round of the state tournament. “This team has been a very special one for me,” Head Coach Tony Randall explained. “Most of my seniors have been with me all four seasons. They have provided the leadership you expect out of them and they have provided the glue for the team really coming together.” Randall was the catalyst to starting the rugby club when these seniors were youngsters. Randall also noted the challenges the Spartans have faced this year throughout the season. “Our team may not be the biggest in stature, but they play with the most heart. We lost about half of last year's team, and had to rebuild from almost scratch,” he said. “I now see a very positive future with more than half of the team being 10th grade or younger, and some of them have become our biggest contributors.” Randall spoke about his players before the match against Burnsville: SENIORS Marissa Alliegro --

The very speedy, smart and shifty fourth year Scrumhalf, also the Captain. Abby Collins -- Fourth year Flyhalf, great field vision and decision making skills, she also plans on attending Winona State. Cassie Day -- Third year prop, very dedicated and reliable. Mickey DelGuidice -- Third year Wing that has emerged as an elite player, has great speed and vision. Abby Everson -- Fourth year second row, best mauler on the team and still one of our strongest players, a real force on the field. Amber Johnson -- Third year Eight(wo)man, very athletic and having a tremendous season. Lindsay Peulen -- Third year Hooker, an up and coming player that suffered a season ending knee injury. Plans to continue her career at Winona State, which has a nationally ranked team in Division II. Randall also wanted to recognize Liz Barrett, who would’ve been a fourth year prop for the Spartans. Barrett, who has excelled at the sport since it was intorduced to the area, decided to transfer to Armstrong in Tier 1, the two-time defending state champions. Barrett will also be playing for her State Select Side coach at Armstrong.

“I’m very supportive of Liz’s decision,” Randall said. “She is all in on rugby and will be playing Division I next year at the University of Minnesota.” JUNIORS Hannah Barrett -- Third year Prop with experience at multiple positions. Kaitlyn Owens -- First year Flanker/Inside Center, extremely versatile player with a tremendous upside. Is having a breakout season. SOPHOMORES Madeline Alliegro -- First year Wing, stepped right into her sister's old position and has not missed a beat, is the third leading scorer behind Marissa and Mickey. Rachel Engel -- First year Outside Center, is one of the most enthusiastic players I've ever had. She keeps the team motivated with her energy and positivity. Amanda Shoquist -- First year Flanker, an athletic physical player that is not afraid to take on the opposing forwards alone or with the rest of the pack. Anne Goosen -- First year Fullback that has ability and skills to be an exceptional player, a strong runner with a great foot, two of the main ingredients of a good Fullback. With more experience she will become an elite player. Rachel Crowe -- First year Outside Center/Wing that is willing to play multiple positions, and has become one of the most dependable utility players on the team. Sarah Crowe -- First year Hooker/Inside Center, like her twin sister is a versatile player and does what is asked of her on the field. Dani Stokes -- First year Fullback is a developing player that will get better with more experience. Kyra Danielowski -- First year, plays Fullback and Inside Center, she's an excellent runner that seems to always get positive yardage, she's a hard worker, also runs track, and will be very productive player in years to come. FRESHMEN Brenna Gilman -- Second year Hooker/Prop that handles herself like a veteran player. Has poise on and off the field.

Will have a long and successful career if she decides to pursue it. Gabby Randall -- Second year Second row/Flyhalf, like Brenna, shows a lot of seasoning for being a young player. A very athletic player that can run, pass and kick well. Suffered a season ending injury and is recovering well. Katelyn Sargent -- First year Second Row/Prop. Will get better every time she plays, and will become a force in our league. Has a variety of skills including an ability to either punt the ball for distance, or place kick it for points after a score. Has the first and only completed penalty kick in our four years of existence. Elyse Linman -- First year Second Row has become a dependable forward that is active in the loose play and in line outs. Kaylea LaValle -- First year Hooker is a versatile player that is able to also play in the backfield EIGHTH GRADERS Torre Judkins -- First year player that has gained valuable experience playing Hooker and Flanker Katelyn Steuernagel -- First year player that has gained valuable experience at Flanker and Second Row Casey Asch -- First year player that has gained her game time experience mostly at Flanker, and some time at Wing. With his whole crew ready to go against Burnsville, Randall also realized that both teams drew the heat, as their opening game didn’t start until 11:15 a.m. on a hot and sticky Saturday afternoon.

A few of the players were visibily fatigued during the game with Burnsville and the team from the south suburbs eeked out a win against Chisago Lakes, leaving the team -- especially the seniors -- heartbroken and in the losers bracket of the tournament. They unfortunately ran into Hastings in the second stages of the bracket. Although they were upset in the first round by Fairbault, Randall still believes Hastings was the best team in Tier II by far and it showed in the match, as Chisago Lakes got thumped by Hastings to send them to a fourth place finish. Burnsville went on to defeat Fairbault for the Tier II state championship.