CEDAR FALLS, IA. -- The Principia College Thunder Chickens have officially qualified to defend their National title at the USA Rugby College 7s National Championships! After an unfortunate loss to conference rival St. Louis University, the Thunder Chickens were unsure of whether or not they would have a chance to compete again at the National Championships. The team entered a National Qualifier tournament held at the University of North Iowa, and they had a spectacular day, winning all five of their games, including the championship game which they won in overtime!
The team drove up to North Iowa on Friday, where they had a nice pasta dinner and a good night's rest. They rose early for a good metaphysical meeting before heading to the field to get ready for their games.
Game one, Principia played Loras College, from Dubuque, Iowa- a new team that was just learning the game. The Thunder Chickens came away with a decisive victory, 47-0. Game two was against Simpson College, a school near Des Moines, Iowa. They are also a newer team, and after the Thunder Chickens had a 26-0 lead at halftime, we rested our starters and everyone had a chance to get in the game. The rookies had their work cut out for them, but squeezed out a victory 26-19, phew!
Game three was a little more challenging as Principia faced the University of Minnesota, Duluth, the current 15 man champion of the last two years. Principia played flat out and secured a 15-0 win after a tense and competitive game. After that win, the Thunder Chickens headed to the semi-final game where they matched up against Winona State University, from east Minnesota, Principia came away with a 31-0 win.
Now...the FINALS... University of Minnesota Duluth again! Principia lost the toss, and had a strong wind in their face. They started a bit slow, and found themselves on defense all the time. Duluth scored twice with break away runs; had a player drop the ball as he was about to score, and then they scored again. This put Principia down 21-0 at half time. The team was fully committed to playing to the end, no matter what, so the second half started with a bang. The Thunder Chickens were able to pressure the opponent into mistakes, and an opportunity came their way. Now 21-7, and Principia was back in the game. Duluth came right back and answered with a great run into the corner for another score. The corner was too far in the wind, and they missed the kick: 26-7. Principia did not panic, they still had time to use. Principia came back with the same commitment and pressured them more and more until we scored. The clock was running, so we kicked quickly, and ran the ball back to half way to start the next play; and on we went: 26-14. And again:26-21!!! AND AGAIN: 26-26 with a kick to come with only seconds to play. Trevor Marunde had to wait for the ref to allow treatment for a player, all the while knowing that he had to make the kick to win the game. Long distance, cross winds, and NO POINTS: 26-26.
Time ran out quickly, and so the ruling was to play sudden death. Jordan was told to get the wind at our backs, but we lost the coin toss and they got the wind. We kicked to them and continued our pressure, which seemed to keep them off balance. After a scrum
Jaime Serna snagged the loose ball and ran for his life to cover the twenty yards to the goal line. MAYHEM broke loose. THUNDER CHICKENS WIN!!!!
After the win, awards were given at the tournament. Trevor Marunde and Larry Patterson received all tournament team awards and
Jordan Anderson received an honorable mention award. Trevor was also picked as the National Qualifier MVP and Collegiate Cup. The Principia Thunder Chickens were awarded a trophy for winning the whole event.
After an amazing experience in North Iowa, Principia will head to University of Denver to compete again for the National 7s title on May 23rd. Stay tuned for more info and results as our rugby teams represents Principia on the national level again!! Click
here for a link to a press release about the venue.
