School News

Sisters Before Champions — National Champions, That Is!

BY MADELINE ZUKOWSKI, DSHA '11
The DSHA rugby team won the Single School National Title defeating across-town rivals Catholic Memorial High School.
The DSHA rugby team is no stranger to championships. In the past 20 years, they’ve won 15 Midwest, 14 state and seven national championships.

But it’s never been about winning or receiving the trophy.

“From the outside looking in, you might think it’s about (winning), but it’s about the development of individuals, making lifetime memories, and the team accomplishing what they do accomplish together,” said Head Rugby Coach John “Chin” Klein.

Coming into the 2019 spring season, the team had high expectations. Although it was a mentally hard season, “it was hard to not be excited,” said Klein.

The team had every reason to feel that way.

GOING FOR GOLD

After defeating the Carroll high school team from Indiana, the Grandville high school team from Michigan, and local rivals Catholic Memorial, the team took home the Midwest Championship at the end of April. In mid-May, they traveled to Denver for the Single School National Invitational Championship.

Teams that qualify for the Single School National Championship are high school teams comprised of members from the same high school. They do not play in the same tournament as club teams, often comprised of members from various high schools. Of note, Klein was instrumental in the origination of this tournament.

In the quarter-finals, the Dashers took on Palmer from Colorado and won 54-0. In the semi-finals, they defeated Grandville 74-3. In the championship game, they matched again with Catholic Memorial, winning 25-10 to bring home the trophy.

Sadie Brennan, DSHA ’19, one of the four captains on the team, said the victory was one “we would remember for the rest of our lives.”

“After getting back to Wisconsin, I was grateful for the experience itself, but also the team in which I shared it with,” she said.

“It felt great being able to play for one of best high school rugby teams in the nation,” said Savannah Peterson, DSHA ’19, another captain on the team. “Words can’t really describe the feeling, but I know that I’m so proud of what we were able to make of ourselves this past season through our hard work and dedication to each other.”

ALL IN THIS TOGETHER

Both Klein and the members of the squad would agree in saying that the DSHA rugby team is more than a team — it’s a family.

“I have grown up playing on sports teams, but no team measures up to the connection and love that is on the DSHA rugby team,” Brennan said.

That connection and love has shaped and impacted Peterson’s high school career, and she said she is blessed to have been teammates with girls that genuinely care about each other, both on and off the field.

“There’s nothing like being able to look at your friend on the field and know that they’re putting their body on the line for you and you are doing the same for them…Without DSHA rugby, I wouldn’t be the person I am today,” Peterson said.

The family feel is part of the team’s success.

“That sense of being a part of something larger than yourself has helped girls overcome challenges and pushes them to be the best versions of themselves,” said Brennan.

“Everyone commits to each other,” Klein said. “Nothing is done based on the efforts of a few; it’s always done on the efforts of many. If we all continue to be in community and love the culture of rugby, what we will continue to accomplish will be incredible.”

DSHA RUGBY SPRING SEASON

Head Coach: John “Chin” Klein

Captains: Julia Basurto-Gutierrez, DSHA ’19; Sadie Brennan, DSHA
’19; Maggie Leffler, DSHA ’19; Savannah Peterson, DSHA ’19

All-State Honors: Georgia Barczak, DSHA ’20; Sadie Brennan,
DSHA ’19; Fiona Gallagher, DSHA ’21; Jaclyn Jarosz, DSHA ’20;
Emma Kaczynski, DSHA ’19; Abigail Kayser, DSHA ’20; Jenna
Klenz, DSHA ’19; Maggie Leffler, DSHA ’19; Natalia Perez, DSHA
’19; Savannah Peterson, DSHA ’19; Makinzie Youngblood, DSHA
’19; Kieran Zalewski, DSHA ’20

Midwest Tournament │April 27 & 28│ Elkhart, Indiana
vs. Carroll, 63-5
vs. Grandville, 60-0
vs. Catholic Memorial, 31-5

National Tournament │May 18 & 19│ Denver, Colorado
vs. Palmer, 54-0
vs. Grandville, 74-3
vs. Catholic Memorial, 25-10
Back
    • The DSHA rugby team celebrated winning the Single School National Title May 19.

    • The team says their last prayer together before the championship game.

Comments:

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  • Mary Merz
    This is such a wonderful “family” from Coach Chin on down to the newest freshman on the team! Great fun to watch games, feel the intensity of their spirit, and see their increasing skill at the game! Thanks so much!

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