DSHA and Brookfield

Just for the record, DSHA finished #3 in the Nation this year, after defeating Brookfield (now #4). 

Congratulations to Brookfield for thier first run at the National Tournament!  While I know that there are many rival clubs in Wisconsin who were plotting and planning for DSHA's first defeat since the Fall of 2002, but I think I speak for Wisconsin when I say we all wish that first defeat had been from a Wisconsin club!

Congratulations to the new National champions, the Sacremento Amazons.  I know that each team from Wisconsin that has had to face the Amazons, both Brookfield this year, and KM in the past, recognize that they are a fierce and deserving team.

Now-- it's time to start thinking about the Fall 2010 -- and the run up to next year's National title run by a Wisconsin team (or two)!

Go Wisconsin!

A quick post just to say good luck to DSHA and Brookfield as they compete in the National Tournament this weekend. Hopefully, we will see Wisconsin teams ranked #1 and #2 in the nation. Obviously, I am rooting to see a new #1 this year -- but still -- best of luck to DSHA as well.

Here the the link to the JSOnline article.

Watch the games live at the USA Rugby media site. The Brookfield team kicks off against Portland, ME at 9 a.m. local time (10 p.m. CST) on field 1. DSHA kicks off at 10 a.m. local time (11 p.m. CST) also on field 1. Only the field 1 games are broadcast. The second match of the game will be determined by the win-loss record. A complete schedule of matches can be found here.

Midwests Championship Weekend

I have been so busy, it has been hard to find the time to publish. However, the news has to be put out there. This past weekend, DSHA again dominated the competition to take home another consecutive Midwest Championship. The brackets and scores are available online at the Midwest Youth Rugby.

The Brookfield Bruisers also qualified for Nationals for the first time in Club history in its first trip to the Championship bracket. Brookfield upset Lakewood OH, last years Midwest and National number 2 seed, in a close fought 10-7 quarter final match.

In the festival division, Vernon and KM played for #1 and #2 , with Vernon prevailing.

DSHA-B side an Brookfield-B side took home 2nd and 4th respectively in the Div. II Festival Bracket.

So, with 24 teams competing, Wisconsin B-sides had a 2-4 record. For Wisconsin A-side teams (KM, Vernon, DSHA and Brookfield) and those losses were to other Wisconsin teams! Go Wisconsin!!

Finally -- I ask for some help for Brookfield. Brookfield is trying to raise money to complete the Cinderella Story and meet DSHA again in the final round at Nationals (hopefully with a different result -- we are coming to compete after all!). The Brookfield parents and players will be selling hot dogs and brats at the Sam's Club in Brookfield (on Springdale Rd.) on Sunday, May 16, 2010 throughout the day. Please stop by and have some food! And wear your club's Rugby gear and show just how supportive and close knit our Wisconsin rugby community can be!

2009 Wisconsin Girls Rugby State Championship
---All-Tournament Team---

#1 Jamie Wojciechowski* senior Vernon Harlequins

#2 Stephanie Gammon senior Brookfield Bruisers

#3 Hope Kollauf junior Vernon Harlequins

#4 Erin Davis* senior Catholic Memorial High School

#5 Sonya Pavela junior Divine Savior Holy Angels High School

#6 Talia Carrasquillo junior Kettle Moraine High School

#7 Brianna Klein junior Brookfield Bruisers

#8 Elizabeth Linnemanstons* senior Divine Savior Holy Angels High School

#9 Rachel Santulli* junior Brookfield Bruisers

#10 Cayla Clark senior Muskego High School

#11 Rachel Gaenslen junior Divine Savior Holy Angels High School

#12 Kate Cashin junior Brookfield Bruisers

#13 Ellie Miller junior Divine Savior Holy Angels High School

#14 Emily Zemplinski junior Vernon Harlequins

#15 Anita Dillett senior Catholic Memorial High School

#16 Taylor Rozman sophomore Kettle Moraine High School

#17 Samantha Capelle junior Kettle Moraine High School

#18 Alli Cales sophomore Oak Creek High School

#19 Madison Wieland junior Northshore Highlanders

#20 Kaylinne Vega* sophomore Oak Creek High School

#21 Maggie Armstrong junior Catholic Memorial High School

#22 Kali Schulte sophomore Muskego High School

Stuff to Update

It has been a busy, busy Fall and early winter. While I completely failed to get information up regarding the Fall season, I will put the results, post the list for our All-Tournament team recipients, and get all the final results from the Fall 09 season posted prior to the start of this Spring season!

It was a really exciting Fall season and I think there is some really growth for the league coming around the corner. A recent comment on this Blog pointed out the new website (now added to the links) for the Cudahy RFC.

Rumors are still circulating that there may be a Wauwatosa RFC --come the Fall of 2010, as well!

We continue to grow! There is a lot to discuss. More to come.....!!

CMH retains the Claymore and the Founders' Cup

The Highland Games Mass Band. A good end to a long day of rugby:

CMH retained the Founders' Cup by defeating the Brookfield Bruisers in the opening match of the Highland Games. The CMH girls went on to retain their tournament championship trophy, a Scottish Claymore sword, with three victories at the Scottish Highland Games Saturday. Kudos to CMH -- thier victory was a complete team effort as all thirty players contributed significantly to the four matches.

Photos and detailed scores subbmitted by CMH:

Photo #2: senior wing Kelsey Norgal and sophomore Cecillia NavarratePhoto #3: freshman #2, Genny Antunes and friends.
CMHS 31 Brookfield 0Tries: Erin Davis, Maggie Armstrong (2), Kelsey Norgal, Anita DillettConv: Katie Dries (3)
CMHS 26 Vernon 0Tries: Kayla Henschel (2), Anita Dillett, Erin DavisConv: Katie Dries (3)
CMHS JV 14 Muskego 10Tries: Marissa Jurek, Kayla HenschelConv: Sara Dillett (2)
CMHS JV 5 Kettle Moraine 12Tries: Kelsey Norgal

The final result does not tell the whole story of Saturday's tournament. At the end of the day on Saturday, three teams (CMH, Vernon and KM) were 3-1 -- tied for first place. CMH retained the Claymore on point differentials -- leaving the final title decision down to the final whistle of the final match.

The full score report for the day (# of tries in parens.):

Brookfield v. CMH: 5 (1) v. 31 (5)
KM v. Muskego: 24 (4) v. 7 (1)
Brookfield v. KM: 0 (0) v. 21 (3)
CMH v. Vernon: 26 (4) v. 0 (0)
CMH v. Muskego: 12 (2) v. 10 (2)
Brookfield v. Vernon: 12( 2) v. 19 (3)
KM v. Vernon: 17 (3) v. 25 (5)

Brookfield v. Muskego: 12 (2) v. 10 (2)
Muskego v. Vernon: 0 (0) v. 15 (3)
CMH v. KM 5 (1) v. 12 (2)

What's With Those Hawaiian Shirts?

Some have the Maori Haka. Brookfield had its bagpipers for a time. And Wisconsin's local rugby fans have the Hawaiian shirts.

Some fans have come to associate Hawaiian shirts with DSHA rugby. Its origins are a bit more complex than that. In this, the first recorded picture of Hawaiian shirts being used as coach's attire roughly a decade ago, it does in fact show three coaches wearing the dazzling duds. But, it should be noted that two of the coaches are wearing borrowed shirts from the third's extensive collection.

The current head coach of DSHA did not originate this now time-honored tradition; although he must be recognized for his efforts. He has embraced this tradition, even being captured in an ESPN interview wearing the now famed black and red Hawaiian print. Still, others may forget that Kettle Moraine used the 'originals' prints pictured as good-luck Hawaiian shirts and did so continuously throughout the height of their trips to Nationals and Midwest. Perhaps as coaches and players prepare for the upcoming fall competition, some should consider finding an old Hawaiian shirt ....

(Thanks to our guest feature columnist for this story and picture)!