Crusader Rugby Has Historic Winning Season; Looks to Future
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Spring 2010 was a breakthrough season for Christendom’s rugby squad, which overcame tremendous adversity to post a 4-2 record against teams from much larger schools. Practice began in the arctic conditions of January and February; but not even the hardships imposed by three feet of snow could weaken the dedication of this extraordinary group of young men. After many weeks of grueling practices, the Crusaders played their first match of the season on March 20, against Division I rugby powerhouse, George Mason University. The first match was played under near-perfect conditions on the beautiful rugby pitch at GMU. Before a huge pro-Christendom crowd that had traveled from Front Royal to cheer them on, the Crusaders shocked George Mason by a score of 32-19. Led by senior captains Zach Miller and David Long,
Christendom played tenacious second-half defense, gradually breaking down the resolve of the bigger, more experienced side from George Mason. In a quintessential team effort, both the forward pack and the back line did their part; the heroes are too many to name.
Norton, Ben Ranieri, Rob Hambleton, James Hannon, and Gabe Schuberg, the Crusaders decisively rolled over the University of Mary Washington 49-17, putting an exclamation point on a spectacular year.
After defeating George Mason, the Crusaders headed up to Philadelphia for the Collegiate Cup Tournament. Competing without three important starters, Christendom improvised, with experienced players out of position and newer players stepping into starting roles. In four games, the Crusaders posted a 2-2 record, highlighted by shutout victories over Haverford College and Susquehanna University– earning the team a second-place finish. The final game of the season, on April 22, was perhaps the most dominant performance of all; with spectacular play by Joe Long, Patrick Even the snow couldn’t stop the team from practicing.
It takes a lot to take down Junior Bill Waller. Christendom Crusader Rugby Team 2009-10 had its first winning season.
Students Score Well on National Greek Exam
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The American Classical League recognized 12 Christendom College students for their performance on the 2010 National Greek Exam, an annual exam that measures students’ ability to read Greek at sight and knowledge of Classical Greek language and literature. Sophomore Brian Killackey submitted a perfect paper on the Homeric Greek Exam; only two perfect papers were submitted in the whole country on this exam this
year. This is the second year in a row that Killackey has earned a perfect score on the National Greek Exam.
Kyle Kelley, Ryan Mitchell, and George Walter received highest honors, each only one correct answer away from a perfect paper and Christine Ascik, Frances Allington, and Angela Swagler took high honors. Miriam Rauschert, Benjamin Allen, Julia Callaghan, Anthony Dhanagom, and Joseph Wagner received Brian Killackey submitted a perfect paper. merit awards.
Sophomore Karl Haislmaier goes up for the ball.
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