As the Bobcats’ fall rugby season comes to a close, fans are left with a chilly cliffhanger. Due to the high levels of snow and poor weather conditions Nov. 14 through Nov. 18, the Nov. 15 league championship match against Gonzaga University has been postponed to March 9, 2015.
According to Bobcat rugby coach Woody Bennett, the conditions of the athletic field and the Columbia Gorge Pass led to the delay of the match.
“Our field [was] not fit to play,” Bennett explained. “Gonzaga runs on a semester schedule, so we couldn’t reschedule the game for this [fall] season because all of the students already made plans for Thanksgiving.”
Traditionally, results of cancelled league games are declared by a coin toss. Recognizing the importance of this specific game as the league championships, both teams chose to postpone the match to the spring.
“Its fun to get banging again because two weeks later we are going to be playing in the regionals,” Bennett said. “This is the league championship, we don’t want to call it over a coin toss…we want to play it off.”
Because the Bobcats’ have finished the season tied with Gonzaga for the number one spot in the league, both teams will compete in the Pacific Coast Regional Championships on March 28 and 29. The Bobcats and Gonzaga will represent their league against teams from northern and southern California. As of Nov. 20, COCC and Gonzaga University are both in consideration for hosting the regional championships.
“Not only are we in [the regional championships], we could be hosting [the event] here in Bend, Oregon,” Bennett stated. “If we get it, three other teams will travel here to play for the final four in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.”
For now, the Bobcats’ will transition into their winter training. Although there will be no games or matches held until March, Coach Bennett and his players will continue their hard work in preparation for the Pacific Coast Regional Championships. Students interested in playing rugby for the Bobcats this spring are encouraged to contact Coach Bennett.
Emily Kalei | The Broadside
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