Tuesday, May 5, 2009

legends

Everyone has a secret desire to make history. Everyone has woken up one morning thinking, "maybe someday I'll be more than just another person." It's inherent in human nature to want to be more, to want to be known. Some people want to make history for the fame, some because they want to create change, and others do it merely because they want to make a statement. They want to prove something. This year my team did that.

We made a statement.
We made history.

The rugby club I play for has never made it to the national collegiate stage. Last year we made it to the Pacific Coast playoffs, the farthest we had been able to go in 8 years. Since this club started 9 years ago we've faced struggles. We get no school support of any kind, all our funding is out of pocket or through generous donations. And, until last year, the national tournament was held on Saturday/Sunday so we were not able to compete because we don't play on Sundays. Last year it all changed. The tournament changed to Friday/Saturday and we were all of sudden in a position to make a name for ourselves. We unfortunately had to play the eventual national champions in the first round of the PacCoast so we weren't able to advance any farther. This year we had a vision and the skills to make that vision happen. PacCoast playoffs come and we come out with a bid to the national stage. 16 of the top teams in the nation, the stage was set. The first round was difficult, but we prevailed. Top 8. The sacrifices, the hard work, it was all for this. The next day we faced Penn State. A team better than any we had played, but we felt prepared. We played our hearts out. Left everything on that field, but Penn State was the better team. They went on to run over Brown and Stanford to win the national title. Despite the loss we still made history. All the hard work paid off, we made a name for ourselves. We proved that heart and desire can overpower brute strength any day. Next year we hope to grow more and make it to the final four, but it won't be easy. We start the season ranked #4 in the nation, there's a target on our backs. Now is the time legends are created and history is made. Again.

We'll part the seas, make history
While chasing dreams like every legend before us