Hard work and dedication brought the national championship to the Sac State rugby team last year.

After their championship campaign, the team has now moved up into Division I for this year, and is beginning its bid for another title.

“We practiced four days a week and worked harder than anyone else,” said Ryan Nelson, President and player of CSUS Rugby, about last year. “We wanted the championship and we earned it.”

According to Nelson, Northern California is the best area in the country for rugby. Sac State is looking forward to another championship this year, as they will depend on a lot of the same players as last year.

“(There are) many returning players from last year?s championship team, and their success last year has brought out many more younger players,” Nelson said.

Sac State also tries to get its name out and recruit players from the Sacramento area. “Sacramento has several high school teams, which are among the best in the country,”

Nelson said. “The national championship has been won by a local high school team the last two years and many of those young stars play for Sac State.

Home matches are played on the intramural fields and the team travels throughout various parts of Northern California and Nevada for games throughout the season.

The team is getting stronger and gaining more experience with time. Anyone who wants to join the Rugby squad is welcome to do so at the Peak Adventures office or simply attend a practice on Tuesday and Thursday at 4 p.m. at the field, which is south of Tahoe Hall, near the football office.