The Sacramento State Men?s Rugby Team won the Division 2 National Championship last year, despite suffering their only loss of the season to the eventual Division 1 national champions, the University of California, Berkeley.

The Hornets have been bumped up to Division 1 this season and are seeking revenge against rival CAL, once again an elite team in the nation, Feb. 24 in Sacramento.

“Heart, desire and a strong returning nucleus with from last season has enabled us to get out to a 5-1 start. But, we know we have to go through CAL if we expect to return as national champions,” said rugby team vice president secretary and player Mike Plescia.

Sac State trounced the University of Nevada, Reno, Humbolt State and the University of Oregon by convincing margins during the pre-season. The Hornets edged Stanford in a close match at home to open league play Feb.3, but suffered their first loss of the year to UC Davis a week later.

The 2001 men?s rugby team consists of 40 all-around athletes, the majority of which are from Northern California and have previously played in a sport at the high school level. Del Campo, Jesuit, Oak Ridge and Vacaville are among the local high school player contributors on this season?s roster. However, about half of the 12-15 new additions have no prior rugby experience.

“Tyler Pierce, Bill Bunfill and Jason Chappel were all on the Under 19 U.S. National Rugby Team that competed in the U.S World Cup Qualifiers last December inTrinidad and Tobago,” said Head Coach Justin Prichard. “We are proud of them and the hard work they?ve put in.”

Preparation for the regular season consists of practice Tuesday?s and Thursday?s from approximately 3:30-6:00pm at the intramural fields on campus. The rugby ball is usually kicked around and calisthenics are conducted to loosen up stiff muscles at the beginning of practice. Players engage in conditioning drills that include repetitious sprinting intervals and intense ball work.

“Two cones are set twenty-five yards apart and partners take turns running back and forth to each one for two minutes. We usually do five sets each and are exhausted by the finish,” said Plescia.

Sac State faces the University of California, Chico at home March 3, and then travels to Stockton to take on the University of the Pacific March 10. Log on to www.csus.edu/org/rugby/mens/index.html for upcoming game information, including records, game times and locations.

“Our goal is to make the playoffs and then win the NCAA Rowing Championship at the end of May,” said Prichard.

Proceeding the CAL game, the Hornets will be hosting a celebration at the Hoppy Brewing Company on Exposition Blvd. Tickets are $5 and cover food and beverage.