Men's Rugby Club Wins Championship

RELEASED Nov. 18, 2011/ASHLAND, Ohio -- Congratulations to the Ashland University Men's Rugby Club for winning its first Ohio Rugby Division III State Championship. The Men's Rugby Club defeated division rival John Carroll University 27-8, securing an undefeated season.

Please share your support with the following students who played this season: Mark Bandza; Adam Beckwith; Chris Branham; Kyle Buchanan; Robert Burd; Tyler Eaton; Philip Genco; Joe Grimwood; Andrew Lioi; Matt Lioi; James Martin; Tylor Matheson; John May; Jake Miller; Spencer O'Rourke; Clay Robinson; Ryan Sampson; and Mason Smith.

The men's rugby club advanced to the finals after winning a semifinal match against Marshall University, 24-15. Both the semifinal match and the championship game were played on the Intramural Field on the Ashland University campus.

Also, congratulations to the Women's Rugby Club, as this team also went undefeated during regular season play.

Ashland University (www.ashland.edu) is a mid-sized, private university conveniently located a short distance from Akron, Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio. Ashland University values the individual student and offers a unique educational experience that combines the challenge of strong, applied academic programs with a faculty and staff who build nurturing relationships with their students.