The UMW ruggers celebrate their national
championship win in California in May.
Photo by Daryl Eremin
The University of Mary Washington women’s rugby team took home a national championship this spring. The team defeated Cal State Northridge on May 11 in the final round of the 2014 USA Rugby Division II National Championship in California.
This is the first national championship for a UMW sport club program, according to Mark Mermelstein, director of campus recreation and the fitness center. “I could not be any more proud of our women’s rugby team,” Mermelstein said. “This storied program has a history of success both on the pitch and within the UMW community.”
This year marked the team’s fourth trip to the finals, after finishing third in 2002, 2004, and 2005.