Oak Creek—Led by a couple of veterans, Hamilton Red took their roster of underclassmen and new rugby players and put together an impressive run that showed the incredible depth of the Hamilton RFC program. While the group currently plays for a D2 state title this spring, the players know that they are also working toward earning starting positions come fall, as the program graduates 13 seniors in June. With their 3-0 start, they are currently on top of the D2 standings with 14 points, four more than second place Oak Creek.
Game One | Stevens Point
Freshman Rosie Eesley scored by breaking some tackles and going on a long run after Hamilton stole a Stevens Point scrum. Senior Calla Dane added another after a penalty and minutes later took a quick penalty to help the team end the half up 15-0. The score remained steady for most of the half before Eesley added her second try by cutting through the defensive line. Stevens Point fought back and got one of their own from long, powerful run, but there wasn’t enough time to spark a comeback and Hamilton prevailed 20-5, earning four points in the standings.
Game Two | Pulaski
Junior Mia Leukert helped Hamilton to a commanding lead by not only scoring the first try of her career, but the first THREE tries of her career in just the first half. She accomplished this by fighting through a tackle, taking a weak side pass off the scrum, and by taking a great offload after an impressive series of passing. Senior Calla Dane slipped through a tackle for a try to start the second half, but Pulaski returned the ensuing kickoff to get the score right back. Sophomore Michelle Wehrman closed out the scoring by scrambling across the goal line to put her team ahead 29-5. With the win, Hamilton earned five points in the standings.
Game Three | Madison/Oshkosh/Kettle Moraine Co-Op
Since Madison, Oshkosh, and Kettle Moraine were both short on players, they combined for a team at this tournament. This resulted in Hamilton being awarded a win by forfeit, earning Hamilton Red five points in the standings. The game was still played, and Hamilton used the opportunity to play many of their new players. Despite the rookies getting most of the minutes, Hamilton was still able to play to a 10-10 draw. The Co-op team opened the scoring by breaking a few tackles and going on a long run. Hamilton’s Calla Dane, senior, capitalized on a penalty to tie the game at half. The Co-op opened the half with a steal and some offloads to once again take the lead, but sophomore Hailey Woolf scored a timely first try of her career to tie the game.
–Haliey Woolf and Mia Leukert scored their first tries if their career.
–Hamilton is 10-1-1 in sevens rugby.
–After today, Hamilton is 7-0, historically, at the Wisco-7s.
–The team won 13 of their 14 scrums.
–Making their rugby debuts: Bailey Reinhardt, Celina Hoelzer, and Katelynn Gregg.
TEAM STATS
INDIVIDUAL STATS
Fantastic Five
- Calla Dane
- Finished the day with 15 tackles, 4 tries, and 7 tackle bursts while leading the red team as captain.
- Mia Leukert
- Was tied for second in the team in tackles (6), had three tries and two conversions.
- Michelle Wehrman
- Was tied for second on the team in tackles (6) and had a try.
- Rosie Eesley
- Had some good runs that anchored the offense and scored two tries.
- Angelica Junkert
- Won a bunch of opposing scrums and used her veteran leadership to guide the young players.
Hamilton RFC 