Issue date: 4/24/08 Section: Sports

A big factor in players being able to take those spots in the future will be summer conditioning. Sexton has worked out a conditioning plan for his players to follow during the offseason, and he has encouraged them to find a team to play with at home to keep their skills sharp.

Junior Alex Koenen said that in the past the team has not adhered closely to the summer regimen because of work and other commitments. However, he said he thinks the team's situation will be better coming into this fall.

"We have the potential to be a really good team next season," Koenen said. "I think that will be a really big motivation for guys because it will be a direct contribution that gets paid off next year."

The Bulls will have to fill the void of seniors Leo Stephens and Tim Hage, both of whom will be graduating. Sexton said Stephens and Hage have been anchors for the team for years at hooker and prop, respectively. The increase in numbers this season will help soften the blow of these losses.

"We've got some young guys coming up [who] know those guys are graduating and are hungry to take their spots," Sexton said. "They've been trying all this season to lay claim to those positions, ... but I like to see that competition."

The effect of losing members might be felt more off the field for someone like Holleman, who has played alongside Hage his entire Truman career.

"You know, we'll miss his skill set, but I'm really going to miss him as a friend," Holleman said.

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