Bulls rugby returns 16 from 5-10-1 campaign
Cory Weekes
Issue date: 9/17/09 Section: Sports
A major point of emphasis this year is the big improvements made off the field.
"In the offseason there was just an overwhelming positive vibe," Loida said. "This is the best team I've ever played on, especially since we have become so much more mentally prepared since last spring."
A big part of these positive improvements comes in the form of incoming young talent.
"David McDunah is one of the more experienced players," Loida said. "Even though he is a freshman, he has played a lot in high school and should make a big impact on the team early on."
Loida said that, this year, the team's strengths far outweigh its weaknesses.
"Our quickness and speed is by far our biggest strength," Loida said. "We have a lot of speed all over the field."
Loida said that if there is a weakness for the Bulls this year, it is the team's lack of experience playing together.
"That lack of play time, if we aren't careful, could play a part in the outcomes of our games," Loida said.
Although the young talent has been a pleasant surprise thus far, there are also some returning impact players, such as senior Paul Edgerly.
"I would say the leadership of the older guys has been a big strength," Edgerly said. "Loida does a great job keeping the practices organized. One of the biggest improvements this year has been our overall seriousness at practice, and I think that the young guys really feed off of that energy."
With their first game only a few days away, Sexton said he is confident the Bulls' work in practice has prepared the team well.
"In the offseason we like to go back to the basics," Sexton said. "Not only does that help the young guys get a feel for the game, but it also helps the older guys shake the rust off. It takes a while to develop skills, but I have seen great improvements in not only the young guys, but in the older guys too."
Loida, for one, is setting his expectations high for this year.
"4-1 would be a good way to start it off, and maybe I'm shooting for the stars, but 5-0 sounds about right," Loida said.
"In the offseason there was just an overwhelming positive vibe," Loida said. "This is the best team I've ever played on, especially since we have become so much more mentally prepared since last spring."
A big part of these positive improvements comes in the form of incoming young talent.
"David McDunah is one of the more experienced players," Loida said. "Even though he is a freshman, he has played a lot in high school and should make a big impact on the team early on."
Loida said that, this year, the team's strengths far outweigh its weaknesses.
"Our quickness and speed is by far our biggest strength," Loida said. "We have a lot of speed all over the field."
Loida said that if there is a weakness for the Bulls this year, it is the team's lack of experience playing together.
"That lack of play time, if we aren't careful, could play a part in the outcomes of our games," Loida said.
Although the young talent has been a pleasant surprise thus far, there are also some returning impact players, such as senior Paul Edgerly.
"I would say the leadership of the older guys has been a big strength," Edgerly said. "Loida does a great job keeping the practices organized. One of the biggest improvements this year has been our overall seriousness at practice, and I think that the young guys really feed off of that energy."
With their first game only a few days away, Sexton said he is confident the Bulls' work in practice has prepared the team well.
"In the offseason we like to go back to the basics," Sexton said. "Not only does that help the young guys get a feel for the game, but it also helps the older guys shake the rust off. It takes a while to develop skills, but I have seen great improvements in not only the young guys, but in the older guys too."
Loida, for one, is setting his expectations high for this year.
"4-1 would be a good way to start it off, and maybe I'm shooting for the stars, but 5-0 sounds about right," Loida said.
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