ARC Rugby lines up for a scrum against Chico State on February 15. (Photo by Memphis Coles).
Going into the match on February 15, the American River College Rugby team was undefeated, but this matchup against the Chico State Wildcats was one of their toughest tests this year. Last year, they played Chico State in the semifinals, beating them 31-15.
Head coach Zach Swithenbank’s team did not have a specific game plan for the Wildcats.
“It sounds different, but we game plan for us, not for our opponent,” Swithenbank said.
After a quick start in the first half, ARC went up 12-0, and after 40 minutes of play the score was 19-3 for the Beavers.
In the second half, Chico State woke up and scored 10 straight points. ARC’s defense was less effective, letting the Wildcats break away for big runs, including a run away try.
With 15 minutes to go and the score 19-13, it was anyone’s match.
Then, the Beavers started to take advantage of the Wildcats’ tired legs and scored three straight tries to end the game.
Another match was played with each of the school’s ‘B team’. ARC sometimes is able to play two games depending on the amount of players their opponent has.
The Beavers won the A game 38-13 and the B game 54-5.
Swithenbank and his rugby club have dominated their top competition this spring. The club has provided American River College athletes with a new way to compete. It also gives athletes an alternative path to play a sport they enjoy in college.
“When I started, no one believed we were really Division One,” Swithenbank said.
Swithenbank agreed with ARC head football coach Jon Osterhout that he could start the rugby club when he was hired onto the football staff. Swithenbank took the opportunity and set out to prove that ARC could compete in Division One AA. Right now ARC is the only community college in California that plays at a Division One level. It’s also the most affordable way for players to play at one of the highest collegiate levels in rugby.
“Rugby has always been in my blood,” said Elijah Paleta, a second year rugby player. “I always wanted to play rugby, but I didn’t really have the grades to take it to the next level at a big university. So when I heard about ARC…I was like why not, why not come out.”
The ARC rugby team is more than just competing with big universities. Last year, they won the NorCal Division One AA championship, competing against schools like Chico State and San Jose State.
“[Our greatest strength is] character and work ethic by far,” Swithenbank said. “Our guys are different than any other college out there.”
The head coach added that ARC’s rugby team members have more responsibilities than most other D1 athletes.
“The majority of our team is supporting their families…and almost all these guys are working full time jobs,” Swithenbank said. “They’re sacrificing a lot to be part of our program here.”
The rugby club also has dual sport members. ARC rugby includes ARC football and basketball players.
“We are the only school in division one where you can play both football and rugby,” Swithenbank said.
The rugby club is open to any ARC student, but it still requires a lot of work to play. Players move up and down from the ‘A team’ and the ‘B team’. Even when there are safety concerns, players can still help out and be a part of the club.
According to Goff Rugby Report, as of February 12, ARC is ranked number four in the nation for Division One AA colleges.
After beating Fresno State University 74-22 on February 22, ARC has two more games left in the regular season. On March 1, they travel to San Francisco State to play the Gators. To close the regular season they play the University of Nevada in Reno on March 8.
ARC Rugby Schedule: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OjWC4GeyhgPszJAMjcNPTHOPGQllXCkc/view