By Murray Gleffe, Correspondent

ASHWAUBENON-Jenna Lewaren signed a National Letter of Intent (April 12) to play Rugby for Division 1 Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, MD.

Known as the “Mount” to locals and sports fanatics, the University was established in 1808, and  has an enrollment of just over 2,000 students.

“The campus was astounding, and truly beautiful when I went to visit,” said Lewaren. “For me, the students were very welcoming and made me feel like I was back home at Ashwaubenon High School.”

Rugby has been around for a while and is very popular in the UK and New Zealand, but it is still fairly new in the Midwest.

It is most common with the American Sports of Football and Soccer but offers different rules and complexities.

In Rugby, the ball cannot be passed forward, so players can advance the ball by either running with it, or kicking it ahead and chasing it.

A player may pass the ball backwards and the ultimate goal is to cross or kick the ball across a goal-line down the field.

A converted try is worth seven points, a penalty try or try is worth five points, and a field goal or penalty goal three points.

“Rugby is truly my passion and I am so thankful and blessed for this opportunity,” Lewaren added. “Coach Farrah Douglas brings a lot of experience and I am so excited to learn from one of the best. I am proud today to be a Mountaineer!”

Lewaren can now concentrate on her senior season playing Rugby for a Co-Op Pulaski team (multiple members go to different schools throughout the area) who is ironically in their first varsity season of competing.

The team took 4th at their first seven’s tournament this season.

“I definitely have a lot of work to do training wise,” Lewaren expressed. “Playing at the collegiate level is a whole new game compared to high school. I have high goals and know the Mount is the right place to help me achieve those goals. I am excited to start my journey next season in the Northeast Conference. There is always something to prove.”