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Rain Can't Dampen a Joyful Senior Night for the Rugby Cats

By Joe Ginley, 04/25/18, 11:30AM EDT

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The Saint Ignatius rugby program is nothing if not for a collection of characters. 

It's plain to see for any observer – the Rugby Cats are a jovial band of brothers with hearts of gold. 

So while a drizzly rain and some wind pelted Wasmer Field just before Senior Night festivities, the mood of the Wildcats did not diminish one bit. 

The Wildcats defeated the Brunswick Blue Devils, 84-3, on this Tuesday night, but the match was as much about reminiscing and having fun as it was about rugby. 

Before the game began, the Wildcats' 24 seniors and their parents lined up in single-file. Armed with umbrellas, the team's veteran parents stayed dry. Eyes did not remain dry, however, as stories were told and laughs had by all, reminiscing about trips to France, South Africa, and Indiana. A chorus of laughs rang out about halfway through the proceedings when Gabe Oliss was announced. The senior's parents were unable to attend, so flower-clad juniors Ricky Rose and Seamus McCarthy filled in, escorting Oliss to photos in Murphy Gym. 

This year's senior-laden Wildcats squad has experienced ups and downs, but plenty of fun moments. These 24 seniors and their parents will always remember the road trips, playing and watching rugby at countless fields, the camaraderie, and the laugh-inducing memories. You could fill a book with the fun moments. 

All of the seniors enjoyed a fun time on the field on Tuesday, too. Six different seniors found the try zone and all able to play spent time on the pitch.

John Stuhldreher began the scoring for the Wildcats just five minutes into the contest, fully extending to touch it down. Declan Boldy began his onslaught of conversions to make it 7-0.

The seniors then reached the whitewash in short order. Fellow OLA Cougars and future St. Bonaventure Bonnies Juan Pen and Alex Chura tabbed back-to-back tries for the Wildcats. Shortly thereafter, Nick Zolikoff scored for the Wildcats, becoming the third senior to score.

On the ensuing conversion, Declan Boldy made history. The junior broke the record for conversions in a season with 46, surpassing Chris Fedor's mark of 45 set in 2017. The Wildcats led 28-0 after Boldy's record-setting conversion, but Boldy was not done. The Sts. Joseph and John alum added seven more points to the board by breaking a few tackles to reach the try zone and then hitting the conversion. 

Another West Parker, Sean Whalen, reached the promised land for the Cats on the next play. Whalen galloped after a great Chura kick and took it into the try zone for another five points for the Wildcats. Following another conversion, Boldy did it himself (again), with an assist from Chura. Boldy's seventh conversion set the score at 49-0 entering the second half.

The assault on the scoreboard continued in the second half. Senior Ethan Trenka found his way into the try zone just three minutes into the half, starting the scoring early. Alex Schum then intercepted a Brunswick pass and speedily rambled 60 yards for a marvelous try followed by a Boldy conversion.

Not long after, Pen steamrolled the Blue Devils for his second try of the evening following a Chura pass. Not to be outscored, Trenka converted his second try of the day, and surprise – Boldy nailed another conversion to give him 11 for the day. 

After Brunswick kicked for points off a Saint Ignatius penalty, the pride of Gesu, Michael Volpe, finished off the scoring with a wonderful try. McKinley Nagel hit the conversion to set the final score at 84-3.

Following Tuesday's fun win, the Rugby Cats will prepare for Cathedral. The Wildcats will play the Indiana powerhouse at a neutral site in Columbus. The A-side will play at 11 am, B-side at 12:30 pm, and U-16 at 2 pm. 

Once again, thank you to the Rugby Cats' seniors and their parents for a wonderful four years. You will be missed.