The St. Edward’s Rugby Football Club is celebrating the title of state champions after their recent victory over Midwestern State University.

The RFC, which began two years ago, has already made history as the first St. Edward’s Rugby Club to win the state championship. The game took place on March 5 at Burr Field, the home field for the St. Edward’s Club.

“Their players were much bigger than us, but our team was faster and had better technique,” senior Alek Hernandez said. “Our forwards were able to outrun their forwards, and our defense held up against theirs.”

Sophomore Zach Chodaniecky scored two trys within the first 10 minutes and a total of four trys for the entire game. Freshman Andor Benyi scored four conversion kicks and one penalty kick, resulting in the final score of 31-6.

Chodaniecky was named “Man of the Match” as a result of his four trys scored.

“It’s surreal; I didn’t really expect this season to be this way,” Chodaniecky said. “I knew nothing about the sport coming in here.”

The RFC will leave for the regional playoffs in Wayne, Neb., on April 1 and play the first round of playoffs against Wayne State College on April 2. If St. Edward’s wins the first match, they will move on to the second round of finals on April 3.

As a result of their state championship victory and undefeated season, the RFC has been promoted from a Division III to a Division II team. According to junior Robbie Stephens, the RFC hopes to move up once again to a Division I team within the next four years.

“I want to see how far we can take this team,” Hernandez said. “I think it’s great that we won state championship, but what if we could win nationals? That would be insane!”