Illinois Youth Rugby Association
130 North Garland Court
Apt 4603
Chicago, IL 60602-4850
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Midwest Select Side Tournament
The Illinois Tornados swept into Elkhart last weekend to compete in the Midwest Select Side Tournament.
They started off the day reasonably calm against a well seasoned Indiana NorthHigh School team coached byU19 National team coach Bart Botoroff. The Indiana squad is very good and usually has a large number of players named to the National U 17&19 teams. The Tornados managed to contain the Indiana power house and with a 3-3 score with ten minutes to play the game proved to be a strong defensive battle. The Indiana side had two lucky breaks in the final minutes of the game to win 18-3. The effort by the Tornado players certainly showed the opposing coach, who is a selector for the U19 Eagles, that at least a few of the 1000+ Illinois high school players could help our Young Eagles fly a bit higher in the future.
After a cool down back at the luxurious Elkhart Red Roof Inn where the staff was very accommodating, the Tornados hit the field for their second game of the day with only a win on the players and coaches minds in a game against Michigan. With the temperature in the mid 90's the heat only seemed to help the Tornados find more energy to help Scott Coleman (Montini) score two of the four tries. Michigan felt the full fury of the Tornados who ran out worthy winners 22-0.
The Tornados final match was played on Sunday against the Midwest U17 team. This team is selected from several states in the Midwest. Pat Sullivan led the charge and consistent tackling by wings Mike Barry (Mt Carmel) and Liam Dolan (Brother Rice) shut down a shifty set of backs for the Midwest selects. Captain Jack Brennan (St Ignatius) had one of the finest tries of the weekend on a quick lineout taken down the touch line from 30 yards out.
At one time the Tornados had four flyhalfs on the field at wings and fullback and the decision making was phenomenal as was the Tornado’s final score of 32-0.
The camaraderie and absence of any Prima Donna attitudes were key elements along with overall team speed that made the 2007 Tornados a wonderful team to enjoy being with both on and off the pitch.
"The Iceman Cometh"
We were fortunate to make the acquaintance of a young man named Atli Gylfason (St Charles) who is here as an exchange student from Iceland. We greatly benefited from his ability to pick up the game faster than any of the several hundred players Coach Day has witnessed. Atli had played less than a dozen full matches but was still able to make the team and help out at both wing and fullback as needed. He now has a mission to start rugby in Iceland upon his return.
As relaxation the Tornados went to the local bowling alley in the evening and Nick Kruzel (Hersey) won the best bowler trophy.
Special thanks to Coaches Liz Entwhistle-New Trier, Lou Raymond & Adam Swiatek-Northwest Woodsmen, Chuck Riley-Fox Valley, and Aaron Sweeney of Morton. Aaron proved he will be a good father in the near future as the only training he missed was due to a Lamaze class. Best wishes to both him and his wife, the future rugger is due in September.