Warsaw rugby players Ruby Orozco-Torres, left, Jasmine Frush and Sophia Jimenez pose for a photo on the final day of practice for the 2025 spring season. Photos by Nathan Pace.

By Nathan Pace
InkFreeNews

The Warsaw girls rugby program has a track record of success and the 2025 season indicates the future is even brighter. The team placed sixth at a national event in Madison, Wisconsin last month. Ruby Orozco-Torres just finished up her sophomore year at Warsaw and has been playing rugby for three years.

“Considering that we’re not a school sport yet it is good to seeing how much history we can make and how much we are overcoming. Especially as a small club, not being funded by the school but making our own funding as well. Seeing that we can do this with or without help,” Orozco-Torres said.

Rugby is not sport through the Indiana High School Athletic Association as it operates as a club. Most rugby clubs in the state are not affiliated with a specific school making the Warsaw program unique.

“We’re one of only two single schools in Indiana,” coach Trevor Cracknell said. “It’s working out well being a club sport here. From a field perspective we probably have one of the better fields in the state.”

The team practices on a field located just east of the football stadium and wedged between Fisher Avenue and the field events for the track team. Signs point out the four state championships and four state runner-up titles the program has achieved since it was formed in 2003. The sport has become more competitive each year and the Lady Tigers are happy about the added challenge. Sophia Jimenez just finished her junior year and has played rugby for three years. She has enjoyed seeing new clubs pop up each season to give variety to the schedule.

“I think it has been good because it gives you new things to learn from different teams. If you’re just playing the same team over and over it gets kind of repetitive,” Jimenez said.

Banners showcasing the state tournament success for the Warsaw program are on display by the front parking lot to the high school.

Youth Movement

Warsaw won the state title in 2024 and finished fourth in event in May. The Tigers had a younger team with 24 of the 34 athletes comprised of sophomores and freshman. Jasmine Frush has been playing rugby for three years and likes how the team builds up young players.

“Just the connection we have, playing with friends. When our freshman or when our new people score for the first time is my favorite,” Frush said.

Orozco-Torres admits she had fears at first about playing at the high school level but she was able to overcome them.

“Freshman year I came in really scared because it’s high school. It’s not the same as middle school,” Orozco-Torres said. “You have a lot stronger girls to tackle you but I learned that if you have the right mindset and the strength and capability and you trust in God I feel like you might be able to overcome this.”

Winning as a Community

The girls understand playing a physical sport can be a hurdle for female athletes but felt the community the team had for one another eliminated those concerns.

“I like the community, because when I first joined the team it was a little awkward but once you get knitted into the team it’s like you’re own little family,” Jimenez said.

The team reaction to the play on the field is important to Orozco-Torres.

“Making runs and hearing your team cheering you on behind you. Knowing that they have your back just in case you do get tackled. Knowing they have your support is really nice,” Orozco-Torres said.

The Warsaw program has built up a pipeline of college athletes and features Mia Blocher who plays for Notre Dame. She will also play on a national team this summer.

If the tradition of the team doesn’t attract players, the physicality seems to do the job.

“I like how physical it is and you’re not getting in trouble for being physical,” Orozco-Torres said. “Take a lot of your anger out.”

The Warsaw girls rugby team practices for an upcoming match back in May. The team practices on a field by Fisher Avenue.