On Nov. 2, 2024, Drury women’s rugby faced off against Queen City Chaos Rugby and following that match, the team challenged Queen City Chaos again, but in a unique way. The Mirror was able to talk with sophomore member of the team, Alexa Hartenberg, about the prom game and Drury Women’s Rugby overall season.  

Drury women’s rugby took the field in prom dresses. The idea sounds odd, but it had a good purpose for the girls. “It was mostly just to unite everyone,” Hartenberg said. Instead of just playing against Queen City Chaos like usual, the teams decided to mix and make two teams with girls from Chaos and Pitt State combined, so they played the game with two teams of different athletes. It was a way for the women on all teams to bond and appreciate the sport. 

Before the prom game, DU women’s rugby played a lights out game against Chaos, the final score being 98-0 Drury, which according to Hartenberg, is an unusually high score. “That’s insane,” she said. “It’s not typically won that way at higher levels.”  

The team has done more than just win by an abnormal number of points, though. The women have dominated this season. They have played Pittsburg State University, the University of Missouri, the University of Arkansas, Benedictine College and the University of Central Missouri, and they have won every single match.  

This is the third year for the sport at Drury, and according to Hartenberg, the culture consists of many things, but inclusivity especially stood out.  

“It’s really important to make sure it’s an all-inclusive sport-body type doesn’t really matter.” She explained. “You can be any shape or size. As long as you want to play, you will be completely fine. That’s all that matters!”  

Hartenberg explained that rugby is more than just a sport: it builds friendships. She sees her teammates on a daily basis, whether that be in passing, at practice, or even through living with a member of the team. Always seeing “a friendly face on campus” is something that she finds to be a crucial part of Drury women’s rugby culture.  

As the team transitions into what’s next, they will continue to work hard and carry the culture they have worked hard to build with them.  

Photos courtesy of Alexa Hartenberg