Mtl o the field For juniors Ben Thomas and Hayden Dorsett, rugby involved much more than just what happened on the field; it was an integral part of their lives. The teammates, who also happened to be roommates, devoted more time to the game than one might expect. Dorsett and Thomas had both played on the team since their freshman year at Harding, something that neither of them had come into college planning to do. Even though their roles on the team initially took tl1em by surprise, they had both since excelled at the sport. Even though the majority of their experiences on the rugby team helped them become better. athletes and friends, the two friends still faced challenges, including Dorsett's hospitalization due to an injury caused unintentionally by Thomas. "I split my head open once," Dorsett said. "It happened at practice one day when, oddly enough, Ben's head crashed into mine. At first I thought we just banged heads and I had a bruise, but when I stood up everyone started to freak out, and I touched my hand to my head and saw it was covered in blood. I guess Ben felt obligated to drive me to hospital after tl1at. I ended up having to get staples in my head." Despite trying times such as this, the pair's friendship over the years allowed them to be moral support for each other during their athletic events. Dorsett, who currently served as team captain, shared one of his many great experiences on the team. "My favorite memory was when we went to Freed Hardeman to play them and UNA, and i~ had rained there all of the previous day and night so there field was basically a pond," Dorsett said. "It was also about 40 degrees, and the wind was blowing, so basically you could say it was the coldest I've ever been, and we were playing hard to stay warm. It was awesome and miserable at the same time, but I wouldn't trade that memory for anything." Thomas agreed, saying he would not trade such experiences with his team, or his roommate, for anything else, as rugby had solidified his friendship with Dorsett. "Having Hayden as a roommate has definitely made me appreciate rugby more," Thomas said. '1\.lso, it is good to have someone to keep me accountable in regard to my commitment to the team. We came much closer as a team and had lots of fun to boot." John Shrable Dylan Matt Callie Maxwell Loryn McCaughan Cary McClurg Matthew McEuen Victoria Mcintosh Meagan McLain Mary McNabb Lauren Meeker Daniela Misas Claire Moody Mason Morgan Katie Morris Samuel Morris Vanessa Moss People 5f
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