Decorah native Aubrey Buresh has accomplished something she never dreamed possible.
Buresh, a junior at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, recently competed with the UNI women’s rugby team at the Division I National Championships in Knoxville, Tenn. The Panthers placed second in the nation, their highest finish in school history at the Division I level.
Buresh is the daughter of Rachael and Brent Buresh.
Decorah native Payton Schutte is also a member of the squad. Read her story in the Jan. 4 Driftless Journal.
How she found rugby
Buresh, a 2019 Decorah High School graduate, grew up an athlete. She was involved in volleyball, cross country and soccer, as well as choir.
“I had a huge passion for soccer growing up and all throughout high school. I had hopes that I would continue my soccer career after graduating. Unfortunately, that plan didn’t quite pan out the way I had hoped at the time. However, I do think it was for some special reason my soccer dreams didn’t come true because I had found something much more meaningful to me,” she said.
While visiting colleges, Buresh said she often saw signs promoting “Join Women’s Rugby.”
“I would always joke with my mom and dad about the idea of me possibly trying it out,” she said. “I felt that something was calling me to join every time I would see it displayed everywhere I went.”
During her freshman year at UNI, Buresh attended an activities fair and saw a table representing women’s rugby. Feeling like it was another sign, Buresh signed up right away. Within a few days, she received an email advertising a pre-season camp.
“There was no way I could have prepared myself for what I was about to get into. The day of the camp, I stepped onto the pitch for the first time, and I saw the most confident, strongest and most fearless women I have ever met,” she said. “I wanted to be exactly like them and that is when I knew that I was in this for the long haul.”
What is rugby
Known for being a physical sport, the object of the match is to score more points than your opponent in the 80-minute time. The team in possession of the ball must move up the field in “phases of play.” The ball cannot be passed forward, but players can run or kick it. The opposing team stops the other squad by tackling players and getting possession of the ball.
The UNI women’s rugby team was founded in 1994. The squad won the Division II National Championship in 2001 and 2002 and was the runner-up in 2003, before moving to Division I play in 2004. In 2013, the Panthers took third on the national stage. Most recently, they played in the Sweet 16 in 2019 when Buresh was a freshman and advanced to the Elite 8 in 2016.
The road to Knoxville
The 2021 season kicked off in late August during the first week of classes. The Panthers played four regular season conference games against Iowa State, Winona, Wisconsin and Minnesota and one non-conference battle with Queens. Based off winning the conference, the Panthers earned an automatic bid to the Sweet Sixteen.
Held in Iowa Falls, the Panthers defeated North Dakota 120-5 on Nov. 13, in the Sweet Sixteen, advancing to face UW-Eau Claire. On Nov. 14, they took care of Eau Claire 66-7 to secure a ticket to Knoxville. Other teams advancing to the Final Four were Notre Dame College, Marquette and Life University.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing heading to Knoxville. Buresh said the bus that was taking them to Knoxville broke down in New York on the way to pick them up. Instead of holding their final practice before the tournament, members of the team spent the time calling anyone they knew to loan them a bus or vans.
“We fortunately got our hands on a couple of vans, and the coaches graciously drove us to Tennessee all throughout the night,” she said. “One thing about us is that we aren’t taken down easily.”
Finals weekend
The championship weekend was Dec. 4-5. First, the Panthers played Notre Dame College. The Panthers were able to hang on in the nail biter, winning 35-29. That meant a tangle with Life University the next day. In the end, Life proved a tough opponent, with the Panthers finishing second overall.
“The game against Life was challenging but we never gave up and honestly had a lot of fun. I felt so much energy throughout the whole weekend. Everyone was so excited to perform and give it our all,” she said. “My favorite moment was when we would all pile into one hotel room and talk about why rugby is so important to us. There are always a few heartfelt moments and lots of tears but that is what makes our bonds so special and unique to all of us.”
A second family
Having never played the sport prior to joining UNI’s team, Buresh said she has found her place.
“If you had told me that I were to be a rugby player five years ago, I would look at you as if you were insane. The feeling I get from rugby is something I find very hard to explain. I feel like an entirely different person when I am playing. It is absolutely liberating and the most fun I have ever had in my entire life,” said Buresh. “The culture of UNI women’s rugby is like no other. We are inclusive of everyone and all skill levels whether you’ve played for years or not. This team has become my world, and I would do anything for them.
“If someone were questioning whether they should join rugby, I would simply tell them that the bonds you create from this sport are unlike anything and that they would never regret it.”
Buresh will return to the pitch next fall for her senior year. She plans to graduate with a degree in elementary education and a minor in early childhood, plus an English/literature arts K-8 endorsement. She hopes to teach second or third grade as well as play for the women’s premier league team or club.
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