Athlete Spotlight: From season ending injury to state champion

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - SLUH sophomore rugby full back Will Rainey is no stranger to the gameplay of rugby.

“It gets hectic sometimes; you really just got to lock in and just play the game,” Will said.

The sophomore full back fell in love with the sport when he was seven years old, watching his dad play for the St. Louis Bombers. He was one of the promising freshman, coming into SLUH.

Will’s freshman season ended early due to breaking his arm in a rugby tournament in 2024.

“I hadn’t really played. I played, but not as competitively at high school before that. So I was like, my season’s gone. That sucks.”

“Last year was very disappointing, and to cut his season pretty short,” SLUH rugby head coach Joseph Husgen said. “We’re looking forward to watching him develop over his freshman year.”

Although Will wasn’t able to participate, he took advantage of the time off to perfect his craft for next year.

“I think it made me better,” Will said. “And I think that honestly, if I didn’t break my arm, I probably wouldn’t be as good as I am right now.”

Will bounced back this year, being one of the top scorers on the team and leading them to a state championship.

“He’s got a great rugby knowledge. He’s very fluid on the field,” Coach Husgen said. “So he’s making good choices, making athletic plays. He always wants to do things better; always holding himself to a high standard. And I think that’s going to serve him well as he goes forward in the rest of his career here in the rest of his life.”

“It’s just nice to know that I can compete, and know that I can be out there.”

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