The rest of the story
April 1st, 2023
April 1, 2023 - DW
By now the reader may have seen the account of yesterday’s Aardvarks match that’s neen submitted to the SF New Mexican for (doubtful) dissemination to la plebe. In case you haven’t, it’s at the bottom of this report, now including an exclusive match timeline. Here then, is the real story for real rugby people.
It’s been a while (how long?) since we beat the bloody Aardvarks. It’s a pleasure to write a story like this one.
Upon returning last week from a three-week journey this observer was excited to learn our long recruiting campaign, supplemented somewhat by our tax dollars, is finally bearing fruit. In spades.
From the storied rugby program at New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, easier expressed as New Mexico Tech, come three notable graduates now employed with “the Labs”. Tadeo Herrera, a Taos native, is a former NMT captain while Elijah Naranjo (Albuquerque) and Willie Uhrle (American Samoa) teamed up to lead the Techies to national small-college championships in both sevens and 15s. Tadeo is a forward while Elijah and Willie ply their trade in the back line.
If you’ve been to many Santos v Aardvarks or Santos v Brujos matches in the past several years you know who Leon Wilson is. Born and mostly raised in Capetown, South Africa, Leon is that guy we formerly loved to hate but now love to love. (Funny how that works.) Seems Leon has taken up residence up north and says he’s always admired the Santos camaraderie, so why not? As a self-respecting South African, Leon comes with a treasure chest of well-developed rugby skills.
Derek Selvage and Isaiah Cisneros cut their rugby teeth at Los Alamos High. Isaiah becomes our second Marine rugger (joining Adam Jobes) and having been away from the game for a while will be getting up to speed in the next few weeks. Derek started Saturday at outside center, where he impressed with his passing skills and tackling.
Guadalupe “Lupe” Moron has appeared for the Santos on limited occasions but having settled into regular employment can hopefully become a mainstay with the Santos. Certainly one cannot watch his running skills without hoping so. I hope I’m correct in thinking Lupe got his start with New Mexico Highland Vatos.
Also answering our prayers is Jason España, who played high school rugby in Las Cruces. An impressively buff individual, Jason joins Lupe, Leon, Willie, Izzy, and perhaps one or two others you will rarely see tackled by one defender. If I was playing, I’d stick close to these guys – if I could!
These are only the new players who joined us in Albuquerque yesterday. There are others either on the fringe or on the radar, plus rumors of one blue chipper coming aboard soon and another rejoining next year. As Mr. Bent says, “the more the merrier” – so keep stuffing those messages into them bottles.
VISIBLE ANASAZI
Returning to the fold is Danny Torrez, aka The Scud, #1 hooker of the late 80-90s, ably abetted by wife Patty. P & D travel from Villanueva to lend their support. They’ve impeccably timed their return to witness our club’s renaissance. Anyone else want in on this?
ONE OLD MAN’S OPINION
It wouldn’t be right not to include a word or two about those players who have put in the hard yards before and since the COVID pandemic. You gents have kept this proud club alive against the odds, never better exemplified than through your travel to faraway ports with no guarantee of a full side, let alone substitute relief. Most if not all of you have played on through painful injury, unwilling (or unable) to let your mates down. You know through direct experience the thin margin between success and disappointment. Your coaches and captain deserve special accolades for their inestimable hours on and away from the pitch.
Regardless of each new man’s experience, our veterans’ role now expands to include mentoring new teammates in the Santo culture, with emphasis on personal responsibility, dedication to teammates, and a positive atmosphere. Vivan los Santos!
Rejuvenated Rugby Santos Drop Aardvarks
April 1st, 2023
April 1, 2023 - DW
SFRFC 60, Aardvarks 36
The Santa Fe Rugby Club may have turned a corner with their 60-36 win over Rio Grande area top dogs Aardvarks in Albuquerque Saturday. The injection of eight new players into the team of 15 helped produce the 24-point margin over a team that has run roughshod over Santa Fe in recent years.
Santa Fe’s eight forward players set the stage by dominating ball possession, and their seven fleet-footed teammates in the back line rewarded them with frequent five-point tries over the game’s 80 minutes. New team members accounted for seven of Santa Fe’s nine tries: Guadalupe Moron (2), Elijah Naranjo (2), Jason España (2), and Leon Wilson. Dependable veteran fullback Isaiah Sanchez carried for one try, as did hardworking loose forward Ryan Means. Wilson added six two-point conversion kicks and one penalty kick.
“We were largely able to achieve our goal of keeping the ball away from the Aardvarks” said a pleased Santos coach Richard Morris after the match.
Santa Fe hosts El Paso’s Scorpions at 1:00 pm Saturday April 8 at the Municipal Recreation Complex and will travel to the border city on April 15. Winning both matches will likely secure a playoff berth in the Southwest Rugby Union, comprising teams from New Mexico and Arizona.
Next few weeks
Words from the Captain
Santa Fe, NM
March 26, 2023 - RW
As we all come into the meat of our rugby season I just wanted to state the importance of being available on Saturdays. We have a strong “stew brewing “ but it’s only tasting great if we get all our ingredients. What I’m saying is we have potential- let’s not waste it by not committing to our team.
We have a game every Saturday until the end of April if we take care of business and make playoffs.
First round of playoffs is April 22 and second round is April 29. We are working diligently on getting confirmed answers on locations for these dates.
I’m excited about this team. Please take advantage of this opportunity.
Thank you all for your commitment .
Ryan
Santa Fe Santos fall to Aardvarks by One Point
March 11th, 2023
March 11, 2023 - RW
Santa Fe rugby had a wonderful Saturday battling their neighbors from the south in what turned out to be a tug of war match.
Santa Fe came up just short in their comeback losing 43-42, after scoring the final two tries of the day but failing to slot either conversion. The spring wind was angry and blowing against Santa Fe’s kickers best efforts.
Team spirits are high going into a crucial Division 3 game vs El Paso in two weeks time, as coach Richard Morris best said “ I think we found something that we can replicate going Forward” (in terms of style of play).
Man of the match backs - Mateo Cardiel #10 fly half
Man of the match forwards - Ryan Means #6 flanker
All Santa Fe supporters are encouraged to come to the match against El Paso March 25 at the MRC.
Thank you Aardvarks for a high quality, hard fought rugby Saturday.
Santa Fe Santos Tie Fifty-first Opener
March 4th, 2023
March 04, 2023 - DW
Santa Fe’s only rugby club failed to open their 51st year of play in glory, but it could have been worse. Instead, Los Santos drew 34-all with Albuquerque’s Brujos in the Duke City on Saturday.
The Brujos scored the match’s first two five-point tries and added two-point conversion kicks to take an early 14-0 lead. Fullback Isaiah Sanchez then got Santa Fe on the board thanks to good passing by his teammates, with flyhalf Mateo Cardiel adding the extra two points. Scores see-sawed throughout the full 80 minutes with additional Santa Fe tries scored by Cardiel, left wing Jason Espana, prop Dylan Merrigan, right wing Noah Hoffman, and again Cardiel, who landed an additional conversion.
Jared Skillman
Adam Jobes
Dylan Merrigan
Jeremy Lithgow
Jason Lithgow
Ryan Means
Jason Osborne
Angel Villa
John Bent
Mateo Cardiel
Jason Espana
Ryan Weir (capt)
Justin Stallworth
Noah Hoffman
Isaiah Sanchez
Derek Selvage
Preseason Update & Recruitment Flyer
February, 2023 Edition
February, 2023 - DW
TEAM SESSIONS
INDOOR
Weeknight schedule variable; check Team Reach, sfrfc-players@google.groups, or ask a teammate for the latest.
OUTDOOR
Saturdays @ Noon, MRC (Municipal Recreation Complex) 205 Caja del Rio Road. Verify with one of the above sources before trekking out there but then again, Adam, or John may bring you a reward.
Upcoming schedule of events:
March 4 @ NM Brujos
March 11 @ Home to Aardvarks
March 25 @ Home to El Paso Scorpions
April 1 @ Aardvarks
April 15 @ El Paso Scorpions
April 22 @ SF Brewing Company Spring Runoff (recruitment)
TBD @ *Home to Denver Highlanders and *Anasazi old boys match pending home appetite - contact past player rep w/ interest level - dawheelock@gmail.com
Dues
Social dues are rolling in, thank you to all that have contributed. Don’t be last, get your $100 in so you can join the SFRFC Social Members. For payment use these links, or contact the Treasurer at santaferugby@gmail.com
Venmo payment: @santos-rugby
Paypal payment: santaferugby@gmail.com (do not choose the “service/fee” option)
Jubilee Jersey Closeout !!!
There are a few 50th anniversary jerseys still available in XL. They run large. Contact dawheelock@gmail.com, (505) 312-3003
Pop Quiz Time:
Q: When is our first match?
A: If you blurted out “MARCH FOURTH” you’ve won the motivation to add speed/power to your workout regime, find your gum shield, and polish your boots. Line up a gorgeous bouquet and a box of candy for your wife or whomever and imagine running perfect support lines - we are two Saturdays away.
Q: Who are we playing, where?
A: Brujos, home
AND NOW, AT LAST . . .
The President's Message
Santos:
We are coming in to a fresh year, just off our 50th Season. Our cup matches are just around the corner and we have the opportunity to make this a great season. We have a great side to go into battle with-Our returning Captain, Ryan Weir coming off a strong showing in the South West Select Side, Mateo Cardiel supporting with as Match Selection as well as many other returning players (and new little ones on the sidelines!!) and new recruits coming out as well. Our stalwart Coach, Richard Morris continues to support the Santos and helps grow our abilities every year.
Attitude and Heart have always made the Santos Great-Continue to Work Hard, Push Yourselves on and off the field and Recruit, Recruit, and Recruit!
Vivan los Santos!!
Seth Johnson
Club President
General questions, comments, and other info, please contact the Board via email, contact@santafelossantos.com
As the President said….
Recruit, recruit, and recruit. Click the button below for a downloadable flyer to put up everywhere!
Captain Weir Represents Club in Inter-Union Play
Southwest Rugby Union Selects 29, Old Aztecs RFC 24
San Diego, CA
December 10, 2022 - DW
Southwest Rugby Union Selects 29, Old Aztecs RFC 24
Santa Fe Santos club captain Ryan Weir capped his long and solitary off-season journey to San Diego in glory on December 10, scoring Southwest Rugby Football Union’s final try in a dramatic 29 - 24 victory over Southern California RFU opponent Old Aztecs. Ryan also served as vice captain for his Southwest teammates in this, his second appearance for the all-star team representing all of New Mexico and Arizona. And he wasn’t even playing his normal position.
Mr. Weir established his place in the Southwest team by answering a blanket invitation to Prescott, Arizona for an August 13 “identification camp” where coaches could assess what they had to work with. Nearly three months later, candidates were called back to Phoenix for one full day of training and a Sunday selection match. Ryan described the weekend as “grueling.” Finally, a week before the Old Aztecs match, the Wild West Rugby Fest (aka Loudfest, in honor of a visiting participant in the Labor Day SFRFC 50th Reunion match) in Scottsdale provided an enjoyable way for players to tune up while also serving as a final selection vehicle.
Unknown at press time is what and whether the next step up for Southwest’s standouts may be. The success by foreign clubs to replicate so-called “academies” in the USA, and their impact on the rest of us, remains to be seen. A multi-layered discussion fully worthy of a refreshment!
An online video of the Old Aztecs vs. Southwest Union match briefly viewable last week seems to have disappeared. The following report is assembled from information provided by Ryan Weir.
The match was played on a San Diego pitch rendered soft and even muddy by a recent rain. For decades, most U.S. clubs have struggled for playing fields, and those in SoCal aren’t exempt.
A few hours before match time Ryan was named vice captain of the Southwest team. Then, during warm ups, the player named to play inside center went down with an injury. In light of Ryan’s oft-demonstrated versatility the sole Santa Fe representative was asked to switch from his intended position at openside flanker to fill the gap. (Who would you have picked - the man’s a firefighter! -ed.)
Ryan described play as equivalent to a mid-level Division One match, which many readers may not have seen. As you’d expect, select side players are on average bigger, faster, and fitter than their mates back home. Less noticeable perhaps is that pace of play increases with each ascending level, requiring in turn more refined decision-making skills. Yet thankfully for the masses, success relies more than anything else upon that most elusive goal, teamwork.
Old Aztecs RFC
Formed from former San Diego State University players, Old Aztecs have since their 1978 origin played such well-known clubs as OMBAC, Belmont Shore, Santa Monica, and Pasadena. In the 1980s, Santos coach Herb Howell brought his previous San Diego State University Aztecs coaching role into play by arranging two successful (and fun) “minitours” to Southern California. During one of these tours, Los Santos scored a famous win over then-national contender Irvine Coast RFC, complete with USA national team captain Ed Burlingame in the scrum. Old Aztec’s current website lists player subscriptions as $350 for returning players, $300 for new players, and $250 for Under 21s- CIPP not included.
Ryan picks up the narrative: “I played all 80 minutes and scored a try in the 70th minute with a tap and go penalty run from 7 meters out. After nine minutes of defense, at times three or four meters from our own goal line, the whistle finally blew and we won, 29-24.”
Asked for takeaways to share with his Santo teammates, Ryan mentioned the importance of clearing the defensive zone with kicks and playing with structure, as well as speed on defense - taking away time and space, especially off set piece ball.
Our always-gracious captain wishes to thank the old boys who helped defray expenses to Arizona for practices and tryouts as well as the big trip to California. “Thanks so much - it’s nice to feel loved by the club.” And by one’s life partner. Little Lachlan was in good hands with his mom Maria, who graciously and gracefully -and gratefully! - allowed Dad the space to pursue and achieve a significant goal.
-Cheers to all our Rugby mates!
Turkey Trot 2022
The sequel returns, again, Part XLI?
November 23, 2022 - DW
By now the reader is doubtlessly experiencing an insatiable thirst for results of the 2022 Turkey Trot. After an initial spate of controversy followed by a thorough investigation, our crack staff of fancy writers cautiously forwards what they hope will pass as the true story (or attract the most bribe money).
Video Evidence Fails to Confirm Micander Victory
In a conclusion reminiscent of former U.S. pResident Richard Nixon’s personal secretary Rosemary Woods’ contribution to the Watergate scandal (consult Wikipedia), a 27-second video clip of the Trot’s conclusion posted on the SFRFC Team Reach site ends just as reported 2022 champion Cory Micander ponders the last 1/2 ounce of dark beer left in his transparent cup. Whether he in fact finished his beer ahead of second-position runner Jeremy Lithgow seems probable but is not confirmed before the clip ends. Meanwhile, Mando Herrera, resplendent in a ruby red full-length Victorian gown adorned with pulsating colored lights, enters the shot and seems to down his last beer in a single swig, raising his arms in apparent triumph.
A famous come-from-behind victory! – except that a good portion of Mr. H’s beer clearly ends up sloshing over his face and onto the deck, drawing the accusing fingers of Mssrs. Micander and Lithgow, plus an unidentified witness situated near the camera.
According to a closely-placed source speaking anonymously yet authoritatively: “As for incidents I cannot recall anything other than Mando just being Mando. He came in after Corn, finished half his beer and spilled the rest, then claimed he won.”
Official Turkey Trot rules forwarded to the editors clearly dictate a one-minute fine for a variety of shortcomings, of which leakage has since time immemorial appeared at the top. Special Laws of the Trot for 2022 included left-hand drinking only and drinking while standing on one foot, alternating feet from one bar to the next.
Corn Takes Jewels Home Anyway
And so, in the absence of further countervailing claims, Corn Dog is our champion of the 2022 Turkey Trot, following in the wake of the stunning performance of Mrs. Micander at the recent Santa Fe International Half Marathon. Micander (Mr.) recorded a time of 15 minutes over the six-station course:
START: SF Brewing Company’s Brake Room;
North one-half mile to Desert Dog pub on San Francisco Street;
Down San Francisco to Evangelos (a nice place to visit);
Across Galisteo and down the dark stairs of The Matador;
Back up the increasingly slippery stairs and one-mile south to NM Hard Cider Taproom;
North to West Manhattan one-tenth mile and FINISH at Brake Room
Cornsolidifies his place among multiple Turkey Trot champions by taking year-long possession (means you gotta bring it back next year) of the Club’s sacred Captain Morgan pearl necklace etched with the names of other habitual winners, defined as two wins or more: Joaquin Chavez, Bill Kennedy, Greg Smith, Darren Smith, Derek Gordon, Greg Huey, and now, Cory Micander. Congratulations, champ.
While race monitors can be sought out for their eyewitness accounts of how the drinking unfolded, what will never be known are the lurid details that occur each Thanksgiving eve in the streets of our fair city. The instances of jostling, taunting, long runs down short cuts, and upper GI disturbances can only be assumed and marveled at. (One year, the local newspaper reported sightings of a group of men, described as soccer players, belching and bellowing as they lurched out of the shadows and disappeared down dimly lit downtown streets.) Such behavior has been an annual occurrence since red-headed flanker Joe Watson claimed the maiden race nearly a half century ago and promptly passed out, eyes open, with his chair leaned against a wall of the Plaza Orehouse (now Thunderbird).
Most of all, it was most heartening in the wake of the pandemic to see a larger pool of talent than in recent years.
The Horses (not necessarily in order of finish):
Cory Micander
Jeremy Lithgow
Armando Herrera
Jason Lithgow
John Bent
Donner
Eli Iramk-Bent, Pomona RFC
Pomona student Will Farnfield
Eli's Los Alamos friend Syler (surname not available at press time)
Big Dylan Merrigan’s racehorse #1
Big Dylan Merrigan’s racehorse #2
Matt Odle
Adam Jobes
Blitzen
Thanks go to the race Monitors, without whom even more rules would have been ignored than were:
Ivan Calhoun, aka Calvin Ihoun
Jared Skillman
Travis Hudson
Dylan Merrigan (resolutely fair despite having two horses in the race)
Jonathon Lithgow
Contributors: T. Hudson, J. Skillman, J. Bent, D. Merrigan
POSTSCRIPT
Due to a recurring technical issue*, several revealing photographs and videos associated with this story cannot be included in this printing. It is advised curious readers ask a SFRFC Santo player for a peek at the gallery on his TeamReach account.
*it’s called “ignorance”
- the editors