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Bobby Miller knew very little about the sport when a friend convinced him to join the rugby team at Montini High School as a sophomore.
Two years later, the senior and Lombard resident is happy about his friend’s persuasiveness.
“I wasn’t very familiar with it when I first came out,” Miller said. “But I was able to pick it up pretty quickly. It’s really fun and it has less restrictions (than other sports). You’ve got to be able to execute plays but there is also quite a bit of athleticism involved. I’m glad my friend got me into it.”
The 6-foot, 155-pounder plays a wing position for the squad and says that the sport is both physically and mentally demanding.
“I guess it really combines a lot of sports,” the senior said. “It takes a mental toll on you but on the other hand, when you are hitting people you are sacrificing your body also.”
Miller knows something about grueling endeavors as he was also a member of the wrestling team at Montini for four years, a squad that won three consecutive state titles.
“It was pretty cool,” he said. “Throughout my four years, the wrestling team was really good. My sophomore, junior and senior year we won state and it was pretty cool to be part of a championship team.”
He also experienced state glory with the rugby team last spring as Montini finished second in Tier 2 after losing to Waubonsie Valley in the final.
“It was quite an experience,” Miller said. “Even though we felt kind of cheated (losing in the final), in the end it was a great experience. I think we lost by a try; it came down to the last try.”
After graduating from Montini this spring, the next step for Miller will be the University of Alabama. In the meantime, the he will try to enjoy his finals days on the rugby team.
“I guess I never thought I’d like rugby but overall it has been a good experience,” Miller said. “It is nice to see other rugby teams come together and play the sport and afterwards we always joke around. I like the camaraderie of rugby and that adds to the experience of the game.”
Bobby Miller knew very little about the sport when a friend convinced him to join the rugby team at Montini High School as a sophomore.
Two years later, the senior and Lombard resident is happy about his friend’s persuasiveness.
“I wasn’t very familiar with it when I first came out,” Miller said. “But I was able to pick it up pretty quickly. It’s really fun and it has less restrictions (than other sports). You’ve got to be able to execute plays but there is also quite a bit of athleticism involved. I’m glad my friend got me into it.”
The 6-foot, 155-pounder plays a wing position for the squad and says that the sport is both physically and mentally demanding.
“I guess it really combines a lot of sports,” the senior said. “It takes a mental toll on you but on the other hand, when you are hitting people you are sacrificing your body also.”
Miller knows something about grueling endeavors as he was also a member of the wrestling team at Montini for four years, a squad that won three consecutive state titles.
“It was pretty cool,” he said. “Throughout my four years, the wrestling team was really good. My sophomore, junior and senior year we won state and it was pretty cool to be part of a championship team.”
He also experienced state glory with the rugby team last spring as Montini finished second in Tier 2 after losing to Waubonsie Valley in the final.
“It was quite an experience,” Miller said. “Even though we felt kind of cheated (losing in the final), in the end it was a great experience. I think we lost by a try; it came down to the last try.”
After graduating from Montini this spring, the next step for Miller will be the University of Alabama. In the meantime, the he will try to enjoy his finals days on the rugby team.
“I guess I never thought I’d like rugby but overall it has been a good experience,” Miller said. “It is nice to see other rugby teams come together and play the sport and afterwards we always joke around. I like the camaraderie of rugby and that adds to the experience of the game.”
