Momentum continues to build for the Iowa Central rugby squad.

The Tritons, who open their 2024 campaign on Saturday at Iowa State, placed fourth in the 32-team Premier Cup field at the Collegiate Rugby Championship National 7s Tournament last May. Now the more traditional 15s fall season begins, and head coach Brent Nelson’s club is again thinking big.

“This team returns a lot of talent, so the expectations are high,” said Nelson, a Humboldt native who helped start the program nine years ago. “Add in a great incoming group of players, and we should win a lot of matches this fall.

“We’ve always felt that winning is a byproduct of high character, combined with great work ethic and sprinkle in some camaraderie. Mix those ingredients with some really good talent, and more often than not it means wins in the books.”

Iowa Central’s depth both on and off the pitch is perfectly encapsulated by its wealth of leadership. Koen Webb has officially been voted captain, but there are plenty of other players who have taken ownership.

“Our leadership group is as strong as it’s ever been,” Nelson said. “We had three different players receive almost the exact same number of votes for the captaincy. (In addition to Webb), Tyler Gast and Takudzwa Musingwini will also lead this team, as well as Devyn Farrell, Connor Price, Gavin Oleson, Jay Gaines, Caleb Murphy and Kolby McPherson, among others.

“I feel like on the pitch, we’re looking sharp. The team leaders are doing a great job of getting the new talent on board. The learning curve is significant for the newcomers, and they will need to acclimate to a much faster paced style than they’re used to. We adopted a ‘Big Brother’ program this year, where each returner is assigned an incoming player or players to mentor. It seems to be going well. As the season carries on, we plan to do a lot more team bonding events as well.”

Fort Dodge Senior High graduate Dalton Rosalez is back for his sophomore season.

“Dalton plays flyhalf mostly, and has really improved his territorial kicking,” Nelson said. “Dalton is a super high character young man. He has the calm, cool, collected demeanor required for his position.

“Dalton is extremely well liked on the squad, and continues to improve. He will be challenging for minutes on the A-side all year long.”

Among the newcomers are former Fort Dodge Stags Drayton Miller and Isaac Firsching. Miller is an FDSH grad; Firsching is from Webster City.

“We are extremely excited that Isaac and Drayton are a part this team,” Nelson said. “The day-to-day work ethic these two young men show is exemplary.

“Isaac is a Swiss Army knife who can play multiple positions well. Drayton is an athletic forward with a thirst for knowledge and a coachable mindset. Look for big things from them this year. They have earned their spots on the match day 23.”

For as much as the Tritons have established themselves as serious national contenders, Nelson knows the work is never done.

“I think once you’re satisfied, you’re dead in the water,” Nelson said. “I will always be looking to up our level.

“I want to win another national championship. D-1 national champion has a nice ring to it. It’s going to be extremely difficult, but I think we can get there.”

The trend toward rugby enthusiasm in the area is deeply rooted in Iowa Central’s growth over the last decade, according to Nelson.

“If I’m being honest, Iowa Central has been at the root of the regional interest toward rugby,” Nelson said. “Before Triton Rugby came on the scene, there weren’t high school boys or girls teams in Fort Dodge. I’m not saying there wouldn’t have been eventually, but Iowa Central helped move that needle.

“Certainly, that relationship is symbiotic. We have Isaac and Drayton this year, who came from the Fort Dodge team. One of my all-time favorite players and last year’s captain, Matt Surles-Davis, who played for us for three years came from the Fort Dodge Stags as well. That energy and attitude toward rugby feeds off itself. The rugby circle is small and tight. We look out for each other.”

Nelson and his assistants — Joe Lippert, Quinton Gilligan, Casey Hansen, Skip Reed and Michael Hirst — have focused their collective efforts on helping Iowa Central not just reach, but sustain legitimacy among the collegiate rugby giants.

“We’ve been focused on improving our outreach and recruitment efforts,” Nelson said. “That starts with me and my staff. Our new assistant, Quinton Gilligan, has really stepped up and made recruiting more efficient. He deserves a lot of praise.

“I’m proud of what we’re doing here as a program. We are a varsity Div. I program who competes against four-year schools. We happen to be a community college, which makes us the most unique program in the country. The support (Iowa Central president) Dr. (Jesse) Ulrich and the entire administration have shown us is phenomenal. We are not where we are without them.”

The program takes its role in the community seriously.

“Some Iowa Central players from all over the country and even world have attended (Fort Dodge) Stags’ practices in the spring,” Nelson said. “This absolutely helps our guys understand their obligation to be ambassadors of the game. After all, being mentors and high-character leaders are some of our core values.

“We are thankful to give back to the game and watch it grow.”

After this weekend, the Tritons have home matches on Sept. 7 (Southern Nazarene), 14 (Arkansas State and Drury) and 28 (Marian University) at Crimmins Field.

“We have a very good team this year with high expectations,” Nelson said. “We hope more people can make it down to Crimmins Field this fall and be a part of our rugby community.”

IOWA CENTRAL RUGBY

2024 Schedule

Aug. 31 — at Iowa State.

Sept. 7 — Southern Nazarine; 14 — Arkansas State and Drury; 21 — at Aquinas; 28 — Marian.

Oct. 4 — at Lindenwood; 12 — at Principia; 19 — at Wayne State; 26 — Big Rivers Conference quarterfinals.

Nov. 2 — Big Rivers Conference semifinals; 9 — Big Rivers Conference finals; 16 — NCR playoffs.