Allison Mueller/ Winonan

As summer turns into fall, new and familiar faces flood Winona State University’s campus. This year there are 24 familiar faces returning to the women’s rugby team, known as the Black Katts.

After last year’s an undefeated 16-0 season, the Black Katts continued to win and move on to the USA Sweet 16, USA Elite 8, USA Final 4 and claimed their title as national champions.

After their successful season, Roger Riley retired as the Black Katts’ head coach. Their assistant coach Joshua Krzewinski took over as head coach with Nick Pronold as the assistant coach.

Krzewinski said he coached Pronold when he played for Winona State’s men’s rugby team. Pronold became Krzewinski’s assistant coach until Krzewinski switched over to assistant coach for the Black Katts. Pronold then took over the men’s rugby team before moving away for work.

“It was a perfect opportunity,” Krzewinski said. “Nick was moving back to the area, and I knew he wanted to get involved with coaching rugby again.”

Senior flanker/center Nadia Nassif said the coaching change will be something to get used to for her and the team.

Nassif has been coached by Krzewinski her entire rugby career and has learned a great deal from him.

“I know that all of the girls respect him as a coach, and it is exciting to see how the season will progress,” Nassif said. “We are all eager to show Roger that the lessons he has taught us have stuck and that we are still and always will be, his team and we want to make him proud.”

Along with the 24 returning players, Krzewinski said there are four incoming freshmen who the coaching staff saw play in high school and camps. In addition, there are three other incoming freshmen who played in high school and contacted Krzewinski about their intention to play women’s rugby at Winona State.

Krzewinski said, “The recruiting process is unlike any of the ‘varsity’ sports. We do not have money to offer. The only things we can offer are a great education, a great campus, and the chance to play on a quality rugby team.”

Krzewinski said the coaching staff networks with high school coaches, watches their games and gets involved with select camps in order to get in front of the athletes and talk to them about Winona State.

Many students who join the Black Katts their freshmen year have never played until they attend Winona State. Nassif said since some of the new recruits have knowledge and experience with the game they will be “a great asset to the team.”

“With practices three times a week and games every weekend the team generally clicks rather quickly,” Nassif said.

The Black Katts have been training all summer, which involves running, lifting and working on individual skills.

Krzewinski said he encourages the girls to challenge themselves to get as fit and as strong as possible to prepare for the season.

“Being physically fit allows them to be able to perform at pace, but also think more,” Krzewinski said. “If you’re huffing and puffing trying to catch your breath, you’re thinking about that, not your role on the field.”

Krzewinski said he knows the Black Katts will be successful this season, but he is nervous at the same time.

Krzewinski said, “Every year having that target on your back is stressful for me. Being in the national finals three years in a row and winning it last season are huge accomplishments.”

The team’s goal remains the same of course: to claim the title as national champions two years in a row.