43
East Palestine’s Strohecker chasing fourth rugby national championship
Photo
Former East Palestine High School standout Liz Strohecker, right, makes a tackle during a 2012 match with the San Diego Surfers. Strohecker, who started playing rugby in college at the University of Connecticut, has been part of three national championship teams (2009, 2010 and 2012) with the Surfers.
By Brandon Judeh
East Palestine
Many former Mahoning Valley athletes have enjoyed much success after their high school careers ended, but few can say they have won multiple national championships.
Former East Palestine standout Liz Strohecker has done just that in rugby.
Strohecker is a member of the San Diego Surfers of the Premier Women’s Rugby League and has been a part of three national championships.
The former volleyball, basketball and softball player first discovered rugby when she attended college at the University of Connecticut.
“When I got in to college I was looking for a sport that was a little more challenging and competitive,” Strohecker said. “My first year at Connecticut was in 2003 and I joined the team without knowing much about the sport or the rules, but I learned quickly and grew to love it.”
Patti Bosley, Strohecker’s mother, says that Liz’s love of sports can be traced back to her childhood.
“From the time she was little she has been into sports,” Bosley said. “I’m very proud of how well she’s doing and to see her enjoy a sport so much is great.”
After learning rugby at Connecticut, Strohecker, 27, joined the Surfers in 2008 and quickly found success, as she was a part of San Diego’s 2009, 2010 and 2012 national championship teams.
“To be a part of three championships is great,” she said. “We are working toward getting another one.”
Strohecker will be headed to Cheswick, Pa. — 15 miles north of Pittsburfgh — Aug. 10-11 to compete in 2013 Emirates Airline Men & Women Club 7s National Championships.
“We are coming in as the No. 1 seed, but it’s going to be very tough because there are a lot of great teams this year, so it’s going to be very competitive,” Strohecker said.
The Surfers have changed a lot since last season, with just four players back from the 2012 title team.
But Strohecker said the newcomers’ youth and enthusiasm has helped the team tremendously.
“I like the physical aspect of the game, but the thing I love the most are my teammates,” she said.
“It’s a lot of different people who come from different backgrounds and everyone is so fun and it’s just very exciting. A lot of these girls are younger and are really into the sport. I love to see that.”
But Strohecker said the game is physically taxing, so she won’t play for much longer.
“I think just a couple more years,” she said.
“I’m getting near the end of my career because it’s starting to take a toll on my body, so probably in the next two years [I’ll retire].”
No matter how much longer she plays, Strohecker is optimistic about her sport’s potential for growth.
“The great thing is that rugby will be an Olympic sport as of 2016 so there are more and more younger girls getting into it and starting to play at a younger age,” she said.
“It’s very exciting to see the sport grow.”