After a 10-2 fall record and a third-place finish in the Big 12 tournament last month in Norman, Okla., the ISU men’s rugby club is looking forward to strong performances in six remaining tournaments in the spring season.

In the Big 12 tournament, the Cyclones defeated Oklahoma, but lost to Texas A&M.

In the third-place game, Iowa State cruised to a 37-0 win over Nebraska.

“In the fall, we won the Heart of America tournament and it got everybody’s attention. The Big 12 invited us for the tournament this spring,” club president Jim McBreen said.

“There were five teams in the tournament. It was a good showing for us since the other teams there have already practiced outside.”

Adam Anderson, treasurer of the club, said the team performed well in the tournament.

“We played pretty good during that weekend. In the winter, we trained in the Recreation Center and everybody is going out and enjoying each other,” Anderson said.

“On that weekend, we played well as a unit.”

Now, with one tournament under its belt, the club is gearing up for the March Madness & Mayhem Rugby tournament at Wayne State College in Wayne, Neb., this weekend. The tournament will consist of 25 teams.

McBreen said the team is expecting to place first in the tournament.

“We’ve picked up the intensity since we’ve been going outside now,” he said.

“We’re working on our conditioning so that the newer guys get the experience.”

McBreen said some members of the team have stepped up and have developed as players, including Clay Buster, who has come back from England after not playing during the fall season.

“He came back with us this spring and he’s doing awesome,” McBreen said. “He has taught us a lot about the game.”

With tournaments every weekend until the first week of May, Anderson said the players are looking forward to getting playing time in the field.

“We have a lot of games that we’re playing right now,” Anderson said. “We’re going to have an ‘A’ and ‘B’ squad which gives everyone a chance to play on the field since we’ve got 40 guys right now.”

McBreen said he believes good times are ahead of the squad.

“The future is looking pretty good,” he said.

“We have changed our team mindset and image. A year and a half ago, when I came in, there were only like 20 guys on the team. Now there are 40 guys that have come to practices, which is great.”