Administrating the women’s Rocky Mountain conference is like coaching a team. There are well established programs – the veterans – that plan for playoffs and whose engagement in the league hinges on a level of professionalism (e.g., playing a season without forfeit wins). And then there are developing programs – the rookies – that need some flexibility if growth is going to continue (e.g., encouragement to play 10s if numbers dwindle). It can be exhausting balancing those two forces, especially when considering the distance that separates these teams, but it's a necessity.

This season is advancing a little better than years past. With two pools, East and West, and the addition of a driven member (Montana State), some good competition has evolved. In the East, it will come down to Colorado College and Mesa State. The former saw a change in coach this season, as Amy Rusert transferred to DI Air Force. She did, however, line up her replacement, Michael Windle, who relocated from NOVA women and Loudoun Dragons (Va.).

“The girls are really athletic and really fast,” said Windle, whose squad improved to 4-0 after a 33-17 win over Colorado Mines last weekend. “We don’t have the big size that a lot of the teams have, but the players are very intelligent. It literally take a practice to implement something, and it’s a go right away.”

Windle was pleased to see that the team’s style looked a lot like NOVA’s, with lots of passing to keep the ball moving, a good kicking game, and speed on the wing. Captains Rachel Gonchar and Naya Herman provide great leadership, while president Hannah Tilden has been a godsend in terms of organizing the team so Windle can focus on coaching.

In addition to Saturday’s win, Colorado College has beaten UC Colorado Spring 61-0, Wyoming 51-0, and Western State 74-0.

“The team has set their own goals, and it’s my job to coach to those goals,” said Windle. “They want to get out of the first round of [national] playoffs. Last year, they lost to Bowdoin in the first round; now they want to move onto the next step. Eventually, they want an even more consistent record, and then move farther.”

In the West pool, Montana State is impressing in its first conference season. The Bobcats jumped onto the national scene last spring, when the team competed at college 7s nationals during its first season as a recognized Montana State club. Being in Bozeman, Montana State is pooled with Idaho State, Utah State, and Utah Valley, and has already experienced some frustrating cancellations.

“We’re excited to be part of the conference and legitimize our program, but it’s been a mixed bag so far,” Montana State coach Ed McKenna said. “Idaho State is a little short on numbers, so we’re playing 10s just to give people game time. Utah Valley didn’t have enough eligible players to travel to our conference game here. It puts a wrench in your momentum when you’re trying to build and get better.”

McKenna has done well to patch some holes in the schedule, attending the Kootenai Cup when UVU canceled their match, and is continually scanning the region for more opponents. The coach even invited DI powerhouse BYU to town, indicating that competition like that shows his players how good the sport can get and where they need to aim.

Internally, McKenna is feeling good about his team. He’s inherited new talent, including several players with high school experience, like West End prop Megan Kesler and graduates of Bitterroot Valley (Mont.). And he’s implemented a pod-based, fitness-driven game plan that captains Courtney Kawamoto and Charlee Mackey must enforce.

“Everything goes through the flyhalf on offense, and she has two options every time,” said McKenna, who rotates Mackey, the distributor, and Dallas Flager, the attacking threat, through the 10 spot. “It’s tough to stop. Usually what you see is defensive players getting slower and eventually stuck behind the breakdown, whether they’re tired or not receiving enough direction. Eventually you will get a break.”

Keep an eye on junior Ivanna Lopez to take advantage of that break.

“We have committed rugby players, not necessarily students who are playing for the enjoyment,” McKenna said. “They’re committed to practice and building the program; they’re lifting weights and doing fitness on their own. And it’s paying off. We’re doing a lot of things better this year.”

Montana State wants to win the conference but anticipates weighty competition from the East, as it sees Mesa State’s and Colorado College’s box scores week in and week out.

“We’ll be disappointed if we don’t win, but if we compete, improve, and play to our potential every week, that’s good progress. We have to think big picture,” McKenna concluded.

The Rocky Mountain playoffs begin on Oct. 31; stay tuned.