The Eastern women’s rugby team started their recruitment for new players. The latest edition to their team is Diana Zultowski, a student at Red Hill High School.

Zultowski high school sports experience began in Bridgeport, Ill. She has been playing and excelling in three sports: volleyball, basketball and track. In her new position on the rugby team she will serve as the flanker.

Zultowski earned awards for participating in high school sports, earning First Team All-Little Illini Conference honors in track and field and named MVP as a junior on her basketball team. Despite these awards, Zultowski never played team rugby; however, women’s rugby coach Frank Graziano was not looking to find out if she had played rugby before.

“I tend to look at athletic ability,” said Graziano.

There is no real program set up for high school rugby, so Graziano has to look more towards generic skills like speed, endurance, etc.

Graziano has taken many trips before to high school events like girls basketball. Graziano said how a basketball player shoots a jump shot is specific to the sport, but how a player jumps is something to watch out for.

“We look for people who can run well and has balance, and she has that,” said Graziano.

Graziano had seen Zultowski play before but had not taken an interest in her yet. “The more you take a closer look, the more skills you see,” said Graziano.

Zultowski initiated the second look when she first heard of the women’s rugby team. Zultowski had been interested in playing rugby for some time, she asked her father to contact Graziano so he could see her play the next time he was at her school scouting. Graziano was impressed not only with her skills but also with her work ethic and determination.

“She’s a tough kid, competitive,” said Graziano, “I think she’ll do well.”

After seeing her skills, Graziano signed Zultowski to the team. This was the best news for Zultowski who wanted to attend college in Charleston.

“I’ve been interested in Charleston for a while,” said Zultowski, “Eastern’s campus makes you feel right at home.”

With Zultowski joining the team and practice beginning on August 13, the team will be off to a good start for repeating their winning 2006 season, which ended with a 9-1 record. And even though Zultowski is immediately joining an NCAA Division I rugby team, Zultowski and the other new members are not nervous at the idea.

“While there tends to be a bit of apprehension, they get comfortable,” said Graziano, “I know she is excited to play.”