Senior Narissa Ramirez has been the driving force behind three years of Eastern’s rugby success, and a personal decision to play out her eligibility could result in another perfect season for Ramirez and the Panthers.

Ramirez was due to graduate last spring, but the fact that she had one season left of NCAA eligibility weighed heavy on her mind and she returned as a fifth year senior.

“Part of my decision was being a part of the first NCAA Division-1 rugby game and another part was, you can only be an athlete for so long,” Ramirez said. “I just wanted to take advantage of my opportunity and be an athlete for one more year.”

Ramirez is the unquestioned leader of the Panthers and was named team captain for the third consecutive season.

“I’m proud to be captain; I’ve been captain for a few years now and I don’t take it for granted,” she said. “I love being captain and I love being a leader for this team.”

Ramirez has tallied a 41-3 record during her rugby career. The Panthers have also recorded two undefeated seasons with Ramirez leading the way.

“Narissa is the heart and soul of this team, and has been for a couple years,” head coach Frank Graziano said. “She has been a three-time captain for us, and she demands as much respect from her teammates as any player I’ve ever had.”

Ramirez is on pace to become one of the most successful Panthers in program history, as she will rank near the top in career wins. Ramirez is also on pace to break the program’s career assist mark.

“After my first year, I realized it was attainable and it’s really something I’ve been striving to do,” she said. “I’d rather get an assist than score, and that’s something I’m looking forward to doing.”

Being apart of the women’s rugby team at Eastern has meant a lot to Ramirez, and the success that she has had on the field has translated off of the field.

“By far, it has improved my grades; I got a 3.8 GPA my first semester I played and ever since then I’ve gotten a 4.0,” she said. “That, by it self is amazing, and I never thought I could do that in a million years.”

Ramirez says it is the family aspect of the team that makes the sport so much more enjoyable.

“The team dynamic at Eastern Illinois has been so much different than any other team I’ve played with,” she said. “It really is a family and it makes me love the game so much more.”

Jordan Pottorff can be reached at 581-7942 or jbpottorff@eiu.edu.