Tougher together

Archived on YouTube, a video of the historic NMSU women’s rugby victory in April 2025 highlights the aggression, speed and brute toughness that helped these Aggies to upset the defending national champion at the Collegiate Rugby Championship National 7s tournament near Washington, D.C. 

NMSU players plow through opponents. They spring back to their cleats, unbothered, after slamming into the turf, maybe taking a quick second to verify their hair tie survived the latest core-rattling collision. 

What the video can’t show is a team ethos that sharply juxtaposes all of this visceral physicality. At its heart, the NMSU women’s rugby team is enthusiastically kind and welcoming. It’s rooted partially in the respectful values of the otherwise violent sport, says Jessica Jimenez, one of the few players with prior rugby experience.

Additionally, coach Justin Karrenberg ’21 has worked to cultivate this friendly environment within NMSU’s club team. 

“It’s a place where people can show up and enjoy themselves and not feel doubted, second-guessed or criticized in any way,” says Karrenberg, who also works at NMSU’s Arrowhead Center. “That’s the biggest thing.”

These qualities are critical because club sports require high levels of ownership. Participants invest time in practicing, like other athletes, but they also must raise money and oversee administrative functions. The athletes buy in, Karrenberg says, when they feel secure and are not afraid to fail, particularly when the sport is new and unfamiliar.

For some, such as Miranda Quintana and Samantha Rodriguez, rugby was a natural draw. Quintana, who is from Moriarty, New Mexico, played multiple sports in high school, including wrestling. Rodriguez played basketball in El Paso and had always wanted to play football.

For others, such as Madi Donart, Morgan Stites and Kacey Thunborg, rugby was novel. Donart, a soccer player from the Phoenix area, remembers being nervous at the first rugby practice, and how it melted away because of the team’s warm culture.

Stites enjoyed robotics in high school in Roswell, New Mexico, not sports. Watching Olympic rugby piqued her interest. Learning about club rugby helped her decide to enroll at NMSU.

Thunborg, from Sandia Peak, New Mexico, golfed in high school. She loves the constant challenge that her new sport brings.

In Karrenberg’s five years as coach, NMSU women’s rugby has grown significantly. Initially, the team had about eight players. In fall 2025, thanks to more players staying and increased recruitment, he expects about 35 players, plenty for the 15-on-15 fall matches and 7-on-7 in the spring.

Last season, that roster growth, more fundraising and consistent improvement on the field converged. The result: NMSU not only earned a bid but was able to afford the trip to the Collegiate Rugby Championship National 7s tournament, a first for the program.

Captain Heidi Sheppard left her mark in that first match. She scored nine of the team’s points in the come-from-behind, upset win over defending champion University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. 

“Last year’s experiences brought the realization that our team can play at a higher level,” Sheppard says. “Now, we can continue to improve and strive to be even better.” 

Not every player could make the trip. Those who stayed behind were cheering from 2,000 miles away.

Stites arranged a watch party in Las Cruces but didn’t have many places to sit at her apartment, so teammates worked to move couches. 

“It was a group effort to be supportive,” she says.

Ultimately, the NMSU women’s team placed sixth in the tournament. Looking back, Karrenberg finds joy in that experience, and also hope.

“This is a foundation that future teams get to grow on,” he says.