Jaret Swerdlow has carved out an identity with the La Jolla rugby team. He plays the "14"--one of the seven backs spread out in an arc behind and to the side of the front three rows of blockers/scrummers.
"I'm really proud of the way the team has played," the LJHS senior said Mon., Jan. 23 shortly before practice. "As we play together, our team comes together more and more."
That's true, and the wing (the name of his position) can continue to contribute in a non-showy, consistent way following 35-7 and 26-12 wins in the Vikings' first two games this winter.
To a reporter who is fascinated by surname origins, he explains that his last name is Russian and Romanian.
Last year was lost to a full-length cast on a broken leg.
How did he get drawn to rugby? "I think actually it was Wyn (Smoole). He said, 'Hey, come out.' I tried it and loved it."
Team members talk about the camaraderie, the physicality, the teamwork that has to happen as drawing points.
Swerdlow, 18, in the conversation, shows a personal assurance and confidence different from younger students. He's friendly, smiling, but he remains within himself.
La Jolla faces a challenge tonight (Fri., Jan. 27). The home game appearing on the original schedule was switched since Monday to being an away game at San Juan Hills (in San Juan Capistrano), with game time on Twitter being announced as 6:45 p.m.
Also, the Vikings' other opponent is now John Muir High of Pasadena, rather than a team from Murrieta, for a multi-team round-robin.
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