In only its second official season, the WHHS men’s rugby team is making waves across the Ohio high school sports scene with a strong record and a roster filled with both talent and heart. This team is doing more than just winning matches; it’s building a community from the ground up, uniting players from across Cincinnati and rewriting what it means to be a high school athlete.
The team, currently sitting at 4-1, is co-led by Ferd Schneider, a current math teacher. As a veteran of the sport, he first discovered rugby at Miami University in 1985. With nearly 30 years of competitive men’s rugby under his belt, Schneider brings not just experience but a philosophy rooted in teamwork, resilience and lifelong bonds.
“The best part of rugby isn’t the scoring or the hitting — it’s the relationships,” Schneider said. “The culture of this sport is like no other. You sweat, bleed and break bones with your teammates. That builds something irreplaceable.”
Those bonds are already forming on the WHHS squad, where players like William Koehn, ‘27, and Oliver Anderkin, ‘27, are experiencing rugby and its community.
(Used with permission from Tony Schenke)
“I didn’t really know much about rugby,” Koehn said. “My mom signed me up after talking to someone from the Wolfhounds, [a local men’s rugby club], and I ended up loving it.”
Despite the steep learning curve, Koehn embraced the challenge.
“Learning the rules was hard at first, but once I got them down, it became way more fun,” Koehn said.
Anderkin was introduced to the team by a friend, and had a rocky, but memorable start.
“My first game was in the freezing rain,” Anderkin said. “I had only been to one practice, and I had no idea what was going on, but it was still a blast.”
Their stories echo Schneider’s broader vision: building a space where young athletes can grow through adversity and learn by doing.
“A lot of these kids had never picked up a rugby ball, but now they’re part of something competitive, tough and meaningful,” Schneider said. “Watching them develop into a cohesive, winning team, that’s the real reward.”
The team isn’t just composed of WHHS students. Because rugby is a club sport, the roster includes athletes from Sycamore, Roger Bacon, schools in Kentucky and even homeschooled students. This diversity is part of what makes the team special.
“It’s kind of a microcosm of Walnut Hills itself — diverse and inclusive,” Schneider said. “Rugby brings people together from all walks of life. We’ve got kids from all over greater Cincinnati showing up for each other, playing hard and becoming a team.”
Both Anderkin and Koehn agree that the team’s chemistry and shared commitment are what fuel their success. Koehn highlighted a standout win against Findlay, a crushing 91-0 victory in brutal weather conditions.
“That game showed us how good we really are,” Koehn said.
When asked what keeps them motivated, both players pointed to a mix of internal drive and external support. For them, it’s about improving mistakes and pushing through with the help of his teammates and coaches. For Anderkin, his faith plays a key role.
“I just want to have fun and not let anyone down,” Anderkin said.
Schneider and the head coach, Tony Schenke emphasize values like accountability, camaraderie and toughness. They’ve even coined a team mantra, “No Man Runs Alone,” a phrase that reflects the deep bonds shared among players on and off the field.
This culture of brotherhood extends into game preparation and training. Players arrive early to warm up, run unopposed plays and mentally gear up for the match. Practice time is limited, especially since players come from different schools with different schedules, but the team makes it work.
As the team evolves, the men’s rugby team also boasts a unique international flair. This year the squad is joined by a foreign exchange student from France, who, like many others, found his place on the field and within the team.
“What I hope is that the friendships built here last,” Schneider said. “I think in a few years, one of our teammates may even visit him in France. That’s the kind of relationship rugby fosters.”
Looking forward, Schneider and Schenke hope to expand the program into something even bigger: a full-scale high school rugby academy. They’re also hoping to continue supporting both men’s and women’s teams, building on the success of the current WHHS womens’ club team that also draws players from multiple schools.
As the WHHS men’s rugby team continues its exceptional run, one thing is clear: this isn’t just about wins and losses; it’s about creating a culture where young athletes learn, lead and lift each other up one try at a time.
“Our vision is to grow the game,” Schneider said. “This isn’t just about Walnut Hills, it’s about giving any kid in Cincinnati a chance to play rugby and be part of something great.”