Ryan Grote scored three tries for Cincinnati in their 55-21 defeat of Indianapolis last Saturday, helping the Wolfhounds clinch 1^st place in the Midwest DI Club East, and assuring them of a playoff game against the South in the spring.

The 2010 Miami of Ohio grad is one of the more prominent youthful additions to the Cincinnati backline, and he finished second in the Midwest in tries scored.

“I’ve liked playing for Cincinnati a lot,” Grote told RUGBYMag.com. “I’m from Cincinnati originally and I planned to come back, so it seemed like a good fit to play with them. I’d played a lot of 7s with them in the summers, and I was familiar with the club, and so far it’s worked out.”

Grote said the influx of younger players has meshed well with the veterans, and he adds that he has learned a lot from the older players on the club.

“I learned a lot of little things – how to adjust my support lines, how to attack a defender, draw him in and dish it off; it’s been very good for me.”

Next up, the playoffs, and for Grote, probably a few more tries.

“I just love playing and it’s been pretty successful,” said Grote. “I plan to play as long as I can.”

Ryan Grote is our Men's Club Rugby Player of the Week.