The Barons rugby team at Franciscan University of Steubenville is headed to the Final Four competition in Colorado next week after thousands of hours in practice since last year helped prepare them.

Intense conditioning and plays are second nature to the NCAA Division III rugby players, who won the Midwest championship in Wisconsin last year. It put the Barons in the running for the Final Four in Denver.

"For a small Catholic school like us to be going out to Denver -- to be playing teams from Florida, California, Rhode Island -- our name's on the map," said Coach Mark Hanrahan. "As far as Division III college rugby goes, people know Franciscan is a very, very good program."

The coaches said the players are trained for the altitude change that comes with playing out west. The players said they will go to the competition with confidence.

"Other teams from out east and then out from the West Coast, teams we're never seen before, teams we've never played before … There's only so much we can find out from the other teams," said David Cup, co-captain of Barons rugby. "I think it's really going to be nice to step out there on the field and look them in the eye and get ready for the game."

Hanrahan said it would be huge day in history for Franciscan if the team were to win this year. According to Hanrahan, no team from the school has won since late 1950s, but he believes his team is ready -- win, lose or draw.

The community support is high, with a send-off scheduled for the rugby players next week.