February, 2017
Club Sports Illustrated
Issue 79 A UREC Publication
An update on the Nomad’s aspirations for the Spring season. Page 15
In This Issue Executive Corner
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Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
Basketball
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Men’s Ultimate 15 Tradition Never Graduates
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Road to Regionals
February 10th Edition of Club Sports Illustrated Designed, Edited, And Published by Ian Hensley UREC Publicity Programmer Articles by App State Students Cover photo by: Otto Solberg
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Women’s Rugby 12 Growing The AHO Family
Calm Before The Storm
Equestrian
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Rough Ridge To Nashville
High Hopes & Expectations
Cycling
Fencing
Women’s Volleyball A Whirlwind Start!
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EXECUTIVE CORNER
Thomas Griesbeck
Ian Hensley As Marvin Gaye once said, there “ain’t no mountain high enough,” and the officers these past two weeks have been working to the highest of mountains for our program. We are all working to change the face of this program, and work to better ourselves within the community and with the schools we compete with. As two weeks have quickly passed by, the Executive Officers have continued working on our projects and handling other office items. Many of the teams have been actively recruiting for the Spring Semester, and it is seen immensely within the office with a plethora of MIC’s filling our mailboxes. We are hard at work processing these and ensuring that each club sport can welcome new players fully into their individual teams. Again, to all of our twenty-three teams, seeing this amount of dedication and participation is astounding. The leadership that each team has is remarkable, and our program is in the work of great events and changes. From last week’s Club Sport Council meeting, the unity committee is actively working to plan a dodgeball tournament for the Club Sports Program. This is tentatively scheduled to occur in late February or early March. The dodgeball tournament is an event focused on bringing our entire program together to compete in a friendly competition of an old elementary school gym time
favorite. They are working to incorporate a service aspect to the game as well! Be on the lookout for more information! Last week the program also hosted our very first Club Sports Night at a Men’s Varsity Basketball game. We had a few teams come out, and even new teams interested in becoming a Club Sport. At Club Sports Night, we had our own section, and six teams were honored for their hard work on the regional and national levels. Thank you again to Varsity Athletics! Lastly, as for the Executive Officers and their projects, it has been full steam ahead. Nikko is currently and actively working to research the best location for the Symposium. Sophie is also working on a potential theme, and adding a lot of excitement to the banquet! Then, myself, I am continuing – with the help of all the Executives – in scheduling phone interviews with all of our peer institutions to gain an insight in how they run and operate their Club Sports program. All in all, we are working very hard to make this a great semester filled with new experiences, growth, and opportunity.
Article By: Angena LeBarre Executive Officer
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Basketball
Our season just started up for the semester and we already have high hopes and expectations for this season. After last season, the team is more prepared for future tournaments than we have ever been before. In a few days we will be on our way to UNC-Chapel Hill for our first tournament of the semester. We have grown as a team both on and off the court, but we still have some things to work on before we head to UNC. Last semester we played in three tournaments: one at NC State, Appalachian State, and UNCGreensboro. For our first tournament at NC State we fought hard, and played against some very competitive teams. Although we did not win most, we were able to see exactly what we needed to work on for our next tournament at home. Our home tournament was at the SRC. We had a handful of teams from surrounding states come and compete. There was a lot of improvement in our ability as a team to play together. Our last tournament was at UNCG, and with many players hurt or absent, it was a challenge. All in all, we played well and it was a great way to finish out the fall season.
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HIGH HOPES & E
In practice we have been putting in new plays and defenses. This semester we have a different head coach. So far, he has proven himself in improving the team as a whole, and as individual players. We have also gained some new players, some of whom have already played on the club team before. It is great to see people joining the team who have and have not played before. We seem to be more competitive and working towards winning many games as the season starts up. This is our last week of practice before we head out to UNC-Chapel Hill and we are making minor adjustments as we prepare. We are all very excited for the upcoming weekend, and we cannot wait to see how we perform as a team. We are scheduled to play against some very good teams this weekend. There are high hopes and expectations for the upcoming tournament and season.
Article By: Rosemary Mosher Secretary
Jack Kane
EXPECTATIONS
Jack Kane
Jack Kane
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Cycling
CALM BEFORE
Alan Garvick
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Jeff martin
E THE STORM
Now that we have executed two successful offroad oriented seasons, we are about to enter our third and final season. Road season is here. In two weeks, the team heads to NC State to see if the hours and hours of base miles and trainer rides have paid off. It will still be very early in the season, but NC State will be a good test of who has put in hard work over the winter, and who hasn’t. Rides such as the High Country Winter Bike League in Boone have been testing some of our riders on long and strenuous rides in the hills around Boone. Some riders went back home to train in warmer, and potentially flatter locations. For the people who stayed in Boone, the indoor trainer was a common sight. Those with the drive to sit inside and grind out the hours will surely be rewarded. Road season is arguably our longest and most popular season with races this year spanning from
Brevard to Annapolis, Maryland. All road weekend races consist of at least a road race and a criterium, with the potential to have a time trial or team time trial. A road race is generally a race on a large loop for a certain amount of distance usually ranging from 20 miles for the beginner classes to 80 for the elite levels. Criteriums are short, small lapped races that are generally more intense and are by time, twenty minutes to an hour. Both styles of races take strategy, skill, and sometimes even luck for one of our teammates to get across the line first. Going into this season, we will have veterans and complete beginners racing for wins across the Atlantic Conference, and we can’t wait to see them cross the line first.
Article By: Jacob Richard Secretary
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Equestrian
After a long winter break, the Equestrian Team is back at it again! Many of our riders continued practicing and learning over break by riding their own horses or taking lessons. But, as soon as classes started, so did lessons for the team. Every week the riders practice their technique and skill by taking lessons with their trainers. The riders work on every element needed to succeed in and out of the show ring. In addition to lesson time, the team has been bonding at the team meetings and other outings like the club sports night at the basketball game. All the hard work paid off last weekend when the Appalachian State Hunt Seat Equestrian Team had their first show of the semester. They started their morning going to team breakfast at Boone Bagelry as soon as their doors opened at 6am. Then, headed off to Emory and Henry College (Intermont Equestrian) who hosted the two-day show at their indoor facilities. Even though the weather was chilly, all the horses and riders did great. Rose Rossell competed in her very first IHSA show and
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ROAD TO R
placed first on Sunday riding Emory and Henry’s “Wyatt” in the advanced walk trot canter division. The treasurer, Ivy Wagner, also placed first in the advanced walk trot canter division riding Emory and Henry’s “Annie.” Sophomore Novice rider, Brennan Miele got a second place ribbon in Novice Over Fences which made her point out of the division and qualify for regionals! She is now qualified for regionals in both flat and fences. Brennan is not the only one who has qualified for regionals. There are several riders who have qualified. The team will spend the rest of the semester preparing for our last regular season show at Virginia Tech in two weeks. Then everyone will be working hard to prepare to do their best at regionals!
Article By: Mckenna Riley Team Member
Kalista Nedoff
REGIONALS
Mrs. Wagner
Sophia Twarog
Waitress
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Fencing
ROUGH RIDGE T
Lauren Bracket
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Lauren Bracket
Lauren Bracket
TO NASHVILLE
Our semester is off to a great start! Last week, our practices received record-breaking attendance and we are so excited to watch our team expand with more awesome people. The Thursday night Macado’s tradition remains strong and has proved to be a great way to get to know some of our new teammates. The fun continued over the weekend when a few of our members took advantage of the clear skies and went for a team-bonding hike at Rough Ridge! Although the hike wasn’t as rigorous as Patrick’s infamous squats, it was still quite the workout. We hiked all the way to the top and we able to observe some great views of the Grandfather Mountain profile. This coming weekend, our competitive squads will trade in their hiking boots for some fencing shoes again as we head to Nashville for our first tournament of the semester. This tournament is sanctioned by the United States Fencing Association, also known as USFA, which allows
fencers the opportunity to be rated in their weapon. Ratings hold a lot of weight in the fencing world, and we are lucky enough to have some rated fencers of our very own. Patrick Arsena, our Club Sports Representative, holds a C rating in sabre. Our Secretary, Trevor Moody, is a rated sabrist as well. Maria Cilenti, our Vice President, is an E rated épéeist. Our tournament calendar includes a few more USFA tournaments this semester, so hopefully we will continue to add to our collection of ratings. February is packed with lots of exciting events for our team, so stay up to date on our happenings by liking our Facebook page! Also, be on the lookout for teammates sporting our new trendy buttons and pullovers across campus!
Article By: Lauren Brackett Publicity Chair
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Women’s Rugby
GROWING THE
It is matrix season for Women’s Rugby! That means it is the semester where the team puts in that maximum effort to get through the eighty minute matches with a victory. This matrix season has had a great kick off, as more players were added to the AHO roster. Dozens of new faces joined the returning players in the first practice of the semester because the rookies and vets are always looking for girls who like sports as they walk around campus and spread the word about the awesome sport that is rugby.
being on the team is developing as players together and making each other better through practice and assistance. Since no prior experience is needed, the AHO team is growing in talent, numbers and diversity. There are a wide range of individuals joining the team, from people who have grown up playing tons of different sports to people who have never touched a competitive field. It is fantastic to meet and befriend people from different areas around campus, with different experiences and personalities.
Although not many people initially see themselves as a rugby player, more and more people are discovering that rugby utilizes every body type and that anyone, with practice, can become a good player. The new members of the AHO family were originally nervous to join since a majority of them had zero knowledge of the sport and even less experience. However, after their first practice, where they got to meet the team and were explained the simplicity of the sport, they were hooked. A great quality about the App State team is that those interested in trying a new sport do not have to worry about appearing clueless or unskilled because no experience is necessary. A big part of
It is exciting to see how this matrix season progresses now that there are more players and more friends on the team. AHO is looking forward to a legendary matrix season so the team will continue to train, practice and grow together as a team because when people play rugby together, they become a family and the AHO family is getting ready to dominate this season.
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Article By: Layne johnston Team Member
Club Sports
AOH FAMILY
Cassidy Leovic
Cassidy Leovic
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Men’s Ultimate
TRADITION NEV
benj Thomsen
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benj Thomsen
VER GRADUATES
What the Nomads are currently witnessing is nothing short of greatness itself. This spring is going to be like the Loch Ness Monster and Bigfoot photographed on the hood of a UFO. In the best season of the year (spring) we are looking to dominate the competition at all tournaments. Coming up in a fortnight we have our first tournament down in the armpit of the south, Charleston. They’re calling for wind. They’re calling for grit. They’re calling for a war. Better call the Nomads. And you better believe we’ll pick up, put it on speaker, then mute it without a word. No more games for us this semester. Straight buckets. Nomad, according to Dictionary.com, is defined “as a member of a people or tribe that has no permanent abode but moves about from place to place.” Although it is a decent definition, I am proposing something major. The new definition for Nomad will now stand as: “The new 20022003 Arsenal.” That team was the most dominant team ever seen in the English Premier League.
So dominant that in the thirty-eight games played, they never lost. Incredible. That is what the Nomads are willing to prove this semester. Somebody get me a garden hose, because we have got a barn burner. The Nomads picked up two new studs for the spring semester. John, a 6’6” brute from the United States and Parker G, the yoga king who has us stretching like rubber. The addition of these two has been huge for team morale. John knows how to pump up a crowd. Legend has it he was created by ACDC and The Rolling Stones. I should be able to confirm within six weeks whether it is true or not. Once again it has been a pleasure to write, and to all my loyal followers, I love you.
Article By: Myles Grady Secretary
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Women’s Volleyball
Just like the weather here in Boone, Appalachian States’ Women’s Club Volleyball team is off to a whirlwind of a start! Team placements kicked off on January 23rd as girls turned up to the Quinn Recreation Center to play ball. Teams were decided soon after that, and captains were officially elected just last week. The National team elected Returning Captain and Junior, Tori Whicker, and Sophomore Setter, Caroline Wells as their leaders. Both of these ladies have an overflowing surplus of skilled Volleyball and leadership experience. They will be headed to Nationals in April with their team. The regional one team elected Outside Hitter, Liza Sipe and Senior Setter, Natalie Bouchard. These girls each share a passion for the game and a strong belief in hard work and positive attitude on and off the court! Regional 2 elected Executive Board Treasurer Bailey Layne and Outside Hitter Caitlin Layne, leaders that are set on both inclusion and competition as driving factors for their sport. The Regional 3 team selected their Captains, Freshmen, Jenna Page and Anna Ryan, both
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A WHIRLWI
experienced players and leaders. About her leadership style, Anna Ryan said, “I have a diplomatic leadership style. I want everyone’s voice to be heard and then take all opinions into consideration when making decisions while also staying upbeat and positive.” One thing is clear, the Mountaineers are lucky to have a club team filled with such talented, hardworking, and team-driven players. This season will undoubtedly bring trials and triumphs, as every season does, and it is up to not only these leaders, but every participant to make Club Volleyball a fun and inclusive organization. A synopsis of our tournament schedule can be found on AppSync!
Article By: Natalie Bouchard Secretary
Mike Collins
IND START!
Mike Collins
Mike Collins
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LEARN MORE ABOUT CLUB SPORTS GO TO CLUBSPORTS.APPSTATE.EDU
Executive Officers
Nikko Weeman weemannk@appstate.edu
Angena LeBarre lebarreac@appstate.edu
Sophie Twarog twarogsr@appstate.edu
Coordinators for Competitive Sports:
Chris Carr carrcp@appstate.edu
Eric Horth horther@appstate.edu
Director of UREC: Joe Carter carterjr@appstate.edu
Assistant Director for IM + Club Sports: Erin Sanders sandersec1@appstate.edu
@AppStateClubSports
@AppStClubSports
Club sports@appstate.edu | (828)262-2100