Echo issue 06 pages 08 09

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SPORTS

Echo Wednesday, January 11, 2017

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(Two-a-days) are a great idea. They help new players learn all the stuff really quickly and it helps bond the team.”

Mike Donahue, senior

Out of the PARK Alec Pittman alecpittman@ slpecho.com

Endings can be new beginnings

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o one ever wants to lose something they love. Yet, my career in Mach 3 Flyers club swimming came to an end before my eighth grade year. The organization disassembled because my head coach was diagnosed with cancer.

I was devastated. Beginning my swimming career with Mach 3, all I knew was the family I had there. No one could believe the organization we had grown to love and call home could come to such an abrupt end.

Then began the process of deciding what I should do — continue to swim with What’s the a new club POINT? or find an alternaChange is tive sport. constant, make Looking the most of it. over my options with my parents and a few close friends, I came to the decision to join Aquajets, a club commonly considered one of the more elite, but arrogant, swim clubs.

Arriving the first day, I immediately wondered if I would fit in or if I would be fast enough to keep up with the other boys.

Then from the locker room approached Joe Hanson, a friend from Mach 3, and his friend from high school, Sam Schilling.

Both Joe and Sam welcomed me and ensured that I felt at home on the team.

Once enough people arrived, the coach, Kate, began to coordinate the “Circle of Love” as she called it. These “Circles of Love” were meant to strengthen the team. Kate then shared that all Aquajets stands for could be explained in a simple four-word phrase, “Power of the Team.”

You achieve as a team, fail as a team, you grow as a team and you succeed as a team, she said.

Throughout those next few weeks, Joe and Sam introduced me to new faces who I quickly began to call some of my closest friends. Kate checked in with me every few days simply to say how happy she was to have me on the team, or what I could improve on with my stroke.

I began to wonder why I felt so nervous and why I had bought into the misconception about Aquajets. I understood then that Aquajets was built on the principles of hard work, camaraderie and humility. I came to realize the ending of Mach 3 wasn’t the end of my swimming career, but rather a bright beginning in the next chapter with my new family at Aquajets.

Photo Grace Lynch

Pumping iron: Sophomore Tanner Jensen spots senior Carter Schmelzle as he bench presses during a morning Nordic ski lifting session. Nordi skiers and boys’ varsity swimmers participate in two-a-day practices twice a week during their seasons.

Two-a-days to improve endurance Swimmers, Nordic skiers adjust to winter schedule Nicole Sanford nicolesanford@slpecho.com

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hile most athletes in winter sports count on filling their afternoons with practice, some coaches require athletes to practice in the morning as well, according to senior swim captain Nils Rykken.

Rykken said some varsity swimmers practice twice a day during the week.

“All the high school kids have twoa-days on Fridays, and then some of the more upper varsity guys will go to lifting on Tuesday mornings,” Rykken said. “For each day it’s different; it’s either two hours

of swimming and then an hour of lifting or vice versa.”

According to sophomore skier Anika Hanson, Nordic skiers also have morning practice twice a week to improve performance.

“I feel like everyone is a stronger skier.

I like how it helps you get stronger for the season and you can see a difference if you go to the morning trainings,” Hanson said.

“You have to wake up earlier. It’s a lot more work, but it’s worth it in the end.”

Nordic skiing head coach Doug Peterson said morning practices are the only way athletes can get enough time to practice daily.

“We need about two hours a day of training and with the way it is we only get about an hour and 10 (minutes) after school,” Peterson said. “The strength part is a big part of it, so that’s why we do it in the morning.”

Rykken said the extra time spent working on strength helps swimmers to increase endurance.

“You definitely feel more in shape at the end of the season, but sometimes you’re more sore for meets or you get a lot less sleep,” Rykken said. “In terms of improving skill, (two-a-days) definitely (help), but for people who are more committed to school, sometimes it makes it more difficult.”

Peterson said the advantages of multiple practices a day become evident toward the end of the season, when athletes’ reach their peak performance capability.

“We won’t see the improvements probably until mid-January because they’re training and they’re working out and so there’s a certain fatigue that happens,” Peterson said.

“We’ll stop (double practices) toward the end of January and then you’ll really start to see the benefits.”

Boys’ swim team remains undefeated Young swimmers aid in team success, dropped times Dani Orloff & Atticus Raasch daniorloff@slpecho.com atticusraasch@slpecho.com

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hen sophomore varsity swimmer Luke Anderson reflects on the boys’ swim team’s invite at the University of Minnesota, he thought the team improved in and out of the pool.

According to Anderson, the team placed fifth overall at its invite this past Saturday, which don’t count in a dual-meet record.

He said the team’s outcome at the invite exceeded his expectations.

“I think we did better than what we were expecting. We had a lot of fun because almost everyone was dropping time,” Anderson said. “I think overall, including everyone and just giving a lot of support (has benefited the team).”

The team has won all of its conference meets so far. Coach Amanda Forsberg said she feels proud of the team’s fast times so far this year.

Photo Kailey DeLozier

Go for gold: Freshman Will Schwietering swims breastroke during practice Jan. 9. The team’s next meet will take place at 6 p.m. Jan. 12 at Park against Robbinsdale Cooper.

“Coming off of winter break is some of the best times we’ve seen all season and we’re very happy, very impressed. A lot swimmers dropped time,” Forsberg said.

“Especially for the newer group and the younger swimmers they just keep dropping (time), which is fun to see.”

Forsberg said she also loves the enthusiasm the older swimmers bring to the team.

“My upperclassmen did a good job of getting the guys excited and ready to go,” Forsberg said. “We saw some phenomenal times at Jefferson and it was a lot of fun to watch and just be a part of.”

According to senior captain Nate Stone, younger members of the team played a big role in the success of the meet.

“Honestly, a lot of underclassmen have really stepped up,” Stone said. “We see guys who kind of sat in the background coming forward and pulling in those extra points.

Us winning the meet on Thursday was because of those guys.”

Anderson said new swimmers continue to overcome challenges.

“Half the team is new this year, so (it’s been challenging) getting to know everyone so we can work as a team in the meets,” Anderson said. “I still don’t know everyone on the team super well, so talking more in practices with people you don’t know as well is a way to solve that.”

The next meet will take place at 6 p.m.

Jan. 12 at Park against Robbinsdale Cooper.

“

(People) aren’t as active as they usually would (be) if cell phones and smart tablets weren’t introduced.”

SPORTS Echo Wednesday, January 11, 2017

Joshua Somaiah, junior

Teacher embraces unconventional stress reliever Yoga, breathing help fight mental illnesses D’aviyan Robinson daviyanrobinson@slpecho.com

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s biology teacher and strength and conditioning coach Jessica Gust instructs her yoga sessions, she thinks about yoga’s benefits for people struggling with anxiety or depression.

“A large part of learning yoga is a focus on the breath and breath meditation,” Gust said. “Learning breath correctly and using certain breath practices can help people learn to control their nervous system to cope with the symptoms of anxiety and depression.”

Junior Ian McIntyre said he would consider using yoga to aid his mental health struggles.

“I’ve always wanted to do yoga and wanted to experience something that could help with

my anxiety and depression,” McIntyre said.

Gust said in order to use yoga or breathing effectively, practice is necessary.

“You have to practice often and when you start, practice in a controlled environment,” Gust said. “Once you have developed some of these skills, you can use them when you are experiencing triggering events or feelings.”

Freshman Ari Balfour said she finds yoga beneficial to one’s overall well-being.

“It relieves stress and anxiety and it’s a good thing to do if you want to calm down,” Balfour said.

According to Gust, yoga is accessible for all people and requires minimal equipment.

“You can do yoga and meditate without any special equipment,” Gust said. “Basic equipment would be (a) yoga mat and block. Some people use meditation cushions as well.”

McIntyre said finding al-

Meet the ATHLETE

Who Annika Carlander Grade Senior Photo Delaney Wallerich

Deep breath: Students participate in morning yoga led by strenth and conditioning coach Jessica Gust Dec. 16. The next session takes place before school Jan. 13 in the fieldhouse. ternative yoga sources beyond standard classes would be worthwhile.

“Professional yoga is expensive, (so) The best idea is finding stuff online or other experienced people that might be able to teach you,” McIntyre said.

Gust said she suggests people search for a yoga or breathing practice fit for them.

“I encourage people to try as many types of yoga and guided meditation as they can,” Gust said.

Yoga poses Navasana

Infographic Kailey DeLozier & Jayne Stevenson Source Jessica Gust

Source oxforddictionaries.com Photo Grace Lynch

Take a seat: Sophomore Joe Vainikka sits at a computer during first hour Jan. 5. One factor that increases the chances of a sedentary lifestyle is the amount students sit during school. According to World Health Organization, 60 to 85 percent of people lead sedentary lifestyles.

Sedentary behavior impacts health Dani Orloff daniorloff@slpecho.com

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edentary lifestyles are a common phenomenon in society, yet such a trend can be reversed, according to postdoctoral fellow Kara Whitaker of the University of Minnesota School of Public Health.

According to Whitaker, over the last 50 years, physical activity was effectively engineered out of human lives.

“We are able to drive to school (and) work, take elevators, use machines to wash our clothes and dishes, all of which require very little physical activity,” Whitaker said.

According to World Health Organization (WHO), 60 to 85 percent of people in the world lead sedentary lifestyles.

Sophomore athlete Nels Hoikka said the

benefits of activity include increased energy and motivation.

“Right now I play soccer and I play hockey, and I’m thinking about starting track,” Hoikka said. “I feel like when I’m working out or exercising, I feel better. In the mornings, it is easier to wake up.”

Whitaker said students should create a balance between schoolwork and activities.

“It’s difficult as a student to avoid sitting for long periods of time while doing homework or studying. However, it’s important that you regularly take breaks while studying to get up,” Whitaker said.

According to WHO, sedentary lifestyles increase all causes of mortality, diabetes, and obesity, and increase the risks of colon cancer, depression and anxiety.

Hoikka said the advantages of exercising extend beyond health improvements. “(Playing sports) helps with your time management,” Hoikka said. (Additionally), you get to meet people. On our hockey team, we are all really close.”

How long have you played hockey?

I have played hockey for 12 years.

Why did you start playing goalie?

I started goalie because my dad was one and it was always an interest of mine.

Crow Pose

(Of a person) tending to spend much time seated; somewhat inactive

Sport Hockey

Have you always played goalie?

No. I played forward for the first six years of my hockey career.

Warrior II

Sedentary

Effects include concentration, low oxygen levels in blood

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Whitaker said sitting for long periods of time slows down brain activity, making it more difficult to concentrate in school.

“Sitting for long periods of time reduces the amount of oxygen you take in, which in turn decreases the amount of oxygen circulating in your blood,” Whitaker said.

All students should meet physical activity guidelines to prevent the effects of sedentary lifestyles, according to Whitaker.

“For your age, you should try to get at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity per day,” Whitaker said. “You want to work hard enough to increase your heart rate and break a sweat.”

Hoikka said he advises students who feel they live sedentary lifestyles to unleash a competitive attitude.

“Just to go out there and try (being active). It is really fun,” Hoikka said. “Just find something you are really good at because if you find something you’re good at and you like to be competitive, it is really fun. Just go out there and try your hardest.”

What is your favorite hockey memory?

My favorite hockey memory is definitely beating Minnetonka last year 4-3 in overtime. That game was absolutely insane.

What kind of non-high school hockey do you do in the offseason?

In the offseason, I do a ton of private training with my goaltending coaches at DEVENIR Goaltenders and play in a college summer league, where I play other college teams.

Why did you transfer back to Park?

I transferred back because it was just the right thing for me to do at this point in my life. I started my education in the Park systems and I wanted to finish here.

How does the lack of park girls on the hockey team impact the team dynamic with Hopkins?

I think there is a good mix of Park and Hopkins girls on the team, especially if you look at our JV team. I think having more Hopkins girls on the varsity team doesn’t hurt the dynamic of the team in anyway. We are teammates and a family no matter where you go to school.

Was there any issue with you playing because you were a transfer student?

Actually, because the team is merged (Hopkins and Park), I didn’t have to worry about the appeal getting denied. I also live in St. Louis Park, so that means I didn’t open enroll here to come and also I am eligible to play or finish my season out.

William Phelan williamphelan@slpecho.com