UNews - Canada West

Veldman, Millman recognized with Pronghorn awards

trevor.kenney — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 18:06:41 +0000

A record-setting performance and a personal best that resulted in a gold medal earned Kim Veldman and Peter Millman nods as the Female and Male Subway Pronghorn Athletes of the Week this week.

After setting a new school record for career rebounds two weeks ago, Pronghorns women's basketball post Veldman continued her exceptional season by recording a pair of double-doubles in two losses to top teams in the Pacific Division. She was also named the Canada West third star for the week.

Friday night, in the Horns' 68-55 loss to the UBC Thunderbirds, the Immanuel Christian grad scored a game high 21 points on an efficient 10-of-15 from the floor and completed the double-double with a 12 rebound night.

Versus the Victoria Vikes Saturday night, Veldman recorded her eighth double-double of the season with a 19-point, 12-rebound performance in a 65-58 loss.

With four games remaining in the Canada West season, Veldman sits third in the conference in scoring at 19.3 points per game and second in rebounding, averaging 10.2 rebounds per night.

Millman, while competing in only his second meet of the season, continues his stellar start to the season by earning two more medals at the Bison Classic in Winnipeg.

Friday night in the weight throw, the defending Canada West champion set a new personal best with a throw of 18.01 metres en route to a gold medal.

The next day, Millman was narrowly edged for top spot in the shot put, his throw of 16.33 metres just shy of his personal best of 16.60 metres, set just two weeks ago.

Millman and the rest of the track team continue their preparations for the Canada West Championships, hosted February 21-23 at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta.

Langevin officially steps down as Horns women's rugby coach

trevor.kenney — Mon, 03 Feb 2014 23:32:33 +0000

After taking a one year leave as the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorns women’s rugby head coach, Neil Langevin has officially resigned as the head coach of the program.

Neil Langevin took the Horns women's rugby program from its inception to the country's premier program over the course of his tenure as head coach.

JJ Ondrus, who served as the team’s interim coach last season, has been appointed as the head coach for the 2014-15 season.

“Neil obviously did a great job building a program from the ground up and winning three national championships,” says Sandy Slavin, the executive director of Sport and Recreation. “He also did an exceptional job developing the student-athletes and coaches. Pronghorn Athletics would like to thank Neil for his 13 years with the program and valuable contributions he made to the Pronghorn family."

Langevin, the architect of the Horns' most successful program, had been the head coach since its inception in 2000 and led the program to three consecutive national titles from 2007-2009, in addition to winning six consecutive conference titles starting in 2006. The Horns also medaled two other times at the CIS Championships, earning a silver medal in 2003 and a bronze medal in 2006.

“I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to work with so many great people here; athletes, coaches, support staff, the athletics department and administration,” says Langevin. “The Canada West rugby conference is full of great programs and people. I learned so much from all of these people and will miss the competitive environment of university athletics.

“Being able to start a program from scratch and grow it to be three-time national champions is an experience that I will cherish forever. I am proud to say that I am a Pronghorn from Lethbridge! But, the most lasting memories will be of all the friendships that I have been lucky enough to be part of.”

Twice named the Canada West Coach of the Year (2002 and 2009), Langevin was also named the CIS Coach of the Year in 2009.

Over his tenure, Langevin compiled a 40-20-0 conference record, including a 22-game conference winning streak that spanned more than three full seasons.

Internationally, Langevin coached Canada's National Team to a fourth place finish at the 2006 World Cup. He also spent time as the head coach with Rugby Canada’s National U20 Women’s team.

Last season, Ondrus went 1-2-1 in the regular season as the interim head coach, before losing to the Calgary Dinos in the Canada West semifinals.

Ondrus began her Pronghorn career as a women’s soccer player in 1997, playing three seasons, before moving to rugby and was part of the inaugural women’s rugby team in 2000. She finished her fifth year of eligibility in 2001 when the Horns captured their first win against UBC in the Canada West bronze medal game

“First of all, I would like to thank Neil for bringing me into this program and mentoring me all these years. His confidence in me to lead this team goes a long way toward letting me know that I am ready,” says Ondrus. “I am really excited to continue the position of head coach, officially, and am currently working hard at recruiting and preparing for the CIS Sevens Championship in March.”

“Our returning players will form a strong base and we are looking to add a few more pieces to the puzzle this spring,” continues Ondrus. “We are focused on improvement and the players have been committed to fitness and skills throughout the winter months."

Ondrus has been coaching with the program ever since her graduation. She’s coached for over 10 years in the Southern Alberta High School Rugby League, most recently at Winston Churchill High School, where she teaches physics.

She has also travelled as a coach with two international high school rugby tours, one to England/Scotland (2006) and one to Wales (2010), as well as being the assistant coach for Rugby Alberta Senior and U23 Women at Rugby Nationals.

The 2014 Canada West rugby schedule has yet to be released but the Horns will begin training camp in late August.

Gamble pays off for both Brine and Horns

trevor.kenney — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 23:25:30 +0000

There’s a fine line between want and need, and the closer you come to the second, the more willing you are to take a leap of faith.

For Brandon Brine and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorns men’s basketball team, each had reached a point where need was dominating their thinking. As a result, Horns head coach Mike Hansen trusted what he saw on YouTube videos about a 22-year-old Australian post player who had not yet played at a post-secondary level. Likewise, Brine trusted his gut, advice from friends and family and that Hansen’s portrayal of life at the U of L would match his vision. One semester into their relationship – so far, so good.

Australian rookie Brandon Brine (centre) has made an immediate impact for the Horns men's basketball program.

“I always wanted to play college basketball whether it be in the U.S. or here, but I didn’t really have the contacts to make it happen,” says Brine, a native of Adelaide, South Australia. “This just came at me out of nowhere and I jumped at it because it’s always what I wanted to do.”

Hansen adds that timing is everything.

“I got the Horns’ coaching job very late in the year and we knew we needed to replace Derek Waldner as well as add some depth in the post,” says Hansen. “Brandon’s video highlights immediately impressed me as his athleticism and great hands are two skills you can’t teach. We did our due diligence and when we found out that Brandon had been a part of the Australian National Team program, we knew we had a potential steal of a recruit.”

Brine’s assimilation to Canadian life, Pronghorn culture and Canada West basketball has been virtually seamless. Despite a pre-season shoulder injury, the 6-foot-6 forward has forced his way into the Horns’ starting five and helped stake the Pronghorns to a 7-3 record in the first half. He capped off his rookie semester by scoring a career-high 27 points and hauling down nine rebounds as the Horns beat the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Regina 91-89 on Nov. 30. His fadeaway jumper with 4.5 seconds to play was the game-winning shot and he was later named the Canadian Interuniversity Sport Male Athlete of the Week.

“Once I got the strap off my shoulder and started to get confidence, that’s when I started to play my game,” says Brine. “My theory is that I’m never good enough. I’m in here five/six days a week shooting and working on my game and just because I’m in the starting five now, it doesn’t mean I take my foot off the pedal. I’m always working to compete with myself.”

Brine was a multi-sport athlete as a youth but unlike many of his friends, who would be lured to pursue Aussie Rules Football, cricket or rugby, basketball was his sport of choice. He excelled in the Australian club system and participated in a host of international tours, playing in the U.S. four times, as well as in China and Japan.

With no post-secondary basketball options available in Australia, he was training with Adelaide’s professional team when the U of L beckoned.

“I really felt that it would take Brandon a year to get acclimated to southern Alberta and CIS basketball, but there are certain people who are open to new experiences and Brandon is one of them,” says Hansen. “He has made Lethbridge his home and has fit in and embraced the opportunity to experience a new culture and area of the world.”

Brine is studying kinesiology with the goal of becoming a physiotherapist, and is excited about being back in the classroom.

“Probably the biggest adjustment I’ve had to make is the school aspect, just getting back into doing homework,” he says. “I graduated from high school in 2008 and haven’t done any post-secondary schooling until now. It’s been a little bit of an adjustment but after the first month, it’s just become routine.”

It’s also becoming routine to see his name pop on the stat sheet. Brine says the run-and-gun style of play the Horns employ suits his game.

“The one thing I’ve had over most post players I’ve played against is my athleticism and being able to get up and down the floor,” he says. “I prefer to have a face-up game. I’m trying to work on my post game to become a little bit more lethal, but right now my strength is to face the basket and either shoot the open shot or take the guy off the dribble.”

He’s quickly adapted to the Canadian lifestyle. He spent the holiday season with his girlfriend and her family, says he loves the snow and is thrilled to be immersed in a basketball community.

“Back in Australia, the biggest crowd I would have played in front of was 150 to 200 people. So here, when you hit a three-pointer or get a dunk, the crowd goes nuts and it’s a great feeling. It gives you that extra shot of adrenaline and keeps the team rolling. I love that.”

The ability Hansen sees in Brine is unbridled.

“I believe he has the potential to be an All-Canadian, he is that gifted,” he says. “He needs to improve defensively and develop a more consistent back to the basket game, but in my opinion he is the most athletic player in the league.”

Maybe even more impressive is how Brine has fit into the Horns program, a testament not only to Brine and his upbringing but also to the culture of basketball in southern Alberta and of the U of L campus.

“The people, the town, everything just seems so homey. I feel so comfortable here,” says Brine. “Straight away, Mike’s been really good introducing me to everyone, my teammates are great – it just feels like a second home.”

Hansen knows full well the value the community brings to the program.

“I came here 23 years ago thinking I’d be here for four years, get my degree and head home,” he says. “Then you discover you’re not only welcomed to southern Alberta, we adopt you as one of our own. Brandon is a special kid, he comes from a great family and it’s reflected in his character. I think that’s what he’s enjoyed the most of being here, he has a home away from home.”

Patterson, Campbell earn athlete of the week honours

trevor.kenney — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 21:20:22 +0000

A pair of hockey players get the nod as Subway Pronghorn Athletes of the Week following their performances in the first weekend of the second half of the Canada West season.

Former Canada West first team all-star goaltender Crystal Patterson made a combined 61 saves for the Pronghorns women's hockey program as it earned a split in Regina this past weekend.

Friday night, in the Horns' first game back after the semester break, Patterson turned aside 32 shots in regulation and overtime and then stopped all three Cougar shooters in the shootout to propel the Horns to a 3-2 win. She also recorded an assist on the Horns' second goal of the game, the first in her Canada West career.

The next night, Patterson stopped 29 of 31 shots and kept the Horns in the game as they were outshot 31-19 in a 2-1 loss.

Patterson has started eight straight games for the Horns and sports a 2.26 goals-against-average and a 0.927 save percentage.

On the men's side, second-year defenceman Tim Campbell continued his solid play for the Pronghorns and was a key contributor as the club earned a weekend split with the visiting Regina Cougars.

The Thornhill, ON product recorded two shots on goal and was a minus one in the Horns' 3-0 loss to the Regina Cougars but went head-to-head versus the Cougars top players and was key to the Horns killing off two of three Regina power plays.

The next night, the Horns put an end to their 10-game losing streak as Campbell assisted on the eventual game-winning goal in a 4-1 victory. He also recorded another three shots on net and was a plus one on the night.

Through 18 games this season, Campbell leads the ‘Horns in shots on goal with 44 and has recorded a goal and six assists from his blueline position.

Horns women's rugby third in Canada West

trevor.kenney — Mon, 21 Oct 2013 15:29:48 +0000

For the second consecutive year, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorns women's rugby team has had to settle for a third place finish at the Canada West Championships, downing the UBC Thunderbirds 33-22 on Sunday afternoon.

Kara Loewen recorded two tries, while Tiffany Wideen, Sam Wright and Nicole Ronsky each added singles for the Pronghorns. Wideen also converted four of the five Pronghorn tries. Gillian Boag, Gabrielle Hindley, Catherine Ohler and Mackenzie Lee responded with tries for the T-Birds. Ohler was also credited with a convert.

Looking to rebound from a disappointing 29-18 loss to the Calgary Dinos in the second semifinal Friday afternoon, the Pronghorns stormed out of the gate, pushing the Thunderbirds deep into their own end. After the T-Birds held a ball up in the end zone once, the Horns kept the pressure on and were finally rewarded with a try less than five minutes in. Sam Wright touched the ball down and Wideen made the convert.

With the ball bouncing down the field, Kara Loewen snatched the ball in full flight, broke a T-Birds tackle and raced for the 'Horns second try. Second-year winger Nicole Ronsky scored the Horns' third try of the half, racing 45 yards past all T-Birds defenders. Wideen hit for her third convert.

UBC stormed back with 12 unanswered points to make the score close. A string of solid passes across the field sprung Mackenize Lee, who touched the ball down for the T-Birds' first score. Ohler then hit the convert.

Before the half was out, fourth-year scrum half Gabrielle Hindly scored an unconverted try to cut the Horns' lead to 21-12 at the half.

The U of L continued its strong play in the second half with Wideen scoring her own converted try, while Loewen recorded her second of the day a short time later, outracing T-Birds defenders after the ball was kicked into the end zone.

Not going down without a fight, UBC stormed back with two tries of their own to account for the final score.

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta Pandas later won the championship game over the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Calgary Dinos to advance to the CIS National Women's Rugby Championships later this month in Quebec.

Getting back in the win column

trevor.kenney — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 23:11:51 +0000

Kim Veldman only knew winning as a southern Alberta high school basketball player. Now, in her third year as a member of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorns women's basketball team, she is getting reacquainted with that feeling.

Veldman and the Pronghorns have fashioned a 5-5 start to the 2012-13 Canada West season and are in the thick of the race for a playoff position. After seasons in which the Horns won just four and six games respectively, it's a welcome light at the end of a two-year tunnel.

Kim Veldman has taken on a leadership role with the Pronghorns.

"It feels good to put in the effort and to see some results, it's almost a weird feeling to be winning again," says Veldman, a product of Lethbridge's Immanuel Christian High School and a three-time provincial 2A champion. "It was different being on the losing end, but it teaches you some lessons you might otherwise not learn. When I played at Immanuel Christian, I went into a team that was consistently good and expected to win. When I came to this level, I had to learn to really push myself to try and be better than the rest and it was a big change."

Veldman has played a key role in the Horns' resurgence this season. As a returning starter, she is averaging more than 31 minutes per game and is the team's leading rebounder. Moved from a strictly post position to that of a swing forward, she has flourished with the added responsibility of playing both an inside and outside game.

"Being a starter now and having that responsibility of playing more minutes has meant a lot to me and changed the way I approach the game," says Veldman. "I have to be focused all the time because the team needs me now, especially given that I need to play a lot of minutes because we don't have the depth in numbers that other teams might have."

First-year head coach Erin McAleenan has leaned on Veldman as one of her key performers and has been impressed by her progression.

"Being able to use her as both an inside and outside threat has helped us," says McAleenan. "We don't have a lot of depth, so we've really tried to run some sets that highlight our best players and give them opportunities to succeed. I think Kim's improved a lot over the course of the season and responded well to that challenge."

A third-year nursing student, Veldman has always succeeded in the classroom, even when the Horns had trouble finding success on the court. She has been an Academic All-Canadian in her first two seasons and continues to strike the balance between student and athlete.

"I've always been blessed with the talent of time management," she says. "I'll admit I am a procrastinator but I think basketball really helps me with that because it forces me to get down and do my work."

As a nursing student, Veldman is taxed with completing practicum rotations amidst a busy practice schedule.

"It's tough some days to come to practice after working a shift from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., then you need to find the time to eat and get to practice by 4 p.m. and be focused and ready to go," she says. "But I love it. I just did my rural acute rotation out in Taber and it was great. I think I'll really love it as a career once I finish school."

While she admits she has room to grow as a team leader, her coach says the work she puts in leads by example and hints at things to come.

"I think she's done a really good job in terms of managing her time as both a strong student and good athlete, and she not only balances them well but excels in both, and that sets a great example for her teammates," says McAleenan. "She's a quiet personality and not a real vocal leader or take-charge player with her teammates but I don't know if she's been asked to do that before. I think developing more confidence in her own role will help with that, because you have to be able to lead yourself before you lead others."

As the second half of the season and Veldman's career tip off simultaneously, it is intriguing to think of the opportunities ahead.

"I'm excited to see what happens. There are some tough teams we're going to face but I think we're ready for the challenge," says Veldman. "I feel like we still need to get more comfortable with having success and learn more about how to finish off games but we've really come a long way."

GET THE FACTS

· Veldman takes to nursing naturally. Her mother Heidi is an intensive care unit nurse and her younger sister Jenae is training to become a Licensed Practical Nurse

· She has three older brothers, Ryan, Daniel and Douglas, who all played basketball and still work out with her to improve her post moves

· Veldman had a season-high 20-point effort in one of the Horns' key victories this season, a 72-66 win at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Victoria

· Veldman enjoys working in rural hospitals, giving her the chance to work in surgery and medicine

This story first appeared in the January 2013 edition of the Legend. For a look at the entire issue in a flipbook format, follow this link.

UNews - Canada West

Veldman, Millman recognized with Pronghorn awards

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