UNews - Winston Churchill High School

Doctoral student using Parkland Institute award for study to uncover links between prenatal stress and aging

trevor.kenney — Wed, 17 Dec 2014 22:35:32 +0000

The effects of prenatal stress can be seen across generations and Mirela Ambeskovic is studying those effects across a lifespan.

Ambeskovic (BA '12, MSc '14), a ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge doctoral student studying under neuroscientist Dr. Gerlinde Metz, became interested in studying the effects of prenatal stress because of the influence it had on her and her family when they lived in Bosnia. Ambeskovic’s grandmother experienced prenatal stress in the aftermath of the Second World War, when shelter and food were scarce, as did her mother a generation later.

Mirela Ambeskovic is seeking to determine how prenatal stress programs the brain and behaviour across generations.

“I was a prenatally stressed baby, too. When my mom was pregnant with me, my dad went into the army. So she was home alone and had to deal with lots,” says Ambeskovic. “In a way, I feel like it maybe benefited me, building the same kind of resilience I see in the subjects we test.”

She came to Canada in 1998 after her family, including her mother and two siblings, was displaced in the Bosnian war that lasted from 1992 to 1995. She attended Winston Churchill High School and started studying biology and psychology at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge a year after graduating. Two years later, she made the switch to neuroscience and got some experience working in the laboratory under Dr. Deborah Saucier, a former U of L professor of neuroscience. After she took a class on stress with Dr. Metz, she knew she’d found the field she wanted to explore further. Ambeskovic asked if Metz would take her on as a master’s student and a few days later she was in the lab.

“Everything fell into place. I stuck with it and now I’m doing my PhD. I love coming to work every day,” says Ambeskovic.

Her own stress level recently received a little reprieve when she was awarded a $5,000 scholarship through the Parkland Institute. With the financial pressure alleviated, she’ll be able to focus solely on her research.

“The main goal of my research is to determine how prenatal stress programs the brain and behaviour across generations,” she says. “I am interested in possible prenatal stress and aging interactions. I assess for cognitive and motor functions, depression and anxiety levels and brain plasticity in rats from young adulthood to middle-aged and aged.”

She studies rats over an 18-month period, equivalent to a human lifespan of 60 to 70 years. Every six months she evaluates brain and behavioural changes in the animals. Ambeskovic looks specifically at the prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain that integrates learning, memory and emotion and helps in decision-making. She also compares the effects of prenatal stress on males and females to see if any sex differences exist and whether the rats’ lifespans and susceptibility to diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, diabetes, kidney failure and heart failure, are affected.

In addition to a control group of non-stressed rats, Ambeskovic studies a group of rats where only the great-grandmother was prenatally stressed and not subsequent generations, and another group where all four generations experienced prenatal stress. While her research isn’t yet completed, she’s already found some results that point to the effects of prenatal stress.

“Prenatally stressed animals have a shorter lifespan and are more prone to diseases earlier in life than non-stressed individuals,” she says. “Prenatally stressed animals age faster with earlier onset of motor and cognitive deficits. Interestingly, the males are more affected than females. Females deal much better with prenatal stress than males do. Their behaviour is not as affected, nor is their brain. It actually appears that the prenatally stressed females build resilience to stress and show enhanced cognitive and motor functions.”

Not all prenatal stress is bad. Some stress is good as it prepares individuals for the environment they are born into. For instance, an animal pre-programmed to survive in a stressful environment will cope better and go on to reproduce, ensuring survival of the species, and this may have evolutionary purposes.

“It catches up to them as they get older. The organism kind of gets run down,” says Ambeskovic. “Maybe that’s why we see the difference between males and females. Males are OK when they are younger to the stage that reproduction can happen. As they get older, their bodies run down and they start giving up faster. They age faster than the females. But why females are so resilient all the time I’m not quite sure.”

In a separate study, Ambeskovic looked at the effects of prenatal stress on the emotional or mental states in young and middle-aged male rats. She found increased levels of depression and anxiety, enhanced hyperactivity and stress hormone levels in middle-aged rats. She called this cluster of behaviours exhibited by her male rats a ‘middle-age crisis’ as it resonated with similar behaviours in humans.

Ambeskovic is also looking at the epigenetic effects of prenatal stress. Certain genes, or parts of genes, may be turned on or off, depending on the environment and the rat’s experiences. For example, putting animals in an enriched environment has been shown to reverse some of the effects of prenatal stress.

“In our multi-generationally stressed animals, a lot of genes seem to be either up or down regulated and these seem to be involved in aging and immune functions, along with diabetes and depression. We need to look further into specific genes and micro-RNAs (small sequences of specific DNA) that might be changing,” she says of future studies.

Engaging science

darcy.tamayose — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 19:01:05 +0000

In high school, Jared Heidinger (BSc/BEd ’00) was banished to the hallway for clowning in class. He continued to listen through the door, however, and when the instructor asked a question Heidinger shouted the answer through the grate. Grinning, his teacher opened the door and invited him back in. That day Heidinger learned a lesson in classroom management. Today he carries that lesson – striking a balance between clowning and control – into his own teaching practice.

Jared Heidinger shepherds students through the complexities of science by engaging them on their terms.

At Winston Churchill High School in Lethbridge, Jared Heidinger shepherds students through the complexities of science by engaging them on their terms. He often uses popular movies and YouTube to explain concepts. His students learn about photosynthesis and anaerobic respiration by baking bread, and they learn cell structure by building pizzas with toppings representing various cell components. A remote control “news helicopter” delivers quizzes.

“I fly the chopper around the class, land it, then put on a video as if it’s reporting from a live scene,” says Heidinger.

Personalities such as professional hockey player and former pupil Kris Versteeg deliver the assignment.

“The kids aren’t as bitter about a quiz when they see the chopper,” says Heidinger.

For Heidinger, YouTube and Twitter are educational aids. For example, students who participate in a weekly Twitter chat at #scistuchat earn extra credit.

“Some students now see Twitter as a resource,” he notes. “Parents are also realizing its educational value.”

Connecting with students as individuals is important to Heidinger.

“I’m passionate about kids knowing someone cares,” he says.

He shares his life through stories, hoping to reach students who might undergo similar circumstances.

“When you can relate your life to kids they know you’re a person,” he says.

His stories range from comical to poignant, and often illustrate points in his teaching.

“I love teaching. I can’t imagine doing anything else. I like seeing kids learn new things and view the world differently than they did before.”

U of L's iGEM Team claims two awards at World Jamboree

trevor.kenney — Fri, 08 Nov 2013 18:40:47 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge’s International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) team captured two prominent awards at the iGEM 2013 World Championship Jamboree, Nov. 1-4 in Cambridge, Mass.

Fresh off claiming the top prize in the North American Jamboree in Toronto last month, the U of L team once again showed it was at the top of the North American class and continues to be one of the world leaders in the study of synthetic biology.

The U of L's iGEM student team consisting of (l to r) Graeme Glaister, Zak Stinson, Suneet Kharey, Jenna Friedt, Dustin Smith and Harland Brandon.

“I am very proud of the results they achieved on the world level,” says team leader Dr. Hans-Joachim Wieden, Director of the Alberta RNA Research and Training Institute at the U of L and Innovates Centre of Research excellence Chair of Bioengineering. “The World Jamboree was dominated by the European teams, but we presented very well and the awards we received were well earned.”

The U of L grabbed the Best Poster prize in the Overgrad classification, and also collected the Security Commendation, an overall award that debuted this year.

“I’m especially excited about the security award. It was brand new this year and shows how we are a world leader in this aspect of the research,” says Wieden. “The application of security protocols to the science of synthetic biology is becoming more and more important as we continue to advance the field.”

The U of L team’s project included the development of a bioengineering part that compresses genetic information – essentially working like a zip drive. Every gene needs DNA, but there is only so much DNA that will fit in a cell. This novel part may allow future bioengineers more flexibility in their work. Additionally, the team developed software that quickly determines what DNA is compatible to compress together.

Team member Harland Brandon said the research they conducted around the social implications of their project was lauded at the North American Jamboree and set their project apart from others.

“Our team sought to ensure that our part could not be misused to hide dangerous genes,” says Brandon (BSc’13), a first-year master’s student and Winston Churchill High School graduate. “We hypothesized that our part could be used to hide dangerous sequences, such as Ricin or Ebola, from gene synthesis companies. We then took it a step further and actually consulted with gene synthesis companies, U of L Risk and Safety Services and even a representative from the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI). Not only do we see our project benefitting the field, but we found through our critical analysis that the potential for misuse is not possible.”

Just six Canadian universities qualified for the World Jamboree, with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Calgary the only teams to capture awards.

“iGEM enables students to get their first taste of research,” says Wieden. “They understand the goal of the project, and learn how to think outside of the box, troubleshoot and apply their knowledge to create scientific discoveries. All of this unlocks students’ creativity.”

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge team consisted of Dustin Smith (BSc ’13), Graeme Glaister, Jenna Friedt (BSc ’11, MSc’13), Suneet Kharey, Harland Brandon (BSc ’12) and Zak Stinson.

To view full results from the iGEM 2013 World Championship Jamboree, see this website.

Horns basketball lands local recruit for 2014-15

trevor.kenney — Tue, 29 Oct 2013 21:52:13 +0000

Five days before the start of the 2013-14 Canada West season, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorns men’s basketball team is already looking to the future, adding its first commitment for the 2014-15 season.

First-year Pronghorn bench boss Mike Hansen announced today the signing of local product Mike Pierzchala.

Pierzchala, a six-foot-two guard, is entering his final season of high school basketball with the Winston Churchill Bulldogs and looking to build off a stellar grade 11 campaign. Last season, he was named a Southern Alberta High School Basketball League first team all-star and led the Bulldogs in scoring, averaging 21.3 points per game.

"Mike is a versatile and skilled player, which is rare to find in a high school player,” says Hansen. “His work ethic is tremendous and he has continually improved over the past three years.”

During his high school career, Pierzchala has been a part of two Bulldog teams that have earned berths in the Alberta high school provincial championships. During his grade 10 season, the Bulldogs went to 3A provincials and then last season he was part of the first ever Bulldog team to go to the 4A provincials.

In addition to his high school success, Pierzchala represented Alberta this past summer as a member of the Alberta provincial team that competed at the Canada Summer Games in Sherbrooke, Que.

Pierzchala has also played in the Junior Horns program, and attended the Fab 48 tournament in Las Vegas.

“To have Mike commit to us early means a lot to me personally and to our program. Our success has always hinged upon the skill of our local players and Mike is no exception," says Hansen. “He represents a bright future for the Horns."

The Pronghorns will open the Canada West season this weekend with road games against the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Fraser Valley Cascades and Trinity Western ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Spartans.

iGEM team celebrates North American Regional victory

trevor.kenney — Mon, 07 Oct 2013 21:10:49 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge has further cemented its reputation as a leader in the teaching and research of synthetic biology by capturing first place at the 2013 North American iGEM Regional Jamboree in Toronto, Ont. this past weekend.

The competition, held at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Toronto, featured teams from across Canada and the United States. The U of L team of Dustin Smith, Graeme Glaister, Jenna Friedt, Suneet Kharey, Harland Brandon and Zak Stinson will now move on to the international competition, which will be held at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Boston, Mass. Nov. 1-4.

“This certainly shows that bioengineering research and the aggressive approach we’ve taken to study this field is working at the U of L, and that the RNA Institute is playing a key role in both enabling research and training students,” says Dr. H.J. Wieden, director of the Alberta RNA (Ribonucleic acid) Research and Training Institute (ARRTI) at the U of L, the Innovates Centre of Research Excellence (iCORE) Chair of Bioengineering and faculty advisor for the U of L’s iGEM teams. “The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ is poised to continue to be at the forefront of this emerging field.”

The U of L team’s project includes developing a bioengineering part that compresses genetic information – essentially working like a zip drive. Every gene needs DNA, but there is only so much DNA that will fit in a cell. This novel part may allow future bioengineers more flexibility in their work.

Additionally, the U of L team developed software that quickly determines what DNA is compatible to compress together.

“Each year we are also tasked with exploring the social implications of our project. Our team sought to ensure that our part could not be misused to hide dangerous genes,” says team member Harland Brandon (BSc’13), a first-year master’s student and Winston Churchill High School graduate. “We hypothesized that our part could be used to hide dangerous sequences, such as Ricin or Ebola, from gene synthesis companies. We then took it a step further and actually consulted with gene synthesis companies, U of L Risk and Safety Services and even a representative from the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI). Not only do we see our project benefitting the field, but we found through our critical analysis that the potential for misuse is not possible.”

In addition to winning the overall Regional Overgrad award, the U of L also claimed the award for best Wiki (website explaining their project).

iGEM is the premier competition for young scientists interested in the emerging field of synthetic biology, which is quickly leading to new discoveries that will diversify key economic sectors such as pharmaceutical, agriculture, medical diagnostics, clean energy and resource extraction. It also facilitates scientific research and education by establishing and operating the Registry of Standard Biological Parts, a community collection of open source biological components.

The organization promotes the advancement of science and education by developing an international open community of students and practitioners in schools, laboratories, research institutes and industry.

Earlier this year, a team of Lethbridge high school students was awarded the coveted Green Brick grand prize at iGEM’s High School Jamboree.

High school iGEM team best in the world

trevor.kenney — Tue, 02 Jul 2013 20:23:42 +0000

A team of Lethbridge high school students has been awarded the coveted Green Brick grand prize at the iGEM High School Jamboree – an international competition for young synthetic biologists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Boston, MA.

The team was judged on its efforts to create a longer lasting form of Oxytocin – a hormone most-commonly known for its use in aiding childbirth. Oxytocin, unfortunately, has a very short half-life meaning the hormone degrades quickly and soon becomes unstable, making it expensive and difficult to store.

The Lethbridge High School team together with their ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge undergraduate student and graduate student advisors and their faculty advisor, Dr. HJ Wieden, successfully developed a genetic circuit (BioBricks) to reprogram a harmless laboratory strain of the common bacterium Escherichia coli to express a stabilized variant of Oxytocin. Details about their project and the team itself can be found on their project website (wiki) http://2013hs.igem.org/Team:Lethbridge_Canada

In addition to being named the top team at the competition, the Lethbridge team also was awarded prizes for the "Best Bio Brick" and "Best Wiki". A total of 30 international teams competed at the event last weekend.

The iGEM Foundation fosters scientific research and education through organizing and operating the iGEM Competition, the premier student synthetic biology competition. It also facilitates scientific research and education by establishing and operating the Registry of Standard Biological Parts, a community collection of open source biological components.

The organization promotes the advancement of science and education by developing an international open community of students and practitioners in schools, laboratories, research institutes and industry.

"One of the real values of the U of L's commitment to the iGEM program is that it is building bridges between high school and university experiences," say Dr. HJ Wieden, a U of L synthetic biology researcher who served as an advisor to the team. "These exceptional students will be the innovators and entrepreneurs who will add tremendous value to Alberta's economy and quality of life in the future."

Students from the Lethbridge team represented various Lethbridge high schools including Chinook High School, Winston Churchill High School, Catholic Central High School and Lethbridge Collegiate Institute. The team has successfully applied for funding from Alberta Innovates Technology Futures (geekStarter) to support their project.

"This result is absolutely exceptional, though I am not surprised. Previous iGEM competitions have placed ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge undergraduate and our Lethbridge high school teams among the best in the world on multiple occasions," says U of L President and Vice-Chancellor Mike Mahon. "The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge has a strong track record of attracting world-leading faculty like Dr. Wieden and we are committed to partnering with the community through programs like the iGEM High School Jamboree. It also illustrates that our local high schools are producing some incredible young scientists."

The Lethbridge high school team plans on continuing its Oxytocin project next year.

Ondrus gravitates to leading role for Horns rugby

trevor.kenney — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 21:09:37 +0000

Her official title is interim head coach and former head coach Neil Langevin will still be riding shotgun as an assistant, but make no mistake, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorns women's rugby team knows who will be calling the shots when the 2013 Canada West season opens this fall.

JJ Ondrus (BSc/BEd '04), who has been with the program since its inception, first as a player, and most recently as Langevin's assistant coach for the past 10 years, is taking the reins of the perennial national contenders.

"This was a goal of mine probably since the first couple of years being an assistant," says the 34-year-old Ondrus as she assumes the head role in the wake of Langevin's one-year leave. "I just never thought Neil would give the position up, I figured I'd have to move to get an opportunity to be a head coach at a university level."

Ondrus is coming full circle with the program she first helped build as a player. A soccer player through high school, she graduated out of Catholic Central High, earning a soccer scholarship at the U of L. She played just one year of high school rugby, having to suit up for rival Lethbridge Collegiate Institute because CCH didn't yet have a team of its own.

Three years into her post-secondary career, Horns rugby was born and she switched sports.

"I was OK at soccer but more of a bench player than anything," says Ondrus. "But in rugby I was pretty much the quarterback as a fly half. I was on the field all the time and we played a kicking game and I was the kicker, so I was important and I loved it."

The Horns new interim head coach, JJ Ondrus, has been with the program since its inception.

In her two years as a Pronghorn she experienced just one win, but it's a memory she relishes, and it was the first brick in the construction of the Pronghorn dynasty that would emerge years later.

"That is still Neil's favourite win, and I have the newspaper clipping where he says that," smiles Ondrus, recalling the team's bronze medal victory over the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of British Columbia at the Canada West championship tournament. "I still remember him jumping out of the end zone he was so excited, because we were not supposed to beat anybody that year."

Ondrus earned her education degree and started her teaching career at Winston Churchill High School. She also went straight into coaching, both at the high school level and as one of Langevin's assistants. She has never left the program.

Over the ensuing years, Ondrus taught at Nobleford, then Fort Macleod and eventually returned to Churchill, where she is in her fifth year as a science teacher. At every stop she helped build the sport of women's rugby and like her Pronghorn brethren, played a big role in establishing the vibrant rugby culture in southern Alberta.

"If you look around the high school league, I'm pretty sure every program has a Pronghorn player on the coaching staff," she says. "People are surprised when they come to our community and see the level of support we get and especially the balance between boys and girls rugby. To see 12 girls teams to six boys teams really speaks to the strength of girls rugby in southern Alberta."

Ondrus admits she is somewhat overwhelmed with her new position. She is heavy into recruiting for the new season, knowing the Horns graduated six players last season and two others are not returning to the program. She's also acutely aware that the Horns are coming off what is for them a down year, failing to win the Canada West championship for the first time in seven seasons.

"I'll admit it, I'm a little nervous about that but the coaches and players accept that responsibility and pressure to be the best, we set the bar high and set that expectation on ourselves to go to nationals and compete for a national championship," she says.

Having been a part of the program since its outset, it's hard to imagine anyone else better prepared to take over for the only head coach the Horns have ever known. Ondrus is ready to go.

"I've been with the program since it started in 2000, so it is near and dear to my heart," she says. "I am very excited for my new role and cannot wait to bring my energy and ideas to the table. Neil has set the bar pretty high, but I know, as he does, that I am ready!"

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

Friesen eyes pageant as opportunity

trevor.kenney — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 23:00:37 +0000

Becky Friesen isn't afraid to try new things – or look for interesting opportunities to stretch her personal and work experiences.

Whether she works with rats, shovels wild animal manure or starts modelling just for the sake of fun, she usually winds up doing something interesting – such as entering the Miss World Canada (MWC) pageant.

The 20-year-old biological sciences student and enthusiastic Lethbridge booster freely acknowledges that parading around in an evening gown, on a runway, is about as far as you could possibly get from her work experiences at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience or her recent Co-operative Education placement at a wildlife conservation facility in Langley B.C., but anyone who knows her shouldn't be surprised.

"I have always believed in the value of being multifaceted, instead of only focusing in one or two fields. I find it's a lot more fulfilling for me to always be surprising and challenging myself," says Friesen.

Biological sciences student Becky Friesen is excited about the community service aspect of the MWC pageant.

She was made aware of the pageant opportunity through the family members she stayed with in Langley who knew the reigning Miss World Canada, and who also had worked with the MWC organization in the past. In addition to being a stable business and having a good track record, Friesen says there is a significant charity component to the group, which really appeals to her.

"As contestants and through other MWC activities either in BC or in our home communities, we support Variety, the Children's Charity and its efforts to support the families of children with disabilities, and my goal is to raise its profile here in southern Alberta," she says.

"As well, I have to also gain some corporate and personal sponsorship to help me out with some expenses as a competitor, so I have plans to approach local organizations and businesses for assistance."

Friesen jumped at the chance to do some modelling for charity fashion shows while in Langley and was subsequently asked by the MWC director to apply for the more intense pageant process, which entails public speaking, community service work and demonstrating a talent. She says competing in Miss World Canada has given her a great opportunity to meet some of the people who make Lethbridge so wonderful and in turn, tell others about the community.

"For me, this is a great chance to really stand up and say 'Hey … I'm from Lethbridge! Pay attention to us! We're awesome!' Getting involved in the community, as well as competing in the actual pageant, will give me a lot of practice in my communication skills which will be a valuable asset for the rest of my life."

A Winston Churchill High School graduate and former competitive hip-hop dancer, Friesen says that post-secondary research hadn't entered her mind until she jot a job through the Heritage Youth Research Student (HYRS) program while in grade 11, and wound up working for Dr. Gerlinde Metz at the CCBN for two co-op placements. She never dreamed that taking a job at an endangered wildlife facility would lead her to the equally wild world of fashion and pageants.

If she is successful as a winner or runner-up at MWC she has to fulfill a year-long commitment to the organization which could include a trip to compete at the Miss World competition in Indonesia, as well as a number of public engagements which would work around her school schedule.

Anyone interested in learning more about Becky's pageant process – or supporting her as a sponsor – can connect with her at becky.friesen@missworldcanada.com.

This story first appeared in the January 2013 edition of the Legend. To view the full issue in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Langevin takes year leave

trevor.kenney — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 23:25:41 +0000

On the heels of a season that saw an end to a six consecutive Canada West Championship run, 12-year ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorns women's rugby head coach Neil Langevin has announced that he will take a year leave from his head coaching duties.

Former Pronghorn and long-time assistant coach JJ Ondrus has been named the interim head coach for the 2013 season. While Langevin will not be the head coach next season, he will stay on as an assistant coach.

"Neil has done a great job not only developing the student-athletes in his time but also his coaches," says Executive Director of Sport and Recreation Services, Sandy Slavin. "JJ will do a great job, and having Neil around to help with the transition is an asset and will also free him up to concentrate on other areas of the program."

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

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 the 12 years, Langevin compiled a 41-21-0 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.

"The challenge to contend for a national title every year has become difficult as I have two active boys with increasingly busy schedules and a full-time job," says Langevin of his decision to take a year leave. "JJ will bring her own ideas and strengths to build the program back to a national contender. I am proud of her and am confident in her abilities."

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

Ondrus has been coaching with the program since her graduation. She's coached for over 10 years in the Southern Alberta High School Rugby League, most currently 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). Ondrus was an assistant coach for Rugby Alberta Senior and U23 Women at Rugby Nationals.

"I've been with the program since it started in 2000, so it is near and dear to my heart," says Ondrus. "I am very excited for my new role and cannot wait to bring my energy and ideas to the table. Neil has set the bar pretty high, but I know, as he does, that I am ready!"

The 2013 Canada West rugby schedule has yet to be released but the 'Horns will begin training camp in late August.

Rollingson made his mark

trevor.kenney — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 18:59:00 +0000

Once a fiery competitor with a burning desire to win on the court, Dr. Tim Rollingson (BSc '99) has turned in his hardwood high-tops for the white coat and drill of a dentist's office.

Utilizing that same passion and discipline that made him successful on the court, Rollingson turned his focus to establishing a similarly successful dental practice, located only minutes from the campus he called home for five years.

"I developed an understanding of the discipline that is required to become an expert in a field," says Rollingson about his time playing for the Pronghorns men's basketball team. "Spending hundreds of hours on a task became routine, rather than obscure."

Rollingson was the featured speaker at last spring's Pronghorn annual awards banquet, and it is very apparent how important his time with the Pronghorns still means to him. Reminiscing about his playing days, he delivered a message about discipline, establishing lasting friendships and giving back to the Pronghorn family that had given him so much.

Former Pronghorns guard Tim Rollingson in action against the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Saskatchewan.

"I developed true and life-long friends. Competing together creates priceless bonds and memories," says Rollingson. "Even after not seeing a teammate for several years, you still feel as close a bond to that person as you ever did. One of my favourite things to do is go out with a teammate and his family to catch up and reminisce about old times."

A southern Alberta product, Rollingson walked onto the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge campus in 1992 with an impressive list of credentials. He was the three-time Southern Alberta High School Basketball League scoring champion and two-time league MVP with Winston Churchill High School in Lethbridge, and still maintains the league single season scoring average record of 40.5 points per game.

During his freshman season with the Horns, he did not disappoint, becoming the first Pronghorn men's basketball player to win the Canada West Rookie of the Year award.

After a two year Latter Day Saints mission in Belgium, Rollingson returned to the program, captaining the 'Horns for his final three seasons. He left the program as the all-time Pronghorns assist leader with 374. While he now sits second on the career assist list, he remains among the top 15 in a number of other career categories, including hitting 150 three-point baskets, the second most in team history.

After completing his bachelor of science (biochemistry) at the U of L, Rollingson earned his doctor of dental surgery degree at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta in 2004 and returned to Lethbridge to begin his successful practice.

Rollingson enjoys continually learning and keeping up to date with the latest dental techniques and has completed many continuing education courses. He continues to study at the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies, and the Scottsdale Center for Dental Learning.

Now a father of four and a prominent member of the Lethbridge community, Rollingson has become a fixture in the stands at not only Pronghorn basketball games, but the hockey arena as well. He's commonly known as the "official dentist" of Pronghorn Athletics.

While his support for the current crop of Horns athletes is exceptional, it is not the only way in which he is impacting the community. As a coach and mentor, Rollingson is now passing on his expertise and passion to the next generation of basketball players, coaching girls' teams in the Lethbridge minor basketball system.

"I feel a true sense of being a member of the Pronghorn community and a need to pay back to the program, at least in some small part, for some of the benefits that I received," he says. "I truly enjoy my continued association with "my" team."

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

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