UNews - Saskatchewan

Busy weekend upcoming for Horns Athletics

trevor.kenney — Fri, 04 Oct 2013 18:23:28 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorns women’s hockey team took a small step back last season, missing the Canada West playoff party. On Friday night, the Horns will begin their quest to return to the post-season when they open the regular season against the defending Canada West champion UBC Thunderbirds at Nicholas Sheran Arena.

With 19 players returning from last season, the Horns have an experienced group, led by senior defenceman Glenda Edie and fourth-year defenders Courtney Minor and Katie Mucha. Add in the returning goaltending tandem of Crystal Patterson and Shauntelle Williams, and the Horns are in good shape in their own zone.

Despite being one of the lowest scoring teams in the conference last season, the Pronghorns possess a group of talented forwards and will need to score by committee to generate the offence needed to get them into the playoffs once again. Megan Bailey had a breakout season last year and her team leading 16 points tripled her output from the previous season. Third-year forward Kirsten Reeves led the Horns last season with 12 goals, putting her in a tie for third in the conference, and she will be leaned on heavily for production again this season.

With seven of their first eight games at home to start the year, the Horns have a great opportunity for a fast start.

Puck drop for both Friday and Saturday nights is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Nicholas Sheran Arena.

Horns Soccer

The Proghorns men's and women's soccer programs are both on the road this weekend, the men heading to Winnipeg to face the Wesmen, while the women are on the west coast to challenge the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Victoria and Fraser Valley.

Coming off a weekend split last weekend with the Mount Royal Cougars, the men’s soccer team is at 2-6-0 on the season. With seven games remaining in the season, the Horns are only four points out of a playoff spot.

The Horns, who have scored just seven goals in eight games, will need to generate more offense if they are to make a push to the post-season. Guilherme Costa leads the teams in goals with two, both coming from the penalty spot.

The Wesmen (2-4-2 CW), won just one of their first six games but earned four points last weekend in Calgary, beating the Dinos 3-2 before completing the trip with a 1-1 tie the next day.

On the women's front, the Horns (0-5-2) are still searching for their first victory of the season after suffering two losses in Saskatchewan last weekend, dropping a 2-0 decision to the Saskatchewan Huskies and 2-1 to the Regina Cougars.

Offensive production continues to be the Horns undoing so far this season, only scoring three goals thus far.

Defensively, the Horns have been solid, having only allowed 11 goals in seven games.

Friday night, the Horns face the Victoria Vikes (4-2-0), before travelling to Abbotsford on Saturday to meet up with the Fraser Valley Cascades (2-3-1).

Women's Rugby

Heading into the final weekend of the regular season, the Pronghorns women’s rugby team heads out on the road for a pair of games versus provincial rivals Calgary Dinos and Alberta Pandas.

Sitting at 1-1 and with a guaranteed spot in the Canada West Championship tournament (which the Horns host Oct. 18-20), this weekend’s results will determine the seeding for the Canada West semifinals.

Friday in Calgary, the Horns will have revenge on their mind when they face the Calgary Dinos (2-1). The Dinos ended the Horns' 22-game conference winning streak last season with a 31-18 win and then knocked the Horns out of title contention with a 33-32 victory in the Canada West semifinal in Edmonton.

The Horns are led by Kim Leavitt’s three tries, which places her in a tie for second in the conference, and Tiffany Wideen, who has taken over the kicking duties this season and has connected on three converts. For the Dinos, Natasha Loucks leads a balanced attack with three tries and Kate Scotland has connected on six converts and two penalty goals for 18 points.

Sunday, the Horns take on the defending Canada West champion Alberta Pandas (3-0). So far, the Pandas have yet to be tested. Following their 62-17 trouncing of the Dinos to open the season, the Pandas shut out both of their BC opponents on the road, beating the Victoria Vikes 49-0 and the UBC T-Birds 39-0.

Men's Basketball

Finally, the Horns men's basketball team will host MacEwan ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ for a pre-season tilt, Friday night at 7 p.m. in the 1st Choice Savings Centre gym.

MacEwan is currently an Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) team but will be joining Canada West next season. The matchup will be a solid first test for the Horns, who are itching to get into game action after a long practise schedule.

Horns soccer looks for weekend success

trevor.kenney — Fri, 27 Sep 2013 17:20:44 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorns men’s soccer team (1-5-0) returns to home field this weekend to host their Prairie Division rival Mount Royal ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Cougars in a pair of games at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Community Sports Stadium.

The ‘Horns will look to right the ship after losing both games last weekend on the road in Edmonton, falling to Prairie Division leaders, Alberta Golden Bears 2-0 and 4-0.

Through six conference games this season, goals have been hard to come by for the ‘Horns, being shutout in four games and scoring only four times total.

In only their second season in Canada West play, the Cougars have had some early success. They beat the UNBC Timberwolves last weekend, 2-0 at home, and currently sit in fourth place in the Prairie Division.

Defense has been the key to success for the Cougars. In their five conference games, Mount Royal has only surrendered six goals against, with both wins coming via shutouts. Offensively, the Cougars are led by Cody Cook, who has accounted for three of his team’s six goals.

This weekend will also mark the Cougars first ever trip to Lethbridge for conference action. Last season, the Cougars hosted the ‘Horns for a pair of games, winning both by 3-2 and 1-0 scores.

Kick-off for both Saturday's and Sunday’s matches is at 2:15 p.m.

Pronghorn women

Coming off their second consecutive tie, the Pronghorns women’s soccer team (0-3-2) heads out on the road in search of its first win of the season. The ‘Horns will make a two-game swing through Saskatchewan, facing the Saskatchewan Huskies and Regina Cougars.

The ‘Horns played only one game last weekend, battling to a 1-1 draw with the UNBC Timberwolves at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Community Stadium.

With only two goals in their first five games, the ‘Horns need to start capitalizing on their opportunities. The ‘Horns are actually fourth in the conference with shot attempts per game, averaging more than 15 per contest, but have had trouble converting their chances.

Saturday, the ‘Horns will get a stiff test in the undefeated Huskies (3-0-2). The Huskies have only surrendered three goals in five games so far, while scoring nine goals of their own.

The Cougars (2-2-1), who the ‘Horns will wrap up their trip against Sunday, are coming off a 3-0 loss to UBC and a scoreless draw with Trinity Western Spartans last weekend. Through their first five games, the Cougars have scored and allowed the exact same number of goals at six. They are led by Meagan Cormier, who has scored three of her team's six goals.

Conference explores preservation of Blackfoot history

trevor.kenney — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 15:45:22 +0000

A local group of researchers and First Nations cultural experts are meeting over the next two days (June 4-5) at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge to learn from each other about how to more proactively preserve ancient Blackfoot sites in southern Alberta in the face of future land development.

According to volunteer conference organizer Jerry Potts, a member of the Apatohsipiikuni (Northern Piikani, or Canadian) community, for more than a century archaeologists have recorded, studied and analyzed the remains left by Niitsitapii – the First Nations people of the area.

"This research has enhanced understanding of the material culture of ancient Niitsitapii and has contributed to the preservation and protection of many sites, but most often, these contributions are from a Western, scientific perspective and focus on the material remains – tipi rings, settlement sites and other physical reminders," says Potts. "This conference, the first of its kind in Alberta, brings the keepers of traditional knowledge together with archaeologists to develop the foundation a comprehensive understanding of how Niitsitapii lived with their landscape."

More than 150 participants are expected to attend over the two-day period.

Potts says that land-use studies by the Siksika, Kainai, Apatohsipiikuni (northern Piikani) and Ammskaapipiikuni (southern Piikani, or Montana-based Blackfeet) communities are using the knowledge of the elders to revive and preserve traditional knowledge about these places, integrating the physical remains with the spiritual aspects of the places.

"For millennia, Niitsitapii lived on the plains of the area that is now known as southern Alberta, southern Saskatchewan and Montana. Within this territory people not only found resources that provided sustenance for life, they also developed close spiritual relationships with aspects of the environment. These sites of historical, cultural and spiritual significance occur throughout the Blackfoot landscape," he says.

Some of the key points participants will discuss include:

- Ways to facilitate the integration of traditional knowledge with assessment and mitigation projects associated with resource and industrial development

- Processes to open discussions among archaeologists and Blackfoot representatives that will bring a Blackfoot perspective to their research

- How to bring a Blackfoot perspective to issues of public use and preservation of important locations on the Blackfoot landscape, leading to culturally-sensitive site management plans

- Ways to encourage students, both native and non-native, to participate and to gain an understanding of how archaeologists and Blackfoot may have different perspectives and how it is possible to work together.

Former educator invests in the future

trevor.kenney — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 21:37:55 +0000

Ida Wiens had a love of learning that motivated her to complete her education, drove a successful 36-year career as a teacher and inspired a gift that will help future teachers, like Chelsa Cumming.

Grateful for her own education and successful career in teaching, Wiens made a bequest in her will for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge to ensure more students had the opportunity to go to university.

Although Chelsa Cumming and the late Ida Wiens never met, they share a passion for education that has united them in a unique way.

Cumming is one of the first recipients of the Elmer and Ida Wiens Faculty of Education Bursary, which will help provide the financial means necessary to train the next generation of teachers. Thanks to this legacy gift, up to eight U of L education students will receive an award each year.

Now in her fifth year of university, 22-year-old Cumming has paid for her education by working part time and through student loans. From a financial standpoint, the bursary is of great help.

"It's easier knowing I'm not going to have to pay this back," she says. "It's really nice to have bursaries and scholarships available to help with the burden of paying for an education."

However, the bursary's real significance comes from its origin – the estate gift Elmer and Ida Wiens left to the U of L.

"Because Ida was a teacher, I love knowing that my education will help continue Ida's legacy," Cumming says. "For her to be able to give back to future teachers is awesome."

Like Cumming, Wiens also worked her way through school, completing high school by correspondence before being accepted to normal school in Regina.

Once she received her teaching certificate, Wiens taught in small schools throughout Saskatchewan and Alberta before settling in Coaldale in 1948. While she taught full time, she also completed a bachelor of education degree through the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta by taking classes over several summers.

For Cumming, her journey – teaching and learning – is really just beginning. This year she will complete her education and management degrees and final teaching practicum as well as a co-op for her business management degree. Once finished, she's hoping to further round out her experience by teaching abroad for six months to a year.

"I really want to make a difference in a child's life – that's the reason I went into education," says Cumming. "It's a very rewarding and important job. The students I will be teaching are our future."

New Chair in Aquatic Health Appointed

trevor.kenney — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 23:05:57 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge has added to its internationally recognized expertise in water research with the addition of a new Chair in Aquatic Health, Dr. Greg Pyle.

Pyle is the first of four new research Chairs being added to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ this year as part of the Government of Alberta's Campus Alberta Innovation Program (CAIP) Chairs plan. The government is contributing $1-million for four Chairs, over the course of seven years, for a total investment of $7 million.

"It's exciting to be able to bring in an outstanding research talent such as Dr. Pyle," says Dr. Dan Weeks, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's vice-president (research). "His established expertise in the effects of environmental contaminants on the chemical communication systems in aquatic animals will greatly add to the already comprehensive research portfolio that has been established by our researchers in the Water Institute for Sustainable Environments (WISE)."

Pyle comes to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ after spending the previous five years as head of the Aquatic Biotechnology and Ecotoxicology Laboratory at Lakehead ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ in Thunder Bay, Ont. His research program is considered unique because he is able to study several aquatic species, including both vertebrate and invertebrate animals, representing different positions within a typical freshwater food web and thereby better understanding the subtle effects of environmental contamination.

"The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge has been building a strong reputation in research over the past several years, especially in the aquatic sciences," says Pyle. "I am thrilled to be part of that growing research culture, and excited by the prospects afforded by the university and surrounding region."

Prior to taking up a Canada Research Chair in Environmental Biotechnology and Ecotoxicology at Lakehead, Pyle helped establish and build the Department of Biology at Nipissing ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. He earned both his bachelor and master's degrees from Laurentian ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and received his PhD from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Saskatchewan.

The CAIP Chairs plan is part of the Government of Alberta's Campus Alberta collaborative initiative and will provide research Chairs to Alberta's four Comprehensive Academic and Research Intensive (CARI) institutions: the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, Athabasca ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Calgary.

The U of L will also welcome CAIP Chairs in the areas of brain health and dementia, synthetic biology, and terrestrial ecosystems and remote sensing later this year. Pyle's appointment at the U of L is funded for seven years.

"The program is designed to recruit new research leaders to Alberta in specific areas of study," says Weeks. "Not only do these areas align with the Government of Alberta's strategic priorities, but they also reflect the core strengths of our institution."

RSS change a positive move

trevor.kenney — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 19:07:47 +0000

They say with change there is growth, and with growth there is opportunity.

The recent amalgamation of Risk and Safety Services (RSS) with Security Services elicits some exciting changes as RSS grows its portfolio.

As part of the changes, RSS is pleased to welcome Lorna Selinger, who is assuming the position of Biosafety Officer. Selinger graduated from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Saskatchewan with a bachelor of science degree in agriculture. She started her career with Eli Lilly and has held positions with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Saskatchewan, the province of Saskatchewan, Agrium and most recently with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

Selinger brings to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ a wealth of knowledge and significant experience in microbiology. She was highly involved in the design, implementation and training plans for compliance with containment Level 2/2+standards outlined in Containment, Biosafety and Biosecurity Guidelines as required by the Public Health Agency of Canada.

As the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's academic and research programs have expanded, the need to grow the biosafety program became evident. Selinger will be taking over the portfolio from Bruce McMullen, who diligently managed biosafety for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ since the early 1990s.

RSS also announced that Carolin Cattoi-Demkiw, who has successfully managed the radiation safety, chemical safety and laboratory safety program for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge since 2005, has been appointed Manager, Safety. Reporting to the director of Risk and Safety Services, Carolin is responsible for the supervision of the safety officers. She also assumes the management and oversight of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's safety program, which includes occupational health & safety, radiation, laser, chemical and laboratory safety as well as biosafety.

Lasting Images - Wilf Perreault

trevor.kenney — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 19:07:57 +0000

Wilf Perreault was born in 1947 in Albertville, Sask. While growing up in Saskatoon, he took art lessons from his neighbour, acclaimed prairie artist Ernest Lindner.

After graduating from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Saskatchewan in 1970, he taught high school art while developing his painting practice. Since his first solo exhibition at the MacKenzie Art Gallery in 1978, Perreault's work has been exhibited and collected across Canada and the United States. In 2003, Perreault was awarded the Queen's Jubilee Medal.

Wilf Perreault, Disappearing Curb, 1984. From the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Art Collection. Gift of Rick and Ellen Campbell, 1999.

Perreault is well known for his hyper-realistic depictions of back lanes and roadways, which focus on light, shadow and the minute details of mundane urban living. These painstakingly painted environments challenge traditional notions of beauty found in most picturesque landscape paintings, while also capturing a strong sense of place that makes them readily identifiable with Canada's Prairie region.

Wilf Perreault, Turn Right, 1981. From the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Art Collection. Gift of Jim Coutts, 2010.

Costa realizing academic, athletic dream

trevor.kenney — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 21:04:25 +0000

Sometimes all the recruiting efforts in the world pale in comparison to a word-of-mouth endorsement and a Google search.

Such was the case for Brazilian international student Guilherme Costa, who showed up on the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge doorstep this past January looking first for an opportunity to study kinesiology and physical education, and secondly to play soccer.

"A few years ago my brother did an international exchange through the Rotary International program and we hosted a girl from Edmonton at our house for five months," says Costa, a 24-year-old from Sao Paulo, Brazil.

"She introduced me to Canada, and I was amazed to learn about the people, the nature and everything that was here. I decided then to come to Canada; it was my dream."
He first landed in Vancouver, B.C. and spent eight months there before finding a university that suited his interests.

"I heard about the kinesiology program at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and about the chance to do research. Now that I've been here for almost a year, I just love it," says Costa. "I did an independent study when I earned my degree in Brazil and that's what I want to keep doing here, and I thought that Lethbridge would be the perfect spot."

International Brazilian student Gui Costa played a key role in the success of the Horns men's soccer team this past fall.

A third-year student in kinesiology, he comes from a family that values education and is extremely supportive of his goals. His father is an engineer, his mother a lawyer and his brother a doctor.

"My interest of study is in sport and rehabilitation," he says. "I want to work with metabolic disease in sports. We all know about the impact of physical activity in sport and metabolic disease, and I want to see how indoor sports like indoor soccer, volleyball and basketball have an impact on the body."

Coming from the world's seventh largest city in population, it is obviously a huge culture shift to arrive in a city of less than 100,000, but Costa seems at ease with the transition.

"It's a pretty calm city and I'm really enjoying that. Sao Paulo is so busy so we don't really have time for anything, and living here is pretty relaxing," he says. "I'm really looking forward to my parents coming here for Christmas. They're going to spend a month with me and we plan to travel all over Canada."

Costa grew up playing soccer and even looked at trying to play professionally in Brazil, but he prioritized education over sport, something that suits him well now as a Canada West student-athlete.

"It's been a little bit hard, because this was my first year and I've had to manage my soccer, my school and work, because I have to support myself here," he says of his job with Sodexo. He also plans to work on the Horns' game day staff team through the winter.

"I chose my classes well so that I could manage things and now that soccer season is over I plan to study and work more."

It was a banner year for the Horns men's team, which set a new team record for total points and equaled its best ever win total. That the team still fell one win shy of qualifying for the playoffs has Costa and his teammates eager for next season.

"I think we were all happy with what we did but at the same time we were frustrated because looking back, there were probably five games we should have won and didn't, and that was the difference at the end," says the first-year centre-midfielder. "So, we know we can do more next year and it makes us confident.

I think everyone wishes next season started tomorrow."

As with soccer and Costa's educational aspirations, this year is only a beginning.

"I want to finish my undergrad degree and then start a master's degree," he smiles. "I want to stay in Canada, that's my plan. Hopefully Canada will accept me."

In many ways, the country already has.

GET THE FACTS

· Horns men's soccer posted a 4-5-6 record on the year and finished three points behind the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Saskatchewan for the final Canada West playoff spot

· Costa played last summer with the Lethbridge Football Club in the Alberta Major Soccer League

· Many of the Horns will play together throughout the indoor soccer season, an opportunity to further develop their skill set for next fall

· Costa says he has no issue with the snow and cold he encounters in Canada but he could do without Lethbridge's winds. "It shocks me a little," he says

This story first appeared in the November 2012 issue of the Legend. To view the full issue in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Athletes of the week named

trevor.kenney — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 17:35:59 +0000

Matt Medoruma and Megan Bailey have earned honours as the Subway Pronghorn Athletes of the Week.

Medoruma, a fifth-year midfielder for the Horns men's soccer program, picks up the award for the second week in a row.

In what turned out to be his final weekend as a Pronghorn, he was arguably the best player on the field for both weekend games against the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Saskatchewan.

Medoruma had an assist on the Horns' lone goal in Saturday's 2-1 loss that bumped the team from playoff contention. He then scored the only goal in a 1-1 tie on Sunday.

Medoruma started all 15 games for the Horns this season and finished second in team scoring with two goals and four assists.

Bailey was a standout for the Horns women's hockey team as they picked up three of four points from the previously undefeated ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta Pandas this past weekend.

The third-year forward scored twice and added two assists for the Horns, and has already set a career high for points in a season in just seven games. She has four goals and three assists on the year and is a team-best plus-5.

Medoruma, Van Eeuwen earn awards

trevor.kenney — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 17:57:13 +0000

Matt Medoruma and Brandi Van Eeuwen have been named Subway Pronghorn Athletes of the Week following their efforts in Canada West play this past weekend.

Medoruma, a fifth-year midfielder playing the final home games of his Canada West career, led the Horns men's soccer team to a win and a tie against the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta, keeping the Horns playoff hopes alive.

Medoruma chipped in a valuable assist in the Horns' 2-0 victory over the Golden Bears on Saturday and was a force in the midfield Sunday as the U of L secured another point in its quest for a playoff spot.

The Horns head to face the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Saskatchewan this weekend, needing at least a win and a tie to overtake the Huskies for the final playoff position.

On the women's side, fifth-year prop Van Eeuwen capped her Horns career with a four-try performance against the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of British Columbia in the Canada West women's rugby bronze medal game.

Van Eeuwen was also named a 2012-13 Canada West All-Star for the fifth consecutive season.

UNews - Saskatchewan

Busy weekend upcoming for Horns Athletics

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