UNews - Olympics

Sci-Fusion 2013 hosted by U of L

trevor.kenney — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 16:52:56 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge will serve as the host site for SCI-FUSION 2013, the Lethbridge Regional Science Fair & Science Olympics, this weekend.

Presented by the Southern Alberta Technology Council (SATC), the event will take place on the track level of the 1st Choice Savings Centre for Sport and Wellness beginning Friday afternoon and wrapping up Saturday evening.

Students in Grades four to 12 will present science projects with the chance of being selected to receive cash prizes and awards.

This year, approximately 100 students will demonstrate more than 70 projects. The event requires more than 50 judges and volunteers, many from the U of L faculty, staff and alumni community.

Up to four top students in the Grade 7 to 12 divisions will be chosen to represent Lethbridge at the Canada-Wide Science Fair, also taking place at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, May 11-18, where up to $1 million in cash, prizes and scholarships will be awarded.

Science Fair projects

Science fair projects encourage students to focus on a science question or problem, conduct research, construct and test a hypothesis, analyze data and then draw conclusions.

Further, students are challenged to communicate their results to science fair judges who will determine the students' level of understanding of their project. Projects have been pre-registered and are presented individually or with a partner. Participation in science fair projects has been known to lead to a life-long interest in science and has influenced many a career choice.

Science Olympics

Four-person teams work together to solve a hands-on science challenge. (In 2012, students worked against the clock to build the longest self-supporting Pinocchio nose). Divisions for the Science Olympics competition are Grades 4 to 6, 7 to 9 and 10 to 12.

This year, the event features 140 youth who take part in a surprise science challenge competition and are supported by more than 30 U of L Faculty of Education students, co-ordinated by Cynthia Greenfield, a local educator on secondment to the Faculty of Education, as well as a SATC volunteer.

To view the SCI-FUSION schedule, visit: https://secure.youthscience.ca/sfiab/lethbridge/index.php

For more information about Canada-Wide Science Fair, visit: http://cwsf.youthscience.ca

Schori sees no limits

trevor.kenney — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 20:47:46 +0000

Peter Schori has no qualms about saying he has long coveted the head coaching position with the Pronghorns swim team. Similarly, he has no problem declaring that there are no limits to what this team can achieve.

"I am absolutely thrilled to be here," says Schori, who was born in Gainesville, Fla. but grew up primarily in Calgary. "I've wanted this job for a long time and I can't wait to see what we can do in the next few years."

New head swim coach Peter Schori is enthused about the future of the Horns swimming program.

Schori comes to the U of L having worked wonders with the Marlin Aquatic Club in Medicine Hat the last 11 years. Schori had left an assistant's role with Calgary's Cascade Swim Club to go to Medicine Hat in 2001, seeking a head coaching position and smaller community to set down roots.

Since then, he has been busy putting the Marlin club on the map, producing elite level swimmers that included both world championship and Olympic participants.

"What we were able to do in Medicine Hat is pretty unique in terms of producing the high performance swimmers we did out of a tiny club and tiny town," says Schori. "I went in there with the belief, and I told them this, "You can get there from here, you don't have to be in Calgary", and they did. "Honest to goodness, I don't see a limit in terms of what we can accomplish here in Lethbridge."

Schori coveted the Horns job because it allows him to grow professionally and move into a high performance setting. His work in Medicine Hat was primarily with pre post-secondary swimmers and he's excited about the chance to work with young men and women.

"The facilities here are great, the size of the community is awesome and there's just a different feel to a university community than a city or town that does not have a university," he says.

His wife Staci (BFA '08, BEd '10) is a U of L alumna and the couple just recently welcomed daughter Willow into their lives.

A competitive swimmer growing up, Schori is quick to downplay his talents in the pool.

"My standard line is that if I get in the water I lose credibility," he deadpans, admitting that he actually fell just shy of a national caliber level.

What he learned as a swimmer who almost made it is reflective in the way he coaches today.

"I was good enough to understand the sport very well but I had my shortcomings, and I think if I'd had a little more support in terms of coaching, it would have helped me at the time," he says. "Some people can use the experience of going to an Olympics to help teach, whereas I can bring the experience of some of the things I struggled with to help teach."

Schori isn't blind to the challenges he faces. His Canada West rivals at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Calgary and ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of British Columbia boast National Training Centres, while American colleges and universities have come into Lethbridge and wooed some of the best young swimmers away from the Horns program. But he's willing to fight the fight and believes the Horns can win a few battles along the way.

"It's tough when an American school can come here offering $120,000 in scholarship money but at the end of the day, that's just four years of schooling, and we can provide that too," Schori says. "We have everything we need here. What we need to do is convince the best student/athlete swimmers that this will be the environment that they can achieve their true potential."

This story first appeared in the September 2012 issue of the Legend. For a look at the full issue in a flipbook format, follow this link.

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ individuals earn Jubilee medal

trevor.kenney — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 04:54:39 +0000

Community leaders and volunteers from Lethbridge and southern Alberta -- including a number of individuals with ties to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge -- were honoured today with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.

The medals were presented by His Honour, Col. [Ret'd] the Honourable Donald S. Ethell at a ceremony at the Galt Museum in Lethbridge.

"The Diamond Jubilee Medal is presented to citizens who share our Queen's commitment to service," said Lieutenant Governor Ethell.

"These community leaders have dedicated themselves to enhancing the quality of life in Southern Alberta and across the province and they have earned the recognition and thanks of their fellow citizens."

BACKGROUND AND BRIEF BIOGRAPHIES -- Recipients of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, September 6, 2012, Lethbridge, Alberta

The following individuals were presented with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal by Lieutenant Governor Donald S. Ethell at the Galt Museum in Lethbridge on September 6, 2012.

The Hon. Raymond Speaker (Enchant)- Honorary Degree recipient, 2003

Ray Speaker enjoyed a long and distinguished political career at the provincial and federal levels and, after retiring from politics, he also served the nation as a Member of the Security Intelligence Review Committee. He is an Officer of the Order of Canada and a Member of Privy Council.

Henry Bergen (Coaldale) Honorary Degree recipient, 2008

Henry Bergen is an agricultural innovator whose engineering developments have resulted in important cost savings for producers while increasing crop yields and reducing negative impacts on the land. He is a Member of the Order of Canada and the Alberta Order of Excellence.

Reginald Bibby (Lethbridge) U of L Faculty member

Reginald Bibby is a leading national and international scholar in the field of sociology whose work has enhanced our understanding of Canadian identity. He is a professor at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and a founding director of the Alberta Centre for Child, Family and Community Research. He is an Officer of the Order of Canada.

Sergeant (Ret'd) Clarence Cluff (Coaldale)

Clarence Cluff served overseas during the Second World War as a member of the 20th Independent Field Battery, RCA, Lethbridge, continues to serve in his capacity as Honourary Senior Gunner and has been an active community volunteer. Following an invitations to travel to England and meet the Queen and Princess Anne he came to be known by the Royal Family as "the Alberta Rancher".

Karen Collin BMgt '86 (Lethbridge)

Karen Collin is a key organizer at the Annual Lethbridge Dragonboat Festival and a quiet volunteer who does a great deal for the community. She is a volunteer dragonboating coach, helps to get other coaches on board and serves as a flag person at the events.

Irma Dogterom (Lethbridge)

Irma Dogterom is a researcher and author who has played a vital role in ensuring that Lethbridge residents realize the importance of their history. She was instrumental in efforts to have Legacy Ridge streets named after important women from Lethbridge history and she has been a long term board member of the Lethbridge Historical Society.

Leonard Haney (Picture Butte) Honorary Degree recipient, 2005

Leonard Haney is a noted seed grower and cattleman who has offered valued contributions in agriculture. He has also been a longstanding community volunteer with organizations such as the Lethbridge School Division and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge. He is a Member of the Order of Canada and the Alberta Order of Excellence.

Jane Harris-Zsovan (Lethbridge)

In her role as Social Media Coordinator for the Monarchist League of Canada Jane Harris-Zsovan has been successful in the use of social media to promote the Crown in Canada.

James Horsman (Medicine Hat) U of L Chancellor Emeritus and Honorary Degree recipient,2004

Jim Horsman enjoyed a distinguished tenure as an Alberta MLA and Cabinet Minister. He has been a tireless volunteer, particularly in education, who has served institutions such as Medicine Hat College and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge. He is a Member of the Order of Canada and the Alberta Order of Excellence.

Darcie James (Lethbridge)

Darcie James served for 28 years as a police officer and has been an active community volunteer. She was among the first female officers in Lethbridge and was the first to achieve the rank of Staff Sergeant. Now retired, she is manager of the Lethbridge Region Police Service's Victim Services Unit and is president of VSU Alberta.

June Kometz (Lethbridge)

For many years, June Kometz has shown her deep sense of Canadian spirit and national pride through her longstanding service spearheading the annual Canada Day Celebrations in Lethbridge.

Les Manning (Medicine Hat)

Les Manning is a noted artist, teacher and arts advocate. He helped develop ceramics studies at the Banff Centre for the Arts into an internationally respected artist residency program and has offered valued contributions to programs at Medalta Potteries National Historic Site. He is a Member of the Order of Canada.

Sheriff Troy MacKay (Lethbridge)

Troy MacKay is an Alberta Sheriff who has been a member of the public service for 14 years. He has provided distinguished support to the Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta since 2000 and also serves as longstanding volunteer with Alberta Special Olympics.

Irwin Kenneth McNeely (Lethbridge)

Irwin Kenneth McNeely served with the 39th Field Battery, RCA, Lethbridge during the Second World War and has been and active member of the Royal Canadian Legion for over 50 years. He has been a dedicated volunteer who is committed to making his city, province and nation a better place for live and raise a family.

Warrant Officer (Ret'd) Glenn Miller (Lethbridge)

WO (Ret'd) Glenn Miller is a great friend to the veterans of southwestern Alberta. His extensive research has added to the military history and heritage of the artillery in Lethbridge and his work as a visitor to schools, museums, the Legion and seniors homes helps to keep alive our military history and the memory of those who have served. He is Constituency Manager for MLA Bridget Pastoor.

Robert Elliot Moors (Lethbridge)

Following service with the Canadian Armed Forces, Bob Moors returned to Lethbridge for duties with the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires where he is presently a Chief Warrant Officer. He is a member of the Army, Navy and Air Force Association and has been a longstanding volunteer on behalf of his fellow veterans and the community as a whole.

Ian Morgan CD and Faye Morgan CD (Okotoks)

Ian and Faye Morgan have been longstanding community volunteers. They have donated countless hours working with the Alberta Summer Games, helping at community flu shot centres and contributing their time, energy and expertise to the Naval Museum in Calgary.

Lloyd (Loye) Olsen (Cardston)

Loye Olsen, along with his magnificent horses and horse drawn carriages, is a regular fixture at parades, rodeos and special events in Southwestern Alberta. He has donated countless hours over the years leading his horses and carriages and carrying dignitaries and others through parades in virtually every town in the region.

Margaret Roberts (Lethbridge)

Margaret Roberts is a very active and highly regarded member of the Friends of the Galt Museum who has volunteered in every department of the facility and in virtually every capacity, big and small. She was instrumental in planning the Galt's Centennial Celebrations.

Dr. Kenneth Sauer (Medicine Hat)

Kenneth Sauer has made great contributions as a volunteer in the areas of health, sport and community service, both in the community of Medicine Hat and at the provincial level. He is a Member of the Order of Canada and the Alberta Order of Excellence.

Joan Stebbins (Lethbridge) Honorary Degree recipient, 2009

Joan Stebbins established the Southern Alberta Art Gallery as one of Canada's leading contemporary art institutions and has been highly successful in making contemporary art accessible to the public. She is a Member of the Order of Canada and recipient of the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Distinguished Artist Award.

Constable Blaine Stodolka (Lethbridge)

Constable Blaine Stodolka has offered 23 years of exemplary service to the crown through his policing career. He has done extensive work with community groups involved with crime prevention initiatives and has made significant contributions through his volunteer work with the Special Olympic and Safety City Organizations.

Robert Tarleck (Lethbridge)

Bob Tarleck was the 34th Mayor of the City of Lethbridge and has been a great friend to the people and institutions of Lethbridge and surrounding areas. He served as director of volunteers for the Alberta Summer Games in Lethbridge and his efforts to establish positive relations between the City of Lethbridge and Alberta's First Nations led to him being honoured by the Kainai with a name meaning "Owner of Many Horses".

Lorne Vaughan

Citation unavailable at time of publication.

London Games a change in focus

trevor.kenney — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 22:22:57 +0000

This was supposed to be Jim Steacy's Olympics. It was supposed to be his time to strive for the podium, until debilitating foot and ankle injuries took away nearly two years of his training.

But you won't hear any complaints coming from Steacy (BASc '09), who will be competing in his second Olympic Games in London. Instead, you'll get the perspective of an athlete who knows just how fortunate he is to have the chance to perform on the Olympic stage.

"I really feel grateful going in," says Steacy, the eight-time national hammer throw champion, Canadian record holder and Horns Athletics product. "There's 45 athletes on the track team and only seven of us who have been on the team before, so to have the opportunity again is a blessing and not something I take for granted."

Horns alumnus Jim Steacy still sees himself as a medal contender if he can earn his way into the finals in London.

Injuries have not made Steacy bitter; rather they have reinforced his will and put into perspective just what it means to be an Olympian.

"After the injuries that I had in 2010 and 2011, it was seriously in question as to whether or not I'd make the Olympic team again or even if I would compete again," he says.

"It's been a rough four years but it's taught me to appreciate things a lot more and to take things for granted a lot less. Getting to do what I do is something that one percent of one percent of people get to do, so I'm definitely proud and honoured to be a part of the team again."

Competing in Beijing in 2008, Steacy qualified for the Olympic final and managed a respectable 12^th-place finish. For a 24-year-old in a sport where age and experience play huge roles, he was seen to be on the fast track to a podium performance in London. A broken foot and torn ankle ligaments have changed the expectation level.

"A medal opportunity is definitely a possibility in 2016 if he continues to throw. Making the final this year would be a good stepping stone in that direction," says his coach Larry Steinke. "He had 18 to 20 months where he wasn't able to train, period, and there's no shortcut to getting back to the top level. It's simply a matter of time, getting the volume of throws in and getting the timing back – it takes time."

Steacy echoes the words of his coach and is fully committed to being ready to attack the podium in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

"I'm not going to be at my peak performance or at my prime in London, so for me, a successful experience is making it into the final," he says. "I'll try and claw my way in, throw a season's best and if I do that, it'll be a tremendously successful experience. So the shift in focus is to four years from now in Rio. If I can stay healthy and do things right in training and rehab, there's no reason I shouldn't be on the podium."

Steacy eyes Rio 2016 as his next target, hoping for an injury free future.

Steacy is grateful for the support he's been shown over the years, and especially during the struggles of the past two years.

"Being an athlete and trying to get to this level is not an individual thing. You have to rely so much on your family and friends, coaches, your physio teams to get there," he says, giving a nod to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community that came out to support the athletes at an Olympic Send-off Celebration before the group jetted to London.

"Knowing you have the support of the community behind you, you wan to do well for them. They took the time out of their day to come wish us well and we want to thank them and perform well for them."

Competition Schedule

Hammer Throw Qualifying – Friday, Aug. 3 at 11:20 a.m. GMT (5:20 a.m. MDT)

Hammer Throw Final – Sunday, Aug. 5 at 8:20 p.m. GMT (2:20 p.m. MDT)

Bursting onto a new stage

trevor.kenney — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 22:16:15 +0000

Heather Steacy is a performance artist who has seen the stage as an elite athlete and musician. She's acutely aware that the stage she's about to enter is grander than anything she's ever seen before.

Steacy will join her brother Jim Steacy (BASc '09) as a hammer thrower, representing Canada at the London Olympic Games this month. While the Horns Athletics product has already represented her country at the World ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Games and the IAAF World Track Championships, the Olympics are on another level.

"I honestly don't know what to expect," says the 24-year-old Canadian champion. "Everyone who has been to the Olympics that I've talked to says that they can't describe it, it really is something you have to experience for yourself and I'm excited about that."

Heather Steacy is the two-time Canadian champion in hammer throw.

Steacy is on virtually the same schedule as her older brother, who experienced his first Olympics at age 24. The goal for him then, and her now, was to soak in the atmosphere, try and make it out of qualifying and build for a medal run in four years.

"I would love to make it to the finals and seeing Jim have that success in 2008 is very encouraging because I see that it as a possibility," says Steacy. "I think that's the main goal, hopefully throw a personal best and anything beyond that, I'm just really excited for the experience."

Steacy is peaking at the right time. She threw her personal best of 72.16 metres and achieved the Olympic A-Plus Standard in her first meet of this season, allowing her to focus her summer on training and gaining strength, rather than grinding to qualify for the Olympic team.

"It was a huge relief to meet that standard the first meet of the season," she says. "It's allowed me to train towards London instead of train towards getting that standard."

Steacy has an obvious mentor in brother Jim but says she hasn't sat down and discussed specifics about performing on the Olympic stage.

"Having spent all of my time training with him and living with him I think I've just learned by osmosis," she says. "He's also really good at letting me learn my own way and not just imposing his way of thinking on me. But it definitely takes some of the pressure off knowing I'll have somebody there who I'm comfortable with."

Her first Olympic experience is seen as a stepping stone to the future.

Jim is excited to relive the innocence of his first Olympic experience through his sister.

"That's going to be so much fun. Having gone through it already, it's going to be cool to watch her do it too and see how much it throws her," he says. "It's a whole different animal than watching it on TV – a shocking experience."

She says she plans to feed off the local support shown at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's Olympic Send-off Celebration held before the team headed off to London.

"It's really cool and really encouraging to have so many people from the community come out for something like this and show their support," she says. "We know, in the backs of our minds that it's there, but to have them come out like this – it's really nice."

Competition Schedule

Hammer Throw Qualifying – Wednesday, Aug. 8 at 10 a.m. GMT (4 a.m. MDT)

Hammer Throw Final – Friday, Aug. 10 at 7:35 p.m. GMT (1:35 p.m. MDT)

Chance to wish our Olympians well

trevor.kenney — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 21:10:35 +0000

The Lethbridge Sport Council and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge have partnered to host a community send-off for a group of athletes who are participating in the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics which take place July 27 – Aug. 12 and Aug. 29 - Sept. 9 in London, England.

Paralympic swimmer Zach McAllister has been named to the Canadian team to compete in London this summer, while hammer throwers Jim Steacy and Heather Steacy, and javelin thrower Liz Gleadle are participating in Track and Field events.

Larry Steinke, Track Coach with Pronghorn Athletics at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, will be attending the 2012 London Olympics after being selected as Throws Coach by Athletics Canada.

The community is invited to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, Upper Track of the 1st Cloice Savings Centre for Sport and Wellness on Monday, July 16 at 12:30 p.m. for a brief send-off ceremony.

A large Canadian flag will be available for signing, and will travel with the athletes to London.

Meet the athletes and wish them good luck on their journey!

The dates and times of the athletes' appearances on TV (local/mountain time in brackets) are listed below, along with brief biographies.

Athlete bios

James Steacy (men's hammer)

Competing: Qualifying – Aug. 3 at 11:20 a.m. GMT (5:20 a.m. MDT)
Finals – Aug. 5 at 8:20 p.m. GMT (2:20 p.m. MDT)

Steacy (28) (BASc '09), a Lethbridge, Alta. and Winston Churchill High School product, is one of the most decorated athletes in Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) history. During his time as a Pronghorn track athlete, Steacy was undefeated in the weight throw, winning five Canada West and five CIS titles. He also captured three Canada West shot put titles and won three gold medals and one silver medal in shot at the CIS level. He last competed for the Horns in 2009.

The Canadian record holder in the men's hammer throw at 79.13m, Steacy set the mark at the 2008 Chinook Throws Gala. That season also marked his first Olympic appearance where he qualified for the Olympic final in Beijing, China and finished 10th overall.

Steacy, coached by Larry Steinke of the Chinook Track and Field Club, is the eight-time defending national champion in hammer throw.

Heather Steacy (women's hammer)

Competing: Qualifying - Aug. 8 at 10 a.m. GMT (4 a.m. MDT)
Finals – Aug. 10 at 7:35 p.m. GMT (1:35 p.m. MDT)

Steacy (24), a Lethbridge, Alta. and Winston Churchill High School product, heads to her first Olympics after dominating the competition at the Canada West and CIS levels in recent years. Steacy has won four Canada West weight throw titles to go along with two CIS gold, one silver and one bronze medal. She last competed for the Horns in 2011 when she was the Canada West gold medalist and CIS silver medalist.

Steacy won her second consecutive Canadian Track and Field Championship hammer throw title this spring with a throw of 70.48 metres and achieved her personal best of 72.16m at the Sun Angel Classic in Tempe, AZ earlier this year.
Steacy is coached by Larry Steinke of the Chinook Track and Field Club.

+++++

Elizabeth Gleadle (women's javelin)

Competing: Qualifying – Aug. 7 at 10 a.m. GMT (4 a.m. MDT)
Finals – Aug. 9 at 9 p.m. GMT (3 p.m. MDT)

Gleadle (23), originally from Vancouver, came to Lethbridge to train with throws coach Larry Steinke this past year, taking time away from her kinesiology studies at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of British Columbia. She won gold at the 2012 Canadian Track and Field Trials with a throw of 60.13 metres, establishing a new meet record. Her personal best of 61.15 metres was set earlier this year at a National Track League event in Burnaby, B.C. It also stands as the Canadian record.

"I took this year off so I could make London," she told the Calgary Herald. "I took time off school, I moved cities; I did everything I was supposed to do. I napped, ate, slept some more, trained really hard, everything I was told to do by my coach (Larry Steinke). I trust him completely and it really paid off."

She'll be the first Canadian woman to compete in javelin at the Olympics since Seoul 1988, ironically, the year of her birth.

+++++

Zachary McAllister (men's swimming 400m freestyle S8)

Competing: Qualifying – Aug. 31 at 9:30 a.m. GMT (3:30 a.m. MDT)
Finals – Aug. 31 at 5:30 p.m. GMT (11:30 a.m. MDT)

McAllister (18), a Lethbridge native and Lethbridge Collegiate Institute product, has come up through the Lethbridge Amateur Swim Club (LASC). He will be representing Canada at the Paralympic Games, Aug. 29 to Sept. 9 in London.

The Canadian record holder in the men's S8 400-metre freestyle event, McAllister earned his spot on the Paralympic Games team by swimming his personal best and Canadian record time of four minutes, 49 seconds at the Olympic Trials in Montreal this spring.

McAllister represented Canada at the Para Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mex. in fall 2011, and after enrolling at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge in January 2012, attended meets in Los Angeles, Colorado and Sheffield, England. McAllister's disability is a condition by which he has too many bones in his limbs, thereby restricting growth and range of motion in both his arms and legs.

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Coach -- Larry Steinke (BA '94)

Steinke has been running the most prominent throws program in Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) for years and has been consistently involved with Canada's elite athletes at the international level.

He began his national team affiliation as part of the 2007 Pan Am Games coaching staff and has since been to the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the 2010 World Junior Track Championships, the 2010 Commonwealth Games and each of the 2009 and 2011 World Track & Field Championships.

He currently coaches three Olympians in Jim Steacy, Heather Steacy and Liz Gleadle and is a proud alumnus of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and head coach of the Horns track program.

Wish our Olympians well

trevor.kenney — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 18:18:05 +0000

Olympic prize in sight

trevor.kenney — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 19:07:06 +0000

As one of the most decorated female rugby athletes in the brief history of the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS), Ashley Steacy (neé Patzer, she recently married fellow Pronghorn athlete and CIS champion, track athlete Sean Steacy) is just starting to make her mark on the world women's rugby scene.

The two-time CIS Player of the year and three-time CIS Champion has become a permanent fixture with both the Senior National full squad and Sevens teams with one goal in mind: representing Canada at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

"Thinking about the possibility of going to the Olympics is pretty surreal," says Steacy. "It's a very recent goal of mine and is still pretty far in the future, but I'm trying not to think too much about the end goal, and instead focus on the smaller steps leading up to it."

A relatively unknown local Lethbridge product, Steacy burst onto the university scene in the fall of 2005, being named both the Canada West and CIS rookie of the year, and serving notice to Rugby Canada that she was an athlete worth watching. She's thankful to have been able to use CIS sport as a springboard for success.

Ashley Steacy is a fixture with the Canadian National Senior Women's Rugby program.

Despite taking time off to focus on her national team commitments and to play in New Zealand, Steacy will graduate this fall with a bachelor of arts in kinesiology.

"I love being in an environment that continually pushes me to be better and learn new things," says Steacy. "Being able to compete in my sport while receiving an education has meant the world to me. I wouldn't change or trade any part of my CIS experience.

Steacy made her national team debut on the Sevens side in February 2006 and the full squad in October 2007.

The offensive dynamo had her world coming out party at the 2009 Sevens World Cup in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Steacy finished fourth in tournament scoring with a team best 38 points. In the six-game event, she scored four tries and made nine converts, the second most in the tournament.

Last fall, despite breaking her hand only eight weeks prior, she suited up for the national senior team at the Women's Rugby World Cup in England. The team finished a disappointing fifth in the tournament but Steacy, as one of the youngest players on the team, is expected to be one of a handful of players that will make up the core group going forward.

Starting in January 2012 the national program will be centralizing for five months, with all the carded athletes moving to Victoria, B.C. During this time they will be training together five days a week and attend four tournaments, including a newly created Canadian event. Vegas Sevens and Hong Kong Sevens are two of the other tournaments on the schedule.

After five seasons in the CIS, Steacy amassed an impressive resumé that included numerous individual accolades, but her most cherished memories are the team successes she achieved with the Horns.

"The CIS has given me the opportunity to learn and grow not only as an athlete but as a person as well," says Steacy. "I've learned many life lessons over my 5 years here. Playing at a high level in my sport has definitely been the highlight of my university experience."

UPDATE: Steacy, along with current Pronghorn standout Kayla Moleschi (Canada West Rookie of the Year) played for the Canadian Sevens side that won the first ever IRB Women's Sevens Challenge Cup. The Canadians defeated England 26-7 to capture the title at the eight-team tournament Saturday,Dec. 3 propelling Canada to the top of the world women's sevens rankings. Two other Pronghorns, Kelsey Willoughby (2010 Canada West Player of the Year) and Brittany Orr played for the Maple Leaf side that also competed in the tournament.

Steacy on record run

trevor.kenney — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 22:29:20 +0000

If you didn't hear Heather Steacy's name last year, it wasn't because the Pronghorns track and field star suddenly fell back to the pack and wasn't the dominating force we've learned to expect. Instead, Steacy was just bolstering herself for a record assault that is now in full bloom.

The two-time CIS gold medal champion in weight throw (indoor) stepped away from the CIS stage last year, focusing instead on training for the hammer throw and the summer outdoor season. While it took her out of competition for nearly a full calendar year, Steacy has returned to the indoor scene with a vengeance. At the Feb. 5 Bison Classic at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Manitoba, Steacy became the first woman in CIS history to break the 20-metre barrier, doing so twice as she easily won the gold medal.

"Technically, I'm a lot more consistent now," says the 22-year-old Steacy. "I felt before that I was always disappointed with the distances. I wasn't disappointed with the end result and the wins, but nothing ever felt consistent with how I was throwing. Now I feel like I'm in a much better place. It really comes with experience, repetition and knowing your body and how it moves."

That consistency is evident in her results. Two weeks before the Bison Classic, Steacy set a new personal best mark with a throw of 19.24 metres at the Golden Bear Classic. In Winnipeg she bettered that mark on all four of her qualifying throws and topped the 20-metre barrier with throws of 20.16m and 20.28m (a new Alberta provincial record). To put her dominance into context, the silver-medal winning throw was 13.99m.

"It was hard to step away last season because I knew I wouldn't be competing for almost an entire year," says Steacy. "From summer of 2009 until last summer, was a long time between competitions. In terms of training, it made so much sense. With hammer throw you need loads of volume, thousands of throws to get anything set, so it was definitely worth it."

The ultimate goal for the music major is to take her hammer throw prowess to the Olympic stage. Still a youngster for her sport, she is right on track for an Olympic appearance.

"I'm hoping to go to London in 2012, but I'm more looking forward to competing at the Rio Olympics in 2016," she says. "I would really like to go to London to get that experience under my belt and get a chance to see what it's like so I can know what to expect if I get to go to Rio."

In the meantime, she's branching out academically at the U of L, taking a variety of language classes to enhance her musical skills. She feels the knowledge of language will come in handy as she continues to take her talents to meets around the world. This spring, after competing at the Canada West and CIS championship meets, she'll represent Canada at the World ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Games in Shenzhen, China. In August, she hopes to be throwing hammer at the World Track and Field Championships in Daegu, South Korea.

The Canada West Track Championships are Feb. 25-26 in Winnipeg.

For a look at the February issue of the Legend in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Swimming at the heart of Nicol family

trevor.kenney — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 18:57:52 +0000

Rarely a day goes by when Dr. Chris Nicol does not have a busy schedule. And yet, in between the phone calls, meetings and deadlines, Nicol makes a point to keep one window of time open for just himself – call it pool maintenance.

You'll find Nicol in the U of L's Max Bell Regional Aquatic Centre pool nearly every lunch hour, swimming his customary two kilometres before getting back to his duties as dean of the Faculty of Arts & Science. Go a little earlier in the day and you'll likely catch his son, third-year history major, Jeffrey, training with the Pronghorns swim team. It wasn't too long ago that Nicol's wife Lorraine, a research associate in the Economics Department and PhD student in water management, was also a pool regular.

Swimming has been at the heart of everything the Nicol family has done for the better part of the last 15 years, and with Jeffrey (20) just hitting his prime and younger sister Rachel (17) blowing up on the international scene this past summer, it promises to be a central focus moving forward.

"There wasn't really any grand design to turn them all into competitive swimmers," Chris says of his children. Don't forget 19-year-old Alastair, who also swam competitively before turning his focus to music. "At an early age though, because Lorraine and I were quite often at the pool, it was an obvious family activity to do."

Lorraine Nicol, left, Jeffrey Nicol, centre, and Chris Nicol, right, have been able to balance the demands of both athletics and ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ.

It runs in the genes, as Chris was a highly competitive swimmer in his native Scotland before coming to Canada to compete for Queen's ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ while achieving his master's and PhD degrees. A breaststroker, Chris placed third in the Ontario university championships in the 100m breast and would later win both the 100m and 200m breast events in the inaugural World Masters Games in Toronto in 1985.

By the time he met and married Lorraine, they were working at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Regina and swimming had become a big part of both of their lives. The kids naturally took to the water and when competitive swimming called, the parents, just as naturally, worked it into their routine. When the couple moved to Lethbridge 10 years ago, Lorraine set aside certain career aspirations and made swimming the focus. She was president of the L.A. Swim Club for four years and a member of the board for a total of six.

"For parents who are so connected to their kids through a sport like this, the act of parenting, I think, becomes exceptionally easy," says Lorraine. "I can't remember when I've ever had an argument with my kids.

"You spend so much time with them that they know how much we've supported their sport. I wouldn't call them sacrifices but if I'd made other career choices, I would not have had that flexibility to spend 30 to 40 hours a week with them and their swimming."

The sport has literally taken them around the globe. Switzerland, Luxembourg, England, Spain, Costa Rica, and just this past summer, Singapore and Hawaii, have all been visited to attend various meets and training camps.

"I don't think we've ever taken a holiday that hasn't been connected to a swim meet," says Lorraine.

All the while, the couple has had to balance their own academic careers and instill a work ethic in their children that speaks to both athletics and studies.

"You get efficient at using your time," says Chris. "These guys have picked up on that, having seen how we operate, in terms of if we have work to do, you get down to it."

Jeffrey, who achieved personal best times in each of his long course swims in Victoria this past spring, says the student-athlete balance isn't always easy.

"I'd say the hardest year was Grade 12 when I really had to bear down and focus on my ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ," he says. "My swimming suffered that year, I didn't post any best times, but it paid off in that it got me the marks I needed to get into a good university."

The discipline of elite competitive swimming transfers well into the world of academia.

"You don't always see immediate results in the work you put in," says Chris. "Sometimes you have to put in a bit more time than you thought but you have to stick at it and not give up. They've obviously learned that with swimming. When it comes to the academic side, maybe we have to do a bit more convincing, but I think they're getting the message."

Whether Rachel keeps tradition alive and comes to the U of L next fall remains to be seen, but with Jeffrey still going strong with the Horns and both Chris and Lorraine busy with their roles at the U of L, expect to see the Nicol family as regulars in the pool area for the foreseeable future.

"I can't even describe how incredible a journey this has been, and it has helped both Chris and I grow as individuals and as parents as well," says Lorraine. "And to hear them still say, after so many ups and downs and injuries and highs and lows, that they are still excited to swim – I love hearing that, because then we know the journey is just beginning."

GET THE FACTS

· Jeffrey made huge strides with the Horns program last season. "From my perspective, he made a major transition and ramped things up to a whole new level," says Chris, as Jeffrey jumped from top-20 status to top-10 in the national 200m breaststroke rankings. "In terms of where he was last year to this year, he's gone to another tier on the national scene."

· Rachel exploded as an international star this past summer, winning three medals (gold, two bronze) at the Youth Olympics in Singapore.

· Both Jeffrey and Rachel benefit from work with sports psychologists, while Chris and Lorraine have provided the pair with tutors, many of which are Education students at the U of L, to help with schooling.

· Chris has been dean of the Faculty of Arts & Science for 10 years. Lorraine, who has two master's degrees, is currently in her second year of a PhD studying biosystems and biodiversity.

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