8 sports awards dont impress scouts Accolades recognise skill, don't lead to future SUCCESS = By CHELSEA LIU C ollege athletes say it takes more than awards to propel them into a future career in sports. Langara Falcons soccer player, Giulia Repole said college awards are a result of a player’s hard work and dedication. According to Repole, awards are given to showcase that a player can compete at a higher level, but career wise, “it’s good to have, but it doesn’t do much”. In her time playing for the women’s soccer team, Repole has won the Theresa Henson sports scholarship, the Langara Outstand- ing Female Athlete Award and the PacWest League All Star Award. She has also been recognised as an All-Canadian athlete. According to Repole, awards given by universities or well-known insti- tutions are more valuable. Repole said a majority of recruiters haven't even heard about awards given by Canadian colleges. “UBC coaches haven't even heard of the League All Star Awards,” she said. Ryan Watters, communications coordinator for PacWest, said awards are given to recognize ability, not to guarantee success. He said scouts arent motivated to go to games based on awards. “Award winners are looked at a little bit more depending on what the award is. It’s more hearsay and word of mouth—successes that the coaches tell the recruiters,” Watters said. Simon Rolston, assistant coach for the Metro Women's Soccer League, said that some of his players have a background in college sports. He said some of them have awards, but the awards aren't relevant towards the recruitment of his players. OUTSTANDING ATHLETES awarps » 2017-18 Ravi Basra, Men's Basketball. Giulia Repole, Women's Soccer. » 2016-17 Jacob Vanderpas, Golf. Brooke Schlossarek, Women’s Soccer. » 2015-16 Ravi Basra, Men's Basketball. Jacinda Yeung & Michelle Hang, Women's Badminton. » 2014-15 Jitinder Lohcham, Men's Basketball Jacinda Yeung, Women's Badminton. SOURCE: WWW.LANGARA.CA THE VOICE | THURSDAY, FEB. 7,2019 | EDITOR DARREN AMNER Sportsnews MEN'S BASKETBALL NATIONAL CANADIEt BASKETBALL MASCULIN Falcons’ Antonio Jhuty (Left) attempts a shot defended .. centre Grant Galbraith (Right). xi FoSSEY SUBMITTED PHOTO Rookie rises to top spot Falcons new star storming the scoring charts this semester m= By MAXIM FOSSEY Langara basketball player went from benchwarmer to MVP after the former tar was sidelined because of an injury. Despite starting his rookie season as primarily a substitute player, Anto- nio Jhuty has since risen to become the second overall leading scorer in the PacWest conference. Jhuty rose to his current standing after three-year veteran Ravi Basra was sidelined with a season-ending knee injury. Falcons coach Paul Eberhardt previously mentored Jhuty when he attended Abbotsford Secondary. “He’s a very talented player, it’s nice to see him grow from six, seven years ago to what he’s doing now,” Eber- hardt said. Jhuty said Eber- hardt has always i been in his corner BR) and that he has nothing but respect for his coach. “Whatever he does I’m pretty sure he knows what he’s talking about, so I just listen and try Antonio Jhuty LANGARA FALCONS » to execute whatever he tries to do, Jhuty said. Jhuty’s current form has impressed many with his 24.5 points per game average. PacWest spokesperson Ryan Watters said the combination of the right coach and the right player has led to Jhuty’s success. “Player opportunities really flour- ish when it comes down to great coaching,” Watters said. Watters compared Jhuty’s rise to a famous football story. New England Patriots quarterback Drew Bledsoe was injured during the 2001 season and replaced by his backup, a 24-year- old relatively unknown named Tom Brady. The Patriots went on to win six Super Bowl titles under Brady’s tenure, including the most recent last Sunday. Langara won their last game on Feb, 2 against Okanagan College. Despite starting as a reserve, Jhuty shot a solid 21 points. The Falcons are now 4th in the PacWest conference standings and will host Vancouver Island Univer- sity at 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 8. The Falcons will host the CCAA Men’s Basketball National Cham- pionship at the Langley Events Centre from March 13-16th. Injury can strain Students need psychological supports after being hurt: expert = ByJOSHUA REY T: physical side of sports injuries is always talked about but never the mental side, said a Langara women’s basket- ball coach. The Falcons were down two play- ers for the last few games of the fall semester due to injuries. Head coach Curtis Nelson said it really affected the team’s game on and off the court. “It was very coach must be creative.” The players, Jules Duong and Alexa Laines, suffered injuries last semester that affected their mental health. During the last game of the fall semester Laines suffered her fifth concussion. “T had to take time off to heal the brain,” Laines said. “I had to not only take time off from basketball but from other things as well.” For example, Laines said she was told to limit her screen time. She said it was tough for her to watch from the sidelines, especially after seeing the team blow a big lead against Camosun. As the number of injuries on the team increased, Laines said she felt angry and down, especially when people asked about how she was doing. Dr. John Coleman of the Cana- difficult,” said dian Sports Psychologist Asso- Nelson. “Our ciation said the mental aspects of team was so injuries are just as important as the depleted, we physical. had to play with one or no subs. Injuries change everything from management to strategy, and the Curtis Nelson HEAD COACH “The mind and body are connected and cannot be separated,” said Cole- man. “Athletes are competitive and when they get injured, they feel ike they are not contributing to the team. That’s why they can get body an elements of depression and anxiety.” Injuries are inevitable in sports. It is a matter of when and not how. Nelson said it is all about perspec- tive from a player. d mind “An injury is a test,” he said. “You can let it bring you down mentally or persevere and come back stronger. It’s up to you.” Falcons’ women’s basketball coach Curtis Nelson (Right) gives words of en- couragement to guard Jules Duong. (Left) vosHus rey SUBMITTED PHOTO