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Ail-Canadian soccer player

Langara athlete is one of the two top soccer stars of all B.C. colleges

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There aren’t many players at that level that can put together skill,

size and strength RYAN BIRT

Langara’s men’s basket- ball team barely won against the Capilano University Blues on Saturday, while the women lost by 29 points

By JENNIFER FONG

angara soccer forward, Lana

Rockhill is an All-Canadian. Rock-

hill is one of the few college ath-

letes selected as a top athlete by the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Asso- ciation.

Recipients are selected based on their performance and their overall contribution to the team and sport.

Coaches from the league submit their votes and the top two players from each province receive the All-Ca- nadian award.

“T think the coaches around the league voted for Lana for a couple rea- sons,” said Jake McCallum, acting di- rector of athletics and intramurals. “She had a great year, scoring nine goals in 12 games. She also has a tre- mendous work ethic and was a real leader for the team this year.”

Ryan Birt, Langara women’s soccer coach believes Rockhill is a one-of-a-

kind talent.

“There aren’t many players at that level that can put together skill, size, and strength.”

“Her ability on the field speaks for itself.”

Rockhill was suprised when she made it on the All-Canadian team, “It felt really good to be nominated for that. It was kind of a shock, and then it sunk in.”

Rockhill, 20, has demonstrated her talent for soccer since she was in sec- ond grade.

“T remember my mom put me in a peewee group, and the coach said ‘she’s going to go somewhere.”

“T like to be the best at everything. I love the feeling of success.”

Rockhill loves the competitiveness of the sport, and how her teammates have become like her second family. It’s her “little get away from reality.”

She also enjoys soccer simply be- cause it keeps her busy. However, her

skills on the soccer field “definitely hasn’t come natu- rally.” She practic- es two hours per day and five-to-six times per week.

“ve worked my ass off.”

Teammate Dayn McGregor called Rockhill a dedicat- ed and hardwork- ing player.

“She brings up the level of play whenever she’s on the field,” McGregor said.“I think our season wouldn’t have been as successful, and our team wouldn’t be as close without her.”

Rockhill said that when she’s older and wiser, she might come back and coach at Langara. “Langara’s [soccer program] is kind of like my dream.”

“It’s everything I ever wanted in a soccer team.”

LANA ROCKHILL Falcon forward, All-Canadian

By MATT HYNDMAN

came away with a close win, but

the women were soundly defeated as both teams played the Capilano Uni- versity Blues on the road, Saturday.

The women, still searching for their first win of the season, fell behind early and were never able to close the gap as they were trounced 73-44. The men’s team, in spite of the close final score, never trailed during their 78-77 win.

“We may not have played smart but we played hard,” said Jake McCallum, the men’s head coach.

The Falcons led 23-14 after one quar- ter, but were never able to pull away as the Blues mounted several comebacks to close the gap.

“We played sloppy,” McCallum said. “Both teams were excited to play and it showed.”

Te: Falcons’ men’s basketball team

Each time the Blues threatened to take the lead, McCallum called a time- out to refocus his players. “It was a game of runs, and we weathered them well.” He occasionally slammed down his notepad to wake the players up.

Langara guard Gurjote Jhaj caught the Blues players sleeping during the start of the game. He was a major play- er in an early 12-3 Falcons lead, finish- ing the quarter with 14 points.

The Falcons late fourth quarter struggles at the free-throw line let the Blues stay within striking distance, and a Blues three-pointer at the buzzer helped make the game appear closer than it was.

McCallum was pleased with his team’s rebounding and scoring distri- bution. “There were a few [players] scoring at different times.” Five Fal- cons players had at least eight points, with Jhaj leading the way with 25.

MATT HYNDMAN photo From Left, Langara guard, Brody Greig attmepts a one-handed shot, forward Manpreet Parmar attempts a lay-up and guard Hailey He- bron dribbles up court during games against the Capilano University Blues Saturday. The men won by a point and the women lost.

Men hoop Blues but women lose

It was another story for the women, as a lack of scoring depth plagued them all night, with the Blues double-team- ing the Falcons’ forward and leading scorer, Carling Muir.

“We need to get more people looking to score,” she said, showing some dis- appointment with both herself and her teammates. “We didn’t play well, and we didn’t have enough intensity. I haven’t been making enough baskets.”

Six of the 10 players scored two points or less, as Muir was burdened with the responsibility of scoring 25 of the team’s 44 points.

When asked if he could take any positives out of the loss, women’s head coach Mike Evans responded with a flat “No.” He maintained a stoic exteri- or in spite of his frustration about the way the team played.

“We're a very young team, but we can’t keep using that as an excuse.”

Killer body

ona kind budget

Many fitness options are available for the broke student in Vancouver

By PATRICK JOHNSTON

thin budget can’t cover the cost of working out, but Vancouver has many affordable fitness options.

“It’s the end of term, I can’t afford to go to the gym!” says Langara sciences student Jonathan Lee.

Pascal Gray, a personal trainer and Langara Alum offers alternatives to gym memberships.

Gray said outdoor circuits are good venues for body weight-based work- outs, known as callisthenics.

Central Park in Burnaby and Doug- las Park near Cambie Street and King Edward Avenue both have good setups, while the monkey bars near Brockton Oval in Stanley Park are also useful, Gray said.

“Body weight-type exercises are re- ally good,” Gray said. “Done right they increase endurance as well as muscu- lar strength.”

The challenge is to be informed about which exercises are appropriate. Callisthenic exercises range from squats and lunges to push-ups and pull-ups.

Rubber resistance bands, which are stocked by stores like Winners, usually cost $10 to $15 and can add additional difficulty to your exercises, Gray said.

Don Staller, a long-time Kitsilano Secondary physical education teacher, suggested stair running as a free alter- native to stair-climbing machines, weight training with four-litre milk jugs filled with water and using chalk to draw ladder-like agility patterns on the sidewalk.

Staller also said hockey sticks can be used to perform standing pushups. With a partner holding the stick and providing resistance, grasp the stick and perform regular pushups but stay standing up. These can be more diffi- cult than regular pushups, he said.

For cardio training, Staller said run- ning sprint intervals up hills as well as in the sand at the beach are very effec- tive exercises.

“What are you changing in your day- to-day activity?” Sport BC’s Chris Blackman asked.

Parking in the furthest spot from the mall or only using the elevator for trips of more than three floors are easy ways to incorporate physical activity in your daily life, he said.

Other options available to the cost- conscious athlete range from the free seven-day pass offered by Steve Nash Sports Club, available on their website, to the half-price “Discount Dip” swim- ming sessions on Monday and Wednes- day afternoons at the parks board’s Hillcrest Pool.

“Parks board gyms have a great $12 student discount on monthly passes,” said Langara student Jesse Kelly- Clark.

GYM discounts

HM Teambuy.ca claims to have dicounts on fitness activ- ites around the city at up to 90 per cent off.

Si may think their already

HE Curves gym locations offer a one-week free pass when you sign-up on its website.

HM She's Fit gyms offer a non-term membership for $14.99 a month with one time fees for things like insurance and a membership card with purchase.

ME 24-hour fitness offers a 3 day free gym pass at any of its locations when you sign up on its website.

Source: Websites