CLUB SPORTS ILLUSTRATEDOctober 23, 2015

Subscribe at www.clubsports.appstate.edu Next Issue: November 6th, 2015Submit Articles and Pictures via AppSync

1

For more information on any of the club teams, visit the website:

clubsports.appstate.edu email us at: clubsports@appstate.edu

or call us at the Student Recreation Center (828)262-2100

Director of UREC: Joe Carter carterjr@appstate.edu

Director of Club Sports: Erin Sanders sandersec1@appstate.edu

Coordinaters for Competitive Sports: Chris Carr carrcp@appstate.edu

Heather Marshall marshallha@appstate.edu

Executive Officers: Chad Deaver deaverce1@appstate.edu

Olivia Chason chasonom@appstate.edu

Patrick Sekel sekelp@appstate.edu

October 23th Edition of Club Sports Illustrated Designed by Hallie Langley, Publicity Programer

2

Table of Contents

Cycling

Equestrian

Men’s Soccer

Women’s Basketball

Women’s Lacrosse

Men’s Ultimate

Women’s Ultimate

Women’s Volleyball

Triathlon

Women’s Rugby

Executive Corner

3

5

7

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

15

----------------

----------------

----------------

----------------

----------------

----------------

----------------

----------------

----------------

----------------

----------------

The home mountain bike race is arguably the most looked-forward-to event of the season because of the huge turnout from our team, and the home course advantages. This year was no different. This weekend a total of 22 racers from AppState attended, which is the most of any race so far. Saturday we had our cross country race up on Beech Mountain at Emerald Outback, with the highest elevation trails on the east coast. These trails were full of roots and the course was split up with a long gravel road climb each lap. The day was so foggy that it was hard to see fifteen feet away, and the rain made the course slick and muddy (although this made for some good photos). Mens C and Womens B riders rode 5 miles, Mens B and Womens A rode 10 miles, and Mens A decided to ride an extra lap for a grueling 20 miles. Despite the conditions, the racers swept the podiums and about half the Mens A field was made up of App State riders, who dominated the course. Both Maryann Riley and Annie Pharr won their race categories, and Mason Hopkins and Matt Jones got 2nd and 3rd for Mens C.

Sunday on the other hand, couldn’t have had better weather. The race was held at Rocky Knob Mountain Bike Park, which has fast trails, technical rock gardens, and fun berms. The day started with an uphill time trial, where racers went one by one as hard as they could up the mountain, including a difficult rock section that slowed many riders down. Alex Jerome and Miles Hubbard took first and second for Mens A, while Eric Burton got second for Mens B. Annie Pharr and Maryann Riley both won the Womens A and B races, and Charlie Shufford and Matt Jones took second and third for Mens C.

Home Mountain Bike Race Weekend

Cycling

Article By: Annie Pharr - Vice President

Picture By: Annie Pharr

Picture By: Marisa Pharr

3

After the time trial, the short track race began at the trails by the powerlines. This course was short and spectator friendly, with several jumps and some tough hills. The Mens C race was about 20 minutes, the Mens B and Womens A race was 25 minutes, and the Mens A race was 30 minutes. Matt Jones took 2nd and Charlie Shuford took 4th for Mens C, while Eric Burton and Ryan Chet took 3rd and 4th for Mens B. In Mens A, Byron Rice and Matt Moosa came in 2nd and 3rd places, and Annie Pharr took 2nd for Womens A. The final race of the weekend was the Super D, a gravity style event where racers ride down two miles of technical trail as fast as possible. There were one minute gaps between each rider, and the racers were sent down a rough rock garden and around tight switchbacks. Alex Jerome had the fastest time for Mens A, flying down the mountain in only 3 minutes 51 seconds, with Levi Rose not far behind in 3rd place, with a time of 4:04. In Mens B, Ryan Chet and Francesco Marafino took 2nd and 3rd, while Sean Hildebrandt and Jacob Richard got 1st and 3rd for Mens C. Maryann Riley came in 2nd for Womens C, and Annie Pharr won Womens A. The weekend was a team effort to put on, with volunteers helping tape the course, leaf blow the trails, run registration, course marshal, and take photographs. It was another great set of races, and good training for Conference Championships at Virginia Tech this coming weekend.

Picture By: Annie Pharr

Picture By: Jackson Moody

4

What is an Equestrian?

By: Jennifer Buchanan

Photo By: Sophia Twarog

Surprisingly enough, the term equestrian is used in our everyday lives. Many people use this term to refer to a style of dress, however, that does not accurately describe the term. An equestrian is a person who rides horses, or so the world thinks. We are people who ride horses in a western saddle, an English saddle, a sidesaddle, or even without a saddle at all. Although this may describe the term somewhat, it’s important to differentiate between the thoughts society has versus what an equestrian’s thoughts on the subject. Society often tells us that an equestrian is commonly wealthy. Our sport is, in fact, extremely expensive. It is probably one of the most expensive sports around due to the extreme care horses need and that care is quite expensive. However, being an equestrian does not require one to have extreme wealth. In fact, because the majority of an equestrian’s money is put towards the animal and its well being, therefore at the end of the day, we are dead broke. Society also tells us that we are cowgirls and cowboys, out on the open plain herding cattle. That is also false. Some of us might be, but definitely not all of us. We also do not only race horses for fun. Yes, it was a predominant profession in the equine world. Due to questionable morals in the profession, very few equestrians support or practice that particular discipline. The point made is that being an equestrian is not confined by society’s constructs. When referring to an equestrian, one should always keep an open mind. So what does describe an equestrian to the upmost? We are much more than what society has made us out to be. We love horses. Also we have a soft spot for almost any animal. We are crazy cat ladies, dog lovers, and animal rescuers of all kinds. Sometimes we are all of those things at once.

Photo By: Vincent Rash

5

Dressage Team Captain

Photo By: Diane Ritz

Equestrians can be eclectic, hippies, divas and business people. We are the rich and the poor. We are young children, middle aged, or even of the older generation. We are men, women, and transgender. We are African-American, Hispanic, European, Caucasian, and Asian. We are mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, grandparents, brothers, and sisters. We are people who come from all parts of life, with different viewpoints and different experiences. We all began riding for a reason, some which are different from others. It could have been prescribed as therapy. Our grandparents could have given us riding lessons for Christmas one year. Nevertheless, between all of these differences, we all put our feet in the stirrups the same way. We all fall off and get right back on. We continue to do it because we love it. When we are doing what we love, our differences seem to fade. No matter what gender, race, political affiliation, or sexual orientation we identify with, it no longer matters. It does not matter if you were popular in high school, or if you have any money. Horses are not judgmental or superficial. Horses love unconditionally. A connection is created that cannot be broken. Whether you only ride when you are child or you ride well into your later years, the connection does not fade. A love like that is something only found once in a lifetime. It is our first and last love. An equestrian is strong, patient, respectful, and most importantly, able to love and be loved unconditionally. An equestrian is much deeper than what society describes them as. An equestrian is a bond that will never be broken.

Photo By: Vincent Rash

6

Club Soccer Update: The Inaugural Season

Men’s Soccer

Ready for the Next One

Women’s Basketball

The App State women’s basketball club has been taking a well needed break from tournaments since their home tournament in September. They have been getting prepared for their next tournament which will be held at UNCG next weekend, October 31st. The girls have been working on their defensive and offensive plays to help them kick some butt at UNCG. These are some of the things that needed to be focused on and could be improved from their last tournament. The team’s goal is to avenge themselves from their game against Virginia Tech and come in 1st place this time.

Cheer on the ‘Neers as they go and kick butt in Greensboro next weekend!

Photo By: Julia Buehler

Article By: Jordan Cobb - Secretary

Men’s club soccer started its very first season this semester with a game against Pembroke on September 12th, which they won 6-0. Since then the momentum hasn’t dropped off and the team has yet to record a loss within the division boasting a record of 6-0-1. The team travelled to Clemson to compete in the annual “Socctoberfest” tournament and advanced to the semifinals despite an extremely difficult game schedule. A loss to UNC in the semifinal was not a satisfactory result but the Tarheels are a good team that currently sits at first place in the 71-team region. App State isn’t far behind UNC in the regional rankings at #8 and hopes to get another shot at UNC in the regional tournament. App State has a friendly game against Milligan College Sunday, October 25 and will hopefully qualify and travel to the regional tournament the following weekend in Gainesville, Florida. App State’s men’s club soccer team hopes to continue the current form and finish the season out with great results.

Article By: Ryan Bateson - President

Photo By: Susan Davis

7

8

Yosef Fall Classic TourneyWomen’s Lacrosse

Article By: Emma Evans

Photo By: Hayley Wilson

We have finally come upon the weekend of our annual Yosef Fall Classic Tourney. It is our biggest home tournament of the year, and this year we are excited to host UNC Charlotte, Elon University, and East Carolina University. They are all tough teams to play which will make this weekend fun and competitive. One of our biggest competitors is East Carolina University. We played them last year in this tournament, and when the clock ran out to signal the game’s end, the score was tied. However, it did not stop there. Occasionally, to break a tie in lacrosse, a “Brave-heart” becomes the ultimate decider of the game. To accomplish this Brave-heart, each team chooses one player (usually their strongest or most skillful player) to play each other in a 1 v. 1 situation. The goalies also stay on the field, but everyone else watches from the sidelines in anticipation. The chosen player from each team goes to the middle of the center circle where they undergo a normal draw-situation. The draw is defined by the heads of each player’s sticks being pressed together with the ball placed in the middle.

When the referee backs away from the players and blows the whistle, the players thrust their sticks upward and do whatever it takes to get the air-born ball. The goal of the game in a Brave-heart is still the same: get the ball and score; however, the first goal decides the game. It is about the biggest adrenaline rush you could experience while watching a game of lacrosse, and it happened last year when we faced ECU. Hayley Wilson was our chosen player, and she gave it her all, fighting for the ball and sprinting down to ECU’s end to score the winning goal. Emotion and energy flooded our team. We put our whole heart into that game, and not only did we defeat a difficult competitor, we grew together as teammates. SO, if you would like to be a part of that excitement, you should come out this weekend (Saturday October 24th- Sunday October 25th) to support us as we take on the three schools. Kickoff begins at 9:30am on Saturday at the State Farm Fields when we take on UNCC. We appreciate everyone’s support out in the stands, so we hope to see you all there!!

Club Sports Council Representative

Small Squad at Brickyard Men’s Ultimate

A small squad of 12 players traveled to NC State in Raleigh over fall break to represent the Nomads men’s ultimate team in the Brickyard Brawl tournament. In a game where seven players are on the field at any time, and play is non-stop like soccer, the team tested their conditioning against top teams like Chapel Hill. On Saturday the Nomads training paid off, and the group was able to win two of their three games. The small team was able to overtake NC State and William and Mary before losing to Clemson’s big team at the end of day. This put the Nomads in the Championship Bracket for Sunday, the final day of competition.

The Nomads already small numbers were dwindled down even further by injuries on Sunday. Although the Nomads were unable to win any games on Sunday, the team still put up seven points on UNC Chapel Hill who is a top-ranked national team. They also lost a close game to the University of South Carolina before facing UNC Charlotte’s full team of 30 players with the Nomads remaining nine. After a fun fall break of ultimate, the Nomads are ready to get back to training and prepare to have the full team compete in their next exhibition, a home tournament known as the Blue Ridge Blowout, which will be hosted November 7th and 8th.

Article By: Otto Solberg - Secretary

Picture By: Otto Solberg

Picture By: Otto Solberg

9

Fighting a Pack of Wolves

Women’s Ultimate

This weekend we fought Jagas, Swerves, Hydra, Extinctions, and Scortches all while trying to survive a pack of wolves. In case you didn’t get that, we spent our fall break at the NC State Ultimate Frisbee tournament called Wolfpack. The Nonads held their own as they went up against NC State, Duke, UVA, George Mason, and USC. There were plenty of sites to be seen. There was the usual sun, grass, flying discs, flying people, flying pigs, flying flies, everything. If you were lucky enough you also got to see dinosaurs running everywhere, smurfs, and crazy Boonies. It was a blast, blasting with balloons and bumbling bees, and Frisbees.

The Nonads showed off their new offense and are getting ready for their next tournament. Guess where that tournament is? It’s in Boone! Yes. Boone. Our Boone. The Boone that is near and dear to our hearts. Blue Ridge Blowout will be held on the weekend of November 7th and 8th at the State Farm fields. Loads of alumni will be coming up to play for the Oldmads and Oldnands, and plenty of fun and crazy college teams as well. Everyone is super excited and has their fingers crossed that the snow and frigid Boone winter will hold off until after the tournament. Last year during blowout, players were running around the fields trying to catch rock hard discs in about an inch of snow. Regardless of weather, the Nonads are roaring and ready to go. We have three weeks of practice before the tournament to work out all the kinks and then really show the world who is boss. That boss is us. The Nonads. We are the boss. And we will show them. We will show the world that we are the boss. Stay tuned for more updates on the Nonads. That’s all for now folks.

Article By: Lindsey Rotche

Picture By: Scab Picker

Picture By: Scab Picker

10

Secretary

Fall tournament season is in the air. On October 24, the three teams will travel to North Carolina State University to compete in all-day tournament event that will have a ton of teams to compete against. As of now, the teams have not gotten the schedule on who is in the pool play but everyone is excited to play in the first tournament. As Women’s Volleyball’s first tournament approaches, the three teams really focus on hustle, teamwork and playing together. All the teams work together by using the court space given and scrimmaging each other; really focusing on the other teams weak spots to encourage the teams to work hard and get better. Each team works on drills such as serve receive and defense drills to work on the passing skills of the team as a whole. The teams are ready, and excited to get to play other teams on Saturday! Bring it on!

Bump, Set, Spike! Women’s Volleyball

Photo By: Mike Collins

Photo By: Mike Collins

Photo By: Mike Collins

Article By: Ayron Walker - Secretary

11

Over fall break, the Triathlon Team competed in their final triathlon of the season in Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia: Conference Championships. The weather was beautiful as athletes from twenty different schools in the Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Triathlon Conference pushed themselves to excel at the penultimate Olympic distance race of the season. App State was represented well with twelve athletes, and had strong finishes overall. Athletes that competed Marc Augenreich; Catherine Burton; Eric Cheek; Kevin Collins; Abby Duffy; Judith Medrano; Carson Miesfeldt; Jonathan Nichols; Thomas Nolan; Ray Shew; Rachel Sledge; and Tristan Thomas For seven of our athletes, this was their first Olympic distance race. Although a longer distance, all of our athletes gave it their all. Kevin Collins finished first for App’s men with a time of 2:35:37. Carson Miesfeldt finished first for App’s women with a time of 2:48:42. We are very proud of all of our athletes, and especially excited for those who are now eligible to compete at USA Triathlon Collegiate Nationals in Clemson, SC next spring. The next few months will be spent training hard and preparing for our team’s national debut!

Go ‘neers!Swim. Bike. Run.

Wrapping it Up! Triathlon

Article By: Will Rumley - President

Photo By: Elizabeth Thomas

Photo By: Elizabeth Thomas

Photo By: Elizabeth Thomas

12

Tormented PrideWomen’s Rugby

Before Fall Break the AHO Women’s Rugby team was excited to finally get back on the pitch, and play another round of games that would help prepare us for the remaining of our Social Season. On October 10th, AHO had a round robin versus one our biggest social rivals, UNC Charlotte (UNCC) and a Division One team that nearly doubled us in size and numbers, Virginia Tech. It was another rainy day in Boone, but AHO was amped to be back on our home fields. We were eager and excited to put all of the hard work and efforts that had been occurring in practicing into a game situation. The schedule was made so that AHO would be playing UNCC first. Last semester was the first time in club history where AHO Women’s Rugby had lost to UNCC. In anticipation for this re-match, we were practicing hard, working hard, and were ready to prove that AHO Women’s Rugby was back on top.

Article By: Mikahala Dougher

13

As pre-game preparations were ending, it was evident that both teams were ready to give it their all in this match. The passes were crisp, the tackles were clean, and the focus from both sides of the field was remarkable. As the jerseys were passed out, the team cheers had settled, and both teams took the field you could feel the intensity level rise. Everyone was ready to begin the game, and both teams wanted to come out with a win to put in the record book. However, as we all know only one team can come out with that “W.” UNCC wanted to remain on top against AHO, and wanted that win to maintain their pride. As a team we (AHO) wanted that win to restore our own, and to show that we were back and ready to play our game of rugby. In the end, AHO proved to have wanted that win more than UNCC.

Match Secretary

We came off the first kick hard and took an early lead. We kept pushing, and went into the half 5 try’s to none. With the early lead, we also used this game as a great learning opportunity. We started focusing on the fundamentals and basics that we had been working on in practice, and used it as an opportunity of learning the game of rugby. We also had everyone on the team get some real game time experience, and watched some of our new players perform exceptionally well and step up into new positions and roles on the team. We continued our lead into the second half and ended the game at 8 try’s to none. After a short break, AHO went up against Virginia Tech. The VT game was a much different game for AHO. VT is a powerful, strong, tactical, and well-trained Division One team. Fatigue was settling in on both sides, and the continuous cold rain falling was not helping the efforts to rally past it. Trying to push past the fatigue, we came out slow in the beginning, and VT quickly capitalized and scored three times unanswered.

Being three try’s down, we knew that we needed to step up our game and quickly at that before VT increased their score, and made the battle of coming back even harder for us. We regained our mindset, and to answer their three try’s we scored twice ending out the half. At the beginning of the second half VT starting to blunder under our aggressive defense. Both sides had scored one more time before the game had come to an end, putting VT ahead by one try. It was a tough loss that has led to a great learning experience. Having lost to a very good team, we are going into this week of practice with a clear idea of what we need to work on and a new mentality to embrace, to ultimately come out better as individual players and a team.

Photo By: Sara Weiffenbach

Photo By: The Appalachian Online

14

Executive Corner

The Club Sports Council meeting went well this week. The committees worked hard to plan for some of the exciting things coming up. The Fundraising Committee will be hosting a fundraiser night at Chipotle on November 5th from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm to benefit our Club Sports Program as a whole. The Publicity committee is hoping to use some of the money raised from the fundraiser to help pay for Club Sports water bottles. The Team Unity committee is planning a Trivia night for the end of the semester as well. The Community Service committee is working on our canned food drive that will be taking place from now until November 17th. If you would like to donate cans, they can be dropped off in the Club Sports Office at the SRC. Our school will be competing against many other large universities in the state and we are hoping to take home the prize! Over the past two weeks, Chad has been looking further into publicizing our Club Sports program. He has been talking to the Appalachian newspaper and they are interested in potentially covering some of our Club Sports events. Chad is also looking into ways that our program can get more publicity from the local radio stations. Patrick has been working hard on revising the tables for budget points in the Club Sports Manual. He has been focusing on the section that covers Housing and Hotels during travel. He is working on a way to make this section more representative of what our teams are actually spending on these items. He would also like to clarify some of the wording in the Equipment section of the Manual. Olivia has been looking into using AppSync to track points and attendance for an incentive program for our club teams. She is hoping to get more Club Sports athletes out to support each other at local competitions and they will hopefully be able to gain points for their team by supporting other teams. If everything works out as planned, the team with the most points at the end of the year would be able to win some sort of prize. All of the executives are very excited for the work on their destinations to start coming together and they hope to make a lot more progress in the coming weeks!

15

Article By: Olivia Chason

14 16

LEARN MORE ABOUT CLUB SPORTS

GO TO CLUBSPORTS.APPSTATE.EDU

follow us on twitter: @asuclubsports like us on facebook: facebook/appstateclubsports