adrenaline august 2010

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ADRENALINE Regina Sports August 20102

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August Features

04 From the Editor

06 In ReginaRegina Beach X-Race

08 Wascana Racing Canoe/Kayak

12 Regina Mets

16 All AboutMetabolic Conditioning

17 Y’er WelcomeThe Road to Avonlea

20 Focus OnWomen’s Rugby

22 Lakeshore Tennis Juniors

TABLE OF CONTENTS

10 Get to KnowBrent HawkinsThe Saskatchewan Roughriders have a new threat at defensive end. What does he think of Saskatchewan and the Roughrider fans?

14 Milos KosticThis Ironman is a four-time Canadian and world champion, setting records in his age group. An inspiration to all athletes, he’s looking forward to getting back on the road.

18 Forever & TodayGord Staseson“Mr. Get-in-Done” has one more accomplishment: an induction into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame.


In sport, always expect the unexpected. Underdogs beat favourites, players get released or signed, and sometimes accidents happen too.

We talked to Milos Kostic mid-June for a story on the four-time World Ironman champion, who was going for his fifth win this August. Then a cycle crash happened, and his plans changed for the summer, as he began to focus more on recovery than training. Sport provides us with goals, teaches us lessons, and feeds our competitive drive. But it includes inspiration and life change, as Kostic is now working towards getting back on the road and finishing two marathons by the end of the summer.

Sport is about pushing both the body and the mind while also providing a social experience. For young people such as the tennis players we talked to this month, they have goals that include scholarships to get an education. The Regina Mets train their players in both sport and life. Women’s rugby is a sport that continues to grow and provides the opportunity to travel and meet friends from all over the world. Even in individual sports such as canoe/kayak or triathlon, training is social but also requires a mental toughness that needs to be trained just as hard as the body. Gord Staseson shows us how sport helps shape lives.

Kia Byers is featured in our canoe/kayak story this month, and shows what dedication to a sport can achieve as she competes for Canada. Regina’s athletes continue to shine and we’re excited to tell the city all about them.

Cheer hard,

Julie FolkEditor

FROM THE EDITORAdrenaline: Regina Sports

Issue 10: August 2010

Published by: Adrenaline: Regina Sports

Editor-in-Chief: Julie Folk

Administration Manager: Allie Folk

Sales & Marketing: Ashley Kasdorf

Contributors: Bob Hughes, Maurice Laprairie, Jay Roach, Chantel Barton, Jason Christbason

Printing: Impact Printers

Distribution: Canada Post

ISSN: 1920-468X

Contact:Adrenaline: Regina Sports(306) [email protected]

To advertise: [email protected]

Website: www.adrenalinereginasports.com

Cover design: Jay Roach/ AdSparkCover photo: By Maurice Laprairie

Copyright covers all contents of this magazine. No part of the publication may be re-used or copied without the expressed written consent of Adrenaline: Regina Sports.

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IN REGINA

The Regina Multisport Club’s X-Race at Regina Beach was not a typical triathlon. Nor was it a typical

mountain bike. It was a challenge for every racer as he or she overcame steep hills and the open water.

“It was interesting for those who weren’t used to this type of race,” said Lee-Ann Ricci, race director of the X-Race, which was held on July 11th at Regina Beach. “On the mountain bike, it was some steep climbing that’s really hard, and then all of a sudden they were doing some scary downhill where they might not have been pedaling but their hearts were pounding hard. Then if they weren’t used to trail running, there’s rocks, there’s roots, there’s ruts. I think they were surprised at how hard it was.”

Lee-Ann’s husband, Enio, participated in the race after organizing and preparing the course. Before the race, he stressed how challenging it would be, and also determined what would make it a successful race.

“A successful race would be no injuries, no DNFs, and no one taken to the hospital. Also, for people to have a good time and talk about it,” said Enio before the race.

And it seemed to go better than expected.

The race began with a 1000 metre swim off the shore of Regina Beach – two loops of 500 m, with a 25 m run in between the loops. Racers then began the difficult mountain bike, which is the same route used for mountain bike races. There were sections of the mountain bike course that were too difficult to ride, so cyclists had to un-clip their shoes from the bike and run. Pre-rides helped many of those become familiar with the 20 km course.

“Twenty km doesn’t sound like a lot on a bike,” said Lee-Ann, “and it’s not on a road bike. But on a mountain bike... it’s a challenge. You’re anaerobic about 90 per cent of the time.”

After the bike, the 30 racers completed the 10 km run. It was a trail run that took them over shorelines, up hills, and through the toughest portions of the area.

Andrew Thomas won the event in a time of one hour and 48 minutes. Brad Kerr was second in 1:48:36 and Ryan Leibel was third in 1:50:38. Thomas has a mountain biking background and decided to give this race a try. He just began swimming a month ago, so he wasn’t exactly sure what to expect.

“The swim itself didn’t go too bad, but when I came out I was stumbling around, dizzy,” he said. “I’m a cyclist, so you’d think that the bike would be my best part but it was my worst because I felt so awful coming out of the swim. But I started to feel better after the effects of the swim came off. And then on the run I felt pretty good... the course was awesome. Because my background is mountain biking, I was able to make up a lot of the time I lost on the swim right away. So I didn’t have to do anything superhuman on the run to chase them down, just maintain where I was.”

Carla Binning was one of two females to sign up for the race. Unlike Thomas, she has a triathlon background but little mountain biking experience.

Race lived up to Xpectations


“The bike was really hard,” she said. “I had a really good run and my swim went well, because that’s what I’m used to, but my mountain bike was terrible – I crashed a whole bunch of times! There were some sharp turns and you didn’t know where you were. I hadn’t ridden the course before so I got lost quite a bit. I went over the handlebars like three times. But I saw some other dirty people, so I wasn’t the only one who crashed... I would do it again though. But I’ll pre-ride the course first!”

Many triathletes or mountain bikers may have skipped this race due to the challenge. It can take awhile to learn and build up to becoming proficient at either sport. But the race will hopefully urge some to train for the future, as the X-Race could possibly become an Xterra race someday, a brand of race that can be found across Canada and the US.

“We wanted to give everyone a taste of this to maybe get them interested in getting into the mountain biking,” said Lee-Ann. “There’s a lot of technical skill involved, and it can be a bit more dangerous. While it’s not often people fall off a road bike, it happens often on a mountain bike.”

With Xterra becoming more popular elsewhere, hopefully Saskatchewan athletes will come on board and get the word out. This is the seventh event that the Regina Multisport Club offered this year. The RMC

is Regina’s triathlon club, which has 400 members and is run by volunteers. The RMC hosts six other events, including Splash and Sprint, Icebreaker, See Jane Tri, See Dick Tri, the White Butte Duathlon, and the Regina Beach Triathlon, the biggest triathlon in the province, which was held on July 25th.

Photos by Jason Christbason


Kia Byers was walking around Wascana Lake with her family

12 years ago. They saw people out on the water, propelling themselves forward in kayaks. She was inspired to try the sport, and two days later was at the Wascana Racing Canoe Club (WRCC). She has barely left the water since then, although the waters have changed. While much of her summer is still spent on Wascana Lake, she has been paddling worldwide as part of the Canadian Women’s National Team.

The WRCC has taken her there.

“It’s the atmosphere at this club,” she said. “Everyone here is so happy and loves the sport so much. Everyone’s intense, but they’re intense because they love it. Yes, we want to beat each other, but at the end of the day, we’re still friends. That atmosphere isn’t everywhere.”

Head coach Dave Robertson also commented on the attitude at the WRCC, and how far it’s taken them. They are the most successful club in Western Canada, and were the only small club among the top 10 at nationals.

The WRCC has both canoe and kayak athletes, although the kayak side is predominate.

“Typically the athletes make a decision to specialize at about 15-years-old,” said Robertson. “It’s interesting to see the personality types that opt for canoeing and that opt for kayaking. It’s sort of neat how that dynamic works within the sport.”

Many athletes begin in the learn-to-kayak classes, although some come into the racing programs right away. The WRCC has a developmental racing program which requires athletes to be on the water three to four times a week, learning skills and

the basics of racing. The high performance part of the program requires about eight to 12 practices each week.

In 2009, the WRCC had ten athletes on the Canadian national or national developmental teams – quite a feat for a club that can only train on the water for a limited number of months throughout the year; although they are doing cross-training and sport-specific in-pool training in the winter. When an athlete comes to the sport, the opportunities for success are definitely available.

“We were really lucky,” said Byers of the athletes she trained with. “There were four of us who were the same age – really good athletes and really competitive. A lot of why I think we were successful is the way we were pushed and that we had each other when we were young.”

Wascana’s Best


Some of the athletes, such as Tiera McLeod who goes to school in Ottawa, live away during the winter and come back in the summer to train. An athlete like Byers splits her time between training with the WRCC and with the Canadian national team. Much of the off-season is spent training in Florida, and she will leave to camps throughout the summer, in addition to competitions such as the two World Cup events she recently competed at and the upcoming World Championships. Last year she was eighth in the K1 200 m at the World Championships, and her goals keep getting higher, with the hopes of competing at the 2012 Olympics.

Simon Fense is another up-and-comer with the WRCC. A soon-to-be Grade 12 student, Fense has made the Canadian national developmental team in 2010, and will have the opportunity to attend a training camp with the Canadian team. He also recently had three top-5 finishes at the Lake Placid International Regatta, where he was competing outside of his age category.

“We’ve always had really great volunteer support from the parents and the executive who run the club,” said Robertson in regards to the club’s success. “They’ve had a strong vision for what kind of club we want to be.... There was a group of executive members who decided we want to be one of the best clubs in the country. They built infrastructure and made sure the coaching was in place.”

Due in part to its success as well as the venue, the WRCC will host the 2010 Canadian Sprint Canoe/Kayak Championships from August 25th to 28th. It will provide the opportunity for the club to have many more athletes at nationals, and they would like to finish in the top 5.

Fense and the team are excited about the championship.

“I’m looking forward to being home, not having to deal with travelling, and sleeping in my own bed,” said Fense. “You also know how the wind is on the lake and where the calm parts are.”

Robertson said it will give the chance to showcase the sport.

“It’s very unique,” he said. “There’s something really special about paddling your boat and propelling yourself down a lake. It’s serene but exciting, and the way that we race is really a power, endurance sport. So it’s exciting and fast and fun.... People may see us paddling on the water, but they don’t quite know what’s going on, so I challenge them to come out and give it a try.”

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GET TO KNOW

Brent Hawkins

Adrenaline Regina Sports: What has it been like playing with the Saskatchewan Roughriders so far?

Brent Hawkins: It’s been awesome. I had no clue the fans would be so supportive and so into things. When I got here for camp, I was looking out and was like, wow, people have Rider flags on their cars and windows already, and we haven’t even started rookie camp! It was great coming in and seeing the community into it.

ARS: Have you ever seen fans like Rider fans before?

BH: No. I played in the NFL in preseason, and the fans never reacted like they do here. You come out for a game and there’s 30,000 people here a but it seems like 60,000. It’s an awesome feeling.

ARS: How did you find you fit in with the team?

BH: The first day I got here, I literally got off the plane, came out here, and everyone was introducing themselves. It’s not usually like that – guys aren’t usually that inviting. To have a group of guys just accept you like that makes it that much easier.

Saskatchewan Roughriders fans got a real introduction

to Brent Hawkins in the CFL’s week 2 when he recorded a sack, a fumble recovery, and a touchdown against the B.C. Lions. Hawkins, 26, has solidified a position on the Riders’ defensive line, coming to the team after playing with Purdue University, Illinois State, and the Jacksonville Jaguars.


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ARS: How do you compare the NFL to the CFL?

BH: The speed’s probably the same. The NFL may be a little bit quicker because you’re up on the ball a little more, and having that yard off does make a difference until you get used to it. Right now, I’m just finding right now finding my comfort zone. I can critique the little things. It’s good, just going on what the coaches are teaching us each week and going from there.

ARS: You retired for a bit, I believe. What is it that made you want to come back to football?

BH: I took a year and a half off. I was missing it a little. But then I had a son. And when I saw him, I was like, ‘you know, I could be doing this, and having fun and being awesome, as opposed to working at this oil refinery.’ I felt like I was being selfish, towards him. And I want him to be proud of me for something I could accomplish in life. God gave me this gift to play football, and I’m just trying to run with it.

ARS: How did you end up coming to Saskatchewan?

BH: My agent called a few teams who wanted me. They were interested but they couldn’t talk to me because Saskatchewan had exclusive rights. I didn’t even know what that meant at the time. So I said call Saskatchewan! He called and I said, they did what? They are who? They lost to who? Being able to come to this team and having the opportunity to fulfil a role behind Chick or Baggs, that’s just awesome. Coming to a great team in the CFL, I was so stoked.

ARS: Do you like living in Saskatchewan so far?

BH: I’m from a town of 8,000 people, so the whole small town thing was no issue with me. I had a guy try to steal my gas – that was probably the worst part! Saskatchewan’s nice. It’s good to

Photos courtesy of Saskatchewan Roughriders Football Club

have everything close. I like it a lot. I also like seeing all the green buildings in town – it’s pretty sweet.

ARS: What’s better – a sack or a touchdown?

BH: I’m going to have to go with a touchdown! Those barely come for defensive players. (In week 2), I was in the right position, just made a play on the ball and it happened to come. Touchdown was great, it helped steal the game. A sack maybe wouldn’t have at that point. So definitely the touchdown.

ARS: You feel you’re getting used to the CFL now – do you feel your play will just get better from here?

BH: Well it should. I had a good game against B.C. and teams will come out and target those guys who will do well. This week somebody else will get targeted. So you have to just keep playing with that. If they’re going to target me, and it opens things up for other people. If they’ll target Luc, or Chunky, or Sholo, then it opens up things for other people. We’re just trying to work with that.


Bases loaded for the Regina Mets

Success has many different meanings to the Regina Mets.

It can mean taking a team to win the provincial championship. It can mean immense improvement in a group of young players. Or it can mean using baseball to provide an education.

The 2009 Regina Mets were coached by Neil Tulloch and made their way to provincial champions and third in the country. After graduating players to many strong baseball and academic programs, the Mets were back in 2010 to continue on their tradition of winning on and off the field, this year under head coach John Tokar.

Last year four players – Clarke Munroe, Ryan Tulloch, Chris Untereiner, and Evan Zerff – pursued baseball south of the border; Munroe and Untereiner at Monterey Peninsula College; Zerff at Long Island University; and Tulloch at the State University of New York at Buffalo.

“(On the Mets) we were competitive at provincials and tournaments, and that put me into a lot of situations,” said Ryan Tulloch, who, along with Zerff, is spending the summer with the Regina Red Sox. “So when you move up, you’re really not that nervous.”

Tulloch said the attitude of the Mets is what makes the Prairie Midget Baseball League team different. It was an attitude of confidence in the team and knowing no situation was unbeatable. Tokar and coaches Derek Wu, Jarrett Duchscher, and Barry Nychuk have stepped in this season to continue that positive outlook.

One thing they don’t want to change is the continuation of success the players find. Four veteran players are leading the team, and many of them have already made commitments or are exploring post-secondary baseball options.

“I think anybody playing at this level has the potential of playing post-secondary baseball,” said Tokar, who hopes to help his players find the avenues to excel. “A big thing for Canadian ball players is to sell themselves by sending resumes to colleges and sending tapes to teams they are interested in playing for.”

That is exactly what Marc Lowther did. Lowther, a pitcher and veteran on the Mets, is attending Dodge City Community College in Kansas to play college baseball. He said playing for the Mets has definitely helped him in his baseball career.

Photos by Maurice Laprairie


“I find it fun and competitive,” said Lowther. “We have a variety of characters on our team, so I think we’re more relaxed. And with only four veterans, we only have room to grow.”

The Mets started the season fairly slowly, combining the new and old faces, including many rookies and players that have moved up or from other teams. But the Mets steadily improved over the season and are looking to compete well at provincials.

“We’re a pretty young team, but I think we’re really capable,” said Tokar. “Would we be disappointed if (we don’t win provincials)? Probably not. Our main goal is to compete and come out and play like we can play. If we can come out every game and play like we can play, then we’re going to be successful no matter what.”

With Regina hosting the Midget AAA Nationals next year, the Mets hope to continue to grow and improve; but while the 2011 nationals are on the horizon, they want to stay focused on what this year has in store.

Pitchers Lowther and Chris Nameth, as well as first baseman and pitcher Cameron Hinchcliffe and third baseman and pitcher Ethan Kummerfield will be looking to finish the season strong, as they move onto programs next year. For now, they want to lead the Mets as far as they can go in 2010.

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SEE YOU AT THE GAME!


He may not wear a suit of armour, but Milos Kostic

truly is an ironman.

After years of running, Kostic competed in his first triathlon in 2005 at the age of 64. That year he did a half-ironman and later an ironman, which is composed of a 3.6 km swim, 180 km bike, and 42.2 km run. The following year, 2006, he won his age group at Subaru Ironman Canada and the Ford Ironman World Championship in Kona. In both events he set course records which are still standing: 11 hours, 13 minutes and 9 seconds at Ironman Canada, and 11:29:45 at the World Championship.

Kostic won his age group at each event the next three years. Such success has not only led to great enjoyment of triathlons but

also has made them a way of life.

“Success is measured not necessarily by the time I have achieved or how I have placed,” said Kostic, now 69. “Success is primarily determined by whether I have accomplished what I have set out to do – whether my effort met my ability. There’s a continuous mind involvement and focus and control. To run a good race, you really have to pay attention to what you’re doing, and that’s fun. Especially when the race is over, you can look back and say, ‘hey, I’ve done really well.’ Competition, the race, is definitely the topping on the dessert.”

Kostic’s competitive season was cut much shorter than he would have liked this year. On June 28th, during training he crashed while cycling down the hill near Lumsden, going over 50 km/h.

“I was down on the aero bars, watching the road directly ahead of me, occasionally glancing forward,” said Kostic. “I glanced up, and there were two deer, side by side on the shoulder. I had no time to react, and couldn’t brake because I was on the aero bars. I hit the one nearest me in the rump, and I figure I must have flown over them – I landed on my head, my shoulder, then tumbled once and continued sliding on my left side down the gravelly shoulder.”

Kostic had road rash all down his left side, and an open wound on his left forearm. His left side and left pelvis gave him difficulty walking for a time after the accident. He hasn’t been able to get into the pool or on the bike, and he’s not sure when he will get back into triathlons. He said that a good look at his priorities and a rethinking of his aggressive training methods is in order, but he’s not going to stop racing.

“I certainly hope I’ll still be able to do the Helsinki marathon in August – just to cover the distance, walking and jogging,” he said. “Then I definitely want to do the Queen City Marathon (on September 12th) as it will be my tenth year running it. As far as triathlons are concerned, the two Ironmans in August will have to be cancelled, but the World Championships in October and November are still a possibility depending on how soon I can get back into training.”

Kostic typically competes in about 10 marathons per year, and shorter races such as half-ironman triathlons, half marathons, and 10 K races in addition to the Ironmans.

Kostic began endurance sport when he came to Canada 40 years ago. He was an engineer in Belgrade, Serbia (formerly Yugoslavia) before coming to Vancouver to complete his Masters degree and Ph.D. It was there he started running, and he stayed in the country, eventually moving to Regina.

“I always liked running, since I was a kid,” he said. “There’s something about moving on your own power that is just

A triathlon superhero


mesmerizing.” His first marathon was in 1982 in Lumsden, where he had a time of three hours and 32 minutes.

“I think there are two types of people who run marathons: people who run one marathon and never again, and people who run many,” said Kostic. “You start to run marathons and it becomes a habit.”

Marathons have been a habit that has grown into a passion for Kostic, who co-founded the running group Marathon Matters last year, which has organized two marathons, the Cure for the Brrr, and the Gopher Attack. Kostic has competed in the prestigious Boston Marathon – which is difficult to even qualify for – seven times. This year was especially memorable.

“It’s such a big event and beautifully organized with tremendous spectator support; there are several million people watching,” said Kostic. “I’m always inspired to put in a really good effort in Boston. This year I was quite well prepared. I had one of my better races, and finished in three (hours) 17 (minutes). I ended up winning my age group, which is pretty neat.”

Kostic appreciates his Ironman wins, but winning an age group in Boston is amazing, as the field of athletes is extremely high in both quality and quantity.

“I was tripped in the last length of the race and I hurt my hand quite severely,” said Kostic. “I had an open fracture on one finger, two other fractures, and one finger was so dislocated I had to bring it back in place. But the race wasn’t over – I had 800 metres to go. So I thought, ‘what the heck, I’ll deal with this later.’ It was the home stretch, with 15,000 people watching on the bleachers, carrying me through.”

Doug Mackenzie has competed in Ironman Canada 17 times, so he understands what it takes to train at the level Kostic is at. He was also one of those in the triathlon community, along with the late Brent Gibson, who welcomed Kostic to the sport when he came into it from running.

“Not only does he win his age group in Canada, but he wins the world,” said Mackenzie. “And he did it in a very short period of time. He’s new to the sport, and it’s pretty amazing how talented he is as a triathlete. His biggest asset is his work ethic. He’s not a star at any one thing. But he’s the world champion at putting all three events together.”

Kostic qualified for the World Ironman his first year of triathlon. He ended up passing it up as he was already committed that year to the Quadzilla – four marathons in four days in California. The next year he set a goal to qualify again, and entered two qualifying Ironman events to make sure he got there. He missed the top spot at the first, and then bought a new bike, trained harder, and won Ironman

Canada. He went onto the World Ironman, and won that year and every year since.

When he began triathlon, Kostic became a better cyclist and began to work on the swim, which he says is his weakest event. But with a lot of hard work, he’s become much stronger at all three disciplines.

“He’ll work so hard and he’s really competitive,” said Mackenzie. “He’s a humble person, but on the starting line, it’s game on. He knows his competition and what times he wants to be on. He’s an engineer (one year retired), so he’s got it all computed. He’s worked to that level and gotten himself there... He must have something magic to keep him youthful. He’s inspirational to a lot of people. He’s the idol guy, and he’s a good guy. There’s not too many of those.”

Kostic’s plan now is to recover, run a couple of marathons, and then see what will come next.

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ALL ABOUT

Metabolic Conditioning

You may have heard of these terms floating around in the fitness industry lately: Crossfit and High Intensity Interval Training (H.I.I.T.). Metabolic conditioning, also known as “metcon,” has become an increasingly popular form of workout.

Metcon refers to conditioning exercises intended to increase the storage and delivery of energy for any type of physical activity. It is typically a ‘circuit style’ workout using strength training exercises and anaerobic conditioning drills. During a metcon workout, the goal is to work through a circuit of anaerobic exercises that keep your heart rate elevated, expending as much available energy as possible, followed by short recovery periods. When you are finished a metabolic conditioning workout you should feel that you have challenged your body to its maximum effort.

There are a lot of options when designing a metabolic conditioning workout; the

possibilities are endless. Choose exercises that utilize more than one muscle group to get the greatest impact and to maximize your energy expenditure. Exercises such as squats with overhead presses or

lunges with biceps curls are a great option. Try alternating these exercises with drills that get your heart rate up like burpees, squat jumps, or sprints.

The benefits of metabolic conditioning are worth the work involved. Some of the benefits you can expect to see are an increase in strength and cardiovascular endurance, power, speed, and metabolism. Studies have shown that with a high intensity interval workout, individuals can elevate their metabolisms for up to 16 hours post-workout. This is a result of EPOC (Excess Post-Exercise Oxygen Consumption), which is the body’s high demand for oxygen post exercise. So, along with burning a ton of calories during your workout, you also burn calories for hours after your work out.

This type of workout is not for beginners. Before integrating a metabolic conditioning workout into your schedule make sure to learn proper form and technique. Because of the speed and intensity involved in a metcon workout, the chance of injury increases. Injury is not the only concern for beginners; another concern is the work and effort involved. The likelihood of continuing with an exercise plan with this type of intensity is low, and chances are, the individual will get discouraged and discontinue the program.

Metabolic conditioning is a perfect cross training tool to add to any program. It can help increase the strength and speed of a runner or cyclist. A volleyball or basketball player can develop greater power and stamina in their sports. And for the workout junkie, it can increase muscle tissue while burning calories. Because of the demand on the body, this type of workout should only be done one to three times per week, with enough time for recovery between work outs.

The YMCA of Regina offers drop in classes that utilize this type of exercise program; these include Intense Intervals and Bootcamp. Check out the YMCA of Regina website for the fitness schedule at www.regina.ymca.ca.

By Chantel Barton


The Road Leads To Avonlea By Bob Hughes

Y’ER WELCOME

AVONLEA – It will have been around for 100 years come 2012, yet it remains undiscovered and unknown in so many ways. Named after the Canadian-written, international best-seller Anne of Green Gables, the small Saskatchewan town of Avonlea sits in a peaceful spot on the flat prairie between the Avonlea Creek Valley and the Dirt Hills.

Home to around 400 people, it is but a 40-minute drive

from Regina on a highway that passes through some of the prettiest Saskatchewan countryside you will find anywhere. It is a farm place, mostly, but it also spreads its wings when it comes to wonderful tourist attractions. There is the Dunnitt Regional Park. Go see the Badlands, which are estimated to be 70 million years old. They still find Aboriginal effigies that are believed to be from 500 to 700 years ago. There is the Avonlea and District Museum and the Claybank Brick Plant National Historic Site.

And, of course, there is the Long Creek Golf Club, an 18-hole gem which winds its way through thick clumps of trees and bush and features the creek, deer in the morning and at sunset, and fighter jets from Moose Jaw flying overhead and buzzing the course.

People from outside are astounded that a golf course like this could be found in such a small place. It features some of the most spectacular holes in Saskatchewan. The 18th is a masterpiece with the tee box offering a stunning view of the creek and the sprawl of rolling farmland in the distance. Surely, you can see for miles from that perch above everything, on a cliff where buffalo once plunged to their deaths.

Avonlea is a place for not only dreamers, but for dreamers who live their dreams. Wally Nelson is like that. He is an owner of the John Deere and General Motors dealerships in Avonlea, and it’s often been said that if it wasn’t for Wally, this town would be far worse for wear.

Years ago, Wally had a dream to build a golf course for the people

of Avonlea, and, indeed, Saskatchewan. So, he did, starting with nine holes, then another nine. Then, he built one of the most magnificent clubhouses anywhere, and the rest is history.

Not so long ago, he phoned me, and said, “You’ve got to come out and see what they’ve done in town.”

I go to Avonlea all the time, mostly to play Long Creek, but this time when I went, it was astounding. Avonlea, like every other Saskatchewan community, has Rider Pride. And, when the Riders announced they were going to name one city or town “Riderville” in 2010, the year of the club’s 100th anniversary, Avonlea snapped to attention. “Why not us?” they proclaimed, and away they went.

The results are absolutely incredible, and Avonlea has to be a serious contender to be named “Riderville” when the announcement is made at the Labour Day Classic. Avonlea is one of five finalists.

The town has turned green and white, and every other town in the province is likely green with envy.

From the moment you hit Avonlea, it’s as if you have indeed arrived in Riderville.

The streets have been re-named after current and former Riders. On the street lamps are wooden replicas of Rider sweaters from all eras and the names of Ken Preston and Paul Kirk hook up with Darian Durant and Bob Poley.

A vacant store has been transformed into the Riderville Store, its front window filled with Roughrider memorabilia. Somebody has painted their house green.

And, outside another house, on the front lawn, is a sign that exclaims: “Gramma Getzlaf lives here!” She, of course, would be the grandmother to Rider receiver Chris Getzlaf.

Rider CEO and President Jim Hopson was so taken by the talk about Avonlea that he drove out to see for himself. He had trouble containing his excitement, and when he dropped in at Gramma Getzlaf’s house, he left with a prized gift. “She had just baked some bread and she gave him a loaf to take home,” said Wally Nelson.

The main street has been painted to look like a football field, and there are Rider banners and flags all over town.

The road to Avonlea is indeed worthy of a special trip, especially if you are even remotely a Saskatchewan Roughrider fan. Riderville will welcome you with open arms.

Column photo by Maurice Laprairie


FOREVER & TODAY

It’s easy to make a list of everything Gord Staseson has accomplished so

far in his 82 years. But it’s the way those actions have affected the people in our city, our province, and our country that truly gives them meaning.

Staseson was a businessman in Regina for many years; a successful retailer, land developer, and the head of many construction groups. Away from business was his sporting life: from his early days of hockey, through figure skating, equestrian, water sports, football, basketball, and golf, Staseson has been a player and a builder, and was recently honoured into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame. Over the years, his sports have changed, but giving back and building has always been the common theme.

“I was a hockey player from the age of 12,” said Staseson, explaining how it all began. “I left here when I was in Grade 12 at Central Collegiate. I went with five others to the Boston Bruins camp in Quebec City. We ended up making the Boston Olympics,

which was a real powerhouse; we won the American Amateur title.”

While Staseson was playing with the Olympics, his roommate Bill Cowley told him, “Gord, if you can’t make the national league because of your size (5’5 ½”), don’t play in the minor leagues, because that’s a mistake. Go home and play hockey in the western league, and start your own business.” After his year with Boston, Staseson returned to Regina. He couldn’t return to Boston because during World War II, active males were not allowed to cross the border. Staseson played his final junior year with the Regina Abbotts before spending 22 weeks training for the Canadian army before the war ended. He then went to training camp for the Pittsburgh Hornets, who were a farm team for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

“They were breaking up camp and I was assigned to go to Hollywood, but I said I wasn’t going,” said Staseson, who had decided to return to Regina as most players in the NHL were coming from Western

Canada. “That night I get a phone call (about my decision). ‘Staseson! This is Connie Smythe calling. What in the hell is it that you won’t go to Hollywood?’” Staseson explained he thought Hollywood was a graveyard for hockey players and he wanted to return to Regina. “He said, ‘I think it’s a dumb move because you’re wrong... I’ll let you go, but you’re going to pay your own way home.’”

Staseson later received a wire from Smythe with the information that Bill Barilko, who was with the Hollywood Wolves, had been called up to the Leafs.

Staseson played with the Regina Capitals until 1954. In the meantime, he was married (to Valerie), and had three children: Gaye, Tom, and Rae.

Gaye was a member of the Wascana Winter Club as a figure skater. Staseson had a bit of experience, because when he played in Boston, he had access to the Boston Gardens, and would spend his free time watching ice shows and going backstage.

Gord Staseson (centre) with (R-L) Ron Lancaster, Eagle Keys, Rick Folk, & Ken Charlton at Expo ‘86.Photo courtesy of the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame & Museum

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When the Winter Club began ice shows, Staseson offered his expertise, to the point where he was part of the national committee in 1959. Staseson remained active in the sport until 1984, long after Gaye had left figure skating for equestrian.

“We bought the horse. I didn’t know one end from another,” said Staseson. “I had made arrangements to have the horse stabled at the riding club at the exhibition. And my life changed again. I got deeply involved with the riding club. I became pony club commissioner, built a barn, and ran a lottery.”

Staseson then became the chairman of the Regina Horse Show, learning everything he could from the Toronto Royal Horse Show. As he built the show from year-to-year, he was also busy in the summer, where his family had a cottage on Katepwa Lake. He and his business partners decided to build a boat club at Katepwa Point, the Pelican Boat Club. Soon, Staseson was commodore, putting on sailing races, organizing the swimming project, and building a gigantic ski jump for the water.

Throughout his younger years, Staseson was always a fan of the Saskatchewan Roughriders – watching them in awe in the ‘30s, and later the players were friends, when Staseson played hockey in the winter and they played football in the summer. In 1979, Staseson became President of the football club. The team was in good

shape but weren’t getting enough fans. A coaching change brought back Ron Lancaster as head coach.

“Together, we had the worst record the football team has had – 2-and-14 for two years in a row,” laughed Staseson. But there were accomplishments too. In his time with the Riders, the capacity of Taylor Field was doubled and artificial turf was installed. In 1979, Staseson was also part of a group who developed something now well-known as “Rider Pride.” The first game it began, the stands were full with 28,000 people. Staseson later became the Chair of the Board of the CFL.

In 1986, Staseson developed the Saskatchewan pavilion at Expo ’86. When he came home, his daughter, Gaye, had an idea for him. Staseson had been a junior golfer at the Wascana Country Club when he played hockey. His daughter thought it was time to go back.

“She said, ‘Dad, it’s about time you did something for your own enjoyment instead of something for somebody else,’” said Staseson. “I became a member of the golf club in 1987 with one stipulation – Gaye said, ‘We will get you the membership if you promise you will never be president of the Wascana Country Club.’”

Staseson kept that promise, and began helping with the junior program. A few years later, he was the Chairman of the junior golf tournament and the developing coordinator, building a successful, well-known junior program at the Wascana.

About ten years ago, Staseson was invited to a basketball game by one of the junior golf assistant captains, Jana Schweitzer. He watched her play, and later that fall she told him she had made the University of Regina Cougar women’s basketball team and needed help fundraising. Staseson helped Schweitzer raise well over the minimum requirement, and after her five years at school, Staseson also helped Lara Schmidt, Maja Kralovcova, and Mallory Loire. He supports all of the players in terms of meals, helping with the Adopt-a-Cougar program, and any other needs that arise. Staseson has even brought Kralovcova’s mother over from Czechoslovakia for the 2009 CIS Nationals, and will do anything to help the basketball players.

He’s been called “Mr. Get-it-Done.” He’s been asked multiple times if he’d do it all over again, and the answer is always a resounding yes. And now? He’s continuing on the same as he always has, just with a few less projects on the go.


FOCUS ON

It’s a sport with contact. Aggression. Action. Quickness. And it’s a lot of

fun and gives athletes the potential play at a high level. It’s also a sport available to all – any size and shape. And the women’s game? Exactly like the men’s.

Rugby is a sport that may not have the same exposure here in Canada as elsewhere around the world, but those who play bring the same passion and love of the game. With the excitement, atmosphere, and accessibility of the sport, the women’s game is an option for any females looking to join a team and have fun and exercise.

“I really enjoyed rugby, right away,” said Julie Foster, who has started for Team Canada 47 times in her rugby career and recently received the Colette McAuley Award, which is given to a player who gives back to the sport. “My friend asked me for about five years to come play. I was involved in football and kept telling her, ‘I’m not playing your crazy sport!’ I had a hockey background and you’re always wearing equipment, while in rugby you’re

not wearing equipment but still tackling. I finally went to a practice and caught on quickly. In a sense it relates to football – you can lateral... but it’s flowing, and I could run and sprint, which I love to do. Kirsten (Karwandy, who started a team in Regina), looked at me, and said ‘you’re going to play for Canada.’ I was hooked.”

Foster played for Saskatchewan that same year, and by 1996 she was on Team Canada, going to elite athlete development camps. The number of women playing rugby in Saskatchewan has had some ups and downs since that time. There are quite a few misconceptions about rugby, and it doesn’t receive the same exposure as other sports. It’s something people like Foster and Jess Barre, who began playing about six years ago, are trying to change.

“People are scared of it because it’s contact, but there’s a safe way to tackle and a safe way to fall, and it’s so much fun,” said Barre. “Another thing I love about it is you can play at any size. You can be tall, short, large, small – you can play on the same team and it’s so incredible that way. Every position is different and it’s exciting, continuous, and a really good workout. I love it.”

Barre began playing at her high school, LeBoldus. While rugby isn’t a Saskatchewan High School Athletics Association sanctioned sport, there are high school leagues in both the Northern and Southern areas of the province. Female teams most often begin when there is a coach available. In Regina, players of all ages can play for the senior women’s team, which right now is a combination of the Rogues and the Rage. Females also have the option of trying out for Saskatchewan’s under-19 and under-23 teams, which compete at a national level.

Causing a ruck-us

“It’s exciting, continuous, and a really

good workout. I love it.”

- Jess Barre


Rugby is most often played in the 15s format, but now that 7s rugby is in the Olympics, there may be room for further growth in that aspect of the sport. There’s also the opportunity to play at higher levels, such as Foster has done, or to play rugby at the university level.

“Women’s rugby is in the CIS (Canadian Interuniversity Sport), whereas the men’s game isn’t,” said Jordan Astrope, executive director of the Saskatchewan Rugby Union. “Saskatchewan doesn’t have a university with a women’s rugby team, but it’s pretty popular in Alberta, B.C., Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia.... It’s not a sport that’s limiting, and we’re looking at a process of long-term athlete development – starting the players young, exposing them to the sport, and training them to be better runners, with better hand-eye coordination, and developing them into better athletes through a long, continuous spectrum.”

The rugby culture as a whole is very supportive, and also very social. In addition to the people from Regina clubs,

Photos courtesy of the Saskatchewan Rugby Union

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Foster said she has met many people across the province, the country, and the world, as she has done a lot of travelling with Team Canada.

“You meet a lot of people and gain so much friendship,” said Foster. “I love the

game, and the places you go and see is the bonus.”

To learn more about rugby and how to play, visit www.saskrugby.com or www.rugbycanada.ca.


SOMETIMES A LITTLE FRIENDLY RIVALRY IS A GOOD THING.

Ask Matthew Scott and Peyton Hogan. Or Kendell and Quin Pon of the Lakeshore Tennis Club.

“It’s all right to play each other,” said Scott. “It’s a good way to measure how well we’re doing.”

“We’re completely even,” added Hogan, before he and Scott began debating the fact.

When asked if it was a friendly rivalry, the two friends immediately responded “yes.” They spend a few hours six days a week at the Lakeshore Tennis Club all summer. At the same time, it’s just as often Kendell and Quin Pon can be found at the club. Quin, 14, and Kendell, 16, have been playing since they were 3 and 5, respectively. The brother and sister play together at the club quite a bit, but wouldn’t say who’s got the upper hand.

One thing everyone can agree on is a love of tennis, and enjoyment at being a part of the Lakeshore Tennis Club, where with a membership they can spend all the time they’d like in the summer months.

“There are a lot of different people here – at different ages and playing styles,” said Kendell. “It’s fun being here.”

“And we kind of grew up here,” added Quin, as the Pon’s parents also play at the club and started their children in the game of tennis at a young age.

Natalie Pepper, manager of the Lakeshore, was once a junior at the club as well, so she has seen the commitment and growth of the four juniors who have moved from recreation to competition.

“They play more weekends then they don’t play in various events,” she said. “And during the week they’ll come down at 9 a.m. and spend the entire day here if they want, hitting or just hanging out.”

Friendly Competition

Most members, it seems, are there to stay once they belong to the club. With a 90-year history, many members of the Lakeshore have played at the club for many years, and the Lakeshore is looking to increase the number of juniors who come to play – and stay with the club.

“We’re working really hard this year to try to get lots of juniors involved,” said Pepper. “We start teaching lessons at age 5. Also parents will register their kids, and then register themselves for introductory lessons, which is great because it’s a really good family game. We also have junior camps that run throughout the summer and Saturday morning junior lessons.”

The Pons used to take the Saturday morning lessons, and developed from there to the players they are today. Similarly, Scott and Hogan have developed to the playing at a national competitive level. Hogan was another player brought into the sport through family – his dad, Mike, was once a junior provincial champion, and Scott was friends with both Quin Pon and Hogan. Eventually Scott’s friends convinced him to try the sport.

“It’s really individual,” said Scott. “You only have yourself to blame and rely on. There’s always something to work on, which makes it frustrating but rewarding at the same time.”

The tennis players try for nationals twice a year – in indoor and outdoor tennis. All four players will be going to Quebec this August to play at the outdoor national. Most competitive players spend quite a bit of time travelling.

There are many opportunities for tennis scholarships - particularly for females. It’s a possible future, but the meantime they just want to have fun – and win whenever they can.

(Clockwise from top left): Kendell Pon, Quin Pon, Peyton Hogan, Matthew Scott.


PICTURE THIS

Billy Kohut at SaskTel Summer Invasion

Photo by Jay Roach

adrenaline august 2010

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