Sports The Lorian March 5, 2015 7

Drews Views

Drew Brashawasst. sports editor

Unfit for fitnessIn the course of my duties as the assistant sports editor for this fine publication, I often find myself in the presence of very athletic, physically gifted young men and women. For a twiggy thirty-something with a bad back and thinning hair, these surroundings arent exactly conducive to a positive self-image. I look at the amazing things these fine-tuned student-

athletes are able to do with their bodies, and I think to myself, I could do that when I was their age. Its a damned lie, but its a lie that always makes me long for the days when my joints didnt snap, crackle, and pop like a bowl of Kelloggs Rice Krispies every morning when I got out of bed.

Recently, I decided to do something about it.A few weeks ago, while I was perusing

announcements on the Loras portal, I came across a post that read: Time to Start Your Fitness Program. Im not sure why I clicked on the link. I hadnt been contemplating suicide, or self-mutilation, or any other form of masochistic activity lately, but I clicked. And I read. To wit, students in the kinesiology program were looking for guinea pigs to design and implement workouts for, and would serve as personal trainers for the volunteers at no cost.

I dont know why I responded, but I did.I was instructed to fill out a packet of

information and bring it to the Graber Center on a Monday morning to discuss it with my new trainer. Completing the informational forms was a formidable exercise in and of itself. Here are a few highlights:Q: Why did you decide to sign up for this fitness class?A: Because Im an out-of-shape old man who lives a lifestyle only slightly less active than that of the average glacier.Q: What are you hoping to accomplish through this program?A: To undo the last dozen years, or so.Q: Do you picture yourself as having a healthy diet?A: Yes, but sometimes I also picture myself as Batman.Q: Do you have any bad habits youd like to break?A: No thanks, Im in a good place with my bad habits.Q: What is your biggest fear for the next 12 weeks?A: Vomiting on the gym floor. And grizzly bears, they terrify me.

I managed to get through the packet injury-free, and I was ready to meet my trainer.

The first day was just a meet-and-greet, where I was introduced to Sani, my new personal fitness trainer. As Sani looked over my questionnaire, he chuckled politely a few times, as if he knew his work was cut out for him. He had no idea. But Sani has the kind of attitude that sprays positivity all over the place, and I couldnt help but to feel encouraged. Before our next meeting, which would consist of fitness tests to determine the exact degree of how pathetic my physical prowess is, I went out and bought two items Id never before owned: a pair of running shoes, and a box of cereal without a cartoon character on it. With my feet properly adorned, and my stomach filled with something called whole grains, I headed to Graber to meet Sani.

The events which followed were a complete horror show.

I ran, unpursued, for 12 minutes. Who does that? At the end of this Bataan-caliber death march, I swore my chest would burst. As it turns out, two dozen Camels a day isnt the greatest thing in the world for a guys wind. What in the hell had I gotten myself into?

Inexplicably, I didnt give up. I came back for more abuse.

The next time, there were push-ups, and sit-ups, more running, and a medicine ball. I didnt even know that was a real thing. I thought they only existed in sports movie training montages.

To make a long story short, I dont feel any younger. My left calf feels like Ndamukong Suh just danced the Charleston on it, and my abs (who knew I had such a thing?) ache so badly that Im continuously checking myself for stab-wounds.

Despite feeling like the victim of a prison riot today, Im going back tomorrow, and I plan to finish out the full 12-week program. I havent yet figured out why. Netflix and Papa Johns never make me hurt this way.

Ill let you know how it works out.

Loras drops rematch to MSOE Duhawks earn 1st conference victory against Fontbonne

by Drew brashaw | asst. sports editorThe mens volleyball team hosted

Milwaukee School of Engineering on Tuesday night at the AWC. The Du-hawks looked to avenge their Jan. 21 loss to MSOE, a match which fin-ished as a 3-2 nail-biter in favor of the Raiders. Unfortunately for Loras, Tuesdays contest wasnt as close, as MSOE closed out the match in 3 sets (25-22, 25-21, 26-24). First-year Jim-my Combs hit for .636, tallying 8 kills and 3 digs in the match. First-year T.J. Esporas pitched in 7 kills and 3 digs.

The loss moves Loras to 3-12 for the season.

Even though the road this season has been rocky, the Duhawks reached a significant milestone this weekend, earning their first Midwest Collegiate Volleyball League victory of the year on Friday when they swept the Font-bonne Griffins 3-0 in St. Louis.

Led by Combs, who notched 8 kills, 4 blocks, and 2 service aces, the Du-hawks outlasted the Griffins in two closely contested sets to open the match, winning 25-23, and 26-24. In the 3rd and decisive set, Loras was fi-nally able to create some separation on the scoreboard, and sealed the match with a 25-19 win. Senior Mi-chael Kreiser contributed 10 kills and 2 blocks, and Esporas had 9 kills.

We fought hard and accomplished some of our major goals (against Fontbonne), said head coach Jeremy Thornburg. We got our first confer-ence win, we finished sets at crucial times, and we really played together as a team.

On Sunday, the Duhawks traveled to Cincinnati for a matchup with the 14th-ranked Mount St. Joseph Lions. After dropping the first two sets 25-20, and 25-17, Loras bounced back to take the 3rd set by a score of 25-22

and kept the match alive. The Du-hawks were unable to force a 5th set, as Mount St. Joseph took the 4th set to wrap up the match with a 3-1 vic-tory.

The Duhawks will next travel to Fort Wayne, In. to take on Coach Thornburgs alma mater, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne. Thornburg got his start in coaching at IPFW, where he was a member of hall of fame coach Arnie Balls staff.

softball

2014 softball season statisticsBatting

Player ............... G h rbi hr slg% ob% avgKatie Serpico ......... 33 34 32 7 .641 .482 .370 Katherine Angelini ...19 14 6 0 .439 .391 .341Lara Mangialardi......19 15 8 2 .522 .340 .326Danielle Stromert . 33 26 13 0 .424 .500 .306Makaila Haase ...... 33 27 27 6 .490 .360 .270Kali Koopmann .....30 22 13 1 .344 .320 .244Sam Shindelar........31 21 8 2 .322 .258 .241Ashlee Hoffmann .. 24 14 11 1 .317 .306 .222Alaina Rigdon .......30 17 20 6 .451 .305 .207Cate Paulsen ..........19 8 11 0 .225 .289 .200Nora Zerante ......... 27 12 15 0 .242 .342 .194Maddie Bare ...........19 7 5 0 .244 .209 .171Totals ....................36 250 181 29 .417 .368 .270

PitchingPlayer .......... app-gs ip w-l bb so avg eraLara Mangialardi....20-15 72.21 5-10 47 34 .324 5.11Holly Klein .......... 20-17 94.2 7-8 40 55 .312 5.32Erin Hosch .............16-1 22.0 1-1 12 12 .360 6.05Taylor Vaske ...........7-0 9.2 0-1 4 1 .404 9.42Totals .................... 36 220.1 15-21 114 117 .328 5.66

MsOe 3, Loras 0(25-22, 25-21, 26-24)

Loras (3-12, 1-6) ....... AC Kl Dg Ast Michael Kreiser ..................2 4 2 1Dawid Kasprzak .................0 6 0 0Shayne Marquez ................ 1 0 3 19Jimmy Combs .................... 1 8 3 0TJ Esporas .........................0 7 3 0Dylan Ross .........................0 5 1 0Danny Krasich ................... 1 0 5 11Blair Anderson ...................0 0 9 1Kyle Zacok ..........................0 2 0 0Totals ..........................5 32 26 32

Klein, Serpico to lead young DuhawksPreseason poll has Loras picked to finish 7th in Iowa Conference

by Frank FernanDez | sportswriterComing off a 14-22 season and a sec-

ond straight missed conference tour-nament, the Duhawks hope that their combination of strong veterans along with hungry newcomers can lead them to their first postseason appearance since 2012.

The senior duo of Katie Serpico and Holly Klein will provide leadership and anchor the Duhawks in various areas. Serpico, an all-region selection in 2014, has the capability to surpass her num-bers from a year ago, when she led the team in batting average (.370), home runs (7), and runs batted in (32).

In the circle, Klein returns as the Duhawks top pitcher from last season. She had 10 complete games last season and held opponents to the lowest bat-ting average among the Duhawk start-ing staff. After a strong offseason of working with new pitching coach Kevin Schuchmann, Klein will look to build on her career-high 55 strikeouts in 2014.

Ive been working closely with coach

Schuchmann these past few months and I can already see a lot of improve-ment in my control and movement, which will help me build on last years success, Klein said.

Head coach Ashley Winter is hoping that she can get a strong showing from some of the first-years on the roster.

Weve got a few freshmen that have showed great potential and they could see significant playing time if they continue, said Winter.

One of these freshmen, Mi-randa Chapman, is making her transition from the court to the diamond after wrap-ping up her first season on the Womens basketball team.

In the preseason Iowa Con-ference poll, the Duhawks were picked to finish seventh of eight teams.

Im very excited to get this season going, we are ready to make a statement and show everyone what we are made of, Winter said.

The Duhawks will begin their season in Minneapolis, facing off against St. Cather-

ines and Crown at the Augsburg Dome on March 6 and 7. A spring break trip to Tucson, Arizona has the Duhawks competing in the Tucson Invitational games. Playing eight games in four days will give Loras an early season test, be-fore heading back to Dubuque to begin conference play against the title favorite Luther College Norse.

photo by MaDDy COLeSenior Michael Kreiser and first-year Jimmy Combs go up for the block during the Duhawks 3-0 loss to MSOE Tuesday night.