Kit Leffler/Kanson
Jackie Allred, Leawood freshman, catches a lacrosse ball during her first team practice on Tuesday, Sept. 23. "I thought the ball was going to hit me in the face, but it is going pretty well," Allred said of the practice.
with netted pockets on one end. Games are divided into two 20- or 25-minute halves.The women's team has 15 players and the men's team has 25.
Background Info: The sport originated in North America. "It was originally played by the Native Americans," says the women's team co-captain JoEllen Wang. "I've heard that it was played to end disputes between tribes, and I've also heard that it was a religious rite, but most commonly, I hear that it was played in preparation for war."
Benefits: Lacrosse is a demanding sport that gives participants a good cardiovascular workout and helps them to build muscle tone. "It's physical and requires a lot of skill," says Ryan Wallace, the men's lacrosse vice president. "It involves running, shooting and passing." Wang, St. Louis senior, says the sport also has a positive psychological impact on its participants. "It's empowering, she says. 'Lacrosse really goes beyond a sport. It increases your sense of self.'"
Fun Facts: A lacrosse shot can reach more than 100 mph, Wang says.
The Pitch: Men's and women's lacrosse is open to all full-time KU students. "Everyone can play lacrosse," Wang says. "It's a matter of getting experience." Men's lacrosse president Nate Macon also encourages new players to come out. "Most of us have some experience, but that's not a requirement." Men's coach Eric Hethcoat also invites all students, faculty and staff to come watch their games.
Joining up: Interested women should contact Wang at joellen@ku.edu or check out the women's lacrosse Web site at www.ku.edu/~lax. Women's practices are held every Sunday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Broken Arrow Park, 31st and Louisiana streets, every Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Broken Arrow Park and every Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Shenk Sports Complex. The club requires members to pay $50 each semester and fundraisers to cover additional expenses. Interested men should contact Macon at targetoe@ku.edu. Men's practices are held every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at Shenk Sports Complex at 5:30 p.m. The team requires members to pay annual dues of $400 for equipment and travel expenses.
Wushu
The Lowdown: Wushu is a martial art that incorporates elements of gymnastics. "It's extraordinarily technical," says wushu club president Cody Szuwalski. "In a way, it's closer to ballet than some
other martial arts." The club began meeting last semester and has only eight regular members, however, Szuwalski expects the number to grow this year. He plans to concentrate on helping members to develop skills, rather than focus on competition. "I hope to go to some collegiate championships, but it's not just about that," he says.
Background Info: Wushu originated in China during the Zhou Dynastv.
Sean Smith/Kansar
Cody Szuwalski, Lawrence graduate student leaps through the air showing the flexibility required for Wushu.
Benefits: Like most martial arts, Wushu helps increase strength and flexibility. Szuwalski says it also provides participants with a cardiovascular workout. "We're always jumping around," he says. "There's a lot of movement and energy involved."
Although originally designed for combat, the martial art has since evolved into a performance art.
Fun Facts: Wushu is Jet Li's martial art of choice, according to Szuwalski.
The Pitch: Szuwalski encourages all who are interested to come out to try his favorite martial art. "We're definitely open to everyone," he says. "I'd like to recruit some more women. They have a natural grace that's harder for men to develop. And come on, who doesn't want to be Jet Li?"
Joining Up: Interested students should contact Szuwalski at pszu@aol.com. Practices will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays in the specified room, once it opens, at the Student Recreation Center.
Students who want more information about these sports or others can contact Recreation Services at 864-3546 or stop by room 208 at Robinson Center.
Lauren Reidy, Jayplay staff writer, can be reached at lreidy@kansan.com
JUMP ON IT
Get in touch with your inner child and inner thigh muscles simultaneously with toys from the days when streetlights determined your curfew. Pogo sticks, personal trampolines and jump ropes provide an alternate method of exercise for those who wish they still had recess in between class. KayCee Bushnell, Wichita senior and certified aerobics instructor, tells you the benefits of these playful workouts. So get out your favorite Crayola and take note.
Pogo Sticks
Don't be scared to jump back on — it's like riding a bike, you never really forget how. Pogo sticks tone your core muscles, which consist of your abdominal and lower back area. Building a strong center will improve your balance, a requisite of pogo jumping.
Pogo sticks are available online at www.pogostickusa.com.
Small or personal size trampolines Trampolines provide a serious cardiovascular workout and can be set up anywhere. With this exercise you will not only build stamina, but also strength in your lower-body muscles.
The lowest-priced mini-trampolines are available at Wal-Mart, 3300 Iowa St., for $19.97.
Jump Ropes
Jump roping requires huge endurance. It takes all-over control plus, "you are getting a mental exercise because you're concentrating on coordination," Bushnell says. Keep your feet together and make tight, controlled circles to get your heart rate going. This will help you get the most out of the exercise, she says.
Jump ropes are available at Wal-Mart, SuperTarget, 3201 Iowa St., and Play It Again Sports, 1029 Massachusetts St., with prices starting at $3.96.
To see and feel the gains, Bushnell recommends doing the exercises for at least 20 minutes, three times per week. She also suggests mixing it up: say, 10 on the pogo and 10 jump roping. Who said working out couldn't be fun?
—Sara Behunek
thursday, October 9, 2003
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