BASEBALL:
The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack baseball team has returned home from a weekend series in Lethbridge, Alberta with three of a possible four victories. The WolfPack tangled with the host Prairie Baseball Academy Dawgs and the University of Calgary Dinos. After sweeping the opposition on Saturday (Apr 21), the WolfPack lost 4-3 to the “Chris Reitsma Division” leading Dawgs and then edged by the Dinos 7-6 at Lloyd Nolan Yard.
That gives the WolfPack a regular season record of 11 and 9.
In the first game, the host Dawgs scored three runs in the first and added another in the third. Thompson Rivers had a run in their half of the first and added two more in the sixth.
Travis Nevakshonoff (RHP, Castlegar, BC) took the loss to fall to 2 and 3. He surrendered eight hits, four runs, struck out four and walked three.
The Wolfpack were led by pinch hitter Declan Murphy (Delta, BC) who was one for one with a run batted in. First baseman Jimmy Semaschuk (Whitehorse, YT) was one for three with a run batted in. Designated hitter David Hole (Vancouver, BC) was one for two with a run scored.
After PBA downed Calgary 9-3, the WolfPack gave up three runs in the bottom of the seventh and held off the Dinos for a 7-6 win.
TRU had two runs in the second and third and added three in the fifth inning. Steve Latos (RHP, Lloydminster, AB) started for Thompson Rivers and went three innings, giving up four hits, five walks and had a strike out. He was replaced by Jacob Hein (LHP, Vancouver, BC) who had two innings of work. He picked up the win, with two strikeouts and a hit.
Hole was 2 for 2 with a double. Brendan Reid (outfield, Calgary, AB) was one for two with two runs batted in.
The WolfPack will host the Dinos and Vancouver Island Baseball Institute this Friday to Sunday (Apr 27-29) at Norbrock Stadium.
THOMPSON RIVERS UNIVERSITY WOLFPACK BASEBALL: PROUD HOSTS OF THE 2012 CANADIAN COLLEGE BASEBALL CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT: MAY 10-13 th AT NORBROCK STADIUM.
WOLFPACK BASEBALL PLAYER GETS FULL PAGE ARTICLE IN VANCOUVER PROVINCE:
By Howard Tsumura, The Province April 20, 2012
They say that the eyes are the mirror to the soul, and even though Tyler Lowey has been robbed of one of his, it's still plain to see he has the inner focus to over-come the odds.
Despite losing an eye in what can only be described as a freak accident at the plate last October, the middle infielder with Kamloops' Thompson Rivers University Wolfpack baseball team has completed an incredible comeback, one which has not only stunned his teammates and coaches, but given them an added sense of purpose as they prepare to host the Canadian College Baseball Conference nationals next month.
This past Oct. 9, in an exhibition game against New Westminster's visiting Douglas College Royals, the 21-year-old from Calgary fouled a pitch off his right eye, shattering it to the point where surgeons were forced to remove it and later insert a prosthetic eye in its place.
"When I went to the hospital, they said 'You're going to have to lose the eye,'" said Lowey. "I was like 'Are you kidding me?' I had to go home to Calgary for a while. For the first two weeks or so, I didn't ever think I was going to play again. But I got so much encouragement from my friends and team-mates. Then a buddy of mine would come over and we'd play some catch, shoot some hoops, throw darts. I just tried to do something each day. I just decided that I had to work on re-living life again. And once I did that, I said to myself 'Why not come back? I can do it.'"
And so just three months after the accident, Lowey was back on the TRU campus for the start of January's winter workouts.
In February, he accompanied the team through its spring training trip to the U.S., and in its first spring game in Arizona, Lowey went out and showed everyone how seriously he was treading down the comeback trail.
"He went 2-for-3 with three RBIs and two stolen bases," said team-mate and friend Alex Condon, the Pack's third baseman. "If I didn't know, I wouldn't have been able to tell the difference. He is like the heart and soul of our team. I can't begin to tell you how excited we all were when he came back."
TRU manager Ray Chadwick, who pitched during the 1986 season with the California Angels and also spent eight seasons in the minors, admits that he has never seen a player foul a pitch off his eye. Yet he's quick to add that he has also never seen a player with the same inner grit and tenacity that Lowey has shown since his accident.
"I have seen guys get hit directly in the eye with a pitch, or take one off a bad hop," said Chadwick, who pitched in 1988-89 with the Triple A Vancouver Canadians. "He fouled one off his eye and I have never seen that happen before.
"But what he is doing is unreal. After it happened, I put on an eye patch for two days to try and get used to the depth perception thing. I even got into the box during BP and tried to hit with one eye closed. It's not easy."
Hitting a baseball has been called the toughest challenge in sports, and that's with a healthy pair of eyes. Yet Lowey has not only had to make the adjustment there, he's also had to cope with the lasers that are hit at him at second base.
In that same spring game in Arizona where he dominated at the plate and on the basepaths, he gobbled up a sharply-hit offering and made the out.
"It was like 'Yeah, it's baseball,'" Lowey said. "It kind of messed me up, though, because I had such a good first game back. I felt like I was a first-round draft pick. I thought 'This is too easy.'"
In a sport so unforgiving even on the best of days, Lowey has also had his share of struggles as he re-trains so much of his reaction time at the plate.
"He came back from Arizona as our top hitter, but he slowed down a bit when we got home," Chadwick said of Lowey, who has hit for a .161 aver-age (5-for-31) in 11 league games.
"He has started to see a lot of breaking balls and he hasn't quite picked up the spin as well. He's hit the fast-ball very well."
Lowey, who has also pitched a pair of scoreless innings in relief this sea-son, registering a pair of strikeouts, has come to practice each day with a purpose to improve.
"I am just trying to find ways to get on base," he said. "The biggest thing I have noticed is that I've been locking up on the curveballs that break into the top of the zone. I don't know if it's a mental thing or not."
Still, his battle has inspired the TRU athletic department to create a new award for an athlete overcoming adversity. Fittingly, it will be called the Tyler Lowey Award.
"What he has been able to do with one eye is better than most people can do with two eyes," said team-mate and catcher David Hole. "It just shows you what kind of an athlete he is, to go from two eyes to one in a game where hand-eye coordination is so important. And for any young athlete to lose something like an eye, that would rattle you to the core. They wouldn't be mentally ready to play sports again. But he came back as soon as he could and that speaks volumes about him."
For his part, Lowey just wants to keep getting at-bats and help to turn double plays.
"If people get inspired, that's wicked," he said. "But I am just trying to do what I do. I want to hang out with my friends, play baseball and just go about my business."
Still, seeing is believing, and his teammates can't help but be inspired.
"He needs to come to grips with how amazing he is," said Hole. "I don't think he realizes how amazing what he's doing is."
MEN’S BASKETBALL:
The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack have added to the local flavor of their men’s basketball program for 2012-13. The WolfPack have announced the signing of 6’9” forward Spencer Jaroszuk of South Kamloops Secondary. Jarosczuk (pronounced Jar-ros-ick) becomes the fourth recruit signed by head coach Scott Clark since the end of the 2011-12 Canada West season.”
Clark is looking forward to working with his latest recruit. “ He is big and he can shoot. From that perspective, he has some skills. The big thing is that he is going to have to learn to rebound and defend his position. If he can do that, he will find himself with some playing time.”
The coach says Jaroszuk will give his team something they lacked last season. “ I thought as the year went on this past year, while we were talented we lacked some size. We got worn down. We have to play with such a high level of energy in order to compete when you are undersized to get a rebound. Size really helps you . If you have it, you can throw out big guy after big guy after big guy and it affords you at the end of the game an advantage. Guys are tired at that point, but big guys are still big.”
Jaroszuk says his main strength is his shooting. “ My size and versatility will also be an advantage.” He averaged 26 points , three blocks and 15 rebounds a game this past season. He will be taking courses in the Bachelor of Science program at Thompson Rivers with future plans for a Masters degree in Physiotherapy.
His South Kamloops Titans finished second in the Okanagan “AAA” league with a record of 9 and 3. He was coached by a pair of former WolfPack players Eric D’Andrea and Tim Unaegbu.
Unaegbu has praise for Jarosczuk “ Spenny can score from anywhere on the floor,” he says. “ He was arguably the best shooter in the province for his size. We relied on him a lot for the offense of our team. He is a big body and is more than confident on the offensive side of the court. That is rare to see from a player coming out of high school.”
Unaegbu adds that Jaroszuk will add a lot in the character department as well. “ He was always loud and ready to play and others fed off his emotions.”
Clark feels that Jaroszuk working with his two former players would likely have meant that he got an introductory lesson on defensive commitment. “Tim is a guy who wants his kids to play with high energy and assign responsibilities . They would have to live up to those responsibilities. I would hope Spencer can transition to our philosophy a little easier than most recruits.”
Jaroszuk said one of the big reasons for coming to Thompson Rivers University was to be able to play before his friends and family. “ It will be pretty special to have a large cheering section and to have a good base. I know a lot of people (in the community and at TRU) already.”
Jaroszuk knows that he won’t be able to immediately step into the Canada West. “ It is going to be a huge adjustment. The style of play, how hard you have to play, everything will be so much harder. It is going to be different.”.
He is looking forward to working with coach Clark. “ He is very well respected and knows what he is talking about. I think I can learn a lot from him and become a better player.”
When asked about getting big local players to commit to his program for a second straight year, Clark says: ““There must be something in the water here,” he laughs. “ Adding someone of Spencer’s size and skill set is a feather in our cap.”
In 2010-11, the WolfPack signed identical twins Blaze and Ivan Bozinovich from St. Ann’s Academy (both 6’10”).
Clark says it would be unfair to compare the three players at this stage of their development. “The twins would be more back to the basket. He (Jaroszuk) will be more of a player who will step out and face the basket. He has competed at a higher level, competing in the “AAA” provincials as a grade 10 player. He has seen some stiff competition.”
Jaroszuk is looking forward to being a role model in his community. “When I was younger, I always looked up to the older athletes. Now it is my chance to give back. I am looking forward to being a part of it.” The WolfPack men’s basketball team are involved in a number of community activities ranging from the Terry Fox runs in elementary schools to working at the New Life Mission and being a part of the Post Media/Kamloops Daily News Raise a Reader campaign.
DOUBLE DRIBBLES: Jaroszuk hit 108 free throws in a row after practice this past season with the Titans. Unagebu laughs that he never gelled his hair and always wore sweat pant material shorts with moxie slippers on the road.
The WolfPack had three players with ties to Kamloops on their roster in 2010-11: the Bozinovich brothers and Connor Dolson (guard, Sa-hali Secondary).
Other recruits signed by the WolfPack this off season thus far are: Kenny Monture (6’9” post, Terrace, BC-Caledonia Secondary/Walnut Grove Secondary, Langley BC) and Tre Haslom (6’4” guard, Marysville, WA-Lakewood High/Olympic Junior College NWACC
MEN’S HOCKEY
The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack have their third prospect committed for the 2012-13 BC Intercollegiate Hockey League season. This time, they didn’t have to go far to get him.
The WolfPack are pleased to announce that 20 year old forward Tyler Jackson will be joining them in the fall. Jackson was the captain of the Kamloops Storm of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League last season where he had 76 points in 46 games and 78 penalty minutes. He added 10 goals and 10 assists with six minutes in penalty time in 13 play off games.
General Manager Chris Hans: “Tyler had an exceptional junior career with the Storm and we are looking forward to adding his skill set to our lineup. It is great when we can bring a player with his character to our program."
Added coach Don Schulz: “I am very pleased to have Tyler commit to the WolfPack. I've coached Tyler before; he'll bring speed, skill and heart to the program. He's a very unselfish player with a work ethic to match. He brings the type of character that I like in our lineup and should fit in like a glove in the dressing room. Tyler has played with and against a large number of our returnees and should feel very comfortable. I am very excited to be his coach once again and I expect some significant contributions from Tyler's play."
Jackson was already enrolled at Thompson Rivers. He is involved in the Bachelor of Science program as he has designs on being a chiropractor in the future.
“I have been going to school here for the last couple of years, the 5’8” Jackson states. “ My association with Don is a big plus. I’ve gotten to know Chris Hans and he seems like a good guy. The hockey program here has been strong. I am honored to keep on playing and becoming a part of the team.”
Schulz was Jackson’s coach in Pee Wee “AAA”. “He was a great coach from what I could remember,” Jackson laughed. “ I am looking forward to working with him again.”
Jackson played four seasons in the KIJHL for the Storm. He played 184 games scoring 63 goals, adding 117 assists (180 points) with 20 power play goals, five short handed goals and six game winning goals (three of them this past season).
His coach this past season was former WHL and NHL player Geoff Smith. “He is a smaller player and reminds me a lot of Steve Yzerman,” the former Oiler, Panther and New York Ranger said. “ He is a great skater, plays well defensively and on the power play. Tyler is a well rounded player and was a pleasure to coach.”
Like Yzerman, Jackson believes that his strength on the ice is as a face off man. “ I am small but I am pretty quick. I also love to kill penalties.”
Smith says Jackson was a great captain. “When you give someone the “C” you have a lot of respect for him. Tyler was someone who got that from the other players and myself.”
He points to game six of the KIJHL playoffs with the Sicamous Eagles as a good example of Jackson’s leadership capabilities. “We were down 3-2 after the first period,” Smith says. “ Tyler pulled the players together and gave them a speech. The result was the teams total demeanor changed in the second period and we wound up winning.”
Jackson admits that going to school and playing hockey the last couple of years was a challenge for him. “It was very difficult to go to school and play with the Storm,” he says. “ That is why it was so difficult for me to make the decision to finish my Junior career off instead of going to school right away. It affected my grades. I am happy now that I will be able to continue on my educational path and with the BCIHL revolving around studies, I should get the grades I need to get into chiropractor school in the future.”
Jackson has gone to a few WolfPack games in the future and is looking forward to seeing how he does. “It is good hockey. There are a lot of good players out there. I’m excited to be playing before some good fans as well.”
Like his junior team—the Storm—the WolfPack are very involved in community activities like Toys for Kids, Breakfast for Babies and Wendy’s Dreamlift.. Jackson says being a role model is something he relishes. “ I think it’s great. You get fans always supporting you so it’s only fair that you go out and support them anyway you can to give back.”
Jackson joins Anthony Delong ( 6’1” forward,Castlegar Rebels, KIJHL) and Brennan Wright (, 6’4” forward, Owen Sound/Sarnia OHL-LaRonge Ice Wolves, SJHL) as players committing to the WolfPack for next season.
WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL:
The Thompson Rivers University WolfPack women’s volleyball team have added some experience to their back court for the 2012-13 Canada West season.
The WolfPack have signed their fourth recruit for the coming season. This time, head coach Keith Lundgren has gone to his former school to pick up a libero. Lundgren and the WolfPack are pleased to announce that libero Rebecca Merasty of Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan has committed to the program.
Merasty played last season in the Alberta College Athletic Conference with the NAIT Ooks. That was the school where Lundgren had coached before coming to Thompson Rivers, two years ago.
“I’m really looking forward to moving up to the next level and seeing how I compete in the Canada West,” says Merasty, who played provincial volleyball for Lundgren with Team Saskatchewan when she was in grade nine (2006). “Knowing Keith, I know what he expects from his players and the way he operates his program.”
“She is a competitor,”said Lundgren of his newest player. “A really competitive kid. I appreciate that from her. She has great technical skills and it will be fun to see her grow at the CIS level.”
Merasty will enroll in the Bachelor of Arts program at Thompson Rivers, hoping to major in Pyschology. “I seem to be moving gradually west every year,” she laughs after spending last season in Edmonton with NAIT.
Her coach there was former CIS and National team player Ermina Russo Thorpe, who grew up and started her volleyball career in nearby Kelowna. “ She is a player who is very focussed on doing a good job in her position as libero,” she says of Merasty. “ Quiet but can take control of the court by her ability to cover a lot of it as our libero. She was an easy player to coach, conscientious in her desire to improve, maybe a bit hard on herself at times but never doubted her effort in practice or matches.”
“I am sure I am going to be able to excel under Keith’s system,” stated Merasty.
Lundgren states that needless to say, Merasty has improved a lot since he first saw her. “ She has certainly taken the advice and guidance of her former coaches and applied it. We watched her play quite a bit in the college circuit the past year. We are really happy with her execution in that environment and feel it is going to be a really good fit for her at TRU.”
Russo Thorpe believes that Merasty will succeed at the CIS level but it will be an adjustment. “ It will be a steep learning curve and an adjustment. The speed of the offense and the better hitters will be a challenge as a libero but I believe she can handle it. She has the skill and the right attitude. She wants to play at a higher level, I look forward to seeing her do well.”
Lundgren agrees that there is a significant jump from college volleyball to that of the Canada West. “ The athletes are a bit more physical. I don’t remember too many players touching 10 feet when I was coaching college. We have three players on our team that are close to that. The level of coaching is the same, it is just that the athletes are a bit more physical and we get them for a little more time (5 years rather than maybe just two).”
He thinks the WolfPack will be very strong at the libero position in 2012-13, as he is close to adding another experienced player at that position before the end of the summer. “It’ll be good competition for the both of them,” he adds.
“She is an older player so she will be very good with the time management component of being a student/athlete,” he says. “ Quite often for first years, the most trying part of the experience here is time management. We are happy she already has adjusted to that.”
Merasty was a member of the gold medal winning women’s volleyball team at the North American Indigenous Games at Denver, Colorado in 2006 and competed with Team Saskatchewan at the Canada Summer Games in 2009 in Prince Edward Island.
Other players committing to the WolfPack women’s volleyball program so far for the coming fall are: Katie Woo , a 5’10” setter from Coquitlam, BC(Riverside Secondary/Coquitlam Ducks), Hillary Schell, a 5’10” outside hitter from Kelowna BC (Kelowna Secondary/Kelowna K’Roos) and Rachel Murray , a 5’10” outside hitter from Edmonton, AB(Jasper Place High School).
