The UCSB Women's Rugby team start their 2012 season off with a shutout of the UCSD Tritons with a 17 - 0 win. Coming back from a heartbreaking 0 - 6 record last season, Barbara aims to build momentum forward with a new squad.

The first try was made by rookie Anisa Khamvongsa, the speedy Outside-center on the field. Aside from easily having a career in cartoon voice-overs with her identifiable high-pitched voice, Khamvongsa serves as an example of the rookie talent the 2012 squad brings this season.

Seniors Lawren Wylie and Celina Ayala racked up the points with their trys. Wylie's try resembled the "ideal" rugby offense; a beautiful passing of the hands from the Backs set-up Barbara's FullBack to a beautiful quick-step try (of course thanks the the aid of the solid forward pack). Ayala, the team's Hooker, battled her way to the chalk line of delayed gratification. This was Ayala's first try during a season game.

Captains Kelsy Siegel, Scrum-half, and Kristine Sommers, 8-man, lead the team with preparation for the big game. Aside from leading torturous plank workouts and holding their teammates accountable to morning conditioning, the senior leadership has developed a culture of higher expectations and a “no excuses” mentality.

Contributing to the Gauchos win, first year Ema Arenchild, Fly-half, boosted the score with her conversions and red zone kicks. Unfortunately starters Arenchild and junior Christina Kearney were forced to visit the hospital with serious injuries. Kearny, Inside-center, was escorted off the field after a three-person tackle during the second half, which resulted in a broken foot. Arenchild broke her collarbone during a defensive collision. And to add some icing to the cake, second-year started Laura Avila brushed off her fourth concussion during the game. Despite the setbacks, the three fighters still attend practices and plan to attend Barbara’s next game in Los Angeles.

Even though the loses of two extraordinary talent put the Gauchos in a difficult position, hopes remain high as the Gauchos face long-time rivals UCLA.  Alumni and friends are urged to support UCSB as they face the Bruins Saturday, February 4^th at 2 pm.

By Allie Browne

This past weekend, UCSB club cycling competed in the Conference Championships in Hollister and Morgan Hill, with two cyclists qualifying for nationals next week.

The Gauchos have a small A-team, meaning each rider had to qualify individually: third year mathematics major Eric Hartsuyker and fourth year political science major Dan Katz accumulated the required amount of points in races during the past ten weeks.  In the 67-mile race at Hollister, Hartsuyker crossed the finish line with the lead group, but Katz crashed out at mile 27 and was taken to the emergency room to remove rocks from his arm and to be stitched up.  In the hour-long crit race at Morgan Hill, Hartsuyker was exhausted from the previous day’s race, while Katz won the sprint when four riders were up the road, taking fifth place.

Nationals will be held May 6^th-8^th in Madison, Wisconsin.

UCSB club women’s lacrosse has added another item to their impressive résumé this season by finishing third in the Western Women’s Lacrosse League Championship Tournament.  The Gauchos opened tournament play with a convincing 21-14 win against Berkley.  The Gauchos then suffered a heartbreaking 13-12 loss to Santa Clara in the semifinals.  They responded the next day with 15-11 victory over Cal Poly in the third place game.  With the weekend’s impressive performance, the team has earned an at-large bid into the Women’s Collegiate Lacrosse Associates National Championship on the weekend of May 4^th in Scottsdale, Arizona.

The UCSB club triathlon team has consistently been one of the top-ten programs in the country, and is on their way to repeating that success this year. Chemical Engineering major Sam Shaner and junior Chemistry major Lucy Darago, co-presidents, talked about how leadership has been a critical aspect of sustaining a highly achieving team each year.

“Since we’re a Sport Club team, most players put academics first,” Darago said. “Stepping up as a leader is all about supporting the team and being involved. It’s a balancing act.”

Shaner has worked on finding the right balance between academics and sports throughout college.

“I went to Nationals my first and second year, but last year I took a lot of time off from triathlon because I want to go to grad school,” Shaner said. “I committed myself to academics.”

Shaner is back to excelling at triathlon, placing sixth in the team’s first race of the season at the UC Irvine Zot Trot on February 13. UCSB also placed three women in the top ten: Lizzy Hendrix (fifth), Alexis Dougherty (ninth), and Alison Leary (tenth). A typical race hosted by a UC attracts 10-15 teams, which translates to about 300 racers.

“We had a lot of newcomers so it was lots of fun,” Shaner said. “Everyone had a good race.”

The biggest race of the season so far was the UC San Diego Tritonman on February 20. UCSB had over 40 racers, but due to rainy conditions, it was shortened to a duathlon, with just running and cycling.

“That was the most athletes we’ve had for a race,” Darago said. “We’re always eager to finish a full triathlon, but we’re also prepared to adapt to the conditions and perform well. We still had fun as a team and raced hard.”

The top three Gauchos on the women’s side were Liz Whiteley (eighth), Elke Peirtsegaele (22^nd), and Caroline Dezendorf (25^th), with Peter Burns (eighth), Joshua Sayre (24^th), and Taylor Harwood (25^th) excelling on the men’s side.

The team has a few “focus races,” like at UC Irvine and UC San Diego, where it sends 30-40 athletes. Other races, like last weekend’s Stanford Treeathlon, are not as big for the team and not as many athletes make the trip. Likewise, this Sunday, only a few Gauchos will be racing at the UCLA IronBruin, but the USC Fight-On! Triathlon on March 12 will be another focus race.

“We’re excited for USC because it’s a little longer [than the usual Sprint distance],” Darago said. “It’ll be a good indicator of how we will perform later in the season and we’ll use it to help choose who goes to Nationals.”

On March 20, UCSB hosts the Kendra Chiota Payne Triathlon, which the Gauchos use to showcase more than just their athletic abilities.

“The focus won’t be on racing,” Darago said. “A majority of the team makes sure the course is safe and well managed. We’re excited to show the rest of the conference what an organized and incredible team we are.”

“We encourage our athletes to volunteer,” Shaner explained. “It’s all run by students.”

With 120 people on the team, hosting this race is just one of several responsibilities as co-president.

“There’s a lot of work that goes in to organizing it all,” Shaner said. “We arrange transportation and lodging [for each race] so all the rest of the team has to do is sign up online. I wanted to be co-president to share the knowledge and experience I’ve gained the last few years, and it’s been fun working with our officers.”

As co-president is a big commitment, the position is only a one-year term.

“It’s a lot of work and its good for the team to switch up the leadership,” Darago said. “But I’m very glad to have the opportunity to give back to the team this year.”

On March 27, Cal Poly will host the West Coast Collegiate Triathlon Conference Championships. Last year, UCSB finished the conference in second place behind UC Berkeley.

The USA Triathlon Collegiate National Championship are April 9 in Tuscaloosa, AL. UCSB has placed sixth in Nationals for the past three years.

“Last year was frustrating because the [weather] conditions affected the team,” Darago said.

“Our goal this year is to place in the top five,” Shaner said. “It’s tough because all the military teams (Army, Navy, Air Force) are usually the top three.”

Nationals are capped at 700 racers, which means the team has to choose just seven athletes for the men and women’s races.

“We want it to be a fun experience with a cohesive team,” Shaner said. “[The top seven] will be based on performance and team participation throughout the year.”

Many UCSB students enjoy tossing around a Frisbee at the beach, and some have turned that hobby into a competitive sport for an hour each week. Jon Cass, a third-year graduate student in UCSB’s Mathematics PhD program, is also in his third year of playing Intramural Sports. This quarter, Cass leads an Ultimate team, “Little Jon and His Merry Men & Women,” that is currently undefeated in the Coed Advanced league.

“I started playing Intramurals Sports when I first got to UCSB [in 2008],” Cass said. “One of my friends had come to UCSB the previous year and invited me to play on a team. I played with that team for a little while, but then some of the players left town and the team dissolved.”

After that, Cass didn’t have much continuity with one team for a while.

“I spent the next year or so bouncing around between teams and just playing whenever I got the chance,” Cass explained. “Then in the spring of last year, [former graduate student] Ariana Arcenas organized a team out of people who play pickup together when there are no Intramural Sport games going on.”

Arcenas’ team made a run for the championship last year.

“We did well last spring, and only lost in the finals,” Cass said. “[Arcenas] graduated at the end of last year, so I decided to keep the team going into this year.”

Cass talked about how he fits Ultimate into a schedule that includes research in algebra and number theory, with an emphasis on elliptic curves and Stark's conjectures. 

“As a graduate student, my schedule is very loose,” Cass said. “I teach for a few hours a week, and have class for a couple hours a week, but most of my time is spent reading, thinking about, and researching mathematics on my own schedule.

Cass explained that despite certain challenges, participating in Intramural Sports is definitely worth his time.

“It is not difficult to fit intramurals into my schedule, however it is sometimes disruptive if I am in the middle of a marathon grading schedule, or am finally making some headway in my reading,” Cass said. “That [being] said, I find that it is very important to make the time - the intramural games are an opportunity to work hard in a different way and interact with people that I would not see otherwise.  My head is always much clearer after a good game of Ultimate.”

Cass talked about the dynamic players on his team and how they have come to play well together.

“Our team has a vast range of experience levels,” Cass said. “Some people have been playing for over ten years and have competed at high levels, while others have just started this year. We only meet as a team for the games, but I know that many of the players look for opportunities between games to meet up and practice throwing.”

Overall, Little Jon and His Merry Men & Women has proven to be a fun and rewarding team for Cass lead.

“One of the aspects of my team that I am happiest about is our ability to welcome new players, while still maintaining a high level of play,” Cass said.  “I know that when I show up for games, I will get the chance to learn from players who are far better than I am, and also teach some players who are just getting started.”

The team is currently 6-0, with one game left before playoffs.

“I believe that we will remain undefeated through the rest of the games, but that remains to be seen,” Cass said.

The past game on February 25 against “The Plastics,” also undefeated at the time, proved to be a good test for both teams, with Little Jon and His Merry Men & Women prevailing.

“[That] game was very memorable,” Cass explained. “We played in the pouring rain, with no subs [as not everyone showed up because of] the rain.  We had a great game, and I hope we get the opportunity to play against them again in the playoffs.”

WHEN: March 7 – April 1
WHERE: Rec Sports Office

You Continued the Legacy during winter, now Capture the Legacy this spring by signing up for spring Intramural Sports! Take advantage of the quarter with the best weather by joining one of the most popular programs offered by UCSB Recreational Sports!

We offer 18 different sports this spring including softball, basketball, water polo, and indoor/outdoor soccer. There is a sport for everyone and no experience necessary.

Greek? Make sure to sign-up for the Greek Gauntlet on March 7 & 8th!

Sign-up between March 7^th and April 1^st in the Rec Sports Office. Be one of the first 100 students to sign up and receive a free wristband, putting you in the running to get Caught on Campus. If you’re caught, you’ll win a FREE Rec Sports tank. Spots go fast, so sign-up early!

By Lisa Gray

Do you still need to plan your 2011 Spring Break? Do Cabo and Puerto Vallarta sound too overdone and unoriginal? Do you want to learn new skills in a unique outdoor experience? Every year, UCSB Adventure Programs offers spring break opportunities perfect for gauchos who said yes to all the above. Whether you’re partial to snowy wilderness, desert-like hikes, or refreshing rivers, there is something for everyone. This year, for all outdoor enthusiasts who want a more intense experience, Adventure Programs proudly presents the Wilderness First Responder course. Trips are open to everyone, and thanks to Rec Sports and students’ initiatives, students may enjoy reduced rates. Spots are limited, so head to the Rec Cen cashier’s office to sign-up now!

Colorado River Canoe Trip
Saturday, March 19th - Tuesday, March 22nd

What better way to learn canoeing than by paddling up the Colorado River for the weekend? Even if you already feel comfortable in a canoe, experiencing the serenity of traveling through the Black Canyon, lined by breathtakingly high cliffs, is incomparable to your average river canoe trip. In fact, all skill levels are encouraged to join the experienced trip leaders, who are more than willing to teach or perfect canoeing skills. The three day trip begins at Willow Beach and ends at the Arizona Hot Springs campground for some rewarding relaxation. Round trip transportation, canoeing instruction, canoes and canoeing gear, breakfast and dinners while camping, as well as group cooking gear are all included in the registration fee. You must supply your own personal equipment, lunch and road meals. Sign up now to ensure you will experience one of the best and most beautiful ways to spend spring break on the water.

Backpacking in the Grand Canyon
Friday, March 18th - Thursday, March 24th

The beauty of the Grand Canyon has intrigued mankind for hundreds of years. Despite the constant inflow of travelers, the canyon remains a natural wonder worth exploring. One can’t help but be awed from being “three quarters of a mile in the depths of the earth [surrounded by] walls and cliffs that rise to the world above” (as described by John Wesley Powell). Due to permit scarcity and competition, UCSB Adventure Programs is extremely fortunate to have received permission for five consecutive days of hiking and camping through the main corridor of the canyon.

The group will leave Friday morning for the South Rim of the Canyon. The next five days will consist of eight to ten mile hikes, which require participants to be in good physical condition, preferably with previous backpacking experience. Night temperatures are expected to be cold, with the possible chance of snow, so pack warm! The trip home will include a planned camping stop and arrival to campus early Friday evening. Paying for registration includes round-trip transportation, breakfasts and dinners while camping, camping fees, permit fees and group equipment. Due to permit restrictions there are only nine spaces available for participants, so hurry to secure your spot!

Wilderness First Responder Course
Saturday, March 19th - Saturday, March 27th

For those of you who spend all your time outdoors and aren’t already certified Wilderness First Responders, what are you waiting for? You owe it to your friends and yourself to take this definitive medical training course. Being up to date and comfortable with proper wilderness medical aid is a must for all outdoor leaders and frequenters. A successful completion of the 72-hour course will earn you a Wilderness First Responder and CPR certification card from Wilderness Medical Associates valid for 3 years. All CPR course curriculum taught is consistent with current American Heart Association standards at the healthcare provider level. Register soon to insure your safety on all future outdoor excursions!

To register or find more information, please visit http://gauchosplay.com/adventure-programs/spring-break-2011. Several of these trips are offered multiple times in a year. Explore the UCSB Adventure Programs website to see what and when the other trips and courses are offered—there is guaranteed to be a course to meet any Gaucho’s outdoor interests.

By Lisa Gray

Spending time getting to know the natural world around you is more than worthwhile—anyone who has enjoyed rock climbing, kayaking, or hiking will attest to that—but it isn’t always easy to arrange or commit to wilderness excursions. The excuses are endless: You don’t know which trails are best, you aren’t sure what equipment canyoneering requires, you can’t find friends willing to climb with you on the weekends… The list goes on and on.

The Leadership Training Course (LTC) leaves you with no excuses. Proudly provided by UCSB Adventure Program staff (all of which are former LTC members), the course offers guided trips, equipment rentals, hands-on training, and enthusiastic friends to join you on your outdoor adventures. Physics major Jacob Staines tells us how the LTC shaped his freshman year of college and helped him make the most of all the outdoor opportunities around him.

Q: Why did you register for the LTC?
Jacob Staines: I was drawn to UCSB Adventure Programs Leadership Training Course [by the] opportunity to learn. There is so much to do out in the mountains or on the sea, you would be hard pressed to go out there and not learn. I wanted to compliment what experience I had with some professional training, as well as develop new experiences.

Q: Now that you’ve spent nearly six months with your fellow LTC-ers, you must have a lot of great memories. Do you have a favorite?
JS: One of the best parts about LTC is the inevitable development of the LTC family. One of my most profound memories from LTC was on the car ride back from our three-day canoe trip on the Colorado River. This trip took place in November, before any classroom sessions had begun. We had set out, for the most part, as complete strangers. We spent three days on the river, and came back more comfortable with each other than some of us were with our roommates.

Q: The LTC consists of an unbelievable amount of valuable hands-on and classroom instruction. Can you tell us a little about the learning experience?
JS: The learning in LTC comes in three forms.

1.    First, we go out with instructors to experience the wilderness first hand. Here we learned to repel, roll kayaks, cook on a camp stove, and countless other hands-on skills and techniques.

2.    Next we would take these experiences with us into the classroom, where we could break down conflicts and scenarios, discuss options, and learn how to problem solve.

3.    Last, through LTC we are given the freedom to go out and use the AP gear on our own time, to further develop our experience, and to put our classroom discussions to use.

Q: Now that you’ve nearly completely the course, how would you say the LTC has changed your daily life?
JS: What I feel I have developed most drastically is my outlook that the world is out there waiting for me. If I want to spend my Thursday morning rock climbing, all it takes is a desire, some friends who share that desire, and a little planning to make it happen. LTC has helped me to develop all three of these aspects.

Q: It seems you have definitely made a lot of friends and memories. Would you say the LTC has affected your social life as well?
JS: LTC has had a greater role in my social life than any other aspect of college thus far. I have gotten to know everyone in the class on some level, and most have become very close friends. There are people from the UC, the CC, and from the surrounding residence, all of whom I can seek and interact with on my own time. Indeed, some of my closest friends were those who I first met in LTC. I feel that describing LTC as anything less than a family does not do it justice.

Q: The LTC is considered training for future UCSB Adventure Program staff. Are you considering taking that next step?
JS: I am eager to become part of AP Staff, where I will be able to develop my skills even more, develop my friendships even more, and help others to meet the same goals. Oh yeah, and have a hell-of-a-time doing it!

Q: How would you promote adventure for those who are considering adding some excitement to their life?

JS: The occasional adventure every few weeks fits very nicely into college life. If gives me something to look forward to and to seek passion in, and it gives me the chance to balance my studies with mentally and physically healthy activities. It’s a win-win.

Check out the details at www.recreation.ucsb.edu/adventureprograms/staff.aspx or just visit the MAC to talk to current Adventure Programs staff! Take a course that will change the way you take advantage of the outdoors.

By David Russo

The UCSB women’s club volleyball teams played in the Far Westerns tournament in Davis over the weekend, with the Blue team placing 3^rd and the Gold team finishing tied for 9^th out of 45 teams. Blue team lost in the semi-finals to San Jose State.

“We were hoping to finish in the top three,” junior setter Megan Funk said. “It’s one of the biggest tournaments in terms of how rankings are determined.”

Gold team is also happy with their performance.

“It was the first tournament this season we made it to the Gold bracket [instead of Silver or Bronze],” junior outside hitter Lizzie Spencer said.

Last week the teams had an eventful Presidents’ Day weekend, as they traveled to play USC on Saturday before returning home on Sunday for a double header against Long Beach State and Loyola Marymount. The Blue team won all three matches, while the Gold team went 1-2.

Blue team beat USC 3-2 and then swept both Long Beach State and Loyola Marymount 2-0 each.

“We expected to win,” Funk said. “[But] we still have a lot to work on. We have a lot of skill but our meshing needs to be worked on.”

At 5-2 and ranked #21 in the country, Blue team looks to repeat the success they had in 2009 when they won the Division I National Championship and last year when they finished ranked #9.

“We expect our ranking to go up,” Funk said. “We should be a little better than last year [by the end of the season].”

One of the team’s losses came to #4 Arizona at the UCLA Invitational on February 5. The Gauchos finished fifth in the tournament, while Arizona finished in first.

“Arizona has been our rival for the past two years, since we beat them in the National Championship game,” Funk said.

The team has two players who were previously on UCSB’s intercollegiate team: junior libero and captain Jane Hinkle and senior setter Jessica Welch.

“Jessica’s great because we can run a 6-2 [rotation] and always have three hitters,” Funk said.

For Gold team last weekend, it lost to the Trojans 3-0, then lost a close match to the 49ers 2-1 before getting on track for a 2-1 win over the Lions, bringing its record to 2-5.

“We have a lot of individual talent but we need to pull it together,” sophomore middle blocker Tiffanie Schang explained.

Junior outside hitter Christan Schaefer agreed with this assessment.

“We need to build team chemistry,” she said.

One of the team’s losses was a positive display of the team’s potential. At the UCLA invitational, #4 Arizona beat the Gauchos 2-1, but they were the only team to win a game against them, as Arizona swept their other opponents.

Schaefer previously played for Colorado’s intercollegiate team before transferring to UCSB this year. Senior outside hitter Christina Nowak also played for the Gauchos intercollegiate team before switching over to the club team.

“[Sport Clubs] allow for more balance between school and sports,” Schaefer said. “We have games every week and tournaments almost every week, but they’re always on weekends,” Spencer explained.

This weekend, both teams return home for a rematch against USC on March 6. Then the Gauchos have a tournament in Las Vegas March 18-19.

“We’re excited to prove ourselves at the Las Vegas Open and are anticipating to qualify for State Finals,” Schaefer said.

Both teams play in the Southern California Collegiate Volleyball League, and League Championships will take place March 26 in San Diego for the top four teams.

Blue team is hoping to win another league title.

“We’ll definitely finish in the top four,” Funk said.

State Finals will be hosted by UCSB on April 2. Afterwards, Nationals will be held April 7 – 9 in Houston.