Sports

There are misconceptions that there are limited activities a person can do during winter to stay fit. However, Thomas Rogan, a physical education professor at Hudson Valley Community College said, “Its Important to keep the heart active, from walking through the mall with friends or walking your dog.”

Just like going to the gym, it is also important that a person stretches and increases their range of motion, while loosening their muscles. This helps prevent injuries such as pulling a hamstring. As much as stretching is important, eating healthy is equally important in maintaining fitness.

Going into the game against the Delhi Broncos, the Hudson Valley Vikings needed a win to clinch a bye in the playoffs. Vikings Head Coach Travis Cooke said, “We need to pick it up.”

The Vikings took the field against the Broncos in their final home game of the season. On the cold Saturday afternoon the Broncos had no problem scoring against the Vikings. The Vikings and the Broncos battled for the possession of the ball in the first half, but it wasn’t long until the Broncos drew first blood.

With 30:15 on the game clock in the first half, the Broncos pulled ahead to an early 1-0 lead over the Vikings. Going back on defense, the Broncos did not give the Vikings a chance to score. The Broncos maintained possession of the ball for the next 25 minutes. With 5:50 on the game clock in the first half, the Broncos struck again with a goal from forward, Anis Makaren, giving them a 2-0 lead heading into the half.

Going into Saturday’s rivalry game against Erie Community College, Hudson Valley Community College stepped on their home field expecting to defend their home turf. The October 4 homecoming game was exciting and intense to watch.

Both teams played all out offense and defense. In the first quarter, Kamar Jorden, wide receiver for the Vikings, had one carry and caught two consecutive passes followed soon after with another completion. Two of the passes to Jorden resulted in a first down. Whisly Laurent, another wide receiver for the Vikings, also assisted his team with two completed catches and two carries.

Known as the “father” of American football, rugby can be debated to be the most physical sport of all time. According to Angela Lumpkin, author of Physical Education, Excercise, and Sports Studies, rugby originated in the middle ages. It became prevalent in America through boarding schools. American football itself began 70 years later. However, rugby is not as popular in America today as it is in Europe and Australia.

Rugby is a fast-paced game with very few stoppages. Every player is expected to play both offensive and defensive on the field and therefore must be able to run, pass and defend. In rugby there is no blocking like the defensive line in football, and there are only five substitutions per game for each team. Finally, a rugby match consists of two 40-minute halves. The rugby field is 100 meters, which is 110 yards long.

Are you looking to own a game-worn, commemorative item of Tri-City ValleyCats history while helping to prevent cancer, save lives and diminish suffering from the devastating disease?  If so, the ValleyCats are hosting an online auction of game-worn and autographed jerseys worn by the Houston Astros affiliate ValleyCats and the Boston Red Sox affiliate Lowell Spinners. 

All proceeds of the auction will benefit the American Cancer Society.

The ValleyCats and Spinners donned the jerseys of their Major League affiliate clubs on September 5, the season finale.  The ValleyCats won 5-4 on a walk-off hit by David Flores, who also contributed two home runs in the contest. 

Lance Armstrong, the king of cycling, recently announced he was coming out of retirement.

The world of cycling has seen many great athletes, but none as great as Lance Armstrong. Armstrong has had seven consecutive wins at the Tour de France. After missing three years of the Tour de France, the 37 year old has decided to get back on the bike. “I have decided to return to professional cycling in 2009,” said Armstrong in an interview with The Telegraph. “The reason for this is to launch an international cancer stage based on the fact that we lose 8 million people around the world to this disease- more than AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined.”

After his battle with testicular cancer Armstrong claims he is totally committed and plans to reclaim the podium which was once his. Sited on ESPN’s web site Bill Stapleton, Armstrong’s lawyer and longtime confidant, said, “We’re not going to try to win second place.”

Hudson Valley Community College’s boys soccer team improved to an amazing 6-0-1 record Wednesday, September 18 with their win over the Panthers of Tompkins Cortland Community College. A very physical game was played by the two teams involving some unsportsmanlike conduct.

The first half was a dead lock at 0-0 as both teams were playing a tough and grueling game, supporting their respective goalies. Meanwhile each of the teams’ coaches was trying to make something happen on the offensive side of the ball.

Finally, John LaForest scored the first goal for the Vikings by kicking the ball past the Panthers goaltender, Justin Woodbury. Dennis Forward picked up the assist on the play, taking the Vikings to a 1-0 lead heading into the half.

This fall’s Intramural Sports program features a roster allowing for a wider range of challenges and gameplay for the mind and body. According to the Hudson Valley website, the intramural program allows players to enjoy the pleasures of competition “in a safe environment without the pressure and demands of varsity athletics.”

The game opportunities include Home Run Derby, Frisbee Golf, Racquetball, 3-point Contest/FT Contest, Dart and Chess Tournaments, Indoor/Outdoor Soccer, Ping-Pong, Field/Floor Hockey and March Madness-- a 3-on-3-basketball league that ends in a single-elimination tournament determining the champion. For five straight seasons, March Madness has been the most popular event.

Unlike the Intercollegiate program, the Intramural Sports program is available to all students, faculty and staff members.

Intramural Coordinator Andre Cook stated, “All are welcome to join and have fun with new people.”

Entering the game against rival Lowell Spinners, the Valley Cats trailed behind by 13 games in the division. However, the Valley Cats defeated the Lowell Spinners 5-4 on September 5, 2008,
Starting Pitcher David Duncan took the mound, pitching a scoreless first inning. The Spinners got out to an early lead in the top of the second inning with First Baseman Ricardo Burgos leading off with a double. Burgos scored on an error by Valley Cat’s Centerfielder, J.B. shuck.

After an inning and a half, the Spinners led 1-0. In the bottom of the second inning the Valley Cats struck back with a run of their own due to Designated Hitter David Flores, who hit a solo home run tying the game at 1-1.

The Vikings men’s soccer team are ranked 5th in the country by Adidas. They recently preserved their 4-0 record and won their 5th game in a row against Albany College of Pharmacy, leaving them still undefeated.

Both teams came out playing lights-out defense and both sides were very physical, but it wasn’t long before the Vikings offense wore down the defense of Albany. With Albany weakened and 6:34 on the game clock, Kevin Long scored the Vikings first goal in the first half to put them in the lead 1-0.

With Vikings offense gaining momentum and Albany defense getting weaker, the Vikings seized the opportunity to distance themselves and struck again, scoring their second goal thanks to Mike Ackerman. They managed to score within three minutes ending the first half with a 2-0 lead.