October 10, 2014 www.plaintalk.net Plain Talk: Heritage Edition B5 A USD athlete learns how to juggle By Dylan Geuther For the Plain Talk If you think of an athlete, sports come to mind. But what about juggling being a Division I athlete, student, as well as trying to have a social life? There are currently 380 athletes at the University of South Dakota. At a Division I level, football, soccer, track and field, softball and tennis are just some of the many sports USD offers. Jordan Schumacher, 22, graduated from USD last year. Schumacher ran track for USD for four years, even after battling adversity. His surgeon told him that it was likely he would no longer be able to compete in college sports again. After four cortisone shots, a surgery, and a year and a half of physical therapy, he came back to run faster than he ever had. He broke his own personal indoor records. Schumacher says that virtually any goal is realistically achievable. “It’s just a matter of having the discipline and mental toughness to work hard enough to make it happen,” Schumacher said. “Also, doing the ‘little’ things consistently right every single day is probably the largest thing that contributes to success.” On the flip side, Dave Gottsleben has been the Head Men’s Track and Field coach for 31 years. If a young athlete is not doing what Gottsleben feels like might be best for them, not working as hard as they could be, he pushes the athlete to reach their personal limits. According to Gottsleben, although talent in Track and Field is important, the other factor to take into consideration is academic ability. “At a young age if you can have the passion to want to see how good you can be, how far you can throw, how fast you can be, how high you can jump, it is achievable if you try your hardest,” Gottsleben said. The track team practices range from eight to 20 hours a week, although 20 is rare. Practices are intertwined with technical related workouts and strength workouts to get people ready for meets that start in January. Jet Moreland is currently a sophomore at USD and majors in business management. He says one of his major accomplishments in football has to be playing as a true freshman, which means From the diving board to the gridiron, being a USD athlete takes a lot of hard work and dedication. Press and Dakotan File Photos and Dylan Geuther (bottom right)/the Plain Talk the coaches thought Moreland possessed both academic and athletic eligibility. Moreland recalls a breakthrough moment for the team. Last year, during the USD-Northern Iowa game, USD was able to stop UNI at fourth down in double overtime, and take the win. Moreland also had a breakthrough moment himself. “I was set on gaining weight, and that’s all I was focused on,” Moreland said. “However, I realized that it was not about gaining weight, it was about becoming the best linebacker I could possibly be.” Moreland says his inspiration comes from the people around him, his teammates, doesn’t matter younger or older. According to Moreland, the team consists of multiple leaders, and the team is only as strong as its weakest link. Everyone needs to work towards the same goal. “I always have butterflies before a game,” Moreland said. “They say if you don’t have butterflies before the game, you don’t love it.” Mandy Green is currently in her fifth year as head coach for the women’s soccer team. ATHLETES | PAGE 8B The life of an athletic trainer By Mark Upward For the Plain Talk There has been very little turnover at the position of head trainer at the University of South Dakota. When you look at the history of the athletic training program at USD, you will only see three head trainers listed. The first athletic trainer to handle the care and treatment of athletes at USD was Rob Williams. Trainer Williams held that position for 20 years, 1965-1985. Williams saw many USD athletes go through the doors of the “New Armory” training facility. In Williams’ day, he was the only full time trainer to assist the athletes. Gregg Voigt was the next athletic trainer for USD. Voigt held that position for only one year. Enter the man who has been at the helm since 1987, Trainer Abby Mettler performs a deep muscle massage on a USD athlete. Mark Upward/the Plain Talk Bruce Fischbach. This introduction to the Fischbach era gives understanding to his response when he was asked the question – “What does homecoming, Dakota Days, mean to you as head trainer?” After a long pause Fischbach said with a smile, “It means a lot more to me now than it did when I first started. I didn’t know the alumni back when I first started. Now that I know the alumni, it means so much more.” It is safe to say that after 28 years in the Dome, he has many stories of his own to share with returning alumni. The week’s preparation for Dakota Days doesn’t TRAINERS | PAGE 7B Corner of W Cherry and Stanford y ALUMNI OWNED OPEN 24 HOURS CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING FOLLOWING “INDOOR COMFORT” SOLU COMFOR RT” SOLUTIONS UTIONS FREE 1) WHOLE HOUSE HUMIDIFIER 1)WHOLE HUM 2)WHOLE HOUSE FILT ATIO SYSTEM OUSE FILTRATION SYSTEM LTRAT TION YOUR COMPLETE CONVENIENCE STORE CONVENIE E C VENIENCE S ORE IE ENCE E BEE FUEL W E BEER • FU L • WINE ER UE UEL CASINO • FOOD CAS NO CASINO F ASIN MUCH, MU MORE! MUCH, UC MUCH MUCH Vermillion: 605-624-5648 Vermillion: www.kalinsindoor.com www.kalinsindoor.com r. PHONE: 60 624-8050 PHONE: 605-624-8050 HONE: 605-624-8050 O 0 624-8050 05-624-8050 4 50 CAN’T HIDE OUR COYOTE PRIDE! hen You Want ou ant When Yo Wa Comfort, You Want o ant You Wa Kalines! 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