SPORTS WINTER 2002 Page 10 The West View West Side Athletes are Just Movin’ On A lot has happened since their playing days. BYU graduate Nemelka has Former basketball players, Dick © been a lawyer for almost 28 years. And UofU alum Soto recently became a Nemelka and Jimmy Soto, are still at Frito-Lay sales manager. Each has at the top of their game, they’ve just moved on to different arenas. 7 least one child and Nemelka has grandSoto, 31, played point guard for the children. These days, someone else is winning the championships, but the University of Utah (1990-93), and mark Soto and Nemelka have left upon Judge Memorial and South High in the 1980s. Nemelka, 59, was a shooting basketball in Utah is indelible. by Dale J. Neilson guard for the Brigham Young and West High Jeff Nemelka, Utah 94-93 in 1966 on his last-second shot in the U of U’s field house.” The National season, NCAA Cougars: went Invitational while Final on to win the Tournament. that the Utes advanced to the Four. Both. teams were ranked in the Top 20 during the season. Nemelka averaged 25 points a game at BYU and shot 50 percent from the field. He averaged 24-25 points a game Utah Stars (1971-72), Nemelka was a Stars team member for West. University (mid-1960s) for just over a season, before being cut Soto averaged almost nine points per (1959-62). in 1972. “I was lucky to be with them,” game for the Utes. He is also ranked _ he said, “I didn’t play that much.” He - sixth or seventh in the Ute’s all-time averaged just five points a game. statistics in five other team categories. Other members of the 1971 American According to Soto, his most memorable Basketball Association champion Stars game as a Ute was beating Michigan included current Utah Jazz radio color State 85-84 in double-overtime in the analyst, Ron Boone, and Glen Coombs. 1991 NCAAs, which advanced the team “Coombs was the same type of player to the Sweet Sixteen. At Judge as former Jazz sharpshooter Jeff Memorial, Soto averaged 29 points per Hornacek,” Nemelka said. “He could game. In high school he scored 1,950 hit the three-pointer.” points over four years. Soto knows about having former Each man credits a good home life for teammates as friends. “I’m pretty close helping him achieve success. Soto’s _ _to Craig and Mark Rydalch, Paul Afeaki parents, Jim and Dora Soto stuck with and Josh Grant,’ Soto said. He agreed him and his siblings Julie and Jason. the Rydalch brothers always seemed to “Fhey made. the difference “in ~ our hit in the clutch, usually from either lives,” Soto said. corner. “Grant was a quiet leader,” said Soto was also influenced by John Soto. “He’s not vocal or rah-rah, but did Caputo, Glendale Middle School basthe work and tried to lead by example.” ketball coach. “Caputo not only knew Nemelka remembers the healthy U of so much about basketball,” said Soto, U-BYU rivalry well. “I have a lot of “but also its fundamentals and the fond memories, = he said, “like beating eae of scoae ce z courtesy a BYU. & : E Jimmy Soto goes in courtesy of U of U. Nemelka praised his parents, Joe and Gayle Nemelka, for putting forth efforts in building their home and community. His mom taught sixth grade at Backman Elementary for 25 years and logged another 20 years as her son’s legal secretary and bookkeeper. Nemelka said Stars coach, ball court, but also in life. Aerobic Exercise at Has ‘“‘Up- lifting” oe Northwest Brings Hobby Results training and PE teacher) by Allison Ambrose Chad Kyle Durr’s hobby is up-lift- “small”, though muscular teen could lift almost three times his is different,” he said, because of balance and weight distribution. Weightlifting classifications are by age and weight class. Categories include the squat and dead-lift, where the contestant must lift the barbell to his or her thighs. Last year, competition also included the bench press, which West High female senior Selita Nonu won with a record 155-lb. mark in the 165-lb. weight class. On Dec. 14, Nonu, Durr, and eight others (including two other women) competed at the United States Power Lifting Federation meet in Brigham City. (Results were unavailable at press time.) Drecksel (a former Mr. Utah) weight, but he does. said Durr’s World weight-lifter of world class variety. In November, he dead-lifted 402.5 lbs. for second place in his 165-Ib. weight class at the World Bench Press and DeadLifting Championships in Reno, Nevada. Last June, he set an all- time Utah state record of 435 Ibs., which is the best ever for his weight. In his first-ever meet last year, Durr lifted 429 Ibs. All this from a guy who said he’s “‘small for his age” at 5 foot 9 and 150 lbs. You probably wouldn’t Besides believe his. that parents, this David and Sharon Durr, many friends also “think it’s pretty cool I can lift that much weight,” said Durr. | For a ‘light workout’, he carries his mom, who weighs 110 Association of Benchers and Deadlifters record, set in June, is better than either of Utah’s best at 181 Ibs. or 198 Ibs. Besides his 435, Durr benches 235 and squats 400. That total of 1,070 Ibs. is his latest cumulative score. lost 45 pounds! Attending aeroWe To get psyched up for a meet, Durr inhales ammonia sticks, which are similar to smelling salts. “They clear your mind,” he said. “It makes you thinkyou’re competing against the weights and nothing else.” Durr’s ‘training regimen dictates lifting both the upper and lower body twice each week. Learning proper lifting techniques is important, but nutritious eating, adequate rest and “taking care of yourself is more important than lifting weights,” said the coach. With competitions and lifting every other day, the schedule may seem monotonous, but not to Durr, who loves to compete and “have fun.” He doesn’t get paid, but enjoys lifting and time again. Doctors, TV commer- food package we buy reminds us to watch what we eat and encour- ages us to become more active. Exercise will increase our metabolism, burn fat, condition our heart and lungs, and build muscle: We know that, but do we truly believe it can help us personally? Christine ball in the evenings. Or, just go plans it as a lifetime hobby. “Coach Drecksel has been such a positive influence in my life’, said Durr. e ’ Drecksel said: Durr; “ a tough time job, I wasn’t expecting any miracles, but- that’s what I got,” SLC, Christine explains. co So far, his promising student has. . Northwest Multipurpose Center. “With | her easily with one arm? Not so fast, said his weightlifting coach, (and West High weight in Oe mind; you’ ve got to. train. for it.” After bics classes and changing her eating habits has positively affected her life in more ways then seeing the numbers. on: the <seale decrease. She said, “I not only lost 45 pounds, but I have more energy and patience with my children. I find myself being very patient with people I work with and I am loving it.” Increasing your daily physical activity can have a positive affect on your life too. Don’t believe it? Just put your body to the test. Try taking an aerobics, yoga, or cycling class, or dip into the pool for a refreshing lap swim at the Northwest Multipurpose Center. If sports are your preference, come play basketball or volleyfor a walk on one of the treadmills where it is warm and dry. For membership information call (801) 596-0072, or stop by the Center at 1300 West 300 North, Ls house. is a believer. looking at her brother’s wedding pictures of herself, she decided to make some changes in her life. These changes included altering her eating habits and attending regular aerobics classes at the ‘its “mental thing.” Lifting “is all_ ‘the the benefits of cials, the Surgeon General, magazine articles, and yes, even every Besides the grunt. work of weightlifting, Durr also enjoys | ‘kid, can’ go as far’as he wants.” around- all know physical activity. Messages of the need for exercise have been pounded into our heads time and Shouldn't. Durr: ‘be able to lift lbs., | Christine worked very hard and _ Drecksel. “Lifting body weight ing. You could even Say it’s very hands-on. Durr, 17, of Rose Baie is a Bill Sharman, generated a positive approach — everybody got to play. “Because of Sharman’s style, the community supported the team,” Nemelka said. Nemelka and Soto have proven their winning style, not only on the basket- Rosepark Resident by Dale J. Neilson, _ a up, gone a long way. : = four small kids and a full. UT. We nope to see you