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Show DAILY UTAH CHRONICLE 8 RUGBY continued from Page 7 "Moala started talking to me about playing for Highland," Pati said. "So I ended up there, which was kind of ironic after United." However, the regular 2008 season with Highland was filled with frustration and injuries for Pati. Coming into the season having had shoulder surgery, Pati was unable to prove himself for the first half. Pati then tore his MCL, leaving him unable to play with Highland at nationals. However, 2009 was a standout season for Pati and Highland rugby. Pati led the team to the National Championship title, where it outscored its three opponents 107-18. Pati has also proven to be a standout on the international level. Last summer, he was selected to attend the International Rugby Academy in New Zealand, one of the most prestigious rugby camps in the world. Pati was also the youngest player to attend the camp. "It was the most enjoyable experience of my whole life," Pati said. "I got to know all the famous rugby players GeljelinAtmaci and coaches and met all the selected boys from different countries." While playing for Utah, Pati has also enjoyed success. He leads the Utes this season in tries, the equivalent of a touchdown in football. He has also set up several key plays, such as 6o-yard solo runs and returns for points. For his coaches, Pati's athleticism and work ethic makes him an indispensable player. "Don Pati is a gamebreaker," said his Highland coach, Larry Gelwix. "He (has) a strong build, fast pace and one of the strongest passes I have seen at any level." Utah head coach Blake Burdette said he admires Pati's commitment to the team. "Don has such as strong work ethic," Burdette said. "He is always the first one to practices, and he does his hardest every workout. He is willing to go the extra mile." Pati was selected to play for the USA Men's Select XV team as a reserve this past month. He also was named as a member for the U-20 national team. As part of the Select team, Pati faced the Ontario Blues in the bronze-medal match of the Americas Rugby Championship in October. The Blues barely edged past the Selects, 27-24, hitting a penalty kick with no time left. Pati will next play on the international level with the U-20 team later this month against New Zealand. The New Zealand U-20 team won the Junior World Championship in 2008. For Pati, his dad's love of rugby keeps him in the game. "My dad really inspired me," said Pati. "Every time I go to training, I think of my family. Rugby is just such a huge part of our lives." k.price@chronicle.utah.edu )til ir-- Purchase your wedding set at J. Brooks and your first gift could be the reception venue Thursday, December 10, 2009 Follow us on Twitter! tw a-tor. com,(TheChrovvy at the Salt Lake City Marriott - University Park. Limited time offer — see stoic for details {A strong foundation, for a solid career.} J. Brooks WICIJOWSKI continued from Page 7 challenge against then-No. 25 Louisville, Wicijowski put up 15 points for her team, II of which came in the second half, when the Utes couldn't be more in need. With so many underclassmen on the roster, Whipple said it has been nice to have someone who can put points on the board for the team when a usual scorer isn't able to. "She just has a high selfesteem that she can get things done," Whipple said. "I just like playing with her. (She makes) more of an emphasis inside. We haven't had that in a while, where we've had such a presence inside that people have to start double-teaming her. That opens up our outside." In addition to her passion and obvious ability in sports, Elliott said Wicijowski is also a great student and described her character as "nothing but quality." Majoring in biology, Wicijowski said she wants to become a doctor after college and possibly go into orthopedic surgery in the hopes that she can work with athletes. In addition to becoming quickly known and liked on the team, Wicijowski has also received recognition outside of the Huntsman Center, earning the Mountain West Conference Women's Basketball Player of the Week award Monday. "I wouldn't have (my role on this team be) any other way," she said. "I think I play better knowing that I have some contribution that's expected of me. I kind of take that role and...go with it, because that's the role that I like to have." Whipple said she hopes the award boosts Wicijowski's confidence even more and helps the team continue to get better throughout the rest of the preseason. "It should be a big confi- dence booster for her that a freshman can come in and get Player of the Week in this tough conference, 'cause that's not easy," Whipple said. "As a team, we have all the confidence in the world in her." With recognition already coming in for the i8-year-old, Elliott said Wicijowski's focus has to remain on improving individual skills and team performance. "It better not affect her at all," Elliott said with a smile. "It's nice to have players good enough for something like that to occur, but it doesn't change how much work you have ahead of you or the pride you have in what you've done up to that point. That's a good thing too." Unlike many student-athletes who have moved locations to play college sports, Wicijowski said being away from her family hasn't been as difficult for her. "It's OK, 'cause also last year I didn't live at home, so that was kind of a good thing to adjust, but my family's already been down here so much watching me play," Wicijowski said. "I'm not getting homesick. I talk to my family a lot." As someone who has had a lifelong involvement in athletics, Wicijowski also played hockey for eight years and was a member of the Regina Rebels in Saskatchewan. Coached by her father in hockey and her mother in basketball, Wicijowski said her competitiveness in sports is something she'll always have from her childhood. "My family's a really competitive sports family...so when I look back on my basketball career and when I played hockey, my parents were there the whole time teaching me and helping me learn," Wicijowski said. "I think it's something that's always going to stay with me." 1.frome@ chronicle.utah.edu JEWELERS 11. Fashion Plaza • 152 East Winchester, Murray • 801.266.4747 The Gateway • 157 South Rio Grande, Salt Lake City • 801.456.4747 wwwjbrooksjewelers.corn www.dailyutahchronicle.corn aJ MORE NEWS THAN CAN FIT IN PRINT. 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