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Show LJtahStatesman file your state income tax online at _ Photo courtesy USU bike team A MEMBER OF UTAH STATE'S bike club team competes at a race in Colorado Springs earlier this year in March. Biking team gaining steam at Utah State BY G. CHRISTOPHER TERRY Staff Writer After losing steam following the graduation of team founder/coach Tom Murphy, USU's cycling club is becoming more active this year under the leadership of team president Ira Tibbits and club president Sean Lanan. "Coach Murphy founded the cycling club back in the late '90s - a long time ago. They were pretty serious about it for a few years and then when he graduated, it kind of faded away and we're just starting to bring it back again," said Lanan, a sophomore majoring in mechanical engineering. ' The club's Web site at www.usu.edu/cycling explains how, for $25 in dues, interested cyclists can join either the competitive racing team or the club. "The guys that are out training for road are going . on 50-mile rides. They'll go outfortwo or three hours," Lanan said. "Those guys get cruising super fast. Sprinting on flat ground without a headwind, they could get going faster than 40 mph, but they average in the low 20s on a two-hour ride." Lanan said the 20-something team members are >BlKE TEAM see page 10 *Most residents making less than $100,000 qualify. Check http://taxexpress.utah.gov to see if you qualify. ^•-HHk;*, Student Housing Photo courtesy USU bike team Two MEMBERS OF USU's bike team compete at a race in Colorado Springs earlier this year. Summer REGIONALS From page 8 Minnesota, the second-tolast meet of the year, Lewis said the team knew there was no way it was going to make it to regionals, but there was a really good chance for individuals to qualify. "There was almost no chance that we wouldn't make it," Lewis said. To qualify for regionals individually, Lewis and Parenti were thefirsttwo all-arounders after the members of the teams that won the meet were taken out. The same thing will happen at regionals. The top two teams at the meet will move on to nationals. The members of those teams that qualified will be taken out of the standings and the top two performers after that will go on to nationals individually. Although Corn said he thinks the North Central Region is one of the toughest and deepest in the country because all of the teams competing are in the top 25 nationally, he still thinks there is a chance for Parenti and Lewis. "They will have to have their best performance," he said, "but yes, I do believe that they will have a chance to move on." Corn said the Aggies haven't had anyone represent the team at nationals since 2001. Teams competing in the North Central Region are Iowa State, Arizona State, Arizona, Denver, Minnesota and Brigham Young. 'aedmunds@cc.usu.edu • RUGBY Dropped From page 8 for me as it must have been for the two guys I was holding onto. The two locks behind them reached between their legs and grabbed the shirts of the guys I was holding onto in what could best be described as a "crotch-hold." Suddenly, being a hooker was much more attractive. Next thing I knew, the whole scrum squatted low. At the sound of "Go!" from the player called a scrum half, we all pressed forward and smashed into the scrum machine. The scrum machine is like the machine linebackers in football use to practice on. As my head was sandwiched between two pads and the guys behind me started pushing, I was sure I was going to die. I was only wearing my typical basketball shoes and my feet slid like crazy. I offered up 2006 a silent prayer to please not let me slip and be squashed by men twice my size. I'm grateful I didn't do my research on rugby first, because I later learned the hooker is the most dangerous position in the scrum. If the hooker slips, he runs a great risk of snapping his spine, being trampled by his teammates, or even dying. That's a comforting thought. After running two successful scrums without slipping, I respectfully backed out. I was sure I'd pushed my athletic luck thus far by surviving the two scrums, and a third time definitely would not be the charm. As I walked away from the scrum, I noticed I was breathing heavily. The scrum doesn't look too physically strenuous, but I was surprised to learn it requires a great amount of energy. I'm glad I stopped participating when I did, because the next thing I knew, they were tackling and pushing each other in formations called mauls and rucks. I love how -creative rugby is with names. From what I've learned about rugby, I realize if I am ever going to cut it in rugby I will have to do what all good rugby players do: drink. I can't hold Coke very well, so I can only imagine what alcohol would do to me. So, maybe rugby's not my sport. But if you like tackling, screaming and awkward situations, rugby is right up your alley. Seth Hawkins is a sophomore majoring in public relations. Comments or sympathy cards can be sent to sethhawkins@cc.usu.edu Rates Kampus Korner Woodrose Old Main View Forrest Gate East We Get You Closer to Campus! LOGAN PREFERRED PROPERTY MANAGEMENT www.lppm.net or www.KampusKornerapartments.com 435.752.5003 Ext. 2 :M |