The Athenaeum

Category: Sports & Wellness

  • X-Women lay claim to AUS Championship with win over Axewomen

    X-Women lay claim to AUS Championship with win over Axewomen

    Antigonish, NS – The StFX X-Women claimed the 2019 AUS rugby banner with a 29-17 victory over the Acadia Axewomen in a hard-fought battle in front of over 350 fans at StFX Stadium on a wet Saturday afternoon. 

    The title marks the 21st conference title in team history for the X-Women. 

    Third-year second-row Katie Pentz (Trenton, NS) received playoff most valuable player honours for her efforts in the championship game. 

    After the Axewomen built up a 17-12 lead at halftime, Pentz noted “We really focused on our defense coming together and not letting them through in the second half. We worked really hard on this and they didn’t get into our end until the end of the game, so we came out and did what we had to do.” 

    The X-Women regrouped from the first half deficit to score 17 unanswered points in the second half – holding their opponents scoreless – on route to the win.  

    X-Women head coach and AUS Coach of the Year Mike Cavanagh commented, “I told them at halftime that we had to stop putting ourselves under pressure. I thought we tackled well in the first half, but we just had to play too much defense and didn’t often have the ball, and every time we got it, we gave it up to them.” 

    It was a tale of two halves as the Axewomen got out to an early 12-0 lead, putting continued pressure on the X-Women. Annie Kennedy (Kingston, ON) scored in the third minute of play, then AUS all-star center Emilie Merilainen (Batawa, ON) scored in the 11th minute. Laura Pfleiderer (Williams Lake, BC) converted the second try for the Axewomen. 

    St.FX got on the board three minutes later when center Sammy Nadeau (Bewdley, ON) scored off a nice, long run. The unconverted try brought the score to 12-5. 

    The Axewomen continued to pressure and were strong off the scrum, threatening to score but the X defense held them back. 

    St.FX drew even when Maddie Harroun (Halifax, NS) touched down in the 25th minute and Danielle Franada (Grand Prairie, AB) converted.  

    The teams continued to battle for the remainder of the half and Acadia scored once again in extra time as Kennedy recorded her second try of the afternoon. 

    The visitors were up 17-12 at halftime. 

    St.FX came out strong in the second half and as Coach Cavanagh noted, “We got the ball and we kept it, and we just put the pressure on them.” 

    That pressure led to a try two minutes into the half as Franada jumped on a ball off a nice kick from Hannah Ellis (Halifax, NS) and the X-Women drew even at 17-17 as her own convert attempt was short. 

    St.FX maintained possession in the Acadia end and had several strong scrums. They took their first lead of the game in the 54th minute when Sophie Parker (Windsor, NS) scored off a scrum. Franada’s second conversion of the game gave the defending national champions a 24-17 lead. 

    They closed out the scoring in the 66th minute as Sarah Hoerig scored off a few nice passing plays off an X-Women scrum.  

    The second half was highly physical with big tackles as the AUS rivals gave it their all and the X-Women wore the Axewomen down to take the win. 

    Second-year flanker Sydney Smith (Middleton, NS) earned player of the game honours for the Axewomen. 

    Both teams now advance to the U SPORTS national championship as the AUS conference is guaranteed two berths in the eight-team event. It is scheduled for October 30 to November 3 in Ottawa. 

    SCORING SUMMARY: 

    ACA 17-0: 17 

    StFX 12-17: 29 

    1st HALF 

    ACA – Annie Kennedy try, 3rd minute 

    ACA – Emilie Merilainen try (Laura Pfleiderer convert), 11th minute 

    StFX – Sammy Nadeau try, 14th minute 

    StFX – Maddie Harriun try (Danielle Franada convert), 25th minute 

    ACA – Annie Kennedy try, 40th minute 

    2nd HALF 

    StFX – Danielle Franada try, 42nd minute 

    StFX – Sophie Parker try (Danielle Franada convert), 54th minute 

    StFX – Sarah Hoerig try, 66th minute 

    Players of the Game: 

    ACA – Sydney Smith (Middleton, NS) 

    StFX – Katie Pentz (Trenton, NS)

    Krista McKenna is the Sports Information Officer for StFX University

  • U SPORTS No. 7 Axemen hand visiting Huskies 28-18 loss

    U SPORTS No. 7 Axemen hand visiting Huskies 28-18 loss

    WOLFVILLE, N.S. – The U SPORTS No. 7 ranked Acadia Axemen remain undefeated and improve to 7-0 with a 28-18 win over the visiting Saint Mary’s Huskies in front of an Acadia Homecoming crowd.

    Subway Player of the Game Dale Wright compiled 108 yards rushing on 22 carries while teammate Hunter Guenard was posted with 18 completions on 33 attempts for 297 yards

    “We had a good week of practice, we just prepared, prepared, prepared. We are looking forward to the postseason, so we got to keep driving every day and not give up. Don’t let up. Don’t let people compete with us,” said Wright following the game.

    The Axemen got on the scoreboard first at the 13:13 mark of the second quarter when Wright dove in for the 1-yard touchdown – the first of two for Wright on the day. The major capped a five-play, 34-yard drive to give the Axemen a 7-0 lead.

    The Huskies replied just under five minutes later with a Josh Henry reception for a nine-yard touchdown that ended a long nine-play, 85-yard drive.

    Tied at seven, Acadia’s Ben George punched in two field goals late in the second quarter from 29 and 32 yards out to give the Axemen a 13-7 lead as the opening half wound down.

    With one second remaining on the clock before halftime, Cordell Hastings hauled in a ‘Hail Mary’ pass for a 38-yard touchdown, giving Acadia a 20-7 lead into the locker room.

    Brian Hope added a 29-yard field goal for the Huskies to close the gap to 20-10 at the 13:46 mark of the third quarter.

    After Ben George’s  rush with just over five minutes remaining in the third quarter, Acadia’s 21-10 lead quickly shrank to 21-17 with Joshua Sim diving in for the two-yard touchdown with three minutes left in the third frame.

    A Hope rouge with 12 minutes remaining in the game, was answered six minutes later by Wright’s second major of the day on a three-yard run that ended an 83-yard drive and solidified the win.

    Huskie Joshua Shim recorded 12 completions on 17 attempts for 152 yards before leaving the game in the mid-point of the third quarter. Avery Clayton replaced Shim and was 6 for 15 for 61 yards. Saint Mary’s was led offensively by Josh Henry’s 150 yards on eight receptions.

    Cordell Hastings led all Axemen receivers with 96 yards on five catches that included one touchdown, Jacob Fenchak pulled in three passes for 68 yards.

    Offensively, the Axemen dominated the statistics with 26 first downs compared to the Huskies’ 18. Acadia posted 451 yards on offense including 297 in the air and 154 on the ground. Saint Mary’s had 310 net yards.

    The Axemen will complete the 2019 season at Mount Allison this Saturday afternoon and then will have two weeks off before hosting the AUS Loney Bowl Football Championship on Saturday, November 9 at Acadia’s Raymond Field. The Axemen will be shooting for an undefeated season as they remain in first place in the AUS standings with a 7-0 record.

    The Huskies will hope for a win this Saturday afternoon at home against StFX to remain in the playoff picture.

    NOTE: Dale Wright scored his 20th Career rushing TD today, breaking Brian Walling’s record of 19. Congratulations Dale.

  • Rugby Axewomen advance to Finals after 52-20 win over UPEI

    Rugby Axewomen advance to Finals after 52-20 win over UPEI

    WOLFVILLE, N.S. – The U SPORTS No. 8 ranked Axewomen will advance to the AUS finals against defending U SPORTS and AUS champions StFX next Saturday night after topping the visiting UPEI Panthers in semi-final play, 52-20.

    The opening 20 minutes were tight as the Axewomen worked hard in defending a feisty Panther team who led 10-7 in the opening 10 minutes of the match.

    The Axewomen struck first when Emilie Merilainen scored the first of three tries against the Panthers. UPEI followed quickly with a converted try by Mia Fradsham to take their first and only lead of the game.

    Merilainen scored again in the 13th minute to give the Axewomen a 12-7 lead on a converted try by Annie Kennedy.

    Acadia would score 14 additional points before the Panthers would reply. Kennedy converted Laura Pfleiderer and Monique Coffey tries before UPEI responded with a penalty kick for three points that would end the half.

    The Axewomen opened the second half with tries by Emma Pfleiderer and Monique Coffey’s second try of the night.

    Behind 40-10, UPEI’s Dayna Pitter scored an unconverted try in the 66th minute to close the gap to 40-15.

    Acadia’s Halie Naas and Emilie Merilainen each added a try in the 66 and 79 minute that was split by UPEI’s Sarah MacLeod at the 69th minute.

    In the end, the 52-20 lead was insurmountable by the Panthers, yet Acadia’s head coach credits UPEI for the great effort and determination the team showed.

    “We had some girls who didn’t play last week and were resting up their bodies, so I suspected we’d look a little disjointed to start the game but you have to give all the credit to UPEI who are such a proud team who have played this game 10 years in a row and yet to beat us. They are driven, well-coached, they have a lot of heart so it just isn’t that we didn’t play well at the start, it’s how well they played,” noted Acadia head coach Matt Durant when asked about the slow start.

    “I think we as a coaching staff will always pick out stuff we can work on. We gave up more points tonight to UPEI than I expected we would, but I was really impressed with our defense. We played really well inside our own 22. We buckled down defensively, played some really strong goal-line defense, so I am not really discouraged by our defensive play, but I was a bit surprised they were able to get 20 points on us based on how we played defensively, but again, credit to UPEI,” said Durant.

    The Axewomen will now advance to finals against StFX next Saturday afternoon in Antigonish.

    Eric Cederberg is the Director of Communications for Acadia Athletics

  • Monday Motivation

    Monday Motivation

    This is for Kayla.

    Kayla, who needed a mental change more than a physical one.

    Kayla, who bought clothes a size bigger than herself.

    Kayla, who only took pictures at specific angles.

    Kayla, who gained 50 lbs and needed a desperate change in her life.

    Kayla, who was as beautiful in her BEFORE as in her AFTER. Kayla who was allowed to change. Who chose ‘change’.

    Kayla, who chose herself because she was worth it. Friend, you ARE worth the effort.

    When you see yourself in the light I see you, find your way to my DM’s at @achievewithash on Instagram. Let’s work on ourselves TOGETHER – because we are worth it ☀️

  • What is Mindfulness? 

    What is Mindfulness? 

    Have you ever found yourself to be struggling with staying in the present? The world has become immensely fast-paced as we are constantly finishing one activity and immediately moving to the next. This reality makes it difficult to take a moment and appreciate what is around us. That’s where mindfulness comes in. Mindfulness is a practice of intentionally taking time to engage in the present moment – without judgement. The “without judgement” aspect is essential as judgement sabotages the appreciation one can have for the current moment. In fact, mindfulness is now being researched by scientists and results have shown that the practice can be beneficial in reducing stress and fulfilling genuine happiness. 

    The actual practice of mindfulness has its roots in Buddhism, but many denominations engage in a similar act that attempts to calm the mind by feeling the wonders of the present. One of the extraordinary things about mindfulness is that it helps individuals savour the beauty of pleasurable experiences, without having to worry about what’s next. In savouring those pleasurable experiences, many become better equipped to handle struggles in life as mindfulness makes us understand why we need to appreciate everything around us. Mindfulness is about altering the way in which we view the world and the experiences we have by looking at each moment as an opportunity to better ourselves as individuals. The better individuals we become, the more able we are to make deep and meaningful connections with those around us. 

    Furthermore, mindfulness has been shown to improve both mental and physical health. By utilizing mindfulness techniques individuals can: relieve stress, improve heart function, lower blood pleasure, improve sleep, and reduce gastrointestinal issues. Equally, mindfulness can improve mental health as psychologists have found the practice to be important in treating: depression, eating disorders, spousal conflict, anxiety, and other mental ailments. 

    But, how does one practice mindfulness? There are different ways to practice mindfulness, but the goal is always to remain attentive by focusing on your present thoughts and emotions, again, without judgement. Mindfulness techniques are a form of meditation and they can be done by sitting quietly on the floor, closing your eyes, and repeating softly a word or “mantra” that resonates. This enables thoughts and emotions to come and go without judgement, and ensure you remain focused on your “mantra” or breathing as you do so. 

    Another important aspect to remember when practicing mindfulness is to remain cognisant of the way in which your body reacts. Keep track of your body’s subtle twitches and jerks as it reinforces the purpose of staying in the present. 

    Moreover, stay alert of the cravings you feel as you sit there. Let them come into your mind, but do not give into these desires as doing so eliminates all the work you have done to stay present. Remember, those feelings do not control you – you control yourself. Replace the craving with knowledge that these urges will subside as you focus on the moment in front of you. 

    Practicing mindfulness is not easy and it requires discipline in order for it to work properly. However, once the power of mindfulness is grasped there is no sensation like it as it affords everyone the ability to forgive themselves. No matter what has, or is happening in your life, mindfulness gives everyone the opportunity to forgive themselves and seek better. 

    Give mindfulness a try, you may realize something about yourself you never knew before. 

    Sebastian Farkas is a fourth-year honours student and Sports and Wellness Editor of the Athenaeum. 

     

  • NFL Update – Top 10 Teams to This Point

    NFL Update – Top 10 Teams to This Point

    As we approach the midway point of the NFL season, I thought it would be appropriate to give my top 10 NFL teams to this point. There has been a lot of exciting football so far this season, and the second half is shaping up to be just as exciting.

    10) Carolina Panthers

    Despite not having Cam Newton, the Panthers have found success with Kyle Allen. Luke Kuechly, Eric Reid, Dontari Poe, and the rest of the defence has looked solid all year. If Allen can continue slinging the ball like he has been, the Panthers may not need Newton after all. 

    9) Baltimore Ravens

    The Ravens have played well this season. Lamar Jackson has shown maturity in his game as he has been delivering the football in the pocket with better precision. Defensively, the team has played well as they have been getting key stops when they have needed them. 

    They’ve had two losses this season, and one was against the chaotic Browns, but besides that and a hard-fought loss to the power-house chiefs, the team has shown the ability to win big games. 

    8) Kansas City Chiefs 

    Despite the tough losses they’ve had, the Chiefs are still very explosive. However, if they are going to have sustained success, the defense is going to have to play better. Patrick Mahomes II will always give the Chiefs a chance to win, but they need better defensive play to win when it matters most. 

    7) Buffalo Bills 

    The Bills have looked very good this season. Offensively, their play has been a little shaky as Josh Allen experienced an injury and their offensive performance suffered. However, as a defense, the bills have looked extraordinary. 

    Led by Micah Hyde, Matt Milano, Kevin Johnson, and a host of the others, the bills’ defense has dominated offenses, and has been a huge reason why the team has had so much success so far this season. 

    6) Houston Texans 

    Led by Deshaun Watson, the Texans have looked really good this season. Watson has led the offense by utilizing his arm and legs to get points on the board for the Texans. Coming off a huge win against the Chiefs, the Texans will look to continue the momentum when they take on AFC South rival, the Indianapolis Colts. 

    5) Minnesota Vikings 

    Say what you want about Kirk Cousins, the Vikings are a power house on offense with the weapons they have. From Diggs to Thielen on the outside, and Dalvin Cook at running back, the Vikings have the ingredients to make a run this year. 

    4) Green Bay Packers

    Aaron Rodgers has looked like the superstar player we have all come to love. The Packers have been firing on all cylinders this season with new head coach Matt LaFleur setting the tone. The Packers have a solid team in all facets of the game and will be a team to look out for as we approach playoff time. 

    3) New Orleans Saints 

    Even with Drew Brees out with an injury, the Saints have not lost a beat with Teddy Bridgewater leading the way. The offense has still looked explosive and the defence has been a lot better than advertised. If the Saints can win with Bridgewater at the helm, imagine what they will do when Brees comes back. 

    2) San Francisco 49ers 

    With a healthy Jimmy Garoppolo, a stingy defense, and an excellent head coach, the 49ers are the real deal. Jimmy G, as they call him, has looked dynamic from the pocket as he has spread the ball to a multitude of targets. Richard Sherman, Nick Bosa, Kwon Alexander, and the rest of the defense have looked unstoppable. If the 49ers continue playing like this, success is certain this season. 

    1) New England Patriots 

    It really doesn’t matter who the Patriots play, they always find a way to win. No matter who is injured, no matter who is dressing, Tom Brady and Bill Belichick always have a plan to win the football game they play. The defense is one of the best units the Patriots have had in awhile, and they will lean on them as the games get tougher. With Tom Brady, you can never bet against the Patriots. 

    Sebastian Farkas is a fourth-year honours politics student and Sports and Wellness Editor of the Athenaeum.

  • Axemen clinch first place and hosts of the AUS Loney Bowl Championship

    Axemen clinch first place and hosts of the AUS Loney Bowl Championship

    WOLFVILLE, N.S. – The U SPORTS No. 8 Acadia Axemen improved to 6-0 and clinched first place in the AUS standings with a 44-25 win over the visiting StFX X-Men.

    Undefeated, the Axemen got a little help from the Bishop’s Gaiters who handed Saint Mary’s their third loss of the regular season in tonight’s other AUS matchup. The Huskies fall out of contention for first place in the AUS standings and drop to 3-3.

    Two Ben George field goals and a touchdown by X-Man Chase Bowden gave StFX their only lead of the game at 7-6. Glodin Mulali‘s Acadia record-breaking kickoff return of 111 yards launched the Axemen into 13-7 lead and they never looked back.

    An exchange of two Ben George rouges and a 17-yard field goal by StFX’s Keiran Burnham gave the Axemen a 15-10 edge going to halftime but Mulali struck again.With only seconds remaining on the clock, Mulali turned a shallow pass into a 74-yard reception to give the Axemen a commanding 22-10 at the half.

    Burnham opened the second half with a 56-yard punt that added a single point rouge to the scoreboard. Senior receiver Cordell Hastings hauled in a 22-yard touchdown pass that concluded a seven play, 90- yard drive to give Acadia a 29-11 lead. George would add his third rouge of the night before Jacob Fenchak scored on a 26 yard pass completion in the final quarter for the Axemen’s fourth major of the game.

    X-Men finally responded on an Isaac Fagnan 32-yard pass reception to close the gap to 37-18.

    Acadia solidified the win with a 16-yard pass reception by Cam Morley for the Axemen’s last touchdown of the night and a 44-18 lead.

    In the dying minutes of the final frame, Michael Forsey posted the final scoring play of the game on a 16-yard pass reception.

    Mulali led Acadia with 139 yards on six receptions. Axeman Dale Wright rushed for 83 yards on 10 carries and Cordell Hastings added 84 yards in receiving to Acadia’s 363 net yards passing.

    X-Man Isaac Fagnan led all receivers with 148 yards on 6 receptions.

    StFX pivot Quinn Stewart was 21 for 34 pass attempts for 346 yards, while Acadia’s Hunter Guenard recorded 18 completions of 33 attempts for 313 yards.

    Acadia accumulated 510 yards on the ground and in the air compared to StFX’s  435.

    The defending AUS champion StFX drop to 1-6 and will wrap u their season at Saint Mary’s on October 26, while the Axemen host Saint Mary’s next Saturday afternoon. Acadia concludes the regular season on the road at Mount Allison on October 26.

    The Axemen will now await the winner of the AUS Semi-final game scheduled for November 2. Acadia will host the AUS Loney Bowl Championship game for the second time in the last three seasons.

    Eric Cederberg is the Director of Communications for Acadia Athletics

  • No. 5 Axewomen remain undefeated with 2-1 win over host UNB

    No. 5 Axewomen remain undefeated with 2-1 win over host UNB

    FREDERICTON, NB – The U SPORTS No. 5 Acadia Axewomen got a pair of goals from fifth-year striker Jenna Boudreau (Halifax, NS) to beat the UNB Reds 2-1 on Saturday afternoon. 

    Boudreau scored in the 34th and 54th minutes. 

    “We knew coming in that UNB was a really tough team,” said Boudreau. “They’re really strong offensively and they did well defensively, they were disciplined and gave us a really good game.” 

    The Reds took an early 1-0 lead when Sylvie Fecteau (Moncton, NB) converted a penalty kick in the 17th minute. 

    The penalty came after Abby Sullivan (Orleans, Mass.) was taken down in the 18-yard box by Axewomen keeper Sarah Charnock (Newmarket, ON). Charnock was given a yellow card on the play as well. 

    Boudreau brought the visitors even when she was left alone in front of the UNB net and tapped a crossing pass by Reds keeper Brynn Nash (Saskatoon, SK). 

    The two teams went into the half tied 1-1. 

    “That was the first time we’d been down all season,” said Boudreau. ” I think it was good for us, in a way, to feel like that.” 

    Boudreau scored her second just after half-time, tapping a loose ball past a sprawling Nash. 

    The Reds pressed late but couldn’t find the equalizer. 

    “It comes from the team,” said Boudreau, of her two-goal effort. “It comes from our midfielders, it comes from our defenders playing it through to our midfielders. I can’t take all the credit. They are team efforts and I was just there to put them in.” 

    “I’m disappointed with the loss, for sure,” said Reds head coach Jon Crossland. “Much like most of our losses this season, I’m not overly disappointed with the effort. I thought we performed fairly well, especially the first 25 minutes of the game, I thought we took it to them and they had to answer some questions.” 

    The Axewomen are now 7-0-1 and see their next action on Wednesday when they visit Dalhousie. 

    The Reds, now 3-4-1 are in Charlottetown on Sunday to face the UPEI Panthers. Game time is 3:00 pm. 

    RECAP BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics 

    PHOTOS BY: James West/for UNB Athletics 

  • Acadia Competes in Inaugural Nova Scotia University/College Golf Championships

    Acadia Competes in Inaugural Nova Scotia University/College Golf Championships

    Dartmouth, N.S. – On Saturday, September. 28th Acadia University competed in the inaugural Nova Scotia Golf Association University/College Golf Championships at Brightwood Golf & Country Club, in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. The event format was 18 holes of stroke-play with the top four of five scores counting on each team. There was a total of 38 competitors in the event, with teams from Cape Breton University, Dalhousie University, Saint Francis Xavier University, and Saint Mary’s University all competing for the chance to be crowned champions.

    Acadia’s Men’s Team consisted of 5 players: Sebastian Farkas, Andrew Mackinnon, Zach Moore, Sam Quackenbush, and Cameron Waugh. In addition, Nathan Comeau was also representing Acadia as an individual participant. The women’s team consisted of one member, Courtney Cruikshank, who was the lucky competitor to hit the inaugural tee-shot in the event.

    It was a windy day that Saturday, but Acadia played well despite the conditions. On the men’s side, Sam Quackenbush was the low competitor for Acadia as he fired a solid round of 75 (+7) and finished in a tie for 6th place. Cameron Waugh was the second lowest player as he shot 76 (+8), and Andrew Mackinnon rounded out the top three as he posted a 78 (+10). Sebastian Farkas, Zach Moore, and individual contestant Nathan Comeau struggled to find their games on the Donald Ross layout. On the women’s side, Courtney Cruikshank represented Acadia admirably as she was only one of two women to compete in the event.

    As the sun set and the final putt was holed on the 18th green, Cape Breton University took home the Championship as they posted a collective score of +33 to defeat Saint Mary’s University by three strokes. Dalhousie University finished in third, followed by STFX University placing fourth, and Acadia settling for fifth. Individually, Cape Breton University’s Kevin George claimed the Men’s individual crown as he posted an excellent round of 70 (+2) to finish two clear of second. Sydney Erb of Dalhousie University won the Women’s title as she posted a solid round of 86 (+18).

    As mentioned, this was the first ever University/College golf event to take place in Nova Scotia and was a big step in getting national recognition for the sport in the province. There are many talented men and women golfers in post-secondary in this province and it was excellent to see them show of their skills throughout the competition.

    Acadia has never had a competitive golf program in its entire history, and by competing in this event Acadia will look to build its program for those interested in developing their games.

  • Monday Motivation

    Monday Motivation

    Progress is Progress is Progress. 

     No matter how long it takes you.

    No matter how hard it was to get there.

    No matter how much you doubt yourself.

    No matter how easy it was for others around you.

    No matter how many times you quit on your way here.  

    No matter how many drafts you had to throw out, how many games you had to sit out, how many moves you messed up. No matter how many failed tests, bad grades or mental battles you had to get through to get here.

     Your struggle is building you up piece by piece. Honor your struggle.

  • How to Achieve a Balanced Lifestyle at University

    How to Achieve a Balanced Lifestyle at University

    Now that we are a month into the school year, you may be feeling a little more stressed as midterms approach. However, you can reduce stress if you stick to a plan that keeps both your mind and body fresh for when you need them most. The following are some tips for students seeking to live a balanced lifestyle:

    Get enough sleep: This is probably one of the most important things you can do to ensure both your mind and body feel fresh. It is recommended that you get 8 hours of sleep every night, but that depends on who you are. Some people feel like they only need 6 hours to feel energized for the day, and some people feel like they need 10 hours, regardless, find the amount of sleep that works best for you. While the amount of time one sleeps may differ from person to person, the time one goes to bed is crucial. Dr. Matt Walker is the head of the Sleep and Neuroimaging Lab at the University of California, and he states the time of day when you sleep drastically alters the structure and quality of your sleep. Individuals who consistently go to bed before midnight show higher sustained energy and attentiveness levels than those who do not. Sleep is very important to your health, so it is important to make it a priority. 

    Eat a healthy diet: Eating a properly balanced diet can make you feel well, and powers your mind for when you need it. Ensuring you have a healthy diet starts by understanding when its important to eat. Breakfast should be the largest meal of your day as it will fuel you throughout the day. Instead of eating large portions, stick to having snacks spaced throughout the day. Avoid foods that make your blood sugar rise and fall rapidly as you will become tired quickly. Drink enough fluids! People forget to stay hydrated and its very important to keep that in mind as failing to do so can alter your mind’s clarity. It is recommended that you drink between 6 to 8 glasses of water a day, and if you exercise regularly that number increases dramatically. As they say, “you are what you eat”, making it crucial to fill your body with healthy choices. 

    Exercise Regularly: This is often the most difficult aspect students struggle to find time for. Exercising isn’t only about keeping your body fit, it also sharpens your mind. Exercising can be a significant time commitment, but you can avoid that by doing simple things everyday. Walking is one of the easiest ways to get consistent exercise. Make it a priority to always walk to where you are going. Additionally, spending 10 to 15 minutes in the morning to stretch or perform some light yoga is also an excellent way to get your body and mind engaged for the day without wasting a large amount of time. Lastly, make it fun! Exercise doesn’t have to be a chore, it can be exciting and something you look forward to. Whether that involves joining an intramural team or going for a hike with some friends, there are a lot of fun ways to make exercising enjoyable. 

    Make a Schedule: School can become overwhelming at times, but planning can help alleviate those feelings. Buy an agenda or some other scheduling tool so you can write down important dates and deadlines to ensure you are completing your work on time. Not only do planners help you to finish work on time, but they help to establish a plan for how you can go about finishing your work to the best of your ability. Prioritizing is essential to performing at your best when studying and making a schedule can help with that. 

    Take some ME Time: While performing well in your classes is important, you have to make sure that you are not overloading yourself. Taking on too much can run you down and make you less able to accomplish the things you want. Thus, taking time for yourself to relax and enjoy your surroundings is equally important to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Whether it’s hanging out with friends, or going for lunch with a buddy, taking time for yourself is essential to solidifying balance in your life. 

    These are just some simple tips to keep in mind when trying to understand how to live a healthy balanced lifestyle. There are many other ways one can go about living a balanced lifestyle, but it’s important to recognize what that looks like for you. Understanding what works and doesn’t work for you is pivotal to fulfilling the healthy lifestyle so many of us desire. 

    Sebastian Farkas is a fourth year honours politics student and Sports and Wellness Editor of the Athenaeum. 

     

  • Axemen split opening weekend with 6-4 win over UNB

    Axemen split opening weekend with 6-4 win over UNB

    WOLFVILLE N.S. – The Acadia Axemen closed out the opening weekend of AUS regular season play with a statement 6-4 win against the reigning U SPORTS Champions, the UNB Reds.

    Saturday night’s match-up between the UNB Reds and the Acadia Axemen began with one of the quieter periods of hockey this year at the Andrew H. McCain Arena. Neither team found the back of the net as both Acadia goalie Logan Flodell and UNB goalie Samuel Harvey were rock solid between the pipes, making 11 saves each.

    UNB opened the scoring, just under five minutes into the second frame. Tristan Pomerleau circled from the Acadia blueline and darted down the left-wing boards, before driving the net and finishing off his own rebound through the five-hole of goalie Logan Flodell. The goal was assisted by Stephen Anderson and Patrick Watling.

    Axemen Captain Liam Maskaant responded with his first goal of the season after a 3 on 2 rush concluded with Maskaant’s wrister being deflected into the top corner over the UNB goaltender’s glove. Eric Henderson and Jordy Stallard grabbed assists on the play.

    Just 19 seconds later, forward Jack Flaman gave Acadia the lead beating Samuel Harvey with a wicked wrist shot following a play made by teammate Ross MacDougall. The goal was Flaman’s first of the regular season.

    It took only a minute and ten seconds later for the Axemen to add to their lead when Mason McCarty buried his first in an Axemen sweater after deflecting Garrett McFadden‘s point shot into the UNB goal. Jordy Stallard notched his second assist of the night on the goal.

    The Varsity Reds were quick to close the gap in scoring as Mark Rassell grabbed his first of the season tipping in teammate Matt Murphy’s point shot. The powerplay goal came 12:45 into the frame and was also assisted by Matt Boucher.

    UNB would get the last laugh of the period as Alexandre Goulet tied up the game after tapping in a cross-crease feed from Patrick Watling with only 0.8 seconds remaining in the second.

    The teams headed to their respective locker rooms for the intermission tied up at 3.

    UNB’s Tyler Boland opened up the scoring at 4:23 of the third, finding a loose rebound and tucking it past Logan Flodell after he made the initial save on Stephen Anderson’s shot. Joe Gatenby got the second assist on the goal.

    Only 2 minutes later Axemen defenceman Garrett McFadden tied up the game on the powerplay with a rocket slapshot from the left point that traveled through a sea of bodies before beating Harvey to the low glove. The Subway First Star of the Game, Jordy Stallard, added his third assist of the night and Morgan Nauss grabbed his second in as many games.

    With 12:50 having passed in the final frame, the Subway Third Star of the Game, Mason McCarty, grabbed his second goal of the night and gave the Axemen the lead with a seeing eye shot through a screen eventually beating Harvey to the high glove. The powerplay goal was assisted by Cristiano Digiacinto.

    Just over a minute later Jordy Stallard added a goal to his three assists with a quick shot in front of goal after a great breakaway pass from Ryan Foss. 

    The game would end with the Axemen taking it by a score of 6-4.

    Acadia hopes to ride this wave of confidence into next Friday when they play Dalhousie in Halifax.

    The Reds will be looking to bounce back when they play their next regular season game October 11th against Moncton.

    Provided by Griffin Herrington, Acadia Athletics Communications

  • Season Predictions for Canada’s NHL Teams

    Season Predictions for Canada’s NHL Teams

    Coming off a season that saw three of the seven Canadian teams make the playoffs, Canadians have lofty expectations this year as a Canadian team looks to hoist Lord Stanley for the first time since 1993. All seven Canadian teams will look to break the streak, but there are only a few who have a realistic shot of doing so. Here are my predictions for how I see each team performing with the season set to begin this week:

    Ottawa Senators: Coming off a disastrous season that saw the team only muster up a dismal 29 wins, the Sens are looking to have a bounce back year and regain the cup contending run they had not too long ago.  The team finished last in the league, and while they have a great core of young talent, there is not much to hope for this season. Realistically, I can’t see the team fairing much better than they did last year as they still have a very young team with little experience.

    While there may not be anything to look forward to this season, the future is very bright for the team. The Sens have created a new team led by forward Brady Tkachuk and defenseman Thomas Chabot. Chabot just signed an extension with the team that will see the young star defenseman make 64 million over 8 years. In addition, the Sens locked up forward Colin White, and brought in solid supporting players like Connor Brown at forward and Nikita Zaitsev on defense. The team is building for the future.

    Toronto Maple Leafs: The Leafs are arguably one of the best teams in the league. They have one of the best groups of forwards, and they have some of the top players leading their team. However, that has been the narrative for the last couple seasons, yet the team cannot seem to find success in the post season. The team had 46 wins last season and finished third in the Atlantic division with 100 points. There is no doubt in my mind the team will play well this year and be one of the top teams in the NHL this season. Although, as mentioned, the regular season has not been the issue for the Leafs, its been the playoffs.

    To rectify their post season sorrows, the Leafs tried to sure up their defense by adding Tyson Barrie, and depth pieces like Cody Ceci and Ben Harpur. But, to make these moves they had to let go of key pieces like Nazem Kadri and Ron Hainsey, players who were relied on. Not to mention, the Leafs couldn’t find a deal to keep Jake Gardiner, a player that was with the team for some time and was a center piece of their defensive unit.

    In saying that, the Leafs will have similar success they did last season, but it remains to be seen if the transactions they made will be enough to lead them to post-season success.

    Montreal Canadiens: Falling just short of the playoffs last year, the Canadiens surprised a lot of people last year as they were fare more successful than the quality of their team would suggest. Obviously, it is not a secret that success for the team is defined by the quality of play they receive from Carey Price. Price has been one of the best goalies in the league for awhile now, and the Canadiens will lean on him again as they push for a playoff spot.

    Unlike other teams in their division, Montreal did not make any big moves this off-season. Head Coach Claude Julien and General Manager Marc Bergevin will be on the hot seat this season as fans are expecting the team to be a playoff contender this year. The only notable move the Canadiens made was delivering an offer sheet to Sebastian Aho. The star centerman signed the deal but it was quickly matched by Carolina, who had his rights as an RFA. You would think the Canadiens would have been more aggressive after missing out, but the team is confident their young stars will elevate their play this year.

    With playmakers like Max Domi, Jonathan Drouin, and Brendan Gallagher, and potential stars like Artturi Lehkonen and Jesperi Kotkaniemi, the Canadiens have potential to be an offensive force. Along with a solid top four of defensemen comprised of Shea Weber, Victor Mete, Jeff Petry, and Brett Kulak, the Canadiens have a solid team capable of contending for the playoffs.

    Honestly, this season could go either way. The team definitely has the potential to make the playoffs, but if the team stumbles out of the gates and their young players don’t step up like expected, it could be a disastrous year for the Canadiens. If the latter does happen, expect a host of changes for the team, starting with management as Bergevin has had one foot out the door in Montreal for some time.

    Winnipeg Jets: The Jets are coming off a fairly successful season that saw them make the playoffs and lose in a tough first round bout against the eventual Stanley Cup Champions. The team posted 47 wins last season and finished second in the Central Division. Yet, the team has had a long offseason as there has been a lot of news surrounding the team.

    The Jets took the entire offseason to sign forwards Patrik Laine and Kyle Connor, and with the team recently suspending Dustin Byfuglien to protect their cap as he ponders whether he will retire or not, the team has had a lot to handle this offseason. Although, what is not in question is the quality of roster the Jets have. Led by captain Blake Wheeler, the Jets have one of the most balanced teams right from their goalie to their forwards. Their top center Mark Scheifele posted 38 goals and 84 points last season and was leaned on as a leader in his assistant captain role. Veterans like Brian Little and Matthew Perreault, are solid supporting players that rally around the many stars on this team and make them a definite cup contender.

    Although, with the departure of Jacob Trouba, there are some questions on defense for the team, especially if Byfuglien retires, it could be an issue. Not to mention, goalie Connor Hellebuyck is coming off a less than impressive year that saw him post a GAA of 2.90.

    Despite this, I look for the Jets to be a contender in the West again this year, and for them to be a capable cup contender as they look to break Canada’s cup drought.

    Calgary Flames: The Flames were the best Canadian team last year, as they won the Pacific division with 107 points. The Flames had 50 wins last season and finished with the best record in the Western Conference. However, like the two other Canadian teams to make the playoffs, they were also bounced in the first round by the Colorado Avalanche. The team wanted to make some moves to improve their roster, but GM Brad Treliving was quiet throughout the offseason.

    The only move that caught some people’s attention was the trade for Milan Lucic. Lucic was traded in exchange for James Neal, who was an utter disappointment in Calgary last season as he was demoted to a bottom 6 role. Lucic was terrible in Edmonton for the majority of his tenure as it looked like he could never get comfortable with the pace of the game. Not really sure what Calgary was thinking in completing that trade, but we will see if Lucic can add anything as he approaches the end of his career.

    Fortunately, the Flames have a tremendous roster that didn’t need to be changed much at all. Led by forwards Sean Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau, along with last seasons Norris Trophy winner Mark Giordano, the Flames have a roster than can compete with anyone. There was some concern that RFA Matthew Tkachuk might not sign before the season begun, but those worries were soon quashed as the star winger signed a three-year bridge deal worth an AAV of 7 million.

    I believe the Flames will have tremendous success again this season, and with an extra year of experience under their belt, hopefully they understand what it takes to win in the playoffs.

    Edmonton Oilers: There are many words to describe the past few seasons the Oilers have had, and none of the words are very flattering. It’s been a debacle for the team ever since losing to the Anaheim ducks back in the 2017 playoffs. The team has been so reliant on Connor McDavid, they forgot to surround the superstar with competent players. The Oilers had 35 wins last season, and without McDavid and Draisaitl, it’d be hard to tell if their roster was of NHL quality.

    The Oilers had a fairly active offseason, beginning with the announcement of their new GM Ken Holland, who came over from the Red Wings where he was the GM from 1997 to the end of the 2019 season. Shortly after, Holland announced the signing of the Oilers new head coach, Dave Tippett. Tippett was formerly the coach of the Arizona Coyotes, and is known for a tough style of coaching that maximizes every bit of talent each player has. In terms of adding players, the Oilers brought in James Neal, Markus Granlund, and goaltender Mike Smith, players that will add to the team’s depth.

    Frankly, I can’t see the Oilers fairing much better than they did last year as they failed to add any substantial pieces. Defenseman Evan Bouchard looks like a nice young player, and Kailer Yamamoto may provide some much-needed skill to a team that has very little other than their stars. Besides that, it’s a roster that has many holes and question marks, and it could be another season where the Oilers look to compete for the number 1 pick in the 2020 Entry Draft.

    Vancouver Canucks: Probably the most interesting Canadian team in the league this season, and the most difficult to predict given the amount of changes they’ve made in the offseason. The Canucks had 35 wins last season, and didn’t really have many bright spots besides Elias Pettersson, and a few other Canucks. However, this season has the potential to be a good one if the team finds their footing early.

    The Canucks added forwards JT Miller, Michael Ferland, and defenseman Tyler Myers. One player to watch will be young star defenseman Quinn Hughes who was drafted 7th overall in 2018 by the Canucks and played 5 games with the team last season after completing two years at the University of Michigan. The Canucks also signed Brock Boeser to a three-year deal, with an AAV of 5.875 million. Boeser is a very talented player but has been “handcuffed” to injuries that has caused him to miss games in the past.

    With a solid defensive core led by the likes of Hughes, Chris Tanev, Alex Edler, and Jordie Benn, along with talented forwards like Pettersson, Bo Horvat, Boeser, and others, the Canucks could be a team to watch as they compete for a playoff spot.

    With that, I think it is a stretch to say the Canucks will definitely make the playoffs, but I do believe they will be a better team than last year. The organization is still in a rebuild, but they could find success earlier than expected.

    Canadian hockey fans have a lot to look forward to this year, and hopefully they can watch a Canadian team lift the Stanley Cup when its all said and done.

    Sebastian Farkas is a fourth year honours politics student and Sports and Wellness Editor of the Athenaeum.

     

  • Monday Motivation

    Monday Motivation

    I failed when I..

    • never started
    • told myself ‘I can’t’
    • ran away from the scary things
    • literally camped out in my comfort zone

    Starting wasn’t easy. It made me uncomfortable. But it was the best freaking thing I ever did.

    WHY?

    If I didn’t start and take that leap of faith, I would never know what was on the OTHER SIDE for me.

    If I didn’t start, I wouldn’t accomplish any goals.

    ..If I didn’t start, I would never have been a fitness coach. I would never know what a supportive community of women felt like. I would never be healthy & happy like I am today. But now, 1 year later, I got over the uncomfortable ‘start’, I got used to the hard things, I’m living my best life in my best body, I’m making an impact on people DAILY, I’m creating genuine friends, I’m building my savings account..

    ..and wondering why I didn’t start sooner.

    The days will keep passing. Whether you work with a coach or not, do everything in your power to not let 2019 pass you away without hitting those goals you wanted to. You can do better than that.

    This can STILL be your year. I can’t wait to show you what’s on the other side for YOU 💞

    For any comments, requests or questions email me at [email protected].

  • Axeman Improve to 4-0 as they Head into the Second Half of the Season

    Axeman Improve to 4-0 as they Head into the Second Half of the Season

    Wolfville, NS – On Saturday afternoon the Axeman beat the Mount Allison Mounties 22 to 15 as they improved to 4 and 0. The Axeman have looked really good this season as second year starter Hunter Guenard has shown that he is ready to lead the team. Guenard leads the AUS in yards per game, total yards, and completions. The Axeman also have the top running back in the league as Dale Wright has dominated defenses posting a yards per game total of 113, along with 5 touchdowns. Not to mention that Acadia’s wide receiving core has shined as Glodin Mulali leads the league in receiving, with Cordell Hastings and Matthew Gledhill both in the top 10 in the AUS. 

    Their defense has been impressive also as linebacker Bailey Feltmate leads the league in total tackles. As a defensive unit, the team is first in points allowed with just under 20 per game. The team was ranked 5th in the National U Sports Football Rankings last week, and they have the potential to be ranked even higher going forward. 

    There were some question marks coming into the season after having a less than successful 2018 campaign, but the Axeman have shown they are ready to win this season. Even with the departures of key players like Brandon Jennings, Matthew Nettle, Garvin Cius, and others, the team has managed to assemble a team capable of winning an AUS Loney Bowl Championship. 

    One of the most impressive parts of the team this year has to be the play of the offensive line. The Axeman lost veteran players Nathan Heide, Drew Seldon, and Jacob Creedon, but have been able to put together a five-man unit capable of making holes for Dale Wright, while also giving time to Guenard in the pocket. Veteran lineman Shelton Williams has looked impressive as he has dominated the line of scrimmage all year long. 

    The Axeman have 4 games left this season and will look to continue their winning ways as they travel to Lennoxville, Quebec to take on the Bishops Gaiters who are 2-2 this season. The Axeman dominated the Gaiters in their last game as they won convincingly. 

    If the Axeman can remain healthy, and quarterback Hunter Guenard can continue slinging the ball like he has, the Axeman could find themselves with some hardware this season. Much of the success the team has had to date has to be attributed to the efficiency they have had in the red zone as the Axeman rank first at an 81% conversion rate; and when they do find the red zone, 69% of the time they score a touchdown. With a red zone conversion rate like that, and the limited turnovers the team has had, the Axeman have found a formula for winning this season. 

    A winning formula they hope to continue as they enter the second half of the season, and prepare themselves for a push to the Loney Bowl, and maybe even, a journey to the Vanier Cup. 

    Sebastian Farkas is a Fourth Year Politics Student and Sports and Wellness Editor of the Athenaeum.

Betzillo positions itself as a versatile gaming hub where structured bonuses and adaptive gameplay mechanics support both short sessions and extended play.

Built with a focus on innovation, Spinbit integrates modern casino architecture with rapid transactions, appealing to players who value speed and digital efficiency.

Ripper Casino emphasizes bold entertainment through high-impact slot titles and competitive promotions crafted for risk-oriented players.

A friendly interface and stable performance define Ricky Casino, offering a casual yet reliable environment for a wide spectrum of gaming preferences.

King Billy Casino channels classic casino spirit into a modern platform, delivering recognizable themes supported by contemporary reward systems.

Immersive visuals and layered slot mechanics are at the core of Dragonslots, creating a narrative-driven casino experience.

Lukki Casino appeals to players seeking direct access and minimal friction, focusing on fast loading times and intuitive controls.

Casinonic provides a structured and dependable gaming framework, blending modern slots with transparent operational standards.