BLOGGIN?: Christianson Talks About Week One Back on Campus

Last Wednesday marked our first day of preseason workouts, which meant the whole team was back in town and reunited!  We all had a great summer, but now its time to get busy.  Our first two workouts comprised of fitness testing.  For example, we measured how high we can jump, how quick we can change direction and how fast we can run a mile.  Additionally, we "maxed-out" in three lifts: hang clean, bench press and squats.  For all you non-body builders, maxing out means we figure out the most weight we can lift one time.  I think all the returners improved how much they could lift from last year and all the new players did exceptionally well, too.  Senior Tatiana Heck was a real stand out because she lifted the most (or tied for the most) in all three lifts!  In addition to lifting, we also spent some time in the gym.  The NCAA allows two hours a week of full team practice.  Although it is not a lot of time, our team utilized it well.  Our coaching staff introduced our offense and defense "bread and butter," as well as worked on drills and shooting.  Our team already has great chemistry and competitiveness.  Things are already starting to click and we are leaps and bounds ahead of where we were this time last year. 

Along with practice, our team enjoyed the last days of summer before classes started last Wednesday, Sept. 22.  Although the rain has put a damper on many activities, we've still had time to play open gyms, attend soccer and volleyball games, and do a little socializing.  The night before the first day of school was great because we welcomed all the newcomers to Seattle U athletics.  It has been a tradition, for at least the last couple years, to line up all the returning athletes on either side of the main hall of the Connolly Center and cheer loudly as the newcomers parade through it.  It's not only a positive way for us to welcome all the new student-athletes, but also makes us feel like a whole family of Redhawks, rather than just separate teams. 

With the fall quarter beginning, we are all buckling down and getting to work both in the classroom and in the gym. Academics are very important to Coach Bonvicini and last year our team ranked in the top 25 for NCAA Division I schools in the country for academics.  This year we hope to perform just as well.  To ensure our success, our team is split up into academic "teams," with a coach to help us.  Prizes are awarded to anyone who makes it into the "3.3 Club," which means achieving a 3.3 or better grade point average for the quarter.  There is some friendly competition between academic teams, but mostly the teams are there for our benefit so we remain organized and on top of our schoolwork.  Being a student-athlete isn't easy!

Thanks for your support!  Less than two weeks until our first official practice!  Go Redhawks!!