What the Heck?

James Heck

December 5, 2012

Walk into any sporting-goods store and you will see several displays of running shoes of every size, color, shape and brand. Some running shoes are designed with gel pockets in the heel to offer exceptional cushioning. Others are designed with stability and motion control in mind for runners who over-pronate – when the foot rolls inward when striking the ground, potentially damaging the feet, ankles, lower legs and lower back. The new craze on the running shoe market is minimalist shoes, and more specifically, barefoot running shoes. We have all seen that person walking around public with aquatic-looking toe-shoes. Barefoot running shoes are designed to mimic the attributes of walking or working out barefoot. Besides looking ridiculous, these shoes are supposed to encourage a mid-foot or forefoot strike with each stride. Because traditional running shoes often contain extra cushion in the heel, runners have a tendency to heel-strike with each stride. There have been many studies and research with opposing arguments against whether or not the way the foot strikes the ground with each stride can have harmful effects on the body. Even with the debate on running shoes, some runners decide to run completely natural – barefoot. I am not a historian, but I assume running barefoot has been around since the beginning of mankind. Whether or not you are a runner, you have probably at one point run barefoot before, regardless of the distance. Whether running barefoot on the sand at the beach or through the grass at a park, running barefoot gives us the sense of freedom. Wearing shoes creates a separation from our bodies and nature – we cannot feel the earth. Aside from the aesthetic feel, I have also noticed I naturally run on my forefoot when I run barefoot, and when I land on my heel, it hurts. Despite the opposing viewpoints of the effects of heel-striking, perhaps the studies are onto something. Although barefoot running is growing in popularity, it is still something the majority of the running community does not engage in. For starters, if you run barefoot, you are bound to come across different environments and terrains. Glass, sharp rocks, sticks, and thorns do not sound very inviting to the feet. Hot pavement could also cause blisters and pain and cold temperatures could make dsurfaces slippery. I have been running for more than 10 years and have only ever seen one barefoot runner. Granted, she was racing on a track, but it still amazed me. I have run very short distances barefoot, but I do not think I would try to run a marathon barefoot. Although I think the barefoot running and minimalist shoe craze is interesting, I still think it is a fad. It is something unusual in our society, so some people will think it is cool. For now, I will stick to my running shoes. I do not feel like stepping on a rusty nail any time soon. James Heck can be reached at [email protected]

Necessary roughness

State Hornet

November 7, 2012

Russell PrestonWhile most fans would assume Sacramento State’s fall sport with the largest fan base, in the largest venue, gathering the most attention would be poised for the most success in 2012 (I’m looking at you, football), the sport with the real threat for a conference title should be women’s volleyball.After finishing the 2011 season with an overall record of 17-15 and a 10-6 Big Sky conference record, finishing third for the Hornets was a step in the right direction after failing to finish above fifth place since 2007.Women’s volleyball has been one of the strengths of Sac State’s athletic program in the last 15 years. Since joining the Big Sky Conference in 1996, Sac State has made the Div. 1 NCAA tournament 10 times (six more than any other member of their conference).Last year, under the leadership of Head Coach Ruben Volta, the team was one of the best in the conference when it came to home-court advantage (8-5 record). In fact, since 1996 the team has posted a 175-48 record on its home court.What made them so good last year was their team defense. In 2011, the team was ninth in the nation in digs per set (18.39) and 13th in blocks per set (2.76). They were the only team in the nation to rank in the top 35 in both categories.As for the offense, they finished in the bottom half of the Big Sky conference in kills per set (11.93) and hitting percentage (.171). With Coach Volta implementing a new 6-2 offense, it will allow the setter to stay in the back while three attackers up front can get aggressive.Although the team lost four of its top players to graduation last spring, there are still doses of optimism with the nine returning players and six newcomers (including two transfer students coming from Div. 1 teams).It’ll be interesting how the team chemistry develops, but rest assured, this team will be competing for another Big Sky conference title in 2012.Russell Preston can be reached at [email protected] KwellerFall sports are under way and the Sacramento State women’s soccer team has the most potential and promise to take home a conference championship.After missing the Big Sky conference championships by two places last season, women’s soccer is back with a 30-player roster and the intensity to win.The women of Hornet soccer have already shown improvements by winning the first game of the season to University of Nevada Reno, which they lost to last year by a score of 2-1.The players have the agility, strength and endurance to beat every team in the conference as long as they stay consistent, which should not be too hard considering the lengthy roster.The depth in the roster will allow the players more efficient playing time. If someone is winded and needs a break, the bench is full of fresh bodies to put on the field.To make the long list of players even more impressive, nine of them are incoming freshman, meaning they are younger, fresher and less injured.One of the freshmen is Hannah Gendron, a goalkeeper out of Davis. She is replacing 2011 senior Savannah Abercrombie, who gave up 22 goals during the last season.Gendron gave up only six goals during her varsity season last year in high school and not one goal her 2010 26-game junior varsity season.Senior forward and team captain Jordan Carlberg will also be a huge contribution to the team this year by looking at last season’s records. She led the team in shots and shots on goal, was second in assists, third in points and fourth in goals.Overall, Sac State women’s soccer is secure with a variety of diverse players and will be a dominant force in the Big Sky conference this 2012 season.Jillian Kweller can be reached at [email protected] Heck The 2011 Sacramento State football team finished with a 4-7 record, but there are reasons to believe a winning season is around the corner. Regardless of the team’s record the previous year, it can adopt a winning mentality if they focus on becoming better today than they were yesterday.At the start of training camp, there were more than 40 new players vying for a spot on the 2012 Sac State football team.With the addition of new players comes the question of how they will mesh with the returning members of the team. Football is a team sport, one composed of three facets: offense, defense and special teams.After losing team leaders such as quarterback Jeff Fleming to graduation, some may view the abundance of new players as a question in regards to building team chemistry and cohesion.Perhaps it is this new element that will spark a surge in production.After all, the team is led by Marshall Sperbeck, the sixth-year head coach who led the Hornets to a stunning 29-28 win over the Oregon State Beavers last season. This win marked the first against a Football Bowl Subdivision team in 11 attempts, arguably making it the Hornets’ biggest victory in school history.The overtime victory against Oregon State gained nationwide attention, and the sense of pride and hope that resulted should be remembered and carried over into this season.Last season, the Hornets lost three games by seven or fewer points. If the team can work out the kinks of last season, there is reason to believe they can be a winning team this season.A fuel to light their fire could come from the recent preseason polls released predicting their success, or lack thereof. The Hornets were picked to finish ninth in the Big Sky Conference by the coaches and 10th by the media.For the players on the football team, a sense of “us against the world” would certainly be an acceptable feeling. And it is this feeling that has often lifted teams out of seeming obscurity and into the spotlight.James Heck can be reached at [email protected] 

Women’s basketball squad running wild