Issue link: http://www.wacmagazine.com/i/1504946
24 WAC Magazine | wac.net Fitness in the Park continues this month. Join us across the street at Freeway Park for complimentary group fitness classes. ese workouts are a great way to get moving while enjoying the summer sun. On Mondays at 5:30 pm, enjoy Dance Fitness and Zumba, and on Tuesdays at noon, get your stretch on with yoga. "We're pleased to be offering fitness classes for the 10th year in collaboration with Freeway Park Association," WAC Fitness Programs Manager George Sommerrock says. "Families and friends enjoy this annual summer tradition to socialize and connect in a meaningful way through movement." Fitness in the Park classes are open to all. Invite friends, and make sure to show them around the Club during their visit. living fit meet the athlete / fitness in the park Q. What went into the decision to forgo your basketball scholarship in favor of rugby? A. Aer my first rugby game in high school, I felt so much joy. I had lost that feeling over years of playing basketball. Central Washington was launching a varsity women's rugby program that fall. I took a big leap of faith and chose to forgo my basketball scholarship to join the rugby team as a walk-on. It was a hard decision to make, especially because my older sister played basketball at Central, and we would have played together. But I wanted to see what rugby had in store for me. Q. Did your basketball background help you on the rugby field? A. Immensely! Hand-eye coordination, spatial awareness, and seeing matchups and overloads are just a few things that helped me cross over so quickly. Also, going up for high balls is like grabbing a rebound, which was one of my favorite things in basketball, and is one of my favorite parts of rugby. Q. What was it like playing with the WAC at the Rugby Club 7s national tournament last year? A. Playing for the WAC has been awesome! e support of the Club and being connected to so many people in Seattle through the WAC has been great. Playing at nationals is always a blast, and we really bond as a team during our trips. Q. What's your favorite part about rugby? A. e relationship and connection with my teammates. I've made many lifelong friendships through the sport. Q. Congratulations on becoming the first recipient of the Couden Award! A. It's a huge honor. I work hard at being a great teammate and great player, so it was humbling. E M I L I O H U E R TA S ( 2 ) Fitness in the Park Meet the Athlete Jenny Johnson By Joey Carreon Jenny Johnson attended Kentwood High School and received a scholarship offer to play basketball at Central Washington University. But another sport was calling. Today, Jenny works as a marketing coordinator for the Pac-12 Conference. As a member of the WAC women's rugby team, she won this year's inaugural WAC Couden Award. Named after late member Ron Couden, the award honors exceptional sportsmanship. You'll find Jenny working out in the Women's Strength Training Studio, attending sports-centric club events, or hanging out in Hagerty's. Yoga Tuesdays at noon through August Dance Fitness/Zumba Mondays at 5:30 pm through August Invite friends to outdoor fitness!