Issue link: http://www.wacmagazine.com/i/842361
20 WAC Magazine | wac.net Meet the athlete Psalm Wooching By Mae Jacobson, Associate Editor, Psalm Wooching began playing rugby at age 11. When his high school's football coach in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, suggest- ed that he change sports, Psalm saw his chance to attend college on a scholarship. Recruited by a number of colleges, Psalm accepted the University of Washington's 2012 offer. Four years later, he co-captained the Huskies as an outside linebacker in one of the team's best seasons ever. After end- ing the 2016 season in the Peach Bowl, Psalm announced his return to his "first love"—rugby. He currently plays for the Seattle Saracens and the WAC rugby team. Q. Why did you choose rugby over a potential NFL career? A. I felt like I had gone far enough on the football field. We did great last season and it felt right to return to rugby. Everyone in rugby was asking me to "come back and play, come back!" I just decided that it was time to pursue what I wanted. I'm Samoan, and rugby is like religion. Q. What's your favorite part of rugby? A. Sometimes in football, certain positions get glorified. In rug- by, everyone gets the chance to run, score and tackle. Also, I love to travel, and rugby offers a lot of opportunities to do that. Q. Tell us about the rugby community. A. It's one of the fastest-growing sports in the U.S., but it's still a really tight-knit brotherhood. When I announced that I wanted to pursue rugby, people from around the world contacted me to send their encouragement. Q. What are your goals for the future? A. I want to play rugby professionally. My goal is to represent the United States overseas. Q. Do you have any advice for aspiring athletes? A. Hard work beats talent. You can perfect your cra by focus- ing on even the smallest skills. To get to the next level you need to spend time outside of practice working on your own. at's how you become great. C O U R T E S Y U N I V E R S I T Y O F W A S H I N G T O N living fit instructor insights / meet the athlete Instructor insights Dawn Jansen | Yoga A Pacific Northwest native, Dawn Jansen grew up in Portland and Seattle. As a college student, she moved to New York City to attend e New School for Social Re- search. When she returned to Seattle, Dawn rediscovered her love for the wilderness. Dawn finds her passion for fitness in the waters, moun- tains, and forests of the Pacific Northwest. "Challenge, adventure, and natural beauty coalesce when I'm outside," Dawn says. "ey form a fulfilling mental and physical jour- ney that guide me." Dawn believes in harnessing the power of human poten- tial to grow, learn, and "become." is belief also guides her through her yoga and dance practices. "Obstacles in fitness are merely features," Dawn says. "ere's always a fun way around or over them. Celebrating the journey, even if it's tough, is key for me." L A N E C A U D I L L u Dawn Jansen teaches yoga classes at the WAC and is available for private instruction. Email fitness@wac.net.