Media Guide Final

2012 Charks UniversityEquestrian

Quick Facts: • Colors:Tealandblack• Nickname:Sharks• Location:Ocala,Florida• Founded:1897• Enrollment:17,000• OldestUniversityinFlorida• Homeof the2005NationalChampionEquestrianteam• AthleticDirector-CalvinBorel• President-MaryAnnFletcher,PhD

Media Relations:• NatalieBurton-SIDEmail:[email protected]:(352)223-4567• MorganJones-AssistantSIDEmail:[email protected]:(352)223-4421Website:cusharks.com

Marketing ContactDavidBeckhamEmail:[email protected]:(352)552-7685

Equestrian Contact-InfoAleishaMendezEmail:[email protected]:(352)376-9483

Note to the Media:CharksMediaRelationsconsidersitsworkwiththeme-diaatoppriority.Partofthatcommitmentisthepublicationof thismediaguideandthecontinuingdistributionof tournamentnotesandreleases.Shouldarequestarise,pleasedonothesitatetocontactus.WeappreciateyourinterestinCharksequestrianandlookforwardtoanoutstandingseason.

BARN INFORMATION: THE AQUARIUM Hours Of OperationOpenfrom6amto9pm

StablingTheCharksAquariumhas20spaciousandairystalls,eachwiththerapeuticfoamrubbermats.Stallsizes,dependingonavailability,rangefromapproximately12’x12’forstandardstallsto12’x18’forfoalingstalls.ThePastureBarnhas32stalls,each12’x12’withattachedpad-docksforindoor/outdooraccess.ThestallsarebeddedwithMallardMini-Flake.

Arenas•120’x260’showarenasuitableforcompeti-tiondressageandshowjumping•Covered,lightedindoorarenawithall-newfooting•115’x200’outdoorarenawithnewdrainageandfooting•Regulation-sizeddressagecourtwithmirrorsandnewfooting•Coveredlungingarena•Uncoveredlungingarena

TurnoutEveryhorsehasaccesstodailyturn-outinoneof theeighteennewly-built40’x60’paddocks.Paddocksarebasedforcorrectdrainage.

Other AmenitiesTheCharksAquariumalsooffersmen’sandwomen’slockerroomswithshowers,anewlyretrofittedClubhouse,5groomingstalls,4washracks,adressingroom,andpicnicareas.

Staff:• JillGitaponit-HeadCoach• LinzyWoolf-AssociateHeadCoach• BethBass-AssistantCoach• LindsaySmith-VolunteerAssistantCoach• LindseyLawrence-Directorof Operations• SteveCanon-FacilityManager• JoshThompson-TeamVet

Table of ContentsQuickFacts 2LetterFromthePresident 3Directorof Athletics 3CharksUniversity(Backgrounder) 4-5CoachesProfile 7SeasonOutlook 7ServiceAwardNewsRelease 8IntroductiontoEquestrian 9Sponsors 10Feature:Faceof aUniversity 11Schedule 12Roster 12AthleteProfiles 13-17

BARN INFORMATION: THE AQUARIUM Hours Of OperationOpenfrom6amto9pm

StablingTheCharksAquariumhas20spaciousandairystalls,eachwiththerapeuticfoamrubbermats.Stallsizes,dependingonavailability,rangefromapproximately12’x12’forstandardstallsto12’x18’forfoalingstalls.ThePastureBarnhas32stalls,each12’x12’withattachedpad-docksforindoor/outdooraccess.ThestallsarebeddedwithMallardMini-Flake.

Arenas•120’x260’showarenasuitableforcompeti-tiondressageandshowjumping•Covered,lightedindoorarenawithall-newfooting•115’x200’outdoorarenawithnewdrainageandfooting•Regulation-sizeddressagecourtwithmirrorsandnewfooting•Coveredlungingarena•Uncoveredlungingarena

TurnoutEveryhorsehasaccesstodailyturn-outinoneof theeighteennewly-built40’x60’paddocks.Paddocksarebasedforcorrectdrainage.

Other AmenitiesTheCharksAquariumalsooffersmen’sandwomen’slockerroomswithshowers,anewlyretrofittedClubhouse,5groomingstalls,4washracks,adressingroom,andpicnicareas.

Staff:• JillGitaponit-HeadCoach• LinzyWoolf-AssociateHeadCoach• BethBass-AssistantCoach• LindsaySmith-VolunteerAssistantCoach• LindseyLawrence-Directorof Operations• SteveCanon-FacilityManager• JoshThompson-TeamVet

Quick Facts: • Colors:Tealandblack• Nickname:Sharks• Location:Ocala,Florida• Founded:1897• Enrollment:17,000• OldestUniversityinFlorida• Homeof the2005NationalChampionEquestrianteam• AthleticDirector-CalvinBorel• President-MaryAnnFletcher,PhD

Media Relations:• NatalieBurton-SIDEmail:[email protected]:(352)223-4567• MorganJones-AssistantSIDEmail:[email protected]:(352)223-4421Website:cusharks.com

Marketing ContactDavidBeckhamEmail:[email protected]:(352)552-7685

Equestrian Contact-InfoAleishaMendezEmail:[email protected]:(352)376-9483

Note to the Media:CharksMediaRelationsconsidersitsworkwiththeme-diaatoppriority.Partofthatcommitmentisthepublicationof thismediaguideandthecontinuingdistributionof tournamentnotesandreleases.Shouldarequestarise,pleasedonothesitatetocontactus.WeappreciateyourinterestinCharksequestrianandlookforwardtoanoutstandingseason.

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Letter from the President:

WelcometoCharksUniversity.

Beingpresidentof Charksforthepast10years,Ihaveseenourcampusandourathlet-

icsprogramachieveexcellenceintheclassroom,thecommunity,andonthefield.Asa

NCAADivisionIIIinstitution,theacademicsuccessof ourstudentathletesalwayscomes

first,andweuseourathleticsprogramstosupportandcomplementthecollegeexperience.

With15intercollegiatevarsityteams,wecompeteintheFloridaIntercollegiateAthleticAs-

sociation,withninememberinstitutionsacrossthestate.

CharksUniversity,foundedin1804,wasthefirstliberalartscollegeinthestateof

FloridaandcontinuestobealeaderinhighereducationfortheSouthwestregion.Ourun-

dergraduateacademicprograms,covering25majors,prepareourstudentsforimmediate

entryintoacareerorentranceintograduateschools.Charksalsooffersgraduatedegrees

infivesubjectareas,includingaprogramforEquineSportsMedicine,whichisoneof onlyfournationwide.

Insupportof ourstudentsandstudentathletes,wecontinuetoprovidenewfacilities,classrooms,andopportu-

nityforeducation,recreationandpersonalgrowth.Wehopethatyoucatchthespiritof excitementthatwefeelenvelops

ourcampus,asyoucheeronourathletestovictory,andthatyouenjoyyourtimehereatCharksUniversity.

Sincerely,

MaryAnnFletcher,PhD

Mary Ann Fletcher,

Director of Athletics

CalvinBorelwasnamedDirectorof Athleticsin2009.Hecurrentlyoverseesanathleticsprogramthatconsistsof 15intercollegiateteams,and250studentathletes,whocompetewithintheFloridaIntercollegiateAthleticsAssociation.Sincehisappoint-menthereatCharks,theSharkshavewonfivenationalchampionships.Borelwasalsofundamentalduringthefundraisingcampaignforournewstudentfitnesscenter,theAdenaSpringFitnessCenter.“WefeelhonoredtohaveCalvinBorelhereatCharks,andfeelthathewillhelpuscontinueinexcellencewithinourathleticsprogram,”statesuniversitypresidentDr.Fletcher.BorelcametoCharksUniversityfromWaverlyCollegeinLexington,Kentucky,whereheservedastheathleticsdirectorfrom2005-2009.Inhisfouryearsthere,theathleticdepartmenthadeightteamsappearintheNCAAtournament,sixconferencechampion-ships,andsixAll-Americans.BorelgraduatedfromtheDerbyCollegewithabachelor’sdegreeinexercisephysi-ology,receivedhismaster’sdegreefromPreaknessUniversityandhisDoctorateof EducationfromBelmontStateUniversity.AfterplayingtennisatDerbyCollegewhileearninghisdegree,Borelservedasagraduateassistanttennisandgolf coachatPreakness.HewasappointedastheheadtenniscoachatBelmontStatewhilecompletinghisdissertationandforfiveyearsaftergraduating,holdingthatpositionforatotalof eightyears.Duringhislasttwoyears,hewasaskedtotakeonadministrativeresponsibilitiesandwasnamedtheAssociateAthleticDirector,whilestillcoachingtennis.AtBelmontState,hismen’sandwomen’stennisteamsearned10conferencechampionships,earningaberthintheNCAAtournamenteachtime.Themen’steamwasasemi-finalistinthe2004NCAAtournament,whilehiswomen’steamwasthenationalrunner-upin2005.Borelwasnamedconferencecoachof theyearforKentuckyCollegiateAthleticConferencesixtimesbetween2001and2005.“IfeelprivilegedtoserveCharksUniversityandtheOcalacommunity.It’sanhonortoleadthesestudentathletestosucceedintheclassroomandonthefield,”Borelsaid.BorelservesonvariouscommitteeswithintheFIAA,andalsoontheNCAADivisionIIISafetyCommittee.BorellivesinOcala,FLwithhiswife,Jane.Theyhavethreegrownchildren,Maggie,PaulandGiacomo.

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Charks University was founded in 1804 in Ocala, Florida as

the first liberal arts college in the state. With 1,500 stu-

dents, Charks offers an inviting campus atmosphere and

energy that promotes education, real world opportunities,

recreation and personal growth.

Even after 200 years, Charks continues to be a

leader in higher education for the southwest region, and

are among the top small colleges in regards to gradua-

tion rates, job placement and research opportunities. With

a student to teacher ratio of 12-to-1, our teachers and

students experience an intimate classroom environment.

The student body consists of 1,200 undergraduate and 300

graduate students, and most students form long-lasting

strong bonds with their advisors and professors.

Our location in the “Horse Capital of the World” allows Charks University to take be an active component of the

equine industry here in Ocala, Florida. We are home to the top equine veterinary medicine program in the country and one

of only four equine sports medicine programs nationwide. The resources in Ocala allow us to have excellent facilities to

support these amazing programs. Our equine alumni have recently taken their skills to the world’s largest stage during the

2010 World Equestrian Games, where some worked behind the

scenes in the equine hospital and the barns and others com-

peted, including McLain Ward, Laura Kraut, and Boyd Martin.

Central Florida has vast opportunities for recreational

activities for students, such as hiking and running trails at

nearby state parks, canoeing at nearby lakes, and a wide

variety of sports. On campus we have a swimming pool, golf

course, tennis courts and the new Adena Springs Fitness

Center. Charks students are active within intramural sports

programming, with over 75% of our student body participat-

ing throughout the year in everything from ultimate frisbee

and flag football to sand volleyball and badminton. The Charks

University Sharks athletics program fields 15 varsity intercol-

legiate teams that compete for the NCAA Division III, and in

recent years have brought home five national championships,

one each in men’s basketball and women’s tennis, and three

championships in equestrian.

Our campus continues to grow every year with the

development of our top of the line facilities from a new student

fitness center that includes a disc golf course and sundeck,

two new apartment style resident halls, to the renovation of our

science building. The spirit on campus is vibrant and energiz-

ing. Come feel the excitement, join in the fun and be a part of

Charks.

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Ourcampuscontinuestogroweveryyearwith

thedevelopmentof ourtopof thelinefacilities

from:anewstudentfitnesscenterthatincludes

adiscgolf courseandsundeck,twonewapart-

mentstyleresidenthalls,andrenovationof our

sciencebuilding.Thespiritoncampusisvibrant

andenergizing.Comefeeltheexcitement,join

inthefunandbeapartof Charks.

OurlocationinFloridaallowsforstudents

topartakeinmanyrecreationalactivities,

suchashikingandrunningtrailsatnearby

stateparks,canoeingatnearbylakes,anda

widevarietyof sports.Oncampuswehave

aswimmingpool,golf course,tenniscourts

andanewfitnesscenter,theAdenaSprings

FitnessCenter.Charksstudentsareactive

withinourintramuralsportsprogramming,

withover75%of ourstudentbodypartici-

patingthroughouttheyearineverything

fromultimatefrisbeeandflagfootballto

sandvolleyballandbadminton.TheCharks

UniversitySharksathleticsprogram

fields15varsityintercollegiateteamsthat

competefortheNCAADivisionIII,andin

recentyearshavebroughthomethree

nationalchampionships,oneeachinmen’s

Basketball,Women’sGolf,andEquestrian.

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Season Outlook

The Charks University equestrian team ended their 2011-2012 season on a particularly high note, as IHSA National Champion Team and Junior Lana Kane won her second national title in two years. When you are on top it is hard to aim higher, however, Sharks coach Jill Gitaponit is excited for the coming season., “With our new riders, and the experience of our upperclassmen, we are positioned to defend our title. Our destiny is in our hands, as hard work and dedication will get us back to the IHSA Nationals.”

Key riders to watch: Lana Kane, Ramona Patrick, and Christina Leeman are three returning equestriennes that will provide excitement this year. Lana Kane has won a national title in one the classes she competed in each of the last two years, and returns this year, her senior year, to contend for more national titles. Ramona Patrick, a junior, had several first and second place awards throughout last years season, and hopes to win a national title this year in one of the open classes. Christina Leeman is a only a sophomore but had an accomplished season last year in the novice classes. She moves up to the intermediate classes this season and hopes to continue her success.

New faces in the crowd: In 2012, we welcome five new faces to the Sharks equestrian team. Jayla Miller is a transfer student from State College of Florida and has competed nationally over the last 6 years. She came here to be able to compete intercollegiately and should make a positive im-pact right a way. Our three freshmen are Piper, Delman, Jillian Fuller, Kristen Hansen and Brooklyn Long. “All of our incoming riders are very experi-enced, very talented, and very excited to compete for the Sharks. I cannot wait to see where their journey here takes them,” said coach Gitaponit.

As defending champions, every horse show this year is important. The Sharks will host two horse show competitions this year, October 23, 2012 and March 6, 2013. Being at home for their season opener, and regular season finale, should help with momentum leading up to regional, zone, and national competitions in April and May. Charks University is excited to show off their competition facilities as they were upgraded during the offseason with a new judges table and better seating for the fans, in preparation for hosting the IHSA Nationals in 2014.

Please follow the Sharks successes this season at www.CUSharks.com and on Twitter @SharksEquestrian.

Jill Gitaponit is the head coach for the Charks University Sharks equestrian team.

After competing in the Caribbean for her home country, the Bahamas, Gitaponit attended the Walter For-est School in Morristown, N.J. She participated in local and rated competitions and rode on the school’s Tri-state Equitation League team.

Gitaponit joined the Sharks equestrian coaching staff in 2002 as the assistant coach, while pursuing a master’s degree in equine management. She earned her undergraduate degree in animal science from the College of Charleston, in South Carolina. While a student at Charleston, she was an award-winning rider on the equestrian team from 1999-2002. Competing within the Intercollegiate Horse Show Associa-tion (IHSA), she competed at the 2000 IHSA Region 3 Championship and was a member of the College of Charleston’s 2001 and 2002 IHSA National Championship team.

With Gitaponit on the coaching staff, the Sharks become national contenders on the intercollegiate riding scene, with several IHSA National Champion Riders, and two IHSA National Champion Teams, in 2004, and 2012. In addition, Gitaponit coached the Charks team to a reserve champion title in 2010, and 2011, and a rider to win reserve champion in the Cacchione Cup in 2010 at IHSA Nationals. Gitaponit also coached her team to four consecutive IHSA Zone 5 Reserve or Champion team titles, quali-fying Charks to compete at the IHSA National Championship as a team for the fourth year in a row, and sixth time overall. The team placed 4th in 2011 and 6th in the nation in 2012. Gitaponit was honored in 2011 by receiving Charks University’s 2011 Head Coach of the Year Award. Gitaponit has become involved with the Interscholastic Equestrian Association as a show steward for the 2010 IHSA National Championship Horse Show. When not coaching the Sharks equestrian team, Gitapo-nit spends time with her husband, Jeff, and two kids, Alexander (5) and Faye (2).

Jill GitaponitHead Coach

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Equestrian Sharks Receive Inaugural Service AwardMay 6, 2012

OCALA,Fla.–ThedefendingIHSANationalChampions,theCharksUniversityequestrianteamwaspresentedtheinau-guralIntercollegiateHorseShowAssociation’s(IHSA)teamserviceaward,atlastnight’shonorsbanquet,inrecognitionof theirworkwithHorseFever.TheIHSAserviceawardprogramwasintroducedthisyeartoacknowledgeequestrianteamsthathavecompletedserviceprojects throughout theyear.

“HorseFeverisauniqueprogramwheretheteammembersaredirectlyinvolvedservingasmentorsforareayouththrough-outtheyear,”saidIHSAExecutiveDirectorRobertCacchione.

In2010,theSharksbeganHorseFevertointroducetheequineindustrytounderprivilegedadolescentsinthecentralFloridaregion.Theteensagreetoparticipateina12weekafter-schoolinternship program that teaches them about horseman-ship, grooming, stable care, andgives them theopportu-nitytoobserveequineveterinariansandsportstherapists.

“ThiswasonlyoursecondfullyearofferingHorseFeverandwehad15teensthathavecompletedthe12weekintern-shipprogram.Theyhavelearnedalotaboutthehorsesandresponsibility,”saidheadcoachJillGitaponit. “Ourteammembers have also gained so much from giving back.”

Charks equestriennes are vital to the success of theprogram as they serve as mentors and role models.“Horses are such an important part of my life and havetaught me so much. I’m so blessed to be able to givethat to these teens,” said sophomore Katie Bowls.

Gitaponit submitted an application for nomination to thesouthwest regional IHSA council, and was named the re-gional winner and advanced to the national competition,wheresevenschoolswereconsidered for thenationalser-vice award.Other teams projects included raisingmoneyforareahumanesocietiesandforkidstogotocamp,andcollectingfoodandclothingdonationsforcharities.Charkswas recognized lastnight,during theannualawardsban-quet held before IHSA Nationals, in Richmond, Virginia.

TheSharkswillcompetethisweekendattheIHSANation-als, hoping to repeat as champions. You can follow theresults on the IHSAwebsite,www.ihsainc.com. FormoreinformationcontactCharksAthleticsat555-222-7777.CU

Lana Kane on Open over the Fences

IHSA Novice over the Fences

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Introduction to Equestrian

IntheIHSAcircuit,schoolsbringteamsandindividualstoshowsheldatcollegesaroundtheirregion,eventuallyworkinguptonationals.Therearesixlevelsof competition,andover370schoolsthatparticipate.Atashow,theriderswilldrawhorsesrandomly,andthencompeteintheirdivisionwithnowarm-uptime.Thisaddsanextralevelof excitement,becausetheridersneverknowwhichhorsetheywillselect,andhowwelltheycanworkwiththeirmounts.Theresixclassesof competition:Anovice,intermediateandopendivisionforeachequitationontheflatandequitationoverfencesHuntSeatEquitationoverFences-Thejudgesevaluatetherider’sposition,consistencyoncourse,smoothness,flowfromjumptojump,thenumberof strides(stepstakenbythehorse)inalineandtherider’splantocompletethecourse.Scoringfortheeventisoutof 100with100beingaperfectscore.Eachdivisionhastojumpatleastsixjumpsof acertainheight.Noviceridersjumpsfences2’3”-2’9”high,theintermediateclassjumpsfences2’6”-3’high,andtheOpendivisionjumpsfences2’9”-3’3”tall.

Hunt Seat Equitation on the Flat-Theridershavetoperformaflattestontheirhorsesina40x20meterarena.Thetestconsistsof upto11specificmovementstobejudgedonaccuracy,smoothnessandoverallpositionof therider.Eachmovementreceivesascorefrom1-10.Atenthscorejudgesthepositionandseatof theriderandthecorrectnessandeffectivenessof heraids.Thescoreisoutof a100with100beingaperfectscore.Thenumberof movementsrequiredarebasedontheclasstheyfallinto.

Team and Individual awardsEachteamcandesignateoneriderfromeachclasstocounttowardstheirteamtotal.Theriders’scoresareaddedtogettheteamtotal.TheteamwiththehighestscoreisnamedChampionHunterSeatTeam,andthesecondplaceteamistheReserveHunterSeatTeam.

Awinnerisdeterminedineachclassbasedonthescoregivenbythejudges.

Awinningrideincludesthefollowing:1.Properuseof naturalaids.2.Smooth,consistentfigures.3.Efficient,well-placedchangesof lead.4.Definitechangesof speed.5.Noticeabledifferenceincirclesize.6.Properuseof arenamarkers.7.Properworkinghorsemanship.

ScoringPointsaregiventoridersbasedonwheretheyplaceFirstplace---------------7ptsSecondPlace----------5ptsThirdPlace------------4ptsFourthPlace-----------3ptsFifthPlace--------------2ptsSixthPlace-------------1pt

Key TermsHuntSeat-ThecategoryinwhichEnglishriderscompeteeitheroveraseriesof jumpsorinageneralequitationpattern.

Aids-Aridercommunicatestoherhorsethroughaids.

Combination-Aseriesof jumpssetonetotwostridesapartfromoneanother.

Course-Apredeterminedseriesof atleastsixjumpsorupto11movementsthatmustbecompletedinorderwithoutmajorpenalty.

Equitation-Inridingcompetitions,thisindicatesthatridersarebeingjudgedontheirabilitytocontrolthehorsewhilemaintainingthecorrectridingposition.

RollBack-Aturnperformedinequitationoverfencesclasstoshowcontrolof thehorseandrider’sabilitytomaintainapositionthroughoutaturn.Atightturnperformedbetweentwofences.

Tack-Ridingequipment.

Click picture to watch famous alumnus Boyd Martin

Lana Kane on Open over the Fences

IHSA Novice over the Fences

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Thanks to our sponsors

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The Face of a University

While leading her equestrianteam to three consecu-tive championships, Lana

Kane puts the focus on others.

LanaKane has heard it all of herlife:There’snowayyoucouldhavedonethatmuchatyourage.Kanehas had experiences that mostcould only dream of doing at theage of 21. In the ring at eques-trian competitions she takes thehorse’s reins to lead her team tovictory. In life, she has taken thereins and driven her own course,helping and inspiring others.Citing her own parents’ deter-mination and Nelson Mandela’ssteadfast effort to stand for whathe believed in for the sake of hiscountry and his people, Kane hasalways put others first, human oranimal. She grew up caring forhorsesliketheywhereherchildrenon her parents’ farm, where theysell sheep’s milk and wool, havesix horses, and also board otherhorses in their barns. Kane lovesher horses and she has found alove for helping children, here lo-callyinOcala,FloridaandinAfrica,whereshehassentthreesummers.Despite getting homesick duringherfirstyearhereatCharksUniver-sity,LanaKanechosevolunteeringinAfricaovervisitinghermomanddad,althoughshedidgettospendtimewithsome family.Lana’s sis-ter,AnnKane, isamedicaldoctorin Londonwho recruits volunteerseach year to visit Nigeria and as-sist those who are less fortunate.Beforehersophomoreyearof col-lege,LanawasabletogotoNige-ria and has gone every summersince. There’s usually a group of 25-40peoplethatparticipatefromall professions. Some people arein the medical field and they arethere to give medical examina-tions and treatment to thepeopleinthevillages,otherslikeLanaarethere to bond with the villagers,play with children, and give themhope.“Beforethegroupheadsto

Africa, a collection takes place inLondon and we collect everythingfrom medical supplies to soccerballs.Thekidslovetoplay,andthefamiliesenjoythejoyandlaughterwebring. It is a great break fromacademia and I get to play withthe children,” Lana Kane said.Oneof herfavoritemomentsof herrecenttripwaswithawholefamily.Shedescribesherself playingwithayoungboy,whowasshyandhadnotspokenawordinthreeweeks,whotakesherhand,says“Come,”and takes her to his family’s hut.ThereshemethisGrandmotherwhowas holding his sister. His sistercontracted AIDS during birth and

wasveryweakandsickandunabletoplayliketheotherchildren.Thefourof themsatonthedirtfloorof the hut and rolled a ball betweenthem.Thelittlegirlstartedtosmileas they played. The boy began tocryandthegrandmotherwasgra-cious, because for amoment shesaw joywithin the little girl. “Thiswasaspecialmoment,oneIwon’teverforget,”saidKane.“IknowthatI have given them joy, happiness,laughter,andfun.IhopeIhavegiv-entheNigerianshope,confidence,and a positive outlook on life.”Kanenowstrivestogivejoytothosearound her and it has influencedher career aspirations. She cametoCharkswantingtomajorinbusi-nesssoshecouldrunherparents’farm,but,nowasaPsychologyandSociologydoublemajor,shewantstoworkwithunderprivilegedyouth,

asacounselororsocialworker.Shemisseshernative Ireland,andherfamilywhosheonlyseesonceayear.Shehopes to return to theUnitedKingdom for graduate school andto work. Though Lanamisses thedaysonthefarmwhereshewouldenjoy“acupof coffeewhileswing-ing in the hammock inmy barn,”she has never regretted her deci-sion to attend Charks University.Lanacouldhavechosenanycollegebecause of her academic accom-plishments inhighschoolandherequestrian talents.Theweather inIrelandwas always cold and over-cast so she wanted to choose auniversityinaplacethathadwon-derfulweather,butalsohadagreatequestrian team where she couldcompete. Coach Jill Gitaponit re-cruitedKane,whothen fell in lovewiththethoughtsof sunnyFlorida.TheSharksequestrianteamhasahistoryof successbutwiththeex-perience and leadership of Kane,they were able to exceed all ex-pectationsandwin threeconsecu-tive equestrian championships.“Kane has tasted the thrill of vic-tory and still wantsmore,” CoachGitaponit said. “I do not knowhowmuchmore she can do. Shehas given somuch to this univer-sity, and to this world. I love herdetermination, spirit and joy.” Joy is a recurring theme whenKanespeaksof hertimeinNigeria,butalsowhenpeoplespeakof her.Sheradiatesjoyanditisreflectedback to hermany times over. Herteammate Julie Hannon says,“Lanaisalwayssmilingandevery-onedayisbrighterwhenamomentis spent with her.” Unselfishly,Kane attributes her joy to others.“Smileatachildandthenplaywiththem,andtheywillhugyoualldaylong.Youknowverysoonthatyouhavetouchedthemandthatkeepsme going,” says Kane. Love is auniversal languageandLanaKanehasbecomefluent.“Ilearnedthata smile is the same inNigeria asinAmerica.Loveisconveyedinthesame ways.” Such wisdom is tobe learned from this 21 year old.Maybeweallneedtotakeasecondlookand learnabit fromher. CU

Lana Kane with Kids

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Date Show Location

10/23/12 Charks University Ocala, FL

10/30/12 Savannah College of Art and Design Savannah, GA

11/20/12 College of Charleston Charleston, SC

1/22/13 University of Florida Gainesville, FL

1/29/13 Georgia Southern University Stateboro, GA

1/30/13 Georgia Southern University Statesboro, GA

2/5/13 University of Miami Miami, FL

3/5/13 College of Charleston Charleston, SC

3/6/13 Charks University Ocala, FL

3/13/13 Regionals Orlando, FL

4/2/13 University of the South - Zones Sewanee, TN

5/6-9/13 IHSA Nationals Lexington, KY

Charks University 2012 Schedule

The 2012 Riding Sharks of Charks University

Name Year/Class Hometown High School

Morgan Bussey Sophomore Tallahassee, Fla. Seminole Valley HS

Julianna Cechini Sophomore Flemington, NJ Short Hills Academy

Piper Delman Freshmen Terrace Park, Ohio Bishop Brossart HS

Jillian Fuller Junior Guin, Ala. Rolling Tide HS

Kristen Hansen Freshmen Redding, Calif. Shasta County HS

Lana Kane Senior Dublin, Ireland Kildare Secondary

Christina Leeman Sophomore Lewisburg, Ohio Lewisburg HS

Brooklyn Long Freshmen Anchorage, Alaska Husky HS

Jayla Miller Junior Gainesville, Fla. Gator HS

Ramona Patrick Junior Baton Rouge, La. Bayou HS

Roster

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Sophomore

Flemington, N.J

Short Hills High School

Major: Equine Sciences

Julianna CechiniPosition: Intermediate

Coach Gitaponit: “Julianna was fantastic for us last year, and she is moving up to the Intermediate division and will excel at that as well.”Favorite Food: I really like avocados. I just cut them open and eat them with a spoon. So Good!Personal: Daughter of Mario and Andrea Cechini.......Has one brother, Jeremy.

2012 IHSA National Champion Team

Sophomore

Tallahassee, Fla.

Seminole Valley

Major: English

Morgan BusseyPosition: Intermediate

Coach Gitaponit: “Morgan is just now blossoming into a fine equestrienne. I am excited to see her compete this season.”Favorite Cartoon: Bugs Bunny, because he’s a ‘silly rabbit’ and I like to be silly.Personal: Daughter of John and Jane Bussey.......Has a twin sister, Tricia, who competes for Savannah College of Art and Design’s equestrian team

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Junior

Guin, Ala.

Rolling Tide High School

Major: Mathematics

Jillian FullerPosition: Open

Coach Gitaponit: “Jillian has added experience and depth for us and will continue to do so. She’s such a gem to have on the team. She’s a quiet leader who leads by example.”Favorite Class: I take a ton of math classes, so they get pretty boring, but last spring I took water aerobics, and it was a lot of fun.Personal: Daughter of Jack and Jill Fuller.......Has two sisters, Jamie and Lucy.

Freshman

Terrace Park, Ohio

Bishop Brossart High School

Major: Pre-Veterinary and Equine Therapy

Piper DelmanPosition: Novice

Coach Gitaponit: “Piper has a lot of energy and enthusiasm. I am excited to see her ride.”Favorite Movie: Horse Whisperer is a classic that I like to watch oftenPersonal: Daughter of Peter and Vallery Delman.......Has six siblings, ranging in ages 4-24.

2012 IHSA National Champion Team14

Senior

Kildare County, Ireland

Kildare Secondary

Major: Sociology and Psychology

Lana KaneClass: Open

Coach Gitaponit: “Lana is the spirit and voice of the team. She gives everything she has every day, and her hard work has paid off.”Favorite Place to visit: Home. I am away from there a lot.Personal: Daughter of Brian and Meghan Kane.......Has one sister, Alice.

2012 IHSA National Champion Team

Freshman

Redding, Calif.

Shasta County High School

Major: English

Kristen HansenPosition: Novice

Coach Gitaponit: “I am so excited to coach Kristen Hansen. She is eager to learn and just pure joy for the sport.”Favorite Movie: I love the University of Notre Dame, so obviously I love the movie Rudy. It’s very inspirational and heartwarming.Personal: Daughter of Steve and Joanna Hansen.......is an only child.

15

Freshman Anchorage, Alaska

Husky High School

Major: Pre-Veterinary

Brooklyn LongPosition: Novice

Coach Gitaponit: “Brooklyn will eventually give us some depth, but she will gain some valuable experience this year.”Favorite Cartoon: I love Betty Boop. My mom loved her and I grew up with Betty Boop dolls and books about her. Personal: Daughter of Sonny and Cher Long.......has four siblings, Jason, Mary, Kevin and Chaz.

Sophomore

Lewisburg, Ohio

Lewisburg High School

Major: Exercise Science

Christina LeemanPosition: Intermediate

Coach Gitaponit: “Christina will play an important role in defending our championship, stepping up to fill in the role of several seniors that we lost.”Favorite Place on campus: I really have been known to partake in a late night swim in the fountains on the quad on campus. That’s fun.Personal: Daughter of Matthew and Deborah Leeman.......Has three brothers, Mark, Luke and John.

2012 IHSA National Champion Team16

Junior

Baton Rouge, La.

Bayou High School

Major: Pre-Medicine

Ramona PatrickPosition: Open

Coach Gitaponit: “Ramona is a delight to have in the barn. Her smile and her horsemanship are above all others.”Favorite childhood memory: My dad used to take my brother and me to a lake to go fishing and we would spend an entire weekend at the lake. It was great bonding time.Personal: Daughter of Daniel and Alexis Boone.......Has one brother, James.

Junior

Gainesville, Fla.

Gator High School

Major: Sociology

Jayla MillerPosition: Intermediate

Coach Gitaponit: “Jayla will score for us in the intermediate class. She transferred here with a ton of experience that will help the Sharks. ”Favorite Song: Right now I love Justin Bieber’s Boyfriend. It’s catchy and fun.Personal: Daughter of Bonnie and Clyde Miller.......Has three sisters that are triplets, Liz, Lynn, and Lydia.

2012 IHSA National Champion Team17

Mark E. Pressley

Nathan Renfrow

Alaina White

18