Runner collecting used shoes

Runner collecting used shoes
By JIM CRESSMAN, FREE PRESS SPORTS REPORTER

Bethany Janzen wants you to root around in the back of your closet and
check for discarded running shoes.

The third-year kinesiology student and long-distance star with the
Western Mustangs is collecting "previously enjoyed" athletic footwear to
send to Placetas, Cuba, in late July.

Four years ago, she stayed in Placetas for a week while on a mission for
Bethel Baptist Church in Strathroy.

"We ran a day camp for the local children and I brought a lot of my old
shoes to leave behind, knowing the city was very poor," Janzen said.

"When I returned home, I looked around and realized teammates were
getting rid of tons of shoes -- six to eight pair a year -- that were
definitely not past their time."

Janzen, who recently returned from Algeria after representing Canada at
the world university cross-country championships, has been sending eight
to 10 pairs of shoes, twice a year, to Cuba "but I know we can send more."

She's now looking to recruit her 700 Mustang varsity teammates, the
Western community and anyone else in the area as potential shoe donors.

Her brother, Brad, is visiting Placetas at the end of July and she wants
to send as many shoes with him as possible.

If she gets enough, Janzen also will send some to Africa.

"We have so much here and they have so little. It's ridiculous that we
just throw these shoes out when they would be so amazing for the
children," said Janzen, who has won an Ontario University Athletics gold
medal in the 1,500 metres and back-to-back silvers in the 3,000 during
her three-year university career.

To donate, contact Janzen at bjanzen@uwo.ca

As Jeff Renaud of the Mustangs' media relations department so aptly put
it: "Bethany doesn't want to walk a mile in your shoes -- she just wants
your shoes."

Hooping it up

The Mustangs men's basketball team is holding the first Purple and White
high school boys' all-star showcase today and tomorrow at Alumni Hall,
featuring some of the best high school players in Southwestern Ontario.

Top players include Danny Jeon of South and Tyler Carey of Oakridge,
co-winners of the Mr. Basketball title for London, and Devin
Brennan-McBride of Aquinas, injured most of the season but who recently
signed a letter of intent to attend Syracuse University.

Kitchener-Waterloo plays Chatham tonight at 6:30 p.m., followed by
Sarnia vs. London at 8 p.m. The consolation final is tomorrow at 6:30
p.m., with the championship at 8 p.m.

Proceeds will go to the Canadian Cancer Society.

Cool contracts

Four Mustang hockey players have signed to play in the East Coast Hockey
League for the remainder of the season.

Captain Jamie Chamberlain is with the Reading Royals (a Los Angeles
Kings developmental team); Matt Bannan is with the Florida Everblades
(Carolina Hurricanes); Chris Rowan the Long Beach Ice Dogs (Montreal
Canadiens); and Mike Rice the Wheeling Nailers (Pittsburgh Penguins).

http://lfpress.ca/newsstand/Sports/OtherSports/2006/04/05/1520452-sun.html