Month: May 2017

Park View Soccer Star Obdulio Funez Named Viva Loudoun Athlete of the Month

Sterling, VA (May 12, 2017) – Please join us in congratulating Park View’s Obdulio Funez as the April 2017 Performance Edge/Viva Loudoun Athlete of the Month!

The senior forward is finishing his Patriot career in style as he recorded 25 goals and nine assists through the first 13 games of the season. In the month of April, Funez scored a whopping 16 goals in just six games, that’s an average of nearly three goals per game.

“Last year I assisted a lot but this year I’ve taken more of a scoring role for the team,” Funez said. “I’ve improved my finishing, getting around the goal and finishing my opportunities.”

Obdulio Funez recorded at least three goals in four straight games during the month of April. (Photo © Aaron Wyche)

During his hot streak in April, the scoring machine recorded four consecutive hat tricks, which started with three goals against Falls Church on April 5, followed by three-goal performances against Freedom-South Riding and Loudoun Valley, and capped off with a four-goal output against Woodgrove on April 24. Not only did he score three goals against Loudoun Valley, but he also assisted on three more in that contest.

“What’s been getting me going is all the practice my coach has been putting us through, we do a lot of shooting in practice which has helped me score a lot more this season,” Funez said.

Funez’s strong play has helped propel the team to a 12-2 start in 2017 after a perfect 6-0 in April, and all this coming just one season after winning the Virginia 4A State Championship. The Patriots finished the 2016 season 19-3 and knocked off Chancellor in the finals on June 11 to bring the title back to Sterling.

“Winning states was very emotional for us and for the school because the last time we won was 25 years ago, so being able to bring back a championship to Park View and to the community made it emotional and special for us,” he said.

The four-year varsity competitor has had an incredible run with Park View, as he finished with 17 goals and 23 assists as a junior and had three goals to go along with 11 assists as a sophomore.

Funez was named the 2016 Loudoun County Player of the Year. (Photo © Aaron Wyche)

His impressive stats and key contributions to a state championship in 2016 earned him player of the year honors in his conference and region, and was named to the all-state first team. He was also recognized as the Loudoun County Player of the Year.

“My favorite award was Loudoun County Player of the Year because it was special to get noticed as one of the best players in our county,” Funez said.

He gives a lot of credit to Coach Arturo Jimenez for bringing the team together, motivating them properly, and working on the right things during practice.

“Over the years, he [Coach Jimenez] has helped boost my moral and confidence each game since freshman year,” Funez said. “He tells me no matter how many shots I miss I can make the next opportunity. And he has trained me hard enough to get where I am now.”

In terms of playing in college, Funez has interest from George Mason, North Carolina Wesleyan and Keystone College at this point. He is looking forward to playing at the next level and believes his skill-set and vision on the field can be a major asset to his future team.

For now, he has unfinished business in Sterling as he hopes to carry his team to back-to-back state championships, and he just might earn a few more individual honors along the way.

Viva Loudoun: We Live For Loudoun™
Written by Josh Apple
Special to Viva Loudoun
Copyright © Viva Loudoun Media Communications LLC.
All Rights Reserved
@JoshApple1

Getting the Edge: Conditioning and Energy System Development

Conditioning and Energy System Development

Michael Jeffrey MS, CSCS, NASM, FMS, YBT

This day in age being efficient and talented when it comes to a certain skill is essential when you want to see success in sport. There is such a strong emphasis on sport skill that experts in the field are being hired just to work on sport specific skill. Yes, this is very important; but even with all the skill in the world you will not be performing to the best of your ability if you are exhausted at the end of the game. Proper conditioning and development of your body’s energy systems will give you that competitive edge over your opponent who may be just too tired to perform.

How Do I Fix This?

 Our bodies are able to replenish ATP (muscles use for energy) through three basic energy systems: phospagen, glycolytic, and oxidative. These systems utilize our macronutrients (proteins, carbs, and fats) to be metabolized for energy allowing our body to perform work. To improve your conditioning levels and see the best crossover effect on the field, you have to properly train these energy systems.

Why is this important?

 Our body utilizes certain energy systems based on the duration of activity that is being performed. This is important because you want to train the energy system that is mainly used by your sport/activity. The following points show the time durations that are used by our body’s energy systems:

1) Phosphagen System: 1-10 seconds

Our body utilizes the phospagen system to provide ATP for activities that are short durations and high intensity. These activities generally occur between 1 and 10 seconds relying on creatine phosphate in the muscles to replenish ATP. Sports mainly using the phosphagen system: Volleyball, Tennis, Gymnastics, Golf, Field Events, Football

Sample Conditioning Workout:

Set 1: 6 sprint repetitions of 25 yards/30 seconds between reps

2:00 minute rest

Set 2: 6 sprint repetitions of 25 yards/30 seconds between reps

2:00 minute rest

Set 3: 6 sprint repetitions of 25 yards/30 seconds between reps

2) Glycolytic System: 30 seconds-2 minutes

Our body uses the glycolytic energy system for activities occurring between 30 seconds and 2 minutes. During glycolysis the body breaks down carbohydrates stored as glucose to help resynthesize ATP. Sports mainly using the glycolytic system: Basketball, Football, Lacrosse, Soccer (Position Specific), Hockey

Sample Workout 1:

Six 25 yard suicides

Goal time: 40 seconds

Rest time: 40 seconds

Sample Workout 2:

8 tempo 200’s

Goal time: 45 seconds

Rest time: 1:10 minutes

3) Oxidative System: 2 minutes plus

The last and most used system in our body is the oxidative system which re-synthesizes ATP both at rest and low intensity activity. This system mainly uses carbohydrates and fats to produce ATP and generally occurs with low-intensity activities that are longer than 2 minutes in duration. Sports mainly using the aerobic system: Distance Running, Rowing, Soccer (position specific)

Sample Workout:

Fartlek Run: Sprint 20 seconds/Jog 20 seconds/Walk 20 seconds for 20 minutes

There are several sports that use a combination of these energy systems which is why it is important to train all 3. It is vital that you develop all 3 energy systems because at one point or another, whether in life or sport, your body uses one of these energy systems. Yes, focusing on sport-specific conditioning still holds precedence, but you also need to be well rounded when it comes to your energy system development. A tired athlete, no matter skill level, is not a good athlete. So please take the time to not only condition, but condition the right way. Too many people think that you just have to run longer to improve your conditioning level. The fact is that you do not even have to run to improve your fitness levels. Doing high-paced circuits and strength training activities with short rest times can do wonders for improving both your aerobic and anaerobic conditioning levels. So please don’t just run to run! Stick to a plan and condition according to the needs of your sport; I promise you, it will make you a more well-rounded athlete.