U of A’s Filipek competes in football and pole vault
Nathan Filipek is one of a kind. The University of Alberta Golden Bear is the only Canadian Interuniversity Sport athlete in the country to compete in football and pole vault. Dual-sport football players typically dabble in sprinting, high jump or triple jump because those skills easily translate to the turf. Pole vaulting presents a unique challenge.
“The crossover isn’t as obvious as maybe a sprinter,” Filipek said. “You need knowledge of your body and have a good strength-toweight ratio.
“In football, the strength-toweight ratio is a hold up against some bigger guys. In pole vault, you’re against winds while trying to move up those poles. As long as you have the focus on being a better athlete … I think the body awareness is what crosses over.”
Although Filipek is teased by the football locker-room off the field, the pole vaulting jokes get “pretty quiet” during practice and after game kickoff.
Filipek and the University of Alberta Golden Bears have dropped two games in a row and find themselves in a four-way tie for second place in the tight Canada West playoff race. Alberta, coming off a 42-32 loss to the Manitoba Bisons last week, is gearing up for a twogame series versus the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds. The first contest kicks off at Foote Field at 1 p.m. Saturday.
Alberta head coach Chris Morris said it’s possible to squeak into the Canada West post-season with three wins, but teams likely will need at least four wins, otherwise “you’re really taking your life in your own hands.”
“It’s a huge series,” Morris said. “It ultimately comes down to one game we have to focus on right now. We do play (UBC) twice, but this game coming up on Saturday is the most important thing in our lives right now, so we have to make sure we take care of that first.”
The Golden Bears haven’t beaten the T-Birds since 2010 and lost their only meeting with UBC last season by a score of 49-13.
Alberta ranks last in the Canada West in passing defence, rushing defence and points allowed; B.C. ranks second last in each respective category.
Golden Bears quarterback Ben Kopczynski, who has thrown for an average of 278 yards per game along with five touchdowns, will look to exploit the T-Birds’ defence through the air.
Filipek, who hauled in three receptions for 62 yards last week versus the Bisons, will be on the receiving end of those throws.
It is the pole-vaulting wide receiver’s last year of football eligibility. The age restriction for football is set at 25. Filipek is 24.
Track and field meanwhile, has no age limit.
Filipek earned a silver medal at the 2015 CIS Track and Field Championships with a vault of 4.92 metres and said he’s looking forward to training for a gold in 2016.
But right now, he is concentrating on football — his top priority.
“Everyone is 2-2, and we know UBC is going to bring it,” he said.
Other Golden Bears to watch Saturday
Running back Ed Ilnicki: The Thunderbirds have allowed an average of 193.3 rushing yards per game, so expect the Bears to unleash Ilnicki, who has run for 439 yards and four touchdowns this season.
Defensive back Tak Landry: Landry leads the conference with 36 total tackles while averaging nine per game. He will face T-Birds quarterback Michael O’Connor and the third-best passing offence in the conference.