Riemer recognized for her illustrious career

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132-game playing streak…I feel like I’ve never accomplished anything./ Rob Weitzel Graphic Productions

132-game playing streak…I feel like I’ve never accomplished anything./ Rob Weitzel Graphic Productions

On and off the ice, Riemer has made her mark on the community

Author: Bram Lerat – Contributor

Academics and athletics. Two areas that go hand in hand with each other and a relationship that is sometimes struggled with among school athletes. Outside of their class schedule, practices and in most cases multiple weekend games, student athletes are hard pressed for free time, let alone community work. Triston Riemer challenges all of that.

Riemer is a fifth-year defenceman for the Cougars Women’s hockey team and was recently the recipient of the 2014-2015 Canada West Women’s Hockey Student-Athlete Community Service Award.

The veteran Cougar played in her final season this year and set a Canada West record by playing in 132 consecutive games for her team. Not to be outdone by her astounding athletic record and performance, she has also been named an Academic-All Canadian every season of her career. To top all that off, Riemer is very active in the community, which involved coaching and teaching a local Regina PeeWee girls team. Partnered alongside teammate Alexis Larson, the two attended, mentored and coached multiple practices throughout the season, which is part of the Cougars Mentorship program.

The reward for all of her exceptional work, on and off the ice, was officially recognized by Canada West, which Riemer describes as a perfect way to end her career.

“I am honoured to be the recipient this year, knowing how many other worthy candidates are out there. I couldn’t have done it without the great people I have surrounding me both with hockey and university. From teammates, coaches, classmates and professors, they all helped me to be successful in all areas of a student athlete. For that I am very thankful.”

While many athletes find it hard to balance athletics, academics and the community, Riemer welcomes the challenge.

“I love being busy and being challenged. For me, that’s how I looked at it and it allowed me to stay on top of both school and hockey. You learn how to separate them and not let either affect the other. I tried to follow the motto, ‘when you get to the rink, park everything else at the door and don’t think about it until you leave.’ That helps a lot.”

After seemingly performing and acting like a model athlete on and off the ice, Riemer still has the passion for community work and giving back to the close-knit city that supports the team.

“The community involvement was part of what makes Cougar athletics so great. There is exceptional support for university sports and giving back to the community in anyway possible is the mindset I like to have, even if it was limited due to a busy schedule.”

In her final season as a Cougar, Riemer finished with a career best twelve points and served as a leader for the young team as the only fifth-year. Although the team suffered a heartbreaking loss in the playoffs, there are a lot more memories and lessons that Riemer will take with her as a graduate of the program.

“The friendships you make along the way and memories you share are the best part of playing on a team in university. From shopping trips, pre-game warm-ups, road trips, team bonding nights and everything in between, those are the special moments that I’ll take with me for life”.

Riemer concluded with a lesson of living in the moment and a profound sense of pride for the University of Regina and its athletic program. With coaching in the future and continued academic goals, Riemer serves as a role model not just for her team, but all athletes and students at the University of Regina.

 

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