www.asurampage.com Volume 82 Issue 4 September 18, 2015
AMAS celebrates Mexico’s Independence
The Association of MexicanAmerican Students celebrated Mexico’s Independence Day with pinatas, music, food, dancing and crafts on Tuesday, Sept. 15.
Check out more photos from AMAS on page 3
Above: Claudia Garcia, professional dancer, performs Baile Folklorico, a traditional dance. Photos by Summer Almaguer Left: Junior Sheila Corcino paints a clay heart at AMAS craft table.
Graduate student named Texas Student Teacher of the Year
Dodds inspired to teach by influential educators in her life Sydney Wegner Editor
The Texas Directors of Field Experiences has named graduate student Hannah Dodds, now a second grade teacher at Glenmore Elementary, the 2014-15 Texas Student Teacher of the Year. Nominated for the National Student Teacher of the Year award as well, Dodds is the first student to win the award for campus, Field Experience Advisor for the College of Education Tia Agan said. “Hannah was always looking for ways to improve her teaching so that all of her students would be successful in her class,” adjunct faculty in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction Harold Miller said. “She was enthusiastic and ready to go the extra mile to make sure that the students in her classroom were successful.”
Miller was Dodd’s student teacher supervisor said that she was dedicated to presenting her lessons using several different activities so that all of the children’s different learning styles could be catered to. Dodds was always an excellent student who always turned in her work ahead of time, Miller said. “It was a joy and pleasure to work with Hannah during her student teaching assignment,” Miller said. “I know with her positive attitude and her good work ethics, she has a great future in education.” Dodds said she was honored but shocked when she found out that she had won. “There have been so many outstanding educators that have graduated from ASU before me, and to think that I was the one that was recognized seems
See DODDS, page 2
French Circle makes another round to campus after an increase in membership
Club strives to get the community involved in events Vanessa Meyer Staff Writer The university’s French Club, Cercle Français or French Circle, is bringing French events back to campus and the community with its increased active members this semester. “We are hoping to do several events which will get the community involved, and this will allow students to interact with some respected community leaders and possibly build professional relationships,” Hope Long, de facto vice president, said. “Also, they can form friendships with like-minded students and possibly get some good study buddies.” The club was popular for a few years, but then students became less active and were unwilling to put the effort into planning French events. “I know not everyone loves foreign languages like I do and for many students being required to take two years of a foreign language in college can be stressful,” Long said. “But being
App in the process of giving QR codes to restaurants Alana Edgin Managing Editor
involved in the club for your chosen language of study can provide a more relaxed, informal atmosphere to practice interpersonal conversational skills and also learn more about the associated cultures.” Department of English and Modern Languages professor and club sponsor Karen Cody said that the club wants active members that increase the appreciation of the French language and culture. “We have quite a French loving community with lots of people who are excited to come back to campus for events,” Cody said. The traditional events that Cercle Français hopes to bring back to campus are the La Fête d’Automne, which is a cheese and pastry tasting party and the Gumbo Cook-off. For each event, community members and students bring their own homemade or store bought food and then they vote on things such as the most unusual or stinky cheese or
WHAT’S INSIDE: • • • •
RamFam app offers fans prizes for going to home games
RamFam, a campus app in its third season, has gained more Ram sporting fans by offering prizes to fans who simply go to sporting events on campus. “Athletics and Student Life wanted to collaborate in getting more students to Angelo State home games; we did a little research and saw that other colleges and universities are using this technology to get students active at events,” Coordinator for Student Programs and Activities Sam Mendoza said. “We work with an app company, Loyaltiva, to create the app you see today.” During their research, they discovered many universities use a similar app. Texas A&M Commerce and Valdosta State use the Loyaltiva. Other colleges and universities have programs where the students use their I.D.s to get into games, which keeps track of their points. These
types of reward apps are even used at professional levels with hockey and NFL teams. The goal of RamFam, according to RamFam President Daniel Ramirez, is to help create a bigger fanbase for the Rams and Rambelles. “We haven’t done any specific evaluation to see whether or not the app has anything to do with attendance, but I do know that it helps to get students in the door,” Ramirez said. Attendance is the biggest reason for the app, it encourages students to come and realize how awesome the Rams or Rambelles are, motivates them to come to more events and rewards those that already come, Ramirez said. “I think it’s helped in that someone, in this case the app, is giving people recognition for supporting athletics,” Ramirez said.
See FRENCH, page 2
Read about what record Washington broke this week on page 6 Check out how your classmates feel about the issue of body shaming on page 5 Read about the new Web and Mobile Development Certification the university is offering on page 4 Don’t forget to check out the rest of the AMAS photos on page 3
See REWARDS, page 2
FEATURES
Page 2
Friday, September 18, 2015
REWARDS page 1 This app offered some great prizes last year, such as a tuition scholarship. “We are currently still working on obtaining prizes for this year; we have been working with our sponsors to get bigger and better rewards,” Mendoza said. “Last season the top prize was a tuition scholarship. We also had a Yeti Cooler, iPad, Custom Big Heads, Honorary Football Coaches position, shirts and food.” While the tuition scholarship will not be offered for this year, Ramirez hinted at the new prizes for this year. “I don’t want to say much, because I don’t want to say one thing and have another happen. But we do want bigger and better prizes this year,” Ramirez said. “On our proposal list were, I guess you can say technology toys. Things that college students would enjoy as well as some gear that fans can sport for spirit. When our prize list is finalized we will make an announcement.” The app is free, and can be used not only by students, but by faculty and fans as well. “It’s simple to sign up,” Ramirez said. “Just search ‘RamFam’ in the Apple Store or Google Play store to find and download the app. And when it’s downloaded you either create an account with an email or merge your Facebook account.” Gaining points, which are used to receive prizes, is fairly easy. “Students gain points just by going to Angelo State home games. There will be an area where we post the QR Code for that game and students just open the app and scan for the points, the more points you collect the bigger the prize you can get,” Mendoza said. “It has been awesome to see faculty, staff and the public use the app and get excited about the points.” There is also a competition to get the most points, which can be viewed on a leaderboard in the app. Mendoza said they are working on a special reward for the top fans at the end of the season. The leaderboard shows all of the Ram Fam, not just students. “There is not a separate leaderboard for
FRENCH page 1 gumbo. Members of the Cercle Français get to choose what type of events they want to plan. Events could have to do with French fashion, art, food, movies, music and so much more. “The Cercle Français is for anybody who is interested in learning about the language and culture of France and anywhere else that is French
students,” Ramirez said. “That has to do with the app’s technology and we’ve voiced this before to Loyaltiva. What we can do is see people’s graduation year to determine if they are a student or not. That information is given to us when someone makes a RamFam account.” The app shows how many points students can get from upcoming events, and all official sports teams are featured on the app for points. “There’s also a rugby team here on campus that we want to support,” Ramirez said. “When it comes closer to playoff time for intramurals, we want to
Download the Ram Fam app from the Apple Store or Google Play today!
highlight them as well. The UCPC also has bigger events throughout the year like Spring Fest and we aim to have codes for things like that and other athletic events like Midnight Madness.” Another upcoming points possiblility will be arriving in late September or early October. RamFam is in the process of giving QR codes to sponsors like Smiling Moose, Dickey’s Barbeque Pit, Pizza Hut and Iggy’s Italian Ice that students will be able to scan once a month to gain more points. “The overall response has been great,” Ramirez said. “From what we’ve heard people are enjoying going to games and liking the recognition they get out of attending all these games. There are still some kinks in the technology, but the app makers have been good at listening to our feedback and trying to improve their software.” speaking,” said Cody. So far 20 students have signed up for the Cercle Français and the first meeting should bring in even more active members. The first meeting was on Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 4 p.m. and the club plans on meeting every other week. There will be various meeting times and days of the week available in order to avoid conflicting
schedules. “Students at ASU can reach outside campus and become a richer part of the greater San Angelo community by joining the Cercle Français,” Cody said. “The community also benefits by receiving this young energy from campus, which is a win-win for everyone.”
They believed in their students, including me. I truly couldn’t have won this award without them. I thank them for trusting me with their class, and leading me to be the kind of teacher they are.” After receiving her bachelor’s degree, Dodds is now enrolled in the Master of Education in educational administration program. Dodds said that teaching has always been a dream of hers for as long as she can remember. “I truly felt called to teach,” Dodds said. “I have, however, had several wonderful teachers who increased my desire to teach.” One of her biggest influences was her grandma who was also a second grade teacher, she said. Dodds recalled when her grandma used to read “Who Wants an Old Teddy?” to her every night when she stayed over. She said she already has a copy of it in her classroom.
Her parents were a big part of her success. “I have truly wonderful parents, who are there to encourage me in each and every step of my life,” Dodds said. “I am blessed by their unending support and love.” Dodds said even though it’s not the most glamorous job in the world, she is truly living out her dream and sees the rewards already as a new teacher. “I thought I would go into this career, changing kids’ lives, as it turns out, they are changing mine,” Dodds said. “It certainly has its hard days, when you go in early, stay late, and everything seems to weigh you down. But, then you have a child who smiles at you and says ‘I am so glad you are my teacher’ or ‘thank you for believing in me’ and all the sudden you remember. This is what teaching is all about— making a difference in children’s lives.”
DODDS page 1
somewhat like a dream,” Dodds said. “I know that there are a lot of teachers who certainly impacted my life, and led me to this dream of becoming a teacher. So in a way, my winning is a compliment to not only me, but them. They began motivating, encouraging, and preparing me for this day, many years ago.” Dodds student taught at Wall Elementary where she also attended many years before. She started her student teaching under two teachers that she had when she was in elementary school. The first being fifth grade English teacher, Gena Muehlstein and then Kindergarten under Harice Holik. “It was so fun to get to be a part of their classrooms again, this time as a teacher,” Dodds said. “I learned an abundance of information about the odds and ends of being a teacher, but also about the kind of people they are. Both of them are so positive, caring and inspiring. They impact so many lives every day.
Contributed Photos
Dodds’ room is pictured above filled with encouragement for her students.
FEATURES
Page 3
Friday, September 18, 2015
Korean student comments on transportation Korean Student Association makes student feel welcome Part 3
Vanessa Meyer Staff Writer Everything is bigger in Texas which is especially true to Hyeseon Kang, a foreign exchange student from Ulsan, South Korea who isn’t used to the lack of public transportation in San Angelo. Kang is adapting well to the San Angelo environment but has definitely noticed some cultural differences already. Kang has realized that having a car is necessary here, which is very different from the available public transportation in South Korea. “I use the Ram Tram a lot and it is very convenient to get around San Angelo, but the hours are limited,” Kang said. Kang is a senior double majoring in International Studies and Sociology. After graduation, Kang hopes to work for a world organization to aid the political and economic structure of different countries throughout the world. This is Kang’s first semester of a year abroad here. “I love working with people, especially foreigners,” Kang said. “That’s why I studied in America because I wanted to study another country’s culture.” Kang found out about the university through a Korean friend who studied here last semester. Kang’s friend told her that there is a lot of support to help foreigners and that people here are really nice, which influenced Kang in making the decision to attend.
“The Korean Student Association has helped make staying in a different country feel comfortable,” Kang said. “They have helped with a lot, such as picking me up from the airport, helping me register for classes, and introducing me to other Korean students.” Kang loves traveling and hopes to travel around America during school breaks to places such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Washington and many other places. During Kang’s free time she enjoys hanging out with friends, watching YouTube videos and dramas and cooking. Her favorite thing to cook is called tteokbokki, which consists of Korean rice cake, fish cake and sauce. Kang says that she is not good at baking but she loves to eat cookies, especially chocolate chunk cookies. “I’m not good at sports but I enjoy participating in them,” Kang said. “I like climbing on the rock wall at the gym, kayaking, badminton and many others.” Kang would love to get an on campus job this semester and save up some money for traveling. She also would love to join more organizations to get to know people and learn more about the American culture. “I think the most important thing about living in another country is experiencing new things,” Kang said.
Photo by Josh Lopez
Association of Mexican-American Students partake in a celebration Students gather together to pick up candy on the ground from a piñata. The piñata and candies were provided by AMAS. Photos by Summer Almaguer
Friday 9/18
Freshman Samantha Almaguer takes a swing at the piñata.
Warren Taylor Watercolor exhibition continues in Carr Education-Fine Arts Building Transfer Day in the UC from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Saturday 9/19
Kayak the Concho trip UCPC Road Trip at 11 a.m. Season of Peace documentary “Love is a Verb” in UC CJ Davison at 6:30 p.m
Sunday 9/20 Soccer vs UTPB at 1 p.m.
Monday 9/21 Thirst Project Road Warriors at UC all day, presentation at 6 p.m. in the Junell Center E. James Holland Symposium on American Values in UC at 2 p.m. with presentation at 7:30 p.m. at UC CJ Davison Conference room Lambda Chi Alpha Service week begins
Tuesday 9/22 Fall PT Lunch & Learn series in Plaza Verde from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. UCPC Concert Committee meeting in UC at 4 p.m. Pre-Trip meeting for wakeboard & float in CHP Conference Room at 5 p.m. Planetarium: Agujeros Negros: El Otro Lado de La Infinidad in the Vincent Nursing-Physical Science Building at 7 p.m.
Students rush to gather from the fallen candies after the cracked open by Kenya Sanchez.
piñata was
Wednesday 9/23
Senior Visit Day in UC starting at 10:45 a.m. Greek Life 101 in UC CJ Davison at 5 p.m.
Thursday 9/24 Latino American History Series: Screening of “Foreigners in Their Own Land (1565-1880)” UC CJ Davidson Center starting at 6:30 p.m. Planetarium: Secret Lives of Stars in the Vincent Nursing-Physical Science Building at 7 p.m. Planetarium: Earthquake: Evidence of a Restless Planet in Vincent Nursing-Physical Science Building at 8 p.m.
Kenya Sanchez, junior, participates in AMAS’s piñata breaking while blindfolded.
Friday, September 18, 2015 NEWS Web and mobile development certificate now offered Page 4
Classes promise to be useful to more than just computer science majors Chris Cole Staff Writer
The university is now offering a Web and Mobile Development Certificate program which will provide highly-demanded skills to students looking to promote themselves or companies in the field of website design. The new program comes complete with four classes which can be taken in any order: CS 1351, CS 3312, CS 3372 and CS 4312. The certificate will appear on students’ official transcripts. Jaime Murra, a senior Computer Science major and Mathematics minor, is currently enrolled in the CS 3372 class centered on handheld game development. Murra, who is interested in achieving his Masters and Ph.D in computer science said that the class hasn’t been too difficult yet. “Designing for Android will be especially useful to me,” Murra said. “With Android you have a lot more freedom to design your project and creating mobile apps for it is free.” Murra contends that the industry is evolving and that the demand for online marketing is more prevalent than ever. He plans to graduate with a degree in computer science and obtain his certificate in web and mobile development. The class 3372 teaches development of game apps for android devices using Java and XML. Ty Johnson, senior, is also a Computer Science major and Mathematics minor. Johnson wants to gain the skills necessary to design websites for himself and to contract himself out to corporations in order to design web and mobile applications for them. Johnson said that the need for multi-platform web design is dramatically on the rise and that these skills could help anyone with any major to design sleek, operational websites for themselves that would be accessible from any type of device. After graduation, Johnson, who is seeking the new certificate, plans
to relocate to Colorado where he will look for work as a web designer and pursue his passion for snowboarding. The crowning jewel of the certificate program is the CS 3312 class being offered for the first time in the spring 2016 semester Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science Dr. Rob LeGrand said. Web programming will cover the use of open web standards to create dynamic websites and mobile apps that work on any device or modern browser. “This entails that instead of maintaining separate apps for separate devices, such as an iOS app, an android app, a windows phone app or a web app, all of which require separate skills and sometimes expensive tools, one will learn to create one single application using JavaScript, HTML and CSS that looks and works virtually the same on any device or browser, automatically adjusting to differences such
as screen size,” LeGrand said. CS 3312 will cover web and mobile development basics in one course. Some experience in programming and/or HTML/CSS will prove helpful to students but is not required. LeGrand said he hopes this course will complement other courses offered that use HTML and CSS but don’t go too deeply into JavaScript, which is what makes webpages and apps truly dynamic. LeGrand contends that employers are requesting graduates with diverse web and mobile skills, and that programmers skilled in these areas are in very high demand. A photographer or English major could also make use of Java class being taught in the spring, LeGrand said. It is useful for individuals to be able to promote themselves with training in Java.
Students gather for Super Smash Bros. competition
Photos by Josh Lopez Above: Gamers gather to win prizes in a smashing competition of skill in the Plaza Verde Clubhouse on Tuesday, Sept. 15. Left: Students approach the sign in table to participate in the UCPC and VGA tag team event.
Attention... After a bike was reported stolen outside of Robert Massie Hall on Monday, Sept. 14, students are urged to contact Sgt. Villarreal at (325) 942-2071 with information regarding this theft or other suspicious activity around the campus bike racks. The university police recommend students use a U-bolt style locking mechanism instead of a cable lock.
OPINIONS
Page 5
Friday, September 18, 2015
Puppies may trump coffee and naps
Sydney Wegner Editor Deadlines, homework, quizzes, projects... they all seem to be piling up and there’s nothing I can do to stop it. Senioritis is a very real thing ladies and gentlemen. It’s a real as the alarm clock going off in the morning and the coffee you drink to help get you through the day. I never thought anything would be better than coffee or naps, because face it those are literally the best things to a
college student. I found the exception. One word: puppy. I have a new puppy, Champion. I’m not sure what he really is but I know that he has some Lab in him. Now instead of craving coffee or feeling sleepy all I want to do is go and pet little Champ. There is really nothing better than holding a puppy in your arms, or smelling their sweet puppy breath. I am a firm believer that dogs are God’s way of showing us how much He loves us. Dogs are always so happy to see us and they never get mad at us. I have another dog, Chief, that I don’t really even consider a dog because he thinks he is a human. Those are the best kind of dogs because they’re more like friends than pets. I just don’t see how I am expected to have other responsibilites and go to school and work when I have two really cute little guys waiting for me back home.
I think I hate football
Dustin Dodson Copy Editor America is currently two weeks into the college football season, one week into the NFL season and I want both seasons to be over already. Let me explain, I love football. It is the one fool proof bonding opportunity with my father. We can spend hours discussing stats, past records and current roster changes. If I got a bad homework grade I would quickly change the subject to Colt McCoy’s dopey, Frankie Muniz-like face and I would be free from parental wrath for at least an hour. However, football season stresses me out. I tend to get myself overly attached to these athletic freaks of nature and their franchises to the point where I’m no better than spreading across my couch with a tub of ice cream and obsessing with “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” for 8 hours straight. Cowboys lose? I’ll avoid ESPN and my news feed for at least three days as to avoid the constant reminder that I put way too much emotion into a silly little game. Growing up around the Austin area, I chose to follow the Texas Longhorns as my number one team and painstakingly donning the title of a “t-shirt” fan. After last week’s abysmal 3-38 final score in the season opener at Notre Dame and giving up 28 points to Rice the following week, it’s a wonder I’m writing this column at all and not dragging my feet along the shore of the Concho River and humming “Dust in
the Wind” by Kansas to myself. Thankfully, it was time for Sunday Night football. Cowboys vs Giants, the perfect way to start the season. This game has had its up and downs over the years, each team usually trading wins and losses, but after Dallas’s last season and Tom Coughlin’s excuse of head coaching abilities the last three years, I expected the boys to come out fighting. I was wrong. For every 10 yards it seemed like Dallas lost another five. The team looked rusty and was making mistakes akin to their 8-8 days that I like to forget about. And Eli, a superhuman given powers from his Krypton-born father, Archie Manning, capitalized on the mistakes. Finally, after halftime, 50 ads from Draft Kings, and a costly mistake by the Giants in their red zone resulting in a field goal. The score was 26-20, Giants on top, with no Dez Bryant for Romo to throw to. All seemed lost and it looked like I was about to avoid another week of Facebook memes and ESPN. However, as I was about to turn away to drown my sorrows in a giant landfill of graduate homework, my prayers were answered. Jason Witten, a giant pink muscle blob of a man whose only purpose given to him as he descended from the heavens was to play football with a star on his helmet, caught a touchdown pass that Romo had originally fumbled, and tied the game 26-26. After a King Bailey kick, the score was 27-26, and that was the ball game. The Cowboys won, world hunger had been defeated, Kony and Donald Trump lost the election. All was right in the world again, at least for another week. This is why I want football season to be over. My heart can’t handle the ups and downs of a regulated game, much less an overtime game. I love football much like I love a burger from Roscoe’s Den. It’s not good for me and will probably shorten my life span, but I can’t stop ordering it.
How do you feel about body shaming? “I don’t really like it because I have some people in my family that are heavyset, and some are skinny, and they always feel self-conscious about themselves. People always have to say if someone is bigger or not. Just like “Keeping up with the Kardashians” you know how Rob Kardashian is, he is very ashamed of his appearance.”
Dezirae Rhodes Freshman “It sucks, some people can’t help their body type, or what’s going on in their life. I think it is kind of degrading, and you’re a coward basically. You are degrading somebody for what they look like. Everybody’s shape is beautiful, no matter the way you look at it.” Anitra Wilson Sophomore “It’s something that shouldn’t be said. There are a lot of self-conscience people, and if they are self-conscience about the way they look or the way they dress then I don’t think its anybody’s place to say something or to correct how they dress or how they look.” Ezra Gonzales Junior “If you’re bashing somebody else’s body, you need to be comfortable with yours first.”
Riley Arguello Freshman “I think women especially are often put down more for the clothes that they wear or don’t wear because at the same time women are supposed to be conservative enough to where it is okay, but if we wear too much we’re a prude or if we don’t people use hateful terms like slut or whore. I think it’s a really big issue that needs to be addressed. Especially our generation and the younger one need to get comfortable with our bodies.”
Valeria Lugo Freshman
Ram Page Staff 2014-2015 Angelo State University
Editor: Sydney Wegner Managing Editor: Alana Edgin Copy Editor: Dustin Dodson Online Editor, Staff Writer: Chris Cole Photo Editor: Summer Almaguer Photographer: Josh Lopez Advertising Manager: Mckena Peregrino Cartoonist: Johnny Le Staff Writer: Vanessa Meyer Circulation Manager: Matthew Cummings Advisor: Dr. Cathy Johnson Ram Page ASU Station #10895 San Angelo, Texas 76909-0895
Editor: rampage@angelo.edu Advertising: rampageads@angelo.edu Newsroom:(325) 942-2323 Advertising: (325) 942-2040 Fax: (325) 942-2551 Member of The Texas Tech University System Associated Collegiate Press Texas Intercollegiate Press Asscoiation
PUBLISHING POLICY Published every Friday and available to students, one copy per student, the student newspaper of Angelo State University is a public forum, with its student editorial board making all decisions concerning its contents. Unsigned editorials express the views of the majority of the editorial board. Ram Page welcomes all letters. Please include your name, classification/position and a phone number and/or e-mail address for verification purposes. Letters must be signed and be no more than 350 words. The paper reserves the right to edit letters for grammar and clarity, and all letters are subject to laws governing obscenity, libel and privacy. Deadline is 5 p.m., Monday. Submission does not guarantee publication. Letters may be mailed, e-mailed or submitted at the newspaper’s office, Room 324 on the third floor of the Porter Henderson Library. Opinions in letters are not necessarily those of the staff, nor should any opinion expressed in a public forum be construed as the opinion or policy of the administration, unless so attributed.
SPORTS
Page 6
Friday, September 18, 2015
Rambelle soccer wins third straight match on the road Team strives to win a championship Vanessa Meyer Staff Writer
The Rambelle’s soccer team packed their suitcases and started the season off with four away games in Colorado and New Mexico. The first game on Sept. 4 was a 1-1 tie against Adams State in Alamosa, Colorado and the second game on Sept. 6 was a 1-0 win against New Mexico Highlands in Las Vegas, New Mexico. “The competition is definitely going to be hard,” Natalie Nielson, senior goalie, said. “The teams are all very physical and aggressive like we are, which we already saw in the first two games.” Last year’s historic sixteen win season proves to be a tough one to beat. “Sixteen wins is a lot for any team and I think that one of the things we need to work on right now is our scoring,” Head Coach Travis McCorkle said. “We have only given up one goal so far, but we have also only scored two goals in our first two games.” At this time last year the team had already scored
eight points the first weekend of games and 16 points the second weekend. “We need to be scoring a couple goals a game, not just one and getting shut out,” McCorkle said.
Offense always takes the longest to put together and coordinate in any sport, McCorkle said. “I am most excited for our conference because we will get our jitters out at the preseason and figure out
how our team rhythm is and go in to the conference strong and show all the teams what we really have,” Nielson said. McCorkle has high expectations for the teams’ performance at conference this season as well. “We want to win a championship,” McCorkle said. “Last year, as good as the season was, we didn’t win a trophy and I’d like to see this team win something that’s their own this year.” The Rambelles played in Colorado on Sept. 10 and 12 against Fort Lewis College and Colorado Mesa, beating them both 2-0. On Tuesday, Sept. 15 they played in San Antonio against St. Mary’s and won 3-2 “I want to see the seniors have a great season and a strong impact on the team whether it’s on the field or in team chemistry,” McCorkle said. The Rambelles played at home Thursday, Sept. 17 against Dallas Baptist and will play Sunday, Sept. 20 at 1 p.m against Texas-Permian Basin.
Cross Country team excited for season prospects Newcomers and returners shaping team for success Chris Cole Staff Writer The cross country team is now setting its sights upon the Lone Star Conference Championship coming up Oct. 26. Head Cross Country Coach James Reid said he is looking forward to what’s ahead for the team. “Any time we line up to race every one of our team members wants to be number one for us,” Reid said. “That’s the kind of attitude we need to have, because if everybody’s trying to be number one then we’re going to be pushing each other and our gap time is going to get better.” The team began their season at the McMurry Invitational held in Abilene, Texas on Sept. 3. The women’s cross country team placed second and the men’s team came in sixth. The Rambelles tallied 75 points and had two top ten finishes. The Rams scored 125 points. South Plains won the men’s title with 31 points and Abilene Christian won the women’s team title with a score of
15. This marks the beginning of the season for the Rams and Rambelles and Head Coach James Reid is optimistic about his teams. “We have a newcomer freshman Devitt Smetana from Veribest,” Reid said. “We’re excited about him and we have a couple of other freshmen in that group and a couple of returners. The guys’ team is going to be solid because they have an opportunity to run real close together. The shorter the gap time between runners, the more points we’re going to score.” Smetana has done cross country and track throughout high school and junior high. Smentana, who placed eleventh at the McMurry invitation, considers his best contribution to the team to be a charismatic contribution. “I like to try and be a leader,” Smentana said. “You can’t always be, but I like to try to be. I like to help pick up the team when our times are getting down. Morale and charisma are important and we want to
go as far as we can this season.” Coach Reid also praised his top five runners for the Rambelles: Candida Chairez, Kamie Halfmann, Claudia Ramirez, Kelsey Warren and Chastity King. “On the women’s side we have a strong leader in Chairez coming back for her senior campaign,” Coach Reid said. “She was an all-conference runner last year and has regional meet experience at the NCAA level, so we’re excited about what she’s been able to do to this point. She opened the year well ahead of where we were last year.” Halfmann is a sophomore and has been with the cross country team for a year now and placed ninth in the invitational. “I was really surprised at how well I did,” Halfmann said. “We’re pretty upbeat right now. We’re trying to stay healthy and make it to the conference meet healthy.”
Washington breaks career passing touchdown record in Gunnison, Colorado
The football team continued to break records on Saturday, Sept. 12 against the Western State Mountaineers. In a blowout game, the Rams dominated Western State with a final score of 48-20. The first quarter started off with the Rams scoring the first touchdown less than two minutes into the game by wide receiver Donovan Thompson after a 32 yard pass from quarterback Kyle Washington. Western State retaliated by scoring the next touchdown and the first field goal. Washington then proceeds to score the next two touchdowns, the quarter ending in a 20-7 lead for the Rams. Second quarter continued with a solid Ram defense, denying every
Western State attempt to score. The Ram offense scored again, freezing Western State with only one touchdown. The score was 29-7 at halftime. After halftime, Western State came back fighting, scoring one touchdown and two field goals, leaving the Rams with only a nine point lead. Washington then scored another touchdown, leaving the score at 35-20, Rams still leading. Again, the fourth quarter Ram defense locked down Western State’s offense, allowing the Rams to finish the game at 48-20. Along with this score, the record for career passing touchdowns was broken by Washington with his 62nd career passing touchdown.
Keffury reaches season high of 57 assists in Colorado Premier Challenge September 11 The Rambelle volleyball team played against Concordia-St. Paul and were 1-4 at the Colorado Premier Challenge held in Denver. The Rambelles lost their first three matches at 27-25, 2521 and 25-19. They fought back with outside hitter, Mallory Blauser, making nine kills throughout the game. Brianna Sotello, another outside hitter, saved 9 digs and led the team in blocks. The second game that day was against Metropolitan State, and went better for the Belles. They lost the game, but won one match. The scores from this game were 25-18, 33-31, 25-20 and 25-18. The Belles won the second match in a powerful fight for the lead, but could not keep the lead in the last two matches. Statistic leaders for this game were Blauser with 14 kills, middle blocker Zoey Hanrahan with five blocks, setter Maggi Jo Keffury with 43 assists and defensive specialist Katie MacLeay saved 19 digs.
September 12 The second day of the tournament started well for the Belles, beating University of California San Diego. After losing the first match 25-23, the Belles fought back, winning the next three matches by 25-23, 25-16 and 25-23. Sotello took the lead with 16 kills. Keffury led assists with 48, and MacLeay continued her digging record by making 24 for the Belles. The last game for the Belles was against Missouri S&T, going five matches. The matches started with a win at 25-12, a loss at 29-27, a second win at 25-15, followed by two losses at 25-18 and 15-8. Match two was an intense back and forth game, with the Rambelles having the set point, but two Belles errors lost the match. Sotello hit her tournament high of 17 kills, while Keffury reached a season high with 57 assists.