Quickie news: - Debate watch party popular - Chili cook-off today - Textbook buybacks may change - 26 homecoming nominees - ASU haters blog divides students
RAM PAGE Volume 79 Issue 7 Oct. 12, 2012
- Women’s cross country win - ‘Belles volleyball team on fire
Presidential debates make students think and respond to candidates
First watch party highly successful Rachel Riggs Staff Writer Buzz about the first-ever ASU Debate Watch series grew after over 80 students packed into the Texan Hall Theatre room last Wednesday to watch the Presidential Debate. The events offer students a place to voice their opinions with others who share an interest in politics, Communications Professor Adria Battaglia said. “I walked in, and the place was packed,” Battaglia said. “Kids were leaning against the walls. That was really exciting to see.” Freshman Derin Oduye said that she did not have time to go to the Debate Watch, but watched the debate later with a friend. “I like watching debates because they spark an interest in politics for people who normally wouldn’t pay attention to the election,” Oduye said. “I am fascinated by how the de-
bates have changed over the years.” Freshman Jared Goecker said he watched the debate when he got home from work. “Romney definitely won the debate,” Goecker said. “He beat Obama in substance and in style.” Debates have an affect on the overall election, Goecker said. “If a candidate can rock a debate, then it makes an impression on society,” Goecker said. Debate Watches are common on most college campuses in the U.S., but this is the first year for ASU to adopt the event, Battaglia said. “I thought that watching the debate would be a great learning experience for my students,” Battaglia said. “I sent out an email to faculty across all departments and got a good response; then everything fell into place.” The Debate Watches bring together many different types of students with many different majors, Battaglia said. “You have your political science majors and communications majors both discussing the same debate,
Illustration by Tim Peevy
but with vastly different focuses,” Battaglia said. “For the most part, the political science majors are analyzing the issues and the communications majors are looking at body language and the structure of each candidate’s argument.” This mixing of two very different disciplines creates a broad discussion between students, Battaglia said. “We really learn a lot about our differences and similarities through this event,” Battaglia said. “Being in a West Texas town, I expected the students to be predominantly Republican, but both sides were represented fairly.” The next Debate Watch will be Oct. 16 at the Plaza Verde Vista Room from 8 to 10 p.m. The last Debate Watch will be Oct. 22 in the Centennial Commons Room at the same time, Battaglia said. “The debate on the 16th is going to be about domestic and foreign policy and will be in a town-hall format,” Political Science Professor Shawn Morrow said. “Since it is a
town-hall meeting, the candidates will be judged not only on content, but by how they connect with the public.” Morrow will be a moderator on the next Debate Watch along with Security Studies Professor Rob Elhers, Battaglia said. “The moderators bring different perspectives to the students,” Battaglia said. “Their job is to guide discussion on key topics and provide their insight to students.” Political Science and Philosophy Professor Deanna Watts said that she gets a lot out of the debates and listening to the students’ “fresh take” on politics. “The thing that I focused on as a moderator was what the candidates said and what the candidates did not say,” Watts said. “Body language plays a huge roll – even the color of the ties can mean something.”
See DEBATE Page 2
Chili cook-off headlines second year round up Mystery bands to surprise and perform for students Luz Castillo Constributor The Red Dirt Round-Up chili cook-off is today and chilli cooks all around campus are getting ready to show off their recipies. The round-up is a southwestern themed event based on Texan music and culture. “Red Dirt” comes from the color of the soil in Texas grounds. The festivity is scheduled Friday, Oct. 12, at 7 p.m. “The activities include food, a dance floor, the chili cook-off, a booth contest, roping lessons, corn whole game, live music and an appearance from ASU’s mascot, Dominic.” said student hall director of Centennial Village Matthew Lombardo. “Fort Concho will join the festivities with a fire cannon as an opening to the festivity and will continue to fire throughout the event.”
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Presidential debates (cont.) Homecoming activities Midnight Madness New degree
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ASU, water and you Revised textbook buyback policy proposed
Chili Chefs from across campus will prepare their dishes to be sampled and judged to win “Top Chili and People’s Choice Award winners.” Entry to the competition is free. Chili cook-off contestants are required to prepare their chili by Friday at 7 p.m. Additionally, the group with the best decorated booth will win the “Showmanship Award,” an award given to the most flamboyant and attractive booth of interest. “Winners will win
Texas themed gifts and gift cards with a value up to $75,” said Lombardo. “We just ask that the chili chefs open their pots for the attenders at the round-up to sample.” Stuart Lickteig, the chili cook-offs previous champion and director of Housing and Residential Programs said, “It is time for me to retire while I am at the top.” At last year’s event “Around 300 to 400 people attended,” Lickteigsaid. “This year we expect over 400 people in attendance. With the intention of the round-up being a campus wide affair Lombardo said, “It is a great campus event with lots of entertainment. It is open to the community and all student organizations. We had teams from several residence halls and student organizations participate last year. It is a good place for organizations to recruit members.” This year’s musical talent has two bands competing for the spot as the special guest. To sign up call Centennial Village at 325-9422576.
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Homecoming court nominees
Super sidewalk survey
Visit www.asurampage.com
Cross country Volleyball
NEWS
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Events Calendar Get involved on campus! Here’s what’s going on this week.
Friday, Oct. 12 Housing and Residential Programs: Red Dirt Roundup 7 p.m. @ Centennial Village ASU Theatre: “The Who’s Tommy” 8 p.m. @ Mayer Administration Building Saturday, Oct. 13 Wake Board & Float 8 a.m. - October 14, 7 p.m. Texas Ski Ranch Cyclocross Series 2012 10 a.m. @ Varsity Softball Complex Sunday, Oct. 14 Brisket Cook-Off/Washer Tournament 9 to 6 p.m. Basketball: Midnight Madness 10:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. @ Junell Center/Stephens Arena Monday, Oct. 15 IM Volleyball Officials Clinic 5 to 7 p.m. @ Center for Human Performance SMART Workshop: Dealing with Test Anxiety 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. @ Academic Building 119 ASU Choir: Spooktacular 7 p.m. @ McNease Convention Center, 500 Rio Concho Drive Tuesday, Oct. 16 College of Arts and Sciences: Fall Science Days 9:20 a.m. to 1 p.m. @ Cavness Science Building Civil War Lecture Series: The Literature of the War 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. @ Houston Harte University Center Wendsday, Oct. 17 Meeting: Staff Senate 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. @ CJ Davidson Music: Student Recital 4 p.m. @ Carr EducationFine Arts Building, Eldon Black Recital Hall ASUFit: Cyclocross Series 2012 6:30 p.m. @ Varsity Softball Complex Thursday, Oct. 18 Ricardo Viera: Lecture Spanish Colonial & Mexican Religion 11 a.m. @ Carr Education-Fine Arts Building, room 101 Music: Senior Recital - Vincent Del Vicchio 7:30 p.m. @ Carr Education-Fine Arts Building, Eldon Black Recital Hall Planetarium: 2012: The End of the World? Not! 8 p.m. @Planetarium: (Global Immersion Center)
Submit event requests by 5 p.m. Tuesday for Friday publication to rampage@angelo.edu
Friday, Oct. 12, 2012
New degree cost effective, customizable by students Three minors combine to create degree plan
Allison Price Features Editor ASU will offer a $10,000 Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies effective in the fall of 2013. “The decision to have the $10,000 degree only for the Interdisciplinary Studies degree was made by the provost [office] and president,” said John Miazga, Dean of the College of Education. “The thought was that this particular degree would be helpful for those individuals who dropped out of college for a while and were looking for a way to complete their degree.” The Interdisciplinary Studies degree consists of three 18-hour minors chosen by the student to form a major, said Paul Swets, Interim Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “There are situations in the modern world [that require] having broad understandings of the various disciplines,” Swets said. “The Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies addresses that. Instead of having a great deal of hours in one particular subject you are able to focus on different subjects. You get a breadth of knowledge that you may not get in a standard degree.”
According to governor.state.tx.us, incoming freshmen with an ACT score of 27 or greater or a combined SAT critical reading and math score of 1220 or better can qualify for the degree. Transfer students may also qualify for the degree as long as those students meet certain criteria, Swets said. “Transfer students with a 3.5 or better GPA on all previous academic work are eligible,” Swets said. “They, just like incoming freshmen will be required to maintain a 3.5 or better GPA during their coursework at ASU.” Gov. Rick Perry visited ASU last Wednesday to announce the university’s decision to take part in the $10,000 degree program. ASU is the tenth institution that proposed this program in Texas. “ASU took part in this [degree plan] to make education more affordable for more individuals regardless of who they are,” Miazga said. Students can choose to earn the Interdisciplinary Studies degree, which comes out to be less than $10,000. “All of the tuition and fees for all four years will come out to be less than $10,000,” Swets said. “If you change your mind and take five or six years to get your degree, then it may cost more. If you stay in the residence halls those fees are not included in the $10,000 expenses.”
Debate watch party set to grow Cont. from p. 1
If students cannot make it to the next Debate Watch, they are encouraged to join in via twitter using the hashtag #trdw, Battaglia said. “TRDW stands for “Team Rhetoric Debate Watch,” Battaglia said. “Texas A&M started using it for their own debate watches and it has spread to the national level.” Students from ASU and colleges across the nation will use this hashtag to share opinions with other students who are watching the debate, Battaglia said. “We are hoping to stimulate discussion by encouraging students to reply to other students’ tweets from across the nation, rather than just posting their own opinions,” Battaglia said. Battaglia said she
urges everyone who attends the next Debate Watch to stay after the debate is over to discuss the debate, to ask questions and to share their opinions. Apathy concerning politics is common, but the best way to solve problems is to get together and get involved, Battaglia said. “The main thing I want the students to take away from these debates is a sense of community, responsibility and accountability,” Battaglia said. “I want these students to recognize that we all are in this together.” Battaglia hopes for an even bigger turnout at the next Debate Watch. “I will definitely go to the next Debate Watch,” Oduye said.
According to the San Angelo Standard Times, qualified students receive a $5,000 scholarship administered by ASU, which renews ever year. “The $5,000 scholarship will [only cover] tuition and fees,” Miazga said. “It is not meant to cover books, room and board or any other incidental expenses that go along with the particular degree. [The scholarship’s purpose] is to reduce the cost of the actual degree itself.” Swets said ASU came up to the challenge of creating what seems to be the most flexible degree. Those students who qualify are strong enough to complete the program, he said. “Part of what makes this an attractive degree is the flexibility,” Swets said. “Students, based on their interests, coursework they have taken and academic as well as career goals can form this degree themselves. ASU has more than 30 minors, so students are given many options.” The provost office and all of the deans came together and did a good job on creating the degree plan, Swets said. “The program is initiated but we have not yet begun,” Miazga said. “When we begin to [form the program] we will see where the pitfalls are and where the positives are and how it can be implemented.”
Midnight Madness set for Sunday Fans help welcome basketball season
Mariah Powell Managing Editor
Come pump up the Ram and ‘Belle basketball teams at Midnight Madness, Oct. 14, for their upcoming seasons. Rams’ head coach Fred Rike said he is happy about how great of a job ASU does with coordinating Midnight Madness. “Our Midnight Madness is nicer than some of the Division one events,” he said. “There is always a great student turn out.” The men’s team will open at home, Nov. 10, taking on Lubbock Christian. Rikes said this has been the best preseason in his five to six years of coaching at ASU. “I love my team,” he said. “We are a young team and very teachable.” Assistant Coach Stacey Duffell said the Belles have only been practicing individu-
ally but kick off team practice the Monday following Midnight Madness. “We are returning a great group of players and are looking forward to an exciting season within the LSC and a hunger to be better than last year,” Duffell said. “Our strengths will be our experience with our offense and the growth and maturity of our team on the floor to help close out games.” The ‘Belles will host an exhibition game against Lubbock Christian Nov. 6, at 7 p.m. Their season officially begins Nov. 13 against St. Edwards at 6 p.m. in the Stephens Arena. The doors to Midnight Madness open at 10:45 p.m. on Sunday. There will be free food and T-shirts to the first 250 people. Both teams will compete in a three-point shooting contest and the men’s team will compete in a dunk contest. There will be a prize for most spirited dressed fan and one fan will be given the opportunity to win $30,000 in a shooting competition.
Student led activities highlight homecoming week Step competition, kickball tournament and gameshow events for this year Allison Price Features Editor ASU homecoming kicks off Saturday, Oct. 13 with activities planned all week leading up to the Friday bonfire and Saturday parade and game. “In addition to the quintessential homecoming activities such as floats, bonfire building and king and queen [nominations], we have other neat and innovative ideas for this [year],” nominations chair Connor Frankhouser said. “For instance, we have a kickball tournament, a canned-goods castle build and a Jeopardy-type game show.” Frankhouser said any student organizations who wish to enter in the festivities and competitions during the week are welcome. “This year we have a total of 22 registered student organizations participating in various events throughout the week,” homecoming adviser Jennifer Johnson said. “[Some] organizations are the African Student Association, Rams for Christ, Sigma Phi Lambda, Pi Kappa Alpha, etc.” This year’s theme is “Roscoe Loves the ‘90s.” The homecoming committee decided a ‘90s theme would be appropriate as that is the age demographic of the student body, Frankhouser said. By
choosing a theme students could relate to, it may increase student participation. “There was an overabundance of ideas and the [committee] was excited about the many [ways] students could work with the theme,” Johnson said. This year, there are 26 nominees for king and queen from 14 different registered student organizations, Frankhouser said. “Students are nominated by their respective organizations,” Frankhouser said. “The process the organization must go through is to fill out the requisite paperwork for the male and/or female nominee. After that they may pick from any of the roughly 7,000 students.” Sunday marks the annual Brisket Cook-Off event hosted by Delta Sigma Pi. Delta Sigma Pi works the behindthe-scenes details for the cook-off, homecoming chair Gil Moreno said. “We have noticed that students want the brisket, but we didn’t have enough to feed them,” Moreno said. “[This year] we will be paying for the student body to have a brisket dinner. We asked Heather Valle, who is coordinator for Student Organizations, if we could [provide the dinner] and she allowed us to do so.” The students who are more involved in events are ones that are in a student organization trying to gain “spirit stick points,” Moreno said. Those not involved in participating organizations do show up to the more popular events. “The Step Contest, Pep Rally, Bon-
fire and Parade [are the events] the general student [body] participates in,” Johnson said. According to the homecoming schedule of events, there are eight activities where spirit sticks can be earned. The Spirit Stick winner will be announced during halftime on Saturday. “Students enter to participate in events for points in hopes their organization wins,” Johnson said. “Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity has won [the spirit stick award] the past four years.” The Step Contest combines “stepping” which is a form of rhythmic dancing using footsteps, spoken word and handclaps, Johnson said. The top five organizations are chosen during a preliminary competition on Wednesday, where they will then compete at the pep rally on Friday. “Teams are [judged] on costumes, use of their individual theme and skill in dancing,” Frankhouser said. “It is like ‘Stomp the Yard’ came to [ASU] to film its next sequel.” The homecoming committee is formed mid-spring, Johnson said. Several elements about homecoming are discussed and later planned. “[The committee chose] the theme last spring and throughout the summer and this semester, we have been working vigorously to finalize all of the details,” Moreno said. A schedule of the homecoming week events with locations and times can be found on the Center for Student Involvement homepage.
NEWS
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Friday, Oct. 12, 2012
Rainfall brings relief, frustration to city water situation ASU seeks to lead the way in city efforts to conserve water after heavy rains
Dillon Brollier Editor-in-Chief
San Angelo dropped the drought level from Drought Level three to level one Monday after heavy rains increased the city’s overall ready water supply to 22 months. “The move from one drought level to another is dictated by the city’s drought contingency ordinance whenever the developed and available water supply meets benchmarks established by the ordinance,” a city press release said. Drought Level one is enacted when San Angelo has less than 24 months of water supply. “When you move into Drought Level one, then you start to implement more of the mandatory type of restrictions,” said Will Wilde, San Angelo director of Water Utilities. “Reduce those peak usages during the summer time.” With the new drought level in place so soon after water levels were so low, one student said he felt that the jump from level three restrictions to level one was premature. “I think it’s dumb,” senior Daniel Duarte said. “We should have stayed at three so that way we can learn to save and conserve water.” As one of the largest institutions in the city, ASU is often looked at for their water use and their role in water conservation. “We all have got to do our share; we all have to conserve water,” Hal Peter, associate director of Special Services said. “Could we go out and just start dumping the water? Yes we could. But we are going to try and be good to the city.” While the decision to move to Drought Level one may be an unpopular one, the city council had no choice but to revert to the lower level in order to comply with their own ordinance. “It is legally imperative that City Council adhere to the scheme that is set out by ordinance,” San Angelo City Attorney Lysia Bowling said. “The council just does not have the ability to act
arbitrarily, to ‘dig their heels in’ so to speak, and remain in a drought stage that factually, we are no longer deemed to be in.” S e n i o r Amanda Wilhelm said that water conservation is important because of the scattered history of rainfall. “The problem with living here is you never know when Photo by: Tim Peevy you’re going to Lake Nasworthy was just one of the bodies of water that benefited from the rain. get rain again,” Wilhelm said. “We just need to conserve it as Aquifer is not considered in determining drought much as possible.” levels because it is not yet an active source,” a city ASU has taken added steps to go beyond the press release said. Drought Level one restrictions in an effort to preHowever, with the water supplied by the serve some water. heavy rains, the city now has enough water to “We shut down the water to the intramural last until the aquifer is complete, Wilde said. fields and everything up past Texan hall,” Peter The Aquifer project is split into four parts, said. “Everything but the athletic fields is off. We he said. Three of the four can be up and running have not watered that in years.” as soon as July of 2013 and could deliver water The main source of watering on campus is the to the city as soon as the beginning of August, main mall area and the large trees around cam- should the city be in need of the water the aquifer pus. However, because of the drought many of would supply. those large trees will be removed, Peter said. The treatment portion of the aquifer will be Peter said nearly 20 large trees on campus awarded by January and construction will start will be removed later this year. Many of them died mid-2013. throughout the drought this summer, he said. Even though the treatment plant would not “We will see about replacing them,” Peter be ready in time for a 2013 emergency use situasaid. “If we do, it would be with live oaks, some- tion, the city will make sure the water is safe to thing that could handle the drought.” supply before potentially distributing that water, An upcoming source of water, the Hickory Peter said. Aquifer, is still under construction. Upon compe“When you take six parts of surface water tition it will supply San Angelo with nearly 9 mil- with one part of Hickory water you have achieved, lion gallons of water per day. in essence, the EPA standards,” Wilde said. At a “Water that would come from the Hickory 6:1 ratio you comply with all the standards.”
New used book system proposed Alix Henry Contributor Lisa Dees Copy Editor A freshman senator in SGA Monday proposed a bill to save students money in the campus bookstore, as well as for students to receive money back for their books at the end of the semester. Freshman Jared Goecker proposed this bill because the current system is disadvantageous to students. “Currently a student buys an edition of a book, but then the publishing company comes out with a new edition of the book and professors switch to the new edition, forcing the students to buy the new book,” he said. The bill would require professors to keep for five semesters the same book and/ or edition, he said.
Courses in which new editions are required for the integrity of the class would be an exception. Potentially, the first semester student would buy a book new and at the end of the semester, be able to sell the book back to the bookstore for 50 percent of the original price, he said. For the next four semesters, students who buy that same book will be buying it used at 75 percent of the original cost; this is by contract of the bookstore, Goecker said. Because the book will still be in use for those semesters, the bookstore will continue to buy the book back at 50 percent of the original cost. “The students I have talked to are all very enthusiastic,” Goecker said. “They are excited about something that will be good for them and for everyone.”
Goecker said to get the bill passed in time for next semester, it will first have to be passed by the Student Senate. After passing through the Student Senate, the bill will be presented to the Faculty Senate, where the Student Senate will explain the bill, he said. If the bill is cosponsored by the Student and Faculty Senate, it will be sent to the administration for approval, he said. “I’m hoping the faculty members will look at this bill and see that it will be very affordable for students,” Goecker said. “I believe the faculty will come to agree that this bill is convenient for [students].” Sophomore Kristen Henry said she supports the bill. “Any college student in this economy would support this bill. It’s potentially a big money saver.”
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FEATURES
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Friday, Oct. 12, 2012
Homecoming King and Queen Nominees
Katelyn Jones Junior Bass Anglers
Henry Luna Junior AMAS
Mary Cooper Senior AFROTC
Carl Miles Sophomore Bass Anglers
Darcy Musick Joshua Heimbecker Senior Senior Tri-Beta Block and Bridle
Aaron Lozano Ashley Hampton Nathanial Redic Chelsea Gibson Kiel Sieckmann Cecelia Miller Senior Senior Junior Senior Junior Junior Alpha Phi Omega Tri-Beta Lambda Chi Alpha Pi Kappa Alpha Block and Bridle Lambda Chi Alpha
Jordan Yedica Sophomore Delta Zeta
Wiley Jones Senior Sigma Kappa
Allen Bennett Karina Aldrete Senior Junior Pi Kappa Alpha Alpha Phi Omega
Joshua McGuire Cassady Hossenlopp Senior Senior Honors Student Honors Student Association Association
Chantel Jackson Senior Kappa Delta Pi
Robbie Thayer Senior Baptist Student Ministry
Paul Mason Sophomore SAAC
Emily Banda Junior AMAS
Danica Williams Jaymie Trimble Senior Senior Sigma Kappa AFROTC
E O C S e O h R T s e v Lo
Austin Sparks Sophomore Delta Zeta
Leah McFadden Junior Baptist Student Ministry
‘90s
Homecoming King and Queen will be announced during Halftime at the football game on Saturday, Oct. 20.
OPINION
Page 5 Benton Warren Junior What is shame? According to dictionary.com, shame is the painful feeling arising from the consciousness of something dishonorable, improper and ridiculous. But there is One we should never be ashamed of and that is God. We have all too long been ashamed to go out and proclaim God’s Word. Maybe we don’t want to offend. Maybe we don’t want to seem intolerant. Maybe we don’t want to change our lifestyle and risk condemnation. Shame will be our downfall. We will lose our souls if we become ashamed of telling people about
Dillon Brollier Editor-in-Chief Hey! Passion is a crazy thing. It can make us do things that we never would even think were possible. The great and terrible thing about passion is that it is sparked by different things by different people at different times. It is truly a testimate on the wonders of humans, whether it be for better or worse. For many people, myself included, music is the catalyst to this otherworldly feeling. With the right tunes it can feel like you are in a parallel universe and you can’t stop feeling
Friday, Oct. 12, 2012
God. Luke 9:26 reads “ For whoever is ashamed of Me and of My words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in His glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.” If we want everlasting life, then we must follow God’s commands and repent of our sins, or we will be thrown into eternal darkness. Yet, many teachers of the gospel go out the next day and do the work of the world. Jesus says in Matthew 7:21-23, “Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your
name, and cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name? And then will I declare to them, I never knew you, depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.” Jesus loves us, but if we don’t believe and are ashamed of Him, then He will deny us before God. If you don’t know if you’re saved, then I encourage you to read the Bible, pray and become active in the church. But don’t do this believing that you can still live in your sin. This will change your life if you become a follower of Jesus Christ. We can choose to live our own way, but regardless of the road we take, we will all have to stand in front of the King.
good about the world. It can pull you from the lowest low all the way up to higher ground. It can teleport you from a cold snow filled winter environment to somewhere warm, like Ethopia, in an instant and back again as fast. Why else do we play music when we go road trippin’ around the world? Because it just makes the trip better. It strips our minds of all mundane thoughts and worries. That and it makes those aeroplane trips a lot less of a warped experience. Of course you have to make sure the music doesn’t make it hard to concentrate with what you are doing, but that is the great thing about
music. You can easily multitask! Whether you are named Charlie living in the swankiest of mansions or a jungleman living under the bridge downtown, most everyone can agree that music is an inescapable part of our lives. It can mold us, from our minds, our souls to even our scar tissue. I realize not everyone feels this way. Maybe your passion is sports, or worship, simply trying to make it to the otherside and graduate but the fact remains that in the 21st century we cannot escape music and all of its wonders and pitfalls. By the way, if you can guess my favorite band congratulations! I just hope I don’t give it away. answer- Red Hot Chili Peppers
Ram Page Staff
2012-2013 Angelo State University Editor: Dillon Brollier Managing Editor: Mariah Powell Copy editor: Lisa Dees Features Editor: Allison Price Photo Editor: Rio Velasquez Staff Writer: Stephen Cogan Staff Writer: Rachel Riggs Circulation Manager: Mariah Powell Photographer: Tim Peevy Advertising Manager: Kaitlynn Glendinning Adviser: Dr. Cathy Johnson
Share your thoughts on issues and let us know what’s happening on campus.
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SPORTS
Friday, Oct. 12, 2012
‘Belles contiune home dominance, sweep weekly awards 16-3 ‘Belles on fast tract to LSC playoffs and beyond Stephen Cogan Staff Writer The ‘Belles Continue Home Dominance with Straight Wins and Awards Sweep There is no place like home for the ‘Belles as they have won seven volleyball games in a row at home including two matches this past Friday and Saturday. The ‘Belles made quick work of their opponents, defeating Texas Woman’s University 3-1 on Friday and then following up with a 3-0 win over Texas A&M Commerce on Saturday. The ‘Belles have one conference loss, which is to the six-time defending Lone Star Conference Champions, the West Texas A&M Lady Buffaloes, in September. “We’re always thinking about that,” junior outside hitter Kaelen Valdez said. “We think about how we can better ourselves after that loss.” The ‘Belles pushed the Lady Buffaloes to a five-set match for a second consecutive year, but Valdez said she believes this year, the ‘Belles were closer to winning. “I felt like this year we were pretty close with them,” Valdez said. “I think it was the best we played. Head Coach Chuck Waddington said he agrees with her and that this was the best team that he has ever coached at ASU in his five years here. “We were pretty strong last year, but we’re just a little bit better in a couple of key areas,”
Waddington said. “Not to take away anything from last season because last year we had a great season, but I think this is the best team we’ve had so far.” Waddington said the ‘Belles could handle anyone as long as they were consistent and kept up the effort. The Lone Star Conference seems to agree as they have given the ‘Belles numerous awards for their weekly efforts. The ‘Belles swept the Player of the Week awards for a second time this year after going 3-0 this past week including a road win over Tarleton State University. Junior middle blocker Maddie Huth won her first Offensive Player of the Week award, senior Alex Woolsey won her third Setter of the Week award and sophomore Shelby Wilt won Defensive Player of the Week award for the second time this season. “Since last year, I feel like I’ve improved a lot,” Wilt said. “Last year was the first time for me
The ‘Belles in a team huddle during their undefeated week..
to ever play libero, so it was different. Now, I feel like I’ve gotten used to it.” Wilt’s Defensive Player of the Week award comes after accumulating 66 digs over 12 sets and helping limiting opponents to a .141 hitting percentage against the ‘Belles. Wilt has matched her career-high in digs this season with 30 against Texas A&M-Kingsville on Sept. 25 and leads the team in total digs with 319. Huth finished the week with 36 kills and Woolsey collected 137 assists to secure their awards. Another ‘Belle that has been an awards regular is junior Shelbi Goode, who has been good all season while winning three Offensive Player of the Week awards. The ‘Belles are now 16-3 overall and 10-1 in conference play. “I’m proud of them,” Waddington said. The ‘Belles’ next game is Friday, Oct. 14 on the road against Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls at 4 p.m.
Photo by: Rio Velasquez
Rambelles win at Blue and Gold Invitational Emeline Crutcher takes individual first place Stephen Cogan Staff Writer Throughout her entire college career, senior Emeline Crutcher never took first place at a cross country event. On Oct. 9, 2012, she won ASU’s annual Blue and Gold Invitational. Crutcher crossed the finish line with a time of 22:47.74 and helped the women win their first title of the season. “It feels really good,” Crutcher said. “I’ve worked really hard the past four years, and I’m glad I got to win my home meet my senior year. But, what I’m really worried about is conference, and that’s in 10 days. That’s what we’ve been working for this whole year, and I want to do really well there.”
“I was actually homeschooled. Opportunities were there, but I jut never really took advantage of them.” - junior Jamin Goecker ASU will go to the Lone Star Conference Finals on Oct. 20 in Lawton, Oklahoma and compete for the championship. Crutcher said that rest might have helped the team out for the competition. “We’ve been training since the end of August,” Crutcher said. “But we’ve also taken some time off the past few days, and I think that helped a lot, too.” The Rambelles finished with three members in the top five and six in the top 10. In cross country, the team that has the fewest
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points wins the tournament, and the strong finish led to an ASU victory over Tarleton State University by a score of 22 to 39. ASU’s men’s team provided a strong showing, as well, and took second place with a score of 39 points to TSU’s 30. Junior Jamin Goecker took third place with a 26:51.12 time, and he said he never ran before he came to ASU. “I was actually home-schooled,” Goecker said. “Opportunities were there, but I just never really took advantage of them.” Goecker said that taking third place is definitely a step in the right direction for where he wants to be. “Coach Gabe is always talking about never accepting anything but the best from yourself and from other people,” Goecker said. “That’s the approach I took when I first got here, and I knew when I got here, I was going to get destroyed, but I just kept coming back every day and kept doing work.” Coach Gary Gabriel, the assistant head cross country coach said he was proud of the walk-on’s third place performance. “He’s been a work in progress,” Gabriel said. “He’s one of those guys that works really hard and is able to work really hard on his own. He had a terrific summer and did everything I asked him to do.” The Rams did well, despite the absence of their best runner, sophomore Dylan Littlejohn, in the race due to a minor injury. “On the men’s side, we’re missing our number one guy,” Gabriel said. “Which really does hurt, but I told [the men] yesterday that somebody else was going to have to step up, and we had a couple of them that did.” Gabriel said regarding Crutcher’s performance, “You can’t do better than first place.” ASU still has its eyes focused on the Lone Star Conference Championship, and Crutcher summarized what the teams have to do in order to win. “We have to show up, and we have to run well, Photo by: Tim Peevy or we’re going to get beat by teams we shouldn’t Sophmore Jamin Goecker finished first for the Rams (third get beat by.” overall) with a time of 26:51.12.