The Observer, Volume LIV, Issue 15, 1/20/23

New apartments headed to Hessler, construction to start this summer news

Banerjee Executive Editor

New semester, new residence hall?

Updates to CWRU housing

Grace Johnson News Editor

Starting a new semester can be exciting, especially with the prospect of new housi ng. While construction on Southside ensures that the area is never devoid of noise, the progress is evident. Once just a large hole in the ground, the area has received some very exciting attention, which includes the construction of a foundation and walls.

For those of you unaware or unfamiliar with this topic, housing and residence life have begun the construction of two new residence halls in the South Residential Village at Case Western Reserve University. They will be located at the intersection of Adelbert and Murray Hill Road. These halls will house around 600 new students, beginning in the fall of 2024, when construction is expected to be complete. This project was created to accommodate the growing number of CWRU students, as President Eric Kaler has vowed to raise the admissions numbers to generate more funding for research projects.

the university housing options, they are not a traditional residence hall that houses Resident Assistants (RA) and a Residential Community Director (RCD). Rather, they are part of a “shift towards creating a fourth experience track, sort of a 3A under [Upperclass Community Experience] that provides one foot on campus and one off where there is more autonomy,” says Fabian.

This housing option will instead have a Graduate Residential Director (GRD) that acts similarly to an RA and RCD combination. They will be there to help residents with some issues and provide guidance as needed—however, there is also a full-time property manager who acts as a traditional leasing agent by providing keys and answering questions about the building. In addition, there is also a live-in maintenance staff worker who will attend to building repairs as needed.

New apartments are coming to Hessler Road soon and are garnering some controversy.

Hessler is a historic street, developed in the early 20th century as a quiet and quaint community, isolated from the hustle and bustle of the rest of University Circle. With its wood and brick-laid pavement and counterculture aesthetic, Hessler has been one of Cleveland’s hidden treasures. The Hessler Street Fair, which has been held since 1969, is often seen as the embodiment of the strong sense of community of the little neighborhood. As such, the residents of Hessler have fought for decades to preserve the street’s unique aura from new developments and student residents.

This trend continued when a proposal for building a new apartment complex on Hessler was unveiled in February 2021. Developers put forward a plan to build a new four-story, 23-unit apartment building, targeting young professionals and students with rents between $1,500-$1,600 per month. The proposal drew immediate backlash from residents of Hessler, some of whom put together a campaign to “preserve and protect” their street. In a statement, the coalition spoke out on how the developers had put forward the project with “no respect for the fragile historic district, its cultural heritage, and the community that stewarded it for decades,” and pushed University Circle Incorporated to rethink the philosophy of the proposed building and take feedback from community members. Further revisions from the developers in April 2021 saw the apartment building being scaled back to a 12-unit building with a design more reminiscent of other houses on Hessler. Ward 6 City Council member Blaine Griffin also became personally involved in securing funds to preserve the brick and wood pavement.

Residents still were unhappy with the style of the proposed building and

the idea of a dense apartment being introduced to their haven. The developers returned with a third proposal to scale even further down to a six-unit building, with three bedrooms in each unit to enable the family-style living that the Hessler residents preferred. The developers presented the plan to the Cleveland Landmarks Commission in late 2022 and received approval in January 2023, despite reservations, opening the way for construction to start this summer.

Many Hessler residents remain in opposition to the new building, however, and have expressed concerns about the impact construction will have on their living conditions and parking, especially considering the street is already very narrow and space for vehicles limited. In addition, they are requesting repairs to occur on the old-style pavement, the development of a new parking plan and a complete stormwater management study. It is unclear if any style of new development would be supported by residents as the coalition has expressed that the lot should instead be retained as green space.

Residents have long railed against the slow shift from the street’s community-based historic character to one increasingly dominated by students from Case Western Reserve University; that will likely continue, especially with the new construction. While there has been a long back and forth about the character of Hessler, the street’s future now seems clear.

“Within the last five years we’ve seen over 1,800 apartments and condos built in University Circle, with 1,000 more in development. That staggering growth is unprecedented,” said Laura Cyrocki, a Hessler resident. “The addition of 18 more bedrooms on an already dense and fragile street at the expense of the character of Cleveland’s first historic district only serves to create more economic benefit for the developer and the property owner.”

This semester has ushered in even more housing options, including the acquisition of the newly-built Monroe Apartments, located in Little Italy behind the University Circle Police Department headquarters. These apartments are available to students as part of their university housing options starting this semester for upperclass students.

When asked why these apartments were leased by the university, Associate Director of Residence Life Devin Fabian stated, “It arose out of the need of additional housing to ensure that upperclass students for next year have a larger mass of housing to avoid things like last spring from happening again. People overwhelmingly want to live on campus and this provides almost 100 additional beds to meet that need.” With a growing population of CWRU students comes a growing need for more housing options, which is where the Monroe Apartments came into play.

While these apartments are part of

However, Fabian also made it clear that this is a three-semester contract, beginning in spring 2023 and extending to the following two semesters. From there, beginning in the fall of 2024, the residential experience in various communities will probably change, which means that the Monroe apartments will likely no longer be necessary.

The Monroe Apartments serve as an important transition residence option as the campus population grows and the need for housing follows suit— especially after the frustration felt by community members and parents last spring, when upperclass housing was no longer guaranteed. The housing and residence life offices are working to ensure that this does not happen again and that the needs of students are being met.

This is just the beginning of a housing saga that will continue on for the next several years. Stay tuned to read updates on housing options for the future, and, if you’re lucky, you may get to live in the newly built Monroe Apartments—I know I want to.

Wrestling goes 6-2 to start 2023

Puneet Bansal Sports Editor

The Case Western Reserve University wrestling team had a scintillating start to the new year and don’t appear to be slowing down. After splitting the dual meet on Jan. 7, the Spartans swept another dual meet on Jan. 10 and went 3-1 at the Claude Sharer Duals on Jan. 14.

CWRU traveled to Ada, Ohio on Jan. 7 and defeated Manchester University 30-18. All first-years, E.J. Alizio won 10-7 by decision in the 125 pounds weight class, Art Martinez won his first career win 18-1 in 6:03 at 141 pounds and Thomas Wagner won 11-2 by major decision at 149 pounds. First-years Jacob Gregg and Marty Landes won by forfeit at 133 and 157 pounds, respectively. After racking up these wins, CWRU had losses at 165, 174 and 184 pounds to bring the score to 24-12. Fourth-year Stephen Andryc pinned his

opponent in 5:19 to claim the win at 197 pounds and a final score of 30-18.

Despite this strong showing, the Spartans were swept 44-0 by Ohio Northern, which includes some of the best DIII wrestlers in the country. The closest matches were Martinez’s 6-0 loss by decision and first-year Calvin Rowan’s 4-0 loss at 149 pounds to the 10th best wrestler in the US.

“Ohio Northern is a tough matchup in terms of our two team makeups,” said Head Coach Josh Malave in an interview with the CWRU Athletic Department. “We’re very young, they’re a veteran team. So it was a good experience for us to see that level and ultimately we want to be one of the best teams in the country ... We had some really good moments within the duel, some of our guys battled really hard, we’re really proud of them.”

Continued on pg. 11

Shreyas

After multiple years of heated debates, the Cleveland Landmarks Commission approved a new devlopment on Hessler Road that is planning to break ground this summer. Courtesy of RDL Architects

Cleveland Orchestra showcase: A guide to past and upcoming performances

Zachary Treseler Staff Writer

Imposing over the end of the Binary Walkway at Case Western Reserve University is Severance Hall, which houses the Cleveland Orchestra, one of Cleveland’s crown jewels. In the rest of its 2022-2023 season, Jen Steer, the Cleveland Orchestra’s media relations manager, notes there will be three new show concerts within the next month.

The Cleveland Orchestra just wrapped up a series of concerts led by Franz Welser-Möst, its music director. Steer explains that his compositions “juxtapose two works by Franz Schubert with Alban Berg’s ‘Lyric Suite’” along with “extremely talented vocalists, as well as the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus,” led by Lisa Wong.

In addition, Lauren Menke, a student ambassador for the Cleveland Orchestra, notes, “Sometimes the performances are more than just the orchestra—one time, two opera singers were featured. I realized I had never heard opera singing in person and that the two amazing soloists had traveled across an ocean to perform on a stage in Cleveland. The descriptor ‘a voice like an angel’ is overused, but I have no better way to describe the soprano soloist.”

In mid-February, Finnish conductor Klaus Mäkelä will conduct six perfor-

mances in Cleveland. Steer notes he is the principal conductor of the Oslo Philharmonic and “one of classical music’s young rising stars.”

Between the two performances, the Cleveland Orchestra will wrap up its residency in Miami with two performances of Tchaikovsky’s Pathétique and Violin Concerto.

Lastly, from Feb. 16-18, the Cleveland Orchestra will present Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 and the Mozart and Strauss program from Feb. 23-25. Steer notes that these concerts are great if you are “new to classical music” and that “you don’t have to be an expert on classical to appreciate the music.”

Going to the Cleveland Orchestra is something that many CWRU students have experienced. Menke explained that she originally got into orchestra music because her SAGES First Seminar professor took her class to see a Cleveland Orchestra performance. She expresses, “I have always liked music (especially live music) and it was amazing to me that such a great performance takes place every week practically on campus!”

The vibe of going to the Orchestra is different, as Menke explains, “Though Severance Hall is next door to Kelvin Smith Library, it feels completely dif-

The Cleveland Orchestra still has a few more concerts in the 2022-2023 season, which students can attend with a Frequent Fan Card or a Student Advantage Membership. Courtesy of Zachary Treseler

ferent.’’ It allows concertgoers to escape the stresses of university life, as the attendees enter the Art Deco and Egyptian Revival style Severance Music Center. And even then, not only has she seen CWRU students every time she has attended, but Menke notes now that you do not have to dress up and “that other concertgoers are happy to see young people attending orchestra concerts. Plus, no one really cares who is sitting

next to them; it is all about the music!”

To access these experiences, Steer says that students may either purchase a Frequent Fan Card for $35 to get unlimited access to the season’s performances or obtain a Student Advantage Membership, which enables them to buy $15 performance tickets. You can sign up at any time either by email or in person at their box office, and the perks start instantly.

Cleveland plans to expunge marijuana convictions en masse

Shreyas Banerjee Executive Editor

Cleveland may soon be making strides towards cannabis policy reform by expunging convictions related to misdemeanor marijuana cases.

Mayor Justin Bibb came into office promising to reform the city’s approach to criminal justice, primarily when it came to drug-related charges. While marijuana has been decriminalized in the city of Cleveland since 2020, with fines and jail time being eliminated for individuals carrying up to 200 grams of marijuana, thousands of Clevelanders remain who have been charged with marijuana-related crimes prior to 2020 and hundreds of those who were mistakenly charged by city prosecutors. Marijuana remains illegal in the state of Ohio except for medical usage so prosecutors are still able to technically supersede city law and charge individuals for marijuana usage, leading to the discrepancy. To honor the spirit of the city’s decriminalization, Bibb moved to expunge over 4,000 convictions for misdemeanor marijuana cases in April 2022, with the cases being affected dating back to 2017. However the mayor’s plan hit a snag as Ohio state law did not allow the city to file a motion clearing charges from the records of residents unilaterally, with individuals instead having to be the ones to initiate the expungement by filing their own motion. In the months since Bibb’s motion was blocked, the city has been trying to provide information to eligible residents to have their marijuana charges expunged or sealed via the Cleveland Municipal Court, but this remained a stop-gap solution.

Now, however, the city of Cleve -

land intends to try again following the passage of Ohio Senate Bill 288, which was signed into law by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine on Jan. 3. An amendment to the bill now allows prosecutors to initiate the process of sealing or expungement of fourthdegree or minor misdemeanor drug charges rather than requiring defendants to do so. With the law going into effect in April, the city will be able to try again to process and expunge the convictions in question.

The amendment came about due to lobbying by the Bibb administration for changes to state law regarding drug charges. While the Ohio state legislature is controlled by Republican supermajorities and Bibb is a Democrat, Bibb was able to work with state legislators on this issue, even if other policy conflicts surrounding issues like gun control and taxation remain between the deeply Democratic city and the increasingly Republican state.

“I think Republicans recognize the economic consequences,” Bibb said. “If folks can’t get a job or start a business, it doesn’t make us a competitive state long-term.”

Once the city moves to expunge or seal the convictions, it may still take time to completely settle as defendants must consent to having their charges revoked and judges must still approve each expungement individually, allowing them to factor in other charges the defendant may have and the city government’s case to wipe away the convictions.

“We’re going to go through a very deliberative process to get this done right,” Bibb said.

Mayor Justin Bibb (left) and City Council President Blaine Griffin (right) carry court motions on April 6, 2022 in their first failed attempt to expunge marijuana convictions and charges. Courtesy of Jake Zuckerman/Cleveland. com

Back to school tunes

Shejuti Wahed Video Editor Playlist of the week 1/20/23

Every new year, I find it impossible to push aside the feelings of excitement and nervous energy that come with my return to Case Western Reserve University. Something in the air whispers to me that fresh opportunities are just around the corner, and good things are waiting to happen. But this excitement is also dangerous—it comes with a lingering apprehension and fear of failure. What if things won’t be different? Despite being only halfway through the first month of 2023, I have already experienced an overwhelming rollercoaster of emotions associated with the new year, with change, with growing up and with appreciating life’s precious moments. This playlist covers the turbulent array of feelings that I predict I, as well as many other CWRU students, will inevitably experience over the course of the next semester.

“Special”

— SZA

SZA’s newly released album “SOS” features “Special,” a song about wanting to feel valuable after a prior relationship makes her feel disposable. Regardless of whether you are experiencing these romantic troubles, SZA’s lyrics about losing her individuality can feel all too relatable as we enter the new year.

“If It Wasn’t For The Nights” — ABBA

In my opinion, this song is among ABBA’s most underrated and one of their best. After a long and busy day, Björn Ulvaeus dreads coming home and having to deal with his suffocating thoughts. I recommend listening to this song after all your classes, labs or extracurriculars are over, rather than following in his footsteps and staring at the wall.

“You’re On Your Own, Kid” — Taylor Swift

This song might just be my favorite from Taylor’s latest album, “Midnights.” The bridge is the highlight of the song, as she advises us to make the most of the moments that feel real because we all grow up and life changes quickly.

“I Love Life, Thank You” — Mac Miller

The title track from Mac Miller’s posthumously released mixtape is one of the most uplifting rap songs I have listened to recently. Miller’s contagious optimism and his gratitude for life are perfect for starting the new year. The combination of an old-school, nostalgic vibe with a more modern rap style can easily cheer you up—plus you can’t help but smile at his silly outro and adlibs.

“You’re

So Vain” — Carly Simon

Unfortunately, I anticipate that some of my emotions this semester might lean towards the “angry at the world” end of the spectrum. This Carly Simon classic strikes all the right chords of sass, hurt and frustration. This song especially hits different when you can think of a person to sing it to, whether it be an ex, a political figure or even a TA.

“Dime Store Cowgirl” — Kacey Musgraves

I am aware that country music has a bad reputation, particularly among our generation. Honestly, I get it. But after my friend swore on the transformative power of Kacey Musgraves’ older albums, I became hooked. Something about her rich tone and relatable lyrics make her songs so easy to consume. Musgraves talks about leaving her hometown and feeling small and unimportant in the vast world, which I think a lot of us at CWRU can relate to.

“Today and Tomorrow” — Grace VanderWaal

Despite being infamous for singing in “cursive,” Grace VanderWaal has delivered some incredible music following her “America’s Got Talent” victory. This one is a soft, almost sickeningly sweet ukulele tune that fits any occasion, from snowy walks to romantic thoughts.

“I Know The End” — Phoebe Bridgers

This haunting, apocalyptic Phoebe Bridgers masterpiece portrays the end of the world and the ensuing chaos. In the song, she leaves her devastated hometown and chases “a new place to be from.”

“String Lights” — Peter McPoland

“That

Funny Feeling” — Phoebe Bridgers

My suitemates know I have a problem with saying goodbye. Every break, regardless if it’s four days or an entire month, I cry ugly tears before leaving. Peter McPoland recounts similar memories with his friends, from hanging up string lights to crying about the fear of growing up. But McPoland ends the song with “everything ends,” and I think it’s a healthy reminder for spring 2023—that everything, whether good or bad, will ultimately pass and we can be thankful for having such special moments to feel nostalgic for.

“This Charming

Man”

—

The Smiths

One of their most famous songs, “This Charming Man” is my go-to Smiths tune for shaking off bad energy. The lyrics are catchy and the beat is easy to follow, making it the perfect song for an impromptu dance party when school gets a little too overwhelming.

“Paradisin’”

— Rina Sawayama

Rina Sawayama’s “Paradisin’” is an energetic pop anthem that can easily function as yet another feel-good mood booster. The song describes Sawayama living her best life with her friends growing up, and the chaotic arcade sounds infused into the key change will forever remain memorable.

So many of my classmates have experienced “that funny feeling,” the indescribable sensation of things not being right, but being unable to describe what is wrong. If you ever feel like sitting on the floor and staring at the ceiling this semester, this Phoebe Bridgers cover is for you.

“Mr.

Blue” — Catherine Feeny

Fans of “Bojack Horseman” might instantly recognize the melody from the popular show’s final scene. Feeny’s voice is soothing and delicate with hints of nostalgia, fitting into the theme of leaving behind the blues and seeking personal growth.

“Slipping Through My Fingers”

— Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried Depending on your mood, this song can either be the sweetest or the most soul-crushing experience. It describes time flying by too quickly and a daughter growing up from a mother’s perspective. I recommend avoiding this song on the last day of the semester.

DreamWorks Exceeds Expectations with their Latest Film “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish”

While many serious moviegoers flocked to theaters for the long-awaited release of “Avatar: The Way of Water,” children—and those still children at heart—enjoyed the latest installment in the “Shrek” franchise. A sequel to 2011’s “Puss in Boots,” titled “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish,” has gathered widespread acclaim, even achieving a Rotten Tomatoes score of 96%.

What makes this movie, which was directed by Joel Crawford and released Dec. 21, unique is how it uses its simple characters—and a stacked cast of voice actors—to propel its thematic agenda. Tackling topics like mortality, companionship and family, “The Last Wish” surprised audiences—me included—with how seamlessly it incorporated these messages into what appears to be a simple children’s film.

The plot is a comical adventure revolving around everyone’s favorite

feline hero, Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas). Styled almost like a video game, various fairytale-inspired characters vie for the map of the Wishing Star which will grant the holder access to the titular Last Wish. Puss’s partners include Kitty Softpaws (Salma Hayek) and Perro (Harvey Guillén), an orphan dog Puss met at a cat rescue. Rounding out the character list are “Big” Jack Horner (John Mulaney) and Goldi (Florence Pugh) and the Three Bears. Parallel to their adventure, the film delves into the looming issue of Puss’s mortality as he is on the last of his nine feline lives and a Big Bad Wolf (Wagner Moura) is on the hunt to take the remaining one away.

At its core, the film is a run-of-themill quest story; it’s the characters and animation that make it interesting. Starting with Puss, we are finally given a dynamic character. Unlike

previous films which highlighted his prowess in battle, this film sheds light on his flaws and more honest desires: love, belonging and life. When faced with the menacing whistle of the Big Bad Wolf, we see our strong hero cower, fearful of his impending death. We bear witness to a version of Puss who is a fighter and a risk-taker, but not invincible. Over the course of the film we also get to see an empathetic and vulnerable side to Puss as he desires a relationship with Kitty and a friendship with Perro. A former lone fighter, Puss also learns to trust and seek the support of his comrades. Perro, notably, steals the show with his unbridled optimism and pure innocence. Despite his size, Perro bears the weight of some of the most emotional scenes in this film, teaching Puss and Kitty the power of friendship, and proving that hope can be a beacon of light in a world of darkness.

Character performances were only bolstered by a stylistic animation and flow that set this film apart from others in the franchise. Many reviewers have already noted the painterly animation style—similar to that of “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse”—which helps create the illusion of a fairytale in motion. Within this style, producers created seamless transitions from vibrant to more rustic art to convey changes in mood or theme. Altogether, the film sets a high watermark for animated films with its sophisticated visuals and more complex characterization.

“Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” is funny, serious and warm all at the same time. It swept me away with its artistic whimsy, but also grounded me with complex themes that felt real and relevant. There is a warmth in its loveable cast, easygoing plot and eyecatching visuals, making it truly special.

Shivangi Nanda Copy Editor

The titular Puss in Boots returns alongside old and new friends including Kitty Softpaws, Goldi, the Three Bears and other fairytale-inspired characters. Courtesy of DreamWorks Animation

Ahead of holidays, Nintendo releases a third wave of new tracks for “Mario Kart 8 Deluxe”

The new wave includes a surprising Custom Items rule and a nerf to the Lightning item

Elie Aoun Copy Editor

On Dec. 7, Nintendo released a third wave of new tracks for “Mario Kart 8 Deluxe” as part of the “Booster Course Pass DLC,” just as it had done for the previous two waves. This wave includes eight new tracks and a few unexpected changes to the base game.

The Lightning item was nerfed, making it unable to close a player’s glider when struck midair. Before this change, getting struck by the item—colloquially called being “shocked”—while using a glider would cause a player to fall out of bounds and suffer a huge setback. This new debuff means that players who have fallen behind can no longer “target shock” players in the front of the pack who are on a glider section in order to catch up. “Target shocks” have been an important strategy in the franchise since at least “Mario Kart Wii,” and while some have praised the change, others are displeased with its competitive implications.

The most notable addition alongside the new tracks is the option to enable a “Custom Items” rule before beginning a set of races. If toggled, this option allows players to manually remove any items they want from the game. Players can also have the game randomize which items are available, causing every set of races to run differently. The feature has countless applications from allowing players to disable the almost useless Coin item to creating a hectic race

with only Blue Shells. The “Custom Items” feature has been universally praised by the community for being a fresh feature in the game that can be tailored to the desires of every player. Like the previous two waves, this DLC (“downloadable content”) includes two Grand Prix with four tracks each, bringing the total number of DLC tracks to 24.

The Rock Cup

This Grand Prix begins with London Loop, a city track from “Mario Kart Tour.” The track contains numerous famous landmarks, including Big Ben, the London Eye, the Tower of London and Nelson’s Column. As is the norm with city tracks, London Loop takes racers on very different routes each lap, which is jarring for new players. The road is mostly clear with the exception of a few iconic red buses and colossal Chain Chomps guarding the streets. There are only a few shortcuts through sections of grass, and the aesthetics of the track are nothing special. Still, the track’s rock music is upbeat and fresh. In to tal, the track is enjoyable but lacks anything particularly exciting in its layout.

6/10

The next track is Boo Lake from “Mario Kart: Super Circuit” for the Game Boy Advance. The DLC ver sion of this track actually resembles

both are drastically different from the original on account of their large underwater sections and steep elevation changes in certain areas. The track’s layout presents a few challenges for racers, especially on the sharp U-turn in the middle of the lap. Boo Lake sadly suffers from being too short— the world record time is around one minute—and has no obstacles and only a single practical shortcut. The music is eerie and fits the track’s spooky vibe, but not much else can be said about the track as a whole.

5/10

The third track in this Grand Prix is Rock Rock Mountain from “Mario Kart 7” for the 3DS. The track is exciting to play, with multiple glider ramps, a massive grass shortcut, a rare glider shortcut and tum-

bling boulders in an uphill mountain section. The columns of rocks and swarms of bats in the cave section keep the track challenging. The music is wonderful and the lush visuals of mountains and forests are stunning. Rock Rock Mountain is a joy to race for players of all skill levels, and it has earned its place as an iconic track in the franchise.

9/10

Regarding iconic tracks, few can surpass the legacy of the Rock Cup’s final track, Maple Treeway from “Mario Kart Wii.” Nintendo succeeded in adapting this legendary track for “Mario Kart 8 Deluxe” without making any fundamental changes, except for swapping the net section before the finish line for a glider section. The DLC version of

Maple Treeway retains everything that made the original track amazing: the long curvy turns, the infamous half-pipe, the two giant Wigglers and the leaf piles that drop items when hit. The track’s visuals and music are breathtaking. This difficult and nostalgic track ranks among the best in the entire franchise.

10/10

The Moon Cup

The second Grand Prix begins with Berlin Byways from “Mario Kart Tour.” Players begin facing the Brandenburg Gate and can drive through many famous monuments, including the Victory Column and the Ober-

baum Bridge. This track’s layout changes every lap, and the inclusion of moving cars can make it a grueling experience to drive. There are several Thwomps scattered throughout the track to crush players and several grass shortcuts. Berlin Byways’ techno music and visuals are below average for the DLC, and the track itself presents many challenges while not being remarkable.

5/10

Next comes Peach Gardens from “Mario Kart DS” and later “Mario Kart Wii.” This track is iconic in its own right and retains many of its most noteworthy elements in the

Nintendo fundamentally altered the classic track Peach Gardens by forcing racers to drive backward on the third lap, a fresh change that has received mostly positive praise. Courtesy of Nintendo

from “Mario Kart Tour.” This festive course takes players up and down the same mountain each lap, with Christmas iconography such as candy canes and presents strewn all over the track. The track has a few shortcuts, but it lacks any significant obstacles. Near the start of the track, the road briefly splits into two possible paths, which adds depth to the course. The music and visuals are fitting for a track meant to evoke feelings of Christmas cheer, but Merry Mountain lacks any exciting elements beyond its aesthetic.

5/10

DLC, including the grass shortcuts, Chain Chomps, giant Piranha Plant and Monty Moles. However, Nintendo made a monumental change to the new Peach Gardens by forcing players to drive through the track backward on the third lap. The track’s alteration has been received positively by most fans. The calm music sets a nice tone for the track, and the bright visuals are a pleasant sight. Peach Gardens is certainly a welcome addition to wave three of the DLC.

8/10

Nintendo made sure to include a Christmas-themed experience with the next track, Merry Mountain

The third wave of DLC tracks ends with the iconic version of Rainbow Road from “Mario Kart 7” for the 3DS. This track deserves nothing but praise, as the experience of racing on Saturn’s rings and the surface of the Moon is unmatched. The numerous Glide Ramps and Dash Panels keep players alert and excited while they drive and glide over the celestial spheres. The track’s vibrant visuals are a strong contender for the best in the whole game, and the electrifying music complements the experience of racing in space. 3DS Rainbow Road was the perfect pick for “Mario Kart 8 Deluxe,” and its inclusion sets a high bar for Nintendo’s future DLC waves.

10/10

The third wave of the Booster Course Pass released during the holiday season and fittingly includes Merry Mountain, a Christmas-themed track. Courtesy of Nintendo

Tarun’s LOLs

The signs as characters in Abbott Elementary

Janine Teagues

Weekly Tarot

Read by Mulan Ma

Temperance (Upright)

Sometimes it is best to leave your emotions away from a situation that has already taken enough of your energy.

Jacob Hill

Taylor Howard

Mr. Johnson

Courtney

Zach

Ava Coleman

The High Priestess (Reversed)

Other people’s opinions are straying you away from yourself.

The Devil (Upright)

Just because it’s syllabus week does not mean it is time to slack off, start the semester strong.

The Magician (Reversed)

You have a lot of goals in the new year but you have yet to bring any action to them. Don’t put off your resolutions this time.

Strength (Upright)

You will be approached with a challenge and expected to be confident and act as a leader. Know that you were chosen for this opportunity for a reason.

The Moon (Upright)

Your imagination is great but you mustn’t get attached to fantasy

The Empress (Upright)

Your friends will need your opinion and advice for situations with their lives.

Four of Coins (Reversed)

A chance to gain a small fortune will cross your path, do not entertain it. You will lose more than you will gain.

Four of Wands (Upright)

Stable relationships that will bring you good memories and cheer shall come your way.

The Star (Upright)

Have faith when you don’t know what you’re doing; sometimes you just need to go with your gut.

The Chariot (Reversed)

Don’t let the little things pile up, you can only get big rewards by taking small risks one day at a time.

Queen of Cups (Upright)

By fate, a wise woman will come to your side when you need the council.

Barbara Howard Sahar

Melissa Schemmenti Tariq Temple

Gregory Eddie

Horoscope

Word Search:

Crossword

What we’ve been listening to

Why Do Fools Fall in Love

Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers

Shreyas Banerjee

Run Away To Mars TALK

Rachel Alexander

So Much Wine Phoebe Bridgers

Shejuti Wahed

Te Boté - Remix

Nio Garcia, Casper Magico, Bad Bunny, Darell, Ozuna, Nicky Jam

Joce Ortiz

Raydar JID

Sara Khorshidi

$20 Boygenius, Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus

Kate Gordon

Chrome Country Oneohtrix Point Never

Shifra Narasimhan

Baby Queen Gorillaz

Beau Bilinovich

Rollin Stone

Little Simz

Clay Preusch

La forét Lescop

Mulan Ma

Bored in Bristol Alvvays Tarun Sepuri

The CWRU Film Society Presents The 48th

Annual Science Fiction Marathon

STROSACKER AUDITORIUM

Friday, January 20, 2022 8:00 p.m.

p.m.

Gone Wrong (2021, PG, DCP) 2:50 p.m. Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla (1974, G, 35mm) 4:30 p.m. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1916, Passed, Digital)

6:10 p.m. Ghostbusters (1984, PG, 70mm)

8:10 p.m. Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (1961, PG, Digital)

10:10 p.m. Army of Darkness (1992, R, 35mm) 11:50 p.m. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982, PG, 35mm)

Longest running movie marathon in the USA

$4.00 per movie or $30.00 for the weekend. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. Friday. Schedule subject to change.

For more details, please check http://films.cwru.edu/sfmarathon48

Editorial: Let’s slow down and live in the present moment

Editorial Board

We’ve made our way to another year and another spring semester, somehow. With time flying by and the nearer we get to living an “adult” life, there can be an overwhelming amount of pressure to know what you are doing each summer. Especially for those graduating, it can be anxiety-inducing if you don’t already have a job, internship or other opportunity lined up. However, being uncertain and unsure is incredibly okay. While it can be nerve-racking not having security about the future, it is also important to remember that it is okay not to always dwell on it. Even if you are certain of what you are doing in a few months or further off in the future, the same sentiment still applies. Sometimes it’s better to just slow down and enjoy your undergraduate years.

We’ve all heard eye-roll worthy platitudes about slowing down and living in the moment. After all, many of us are overachievers and want to strive for success to ensure a better future. So we overwhelm ourselves with courses, extracurriculars, internships and jobs. And while to a certain ex-

tent, this is essential so that we don’t end up jobless in the aftermath, the constant rat race can destroy our college experience and prevent us from growing in other, nonacademic ways. To clarify, slowing down and being more present does not necessarily mean going out on the weekends or hanging out with friends. Rather, it is being “aware and mindful of what is happening at this very moment,” psychologists note.

Again, “living in the present” or “moment” are overused sayings, but that does not mean they don’t have some truth to them. As college students who are constantly thinking about the future or even the past, it might be beneficial to incorporate some habits of being present in our lives. There are many ways to do this—such as meditation, breathing techniques, daily reflections, engaging more with nature, acceptance of uncertainty and much more. There is no “right” way to slow down and be more present, but perhaps, making the active decision to do so is what some of us need in these fleeting years.

Confrontation versus conflict

Enya Eettickal Staff Writer

At the beginning of the new year, I was contemplating what resolutions I really wanted to make. I had thought about resolving to get into less pointless debates. But not even 24 hours into the year, new arguments had started among my friends. Most topics were simple, like a good old “chocolate or vanilla” argument—I was content to let this one pass without getting involved. But one of the debates that stood out to me was the distinction between confrontation and conflict. Namely, some of my friends understood them to mean the exact same thing.

At that point, I couldn’t help myself, because I couldn’t have disagreed more.

The distinction between conflict and confrontation is an insanely important one. While they don’t mean the same thing, they often coexist. Understanding how confrontational you’re willing to be, or how conflict averse you are, can be really helpful to understanding your role in social settings and team environments.

However, what is the difference between the two? I think confrontation is the willingness to address difficult topics, while conflict is the willingness to engage in tense interpersonal relationships. They may seem similar, but they can be mutually exclusive. It’s easier to visualize as a chart with four different combinations.

First, you have those who are pro-confrontation and pro-conflict. These are people that I would classify as combatant. They aren’t afraid to have difficult conversations or discuss taboo topics, but they don’t moderate

the observer

established in 1969 by the undergraduate students of case western reserve university executive editor & publisher SHREYAS BANERJEE

PRINT

director of print SARA KHORSHIDI

news editor GRACE JOHNSON

life editor JOEY GONZALEZ

opinion editor KARUNA LAKHIANI

sports editor PUNEET BANSAL

development editor BEAU BILINOVICH

engagement editor MULAN MA

copy editor SHIVANGI NANDA

copy editor LEXY JENSEN

copy editor RACHEL ALEXANDER

copy editor ELIE AOUN

copy editor KATE GORDON

DIGITAL MEDIA

director of digital media JOCELYN ORTIZ

social media editor SOPHIA POPKIN

photo editor CLAY PREUSCH

web editor COLLIN WONG

DESIGN

director of design TARUN SEPURI

layout designer SHIFRA NARASIMHAN

graphic designer TYLER VU

BUSINESS

director of business operations KHUSHALI DESAI business manager MATTHEW CHANG busines manager MOHIT KOSURU

business manager RYAN CHOU

their delivery of opinions or perspectives and don’t consider the consequences of their actions. They can be great at conflict resolution, but they often just don’t care to do so.

Next, you have those who are both anti-confrontation and anticonflict, who we can call pacifists. Pacifists are those who avoid difficult conversations like the plague because they assume it is inevitable someone’s feelings would get hurt, or relationships will be strained or negatively impacted. They prioritize making sure others aren’t uncomfortable because of what’s been said and prefer passive peace when possible.

Then you have those who are pro-confrontation but anti-conflict. I call this type of personality an advocate. These individuals strongly believe people need to have difficult conversations to streamline productivity. They try to find the most efficient way to have tough conversations while still preserving people’s feelings and keeping others engaged. They’re often seen as the mediator in team settings.

Lastly, you have people who are pro-conflict but anti-confrontation. These individuals are instigators. Why this type exists is beyond my understanding, but they are very skilled at creating conflict. Whether it be through rumors, gossip or strategically being passive-aggressive, they know how to stir conflict. However when it comes time to address these conflicts directly, they run away and disengage.

Any combination has their drawbacks. Combatant personalities can create a lot of instability if left unchecked. Pacifists can fall into a

The Observer is the weekly undergraduate student newspaper of Case Western Reserve University. Established in 1969, The Observer reports news affecting students and provides an editorial forum for the university community. Unsigned editorials are typically wri tten by the opinion editor but reflect the majority opinion of the se nior editorial staff. Opinion columns are the views of their writers and not necessarily of The Observer staff. For advertising information, contact The Observer at (216) 302-4442 or e-mail observer-ads@case.edu.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR should be e-mailed to observer@case.edu or submitted on our website at observer.case.edu. Letters can be mailed to Thwing Center 11111 Euclid Avenue, Suite 01, Cleveland, Ohio 44106. For policy and guidelines related to the submission of Letters to the Editor, refer to observer.case.edu/submit-a-letter.

The Observer is a proud member of CWRU’s University Media Board. Follow The Observer on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Instagram @cwruobserver.

bystander role when things go awry. Advocates can get burnt out from constantly pushing for peace and clear communication. And instigators can be difficult to address, to say the least. On the other hand, these personalities also have their benefits. While mediators have a clearer set purpose, both combatant personalities and pacifists can play key social roles within larger groups. While a lack of tact can be a problem for those who don’t fear confrontation or conflict, it can be a great check on instigators. Pacifists can help stabilize and pace high emotions and the rate at which hard conversations happen. Instigators are the only group that don’t have any clear positives— but they’re almost always guaranteed

to exist within a larger group. So now knowing the varying conflict and confrontation personality types, what now? Honestly, understanding where you fall is a great start. These labels and designations exist as a spectrum. Anyone can be pushed into another category if the circumstances make it possible. However, knowing where you fall can provide some insight into your role in larger groups when dealing with conflict. And, unless you’re an instigator, there’s no immediate need for you to change the role you fill, unless you feel the need to do so. It’s just about recognizing the dynamics at play and how your individual outlook can help optimize the road to peace.

The pitfalls of climate activism

Milo Vetter Staff Writer

There’s a stereotype that climate activists are idealists with little to no understanding of what they’re trying to change. That stereotype may be an exaggeration, but it is sometimes accurate. When I first learned about Case Western Reserve University’s undergraduate climate advocacy group, Sunrise CWRU, I became curious about whether this stereotype applies to the student activists at CWRU. Sunrise makes strong demands from the university administration, and I, as much as anyone, would like to see these demands met, but to what extent are they possible?

The organization wants to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, but what does that current dependence look like?

To find out, I interviewed Stephanie Corbett, the director of CWRU’s Office of Energy and Sustainability along with the University Farm. She told me that a large portion of CWRU’s greenhouse emissions come from the Medical Center Company’s natural gas plant on the south side of University Hospitals—those creepy smokestacks that you can see from the Agnar Pytte Center for Science Education and Research. This plant burns natural gas to make steam for heating, while a separate plant produces chilled water. While this system does cause unavoidable emissions, it is comparatively much more efficient than other options for heating and cooling around campus. “Because [the Medical Center Company] creates the chilled water for those buildings, that means we don’t have to have other small chillers from building to building. So there is some efficiency to be gained,” Corbett said.

So, if we hypothetically wanted to stop CWRU’s reliance on the Medi -

cal Center Company’s natural gas combustion, how would CWRU do it? Well, somebody would have to add water heaters and chillers to any building that needs to be heated or any lab that needs to be cooled. Of course, the steam and chilled water plants would still be necessary for other buildings that are not affiliated with CWRU, making them far less efficient in their operations as they would continue spewing emissions but for the service of less buildings. Not to mention that all of the infrastructure that distributes steam and chilled water around campus would be abandoned as well, and new infrastructure would have to replace it. This is, obviously, an extremely expensive solution—especially considering that these new electric heaters and chillers would be less efficient (due to smaller scale) and more expensive to operate. And for what benefit? After all, an electric water heater is only as green as the electricity that powers it. The demand to reduce reliance on natural gas seemed so simple—so, where did we go wrong?

The problem presented by this kind of climate advocacy is illustrated in a 2022 book “How the World Really Works” by Vaclav Smil, an interdisciplinary scientist and author with a focus in energy studies. There are a couple of chapters about globalization and the mechanics of supply chains, but the book is mainly a criticism of climate activism. To a climate activist, the idea of a net-zero world by 2050 may seem overly optimistic but possible. However, to Smil, it is completely laughable.

The conversation about greenhouse gases focuses mainly on electricity and sometimes transportation, but these make up only a fraction

Picture of the Week

of global emissions. According to a 2014 International Panel on Climate Change report, while electricity and transportation make up 25% and 14% of emissions, agriculture and industry make up 24% and 21%, respectively. While the decarbonization of the first two sectors is feasible, the same isn’t true about the other two.

To show why, Smil identifies what he calls “the four pillars of modern civilization.” First is ammonia, the main ingredient in the plant fertilizers that enable us to feed seven billion people. Next is plastics, a broad category of petroleum-based materials that exist in almost everything we consume, from furniture to clothing to packaging. The third is steel, a material so ubiquitous that it speaks for itself. The last is cement, the backbone of modern infrastructure and architecture. All of these materials are essential to our society, and they are both irreplaceable at the moment and impossible to produce without carbon emissions. Smil then goes on to describe the logistic reality of phasing out the four pillars. Long story short, it would require a majority of the population to return to agriculture and a halt of almost all construction and industry—including the kind that saves lives.

Now, I personally find a sense of comfort in knowing what’s possible and what’s impossible; however, I understand that for many concerned with the climate crisis, the last two paragraphs must have felt a little bit like a bucket of ice water thrown over their head. I do want to distance myself from Smil’s work, mainly because he spends quite a bit of it ridiculing and criticizing climate activists for their apparent inability to recognize reality. I think that as-

sessment is wrong because the reason why climate activists largely ignore agriculture and industry in favor of electricity and transportation is precisely because the former two cannot be mitigated easily. They simply focus on the work that can be done and allocate their efforts accordingly.

We can apply this philosophy here at CWRU. Since replacing the gas plant would be prohibitively expensive, what should we do instead?

The Office of Energy and Sustainability is hard at work on these problems, with solutions like more food waste composting, increased energy efficiency, reduced consumption and investment in renewable energy sources both on and off campus. One windmill just isn’t going to cut it!. To facilitate this process, we should continue to advocate for more funding allocated to climate solutions— especially energy renewability and efficiency.

It’s tempting to think about climate action as one big thing you accomplish and then the problem is solved, but that kind of thinking is a recipe for burnout. Climate change isn’t something that either happens or doesn’t happen. Every month you spend without eating meat is a family that doesn’t have to abandon their Central American home due to aridification; every commitment an institution achieves is a building in Puerto Rico that isn’t destroyed by the next hurricane. Stephanie Corbett echoed this sentiment when, paraphrasing CWRU’s 2011 Climate Action Plan, she said, “achieving a climate action plan … is like running a marathon. It’s not a sprint.” Climate action should not be an intense fight by a few people but instead a consistent fight by all of us.

Shreyas Banerjee

Men’s basketball 11-game win streak ends in UAA play

the hardest working players on our team without question.”

Frilling himself scored 16 points to become the 20th player in program history to reach 1,000 career points. Completed in only 63 games, Frilling is the second fastest in school history to achieve this victory. Frilling finished the game shooting 7-13 overall and 8 rebounds, getting his 16th point hitting a free throw with 38 seconds left.

Frilling has been noted as an inspiration for everyone on the team, having had great seasons since his first year. Elam discusses how Frilling “is such an example for everybody else in the team.” The dynamic between Frilling and Elam is also one full of hard-work and determination, where Frilling notes that Elam “pushes me and I like pushing him too” during practice to see the amazing performance that we saw during this game.

half, but Rochester maintained the lead for most of the game. The Spartans had a 7-0 run with 4:46 minutes left before halftime, but the Yellow Jackets stole their momentum with a 17-3 run to finish the first half 42-32.

The second half was even more difficult for the Spartans, as they found themselves in a 24-point hole with 8:37 left on the clock. A CWRU comeback attempt cut the deficit to 14 with 4:18 left in the game after Elam made a jump shot and a free throw, but the team was unable to pull it off. The final score stood at 69-85.

CWRU was put in a similar situation against Emory on Sunday Jan. 15, but once again their attempts failed, as the Spartans lost in overtime 81-90. The Eagles led the entire first half and went to halftime with a 41-31 lead.

The Case Western Reserve University men’s basketball team continued to break school records after finishing their non-conference play undefeated 10-0. Graduate student guard Mitch Prendergast missed the first eight games of the season due to injury but came back strong, leading the team with 23 points in their game against Hilbert University on Sunday, Jan 1. The final non-conference game at Buffalo State College, scheduled for Jan. 4, was canceled due to weather conditions.

The team, ranked No. 10 at the time, started their UAA conference play strong with their win against Carnegie Mellon University 74-69 on Saturday Jan. 7. Third-year forward Ian Elam, recorded the first double-double of his career,

leading the team with 21 points and 11 rebounds while shooting 76% from the field.

In a post game interview, Elam attributed his success on the court to his teammates, saying, “It’s exciting, I was getting the ball in the right places, Danny created so many great looks for me and the ball just kept going in.”

Elam has had an amazing trajectory with CWRU’s basketball team, leaving the bench to become a starting player this season. Elam discussed how an unfortunate injury ended third-year forward Hunter Drenth’s season and opened a spot for Elam to “step in” for his team. Fourth-year forward Cole Frilling attributes Elam’s success to his hard-working nature. Frilling notes that Elam is “one of

The then No. 7 Spartans ended their 11-0 streak during their next two conference games against No. 9 University of Rochester and No. 16 Emory University, staying one win away from the longest winning stretch in program history. After both losses the Spartans are now 1-2 in their UAA conference game mark. They also lost their spot in the top 10 from d3hoops, dropping to No. 19 following the losses.

The Rochester stands were packed with students rooting against CWRU’s basketball team on the night of Friday, Jan. 13. During their game, graduate student guard Danny Frauenheim led the team with 21 points along with secondyear forward Umar Rashid. This was not enough to secure the win, as the team overall struggled to make their shots, shooting 26-66 overall compared to Rochester’s 32-59. Their 3-pointer efficiency was also low, hitting only 22.7%. The score remained close during the first

WRESTLING continued from pg. 1

The Spartans followed with a sweep at the Mel Berry Duals a few days later. In Greenville, Pennsylvania, they took on Penn State Behrend University where Alizio kicked things off in the 125 pounds class with a 14-0 win by major decision. Gregg pinned his opponent in 6:49 at 133 pounds, Rowan pinned in 45 seconds at 149 pounds, fourth-year Mitchell Arch won by fall in 2:04 in 157 pounds and first-year John Conover pinned in 1:29 at 165 pounds. Second-year Calvin Cai won 12-4 in major decision at 174 pounds and firstyear Connor Heineman won 17-0 in a technical fall at 197 pounds to round off the 43-12 win.

The second match against Thiel College was much more competitive.

Alizio had the same start, winning by fall in 5:53. After a loss in the 133 pounds, Martinez won with an 11-5 decision at 141 pounds to retake the lead. Thiel tied it 9-9 in the 149 pounds, but Arch and Lande each recorded technical falls in the 165 pounds and 157 pounds, respectively, giving the Spartans a 19-9 advantage. Thiel came cut the lead 2216, but first-year Keith Heineman won a 9-6 decision at 285 pounds to seal the 25-16 CWRU victory.

When asked about the success in the Mel Berry Duals, Coach Malave said, “It was across the board a complete

team effort. Seeing guys move around within the lineup and helping us do what it takes to win and taking those gradual steps as a program to get better.”

CWRU hosted the Claude Sharer Duals in the Veale Center on Jan. 14. The Spartans first competed against Muskingum University, handily taking the 39-10 victory. Alizio won 10-3 decision, Gregg won 10-1 decision and Cai won 22-4 via a technical fall. Arch and Keith Heineman also took wins with first period falls, bringing the final score to 39-10.

Against Wilmington College, the Spartans won due to five forfeits in the 125, 133, 141, 149 and 184 pound matches. Wagner won via pin, Conover recorded a fall in the 174 pounds and Landes took a technical fall to win 17-1 in the 165 pounds to take the 47-8 win.

The Spartans faced much tougher competition against Otterbein University. After taking a 17-0 lead following victories from Alizio, Gregg, Martinez and Rowan, Otterbein struck back with four wins to take the 18-17 lead. Otterbein eventually won the deciding match at 285 pounds and took the 22-17 win.

CWRU bounced back against Washington & Jefferson University 40-9. Alizio earned his third win and Martinez’s victory started a seven-match winning streak. The Spartans earned the

40-9 victory to cap off their weekend with a 3-1 record.

Alizio was named the UAA Wrestler of the Week for the first time in his career following his success at the Claude Sharer Duals. He was also named the Spartan Club Athlete of the Week.

The wrestling team will host the Dr. Si Ostrach Duals in the Veale Center on Jan. 21, with Waynesburg University, Defiance College, Albion College and

In the fourth quarter, the Spartans took the 61-60 lead after Prendergast made a jump shot with 9:38 seconds left of the second half. Emory tied it at 70-70 with 3:27 left after a 5-0 run. The Eagles stole back the lead 75-73 but with 7 seconds left, Prendergast hit a jump shot to push the game into overtime.

During these five extra minutes, the Spartans struggled to score, and the Eagles took the game 90-81.

After two difficult games, the Spartans hope to bounce back during their upcoming home games on Friday, Jan. 20 against Washington University in St. Louis (3-0 in UAA) and on Sunday, Jan. 22 against the University of Chicago (03). Despite their losing streak, this team has continued to impress and is still one of the top contenders for their UAA conference. No team is expected to reach their conference with as many wins as Emory University did last year. It will be a close race against some of the highest performing teams in the NCAA Division III.

St. John Fisher University attending. The Spartans will round out the month at the Pete Willson Invite hosted by Wheaton College in Illinois from Jan. 27-28. On Feb. 4, the team will travel to Hiram, Ohio for a tri-meet before participating in the UAA Championship in Chicago. Qualifying athletes will compete in the NCAA Central Regionals from Feb. 2526 and the NCAA Championships from March 10-11.

Paola Van Der Linden Costello Contributing Writer

Fourth-year forward Cole Frilling scores 16 points in a game against Carnegie Mellon University, reaching 1,000 career points and becoming the 20th player in CWRU’s history to achieve such a milestone. Courtesy of CWRU Athletics

CWRU first-year Jacob Gregg grapples with his opponent during the Jan. 14 Claude Sharer Duals. Courtesy of CWRU Athletics

Cavs’ road woes continue against Timberwolves

Taniskha Mhaskar Staff Writer

The Cleveland Cavaliers surrendered a 110-102 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Jan. 14 as they ran out of gas in their late game collapse. Cleveland won two of the five games on their road trip.

Power forward Evan Mobley and center Jarrett Allen put up 19 points and eight rebounds a piece. Rising star guard Darius Garland had 15 points and All-Star candidate Donovan Mitchell put up 14 more but shot an abysmal 5/16 from the field. The Cavs as a whole played an inconsistent game, their largest lead was 14 points in the third quarter before they slowed down to trail Minnesota by 13.

The scoreboard and team’s momentum shifted negatively in the last half of the game because of a lack of execution from the offense down the stretch. Cleveland allowed 60 points in the paint, due mostly to self-inflicted mistakes resulting in 18 turnovers.

The Cavs will need more from their bench in future games as shooting guard Caris LeVert was the only player to finish with double digit points. Though Minnesota’s bench outscored Cleveland’s 56-27, the key issues stem from a season-long struggle on the road where they have a record of 9-13.

At home the Cavs are 18-4, scoring 114 points per game with a defensive rating of 107.2 and a net rating of 8.1.

On the road, they score only 109 points per game while their defensive rating on the road is 111.4 and their net rating is 0.8.

When asked about their road struggles, Mitchell said, “I think it comes from experience. I think that’s the biggest thing. We’re getting close to a point where it’s time to go, you know what I mean? We feel that. We had an opportunity to go 3-2 on this road trip and had an opportunity to go 4-1 with what happened in Utah. But we didn’t. We need to start picking it up. If we want to be who we want to be we have to win on the road. Just can’t be a home team. We have moments. We have flashes. But now we have to put it all together.”

This last road trip was the sixth multi-game road trip that Cleveland has had this season. Each trip has resulted in the same thing: either split or with a losing record. So, what is the reason that the Cavaliers are struggling on the road?

According to Mobley, “Lack of execution down the stretch. Winning on the road is always harder because you don’t have the crowd with you, so you really have to execute each play. I feel like it’s on the road where it’s happening, and we just have to correct it and fix it.”

Cleveland is now 28-17 and No. 5 in

the Eastern Conference a game and a half behind the Brooklyn Nets for second place. As the midway point of the

season and the All-Star Break nears, Cleveland must find an answer to fix their road woes.

Scores and Upcoming Games

Women’s Basketball

Men’s Basketball

W 93-58

CWRU at Medaille (12/12) - W 94-71

CWRU vs Earlham (12/18) - W 85-55

CWRU vs Hilbert (1/1) - W 96-78

CWRU vs CMU (1/7) - W 74-69

CWRU vs Washington (1/20)

CWRU vs UChicago (1/22)

CWRU at Brandeis (1/27)

CWRU at NYU (1/29)

Wrestling

CWRU vs Penn St.-Behrend (1/10)W 43-12

CWRU at Thiel (1/10)W 25-16

CWRU at Claude Sharer Duals (1/14) : Muskingum - W 39-10

Wilmington - W 47-8

Otterbein - L 22-17

Washington & Jefferson - W 40-9

CWRU at SI Ostrach Meet (1/21)

CWRU at Pete Willson Invitational (1/27-1/28)

CWRU at Hiram (2/4)

CWRU vs Heidelberg (2/4)

Cleveland Cavaliers shooting guard Isaac Okoro blocks Minnesota Timberwolves player Anthony Edwards in the Cavs’ loss on Jan. 14. Courtesy of the Associated Press