Observer
NEWS
Friday, February 7, 2025 Volume LVI, Issue 18 Est. 1969
Federal funding cuts affect CWRU students, faculty researchers
Vani Subramony News Editor
On Jan. 27, President Donald Trump’s administration’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a memo requiring a pause on “all activities related to obligation or disbursement of all Federal financial assistance, and other relevant agency activities that may be implicated by the executive orders, including, but not limited to, financial assistance for foreign aid, nongovernmental organizations, DEI, woke gender ideology, and the green new deal.” In doing so, universities across the nation were flung into chaos and uncertainty.
In a campus-wide email on Jan. 28, Case Western Reserve University President Eric Kaler commented on Trump’s executive orders and what they mean for students and faculty. He wrote, “These measures could significantly impact how we as a university operate, from where we receive critical funding, how we conduct research, with whom and how we can collaborate on impactful projects, and, importantly, who can study and work at Case Western Reserve.” Referencing the OMB’s memo, Kaler said, “It is unclear what the full scope of this memo is as well as its legality. However, we believe it could have a considerable impact on our current and pending federal funding.”
“Cilantro
On Jan. 29, Kaler released a followup to his previous email, noting that the OMB rescinded their memo but that “there remains uncertainty around the new administration’s executive orders and their impact on higher education.” Kaler also announced a new page on the Office of Research and Technology Management website, meant to “help
our researchers better understand the changing research environment.” The webpage offers information on how to submit funding proposals and manage monetary awards, in addition to providing links to official CWRU and White House statements related to research funding. The page also notes the uncertainty of future federal re-
Lucas Yang/The Observer
search funding, stating that “Changes to research compliance requirements and award reporting requirements are expected. These could be implemented by a federal agency or on a project-by-project basis.”
Continue reading on page 2
Day” brings community together to support
a local institution
Kate Gordon Life Editor
This past Saturday, Feb. 1, Cleveland Heights residents and Case Western Reserve University students alike turned out in large numbers to support Cilantro Taqueria’s Coventry Village location. The restaurant was reopened following a raid from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) where six employees were arrested and detained, causing two of Cilantro’s six locations across the greater Cleveland area to shut down temporarily. After widespread outrage from the Cleveland community, both on social media and in real life, residents were determined to support the restaurant when it reopened. Enter “Día de Cilantro” or “Cilantro Day,” an event started by Coventry via their official Instagram account to get as many people as possible to patronize and stand in solidarity with the restaurant—and tip generously, of course. Cilantro, although not actually located on the CWRU campus, is arguably a Case institution. I’ve never gone to the Coventry location—situated a short shuttle, bus or car ride up the road from Little Italy—and not seen at least one other student there. And we students
don’t congregate for its convenience or late hours or proximity to the Grog Shop. Anyone who’s been to Cilantro can attest that the food is some of the best in the area. If you’re unfamiliar with the setup, they have the same build-your-own-bowl approach as Chipotle but with authentic Mexican dishes and portion sizes that can actually last
you more than one meal (although I find I have a hard time not devouring my entire meal on the spot). Cilantro’s CWRU cult status coupled with its genuinely kind employees made the news of the ICE arrests particularly distressing, and a scary sign of what is perhaps to come even in a relatively small city like Cleveland from Presi-
dent Donald Trump’s administration. With all of this in mind, however, “Cilantro Day” wasn’t a heavy occasion in the slightest. Coventry advertised the event with five tips to make the day go smoothly, all of which ended up playing out, at least in my experience of visiting the restaurant. First tip: Good vibes. “This is about loving, encouraging and celebrating our neighbors at Cilantro. They don’t want to be the center of a regional debate … Save protest and political energy for another space,” read the post. That one was easily checked off. Second tip: Decorate. While no one was actively decorating the building when I arrived, the windows were covered in a slew of colorful, hand-drawn signs, both in English and Spanish. According to Kelly Kennedy of Cleveland 19 News, many of the signs were made by three local children who ate at the restaurant every night when they first moved to the area. “Your neighbors on Euclid Heights Blvd love you,” “No one is illegal on stolen land” and “Te queremos y te apoyamos” read three of the more prominent messages. The latter means “We love you and we support you” in Spanish.
Continue reading on page 4
Coventry locals showed up for “Cilantro Day” on Feb. 1 to support the beloved establishment after ICE raids earlier in the week. Children in the area decorated the windows of Cilantro Taqueria with messages of love and strength. Kate Gordon/The Observer
Federal funding cuts from page 1
CWRU’s Undergraduate Student Government (USG) also issued a statement on Trump’s recent executive orders and the OMB memo, acknowledging the “shifts in financial aid policies, student loan programs, federal funding for universities, and ongoing threats to the rights of marginalized communities and DEI initiatives.” The email included links to several campus resources including the Office of University Financial Aid and University Health and Counseling Services. USG emphasized the
importance of open dialogue and community and announced a pending town hall to “discuss the implications of the new Executive Orders and the steps we can take as a student body to support one another.”
Despite the rescission of the OMB’s memo, many CWRU students and faculty continue to face the effects of the executive orders and federal financial assistance changes, especially those conducting research.
One student, who requested to remain anonymous, said that her post-
doctoral researcher left the lab because there was not enough funding to pay him. The student’s lab receives some internal and private grants, and she assumes that they will continue to receive some funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, she believes that the funding changes will make future research more difficult for her and other students doing research for course credit. “I came to Case because of the accessibility of research, especially for undergraduate stu-
dents in STEM,” she said. “I know some of my friends who are in different research labs have expressed similar sentiments regarding funding concerns.”
Economics professor Susan Helper echoed these worries. Her research is supported by a grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation which, though paused for a few days, was allowed to resume. Helper said, “The Trump Administration’s action in pausing funding is a very serious breach of law and past practice.”
RHA provides mobile barber service through Campus Cuts initiative
Sabrina Feldberg Contributing Writer
“One challenge students face is finding time to get a haircut. So we’re bringing the barbershop to them,” Alex Nelson, a second-year student and the Resident Hall Association’s (RHA) vice president of residential experience, said, describing RHA’s new partnership with Jayson “Dub” Williams, a local entrepreneur and barber owner of Solar Mobile Studio.
The Campus Cuts initiative seeks to provide Case Western Reserve University students with affordable and accessible haircuts through this partnership. Campus Cuts are $30 for college students, reduced from the standard price of $45.
When asked how many students he gets, Williams reported that he sees about two or three students each day.
“[Williams] runs the only 100% solar-powered mobile barbershop in Cleveland. He’s got three fully equipped buses and works throughout the city, cutting hair for daycares, nursing homes, and other community spaces. He can cut all hair types,” Nelson said. “His exceptional work has landed him two interviews on local news channels in the past three years.”
Williams, who’s worked at campuses such as Oberlin College and has been mobile barbering for almost three years now, described what it is like cutting people’s hair on campus. “It’s the best experience,” he said. “[To] be able to cut anybody, everybody, and to be able to network and to just have everybody come here and get the experience.”
He definitely has turned it into an experience: a TV playing sports games, a PlayStation 5 and books are some of the plethora of diversions available for students who are waiting or getting a cut in his barber truck. “It’s not just about getting a haircut—it’s about making it an enjoyable break in your day,” Williams said.
Williams emphasized his ability to cut any hair type. He said, “I’m here to help anybody in school that if they want to, they need a haircut of a passionate barber who could be able to cut and give them the look they look for. They don’t have to worry about going far. And I love to be a barber … That’s what I’m here for.”
The cuts are not only high-quality, enjoyable and affordable, but also convenient for most students. They can have their hair done through Campus Cuts twice per week: Mondays and Thursdays from 4-7 p.m.
On Mondays, the shop is located in Lot 52 behind The Den by Denny’s. On Thursdays, the shop is in Lot 47 near Fribley Commons. Students
can sign up for a slot on CampusGroups or enter as a walk-in.
“[Students] could just simply walk down or walk to wherever lot I’m at and they could get their service from the hours [and] days I’m here,” Williams said. He added that his cutting services are wheelchair accessible.
Additionally, Nelson emphasised
RHA’s aim of maintaining the presence of Campus Cuts as a service.
“The big-picture goal is to establish Campus Cuts as a permanent service through University Auxiliary Services, so that even after I graduate, CWRU students can continue getting easy, affordable, and highquality haircuts right on campus,” Nelson said.
Jayson “Dub” Williams is bringing his fully solar-powered mobile barbershop to CWRU every Monday and Thursday this semester from 4-7 p.m. Courtesy of Solar Mobile Studio
Beyond the canvas: Picasso’s process on display
Rithika Karthikeyan Staff Writer
For over a century, Pablo Picasso’s name has been synonymous with artistic revolution. For just $11, students can immerse themselves in his world at the Cleveland Museum of Art. The exhibit, open until March 23, showcases nearly 300 works spanning his prolific career, including paintings, collages, photographs, sketches and even videos of him painting live. What makes this exhibition remarkable, though, is its layered approach to understanding Picasso, not just as an artist, but as a restless innovator who constantly reinvented himself.
Cubism
Early Works
The journey begins with Picasso’s early works, offering a glimpse of his artistic roots. Among the first pieces displayed are paper cutouts of a dove and a dog that he made as a child. Even in these simple forms, Picasso treated paper not just as a surface to paint on, but as a material to work with.
The Blue Period
After the suicide of his close friend Carlos Casagemas, Picasso entered his Blue Period and painted almost exclusively in cool blue tones, capturing themes of loneliness, poverty and grief. “La Vie” is one of the most haunting pieces from this period, depicting a working-class couple wrapped in sorrow, their forms blending into the muted background.
Another striking piece is “The Frugal Meal,” an etching from his Saltimbanques series. It depicts two street performers, emaciated and weary, sitting at a dinner table with empty plates. What makes this work so interesting is that Picasso etched it over an earlier drawing, so remnants of a grassy landscape peek through the figures. This layering of images mirrors the layered emotions of the piece: hunger, exhaustion and quiet dignity.
Perhaps the most transformative phase of Picasso’s career, Cubism, was done in collaboration with fellow artists like Georges Braque. Picasso deconstructed objects into their most basic geometric forms and shapes, challenging the idea that art must mirror reality. By presenting multiple angles simultaneously, he forced the viewer to engage with space and form in an entirely new way.
A significant piece in this section is a replica of “Guernica,” Picasso’s monumental anti-war painting. Originally created in response to the 1937 bombing of the Spanish town of Guernica, the work remains one of the most powerful political statements in modern art. The fragmented figures and stark black-and-white palette capture the horrors of war with a sense of urgency.
Parade
Rose Period
Transitioning into the Rose Period, Picasso’s palette warms, and his subjects take on a more lyrical quality. Inspired by ancient Greek and Roman forms after his study at the Musée du Louvre, this era reflected his growing fascination with classical art and how it connected with everyday depictions of acrobats and harlequins. While the themes of isolation remain, there is also an emerging sense of beauty and resilience.
Beyond painting, Picasso was also deeply engaged with theater and performance. He designed the set and costumes for the avant-garde ballet “Parade,” which was groundbreaking for its fusion of high art and street entertainment. The production incorporated everyday sounds, like street music, typewriters and sirens into a theatrical setting. The exhibit features video clips of “Parade” as well as the original cardboard costumes Picasso designed, showcasing the versatility of his art.
The exhibition winds to a close in a section dedicated to Picasso’s creative process. A series of interview videos captures him mid-creation and under the pressure of a time limit. His movements are swift and decisive, and watching him is a reminder that his genius wasn’t just in what he made, but in how he made it. He was never afraid to destroy, to rework, to start over. That kind of confidence and that willingness to embrace chaos is what made him Picasso.
“Cilantro Day” from page 1
The third tip provided by Coventry was to be patient with any long lines. “Today is a great day to celebrate the beautiful concept of ‘ahorita’—where, in Mexico, the word for ‘immediately’ also means ‘within an hour/whenever I get around to it.’” When I was there at 4:30 p.m. there was certainly a long line stretching around the entire circumference of the store, but it was impossible to be annoyed with a long wait in the face of such a good turnout. Plus, I could count at least five CWRU students in attendance not counting myself and my friend, and those were just of the people I could recognize (I will say that another friend who went around 6:30 p.m. reported a close-to-normal
number of patrons.) Tips four and five were to tip generously and raise awareness of the event, which I think are self-explanatory. From what I observed, both tenets were followed faithfully by all who participated. While I felt that the energy present in Cilantro was infectious and generally a positive influence on the Cleveland Heights community, not everyone was in agreement. A Reddit post titled “Feb 1st Cilantro Day” expressed a few concerns I’d like to address. One reply to a comment asking whether Cilantro’s workers would receive a cut of the event’s profits proportional to the owners read, “Yeah I can’t get on board with this. Set up something for the fami-
Think about these things before getting a pet
Catherine Choi Staff Writer
Until my father adopted a puppy when I was in the fourth grade, I had always asked my parents for a pet as my Christmas present. I was obsessed with the idea of a tiny adorable animal becoming my friend without any judgment. However, once the puppy started living with us, we realized adoration was not enough. I was reminded of this lesson after living with the cat that my roommate had adopted for six months. Although I appreciated the emotional support of the animal, my roommate who brought the cat—who was actually responsible for her—could not enjoy her presence because of the time and monetary commitment that came along with keeping her. We, as college students, are in a unique setting wherein our residences change frequently, and we are required to spend a lot of time studying and staying indoors. Before deciding to have a pet, we must consider a few things first.
The first thing that is important to consider is whether or not we would take this responsibility seriously. Although many students might forget, pets are living organisms whose fates lie in the hands of their owners— they are not a toy, status symbol or something that we should show off for attention. Because animals cannot speak for themselves, it is up to the owners to take responsibility, advocate and ensure that their pets live healthy and happy lives. For this reason, those looking to get a pet must first think about their intention behind getting one, as well as consider their ability to take on the difficulties that come with having one. Having a pet is only a part of our life, but to the animal, we are around for their whole life journey.
Another factor to consider is financial sustainability. We often hear stories about people purchasing cars far beyond their means only to struggle with their payments later on. The same applies to having a pet. The process may start off fun and exciting, but as time progresses, the financial responsibility will start to kick in. For example, when my roommates and I lived with the cat, each member of the dorm had a different role. As a bystander, my duties were to adore the cat, play with it and occasionally give it some snacks and toys as I pleased. On the other hand, the student who
owned her had to spend a huge amount of money on frequent vet visits, regular checkups, food, toys, a cat tower, snacks and hygiene supplies. If students decide to get a pet without having the financial means to do so, the likely results include asking others for assistance, giving the animal up for adoption or risking its health and safety.
The third factor that needs to be addressed is residence. Students who live in dorms cannot have a pet unless they are approved of by the university or they live off campus. Also, many students have a shortage of time due to school work and other extracurricular activities, which is likely to result in the animal being left unattended for long periods of time. For those that live off campus, chances are that their apartments are not pet-friendly or require a fee and other regulations. For those that live with other roommates, they have to get consent from the other residents, ensure that their pets do not interrupt them, compensate for any damage that their pets might cause and, if anyone is allergic or has a phobia towards a certain animal, find appropriate solutions to deal with it. Also, if the pet is owned by all members of the dorm, there is room for conflict when discussing concerns over ownership in the future.
Lastly, we must consider our lifestyle. As students, we are likely to live in a small area with many people, are short on cash, spend most of our time on school work and have little free time. Because of this, having an active pet, such as a Husky, will be unsustainable due to the regular exercise, vet visit and space requirements of Huskies, as well as their heavy shedding nature and their loud barks. On the other hand, having a cat would be an acceptable compromise since students do not have to take cats out for walks, they clean their own litter in the sandbox, do not need a large yard, are good at spending time on their own and are likely not to make a lot of noise. Also, pets that have particular needs, such as ferrets or birds, likely require an understanding of the animal that is difficult to obtain as a student. Taking care of an animal and providing for it throughout their entire lifespan is a fulfilling task. The pet will be with you through thick and thin and will be your friend no matter what. For this reason, we have to make sure that they are taken good care of in return.
lies. Tell us a percentage of the profits is going somewhere … This is helping the owners more than the people actually affected. Now the employees … did they get paid if they were scheduled [when the restaurant was closed]? Are they getting a piece of the profits from ‘Cilantro day.’” Another reply was more succinct as to the event’s motivations: “Because people like the tacos and they love virtue signaling and this is a way to do both.”
Even though “Cilantro Day” seemed like a success in spite of the aforementioned issues, I would urge CWRU students not to be taken in by easy solutions and single-day shows of activism. An estimated
12% of all food service workers and servers in the United States. are undocumented immigrants. It’s more important than ever to support local businesses, especially those like Cilantro, whose predominantly Latino workforces are more likely to be targeted by ICE. Leaving large tips is crucial as well, as this is the only money guaranteed to go back entirely to the workers. And beyond using your dollar, you should be prepared to help your friends and neighbors if you see ICE agents on your street or at your place of work. If we truly want to stand with our community we need to make every day “Cilantro Day” this semester, not just the first of February.
Top 10 Mysterious CWRU Objects
10. The ugly statue
9. My tuition dollars
8. The abandoned building next to Smith House
7. The concept of Tippit Tea
6. A building on Mather Quad that meets ADA standards
5. The F.E.A.R Institute
4. The empty Greenie
3. The "CWRU" sign
2. The disappearing Leutner ketchup vat
1. The Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Building
Which banned word/phrase from research are you?
On Niceties and Cute, Little, Fuzzy Bunnies
I have received a lot of crap from people (mostly imaginary) about the whole-hearted negativity of my misanthropic ravings. I apologize for any confusion, but one of the reasons I joined The Observer was so people would stop having social interactions with me altogether. Apparently, my point has not been made clear enough. So, I submit. I yield. If you want a positive attitude, you're going to get a positive attitude—and a big one, you bastards! It all started when Timmy, a local whoreson son of a whore, was walking through the Forest of Stupid, Dumb, Jerk College Students Who Have Nothing Better to Do Than Complain About Their Dumb Excuses for Existence Strange Goblins and Fanciful Elves. So Timmy went skipping along merrily and discovered, to his adamant and bemused surprise, a heaping 6 1/2-week old dog carcass cute, little, fuzzy bunny by the name of Mr. HippityHoppity-Skip-Pants. "Why, hello, you ugly, ugly, measly excuse for a child Timmy, how are you this bright, lovely, joyous and wonderful afternoon?" "Screw you!" "Why, it's a cute, little, fuzzy bunny!" exclaimed Timmy. "I haven't seen one of you delightful fellows in more than a fortnight! And what's your name, disease-ridden hunk of vomit-encoated filth my cute, little, fuzzy friend?" "Funny, that's exactly what your momma called my member last night when I—" "My name's Mr. Hippity-Hoppity-Skip-Pants, and I am most delighted and joyed to make your illustrious acquaintance. I have known your family since I have lived in this Forest, though wouldn't dare speak to them because you're all so damned ugly I was so awfully frightened." "You know what should be enjoyable, good fun? If I took a machete and chopped you up into a fine pulp and then force-fed your remains to one of those damned Girl Scouts brought you in for show-and-tell at school tomorrow." "Oh yes, Timmy, I'd be so awfully delighted if you got kicked in the nuts until you were sterile took me to meet your schoolmates, for they're likely to be lousy, snot-nosed punks just like you and rest of the damned human race so awfully delightful." And so, Timmy did bring Mr. Hippity-Hoppity-Skip-Pants into show-and-tell the very next day. And the whole class was so awfully delighted to see him that they suffocated and smothered him to death shouted for joy and yelled "Sic semper tyrannis!" and then gave Timmy and his stupid bunny the ass-kicking of their lives "Hooray! Oh!, we are so awfully delighted to be classmates with Timmy and we are even so more awfully delighted to be in the presence of a cute, fuzzy, little bunny! Hooray for Mr. Hippity-Hoppity-Skip-Pants! Hooray!" And then Timmy's teacher said, "Damn!, you kids are the biggest dumbasses in the history of elementary education!" "All right class, it's time for your daily, 500 gram dose of Ritalin." And the class was lived happily and healthily and goodily and brain-deadily ever after.
Dear Big Fun...
Dear Madame Fun, Long time reader, first time writer. I hate your section of the paper. I cannot believe the steaming pile of crap that you consider funny.
Sometimes I wonder if you are mentally challenged, and they gave you this section as a part of some “special writers” program. Your section is a disgrace to the golden sculpture that is The Observer. I was not sure if God intervened in daily matters, but after reading The Observer, I am sure that he does, and he works on The Observer staff. They might be up for some prestigious publication awards were it not for your attempt to blend bile with crap and dare to
call it a “Humor Section.” I was with my friends at work discussing your work. . I said that maybe
“Humor” referred to one of the four humours of the body specifically the one that comes out in brown, smelly portions. It was a good one. I was Mr. Fun for the rest of the day. Anyways, back to my diatribe: you guys suck. Your diction is double plus ungood. I also do not appreciate it when you use the section for personal ends; stop trying to slide by stuff like “Join The Observer.” It really is shameless when you do that. You really should have a lot more jokes about slipping on bananas and stuff like that. That’s all I have to say.
-Disgusted in Decatur
In honor of this man!
idk his name, but he founded the Humor section in 2001, and now I am bringing it back. Thanks, homie.
Auden responds
Dear Disgusted, Who the hell are you? This is the first week I’ve written actual things in the Fun section, it is usually an unsolvable maze or mildly copyright crossword … Also, how in the hell do you read it in Decatur?
-Auden
Shivangi Nanda/The Observer
Elizabeth McHugh/The Observer
Tyler Vu/The Observer
See page. See page fun. Fun,
Escaping the date from hell...
How many times have you been out on a date and there is that awkard silence where you want to tell your date that you want to leave, without them, but you just don't know what to say? Yeah, me neither. But in the case this does happen, here are some escape lines for you to use:
"Let's play hide and seek. I'll hide first."
"This could quite possibly be the worst date I have ever been on. Let's swear to never speak of it again. Swear, you wretched beast. Swear!"
"Well, I guess it is time for me to home and apply ointment to my warts and feed my crabs."
"I play Dungeons & Dragons ... advanced!"
"I have to go to the newspaper production night!"
Valentine's Day Tips...
Socrates: Auttumn, tell me your reason for life.
Auttumn: If I had one goal in my life, it would be to bury my head in a pile of cocaine like Al Pacine in "Scarface." That, and to be able to say "and then I went and did some hot chicks."
Socrates: You are a vessel through which genius flows... I am forever indebted to you.
Yeah, I know what you're thinking. You are looking at the title of this column. Then you are looking at the calendar. Next, you look slowly at the title ... Back to the calendar. Your mind falls into a comatose state until a few minutes later when it manages to mumble (in a Yogi Bear voice) "Next week Valentine's Day? Valentine's Day, next week? Why me need tip if it's next week?" Here is a list of reasons why I am printing a list of tips for Valentine's Day a week in advance:
1. This is the humor section. We can blame anything on "for the sake of humor." Example: Executive Editor and Director of Print ask why I haven't started my work until 11 a.m. and spent three hours on a fake news website?" I respond, "It's a humor thing, you wouldn't get it." Or they ask, "Why did you try to burn down The Observer office this week? You realize that if you burn it down, we wouldn't have a newspaper, and you wouldn't be able to write for us, you silly goober." Well, then I just kick them and run.
2. I thought the vibe of Valentine's Day was coming early this year.
3. Note: It has NOTHING to do with the fact I didn't start my work until really late and then realized I had to make three Fun pages, so quickly looked to see what holidays were around this day, and it was Valentine's Day or National Cancer Day ... and they shot down the horoscope idea of "What Cancer Are You," so I thought maybe a list of cancer tips wouldn't go over well either and had to jump to Valentine's Day early.
4. Valentine's Day, or the feast of St. Valentine, was originally established by early Christians to incorporate a popular, pre-exisitng pagan holiday into thier dogma. This information will in no way be of use to you or pretty much anyone.
5. Poetry is a useful Valentine's medium for communicating to your loved one what you feel, however it may be difficult to speak after they punched you in the face for trying to recite some lame *ss poetry to them instead of buying them something.
6. Fancy jewelry is a great way to a woman's heart, but seeing as how you're really after her pants, you might as well just pony up for a whore like all the other lonely rich guys.
7. Valentine's Day is a popular day for marriage proposals. If you are a college student planning to "pop the question," this may be a good time to snap out of it and start appreciating the quality, single poon-tang around you.
8. Listening to romantic ballads while flipping through old pictrues and enjoying a bottle of wine with your significant other is a great way to solidify your relationship. And if you're broken up, it can help solidify your resolve to chase that wine with loads of barbiturates. [editor's note: please don't. not advised.]
EDITORIAL
Extreme media division is driving us further apart
Editorial Board
It seems like every day we grow more divided. CNN and Fox News, Democrats and Republicans, conservatives and liberals—these categories create opposition with little space for nuance, and increasingly so as the middle ground fades away, making room for the extreme voices to get louder.
Today we rely on traditional media, such as news outlets and television, along with social media for our news more than ever before. With the continual rise of competing news outlets and online political personalities like Hasan Piker and Andrew Tate, our political realm is increasingly presented as a really bad reality show. Our representatives now have their own YouTube channels, posting things such as “Angry Republican/Democrat gets owned in heated debate,” and the comments sections become flooded with love and hate from supporters and detractors, respectively. Our new president puts his past experience of firing people on national television to good use, marketing himself with all-caps X posts emphasizing the record number of viewers who streamed his inauguration and hammering home the idea that visibility is inherently a good thing. That may not always be the case, though.
A recently recirculating clip of the show we call our political system has been an unpleasant exchange early last year between Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett and Republican Rev. Marjorie Taylor Greene. In this spat, Greene claimed that Crockett’s “fake eyelashes” were preventing her from understanding the point of the hearing. Crockett slyly responded after hesitating to take down Greene’s words, asking if it would be considered improper conduct if she were to, hypothetically, say Greene had a “bleach-blonde, bad-built, butch
body.” In response, Greene quickly posted a video of herself working out in her at-home gym, much to the delight of the American people looking for a chuckle.
Just last week, a midair collision involving a jet and an army helicopter killed 67 people. In response to the crash, President Donald Trump blamed Democratic diversity initiatives despite a glaring lack of evidence. When questioned on the matter, he responded, “You have to go by psychological quality, and psychological quality is a very important element of it … But certainly for an air traffic controller, we want the brightest, the smartest, the sharpest. We want somebody that’s psychologically superior. And that’s what we’re going to have,” clearly implying that an increase of diversity in high-stake matters can only lead to disasters and catastrophic decisions. This is an incredibly dangerous, social Darwinist-leaning claim that’s chilling to hear. It implies that biology has an overwhelming stake in intelligence and capability—and it does nothing but drive political opposition and marginalized groups further away from his initiatives, the opposite of his job as the nation’s leader.
American politics today are increasingly unserious, and unfortunately, rage bait titles and content have become the fastest way to gain the support and division of the American people. In an Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez interview from The ReidOut, AOC addresses the phenomenon of the “AOC-Trump voter,” a voter who voted for her or another Democratic candidate for the congressional election and Trump for president. After reaching out to her Instagram followers to receive answers on why a voter would decide to vote that way, she explained that many of the responders treat her as a primary source of information when making political decisions. She inferred from this that these same
voters must similarly be considering Trump to be a primary source of information. This becomes a problem, though, when the candidates in question are not being completely truthful with their audience, instead collaborating with certain media outlets hungry for views or staying silent to spin a story that very quickly spirals out of control.
By having such staunch opposition to each other in our political sphere, we can find ourselves perpetuating false information, such as the idea that systemic racism is not real, anyone can become extremely wealthy in America, people who enter the country without documentation must be violent criminals, people of certain religions and cultural backgrounds are terrorists and more. Corrupt media outlets and the desire to be distinguishable from the other, “wrong” side willingly promote confusion, opposition and panic. These media narratives alienate us from human empathy, promoting fear between people of different backgrounds, genders, races and values.
While third places continue to disappear from the public with poor
distribution of taxes, we are pushed further into the cramped corners of our own homes, and an ironic expanse of isolation between the country’s members is born. Most adults only interact with those in their workplaces or their small circle of friends, creating an echo chamber of the same opinions and fears. With this being the reality, what else are we to do other than merely resolve to accept the stories that our phones and TVs feed us? They become our “outside” perspective. They become our truths.
Consider stepping out of your bubble today. Our political system may often be run more like a television show with the sensationalism of a sports game than a court making life-altering decisions, but we are the ones who give politicians their power. Don’t believe everything you see on TV. Instead, support media sources that have shown themselves to be largely objective rather than inflammatory and manipulative. While bias is likely to exist in all sources, it is our duty to be patient enough to sift through the bias to uncover our own opinions. That is how you find the true root of the problem.
Tyler Vu/The Observer
Exposing the structural issues of the mental health system
Snehal Choudhury Staff Writer
In the wake of the pandemic, many celebrities and everyday people became more comfortable speaking up about their mental health struggles and trying to destigmatize the act of seeking help. Numerous articles and posts now infiltrate our feeds, identifying symptoms of common mental illnesses and chronicling therapy experiences. These are welcome trends in the face of pervasive societal stigma surrounding mental health.
Whenever we face mental health struggles, well-intentioned people often say, “Just get therapy!” or seek other professional help. Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. Even with increased awareness, few people discuss the structural cracks in the current mental health system that make it ill-equipped to satisfy our ever-growing needs.
Let’s start with getting help. In many parts of the United States, there is still a severe mental health professional shortage despite increased demand. Over half of U.S. counties don’t have a practicing psychiatrist, and an estimated 8,000 more professionals are needed to ensure an adequate supply. This shortage disproportionately affects under-served communities, like people of color and the LGBTQIA+ community.
In addition to individual and societal stigma that prevents people from seeking help, we often overlook the insidious structural stigma, defined by the American Psychiatric Association as government or organizational policies that (un)intentionally limit access to mental health care. One example is subpar insurance coverage.
Insurance companies employ tactics that often prevent people from accessing care in a timely manner. Companies exclude mental health professionals from their networks or provide low reimbursement rates to cut costs. For people on Medicare and Medicaid, reimbursement rates are even worse. Consequently, many practicing professionals refuse to accept insurance.
Most infuriating are insurance companies’ arbitrary rules regarding “medically necessary” coverage. A recent article from ProPublica noted how insurance companies deny patients care if they have improved on a given treatment or take too long to get better.
Reading between the lines, mental health services are only available to those who can afford them, live in an area not impacted by shortages and are fortunate enough to have an insurance provider who values mental health treatment. This is an unfortunately rare combination of circumstances. Many people with serious needs don’t get the necessary help until they’re in crisis and treatment becomes infinitely more complex.
Many psychiatric conditions have a genetic component that makes someone more susceptible to certain mental illnesses. Our system minimizes the role of social determinants (“upstream” factors) and the surrounding environment on someone’s mental health, which oftentimes contribute to or even cause mental illness. While medication and therapy are valid forms of treatment, they are a few of many tools in our treatment toolbox. The social determinants of health are defined by the World Health Organization as the conditions in which people are “born, grow, work, live, and age.” These include income inequality, food insecurity, discrimination, adverse childhood experiences and more. Research from a 2021 National Center for State Courts report about mental health found that young people from low-income household environments were twice as likely to experience anxiety and depression. Similarly, people in socially marginalized communities based on their race, gender and more experience higher rates of mental illness than their non-marginalized counterparts. These findings seem obvious: if someone’s quality of life diminishes, it will hurt their health.
Mental health professionals and primary care providers don’t always consider a person’s “upstream” factors when evaluating someone’s mental health. A year ago, I was in a situation
that adversely impacted my ability to function to the point where I sought professional help. I was prescribed antidepressants at the time. I wished someone asked me about my life circumstances and maybe helped me work through it. It wasn’t until I addressed my situation that my mental health finally improved.
However, for many people, mental illness is not situational. Mental illness results from various root causes, and we must account for this complex etiology. Until the system starts addressing these upstream factors, we will never manage the burgeoning mental health epidemic. Addressing these structural issues requires systemic changes that will take time to implement. These may include social initiatives or, in the case of insurance companies, more ef-
fective regulatory policies. People should not stop seeking help, and we should keep encouraging them to do so. At the same time, we deserve a robust mental health care system that truly works for the people. These structural flaws may seem beyond our control, but the consequences of not addressing them affect us personally— think of the insurance companies that deny treatment. It’s ridiculous that I could only find information about these issues from psychiatry websites and scholarly articles. We must start spotlighting this topic in mainstream media and public discourse. The more we talk about it, the more people will care and successfully advocate for meaningful systemic change. After all, our collective well-being depends on it.
The Case Western Reserve Observer
Established in 1969 by the undergraduate students of Case Western Reserve University Shivangi Nanda Executive Editor & Publisher
Elie Aoun Director of Print
Vani Subramony News Editor
Téa Tamburo News Editor
Zachary Treseler News Editor
Kate Gordon Life Editor
Hannah Johnson Opinion Editor
Darcy Chew Sports Editor
Sahar Kapasi Copy Editor
Ella Lasky Copy Editor
Siya Motwani Copy Editor
Katherine Riley Copy Editor
DESIGN
Auden Koetters Director of Design
Elizabeth McHugh Layout Designer
Anjali Bhuthpur Layout Designer
Tyler Vu Layout Designer
Shareen Chahal Layout Designer
Jana Ashour Graphic Designer
Lucas Yang Graphic Designer
DIGITAL MEDIA
Clay Preusch Director of Digital Media & Photo Editor
Aambar Agarwal Social Media Manager
Shejuti Wahed Social Media Content Creator & Video Editor
Kethan Srinivasan Social Media Content Creator
Moses Fleischman Web Editor
Esha Bagora Social Media Editor
BUSINESS
Kamila Sattler Sanchez Director of Business Operations
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 written by the opinion editor but reflect the majority opinion of the senior editorial staff. Opinion columns are the views of their writers and not necessarily of The Observer staff. For advertising information, contact The Observer via e-mail at observer@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.
Jana Ashour/The Observer
Sports
CWRU Athletics partners with Conquer Life
Ellie Palaian Staff Writer
In 2019, Case Western Reserve University alum Ana Arruda founded Conquer Life, an organization dedicated to reducing the suicide rate and making a meaningful impact in mental health awareness.
During her final year at CWRU, Arruda faced the devastating loss of a close friend and fellow athlete to suicide. Inspired by his memory, she launched Conquer Life to help prevent similar tragedies and support those in need.
“When I came to understand [how he passed], it was as though the experience of mourning had to be relived, yet only this time with a lot of questions about how a friend could miss another friend’s signs of struggle,” Arruda said. “I’ve carried this question with me since, and it only leads to a few more questions, such as what is going on in our general demographic, at what age do we begin to be affected by things like anxiety, why is it so, and lastly, what can we do about it? From these questions Conquer Life was born.”
Originally, Conquer Life was intended to be an e-commerce company, selling products featuring designs inspired by Chicago, Arruda’s hometown, along with the brand’s empowering message.
“The idea was to build a brand that instigated people to believe in themselves and to have the merchandise as a mere reminder for them to wake up each day and Conquer Life,” Arruda said.
However, shortly after founding the company, Arruda faced a major challenge: COVID-19. As a small business, Conquer Life was forced to pause production until its first batch of inventory arrived in 2021. Once operations resumed, the business expanded.
“We began with written blogs, where we’d write about Chicago people and places that embodied the idea of conquering life,” Arruda said. “From there we moved to a video blog series, where each week I would Zoom-interview someone with an interesting story that also lived the message of Conquer Life.”
They launched a weekly series called Thursday Talks, featuring conversations with a diverse range of guests, including military personnel, LGBTQIA+ advocates, comedi-
ans and suicide attempt survivors. Through these powerful stories, Arruda shared the mission of Conquer Life and discovered common threads that connected people from all walks of life.
“There were consistencies in the etiology of the struggles, in the longing for acceptance and inclusion and the importance of sharing, seeing and feeling seen,” Arruda said.
Within her company, Arruda set three primary goals: to reconnect people, redefine the concept of mental health and provide therapy without labeling it as such. She recognized the stigma surrounding mental health, where many dismiss its importance or view seeking therapy as embarrassing. Arruda was determined to change that narrative.
“We want to reconnect people because with the mass use of screens and social media in our daily lives, more and more we are becoming disconnected and feeling alone,” Arruda said. “We want to re-brand ‘mental health’ so as to normalize chats about how we really feel. We want to find a way to give people therapy without calling it therapy not because we don’t believe in 1-on1 therapy, we actually know it is critical, however, most people don’t end up going to 1-on-1 therapy, so we want to find an alternative.”
With support from CWRU, Conquer Life is conducting a study to evaluate whether Conquer Life Games, the organization’s latest initiative, can positively impact participants’ mental health.
The idea for Conquer Life Games was born after Arruda took an improv class in New York City. She immediately experienced a boost in self-confidence and well-being, inspiring her to integrate the program into Conquer Life. To bring this vision to life, she partnered with Rebecca Stuard, owner of an improv school and a stand-in cast member for Saturday Night Live, along with John Galgano, a former collegiate athlete whose life was transformed by the improv games, and together they helped make Conquer Life Games a reality.
“We have come together and are deeply committed to the mission of Conquer Life because we share the experience of having our lives independently improved by the games, and because we also share a deep belief that these Games can have a tremendous positive impact on the lives
of others,” Arruda said.
At CWRU, Arruda was part of the six-year Pre-Professional Program and played four seasons with the CWRU women’s soccer team. Due to her experience as a student-athlete, the games are currently tailored for athletes but Arruda believes the program can benefit people from all walks of life.
“The focus right now is on athletes because I was an athlete at Case, my story with this movement started [because of] of my friend who passed, who was also an athlete at Case, and it is a group that I feel very comfortable with and connected to,” Arruda said. “Being a college athlete impacts your life forever, and I don’t think one ever loses the connection they had with that team … The Program, however, is designed to be applicable to a wide variety of groups, such as those in the military, the general college student body, corporate employees and professional athletes.”
Arruda first connected with CWRU football coach Greg Debeljak, whom she knew from her time at CWRU. He welcomed her team to lead a one-hour session with the football team. Impressed by her work, the swimming and diving coach introduced her to the Case Association of Student-Athletes and CWRU’s chapter of The Hidden Opponent (THO), a national nonprofit advocating for mental health awareness in athletics.
“As we saw success more coaches came on board and encouraged their players to try it out, so our numbers have grown tremendously,” Arruda said. “In parallel, TJ Shelton, our Athletic Director, has come to support the Program and help us to figure out how to make this work for a school like Case.”
This past fall, Conquer Life ran its first eight session games program with five student athletes. One participant, fourth-year women’s soccer player and CWRU’s THO Vice-President Sydney Schenk, connected with Arruda about the games this past summer.
“I was excited to help bring this program to CWRU,” Schenk said. “[Arruda’s] enthusiasm about the effects of Conquer Life games resonated with me. Each year, our campus
team with THO meets to see how we can support the mission, and Conquer Life games seemed like a giant step in the right direction: physical programming that can positively impact all student-athletes.”
Schenk found the games helpful in breaking out of her shell and building more confidence both on and off the field.
“Each week, I look forward to going to Conquer Life and it is a great start to my week. The games require you to focus, which forces you to be fully present. As student-athletes, I think we are constantly thinking about ‘what’s next’—class, homework, practice, treatment, lift—that we often forget to stop and be where we are.”
After participating, Schenk became a strong advocate for the games, believing they can benefit all athletes.
“Whether it’s improving communication skills, thinking on the fly, or just coming for the laughs, I genuinely believe every athlete can benefit from this program,” Schenk said. “This program will grow the camaraderie of student-athletes on campus, as well as equip us with necessary skills for our sports and our lives.”
Arruda and Conquer Life’s mission is still to reduce the suicide rate in this country. They aim to combine Conquer Life Games with a mobile application they are creating to implement this program at scale across the country.
“If we can get athletes, as well as other groups of humans, playing as children do for short and repeated periods, across different institutions, we believe we may begin to see a change,” Arruda said. “To start seeing people that are more connected, that feel more seen, that are free to be their truest selves and follow their intuition, that’s our long-term goal.”
Conquer Life Games officially launched on Feb. 3, with seven additional sessions available for any CWRU student. The sessions are offered at two time slots: 2:15-3:15 p.m. or 3:30-4:30 p.m. The next session will be on Feb. 10 at the Veale Recreation Center in the multipurpose room on the second floor.
Disclaimer: Ellie Palaian is a first-year on the women’s soccer team.
Founded in 2024, Conquer Life is an organization that brings awareness to mental health among college students and athletes. Courtesy of Conquer Life Co.
Former CWRU student athlete Ana Arruda started Conquer Life with the goal of reducing the rate of suicide amongst college students and athletes after losing a close friend to suicide. Courtesy of Conquer Life Co.
Swimming and diving upsets Kenyon on men’s Senior Day
Darcy Chew Sports Editor
In a spectacular conclusion to the Case Western Reserve University’s swimming and diving teams’ final dual meet of the 2024-2025 season, the Spartans upset Kenyon College’s No. 6-ranked men’s team and No. 1-ranked women’s team 169-128 and 158-140, respectively. Both teams improved 5-1 in dual meets.
“It was definitely not quite expected. [There’s] a lot of good competition, especially with Kenyon. It’s no surprise that we all did really well. They’re one of the top schools in our division, so we weren’t expecting to actually pull off the win. [It] definitely was a bit of an upset. They brought in an unusual squad, put in some unusual events, and we definitely took advantage of that. I think also we were just very prepared for the end of the season. We were all ready to go. That led to the overall success that we had this weekend,” fourth-year Peter Meng commented.
During Saturday’s meet, Meng broke both the school and pool record as he took first place in the 1000-yard freestyle with a time of 9:26.40.
“I view records as setting a bar. When I leave, I want to set the bar as high as I can for the future of the team,” he said. “Records are made to be broken. You set a record, someone’s going to break it sooner or later. And for me personally, I just want to see how long it takes for me to be replaced.”
During the meet, the women’s team also saw an impressive performance by fourth-year Gabriella Chambers, who matched the previous school record of 23.42 in the 50-yard freestyle. Chambers also secured two B cut times in both the 50-yard and 100-yard freestyle (51.16).
Chambers was also part of the victo-
rious opening 200-yard medley relay with fourth-year teammates Simone Vale and Kate Menzer and third-year Claire Kozma. The team finished 1:48.10 for the win. Vale and Kozma also contributed first-place finishes, with Vale winning the 100-yard backstroke (59.30) and Kozma taking the 100-yard (57.86) and 200-yard butterfly (2:07.31).
The men’s team also swept both relays, with third-years Emil LaSida, Julian Kim, William Froass and Mason Bencurik taking the opening 200-yard medley (1:30.63) and LaSida, Froass, Bencurik and third-year Ben Borvendeg taking the concluding 200-yard freestyle (1:22.71). Bencurik swept the individual freestyle races with times of 45.78 in the 100-yard race and 1:40.41 in the 200-yard race.
From the diving board, CWRU took all four first-place finishes. On the women’s team, fourth-year Abigail Wilkov claimed both the 1-meter and
3-meter dives with 308.25 and 314.18, respectively. Fourth-years Nico Billoni and Alex Waltman took the 1-meter (314.10) and 3-meter (304.80) dives, respectively.
This was a special day not only for the teams’ upset against Kenyon— which the men’s team had not won against since 2011 and the women’s team since 2000—but also for the 18 graduating fourth-years on the team. The class of 2025 is one of the largest recruiting classes in the swimming and diving team’s recent history.
“I really like being on this diving team for my entire time at college, there were definitely some ups and downs. There was even a brief moment where I kind of took a break from diving, and I really just wasn’t feeling the same passion for it as I used to. But then, you know, coming into this year, I really wanted to give it my all, and put my foot back in the team. There was a lot of memories that were to be made.
This is an amazing team overall. I’ve met so many great people here, and I’ve been close with them since freshman year. Coming into Case, as a student athlete especially, was just really great, because my class there was so many of us. When I came in as a freshman, my class was literally half the entire swim team,” Billoni commented. “Seeing that come to an end was definitely a little sad. Definitely gonna really miss this team a lot, and also the sport in general. I’ve been diving since sophomore year of high school, so about seven years. It’s gonna be a little weird not doing it.”
Meng shared a slightly different sentiment as he reflected back upon Senior Day.
“I think Senior Day is more of a statement to how I put in so much time and effort into the sport. And I wouldn’t say the end goal was [to] walk out on senior day and take a picture with my parents. I think the senior day was just a signal that I should make the most of whatever little time I have left to finish with no regrets,” he said.
The teams will not compete this weekend while they prepare for next week’s conference championships in Atlanta hosted by Emory University. The four-day competition will begin on Wednesday, Feb. 12. At the end of the month, the qualifying members of the team will be travelling to Crawfordsville, Indiana, for the NCAA Diving Regionals, including Billoni.
“My main goal [this season] was to qualify for regionals, because that’s something I’ve really been trying to do all four years, and I finally got it this past weekend. So that was really special, especially on senior night. And it just felt so perfect. You know, my family was there and they got to see me qualify. It was really special. I think I just want to go there. Have fun, do my best, but mostly have a good time.” Billoni said.
Should MLB players be allowed to compete in the 2028 LA Summer Olympic Games?
Ellie Palaian Staff Writer
At the conclusion of the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, it was announced that Los Angeles would host the 2028 Summer Olympics, featuring the addition or return of multiple sports, including baseball.
Baseball made its Olympic debut in 1992 and has been in six Olympic Games. Throughout those appearances, the United States has reached the podium four times: winning bronze in 1996 and 2008, silver in 2020 and gold in 2000.
Often referred to as “America’s Pastime,” baseball has deep roots dating back to the 19th century. The sport has been a constant presence throughout pivotal moments in American history, from the Civil War to the Civil Rights Movement and beyond. More than just a game, baseball reflects American society: shaping culture, influencing economics and embracing technological advancements. It has inspired movements, fostered national pride and even played a role in healing cities in times of hardship.
Given America’s deep-rooted history with baseball and the presence of MLB as the premier professional league, one might assume the U.S. would dominate the sport on the world stage. How-
ever, history tells a different story and it hasn’t exactly been a fair fight.
In past Olympic Games, MLB players on a team’s 40-man roster were prohibited from competing. With 30 MLB teams, that means 1,200 of the world’s top baseball players, 72% of whom are American, have been unable to represent their country in the Olympics. This restriction has undeniably put the U.S. at a disadvantage, as its best talent has been sidelined from international competition.
Some may argue that allowing the U.S. to field its top MLB players would be unfair, yet other sports do not face this limitation. Take basketball, for example, a sport with global popularity. The U.S. is home to the world’s most elite professional leagues, the NBA and WNBA, yet its top athletes are still allowed to compete in the Olympics. The results speak for themselves: In the 21 Olympic appearances of men’s basketball, Team USA has won gold 17 times, silver once and bronze twice. The women’s team has been equally dominant, winning gold in 10 of 13 Olympics, including the last eight consecutive titles.
This dominance is possible because world-class players such as LeBron James, Sabrina Ionescu, Stephen Curry, Kobe Bryant, Kelsey Plum, Kevin Durant and Breanna Stewart have all had the opportunity to compete for Team USA. These are athletes recog-
Historically, MLB players have been barred from representing the U.S. in the Olympic Games, putting Team USA at a severe disadvantage as they are unable to field the top 1,200 baseball players in the country. Courtesy of Erik Drost/Creative Commons
nized as the best in the world—so why isn’t the same opportunity extended to baseball? If the Olympics allow the best-of-the-best in basketball and other sports, why should baseball be any different?
Since the announcement that baseball will return for the 2028 Summer Olympics, support has been growing among MLB players to participate in the Games. The Olympics are meant to unite the world, but they also serve as a stage for nations to showcase their
talent and prove themselves in competition. When it comes to baseball, the U.S. has not been given that opportunity, despite being a powerhouse in the sport.
MLB players should have the right to compete for their countries in the 2028 Summer Olympics, just as top athletes do in other Olympic sports. It’s time for Olympic baseball to be played on a truly level field, one where the best talent from every nation, including the U.S., is allowed to take part.
Senior Day celebrated the 18 fourth-years on the men’s swimming and diving team. Fourth-years Peter Meng, Nico Billoni and Alex Waltman took home wins against Kenyon University.
Courtesy of CWRU Athletics
Track and field participates in Dr. Taraschke Team Challenge
Abhishek Nambiar Staff Writer
The Case Western Reserve University men’s and women’s track and field teams took part this past Saturday, Feb. 1, in the Dr. Taraschke Team Challenge—a meet hosted by Baldwin Wallace University in Berea, Ohio, around 20 miles from CWRU’s campus. Both teams showed respectable results across the board, with the men’s team taking second place out of five teams with 79 points, and the women’s team placing third out of five teams with 73 points.
A significant highlight of the meet for CWRU was undoubtedly the men’s distance medley relay race. This contest saw the group of first-years Donovan Crowley and Brendan Bradish, second-year Praveen Sureshkumar and fourth-year Nate Gilbert set a new meet record: 10:36.88, beating the 10:52.33 set by Otterbein University in 2019.
Reflecting on the new meet record, Sureshkumar noted the diversity of the relay participants and how it re-
flected the strengths of the track and field team.
“I think the fact that the relay encompassed two freshmen, a sophomore and a senior really goes to show the depth and diverse talent we have on the team,” Sureshkumar said. “I knew we could run a fast time if we all got into a good mindset and that’s exactly what happened. Everyone on the relay had a goal … and perfectly executed it.”
Numerous other Spartans on the men’s team were also able to claim medals for their team. First-year Marvin Sze achieved second-place finishes in both the 55-meter dash (with a finishing time of 6.64) and the 200-meter dash (finishing in 23.06—a mere 0.06 seconds off the event’s winner, Kaedan Faggs of Baldwin Wallace). Graduate student Yusuf Shaaban finished second in the 400-meter dash (52.15), while third-years Bryce Hodge (8.04) and Joshua Park (8.08) achieved second and third-place finishes in the 55-meter hurdles, respectively. Fourth-year Quaylen Lamarre placed second in the pole vault, clearing 4.25 meters in his attempt, and third-year Connor Evans finished third in the triple jump (12.11 meters).
One final podium finish for the men’s team came in the 4x400-meter relay; This final track event of the day saw the group of third-years Troy Olson and Aaron Brula, first-year Paxton Zelik and fourth-year Jack Xia achieve a second-place finish with a time of 3:40.04.
As for the women’s team, numerous Spartans were able to bring home the gold for CWRU. The women’s distance medley relay team of third-year Arianna Holbrook and first-years Cecilia Postma, Julia Walko and Becca Liaw placed first with a time of 13:27.54. Second-year Holly Schreiber took first place in the pole vault with a final clearance of 3.45 meters, and graduate student Michaela Burkhauser emerged victorious in two events: the weight throw (15.89 meters) and the shot put (13.16 meters).
Second-place finishes were
achieved by third-year Michelle Lee in the weight throw (15.65 meters), first-year Siena Kannenberg in the 400-meter dash (1:03.32) and third-year Melanie Taylor with the 800-meter run (2:23.08). Rounding out individual podium finishes for CWRU were third-place finishes by the following athletes in their respective events: fourth-year Jordan Su in the long jump (4.90 meters), and second-year Sarah Ball in the 55-meter hurdles (8.79 seconds). Finally, one final podium finish for the women’s team came in the form of the women’s 4x400-meter relay—an event that saw Kannenberg, Taylor, Holbrook and third-year Grace Misiunas achieve third place with a time of 4:13.08.
The Spartans will look to improve upon their performances on Saturday, Feb. 8, when they will travel to Granville, Ohio, to take part in the Bob Shannon Invitational hosted by Denison University.
Scores and Upcoming Games
Men’s Tennis
CWRU vs Oberlin (2/7)
CWRU vs Allegheny (2/7)
CWRU at Rochester (2/8)
CWRU vs RIT (2/8)
Men’s Basketball
CWRU at Rochester (1/31) - W 87-84
CWRU at Emory (2/2) - L 74-92
CWRU vs Rochester (2/7, 5:30 p.m., Horsburgh Gymnasium)
CWRU vs Emory (2/9, 2 p.m., Horsburgh Gymnasium)
Swimming and Diving
CWRU vs Kenyon (2/1)
Men’s team: W 169-128
Women’s team: W 158-140
CWRU at UAA Championships (2/12-15)
Track and Field
CWRU at Dr. Taraschke Team Challenge (2/1)
Men’s team: 2nd of 5 teams (79 pts)
Women’s team: 3rd of 5 teams (73 pts)
CWRU at Bob Shannon Invite (2/8)
CWRU at Pete Willson Invitational (1/31-2/1)(22nd of 30 teams (2.5 pts)
Women’s Basketball
CWRU at Rochester (1/31) - L 60-72
CWRU at Emory (2/2) - L 56-69
CWRU vs Rochester (2/7, 7:30 p.m., Horsburgh Gymnasium)
CWRU vs Emory (2/9, noon, Horsburgh Gymnasium)
Graduate student Michaela Burkhauser came out on top in both the weight throw and shot put, with a throw of 15.89 meters and 13.16 meters, respectively. Courtesy of CWRU Athletics
Second-year Praveen Sureshkumar contributed to the Spartans’ new record set in the men’s distance medley relay. Courtesy of CWRU Athletics
CWRU at John Summa Invitational (2/8) Wrestling