Fall 2012 Issue 6

The OBSERVER Top flight Two-Time ACP Pacemaker Award Finalist

cwuobserver.com

by the students & for the students of CWU

Central ranked among nation’s top military-friendly campuses PAGE 3

Vol. 92 No. 6, Nov. 1 - 7, 2012

CWUObserver PHOTO BY SETH LONBORG/OBSERVER

PAGE 3

PAGE 12

Manweller v. CWU Pt. II

SPIKED

Investigative report details student’s claims of sexual misconduct.

Wildcats lose two before sweeping Walla Walla. CWU is now unranked with five matches remaining in regular season.

InsIDE News.........2 Opinion....6 Scene........7 Sports......12

2 The Observer • Nov. 1 - 7 , 2012

Dia de los muertos EDITORS Danny Schmidt Editor-in-Chief

Santos Herrera News Editor

Jayna Smith

Assistant News Editor

Chanét Stevenson Scene Editor

Jeanette Genson

Assistant Scene Editor

Connor Vanderweyst Sports Editor

Evan Thompson

Assistant Sports Editor

Seth Lonborg Photo Editor

Michael Harrison

Assistant Photo Editor

Chloe West Online Editor

Landan Garcia Copy Desk Chief

STAFF Cynthia Mitchell Faculty Adviser mitchelc@cwu.edu Kristin Gaskill Business & Ad Manager 509-963-1026 Office Assistant Jessie Fisher Ad Designer Paul Riggins Advertising Sales

REPORTERS News

Courtney Brunner Alea Thorne Houston Carr Zach Smith Andrew Evans Mikey Riggin Matthew Thompson Chase Packman

BY MICHAEL RIGGIN

Staff Reporter

Online

Meaghan Kalisch Lacey Kinsella Suzi Mirchel Elliot Niederstadt

Graphic Design Darren Stankey

Scene

Joe Coluccio Lisa Cummins Margaux Massey Ben Newby Derek Shuck Joie Sullivan

Sports

Jaryd Cline Chace Davy Scott Herman Katelyn Potasky Sarah Ruiz Amber Thorp

Copy Desk

Alyssa McKinney Tiffany McLeod Anya Montrose Jamie Terrile

Photographers Casey Demory Cindy Gamboa Grace Gutierrez Mikel Hanson Quan Lam Zach Olney Wade Smith Nick Snyder Laura Walp

Gomez leap frogs to success

Mikel Hanson—W. Ellensburg Jessica Libey—E. Ellensburg Derrick Clarit—S. Ellensburg

BY SANTOS HERRERA

Editorial policy: The Observer is a public forum for student expression, in which student

editors make policy and content decisions. The mission of the Observer is two-fold: to serve Central Washington University as a newspaper and to provide training for students who are seeking a career in journalism. The Observer seeks to provide complete, accurate, dependable information to the campus and community; to provide a public forum for the free debate of issues, ideas and problems facing the community at large, and to be the best source for information, education and entertainment news. As a training program, the Observer is the practical application of the theories and principles of journalism. It teaches students to analyze and communicate information that is vital to the decision making of the community at large. It provides a forum for students to learn the ethics, values, and skills needed to succeed in their chosen career. If you have questions call (509) 963-1073 or e-mail us at cwuobserver@gmail.com

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Students around campus have been celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month this October with many cultural events, including dances, film presentations, exhibits and guest speakers.

One very widespread cultural celebration is the Day of the Dead. Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan (M.E.C.H.A.) has joined the Center for Diversity and Social Justice in organizing a variety of free activities for the celebration.

Beginning Nov. 1 at 7 p.m. in the SURC, M.E.C.H.A. and the Center of Diversity and Social Justice will be hosting Mexican Bingo (or Loteria), craft workshops and face painting. Free Mexican cuisine will be served, and a Mariachi band will perform.

“Mariachi Wenatchee will be playing, with free food and flavored waters available,” said Carolina Perez, co-president of M.E.C.H.A. “We’re doing a photo booth and [offering] skull face painting. Also, an altar will be created and decorated.”

Another event hosted by the CWU Art Department for Day of the Dead is Alteras y Ofrendas, or Altars and Offerings, an art exhibit displayed on campus and in the Ellensburg area.

Alteras y Ofrendas will be held Oct. 30 through Nov. 5. One display will be held at Sigle Law downtown. These displays will consist of sugar skulls and papel picado (decorative craft paper).

The sugar skulls are made of sugar and moringa powder (a nutrient-dense powder which supports the immune system) and are decorated with frosting.

So far, a dozen students are participating in the workshop.

“A larger workshop [will be held] on Friday for anyone who wants to come and help out,” said Ryan Swain, president of the art club.

Calaveras, or sugar skulls, are an offering in the Day of the Dead celebration which adorn the private altars built to honor the deceased.

Altars are adorned with marigolds and the favorite food and beverages of the departed.

Traditionally, altars are made and offerings are placed on the graves for the deceased.

It is important to note that the Day of the Dead is viewed as a celebration for the dead rather than a time of mourning.

“The event Day of the Dead: Altars and Offerings is part of the Hispanic Heritage Month’s events programmed by the Center for Latino and Latin American Studies (CLLAS),” said Stella Moreno, director of the Center, in an email.

“In the creation of the artwork for Altars and Offerings to be displayed on campus and in town from Oct. 1, Nov. 5, we want all CWU students to be involved.”

Moreno said this is a way for CWU students to put their artistic skills to work and to honor the festivity in the traditional Mexican way.

ADVERTISING

Kristin Gaskill Central Washington University 400 East University Way Bouillon Hall 232B Ellensburg, WA 98926 509-963-1026 gaskillk@cwu.edu

News Editor

Erim Gomez visited Central to give a two-day workshop as part of the Hispanic Heritage Month events put on by the Center for Latino and Latin American Studies. He is a Ph.D. candidate at Washington State University, who has received a Bullitt Fellowship for $100,000 to conduct research on the stateendangered Northern Leopard frog. Although Gomez is well on his way to the highest academic achievement, the journey was anything but easy. His story is one of hardships, perseverance ERIM GOMEZ and triumph that sets Bullitt Fellowship an example, not just recipient for Hispanics and Latinos, but for everyone.

“I was in special education until my sophomore year in high school,” Gomez said. “I used to be embarrassed by it, but now I am proud of it because of how far I’ve come.”

After graduating from high school, Gomez attended Southern Oregon University. He was told to work as much as he could in order to avoid taking out a lot of loans; consequently, his grades began falling behind.

Things didn’t work out with his first academic advisor, but his second academic advisor was the one who really gave him

a boost.

“He asked me, ‘What are you doing here [in college]?’,” Gomez said. “That was a wake up call for me.”

The following summer, Gomez changed his job from working at Safeway to working as a park ranger.

Gomez was 80 miles from the nearest city and he used that time to think about his life and what he wanted to do. The combination of his job as a park ranger and the conversation he had with his adviser changed his life.

Gomez received his undergrad degree in environmental studies, his master’s in natural resource sciences, and his doctorate will be in environmental and resource sciences.

Gomez was accepted to a master’s program at WSU, so he left Oregon to continue his education. Tragedy struck amid his time in the master’s program. Gomez’s father passed away. Gomez was devastated, but he said he knew that his father would have wanted him to finish his master’s.

Shortly after his father’s passing, Gomez’s younger brother also passed away.

Gomez was very close to his brother and the event really tore into his well being, but he was determined to finish his master’s to honor his family and make them proud.

Gomez doesn’t stop at doing things to better his own life. He makes sure to give back to the people. He conducts workshops to inform students about what steps to take if they want to attend graduate school. He is also currently the adviser for the Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan (M.E.Ch.A) chapter of WSU.

NEWS

The Observer • Nov. 1 - 7 , 2012 3

Editor//Santos Herrera

cwuobservernews@gmail.com

G.I. Mag salutes Central battalion Investigative CWU ranks in top 15 percent of universities geared for military students report details misconduct claims against Manweller

BY MATTHEW THOMPSON

Staff Reporter

Central Washington University has been a top military-friendly school for the past four years.

“It’s an incredibly friendly campus,” said Capt. Ben Glasgall, training and operations officer. “Definitely pro-military, definitely supportive of the ROTC.” G.I. Jobs Magazine has compiled a list of the top 15 percent of universities in the country going above and beyond to create a healthy learning environment for military students. Central, for the fourth consecutive year, has made it on to the list.

Eastern Washington University and Central are the only four-year universities in the state with veterans centers.

The Veterans Center is where veterans or their dependents can seek guidance through the G.I. Bill certification process, as well as gather resources to make the transition into college life easier.

“Our focus is one: Taking care of our veterans,” said Susie Beador, Veterans Center manager.

The Veterans Center, located in Bouillon Hall, is outfitted with a friendly staff, helpful literature on available resources and a student lounge complete with cable television and computers.

Reuben Cardenas was recently hired as the outreach recruiter to increase the enrollment of veterans and their dependents. According to Enrollment Management, there has been a 28 percent increase in veteran enrollment since the fall of 2011.

While on recruitment trips, Cardenas informs veterans and their families of how the G.I. Bill works and what a difference having a veterans center can make on the certification process.

“Its nice that we have a center where we can personally talk to people who

BY SANTOS HERRERA

News Editor

SETH LONBORG/OBSERVER

RESCUE MISSION Sergeant Todd Fuchigami (left), from the Yakima traning center teaches rescue techniques for wounded combatants.

know a lot about the G.I. Bill,”said Pfc. Cristine Fetzer, freshman clinical physiology and veteran dependent.

The good military vibes do not stop with veterans. Central also has awardwinning programs with the Air Force and Army.

In 2009, Detachment 895 of Central’s Air Force ROTC received the Right of Line for Small Unit Award. The Army ROTC of Central has also had similar success, finishing first out of eight teams that competed in the Sandhurst Competition held at West Point Military Academy.

“The ROTC program is rated one of the top programs in the country,” said Maj. Scott Carpenter, professor of military science.

ROTC’s objective is to train students to a level where they can graduate col-

lege with an officer’s rank. Of the hundred or so students enrolled in the Army program, only 19 will reach their senior year after the demanding selection process, Carpenter said. These students are competing against 6,000 other cadets nationwide for 2,700 active duty positions.

“Central has a good reputation of putting [cadets] through such a rigorous program, so they usually get commissioned what they want,” Carpenter said.

Roughly 4 percent of the student population at Central is a military or veteran student, and they have a graduation rate of 85 percent, according to the G.I. Jobs Magazine.

The combined success of both veteran students and the ROTC programs is a point of pride for Central as it expands the Veterans Center and as the ROTC cadets continue to bring home awards.

A shot at immunity offered to Ellensburg community

BY CHASE PACKMAN

Staff Reporter

Flu season is coming, and in preparation for it, many grocery stores and pharmacies are advertising their availability of the flu shot.

For students at Central, however, access to the vaccine is even more convenient and actually doesn’t cost a cent.

“There’s no reason not to get your flu shot,”said Barb Stanley, RN at the Student Medical and Counseling Center. “As opposed to paying $25 at a grocery store, we offer the vaccination free to any student.” There were clinics set up around campus earlier this year. For those who missed out on that, Barb Stanley said students just have to make an appointment at the Student Medical and Counseling Center.

When it comes to the flu and the flu shot, people have many misconceptions.

Joy Walters, LPN at the Student Medical and Counseling Center, explained that “influenza is actually an upper respiratory virus, which has symptoms similar to a cold but develops quicker and more severely, with a really high fever.” She said when people think about the flu, they think nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting, which is not the same thing as the flu.

That is called gastroenteritis.

“Having the flu can be extremely devastating if you are a student. Being really sick for two weeks would mean missing

classes for two weeks, which can really mess up your quarter,” Stanley said. “So I don’t see why you wouldn’t want to get the flu shot if you are a student.”

There are many reasons people don’t get flu shots. However, some of these reasons are simply based on myths.

“First of all the flu shot does not make

you sick,” Walters said. “It is actually a dead virus and boosts your immune system and creates more antibodies.”

The flu shot doesn’t work “overnight;” it can take up to two weeks to boost your immune system, Walters said, which is why she encourages students to get their shot early.

According to Stanley, there has been

no flu outbreak yet. Sometimes it can take as long as spring for the flu outbreak to occur. Four hundred people have been vaccinated at the clinics on campus, she said, and the clinic will continue to provide vaccinations until they run out.

Getting a flu shot once the outbreak happens is pointless, Stanley stressed, as it is all about prevention.

“When people were all worried about the H1N1, it was just because that particular strain didn’t make it into the vaccine in time,” Stanley said. “It shouldn’t take a scare in the news to remind people of the importance of the vaccine.”

Walters agreed with Stanley about students’ reluctance to get vaccinated.

“I have been practically begging students to get their shots, but the majority of students don’t seem too concerned,” Walters said.

Publicity was one of the largest reasons, she believes, that students hold a negative stigma against the flu shot.

Andrew Numa, a pharmacist at Rite Aid, said students are the smallest demographic he sees trying to get vaccinated.

“Every year scientists choose three strains that they think are the most likely to breakout in North America and put them into the vaccine,” Numa said.

“I would say only about 20 to 50 students have come in here for a flu shot. I always recommend it to everyone every year regardless of who they are. It is better to get poked than get the flu.”

The outside investigator Central hired concluded that, in his judgment, “based on the documents reviewed and interviews conducted, evidence exists to suggest” political science professor and state representative candidate Mathew Manweller “engaged in conduct with or toward” a Central student “that violated CWU’s 2006 Sexual Harassment Policy.”

However, the university decided the report didn’t substantiate the allegations against Manweller.

In a letter to Manweller, Kirk Johnson, dean of Central’s College of the Sciences, said Central was not pursuing disciplinary actions against him “because of concerns due to the time interval between the events and this Report.”

Johnson also said in the letter that he has “serious concerns about the behaviors described in the Report. I hope that you will take this letter seriously. This letter is not, in itself, disciplinary, but future incidents of the same or similar type as those in the Report could result in disciplinary action, up to, and including termination.”

In a statement filed last Thursday with the Kittitas County Superior Court, Sherer Holter, President James Gaudino’s chief of staff, said, “After reviewing the Oct. 1 ‘Report of Investigation,’ CWU did not make a determination that the allegations against professor Manweller were substantiated.”

The investigative report was released

by Central on Monday in the wake of a ruling by Kittitas County Superior Court Judge Scott R. Sparks, which dissolved the temporary restraining order the court put in place on Oct. 22. Sparks said he agreed with Manweller’s contention that the leaks that led the Yakima Herald-Republic and Daily Record to request records of the investigation were politically motivated, the Herald-Republic reported.

But regardless of motive, the allegations didn’t involve Manweller’s private or personal life, but his position as a public employee, the Herald-Republic reported.

According to the investigative report, several staff and faculty reported students were claiming that, between 2006-2009, Manweller had made “unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and verbal and physical conduct of a sexual nature,” with some indicating he would trade sex for grades.

However, no formal complaints were ever filed and the outside investigator said he could only identify one claimant by name, which is who his report focused on. Central redacted her name and Manweller’s name before releasing the report.

In her interview with the investigator, the student said she regretted not making a formal complaint, but had feared retaliation, saying both her and her boyfriend needed Manweller to write recommendation letters for them to get into law school.

In 2006, Central had an unwritten policy “not to investigate sexual harassment MANWELLER CONTINUED ON P.5

4

NEWS

The Observer • Nov. 1 - 7 , 2012

Striving for EXCEL-lence

BY ANDREW EVANS

Staff Reporter

Room 122 in Black Hall bustled with energy as high school students took their seats for class. They share Central’s campus with college students because they are enrolled in Excel, an alternative high school education program designed and taught by Mike Nelson and Dustin Wallace.

Excel uses the blended learning model, which is a method of alternative education that combines face-to-face classrooms with electronic education.

“In the right setting, it really opens you up,” Nelson said.

Fortunately for Excel, Central has the resources to make it the right setting. Central students work with the Excel students to teach them math, science and physical education.

“It’s kind of like a double-edged sword ‘cause we’re helping their education and they’re helping ours, and that’s pretty cool,” said Oliver Malek, a junior in Excel.

Students come to the program when they aren’t reaching their maximum potential in a traditional high school setting.

There are countless reasons for this.

“Maybe there’s drama in their personal lives that they don’t want to deal with,” Nelson said. “Sometimes there are family issues, sometimes there are drug issues, sometimes there are psychological issues.”

LAURA WALP/OBSERVER

SCIENCE LESSON

EHS Excel teacher Mike Nelson helps students come up with ways to purify water during science class.

Wallace said that they have cut out a lot of variables. For example, students don’t have to switch between six teachers

RRENT ENT YOUR OUR BOOKS. BOO B OOKSS. OO SAVE YOUR MONEY.

or make stops to their lockers in between classes.

Excel has provided a platform for educational experimentation. Wallace and Nelson used to divide the students between them and alternate throughout the day. Now they teach in the same room as a team.

“Team teaching is a scary thing for most teachers in the profession,” Wallace said. “Having a colleague watching you constantly can be hard to get used to.”

But Wallace said he found nothing but positives from team teaching.

The teachers decided to join forces because they weren’t able to retain the students throughout the day. For some reason, the experiment has increased attendance.

“Before that, you would see maybe 30 kids in the first hour, by the end you would see 15,” Nelson said.

Malek said he enrolled in Excel because he had too many absences at the high school and wanted to continue to work toward his diploma. He doesn’t feel like traditional high school is right for everybody.

“It’s like, ‘Hey, you’re a lion, you’re an elephant, and you’re a monkey. All [of you] climb this tree,” Malek said.

Wallace and Nelson said they designed Excel to give students some perspective of life after high school. Through the curriculum and volunteer projects, the high schoolers get the opportunity to build up their resumes and real world knowledge.

“They actually, on top of regular school stuff, teach you real life skills and things that you really should know that the high school wouldn’t regularly teach you,” Malek said. “They really want you to know that there’s more out there.”

Excel Program -Ellensburg High School grades 9-12 -Taught on the Central campus in: -Black Hall Room 122 and -Michaelson Hall Room108 *Contact Mike Nelson: (509)-963-3585

LAURA WALP/OBSERVER

W I L D C A T S H O P . N E T

TEACH ME EHS Excel teachers David Wallace (right) and Mike Nelson (left), help students discuss their ideas on water purification during their science class.

NEWS

The Observer • Nov. 1 - 7 , 2012 5

Public transportation change coming Geography Professor John Bowen said that public transportation is important Staff Reporter to many people in Ellensburg, but the New service concepts for Central Tran- amount of people that use it is “not imsit were proposed to the public on Oct. 23 pressive.” during two open houses.

The committee also conducted a surThe open houses were held in order to vey about the purpose behind the most gain feedback on how to improve public frequent trips a person makes: 37 percent transportation in Ellensburg, and featured was work, followed by shopping trips at 29 two new concepts and funding options percent and university at 12 percent. available to increase transport in the city.

Another survey question asked the “This is truly a public transit system usual amount of time each trip takes a that will fit in the city limits,” said May- person. The highest response was 10 - 15 or Bruce Tabb. minutes, with 36 per“This is really a cent responding. discussion on how transit serFares are always the hot- viceTwoconcepts to improve and were button issue when doing also introduced at potentially sustain transit in the city.” transit proposals. There are the open house. The A committee first concept was of pros and cons. put together by two routes operating -MIKE WILLIAMS the city council in opposite directions is exploring new on the same loop.

Advisory Committee member ways to improve That concept reCentral Transit quires two vehicles and has spent 10 months developing a per direction and costs $560,000 annually, plan with Seattle company Nelson Ny- which is similar to the one that exists now. gard’s principal specialist developer Tim “This one is more for knowing what Payne. time the bus is coming, while concept two, Last spring, the committee conducted you may have to wait a while,” said Nancy a survey which received about 1,200 re- Jewett, advisory committee member. sponses from Ellensburg residents. When The second concept is two routes that residents were asked how important an intersect, allowing transfers. The route available transit service in the city is to could potentially extend to west Interthem, 39 percent responded that it was change and the high school, at times of “extremely important.” day that match the school’s schedule. The

BY ALEA THORNE

“

“

MANWELLER CONTINUED FROM P.3

claims unless the claimant was willing to file a written formal complaint,” the investigative report said. But Central now “has a policy to investigate all sexual harassment claims.”

Holter’s statement said that when Central reviewed the records first provided to the Herald-Republic last summer, it “was unable to conclude that a formal investigation had been conducted, or that a sufficiently thorough investigation had been conducted in response to the 2006-07 allegations.”

She said because of CWU’s responsibility under federal law, it retained the outside investigator, who concluded his report on Oct. 1 2012.

“CWU emphatically denies professor Manweller’s allegation that the investigation was politically motivatedth or conductAnnual ed for any other purpose,”37 Holter said.

Manweller is suing Central, saying the university’s order to conduct the outside investigation was “done in an effort to de-

frequency of route times due to the exWilliams said there has to be a tradetended area would be every 60 minutes, off, which means that everybody pays compared 45 minutes through the loop something for improving driving. with concept one.

Other funding options available in the “This provides more flexibility and op- future to support the transit system are tions on where someone can go because through motor vehicle license fees, housethey can just transfer,” Jewett said. hold excise tax, sales and use tax, property An issue the committee still is trying to tax, utility tax, business and occupation solve is how to fund the transit. In order tax, general fund revenues and parking to support the possible transit systems, El- revenues. lensburg would According to Payne, need somewhere Ellensburg has a sigin the range nificant amount of the of $500,000 to city budget supported Hours of Operation: $700,000 per by the utility tax, so Sunday through Saturday 2 p.m. to midnight year. that source may also *26 Stops This money is be a good source for funded through the transit system. community pro“Utility taxes are grams such as not completely recesHopesource, sion proof, but they Hours of Operation: Elmview, and tend to be less volunMonday- Friday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Central, as well as tary then the other Contact: 509-933-2287 or 509-674-2251 state and federal sources are,” Payne grant fund sourcsaid. *Reservations only es and fares.

The committee will Currently, $3 continue to develop of student fees help support the transit, the best system and funding options for and people who ride the transit who do Ellensburg transit by exploring and implenot attend Central do not have to pay any- menting the public’s feedback. thing.

“These are concepts; this is not a final “Fares are always the hot button issue plan on how to operate,” Payne said. “We when doing transit proposals,” said Mike wanted to present people with a couple of Williams, advisory committee member. different ideas about how that might be “There are pros and cons. A lot of it has possible and to give you your ideas and to do with what’s the philosophy.” your feedback.”

liberately undermine” his political campaign and “cause him personal harm.”

Manweller said in his suit that the university “violated his civil rights, his privacy rights and his right of due process.”

He is asking for the investigative report to be expunged from his personnel record and for attorney fees. According to the Daily Record, Manweller’s attorney plans to amend his lawsuit to include demands for monetary damages. Douglas Nicholson, Manweller’s attorney, has not returned a phone call seeking comment.

In the investigative report, Manweller said he believes the “allegations and/or rumors about his conduct toward female students stems from a misinterpretation.”

He said rumors began when he was married to a Central student whom he met before coming to Central.

Manweller said he “was occasionally seen off campus holding her hand and kissing her in public.”

Manweller, a Republican, is running against Democrat Kaj Selmann of Moses 37th Annual Lake to represent the 13 District.

Holiday Arts & Crafts Festival 37th Annual Holiday Arts & Crafts Festival

Holiday Arts & Crafts Festival

Great prices & flexibility for student vendors!

Student Union Building Thursday, Nov. 29 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 30 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 1 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

For details about rates and jury process, and to apply: 509.963.3315 or warefair@cwu.edu

Applications due by Nov. 5

AA/EEO/Title IX Institution. Accommodation 509-963-1691 or CDS@cwu.edu

Current Central Transit

Hope Source Transit

6

The Observer • Nov. 1 - 7, 2012 cwuobserveropinion@gmail.com

Know your vote

What requires two teams, press coverage and a ton of trash talking between opponents and their loyal fans? If you’re thinking it’s a sporting event, you would be normally be correct.

However, in this case, I am referring to the presidential election, which is similar to a sports game.

For the sake of this opinion, I’ll use boxing as a comparison for the election.

There are two boxers: Mitt Romney and Barack Obama. Their goal is to stay in the ring (election) as long as possible, while essentially trying to knock the other out with every scandalous campaign ad and commercial Chanet (jabs and hooks.) stevenson As voters, we Scene Editor are referees, determining which candidate is the winner.

It is this position that I feel is the most important.

Because of this, I cannot possibly stress enough how important I feel it is for every voter to educate themselves on the issues and candidates.

Unfortunately, I have come to realize throughout this election that many people are forming their opinions based on petty information and, even worse, rumors.

This scares me. I fear that these are what will influence votes.

I heard a study conducted that determined, based on the results of past elections, candidates with the least bushy eyebrows won.

Why this study was conducted remains a mystery to me, but it did leave me to question just how many ridiculous factors often influence people’s votes. I mean seriously, will having trimmed eyebrows really make someone a better president?

I think it’s safe to say that as voters we have a tendency to choose our favorite candidate early on for one reason or another. We then proceed to only look for their good qualities throughout the campaign. This mindset typically involves trash talking your least favorable candidate and pointing out every flaw.

But beware, forming such a biased opinion early can stray you from hearing any other side or opinion.

Over the course of this election, I have seen countless Facebook statuses blasting candidates and their views, or just flat out cursing them with name-calling. While I am all for exercising the freedom of speech, I am more concerned with whether or not these opinions are being based on information people have come to know firsthand. And if not, where are they getting their information?

To truly know a candidate, you must actually watch the debates. It’s not enough to rely on the closing remarks of the debate. I also feel it is not enough to just take someone else’s word, such as a parent or friend. You should form your own opinion. Put forth the effort to research whether or not the rumors you hear hold any truth by checking multiple media outlets.

I know that for many college students, including myself, this election is the first voting opportunity. So here it comes, that critical moment when you ask yourself, as a referee in this election, what’s your call?

Will you give in to the peer pressure of the crowd around you shouting their opinions? Or will you call like you yourself see it? The choice is yours, so don’t waste it.

OPINION

Editor-in-Chief//Danny Schmidt

PHOTO COURTESY OF CREATIVE COMMONS

Unemployement poked you When I turned 16 my mom told me I had to find a job.

I had never worked a day in my life and the job hunt was tough. I had no idea where to start, and my biggest issue was attire. The fact that employers would judge you on the type of clothes you wore to the interview was a completely foreign concept to me.

In my mind, I figured I could show up in a graphic T-shirt and jeans and be fine. My mom, bless her soul, set me straight on that real quick. connor vanderweyst Eventually I Sports Editor found a job at Quality Food Center in Mukilteo. Now, with only a few weeks left in my college career, I have to look for a career.

In 2006, social media was not as much a part of everyone’s lives as it is in 2012. Sure, people had MySpace, but now you are totally out of the loop if you aren’t constantly on Facebook,

Dear Editor, I read with interest about food waste as experienced within Central Dining Services (Oct. 25 issue).

Recently I read that between now and 2050, the consensus projection is that there will be a need for between 70 and 100 percent more food to meet global demand, while upward of 40 percent of food is currently wasted in the U.S. I applaud Dining Services for efforts to reduce food waste by encouraging students to buy only what they will eat and to reuse food products in new recipes, when possible. However, Food Services Director Dan Layman’s reasoning on why Central does not donate usable food waste to food banks due to liability issues and fairness seems to approach this problem as one of resignation rather than creativity. Can day-old

Twitter and Instagram. These different social sites also give employers a completely unfiltered look into their potential employee’s lives. This has caused me to realize I will never be hired if my potential job takes a peak at my social media presence.

For instance, if you click on my Facebook ‘about you,’ will find that my religious views are Based God, and if you don’t know what that is I suggest you Google Lil B. You’re welcome. But what if the person interviewing me is super religious? The supervisor will probably want to see if the people he or she is working with share the same values. I’m sure that person will be extremely offended that my religious views are based on a rapper from California.

Or look at my past profile pictures to really find out how insane I am. Casually glance at my album and you will find a picture of Kobe Bryant with a Zorro mask, my face photoshopped on the Undertaker and a Power Ranger, Reggie Miller making the choke sign and Prince at a football game. I am the least professional person of all time. I am completely transparent on social media and

I’m pretty sure it’s going to cost me if companies really are checking.

Don’t even get me started on how awful my Twitter is. Scroll down and you’ll find something I retweeted from rapper Curren$y questioning why he would want someone to chase him and his girl around in a mask with a chainsaw in slightly more explicit language.

Spitta isn’t a fan of haunted houses or corn mazes and neither am I. Dig a little deeper and my future boss will find another retweet of WyClef Jean on a motorcycle in nothing but red underwear. I can’t help that it was the funniest thing I have ever seen in my entire life. Hopefully my new boss will understand.

This generation shares so much of his or her lives on social networks that most everyone will have something incriminating online. It seems unfair that employers are starting to check the different social media sites of potential employees. They’re asking for trouble.

You won’t find anything on Facebook or Twitter that will make someone more qualified for a job. Only something, in my case, that will give everyone at the company the creeps.

vegetables and fruits be donated as edible food for the chimpanzees at CHCI? Is fairness an issue when there is only one food bank in town which has the necessary storage capacity? Can there be a workaround regarding the liability issue? Can increased education on the impact of food waste be effective in the form of eye-catching signage?

I challenge Central Dining Services to think more creatively to reduce waste

and help solve this local and global problem so Kitchen Manager Jim Matheny’s comment that “We’re doing what we can to limit the waste…” rings more true.

Dear Readers,

--Ruth Ann Stacy Human Protections Administrator Human Subjects Review Committee Office

The Observer welcomes brief letters of 300 words or less from readers on current issues. Please include your full name and university affiliation: year and major, degree and year graduated, or staff position and department.

To be printed in the following week’s issue, please email your letters to cwuobserveropinion@gmail.com by 5 p.m. Sunday. The Observer reserves the right to reject or edit for style and length. All letters become property of The Observer. Anonymous letters will not be considered.

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The Observer • Nov. 1 - 7, 2012

Editor//Chanet Stevenson

cwuobserverscene@gmail.com

7

The Dead walk: zombies attack

BY JOIE SULLIVAN

Staff reporter

Last Saturday, more than 300 students participated in the Zombie Zone, attempting to retake the recreation center from hordes of flesh-eating zombies. Zombies were only fellow students and volunteers, but that doesn’t mean some weren’t intimidating.

“I’m kind of scared of zombies,” said Kelsey Westermann, freshman history major. Westermann ran the Zombie Zone with her roommate from Wendell Hill Hall B, Noelani Mohoric, freshman aviation major.

“I’m here to protect her,” Mohoric said.

Participants were given only a nerf gun, a flashlight, and 15 minutes to complete their objective. Goals changed depending on the level of difficulty the group chose, and ranged from collecting items to finding first aid for a mother and her child.

There was even a “nightmare” difficulty, which had participants aid a mad scientist.

Westermann and Mohoric went back and forth on which difficulty they would choose, with Westermann opting for easy and Mohoric urging them to run the hard course.

One group of four ran every 15 minutes for each difficulty level, adding up to a total of 16 students running around the recreation center in the dark.

Nick Ragazzo, political science major was one of four members that comprised “Seal Team Beck,” a group of freshman from Beck Hall.

The group ran through the zone on hard difficulty, There was confusion with the actors in the zone regarding where the

PHOTOGRAPHER ZACH OLNNEY/OBSERVER

BLINDSIDED Students participate in a doughnut-eating contest to win free candy at the annual Zombie Zone event in the SURC last Saturday. About 300 students attended the event, which included a photo booth complete with available wigs and masks.

group was supposed to go.

“It would have been easy (otherwise),” said Spencer Workman, communication studies major.

Even through the commotion of wrong directions, Ragazzo said he was able to “leap over the lockers, curb stomp a zombie, and storm out.” The group laughed.

Seal Team Beck, which also included

Cole Frampton, film and video studies, senior nutrition major, and Nick Aguilera, and Brandon Beringer, paramedicine, said a sophomore in the pre-med program. they would definitely come back to run it Aguilera decided to go through the feeding zone as a zombie against Wood, who again next year.

Another group of four, led by Reiko planned on being a human.

“I like to be on the good side,” said Kobayashi-Wagner, a senior nutrition major, waited in line eagerly to sign up. The Wood to Aguilera..

There were also plenty of activities other three members were ESL students for those not too fond of running from Kobayashi-Wagner had met.

“We might as well try it while they’re zombies. SURC 137 was equipped with a photo booth here,” Kobayascomplete with hi-Wagner said. available wigs The event and masks. seemed exDance, costremely poputume, and lar, with all 304 doughnut eatspots filling ing contests shortly after 10 took place p.m.

-ABIGAIL SCHRANCK throughout the On the othFreshman geography and Russian major night. er end of the Down in the SURC in HolMarketplace mes Dining, another zombie course awaited participants. dining area, student volunteers served a The Feeding Zone sent students into a variety of “mocktails” and hosted mini huge maze filled with zombies. In this pumpkin painting. The Marketplace and course, however, participants could choose Cat Trax East were also open later than to be a courageous human or a ravenous usual to serve their late night fare.

Some enjoyed their late night refreshzombie. Students weren’t required to sign up for a time slot, and could come and go ments while watching fellow students kill zombies in Left 4 Dead 2, which was proas they wanted.

“Dead ends add to the pressure,” said jected onto a big screen in the SURC Pit. A few yards away, people posted sticky sophomore Creighton Wright, undecided.

Abigail Schranck, a freshman geogra- notes over Lord of the Rings and a Centers for Disease Control posters for a capphy and Russian dual major agreed.

“It can be very discombobulating,” tion contest.

At the end of the night, it was safe to Schranck said. “There’s a little bit of light, say the SURC was free of any zombie inbut it’s still spooky.”

Around 200 people came through the fection as everyone returned home for a Feeding Zone, including Cassie Wood, a good night’s rest after hard-fought battles.

“

It can be very discombobulating. There’s a little bit of light, but it’s still spooky.

UNDEAD Alanna Alegria (left) and Emily Shamrell (right) strut their zombie walks during the costume contest.

“

PHOTOGRAPHER ZACH OLNEY/OBSERVER

8

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The Observer • Nov. 1 - 7, 2012

J.R. Martinez marches past adversity

BY JOE COLUCCIO

Staff Reporter

J.R. Martinez is a veteran of the Iraq War, an actor and a former Dancing with the Stars champion. He now travels the country spreading his words of resiliency and overcoming obstacles. Martinez began engaging the crowd as soon as he set foot on stage.

“Humor is a great tool,” Martinez said.

“Sometimes all you can do is laugh.”

He went on to discuss his life – the obstacles he has encountered and the ways in which he dealt with them.

“My story is not about Iraq,” Martinez said. “My story is not about the military.

My story is not the 33 surgeries I had. My story is about adversity, and that is something we can all relate to.”

In 2003, Martinez was driving a military vehicle in Karbala (located south of Baghdad), when the front left tire ran over a roadside bomb. He was trapped inside the burning truck for five minutes before he could escape. During that time frame Martinez experienced burns on over 34 percent of his body, spanning across his head, face, arms, back and legs. Martinez also suffered broken ribs and smoke inhalation. All the other passengers were thrown from the vehicle and walked away In 2008, Martinez was sent an email with only minor injuries.

Martinez was charismatic and capti- by a friend regarding an audition for the vating. He often stepped off stage to walk role of Brot Monroe on the Emmy Awardamong the crowd, at one time saying, winning daytime soap opera “All My Chil“Don’t worry about me falling. If I trip dren.” After that role, he was invited to be a contestant on the 13th season of Dancthen it is funny for everyone.”

Martinez went into depth about the ing with the Stars, where he was partnered struggles he with Karina Smirnoff. went through The duo went on to win in the afterthat season.

Humor is a great tool. math of his “I thought it was Sometimes all you can do is pretty awesome,” freshaccident. He spent his reman Matthew Everett laugh. covery time said. “I think my favorite in the Brooke thing that he said was: -J.R. MARTINEZ Army Medical ‘Everything happens for Center in San a reason, it’s all part of Iraq War Veteran, actor, speaker Antonio, Texthe journey.’ That was as. In between the biggest thing for me his appointments at the hospital, Martinez that I took out of it.” would spend time with other burn victims The crowd was diverse, including Cenat the center, which is how he became in- tral students and members of the commuvolved with inspirational speaking. nity alike.

“The way he structured everything was “He spoke to all ages,” said audience so coherent, so specific that it made sense member Judy Monosky. “Being a former step by step by step,” freshman Timothy teacher, dealing with students with disNakhisa said. “He was able to create a co- abilities was treated with a whole different herent message: Be able to keep your plans manner back then. I just love that he’s flexible in life. He’s probably the best pub- normalizing this kind of thing and exposlic speaker I have seen.” ing people to people who have had prob-

“

“

PHOTOGRAPHER NICK SNYDER/OBSERVER

INSPIRATION (Top) J.R. Martinez gets personal with the crowd. (Top) The crowd enjoys the speech, which focused on overcoming adversity.

lems in life and how they can overcome that.”

Martinez claimed that he “has gotten the entertainment bug” and would like to

spend more time on the other side of the camera. His book, “Full of Heart: My Story of Survival, Strength and Spirit” is in stores now.

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The Observer • Nov. 1 - 7, 2012

Rock climbing keeps it ‘reel’

BY BEN NEWBY

Staff Reporter

The SURC theatre was a sea of North Face jackets, beanies and beards as students took their seats to get a shot of adrenaline from the new climbing movie, “Reel Rock 7.” The movie is a collection of films featuring some of today’s most innovative and popular climbers as they take on mountains, routes and boulders all over the world.

The first chapter of “Reel Rock 7” featured famed climbers Chris Sharman and Adam Ondra. Only 18 years old, Ondra is already regarded as one of the biggest up and coming names in the sport of rock climbing. With a thin and lankey form, Ondra “doesn’t seem like he would be such an aggressive, fierce climber,” the film stated.

But, when veteran Sharman and the young Ondra attempted to climb the famous route “La Dura Dura” in Oliana, Spain, Ondra lived up to his reputation.

He attacked the route and screamed with agony as he reached for the next hold.

From the film it was clear that Ondra is a very emotional climber. When he falls he kicks, screams, punches the air and cries tears of frustration.

Although the pair of climbers did not reach the top of La Dura Dura this time around, they swore to come back and tackle the route another time as their segment ended.

Ryan Chase, senior recreation and tourism major, did not have much knowledge about rock climbing, but enjoyed the film.

“These guys are crazy,” Chase said.

The next chapter of the film jumped to Mt. Venu in India. Conrad Anker, Jimmy Chin and photographer Renan Ozturk were attempting to climb “The Shark’s Fin,” a massive granite rock on Mt. Venu the Hindus believed was the center of the universe. According to the film, “The Shark’s Fin” had “thwarted over 20 of the worlds best alpinists.”

On the trio’s first attempt at climbing “The Sharks Fin,” Chin suffered major frostbite on his feet. Several years later, the original group re-assembled and made plans to be the first to tackle the

climb. After photographer Ozturk was severely injured in a skiing accident, it did not seem as if they would all be able to make the trip. Ozturk proved doubters wrong however, and through vigorous exercise defied the odds and got himself healthy enough to attempt the climb. This time the group persevered and were the first to climb to “the center of the universe.”

After a brief intermission, the film covered a relatively new style of climbing called “off-width climbing.” It is a very brutal style where the climber wedges their arms and legs into wide cracks of boulders in order to ascend. It leaves the climbers with big rashes, cuts and scars from the rough surface of the boulders.

“The Wide Boyz,” a pair of off -width climbers from Great Britain, were the first to tackle the “Century Crack” in Utah. They trained for this climb by constructing a makeshift version of parts of the cracks features in their basement. They wedged their legs and arms into their replica and would lift weights to train for the daunting task

, which they successfully conjured.

The final chapter of the film featured Alex Honnald, whose claim to fame is that he climbs with no ropes. Honnald’s segment began with him training in Bishop, Calif. As he scaled a nearly vertical boulder with holds no larger than fingertips, the atmosphere in the audience was very tense. Olivia Love, senior biology major, was on pins and needles watching Honnald’s first climb of the film.

“It’s hard to watch,” Love said. “If he makes one wrong move…”

Honnald’s segment in “Reel Rock 7” finished with him soloing the three biggest walls in Yosemite National Park in under 24 hours, a feat that had not yet been accomplished. Starting at 4 p.m.

Honnald finished by 10:45 a.m. the following day. The film ended with an exhausted Honnald as he climbed to the peak of the last wall with a big smile on his face.

Outdoor Pursuits and Rentals next film will be Warren Miller’s film, “Flow State” on Nov. 8. Tickets are $8 for Central students.

Cloud nine: new movie exceeds expectations

BY JEFFREY ALAN COTE

Contributing Writer

Though a critic may enjoy scrutinizing a terrible film or raving about a great one, a new kind of satisfaction comes when evaluating a film that is by all definitions unique. “Cloud Atlas” is such a film. Directors Lana Wachowski, Andy Wachowski and Tom Tykwer (best known for the “Matrix” trilogy and “Run Lola Run,” respectively), have created a film that is undeniably different from any other of recent memory.

To put it simply, “Cloud Atlas” explores the evolution of the human spirit over time. The film does so by linking together the lives of people all the way from the 1800s, through the 1970s, to the present and the far distant future. The plethora of noteworthy actors, which include Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Jim Broadbent, Hugh Grant and Susan Sarandon, are all given multiple parts in the various narrative threads. Hanks, for instance, stars as characters from a creepy British doctor to a brutish Scottish author.

The narrative consists of six different stories loosely connected to each other by theme. Each thread of the film is remarkably different than the next, especially in genre. The threads of the narrative all stand out in comparison to each other.

This means the film ends up encompassing everything from historical drama to sweeping romance, quirky comedy to sci-fi thriller. Though this sounds like a recipe for disaster, in the hands of three skilled filmmakers, this concept becomes a revelation.

There is certainly a difference between complex and complicated, and “Cloud Atlas” is the former. While this might be a film with a whole lot of content, it never comes with an aura of confusion or incon-

sistency. This alone is an incredible feat, especially considering the story’s uniqueness. The film’s clarity is likely helped by the fact that its story is thoroughly engaging and entertaining.

Tykwer and the Wachowski may have created one of the most ambitious films of all time. Thankfully, this ambition is not blind. Though it may feel overreaching at times, “Cloud Atlas” is an incredibly well-made film that is making a grand and beautiful statement. The idea that despite society’s violent injustices, a person can change the course of history with love, art or a simple act of kindness is not only refreshing to see in mainstream cinema, but also powerful.

Unfortunately, though not surprisingly, current critical reception has been mixed.

This will likely prove to be an error of judgment, much in the same way that classic films such as “Citizen Kane” and “Fantasia” had their own polarizing reception at the time of their release. The reason for this phenomena is clear. To quote “Ratatouille”, “there are times when a critic truly risks something, and that is in the discovery and defense of the new.”

I have no issue standing as such a critic. I encourage you to see “Cloud Atlas.”

This film is fascinating, mesmerizing and will likely stick in your mind regardless of your own assessment of its worth. Most of all, it has true potential to stand the test of time.

Grade: A

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10 The Observer • Nov. 1 - 7, 2012

Street performer strikes a chord with Central ready moving voice. rewarded the perforCalbero shared that mance with a series It’s cool to follow of applause and brief she enjoys performing them - every year they “woos,” ending the set While street performing is a great way on college campuses. for artists to demonstrate their skills, their “I feel like you can get better. on a very upbeat note. acts rarely get national attention. This was connect to more peoThe familiar songs not the case for Carly Calbero, a 20-year- ple,” Wascher said. drew in about 30 peo-LEXIE PROCTOR old artist in Seattle.

“It’s a more intimate ple during the course Calbero, named one of the top four experience.”

Junior Public Relations Major of her performance in street performers in the country by RollWascher’s drumthe SURC pit. ing Stone, has quickly gained a lot of hype ming certainly fired “It’s a really relaxin the Seattle music scene. up a portion of the audience, as a small ing experience,” Calbero said.

Calbero expanded her hype to the east child danced in the corner during one of Despite only having a small crowd, side of the mountains, performing twice in Calbero’s more upbeat songs. For a brief the variety of the attendees demonstrated the SURC last Wednesday at noon and 7 period, Wascher left the stage and Calbero Calbero’s mass appeal. An elderly couple p.m. Quietly tuning her guitar before the was left with just her guitar to play ballads sat in the corner, politely listening to the event, Calbero was at ease once she took that complimented the gray fall day. songs, while a family of four sat in the opcenter stage at the start of her 7 p.m. show.

Playing a mix of original material and posite corner, doing the same. Meanwhile, Rather than creating a dance floor, stu- covers, Calbero made sure there were the couches in the pit were crowded with dents tapped their feet and bobbed their songs everyone could enjoy. Calbero college students, eager to hear what Calheads to Calbero’s smooth indie-rock showcased her flexible voice by covering sound. With a croona wide array of artists bero had to offer.

However, drawing a crowd is someing voice that doesn’t from Johnny Cash to thing Calbero is used to. Despite being match her tiny frame, I feel like you can connect the Killers. a street performer for only four years, Calbero showed Cen“I try to play as tral Washington Uni- to more people. It’s a more much old stuff as new Calbero has won a number of awards in Seattle, including first place in a Battle of versity why she has stuff,” Calbero said. intimate experience. quickly risen to the Nothing exempli- the Buskers competition put on by Seattle top of Rolling Stone’s fied this mix more Metropolitan Magazine. During this time, -NIKA WASCHER list. than the medley of she has also released three different EP’s, Drummer Calbero plays with songs Calbero ended and appeared on King 5 in July 2011.

“It’s cool to follow them – every year a drummer, Nika the set with. DisWascher, to add a layer of variety to her playing her vocal range, Calbero quickly they get better,” said Lexie Proctor, junior songs. Everything from a box drum, to switched gears a number of times to play public relations major, who has known tambourines, to maracas are used to add a completely different song immediately Calbero and Wascher since high school. a booming undercurrent to Calbero’s al- after the chorus of another. The audience Calbero and Wascher have several Staff Reporter

“

“

“

BY DEREK SHUCK

PHOTOGRAPHER ZACH OLNEY/OBSERVER

STRUMMING Calbero plays for the crowd.

shows planned for the rest of the year, spanning from Everett to Woodinville.

“I feel like I’ve been doing this forever,” Calbero said of street performing. Based on her upcoming shows, the ride doesn’t look to end anytime soon.

“

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The Observer • Nov. 1 - 7, 2012 11

Al-Monty gets haunt-y

T H E

Flavors Of The Week

Nov. 1

BY MARGAUX MASSEY

ASCWU-BOD PUBLIC MEETING SURC PIT 4 P.M.

Staff Reporter

As a costumed student screamed orders into the night outside of Alfred Montgomery last Saturday night, guests neared the entrance to infiltrate the haunted residence hall.

Those brave enough were met at the door by a seemingly normal looking student. He warned them of the terrors waiting inside and passed on instructions on how to proceed through the maze of haunts. Near the end of his speech, however, a zombie ran into the secluded room inside the haunted house, biting and dragging him outside, leaving the daring souls to navigate the halls on their own.

“The hardest part was coming up with themes and scares, but with the support of so many students, it was almost effortless,” said Bo Mendez, a senior music education major and community programmer for the music LCC. Mendez came up with the idea for the haunted house, and met students at the door to lure them inside.

Screaming mental patients and victims of violence were strewn about the hall, forcing people to step over some of them to proceed to the next room.

Guests were led into a room by a detective, who had them watch a short

S C O O P

murder scene before leading them into the building lounge. There they were finally out of the woods, and could relax with some candy and hot chocolate.

“It was nice to get out of the rain and i was really impressed by all the work that was put into it,” said Jessica Hodgeman, senior business major. “I think the best part was how committed the residents were. They were yelling and groaning all over the place.”

The idea for the haunted residence hall came from the Music Living Learning Community (LCC) in Al-Monty.

“My favorite part was people interacting and coming up with ways to decorate,” said Sydney Raymond, president of Al-Monty and freshman sociology major. “It brought the hall together.”

She said the students in the hall felt privileged to be a part of the haunted house and weren’t bothered by the screams emanating from the first floor.

“It’s been really exciting being part of the crew,” Raymond said. “I’m excited to be a part of it next year.”

Nov. 2

Nov. 2

WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE PROSODY EVENTS 8 P.M. (18+) $5

Nov. 3

“CRANKSGIVING” CWU CLIMBING WALL 7 P.M. $30

CWU FOOTBALL VS. WESTERN OREGON TOMLINSON STADIUM 1 P.M.

Nov. 4

Nov. 5&6

MEN’S SOCCER CLUB VS. EASTERN ALDER REC COMPLEX 1 P.M.

ELECTION ASSISTANCE CENTER SURC 137 A&B 9 A.M.

Nov. 7

Nov. 7

PARADE OF NATIONS SURC BALLROOM 7 P.M.

STRING STUDIO RECITAL RECITAL HALL 6 P.M.

SPORTS

12 The Observer • Nov. 1 - 7, 2012

Editor//Connor Vanderweyst

cwuobserversports@gmail.com

Volleyball Fryed at home

SETH LONBORG/OBSERVER

HEARTBREAK Senior outside hitter Sabrina Schwindler falls diving for the ball as Montana State Billings celebrates their upset victory over Central at Nicholson Pavilion.

Wildcats lose three of four matches since key injury Staff Reporter

The Wildcats have a knack for fiveset matches as of late. The women’s volleyball team experienced their first home loss of the season against Montana State University Billings, three sets to two, followed by another 3-2 loss to reigning Great Northwest Athletic Conference champions Seattle Pacific University.

The Wildcats are now MARCY HJELLUM Senior outside hitter 15-7 overall, 9-4 GNAC, and fall to fourth place in the conference standings.

They currently sit two games behind firstplace Western Washington.

On Thursday, Central was able to take an early lead against MSUB in the annual “Think Pink” match, and held on to win the first set 27-25. Senior outside hitter Marcy Hjellum had eight of her careerbest 24 kills in the first set. Hjellum was a crucial part of the Wildcats’ game plan throughout the match.

The second set began the same as the first. The Wildcats were able to take a small lead, but a 7-2 run by MSUB allowed the Yellowjackets to retake it. MSUB followed their large spree with a 10-2 run, putting

the second set out of reach. have a chance at coming back.

Central jumped out with an early lead Central needs to get back to the defenin the third set, then countered runs for sive principles that made it so successful runs with MSUB. The Wildcats went on earlier in the season. to win 26-24, leading the match 2-1.

The Wildcats found themselves in a In the fourth set, MSUB proved to hole, down 9-5 in the beginning of the be too much for third set, but went Central. After 15 on a 10-3 scorties and eight lead run and never It’s heartbreaking. You ing changes, the Yellooked back. put it all out there on the lowjackets tied the Stellar defense, court, and sometimes the as well as kills from match with a fourth set, 25-23 victory, almost every player ball doesn’t fall your way. bringing the match on the team, led to -RACHEL HANSES to a pivotal fifth set. a 25-22 set victory Redshirt freshman outside hitter The Wildcats found for the Wildcats. themselves down in The fourth set the fifth set for the was almost a carsecond straight time, but were unable to bon-copy of the previous set; SPU was repeat the comeback performance they able to keep it close through the end of had at Simon Fraser last week, losing 15- the set until CWU pulled ahead 25-17.

10.

Redshirt senior setter Devin Larson atThe Wildcats entered Saturday night’s tributed the comeback from two sets down game looking for a repeat victory over to CWU doing the “little things” right.

SPU, though it didn’t work out that way.

“When we do the fundamentals right, In the Falcons 32-30 opening set vic- we are one team, and we build from there,” tory, there were 21 ties and seven lead Larson said. “We felt like we should be changes, ended by a kill from Falcon se- there, come out fired up and take it.” nior outside hitter Cailin Fellows.

The Wildcats then entered their third The Falcons took a large lead early in consecutive fifth set in three games with the second set and CWU was unable to momentum in their favor. recover. The Wildcats ended up losing the Unfortunately for Larson and the rest second by ten points, 25-15. of the team, things didn’t work accordGoing into the third set, head coach ing to plan. SPU immediately leapt out Mario Andaya told his team that they in front and never lost the lead after they needed to play better defense in order to took it at 3-2. SPU ended up winning by a

“

“

BY CHACE DAVY

final score of 15-9.

The loss is the third in four matches for the Wildcats.

“It’s heartbreaking,” said redshirt freshman outside hitter Rachel Hanses.

“You put it all out there on the court, and sometimes the ball doesn’t fall your way.”

Despite the Wildcat losses, winning isn’t the focal point – defense is, according to Andaya.

“We’ve got to think about getting back to work and getting better defensively,” Andaya said.

Getting comfortable with every situation on court is another key step for the team.

“Mainly it just comes down to doing our stuff how we’re taught to,” Hanses said.

“When we do that, things run smoothly and everything is great, but sometimes we stray from that.”

Central plays Northwest Nazarene at 7 p.m. in Nicholson Pavilion. The Wildcats beat NNU in five sets the last time they met.

The Wildcats defeated Walla Walla University 25-10, 25-5, 25-15 in a non-conference match Tuesday, increasing their record to 16-7 overall, 9-4 GNAC.

SPORTS

The Observer • Nov. 1 - 7, 2012 13

WILDCAT SCOREBOARD FOOTBALL

RECENT GAME: L 14-10 @ Humboldt State Central loses back-to-back weeks for the first time all season and have fallen out of a tie for first place in the GNAC

CONFERENCE Humboldt State Central Washington Western Oregon Dixie State Simon Fraser

WOMENʼS SOCCER

Wildcat soccer blows out SFU in season finale Staff Reporter

For the Wildcats, Senior Day was bittersweet; on one end of the spectrum Central dominated Simon Fraser 5-0 and had three of it’s four seniors score at least one point.

But the win also concludes the women’s soccer’s team season.

The Wildcats finished their 2012 campaign 6-10-2 overall, 5-8-1 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.

Prior to the Wildcats home finale, the women played 14th-ranked in the nation Western Washington in their final road game, losing 1-0. Central was able to keep the GNAC leaders scoreless until the 71st minute, when Vikings freshman fortward Catherine Miles scored the game’s only goal.

Head coach Michael Farrand expressed disappointment in Thursday’s match.

“We did a great job limiting Western; they never really got to the goal,” Michael Farrand said. “But we made a little bit of a soccer blooper and kind of gave the game away at the end.”

Against Simon Fraser, scoring and playing solid defense was never an issue.

Within the first five minutes of the match sophomore midfielder Savanna Morehouse scored after an assist from sophomore mid-

fielder Taylor Stanley and senior defender Allie Washburn. Sophomore forward Hadli Farrand scored second for the Wildcats, ending the first half at 2-0.

Senior forward Carson McKole scored quickly into the second half, putting the score at 3-0. Hadli Farrand found the inside of the net again five minutes later, then senior midfielder Kelsy Villegas scored the final goal in the 73rd minute.

“The seniors had a great way to finish,” Michael Farrand said. “It’s very rare that you get a senior game like this where each senior had a big part of the game. It was just a great way to finish.”

The Wildcats had a rough season traveling, fighting injuries and battling sicknesses.

“I’m disappointed in this season because I think we have a great team and we have been so inconsistent in so many things,” Michael Farrand said. “We’ve had some challenges along the way, and it’s disappointing when you don’t reach your expectations when you have such a great group of girls.”

The team plans to make several changes for next season. They plan to re-evaluate their coaching methods, look at who they are as players, and change their subs and practice line up. The team has a promising core of younger players, thanks to the leaderships

Challenge accepted: OPR reopens ropes course

BY KATELYN POTASKY

Staff Reporter

More than 50 students took advantage of the clear Thursday evening when Central’s Outdoor Pursuit and Rental put on their last challenge course of the fall. With the air finally clear in Ellensburg, OPR was able to open the alpine tower and the giant swing for fall quarter. The challenge course will re-open spring quarter.

The obstacle course isn’t only a great place for clubs and groups to participate in team building activities, it’s also a great place for friends to hang out and create and break new limits.

Many students took to the ropes for the very first time, including junior Rachel Churchill.

While she remained skeptical and hesitant on tackling the Alpine Tower, Churchill was able to push through her fears and reach the peak, placing both her

feet on the top of the tower.

Churchill believes there are many different rewards with the Central Washington University’s challenge course.

“The challenge course really got me to push through my limit that I thought I had with completing the challenge course,” Churchill said.

Sophomore Ellye Main was also among the first-timers; her goal was to complete both the alpine tower and the giant swing.

Main was attracted to the challenge course after one of her leadership classes at Central.

“After completing the challenge course I was able to overcome my fear of heights,” Main said.

The challenge course is a great place to conquer fears and a to build leadership among peers, friends, clubs and other groups.

Senior Brent Ranniger is one of the challenge course’s facilitators, and has

L 2 3 3 5 5

NEXT GAME: 11/3 vs. Western Oregon - 1 p.m.

Both teams are battling for second place in the GNAC

Senior celebration

BY AMBER THORP

W 6 5 5 3 3

RECENT GAME: W 5-0 vs. Simon Fraser Wildcat soccer dominates on Senior Day

CASEY DEMORY/OBSERVER

SLIP-N-SLIDE (Top) Senior forward Carson McKole slides for the ball against Simon Fraser University. (Above) Sophomore midfielder Savanna Moorehouse goes for the header.

of the seniors.

The senior lineup this year included Washburn, McKole, Kelsy Villegas, and midfielder Kylee Villegas all took part in the Wildcats first Senior Day victory since 2008.

“This was a really fun game,” McKole said. “But it was hard not crying during the game because it was our last, and it’s challenging to say goodbye.” completed the course more than a 100 times.

“I love to get people out of their element, and see people challenge themselves,” Ranniger said.

Ranniger highly recommends all students overcome their fears of heights or climbing.

Junior Galen Abercrombie works alongside Ranniger and she was more excited about another aspect of the course.

“There is always a great social environment at the challenge course,” Abercombie said, “I can’t wait for when it re-opens up in the spring.”

Outdoor Activities For more information on OPR visit the office at 400 E. University Way or contact them at 509-963-3537 or outdoorpursuits@cwu.edu

CONFERENCE W Western Washington 12 Seattle Pacific 11 Montana State Billings 8 Western Oregon 6 Saint Martinʼs 5 Northwest Nazarene 5 Central Washington 5 Simon Fraser 0

NEXT GAME: N/A

L 2 1 5 7 7 8 8 14

T 0 2 1 1 2 1 1 0

VOLLEYBALL

RECENT GAME: W 3-0 vs. Walla Walla Central sweeps Walla Walla

CONFERENCE W Western Washington 11 Western Oregon 9 Alaska Anchorage 9 Central Washington 9 Seattle Pacific 7 Montana State Billings 6 Northwest Nazarene 5 Saint Martinʼs 3 Alaska Fairbanks 2 Simon Fraser 1

L 2 3 3 4 5 6 8 9 10 12

NEXT GAME: 11/3 vs NNU - 7 p.m.

CROSS COUNTRY

RECENT MEET: M: 9th W:5th Great Northwest Athletic Conference Championships NEXT MEET: 11/3 NCAA D-II West Regional Championships FOR MORE INFORAMTION ON CWUʼS TEAMS VISIT WILDCATSPORTS.COM

SPORTS

14 The Observer • Nov. 1 - 7, 2012

No California love for Wildcat football CWU loses two straight weeks for first time all season

BY JARYD CLINE

Staff Reporter

The Wildcats knew that Humboldt State University was going to come out with a vengeance after their 31-3 loss to Central at Pop Keeney Stadium on Sept 29.

With first place in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference on the line, the players knew that the game was going to be rough and physical between the number one and number two rushing offenses in the conference.

The Lumberjacks escaped with a narrow 14-10 victory. The game saw two of the GNAC’s leaders in rushing held to around half of their season averages.

“I wouldn’t have believed it,” head coach Blaine Bennett said. “Going into the game both offenses were open about the fact that they wanted to run the football.”

Central Washington University (5-4, 5-3 GNAC) dominated the Lumberjacks (72, 6-2 GNAC) in time of possession and first downs and had a higher total of yards gained, but was unable to leave California with a win, one that could have granted the Wildcats the first place position in the GNAC standings.

“It was a tough loss,” said senior quarterback Ryan Robertson. “The offense came out and played really well at the start and then we kind of sputtered after that. The

defense played incredibly well and came up with a couple of huge stops.”

Humboldt State’s junior running back Nick Ricciardulli came into the game as the GNAC leading rusher, averaging about 158 yards per game, but finished with just 52 yards on 22 carries. Central’s star running back senior Demetrius Sumler, who’s second in the GNAC in rushing and averages 120 yards per game, finished with only 66 yards with one touchdown on 23 carries.

Defense played a huge factor in the game, which forced each team to move away from their strong ground games and rely heavily on their passing attacks.

“Both defenses really stepped up and tried to force the opponent to pass and neither team threw the ball very well,” Bennett said.

The Wildcats found the end zone on their first possession of the game when they took over on Humboldt’s 29-yard line, following a mishandled snap on a punt attempt recovered by Central. Sumler ran in from four yards out, giving the Wildcats the lead and him a league-high 17 touchdowns.

The Central offense seemed to struggle for the rest of the first half, failing to convert solid drives into the end zone and uprights.

Senior kicker Sean Davis was unable to convert on two attempts from 37 and 30 yards.

The Wildcats luck didn’t get any better; Robertson pass in the beginning of the sec-

ond quarter was intercepted and returned for a touchdown, tying the game at 7-7.

During the next possession Sumler and Robertson had trouble with the handoff, which resulted in a fumble on the Lumberjack 15-yard line, after the Wildcats drive had begun on their own 21-yard line.

“It was really disappointing,” Bennett said. “In the first half, we missed two field goals and we fumbled the quarterback running back exchange down in the red zone, and those were critical errors for us.”

With the game deadlocked at halftime, both teams failed to score in the third quarter. Central and Humboldt punted twice in the quarter, while each team also turned the ball over once. A fake punt by Central on fourth and one was intercepted by the Lumberjacks which gave them the ball right before the fourth quarter.

Humboldt State scored their first offensive touchdown following their interception early in the fourth after a 47-yard pass and a one-yard run from Ricciardulli, taking the lead 14-7.

“Other than that play, both offenses weren’t able to throw the ball very well and both defenses did an excellent job,” Bennett said.

The Wildcats drove the field on their next possession, moving nearly 80 yards and taking up five minutes and 34 seconds of game time. Robertson passed for 28 yards, while

Sumler and freshman running back Jordan Todd rushed for a combined 43 yards, and the Wildcats were able to come away with a 29-yard field goal, closing the gap to 14-10 with HSU still in the lead.

The Wildcats’ defense allowed the offense to regain possession of the ball on their own 41-yard line, down 14-10 with three minutes and 26 seconds left in the game. The Wildcats were unable to move close enough for a score and were forced to punt. The Lumberjacks simply ran the clock out from there, cementing the final score at 14-10.

Senior wide receiver Tavoy Moore finished with new career highs of nine receptions and 94 yards while Robertson completed 20 of 34 pass attempts for 184 yards and one interception.

Senior linebacker Louie Bruketta and junior linebacker Stan Langlow finished with ten and nine tackles, respectively, playing a big part in helping to contain the Humboldt State rushing offense.

The Wildcats play their final two games at home versus Western Oregon next Saturday, then Dixie State on November 10th in their regular season finale.

“It’s going to be good to be home finishing up our season in front of our home crowd, and it’s going to be fun,” Robertson said.

Week nine fantasy football pickups

BY CONNOR VANDERWEYST

Sports Editor

The NFL season is halfway over. By now you probably know whether or not your team has a shot at making the playoffs, if they are a true title contender, or if you have to start researching for next year.

For those still in the hunt for a playoff spot check out my top fantasy football pickups for week nine.

Quarterback Nick Foles (PHI): Michael Vick has gone from fantasy stud to fantasy migraine headache in all of a year and a half. Now, with Andy Reid on the hot seat, the rabid Eagle fanbase is hoping that their rookie quarterback out of Arizona can get a shot. Foles will be a quality start if he gets the nod against a horrible Saints defense. Philly has too many weapons going to waste.

Running Back Daniel Thomas (MIA): The Daniel Thomas bandwagon was a little late, but it has finally arrived. Thomas’ hard running is the perfect compliment to Reggie Bush’s lightning speed on the outside.

Thomas played twice as many snaps as Bush in the Dolphins blowout victory over the Jets and looks to be the goal line back for Miami going forward. Look for Thomas to vulture touchdowns the reast of the season.

Wide Receiver Titus Young (DET): The Boise State

product finally broke out against an especially stingy Seattle pass defense which makes him a must-add in all leagues.

Quarterback Matthew Stafford seems to have finally gotten his groove back and with Megatron getting the attention of every defensive back on the field Young will have plenty of opportunities to rack up yards.

Tight End Dustin Keller (NYJ): Keller stumbled out of the gate with a lingering hamstring injury, but he now seems to be finally healthy after averaging 80 yards in his past two games. The Jets offense isn’t the most explosive, but with quarterback Mark Sanchez having no established receivers to throw to Keller will be looking at several targets per game. Outside of the top guys, tight end is a weak position that can be upgraded easily with the addition of Keller.

Defense/Special Teams San Diego Chargers: The Bolts face off against the Kansas City Chiefs this week and turnover machine quarterback Matt Cassell. Cassell has been responsible for 16 turnovers in just five starts this season. That is over three turnovers per game. With pass rushers like Shaun Phillips and ball hawks like Eric Weddle the Chargers should be able to keep the Chiefs in check.

SPORTS

®

CWU’s rugby coach to head All-American team ing the sidelines in Ellensburg. According to one of his standout players, senior Patrick Blair, Pacheco still has some of his Last June the Central Rugby team old moves, often lining up and taking reps notched yet another victory, this one off with the squad in practice. the field, as head coach of the seven player “He’s more like an in-play type of squad, Tony Pacheco was named as head coach, like when we’re running drills, he’s coach of the USA Rugby Men’s Collegiate running them with us,” Blair said. “It’s All-American team. pretty cool. He’s a player’s coach, everyThe appointment came after a run one likes playing for him.” of successful seaBlair is a returnsons that saw the ing All-American, Wildcats compete and was able to admirably on the He’s more like an in-play play under Pacheco national scene, winpast summer. type of coach, like when this“It’s ning two Northwest great, I we’re running drills, he’s run- mean you already Collegiate Rugby Conference titles ning them with us. It’s pretty know the coach and finishing 2nd you’re in,” cool. He’s a player’s coach, ev- and at the 2011 USA Blair said. “It helps eryone likes playing for him.

Rugby National a lot. You already Tournament under have the relationPacheco’s guidance. ship, there’s no -PATRICK BLAIR Pacheco was breaking the ice elated to land the with a new coach Senior position and saw it and I already like as an achievement playing for him.” for not just himself but for his players and Looking forward, Pacheco hopes to everyone involved in CWU Rugby. soak up the knowledge of other coaches “It was a real honor and a reflection of like USA Men’s Eagle seven’s head coach what we’ve been able to accomplish here Alex Magleby in hopes of climbing up the at Central that they would offer me that USA Rugby coaching ladder. position when there’s quite a few people “Down the line, I’d love to be part of who applied for it around the country,” the men’s national team staff, maybe even Pacheco said. “I was honored and really head coaching it someday, but they have a excited for the opportunity.” very good coach in there right now, somePacheco believes that Central’s style body that I respect and have learned a lot of play was exactly what USA Rugby was from,” Pacheco said. “Down the road if looking for, and hopes that he could dupli- they need an extra set of eyes on the team cate his success within their program.

I’d be definitely willing to help out.”

“The people who make those decisions But for now his focus is trained on anfor USA rugby, they see the product that other successful season leading his Cenwe put out on the field, and how are play- tral players already know what the rest of ers play,” Pacheco said. “We play a pretty USA Rugby will soon find out. expansive and fun style of seven’s and I “He is probably the best coach in the think they probably saw that and thought I northwest I think,” Blair said. “He gives us could do the same thing for the All-Amer- what we need, and he pushes us to succeed ican team,” Pacheco said. and I think that’s what helps us.”

Pacheco will remain head coach of the seven’s here at Central as most of the All-American team’s obligations are over summer when the student athletes are free to go on tour. His goal as the head man is to identify and develop young players that someday could take the field for USA Rugby in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Not long ago, the coach was a standout player himself, taking the field for the USA Under-19 squad, Kentwood Rugby Club and the Olympic Club before roamBY SCOTT HERMAN

Staff Reporter

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