2024.02.28

White judges for Black pageant

CULTURE

Miss Black EIU pageant back after one off year

By Cam’ron Hardy News Editor | @DEN_News

Three young women took to the stage Saturday night, their gowns and smiles sparkling under lights and cameras. Each contestant performed in a series of categories, showing off talents such as karate and trombone and walking the runway in traditional African garments.

After a year off, the Miss Black EIU returned with three contestants: Destinee Patterson, junior secondary education and English language arts major, Rafiat Yarrow, senior political science major, and Samaria Rosenthal, senior psychology major.

(See PAGEANT PG 2)

By curtainfall, Rafiat Yarrow was crowned the 51st Miss Black EIU.

Rafiat Yarrow, a senior political science major, cries while taking her first walk as Miss Black EIU 2024 at the Grand ballroom Martin Luther King Jr. Union on Saturday evening.

1811 Buzzard Hall

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The Daily Eastern News is produced by the students of Eastern Illinois University. It is published weekly on Wednesday, in Virden, Ill., during fall and spring semesters and online during the summer term except during university vacations or examinations. One copy per week is free to students and faculty. Additional copies can be obtained for 50 cents each in the Student Publications Office in Buzzard Hall.

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political science

PAGEANT CONTINUED FROM PG 1 >>

The pageant was judged by six judges and were judged based off of four categories:

• Creative expression, which accounted for 30% of the vote,

• African garment, which accounted for 30% of the vote,

• Talent, which accounted for 25% of the vote,

• And answering an impromptu question, which accounted for 15% of the vote.

Dating back to 1971, Miss Black EIU has been Eastern’s longest standing cultural tradition.

During the event, Yarrow expressed her feelings and personal connection to anxiety through a spoken word poetry perfor -

mance.

The pageant was hosted by Sheldon Turner, a sophomore accounting major, and Amari Hurn, a senior computer and information technology major.

Yarrow said it felt “surreal” to win the award.

She, alongside Patterson and Rosenthal, have been working on and practicing for the pageant for the last month.

She plans on promoting Miss Black EIU to other women in Eastern’s community.

Yarrow’s brother Raqeeb Yarrow attended the event, unaware of what he was showing up for.

He said that Rafiat Yarrow just told him to come, and the event was a surprise to him, which he enjoyed nonetheless.

He drove from Chicago for the surprise. He said it was definitely worth it.

Yarrow is also a member of Zeta Phi Beta, and her sorority sisters came out to support her.

Rochelle Carter, a sophomore nursing major also in Zeta Phi Beta, said she felt inspired by Yarrow’s victory.

“Just seeing her getting this award and getting the scholarship, winning the scholarship pageant, it’s just really inspiring just to show that I can do more on campus as well and follow in those footsteps in a Zeta life,” Carter said.

Yarrow had been talking to her sorority sisters prior to the event and was feeling stressed, according to Carter.

Carter said hearing Yarrow’s name called “was kind of a sense of relief.”

Cam’ron Hardy can be reached at 581-2812 or at cahardy@eiu.edu.

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FRONT PAGE COVER BY ROB LE CATES

BY SIA DEYKOONTZ | THE DAILY EASTERN NEWS

Miss Black EIU contestants: (left) second runner up Samaria Rosenthal, senior psychology major, (Middle) newly crowned 2024 Miss Black EIU Rafiat Yarrow, senior,

major, (Right) Destinee Patterson, junior, secondary education and english language arts major, posed for pictures during the pageant.

Polar Plunge: freezing for a reason

By News Staff Staff Report | @DEN_News

This year at the 2024 Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Polar Plunge at EIU Region I, plungers fundraised for a goal of earning $25,000.

As a whole event, five different teams worked together to raise around $13,000.

The LETR Polar Plunge is held across the nation to raise money for the Special Olympics.

The five teams that competed were individual plungers, communication disorder sciences graduate students, the Eastern Football Team, Alpha Sigma Alpha and the Eastern department of special education.

There were four awards given out at the event. It is a tradition to have the teams do a group costume and compete for the best costume as a group and individually.

Eastern special education professor Cori More earned the best individual costume prize for her tie dye ensemble.

The EIU special education department won the overall costume award for their tie dye costumes consisting of tie-dyed t-shirts, socks and headbands alongside lots of glow sticks.

The next set of awards was for the top amounts raised.

Eastern special education department Chairperson Kathryn Havercroft won the most raised with over $2,000 raised individually.

The Eastern special education department raised the most as a team with around $8,100.

“So, the Polar Plunge that we are having here today is one of four polar plunges we have in our region, and we

raised over $100,000 for our athleteshat money goes directly for holding quality training and competitions for our ath-

letes,” said Joanie Keyes Director of Special Olympics Region I.

The Polar Plunge also helps with the events held at Eastern and Region I for the Special Olympic athletes.

The Special Olympics have made an impact for Eastern students, especially those within the special education program.

“It made me appreciate what I am going to do for my career more,” Lauren Jackson, an education major, said. “I am super passionate about special education. I love what I am gonna be able to do, and I want to get involved in things like this really makes you connect more with it.”

Ryan Hendrickson, provost and vice president for academic affairs, said that the Special Olympics have always had a special place for him, having an aunt with down syndrome.

“I love working with athletes. I love what they are doing,” Hendrickson said.

“A lot of the families are engaged, so it is a fantastic way to bring people together.”

Students also showed their appreciation to the people that help and that are involved in this year’s Polar Plunge.

“All these people work extremely hard to have events like this every year even when it was difficult with COVID-19,” Jackson said.

Jackson also urged people to get involved regardless of connection with the Special Olympics, calling it a rewarding experience.

The News Staff can be reached at dennewsdesk@gmail.com or 217-5812812.

BY ROB LE CATES| THE DAILY EASTERN NEWS

Provost Ryan Hendrickson celebrates after jumping into the pool of water during the Special Olympics’ Polar Plunge Sunday evening.

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Lack of representation on the Miss Black EIU judging panel

Out of the six judges for the pageant, four of the judges were white

By Cam’ron Hardy News Editor

While attending the 2024 Miss Black EIU pageant, I quickly realized that majority of the judges were white. I found this to be both concerning and confusing.

This pageant is a way for Black women to express themselves and their heritage in order to win a scholarship.

If they are being judged by people who don’t understand what it’s like to be Black, how could they really pick a winner?

Obviously, they can choose a winner based off of what they see, which is one of the main ways to pick the winner, but they don’t have any common knowledge to the culture.

Now, this is not a diss to the judges. It is just an observation with some contextual information to back it up.

There were three contestants: Destinee Patterson, junior secondary education and English language arts major, Rafiat Yarrow, senior political science major, and Samaria Rosenthal, senior psychology major.

I think having it judged by people who can directly relate to the contestants would have been better as a viewer, to know that the people who were judging the contestants could relate to them and their stories.

One of the contestants talked about a speech their mother gave them before entering a store, pertaining how they were not supposed to ask their parents to buy anything.

The speech was exaggerated, but while members of the crowd laughed, some of the judges may not have related to it.

It’s easy to comprehend what the contestants were saying, but to actually live through it and potentially have to give those speeches as parents would not correlate due to the difference in upbringing.

If the judges aren’t a part of African American culture, how can they really understand what the contestants are talking about?

How can they know the history behind the clothes that the contestants wore? How can they relate to the traumatizing stories that the contestants shared?

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With the judges not being able to fully comprehend the culture, it could have led to them picking the wrong contestant.

The contestants displayed different backgrounds in their African American heritage, but I feel as though if people are not a part of the culture and do not understand it, then how can they properly choose a winner?

‘Cube’:

By Drew Coffey Columnist

Late at night, I decided to put off a handful of assignments and watch an old sci-fi/thriller film called “Cube” from 1997.

Let’s just say, I’ve never been more regretful of not doing my homework.

The film stars Maurice Dean Wint, Nicole de Boer and David Hewlett and was directed by Vincenzo Natali.It follows a handful of different characters as they wake up in a highly advanced and confusing cube prison. Oh yeah, and the cube is littered with booby traps. If this reminds you of another horror

Not to say they did or didn’t– congrats Rafi.

For a section of the show, the contestants competed in the “African garments” category of the show, which is when they show cultural expression in heritage, history and their heroes.

How can they understand the lectures given by parents to the contestants as well as other Black people in the audience?

Cam’ron Hardy can be reached at 581-2812 or at cahardy@eiu.edu.

‘Saw’ before ‘Saw’

film, just wait, we’ll get there.

With the positives, I can say that the film definitely acts as an intriguing mystery, catching your attention and making you wonder what the purpose of this death trap really is.

This mystery continues as we learn more about who the unlucky prisoners are and how their personal lives might have led to their seemingly extraterrestrial imprisonment.

The overall design and look of the film also help with the off-kilter and uncomfortable tone of “Cube.” With every room the characters enter looking the exact same, it really puts you in the disorienting and lost state of mind they are experiencing.

Now if you saw, clever I know, the headline, you’ll see that this film establishes many narrative points as the 2004 horror and gory classic “Saw.”

With the characters having to trust

each other even though they are strangers and the elaborate, trap-ridden environment they find themselves in, the inspiration from “Cube” is present.

However, the one thing that makes this film such a cringy and obviously low budget is the atrocious acting.

With a budget of nearly $400,000, I don’t expect Denzel Washington or Robert De Niro to come out, but come on.

The acting immediately takes me out and is so over the top in spots that I actually burst out laughing in this “intense” sci-fi horror film.

The dialogue is also very unrealistic and honestly makes the human characters seem like robotic aliens if there was such a thing.

Now, I am a sucker for low-budget films showing a cool and fresh concept, but sometimes the acting makes the film instantly forgettable.

Another aspect of the film that frus -

trated me was that we never saw what the purpose of the cube was.

The film definitely plays on the philosophical idea of humans’ purpose and how they turn on each other when faced with dangerous situations, but if I invest an hour and a half of my time, you have to give me some sort of explanation.

Maybe it’s just me, but I think a cool and creative ending would have added to the strange aura that this film expresses and, as a result, made it more impactful.

In conclusion, “Cube” is an interesting film that utilizes a disorienting tone and tells a story of how humans can destroy themselves in intense situations.

My overall rating: 2/5

Drew Coffey can be reached at 581-2812 or akcoffey@eiu.edu.

BY SIA DEYKOONTZ | THE DAILY EASTERN NEWS

One of the judges for the arts and speech portion of the pageant takes notes in the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union in the Grand Ballroom on Saturday evening.

Debates will not change your mind

By Jason Farias Columnist

Anyone who has ever debated, either formally or informally, knows one thing: it is not what you say but how you say it.

In a debate, perception is reality.

Facts alone do not change our mind because we find ourselves more honestly influenced by our initial beliefs, cognitive biases, emotional attachments and an endless number of social and cultural factors.

Despite this, our culture glorifies the debate stage, reveres the “marketplace of ideas” and devotes significant media attention to political faceoffs.

Of course, debates can be fun and entertaining, but for the most part, they are just that: fun and entertaining.

A skilled orator understands this and is conscious of their use of performance, theater and drama just as much as their use of logic, rhetoric and convincing arguments.

Last week in my U.S. Constitution and the nation class, we simulated

COLUMN

the 1788 New York ratification debate of the U.S. Constitution.

We split our class between the federalist and anti-federalist factions and debated a number of issues concerning representative government. By the end of the game, I had the pleasure of shooting Alexander Hamilton myself.

But beyond the historical role-play and recreation, the determining factor

between winners and losers was obvious. In our game, the winners were the ones who talked-- or yapped-- the most and yapped the hardest.

It was a game of yappers take all, meaning winning debates were based more off of speakers’ perception rather than content knowledge or, dare I say, logical arguments.

And yes, studying the reading materials went a long way but not as far

as a silver tongue.

Despite research suggesting that arguments are not very effective at changing minds, we tend to place a lot of cultural significance on debates. In reality, debates are just popularity contests.

They are a measurement of rhetorical talent, perception of confidence and, in more nefarious cases, one’s ability to rationalize logical fallacies.

Furthermore, if you are not careful, a gifted speaker will have you thinking you are thinking when you are really just being entertained.

Today, we interact with endless avenues of online content, streaming and news media, but we should always be critical of the ambiguity between information and entertainment, especially when they come to us in the format of a debate.

That is to reiterate that debates can be fun.

They can be informative, test our rhetorical skills and even, in a few cases, change our minds.

I am not discouraging the virtue of debates, but I am encouraging a critique of its medium.

At the end of the day, every debate is a piece of theater.

Jason Farias can be reached at 581-2812 or at jsfarias@eiu.edu.

When to speak up, the problem with lengthy emails

By Dan Hahn Columnist

The beauty of formal emails lies in the encouragement of favorable discourse. We may be flawed as humans, but in our private discourse we can strive for something better.

That being said, email is not an appropriate communication channel for urgent issues. Instead a phone call or face to face meeting will work best. But, what if you need a prompt response to an email but do not receive one right away?

I say wait 24 to 36 hours (about 1 and a half days) during a standard work week, then it is reasonable to send a polite follow-up email to inquire about the status of your original message. Keep common sense in mind, and do not expect a response over the weekend or within several hours.

Unfortunately, sometimes emails are so carelessly written that the recipient does not bother to respond, or simply does not understand the message. In

this column, I aim to provide context on why it is wise to follow common email courtesies.

Rule number one of email is to always use the subject line when writing to a formal audience. The subject line of an email should summarize the purpose of your email in a few words. When writing to a college professor regarding a class, include the course title and number in the subject.

College educated folks will likely write many emails over the course of their careers, so get in the habit of beginning your emails with a formal greeting such as “Dear Professor [Last Name].” It brings me joy that we continue to honor the tradition of addressing others as “Dear” in the modern era.

Of course, avoid using informal greetings like “Hey” or “Hi,” and if “Dear” does not resonate with your message, try using “Greetings” or “Hello.” An appropriate greeting will show cordiality in a medium where tone is critical.

The beginning of an email message is a great place to briefly introduce yourself if you are unsure if the recipient knows who you are. Mention your name, program of study and any relevant context.

In the body of the email, state your purpose. Keep your sentences and para-

graphs short and to the point. If your email grows into a wall of text with three or more paragraphs, reconsider the purpose of your message, and instead set up a meeting to talk in person or over the phone.

Professional emails are supposed to be short and to the point. The problem with lengthy emails is that they tend to read like a soliloquy rather than a communication to another person.

If you want to write long and formal messages to an unfamiliar audience, try becoming a columnist or blogger instead.

Remember to use proper punctuation and grammar. Do not use netspeak or acronyms like “lol,” “btw” or “fyi;” all capital letters and emojis are also inappropriate. Familiarity, jargon and an informal tone work well for email exchanges between friends and close colleagues, but they have no place in formal communications.

As you are wrapping up your message, remember to sign off from your email with a professional signature at the end. I wrote a column about email sign-offs last fall, and “Take care” or “Best” remain some of my favorites.

When you receive a response to your email, it is courteous to reply graciously. Remember to start the reply as you

would normally: “Dear [So-and-so], thanks for the prompt reply. Have a nice day.” is a perfectly appropriate response. Replying with such a short message is not always necessary, but it never hurts.

This also presents an opportunity to ask a relevant follow up question, and you have also left the door open for future friendly correspondence.

Remember, email is a communication channel between two or more people. It is an opportunity to present yourself professionally.

If you send thoughtless, rude or nasty emails they will be remembered, and can even be forwarded to others or shared widely which will be both embarrassing and damaging to your reputation.

Sending an email that should have been a conversation also has negative consequences. Email is a way to send a message instantaneously, but do not expect an instantaneous reply. Put some thought into how you want to present yourself. This will ensure that you are seen in a positive light as a courteous individual with high standards and realistic expectations.

Dan Hahn can be reached a 5812812 or dhahn@eiu.edu.

Football is for the girls too

By Zaria Flippin Sports Editor

On Feb. 14, 2024, the Illinois High School Association announced that girls flag football will be officially accounted for as a sport in the state of Illinois.

Illinois is now the ninth state that is recognizing girls flag football as a high school sport along with Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Nevada and New York.

I feel like this shows how the movement of women in sports is continuing to evolve over time. With the rise of girls playing flag football, especially in the city of Chicago, I think this was a very smart move to let girls flag football join the list of IHSA sports.

The release made by the IHSA continues on to say that the inaugural IHSA Girls Flag Football State Finals is scheduled to take place on Oct. 18-19 in 2024.

As a woman who absolutely loved playing flag football in elementary school during physical education classes, I was ecstatic to find out the sport will be recognized in the state of Illinois.

If girls flag football was offered while I was in high school, I already know I’d be the best running back for my high school.

One of the many reasons why I’m overjoyed with this decision by the IHSA and the other states that have accepted girls flag football as a high school sport is the fact that the sport of flag football as a whole is evolving.

In 2028, flag football will join the Olympic roster.

I think the addition of this sport as an official high school sport is a big step for high school athletes.

It will allow them to show their talents and craft to possibly get recruited to join the Olympic team.

There are four years for high schoolers to show their

abilities on the field to have the chance to play in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

If you actually take the time to sit down and watch what these high school girls are doing when they play flag football, I believe you’d be very impressed.

I don’t think people truly understand how much talent it takes to play football, and I also don’t think people believe that flag football is a hard and intense sport.

Although there is less physical contact in the sport of flag football, the players still need to learn how to be physical on the field.

Another reason why I’m happy with this choice is that it shows a side of women where they aren’t sexualized while they’re playing the sport.

Lingerie football has been something that I could never fully understand.

Yes, these women are incredibly athletic, but why do the uniforms consist of a bra and booty shorts?

The answer? Sex. Sells.

I’ve never been a fan of that motto, but in all honestly, it is just the reality we live in.

There really isn’t a lot that we can change about that.

With the addition of girls flag football as a high school sport, you don’t see lingerie as their uniforms, but you see an actual uniform: jerseys that aren’t cropped and aren’t see through, shorts that don’t stop to where the thigh starts.

Girls flag football is showing that girls shouldn’t have to be sexualized in order to prove themselves.

They put on their jerseys and helmets and show their talent and craft on the field, not on their bodies.

With all this being said, this proposes a statement

and a question to think about in the future.

The statement: Football is not just for the men; it is for the girls too.

With the evolution of girls flag football in the nation, high school girls are really setting the tone on how girls can do anything guys can do, maybe even better.

The question: With the evolution of girls flag football, is there a possibility that we will be seeing an NCAA approved collegiate women’s flag football program in the future?

Zaria Flippin can be reached at 581-2812 or zhflippin@eiu.edu.

New volleyball rules improve play

By Chloe Profitt Sports Reporter

On Tuesday Feb. 20, the National College Athletic Association released a set of rules regarding collegiate volleyball:

• Referees are now allowed to issue red cards to the home team in cases where spectators get too close to the play area and the home team does nothing to resolve the issue

• Interference above the net can now be challenged

• All protests against referee decisions must now be resolved during the match

• Small, snug-fitting nose rings and ear cuffs have been added to the list of acceptable jewelry that can be worn during a match

WOMEN’S SOFTBALL

• Each team is now allowed to designate two liberos for each set of the match. Only one libero would be allowed on the court at a time, and the libero would be allowed to serve in one position

And finally, a rule that has brought lots of controversy:

• Players may now contact the ball more than once on any single attempt on a team’s second contact so long as the ball is played to a teammate

But what exactly does double contact mean?

Double contact is called when the setter sets the ball with their hands separately instead of simultaneously.

Setting is an art. It is a skill that takes years to master.

The NCAA claims that introducing this new rule will introduce more consistency to the game and promote continuation of play, which would make the game more entertaining for both the players and the fans alike.

There is widespread controversy about

the impact this will have on the importance of the setter.

However, what many others failed to recognize is that this new rule does not take away from the skills of a setter.

A setter still needs to be able to properly deliver and execute their set.

An argument against the new rule that many make is that it will make the game sloppy. Yet, lifts and other violations can still be called.

A skilled setter will still be an excellent setter; the rule does not change that.

To execute a good hit or kill, the sets still need to be clean.

Growing up, I played volleyball practically my whole life, and one of the most frustrating parts of the game was when the rally would end early.

Why would this happen?

Because a double was called.

Doubles are hard to spot and sometimes falsely called.

An amazing kill would be diminished and instead, a double was called on the set and the point was turned over to the other team.

If anything, the rule of no double hits helps the flow of the game.

Panther volleyball junior setter Sylvia Hasz does not mind the change either, agreeing how devastating a double call can be.

“I don’t mind the new rule change,” Hasz said. “I think it keeps the flow of play going, and prior to the new rule, it has been disappointing during long rallies when the play has ended because of a double contact instead of a kill.”

Like stated earlier, it does not diminish Hasz’s skills.

“Being a setter, I’m not upset by this rule because yes now anyone can set the ball, but not everyone can be a setter,” Hasz said. “There’s a lot more of [a] strategy and decision making that goes into being a setter and not just setting a ball. So, in some ways it helps make our job easier to do.”

The addition of this rule will enhance the experience of both audience members and athletes alike.

Chloe Proffitt can be reached at 581-2812 or at cgproffitt@eiu.edu.

Freshman named OVC pitcher of the week thrice

By Patrick Schmitz Sports Reporter | @DEN_News

Freshman pitcher McKenzie Oslanzi has been named Ohio Valley Conference pitcher of the week for the third time in her first three weeks with the Panthers.

Oslanzi leads the OVC in ERA with 0.80, wins with six, innings pitched with 43.2, batting average against with 0.158 and strikeouts with 53.

She is also undefeated this season and, as only a freshman, she is helping lead the Panthers to a 9-6 record.

Oslanzi is also tied for seventh in the NCAA in wins, eighth in strikeout-towalk ratio with 13.25, tied for 40th in ERA, 45th in strikeouts per seven innings with 8.5 and 50th in hits allowed per seven innings with 4.01 Over the weekend, Oslanzi went 3-0 with three complete five-inning games. She had 15 strikeouts in those games and allowed eight hits and one walk.

Against Saint Louis University on Saturday, she allowed one hit and no walks in an 8-0 win.

She had another shutout the day before against the University of Detroit Mercy where she allowed four hits and one walk and had eight strikeouts.

“I really like having a presence when I’m pitching, and I feel like we all have a good presence on the team,” Oslanzi said. “So, I feel like seeing that from ev-

erybody helps myself. Having my teammates have confidence gives me confidence.”

Oslanzi isn’t just a pitcher, though. She has been able to keep a 0.226 batting average and four RBIs.

Oslanzi said she was able to complete these feats due to her training. The team works on everything during practice from pitching to hitting.

Another reason was due to her teammates, said head softball coach Tara Archibald.

“Being a freshman, it takes a minute to adjust to the level of competition and the speed of the game, but she seems to have settled in really quickly and gotten comfortable quickly,” Archibald said. “I think that’s a huge testament to her teammates and how comfortable she feels with her teammates.”

Some freshmen don’t get to make an impact on their team right away, but Oslanzi has.

Panthers of the Week

The female Panther of the Week is going to McKenzie Oslanzi from the softball team.

The freshman pitcher from Marseilles went 3-0 during the Western Kentucky Tournament in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Oslanzi played three out the five games the Panthers played from Friday through Sunday.

Oslanzi only allowed one walk and eight hits throughout the three games she played in.

“I’m very grateful for it,” Oslanzi said. “I didn’t really expect it coming on as a freshman.”

Despite Oslanzi winning pitcher of the week, the Panthers only won one game during the West Kentucky tournament.

“I mean, I thought we were working well together,” Oslanzi said. “It’s just some things just don’t end up how we wanted to, but I feel like we tried our best.”

Even though Oslanzi is already winning pitcher of the week, she still has a lot to grow on, said Archibald.

“She’s just going to keep growing,” Archibald said. “Like, as good as she’s been, she and I both know there’s still a lot of ways she can keep growing, and it’s exciting to think about it that way too.”

Patrick Schmitz can be reached at 581-2812 or at pfschmitz@eiu.edu.

The male Panther of the Week is going to Adam Swanson from the track and field team.

The fifth-year distance runner from Carpentersville won the Ohio Valley Conference male track athlete of the year and the OVC male athlete of the championship at the OVC Indoor Track and Field Championship. Swanson added a total of 22 points for the Panthers in his individual events throughout the tournament.

MCKENZIE OSLANZI

ADAM SWANSON

BY SIA DEYKOONTZ | THE DAILY EASTERN NEWS Freshman pitcher McKenzie Oslanzi has been named OVC pitcher of the week for the third time in a row.

Iverson reveals shot put technique

By Payton Liggins Sports Reporter | @paytonannette27

Senior EIU track and field thrower Taylor Iverson answered some questions ranging from a track and field athlete she looks up to to if she likes pineapples on her pizza.

Q: How has the season been going?

A: “It’s been going well actually. We just got a new coach, and I feel like I’ve been really growing under his coaching. I’m very excited to see how the rest of the season goes. It’s my senior year, and I feel like I’ve been growing at a constant rate, so it should really be a good outcome.”

Q: What are your goals for the season?

A: “First off, to have fun. That’s always a go-to goal of mine, to just enjoy what I’m doing. Aside from that, just throw really far. If a win comes from that, I’ll take that too.”

Q: Favorite meal before a meet?

A: “Definitely a sub. I prefer Jimmy John’s slim four with mayo packets on the side.”

Q: Favorite snack before a meet?

A: “I like the Nature Valley oatmeal bar. Also, some honey roasted cashews.”

Q: Do you hold any records at EIU?

A: “I am #9 of all time for the hammer throw and #9 all time for weight throw so top 10 for both.”

Q: What is your favorite Olympic team?

A: “Of course the US Olympic teams, specifically for the throwers you have people like Valarie Allman, DeAnna Price, Gwen Berry and Raven Saunders just to name a few.”

Q: Which technique do you usually like to throw? (spin, glide etc.)

A: “For shot put, I’ve tried to do the rotational throw. Gave it a try for 6 months and it did not go well lol. So I went back to my roots, the glide, and I’ve been throwing very well so far.”

TRACK AND FIELD

Q: What track and field athlete do you look up to?

A: “From a throwing aspect, DeAnna Price. She is such a sweet person and an amazing thrower. I also like Dawn Harper. She’s so sweet and funny in person as well. I love how she’s just unapologetically herself.”

Q: Ice Mountain or purified water?

A: “Definitely purified. I feel like Ice Mountain is thick. It doesn’t make sense, but it almost feels like I have to chew it.”

Q: Pancakes or waffles?

A: “Definitely waffles, add some whipped cream and fresh strawberries.

It’s top tier.”

Q: Which teammate would you let get the aux?

A: “For the girls, definitely Caroline [Lendy]. Her music taste is unmatched. For guys, probably Jacob [Maxwell] or Matthew [Gladieux].”

Q: Do you think the Earth is round or flat?

A: “It’s been proven that it’s round, so I’m going to stick with that.”

Q: Favorite sport other than track and field?

A: “Softball for sure; I used to be a really good short stop. I honestly miss it.”

Q: How long do you think you’d survive in a zombie apocalypse?

A: “When my flight or fight kicks in, I choose to fight every time. I’d have to be sick as a dog for a zombie to catch me. But I would say that’s only if it’s ‘The Walking Dead’ zombies. If it’s a ‘Last of Us’ zombie, like a clicker, I’m done. Even worse a ‘World War Z’ zombie. I’d be gone the moment I see a zombie sprinting towards me at like 30 mph.”

Q: Pineapple on pizza?

A: “Absolutely not. I’m a sausage or pepperoni type of person.”

Q: If you could have a superpower, what would it be?

A: “Probably to grant wishes, if that’s a superpower, or be really smart, but not go crazy smart with the right amount/photographic memory.”

Q: How do you balance being a student athlete?

A: “Honestly, my first two years were really rough. I somehow managed to balance working, practice and school. I literally was losing hope, but as time went on, I became better with my time management skills and slowly got the hang of it.”

Q: What is your favorite memory of the team?

A: “When we went to Kentucky last year for a meet and they had a hot air balloon fair going on. We all decided to get on a couple rides, and it was so much fun. Definitely a core memory.”

Q: What would you tell your younger self?

A: “Despite the rough time that you had in your first two years of college, you made it. You graduate with your Bachelor’s in two and a half months. As much as you wanted to give up and throw in the towel, you’re here. I’m so proud of you for not giving up when things got hard, and the bad days outweighed the good.”

Payton Liggins can be reached at 581-2812 or at paliggins@eiu.edu.

Panthers finish second in OVC tourney

By Aidan Cusack Sports Reporter | @DEN_News

The Eastern men’s track and field team placed second at the Ohio Valley Conference Indoor Track Tournament.

First year director of track and field James Gildon mentioned how he wasn’t disappointed in the team despite not taking home a ring.

“I told them I was proud,” Gildon said. “The kids competed very well; they left it out on the track. It was just a situation where our best wasn’t quite good enough.”

Men’s track and field scored 117 points at last season’s indoor tournament, but the team scored 176.5 points this year.

Gildon said he was happy with the improvement.

The Panthers were led by fifth year long-distance runner Adam Swanson, who scored 30 points across four events-- the 800 meter, mile, 3,000 meter and the distance medley relay.

He placed second in the distance medley relay, 800 meter and mile while coming in third at the 3,000 meter.

Swanson was named male athlete of the

championship for his efforts].

“Adam Swanson had a tremendous meet,” Gildon said. “He is a great performer.”

Gildon also praised freshman sprinter Daniel Lacy.

Lacy scored 18 points across three events-- 200 meter, 400 meter and 4x400 meter. He placed second in the 400 meter with a time of 47.74 seconds, 0.07 seconds behind first place.

Senior Ramsey Hunt and senior Ricky Johnson scored 14 points apiece.

Johnson competed in three events-- 200

meter, 400 meter and 4x400 meter-- while Hunt competed in two-- long jump and triple jump.

Hunt took first place in the long jump with a mark of 7.64 meter.

Graduate Declan Ritzenthaler also took first place in his event, the pole vault. He won with a mark of 5.08 meter.

The Panthers finished 49 points above third place, Southeast Missouri State University, who finished with 127.50 points.

Aidan Cusack can be reached at 5812812 or at atcusack@eiu.edu.

SUBMITTED PHOTO | EASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

Taylor Iverson, a senior thrower, placed second in the indoor Ohio Valley Conference tournament weight throw. She was named second team for All-OVC.