Volume 103 Issue 5

Volume 103, Issue 5

www.TheEasterner.org

October 23, 2019

THE INDEPENDENT, STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER OF

EASTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY

3 Opinion | 4 News | 6 Arts & Features | 10 Sports

Calling all Women to

STEM

Page 9

Illustration by Malati Powell for The Easterner

News

Sports

Faculty perspectives on diversity award

Fostering a winning mentality

EWU Recently won the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. This award leaves some on the EWU campus with questions regarding what diversity actually means.

Some faculty give The Easterner their insight on the current state of diversity at EWU.

The EWU men's and women's cross country teams adopt a collective mindset of comradery with a predominantly young roster. Veterans and newcomers alike, their goal is to be the best in the Big Sky Conference.

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@The Easterner

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Editor in Chief Richard N. Clark IV easterner.editor@ewu.edu

Managing Editor Dylan Harris easterner.mngeditor@ewu.edu

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A collection of photos from The Easterner Archives of Halloween related events

Ad Director Jacie Philips advertising@ewu.edu

Multimedia Director Malati Powell easterner.multimedia@gmail.com

Chief Copy Editor easternercopy@gmail.com

News Editor Mitchell Roland easterner.news@gmail.com

Sports Editor Drew Lawson easterner.sports@gmail.com

Arts & Features Editor Hamine Mendez easterner.aef@gmail.com

Web Editor Keri Kelly easterner.online@gmail.com

Social Media Editor Isaiah Gessner easterner.social@gmail.com

Photographers Mckenzie Ford

Reporters Randle Kinswa Elizabeth Price

Director of Student Newspaper Jeff Bunch jbunch@ewu.edu

Faculty Adviser Jamie Neely jneely@ewu.edu

Correction for Issue 3: On Oct. 9, The Easterner incorrectly labeled the publish date for the Looking Back article titled "Saving homecoming!" The correct publication date is Vol. 20, No. 3, Oct. 15, 1969.

Correction for Issue 4: In the letter from the editor on Oct. 16, it incorrectly cites a previous article published by The Easterner. The correct date of publication is 1969.

About The Easterner

Mission

We, as independent student journalists at The Easterner, inform our EWU audience of the governance, activities and views of our community. We provide a voice and a learning environment for students to engage, connect and make informed decisions.

Circulation

The Easterner publishes a weekly print version as well as web content during the week at theeasterner.org. The Easterner is distributed throughout the Cheney campus and business district as well as the Riverpoint campus and various Spokane businesses. If you would like The Easterner to be distributed at your business call the Advertising Department at 509-359-7010.

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Corrections

The Easterner never knowingly publishes inaccuracies. If any error is found, The Easterner is obligated to correct the error as soon as possible, regardless of the source of the error. The Easterner does not remove any editorial content from theeasterner.org. However, if there is a factual inaccuracy in a story, the editors will run a correction or an update as needed.

Opinion

One secret to success: Making connections MARY CULLINAN Guest Columnist Mary Cullinan is the EWU president. Guest columns do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of The Easterner, its staff members or Eastern Washington University. This column was only edited for AP style.

Welcome to Fall term! I’m so excited to see our walkways and buildings crowded again, to feel the energy of new and returning students on our beautiful campuses.

Your primary purpose for being at Eastern, of course, is your academic work.

You’re here to learn, to get a degree, to prepare yourself for life after Eastern.

However, being an Eastern student also gives you a huge opportunity to become involved, to take part in campus life. For example, you might be interested in participating in the broader political work that helps support - Mary Cullinan, our public university. EWU President Because Eastern is one of the six public universities in the state, our relationship with the state legislature is crucial.

The Washington state legislature provides necessary operational funding for Eastern so we can continue to keep tuition as affordable as possible. Legislators recently funded our beautiful new Interdisciplinary Science Center, the huge campus construction project that will open next fall. The legislature provided support for a Computer Engineering program that will prepare students for hundreds of professional jobs in our region and beyond. And they fully funded the Washington College Grant program (formerly known as the State Need Grant). Many Eastern students rely on this critical state investment— and now everyone who qualifies will receive the grant. This is outstanding for our students.

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Legislative support doesn’t come automatically.

I work with our campus administration, faculty and students year-round to ensure that legislators know us, appreciate the work we do and understand our impact on thousands of students and their families.

Sometimes students ask me if they can be involved in these political relationships and processes. Or they wonder if their involvement will actually make a difference. The answer to both questions is YES! Like so many aspects of college and life, success is built on relationships. Become involved. Get to know your ASEWU elected leadership. They represent you. They’re interested in your thoughts and ideas. Let them know why you chose Eastern, the things you appreciate about your experiences here, the challenges you face, the changes on campus that would enhance your experience and learning opportunities.

ASEWU typically hosts a student lobby day or invites students to travel to Olympia to testify on a bill or advocate for a specific cause. Go! Take advantage of those unique opportunities to make a difference. The Washington College Grant might not have been fully funded if students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members from across the state hadn’t voiced the critical importance of that support.

Political work may not be your top interest. But being a university student provides multiple possibilities for building relationships, for becoming involved, for advocating for something larger than yourself.

Eastern offers amazing opportunities beyond the classroom to become engaged in campus life and in our local communities.

So, as you plan your classes and your work days, include time to engage with the campus, to explore clubs and organizations, to seek out activities and initiatives that inspire and motivate you.

Your college years are unique: take time to make connections that matter.•

“Take advantage of those unique opportunites to make a difference."

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News

Police Beat

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A female student called to report several unwanted contacts from her ex-boyfriend. Her ex started to make contact on 10/13 around 11:16 p.m. and continued to around 5:00 p.m. the next day when the police were called.

The ex-boyfriend, who is not a student at EWU, contacted the female several ways, including leaving an 18 minute voicemail, several calls from a no caller ID phone number and through Facebook Messenger. The male was referred to prosecutors on harassment charges.

10/18- Smell of Marijuana in dorm Around 7:27 p.m. in Pearce Hall, a CA called to report the smell of marijuana coming from a room on the eigth floor.

When the officer arrived, he noticed the smell of burnt marijuana coming from the room, and made contact with the residents. The residents gave permission to search the room, and the officer found nothing. The residents said a visitor who was in the room smelled of marijuana when he arrived, and left before the officer arrived. No one in the room was cited or referred.

10/19- Suspicious car stopped At 12:49 a.m., an officer noticed three people acting suspiciously in a vehicle near 10th Street and Cedar Street., and pulled the car over. The driver of the vehicle had a suspended license, and gave false information to the officer. The officer also found a firearm in the car, and the driver did not have a permit. The driver was given multiple citations for driving without a permit, obstruction and having a firearm without a permit, and was also referred to Student Affairs.

10/19- Alcohol found in dorm At 4:18 p.m., a residential life coordinator at Morrison Hall called to report a minor in possession of alcohol.

The coordinator was inspecting the room of a 19 year old resident who had recently moved out, and found a bottle of Hennessy. The resident was referred to Student Affairs.

Mitchell Roland for The Easterner

10/14- Student harrassed by ex

The Rockwood clinic will provide free flu shots on campus on Oct. 30 and Nov. 13. Students can schedule an appointment to get their free flu shot from the clinic if they are unable to go when the clinic comes to campus.

Free flu vaccine offered for students SANDRA REYES Contributor

Knock out the flu with a free Multicare Rockwood Clinic flu shot. On Oct. 30 and Nov. 13, Multicare will be providing free flu shots for all EWU students inside the main lobby of the PUB, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

What is influenza?

Influenza, also called the “flu,” is a contagious respiratory illness that is caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat and lungs, according to the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services,. This illness can range anywhere from mild to severe. The first and most important way for individuals to prevent themselves from getting the flu is by receiving their flu vaccine every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

How does it spread?

The CDC explains that the flu spreads by droplets in the air made when people with the flu cough, sneeze or talk. These tiny droplets then land in the mouths and/or noses of others who are nearby. Individuals with the flu can spread it to others who are about six feet away from them. Other ways the flu spreads is by touching objects where droplets of the flu virus may have landed and then touching your own mouth or nose.

Symptoms of the flu The flu is a lot different from a cold. An individual who has the flu often experiences some, if not all of the following symptoms: fever/ chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose.

Someone who has the flu may also experience fatigue, headaches as well as muscle or body

aches. Others may have vomiting and diarrhea, however the Washington State Department of Health explains that these two symptoms are most common in children.

When is flu season?

The exact timing of the flu along with its duration can vary every year. However, flu viruses are most common during the fall and winter beginning typically in October, peaking its activity around January and lasting sometimes until the month of May.

Who should get a shot?

As flu activity picks up, individuals may receive their flu vaccine for the 2019-2020 year.

According to the CDC, flu vaccinations are recommended for everyone who is 6 months or older, including pregnant women. Individuals who are 65 years or older are recommended to talk to their healthcare provider about the flu vaccine specifically designed for this age group.

College students are highly recommended to get their flu shot as they are at higher risk of getting the flu due to the environment that they are in being in close proximity with other individuals on a regular basis.

“It is important for students to get their flu shot so they are protected. Students already stress about enough things that if they start missing classes, it is just going to add more stress to them and it can make their symptoms worse if they do have the flu,” says health education coordinator, Laura Gant, from EWU Health, Wellness and Prevention Services.

Where can students get a flu shot?

“We partner with Multicare Rockwood Clinic,

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where students can seek health services as part of their comprehensive health fee. Students can call and make an appointment to get their free flu shot,” says Gant.

In addition, students who seek to use their own private insurance, have the option of visiting their primary care provider or they can also go to a pharmacy.

How to prevent the flu Get the flu vaccine and practice good health habits such as covering your mouth when you cough or your nose when you sneeze. The CDC also recommends other ways to prevent the flu, such as washing your hands frequently, getting plenty of sleep, eating a well balanced meal and keeping your area clean by wiping down door knobs, telephones, etc.

EWU junior, Eric Corona said, “Students should really take advantage of the free flu shots that will be provided in the next couple weeks. I think it is a great service for students.”

What happens if you get the flu?

Students who get the flu are asked to stay home until they are fever free without the use of medication for at least 24 hours. If you are someone who gets the flu, communicate with your faculty or with the student care team. This information can be found on the EWU's HWSP website.

The phone number for the Cheney- Multicare Rockwood Clinic is 509.235.6151 For any other questions or concerns, contact HWPS at 509.359.4279 for more information on the flu.. •

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The Easterner -

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What does diversity mean?

After an award, questions about a diverse faculty remain Malati Powell for The Easterner

MITCHELL ROLAND News Editor Dr. Robert Bartlett is the grandfather of The Easterner’s social media editor, Isaiah Gessner. Gessner was not involved in any of the processes behind the creation of this article.

Dr. Robert Bartlett, a senior lecturer in the Department of Sociology and Justice at EWU, recalls a comment a student made to him during his first year at Eastern that has stuck with him since.

“Dr. B," the student said. "Do you ever notice how there are more squirrels on campus than black people?”

While the student was kidding, like any joke, it was rooted in truth. While EWU has again won an award for diversity, some believe the campus is left with room for improvement and a question of what diversity on a college campus actually looks like.

Eastern recently won the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. But even though this is the second year in a row EWU has won it, some faculty members on campus have questions.

“I, to this day, wonder whose numbers (INSIGHT Into Diversity) are looking at,” Bartlett said.

82.6% of faculty members at Eastern in October 2017 were Caucasian, According to EWU’s office of Human Resources, Rights and Risk. The next largest racial group among faculty was Hispanic, at 5.2%.

3.1% of faculty at EWU are African American. Bartlett said that four of the African American faculty members on campus are in the same department— Africana Studies.

“What we call it in the business is ghettoizing the department,” he said.

Essentially, this means minority professors are grouped together in a field of study that correlates with their race, even if it's not what they were originally hired to teach.

Bartlett said that being an African American faculty member means having to do things his coworkers aren’t asked to do.

“I end up in meetings my colleagues don’t end up in,” he said.

Bartlett said that he is often tasked with being on search committees and other responsibilities simply because of the color of his skin, and that the extra roles that come with being an African American faculty member are not something they learn about in the interview process.

“It’s not often mentioned to candidates,” he said.

A lack of connection Dr. Scott Finnie, a professor in the Africana Studies program at EWU, said that part of the problem for faculty “is the feeling of

collectiveness outside of the classroom.”

Finnie said that in order for EWU to maintain a diverse faculty, it is important for faculty members to feel connected to their surroundings, whether that is on campus or in Cheney.

“That sometimes could be fellow faculty, or fellow residents,” he said.

Bartlett said he has the same piece of advice for African Americans who are moving to the area.

“If you want to be in the company of other black people in Spokane, in this region, you’re going to have to be intentional,” he said. “You’re going to find yourself sitting in a restaurant, and you’re the only black one there.”

Bartlett said that African American faculty members leave the area because there isn’t a support system for them.

“They felt isolated. They felt alone. They didn’t feel supported,” Bartlett said.

Bartlett said that a diverse faculty does not happen without an effort to make it happen.

“Not here. Not in Eastern Washington. It doesn’t just happen,” he said.

Student leaders on campus including

What can be done?

ASEWU President Key Baker and Black Student Union President Gracia Alzoubeir have also said that there needs to be more of

what B a ke r calls “cultural humility training” for faculty, and Finnie agrees.

“We all need it,” he said. “It’s a mutually collective need.”

Finnie said that he thinks there is an appetite for increased training among faculty members.

“I think all the professors on campus want (training),” he said.

Finnie said that he thinks faculty members on campus have a good compass when it comes to understanding the social climate around them.

“I think the faculty have a good thermometer,” he said.

Before teaching at EWU, Bartlett taught at Gonzaga University in Spokane, and Washington State University in Pullman.

And no matter where he’s taught in Eastern Washington, the same topics come up.

“Some of the challenges are exactly the same, no matter where I’ve lived,” he said.

“Diversity becomes a hot topic, mainly because where we live.”

At Gonzaga, Bartlett was the assistant dean of students, and he still remembers a meet and greet where he met the other new hires. While he was introducing himself to colleagues, Bartlett was asked about diversity. Again. And again. And again.

Bartlett estimates that three-fifths of the questions he was asked that day were about diversity on campus and what could be done, even though that topic was nowhere in his job description.

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“I went back to work that day thinking, ‘This is going to be a different experience,’” he said.

Bartlett said that at Gonzaga he began to notice the school “pushing for a more diverse student population at the time (they) don’t have a diverse faculty.”

Bartlett said he’s told every school he’s been at that “if you are really serious about creating a diverse campus,” then they need to focus on the faculty.

Finnie said that during his time at EWU, there has been growth for faculty in understanding social issues around diversity. He said that during his time at Eastern “there’s been a definite increase in broadening what is the educational pathway outside of conventionalism.”

Even still, Finnie said that he thinks his fellow EWU faculty can do more. He recommended that professors “go off the heavily trotted path of conventional history” and “break out of the blinds of eurocentrism.”

Learning from each other Finnie said that in his classes, he uses real-world examples to teach students about diversity and other social issues.

“I’ll use the African American experience as a case study of human nature,” he said.

Finnie said that when he does this, he asks students to compare what they learn to the world around them.

“Use a case study, then ask students what parallels they see,” Finnie said.

This isn’t always easy, Finnie said. Often times students are uncomfortable by this exercise.

But he said that this uneasiness is key for a student’s learning. By doing this, they are able to break away from their own point of view and see the world differently.

“We’re locked into our own perspective,” Finnie said.

And by looking at the world from a different point of view, Finnie said his goal is for students to begin to listen to each other.

“The key is to learn from each other,” he said.

Finnie said that at the end of the day, the goal should be to prepare students as well as possible for the world around them.

“The highest hope is to cultivate young minds to think for themselves from an informed homebase,” he said.

Bartlett said that regardless of where he’s been, diversity is continuously brought up to him.

“Diversity’s going to come your way,” he said. “Those questions will default to you, whether you like it or not.” •

Features

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SPOOKY Season Find out which events EWU will be hosting the week of Halloween Spooky season is right around the corner. Eastern is celebrating the season with its students by hosting a wide array of events. If you're interested in attending these events, and would like more information, then look no further. Here is a preview of Halloween week at EWU. Information gatherd by Elizabeth Price, Photo by Hamine Mendez

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark & The Babadook (Swoop’s Cinema) Wednesday, Oct. 30.

PUB NCR 7-11:00 p.m.

Halloween Skate Night Monday, Oct. 28. 6-9 P.M. (URC Ice Rink) There will be a costume-themed skate night on the Monday before Halloween.

There will be a costume contest with prizes for the top three costumes.

Students will also get a chance to carve or paint a mini pumpkin and enjoy caramel apples and Eagle punch.

Haunted Story Hour & Craft Night Thursday, Oct. 31.

Location TBD On Halloween day, Eagle Entertainment will be putting on a haunted story hour and craft night. Students will have the option to listen to a scary story told with light effects and wall imagery. There will also be a chance for students to win an Echo Dot! End your week with some scary stories and crafts.

Wednesday, the school will be putting on a movie night.“The Babadook” and “Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark” will be shown on a large projector screen. Get in the spirit the night before Halloween with your fellow Eags.

Harvest Fest Thursday, Oct. 31. 2:45-5:30 P.M. Around various EWU buildings

Trick-Or-Treat Tuesday, Oct. 29. 12-2 P.M. PUB Table Skirt A&B

Each year, nearly 350 kids come to Eastern’s campus to trick-or-treat around the buildings. There will be a carnival on campus for children and their families, as well as spooky science activities in the Science Building.

Students are encouraged to wear family friendly costumes and assist in leading children on candy tours.

If students are interested in donating candy for kids who attend Harvest Fest, they can contact the Office of Community Engagement at communityengagement@ ewu.edu.

Students are welcome to stop by the PUB tables on Tuesday for a chance to trick-or-treat for Eastern swag. This tabling event will have games where you can win prizes. This is also a chance to meet some of your Eagle Entertainment team.

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Arts

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Looking Back

Eastern set to celebrate ghouls night out THE EASTERNER Archives

When the moon rises on Saturday night, and the wind begins to howl—should the lights flicker and the air grow chilly—lock the windows and doors and crawl deep under the covers to shiver.

Halloween—the night for witches and ghouls, for ghosts and goblins— is upon us once again. All Saints Day, October 31, is traditionally the night for evil spirits and witches and warlocks to rise up from the graveyard to parly and brew their stew.

In the old country, various means of protection were used to ward off these spirits, and October 31 was the night to be especially wary of.

Wreathes of garlic, wooden crosses, magic circles and squares were all used for protection.

At Eastern, the fearless among the students will participate in the many gatherings scheduled for the occasion, among them the free party at Streeter Friday night.

“War of the Worlds,” Orson Wells’ famed radio broadcast of 1938, will be aired again on Halloween night

by KREM-FM. Considered by many to be a landmark program in radio broadcasting, the original program

The Easterner, Vol. 21, No. 6, Oct. 28, 1970

This story was originally published in The Easterner, Vol. 21, No. 6, Oct. 28, 1970 and has not been changed except for AP style.

A jack-o-lantern and a Cheney cat sit in front of an unknown EWU sign.

will be presented at 11 p.m. October 31 “to let the young listener who wasn’t around in 1938 to get a chance to hear it, as well as bring back memories for those who did,” said a KREM spokesman.

When it was originally broadcast, it caused considerable turmoil throughout the United States and resulted in many deaths. A large segment of the listening

audience believed the broadcast to be a real news item, rather than a dramatization of the novel H.G. Wells.

The novel is about an invasion of the earth by martians, resulting in a science-fiction war between the two worlds.

KREM-FM can be heard at 92.9 megahertz. •

“Halloween—the night for witches and ghouls, for ghosts and goblins—is upon us once again. ” THE EASTERNER, Archives

Illustration by Keri Kelley for The Easterner

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Features

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Mckenzie Ford for The Easterner

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Students working on an assignment in lecturer Amber McConnell's chemistry class. McConnell started the Women in Science at EWU club last spring as a way to encourage more female students to get involved in the STEM fields.

An edge for women in STEM

Inspiring future generations of women to succeed in the STEM fields by promoting thought-provoking conversations within the community HAMINE MENDEZ Arts & Features Editor Eastern Edge is a panel discussion taking place in the Spokane Convention Center on Oct. 23, and will be featuring women in the STEM fields.

It is meant to highlight some of the actions taken by EWU, and its STEM programs to increase the number of women enrolled in the STEM college.

One moderator for the discussion will be Eastern’s very own Dr. Leslie Cornick, the associate dean for the EWU College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. The panel will include notable women who graduated with a STEM degree, some of them being EWU alumni. The panel will also feature panelists that are current EWU STEM students.

This will be a large scale event for the Inland Northwest community, not just for EWU students.

“The biggest value is when we come together as a community, not just internally at Eastern,” Cornick said.

“There's a specific reason we are having this in the Spokane Convention Center, and not on campus. It’s that this is an

event that is about the community that this institution serves. That is the region of the Inland Northwest. We are greater than the sum of parts when we come together as a community to have these conversations.”

In the STEM fields, women are still underrepresented. Only about 35% of STEM degrees in 2015 and 2016 were obtained by women, according to catalyst. org, a non profit orginzation dedicated to creating work places that are ideal for women.

“Particularly in the technology fields like computer science and engineering,” Cornick said.

The panel was chosen by Emily Moser, Lance Kissler and Cornick. They wanted to show how successful EWU STEM alumni can be. Godsil, a processing engineer for Boeing, has been very supportive of the EWU STEM program since she graduated, Cornick said.

EWU student and panelist Vernice Keys told The Easterner in a phone interview that there is a “big gender gap” and said she hopes this panel will create awareness on how there is not a lot of women in the STEM fields.

Moderator and former Vice President for Student Affairs Angela Jones said

during a phone interview that so many The event also correlates to the STEM jobs are becoming available and the field career fair happening all day in the PUB will need women with STEM degrees. on Oct. 24.

Nearly half of the U.S. population is This event will celebrate the startup of a women, according to the U.S. Census new program called “100 Women Strong,” Bureau, however, only about 35% of for the computing and engineering the STEM field is women, as stated by students. Cornick didn't want to give any catalyst.org. information away about this program, to Jones said keep it a surprise. that she would “I really think like current this is going to be a STEM students gamechanger for our to interact with women students in women already in computer science the STEM field. and engineering “I am hoping degrees,” said that the people Cornick. who are currently An important there are takeaway is learning committed to about what women helping students students can do to once they are become successful - Dr. Leslie Cornick, ready, and are during their time going to help hire Associate Dean of the EWU at Eastern, while them,” Jones said. College of STEM also becoming She wants to informed on the highlight whether the school is creating a resources offered to them. It will cover space for young women to be successful. the struggles, highlights and rewards Are we taking the same steps as other of pursuing a degree as a woman in the universities in our region?

STEM fields. • “I would like a call to action,” Jones said

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“We are greater than

the sum of parts when we come together as a community to have these conversations.

”

Sports

A vision of success

EWU men's and women's cross country buys into collective mindset while incorporating bevy of underclassmen DREW LAWSON Sports Editor Family. Friends. Positive. Proud. Fun. These are all adjectives that members of EWU men’s and women’s cross country used to describe the culture of the team this year.

“We’re one big family, it’s amazing,” freshman Kenzie Gaines said. “They’ve taken care of us from the day we got here.

Everyone is super welcoming and friendly.”

The EWU women have six freshmen.

Freshman Rees Jacot said they’ve all become friends and plan on living together next year. Currently, they’re split between two dorm rooms. Jacot said that bond has helped the team.

“We’re all there for each other,” Jacot said.

“It’s not just about competition, it’s about making everybody faster.”

EWU is laden with youth, sporting just three juniors and no seniors. The women’s team is made up entirely of underclassmen in eligibility.

EWU second-year head coach Sam Read said that when a team is so young, they’re forced to naturally bond or separate into

groups. This year, EWU did the former.

“I think this year’s team did a really good job of welcoming the newcomers and opening their arms to them,” Read said.

“That translates into the family aspect.”

Another way to describe EWU cross country this year is more engaged, according to two of the team leaders.

Sophomore Carter Ledwith said the team has had a much better mindset than 2018’s squad.

“We’ve been a lot better this season at showing up and being ready to run,” Ledwith said. “We’re all on the same page now … there were times toward the end of the (2018) season when people’s mentality wasn’t quite there.”

Redshirt sophomore Megan Pitzman, a captain this year, said there’s a more positive mindset around the 2019 team.

“We’re a lot more proud to be Eastern,” Pitzman said. “We’re really happy to rep the Eagle on our chest … this has been the most fun year I’ve had so far.”

Read said the returning runners have done a good job of sharing the team’s vision with the newcomers. “(We) have (a) number of returners on

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Mckenzie Ford for The Easterner

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EWU redshirt junior Isaac Barville (center) competes in a track meet on April 6.

Barville is one of EWU's top three cross country runners this season. the men’s side and a really strong group of women returners that have a vision,” Read said. “When you have returners that have a vision, it’s easy to mold the newcomers on how this team is.”

That vision is to be the best, according to Read.

“We’re not the best yet, but we’re working towards it,” Read said. “It’s about picking one Big Sky school off at a time.”

EWU’s regular season concluded after four varsity competitions.

The men have been led by Ledwith and redshirt junior Isaac Barville, who were EWU’s top two finishers in all four regular season meets. Junior Ethan Green was EWU’s third finisher in three of the four meets.

Ledwith had EWU’s best finish of the season, placing fifth at the Charles Bowles Invitational on Oct. 5.

Freshmen have been the top performers for the women. Gaines, Jacot and Maddie Drennen have accounted for all of EWU’s top two finishers. Drennen was EWU’s top finisher at The Clash of the Inland Northwest to start the season, with Gaines and Jacot following. Gaines and Jacot were

EWU’s top two finishers in the following three meets, with Gaines getting two top finishes and Jacot one.

Gaines had the best finish for the women at the Cougar Classic on Sept. 13, finishing ninth.

Read said the newcomers have been his high point of the season.

“They bring a lot of energy to the team,” Read said. “It’s been a lot of fun having all the new faces.”

The biggest area EWU needs to improve upon is closing the gap between its top finishers and bottom finishers, according to Read and Green.

“Our spread could be better,” Green said.

“I’m the No. 3 guy on the team right now. I’d like to close the gap between (myself), Isaac (Barville) and Carter (Ledwith).”

Read said he wants EWU’s runners to keep pushing each other. “(Improving the spread) is something that every team wants to improve on,” Read said. “I want to see that 5th through 8th pack start pushing the top 4.”

EWU’s next competition is the BSC Championships in Greeley, Colorado on Nov. 2. •

Volleyball snaps lengthy conference skid Mckenzie Ford for The Easterner

EWU breaks 26-match Big Sky Conference losing streak with Oct. 17 victory

EWU freshman middle blocker Nicoletta Capizzi celebrates a point.

DREW LAWSON Sports Editor EWU players euphorically rushed the court to celebrate as head coach Leslie Flores-Cloud embraced her assistant coaches. Looks of celebration, relief and elation were visible on their faces. The volleyball team was celebrating one simple fact: The losing streak is over.

EWU (1-6, 3-16) was victorious in a Big Sky Conference match for the first time since Nov. 3, 2017. The Eagles knocked off the Southern Utah Thunderbirds (4-3, 11-8) in a back-and-forth five set match (2513, 22-25, 22-25, 25-16, 15-7).

EWU’s win not only snapped a 26-match BSC losing streak, but also broke a 14-match losing streak overall. Flores-Cloud, who is in

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her second season at the helm, earned her first BSC win.

Flores-Cloud said the win meant a lot to her, because she and the team still believe they can make a run in the BSC. "We just needed to get this monkey off our back," Flores-Cloud said.

"We're going to go full steam ahead."

Sophomore middle blocker Ashlyn Blotzer led EWU with 17 kills.

Junior setter Ana Paula Zandona had 51 assists, while junior Catelyn Linke got the start at libero and contributed 20 digs. Freshman middle blocker Nicoletta Capizzi added six blocks for EWU. Linke said the win gave the team a lot of confidence.

"We were talking in the locker room before (the match)," Linke said. "We said, 'we need this to prove to ourselves that we're good enough.' We came out ready to play tonight and showed what Eastern volleyball is all about." •

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Courtesy of Meaghan Franz

10.23.19 - V103 I5

Ready to be recognized The EWU women's club rugby team (right) in action during the 2018 season. EWU's first game in 2019 is on Oct. 26 at Western Oregon.

Women's rugby club seeks equal attention between men's and women's sports while looking to build a sustainable program RANDLE KINSWA Sports Reporter There has been an ongoing debate in America concerning the lack of attention that women's sports receive. This debate was exponentialized in 2019 when the U.S. women's soccer team won the World Cup. The players felt they didn’t receive the attention and love they deserved.

The EWU women's rugby club team feels the same way.

Junior forward lock Meaghan Franz, the president of the club, said rugby doesn’t get enough attention.

“I definitely think that rugby hasn’t been popular on the East side (of the state) as (much as the West side) ,” Franz said.

Franz would like to see the club be more known on campus. Franz would also like to see more people come out in support of the team at games.

Senior forward lock Emma Oaks said the club is overlooked. Oaks said it’s difficult to gain attention when they can’t schedule games on Saturdays due to football games.

“With the football team here, it’s a little hard to schedule games because we’re not allowed to have games at the same time as the football team, even though we play at different fields,” Oaks said. “Most people don’t want to sit through a football game and then watch a rugby game right after.”

Oaks said she'd like to see the university help with the club’s transportation and paperwork.

Junior 8-man Klarity Riesen also said the club doesn’t receive much recognition.

“Rugby is not a super well known sport,” Riesen said.

“Women's (rugby) in particular, there is the whole stigma on women's (sports) getting overlooked in general.”

Riesen said women’s sports don't get enough attention overall.

“The (U.S.) women did well in the … (soccer) World Cup and we hardly hear anything about that … even on campus with all the other women's sports, we really only hear about men’s sports … We could do better when it comes to advertising women’s sports.”

Freshman center Peyton Henry said she is glad she is a part of the club.

“I like it a lot,” Henry said. “I was really scared at first because I hadn’t played rugby, and I didn’t know if the girls would be nice … it was really open arms when I got here, the girls were really nice, especially the vets.”

EWU’s head coach is Ian Martin. Martin used to be the men's rugby coach, but transitioned to coaching the women earlier this decade.

“I coached the men here from 2003 until around 2012 or 2013," Martin said. "I’ve been coaching the women ever since.”

Basic rules of rugby

1. 15 players on the field per team.

Martin said the team is counting on its multitude of great players. The team has a total of 22 players, nine of whom are freshmen.

“We’re very young this year,” Martin said. “We lost numbers quite rapidly last year, and ended the season (short) on numbers, we got a bunch of new (players), mainly freshmen … I’m hoping they will be with the team for a bunch of years and help build up the program.”

Franz said she likes the direction of the club.

“We got a large portion of rookies coming in,” Franz said. They are very strong, very determined and we are looking like a strong team for the year.”

Franz also said she wants to see the club move up in rank.

“I would definitely like to see us move up from a D-2 team to a D-1 team,” Franz said.

Oaks said the club’s participation numbers have fluctuated.

“We have definitely had some highs and lows,” Oaks said. “We started out at maybe a max of 15 girls my freshman year.”

Oaks said during her sophomore year the team had nearly 40 players. This year the team has 20.

EWU’s first game is against Western Oregon on Oct. 26 at 10 a.m. The first home game is against University of Puget Sound on Nov. 9 at 10 a.m.•

EWU Women's Rugby Club Schedule Date

Opponent

Time

3. Passes can only go behind or directly beside the intended receiver.

Oct. 26

@ Western Oregon

10 a.m.

4. Players can kick the ball in any direction.

5. Points are scored when the ball is placed across an opponent's goal line or kicked through the opponent's crossbar.

Nov. 2

@ Western Washington

10 a.m.

Nov. 9

vs University of Puget Sound

10 a.m.

2. Players can carry the ball in any direction.

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V103 I5- 10.23.19

Illustration by Keri Kelly for The Easterner

EWU heads to Missoula for crucial rivalry bout DREW LAWSON Sports Editor There’s nothing better than a good rivalry in sports. The storylines are cliche, but classic: Neither team likes the other.

Legacies are on the line. The stakes have never been higher.

For the EWU football team (2-1, 3-4), those cliches ring true as a trip to Missoula to take on the No. 10/11 Montana Grizzlies (2-1, 5-2) looms on Oct. 26.

Getting Fired Up

Malati Powell for The Easterner

“It means a little bit more against (UM),” EWU head coach Aaron Best said. “It always has, it always will, just based on the sheer competitiveness of the games over the years.”

EWU can’t afford another loss in its final

five games if it hopes to advance to the FCS playoffs. The first of those wins will have to come at Washington-Grizzly Stadium. EWU has yet to win on the road this season.

EWU senior tight end Jayce Gilder said the team will be fired up to get that first road win.

“I don’t think it’s very hard to get excited for this game,” Gilder said. “Everyone’s aware that we haven’t won on the road yet this year, so we’ll be hungry to do that.”

About the Opponent UM has had a highly successful 2019 campaign, ranking as high as No. 5 in the FCS. However, UM was hit hard with adversity on Oct. 19. The Griz were thrashed

by Sacramento State 49-22 and lost senior quarterback Dalton Sneed to a right leg injury. Sneed is doubtful for Saturday's

game against EWU. The Griz are formidable, even with Sneed likely out. UM will turn to junior Cam Humphery at quarterback if Sneed can’t go.

Humphery transferred to UM from Saddleback Community College in 2018 and has been Sneed’s backup since then.

Humphery has appeared in six games this season. He has 182 yards and one touchdown pass with a 43.3 completion percentage.

Offensively, sophomore running back Marcus Knight leads the Griz in rushing with 508 yards and nine touchdowns.

UM has a deep wide receiving corps.

Senior Jerry Louie-McGee and juniors Samuel Akem and Samori Toure all have three receiving touchdowns and over 30 receptions. Sophomore tight end Bryson Deming has three receiving touchdowns on just 12 receptions.

Defensively, the Griz are led by senior linebacker Dante Olsen. Olsen has 85 total tackles, 5.5 of which are tackles for loss.

Olsen also has an interception and a forced fumble. Sophomore safety Robby Hauck, son of UM head coach Bobby Hauck, has 68 total tackles, an interception and a forced fumble.

For EWU to earn its first road win of the season against its classic rival, the Eagles will likely have to play their best game of the season.

Three keys to victory 1) Win the third quarter

EWU senior tight end Jayce Gilder celebrates a first down on Sept. 7. Gilder will be playing in his home state of Montana Saturday.

The Griz have been exceptional in the third quarter this season, outscoring opponents 95-44. Meanwhile, EWU has been outscored in the third quarter 63-58. If the Eagles can flip the script on this trend, the pressure shifts to the Griz, who are trying to avoid a disappointing loss for the second week in a row.

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2) Control the clock Even without Sneed, Montana boasts a strong offense that’s averaged 38.3 points per game this season. Luckily for Eagles fans, EWU has the ability to match that offensive attack. EWU must try to do so while controlling the time of possession.

The fewer opportunities the Griz have to score, the better chance EWU has of escaping Missoula with a dub.

Gilder said if EWU is able to get in an offensive rhythm and keep Montana off the field, the defense will benefit.

“When our offense is rolling, it’s huge for our defense,” Gilder said. “I think it’ll be huge on the road in that environment to get settled down.”

3) Force Humphery to win the game When a team is forced to start its backup quarterback, its coaching staff usually comes up with a conservative game plan that avoids putting too much pressure on that signal-caller. If the Griz follow this trend with Humphery under center, EWU would be wise to try and disrupt that plan by stopping the run and creating long down-and-distance situations.

EWU senior defensive end Jim Townsend said the defense’s goal every week is to make the quarterback move out of his comfort zone.

“If we’re able to get to (Humphery) and … get him throwing on the run, I think we can maybe affect him a little bit,” Townsend said.

If Humphery is forced to make difficult throws, EWU’s chances of a victory likely increase.

EWU at Montana kicks off at 11 a.m. PST on Saturday, Oct. 26. The game will be televised on ROOT Sports. •