Volume 103, Issue 9
www.TheEasterner.org
November 20, 2019
THE INDEPENDENT, STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER OF
EASTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
3 News | 6 Arts & Features | 10 Sports
Football finale? Page 12
Richard N. Clark IV for The Easterner
News
Features
Grocery Outlet opening soon in Cheney
The EWU Wind Ensemble set to perform
With Grocery Outlet's grand opening set for tomorrow, The Easterner sat down with the owner, Duran Slater, to discuss the unique discount opportunities and shopping experience. There will be prizes and activities at the grand opening.
With its first concert of the school year tomorrow, the EWU Wind Ensemble would like to invite the EWU community to come enjoy a variety of music pieces performed by EWU faculty and students. The concert will open with a faculty-based quartet called “Cameleo.�
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@The Easterner
@The_Easterner
@_TheEasterner
2 - The Easterner
Editor in Chief Richard N. Clark IV easterner.editor@ewu.edu
Managing Editor Dylan Harris easterner.mngeditor@ewu.edu
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
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Preview Current
This week’s issue of The Easterner includes a preview of what is expected to be the final EWU football game of the year. The Eags will be fighting to finish the season with more wins than losses. While the chances of making the playoffs are slim, it is not impossible if they can pull off this win against Portland State. Also, in the sports section this week is a profile on sophomore center Bella Cravens of the women’s basketball team. Flip to page 10 to learn more about EWU’s leading rebounder. Part two of the two-part series on redshirt athletes also appears in this current issue. We take a look at what it’s like to be a redshirt player on the men’s and women’s basketball teams.
Upcoming The next issue of The Easterner will set its focus on a winter theme. With winter break right around the corner, we will be covering a variety of winter-themed topics. We will cover how to travel safely in winter conditions, take a look at some activities offered on campus over break, as well as identify the best (legal) sledding spots around town.
Director of Student Newspaper Jeff Bunch jbunch@ewu.edu
Faculty Adviser Jamie Neely jneely@ewu.edu
While the majority of next week’s issue focuses on winter, our news section will contain a much more serious topic—how to make it through finals week. Be sure to find yourself a copy and stay caught up on the news of the EWU community. •
Think our paper is out of this world?
Photographer Mckenzie Ford
Reporters Randle Kinswa Elizabeth Price
In this week’s news section, we cover the upcoming opening of Grocery Outlet in Cheney. Read more to find out the opening date, as well as some information about what shoppers can expect at Cheney’s newest grocery store. In arts and features, we preview the upcoming EWU Wind Ensemble concert. The section also includes a story informing students of the resources available on campus to help with creating résumés. We interview staff members from the Career Center and the Writers’ Center. Thank you for picking up this week’s copy of The Easterner! Keep reading to find out more. •
Check us out online!
TheEasterner.org 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.
News
11/5 - Missing passport on campus
A student from Saudi Arabia lost his passport on campus. The student thinks he may have dropped it while getting out of his car in Parking Lot 15A. The passport has not been found and the student has filed for a new one. If anyone finds the missing passport they are asked to contact EWU police.
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Capt. Nicholas Carbaugh provides marksmanship instruction.
Instructors honored for leadership MICHAEL ZEHRING Guest Columnist
11/5 - Damage to challenge course
Michael Zehring is a Master Sergeant in the ROTC program at EWU. 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.
11/13 - Marijuana in dorm room
This year, Capt. Nicholas Carbaugh and Sergeant First Class David Ratliff have been recognized as the top Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) instructors for the northwest region in both the officer and non-commissioned officer categories. The northwest region stretches from California to Montana covering 30 ROTC programs. Both instructors are now moving to the Cadet Command competition, which will select the top officer and nonc o m m i s s i o n e d - David Ratliff, officer from the 273 Sergeant First ROTC programs nationally. This competition includes the major military colleges of West Point, the Citadel and Virginia Military Institute. Final selection will be made on Jan. 17, 2020. When asked about being recognized Sergeant First Class Ratliff said, “It’s
On the morning of 11/5, approximately $50 worth of damage was found to the ROTC Challenge course on campus. At some point overnight between 11/4 and 11/5, someone spray painted graffiti on a door at the course and the $50 is the estimated cost to repaint the area.
At approximately 6:05 p.m. in Streeter Hall, a CA called to report the odor of marijuana coming from a room on the third floor. Upon arriving, officers smelled the same odor and made contact with the residents of the room, who gave consent to search. While searching the room, the officer found marijuana in a backpack that belonged to a visitor and a vape pen with THC oil that belonged to the resident. Both the resident and the visitor are under the age of 21. The visitor was given a citation for possession of marijuana and both people in the room were referred to student affairs.
11/17 - Marijuana odor in car
great to win the instructor of the year award, but it’s even better seeing our Cadets continually perform better than their peers at Advanced Camp year after year.” Cadet Jenna Knight said, “SFC Ratliff’s marksmanship class is incredible, he really knows his stuff. I mean he’s got seven gold medals in the civilian marksmanship program (within the Sportier Division), I’m not sure we could get a more qualified instructor.” This achievement follows EWU ROTC’s success last year when Sergeant First Class Jason Hennig was recognized as the top noncommissioned officer instructor in the nation. The EWU ROTC program is open to any students who have at least two years remaining in college. ROTC takes students with little or no military Class background and develops them into Army leaders pursuing careers in a wide range of branches including nursing, engineering and military intelligence. To learn more about ROTC call 509-3596110 or visit https://inside.ewu.edu/rotc/.•
“It's great to win the
instructor of the year award, but it's even better seeing our cadets continually perform better.
”
Photo courtesy of Capt. Nicholas B. Carbaugh
At 11:36 p.m., an officer spotted a car speeding southbound on Washington Street. Upon stopping the car, the officer noticed an odor of marijuana radiating from the vehicle. The driver was under the age of 21 and gave consent to search the vehicle, where the officer found marijuana. The driver was issued citations for speeding and possession of marijuana and was also referred to student affairs.
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Photo courtesy Capt. Nicholas B. Carbaugh
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SFC. David Ratliff (bottom right) takes in Military Appreciation Day at Roos Field.
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Mitchell Roland for The Easterner
News
While the new Grocery Outlet may not be a one-stop shop for residents of Cheney, it will offer disounted prices on a variety of items.
New grocery store set for grand opening MITCHELL ROLAND News Editor
Mitchell Roland for The Easterner
When it comes to grocery shopping, Cheney residents will soon have another option. Cheney’s newest store, Grocery Outlet, will open this Thursday. The store is located near the corner of East Betz Road and Highway 904, next to the Verizon store. Grocery Outlet is a chain of grocery stores that operates primarily on the West Coast and specializes in discounted items. Before this store, the closest Grocery Outlet to EWU was approximately 20 minutes away in Airway Heights. Duran Slater owns and operates the Cheney store with his wife, Cassie. Slater said that the thing that sets Grocery Outlet apart from the competition is that Grocery Outlet is constantly looking for the next discount. Slater said that everything
in the store is sold at a discounted price compared to other stores. “Grocery outlet scours the globe and buys opportunistically,” Slater said. Slater said that despite the store being across the street from Safeway, he does not see this as a problem. Slater said that people who shop at Grocery Outlet typically have to shop at another store as well. “We’re rarely anyone's only place to shop,” he said. Slater said that Grocery Outlet typically has limited variety in its products. For example, Slater said that while Safeway may have ten types of ketchup, Grocery Outlet may only have two. But he said that those two are “both going to be great value.” Slater said that 40% of the items in the store will stay the same. These are items such as eggs, milk, produce and meat, items Slater calls “the staples.” But he said the other 60% of the store is
60% of the items sold at Grocery Outlet are constantly changing.
“constantly changing.” And that 60% is what sets them apart, Slater said. “That’s Grocery Outlet’s secret sauce,” he said. Slater said that the reason Grocery Outlet can sell their products at such a low price is due to this change. He said that while at other stores there is layer after layer of approval needed to sell a product, Grocery Outlet can get a product on the shelves in less than a week. “Grocery outlet can buy a really good deal,” he said. Slater said that with a constantly changing inventory, when shopping at Grocery Outlet if you see a product you want, you may need to act fast because it may not be there the next time you shop. “When you see an item you really like, buy it,” he said. Slater said that the store is locally owned and operated, and that he thinks it has a family atmosphere. “We definitely want to be part of the community,” he said. “For us, a big thing is customer service.” Slater said that an example of their customer service is that the store does not have a self checkout option. The thing that separates Grocery Outlet from its competitors is quality food at a good price, according to Slater. Slater said that one thing that will appeal to college students is Grocery Outlet’s selection of “NOSH” products. NOSH is an acronym that stands for natural, organic, specialty and healthy. “We have a big assortment of foods that fall under that category,” he said.
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Products such as frozen meals, frozen vegetables and dairy-free ice cream fall under this NOSH section, and Slater said that NOSH is typically something people who haven’t visited Grocery Outlet before don’t expect. “We don’t just sell discount products,” he said. Slater said that Grocery Outlet offers people “a lot of specialty foods at a great value.” Slater said that the store just obtained its liquor license and will sell beer and wine, as well as hard alcohol. “Some of our best values are in wine,” he said. “We have a lot of great wine.” If you shop at Grocery Outlet, you may see name brand products next to products you have never heard of before, and Slater said there is a reason for that. “We sell a lot of products that may sell in a different market,” he said. So while you will see familiar brands such as Lays, there will also be brands you haven’t seen before. Slater said that shopping at Grocery Outlet isn’t like shopping at any other store, it’s an experience. “One of the fun things about Grocery Outlet is it’s a treasure hunt,” he said. And with this treasure hunt, there’s always something new to find. “You never know what you’ll find walking down the aisles,” Slater said. “It’s a fun place to shop.” The doors to the new Grocery Outlet will officially open for business on Thursday at 9 a.m., and there will be prizes and activities at the grand opening.•
News
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Thanksgiving closures on campus With Thanksgiving next week, several resources and restaurants will have their hours impacted. Here's a look at some of the services on campus that will be affected.
EWU Classes
Tawanka Main Street Dining
There will be no classes on campus from Wednesday, Nov. 27 through Sunday, Dec. 1. Classes will resume as normal on Monday, Dec. 2.
Tawanka Main Street Dining will be closed from Monday, Nov. 25 through Sunday, Dec. 1. It will reopen for brunch at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 8.
EWU URC
The Roost
The Roost will be closed from Wednesday, Nov. 27 through Sunday, Dec. 1. It will reopen at 11 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 2.
The EWU Recreation Center will be closed from Wednesday, Nov. 27 through Sunday, Dec. 1. The URC will reopen on Monday, Dec. 2 at 6:15 a.m.
EWU Aquatic Center
John F. Kennedy Library
The EWU Aquatic Center will be closed from Thursday, Nov. 28 through Saturday, Nov. 30. The Aquatic Center will resume normal hours of operation on Sunday, Dec. 1.
The JFK Library will close early at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 27 and will remain closed through Thursday, Nov. 28. The library will reopen at 7:30 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 29. Illustrations by Malati Powell for The Easterner
Breakfast & Lunch Served all day 6AM-2pm Early Bird Specials 6am-8am
#1 - Any 1/2 Bene #2 - Meat, 2 Eggs, Hash Browns & Toast #3 - 2 Meat, 1 Egg & Toast #4 - Biscuits & Gravy #5 - Croissant Sandwhich #6 - 1/2 Biscuits & Gravy, 2 Meat & 1 Egg #7 - Oatmeal & Toast #8 - Waffle, 2 Meat & 1 Egg
To Go Orders Available! www.TheEasterner.org
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Features
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Assembling the ensemble
Relax and unwind with some of EWU's top musicians at the wind ensemble concertg ELIZABETH PRICE Reporter The EWU Wind Ensemble is bringing a variety of musical pieces to life with its first concert of the school year on Nov. 21. The wind ensemble, which consists of EWU students, will include a combination of woodwind, brass and percussion instruments, along with bass and piano players. Director of bands, Don Goodwin, explains that the wind ensemble brings a diverse
range of interesting music pieces. “We all need music, we all need art in our life,” said Goodwin. Goodwin says that besides studying and hanging out with friends, students need an outlet like music to get a break to let their brain shut down and just enjoy something. “Enjoy the fruits of other people’s toils,” said Goodwin. The involvement of students who are not majoring in music is cherished very much by
the band, according to Goodwin. He said that joining the ensemble gives students the chance to determine whether or not they should be playing in the band. “We want the best players in our department,” said Goodwin. For the students who are music majors, the wind ensemble is a way for them to experience the process of rehearsing and getting a project ready, Goodwin said. The concert will take place on campus as a way
to serve the community, according to Goodwin. “We want to make sure that anyone that wants to come to these concerts feels welcome,” said Goodwin. Ensembles have evolved from bands that would support military troops, to bands that perform indoors independently. The pieces that will be performed in the concert will consist of interesting art forms of music created by very important composers, Goodwin said. The concert will open with a faculty-based quartet
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called “Cameleo.” The quartet consists of music department instructors, as well as a trombone student. They play a mix of music from pop to jazz in a really interesting way with just a trumpet, clarinet, saxophone and trombone, Goodwin said. Musical pieces performed at the concert will include: “Gandalf ” by Johan de Meij; “Country Band March” by Charles Ives; “Variations on a Korean Folk Song” by John Barnes Chance; “Cityscape” by Scott Boerma; “Gumsucker’s March” by Percy Grainger; and “Blue Shades” by Frank Ticheli.
This complex mix of music presents anything from tunes that have jazzy-bluesy vibes, to tunes of complete chaos, according to Goodwin. The piece “Cityscape” will be conducted by grad student Emma Hurst and “Blue Shades” will be composed by grad student Kristen Thompson. For those wishing to attend the Wind Ensemble concert, it will be held on Thursday Nov. 21 at 7:30 p.m. in the recital hall of the Music Building. Student admission is free with an ID card, general admission is $10 and seniors’ and non-students’ admission is $5. •
Photo courtesy of Don Goodwin
Arts
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What are your thoughts on the Roos Field renovations? “If it's not using the university's money, then I don't really care if there is some sort of rich donor who is like 'I want this to happen,' then go for it. ”
- Rachel Graham, Senior “I think it's a good idea. ... I just think our football team deserves a better stadium cause we've got a pretty good team for the last couple of years.
- David Williams, Senior “I really don’t mind it but I feek like half of the money to the school goes to the athletes, so I feel like half of the money should be spent on other things for the students, instead of the athletes."
- P.J. Jackson, Sophomore "I’m more interested in the Science Building renovations. It doesn’t really concern me because not every student can use it so it’s kind of unfortunate."
- Kalil Taylor, Junior “I think it’s really lame … I think most students aren’t in athletics so you’re not serving most of the students here.”
Looking Back
War rally shows interest The Easterner Archives This story was originally published in the Easterner, Vol. 22, No. 22, April 26, 1972 and has not been changed except for AP style. Amid signs of “Dictators Rise To Power Through War” and “Facism Will Come to America–Wrapped in an American Flag,” several EWSC faculty members spoke at a protest rally held at noon April 20 on the PUB steps. Sponsored by the Concerned Faculty and Students for Peace Now, the rally was, according to spokesman Phil Brown, designed to “protest the increased bombing and escalation of military operations in Vietnam, and give insights to concerned students about President Nixon’s military policies there.” One of the tertiary purposes of the rally, Brown mentioned, was to promote more student participation in the presently faculty-led committee. Nearly 150 students and faculty members were on hand to listen to the
speeches. Among those at the podium were: Lyn Triplett, professor of history, specializing in Japanese culture; Henry Kass, political science instructor, who emphatically said that “we have lost this war – we must rid ourselves of it;” Cameron Weekes, wife of faculty member Ted Weekes; Cedric Hepler, member of the campus ministry; and Andy Parnes, economics instructor. Parnes, in speaking out against the Vietnam war, exclaimed, “we have been bamboozled too long. The war is not winding down. It is still with us.” Reverend Hepler also added that “we cannot let ourselves be duped by anyone’s seemingly simplistic approach to the world’s problems,” and that President Nixon seems to have several “false prophets-in-residence.
Easterner, Vol. 22, No. 22, April 26, 1972
Easterner Asks
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Mrs. Weekes, who had long been active in the anti-war movement, urged that anyone interested in the cause should act-now. “We need action, and more creative action, than ever
before,” she commented. Spokesman Brown, a Vietnam veteran, ended the hour long rally by again encouraging more student participation in the organization. •
“We need action, and more than ever before.”
- CAMERON WEEKES, Anti-War activist
Comics
Plucking Feathers
Plucking Feathers is The Easterner's comic section illustrated by Web Editor, Keri Kelly. The purpose of these comics is to poke fun at the EWU community.
- Kelsie Coffell, Senior "As long as they keep the red turf, I’m down with the renovation for sure.”
- John Ostrowski, Fifth year Senior
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Features
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Illustration by Malati Powell for The Easterner
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The right résumé
A look at the resources offered that help students perfect their résumé HAMINE MENDEZ Arts & Features Editor
Creating a résumé can be difficult. Luckily for EWU students, the school offers resources to help make a presentable résumé. From the Career Center to the Writers’ Center, EWU has employees who are able to help students create résumés that stand out. Jenica Jett is a career advisor for the Career Center. Jett said that résumés are students marketing tool, and that each résumé should be “tailored to the job.” If students are applying for a marketing job, for example, then students should include any marketing experience. It's important to include any information about skills students possess that could demonstrate their knowledge in the field. “It helps to do extracurriculars that actually give you … hands-on experience,”Jett said. “Doing things that you can put on your résumé as demonstrated knowledge.” Senior Bella Ogle is a peer mentor for the Career Center. She shared that when creating a résumé, students should include clubs and organizations. This shows that students have worked in teams before and know how to operate in an organizational setting. “Include experiences and communication skills,” said Ogle.
Ogle said how she personally has had the Career Center critique her résumé. This has made her résumé ready for any potential employers after college who may read it. Darcey Bradley, who is a responder for the Writers' Center, said its entire staff has either a PHD or master's degree. They are able to help with cover letters and résumés. It is important to be aware that different job fields can require different formats. What employers look for is “a constant format,” Bradley said.
Bradley said employers also look for descriptive detail on the experiences listed in the résumé. Throughout the entire resume students should be clear, concise and descriptive. It should be easy to read, said Bradley. Wide margins and consistent formatting throughout are also very important factors. Strong verbs and a large name at the top should also be implemented, accourding to Bradley. “It's the one document that you really need to be perfect,” Bradley said. “You
“What I found to have the
most significant impact, is the format of my résumé, because a lot of times people will point out the résumé (is) really professional.” - EMMALINE SYLVESTER,
Office Aide for the Writers' Center
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know, perfect in grammar, perfect in description, strong verbs, I think ... that will always stand you in good stead.” Sophomore Emmaline Sylvester, a former reporter for The Easterner, is an office aide in the Writers' Center. She said that when she got her job interview for the Writers' Center, she brought in a résumé too. When working on a résumé, there's a few things to keep in mind, according to Sylvester. An “uplifting tone” is what Sylvester believes to be a characteristic that can help a résumé stand out. Having it organized also plays a key role, said Sylvester “What I found to have the most significant impact, is the format of my résumé, because a lot of times people will point out the résumé (is) really professional,” said Sylvester. Career Services is more specialized with résumé building, and helping students with finding jobs. However, the Writers’ Center can be an acceptable alternative. If students would like to schedule an appointment, it is located in the back of the JFK library. You can also digitally sign up on EWU's website on the Writers' Center page. For Career Services, you can find them located in PUB 332. Appointments are required for both. If you would like information online about résumé building visit ewu.edu/ careercenter. They have a résumé section with information about creating résumés in the correct format.•
Sports
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Cravens grabs boards, raises intensity EWU sophomore center Bella Cravens has an easy-going personality off the court, but a fiery one on it. “I just love her attitude and her spirit,” EWU head coach Wendy Schuller said. “She has kind of that ... laid-back attitude at times. … She is also someone to not mess with, either.” Schuller said Cravens’ personality is one of her best attributes on the court. “I think her personality carries onto the court,” Schuller said. “She has a lot of fun playing the game, … she plays extremely hard.” Schuller said Cravens plays with a lot of energy and fire and that she’s a great athlete. Schuller thinks Cravens has some big-time basketball in front of her and complimented her work ethic. Schuller also said Cravens’ work ethic helps her be a leader by example. Sophomore point guard Jessica McDowellWhite said Cravens is an “absolute machine.”. McDowell-White also said Cravens has great intensity and is vocal. “Clearly the statistics show that she chases absolutely everything,” McDowell-White said. “Her intensity on both ends of the court is amazing. … She’s very vocal out there which helps us with the young girls.” Schuller said there are some things in Cravens’ game that could improve. One improvement Schuller wants Cravens to make is improved confidence. Another improvement Schuller wants to see in Cravens is making herself a better all-around player. “I think she could be really special in the paint as she continues to grow,” Schuller said. “We are going to continue to work on her perimeter skills and make her more comfortable out there.” Schuller said a goal of EWU’s program is to make a player as well-rounded as they can be. McDowell-White said Cravens is a great rebounder. “You know that if you are going to shoot, make or miss, that board is hers,” McDowell-White said. McDowell-White said that Cravens’ greatest strength on the court is her athleticism. “Defensively, she can guard anyone,” McDowellWhite said.
Cravens leads EWU in rebounds (21) and blocked shots (three) through three games. Last year Cravens started the season out coming off the bench, but eventually won a starting job midway through the season. Cravens averaged 7.5 points and seven rebounds per game in the 2019 Big Sky Conference Tournament. She recorded her first career double double in EWU’s 67-65 overtime quarterfinal upset of Idaho State University, contributing 13 points and 11 rebounds. Cravens is from Maryknoll School in Laie, Hawaii. Her hobbies include beach bumming, hiking, surfing and spending time with her family. Cravens said her parents, especially her mom, are her driving motivation. Her mother, Sharlene Cravens, would drive her to school every day. Cravens is is one of six kids. Cravens said she is the only one who got to go to private school, which was approximately 90 minutes from her house. “The sacrifices she made for me, … it definitely keeps me going and inspires me to be better and succeed,” Cravens said. “(I want ) to show her it wasn’t for nothing.” Cravens said she started playing basketball at a really young age, but didn’t get really serious about playing until middle school. Cravens said the pace and pressure of the college game is much different compared to high school. “In high school, basketball wasn’t as strict,” Cravens said. “Here, we live and breathe basketball 24/7.” Cravens said she likes the Cheney area. “It’s definitely different than what I was used to growing up,” Cravens said. “But I really like it here. … It’s like a family environment, … small town, … small campus, … I just feel safe here.” Cravens said she’s improved her on-court dialogue from last season. “I think confidence wise I’ve gotten better at (communicating) on the court,” Cravens said. “Not being afraid to direct traffic and not to step on anybody’s toes.” Cravens and the Eagles’ next game is Nov. 22 at Gonzaga University. EWU will be seeking its first victory of the young season, having lost its first three regular season games. EWU’s next home game is Dec. 1 against Pepperdine. •
“The sacrifices she made for me, ... it
definitely keeps me going and inspires me to be better and succeed. (I want) to show her it wasn't for nothing.”
- SOPHOMORE CENTER BELLA CRAVENS, on the sacrifices her mother made for her
Drew Lawson for The Easterner
RANDLE KINSWA Sports Reporter
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EWU sophomore center Bella Cravens attempts a free throw. Cravens is EWU's leading rebounder so far in 2019-20.
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Sports
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Football Finale?
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EWU looks to secure 13th straight winning season on Senior Day while clinging to slim playoff hopes
The EWU football team hasn’t finished at or below .500 in 13 years. The Eagles (5-2, 6-5) will try and extend that streak Saturday in the likely season finale vs the Portland State Vikings (3-4, 5-6).
Playoff chances EWU technically isn’t eliminated from FCS playoff contention yet, but its odds of making the 24-team field are slim. Senior defensive tackle Dylan Ledbetter said the team has been thinking about its playoff chances throughout the year, but knows EWU has to keep winning for that to be a relevant topic. “We can’t be so blind to the fact that we need teams to lose and we need teams to beat good teams to really help our case,” Ledbetter said. “But … if we don’t win, we’re not going to make it. We have to win and we have to put our best record forward.” The 24 playoff teams will be announced Sunday, Nov. 24.
Honoring the seniors Saturday is Senior Day and will likely be the final game on The Inferno for 20 EWU players, including five offensive linemen. EWU head coach Aaron Best said Senior Day is always memorable. “It’s always special, it’s always tough when you get to hug those guys,” Best said. “Those are memories that are going to last forever.”
About the opponent PSU has no chance of making the playoffs and is fighting to finish the season .500. The Vikings are led by quarterback Davis Alexander, who has thrown for 2,609 yards and 21 touchdowns. Receivers Emmanuel Daigbe and Davis Koetter have six receiving touchdowns each. Defensively, PSU is led by Anthony Adams, who has 50 total tackles and five interceptions. EWU’s offense currently leads the FCS in total yards. For the Eagles to wrap up the regular season on a four-game winning streak, they’ll have to ride that attack on The Inferno.
The Easterner's Three Keys to Victory 1). Let Eric Barriere run wild EWU junior quarterback Eric Barriere told the media last week that he hadn’t been fully healthy until early November due to an unspecified injury. EWU hasn’t lost a game
in November, and Barriere has been using his legs much more to get out of the pocket and make plays for receivers down the field. Barriere has also been running more, as evidenced in EWU’s Nov. 16 42-41 win over Cal Poly, when the Eagles’ signal-caller ran 17 times for 164 yards and a touchdown. The Eagles are tough to beat when Barriere is on the move and making plays, so if he’s able to do that Saturday, EWU’s chances of victory drastically increase.
2). Improve the connection between Barriere and the EWU wide receivers As dominant as Barriere was on the ground in the win over Cal Poly, the air attack was a bit lacking. Barriere was 11 for 22 with 176 yards and a touchdown, and there were missed opportunities sprinkled throughout those 11 incompletions. When Barriere is clicking with his accuracy and the receivers are catching passes, EWU’s offense is a force to be reckoned with.
3). Keep the offense rolling EWU has the top-rated offensive attack in the FCS right now, averaging 521.7 yards per game. EWU has been especially dominant offensively at home, averaging 622.2 yards and 53.5 points per game in the Eagles’ four home games. Senior running back Antoine Custer Jr., who has rushed for over 1,000 yards this year, said it’s been nice to see the offense be in such a groove this season. “I think our offense has always been there throughout the whole season,” Custer Jr. said. “I really love the way we’ve been producing on Saturdays. We’re moving the ball and spreading the field a lot.” If EWU continues the trend of dominant home offensive performances on Saturday there’s a very good chance the Eagles walk out of Roos Field victorious.•
Malati Powell for The Easterner
DREW LAWSON Sports Editor
The EWU offensive line gets set for a play. EWU's o-line consists of five seniors.
“If we don't win,
we're not going to make it. We have to win and we have to put our best record forward.
”
- DYLAN LEDBETTER, Senior defensive tackle
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Sports
V103 I9- 11.20.19
Bailey Monteith for The Easterner
12 - The Easterner
EWU redshirt sophomore center Tanner Groves embraces junior guard Jack Perry on Jan. 10. Groves redshirted the 2017-18 season.
The life of a basketball redshirt DREW LAWSON Sports Editor They may not be throwing down dunks like Jacob Davison or throwing the ball off an opponent’s back to win a tournament game like Jessica McDowell-White, but the EWU men’s and women’s basketball redshirts have important roles of their own. “I have a role on the team, which is a scout team player,” freshman guard/forward Jacob Groves of the men’s basketball team said. Jacob Groves is likely going to redshirt the 2019-20 season. Players on the scout team, which has not yet been set in stone for the 2019-20 season, are assigned a player from the upcoming opponent to study. The EWU scout team then tries to emulate the opposing team player in practice so the rotation players can form an expectation of what they might see during the actual game. Redshirt sophomore forward Tanner Groves, who redshirted in 2017, said he remembers always being assigned to the opponent’s big man when he was on the scout team. “I (would) stay in the paint and help make our big guys better,” Tanner Groves said. “I was … just trying to get stronger and get better on the court every day, along with making the guys better (by) preparing them for games.” One reason players might redshirt is for medical purposes. Redshirt freshman guard Tatiana Reese of the women’s basketball team found out before 2018-19’s season opener that she’d have to redshirt her true freshman year to heal further from ankle surgery she had received the prior April. “I wasn’t originally planning to redshirt,
but right before the Gonzaga game I had to talk to my coach and say, ‘this is what’s best for me (and) best for the team,’” Reese said. “I had to basically understand my role of sitting out of practice but being a good teammate and encouraging my teammates.” That year wasn’t easy for Reese. She said she sometimes felt left out when her teammates got to travel without her. She said she would try and be the best teammate she could during the times she did get to be with the team. “I made sure I was clapping, cheering them up (and) giving as many high fives as I could,” Reese said. “(I) understand that I can make a difference in such a small way.” Reese is now healthy and a fringe member of EWU’s rotation. Schuller said loneliness is one of the biggest challenges that redshirts face. “When the team is on the road, they’re not hanging out with their buddies,” Schuller said. “It takes a special kid to do it, because you have to be motivated internally in order to show up every day and work hard and work to get better.” Schuller said players that are redshirting have to believe in the process. “Sometimes it’s hard to get motivated when you think to yourself, ‘well I don’t get to play anyway, so why work hard today?’” Schuller said. Tanner Groves looks back on his redshirt year and recognizes how it made him a better player. “Looking back on it, I’ve shot the ball better,” Tanner Groves said. “I was able to grow in my post game.” Reese also sees some positives from her redshirt year. “I would say the redshirt (year) helped me gain a lot of patience and understand my role
Drew Lawson for The Easterner
This is part two of a two-part series on athletic redshirts. Part one, which is about football redshirts, was published in The Easterner on Nov. 13.
EWU redshirt freshman guard Tatiana Reese prior to EWU's Oct. 30 game. on the team,” Reese said. Another reason a player might redshirt is because there’s a more experienced player ahead of them on the depth chart. Former EWU women’s basketball guard Hayley Hodgins had to redshirt her true freshman year in 2011-12 because she was behind eventual Big Sky Conference MVP Brianne Ryan. After her redshirt year, Hodgins played four years and graduated as EWU’s all-time leading scorer. EWU head coach Wendy Schuller said she and Hodgins talked before her redshirt year and made the decision for Hodgins to sit out her true freshman year. “I brought Hayley in, and said, ‘you’re gonna play a little bit, but Brianne is a great athlete, she’s going to play a lot of minutes this year,’” Schuller said. “‘If we redshirt you, instead of playing ten minutes a game this year, on the tail end, your fifth year you could play thirty minutes a game.’ Well I was wrong, she ended up playing about thirty seven minutes a game that fifth year and becoming the alltime leading scorer in school history.”
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EWU men's basketball head coach Shantay Legans said an advantage of redshirting is the opportunity to make the transition from high school to college easier for the players. Legans said players have many components of their schedules to get used to, such as practices, film, classes, games and travel. “Coming from high school, you think you’re working hard,” Legans said. “But it doesn’t really all add up to what’s really going to go down in college.” Jacob Groves said sitting out this year has helped him acclimate to the pace of the college game. “This year is going to give me more time to adapt to the speed of the game and kind of be able to get in shape,” Jacob Groves said. Legans said if players have the right attitude, they can have a lot of fun on the scout team. “I redshirted one of my years in college, and it was one of my best years,” Legans said. “I want it to be fun for the (players). … That year, if you really work, you can become a really, really good player.” •