April 24 2017

FRESNO STATE’S TACO BELL TO SHUT DOWN SEE PAGE 3

Monday, April 24, 2017

Fresno State’s Award-Winning Newspaper

FresnoState.edu/Collegian

FUN INVADES CAMPUS VINTAGE DAYS

Students go ‘Back in Time’ with a classic movie

By Jessica Johnson | @iamjesslj

Fresno State’s 43rd annual Vintage Days’, “Cruisin Through the ‘50s,” hosted “Flick Night” on April 22, projecting the 1985 cult classic “Back to the Future” on a giant, inflatable screen.

Approximately 100 attendees were captivated by the time traveling hijinks of Marty McFly and Doc Brown on their mission to save their future selves.

Nancy Xiong, biology major, has seen the movie before, but wanted to Megan Trindad and Khone Saysamongdy • watch it again. “I love The Collegian ‘Back to the Future,’ Community members and students gather at Fresno State during the 43rd annual Vintage it’s a classic movie.”

Days from April 21 to 23.

It was the first time Xiong attended an outdoor movie.

“It’s a little chilly but \ it was good – I had fun.”

Supenpreet Kaur, an electrical engineering graduate student, said she too enjoyed the movie, but liked being outdoors more.

“That’s why we’re here, we are here for the outdoor experience,” she said.

As the movie’s theme song “Back in Time” by Huey Lewis and the News played, Kaur said. “I can watch it again and again, it’s a classic.”

Kaur said she attended the show mainly to get together with friends and enjoy a movie outdoors. “It’s just good hanging out with friends and watching the same movie again and again.”

Hayley Salazar contributed to this story.

SEE

PAGE 4 WATCH: For video on this story, visit our website: http://fresnostate.edu/collegian

OPINION

GOT OPINIONS? We want to hear them.

COLLEGIAN-OPINION@CSUFRESNO.EDU MONDAY, APRIL 24, 2017

2

EDITORIAL

Journalists write to empower

By Collegian Editorial Board @TheCollegian

All voices – be they brown, black, white, queer, transgender or straight – deserve to be heard.

When we open our ears to the experiences of others, the voices we wouldn’t normally listen to challenge us to open our eyes to new ideas and understand those around us.

Through open communication – we, as a community, can facilitate a healthy atmosphere where inclusivity is encouraged and differences are embraced.

Whether it is talking about sexual assault, the LGBTQIA community, different heritages or a variety of experiences, The Collegian believes in promoting an environment where anyone can share their experience. This is the kind of community we want to help build.

Promoting diversity does not just stem from the pigmentation of one’s skin, culture, religion or ethnicity. It comes from diversity of thought and experience.

We as students are part of a diverse campus community, surrounded by leaders who are equally as diverse as the students they serve. President Joseph Castro, a Mexican-American, and Vice President

"There is power in calling out the majority and demanding inclusion, but not in fighting racism with more harmful stereotypes and generalizations – that gets us nowhere. " Frank Lamas, a Cuban-American, are perfect representations of the students who make up their institution.

Castro and Lamas are individuals who broke down barriers and surpassed preconceived boundaries pushed upon them by society’s stereotypes and generalizations.

Generalizations do nothing to spur progress.

Unfortunately, privilege exists and that is an aspect of society that can not be destroyed overnight.

Activism and calls to action dismantle prejudice within different cultures and communities. There is power in calling out the majority and demanding inclusion, but not in fighting racism with more harmful stereotypes and generalizations – that gets us nowhere.

We can end prejudice and the stereotypes by coming together and accepting intersectionality.

It’s hard not to sound like idealistic or

yearning for goals that are impossible to reach, but it’s true – we get nowhere alone.

We need each other.

Those with privilege need to recognize what gives them an advantage and use it to help empower others.

If the last few years has taught us anything, it’s that racism, privilege and prejudice are alive and well.

Black lives are being taken every single day. Those living in disadvantaged neighborhoods like Flint, Michigan have been drinking contaminated water for two years. The reproductive health of women everywhere is being policed by men in congress determined to make safe abortions impossible.

At the forefront are news organizations dedicated to reporting the most true representations possible of what is happening in our world.

Granted, there are media organizations whose goals are to push a single agenda, but it is the true intent of ethical journalism

to deliver unbiased and informed truth.

Even when writing opinions or editorials, journalists are trained to immerse themselves into the big picture to grasp a better understanding of the topic before they begin to write and share.

Whether you’re an activist or a journalist, writing should be guided by research and the asking of questions. Activists and journalists alike should write to provoke thought and to invoke positive change.

Members of the Collegian editorial board are part of the diverse Fresno State student population – a group of people who identify with different sexual orientations, all coming from Latin descent – who strive to understand issues even through their diverse lens.

In one way or another, we are all members of different minorities doing our duty as employees in print journalism to bring unbiased, factual truths to light.

It is the goal of The Collegian and its editorial board to uphold our journalistic integrity and eradicate racism and prejudice by educating our readers – not by loosely informing our readers.

C

COMMENT: The Collegian is a forum for student expression. http://fresnostate.edu/collegian

Jordan Bradley • The Collegian

THE COLLEGIAN The Collegian is a student-run publication that serves the Fresno State community. Views expressed in The Collegian do not necessarily reflect the views of the staff or university. fresnostate.edu/collegian

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THE COLLEGIAN • NEWS

MONDAY, APRIL 24, 2017

PAGE 3

RESTAURANT

The last bell has rung, say goodbye to Taco Bell

By Jessica Johnson @iamjesslj

The university’s Taco Bell location will no longer be an option for Fresno State students effective on Friday.

Last week students heard the university Taco Bell will be closing its doors just weeks before the semester ends.

Taco Bell employees were also surprised as they were notified of their change in employment just 10 days before the closure.

The decision was “based upon focus groups with students held for the Bold New U, a recent dining survey done by [Associated Students, Inc.] and the USU Board and in consultation with our Food Services Advisory Committee which has majority student representation,” said Deborah Adishian-Astone, Vice President for Administration and Associate Vice President for Auxiliary Services.

Adishian-Astone added that since there is no additional space for a new food option, the board decided Taco Bell was the facility to replace after completing a number of surveys, meetings, student focus groups and a “detailed and extensive independent retail dining survey.”

The research showed, Adishian-Astone said, that it was strongly recommended to add a healthy dining facility to the campus.

Megan Serantos, University Dining Services manager, said the decision was made because there have been specific requests by students for a freshly-made salad option, as well as wraps and soups.

Currently, Adishian-Astone said the goal of the deciding committee is to constantly review dining options that meet the needs of the entire student body.

“We hear often in student forums and through the president’s feedback page that dining services does not offer enough

Turkish lawyer and writer to speak on Armenian Genocide Fethiye Çetin, humans rights lawyer and author from Istanbul, Turkey will present her lecture titled “Echo of Silence” on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at Berberian Social Hall of St. Paul Armenian Church in Fresno. Çetin learned from her grandmother that her family’s Armenian identity had been changed to Turkish in the wake of the Armenian Genocide.

The revelation sparked her

healthy, gluten-free or vegan menu options,” Adishian-Astone said. “This new salad/soup/wrap concept will meet that need.”

After receiving the information they discussed which food option would be best to remove from the campus.

“In consultation with our Food Service Advisory Committee, and given that we have another option for authentic Mexican cuisine on campus with Robertito’s, the recommendation was to close Taco Bell Express…,” Serantos said.

The remodel of the location will take place in summer in preparation for the fall semester.

Adishian-Astone said the decision to close Taco Bell before the semester ended, was due to need to move quickly, finalize the design for the new concept and to start any facility improvements to give enough time for training and a soft opening prior to the start of the fall semester.

Taco Bell is a go-to food staple for many students on campus who are looking for a quick and cheap way to eat before, after and in between classes. Social media was alive with disappointment over the taco bell’s closing.

Students had questions about where they were going to find a “cheap” meal replacement.

On Facebook, pre-nursing student Sylvia Huey said, “This is my go-to place for my lunch break whenever I got tired of the USU food court food. Where will I go now for lunch?”

Student Marisol Campos said, “...this is where I go when I need something cheap and fast. Everything else is so expensive.”

Taco Bell supervisor, Richard Flores said, he heard rumors going around about a possible remodel of the building, but on April 18, he and his 15-member team were notified just 10 days before the closure.

“I was kind of bummed out,” Flores said. “I’ve been working for the Taco Bell company for about seven years, so this was all

to write her first book in 2004, a memoir titled “My Grandmother: An Armenian Turkish Memoir.”

The lecture is part of the spring Armenian studies lecture series.

Herrera’s second term to be celebrated in Washington D.C. Juan Felipe Herrera’s second term as the United States Poet Laureate will be celebrated on April 26 at the Library of Congress.

The event titled “Speak the People/the Spark/el Poema,” will

Khone Saysamongdy • The Collegian

The Taco Bell restaurant at the Fresno State campus on April 23, 2017. The fast food restaurant is expected to close on April 28, 2017.

really familiar to me.”

Flores said he will need to get used to the new changes for the upcoming dining option.

“Now that it’s changing, it’s a whole new set of protocols, a whole new set of policies, a new menu – it’s something that I don’t know so it’s going to throw me for a loop,” Flores said.

Serantos the dining services manager said, “Employees were notified as soon as the recommendation was finalized and approved by the Association Board of Directors.”

Team members were mostly shocked and scared, said Flores.

“I was trying my best to reassure them, that we do have the first dibs on the employment next semester,” Flores said.

Serantos said current team members have been offered positions at the new dining facility and throughout the summer, with University Dining Services.

“Every employee has been given the option to continue their employment with dining services

IN BRIEF

include musical performances and a panel discussion..

The performances include a choral performance by the Fresno State Chamber Singers. Herrera is the author of numerous books of poetry and novels for the younger generation.

Brand to speak at annual Armenian Genocide Commemoration Fresno mayor Lee Brand will be the keynote speaker at Fresno State’s annual Armenian Genocide Commemoration on April 24,

in our catering department,” Serantos said.

Taco Bell usually closes over summer, but team members will have the opportunity to earn money over the summer. “This will allow them to not only work until the end of the semester, but into [the] summer as well, if they are available.”

Flores believes the late notice was unprofessional.

“In my eyes, they could have said something, just at least give us a heads up,” Flores said.

Adishian-Astone said, the university tried their best to mitigate inconveniences with the transition.

The closure came at the time of a contract renewal of the franchised food chain. “The money brought in does not compete with Robertito’s,” which is one of the reasons why Flores said he feels the contract is not being renewed.

He said that although Robertito’s has less menu items, their food costs more. Taco Bell has a

dollar menu that students take advantage of.

“That’s better for the typical college student – it’s cheaper, it’s faster and it’s a good deal,” Flores said.

Adishian-Astone said burdening students is never the goal, but to allow enough time for demolition and a remodel to occur, the closure needs to happen as soon as possible.

Adishian-Astone encouraged students to use the dining hall as a an alternative.

Serantos said Robertito’s will begin to offer value items including combo meals at an affordable price point.​ “We are excited about this new option,” Adishian-Astone said. A name being discussed as an option includes VictorE Eats, and she asks for the campus to provide feedback to herself or dining services. “We feel it is a dining concept that will be very popular with our students and the entire campus community.”

at 7 p.m. at the Armenian Genocide Monument.

The event will honor the 102nd anniversary of the 1915 genocide where 1.5 million Armenians by the Turkish Ottoman empire.

The event will include Fresno State President Joseph Castro and Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Armenia in Fresno, Berj Apkarian, as speakers. The event will conclude the laying of flowers on the Armenian Genocide Monument, built during the 100th anniversary in 2015.

operational excellence manager from the Genentech Pharmaceutical Company.

The event will include multiple workshops for the preparation of higher education.

Conference to recruit Asian American students to college The CSU Asian American and Pacific Islander Initiative, will host the “Journey to Success Conference” from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday in North Gym 118.

The event aims to encourage Asian-American high school students from across the Valley to be motivated to come to college. Keynote speaker will be James Vang, co–founder of Hmong Roots and

California Secretary of Agriculture to visit Fresno State Karen Ross, the Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture will visit Fresno State Monday at 1 p.m.

Ross will meet Fresno State President Dr. Joseph Castro, Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology Dean Sandra Witte and students, as well as take a tour of the Jordan Agricultural Research Center.

In addition, Ross will visit culinology and agricultural business classes, view a demonstration of the Bee Sweet Citrus fresh fruit packing line and receive a tour of the campus farm.

A&E

4

MONDAY, APRIL 24, 2017

VINTAGE DAYS

Dancing with a pop of color

Khone Saysamongdy • The Collegian

Participants throw paint into the air during the Vintage Days Paint Party on campus Friday night, April 21, 2017.

By Eric Zamora | @TheCollegian For many college students, a music festival is just not an option.

However, Vintage Days offered an alternative for students who like to dance the night away and while getting messy.

The Powder Paint Dance Party was one of the many events during Fresno State’s Vintage Days, on April 21. It was exclusive to only Fresno State students with a valid ID, and involved a raffle that students could enter to win a variety of gifts.

Julian Cisneros, also known as DJ Burns, played a mix of different styles of dance music throughout the night to soundtrack the main attraction of the event: the powder paint.

Packets of powdered paint were passed out during the night for students to throw at each other. Many students wore white to the event, so the paint could be seen more easily.

The dance party was organized by the special events committee for Vintage Days: Loryn Poulsen, a second-year business administration major, and Alexis Orozco, a second-year recreation administration major. “[Vintage Days] started College Night last year and they did powder paint then too, but we wanted to make this year bigger and better and just to bring something fun to campus because this is

Participants dance during the Vintage Days Paint Party on campus Friday night, April 21, 2017.

what the people want right now,” Poulsen said. This event in particular has been in the works since the fall 2016 semester.

The combination of electrifying music, high-energy students and colorful paint-throwing created many picture perfect opportunities for students, who snapped photos and took videos of their colorful splotches during and after the party.

“We’re Fresno State students and we’re just trying to get active in the events and have some fun since the semester is almost over and finals are coming up, so it was a good idea [coming to the event,]” Alex Jacobo, a third-year communication major said. He and his friends were not able to go to Coachella, so they thought that this could make up for it.

Other students came to the dance party together as a part of a Vintage Days scavenger hunt.

“So there’s teams and we go and compete against each other and there’s things we have to get done [to] earn points,” Ia Vang, a thirdyear nursing major, said.

Ultimately, students came to the event to relax and celebrate the end of the semester.

Douglas Mulligan, a third-year psychology major, said, “It’s a good way to procrastinate on a paper that you need to write that’s due next week.”

Photos by Khone Saysamongdy • The Collegian

THE COLLEGIAN • A&E

MONDAY, APRIL 24, 2017

PAGE 5

CONCERT

Event highlights Valley’s folk music heritage

By Hayley Salazar @Hayley_Salazarr

The Wahlberg Recital Hall filled with folk music lovers on April 22, as local folk artist Evo Bluestein and his musical guests kicked off the Music of America Concert Series at Fresno State.

“Folk [music], bluegrass and Zydeco that you may see occasionally in different places around the Valley, but you don’t really have anything devoted to [it], It doesn’t make enough money,” Dr. John Karr said.

The series was spearheaded

by Karr, a professor of music history and ethnomusicology, who began coordinating the event one year ago. His goal: to provide exposure to music genres that are not considered “commercially viable.”

“The idea here is to tie it to the educational function of the school.” Karr said. “We’re teaching all [these] different cultural influences but the music is part of it and we want to make sure everyone has exposure to it. Doing it mainly as an adjunct to what we’re doing in the classroom but also because it would be fun.”

The concert, to be the first of many to come within the next year, served as a celebration for Bluestein’s upcoming book “Road to Sweet Mills Folk Music in the West during the 1960s and ‘70s,” which is to be published through the university press. Bluestein’s family has been associated with folk music in the Valley since the 1960s. “[Bluestein] is still kind of like ‘the guy’ in the Central Valley who is ‘the folk guy’ so we thought let’s celebrate the Valley’s heritage,” Karr said.

Bluestein’s father, Gene Bluestein, was a professor of English at Fresno State and a well-known folk artist. The Music of America series is like many

Khone Saysamongdy • The Collegian

The Gilly Girls perform in the Wahlberg Recital Hall in the music building during the New Music of America Concert Series event on April 22, 2017. The Gilly Girls band performs music types such as bluegrass, southern gospel and old-time string band.

events Gene Bluestein put on in his time at the university, Evo said.

“We worked to produce a program that involves a range of interesting people from around here. People will not only find out about their American heritage but something about our own heritage here in Fresno county,” Bluestein said.

The concert began as Bluestein took the stage, banjo in hand, and played his own renditions of songs from folk legends like Dock Boggs and Chuck Berry.

In addition, Bluestein played original pieces such as “Not a Person (against Citizens United)” which was written following the 2010 court decision Citizens United, which ruled laws preventing the use of corporate funds in political campaigns is a violation of the First Amendment.

“I never saw one profiled for his color/I never saw one deported across the border/I never saw one with a sign saying I’m hungry,” Bluestein sang.

Among his guests were the Gilly Girls, Patricia Wells Solarzano, Agustin Lira, Terry Berrett, Barry Shultz and Two for the Road.

The music for the evening

was both laid-back and upbeat as well as politically moving.

The Gilly Girls, made up of two sets of twins – Savannah and Morgan, age 13, and Hailey and Jillian, age 10 – took to the stage in matching red boots and their string instruments.

The crowd cheered and clapped along in amazement of the young talents who played a selection of pieces alongside Bluestein.

Bluestein also welcomed Agustin Lira and Patricia Wells Solarzano to the the stage. Lira spoke of his time working for Cesar Chavez as entertainment for farmworkers between their union meetings.

Many of Lira’s songs focused on political messages such as racism and the discrimination faced by homeless individuals in the city of Fresno. Lira, who was homeless when he moved to Fresno, expressed his frustrations through his music.

“I wrote this song with a little bit of anger, and I’ll play it for you,” Lira said to the crowd.

“A heartfelt performance and soul” is what Bluestein looks for in his fellow performers, and the Music of America Concert Series showed just that.

Come join us for

THEATER

Real representations of depression exposed on stage

By Eric Zamora @TheCollegian

The Experimental Theatre Company at Fresno State featured a physical embodiment of depression with it’s production of “4.48 Psychosis” on April 22.

The play, written by by English playwright Sarah Kane, focuses on three characters and their lives. The interpretation is the work of director and theatre arts major Summer Session.

The script for “4.48 Psychosis” does not call for a list of characters or settings like this production.

Instead, there are 24 sections, each with lines that can be interpreted in multiple ways.

While there are no characters, certain lines are grouped together and recited by the corresponding actors. For example, many lines about a love betrayal are recited throughout the play by Dezmen Diaz, a theatre arts major in his

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final year at Fresno State.

The play was first performed in London, on June 23, 2000, with only three actors. Later interpretations of the play featured only one actor reciting every line.

Kane struggled with depression throughout her life, and took her own life in 1999. Some critics to understood her final work as a suicide note.

“Judging ‘4.48 Psychosis’ is difficult. How on earth do you award aesthetic points to a 75-minute suicide note? - which is what the play, written shortly before Kane’s death, effectively is,” Michael Billington, a theatre critic, said in an article for The Guardian.

In an interview with Andrew Dickson for The Guardian, Kane’s brother, Simon Kane, said that there is more to “4.48 Psychosis” than just a suicide note.

“Mental illness is so often sentimentalised, or portrayed as madness – I hate that word. Sarah wanted to convey that while it may be pathological, it isn’t necessarily illogical,” Kane told The Guardian.

The play offers a serious view of depression, which contrasts some of the more glamorized representations of the topic by currently popular shows like “13 Reasons Why,” according to actors in the play.

“What I hope that people take way from this is [that they] see it from a poetic standpoint, and also see that depression cannot be played as a game,” Cha Yang, a second-year theatre major and actor in the play, said.

Other students appreciated that the work tackled a heavy topic like depression.

“It wasn’t afraid to be disturbing and I think that art should never shy away from being disturbing, especially art that has to do with mental illness so, I think that it was effective in that way,” Ashley Juskalian, a third-year music education major, said.

NEWS

6

MONDAY, APRIL 24, 2017

WRONGFULLY CONVICTED

Isaiah McCoy: from death row to law school

By Francisco J. De León @frankiejda

After seven years on death row, Isaiah McCoy, an exoneree shared his experiences of life in and out of prison, and how they shaped him into who he is today.

Jenna Kieckhaefer, a psychologist and assistant professor in the department of criminology, met McCoy in March at a conference in San Diego and made arrangements for his speech at Fresno State on April 19.

Kieckhaefer is currently teaching a wrongful convictions course and taught her course with McCoy’s recent case ruling.

“I wanted to, if possible, bring in somebody that’s been exonerated so that they can actually speak to someone and hear their story.

I said I was a professor and immediately he [McCoy] said ‘if you want I can come speak to your class’,” she said.

McCoy, now 29, earned his GED, in prison, when he was 16.

He will be awarded several honorary degrees for his life experiences which will help him attend law school.

Once in law school and working in the judicial system, McCoy plans to focus on youth – the stage in people’s life where he believes positive guidance can change the outcome of an individual – abol-

Christian Ortuno • The Collegian

Death row exoneree Isaiah McCoy delivers a speech in McLane Hall on Wednesday, April 19, 2017 to discuss his experience on death row and being wrongfully convicted.

"There was no question that I sold drugs, there’s no question that at one point I lived the life of a gangster, I have a criminal record that dates back to when I was nine."

— Isaiah McCoy Speaker and death row exoneree ishing the death penalty and ending mass incarceration.

Abandoned by his parents at the age of seven, McCoy took to the streets and cared for himself the only way he knew and had learned from others. “There was no question that I sold drugs, there’s no question that at one

point I lived the life of a gangster, I have a criminal record that dates back to when I was nine,” he said.

Amy Ramos, an athletic training major, said she felt a connection through what McCoy had shared.

“I know what it feels like to be

at the bottom,” Ramos said. “My parents were immigrants and I had to be kind of like the first one to step forward. He [McCoy] had nothing and he still came out and he survived and here he is going to law school and getting awards.”

Alone on the streets, McCoy joined the only type of support

system available to him – gangs.

McCoy said he did what he did because the only way he would have something to eat was by selling drugs.

McCoy believes that correctional facilities are not doing what they were intended to do, which is to correct. He believes correctional facilities, with the appropriate resources, can rehabilitate inmates and make them positive members of society.

Framed for murder by his nephew, McCoy’s foreseeable outcome was the death penalty.

His friends and family knew he was innocent, but the district attorney’s office thought otherwise.

After some troubles with the DA’s case, McCoy’s judge ultimately found the flaws in the DA’s case and McCoy was acquitted of the charges.

McCoy said he holds no grudges against his nephew or the District Attorney. In fact, because of them, he was able to escape from his previous ways. After deciding to leave the East Coast and to settle with his brother in Los Angeles, McCoy now goes around the country sharing his experiences.

Next, McCoy plans to give a speech in Hawaii and will continue sharing his life-changing experience with others wanting to pursue a career in the criminal justice system.

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THE COLLEGIAN • SPORTS

MONDAY, APRIL 24, 2017

PAGE 7

‘what I love about her is that she’s very selfless’ SOFTBALL from Page 8

Christian Ortuno • The Collegian

Junior Savannah McHellon playing first base against San Jose State on Saturday, April 22, 2017 at Margie Wright Diamond.

known at Fresno State.

McHellon has eight home runs on the year with a .565 slugging percentage. In the field, she has 73 putouts with just two errors and a .978 fielding percentage.

“What I try to do is really focus on keeping good energy,” McHellon said. “I know sometimes we get in our heads about personal contributions to the team. It’s not even in a selfish way. It’s kind of just really wanting to be that person who does something big at the right moment.”

Garza said McHellon is just someone who can do it all, comparing her to former Bulldog pitcher, 1998 College World Series champion and four-time All-American Amanda Scott – who also owned a .303 career batting average at

Fresno State.

The head coach also likened the junior to Jamie Southern, who was named the WAC Pitcher of the Year four times, and was a twotime Fresno State Female Athlete of the Year in her tenure with the Bulldogs from 2002-05.

Scott, who played with the Bulldogs from 1997-2000, holds the Fresno State record for most consecutive career wins with 19.

Southern holds nine first-place records for the Bulldogs including 118 career wins, eight no-hitters and 1,321 strikeouts among others.

In 21 pitching appearances, McHellon has a 5-7 record with a 4.32 ERA, allowing 96 hits and giving up 55 walks.

“You know, for us, she still needs to get better in the circle in terms of being a pitcher that can be ready for us,” Garza said.

The Bulldogs’ ace and fellow right-handed pitcher Kamalani Dung said McHellon goes out to the circle, does her job when she’s called to pitch and puts in her best effort.

McHellon’s presence isn’t only found in the box score, but also felt on the field.

“She’s a great teammate, a great player. She’s a funny person to be around,” Dung said. “She has a great personality. She’s always hyping the team up, and what I love about her is that she’s very selfless. She’s a good person. She’s one of my good friends.”

McHellon and the Diamond ’Dogs (26-20) return to the field in Las Vegas, Nevada to take on the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels (23-20) on Friday, April 28 at 6 p.m.

BRIEF

’Dogs break personal records at Bulldog Invitational

Courtesy of Fresno State Athletics

The Fresno State track and field team won four events Saturday at the Bulldog Invitational held at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Clovis.

Vanja Spaic came on top in the javelin throw competition with a distance of 49.15 meters, which is a personal record for her.

The women and men’s teams won the discus events, with Kayla Hopkins throwing 54.42 meters and Kevin Sundberg

throwing 52.58 meters. It was a personal record for Sundberg.

The final Bulldog to win an event was Noah Solomon, who won the triple jump at 13.35 meters – a personal record.

The invitational was the first of two consecutive home events for the Bulldogs.

They will host the Fresno State Invitational Saturday at noon.

SPORTS

8

MONDAY, APRIL 24, 2017

LACROSSE

’Dogs fall short on senior night

Khone Saysamongdy • The Collegian

Senior Caroline Dineen-Carlson (#3) passes the ball against UC Berkeley on Friday, April 21, 2017 on senior night at the Soccer and Lacrosse Stadium.

By Nugesse Ghebrendrias @nugebear13

Fresno State fans and students showed up Friday night to honor seniors on the women’s Lacrosse team on senior night.

The crowd gathered before the game to recognize seniors Chyna Hill, Caroline Dineen-Carlson, Chelsea Hall, Kyleigh Westgarth and Alex White.

The pregame ceremony overshadowed the ‘Dogs 16-14 fall to the UC Berkeley Golden Bears in a tough, gut-wrenching loss.

“I’m really proud of the way our team played all season,” head coach Jessica Giglio said. “It’s really hard to finish with

a loss like this when we were so close to making MPSF playoffs this season. We played with a lot of heart tonight, but sometimes games just don’t go your way.”

Giglio then turned her focus on the strides her group has made over the years.

“This program has come so far over the last four years that these seniors have been here, and this program has made huge strides forward this season,” Giglio said.

“I’m really looking forward to next season to continue the growth of this program.”

The Cal Bears began the game on the offensive after multiple Bear attackers threatened the ’Dogs goal. The Bears were able to score first on a shot fired from five yards out.

After another Cal goal, Dineen-Carlson pushed the ‘Dogs back into the game with an accurate finish in the top left corner after winning a penalty.

Sarah Bloise leveled the score for the Bulldogs when she ducked under her defender to give herself an open shot on goal. She opened up and sent the ball into the back of the net before the Bear goalie could attempt to save it.

Cal scored two more goals, and Dineen-Carlson again answered back with her second goal of the game.

The momentum would be short lived after the Bears scored again to make it 5-3.

The Bulldogs and Bears traded goals throughout the rest of the first half, with

Cal holding a 9-7 lead at the end of the half.

The second half opened with a flurry of goals from both sides, giving Cal a 13-9 lead 10 minutes into the half.

Down four goals, Fresno State made a run which nearly ended their season on a high note. The Bulldogs scored five goals in a row, including two by Dineen-Carlson.

In the end, the Bears went on a 3-0 run to win the game 16-14, marking an end to the season.

Although the Bulldogs lost, they finished the season with a 9-7 record, the first winning season in program history.

SOFTBALL

McHellon reminiscent of former Bulldog legends

By Jenna Wilson @fsjennawilson

Just about the only place you won’t find Fresno State softball player Savannah McHellon is the bench.

Listed as a right-handed pitcher, the junior often takes the circle for the ‘Dogs as their No. 2. But you can also find the Georgia native making plays at first base and leading the lineup with 39 RBIs on the season.

“It’s fun to see somebody who is so powerful at the plate, [and who] can be so athletic and play first base when things aren’t working,” head coach Linda Garza said.

“She’s a mentally tough kid. She really has to practice a little bit of everything at practice.

She doesn’t get a break.”

Playing at the University of Georgia and Northwest Florida State College in her freshman and sophomore years respectively, McHellon is already making her name

See SOFTBALL, Page 7

Junior Savannah McHellon (#24) up to bat against San Jose State on Saturday, April 22, 2017, at Margie Wright Diamond.

Christian Ortuno • The Collegian