November 2, 2021

PANEL DISCUSSES CLIMATE IMPACT Fresno State’s Award-Winning Newspaper

Tuesday, November 2, 2021

Page 2

Fresno celebrates Día de Los Muertos

Arte Américas reopens for the first time with the return of 'Cala Gala' Page 4

Ashley Flowers • The Collegian

INSIDE: 'OLD OIL CAN' IS BACK IN FRESNO FOLLOWING WIN AGAINST SDSU

NEWS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2021

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Panelists address environmental justice and equity

By Jannah Geraldo News Editor The Dialogue on Climate Change panel, hosted by the Fresno State Ethics Center, discussed environmental problems faced by youth in the Central Valley and awareness efforts in a virtual webinar on Tuesday, Oct. 26.

Feng Teter, a member of Fresno State’s student-led Sustainability Task Force and a master’s student in geology, said the panel focused on bringing a diverse group of youth voices to address the impacts of climate change in the valley.

“I served as a voice for Fresno State students. I think these conversations are extremely important because marginalized communities are the most vulnerable to the effects of climate change,” Teter said.

As part of the Ethics Center’s Lecture Series for fall 2021, the center worked in collaboration with the Civic Education Center in Fresno to offer a youth perspective on the climate issues impacting their generation and communities.

In particular, panelists addressed issues for the disproportionately affected areas in Fresno, and the environmental impacts tied to the health of community members.

Panelist Kamryn Kubose, an associate at the California Product Stewardship Council, said she is developing a new nonprofit, Central Valley Young Environmental Advocates, to educate and help youth environmental activists.

In her time as a part of AmeriCorps and working with the Fresno State Office of Community and Economic Development, Kubose said she wrote a report looking at the urban design of Fresno.

Kubose found that lower-income areas had fewer parks, in turn not offering green spaces in many areas in the city. Particularly in West Fresno, Kubose noted that prevalent dumpsites directly impacted the wellness of people living in those areas.

“They experience a lot of water pollution and illness,” Kubose said. “So again, kind of tying in environmental justice, not to mention the actual geography of the Central Valley. We trap in all of [the] bad air.”

Mona Cummings, CEO of Tree Fresno, an initiative working to bring more trees and green space to the Central Valley, said having tree cover in urban areas improves the health of communities and also works toward combating atmospheric levels of greenhouse gases.

Tree Fresno works to improve tree equity in the city of Fresno, which Cummings said has been impacted by redlining practices through-

Craig Kohlruss • The Fresno Bee/MCT

Panelists at the Dialogue on Climate Change discussed the impacts climate change has at both a nationwide and local level. out the country.

“But a map of tree cover in America’s cities is too often also a map of income and race. This is due in part to redlining, which is a discriminatory practice commonplace from the 1930s to about 1968 where banks [and] insurance companies would refuse or limit loans, mortgages, insurance, et cetera with specific geographic areas, especially to inner-city neighborhoods,” Cummings said. “And this legacy exists today.

So, in these communities, you see less trees, less investment.”

Destiny Rodriguez, regional community relations manager for the Climate Center and Fresno State alum, noted that environmental impacts can be seen at every level in Fresno, and that climate action needs to be made.

“We have been experiencing a lot of microclimates, where one area of Fresno will have rain, another may not. One area could be inundated with, you know, high winds. Another, maybe a little bit, has higher temperatures, and a lot of it has to do with things that are going on on a global level, and this trickles down to a local level,” Rodriguez said.

Particularly at Fresno State, Teter said that efforts such as the student-led Sustainability

Task Force and the sustainability club help students take the first step and get involved in improving sustainability on campus.

After the task force’s establishment in fall 2019, it worked to obtain Fresno State’s first Strategic Energy Innovations (SEI) intern in 2020 and eight California Climate Action Corps interns in 2021.

Teter said these interns worked on projects for departments across campus including the campus farm, Career Center and Facilities Management.

Other projects include implementing blue recycling bins at the university and the installation of water refill stations throughout campus.

Teter said conversations on environmental issues are important to be aware of as students, as they impact all areas of the community.

“These communities, historically low-income or communities of color, disproportionately suffer from the unequal distribution of environmental burdens including air pollution, polluted water, less greenery and various health risks,” Teter said.

“This comes from numerous decades of discriminatory environmental and housing policies.”

For students who want to become involved in sustainability efforts at Fresno State, Teter said they can start off by joining a club such as the Sustainability Club.

“Always think about the people who are most vulnerable to sustainability problems.

And most of all, be patient and take care of yourself… Progress takes time so don’t let yourself feel overwhelmed by how slow things move at times,” Teter said.

Civic Education Center founder John Minkler, who helped provide the idea behind the panel’s topic, said students can start by looking at other youth organizations in the valley that also care about an issue they are interested in.

“And, you know, get involved, go to meetings, find out more about it, volunteer,” Minkler said.

“And so that’s what we’re trying to do, is make sure that young people who do feel called to do something can find a place where they can get engaged.”

Minkler said the Civic Education Center will continue to update a resource page on their website where students can find information on all the organizations and resources mentioned in the panel.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2021

THE COLLEGIAN • NEWS

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Innovations in agricultural technology showcased

By Adam Ricardo Solis Reporter Agriculture-based cohorts and startups presented innovations in agriculture technology at Ag Tech Day, hosted by the Fresno State Center for Irrigation Technology (CIT) on Thursday.

The event was held at the Water, Energy and Technology Center (WET) and showcased the CIT’s practices and technologies used in irrigation on Fresno State’s crops in hopes of cultivating more sustainable practices for farmers in the Valley.

This year’s Ag Tech Day provided a rare experience because of the opportunity to participate in the event virtually or in-person.

Through the use of a mobile studio trailer, attendees were able to engage in the Q&A sessions and get to see all three sites on campus that the CIT was highlighting.

Charles Hillyer, director of the CIT, said the purpose of Ag Tech Day is to help keep growers informed about new technology in agriculture with a focus on irrigation technology and practices.

“We’re focused on irrigation technology, and that’s what this educational component is all about, irrigation tech. So, we’re trying to bring in the latest tech and current research and explain it to growers in a way that is acces-

sible to them,” Hillyer said.

He said that the idea of having the event at Fresno State stems from the fact that the university has all the crops that are relevant in the Valley while also being in the metropolitan area of Fresno, providing closer proximity to the research being done where students can learn about the application of these technologies.

Each site focused on different areas of interest to farmers, such as Fresno State’s groundwater recharge project.

Hillyer said that the primary focus was to show farmers how Fresno State integrated its groundwater recharge project, which is aimed at replenishing aquifers, into an almond orchard and how it could use this research tool to recharge a production orchard without the need to take out land to do so.

“This is a research tool that will eventually become a production tool where you can do recharge in a production orchard without having to interfere with your irrigation that is happening out there and without leaching out any of the nutrients that the farmers spent so much money putting into the soil,” Hillyer said.

Jesus Medina, a field support engineer for Groguru, is a Fresno State alum who earned his bachelor’s degree in 2018 and came to Ag Tech Day as a representative of one of the businesses trying to help farmers.

Medina said being an alum of Fresno State is one of the reasons he wanted the company to come and help farmers.

“Being an alumnus here, I had the company come for the same reason. We like to provide that exposure to local farmers in the Central Valley,” Medina said. “What they want to do here at the WET lab and the other programs here is provide education to growers about the lack of information that isn’t available to them or is not easily available to them.”

Alexis Duncile, the public relations and communications coordinator at the WET center and Fresno State alum, said one of the great things about Ag Tech Day is that farmers get

help and the chance to learn more about each other’s technology and practices.

“Some of the great things about this event is people in the Valley, especially the ones familiar with water, energy and ag tech, kind of get to meet and collaborate and learn about each other’s technologies. But also [it is] the opportunity for farmers and the general public to learn more about some of the technologies that we have in place that allow for a more sustainable future surrounding water,” Duncile said.

Hillyer said that he hopes that any attendees who have questions on the information shared during the event refer to the CIT website and look at the presentations from the Ag Tech Day.

Adam Ricardo Solis • The Collegian

Attendees viewed presentations on innovative agriculture technologies.

Journalists of color program receives $20,000

By Edward Lopez Reporter

Microsoft Corp. contributed $20,000 on Oct. 27 to the Central Valley Journalists of Color program, allowing for a monthly student stipend.

Executive Director of the Institute for Media and Public Trust Jim Boren secured additional funding for the program through networking in the Microsoft Journalism Initiative.

“Microsoft has a program called the Microsoft Journalism Initiative in six communities around the country. One of those [is] in Fresno, and I’ve been working with them on that project,” Boren said.

Boren said he believes Microsoft Corp.’s initial $20,000 contribution will not be the last, as Microsoft Corp. indicated that it wants to continue funding the program.

“We hope they’ll be there. Partners indefinitely. They have not made that commitment, but they have indicated that they support the program and would like to be an ongoing spon-

sor,” Boren said.

The contribution provided to the Central Valley Journalists of Color program will go toward the overall budget of the program. However, students will receive a stipend as a result of the contribution.

Major donors of the program include the California Endowment as well as the James B. McClatchy Foundation, among others.

Betsy Hays, media, communications and journalism (MCJ) department chair, was delighted at the news of the contribution as it would help diversify newsrooms in the Central Valley in the future.

“In MCJ we are thrilled about our Central Valley Journalists of Color program, and we are so pleased that Microsoft has recognized its value and chosen to support it,” Hays said.

“We all need to work together to increase the diversity of newsrooms and news coverage.

Better journalism will be the result.”

The contribution from Microsoft Corp. will allow the program to pay participants in the program a $300 monthly stipend per academic

year.

Currently, there are five students enrolled in the program, which began its trial run in September. The program is expected to add three more students.

Participants begin as high school seniors, taking various journalism courses for their final year.

Each year the program recruits eight individuals to participate in the five-year program.

After they graduate, participants can attend Fresno City College then transfer to Fresno State, or go directly to the university to continue their five-year program and graduate with a journalism degree.

The program seeks to help address issues of diversity within the newsroom, not only in terms of reporters but also in terms of coverage of news media to better reflect their surroundings.

“We want your newsrooms to reflect your community. In the Fresno area, we have a very diverse community. So this program, hopefully these students... training [in] journalism will

stay in our community to work at the Fresno Bee, ABC 30, LA public radio to help not just to diversify these newsrooms, but also get good young qualified journalists in the pipeline,” Boren said.

Boren noted that several newsrooms in the Central Valley have shown interest in the program and intend on hiring well-qualified graduates not simply because of their background.

By the time graduates leave the program, they will be equipped with a wide variety of skills to help tackle the ever technologically-changing profession of journalism.

“The idea is not just to hire journalists, because of their background, but to hire young, good, qualified journalists that are from our community, that know our community that can tell stories about our community in a very sophisticated way,” Boren said.

“We think that this program will train young people of color to tell stories in print and online and then video and podcasts and filmmaking.

Because, as you know... journalists need all those skills to be successful.”

A&E

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2021

COLLEGIAN.CSUFRESNO.EDU

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Arte Américas celebrates Día de Los Muertos with ‘Cala Gala’

By Ashley Flowers A&E Editor In honor of Día de Los Muertos, the Day of the Dead, Arte Américas in downtown Fresno held its annual ‘Cala Gala’ on Saturday, marking its successful return after a COVID-19 closure.

The event began at 11 a.m. and ended at 6 p.m. after hours of live performances, food trucks, vendors and art.

“I’ve missed this place,” said Fresno State alum and longtime community member Edward Rodriguez. “This is my culture, you know.

This event means a lot to me.”

Beginning on Oct. 7, Arte Américas opened its Community Altars and Textiles by Lety la Catrina exhibition.

The exhibit included unique community-made altars in honor of those who have passed, as well as the vibrant dresses created

by Lety la Catrina de Visalia and her husband during recent Día de Los Muertos seasons.

The exhibition honored local individuals who have passed away as well as groups of individuals lost to violence and tragedy over the years.

Día de los Muertos, a holiday observed on Nov. 1 and 2, provides individuals the chance to remember beloved family members and friends who have passed by decorating altars with favorite items of the deceased. For many who celebrate the holiday, it is believed that it allows those who have passed to visit those still living.

One particular “ofrenda” or altar in the exhibition celebrated classic ballet, and Mexican

folkloric dancer Hector Rangel, who passed away due to COVID-19 in 2020. In honor of Rangel’s nearly half a century teaching folk dance in the Central Valley, his love of dance and teaching was reflected in his individualistic ofrenda.

The late Fresno Latino Rotary president and active community member David C. Leon was similarly honored with an ofrenda that memorialized his unique interests, such as tailored suits, crystal balls and cologne.

One altar constructed by Chalome, Maia and David Gonzalez and Jose Rivera, featured an ice chest, street vendor horns and syrup bottles. It honored Rivera’s father, who was lost in an act of violence in November 2020. To reflect his kind personality and love of parties, bright colors were used in the elaborate design.

One art installation by Raphael X. Reichert, constructed of surgical face masks, was in memory of health care workers lost to COVID-19.

Another honored victims of the Pulse nightclub mass shooting. That altar was created by the Dolores Huerta Foundation in honor of the BIPOC queer community and its culture.

The exhibition culminated with La Catrina de Visalia, constructed by Leticia Valencia and Claudio, Leonardo, Saul and Brandon Martinez.

This intricate collection reflected the various outfits the “Visalia Catrina” and her team have worn for the last 11 years in pursuit of “captivating hearts through an ancient tradition.”

The purpose of La Catrina, the exhibit explains, is to “honor and protect those who have passed and to symbolize the relationship Mexicans and various Latinos have with death.”

Ashley Flowers • The Collegian

Attendees visit the various installations within the Community Altars and Textibles by Lety la Catrina exhibition.

Outside the exhibition, food trucks and vendors packed the gazebo. Food trucks offered traditional foods as well as festival favorites, and vendors offered traditional and novelty gifts. Performers took the stage regularly.

Andres Rojo, a third-year history student at Fresno State, maintained one information booth on behalf of the Nu Alpha Kappa fraternity. Nu Alpha Kappa has been volunteering at Cala Gala for several years.

“We’re a multicultural fraternity, so this is a really good opportunity for us,” Rojo said.

“We’re always looking for a way to promote culture, and this is one way to do it.”

Eight people from the fraternity assisted with the event, having connected through the networking of past brothers when Arte Américas was searching for a Fresno State group to be involved in the event.

“It’s always a good time,” Rojo said. “We look forward to it every year.”

Arte Américas is one of the largest non-profit Latinx cultural centers in California, having celebrated Latinx culture and art in downtown Fresno since 1987.

The Día de Los Muertos exhibit runs until Nov. 7. Admission to the exhibition is free, and

free parking is available on site. Information plaques are available throughout the exhibit to enable self-guided tours.

Masks are required for entrance and proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result within the last three days is request-

Ashley Flowers • The Collegian

One altar utilizes an ice chest, syrups and more to honor street vendors.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2021

THE COLLEGIAN • A&E

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Double-casted play ‘This Is Our Youth’ comes to campus

By Miranda Adams Reporter Kenneth Lonergan’s award-winning play, “This is Our Youth,” is now showing on campus at the Dennis and Cheryl Woods Theatre.

This gritty, yet eloquent coming of age comedy is set in the early 1980s and follows three young adults in Manhattan trying to navigate the oftentimes murky journey to adulthood.

“These three characters are on that cusp between youth and adulthood,” director Bradley Myers said. “They’re all into drugs. They’re all into living in the moment. And yet, they’re trying to find a sense of purpose in their lives.”

Myers said the small size of the cast gave the actors the opportunity to delve more deeply into the development of their characters.

Carlos Sanchez, who plays Warren Straub, said that the actors didn’t just memorize lines - they lived the backstory of their characters.

“I wanted to familiarize myself with Warren and the era,” Sanchez said. “I looked up different musicians and watched the shows that were referenced in the play.”

Myers said the small number of roles also made it possible to double-cast the play. Not only does double-casting provide a built-in un-

Courtesy of Miguel A. Gastelum

Carlos Sanchez (left) and Wade Pierson (right) are one of the pairs playing the roles of Warren Straub and Dennis Ziegler. derstudy — a necessity during COVID-19 — it also gives theater-goers the opportunity to see how actors’ personalities influence their roles.

“There’s a lot of variance between how each character is interpreted by the two different actors,” Myers said. “And both interpretations are equally viable. It’s really quite fascinating.”

Warren Straub, the antsy and slightly awk-

ward 19-year-old who steals $15,000 after getting kicked out by his money-laundering father, is played by Sanchez and Tyler Murphy.

Dennis Ziegler, the charismatic but hot-tempered drug-dealing friend who tries to help Straub make a return on the money, is played

by Wade Pierson and Andrew Mickelson.

Jessica Goldman, the introspective and ide-

alistic woman who captures Straub’s attention, is played by Kathryn Andres and Brianne Avina.

Avina, Mickelson and Murphy perform Nov. 2, Nov. 4 and Nov. 6. Andres, Pierson and Sanchez perform Nov. 3 and Nov. 5.

“There’s so much depth to these kids,” Avina said. “It’s not about money, partying or being graft. They’re smart, they’re very intuitive and they’re soft-hearted, really.”

The Dennis and Cheryl Woods Theatre’s small size provides playgoers with a personal and close up experience; its thrust stage, which extends into the audience, allows for an even more intimate setting.

“This is a play where you don’t know what’s going to happen next,” Myers said. “But I can tell you that where the relationships are at the end of Act I is very different from where the relationships are at the end of the play.”

The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for students, $15 for faculty, staff, military and alumni and $17 for all others. No food, drinks or children under 12 are permitted.

Attendees must bring proof of their COVID-19 vaccination or provide documentation of a negative COVID-19 test performed no more than 72 hours before the show. Masks are required.

OPINION

PAGE 6

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2021

There is no age requirement to celebrate Halloween

Adam Ricardo Solis • The Collegian

Fresno State students and community members gather at the University Student Union on Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021, to celebrate the Halloween spooktacular.

By Sydney Morgan Reporter

something they aren’t, and do so in clever and

It’s that time of year again, when people,

portant to him because it’s a time to dress up, in

close friends and family are asking you what

his case as a prisoner, and get lost in tradition

you’re going to be for Halloween.

and holiday spirit.

Many responded with a cat, a bunny, a firefighter or even a cowboy, but others might have said, “I’m too old to dress up.”

Medina wasn’t the only prisoner this year, Ray Franco, also 20, said that he loves dressing

guished age that tells you when you can dress

up because the costumes “are based on your

up and when you can’t.

personality”

until 1950 when society decided to shape it more toward younger audiences.

Halloween is a spooky but fun time when adults and children alike can pretend to be

Halloween is also a way to make the idea of

Raisin Hell Ranch, a haunted cornfield and

firefighters and cowboys on Oct. 31, and more

maze, is one out of several themed events host-

people with less creative and intuitive ideas;

ed in October.

When it comes to Halloween, many who For some, trick-or-treating isn’t appealing

Joaquin Valley has a haunted car wash, pumpkin patches, ghost golf and the haunted exhibit at Hobb’s Grove among many others.

With costumes, candy, good vibes and

because they like being safe inside the comfort

thrills at home or outside, Halloween is a time

of their homes.

Even though some stay home, scary movies,

She was planning on being a lifeguard, and

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Along with the haunted cornfield, the San

more “I’m not dressing up(s).”

is great as an adult,” Rubio said.

The Collegian California State University, Fresno 5201 N. Maple Ave., M/S SA42 Fresno, CA 93740-8027

Hell Ranch.

love the holiday may ask: what’s not to like?

“It’s a way to bring out my inner child, which

Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor News Editor Arts & Entertainment Editor Sports Editor Photo Editor Social Media Director Staff Reporter Staff Reporter Staff Reporter Staff Reporter

Halloween, but instead they are going to Raisin

This means that there are less cats, bunnies,

Joselynn Rubio, 21, celebrated the holiday by throwing a party.

Kaylyn Freitas, 21, and her boyfriend Cameron Garcia, were not planning on going out on

strangers.

“To me, it’s a time to have fun with friends,” Medina said.

out having to go out.

appropriate and acceptable to take candy from

death more approachable and fun.

To that, I argue that there is no distin-

In fact, it was more of an adult holiday up

still great ways of celebrating the holiday with-

Plus, it’s the only time in society where it’s

Michael Medina, 20, said Halloween is im-

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.

dressing her two dogs up as sharks.

inventive ways.

carving pumpkins and handing out candy are

Zaeem Shaikh Jesús Cano Jannah Geraldo Ashley Flowers Manuel Hernandez Kameron Thorn Stacy Hurtado Marc Anthony Lopez Adam Solis Miranda Adams Tyler Van Dyke

Staff Reporter Staff Reporter Staff Photographer General Sales Manager Local Sales Manager Distributor General Manager Financial Manager Advertising Faculty Adviser Editorial Faculty Adviser MCJ Department Chair

to celebrate old traditions by making new memories along the way.

Edward Lopez Sydney Morgan Melina Kazanjian Lexee Padrick Hannah Hieber Edward Lopez Richard Marshall Kevin Fries Jan Edwards Timothy Drachlis Betsy Hays

The Collegian carries four different ethnic supplements inserted several times throughout each semester into its print publication. Each supplement is produced by its own staff and advisers and is separate from The Collegian.

The news stories or opinions in the supplements do not reflect those of The Collegian.

Each member of the campus community is permitted a copy of The Collegian. Subscriptions are available for $25, on a semester basis. Staff positions at The Collegian are open to students of all majors. All content Copyright © 2021 The Collegian.

Letters to the Editor (collegian@csufresno.edu): All letters submitted to The Collegian should be between 250-500 words in length, must be type-written, and must be accompanied by a full name and phone number to verify content. The Collegian reserves the right to edit all material for length, content, spelling and grammar, as well as the right to refuse publication of any material submitted. All material submitted to The Collegian becomes property of The Collegian.

SPORTS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2021

COLLEGIAN.CSUFRESNO.EDU

PAGE 7

Bulldog soccer team celebrates McCarthy’s last year

By Manuel Hernandez Sports Editor Last Thursday, the Fresno State women’s soccer team celebrated senior day in the game against San José State.

Before the game started, one side of the field had the Bulldogs raising their drink up in the air and the other side had framed portraits, balloons and flowers in honor of one senior: Robyn McCarthy.

McCarthy wasn’t sure if she was going to utilize her extra year of eligibility.

But as she enters her fifth and final year as a Bulldog defender, the choice she made was clear.

“I decided [to stay] because I wasn’t ready to leave,” McCarthy said.

“Honestly, I think this last year helped me grow and it helped me in school also, but I knew this team was going to be special. We still are and I hope it continues.”

After the ‘Dogs defeated the Spartans 3-1 at the Fresno State Soccer Stadium, they finished second overall in the Mountain West conference and are now heading to Boise to make a championship run in the Mountain West soccer tournament.

This victory is sweeter for the ‘Dogs with it being senior day, or as head coach Brian Zwaschka said, “Robyn Day.” “[McCarthy] is a great role model on and off the field,” Zwaschka said. “And, you know, it’s like her leadership for me. It’s the team and, you know, her decision making and her desire

to be good… We see it influence her peers all the time.”

Coming from Brentwood, California, the transition into Fresno was not easy for McCarthy.

She told The Collegian that her biological family decided to relocate to Utah, and she stayed with Karla and Jorge Villaseñor, close family friends she met in Brentwood.

Having a second family close by helped her feel comfortable living in California.

Staying at Fresno State paid off for McCarthy. Five years later, she earned All-Mountain West First Team and led the team in minutes played the past two seasons.

Her parents, Regina and Timothy McCarthy, talked about how much she has grown as a person in those five years. Driving from Utah, they try to attend all of her games.

Regina said Thursday’s game was bittersweet because it is her final season, and they are going to miss watching their daughter play soccer at Fresno State.

But they are proud of Robyn’s career and her commitment to education.

“I don’t think it’s sunk in yet what’s, you know, goin on,” Timothy said.

“Starting to realize that you know Robyn’s there. Her end getting near and I’m thinking of, you know, ‘What’s her next chapter in life’... I think she’s a bright girl who can go up in places.”

Timothy also explained how Robyn’s grown more confident. In her first years at Fresno State, Robyn’s parents were worried as they

Melina Kazanjian • The Collegian

Bulldog defender Robyn McCarthy pushes the ball forward against San José State on Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, at the Fresno State soccer stadium.

Melina Kazanjian • The Collegian

The Fresno State women’s soccer team finishes second in the Mountain West conference. moved from California to Utah, leaving their daughter alone in college. But as time went on, they felt like Robyn was capable of handling anything life throws at her on her own.

“She can handle life,” Regina said. “There’s always ups and downs, but she’s the person that can always come up and rise and be successful.”

Timothy and Regina said the ‘Dogs’ success this season was no surprise to them. Fresno State ranks second in the Mountain West conference. They talked about Robyn’s love for her teammates and her ability to guide them to whatever they need help in.

“She’s by far been one of the best leaders I’ve ever had on a team. And just having her as a person to look up to as a sophomore has been awesome,” said Bulldog forward Brooklyn Woolfe. “And even coming into the program.

She made it so inviting. She had open arms so I think it means a lot to her too, because this is her last time playing here. And it’s freakin’ awesome that we got [win] for her tonight.”

Woolfe scored her first goal for Fresno State in Thursday’s game against San José State.

Both teams started the game aggressively on offense. The Spartans took the first shot in the 2nd minute, but it went off target. The Bulldogs responded with two shot attempts, but both missed the net due to a tough Spartan defense.

McCarthy almost recorded another assist this season with a toss from out of bounds. With almost eight minutes into the game, the pass

went directly to the head of a Bulldog attacker, but the shot was off target.

It wasn’t until the 14th minute where ‘Dog forward Kassandra Ceja put Fresno State on the board with an early 1-0 lead. Ceja is second in the Mountain West conference in goals made.

She also ranks No. 3 in game-winning goals and points and No. 9 in assists.

The rest of the first half went back-andforth. Fresno State kept the lead at halftime but dominated both ends of the field into the second half.

The ‘Dogs’ energy was unmatched as they fed off the energetic home atmosphere. After another Fresno State goal from Kaelyn Miller, the team burst into cheers, chanting “Miller time!.” Fresno State led 2-0 in the 52nd minute.

Woolfe increased the lead 3-0 from an assist from Jaylyn Wright.

“Our finishing was better,” Zwaschka said.

“But I think the recognition of just winning balls, and, you know, all those little details – because they happen multiple times across the game – was a real concentration point.”

The Spartans tried to make a comeback, but their first goal came with less than a minute left in the game. The Bulldogs secured their 3-1 victory.

Fresno State travels to Boise, Idaho, to compete in the Mountain West women’s soccer championship. Its next matchup is against Boise State on Thursday, Nov. 4, at 2 p.m.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2021

THE COLLEGIAN • SPORTS

PAGE 8

Bulldogs return to Top 25 after win over No. 21 SDSU

By Jesús Cano Managing Editor Throughout the 2019 season, Fresno State running back Jordan Mims was forced to watch his team compete from the sideline, as a foot injury late in 2018 put him on the shelf for over a year.

“I was pretty hurt,” Mims said to The Collegian. “Adversity happens all the time. I just knew I had to focus on rehab and getting my body right.”

Now, Mims is making the most with every opportunity he gets. Last week, the senior rushed for a career-high of 134 yards. And with Fresno State starting running back Ronnie Rivers ruled out of Saturday night’s game against the No. 21 San Diego State Aztecs, the Bulldogs needed another strong performance from Mims.

In back-to-back weeks, he delivered with another career-high performance. The senior ran for 186 rushing yards and two touchdowns in Fresno State’s 30-20 victory over No. 21 San Diego State in Carson, California, ending the Aztecs’ perfect season.

“Tonight was his style of football where we needed ground-and-pound,” Fresno State head

coach Kalen DeBoer said. “I’m just so proud of him because of all the things he’s worked on, and we challenged him to get better at being more physical, being tough. You know, he’s just really made himself better in those areas.”

Mims’ big night helped the Bulldogs gain back possession of the Old Oil Can for the first time since 2019, and defeat their second ranked opponent in the same season since 2004. With this win, Fresno State is back in the top 25 in AP rankings at No. 25.

For defensive lineman and San Diego native Kevin Atkins, keeping the hardware from rivalry games is something that he prides in.

“I would love to go out with every trophy that we could possibly get back to Fresno,” Atkins said. “I’m from San Diego so that was a big hometown win for me… I might be San Diego born, but I’m Fresno made.”

Coming into Saturday night’s game, San Diego State’s defense was holding its opponents to 279.4 yards per game, the fifth-best margin in all of FBS. But by the end of the first half, Fresno State’s offense produced 308 total yards.

The Bulldogs have a well-noted history this season of starting off slow.

But against one of the best defenses in the

nation, Fresno State got the ball rolling to start the game.

Fresno State’s offense orchestrated a 15play, 85-yard drive that ended with a 13-yard touchdown run from Mims. The ‘Dogs caught an early 7-0 lead with 3:53 left of the first quarter.

The momentum carried on. In the following SDSU drive, Evan Williams snatched a pass thrown from Aztec Lucas Johnson and returned the ball 36 yards to set up the Bulldogs in Aztec territory.

Two plays later, the Bulldogs cushioned their lead to 14-0 after quarterback Jake Haener nailed a pass to Keric Wheatfall in the left corner of the end zone with 14:10 left in the second quarter.

“We faced a really good football team tonight,” DeBoer said. “We came out strong. I thought we played one of our better first quarters that we’ve had. We had a really good mindset this week.”

Fresno State kicker Cesar Silva made two field goals from 49 and 27 yards out to increase the Bulldogs’ lead 20-0 in the second quarter.

But with 2:15 left in the game, the Aztecs finally got on the board as Johnson connected with Tyrell Shavers for a 19-yard touchdown

pass, giving SDSU some momentum heading into halftime, but still trailing 20-7.

“The guys did a really good job competing and standing on the field when we had to,” Haener said.

Silva added another field goal, this time from 42 yards, to make it 23-7 for the Bulldogs.

The following drive, the Aztecs cut their deficit to 23-13 as running back Greg Bell pounded his way into the end zone with 13 seconds left in the third quarter.

Heading into the fourth quarter, the comeback was still possible for SDSU. With 6:43 left, the Aztecs started their most critical drive of the game at their 1-yard line.

SDSU moved the ball up the field, but Johnson threw his second interception of the game, which was picked off by Fresno State’s Jalen Williams.

The Bulldogs wasted no time as Mims moved the ball 31 yards in two plays. Mims had his second touchdown of the night to put Fresno State up 30-13, with 4:28 left in the game.

That touchdown turned out to be a good source of insurance.

SDSU’s Will Haskel, who came in for Johnson, scored on a 7-yard keeper, but the ‘Dogs secured the win, ending the game 30-20.

(Courtesy of Fresno State Athletics)

Fresno State takes the Old Oil Can in the win over San Diego State University.