Grand Valley Lanthorn vol. 56 no. 26

G R A N D VA L L E Y L A N T H O R N

Driving Up the Cost GV makes $4.4 million in permits and fines

Medical panel discusses Hispanic community and healthcare access ACCESSIBILITY | A9

Michigan auto insurance refund could bring relief to GV drivers MONEY | A11

Finals

GVSU Student Senate Elections Voting is week of

M O N D A Y, M A R C H 2 1 , 2 02 2 // VO L . 5 6 N O. 2 6

March 28 - April 3 @ GV L A N T H O R N

Vote Online at

gvsu.edu/studentsenate/vote On March 28th, Meet the Candidates in Kirkof Lobby 6-8pm

LANTHORN.COM

A2 | NEWS NEWS BRIEFS GV COVID-19 CAMPUS DATA UPDATE The Grand Valley State University community has had a cumulative total of 7,303 cases since Aug. 1, 2020. The university’s update for this brief was from Thursday, March 17.

Through testing results this past week, GVSU’s Virus Action team have so far reported 25 current active cases including one faculty member, four staff members, two on-campus students, 12 “off-campus Ottawa” students, four “off-campus Kent” students and two “off-campus other” students with active COVID-19 cases.

“Current active cases” is the count of positive cases reported to the Virus Action Team over the past 10 days. This is an estimate of those currently in isolation, assuming a 10-day symptomatic period following the reporting of a positive test result. Actual periods of isolation are specific to the individual and determined by the county health department.

Vaccination: GVSU encourages all students, faculty and staff to receive the COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible. All students, faculty and staff are required to be fully vaccinated, barring a medical or religious exemption or postponement. According to the COVID-19 data dashboard, an 80% vaccination rate in the GVSU community is required to reach herd immunity and minimal virus transmission.

Currently, approximately 87% of students report being fully vaccinated, while approximately 93% of faculty and staff reports being fully vaccinated.

There are currently 2,214 students and 139 faculty/staff with approved vaccination exemptions.

Testing and Incidence: GVSU’s GVSU’s own testing program has performed 129,038 tests overall since Aug. 1, 2020, for a cumulative positivity rate of 0.76% from the latest update as of last week. A total of 661 tests were performed over the last seven days.

“GV Surveillance” includes the GV/Spectrum administered programs of randomized testing, regular testing of high-risk groups and invited testing of individuals connected to potential clusters. A calendar is available. “GV Total” includes surveillance testing plus all symptomatic/exposure tests administered by Spectrum.

DISCUSSION

Kent County Children’s Advocacy Center presents on effects of childhood trauma

BY LAUREN FORMOSA NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

The Grand Valley State University Master of Public Health Program (MPH) partnered with the Children's Advocacy Center of Kent County to present on childhood traumas and discuss how to identify traumas and manage personal self-care.

“From Surviving to Thriving: A Perspective on Childhood Trauma, Effects in Adulthood and Resilience in Trauma Professionals,” was held through Zoom on March 17.

The presentation and subsequent discussion were organized by a group of master’s students from the GVSU Public Health Program.

Jazzmine McGuff, one of MPH’s candidate coordinators, said that she grew an interest in this public health issue from her work in child advocacy.

“I do a lot of education on this because it's a topic that people shy away from,” McGuff said. “I think it's something that's very important to talk about, because it's an issue that happens everywhere, across all races and genders and religions. It's a really cool opportunity to be able to bring some awareness to GVSU students.”

Misti DeVrie, Prevention & Outreach Director at the Child’s Advocacy Center, facilitated the virtual presentation on childhood trauma, lifelong effects and

MENTAL HEALTH: GVSU's Master of Public Health Program partnered with the Children's Advocacy Center of Kent Country to present on the effects of childhood trauma. GVL | ANNABELLE ROBINSON

resilience in trauma professionals.

DeVrie began with an in-depth exploration of different Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), or stressors that encompass various forms of physical or emotional abuse, neglect and household dysfunction.

These experiences release stress hormones that affect brain development and cause a child to develop certain characteristics that are associated with toxic stress.

The ACEs questionnaire goes through 10 categories of childhood trauma and determines the likelihood of developing conditions such as alcoholism, heart disease or depression as adults.

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INITIATIVE

GV junior selected to participate in Campus Compact fellowship program

BY ANTHONY CLARK JR. NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

MICHIGAN SCIENCE OLYMPIAD REGIONAL COMPETITION RETURNS TO GV IN PERSON The Region 12 Michigan Science Olympiad event returned to Grand Valley State University in a fully in-person format for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

Hosted by GVSU's Regional Math and Science Center, nearly 700 middle and high school students from Kent, Ottawa and Muskegon counties joined to display their work.

On March 19, the competition’s 46 scheduled events were held in numerous places across the Allendale campus with the headquarters located in the Fieldhouse Arena. The events began at 8:30 a.m. and concluded with an awards ceremony at 4 p.m.

Out of the 46 teams that competed, six middle school and six high school teams qualified for the state tournament.

MARCH 21, 2022 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

POLITICS: GVSU junior Christina Vann's work in the political sector led to her nomination for the fellowship program. COURTESY | CHRISTINA VANN

Grand Valley State University junior Christina Vann was recently selected to be a part of the Newman Civic Fellowship initiative created by the Campus Compact.

Campus Compact, a national coalition of colleges and universities committed to the public purposes of higher education, developed this initiative to support students with their personal, professional and civic development.

The initiative also provides educational opportunities and resources to develop strategies for social change.

Vann’s work in the political sector was recognized by GVSU President Philomena V. Mantella, who nominated Vann for the fellowship.

Vann said she's very grateful for the support from Mantella and GVSU faculty, collectively.

“Upon hearing about my nomination and eventual selection, I felt honored and thankful that I have the opportunity to serve the GVSU community through the Newman Civic Fellowship,” Vann said. “I cher-

ish experiences that allow me to develop community engagement skills and grow in knowledge and, because of President Mantella’s commitment to providing these types of opportunities to students, I am able to be a member of this program.”

As far as campaign volunteering, Vann obtained an internship for a Kent County political party during the 2021 summer.

She served as support personnel with a mix of responsibilities, including gathering township and individual precinct maps, assisting with fundraising events and using a database system to organize collected donations and memberships.

“One of my favorite events was the debate we held for a state senate special election race,” Vann said. “It was fascinating to see a debate at a local level and to witness how differently members of the same party can view policies and the current local and national climate.”

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A3 | NEWS

MARCH 21, 2022 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

CONTENTS DISCUSSION

| A2

OPINION

| A4

EXPERIENCES

| A5

PARKING

| A6&7

INTERACTION

| A8

ACCESSIBILITY

| A9

VERSE

| A10

BASKETBALL

| A11

BASEBALL

| A12

VOL. 56

NO. 26

Lanthorn Videographer KATE KIRBY

EDITORIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief ZACK GOODROW

Layout Editor KHOI TRAN

Associate Editor AUDREY WHITAKER Associate Editor XAVIER GOLDEN

Layout Designer DONOVAN LOPEZ PROMOTIONS

News Editor MARY DUPUIS Sports Editor HOLLY BIHLMAN Laker Life Editor JACOB DEWEERD A&E Editor

Promotions Manager GRACE O’BRIEN ADVERTISING STAFF Advertising Manager JORDAN GREEN

MONEY

Michigan auto insurance refund could bring relief to GV drivers

BY JOSHUA ALBURTUS NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

Members of the Grand Valley State University community could soon expect a refund of $400 from auto-insurance companies under a new plan enacted by the Michigan government last week.

Following a move by Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS), Michigan drivers with auto insurance will receive a $400 refund per vehicle from their insurance company within the next two months.

Confirmed in a statement released by the governor’s office on March 11, the plan will make use of $3 billion in surplus funds from the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association (MCCA) which provides funds for victims of auto accidents.

In the same statement, DIFS Director Anita Fox clarified that drivers will receive their refunds automatically from insurers and don’t need to take action.

Under Michigan law, every vehicle registered in the state is required to purchase some degree of no-fault auto insurance.

With the state listing approximately 9 million registered vehicles in Michigan in 2021,

BUSINESS STAFF

SABRINA EDWARDS

Image Editor MEGHAN LANGREN Multimedia EditorHAILIEGH HUBER

a vast number of Michigan citizens are expected to receive a refund.

The distribution of refunds to Michigan drivers is being heralded by legislative allies that are welcoming its financial relief at a time when inflation and gas prices are reaching historic highs.

Michigan House Transportation Committee member and Assistant Democratic Caucus Whip, Ranjeev Puri (D-Canton), supports the refunds bringing what he believes to be a much-needed respite

for Michigan residents.

“Michigan drivers need relief,” Puri said. “Governor Whitmer made this rebate happen and put more money in the pockets of Michiganders.”

Thousands in the GVSU community can expect to see refunds in the coming weeks.

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NATIONAL

Business Manager MORGAN JOHNSTON

GV student becomes a finalist for the Truman scholarship

Asst. Business Manager LUKE KREGER Distribution Manager DAYTON HAMMON

BY ELIZABETH SCHANZ NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

At the Lanthorn, we strive to bring you the most accurate news possible. If we make a mistake, we want to make it right. If you find any errors in fact in the Lanthorn, let us know by calling 616-331-2464 or by emailing editorial@lanthorn.com.

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POSTMASTER: Please send form 3579 to: Grand Valley Lanthorn 0051 Kirkhof Center Grand Valley State University Allendale, MI 49401

FUNDS: Gov. Whitmer’s office announced Michigan drivers with auto insurance will receive a $400 refund per vehicle from their insurance companies within the next two months. The refund is coming from surplus funds from the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association. GVL | MEGHAN LANDGREN

OPPORTUNITY: Grand Valley junior Malia Kah is a finalist for the Truman Scholarship, gaining national recognition. COURTESY | RACHEL LIENAU

Malia Kah, a junior at Grand Valley State University majoring in global studies with a minor in African American studies, recently became a finalist for the rigorous and selective Truman Scholarship.

Kah is one of 189 scholarship finalists out of over 700 applicants. Kah’s position as a finalist is both a personal accomplishment and one that draws national recognition.

The Truman Scholarship -- one of many fellowship opportunities -- aims to invest in college juniors who show a commitment to a career in public service.

The scholarship has an extensive application process where students have to first be nominated by their university and then write 12 different essays.

The opportunity for the Truman Scholarship was brought to Kah’s attention by Brenda Tooley, the associate director of the center for undergraduate scholar engagement and the Frederik Meijer Office of Fellowships.

Tooley and other GVSU staff saw Kah’s commitment to public service and felt that the scholarship would be a perfect fit.

“The students who are great applicants for Truman are those who are so involved in community activism, or working with refugees or working in sustainable and environmental arenas that they are not really thinking about a fellowship application,” Tooley said. “It’s more about a commitment to genuine commitment and a genuine involvement.”

Kah soon began working on the extensive application and received a plethora of assistance through the fellowship office. Resources were available to help proofread her essays, work through the process of the application and offer emotional support.

“Sometimes you can kind of have that (feeling of), ‘I don’t know if I’m good enough to go after (something) so big,’” Kah said.

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A4 | OPINIONS GVL EDITORIAL CARTOON

MARCH 21, 2022 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLANTHORN

By Athena Jasman

EDITORIAL

Low attendance, engagement cues reflection on mental health

I

03/21/22

editorial@lanthorn.com

Review: Robert Pattinson is the Darker Knight

BY HOLLY BIHLMAN SENIOR ENGLISH & WRITING EDITORIAL@LANTHORN.COM

As the highly anticipated 2022 DC blockbuster finally made its premier, people haven’t stopped raving about the darkest reboot yet of a beloved American superhero in Matt Reeves’ “The Batman.” This newest addition to the ever-expanding superhero genre tops all of the other Batman movies

through stunning cinematography, an edgy soundtrack and booming scenes that push the comfort levels of its audience, incomparable to Noland’s “The Dark Knight.” The darkness in Reeves’ version mirrors that of Todd Phillips’ 2019 “Joker” for its deeply-rooted commentary on crime and mental illness in an especially corrupted and grungy Gotham City.

The star of the show, Robert Pattinson, might have been able to finally shed his reputation linked to the sultry teenage heartthrob from back in the day in “Twilight” as Edward Cullen.

Reeves’ arcane version of the equally sultry Bruce Wayne was made for Pattinson as he adopted the role in what I believe to be his career-peaking performance, blending his familiar gothic acting style with the darker side of Bruce Wayne seamlessly.

Reeves’ rendition of Batman and the Riddler gives the original story a

refreshing crime-thriller feel, fitting into this genre much more intimately as Wayne’s (sometimes unreasonably) incredible detective work drives the movie. This, tied in with sickening elements of horror and psychological thrills thanks to Paul Dano’s Riddler, is what keeps the entertainment value up throughout the three-hour marathon.

The horrifying first crime ignites audience engagement immediately, and as each riddle is solved, Reeves achieves a masterful build of tension all the way up to the grand finale.

As the opening scenes of “The Batman” begin with Pattinson’s emo Bruce Wayne voiceover, Reeves’ in media res approach subjects unfamiliar audiences to a potentially problematic lack of exposition.

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Column: Unravelling the truth behind conspiracy theories

BY SYDNEY KIERZEK FRESHMAN WRITING EDITORIAL@LANTHORN.COM

Although some might indulge in YouTube or Wikipedia rabbit-holes as nothing more than a silly afterthought, a way to fill some time on a rainy day, conspiracy theories are psychologically dangerous and are a fundamental hazard to modern society.

Conspiracy theories likely made

their debut with humanity’s formation of society, it sure feels like they’ve skyrocketed in the past few centuries in response to technological advancements and, more recently, ease of communication. Conspiracy theories are usually defined as beliefs that Illuminati-like powerful groups that control the world in secret, but it’s been argued that they could also be any theory that refutes a conclusion made by scientific reasoning.

See Alex Jones and Joe Rogan. A podcast and a knack for discussing conspiracies is how someone goes from a laid-off radio host or a UFC commentator to making hundreds of millions and off-the-charts fanbases.

Joe Rogan was the no. 1 podcaster on Spotify in 2021 with over 11 million listens an each episode. Perhaps what makes this pothead lunatic so addictive has to do less with his personality and more about the psychology be-

hind the topics of his content.

At addictioncenter.com, between the pages “Porn Addiction” and “Gambling Addiction’’ is the article “Conspiracy Theory Addiction,” by activist Ginni Correa. According to Correa, the creation or belief in a theory “emerges from the need for the human brain to find patterns,” and that “ new research also shows that people with certain personality traits, such as low self-esteem, are more likely to have a conspiracy theory addiction.”

Growing up in a social media-based, perfection-obsessed generation, it’s easy to imagine the outlook of college students. Whether it’s the need for understanding, control or to simply feel special, conspiracy theories may provide a sensation of relief for individuals lacking in some area of identity.

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t’s been a week since Grand Valley State University students retur ne d f rom spr ing break. Some students are burnt out, skipping classes and deeply unmotivated.

College students have been undergoing a mental health crisis this past winter.

The crisis has been attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, but other large-scale issues — like the dismal recent history and near future of climate change and Russia’s long foreseen and presently ongoing invasion of Ukraine — have likely contributed to student burnout as well.

Since the onset of the winter semester at GVSU, there’s been a visible decline in attendance. Long before professors were competing with sunny 60-degree weather, the problem became widespread enough for GVSU administrators to address.

GVSU students and faculty received an email on February 24 from Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Chris Plouff and Vice President for Student Affairs Jenny Hall-Jones. The email, titled “Student Engagement,” urged students to attend classes and reminded stu-

dents of the university’s mental health resources.

The email, which received scrutiny from students on social media, didn’t appear to increase attendance. Despite a week of spring break, students, the Lanthorn Editorial Board included, returned to class lacking the sense of renewal we hoped to feel.

It’s easy to place blame on the news cycle, the pandemic, the good and bad weather. But ultimately, there’s something else going on. Students have noticed it, our instructors have noticed it, our administration has noticed it, and taken note of mental health as a contributing factor.

Big picture approaches like the de-stigmatization of mental illness and more local strategies like the availability of GVSU’s counseling services are helpful, but ultimately treat mental illness as an individual issue.

Some scholarship in sociology has pointed to the possibility that the rising number of mental health cases is a consequence of dehumanizing policy decisions and workplace practices.

GVL OPINION POLICY

Letter to the editor should include the author’s full name, relevant title and a headshot, along with a valid email address and phone number for confirming the identity of the author. Letters should be approximately 500-650 words in length, and they are not edited by the Lanthorn staff except to fix technical errors or to clarify. Reader submissions on the opinion page appear as space permits.

To make a submission, email editorial@lanthorn.com or drop your submission off in person at:

The goal of the Grand Valley Lanthorn’s opinion page is to act as a forum for public discussion, comment and criticism in the Grand Valley State University community. Student and columnist opinions published here do not necessarily reflect those of the paper as an entity.

The Lanthorn strives to be a safe vehicle for community discussion. With this in mind, the Lanthorn will not publish or entertain any forms of hate speech, but neither will it discriminate against any other views, opinions or beliefs.

The content, information and views expressed are not approved by-nor do they necessarily represent those of-the university or its Board of Trustees, officers, faculty or staff.

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0051 KIRKHOF CENTER GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY ALLENDALE, MI 49401 616-826-8276

MARCH 21, 2022 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

A5 | NEWS

EXPERIENCES

GV faculty discuss health and wellness in March ‘Thinking Globally’ session

BY GILLIAN HANTON NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

The Grand Valley State University Modern Languages and Literatures Department recently hosted their monthly multicultural discussion, “Thinking Globally: How Languages Influence the Lives We Live.”

Following last month’s panel on love and intimacy, members of the organization turned their focus to health and wellness on March 17.

The “Thinking Globally” series was created to encourage faculty, staff and students who have lived in another country or are speakers of a foreign language to discuss global issues.

Participants in this month’s panel contributed to the conversation by offering their insight on topics such as sex education, access to healthcare and religious practices in their region of study. The

roundtable included faculty members with extensive knowledge of Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, Ancient Greek and French culture.

The panel started the conversation by examining basic medical practices in different countries.

They observed that while the U.S. has a passive approach to healthcare, other nations take even minor illnesses very seriously.

Meghan Cai, assistant professor of Chinese Studies, said there’s a higher intensity of medical care in China.

“Here, colds are no big deal,” Cai said. “In China, if you get a cold you go to the doctor and you’re put on an IV drip for three days. It’s a normal solution.”

Later, the discussion transitioned to the disparity in the quality of healthcare between the U.S. and other countries.

The group, including assistant professor of Spanish studies Elizabeth Gansen, agreed that speaking different languages has allowed them to see multiple perspectives about this issue.

“I get to hear about real peoples’ experiences about how people are able to access things, the type of treatment they’re able to get and their concerns about healthcare,” Gansen said. “I have so many friends in this country who, if they have a severe medical issue, have to worry about how much it’s going to cost.”

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, approximately half of U.S. adults have put off receiving some form of medical care because of the cost.

Gansen said in her experience going to the doctor, she has been charged for asking a question that didn’t pertain to

her visit, causing her to spend more out of pocket than she originally anticipated.

The group also discussed their experience with linguistics.

David Crane, an assistant professor in the Department of Classics, said he believes that studying ancient languages has helped him understand academic texts.

“I don’t think it was until I started studying foreign languages intensively that I really grew to appreciate things like poetry,” Crane said. “Being forced to think hard about language and consult other people about a poem I was reading made me enjoy literature a lot more. It’s something I use in all sorts of contexts now.”

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GLOBAL: March’s multicultural discussion for the ‘Thinking Globally’ series was focused around health and wellness. GVL | MAX RITCHIE

GVSU

Student Senate Elections Voting is week of

March 28 - April 3 On March 28th, Meet the Candidates in Kirkof Lobby 6-8pm

SERIES: Grand Valley State University’s Modern Languages and Literatures Department has been hosting a monthly multicultural discussion to encourage students, staff and faculty who have lived in another country or speak a foreign language to discuss current global issues. GVL | MAX RITCHIE

Vote Online at gvsu.edu/studentsenate/vote

A6&7 | NEWS

MARCH 21, 2022 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

BY SHAWN ROBINSON & ZACK GOODROW EDITORIAL@LANTHORN.COM

Grand Valley State University students – like the majority of college students in the U.S. – have tight budgets. Students have to manage paying for tuition, rent and food while earning their degrees for their future careers. They also consider expensive parking costs into their budgets. At GVSU, parking has a bigger impact on student finances than any other university in the state of Michigan.

Out of all the public universities in the state, GVSU has the most expensive parking passes. For off-campus commuters, GVSU students pay $240 a semester for a student commuter permit.

There is another, cheaper alternative for commuting students – a Lot J permit that costs just $105 a semester. However, this cheaper permit is still more expensive than the majority of other university’s permits. Students who live on-campus in Allendale pay $210 a semester to keep their cars on campus.

GVSU’s student commuter permit is the most expensive parking pass in the state.

According to FOIA files obtained by the “Lanthorn,” GVSU has made $4,495,207 from parking on Allendale’s campus alone since March 3, 2022. $267,952 of that total comes from parking violations. The remaining $4,227,255 comes from parking permits: 13,432 stu-

dent commuter permits sold, 5,822 resident permits sold and 592 Lot J permits sold during the 2021-22 academic year.

From the beginning of the fall 2021 semester to March 3, there have been 111 days of class, the majority of which are held in the in-person format. During those 111 days, GVSU made an average of $40,497.40 per day from students for parking.

According to GVSU Parking Services, there are approximately 7,400 parking spaces on GVSU’s Allendale campus. Since March 3, each parking space has made GVSU $607.46 – not including how many of these spaces are restricted for just faculty/staff who park for free. Excluding holidays and weekends, every parking space on campus generates $5.47 in revenue each day.

While that might seem like a low number for just a single parking space, it adds up. Some GVSU students were surprised to learn how much revenue the university has received from Allendale parking alone.

“I got paid minimum wage,” said former Parking Services student employee and current GVSU student Laura Andres. “Wow, ($4,495,207) is a lot worse than what I thought.”

For the past seven years, GVSU has increased the prices of their parking permits. In 2015, a student commuter pass cost students $380 annually. In

2022, that price is now $480. Every lot pass has increased by $20 a year since 2015 – excluding 2020 where prices remained the same. Throughout the past seven years, the student commuter permit price has increased by 26%.

In 2015, a Lot J permit cost students $110 a year. In 2022, the price is $210 a year, a 90% cost increase.

The price of parking permits has increased while GVSU’s student population has decreased. In 2015, there were 25,325 students attending GVSU. In 2021, that number decreased to 22,406. In total, the student population from 2016 to 2021 has decreased by 11.5%. During this decline, the prices of parking permits have steadily increased.

“I mean that’s kind of ridiculous,” said GVSU student Brooke Campbell.

“I mean as students decline, the prices should probably decline.”

Other GVSU students felt the same way.

“I think that’s not cool,” said GVSU student Brooke Maxon. “On GVSU’s part that seems counterintuitive.

There’s less people. That just wouldn’t make sense to raise it in the short term.”

In some cases, because of these prices, GVSU students decline to park on campus and take the bus.

“It’s actually the reason why I didn’t get one this year because it was so expensive,” said GVSU student Alex Ritchie. “Actually, I didn’t get one last year too because

I had like one class on campus because everything else is online, and it was still $480 for the whole year.”

Naturally, GVSU students that haven’t bought a parking permit still park on campus. They may try to park in a lot for a short period of time while doing something on campus – buying a book at the Laker Store, stopping by a professor’s office during office hours or going to the library to print a paper.

Several students have stories of when they stopped by campus and received a ticket for not having a permit.

“I’m an art student,” said GVSU student Kylie Zito. “I’m a photography major so I go to Calder a lot. It’s really cold in the winter and I’m just not a fan of parking all the way in (student parking).

So sometimes I’ll park in this Calder and that’s what they get me for.”

Compared to other public universities in Michigan, GVSU has similar violation prices as other schools.

“I actually got ticketed twice in three days,” said GVSU student Kendall Robertson. “I parked where I wasn’t supposed to.

I was parked for my practice. It was a convenient location to get to my practice and then it wasn’t convenient for parking.”

A8 | NEWS

MARCH 21, 2022 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

INTERACTION

GVPD explains importance of interconnectivity and collaboration between police departments

BY EMMA ARMIJO NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

While a police department’s main concern is the community within their jurisdiction, neighboring departments work together and use each other as resources to solve cases that might require more than what’s available to one department alone.

Grand Valley State University’s Police Department interacts with others in the police community much more than one might think.

Grandville, Walker, Grand Rapids and Wyoming all have their own police departments with jurisdiction extending to the city limits.

County Sheriff ’s departments, like Ottawa County and Kent County, operate between and around the city departments, essentially patrolling the township areas that don’t necessarily have their own municipality.

For the GVPD, the campus community is their jurisdiction.

GVPD Police Captain, Jeffery Stoll, said the amount of interaction that one police force has with another department is very frequent. Having multiple campuses in different areas means that GVPD works with multiple other agencies.

“Our two main partners are Ottawa County for the Allendale campus and Grand Rapids Police Department for the Grand Rapids campus,” Stoll said. “Those partners are the ones that we line up to in our jurisdiction, but I think what people would be surprised to know is how many connections and interactions you’re having with agencies that are even beyond your immediate neighbors.”

Digital influences have created more interagency communication than ever because departments are sharing more information with each other.

GVPD will regularly receive bulletins from other police departments giving out information in regards to what’s happening in each jurisdiction and what other departments should keep an eye out for.

Stoll said the two main reasons that a police department will create a bulletin involve general public safety and frequency of a crime.

“One (reason) is for the likelihood of violence,” Stoll said. “We want the community and officers to be aware that there could be a significant safety issue. The other thing is associated with crime patterns. When we see similar types of criminal behavior, whatever that might be, that’s a recurring pattern, then we kind of work together on that component.”

A process called “crime mapping” allows all of the police departments in a region to interact and decipher patterns in the crimes committed. During the process of crime mapping, a computer program shows a map of the general area. When a crime happens, it’s logged to the map.

Surrounding agencies all log every crime into the crime-mapping system, so officers are able to see what crimes are happening most frequently and where even outside of their specific jurisdiction.

When high priority cases cross over large

areas the locations of GVPD and other departments can be used to the advantage when a case calls for a wider investigation.

Jeff, a 911 dispatcher for Kent County Sheriff ’s Department, said proximity plays a large role in the interconnectedness of the police departments.

While each department is separate and covers their own certain areas if a case takes them to the edge of one department’s jurisdiction they can get assistance from the next department over.

“Some of the bigger departments have a little bit more resources than some of the smaller departments,” Jeff said. “There might be a particular call where it’s close to another jurisdiction and one jurisdiction might need some assistance with more officers because it’s a higher priority call.”

Jeff said police departments working together helps them share resources.

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THE ARNOLD C. OTT LECTURESHIP IN CHEMISTRY Presented by

Anne McNeil, Ph.D. Carol A. Fierke Collegiate Professor of Chemistry and Macromolecular Science and Engineering University of Michigan Public Lecture

Thursday, April 14, 2022 Microplastics are Here, There, and Everywhere Reception — 5 p.m. | Lecture — 6 p.m.

Grand River Room, Russel H. Kirkhof Center | Allendale Campus

Chemistry Seminar

Friday, April 15, 2022 Synthetic Approaches to Sustainable Materials 1 p.m.

Pere Marquette Room, Russel H. Kirkhof Center | Allendale Campus Free and open to the public

JURISDICTION: Despite a police department’s main concern falling to the area within their jurisdiction, that does not stop departments from collaborating with one another when lines blur. GVSU’s Police Department said this collaboration and sharing of resources is necessary. GVL | MAX RITCHIE

For more information, call (616) 331-3317 or visit gvsu.edu/chem.

A9 | LAKER LIFE

MARCH 21, 2022 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLLAKERLIFE

A LOOK AT LIFESTYLE ENJOY INTERNATIONAL MEALS AT KLEINER AND PLAZA CAFE Campus Dining is featuring two special meals on campus this week. On Wednesday, March 23, Kleiner customers will see biriyani, a mixed-rice dish from India, served for dinner from 4 to 8 p.m. On Thursday, March 24, the Plaza Cafe on the Pew campus will feature a Nigerian meal comprised of suya, jollof rice and fried plantains. The Nigerian meal will be served for lunch from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

DECORATE SUCCULENTS WITH CAMPUS ACTIVITIES BOARD Campus Activities Board is hosting an event where students can pick up free succulents to go along with a custom-decorated pot. All students are welcome to attend, but there are only 100 pots available for decoration on a first-come, first-served basis. This event will take place in the Kirkhof Lobby from 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

LEARN ABOUT MIDLAND’S BLACK HISTORY

Hosted by the Kutsche Office of Local History, the 13th annual Local History Roundtable will feature speaker Afua Ofori-Darko, co-founder of Anti-Racist Midland (ARM). This year’s event, which is being held on March 23, will feature discussion about ARM’s current projects.

Past project examples include an oral history archive and a podcast featuring members of the community. ARM’s goal is to develop public history initiatives in Midland and inspire citizens to engage with the history and current reality of people of color in the city. This event is open to all members of the community.

ACCESSIBILITY

Medical panel discusses Hispanic community and healthcare access

BY CLEMENCE DANIERE LAKERLIFE@LANTHORN.COM

On March 15, several Grand Valley State University departments came together to host a Q&A panel inviting healthcare professionals to discuss current issues in Hispanic/Latino healthcare. The event included faculty and other staff from the Physicians Assistant Studies, Modern Languages and Literature and Latin American and Latino Studies departments.

Professor Bret Lindford, the main coordinator and founder of the event, has been recruiting healthcare professionals involved in the Hispanic community to speak at GVSU since 2016. This year, he invited Cherry Health Enrollment Coordinator Adriana Piña and Spectrum Health Community Programs Specialist Juan Daniel Castro, as well as GVSU alums Abish Hernández-Israde and Brett Applebach to speak about their experiences dealing with Hispanic-centered healthcare issues.

During the panel, the floor was open for students to ask questions about their curiosities, interests and concerns. Students from Lindford’s class attended because of the direct correlation between the panel and the content they’ve been learning this semester.

One of the first questions asked related to why each of the panelists decided to

ANSWERS: The panel of professionals answered questions from audience members and tried to explain various issues affecting Hispanic and Latino people seeking healthcare. GVL | SYDNEY LIM

choose a career in healthcare.

“To help people see what’s going on in the world and what’s going on with a lot of diversity that you see,” Piña said. “People from different types of countries are coming to this area and you’re seeing that everyone has their own limitations and their own things that they need help with. They need that type of assistance.”

In her experience, Piña has noticed that Hispanic people who come to the United States are not well versed in U.S. culture and look to her to find a way to fit in.

Their acquisition of information depends on healthcare workers’ abilities to connect

and understand their unusual situations.

Regarding common health risks, Applebach, a physician’s assistant at Clinica Santa Maria, discussed the dangers of generalization and the importance of treating every patient as an individual rather than an extension of a social group.

Applebach said there are many important differences in people that could be overlooked due to generalization.

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TRADITION

Religious studies panel discusses role of fasting in culture and religion

COMPLETE DROP-IN VOLUNTEER SERVICE AS PART OF COMMUNITY OUTREACH WEEK

Throughout the week, the Women in Medicine and Science club is hosting drop-in volunteer service sessions.

On March 21, the session will feature card-making for local hospitals and nursing homes. On Thursday, March 24, attendees will be making tie-pillows for Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. These events are free and open to all students.

BY MELIA WILLIAMS LAKERLIFE@LANTHORN.COM

HELP RAISE FUNDS FOR ALPHA OMICRON PI AT THE ANNUAL SPAGHETTI DINNER

Alpha Omicron Pi’s annual Spaghetti Dinner event is Wednesday, March 23 at the AOII House. All proceeds made at this dinner will go toward local philanthropic organization IKUS Life Enrichment Services, which provides camp experiences for children and adults with disabilities. Alpha Omicron Pi is aiming to break last year’s donation record of $2,000. This event is open to students, faculty and their families and friends.

CONTROL: One of the biggest reasons for religious fasting is exercising control over one’s body and mind. GVL | ANNABELLE ROBINSON

This time of year, the relationship between religion and food is often discussed during events like Lent and Ramadan. On March 13, the Grand Valley State University religious studies minor program hosted a panel discussion on the role that food plays in religion.

The first of the two panelists was professor Deana Weibel, who teaches in the Anthropology and Integrative, Religious and Intercultural Studies (IRIS) departments. She began the presentation by talking about fasting and religion.

Since many people aren’t familiar with fasting or eating habits due to religions during certain holidays, Weibel shared a bit of background information on why many religious individuals choose to participate in fasts or other dietary restrictions.

“In order to become a true spiritual person, you have to have control over your body,” Weibel said.

Weibel then went into detail about differentiating Kosher and Halal. Kosher foods are prepared in accordance with Jewish dietary laws, while Halal foods are prepared with Islamic law in mind.

“Kosher are laws laid down in the Bible that say what is fit to eat and what is not,” Weibel said. “Halal is very similar. It’s a way of understanding what’s fit to eat and not fit to eat in Islam.”

Many religions fast at different periods of time for reasons that depend on religious laws and culture. In terms of Abrahamic religions and their holidays, Weibel spoke about Judaism and Yom Kippur, Christianity and Lent and Islam and Ramadan.

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A10 | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT ARTS AT A GLANCE CAMPUS ACTIVITIES BOARD ANNOUNCES SPRING CONCERT After a few posts on Instagram hinting to the performer of this year’s Spring Concert, CAB announced that rapper Yung Gravy is going to be performing at GVSU this April. This comes after two years of canceled concerts due to the pandemic. Tickets are on sale now. They are $10 for GVSU students or $25 for the general public. These tickets are nonrefundable. The concert will be on Saturday, April 2 at the Fieldhouse Area. The doors will open at 6:30 p.m. DJ Ederz will open at 7:30 p.m. with the main act starting at 8:30 p.m.

The event will not allow reentry.

For this concert, those who attend can’t bring in any bags whatsoever, food or drink, weapons, mace, signs or posters, cigarettes or e-cigarettes and no cameras.

It’s listed that photography isn’t allowed. Parking on campus is free after 6:30 p.m. so those who attend can park on campus with or without a parking pass. The closest lots to the event are lots C, F or G. Anyone who breaks the rules listed could be kicked out of the show with no refund.

LEARN DOMINICAN DANCE

CAB is partnering with La Tertulia, a GVSU Spanish club, to help spread Dominican dance.

On March 21 from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. those who’re interested in learning the basics of Dominican dancing can attend this event in Kirkhof 2266. Professor Serrata will be teaching basic steps used throughout the Dominican Republic. Besides dancing there will also be a walking taco bar for those who attend. There is a capacity of 48 people to this room so those who want to go should RSVP to save their spot. All dance moves will be taught with a partner, so those who attend should either bring their own partner or be prepared to team up with someone.

VERSE

GV Hosts GR Poet Laureate For Virtual Poetry Night

BY AYRON RUTAN ARTS@LANTHORN.COM

The Grand Valley Arts Celebration hosted a virtual poetry night Monday, featuring nationally renowned poet Danez Smith, local poet Marcel “Fable The Poet” Price and Grand Rapids Poet Laureate Ericka “Kyd Kane” Thompson.

The event was organized by GVSU associate professor Amorak Huey.

Local poet and current Grand Rapids Poet Laureate Kyd Kane was approached by Huey and asked to participate after he saw her perform her work years ago.

“Amorak actually heard me several years back at the Mentally Distilled Poetry Slam,” Kane said. “He just started following my work and shortly after I was announced as the Poet Laureate of Grand Rapids he invited me to be a part of the event.”

At the event, Kane shared pieces from her upcoming poetry book entitled “Feel.”

Kane described the pieces as being a celebration of self and connection to her work and the world around her.

“I just recently had a birthday and I thought it was a good time to read work that celebrated me and my journey of healing, growth and my connection to nature,” Kane said. “I use poetry as a means to affirm myself, to set intentions and to manifest different things and that was really the overall theme of my set.”

Kane’s poetry is also inspired by her being a native of Grand Rapids. To her, the city has been a place that has both challenged her and propelled her to a successful career.

“I have a lot of different intersections

IDENTITY: Kane, a Grand Rapids native, said that the city has both challenged her and inspired her work. Kane deals with the intersections of race, gender ans sexuality in her work. GVL | BRI CONWAY

and the city of Grand Rapids has been a place where I’ve had to work really hard to find success,” Kane said. “I’ve had to do a lot to make some movement for myself because it can be a place that’s very difficult for those with marginalized intersections. Dealing with issues of race, being queer and being a woman in this space can be difficult from time to time.”

Kane’s experiences dealing with the struggles that come with having certain intersections is something that she respects and honors in all of her work, not sugarcoating or leaving out any parts of herself in her work.

“I honor myself to every degree and I don’t leave out any parts of my experience,” Kane said. “I’m in a space where I’m currently focused on bliss and joy and seeing all the beautiful things that this world has to offer when I’ve been in a place where society has given me such a small scope. I believe that all

areas of my existence will show up in some way, shape or form in what I write.”

The collaboration with Danez Smith and Marcel Price was something that Kane welcomed and was extremely comfortable with after having worked with Price in the past as a member of the Diatribe, an organization that uses performing arts to empower young people to create positive change in their communities.

Already familiar with working alongside Price, Kane was excited to be working with Smith, as they’re a poet that Kane has looked up to and been endlessly inspired by.

“Danez is an artist that I admire, I’ve followed their work and their pathway in poetry for many years,” Kane said.

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FUNDRAISER

GVA hosts patchwork sale to benefit artists

BY COLLEEN GARCIA ARTS@LANTHORN.COM

CAB TO HOST GV’S GOT TALENT

On Thursday, March 24, CAB will be hosting a talent show for GVSU students, GV’s Got Talent.

The show will start at 7 p.m. and last until 8 p.m. This will be taking place in the Grand River Room in the Kirkhof Center. Students will be competing in the talent show for the chance to win prizes, there will be prizes awarded to first, second and third place. This event is free to attend. Past acts have included singing, poetry and standup comedy. However, each year is different.

MARCH 21, 2022 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLARTS

ORIGINAL ART: All of the art available for sale was created and donated by Grand Valley Artists members, and will be sold as a fundraiser for the group. COURTESY | GRAND VALLEY ARTISTS

Grand Valley Artists will be hosting a reoccurring patchwork sale, selling four by seven pieces of original art, until Sunday, March 27. Dana Donell, president of GVA, is excited for the sales because all the proceeds will go back to benefitting the artists.

This will be the first quilt artist sale hosted by GVA. The work will be accompanied by 600 works of art created and donated by members of the club. All proceeds will support the GVA mission and be sold for $15 each. Donations help support the cost of hiring instructors and maintaining facilities for students’ use. It also allows for more full class

programs and is scheduled for all levels of artists.

Donell explained how she has always had a passion for the arts and became involved seven years ago through a friend who invited her to the GVA. Donnell urged students interested in art to get involved. She said that joining a group like GVA helped her pursue her passions.

“I remember sitting on a beach when I was on a retreat and writing the words, ‘I want more art in my life,’” Donell said. “I didn’t know it then, but somehow, putting it out there as an intention brought many opportunities my way. I think joining an organization like GVA does something similar. It makes you accountable to yourself, it gives you the support of

others who share your passion and it’s fun.”

Donell explained how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected running the club and what challenges it brought.

Despite the struggle, GVA persevered thanks to donations and grants from the Michigan Arts and Culture Council. Donell thanked the MACC and National Endowment for the Arts for helping them relocate to their new studio and gallery.

“We now have over 260 members who enjoy classes, workshops, programs, meetings, exhibits, sketch sessions with live models, critiques and social time together,” Donell said.

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A11 | SPORTS

MARCH 21, 2022 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLSPORTS

QUICK HITS GV TRACK AND FIELD STARTS OUTDOOR SEASON

Coming off of the men’s winning NCAA Indoor Championship and the women’s runner-up finish, the Lakers got right back to work. This past weekend both teams traveled to Oxford, Ohio to compete in the Blizzard Buster on March 18 where several Lakers came out with provisional marks.

Junior Jacob Urban and sophomore Bryce Reynolds made the first provisional marks with Urban winning first in the hammer throw landing at 58.64m, followed by Reynolds in second with 57.47m. Junior Bobby Maxwell also qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Nationals in the javelin throw with a distance of 59.85m. Sophomore Nathan Spitzley threw a provisional discus with a 52.28m along with junior Elizabeth Pyles at 47.43m.

While these were the only qualifiers of the meet from GVSU, several other Lakers finished with first place wins. In the men’s triple jump, junior Mac Mitchell won with a distance of 13.69m and senior Jaylen Kynes won the men’s 200 with a time of 22.13.

Next up for the Lakers, the teams will be traveling to Austin, Texas to compete in the Texas Relays from March 23-26.

GV SOFTBALL PITCHER HANNAH BEATUS THROWS SECOND NO-HITTER OF THE SEASON The Grand Valley State University (13-1) softball team has continued their success with the help of senior pitcher Hannah Beatus’ second no-hitter game this season.

The Lakers played at Tiffin University (1113) on March 20, ending both of the days’ games 8-0. This will be Beatus’ fourth career no-hitter, and she’s still got the rest of this season to try for more.

During the first game, the Lakers scored two points in the second inning and three in the fourth and fifth innings to shut out the Dragons. In the second game, the Lakers scored five points in the first, one in the second and a final two in the seventh to do it again.

This week, the Lakers’ games in Ashland were postponed on March 21, so the team will begin GLIAC play on March 26 against Parkside as GVSU hosts the next two weekends of games.

GV ESPORTS CLUB COMPETES IN LAKER-BRONCO CLASSIC

This past weekend, the GVSU Esports club traveled to Western Michigan University on March 19 for the first of their two-day Laker-Bronco Classic.

The Lakers started out strong with a win in Valorant 2-0 for the first game followed by a 0-2 loss in Rainbow 6 Siege to tie the score 1-1 to end day one. At the Laker Esports Center on March 20, GVSU started off with a loss in Overwatch 3-0 but came back in Rocket League with a 4-0 win, once again tying the match 2-2.

Bringing the five-game competition to a close, the Lakers and the Broncos split the last match in the first two rounds of their best-of-three League of Legends finale, with the Lakers coming out with the win at the end, 2-1.

BASKETBALL

GV Basketball senior Christian

Negron drafted to Grises de Humacao

BY HOLLY BIHLMAN SPORTS@LANTHORN.COM

As the Grand Valley State University men’s basketball season came to an end after their loss against Saginaw State University on March 2, one senior was holding on to some big news the day before their finale. Christian Negron, three-time second team All-GLIAC forward and leader for the Lakers was drafted as the 12th overall pick in the first round for the Grises de Humancao in Puerto Rico.

Negron’s collegiate basketball career started at Loyola University Chicago for his first two years of school, coming from Larkin High School as a four-time All-Conference player. He was a part of the NCAA Final Four team in 2018 at Loyola before he transferred to GVSU. Because of COVID-19, Negron had three seasons with the Lakers to accumulate his three second team All-GLIAC honors along with three All-Defensive team accolades and a slew of other career highlights. This season, Negron has averaged 11.5 points and 7.9 rebounds per game, but the Grises de Humacao knew him well before he was able to build such an impressive resume.

“In the summer of 2015 I just spent a lot of time there (Puerto Rico) because I was playing for their national team,” Negron said. “That’s kind of how I guess I had built up a reputation in that country, so they kind of know who I am. I had some people

reaching out to me from there, just making sure that I put my name in the draft, and then once I did that, I got the call.”

Just one day before Negron’s last game as a Laker, he opted to withhold the big news from his teammates to keep their heads in the game and make sure they knew he was all in with them.

“I didn’t really want to tell anybody because I didn’t want them thinking that I had a foot out the door,” Negron said.

“I wasn’t thinking about the next step or anything like that. And it’s nice to know how much they cared about my future and how excited they were for me.”

As exciting as the possible career opportunity is, Negron is still a student at GVSU until the end of this semester and wants to prioritize his degrees first and foremost. Finishing up his undergraduate career with a double major in advertising/ public relations and public/nonprofit administration, Negron still has yet to decide if starting with the Grises de Humacao in July is the best choice for him.

“I told them that I did want to graduate first — that’s a priority for me,” Negron said.

“But if I do decide to do it, I would basically have to pack up and leave right after graduation, so it’d be a really quick turnaround.

It’s nice to have a job opportunity, like right after college, especially doing what I love. It’s a good league and pays pretty well, it’s competitive, it’s in a great country and all that.

GOING PRO: After three seasons as a Laker, Negron was drafted with a familiar team in Puerto Rico to play professionally. GVL | SYDNEY LIM

But their team is a really veteran group and I’m trying to decide if I’m ready for it.”

Negron wants to be able to play for as long as he can, and Puerto Rico may be a great first step for him since a lot of professional basketball players get their starts in leagues similar to Baloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN).

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LACROSSE

Women’s Lacrosse takes down Flacons 16-4

BY JOSH CARLSON SPORTS@LANTHORN.COM

The Grand Valley State University women’s lacrosse team (8-1) put on another offensive show March 19 against Notre Dame College (Ohio), (1-3), routing the Falcons 16-4 in their final game before starting GLIAC play.

In the first quarter, the scoring came early and often. Started off by fifth-year

attacker Sophie Conroy on a free position shot making it 1-0 Lakers. Conroy went on to score four more first-quarter goals.

The Lakers ended the first quarter up 8-1 and continued to pile in on in the second quarter, ending the half up 12-2.

The Lakers finished the game 16-4 with a myriad of Lakers making their way into the box score. The top scorers for the Lakers were Conroy who finished with six goals,

and graduate student midfielder Olivia Esposito who finished with three goals.

Also scoring for the Lakers was junior midfielder Kate DeYoung and sophomore midfielder Hailey Crittenden who both finished with two goals. Sophomore attacker Maddy Champagne, junior midfielder Molly Bursinger and freshman midfielder Ashleigh Rothe all rounded out the Lakers scoring with one goal each.

After scoring six of the Lakers’ 16 goals in the game, Conroy gives all the credit to the execution of the team offense displayed by the Lakers.

“It was such a good team offense,” Conroy said. “A lot of my goals came from assists. The team was feeding the ball right to my stick and that helped all of it. Playing against a zone is different because you get different looks and it was a lot of assisted goals that I have my team to thank for.”

Coach Mackenzie Lawler was happy with the Lakers’ hot start to the game.

“I thought we came out with great energy right from the start,” Lawler said.

LOG ON TO:

OFFENSE POWER: The Lakers are on a six-game win streak, taking down Notre Dame Ohio this past weekend with an impressive 12-point advantage by the end of the game. GVL | DOMINIC STANKIEWICZ

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MARCH 21, 2022 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLSPORTS

A12 | SPORTS BASEBALL

Late rally propels GV Baseball to win at Russmatt Invitational

BY BRIAN BLOOM SPORTS@LANTHORN.COM

The Grand Valley State University baseball team traveled to Auburndale, Florida for the Russmatt Invitational on March 14-15. On Monday, the team beat Northern State University 2-0, but lost to Emery-Riddle University 1-0. On Tuesday, the team won a hard fought battle against division rival Wayne State University with a score of 7-4.

“Wayne State is scrappy and very good,” said coach Jaime Detillion. “I’m proud of our team for sticking in (the game); the guys competed hard. Figuring out ways to win games is a really good sign. We’ve got bright days ahead.”

After surrendering zero runs in the first inning of the game, senior shortstop Christian Faust found a hole in Wayne State’s defense, hitting an RBI single to score junior outfielder Spencer Nelson.

The Warriors responded quickly, adding runs in the second inning and the fourth inning to turn a one-run deficit into a two-run lead heading into the fifth.

To start the seventh inning, the Warriors

hitters started to unravel senior starting pitcher Mark Scannell. With two outs and a runner on first for Wayne State, senior second baseman Noah Miller uncorked a tworun home run to extend their lead to three runs. Scannell finished his day allowing seven hits and four earned runs, while striking out three Warriors over 6.2 innings of play. “(When the offense is struggling), I try not to think about it,” Scannell said.

“My job is to ensure that the other team doesn’t score. I trust the offense to score runs and they delivered at the end.”

Down 4-1 with only three innings left of play, the time for GVSU to mount a comeback was running out. However, the offense came alive in the seventh.

Freshman infielder Jonas Gulbrandsen reached base on a fielder’s choice with runners on first and second, but an error by the Warriors’ defense allowed sophomore infielder Connor Schuman to touch the plate, making the score 4-2.

After a base-on-balls by Nelson, sophomore outfielder Kyle Nott delivered, singling up the middle to score Gulbrandsen, making the deficit one run. GVSU wasn’t done, as Faust made a sacrifice bunt to score

SPLIT: Going 12-5 so far this season, the baseball team split their games last week against Northern State University and Emery-Riddle University on their spring trip to Auburndale, FL. GVL | ARCHIVES

Nelson and tie the ball game. To round out the barrage of runs in the seventh, GVSU pulled off a double steal as Nott stole third and Faust stole second. A throwing error

by Wayne State allowed Nott to advance to home, turning a three-run deficit into a onerun lead, 5-4, going into the eighth.

“The resolve of our team (sparked the rally),” Detillion said. “We kept grinding

when things didn’t go our way and we believed in each other. We switched up the lineup and sometimes that’s enough to throw a team off. Our guys stepped up and everybody contributed.”

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BASKETBALL

GV Women’s Basketball claims regional championship, looks ahead to Elite Eight

BY JUSTICE STEINER SPORTS@LANTHORN.COM

ANCHOR UP: The unstoppable women’s basketball team continues on to the Elite Eight to go up against Missouri Western. GVL | SYDNEY LIM

Building on their historic season, the Grand Valley State University (30-2) women’s basketball team secured their fourth NCAA Regional Championship in school history after defeating Walsh University (28-5) by a score of 64-61.

“It was a lot of excitement (to win the regional championship),” said coach Mike Williams. “I don’t think it was a relief because I’m not sure we expected to win that or were expected to win it. I think people were genuinely excited for each other, and for their team and what we accomplished.”

Trailing by one at halftime, sophomore guard Ellie Droste provided a huge spark in the second half, scoring all 19 of her points in the third and fourth quarters. Picking up two quick fouls in the first quarter, Droste was forced to sit the remainder of the first half.

“I got in some really bad foul trouble

in the first three minutes of the game, so I didn’t play at all in the first half,” Droste said. “Coming into the second half, I knew I had to step up for my teammates.”

Perhaps the most important play from Droste came with 1:50 remaining in the contest, as she hit an NBA-range threepoint basket from near the logo.

“I didn’t even realize how far back I was,” Droste said. “ I remember Hannah (Kulas) passed it to me and I shot it. It didn’t look like it was necessarily going to go in at first, but when it went in, I was just really excited obviously.”

She then went on to hit two free throws and a layup to help close out the game. Her performance helped earn her Midwest Region MVP for her output in the first three games of the NCAA tournament.

Droste said she was surprised that she received the award and didn’t know it was even something that was given out.

“When they called my name, I was really shocked and I was excited because that

was an awesome award to receive, and I was honored that I got that,” Droste said.

Along with Droste, senior guard Emily Spitzley finished with 10 points, two rebounds and a steal, while junior forward Hannah Kulas chipped in with seven points, eight rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Coming into the region as the no. 2 seed, the Lakers did have a bit of extra motivation as many within the GVSU community believed they deserved the no. 1 seed and the chance to host the Midwest Region.

“Obviously you want to host regionals, you want to be at home,” Williams said.

“But I thought it was a good thing for us — get away from here, maybe not as much pressure, and maybe a little bit of, ‘yeah, you guys think you are no. 1, here is your chance to prove it,’ and I think they did.”

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