Vol. 94, No. 50 1 section, 8 pages
FRIDAY
April 21, 2006
www.acuoptimist.com
Songs of summer
Feeling blue
Tennis swings through
ArtsFriday takes a look at upcoming concerts for the summer, page 5
Mabee Hall residents will put on a blues themed talent show Monday, page 5
Men’s and women’s teams will compete in LSC Championships this weekend, page 8
Trail needs finishing touches n Although joggers can use the completed track, lighting, a telephone system, signage, trail heads and landscaping still will be added by this summer. By JACI SCHNEIDER Copy Editor
Construction workers poured the last of the concrete for the Lunsford Foundation Trail on April 7, but
the path will not be complete until July. Although the trail now comes full circle, the lighting, telephone system, signage, trail heads and landscaping do not. The stones for the trail heads are in place in front of Nelson Hall and along Ambler Boulevard near Crutcher Scott Field. Kevin Watson, associate vice president for Administra-
tive Services, said in an e-mail that the stones will feature scriptures for contemplation as walkers and joggers move through the space. The area will also allow people to sit and rest and congregate with others. “The foundation is God,” Watson said. “And that will be more evident as we finish the trail.” Although the trail is not
completed, Watson said he is happy people seem to be enjoying the trail. “We have received a large number of compliments about the trail,” Watson said. “We are pleased to see people using it even if it is not officially open yet.” Watson said he has seen many people walking and jogSee
JOGGING page 7
Anna Carroll/Staff Photographer
Natalie Farmer, sophomore biology major from La Quinta, Calif., and Christie Williford, junior communication major from Coppell, use the new jogging track.
Snowcones signal spring’s start n The Cajun Cone stand previously in the United Supermarket parking lot moved down the block near Taco Bueno because of a lease agreement. By AARON BALLARD Staff Writer
The rising temperatures of an early Abilene summer can only mean one thing: the return of Cajun Cones. Beginning its 19th year in operation, Cajun Cones is a locally renowned hot spot, featuring homemade snowcones and an abundance of unique flavors. “Cajun Cones is the place to be when the temperature starts rising,” said Taylor Sturgis, freshman finance major from Plano. This year Cajun Cones opened two stands in Abilene. The stand nearest to campus is located on Judge Ely Boulevard, just south of North 10th Street, in the parking lot next to Taco Bueno. This stand, which in years past has been located in the United Supermarket parking lot, had to be moved up the street this year because of Third Rock Creamery, said Dr. Lynn Luttrell, exercise science professor and co-owner of Cajun Cones with his wife and parents. “We were told by the leasing agency that Third Rock Creamery’s lease agreement
n Students will join people across the nation to bring awareness about the children in Uganda who are being abducted by the Lord’s Resistance Army. By ERIC GENTRY Student Reporter
Eyakem Gulilat/File photo
Cajun Cones opened their stands for the 19th year earlier this month. Because of Third Rock Creamery’s lease agreement, the Cajun Cones stand previously located in the United Supermarkets parking lot has been moved to the parking lot next to Taco Bueno on Judge Ely Boulevard. prevented us from being in our old location,” Luttrell said. “Therefore, we moved back to the location where we first started back in 1988.” This stand opened on April 7, delayed because of the location change. “We usually open right after spring break,” Luttrell said. “However, we were not
notified of a need to change locations until a couple of weeks before our scheduled time to open, which meant all the approvals and work to get electricity to the new site didn’t get finished until April 5.” The other stand, on Mockingbird Lane, just north of North 12th Street in the parking lot next to Little Caesar’s
Pizza, opened March 20. Cajun Cones also has one portable stand that can be set up anywhere for special occasions and events. For several years, a third permanent stand had been on Sayles Boulevard. across from McMurry University. But this year, that stand did not open. “Due to some health is-
Anderson running for City Council n Making her first endeavor into politics, Vicki Anderson, director of Neighborhood Relations, will run against John Estes III and Joe Spano Sr. for the Place 2 seat. By SARAH CARLSON Arts Editor
Vicki Anderson, director of Neighborhood Relations, is running for Place 2 of the Abilene City Council. The election is May 13. Kris Southward is stepping
down from his Place 2 seat after two three-year terms, and Anderson, John Estes III and Joe Spano Sr. are vying for the spot. Estes is a local dentist, and Spano owns H&H Beverages. “Everyone thinks I’ve lost my mind,” Anderson said, adding that this is her first endeavor into politics. “I have an interest, concern, time and wherewithal to be a City Council woman. It’s time to step up and do this
for the city of Abilene.” Anderson said she has a passion for rejuvenating the city’s older neighborhoods, being aggressive about the city’s water resources Anderson and increasing the pay for police and firefighters. “We should be paying
above-average for policemen and firemen,” Anderson said. “These people work because of a special calling. These people go out and risk their lives for me, for you and for everyone else, and yet we are paying them average wages.” Anderson is the president of the Abilene Boys & Girls Club board of directors and moved to Abilene 14 years ago with her husband, Randy See
sues for my dad and a busier professional schedule for me, we decided to cut back to two stands instead of three,” Luttrell said. “The Sayles location never did as well as the two north side stands relative to income, so we closed it and kept the other two open.”
CAJUN CONES page 7
See
Races for City Council Candidates for contested races include: Place 1: Sam Chase Ron Konstantin Place 2: Vicki Anderson John Estes III Joe Spano Sr. Place 4: Celia Davis Paul Johnson
COUNCIL page 7
By KELSI PEACE Staff Writer
An increase in the number of graduating high school seniors this spring amplified the number of college applicants and reduced acceptance rates in many universities across the country, and the trend
has hit ACU. According to the Washington Post, 2 million of the 3 million students graduating from high school hope to attend college next year. John Hopkins University, according to the Post, will accept only 27 percent of applicants this year, as opposed to the 35 percent admitted last year. Although John Hopkins’ rates are extreme, many other universities are seeing lower admissions rates as well.
Department of Journalism and Mass Communication
At ACU, 55-60 percent of applicants are accepted, said Robert Heil, director of Admissions, in an e-mail. Applications to ACU have increased for the fall 2006 year just as they have across the country. So far, 3,600 students have applied, Heil said, which is already 175 more applicants than last year’s total. “I expect in the next few months we will approach 4,000 applications for this fall,” Heil said.
Among the applicants, about 2,100-2,200 students will be admitted this fall, Heil said. Heil said he believes that in addition to the increase in graduating seniors, ACU has seen more applicants because of its tradition. “ACU is one of the largest private universities in the Southwest and is recognized as a national leader in Christian higher education.” More students from See
APPLY page 7
Graduate student Stephen Lamb doesn’t plan on getting much sleep April 29. He, along with thousands of people in 136 cities across the country, will take part in the Invisible Children Global Night Commute, an all-night demonstration on behalf of children in Uganda. “The main thing we are trying to accomplish is awareness,” said Lamb, graduate student working on a Master of Divinity from Abilene. “This is a catastrophe right now in Uganda.” Northern Uganda is torn by a civil war in which members of the Lord’s Resistance Army abduct children, usually between ages 8-12, and force them to fight in the resistance, according to the Invisible Children Inc. Web site. Ugandan children must walk up to 20 miles every night to get to safe havens where they can sleep without fear of abduction. In the mornings they walk back to their villages. According to the Web site, to date more than 30,000 children have been abducted and forced to fight. “The point of the Global Night Commute is to empathize with these children who have to walk 10 or 20 miles a night,” Lamb said. “We need to put pressure on Uganda to end this conflict.” Lamb said more than 250 people from both ACU and See
Plethora of applications flood admissions n Incoming freshman applications have already exceeded last year’s total of 3,600, and more are expected to arrive before the fall semester begins in August.
Students to join in Night Commute April 29
COMMUTE page 7
Taste of Starbucks
Brian Schmidt/Chief Photographer
Shari Vance, junior theatre major from Austin, Allison Organ, junior theatre major from Cyprus, and Morgan Robinson, junior theatre major from Katy, try Starbucks samples in the Learning Commons on April 12.
Abilene Christian University
Serving the ACU community since 1912
Chapel Checkup Credited Chapels to date:
Wednesday, March 29, 2006 Friday, April 21, 2006
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Calendar & Events Friday
“Shakespeare 2 Slam” dance concert, 8 p.m., Paramount Theatre. Outdoor Club rock wall petition, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Campus Center. Nigeria Mission Cook-off ticket sales, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Campus Center ticket windows.
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Saturday
ACU For Abilene service day beginning at 8:30 a.m. in the Mall area. Mario Smash Brothers Tournament, Campus Center Recreation Center. An Evening of Rodgers and Hammerstein, 8 p.m., Abilene Civic Center.
Volunteer Opportunities ACU for Abilene will be Saturday. Students can join staff and faculty in serving the community on the last planned service day of the semester. Volunteers are needed to help with food preparation for Staff Appreciation Day sponsored by Family Association of Abilene State School on May 1, 2006. For more information contact the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center. Thomas Elementary is seeking a number of ACU students who would be willing to assist students in taking and grading a reading and math benchmark test at the student’s grade level. It ends April 28 from 83 p.m. on Monday through Friday. For more information contact the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center. Students can sign up to carry a flag in the Parade of Flags during Opening Assembly on Aug. 28. The Opening Assembly of 2006 marks the 101st official opening of another fall semester at ACU. Current students and employees for the fall 2006 semester who want to participate can contact the office of University Events at 674-2632 or send a message to UniversityEvents@acu.
edu. Applicants must include their name, e-mail address and which flag they prefer. Flags are assigned on first-come basis. The Volunteer and ServiceLearning Center has received a request for drivers and baby sitters for a family from Burundi currently living in Abilene. Students who periodically can help in either of these areas can contact Susan Moellinger at abileneed@ capitalsenior.com or call at 7931144. American Heart Association need volunteers to prepare gift bags May 2-3. For more information contact the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center Abilene Cultural Affairs Council need volunteers to set up and conduct a survey of 50 event guests on Saturday and April 27. Volunteers are needed to help with an area wide 5th-grade track meet from 4-7 p.m. May 4th and with the Thomas Elementary School track meet from 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. May 5 at Elmer Gray Stadium. For more information contact the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center or just show up at the awards table on the field to volunteer.
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Sunday
Wind Ensemble band concert, 3 p.m., Abilene Civic Center. Senior vocal theatre recital, 8 p.m., Recital hall.
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Monday
Kind of Blue talent show, 7-9 p.m., Bean Sprout. Chess club table, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Campus Center.
Announcements Casting Crowns tickets are available in The Campus Store at the price of $14.50 for students. The show is at 7 p.m. Monday in Moody Coliseum. For more information, contact 674-2772. Students can vote for Homer Hiccolm and the Rocketboys to compete to play at Cornerstone Festival in Bushnel, Illinois. Cornerstone is the largest Christian music festival in the world with an annual attendance of nearly 40,000 people. The 16 bands with the most votes will play at the New Band Showcase, and the band with the most votes
will get to play on the main stage with Copeland, MeWithoutYou and Anberlin. Visit http://www. cornerstonefestival.com/ newbandshowcase.cfm to vote. Voting ends May 28. Christian Gala Pops Concert presents ACU student Frannie Collins in her debut solo performance at 8 p.m. Tuesday. The performance is open to the public in the Recital Hall at the Williams Center for the Performing Arts. Dress is formal, and a reception will follow in the lobby of WPAC.
About This Page The Optimist maintains this calendar for the ACU community to keep track of local social, academic and service opportunities. Groups may send announcements directly to optimist@acu.edu or to the Page 2 Editor, ACU Box 27892, Abilene, TX 79699. To ensure that an item
will appear on time, the announcement should be sent at least 10 days before. The Optimist may edit items for space and style. Corrections and clarifications of published news articles will be printed in this space in a timely manner.
Credited Chapels remaining:
60 10
Friday, April 21, 2006
Page 3
CAMPUS NEWS
World’s largest BBQ returns to Abilene n More than 3,000 pounds of beef, 700 pounds of sausage, 300 loaves of bread and 500 gallons of iced tea will be served at the 41st annual barbeque Saturday. By MITCH HOLT Staff Writer
BRIAN SCHMIDT/File Photo
Terra Henderson, sophomore criminal justice major from St. Louis, and Chanelle Wactor, sophomore political science major from Tuscon, Ariz., race down the make shift water slide at the Smith Adams Back Yard Bash on Sept. 3.
Smith, Adams sponsors Backyard Bash n Students interested in free food, live music or a 180-foot water slide can attend Smith Adams’ semesterly event Saturday, regardless if they live on campus. By MALLORY SHERWOOD Managing Editor
Adams and Smith residence halls will boast of a 150-foot water slide this Saturday at its second annual Backyard Bash. The cookout and day of activities begins at 2 p.m. and will end at dusk. Patrick Leech, Smith resident assistant, said the event, which began two years ago, was created so students could have a chance to have fun and hang out before school ended. “It’s a time to hang out and enjoy the people around you,” Leech said. “Bring your friends and relax. It’s not an event
where you play mixers and need to meet new people.” Leech, senior history major from Tuscola, has helped plan this event the past two years. “Each semester we do this, it expands even more,” he said. Leech said the water slide will be 60 feet longer than last year, that the mud pit behind Adams and Smith will be larger, and there will be more bands and other activities than in previous years. He said the backyard bash, created by Adams and Smith director Todd Ormsby, began in fall 2004 for Smith Adams residents. Last year, all students living on campus were invited to the event, and this year the invitation extends to all students who attend the university. In addition to volleyball, tug-of-war, Frisbee and other games, five ACU-affiliated bands will perform through-
out the day. Tres will perform at 4 p.m., Joie de Vie at 4:45 p.m., Marcie Rodriguez at 5:30 p.m., Marie Thomas at 6:15 p.m. and Sacrifice Revealed at 7 p.m. J. Webb, Smith resident assistant, coordinated the bands this year. He said originally eight bands were to play Saturday, but three bands dropped out around spring break. Leech said he hopes that bands will soon anticipate playing at the event. “Our goal is for it to become a major campus activity,” he said. “We want it to take on a life of its own and not become just some overgrown dorm activity.” Food donated by Campus Life will include hot dogs and hamburgers for students to enjoy. Last year, the food went fast because it is a come-andgo event, Leech said.
He said last semester 200300 students came for a while during the day, and he expects even more to come this year. For some students, however, the Backyard Bash seems only like a residence hall activity. “I love free food and good music, but I don’t live on campus anymore, “ said Will Riggs, junior graphic design major from Abilene. “Honestly, the slip n’ slide sounds a little silly, but I bet it’s hilarious to watch.” Leech said all students, regardless of where they live, are invited to attend the Backyard Bash. “Saturday will be a chance to blow off steam before finals,” said Webb, senior youth and family ministry major from Austin. “It’s going to be fun. There’s no way you can E-mail Sherwood at: mes02e@acu.edu
The Abilene Chamber of Commerce’s Military Service Committee will sponsor the 41st Annual World’s Largest Barbecue on Saturday at the Civic Center to honor the military personnel of Abilene and their families. This tradition provides members of the National Guard, military reserves and Department of Defense civilians and their families with a free barbecue meal, gratitude and recognition for their service to the United States, said Gary Robinett, director of military affairs and education. Food will be distributed from noon to 2 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m., and the meal is for military personnel and their families only. The Abilene Military Family of the Year, a family that is active and involved in the community, will be honored at the event as well. An estimated 3,000 pounds of beef, 700 pounds of sausage, 300 loaves of bread, 500 gallons of iced tea and 300 gallons of beans will be served Saturday. Between 180 and 200 volun-
teers from the Abilene area will attend and help serve, performing tasks like serving food, cleaning tables, sweeping floors and cooking food. Robinett said the number of military attendees depends on how many Abilenians are deployed and how many families will attend. Six thousand to 10,000 individuals have attended in the past. However, the number will be difficult to judge this year because of the number of military personnel deployed to Iraq. Families are invited to attend the event, so the number won’t be too much smaller this year, he said. Event planners said the barbecue is well-known in military communities across the country, and congressmen and generals are usually in attendance. Robinett said the Secretary of Defense called the Abilene Chamber of Commerce last week to thank the city of Abilene for putting on this event each year. “This event is a great way to express our thanks to all active military and families for being apart of our community,” Robinett said.
E-mail Holt at: mah02f@acu.edu
Page 4
Friday, April 21, 2006
CAMPUS NEWS
Sherwood named ‘Optimist’ editor for 2006-07 n Mallory Sherwood was selected as next year’s ‘Optimist’ editor, following Jonathan Smith, who has served as the editor for the past two years. By MICHELLE JIMENEZ Student Reporter
Mallory Sherwood, junior print journalism major from Orrville, Ohio, will be the new editor in chief for the Optimist next year. Currently the managing editor, she said it was the next step up for her in working for the Optimist. “It’s something that ap-
pealed to me, to be able to be in charge of everything,” Sherwood said about applying for the new position. She was chosen to be editor next year by Kenneth Pybus, adviser of the Optimist; Dr. Cheryl Bacon, chair Sherwood of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication; and Jonathan Smith, current editor in chief. Dr. Royce Money, president
of the university, was also involved in the interviewing process. Pybus, assistant professor of journalism, said Sherwood was a strong candidate for the position. “She’s shown, over the three years that she’s been here, the desire to be part of the newspaper staff, the knack for getting good news, for knowing what’s newsworthy,” Pybus said. The editor has an important role on campus, Pybus said. Ensuring students have access to all the information they need, leading cam-
pus discussions and making sure it’s a conscientious discussion, understanding the ACU culture and what is important to those who attend ACU are a few of the responsibilities the editor in chief bears. Jonathan Smith, senior journalism major from Tyler, said the position of editor is a busy position, but it’s also important that Sherwood finds where her strengths are and how she will make that position her own. “Each editor can make it what they want,” Smith said. Despite all the responsibil-
Finger lickin’ good
ity, Pybus said that it’s great training for leadership. “It’s a laboratory for leadership,” Pybus said. “You have to learn what motivates people, you have to learn how to encourage people to do their best and everybody is different.” Sherwood said the position will provide helpful career experience. “I think it will help in getting jobs and giving me enough experience to kind of get my feet wet so when I do start looking for jobs, I’ll know what I’m doing,” Sherwood said.
Next year will be different, Sherwood said. The Optimist will enter a new phase with the convergence of video and the Internet. The Department of Journalism and Mass Communication is incorporating broadcast and electronic media majors into the workings of the Optimist, but most of the changes will be internally in the way the staff works. Sherwood said there won’t be a huge difference in the paper with the changing of editors.
E-mail Jimenez at: optimist@acu.edu
Seniors reflect on college years n Seniors spent Thursday evening eating dinner catered by Joe Allen’s, participating in a crazy hat contest and planning their gift to the university. By SHERRI SNYDER Student Reporter
EMERALD MCGOWAN/Staff Photographer
Alexandra Miles, sophomore nursing major from Phoenix; Kayley Mileger, sophomore speech pathology major from Temple; and Kaci Flores, sophomore integrated marketing communication major from Plano, eat burgers and snacks at the Barret Hall cookout outside The Den on Wednesday.
The Senior Experience Program sponsored a free cookout for seniors Thursday evening at Lytle Bend Ranch. The cook-out began at 5 p.m. with a buffet catered by Joe Allen’s and ended around 6:30 p.m. Activities included a raffle, gift certificates donated by local businesses, the opportunity to win an iPod and a crazy hat contest. As of Thursday, 180 seniors had sent in RSVPs. Kristi Thaxton, Senior Experience program coordinator, said the seniors usually enjoy the piñata filled with candy, money and prizes the most. Her favorite part of the cookout, however, is
watching the seniors have a good time. “I enjoy watching them reminisce about the past and talk about the future,” she said. The purpose of the cookout was for seniors to have a memorable time but also to decide what gift the class will give back to ACU, Thaxton said. The past three graduating classes have donated money to the recently completed jogging track; this year’s seniors haven’t yet decided what to give. About 200 seniors showed up at the cook-out last year, and Thaxton said she expected a bigger turnout this year. Posters, flyers and reminder e-mails sent out by the Senior Experience program helped attract more seniors. More businesses also donated gifts than last year, giving more students a chance to win a prize. E-mail Snyder at: optimist@acu.edu
Students can still apply for online courses during the summer n Seven courses varying from business, English and Bible classes will be offered for summer I and II sessions for three hour credits. By ATSUMI SHIBATA Student Reporter
For the third summer, the university will make it possible for students to continue their ACU education and earn credits from anywhere in the world with an Internet con-
nection through summer online courses. This year seven courses will be available online: Message of the Old Testament, Christianity in Culture, Major British Writers I, Business and Professional Writing, Principles of Macroeconomics, Educational Psychology, Fundamentals of Communication. Most of these courses are offered summer I and II, except for Principles of Macroeconomics and Fundamentals
of Communication, which are offered only summer II. Also, Business and Professional Writing will have a longer schedule, which begins June 10 and ends Aug. 10. Some of the benefits of Summer Online Courses are convenience and flexibility. Students can plan and decide their schedule as long as they follow the courses’ schedules. Additionally, there is no need to fill out any transfer forms or extra paper work, which students must do to transfer credits if they want to take classes at other schools during the summer. However, students also need to consider the differences behind these benefits. Dr. Rodney Ashlock, assistant professor of Bible, missions and ministry, and Dr. Laura Carroll, assistant professor of English, both said
losing a “face-to-face” communication is one of the problems with online courses. “Most of (the) professors don’t like not being able to see students,” Ashlock said. “Looking (into) their eyes and making that kind of visual contact, that’s what they like to do.” Dr. Kyle Dickson, assistant professor of English, said in an e-mail that students sometimes have false expectations. “Many students log on the first day thinking that they’ve signed up for a correspondence course,” he said. “But online learning is not selfpaced or completed in isolation.” Dickson also said students need to understand that they read as much as any other summer classes and will need to be online as much as they would be in a classroom. How-
ever, the courses allow for more student discussion and more time for reflection about discussion Dr. Gary Tucker, director of Distance Education, said students need to be self-disciplined. “No one is there telling a student it is time to go to school,” he said. “It is their responsibility to complete the necessary assignments on time.” Although there are differences with online courses, they are academically equivalent to those taken on campus, according to ACU Distance Education brochures. Students are able to discuss and exchange feedback with other students, using e-mail, instant messaging, or online discussion boards accessed through the Internet. Ashlock, who directs the
content of Bible courses, said he thinks this type of distance education will be good for students who like a collaborative approach. Many online courses have fewer students than normal lecture-type classes, so each student will have more opportunities to share their opinions. Enrollment is limited to 20 students per section, but can expand to accommodate 24 if students have major schedule issues. “With this in mind, most classes will have no more than 20 students in them, and some will have less,” Tucker said. Registration is available until the Friday before each course begins.
E-mail Shibata at: optimist@acu.edu
April 21, 2006 Box Office Figures for the weekend of April 14-16, in millions. Total grosses in parentheses. 1. Scary Movie 4 — $40.2 (new) 2. Ice Age: The Meltdown — $20 ($147.2) 3. The Benchwarmers — $9.9 ($35.9) 4. The Wild— $9.7 ($9.7) 5. Take the Lead — $6.8 ($22.6) 6. Inside Man— $6.4 ($75.4) 7. Lucky Number Slevin — $4.8 ($14.3) 8. Thank You For Smoking — $4.5 ($11.5) 9. Failure to Launch — $2.6 ($83.2) 10. V for Vendetta— $2.2 ($66)
Page 5
Variety of artists make summer concert circuit By SARAH CARLSON Arts Editor
If you’re looking for a bit of entertainment to help wile away the summer days, here’s a list of upcoming concerts in Texas. For more complete lists, check www.ticketmaster.com, www.pollstar.com or www.ticketsnow.com.
Dallas/Fort Worth Nokia Theatre, Grand Prairie 5/8 James Blunt 6/20 Sheryl Crow 6/21 Beck 7/15 Melissa Etheridge
Smirnoff Music Centre, Dallas 5/5 Kid Rock 6/03 Nine Inch Nails 6/23 Chicago and Huey Lewis & the News 7/1 Vans Warped Tour 8/19 Dave Matthews Band Pizza Hut Park, Frisco 5/26 George Strait 6/16 Rascal Flatts
San Antonio Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, Selma 6/17 Rascal Flatts 6/24 Chicago 7/07 Lynyrd Skynyrd & 3
Friends With Money (R) — starring Jennifer Aniston, Catherine Keener, Joan Cusack, Frances McDormand; directed by Nicole Holofcener. Four nearing middleaged women examine their lives and loves, as well as their friendships, while each woman struggles with the financial disparity of their friend group. The Sentinel (PG13) — starring Kiefer Sutherland, Michael Douglas, Kim Basinger, Eva Longoria; directed by Clark Johnson. U.S. Secret Service agent Pete Garrison (Douglas) heads the First Lady’s detail until he is framed for murdering a fellow agent who was about to reveal critical and confidential information. Silent Hill (R)—starring Radha Mitchell, Laurie Holden; directed by Christophe Gans. In what looks to be a terrifying edition to the recent onslaught of horror films, a mother loses her fatally ill daughter in a creepy town called Silent Hill, whose inhabitants are fighting dark forces.
AT&T Center 5/27 George Strait with Tracy Lawrence and Miranda Lambert
Austin The Backyard 5/7 James Blunt 6/20 Beck Bass Concert Hall 5/23 Train 6/22 Sheryl Crow Stubb’s Barbeque 5/10 James Brown 6/7 Arctic Monkeys Zilker Park 9/15 Austin City Limits Festival
Today’s Movies American Dreamz (PG13) — starring Hugh Grant, Mandy Moore, Dennis Quaid, Willem Dafoe; directed by Paul Weitz. A satirical glimpse at American society, which pokes fun at a not-sobrilliant president, a war people argue about, and a pop idol contest that more Americans vote for than the presidential election. Sounds familiar.
Doors Down 7/11 Ozzfest 2006 7/28 Def Leppard/Journey 7/29 Kelly Clarkson
Houston Verizon Wireless Theatre 5/6 James Blunt 5/25 Train 5/27 Snow Patrol
Photo courtesy of www.omguide.com
Snow Patrol will play the Verison Wireless Theatre on May 27 in Houston.
The Woodlands Pavilion 6/18 Rascal Flatts & Gary Al lan 6/25 Chicago with Huey Lew is & the News 7/16 Melissa Etheridge
PHOTOGRAPHER/Staff Photographer
James Blunt, whose album Back to Bedlam was one of the top sellers worldwide for 2005, will make his tour of Texas in early May. 7/28 Kelly Clarkson 7/30 Def Leppard/Journey 8/18 Dave Matthews Band Meridian
5/04 Eisley
E-mail Carlson at: skc02a@acu.edu
Freshmen present jazz, blues-filled evening n Two freshmen who love blues music are conducting a talent show for any student interested in performing music, monologues, poetry or showcasing their art. By ASHLEY TARRANT Student Reporter
A night of blues, jazz and poetry will provide an opportunity for students to relax and take a break from studying from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday in the Bean Sprout
at “The Kind of Blue” talent show presented by Mabee Third North. Lucas Zuniga, freshman art major from Alexandria, Va., and Sean MacLeod, freshman environmental science major from Frederick, Md., want to showcase their talent, which is how “The Kind of Blue” began. The talent show is open to any student wanting to share a talent. Eric Mallet, senior Bible, missions and ministry major
from St. Louis and producer of the talent show, said the event is open to men and women performers. The event is open to all audiences and will include solos, duets, bands, poetry, painting, monologues and instrumental music. Zuniga and Mallet will be co-hosts, and Zuniga will also play guitar for some acts. As of Wednesday, eight people planned to perform. “I love blues music and
would like to share my love for that style and provide a relaxing evening for people,” Zuniga said. Although the slogan for the show is “No black, no white, just the blues,” Zuniga said he does not see this event as just a blues show. “I see it as an opportunity just for students to listen to other types of music,” he said. Previous talent show experience is not required for performers, and spots are open
for anyone interested. “If you have a song or two you want to share, want to jam a bit, some poetry, or something else to express yourself, contact us,” Zuniga said. To be involved with the talent show, contact Lucas Zuniga at (972) 841-9362 or e-mail him at lrz04a@acu.edu.
E-mail Tarrant at: optimist@acu.edu
Combined university orchestras to perform May 2 n The 52-member orchestra, comprised of ACU and HardinSimmons University students, is part of a 20-year tradition that allows students to play together. By ERIC GENTRY Student Reporter
The Abilene Collegiate Orchestra, a combination of students from both Hardin-Simmons University and ACU, will perform May 2, at Behrens Auditorium on the Hardin-Simmons University campus. The Collegiate Orchestra is part of a tradition dating back
nearly 20 years, director Peter Isaacson said. “It was meant to serve all the music majors and non-majors in Abilene that wanted to play in an orchestra,” Isaacson said. “We can have a better group when we put all of our resources together, both financially and with students.” Ryan Rampton, sophomore music education major from Naperville, Ill., plays the French horn in the 52-member orchestra. He said playing in an orchestra made up of students from two colleges has made the experience much better.
“I have continued to do it for the two years I have been here at ACU because it is great playing experience,” Rampton said. “Not only do I get to play with a full orchestra and become exposed to more music literature, but it is a great way to meet other musicians as well.” He said an audition takes place for all those interested in playing in the orchestra, but Isaacson does a good job of including those who really want to be involved. “It is great having two colleges in this orchestra because it allows the two col-
leges to interact,” Rampton said. “It gives us a greater pool of talented musicians to choose from.” Isaacson has also coordinated with Abilene and Cooper high schools to bring in some of the top players from both high school orchestras to play at the May 2 concert. One piece, written by composer Vaughan Williams requires two orchestras. “I hope everyone will come
out and support the college orchestra, and we’ll have a night of good music,” Isaacson said. Rampton echoed what Isaacson had to say about the night. “I would encourage everyone to see this concert,” he said. “It’s a great way to get exposed to different types of music.”
E-mail Gentry at: optimist@acu.edu
Page 6
April 21, 2006
Small steps make big difference The issue:
Earth Week should bring important environmental issues and conservation options to our attention.
Our view:
Even though it can be inconvenient to conserve, we should try to do the small things that will help save our planet for future generations.
The solution:
Recycle paper. Walk to class. Turn off extra lights. Ride in a carpool. Small lifestyle changes can make a big difference to the environment. And if everybody does their part, it will make a difference.
Earth Week 2006 hurdled itself upon this campus. Throughout this week, students, staff and faculty were strongly encouraged to recycle, carpool and conserve energy. Brightly colored flyers and posters informed the ACU community of its duty to the environment, and how we can change our habits for the better in our everyday lives. The problem is that despite excessive advertising and constant pleas for change, too many people don’t realize how important these small steps are. Yes, we all want Earth to remain a good, healthy place to live, but we don’t want to be inconvenienced in order
Psycho’s guide to pulling pranks Practical jokes are a fine Telling someone their tires art. But, if you want to be a were slashed and actually successful practitioner, you slashing their tires? Still can’t just go hog wild. Prac- funny, but illegal. tical jokes, Next, like a hunter, know like any art, your target. Keep in mind require fi- their personalities, tastes, nesse. So, and habits, so you how to I’ve made get them in just the right up the rule way to maximize hilarity. of “4 T’s” to Is your sister a hardcore guide you: right winger? timing, tarRush in while she’s eatThe Mouth of get, tech- ing, screaming, nique, and “They found the WMDs!” Madness resulT (hey, Boyfriend a Dave MatCole it has a “t” thews fan? in it.) “I just heard on the raWilliams First, tim- dio Dave died in a plane ing. In comedy, timing is ev- crash!” erything (trust me on this; But, this can backfire, a cartoon squirrel told me.) which is why you need to So when performing prac- keep the result in mind. tical jokes, know, like the You’ve got to know the reninja, when to strike. Aim action you want to get to for when people are doing be able to come up with the trivial things; times when perfect plan. they are distracted. Early in If you want to scare the morning someone stiff, when people then maybe it’s So, when are waking not a good idea performing up is good, to rush in and since they wake up Uncle practical jokes, aren’t fully know, like the ninja, Freddy at 4 a.m. awake and with a toy gun, when to strike. thus more screaming and susceptible shooting. Uncle to scrupuFreddy was in lous subverVietnam, and sions. has a history of flashbacks. Your roommate’s deYou might not survive. fenses will be down when Then the joke’s on you. You you bust into their room to made a bad use of the first inform them someone stole 3 T’s there. But using that their car. plan on your 14-year-old But, how could that be cousin? Then’s good times. funnier? So there you have it my What if you actually fellow psychos: remember snuck into their room while the right time to strike, they were asleep, took their the right technique to use keys, and moved their car? on the right target to get Now that’s even funnier. the desired result. Keep all That’s the key of the sec- those in mind, and you’ll do ond T: technique. fine. Know the right punchIf not, well then you line for the joke and how might end up in jail or to deliver it. The bigger and dead. But hey, don’t worry, weirder, the better. Giving because I’ll be right there, someone a glass of water laughing at you. with soap in it? Kind of funny. Glass of water with chlorine? Much funnier. But be careful, you can go too far. Telling someone their E-mail Williams at: tires were slashed; funny. cww02b@acu.edu, optimist@acu.edu
to keep it that failed to do Yes, we all want Earth to stay a good, healthy way. We figso simply place to live, but we don’t want to be ure that our because no inconvenienced in order to keep it that way. scraps of paone will per, plastic take the bottles, and full paper empty cans don’t really mat- emotionally, spiritually and bags to the loading dock ter, and that we can take the physically. one morning a week. easy way out with no harm The ironic thing is that Is that really a viable readone. although we take such good son to throw tons of valuWhat we fail to see is that care of these things, we fail able paper away? Shouldn’t if everyone thinks that way, to see that our habitat, this we be concerned enough to the environment will con- planet that we call home — is expend a small amount of tinue to deteriorate, and we, in need of the same loving effort to do a large amount and the generations follow- care that we give to other of good? ing us, will suffer for it. things in our lives. We think that someone We take good care of evAnd it’s very simple to do else will do it. Someone else erything else that is impor- so. One of the easiest ways will drive a hybrid, recycle tant to us. We clean our cars is to recycle. Although many old mid-term papers, and and get the oil changed; we people have pushed to get turn off their music when clean our houses; we keep recycling bins re-instated they leave the house. in touch with our friends; in the Campus Center Mail “It’s OK,” we think. “My and we feed our bodies, Room, administrators have little television doesn’t re-
ally matter if it stays on. I can leave my lights burning when I leave — who is it really going to hurt?” The truth is, it hurts is all of us. We need to be concerned about each other and our environment, and be willing to go out of our way to take the important small steps toward making Earth a better place. Don’t let Earth Week just have been another week, with yet another call to action that you ignore. Make the effort to make a difference.
E-mail the Optimist at: optimist@acu.edu
Dani Linthicum
Wanna-be
Dad’s example teaches compassion A spring afternoon when I was 7, my dad picked up my brother and me from school as he had done throughout our elementary school days. Except today was different. Instead of taking the side roads through the town center followed Don’t Believe by a drive through the the Hype foliage-coated woods to Mitch Holt our house in the small Connecticut community where we lived, my dad got on the downtown Hartford expressway and headed toward downtown Hartford, the state Capitol. A few times a month we went downtown to see Hartford Whalers games or to ride the city’s large carousel, but never after school. We asked Dad where we were going, and he said that
I wondered “why is this man getting into our car and why does he smell so bad?” we had to go see make a short visit to see a man, but it wouldn’t take too long. My brother and I were disappointed that our after-school snack would be delayed. As we weaved our way through the streets of Hartford, we came to a large building and illegally parked along the sidewalk, probably because we weren’t getting out. Soon enough, my dad got out of the car and walked over to a disheveled man and started talking to him. The man looked in his midto-late 30s, hadn’t shaved in awhile and was garbed in dirty, paint-stained jeans and an old, ripped, hooded sweatshirt. Quickly after the conversation began, my dad and the man walked back to the car and got in. A pungent odor wafted in my direction as the man bounded into our
Ford Escort station wagon. I wondered, “why is this man getting into our car and why does he smell so bad?” After that, the details are rather blurry, but from the spot where we picked up the man, Dad made a few stops along the way and finally ended this confusing situation at the bus station. The man got out, and so did my dad. Some more words were exchanged, and then the man went on his way with a few mysterious, newly obtained sacks. After this strange event, I didn’t think about it again until junior high. I asked my dad what we were doing that day when we took the long way home. He told me we were helping a homeless man named Jerry who had AIDS — he had no family or friends. By this time I was older
and more aware of my surroundings, and I recalled my attitude on the day of these events. I remembered being irritated with the inconvenience and smell of the man who rode in our car, and I felt ashamed of my reaction. But I still wondered why we associated with someone who had AIDS. I reflected on why we left our peaceful community, top-notch school system and the comfort of small-town life to drive an AIDS victim around and buy him food. I then recalled hearing stories of a man who associated with the diseased of the community, with prostitutes and with outcasts. This was a man who didn’t view a person’s earthly afflictions as evidence of wrongdoing, and he didn’t accuse a poor person of being lazy. And it all made sense.
E-mail Holt at: mah02f@acu.edu, optimist@acu.edu
In Your Words
Do you support a rock-climbing wall coming to campus? Why or why not? “Yes. It would give me a chance to show off my big guns.”
“I’m in support only if it’s a real mountain.”
Garret Winder
Chase Pennington
freshman history major from Springtown
sophomore accounting and finance major from Aledo
“Yes. It will provide another opportunity for exercise.”
“Yes. It will be another fun activity to do in Abilene.”
Jennifer Rasco
Kristin Gravley
freshman elementary education major from Abilene
Editorial and letter policy Unsigned editorials are the opinions of the Optimist and may not necessarily reflect the views of the university or its administration. Signed columns, cartoons and letters are the opinions of their creators and may not necessarily reflect the viewpoints of the Optimist or the university. The Optimist encourages reader response through letters to the editor but reserves the right to limit frequent contributors or to refuse to print letters containing personal
attacks, obscenity, defamation, erroneous information or invasion of privacy. Please limit letters to 350 words or fewer. A name and phone number must be included for verification purposes. Phone numbers will not be published. Address letters to: ACU Box 27892 Abilene, TX 79699 E-mail letters to: optimist@acu.edu
sophomore social studies major from Overton
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Online: www.acuoptimist.com
Friday, April 21, 2006
Page 7
FROM THE FRONT
Cajun Cones: Stand attracts variety of customers Continued from page 1 Generally, business has been pretty consistent from year to year, Luttrell said. “Business is good and very much a blessing,” Luttrell said. “The Mockingbird location is about the same as last year, and as the weather has warmed and people have found the new location, business at the Judge Ely location has picked up recently to about like last year.” The stands are open dai-
ly from 2-10 p.m., and because the city only allows businesses with temporary buildings to be open for six months, they usually close down in the middle of September. The stands attract a wide variety of customers, ranging all demographics, Luttrell said. “The Judge Ely location has a lot of students from ACU and Hardin Simmons, and the Mockingbird location customers are mainly
families and neighborhood folks,” He said. “However, it is interesting what a crosssection of the community we have as customers.” Little has changed in the way of flavors and prices this year. Regular flavors cost $1.25, $1.50, and $1.75, while sno-creams cost $1.50, $1.75, and $2. Luttrell said the most popular regular flavors include cherry, coconut, “I don’t know, but it’s good,” pickle juice, pina colada, straw-
Council: Three run for Place 2 Continued from page 1 Anderson from Rowlett. She has worked for the university since 1994, beginning as the executive assistant to the executive vice president. Her experience with the university and the Abilene community gives her an advantage for the council position, she said. Of the six council seats, three positions are for members who live on the north side of the city, and three are for south side residents. The city’s railroad tracks mark the split. “Because I am the director of Neighborhood Relations here at ACU and because I live on the south side of town,” Anderson said, “I have a unique understanding of both parts of the community.” Working with neighborhoods around campus inspired her to run for a position where she could serve as a voice for the more disadvantaged citizens of the city, she said. The city has grant funds available for
low-income families who need repairs on their homes, Anderson said, but nobody knows about them. “The city needs to be more aggressive in reaching out to the neighborhoods,” she said. “Normal people in the neighborhoods are afraid of approaching the city council.” Other candidates for council positions are Ron Konstantin, class of 2005, and incumbent Sam Chase, an attorney, for Place 1; and Paul Johnson, who owns a real estate company, and Celia Davis, a consultant and civic volunteer, for councilman John Hill’s Place 4 seat. Anthony Williams’s Place 3 seat, Stormy Higgins’s Place 5 seat, and Laura Moore’s Place 6 seat are uncontested. Despite the three-person race for Place 2, Anderson remains optimistic. “I’m excited about running for office,” she said, “about the opportunity to speak for and to work for citizens of Abilene.” E-mail Carlson at: skc02a@acu.edu
Commute: March to end at church Continued from page 1 Hardin-Simmons University signed up to participate in Abilene’s commute. Meredith Isenberg, freshman social work major from Garland, signed up for the Global Night Commute after watching the Invisible Children documentary at Highland Church of Christ on Feb. 12. “I want to experience just a little bit of what those kids in Uganda go through every night,” Isenberg said. “They have to walk miles and miles every night just for protection. I really think it will give us a new appreciation for what we have and a new perspective on life.” The march will begin at 7 p.m. April 29, with students from both schools congre-
On the Web www.invisiblechildren.com
gating on their respective campuses. The two groups will meet at Treadaway Boulevard and make their way to the parking lot at the First Baptist Church of Abilene, where they will spend the night outside. “I think this will give college students a broader understanding of the evil and tragedy going on in the world,” Lamb said. “For a lot of these students, this walk will be their first taste of that. “But just as Christ suffered for us, we can also partake in sufferings for other people,” he said. “That is being part of the kingdom.” E-mail Gentry at: optimist@acu.edu
berry, strawberry daiquiri and wild cherry. The most popular sno-cream flavors include fudgesicle, old fashioned ice cream and strawberries and cream. “We make all of our own flavors, we don’t charge extra for mixed flavors, and we try to use lots of juice,” Luttrell said. Although Abilene is now the home of several snow cone companies, Luttrell said Cajun Cones is set apart. “We were the first ones in
Abilene to have sno-creams,” he said. “We were the first in Abilene to have sourhead juice, which makes the flavor extra sour. And we were the first shaved-ice stand in Abilene to have real pickle juice snowcones.” The name of the stands comes from Luttrells roots. “I was born in New Orleans and we lived in Houma, Louisiana,” Luttrell said. “One of my early memories is when I would go with my Dad to get a snowball, which
is what they call snowcones in southern Louisiana. When we decided to go into business, we wanted to serve ‘New Orleans-style snowcones.’ All of our flavoring extracts and our machines come from New Orleans. So we just came up with the name Cajun Cones to identify with my roots and the kind of snowcones we were trying to make.” E-mail Ballard at: agb04b@acu.edu
Would I look good in purple?
Emerald McGowan/Staff Photographer
Meredith Isenberg, freshman social work major from Garland makes masks in Gardner’s West Lobby on Thursday for herself and her date for the freshman formal, which will be Friday at the Civic Center and have a Mardi Gras Masquerade theme.
Apply: Admissions numbers jump Continued from page 1 across the nation have begun to consider ACU as a possibility, Heil said. Even if this trend continues, Heil said, ACU’s admissions process is not likely to change. Applicants who are not accepted usually have not met admissions requirements or have not finished
their applications; prospective students are not rejected if they meet all requirements, which is not the case at all universities. However, not all students who apply to ACU are necessarily planning on attending the university. “We see that it is more common for a student to apply to seven to eight colleges,” Heil said.
While this trend has hurt applicants at some universities, according to the Post, this is not the case at ACU. While the ACU AdmisHeil sions Office considers how applicants
will benefit the community, it also seeks to demonstrate to applicants how the ACU community will assist them. “Our admission counselors continue to work with each student and their family to see how ACU can help them reach their life goals,” Heil said. E-mail Peace at: knp04a@acu.edu
Jogging: Concrete track complete Continued from page 1 ging early in the morning and late at night. Families also seem to be using it during the day and on the weekends. The smooth concrete allows people to ride
bikes, rollerblade and push strollers. “We’re glad to see the community around the university is also enjoying it,” Watson said. The track was named the Lunsford Foundation Trail
after the family that donated the funds. Watson said Scot Colley, associate director of the Physical Plant, has been overseeing the work on the track on behalf of the university.
“He’s done a great job of keeping this project moving and in budget,” Watson said. “My hat is off to him.”
E-mail Schneider at: jrs02a@acu.edu
Page 8
April 21, 2006 Standings BASEBALL
Team Div. ACU 8-4 Angelo St. 8-4 TAMU-K 6-6 WTAMU 5-7 Tarleton St. 5-7 4-8 ENMU
Overall 34-11 32-14 31-14 20-24 16-30 22-26
SOFTBALL Team ACU TX Woman’s Angelo St. ENMU TAMU-K Tarleton St.
Div. 15-3 12-5 11-7 11-9 8-9 9-15
Overall 35-14 24-31 29-22 31-19 21-26 24-21
Scores Saturday baseball ACU 12, Texas A&M-Kingsville 9 Texas A&M-Kingsville 13, ACU 1 Tuesday baseball ACU 21, Texas-Permian Basin 1 Men’s Tennis ACU 9, Howard Payne 0 Tyler Junior College 5, ACU 4 Women’s Tennis ACU 9, Howard Payne 0
Upcoming Schedule Friday softball ACU vs. Texas Woman’s, 5 p.m. (DH) tennis ACU at LSC Championships, Wichita Falls track & Field ACU at LSC Championships, Stephenville baseball ACU at Eastern New Mexico, 2 p.m. (DH)
Saturday Track & field ACU at LSC Championships, Wichita Falls baseball ACU at Eastern New Mexico, noon (DH) Softball ACU vs. Texas Woman’s, 1 p.m. (DH)
• Home games listed in italics
Briefs Wiman named LSC South Pitcher of the Week Sophomore Chris Wiman threw a one-hitter complete game against Texas A&M-Kingsville on Friday in the Wildcats 20 win against the No. 10-ranked Javelinas. Wiman’s win was his seventh of the year.
Two men’s track athletes receive LSC weekly award Junior Nicodemus Naimadu and junior Vladyslav Gorbenko were received LSC Athlete of the Week honors after their performances at the Mt. SAC Relays. Naimadu shared the track athlete honor with Shaunte Lovings of Tarleton State, and Gorbenko was named the men’s field athlete. Naimadu is qualified for nationals in the 1500, 3000 steeplechase and 5000 meter runs, and Gorbenko in the triple jump.
Golf finishes fourth at LSC tournament n The golf team finished fourth in the Lone Star Conference Tournament at Trophy Club and now wait to find out who will advance to the super regional tournament. By BRIAN HOLLAND Sports Writer
The men’s golf team is as green as the course it plays on, with solid, yet inexperienced talent. With two juniors, one sophomore and two freshmen, the men’s golf team finished fourth in the Lone Star Conference Tournament on Tuesday to secure a spot in the Super Regional’s tournament May 1-3. Junior Kyle Byerly, led all Wildcat scores with a tournament score of six-over 222, tied for 13th overall. Mean-
Golf while, sophomore Curtis Harris, and junior Cian Daly, came in 17th and 18th respectively with scores of 223 and 224. All five of the players came within nine strokes of each other throughout the two-day tournament. Scores through the tournament came down the second day with the temperature. First day scores were higher because of 101-degree weather. However, the Wildcats battled through the conditions to come in ahead of every team ranked behind them starting the tournament. Holding their ground in the rankings at No. 38 in the nation has placed the Wild-
cats sixth in the South-Central Region, a region that sends only eight teams to the super regional’s tournament in two weeks in Duncan, Okla. But even with coming in a respectable fourth in the LSC Tournament and first in the previous tournament, head coach Mike Campbell said the Wildcats still have room to improve. “We played pretty well; we just didn’t putt as well,” Campbell said. “Sometimes they just don’t go in the hole, and that’s just how golf is.” However, with reaching the super regional’s tournament for the second time in the coach’s three-year tenure, the team has accomplished a goal it set when
the season began. “We’re still very excited about going to regional’s,” Campbell said. “It all comes down to this tournament ... if we can play the way we’re capable of playing, I like our chances.” Sixteen teams will play in regional’s from both the South and South-Central regions. The announcement of these teams will come officially on Monday, but Campbell said: “it’s almost a given that we’re in.” While Harris and Byerly finished strong in the LSC Tournament, Byerly (-2) and Harris (E) in the final round, Campbell said it will take a team effort for the Wildcats to advance past super Regional’s tournament and onto the
national tournament in West Virginia, May 16-19. None of the players were on the Wildcat’s last bid to a super regional’s tournament and this is their first taste of postseason play, the last being in 2004, so this will certainly shape up to be a new experience for the team. Even with the inexperience, Campbell said he is not worried about the young players’ performance. “They give maximum effort ever time they go out ... the thing I’ve been stressing to them is just to go out and have fun,” Campbell said. “If we have fun, we’ll play well.”
E-mail Holland at: beh03e@acu.edu
Tennis prepares for LSC Championships n Men’s and women’s tennis handled Howard Payne 9-0, but the men lost to Tyler Junior College 5-4 on Tuesday before the LSC Championships this weekend. By MICHAEL FREEMAN Sports Writer
With the Lone Star Conference Championships looming, the ACU tennis teams played two teams as tune-up matches Tuesday. The Wildcat women routed Howard Payne University 9-0. The men also pounded Howard Payne 9-0, but lost to Tyler Junior College 5-4. On Tuesday, the women played at home against Howard Payne. “They just dominated,” head coach Hutton Jones said. “It was a good tune-up match.” The Wildcat women go into the Lone Star Conference Championships this Thursday with a record of 25-6. The men were also on the
On the Web www.acuoptimist.com
court last Tuesday, defeating Howard Payne 9-0, and falling to Tyler Junior College 5-4. Tyler Junior College is ranked first in the nation among junior college tennis teams. “We played them tough,” Jones said. “I felt pretty encouraged. I think the guys came away more confident after that match.” Jones said he is confident about the teams’ chances in the tournament. Both tennis teams won the Lone Star Conference tournament last year. “I think, as a No. 1 seed, we’ll be the team to beat,” Jones said. “I do feel like we’re the best, but the competition won’t go out quietly. We should be rested and ready to go. I expect to win.” anna carroll/Staff Photographer
E-mail Freeman at: mxf04b@acu.edu
Holly Lindloff, lunges for the ball in a doubles match Tuesday against Howard Payne at the Eager Tennis Pavilion.
Wildcats head to conference meet with lead n The men’s track team looks to win its 13th consecutive title, and the women’s track team will compete in the LSC Championships in Stephenville. By STEVE HOLT Sports Writer
Before most of the ACU women’s track and field athletes arrived in Stephenville for the Lone Star Conference Championships, they knew they were leading the field. Thanks to freshman Jessica Withrow, that is. The 5-5 freshman won the heptathlon competition, which took place Monday and Tuesday, in dominant fashion, gar-
Keep your eye on the ball
Track & Field nering a nation-leading 5,042 points in the process. Withrow, a 2004 graduate of Muleshoe High School, won five of seven events, including the 100-meter hurdles (15.10), high jump (5-8 ¾), 200-meter dash (25.79), 800-meter run (2:29.98) and the long jump (18-1 ¾). Withrow and teammate Jessica Blair, a junior who finished third in the competition with 4,392 points, combined to give ACU a leading score of 16 points going into Friday and Saturday’s running events and relays. For the men, junior Jon-Daniel Todd placed seventh in the
By DANIEL JOHNSON Sports Writer
emerald Mcgowan/Staff Photographer
mance in the heptathlon is certainly a good start. “We’ve had girls come up and ask if they can do more events than they’re down for, so they just want to score as many points as they can score,” he said. “It’s just a matter of us being tough.” One of the main factors in the last two disappointing LSC meets for the women has been injuries or eligibility. Hood said that not only is the women’s team 100 percent healthy, it is deep in every event as well. ACU women and relays are No. 1 in 13 of 15 events going into the meet. The men’s team is the heavy favorite to repeat as champion,
as Wildcat athletes and relays have leading marks in 12 of the 15 events. Hood said he told his men’s team not to worry about times, but about placing well in their events. “I think we’re four or five deep in almost every event on the track,” Hood said. “If that’s the case, we’re going to be hard to beat.” The field events will begin Friday at 3 p.m., while running events will begin at 5 p.m. Saturday’s final events will kick off at noon with field competition, followed by the running finals at 5 p.m. E-mail Holt at: smh00a@acu.edu
Baseball pounds Texas-Permian Basin, 21-1 n The Wildcats beat TexasPermian Basin 21-1 Tuesday at Crutcher Scott Field and will face Eastern New Mexico this weekend in Portales, N.M.
Sophomore Jessica Johnson fields grounders during softball practice Wednesday in preparation for this weekend’s series against Texas Woman’s.
decathlon with 5,696 points, good for one team point going into the regular competition. The rest of the ACU men and women began competing Friday, the men seeking their 13th straight conference title and the women attempting to break a two-year runner-up streak. “They’re excited about it, the women’s team especially,” head coach Don Hood said of this weekend’s championship. “They feel like they should win — it’s been two years since they’ve won.” Hood said the women’s team will be looking to score as many points as it can, and Withrow’s dominating perfor-
The nationally ranked Wildcats will continue conference play in New Mexico this weekend after gaining confidence and composure from a 21-1 bashing of non-conference opponent Texas-Permian Basin on April 18. The Wildcats capitalized off seven Permian Basin errors and scored in all but one inning in Tuesday’s game. Among the 21 runs was another home run from ACU’s new single season home run record-holder Joel Wells. He extended his tally to 14 with eight games still remaining in the regular season and continues to lead the team with a .415 batting average and a slugging percentage of .859. In addition to outscoring
Baseball and out hitting Permian Basin, the Wildcats played a majority of their bullpen. With seven ACU pitchers taking the mound Tuesday, the Wildcats successfully expanded their poise before taking on a consistent Eastern New Mexico lineup this weekend. In the team’s only loss against Texas A&M Kingsville in last weekend’s series, a combination of an uncharacterized showing from starter Jason Kennedy and a lack of relief because of previous games and injuries enabled the Kingsville Javelinas to score 13 runs. The search for a consistent fourth game starter has been a weakness that has continued to trouble the Wildcats. Head coach Britt Bonneau said the Wildcat’s starting pitchers need to pitch deeper into games as they continue to approach postseason play. If the starters pitch a majority of the innings, the Wildcats will not have to rely on their
offense and their bullpen as much as they have in the past. Although ACU and Eastern New Mexico have opposite records of 8-4 and 4-8, and ACU is currently tied for first in conference while Eastern New Mexico is in last place, Bonneau said he is reluctant to take the Greyhounds lightly. His eagerness to not underestimate their opponents is well founded, since the Greyhounds have repeatedly hit well this season with a four starters holding a batting average above .330. The Wildcats offense has slowed down since the preseason, but has continued to come through in a big way when it matters most. The Wildcats are 15-9 on the road and have scored a total of 373 runs. Seven of ACU’s starting lineup hold a batting average above the .330 mark, and the team has a combined average of .335. Both veterans such as Wells and newcomers such as freshman catcher Jordan Schmitt persistently excel at
the plate. Ultimately success this weekend will depend on which team pitches better. If Wildcat starters such as Christ Wiman and Brain Kennedy continue hitting the strike zone, the Wildcats should have no difficulty emerging victorious. Wiman and Kennedy have the top two ERA of the rotation and have consistently placed the Wildcats in a position to win throughout the season. Veteran Ben Maynard has also contributed on the mound despite struggling against Texas A&M Kingsville last weekend. Maynard has the second best record behind Wiman and is 6-2 thus far. “This team can hit the ball well, so we’ll have to throw strikes and spot pitches,” Bonneau said. “Hopefully our pitchers will pitch real well, and we can continue to swing well enough to put runs on the board.”
E-mail Johnson at: djj04a@acu.edu