OPTIMIST
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A student publication of Abilene Christian University since 1912
Volume CVIII, Issue XXX
Friday May 03, 2019
F S S M T
News
Sports
World Wide Witness students gathered in Moody Coliseum during Chapel for their official send-off on Friday. Thirty students will travel to various locations across the globe for mission work......................Page 2
Baseball is on a three-game losing streak after falling to McNeese State last Friday and Saturday 4-10 and 6-7, respectively. Their loss to TCU dropped their record to 22-21 overall and 9-12 in conference...............Page 6
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Feature For the third year, Nu Kappa Psi wrapped up its pledging season with its probate at the Beauchamp Amphitheater, drawing in both students and alumni to celebrate new members............................................Page 4
Photo by NICHOLAS CROMWELL | GUEST CONTRIBUTOR A sudden storm rolled into Abilene on Wednesday night, bringing a cold front, lightning, hail and strong winds. The storm continued through Thursday morning, causing flooding and traffic accidents. CAMPUS NEWS
Nearby shooting prompts ALERT messages from ACUPD DILLON DANIEL MANAGING EDITOR
A shooting incident near campus Sunday led ACUPD to send out text and email alerts to notify students after the gunshot – as well as sightings of a man fleeing from police – caused concern among students and campus neighbors. ACU Police Chief Jimmy Ellison said a perceived threat to campus and the neighborhoods west of campus where some off-campus students, faculty and staff reside caused a surge of calls to ACUPD. These two incidents
caused some students to share with friends and family that there was a “shooter loose in the area” or there had “been a shooting on campus,” Ellison said. According to the ALERT email sent out on Sunday night, as more police units arrived in the area and began to search for that suspect, a police perimeter was set-up for a search. “Your ACUPD wants you to feel safe on and around our great campus. Part of feeling safe is feeling informed,” the email said. “Decisions to send out emergency alerts are not made lightly, but un-
fortunately, decisions to send or not send ALERTS often have to be made using the best information available at the moment.” Ellison said the shooting was related to a domestic disturbance nearby, and that the suspect was not a current student. According to police, 31-yearold Christopher Michael Muñoz, a Buffalo Gap resident, was in his car with his ex-girlfriend in the 500 block of EN 18th Street, two blocks west of the main campus, when his handgun discharged, wounding him in the arm. Muñoz was arrested at
the scene and charged with deadly conduct, a class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail. He was released the next day on $3000 bond. The ACUPD messages advised students to stay away from the area until the situation was handled and that the person who fled police was not connected to the shooting. Police said the shot was accidentally self-inflicted and not life-threatening. Ellison said it is understandable that the reaction from students and parents was fear, causing panic and rumor.
“Any incidents involving a shooting on or near any campus immediately strikes fear in everyone,” Ellison said. Ellison said he believes social media and texting played a part with how fast the misinformation spread across campus. Although ACUPD implemented emergency messaging protocols, because this was not an actual active shooter situation no active shooter protocols were needed. ACUPD’s active shooter protocols. These protocols follow the national model: AVOID, DENY, or DEFEND.
“Run or avoid the shooter if you can,” Ellison said. “Get away if at all possible.” If this does not work, he said, the person should “Hide or deny if you can’t run.” They should eliminate any signs of their presence and deny the shooter access to the room. “Fight or Defend, as a last option, if you can’t run, if you can’t hide, make a personal decision to fight at all costs,” he said. Ellison said ACUPD regularly trains its officers and the community for these situations so that quick decisions can be made.
ABILENE NEWS
Front Porch Market to host student vendors for annual sale LAUREN FRANCO EDITOR IN CHIEF
The Front Porch Market, started over a decade ago, will bring 20 local vendors to The Acre, the home of Dr. Chris and Rachel Riley, despite chances of rain. Rachel Riley, instructor of psychology and host of the market, said the first market was at her home on Sayles Boulevard with only one vendor. This year, more than 20 vendors, ranging in age from 4 years old to “retirement” age, will participate. “The Market’s identity has shifted over the years from ‘fancy flea market’ to reflect the opening of our home as a wedding and event venue,” Riley said. “Our family uses the event as an open house.” About half of the vendors and all of the live
music acts are ACU students, and the event is heavily advertised by students via social media. Vendors will sell custom clothing, holistic skin care, handmade jewelry, baked goods, wooden signage, hand-lettered art, weavings, vintage “good junk” and home decor. “We love introducing the Big Country to new talent,” Riley said. Riley’s mother-in-law and 11-year-old daughter, Susan and Alice Anne, respectively, have a booth called the B- ACRE- Y to sell baked goods and “Acre-Aid,” a lavender lemonade and mint tea concoction. In addition, Lauren Gumm, freshman elementary education major from Abilene, will participate as a vendor for the first time with her company “Wear It
to Share It.” Gumm started the company in October of 2018 selling screen printed t-shirts, homemade hair scarves and stickers. Gumm, a worker in the Office of Graduate Programs, knew Riley before attending the university, but took her Cornerstone class and knew about the Front Porch Market from prior years. “When she began looking for vendors I messaged her really quick because I knew I wanted to participate,” Gumm said. “It will be a fun and busy but yet relaxing way to spend my Saturday.” Karson Tutt, sophomore management major from Tuscola, will bring in her usual chokers and jewelry as well as a new assortment of earrings and anklets. “A lot of stuff will actually be appearing for the first time and possibly will never
be on the site, so it’s kind of an event-exclusive type of thing,” Tutt said. After hearing about the market from Riley’s Cornerstone class during her freshman year, Tutt said she’s enjoyed getting to participate as a way to get her business out there. “I’m super excited to release all of the new styles I have,” Tutt said. “This is kind of dorky, but I got new business cards and can’t wait to hand them out. Between rushes, projects, my two other jobs and the workshops I am hosting this week, my life could not be any more challenging. Challenges aren’t always bad and I’m so thankful for all that I get to be a part of.” Though she doesn’t keep track of the number of attendees, Riley said she expects over 300 people to shop de-
spite a threat of rain. If the weather does not permit, the event will be postponed. The event is free and open for people to bring a lunch, sit at the picnic tables, listen to music and hang out. “It’s a great date or break
from studying,” Riley said. “We really just want people to come out and ‘sit a spell.’” The Riley family will take a break from hosting the event next year to focus on getting ready for a study abroad trip.
Page 2 | Campus News
Friday, May 03, 2019
OMA’s annual Backyard Bash returns for third year KALENA MODGLING GRAPHIC DESIGNER
The Office of Multicultural Affair’s annual Backyard Bash is returning for its third year Friday at 5 p.m. on Circle Drive. OMA interns have been planning the concert since January. The concert will have giveaways, contests, dance performances, face painting and more. Aliera Martin, junior advertising and public relations major from Fort Worth, will head the event, because it’s her third year working the event. “In January, we started looking for artists to headline, then we decided to make it an Abilene talent festival and keep it local,” Martin said. At the beginning of March, OMA interns hosted auditions at Monk’s Cof-
Photo by JOHN GREER | GUEST CONTRIBUTOR Performers hype up the crowd during the 2017 OMA Backyard Bash. fee Shop and set a lineup and headliner by the end of the month. Oyindamola Eniola, senior engineering major from Lagos, Nigeria, and chaplain of African Stu-
dents’ Association, said he and his singing partner are going to cover three songs, Billie Jean by Michael Jackson, Stay by Rihanna and Try Everything by Shakira. “I’m really hoping the event
does what music does for people,” Eniola said. “I hope the event is able to bring everyone together and we can participate together in harmony.” The event showcases OMA’s goal of diversity and
equality for all. “As done in the past, we ask our social clubs to help and volunteer to bring together two of the largest student body groups on campus,” Martin said. “I think
it’s a great tradition to keep up since a lot of our students are involved in them.” Food tickets are $5 and are available for purchase until 8:15 p.m., which includes a barbecue plate, cooked by Nu Kappa Psi, and a snow cone from Cajun Cones. Martin said her ideal outcome for Backyard Bash is for students, faculty and staff to step outside of their respective organizations and come together for something everyone loves – music and fun. “OMA is about investing in our communities diversity especially at ACU and helping others understand that, where it may be out of their realm,” Martin said. The headliner for the concert, David Mirambi, declined to comment and April Napier, director of OMA could not be reached for an interview.
World Wide Witness students prepare for international travel MCKENZIE BONAM STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
World Wide Witness students gathered in Moody Coliseum during Chapel for their official sendoff on Friday. Thirty students will travel to various locations across the globe for mission work. World Wide Witness has partnered with missionaries for 18 years, with more than 1,000 undergraduate and graduate students involved. Comprised of 25 percent medical and nursing majors, 15 percent Bible majors, 15 percent psychology and social work majors, 10 percent business majors and 35 percent miscellaneous majors, the ministry is not limited to one group of people or specific majors, said Larry Henderson, adjunct professor of Bible, missions and ministry and director of World Wide Witness.
Henderson said around 40-45 different majors are involved in global trips, and the trips can be individualized based on what the students prefer. This opportunity sends teams of two people to different locations to serve. “By doing this, it helps us communicate with locals by eating their food, speaking their language and learning their culture,” Henderson said. “We truly want to come and serve under their leadership.” Henderson said the students are partnered with supervisors in the places they are assigned to live. This provides the opportunity for them to be taught and mentored while also being integrated into the surrounding culture. In his 35 years of serving as an intern host, Henderson said it is rewarding to see people able to worship
“
I will work to relay stories from around the organization, through short documentary-style films, to those who cannot be there to serve physically,”
LAUREN MEANDRO, SENIOR MULTIMEDIA MAJOR FROM AUSTIN
and work in a context and a culture that is completely different. “It was most rewarding to see the lights come on in the hearts of college students,” Henderson said. Lauren Meandro, senior multimedia major from Austin, will go to Nairobi, Kenya, for the summer as a filmmaker intern for Made in the Streets, an organization that serves children in Nairobi. “I will work to relay stories from around the organization, through short documentary-style films, to those who cannot be
Photo by MEDA BOW | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Thirty students will travel to various locations for mission work this summer. there to serve physically,” Meandro said. Meandro said being involved with WWW is meaningful because she felt called to combine multimedia and missions for about five years and is excited to step into it. Joel Moschetta, sophomore biblical text major from Cypress, will go to Nairobi, Kenya, from June 25 to Aug. 6. Moschetta said this ministry opportunity is
something he’s looked forward to. “When I visited ACU as a senior in high school, I went to the WWW breakout session and heard Henderson’s inspiring story of being a missionary in Thailand for 35 years,” Moschetta said. “It was such a great opportunity and it was one the reasons I came to ACU.” Moschetta said his excitement for experience stems from the oppor-
tunity to work with high school students at bettering their English by guiding them in the reading of the Gospel of Luke. Students will leave for their summer destinations depending on when each site needs help. WWW begins recruiting for the summer of 2020 next fall and Henderson will teach the training course, BMIS 391, offered in spring of 2020.
ABILENE NEWS
Abilene Clay Sports to host 13th annual benefit competition LAUREN FRANCO EDITOR IN CHIEF
As it has since 2006, Abilene Clay Sports will organize the Clay Break Classic to benefit the Ben Richie Boys Ranch and Family Program Mike Short, Abilene Clay Sports manager said they set up 12 stations with two targets for competitors to shoot from. “You’ll have incoming targets, targets going side to side with rabbit targets that run along the
ground,” Short said. Short said it is an easy and fun course to compete on. “We try to set it up so it’s not really challenging because a lot of the people who come here aren’t regular target shooters, and we’d like to have 50 percent of the people break 50 percent or above,” Short said. The competition benefits the Ben Richie Boys Ranch & Family Program, which helps single-parent families and other youth. Between 150 and 200 peo-
ple sign up, and participants get 100 rounds on a team of four to five for the first round. They are scored by the clays that they hit from zero to 100. Melinda Scott, secretary
of the Boys Ranch benefits committee, said the ranch has helped at risk boys in Abilene since 1947. Former Abilene City Commissioner Ben Richey created the ranch in 1947
along with his wife Jamie. The City Council gave 300 acres of land on Lake Kirby where the ranch was built. In 1972, they renamed the Boys Ranch after him in his honor. “They’ve helped a lot of boys through the years that are either troubled or difficult to handle.” Scott said Abilene Clay Sports, with a course and pavilion, has been gracious to host the tournament. “They only charge us so much per shooter to cover their expense and anything
above that is complete profit for us to give to the boys.” Boys from the ranch also participate in the tournament or help clean up. Last year they raised $62,000 for the Boys Ranch and have raised over $850,000 since 2005. At the event, they also have a silent and live auction to raise money for the Ranch. Tax-deductible raffle tickets are available to purchase for $100, equivalent to 25 entries in a drawing for a new shotgun.
POLICE LOG SELECTED ACUPD CALLS FOR THE WEEK 04/23/2019 7:30 p.m. A student reported the theft of cash from his dorm room. 04/27/2019 1:55 a.m. ACUPD officers investigated a possible drug offense in Gardner Hall. No drugs were located. 04/27/2019 7:09 p.m. A student reported that someone hit her vehicle while parked in the Campus Center lot and then left. 04/29/2019 6:46 p.m. ACUPD officers are investigating the report of a student being harassed by another student.
911 CALL............................................................0 ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIVITY........................................................32 ADVICE.............................................................2 ALCOHOL INCIDENT............................0 ANIMAL CALL...............................................1 ASSIST..................................................................1 ATTEMPT TO LOCATE..........................0 BARRICADES..............................................2 BOOT/UNBOOT VEHICLE...............0 BUILDING LOCK/UNLOCK.......................................15 BURGLARY(RESIDENCE).................0 CART PATROL.............................................0 CHECK BUILDING............................349
DIRECT TRAFFIC......................................0 DISTURBANCE...........................................0 DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE............0 ESCORT.............................................................1 FIRE.....................................................................0 FOOT PATROL............................................6 FOUND PROPERTY...............................3 HIT & RUN........................................................1 INFORMATION REPORT...................2 INVESTIGATION FOLLOW UP...............................................17 LOST PROPERTY......................................3 MAINTENANCE: UNIV ASSETS............................................37 MENTAL HEALTH CONCERN.........1
MONITOR FACILITY/ LOT.......................................................................8 MOTORIST ASSIST: INFLATE TIRE................................................1 MOTORIST ASSIST: JUMPSTART..................................................4 MOTORIST ASSIST: UNLOCK...........................................................1 OTHER................................................................1 PARKING LOT PATROL...................34 PARKING VIOLATION.........................12 PATROL VEHICLE: MAINTENANCE.........................................6 PATROL VEHICLE: REFUEL............................................................8
RANDOM PATROL................................13 REPORT WRITING.................................15 REPORT WRITING FOLLOW UP.......................0 SEX OFFENSE..............................................1 STAND BY.......................................................0 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY..........................1 THEFT..................................................................3 TRAFFIC HAZARD....................................1 TRAFFIC STOP............................................6 TRAINING........................................................3 VEHICLE COLLISION..............................1
TOTAL...........................................................606
Chief Ellison’s Weekly Tip ACUPD wishes everyone a successful week with final exams.
Friday, May 03, 2019
Study Abroad Update | Page 3
‘Endgame’ ending caps Study Abroad experience HARK THE HARRELL ALLISON HARRELL SRAFF REPORTER
Sophomore convergence journalism major from Lampasas As my time abroad comes to an end, both dramatically and quietly, it feels like I’m watching the ending of the greatest adventure movie. I know that when I arrive home I will be asked all of the obvious questions, like: What was your favorite part? What will you miss most? Or, hardest of all: “Tell me everything.” The time here has passed with the most extraordinary experiences and events. And now, I will be expected to give a summary of the movie to someone who has never entered a movie theater. It’s an overwhelming feeling trying to come up with words to explain the growth that has taken place in me throughout this experience. I feel like I have become someone completely different, and hope that my family recognizes me when they pick me up at the airport. Study abroad is more than just studying within a classroom context. Yes, we go to class and are expected to take tests over the course of the semester, but we are given the unique opportunity for the majority of our learning, growth and wisdom to foster in once-in-alifetime places.
Outside of the classroom walls, I have become more confident in my ability to problem-solve. I have gained a much better sense of direction, but also, have found the humility and boldness to ask a stranger for help when needed. I have learned that kindness is universal and that there is very much good still to be found in humankind. When given the opportunity to travel and visit
places we had dreamed of on our bucket lists, I was faced with the truth that even when reality falls short of expectation, this does not, as result, guarantee a failed experience, just a different one. I remember the first time that I tried to plan a day trip, within the first few weeks of the semester, for me and a few friends to the coast of Cardiff Bay, Wales. I spent hours checking our train tickets to make sure that I had the correct time and dates. Once we arrived at the train station at an unearthly hour of the morning, we got our train tickets printed to board the train. After getting on the
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train I sat down and put my headphones in, expecting the ride to last about two hours. However, one of my friends quickly realized my mistake in planning and made us jump off at the next stop. I had somehow missed, in the hours of research and planning, that the train was not a straight ride. We had to wait about 30 minutes on a cold outdoor bench for the next connecting train. I felt like I had failed my friends and ruined our weekend trip. I’d like to tell you that the disappointments stopped there, but they didn’t. We were running away for the weekend towards the coast in hopes of warmer weather, but when we got to Cardiff Bay, it was cold and
windy. We also had expected to find an entertainment pier close to the beach, as we saw online, but what we found was a sleepy coastal town. However, we left Wales with the most unique and unexpected experiences. We went on a spontaneous boat tour in the bay with a funny Welsh driver, found a free beat-boxing competition going on in the nearby Wales Millennium Centre, and ended the night in a restaurant cheering alongside Welsh sports fans for their rugby team championship. In the end, the trip was much less than a failure. Sometimes we missed the train. Sometimes we had to sleep, or not sleep, in hostels with less than comfortable arrangements. Sometimes we
didn’t make it on time to get into the monument we had been waiting all day to see. But all those, seemingly fatal mishaps, turned into the best stories. These are the stories I will share when I get home. Stories of minor let-downs and major victories. Stories of wrong turns and the achievement of arriving to the destination. With every adventure, there are risks taken. With every path, there are unforeseen obstacles. Choices are made here. Growth takes place here. The Study Abroad program has been the greatest adventure I’ve ever said yes to. My recommendation? Go get a ticket to watch the movie.
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Page 4 | Feature
FINALLY KINGS
Friday, May 03, 2019
Nu Kappa Psi wraps up pledging season with probate
Photo courtesy of JACOB LUNDE Noble Kings’ spring pledges pose in the Bible building after the probate on Monday night. The club ends the semester with 30 active members.
LAUREN FRANCO EDITOR IN CHIEF
F
or the third year, Nu Kappa Psi wrapped up its pledging season with its probate at the Beauchamp Amphitheater, drawing in both students and alumni to celebrate new members. Roland Campos, sophomore information systems major from Dallas and president of Noble Kings, said the probate gives the pledges a chance to show their culture and style. Eleven pledges crossed over to join current members, leaving the club with around 30 members to close out their third year on campus. “This pledge class really has a personality of their own, they’re really goofy, especially when they’re together,” Campos said. “They’re all their own person.” Campos, who pledged two years ago, said the probate was similar to when he participated. “All the excitement comes from all of the pledges getting ready to perform, so the more into they are, the more they put into it, the better it will be,” Campos said. Alex Boglin, freshman business management and marketing major from Atlanta, pledged this semester and was voted to be vice president for the upcoming year. Though he didn’t intend on pledging when he got here, he talked to some of the members and they encouraged him to at least fill out the form. “I’m really glad I did it,” Boglin said. “It’s cool to think that they trust me like this and think highly of me just as I do
During the Noble Kings third annual probate, pledges performed chants, stomps and an outro in which the pledges are unmasked. Lasting about an hour, the probate drew in alumni from Dallas and Austin.
them. I don’t know too much about clubs in general because I’m a freshman, but I’m going to do my best and give my all for these guys and my brothers in this club.” Throughout pledging, Boglin said his favorite part was getting to know his brothers on a deeper level and create tighter bonds. For a couple of days every week of pledging, they practiced their probate performances. The probate lasted about an hour and consisted of chants, dances/steps and an outro in which the pledges are unmasked. “The probate was a crazy experience for sure, just being up there, looking at the crowd, it’s really cool and I look forward to more,” Boglin said. “It went beyond what I expected it to be. It’s mind-boggling, really.” Though this was only the third probate, some club alumni traveled back to Abilene from Dallas and Austin to watch the group make the transition from pledges to members. “It’s really cool to think that club means so much to them that they want to keep coming back to see people they’ve never met before get to the goal of being a king. It speaks a lot on how deep the relationships and bonds are,” Boglin said. For next year, the officer team is considering more ways to promote Noble Kings around campus. “It takes little steps to get the club to where we want to get it, but it’s in a great place right now. “I can’t imagine not being part of this club and part of this brotherhood,” Boglin said. “We’re still riding that high, it was a crazy experience.”
Photo by MEDA BOW | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Friday, May 03, 2019
Opinion| Page 5
STAFF COLUMNS
Thank you for the sweet, sweet memories, ACU “ HOT OFF THE PRESTON MAX PRESTON ASSISTANT SPORTS DIRECTOR
Senior convergence journalism major from Amarillo
I walked through the doors of the Hunter Welcome Center for my first visit at ACU and heard “10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)” by Matt Redman. The warm Christian atmosphere of the campus hit me immediately as I was greeted by my advisors and other staff members. They pointed us to the center of campus and the tour of what would be my home for the next four years began. My family and I were taken aback by the features of the campus and knew this place was special. The dining choices and Recreation Center captured my attention. At the end of the visit, however, I toured the journalismand mass communication department and met Dr. Kenneth Pybus, who would end up playing a big role in my time at the university. Everyone knows I love sports, so when I heard about all the opportunities that were offered to student journalists in this department, I was sold.
My first year couldn’t have gone better. I already had friends coming in and was anxious to be here. I roomed with Colton Powell, Nelson Nicholson and Hunter Griffith. To each of them, I credit their openness and acceptance of me. I couldn’t have made as many friends or connections to the university if it wasn’t for them. In the first week, I immediately got involved with our department. Colin Wieder, who was a senior at the time, met me at our departmental meeting during Wildcat Week and recruited me to the Optimist. I knew if I wanted to be great as a sports reporter/broadcaster, I’d have to start getting experience quick. Wieder welcomed me to a friendly staff led by Brittany Jackson, Daniel Zapeda, Jessica Clark and Shera Niemirowski. To this day, I’m still thankful to them for teaching me journalistic skills so quickly and helping me to thrive in the newsroom.
Eventually, I was connected with Pybus once again and would also meet one of my dearest friends at ACU, Lauren Franco. Both have played a significant role in my everyday life and making it to the professional level. Franco and I took in as many learning experiences as we could and talked about rising to the top one day as seniors. ACU brought many new and exciting experiences my way during my sophomore year. Jonathan Raitz and Hannah Null became my mentors and close friends of mine at the Optimist. To both, I’m thankful to have known them and learned from their experience. I wish them nothing but the best in the future. My choice of social club became the men of Galaxy and I wouldn’t trade my experience or friendship with them for anything. I’ll always be happy as a Moonie and cherish my opportunity to be a part of the club. Finally, I met another one of my closest friends, Kaylie King, toward the end of the year. I thank ACU for bringing us together and giving me the close friendship I still have with her today.
My time at the Optimist has done nothing but shape me into a skilled and efficient journalist with more than enough experience for the real world.”
MAX PRESTON SENIOR CONVERGENCE JOURNALISM MAJOR FROM AMARILLO
In my junior year, I experienced a lot of the same things I did in my sophomore year but it was still a great two semesters as I said bye to two senior Optimist legends- Haley Remenar and my good buddy always, Davis Denton. Here we are now, caught up to my senior year. Guess what, Franco? We did it, we became editor-in-chief and sports director of the Optimist. The year was nothing short of how I wanted my last two semesters to turn out. It started with the football team completing its best season in Div. I, including an upset victory over nationally ranked Nicholls. I was thankful for the leadership of Adam Dorrel and his willingness to participate in the coach’s show. I got through the hardest class in JMC, Communication Law (thank you, Pybus). With my Optimist duties
and my classes on top, the first semester was tough, but also an amazing experience. In the spring semester, I participated in arguably the best Sing Song act ever. The men’s division was swept by our Galaxy Lumberjacks act, and I’ll never forget to measure in logs. I was close to not being involved with the act due to being so busy, but thankfully, several of my friends in the club convinced me otherwise. Finally, both basketball teams saved their best seasons for Franco and I to cover- this is where I get emotional. We started the year by confirming we would run the first ever basketball coach’s shows in. My friend and ACUTV director Hutton Harris did an excellent job taking each step to make these shows possible. Also, Grant Boone was a terrific mentor to me as I partnered up with him to host each show. I can’t say enough about both head coaches Joe Golding and Julie Goodenough. They led their teams with passion and intelligence this season. Both were also authentic in telling the story of this year on camera. To be able to witness the entire season and see both teams hoist up the
Southland tournament trophy was incredible. It also meant we earned a spot in the NCAA Tournaments. This was the trip Franco and I had anticipated since we were freshmen. She and I brought along our other sports editor, Owen Simpson, and journeyed to Jacksonville and Waco. Seeing our own school there, as well as other powerhouse schools, was an indescribable experience. Once we got back, I had learned that Amber Chavez and I had earned both first and second place in sportscast, first in show production and I earned third for in game sports story in the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association. This only added on to what’s been another amazing semester. My time at the Optimist has done nothing but shape me into a skilled and efficient journalist with more than enough experience for the real world. As I sit in the newsroom completing my website publishing homework on my way to graduation, I can’t help but think of all the memories ACU has given me. All I can say as graduation approaches is, “Bless the Lord oh my soul, oh my soul, worship His holy name.”
The best part of it all was learning how to fail “ QUITE FRANCO-LY LAUREN FRANCO EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Senior convergence journalism major from Euless
“Am I more than just the sum of every high and every low? Remind me once again just who I am, because I need to know.” I’m an enneagram One. If you don’t know what that means, Ones are perfectionists with extreme attention to detail and a critical mind. Everything must be done without flaw before we hit the sheets and prepare for the long list of grueling tasks for the next day. Being editor of the Optimist ruined me as a One, but I loved every second of it. Whether it was my un-
willingness to delegate a task or going through each page and check each comma, every headline, all of the body copy and every single detail, I’d stay up most nights (mornings) in an attempt to make sure everything was as perfect as it could be. Ones typically find their identity in the fulfillment of completing a task perfectly, and I started off the year strong, putting the wrong date (day AND year) on the first issue of the semester. What a success story, right? I have a lot to thank the
Optimist (and university) for. A lot. During my time with the Optimist, I’ve gotten to travel to so many states, win a few awards, cover events most students dream of and grow a family for four years. But the lesson I appreciate most has to be learning that it’s OK to fail, that my identity isn’t in what mistakes were printed for the whole campus to see... forever, but rather the 200 stories and tens of thousands of photos I took over the course of my time with the Optimist. Who I am isn’t found in the tears I shed sitting in my office by myself for the 13th straight hour, it’s found in the laughs I shared with my best friends and family, who sat with me for the ten hours
prior to. For four years, I got to live and breathe news. For four years, I got to build lifelong relationships, including the person who would walk next to me through every single failure in every single year. Maxiumus Prime (or Maxie P, or salmon shorts, take your pick…), I can’t thank you enough for encouraging me when life got “ugly.” I can’t thank you enough for reminding me how worthy I am even when I fail. We got to experience some incredible things together. From late night Sonic runs after soccer games during sophomore year to trivia night in Jacksonville before the big basketball game as seniors, we’re wrapping up a truly unique time.
But the lesson I appreciate most has to be learning that it’s OK to fail, that my identity isn’t in what mistakes were printed for the whole campus to see...”
LAUREN FRANCO SENIOR CONVERGENCE JOURNALISM MAJOR FROM EULESS
But we also got to experience some rough things together – mostly my weekly, on-cue Thursday tears. I can confidently say there is no other best friend duo that matches ours. Of all people on campus, your friendship was the most consistent reminder of God’s grace, and that was exactly what I needed. Every day. The hardest part of be-
ing editor was remembering that I am worthy – no matter how many mistakes or how many successes, no matter how many times I fall short, I am so much more. As I listen to You Say by Lauren Daigle, I’m absolutely sure it was written for the Ones in the room. Even when we fail, the only thing that matters is who we are in Christ. Through this long, grueling, difficult, life-sucking, 52-week process, getting to learn the growth in failure has by far been the best part. I wouldn’t trade this experience nor these people for the world. Thanks for letting me be perfectly imperfect. “Taking all I have and now I’m laying it at Your feet, You have every failure God, and You’ll have every victory.”
GUEST COLUMN
Congrats, seniors. We did it SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR TY KELLY 18-19 SGA PRESIDENT
Senior information systems major from San Antonio
Graduates, My sincerest congratulations are with you! We have successfully reached yet another milestone in our lives. The countless hours studying for exams have finally paid off, the years of wondering if you will ever again use the Pythagorean theorem are over, and the GPA you’ve stressed over since freshman year is now solidified. What a relief it is! Now, we can take a step back,
look at all that we have accomplished during our college career and begin to lean into the next chapter of our lives. I am so thankful to have been a part of the Class of 2019 during my time at ACU. I have always taken pride in our class, and I truly believe we have left a legacy at ACU. I have been inspired, equipped and molded by so many of you. ACU has truly become my home, as I’m sure it has for
so many of you. I pray that as we leave this place, we would not only retain the scholastic knowledge acquired, but that we would also retain the spiritual growth, relationships and memories that molded our ACU experience. As finals come to a close and the semester wraps itself up, live every moment to the fullest. Go grab a bite to eat in the bean with your freshman roommates, pass up studying for a final to do something stupid, and most importantly, tell your friends, faculty, colleagues and staff that you love and appreciate them. Congratulations again Class of 2019, and Go Wildcats!
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.
TWEETS Tavian Miles @tavianmiles To all my college friends, just know that we’re on the final stretch of the semester. Finish strong Matthew Jones @mattyxjones Alright I’ve fr seen about half of y’all throwing plastic in the trash after I saw your post about Earth day on insta Ashlynn McKay @AMCrand I know I’m supposed to let Jesus take the wheel... but sometimes I think we’re off-roadin Jacob Swan @JacobSwan_ Unpopular opinion: the Marvel Cinematic Universe is significantly better than the Star Wars Franchise, and it’s not close. Anne Carroll @anneEcaroll what the heck is Jacob’s Dream doing on craigslist...?
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Page 6 | Sports
Friday, May 3, 2019
TENNIS
Men fall in Southland Championship RACHEL POE SPORTS REPORTER
STANDINGS Softball Team
The men’s tennis team’s season came to end on Saturday against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi in the Southland Conference championship when the Wildcats fell to the Islanders 4-3. The Wildcats beat Nicholls 4-0 on Friday, for their 22nd win of the season and sixth against conference opposition. Senior Cole Lawson and junior Jackson Fire took down Alvaro Barranco and Eduardo Marino at No. 2, 6-1 and junior Nikolas Moceanu and Riley Tran doubled up Nestor Giriet Lopez at No. 3, 6-3. The Sheehy brothers match at No.1 was left unfinished with the score tied at at 4-4, but the brothers were the first two off of the court in singles, giving ACU a 3-0 lead. The match-clinching point was delivered by Southland Freshman of the Year Dimitris Azoides, who beat Eduardo Marino, 6-0, 6-2 at No. 4. The Wildcats fought hard on Saturday, but fell short to the Islanders, 4-3. This ended the Wildcat’s season at 22-5. “All six players competed extremely hard in both singles and doubles,” Tran said, “I believe they had a slight adBASEBALL
Ovrl.
SHSU Nicholls SFA SLU McNeese Lamar NSU UCA HBU ACU TXAM-CC UIW
29-20 30-19 33-17 31-19 25-28 23-30 26-24 25-25 20-23 13-28 8-41 6-40
SLC 20-4 19-5 17-7 16-8 16-8 14-10 13-11 11-13 7-17 6-18 3-21 2-22
Baseball Photo by MCKENZIE BONAM|PHOTOGRAPHER ACU men’s team playing against Lamar at home. The Wildcats won the match, 4-3, on April 12th
vantage over us based on how physical they played and they also competed with a bit more spirit.” Earlier this season the Wildcats defeated Texas A&M Corpus Christi 5-2 at home, but on Saturday the top-line Sheehy brothers we beaten 6-1 by Okkie Kellerman and Francois Kellerman and the No.2 all-conference duo of Lawson and Fire kist a 7-6 (3) decision to William Mottet and Thomas Rodriques. Losing the doubles point put the Wildcats in the unenviable position of having to win four of six single matches. A&M-Corpus Christi moved out to a 3-0
lead with the first singles matches off the court. Kellerman first reversed a three-set loss to Tran by posting a 6-4, 6-0 win over the Wildcats freshman at No. 5, and then returned redshirt junior Sebastian Langdon fell, 6-2, 6-3 to Kyohei Yamanaka at theNo. 6 group. However, Jonathan Sheehy, winner of six-straight matches, got his team on the scoreboard with a No. 2 line win over Francois Kellerman, 6-4, 6-3, and then his brother, Josh, battled back to defeat William Mottet for a second time this month. The match-tying point was earned by Mocea-
nu, who bested Thomas Rodrigues, 1-6, 6-2, 7-6 (4) for his 14 win of the Spring. The deciding point was left between Islander senior Carlos Pedrosa and Freshman Dimitris Azoides. Azoides lost the first set, 6-1, before rallying to win the next two 7-6 (4), 6-3. Pedrosa scored the final three points of the third set after Azoides tied their score 3-3. Azoides finished second on the team with 18 set victories, a majority of which earned between the No. 3 and 4 positions. “Going to the Southland tournament was an
“
...the opportunity to compete in such a grand tournament was unbelievable.” RILEY TRAN FRESHMAN TENNIS PLAYER
unbelievable experience that me and my teammates will cherish for the rest of our lives,” Tran said. “Although we did not get the results we had wished for, the opportunity to compete in such a grand tournament was unbelievable.” ACU’s final singles record this season as a team stands at 102-53, while its doubles record finishes at 40-26.
Team
Ovrl.
SHSU SLU UIW UCA SFA NSU TXAM-CC Nicholls ACU McNeese UNO HBU Lamar
24-18 25-20 30-14 23-21 21-24 26-18 28-20 23-22 22-21 23-22 22-23 15-29 15-29
SLC 14-7 14-7 13-8 13-8 13-8 13-11 12-12 10-11 9-12 9-12 7-14 7-14 7-17
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Tennis
Baseball struggle, fall to McNeese State, TCU at the Crutch
BREVEN CAMPBELL SPORTS REPORTER
ACU baseball has hit a bit of a rough patch, losing to McNeese and TCU in its last three games behind a poor defensive effort. The Wildcats lost the series to the McNeese Cowboys, 2-1, after earning the win in the first game of the series on Friday. Junior pitcher Spencer Chirpich started the game Friday as the Wildcats earned an early lead, 6-0 through the fourth inning. McNeese scored one run in the sixth inning and two in the seventh to cut the score to 6-3. ACU answered with three more
runs to end game one, 9-3. In the second inning, McNeese’s first two batters hit a couple fly balls that carried past the wall. After two home runs, McNeese’s hit a two-run double that gave the Cowboys a 4-0 lead. The Cowboys added one more run in the third and another in the fourth. Senior infielder Dalon Farkas cut the game to 6-3 with a three-run home run in the fourth inning. The Cowboys finished the game scoring four more runs while the Wildcats could only manage to put one more run on the board. The Cowboys won game two, 10-4.
Game three was close as the Cowboys earned an early 2-0 lead after the first inning. McNeese added another in the third, and a single to right field in the third inning gave the Cowboys another run making the game 4-0. ACU earned back a couple of runs in the bottom half of the inning to make the game 4-2. Another RBI single extended the Cowboys lead back to three, but the Wildcats answered again to cut it back down to two. Junior catcher Lane Bourland drove in senior outfielder Derek Scott in the sixth inning to bring the Wildcats within one
run. Going into the bottom of the ninth, ACU was down 6-4. Redshirt senior catcher Luis Trevino drove in junior infielder Dalton Dunn to cut the game to one. ACU had runners on first and third with a chance to win the game, but failed to take advantage of the situation. In the tenth, the Cowboys scored with two outs and the Wildcats failed to answer. TCU came to Abilene on Tuesday, and the Horned Frogs earned an early 2-0 lead in the first inning, but the Wildcats held them there for awhile.
Trevino hit a sacrifice fly to bring in a run in the first, and in the seventh, the Horned Frogs scored two runs and added six more in the eighth. ACU scored five runs of their own in the eighth inning to make the score 10-6. The Horned Frogs finished the game off with a run in the ninth inning making the final score 11-6. ACU heads to New Orleans this weekend to take on the Pirates in a threegame series. This is an important series the Wildcats need to win if they want to make the Southland tournament as ACU sits one spot out of the tournament.
Sheehy Senior tennis player Josh Sheehy capped off his final collegiate season with a solid season to say the least. He goes out being crowned Southland Conference player of the year carrying his team to an undefeated regular season conference record. Sheehy has also been selected to compete in the NCAA Div. 1 Championships singles bracket. The specific time he will play is still unknown, but it will be between May 20 and May 25 for first-round competeition. Sheehy took down ranked opponents this season including Texas Tech, SMU and Baylor.
Track
WARRIORS-ROCKETS PREVIEW WARRIORS LEAD SERIES 2-0
2019 SEASON STATS 117.7
POINTS PER GAME
Gerlach
113.9
111.2 POINTS ALLOWED PG 109.1
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
W2
CURRENT STREAK
1ST
CONFERENCE RANK
L2 4TH
(53-29)
(57-25)
OWEN SIMPSON SPORTS DIRECTOR
HOUSTON ROCKETS
MAX PRESTON SPORTS EDITOR
SAIGE PETERSON SPORTS REPORTER
RACHEL POE
SPORTS REPORTER
The Rockets have a lot of work cut out for them as they had back to Houston after falling in game two, 115-109. The big question going into the series was how would the Warriors defense shape up. On Tuesday night all five starters for the Golden State posted 15 points or more. Meanwhile, Durant is leading the NBA playoffs averaging 34 points per game, shooting at 53 percent clip. For Houston, Chris Paul and James Harden seem to have their thoughts elsewhere after game one’s officiating. Harden is averaging 29 points per game in the playoffs, but shooting at a woeful 37 percent. The Warriors are looking hungry once more after winning the first two games of the series. It’s a key indicator that this team is ready for its fifth consecutive trip to the Finals and its third consecutive championship. Game three is a must-win for Houston as it has its back against the wall. The only team that can beat the Warriors is itself. Golden State take game three, but the Rockets extend it to five games to fall at Oracle Arena one last time.
While the Rockets are in their locker room complaining about foul calls, the Warriors are on the court finding a way to play through and win. If the Rockets keep their focus on the officials this series, there’s no chance they make it past this Warriors superteam, just like 21-straight missed threes didn’t cut it in their game seven matchup with the Golden State last year. Houston has the talent to defeat the Warriors, as they showed it in the regular season. One of those wins against Golden State during the season, however, was done without James Harden. Harden shoots his team out of games some nights. With the number of shots he’s allowed to take, though, if he has a bad night, the Rockets will lack on offense. There’s no need to explain the talent of Kevin Durant and Steph Curry, who are two of the most lethal shooters in the world. We all know Golden State has the talent to win this series. The only question is whether Harden will be able catch fire and score enough to lead his team to victory.
Game three is crucial for the Rockets if they want to turn this series around. For them to win this game, their bench will have to help with the scoring load. Austin Rivers and Gerald Green were the only players from the Rockets’ bench who scored in their game two loss. Most of the scoring has been up to Harden who scored 29 in game two. With Klay Thompson and Draymond Green giving Harden space to land after he shoots, Harden can easily take over and change the momentum of the series. Also, in game two, the Rockets led both teams in three point percent at 42.5 (17-40). If the Rockets want to get back into the series, they would need to shut down Kevin Durant, who has been carrying the scoring load for the Warriors, and limit their turnovers. Also, production from their role players like Clint Capella and P.J. Tucker and for them to get more rebounds will be beneficial to the Rockets’ success.
The Warriors are a more superior team, especially having arguably two of the top five players in the league, Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry. Furthermore, I do not give the Houston Rockets much of a chance because of James Harden’s history in the playoffs. It will be even more challenging for Harden moving forward after receiving an eye injury in game two which could spell trouble for the remainder of the series. Golden State has multiple great perimeter defenders. Klay Thompson and Andre Iguodala will certainly be doing their best guarding Harden. Houston may be able to get one win out of the series, but if they do, they will not be getting another. Overall, the Golden State Warriors’ firepower is too great for the Rockets to stand a chance. Afterall, they are defending back-to-back champions looking for their fifth consecutive Finals appearance.
WARRIORS IN 5
WARRIORS IN 4
WARRIORS IN 7
WARRIORS IN 5
Sophomore track runner Briahna Gerlach was voted Southland Conference women’s outdoor track athlete of the week. Last Wednesday, Gerlach finished first in the 3000 meter with a 11:09.42 time, her new personal best and the fourth fastest perfromance of the Southland Conference this season. She topped the second place finisher by an entire minute. Up next, Gerlach and the Wildcats track and field team will compete in the Southland Conference Outdoor Championships starting May 3.
Softball
Bradley Sophomore pitcher Samantha Bradley has had a solid season as it comes to a close. She is second on the team with a .298 batting average on the season. However, Bradley hit two home runs this past weekend against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, her first home runs of the 2019 season. The Wildcats went on to sweep the Islanders. It was their first sweep and series win of the season. Up next, the Wildcats will close out their season when they travel to take on HBU in a three-game series starting Friday.