The Optimist Print Edition 11.03.17

Frater Sodalis looks back on 75 years of club tradition Page 5

SPORTS

A student publication of Abilene Christian University since 1912

Friday, November 03, 2017 Vol. 106, Issue 11

CROSS COUNTRY WINS SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE TITLE Page 6

LASER FOCUS

HALEY REMENAR EDITOR IN CHIEF Jerren Campbell, sophomore ministry major from Magnolia, plays laser tag at a pop-up indoor laser tag game hosted by the Cabinet Thursday afternoon.

CALENDAR 11/04 •

Sing Song directors workshop

•

Lights Up! Cabaret at 7:30 p.m.

11/05 •

Sing Song Dance Team auditions

11/06 •

Sophomore registration

•

Freshman registration

11/08

11/09 •

BSA Soulfood Cookout at 6 p.m.

11/10 •

Veteran’s Day Chapel

•

ACU Barn Dance at 7 p.m.

BOX OFFICE OCTOBER 27-29 1. Jigsaw $16,640,452 2. Tyler Perry’s Boo 2! A Madea Halloween $10,052,608 3. Geostorm $5,903,428 4. Happy Death Day $5,078,685 5. Blade Runner 2049

$ 4,117,395

19

DAYS UNTIL

THANKSGIVING BREAK

OPINION

TO GO GLUTEN FREE OR NOT? Page 4

CEO named three-time global best chapter

BY JENNA WILLIAMS STAFF REPORTER

ACU’s Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization program won best global chapter at the CEO National Conference on Thursday.

The Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization Chapter celebrated its third win in three years in a row, dominating larger schools like Texas A&M and the University of Texas. ACU competed against 250 other schools from around the world.

The judges look at a mixture of what CEO does on campus. Then, the orga-

nization submits a written proposal and a video that outlines everything that the chapter has done over the year.

The CEO National Conference then selects the top three schools to compete in Tampa, Florida where they present live in front of a panel of judges. The three schools were, ACU, A&M, and Bryant University.

Taylor Spencer, a senior marketing and management major from Joplin, Missouri and Jack Oduro, an accounting major from Garland were the two speakers chosen to represent ACU’s CEO chapter in Florida.

Spencer said “We bring the ACU difference to the competition.”

“I felt relieved when I found out we won” Spencer said. “There is a lot of pressure when you are going after the third win in a row.”

“I was very excited when I heard ACU won” Meredith Orr, a junior management major from North Richland Hills said. “It was good to be recognized for the work we are doing and to not only compete to win but to compete to make our program better.”

There are no dues required for students to join CEO. To become a member

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE GRIGGS CENTER

Taylor Spencer, Courtney Eubank, Jack Oduro, Megan Haverkorn, and Aaron Bunting celebrate the win in Tampa, Florida. students just have to attend three CEO events.

CEO offers chapel credits on Wednesdays. Orr said “Going to CEO chapel is the first thing you can do if you want to get involved.”

For information, email Meredith Orr at mbo14a@ acu.edu or Taylor Spencer at tls15a@acu.edu.

OPTIMIST@ACU.EDU

SIDELINED BY THE LEGAL SYSTEM

Suspended football player seeks to rebuild reputation after sexual assault arrest

BY HALEY REMENAR EDITOR IN CHIEF

Six months ago, Deng Majok had a 4.0 GPA, played cornerback on the Wildcat football team and coached youth basketball. Four months ago, he was sitting in a Taylor County jail cell accused of sexual assault – suspended from his job, the university and the football team.

Today he’s fighting to rebuild his reputation.

In October, four months after Majok’s arrest, a Taylor County grand jury declined to indict him for sex-

PHOTO COURTESY OF DENG MAJOK

Deng Majok holds up a Wildcat sign at a football game in 2016.

ual assault, ending the case in which he said he was falsely accused.

“I’ve learned a lot,” Majok said, “but I feel like the criminal justice system smacked me.”

Named to the fall 2016 Southland Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll, the junior from Amarillo studied criminal justice and sociology while working as an Upward Sports for Children’s basketball coach at First Baptist Church.

According to court records from the 326th District Court in Abilene, a 20-year-old woman

claimed Majok assaulted her in the early morning on May 7. The incident took place at a party that the woman had taken Majok to. Her statement claims she drank alcohol and ate a marijuana cookie, then got sick and laid down on a bed. She told the court that Majok came into the room and started having sex with her but she was “too drunk and high to have consented,” according to court records. The next morning she took Majok back to his dorm. The victim requested a pseudonym form with the Abilene Police so her

name could remain anonymous. The Optimist does not disclose the names of alleged sexual assault victims.

When Majok went to work on May 9, he said his employers told him he was suspended immediately but gave no reason for the suspension. He said an interview with Abilene police on May 12 was the first sign that he was being accused of something. A month later, Majok said he went to the courthouse after a summer football workout to get SEE ARREST PAGE 2

UCC builds new community play structure

BY MADISON FICHTNER STAFF REPORTER

University Church of Christ is constructing a playground on the corner of Campus Court and East North 16th Street.

UCC recently received a donation through a legacy program and is using some of the money to help fund

its new community outreach program. They will be adding a playground to its campus on the side that faces East North 16th Street. The playground will be not only for the congregation but also the surrounding community.

“Our hopes for the playground is to bring both

our congregation and the neighborhood community together,” said Jason Craddock, University Church of Christ Youth Minster.

UCC also hopes that with the new addition to its campus it will become more welcoming in appearance.

W W W. A C U O P T I M I S T. C O M

“Breaking down the walls will soften the appearance and have a more inviting atmosphere,” Craddock said.

It has not yet been decided when the playground will officially open because the members are still waiting on the delivery and prepara-

tion. UCC is hopeful that it will arrive sometime before Christmas so that they are able to set up the playground and have a grand opening for the community.

OPTIMIST@ACU.EDU

2

NE W S

FRIDAY | NOVEMBER 3, 2017

Arrest: Student not indicted on sexual assault allegation CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

get more information.

“I went to find someone to talk to about the whole thing really,” Majok said, “and they told me they had a warrant for my arrest.”

Majok was immediately arrested for second-degree felony sexual assault at the courthouse and taken to the Taylor County Jail and bond was set at $25,000, according to jail records.

He attempted to post bond, but said the bondsman never showed up by the end of the day. His family found out about the arrest because they heard about it on the news and social media. He waited in jail for four days until his older brother came to Abilene to bail him out. Meanwhile, unknown to him he said, he had been suspended from the football team and school.

“There’s not a class you can take to learn what you learn in jail,” Majok said.

“I had to humble myself. At first I was angry at everybody but myself, and then I started looking around and realizing some of these guys are in here for the rest of their lives. Some of them aren’t going to see the light of day, some of them have kids and wives, and I’m over here complaining about football and school. I have the chance – I know my innocence – to see the light of day again.”

Majok admited he had sex with his accuser at the party. However, he insisted it was consensual and used Snapchat videos, texts and photos, to show that her complaint to the police didn’t line up with how she behaved that night. Majok said she also made contradicting statements in her complaint to the police and an application for a protective order.

On Sept. 12, an Abilene district court judge denied the alleged victim a protective order that would have

prevented Majok from being within 200 yards of her or her family for the rest of his life. According to court records, Judge Paul Rotenberry wrote, “The evidence presented does not meet the burden of proof required to issue a protective order under the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. Therefore the application is denied.”

As he waited for the case to go to the grand jury, Majok stayed in Abilene, attending every home football game and joining a mentor group led by Dr. Jerry Taylor, associate professor of Bible, missions and ministry. After each football game, he said he would talk to the coaches, and update them in the hopes of rejoining the team if his innocence could be proven.

“I’ve never even sat in the stands to watch a team I played on, so that was the first time,” Majok said. “I went with a couple friends,

and we were just watching it, and I’d know what’s going on in [the player’s] heads.”

Months before he was arrested, Majok invited Taylor to a student athlete dinner as his faculty guest.

Taylor said he felt honored because it was the first time in his 16 years of teaching that a student athlete invited him to the event. When Majok was arrested, Taylor found out about it on the local news.

“The news report just didn’t match the character of the person I had come to know,” Taylor said. “I felt eventually he would be vindicated.”

Majok’s family maintained belief in his innocence, and their support helped Majok stay positive through the experience, Taylor said.

“We talked, we prayed, we talked, we prayed and he maintained a positive mindset,” Taylor said. “He did not speak disparaging-

ly, just focused on what he wanted to do as far as restoring and repairing his reputation.”

A Taylor County grand jury reviewed the case and decided in late October not to indict Majok, according to the Taylor County district attorney’s office.

When a grand jury decides not to indict, it is deciding not enough evidence exists to go to trial.

Majok began taking steps to rebuild the life he had before being arrested.

He said he met with an academic advisor to register for classes and started on a conditioning workout plan, hoping to rejoin the football team.

Lance Fleming, sports information director, said Majok has not been reinstated to the team and has not worked out with the team.

His status will be discussed after the end of the 2017 season.

Without being prompted by his lawyer, Majok

kept all the records regarding the case organized in a three-ring binder. Although he was not indicted, it still could take several years to get the arrest expunged from his record. Dan Joiner, a Taylor County assistant district attorney, said Majok will have to fulfill certain requirements and “stay out of trouble” to get the arrest off his record. Joiner also said Majok will not be repaid fees paid to a bondsman.

“The damage is done, that’s the thing,” Majok said.

“It’s a heavy price to pay.”

He said he still plans to continue studying criminal justice and trying to go to law school despite his experience with the criminal justice system.

“I learned a lot of lessons from this,” Majok said.

“Right now I’m focused on clearing my name and trying to get back in school.”

rector of the Engineering Senior Clinic. “They’ve been working on a project to design and build a mini golf hole since the beginning of the semester,” Houghtalen said. The nine judges present graded the students based on how well they tied into the safety, playability, aesthetics and presentation of their hole.

One of the judges was Bobby Garcia, a media consultant for KTXS. Garcia said he was invited by Houghtalen to judge the group presentations mainly on eye contact, gestures and overall presentation based off what he does for a living.

Samuel Lopez, a freshman engineering major

from Abilene, was part of the creation of Hole 11. This golf hole was built with wooden gears and a bridge across the top level. Lopez said the inspiration came from the construction that the team saw as they looked around Abilene.

Thomas Light, a freshman engineering major from Abilene, helped to create Hole 7. Its unique features were an axe, two skulls and two pathways leading to either the hole or the “fire” made of red tissue paper. “We went towards the fact that Abilene yields towards supporting troops and veterans,” Light said. “We came up with the Punish-

er skull from Chris Kyle,” said Light. Kyle was a U.S. Navy SEAL veteran and sniper who was killed after returning to the states by a fellow veteran on a shooting range.

Winners were soon announced. Awards included the Judges’ Award, People’s Choice Award and Best Presentation.

A tie victory for Best Presentation went to Hole 8 and Hole 9. Hole 8, featuring a purple path with a water system raining down upon it, was created

by Collin Valuk, sophomore engineering major from San Antonio; Jay Jones, freshman engineering major from Stephenville; and Aaron Smith,

freshman undeclared major from Coppell.

Hole 9 featured a large structure with two rocky areas, wooden obstacles and a mini game for the ball to go through. The creators were David Hoyt, sophomore engineering major from Carrollton; Josh Murphy, sophomore physics from Abilene; and Keaton Brewster, freshman physics from Malibu, California.

The winning hole for both the Judges’ Award and People’s Choice Award was Hole 12. It featured an uphill ramp, a plastic tube and a curved metal ramp that led up to the hole, and was created

by Beau Bunnell, sophomore engineering ma-

jor from Abilene; Jessica Price, junior engineering major from Abilene; and Nathan Kranz, sophomore bible and ministry major from Austin.

Bunnell said his group wanted the hole to be a challenge for players and after many design ideas, they decided to put them together to create their current project. Bunnell said it was Price and Kranz who came up with the curved ramp.

“I am very proud,” said Bunnell. “We worked really hard on it and it paid off.”

the party happen.

“For planning the Halloween Dance, all of the freshman residence halls come together to plan the best party possible, Taylor said.” We decide on a venue, create great decorations, organize the music and a DJ, and make sure to have lots of sweet treats.”

Taylor said each year they make tweaks to the party so it does not seem like the same party from the previous year “but overall the freshmen enjoy just having a good time

dancing and dressing up.”

Taylor said the changes for this year’s dance were having it at a new location and adding karaoke which they felt would make it more exciting for students.

Meg Crabtree, Nelson Hall residence director, said residence halls also plan their own individual events for their dorms.

“For instance, earlier this semester I had a Pancakes & Pajamas event for Nelson,” Crabtree said.

“So many girls showed up and we all hung out

in the lobby late at night, and it was a lot of fun.

We planned tailgates for some of the home games this year, and we usually do Christmas parties within our individual halls as well.”

Crabtree said the events help create memories for the residents.

“Creating events for freshmen has been so important to us in Residence Life,” Crabtree said.

“Our goal has always been to create community within the residence halls,

and there’s no way to do that without being fun and creative! We want the residents to feel like there are opportunities for them to meet people and

find a sense of community where they live.”

HRR13B@ACU.EDU

Engineering and Physics ‘putts’ together golf course

BY HANNAH JOHNSON STAFF REPORTER

The Bennett Gymnasium was filled with chattering, formal-dressed students as they exhibited their projects. These projects were mini golf courses crafted by the students. The 14 golf holes varied in designs, which came to life with components like wooden structures, signs, lights and even a water system.

“The event is to showcase the work of our Intro to Engineering and Physics students,” said Dr. Lori Houghtalen, an assistant professor for the department of engineering and physics. She is also the di-

OPTIMIST@ACU.EDU

Freshman Halloween party was a smash this year

BY BRIAN SWEET STAFF REPORTER

Freshmen had a ‘scary’ good time at Willow Creek Chapel on Treadaway Boulevard for Halloween.

The resident directors for all the freshman halls got together and planned a dance where freshmen could have somewhere safe to celebrate Halloween.

Brittany Taylor, a junior child and family major from Houston, said that all the freshman residence halls helped make

OPTIMIST@ACU.EDU

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POLICE LOG SELECTED ACUPD CALLS FOR THE WEEK 10/24/2017 3:20p.m.

A student’s bicycle was stolen from outside McKinzie Hall.

10/25/2017 11:45 p.m.

ResLife staff reported the theft of firewood from Edwards and Barret Halls.

10/27/2017 7:14 p.m.

A student’s bicycle was stolen from the Dillard Hall bike rack 10/29/2017 11:50 a.m.

ACUPD and APD investigated a domestic disturbance complaint made by a female who had been assaulted by her boyfriend.

10/30/2017 4:30p.m.

ACUPD investigated a hit-and-run crash in the Smith-Adams Lot, investigation led to determination of violator who subsequently was issued a citation.

11/3/2017 ACUPD responded to a report of an intoxicated Aramark employee in the Food Court. Officers arrested the subject for Public Intoxication and transported him to jail. Investigation also ongoing for possession of Class 4 drug without a prescription.

911 CALL 2 ACCIDENT 3 ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIVITY 35 ALARM 10 ASSIST 3 BARRICADES 2 BOOT/UNBOOT VEHICLE 3 BUILDING LOCK/UNLOCK 11 BURGLARY (MOTOR VEHICLE) 1 CHECK BUILDING 390 CRIMINAL TRESPASS WARNING 1

DISTURBANCE DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE DRUG ACTIVITY/OFFENSE ELEVATOR RESCUE ESCORT FOOT PATROL FOUND PROPERTY HIT & RUN INFORMATION REPORT INVESTIGATION FOLLOW UP LOST PROPERTY MAINTENANCE: UNIV ASSETS

1 1 1 1 1 20 3 3 3 12 1 1

MONITOR FACILITY/LOT 8 MOTORIST ASSIST: JUMPSTART 7 MOTORIST ASSIST: OTHER 2 MOTORIST ASSIST: UNLOCK 7 NOISE VIOLATION 2 OTHER 2 PARKING LOT PATROL 25 PARKING VIOLATION 1 PATROL VEHICLE: MAINTENANCE 7 PATROL VEHICLE: REFUEL 9

PUBLIC SERVICE RANDOM PATROL REPORT WRITING SUSPICIOUS PERSON SUSPICIOUS VEHICLE THEFT TRAFFIC STOP VEHICLE COLLISION WELFARE CHECK TOTAL

1 16 17 2 1 4 6 1 4 650

POLICE CHIEF TIP OF THE WEEK: Bike thefts have increased on and around campus. Make sure to always lock your bike to a rack and report suspicious activity to ACUPD immediately.

N E WS

FRIDAY | NOVEMBER 3, 2017

Hispanos Unidos hosts Halloween costume contest

BY ZEKE TRIPP STAFF REPORTER

The Hispanos Unidos Halloween Party and costume contest took place at 7:30 p.m Oct. 31 in the Campus Center basement.

The event was free for all as attendees listened to music, danced and announced contest winners.

Cookies, cupcakes, chips and other treats were all snacks provided by Hispanos Unidos. Three gift baskets were given to the contest winners for the categories of: best couple costume, best-dressed female costume and bestdressed male costume.

Chandler Williams, sophomore psychology major from Colorado Springs, Colorado won

best-dressed male costume (left picture). The winners for best couple costume were Nancy Ibarra, sophomore nursing major from Cedar Park, and Jhon Sevillano Cabezas, sophomore engineering major from Tabacundo, Ecuador (middle picture). The best-dressed female costume prize went to Yesenia Soria, senior business management major from Pampa (right picture).

“It was pretty exciting winning. ‘Maleficent’ is one of my favorite movies and I love her character so getting to dress up as her and win made my Halloween one to remember,” Soria said. The event aimed to allow officers and members of Hispanos Unidos to get to

Chandler Williams, best male costume know each other as well as other students and faculty.

Lisa Maldonado, president of Hispanos Unidos

Nancy Ibarra & Jhon Sevillano Cabezas, best couple costume

said, “Be on the lookout for more Hispanos Unidos events. My goal is to have more of these hangouts so

3

Yesenia Soria, best female costume

that way I and the other ‘HU’ officers can get to know more of our members but also anyone else

that decides to come.”

OPTIMIST@ACU.EDU

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FRIDAY | NOVEMBER 3, 2017

5

75 Years of True Brotherhood F E ATUR E

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS BY THE PRICKLY PEAR

The men of Frater Sodalis celebrate the tradition of unity and brotherhood hoping to continue the legacy of Semper Paratus, Semper Fidelis.

BY EMILY GUAJARDO ARTS AND FEATURES EDITOR

K

nown as the oldest, continuous men’s social club since 1943, Frater Sodalis is proof that it doesn’t take a common stereotype to draw a crowd. Rather, it takes courage, a change in direction and a continuous sense of self-respect for the constant endurance of a lasting tradition – and maybe three large pledge classes to tie the knot.

Combining both brotherhood and inclusivity, the once small group of navy-collared men has grown into a sea of diverse men seeking unity through Christ and within one another.

Daniel Tapia, president of Frater Sodalis said one of the greatest accomplishments of the club is the emphasis on “knowing thy brother as thyself ” and not just the name and major of your corresponding club member.

Joining the Frats at age 23, Tapia said joining helped him build some of the most concrete relationships during his time in college.

“At first, we weren’t big enough to be clique-ish,” said Tapia, senior graphic design major from Los Angeles, California. “When we were only 25 guys, we knew everyone and could hang out with everyone.

We really are just like brothers.”

Accepting more than 73 members within the past three semesters, the club

Accepting its largest pledge class, the men of Frater Sodalis stand alongisde 80-plus members .

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

has seen an exponential growth exceeding its expectations. Overjoyed by this new phase of growing and gaining popularity among potential pledges, the Frats mistook the blessing in disguise.

Kolton Burkhalter, junior digital entertainment technology major from Amarillo, said although the choice to accept more pledges than normal seemed exciting at the time, other officers were a bit overwhelmed that the spirit of the Frats could dwindle.

“We were talking about ‘do we really want club to be this big’,” said Burkhalter. “And then, this year we got 35 or so guys, and we strived for that idea of keeping it really small. We really want to be connected to each other and not

The men of Frater Sodalis pose for an annual yearbook photo (1974).

let anybody feel left out.

Just to have everybody feel welcomed and know everybody else.”

Tapia said although the club’s growth seems to be only taking a more positive direction in the coming years, the Frats will simply emphasize visits and collective gatherings to keep the connection strong – growth should not interrupt kinship.

“It’s definitely been a challenge, but I don’t think we are losing [the small-club feel] at all,” said Tapia. “We are definitely pushing visits very hard.

We take that very seriously because we find it unacceptable that if you want to be part of club and enjoy whatever perks come with being in club and not put in the work to know the guys who are in club

with you. We really want to push having personal relationships.”

A

s one member greets another with open hands ready for a strong handshake, a warm salutation of “Hello, Brother,” is spoken.

Through small in size, pledges and members believe it isn’t a title, age or major that makes you to take time out to say hello.

It is the yearning for new relationships that motivates constant communication.

Their kind eyes lock as the conversation intensifies, revealing small secrets and anecdotes from their past, and within just a few moments a bond that rested between the lines of stranger and friend were crossed – true brotherhood

The men of Frater Sodalis win the Sing Song title in the costume and vocal performance divisions (1974).

has formed.

“By putting [pledges] in situations where they have to work together and regardless if they are doing the task correctly, we want to emphasize that they need to do things together,” said Tapia.

“Brothers Together.”

Though such a small phrase, two words have never meant so much to a group of men. Whether it be grabbing lunch on a Friday afternoon, talking about the latest video game or sharing intimate details about their date last night, the milkmen of Frats were ready to listen.

“We’re being intentional about having those friendships and that intentionally is coming through opportunities like having barbecues and things like that,” said Tapia. “There’s

always just a venue where guys can just be together and talk to one another.”

Hatus Santana, junior marketing management major from Abilene, said one of the best things about Frats is how established the club has remained within the past 75 years.

“I’m definitely happy that we are technically the longest standing club on campus. It kind of gives bragging rights since we haven’t been kicked off or anything,” Santana said. “[Frats] care more about me and want me as a friend instead of like an asset of the club.”

L

ooking around the buildings of campus, one can see multiple Frats working. Their diligence, servitude, humble beginnings and ‘nice-guy’ demeanor, makes them stand out among the rest.

Proudly wearing the blue and yellow letters stamped on their shirts, the men of Frats seem more eager to continue the legacy than changing their motto – “Semper Paratus, Semper Fidelis.”

“Frater Sodalis literally means brothers together,” said Tapia. “And those values, I think are what excite me to this day, that’s the value we pass down and are striving to pass down for the next 75 years, hopefully, more.”

EAG13A@ACU.EDU

The men of Frater Sodalis compete in intramurals (2008).

4

FRIDAY | NOVEMBER 03, 2017

O PI N I ON

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CARTOON BY ERNESTO GUAJARDO

Allegations don’t always mean guilt THE ISSUE

Students and alumni aren’t staying to the end of football games when the team loses.

OUR TAKE

The student body needs to stay until the fourth quarter and give athletic support a little “ACU Difference.”

The American legal system is founded upon the principle that a defendant is innocent until proven guilty.

The idea was novel at America’s founding and would be seen as a ridiculous concept in some parts of the world to this day.

We must not take “innocent until proven guilty” for granted. It is the bedrock of granting judicial fairness to the accused.

Unfortunately, “innocent until proven guilty” doesn’t

always apply to allegations made in the public sphere.

In the last month, we have been inundated with allegations of sexual assault and harassment across a variety of industries ranging from politics to television to the media. In many cases, the allegations are from decades ago, with prosecution for the alleged crimes being all but impossible. In many cases, people have lost their jobs over these allegations.

Obviously, if the allegations

are true, they deserve much worse than being fired.

However, many of the allegations have no way of being confirmed or denied.

In these instances of unconformable allegations, public outcry decides whether or not a person accused will lose their job and face social ostracization. If the outcry is large enough, companies not willing to risk their profit margins will bow to consumer pressure and act. Furthermore, once someone is fired, the general public accepts this as confirmation of guilt.

As individuals in a society which has enshrined “innocent until proven” into our judicial system, we should be leery of rushing to judg-

ment when confirming or denying the allegations becomes hard.

Clearly, monsters which perpetrate sexual assault and harassment are not the victims if the allegations are true. But if they haven’t committed the things alleged against them, America will have betrayed one of it’s most central values by assuming guilt.

The balance of taking action against legitimate monsters and being careful to not rush to judgement is a delicate balance, however, that balance is one which we must be mindful of as we seek to live out “innocent EDITOR@JMCNETWORK.COM

Gluten-free or not? That is the question HEALTH COLUMN SAWYER COBB GUEST COLUMNIST Senior nutrition major Midland, Texas

Hi! Happy Friday! Today’s topic is the hot topic right now…. Gluten.

I bet all of us can name at least one person that we know who is “gluten free,” most of which are gluten free because they have been told by their doctor that it is beneficial or have done their own research and come to the conclusion that it will make them healthier.

Some people have been

diagnosed with Celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder that leads to serious health problems if one does not eliminate gluten from their diet.

So, I do believe that there is a time and a place to eliminate gluten free from one’s diet.

This is a topic that I have been learning a lot about in school and through my own research, and the results I

have found are very interesting. If one does not have celiac disease (and most people don’t) it is not healthier to eliminate gluten from your diet.

Actually, some products that are marketed as “gluten free” actually contain more random, unnecessary ingredients than products that contain gluten. Gluten is in tons of whole wheat products and if one eliminates these products, you are going miss all the vitamins and minerals that those products contain.

Every day, we are surrounded by new health trends that are marketed to make us think that if

we follow said trend, we will be healthier. Gluten free is a perfect example of a health trend that got really popular and started the gluten free band wagon. So, if you’re currently following a gluten free diet right now and aren’t diagnosed with celiac disease or told to eliminate it by your doctor, I recommend trying to slowly reintroduce gluten into your daily eats. It just might so happen that you will feel great from eating it and not to mention it tastes GOOD. Have a great weekend!

JONATHAN RAITZ SPORTS DIRECTOR Senior Convergence Journalism Major San Antonio, Texas

I certainly would not consider myself an avid bicyclist. I reserve that title for much more committed people, who actually take their bikes off-campus.

However, in my final two semesters I have finally created the most efficient way to get to and from class, and around campus. I have carefully plotted my schedule based on the bike racks around campus and the location of my classes, which wasn’t easy. Yet I still find myself struggling to get to class and work on time.

Now I could easily blame this on my lack of punctuality or even my inability to adhere to my alarm’s

unending urge to roll out of bed. But quite frankly that would be too easy and put far too much blame on myself.

And we all know nothing is ever our fault anymore.

So instead I would like to bring to attention the real parking issue on campus – the lack of bike racks. Now you might have already tuned out long ago and if you’re still listening you consider me outlandish for such a proposition. In that case you probably have never enjoyed the thrills of biking around campus, but hear me out.

There are plenty of racks. But the location of

these bike racks was clearly carefully thought out to make it impossible to be efficient. Let me lay it out for you.

Two are on the side of COBA that no one actually enters the building from.

There is only one. I repeat one, by the main entrance of the library. In fact, in order to save time I don’t even check that one anymore, I just use the make shift ones by the Starbucks entrance, and I honestly don’t even know if that’s what they were built for. And finally the rush hour of all bike parkings. The traffic jam of a lifetime. The two bike racks to service both the campus center and the bible building. Have you seen the bike traffic at 1 p.m. between those two buildings?

Probably not, but it’s bad.

But if it’s not the number of bike racks and just the location, I guess it then be-

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comes a walking issue and not the parking issue again, and we’re back to square one.

Well it was fun to entertain the idea of a campus where all bicyclists were happy and didn’t have to worry about forgetting where they were forced to leave their bike because their wasn’t any parking by the building they needed to go to. Or maybe this wasn’t ever even about bike racks and was just a marketing scheme to repopulate ACU with avid cyclists. “Save gas, get a bike”. You know what, that is what this was.

Go ahead and do yourself a favor purchase, or borrow your friend’s bike and I promise you won’t regret it.

It. Is. Exhilarating. Scooters and penny boards just can’t compare.

JMR13B@ACU.EDU

T H E

EDITORIAL AND LETTER POLICY

@SCOTLYNVB 10/26/17 12:10 P.M. my dad sent me this after my SISTER got her drivers license. why

@ABIGAILIE 10/24/17 9:57 P.M. If you think I’m going to let that Comm Law test defeat me then you are absolutely right because wow I think the world is ending @JACKIESON97 10/23/17 2:27 P.M. I *will* pay for my coffee with the quarters I’ve been collecting in my car for six months and you *will* like it @GABBWALK 10/22/17 3:02 P.M. To the person who recorded the whole Jellicle Ball in Cats today...we see you, you are front and center.....but also DM it to me... @BAILEYBEDICHEK 10/30/17 2:08 P.M. just roomie things :-)))

EDITOR@JMCNETWORK.COM

The real parking issue isn’t with cars INSURANCE RAITZ

@TANNER_M12 10/31/17 7:09 A.M. CNA test in an hour & all i can think about is how i don’t want to have to brush some1 else’s teeth this early bc man it gets awk

@THATANONEFELLOW 10/20/17 1:30 P.M. This Twitter exists for the purpose of live-tweeting reactions to @acuoptimist every week. Sometimes it’ll be thoughtful. But mostly sassy. @THATANONEFELLOW 10/26/17 11:23 P.M. “Like many homecoming traditions, it was time to tailgate.” Been meditating on this line all evening, and I still don’t know what it means. @EMMALULU96 10/24/17 4:10 P.M. If you know Slow an’ Easy by Whitesnake, you’re my kind of person @GABBWALK 10/30/17 9:39 P.M. What is the acceptable time frame for coming to a party then leaving? @SHELBYTALL_ 10/17/17 10:21 P.M. There is nothing worse than coming in the kitchen to an empty bottle of coffee creamer @GABBWALK 10/29/17 12:20 A.M. I’m just a girl trying to re-establish my insta theme

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6

SPORTS

FRIDAY | NOVEMBER 3 , 2017

Soccer upends McNeese

BY JONATHAN RAITZ SPORTS DIRECTOR

LAUREN FRANCO CONTENT MANAGING EDITOR Allie Hackett receives an award after finishing first place in the Southland Conference Championships.

Women’s cross country wins Southland title

BY TREVOR WYATT SPORTS REPORTER

Saturday was a good day for ACU cross country, as the men finished twospots ahead of last year in 7th and the women picked up their second Southland Conference championship in three years.

On the men’s side, senior Ryan Cleary led the way for the Wildcats with a time of 25:05.7, good enough for 10th overall and a second team all-conference honor. He was followed by sophomore Drew Cummings in 21st and freshman Connor Miller in 28th. John Baker and Roy Kipkorir rounded out the scoring.

Distance coach Jarvis Jelen, who picked up

his first Coach of the Year honors, said he was pleased with the improvement on the men’s side.

“I am really happy with our top-three,” said Jelen, “Getting seventh is good progress, and I think we’re going to continue to keeping moving in the right direction.”

The big story of the day was the performance on the women’s side, with a clean medal sweep for the Wildcats. The Hackett twins, led by Allie, finished 1st and 2nd, followed by redshirt senior Diana Garcia Munoz. Redshirt junior Carnley Graham finished 6th just behind two McNeese State runners, and freshman Brianna Gerlach rounded out scoring for the women.

Allie Hackett said she’s excited to compete in regionals, since after their first conference championship they were ineligible from NCAA Playoff contention.

“I’m just super excited to now be able to go to regionals,” Hackett said.

“I remember in 2015 we did an extra long cool down because our season was over, but now we get to move on and I’m not ready to stop yet.”

Coach Jelen said this is exactly what the women were expecting when they came into this race, and he’s excited for their shot at Regionals in College Station.

“The women’s team came out and did what they’re capable of,” said Jelen. “They had a really

good day overall, the top three ran really well. I know Carnley would have liked to hang with those McNeese girls, but she was close and we still had a really solid day. I’m really excited for regionals and I know we can step it up another notch.”

The women return to action on Nov. 10 at the South-Central Regionals at Texas A&M after moving up to second in regional polls, only behind Arkansas, who is the sixth ranked team in the nation. The top two teams from each region get the chance to run at the NCAA Nationals.

TMW13A@ACU.EDU

Football heads back to Louisiana

BY MAX PRESTON ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

The football team travels to Louisiana for the second time this season, as it faces Northwestern State after getting last weekend off, but it remains unclear who will man the offensive huddle when they take the field.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Luke Anthony could get the nod to start over junior quarterback Dallas Sealey. However, head coach Adam Dorrel said the coaching team hasn’t made a decision yet.

“I can’t answer that yet, we have a whole week of practice to evaluate that,” Dorrel said.

“We’re going to put the best guy on the field that’s going to help us win.”

Anthony has thrown for four touchdowns this season, two fewer than Sealey has thrown for. He’s also completed 14 of 20 passes and thrown for 134 yards.

The Wildcats are tied for seventh with Northwestern State and have the same exact record at 2-6 overall and 2-4 in conference.

LAURA CORRAL STAFF CONTRIBUTOR Wildcats head to Natchitoches, Louisiana to square off with Northwestern State.

ACU defeated the Demons 25-22 last season.

ACU sits at ninth in the conference in total offensive yards with 2,600. The team is also tenth in rushing yards with 702, and third in passing yards with 1,898.

Sealey has thrown for 1,720 of those yards and senior wide receiver Troy Grant has emerged as the leader in receiving yards with 361. Also, sophomore running back Tracy James is the leader for the team in rushing with 409 yards.

Defensively, the Wildcats

are sixth in the Southland in yards given up with 3,135. The defense ranks first in passing yards with 1,552, and ninth in rushing yards with 1,583.

The defense leaders remain the impressive safety duo of sophomore Bolu Onifade with 62 tackles and junior Brandon Richmond with 50 tackles.

For Northwestern State, senior J.D. Almond leads the team at quarterback and has thrown for 936 yards

WITH COACH ADAM DORREL, GRANT BOONE AND HANNAH NULL

WATCH SATURDAYS @acuvideo

AT 11 AM ON K TAB -T V

and five touchdowns on the season. His leading receiver is junior Jaylen Watson who has caught for 370 yards and three touchdowns this year.

Senior running back Chris Jones has had an impressive year out of the backfield for the Demons with 503 yards and four touchdowns.

Defensively for Northwestern, senior linebacker Nick Pierotti has had a big year making 70 tackles and five tackles for a loss. Junior defensive end Obinna Iheoma has also performed well this year with six total sacks.

Dorrel said he wants his team to overcome the negativity of the season this Saturday.

“I think Saturday is a really important game for our football program,” Dorrel said. “We need to get on track, I want to play good and I want to be unselfish.

It starts with that stuff right there, because you want to finish the season feeling good, not on a down note.”

Kickoff has been moved from the original time to 4 p.m. to accommodate Northwestern State fans in attending the game and also being able to watch LSU, who’s head coach Ed Orgeron is a former NSU standout player and assistant coach, take on Alabama at 7 p.m. ACU and NSU game coverage can be heard on 98.1 FM.

MJP14B@ACU.EDU

It took 110 minutes and then some, but the Wildcats upset the Southland Conference Tournament’s No. 3 seed in McNeese State, 5-3 in shootout fashion.

Junior defender Caitlyn Acosta drove home the game-winning penalty kick after McNeese’s fourth kick sailed high off the foot of Morgan Middleton.

“Being in that situation is something I’ll remember forever,” Acosta said.

“I was nervous, but I knew I could win the game if I made it. So I had to say composed and finish the game for my team who worked so hard for 110 minutes. We deserved to win that game.”

Neither team could break into the scoring column during regular time and overtime, despite a number of early chances from junior forward Dylan Owens. Owens forced a save with a closerange shot early in the second half, but Emma Roccaforte, who was awarded Southland Conference Goalkeeper of the Year showed why with a quick reaction.

As time winded down in regulation, McNeese State had two opportunities, but freshman goalkeeper Erin Smith kept the game scoreless and forced overtime with a little help from her defense. The Cowgirls offense was hampered by the absence of Southland Conference Player of the Year Savannah LaRicci, who was injured.

Each team’s chances were again scarce in the overtime periods, and defense prevailed, despite the team’s putting up a combined 24 shots, 15 of which came off the foot of ACU attackers.

The shootout was neck-and-neck through the first three rounds, as senior Megan Baer and freshmen Michelle Mulrooney and Christina Arteaga each converted.

Senior captain Chloe gave the Wildcats a 4-3 lead ahead of the Cowgirls’ miss, and Acosta calmly placed the ball in the top right corner to set up a semifinal rematch against Stephen F. Austin and the Wildcats.

“Getting to compete in the Southland Conference Tournament is so exciting and what we’ve been waiting for,” Baer said.

“Yesterday was a long, hard fought game and I am so proud of my teammates. We’ve celebrated plenty but now we know it’s time to move forward and focus on SFA.” The two teams met in Abilene for Wildcats final home game of the regular season. That game resulted in a 2-0 victory for ACU, and was its first over SFA in five matchups. The goals were scored by Owens and Fifer, and were a product of 18 total shots from the Wildcat attack.

However, the Lumberjacks rebounded to defeat Sam Houston State 2-1 in 2OT to earn a second place finish in the regular season standings. SFA then faced the Bearkats again in the first round of the tournament and came away with a 4-1 victory to force the rematch against ACU. The semifinal match is scheduled for a 4 p.m. start on Friday, as the winner will clinch a spot in Sunday’s championship and move that much closer to an NCAA Tournament berth.

JMR13B@ACU.EDU

STANDINGS Team

Football Ovrl. SLC.

UCA SHSU Nicholls SELU McNeese SFA ACU NWSU UIW HBU Lamar

7–1 7–1 6–2 5–4 6–2 4–5 2–6 2–6 1–7 1–7 1–7

Volleyball

Team

UCA SFA SHSU HBU NWSU TAMU-CC McNeese ACU UIW NOU Nicholls Lamar SELU

Team

6–0 5–1 5–1 5–2 4–2 4–3 2–4 2–4 1–5 0–6 0–6

Ovrl. SLC.

22–3 23–6 13–12 17–8 13–15 11–13 16–11 10–14 6–14 10–14 4–21 4–19 2–24

Soccer

11–2 11–2 9–3 8–4 8–5 8–5 7–5 6–6 5–8 4–8 2–10 2–11 0–12

Ovrl. SLC. Lamar 16–3–1 10–1 SFA 12–7 8–3 McNeese 12–6–1 8–3 UCA 11–9 7–4 HBU 7–7–3 6–3–2 ACU 9–10 6–5 SHSU 7–9–2 4–5–2 TAMU-CC 6–9–3 3–6–2 SELU 5–10–3 3–6–2 Nicholls 6–11–1 3–7–1 NWSU 6–12 2–9 UIW 2–13–1 2–13–1

DORREL DAILY “I think Saturday is a really important game for our football program.

Dorrel We need to get on track, I want to play good and I want to be unselfish. It starts with that stuff right there, because you want to finish the season feeling good, not on a down note.”

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK Soccer It wasn’t until penalty kicks that either goalkeeper yielded a goal in ACU’s first round Acosta matchup against McNeese State. But once the goals got going it was junior Caitlyn Acosta who provided the exclamation point. She drove home the Wildcats’ fifth penalty kick to give them a 5-3 victory in the shootout and catapult them to second round matchup against Stephen F. Austin.

Cross Country

After taking first at the Southland Conference Championships, redshirt senior AlexHackett andria Hackett earned her second Southland Conference XC Athlete of the Year award. Hackett crossed the finish line at 20:27.8, followed by her sister Michaela at 20:31.1 and redshirt senior Diana Munoz Garcia at 21:07.4, as the Wildcats claimed the top-three spots on their way to the team title.

Volleyball Volleyball has found a bit of a groove lately, and sophomore Marybeth Sandercox Sandercox has played an integral part. The middle blocker matched her season-high with 12 kills in a win over Incarnate Word, and reach double digits for just the third time this season during the Wildcats sweep of Sam Houston State on Tuesday.