WHAT'S INSIDE
NEWS
Homecoming Queens kidnapped by Steering Committee. Is your clubs president nominated? Page 3
FEATURE
OPINION
One alumna is busy sewing her way to Etsy success. Check out her latest fashions. Page 5
Voter registration, killer clowns, and mainstream music. All in one place. Page 6
SPORTS
Junior Chloe Fifer stands out with her prolific passing on the soccer team. Pages 8
v
Friday, October 7, 2016 Vol. 105, Issue 08
A student publication of Abilene Christian University since 1912
FLAME OUT
ERIKA BOLADO STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER GATA pledges, called Flames, line up for inspection at their after-Chapel meeting. GATA is one of the oldest social clubs on campus, founded in 1920. The Flames are required to respect the GATA Fountain each time they walk by during teh day, and if you haven’t heard them yelling that they “G-A-T-A want to be a GATA”, you will.
Hoax text not connected to ACUPD BY EMILY GUAJARDO VISUALS MANAGING EDITOR
A hoax text message was sent out to several students on Wednesday night directing them to calmly evacuate buildings because of an emergency on campus. ACU Police Chief Jimmy Ellison said the message was initially sent as an alert to students at the Lone Star College campuses in Houston because of a gas leakage. The message was later sent out to
students at several different universities across the nation, including Baylor, Harding, University of Texas at Austin and Texas State. When the message was brought to their attention, ACUPD officers immediately began to check if it was a hoax or a hacking of their alert system and software. However, after investigating this possibility, they determined it was an outside message that reached specific students on campus. Minutes later, police
sent an alert message asking students to disregard the text. “Many students are receiving a hoax text message,” the message said. “THERE IS NO EMERGENCY ON CAMPUS. The messages are not from ACUPD.” Ellison said the message has no connection to ACUPD. “The message that went out was not related to ACU alert system or the software used for the system,” Ellison
said, “and we really want to make that clear to our students”. Other universities, like Harding had similar experiences with the hoax. Craig Russell, director of public safety at Harding, and Jana Rucker, vice president for communication and marketing, said their department started receiving phone calls related to the message around 8:45 p.m. After contacting administrators, an official alert was sent
to clear up the confusion via email, Twitter and Pipeline, Harding’s alert system. “Communication with our students was of the highest priority and we really tried to get the information out as soon as possible,” said Russell. Ellison said any message from ACUPD will always be headed with ACUPD at the top “to ensure it comes directly from us.” EAG13A@ACU.EDU
Frater Sodalis membership doubles BY LAUREN FRANCO STUDENT REPORTER
Frater Sodalis is doubling its club size this year, bringing in a pledge class of 25 sophomores and juniors. The club, founded in 1943, is recognized as the oldest standing men’s social club on campus and has never been banned nor
suspended. “I’m extremely excited about this year’s brats, and I consider myself lucky to be a part of it,” said the club’s president Joel Childers, senior biblical text major from Abilene. “Having a pledge class so much bigger than we’ve had for the last few years is also a testament to the work of our officer team
and club as a whole, as we’ve been giving our all to show guys why we think Frats is so valuable.” Both the pledges, known as brats, and the current club members said they pride themselves on the diversity of the club. “One of the unique things about this pledge class is the number of guys we have that are heavily in-
volved all over campus as athletes, in theatre, choir, as RAs, in student organizations, and in a ton of other ways,” Childers said. “We always have guys involved around campus, but this group seems like there’s a really high number of guys who really want to be involved in the ACU community as a whole, along with club.”
Allen Martin, sophomore English and political science major from Abilene, said the club’s inclusive feeling drew him to pledge the club. “I noticed the laid back nature of the guys and the way conversations with them came naturally,” Martin said. “Nothing felt SEE PLEDGING PAGE 3
Abilene non-profit sends aid to Haiti BY ALLISON BROWN EDITOR IN CHIEF
Hurricane Matthew struck Haiti with 145 mph winds on Tuesday morning, causing major devastation to the country, and an Abilene non-profit is ready to send aid to the Haitian people. Global Samaritan Resources, Abilene-based non-profit led by Danny Sims (‘85), will send aid to
one of its partner organizations with ACU connections, LiveBeyond. LiveBeyond, run by ACU alumni Dr. David (‘82) and Laurie Vanderpool (‘81), focuses on humanitarian and medical relief work in Thomazeau, Haiti. As the hurricane approached the island, Sims and his Global Samaritan team formed a plan of how to send help to the Vander-
pools once the hurricane struck. Global Samaritan will be sending financial aid, clean water straws, and later on fortified food to LiveBeyond. “We have partnered with [LiveBeyond] before, and our help will be totally defined by their needs,” said Sims, executive director of Global Samaritan Resources. “We want to come along side and help however we
can. We have the logistics to send supplies however they need it.” According to United Nations official Mourad Wahba, the Hurricane Matthew is “the largest humanitarian event” to hit Haiti since the devastating earthquake in 2010. While many around the country are facing heavy flooding and displacement from their homes, the Van-
W W W. A C U O P T I M I S T. C O M
derpools haven’t seen as much damage as they initially anticipated. In a video posted on the LiveBeyond Facebook page Wednesday morning, David Vanderpool shared an update with followers. “We are happy to report we have had very little damage here in our area,” SEE HAITI PAGE 2
Cheer squad thinks pink BY HALEY REMENAR ONLINE MANAGING EDITOR
The Wildcat cheerleading squad will wear pink items for Saturday’s home game in honor of breast cancer awareness month. Madison Sweet, co-captain of the squad, said the team does a “pink-out” game each year for a home game, not Homecoming, in October. Sweet, junior marketing major from Plano, said her high school cheer team also wore pink for breast cancer awareness every year. Her grandmother overcame several bouts with breast cancer, so her whole family participates in the stands. “It’s really about the fight because it’s mostly women, and women aren’t really seen as fighters,” Sweet said. “So I think the pink and the whole October and everyone standing together just makes it a fight for women.” The cheer squad will have pink fingernails, wear socks dyed pink and use pink pom-poms borrowed from Hardin Simmons University. Sweet said the tailgate will participate in the pink-out and her social club, Tri Kappa Gamma, will require pledges to wear pink. “It’s definitely awareness cause it’s pink everywhere so how could you miss it?” Sweet said. Another member of the team, Alyssa Padilla, freshman biology major from SEE PINK OUT PAGE 2
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FRIDAY | OCTOBER 7, 2016
Night Out brings together students and police BY MADI FICHTNER STUDENT REPORTER
The ACU Police Department hosted a National Night Out on campus in the Mall Area Tuesday. National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnership and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, better places to live. The program has been going on for 33 years, and this is the second year that ACU has participated in the event. The ACU Police Department participates in the program to allow students to get to know the officers who are protecting them. “This is a great way for students to meet of the officers in a positive and friendly setting,” Lt. Randy Motz said. Motz said ACUPD welcomes all members of the community as well as the neighboring residents. The event featured many groups on campus such as, the ACUPD, the Regional Victims Crisis Center, the Medical Counseling and Care Center, Title IX, the Office of Multicultural Affairs, Students' Association, U.S. Marines and more. The event featured a hotdog cookout,
Pink Out: Cheer raises awareness CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Fort Worth said her grandmother survived breast cancer. Lauren Mende, freshman communication sciences and disorders major from St. Charles, Illinois, said awareness this year is more important to her because one of her mentors was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer in September. Reid McCorkle, mascot and sophomore ministry major from Abilene said his aunt on his dad’s side of the family survived borderline Stage 4 breast cancer six years ago. She was diagnosed again last Christmas and had to have a double mastectomy. “Even then she joked and only complained when it really hurt,” McCorkle said. “My dad’s side has always tried to live as pillars of strength for others, but she definitely lived as that pillar for our family.” The cheerleading squad posted on social media to encourage students to participate in the pink-out Saturday at 6 p.m. at Shotwell Stadium. HRR13B@ACU.EDU
pull up contest, free throw contest, 1881 food truck, dunking booth and a DWI simulator. Lt. Randy Motz is the head of the planning for National Night Out. Motz said he was very pleased with the turnout last year and is hopeful that this year will yield a similar result. “This is a great way for students to meet of the officers in a positive and friendly setting,” Motz said. Motz has also seen the police department from a parent’s viewpoint when his daughter went to school at Abilene Christian University. Motz said he was excited to welcome the community to the event and was pleased with how the officers interacted with students. “It is important to me that all our officers treat all students with dignity and respect,” Motz said. “I think if you understand that all people are created in the image of God no matter who they are, where they come from, rich or poor, and no matter what race, that will go a long way in determining how you treat them.” OPTIMIST@ACU.EDU
LYDIA LAWSON STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Counterclockwise from top left: Kimone Green shows perfect form at the Marine's pull up bar, ACUPD Police officer Bob Deloney and Kathy Ellison grill up hotdogs .
Student group to register voters at tailgate BY ADRIENNE BARRICK STUDENT REPORTER
The Young People For (YP4) fellowship is spreading awareness and education on voting in the upcoming election. Taylor Crumpton, a vote fellow for YP4 and senior social work major from Oakland, California, says they’re “just here to tell you the power in your vote”. Young People for Fellowship, by the American Way
Foundation, and also Vote Fellowship, a two year program, promote community involvement and provide education and training on how to make a changes in the community. Young People for Fellowship “does not endorse any candidate or endorse any party and they make that very much clear. It is only for millennials to get out and vote.” says Crumpton. Chris Riley, vice president
“
[Young People For is] just here to tell you the power in your vote.”
TAYLOR CRUMPTON VOTE FELLOW FOR YOUNG PEOPLE FOR
of student life, is working closely with Crumpton to use this year as a trial run, understanding what works to get the student community involved in political matters.
They are also working with Jennifer Butler, the associate director of Residence Life, to spread the word in hopes to have resident hall staffs create events for their residents promot-
ing the upcoming election. There will be a voter registration tailgate this Saturday at the football game, and registration education for social clubs is being developed at this time. No particular total student involvement numbers are in the mix right now, just that they are encouraging everyone to vote. OPTIMIST@ACU.EDU
Haiti: local non-profit sends hurricane relief CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
damage here in our area,” Vanderpool said in the video. “We have been going throughout our community and distributing food to the underserved and marginal people in our area and we are very thankful that we have not sustained a great deal of damage.” Over the course of the week, Sims and Global Samaritan have been a connection point for people in Abilene looking for ways to help those in Haiti. “With Haiti, there’s a concern about giving money, but its’ a good thing that people trust us,” Sims said.
“Every dime will go to Haiti and we will have no overhead for this project.” The Vanderpools visited campus earlier this semester when David spoke at Opening Assembly, and many students and ACU alumni have been involved with their work in Haiti. For Laurie Beth Chalk, junior elementary education major from Argyle, news of the hurricane hit close to him. Chalk, the Vanderpools' niece, has spent many a summer working with her aunt and uncle in Haiti. "I have family in Thomazeua, Haiti, and they were very fortunate not to have had any damage," Chalk
said. "The surounding villages had miniaml damage as well. My aunt and uncle have started sending out supplies to areas that are affected." “The reason we love what Live Beyond is doing is because they are real-time, in action, boots on the ground, building something that’s sustainable,” Sims said. Anyone interested in giving towards the hurricane relief efforts can donate through Global Samaritan’s website or LiveBeyond’s website. AKB12B@ACU.EDU
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Dr. David Vanderpool treats patients at the LiveBeyond Clinic in Haiti.
POLICE LOG SELECTED ACUPD CALLS FOR THE WEEK 09/28/2016 9:49 p.m. A student reported the theft of an IPhone 6 from the Williams Performing Arts Center. 09/29/2016 3:55 p.m. A student’s car was struck by a car whose driver fled the scene without giving information as required by law. 10/01/2016 12:31 a.m. ACUPD investigated a loud party call involving ACU students; warning issued. ACCIDENT ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIVITY ADVICE ALARM ANIMAL CALL ASSIST ATTEMPT TO LOCATE BARRICADES BICYCLE/SKATEBOARD CALL BUILDING LOCK/UNLOCK CART PATROL CHECK BUILDING CITATION ISSUANCE
4 DISABLED VEHICLE 22 DISCHARGE OF FIREARM DISTURBANCE 1 DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE 5 DRUG ACTIVITY/OFFENSE 3 ELEVATOR RESCUE 3 ESCORT 2 EVENT SUPPORT 1 FIGHT 1 FOOT PATROL 8 FOUND PROPERTY 1 HAZING 380 HIT & RUN 10 INFORMATION REPORT
1 2 3 1 1 1 2 2 1 38 3 1 2 2
INVESTIGATION FOLLOW UP LOST PROPERTY MAINTENANCE UNIV ASSETS: CCTV MEDICAL EMERGENCY MONITOR FACILITY/LOT MOTORIST ASSIST INFLATE TIRE MOTORIST ASSIST: JUMPSTART MOTORIST ASSIST: OTHER MOTORIST ASSIST: UNLOCK
13 NOISE VIOLATION OTHER 6 PARKING LOT PATROL 7 PARKING VIOLATION PATROL VEHICLE: MAINTE1 NANCE 6 PATROL VEHICLE: REFUEL 1 PUBLIC SERVICE RANDOM PATROL 8 RECKLESS DRIVING REPORT WRITING 2 SEX OFFENSE 8 SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT SUSPICIOUS PERSON
3 1 47 1 4
THEFT TRAFFIC STOP TRAINING WELFARE CHECK TOTAL: 699
14 1 39 1 17 1 1 3
POLICE CHIEF TIP OF THE WEEK:
3 6 1 3
October is Domestic Violence Awareness month. If you or someone you know suffers from domestic or dating violence, contact ACUPD for help.
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FRIDAY | OCTOBER 7, 2016
Homecoming Committee kidnaps Queens BY ALLISON BROWN EDITOR IN CHIEF
The Homecoming steering committee wheeled around campus in golf carts Wednesday night, kidnapping Queen nominees from social club gatherings. The Alumni Office oversees the nomination process and students were able to log on to acu.edu/ queens and nominate up to five senior women for the Homecoming Court. After a week of open nominations, the steering committee picked up the ten nominees, blindfolding and crowning them with headbands. ERIKA BOLADO STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Seniors Elley Arrington, Kelsey Odom and Kennedi Ross were kidnapped by the Homecoming Steering Committee for this year’s Queens Court.
HOMECOMING COURT 2016 Elley Arrington KJK
Kelsee McGee GATA
Ammie Brooks TKG
Kelsey Odom EOX
Taylor Cato GATA
Kennedi Ross KJK
Cyrsta Cook GATA
India Wilson TKG
Tamsin Day GATA
Madelyn Wischmeyer GATA
AKB12B@ACU.EDU
Frats: Oldest men’s club doubles with new pledges CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
forced. The best part, though, was I noticed that they are incredibly inclusive.” Evan Beck, sophomore finance major from Frisco said his interest in the club was rooted in the strong spirituality of the group. “I chose Frater Sodalis because they emphasize the ‘iron sharpens iron’ mentality that is prevalent in Proverbs,” Beck said. “The club is filled with spiritual warriors, and I have no doubt my faith will be encouraged by my peers. We have already begun to grow together as a pledge class in a really special way.” Some of the members also said their club thrives on the aspect of brotherhood and is growing be-
cause of it. “Brotherhood is an integral part of being a Frat. ‘Brothers Together’ is our motto, and we definitely take it to heart,” said vice president Daniel Tapia, a senior graphic design major from Los Angeles, California. “When one of us has reason to celebrate, we get together and celebrate. When one of us is struggling with something, we come together and we pray over them and encourage them in any way possible.” Tapia experienced this brotherhood firsthand after being diagnosed with Stage 1 testicular cancer over the summer. “Without any indication, I received a FaceTime from our brat dad, Nate Vela, where they, as a group, had shaved their heads as a way to support me and
tell me that they have my back,” Tapia said. “It was an emotional moment for me; I was left speechless.” The brats said that they look forward to growing with the current members through pledging. “One of the things I love about Frats is the ability to retain the same culture and brotherhood despite undergoing so many changes over the years in both the size and makeup of club,” Childers said. “Even as we grow in size this semester, we aren’t worried that we’ll lose our identity from where we were last year, but rather we’ll be able to help each of this year’s brat class understand why Frats is so valuable.”
OPTIMIST@ACU.EDU
LAUREN FRANCO STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Frater Sodalis was founded in 1943 and is the oldest standing men’s social club, having never been banned nor suspended.
Octo ber 10-14
Monday, October 10 Spiritual Formation Forum: Finding Your Vocational Calling Through Graduate Education
5-6 p.m. • Onstead-Packer Biblical Studies Building, Room 114
Grad Fest 2016
featuring live music and free food from The Sweet Side, The Toasted Traveler and Vagabond Pizza 6-8 p.m. • ACU Mall area
Wednesday, October 12 Graduate and Professional School Fair
10 a.m. - 2 p.m. • McGlothlin Campus Center
Thursday, October 13 GRE Prep Course
6-9 p.m. • Brown Library, CORE Classroom
d-events acu.edu/gra
150607-1015
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Wildlife Society to build trail BY BRIANNA CLOSE STUDENT REPORTER
The ACU Wildlife Society is working on a public wildlife trail across f r o m COOKE University Park Apartments and Judge Ely Blvd with plans to open in the spring. The Wildlife Society, an on-campus student interest group open to all students, provides research and other environmental opportunities. “This past summer I was thinking of what we could as a department to help get our name out there and also to provide something for the campus and the community with an environmental purpose,” said President of the Wildlife Society Eric Dolezalik, senior environmental science major from Ennis, Texas. After visiting the property across Judge Ely for a class project, Dolezalik spoke with the university’s grounds department to look into developing the wildlife trail.
“
Projects like these are important because they improve the quality of life on campus.”
DR. JIM COOKE PROFESSOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
“A couple years ago there was an Eagle Scout that did one of his projects there so he cleaned up that area and cleared out some trees,” Dolezalik said. “Last spring we identified plants and that is one of locations we went to.” The wildlife trail will be a place where anybody is welcome to enjoy nature and learn more about the local environment. “It will provide an additional health and recreational opportunity for the ACU family with no cost to the user and little or no environmental impact,” said Dr. Jim Cooke, professor of environmental science. “The average person in Texas doesn’t know much about the native plants here and how they’re useful or beneficial,” Dolezalik said. “As of right now we have about 60 plants. We’re also hoping to have different types of benches for people to sit out there and relax,” Currently the trail is being referred to as the Parker Hill Nature Trail after James Parker, who spent significant time cleaning up the trail and helped the Wildlife Society prepare the area. “It’s also to show that we as a department have value and we can contribute and we’re going to start,” said Dolezalik. The Parker Hill Nature Trail will be located across from Judge Ely and University Parks apartments. The area is around two to three acres. The Wildlife Society hopes to have the trail finished and open to the public by Earth Day in April with the possibility of nearby parking for guests. “It will provide a place for thoughtful meditation on the creation and the Creator,” Cooke said. “Projects like these are important because they improve the quality of life on campus.” OPTIMIST@ACU.EDU
FRIDAY | OCTOBER 7, 2016
Cruise Night rolls through downtown
BY DAVIS DENTON STUDENT REPORTER
KEAN 105.1 hosted the 34th annual Abilene Cruise Night Saturday, Oct. 1. Many Abilenians come every year to the show, whether to show off their car or just enjoy the fun atmosphere, cool cars, and comfortable weather. Albert Garza has showed his for the past eight years, he has brought his beautiful car to the show, but now he competes. Garza bought his car, a 1964 Chevy convertible Impala, for $18,000 three years ago, but said it could be appraised at $38,000 with an original 327 engine but all new wheels and interior. “The cruise is just for fun," Garza said. "At the car show, you can win plaques and trophies.
MERCEDEZ HERNANDEZ PRINT MANAGING EDITOR A replica of the Volkswagen beetle from the movie The Love Bug was parked outside McKay's Bakery at Saturday's car show.
It’s pretty much just for pride." Garza wasn’t the only Impala owner who took
pride in his vehicle. His friend, Jason Deleon, brought his 1964 hard top, which he bought in pieces
six years ago. "I don’t have a clue how much I’ve spent on the car, and I don’t really want to
know," Deleon said. Deleon said he has been coming to the car show for 30 years. “I redid everything, bumper to bumper," Deleon said. "I also put a sound system in there because I like to be loud when I’m cruising. The cruise is just for fun and chilling." Gene Reed showed his 1967 Pontiac Firebird 400 Original. Reed bought his car with only the flashy red paint on it. Reed has attended many shows and won several times in the eight years he has been coming and said he was proud to show his car. Car exhibitors paid $30 to participate in the competition. OPTIMIST@ACU.EDU
Women for ACU raise funds, donate benches BY CHELSEA TWOHY STUDENT REPORTER
Women for Abilene Christian University donated six new benches on campus for their annual spring project funded primarily by baked goods sales. Every year Women for Abilene Christian University (WACU) fundraises close to $15,000 to spend on a new spring project that fills the needs for different departments on campus. WACU Vice President and Physical Director of the ACU Museum Hazel Fillmon said every two years they fund a big project and every other year, they donate to four or five departments who put in requests. This year, WACU collaborated with the Physical Resources Department on campus to install four benches facing the GATA fountain and two along the walkway between McKinzie and MacDonald Hall, heading toward the science building.
CHELSEA TWOHY STUDENT REPORTER Hazel Fillmon, vice president of WACU and physical director of the ACU Museum, sits on one of the benches donated by WACU.
President of WACU Nancy Miller said, “We made cement benches many years ago and they were crumbling so we wanted something a little more appropriate.” Fillmon said their primary source for income comes from selling baked goods. WACU used to sell
pies in the living room of the Campus Center but the living room is being renovated into the Central Advising Office and therefore no longer available for their use. During Summit, WACU sold cookies and muffins in the Campus Center, some of which were donated by
women from local churches. Fillmon and WACU member Kathy George still make and sell casseroles and different types of breads and cakes every Thursday from noon until 5 p.m. at the ACU Museum. Fillmon said they only accept cash or checks, no
credit cards. Miller said, “We’re looking to do a new project because we’re very likely gonna quit the food sales next summer because we have so few people doing it and you know you get burned out after a while.” Miller said another one of the concerns is that they are not getting younger women to participate in WACU which is an entirely volunteer-based organization. Miller said on Thursday, October 27th at noon in the Hunter Welcome Center, WACU is having a lunch meeting where they will announce the details of the “big project.” In the spring, eligible sophomores can apply for the WACU Scholarship which is awarded to about 10-12 undergraduates per year. OPTIMIST@ACU.EDU
Non-profit sends fund raisers Over the Edge BY DEREK MARCELAIN STUDENT REPORTER & HALEY REMENAR ONLINE MANAGING EDITOR
Big Brothers Big Sisters took fundraising to new heights with a rappelling fundraiser Saturday called Over the Edge. Over the Edge participants slowly rappel down the 20 stories of the Enterprise Tower as they help raise funds for Big Brothers Big Sisters. (Photo by Lydia Lawson) Over the Edge participants slowly rappel down the 20 stories of the Enterprise Tower as they help raise funds for Big Brothers Big Sisters. (Photo by Lydia Lawson) Eighty-four people rappelled down the 20 stories tall Enterprise Tower. The event originally had 76 slots for people to register and each person had to raise at least $1,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters. “Well we didn’t have 76 people raise $1,000, so Over the Edge’s recommendation was that we were gonna be there, the ropes are gonna be there, we are gonna stay out there all day, so you might as well get people to rappel,” said Mark Rogers, BBBS Abilene market president. “Now that sets up for next year. That’s 84 people that are now going to be going out and talking about what an incredible deal this was.” People had to be 18 years of age and between 110 and 300 lbs. to rappel. No prior experience or training was needed. “The Over the Edge people we on it, they are all like mountain climber dudes,” Rogers said. “They are just amazing, the procedures that
they put in place for safety, I never once felt that anyonewas at any risk at all.” Kholo Theledi, Master of Communication graduate student, helped on the ground by holding the bottom of the rappelling ropes. She said she participated as a way to give back to the Abilene community. BBBS focuses on oneon-one mentoring between adults and children. Rogers said Over the Edge will raise about $55,000 total, which will help 550 children receive mentoring, but he said he wants that number to grow to 2500. It costs $1200 to support one match for one year. “It costs the Texas taxpayer $150,000 per year per kid in the juvenile delinquency system, so it is crazy how much cheaper prevention is and how much more that can increase someone’s life in the long run,” Rogers said. Chelsea Johnson, a May 2016 graduate who works for BBBS, rappelled with mother at the end of the day. Her father, Larry Johnson, drove from Oklahoma to watch his daughter rappel. “Floating down the San Marcos River is as adventurous as she’s got so far,” Johnson said. “I think she kind of liked the idea of rappelling off a building. I told her there’s a perfectly working elevator inside. But I’m glad she’s doing it. You can only write your story once and this is a good chapter for her.” Other participants included Cooper football coach Todd Moebes and Bennie Wylie, successful strength coach from NBC’s show “Strong.” OPTIMIST@ACU.EDU
LYDIA LAWSON STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER .
WITH COACH KEN COLLUMS, GRANT BOONE AND HANNAH NULL
SATURDAYS AT 11 AM on KTAB-TV
F E ATUR E S
FRIDAY | OCTOBER 7, 2016
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And sew it goes PHOTO COURTESY OF MACI SMITH Alumna Maci Smith (‘16) designs, produces, and sells clothing in her online clothing shop.
Psychology grad Maci Smith (‘16) designs and produces products for her Etsy store BY ABBEY BOWLING ARTS & FEATURES EDITOR
I
f you want to check out a new, unique place to shop, look no further than alumna Maci Smith’s (‘16) online clothing shop – she decided to start up the Etsy shop as a way to use her love of fashion to make money part-time while she traveled over the summer, but now she intends to keep the shop around as long as
possible. “I have always wanted to do something involving fashion, but I still don’t know what avenue I will take long-term,” she said. “Although it started as a short-term idea, I hope to keep it around for as long as possible. I truly love every aspect of the shop.” Smith first became interested in fashion design several years ago when she started high school, right around the time her mom
began teaching her how to sew. “Up until that point, I had never given much thought to how clothing was produced,” she said. “I realized how much fun it could be to start with a blank ‘canvas’ and see what happens. I was hooked.” mith designs and produces every single item in the shop. After getting inspiration from window shopping and, of course, Pinterest, she begins sketching rough drafts, selecting fabrics and sewing – turning things that were once just ideas into cute, handcrafted pieces of clothing. Though the process can be time consuming, she said coffee and Netflix keep her company while she sews. Right now, she said her favorite thing to make are the season’s newest trend, ponchos, because they’re perfect for fall and so much fabric goes into them. ut despite having such a passion for design, Smith actually just graduated in May with a degree in Psychology, and she plans to still somehow integrate that into her life. “Shout out to [Dr.
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B PHOTO COURTESY OF MACI SMITH Smith shows off one of the designs for her Etsy shop.
“
I’m just learning from my many mistakes and I’m hoping to improve my shop overall so that it has the chance to keep growing.” MACI SMITH MAY 2016 ALUMNA
Richard] Beck,” she said. “I absolutely love people, and for a long time I thought that counseling would be a good fit for me. I also minored in art, so that has definitely been helpful for me. Overall, I am still very thankful that I studied Psychology, because I learned so much about people, and I will use those that in so many different settings for the rest of my life.” s for future plans, Smith would eventually love to go to fashion design school and continue to expand her shop. “Although I love sewing and figuring out what I’m doing as I go, I would love to have some professional training to expand my designs and eventually my shop,” she said. “So, yes I would love to expand my business. At this point, I’m just learning from my
A
PHOTO COURTESY OF MACI SMITH Smith models one of the ponchos she created.
many mistakes and I’m hoping to improve my shop overall so that it has the chance to keep growing.” If you’re interested, you can follow her on Instagram @maciclairedesigns or
order from her Etsy page, Maci Claire Designs.
AKB12A@ACU.EDU
ARTS
Northside pumpkin patch opens for fundraising BY COLE WIDDER STUDENT REPORTER
Disabilities Resources launched its annual Pumpkin Patch Saturday with more than a thousand pumpkins. DRI houses residents with developmental disabilities, and its mission is “to provide exceptional care and contented lives to intellectually challenged adults in a Christian environment.” The pumpkin patch features photo opportunities, a hayride, story time and pumpkins for sale. Joel Paris, DRI activities director, said they get three semi-truck loads full
of pumpkins delivered to them on site. The pumpkins range from the size of a hand to the size of watermelon. Paris also said that since this is a fundraiser, “the profits vary from year to year.” Volunteers like Susan Throckmorton help sell the pumpkins. Throckmorton said she has a wonderful time selling pumpkins and “interacting with the kids.” Victoria Spooner, junior psychology major from Houston, said, “It is a good setup and a good spot to take pictures.” Nicole Davis, former ACU student, said, “It is the first day of October, and
this is the perfect way to celebrate it.” The next biggest day besides opening day is Halloween. Kids are encouraged to come out and take pictures in their costumes and interact with the residents of DRI. The patch will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays. The patch is located at 3602 North Clack Street, just North of I-20. Cash and card are accepted for payment. OPTIMIST@ACU.EDU
LYDIA LAWSON STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Holland Cecil inspects piles of pumpkins for the right one to take home with her.
6
O PI N I ON
&
ED IT O R IA L
FRIDAY | OCTOBER 7, 2016
Voter registration is worth your precious time
Just in case you have been living under a rock, don’t have a Twitter, or purposely don’t turn on the news because politics stress you out, we now interrupt your program to offer yet another reminder that you only have a few days left to register to vote. Yeah, remember the election that has been talked about your entire adult life? It’s time to finally do something. Registration in Texas closes on Tuesday. You can mail in to your home county and request an absentee ballot, you can register under your Abilene address. Heck, you can even drive to your home-
town on Nov 8 if sticking something in the mail is too much of a challenge. Regardless of how you go about it, participating in democracy does require some effort. While we sincerely hope you aren’t so disillusioned to think you can magically do nothing and still show up at the polls on Nov. 8 and cast your ballot, many students will roll up thinking they are good to go. Thankfully, majority of the readers that responded to the above survey were registered, but one third had either never voted or didn’t know if they were registered or not. You may be busy pledg-
ing your allegiance to your club, you may feel clueless if it’s your first election to participate in, but busy schedules shouldn’t be an excuse for excluding yourself from the process. Here’s the deal: it’s not that hard to register, and yes – your vote does actually matter, perhaps more than ever. People are already concerned about millenial voter turnout, so why not do what it takes now to prove them wrong. It might make a world of difference. OPINION@JMCNETWORK.COM
Daily Doodle Dosage
COLUMN
hashtagACU
You shouldn’t fear the clowns
@acuoptimist
RATED R
@GRACE_ANNC OCT. 5 7:32 P.M.
HALEY REMENAR ONLINE MANAGING EDITOR
A picture will never do the abilene sunset justice. sad bc i want the world to experience it. but selfish bc no it’s ours you can’t have it
@LEAHJMONT OCT. 5 9:38 A.M.
Junior convergence journalism major Albuquerque, New Mexico
On Tuesday, the Abilene Police Department announced an Instagram threat of a clown shooting at an Abilene school was a hoax. According to KTXS, a “creepy clown” posted on Instagram, “Cobb Park last night which school should I kill at today?” Police Chief Stan Standridge said the threat was taken seriously but was most likely a hoax. The Abilene Reporter News also reported Wednesday a man was threatened at gunpoint by someone dressed as a clown. Clowns seem to be popping up all over the nation, robbing, threatening shootings or just plain scaring people. Some students are afraid a clown will scare them at their houses or
APPARENTLY I sleep in and don’t go to class these days!
@SYDNEYC_GREER OCT. 3 6:59 P.M.
Overwhelmed with the amount of texts, calls and support I’ve received about Kim K’s robbing last night. We are both shaken but doing fine @TELLNOTTHECOLOR OCT. 2 4:03 P.M.
me: I’ve got a painting due tomorrow that I haven’t started, better manage my time well today!! me: [continues to check twitter for 2 hours] @SCOTTDYE8 OCT. 4 10:51 A.M.
Freshmen in the campus center: “What are they saying? Flame on?” No bro, this isn’t Fantastic 4.
@CASSINOELLE OCT. 4 11:45 A.M.
Day 2 of pledging in heels and I am serioulsy considering buying a golf cart.
EMILLION HERE, EMILLION THERE
@BRATALLENTMARTIN OCT. 4 12:58 P.M.
Today my professor said, “1968 was a pretty bad year,” and I pretentiously looked at the Sibling I’m in class with.
@TAYYY_TINSLEY OCT. 5 2:56 P.M.
Dads advice on pledging: “cowboy up” #wantedanotherson
@RAYRUNNS SEPT. 30 1:46 A.M.
a crazy spike in social media followers means one of two things: either pledging has begun or everyone has finally realized how cool i am
i just realized that october is the month that chipotle opens in abilene. it is october. october is a beautiful and perfect month.
EMILY GUAJARDO VISUALS MANAGING EDITOR Junior convergence journalism major San Antonio
Before coming to ACU, I only listened to what is now considered “mainstream” music. You know, the Katy Perry tune about cherry lips, the catchy Justin Bieber ballad about apologizing for your faults and Shawn Mendes’s medical emergency about getting stitches. However, many people now consider mainstream music tacky, old, uninspiring and overplayed – as if songs about being stressed out or chasing wa-
Address letters to: ACU Box 27892 Abilene, TX 79609 E-mail letters to: optimist@acu.edu
terfalls isn’t uninteresting or tacky at all. You may be unsure of what is considered mainstream, but here’s a breakdown. Mainstream music is an umbrella where all popular songs reside. That’s it. If you like a song that is played on the radio, then you like mainstream. Sorry to break it you granola people. Let’s be honest, everyone listens to mainstream music. Whether we like it or not, we all have a favorite Taylor
T H E
EDITORIAL AND LETTER POLICY 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.
of terror. The good news is clowns are meant to be visible and loud, which means if a clown is going to attack you, you’ll see it coming. You probably have more time to call the police or run away from a clown than a regular hoodlum wearing civilian clothes or black clothes. Because you can’t see their face and don’t know their intentions, you should stay away from clowns. But you do not have to be terrified. You don’t live in a horror movie. You live in real life where real people can be twisted enough to do real damage. These twisted clowns are not vague, terrifying enemies, but real criminals who can be arrested, tried in court and convicted. It’s time to stop spreading a mix of humorous fear on social media and start treating this situation as the criminal activity it is.
HRR13B@ACU.EDU
Stop hating on the mainstream
pledging: 1 madison: 0
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
even on campus. While we do need to be cautious and protect ourselves, there’s no need to be afraid of what might happen. If you’re thinking about dressing up and scaring people just for your own entertainment, don’t do it. While the idea may sound funny, it’s wrong to prey on people’s fears just for your own enjoyment. I don’t mean to pop your bubble of innocence, but the world has always been full of bad people who want to scare or hurt others. Even if you don’t know it, you are often in danger of being mugged, robbed, or threatened by a bomb or shooting. Sadly, terrorism is becoming more common in our country, and going to a Christian
school does not make you immune to that. I believe you should lock your doors, be aware of your surroundings and keep ACUPD on speed dial. This is common sense, a simple way of protecting yourself just in case. However, this does not mean we have to live in irrational fear. We have an excellent police department on campus. As Christians, we have a God who protects us (John 10:29). Clowns seem scarier than regular hoodlums because of what we’ve seen in horror movies and our culture. Most of what we know about the nationwide clown scare comes from “creepy” pictures on social media. We are afraid of clowns simply because our culture tells us to be afraid. I doubt someone from Asia or Africa would be quite as terrified of a rainbow wig and spherical nose as we are. Unfortunately, our culture has turned a birthday party character in a symbol
COLUMN
@MADISON19TAYLOR OCT. 5 1:14 P.M.
@CARLISCHEEVEL OCT. 1 5:50 P.M.
BEN TODD CARTOONIST
Swift or One Direction song that really makes us want to dance and feel like a twelveyear-old again. Just because you listen to Jon Bellion, Local Natives, Walk Off The Earth and The 1975 does not make you an entrepreneur in music discoveries. Think back to One Direction in 2011, when it only had 500,000 fans across the United Kingdom. Girls in the UK and the United States felt empowered by the idea of knowing a band when it was “alternative” or “original.” Fast forward five years and look where the band is now: selling out stadiums to millions of fans across the world and finally becoming the band they always dreamed of. Today, they are considered mainstream; just
another band with hypedup lights and sound systems. Why? What happened to it’s “loyal fans?” Every artist wants to be known and heard on the radio and we, as spoiled millennials, don’t want them to. We want to keep them in our little shell where only we know who they really are, so we can be the ultimate, original fans. “They just became too popular,” “I used to like their old songs,” “It just became too ‘mainstream,’” and the complaints go on and on. Believe it or not, all music will become mainstream, so let’s stop hating on it and just accept it. EAG13A@ACU.EDU
O P T I M IST
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SP ORTS
FRIDAY | OCTOBER 7, 2016
7
FOOTBALL MATCHUP PREVIEW
LAMAR (1-3)
20.8
Points Per Game
30.8
186.8
Rush YPG
123.2
130.0
Pass YPG
305.6
468.0
Total Defense
534.2
316.8
Total Offense
428.8
ABILENE CHRISTIAN (0-5)
SOCCER
Throneberry anchors offensive output against HBU BY MAX PRESTON ASSITANT SPORTS EDITOR
The soccer team returns home to face Houston Baptist Friday after a falling to Northwestern State and playing to a 0-0 draw against Central Arkansas. “We’re coming off a long, tough weekend, so I think we’re all really looking forward to enjoying our home crowd and field,” said junior midfielder Chloe Fifer. “For this Friday’s game, we are looking to be mentally unified, and we’re still really working on making our positioning fluent from defense
to offense.” Heading into the game Friday, senior forward Natalie Throneberry leads the team in goals with three after scoring in the first half against Northwestern State last weekend. Behind Throneberry, there are five different players that have earned two goals on the season. In six home games this season, the Wildcats average fan attendance has been 500, which is tops in the Southland Conference. “It feels great to be back home,” Throneberry said. “It is always nice to play on
our field and have our own fans supporting us the whole game.” Fifer still holds not only the team lead in assists with seven on the season, but she also holds the Southland Conference lead as well. Senior goalkeeper Sydney Newton has made 55 saves on the season after stopping 14 shots against NWSU and UCA. She also holds a .859 save percentage along with a 0.86 goals against average which rank her second and first in the Southland in those categories. The teams enter Friday tied for fourth in the con-
“
It is always nice to play on our field and have our own fans supporting us the whole game.” DALLAS SEALEY SENIOR FORWARD
ference with 3-1-1 records. ACU is 2-1 against HBU since rejoining the Southland Conference after a 3-1 victory a season ago. For Houston Baptist, sophomore forward Gabby Rodriguez leads the team with an impressive six goals.
Senior midfielder Allison Abendschein and sophomore forward Sabriah Spencer are second on the team with four. Abendschein And senior defender Elizabeth Adams lead the team with three assists each. Junior goalkeeper Katie Turner has received the most playing time between her and sophomore goalkeeper Alanis Guevara. Turner has made 46 saves this season and has put up a .742 save percentage with a 1.95 goals against average. Last year, the Wildcats defeated HBU with a score of
3-1. Sophomore midfielder/ forward Dylan Owens and senior midfielder Danielle Otto each had goals in last year’s match. “To prepare for Houston Baptist we are just making sure we are focusing on the little things and really making our chances on goal count.” Throneberry said. ACU enters the match up at 4-7-2 overall and HBU is 5-6-1. This will be the only game of the weekend for the Wildcats, as they will be off until the following Friday. MJP14B@ACU.EDU
Goodenough: Team strong, top to bottom CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8
As juniors Mason led the Southland in points per game, averaging 17.7, and also led the league in three-point field goals made with 87. Lizzy Dimba, Shelstead and Suzzy finished fifth, sixth and seventh in the conference, respectively, in rebounding. Suzzy Dimba also recorded 2.6 steals per game which was third in the league. “They came in as freshman and immediately became leaders of the team,” Goodenough said. “I expect the most from them every single game, but I’m really looking forward to what these girls do in their last season, especially Lizzy, after coming back from her injury.”
Lizzy missed the end of last season with a torn ACL. Mason said she’s ready to win another conference championship with her teammates, after making it to the WNIT for the first time in school history. “It’s a little early to talk about individual goals,” Mason said. “But I think it’s pretty clear that we want back-to-back Southland Conference Championships for our senior year. We’ve got a great team of girls and I’m excited to see what can come out of it.” Mason is also quick to point out the four freshman on the team, as well as transfer Taudenciah Oluoch from Tyler Junior College. Oluoch averaged 10.1 points and six re-
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bounds per game. “We have a great group of young freshman this year, especially at the guard position,” Mason said. “Dominique, Breanna, and Pamela strength-
en the guard position, and we have a great new center in Lexi Kirgan.” A season ago, after leading the Wildcats to a historical mark, Goodenough was selected as
Coach of the Year by TABC. This season will be her fifth at the helm. ACU will take on former crosstown rival McMurry University Nov. 7 in a tune-up game, before
heading to Columbia, Missouri that Friday for the first round of the preseason WNIT. TMW13A@ACU.EDU
8
S P O RT S
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
STANDINGS
Baylor, Texas A&M, Missouri highlight schedule BY TREVOR WYATT SPORTS WRITER
The women’s basketball team had its first official practice of the season just after 12 a.m. Thursday morning. “If we’re going to be practicing on the first day we’re allowed, we’re going to practice on the first minute of the first day allowed,” head coach Julie Goodenough said. But although it was the team’s first official practice of the 2016-17 season, it
has been plenty busy in the wake of its 26-4 conference championship campaign a season ago. “We were able to play two games together as a team, and work out together this summer in Canada,” Goodenough said. “We’re looking forward to that really catapulting us and giving us an edge at the beginning of the season. It was phenomenal, and was an opportunity of a lifetime, the chance to work out and actually play games against real teams.”
“
It was phenomenal, and it was an opportunity of a lifetime.” JULIE GOODENOUGH HEAD COACH
In those two games ACU earned a 75-67 victory over Carleton and an 8555 blowout over Queen’s University. The Wildcats will have a full slate early, as they will take the floor as early as Nov. 11 in the preseason
Women’s NIT against Missouri. From there the schedule yields little as they travel to College Station to take on Texas A&M Nov. 26 and Waco to face Baylor Dec. 1. These two team represent the two most recent national champions, before Connecticut won the last four. However, the schedule does get somewhat easier for the Wildcats, with teams like Sul Ross State and Harding visiting Moody before they start confer-
ence play on New Year’s Eve against Southeastern Louisiana. Goodenough said this is one of the best teams top to bottom she’s seen come through ACU. And it starts at the top with the reigning Southland Conference Player of the Year Alexis Mason, seniors Suzzy and Lizzy Dimba, and two-time third team All-Southland Conference forward Sydney Shelstead. SEE GOODENOUGH PAGE 7
SOCCER
Soccer Team
Div. Ovrl.
5-0 SFA 4-0-1 UCA 4-1 NWSU 3-1-1 HBU 3-1-1 ACU 2-2-1 SHSU 2-3 SELU 2-3 UIW Nicholls 1-3-1 McNeese 1-4 0-4-1 Lamar TAMU-CC 0-5
8-2 9-3-1 7-5 5-6-1 4-7-2 2-10-1 5-7-1 3-7-1 4-5-1 5-7 1-11-1 0-12
Volleyball Team
SFA TAMU-CC NWSU ACU HBU Lamar SHSU UCA SELU UIW McNeese Nicholls UNO
Div. Ovrl. 4-0 4-0 4-1 3-1 2-1 2-1 2-2 2-3 1-2 1-3 1-4 0-4 0-4
11-6 9-6 9-11 4-15 11-8 2-13 8-9 8-9 2-14 5-11 5-15 5-15 3-14
Football Team
SHSU UCA McNeese SFA Lamar Nicholls SELU HBU UIW NWSU ACU
Div. Ovrl. 3-0 3-0 2-1 2-1 1-1 1-1 1-1 1-2 1-2 0-3 0-3
4-0 4-1 3-2 3-2 1-3 1-3 1-3 2-3 1-4 0-4 0-5
BRIEFINGS After posting 17 kills and 14 blocks, sophomore Lauren Walker was named Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Week. Walker is ranked sixth in the conference averaging 1.09 blocks per set. CYNTHIA RANGEL STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER This junior midfielder Chloe Fifer has become one of the most effective passers in the Southland Conference as she leads the league with seven assists and is is second the team in points with nine. Fifer is also one of five juniors that will make up the first senior class eligible to advance to the postseason in Div. 1 competition.
Prolific Passer
Fifer finds effectiveness as facilitator in Wildcat offense attack BY JONATHAN RAITZ SPORTS EDITOR
Leading Bible studies, pledging a social club and playing a Div. 1 sport are all things students have the ability to do at ACU, but not many choose to. Chloe Fifer, junior education major from McKinney, has managed to do each of these while keeping a 3.85 GPA. “Chloe is a perfect image of an ACU student-athlete,” said Stephen Salas, associate head soccer coach. “Just like her play on the field, it reflects who she is as a person. It’s been exciting to watch Chloe’s success on the soccer pitch, but even more exciting watching her grow as a young woman of God.” Much of Fifer’s success on the pitch has been a product of her passing ability and vision, something she says she has always viewed as one of her strengths. “I’ve never been one to take a whole lot of shots myself,” Fifer said. “I kind of like to do a lot of passing, and working the ball up the field, and so I think that’s kind of helped me get a a lot of assists this year is just by being someone who looks for the open player and can see the field really well.” In fact to this point in her junior season, Fifer is tops in the Southland Conference in assists and has had a foot in almost 50 percent of the Wildcat’s scoring output, assisting on seven of the 18 goals. The 19th team goal being one she scored herself. Salas said Fifer’s consisten-
cy has played a large role in the success. “She is very unselfish with her play, which shows in her seven assists,” Salas said. “She’s one of the most consistent players on the team as well. You know what you’re going to get from her each game and she still pushes and exceeds our expectations.” A 2014 graduate from McKinney Boyd High
“
again I really feel like I’ve been a leader on this team on and off the field.” But even in establishing herself as a reliable facilitator for the Wildcats, Salas said Fifer’s most beneficial attributes as a player are her vision and composure on the field. “There’s not much flash to her game but she is always consistent and solid,” Salas
She’s one of the most consistent players on the team as well. You know what you’re going to get from her each game and she still pushes and exceeds our expectations.” STEPHEN SALAS ASSOCIATE HEAD COACH
School, Fifer and her older sister began playing soccer after moving to Texas from Colorado. And the two even played together in high school. Fifer said growing up she tried numerous sports, but it was soccer she thought she excelled at. “It’s been fun to see how much my life has changed because of soccer,” Fifer said. One those changes has been her role on the team. Although Fifer played fairly significant minutes each of her first two seasons, where she accumulated four assists, her 693 minutes this year are a representation of the leadership role she now plays. “I kind of had a difficult job finding my role on the team last year,” Fifer said. “So then this year starting off fresh
said. “She plays as a wide player for us, whether it’s up top, in the midfield, or in the back. That versatility of moving positions has allowed her to try different things in the game.” Although individually Fifer leads the conference in assists, she is also a big reason why ACU leads the conference in corner kicks. But more importantly why they have been such an important set piece for the team this season. “We saw that we could score on them so we put more of an emphasis and focus on executing,” Salas said. Chloe and Natalie have a good vision and touch to serve those balls into dangerous areas to where we have connected on them. We gave up some set pieces goals early on in the
season, so it’s been nice to be on the other end of that.” Fifer said it’s stressful for her and senior forward Natalie Throneberry to put the ball in the exact right spot on a corner kick. But when they do it gives the team an opportunity to score. “It’s a lot of pressure to put it in the exact same spot every time, but if i am able to do that it pretty much works out well every time.” Four of Fifer’s seven assists have come from the corner kick variety, with two finding senior defender Kelsie Roberts. Since the beginning of conference play, Fifer said she has created a good connection with Roberts and forwards like Throneberry, who leads the team with three goals and sophomore Dylan Owens. “We have a good connection because I can assume that they’re going to be there, it’s nice knowing that someone will be on the other end of the cross,” Fifer said. This connection can also be seen in how Fifer moves without the ball. Fifer said this has been one of the biggest improvements in her game since her freshman year. “I’ve really gotten better at opening up more, improving my movements off of the ball,” Fifer said. “And so when I put myself in better positions to receive the ball it gives me more opportunity and more time on the ball to see what’s around me.” But Roberts said the connection that Fifer has with her teammates goes beyond
the field. “Chloe’s work ethic on and off the field is outstanding, she also serves as a spiritual light on our team,” Roberts said. “We’re both driven individuals so Chloe is easy to get along with and just a fun person to be around.” As close as the team is as a whole, Fifer said junior forward Megan Baer and junior defensive midfielder Emily Duke have been with her through almost everything her at ACU. In fact, during their sophomore season all three pledged the same club and were able to help each other through the process, especially when Fifer was coming back from an injury. “I love watching her play as her teammate and friend,” Baer said. “It’s been even more special watching her come back from several big injuries in her college career. “We just always support each other and go crazy about each others goals and big plays.” And now as housemates the three are closer than ever. But as great as Fifer’s experience has been, her personal goal and team goal this season is a conference title. At 3-1-1 in conference the team sits in fourth place in the Southland Conference, five points behind SFA with 15, but still has a good chance if it wins out. And if that happens, Fifer’s assist totals and passing efficiency will continue to grow. JMR13B@ACU.EDU
Senior goalkeeper Sydney Newton was recognized as an honorable mention for Southland Conference Keeper of the Week. Newton has 55 saves on the season and is top-3 in the Southland in goals against, save percentage and shutouts. Be sure to follow @OptimistSports on Twittter for more stories and the latest ACU sports news coverage.
UPCOMING Leading the Southland with 2.39 blocks per set, volleyball continues conference play at Nicholls State on Saturday. Football hosts the No. 11 running back in Cade Harrington when it takes on Lamar Saturday at Shotwell. Winless in its last two matches, soccer looks to get back into the win column as it hosts Houston Baptist Friday. Men’s tennis travels to New Mexico this weekend, while the women will play in the SMU invitational. Basketball will begin its first full week of practice next week.