Kentucky Kernel: February 17, 2022

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Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022

news

College of CI hosts Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist

By Evelyn Mickschl news@kykernel.com

Award-winning reporter Bruce Johnson came to the University of Kentucky to deliver the second annual Angelo B. Henderson lecture to students on Feb. 10, 2022.

Johnson recently wrote a book titled “Surviving Deep Waters,” which comes out on Feb. 22.

His lecture had the same title, during which he told his story to students, sharing with them the knowledge and wisdom he gained from over 40 years of reporting.

The lecture began with an introduction from Felecia D. Henderson, Angelo B. Henderson’s widow. Henderson helped arrange the lecture series in her husband’s name, as well as create a scholarship in his honor.

She delivered a short speech about her husband and his many achievements, like winning the Detroit Press Club Award and being the first and only black journalist to win a Pulitzer Prize, before handing the stage off to the dean of the College of Communication and Information, Jennifer Greer, who introduced Bruce Johnson.

Johnson grew up in Louisville’s segregated West End. As a kid, he and his friends would go to Chickasaw Park and swing out over the Ohio River, dropping in even though they couldn’t swim.

“We learned though, quickly, to doggy paddle back to shore, so the current didn’t take us downstream,” Johnson said. “That was

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KAITLYN SKAGGS I STAFF Bruce Johnson, a retired award-winning anchor and reporter for WUSA 9 TV in Washington, D.C., speaks on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022, at William T. Young Library in Lexington, Kentucky.

just the first time; surviving deep waters became a goal, became who I was.”

This theme of surviving deep waters is a family legacy, it seems. Johnson’s grandmother, Millie Buckner, was the daughter of slaves. She was born in 1865, roughly two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.

“Millie made her way to Louisville, incredibly poor. A lot of this was kept from us, she didn’t think we could handle it … She was right,” Johnson said. “She lived in a duplex, in an alley, in East Louisville … The home had

no running water, no heat except for a coal and wood stove in each room.”

He continued by talking about his mother, the first member of their family to graduate high school. At age 52, she got her undergraduate degree at the University of Louisville.

Johnson was the first to graduate, however, with a degree in political science from Northern Kentucky University. During his undergraduate years, he got a job at WCPO-TV in Cincinnati, Ohio. Even with his success, he never forgot his beginnings in a

poor community, filled with violence.

“I made it a point to move into those communities, cover those stories,” Johnson said. “Not just the crime, not just the crack … I started covering the parents trying to raise their kids, the parents who were actually going to work every day, the college kid coming home for the summer who ends up dead because he’s where he has to be … I knew there was more to my community than just violence.”

He didn’t tell this history in order to create guilt, but to inspire.

“This is the time to tell our stories, not to make somebody else feel bad. My people have felt bad, and more bad, for a long time.

This is the time to go back and correct history,” Johnson said.

“We’re all in this, and as journalists, we have to take a side in some of this stuff. We’ve hidden behind objective journalism … in some instances, it’s clear. Right is right and wrong is wrong.”

Johnson spoke on the Black Lives Matter movement, especially how it has progressed during the pandemic. He emphasized that even though it is black lives that are affected, white lives need to put effort into change as well.

That change is happening with increased black presence in the workforce and media, but it’s happening slowly.

“Look at the board rooms,” he said. “One of the board rooms I talk about in my book has only two minorities. They had one, before Black Lives Matter. They have fifty-two local presidents and general managers running TV stations; only two of those fifty two are people of color.”

Change has to happen across the board, he emphasized. The change seems to be coming, though.

“As I’m watching people take to the streets, during a pandemic, protesting George Floyd’s murder on television,” he said. “As the demonstrations get larger and larger, I look up, and I see just as many white people as black people.”

Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022

Humans of UK:

kentuckykernel

Mario Maitland shares people’s stories

By Laurie Jonhatan features@kykernel.com

This is Humans of UK, inspired by the Humans of New York Instagram series by photographer and author Brandon Stanton. This series dives into the individuals of UK as well as their stories, strifes and passions.

Mario Maitland, a recent December 2021 UK graduate, debuted his podcast “What’s Next with Rio,” last fall on social media. Maitland began season one, which is still in continuance, with a vision of sharing others’ stories.

The podcast’s first few episodes feature stories of guests from a variety of backgrounds. Maitland has interviewed athletes like Rhyne Howard, a UK womens basketball player, as well as entrepreneurs like Chadwick McPherson, a fashion designer based in Atlanta. Maitland invites these guests in hopes of inspiring his listeners with a more indepth view into their stories and lives.

“My podcast is focused around inspiring others, ‘cause without inspiration, we wouldn’t see the big icons like

JACK WEAVER | STAFF Mario Maitland poses for a portrait on Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022, at the Gatton Student Center in Lexington, Kentucky.

Martin Luther King, Barack Obama [and] great sports athletes,” Maitland said.

Maitland said his podcast, which has an interview-style setup, allows his guests to control “their stories, what they’re trying to say.” Maitland sends his guests the questions beforehand and tries to create a conversational environment during the taping of an episode.

“I try to have a

light-going, more free, not-so-serious vibe, you know, just you and me sitting here talking…

We’re gonna laugh, we’re gonna talk about different topics,” Maitland said. “I want to have a conversation and let my guest tell [their] story. Everybody’s got their own story.”

Maitland had always been a huge fan of podcasts, and this passion grew in recent years.

During his final semes-

ter at UK, he was able to take a podcast class where he learned about the editing and audio aspects of podcast creation, giving him the foundation to create his own.

“The class definitely gave me the pathway to start what I really wanted to do in the long run,” Maitland said.

Throughout his college classes, he said he found himself always researching and “finding little things” to help better and improve himself.

Through the work of researching, marketing, promoting, interviewing guests and editing all by himself, Maitland finds that he improves with each and every episode.

As for the podcast’s future, Maitland is taking it episode by episode. As he finishes season one and begins to tape season two, Maitland wants to continue to grow as much as possible and be able to have an effect on people.

“Growing is the key – grow and learn from mistakes,” Maitland said. “[And to] be inspired by someone, someone else’s past story, you know, that’s how we [make] the world a better place in the long run.”

CONTACT

Editor-in-chief:

Rayleigh Deaton

editor@kykernel.com Managing editor:

Jack Weaver editor@kykernel.com

News editor:

Hannah Stanley news@kykernel.com

Asst. news editor:

Sarah Michels

Features editor:

Emily Girard features@kykernel.com

Sports editor:

Hunter Shelton sports@kykernel.com

Asst. sports editor:

Cole Parke

Opinions editor:

Brooklyn Kelley opinions@kykernel.com

Photo editor:

Jack Weaver

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Ryder Noah From

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KENTUCKY KERNEL OFFICES 340 McVey Hall University of Kentucky Lexington, KY 40506

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On the back cover:

MICHAEL CLUBB | STAFF Savanna Burke, right, strikes a pose as she and Jake Patty, left, leave from their blind date on Friday, Feb. 11, 2022, at Puccini's Pizza Pasta in Lexington, Kentucky.

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Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022

opinions

A Kentuckian’s look at Super Bowl LVI

By Hunter Shelton opinions@kykernel.com

The state of Kentucky came within moments of claiming a Cincinnati Bengals Super Bowl victory this past Sunday.

If not for a late Los Angeles Rams touchdown, the Commonwealth would have had the opportunity to celebrate from Paducah to Pikeville in honor of their hometown-ish team.

Yes, the Lexington Legends recently claimed the 2021 Atlantic League Championship, and they’ll soon be joined at Wild Health Field by the Wild Health Genomes, but with no professional teams in the state to root for, Kentuckians often turn to the Queen City to get their big-league fix.

The Bengals claimed their first winning record and playoff appearance since 2015 this season, while managing to win their first playoff game since 1990. Not only did they break that streak, but they also reached the Super Bowl for just the third time in franchise history.

Lexington is often coated in blue and white, but as Ohio heartthrob and Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow led his team on a Cinderella run, smatterings of orange and black became increasingly pronounced.

“Who Dey,” the rallying chant shared

by Cincinnati and its fans, began to creep down south of the Ohio river, taking over local business signs and billboards.

As the fateful Sunday approached, the state was ready to cheer the team on like they were their own, as if the Bluegrass breeze had been taken over by the scent of Skyline Chili, which unfortunately made an appearance at many Super Bowl parties.

Normally, the championship excitement doesn’t come around in Kentucky

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until March, but even the rabid Wildcat fans and UK basketball players themselves made an exception for Feb. 13.

“All my Cincinnati peeps can I join the Bengals family?” Kentucky guard TyTy Washington tweeted.

A 23-20 final score was not quite the storybook ending Bengals fans were looking for, but boy was it a fun season.

What the Bengals managed to do in the postseason was nothing short of remarkable. Head coach Zac Taylor has led a three-season turnaround that instilled life in the Cincinnati sports world, which has been without a championship since the Reds won the World Series in 1990.

Players like Burrow and wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase have enamored fans from Ohio to Kentucky and beyond.

Not since the days of the Kentucky Thoroughblades, a former minor league in the American Hockey League, and the Kentucky Horsemen, a former National Indoor Football League franchise, have Kentuckians had anything close to a professional sports franchise grace its state.

The Legends were dropped from being an affiliate for the Kansas City Royals and demoted to the Atlantic League, a step down in the hierarchy of minor league baseball. The team's ballpark has seen better days, as it sits in a less than ideal part of Lexington, drawing in tens of fans a game.

Perhaps those Wild Health Genomes will get the ticket booths bustling once again.

For now, Lexingtonians and Kentuckians alike will just have to settle for Super Bowl runners-up, via that big city next door just up north.

Who needs football, anyways? March Madness is right around the corner. I hear there’s a decent team in Murray this season.

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Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022

opinions

The Kernel stands with The Battalion

By Editorial Board opinions@kykernel.com

Student journalism matters.

Print journalism matters.

Journalism without outside control and influence helps preserve democracy and stops corruption. This is impossible without the existence of a free and independent press, and it is impossible without the existence of print media.

The Kentucky Kernel stands in staunch opposition to the Feb. 10 decision made by the Texas A&M administration to cease printing of The Battalion, its student newspaper.

As the subsequent article published in The Battalion alludes, the newspaper has been released in print editions for almost all of its 129-year history. According to The Battalion, earlier this month, the A&M administration made the decision to move the newspaper under the developing Depart-

ment of Journalism – effectively bringing the publication under the supervision and jurisdiction of the university.

This decision was made without input from any staff from The Batt or journalism faculty, the article said. However, in a Feb. 14 press release, A&M president M. Katherine Banks said that two representatives from the newspaper and the publication’s faculty advisor would be included in a “Working Group” deciding future steps for the journalism department and The Batt. This came after an outpouring of support on social media for The Batt from journalists, student publications, members of the A&M student body and organizations across the U.S., including an open letter from the College Media Association.

Regardless, such a sudden demand for cessation by the university’s administration, without consulting those most affected, begs the question: Why would

a president who has been in the position for less than a year make the call to end a century-long tradition? Importance of journalism aside, this seems like a risky – and suspicious – decision.

In a statement to The Batt, Banks said that she “does not know” why print journalism is important to the industry. Please allow the Kernel to offer some reasons why it is not only important to the field of journalism but to the democratic process as a whole.

Firstly, freedom of the press is a Constitutional right guaranteed in the First Amendment.

This provision protects the media from oversight by those in power, regardless of how they are portrayed. It is the role of the press, at any level, to point out corruption and inform the public of events free of bias.

At the collegiate level, the ability of student newspapers to act as a watchdog on the administration is vital for ensuring

By the administration overstepping its bounds and making this announcement on its own, it is single-handedly changing the newspaper’s method of distribution and format, altering The Batt’s entire identity as a publication that has been in existence for longer than any administrators have been alive. This is a call that should never have been theirs to make.

- Editorial Board

students’ voices are heard and the university does not operate in an echo chamber of its own ideas.

The culture of higher education should be crafted predominantly around the students who are currently enrolled at the school, not alumni, prospective students or donors. Members of the student body are the ones who are mostly affected by the university’s decisions, and it is their perspective that should be taken into account.

A student newspaper that is not able to operate so freely is arguably unable to fulfill a basic function of journalism, and this should be concerning not only to the students but the administration itself. How can a university hope to improve and better serve its students when their true opinions are not expressed?

There is no better way to share this perspective than an independent newspaper written by students, for students, without censorship by the administration.

In the Kernel’s case, we have been editorially independent since 1971, which means that we are able to publish news and opinions without fear of censorship by the UK administration or Board of Trustees.

While this does not mean that there are not consequences and backlash from what we print – as evidenced by the fact that we were sued by UK over an open-records request – it guarantees that UK cannot prevent us from printing anything we wish, even if it paints the university in a negative light.

The Kernel is not funded by UK, so we will proudly continue to publish weekly print editions for the UK campus community.

For the most part, UK does a commendable job of allowing us to publish freely, and the Kernel is thankful for the relationship we have with the university as we both strive to make this school a better place for students to live and learn.

Secondly, while it could be argued that American journalism is trending toward a more online format and away from the traditional printed editions, that is no justification of A&M’s call to cut printing The Batt without warning.

Using this industry-wide shift as a reason for the sudden cessation without consulting the staff is, frankly, disrespectful of journalism’s rich history of print and displays a poor understanding of the field. The decision to move The Batt online is one that is the staff’s and the staff’s alone to make.

By the administration overstepping its bounds and making this announcement on its own, it is single-handedly changing the newspaper’s method of distribution and format, altering The Batt’s entire identity as a publication that has been in existence for longer than any administrators have been alive. This is a call that should never have been theirs to make.

The Kernel looks forward to seeing a more collaborative partnership between The Batt and A&M and hopes that president Banks will strongly reconsider the decision to cease printing the newspaper. It is the best decision for the students and the future of student journalism, helping preserve this proud tradition that is so vital to higher education.

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Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022

opinions

Anti-abortion protestors should not be protected by the university

By Ethan Wallace opinions@kykernel.com

Last November, UK’s campus, along with other public parts of Lexington, became briefly overrun with pro-life demonstrators vocalizing their cause to unsuspecting scholars just trying to get into Whitehall.

The good, tuition-paying students of the University of Kentucky are no strangers to such events, as evidenced by the infamous lingering presence of one “moon-man,” who regularly espoused his flat-earth conspiracies before being asked to vacate the south portico of the Gatton Student Center.

Nevertheless, controversy abounded when several counter-protesting students were filmed dancing to the tune of Starbursts’ 2007 “Berries and Cream” commercial and chanting “my body, my choice.”

Now, with thousands of views across several social media platforms, UK’s comment sections are flooded with calls to reprimand or even suspend those students. The university quickly responded, saying, “We are aware of the video involving students displaying mocking behavior toward another

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individual on our campus.

The incident is being investigated. At the University of Kentucky, we value mutual respect and civility, even in situations involving strong differences of opinion. This behavior is not in line with our values.”

Why this is only now being discussed, and why the university feels the need to comment on such a mundane and inconsequential event, is beyond me.

But if anyone is at fault, it’s certainly not the three women voicing their distaste for the downright vulgar and offensive material being peddled to pedestrians by individuals not remotely affiliated with UK. The freedom of speech is a sacred and protected institution here; I’m proud to have proven that via two well-spirited and lively debates between the College Democrats and College Republicans, one being over the topic of abortion.

But freedom of speech does not incur freedom from consequences, nor does it mean that the University of Kentucky should defend those bespeaking crude graphics in public campus spaces.

And I don’t use the word “defend” without care. Choosing to focus

their statement on the women and subversively accusing them of incivility, when it was the anti-abortion demonstrators whose presence initially caused the altercation, is itself a clear admission of support – one that won’t go unnoticed by students who wish to freely express their opinions on campus.

Moreover, by issuing the statement at all, the university has only further subjected the three women in the video to further online harassment. The most recent Instagram post on the official UK page, celebrating Black History Month, is now inundated with comments like “if I were the school, I would definitely be kicking them out for their psychotic behavior…”, or “SUSPEND THOSE STUDENTS.” We can only hope that the students’ identities remain concealed, for their own safety.

I’m not going to make a judgment as to how UK should address the incident in November, but I will come right out in saying that there is a distinct lack of clarity and consistency in how the university directs its policy on free-speech and offensive speech in public places.

If the administration is

STAFF FILE PHOTO Students watch a group of activists chant in opposition to a national anti-abortion group outside White Hall Classroom building on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2017, in Lexington, Kentucky.

perfectly content with allowing the demonstrators to display their graphic images, then it should also be content with its students mocking them. And moreso, it should not hastily make vague and confusing statements seemingly admonishing the three women who were rightfully exercising their freedom of speech in a university-designated zone.

Being offended is a natural part of being an adult, and controversial statements being made on campus ought not be prohibited, nor should individuals publicly defend-

ing their position on a hot button issue. But we can be a little more considerate, can’t we? The university can choose to ban that kind of speech in public spaces moving forward, or it can continue to permit it. Either way, it doesn’t need to defend it, and it certainly can be even marginally more committed to its students and not out-of-towners who expose them unwillingly to graphic imagery.

Addendum: This week, SGA Senator Danica Moon authored a resolution urging the university to release

a follow-up statement indicating that they are not actively investigating the students in the video and that they were rightly exercising their freedom of speech. I urge all my friends in SGA to vote in favor of this resolution to protect campus speech and undo the harm that was done to the women in the video.

Ethan Wallace is a junior political science major at UK, an active member of the College Democrats and supporter of compassionate but well-spirited free speech on campus.

Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022

sports

Rocky Toppled: No. 4 Kentucky routed in 76-63 loss to No. 16 Tennessee

By Hunter Shelton sports@kykernel.com

No. 16 Tennessee returned the favor to No. 4 Kentucky on Tuesday night, besting the Cats 7663 inside Thompson-Boling Arena.

After rolling over the Volunteers 107-79 in the team's first matchup on Jan. 15, Kentucky would not make magic twice against the orange and white.

The loss snapped a sixgame winning streak for the Cats, dropping their record to 21-5 (10-3 SEC) while the Volunteers improved to 19-6 (10-3 SEC), good enough to tie the Cats for second place in the conference standings. UT has now won seven consecutive SEC matchups.

“They wanted it more, needed it more, were more physical and banged us around,” UK head coach John Calipari said after the loss.

The Cats were mentally and physically beat down by the Vols.

Starting guard TyTy Washington Jr. was questionable to play on Tuesday after suffering a lower leg injury in the Cats’ win against Florida.

Washington would give it a go in Knoxville despite rumors suggesting otherwise. The freshman out of Phoenix would claim his usual starting spot, but was a non-factor for most of the

night.

Early in the second half, Washington would go down after contact and eventually limp gingerly off the court to the bench.

He would not return for the remainder of the game.

In 13 minutes, he recorded four points and three assists.

“If I had to do it over, I wouldn’t have played TyTy [Washington],” Calipari said. “I asked him twice, ‘Why don't you step back?’ and he said, ‘I can do this.’

I should have gone with my gut.”

Forward Jacob Toppin also returned from injury after missing the Florida matchup due to an ankle injury he suffered against South Carolina on Feb. 8.

Toppin would manage to play up to his sparkplug role, making five of nine shot attempts, scoring 11 points and hauling in six boards.

Davion Mintz matched Toppin’s scoring total despite missing eight shots.

The transfer duo combined for 22 of UK’s 24 bench points.

Kentucky would lead 17-15 early in the first half, but never again after a scrum on the sideline that included UT’s John Fulkerson, Zakai Zeigler and the UK bench.

“We got manhandled. It was a revenge game,” Calipari said.

That lead change invoked a 17-1 Tennessee

run that saw the Wildcats go nearly 11 minutes without making a field goal. After the raucous UT crowd saw its Vols regain the lead, it was curtains for the Cats.

Oscar Tshiebwe provided one of the other few bright spots for Kentucky, recording double-double No. 20 on the season, scoring 13 points and grabbing 15 rebounds.

While the big man produced his usual statistics, he shot 5-15 as Kentucky was unable to find a goto player on Tuesday. As a team, the Cats shot 34% from the floor, their lowest shooting percentage of the season.

With Washington nullified, point guard Sahvir Wheeler attempted to carry the load but was unable to stay in a consistent rhythm due to foul trouble.

Wheeler played 36 minutes, collecting eight points, five assists and four rebounds while picking up four personal fouls.

The Cats could not rely on sharpshooter Kellan Grady, as the Volunteers held the Davidson transfer to six points on 2-9 shooting. After reaching double-figures in his previous seven games, Grady failed to find his usual hot-streak that has propelled him to the top of the shooting charts in 2022.

Calipari harped on his team’s inability to get open on Tuesday, citing that the

MICHAEL CLUBB | STAFF Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari reacts after a non-call during the UK vs.

Tennessee mens basketball game on Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022, at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee.

players were simply outworked by the Vols.

“What does that mean?”

Calipari rhetorically asked about the lack of open shots. “The other guy is working harder than you.”

Four Volunteers would reach double-figures scoring, headlined by Santiago Vescovi, who bagged 18 points on 6-12 shooting.

Just behind was his backcourt mate Kennedy Chandler, who knocked down five shots and four free throws to total 17 points.

“Their guards kicked our guards,” Calipari said.

Zeigler and Fulkerson each scored 14 points, 10 of which came in the second half from each player.

The Volunteers would make just seven shots in the second half, five less than the Cats. UT would cash in from the free throw line, making 14 of 17 attempts from the stripe, keeping UK at bay.

“There’s no excuses,” Calipari said.

Kentucky would pull within eight points at the 13:37 mark in the second half, but yet another double-digit UT run would stifle any shot the Cats had of making it interesting down the stretch.

While it’s only a few hours' drive from Knoxville back to Lexington, it probably felt much longer for the Cats, who have now

tasted defeat for the first time since Jan. 22, where they fell 80-71 at Auburn.

“We needed this,” Toppin said. “It’s a wake-up call. Now we’re going to dial back in and we’re gonna go back to dominating.”

Next up for Kentucky is a rematch with No. 25 Alabama, another team that the Cats have already vanquished this season.

“We’re one of the better teams in the country,” Calipari said. “That’s who we are. Now we gotta go play that way.”

Tip-off between the Wildcats and Crimson Tide is set for 1 p.m. E.S.T. on Feb. 19, inside Rupp Arena.

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Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022

sports

UK womens tennis match best start in program history

By Aaron Benjamin and Ian Alvano sports@kykernel.com

Kentucky womens tennis claimed three victories in a three-day span, hoisting the Cats up to a 9-0 record for the best start in program history since 2009.

UK’s historic ninth win came against the Indiana Hoosiers, who failed to record a point against the Cats, losing 4-0.

In doubles play, the duo of 2021 All-American Fiona Arrese and junior Florencia Urrutia faced Indiana’s Laura Masic and Lara Schneider, ranked No. 27. The two Hoosiers had a hard time scoring on the UK tandem, winning just two games and falling 6-2.

Not long after, Kentucky clinched the second doubles set and the first point of the day. Freshman Lidia Gonzalez and junior Carlota Molina shut out the pair of Sayda Hernandez and Rose Hu 6-0 on court three. Gonzalez and Molina, with the win, push their record to 4-1 in doubles play this year.

After not being able to finish her doubles match, IU’s Alex Staiculescu was matched up against Arrese in singles play.

Arrese would handily take both sets, winning 6-2, 6-4, giving Kentucky its second point.

Soon after, Molina won her singles match in dominant fashion by a score of 6-0, 6-2 over Schneider. In quick fashion, the Cats were one point away from victory.

Next, the eyes would shift to court four, where Urrutia squared off against Mejic. Their first set was a fierce battle, with Urrutia edging it out 7-6. The second set proved to be much easier for her, as she took it 6-2 and gave the Cats a 4-0 victory.

That clinching point would be Urrutia’s second of the season. More impressively, the win moved her to an unbeaten 8-0 record in singles match appearances.

The drumming of Indiana came following a doubleheader sweep against Penn State and Western Kentucky just two days prior.

Kentucky defeated Penn State 4-3 in thrilling fashion to start the day off.

After being down 3-0, the Wildcats were able to rally four consecutive singles points to come back and stun the Nittany Lions.

Urrutia was able to defeat Penn State’s Alexandra Nielsen to start the rally for Kentucky. Urrutia won in three

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MICHAEL CLUBB | STAFF Fiona Arrese celebrates a point during the UK vs. Tennessee womens tennis match on Sunday, March 28, 2021, at Hillary J. Boone Tennis Center in Lexington, Kentucky.

sets 6-3, 1-6, 6-1 to give Kentucky life.

Arrese then decided to join in on the comeback action.

After dropping the first set to Gabby O’Gorman, Arrese collected herself and won two sets in a row by a score of 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(4).

With momentum on its side, Kentucky was able to tie up the match following Ellie Eades defeating Penn State’s Alina Lebedeva in straight sets 7-6(4), 6-2.

The remarkable comeback was capped off by Kentucky’s Gonzalez, who was victorious over Karly Friedland 6-3, 7-5.

UK’s four straight singles points would be enough to preserve its undefeated record as the team went on to face Western Kentucky later in the day.

Kentucky would control the match against the Hilltoppers from the doubles point.

Molina and Gonzalez beat WKU’s Sofia Blanco and

Mariana Zegada 6-1. UKwent on to earn the doubles point after Carla Girbau and Eades defeated Samantha Martinez and Laura Bernardos 6-2.

The Cats continued to dominate during singles action.

Arrese won in impressive fashion on Taylor Shaw 6-2, 6-1, putting Kentucky up 2-0.

It wouldn’t take long for the Wildcats to win the match and sweep the doubleheader, as Urrutia defeated Rachel Hermanova in straight sets 6-4, 6-1, while minutes after, Girbau was able to beat Bernardos 6-2, 6-2, providing yet another sweep for Kentucky.

UK will now attempt to begin its season at 10-0 for the first time in program history on Friday, Feb. 18, as the Ohio State Buckeyes will attempt to play spoiler inside the Hilary J. Boone Tennis Center.

First serve is set for 4 p.m. E.S.T.

Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022

kentucky kernel

Blind Dates

Story by Rayleigh Deaton

and Laurie Jonhatan Graphic by Ryder Noah From

In a culture where dating decisions often take the form of split-second swipes on a phone screen, the Kernel wanted to offer four UK students the chance to find something deeper.

On Friday, Feb. 11, we set up two couples on blind dates at Puccini’s Pizza Pasta, courtesy of the Kernel, to possibly meet their Valentine – or at least make a new friend.

The Kernel opened an application for any students at UK looking for love (and a free meal).

The four students were selected from the pool of applicants, paired up based on their respons-

es to questions about their personality, sexual preference and what they were hoping to get out of the date. Editor-in-Chief Rayleigh Deaton and Managing Editor Jack Weaver sat down and played matchmaker, pairing the couples that they believed would be the most compatible.

The participants knew nothing about their date going into the evening, giving them the chance to learn about someone else with no prior knowledge about them – a unique opportunity in today’s social media-inundated society.

See DATES on page 10

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DATES CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

COUPLE 1: JAKE PATTY AND SAVANNA BURKE Before the date…

Jake Patty: With a newly grown mustache and his outfit full of favorites — a purple flannel, boots and a Vern Gosdin t-shirt — Jake Patty, a 21-year-old junior chemical engineering major, arrived at Puccini’s for his first ever blind date.

“There’s a lot of thrill in the idea of not knowing anything about someone. And just signing up to meet them and to meet them in a more intimate environment,” Patty said.

The chance to meet someone without knowing what they looked like beforehand drove him to sign up for the experience.

“It’s not really something that’s possible anymore, because everybody has social media and everybody knows what everybody looks like, so I thought that was really interesting,” Patty said.

Patty’s excitement helped alleviate the usual stress that can come from dating, especially when he wasn’t sure if he was going to get picked to participate.

“It’s also something where there’s no pressure at all because I don’t know anything about this person,” Patty said. “This person doesn’t know anything about me. So there’s nothing to be nervous about in this circumstance.”

Without knowing any information about his date prior to the night, he wanted to rely on the chance of an organic connection.

“I’m just gonna let it flow naturally,” Patty said. “I want to see where they’re from, what they believe in, and I want to see what they’re passionate about. I think that’s the main thing.”

MICHAEL CLUBB I STAFF Jake Patty shaves in preparation for his blind date on Friday, Feb. 11, 2022, at his house in Lexington, Kentucky.

Savanna Burke: Junior neuroscience major Savanna Burke had never been on a blind date before, but she said her best friend convinced her to apply with her, never expecting that she would be picked.

Burke, 20, described herself as a “serious dater” and said that she has had one prior serious relationship in college.

“I like to meet a person and fully vibe about the emotional connection before going into physical connections and all those things,” she said.

Burke said that the spontaneous decision to apply for the blind date might have been a good choice for her, since she often feels too busy to meet people.

However, Burke has given thought to what she is looking for in a relationship – a partner with whom she can “do life.”

“That’s what I think I’d be looking for: somebody to inspire me in the place where I’m feeling uninspired and push me to places where I need to be pushed,” she said.

Going into the date, she said that she was “equal parts nervous and excited,” trying to keep an open mind with no expectations.

“At the very least, I’m gonna make a good friend,” she said. “That’s not the worst option at all.”

To the left: KAITLYN SKAGGS I STAFF Savanna Burke applies makeup in the mirror at her house while getting ready for her blind date.

To the right: KAITLYN SKAGGS I STAFF Savanna Burke, left, and her friend Maddie Mccay, right, look at former Kentucky Kernel blind dates in order to get a feel for what is to come of Burke's.

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Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022

After the date…

Savanna Burke: After her date with Patty, Burke said that she thought that even if the relationship might not go deeper, she had made a new friend.

“We just got talking about things that we both like – school, faith, books,” she said. “So if anything, really cool conversation out of that.”

She said that they had several mutual friends and expected that they would cross paths again through those connections. Burke also thought that Patty was a “very nice guy.”

Although she had never been to Puccini’s prior to the date, Burke thought it was a great spot for a first date. She ordered chicken marsala with breadsticks and salad and said the atmosphere reminded her of the pizza and pasta restaurant her family owns back home in Ohio.

Burke said she would definitely return for more of Puccini’s food.

“This is a perfect first date place,” she said. “Not too much pressure, very chill environment – what more could you want?”

A few days later, we checked in with Burke again about the date; she said that she and Patty had followed each other on Instagram. She added that she was “super grateful” for the opportunity.

With one blind date under her belt, Burke said that she would go on more in the future if given the opportunity.

“It was so fun,” she said. “Go on blind dates, people!”

Jake Patty: Nearly two hours later, Patty walked out. He’d had a full meal of scamorza for the appetizer and an entree of vodka cream sauce with fettuccine and chicken, which Patty described as being “phenomenal;” the night ended on a good note.

“It went great,” Patty said. “We just talked about so many different things. She’s really cool.”

He said he enjoyed the opportunity to hear where Burke was from and what she liked doing.

A few days after the date, Patty said that while he and Burke had not talked any more since, he enjoyed meeting her. He added that they were “two very different people” who might not have interacted otherwise, but the experience was a positive one.

“Overall, it was awesome to get to meet and talk with someone with absolutely no pressure, regardless of any outcome,” he said.

See DATES on page 12 To the left: MICHAEL CLUBB I STAFF Jake Patty, left, and Savanna Burke, right, talk with each other during their blind date at Puccini's Pizza Pasta.

On the bottom: MICHAEL CLUBB I STAFF Savanna Burke, left, and Jake Patty, right, talk with each other during their blind date at Puccini's Pizza Pasta.

Photo by MICHAEL CLUBB I STAFF

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Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022

DATES CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11 FOLLOWS ON PAGE 13

COUPLE 2: MADISON WARNER AND TEJA SUDHAKAR Before the date…

Madison Warner: Nineteen-year-old freshman natural resources and environmental sciences major Madison Warner felt the nerves all day leading up to her first ever blind date.

“I never do stuff like this. It’s really out of my comfort zone,” she said.

What began as signing up for the blind date as a joke between her and her roommate turned into a very real experience at Puccini’s last Friday night for Warner.

“Well, my roommate told me about it. She was like, ‘There’s this Valentine’s Day thing for the Kernel,’ and I said, ‘Oh my God, we have to sign up because it’ll be so funny if you get picked and I don’t,’” Warner said.

“I was completely planning on not getting picked.”

While her plans went in the opposite direction, her friends encouraged her to go. Warner showed up that Friday night in a Valentine’s Day-esque outfit, with a salmon-pink sweater, blue jeans and a pair of white Converse. She said that she tried to dress casually and did not want to be “too fancy.”

Prior to the date, Warner was interested in seeing what she and her date had in common.

“I’m probably gonna ask them what they said on the application just because I thought that would be interesting, to know how we got matched up,” she said.

But as far as where the date takes them, Warner wanted to rely on seeing what happens, adding that she planned on “just winging it.”

KAITLYN SKAGGS I STAFF Madison Warner puts her shoes on in her dorm before leaving for her blind date.

Teja Sudhakar: A senior majoring in psychology and gender and women’s studies, 21-year-old Teja Sudhakar hoped that her first blind date experience would be straight out of a romantic comedy.

“This situation is just such a rom-com, meet cute kind of thing,” she said. “I just figured, however this turns out, it’ll be a good story in the end.”

Sudhakar said she saw the blind date advertised on Instagram and applied, wanting to do something spontaneous during her senior year, or as she described, things that scare her.

“And this definitely scared me,” she said.

Going into the evening, Sudhakar said she was nervous. Although she had dated before in college, she said she did not know what to expect for the blind date. Sudhakarer’s goal for the blind date was to “make a friend.”

She said some qualities she hoped for in a partner included an appreciation for the arts, good listening skills and kindness.

“I think what I want most in a partner is a good friend,” Sudhakar said.

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SYDNEY TURNER I STAFF Teja Sudhakar applies makeup in her house before leaving for her blind date.

Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022

After the date…

KAITLYN SKAGGS I STAFF Teja Sudhakar, left, and Madison Warner, right, get to chatting before ordering appetizers on their blind date at Puccini's Pizza Pasta.

Madison Warner: Two hours later, Warner emerged from Puccini’s with an armful of to-go boxes. She had ordered the pesto fettuccine and salad as her entrée, and she and Sudhakar shared the pepperoni bread and bruschetta as appetizers.

Although she said she enjoyed getting to know Sudhakar, Warner said she was unsure of what the future would hold for them.

“I’d definitely like to keep talking to her, I don’t know as a friend or something like that,” she said.

“She’s very nice.”

Warner said that Puccini’s was a great first date spot, adding that the restaurant was “cute” and “secluded,” making it possible to have good conversation. She said that her first blind date was enjoyable, and she might consider going on more in the future.

“I would probably do it again; it was fun,” she said.

A few days later, Warner said that she and Sudhakar had followed each other on several social media platforms, but they had not talked since the date. Regardless, she said she “felt good” about the experience.

KAITLYN SKAGGS I STAFF Madison Warner pulls up something on her phone to show her blind date.

Teja Sudhakar: Following her date with Warner, Sudhakar left the restaurant, describing the evening as a “great experience.”

Having never been to Puccini’s before, she had the rosemary chicken pasta as her main course and split two appetizers with Warner, adding that the restaurant had a “very homey atmosphere” that made it a good place for a first date.

“I’m so happy with these leftovers,” Sudhakar said of the stack of to-go containers she was carrying. “My roommates will be thrilled.”

She said Warner was “so sweet and great to talk to,” reminding her of an old roommate.

“Our room number was 211 for two years because we stayed in the same room, and on Feb. 11 every year we’d act like it was a national holiday. And it’s cute that it’s Feb. 11 right now and I met this person who reminds me so much of her,” Sudhakar said.

She and Warner exchanged Spotify and Goodreads accounts but not phone numbers; Sudhakar said that she was hoping to approach their relationship as a friendship for the time being. She added that she wanted to “keep hanging out” with Warner and get to know her more.

“We have so much in common, and every time I learned something new about her, it was just more and more interesting,” Sudhakar said.

A few days later, she told us that she and Warner had also followed each other on Instagram, but they had not spoken since.

However, given their slight age gap, Sudhakar was unsure their relationship would go any deeper than a friendship.

“She’s super cool, and I’d love to know her better, but since she’s a freshman and I’m a senior we’re kind of at [different] places in our lives … I think a friendship between us would be more likely than a dating situation,” she said.

Although it does not appear that the two relationships will go beyond friendships for the time being, the blind dates gave four students the chance to sit down and meet someone that they probably would not have otherwise. And for those looking for a perfect spot for a first date of their own, Puccini’s is a great option!

The Kernel would like to thank Puccini’s for allowing us to hold the dates in their Chevy Chase location, as well as these four adventurous individuals who took the plunge and tried something new.

Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022

sports

Kentucky softball begins season 4-1

By Aaron Benjamin sports@kykernel.com

Kentucky softball began its 2022 season at the Northern Lights Southern Nights tournament, finishing with a 4-1 record at the Sleepy Hollow Sports Complex in Leesburg, Florida.

The Cats kicked off the tournament on Thursday, Feb. 10, against the Wisconsin Badgers.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, with the score knotted up at 1-1, UK senior outfielder Renee Abernathy singled to right field, bringing in two runs. Wisconsin scored another run off the bat of Ellie Hubbard, but late RBIs from Wildcats Taylor Ebbs and Emmy Blane distanced Kentucky’s lead, and the game ended in a 5-2 win for Kentucky.

Pitcher Miranda Stoddard picked up the win, going all seven innings for the Cats, allowing two runs on five hits, while striking out five Badgers. Hitting-wise, Kentucky went 8-27, scoring five and leaving four on base.

UK would return for game two the following morning against the Michigan State Spartans. The Wildcats came out hot in the first inning, scoring three runs, the first two being off a liner triple down the right-field line by Abernathy.

There would be no cooling down Kentucky’s bats, as the team went on to score four more runs in a 7-0 shutout of the Spartans. Catcher Kayla Kowalik led the team in hits with three, going 3-4 on the day. Abernathy, despite going 1-3, racked up three RBIs. Kentucky pitcher Stephanie Schoonover threw the full game, striking out six batters on three hits and one walk.

Later in the afternoon, Kentucky returned to the diamond to cap off the day’s doubleheader against the Liberty Flames.

Scoring got started in the fourth via an RBI single off the bat of Blane.

Liberty’s Caroline Hudson reached on a fielder’s choice, with Lilly Heidorn scoring on the play, tying the game at 1-1. In the top of the sixth inning, UK’s Erin Coffel launched a two-run home run, bringing

14 | kentucky kernel

in teammate Lauren Johnson.

That ceased the scoring, and UK came out with a 3-1 victory. Alexia Lacatena and Izzy Harrison combined to pitch five innings, but Stoddard would come out with the win, pushing her to 2-0 on the year. The trio put up 6 strikeouts, allowing two hits and three walks.

The Wildcats got back to the action on Saturday morning against the Iowa Hawkeyes. Something was working for the lineup, as the Cats put up seven runs in the first four innings. The biggest of those was a triple from Johnson, scoring three.

The Hawkeyes put up three in their half of the fourth, but UK continued to pour it on.

Kentucky went on an extra-base hitting spree, racking up two doubles and two triples to score four runs to close out the game.

UK won 11-3. Johnson was a big playmaker, totaling five RBIs on her 3-3 day from the plate. Kowalik and Rylea Smith trailed Johnson with two runs a piece driven in. Getting the win from the rubber was Kennedy Sullivan, who was one of four pitchers who saw an appearance in the game for the Cats.

Finally, Kentucky faced the No. 13 Virginia Tech Hokies. The first three innings saw no runs produced. In the fourth, Hokies shortstop Kelsey Bennett singled up the middle, scoring one. Morgan Overaitis would walk to load up the bases in the sixth, and Kentucky would pay for it as Meredith Slaw would send it out for Virginia Tech, clearing the bases for a grand slam and a 5-0 lead.

Johnson would avoid the shutout for UK by hitting a triple to left field, but that wouldn’t change the outcome – Virginia Tech won 6-1. Kentucky struggled from the plate in the final game of the event. The Wildcats put up four hits in twenty-three at bats. Once again, four Cats pitched, with Stoddard taking the loss on the day.

Despite the loss, UK will look to improve on its 4-1 record as it heads west to Tucson, Arizona, where the Cats will play another five games in the 2022 Hillenbrand Invitational starting Friday, Feb. 18.

JACK WEAVER | STAFF Kentucky Wildcat Miranda Stoddard pitches during the UK vs. Eastern Kentucky game on Tuesday, March 16, 2021, at Cropp Softball Stadium in Lexington, Kentucky.

Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022

By Cole Parke

Kentucky baseball prepares for 2022 season

sports@kykernel.com

Kentucky baseball looks to open its season on Friday, Feb. 18, in a three-game road series against Jacksonville State.

The Wildcats are led by head coach Nick Mingione, who has been with the team for five years, amassing 143 wins, including a 29-win season in 2021.

With nine televised games this season, Kentucky will look to continue where it left off last season, hoping to become the fourteenth and final team in the SEC to reach the College Baseball World Series.

“This is an uber competitive group,” Mingione said on Feb. 8. “We’ve been doing some of our live batter and pitcher confrontations and we hear the trash talking and see them go at each other with good internal competitiveness.”

In the offseason, Kentucky returned nearly its entire pitching rotation, while adding eight Division-I transfers. With the combination of returning stars and transfers added, the Cats boast one of the deepest pitching staffs in recent memory.

“We’re an experienced team,” Mingione said. “I’m talking about pitching and defense. Last year I said we needed to be better defensively and we were. I fully expect us to be a really good defensive team.”

Coach Mingione continued to compliment his team’s veterans, focusing in on said pitching staff that made headlines as the season drew near. “[The pitchers] consider

MICHAEL CLUBB | STAFF Kentucky Wildcat Ryan Ritter throws the ball to first during the University of Kentucky vs. Georgia State baseball game on Saturday, March 13, 2021, at Kentucky Proud Park in Lexington, Kentucky.

themselves the tip of the spear,” he said. “I’m really excited about our pitching staff. This is the first time we’ve really had pitching experience since maybe 2018. We returned every single SEC win on the mound, which is something I’ve never been a part of before.”

While the pitching staff draws its fair share of praise, someone else deserving is junior shortstop Ryan Ritter.

Ritter, who earned 49 hits in 2021, was a force to be reckoned with on the defensive side of the field, finishing the season with a .966 fielding percentage. His efforts were enough to earn him a spot on the preseason All-SEC Second Team by league coaches.

“It’s good [to be recognized], but I’m not satisfied,” Ritter said.

“There’s a lot more to prove, but it’s cool to get those acknowledgements.”

With the upcoming series against Jacksonville State, the Cats expect to open the season 3-0 on the road before returning home to Lexington.

“There’s no pressure to win and reach the postseason, that’s the expectation,” Mingione said.

“That’s something I’ll give this team credit for, they want to win and they’re coachable. They're committed to winning and that’s been fun to coach.”

For its home opener inside Kentucky Proud Park, Kentucky

hosts Southeast Missouri State for one game on Feb. 22.

In its first home series of the season, Kentucky welcomes Western Michigan on Feb. 25 for a three-game set.

Jumping ahead to Mar. 4, Kentucky welcomes TCU, who made it onto the road to Omaha in the postseason before being knocked out by Oregon State in game five of the Fort Worth regional hosted

by Dallas Baptist.

Conference play is set to kick-off on March 18, with the Cats traveling to Fayetteville for a three-game series against No .2 Arkansas, who made it all the way to Super Regionals in last year’s postseason.

sports

Moving forward into the heart of conference play, Kentucky made its schedule to allow for local single-game refreshers in between difficult SEC series, hosting Morehead State on March 22, Eastern Kentucky on March 29, Bellarmine on April 12, Dayton on April 26, UT Martin on May 10 and Tennessee Tech on May 17.

In two challenging single-game showdowns, Kentucky hosts Louisville on April 5, then later travels to Louisville on Apr. 19, keeping baseball’s Governor’s Cup battle alive and well.

Kentucky finishes its regular season at home, hosting a threegame set against Auburn.

While the SEC is a difficult conference to compete in regardless of the sport, SEC baseball takes it to the next level, with nine out of 14 teams making it onto the road to Omaha last season, six of those teams making super regionals, and three making the final trip to Omaha for the World Series.

If that wasn’t impressive enough, the 2021 championship series featured an SEC matchup between Vanderbilt and Mississippi State, with the Bulldogs ultimately walking away as champions.

“That’s the life of an SEC coach,” Mingione said regarding the team’s schedule. “We all face difficult schedules full of ranked teams. “Our expectation is not only to make the postseason, but to go on a run.”

Kentucky’s road series against Jacksonville State is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. E.S.T. on Friday, Feb. 18, from Jim Case Stadium.

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Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022

sports

Pulling a STUNT: UK Athletics’ new program ready to take campus by storm

By Hunter Shelton sports@kykernel.com

The University of Kentucky has officially welcomed the sport of STUNT to its varsity athletics program.

One of the fastest-growing female sports in the United States, STUNT is a team-versus-team competition that centers on the technical and athletic aspects of cheer.

Interim head coach Blair Bergmann spoke to the Kernel to break down the sport of STUNT, the excitement of the season and what Big Blue Nation should expect from the team this season.

FOR THE UNINITIATED, WHAT EXACTLY IS STUNT?

Bergmann: STUNT is basically a sport that's based in four quarters. So it takes sort of the athletic elements of cheerleading and gymnastics and moves it into a head to head format. So everyone knows pig, right? You know the game of pig, you do this shot, I copy you. Well, it's kind of like pig except at the same time. And instead of making up your own shots, there's predetermined routines that you can pick from. So in the

16 | kentucky kernel

four quarters, each quarter has a different category. So the first quarter category is steps, which is lifting people up, sort of doing those cheerleading aspects there.

The second quarter is pyramid. So building up large structures using multiple bodies to make those and then in the third quarter, we have jumps and tumbling.

So you know, people doing jumps, back flips, all those sort of fun things.

And then when we get to quarter four, we combine one through three together. So now you're doing the step routine, that jumps into tumbling routine, and then finishing with a pyramid routine. So it's sort of the big granddaddy of them all. And then in each quarter, you have an opportunity to compete for the eight routines. So there's four rounds in each quarter.

So, as you're going through the game, you can be doing level one, which is easiest and level eight, as well, which is the hardest. So it can kind of bounce back and forth between all eight of those routines.

WHAT DOES BEING NAMED INTERIM HEAD COACH MEAN TO YOU?

Bergmann: Yeah, I mean, it's huge. It's kind

Graphic courtesy of UK Athletics.

of fun because there hasn't been a new sport added in a while. So just kind of being able to do something that's completely brand new, yet still has that sort of name – you know, the Kentucky name. There's a standard that comes with being part of Kentucky and then just as we're building this team, we don't have some of those habits already in place. There's no culture that we need to change.

We're building our culture

as we're growing, so being able to sort of build the program right from the ground up, making sure that we're taking care of academics, we set the standard for how we practice. I think just being the interim head coach, my job is just to make sure whatever this team does, it sets us up for the next five to 10 years. So just making sure we take each and every day at every opportunity, whether we're out competing route, educating

the public, in workouts, we want people to know that UK STUNT is going to be one of the most competitive teams on campus.

HOW IMPORTANT IS THE ARRIVAL OF THE STUNT TEAM TO UK, ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF TITLE IX?

Bergmann: Being at UK is huge, because we have a very renowned

cheerleading program. And that cheerleading program was a coed sport, so with one guy, one girl. So with cheerleading, there was a certain mold that you had to fit to be able to compete right at that high level. So with STUNT, what it does is it allows this other demographic of student athletes to be able to have the opportunity to compete at a high level, right. So it's See STUNT on page 17

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no one size sort of fits all for the type of athlete you're looking for. We're able to have different athletes that can specialize in just one aspect instead of in cheerleading, where you got to be good at jumps, you got to be good at tumbling. I can have someone that's a really strong athlete, and they can just only be in pyramids, and if that's where they shine that helps us and then I can have a couple other people that specialize, and not everyone has to be doing everything they can do one thing and they can do that one thing very well.

HOW COMPETITIVE DO YOU EXPECT THE TEAM TO BE THIS SEASON?

Bergmann: So I think our main focus this year is to put out a solid product. Being as young as we are, I don't expect us to try to hit home runs every game. We want to be a solid team. We want to have some fundamentals, we want to compete, especially those beginner to sort of mid-levels.

Whenever we're competing, we're either tieing or we're winning those points, and then as the season progresses, we want to get to those more advanced levels, that'll happen with time. I think making sure the

routines we are able to do, we're doing them well. Because if we don't do that, then we're not going to be competitive either way. So making sure that we're taking care of business in routine one through three, one through four. And then being able to compete those upper levels as well I think will set us up for a pretty successful first year.

WHAT IS YOUR PITCH TO BIG BLUE NATION TO GET THE FANS OUT TO SEE THE TEAM THIS SEASON?

Bergmann: I really don’t feel like I need to give a pitch to Big Blue Nation, because they do such a good job already showing up and supporting their athletics. I think our job is just to sort of tell them, ‘Hey, we're here, you know, come see what we're doing.’ Just any amount of support that we get, even just people recognizing that there is a STUNT team like that gets us excited after having all those practices and actually being able to go out and then seeing different fans.

So I think just us getting out there letting people know that we do have a team and we need a little bit more support. We will have better weather in March than we did in February. BBN is going to be there and we are more than excited to have them there and put on a show for them.

fall 2021 | 17

Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022

Kentucky falls to Tennessee 76-63 Photos by Michael Clubb

Kentucky Wildcats guard Kellan Grady (31) makes a move during the UK vs. Tennessee mens basketball game on Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022, at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee.

A lone Kentucky fan takes their seat in the middle of the Tennessee student section before the UK vs. Tennessee mens basketball game.

18 | kentucky kernel

Kentucky Wildcats forward Jacob Toppin (0) dunks the ball during the UK vs. Tennessee mens basketball game.

Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022

Scan here to view the full gallery of the game on our website.

Tennessee Volunteers guard Kennedy Chandler (1) celebrates a teammate's 3-pointer during the UK vs.

Tennessee mens basketball game.

On the top left: Kentucky Wildcats guard Kellan Grady (31) pushes away from his defender during the UK vs. Tennessee mens basketball game.

To the left: Kentucky Wildcats guard Sahvir Wheeler (2) shoots the ball over Tennessee Volunteers guard Zakai Zeigler (5) during the UK vs. Tennessee mens basketball game.

fall 2021 | 19