kentuckykernel
Thursday, April 7, 2022 est. 1892 | Independent since 1971
GREEKS IN THE COLISEUM Greek Sing 2022 raises thousands for Make-A-Wish
Thursday, April 7, 2022
features
A Kernelite immortalized: Jonathan Krueger’s memory endures at UK
By Corrie McCroskey features@kykernel.com
To his family and friends, Jonathan Krueger was a true light; someone who “never knew a stranger,” was obsessed with Red Bull, craved adrenaline rushes and lived every day with a full and fierce heart. On the morning of April 17, 2015, Krueger, who was a photo editor for the Kentucky Kernel, lost his life in an act of violence that forever changed the worlds of those around him. Now, seven years later, those responsible for his death have been prosecuted and tried for their crimes. The case may be closed, but the hollow in the lives of those who loved Krueger is still ever present. His mother, Mary Krueger, reflected on the Kernel’s role in her son’s life and how it remains one of her most powerful memories of her son. “I knew he did it, I knew he loved it, but I didn’t understand that it was a family and I just love it. I’ve been following it ever since,” Mary Krueger said about the Kernel. Every year that March Madness rolls around is a difficult time for Mary Krueger, who deeply associates that time with her son. He had a passion for covering the event.
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PHOTO BY JONATHAN PALMER Jonathan Krueger poses for a photo at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky.
“When I think about him, it usually starts with March Madness and through the month of April. He lived and breathed that whole event,” Mary Krueger said. “He loved every minute of it, and when I see those games on TV and I see those photographers under the basketball hoops, I can’t help but think about him being under one of those hoops.” One of the last times that Mary Krueger spent time with her son
before he passed was after March Madness ended in spring 2015. Jonathan Krueger came home for his birthday, and his mother says she was looking forward to hearing about his work at the games. “He came home that weekend and had his birthday April 12. He turned 22 that day. I was hoping to talk to him a little bit about it and didn’t get the chance,” Mary Krueger said. “I knew I was going to be seeing him in a few
more weeks after exams, and he died five days later. That whole spread from the start of March Madness until well into April is my Jonathan time … That was just the essence of him living to the fullest and taking advantage of all the opportunities that came his way.” It has taken her many years to deal with the grief of losing her youngest son, but she said that she is now able to look at his
death with gratitude for the time that she did have with him. “We try to celebrate what he stood for … He was very outgoing,” Mary Krueger said. “I feel like he wore his personality on his sleeve. He was very optimistic and had a lot of energy. In different ways, I think we all try to emulate those positive aspects that he shared with everybody else as we go forward.” Mary Krueger said another part of her healing process has been being able to stay involved with the university through the Jonathan Krueger Memorial Scholarship, which was created to honor her son by giving a fund to Kernel photographers to purchase or upgrade their gear. “I am thrilled to see all the recipients. I’ve been able to watch their work in the Kernel and KRNL. Several of them that have gone on I’ve been able to keep tabs on a little bit,” she said. “It’s a great gift. I know that he’d be thrilled to know that people are getting a chance to get some additional money to enhance their photography and their work and what they’re doing. That would mean a lot to him. I know it’s the right thing.” Recently, Mary Krueger has struggled with feeling as if she is reminiscing more on her son than See KRUEGER on page 5
Thursday, April 7, 2022
kentuckykernel
Humans of UK:
Steve Shaffer shoots for the stars 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. Steve Shaffer, UK’s video production specialist, happens to have two Emmy awards under his belt. Before that, though, Shaffer got his start as a still-life photographer working in various newsrooms, shooting news and sports. “I’ve actually been a still photographer longer than I’ve been a video producer,” he said. “My first paying gig as a still photographer was in 1989, and I got hooked on seeing my byline, seeing my name in the newspaper under photos.” Shaffer found himself immediately loving the experience of making images and publishing them. “There’s a little bit of an adrenaline rush that goes with [photography], and it’s fun. And you get to go places that most people don’t get to go, or at times where most people don’t get to go,” he said.
JACK WEAVER | STAFF Steve Shaffer poses for a portrait on Wednesday, April 6, 2022, at the Main Building in Lexington, Kentucky.
As time went on and Shaffer began to progress in his career, he was surprised how his path shifted towards video production. He said he never planned or expected that one day he would be producing videos. Shaffer began to work for Kentucky Education Television (KET), where he first started working on video projects as a part of a team. Although he was initially hired as a still photographer, he was noticed by employers for his po-
tential to tell stories in a video format. “Working as just a still photographer, I got to do all sorts of things and go to cool places and meet cool people, make photographs of people, places and things that I had never done before,” Shaffer said. He soon expanded into new projects like nature photography. As technology advanced, allowing DSLR cameras to shoot video as well, Shaffer was able to expand his experience and skillset.
“I knew how to tell a story. I had been telling stories photographically for twenty years. And so I approached video very similar to shooting pictures,” he said. Shaffer worked on several projects while at KET, including one project named “The Pigeon Photographer,” for which he won his first Emmy Award. The project appears as a short documentary and focuses on the lifestyle of UK professor David Stephenson. His second Emmy, which was awarded just last year, was for a project named “Kentucky Seasons.” “It was a love note to the state, basically,” Shaffer said about “Kentucky Seasons.” He said the project, created within a group effort, showed the state’s “really pretty places” throughout the year. This was the final project he worked on before coming to UK. This project, along with several others he worked on at KET, were what interested UK in hiring him. The storytelling that Shaffer created at his previous jobs in photography and video production is a skill that he continues to use here in his new role as video production specialist at UK.
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
Art Director:
Michael Clubb
Designer:
Ryder Noah From
Social media manager:
Kaci McCarthy
Newsletter coordinator:
Kaci McCarthy
KENTUCKY KERNEL OFFICES 340 McVey Hall University of Kentucky Lexington, KY 40506
On the cover:
ABBEY CUTRER | STAFF Alpha Chi Omega sorority performs at Greek Sing at Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, April 2, 2022, in Lexington, Kentucky.
spring 2022 | 3
Thursday, April 7, 2022
news
Defendants plead guilty in case of murdered Kernel photo editor
By Sarah Michels news@kykernel.com
Three defendants have pleaded guilty to charges in the 2015 murder and robbery case of former UK student and Kentucky Kernel photo editor Jonathan Krueger. On April 31, Efrain Diaz Jr., Justin Smith and Roman Gonzalez Jr. appeared before Circuit Court Judge Jeffrey Taylor alongside their attorneys to enter their pleas. The defendants’ guilty pleas end seven years of postponements and trial delays. Smith, 25, pleaded guilty to one count of manslaughter in the second degree, one count of robbery in the second degree, one count of robbery in the first degree and one count of fleeing and evading the police. The commonwealth recommended a sentence of 10 years for the manslaughter charge, 18 years for the first degree robbery charge, five years for the second degree robbery charge and at least one
April 17, 2015
year for the fleeing and evading charge. Diaz, 27, pleaded guilty to robbery in the first degree and second degree. His original murder charge was dismissed by the commonwealth, which recommended sentences of 15 and five years, respectively, for these charges. Gonzalez, 24, pleaded guilty to murder, in addition to robbery in the first and second degree. The commonwealth recommended a sentence of 20 years for the murder charge, and 10 and five years for the robbery charges. Upon completion of a pre-sentence investigation to compile thorough background information on the defendants, the sentencing hearing for all three defendants will be held April 28 at 9 a.m. On April 6, Smith filed a motion for his bond to be amended to $50,000 cash or property, pending sentencing, based on the fact that he entered four additional pleas during the trial on March
Jonathan Krueger is killed at 2:35 a.m. at 400 block of East Maxwell street
Oct. 2017
Trial is delayed for question about constitutionality of death penalty for those under 21
June 2015
Suspects are indicted 4 | kentucky kernel
31. This motion will be reviewed by a judge on April 8. The three defendants originally entered not guilty pleas after the murder of Krueger on April 17, 2015. Krueger, 22, had been walking home with a friend, Aaron Gillette, around 2 a.m. on the 400 block of East Maxwell when a red van drove up to them. According to their statements in court, Smith and Gonzalez hopped out of the van, intending to rob Krueger and Gillette. Diaz had been driving the van. After Gonzalez stole Gillette’s wallet, Krueger got into an argument with him. Shots were fired, and upon arrival at the hospital, Krueger was pronounced dead at 2:35 a.m. When the police tried to apprehend the van, Smith fled the scene. He and Diaz admitted to having weapons on them at the time of the murder. Judge Taylor found that the defendants all knowingly and voluntarily entered guilty pleas. Mary Krueger, Jonathan
Krueger’s mother, said that hearing the guilty pleas was “surreal,” since it marked a sudden end to an otherwise dragging court process. She said that on Monday, March 28, she had been in full trial mindset, starting the process of jury selection. But by Wednesday, March 30, the prosecution was being asked to consider a plea offer that they had introduced over a year earlier. “I think there's probably something to be said about having them plead guilty now rather than going through trial, and all that that all that happens at trial. And so it doesn't feel good. It doesn't feel bad. It just is what it is,” Mary Krueger said. “After everything and all the emotions we've been through, [the plea hearing was] very cut and dry. Not a lot was said. A lot of ‘yeses’ to questions, but you kind of come away a little bit empty.” At the upcoming sentencing hearing, mary Krueger and other family members and friends will get their first chance to talk
April 2021
March 2022
Status hearing takes place between the defendants and judge
Aug. 2020
Trial is scheduled but pushed back due to COVID-19
about Jonathan Krueger and the life he led. He always lived life in the moment, to the fullest, Mary Krueger said, and she hopes to convey how much more he could have accomplished if his life weren’t ended so abruptly. The sentencing judge will determine if the defendants sentences will run concurrently, at the same time, or consecutively, building on top of each other. Mary Krueger said that her and her family are advocating for consecutive sentencing. But either way, it doesn’t give anyone full closure. “No matter how many years it is, it never really rights the wrong,” she said. “And as my brother said to me today, ‘What you want is Jonathan back — his life back so he could go live it and we could celebrate and then be part of it. That's not going to happen.’ So we just carry forth his energy and try to make the best of our lives to reflect what he was trying to share with us about his life.”
All three defendants plead guilty to charges in 2015 murder and robbery case
May 2021
Smith appears in hearing to file motion of suppression to exclude some evidence from the trial
Thursday, April 7, 2022
news
Looking ahead to Keeneland’s 2022 Spring Meet By Kendall Staton news@kykernel.com
The internationally renowned horse racecourse Keeneland is set to begin its annual Spring Meet on April 8, 2022. With prep races known to produce winners of the Kentucky Derby, participants in the 2022 Spring Meet are likely to be seen at Churchill Downs later this year. Founded in 1936, Keeneland’s mission is to continually invest in the horse industry and preserve the tradition of thoroughbred racing. Keeneland grounds are open
year-round for events and tours, but races are only held during certain times of the year. Keeneland hosts annual spring and fall meets, which take place in April and October. The 2022 Spring Meet will open this weekend with The Central Bank Ashland and close on April 29 with the running of The Bewitch. The Central Bank Ashland and the Toyota Blue Grass are the highlights of the Spring Meet, with each race worth a total of 170 points on the road to the Kentucky Oaks and the Kentucky Derby.
KRUEGER CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2
she has in previous years. She has made multiple trips back to Lexington over the last couple of weeks in anticipation of the trial, which sentenced those responsible for his death. “It did bring up a lot. You always think about it, but I really went back and read a lot of notes that people wrote and different things. So, this year I really feel like I’ve relived an awful lot and a lot of things that I tucked away came back to the surface again,” she said. Two of Jonathan Krueger’s closest friends who worked with him at the Kernel, Annie Dunbar and Michael Reaves, remember him as a talented goofball with a tremendous work ethic. “To put it simply, Jonathan was pure joy, a compassionate, hilarious friend to so many people,” Dunbar said. “He had an infectious smile and made an impression on everyone he met. He was constantly looking for the next adventure in his life.” She recalled the many trips they made together to cover games, adding that he made everything fun, no matter
First place receives 100 qualifying points, second place receives 40 qualifying points, third place receives 20, and fourth place receives 10. Accumulated points are then used to determine which horses compete in the Kentucky Oaks and the Kentucky Derby. In addition to 100 points, the winner of the Blue Grass, running on April 9, will receive $1 million. The winner of The Ashland will receive $600,000. Keeneland’s Spring Meet opening day will also be College Scholarship Day, presented by
Lane’s End, a thoroughbred horse breeding farm in Versailles, Kentucky. Students with a valid student ID will receive free general admission and could be entered to win varying levels of scholarships. Students can pre-register for the event to have the opportunity to win one of nine $2,000 scholarships. Students who attend race day can also check in at the North Terrace to be entered in to win two additional $10,000 scholarships. Other guests are able to purchase a variety of tickets, includ-
what it was. “We went to the Kentucky–Missouri football game and stopped through St. Louis,” Dunbar said. “We did the Budweiser Brewery and went up in the [Gateway] Arch together, which, Krueger really had to convince me to do that, because I’m scared of heights. It was truly shenanigans.” Reaves recalled working March Madness with Jonathan Krueger, including a trip to Cleveland for the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight, where Reaves stayed at the Krueger house in Toledo during the tournament. “Trying to save costs, as Kernel kids do, we stayed at his house and did the two-hour drive every day, which was just dreadful,” Reaves said. “The best part was that I got to go home and meet his mom and his dad and his siblings … You got to see his life and his circle and his family. That’s where we got really close and that was right before the shooting.” For both Dunbar and Reaves, the Kernel was an integral part of their relationships with Jonathan Krueger and allowed them to form connections that they still have today. “The Kernel office is a petri dish for those relationships and for them to grow,” Reaves said. “Regardless of whether we got along or liked one another, we were in the same
ing general admission, reserved grandstand seating and dining room options. Those attending the upper level areas of Keeneland, such as the grandstand or dining room areas, must follow a strict dress code. These areas do not allow denim, slacks that resemble jeans, shorts (including rompers), clothing or shoes that resemble athletic attire or revealing clothing items. General admission does not have a strict dress code, but guests are encouraged to look presentable and formal, with a discouragement of wearing denim.
rooms doing layout so many nights in a row and brainstorming ideas and meetings. In a sense it’s like a sports team, you are a team. It’s, in a sense, your family.” Dunbar and Reaves said they stay in contact with multiple others on the Kernel staff who knew Jonathan Krueger and make sure to check in with each other. They also try to continue to work and experience life in his honor and put forward the same energy and exuberance he embodied. “Hopefully he’s up in heaven looking down and saying, ‘Man, Michael’s there, and I’m a part of that.’ I’m very much not who I am if it wasn’t for him,” Reaves said. Dunbar said that his life deserves to be honored and celebrated every day. As for Jonathan Krueger’s family, they feel his absence at every holiday and family gathering, and it has been difficult to find closure in his passing. However, with the legal side hopefully finding an end, there may be some sort of peace at last. Mary Krueger said that she cannot help but feel like she carries her son with her every day. “It doesn’t take much to have him pop into mind. Between his brothers and sister and six little grandchildren, I see a lot of Jonathan pop up in their personalities,” she said. “There’s always reminders, and I try to treat that in a good way … That he’s with us in a lot of different ways.”
spring 2022 | 5
Thursday, April 7, 2022
opinions
The battle of the merch:
Wearing high school apparel in college By Lindsey Davis opinions@kykernel.com
When it comes to wearing high school merchandise in college, I personally do not partake, but I don’t see the harm in doing so either – to a certain extent, at least. As a freshman in college, it’s perfectly acceptable to wear apparel representing your high school. At that age, your high school is still a part of who you are. A lot of people play sports, join clubs and participate in extracurriculars throughout high school. They also typically have merchandise to show for it. When I was a freshman, one of the most common questions I was asked by the people I met was, “Where are you from?” followed by, “Where did you go to high school?” Repping your high school could be beneficial because it tells people where you’re from and what your hobbies or interests are without them even having to ask. Most people who play sports in high school do it for several years, and some even play multiple sports, which results in a large collection of team hoodies and T-shirts. If I were to transfer schools, I wouldn’t wear my old school’s merchandise around my new one. I wouldn’t necessarily get rid of the old clothes, but they wouldn’t be my first choice. Now, apply that situation to
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graduating high school and going to college. You’re leaving one phase of your life and starting another. When your closet is filled with these kinds of clothes and you get so used to wearing them, it can become an unconscious choice. There’s no problem with wanting to represent your school or your team, but at a certain point, it’s not really yours to represent anymore. Freshmen get a free pass, but as sophomore year rolls around, I think you should definitely have more clothing representing your college than your high school in your closet. Now, that’s not to say that you can never wear a sweatshirt with your high school on it, but just don’t make it your go-to. Think about it this way. If someone wore T-shirts with their favorite band on it more than one day a week, people would probably think they were “obsessed.” It’s okay to want to represent something that you like, and it shouldn’t matter what anyone thinks. Likes and dislikes change all the time. People change all the time. At the age of 20, most people (hopefully) don’t really identify as much with their high school selves as much anymore. If you wear your high school merchandise too often, it seems like you’re letting yourself get stuck in the past. College is when you get to grow, branch out and explore who you really are.
As a junior in college, I can’t tell you the last time I wore my high school’s merchandise. I’m proud of where I went to high school. I was proud to be on the cheerleading team. I was proud to take part in musical theatre and choir. However, I am not a part of those things anymore, so I don’t feel like it’s my place to represent them. It’s been almost three years since I graduated. All of the high school freshmen that I was in those groups with when I was a senior will graduate next year. Any ties I had leading back to them will be cut. This leads me to question at what point, if ever, will it be considered unacceptable to wear my college merchandise. I see adults, well over college-aged, wearing University of Kentucky merchandise all the time, and I have never thought twice about it. When you’re an adult representing a team made up of other adults, it’s different than when you’re an adult representing a team made up of 14-18 year olds. I think the only time you should really be wearing high school merchandise as an adult is if you work at the school or if you’re cheering on your child from the bleachers. As a general rule, I think that you should stop representing your high school when that portion of your résumé doesn’t really matter anymore.
EAST HIGH
CHS WEST VALLEY
Graphic by Ryder Noah From
Thursday, April 7, 2022
The time to legalize sports betting is now By Hunter Shelton opinions@kykernel.com
Since the U.S. Supreme Court ended the federal ban on sports betting over three years ago, the United States has witnessed a boom in the world of props, parlays and pickem's. As of March 2022, 30 states and the District of Columbia have “live and legal” sports betting legislation. There’s growing hope around the Commonwealth that Kentucky could become state No. 31. HB 606, a bill that would legalize retail and online sports gambling, passed in the Kentucky House of Representatives on March 18 by a vote of 58-30. It is the furthest that any betting-related legislation has made it in the state. The bill would also legalize daily fantasy sports and online poker. It’s currently legal to gamble on horses in Kentucky thanks to pari-mutuel betting, which differs from other forms of sports betting in that the bettor places wagers against other bettors, not a sportsbook or bookmaker. Aside from testing their luck at Keeneland or Churchill Downs or playing the lottery, Kentuckians are unable to bet. Republican State Rep.
Adam Koenig is sponsoring the bill, which has the support of Senate Majority Leader Damon Thayer. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear has also pushed for the legalization of sports betting. The bill would establish a 9.75% tax rate for remote bets and 14.25% for in-person. HB 606 has been read to the Senate, beginning the next step toward getting the bill to a floor vote. There is currently a 10-day veto period that lasts until April 12, during which the General Assembly is unable to touch the bill, allowing the governor to either push the bill through or delay it. The Kentucky legislative session runs through April 14, leaving a narrow two-day window for the bill to pass once the veto period ends. If the bill were to pass, horse racing tracks would be able to open retail locations as well as partner with online and mobile providers. There is no better place in the world for sports betting and gambling on horse racing than Kentucky. No sport is more synonymous with a location than racing horses in the Bluegrass. Sportsbooks would pay tracks like Keeneland an outrageous sum of money to be
able to partner with them. Furthermore, surrounding states where sports betting is legal are pulling Kentuckians’ money away from the state. Five of the seven states that border Kentucky allow sports gambling, with Ohio set to become the sixth this year. The second you cross the bridge into Indiana, you are greeted by casinos and sportsbooks. “Caesars Southern Indiana” resides just a few hundred yards on the other side of the Ohio River. Heading down south you can find businesses such as “Kentucky State Line Bingo” at the Tennessee border. Those Kentucky dollars that could be used for education, road construction and Medicaid instead see state tax revenue head to the next state over, and it’s not a small amount of money. U.S. commercial gaming revenue reached $4.50 billion in January 2022, according to The American Gaming Association. It is an ever-growing market that would benefit both parties if Kentucky decided to take part. Simply put, Kentucky is missing out on a lucrative business that would excel in the state. Horses aside, Big Blue Nation wouldn’t hesitate to place a wager or two on the
opinions
MICHAEL CLUBB | STAFF The Kentucky State Capitol on Friday, Jan. 29, 2021, in Frankfort, Kentucky.
Wildcats covering a threepoint spread against Tennessee. Despite having no professional teams in the state, Kentucky is sports crazy and rich in talent at the collegiate level, and schools like UK and Louisville have the fan bases to back it up. Sports gambling would be a successful venture in Kentucky, and now is the time for its legalization. Thayer has noted that the Senate isn't going to be an easy group to budge, even calling the bill a “longshot” to pass. If HB 606 is unable to weasel its way through the
Senate this year, it's unlikely that it will have an opportunity to do so again until 2024. Sessions that take place during odd-numbered years require a threefifths majority vote due to the much shorter 30-day period, meaning that the bill would struggle even more to pass in 2023. The sports betting market has been on a steep incline for the past couple of years, and it is showing zero signs of stopping anytime soon. Over half of the country has now legalized it, leaving Kentucky in the minority, even though it is the home of possibly
the most profitable sport to gamble on. If Kentucky’s Senate once again prevails, it will be a sad reminder that the Commonwealth is stuck in its ways, headlined by the rural Republican senators whose deep-seated beliefs continue to hold back the state they govern. The call to post is rapidly approaching, but the Bluegrass State has yet to make it to the track. Time will tell if Kentucky can make it to the starting gate, or if it will be content to watch the sports betting race for revenue from the paddock once again.
spring 2022 | 7
Thursday, April 7, 2022
Delta Delta Delta wins Greek Sing 2022 Story and photos by Abbey Cutrer
Delta Delta Delta sorority wins overall at Greek Sing at Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, April 2, 2022, in Lexington, Kentucky.
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Thursday, April 7, 2022 With the theme of “Welcome to New York,” Delta Delta Delta took home the Greek Sing trophy on Saturday, April 2, at Memorial Coliseum. Greek Sing, a philanthropy event run by the sorority Chi Omega and fraternity Beta Theta Phi, called thousands of UK students involved in Greek life to Memorial Coliseum to watch and participate in choreographed dance numbers. The event benefits the Make-A-Wish Foundation, a nonprofit organization that fulfills the wishes of critically ill children. The 24 performances are judged by a panel of Chi Omega and Theta alumni based on originality, enthusiasm, dance performance, dance difficulty and effect of themes such as costumes, music and props. The winners are announced as first place sorority, first place fraternity and overall winner. Alpha Phi placed first in the sorority category, Theta Chi placed first in the fraternity category and Delta Delta Delta (AKA Tri Delt) was the overall winner. According to Alpha Phi Coach Kayle Kyle, the sorority dedicated its routine to the recent passing of their house mom, “Momma
Obviously we were proud of ourselves, but then we realized that it was never about winning. It was about the experience, and because of this, we can’t wait to get back and perform another winning dance for the kids next spring. - Daniel Hollman, Theta Chi freshman
Shelley,” making it even more meaningful for them. “We were so excited when we found out we won,” additional Alpha Phi Coach Emily Salone said. “It was so nice to hear them call out our name after the many hours of hard work we put in prior to our performance.” Tri Delt coach Emily Sipes shared that the best feeling for the team was knowing they helped fundraise for Make-A-Wish. “The entire team was shocked and extremely excited. It was an amazing feeling to know all our hard work paid off,” Sipes said. Similarly, Daniel Hollman, a freshman in Theta Chi, said getting first place was a great feeling. “Obviously we were proud of ourselves, but then we realized that it was never about winning. It was about the experience, and because of this, we can’t wait to get back and perform another winning dance for the kids next spring,” he said. The 2022 Greek Sing event was a success, with more than $100,000 raised for the Make-AWish Foundation, according to Chi Omega president Gigi Hill. These dance numbers are not created overnight, and there are hours of preparation beforehand. Phi Mu sorority senior Grace Bradley said her team has been rehearsing since before winter break. “Each group will come and practice once a week for an hour and a half and the assistants and the lead of this event meet outside of it for hours to work on props, figure out lighting, music, pick out the costumes, and there's just countless hours figuring out the tiny details,” Bradley said. Each chapter’s performance consisted of its own unique theme that was portrayed through the costumes and performance. Phi Mu decided on Wizard of Oz for a kid-friendly theme, according to Bradley. Sipes said it’s a Tri Delt tradition to let the seniors pick the theme.
A member of Beta Theta Phi fraternity performs at Greek Sing.
“I think what made it stand out was picking a big city is not a common theme choice, but we really loved how the performance turned out,” she said. Hill spoke about her excitement for the event, adding that prior to this year, most underclassmen had not experienced Greek Sing. “A lot of the sophomores and freshmen don’t remember Greek Sing or know [of] it at all. They haven’t been here when we had one, and so I think just building up that excitement and explaining what it is, that it is a big deal, and it's going to be a blast,” Hill said. Greek Sing is a memorable experience for Greek life on campus, and this is the last Greek Sing for Bradley. “It’s kind of sad. My freshman year, we came out here, and we got overall winner, which was a huge deal for our chapter. It was something that our chapter had never done before,” Bradley said. “It's been crazy, but it’s a bittersweet ending.” The event may be organized and performed by Greek Life, but
A member of Phi Mu sorority performs at Greek Sing.
anyone can attend. Hill said that she hoped that Greek Sing would draw spectators and supporters from across the campus community, not just members of Greek Life. With anyone being able to attend, there’s an increase in efforts going towards Make-A-Wish. Beta Theta Pi president Mason Hewlett said he thought the thing
that unified spectators, Greek Life or not, was supporting the kids and Make-A-Wish. “One thing that comes to mind when I think of Kentucky is ‘for the kids’ and this event is really for the kids with Make-A-Wish,” Hewlett said. “So I think Greek life or not, your ticket and your effort to go goes towards MakeA-Wish.”
spring 2022 |9
Thursday, April 7, 2022
sports
Three questions Kentucky needs answered at Blue White spring game By Hunter Shelton sports@kykernel.com
On Saturday, April 9, Kentucky football will give Big Blue Nation a glimpse at the 2022 roster, as the Wildcats will square off against one another in the annual Blue White Game. Coming off of the fourth 10-win season in program history that ended with their second Citrus Bowl trophy, the Cats are no longer the best kept secret in the SEC. Head coach Mark Stoops has built the program from the ground up and now has to maintain the expectations that UK has set for itself. The Blue White Game isn’t meant to set the depth chart in stone, as the opening game of the 2022 season against Miami Ohio is over four-and-a-half months away. However, fans will get to see their Cats in action for the first time since New Year’s Day, with a bevy of new faces ready to make an impact in a Kentucky uniform. With this year’s team bringing many uncertainties, here are the three big questions that Stoops and his troops should hope to get answered on Saturday: Who is going to be Will Levis’ main target?
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For the first time in many years, Kentucky knows who its starting quarterback will be well before September. After a positive first season in Lexington, Will Levis is back for one more go-round with the Cats. Last year, Levis developed a special connection on the field with top wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson. The Second Team All-American tallied 104 receptions for a staggering 1,334 yards and seven touchdowns. Robinson has since declared for the NFL Draft, leaving a gaping hole in the WR1 spot. It’s unlikely that Levis will find another target this season that can produce the way that Robinson did in 2021, but UK is hopeful that a couple of options could emerge as top contenders. Tayvion Robinson, a transfer from Virginia Tech, has been tabbed by some as the man for the job. Last season for the Hokies, Robinson collected 44 passes for 559 yards and five touchdowns. In his three years at Blacksburg, the 5-foot-10 wideout caught 113 balls. Another option for Levis will be tight end Keaton Upshaw. After suffering a season-ending injury in fall camp last season, Up-
shaw is back for his senior campaign. The Lima, Ohio, native will be tasked with being Levis’ security blanket, especially with an offensive line that has more questions than answers. Young receivers such as Dekel Crowdus and Dane Key will look to make impacts early, though it's unclear to what capacity they will see the field. How will the offensive line shape out? Not every piece to this puzzle may figure itself out on Saturday, but everyone will get an opportunity to see how the Big Blue Wall will operate without its top three linemen from last season. Darian Kinnard, Dare Rosenthal and Luke Fortner have all taken the next step to the NFL Draft, while former offensive line coach Eric Wolford sneakily made his way out of Lexington to take a job under Nick Saban at Alabama. Stoops brought in San Francisco 49ers coach Zach Yenser to take over, but there are still many holes that need to be filled in the line ahead of September. One major piece that the Cats landed in the transfer portal is former Auburn guard Tashawn
MICHAEL CLUBB | STAFF Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Will Levis celebrates scoring his third touchdown during the UK vs. Louisville Governor’s Cup football game on Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, at Cardinal Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky.
Manning. He brings in 26 games of o-line experience, something the Wildcats need in bulk. Nicholasville, Kentucky, native Eli Cox and senior guard Kenneth Horsey are both expected to slide into major starting roles, attempting to maintain the All-American standard that the likes of Kinnard upheld for multiple seasons. As for depth, that’s something that Yenser will have to figure out in the lead up to the Fall. Will the secondary be able to hold up?
Despite defense and the secondary being a strong suit of Stoops’ coaching ability, it has been lackluster as of late for Kentucky. Ahead of the spring game, it’s thought that the corners and safeties will once again be weaker parts of the Wildcat defense. With Yusuf Corker gone to the draft and Cedrick Dort Jr. transferring, the position was already weak, as the pair accounted for 101 tackles last season. Injuries have already gotten a hold of some of UK’s defensive backs as well. Taj Dodson has missed time this spring,
while expected starter Vito Tisdale has been ruled out for the 2022 season due to a torn ACL. There is a hole in the DB’s room that Stoops will look to find an answer for in the transfer portal. If he is unable to do so, it will be the main concern for a Kentucky team that is hoping to reign atop the SEC East. Plenty of eyes will be on Lexington on Saturday, as Kentucky looks to fully usher in a new era of excellence into its football program. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. EST inside Kroger Field.
Thursday, April 7, 2022
sports
Oscar Tshiebwe becomes UK's first ever unanimous NPOY
Tshiebwe was named Wooden Award winner on Tuesday By Hunter Shelton sports@kykernel.com
Oscar Tshiebwe has once again made history, becoming Kentucky's first ever unanimous national player of the year after winning the Wooden Award on Tuesday. Tshiebwe won all six NCAA-recognized electors for national player of the year, winning the Wooden Award alongside honors from The Sporting News, The National Association of Basketball Coaches, the United States Basketball Writers Association, the Associated Press and the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame. John Calipari has now coached two unanimous NPOY's, with Tshiebwe joining Marcus Camby, who won all six awards in 1996. Tshiebwe is the 28th player in college basketball history to achieve the feat, and the first in Southeastern Conference history. Anthony Davis is the only other Wildcat who has won the Wooden Award, doing so in 2012. Davis earned five of the six major honors. Tshiebwe turned in one of the best seasons in Kentucky basketball history, averaging 17.4 points per game and a nation's best 15.1 rebounds per game. He became the first Division I player who averaged at least 15.0 points and rebounds per game in over 40 years. He also managed to average over 1.6 blocks and 1.6 steals per game, the only player in the major conferences to do so. Tshiebwe became the second Wildcat to lead his team in points, rebounds, blocks, steals and field goal percentage per game, joining Davis. Tshiebwe concluded his monster season with 16 straight double-doubles, the
longest streak in program history. He also set the UK record for double-doubles in a season with 18. With the season over, the big man's laundry list of awards ends with the following, per UK Athletics: • Wooden Award • Naismith Player of the Year • Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award • USBWA Oscar Robertson Trophy • Associated Press Player of the Year • NABC National Player of the Year • NABC Pete Newell Big Man of the Year • NCAA Consensus All-America First Team • Wooden Award All-America Team • USBWA First-Team All-America • NABC First-Team All-America • Associated Press First-Team All-America • Sporting News First-Team All-America • Wooden Award All-America Team • NABC All-District 20 First Team • Southeastern Conference Player of the Year (coaches/media) • All-SEC First Team (coaches/media) • All-SEC Defensive Team (coaches) • USBWA District IV Player of the Year • USBWA All-District IV team • CBS Sports National Player of the Year • USA Today National Player of the Year • USA Today First-Team All-American • The Athletic’s National Player of the Year • Sports Illustrated First-Team All-American • The Field of 68 National Player of the Year • The Field of 68 First-Team All-America • College Hoops Today National Player of the Year • USA Today SEC Player of the Year • USA Today First-Team All-SEC unanimous selection
JACK WEAVER | STAFF Kentucky Wildcats forward Oscar Tshiebwe celebrates after making a shot during the UK vs. Kansas basketball game on Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022, at Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kansas.
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UK baseball prepares for bounceback series against Texas A&M By Cole Parke sports@kykernel.com
Kentucky baseball looks to bounce back from a series loss against former No. 1 Ole Miss on Thursday, taking on Texas A&M in a best of three series and UK’s first non-ranked SEC series of the season. While the Wildcats have several notable disappointing losses against the likes of Ohio, Eastern Kentucky and Western Kentucky, the team has fared relatively well in conference play and against ranked opponents, holding a 5-7 record in such games. Beating current No. 23 TCU and then No. 14 Georgia 2-1 in a series provides optimism for Kentucky’s chances against the Aggies, with even the 2-1 series loss to Ole Miss laying the groundwork for how UK could secure its second conference series win. Looking at the Ole Miss series that just concluded, the Wildcats held the Rebels to just two runs per game in the first two games of the series, with roughly 4.6 runs per game in the series as a whole after faltering and giving up 10 runs in game three. This is even more noteworthy because the Wildcats do not have a Friday starter, having lost Cole Stupp for the season after he suffered a forearm injury in game one against Georgia. Opting for a “pitching by committee” style on the mound, UK marched five different pitchers up onto the bump, each pitching around two innings each. Though the Wildcats lost game one 2-1, the pitching was certainly not at fault in that game, something that has hardly been the case for many of UK’s losses. While the sample size is small, the success of the format only allowing two Rebel runs to start the series offers hope that UK may be just fine in game one against the Aggies.
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MICHAEL CLUBB | STAFF Kentucky Wildcats infielder Ryan Ritter throws to first during the UK vs. Morehead State baseball game on Tuesday, March 22, 2022, at Kentucky Proud Park in Lexington, Kentucky.
Also worth noting for the game one committee, UK’s Tuesday game against No. 4 Louisville was canceled due to rain, leaving normal Tuesday starter Seth Logue rested and a potential option if the need arises. It’s unlikely that Logue will see time on the mound, having struggled in recent weeks, including a loss to Eastern Kentucky and having a start to make on the coming Tuesday against Bellarmine. However, the possibility can not be completely
ruled out if trouble arises for the Wildcats in game one. Looking beyond the first game, UK has sturdy Saturday and Sunday pitchers who are available on Friday and Saturday, with the Cats looking to clinch the series in games two and three, if not sweep the series entirely, if Thursday is another successful trial of the new style. On Friday, UK starts Darren Williams, who recently pitched 6.1 innings in the Wildcats’ lone win over the Rebels, which
just so happened to secure the 2,000th program win for the team. Williams boasts a staggering 0.93 ERA, pitching at least three innings in all but three of his nine games on the mound. With Friday all but locked down if Williams continues to pitch to his ability, focus turns to Saturday for a series win if the Thursday crew is unable to secure the win in game one. See BASEBALL on page 15
Thursday, April 7, 2022
UK gymnastics bows out in NCAA Regionals By Aaron Benjamin sports@kykernel.com
The Kentucky gymnastics team was unable to fight through the NCAA Regional final, failing to place in the top two and advancing to the NCAA Championships. All events were held in Neville Arena in Auburn, Alabama. Participants included Denver, Florida, Georgia, Iowa State, Ohio State, Southern Utah, Kentucky and the host Auburn. Kentucky led the first round with an overall score of 197.750, its highest in program history. Auburn came next, trailing by a slight margin of 0.25 with an overall score of 197.500. Beginning at the vault, freshman Jillian Procasky landed a score of 9.725 to start hot for UK. A 9.90 from sophomore Isabella Magnelli raised the bar, as the score was her new season-high as well as a career-high on the vault. Ariana Patterson followed suit with a 9.90 of her own. Anchoring the squad would be junior Raena Worley, as she put up a near perfect routine, setting a new season and career-high vault score with a 9.95. The Wildcats saw their efforts materialize into a 49.400 total. Heading over to the bars, sophomore Hailey Davis and Procasky each notched scores of 9.875.
Davis’ score is a tie for both her season and career best. Cally Nixon followed with a stellar routine, coming away with a 9.95. Worley again rounded out the lineup, landing another 9.95, meaning a new career high for the star junior. Kentucky kept a necessary pace, scoring a 49.525. Senior Anna Haigis received a 9.85 from the judges in UK’s first routine on the balance beam, a career-high for the Wildcat. Josie Angeny would record the highest score of the rotation for UK with a 9.90, as Kentucky totaled 49.300 on the beam. In the final portion on the floor, Magnelli again shined with a 9.90, only to be outdone next by Haigis, who scored 9.95. Returning to her anchor position for the last rotation would be Worley, as she once again crushed, receiving a 9.925 from the judge’s table. Thanks to multiple record-breaking performances, the Cats advanced to the regional final alongside Auburn. The second session would feature Florida, Iowa State, Ohio State and Denver. With a score of 198.125, the Gators reigned victorious, advancing with Denver to the finals. Just two days later on Saturday, April 2, the four teams competed for a chance to advance to the
NCAA Championships. Magnelli and Worley once again led the way on the vault, nailing 9.90 routines each. On the bars, Nixon, Angeny and Worley each totaled scores of 9.85. The Cats kept pace halfway through the finals. Back on the beam, Magnelli again earned a 9.90, followed up by Patterson who notched a 9.80. Worley would go second to last and put up a fabulous 9.95, tying her career and season-high. Angeny’s anchor score of 9.825 held the Cats in position to advance. In the last rotation, Kentucky again took the floor. Patterson looked good to start in her routine, but after a fall on one of her flips, she received a lackluster 9.025. Magnelli put up a 9.90, followed by a 9.95 from Davis. Worley would end in spectacular fashion with a 9.975, an almost perfect routine. However, that would not be enough as Kentucky would fail to finish in the top two, coming in behind Auburn and Florida. Kentucky ends the season with a record of 8-3 with four wins over top-15 programs, three of which are in the SEC. In conference play, the Cats would finish slightly above .500 at a record of 4-3. UK was near perfect at home, going 6-1 while it split matches on the road, going 2-2.
sports
MICHAEL CLUBB | STAFF Isabella Magnelli performs her beam routine during the UK vs. Arkansas gymnastics meet on Friday, Feb. 12, 2021, at Memorial Coliseum in Lexington, Kentucky.
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sports
Wildcats look to serve notice in the SEC with two top-10 foes headed to Lexington By Hunter Shelton sports@kykernel.com
After a five match winning streak propelled Kentucky to No. 12 in the nation, the Wildcats hit a snag in the road, falling in their last two matches to No. 8 Virginia and No. 10 South Carolina. Heading into another daunting weekend of Southeastern Conference tennis, Kentucky stands at 15-6 (6-2 SEC) with two more monumental opportunities on the horizon for the Cats to maintain their high placement in the ITA rankings. Five Wildcats find themselves ranked in singles play, headlined by current No. 9 Gabriel Diallo. The 6-foot-7 junior from Montreal owns a team-best 25 wins on the season, 11 of which have come during the spring. Old Dominion transfer Francois Musitelli holds a 12-5 record in singles action, placing him at No. 61. Liam Draxl, the reigning National Player of the Year, currently sits at No. 94 due to not playing in any of UK’s fall matches. It’s been tough sledding for the Newmarket, Ontario native on court one, as he is facing the best of the best on a weekly basis. He owns a 10-4 record this spring, with all four of his losses coming against nationally ranked opponents. Sophomore Joshua Lapadat is one spot behind Draxl at No. 95. After a slow first season in Lexington, Lapadat is cruising on court five for the Wildcats, owning a 14-2 record overall, with a 3-0 record against nationally ranked players. Rounding out the singles rankings is No. 114 Millen Hurrion, who has played the most ranked opponents on the team. He owns a 12-7 record this season. In doubles action, the second-year pairing of Draxl and Hurrion currently ranks as the 43rd best duo in the country, despite
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MICHAEL CLUBB | STAFF Liam Draxl hits the ball during the UK vs. Virginia tennis match on Thursday, March 31, 2022, at Hilary J. Boone Tennis Complex in Lexington, Kentucky.
the pair playing just seven matches as a tandem this spring. On Friday, April 8, the Hilary J. Boone Tennis Complex will first welcome in No. 5 Tennessee, who is currently riding a three-match winning streak. The Volunteers are 5-1 away from Knoxville and have defeated UK four times in a row. Headlining the matchup will be sophomore Johannus Monday. The Englishman
currently owns the No. 8 ranking in singles play, holding a 20-4 record this season. The Volunteers are loaded on the first three courts, as joining Monday in the rankings are No. 21 Adam Walton and No. 40 Emile Hudd. When Tennessee last visited Lexington, it swept the Cats 4-0. Last season’s affair was a much tighter one, which saw the Vols escape with a 4-3 win in Knoxville.
Draxl got the better of Monday, needing just two sets to win, while Diallo outlasted Walton in three sets on court two. Just two days following the matchup against the Vols, Kentucky will welcome in yet another top-10 foe in No. 10 Georgia. See TENNIS on page 15
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BASEBALL CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12
Kentucky’s usual Sunday starter, Tyler Bosma, is also a strong arm on the mound, even if the Wildcats’ last Sunday game was one to forget. Bosma currently boasts a 3.29 ERA, going at least five innings deep in all but two of his six starts on the mound, getting his ERA as low as 1.80 in UK’s first series against Jacksonville State. Even with the higher ERA than Williams before him, Bosma boasts a 4-2 win-loss record, losing only in the sweep against No. 2 Arkansas and former No. 1 Ole Miss. While the 10-run loss to the Rebels in Bosma’s last start may instill doubt in the veteran arm, only two of those runs came courtesy of Bosma, with the rest coming from the bullpen arms who replaced him. With the series looking promising on the mound, Kentucky’s bats are no slouch either, and barring a performance similar to game one of the Ole Miss series, should stand as a very positive factor in UK’s chances of victory. Kentucky has been known for several of its hitters this season, including the likes of Chase Estep who, prior to the Ole Miss series, was batting over .400 on the sea-
son and currently checks in with a .384 average. Recently, junior Jase Felker has stepped up to the challenge, recording a hit in nine of his last 10 games, owning a .472 batting average on the season, including a five-hit game in the Georgia series. Beyond just the impressive numbers, hitters such as Jacob Plastiak, Alonzo Rubalcaba, Hunter Jump and Daniel Harris IV are also more than capable of sending a ball in play, with all also proving to be capable of sending one over the outfield wall as well when presented with the opportunity. Overall, the Aggies are far from an easy opponent, nor is any team in the SEC for that matter. But A&M is the easiest conference opponent UK has faced thus far, with the Cats having a real possibility to sweep the series based on what it has shown to be capable of against tougher opponents in the past. Game one of the series is currently scheduled to take place on Thursday, April 7, with first pitch being expected around 9 p.m. EST. MICHAEL CLUBB | STAFF Kentucky Wildcats pitcher Tyler Guilfoil throws the ball during the UK vs. Bellarmine baseball game on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, at Kentucky Proud Park in Lexington, Kentucky.
TENNIS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14
The 15-5 (7-2 SEC) Bulldogs will carry a two-match winning streak into the Boone, having won five of its last six matches. Like Tennessee, UGA has excelled away from home, winning seven of its nine matches as the away team. No. 17 Hamish Stewart leads the way for the Dawgs
with a 23-11 overall record. The graduate student holds a 13-7 record against ranked foes and has won three matches in a row. Stewart is one of four ranked singles players the Cats will square off with on Sunday. No. 32 Tristan McCormick has won 14 of his last 17 singles matches, while No. 76 Phillip Henning carries an 8-5 record on court two this spring. Rounding out the ranked Bulldogs is No. 104 Trent Bryde, who has struggled this season, winning just eight matches, four of which have come in the court four slot. Georgia outlasted the Cats 4-3 last season in Athens.
Draxl defeated Bryde on court one in three sets, while Diallo cruised on court two, winning both sets by a score of 6-1. The Dawgs collected the doubles point, which proved to be the difference. Like it is in many sports, the SEC claims dominance in the world of collegiate tennis. Following this weekend, Kentucky will have played 14 matches against nationally ranked teams, with two more to follow on the schedule to round out the regular season. The SEC Championships are set to take place from April 20-24, at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex in Athens, Georgia.
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