Feb. 11, 2011 Daily Kent Stater by The Kent Stater

DAILY KENT STATER

Friday, February 11, 2011 • The independent student newspaper of Kent State University • Weather: Partly cloudy, HI 30, LO 14

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Students in custody after Saturday’s campus robbery

EGYPTIAN PROTESTS

Tips aided police in finding suspects for weekend crimes Megan Wilkinson

mwilki11@kent.edu Daily Kent Stater As investigations continue, authorities have made two arrests in connection with last weekend’s armed robbery at Harbourt Hall parking lot. Tips called into the Kent State University Police Department aided in the arrest, according to a Kent State press release. Emily Vincent, director of university media relations, wrote in an e-mail that 20-year-old John Blackmon, a University of Akron student, was arrested in Akron Thursday for aggravated robbery.

Andrew Scott, a Kent State sophomore technology major, was arrested Tuesday for obstructing justice. According to Kent State Police, both students are in custody. Scott’s court hearing is scheduled for 10:45 a.m. Friday, according to Portage County court records. Blackmon’s court hearing is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Feb. 18. “The police department is still filtering through everything,” said Tom Neumann, associate vice president in University Communications and Marketing. Neumann said Kent State police need to investigate more before releasing any other information to the public. The two Kent State students were reportedly robbed at gunpoint Feb. 5 at 11:35 p.m. Neither was injured in the incident. Megan Wilkinson is a general assignment reporter.

Public Health college enrollment increases Michaela Write

mwrite@kent.edu Daily Kent Stater

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TOP: A group of lawyers marched onto Tahrir Square in Cairo as protests against President Hosni Mubarak gain fresh momentum Thursday. BOTTOM LEFT: A protestor wears the colors of the Egyptian flag to cover his face inside Tahrir Square in Cairo, on Friday, as thousands gathered in an effort to oust President Hosni Mubarak. BOTTOM RIGHT: Protesters wave a massive Egyptian flag outside of the Parliament building in protest Wednesday. For more photos, visit KentWired.com.

EGYPT OUTRAGED Mubarak refuses to quit, hands VP powers CAIRO (AP) — President Hosni Mubarak refused to step down or leave Egypt and instead handed most of his powers to his vice president Thursday, enraging protesters who warned the country could explode in violence and pleaded for the military to take action to push him out. The rapidly moving events raised the question of whether a rift had opened between Mubarak and the military command over the uprising demanding the president’s resignation. Hours earlier, a council of the military’s top generals announced it had stepped in to secure the country, and a senior commander announced to protesters in Cairo’s Tahrir Square that all their demands would soon be met, raising cries of victory that Mubarak was on his way out. Several hundred thousand had packed into Tahrir Square, ecstatic with expectation that Mubarak would announce his resignation in his nighttime address. Instead, they watched in shocked silence as he spoke, holding their foreheads in anger and disbelief. Some broke into tears. Others waved their shoes in the air in contempt. After the speech, they broke into chants of “Leave, leave, leave.” Organizers called for even larger protests on Friday. After Mubarak’s speech, around 2,000 marched on the state television

headquarters several blocks away from Tahrir, guarded by the military with barbed wire and tanks. “They are the liars,” the crowd shouted, pointing at the building, chanting, “We won’t leave, they will leave.” Mohamed ElBaradei, prominent reform advocate and Nobel Peace laureate, whose supporters were among the organizers of the 17-day-old wave of protests, issued a tweet warning: “Egypt will explode.” “The army must save the country now,” he said. “I call on the Egyptian army to immediately interfere to rescue Egypt. The credibility of the army is on the line.” President Barack Obama appeared dismayed by Mubarak’s announcement. He said in a statement that it was not clear that an “immediate, meaningful” transition to democracy was taking place and warned that too many Egyptians are not convinced that the government is serious about making genuine change. See PROTESTS, Page A2

Egypt specialist, professor addresses Egyptian protests Kelly Tunney

ktunney@kent.edu Daily Kent Stater Joshua Stacher said he supports Egyptian protesters in their pursuit of democracy. But after President Hosni Mubarak refused to step down Thursday, he does not believe democracy will be achieved any time soon. Stacher, political science assistant professor and specialist on Egypt, spoke to a packed room of students on the third floor of the Kent State Student Center Thursday night about the situation unfolding in Egypt. Time Magazine, BBC News and National Pubic Radio’s “All Things Considered” have interviewed Stacher for his knowledge of the crisis. “I am in support for Egyptian democracy 100 percent,” he said. “I think we need to ask those who oppose it why they do. I’m not scared of democracy.” As for President Mubarak’s latest announcement, Stacher said the Egyptian government has the ability to lead the coun-

try into believing what it wants them to believe. “The government completely controls the messages that are being sent out,” he said. Stacher said he does not see protesters winning the fight for democracy because of opposition to the military-centered government. He said although the number of protesters is in the thousands, the government is not willing to let the public think protesters have control. “They are honestly calculating that they are going to survive this,” he said. “We have many cases of regime fragmentation and collapse. The elites have been so cohesive, but I don’t see that happening. “But the crowds are the wild card; there is no doubt about it. I just don’t think they have the initiative that they used to have,” he said Stacher said some of the lack of initiative might have been avoided had President Barack Obama showed support for the Egyptian protests earlier in the process. See EGYPT, Page A2

Enrollment for the College of Public Health has grown to 191 total students in its three semesters of existence. Ten undergraduate students were enrolled in Spring 2010. Now there are 139. The number of graduate students has gone from zero to 52 in the same time period. “Enrollment is exceeding expectations,” President Lester Lefton said in an interview with Stater editors this semester. “We have doctoral students, we have master students and our undergraduate enrollment far exceeded our expectations.” Mark James, dean of the College of Public Health, said he attributes the college’s growth to students, faculty and staff spreading the word. He said faculty members fill their name in a spreadsheet to decide where they will go to recruit students. Faculty members have visited high school and undergraduate open houses around Ohio and northern Pennsylvania. Kay Levandowski, an adviser in the college, has even traveled as far as North Carolina to talk to students about the college. “When you talk about public

COLLEGE OF PUBLIC HEALTH ENROLLMENT NUMBERS FALL 2009 Undergrad - 0 Graduate - 0

SPRING 2010 Undergrad - 10 Graduate - 0

FALL 2010 Undergrad - 94 Graduate - 44

SPRING 2011 Undergrad - 139 Graduate - 52

health, it’s such a broad thing,” she said. “There are so many opportunities, and we are looking to educate (high school students) on what public health is. We’re still looking for recruitment opportunities.”

See ENROLLMENT, Page A2

Rec hosts vegas night, prizes exceed $10,000 This year, the Student Recreation and Wellness Center is combining its annual Vegas Night and its Black Squirrel Bingo into one event. The event will take place at the SRWC Friday and is free to all students. The 37 casino games will begin at 6 p.m., followed by a Mike Polk comedy show at 9 p.m. and bingo at 10 p.m. Though actual money will not be used, students who play the casino games will increase their odds of winning big prizes during bingo later in the evening. The more “money” students win, the more bingo cards they can buy. Prizes include an Apple iPad, a year of free rent at Hickory Mills Apartments and free Little Caesars pizza for a semester. “There are around $10,000 worth of prizes and there will be 10 winners,” said David Lawson, the special events supervisor. “This is what is going to draw people to this event.” — Erin Vanjo, Student Recreation and Wellness Center reporter

Page A2 | Friday, February 11, 2011

Daily Kent Stater

WEEKEND EVENTS FRIday n Condom

flower table When: 10 a.m. Where: Student Center Lobby

n Art

Show Spring 2011 When: 9 a.m. Where: Student Center Lobby

n Valentine’s

Day origami hearts and flowers When: 10 a.m. Where: Student Center Lobby

n Jewelry

Sale When: 1:30 p.m. Where: Student Center Lobby

DAILY KENT STATER n Casino/Bingo

Night When: 6 p.m. Where: Student Recreation and Wellness Center

n New

Music Series When: 8 p.m. Where: Ludwig Recital Hall in the Music and Speech Center

n “Red,”

Reel Late Reels When: 11 p.m. Where: Kiva

n “Sanctuary:

A Tribute to Love Jones” When: 8 p.m. Where: Rathskeller

SATURDAY n “Red”

- Reel Late Reels When: 8 and 11 p.m. Where: Kiva

Public Health college enrollment increases James said the college has received support from the Board of Trustees, Provost Robert Frank and Lefton. James said the president established an initiative fund for the college, and University Communications and Marketing offices have created campaigns to help advertise the college. Lefton said the administration “built a business model” for the college that requires a certain number of students to enroll in the first, second and third years. “(We) recognize that it’s going to start slowly and build over time as it builds reputation and people come to understand that it exists,” Lefton said, adding that enrollment is exceeding those goals. Frank Henry-Ala, a health policy and management major in the master’s program, said he wants to be a physician and thought a master’s degree in public health would be a good complement. “I was told about the program From Page A1

EGYPT Egypt specialist, addresses Egyptian protests “Obama is always two steps behind,” Stacher said. “Intervention from the U.S. government could have empowered the protesters, but that time has passed.” Stacher also said the public needs to understand what is going on without relying simply on what our government or Egyptian protesters are saying. “There are people from the United States government that are trying to spin a narrative,” he said. “There are protesters that are trying to spin a narrative. There is the Egyptian government that is trying to spin a narrative. “None of those narratives are inherently complete or correct,” he said. Derek Spencer, senior political From Page A1

PROTESTS Egypt outraged “The Egyptian government must put forward a credible, concrete and unequivocal path toward genuine democracy, and they have not yet seized that opportunity,” Obama said. The military’s Supreme Council, headed by Defense Minister Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, announced on state TV that it was in permanent session, a status that it takes only in times of war. It said it was exploring “what measures and arrangements could be made to safeguard the nation, its achievements and the ambitions of its great people.” That suggested Tantawi and his generals were now in charge of the country. The statement was labeled “Communique No. 1,” language that also suggests a military coup. Footage on state TV showed Tantawi chairing the council with his chief of state Gen. Sami Anan and around two dozen of his topmost generals, sitting stern-faced around a table. Mubarak and Suleiman, a former army general and intelligence chief named to his post after the protests erupted Jan. 25, were not present, the strongest indication during the day of a rift. But there was no immediate reaction from the military following Mubarak’s speech, and their position remained ambiguous. In his address on state TV, Mubarak showed the strategy he has followed throughout the days of upheaval, trying to defuse the greatest challenge ever to his nearly three-decade authoritarian rule. So far, he has made a series of largely superficial concessions while resolutely sticking to his refusal to step down immediately or allow steps that would undermine the grip of his regime. Looking frail but speaking in

Michaela Write is the College of Public Health reporter. science major, said he understood how Stacher could be critical of the government and its actions, but he also understands the government’s actions. “I think that that was the only appropriate response that he could have with what is going on,” Stacher said. “I see where he stands, and he is very sympathetic with the Egyptian people. I understand that, but at the same time, I know that the president can’t afford to take sides.” Alia Awadallah, senior political science major, agrees with Stacher that the U.S. government is too concerned in its own interests to pay attention to what is really happening. “I think we need people like Dr. Stacher to give an outside voice and break that cycle that is counterproductive,” she said. Kelly Tunney is the College of Arts and Sciences reporter. a determined voice, Mubarak spoke as if he were still in charge, saying he was “adamant to continue to shoulder my responsibility to protect the constitution and safeguard the interests of the people.” He vowed that he would remain in the country and said he was addressing the youth in Tahrir as “the president of the republic.” Even after delegating authority to his vice president, Mubarak retains his powers to request constitutional amendments and dissolve parliament or the Cabinet. The constitution allows the president to transfer his other authorities if he is unable to carry out his duties “due to any temporary obstacle.” “I saw fit to delegate the authorities of the president to the vice president, as dictated in the constitution,” he said. Suleiman was already leading the regime’s efforts to deal with the crisis, though he has failed to ease the protests, which have only escalated in size and ambition, drawing crowds of up to a quarter-million people. In the past 48 hours they flared even further out of control, with labor protests erupting around the country and riots breaking out as impoverished Egyptians attacked and set fire to several police and governor headquarters in cities outside Cairo. Mubarak insisted on the continuation of a governmentdominated process for reform that Suleiman drew up and that protesters have roundly rejected because they fear it will mean only cosmetic change and not real democracy. Under that system, a panel of judges and lawyers put together by Suleiman recommends constitutional changes, while a separate panel monitors to ensure that state promises are carried out. Suleiman has also offered

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by Provost Frank,” Henry-Ala said. “He put me in contact with Dr. (Sonia) Alemagno, and she explained all the great things I could do with an MPH. I was already aware, but she put things in better perspective for me.“ Koya Allen, a doctoral student in prevention science, said she came here because of James, her career mentor at Tulane University. She was looking at other areas of study when James, who had just been hired, told her about the college. “It seems like the more the college gets the word out, the more students are taking that as an option from other fields,” Allen said. “Some people say it’s a better fit for them.” Levandowski said many current students have also transferred into public health from other majors. “A lot of people are gravitating toward our curriculum,” Levandowski said.

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dialogue with the protesters and opposition over the nature of reforms. He has not explained how the negotiations fit in if the judges’ panel, which is led by Mubarak supporters, is recommending amendments. In any case, the protesters and opposition have resolutely refused talks until Mubarak goes. Mubarak called the protesters’ demands legitimate and promised that September’s presidential elections — in which he says he will not run — will be “free and fair” with supervision to ensure transparency. He said that on the recommendation of the panel, he had requested the amendment of five articles of the constitution to loosen the now restrictive conditions on who can run for president, to restore judicial supervision of elections, and to impose term limits on the presidency. He also annulled a constitutional article that gives the president the right to order a military trial for civilians accused of terrorism. He said that step would “clear the way” for eventually scrapping a hated emergency law but with a major caveat — “once s e c u r i t y a n d s t a b i l i t y a re restored.” The emergency law, imposed when Mubarak came to power in 1981, gives police virtually unlimited powers of arrest. Before the night’s dramatic developments, protests had gained a spiraling momentum, fueled by labor strikes that erupted around the country. Protesters had been gearing up for even more massive demonstrations on Friday, when they planned to march from squares around Cairo into Tahrir. “ We a r e w a i t i n g f o r a strong reaction from the army to Mubarak’s speech,” said Mohammed Mustapha, a pro-

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Daily Kent Stater Every year, the Kent State Orchestra sponsors a schoolwide concerto competition in search of one undergraduate and graduate musician to be featured in its February concert. Richard Jeric, a senior music major, won the undergraduate competition with Joseph-Maurice Ravel’s “Piano Concerto in G.” Marlene Ballena, a graduate performance major, won the graduate competition with her cellist piece of Dvorak’s “Cello Concerto in B minor.” They will both perform with the Kent State Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at Cartwright Hall. Kent State students and faculty are free with student ID. Adults are $10, and other students are $5. “It is always great collaborating with young, talented musicians,” said orchestra director Scott Seaton . “They are the ones who are going to build careers for themselves.” Jeric said he has been waiting for the opportunity to perform in this concert. “I’ve been a finalist every year I’ve been here, so it’s been a long experience,” Jeric said. “It’s nice to finally win. Competitions are tough and draining, so it’s definitely rewarding to get a victory.” The concert will start with Jeric’s piano performance of “Piano Concerto in G,” then move to the orchestra’s performance of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s overture to “Romeo and Juliet” and finish with Ballena’s cellist performance of “Cello Concerto in B Minor.” Jeric said he has been working on his piece in practices and lessons for the competition since May. He said he initially com-

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Richard Jeric, Kent State Concerto Competition undergraduate winner, practices Ravel’s “Piano Concerto in G” with the orchestra on Thursday. This was the same piece that won him the undergraduate portion of the competition. peted with 20 people, including three other pianists, in the preliminaries. He said there was a diverse mix of instruments at the competition and all of the students played well. “We send three finalists from the undergraduate and graduate divisions to the finals in December,” Seaton said. “We hire outside professionals to pick the winners. We want to give as many people a chance to play with an orchestra as we can.” Seaton said Jeric’s piece has a lot of solo lines for orchestra members to play. He said the orchestra provides a sparse background along with big effects for the “shiny, quirky” arrangement. “Richard is a fantastic pianist,” Seaton said. “He is very easy to collaborate with. He just asks for what he wants, and I can ask him for what I want in return.” Seaton said Ballena’s piece is a very large-scale cello showpiece. Jeric said Ballena’s piece will be very emotional and

deep. Ballena was unavailable for comment. “Marlene is a very talented cellist,” Seaton said. “She knows exactly what she wants with the piece. It has been a fun, challenging process to adapt the piece for the concert. I think the result will be explosive.” Seaton said the orchestra has been working on rehearsing the overture of “Romeo and Juliet” since the beginning of spring semester. He said every college orchestra should play the arrangement at least once and that it worked out with the concert being near Valentine’s Day. Jeric said people should recognize songs in the arrangement from commercials and movies. “As a senior, this is a pretty nice culmination of a lot of work,” Jeric said. “It’s humbling to be chosen to be around so many other people who play well. The concert should be a celebration of all the work the school has done.”

test spokesman. He said “huge numbers” of protesters were expected Friday and that many wanted to march on the Oruba palace, Mubarak’s main presidential palace several miles away from Tahrir — though, so far, organizers had not made a formal call to do so. The mood among protesters was a mix of fury, disappointment, determination to go on and a grim realism that they should have expected little else from Mubarak. “This will push the country to the edge of the abyss. Tomorrow, the army will intervene, if it does not, there will be chaos,” said one activist, Waleed el-Korumi. “We will lay waste to our country if we march on the palace. It’s a case of both sides sticking to its guns and at the end we will lose our nation,” he said, though he added that marches would remain peaceful. Muhammed Abdul Rahman, a 26-year-old lawyer who had joined the protesters for the first time Thursday, called Mubarak’s speech a “provocation.” “This is going to bring people together more, and people will come out in greater numbers,” he said. The protesters lifted al-Roueini onto their shoulders and carried him around the square, shouting, “the army, the people one hand.” Some in the crowd held up their hands in V-for-victory signs. But Mubarak’s words came as a splash of cold water. “The speech showed contempt for the demands and wishes of the youth,” said one activist, Khaled Sayed. “People took it very objectively. We will keep up the pressure continue in Tahrir until we get what we want.”

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CORRECTIONS A headline Thursday on Page 1 read, “Lawmakers and Lefton agree on tuition cap removal.” However, no lawmaker directly stated his or her support for removing the cap. The Daily Kent Stater recognizes the responsibility to correct errors that occur in the newspaper. When errors occur in the newspaper, corrections will appear in this space as promptly as possible.

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Cultural groups plan more advocacy work Ryan Collins

rcolli12@kent.edu Daily Kent Stater In the fifth week of the semester, campus organizations serving ethnic minority students across Kent State are discussing their Spring 2011 plans and goals. The leaders of student groups, such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Focus on the Future, Advocates of Culture and Knowledge and the Spanish and Latino Student Association were in agreement of their central goal to support students and bring them together. The Student Multicultural Center also has programs planned to help students. Kent State’s chapter of the NAACP will represent its constituents at university committees this semester, said Robin Wright, president of the chapter and senior PanAfrican Studies major. “We’re not going to do as (many events) because we are focusing more on the advocacy end rather than the programming end this semester,” Wright said. The NAACP will still have about six programs, she said. An informational mass meeting and a poetry event are among February’s events. “We’re working with organizations (particularly the Center of PanAfrican Culture) to focus on two specific initiatives: increasing political awareness of students here at Kent State, and specifically get minority students more involved in leadership positions,” Wright said. The Student Multicultural Center also has its own initiative to improve academic skills with its programs lined up for this semester. A panel on GPA improvement and a session on dealing with parents and summer jobs are planned. “(We want to show the) impact of freshman year on GPA, how to

protect it, how to bounce back from a bad first semester,” said Bryan Gadson, a graduate appointee with the center. “(And we also want to) intertwine with the social aspects of other organizations.” Also focusing on unification, Focus on the Future wants to help students academically and bring them together, said Christopher Hicks, the group’s president. Focus on the Future is planning events that have no cultural barriers so everyone can be exposed to who they are on campus with, he said. “There are invisible barriers that I see separate us all,” Hicks said. “I actually want to tear those down.” Jonathan Jones, president of Advocates of Culture and Knowledge, said the cross-cultural and all-inclusive group wants to bring more focus to current events. One of the group’s goals is also to establish relationships with all campus organizations. “We have created unity ties with people who were not unified before,” Jones said. The Spanish and Latino Student Association is promoting its support system to get a greater number of Hispanic students applying to Kent, said Kaley Alvarado, SALSA president. “It’s nice to have somewhere to go if you need some help,” she said. The student group leaders stressed the inclusiveness as a goal for their organizations. “Our ultimate goal is just empowering minorities,” Wright said. “Not specifically African-Americans but all minorities politically, economically, educationally and socially.” Ryan Collins is the ethnic affairs reporter.

Friday, February 11, 2011 | Page A3

OPINION

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ABOUT THE OPINION PAGE The Stater hopes to encourage lively debate about the issues of the day on the Opinion Page. Opinions on this page are the authors’ and not necessarily endorsed by the Stater or its editors. Readers are encouraged to participate through letters to the editor and guest columns. Submissions become property of the Stater and may be edited for mechanics, Associated Press style and length without notice. Letters should not exceed 350 words, and guest columns should not exceed 550 words.

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SUMMARY: Being a student is difficult enough without having to worry about your safety on campus. What makes it worse is when the person robbing students at gunpoint is another student.

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Student camaraderie, not student crime

egardless of the situation, it is always sad to hear of a student being robbed. When the crime is committed on our own campus, it invokes a sense of nervousness and pity for the victim. The news of Saturday’s armed robbery in Harbourt Hall’s parking lot caused a rift in the wave of security that usually submerges students around campus. The most disappointing aspect is, in this case, a student robbed another student. In reality, we are all in the same boat. We all have issues, worries, concerns and bills. It is a definite possibility that the crime was committed out of financial need and not sheer boredom. We doubt the students actually stopped to consider they might be taking from someone else sharing similar troubles. The Kent State University Police Department

made two arrests Thursday in relation to the crime committed. A student from the University of Akron has been charged with aggravated robbery, and a Kent State student has been charged with obstruction of justice. Although we tend to want to “Zap the Akron Zips” during football season, the truth is we are beyond rivalry. It does not matter what school or background or community a person is from, a student-on-student crime is utterly unacceptable. It is true that the Kent State main campus has had a reported zero, three and four robberies in 2007, 2008 and 2009 respectively, according to the Kent State Police website. Sure, the crime rate is rising. Sure, security has changed on campus. Sure, maybe we won’t feel like dead-bolting our residence hall doors or easily

trusting people. There are bigger issues at stake. We need to remind ourselves we are all kindred spirits. We would rather not remember college for the mistakes that permanently change us for the worse. Kent State is a second home and an unforgettable starting place for the rest of our lives. We don’t want to consider that a person capable of something to this extent could be a fellow student sitting in English class or the Student Center. We are students, and we should stick together. The above editorial is the consensus opinion of the Daily Kent Stater editorial board whose members are listed to the left.

NATE BEELER’S VIEW

“Minimalism wasn’t a real idea - it ended before it started.“ — Sol LeWitt

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DID YOU KNOW? Nelson Mandela, leader of the movement to end South African apartheid, is released from prison after 27 years on Feb. 11, 1990. — History.com

their

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Must there be an app for everything?

The American breakfast table caricature once pictured a husband, nose in newspaper, mumbling “uh-huh” to spousal questions. The updated caricature consists of two spouses plus kids, noses in cell phones, thumbs on keyboards, taking turns mumbling “uh-huh” across the table. No longer in touch with only workplaces or heartthrobs, they are hunched in front of their smart phones as though peering through the sole portal to the world. They are checking news flashes, movie reviews, ESPN, airfares, homework assignments, church bulletins, restaurant menus, store hours and celebrity tweets; they are consulting calorie counters, home remedies, Pete Delkus and the Food Network; they are playing games and the stock market. All are updating Facebook. They might be missing out on something — each other, perhaps — but it’s hard to know. There’s not an app for that yet. Interconnectedness — boon and bane. It saves time and costs time. It gets in the way of things and paves the way for things. There’s no excuse for getting stuck in traffic — get an app for that! — and there’s no excuse for missing the boss’s surprise deadline, either. Now the highly virulent iPhone contagion is spreading apps to millions more through a new model being sold for the first time outside the AT&T realm. Rival Verizon’s iPhone hits stores this week, along with claims about performance similar to how Detroit would brag about its cars. The publication Macworld writes about the new iPhone model’s “fit and finish” as if it were

indeed a car. That’s somehow fitting, because of the places the phone can take people, each app adding horsepower. Other phone systems may have more market share or have edged ahead of Apple’s iPhone, but none can match the cultish following. Comic Jon Stewart speaks about fellow iPhoners as a “community” whose members like to “carry around every photo we’ve ever taken and every song we’ve ever listened to.” Android users could also boast about excesses, performance and pixels, but there’s not the same esprit de corps for a phone system that sounds more like an insect than a companion for your purse or pocket. Whatever the product, the seductiveness is potentially the same, and some people say there ought to be a law to protect us from ourselves. Really? Exhibit A is the woman famous for falling into a fountain at a shopping mall while texting (search YouTube “fountain lady”). Research from Ohio State University found an uptick in emergency room visits from texters who fell, tripped or ran into things. Should there be a law? How about an app instead? For people who can’t take their eyes off their little i-screens long enough to watch their feet hit the ground, iType2Go superimposes the texter’s typing over a camera’s-eye view of the terrain ahead. The above editorial appeared in the Dallas Morning News on Feb. 9

The real global terror Over the past three weeks, Egypt has been undergoing dramatic political changes as people continue to take to the streets in protests of President Hosni Mubarak’s oppressive, corrupt regime. It’s a people’s movement in its truest form and continues to be optimistic and peaceful. One would think the United States, as a champion of democracy and freedom, would jump at the opportunity to fully support the movement. However, our government has remained moderate and quiet on topics of formulating a transitional government with the inclusion of opposition parties. We’ve supported the general well-being of the country but have avoided strong language against the Egyptian government in efforts to be neutral. Why? The United States takes pride in playing the role of the global police, so why remain silent against an overtly menacing regime? As the global police, victorious against coercive dictatorships, we have maintained our status as the real global terror. We fail to recognize and assist true democratic movements, particularly when they lie outside our interests. The ideals of Mubarak’s regime severely clashed with base American values of government and individual rights, yet the United States has considered Egypt to be an ally for decades.

Thisanjali Gangoda It isn’t only the Islamic extremist movement that is perpetuating international conflict. The government entities that claim to protect us from violence and instability have simultaneously set the stage for this new global era of terrorism. Egypt is just one example of how the United States systematically avoids playing the role of the hero when our interests could be compromised. Mubarak’s regime has supported us in our warfare and our relationship with Israel, so why turn against him now? If we look at global terrorism and consider the 9/11 attacks, the reality is there are many disenchanted individuals who feel the United States doesn’t support social and political revolution as we should. History proves this distrust lies in American enforcement, protection and praising of countries that have oppressive, violent governments like Egypt.

Why? What is the reason our government claims to be the principle motivators of democratic movements while simultaneously sending the CIA to create military coups and establish unstable governments? The United States government is looking to secure its global hegemony. Its only interest in international affairs is to reinforce political, social and economic dominance over other nations. It’s a farce that we Americans stand by, barely questioning the legitimacy of events like the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. When our personal interests begin to waiver, such as the rising cost of gas or crashing stock markets, do we turn against our politicians in Washington? What about all the damage they inflict on the international community? The United States today doesn’t stand for social justice and equality. The muted language against the Egyptian government is proof of this. The global war on terrorism is just another phase in reasserting ourselves as a superpower. When we hesitate to support peaceful democratic movements, we devalue the importance of global cooperation and unity. Thisanjali Gangoda is a senior applied conflict management major and columnist for the Daily Kent Stater. Contact her at tgangoda@kent.edu.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR President Lefton has demonstrated that, despite his largely symbolic gestures to be in touch with the student body, he is the head of an administration that would prefer to see Kent State run as a for-profit business rather than a public university at the great expense of the students themselves. By asking state legislators to dissolve tuition caps rather than seeking any other potentially self-deprecating administrative solutions or to appear at-odds politically with a destructive and narrow-minded new state government, Lefton has claimed instead to have exhausted all of his resources and must now call upon the students,

the entire reason for his job, to clean up after his shyness/inability to run a public institution. The entire raison d’être of a public university is to provide higher education to whomever is willing to pursue it at absolute minimum expense. Lefton, with his false-started desire and willingness to raise tuition above and beyond an ad hoc agreedupon rate, is forfeiting his commitment to that philosophy altogether. If Lefton were really as student-centric as his weekly e-mails and tweets suggest he is, he would go to bat for us and speak out against a government whose knee-jerk fiscal agenda is

at odds with public higher education. He is characteristic of an entire administration unwilling to seek solutions at their own expense and who seek capital at all costs, especially when the bill falls on the very students and faculty that keep the dream of public education running. You’re an administrator of a fine institution and one that could be an example of how to provide affordable higher education, not a businessman. Eric Seemiller is a graduate student in anthropology.

Page A4 | Friday, February 11, 2011

Daily Kent Stater

Classic rockers gather to share stories of the ’60s Anthony Dominic

adomini1@kent.edu Daily Kent Stater Don Aters, rock photographer and historian, believes there’s more to stories of the 1960s than just sex, drugs and rock and roll. Aters and the Rainbow Warriors, a collective of classic rockers, spoke of such stories during a three-hour lecture and concert event in the Student Center Ballroom on Thursday. “These are human beings that were part of a generation that shaped our culture,” said Aters, coordinator and host of the event.“They were the ones that were there and they have real stories to tell.” Rainbow Warriors is comprised of Tom Constanten of the Grateful Dead, Slick Aguilar of Jefferson Starship and KC and the Sunshine Band, Gary Duncan of Quicksilver Messenger Service and Jerry Miller of Moby Grape. The group members spent the first hour and a half speaking of their personal histories and took questions from audience members. Aters also joined the group on stage to share his experiences with photographing musicians such as John Lennon, Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix. For the musical portion of the event, the groups played selections from their respective bands, as well as various blues songs, and were joined by local backing musicians Joe Vitale Jr. and “Dreadlock” Dave McDougald. The group had a meet and greet following the performance where Aters displayed some of his photos. Performers also signed memorabilia and mingled with the audience. Around 100 students and community members attended the event. Aters said he and his late best friend, Chet Helms, conceived the idea of Rainbow Warriors years ago. Helms was a music promoter from San Francisco who was called the father of the city’s “Summer of Love” in 1967 and is credited with jumpstarting the careers of musicians

THOMAS SONG | DAILY KENT STATER

Jerry Miller from Moby Grape plays at the Rainbow Warriors show on Thursday. Rolling Stone magazine ranked Jerry Miller the 68th greatest guitar player of all time. such as Janis Joplin, Aters said. “I don’t see any of these guys as famous musicians; I see them as my friends,” Aters said. “My goal is to make sure they are not forgotten.” Katie Young, Undergraduate Student Government promotions officer, said the event is different for Kent State because it’s not just another concert. “Usually at a concert, you

just hear the music and then

you’re done,” Young said. “But

with these guys, you get to see

them perform and then you also

get to hear about their pasts and

how they’ve evolved as people.”

Anthony Dominic is the

on-campus entertainment reporter.

Daily Kent Stater

Friday, February 11, 2011 | Page A5

CLASSIFIEDS

For information about placing a Display ad please call our offices at 330-672-2586 or visit us at 205 Franklin Hall, Kent State University. Our office hours are from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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An awesome summer job in Maine! If you’re looking to spend this summer outdoors, have fun while you work, and make lifelong friends, then look no further. Camp Mataponi, a children’s summer camp, has positions available in Land Sports (lacrosse, soccer, basketball, softball, volleyball, field hockey), Waterfront (sailing, canoeing, waterskiing, life guarding, WSI, boat drivers), Ropes Course, Tennis, H.B. Riding, Arts & Crafts, Theater, Dance, Gymnastics, Video, Photography, Nurses, Maintenance, Cooking and more. Top salaries plus room/board & travel provided. Call us today, 561748-3684 or apply online at www. campmataponi.com Barrington Golf Club Seasonal servers, meals and uniforms provided, competitive wages, apply in person 350 N Aurora Rd Aurora EOE FT/PT Enthusiastic retail sales position available! Apply within, Stow Sports, 3774 Fishcreek Road, Stow. or Office.underwood@gmail.com.

Buyer Beware! We make every effort to screen for fraudulent advertising, however, we cannot guarantee the veracity of the advertisers and their messages in this section. It is important for consumers to respond to any advertisement with the utmost caution.

FREE HEAT

Efficiency and 1 bdrm apartments available now. Heat included! Call 330-678-0746 Hurry!!! Efficiency apartments still left. Call 330-678-0123 NOW LEASING FOR FALL 5,4,2,1 bedroom Houses. Efficiency. Good Location Near KSU. Call 330-734-8350 Kent$525,

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WHITEHALL EAST TOWNHOMES 4/5 bedrooms, 3 bath CONDO. AFFORDABLE rent options with utilities included starting at $365/ mo. Newly renovated, flooring, all appliances included, lighted parking and entrances, on the Campus bus line, near rec center. Get your group and call 330.689.8888. www.whitehalleast.com For 2011-12: One Month Free Close to Campus 2 huge apartments, licensed, private parking, large yard, large front porch. 4 bedroom $1400/$350 each. 4/5 bedroom $1500, $300-$375 each. (330) 626-3957

large, clean, all appliances + FREE washer/dryer. 330-714-0819

NO WATER BILL! NO GAS BILL! 4&5 bedroom duplex available for Fall 2011 Near campus and bus route Starting at $350/month per bedroom Call Sweeney: 330-267-9336 Shrewsberry Rentals 4 and 6 bedrooms. 4 bedrooms $1475. 6 bedrooms $2,100. Trash, sewer, and recycling paid. 330-221-2881

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Today is a 6. Today, you fit the picture of the absent-minded professor. It’s not all bad. You can actually access talents that are normally kept hidden, like your own genius.

To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

Gemini (May 21-June 21) Today is a 7. You may feel critical of yourself today, but you’re really doing a great job with the tools you have. And it’s only getting better. Ease up.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Today is a 6. Today’s emotions are positive, with great rewards for the seeds you planted earlier. Don’t kick back yet. Keep planting for future harvest.

Cancer (June 22-July 22) Today is a 6. You “can’t get no satisfaction” today. Stop being so critical, and give yourself permission to daydream. It’s okay if you want to be by yourself.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Today is a 6. You get bored easily today. Think about trying something new, letting go of old habits and generating new possibilities. What could the future hold?

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Today is a 6. Try not to break anything. Take special care of your health today. Slow down if you need to. Feed your soul. Watch a good film or take time for music. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Today is a 6. Plug a drain on your resources. A glitch in communication sets you back. Just make sure to clean it up, for workability. Reinvent the goal. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) Today is a 6. You can take “no” for an answer. It doesn’t mean the next one won’t be “yes.” After a long day, you’re ready to relax, and “no” could actually be freeing.

Buckeye Parks Mgmt. Serving Kent for over 30 years 2011-2012 Leases 1,2,3,4 bdrm apts 3&4 bdrm townhomes 5,6 bdrm apts Some include utilities Prices starting at $375 per room 330-678-3047 BuckeyeParksMgmt.com HIDDEN PINES Town homes 4 bedrooms 2 bath. W/D. ALL utilities included. $365/mo/bdrm www.hidden-pines.com 440-708-2372

Nice 5 bedroom house. Close to campus. $425/bedroom + utilities. 330-554-1491 Hurry In 2BR Apts available for Fall Free Heat and Water, Pets Welcome, Outdoor Pool 330-673-5364 Kent near downtown and campus 2 bedroom apartment, all utilities paid except electric, $350/bedroom + security deposit. (330) 676-9440 AVAILABLE FALL: UNIVERSITY TOWNHOUSE. 5 BDS, 2.5 BATHS, STOVE REFRIG, DISHWASHER, WASHER/DRYER, A/C. $250.00 PER PERSON ; WWW.JLCASTO.COM CALL 330-688-7040. 1,2,&3 Bedroom Apartments Close to Campus Joe (330)310-1494. 1 & 2 bed apartments. Newly remodeled, all utilities paid except electric. Call for Valentine’s Day Specials! (330)678-0972 Now Leasing for Fall, Beautiful newly redecorated 2 bedroom twinplexes, 1 Block from KSU, 330-687-6122.

All real estate advertised herin is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” State and local laws forbid discrimination based on factors in addition to those protected under federal law. We will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate that is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis. If you feel you have been wrongfully denied housing or discriminated against, call the FHAA at 330-253-2450 for more information.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) Today is an 8. Strive for financial harmony. Living well doesn’t have to mean large expenses. Find balance between work and play. True wealth may lie in time spent with love.

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Today’s Birthday (02/11/11) The year ahead promises to be full of activity and challenges. Use every opportunity to learn and grow your skill set. You’re more powerful than you think. Be alert, and keep your eyes, ears and the rest of your senses on the goal.

By Nancy Black

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Today is a 6. Don’t be too harsh on yourself or on your friends. They’re really trying to help you, by pointing out your blind spots. It amplifies your vision.

Several units available: -Deluxe 4/5 bedroom units. $360 per room. -All inclusive, $350 per room.

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Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) Today is a 7. Work is important for you today, but it might get uncomfortable, especially if you listen to the critics in your head. Acknowledge all you’ve accomplished. List successes.

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Aries (March 21-April 19) Today is a 7. Don’t be too harsh on yourself today. If you have difficulty concentrating, distance yourself from the problem and try again later. Things shift.

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horoscope

SAVE $$$ Now Leasing for Fall a Beautiful Newly Redecorated 2 Bedroom Apartment, Free Gas/Water/Trash, $275/student, 330-687-6122. Newer 4/5 Bedroom Duplex, Flat screen TV, WD, Air, Sun deck, Close to Campus, Yard & Firepit, $1300$1500/mo. Website http://web. me.com/allen291/ Cell 216-536-3958 Email allen291@ me.com Leasing for Fall: South Lincoln St. Condo. 2 bedroom 1.5 bath. No pets, heat included. $725/mo. 216524-0745 Beat the Price Increase! Reserve Apartment by End of February to get Last Year’s Price. 2-3 bdrm spacious apts. in Kent. Call 330-678-0823

Rent

University Townhomes 4/5 bedroom townhomes available for Fall 2011. All utilities included, starting at $340. 440-336-6761 www.kenttownhomes.com.

25 YEARS EXPERIENCE HOUSING KSU STUDENTS OFF CAMPUS NOW LEASING FOR FALL ‘11-12 1, 2, and 3 bedroom apartments, duplexes, efficiencies, located near and around campus on Depeyster, Lake, Lincoln, Linden, Lock, Mantua, Morris, and Water streets. Check out our website www.jkohlre.com for more information. You can also stop by our office at 200 E. Summit, call us at 330-677-4722 or text us at 330-780-1274.

Whitehall East Town Homes AKA “The New Town Homes” Whitehall Blvd. off Summit Now taking apps for Fall 2011 *5b/3ba *All Appliances Included *Dishwasher, Washer, Dryer *Lighted Parking *Many units with all newer flooring Rent plans starting at $290/person/ month Ask about the all-inclusive plans Call or text 330-990-4019 www.whitehall-east.com

3 Bedroom, 2 full bath house available for Fall. Great condition, full appliances, $350 bedroom 1, $325 per bedroom 2 and 3. Close to Campus 330-673-1225 www. kentstudentrentals.com Now Leasing for Fall. Kent 7-8 bedroom house. Close to campus. 330-626-5910. Very Clean, 2 bedroom, 1 bath, gas, heat, water, appliances included. 330-760-1884 Fall, 3 bedroom apt. near downtown $900 + gas & electric No Pets 330678-3557

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Fall: 2 bedroom, 1.5 bath condo, No Pets, Heat Paid, $725 + electric 330678-3557 Renting for 2011-12. 244 East Main. Can accommodate group of 10, 5, 3 or 2. Utilities included. $300-380/ room. 330-333-1531 $825 3bdm, 1.5bath townhome in Stow. Pool, Tennis Courts. Tenet pays all utilities except trash. Available April 1st, 1yr lease required. e-mail at mknapp80@hotmail.com AVAILABLE FOR FALL: 1,2,3 & 4 bedroom apartments. Call 330-678-7901 for details Great campus condo. 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath. Available August. Call Dr. Miller at (330) 618-7764

Now Leasing for June & Fall, a beautiful newer condo, 2 large bedroom, 2.5 bath, double car garage, central air, backyard deck. $375/student. 330-687-6122 8 bedroom house, Aug. 2011. Off street parking, 1 block from campus, Must have a group of 8 students. One year lease, $325/mo., owner pays partial util. Call 330-626-5350 for details and appt. Studio apartment, half block from campus, all utilities paid + cable, private parking, available now. Call 330-931-0434

EXCELLENT LOCATION Fall- 7-8 bedroom house. $325 to $350 per person plus utilities. 1 year lease. NO PETS. 330-678-3489. Rooms Available for Fall 1 block from campus. 224 South Willow Street. $350/mo. Includes ALL utilities incl. cable and internet. Non-Smoking House. Chris Myers 330-678-6984

Near WKSU. 3 bedroom, 3 bath condo, 2 car garage, W/D, A/C. $1250 + electric (only) & water. No pets. 330-673-3318.

One roommate needed ASAP to share condo immediately. Rent at $285/month. 330.689.8888 www.whitehalleast.com

Page A6 | Friday, February 11, 2011

Daily Kent Stater

SPORTS

KENTWIRED.COM Women’s basketball back in action Six golfers travel to Puerto Rico

Sports editor: Cody Erbacher • cerbache@kent.edu

NBA Slam Dunk Contest: Better, but not great yet Remember the days when competing in the NBA’s Slam Dunk Contest during All-Star Weekend meant you were as cool as Justin Bieber in a Limited Too store? I don’t. Nowadays, you can throw down a reverse dunk in a game and the selection committee says, “Hmmm, LeBron isn’t doing it this year. Let’s get that guy. What’s his name?” It stinks. It’s unfair to the fans and unfair to the league. This year, however, one name might bring the dunk contest back to where it was in the early 2000s. Blake Griffin, the rookie power forward from the Los Angeles Clippers, is the Mufasa of this year’s competition. Although Griffin is only half a season into his career, he already has a highlight tape that would make Vince Carter drool. This contestant is the lone reason why people are going to turn on the dunk contest. He’s a freak, dunking on anyone who stands in his path. I’m pumped to see this 21-year old man-child dominate the field. The only other dunker worth noting is DeMar DeRozan, a second-year player from the Toronto Raptors (he’s been on highlight reels since he was in middle school). The field concludes with Washington Wizards forward JaVale McGee and Oklahoma City Thun-

Michael Moses der forward Serge Ibaka. I’m not saying these guys can’t dunk — they definitely can — but they’re not well known. Sure, it gives them a chance to break onto the national stage, but wouldn’t fans rather see players such as LeBron James, Josh Smith and Dwyane Wade? Something tells me they might draw a little more attention to the event as opposed to McGee and Ibaka. Lately, I’d be willing to bet the judges of the dunk contest could do better in the competition than the actual contestants. Legends such as Julius Erving and Dominique Wilkins have been forced to sit there and judge players such as Jamario Moon, Tyrus Thomas and Chris Andersen. C’mon, man! What happened to athletic 2-guards in the dunk contest? Why do centers and power forwards compete? Even when Dwight Howard was in it, a big name All-Star, there wasn’t a lot of flair. Howard was a 6’11” center who just jumped high

wearing a Superman cape. When can we get back to the Jason Richardson, Vince Carter and Steve Francis kind of dunkers? Nate Robinson was cool for a while, but you can only see a 5’9” guy do the same dunk so many times. The fact that he is a threetime NBA Slam Dunk champion makes me proud because of the height factor, but should embarrass the rest of the NBA. Since 2003 (post-Richardson era, the last solid slam-dunker) look at the Slam Dunk champions: Fred Jones, Josh Smith, Robinson, Gerald Green and Howard. Really? We can’t get superstars in the mix because they’re afraid of injury? Was Michael Jordan afraid of hurting himself? When the field went from six dunkers to four in ’02, the thrill of the competition began to dwindle. I want that feeling back. James flirted with the media, said he would enter his name in the competition, and, of course, backed out. Wouldn’t the 2012 event be a dream contest if James, Wade, Derrick Rose, Josh Smith, J.R. Smith and Griffin were in it? I’d say so. And The Blake Show would probably win that battle, too. Michael Moses is a sports columnist.

Wrestlers stay focused in hunt for a MAC Championship FILE PHOTO BY COTY GIANNELLI | DAILY KENT STATER

Junior forward Justin Greene makes his move to the hoop during the game against Eastern Michigan University on Wednesday.

Men’s basketball returns to the road

Rachel Jones

rjones62@kent.edu Daily Kent Stater In the next seven days, the Kent State men’s basketball team will spend a lot of time in airplanes, buses and visitor locker rooms. The Flashes (16-7, 7-2 MidAmerican Conference) begin their series of four road games in one week at Northern Illinois University at 4 p.m. Saturday Kent State will then venture to Western Michigan on Monday, Miami on Wednesday and Drexel on Feb. 18. “We’ve been getting better on the road and getting a feel for what it takes to win on the road,” senior guard Rod Sherman said. “You have to stay poised and keep your composure.” Kent State coach Geno Ford said it will take a lot of toughness for the team to handle the schedule that’s packed with not only games, but also travel days. With no time for players to fully recover or heal, Ford is expecting everyone to be tired by the end of the journey, adding to the importance of Saturday’s game.

“(Northern Illinois) is a big one because it’s the first one,” Ford said. “It’s as fresh as we’re going to be, so we have to be the best.” Players will be getting plenty of rest before their big trip, but at this point in the season, they are more concerned with fine-tuning and mental preparation than endless drills anyway. “It’s the time of year where you don’t get better in practice,” Ford explained. “We practice hard in Christmas break and January. I’m not going to wear them out in practice now.” While the players are concentrating on taking care of their bodies and watching more film, it does not mean they will be slacking off just because they are almost done. However, that’s how the team has looked lately on the court. “The one thing we haven’t been good at is we’ve gotten leads and not been able to extend it,” Ford said. “That’s a mental toughness thing we haven’t (fully accomplished).” Wednesday, the Flashes took a 40-34 halftime lead and turned it into an 80-70 victory over Eastern Michigan. “We have to close guys out at a

high point,” Sherman said. “We get in that dead mode or get relaxed. But we’ll get better at it.” Kent State is rolling through a five-game winning streak and sitting at first place in the MAC East. Junior forward Justin Greene said he was happy with the win, but he wished the point gap was bigger. Greene led the Flashes with 23 points against Eastern Michigan – 19 from the first half alone. But Ford said everyone must contribute that much to keep the winning streak alive. “If we’re going to win the league, we’re going to need balance,” Ford said. “You can’t ride one guy to the championship.” All of the players will need to step up if they want to finish this road series victoriously. With all four teams boasting good home records, Ford said the Flashes could play hard at all four games and still get beat. “We’re not going to do well on all four,” Ford said. “But playing bad and winning would still be good.” Rachel Jones is the men’s basketball reporter.

Flashes take on Ohio and Eastern Michigan Friday and Sunday Alex Atkinson

aatkins2@kent.edu Daily Kent Stater The Kent State wrestlers’ matches against Ohio and Eastern Michigan could offer many close scores, as six Bobcats and six Eagles are ranked at the No. 4 spot or higher in the Mid-American Conference. Though Kent State has not lost to Ohio in six years, the Flashes, ranked No. 15 in the nation by the National Wrestling Coaches Association, won’t take this match for granted. The Bobcats upset Central Michigan 21-17 Feb. 4 in Athens. It was the team’s first loss to Ohio since 1998. Freshman Brandonn Johnson (19-15), who is ranked No. 28 in the 174-weight class by WrestlingReport.com, has the task of slowing down Ohio’s No. 17 Nick Purdue. Purdue was awarded MAC Player of the Week this week for his victory over Central Michigan’s No. 6 Ben Bennett last weekend. “BJ (Johnson) has to stay focused and keep going with the game plan we’ve given him,” said Jim Andrassy, Kent State’s coach. “He seems to get up for the big matches well. Junior Dustin Kilgore (28-2), who wrestled at 184 pounds last season, will face the defending MAC Champion, 197 Eric Schuth, on Friday night. Kilgore said he needs to win this match in order to prove he is the new No. 1 guy at 197. “I’m a very competitive person,” Kilgore said. “Even though I bumped up, people may feel like

FILE PHOTO BY JESSICA YANESH | DAILY KENT STATER

Junior Dustin Kilgore grapples his opponent in Kent State’s match against Northern Illinois on Jan. 21. this is their spot. I’m here just to prove myself.” Andrassy said he has been using a coaches’ poll all season to stir up Kilgore. “Earlier in the year, the coaches actually ranked Schuth above Kilgore,” Andrassy said. “I put a little fire under Dustin’s tail by reminding him every now and then that Schuth is a little better. Hopefully that’ll give him a little more motivation.” At heavyweight, Kent State’s No. 13 junior Brendan Barlow will have challenging matches both Friday and Sunday. He faces No. 23 Jeremy Johnson Friday night, and the No. 17 David Wade on Sunday. “The biggest thing with Brendan is he needs to be more offensive and more aggressive,” Andrassy said. “He’s accepted the challenge in the practice room this week, and I’m hoping he goes out there and wrestles like he knows how to wrestle.” The Flashes hope to keep up their success against Eastern

Michigan. Kent State holds a 37-1-1 record against the Eagles. The last time the Flashes fell to the Eagles was in 1974. Andrassy said the team just has to stay focused against Eastern Michigan. “Every year we wrestle (Eastern Michigan), it seems like a close match just because it’s between Ohio and Central Michigan,” Andrassy said. “We normally finish OU and are already thinking about Central. We need to make sure we’re prepared and each guy has his head prepared right and we stay focused on our goals—to become MAC Champs and place in the top 12 in the country.” Action begins against Ohio at 7 p.m. Friday in the M.A.C. Center, with a special appearance by Dolph Ziggler, a WWE wrestler and Kent State alum. The Flashes then travel for a 2 p.m. match against Eastern Michigan on Sunday. Alex Atkinson is the wrestling reporter.

Battle of conference gymnastics powerhouses Flashes look to correct mistakes from previous meets Tyler Goddard

tgoddar1@kent.edu Daily Kent Stater The No. 14 nationally-ranked Kent State gymnastics team will attempt to take over the top spot in the Mid-American Conference as the Flashes welcome conference rival Central Michigan to the M.A.C. Center on Saturday.

The Flashes (7-1-1, 1-0 MAC) return home for their first true home meet since Jan. 9. Kent State leads the all-time series against Central Michigan (9-1, 2-0 MAC), with a 40-36 record. Kent State will be looking to regain consistency and bounce back from mistakes made last weekend in the team’s win over Bowling Green. Kent State coach Brice Biggin said he wasn’t happy with practice Tuesday because of the lack of intensity and consistency. “We’ve made mistakes the last three weeks that we need to learn from if we expect to be successful this weekend,” he said. Biggin said he’s not too worried

about vault because he knows the lineup is solid, but the emphasis is that “we cannot make two mistakes on one event.” “We need to be able to put together a solid meet on all four events,” Biggin said. “That’s what we are expecting Central (Michigan) to come here and do, and we expect to (do) that as well.” Freshman Nikki Moore said the team has the same assignments and goals, “but it’s really important that we beat them this week.” “We need a no-fall meet like we did the first two,” she said. “We definitely need to learn from our mistakes.” Moore said the team has been

focusing more on landings this week to counteract the recent mistakes, especially on the vault event. Biggin said most often a meet is decided on the balance beam, but he wants to see a strong performance on the floor exercise, an area where he said the team has been lacking this season. “Central (Michigan) will finish on beam, and we finish on floor,” he said. “So, if it comes down routine-to-routine, we need to really put some pressure on them and do a good job.” The meet between the Flashes and Chippewas begins at 1 p.m. Tyler Goddard is the gymnastics reporter.

FILE PHOTO BY VALERIE BROWN | LOS ANGELES TIMES

Senior Mike Schobe competes in the preliminary heat for the Men’s 60 meter hurdle at the Doug Raymond Invitational. The track and field team travels to Akron for the Akron Duals on Friday and Saturday.

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