April 23, 2019 - Best of KSU Insert - KSU Sentinel

BEST The Sentinel surveyed students on the Marietta and Kennesaw campuses to find out what the best aspects of Kennesaw State were over the past year. We asked about the best late night restaurant, best KSU event, best athletes and a host of other categories. Check out the winners inside!

2018-19 Designed by Bridget Walker

OF

KSU

THE SENTINEL

BEST EATS LATE NIGHT

TEX-MEX

FIRST PLACE: WAFFLE HOUSE FIRST PLACE: MOE’S SECOND PLACE: TIN LIZZY’S & TACO BELL THIRD PLACE: CHIPOTLE & ON THE BORDER

BURGERS FIRST PLACE: FIVE GUYS

SECOND PLACE: BURGER FI & COOK-OUT THIRD PLACE: STEAK-N-SHAKE & BURGER FI

Rio White | Sports Editor “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free...”

The way that this excerpt describes the symbolism of the Statue of Liberty can also explain the way many of us feel when we see the bright yellow glow of a Waffle House.

Whether in the early morning or in the dark depths of night, one institution can always be relied upon to supply nourishment that no other place can offer.

Greasy, inexpensive and invariably welcoming, Waffle House is a haven for anybody who does not fear preconceived notions and understands that there are as many unwritten rules as written ones.

Mechanics, painters, doctors, teachers and everyone in between make up the patrons of a place where the fetters of the lonely and unfeeling outside world are temporarily let go.

The crackling sound of eggs being fried up and the sweet smell of waffles hits the senses like a freight train upon entering, while an old song that has been played far too many times plays on

the digital jukebox.

After ordering food and witnessing the quick skills of the line cooks, it is time to devour a sumptuous feast of deliciousness.

With a variety of options to choose from, one can eat anything from patty melts, omelets, the All-Star special and hash browns smothered and covered and so on.

Every precious bite matters as the food fills you up and gives you energy after a long day.

The food, matched with the company of friends, creates feelings and memories that are irreplaceable.

There are few things that could make the Waffle House experience a negative one, except the occasional first-timer without any cultural intelligence.

For those who are unfamiliar with the restaurant: take a chance; do not let expectations get in the way, and allow Waffle House to permeate into you in its natural course. You might make a few friends along the way.

ON CAMPUS FIRST PLACE: THE COMMONS & CHICK-FIL A SECOND PLACE: CHICK-FIL-A & STINGERS RESTAURANT THIRD PLACE: PANDA EXPRESS & STACKS

SECOND PLACE: STEAK-N-SHAKE & MARIETTA DINER THIRD PLACE: IHOP & STEAK-N-SHAKE

BAR

FIRST PLACE: TACO MAC & MAZZY’S

SECOND PLACE: HIGHLANDS & TWIN PEAKS THIRD PLACE: MAZZY’S & HIGHLANDS

BEST ON CAMPUS...

EVENT SENTINEL STORY FIRST PLACE: FARMER’S FIRST PLACE: KSU STUDENT MARKET & GEEK WEEK ARRESTED AFTER FOOT TOUCHING

SECOND PLACE: JONAS BROTHERS REUNION HAS STUDENTS BURNIN’ UP THIRD PLACE: STUDENTS SHARE THEIR “TALES OF THE HAUNTED” & EDITORIAL: SENTINEL STAFF REMEMBERS 9/11 ATTACKS

ENTERTAINMENT FIRST PLACE: BOWLERO & ANDRETTI’S SECOND PLACE: ANDRETTI’S & BOWLERO THIRD PLACE: DAVE AND BUSTER’S & STARS AND STRIKES Luke Gardner | A & L Editor Several weeks of every semester, Kennesaw State hosts a farmer’s market outside of the commons. Students and faculty alike are drawn in to see the fresh offerings of local vendors. Coffee is a common staple at the farmers market, and so is freshly baked popcorn, sometimes coated with caramel.

Geek Week is an annual owl tradition celebrating all things remotely “geeky.”

Geek Week 2019 was the 6th ever Geek Week and took place from Monday, March 11, through Saturday, March 16. This year’s events included an event where students could stuff a Pokemon plush toy, participate in a calculus spelling bee-style competition, engage in a tabletop gaming expo and play a quidditch match.

SECOND PLACE: FOOTBALL GAMES THIRD PLACE: HOMECOMING WEEK & OWL CON

DAY TRIPS FIRST PLACE: ATLANTA & MARIETTA SQUARE SECOND PLACE: MARIETTA SQUARE & KENNESAW MOUNTAIN THIRD PLACE: KENNESAW MOUNTAIN & ATLANTA

NETFLIX BINGE FIRST PLACE: THE OFFICE SECOND PLACE: STRANGER THINGS THIRD PLACE: BLACK MIRROR & QUEER EYE

& AROUND TOWN

BEST SPORTS Rio White | Sports Editor

Amidst its conference championship-winning season, the Kennesaw State football team played in a 60-52 five-overtime victory against Jacksonville State at SunTrust Park on Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018.

After an exciting 2018-19 season for KSU Athletics, students voted this shootout as the best game in all sports this season.

Both teams had prepared for the first football game ever played at the home of the Atlanta Braves for over a year. Coming into the game, the Owls and Gamecocks were nationally ranked and playing for an FCS playoff spot.

With a raucous crowd of nearly 17,000 fans, the game had no shortage of entertainment and drama.

The Gamecocks caught fire early by scoring the first two touchdowns of the game. KSU scored 10 points in the second quarter to close the gap but went into halftime trailing for the first time all season.

It was a back-and-forth affair in the second half as the two teams used contrasting offensive styles to find success. While Jacksonville State quarterback Zerrick Cooper threw for over 417 yards, the Owls combined for 359 rushing yards.

Down by a touchdown, KSU scored with just over a minute left to even the score and send the game into overtime, where the intensity of the competition heightened.

The Owls opened overtime with a touchdown run on the second play, while Jacksonville State converted a fourth down on the way to a touchdown to tie the game.

Soon it became clear that neither side would give and the game eventually progressed to a fifth overtime.

With KSU leading 60-52 after another touchdown, the Gamecock’s offense finally fell to the pressure of the Owls. On third down, Cooper threw a pass towards the end zone that was intercepted by KSU linebacker Bryson Armstrong, ending the game long into the night.

“This was probably the most exciting football game I have ever been a part of in my coaching career,” head coach Brian Bohannon said. “Two really good football teams left every ounce of what they had on the grass tonight.”

GAME

FIRST PLACE: FOOTBALL 60-52 WIN AT SUNTRUST PARK

SECOND PLACE: VOLLEYBALL FIVE-SET WIN OVER LIPSCOMB TO ADVANCE TO ASUN CHAMPIONSHIP THIRD PLACE: WOMEN’S BASKETBALL 74-72 OVERTIME WIN OVER NORTH ALABAMA

MALE ATHLETE FIRST PLACE: CHANDLER BURKS SECOND PLACE: TYLER HOOKER THIRD PLACE: JAKE FRANKLIN

FEMALE ATHLETE

FIRST PLACE: KAMIYAH STREET SECOND PLACE: SIENA GORE THIRD PLACE: MADDIE ROTH

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR FIRST PLACE: AMANI JOHNSON

COACH

SECOND PLACE: JENNA VOLLRATH THIRD PLACE: BRENDA AYUK

FIRST PLACE: FOOTBALL COACH BRIAN BOHANNON

SECOND PLACE: VOLLEYBALL COACH KEITH SCHUNZEL THIRD PLACE: WOMEN’S SOCCER COACH BENJI WALTON