Jan. 23, 2018 KSU Sentinel

JAN. 23 2018 Vol. 51 Issue 34 | Since 1966

THE SENTINEL Kennesaw State University | The Sentinel

DANGEROUS FLU SEASON IN GEORGIA

Dr. Matt Duffy: Beloved professor and journalist Sabrina Kerns | News Editor

Illustrations by Freepik

12 influenza realted deaths have occurred in Georgia. All 12 were over the age of 50.

The primary operative is KSU alumna Christy Hendricks, the emergency management program coordinator for the Kennesaw campus.

Abbie Bythewood | The Sentinel

Meet the people that tweet the info you need to know Abbie Bythewood | Engagement Director

This season the predominant flu strain is H3N2. Vaccine effectiveness usually ranges from 40 to 60 percent.

With temperatures dropping and radars illustrating snow precipitation in sight, our minds anxiously wait as we constantly refresh our social media accounts in the hopes that classes will be canceled.

This was the scene for many students the night of Jan. 16 when Kennesaw State’s Office of Emergency Management Twitter account — @KSU_Safety — acquired the attention of students and faculty who were awaiting the final decision of a campus closure.

With 5,708 followers, the account operators recognized all eyes were glued to them and decided to keep the university on its toes. At 8:44 p.m. on Jan. 16, the account tweeted, “The wait is over. We are….,” which

resulted in 94 retweets, 246 likes and 31 replies, kickstarting a thread of anxious reactions and GIFs from students and staff in response.

Four minutes later, following a tweet with a countdown of “3….2….1….”, the OEM settled the chaos by announcing that campus would, in fact, be closed on Wednesday, Jan. 17, due to the incoming weather. The account quickly gained more exposure when they began to personally respond to individual replies and show off their wit.

Contrary to popular belief, the Twitter account is not operated by college-aged students, but it is instead operated by two university employees who have been with the department since it’s

establishment in January 2015.

The primary operative is KSU alumna Christy Hendricks, the emergency management program coordinator for the Kennesaw campus, a mom of two and a current KSU student pursuing a master’s degree.

The second collaborator is assistant director James Westbrook, a family man who is known for wearing a shirt and tie to the office every day.

“If we sound like their parents, they’re not going to listen to us,” Hendricks said when addressing the language used in their tweets.

Twitter continued on pg. 6

OWLS STRUGGLE CONTINUES AGAINST FGCU Rio White | Sports Editor

More than 400 people in Georgia have been hospitilized from flu-related illness.

www.ksusentinel.com

The women’s basketball team lost to conference-leading Florida Gulf Coast 78-57 on Saturday, Jan. 20, despite a career-high point total from freshman Breanna Hoover and solid performances from Kamiyah Street and Carlotta Gianolla.

Hoover came off the bench to score a career-high 15 points for the Owls, who dropped their fourth straight game to a well-performing Eagles team.

Street, the two-time defending conference Freshman of the Week, played the full 40 minutes and provided 14 points. Gianolla, who has featured for her home country Italy’s U-20 national team, added 15 points to the mix.

NEWS

Next home game: Time: Feb. 1 at 11 a.m.

Opponent: NJIT (2-17) Watch: ESPN3 Only 13 points were scored by the Owls outside of those three players, and that lack of support cost them more and more as the game went along. The trio also led the way in assists and rebounds.

Once again, turnovers became the nemesis of the Owls, who lost the ball 24 times in the game.

Basketball continued on pg. 7

OPINION

pg. 2

Chris Brown | The Sentinel

ARTS AND LIVING

pg. 4

Duffy continued on pg. 2

SPORTS

Creed Week Coming Up

To vaccinate or not to vaccinate

Online MBA, Serious business

Breanna Hoover

Dr. Matt Duffy, an incredible journalist and educator, died on Wednesday, Jan. 17 after battling stage IV lung cancer for four years.

Dr. Duffy was diagnosed with cancer in June 2013, but, through treatments and drug trials, he was able to continue doing what he loved. He started teaching at Kennesaw State in 2013 as a part-time assistant professor, and he later became a full-time professor in 2015.

“I was the chair of the committee that hired him,” said Dr. Carolyn Carlson, the assistant director of the journalism and emerging media program. “He wasn’t with us that long, but students loved him and his colleagues enjoyed working with him.”

Before coming to KSU, Dr. Duffy also taught at Georgia Perimeter College, Georgia State University and Berry College.

After earning his Ph.D. in public communication from GSU in 2010, he decided to take up the position of assistant professor at Zayed University in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, where he taught journalism courses to female students for two years.

He later helped launch a Society of Professional Journalists chapter at Zayed University in 2011, and he oversaw the planning for a “World Press Freedom Day” celebration. After his experience in the UAE, he became more involved with journalism students and media law in the Middle East.

“I was very impressed with Matt Duffy the first time I met him,” said Dr. Barbara Gainey, director for the School of Communication and Media. “His experience as a journalist and educator, and his expertise on journalistic practices in the Middle East made him an excellent part-time instructor in the School of Communication and Media.”

Dr. Duffy published at least 18 academic articles about the Middle East, as well as a book entitled “Media Law in the United Arab Emirates.” Carlson said that his book had become the go-to book on media law. He also served on the board of the Arab-United States Association for Communication Educators while trying to improve journalism in the Middle East.

“He was on the editorial board for an academic journal for Middle Eastern media law,” Carlson said. “In fact, we were in the process of talking about moving the journal to Kennesaw State. It would have been our first peer-reviewed journal in the School of Communication.”

“He then got sick and had to go on medical leave, so we had to drop that idea.

But that was very exciting,” she continued.

“He had a lot of things going for him, and we’re just heartbroken that he had to leave us.”

In 2016, Dr. Duffy visited Pakistan as part of the Fulbright Scholar program from the U.S. State Department. He spent 25 days there, speaking with students at several different colleges and universities about their roles in society and how they could become groundbreaking journalists in their communities.

Stepping up to the plate

pg. 6

pg. 7

Page 2 | Kennesaw State University | The Sentinel | Jan. 23, 2018

NEWS

Duffy continued from pg. 1

The Coles College of Business online faculty is ranked at number 10 in the nation, scoring just two points under a perfect 100.

Cory Hancock | The Sentinel

KSU’S MBA PROGRAM RANKS IN THE TOP 20

Matthew Tikhonovsky | Staff Writer U.S. News and World Reports recently ranked KSU’s online MBA program as one of the top 20 in the nation and the best in Georgia.

Kennesaw State’s online MBA program garnered national attention after U.S. News and World Report named it one of the top online MBA programs in the nation.

In its annual undergraduate and graduate school ranking list, U.S. News and World Report placed the Michael J. Coles College of Business in the list of the top 20 schools to complete an online Masters of Business Administration degree.

Taking faculty credentials, admissions selectivity, peer reputation, student services and student engagement into consideration, KSU’s online MBA program climbed two spots this year to rank 19 in the nation, and it remained the best in Georgia.

“We are excited that our online MBA program was recognized as a top 20 program in the nation,” said Dr. Kathy Schwaig, dean of entrepreneurial management. “Our online MBA program allows students to attend class on their schedule, given that courses are taught online. They also learn to interact and work in online teams in order to complete their group projects.”

Not only are online MBA students

Top 20 online MBA programs #1 Temple University #2 Indiana University #3 Carnegie Mellon University #4 University of North Carolina #5 Arizona State University #6 Univesity of Texas #7 University of Florida #8 University of South Carolina #9 University of Maryland #10 Pennsylvania State University #11 Auburn University #12 Washington State University #13 Arkansas State University #14 University of Wisconsin #15 North Carolina State University #16 University of Massachusetts #17 Florida State University #18 Ball State University #19 Kennesaw State University #20 Pepperdine University

surrounded by like-minded and motivated peers, but they are also taught by some of the best and brightest in the field.

According to the ranking, the Coles Business School’s online faculty is ranked at number 10 in the nation, scoring just two points under a perfect 100. This ensures that the online MBA students are receiving a quality education that prepares them for an increasingly competitive field.

“It’s an honor for us to meet the need for exceptional faculty and to provide a nationally recognized education for our students,” Schwaig said.

For students who do want an on-campus experience, KSU’s part-time MBA program has also received glowing reviews, placing it at rank 28 nationally and the best in Georgia.

“Our faculty, staff and program leadership do a stellar job to assure that the learning environment and total student experience is exceptional in and outside of the classroom,” Schwaig said. “Our students are engaged business professionals who want an academic experience that fuels their careers and in a format that fits their lifestyle.”

U.S. News and World Report evaluated a total of 1,490 online programs for the list and narrowed down the pool to 267 online business programs. This is the second consecutive year that the online program has been ranked in the top 25.

Dr. Duffy was also an active member of the Georgia chapter of the SPJ, and he became the advisor for KSU’s SPJ chapter after he started teaching full-time at the school in 2015.

“We were so fortunate to have Dr. Duffy join our faculty full-time last year,” Gainey said. “We got to know him as a teacher, scholar, colleague and friend. We will miss him and his energy in the classroom, working with students through the Society of Professional Journalists chapter and engaging with our faculty and others across the globe as he pursued his many research interests.”

Before he started teaching at KSU, Dr. Duffy also worked as an editor. He started off as an assistant news editor for Nashua Telegraph, a small daily newspaper in New Hampshire. He later worked as news copy editor for the Boston Herald, news editor for the Marietta Daily Journal and managing editor at Daily Vista in Atlanta.

He started his own editing company in 2007 called Oxford Editing. The web-based company caters to academic and ESL authors seeking to have their work published.

Since Dr. Duffy’s passing on Jan. 17, friends, family, colleagues and students have all flooded his social media with kind words, memories and condolences for his wife and children.

“His family is in our thoughts during this difficult time,” Gainey said. “His intellectual curiosity and passion for his work provided a model for all of us.”

Comments from Dr. Duffy’s Facebook “Matt J. Duffy was my first journalism professor. He saw potential in me that I didn’t know or couldn’t accept was there, and he always took the time to encourage me. ”

Alex Patton Studied journalism under Dr. Duffy, Senior journalism major at KSU

Listen to Owl Radio!

Check them out on the RadioFX app and online at ksuradio.com!

If you’re interested in being a part of their team, apply at ksuradio.com • TV • Sports • Music • Tech • Production • Social Media

Hurry! Their application deadline is Jan. 31!

“I think it was Matt’s openness generally that drew so many to him. When you are open, you are open to laughter and joy, so he was just plain fun to be around.”

Kristen Brady Brady and Dr. Duffy both worked at Internation Data Corp. in Firmingham, MA.

“I think Matt’s impact on the world is evident in the many, many people he connected with in such a heartfelt way.”

Tami Morris

Morris and Dr. Duffy studied at GSU together before earning their Ph.D.

“He did nearly everything with a zeal bordering on reckless abandon....”

“I will be forever grateful for his generous and trusting spirit. Rest in peace, Matt.”

Jeff Wall

Susan Hatch

Wall and Dr. Duffy worked together at a Mississippi printing plant in the 1990’s.

Hatch ran Dr. Duffy’s company after he decided to spend a second year teaching in Abu Dhabi.

Professors, GDOT partner to improve safety

Brenda Cisneros | Staff Writer KSU professors are finalizing a two-and-ahalf year proof-of-concept study with the Georgia Department of Transportation to produce an image-based software that could improve road safety.

Traditional road safety diagnosis relies on recorded accidents and gathered data.

According to Jidong Yang, assistant professor of civil engineering and director of KSU's Georgia Pavement and Traffic Research Center, the professors are using state-of-the-art technologies to develop a software package that can be used with major intersection cameras to detect wrecks before they occur.

“It does not modify the existing cameras but rather adds certain levels of 'intelligence' to them so that certain human monitoring

Elizabeth Nouryeh | The Sentinel tasks can be automated,” Yang said.

The professors aim to reach the goals of the “Vision Zero” strategy, a multinational effort recognizing that traffic fatalities are preventable. The study has also used deep learning algorithms that add artificial intelligence to machines, according to Yang.

“The whole process accompanies many 'discovery' moments that are exciting and rewarding,” Yang said.

Using real-time traffic updates on a cloud-based database, safety diagnosis and the efficiency of intersection cameras can see a significant increase. According to Yang, this could lead to improvements to road signage and intersections to prevent potential collisions.

“The most rewarding part is to see that

“The most rewarding part is to see that our own product is useful and can benefit the whole society by improving road safety.” our own product is useful and can benefit the whole society by improving road safety,” Yang said.

Jidong Yang, Ying Wang, associate professor of mechatronics engineering, and Chih-Cheng Hung, professor of computer science, began their project in 2015 after proposing it to the GDOT. The idea was accepted and funded by a $180,000 grant from the GDOT. A case study will be done later this year, and, if successful, a second phase will ensue.

The professors will also have to propose this second phase to the GDOT, and application of the systems could take another one to two years.

Matt Duffy was an inspiring soul that loved his career as a journalist and professor.

Photo courtesy of mattjduffy.com

NEWS

Kennesaw State University | The Sentinel | Jan. 23, 2018 | Page 3

OUTSIDE THE NEST Around 20 dead after Afghan hotel bombing Cory Hancock | Editor-in-Chief

What Happened?

The Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul, Afghanistan, was attacked by five gunmen over the weekend. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack which took the lives of approximately 20 people, according to the Afghan government. Others say the death toll is closer to 30 or 40.

Among the dead were 13 foreigners.

Many of those killed were crew members of the Afghan airline Kam Air, according to Reuters. The hotel was under attack for at least 12 hours as the gunmen held hostages and continued to fire at will.

The Latest Students are urged to get flu shots during this years’ epidemic.

Juan Pablo | The Sentinel

Health services warns students of flu outbreak week, making it the busiest week for flu symptoms in nine years. The only state in the country that has not reported widespread flu symptoms is Hawaii.

“This flu season started early and will likely impact a number of our KSU students,” Porter said.

“This flu season started early and will likely impact a number of our KSU students.”

“This year’s flu vaccine has had limited effectiveness in the southern hemisphere," Porter said. "The good news is that the flu vaccine is likely to provide more protection to the late season strands of the flu.”

Bowles strongly encourages students to get their flu shot to protect against the flu. It is not too late for anyone to get their flu shot this winter, and all three of KSU’s on-campus clinics offer flu shots to

the major focal point in preventing further attacks. While it has long been a major point for the Afghan government, it is being further scrutinized after this latest act.

What’s Next?

Sabrina Kerns | News Editor KSU’s Student Health Services encourages students to watch out for their health and get their flu shot as the flu outbreak remains widespread throughout Georgia and the United States.

According to Dr. Megan Bowles, director of health services, there are currently around the same number of patients with influenza at KSU as there were during the 2016-17 flu season, but it is still too early in the semester to tell if this season will be better or worse than last year.

“The winter holiday break, several snow days and Monday closure for Martin Luther King Day certainly has helped to disrupt the transmission of flu,” Bowles said Dr. Kandice Porter, chair of the Department of Health Promotion and Physical Education, explained that the 2017-18 flu season is unique because it is affecting people all across the country at the same time. In past years, the flu season tended to peak at different times in each region.

According to the Chicago Tribune, 32 states reported high patient traffic because of the influx of patients with flu symptoms last

The U.S. State Department sent a warning out days before the attack, specifically warning of an attack on hotels in Kabul. Security in and around the capital city has now become

students. The clinics are located in the Recreation and Wellness Center on the Marietta campus, in University Village and on Campus Loop Road on the Kennesaw campus.

Student Health Services has included recommendations on its website for how to avoid getting the flu and how to avoid spreading germs. These include making sure students wash their hands, cover their noses when they cough or sneeze, avoid touching eyes and mouth and disinfect surfaces that may be contaminated with germs.

Bowles said most students with the flu will have mild symptoms and will probably not need medical care. The Center for Disease Control recommends in most cases that those with influenza avoid contact with others and stay home at least 24 hours after their fever is gone.

Bowles warned that students with diabetes, asthma, chronic lung disease, HIV or cancer have a high risk of developing complications from the flu and should call their doctor within 48 hours of showing flu symptoms.

According to CNN, NATO has alluded that 2018 will be the turning point for Afghanistan where they start regaining lost ground. Afghan officials are also trying to nail down exactly who carried out the attack. While the Taliban took responsibility, some officials believe the Haqqani network could have been at fault.

The Haqqani network is a Taliban-aligned organization based in Pakistan. The allegation that the network was responsible gives Afghan and U.S. officials more reason to call out Pakistan for harboring militants.

Bombings and attacks in and around Kabul since October 2017 Oct. 17: At least 32 killed, 200 wounded in attack on Afghan police Oct. 20: At least 30 killed in Kabul mosque suicide attack Oct. 20: At least 30 killed or wounded in attack on Ghor Province Mosque Oct. 31: Multiple killed by suicide bombing in Kabul’s Green Zone near Australian embassy Dec. 25: At least 6 killed in bombing near Afghan intelligence agency Dec. 28: At least 41 killed, more than 80 injured in bombing at Tabayan cultural center Dec. 31: At least 15 killed, 14 wounded at a funeral Jan. 4: At least 11 killed, 25 wounded in bombing against security personnel Jan. 20: At least 20 killed, death toll could rise to 43 after attack on Intercontinental Hotel

THE SENTINEL The Sentinel is a designated public forum. Student editors have the authority to make all content decisions without censorship or advance approval. Information presented in this newspaper and its website is in no way controlled by the KSU Administration, faculty or staff.

CONTACT US

FOLLOW US FACEBOOK.COM/ KSUSENTINEL

ADDRESS:

THE SENTINEL STUDENT CENTER, RM 162-B BLDG 5 395 COBB AVE NW KENNESAW, GA 30144-5591

@KSU_SENTINEL @KSUSENTINEL

PHONE

470-578-6470

OWLLIFE.KENNESAW.EDU/ ORGANIZATON/SENTINEL

EMAIL

EIC@KSUSENTINEL.COM

WEBSITE

KSUSENTINEL.COM

$

ADVERTISING KSUADS.COM

© 2018, THE SENTINEL

The Sentinel is the student newspaper of Kennesaw State University.

The Sentinel is published weekly (Tuesdays) during the school year. First three copies are free; additional copies are $1.00. No part of The Sentinel may be reproduced without the express written permission of the Editor-inChief.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

staff information Cobb county plans to make upgrades in the Pinetree Country Club and Kennsaw State University area.

Andres Lopez | The Sentinel

KSU plans sewer system upgrade

EDITORIAL BOARD EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Cory Hancock

This map shows where the projec takes place along Photo courtesy of Cobb Country the western perimeter of Kennesaw’s campus.

Cameron Loi | Contributor Cobb County has announced a plan to upgrade KSU’s sewer system due to the increasing number of students on campus.

Cobb County’s Board of Commissioners approved an upgrade Jan. 9 to Kennesaw State’s sewer system because of the increase in students on campus and in the surrounding residential areas.

The county plans to make upgrades in the Pinetree Country Club area and parts of the Kennesaw campus. The AJC reported RDJE Inc. was awarded a contract of nearly $2 million for the upgrade.

The official name of the project is the Pinetree-KSU Outfall Sewer Upgrade. The project engineer,

Richard Wittman, believes that construction will start around March 2018 and finish by the end of August.

....Contruction will start around March 2018 and finish by the end of August.

“As the construction will bump up against the end of the spring quarter, the majority of the onsite construction work will occur

during KSU’s summer quarter when campus traffic is significantly reduced,” Wittman said.

According to a map provided

by Cobb County, the construction starts on campus on Chastain Road.

From there, it will wrap around to Campus Loop Road, which is where most of the traffic would be localized. Despite the construction, the contractors do not anticipate any road closings.

The construction on the Kennesaw campus will take place using a new technique called “pipe bursting,” that has not previously been used to upgrade sewer systems in Cobb County, according to Wittman.

Wittman explained pipe bursting as a way to replace old pipes without having to use traditional equipment and trenching. He said the process requires an “insertion pit,” which is a hole in the ground above the pipe where they can cut a section of it away.

After that, a “reception pit” is needed, which is another hole on the other end of the pipe where the construction will end.

The replacement pipe is fitted with a “bursting head” at the tip.

The replacement pipe is fed into the old pipe, which pushes the old pipe out of the reception pit until the replacement pipe is in position.

eic@ksusentinel.com MANAGING EDITOR Connor Zielke managingeditor@ksusentinel.com NEWS EDITOR Sabrina Kerns newseditor@ksusentinel.com OPINION EDITOR Elizabeth Nouryeh opinioneditor@ksusentinel.com ARTS & LIVING EDITOR Marquis Holmes artseditor@ksusentinel.com SPORTS EDITOR Rio White sportseditor@ksusentinel.com PHOTO EDITOR Killian Grina photoeditor@ksusentinel.com

STAFF PRODUCTION MANAGER Payton Butler

production@ksusentinel.com ENGAGEMENT DIRECTOR Abbie Bythewood engagement@ksusentinel.com ADVERTISING MANAGER Josh Eastwood admanager@ksusm.com

STUDENT MEDIA BUSINESS COORDINATOR Shereida A. Austin

business@ksusentinel.com

STUDENT MEDIA ADVISERS

Ed Bonza adviser@ksumedia.com Rick Crotts rcrotts@kennesaw.edu

BECOME A PART OF OUR TEAM Writers | Photographers | Designers

APPLY

TODAY

HAVE AN IDEA AND WANT TO SUBMIT A GUEST OPINION ARTICLE? EMAIL: OPINIONEDITOR@KSUSENTINEL.COM

Page 4 | Kennesaw State University | The Sentinel | Jan. 23, 2018

OPINION

HEAD TO HEAD: FLU VACCINE Flu shots a must this season Autumn Edmonston | Staff Writer In the wake of a state-wide influenza epidemic, KSU students need to get their flu shots this semester — even if it is the only flu shot they ever get.

No, this is not just your mom wagging her finger when you skipped your flu shot. According to the Georgia Department of Public Health, there have been 56 hospitalizations due to the flu during this past week alone. That’s just a fraction of this season’s 307 total hospitalizations in Georgia.

Influenza is a more serious disease than its reputation implies.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, flurelated deaths soar between 12,00052,000 every year. Especially in a location as buzzing and congested as Metro Atlanta, it is easy for even the healthiest student to catch it.

Getting a flu shot is the most effective way to prevent influenza, according to Piedmont Healthcare.

It could literally save your life, especially during a flu season as intense as Georgia has found itself in. Not only will it protect you, but it will hinder the people around you from catching it too.

While yes, getting a flu shot will not safeguard you from every existing strand of influenza, it will protect you from strands that are most likely to appear that year as determined by the CDC. That means that flu shot recipients are promised protection from the common strands of the flu that are spreading like wildfire across Georgia.

Suppose you get sick anyway – getting a flu shot will mild your symptoms because your body was

better prepared for it. With a better prepared immune system, you are more likely to recover and get back to class faster.

Preventing the spread of the flu is so easy and so convenient if each of us takes advantage of immunizations. KSU’s own Student Health Services offers flu shots every Wednesday. If you are already out buying groceries, Publix will give away free $10 gift cards for every flu shot patient.

If my semester is reflective of how busy most college students’ schedules are, then no one on campus can afford to get sick this winter. Between classes, clubs, sports and jobs, there is no time to be stuck in bed with a fever. The solution – get a flu shot. It is effortless, and your lack of sick days will thank you.

Flu shots should be avoided Elizabeth Nouryeh | Opinion Editor In the midst of a flu season described as equivalent to 2009’s swine flu pandemic in an article by Vox, students should be warned of the effectiveness and drawbacks of receiving an influenza vaccine.

Each flu season, the virus is either an A, B, C or D species strain. A yearly flu shot will protect you from the strains, but those strains change year to year. This flu season, the strain is H3N2, an “A” type strain that leads to more severe symptoms and is more challenging to prevent.

A year prior to flu seasons, researchers at the Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) make an educated guess as to which strain will spread that year. Strains also mutate and change throughout a season, making it even more difficult to determine what type of flu shot to produce.

Marshfield Clinic Research Institute in Wisconsin discovered that vaccine effectiveness during an H3N2 season was only at 33 percent.

“We already had signs of trouble back in November and December when it emerged that the flu vaccine was not very effective against the dominant strain that is circulating

this year,” said Steven Salzberg of Forbes.

The U.S. also continues to grow vaccines in chicken eggs using the proteins. Flu viruses are injected into fertilized eggs where they remain for several days to incubate and mutate, according to the CDC. However, it is more difficult to control the mutations of the H3N2 strains.

Not only are flu shots largely ineffective, but they contain an ample amount of chemicals.

According to the CDC, some ingredients include polymyxin, beta-propiolactone, formaldehyde, aluminum, thimerosal, Polysorbate 80 and neomycin.

Thimerosal is made partially of mercury, a known toxin.

Instead of receiving a problematic vaccine, students should practice simple daily routines to prevent the flu from spreading. Take steps to avoid contact with others if you are becoming sick, or if peers are becoming sick. It is not worth coming to class and spreading the sickness, so just stay home.

Always cover your mouth and nose after you sneeze, and clean your hands. Sneezing and coughing are some of the easiest ways to spread the flu. Try carrying a mini bottle of hand sanitizer with you at all times.

Wash your hands constantly.

Remember your elementary school teachers making you sing “Happy Birthday” while washing your hands?

They did that for a reason.

With feeble prevention abilities and harmful chemicals, flu shots should be avoided by students at all costs.

Study tools enhance student performance Luke Gardner | Staff Writer Study tools can be anything a student uses to help them digest information, but the most helpful ones are planners, tutors and scanner pens.

Students at Kennesaw State can excel in their academic career by utilizing study tools such as tangible objects, methods of note taking and resources like places and people.

Without question, the most important tool for student success is a planner. Courses can be demanding alone, but only become harder to manage when students have jobs, internships and belong to student organizations. A study by Georgetown University found that 70 percent of college students work while enrolled in classes.

For any student, it is important to keep a planner because maintaining class and work schedules is difficult to do in your head. Planners can

be physical or digital — either way, they are most effective when students not only write down deadlines but also write reminders to study and complete things before they are due.

When students do not keep a planner, they run the risk of being overwhelmed with their responsibilities and not having enough time or simply forgetting to complete an assignment.

In addition to maintaining a planner, the second most important tool is tutoring services. Tutoring services can be found on campus in places like the Writing Center and the Science and Math Academic Resources and Tutoring (SMART) Center.

The Writing Center is located in the English building on the Kennesaw campus, and in the Johnson Library on the Marietta campus. Students can access the SMART Center on the Kennesaw campus at the library and on the Marietta campus in Johnson Hall.

Other tutoring tools can be accessed outside of campus on websites like Chegg, Wyzant and

Tutor.com. These resources are crucial because there is still learning to be done outside of class, but sometimes the coursework is too complicated to go it alone.

Students pay for resources available at the Smart Center and the Writing Center, so it only makes sense to take advantage of those resources. Some professors even award extra credit points for attending a tutoring session.

Another study tool to utilize is a scan marker, an electronic device that fits in your hand and scans text from physical resources, such as books and notes, and converts them to an online word document.

By scanning key definitions and phrases directly from the textbook into notes, students will have quality study tools that are easy to access without having to pore through the whole book, which is tedious and wastes time.

By aking advantage of study tools such as tutors, planners and other devices, students have the opportunity to take ownership of their schedule and education.

Kennesaw State University | The Sentinel | Jan. 23, 2018 | Page 5

ARTS AND LIVING

STUDENT-FORMED METAL BAND FINDS QUICK SUCCESS

OPEN MIC NIGHT SUBOURBON ROCK & OYSTER BAR Tuesday, Jan. 23 8:30 p.m.

NIK’S PLACE Tuesday, Jan. 23 and Wednesday, Jan. 24 10 p.m.

THE STRAND Photo courtesy of Alisa Malkova

Photo courtesy of Alisa Malkova

Luke Gardner | Staff Writer Chasing your dreams is no easy feat, no matter what that dream may be.

It takes a “no risk, no reward” type of attitude to live life exactly how you want to live it.

Although forming a metal band in the middle of your undergraduate studies comes off as a very unconventional approach to success, this group of musicians is reaping the fruits of its labor.

“Avail the Lost” is a local metal band comprised of six members who share a passion for music and performance.

The newly established outfit formed in April 2017 already has songs featured on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube and a multitude of other streaming services. The band is made up entirely of college students — three of them currently attend KSU. The band members recalled how it took a few months of adjusting to perfect their unique sound since all members have different backgrounds in music.

However, it’s a sound that many seem to appreciate.

The band’s last performance, a show featuring local artists at the Masquerade venue in Atlanta on

Dec. 29, was completely sold out.

They have also since performed at His Rock Music, a venue in Cumming.

The band members are happy about the amount of success they’ve achieved in such a short time and

Influences from many subgenres under the “umbrella of metal,” including underground hard-core, classic rock and metalcore, play into their style. are now working to perfect live performances, marketing and creating songs for their next album.

The band members met at different points in their lives — some of them have known each other since high school, and others met through mutual friends and various sports outings.

Originally, Tristan Trust and Mitchell Martin decided to collaborate as a band while playing

guitar together over Christmas break in 2016. After about four months of searching for mutual friends and people in the metal community to join, “Avail The Lost” was officially formed.

Influences from many sub-genres under the “umbrella of metal,” including underground hard-core, classic rock and metalcore, play into their style. Their lyrics are influenced by horror movies like “Nightmare on Elm Street,” “The Shining,” “Silence of the Lambs” and “Legion,” according to the band members.

The band describes their lyrics as somber, figurative and hyperbolic with lots of metaphors.

The band’s songs can often be somber, but not all metal music is somber or angry which is a common misconception, according to the band members.

Brian Ra is a sophomore interactive design major at KSU. He is a vocalist and lyricist for the group and has practicing vocals for three years.

Tristan Trust is a senior psychology major at KSU. He is

also a vocalist and guitarist for the group and has been playing guitar for 13 years.

Mitchell Martin is a senior sports management major at KSU. He plays guitar in the band and has been playing for one year.

“Avail the Lost” has three other members, including drummer Carson Goodwin, guitarist Eric Fitz and bass guitarist Chris Worrell.

Goodwin has been playing the drums for over 10 years and is a junior law student at KSU but is currently taking a semester off. Fitz has played guitar for two years and is a senior chemistry student at Georgia Gwinnett College. Worrell has played bass guitar for five years and is also a biology major at GGC. Since its formation, the band has released one EP entitled “Heavy Hearts” and two singles, “Welcome Home” and “D.I.A.P.O.L.,” which stands for “Death is a Part of Life.”

You can listen to some of their music on their YouTube channel.

You can listen to some of their music on their YouTube channel.

Wednesday, Jan. 24 7 p.m.

HIGHLANDS BAR AND GRILL Wednesday, Jan. 24 10 p.m.

THE PLACE

Thursday, Jan. 25 9 p.m.

JOHNNIE MACCRACKEN’S Saturday, Jan. 28 6:30 p.m.

Like oysters? Check out SuBourbon in downtown Kennesaw for music, open-mic opportunities and great oysters on this side of the perimeter.

Looking for a more “homey” experience? Head to Nik’s Place on Tuesdays and Wednesdays to join in on the open mic music.

Believe it or not, that lovely theater on the square hosts an open mic every week! Go to The Strand, and try your best comedy Wednesday night.

For many KSU students, Highlands is a second home.

Bring your best songs out for Wednesday’s open mic opportunities.

Like music and jokes? Check out The Place in Marietta for an open mic that’s music and comedy-friendly.

In the mood to sing along?

Come out to the only Cobb County bar that feels like a pirate ship for karaoke. All attendees must be 21 and older.

KSU STRENGTHENS RELATIONS BETWEEN US, SOUTHEAST ASIA THROUGH ITS STUDENTS Shannon Mira Mayembe | Staff Writer KSU is continuing its Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative fellowship for the 2018 spring semester starting with the arrival of Southeast Asian fellows in Atlanta on Jan. 31.

KSU will host the YSEALI Academic Fellows Institute on Civic Engagement program entitled “Advancing International Civil and Human Rights Through Civic Engagement.”

The program lasts five weeks, and the selected students will live on KSU’s campus for four weeks. Those students will examine civil and human rights through the lens of the U.S. civil rights movement.

The last week will consist of an educational study tour where participants will learn about international, civil and human rights issues including immigration issues, diversity and inclusion, women’s rights and LGBTQ issues.

Over the course of a four-week academic stay, students will participate in five

class modules on international civil and human rights, peace studies, social entrepreneurship, conflict management and cultivating a global intellect.

The program totals 51 hours of instruction that includes 16 hours of leadership and ethics training, 16 hours of hands-on community service, biweekly guest speakers, visits to metro Atlanta cultural sites and a weekend visit to Selma and Birmingham, Alabama.

During their educational study tour to Alabama, fellows will learn about the American Civil Rights movement, Atlanta and its metropolitan area. The intent is to increase their understanding of international human rights.

YSEALI fellows will then travel to Miami, Florida, to study immigration and refugee issues. The concluding trip to Washington, D.C. includes a visit the Smithsonian Museum to study conflict management.

YSEALI fellows will also create and

Photo courtesy of the Kennesaw State department of Global Affairs implement service projects with faculty members that will help them submit project proposals for their home communities.

The winners will receive mini-grants for

These opportunities help build leadership abilities for youth in the region to strengthen the relationship between the U.S. and Southeast Asia. their projects during the institute’s follow-on activities period.

The program concludes with the chance for students to attend a regional symposium that is tentatively planned to be held in

Singapore in May 2018.

YSEALI was started in 2013 by the U.S. Department of State to strengthen leadership development and networking in Southeast Asia. The program offers opportunities such as educational and cultural exchanges in the U.S., regional exchanges and seed funding.

These opportunities help build leadership abilities for youth in the region to strengthen the relationship between the U.S. and Southeast Asia.

Those participating in the YSEALI Academic Fellows Program are undergraduates or recently graduated students selected to come to a U.S. college or university and spend five weeks in the nation.

Each school has a theme that covers civic engagement, environment and natural

resources management, entrepreneurship and economic development. Fellows will engage with policymakers, governmental representatives, businesses and think-tanks in Washington, D.C. KSU’s winter 2016 and 2017 fellows and KSU students will focus on Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) challenges and will be the theme of environmental leadership in Southeast Asia.

They will also focus on its opportunities, leadership skills, professional skills, relationship-building and networking. This year’s fellows will then be awarded their project mini-grants at the symposium.

Detailed information, including a schedule of events for the YSEALI, can be found on KSU’s Division of Global Affairs website, https://dga.kennesaw.edu/yseali/ index.php.

Page 6 | Kennesaw State University | The Sentinel | Jan. 23, 2018

ARTS AND LIVING

KENNESAW STATE PRESENTS: THE INAUGURATION OF OWL CREED WEEK

Students sign the creed, pledging that they will uphold the responsibilities of being a part of the Kennesaw State community.

Photo courtesy of the Office of Student Advocacy

Marquis Holmes | Arts and Living Editor On Jan. 28, 1998, members of the KSU Student Human Task Force led by KSU alumna Michelle Wise established a document of beliefs that brought forth the value of commitment to student relationships in a transition to a more diverse campus community.

On Jan. 28, 1998, members of the Kennesaw State Student Human Task Force led by KSU alumna Michelle Wise established a document of beliefs that brought forth the value of commitment to student relationships in a transition to a more diverse campus community.

This document was created with the intent of connecting the KSU community and encouraging unity for current and future KSU students.

This document is composed of five tenets and has historically been referred to as the Matriculation Pledge. That document is known today as the Owl Creed.

“There is a personal aspect to

The acknowledgement and reference to these values demonstrates commitment to sustaining a healthy relationship, one that could last a lifetime.. conceiving and expressing values and beliefs that will benefit the student body,” said Nicole Phillips, associate director of student advocacy. “The acknowledgment and reference to these values demon-

strate commitment to sustaining a healthy relationship, one that could last a lifetime, hence the reason to acknowledge and include KSU alumni.”

Moving forward to the present, the 20th anniversary of these historic ideals will mark the date for the first annual Creed Week, a commemoration and celebration of its drafting.

The week-long celebration — Jan. 28 thru Feb. 3 — will allow the KSU community to learn and apply the five tenants of the creed in nearly 30 programs that span across both the Marietta and Kennesaw campuses.

Owl Creed Week is the only event of its kind offered under the University System of Georgia. It involves 24 campus offices and departments across the university and is hosted by the Office of Student Advocacy in cooperation with University Events.

These events host a variety of activities, including a cooking demonstration, workshops to define identify, the democracy wall, Speak Up conversations with the Student Government Association and more. All students are welcome to organize and suggest events for Owl Creed Week and can draw ideas from schools such as Auburn University, the University of South Carolina and the University of Mississippi.

One event organized directly by the Office of Student Advocacy includes the Owl Creed Week Competition, a virtual activity that allows students to apply knowledge of the Owl Creed in the form of artistic expression — song, poetry, story, etc. — for an award presented

at a KSU basketball game during halftime.

Other events include the “Your KSU/MY KSU” Creek Week Opening Event on Monday, Jan. 29, from 3-5 p.m. in the Kennesaw campus university rooms and the PJ’s for Peace Rally on Thursday, Feb. 1, from 5-8 p.m. in the university

Twitter continued from pg. 1 “Sometimes we’re just in playful moods, sometimes we have to be dead serious but other times we like to have fun.”

Hendricks, Westbrook and the rest of the OEM team do not have the final decision in determining campus closures during inclement weather but serve as the primary liaison for communicating the necessary information in a timely manner to the university.

From their interactions on Twitter, the two operatives behind the tweets decided to continue their playful interactions with their followers when the question arose if campus would remain closed for the remainder of the week.

Aside from providing entertainment on social media during inclement weather announcements, the OEM has many responsibilities to the university.

“We’re constantly planning for days like [the snow day], we’re training, we’re educating and administering classes,” Hendricks said.

Once a month OEM hosts Emergency Management Training courses and encourages staff, faculty and students to attend.

The OEM’s social media accounts can be found on Twitter and Instagram @KSU_Safety and on Facebook under Kennesaw State University Emergency Management.

Owl Creed Week is possibly the only event of its kind offered under the University System of Georgia. rooms.

Owl Creed Week is a brand-new event, and it is up to the KSU community to come together and make it sustainable for years to come.

Students are also encouraged to help spread the word using word of mouth, social media and participation in events.

“Without a set of core values, there is no possibility of meaningful community relationships,” Phillips said. “I hope by highlighting the Owl Creed, we can continue to progress towards establishing campus-wide relationships, where members of the community feel respected, valued and successful.”

Students and organizations can get involved by visiting vksu. kennesaw.edu to volunteer for staffing major events and assisting participating students. Students can also find out more information about Owl Creed week and view the full schedule at http://advocacy. kennesaw.edu/creed-week/.

(Top) Christy Hendricks, (Bottom) James Westbrook.

Photos courtesy of Kennesaw State University.

Outgoing seniors give graduation advice to students Gia Cruz | Contributor

STOP EATING TIDE PODS! A Utah State University student was hospitalized Saturday for eating one.

They are not nutritious.

They are not delicious.

They are malicious.

So, for the sake of humanity, please stop eating them.

You are not cool if you eat them. Stop.

This new year not only consists of new beginnings and new promises, but a well earned ending for KSU seniors graduating this May. They can bid farewell to purchasing those expensive but necessary books, not having to wait in those long lines at the parking deck or try to keep up with campus closures. Although they are on their way out, they do have some advice for lower classmen who are still looking for the key to successfully get through each semester.

Zeke Lipscomb, a graduate student recieving a masters in software engineering as well as a bachelor’s in computer science suggests that you work in your field before you pursue a master’s degree.

“Take a job in your field after graduation to make sure before

selecting a graduate program,” Lipscomb said. “A large portion of Americans are not in they went to school for.”

“Take as many courses as you can so you can finish soon and not pay so many tuition and fees”, says Marilyn Miranda, a business major.

Katrina Townsend, a psychology major, decided to switch things up this semester and take the ecofriendly route.

“This semester I went digital with my iPad, stylus and GoodNotes app.

I hate that I didn’t do this when I started college,” Townsend said, “organization is so much easier when you’re carrying one thing and it’s eco-friendly too.”

Dan Harris, An English major, reached deep down for an outgoing message. “Face it, you will fail in some aspect or another throughout

your time here, such as you will in life outside of the walls of KSU. You will find yourself in dark places, embrace it. Strive to find the light again. Don’t let that fear of failure deter you from lacing them up in the morning, looking yourself in the mirror, and getting back to work; for that is when champions are born.

The strongest steel is forged in the hottest fires. Rise to the occasion.”

One thing that all these seniors agreed on was the importance of communicating with your professors.

Townsend pointed out that building a rapport may be vital because they may be the ones you call on for recommendation letters.

Although many of these things tend to stay on the school spectrum, these seniors also believe in taking time off for yourself.

“Do something you’re not comfortable with doing. I’m not talking about things that compromise your values and morals, but things like participating in a play or pageant, or anything new to you,” says Townsend, “It will promote much-needed self-growth”.

Miranda agrees by saying that you should go ahead and live in a dorm and go to a couple of parties as long as it doesn’t start to affect your grade point average. “Just go ahead and get the full college experience,” Miranda expressed.

There are many avenues of approach when it comes to finishing up each semester. Some of us work well under pressure, while others can work at their own pace.

One thing is for certain, and that is that we are all striving towards graduating and to make our stay at KSU a successful one.

Kennesaw State University | The Sentinel | Jan. 23, 2018 | Page 7

SPORTS

OWLS GET FIRST CONFERENCE VICTORY, fall hard to FGCU

The Lady Owls go into the 2018 season as the Cory Hancock | The Sentinel top-ranked team in the preseason ASUN Conference polls.

Softball, baseball prepare for the plate Rio White | Sports Editor

Anthony Wilson takes a free-throw against Stetson on Jan. 18.

Chris Brown | The Sentinel

Nick Masterson (21) takes a jump shot against FGCU.

Chris Brown | The Sentinel

Marquis Holmes | Arts & Living Editor The men’s basketball team played a pair of home games last week, cruising past the Stetson Hatters 95-81 for its first conference victory but fell to the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles 66-49.

James Scott and Nick Masterson combined for 60 points to lead the Owls past the Hatters at the Convocation Center on Thursday, Jan. 18. The two leading scorers for the Owls played the full 40 minutes of the game. Four players from the Owls combined for 84 of the team’s points.

Both Scott and Masterson made more than half of their shots, and they each had a sharp touch from three-point range. Combining for 11 baskets from beyond the arc, the sharpshooting pair controlled the tempo from the beginning.

As a whole, the Owls offense

converted 58 percent of their shots, and the defense held the Hatters to 42 percent.

Anthony Wilson came off the bench to calm the defensive nerves of the Owls and helped them break away after a tightly-contested opening to the game.

Contributing to the game with three blocks and steals each, Wilson assured that the Owls had a way to retain possession. Wilson also had 12 points in the game along with Jordan Jones, who led all players in rebounds with nine.

The Owls, who have had trouble winning in the conference, pulled together and focused heavily on ball movement and finding opportunities. The consistency in their looks led to numerous openings and easy shots early in the game, leading to victory.

Head coach Al Skinner was pleased to see his team come together and make a statement of redemption in its first conference win of the season.

“We needed to be a little more patient with the basketball and really try to hit the gaps,” Skinner said. “I can only think of a couple times over the course of the game that we did not get a good shot when we showed patience.”

Saturday’s game against FGCU resulted in a drastically different performance from that of Thursday’s game. The offensive was held to 32 percent from the field by the Eagles.

Early in the game, the Owls were solid on both sides of the ball and kept up for most of the first half, but a 13-2 run by the Eagles established their momentum going into halftime.

An even distribution of game time led to several players scoring in the first half for the Owls with Isaac Mbuyamba leading the way with seven points and three rebounds.

A consistent second half by the Eagles saw nearly the same points scored by each team in the first half, and the Owls could not recover.

That consistency was shown by the duo of Brandon Goodwin and Zach Johnson, who led the scoring for the Eagles and had similar statistics for the game.

Though the Owls were stifled

by FGCU, who are undefeated in the ASUN Conference, they look forward to Wednesday, Jan. 24, as they take on the New Jersey Institute of Technology at 7 p.m. in the Convocation Center.

It was the Eagles’ ability to spread the ball out that allowed them to get ahead early on with more of their players having a scoring presence than the Owls. Just five minutes into the game, the Eagles were up by 10 points, and they did not look back.

Although their lead fluctuated at certain points, the general trend of consistent offense and forcing turnovers allowed FGCU to run away with the game.

Despite the tough loss, the Owls had some positives to draw from facing the 18-3 Eagles. The Owls’ defense held the Eagles to just 39 percent shooting for the night, including 26 percent from threepoint range.

The Owls held the Eagles 10 points under their scoring average in conference play. Street continued to be a source of inspiration for the Owls, tallying her second doubledouble of the season by scooping up 10 rebounds.

“We wanted to contain them from the three-point line. We held them below their average in all of those offensive categories and that was a positive for us,” said head coach Agnus Berenato. “We’re struggling in turnovers, and they are our nemesis right now, and that’s because we are playing mostly freshmen.”

Berenato and the Owls still seek their first conference win of the season in the Atlantic Sun Conference, but the potential of the squad is seen in the important contributions from some of the youngest players.

Next up for the Owls is a trip to Spartanburg, South Carolina, to play USC Upstate on Saturday, Jan. 27.

As the core of the team has been well-established this season, it will be up to the players coming off the bench to step up and help the Owls get future wins.

The game at USC Upstate will be a 4:30 p.m. tip and will be available to watch on ESPN3.

SUDOKU

Basketball continued from pg. 1

The softball and baseball teams will soon be ready to gear up for the 2018 season.

The softball and baseball teams begin their seasons on Feb. 9 and 16 respectively as they both seek to improve from last season’s results and adjust to new rosters.

The softball team starts out at the Lion Classic in Hammond, Louisiana, coming off a highly successful season, posting a 40-20 overall record and winning their regional round of the National Invitational Softball Championship.

The Lady Owls go into the 2018 season as the top-ranked team in the preseason Atlantic Sun Conference polls, chosen over defending champions USC Upstate.

Five players who earned postseason accolades from the ASUN, including ASUN Freshman of the Year Alley Cutting, are returning to this year’s roster.

Second-year coach Pete D’Amour is excited, yet focused on the season ahead.

“It’s nice to be recognized for the direction we’re trying to get this program pointed in, but we need to keep our focus on getting better every day,” D’Amour said. “We’re pleased with the work our players put in over break, and we’re ready to get the season rolling and see how it goes.”

Cutting was a constant pitcher last season, finishing with 20 wins and throwing 16 complete games in her debut year. Gaining All-Conference honors, Cutting struck out 186 batters and was voted as ASUN preseason co-pitcher of the year.

“We’re excited about the preseason award for Alley,” D’Amour

Alexandra Landby (12) drives for a layup against FGCU on Saturday, Jan. 20.

Chris Brown | The Sentinel

JAN. 16 SOLUTION

said. “We’re looking forward to her continuing to get better and better not only this year but in the years ahead.”

The returning offensive stars will also be vital for the softball team.

The outfield trio of Noelle Winkles, Olivia Tamewitz and Hannah Thomason are the engine of the team’s offensive machine.

Last season, they each averaged more than a .340 batting average and had a knack for stealing bases. Their contributions will be imperative for a successful season.

Baseball starts out the season hosting the University of Connecticut at Stillwell Stadium, coming off an up-and-down 2017 season that saw a fair share of exciting wins and tough losses, finishing 25-32.

Despite all the change that can occur within a baseball season in terms of team form and morale, the one constant that always makes the Owls competitive is longtime manager Mike Sansing. As recently as 2014, he led the Owls to the NCAA Super Regionals and an ASUN Conference Championship.

Five important offensive players return last year after coming off excellent seasons at the plate, but the top two hitters from last season are gone, leaving it up to a new crop of players to lead the way.

Redshirt-senior Taylor Allum, who led the Owls in home runs last season with 15, will be asked once again to smash the ball out of the park. Allum also led the team with 46 runs batted in.

Under Sansing, the Owls will be in safe hands and stand a chance to be a force in their conference.

Page 8 | Kennesaw State University | The Sentinel | Jan. 23, 2018

SPORTS CROSSWORD: WINTER OLYMPICS

Track continues top-notch performances at Vanderbilt Rio White | Sports Editor The track teams traveled to their second meet of the season over the weekend at Vanderbilt University with some familiar faces highlighting the day in Nashville.

Athletes Jocselyn Powell, Dayo Akindele and Paris Williams continued their fine form from the Purdue meet, posting impressive statistics in their respective events.

Powell placed herself among the best in the 60m hurdles, placing second overall. Williams achieved a personal best of 8.12 seconds in the preliminary round of the 60m hurdles and went on to finish fifth overall in the final round.

Akindele posted another personal best of 15.59 meters in the triple jump, further solidifying himself as one of the best in the Atlantic Sun conference in that event.

Distance specialist Caitlyn Farrell ran a career-best time of 10:28.23 in the 3000m, boosting her prospects of making a medal position at the ASUN Championship later this season. The former West Georgia athlete holds three separate time records at UWG in distance events and finished as the Gulf South Conference Freshman of the Year for the fall 2015 cross country season.

Sprinter Tionna Fant, who competes in her first career indoor season this year, made her mark with a personal best time of 57.43 seconds in the 400m. A two-time participant in the Georgia Junior Olympic Track and Field Championships, Fant finished in 27th place.

As the defending conference champions, the Owls hold the burden of having to defend that title and to continue their quality. So far, the results have been impressive.

With the consistency shown by veterans and the desire shown by younger athletes, the Owls have started their season on the right track. Director of track and field and cross country Andy Eggerth insists that with success must come a mindset of continuous improvement and a willingness to grow.

“We had a blend of performances today,” Eggerth said. “Most were very positive moves in the right direction, but some of us think we’re trying hard not even realizing how much more we’re capable of when we get a bit tougher.”

The Owls head to Lynchburg, Virginia, Feb. 2-3 to participate in the Darius Dixon Memorial Invitational at Liberty University.

Manuel Castellanos prepares to return a hit in practice, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017.

TENNIS DROPS BOTH MATCHES AT SAMFORD Rio White | Sports Editor The men’s and women’s tennis teams opened their seasons over the weekend at Samford University, yet both teams fell short to the Bulldogs in Birmingham, Alabama.

The women took the court first on Saturday, Jan. 20, as they fielded a team that featured all returning players from last season, losing 1-6 overall.

Laura Hopton was the lone matchwinner for the Owls, engaging in a tense three-set battle. The Hull, England, native took her opponent to a tiebreaker in the final set and came out victorious 6-4, 2-6, 10-5.

Despite no other victories by the Owls, tough performances by Jessica Cantrell and Aspen Jarrett give hope for the season going forward. Jarrett took the second set of her match to 5-7 after dropping the first. Director of tennis Eduardo Rincon reflected on the tough first outing for the women by looking at the positive aspects of the day.

“The girls competed hard today,” Rincon said. “We had a rough start in doubles, but we were able to get into some of the singles matches and finished the day playing better than where we started.”

On Sunday, Jan. 21, the men’s tennis team had its turn against the

3-POINT PREDICTIONS

Bulldogs and fared marginally better than the women, falling 2-5.

Senior Corey Smith and junior Fermin Calvo Barcelo won in singles matches while others remained competitive in their losses. Both Lucas de Torres Curth and Bryan Triana forced their opponents to seven games in the first set before falling in the second.

“...we were able to get into some of the singles matches and finished the day playing better than where we started.”

- Director Rincon Calvo Barcelo and Manuel Castellanos pulled out a victory in doubles, but the Owls dropped the other two doubles matches and missed out on one point. Rincon highlighted this missed opportunity but still had positive thoughts to help the team move forward.

“I thought we played a good match today with it being our season

Cory Hancock

Editor-in-Chief

KANSAS V. #12OKLAHOMA

#5

VIRGINIA V. #4DUKE

#2

PURDUE V. #25MICHIGAN

#3

Abbie Bythewood | The Sentinel

ACROSS 1. Nordic gl¸hwein 6. *It last broadcast the Olympics in 1988 9. Sigma Phi Epsilon 13. Yokel’s holler 14. Promise to pay 15. Pre-bun state 16. Dug up 17. Luftwaffe’s WWII enemy 18. Provide with ability 19. *Country with most Winter Olympic gold medals 21. *Number of 2018 Winter Olympics sports 23. Dog command 24. Small island 25. Cul de ____ 28. Partial haircut 30. Geek and jock, e.g.

35. S-shaped molding 37. International Civil Aviation Org. 39. Best not mentioned 40. Pakistani language 41. *American skating icon 43. College cadet program 44. Crocodile ones are insincere 46. Make children 47. This and the other 48. Praise for a fearless one 50. Dispatch 52. Ornamental pond-dweller 53. Classic sci-fi video game 55. Drag behind 57. *Done on 90m hill 61. “I love the smell of ____ in the morning.”

64. UFO pilot?

65. 1973 Supreme Court decision name 67. “Complete ____’s Guides” 69. Short for incognito 70. Tokyo, in the olden days 71. Impulse transmitter 72. Indian restaurant staple 73. D.C. bigwig 74. Like a rookie

3. *8-time American speed skating medalist 4. Regular visitors 5. Long-billed shore bird 6. Well-ventilated 7. Flapper’s neckwear 8. Spots for links 9. Arial, e.g.

10. Ill-mannered 11. Malaria symptom 12. Subsequently 15. *”Agony of ____” 20. Like anchor aweigh 22. Not well 24. Ezra Pounds’ poetry movement 25. *Which Korea is 2018 Winter host?

26. Come to terms 27. Closet wood 29. Frosts a cake 31. Fence prickle 32. Kindle content 33. Powerball, e.g.

34. *2014 Winter host city 36. France’s currency 38. Shrek 42. Busybody, in yiddish 45. House cover 49. Opposite of pro 51. *Olympic no-no 54. Shrek and Fiona 56. Crane or heron 57. Jainism follower 58. Arm part 59. Isinglass 60. Lowly laborer 61. Rhymes with #60 Down 62. Plural of lira 63. Change of address 66. Lyric poem 68. X

JAN. 16 SOLUTION

DOWN 1. *Olympic participant’s hangout 2. Been in bed

opener,” Rincon said. “We let some big opportunities get away from us in doubles and singles, and that eventually cost us the match. We now have some time to get back to practice and work on some aspects that we need to improve right away.”

The women’s team is coming off a tough season where many close matches were contested but resulted in a 5-15 overall record.

Before a seven-match losing streak to end the season, the women had put in a balanced season with much potential. Consistency between individual matches will be important for them this season.

The men’s team fared well last season, finishing with a 13-8 record fueled by a seven-match winning streak. With five members of last year’s team having graduated, the Owls must find a way to adjust to a more youthful mix. The veteran core of Calvo Barcelo, de Torres Curth, Castellanos and Smith will be the leaders of the team this season.

Up next, the women’s team plays Georgia Southern on Wednesday, Jan. 31, while the men play Belmont on Friday, Feb. 2.

Abbie Bythewood Engagement Director

OKLAHOMA OKLAHOMA

Rio White

Sports Editor

Payton Butler

Production Manager

KANSAS

KANSAS

DUKE

VIRGINIA

VIRGINIA

DUKE

PURDUE

PURDUE

PURDUE

MICHIGAN