The Miami Hurricane: April 26, 2023

SG inaugurates 65th president NEWS // Page 3

The highs and lows of 2022-23 UM sports SPORTS // Page 12

HURRICANE The Miami Year in review

News

The 64th: SG President Williams-Smith’s year in review

BY PATRICK MCCASLIN NEWS EDITOR

Jamie Williams-Smith, the 64th Student Government president, is planning to relax this summer.

Her presidency defined her senior year of college. She entered the role with a steep set of promises to her voters, focused on ushering in “a new era of transparency.” Through her nonstop commitment and knack for problem solving, she did.

Williams-Smith’s team helped change housing priority to be based on sign-up and deposit date, added cameras throughout Pink and Brown parking garages, opened a syllabus bank for large courses with plans to add more syllabi and added a headshot booth to the Toppel Career

sticking points for students.

While SG president, WilliamsSmith became privy to much more information, including details she hadn’t anticipated on the campaign trail. As she approached each issue, WilliamsSmith had to square these constraints with her promises and the demands of the students.

“There’s two sides to every coin,” Williams-Smith said. “Administrators can look at [a solution] from a more bird’s eye view and be like, ‘Okay, but what does this mean for 20 years from now? For 30 years from now?”

Each accomplishment is a response to the demands of students, yet some initiatives even reached beyond her promises. In early December, just before

child.

She spearheaded the planning, reservations and collaborations with other on-campus organizations. Over 700 students showed up for free mental health resources: puppies and massages. Students also learned mental self-care tools.

“She did it simply because she thought she could make an impact,” said Kofi Bame, the director of Outreach in SG and a junior studying computer science and psychology.

Bame is also William Smith’s boyfriend of two years, having met at a watch party on the Foote Green in his freshman year.

The (De)Stress Fest initiative can’t be found in her campaign promises, yet Bame remembers Williams-Smith pouring many hours into the event’s actualiza -

Between initiatives, the past year featured a plethora of emails, text messages and spurof-the-moment coordinating. Bame also recalls the rapid approach of Hurricane Ian in mid October, 2022, where Williams-Smith was constantly on the phone, working to ensure that student concerns were an -

These “in the background,” intangible moments are where Williams-Smith commitment to the presidency and student body showed through.

“A lot of people saw something in Jamie that she didn’t see in herself,” Bame said. Williams-Smith learned to realize her potential while in office, tapping into her talent for

problem solving to navigate the challenges of her position. With each successful policy came negotiating, advocating and listening to all sides to ultimately reach a resolution.

Williams-Smith’s day-to-day operations of her position are the evidence to her problemsolving talent.

A few weeks ago, WilliamsSmith learned the discount parking in the Mahoney-Pearson parking garage was slated to be removed. She quickly met with her Executive Board, a team representing a broad array of students, and agreed upon a demand of 100 commuter spaces to administration.

Shortly after, Williams-Smith had secured the parking spaces.

“She brings everyone together,” Bame said. “Jamie is able to synthesize what both sides are saying and come to one solution that everybody agrees with.”

Through Williams-Smith’s

college career, she’s increasingly realized her affinity for problem solving, shifting from a focus on finance to consulting.

Last summer, she tried an internship at Deloitte, a consulting firm which provides expertise for a diverse array of situations. It squared well with her skills.

“I feel like it embraces all of my passions of problem solving, being innovative, creative and also working with people and being the social part of a company instead of behind the scenes,” Williams-Smith said.

With another year of problem solving under her belt, Williams-Smith is now anticipating a full-time position at Deloitte in the fall.

Before she begins her next phase of problem solving, she plans to take some time for herself this coming summer.

“Being on my own time is a big part of it,” Williams-Smith said. “Just focusing on myself.”

Jamie Williams-Smith // Contributed Photograph Williams-Smith gives her closing address as SG president, voicing her appreciation for her time in SG and its members.

Jamie Williams-Smith // Contributed Photograph

The 65th: “We are here to electrify campus” Niseem says

BY PATRICK MCCASLIN NEWS EDITOR

An eight-year old Niles Niseem played an exceptional Jackie Robinson.

His job was simple: pretend to be a Jackie Robinson statue. His second grade class was part of a Black history museum exhibit where students could tap each others’ hand to “power on” the statue. Each kid had a small speech prepared, telling the story of who their historical figure was.

Sweat dripped down Niseem’s temples as he awaited the taps on his hand, his chest tight with anticipation.

With each push, he erupted into a speech.

“Hi! I’m Jackie Robinson. I was born in Cairo, Georgia, in 1919.”

Niseem held himself to a high standard, determined to nail each performance as the hand taps rolled in.

“I’m the type of person where I’m going to push, no matter what it is, to get the performance done,” he said.

Niseem, now Student Government president, is a publicspeaking fixture at the University of Miami. From the first day of 2022 orientation, where Niseem rapped a Hamilton verse adapted to UM, to the recent inauguration of SG president, Niseem has electrified his audience.

To the passerby, the performance looks effortless. That’s Niseem’s objective. From the inside, looking out, Niseem remembers his past struggles with public speaking and social interactions.

“I was always a socially awkward kid. I always had to figure my way out. I’m not even naturally a people person,” Niseem said.

Now, Niseem agrees speaking has become near effortless, but it

follows years of practicing in the mirror, failures on stage and embarrassment. For each speech, he practices enough times so that he can avoid reading from a paper.

Paul Douillon, one of Niseem’s close friends and a senior studying criminology and sociology, first saw Niseem on stage at a What Matters to U event hosting Josh Peck where Niseem was the interviewer.

“Everybody left that event talking about Josh Peck, but also a lot of people were talking about Niles,” Douillon said. “It was like Josh Peck wasn’t the only star in the show that night.”

Douillon ran into Niseem in the SG suite a few weeks later, kicking off a friendship that would result in a shared ticket for the 2021-2022 SG presidential election.

With Niseem’s previous success in SG, powerful speaking and other talents, pairing up with Douillon seemed certain. Yet, Niseem had a long fight to even meet Douillon, having encountered several obstacles in his entrance to UM.

Back in 2020, Niseem, a high school senior at the time, was waitlisted at UM. An Atlanta native, he was fully prepared to attend Georgia State. He was admitted by surprise, but immediately ran into difficulties with his financial aid package. Upon move-in, his mom became sick with COVID-19, forcing him to stay another few weeks in Atlanta to care for her.

Through the beginning of his UM career, Niseem further overcame health struggles, family deaths and deaths of friends.

“But at the end of the day, we still are going to graduate saying that we’ve reached the top of the mountain,” Niseem said.

He recalls the first day he stepped onto campus with his mom and uncle, the two people

who raised him. They were walking through the Richter Library breezeway when they looked at him and said, “I really think that this campus can be yours and I think you could be president one day.”

Within his first year, Niseem quickly ascended through SG positions, joining the Freshman Leadership Council, then the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council as a student life liaison the following year.

Towards the end of Niseem’s sophomore year, Douillon, Niseem and Tatiana Alvarado, a current senior studying business law and political science, campaigned together on their platform, “A U for U.” Douillon designed the messaging and Niseem spread it through campus.

“When it was time to execute and talk to students about it, this guy would be the one getting students excited, going to club meetings, getting them on their feet,” Douillon said. “By the

time he’s done speaking, they’re all cheering. This guy was crazy on the campaign trail.”

Niseem lost the election by two votes.

“You put in so much work and lose by such a close margin, that hurts,” Douillon said.

Niseem elaborated on the moment, framing it as a blessing in disguise to see Jamie WilliamsSmith the current outgoing SG president execute her initiatives and lead the student body.

“The last year’s student government has done a phenomenal job setting us up,” Niseem said. “I can’t even thank Jamie enough”

After the 2021-2022 election, Niseem took a step back from SG to learn more about the university, student body and himself.

Niseem won in the 2022-2023 election, but under unusual circumstances after a run-off for the presidency put him in office, but without his running mates. Niseem will now serve alongside Angela Ansah, his vice president, and Paige-Tatum Hawt, his trea-

surer, both from the opposing party’s ticket, “All About U.”

“We’re on the same page. If anyone has any edits that they want to contribute, there’s an open space to discuss that and debate that,” Ansah said. “Our ideas were very similar.”

Ansah sees this partially as an opportunity to capitalize off of each other in developing their platform.

“In general, goals for next year: just making sure that a lot of students know the resources that they have access to and feel inspired to make their mark on campus,” Ansah said.

Niseem echoed her studentbased focus.

“I want them to see that the University has a blank canvas that they have four years to scratch, draw, sculpt, erase anything they want to in order to create their final masterpiece during graduation,” Niseem said.

“Here’s your canvas. Here’s the tools. Here’s the resources. Now go be great.”

Niseem performs at a conference in Atlanta. Nile Niseem // Contributed Photographer

Wail of the Whale: Life-size whale sculpture makes a splash

BY SYDNEY BILLINGS STAFF WRITER

Students were blown out of the water last week at the sight of a 65-ft inflatable sperm whale on display in the middle of campus, demanding the attention of students and professors alike.

The sculpture, constructed out of ripstop nylon and brought to life by a positive-pressure fan, was conceptualized by fine arts professor Dr. Billie Lynn and cultivated with the help of her students.

Ahead of Earth Day, the lifesize sperm whale was put on display by Lakeside Green at the end of last week, with accompanying dance and musical performances on Thursday afternoon, April 20.

For the first performance, Lynn collaborated with the Frost School of Music Dance Program with over thirty dance students to create a performance art piece titled “The Wail for the Whale”. Frost student Jacques Yarris accompanied the dancers, playing along to their rhythmic movements.

The second event on Thursday featured cellist Ester Baker,

a first year doctoral student of musical arts at the Frost School of Music.

“Professor Lin asked me if I would consider playing with this whale in some sort of way, and she came up with the idea of backlighting and playing inside,” Baker said. “It was really cool because it really felt like I was swallowed by a whale.”

With just a cello, chair and a microphone, Baker improvised a cello piece for nearly thirty minutes, filling the atmosphere with sounds and vocals to mimic that of a whale’s call.

“I did some research on whale sounds. The sperm whale is known for the clicking sounds that they use to communicate. With my interpretation on the cello, I was thinking about what kind of conversation might happen if I was inside of a whale,” Baker said.

Through designing highly complex and interactive sculptures, Lynn has brought attention to the global climate crisis and the human impact on both land and marine ecosystems.

This particular piece was inspired by Herman Melville’s Moby Dick, the story of a cap -

tain of a ship seeking revenge on a giant white sperm whale.

“I was inspired from the novel Moby Dick by Herman Melville, and I thought it was a great analogy or metaphor for the insanity we have about oil, because whales were hunted almost to extinction for oil,” Lynn said. After reading Melville’s work, Lynn searched for a deeper meaning behind the whale depicted in the story, seeing how the whale could represent something larger and more pervasive.

“It’s clear that the whale is the ‘other’, sort of the ultimate ‘other’, or the unknowable. And he hates it because it’s unknowable. It seems to be this sort of ultimate, resonant, poetic, prophetic story of our relationship with the world now. There’s so much hatred of the ‘other’, and what is around us is really unknown,” Lynn said.

While this theme of human impact on the environment seems to traverse the body of her work, the artist statement on her website emanates a deeper purpose.

“I strive to make pieces in which the viewer interface is both the form and function of the piece. I want people to re -

member themselves, in much the same way that babies discover their fingers,” Lynn writes.

Many of Lynn’s students at the events expressed their appreciation for Lynn’s role both as an artist and a teacher, inspiring them to make an impact on their community.

“Being in Billy’s class is awe -

some because she does big projects like this, and she’s always pushing us to make larger and more impactful pieces,” said sophomore fine arts and marine affairs major Leah Henseler. “Being able to kind of see how something like this comes together is really cool and important.”

Students receive help from financial aid office after speaking out

BY MORGAN FRY STAFF WRITER

After The Miami Hurricane posted an article entitled “‘I can’t afford to be here:’ Economic disparity riddles UM’s student body” on April 12, financial aid reached out to the sources quoted in the article to offer support.

Both freshman musical theatre major Ainsley Nelson and freshman architectural engineering major Blake Gomien received emails from UM’s financial aid department offering

a meeting with one of their representatives.

“He was so kind, one of the kindest people I’ve ever talked with in terms of the situation,” Nelson said. “I have high hopes that my finances will increase and my financial aid package will increase.”

The representative was able to find Nelson additional resources to help take some of the financial stress off of paying for the next school year. The financial aid office also informed Gomien of additional funds he could receive because his parents are

Florida residents. Nelson had talked to both the housing office and financial aid before, but was able to receive more attention when she spoke out about her frustrations publicly.

“I think it was the fact that I was being honest about how they treated me and about how they’re dealing with this situation,” Nelson said. “That the other people had the ability to read this and hear and it could possibly ruin the reputation and that’s what it took for them to reach out.”

Gomien noted that the staff was not who he had frustrations with about financial aid and housing assistance, but rather, the systems in place at the University as a whole.

“They hire very personable people when the system is broken,” Gomien said. “The problem is not the people I had contact with, it’s the people who are higher up or running a business or education.”

Nelson feels thankful for the attention that she was able to receive from financial aid, but knows that she is not alone in

her struggles. She hopes the university continues to reach out to other students in need of extra financial assistance coming into the 2023-2024 school year.

“I’m very glad something is being done,” Nelson said. “I just hate that it took this much for something to be done about it. I wish every other student who was in my situation gets the help that they need so they don’t have to transfer.”

The Miami Hurricane reached out to UM Admissions, who failed to reply with a comment.

University of Miami’s Frost School of Dance does a performance in front of the Lakeside whale for Miami’s 2023 Earth Day.

Sam Peene // Senior Staff Photographer

Sustainability celebrated: Lake Osceola’s annual Earth Day squeeze

BY JENNY JACOBY STAFF WRITER

Hand in hand, students reached around Lake Osceola to give the lake a several-hundred person hug in honor of Earth Day.

This year is the 19th rendition of Hug the Lake, the prized Earth Day tradition for the University of Miami. It comes just days after the Southeast coast of Florida was inundated with record levels of rainfall that led to rescue efforts, delays and water pollution throughout Broward and Miami-Dade counties.

The “hug” is a symbol of resilience, but also one of compassion

for the environment that continues to support the livelihood of UM.

“It is about maintaining what we have and keeping it from getting any worse and appreciating what we have in our little lake,” senior health science major Victoria Galvez said.

A campus-wide celebration overseen by the William R. Butler Center for Volunteer Service and Leadership Development, this year’s festivities focused on environmental education and spreading the message of climate-activism. Over 700 sustainably made shirts were distributed to students on behalf of the Butler center.

“It’s a way to bring education and

awareness,” junior political science major Antonella Criscola said. “I hope it sends the message of taking care of the Earth and being aware of the action that they do or do not take.”

Accompanying the 15 minute hug was a 65 foot inflatable sperm whale display and an eco-fair led by Student Government’s ECO Agency and the Office of Sustainability. The fair featured Florida Power and Light, who the university has a contract with to provide solar-powered energy to campus as a member of FPL’s SolarTogether initiative. The celebration also highlighted the work being done at UM everyday. Since ECO Agency’s founding in 2012, the SG committee has taken on a series of projects with other environmental groups throughout campus to increase sustainability awareness and make UM more green. These include solar benches, installing heat trapping film in windows and the reuse sale that collects items from student housing at the end of each year to sell at a low price to incoming first year students.

“Earth day should be everyday. But it’s not easy, everybody has their own life,” said Teddy Lhoutellier, the sustainability director at UM. “This is something that we do all year long. You might not see it but as we speak a 100 kilowatt solar system has been finalized on top of the

field house for instance.”

UM’s Office of the President also used the event as an opportunity to present the 2023 Roberta “Bosey” Fulbright Foote Prize to a student and faculty member that have embodied UM’s sustainability goals.

Pavan Gudoor, the student recipient, is the co-chair of ECO Agency and has worked to implement several initiatives including the Food Alert Program to reduce food waste on campus.

“Gudoor has been at the forefront of everything that ECO’s done in the last four years and has been pushing for the ECO Rep program that was nothing four years ago now,” Lhoutellier said.

The staff award was dedicated to Son Vo, the senior manager of facilities and operations that has overseen grounds management on campus with a focus on native landscaping, butterfly gardens and the Arboretum. The University now looks ahead to its 20th anniversary of Hug the Lake that will take place in 2024 and the continued commitment to its sustainability mission statement that began in 2005 with the launching of Green U.

“It’s really on all of us, one big UM community and the larger community. This is our Earth Day reminder of that,” Lindsey Goldstein, the Butler Center coordinator for the event, said.

Gas crisis hits Miami immediately after Fort Lauderdale storms

BY GRACIE PALMER STAFF WRITER

Lines filled up gas stations throughout South Florida, leaving residents in a panic to find gas.

According to the Miami Herald, Patrick De Haan, the head of petroleum analysis at Gas Buddy, said this shortage is ultimately due to “panicbuying.” Panic-buying happens when people notice a shortage and immediately buy more product than they need.

Authorities say the shortage is

due to delays at Port Everglades after flooding in Fort Lauderdale on April 12th. The flooding submerged the pumps and made it difficult for the trucks to make their regular deliveries. The port is responsible for supplying gas to 2,800 gas stations including those in Fort Lauderdale and Miami.

In the meantime, the Florida Department of Transportation allowed heavier fuel loads to be transported to South Florida, while the State Emergency Response Team deployed 500,000 gallons of fuel on Wednes-

day, April 19.

Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said in a statement that Tampa and Port Canaveral are currently sending fuel to Miami in efforts to help. She said South Florida should expect the shortage to resolve and foresees no additional gas shortages.

Junior Juliette Valle lives in Broward County. She said the combination of the gas shortage and bad weather made her commute difficult.

“I drive an hour to school every single day, so not having a reliable gas source made life extremely tough,”

said Valle.

With a large majority of students that live off-campus, a gas shortage makes getting to classes a challenge.

Sophomore journalism major Emily Melissinos lives off campus and uses her car to drive to classes every day. Melissinos had plans to make her three-hour drive home to Orlando, but she said finding gas was a struggle.

“There’s about three gas stations near my apartment, and none of them had any gas. It was crazy,” Melissinos said.

“I needed to get to my class on Tuesday, and I was almost late after searching for gas,” said sophomore Katie Jarvis, who lives 15 minutes from campus.

Experts said it becomes hard to replenish the gas when residents start filling up multiple vehicles and gas cans, instead of what they need. Levine Cava emphasized the importance of only getting gas when it is necessary.

“We ask that residents think twice before they head to the pump,” Cava said.

Alexandra Fisher// Staff Photographer Students hold hands around Lake Osceola at Hug-the-Lake on Friday, April 21.

Reese Putnam // Staff Photographer Students pose with Sebatian wearing their Hug the Lake day shirts on Friday, April 21 at the Lakeside Patio.

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Classified documents scandal is anticlimactic Opinion

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BY ETHAN MANNELLO STAFF WRITER

In January, classified documents were found in the house of former Vice-President Mike Pence. Pence is the third top federal official found to be in possession of classified documents in the last two years, after the FBI also found documents at one residence and one office of President Joe Biden and the house of former President Donald Trump.

The inevitable question that arises is whether our most important elected representatives are intentionally and unlawfully taking classified documents and keeping them in ways that could put the American public in danger? That leads to an even broader question: Can we really trust our politicians?

In short, the answer to the first question is no. For centuries, the U.S. legal system has been shown to have glaring flaws that were never fixed — the most notable being the document classification process.

While the word “classified” sounds ominous and unusual, the U.S. government classifies over 50 million documents every year. Some of those documents may contain the nuclear launch codes, but others may be as innocuous as the list of President Biden’s medications.

So how does the classification system actually work? The U.S. has

three levels of classification of documents: confidential, secret and top secret.

Level one and least important is “confidential.” These documents contain information that, if made public, could be mildly expected to cause damage to national security. The second level is “secret,” which consists of documents that could cause serious damage to national security. The third and final level is “top secret,” containing information that could cause exceptionally grave damage to national security.

What we don’t know — and may never know — is the significance of the documents taken by Trump, Biden and Pence. but regardless, they still took them.

Greg Kroger, a political science professor at the University of Miami, described the issues with the government’s classification process.

“The first problem is just generally the U.S. government classifies too much material,” Kroger said. “There’s a broad consensus among people who are familiar with the process and these documents that just too much material is classified.”

The Hill writer, Alan B. Morrison, had similar gripes with the classification system.

“A major factor is over-classification, which includes classifying documents that should never have been classified and stamping ‘Top Secret’ on reports that warrant only a ‘Confidential’ tag,” Morrison said. “In addition, the number of officials and agencies that have the power to classify material is also huge.”

However, Morrison adds that overclassification isn’t even the biggest issue. Instead, the problem is that once documents are classified, they rarely lose their classification label. So, hypothetically, it’s possible for

officials to be held accountable for taking documents that were classified in the aftermath of 9/11 even though they now have no relevant significance.

On top of that, when speaking to advocates for the National Archives, USA Today reported that unlawful taking of classified documents has been a problem for decades, and while many groups have pushed for more change, nothing has been done.

USA Today also found that this is a common occurrence. According to a former senior security official, authorities are alerted about a stolen, misplaced or mishandled classified document at least a few times a year. The National Archives has had to retrieve documents so many times that they now have created a full process for it.

The last important aspect, in this case, is understanding when these documents were taken. All three, Trump, Pence and Biden, were accused of stealing documents as they were moving out of the White House.

And that would be the time to take them, right? Just stuff them in boxes and hope no one notices. It would also be the perfect time for someone to accidentally stuff classified documents into a box and completely forget about them.

Both Biden and Trump’s transitions out of office were shorter than usual. When Biden was Vice President during the 2016 election, most were confident that Hillary Clinton would win. As a result, the Obama administration was probably not very quick to begin the transition as it would be easy if Clinton won.

On the other hand, Trump didn’t believe (and still doesn’t) he lost the election and therefore barely packed

up until the last minute. Isn’t it plausible and even likely that in a rush to pack up, assistants of Pence, Trump and Biden quickly threw everything into bins and sent it to their houses with no regard for what was classified? Professor Kroger thinks this is probably what happened.

“I don’t really think that Pence, Trump or Biden consciously thought to themselves, ‘I am taking this classified document,’” Kroger said. “I don’t think they’re packing their own stuff. I think they were busy doing stuff and then somebody came along and packed everything up. And the people doing the packing were not trained to identify these documents.”

While this may seem like a far fetched idea at first, it is backed up by significant evidence. In the final days of Biden’s first stay at the White House during his vice presidency, staffers were scrambling to pack up documents. This seems to have led to the “accidental” stealing of documents.

The same can be said for Trump. Even four days before the end of Trump’s presidency, documents lay scattered on the floor of the oval office. Trump’s private dining room table was also piled high with papers.

On top of that, many classified documents are utilized up until the administration’s term is over, giving weeks if not days for assistants to sort and pack up these documents.

Both the classified documents process and the transition between administrations are the main culprits of why these cases happened. It shows that most likely these politicians had no clue they were even stealing the documents. Sure, politicians are usually known for their schemes, but the taking of classified documents isn’t one of them.

I will forever remember the first time I stepped foot in the newsroom; Not even the surgical mask I wore could hide the excitement that illuminated me as I crossed the threshold. Amidst the chaos of a pandemic and learning to pave my way as a transfer student on a new campus and in a new city, I had finally found my haven: The Miami Hurricane. This is not to say that TMH hasn’t put me through trial and tribulation, and been the single handed sponsor of my caffeine addiction. However, it was on the newspaper staff that I found my voice, my community and my little corner of campus to call my own. On this staff, I’ve interviewed icons and inspirations, made life-long friends and mastered AP style. It is this staff, this dedicated and inspiring community of ‘Canes, that I have so much thanks to give.

Thank you TMH, for the ride of a lifetime, for the early mornings and late nights, for the laughter and the tears. Thank you for my little haven. Go ‘Canes!

Joining The Miami Hurricane in 2021 forever changed my life and has opened my eyes to so many new opportunities. From photographing life on campus during COVID to sitting on the court at the Final Four, working for TMH allowed me to find my passion and meet so many other incredible artists. I may make jokes about how much they drive me crazy, but the TMH staff has quickly become one of my hardest goodbyes. I can’t wait to see all of the amazing pics the photo team continues to produce - remember that I’ll always be your biggest fan. LYGC!

Joining the Hurricane was one of the best experiences I have had at UM. I am touched to speak to hundreds of ‘Canes about what they thought needed to be alerted to the campus community. From covering mask mandates, housing crises to even sorority philanthropy events, I am honored to have been a part of your lives. I would like to thank all of my news staff that continued to cover important events in and around campus. I have no doubt that I will continue to inform you every day for years to come. Thank you also to Patrick and Emma, my wonderful co-editors this year and Jenny, our future editor-in-chief. I have no doubt that the Hurricane will continue to succeed. Lastly, I want to thank Rachel, our current editor-in-chief. From our first Zoom meeting in 2020, I knew that not only would you be one of the best writers and editors on the Hurricane, but one of my closest friends at UM.

When I was selected for the position of Assistant Opinion Editor at The Miami Hurricane, I was shocked. Overjoyed and positively awestruck, but mostly shocked. I’d been writing for most of my life, I’d even majored in it, but still I doubted myself. Me? An editor? Preposterous. The learning curve was indeed a steep one, but the compassion and guidance I received from my peers made it worthwhile. I was learning, growing. I began to understand my role in the newspaper and grew to appreciate the ways it challenged me. Somewhere in between the hours of editing and the days anticipating print editions, a steady confidence grew in me — one I never dreamed existed. Eventually, I released the uncertainty holding me back and channeled it into action. It was beyond rewarding to help our writers turn their first draft ideas into articulate, thought-provoking articles; their earnest dedication inspired me in ways I’ll never forget. My time at the newspaper might’ve given me more than a few stress dreams and an unnatural awareness of Oxford commas, but it also gave me the confidence to try. To flourish and enjoy and love the process, even when it’s messy. Thank you, TMH, for believing in me, and helping me believe in myself.

Joining The Miami Hurricane in 2021 forever changed my life and has opened my eyes to so many new opportunities. From photographing life on campus during COVID to sitting on the court at the Final Four, working for TMH allowed me to find my passion and meet so many other incredible artists. I may make jokes about how much they drive me crazy, but the TMH staff has quickly become one of my hardest goodbyes. I can’t wait to see all of the amazing pics the photo team continues to produce - remember that I’ll always be your biggest fan. LYGC!

a I never considered myself to be a “good writer.” As a matter of fact, I always scored higher in STEM areas than reading/writing on any standardized test that I had to take growing up. When I set my heart on pursuing a career in public relations, I began searching for an outlet that would not only allow me to strengthen my

writing skills, but also grow confident enough to speak highly about my writing. Enter The Miami Hurricane. The thought of joining the university’s newspaper and writing pieces that the entire world had access to terrified me. There’s a responsibility that comes with being a part of this publication. Nonetheless, from day one I was welcomed into this organization with open arms and no experience…at all. I was just passionate about the world of entertainment, whether it was Latin music or Miami Heat basketball. Never in a million years did I think I would have the opportunity to review my favorite artists’ albums, cover the Billboard Latin Music Awards or interview two-time NBA champion and Miami Heat legend Chris Bosh, but that’s what The Miami Hurricane is all about. Thank you TMH for the lifelong friendships, mentorship, personal evolution and surprises unlike any other. LYGC!

Thanks to Chris Damond, I started with TMH in the spring of my Junior year. I was switching majors from marine science and starting to explore all areas of journalism. I wasn’t completely sure of what I wanted to do and just started taking pictures and writing rowing recaps. The TMH team then really helped to expand my horizons and develop a portfolio that I wouldn’t have been able to otherwise. I’m very excited to get out into the world of sports journalism and see where it takes me! Huge thanks to everyone, especially Alex, Jared, Luke & Chris.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Rachel Apodaca

ASST. OPINION EDITOR Melody Muñiz

PHOTO EDITOR Alex Carnochan

CO-NEWS EDITOR Alex Terr

SENIOR STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Sam Peene

ASST. ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

Arianna Gonzalez

Arts & Entertainment

Campus wide worship night unites UM and local college students

BY LAYOMI ADEOJO A&E EDITOR

Yaira Ortiz, a first-year marine biology and ecology major, was leaving the Mahoney-Pearson dining hall last Friday when she heard live worship music from across the street.

“On my way back to my dorm, I heard ‘I’m caught up in your presence,’ [a lyric from] one of my most favorite songs, ‘Nothing Else’ by Cody Carnes,” Ortiz said. “I just knew I had to join in on the worship after having such a long week.”

Ortiz walked into a gathering of over 40 students from UM and other local colleges worshiping together at the United Wesley Foundation building.

Members of several campus ministries united for the two-hour event, including the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), the Baptist Collegiate Ministry (BCM), the Hammond-Butler Gospel Choir, UM Wesley and Cru.

“I was overjoyed to see so many people my age — people who I see everyday — worshiping. There was no doubt that the presence of God was with us,” Ortiz said.

Aiden Byrne, a first-year marine biology major, appreciated the timing of this event with the start of finals season.

“It was so refreshing to see so many people coming before God to worship Him in a time where so many students are full of worries and stress,” Byrne said.

Byrne, a violin player and vocalist, helped lead the congregation in worship. Other members of the worship team included second-year flute performance major Jayna Deeb, first-year biochemistry major Nathan Choi, first-year music therapy major Rachel Hornback and third-year psychology and English major Layomi Adeojo.

“At first, I was really worried to be singing in front of a lot of people, but by the time we started, I had no worries

at all,” Byrne said. “All I could think about was how amazing it was that so many people were brought together for one purpose that is much bigger than us all and how special it was that I had an

that first-year marine science major Sam Dubbelde said she felt throughout the night.

“I am a big music person, so I love when I can feel God’s presence through

dents worship and pray with each other.

“Just being able to see it come to fruition, my heart was exploding before the night even started,” Deeb said.

Fourth-year health sciences major Grace Altidor was also moved by “the young generation on fire for God” and the display of unity among several campus ministries.

“I’m believing that…events like this [will] unite the on-campus Christian community as well as empower them to be bold about their faith, even if others criticize them for it,” Altidor said.

Dubbelde described the event as “inspirational.”

“You don’t think Christians go to this campus, but it’s true! They do!” Dubbelde said.

Altidor echoed these sentiments, noting how events like this give Christian students a safe space to worship and find community.

“Being a secular college campus, you don’t get to see as much of religious life take place actively. It can be hard for students who are interested in furthering their relationship with God or growing in their faith to do so at this age,” Altidor said.

opportunity to help in leading.”

When recounting the event, the only word that came to Choi’s mind was “awe.”

“The team and I were expectant for this night, but God blew those expectations away,” Choi said. “I’m just in awe of what God did this night and I really don’t have any other words to describe it.

For two hours, the team led students in spontaneous worship between moments of prayer. Cru leader Ellyn Clayton and BCM Director Andrew Fernandez prayed over the topics of healing, breakthrough, repentance and revival.

A reoccuring theme in both the songs and prayer was “God’s love,” something

the songs. Everyone wanting to scream at the top of their lungs that ‘God loves me’ was amazing. It’s beyond words,” Dubbelde said.

The idea to host a campus worship night came after Deeb, Choi, Adeojo and second-year music education major Emma Marks met for a spontaneous “jam sesh” in a music practice room two months ago.

“Four people just went in with no plans and no agenda for no reason,” Deeb said. “We just wanted to come together and worship God, and we walked out two hours later without even realizing that two hours had passed.”

Involved in the planning stages, Deeb called it “a special moment” to see stu -

For senior computer engineering major Emnet Yebeltal, the night was a fullcircle moment. A member of the Launch Pad at UM, he previously worked in Wesley’s Kreske Hall, the former home of SkyLab by the Launch Pad.

“I used to [come] in the middle of the night and play worship music,” Yebeltal said. “I’d just pray and ask God to inhabit that place and dwell in that place.”

While setting up sound equipment before Friday’s event, the graduating senior realized that a night of worship would soon take over that very space.

“To see something that was spoken and I prayed about three years ago come right before graduation was the best gift I could have received,” Yebeltal said.

Grace Altidor //Contributed Photo

UM and local college studentd gather at the Wesley Foundation on Friday, April 2021, 2023.

A&E year in review: diversity and creativity shine at UM

BY MORGAN FRY STAFF WRITER

Music, dancing, lantern-making and student connection took center stage during the 2022-2023 academic year. While annual events continued to grow, new traditions blazed a path for future students. Check out some of the biggest events from this school year:

Hispanic Heritage Month: (Sept.15 - Oct. 15)

Salsa dancing, delicious food, interactive events and a U-statue decked out in colorful banners took over Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM), a month-long observance of Latin culture aimed at celebrating and understanding the history and achievements of Hispanic Americans..

The Alliance of Latin American Students (ALAS), the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs (MSA) and the Latin Leadership Council opened the month with a culture pop-up where several clubs tabled.

Throughout the month, students attended a networking event, a roundtable “Real Talk” discussion, and a movie screening of “Coco.” HHM ended with a closing ceremony at the Lakeside Patio full of music, food and hat giveaways.

A Taste of Africa: Ada Yandje (Oct. 20)

The annual African Students Union (ASU) fashion show and banquet returned to campus with more models, brands, and attendees. Following the theme of Ada Yandje — which translates to “traditional Elegance,” student models in gowns and tailored pieces from various African clothing brands.

As audience members ate food from a traditional African menu, they watched models strut down the Shalala Ballroom and cheered on members of African dance team Oleku as they brought their talents to the stage.

Lantern Festival: (Oct. 21)

Hundreds of glimmering lights radiated from student-customized lanterns on Lake Osceola on Oct. 21. A collaboration between the Asian American Students Association

(AASA) and the School of Architecture (USoA), the festival took inspiration from traditional lantern and midautumn festivals celebrated across Asia.

Representatives from Asian student organizations signed cards given to attendees as they visited different cultural booths with various games and educational activities. Some of the featured organizations included the Filipino Students Association, the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers and the Muslim Students of Miami. After visiting five booths, students were awarded with boba, mooncakes and water lanterns to decorate and cast into the lake.

Flo Rida Concert: (Nov. 3)

Eager students held the weight of the one and only Flo Rida as he surfed across the crowd for this year’s homecoming concert. He popped champagne bottles and dazzled the crowd with his hit songs like “My House,” “Club Can’t Handle Me” and “Good Feeling.”

Flo captivated the crowd with his high energy and brought many students on stage to dance with him. He was proud to throw up the U, making it the perfect kick-off to homecoming weekend.

Black Awareness Month: (Feb. 1 - March 1)

The Black Awareness Committee presented Intersectionalities: Sharing Our Stories for the February 2023 month. The committee hosted a variety of events to educate, celebrate and share individual experiences.

Activities included men’s and women’s basketball games, a hair show, a Dance Around the World Event and an Interpretations of Afrofuturism Art Exhibition in celebration of Black culture. Networking events, panels and church services were also held to connect students through meaningful conversations.

Shorts Miami Film Festival: (Feb. 3)

What started as a pre-pandemic idea from UM School of Communication faculty blossomed into a fullblown, three-day film festival with

hundreds of attendees. Its premiere year, the Shorts Miami Film Festival (SMIFF) took over the Bill Cosford Cinema from Feb. 3-5. Narrative and documentary films were submitted from all across the world, and a special screening on night three featured an international focus on Serbian films. Festival attendees had the opportunity to speak with some of the actors

DragOutX: (March 28)

SpectrUM’s annual event was nothing short of successful for the 2023 year. The drag show took place on March 28, with performances by students and professionals Tiffany Fantasia, CC Glitzer and Spikey Van Dykey.

Hosted by Fantasia, the show raised money for Trans Lifeline, a trans-led organization that works to support the trans community. Students also got to dress up and give captivating performances that were judged in friendly competition.

SpectrUM hosted its tenth annual DragOutX at the Shalala Ballroom on Tuesday, March 28.

Mike Montero// UM Communications

Jared Lennon// Staff Photographer Rapper Flo Rida performs at the Hurricane Productions Homecoming Concert in the Watsco Center on Nov. 3, 2022.

Film Festival at Cosford Cinema will showcase student work

BY LAYOMI ADEOJO A&E EDITOR

Between the Shorts Miami Film Festival, the Miami Film Festival, The Sight & Sound Top Ten series and the weekly Cinematic Arts Commission screenings, the Bill Cosford Cinema has had a packed semester.

This weekend, the on-campus movie theater will close the spring semester with a celebration of UM student-made films. Get ready for the University of Miami (UM) ‘Canes Film Festival, which comes to the Cosford Cinema from April 28-30.

‘Canes Film Festival is a three-day annual festival hosted by the Department of Cinematic Arts and cinematic arts fraternity Delta Kappa Alpha (DKA). The festival only accepts projects by UM students that were completed for a Department of Cinematic Arts course.

Over the three days, festival attendees will get to view 100+ films from both undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in CCA courses.

Friday will focus on undergraduate films from CCA 100-299, and Saturday will spotlight both undergraduate and graduate feature films from courses CCA 300-399 and CCA 600-699. Sunday will conclude with screenings of undergraduate films from CCA 400599 and graduate films from CCA 700-815.

After the awards ceremony on Sunday eve-

ning, festival attendees can stay for a reception outside the theater to close the weekend.

Awards to be announced include Best of the Fest, Audience Favorite and the Dean’s Award. Films will also receive awards for the best actor/actress, cinematography, editing, script, and more.

Allie Salvucci, a senior majoring in motion pictures screenwriting & advertising management, submitted her film called “On The Way Home.”

“It’s about Ayla, a 22 year old college student, who stops at a gas station alone at night,” Salvucci said. “It follows the uncomfortable interaction she has there, which I think is a very common experience that women share.”

Salvucci highlighted the importance of authenticity and centering women in the creation of the project.

“We made the conscious effort to work with a majority women crew,” Salvucci said.

Sophomore motion pictures production major Nicky Gonzalez worked on her short film “Digital Craze” with a crew of three and no budget. Created for her Storytelling Workshop class, the film sheds light on the modern obsession with digital influencers.

“I’m extremely proud of the story we developed,” Gonzalez said. “I’m also excited to see the films made by my peers who worked incredibly hard to get their vision on the screen.”

Those interested in attending can visit canesfilmfestival.com for more information.

From sex doll to capitalist critic: What does this era of Barbie mean?

BY VIVICA DUNLAP STAFF WRITER

This summer is shaping up to be one filled with pink, satirical humor and childhood nostalgia thanks to up-and-coming director Greta Gerwig. The highly-anticipated, live-action “Barbie” movie hits theaters on July 21.

The “Barbie” trailer has garnered 19 million views in under three weeks, a testament to the brand’s power. Though secretive about the movie’s plot, it pokes fun at Barbie and embraces the doll’s ultra feminine characteristics.

“The trailer has me super excited. I love Ryan Gosling and I think that the plot looks super exciting and unexpected,” said Thalia Vlahos, a sophomore advertising management major.

Since the trailer dropped, fans have started posting memes and parodies of the Barbie

doll, including inserting themselves in the “Barbie” movie poster and mimicking the dialogue, especially the part where Ken gets mad at Barbie for not acknowledging him.

This film adds to an unnerving, emerging trend in film seen in recent releases like “Air” and “Super Mario Bros,” which sell a product along with the film. It seems that the only way to make a film outside of an established franchise is to get a company’s backing.

Films like this largely contribute to a capitalistic film industry, one meant to represent the creativity and freedom of expression revolutionized by independent filmmakers in the 70s like Stanley Kubrick and Steven Spielberg.

The “Barbie” film, though associated with the Barbie brand, seems self-aware of this capitalist trend within the film industry. Having Gerwig as director may challenge this .

Gerwig’s resume includes films like “Little Women” and “Lady Bird,” both widely ac-

claimed for their depictions of adolescence and the female experience. One of the most notable female directors in recent history, “Barbie” is Gerwig’s first big blockbuster. Known for her feminist perspective, Gerwig’s take on Barbie might be intelligent enough to criticize its source material and shift the current image of the doll.

“I was a big fan of ‘Barbie Fairytopia’ as a kid and it’s great to see a more mature take on it,” senior motion pictures major Catherine Woods said.

With an array of animated movies and stores around the world, Barbie has become a global phenomenon. In 200, Barbie sales brought in a whopping $1.49 billion, contributing highly to the power and influence that Mattel, the global toy company that manufactures Barbie dolls, holds as a corporation.

The Barbie doll has also been an icon of femininity, a staple of a young girl’s toy col-

lection with her long legs and blonde hair. Though Barbie is known for representing femininity, she’s also contributed to the hypersexualization that young women face. Some studies have linked Barbie to a culture among young girls that promotes thinness and height as indicators of attractiveness.

Barbie was originally modeled and based after a German novelty doll called Bild Lilli. Mainly purchased by men, the doll’s accompanying comic strip featured a sexually explicit Lilli and a variety of lewd phrases meant to satisfy men.

That doll, though different from the current Barbie, is still tied to her identity as a beautiful, sexy toy. The upcoming “Barbie” movie has the potential to disrupt this image forever.

Barbie can be anything: Doctor, lawyer, princess and now maybe feminist icon. Until July 21 comes around, we’ll just have to wait and see.

Jordelle Beja// Contributed

Motek in Coral Gables offers mouth-watering Mediterranean cuisine

BY MORGAN FRY STAFF WRITER

When freshly baked pita bread with cracked sea salt arrived to my table accompanied by creamy hummus decorated with olive oil, tahini and pine nuts, I knew I was in for a treat. This meal is one of the many Mediterranean dishes that Motek offers at its new Coral Gables location.

Motek officially opened on Thursday, March 23. With its Downtown Miami and Aventura locations already teeming with customers, it’s no surprise that this new location would be full of foodies eager to try the kosher-style cuisine. Motek’s food is a testament to the outpouring of love and support for the chain.

When I popped in for Sunday brunch, the new spot was bustling with eager customers. Located right on Miracle Mile, I was instantly drawn to the bright decor. The outdoor seating was perfectly staged beneath a vibrant yellow and white striped awning. A beautiful arch of white, purple and yellow flowers decorated the entrance, inviting me into the dining room.

I was seated at a table next to the open windows, making it a hybrid indoor-outdoor experience. The yellow decor and greenery from outside carried right into the indoor dining room. At the center of it all was a 360 degree wrap-around bar dressed with golden glass holders and accent pieces.

All of these elements, along with the open kitchen in the back, made for an extremely pleasant atmosphere. Those looking for a more private dining experience, however, might be bothered by the close proximity to surrounding tables and conversations.

Glancing at the menus, my friend and I became overwhelmed with all of the unfamiliar Mediterranean offerings. I asked what our waiter would recommend, to which he suggested their Shakshuka ($18) and Israeli Breakfast ($20) for brunch.

Though I ended up googling what mezzes, or “appetizers,” were because I was unfamiliar with the language, I would have appreciated more opportunities to ask questions and better understand all of their offerings.

My friend and I decided to order the Hummus Tahina ($13), which is served with tahini, olive oil, pine nuts and s’chug

(a middle eastern spicy condiment). I was stunned at the large size of the pita bread served with it. Between two people, we couldn’t finish all of it, so it was definitely worth the price.

The hummus had a nice nutty flavor from the pine nuts, earthiness from the olive oil and tahini and a bit of spice from the herby s’chug. It was delicious, and we ended up spreading it on our main courses when they were brought out.

For my main meal, I decided to try the Shakshuka recommended by our server. The meal consisted of three eggs served in a spicy tomato sauce with tahini and a whole loaf of challah bread on the side. I feared for my stomach’s capacity. I had never tried anything like this before, but I can say that it was divine.

The tomato sauce wasn’t too spicy and reminded me of an Italian pasta sauce. Somehow, the beautifully cooked eggs paired well with everything, creating mouth watering bites over the chewy challah. I highly recommend this dish.

My friend ordered the Salmon Skewers ($16). She let me try a bite of salmon, which had a nice crispy outside and fluffy inside. Though served over a bed of greens with a charred lemon, it would have been bland without the hummus we spread on it. I would recommend ordering this over other dishes, though it wasn’t a highlight of their offerings.

At this point, I was so full that I couldn’t stand to eat another bite. The desserts that I saw looked incredible, with Babka Bread Pudding ($14), Pistachio Cream Baklava ($8) and Chocolate Rugelach ($3) being a few in the lineup. Next time I visit, I’ll save room to taste them.

I can’t recommend the food here enough. Motek is a brunch, lunch and dinner restaurant suitable for all ages. I don’t think there is a bad menu item, and I want to come back and try options like the Shish Kebabs, Shawarma and Tzatziki. My only concern is the slow service, which hopefully will improve as it settles into the Gables.

Motek Coral Gables is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday. Reservations are accepted through OpenTable or over the phone.

Morgan Fry/ Contributed Photograph

Morgan Fry/ Contributed Photograph

Hummus and Pita, served with tahini, pine nuts and olive oil at Motek in Coral Gables.

The Shakshuka with eggs served in a spicy tomato sauce and a loaf of bread at Motek in Coral Gables.

Sports year in review: men’s and women’s basketball make history

BY PATRICK MCCOLL STAFF WRITER

Another year of Miami sports is almost in the books. From the gridiron to the hardwood to the diamond, it has been quite the year in Coral Gables. Let’s review what took place this past year for Miami athletics.

‘Canes basketball made history

Miami sports featured plenty of success this past year, but nothing compared to the historic seasons of men’s and women’s basketball. The men reached the Final Four of the NCAA tournament for the first time in program history, while the women made the Elite Eight for the first time as well.

The Hurricanes reached these new heights with the help of the transfer portal. Men’s hoops brought in guard Nijel Pack and forward Norchad Omier, who were both instant starters. Pack helped stretch the floor with his shooting and Omier led Miami on the glass. The 6-foot-7 forward was one of 13 NCAA Division I players who averaged 10+ rebounds per game.

Women’s hoops brought in twin guards Haley and Hanna Cavinder from Fresno State. Haley led the team in scoring with

12.2 points per game, while Hanna was a reliable 3-point shooter with a clip of 31% from deep. However, none of Miami’s success would have come without forward Destiny Harden, who hit a game-winning shot to shock No. 1 Indiana in the second round of the NCAA tournament. She was drafted by the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury after the season concluded.

Both teams were magnificent when it came to playing in front of the Watsco Center faithful. The men only had one home loss throughout the season, yielding a home record of 16-1. Its one defeat was against Florida State University on Feb. 25, when Seminoles guard Matthew Cleveland heaved up a last-second winner from half-court. The women went 14-4 at the Watsco Center this season, beating ranked teams in North Carolina, Florida State and Virginia Tech in Coral Gables.

Both programs are now a popular destination for transfers and look to build on their success next season with new rosters.

Football’s growing pains have set them up for more success in the future.

A 5-7 record — and 3-5 in the ACC — waA 5-7 record — and 3-5 in the ACC — was not what anyone expected coming into Mario Cristobal’s first season as head coach.

The ‘Canes seemed disconnected on both sides of the ball this past year, but some players still performed well. Miami had one All-American last season, safety Kamren Kinchens. With six interceptions and one forced fumble, Kinchens had a year similar to Hurricane greats Sean Taylor and Ed Reed, one of the best safeties in NFL history. Additionally, running back Henry Parrish, an Ole Miss transfer, showcased a mix of power and agility that wowed fans. He finished with 616 rushing yards, four rushing touchdowns, 120 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns.

However, Miami’s underwhelming season prompted significant coaching changes in the offseason. As a result, the ‘Canes have new coordinators on both sides of the field, with

Shannon Dawson as offensive coordinator and Lance Guidry as defensive coordinator.

Dawson is known for his heavy passing offense from his time as the offensive coordinator at Houston. The Cougars had 4,082 passing yards and 40 passing touchdowns last season while scoring 36 points per game. With a healthy quarterback in Tyler Van Dyke, there is a lot of potential for offensive success this upcoming season.

Lance Guidry, the previous defensive coordinator at Marshall University, accomplished a lot while coaching there. Last season, Guidry’s defense ranked in the top 10 nationally in 12 different defensive categories, including being the best in the nation at third down conversion percentage defense.

Miami opens the season Sept. 1 against Miamai (OH) at Hard Rock Stadium

One goal for baseball: Omaha

Going into the season, ‘Canes baseball had only one goal: advance to the College World

Series in Omaha, Nebraska.

As of April 22, the ‘Canes are ranked No. 17 in the country with three ACC series left. Last year, they hosted a NCAA regional at Mark Light Field; however, they could not advance further. With a 24-14 (11-8 ACC) record, Miami’s chances of hosting again look slightly worse than last year.

The Hurricanes are one of the best home run hitting teams in the entire nation. So far, they have hit 75 homers, leading the ACC and ranking sixth in the country. Freshman infielder Blake Cyr and junior catcher Carlos Perez pace the team with ten home runs each.

If the ‘Canes want to get to Omaha, they must continue hitting home runs the way they have been.

The Miami Hurricanes have created another year to remember, and the success that came with it will surely set the ‘Canes up for the future. came with it will surely set the ‘Canes up for the future.

‘Canes basketball players pose after their 88-81 Elite Eight win over the University of Texas in the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, MO on March 26, 2023..

Jared Lennon // Senior Staff Photographer

Jared Lennon // Senior Staff Photographer Fifth-year senior tight end Will Mallory attempts to lose a defender after catching a pass during the fourth quarter of Miami’s game versus Pittsburgh at Hard Rock Stadium

With Destiny Harden drafted,what is the outlook of‘Canes WBB next year?

BY LUKE SIMS STAFF WRITER

Historic.

There’s no other way to put it. Destiny Harden led the Miami Hurricanes women’s basketball team to its first-ever Elite Eight and delivered clutch moments all through the season and the tournament. Her performance, leadership and character led her to be selected 27th overall in the WNBA draft by the Phoenix Mercury.

Harden became the seventh player in ‘Canes basketball history to be drafted to the WNBA but was the only one to play in the Elite Eight. She won’t be the only member of this year’s legendary squad moving on, though.

Starters Haley Cavinder and

Lola Pendande are also departing from the team. Cavinder was the leading scorer on the team last year, averaging 12.2 points per game, shooting over 40% from three and grabbing 4.9 rebounds per game. Her twin sister, Hanna, is also leaving the program. The duo, famous on social media, is leaving to start a new chapter outside of basketball and outside the University of Miami, as they waived their fifth-year options.

Pendande, who started every single game, was an anchor in the middle for the ‘Canes. She was the leader in blocks and averaged eight points per game her senior year.

Along with Hanna Cavinder, Miami loses Karla Erjavec: two key bench players for head

coach Katie Meier’s squad. Erjavec averaged just over three points per game while contributing just over two assists. The senior from Croatia started important games for the ‘Canes. Kenza Salgus and Moulayna Johnson Sidi Baba are also graduating.

So, in total, Miami is losing almost 41 points, almost 18 rebounds per game, and over nine assists per game. That’s over half of the team’s overall production in most areas.

So who’s going to step up and fill that void?

Guard Jasymne Roberts is returning, and she was on fire during the NCAA Tournament. She was named to the all-region team. During the tournament, she averaged 19.0 points, 7.3

rebounds and a 55.4 field goal percentage. Those are up from her numbers during the regular season, where she averaged 9.3 points and almost five rebounds while shooting 34% from deep.

Returning guard Ja’Leah Williams also played in all 35 games for the ‘Canes, where she averaged 7.7 points per game and was trusted in high-leverage situations by head coach Katie Meier. Williams was a defensive leader and will need to take another step next year. Lashae Dwyer had a sneaky good year and was productive when the team needed her.

So the backcourt is in good hands with Roberts, Williams and Dwyer coming back, but what about the frontcourt?

The two high-profile recruits

from last fall look to build upon their success this past season, with Kyla Oldacre and Lazaria Spearman set to take on bigger roles with Harden and Pendande not in the lineup. Oldacre showed flashes of brilliance in Pendande’s absence. Look for her to take a massive leap forward and be a difference-maker for the ‘Canes in the fall. Last year’s frontcourt transfer, Latasha Lattimore, could also be in store for a bounce-back campaign. She transferred from Texas and saw some early action before going down with an injury early in the year. In terms of help from the outside, Miami added four transfers: Jaida Patrick, Ally Stedman, Shayeann DayWilson and Lemyah Hylton.

Hurricanes eliminated in ACC quarterfinals with narrow 4-3 loss to Virginia

BY CHRIS DAMOND CO-SPORTS EDITOR

Fifth-seeded Miami women’s tennis dropped a thrilling three-and-a-half-hour match against fourth-seeded Virginia, 4-3, on Friday morning in the ACC quarterfinals in Cary, North Carolina.

A spot in the ACC semifinals came down to Court 4, where junior Audrey Boch-Collins battled No. 77 Annabelle Xu just one day after defeating her third ranked singles opponent as a collegian. Boch-Collins forced a tiebreaker in the second set and staved off a match point but ultimately fell 6-4, 7-6 (8-6).

“I just felt like it was extremely lopsided in terms of who showed up and played the type of tennis we needed to play and had the type of emotions we needed to have, and those that clearly didn’t,” head coach Paige Yaroshuk-Tews

said.

The 10th-ranked Cavaliers swiftly claimed the doubles point over No. 13 Miami. Xu and Sara Ziodato handled BochCollins and Mia Mack, 6-3, before No. 34 Elaine Chervinsky and Natasha Subhash downed Alexa Noel and Isabella Pfennig, together ranked No. 29, by the same score.

On Court 1, No. 44 Daevenia Achong and Maya Tahan were deadlocked with the 13th-ranked doubles pair in the country, Julia Adams and Melodie Collard, 5-5.

Virginia quickly improved its lead to 2-0 after Ziodato dominated Tahan, 6-1, 6-0, but then the Hurricanes showed some resilience.

After losing the first two games, No. 5 Noel won 11 straight to defeat No. 51 Subhash, 6-2, 6-2. Freshman Mack won four consecutive games in the second set against No. 120

Shaikh but lost 0-6, 4-6. With Miami down 3-1, No. 105 Achong recorded her second-highest-ranked victory of the season over No. 54 Adams, 6-3, 7-5. No. 83 Pfennig tied it up moments later with a 6-1, 7-6 (8-6) victory against Chervinksy. Pfennig trailed 4-6 in the tiebreaker but rattled off four straight points for the win. Approximately 45 minutes later, Boch-Collins lost, sending the Cavaliers to the ACC semifinals.

“We didn’t get a great start in three of the singles matches,” Yaroshuk-Tews said. “It’s tough to beat a team that’s top-10 in the country when you’re losing sets the way we did. We’ve just got to get back on the horse and get ready for NCAAs.”

The Hurricanes’ season is far from over, with Miami poised to make its 27th consecutive appearance in the NCAA tour-

nament. Currently, the ‘Canes are in position to host the opening two rounds of the NCAA Team Championship on May 5

and 6 at the Neil Schiff Tennis Center in Coral Gables for the second year in a row.

Alexandra Carnochan // Photo Editor Fifth-year senior Daevenia Achong returns the ball during Miami’s double match against Iowa State University on Sunday, Jan. 29 at the Neil Schiff Tennis Center.

Miami splits Sunday doubleheader against Georgia Tech, wins series

BY PATRICK MCCOLL STAFF WRITER

The Miami Hurricanes played a Sunday doubleheader against Georgia Tech after inclement weather postponed baseball on Saturday. No. 17 Miami won the first game of the day 9-7 and dropped the second game 9-5 in six innings at Mark Light Field.

In the first game between the ACC foes, the Hurricanes sprung out to an early 3-2 advantage as the team grabbed its bats to hit in the fifth inning. A usual circumstance, freshman Blake Cyr lifted a three-run home run over the right center field fence to separate the scores. The second baseman’s team–leading 11th home run of the season gave Miami a 6-2 advantage.

“It’s nice when everything is clicking together,” Cyr said. “Everybody’s confidence in the lineup just goes through the roof and we all feed off of each other.”

Miami starter Karson Ligon went four innings in his first April start. The right-hander allowed two runs on six hits, walking a batter and striking out three in 72 pitches. Ligon was relieved by College of Central Florida transfer Ben Chestnutt, sophomore Alejandro Torres and closer Andrew Walters.

Georgia Tech (22-18, 8-13 ACC) starter and two-way player Jackson Finley gave up three runs in two innings before switching assignments to the designated hitter spot, where

he would finish 1-for-5 with an RBI. Finley was relieved by the 6-foot-3 righty Ben King and three other Yellow Jackets.

Though Miami (25-15, 12-9 ACC) led 9-2 after six, Georgia Tech never gave up. The Atlanta based team countered with a three–run seventh and a two–run eighth.

In a sudden save situation, Walters entered for Miami in the eighth and stopped the Yellow Jackets’ rally. Earning the necessary four outs for the 9-7 win, Walters picked up his fifth save of the season with 14 pitches.

Chestnutt (5-0) was credited with the win while Finley (1-4) was tagged with the loss.

In a much shorter game two, Georgia Tech held a 9-5 lead after six innings, good enough for victory as the Yellow Jackets hit their travel curfew.

Unlike the first game, Miami trailed early. Starter Alejandro Rosario allowed six runs to come across, giving up eight hits in 2.2 innings of work.

The Yellow Jackets’ offense did much of the damage in the third. Senior Angelo Dispigna singled to center, driving home outfielder Jake DeLeo and leadoff hitter Kristian Campbell. Then, junior John Giesler hit a homer to left to clear the bases and score two.

RBI hits in the fourth from outfielder Edgardo Villegas and third baseman Yohandy Morales closed the gap. The 6-foot-4 infielder Mo-

rales finished with four total RBI on the day.

“I gotta give credit to the guys in front of me and behind me in the lineup,” Morales said. “Zach [Levenson’s] been getting it done, protecting me this whole season. It’s been great having guys in front of me get on base and letting me do my job and drive them in.”

Georgia Tech earned two of the runs back in the sixth with an RBI triple from right fielder Stephen Reid

and a single from Dispigna to score Reid from third.

Finishing the job for right-handed starter Terry Busse, who went 3.1 innings, junior Dawson Brown (2-2) earned the win for Georgia Tech as he pitched 2.2 innings, allowing only one run on three hits in 39 pitches. Rosario was hit with the loss (2-4) in the 9-5 defeat.

“It’s a tough game to manage because you’re looking at the clock,” Miami head coach Gino DiMare

said. “In baseball, you shouldn’t be looking at the clock. It’s not a normal thing, but we have to deal with it. We’ve gotta get out to a good start in these games. You can’t fall behind because that makes it even more difficult in those situations.”

The Hurricanes will look ahead to a home midweek matchup with FAU at 6 p.m. on Tuesday night before another ACC road trip to Louisville for a three-game series that begins Thursday.

Virgina powers past Miami men’s tennis in ACC quarterfinals

BY ERIK LAMM STAFF WRITER

When going up against the No. 8 team in the nation, it’s nearly a certainty that points will be hard to come by. With a singles lineup for the Cavaliers featuring four out of six players in the top 100 and two in the top 25, there didn’t look to be many openings for the ‘Canes. However, when the dust settled, the ‘Canes were

able to grab two points but lost in the quarterfinals of the ACC Championship, 2-4.

Before the daunting task of singles began, the ‘Canes first had an opportunity in doubles. It was a fast start on Court 3, as freshman Antonio Prat and sophomore Martin Katz won 6-2. Next, fifth-year senior Franco Aubone and Dan Martin secured the point for the UM, as it won 6-4 to give the ‘Canes an

unexpected lead in the match. On Court 1, fifth-year senior Juan Martin Jalif and freshman Martin Vergara were also winning, 5-4.

This was the best start the ‘Canes (15-10) could have asked for as they faced off against one of the best singles lineups in the country. Virginia (22-4) started strong, winning five of its six first sets. The lone ‘Cane to win his opening set was Aubone on

Court 6.

Virginia got back on level terms as No. 8 Chris Rodesch ran past No. 24 Martin, 6-3, 6-2. Aubone closed out his match on Court 6, giving the ‘Canes another surprising point to go up 2-1. This lead quickly evaporated.

The Cavaliers’ next blow came on Court 3, as Katz fell 6-2, 6-3. Moments later, graduate student Leo Bierbaum lost 3-6,

1-6 on Court 4. Miami’s ACC hopes were then extinguished on Court 5, as freshman Nacho Serra Sanchez lost 4-6, 2-6. The match was ended, and things looked equally dire on Court 2. Prat was down 4-6, 2-5, as the match was abandoned. Miami will head back to Coral Gables and await its postseason fate. The NCAA Tournament bracket is released on May 1.

Annika Alves // Contributing Photographer

The National Anthem is sung moments before the Miami Hurricanes open a three-game series against Georgia Tech on April 21 at Mark Light Field

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