January 26, 2023

Have an ‘ice’ day

Greg Wilkins’

art sheds light on social issues

“Unconnected Yet,” an exhibition celebrating inquisitive-creative similarities between art and science will feature Minnesota State’s own, Greg Wilkins.

Wilkins, MSU’s associate director of the Centennial Student Union at Student Activities, created a piece in 2017 that was chosen to be featured in “Unconnected Yet.”

Artists from ten different countries shared their art to create a collection that promotes conversation with a variety of social issues and powerful messages.

His mixed media art piece “Young Woman With Earring,” included elements of photography, acrylic, ink, sewing thread, embroidery thread and yarn.

The idea of his piece aimed to shed light on the fast fashion industry and the sweatshops most of those garments are made in.

‘Wounded Healers’ invited to regional festival

By EMMA JOHNSON News Director

From the Mankato stage to the Midwestern spotlight, “Wounded Healers” got the chance to perform the show once again for a regional audience.

Director and Interim Associate Vice president for Faculty Affairs and Equity Initiatives Timothy Berry found out that the Department of Theatre and Dance submitted the show to be considered to attend the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Region V Festival 55 in Des Moines, Iowa. A month ago, the show was invited to perform.

“We were one of seven pieces selected from the region to perform, so I consider that a significant honor for the program and for the students to be selected,” said Berry. “The students responded with such enthusiasm and joy and of this idea of want-

ing to make sure they put their best foot forward with this opportunity.”

Despite the show premiering nearly a year ago at Minnesota State, there was minimal difficulty for senior Marquise Myles to fall back into his character, a storyteller that explains the history of African Americans to the audience.

“Due to how impactful it was initially, I just had to re-familiarize myself with the syntax,” said Myles. “This kind of production stays in your blood.”

After each performance, a talkback has been held where the audience can ask questions related to the content of the show. Following the heightened racial tensions after 2020, senior Daniel Walker finds the show important to bring awareness to having more diversity in shows.

“We want to do more black shows and we feel like that would be a way to get more black students or other students

of color interested if they see that we’re doing those shows. My goal is [for people] to see that people of color can sell tickets,” said Walker. For Berry, performing on a

regional level allows viewers to grapple with the dark aspects of African American history that create the content of the performance.

“We don’t often get this in

Wilkins states in his description, “Each of us has a moral obligation to care for Mother Earth and make better choices.”

The art chosen for this showcase includes a wide range of sobering topics, including climate change, off-world habitation, connection as process and possibility, racism, sexism and communication.

“This piece brings awareness to the lives that were distorted, we don’t know who is making the clothes that most of us wear in the U.S. and other western nations,” Wilkins said.

Having artwork that starts the conversation regarding social issues is important to him.

“I’ve spent several years not buying new clothes. I’ll go to the thrift store and repurpose that garment and have it re-adjusted to fit my body,” Wilkins said.

Wilkins is on sabbatical currently where he is teaching art students in North Carolina the value of turning garbage into one-of-akind pieces.

DYLAN ENGEL • The Reporter

Father and son, John & Adam Scholljegerdes, constructed a Stomper ice sculpture that stands just above 6ft tall in front of the main entrance to CSU MavAve. Based in Faribault, these gentlemen from the Sakatah Carvers built a Stomper out of three 300 lb. blocks of ice, in total weighing 900 lbs., taking roughly four hours from start to finish.

LILLY ANDERSON • The Reporter

“Wounded Healers” was one of seven shows invited to perform at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Region V Festival 55.

Microaggressions panel confronts unsubtle biases

By CARLY BAHR Staff Writer

The Maverick Diversity Institute held a panel on microaggressions in the Centennial Student Union Wednesday. Faculty members Angelica Aguirre, Sudarshana Bordoloi, Kerry Diekmann, Alfredo Duplat, Pakou Lee and Jessica Schomberg each spoke on their personal experiences as targets and perpetrators of microaggressions and shared resources and advice on confronting them.

The panel defined microaggressions as “brief and commonplace” words or actions that communicate a hostile attitude toward marginalized groups “whether intentional or unintentional.” This behavior is harmful because it is subtle enough to go unrecognized by bystanders and leaves the target invalidated. Their powerpoint read, “Those pointing out microaggressions are labeled troublemakers, hard to work with, angry, divisive, hypersensitive or disruptive.” Microaggressive actions are targeted at aspects of class, gender, sexual identity and, most notably, race.

Aguirre shared a personal experience as a target of a microaggression. While talking to

 HEALERS from page 1

our education system. Unfortunately, the actual events that took place almost get glossed over. It’s been exciting that the larger venue will be tremendous for us to continue to see what other audiences outside of our community think [of the show]

a hotel employee about getting a last-minute room because her shuttle to Mankato from the Minneapolis airport was canceled, Aguirre said he exhibited an attitude that implied she

and discuss with this piece,” said Berry.

Walker said he feels the content and how it’s performed draws people to witness the show which he feels has opened up conversations about racial issues.

“I felt like I got really lucky

could not afford their rates. She said he looked at her casual travel attire and said “They’re kind of pricey. Do you know how much they cost?” Aguirre ended up getting a room for the

that I was here at this moment because I feel like it was kind of lightning in a bottle. I don’t want to ever stop performing it because I see people’s reaction to it,” said Walker. “To be a part of something that makes me feel that you have to go home and think about [what you

night at that hotel and it was not until later, in her room, that she began to question his demeanor.

“I’m telling you I want to stay here, why do you have to ask me a question?” she recalled

watched.] You’re gonna have to have some type of conversation and have a talk that at the end.”

Myles echoed Berry’s statement by saying “Wounded Healers” shows how black history is being addressed at a larger level and they’re finally being heard.

“I think it’s really important,

thinking to herself. She then segued into confrontation strategies. Aguirre said, in that instance, she chose not to return to the front desk to question the employee’s true meaning. But, the panel provided steps for holding a “microintervention,” or a conversation with a microaggressor about the impact of their actions. Validation was the key maneuver identified. Defending the behavior with “I bet they didn’t mean to” only highlights the root issue; the subtlety goes unnoticed by nearly everyone but the target.

Schomnberg spoke on the importance of being receptive to call-outs on your own microaggressive behaviors. “I don’t like being embarrassed but I like getting better,” Schomberg said.

The Maverick Diversity Institute offers workshops and speaking events to educate Minnesota State students and faculty on inclusivity, access and equity. They encourage students to attend events by offering LinkedIn badges and apparel to those who register for a qualifying number of events.

Diekmann said the best way to open oneself to education on microaggressions is “being comfortable with being uncomfortable.”

impactful and truly something that I’m proud to be a part of, to be a part of the cultural shift that would allow black creators and black artists to share their voice and share these themes and other African aspects,” said Myles. “I’m truly just really grateful and thankful.”

DYLAN LONG • The Reporter

Pakou Lee speaks to a crowd about the harmful impact of microaggressions. Panelists shared stories of experiencing microaggressions, resources for students to utilize and advice on how best to confront them.

‘Happening way too often’: Report delves into mass attacks

By REBECCA SANTANA

The Associated Press

As the nation reels from a week of high-profile shootings, a new report on mass attacks calls for communities to intervene early when they see warning signs of violence, encourages businesses to consider workplace violence prevention plans and highlights the connection between domestic violence, misogyny and mass attacks.

The report released Wednesday by the U.S. Secret Service’s National Threat Assessment Center analyzed 173 mass attacks carried out over a five-year period from January 2016 to December 2020 in public or semi-public places such as businesses, schools or churches.

It was released as the U.S. experienced a particularly deadly start to the new year that has left 39 people dead in six mass killings, including one this week in Monterey Park, California, that left 11 people dead at a dance hall as they welcomed in the Lunar New Year.

“It’s just happening way too often,” said Lina Alathari, the center’s director, during a news conference ahead of the report’s release. Alathari said that while the center had not specifically studied the shootings that took place this week, there are themes seen “over and over again” when analyzing mass attacks.

The report is the latest in a series undertaken by the center to look at the problem of mass attacks.

While previous reports examined the specific years of 2017, 2018 and 2019, the new report noted that it analyzed multiple years of data and gives more “in-depth analysis of the thinking and behavior of mass attackers.”

The center defines a mass attack as one in which three or more people — not including the attacker — were harmed.

Almost all the attacks were carried out by one person, 96% of attackers were men

and the attackers ranged in age from 14 to 87.

The report noted that nearly two-thirds of attackers exhibited behaviors or communications “that were so concerning, they should have been met with an immediate response.”

It said these concerns were often shared with law enforcement, employers, school staff or parents.

But in one-fifth of the cases, the concerning behavior wasn’t relayed to anyone “in a position to respond, demonstrating a continued need to promote and facilitate bystander reporting.”

The report also called for greater attention toward domestic violence and misogyny, noting that nearly half of the attackers studied had a history of domestic violence, misogynistic behavior or both.

“Though not all who possess misogynistic views are violent, viewpoints that describe women as the enemy or call for violence against women remain a cause for concern,” the report said.

About half the attacks in the study involved a business location, and attackers often had a prior relationship with the business, as an employee, a customer or a former employer.

The report also noted the role that grievances like workplace disputes or feuds with neighbors played in mass attacks.

About half the attacks were motivated “in whole or in part by a perceived grievance,” according to the report.

“Workplaces should establish behavioral threat assessment programs as a component of their workplace violence prevention plans, and businesses should also establish proactive relationships with area law enforcement so that they may work collaboratively to respond to incidents involving a concern for violence, whether that concern arises from a current employee, a former employee, or a customer,” the report read.

 ART from page 1

“I’m showing students how to take trash and turn it into something special and make it uniquely their own,” Wilkins said.

Wilkins believes that everyone has a creative side.

“We pop out of the womb being creative, and oftentimes that is taken out from us because we are told ‘that’s not pretty, that’s not good,’ but we are all artists,” Wilkins said. “We all have the opportunity to create within, but we discount our creative side because we

started to believe the opinion of others.”

Wilkins has never formally studied art, yet he is passionate about expressing himself and bringing awareness to topics he deems necessary to discuss.

“As an artist, it’s great to do art, but also I want to educate and bring awareness to issues that I think are important within our community or even greater, our global community,” Wilkins said.

Being able to model MSU’s slogan of “Big ideas, real-world thinking,” is something he

takes pride in.

“You can shape the dream that you have, and I’m a testament to that. What I tell students at MSU is, ‘if you can dream it you can do it,’ so cast that net wide you might catch a whale, not just a goldfish,” Wilkins said.

Currently, Wilkins is one of nine who are working on a project that will combine their 2-D artwork with music and dance set to debut at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. in June 2024.

ASHLEY LANDIS • The Associated Press A gunman killed multiple people at the ballroom dance studio late Saturday amid Lunar New Years celebrations in the predominantly Asian American community.

Photo courtesy of Greg Wilkins This piece “YOUNG WOMAN WITH EARRING,” created by Greg Wilkins, is featured in Unconnected Yet. This exhibition features artists from ten different countries with several different themes.

Belfast: Culture Shock

Julia Lin Editor In Chief Emma Johnson News Director Joey Erickson Variety Editor

Alicia Reed Sports Editor Dylan Engel Photo Editor

Quit your job

One of the first things we as students are asked when we are young is, “what do you want to be when you grow up,” to which most kids respond with a teacher, doctor or astronaut.

However, many do not become what their childhood self dreamed of. Many of us either go into the corporate world, into the workforce or start their own company.

If you ask your parents, if they are currently working their dream job, they most likely will say no. Yet, we as students are told to dream big and shoot for the stars. Why isn’t that idea still taught to us as adults?

We as students were taught that you must know what you want to do for the rest of your life at the ripe age of 18. But what if our minds change half-way through life? Or even college?

We as students should shoot for the stars; being at an institute like Minnesota State gives us all the tools we need to be successful. Being on a college campus offers the unique opportunity to speak with like-minded others, network with faculty who have experience in that field and try new things with minimal repercussions.

This is the time in our lives when we should be trying new occupations, asking questions and getting back up again if something doesn’t work out.

However, money will always be a factor in how long you stay at a job you don’t particularly like. In today’s world, money, in fact, does make the world go round and ultimately decides if you are going to be able to eat, have a place to live and a livelihood.

But to a certain extent, if you are working a job you hate, and they don’t value you as a human, only as a number, you should quit. If the people there don’t respect you why should you keep working for them?

We as students too often see our parents, friends or other family members working a job they dislike. One of the biggest injustices you can do for yourself is to stay at a place of employment that you dread.

After the height of Covid-19 had ended, I believe we all had an “aha moment” where we realized life is precious and can be over in an instant.

That pandemic also motivated the world to think outside the box and find ways to adapt and change the social norms of what it looks like to persevere and be successful.

Staying in a place that makes you miserable is no way to live your life. Often times we stay in fear of not finding anything better, yet the cliche saying “If you love your job, you’ll never have to work a day in your life” continues to ring true.

Pulse

By ALEXANDRA TOSTRUD Staff Writer

Unlike other international students at Queen’s University Belfast for one semester, I am in a housing unit, or accommodation, with both international and local students. Because of this, I’ve had interactions with university students from Northern Ireland outside the classroom which highlight the differences between my sense of “normal” and theirs.

The largest (and most obvious) difference is the accent. Most of the full-time students I live with are from Northern Ireland and have a wide range of accents even they can’t understand sometimes. As someone who struggles to understand a thick accent from any part of the world,

the quick speech of my flatmates is tricky to follow and a barrier for conversation

I’ve tried my best to pierce–and thus far, failed at.

Likewise, they struggle to say words familiar to the Minnesota lexicon. I walked one flatmate through the pronunciation of Mankato, syllable by syllable, until he could say it clearly.

I’m not the only international student struggling with their speech– my classmates with a different native language are, according to themselves, faring far worse than I am.

Their concept of distance is far different than ours. Most midwesterners would agree, I believe, that a road trip needs to be at least three hours to be considered as such. My drive from my hometown of Hudson, Wis-

Compiled by Dylan Engel

consin, to MSU is a quick two hours with heavy traffic. Here, Belfast is a two-hour trip from Dublin– but no one does it, because that’s a long drive or train ride! Northern Ireland is only 85 miles from top to bottom, which is the same distance as my hometown to MSU.

One area I’ll admit defeat is the weather. While I haven’t experienced days on end of pouring rain, last week the region was targeted by a massive winter storm. I thought I was well equipped to deal with the temperatures but because of the humidity here, the 30 F and below is a damp chill I’m not used to. The snowflakes that fall are thicker than the ones at home, too.

My classes, or modules, began Thursday. Each con-

“Queso is the best tasting, but guac is a close second. It’s a coin flip

“Queso because I’ve always liked cheese.”

“Queso, guacamole, or salsa and why?”

KATIA OSTERMANN, SENIOR

“Chips and queso, it’s a favorite snack of mine.”

EVAN PILGRIM, SENIOR

“Gotta go with queso. It’s a natural reaction, the customary choice.”

MEGAN ILLIES, JUNIOR

“Guac. I love homemade guac with the veggies.”

KYLEE YANG JUNIOR

“Guac. Guac is cheaper for me at least.”

JULIAN RUTTEN, JUNIOR

between the two.”

HUNTER GOEBEL, JUNIOR

Photo courtesy of Alexandra Tostrud

The Castlewellan Peace Maze, located about an hour south of Belfast, is home to one of the largest permanent hedge mazes and represents a path for a peaceful future for Northern Ireland.

Editorials represent the opinions of The Reporter editorial board. The opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of the college, university or student body.

New lawsuits target abortion pills

By MATTHEW PERRONE The Associated Press

Supporters of abortion rights filed separate lawsuits Wednesday challenging two states’ abortion pill restrictions, the opening salvo in what’s expected to be a protracted legal battle over access to the medications.

The lawsuits argue that limits on the drugs in North Carolina and West Virginia run afoul of the federal authority of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which has approved the abortion pill as a safe and effective method for ending pregnancy.

The cases were brought by a North Carolina physician who prescribes the pill, mifepristone, and GenBioPro, which makes a generic version of the drug and sued in West Virginia.

While the federal court lawsuits target specific state laws, they represent key legal tests that could eventually determine access to abortion for millions of women.

Medication recently overtook in-clinic procedures as the most common form of abortion in the U.S.

The new litigation turns on a longstanding principle that federal law, including FDA decisions, pre-empt state laws. Indeed, few states have ever tried to fully ban an FDA-approved drug because of past rulings in the agency’s favor.

But with the fall of Roe v. Wade there’s little precedent for the current patchwork of laws governing abortion.

After the Supreme Court overturned the decision in June, previously adopted restrictions on abortion kicked in and two states adopted new ones. Currently, bans on abortion at all stages of pregnancy are being followed in 13 states.

On top of that, 19 states — including North Carolina and West Virginia — have separate laws controlling how, when and where physicians can prescribe and dispense abortion drugs.

“West Virginia cannot override the FDA’s safety and efficacy determinations, nor can it disrupt the national market for this medication,” David Frederick, an attorney representing GenBioPro, said in a statement.

Legal experts foresee years of court battles over access to

 COLUMN from page 4

sists of a lecture hour and a two-hour seminar. During international orientation, we were told not to shy away from speaking up in our lessons, even though the students from here tend to stay quiet. My first class, a lecture for my poetry workshop, proved that correct. I and the other American student were quick to ask questions and volunteer to go first–maybe the full-time students just understood perfectly!

A challenge with the up-

The AP Interview: Pope says homosexuality not a crime

the pills.

North Carolina bans nearly all abortions after 20 weeks, with narrow exceptions for urgent medical emergencies.

Physicians can only prescribe medication abortion after state-mandated counseling for their patients and must dispense the drug in person.

The lawsuit, filed by Dr. Amy Bryant, an obstetrician and gynecologist, argues that such requirements contradict FDA-approved labeling for the drug and interfere with her ability to treat patients.

“We know from years of research and use that medication abortion is safe and effective — there’s no medical reason for politicians to interfere or restrict access to it,” Bryant said in a statement provided by the Expanding Medication Abortion Access project, an abortion rights group working on legal challenges to state laws.

The office of Attorney General Josh Stein, who is a defendant in the complaint because he’s the state chief law enforcement officer, was reviewing the complaint on Wednesday, his spokesperson Nazneen Ahmed wrote in an email.

Stein, a Democrat who announced last week a bid for governor in 2024, is an abortion-rights supporter.

The FDA approved mifepristone in 2000 to end pregnancy, when used in combination with a second drug, misoprostol. The combination is approved for use up to the 10th week of pregnancy.

For more than 20 years, FDA limited dispensing of the drug to a subset of specialty of-

per-level courses I’m taking is that, in classes for the last semester of full-time students’ degrees, the structure of the schedule and how assignments are expected to be turned in is not said unless I ask. My essay prompts for the Gilman Scholarship helped me anticipate these difficulties, and I’m thankful that my professors are happy to answer questions about the most minute details.

The most dangerous difference, however, comes with a combination of living in an

fices and clinics, due to safety concerns. In rare cases, the drug combination can cause excess bleeding, requiring emergency care.

But since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the agency has repeatedly eased restrictions and expanded access, increasing demand even as state laws make the pills harder to get for many women.

In late 2021, the agency eliminated the in-person requirement for the pill, saying a new scientific review showed no increase in safety complications if the drug is taken at home. That change also permitted the pill to be prescribed via telehealth and shipped by mail-order pharmacies.

Earlier this year the FDA further loosened restrictions by allowing brick-and-mortar pharmacies to dispense the drug, provided they undergo certification.

That change was made at the request of the two drug manufactures: GenBioPro and Danco Laboratories, which makes brand-name Mifeprex.

In its West Virginia lawsuit, GenBioPro argues that state laws interfere with drug regulations crafted by the FDA, which has sole authority over the approval and regulation of all U.S. drugs.

West Virginia’s law outlaws most abortions, with some exceptions for rape and incest victims and in cases of life-threatening medical emergencies and nonviable pregnancies.

The near-total ban, signed into law in September, supersedes earlier laws on abortion pill access.

urban center and in a country that drives on the left side of the road. It’s tricky enough to find my way around a new city, but crossing the street adds another factor!

Interested in studying abroad or away through MSU?

Contact the Center for Global Engagement at ipo@mnsu.edu located on the ground floor of Morris, or reach out to myself with questions about the Gilman Federal Scholarship for studying abroad.

By NICOLE WINFIELD The Associated Press

Pope Francis criticized laws that criminalize homosexuality as “unjust,” saying God loves all his children just as they are and called on Catholic bishops who support the laws to welcome LGBTQ people into the church.

“Being homosexual isn’t a crime,” Francis said during an

exclusive interview Tuesday with The Associated Press. Francis acknowledged that Catholic bishops in some parts of the world support laws that criminalize homosexuality or discriminate against LGBTQ people, and he himself referred to the issue in terms of “sin.” But he attributed such attitudes to cultural backgrounds, and said bishops in particular need to undergo a process of change.

ANDREW MEDICHINI • The Associated Press

ALLEN G. BREED • The Associated Press

Pope Francis told The Associated Press that homosexuality “isn’t a crime” and “it’s a sin to lack charity with one another.”

Lawsuits have been filed in West Virginia and North Carolina challenging the states’ restrictions on the use of abortion pills.

SPORTS S

Big weekend for men’s basketball at home

By HAYDEN LEE Staff Writer

This year’s Minnesota State men’s basketball season has been a rollercoaster in many ways. After beginning the season 9-0, which included a 41 point performance from junior Malik Willingham in the team’s first home game, the Mavs were ranked as high as ninth in the NABC poll. As of late, injuries have been the story for the Mavs, which has forced some players into new and expanded roles.

One player who has stepped up and thrived in his new role is guard Kyreese Willingham. Willingham, in 6 games with players like his brother, Malik Willingham, and sophomores Brady Williams and Harrison Braudis missing time, has filled in nicely, averaging 18.2 points in the last few weeks.

“I just feel like I have to be aggressive, know my role and who I am,” said Willingham. “With some guys being out, someone has to step up and do more than they are usually asked to.”

The sophomore Kyreese Willingham has shown flashes of his potential all season, and after a few games spent adjusting to his new role, he put together a three game stretch where he averaged 26 points and 5 rebounds on 50% from the field and just over 44% on his three pointers.

“Being a starter for the first time this year, I have been just

trying to figure out what my role is, and I feel like I have come a long way since the beginning of the year,” said Willingham.

Kyreese Willingham has been crucial in keeping the Mavs afloat in the midst of all of the injuries, but he named others such as freshmen Chase Bartlett and Dawson Rudolph as players who have also embraced their new roles on the team.

“I was really happy to see those guys step up,” said Rudolph. We’ve got a lot of guys on this team who can play.”

Luckily for the Mavs, their injuries seem to be healing, with Malik Willingham playing in their last two games, and they hope to get Harrison Braudis back soon as well.

In the meantime, there are still games to be played, and

the Mavs have a big weekend ahead of them, with two home matchups against the University of Mary Friday and Minot State Saturday.

The Marauders enter the Taylor Center owners of a 9-9 record, and are 2-4 in their last six games. They are led by Kam Warrens, who is averaging 13.6 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. Zyon Smith is second on

the team in scoring, averaging 11.1 points to go along with 2.8 rebounds. The Mavs lost on the road to the Marauders a season ago, but are winners of 4 of their last 5 matchups.

“This is a big weekend for us, especially losing the last couple of weekends, we need to go out and get two against the North Division,” said Willingham.

Following their matchup with the Marauders, Willingham and the Mavs are set to take on Minot State Saturday afternoon. The Mavs hold an 8-2 series advantage all time over the Beavers, and will be looking for revenge after losing on the road last season.

The Beavers are also currently 9-9 on the year and 2-4 in their last six. They do boast a better offense than the Marauders, which is led by Khari Broadway, who leads the Beavers with 13.4 points per game and is also a candidate for best name in the NSIC. Others such as Jaxon Gunville and Cam’ron Dunfee are also averaging double figures in points on the season as well.

In order to keep their season alive and make things interesting, the Mavs need to get back into the win column this weekend. If they do so, things will be looking up, especially if their injuries heal in time for the playoffs.

“We want to go out on top this year, and with the season ending soon, it’s time to step it up,” said Willingham.

Womens basketball looks to climb the NSIC ladder

By LUKE JACKSON Staff Writer

Previously ranked 12th, the new ranks are out for women’s basketball and the Mavericks dropped again. Down five more spots as they sit in 17th place in the latest edition of the WBCA poll. MSU women’s basketball went on the road for four consecutive games, winning three and losing a tough battle to the non-ranked Northern State Wolves.

With the Mavericks ranked 17th they are one of two teams in the NSIC in the WBCA poll, the other being the 10th-ranked Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs. Mankato is slowly declining while the conference rival Duluth keeps rising. Three weeks ago the fifth-ranked Mavs fell to Duluth who was 23rd. Duluth still remains undefeated while MSU has now dropped three games.

Going into the weekend, the Mavs look to climb back up the ranks of the NSIC as they are behind undefeated Duluth and red-hot Augustana who is cur-

rently on a five-game win streak.

Duluth hosts Augustana this weekend and if the Mavs can pull off both wins this week it would help them tremendously. If the Mavs run away with wins and Duluth defeats Augustana then MSU will be first in the south division. If Duluth loses they will finally have a loss under their belt: helping Mankato’s rank in the NSIC.

The Mavs get a break from the road and look to play four home games over the next two weeks. Two games this week, Friday against the UMary Marauders and Saturday against the Minot State Beavers.

Friday’s game is against the up-and-coming 11-6 Marauders who are looking to continue their three-game win streak.

UMary’s Ryleigh Wacha, is one player the Mavs will need to contain. Wacha led the Marauders to victory over Upper Iowa with 23 points while shooting a stunning 80% from the field.

MSU’s defense has been struggling to contain shooting and she currently averages 46.6%.

Following Friday, the Mavs

day, Jan. 27 at 7:30 p.m. and Minot State Saturday, Jan. 28 at 5:30 p.m.

host the 9-11 Minot State Beavers. The Beavers have had a rocky season so far which Mankato will look to capitalize off of. Despite this rocky start, the Beavers are on a two-game

win streak and may be hungry for more wins.

As MSU has entered the back half of the season they will need to make the most of their following games if they’re looking

for a conference title. With only eight games remaining , it may be challenging. The Mavs will need to find the dominance they started the year with; these two upcoming games are key.

DYLAN LONG • The Reporter

MSU Men’s Basketball team is back at the Taylor Center for back to back games against University of Mary Friday, Jan. 27 at 5:30 p.m. and Minot State Saturday, Jan. 28 at 3:30 p.m.

DYLAN ENGEL • The Reporter MSU Women’s Basketball team hopes to extend their winning streak as they play against University of Mary Fri-

Tangling

with Wolves and Dragons

By CHARLIE GROEBNER Staff Writer

With almost one month left in the season, it is do or die for Minnesota State wrestlers. After last Saturday’s blowout loss to Saint Cloud State, they are once again back on the road for a weekend doubleheader against NSIC opponents.

Their first stop is Aberdeen, S.D. to take on Northern State in a Friday night showdown. The last time these two squared off, the Mavs lost 30-13 and ended a 10-game winning streak against the Wolves. This year, the Wolves enter at 8-3 and currently ride a three-game winning streak. Currently ranked at 20th in the polls, they look to continue the momentum entering the final month.

While the loss lingers, Head Coach Jim Makovsky said they are not backing down from a challenge. It’s another matchup on the road and means nothing has or will change about their approach.

“It’s business as usual,” Makovsky said. “We’re not looking to get back on track, we need to stay on track. It goes back to fundamentals. If they’re better than us, they are going to beat us. We’ve got to be fundamentally sound and we’re still trying to work on that.”

Following their match against the Wolves, they are once again back on the road as they will face MSU Moorehead Saturday. While the Dragons currently ride a six-game losing streak, they are still a talented team. Last season the Mavs would dominate them with a final score of 41-6. However, this time they will have a target on their backs as the Dragons look to get revenge on them.

One of the key members of the Dragons to watch for is sophomore, Gunner Mogen. At 149 lbs the Velva N.D.-native has elevated himself after a 4-8 freshman year. A record of 12-8 may not be impressive to most, but it has led him to be a key member of the Dragons lineup.

With a weekend of action inching closer by the minute, it will certainly be telling for this group. With only one month left before the Super Regional, the Mavs need as much momentum going into the final stretch. However, Makovsky said he is only concerned about the now and focusing on the two games this weekend.

“We got to do the same things consistently. Northern and Moorhead both have veteran experienced teams,” Makovsky said. “Our team is still a bit on the younger side

Mavericks look to extend win streak

By KARSON BUELOW Staff Writer

The Minnesota State University, Mankato men’s hockey team travels to Ferris State this weekend to take on the Bulldogs in a set of CCHA conference games.

The Mavericks head into this weekend riding a six-game win streak since the beginning of the new year, and sport a 16-91 overall record including going 11-6-1 in the CCHA.

The Mavericks and Bulldogs last met in Mankato on Dec. 2 and 3, where the Bulldogs swept the Mavericks in two close thrillers. The good news is the Mavericks own a 12-7-1 alltime record on the road against the Bulldogs and are currently 4-0 in their last four road games this season.

“As more games have gone on, we’ve been able to learn when bad shifts or bad bounces happen,” said junior defenseman Tony Malinowski. “We’re learning each game and we’re getting better. Going on the road and especially coming off Christmas is huge for us and helps with our confidence.”

The Mavericks, who struggled to piece together a full 60 minutes during the season, have been finding ways to win the past six games with the help of several key players.

Sophomore goaltender Keenan Rancier has been a crucial part of the Mavericks’ recent success.

The native of Victoria, B.C. picked up his first collegiate shutout two weekends ago in

the Mavericks’ 5-0 win over Arizona State. Rancier continued his strong performance last weekend allowing only three goals in his two starts against Lake Superior.

“It starts in practice and it starts in the weight room, and he’s taken big steps on that,” said Malinowski on Rancier’s recent performances. “For him, confidence is key and he’s been lights out for us. Seeing him get better is great to see and I’m just super happy for him.”

Rancier will need to continue his strong play as he faces the

deep lineup of Ferris State. Eight of the Bulldog’s top scorers this season have registered at least 10 pts so far this season.

Leading the Bulldogs in points this season is junior forward Stepan Pokorny, who scored the game-winning goal for the Bulldogs against the Mavericks on Dec. 3.

Between the pipes, sophomore goaltender Noah Giesbrecht has been lights out for the Bulldogs this season. The native of White Rock, B.C. leads the CCHA in save percentage at .927%.

Good news for the Mavericks is they own the CCHA leader in goals and goals per game in junior forward David Silye. Although, for his standards so far this season, Silye has been relatively quiet in the past six games, only tallying four goals during that time span.

This weekend’s series will showcase the CCHA’s best offensive and defensive players as they prepare to battle it out in front of a raucous Ferris State crowd. Puck drop is set for 7:07 p.m. Friday and 6:07 p.m. Saturday.

Mavs hope to upset No. 1 Buckeyes this week

By KOLE BUELOW Staff Writer

Last weekend was a punch to the gut for the Minnesota State women’s hockey team, which was swept by No. 8 Wisconsin. The losses come after a six-game win streak by the Mavs that included sweeps of non-conference opponents Lindenwood and Long Island universities as well as No. 14 St. Cloud State University.

With confidence at an all-time high, the Mavericks traveled to Madison, Wisconsin this past weekend to take on the Badgers.

The Mavs lost both contests, 2-1 and 5-0, but left the weekend knowing they can compete with college hockey’s best.

Senior forward Kelsey King said the team stuck with the Badgers, but eventually fell in a tougher contest the following night.

“Our team definitely worked hard and definitely put our best

foot forward. Sometimes at the end of the day, your best is not good enough,” explained King. “Wisconsin was a good prep to remind us that we are going to play tough teams, but we can stick with them.

“Ohio State is not going to be any easier than Wisconsin was, and we need to continue to carry the mindset that we can outwork our opponent and dwindle them down,” she added. “That is what we are going to do at Ohio State. When we put that all together, that is when we play our best.”

With No. 1 Ohio State coming up this weekend, Minnesota State is going to need a similar effort to earlier in the year if they want a chance at taking down NCAA Division I hockey’s top team .

MSU got a chance at the defending National Champions when the two played in Mankato during the first regular season series of 2022. Ohio State came

out on top in both contests, but the Mavericks lost by just one goal in both contests.

Part of the challenge against Wisconsin wasn’t holding the Badgers off the scoreboard, it was getting pucks into the net.

“(We) can’t play on the perimeter,” she said.“Good teams especially protect the house, protect the middle, and I think that was an issue we ran into, staying on the perimeter instead

DYLAN ENGEL • The Reporter

MSU Men’s Hockey team travels to Ferris State this weekend for their next two-game series.

LILLY ANDERSON • The Reporter MSU Women’s Hockey faces off against Ohio State in a two-game away series Friday, Jan. 27 and Saturday, Jan. 28.

 DUAL IN S.D. from page 9

and trying to figure out where we need them at. Ultimately it is taking what we learned from

 ON THE ROAD from page 9

of getting pucks to the net.

“Against good teams, you do not get back door opportunities and bounces in front of the net often, so we need to take advantage of them,” she said.

The Buckeyes enter this weekend’s series with an eightgame winning streak and one of women’s hockey’s top scorers in senior Jennifer Gardiner. Gardiner, a Canada native, is seventh in points per game in the NCAA at 1.54.

Her linemates do not fall far behind her, as they average more than 1.2 points per game.

King said the Mavericks are aware of the type of game the Buckeyes play, and acknowledge that Ohio State plays

Senior Spotlight: Max Villnow

By ALI REED Sports Editor

Max Villnow is approaching a big transition in his life where he will leave competing in his favorite sport behind after 18 years.

Saint Cloud and executing it better this weekend and be consistent in training.”

fast, physical and high-scoring hockey. To stop it, King said the team’s goal is to come out hot.

“We need to demand the pace of play before they get to, and we need to outwork them,” King said. “Good teams can frustrate you, and generally, that tends to help. If we do as we say, the first team to three goals will most likely win the hockey game, we can catch them on their heels. That will give us a legitimate chance this weekend.”

The Mavericks will travel for both matchups, each being played this weekend Jan. 27 and Jan. 28 at 6 p.m. and 3 p.m. at the OSU Ice Rink in Columbus, Ohio.

Villnow grew up in Amherst, Wisconsin and started wrestling after his parents signed him up in kindergarten. He attended school at Amherst High School, where he was a three-time state qualifier for their wrestling team. He placed twice at State, including his second place finish in 2018. During his senior season, he had a record of 44-2 and had a total high school career record of 162-28. Villnow chose to wrestle for Minnesota State because of the atmosphere that Head Coach, Jim Makovsky, has created over the years. MSU also seemed to be the perfect fit for Villnow academically.

“I was attracted to MSU because of the great culture that Coach Makovsky has built for this wrestling team,” said Villnow. “Additionally, Mankato was a great fit for me academically and location wise.”

Making the jump from high school to collegiate wrestling was an eye-opener for Villnow.

“Collegiate wrestling is a whole different world. Everyone on a college roster is good, so there really are no easy matches in college like there are in high school,” said Villnow.

Villnow has seen a great deal of action, placing in several college opens. In 2018, he earned a spot in the NCAA Division II Super Regionals.

This season, Villnow has a

lot of confidence in himself, as well as the team. He has moved to a different weight class this year, going from heavyweight, to now wrestling at 197.

Villnow hopes to bring his talents in this new weight class all the way to nationals.

“I’m feeling great about this season. We have a young, talented team that I think will surprise a lot of people,” said Villnow. “My personal goal is to qualify for the national tournament.”

Wrestling has made a huge impact on Villnow and has shaped him into the person he is today. Being a part of the Mavericks has taught him many things.

“Being a part of this team and this sport has taught me so much. It has taught me how to deal with adversity, how to hold myself accountable and

how to persevere when things get tough,” said Villnow. “That isn’t just for wrestling. It applies to all areas of my life.”

Outside of wrestling, Villnow is majoring in Mechanical Engineering. He will take this degree to work at the Waupaca Foundry in Waupaca, Wisconsin. Villnow also enjoys spending his time doing many outdoor activities. He loves hunting, fishing, hiking, waterskiing, wakeboarding and snowboarding.

As this is his final season of his wrestling career, Villnow is looking to make the most of it.

“As a senior, I try as hard as I can to not take anything for granted,” said Villnow. “Looking back, my career has gone by so fast. I’m very thankful for all of my opportunities, and as a senior, I truly value them more than I ever have.”

File Photo

Max Villnow (above), is completing his fifth year at MSU with engineering.

DYLAN ENGEL • The Reporter

The MSU Wrestling team travels to Northern State Friday, Jan. 27 looking to return to the win column.

VA RI ET Y

RSO Fair promotes clubs on campus

By LAUREN VISKA Staff Writer

Joining a Recognized Student Organization is an excellent way for students to be involved in the community on campus. Therefore, the Centennial Student Union held a two-day event for students to learn more about these clubs and find one that is right for them. This event took place Jan. 23 and Jan. 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

One of the clubs that had a booth was the Geology Club. The Secretary for the club, Kayla Szafraniec, is in charge of taking meeting notes.

“I take meeting notes and make sure that I’m gathering information and then distributing that information to all the people who are interested or need to get this information. So I just manage and update the shared folder,” said Szafraniec. “I pretty much just send a lot of emails to the members.”

The Geology Club is for all students.

“People should join the geology club if they’re interested in geology or rocks. I also think that everybody that is a geology major should be in the geology club because we have a lot of career resources that get emailed out in our chain emails, or we have meetings about it,” said

Szafraniec. “You’re building a community with other people who enjoy the same stuff.”

They have meetings every other Tuesday at 4 p.m. in Ford Hall, room 132. Their next meeting will be Jan. 31.

“So we had a private collection donated to our department, so we have lots of stuff for students to look at and explore.

So at our next meeting, people will get a tour of the geology department, rock and mineral collection,” said Szafraniec.

“Our next one is job and career opportunities, and then our last three are more fun building that community. We have Jeopardy rock climbing and a potluck.”

There is no requirement to be a part of this club.

“We are a new group, and we want to build that community, so right now, we’re just trying to get people to show up and build our numbers,” said Szafraniec. “If you are interested in it and attend meetings, you’re a member. You don’t need anything else is required outside of that. It is also a very minimal time commitment.”

Szafraniec enjoys being in this club and thinks students with some interest should join.

“The best part about being in the geology club is being able to talk about what you’re passionate about to an audience

that also shares a similar interest and, you know, can relate and understand it on a deeper level,” said Szafraniec. “You get opportunities to do things outside the geology club with people with similar interests. We have things we’re planning on, like going

off-track hunting or fossil hunting together, you know, outside our clubs.”

For more information about joining, visit the MSU website and look up Geology Club.

Some other RSOs that students could join at the event

were the Archeology Club, the Maverick Machine and many more.

Students can visit the MSU website and look up RSOs for more information on the different clubs on campus.

Tarot reading spells out students’ foretold feelings

By JOEY ERICKSON Variety Editor

Souls were searched and findings were foretold yesterday during an online tarot card reading, held on Zoom by the Student Events Team partnered with Michael Foster, longtime tarot card reader.

Foster has been a self-taught tarot reader since 1986, according to his website. Originally, his interest in cartomancy was a secret kept behind closed doors, but when a pack of cards fell into his lap, literally, he knew it was written in the stars to start tarot reading officially.

“[I] kept my interest in The Cards a secret from everyone, lest they think I am ‘weird.’ Then, when helping my grandma pack for a move, she gave me an old Tarot deck in a marble box, and said I was “supposed to have it,” Foster said.

Spearheading the event alongside Foster is Jaycey Horton, the Vice President of the Student Events Team. She works mainly with online student events, opting to include students who can’t make it to campus events in-person.

“I’m reaching out to the

community that’s not able to come to campus. It was a really prominent role when Covid was really big. We could reach out to our international students who aren’t able to come and people that just weren’t able to be on campus, to just be still a part of campus life,” Horton said.

For those not in the know, the Tarot is a pack of cards with pictures on them that are used to gain insight on what has happened in the past, what’s happening in the present, or what will happen in the future.

The cards don’t give concrete answers, but more so ideas for the tarot card user to think about and apply to their own life.

“Tarot cards can be a lot of things, based on what you ask. They can be a reading of your past, present, and future, and what’s happening in your life. It could be if you really want a love reading, you could do that,” Horton said.

This is the second time that Minnesota State has offered students a complimentary tarot reading, and Horton hopes that the event this year proves to be as popular as its predecessor.

“We did tarot card readings

one other time during Covid and it was wildly popular, and so I wanted to bring it back and see if there was a demand for it. It went pretty well, so I was like, ‘why don’t we try it again?’” Horton said.

A common misconception regarding tarot card reading is that its roots are innately evil,

and linked to the dark occult. The supposed severity of the activity can drive potential consumers away, but according to Horton, the cards are nothing more than a simple activity and nothing to ponder too deeply about.

“It’s not there to stress you out, it’s just to have fun and be

light hearted,” Horton said.

“Sometimes doing tarot card readings can get your mind off things. I know spring semester, a lot of professors hit you really hard with the homework. I had so much homework that first week. It’s just a really nice fun thing to lay back, you don’t really have to do much.”

LILLY ANDERSON • The Reporter

The Recognized Student Organization, or RSO, held a two-day event showcasing many of the different clubs and communities students could potentially join. The geology club is a sure bet to rock your world.

LILLY SCHMIDT • The Reporter

Minnesota State is not a stranger to the act of tarot card readings; last year the same event occurred. Michael Foster spearheaded all the activities, with great success.