April 17, 2018

The

Minnesota State University Mankato

www.msureporter.com

Discovering my muse at The Armory 45 years worth the wait as Shango delivers the juice

MANSOOR AHMAD Staff Photographer The 3,521-strong crowd was buzzing before cameras had even turned on for the televised event. Outside, Mother Nature was prepping us for 12 inches of snow to bless Downtown Minneapolis.

But inside the refurbished Armory, things were heating up for the first boxing bouts in 45 years at the establishment.

A drunk guy behind me asks, “Where the rings girls at?” I’m amused at first, but my mind goes back right into the sight in front of me: a boxing ring lit like it’s straight out of a 50s boxing flick. Boxer Caleb Traux sat beside me, bobbing his head to Drake’s “God’s Plan” on the PA system. Traux, a Minnesota native, lost his IBF super middleweight title the previous weekend after a long fight against James DeGale.

But this was more than a coincidence. It, indeed, was God’s plan for me to be taking photos on that historic night. While playing basketball religiously during high school, I fell in love with success stories of athletes.

Mansoor Ahmad | MSU Reporter

Jamal “Shango” James (right) delivers a cross to Abel Ramos at a match on April 13, 2018.

And a big part of those were photographs.

Kobe Bryant’s “Muse” spoke to me more than any other media I have ever come across. Bryant says, “There is power in understanding the journey of others to help create your own.” And as a former athlete who fell in love with telling stories, there’s nothing else I’d rather be doing than documenting

greatness on a regular basis.

Stories are what make us who we are; they’re the backbone of a character.

Journey to the ring Just like an athlete, the photographer’s day begins early. The plan was to leave for the cities at 2:15 p.m. in a rental car, keeping in mind the 90-minute commute to the Mall of America in Bloomington. After parking

the car directly over the MOA Light Rail Transit Station, I would take the Blue Line to the Government Plaza Transit Station, which is a block and half away from The Armory, arriving no later than 4:30 p.m. Doors were to open at 5:30 p.m.

Despite leaving early, I got stuck in a traffic jam on 494 East towards Bloomington.

After 30 minutes of bumper-

to-bumper driving, I made it to the south parking ramp at the mall. It was drizzling, but I finally made it onto the Blue Line, and headed towards Downtown Minneapolis.

During the 40-minute journey I prepped my gear and wiped the lenses with a cleaning cloth, all while talking to my mom on the phone. It was midnight where she was in Saudi Arabia, but she was happy to know of the new pair of black shoes and jeans I was wearing. While the shoes suffered minor creasing after the long day, the jeans weren’t so lucky.

Given this was my first time going to the cities without using GPS, and the fact that 494 East wasn’t so welcoming, I had considered changing my route and heading directly downtown instead.

But then the college student inside me realized I couldn’t really afford $20 an hour for parking expenses. Getting to the Armory and back would only cost $4 on the Light Rail, but an additional 40 minutes each way. It was clearly better

ARMORY PAGE 3

Men’s golf wins 2018 NSIC, 4th consecutive championship

AARON YOUNG Staff Writer Minnesota State continues to be at the top of its conference once again, as the team won the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Golf Championship this past weekend in Smithville, Mo. Outlasting nine other teams, the Mavericks received a plaque for the fourth straight

TODAY’S FEATURED STORIES

season and have been victors of the conference eight of the past ten seasons.

After being in the driver’s seat going into the final day of the tournament, the team continued their success, clinching the NSIC title over its inter-conference rivals.

The Mavericks had a threestroke lead over Augustana and prevailed in the end with a 54-hole score of 907. Winona State was the runner-up with 910 and St. Cloud State third 915. Both Concordia St. Paul and Bemidji St. tied for fifth at 918.

Junior J.J Svac finished the competition in fifth place and

earned All-NSIC honors. The top Maverick performer shot a total of 223, with rounds of 80m, 69 and 74.

Senior Kelton Schmitz was the other top-10 finisher for the Mavericks. The senior shot rounds of 78, 75 and 73, for a total of 226. Bryce Thompson shot well enough to stay in the top 15. The sophomore drove up rounds of 78, 73, and 77, finishing only two behind Schmidt.

Other Mavericks worth mentioning are junior Matt Bennett and sophomore Ethan Kraus. Bennett had rounds of 78, 75, and 77.

Kraus capped off the lineup

Photo courtesy of MNSU Athletics

with rounds of 81, 77, and 81.

This victory gives the golf team a guaranteed a spot in the NCAA Division

II Central/Midwest Regional Tournament. on May 7 and May 9 in Findlay, Ohio at the Findlay Country Club.

Grades shouldn’t represent intelligence

Maverick spotlight: Valerie Bresnahan

Melancholy play to close theater season

Have a story idea or a comment?

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alissa.thielges@mnsu.edu

EMAIL

News Editor Alissa Thielges

2 • MSU Reporter

News

Tuesday, April 17, 2018

Students conquer obstacle course in Kato Ninja Warrior

Photos courtesy of Student Events Team Facebook page

around the obstructions within the inflatable. Once through this, the straightline obstacle was set up, the first of which required each contestant to run across two slanted surfaces pointing

ring of the ladder they were mounted, it would drop down to align them with the hanging crocket balls. These were attached to rods that allowed the contestants to swing from one to the next.

BILL HAMM Staff Writer Friday the 13th, 10 a.m. and the mats were being rolled out on the floor, as hundreds of pieces of hardware were being hauled into the Bresnan Arena for the huge Ninja Warrior event. It started out slow and gradually picked up pace as the lighting framework, speakers, sound system, the stage, and finally the obstacle course were gradually erected and assembled.

As nearly twenty bodies from the Student Events Team worked with the event sponsors, things were arranged to the satisfaction of all. With time to spare, concessions were set up and parameters were installed.

The first two obstacles were inflatables, starting with the ball crawl; the next one was an obstaclecourse that required running

“There were several points along the course for those who could not make it all the way through non-stop, to restart, deducting from their score, of course.”

inward followed by two more slanting from the opposite side, then landing on a mini trampoline surface to access the hanging surf-board.

When contestant s, hanging from their hands, had scooted down the surf-board, they had to navigate the log.

Some chose to go over while others chose to go under by grabbing it. Beyond that were a series of gymnastic rings. As contestants moved from the first to the second

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This led into the wooden rods about 10 inches long that dropped into notches.

The two rods were in the first two notches, but the contestants had to use them to progress them through a series of four notches. Once they had accomplished this, they moved to the bar. The bar required them to pull themselves up briskly in a pull-up fashion and hop the bar up approximately four inches on both sides at the same time. Lastly, if they had enough breath and arm strength left, they were required to make a short brisk run at the wall to reach the top rim and pull themselves up.

There were several points along the course for those who could not make it all the way through non-stop, to restart, deducting from their score, of course. One of the

set-up crew, a tall individual, could consistently fly through the course, making it look so simple. The contestants were not so use to the rigors of the of the course.

Local talent amounted to 15 brave souls willing to look foolish in public, and surprisingly the majority finished most of the obstacles, although not with ease. After the last contestant had gone through, the contestants all received awards from 1st to 15th place with fanfare and many pictures.

Once the awards were given out, the crowd was given a chance to use the equipment as well, leading to another hour of even more fun times watching children of all ages try to negotiate the obstacles.

Student Government 2018 Inauguration Ceremonies You are cordially invited to the 2018 Inauguration of: President Elect MeMe Cronin Vice President Elect Katelynn Ogunfolami and the 86th Student Senate

Wednesday, April 18th, 5:00 p.m.

Hearth Lounge Honored guests include the recipients of the: Dr. Duane Orr Teacher of the Year Award Vic Swenson Student Friendly Award Administrator of the Year Award

Tuesday, April 17, 2018

News

Letter to the Editor

ARMORY

Continued from page 1

Jeremy Loger

Mansoor Ahmad | MSU Reporter

Edner “Cherry Bomb” Cherry celebrates after the match results against Dennis “The Surgeon” Galarza are announced. than paying the hefty parking costs.

The perfect script I got off the Blue Line and made my way to a door on the back of the venue while enduring light rain showers.

The kind-looking lady sitting at the check-in desk glanced at my Saudi ID, and after going through the lists she had multiple times, told me my name wasn’t on the list.

This was bad news.

Surprisingly though, she began writing my name on the back of the sheet of paper she had, and said “You can go ahead, and go in,” with a gentle smile on her face.

I was in. Now, I had to get the media credentials which

MSU Reporter • 3

would enable me to get a place ringside, AKA the best seat in the house.

After talking to my contact at the event, and finally securing the credential, I sighed a breath of relief. The only thing left now was to secure a spot for myself. And despite my best efforts to get to the venue early, all the spots were already taken by other photographers, indicating a big media turnout for the event. The only empty spot were the stairs leading up to the ring itself. They were rough, wooden steps. From the moment I sat down for the first bout of the night, my new jeans didn’t take a liking to them.

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And being on the stairs meant getting up and moving away so the boxers could enter and leave the ring after every match. Or the camera

ARMORY PAGE 5

My fellow Mavericks, Over the past several days, there have been a plethora of emotions that have passed me by. Feelings of anger, sadness, and the constant wonder: why? As time went on, so did the way I would process my thoughts and, ultimately, it all came down to the reason why I made the choice to run in the first place.

It has been said that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. These flyers serve as a reminder of just how fragile we as a society are and how one’s inside joke has the potential to unknowingly ensue casualties.

I want each and every person, not only on this campus, but everywhere, to know that I accept full responsibility for my actions.

These recent events have given me the opportunity to take a step back, ask questions, and hear the concerns being voiced.

The election is now over

and we all know I didn’t make the cut. But leadership is not a position or a title; it is action and example. President-elect Meme Cronin, and VicePresident-elect Katelynn Ogunfolami are paramount to that assertion. I can say without a doubt that these two ladies are more than qualified for these positions and will, to the best of their abilities, fight for each and every one of you.

To everyone that came out to vote, thank you. To those who came in support of me, I humbly ask you to shift your support, as I have already done so.

A quote from former First Lady Michelle Obama reads, “Success isn’t about how much money you make, it’s about the difference you make in peoples’ lives.”

Without a doubt, these two are on that mission to make a difference—a difference for you. It is my honor and privilege, to congratulate Meme Cronin and Katelynn Ogunfolami as your newly elected President and VicePresident of MNSU student government.

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4 • MSU Reporter

Tuesday, April 17, 2018 EMAIL THE EDITOR IN CHIEF:

Grades shouldn’t represent student intelligence Traditional grading discourages students from expanding educational horizons

Opinion

GABE HEWITT

gabriel.hewitt@mnsu.edu OR AT reporter-editor@mnsu.edu

SPRING FALL 2015 2018 EDITOR IN IN CHIEF: CHIEF: EDITOR Gabe Hewitt ........................389-5454 Rae Frame ............................389-5454

MADISON DIEMERT Staff Writer The longer I’ve been in school, the more I’ve noticed that it doesn’t really matter what you’re learning or even what classes you’re taking.

The only thing parents, professors and schools seem to care about is what your grades look like.

As students, I think we all know that school can be a lot harder than it seems. There are a lot of things that can lower our grades that have nothing to do with how hard we’re trying. Sickness, a bad test or quiz here and there, personal issues, etc. Lots of these things are out of our control and can greatly affect our grades.

Because of this, I don’t think our grades can be an accurate representation of who we are as students and how smart we are. Focusing solely on grades does not show how much that student learned in class or how much that student grew in the process. It seems as though when someone looks at a C, people assume, “Oh, you didn’t try hard enough.”

But when they look at an

(CC BY 2.0) by smoorenburg

A, they don’t stop to think that maybe was just an easy course.

I took a Sociology class that did not have any assignments or tests. The only thing we were graded on were quizzes that we took at home. The quizzes were open-note

when my parents looked at the A on my transcript they congratulated me without even asking me if I learned anything.

The truth is, I didn’t really learn anything from that class; I hardly even showed up. This is an example of

“Focusing solely on grades does not show how much that student learned in class or how much that student grew in the process.” and open-book. As you can probably guess, I got almost 100 percent on everything and earned an A. Attendance wasn’t even required. Yet,

Pulse

how grades do not define us as students. If I had told my parents the truth about the class, they would probably be disappointed. But they

took that A and didn’t even question it.

As a society, I think we need to stop taking grades as a sign of someone’s intelligence. I don’t think we should totally veto grades, but we definitely need to take a more in-depth look at why these students got a B rather than an A, or a C rather than a B. I can tell you, it’s a lot more than just intelligence that affects grades.

Schools and teachers should be asking their students what they learned from the class and how it helped them as a student.

And the answers to these questions should be taken into account. We should not be solely relying on grades to determine how well a

GRADES PAGE 6

“What is a class you wish you would’ve taken, but didn’t?”

NEWS EDITOR: EDITOR: NEWS Alissa Thielges .....................389-5450 Nicole Schmidt......................389-5450 SPORTS EDITOR: SPORTS EDITOR: Kevin Korbel .......................................

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• If you have a complaint, suggestion or would or would likelike to point to point outout an an error error made made in the in the Reporter, Reporter, callcall Editor Editor in Chief in Chief Gabe Rae Hewitt Frame at at 507-389-5454.

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Compiled by Cassidy Dahl

SHRISTI SILWAL, COMPUTER ENGINEERING

CLAIRE SHAPE, PSYCHOLOGY

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ABDULLAH HAKAMI, AVIATION MANAGEMENT

“Yoga class.”

“Sociology of Animals.”

“Badminton.”

“Badminton.”

“Astronomy.”

Tuesday, April 17, 2018

News

MSU Reporter • 5

ARMORY

Continued from page 3 crew. Or any of the promoters.

“Off the stairs, buddy!” shouted a promoter dressed in a sharp, light brown suit.

Which reminds me: don’t mess with the promoters.

And before I knew it, the bouts had begun. The nontelevised matches did a great job getting the crowd into it, as several Minnesotan boxers like Uriel Lara, Giezwa Hobbs and Celso Ramirez were featured in the bouts.

But the first highlight of the night came when the short, stocky 18-year old Joey Spencer (2-0, 2 KO’s) made his way to the ring for his professional debut, against an older opponent in Ousmane Sylla. (1-3-1, 1 KO) After dodging Sylla, Spencer took his time to study his opponent. The crowd erupted in cheers after Spencer delivered a powerful jab to the face, knocking down Sylla. All this happened so quickly that I missed it, since I was still trying to get back on the stairs after the cameraman’s assistant was coming off the ring.

Sylla got up, visibly shaken from the strike. After the referee cleared them to fight,

Spencer charged for Sylla landing a hook and sending him down to all fours. The crowd went electric and it looked like the fight was over. But Sylla got up a second time, trying to stay in the fight. Within seconds, Spencer’s left hand landed on Sylla’s face, and it was all over.

The 18-year old just won his professional debut in under a minute with a knockout. It couldn’t have been scripted better.

Soon Edner “Cherry Bomb” Cherry (37-7-2, 19 KO’s) took the ring and bested Dennis “The Surgeon” Galarza (16-3, 9 KO’s) in the co-featured bout of the night.

A high volume of strikes and punches were exchanged between the two. But Cherry emerged victorious, throwing his hands up in the air in a state of joyous relief, while clearly emotional as soon as the results were announced.

Bloody sweat in the air The main event featured Minneapolis native Jamal “Shango” James (23-1, 10 KO’s), ranked No. 4 in the world at his weight class, against Phoenix’s Abel Ramos. (18-3-2, 13 KO’s)

Despite being a 10-round bout, it felt like it took forever. Like the previous few fights, this one started strong as well, with a number of punches exchanged between the two boxers. But there was something different about the main event bout.

It took me a couple of seconds to take it all in, but I was quickly brought back to the venue after feeling a mixture of sweat, water and blood spray in the air over me, landing directly in front of me and bracing the side of my face. This was what I had always seen in iconic, legendary boxing photographs: the victorious boxer delivering the winning blow, with a shower of sweat and blood emerging from the other boxer’s face. In a moment of photographer’s intuition, I anticipated a strong cross from James, and so I pressed the shutter. The third frame was when the cross landed on Ramos’ face, setting up James for a victory.

Emotional, but weary, James didn’t celebrate much after winning the headline bout with a major decision victory, moving one step

Mansoor Ahmad | MSU Reporter

Brooklyn’s Chris Colbert celebrates after winning his bout against Austin Dulay. closer to any boxer’s dream: getting a shot at the title match.

Despite this being my first boxing event ever, it was definitely one of the most surreal experiences in my short career at the Reporter so far. And for that, I will

forever be indebted to them.

Utilizing this platform has enabled me to realize my passion, and helped me chasing my ultimate goal: to become a storyteller. I’m excited for my future ventures with the Reporter, telling stories, one frame at a time.

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6 • MSU Reporter

News

Tuesday, April 17, 2018

Feature Photo: Student Leadership Awards

CSU Director Mark Constantine opens the ceremony for the 14th annual Student Leadership Awards.

GRADES Continued from page 4 student is doing, because by doing that, the student is not going to be doing well.

There is also the fact that in many universities, general education classes are also graded. Because of this, many students are going to end up like me, and take an easy-A-class where they don’t learn anything. The reality is, many students do want to take interesting courses that will be hard for them.

I would rather take a class

on German than another boring English class. But because I know the English class will be easy for me, I’m going to want to take an easier class rather than risk my GPA and get a C in German.

This mindset causes many students to hold back on what they want to know and instead choose what they already know. The point is, general education classes should not be graded by letter, but instead pass/fail.

This will help so many more students find new interests, learn what they want and challenge themselves with knew topics.

I think if we really stop taking grades so literally and actually dig deeper, students could benefit a lot more. We need to start assessing if they really did try and just ended up with a C because the class was hard, or if they chose the easy way to an A.

2017-2018 Leadership Awards and Recipients: Big Ideas Real World Thinking: Sarah Aldrich and Ashley Strom; Commitment to Cultural Responsiveness: Sophia Hoiseth; Maverick Spirit: Oghomwen Amadasun and Rasheed Al Arami; Outstanding Campus Volunteer: Briana Sieve; Outstanding Collegian: Ana Leyva and Jeanne Kelley; Outstanding Recognized Student Organization: Circle K and Student Ambassa-

Photo courtesy of Leonard Koupal

dors; Outstanding Recognized Student Organization Advisor: Anne Dahlman; Recognized Student Organization Exemplary Service: Honors Student Body; Rising Star: Katie Leibel; Scott Hagebak Centennial Student Union Hall of Fame: Alex Ardnt and David Cowan; Community Engagement Office Scholarships: Briana Sieve, Elizabeth Guss, Gillian Anye, Joshua Lazarus, Melanie Bengtson, Mikayla Swanson, and Rebecca Carpenter

Tuesday, April 17, 2018

News

MSU Reporter • 7

Game night with Relay for Life Intense board game mania brings students together to fight against cancer

KARLY KAUFMAN Staff Writer Colleges Against Cancer held their annual event, Relay for Life, on Friday, April 13.

Relay for Life is a twelvehour event that raises money for the American Cancer Society (ACS). It started with one man in 1985 walking 24 hours around a track to raise money for cancer research.

He ultimately raised over $27,000 and since then, Relay for Life has taken place annually and is recognized by twenty countries across the world.

Colleges Against Cancer is a recognized student organization that partners with the American Cancer Society to help raise funds and awareness for cancer. President Mikayla McDonough took initiative of the club due to her personal experience with cancer.

“In 2015, I was diagnosed with Squamous Cell Carcinoma,” said McDonough.

“Due to my cancer not being very invasive, I was very fortunate with what I had to go through.

It put into perspective that other people aren’t as fortunate as I was.”

Once she came to MNSU, McDonough was searching for something to help make a difference.

“Colleges Against Cancer game me that opportunity to

Photo courtesy of Mikayla McDonough

give back. It’s really amazing and inspiring that the funds the American Cancer Association raises at MNSU’s Relay for Life helps those right here in our local community,” said McDonough.

This year’s theme was game night, where each team was asked to represent the various board games we’ve come to know and love.

MSSA, NRHH, the women’s soccer team, and Circle K were among many teams to participate. With games such as giant Twister, Musical Chairs, and Hungry Hungry

Hippo students were able to have fun while simultaneously fighting against cancer. The Blazin’ Wing Challenge, newspaper dress-up, and volleyball were among the returning activities that participants loved.

“I would love to see more people come to Relay for Life: students and faculty alike,” said McDonough.

Relay for Life is an annual event that is always looking for more people to help fight back against cancer.

“Ever yone k nows someone that has cancer,”

McDonough stated, “I want Colleges Against Cancer to be a place that someone can go to for a sense of community.”

Other involvement that Colleges Against Cancer has in the community is putting on Cancer Awareness Games at sporting events and Miracle Minute, where they try to see how much money they can raise in sixty seconds.

“It’s an initiative we do that brings awareness to someone being diagnosed every minute in the United

States,” said McDonough.

They have also gone to Rochester to meet with patients, hear their stories, and hang out with them to see where their funds have gone and how they have impacted them.

For students looking to get involved in RSO’s on campus or events in the future, check out Colleges Against Cancer and Relay for Life. Contact Mikayla McDonough for more information.

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8 • MSU Reporter

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Tuesday, April 17, 2018

Tuesday, April 17, 2018

MSU Reporter • 9 Have a story idea or a comment?

Minnesota State University, Mankato

EMAIL

Sports Editor Kevin Korbel

kevin.korbel@mnsu.edu

MSU baseball wins 14 straight

Despite weather, Mavericks continue to stay hot on the diamond with another set of series sweeps

KEVIN KORBEL Sports Editor The Minnesota State Mavericks baseball club has been on a tear as of late, sweeping their weekend series with Sioux Falls and Bemidji State this past weekend.

In a season in which has led to people having to expect the unexpected, the baseball club has been playing hot, winning their 14th game in a row, and improving their record to 24-7 on the season.

On Thursday, the Mavericks traveled to Sioux Falls, SD for a matchup against the Cougars. This was the first time either team faced-off against each other this season.

The Mavericks got the victory in the first game, after defeating the Cougars, 3-1, in the first game of the series.

After leading 2-0 in the bottom of the 4th inning, the Mavericks let up a run in the inning, to have their lead cut in half.

After the Cougars scored

MSU Reporter Archive

their lone run of the game in the fourth inning, the Mavericks capped off the scoring with a single run in the fifth to make the final score 3-1.

Sophomore outfielder Teddy Petersen hit a sacrifice fly to center field and Buck scored on the play.

In game two of the series, it was a total team effort the Mavericks, shutting out the Cougars, 6-0.

While the offense performed well on the day,

the story for the Mavericks was the pitching of senior left-handed pitcher Aaron Rozek. Rozek, who didn’t allow a hit until there was one out in the fourth inning, held the Cougars to two singles over eight scoreless innings.

He struck out seven, walking four and lowering his season ERA from 1.58 to 1.31.

The Maverick offense scored single runs in each of the first three innings, two in the eighth and one in the

ninth to run away with another victory for, at the time, their 12th win in a row.

After taking two games in Sioux Falls, SD, the team hoped to play their first home game of the season against Bemidji State last Saturday; but unfortunately, due to poor weather conditions, the game was moved to Crookston, MN yesterday.

In the first game of a doubleheader for the club, the Mavericks defeated the Bea-

vers 5-1 on the day.

The story of the game was again the play of the starting pitching core. Senior right-handed pitcher Quinn Ahern pitched six innings, giving up no earned runs, with five strike outs on the day for Ahern.

When the Mavericks needed offense the most, they re-

BASEBALL PAGE 11

Softball splits weekend series JAKE RINEHART Staff Writer On Thursday the Mavericks travelled to Winona for a matchup against the No. 10 Warriors. This was the second time the Mavericks and Warriors faced off this season.

The Warriors got the victory in game one by a score of 6-5.

It was a back and fourth game that was pushed to nine innings.

In the bottom of the ninth, WSU batter Allison Nowak

was walked with the bases loaded to allow Katelyn Kolb to score the game-winning run.

The Mavericks lost the second game of the double header against Winona State by a score of 8-0.

Minnesota State travelled to the West St. Paul dome in St. Paul Friday for a doubleheader against the Bemidji State Beavers.

The first game of the twogame series was won handedly by the Mavericks by a score of 8-0.

The Mavericks scored at least one run in every inning against the Beavers.

Freshman infielder Hannah McCarville led the Mavericks at the plate, going 2-3 with two RBIs and a run scored.

Freshman hard-thrower Mackenzie Ward pitched very aggressively in this game, as she struck out five Beavers on only one hit. Ward’s record moved to 11-6 on the season after the victory.

Senior centerfielder Jess Meidl stole a base in this game, tying her with former Maverick great, Tatum Kien, for the most stolen bases in Maverick history at 104.

The second contest of the doubleheader was more of the same for the Mavericks, as they earned the 5-0 victory.

Meidl grounded out to the shortstop in the third inning, but that would be enough to score McKenzie Paap.

The designated-hitter for the Mavericks, Hailey For-

Hannah McCarville

Jess Meidl

shee, showed her power in this game, as she hit a two RBI home run in the fourth inning. The freshman from Lakeville, Minnesota, now has three home runs this season.

In the seventh inning, Meidl would knock home Paap again with a triple.

Meidl has now hit two triples on the season.

Meidl finished the game going 2-4 with two RBI and a run scored.

Meidl also stole a base in this game, which moved her to No. 1 in stolen bases in Maverick history. In her four-

SOFTBALL PAGE 10

10 • MSU Reporter

Sports

Tuesday, April 17, 2018

Outdoor track & field races this weekend indoors

COLTON MOLESKY Staff Writer Over the course of a week, the track team has been plenty busy with the Minnesota State Mavericks outdoor track and field season in full swing.

The Mavericks were forced to adjust quickly in April as their meet in Missouri between the MIAA and NCIS conferences was canceled due to weather on April 4.

On April 11, the Mavericks played host for the Winter Invitational, following another cancellation, this one the Lee Krough Invitational.

Nevertheless, the Mavericks trucked on and hosted the Winter Invitational, as four athletes finished first in various events.

Junior sprinter, Henry Ivy, was first in the 100m dash after an 11:05 second time, while freshman Josh Phelps grabbed first in the 400m hurdles after bounding for a 57.20 second time. For discus, MSU’s Jayme LaPlante took first with a 48.42 meter toss, while freshman Griffin Ahrendt rounded out the first place accolades by leaping to a 12.43 meter triple jump. In the 1500m, freshman Jacob Wahlers nabbed a 4:05.06 endurance run.

The Mavericks had plenty of athletes put on a show in the afternoon for the Mav-

Henry Ivy

Josh Phelps

Jeremiah Ayodele | MSU Reporter

ericks. Sophomore sprinter, Isaiah Rabata, took second in the 800m run with a 1:59.46 effort. In the pole vault, freshman Mark McPherson took third after a 4.12m bound.

The Mavericks took the performance and used it as a springboard into Iowa City, Iowa. At the Musco Twilight, in Iowa City, the 4x100m relay team (Vance Barnes, Reid Diamond, Tanner Ogren, and Paul Selman) made waves with a first place spurt to

take first. Their 40.50 second effort made for the second-best time this season in Division II. On April 12, the Mavericks sent five participants to the UW-Platteville Invite to represent MSU. In the distance event, sophomore Austin Yardley and junior Caleb Burke finished 31st and 34th in the men’s event. Yardley went for a 15:05.38 mark, while Burke hit 15:08.32 time. For the

women’s event, senior Erin Baker took 17th, junior Lily Paul snagged 34th and sophomore Carisa Weyenburg grabbed 39th. Baker posted a 17:46.17 time and Paul tallied an 18:12.90. Weyenberg rounded out the Mavericks day with an 18:16.15 showing.

Up ahead for MSU, Concordia-St.Paul will host an invitational in St. Paul be-

Jayme LaPlante

fore heading out to the West Coast. On the West Coast circuit, MSU will go run at MT. Sac Relay, before jumping down to the Bryan Clay Invitational. The trip will conclude with the Long Beach Invitational, after which the Mavericks come back to the Midwest.

SOFTBALL Continued from page 9

Photo courtesy of photos.paap.net

year career with the Mavericks, she has stolen 105 total bases, including 16 this season.

Meidl has averaged 29 stolen bases in her first three years with the Mavericks. If she matches that number, she will end her

MSU career with 118 career stolen bases, a number that would stand in history for quite some time.

The Mavericks will play their first home game today at noon against the Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs, and then following

that up with another game later on again in a double-header, weather permitting. The Mavs hope to start a winning streak now that they have the advantage of playing at home for the first time all season.

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Sports

MSU Reporter • 11

Maverick Spotlight: Valerie Bresnahan Sports editor Kevin Korbel sits down with tennis player Valerie Bresnahan to discuss her route to college tennis

KEVIN KORBEL Sports Editor The women’s tennis team this year has been a team of resilience this season. After struggling with the start the 2017-18 season, the Mavericks have gone on to win two of their last three matches on the season, improving their record to 5-12 on the season, and 4-6 in conference play; just in time for the NSIC tournament this weekend in Minnetonka, MN. One of the key reasons the team has improved this season has been the play of junior tennis player, Valerie Bresnahan. Bresnahan, who mainly plays doubles on the team, originally had a tough time getting on the team when she graduated from high school.

As a resident, out of St. Peter, MN, she attended and graduated from St. Peter High School back in 2015.

Once she graduated, she had dreams of playing for a tennis team while she attended college. While it wasn’t an easy path for Valerie at first, she decided to ultimately gamble on herself, deciding to attend MSU back in 2015 in hopes of walking-on for the tennis team.

From the moment she set foot on campus, she knew deep-down that she made the right decision. A former two-year captain and multisport athlete in high school, has now improved her game enough to become not only one of the team’s key doubles players on the team, but also one of the influential leaders on the team.

MSU Reporter Archive

I asked Bresnahan about her time attending MSU, and about her decision to play for this team where she stated, “MSU has really become like a second home for me. I really enjoy the sport and I knew deep down when I got to campus that this was the best place to continue to play the

Valerie Bresnahan

sport I know and love”.

From smacking serves over the back of the net, to being able to pinpoint her shots on every serve, Bresnahan enjoys how much of a mental sport the game can be. She enjoys how it can be an individual sport, and how she can pick her shots around

the court to confuse her opponents, while also having a huge impact on the game at the same time.

As she continues to improve her game through practice and strength training, she hopes to leave in an impact on this sport, even after she graduates from college, “One of the reasons I love this sport is that it’s a lifetime sport. Whenever we play at the bubble in St. Peter, I always see older, retired people playing the sport, and I hope to continue to be in that type of playing shape as I get older”.

I asked Valerie about here goals for the rest of the season, and onward after she graduates, in which she responded, “My goals are always to continue to improve on my game, and to be more aggressive while playing the sport, because sometimes I feel like I can be too polite while playing”.

After she graduates, she hopes to continue to be a part of the sport in some shape or form, whether it’s coaching the sport or to con-

BASEBALL Continued from page 9 ceived offense from all parts of the order, from centerfielder Josh Wenzel hitting a solo homerun in the third inning, to first baseman Ty Buck hitting a two run swing up the middle to increase the lead at that point to 4-1 over the Beavers.

Pitcher Bobby Gauvreau shut down the Beavers in the last half of the inning to close out the game for the Mavericks.

In the last game of the double header, the Mavericks defeated the Beavers

8-4 in the afternoon matchup.

Josh Wenzel was on fire during the game for the Mavericks, going 4-for-4 with four RBI’s and a run on the day.

Starting pitcher Trevor Divinski also put on a clinic for the Mavericks, pitching five innings and throwing ten strikeouts on the day for the Mavericks.

The Mavericks ended up cruising in this game after pitcher Carlo Graffeo pitched a 1-2-3 inning in the

top of the ninth inning to seal the win for the Mavericks.

After this win, the Mavericks have now won 14 games in a row, while winning 20 of their last 23 games of the season.

Up next, the Mavericks will play the Northern State Wolves in a doubleheader on Wednesday in Aberdeen, SD. The Mavericks hope to stay undefeated, leading up to their home game on April 28th.

tinue playing whenever she can. As she continues her playing career, Valerie hopes to conclude her col-

lege career in emphatic fashion, whether it’s winning conference, or playing to the best of her capability.

12 • MSU Reporter

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Tuesday, April 17, 2018

V E T E R A N S W E E K 2 018 M O N D A Y, A P R I L 16 T H - F R I D A Y, A P R I L 2 0 T H

The purpose of Veterans Week is to raise awareness in the MSU community of the presence and contribution of Veteran and Military students, and provide both important and fun activities before Finals and Graduation.

We invite everyone to pick and choose which events they would like to participate in. If you have any questions, please stop by the Veterans Resource Center (VRC) in CSU Room 167 or email tim.adams@mnsu.edu.

22 PUSH-UPS A DAY CHALLENGE In an effort to raise awareness for veterans' issues, specifically suicide, members of the Minnesota State University, Mankato Veterans Club will do 22 puchups every day of Veterans Week (April 16-20) at noon near the fountain on the Minnesota State Mankato campus mall.

The Veterans Club invites the Mankato-area community to come to campus and do pushups every day along with them, regardless of one's ability to complete 22 pushups.

The club chose 22 pushups to raise awareness of the 22 veterans who commit suicide daily, a figure that comes from a 2012 data report issued by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

HIGHWAY CLEANUP TODAY!! TUESDAY, APRIL 17TH • 4:00 P.M. We will provide transportation there and back. Please contact Tim Adams to participate, 507-389-1465 or email tim.adams@mnsu.edu.

CELEBRATION LUNCH/INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18TH • 11:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M. • VETERANS RESOURCE CENTER Celebration Lunch and installation of Officers for the Veterans Student Club for 2018-2019.

FRIDAY, APRIL 20TH - 10:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. Ropes Course adventure. Please contact the VRC for details.

VETERAN OLYMPICS THURSDAY, APRIL 19TH • ANY TIME DURING THE DAY! Compete for prizes against the elite athletes of the MSU Veterans Club! Stop by the VRC to pick up your entrant's card and begin your quest for Gold! Events can be completed at any time during the day. Just remember, pain is temporary, glory lasts forever!

APRIL 2018 15

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DEPRESSION/SUICIDE PREVENTION TALK 12:15 p.m.

Nickerson Room (CSU 238)

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CELEBRATION LUNCH/ INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Veterans Resource Center

VETERAN OLYMPICS All Day

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Tuesday, April 17, 2018

Minnesota State University, Mankato

A&E

MSU Reporter • 13 Have a story idea or a comment?

EMAIL

A&E Editor Caleb Holldorf

caleb.holldorf@mnsu.edu

Melancholy Play to close theatre season Characters morph into people they never expected to

DENA SCHLEDIVY Staff Writer

“Bye Bye Birdie” closed Sunday afternoon and the theatre department is ready to close their studio season with “Melancholy Play”.

Melancholy is a feeling of pensive sadness, typically with no obvious cause.

Written by Sarah Ruhl, this contemporary farce takes place in Illinois where we meet Tilly, a dramatic bank teller.

At the top of the show, we encounter Frank, a tailor that reminds Tilly of an almond. Moving into the Photo courtesy of MSU Thetre Department next scene, this leaves the Tilly (Martha Juliana Cubillos) contemplates her melancholic beauty accompanied by Jillian’s audience wondering why (Sarah Honerman) music as Joan (Delaney Rietveld) and Frances (Lydia Prior) fall further in Tilly thinks Frank is like an love with her. almond.

We next meet Tilly’s renzo, who confesses to emotion. Ironically, Loren- in their session together foreign psychologist, Lo- the audience that he lacks zo pleas that he loves Tilly which she apologizes for.

Next, we meet Frances, a hairdresser that gave up her last job to pursue her dream. Alongside Frank, they tell the audience about leaving their jobs to fulfill their dreams.

Tilly takes a trip to Frank’s tailor shop to have her pants hemmed where she tells him she’s seen him at her bank. Quickly, they jump to a conversation about emotions which results in the tailor and teller kissing.

In another session, Lorenzo asks Tilly about her experience with Frank but soon swerves the subject about his own love for her.

Abruptly ending the conversation with Lorenzo, Tilly rushes to go and

MELANCHOLY

PAGE 14

Spring Dance Concert to feature diverse works MSU welcomes former broadway star Ruben Del Valle Jr.

MANKATO – The Minnesota State University, Mankato Spring Dance Concert will feature diverse works choreographed by faculty, students and Andreas Guest Artist Ruben Del Valle Jr., who has performed on Broadway.

Del Valle Jr. is originally from Brooklyn, New York, and holds an MFA in Acting from The Actors Studio Drama School. He has appeared on Broadway as Young Simba in “The Lion King,” was a featured vocalist in the Musical Theater Works Gala Benefit Concert, and originated the role of Jack Scott in Disney’s stage version of “High School Musical.”

Del Valle Jr. was last seen on tour with Theater Works’ production of “Freedom Train” as Harriet Tubman’s brother, David, before relocating to Minnesota with his wife and

son several years ago. At Minnesota State Mankato, he appeared as Amonasro in “Aida” in 2017.

The dance concert will run 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 27, and 2 p.m. Saturday, April 28, in the Ted Paul Theatre, Earley Center for Performing Arts, Minnesota State University, Mankato. The Student Dance Showcase, exclusively featuring student work, will be 2 p.m. Sunday, April 29, in the Ted Paul.

Tickets for the Spring Dance Concert are $10 regular; $9 for seniors ages 65 and older, children under 16 and groups of 15 or more; and $8 for MSU students. Tickets for the Student Showcase are $5 and available at the door.

Visit MSUTheatre.com for more information, or contact Amanda Dyslin at 507-389-6663, or amanda. dyslin@mnsu.edu..

Image courtesy of Amanda Dyslin

14 • MSU Reporter

A&E

Tuesday, April 17, 2018

A Quiet Place anything but a quiet place

The silence draws in the audience to fear the inevitable, unknown

COLTON MOLESKY Staff Writer

A still swept through you immediately. It was not just the silent, almost paralyzing quiet of the movie, but a deep placid blanket that had enveloped the entire audience.

What was different from the very start of this movie was the silence that pulled the audience in, closing in on all sides and forcing everyone present to join in the stillness brought on by the movie. (Spoilers from here on out).

It took three minutes for everyone to suddenly feel awkward about the slight munch of popcorn or slurp of pop caused by the deafening silence of the movie immediately.

John Krasinski had everyone locked in as we followed a small family through a town near-

ly as humble where they searched for supplies while staying under the curtain of silence. Then, just like at the beginning of the trailer, the calm is jarringly ripped apart by the noise of a child’s toy spaceship. In comparison to the still resting over not just our characters, but everyone in the theater, the noise shatters the world, which is further broken by a creature lurking from the foreboding wilderness.

The fascinating part about this unique post-apocalyptic movie has been outlined; how will key uses of sound and silence set the tone for a genre well worked in the least two years.

As the plot progresses, the story of what happened to Earth and how AVP looking monsters whose only sense is an insane hearing ability, and

taking over the earth and decimating the human populace comes to sight.

The aftermath leaves survivors that live in perpetual fear of sound, for fear of bringing attention to themselves via the slightest sound above a whisper.

The effect is that what little conversation or noise ensues in the movie carries tremendous weight. From when the father (Krasinski) takes his son (Noah Jupe) to a waterfall, hearing their voices for the first time as they crow under the cover of the roaring cascade, to the anguished cry of an old man the father and son stumble across, who just lost his wife and now seeks to end his in a moment of despair.

It did not take much to break through the muted theme of the movie, but when a noise was put

in play it became a powerful tool in the hands of director/actor Krasinski.

After such hushed and muffled activity, the soft sobs of the mother (Emily Blunt) reminiscing the loss of their youngest was enough to put viewers on their heels.

As the calm was constantly reestablished, only to be shattered again by a grotesque monster or an accidental mishap that would send every character into paralyzing suspense, the true main character showed through, the silence itself.

It is the deep, penetrating force that controls everything in the movie, brings emotion to the smallest interactions and heralds in all hell when it is disturbed.

The movie is both unique and fantastic because of the unique quiet

it inspires to all watching and the way it plays upon the calm to introduce chaos. Unlike the cluttered nature of so many movies placed following a global disaster, there is so much space to let both your imagination and the stillness clutch you in suspense.

In true M. Night Shyamalan form, the movie gives you plenty of time to fear the unknown itself, making the silence between action unbearable. The final note is this is a must-see movie in the theaters. It is hard to truly capture the sweeping hush that controls an entire theater for 90 minutes in any other setting, making this almost an essential part of the movie. Watch the movie, watch it in the theaters, watch it once or 20 times, become enveloped in noiselessness.

meds or book a room at the hospital.

Lorenzo fights Frank for the vial of tears and as Joan and Frances walk in, Frank hands off the vial to Joan to keep away from Lorenzo. Once Frances learns of the vial’s contents, she downs the vial and the four people sing about Tilly’s happiness.

Slowly, each character begins to morph into something they weren’t born as. Want to find out these characters’ fates?

Come see “Melancholy Play” in the Andreas Theatre.

“Melancholy Play” opens Wednesday, April 18 in the Andreas Theatre and closes Saturday, April

21. Tickets are available to purchase online at http:// www.mnsu.edu/theatre/, by phone at 507-3896661 or in-person at the box office Monday-Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. Regular tickets for “Melancholy Play” sell for $10.

MELANCHOLY Continued from page 13 get her hair cut.

Back at her apartment, Frances tells her girlfriend Joan about her appointment with Tilly. Agreeing that they can trust her, the couple invites Tilly over for tea.

Frank and Tilly talk about sex followed by the tea scene between Tilly, Joan and Frances.

At tea, Tilly speaks about love but quickly stops in self-contemplation. From talking about it, Tilly begins to feel unwell, Joan tosses on a record while Frances straddles Tilly.

Before Joan can return, Frances dismounts.

After Tilly, has gone, Joan and Frances confess to each other both of their attractions for Tilly.

Suddenly, Frances realizes she has lost her sense of smell.

Later, on Tilly’s birthday, Frank gifts Tilly some flowers and from the happiness the gift has brought her, she sings when everyone shows up to her party. Everyone shows up to the party but Frank, who is at home with a stomach ache. Ecstatic from the gift, everyone

plays duck, duck, goose and when it is Tilly’s turn, she is moved by everyone’s beauty and decides to retire to her room.

After her party, Tilly wants to express her happiness to Frank but he doesn’t feel the same excitement which makes Tilly want alone time with her own happiness.

Tilly confesses to Lorenzo that she is incredibly happy which triggers Lorenzo’s own sadness because her happiness results in less time together.

Frank begins to defend melancholy once again, naming Tilly as a main cause. Stopping by Frances and Joan’s place, she tells them how happy she is causing the couple to feel sick. After Frances calls in to work and this prompts an argument between the couple until Joan eventually storms out.

Back in Lorenzo’s office, Frank unveils how he met Tilly and how they fell in love. Revealing a vial of Tilly’s tears from when she was sad, Lorenzo encourages Frank to take his

Photo courtesy of The Associated Press

French fashion designer Hubert de Givenchy poses with mannequins in his shop in Paris.

GIVENCHY

PAGE 12

Tuesday, April 17, 2018

A&E

MSU Reporter • 15

Veronica is not revolutionary for horror genre Netflix’s latest horror movie is well done, but not the scariest

LUCAS TORBORG Staff Writer

Netflix’s newest horror movie entitled “Veronica” is a Spanish language supernatural film. “Veronica” has been dubbed the scariest movie on Netflix, but does it live up to the strange hype surrounding this movie?

The short answer is, no, it isn’t scary by any means.

The plot is something we’ve seen a hundred times before surrounded by the usual supernatural horror movie tropes. The opening title claiming to be based on a true story, check. Ominous Ouija bored found in an abandoned basement, check. Creepy old nun who for some reason is blind, check.

Yes, “Veronica” is nothing we haven’t seen before, yet it still succeeds overall.

This movie stands apart from other subpar supernatural films because this movie is grounded in reality.

What this movie is about is an older sister, Veronica, who would do anything to protect her three younger siblings. The audience begins to care for Veronica and her family, primarily be-

cause the characters seem so realistic.

Along with family, the director, Paco Plaza, also expresses themes of adolescence and growing up.

Plaza may be less known in the U.S., but in Spain he is the most acclaimed director there is. Plaza directed the entire “Rec” series which is arguably the most successful horror films in Spain.

Although “Veronica” is not even close to how horrifying “Rec” is, Plaza does seem to bring the same amount of intensity and suspense into the movie.

This and other aspects of film make it worth a watch.

The story takes place in Madrid City in Spain during the spring of 1991. Fifteenyear-old Veronica (Sandra Escacena) is the eldest sister of her two twin sisters and her four-year-oldbrother. Veronica is the primary caregiver of these three children as her mother works all day and night working at a bar to support her family.

One day during a solar eclipse at school, Veronica and her two friends decide to use an old Ouija board they found in their school’s basement. Veronica at-

tempts to communicate with her deceased father through the Ouija board, but surprise, it doesn’t turn out well.

Veronica begins to seize, and appears to become possessed by an unknown demonic force. Veronica then goes home, thinking nothing of it, where she accidentally brings the evil force home to prey on her siblings.

Although the plot of Veronica can be a little predictable, it is interesting to see a supernatural movie surrounded around Hispanic culture other than the traditional American supernatural movies the genre is filled to the rim with.

Other positive aspects of this movie consist of great, relatable performances by the entire cast and nevertheless great direction by Plaza.

Overall, “Veronica” is the perfect movie to watch when someone can’t find anything to watch on Netflix. It will hold the viewer’s attention through its 105-minute runtime, but the second it’s over the viewer may forget all about the movie and carry on with their life.

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16 • MSU Reporter

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