Career Fair 2018 by Mustang News

CAREER

FAIR EDITION

Tuesday, Januar y 2 3, 2018

C a l P o l y, S a n L u i s O b i s p o

E s t a b l i s h e d 1 916

HARDER, BETTER, FASTER, STRONGER DAY IN THE LIFE OF A CAL POLY TRAINER Lauren Pluim @ lo_pluim34

The world of college sports is a competitive one. For athletes, it is nearly a full-time job split between practice, games, scouting and physical rehabilitation. Often times, a crucial part of an athletes’ day-to-day lives is overlooked in the chaos of it — strength training. This is where the head of Cal Poly strength and conditioning, Chris Holder, comes in. Holder has worked in strength training for 18 years and has been at Cal Poly for the past five. With a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education from Eastern Kentucky, a master’s degree in Kinesiology from Cal Poly and a doctorate in Medical Qi Gong, Holder has all the tools to help Cal Poly’s athletes excel. “In this day and age, an athletic program that doesn’t have a strength person is trying to lose,” Holder said.

There is much more to strength training than just getting quicker and stronger and staying in shape, according to Holder. He also touts the fact that strength training is an integral part of team chemistry and injury prevention. A lot of effort goes into each team’s lifting program. On top of that, Holder also takes great care to ensure the programs are also tailored to individual athletes’ specific needs. Working alongside the sports medicine department, Holder is able to create workouts for injured individuals that will keep them in shape and avoid slowing down the healing process. When it comes to injuries, Holder looks for trends in teams. For example, if he sees that a team is having a lot of shoulder problems, he knows that he needs to either modify something in their strength program to combat the issue or eliminate something in the workout that may be aggravating the issue.

SWARNJIT BOYAL

Chris White, a former colleague of Holder’s, spearheaded the development of a program for the track team called “hip flow.” After noticing that a lot of track athletes had lower back problems, White decided something needed to be done. “The hip flow came in as a product of trying to solve low back stuff with track, and then we saw how sweepingly successful it was so everybody got it,” Holder said. It became clear that athletes weren’t loose enough and their hips weren’t open going into a workout which caused muscle tightness and in turn, lower back issues. Kettlebells are another tool that Holder loves to use. He has done extensive research that has been published about the benefits of kettlebell workouts. “It’s undeniable that when it’s done well, and it’s done thoughtfully, it’s going to make a gigan-

tic difference in the performance of an athlete,” Holder said. One Cal Poly team that is seeing the direct benefits of the strength program is volleyball. The team was ranked in the nation’s top 25 for the majority of the season, went undefeated in conference play for the first time in the programs’ history, had a program-record 22-game win streak and made it to the second round of the NCAA tournament. According to Holder, a big reason for the volleyball team’s recent success is the coaches and players are finally buying into strength training. Instead of going home during the summer, they stay and train to prepare for the season. Since volleyball plays in the fall, staying committed to the strength program in the summer makes all the difference at the start of the season. LIFE OF A TRAINER continued on page 14

PAINTED DECKS

This Big West Champion runs approximately 120 miles per week.

Artist Melissa Zak paints skate decks to open the conversation about sexual education.

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MAT T L AL ANNE | MUSTANG NE W S

EMILY MERTEN | MUSTANG NE W S

Content CAREER FAIR

AVOID CAREER WOES..................................4 CAREER FAIR FOR CLA STUDENTS..............4 WHAT NOT TO SAY TO EMPLOYERS ............5 SUCCESS STORIES ......................................5

ARTS

VETERAN STORIES THROUGH ART.............6 MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN ............................8 SKATE DECKS ..............................................8 NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS........................9

OPINION

ALABAMA SPECIAL ....................................11

SPORTS

SWARNJIT BOYAL .....................................14 WRESTLING MEET CANCELED ..................14

Mustang News TODAY ,S ISSUE TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2018 VOLUME O, ISSUE 14

CONTACT EDITORIAL (805) 756-1796 ADVERTISING (805) 756-1143 CLASSIFIED (805) 756-1143 FAX (805) 756-6784 Graphic Arts Building 26, Suite 226 California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, CA 93407

JAKE ERICK SON | MUSTANG NE W S

SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

| Attendees of the sustainability conference had intellectual discussions during a 10-minute break between sessions.

Central Coast Zero Net Energy Series discusses development of sustainable buildings Rachel Marquardt @ rachmmarie

LEAD DESIGNER | Zack Spanier DESIGNERS | Jessie Franco | Tanner Layton

ON THE COVER

Chris Holder is the head of Cal Poly strength and conditioning. Photo by Matthew Lalanne, Mustang News.

During the next few months, the Central Coast Zero Net Energy Series will be coming to Cal Poly with the aim of motivating architects, designers, engineers, students and faculty to learn more about the development of sustainable buildings. The series began Jan. 7 with the first of four events. The series was organized in conjunction with Central Coast Green Building Council (CCGBC) and the Central Coast Chapters of the American Institute of Architects. “The overarching theme was all of us working together to create a toolkit of resources to work on together to create those specific buildings and also to develop a common language in order to move forward,” CCGBC Communications Coordinator Kori Nielsen said.

The first event included a general overview of the effects of climate change and ways developers can meet zero net energy goals in more efficient and less expensive ways. “There’s a lot of superior technology alternatives that allow homes to be awesome, to be more cost effective and to leave out carbon sources in the beginning,” Energy and Sustainability Analyst Eric Veium said. Some of these solutions include designing roofs that accommodate solar panels, beginning to use electrical forms of transportation and removing natural gas by using electrical induction for cooking methods. Sustainability Coordinator Kylee Singh said she believes understanding these new developments is not only beneficial for Cal Poly, but for its students and their futures. “We have one of the best engineering and construction management programs in the nation, and so it’s incredibly valuable for students, staff and faculty to get exposed

to zero net energy building practices and to be thinking about it especially for their careers in California,” Singh said. “The state is moving quickly towards more zero net energy building mandates, so it is really going to help students in their future careers.” These zero net energy mandates include Title 24, California energy efficiency standards in homes and buildings. According to the California Energy Commission, these standards conserve electricity and natural gas and prevent the state from having to build more power plants. The zero net energy policy for residential buildings in California will begin in 2020 and in 2030 for commercial buildings. “Climate change is the challenge of our time and beginning to think about the big structural changes and the small individual changes that we can each make to do our part towards carbon-free is essential,” Veium said.

Sydney Brandt @ syd_brandtt

Santa Maria Uber driver Alfonso Alarconnunez was arrested and booked into the San Luis Obispo County Jail on charges of sexual assault and burglary Wednesday. Alarconnunez faces charges of rape of an unconscious victim, rape of an intoxicated victim, oral copulation of an intoxicated victim and residential burglary. The San Luis Obispo Police Department (SLOPD) served a search warrant at Alarconnunez’s home on the 2300 block of Cesar Chavez Drive in Santa Maria where he was arrested by SLOPD detectives. Thirty-nine-year-old Alarconnunez’s bail has been set at $200,000.

The suspect was identified in two separate assault cases Dec. 18, 2017 and Jan. 14. SLOPD Captain Chris Staley said they are unsure if these victims were students at Cal Poly. Throughout the investigation, detectives learned Alarconnunez was targeting his Uber passengers — specifically those who were intoxicated women — by escorting them to their residences where he would allegedly proceed to sexually assault and rob them. It is believed he stole items including cell phones, computers and jewelry from these victims. Detectives claimed Alarconnunez would find parties in San Luis Obispo to get more rides. It was also found that he used Venmo to charge these Uber riders to hide

himself from Uber records. “Our understanding was that he was an official Uber driver, but for both the victims in this case here, he wasn’t acting in that capacity. He was not utilizing the Uber application as to be a driver, but he was simply approaching people and identifying himself as ‘Hey, I’m your Uber driver,’ and then getting them into the vehicle that way,” Staley said. SLOPD advises people to make sure to confirm the identity of their driver and the license plate of the vehicle they are getting into. “There’s a couple things that are supposed to occur. They are supposed to know the address you’re going to and you’re supposed to be able to see the vehicle license and you

SLOPD | COURTE SY PHOTO

should have their name. So make sure you have those three pieces of information before you ever get into a vehicle just to ensure that you are getting into the Uber that they requested,” Staley said.

Bike culture sees upward trend at Cal Poly Aidan McGloin @ mcgloin_aidan

As biking has grown from a mode of transportation to a hobby, it has become more popular at Cal Poly and developed its own culture. The University Police Department (UPD) has seen an increase in bicycle usage, according to UPD’s Associate Director of Transportation Services Marlene Cramer. Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) and UPD are working together this year to install more than 500 additional bike racks around campus by the end of Winter 2018. The League of American Bicyclists awarded the university with a bronze Bicycle Friendly University Award in 2017. Given the prevalence of biking on campus, it is surprising how few students know about the bike room in the ASI Craft Center, according to industrial engineering senior and bike technician Tyler Mastromattei. Mastromattei works in the bike room three times per week, helping students fix their bikes. The Craft Center is equipped with all the tools needed to fix a flat tire and prevent chains from falling off gears, or for more advanced repairs like replacing cables and derailleur gears. The center also sells patch kits, inner tubes, cables and tires. Mastromattei is a part of CPCycling, a campus bike club formed in 1972, initially called the Cal Poly Wheelmen and consisting of 25 members. It was formed during what a 1972 Mustang Daily article described as a bicycle boom, a sudden increase in local

bike shops from two to five in a year. In 1988, the Wheelmen hosted the Collegiate Road Championships. They also ran the SLO Criterium, a city-wide cycling race, on and off again over the years. The team has grown to approximately 100 members, 50 to 60 of which are active, according to Mastromattei. The team offers free bike repair every Thursday at Dexter Lawn. This year they won the Western Collegiate Conference for mountain biking but their website says they cater to all cyclists, something which Mastromattei agrees with. “It’s for anyone who rides bikes,” Mastromattei said. Materials engineering senior Stanley Goto is in charge of the bike fix at Dexter Lawn. He has been riding bikes since the age of 5, and racing since 11. He goes biking two to three times per week typically, but said he stopped for the time being because he broke his collarbone mountain biking. “More people on the bikes is better than more people in cars. In terms of their own health, and the health of the environment,” Goto said. “If we can fix bikes, student bikes, make sure that they’re on the road and bike as much as possible rather than commute in a car, I think that’s a good thing.” Goto’s father taught him how to maintain his bicycle, so he wouldn’t have to rely on others to do his work for him. Now he teaches others to do the same. Administration has been working to encourage more bike use for years. The Master Plan outlines goals for increasing bicycle use

AIDAN MCGLOIN | MUSTANG NE W S

FIX-IT PROS | Patrick Whitesel and Stanley Goto fix bikes for free next to Dexter Lawn. on campus, “encouraging a more complete shift to an active transportation approach — one that emphasizes walking, bikes and buses over cars.” The 2001 Master Plan sought to reduce car use by increasing the number of on-campus residents, closing roads throughout campus and turning them into pedestrian and bicycle paths and moving parking away from the center of campus. The 2017 Master Plan states that the number of per capita commuter parking permits was halved between 2001 and 2011. The new plan calls for more bike paths

to continue this shift because, according to Cramer, parking space is inefficient and contributes to 50 percent of the university’s carbon emissions. With these on-campus resources and the school’s goals to increase alternative forms of transportation, Cal Poly’s bike culture will have the chance to flourish. “You don’t need a fancy bike,” Goto said. “You don’t need to be doing this epic mountain bike rides or road rides down the coast or whatever. You can just pedal along on any bike around and go have fun, see the world, meet other people.”

TUESDAY • JANUARY 23, 2018 | NEWS | MUSTANG NEWS

Santa Maria Uber driver arrested for sexual assault and residential burglary

TUESDAY • JANUARY 23, 2018 | CAREER FAIR | MUSTANG NEWS

How to tackle the Career Fair as a liberal arts student Krista Balster-Gee @ CPMustangNews

Walking into a career fair as a student can be nerve-wracking, especially for College of Liberal Arts (CLA) students in an environment filled with tech companies and engineers. By knowing how to highlight liberal arts skills in a field often dominated by STEM majors, CLA students can transform any career fair into the perfect job market for them. Pick an interest At a career fair with hundreds of companies and industries, knowing what is available for your major and what you are interested in can help focus your search and reduce stress. “The first step is finding out what positions and companies are coming that they are interested in because really there definitely are so many opportunities,” career counselor and CLA specialist Laura Hunkler said.

Because CLA students have many different skills, students should determine their top-choice companies by identifying their projected career path. After this process, students can tailor their resumes to highlight specific skills as they relate to the chosen field. Marketing your skills With a different skill set than STEM applicants, CLA majors must find ways to highlight their resumes and make them outstanding to employers. Richard Besel, the director of Interdisciplinary Studies in Liberal Arts (ISLA) said a background in liberal arts can make an applicant stand out. “Another option is for students to emphasize how their liberal arts major or minor provides them with a new or different perspective on tech-oriented products. For example, the Science, Technology and Society minors may give those liberal arts students

something that makes them distinct from other applicants,” Besel said. Building a network In many cases, the career fairs host many big name tech companies, which may not interest every student. However, attending a career fair still has the potential to lead to great opportunities. “Even if they’re not going for career positions, starting to network and build these connections can alert students to career opportunities later in their job search,” Hunkler said. Not every encounter with a potential employer will be the right fit. “Even if the connection does not turn into a position right away, you never know when that person has something in the future that is perfect for you,” Besel said. College of Liberal Arts Career Month Throughout January, the CLA will host events

Avoiding Career Fair woes Josh Ortlip @ CPMustangNews

dream companies, so don’t hesitate getting feedback from them.”

With Cal Poly’s Winter Career Fair just around the corner, it is important to approach a job search or interview with professionalism and preparedness. However, rejection is inevitable when starting off. Often times, students looking to get their feet wet in the job market come with less experience. Employers receive many applications and requests for interviews, so facing rejection is part of the process. With some tips from fellow students on dealing with rejection, you can be prepared to improve your job search as you embark on the path to employment.

Assess and learn about your strengths and weaknesses At the career fair, having a perfect resume is less important than learning your strengths and weaknesses. Ibuna said she understands improvement is a process when it comes to the career fair and speaking with employers. “If you didn’t feel great after the career fair, step back and evaluate what you did that was good and what to improve. Talking to recruiters is hard, but remember that they’re normal people like you. Practice with friends and get feedback on how to improve,” Ibuna said. Presentation skills and interactions with employers are imperative to marketing yourself to employers. Even if you are not looking for a serious job, speaking to employers will give you experience with professional interaction. Materials engineering senior Timothy Tan feels that speaking to employers at the career fair will help even if you do not get an interview. “You can always work on improving your speaking skills. In the end, even if you don’t get what you want, at least you gained experience speaking to employers, which will be beneficial when you actually have an interview,” Tan said.

Take it slow When preparing for the career fair, it is important to keep in mind that hundreds of other students are in the same position as you, looking to speak with employers, land an interview or fill out a job application. With such a competitive environment, it is important to realize that the experience is more important than finding immediate success. Software engineering senior Louise Ibuna reflected on her first experience attending the Career Fair at Cal Poly: “I came to Cal Poly in Fall 2016 as a transfer student and made my first career fairs a trial run because I wanted to get a feel of what the environment was like. I had set my eyes on specific employers because I wanted to get feedback from them. Students definitely have

Facing rejection Almost inevitably, everyone attending career fair will eventually face rejection. “Rejection at the career fair teaches students that job searching is a numbers game. There

are hundreds of recruiters looking at thousands of students and the chances of getting the one or two jobs you really want are not favorable,” Tan said. Keeping your options open is a smart way to approach your job search instead of limiting your success or failure to your dream companies. In fact, many companies have online applications, so sending out a copy of a resume is an efficient way to increase your chance of success if you are unhappy with how the career fair went. Tan said his experience has taught him not to get discouraged after rejection. “My advice to students who face rejection is to move on and keep applying to jobs/internships online. For the most part, you will be rejected and there is nothing wrong with that,” Tan said. “One thing I wish I had known earlier is that, even if you have what you think

ZACH DONNENFIELD | MUSTANG NE W S

for students to explore more job opportunities in their field. With panels and presentations, as well as a local career fair, students can feel comfortable learning about and diving into opportunities that pertain to their studies. “We created College of Liberal Arts Career Month as a response to CLA students feeling like maybe the Career Fair was not the easiest place for them to find positions,” Hunker said. The College of Liberal Arts Career Month is a unique opportunity for students to search for their perfect job or internship and continue to build connections in their field. Regardless of the companies and industries presented at a career fair, students of any major can explore new career opportunities, network with successful businesses and practice their skills as job applicants.

is a great conversation with an employer, if they don’t schedule an interview by the end of the conversation that means you were rejected.” Build your resume Additionally, improving your resume can boost your marketability if you are unsuccessful at the career fair. To receive assistance with a resume, seek advice from a teacher or trusted mentor. Additionally, Cal Poly’s Career Services serves as a resource for guidance on resume building. Ultimately, the Career Fairs are learning experience that can prove beneficial, even in the face of rejection. “You want to use that rejection to improve for future careers and that’s why Cal Poly has so much for you. Make sure to go as many times while you’re here. Go in with an objective, whether it’s getting an interview or at least talking to a company you’re interested in. You’ll see a lot of improvement in yourself which can lead you to your dream career,” Ibuna said.

carefully,” psychology sophomore Lisa Bertholdt said. “You don’t want to rush through forming an answer for your boss, or future boss, during an interview. It’s much better to pause and think, than babble and say something you don’t mean.” If you are unsure how to respond to a question, do not be afraid to ask for clarification.

ZACH DONNENFIELD | MUSTANG NE W S

Anna Reck @ a_reckk

For many students, the working world is just around the corner. Speaking with a potential employer can be extremely intimidating. Here are five tips on what not to say to a possible employer. “Well, I’m not sure, but maybe...” Coming off as unsure, or yielding inaccurate information, can be a major red flag for employers. “Think through what you’re saying extra

“I’m not very good with...” Never showcase your weaknesses — that leaves room for employers to focus on them, perhaps giving them reason to reject you after an interview. Instead, put your strengths on a pedestal, be positive and turn what you lack into something you can supplement and fix. “Don’t be negative about yourself, or about the company,” German lecturer Angelica Browne said. “Don’t talk about problems, talk about solutions.” “Trump’s frequent golfing only adds to his sophisticated demeanor.” When you talk about politics, you enter the danger zone. Although it may be a popular topic for jokes at times, it can also raise tension and bring up intense disagreement. “Be as apolitical as you can in the work-

“Catch me at the nearest dispensary tomorrow.” Even with advances in drug laws, it still remains, at least for now, unprofessional to speak about recreational drug usage around your employer. Just like you would not talk about how you are going to head home after work and slap a wine bag, you wouldn’t talk about heading to the store that has just “My previous boss was such a...” earned its cannabis retail license. Talking badly about your previous em“Drugs and alcohol are not something you ployer, even if it’s meant to should mention in the workplace for compliment the tendencies obvious reasons,” mechanical of your future employer, engineering freshman Sois extremely unprofeslie Grantham said. “Not sional. only is it unprofession“My advice is to al, but it is controvernot say anything sial. By mentioning negative when recreational drugs asked about your and alcohol, you previous boss, are creating room manager, or superfor discussion that visor,” software endoesn’t belong in your gineering sophomore workspace.” Tim Newman said. Oftentimes, what is ANGELICA BROWNE “Even if it’s a funny story, appropriate to say to your I wouldn’t say it unless you’re employer can be very apparent. good friends with whoever you’re By simply remaining respectful, sensaying it to. The negativity kind of taints the sitive and mindful, you can make a strong image your new boss is forming of you.” impression on your new or potential boss. space, unless it is related to your profession or in the rare occasion it serves to your advantage to be otherwise,” materials engineering senior Marc Hermann said. “Staying neutral in politics can avoid conflict and inadvertent biases from your coworkers, in such that it could harm workplace productivity.”

Don’t talk about problems, talk about solutions.

Career fair success stories Grace Arthur @ gracearthurrr

Many students have landed jobs and internships through three annual Cal Poly career fairs. The career fairs provide students the opportunity to work with top companies before they even graduate college.

talking to a lot of different people increased my chances of being contacted and making a good solid connection with at least a few different teams that were recruiting there at the career fair,” Phillips said. Phillips said he is looking forward to continuing his work for Apple as he has had a great experience thus far.

Itai Fish Erik Phillips Business administration Computer science senior Itai Fish secured senior Erik Phila job with an accountlips landed a job ing firm called Seiler, with Apple after after acquiring an going through a internship with the rigorous intercompany at a career view process at fair last year. Fish will career fair. Philbegin his job after he lips first secured an graduates this year. internship with Apple, Fish recalls most stuITAI FISH half-way through the indents getting an internship ternship, Apple offered him or job at the Fall Career Fair, a full-time job, which he will bemonths before the fair he attended. gin this year after he graduates. Phillips’ However, as he learned, it is never too late. approach to getting a job at the career fair “Don’t think it’s too late — there are always was to introduce himself to as many comcompanies looking,” Fish said. panies as he could and establish a personal Fish also advised students not to compare connection with them. their qualifications with others because com“I think just me getting out there and panies do not just look at grades and what

Don’t think it’s too late — there are always companies looking.

ZACH DONNENFIELD | MUSTANG NE W S

CAREER READINESS

| Business administration senior Katie White dresses professionally.

is on paper. “Don’t look at your credentials versus other credentials and think ‘Oh, they must have gotten it because of their high GPA,’ because I think a lot of times interpersonal skills do

come in handy.” The career fairs at Cal Poly are a great way for students to dip their toes into the real world. No matter students’ majors or years, career fairs provide great opportunities.

TUESDAY • JANUARY 23, 2018 | CAREER FAIR | MUSTANG NEWS

Five things not to say to an employer

TUESDAY • JANUARY 23, 2018 | ARTS | MUSTANG NEWS

WAGED WITH WAR

CASSANDRA GARIBAY | MUSTANG NE W S

| Veterans from the artist collective The Dirty Canteen use their artwork to share their stories and start a conversation about the tragedies they witnessed during war.

Veterans create art pieces to showcase their experience in war Cassandra Garibay @Cassandragari

“I just make cups, that’s all,” Gulf War Marine veteran Ehren Tool said. Tool is a part of the Dirty Canteen, an artist collective of veterans starting a conversation about misleading portrayals of heroism and war. The ceramic cups that Tool crafts are engraved with tragedies of war and destruction. They are lined up in rows and displayed on a podium in Cal Poly’s University Art Gallery, located in the Robert E. Kennedy Library. “The cups seemed like an appropriate scale, right?” Tool said. “The images on the cups may be dramatic, but it’s still just a cup, right, so it’s not as upsetting as it would be as an 8-foot-by-8-foot sculpture. And cups usually involve beverages, you know, drinking; and that’s a nice way to have a conversation.” The Dirty Canteen’s exhibit “Taking Place” is currently on display and will be shown at the University Art Gallery until Feb. 9. The exhibit’s title signifies veterans taking place

in a “necessary dialogue,” veteran and artist Ash Kyrie said. “This space not only functions as a place to show art, but it also functions as a place to get the community involved and to talk about ... all sorts of things like diversity and inclusivity, or just things the students are interested in or that could benefit them,” Cal Poly art gallery specialist Garett Zook said. The art exhibit gives students an opportunity for a different perspective on war and veterans themselves. Straying from the stereotypical view of an older, conservative veteran, the Dirty Canteen’s artwork tends to show a different and thought-provoking side of the military, according to Zook. “These are people who served and then got out and they have their own things to say about their experiences because they are obviously very different from what other peoples’ [experiences] were,” Zook said. Veterans from the collective use their artwork to share their stories and start a conversation about the tragedies they witnessed. Artist and veteran Amber Hoy felt her experiences while serving eight years in the U.S. Army were especially different being a woman.

Hoy’s photograph on display shows a jewelry box with items ranging from military-issued sunglasses and dog tags to sewing kits and perfumes. “This photograph sums up my whole project [The Entrenched Series] — the trauma of being a woman in the military, the trauma of going to war and being of these two different worlds and how they don’t quite fit together, but then sometimes they do,” Hoy said. Her other artwork focuses on radar systems and miscommunication. Hoy referenced the recent false missile alert in Hawaii and faulty Russian missile detectors during the Cold War when explaining her work in a lecture prior to the exhibit’s debut Jan. 16. Hoy explained that both human and radar miscommunication could lead to disaster. Tool prefers his cups to speak for him. “When people connect with [the cups], that is when they become more than just cups and that’s kind of out of my control,” Tool said. “I can have all kinds of fantasies about what I think the cups mean or what I want the cups to do but you know, when I’m not in the room it doesn’t matter; they got to fend for themselves.”

The cups on display are detailed with gas masks, skulls and war rhetoric in media. They are only a few of the 20,000 or so cups Tool has made and given away over the past 17 years. According to Tool, he began giving away his cups after art shows because he found that the people that connect the most with the cups usually had suffered directly from war. Tool considers their sacrifices as more than enough of a payment for what he calls “just cups.” Similar to many of the Dirty Canteen members, Tool chose to use their art as means of honoring veterans and their families without further promoting war. “I joined the Marine Corps and it was a desire to serve, it was a desire to do something good and noble, and the gap between what I thought I was doing and what I did was kind of vast and painful,” Tool said. “Same with the cups, like I want them to serve a purpose, I want them to start conversations and help healing … but, I can’t wait for [the public] to respond to the cups the way I’d like them to, I just gotta keep doing it.”

SUPERFOOD OF THE MONTH Citrus fruits and all of their juicy, vitamin-filled goodness will be featured at Campus Dining restaurants this month! Just in time for the winter sniffles, citrus fruits are packed with folate and vitamin C to help beef up red blood cells and fend off the flu.

#CHOOSEWELL Campus Dining makes it easy to eat your greens! There are four different build-your-own salad bars on campus, making it easy to find and enjoy a fresh salad.

SAVE THE DATES! This week Campus Dining is cooking up all sorts of international flavors starting with Taqueria Tuesday, followed by Chefâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Table (Canadian Edition) on Wednesday, and our brand-new Rice Bowl Thursday. For more event info visit https://www.facebook.com/pg/ CPcampusdining/events/

DOLLARS AND SENSE Time to get that winter splurging in check! As of this week, students in residence halls should have approximately $1,212.01 in their declining balance and apartment students should have $915.48 left to spend this quarter.

GET THE DISH DELIVERED HOT TO YOUR INBOX WEEKLY. SUBSCRIBE AT CALPOLYDINING.COM/THEDISH

TUESDAY • JANUARY 23, 2018 | ARTS | MUSTANG NEWS

ILLUSTRATION BY ZACK SPANIER | MUSTANG NE W S

How to keep your fitness and health New Year’s resolutions Kayla Berenson @ kayla_berenson

Many people see the new year as a fresh start, a chance to reinvent themselves and set goals to make their upcoming year incredible. A common goal is to get in better shape and eat a healthier diet. Putting this into practice for a full 365 days can seem unrealistic, leading a lot of New Year’s resolutions to die out before February, according to Business Insider. Fortunately, there are several ways students can form healthy habits to reach and maintain their goals. Nutrition lecturer and registered dietician Arlene Grant-Holcomb recommended students keep their health and fitness goals simple so they can reach them one step at a time, rather than having a long list to tackle all at once. “My feeling is, and I think the research shows this, is that if you take on too many changes, it gives us too many opportunities to fail, become frustrated and then to kind of throw in the towel,” Grant-Holcomb said. “My advice, if somebody asks me, is to look at the big picture, and of all these things that you’re hoping to change, which

is the one [thing] you think you can accomplish over the next 30 days?” Grant-Holcomb said that after someone accomplishes their first goal, they can add the next one and go from there. Nutrition professor and registered dietician Corinne Kohlen recommended a similar approach to health and fitness goals, adding that having a reward system that is not based around food can keep students motivated. “Celebrate the small victories,” Kohlen said. “Do some non-food rewards. Maybe new clothing or going out to the movies, or a new pair of running shoes if you are meeting your goals, like going to the gym five days in a week. Foods are used as a reward a lot, but that actually can create some unhealthy habits.” Kohlen also said students should try to write their food down in a food journal, which makes them more aware of how much they are eating and more conscious of the food they’re choosing. She said pen-to-paper writing is often more effective than typing it out or using an app to track food, though she noted that there are some great apps available for that purpose. According to both registered dieticians, stu-

A match made in heaven: Good food and streetwear Isabel Hughes @ Isabeljhughes

Championing a ‘90s-inspired blue and yellow Supreme hoodie and Dime collaboration Vans, agribusiness senior Tiffany Parra has created a project that seamlessly braids together quality food, streetwear and a community with a passion for both. Streetwear is defined as “casual clothing of a style worn especially by members of various urban subcultures,” according to Ox-

ford Dictionary. However, Parra’s collaboration partner business alumni Eric Tang, explains that streetwear embodies more than just clothing. “Streetwear to me is more than just clothes, it’s an attitude,” Tang said. “Those people who are big in streetwear didn’t get there by worrying about what others thought. They wear what they want when they want; I respect that.” Tang and Parra run an Instagram account, @flexwithfood, that features people flexing, or showing off, their favorite streetwear while en-

dents should follow a nutrient-rich diet paired with healthy exercise instead of following some of the fad diets that are promoted by some media outlets and celebrities. “The fact is that they may get some short-term benefits, but most fads or unproven strategies to live a healthier life sometimes don’t have really good long-term results,” Grant-Holcomb said. Kohlen suggested developing a realistic timeline for weight loss because many young people want to see quick results. “In order to lose weight at a healthy rate, you’ll lose a maximum of two pounds a week, and for most people, it’s closer to one pound a week,” Kohlen said. “That can be a hard lesson in patience for some people, but the diets and routines that create those quick results are generally unhealthy and less sustainable.” Kohlen and Grant-Holcomb also said there are ways for students to hold themselves accountable for their goals, like attempting to reach their goals with a friend. This way, the dieticians said, they can be more motivated. Grant-Holcomb also recommended students take advantage of the resources on campus that are covered by tuition, such as PULSE and the Recreation Center. joying delicious food. In the age of foodie Instagrams and marketing through social media, the birth of @flexwithfood is a reflection of millenial culture. It rises above the tangle of superfluous content on social media and serves to inspire and uplift users. Parra aims to create a collective of people who appreciate the culture of streetwear and the cultivation of fine cuisine by featuring user-generated and original content. “I want to emphasize the fact that it’s about creating a community,” Parra said. “The amount of people that are direct messaging us their photos of them flexing with food is growing, and that is a big part of it. Having people do it themselves is huge because, at the end of the day, it’s creating that community of people that see the vision and want to be a part of it. That’s super key.” Starting as an ordinary foodie with an account showcasing good grub, Parra discussed how the concept for @flexwithfood came into existence. When Parra and Tang received responses to pho-

Grant-Holcomb said there is a program within PULSE in which students can get assistance in reaching and maintaining their goals, as well as have another person to be held accountable to. The Recreation Center on campus also offers opportunities for students and faculty to reach their fitness goals on a more personal level. According to recreation, parks and tourism administration senior and Associated Students Inc. (ASI) Recreational Sports Personal Trainer Ellie Erickson, every student and faculty member is entitled to one free personal training session. “Consider it ASI’s gift to you,” Erickson said. Erickson also suggested students attend the free Poly Body + Being classes that are offered through the Recreation Center. She said each class focuses on specific areas of exercise, nutrition and overall mind and body wellness. “Take advantages of the resources that you have while you’re here,” Grant-Holcomb said. “It will never be as easy for you to use those resources as it is right now. Once you get these habits as a student, then you’re out working a 9-to-5 job, it’s already a part of your lifestyle.”

TIFFANY PARR A | COURTE SY PHOTO

tos of their food on their own personal social media accounts, they were inspired to create a food Instagram. FLEXWITHFOOD continued on page 9

Los Osos teen creates conversation about sex education though art Los Osos teenager Melissa Zak is a self-taught artist with a mission to normalize the conversation surrounding sex. Hand-painting on recycled skate decks, Zak’s artwork depicts themes of sexuality and “playful nudity.” Zak’s inspiration for her skate decks originates from her own experiences and thoughts about sex. She uses a cartoonist aesthetic to invite audiences to view sex through a lens of humor. “I consider myself more on the hyper-sexual side, and I’m not afraid to talk about [it],” Zak said. “I feel like a lot of people are [afraid to talk about sex] because of how they’re raised. You’re not allowed to express yourself [through sex] even though that’s how you came into the world.” Zak’s artwork showcases avant garde portrayals of the female body. Her images range from dramatic imitations of the reproductive

anatomy to illustrations involving the menstrual cycle. Zak’s objective is to remove the suppression around the topic of sex. Zak wants to open up the conversation about sex, though her art. Her desire to open up the conversation around sex stems from her frustration with the U.S.’ current sex education and the lack of realistic narratives about sex. “There are so many things I wish I was told and taught. It is my intention to show my sexual nature through my art and, in turn, inspire others to explore their own sexual being, sexual desires – all consensual – and have fun with it in the process,” Zak said. Zak believes many of today’s issues with sexual harassment and misconduct stem from the limited exposure our education system places on sexual awareness.

EMILY MERTEN | MUSTANG NE W S

PAINTING | Artist Melissa Zak paints bare skate decks with cartoons of diverse body types.

MELISSA ZAK continued on page 11 EMILY MERTEN | MUSTANG NE W S

SEX POSITIVE | Zak’s skate decks aim to inspire others to explore their sexuality in healthy ways.

FLEXWITHFOOD continued from page 8

“The way food is portrayed on Instagram is just so, like, lethargic. Like, it’s not artistic, it’s not appealing, it’s just kind of like ‘oh let’s put a seven-decker cheeseburger together,” Parra said. Parra and Tang decided to combine their shared passions for food and streetwear into one artistic platform. Parra said her enthusiasm for streetwear comes from Tang, but her enthrallment with sneakers stems from watching Complex Sneaker Shopping, a YouTube series where artists and athletes go to the best sneaker stores. “I just love it because there’s so much culture, and from a marketing perspective, there’s new things happening everyday, different campaigns, different ideas … Basically sneaker culture and rap culture and streetwear are all of one and so you really can’t have one without the other, and so I listen to rap and I spend a copious amount of time on YouTube watching rapper [s’] interviews and they’re always reppin’ streetwear,” Parra said. Showing a careful eye for collaborations between streetwear and potential prime eateries, Parra is making progress towards solidifying their brand and she is currently working on locking down down space in the Hatchery, part of Cal Poly’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. She has also just added a graphic designer and two models to their @

flexwithfood team, which she explained as being a game changer. “I’m happy with where it’s at, but it’s gonna be great, especially keep an eye out for the next one to two months because content is definitely going to change in a more artistic direction, more graphically appealing in trying to make it more than just an Instagram account,” Parra said. Tang and Parra put out content on Instagram every two to three days and feature other Instagrammers flexing regularly with food. Business junior Casey Tolentino shared her experience modeling for @flexwithfood. “In Madrid, we did a photoshoot and paired her thrifted ski camo pants with a Supreme F&F box logo tee while I held a bubble waffle ice cream cone — the most ‘hypebae’ I’ve ever felt. I’m looking forward to curating more content with her in the future,” Tolentino said. Ultimately, Parra’s goals reach beyond the social media realm, but the foundation of their brand is being created through Instagram. “It’s more of a movement, honestly. I’m trying to make a community,” Parra said.“I’m trying to make this movement about fashion and food and kind of create this combination of two things that are not connected right now but should be, because it’s just two leisurely activities that people our age like to take part in … I’m trying to make [@] flexwithfood viral!”

TUESDAY • JANUARY 23, 2018 | ARTS | MUSTANG NEWS

Sonya Jindal @ sonya_jindal

Chase Dean @ Chdeam96

The Alabama special election race between Democrat Doug Jones and Republican Roy Moore was one of the most watched senate races in recent years. The implications of this race are profound for both Democrats and Republicans in 2018, a crucial election year for both parties. After Jeff Sessions became the attorney general, a special election was called for Dec. 12, 2017 to fill the vacancy of Sessions’ vacant Senate seat. After a tight race, Jones emerged victorious, defeating Moore by a margin of approximately 1.5 percent. Much of Jones’ success was attributed to factors such as the incredible turn-out rate of African American women, who voted 98 percent in favor of Jones. Additionally, the sexual assault allegations that came out against Moore drove down his popularity, giving an advantage to Jones. After winning the presidency with a candidate who propelled himself to the position by spouting rhetoric full of racism and xenophobia, the Republican Party seemed mostly untouchable. However, the Alabama special election indicated that the RepubliMELISSA ZAK continued from page 9

and even from school to school within the same district,” political science professor Jean Williams said. Williams has conducted research in the fields of gender and sex education policy. She has also published articles regarding sex education, abstinence and the politics of sex. “Comprehensive sexuality education teaches the broadest curriculum that incorporates sexual development and physiology, reproductive health, including pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections and HIV/AIDS, abstinence and other birth control methods and interpersonal relationships,” Williams said. According to Williams, even some of the best sex education in the U.S. is heteronormative and not as extensive as that in other countries. According to a 2015 study conducted by the World Bank, European countries tend to have the lowest rates of teen pregnancy with an average of four teen births per thousand babies born. In contrast, the U.S.

reported rates of 30 teen births per thousand babies born. Experts conclude progressive education in European countries, in regards to the curriculum of sexual education, contributes to the lower birth rates in these countries. However, many parts of the U.S. are fixated on abstinence-only sex education. States with these programs often have higher rates of teen pregnancy, according to the National Institutes of Health. Additionally, this limited education can prevent teens from grasping sex-related topics beyond the standard information regarding sexually transmitted diseases and condom usage. “I think our culture teaches children that sex is a taboo subject, something to be ashamed of and afraid to talk about,” industrial engineering junior Nick Miller said. “Schools are forced to shy away from these subjects in fear of controversy and many parents are either uncomfortable or unqualified to teach their children, so the children grow up without

almost any sexual education.” The normalization of sex-related conversation will eventually remove the forbidden nature and shame associated with sexual intercourse. “The more educated the future generations are, the safer they can be. They are going to be experimenting/trying things when they do, so at least have them be prepared so if they choose,” Zak said. “They can be safe about it and also take others’ feelings and thoughts into consideration.“ By appealing to viewers through a visual interpretation, Zak hopes to eliminate the negative stigma surrounding sex. “I want people to learn things about themselves and experiment – to be comfortable with their own sexual nature,” Zak said. “You find out so much about yourself through sex that you can’t find out through other things.” Zak’s artwork is currently on display in The Neighborhood Acai & Juice Bar off Foothill Boulevard.

“Most are probably thinking, ‘Ah, my kid doesn’t need to know all this information so young!’ I do agree. This is why we need sex education to be extended from 5th grade, when most start learning, all the way till 12th. Each year can get more complex and in-depth with appropriate age,” Zak said. “Most kids don’t feel comfortable talking to their parents about sex or any questions they have because of the stigma around it, so they turn to the Internet. At times it can be helpful, but there is also a lot of harm it can do.” Zak is part of a growing number of students and educators advocating for improved sex education. “I do not think sexual education is adequate in elementary or secondary school. The vast majority of public schools offer some form of sexual education curriculum, but the content varies from state to state, district to district

TRIUMPH

ILLUSTRATION BY ZACK SPANIER | MUSTANG NE W S

| Democrat Doug Jones won the 2017 Alabama Senate race over Roy Moore.

MUSTANG NEWS

voters do actually care about the candidates’ character and perpetrators of sexual assault will no longer be tolerated in the 2018 political arena. Democrats have every right to celebrate this monumental win but need to take the time to prepare for the 2018 elections. It seems there is a growing enthusiasm for Democrats across the country. Typically, Democrats have a better chance of win-

Chase Dean is a political science senior and Mustang News columnist. The views expressed in this column do not reflect the viewpoints and editorial coverage of Mustang News.

| OPINION |

can Party can no longer run similar candidates, even in deep red states once thought to be secure. Clearly, many voters care about the character of the candidate, based on polling numbers. When the sexual assault allegations came forth against Moore, there was a 9-point slip in the polling numbers in favor of Jones despite Moore having a strong advantage. This should and hopefully will send a message to Republicans that

ning with candidates close to center, but they should take advantage of this wave to run progressive candidates. The current Democratic base is eager to have more progressive candidates. Prominent figures like Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren continue to rise in popularity. Additionally, the progressive platform in itself resonates with many voters due to the inclusive nature of the beliefs and values such as the emphasis on social and economic justice. While it may be a bit of a stretch to use what occurred in Alabama as a predictor for future races, I don’t think the implications should be ignored entirely. It seems Democrats are likely to take the House of Representatives back in 2018. Seeing Democrats have a 5-point lead in the generic ballot is evidence pointing in this direction, especially considering the substantial gap. As for the Senate, however, it seems it will more or less remain the same or at the very least be a much tougher battle for Democrats. If history is any indicator of how an election may swing, typically the party in the majority loses midterm elections, with the 2010 and 2014 elections serving as prime examples. In other words, the Republican Party should be concerned about the 2018 midterm election. Nonetheless, Democrats and Republicans both have lessons to learn from the Alabama special election and should move swiftly to prepare for what lies ahead in 2018.

TUESDAY • JANUARY 23, 2018

Moving forward from the Alabama special election

PUZZLES Sudoku Fun By The Numbers Like puzzles? Then you’ll love sudoku. This mind-bending puzzle will have you hooked from the moment you square off, so sharpen your pencil and put your sudoku savvy to the test! Here’s How It Works: Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a

Guess Who? I am an actress born in California on January 23, 1964. I am the daughter of a famous actress and a Mr. Universe bodybuilder. I am best known for my work on television as a commanding officer in a special crimes unit.

sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!

Word Scramble Rearrange the letters to spell something pertaining to weddings.

S R G N I

See answers at mustangnews.net/puzzles

CLUES ACROSS

CLUES DOWN

1. Measurement (abbr.) 4. Returned material authorization (abbr.) 7. Sorting 12. Attribute 15. Poked holes in 16. Angers 18. Doc 19. MLB journeyman pitcher Dillon 20. Not don’t 21. Snubs someone 24. Where kids bathe 27. One might be in distress 30. Chair 31. Music industry honors (abbr.) 33. Dash 34. Owed 35. Caucasian language 37. One thousand (Span.) 39. Musical style drum and bass 41. Evergreen trees native to warm climates 42. Begin __: start fresh 44. Marshy outlets 47. A chicken lays one 48. Yemen’s largest city 49. Conversion rate 50. Single Lens Reflex 52. Atlanta rapper 53. Reduce the importance of 56. Faces of buildings 61. Something achieved 63. Distribute again 64. Tooth caregiver 65. 007’s creator

1. Skater Lipinksi 2. Data 3. Single step 4. Destroyed financially 5. Fail to interpret correctly 6. Fava d’__: tree found in Brazil 7. Vehicle 8. Limited 9. Old English 10. Aussie golfer Norman 11. Job 12. Loose-fitting undergarments 13. Protected by balancing 14. Give up 17. Fifth note of a major scale 22. Extravagantly bright 23. Takes dictation 24. 19th letter of Greek alphabet 25. Rounded knob (biology) 26. French philosopher Pierre 28. Mothers 29. Dardic ethnic group 32. Supports the rudder 36. An ugly evil-looking old woman 38. Of a fasting time 40. Filled with passengers 43. Below the ribs and above the hips 44. Binary-coded decimal 45. 51 is a famous one 46. Goes into a funk 51. Chief O’Hara actor 54. Videocassette recorder 55. Scored perfectly 56. Type of tree 57. __ Spumante (Italian wine) 58. Popular commercial “pet” 59. Supreme god of Ancient Egyptians 60. Room in a home 62. __ and behold

HOROSCOPES ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20 You’re style has been on point lately, Aries! Prepare to get some major compliments on your looks this week. Share a music video you’ve been into on Facebook Tuesday night. TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21 You have dance-fever, Taurus! New music is on your mind lately. A new groove will drive you wild, prepare to get addicted! Make a new Spotify playlist Thursday afternoon. GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, tough breaks are in the forecast, again. Try lightening up on a daily basis and living life with the glass half full. Delete all of your social media Friday night. CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22 This week is dedicated to doing what’s best for you, Cancer. Take a bath, give yourself a positive affirmation and drink a smoothie. You and your mental health deserve it. Tweet about a song you like Wednesday morning. LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23 A new lover is looking your way this week, Leo. All you have too do is look around and see that they’re there. Make sure to smell nice, too. Browse Instagram for some fashion tips Saturday afternoon. VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22 You’ve been feeling like the only one working in your professional enviornment, Virgo. Hang in there, you know go-getters are who always end up on top. Write an article on Linked-In Friday morning.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23 Libra, celebrate yourself! You’ve done a lot to further your social and professional life in the past weeks and it’s time to give yourself a pat on the back! Go back through some old tweets and do some Spring cleaning Monday morning. You’d be surprised to see what 2012-era you was thinking. SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22 The future is looking unclear for you, Scorpio. Do some serious self-reflection and figure out where you want to be. Browse memes on Instagram Thursday afternoon. SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21 Sagittarius, concentration is not your strong suit this week! Make sure important obligations don’t slip by. Tag a friend in a Facebook meme Monday night. CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20 Serious, serious Capricorn. Loosen up! Life isn’t all calculators and taxes. Send a risky Tinder message Friday night. AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18 You haven’t talked to a good friend lately because work has been so crazy. Reconnect! They miss you. Tweet a good joke Sunday morning. PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20 You’re in need of some fresh air, Pisces. Do your body some good and get out into Mother Nature. Read an article on a topic you want to learn more about Tuesday night.

TUESDAY • JANUARY 23, 2018 | SPORTS | MUSTANG NEWS

Wrestling meet canceled due to government shutdown Brendan Carretero @ brendan_breezy3

Cal Poly’s wrestling team was scheduled for a dual meet against the Air Force Academy Sunday, but due to the government shutdown that took effect midnight Friday, the meet was canceled. According to the Air Force Academy’s website, there has not been confirmation of a rescheduled match. “Due to the government shutdown, all Air Force Academy home and away intercollegiate athletic events have been canceled until further notice,” Air Force Athletics wrote in a press release. “In the event a solution is reached, the Academy will work to reschedule as many missed events as possible.” The Cal Poly wrestling team was already in Colorado from their match against Northern Colorado earlier this week. “Fortunately it wasn’t too bad, logistically,” head coach Jon Sioredas said. The teams will work to reschedule the match, but, with no swift end to the government shutdown in sight, it is unclear how realistic that will be. “It’s hard to tell at this point,” Sioredeas said. “Both of us have pretty heafty schedules coming up. The Mustangs will host a Pac-12 dual meet against Stanford 7 p.m. Friday during Alumni and Supporter Weekend.

TRAINER continued from page 1

It is a domino effect. It starts with the player’s commitment to the training. From there it transfers into success on the court which in turn draws quality recruits to the program and creates a culture of excellence. This domino effect starts largely in the weight room. One player in particular who has adopted this mentality is senior setter Taylor Nelson. “[Nelson] may be the best athlete we’ve had in any sport,” Holder said. “When you can say that about a person … that person is going to make an enormous impact on their respective team … she’s as good as it gets.” Nelson also recognizes the advantages that the strength program gives the volleyball team on the court. “This season we had a good season and they changed our workout program to be more volleyball-specific,” Nelson said. “It helped a lot improving verticals and just helping with speed.” It is not cut and dried but the growing commitment to strength training appears to have a positive impact on athlete success.

Swarnjit Boyal: From underdog to top dog

MAT T L AL ANNE | MUSTANG NE W S

LEADING THE PACK

| Boyal increased his running from 60 miles per week to 120 miles per week.

Brendan Carretero @ brendan_breezy3

make the team once he got there. Sounds simple, right? In short: no, not at all. Boyal emailed head coach Mark Conover at the beginning of the summer before his first quarter at Cal Poly, asking for a tryout. The problem was the Division 1 team already had a full roster. The team had been training since August and Conover gave the first tryout sports to individuals with faster times. Conover then advised Boyal to join the club team first and see what he could do there. After spending his freshman year with the Cal Poly Distance Club and having a good cross country and track season on a team where he was featured as the number one male, Boyal was invited to come up the following year in early August to train and have a shot with the Division I team. However, due to housing complications, Boyal was unable to come to campus early, causing him to run into the same problem: too many athletes trying out and only a few roster spots. With his goal of making the Division I team in in greater jeopARdy than ever, he decided to trust the process and continue his grind. With a chip on his shoulder, Boyal crushed a five-by-one-mile workout the first week back from summer that caught the eye of the Distance Club’s head coach, which earned him a shot with the Division I team. It was not long before he went from joining the team to practicing with the top group and eventually getting a jersey and competing as a Division I athlete.

Cal Poly senior Swarnjit Boyal did not just start from the bottom of the Division I cross country team; he started, in his words, “six feet under.” The Big West Conference champion for the track-and-field 10k and four-time Big West Athlete of the Week ended his last cross country season with an appearance at the NCAA Division I National Championships, a goal he had been dreaming of, where he finished in 211th place. However, his rise to prominence was no easy task after failing to recieve any running scholarships out of high school and having a short stint with Cal Poly’s Distance Club before joining the Cal Poly cross country team. Journey to the Division I team Although he has been running track since sixth grade, Boyal did not think about a future in running until the latter part of his high school years. “It didn’t really seriously hit me until junior year when I was thinking, ‘Man, I like running, I don’t think I can be done with this; it just feels so natural,’” Boyal said. But when he did not make it to the state meet his senior year after going the year before, he started doubting if he could make it as a Division I athlete. That is when he decided it was in his best interest to go to a school for academics and see if he could

The Division I life Boyal reached his goal of joining the Division I team but he knew this was not the time to get complacent, as he could easily be cut if there was no improvement in his times. Within a year, he doubled his mileage from running 60 miles per week to 120. He knew this kind of effort was required if he wanted to stay on the team and eventually be able to compete with the best of the best. “I know to make up for my lack of talent I have to push the boundaries to its limit of make it or break it,” Boyal said. “I feel like, for me, I can easily run 70 to 80 miles a week and be average, but I want to be the best I can, and if that means I have to push my body to the extremes, being super dedicated, I’m willing to do that no matter what it takes.” After hitting a 14 minute 22.51 second time in the 5k on the track his sophomore year, Boyal knew he could be one of the best. He followed that performance with a 14:02.40 the next year and eventually won the Big West Conference Championship in the 10k with a time of 31 minute 35.59 seconds the following year. Now, after three years of being on the Division I team, Boyal’s times are in the top nine in school history for the 10k and top six for the 5k on the track. Boyal also finished in 10th place at the NCAA West Region Cross Country Championships this year, earning all-regional honors with a 10k time of 29 minutes 47.2 seconds, and a spot in the highly coveted NCAA Division 1 National Championships. “Yeah, I’ve been overlooked, but I love the underdog story,” Boyal said. “It pushes me, because I’ve been told, ‘You can’t do this’, there’s even stuff that I do now where people are like, ‘You’re not going to be able to do that, your body is not going to last, you can’t run that many miles’, and it just fuels me.” Today, Boyal’s goal is to make it to Nationals and acquiring All-American status in his final track season where he wants to go out with a bang. However, setting big goals is no strange thing to Boyal, who is focusing his post-graduation efforts on his job and his running career with the semi-professional Hoka Aggies in hopes of making it professionally one day. “I feel like anything you do in life, you should always set yourself up for big goals as long as you’re willing to work hard to achieve them, because you only have one life to live,” Boyal said. “You better live it on your terms and do everything you can to achieve what you want to do.”

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