3-27-23

OPINION

Opinion Columnist

Abigail Saathoff on how Caitlin Clark is changing the game for women’s sports.

OPINION PAGE 3

CAMPUS LIFE

UNI School of Music presents the world premiere of opera, “The Beehive.”

SPORTS

SPORTS PAGE 6

Bringing drag to the masses

In anticipation of UNI Proud and UNI Gender and Sexuality Services’ (GSS) annual Dragaganza drag show, GSS has been working to make drag accessible and empowering for all.

UNI GSS has hosted two workshops in the weeks leading up to Dragaganza in order to help performers feel prepared and supported for their performances.

Archer Trip, an employee with UNI GSS, led the workshops.

“I, as a GSS worker, decided to create these drag performance workshops because I was also a new drag performer and I said, ‘I don’t know how I would do this.’ That was the reason why I went into it, but I also thought, ‘why not?’” he said.

“These are just workshops for anyone who wants to learn how to sew, to be on stage in any way, how to dance, sing, wear makeup, literally any of these skills you can find in drag,” he said. “It’s really just

a bonus point that we’re also having our Dragaganza event on April 8, and our performers can have that space and opportunity to practice, give and take advice and have space to brainstorm ideas.”

Making drag accessible

The first workshop, offered in late February, focused on sewing basics and costume creation. It was put on in collaboration with TriipleThread, a local queer-owned small

business run by UNI students. When it came to costuming advice, one of the workshop leaders and owner of TriipleThread Nic Trip said that the focus was really on accessibility. “We focused primarily on how to create your

own costuming on a budget easily, especially for first time performers to allow for a more accessible space that also allows more community building within the college campus,” she said.

 See DRAG AT UNI, page 2

Traducción: UNI recibe una subvención de $2,5 mil para tener acceso a la salud mental

escolares, en este momento, de un horario sobrecargado.

Después de una investigación extensiva y colaborativa con diferentes agencias de educación en la área de Iowa (AEAs por sus siglas en inglés), UNI ha recibido una subvención de $2,5 mil del Departamento de Educación de los Estados Unidos para entrenar a 15 nuevos psicólogos escolares para varias escuelas a través del estado de Iowa en los siguientes cinco años.

Nicole Skaar, la profesora asociada y coordinadora del programa para los psicólogos escolares, tiene la esperanza que la subvención va a aliviar a los psicólogos

Actualmente la Asociación Nacional de la escuela de psicología (NASP por sus siglas en inglés) recomienda que la ración de psicólogos en la escuela a estudiantes debe ser entre uno a 500 estudiantes.

En Iowa, la ración actual de psicólogos en las escuelas a estudiantes es entre uno a 1 800 o 1 900. En lugares como Great Praise Education Agency (AEA), una AEA que está colaborando con UNI en esta subvención, la ración es entre uno a 4 379 estudiantes.

“Hay una gran necesidad para los psicólogos escolares en Iowa para llegar a ese lugar óptimo donde nosotros podemos hacer las cosas que necesitamos hacer”, dijo Skaar. “Lo que pasa muchas

veces es que los psicólogos escolares tienen que hacer un montón de trabajo legalmente necesario y no estamos haciendo todas las cosas que pueden ser beneficiosas para los estudiantes”.

De acuerdo con el departamento de educación de Iowa, 1 en 5 niños entre las edades de 13-18 tienen o van a tener seriamente una enfermedad mental, y aproximadamente, 50% de los estudiantes de las edades 14 o mayor con una enfermedad mental dejan la preparatoria. Skaar espera que los estudiantes puedan recibir la ayuda que necesitan por proporcionar el estado con más psicólogos escolares.

“Estamos en un tipo de crisis cuando llega al estado de la salud mental de los estudiantes”, dijo Skaar.

“Los psicólogos escolares son necesarios para ayudar con las necesidades intensas en las áreas de comporta-

miento y salud mental en las escuelas”.

Ver SUBVENCIÓN, página 2

PEXELS

Con

esta subvención federal, UNI espera a ayudar abordar la escasez de psicólogos escolares en las escuelas de Iowa. La ración recomendada de los psicólogos escorlares a estudiantes es uno a 500, mientras la ración actual en Iowa es casi uno a 1 800 o 1 900, algunas regiones tienen una disparidad más alta.

MALLORY SCHMITZ/THE NORTHERN IOWAN

At last week’s drag workshop, performers had the chance to rehearse their routines and get feedback from student leaders. Above, Ethan Hoefler and Nic Trip rehearse thier duet to Abba’s “Dancing

Queen.”

CAMPUS LIFE PAGE 4

Ten UNI football players performed for NFL scouts on Pro Day.

DRAG AT UNI

continued from page 1

The second workshop offered advice in “Drag 101,” including choreography, stage presence, makeup, wigs, songs and costuming. It took place on Friday, March 24.

Between the two workshops, about 20 people were in attendance, which is a fraction of the total number of performers signed up for Dragaganza. The small numbers in attendance allowed for individualized critiques and one-on-one support for performers.

Aside from providing resources for drag performers, the leaders wanted to embrace the idea that drag can be for anyone.

“Drag is a performance that exaggerates gender stereotypes, and you don’t have to be transgender,” said one student, who asked not to be identified in the story. “You don’t have to be gay to exaggerate gender stereotypes. Gender stereotypes just exist.

“You can be a cis woman who exaggerates feminine characteristics through makeup, performance, through wigs, through costuming,” they continued. “You could be a gay man exaggerating fem-

RETRACTION STATEMENT

The Northern Iowan is retracting the article “UNI needs a men’s swimming program now more than ever.” This opinion piece was published on Feb. 23 on our website, and after further review we removed it, as it did not meet our organization’s values. Readers can visit our about page to learn more on our staff’s mission and values.

inine characteristics through the exact same way. It doesn’t matter. It’s just for fun. It’s poking fun at gender stereotypes, and it’s just fun to dance.”

Nic Trip added, “Some of us are cis, some of us are straight, some of us are whatever. You don’t have to be the gayest of the gay to perform. You don’t have to be a professional. You could just be someone that likes to get up and shake your tush a little.”

to one either, but I definitely have been watching RuPaul’s Drag Race for years, so that was the only exposure I had to it,” she said.

“I think it’s important to be able to come into the community like this and have that space to just be like, I’m a beginner. I appreciate the art. I want to be able to take part in it in some way, even though it’s probably not going to be perfect.”

“A lot of people are new to this, and we’re all just trying to have a good time and just celebrate something that, especially right now, is really vulnerable,” she said.

Recent legislation

NORTHERN IOWAN

L011 Maucker Union Cedar Falls, IA 50614 www.northerniowan.com northern-iowan@uni.edu

319.273.2157

NIXSON BENITEZ

Executive Editor benitezn@uni.edu

319.273.6826

EMMA KOEHLER Managing Editor koehlere@uni.edu

319.273.6420

Maddie Kizer, a first time performer who attended the workshops, emphasized the effect the community aspect of the workshops had on her experience.

“I’ve never done a drag show. I’ve never actually been

SUBVENCIÓN extendida de página 1

La subvención va a apoyar los prospectivos de psicólogos escolares en reducir las tasas matriculares, comprar libros o tener fondos para viajar entre otras cosas. Para cumplir los requisitos para el programa, los candidatos tienen que ser un educador de K-12 o tener una relación con el estudio con una maestría. Al final del programa, los estudiantes recibirán un título de especialista de educación.

Aunque la solicitud para la subvención fue intensa, Skaar elogia a todos los que ayudaron a asistir con el proceso.

“Solicitando para la subvención federal es un torbellino de trabajo duro y uniéndose sobre todos que han trabajado en estas subvenciones antes”, dijo Skaar, “nosotros estamos muy agradecidos por todos los miembros del equipo que han trabajado en este proyecto y pudieron hacerlo posible”.

EDITORIAL STAFF MALLORY SCHMITZ News Editor schmimbt@uni.edu

DIAMOND ROUNDTREE Campus Life Editor diamondr@uni.edu

DAVID WARRINGTON Sports Editor warringd@uni.edu

SOPHIE HOFFMEIER Copy Editor hoffmeis@uni.edu

KARINA ORTIZ Spanish Editor ortizkac@uni.edu

That vulnerability Kizer referenced is a result of a recent wave of anti-drag and anti-LGBTQ legislation proposed in states across the U.S. On March 2, 2023, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed Tennessee Senate Bill 3 into law. The legislation bans “adult cabaret performance” on public property and in the presence of minors in Tennessee.

The bill lists specific types of performances it bans, including “male or female impersonators who provide entertainment that appeals to a prurient interest.”

Many LGBTQ activists are concerned that the law will be used to restrict and criminalize drag shows, whether sexualized or not. The law will take effect on April 1 in Tennessee, and violators will face misdemeanor charges for first-time offenses followed by felony charges for repeat offenders.

A similar bill was introduced in Iowa’s senate on Feb. 21. Senate File 348 proposed a ban on minors attending drag shows. The bill died in early March, but was just one of many legislative propositions related to the LGBTQ community.

On March 22, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed Senate File 538 into law, placing a ban on gender-affirming care for transgender minors. Transgender minors currently receiving gender-affirming care will have six months to move off of it.

Senate File 482 also

PRODUCTION STAFF

EMMA KOEHLER Webmaster Graphic Artist

LANIE WEBER

Social

Media Manager

weberhae@uni.edu

ADVISORS

ANELIA DIMITROVA

anelia.dimitrova@uni.edu

CHRIS MARTIN christopher.martin@uni.edu

CIRCULATION

ELIZABETH SPAKE

Circulation Manager

Despite more restrictive legislation around the country, the organizers and participants in the workshops insisted that drag will continue to exist as both an art form for self-expression and as a reminder of the existence and persistence of queer people in society.

passed, “prohibiting persons from entering single and multiple occupancy restrooms or changing areas and other facilities in elementary and secondary schools that do not correspond with the person’s biological sex.”

Organizers believe that despite the restrictive legislation, especially on gender-non-conforming individuals, UNI’s drag community will persist.

While Archer Trip is an employee of UNI GSS, he provided the following responses outside of company time. His comments do not reflect the opinions or political stances of UNI GSS.

“The reason why we’re doing this drag workshop as well as Dragaganza is not because of, or not even in spite of these legislations. We already planned it a year ago, so why wouldn’t we?” Archer Trip said.

“I think, for me, it’s a symbol of the fact that we are already here, we are already queer, so we’re still going to just keep doing what we’re doing, no matter what,” they said.

Nic Trip added, “I think this parallels the fact that we’ve continued being queer, continued being within the community and continued doing all the other things we’re doing for the past hundreds of years, for the past decades, specifically when there are different

The Northern Iowan is published semi-weekly on Monday and Thursday during the academic year, except for holidays and examination periods, by the University of Northern Iowa, L011 Maucker Union, Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0166 under the auspices of the Board of Student Publications.

Advertising errors that are the fault of the Northern Iowan will be corrected at no cost to the advertiser only if the Northern Iowan office is notified within seven days of the original publication. Publisher reserves the right to refuse any advertisement at any time.

The Northern Iowan is funded in part with student activity fees.

All material is © 2023 by the Northern Iowan and may not be used without permission.

bills being passed,” she said.

“For those of us that can and have the ability to come out and show up and be out loud and proud, we should be used as an example to say, ‘Hey, we’re not going anywhere.’ And for those of us that can take that stance, we’ll take that stance and we’ll continue to take that,” she said.

This year’s Dragaganza drag show, with the theme, “TikTok Killed the Video Star,” will take place on Saturday, April 8 at 7 p.m. in Maucker Union. The event is a collaboration between UNI GSS, UNI Proud and the UNI Campus Activities Board (CAB). Attendance is free, and all tips given to performers will be donated to One Iowa, a nonprofit supporting LGBTQ equality in Iowa.

At the end of the day, organizers say, the event is meant to be a space for everyone.

“The point here is that we’re all one community,” Nic Trip said. “The people performing are not all specifically within the [LGBTQ] community, and some people in the audience are or are not. We are all one community. This is a way to show that our campus as a whole is still going to continue doing this, regardless of how some people may want to push us out.”

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Letters must be less than 300 words in length and are subject to editing. Not all submissions will be printed. Send submissions to northern-iowan@uni.edu.

SEND US STORY IDEAS

Tell us what’s happening on campus. Email submissions to northern-iowan@uni.edu.

Do you want to have an event listed here? Email us at northern-iowan@uni.edu with information about the event to have it featured.

MALLORY SCHMITZ/NORTHERN IOWAN

We are already here, we are already queer, so we’re still going to just keep doing what we’re doing, no matter what,

ARCHER TRIP Workshop Leader

Iowa women’s basketball: How Caitlin Clark is changing the game

ABIGAIL SAATHOFF Opinion Columnist

In 1940, the first ever men’s college basketball game was televised, and in 1975, 35 years later, the first women’s basketball game was televised. Much like anything, women have been late to the game, not by their choosing. I love basketball, and growing up watched the men’s sport somewhat religiously, but only in recent years have I fallen in love with Iowa women’s basketball. That fact is primarily due to star players like Megan Gustafson and Caitlin Clark who have slowly but surely turned women’s basketball into one of the most popular sports in the state of Iowa.

In the history of Iowa women’s basketball, two numbers have been retired. Gustafson, who played from 2015-2019 scored 2,804 points throughout her career, and over 1,000 her senior year, and Michelle Edwards who played from 1985-1988 and averaged over 15 points during her career, and had 431 career assists, the fifth best in school history. But, if you look at current Iowa women’s basketball statistics, you will see names of current players, some of which, like Clark, still have two years of eligibility. Players like Clark, Monika Czinano,

McKenna Warnock and more have changed Iowa basketball, and generated a huge rise in attendance, with fans traveling all over the country to watch them play.

This is primarily due to Player of the Year nominee, Caitlin Clark. During Clark’s first two seasons with Iowa basketball, she exceeded expectations and is already beating her previous numbers with at least one more game to play (Sunday evening).

During this season, Clark has averaged 27 points per game, and According to Women’s Sports’ Emma Hruby, Clark is the only player in 20 seasons to have “four straight games of at least 20 points and 10 assists,” and her points and assists are second in the country. On top of her incredible statistics, Clark is just an amazing player to watch as a whole. Clark is known for taking shots from the logo 25 to 30 feet away from the basket. Even more impressive, according to the New York Times, Clark is 44% from those spots and has made 66 of her 150 attempts so far. Even better, when her shots aren’t going in for that range, Clark simply moves forward and in the March Madness tournament has made shots from all over the court. Here’s a nine-minute video of some of Clark’s “from the logo”

highlights (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jeVOqiJPJA).

Beyond her incredible 3-point shooting, Clark is also a confident and phenomenal passer. During this season alone, Clark has had nearly 300 assists, all from incredible passes that come from Clark’s uncanny ability to find an open teammate and drive them to score. Most notably, her incredible assists go down low to Czinano. The pair have played together for the last three years and have become known as an elite scoring duo. Czinano is third in women’s basketball for scoring with 2,373 points in her five seasons and 67% field goal percentage and also has her fair share of accolades. During their second-round game against Georgia this season, Clark and Czinano combined to score a groundbreaking 42 points, leading to Iowa earning their ticket to the sweet sixteen.

But, those two aren’t the only impressive starters for Iowa women’s basketball. Warnock is ninth in team history for scoring through her four years with the program and averages 10 points per game. Gabbie Marshall is a sniper from three-point range and leads the team with 1.5 steals per game. And Kate Martin is known as “the glue”

for Iowa stepping up in any way her team needs; averaging 7.6 points, 4.2 assists, 3.5 rebounds per game this season, with a field goal percentage of 46.2%. Both Marshall and Martin have one more year of eligibility with the program and both plan on using it. Their bench isn’t something to be ignored either with players like Molly Davis and Hannah Stuelke making a big impact off the bench – Davis serving as just under 90% free throw shooter, and Stuelke, the 2023 Big Ten Sixth Player of the Year, averaging 6.8 points in an average of 12 minutes per game.

This team has gained unprecedented attention from the state of Iowa. Fans of the program have broken attendance records with an average of 10,705 people in attendance at each game. Even more so, fans have traveled so well that other stadiums for the Big Ten Tournament and NCAA Tournament have been affectionately called Carver North, meaning so many fans attended it was almost like the team played at their home: CarverHawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa. Players like Clark (and more) have also gained the attention of a lot of younger fans, and at every game, you see hundreds of little boys and girls fighting to be noticed by any player they can. I attended

the first game of the NCAA tournament for Iowa in Iowa City, and a few Iowa players, Hannah Stuelke, Molly Davis and I’m pretty sure Addison O’Grady were sitting in the stadium to watch the first game of the day (Georgia vs. Florida St.) and were quickly surrounded by little kids and parents who wanted a picture or an autograph, and those players didn’t even start the game.

Iowa women’s basketball has done all of this by simply; playing good basketball, and being good humans. The starting lineup, Clark, Czinano, Martin, Marshall and Warnock have played together for the last three years, and fans have fallen in love not only with their uncanny scoring ability but their ability to put their egos aside and play extremely cohesively as a team. The team played this past Sunday evening against the fifth-seeded Louisville Cardinals for a spot in the Final Four. The team has previously beat Southeastern Louisiana, Georgia and Colorado for their spot in the Elite Eight.

Courtesy of Abigail Saathoff

Opinion columnist Abigail Saathoff (right) with Caitlin Clark (left) outside of the Carver Hawkeye Arena before an Iowa men’s basketball game.

VOX POP

Where is your favorite study place and why?

UNI School of Music to Present World Premiere Opera: “The Beehive”

Digital media production and Psychology

“Probably in Schindler in the main foyer area. They have a lot of booths and a lot of outlets. I don’t go there as often as I’d like, but that is where I feel most productive.”

PEYTON GUTHRIE Staff Writer

The world of opera may seem intimidating and difficult to follow for those who are unfamiliar with it, but many might find that it has a lot to offer its audiences. Opera provides a unique experience, allowing its audiences to experience storytelling in a powerful and emotionally direct way.

“My favorite place to study is the study rooms in Rod Library. I just like the peace and quiet - being secluded from being out where people can see you. It’s nice to have the large TVs to do some work and then

On Thursday, March 30 and March 31, at 7:30 p.m., UNI School of Music will be presenting the world premiere performances of “The Beehive,” a newly commissioned opera. The show will be located in Bengtson Auditorium in Russell Hall.

Loosely based on a short story titled “The Overcoat” by Ukrainian author, Nikolai Gogol, “The Beehive” follows the story of Abby, a hairstylist in Black Hawk County who is struggling to find her identity in the hairstyling community.

Opera can come off as menacing to those who have little experience with it, but this show has been made extremely accessible, as it is completely in English and will have supertitles displayed. The show is also free

and open to the public so that anyone may attend.

The UNI Opera Ensemble, directed by Richard Gammon and vocal coach Korey Barrett and Northern Iowa Symphony Orchestra conducted by Erik Rohde will be performing this piece.

“It will be the first time anyone has ever seen the piece and is a great opportunity to be witness to a new work!” said Gammon. “The Beehive” was commissioned specifically for the students of UNI. It was created by Jorge Sosa, composer, and Melisa Tien, librettist, who have implemented a musical style influenced by pop and jazz music which is performed by an orchestra.

There are many misconceptions about opera such as the idea that it is too hard to understand as it is often performed in a foreign language or the words seem unintelligible due to the style of singing, however, the creative team has worked hard to put together a piece that will reach all audiences. The show will be 75 minutes full of humor, joy and tears for viewers to enjoy.

“We have greatly enjoyed being able to work with such a large and wonderful team.

The joy and spirit of collaboration is very present here at UNI!” said Gammon. The team comprises people from all over, including a hair and makeup designer from New Jersey, a costume designer from Michigan and a composer and a librettist from New York who have all come together in a joint effort to perform a piece that has never been seen before.

“We are also so happy to be working with so many UNI designers, choreographers and technicians – many of them coming from the Theatre Department and the Gallagher Bluedorn!” commented Gammon.

Students and audience members are also encouraged to stay behind and attend a talk back after Thursday night’s show with the composer and librettist to discuss more about the show itself and what goes on behind the scenes. This is a great opportunity for the audience to ask questions and learn more about the performances. Students can go to music. uni.edu to learn more about “The Beehive” or other UNI School of Music events happening this spring.

Quotes and Photos by: Taylor Nohrenberg

Brena Laine Ollinger ‘20

“Maucker Union because it’s quieter, and there’s food!”

Will Nachazel ‘20

A simple dessert to satisfy your sweet tooth

RECIPE CARD

White cake recipe

INGREDIENTS:

DIRECTIONS:

Step 1-- collect all of the needed ingredients.

Step 2--Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Step 3-- Mix the cream, sugar and butter together in a mixing bowl. One at a time add eggs, and mix in vanilla.

Step 4-- Mix flour and baking powder in a separate bowl. Add the wet ingredient, add milk and stir until the mix is smooth

Step 5--Pour the batter cake pan.

Step 6-- Bake the cake mix in the preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes.

Step 7--Remove the cake from the oven and set it out to cool completely.

Step 8-- Take a picture and @NorthernIowan on social media

Serves

Notes

This recipe is from allrecipes.com

FOOTBALL

Panthers perform for NFL scouts

DREW HILL Sports Writer

UNI football hosted its Pro Day on Monday, March 20. Ten of UNI’s players showed off their strengths through drills and workouts. The 10 players who participated were Matthew Vanderslice, Erik Sorensen, Bryce Flater, Korby Sander, Benny Sapp III, Quan Hampton, Deion McShane, Vance McShane, Damien Crumitie and Dom Williams.

Last year, UNI saw Trevor Penning become the first ever Panther to be drafted in the first round. While that seems unlikely to happen this year, some of the players turned in noteworthy performances.

Sapp’s name is likely familiar to the scouts who were there, as his father, Benny Sapp II, played for eight seasons in the NFL for the Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings and Miami Dolphins. Sapp fared well at the UNI Pro Day in his own right, leading all 10 players in broad jump at 10 feet, 2 inches, and in the three-cone drill with a time of 6.94 seconds. He also was second overall and first among defensive players in the vertical jump at 35.5 inches. Sapp is coming off an AllAmerican and First Team All-MVFC season. Sapp has already been drafted by the Memphis Showboats with the 27th pick of the USFL Draft.

“I’m never going to stop being hungry. I love this game with a passion. I felt the best about my position drills as being able to show the scouts that while I play safety, I can also play corner,” said Sapp after the event.

Sorensen was not too far behind Sapp in vertical jump at 35 inches. What makes it impressive is that he set a new program record for offensive lineman. He also led the 10 UNI players in the bench press, completing 24 reps of 225 pounds.

Hampton led UNI in both the vertical jump at 37 inches and the 40-yard dash with a time of 4.53 seconds. The McShane brothers were right behind him, with each finishing with a time of 4.56 seconds in the 40-yard dash and a vertical jump of 34 inches. Deion McShane had the

advantage in broad jump, finishing second behind Sapp at 10 feet, 1 inch. He also finished second in the shuttle run with a time of 4.25. Vance McShane was just a tick behind him in the shuttle run at 4.26, but had the slight advantage in the bench reps, getting 19 to his brother’s 18.

Williams led the field in the shuttle run with a time of 4.20 seconds. Crumitie had the second most bench reps at 22 and ran the second-fastest three-cone drill, getting a time of 6.97 seconds. Vanderslice had the longest wingspan of any of the players measured at 84 inches. Sander ran a 4.65 40-yard dash and a 4.28 shuttle run. Flater ran his three-cone drill in 7.19 seconds.

“It’s an exciting day for all of these guys. This is the one day you want to be at your best as you try to beat a time, a clock, a vertical and beat another guy’s numbers. It’s always good to see them all smiling when the day’s over, because you just want to know that you did your best,” said UNI Head Coach Mark Farley.

There were scouts in attendance from the Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Chargers, Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Washington Commanders, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Carolina Panthers, Atlanta Falcons and Seattle Seahawks.

The 2023 NFL Draft takes place Thursday, April 27, through Saturday, April 29. It will be held at Union Station in Kansas City, Mo. Coincidentally, this is the same city that the Kansas City Chiefs, the NFL’s reigning Super Bowl champions, call home. There will be a myriad of ways to enjoy this event from home. Across the three days it will be televised on ESPN, ABC and NFL Network. It will also be available on the radio via ESPN Radio.

STEPH STARK/NORTHERN IOWAN

Ten former UNI Panthers went through UNI’s Pro Day this past week, performing in front of scouts from many National Football League teams.

Panthers secure wins in Chicago

ADAM JOHNSON Sports Writer

UNI softball traveled to Chicago, Ill. on Friday, March 24 to go up against the UIC Flames in a conference double header. The Panthers came into these games having won four in a row, so they were looking to keep the winning streak alive. The Panthers were able to take care of business, winning both of the games in the double header.

The Panthers got things going early, putting one run across in the top of the first inning. Kailyn Packard got the start pitching for the Panthers, and although she gave up two early base runners in the bottom of the first, she was able to get out of the jam with no damage done. The Panthers added another run in the second, while Packard kept the Flames off of the board. The Panthers kept adding on with two more runs in the third, as well as another in the fourth. Packard gave up her first run of the

VOLLEYBALL

game in the bottom of the fourth making the score 5-1. The fifth inning was quiet, and Anna Wischnowski came in to relieve Packard. The Panthers got the bats rocking again when they added three more runs in the top of the sixth. This made the score 8-1, and that’s the way that it would end. The Panthers tallied 11 hits in the game and eight RBIs.

Mya Dodge had an impressive four hit game. Packard picked up the win, moving her record to 6-3 on the season.

In the second game of the doubleheader the Panthers were looking to take their second win of the day. However, things did not start out how they would have liked. After a scoreless top of the first inning, the Flames got a run across on UNI pitcher Samantha Heyer, giving them a 1-0 lead through the first. Neither team got a run across in the second, and the Flames maintained their narrow lead.

In the top of the third, the Panthers finally got on the

board. It was in a rather surprising way, as their first run was brought in on a Dodge walk with the bases loaded. They got a second run on the inning on another walk as well. This time it was Brooke Snider who walked with the bases loaded.

In the bottom of the third, Heyer got the Flames batters out in order. In the top of the fourth, Dodge put the ball in play, and that was enough to bring in two runners as the Flames made an error on the play. In the bottom of the inning, Heyer continued to lock in, getting the batters out in succession. The Panthers offense exploded in the top of the fifth inning, having five hits that scored five runs. With a comfortable 9-1 lead going into the bottom of the final inning, Heyer did not mess around. She struck out all three batters. The Panthers took the victory via run rule, 9-1. Heyer had eight strikeouts and took the win, moving her record on the season to 8-4.

The Panthers finished the series against UIC

on Sunday afternoon, although game results were not available in time for print. UNI will play next

at Missouri on Wednesday, March 29, looking to add on to their win streak.

UNI hits the floor for spring volleyball

CADEN SHEA Sports Writer

The UNI volleyball team returned to competition on Saturday as they competed against the other three state schools in Iowa in spring

volleyball action. The team traveled to Ames as they took on Iowa, Iowa State and Drake in their first games of the spring season. The Panthers are coming off of a fantastic season with a record of 27-8 as well as

winning both the Missouri Valley Conference regular season title and the tournament title, as well as picking up a victory in the NCAA Tournament.

The first match of the day for the Panthers would be

against the Iowa Hawkeyes. The Panthers would go the distance with the Hawkeyes in the first set, ultimately winning 26-24. Iowa turned the tables on UNI in the second set, winning 25-20. The Panthers would ultimately win the match against the Hawkeyes by beating them 12-7 in the final set.

The next matchup of the day for UNI would be against the team that held home court advantage, the Iowa State Cyclones. The Panthers lost the first set against the Cyclones 25-19. The second set was an all out war between the two teams with both clubs going back and forth for much of the match. The Cyclones ended up winning 28-26. The Panthers would be victorious in their last set with Iowa State as they won 15-9.

The last match of the day for the Panthers would be against the Drake Bulldogs. This was one of the premiere matchups of the day for the Panthers as it was against their conference rival. UNI came out the

gates swinging as they beat the Bulldogs 25-20. The last two sets would not be as fortunate for the Panthers. The Bulldogs flipped the script on the Panthers in the next set as they were victorious 25-20. The Panthers would finish the day with a loss by a score of 15-10.

The Panthers will look to repeat the success they had in last year’s season as they look to the future. The Panthers added three transfers to their team over the year who will attempt to further improve their already great team. The transfers are Calia Clubb of Illinois State, Erin Powers of UAB and Kara Oxenknecht of New Hampshire.

UNI will compete in three more tournaments in the coming weeks: the UMKC Spring Tournament in Kansas City on April 8, the UNI Spring Tournament on their home court in the Wellness-Recreation Center on April 15 and the Iowa Spring Tournament in Iowa City on April 22.

COURTESY/UNI ATHLETICS Samantha Heyer (2) continued her strong performance, once again being named MVC Pitcher of the Week for a second straight week.

JORDAN JUNGE/NORTHERN IOWAN

The UNI volleyball team got back on the court for the first time this spring. The Panthers look different after graduating several great players, but still expect to be successful this fall.