A Trusted Source of Independent Student Journalism since 1987.
A Trusted Source of Independent Student Journalism since 1987.
Volume 50 l Issue 18 l February 5, 2025
performance PAGE 17
PHOTO BY ADRIAN JIMENEZ MORALES
OU STUDENTS Micah Scheffer and Dane Charleston attend SPB’s Casino Night, with this year’s theme being “A Cruise in the Caribbean.” Learn more about the themed night in “Welcome aboard the Caribbean Cruise Casino Night” on page 10-11.
Don Ritenburgh Business Adviser ritenbur@oakland.edu
248.370.2533
PHOTO BY ADRIAN JIMENEZ MORALES
Community and competition at Grizz Balls Pool Club
ADRIAN JIMENEZ MORALES
Campus Editor
Every other week the pool tables at the Grizz Den are reserved for Grizz Balls, Oakland University’s pool club. However, they remain open to anyone who wants to be part of one of the largest and most visible communities at OU.
Hosting bi-weekly tournaments, Grizz Balls has created a staple competition among casual and competitive pool players from across campus. On Jan. 31, they hosted the first tournament of the semester, disregarding snowstorms and tight schedules.
“We had kind of a small turnout, but we’ve been recently experimenting with double-elimination tournaments, so we’re able to extend it and get a lot more matches out of it,” Simon Roeser, Grizz Balls vice president, said. “If you lose your first match, you go down to a lower bracket, and you have the opportunity to work your way through it. If you win the lower bracket, you go all the way back up to the championship.”
10 people participated in the double-elimination tournament, competing in an eight-ball game in which participants versed each other one on one, calling the shots within 45 seconds to win two out of three rounds.
“It’s the winter semester, you know, so things are typically a little slower and whatnot,” Brendley Carey, Grizz Balls president, said. “But, as usual, Grizz Balls is here trying to have an event for the people, trying to give the people something nice
and fun to enjoy their time outside of class.”
This was one of the longest tournaments the E-Board recalls having, the first double-elimination of the semester ended around 10:30 p.m., lasting a few minutes short of five hours. The final standoff was between Simon Roeser and Joshua Dubach — long-time friends and pool enthusiasts.
“I took round one, went into round two and I lost there — got moved to the losers bracket,” Dubach said, retelling his underdog odyssey through the brackets. “I had to take two games there to get out of the losers bracket, back into my shot at the grand finale. So I had to play the grand final twice to get completely out.”
Winning four consecutive rounds against Roeser, Dubach won first place during the first and longest contest of the semester.
“I came down here last semester, first day of
classes I was like, ‘You know, that’s pretty cool.’ So, just kept doing it, and now here we are winning tournaments,” Dubach said. “I did skip work tonight to be here so I’m glad I won something.”
Beyond sharing a passion and fine tuning their competitive edge, Grizz Balls has become a project to consolidate a community at the heart of OU.
“I used to come down here with my friends all the time, and then I made some other friends, but I noticed that different friends were in different groups,” Carey said. “That’s really the main thing that sparked the club, I’m like, ‘Why not get everybody to know everybody and whatnot?’”
Thus, most of the regular pool players or people who generally hang out at The Den are part of Grizz Balls, either as referees, members or spectators. One can find Grizz Balls members just about every hour of every day, Carey explained.
“I agree with that because you can come down here any day of the week on each day and you can get a different group of people that are still part of the club,” Roeser said. “One thing that definitely helps is it’s right in the heart of the OC.”
By word of mouth or an invitation to join a pool game, Roeser explained that the Grizz Balls community has been able to grow rapidly.
“If anyone stops down here and they’re like, ‘Oh, cool, you know, I’ll play a couple of games,’ they’re bound to meet some people in our org, become friends,” Roeser said. “It just keeps on growing and so I think that’s what’s made the difference, we just have this area where we’re able to hang out all the time every single day of the week.”
PHOTO BY ADRIAN JIMENEZ MORALES
Inside the Dietetics specialization at OU
MATILDE RABAJOLI Campus Reporter
Oakland University’s most common major is focused on nursing and healthcare sciences. It has been a couple of years since the Department of Biological Sciences began offering a concentration based on the world of nutrition and dietetics.
Special Nutrition and Culinary Skills instructor, Sarah Martin, is a registered dietitian with a master’s in clinical nutrition. Martin held an online information session for all OU students who were curious about what education on dietetics would look like. The online session was held on Jan. 31, where an overall dietetic career overview was explained in depth.
“So, dietetics is wedged nicely into the wellness and lifestyle medicine kind of greater good, and it sits within the field of nutrition,” Martin explained. “So, dietetics is just referring to registered dietitian nutrition, and these are considered the real food and nutrition experts that have a degree from an accredited dietetics program.”
Martin also highlighted the various career options that one can take with a degree in dietetics. Working at hospitals in multiple positions, management in food services, private practices, community and public health, sports nutrition and corporate wellness programs were some of the most popular opportunities. Martin explained that “there’s a whole bunch of ways to become a dietitian.”
“The only way to come to it at OU is through
the undergraduate program. So, the undergraduate program at OU is a two-year program that sequences the courses to build knowledge and skills.” Martin said.
The info session included what precise steps students should take, how DPD verification statements are necessary for undergraduate programs, how higher education programs may require specific verifications, and that a master’s is necessary to become a registered dietician. Martin also discusses courses that are recommended and required for students’ future success when becoming dietitians here at OU.
Some classes the Golden Grizzlies can try to explore the Dietetics specialization are NTR 1000 Careers in Nutrition, NTR 3100 Dietetics Seminar or NTR 2500 Human Nutrition and Health.
Some required courses are NTR 4200 Communication and Counseling in Nutrition Practice and NTR 4500 Professional Practice and Ethics in Nutrition. The competitive application process for entry includes a minimum grade of a B- in NTR 2500, a 2.8 overall GPA and a personal statement.
Martin also highlighted why dietetics is an incredibly important field of knowledge.
“You know, [in] the way our medical system is set up, we get a lot of prescriptions and a lot of ‘Well, this is your problem, and here’s the pill,’” Martin said. She explained that there are not enough resources on healthy lifestyles or behaviors to help people improve their health outside of pharmaceuticals.
“I think having dietitians and people that are truly educated in nutrition with a true science background,
rather than people running around and saying, ‘You need to lose 100 pounds to ever meet your health goals,’ is really necessary for people to improve health conditions,” Martin said.
Sarah Martin was also a guest speaker on Fox 2 News when advertising the Healthology Symposium that took place on March 23, 2023. Martin did a culinary demonstration on how to make a vegetarian, protein-full meal. She also discussed how many procedures she practiced in her NTR 2750 Introduction to Cooking and Culinary Science class she teaches during her time on Fox News. The online session allowed for more personal questions and personalized conversation with the speaker as any advisory meeting does. Future sessions will be held and are scheduled on the Dietetics specialization page of OU’s website.
Oakland’s Honors College hosts American Red Cross blood drives
DANIELA CESARIO
Features Reporter
The Honors College at Oakland University is partnering with the American Red Cross to host two crucial blood drives this semester. The drives, held on Feb. 4 and Mar. 10, will take place at the Collaboration Center in Hillcrest Hall from 1 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. This event offers students, faculty, staff and the surrounding community the opportunity to donate blood and save lives.
“I think it’s amazing that the Honors College is hosting these drives,” freshman Blake Jahn said. “It’s a great way for students and faculty to get involved and give back to those in need, especially since the Red Cross always needs donations. I remember helping out with a drive at my high school too, they are always super appreciative, and it makes donating a much more positive experience.”
Appointments for the blood drive are encouraged to ensure an efficient donation process, but walk-ins are also welcome, depending on space availability. The Honors College aims to make donating blood an easy and accessible way for members of the campus and surrounding community to contribute to a great cause.
“I’ve donated blood a couple of times before, and it’s always a simple way to help people in need,” Jahn said. “It’s great that the Honors College is making it easier for us to give back right here on
campus. Blood donations are one of the easiest ways to give back to the community. I’ve donated in the past and I know it doesn’t take long, but it can save lives. I’m looking forward to doing it again.”
Hosting the blood drive aligns with the Honors College’s commitment to community involvement
PHOTO COURTESY OF OAKLAND
and social responsibility. As an important resource for hospitals, the American Red Cross encourages as many donors as possible to participate to meet the ongoing demand for blood. This is just one of the many organizations the Honors College dedicates it’s time to help and hopefully make a difference in not just the lives of others, but in the lives of students as well.
“I’m glad that the Honors College is offering this opportunity to give blood to those in need,” freshman Daniel Boyd said. “It’s easy to forget how much a simple blood donation can do for someone in need, and I’m looking forward to doing my part.”
The American Red Cross has stressed the need for diverse blood types to help patients in a variety of situations, so every donation is valuable. Participants can expect a streamlined and safe donation process, guided by professional staff throughout the event.
“I’ve never donated blood before, but I’ve always wanted to,” Boyd said. “This is a great opportunity to finally do it, especially since it’s happening on campus. It feels good knowing that my donation could really make a difference for someone.”
The blood drives at Oakland University are just one example of the Honors College’s efforts to engage students and the community in meaningful service opportunities. With a focus on social change and community action, the Honors College encourages all who can to join in and make a difference.
PHOTO COURTESY OF OAKLAND UNIVERSITY
OUSC hosts 2nd Annual Cultural Fashion Show
PHOTOS BY MATTHEW VIGELIUS
2025 Keeper of the Dream Award recipient: Mackenzie Smith
NOAH FRANCIS Features Editor
The Keeper of the Dream Scholarship Award recognizes outstanding students who have helped foster interracial understanding and goodwill. Inspired and trained by several past recipients, Mackenzie Smith, a political science major, achieved her goal on Jan. 20, when she and several other hand-picked students received the scholarship award.
“I was ecstatic,” Smith said. “It feels like an honor to be a part of something so powerful, so inspirational to so many others, to know that I can join in that community and give hope to others just like it feels good.”
Smith drew inspiration from her friends, who had received the award years prior.
“I knew some of the recipients who received the award, and I just remember looking into it and I was just like, I want to be a part of that,” Smith said. “I just want to make change, get involved and make an impact on my community. I always kind of knew this was something that I wanted to be a part of.”
For Smith, preparation was a big part of the process, whether it was through the Career and Life Design Center or talking to past recipients of the award.
“I just remember going to Career and Life Design so much and just preparing,” Smith said. “I
remember talking to past recipients and asking them what questions I should prepare for and practicing for the interview, so it was a lot of practicing preparation for the actual day to come.”
One of Smith’s biggest tips is to make genuine connections from all corners of OU’s campus.
“I know the main thing is to get involved on campus, but my biggest tip is to make good connections on campus, genuine ones by speaking to students and staff members, just saying hi, and then letting things progress from there,” Smith said. “You don’t always have to be the E-Board member of everything, but just getting involved somewhere, starting somewhere is better than nothing, and you can eventually grow from that.”
While Smith was ecstatic over receiving the award, she was more excited for the doors this opportunity opens for her.
“Many other past recipients have received different internships,” Smith said. “During the day of the event, I got to talk to so many different sponsors who gave me their business card to keep in contact. And the number one thing is to keep in contact. Definitely reach out and definitely don’t let them forget who you are.”
After making it through law school, Smith’s goal is to work in the House of Representatives or Congress to help pass laws and bills to help the community, minority groups, LGBTQ+ groups and the people she cares about.
“I really want to be a driving support for them, especially in the times that we’re in today, it’s more now than ever that we have people who genuinely want to see progressive change in like a community and just to come together,” Smith said.
Studets interested in the Keeper of the Dream Scholarship Award can visit the Center for Multicultural Initiatives (CMI) webpage for information on past recipients and how to apply.
Pollinator Conservation Organization: Ensuring the natural life of OU thrives
SOPHIA CURRAN
Features Reporter
Oakland University’s Pollinator Conservation Organization works to help save and spread awareness for bees and other pollinating insects — creating a habitat and educating students about protecting these critters while sharing their importance to the environment.
Members within the organization have recognized the importance of pollinating insects such as bees, butterflies and more. These species are also noted for their dropping populations as the environment becomes more unfit for their inhabitants. President Sabrina Mohler has explained why these creatures are in dire need of protection, as well as what specifically drove her to help them.
“Ever since I was a child I have wanted to help and protect those who could not help themselves,” Mohler said. “Whether it was a worm stranded in the rain or an injured dog on the side of the road, I want to provide compassionate care to all no matter their size. I have always been empathetic towards those who cannot speak for themselves, so I wanted to raise awareness of these magnificent creatures.”
Surrounded by forests, Oakland University is home to many diverse species. But with this diversity comes much responsibility for students and faculty to do their part and keep them safe.
“The Pollinator Conservation Organization’s
goal is to inform the Oakland student body on the importance of pollinator species in the environment and the sustainability of life on campus,” Mohler said. “These species not only pollinate our native flowers and crops — improving the ecosystem on campus — but they also provide nutrients to many other organisms. This organization is important for Oakland University because of all the natural land surrounding the area and our collaboration with the student organic farm.”
The organization has also worked to help make Oakland an even more welcoming place for these species. They hold past events to help support their club and sanctuaries created by the committee. While reminiscing about her time in the pollinator community, Mohler shared past events held by the organization.
“We have made native gardens around campus with specific flowers that will target important pollinators to the lifestyle of Oakland University,” Mohler said. “Our organization’s aim is to create sustainable strategies to help our campus community grow and flourish.”
On Jan. 29, the organization held a honey tasting event in the Oakland Center. It was welcomed to all students as they learned about the differences between different types of honey flavors and how insects magically work to create it. They held the event in hopes of helping students get more involved and appreciate the natural life at Oakland University.
“I think it was difficult to get students involved in organizations on campus. By having interesting events, such as the honey tasting, more students will show up. This makes it easier to get our message out there. Even if only a few show up to listen to it, every little bit counts,” Mohler said.
The Pollinator Conservation Organization creates a positive impact on the natural life at Oakland University. More information about the organization can be found on their Instagram page and GrizzOrgs page.
PHOTO COURTESY OF CMI
PHOTO COURTESY OF OAKLAND UNIVERSITY’S POLLINATOR CONSERVATION ORGANIZATION
How addiction recovery support is transforming at Oakland University
ALINA ZETOUNA
Contributor
At Oakland University, Grizz Recovery (GR) is creating a safe space for students to confront addiction, embrace sobriety and build a supportive community — all without the pressure to conform to college drinking culture.
Grizz Recovery, established in 2016, initially aimed to support students through Alcoholics Anonymous, and meetings similar, is a Collegiate Recovery Program (CRP) on OU’s campus. GR is registered with the Association of Recovery in Higher Education, focused on providing a community to support students in their substance use recovery.
GR has a private space on campus for its members, affectionately called the Cub-House. During the pandemic in 2020, the organization unfortunately saw a decline which caused the organization to fizzle out. A new coordinator was hired in 2024, and GR is making a comeback.
Now, GR is under the leadership of Sarah Super, a dedicated coordinator with a background in psychiatric nursing, and passionate student leaders like Alaina Humphreys and Jacob Potter.
“Collegiate Recovery Programs are critical,” Super said. “Statistics show that 72% of students in recovery choose their school based on these programs. For a third of them, it’s the difference between staying in school or dropping out.”
Collegiate Recovery Programs provide essential support and education for young adults navigating newfound freedom, helping them build a community that fosters understanding and reduces stigma around addiction. These programs promote visibility and acceptance by sharing experiences and creating a welcoming environment for those seeking help.
Humphreys, student ambassador and intern of GR — also a junior majoring in psychology — joined the group after transferring to OU. Sober for six years, she was yearning for a community which she could feel aligned with.
“I wish I had something like this when I first got sober,” Humphreys said. “It’s important to show people that recovery doesn’t mean you can’t have a fulfilling college experience.”
Jacob Potter, GR student ambassador, and a senior studying psychology, emphasizes the misconception that you can’t have fun sober — which he says is simply untrue.
These organizations want students on campus to know that with support from OU, these programs reduce stigma and provide a welcoming space for all students. GR aims to be a “household name” at OU that the campus community takes pride in and recoverees feel comfortable with.
Having a supportive community for students at all stages of addiction — whether they are in recovery, struggling with relapse or considering sobriety–- is a factor that this organization emphasizes.
“There is no accurate picture of an addict. It could be anyone,” Jacob said.
The organization encourages students to examine the root cause of their trauma and show them they don’t need to turn to drugs.
Many students struggle to cope with distress, often turning to substances as a way to numb their emotions. This temporary relief can lead to a dangerous cycle of addiction and leaves the underlying issues unaddressed. Without proper support, this pattern of substance abuse can disrupt the lives of students academically, socially and personally.
“If you don’t accept what is there, it becomes denial,” Potter said. “I had to accept that I have a disease I cannot control on my own. I’ve grown more in three months with Grizz Recovery than I have in five years.”
Through weekly recovery meetings, wellness meetings, and private GR sessions, the organization works to create an environment where students feel safe discussing their struggles.
“It’s about providing a judgment-free zone. We want students to know they are not alone,” Super said.
While substance abuse may be decreasing in some areas such as drinking less for Gen Z, other challenges are still faced — for example, the rise of marijuana use.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, studies show that Gen Z is drinking less alcohol, with studies showing a steady decline in consumption compared to previous generations. Other factors include mental health awareness, healthier lifestyles and an increased education on the risks of substance abuse.
Concerns still remain as binge drinking persists,
and increased use of cannabis has been seen, which may be in some ways replacing alcohol — highlighting a shift in substance use patterns, and the need for continued awareness and support.
“Many think smoking weed is harmless, but it can have serious psychological effects, especially on a developing brain,” Potter said.
Humphreys shares her own experience with addiction, which began with using cannabis in high school and escalated to harder drugs such as cocaine. Her inspiring journey to recovery was challenging, involving jail time, probation and lots of rejection.
“I had been in jail for two weeks after being sentenced for probation violation, I cried every day from the time I woke up to when I fell asleep,” Humphreys said. “After two weeks of crying, I became desperate to find something, anything, that was going to make me feel like I had a choice different from a life of addiction.”
Humphreys recalls her spiritual revelation while being in jail, with whom she calls God, where she experienced an overwhelming rush of emotion, as a powerful presence spoke to her, allowing her to envision what a God to her would be: loving, compassionate and non-judgmental. The next morning, she felt renewed and protected, embracing the idea of unconditional love.
She gives lots of credit to God in her recovery. Without the strength provided to her by her newfound faith, she would not have the confidence to reach for things that used to feel so far away. She is currently engaged and owns a home, which are things she says would have been unattainable without walking the path of recovery.
“Recovery has changed my life in every conceivable way,” Humphreys said. “I’ve gone from dropping out of college due to addiction to returning sober as a straight-A student.”
Humphreys lives out the principles of the twelfth step that Alcoholics Anonymous teaches in her everyday life — sharing the message of recovery — Through her work in GR. She witnesses others bloom, which gives passion and purpose to her recovery.
Given the obstacles Humphreys faced throughout years of addiction, being able to find sobriety and have a joyful life — including the opportunity to lead GR — is a full-circle moment.
The opportunity to be a voice for GR has been one of Humphreys’s proudest moments. She’s grateful to engage with others who have similar experiences in addiction. She hopes to light a candle for them and guide those who are struggling to the resources GR provides.
The impact of this organization goes beyond the individuals involved. They are helping to shift the narrative around addiction on campus, and aiming to help as many people as possible, even if it is just one.
Grizz Recovery welcomes anyone considering sobriety to reach out directly at grizzrecovery@gmail.com.
For students looking to explore a college experience abstaining from substances but who may not identify with addiction, Super advises checking out Students for Recovery (SFR). The new student organization works to decrease the stigma of addiction and strives to promote healthy alternatives.
“We want anyone on campus struggling with addiction to know that they are not alone,” Humphreys said. “There is a community here for you who won’t judge you. We have been where you are, and we are here to help.”
PHOTO BY ADRIAN JIMENEZ MORALES
Students react to The Weeknd’s new album drop and tour announcement
DANIELA CESARIO Features Reporter
The Weeknd, one of the most influential artists of the 21st century, recently released his highly anticipated new album, “Hurry Up Tomorrow,” marking a fresh direction in his music career. Fans have been eagerly awaiting this project, and its release has sparked conversations across social media platforms about his evolving sound. Alongside the album, The Weeknd announced a worldwide tour, taking his music to a global audience.
“I’ve been listening to The Weeknd since his mixtape days,” freshman Heather Czekai said. “And this new album feels like the next natural step in his career. It’s bold, and the risk he’s taking with his sound is something that not a lot of artists have the courage to do. I’m really excited to see how this new material translates live because if his past tours are anything to go by, it’s going to be an unforgettable experience.”
The new album comes on the heels of his previous successes, which include chart-topping hits and groundbreaking performances. This album, however, is a departure from his previous work, with a more experimental approach to sound.
The Weeknd’s fans have taken to social media to express their excitement, dissecting the album’s lyrics and musical direction. His new tour promises to be
another milestone in his already stellar career, with tickets quickly selling out for the first batch of shows.
“What I love most about The Weeknd is how he is exploring new styles and sounds,” junior Olivia Koods said. “And this new album is a perfect
example of that. He’s taken some really bold risks, which makes it even more exciting for me as a fan. I’m curious to see how the live show will reflect this new direction in his music, and I can only imagine how much energy it’s going to bring to his fans during the tour.”
In addition to the new album, The Weeknd’s tour dates are set to bring his electrifying performances to stages across the globe. Fans can expect an immersive experience with state-of-the-art visuals and a setlist that spans his most iconic hits. Concertgoers are anticipating an unforgettable live show.
“His sound has always been ahead of its time, but this new project takes everything to another level,” Czekai said. “It’ll be interesting to see how the new songs feel in concert, but I have no doubt that it will be one of his most dynamic tours yet. I think his fans are going to really connect with it, and I’m looking forward to seeing how his unique energy brings this new album to life on stage during the tour. I went to his last tour and it was incredible.”
As anticipation builds for the live performances, fans are ready to see how The Weeknd translates his new sound into an unforgettable concert experience. With his innovative new album and upcoming tour, The Weeknd is once again proving why he is one of the most exciting artists in the industry today. His ability to evolve with each release has kept fans on the edge of their seats, anxiously anticipating what’s next.
Ceiling Connoisseurs dressing down: Club under hiatus
NOAH FRANCIS
Features Reporter
In the fall semester of 2023, three students, Robert Quigley, Aaron Brian and Deven Malamo came up with one of the silliest clubs on campus, Ceiling Connoisseurs – a club dedicated to discussing and sharing beautiful ceilings. The club became an instant classic among the roster of student organizations, and was awarded with the “outstanding new student org” award during its first year.
Fast forwarding to earlier this semester on Jan. 28, the club announced their final meeting until further notice. Helmed by Maya Kirksey, the latest president of the club, she explained the issues leading to the club’s hiatus.
“Personally, I think that the bit kind of died when Quigley left,” Kirksey said. “The people that were still passionate about it still came to meetings every week, but it ended up thinning out a little bit, and it was a little discouraging. Also the fact that all of our eboard are either trying to graduate in the next year or just getting increasingly busy, it was just getting a little too taxing.”
Although club meetings will no longer take place, the club is not officially disbanding, and their Discord will still be open to anyone who wants to enjoy ceilings with fellow ceiling connoisseurs or
create a new eboard for the club.
“The Discord is still up and running,” Kirksey said. “I don’t imagine that will ever die, even if we were to fold the club.”
For Quigley, the previous president of the club, he feels a sense of closure now that it is winding down.
“I suppose it is nice to know that the ridiculous bit of ceilings lasted as long as it did,” Quigley said. “That part’s really funny. I feel a sense of closure and that feels nice. The highlight is probably just being able to bring a bunch of people together and then have a good laugh.”
Another highlight for the former president was when the club got the idea to “dress to the nines” for their meetings.
“The original guy who pitched the idea that we dress up in fancy suits, he added a whole other level of hilarity,” Quigley said. “Now we were leaning into the role of the connoisseur and it felt so much funnier.”
Taking a look back on his journey since starting the club, Quigley offers advice to other students looking to start their own club.
“Be very cognizant of your personal goals and what you want from the club, such as why you’re starting the club, and how you’re going to get what you want out of the club,” Quigley said. “For me, it was just a funny thing, and it started out with just a few friends, laughing at this funny bit. For me, the
goal the whole time was just to have a few laughs with good friends.”
The Ceiling Connoisseurs resembled a variety of things in its prime. It was just a silly club to some, and a place of friendship to others, but as Quigley said, “maybe the real ceiling connoisseurs were the friends we made along the way.”
For more information on the club, visit their website at ceilingconnoisseurs.org or visit their GrizzOrgs page.
PHOTO COURTESY OF SPOTIFY
PHOTO BY NOAH FRANCIS
The 2025 rendition of Casino Night took the Golden Grizzlies on a tour around the Caribbean and aboard a luxurious cruise field with poker games, mocktails and circus performers.
Oakland University students abandoned their heavy winter coats for Hawaiian shirts and straw hats to compete in casino games with a chance at winning a PS5, a 50” TV and many other prizes.
“It was a lot of fun. I met lots of new people and I’m just waiting for my price,” Cristina Delgado, a marketing student,
said after hours playing blackjack. “It’s my second time at Casino Night and I think this year they had cooler stuff like the live music.”
The Oakland Center’s Winter Garden transformed into a seaside foyer where students could chat at the foot of a live band playing Caribbean renditions of pop classics. The saxophone and steel pan drums stood out as the emblematic symphonies of the night.
“The jazz singer upstairs is also good,” Owen Bricker, a mechanical engineering
Story by Adrian Jimenez Morales
Design by Megan Judy, Dylan Hecker, and August Wicker
Photos courtesy of Matthew Vigelius and Adrian Jimenez Morales
Winners at this year’s Grammy Awards
OLIVIA CHIAPPELLI AND CHELSEA BOSSERT
On Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025, the 67th Annual Grammy Awards hosted at LA’s Crypto.com Arena took place. The lavish festivities capped off a year in music that saw a pop-music renaissance, Beyoncé take on country music and Kendrick Lamar’s iconic diss track become the most talked about rap song of 2024.
Here are the winners of the nine categories that were presented that night:
Album of the Year
WINNER: Beyoncé – “Cowboy Carter” Beyoncé scored her long-awaited first Album of the Year win with “Cowboy Carter,” further securing her record of having the most Grammy wins ever with 35.
Song of the Year
WINNER: Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us”
If people didn’t already view Kendrick Lamar as the winner in his feud with Drake, a Song of the Year win for diss track “Not Like Us” certainly solidified it.
Record of the Year
WINNER: Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us”
Kendrick Lamar earned two of the iconic “Big Four” Grammy awards — Song of the Year and Record of the Year — at Sunday’s ceremony, and walked away with a total of five trophies at the end of the night.
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
WINNER: Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – “Die With a Smile”
Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars earned Best Pop Duo/ Group Performance for their pop soul record “Die With a Smile,” and came together for a performance of “California Dreamin’” by The Mamas and The Papas to pay tribute to the victims of the devastating California wildfires.
Best Latin Pop Album
WINNER: Shakira – “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran” Shakira earned Best Latin Pop Album for “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran,” and graced the Grammys stage for her first performance at the awards show in 18 years.
“I want to dedicate this award to all my immigrant brothers and sisters in this country, you are loved. You are worth it, and I will always fight with you,” Shakira said in her acceptance speech.
Best New Artist
WINNER: Chappell Roan
After taking the world by storm last year, and being nominated in all of the “Big Four” categories — including Album of the Year for “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess,” as well as Song of the Year and Record of the Year for “Good Luck, Babe!” — Chappell Roan took home the much deserved award for Best New Artist.
Best Country Album
WINNER: Beyoncé – “Cowboy Carter”
In the words of Beyoncé, “I think sometimes genre is a code word to keep us in our place as artists.”
After being snubbed by the 58th Annual Country Music Association (CMA) Awards last year, Beyoncé took home Best Country Album for “Cowboy Carter,” with her shocked reaction going viral online.
Best Pop Vocal Album
WINNER: Sabrina Carpenter – “Short n’ Sweet” Sabrina Carpenter earned the Grammy award for Best Pop Vocal Album for “Short n’ Sweet,” which featured her notable hits like “Espresso” and “Please Please Please.”
Best Rap Album
WINNER: Doechii – “Alligator Bites Never Heal”
“This category was introduced in 1989 and two women have won: Lauryn Hill — three women have won! Lauryn Hill, Cardi B and Doechii,” Doechii excitedly said in her tearful acceptance speech.
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
PHOTO COURTESY OF ROLLING STONE
PHOTO COURTESY OF VARIETY
PHOTO COURTESY OF VARIETY
PHOTO COURTESY OF FORBES
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
PHOTO COURTESY OF GRAMMY.COM
Winter-friendly activities in Metro Detroit
MORGAN WARNEKE Content Editor
Living in Michigan often means experiencing a grueling winter, with heavy snowfall and belowfreezing temperatures. It’s a rough season for art lovers; outdoor concerts and festivals have come to a halt. But it doesn’t have to be that way! Here are some fun things art enthusiasts can do in the Detroit Metropolitan area, all while staying warm in the process.
Ferndale is a hotspot for art crowds — if you take a drive down Woodward Avenue, you’ll find some of my favorite spots: the Magic Bag, The Loving Touch, The Rust Belt Market and Found Sound.
The Magic Bag and The Loving Touch are stylish live music venues that give visitors an opportunity to explore new artists and have an intimate listening experience. Both of these venues are a great way to explore Ferndale’s nightlife. While the Magic Bag hosts a variety of smaller artists, The Loving Touch is known for its tribute dance parties.
On Feb. 14, The Loving Touch is hosting “Party Iconic: Charli Parti” for any Charli XCX fans out there. On Mar. 7, they’ll be hosting “party iconic presents: HOT TO GO,” a fun night to dance and sing along to your favorite Chappell Roan songs. For upcoming events or more information, visit
https://thelovingtouchferndale.com/events/.
Just a block over from Woodward Ave is The Crofoot. This music spot in Pontiac is known as an “independent entertainment complex” composed of three venues in one building: The Crofoot Ballroom, The Pike Room and The Vernors Room. This is a busy concert venue for larger acts, and you can view all upcoming performances here: https:// thecrofoot.com/events/.
Moving onto shopping — The Rust Belt Market is a Ferndale hotspot bursting with creativity. It’s important to note that this is strictly a weekend event; the market is only open Friday through Sunday. Not to be confused with a flea market, The Rust Belt Market hosts over 30 independent shops and small businesses. Here, you can find Detroit merchandise, The Plant House and endless trinkets. This pop-up market is regularly rotating vendors, so for a current list, visit https://www. rustbeltmarket.com/directory.
Just a few stores away from The Rust Belt Market is one of my favorite record shops, Found Sound. This is a full-service shop that caters to the needs of all music lovers — you can find CDs, records, cassette tapes, DVDs, pins, magazines, merch, posters, comic books, etc. If you enjoy collecting music, you’ll definitely find something worth adding to your collection here.
Further down on Woodward Ave is the Detroit
Institute of Arts (DIA). If you’re in the mood to appreciate some art up close, this amazing museum has a wide collection of over 65,000 works, making this an all-day viewing experience. The museum contains art from all over the world, spanning centuries, including Ancient, Asian, African, Oceanic, Native American and Islamic works. Paintings by Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse and Vincent Van Gogh are just some of the most valuable pieces art lovers can find there.
General admission at the DIA is always free for residents of Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties, so you may as well take advantage of this during the colder months!
Oakland men’s basketball defeats Detroit Mercy at Calihan Hall
EVAN BLANCHARD Sports Reporter
Rivalries are defined by iconic matchups, with both teams consistently challenging each other. A great rivalry should be balanced and emphasized heavily every single season.
For Oakland and the University of Detroit Mercy (UDM), the rivalry in men’s basketball may as well be nonexistent. It’s hard to give credit to a rivalry when one school has so thoroughly dominated the other.
My point in action: the Golden Grizzlies have now won 10 consecutive games playing at Calihan Hall in Detroit, Michigan. In their last 10 matchups overall, Oakland leads eight games to two.
This pattern continued with a decisive win on the road last Saturday, Jan. 18. OU drove 40 minutes down the road into the city to take on the Titans in a crucial matchup for both teams. Oakland was looking to cap off a three-game win streak, while UDM needed to snap a three-game skid of their own. The new head coach of the Titans, Mark Montgomery, was surely looking to reset the tone of the rivalry in his first season at the helm.
Ryan Kalambay of Detroit Mercy was a huge factor early in the game. He scored eight points in the first 10 minutes of the game despite averaging
only 1.9 points per game on the season. Though it was a sloppy start for the Golden Grizzlies, OU held a 14-13 lead with under 11 minutes left in the first half, thanks to much-needed threes from Jayson Woodrich and Malcolm Christie.
Christie again found the bottom of the net to gain a 19-13 lead for Oakland, but turnover problems began to abound. Whenever OU got some separation, they’d cough up the ball due to UDM’s pressure. After a Nate Johnson three for the Titans, Oakland hit backto-back threes, courtesy of DQ Cole and Nassim Mashhour. The timely shot-making helped establish a 27-19 lead with under seven minutes to go.
Isaiah Jones got on the board with two free throws and a three-pointer, keeping the lead at eight going into the half. Going forward, a major point of emphasis was on continuing to play inside-out, feeding the ball to post players Allen Mukeba and Buru Naivalarua. Also, turnovers must be managed; with eight turnovers already in the first half, the Titans would look to pressure young guards Jaylen Jones and Mashhour in the second.
Early in the second half, Naivalarua continued an excellent game, hitting two shots at the free throw line. Mukeba also chipped in with a short jumper, ballooning the lead to 12 points. However, Oakland’s zone defense appeared lost for a while as the Titans
got loose for a couple of open jumpers, sinking two threes in quick succession. At the under-16 timeout, the lead had dwindled to just five.
But Woodrich and Christie were there again to pick the Golden Grizzlies up. They hit back-to-back three balls, resecuring a sizable lead. Fouls began to rear their ugly head early in the half, putting Detroit Mercy in the bonus for more than half of the second period. Despite Mercy getting to the line and hitting their free throws, Mukeba kept the Grizzlies ahead with several impressive layups inside. Eventually, Mashhour and Woodrich got free again to nail a three each. Naivalarua and Mukeba were credited for assists, highlighting the team’s ability to play from the paint to the perimeter. With five minutes left in the game, Oakland was up 61-47.
UDM had one more push in them. They tightened down the screws on defense and made OU work for every last minute. After two midrange jumpers from Grant Gondrezick II and Orlando Lovejoy, TJ Nadeau and Johnson hit threes for the Titans, bringing the game within only 4 points with just over a minute to go.
(Continue reading on our website.)
PHOTO BY MORGAN WARNEKE
How to pass a job interview when all the generic advice fails
MALLORY WALIGORA
Political Editor
“How do you follow contradicting dreams when you want to be an astronaut, a folk singer, a banker and a hippie?”
The good news is that you can be all of these. Although most people spend their life in one profession, you don’t have to. There’s no rule of life that you must stay on one career your entire life. It’s a comforting fact to know that you are forced into one field and one job your entire life.
One day at work, I called the IT help desk to send someone over to my desk to fix my computer. After talking with the IT guy, he revealed that he had majored in marketing at university. He had taken one introduction class of IT in college, and after working in the marketing field for a year, he decided it wasn’t for him.
All of this to say, you can try something out for a while and decide it is not for you. Isn’t that what life is about? Experimenting with different things and finding your passions?
Vera Wang designed her first dress at the age of 40. Van Gogh began painting at the age of 28. Give yourself time to experiment with professions and hobbies.
It also may be comforting to know that you can have hobbies outside of your 9 to 5. You may work as a banker during the weekdays, but on Saturday night, you have a gig at the local cafe to sing your folk songs. Your job isn’t your life, and you can make room for hobbies.
“How do you pass an interview when all the generic advice fails?”
For interviews, I always take some notes beforehand. Write down some skills or projects that you would like to highlight. Research the company and take notes of its accomplishments or recent news. Interviews are a lot easier when you’ve done your research and know why you’re a good fit for the company.
If you’re interviewing for a business, for example, write down some bullet points of projects you’ve worked on. For your senior capstone, you worked with a local bakery on cost analysis. Last summer, you helped your uncle with his lawn mowing business and adjusted his pricing. These are all things that you can bring up as examples, and most people forget when on the spot.
I’m also under the firm impression that getting a job is 70% having a good resume and interview, but also 30% having connections. Getting a referral from someone will do wonders. If you don’t know
GRAPHIC BY MEGAN JUDY
anyone at the company, do some snooping around on LinkedIn. Chances are you know someone who knows someone. OU professors also have useful connections with local businesses and companies. Visit office hours and see what they can recommend for you.
Also, don’t be afraid to send some emails around. I once got a job by cold emailing a company and sending my resume over. Talking to employers at career fairs and having the person put a face to the name on the resume will also skyrocket your chances.
Trump’s immigration policy begins
MALLORY WALIGORA Political Editor
President Donald Trump’s immigration policies are in full swing. Immigration raids have begun in major cities, plans to move migrants to Guantánamo Bay are in the works and public figures have spoken out with their reactions.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deportations have intensified. Since Trump’s inauguration, over 4,929 individuals have been arrested. These arrests are focused on raids in large U.S. cities including New York City and Chicago.
Under the Biden administration, ICE arrested an average of 282 people per day, compared the Trump administration’s average of 753. There’s no doubt that there is a stark change in immigration policy between the two administrations.
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem spearheaded the project in collaboration with Trump. On Jan. 28, Noem joined federal agents in New York to arrest suspects.
“Our work started at 3 AM in NYC to arrest criminal aliens. Among the arrests was the ringleader of a vicious Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua. We’re getting these criminals off our streets,” Noem wrote on X.
Trump has announced plans to send criminal illegal aliens to Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. The migrant holding facility can house up to 30,000 criminal migrants who would be deported from the United States.
“I hereby direct the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security to take all appropriate actions to expand the Migrant Operations Center at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay to full capacity to provide additional detention space for high-priority criminal aliens unlawfully present in the United States,” the administration wrote in an executive order. “This memorandum is issued in order to halt the border invasion, dismantle criminal cartels, and restore national sovereignty.”
The Trump administration has also announced that these migrants would not be held in the U.S. military prison at Guantánamo, which houses suspected
foreign terrorists. Instead, migrants would be held in a separate area on the naval station portion.
This portion has traditionally been a detention facility for migrants in the past. From 1994 to 1996, the base held over 30,000 Cubans. Between 1991 and 1992, the facility also housed almost 12,000 Haitian migrants.
Trump’s immigration policy has been met with both backlash and support. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-D) spoke out about the situation, claiming that ICE was rounding up innocent citizens.
“’But they’re only going to round up immigrants committing crimes!’ No. ICE is already rounding up innocent American citizens,” she wrote on X.
Celebrity Selena Gomez has spoken out about the deportations. Her Mexican grandparents crossed the border and gained citizenship after living in the U.S. for years after residing as illegal immigrants. Her reaction on social media has gone viral.
She also posted a video of her crying, with the words “I’m sorry” and a Mexican flag over the video.
“All my people are getting attacked, the children. I don’t understand. I’m so sorry, I wish I could do something, but I can’t. I don’t know what to do. I’ll try everything, I promise,” Gomez said.
She soon took down the posts on social media following receiving backlash. “Apparently it’s not ok to show empathy for people,” she wrote on Instagram.
Her response has been mixed with both support and criticism, similar to the Trump administration’s actions on immigration.
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE HILL
Oakland decimates Detroit Mercy behind Skorupski’s career-high performance
KURT SZYMANSKI
Sports Editor
Backed by a career game from Maddy Skorupski, the Golden Grizzlies women’s basketball team took down the Detroit Mercy Titans at the OU Credit Union O’Rena on Saturday, Feb. 1, with a final score of 77-63.
“The big thing for us is when we play together, and we play well together, I don’t think anybody can stop us,” Oakland head coach Deanna Richard said in a video posted to the Golden Grizzlies website. “It’s a fun team to coach.”
Skorupski scored a career-high 38 points for the Golden Grizzlies in the rivalry matchup, accounting for over half of the team’s points while distributing a team-best five assists. Lianna Baxter and Macy Smith also scored in double-figures, recording 13 and 12 points, respectively.
For the Titans, Aaliyah McQueen led the team in scoring and off the glass, notching 19 points and seven boards. Emaia O’Brien and Jasmine Edwards also had solid games for Detroit Mercy, with the duo combining for 24 points and 11 rebounds.
With the first quarter underway, both teams traded buckets to start. However, a layup from Skorupski at the six-minute mark jumpstarted a 13-0 Oakland run that lasted nearly three minutes, giving Oakland an early advantage.
Although the Titans found some footing near the end of the quarter, the Golden Grizzlies run was enough to give them a 25-12 lead to end the quarter. However, Oakland wasn’t out of the weeds just yet.
Both teams struggled to score points at the start of the second quarter, but Detroit Mercy started to come alive halfway through the quarter. Following a fastbreak jumper from McQueen, the Titans put together a run, coming just one point away from Oakland.
Still, the Golden Grizzlies closed the half with some momentum, forcing multiple Titan turnovers with a press while Madison Royal-Davis converted an and-one layup. After Royal-Davis made her lone look at the line, Oakland went into the break up 36-32.
In the third quarter, the Golden Grizzlies turned to Smith, who caught fire, scoring eight consecutive points. Skorupski capped off Smith’s run with a steal
that led to a layup, re-establishing the Oakland lead that had vanished in the second quarter at 50-35.
The Titans eventually broke through the Oakland defense toward the end of the quarter, but the Golden Grizzlies’ offense wasn’t going anywhere, as the Titans would end the quarter in a 16-point deficit.
Throughout the final quarter, Detroit Mercy stayed on pace with the Golden Grizzlies and cut Oakland’s lead down to 10 points at one point. However, Dani Grim responded with a pair of buckets, nearly cementing Oakland’s win.
With Detroit Mercy desperately trying to get back into the game, the Titans sent Skorupski to the charity stripe multiple times with under a minute to go. With a chance to put the game on ice, Skorupski did just that, giving Oakland their sixth conference win of the season.
In this matchup, Oakland’s ability to attack the paint was the difference maker. The Golden Grizzlies scored 44 points in the paint compared to the Titans’ 28. Taking it inside also gave the Golden Grizzlies an advantage in free-throw attempts.
“We have to stay consistent with what we’re doing,” Richard said in a video posted to the Golden Grizzlies website. “We had a little bit of a low; we just came off a three-game losing streak, but the past is the past. We’re better now than we were three games ago.”
Up next, the Golden Grizzlies will play the Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons on the road on Thursday, Feb. 6. With the Mastodons atop of the Horizon League standings and undefeated in conference play, the Golden Grizzlies will have their work cut out for them.
Men’s basketball can’t secure sweep against Northern Kentucky at home
EVAN BLANCHARD Sports Reporter
Basketball, at the end of the day, is a math equation. If my team’s points are greater than your team’s points, it’s a win. Five three-pointers versus five layups is 15 points versus 10 points. Shooting 60% on 20 two-point field goals is equal to shooting 50% on 16 three-point field goals.
My favorite math problem in basketball is that you have a 0% chance to score for every turnover you commit. It sounds obvious, but when you think about it, turning the ball over eliminates any opportunities even to attempt a shot. Even a rushed, last-second, heavily contested three-pointer might have a slim 10% chance of going in. But if you don’t even take the shot and turn the ball over, you waste
PHOTO BY KATIE REID
a possession.
Saturday evening against Northern Kentucky University (NKU), Oakland had 15 turnovers. Fifteen turnovers are zero points on 15 possessions. It’s no wonder OU fell at home to the Norse 84-75.
Turnovers have been a recurring problem throughout January for the Golden Grizzlies, who had multiple games with more than 10 turnovers. The difference in those games was that the defense was limiting their opponents to under 70 points, for the most part.
But NKU came into the OU Credit Union O’Rena on a mission for vengeance after losing to OU at home. They lit up Oakland’s zone defense to the tune of 84 points on 45.9% shooting from the field. They also won the rebounding battle, outmuscling the Golden Grizzlies 33-31.
And perhaps most importantly, they won the turnover battle 15-11.
Oakland’s offense, for the most part, performed above its season averages. Even with the turnover problems, the offense still managed 75 points, something they’ve done only four other times this season. They also shot well above their usual mark on threes, canning 11-25. But it still wasn’t enough.
Going into the matchup and preparing for the game, Oakland’s staff put a lot of attention on limiting Northern Kentucky players Josh Dilling, Sam Vinson and Trey Robinson, their three leading scorers. Their star, Robinson, was held to just eight points with two turnovers, while Vinson also had eight on 1-8 shooting from the field. However, Dilling was allowed too many shots, hitting 3-10 on threes.
Another major focus of Oakland head coach Greg Kampe’s scouting report was on bench player Randall Pettus II. Kampe emphasized when Pettus II plays well, NKU plays well.
Pettus II sure played well. The sophomore scored 14 points on 5-11 shooting (4-9 from 3). Not only did Pettus II play well, but junior Dan Gherezgher Jr. absolutely lit Oakland up. Gherezgher Jr. only averages three points a game, but in just his fourth start of the year, he poured in 22 points with four rebounds and six assists.
On OU’s side, the usual suspects had solid games. DQ Cole continued his recent stretch of hot shooting, going for 15 points with five made threes, five rebounds and five assists. Oakland’s backcourt was also productive, as Buru Naivalurua and Allen Mukeba combined for 32 points and 10 rebounds.
Another recent trend in Oakland’s season has been excessive fouling. The Golden Grizzlies sent the Norse to the line 20 times, where NKU cashed in on 16 free throws. OU may have shot 18-20 from the line themselves, but that efficiency is unusual for this team.
The game broke open when Oakland went on a nearly six-minute scoring drought in the middle of the second half. From 14:56 to 9:14 left in the second half, OU was outscored 15-2. The Golden Grizzlies were never able to piece together a strong enough run of their own to close out the game and make it any closer than seven points.
Next up for Oakland is a home meeting against Youngstown State on Thursday, Feb. 6th.
PHOTO BY EVELYN APAHIDEAN
No Kampe, No Problem: Golden Grizzlies extinguish Green Bay at home
KURT SZYMANSKI Sports Editor
Despite the absence of Oakland head coach Greg Kampe this past Thursday, the Oakland men’s basketball team cruised past the Green Bay Phoenix, 68-54, after a strong second half inside the OU Credit Union O’Rena.
Kampe, who was suspended one game on Jan. 28 following his reaction to a late-game foul call on DQ Cole that led to a loss to the Robert Morris Colonials, had associate head coach Jeff Smith fill in as acting head coach.
“It’s been a really difficult week,” Smith said. “A lot has been going on, a lot of distractions, and this was a tough situation, and I think our guys handled it unbelievably well. Other members of our coaching staff did a fantastic job over the last three days of just locking in and concentrating on nothing but preparing our team to win the game tonight.”
For the Golden Grizzlies, Cole led the team in scoring with 18 points while delivering a team-high three assists. Allen Mukeba was also instrumental in the win with 16 points and eight rebounds, while Buru Naivalurua notched a double-double with 10 points and 13 boards.
On the other side of the court, Foster Wonders led the Phoenix in scoring with 16 points off of the bench. In addition to Wonders, Mac Wrecke had a solid showing, putting up seven points while grabbing a team-best six rebounds.
The first half started slow for the Golden
Grizzlies, who struggled on offense early against Green Bay, who lead the Horizon League in points allowed per game.
Oakland’s largest lead of the first came with eight minutes left in the half. Following a miss from Jayson Woodrich, Naivalurua collected the rebound mid-air before throwing down a monstrous dunk for a four-point lead.
In the final minute of the first, Cole converted a deep three to give the Golden Grizzlies a two-point lead. With one final possession before the half, Green Bay’s Yontan Levy knocked down a jumper at the buzzer, leaving the game tied 29-29 heading into the break.
At the start of the second half, a refreshed Golden Grizzlies team took the court and quickly jumped
ahead of the Phoenix.
“Everybody was a little amped up, coaches and players when the game started,” Smith said. “Like everything, you settle into it, and once it starts, you just do your job.”
In the blink of an eye, Oakland had dialed in on both sides of the court, mounting a 22-4 run in the first eight minutes of the half. Malcolm Christie and Nassim Mashour were both pivotal during the run, with Christie draining a pair of threes while Mashour sank one of his own.
Due to the Oakland run, Green Bay was forced to play catchup throughout the rest of the second. With their backs against the wall, the Phoenix managed to cut the Golden Grizzlies’ lead to single digits at one point.
However, Oakland’s authoritative start to the second was just too much for Green Bay, granting the Golden Grizzlies their seventh conference win of the season.
From the box score, rebounding was the difference maker for the Golden Grizzlies. Oakland outrebounded Green Bay 46-22, grabbing an impressive 18 offensive rebounds in the process. Notably, 46 rebounds are the most Oakland has secured this season against a conference opponent.
Next, the Golden Grizzlies will host the Youngstown State Penguins on Thursday, Feb. 6, at the OU Credit Union O’Rena. After losing to the Penguins 66-50 earlier in the season, splitting the series will be important for Oakland to accomplish at this stage of the regular season.
PHOTO BY KATIE REID
Track and field goes to South Bend for Meyo Invitational
EVAN BLANCHARD
Sports Reporter
This past weekend, Jan. 31 to Feb. 1, Oakland’s track and field team took a long drive to South Bend, Indiana, to participate in the Meyo Invitational.
The meet brings in schools from all over the Midwest to compete against each other as the track and field season gets kicked off. The other half of the track and field team went to Saginaw Valley State University to compete in the Jet’s Pizza Invitational.
The women’s field events were first to take place on Friday. Oakland had two entries into the shot put: Junior Jamie Giese had a season-best put of 12.99 meters, earning her an 11th-place finish. Sophomore Elizabeth Rice followed her in 22nd with an 11.07 meter put.
Men’s shot put closely followed, and OU did not disappoint. The incredible Alex Mansfield continued his stellar start to his year with a fifthplace finish, a 16.47 meter put. Senior Romario Jackson earned another top-10 finish, coming in 10th place with a season-best 14.43 meter put.
Next was the qualifying round for the 60-meter race. For the women, Oakland’s Lauren Goodman, who’s just a freshman, finished in seventh in 7.72 seconds. OU dominated on the men’s side of things, with junior Julian Bailey taking first and freshman Evan Bryan claiming third. Bryan ran a personal
best time of 7.04 seconds.
The next day, in the final round of the 60-meter race, Bailey came in sixth, finishing the race in 6.9 seconds. In the semifinals and finals preliminary race for the women’s 60-meter, Goodman placed 11th, followed by sophomore Ke’Vina Finch in 13th. Neither would advance to the finals.
Sophomore Kyleigh Anderson had a strong showing in the women’s 60-meter hurdles, placing fifth in the finals with a season-best 8.73 seconds.
Moving on to the 200-meter races, these Golden Grizzlies had some particularly strong races. The Oakland men earned two top-ten finishes,
with Bailey again leading the way in third with a personal-best 21.69 seconds, while senior Ja-Van Poole came in ninth. Finch, for the women’s team, turned on the jets for a third-place finish of her own.
Poole picked up the best finish of any Golden Grizzly all day, claiming second in the men’s 400-meter open race. Brothers Michael and Anthony Hancock did well in the men’s 1-mile open, with Michael coming in fourth with a personal-best time of 4:04.67. Anthony finished in 11th, roughly five seconds behind the elder Hancock.
For the men’s 3000-meter open, senior Yami Albrecht came just outside the top 10, finishing 11th. Erin Hegarty on the women’s team earned an eighth-place finish in the 5000-meter, running a season-best 16:43.02!
Finally, we had the men’s and women’s weight throws. Mansfield and Jackson again performed well; Jackson took second with 17.69 meters, while Mansfield came in 10th. For the women, Rice took 10th, and Giese took 15th.
In total, Oakland had 17 personal or season bests at the Meyo Invitational. Although the Golden Grizzlies didn’t compete in every event, each athlete’s performance all added up to make the weekend a very successful trip.
PHOTO COURTESY OF OU ATHLETICS
The Post’s Picks: Super Bowl LIX
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE KANSAS CITY CHIEFS GRAPHICS BY AVA GUEST
