T&C- Winter 2011, Week 4

&

tan cardinal

otterbein university thursday, jan. 27, 2011 vol. 92 issue 14 www.otterbein360.com

Uptown serves sweet treats 5 Students call Classic novel gets politically Women’s lacrosse for conversion correct makeover 6 coach sets agenda 7 clarity 3

PHOTO BY JAYME DETWEILER

2

editorial

Tan & Cardinal

&

t&c editorial staff

Britany Byers

Editor-in-Chief

Laina Thompson Lindsey Hobbs

News Editor Assistant News Editor

Hannah Ullom

Opinion Editor

Mike Cirelli

Arts & Entertainment Editor

Austin Walsh

Sports Editor

Andrea Evans & Leah Driscoll Jayme Detweiler Kristen Sapp

Photography Editor Assistant Photography Editor

Jessica Miller Kaity Vorbroker Sarah Douglas

Copy Editors

Business Manager Assistant Business Manager Web Editor

assistant editors Josh Adkins Monica Begazo Patricia Begazo Alyssa Cook-Alexander Troy Foor Stephanie Parker Kelsey Sommers Kathleen Quigley contributing staff Breanna Bargdill Jordan LaBatte Dominic Porretta Holly Takach contact us 614-823-1159 tanandcardinal@yahoo.com Tan & Cardinal Otterbein University Westerville, OH 43081 advertising For advertising information, contact Jessica Miller or Kaity Vorbroker at 614-823-1159 or by e-mail at tanandcardinaladvertising@yahoo.com. policies The views expressed on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the faculty and administration of Otterbein University.

Opinions expressed in signed columns are those of the writer and not of the newspaper staff. Positions in unsigned editorials represent a consensus of the editorial staff.

The first copy of the Tan & Cardinal is free to the public. Each additional copy is $0.50, and payment can be made at the office at 33 Collegeview, Westerville, OH 43081. Offenders will be prosecuted.

The T&C staff would love to hear from you. Write a letter to the editor and tell us what you’re thinking. Letters to the editor are letters responding to a writer or an article published in the Tan & Cardinal.

Please keep your letter to 300 words or less. It is at the discretion of the Tan & Cardinal staff as to whether or not the letter will be published. Letters attacking an individual will not be accepted.

Letters must include the author’s first and last name, signature, phone number, address and affiliation to Otterbein University.

thursday, jan. 27, 2011

Concerned students confront conversion Semester conversion contradictions baffle and alienate transition students and faculty

The issue:

With the semester conversion approaching, somehow students have been kept out of the loop on the curriculum overhaul.

There seems to have been miscommunication throughout the entire process. Professors we speak to don’t have answers to all of our questions. Even our advisers seem to be in the dark.

And when they do have answers, they tend to conflict with other answers we have received.

We are not trying to say that Otterbein’s will to help is not there. Everyone that is helping is just not on the same page.

How can I graduate on time?

Our stance:

We appreciate all of the efforts made by the administration and faculty to sort through this mess and answer our questions the best that they can. They have gone to extra lengths to calm our anxieties and have taken time out of their day to call someone else if they didn’t have an answer.

The Center for Semester Conversion provided us with a student aide to be available at the Art and Communication Building once a week to help answer students’ questions. It is great to know that for many of us there will be a peer to whom we can go to with our questions.

But although we were informed of this person coming down to our neck of the woods, faculty was not. How is faculty to know they should direct students to this aide if they are not aware he or she is in the building?

&

SEMESTER CONFUSION:

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY KRISTEN SAPP

Students still need help understanding semester conversion, even after Otterbein’s efforts.

Other resources fall short, too. The semester conversion tab on My O-Zone is not very user-friendly. It seems to be more geared toward our advisers than it is toward us, and it isn’t easy to comprehend.

We also think that this information is coming out a quarter too late.

Since this information wasn’t available when we originally scheduled for the year, some students will have to restart series courses if they do not finish them before the end of the year.

Registering for a final course in a series for the spring may be challenging because classes will fill up quickly.

Worst of all, if the curriculum isn’t even finalized yet, how can

we plan for the rest of our college careers?

We’d like to see better communication and two-way communication at that. Students that do not take initiative are going to fall behind. The Otterbein Promise only applies to proactive students. So what about the rest of the students?

Here is what we want to see: 1. A list of the advisers in each

department who are trained on the semester conversion.

2. Information presented to us in simpler terms.

3. For our advisers to be confident in the advice they are giving us, and for everyone to be giving us the same information.

4. E-mail updates when the

semester conversion tab in My O-Zone has been updated.

5. A better way of informing students that resources are available.

6. Mandatory meetings in residence halls to inform students that they need to meet with their advisers and fill out their Individual Advising Plans in order to schedule classes for next semester.

We understand we’re in college, but this is a little more serious than not turning our homework in on time, which would be our fault. This could mean not graduating on time, and that’s partially the school’s fault. t&c THIS STAFF EDITORIAL CONSISTS OF THE VIEWS AND OPINIONS OF THE TAN AND CARDINAL STAFF.

Say What?

Do you feel informed about semester conversion?

“I think it’s confusing.

I think the faculty and staff tried to explain it, but it’s questionable as to what is going on.”

“Yes I do, because the leader in my degree program sent out e-mails and he sets everything up perfectly.”

“My adviser and I are going to sit down and talk about my classes next quarter, when he understands it.”

–Charlotte Baird junior theatre

–Brandon Barker sophomore actuarial science

–Bryan Collins junior math education PHOTOS AND INFORMATION COMPILED BY TROY FOOR

news

& Caution: semester conversion ahead vol. 92, issue 14

www.otterbein360.com

IN THE NEWS

News briefs from around campus

Habitat for Humanity

As semester conversion nears, students are urged to prepare now

& 1

Finish series courses before Fall of 2011, if you have already started a series

ILLUSTRATION BY MONICA BEGAZO

2

3

4

Check My OZone tab “Semester Conversion.”

It’s updated almost daily

Senate Bill 10/11-11

&

Survival Guide to Semester Conversion

Meet with your adviser before the end of winter quarter

Don’t start series courses if you don’t have time to finish them this year

to all be taken after the semester change. If only one is taken on the quarter schedule, it will have to be retaken on the semester calendar. This issue applies to life science, Health and Physical Education Lifestyle Series and some higher level math courses as well.

With the curriculum change comes new majors and minors.

“One of the biggest dangers for students is deciding whether or not switching to a new [semester major] is a good decision for them … it could delay graduation dates for some students,” Lehman said.

For example, a marketing concentration student can change to be a marketing major.

If the switch is made, the Otterbein Promise is not completely guaranteed. If the student opts for the new major, he or she is accepting all of the new semester degree requirements.

Integrative studies courses should not worry students, according to Lehman. “We have designed a custom IS curriculum for transition students, basically reflecting their proportion of time students are here under quarters and semesters.”

Dates for the semesters have been finalized. Fall semester begins Aug. 29 and will end Dec. 9. Spring semester begins Jan. 30 and ends May 11. For students attending January term, classes begin Jan. 4 and end Jan. 25.t&c

Senate Bill 10/11-12

One phase of the semester conversion process down, one to go.

Phase one, which affects incoming freshmen’s curriculum in fall of 2011, is complete.

Phase two affects the “transition students”: those who entered Otterbein on quarters and will graduate under the semester system. Phase two is still undergoing construction.

Kate Lehman, assistant dean for Student Success, said these two phases are mostly what is confusing transition students.

She has instilled a tab on My OZone with information on what students need to do in order to stay on track of their expected graduation date.

“Students still follow the catalog under which they came in under. You have to fill those degree requirements with semester courses. That is what is being finalized right now,” Lehman said.

For students to figure out their semester hours they must take their total completed quarter hours multiplied by two-thirds.

Transition students need 120 semester credit hours to graduate.

One thing that is official, according to Lehman, is the Otterbein Promise. The promise states that if the student consults with his or her adviser and develops

an Individual Advising Plan and is on the right track before the calendar change, then Otterbein promises no delay to degree completion, no loss of academic progress and no increased costs for degree completion.

Students are asked to meet with their academic adviser before the end of winter quarter. In each academic department there is at least one faculty member trained on the semester conversion curriculum.

If a student does not meet with his or her adviser, he or she will be required to meet in the Center for Semester Conversion to finalize his or her schedule.

Kelsey McMahon, a junior early childhood education major, met with her adviser recently and found out she had to take certain courses this spring in order to not fall behind or sit in on a class she has already taken.

The education department is combining many classes and she was forced to pick up another class next quarter because it’s being combined with a class next year that she has already taken.

“It’s just really inconvenient and it would be nice to have another quarter to break up some of my classes,” McMahon said.

An issue transition students may be unaware of is the issue of series courses. Courses like Spanish 100, 110 and 120 need to all be taken while Otterbein is still on quarters, or they need

Over spring break, a team of 12 will represent Habitat for Humanity by traveling to Winston Salem, N.C. to build homes in the Forsyth County area. This project is a part of the Habitat for Humanity Collegiate Challenge.

The program will run from March 20-26.

Four slots remain open for this trip. To secure one of the open slots, a $20 non-refundable preregistration fee is due Feb. 1 and a final payment of $125 for the trip itself is due Feb. 14. t&c

& Senate Bill 10/11-13

BY JAYME DETWEILER Photo Editor

&

3

Waste collection

Beginning on Jan. 28, Environmental Health and Safety will be collecting universal waste in a new monthly collection program.

Taking place on the last Friday of every month at the Service Department, the collection runs from 1-3 p.m.

Each department must deliver its own waste.

Label and separate batteries according to type and tape off all terminals.

Aerosol cans should be separated as well and labeled in a leak proof container. t&c

Senate Meeting 1-26-10

From the Graduate Committee, proposal to add a concentration (Certificate) in information technology (IT) leadership to our MBA offerings.

From the Curriculum Committee, proposal to add a sustainability studies major (pending approval by the Curriculum Committee).

From the Administration Council, proposal to grant an honorary degree to the 2011 commencement speaker, Chris Jansing.

Classified

Study Abroad Italy Campus Visit. Experience the culture and history of Italy through study abroad with SAI (an Otterbein-affiliated program). Learn more about semester and summer options for students in all disciplines. Visit the SAI table in the Campus Center from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 3. More information at www.saiprograms.com.

4

news

Tan & Cardinal

thursday, jan. 27, 2011

Diversity survey produces conflicting results Student, staff and faculty opinions are split over the importance of diversity and awareness around campus

BY BREANNA BARGDILL AND KAITY VORBROKER Staff Writer and Assistant Business Manager

&

PIN-UP:

PHOTO BY TROY FOOR

A display with the survey results and some samples of comments can be found in the Campus Center.

can’t say that we don’t have issues with racism anymore, because we do.”

Through the survey, one student said that diversity was discussed too much, and that they “could care less about diversity.”

However the survey did not reach everyone.

“I didn’t know about the survey. I commute, so I don’t really know a lot about campus

“Diversity is part of what defines our society nowadays.”

Lisa Phillips director Office of Diversity

events,” said Jessie Fox, sophomore business major.

According to Phillips, many people view talking about issues or questions about race and ethnicity as taboo.

Phillips said that people feel uncomfortable talking about race and ethnicity because many people avoid the subject.

She also said that Otterbein’s goal is to use campus programs

According to the WPD and the Otterbein SECURITY Security Log, the following has been reported REPORT from Jan. 15 through Jan. 26.

3

1. 1/15 Otterbein Security called WPD due to the possibility of marijuana in a parked and running car behind 182 W. Main St. Two glass pipes containing burned marijuana were found inside the vehicle. One of the passengers admitted to owning them and was given a summons to appear in Westerville Mayor’s Court for drug paraphernalia.

2. 1/16 Otterbein Security and WPD responded to a suspicious person’s call in Engle Hall. Three students were found asleep in a vacant room and two admitted to consuming alcohol. Another student arrived and all four students were given a Portable Breath Test. All of them had a positive result for alcohol. The students were issued a summons for underage consumption with a mandatory Mayor’s Court date. Three were issued a criminal trespass warning.

3. 1/21 Otterbein Security and WPD were called to Garst Hall due to the smell of marijuana coming from a dorm room where a student was found to be in possession of a glass smoking pipe with marijuana residue. The student was questioned and admitted ownership of the glass bowl. The student was given a Mayor’s Court complaint for possession of drug paraphernalia and drug abuse and a court date.

INFORMATION COMPILED BY KAITY VORBROKER

&

Editor’s Note

To read an article by staff writer Stephanie Parker about the Freedom Riders program, please visit www.otterbein360.com.

Garst Hall

2 Engle Hall

182 W. Main St.

1 GRAPHIC BY KRISTEN SAPP

A race and ethnicity sociology class received mixed results when the students sent out for a response about diversity at Otterbein.

Last fall, associate professor of sociology and anthropology Heidi Ballard’s sociology class sent out the survey strictly about racial and ethnic diversity.

Lisa Phillips, director of the Office of Diversity, said that some comments showed where the campus is in terms of accepting diversity.

According to the survey, some students said that the college may be overdoing the importance of diversity.

However, other answers indicated that Otterbein may not be meeting the standards of some as far as the amount of diversity between students and staff.

Phillips said that some people said that “we live in a post-racist society, where some people feel that it’s not an issue anymore, and when we talk about it we just raise the issue.”

Phillips does not agree with this statement.

“I think diversity is an issue, and it’s going to remain an issue for a while,” she said. “Certainly not to the point that it was in the ’60s, ’70s, ’80s or ’90s, but we

to help change the idea that it’s not OK to talk openly about ethnicity, that people should feel comfortable and open around each other no matter what their race.

Otterbein’s efforts to improve diversity on campus are integrated into the curricular program for students through the Integrative Studies program.

Otterbein’s Five Cardinal Experiences include the acceptance of diversity with Global and Intercultural Competency.

Additionally, Otterbein has many groups and organizations that try to help create a diverse culture on campus by making things more comfortable for students to communicate about things that are not always accepted as a common subject.

“Diversity is part of what defines our society nowadays,” Phillips said.

Kelly Huth, sophomore equine pre-vet major, said, “Everyone is equal until I stop and think about it.” t&c

vol. 92, issue 14

A LOT O’ GELATO:

arts & entertainment

www.otterbein360.com

5

PHOTO BY JAYME DETWEILER

Co-owners Anna Nelson (pictured) and Kris Michel spent two weeks with an Italian gelato expert and use imported ingredients to make the creamy confection.

State Street welcomes European treats Tracing its origin to Amsterdam, Uptown shop Chocolaterie Stam serves gelato and European-style chocolate

BY KATHLEEN QUIGLEY Contributing Writer

With a doughnut shop, coffee houses and plenty of antiques, it’s hard to anticipate what a stroll down State Street might bring, though chances are a little taste of European charm will be on that list.

Chocolaterie Stam is the newest shop in Uptown, bringing European fine chocolate to Westerville.

It is this charming European feel that attracted Kris Michel, resident of 10 years, and her sister, Anna Nelson, who worked as her nanny. While on a trip to Iowa, the sisters paid a visit to a chocolate store, though what they left with was far from a bag of pecan clusters or any other generic chocolate treat.

Upon their entry, they fell in love with the European feel and

elegant style of this store, and asked to speak to a manager.

Hailing from Amsterdam, the Stam family has been crafting fine chocolate since 1913. The first American store was opened in Des Moines, Iowa, where shipments of chocolate are received from Belgium and made into bon bons to be shipped to the American stores.

The business is still run by family members and only five stores are run by “family friends,” with Michel and Nelson being their newest addition as of Dec. 2.

All of the stores have the same general stylistic elements, though each is altered slightly to best represent the area in which they reside. Each has the same wallpaper, chandeliers and golden arches, though the Uptown Stam is the proud owner of the most arches.

Nelson said, “Uptown is very classy and elegant, and we wanted to reflect that.”

In addition to adding a new level of culture to each area inhabited by a Chocolaterie Stam, Tom Stam, who moved to the United States nearly 25 years ago, wants to keep each store as local as possible.

“He wants us to give back,” Nelson said. And giving back is exactly what Nelson and Michel plan to do.

“We spent half a week with an Italian gelato chef, and we work with an Italian company for the ingredients, though we also plan on using a local dairy and farmers market for fresh ingredients,” Nelson said.

Having a European company in an “all-American” hometown area might seem like a bit of a mismatched situation, though “the Uptown merchants have

been too helpful and willing to work with us,” Nelson said.

With State Street as one of Westerville’s main attractions, it only makes sense that an air of community would infiltrate its storefronts.

“The businesses really compliment each other. We don’t serve candy-flavored gelato because there is a Dairy Queen across the street. And we don’t serve our full range of coffee because we have coffee shops already on State Street.”

Though Stam serves the finest European products (Marzipan from Amsterdam, violet mints from a French company dating back to the 1500s), they proudly serve other State Street merchants’ wares such as Java Central’s house blend coffee.

Nelson said, “We love all of the merchants. It’s so

overwhelming that they’ve been so supportive.” t&c

&    

 

Chocolaterie Stam

79 S. State St. 614-898-7826 Sunday, noon to 4 p.m.

Monday-Wednesday r11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Friday-Saturday r10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

&

Editor’s Note

For a review of the romantic comedy “No Strings Attached,” please visit www.otterbein360.com.

6

opinion

Tan & Cardinal

thursday, jan. 27, 2011

‘Huck Finn’ censorship lessens authenticity Mark Twain fan advocates against changing of offensive language in new editions of the classic 1880s tales

The next editions of Mark Twain’s “Huckleberry Finn” and “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” will be published with the “nword” replaced with the word “slave.”

The publishing company, HOLLY NewSouth TAKACH Books, has released a statement saying, “If the publication sparks good debate about how language impacts learning or about the nature of censorship or the way in which racial slurs exercise their baneful influence, then our mission in publishing this new edition of Twain’s works will be more emphatically fulfilled.”

Well, NewSouth Books, here’s my debate: First off, censorship is not the only issue here, seeing as the publishing company is changing the words in order to appeal to the schools that ban the book based on language. It is unfortunate that NewSouth Books is not upholding the integrity of a timeless piece of literature because

&

Baker’s Dozen Minus Three

they are too occupied with their capitalistic greed.

Secondly, altering the words reduces the impact that Twain’s words have. The “n-word” was used 219 times in “Huckleberry Finn,” showing that the word was intentionally repeated in order to draw on the time period and color the interaction between characters.

What I have always loved about Twain’s writing is that he was real. He takes his readers back to the time of the book and uses the language that Huck would have used then. That is why he writes the dialogue with the words as they would have been spoken instead of proper English. I know that some of the words are offensive; Mark Twain knew that the words were offensive, but that was the point.

Seeing as “Huckleberry Finn” was first published in 1885, I am confused as to why it is not until 126 years later that it is decided the language is too offensive to publish. Changing the word does not change the way that the character is treated or how readers will perceive the different characters.

PARENTAL ADVISORY:

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY KRISTEN SAPP

NewSouth Books will also change “injun” to “Indian” and “half-breed” to “half-blood.”

Reading Twain’s novel as it is written will not cause me to go around calling every AfricanAmerican that I see by this racial slur.

The book displays the word in a negative light, and any compassionate reader feels for Jim, an

African American character. For me, that is what the book was about — looking past the surface to find the character underneath.

To do that, we need the language that best explains the time period and the hardships that certain characters have to face.

Therefore, I will continue to read the original version of the novel as opposed to the doctored “politically correct” publication.

t&c

HOLLY TAKACH IS A FRESHMAN PUBLIC RELATIONS AND POLITICAL SCIENCE MAJOR AND IS A STAFF WRITER FOR THE t&c.

Senior calculates fun facts from Otterbein

While our campus may be considered small, its statistics turn out to be much bigger than you would think

How many licks does it take to get to the center of a lollipop?

How many drops of water are in the ocean?

Yep, taking it back to the third grade, Otterstyle.

1,000 – The

number of JESSICA locks estiMILLER mated by the Otterbein Service Department.

They said that there are at least three keys for each dorm room and many more for academic buildings.

1,176 – The number of computers on Otterbein’s campus, including faculty and staff comput-

93,155,607 – The estimated

ers, lab computers and classroom computers.

number of e-mails received by the Otterbein mail server per year, estimated by Information and Technology Services.

2,500 – The number of light bulbs Otterbein uses per year according to the Otterbein Service Department.

1,423,691,677,385 – The number of bytes needed to store everyone’s home folders on the Otterbein server, according to Information and Technology Services.

2,970 – The number of students currently attending Otterbein University for winter quarter, according to Barbara Wharton, director of Institutional Effectiveness and Planning.

3,235 – The number of classes offered at Otterbein for the 2010-2011 school year, according to the registrar’s office.

59,643 – The number of days

since Otterbein opened in 1847.

LOTS O’ LOCKS:

PHOTO BY KRISTEN SAPP

Can you imagine how many keys Otterbein has made?

154,440 – The number of

playing cards of every Otterbein student if they had their own deck.

4,607,955 – The number of

sheets of paper Otterbein’s copy center used last fiscal year.

Try guessing how many bricks are on the Otterbein campus?

Don’t forget all the roads and buildings.

t&c

JESSICA MILLER IS A SENIOR PUBLIC RELATIONS AND JOURNALISM MAJOR AND IS THE BUSINESS MANAGER FOR THE t&c.

sports

vol. 92, issue 14

www.otterbein360.com

7

Coach creates promise Former player tries to bring experience to women’s lacrosse program

BY DOMINIC PORRETTA Staff Writer

THE SEARCH IS ON:

PHOTO BY KRISTEN SAPP

Coach Schmidt is still looking for players for 2012.

Men’s Basketball &Otterbein 64 Ohio Northern 46

Cardinals 9-9 (5-6 OAC)

Polar Bears 7-11 (4-7 OAC)

Davis- 19 points,

Schnelle- 10 points, three rebounds

10 rebounds

& Women’s Basketball Ohio Northern 65 Otterbein 79

Polar Bears 12-6 (7-4 OAC)

Cardinals 7-11 (3-8 OAC)

Dumbaugh- 22 points, six rebounds

McCoy- 23 points, six assists

The Otterbein women’s lacrosse team isn’t set to take the field until spring of 2012, but the preparations have already begun.

Over winter break, Stephani Schmidt was named head coach for the inaugural season.

She comes by way of Denison University where she was head coach since 2001.

She twice guided the Big Red to North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) championships and earned berths to the NCAA tournament.

In 2006, the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association voted her West region coach of the year. That same year she was voted NCAC coach of the year.

Before Denison, she was assistant coach at The Ohio State University from 1997 to 2001.

She was also a member of the women’s team at OSU. “I’m extremely excited,” Schmidt said about her new

coaching opportunity. “Just with my lacrosse background and having been part of a first-year team and kind of knowing what can happen in the early years and how it grows and develops. So I thought that was a great opportunity for me and one of the main attractions.”

The coach also talked about how successful the other women’s programs at Otterbein have been as an attraction.

It’s safe to say that though the team is a year away from competition, the program is in full swing.

Right now the focus is on recruiting, Schmidt said.

“A huge amount of my time is devoted to finding incoming freshmen or people on campus who might have played,” Schmidt said. “We’re probably up to about 10 potential players already in just a few weeks and hoping to get somewhere in the 20 range for the first year.”

She is also already getting a jump start on the schedule for next year.

“Getting ahead on that is pretty important, too, to make sure we have the proper competition when we start off,” Schmidt said.

After seeing the men’s program successfully launch last year, the future holds hope for the women’s program.

“In five or 10 years, it would be great if the whole OAC had women’s lacrosse, and as I understand, that’s something the teams are looking into ... in the next few years to add as well,” Schmidt said. “But also being competitive with the other teams within Ohio.”

Currently no other schools in the OAC have women’s lacrosse programs, with the NCAC being the main Division III conference in the state that boasts established programs. t&c

&

Editor’s Note

Check out www.otterbein360.com for the full video interview with Coach Schmidt.

8

sports

Tan & Cardinal

thursday, jan. 27, 2011

NOW HIRING

otterbein 360

Gain résumé-building experience and earn extra cash!

Freelance Multimedia Producer Expand your ability in multimedia journalism and social media. Work with Managing Editor to develop story ideas and produce content for news, sports, opinion or entertainment.

Edit and upload content to website.

Individuals with an attention to detail and AP style knowledge are encouraged to apply. Web experience recommended, not required.

Apply today E-mail your résumé and cover letter to Eric Jones at EJones@otterbein.edu.

.com

Deadline Monday, Jan. 31, 5p.m.

Interviews Wednesday, Feb. 2, 5p.m.

on air. in print. online.

Copy Editor

WOBN is hiring for new staff positions for the 2011-2012 school year! If you would like to apply for one of the following positions, please submit a resume and cover letter to Bradley Carroll’s mailbox by the listed deadlines. Any major can apply!

MOVING RIGHT ALONG:

Sarah Petraitis won the 55-meter hurdles last weekend, posting a time of 8.5 seconds.

Lady Card leads the pack Track standout shares her senior goals and responsibilities

BY JORDAN LABATTE Staff Writer

How did you find running track to be a sport you wanted to take seriously?

Well, I used to just run for fun ... I’ve always liked to run, race people and win. That’s ultimately why I like track. It was not ’til high school ’til I really started to focus and not ’til college ’til I started off-season workouts.

A lot of people consider track as more of an individual sport. Is it better for you to think of it in terms of a team or you on your own?

For the General Manager position, applications are due by February 4. Programming Director, Sports Director, Sports Manager, Music Director, Promotions, Business Manager, Traffic and Continuity, Training and Development, News Director, and Administrative Assistant applications are due by February 11.

PHOTO BY JAYME DETWEILER

It’s more of a mental sport for me. I like the team atmosphere to help the team win as a whole. But I like track because it’s on you ... you have to be strong mentally as well as physically to think about the events and visualize the runs. Relays are more for the team, but when you’re on your own event it gets mentally draining.

The team has had a ton of freshmen come into the program this season. With you being an upperclassman, do they rally around your goals

and look to you for leadership?

They say, “Oh my God you ran so fast,” and that’s cute with the freshmen. I just help them out with nerves ... fix the forms of the younger runners. And my teammates do it too, like Austin (Curbow) and Samie (Corbin).

So how have you handled the daily roles of being a leader for the team?

I like to stand out and be high up. I like people depending on me and looking at me as a role model for others.

Other teammates from both teams have noticed a change in Otterbein’s overall work ethic. Have you?

Yeah, as an underclassman I felt we were not well united and there was no common goal with everyone out there. Coach Lehman has brought people together for a common goal.

Relays are coming up. How important are they to you and the team?

It’s a good look at who we are going to be running against in the OAC for our conference meet.

For you, what are the main differences between running sprints compared to hurdles?

Well, hurdling is a comfort for me and the dash is just big open space and a dead out sprint ... with hurdles it’s more of a technical aspect with a lot more to think about.

Like form?

Yeah, getting your lead leg down and three steps and snap your body ... getting your body low to go faster. It’s a long preparation to warm up — 45 minutes to an hour. For dash, I maybe spend 20-30 minutes.

Track season is long; there’s a lot of time for possible illness and injury. How do you take care of yourself?

I just listen to my body. If I am unable to do a workout I will tell coach McCleary and we will ease off.

Your goal is to make it to nationals; how do you plan on getting there?

Positive thinking and just going out there ... and keep working as hard as I have been. If my legs hurt ... not giving up and staying focused. t&c