thebattalion
Aggie for a day Whoopin’ Weekend, a conference for high school students to come to Texas A&M and learn about the University, begins today. Students will attend a college class, take campus tours, experience Aggie traditions and spend the night on campus in a dorm. Visit http:// arc.tamu.edu for more information. Amber Jaura, special to the Battalion
● friday,
february 19, 2010
● serving
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● first paper free – additional copies $1 ● © 2010 student media
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trends | 3
Groovaloo OPAS will feature Groovaloo, an L.A.- based group that performs high energy, freestyle dance.
thebatt.com
Groovy Groovaloo Catch a glimpse of Groovaloo in action through an online video.
this day in
xas tehistory
Feb. 19, 1846 In Austin, Texas the newly-formed Texas state government is officially installed. The Republic of Texas government officially transfers power to the State of Texas government following Texas’ annexation by the United States.
Aggie, Longhorn showdown at Reed
VANCOUVER 2010 OLYMPICS medal count COUNTRY U. S. Germany Norway Canada France South Korea Austria Switzerland China Italy Sweden Netherlands Russia Slovakia Czech Republic Poland Belarus Japan Australia Estonia Finland Kazakhstan Latvia Croatia Slovenia
G 5 4 3 3 2 3 1 3 2 0 2 1 1 1 1
S 4 4 3 3 1 2 2 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 0
B 6 3 2 1 4 0 2 1 1 3 1 1 1 0 1
TOT 15 11 8 7 7 5 5 4 4 4 3 3 3 2 2
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0
0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1
2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
■ No. 15 women’s basketball team looking for season sweep over No. 12 Texas Michael Teague The Battalion The Lone Star Showdown returns to Reed Arena Saturday when Texas A&M’s No. 15 women’s basketball team welcome in No. 12 Texas in Big 12 play. In the conference standings, fifth place A&M (186, 6-5) is two and a half games behind Texas (19-6, 8-3) for second. “This is what we play for,” said A&M Head Coach Gary Blair. “This is what the Big 12 is all about. It’s a game that we very much want. We’re trying to get to eight wins and Texas is next in line. Now we’re trying to win the conference tournament championship, get as good a seed as we can get, and trying to get better in each ballgame.” The rivalry has been dominated by A&M in recent years. The Aggies routed the Longhorns 91-70 in the
2009-2010 conference opener at the Frank Erwin Center in Austin. A&M has also won seven of the past nine meetings. Texas, however, has been 8-2 since falling to the Aggies, including six consecutive victories. “Arguably, Texas is the hottest team in the league besides Nebraska,” Blair said. “They’re starting to live up to their resume. They have 10 solid players on that team with eight McDonald’s All-Americans. What we have to do is worry about Texas A&M.” Blair said his team was ready for Texas to come in seeking revenge. “This is what this rivalry is all about,” Blair said. “Right now, we’ve had the upper hand but all those Longhorns are going to come down here. We always play well and get up for Texas.” Blair also emphasized the role the crowd will play in the game. This season’s declining attendance has eaten away at A&M’s home court advantage, he said. “Last year when we played on Saturday and Monday against Texas and Oklahoma, we drew at least See Basketball on page 7
Slave trade film educates ■ Student groups screen documentary to raise funds Brandi Tevebaugh The Battalion Campus and community organizations are partnering for a screening of the documentary “Call + Response” that highlights a global institution that made more money than Starbucks, Google and Nike combined in the past year, and it’s bigger than ever. It’s the slave trade. “It’s just something that is gross,” said Bianca Manago, vice chairwoman of OneLove and a junior philosophy and sociology major. “They use a lot of children and women and some of the more vulnerable
If you go “Call + Response” will be shown at 7 p.m. today at A&M United Methodist Church behind Northgate.
See Documentary on page 7
Dining Services to correct health code issues Samantha Johnson The Battalion Dining Services asked Brazos County Health Services to visit Sbisa to perform a preliminary inspection on Feb. 10 and 11. During the visit, several violations were recorded. Anthony Zuniga, the environmental health specialist who conducted the visit, said it was not a full inspection; it was mainly to make introductions and allow him to point out things that needed work before he made an actual visit. “It was basically a visit to help them out and get them on track,” Zuniga said.
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Three of the violations regarded food temperature, one for not keeping adequate records that meat was not stored at a temperature under 135 degrees Fahrenheit while being cut. “We corrected this situation by re-training our staff on conducting the daily food safety monitoring system we use,” said Dining Services Director David Riddle. The other two violations were for a reach-in freezer that was not staying cool enough. One violation for the food and one for the freezer. “The small pastry reach-in-cooler was not
maintaining 41 degrees as it should. We had cut melons inside of this cooler. Since freshcut melons are considered to be a potentially hazardous food, the infraction was noted. We disposed of the product, and immediately stopped using the RIC until it can be repaired,” Riddle said. The dishwashing room was cited for one of the two industrial dishwashers not reaching the required 180 degrees and the presence of unlabeled chemicals. “One of the two machines was not reaching 180 degrees. It did reach 160 degrees See Sbisa on page 7
Sam Smith — THE BATTALION
Sbisa service worker Mary Savala mans her station during lunch Thursday. Mary logs the temperature of the sandwich ingredients several times per hour.
2/18/10 9:29 PM
Success in school, and in life.
thebattalion THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT VOICE OF TEXAS A&M SINCE 1893
Amanda Casanova, Editor in Chief Jill Beathard, Managing Editor Matt Woolbright, Asst. Mng. Editor Vicky Flores, City Editor Ian McPhail, Opinion Editor Megan Keyho, Features Editor David Harris, Sports Editor Evan Andrews, Graphics Chief Megan Ryan, Video/Photo Chief THE BATTALION (ISSN #1055-4726) is published daily, Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semesters and Monday through Thursday during the summer session (except University holidays and exam periods) at Texas A&M University. Periodicals Postage Paid at College Station, TX 77840. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Battalion, Texas A&M University, 1111 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-1111.
CALL NOW! | 979-846-4988 Also Offering Homework support for math and science At Sylvan, we’ll create an individualized STUDY SKILLS plan that’s focused on the organizational skills and habits that you need. The Sylvan Study Skills program includes: Managing time, setting goals and following directions Taking notes, presenting information, research and organization Mastering the skills and habits necessary to learn faster, retain more information and become a better student for life
Y L L U F PED P I U Q E
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Corps of Cadets will be sponsoring the Combat 5K on Feb. 27 at Wolf Pen Creek Park. All proceeds will benefit Fisher House at Fort Hood. Register at http://combat5k.com
1105 University Dr. E., Ste. 4 College Station, TX
SylvanLearning.com Reading, Math, Writing, Study Skills, Test-Taking, College/University Prep and More!
News: The Battalion news department is managed by students at Texas A&M University in Student Media, a unit of the Division of Student Affairs. News offices are in The Grove, Bldg. 8901. Newsroom phone: 979-845-3313; Fax: 979-845-2647; E-mail: metro@thebatt.com; website: http://www.thebatt.com.
Combat 5K
Today mostly cloudy High: 61 | Low: 51 courtesy of NOAA
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See Spot Run
Barbara Bush Fellowships deadline today
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The Student Chapter of the American Veterinary Medical Association is sponsoring a 3K and 5K Saturday morning at the Wolf Pen Creek Amphitheater. Dogs and their owners are welcome to participate.
Up to four Barbara Bush Fellowships of $25,000 each will be awarded for the 2010-2011 academic year for doctoral students pursuing family literacy research. The application deadline is today. Finalists will be interviewed March 22-23.
Saturday partly sunny high: 67 low: 56 Sunday 50% chance of rain high: 70 low: 42 Monday partly sunny high: 56 low: 38
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thebattalion 02.19.2010 For daily updates go to thebatt.com ● Facebook ● Twitter@thebattonline
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Prospective students visit Aggieland
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Help Haiti recover TODAY! Tent Sale - Koldus Wristband Sale - Blocker, Commons, Zachry Bake Sale - Blocker, and Wehner
Dodgeball Tournament Friday @5pm at G. Rollie White visit msc.tamu.edu for more info
Pink Eye Research Study • Red, inflamed, tearing &/or matted eye(s)? • • Male & Female, 1 month & older • • Qualified participants may receive up to $150 •
Acute Low Back Pain Research Study • Adults, 18 & older, with recent onset low back pain • • Qualified participants may receive up to $150 •
Every year, thousands of eager high school students flood the pathways of the Texas A&M University campus. Saturday, the campus opens its arms to welcome those high school students to the annual Aggieland Saturday. “It’s basically a campus-wide open house to just kind of introduce Aggieland to prospective students and to their families,” said Aggieland Saturday program coordinator Amy Marquez. The Office of Admissions is expecting more than 10,000 high school students and will continue to take registrations until the day of the event. Prospective students can attend various workshops and educational sessions about A&M and admissions. The Appelt Aggieland Visitor Center will also feature campus tours and will be taking tours from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday. Driving tours are also available every 30 minutes and require a ticket that can be purchased at the center. “Our campus tours emphasize basically five things: our world-class academics, our rich history and tradition, student life, our Aggie family and what it means to be a part of that,” said Estela Seagin, assistant director for the center. Activities planned include student performance groups and presentations from Scholarships & Financial Aid. “I didn’t know anything about Aggieland Saturday, but a friend from high school invited me to go, so I tagged along,” said junior international studies major Kevin Gutierrez. Aggieland Saturday is open to both high school students and their families and is free. A schedule is available at http://oar.tamu.edu/aggielandsaturday Laura Sanchez, staff writer
Students to celebrate Quinceanera today The Committee for the Awareness of MexicanAmerican Culture is having “Mis Quince Anos,” a re-enactment of the celebration of a 15-year-old girl’s induction into womanhood in the Mexican culture. What is typically known to the non-Hispanic community as a sweet 16 is celebrated by the Mexican community as a Quinceanera or Quince. The celebration is usually carried out after a female teen turns 15. This year, the committee selected a member of its organization who did not get the chance to celebrate this event when she turned 15. “We will re-enact an actual Quince which consists of court dancing, a waltz to a cumbia, Spanish music and authentic Mexican food,” said Jose Manuel Chapa, a senior entomology major and chairman for the committee. Celebrating a sweet 16 usually includes food, dancing, music and formal dress. A typical day for a Quinceanera will commence with a Mass, during which a blessing is given to the teen. Family and friends then shift to the party venue for food and dancing. “This is one of my favorite programs because it [provides] a key insight into what the Mexican culture is really about,” Chapa said. The event is from 7 p.m. - midnight today at Studio 12 in the Commons.
Where on campus?
Think you know every nook and cranny at Texas A&M? The first persons to get the answer correct will have their names published. Send your response with your name, class and major at photo@ thebatt.com Jeremy Northum — THE BATTALION
Last week’s answer:
All Faiths Chapel
Correct responses: Justin Barkley, junior history major Helm Donahue, senior petroleum engineering Ben Cole, atmospheric science graduate student Michelle Pieters, senior chemical engineering major
Man angry at IRS crashes plane into building AUSTIN, Texas — A software engineer furious with the Internal Revenue Service launched a suicide attack on the agency Thursday by crashing his small plane into an office building containing nearly 200 IRS employees, setting off a raging fire that sent workers fleeing for their lives. At least one person in the building was missing. The FBI tentatively identified the pilot as Joseph Stack. A federal law official said investigators were looking at a long anti-government screed and farewell note that he apparently posted on the Web earlier in the day as an explanation for what he was about to do. In it, the author cited run-ins he had with the IRS and ranted about the tax agency, government bailouts and corporate America’s “thugs and plunderers.” “I have had all I can stand,” he wrote in the note, dated Thursday, adding: “I choose not to keep looking over my shoulder at ‘big brother’ while he strips my carcass.” Stack, 53, also apparently set fire to his house about six miles from the crash site before embarking on the suicide flight, said two law enforcement officials, who like other authorities spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation was still going on. The pilot took off in a single-en-
Blanca Guerrero, staff writer
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Austin firefighters pause at the charred remains of a building after a small plane crashed into it Thursday in Austin. gine Piper Cherokee from an airport in Georgetown, about 30 miles from Austin, without filing a flight plan. He flew low over the Austin skyline before plowing into the side of the hulking, seven-story, black-glass building just before 10 a.m. with a thunderous explosion that instantly stirred memories of Sept. 11. Associated Press
www.DiscoveResearch.com
Out in the job market it’s dog-eat-dog
What’s on your resume?
TAKE A PIECE OF A&M HISTORY WITH YOU · Order your 2010 Aggieland (if you haven’t) The 2010 Aggieland yearbook will be a 700-page record of the 2009-2010 Texas A&M school year. Books will be mailed out during Fall 2010.
· Purchase the award-winning 2009 Aggieland (if you haven’t)
Apply today!
The 107th edition of Texas A&M University’s official yearbook is a 624-page photojournalistic record of the 2008–2009 school year chronicling traditions, academics, the other education, sports, the Corps, greeks, groups and seniors and graduate students. Drop by the Student Media office, Bldg. #8901 in The Grove (between Albritton Bell Tower and Cain Hall). Hours: 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. Monday–Friday. Cash, check, VISA, MasterCard, Discover and American Express accepted. Phone: 979.845.2613. Or go to http://aggieland.tamu.edu.
http://ssfab.tamu.edu Want a chance to be 1 of 9 Aggies who make important recommendations on how Student Service Fees are used? Apply online by 2/25/10!
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things you should know
5 before you go Wrist bands for Haiti
The art of the wheel
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The National Society of Black Engineers and the African Student Association will be selling wristbands to raise funds for the Haiti relief effort from 10 a.m-3 p.m. Monday-Friday in the Commons, Zachry and Blocker lobbies.
Ceramic artist Sonny Moss will teach Intro to the Wheel: Pottery Workshop for students from 9 to 12 p.m. Saturday at his Calvert studio. University Art Galleries Department is hosting the $45 event, which includes materials.
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Music at Hurricane Harry’s
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Hurricane Harry’s will feature Johnny Cooper with Lee Brice tonight. The concerts are 18 and up and tickets can be purchased on their Web site, http://harrys. bcsclubs.com for $8.
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Dodging for Haiti
As part of 12 days for Haiti, the Asian Presidents Council will hold a dodgeball game at 5 p.m. today in G. Rollie White Coliseum. Teams will consist of six people with an entry fee of $5 per person which will go toward the earthquake relief efforts.
Eating disorder awareness
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Jenni Schaefer, class of 1998, will speak on campus as a part of National Eating Disorders Awareness Week at 7 p.m. Feb. 25 in the Student Recreational Center Archery Room.
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scene
Dancing from the heart Angela Washeck
The Battalion There are times in life when all you can do is dance. When we have been knocked down, the easiest way to cope is to express our struggles through body movement. Courtesy photos At least that’s the only way for the Groovaloos – a highThe Groovaloos combine poetry, powerful dance movement energy, freestyle dance troupe based out of Los Angeles. The and live theatre for their show. The dance troupe, and their 15-member group was created by Bradley Rapier, who says this show “Groovaloo� was inspired by their past experiences. show is about more than just dance. It tells the stories of trying times and accomplishments from each individual dancer and prescribed means of presentation. The Groovaloos, features spoken word poetry. When invited to compare Groovaloo with competing travelan L.A.-based The program “Groovaloo� was fashioned after the ing shows, Rapier said “Stomp� is a close match. While Stomp group, feels they dancers won NBC’s “Superstars of Dance� and appeared uses ingenious percussive sounds to frame a live act, Rapier said her family. have a message on Fox’s “So You Think You Can Dance.� It encompassGroovaloo’s ample freestyle dance sets them above the rest. Since She said she finds spiritual healing in getting of hope to share. on stage and living out her greatest passion, eses elements of powerful, passionate music, the thrill of live the Groovaloos consider dance a “metaphor for life, [the show] theater and explosive movements and acrobatics to create an will touch the audience. You leave knowing us.� pecially since she fatefully found her husband on unforgettable experience. Kaukimoce and Rapier said their favorite parts of the show a 2003 Fiji mission trip. Kaukimoce uses the travelMajor highlights of the show are the corkscrew moves and are The Opening because it sets the tone for what is to come and ing show as an outlet to “tell people how God changed complicated maneuvers exhibited by the freestylers. The Los The Robot, since it’s “cool, different, and creative.� They said [her] life� and inspire the audience with a message of hope. Angeles Times said Groovaloo was “modern-sculpture-like in Although Rapier has been nominated for an array of awards in they try to keep the show more meaningful and less commercial impossible twisted shapes.� so their fans see the raw depth of the message. the hip-hop community and maintains a growing list of TV and Groovaloo performer Keeley Kaukimoce said it is not all “Seeing a person’s testimony played out is of the essence,� movie credits, he was not always confident in his ability to sucabout the moves, though. The dancers underwent a period of Kaukimoce said. “More than high entertainment value and ceed. A Canada native following in his father’s footsteps to beself-examination and exposition of past trials before bringing the standards.� come a doctor, Rapier said he realized in college that dance was show off-Broadway in Manhattan. Fundamentally, Rapier and For these two dancers and their fellow Groovaloos, dance is his calling but he wasn’t sure how to “reconcile the old culture Kaukimoce said they hope to bring to the audience a sense of as- with the new one.� When one of his Groovaloo buddies Steven the only means of true expression and manifestation of their trials surance that even though nothing in life is guaranteed, each of us “BoogieMan� Stanton was shot and paralyzed, Rapier and the and joys. has the inner strength to push forward. “Life isn’t always choreographed–sometimes you just have to other cast members experienced turning points in their lives. Kaukimoce said the road to becoming a part of the show freestyle,� the BoogieMan says in the show. These are issues that the Groovaloo dancers hope will hit “happened so naturally� in 1999 after facing loneliness through“Groovaloo� will be performed as part of MSC OPAS Unhome with their audiences in some way. The show is a culout her life – and is thankful she can now call the Groovaloos derground at 7:30 pm. Thursday, Feb. 25 in Rudder Theatre. mination of events that have affected each individual, with no
Dear Fellow Aggies: A federal debt of $12 trillion dollars and growing is a clear and present danger. It threatens our country and the future of our children and grandchildren. It’s wrong to saddle them with so much debt. To put a trillion dollars in perspective, if a person spent a million dollars per day, every day since Christ was born, he or she would still have over 700 years to go before spending ONE trillion dollars. Our federal debt is TWELVE trillion dollars. If re-elected, I will propose and vigorously support a resolution for a constitutional convention to pass a Balanced Budget Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. In the current ďŹ nancial downturn, Texas has fared better than most other states. Our budget is balanced; we have reduced taxes, and we have saved over $7 billion dollars for a rainy day. Our Congress in Washington should do the same. This is our home. It is worth protecting and defending. If you send me back to Austin, I will.
Sincerely,
Stephen E. Ogden ‘87
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baseball preview
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thebattalion
friday, february 19, 2010
baseball preview thebattalion
the gunslinger Ehlert aiming for Omaha Pitcher saddles up for drier climate after summer in Alaska By Michael Sullivan | The Battalion
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rom the moment he arrived on Texas A&M’s campus, senior Clayton Ehlert has been about helping the baseball team win. In 2007, during his freshman year, the Aggies opted to redshirt Ehlert. However, 31 games into the season the Aggies needed to remove the redshirt to provide a spark in the bullpen. When Head Coach Rob Childress approached Ehlert with the option, he responded without hesitation; “Yes.” “Regardless of where I am pitching, midweek or Sunday starter or even reliever, wherever I can fit in to help the team is what I care about,” Ehlert said. “Wherever I can fit in to help the team is where I will be happy with.” In 2006, the Aggies hired Childress to help
File photo
Ehlert pitches against Missouri on April 27, 2008, at Olsen Field. He gave up one run in six innings, helping the Aggies to a 3-2 win.
turn around a program that had not won a Big 12 Championship in school history. Ehlert was drawn to A&M and Childress after a visit that caused him to trust Childress’ vision and direction for the program. “[A&M] is the place I wanted to be and felt most comfortable with,” Ehlert said. “Coach Childress had definitely explained himself about what he was coming to do and what their expectations were with turning around the program. Everything sounded great to me and I wanted to jump on that train.” After joining the Aggies, Ehlert’s decision was solidified in what he considers his most memorable season with the Aggies. In his freshman year, Texas A&M claimed its first Big 12 Championship and won the College Station Regional, but fell in the Rice Super Regional in two games. This past summer, Ehlert was able to combine two of his passions, baseball and fishing, when he traveled to Alaska to play for the MatSu Miners in the Alaskan Collegiate Baseball League. In Alaska, Ehlert helped lead the Miners to a league championship with a 2-2 record and a 3.70 ERA in 24.1 innings of work. “I played in Alaska this past summer and that was quite a trip,” Ehlert said. “I went through so many experiences with baseball and even without baseball like fishing. I ran into quite a few bears and moose. Baseball was the background with all the mountains and [outdoors surrounding the field].” Entering his final season with the Aggies, Ehlert is one of five seniors listed on the lineup. For Ehlert, the future is uncertain. He doesn’t know where he will contribute for the Aggies in 2010 or where he might be upon graduation. Regardless, he wants to leave nothing behind and hopefully help lead the Aggies to Omaha. “I really don’t know [my role this year], but I am not really worried about it,” Ehlert said. “If baseball doesn’t happen, I guess my options would be left open. I don’t know 100 percent what I would want to do. [Right now] we have team goals which are to be the last team standing in Omaha.”
Matt Juengel was an All-Con
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Jue Coach
Jonny Green — THE BATTALION
Clayton Ehlert made 10 starts and 12 appearances in 2009. He had a 5-2 record and a 7.09 ERA, allowing two runs or less in five of his starts.
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ollege baseball constantly chan year, coaches a breath until Aug. 15, ho recruits are not lured aw Amateur Draft. Aug. 15 is the final day players with the team that drafted them At Texas A&M, Head Coach non-seniors and two highly tou 2009 draft. That’s where Matt Juengel com Juengel, a sophomore infielder Texas A&M this summer after ha campaign at Panola College in C After tearing a ligament his jun School, the former pitcher worke but was declared too small for th “Out of high school, I was pre only 6 feet, 1 inch tall, 155 poun inch tall, 165 pounds now — it e looking at me: Panola and Cisco Juengel succeeded at the plate the momentum into his first year home runs.
the posse Sheriffs tab Longhorns to lead pack By Beau Holder | The Battalion
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Texas (9 first-place votes)
2009 Record: 50-16-1 (17-9-1 Big 12) Preseason Rank: 1 – USA Today, Baseball America, Collegiate Baseball, NCBWA Key Losses: RHP Austin Wood, IF Travis Tucker Key Additions & Returning Players: RHP Chance Ruffin, RHP Cole Green, RHP Taylor Jungmann, RHP Keifer Nuncio, OF Cohl Walla Season Opener: Today vs. New Mexico Last Big 12 Championship: 2009 – Regular Season, Conference Tournament Last College World Series: 2009
Baylor
2009 Record: 30-26 (10-16) Preseason Rank: NR Key Losses: INF Shaver Hansen, 1B Dustin Dickerson, LHP/OF Aaron Miller Key Additions & Returning Players: LHP Josh Turley, INF Logan Vick, 2B Joey Hainsfurther, RHP Logan Verrett Season Opener: Today vs. Duke, vs. Georgia Last Big 12 Championship: 2005 – Regular Season Last College World Series: 2005
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Kansas (1 first-place vote)
2009 Record: 39-24 (15-12) Preseason Rank: 33 – NCBWA Key Losses: LHP Shaeffer Hall, SS David Narodowski, C Buck Afenir Key Additions & Returning Players: C Alex De Leon, SS Brandon Macias, 3B Tony Thompson, RHP T.J. Walz Season Opener: Today vs. Eastern Michigan Last Big 12 Championship: 2006 – Conference Tournament Last College World Series: 1993
Kansas State
2009 Record: 43-18-1 (14-11-1) Preseason Rank: 34 - NCBWA Key Losses: RHP A.J. Morris, SS Drew Biery Key Additions & Returning Players: RHP James Allen, RHP Ryan Daniel, 1B David Allay, SS Carter Jurica Season Opener: Today vs. Delaware at Charleston, S.C. Last Big 12 Championship: Never Last College World Series: Never
Texas A&M
2009 Record: 37-24 (14-13) Preseason Rank: 28 – NCBWA; 29 – Collegiate Baseball Key Losses: LHP/OF Brooks Raley, 1B Luke Anders, OF Kyle Colligan Key Additions & Returning Players: LHP Ross Hales, INF Matt Juengel, 2B/OF Brodie Greene, RHP Nick Fleece, 1B Joe Patterson Season Opener: Today vs. Seton Hall Last Big 12 Championship: 2008 – Regular Season Last College World Series: 1999
Missouri (tied)
2009 Record: 35-27 (16-11) Preseason Rank: NR Key Losses: RHP Kyle Gibson, C Trevor Coleman, Key Additions & Returning Players: OF/1B Aaron Senne, INF Connor Mach, RHP Nick Tepesch, C Brett Nicholas Season Opener: Today vs. Gonzaga at Tucson, AZ Last Big 12 Championship: Never Last College World Series: 1964
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thebattalion
page 5 friday, february 19, 2010
r Natasha Sankovich — THE BATTALION
Matt Juengel was an All-Conference and Third Team All-American selection at Panola Junior College in 2009. His .404 batting average led the Ponies to the playoffs.
the mercenary Juengel adjusts to new team Coaches look to transfer player to make immediate impact By Brad Cox | The Battalion
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His success caught the eye of the Aggie coaching staff. “Coach [Matt] Deggs came and watched me in a game,” Juengel said. “I went like 2-for-8. I was a little bit nervous. I was trying to do well for him.” Juengel said Deggs called him the next day and told him to come on a visit to watch A&M play Kansas. He said the coaching staff offered him a scholarship before the game. Transfers like Juengel are the mercenaries of college baseball. When a coach has a position to fill and needs a player to make an immediate impact, junior college transfers are the go-to players. A transfer player cuts his teeth playing against college-level opponents. On the opposite side, high school players face few, if any, future college prospects throughout their career. “Our thought process is we’ll sign junior college position players and we really want to get high school pitching,” Childress said. “If we have a spot or a need to fill, we’re going to get a junior college player. He’s proven at the college level that he’s going to be a productive player and he’s a little bit older and more mature.” Though recruiting transfer players is normal in today’s college baseball world, Childress has made them a staple on A&M baseball rosters. Childress and the Aggie coaching staff recruited six transfers going into the 2010 season. Four of the transfers recruited for the 2009 season remain on the roster for 2010. One of the 2009 transfers, Joe Patterson, was a critical key late in the 2009 season, hitting .500 at the Fort Worth Regional despite A&M’s failure to advance.
ollege baseball is a carousel of constantly changing rosters. Every year, coaches are left holding their breath until Aug. 15, hoping the top talent and recruits are not lured away by the MLB Amateur Draft. Aug. 15 is the final day players, high school or college, can sign with the team that drafted them a couple months earlier. At Texas A&M, Head Coach Rob Childress lost three non-seniors and two highly touted high school recruits to the 2009 draft. That’s where Matt Juengel comes in. Juengel, a sophomore infielder from Houston, transferred to Texas A&M this summer after having an explosive freshman campaign at Panola College in Carthage, Texas. After tearing a ligament his junior season at Clear Brook High School, the former pitcher worked to improve his hitting game but was declared too small for the upper level of college baseball. “Out of high school, I was pretty small,” Juengel said. “I was only 6 feet, 1 inch tall, 155 pounds — even though I’m 6 feet, 1 inch tall, 165 pounds now — it ended up there were two schools looking at me: Panola and Cisco Junior College.” Juengel succeeded at the plate his senior season and carried the momentum into his first year at Panola, hitting .404 with 16 home runs.
Texas A&M 2009 Record: 37-24 (14-13) Preseason Rank: 28 – NCBWA; Collegiate Baseball osses: LHP/OF Brooks Raley, 1B Luke Anders, yle Colligan Additions & Returning Players: LHP Ross Hales, INF Juengel, 2B/OF Brodie Greene, RHP Nick Fleece, oe Patterson on Opener: Today vs. Seton Hall Big 12 Championship: 2008 – Regular Season College World Series: 1999
Missouri (tied) 2009 Record: 35-27 (16-11) Preseason Rank: NR Losses: RHP Kyle Gibson, C Trevor Coleman, Additions & Returning Players: OF/1B Aaron Senne, onnor Mach, RHP Nick Tepesch, C Brett Nicholas on Opener: Today vs. Gonzaga at Tucson, AZ Big 12 Championship: Never College World Series: 1964
“A lot of times those numbers they put up in junior college will translate here,” Childress said. “Maybe if a guy hits .450 in junior college, I don’t expect him to hit .450 at Texas A&M, but he’s definitely proven he can hit college pitching.” While high school recruits are given time to adjust and grow, transfer players must make a much quicker transition to the Division 1 game. Childress said transfer players might face one good pitcher a week in junior college baseball, but at the Division 1 level every pitcher they face is going to be top notch. That’s not what worries Juengel as he adjusts to his first season at the top level of college baseball. “It’s more along the lines of classes and everything that has to do with academics,” Juengel said about the most difficult part of the transition. “Going to study hall and all that different stuff— the baseball is a little bit harder, but it’s going to be fun this year.” Juengel started his career on the streets of Houston, where he and his friends often grabbed whatever they could to play a makeshift game in the streets. By the time he started select league at 9, he knew the game was his future. “My dream has always been to play at the next level,” he said, “but I’ve got to focus on here first.” During his first year of coach-pitch Little League baseball, Juengel’s team was in the playoffs when he hit a walk-off home run to win the game. If his history is any indication, Aggie fans have nothing to worry about with this transfer.
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Oklahoma
2009 Record: 43-20 (17-10) Preseason Rank: 22 – USA Today; 25 – Collegiate Baseball, NCBWA Key Losses: C J.T. Wise, RHP Garrett Richards, RHP Andrew Doyle Key Additions & Returning Players: RHP Zach Neal, RHP Ryan Duke, 3B Garrett Buechele Season Opener: Today at San Diego State Last Big 12 Championship: 1997 – Conference Tournament Last College World Series: 1995
Nebraska (tied) 2009 Record: 25-28-1 (8-19) Preseason Rank: NR Key Losses: RHP Erik Bird, INF Jeff Tezak, INF Jake Mort Key Additions & Returning Players: RHP Mike Nesseth, 1B Tyler Farst, RHP Thomas Lemke, RHP Kyle Hander, OF Adam Bailey Season Opener: Today at Fresno State Last Big 12 Championship: 2005 – Conference Tournament Last College World Series: 2005
Oklahoma State
2009 Record: 34-24 (9-16) Preseason Rank: NR Key Losses: INF Tyrone Hambly, OF Neil Medchill, RHP Tyler Blandford Key Additions & Returning Players: 2B Tom Belza, C Kevin David, LHP Tyler Lyons, RHP Randy McCurry, 1B/OF Devin Shines Season Opener: Saturday vs. Oklahoma Christian Last Big 12 Championship: 2004 – Conference Tournament Last College World Series: 1999
Texas Tech
2009 Record: 25-32 (12-15) Preseason Rank: NR Key Losses: 2B Willie Rueda, LHP Robert Kilcrease, 1B Chris Richburg Key Additions & Returning Players: RHP Chad Bettis, LHP Jay Johnson, 1B Stephen Hagen, DH Scott LeJeune Season Opener: Today vs. Jacksonville State Last Big 12 Championship: 1998 – Conference Tournament Last College World Series: Never
2/18/10 5:04 PM
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page 7 friday 2.19.2010
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we can get done about it. You don’t have to Village Foods, Continued from page 1 donate a billion dol- A&M United populations for what they’re doing. The video lars to stop slavery, Methodist Church lets people know what’s going on who otherwise but you can consume youth and college more wisely or do programs, Bryan wouldn’t get it.� The film focuses on sex slavery, labor slavery, small things every day High School Student child soldiers and child slavery. It will highlight to help.� Council, OneLove, The partnering or- International Justice specific cases around the world. “The very first thing I thought after watching ganizations include Mission, Gents, Assist the trailer was that little girl could possibly be my Village Foods, A&M and WHOOP all began Methodist little sister,� said Vince Partida, president of Gents United planning in the fall and a junior sociology major. “What would I do, Church youth and colfor the event and .com its lege programs, Bryan www. villagefoods would I sit around and do nothing if that were promotion and have We make it easy to eat better High School Student my little sister? These are things that you can do to change the lives of women and children across Council,OneLove, posted flyers, dropped International Justice fake identification the world, why would I not do it?� Slave trafficking might not be an issue many Mission, Gents, Assist cards and visited students think about daily, so the organizations and WHOOP. The other organizations on involved plan to bring relevance to the issue for group began planning campus to promote students and community members by communi- in the fall for the event the event. and its promotion. cating that it is not a foreign problem. “It’s a lot closer to home than we really think They have posted flyers, dropped fake identifiit is because there’s a lot of trafficking victims in cation cards and visited other organizations on Houston. That’s a huge hub,� said Becca Wilson, campus to promote the event. “We want to get as many people as possible to president of International Justice Mission and a hear about what’s going on,� Manago said. “We senior sociology major. “I think a lot of times want to ‘call out’ as the video would say to as people don’t realize how realistic this is. It’s really easy to say ‘Oh, that’s going on in Cambodia or many people as possible.� www.villagefoods The idea for the screening started with.com Clay India’ when really it’s only an hour or two away. We make it easy to... Horton, A&M United Methodist’s youth direcI think, for our community’s sake, it’s important for people to realize how close to home it is and tor. He contacted the organizations and companies, then found the money needed to screen the to feel empowered to go ahead and help.� After watching, viewers are invited to respond film. The event is free because the funds have at tables set up by the participating organizations. already been donated and will go to “Call + Re“After the screening of the video there will be sponse� to promote social justice projects across a bunch of different ways to respond,� Manago the world. “That money is being used by “Call + Resaid. “You can respond through writing a consponse� to fund various projects across the world, gressperson. There will be some fair trade compaso if you look at their Web site, you’ll see that nies that are around that you can buy some stuff from. Village Foods is involved in it, and they will they have interactive projects for each aspect of human slavery,� Partida said. “The money that be selling some fair trade coffee and chocolate.� Members of the organizations involved are we’ve paid to bring the documentary to town planning to serve the victims of trafficking by goes to fund these projects.� Students organizations have focused on prodoing simple things such as becoming conscious consumers to promote social justice and not fund moting the event on campus but are also looking to make a larger impact. human trafficking. “If A&M as a whole can really take a stand for “Seventeen thousand people are trafficked into the U.S. every year, and it just kind of blows your this then that’s going to be contagious,� Wilson mind,� said Kirsten Tesh, Assist member and a said. “It’s just going to spread from there. We just freshman biomedical science major. “The more want students to be aware that their daily choices people that know about it, the further the word really do make a difference.�
Basketball Continued from page 1
7,000 to each game,� Blair said. “That’s the minimum that I want. I want people to come out and enjoy themselves. If you can’t get up for us playing Texas, it doesn’t get any better. We need to show the nation what “It’s not we can do by putting animosity, it’s butts in the seats.� about respect. Senior TaniEvery day you sha Smith will be think about licking her chops beating t.u., but as she faces the you respect them Longhorns for too.� possibly the last time in her colCoach Gary Blair legiate career. Smith dominated Texas in the first meeting, scoring 28 points on 11-of-15 shooting and tying her career-high with seven assists. “A lot of their seniors are stepping up, realizing it’s their last year,� Smith said. “We have to go in like we went to Austin. We just have to go out with the same focus. Our main thing was transition and getting fast breaks. Eliminating a lot
Sbisa Continued from page 1
which is sufficient for heat sanitizing so things were getting clean, however, inspection protocol calls for 180 degrees. We immediately stopped using the machine until it could be repaired,� Riddle said. “Also, there were a couple of spray bottles in our mop rooms that were not labeled.� Other violations were a sink was deemed inaccessible and some surfaces were not sanitized.
of their top players’ touches was also important. That night we were just the best team, but any night any team can win. We’re always pumped up for the Texas game though.� Texas senior Brittainey Raven comes in as the teams’ leading-scorer, averaging 14.8 points per game. Raven will have to play against A&M’s Sydney Carter, however. The sophomore is coming off one of her best defensive performances, holding the nation’s third leading scorer, Andrea Riley, to two points in Wednesday’s win at Oklahoma State. “[Carter] is a warrior and our best on-ball defender,� said A&M junior Danielle Adams. “I give her all the credit for what she did against Riley and what she has been doing lately. She’s probably the best player on the team.� Texas has a 6.5-1.5 advantage in the State Farm Lone Star Showdown standings. Blair hopes to cut into that lead with a win Saturday. “I get up for Texas,� Blair said. “Coming to A&M, I’ve bought into everything that they’re serving here about the traditions and rivalries. I love the old stories. With State Farm, now everybody isn’t just worried about football. It gives credit to all the other sports to do your part. I just enjoy the rivalry. It’s not animosity, it’s about respect. Every day you think about beating t.u., but you respect them too.� “There was a spray hose left in front of the sink. Although the employees can still wash their hands, according to inspection protocol, this makes the sink inaccessible. We removed the hose, and have installed a device to secure the hose in its appropriate location,� Riddle said. Junior history major Justin Barkley said the violations concern him, but he thinks Dining Services has done a good job of handling it. “It’s never good to hear that a place where most of the students on campus eat has health violations,� he said, “but it’s comforting that they’ve worked to remedy the situation so quickly.�
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Police capture escaped zebra in downtown Atlanta ATLANTA — Rush hour trafďŹ c in Atlanta came to a standstill Thursday afternoon when an escaped circus zebra galloped along a busy section of highway. The animal was ďŹ rst spotted around 4:30 p.m. in downtown Atlanta, said Georgia Department of Transportation spokeswoman Monica Luck. The animal made its way through downtown to the interstate highway that cuts through the center of the city. Police cruisers blocked off all southbound lanes and were able to herd the zebra over to the right shoulder and off an entrance ramp, Luck said. “It wasn’t on the highway very long,â€? she said. “But it was an inconvenient time for this to happen because the downtown connector
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southbound usually gets backed up on its own, that time of day.â€? Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus is in town this week. The circus also had a group of elephants corralled Thursday in a downtown Atlanta parking lot. It’s not the ďŹ rst time a zebra has been spotted along a metro Atlanta highway. In April 2008, a 2- to 3-month-old zebra was found injured along Interstate 75. Authorities said at the time they thought the young zebra had likely fallen from a truck passing through Georgia and was then hit by a car. The zebra in the 2008 incident was rushed to the veterinary school at Auburn University in Alabama, where he received several operations. Associated Press
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