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Environmental studies junior Caleb Wilkins is rated 954 in the PDGA. The best disc golfer in the world is rated 1056.
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UP IN THE AIR, UP IN THE RANKS A&M student joins elite few pro disc golfers By Josh McCormack @_joshmccormack
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or many, the sport of disc golf is a relaxing afternoon pastime — but for environmental studies junior Caleb Wilkins, disc golf is a lifestyle. Wilkins has recently joined a handful of first-rate professional disc golfers and an even smaller percentage of those who are also college students in the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA). Along with playing as a solo professional player, Wilkins is also the captain of the TAMU disc golf team and an active member of the Brazos Valley Disc Golf Club (BVDGC). Wilkins was first introduced to the game when he was went out with his dad but didn’t pick it back up until high school. Wilkins said his goal is to earnestly pursue disc golf and improve his rank in the PDGA. “The best player in the world
right now is rated 1056. I am rated at 954,” Wilkins said. “I decided to start playing [professionally] because I think the best way to get better is to push myself by playing against players who are better than me.” Graham Clumper, recreation park and tourism sciences senior and A&M disc golf team member, has noticed Wilkins’ tenacity and talent. “Playing with Caleb is great — he’s always in a positive mood and is always eager to help others improve,” Clumper said. “He’s a great representative of the sport. He has an incredible ability to maintain focus, even when he’s not playing his best.” Wilkins’ positive attitude while playing is what makes him such a good golfer as well as enjoyable to play with, Clumper said. “The best part of playing with Caleb is his positivity,” Clumper said. “He challenges players to try new things and motivates them to stay positive when things don’t work.” Wilkins said there is more to DISC GOLF ON PG. 2
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NO. 10 AGGIES Hours after the Aggies’ road win over SEC west rival Auburn, a new AP Top 25 Poll was released and had the Aggies ranked No. 10 in the nation. A&M, which began the season unranked, has steadily climbed the ranks in the last three weeks. A&M made its debut at No. 20 after defeating then-ranked No. 16 UCLA in an overtime thriller at Kyle Field. After easily handling Prairie View A&M, the Aggies once again rose in the ranks to No. 17 before rising once more to No. 10 after defeating Auburn.
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Following the death of Harambe, a gorilla from the Cincinnati Zoo, outrage and memes flooded the Internet.
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A&M Harambe Club seeks justice for zoo animals Club forms in response to death of Cincinnati Zoo gorilla By Brad Morse & Brad Canon @BradMorse53 & @BradCanon1
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CSPD is still investigating the Aug. 20 death of Anton Gridnev at the Sigma Nu fraternity house.
16 arrest warrants issued for Sigma Nu frat house residents Staff report The College Station Police Department issued 16 warrants for six more residents of the Sigma Nu fraternity house Sept. 15. The warrants are regarding an Aug. 20 party where fraternity member Anton Gridnev died from an overdose. All of the warrants for the six members are drug related, ranging from possession of
marijuana to the manufacture and distribution of controlled substances. The names of all members who have warrants are not being released until the members are arrested. Some individuals have multiple warrants for their arrest. The investigation into the death of Gridnev is still ongoing, and if any students have any information regarding his death they are encouraged contact CSPD at 979-764-3600.
A Texas A&M group has taken what started as an Internet joke and turned it into an effort to support gorillas around the world. Harambe was a gorilla in the Cincinnati Zoo who was killed May 28 when a child climbed into his exhibit. Harambe’s death sparked social media uproar in the form of memes, direct messages to the Cincinnati Zoo’s Twitter account, and even songs written about Harambe. Other groups have formed in an effort to raise awareness for animals kept in zoos. One such group is the Texas A&M Harambe Club. While the Internet has made many memorials to Harambe in jest, the Harambe Club sees a chance to raise awareness of the importance of the wellbeing of these animals. “We realized we could actually do something good and support a foundation that helps gorillas all over the
world,” said Ana Ruiz, president of the club. “Bringing awareness to a cause that isn’t recognized as much is very important.” The club, still in its developing stages, is currently selling T-shirts to raise awareness for the foundation. “Currently our shirts are not made for initial income for the club,” said Cole Matkin, vice-president. “They are purely for the enjoyment of the members and to help spread the word of our new organization.” The group isn’t just focused on selling t-shirts. The club plans to hold several fundraisers throughout the year and donate all proceeds to the Gorilla Foundation, a non-profit organization focused on raising funds for research on Koko the gorilla, known for her ability to use sign language. The foundation also raises awareness for conservation in Africa and to continue the study of animal-human interaction. Erin Hickman, secretary of the HARAMBE CLUB ON PG. 3