The Battalion — November 4 by The Battalion

Silver Taps

Britney Gail Gavitt April 15, 2001 - Sept. 4, 2021

Kimberly Nicole Hartfield May 27, 1995 - Aug. 21, 2021

Kirstyn Katherine Ahuero Nov. 10, 2000 - Sept. 8, 2021

TRIBUTES ON PAGE 6

Abbey Santoro — THE BATTALION

Local election ran from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 2, in the Brazos County.

Local election yields Place 4 re-election, Proposition C fails

To the beat of her own drum

Hannah Shaffer — THE BATTALION

Materials science junior Amanda Lovitt was selected as the Artillery Band Bass Drummer for the 2021-2022 academic year.

First female Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band bass drummer Amanda Lovitt establishes new, empowering example By Caroline Wilburn @CarolineWilburn

espite previous years of training with the Corps of Cadets, a 40-pound drum seemed to present a new challenge for this cadet.

Engineering junior Amanda Lovitt was selected as the first female bass drummer for the 2021-2022 Texas A&M Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band, a historical occasion for the band. “I thought there was about a 50/50 chance that I would get it,” Lovitt said. “As time went on, I got a few clues that made me think, ‘Okay, I think I probably got this.’ It was definitely a surprise because they announced it at [the] gather ‘round at the end of practice. My heart stopped in my chest. It was like, ‘Wait, do I actually know I’m gonna get this? Do I think I’m gonna get this?’” Although Lovitt said she initially attended A&M to study nuclear engineering, she now

studies materials science. “Originally, I was not planning on joining a marching band when I came into college, because I knew that classes would be a lot,” Lovitt said. “It was an on-the-spot kind of moment. I joined the Corps because a lot of people in my family were Air Force cadets. So I joined the Corps because I already have a little bit of exposure to [the] military. Once I got here, I was like, ‘What the heck, I’m gonna be joining the Corps anyways, why not just join the band?’ because it’s something that I like and enjoy.” Industrial and systems engineering senior Joshua Stroo said he has seen Lovitt’s growth BASS DRUMMER ON PG. A3

Low voter turnout seen in Brazos County 2021 uniform election By Aubrey Vogel @aubrey_vogel Final results for the 2021 municipal elections in Brazos County came in late Tuesday evening after polls officially closed at 7 p.m. According to the College Station city blog, results are not yet official, but all early voting ballots have been counted in addition to received absentee ballots as well as the tally from all 24 polling places. As an odd-year election, turnout was expected to be lower than that of the previous presidential election. As of Nov. 3, Brazos County saw a turnout of 10,474 out of 129,201 registered voters, only 8.11 percent. “A total of 67 absentee and military ballots are outstanding,” the city blog reads. “Absentee ballots will be counted if postmarked by [Tuesday] and received Wednesday. Military ballots will be counted through Nov. 8.” City Council Place 4 incumbent Elizabeth Cunha, 56.3%, was re-elected for another term over candidate William Wright, 43.8%. ELECTIONS ON PG. A3

Bryan-College Station experienced 40 days of polluted air Local experts comment on 2020 Environment Texas climate report By Kyle McClenagan @KMcclenagan The global effects of climate change have not left Bryan-College Station unscathed, according to a recently published study by Environment Texas. The new report found the Bryan-College Station region had 40 days of elevated particulate matter in 2020. This contamination affects not only the climate, but also the health of individuals in the area as air pollution alone is linked to over 17,000 deaths in Texas every year. The findings list damage to respiratory and cardiovascular systems, worsened mental health, cancer and increased risk to infectious diseases such as COVID-19 as just a few of the possible effects from possible exposure. Environment Texas Executive Director Luke Metzger said there are a variety of causes for air pollution across the state. “Coal fired power plants, particularly in northeast Texas, [and] petrochemical production on the Gulf Coast … pollution from the Sahara and dust from Mexican agricultur-

al fires, to just dust and other things that are stirred up from construction activity are all contributing to these kinds of fine particulate matter,” Metzger said. While these pollutants discussed in the study directly affect personal health, they are also a contributor to climate change, Metzger said. “A lot of the same sources of smog and pollution, like heavy diesel equipment or power plants, are also contributing in releasing carbon dioxide, which of course is the main greenhouse gas,” Metzger said. Solving this problem would not only improve public health, but also help reduce climate change, Metzger said. “We know that if we don’t address the climate crisis and reduce emissions, the planet is going to be warmer,” Metzger said. “We can both address the climate crisis and make our air cleaner to breathe.” The report also details the link between climate and air pollution in regard to global warming. “Global warming is likely to make air pollution worse in the years to come,” the report reads. Natalie Johnson, Ph.D., an associate pro-

POLLUTION ON PG. A3

FILE

A recent study by Environment Texas revealed there were 40 days of polluted air in the Bryan-College Station area in 2020. The result of the report raises several causes for concern.

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LIFE&ARTS

The Battalion | 11.4.21

We farm, we fight

Melanie McBride — THE BATTALION

The Texas A&M Agronomy Society’s annual Aggie-themed corn maze provided a fun and challenging way for visitors to enjoy fall festivities throughout the month of October.

On-campus corn maze inspired by A&M traditions each Halloween By Lauren Discher @laurendischer This year’s Fightin’ Texas Aggie Corn Maze was anticipated to be the most challenging yet. The annual Aggie-themed maze is created and hosted by the Texas A&M Agronomy Society. The design of the maze was inspired by the yell “Farmers Fight” and featured a giant A&M emblem in the center of the winding paths spanning over a three-acre field. The money raised from ticket sales goes toward funding different professional and developmental events for the organization. Plant and environmental soil sciences senior and Agronomy Society Vice President Ariana Lazo said the Texas A&M Agronomy Society is A&M’s chapter of the national organization Students of Agronomy, Soils and Environmental Science. “This is my third year as a member and

my second year as an officer,” Lazo said. “I’ve had the opportunity to attend a national conference, compete in competitions, participate in the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Corn Maze and make the most incredible friends through this organization.” Plant and environmental soil sciences senior and Agronomy Society President Grace Bodine said the Agronomy Society is also a departmental organization housed in the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences. “Our mission is to not only provide professional opportunities for our students within our department, but also students who are interested in that topic,” Bodine said. “We have students from all different majors, like horticulture and engineering. There’s a lot of people that know about agriculture that go to A&M, but there’s also a lot of people who don’t know about it.” With approximately 85 percent of Texas’ population living in urban areas, Bodine said the organization is an opportunity for people to learn and disseminate agricultural knowledge to the public.

How does the Texas A&M Foundation support students? In more ways than you might realize. In fiscal year 2020 alone, we helped former students and friends of the university establish 306 new endowed scholarships and graduate fellowships that will support Aggies for generations. During the 2021-2022 academic year, more than 9,000 current students are benefiting from scholarships created through the Foundation. We also help fundraise for student organizations, college-based programs and study abroad initiatives to make every Aggie experience one worth cherishing. Learn more at txamfoundation.com.

“That’s one of the reasons we do the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Corn Maze,” Bodine said. “Since [Oct. 16], we’ve had a little over 2,500 people come out ... and we expect to reach 3,000.” Plant and environmental soil sciences junior and corn maze chair Trenton Sulak said, in past years, the organization has designed the maze in various ways, though always A&M-related. “We’ve chosen to do the A&M logo with ‘Whoop,’ the A&M logo with ‘fearless’ and the older AMC logo,” Sulak said. “This year, we chose to have the A&M logo with the famous Aggie words ‘Farmers Fight.’” Sulak said the beginning steps for creating the maze occur much earlier than one might anticipate. “The corn for the maze was planted in the third week of July this year in order for it to stay green all the way into Halloween,” Sulak said. “We use drip tape irrigation in order to have efficient watering and keep the corn growing through the hot summer months.” After the corn tassels, Sulak said the team

makes the design in the corn. “We take our design of the maze and use hoes to chop the corn down at the roots,” Sulak said. “We usually do the logo and words first to give the public an idea of what the maze will look like and then cut the paths out and try to make it as difficult as possible.” Each year, Sulak said the team tries to make the maze complicated, but not impossible, for the public. “When taking every correct path, the time [to complete the maze] was five minutes,” Sulak said. “But for people making their first attempt, the quickest time was nine minutes, and the longest time was one hour and 15 minutes.” The Fightin’ Texas Aggie Corn Maze closed for the year on Sunday, Oct. 31. Though the maze has traditionally been made out of corn stalks, Sulak said next year will look a little different. “We’re planning on planting sunflowers so people can take pictures,” Sulak said. “It will be our first year doing that, so we’ll see how it works out.”

Nourish Innovation and win $25,000

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NEWS

The Battalion | 11.4.21

monumental than we had imagined,” Stroo said. “I hope this shows women in the Corps that they are not limited or held back by their gender, but that they feel empowered and motivated by Amanda’s example to strive for any roles they are interested in.” Despite previous years of training, Lovitt said the physical aspect of carrying the drum was the hardest. “For me, the equivalent of marching an eight-minute show while playing the drum is the same as running a mile,” Lovitt said. “It’s the same amount of workout for me. You definitely have to be strong enough to do it.” Economics junior and fellow cadet William Pattison said Lovitt has shown impressive dedication and provides a strong example for underclassmen to follow. “She shows it in the same way that every other dedicated bandsman shows it: by coming every day and giving 100 percent effort in rehearsals and performing well on Kyle Field,” Pattison said. “She has a notably strong work ethic. Being in the Aggie Band is strenuous enough, but in addition to that, she is tackling a material sciences and engineering degree as well as other organizations within the Corps.” Although she is the first woman in the position, Pattison said gender did not play a role. “The bass drummers are just three drummers performing a service to the band,” Pattison said. “We are chosen because we stand out among our class as Aggie bandsmen for our character and love of the organization. Whoever the top three juniors are in regards to character, spirit and ability will earn the position.” Stroo said Lovitt didn’t earn the title of “leader” by her position, but by the way she carries herself and how she treats others. “She values the well-being of everyone and does not use her roles as tactics to force people to do something, because she is able to do that through trust and inspiration,” Stross said. “She is exactly the type of leader that anyone would want to work with.”

POLLUTION CONTINUED

Hannah Shaffer — THE BATTALION

While Lovitt defied gender norms with her selection as the first female bass drummer, fellow cadets say her work ethic made her a worthy choice for the position.

BASS DRUMMER CONTINUED since her freshman year and was honored and humbled for her to replace him as Artillery Band Bass Drummer this year. Stroo said Lovitt showed the most determination through the candidacy process and has an unmatched personality. “Choosing Amanda for bass drummer was not an individual decision,” Stroo said. “The

ELECTIONS CONTINUED “I think it’s real validation from the community on the work I’ve done this past year, and that’s incredibly gratifying,” Cunha told The Eagle. “I think we need to build back some of our good morale with one another, and I look forward to being a part of that as well. I think we have a really good city council, and I look forward to being a part of the discussions as we guide the city forward meaningfully through the growth that we are experiencing.” City Council Place 6 candidates David Levine, 38.2%, and incumbent Dennis Maloney, 45.5%, will advance to a runoff election, as neither candidate received the 50 percent plus one majority required on Election Day. The College Station city blog said the council will consider adopting an ordinance calling for a runoff election to occur on Tuesday, Dec. 14. Levine and Maloney will advance ahead of third candidate Marie-Anne Mousseau, 16.3%. In the meantime, Maloney will con

idea and initial planning came from myself and the two other bass drummers from last year, but the final decision came from an agreement of about 10 people; not a single one of them thought she wasn’t the right person for the job.” Lovitt said she wasn’t the only female drummer who tried out for the position and felt supported throughout the selection process.

“At no point was it intimidating because I was a female because there was so much support from everyone around me, especially my buddies,” Lovitt said. “Every single time I talked about it, they were like ‘Yeah, go for it. You’re gonna do great.’” Stroo said Lovitt’s gender had no role in the decision-making process. “It wasn’t until after the decision was made that we realized that this was something more

tinue to serve in the post, according to the city blog. “I think that we’re going to make this biggest runoff happen,” Levine told The Eagle. “My opponent has been through some offyear runoffs that he has won, and I’m not worried about it. I think we have a really strong platform, and I think the number of people that showed up told me that. To be within 400-ish votes of the incumbent that has so many years of tenure is super exciting to me.” Propositions A and B of the College Station city charter amendments on the ballot were passed, according to the College Station city blog. These propositions were for prohibiting council members from having financial interest in city contracts and transactions and requiring council members to disclose contributions of more than $500. Proposition C, which called to move city elections in November of odd-numbered years, failed to pass, having received 3,747 votes, 63.9%, against.

College Station election results canvassing will occur during the city council’s Nov. 11 meeting. According to The Eagle, College Station Independent School District, or CSISD, School Board Place 1 candidate Darin Paine, 62.72%, was elected over Amy Alge, 37.28%, and CSISD School Board Place 2 was won by candidate Blaine Decker, 42.24%, followed by candidates Kim Ege, 35.67%, and Mengmeng Gu, 22.09%. Three of four of the CSISD Bond propositions passed including propositions A, B and C, which include a bond for phase 1 of a career and technical education facility as well as the purchase of land, buses and vehicles, an increase in instructional technology, and renovations to the district’s natatorium. CSISD Bond Proposition D failed to pass, 52.81%, which included a bond for an update to the A&M Consolidated High School football stadium, including fieldhouse and press box renovations and upgrades to the sound system.

Texas A&M University Students, Faculty and Staff are invited to attend

TUITION AND FEE HEARING for proposed changes to tuition and fees charged for the 2022-2023 Academic Year Monday, November 15, 2021 6:00 p.m. Innovative Learning Classroom Building (ILCB) Room 205

fessor in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health in the Texas A&M School of Public Health, said air pollution can affect everyone. “Even people that would be considered healthy that aren’t sensitive to air pollution could be at risk for the development of a variety of different diseases,” Johnson said. This situation is not just a Texas problem, rather a global issue, Johnson said. “Globally, it’s probably the most important risk factor,” Johnson said. “And for the United States, more people die of air pollution versus crashes [or] drug overdoses.” There are some things people can do to help mitigate their personal risk factors, Johnson said. “You want to make sure that you have good air filters for your home … as well as your car,” Johnson said. People can also check the daily air quality online and adjust their day accordingly, Johnson said. “If it happens to be a poor air quality day, then you may choose to modify your activities and maybe exercise indoors,” Johnson said. However, to really make a difference, policies around what’s allowed need to first change, Johnson said, which has already begun. “The World Health Organization recently just lowered its standards dramatically from 25 micrograms per cubic meter … all the way down to 5 micrograms per cubic meter,” Johnson said. As of now, these guidelines are far from being met, Johnson said. “Most of the world is not within these guidelines,” Johnson said. “The ultimate goal is making sure that we could reduce the sources and prevent individuals from having heightened levels of exposure.”

OPINION

The Battalion |11.4.21

OPINION Abbey Santoro — THE BATTALION

Opinion columnist Sam Somogye breaks down the report from MGT of American Consulting and aruges that university President M. Katherine Banks is not doing enough on behalf of campus members.

President Banks owes more to Texas A&M Columnist Sam Somogye continues discussing controversial MGT report Sam Somogye

@samsomogye

hen the worlds of academia and politics combine, it’s bound to be splendid, right? As many Aggies are seeing, this reality couldn’t be further from the truth. Last week, the MGT of American Consulting’s report on university organization was released by Texas A&M’s administration. This report is a mixed bag, which is to be expected of a 132page document with recommendations on how to restructure one of the biggest universities in the country. To be com-

pletely honest, it’s a surprise the report wasn’t longer. One component of the report is not a mixed bag, though: the university administration’s response, specifically from A&M President M. Katherine Banks. Her response is cut and dry; it’s black and white; it’s as clear as the blue sky on a Texas summer day. In layman’s terms, Banks’ response sucks. Banks’ office has provided students and faculty two weeks to share their thoughts on the report through an online feedback forum. Basically, her office expects campus members to take time out of their already-demanding curriculums to read a lengthy report, go to an online forum and write their responses, all in just two weeks. Oh — one more tid-bit

that was left out — you can only write your response once. Seems completely fair and logical! In reality, this rationale is far from fair, and it’s even farther from logical. This method is a cop-out. It shows Banks has no real interest in what students think about this report; otherwise, she would be doing a lot of things differently. To start, she would give Aggies more than two weeks to respond. When asked, Student Body President Natalie Parks said, “Frankly, I do not believe that two weeks is enough time to gather the appropriate amount of student feedback that I would see needed for a 132-page report that covers a lot of different proposed changes that, if accepted, could significantly impact a lot of different

facets of student life.” This idea makes one wonder how much Banks actually cares about student input. Moreover, Banks needs to use her most valuable skill, that being — drum roll please — educating. It’s entirely reasonable for Banks to hold town halls where she and other officials break down the report for students. Shoot, at the very least, they could hop on a Zoom call and go over the report, highlight and simplify the major points and make sense of what a lot of students see as jargon. When asked if Banks could be doing more, Parks said, “I think so. I think I would honestly find it very helpful from the perspective of a student who has read the report for even administration to do a type of listening session.” The university also announced decisions would be made by early December on which recommendations from the report will be implemented. So, it’s going to announce what administration plans on doing less than three months after the report has been released, while allowing minimal time for student feedback. This ridiculous timetable tells us two things. First, Banks likely knew what was in the report before it was released. No responsible person would allow themselves 2 ½ months to make decisions that could turn a university upside down. Second, she doesn’t actually care what students or faculty think about this report. Because, once again, 2 ½ months is a ridiculously short period of time to gather enough information from different perspectives regarding changes of this magnitude. At the very least, six months of waiting, gathering more information and listening to student and faculty concerns would be appropriate, and even that period of time would be pushing it. As individuals who pay thousands of dollars to attend this university, students deserve more skin in the game. Our voices deserve to be heard. This totally chill and not-at-all-frustrated writer reached out to Banks’ office to ask for an interview and response before writing this column, but shockingly garnered no response. To be an effective leader, you must do your due diligence for those you serve, and that is not coming from Banks, not even a little. Sam Somogye is a political science senior and columnist for The Battalion.

OPINION

The Battalion | 11.4.21

OPINION Haylea Keith — THE BATTALION

Assistant opinion editor Caleb Powell addresses the $1 million dollar lawsuits facing Sigma Alpha Epsilon and argues the need for increased supervision over fraternities.

Aggies must halt hazing

Assistant opinion editor Caleb Powell argues Greek life needs to reinforce Core Values Caleb Powell

@calebpowell23

hen most people think of hazing, their initial thoughts drift toward the comical initiations of Animal House. Unfortunately, reality is often disappointing and downright terrifying. Anyone with more than two brain cells would use an industrial-grade cleaner to wash factory floors or heavy machinery. Texas A&M’s Texas Tau chapter of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, or SAE, had the bright idea to pour it on two of its pledges in March of

2021. Because the cleaner can cause chemical burns and eye damage, two of those students were permanently disfigured. So, on Oct. 18, they filed a $1 million lawsuit against SAE. In response to the complaint, A&M suspended the fraternity for two years, and the organization will be on probation for another two afterward. While the university has taken punitive action, it unfortunately will not deter hazing for future generations of Aggies. SAE’s suspension means it is no longer affiliated with A&M and can’t take advantage of university resources or participate in any events. The subsequent probation will mean — while its status

as a recognized organization is restored — it can only host a limited number of events. Sure, this punishment will ensure when SAE comes off probation, it will consist of a whole new roster of Aggies. However, A&M has issued similar consequences for fraternities accused of hazing in the past, none of which deterred abuse in student organizations throughout Aggieland. For example, the Phi Delta Gamma, or FIJI, fraternity was found guilty of hazing in 2018 after freshman Joseph Little died from a seizure induced by snorting Adderall. The organization was suspended for four years, and this incident occurred not even a year after a

frighteningly similar death in the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. Even after two students died as the result of hazing, multiple organizations continue to perpetuate a seemingly infinite cycle of physical, mental and emotional torture. According to A&M’s Student Activities website, five Greek life organizations have been convicted of hazing since Little passed away. SAE is just the most recent in a long line of organizations busted for mistreating its members. Perhaps legal and financial repercussions will give potential abusers pause in the future. Perhaps A&M will amend its anti-hazing policies to be more stringent. Perhaps permanent scars will emphasize the consequences of hazing. However, none of these consequences will deter future harm unless the Aggie community decides to make a significant cultural change. It’s clear, with highly visible organizations like the Singing Cadets, Aggie Wranglers and Fish Camp also being responsible, that hazing is sadly a normal occurrence in Aggieland. Many may consider the strenuous exercise, excessive alcohol consumption and humiliation as tradition. Now, it’s important to understand many A&M traditions, like Silver Taps, Muster and Bonfire Remembrance, are integral parts of the university. However, the rites of passage found in many student organizations are not. Pouring eggs, spit and other foreign substances on pledges don’t define Aggies for one simple reason: these actions do not align with the university’s six Core Values. Just because an organization has hazed students for years on end does not justify hazing in the present day. The idea of humiliating new members is fundamentally at odds with A&M’s Core Values of Respect, Excellence and Leadership. Setting such poor examples for incoming students all but ensures a new generation of misguided leaders. Unfortunately, there is no policy A&M’s administration can implement to stop hazing if Aggies can’t learn how to say no. While it may be cathartic to inflict the suffering one experienced onto pledges, it is a true statement of Integrity to take the moral high ground. If hazing is to stop and lives are to be saved, Aggies must be better about living out their Core Values. Caleb Powell is a biomedical engineering junior and the assistant opinion editor for The Battalion.

SILVERTAPS

The Battalion | 11.04.21

April 15, 2001 — September 4, 2021

BRITNEY GAIL GAVITT A resilient Aggie with a heart full of compassion By Kathryn Miller @Kathrynmiller0

ritney Gail Gavitt lived with one lifelong dream: to be an Aggie.

Britney was born in Fort Worth on April 15, 2001, to Holly and Bruce Gavitt. Despite being sick all her life, the health hindrances she experienced were never her identity. Britney was the type of person who worked toward her goals and did whatever it took to achieve them, no matter the circumstances. “She didn’t want any special treatment — she wanted to make the mark herself,” her mother, Holly, said. “She didn’t let her circumstances get in the way. She believed in working for and getting there. It always bothered her when people would use their circumstances; she had no time for that. She hated lying, she hated cheating. She wanted to be the best, and she wanted to be at the top, and she was.” Britney had a brilliant mind, so much so that it was difficult to keep her busy, Holly said. When she was four years old, one of her doctors was an Aggie who Holly said instilled in her that she was going to go to Texas A&M. Britney followed that dream, enrolling at A&M in the fall of 2019 to study biology. “She basically lived to go to A&M,” Holly said. “It was always kind of a thing, she was going to be an Aggie. I don’t even know how many times she almost passed, but she carried on that dream, and she fought for that dream until she became an Aggie.” During her life, Britney was surrounded by love and support. Holly said Britney loved her family, her mother, brother Zachary, father Bruce and horse, Red. “Her and that horse have a story that is just unreal,” Holly said. “There’s actually a book written about her and that horse. She loved that horse, and that horse loved her. There were a few people in her life that she loved and she loved her doctors and she loved her nurses. At the very, very top of that list is Dr. Vickie Williamson, head of chemistry. She thought she hung the moon.” Britney was studying to go into the field of astrobiology and did whatever it took to be able to attend her classes and spend

PROVIDED

Junior biology major and Granbury native Britney Gavitt was honored on Tuesday, Nov. 2, in Academic Plaza.

time on A&M’s campus. Britney was in a wheelchair due to cardiac problems, but she was determined to spend her first day of classes in Aggieland on her feet. “I parked as close as I could, and she went into biology, her very first class, and she was on her own two feet,” Holly said. “She had her Aggie hat on, her Aggie t-shirt and her maroon backpack and her service dog, and she was grinning from ear to ear. At Kyle Field I put her in the wheelchair, and we got there, and she got out of the wheelchair, and she was standing on Kyle Field with all those students and the shape of the 23. She was grinning from ear to ear with that thumb up, and she just couldn’t get enough.” Jennifer Hernandez, one of Britney’s nurses, said she always knew Britney had a brilliant mind from a young age, and no matter how many times she got sick, she would resiliently bounce back.

“She handled [life] with such grace and strength, way more than adults ever would,” Hernandez said. “She was very resilient. I think the big thing that stood out to me was that when she decided to go to A&M, I was not surprised at all — she fits into the culture just because of her heart. She was so smart and knew her body and her illness in a way that she knew what she wanted. She wanted to go to A&M, and she fought through it in order to meet that goal.” People were drawn to Britney because of how she handled her life and adversities, Hernandez said, and she was someone who always gave people hope. “Britney knew how she wanted [her passing] to go,” Hernandez said. “She’s just one of those gems that you find on this earth that just gives you hope. When people knew her, they gained a little strength themselves. So many people were involved in her care that loved her. She meant something to many people because you were just drawn to how she would get through things.” Lindsay Leck, a childhood friend, said Britney was one of the most extraordinary people she knew, and when looking back, she only thinks of how strong Britney was and of all the amazing things she accomplished during her time. Britney took the world as it came to her and never complained or made excuses, Lindsay said, and her witty “tell it like it is” attitude would always make her laugh. “I just really enjoyed all of the times we got to talk and study together,” Leck said. “When I was in high school, there weren’t many people that were passionate about agriculture and animals like I was, so it was so nice to have a friend who I could nerd out with about things other people weren’t interested in. She was one of the most genuine friends I have had, and I always knew that she truly cared about what I had to say, and I always enjoyed listening to her.” Britney taught Leck, and many others, to not let the hardships of this world get in the way or to let them prevent you from accomplishing your goals. “She often had to miss school but never let her grades slip and was probably doing better than half of the kids that were there every day,” Leck said. “There are times when I am stressed or tired and wish I could just give up, but then I think of Britney. She persevered through everything thrown her way.”

May 27, 1995 — August 21, 2021

KIMBERLY NICOLE HARTFIELD ‘A force of nature’ By Myranda Campanella & Nathan Varnell @MCampanella_ & @newsncv

imberly Nicole Hartfield was a thoughtful and caring individual who always stood up for herself and others.

Kimberly, a sociology doctoral student from Irving, was an ambitious student with a larger-than-life personality. Her mom, Kelly Hartfield, said Kimberly was “a force of nature.” “She was pretty special. She had a strong personality, as well as many distinctive qualities. She was full of life, her energy was contagious,” Kelly said. “Kimberly was strong, she was determined and not easily intimidated. She had integrity, and she was very confident in herself and who she was. She was happy to be in her skin.” Kelly said Kimberly focused on doing the right thing and always saw the glass as half full. “She spent time on worthy causes and things that were important to her. She was optimistic and positive,” Kelly said. “She was ambitious. She set goals, and she had dreams and she achieved them.” Taylor Mireles, one of Kimberly’s friends she met while pursuing her master’s degree at Texas State, said Kimberly was very focused on the research she did in sociology. “She was really passionate about her research and looking at

PROVIDED

Sociology doctoral student Kimberly Hartfield was honored on Tuesday, Nov. 2, in Academic Plaza.

minitories’ experiences with colleges and how to navigate that, especially first-generation students,” Mireles said. Kimberly’s research, titled “Adverse childhood experiences contribute to race/ethnic differences in post-secondary aca-

demic performance among college students,” was published just after she passed, Kelly said. In addition to her passion for her research, Hannah Edwards, another good friend of Kimberly’s from Texas State, said Kimberly loved music, fashion and plants, which Edwards said presented a special aesthetic about her. “She was very dedicated to giving herself a beautiful life,” Edwards said. “Everything around her was beautiful, the way she dressed ... [and] she loved giving her friends beautiful things.” Kimberly was incredibly thoughtful to others and would often go out of her way to remember all the little details about the people in her life. “I mentioned over the summer of 2020 there was this blue nail polish I liked, and for Christmas that year she [remembered the exact polish and] got it for me. She was always so attentive to detail,” Edwards said. “She was just very thoughtful. If she ever thought that she had upset you she would address it and was always quick to apologize.” Mireles and Edwards both said Kimberly was the type of person who made you want to better yourself just by knowing and respecting her. “Kimberly, in a good way, she had expectations of her friends and she would hold you accountable. I feel like I had to rise to her level,” Edwards said. “Whoever got to know Kimberly, whoever she let be her friend, it was an honor.”

November 10, 2000 — September 8, 2021

KIRSTYN KATHERINE AHUERO A passionate soul who never gave up By Aubrey Vogel @aubrey_vogel

irstyn Katherine Ahuero was a shy yet outgoing individual who found her passion in helping others.

Growing up in Glen Rose, Kirstyn was raised a Longhorn with her father, Khristopher, graduating from the University of Texas, though after hearing about his experience at a Texas A&M football game, Kirstyn ultimately decided to hang up her burnt orange jersey for a maroon and white one. “I think I had an influence with [her decision to come to A&M] a slight amount because I used to tell her how much fun it was going to an A&M game as a child,” Khristopher said. “It was such a good time that I memorized the fight song and I still remember it to this day.” Although she was quiet, Kirstyn is remembered for her humor, bringing laughter to those around her. “She had a very dry sense of humor and with perfect timing, comedic tim[ing],” Khristopher said. “She always hit the nail on the head at that perfect moment.” Graduating valedictorian of her class at Brazos River Charter School, Kirstyn decided to pursue biomedical sciences, although she was in the process of switching her major to allied health. Kirstyn was very interested in learning more about the university beyond what is known on the surface. “She loved everything about A&M,” her mom, Sherie said. “On her own, she wanted to know more about A&M. She wanted to know everything. So on her time off, she would go around campus and just absorb all the historical things from the statues to the hidden areas that she would read about.” Kirstyn thought College Station was a perfect fit size-wise, providing a hometown feel. “That’s exactly what she found when she got there,” Sherie said. “Especially with her church group that she became a part

PROVIDED

Sophomore biomedical sciences major Kirstyn Ahuero was honored at the Tuesday, Nov. 2, Silver Taps ceremony.

of, they were just like family. Just in her freshman year, she said it was the best group of people that she has ever met.” During her freshman year, Kirstyn met some members of Fellowship Church on A&M’s campus while they were having worship and later joined the group for weekly worship and hangouts. Homegroup leader Sam Baker said although Kirstyn was quiet at first, she began to open up to the group. “It was a real joy to see her start to open up as she felt loved, and start to really confide in us about some of the harder things that she was walking through,” Baker said. “We had the opportunity to get to know her as she opened her heart to us, and it was really beautiful.” Kirstyn quickly became an active member of Fellowship Church who helped to create a space for more reserved stu-

dents, Baker said. “She very quickly became a very safe person for other people that were feeling overwhelmed sometimes by the size, or just the busyness of events,” Baker said. “As a more reserved person, she opened up and let people see pieces of her heart and made it feel very safe for them to kind of reciprocate that.” During the summer of 2021, Kirstyn completed training and began work for HelpLine through A&M’s Counseling & Psychological Services, where she pursued her outgoing spirit. “[Through joining HelpLine she was] following into her passion for suicide hotline and mental illness,” Sherie said. “She was very passionate about that. And some of that stems from her own struggles that she went through herself.” Both her parents and members of her church group said they knew she discovered her main passion in life when she began working with HelpLine. “She really came alive in a different way, we saw her just kind of light up whenever she had the opportunity to get involved with the helpline that she was helping with,” Baker said. “She found a real sense of calling and purpose in being able to give back and help other people who are also struggling.” After joining HelpLine, Kirstyn began pursuing her passion of becoming a psychiatric nurse. “One of the things that I really admire about Kirstyn was her tenacity,” Baker said. “She fought for hope, in her own life, she fought for hope in other people’s lives. She fought to accomplish the things that she didn’t think, or the people around her didn’t think, that she could do.” Following Kirstyn’s death, her parents have advocated for COVID-19 safety measures for college students. “I wish things could have been different, especially with the university and how they started off school this year. I really believe that they should have been doing COVID[-19] testing way before the timeframe that they gave,” Sherie said. “That’s one thing I have been trying to do is bring about that awareness and how the university needs to change that so not another student goes through the same thing that my daughter did.”

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Taming another team of Tigers

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Coming off a bye week, the Texas A&M football team will host the No. 12 Auburn Tigers at Kyle Field. The Aggies will look to pull off the win at home in front of a sold-out crowd.

A&M will face strong Auburn lineup following ‘needed’ bye week with hopes of 4th straight win in SEC play By Jordan Epp @j_epp22

exas A&M and Auburn’s all-time series record currently sits at a tie; this weekend, one team must take the lead. In a Southeastern Conference matchup where the home team has only ever

won once, the No. 13 Aggies welcome the No. 12 Tigers back to Kyle Field this Saturday, Nov. 6. “That’s why you come to A&M,” junior running back Isaiah Spiller said. “To play in games like these and play in moments like these. I feel like it is amping us up a bit more, just because everyone is watching, and we want to put on a good show.” The Aggies, 6-2 overall and 3-2 in conference, are on a three-game win streak. The defense has been dominant, and their offense has begun to click for redshirt sophomore quarterback Zach Calzada. The Aggies have outscored their opponents by a margin of 120 to 66 over this stretch. Calzada has begun to find his rhythm in

A&M’s passing attack. Junior tight end Jalen Wydermyer had his biggest game of the year in Week 8 against South Carolina, catching four passes for 75 yards and two touchdowns. Junior wide receiver Ainias Smith has also scored in three straight games. “We know that we still can do some amazing things,” Wydermyer said. “We haven’t reached our full potential, and we know that, so we’re working on that every week.” A&M’s two-headed backfield has been the motor of the offense. Spiller and sophomore running back Devon Achane have eight 100yard games between the two this season and have combined for over 1,700 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground and in the air. The fourth-ranked scoring defense has been

one of the strengths for the Aggies. In Week 8, the A&M defense didn’t allow a single point through the first three quarters and racked up two interceptions and three sacks. Senior defensive lineman Tyree Johnson ranks third in the SEC in sacks and continues to emerge as the season progresses. Johnson, who suffered an injury in the matchup with the Gamecocks, should be good to go, according to A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher, after getting a bye week to rest up. “We needed a break,” Fisher said. “Eight weeks, that’s a lot of games. That’s a lot of bangs and bruises, and, you know, not just the physical strain, but the mental strain of preparing … I think it was good for them to get a week off.” FOOTBALL PREVIEW ON PG. B2

via 12thman.com

Texas A&M’s new women’s golf head coach Gerrod Chadwell has improved the program’s national ranking from No. 90 to No. 14 less than a year after taking over the position.

Short game mindset Coach Chadwell focused on teaching student-athletes through experience By Grant Gaspard @grant_gaspard From small-town Oklahoma to the fairways of College Station, Gerrod Chadwell has traveled many miles to get to where he is today. Since his first job as a coach in 2002, Chadwell has been awarded two NJCAA Coach of the Year awards, three AAC Coach of the Year awards and a Big 12 National Championship in 2012. But before the new Texas A&M women’s golf coach began a career of shooting birdies and escaping bunkers, he got his start on the court. “My first love was basketball,” Chadwell said. “I played basketball year-round throughout high school, and golf was just something I did on the side. If it wasn’t for being vertically challenged, I could’ve ended up playing [basketball] at a small school somewhere.” Born and raised in El Reno, Okla., Chadwell said he was never presented with an opportunity to receive professional instruction in the game of golf, instead falling back on limited teaching in a public school setting. “I wasn’t formally taught how to play golf; it was just being athletic and figuring it out,”

Chadwell said. “I was lucky enough to have a high school coach that cared, and I was a part of a great team where we helped each other out on how to play.” After high school, Chadwell attended East Central University, where he played golf for four years and graduated as an All-American. Instead of pursuing a career in the PGA Tour, Chadwell wanted to take a different route. “I was burned out, to be honest with you,” Chadwell said. “I didn’t want to chase the tour life and involve family, financial backing and everything else. I was young, single and had no strings attached, so I followed my coach to south Florida after my senior year to start teaching.” Chadwell became an instructor at David Pelz’s golf school from 2005 through 2007. The basis of his coaching is founded upon what he learned working for Pelz, Chadwell said. “It was just working for this guy who is a worldly known teacher,” Chadwell said. “Dave has a system that is simple in nature, scientific in nature and that allows you to be very efficient in your game.” The majority of what he taught in Florida was chipping, putting and wedge shots, Chadwell said. “He gave me a basis to teach off in our sport that can impact the ladies more in the shorter shots rather than the longer shots,” GERROD CHADWELL ON PG. B3

Kate Luffman — Texas A&M Athletics

Duke transfer Henry Coleman III joins the Texas A&M men’s basketball program ready to learn and develop under head coach and familiar face Buzz Williams.

Fresh start, courtside-tailored After searching nation for best fit, Coleman found home in Aggieland By Brad Bennett @Brad_Bennett13 Henry Coleman III, a former 4-star forward out of Trinity Episcopal School in Virginia, committed to Duke in the fall of 2019 with hopes of competing at a high level for legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski. But Coleman’s freshman season didn’t go as planned, appearing in 19 out of 24 games and averaging five minutes of playing time per game. Coleman said he took his position on the roster as an experience from which he could learn. “[I was] under probably the best basketball coach ever on the men’s side,” Coleman said. “I learned a ton on and off the court, especially being a part of [Duke’s] program.” Coleman’s mother, Cynthia, said despite all the struggles, Henry stayed engaged due to his commitment to Duke for the entirety of his freshman season. She said this was the result of Henry being raised to always be loyal, even if the circumstances are difficult. “It didn’t go as planned, but I think what we have always taught Henry and our young-

er son is that, even when things don’t go as planned, [they] made a commitment,” Cynthia said. “He stuck with his commitment to Duke and continued to work hard.” After the season, Coleman decided to put his name in the transfer portal because he wanted to do what was best for his basketball career. One of the main teams interested in him was Texas A&M. Coleman said he was previously recruited by A&M coach Buzz Williams while Williams was coaching at Virginia Tech, and it helped that he already had familiarity with the coaching staff. “I want to be a part of coach Buzz’s culture,” Coleman said. “He’s somebody that I’ve known for a while. He recruited me at Virginia Tech, so I know the staff a little bit ... I kind of knew what I was stepping into.” A&M assistant coach Lyle Wolf said A&M contacted Coleman as soon as he put his name into the transfer portal. The two parties already knew each other, speeding up the process of getting Coleman to Reed Arena. “When [Henry] hit the transfer portal, we called immediately,” Wolf said. “Good thing about that process is that they already know us and we know them, so we were able to get to the meat and potatoes of the conversation a lot quicker.” HENRY COLEMAN ON PG. B3

SPORTS

The Battalion | 11.4.21

GAME PREVIEW CONTINUED

FILE

Junior running back Isaiah Spiller’s 659 rushing yards, good for third in the SEC, is projected to rise against Auburn’s strong defense.

The Week 9 bye gave the maroon and white some much-needed rest. The extra Rides between cities. week of preparation will prove First ride is free! CODE: AGSWIN6 valuable facing an Auburn team with consecutive wins over ridehitch.com ranked opponents in Arkansas and Ole Miss. “We’re going to have to play a great game,” Fisher said. “This is a very good football team, be an equally likely explanation. The improved but, you know, I think we’re playing well, too.” run defense will be put to the test against Auburn, The Tigers, 6-2 and 3-1 in conference, have who ranks fifth in the SEC in rushing yards per averaged nearly 35 points per game this season game. while allowing just under 20 points. Junior quarAuburn has two underclassman running backs terback Bo Nix, a highly touted prospect and son pacing the team in carries, each with over 500 of Auburn legend Patrick Nix, is having his most rushing yards this season on over five yards per efficient year yet, with a career-high passer rat- carry. Sophomore Tank Bigsby has been running ing of 134.4 and just two interceptions in eight as his moniker suggests while freshman Jarquez games. Hunter has been a breakout player for the ofThe athletic Nix has found success under Bry- fense. The two have combined for 1,196 yards an Harsin, who is in his first year as the team’s and 10 touchdowns on the ground. head coach after a stint at Boise State. Always The Tigers’ defense, while struggling to crea capable runner, Nix is posting a career high ate turnovers, has averaged nearly three sacks a in completion percentage, at 62.2, and a lower game. The defense is led by senior defensive back turnover rate than in previous seasons. Roger McCreary, a skilled corner who leads the “His effort — everything else you want from conference in pass breakups with eight. Three a player — it’s always been there,” Harsin said. different defensive ends on the Tigers have four “Now, as we go through it, guys around him … sacks this year as well: juniors Eku Leota and Derare just getting better at what we’re doing.” ick Hall and sophomore Colby Wooden. One of the weak points in A&M’s defense has The top-15 showdown will take place in Colbeen its inability to defend against the run consis- lege Station. Kick off is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. tently. While the Aggies have seen improvements at Kyle Field. in recent weeks, matchups and game scripts may

WEEK 10: STAFF PICKS Texas A&M vs. Auburn Saturday, Nov 6, at 2:30 p.m. on CBS

Myranda Campanella

Julia Potts

Editor-in-Chief @MCampanella_

Managing Editor @juliaapotts

Seems to me Tigers can overtake a Cuban Missile.

Wait. Didn’t we already beat the Tigers?

MYRANDA Ryan Faulkner

Casey Stavenhagen

JULIA CASEY

Asst. Sports Editor @ryanfaulk03

Co-Sports Editor @CStavenhagen

Beating the Tigers? That’s grrrrrreat!

Auburn is the second-best football team in Alabama and the third-best Tigers in the SEC.

RYAN Caleb Powell

CALEB

MICHAELA

Michaela Rush

Asst. Opinion Editor @calebpowell23

Life & Arts Editor @Michaela4Batt

Spiller, Achane and Smith run so fast they’ll leave the competition (Au)burned.

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Abbey Santoro

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Photo Chief @abbeyruns

Design Editor @corieckert

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The Tigers should stay in Alabama, I hear that’s where the losers live.

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The Battalion |11.4.21

first coaching job was at a junior college in my hometown,” Chadwell said. “It’s just funny how things work and how that paved the way for my coaching career.” And his new job wasn’t even his biggest blessing, Chadwell said. To many golf fans around the world, Stacy Lewis is an icon. To Chadwell, she is so much more, as the two have now been married for five years. He met his future wife thanks to Lewis’ college coach, Chadwell said. Lewis won two major championships in

her career: the Kraft Nabisco Championship in 2011 and the Women’s British Open in 2013. She also won two LPGA Player of the Year awards in 2012 and 2014, which made her the first female golfer to win the award out of the United States since Beth Daniel in 1994. “[Lewis] was on tour at the time [of us being introduced to each other],” Chadwell said. “We met in 2015, and she was coming off as back-to-back Player of the Year and being No. 1 in the world. It sounds pretty ignorant to say she was kind of a big deal in her sport, and I didn’t really know a lot about her.” His relationship with Lewis has positive and negative effects on his coaching style with the athletes he coaches, he said. “When I was first exposed to her world, I saw that side of women who play at a very high level, and you come back off the road with her and try to hold our ladies to the same standard, and that’s not fair to them,” Chadwell said. “On the positive side, it’s just being around those instructors and just learning at the highest level, I would say that is the one way it has affected me in a positive way. It’s just me learning, teaching and everything else.” Between his coaching profession and his wife’s success on a competitive level, Chadwell said he is constantly surrounded by all things golf. Additionally, he grew up in an era when Tiger Woods was a national icon, acting as the face of the sport, he said. “If I was clicking on the TV to watch golf, it was when [Woods] was in attention or had a chance to win,” Chadwell said. “I really didn’t know anything about [Stacey], which probably helped me get to this point. I wasn’t a

Hank said he remembers wishing in 2019 Williams hadn’t left Virginia Tech’s head coaching job because they were impressed with his recruitment of Coleman two years ago. “I would say we were disappointed when coach Buzz left Virginia Tech because he did a great job at recruiting Henry while he was [there],” Hank said. “[It’s] ironic how Henry ended up being coached by coach Buzz.” Cynthia said the A&M staff did a great job of showing Henry how he would fit in with the Aggies and the family is excited for what the future holds. “Buzz and the staff just went above and beyond to show how much Henry was needed in their system,” Cynthia said. “We’re just really excited and looking forward to what’s gonna happen this year.” Coleman said A&M is a great campus because of its environment, citing the Alabama football game as proof. “[The] first time I came down here was when I was moving onto campus,” Coleman

said. “[A&M] is a special campus. Even with [this year’s football] game [against Alabama], it’s a different environment. It’s a real college town. It’s something I was trying to explain to my parents and friends back home, but it’s something you can’t explain. You just have to be immersed and be here to really understand what A&M actually is.” This summer was the first time Coleman was able to experience a normal offseason due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and said it allowed him to build chemistry with his teammates while improving his individual game. “I don’t think anybody in the country got a summer [in 2020],” Coleman said. “Being able to have one-on-one work this summer with the coaches, with some of my teammates and collectively us just being [able to be together, is great]. You win championships in the offseason.” Wolf said the lack of a normal offseason hurt freshmen athletes, including Coleman, because of how important it is to their development.

FILE

The Texas A&M women’s golf team rounded out its 2021 fall season with four tournament appearances. The Aggies will resume regular season play on Tuesday, Feb 22, 2022.

GERROD CHADWELL CONTINUED Chadwell said. “It is just funny how the basis of my career in golf affects our sport’s scoring standpoint the most.” With his father being a coach and his mother and sister working in education, coaching was inevitable as his future career, he said. An opportunity came up in his hometown to coach a women’s golf team at a junior college, marking his first collegiate coaching job. “It was just timing and a God thing that my

HENRY COLEMAN CONTINUED Henry’s father, Hank, a former football player and team captain at Virginia Tech, said though the entire transfer process took only about two weeks, it was still a stressful time. “Henry didn’t want it to linger on,” Hank said. “He was just anxious to get back onto the court, and wherever he ended up, he wanted to just really embrace [it] and get to work. We went through a two-week process, and boy it was some long days. [It was] pretty intense, and we had schools everywhere from the east coast and west coast. [There were] a lot of Zoom calls and late nights.” Coleman’s decision to transfer came down to two schools: Stanford and A&M. He ultimately decided College Station would be the best place for him to continue his basketball career. “Stanford is an unbelievable place,” Coleman said. “Palo Alto is a different beast in itself, but [A&M] was the right spot, hopefully, and I’m feeling confident in my decision.”

fanboy or anything like that.” On Oct. 25, 2018, Chesnee Lynn was born to the couple, and she made an immediate impact on the coach’s newfound double-lifestyle balancing coaching and fatherhood, Chadwell said. “I would say that all my players understand I coach out of love and not fear,” Chadwell said. “Now, when I look at our ladies I realize that they are somebody’s daughter. You just come from a different angle when you’re encouraging them, motivating them and you’re coming from just a totally different place than maybe where I was before I had my daughter.” From a standpoint of quality of life and family, the journey from small-town Oklahoma to College Station has been phenomenal, Chadwell said. “It’s … that old cliche. From the inside, it’s hard to explain it, and from the outside, you will never understand it,’’ Chadwell said. “The common question when I cross people on campus is, ‘How long do you think you’ll be here?’ I think every kid and every family knows this is my place and this is the last stop for this family.” Chadwell’s impact at A&M is already noticable. After being ranked 90th in the nation last May, the A&M women’s golf team has climbed the ladder to 14th. “We set some records, we tied some records and the girls have responded so well to the coaching change and the cultural change,” Chadwell said. “They have worked so hard, and they are just a joy to be around. I pinch myself every day. It is just awesome to be a part of.”

“Last year was a unique year for everybody across the country,” Wolf said. “Most freshmen missed out on an entire summer, which is hard to do in basketball. That summer usually helps a lot of freshmen, so I don’t think Henry was able to reach his potential as a freshman because of the missed summer.” Wolf also said the coaching staff didn’t put much stock into Coleman’s freshman season at Duke because he and Williams know the caliber of player Coleman is. “We didn’t factor in his productivity in any regard at Duke, mainly because we know who Henry is from our recruitment of him at [Virginia Tech],” Wolf said. “We know Henry has a bright future.” During the offseason, Coleman said he has focused on improving his shot from beyond the arc with help from the A&M coaching staff. “[A] big thing for me was just being a more consistent 3-point shooter,” Coleman said. “[Becoming] a guy that can shoot hopefully in the high 30s is something I think can take my game to a new level. Having shots with coach Buzz and coach Lyle helped me a lot.” Coleman said ultimately his goal is to play at the highest level of basketball, the National Basketball AsThe 2022 Japan Exchange and Teaching Program sociation, but knows it will take a lot of hard work to get there. “For me, [my goal has] always [been] to be an NBA Get paid to teach English player,” Coleman said. “That’s one goal I’ve had or work for a local government in Japan! since I was little, so hopeJapanese ability appreciated but not required! fully staying [on] that track, working hard, staying humble and surrounding myself with the right people [will] hopefully [help it come] true.” Applications available at: For the upcoming season, Coleman said he is just trying to be the best form of himself and hopes that leads to A&M victories. Application deadline:Nov. 12 2021 “[In] high school, I was always wanting to be the best version of me,” Coleman said. “I know a lot of people say that, but that has to be the first goal — For more information, contact the just continue to be myself. Consulate-General of Japan in Houston Wherever that takes me JETcoord@ho.mofa.go.jp and wherever that takes this team is hopefully in the right direction.”

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SPORTS

The Battalion | 10.21.21

5 things to look for as Aggies host Auburn

By Grant Gaspard @grant_gaspard

Texas A&M football returns from its bye week to host No. 12 Auburn in the conference matchup of the century.

Experience at wideout

Here are the five things to look for ahead of the matchup.

Run heavy, run a lot

Auburn is currently ranked sixth in the SEC in passing yards and passing yards per game, and the credit goes to the experience the team has in its wide receivers this year. Graduate transfer out of Georgia, Demetris Robertson, leads the Tigers in receiving yards with 367 and averages 14.1 yards per catch this season. Despite only having one touchdown, senior Shedrick Jackson is second on the team in total receiving yards with 304 on 24 catches and will be another player to look out for come Nov. 6. With three of their four cornerbacks in their freshman season, the Aggies will need to be on their toes in the secondary if they hope to stop this experienced receiving corps. Retired NFL cornerback and now-A&M cornerback coach Antonio Cromartie has prepared the secondary for the upcoming matchup against Auburn, junior safety Demani Richardson said. “[Cromartie is] a great coach,” Richardson said. “He has been in our shoes, and he gives us information that can help us with footwork and technique.”

Last Saturday, Auburn sophomore running back Tank Bigsby had a huge game at home. He had 140 yards on 23 carries and picked up a touchdown late in the first quarter. However, the Aggies’ dynamic duo of running backs had an even more impressive performance the last time it stepped onto the field. Sophomore running back Devon Achane led the Aggies in rushing yards with 154 on 20 carries and a touchdown. Junior running back Isaiah Spiller followed right behind with 102 yards on 18 carries and a touchdown as well. Expect a heavy dose of running from Bigsby and Spiller, with both ranking in the top five in the SEC in rushing yards. “[Spiller and Achane] are both very natural running backs,” A&M coach Jimbo Fisher said following the victory over South Carolina. “They understand the blocking schemes, when the fronts come up and have good eyes. It’s a great one-two punch.”

Tied at five

Fourth down stops On Saturday, Oct. 30, the Tigers stopped Ole Miss on three fourth-down conversions, all in the red zone. Midway through the fourth quarter, sophomore cornerback Jaylin Simpson intercepted a pass thrown by junior quarterback Matt Corral to force the Rebels’ fifth turnover of the night and secure the Tigers’ victory. Auburn is currently fourth in the nation on fourth down stoppage with a .235 conversion percentage. The Aggies will need to punt on fourth down this Saturday rather than giving the Tigers good field position if the maroon and white hope to keep the momentum on their side. “Those were critical moments in the game that we were able to win,” Auburn head coach Bryan Harsin said. “When you are playing against a team that scores a lot of points, that’s their mentality. We needed to have that same mindset going into this game to stop them on fourth downs.”

In the history of this matchup, the overall record is 5-5, with A&M winning the last matchup in Auburn with a score of 31-20. A&M junior tight end Jalen Wydermeyer was the star of the show as he led the Aggies in receiving yards with 89, with eight catches and two touchdowns. The ground game was equally as impressive as Spiller and Achane combined for 220 yards on 29 carries. On a less fortunate note for the Aggies, they are 0-4 at home versus the Tigers and will look to pick up their first win at Kyle Field this Saturday.

Battle at the bottom This conference matchup will feature a pair of quarterbacks who have struggled to find the open man. Auburn’s junior quarterback Bo Nix sits at eighth in the SEC in completion percentage, completing 62.2 percent of his passes, whereas sophomore quarterback Zach Calzada is last in the SEC with a 55.3 completion percentage. When it comes to passer rating, the results do not look any prettier. Nix is 10th in the conference with a 134.4 quarterback rating, and Calzada is next-to-last in the SEC with a 122.7 total QBR. Wydermyer said Calzada has developed as a a player significantly since the beginning of the season. “He has definitely improved on his accuracy,” Wydermyer said. “He has grown so much and has become more comfortable in the pocket throwing the ball.”

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SPORTS

The Battalion | 11.4.21

AROUND THE SEC A LOOK AT THE CONFERENCE FOR WEEK 10

By Ryne Ryskoski @rusty_ryskoski_

Southeastern Conference play returns with seven matchups to start off the month of November.

Outside the battle between No. 13 Texas A&M and No. 12 Auburn, No. 15 Ole Miss and No. 3 Alabama stay at home against unranked

Liberty (7-2) at No. 15 Ole Miss (6-2)

Mississippi State (5-3) at Arkansas (5-3)

Saturday, Nov. 6 - Vaught Hemingway Stadium - Oxford, Miss. 11 a.m. CT on SEC Network

Saturday, Nov. 6 - Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium - Fayetteville, Ark.

3 p.m. CT on SEC Network Perhaps this matchup should be dubbed the ‘bowl eligibility game.’ With both teams needing one more win to guarantee a spot in a bowl game — one will punch its ticket this Saturday while the other will have to fight another week. Arkansas has fallen back to Earth after rising to No. 8 in the AP Poll in Week 5. The Razorbacks went on a brutal slate after the upset win over A&M, losing their next three to Georgia, Ole Miss and Auburn before a comfortable win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff two weeks ago. Quarterback KJ Jefferson has quietly put together a nice year with 15 touchdowns and only three interceptions as Sam Pittman’s multi-running back strategy continues to be versatile and effective. It should be noted that other than the shutout loss to Georgia, Arkansas only lost by one point to the Rebels and two possessions to Auburn, so the Razorbacks have still been

competitive, even if their record doesn’t necessarily show it. Arkansas also had a bye week to gear up for the remainder of the season, with Mississippi State on a roll in recent weeks. The Bulldogs got their second win against a ranked opponent, Kentucky, last weekend to follow a 45-point showing against Vanderbilt the previous weekend. Quarterback Will Rogers has played like one of the best signal-callers in the country as well, going 36-for-39 with 344 passing yards against the Wildcats to build off his 384 passing yards and four touchdowns against the Commodores. This weekend will be yet another test for Rogers and Mike Leach’s team to see if it can maintain this year’s success. With the momentum of Miss. St. and its ability to run up yardage through the air, now seems like the time for the Bulldogs to prove their place and claim bowl eligibility in a big road win.

opponents, while Arkansas and Mississippi State will continue searching for their sixth wins of the season facing each other.

In one of the more underrated games of the weekend, a pair of Heisman-contending quarterbacks and likely first-round picks in the 2022 NFL Draft will hopefully face off. Ole Miss’ Matt Corral has had a spectacular year as expected, throwing 15 touchdowns to two interceptions with the nation’s fifthbest quarterback rating of 84.2. But he did re-aggravate an ankle injury against Auburn which kept him out of practice Monday, so it’s unknown whether or not he’ll start this weekend. Corral did return to the game after getting injured, though, which surprised head coach Lane Kiffin. Malik Willis, who was recently named a Maxwell Award semifinalist for National Player of the Year, has led the Flames to a 7-2 record. In his time at Liberty, Willis has displayed impressive mobility in and out of the pocket that goes with his 6-foot-1, 225-pound frame. Like Corral, Willis doesn’t make many mistakes,

as seen by his ten touchdowns to three interceptions this year. In terms of how the two teams match up against each other, Liberty’s defense won’t intimidate Corral with how many points it allows to non-Power 5 schools, and the fact that it gives up almost five yards per play. The Flames gave up 26 points to North Texas and 31 to Louisiana-Monroe, for instance. That being said, Willis will show his talent against a vulnerable Rebels defense that allows over 500 yards and 39 points per game. However, the overall talent discrepancy between the two teams can’t be forgotten, which is why Ole Miss will likely pull ahead of Liberty at some point on Saturday, though the Flames’ offense will surely challenge Lane Kiffin’s defense.

This matchup won’t be like the recent LSU-Alabama battles. The Tigers have dealt with some tough losses in recent weeks, including losing by five points to Auburn and losing by multiple possessions to Ole Miss and Kentucky. Of course, there is also the news of Ed Orgeron not remaining LSU’s head coach after this season. Inconsistent would be the best way to describe LSU and its offense, which scored 42 against the Gators but only managed 17 points against Ole Miss’ porous defense the next week. The Tigers’ defense, meanwhile, is among the worst in the SEC, allowing over 400 yards per game and the third-most points, giving up less than only Missouri and Vanderbilt.

The state of the program, with its injuries and irregularity, doesn’t contest against the Crimson Tide, which has outscored opponents 101-33 since losing to A&M while sitting atop the SEC West. Alabama’s program is simply in a much better state than LSU’s currently, and with the amount of injuries the Tigers have on defense, it shouldn’t be very difficult for the Crimson Tide’s 45.9-points-per-game offense to take over quickly and keep up the pace for the rest of the night. Sophomore Alabama quarterback Bryce Young should have plentiful opportunities through the air against a secondary that doesn’t have All-American cornerbacks Eli Ricks and Derek Stingley, Jr. Prediction: Alabama 40, LSU 17

Prediction: Ole Miss 48, Liberty 30

Prediction: Miss. St. 28, Arkansas 24

LSU (4-4) at No. 3 Alabama (7-1) Saturday, Nov. 6 - Bryant Denny Stadium - Tuscaloosa, Ala. 6 p.m. CT on ESPN

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SPORTS

The Battalion | 11.4.21

OPINION Robert O’Brien — THE BATTALION

Following a lackluster start to the Texas A&M men’s basketball season, co-sports editor Casey Stavenhagen breaks down the narrow win over Texas A&M Kingsville

A&M basketball could be in for long season Co-sports editor Casey Stavenhagen says Aggies’ poor performance is reminiscent of last year’s woes Casey Stavenhagen @CStavenhagen

idway through the second half of A&M men’s basketball’s season-opening exhibition, coach Buzz Williams took his glasses off to clean them on his shirt. Maybe he was unsure if the team on the court looked like one he could be proud of. Depending on what he saw, he may need to keep cleaning. The Aggies left Reed Arena with a narrow 76-72 victory over Texas A&M-Kingsville on Monday, Nov. 1. Maybe Halloween night was a little too fun, but there is no reason for an Souteastern Conference team to barely hang on against a Division II opponent. Williams said the issues that hurt A&M in the game have been diagnosed. “What we’re trying to accomplish offensively and defensively is completely different than last year,” Williams said. “I think we kind of know where our deficiencies are, regardless of who we play. The same things that bothered us [in a scrimmage last week] were the same things that bothered us tonight.”

But knowing a problem and having the capacity to fix it are entirely different. A&M’s shooting was reminiscent of the poor performances in years past, the turnovers in the first half were rampant and the 3-point shot defense was nearly nonexistent. If you watched the Aggies play last year, you know these issues all too well by now. The first half of the game was a testament to recurring issues within Williams’ tenure at A&M. The maroon and white turned the ball over eight times in the first 20 minutes, leading to 16 points, and allowed 11 offensive rebounds from A&M-Kingsville. All of these problems culminated into the Aggies only holding the lead for five minutes in the first half. “We were really poor in our turnover rate in the first half [and] really good in the second half. I thought they obliterated us on the glass, offensively for sure,” Williams said. “We [were] in bad, bad rotation to be in position to get a rebound. A lot of guys are playing for the first time. The rep of this is what we needed in many regards.” Sure, rust and first-game jitters absolutely exist. The improvements on the court everywhere but beyond the arc in

the second half proved that. With only five players returning from last year’s squad — because the remaining eight jumped ship — it will definitely take time to rebuild from what was already a poor season. The Javelinas’ 12 3-point makes were half of A&M-Kingsville’s scoring. Keep in mind this is not Kansas, Alabama or even Vanderbilt, but a Division II program. While Williams attributed the deep-scoring volume to issues with A&M’s defensive rotations, there ought to be a point in which talented transfers and high-level recruits tip the scales against outclassed opponents. “We only contested 44 percent of their threes, and that’s a very low number,” Williams said. “The reason the contest was late was because we were having to help on the middle drive.” However, much of basketball can be viewed in isolation from team play, and a prime example of that is 3-point shooting. For a team Williams has said will be better at shooting, it should not take eight attempts and 12 minutes for A&M to make its first 3-pointer of the night. While the deep shooting balanced out

to a decent 35.71 percent in the first half, the 18.18 percent in the second felt familiar in a bad way. Since Williams took over the program in the 2019-2020 season, the maroon and white has not averaged over 30 percent from deep. “We need to shoot the right shots at the right times, maybe a little bit more,” Williams said. “But I don’t think that there was selfishness or [a sense of], ‘I’m not sure.’ I think they were sure when they shot it, maybe it just wasn’t always at the right time.” The whole purpose of an exhibition match before the season’s official opening is to act as a measuring stick. Find out where your team is, its strengths and weaknesses, and get some time to hone in on them in a game setting. The last two seasons under Williams saw improvements too late in the second half of the season when A&M had already squandered too many opportunities. A&M junior forward Tyrece Radford, who transferred from Virginia Tech, said A&M’s performance in the exhibition was not “aesthetically pleasing” but worked out for a win. “We’re still putting pieces where they need to be, and hopefully, in this next week, we’re able to do that,” Radford said. “We share the ball good, but that could get a little better. Our movement on offense can get better, and our transition defense can get a lot better.” With all that looked wrong on the court, there is still much to be said for Williams and the Aggies. A&M-Kingsville was 15-3 overall last year in its weaker playing field and is returning all but two players. But more importantly, Williams is a master of the emotional and human-development aspects of basketball. While Monday’s game gave little hope for a more competitive team in 20212022, Williams is only in his third year with A&M and is having to start almost entirely over this year. Championships may not be on the agenda this year, but they may not be too far away either. “I learned it from [Williams]. We use basketball to teach life,” A&M-Kingsville coach Johnny Estelle said. “That’s why we do this. I know the fans and everybody wants championships and that’s going to come, but he’s coaching the game the right way. He’s developing leaders in America, and he’s doing a great job of it.” Casey Stavenhagen is a English senior and co-sports editor for The Battalion.