Feb. 5, 2019

collegiatetimes.com

February 5, 2019

COLLEGIATETIMES

An independent, student-run newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community since 1903

opinions

Ralph Northam must step down Racist photograph warrants resignation.

I

MATT JONES / COLLEGIATE TIMES Then Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam speaks at a debate ahead of the 2017 Virginia gubernatorial election, July 22, 2017.

YOUNG DEMS RELEASE STATEMENT URGING NORTHAM TO RESIGN Gov. Northam is facing backlash after the release of an offensive yearbook photo.

TAHREEM ALAM

assistant news editor

With the surfacing of an offensive photograph from Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam’s 1984 medical school yea rbook, t he Executive Board of the Young Democrats at Virginia Tech released a statement calling for Northam’s resignation.

On Friday, Feb. 1, Big League Politics published

photos of Northam from his medical school yearbook that includes an image of two people in blackface and KKK attire.

Northam confirmed that he was in the photo in his statement on Friday.

“I am deeply sorry for the decision I made to appear as I did in this photo and for the hurt that decision caused then and now,” Northam said in the statement. “I recognize that

it will take time and serious effort to heal the damage this conduct has caused. I am ready to do that important work.”

The Young Democrats at Virginia Tech believe the only way Northam can fix this situation is to step down.

“In our view, Gov. Northam is incapable of leading us forward through the process of healing that needs to take place,” the statement read.

“This is a painful time for all of us, and the Young Democrats at Virginia Tech wishes to remain an organization where marginalized groups can feel protected from such reprehensible behavior. We cannot associate ourselves with these kinds of actions –– they are in full contrast with what our organization stands for.”

DEMS / page 3

voted for the genial pediatric neurologist in the 2017 general election. The man I thought I voted for — despite objectionable policy positions on pipelines — was one of honor and principle, having served as an Army medical officer before returning to eastern Virginia to practice medicine.

I was wrong.

Not wrong for having voted for him — the alternative would have been much worse. However, I would be wrong for continuing to support Gov. Nor tham after photos from his Eastern Virginia Medical School yearbook show him posing in a photo with one person in blackface and the other in Ku Klux Klan robes. The governor did not disclose which of the two depictions he portrayed, but initially confirmed that he was in the photograph. Northam released an apology Friday evening for the “clearly racist and offensive” photo, but on Saturday denied being in the photo.

Endor sement s f rom then-P resident Ba rack

Obama and Vice President Joe Biden helped him seal the election in 2017, while many black volunteers actively fought to secure the Northam-Fairfax-Herring ticket that year. The Virginia Senate District 6, where Northam was first elected to public office, has a black population higher than the statewide average. The district includes the Eastern Shore and Mathews County along with parts of Norfolk City. Northam is from the Eastern Shore, where he graduated from Onancock High School, which was predominantly black.

Personally, I am not concerned that the governor harbors racial animus towa rd black people.

However, impersonations of a white terrorist organization — that is today larger than ever before — are far from harmless. The Klan was responsible for the 1964 Freedom Summer killings and the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing in Birmingham, Alabama, where four young black girls were murdered and 22 parishioners were injured.

They were responsible for RESIGN / page 2

lifestyles Hokie Bird statue stolen from South Main Street 5 local activities that the Hokie Bucket List missed The Blacksburg Police Department is asking for information to help find the missing Hokie Bird statue in Blacksburg.

MIKE LIU

news editor

Accordi ng to a Black sbu rg Police Department press release, the “Carnival of the Mind” Hokie statue in downtown Blacksburg was reported stolen at about 3:30 a.m. on Jan. 31, 2019.

The missing Hokie Bird statue was located in front of the Tech Bookstore at 118 S. Main St. The statue had been there for more than a decade.

The missing statue was part of the Gobble de Art program commissioned by the Blacksburg Partnership and 75 similar statues can be found in the Blacksburg area. According to The Roanoke Times, the statues were sold at a fundraiser for between $5,000 and $15,000 each.

The Blacksburg Police Department is currently investigating the larceny.

According to a Blacksburg Police press release, two white SUV’s and a dark colored SUV were spotted in the area at the time of the larceny.

Accord i ng to T he Roanoke Times, it is common for these Hokie Bird statues to be the targets of theft and vandalism.

During the first year when the statues were placed in the area, at least 10 were

MISSING

While the official Hokie Bucket List is very comprehensive, it fails to mention several essential Blacksburg experiences.

JOHN BATTISTON lifestyles editor

Everyone knows about the official Hokie Bucket List, and, for being limited to only 72 items (in my book, there are far more great things to do in Blacksburg), it’s quite comprehensive. If it weren’t for the list, we might not even know what the HokieZone t-shirt is (No. 54), or that Virginia Tech is perfectly aware of its own overzealousness in administering parking tickets (No. 48), or that we have an official Alma Mater (No. 9) — if you haven’t been to graduation, you haven’t heard it.

Still, there are some essential Blacksburg activities that have been tragically denied a spot on the list.

If you’ve already knocked out the basics of the Hokie Bucket List like a champ and are wanting to get a few more Blacksburg essentials under your belt, I highly recommend these five.

Ea t a Tugboa t a t Sycamore Deli Of ten overshadowed due to its close proximity to downtown classics like Benny’s and Souvlaki, not to mention its underground aesthetic (literally — it’s under the ground), Sycamore Deli is a seldom crowded lunch and dinner destination that specializes in dozens of unique sandwiches, wraps and more. I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve ordered in my numerous visits, but the king of all Sycamore menu

items is the Tugboat: a sub on sourdough bread topped with pulled-pork barbecue and homestyle macaroni and cheese. If you’re super hungry and are willing to give up your ability to walk for a couple of hours, get this sumptuous sandwich in your belly as soon as you can.

Run or walk the 3.2 for 32 I’m cheating a bit here, since item 34 of the list reads, “Visit the April 16th Memorial and/or attend an April 16th Remembrance event.” However, the 3.2 Remembrance Run is such a positive, community-focused event, as well as a great opportunity to get some early-morning exercise, that LIST / page 6

HAVE YOU SEEN THIS BIRD? LILY CARROLL / COLLEGIATE TIMES

stolen or damaged.

According to Lieutenant John Goad, there are currently no new updates on the case.

The Blacksburg Police Depar tment is asking anyone with information about this theft to contact them at 540-443-1400,

HOKIES GRAB WIN AGAINST N.C. STATE The low-scoring game proved well for Tech. page 8

anonymously at 540-9611819 or by email at CIU@ blacksburg.gov.

@CollegiateTimes

ANTHONY WU / COLLEGIATE TIMES Participants line up behind the start line as the 3.2 for 32 Remembrance Run is about to begin, April 14, 2018.

SPRING BREAK ON A BUDGET Plan a trip without a financial nightmare.

page 4

/CollegiateTimes

@CollegiateTimes

@CollegiateTimes

@CollegiateTimes

PAGE 2 February 5, 2019

opinions

editor@collegiatetimes.com

collegiatetimes.com

collegiatetimes.com/opinion

RESIGN: Northam obligated to resign amid public outcry from page 1

the murder of civil rights activist Viola Liuzzo and, as

recently as 1981, the lynching of Michael Donald.

T hese moments a re embedded within the cultural memory of racial minorities

MEG CONNORS / COLLEGIATE TIMES Then Lt. Gov. and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ralph Northam, June 13, 2017.

in this country. This cultural memory was reawakened with the 2015 mass shooting responsible for the deaths of nine parishioners at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina. However, for many older black people in the deep south, the memory never fades. We cannot forget the history of white, racebased terror in this country.

Moreover, we cannot excuse behavior that makes light of terrorism with vivid depictions of symbols of hate being displayed by our governor, no matter how long ago the photograph was taken.

If the governor I elected is, in fact, a man of integrity, he would step down.

Accountability needs to be taken and an apology will not suffice. While I believe him to be sincere in his apology, the cycle of forgetting the transgressions of white men on stolen land in a country built on the backs of the enslaved and oppressed cannot continue. The overwhelming narrative focuses on whether or not people are allowed to make mistakes and move on from them. However, white

men like Ralph Northam (and dare I say Donald Trump without the intention of equating the two) are held to a much lower standard of accountability than women and people of color, and it is imperative that the governor publicly acknowledge this privilege if he wishes to move forward.

Take discipline in K-12 schooling, for example. Black students are overwhelmingly overrepresented in rates of students receiving out-ofschool suspensions. Research shows that white students are rewarded economically in the long run for classroom misbehavior, while their black classmates are ultimately punished for the same behaviors. Nearly 90 percent of minors prosecuted as adults in New Jersey are black and Hispanic. In Florida, of the youth transferred into adult jails and prisons, two-thirds are black, even though fewer than 50 percent of Florida’s inmates are black. In politics, women are held to much higher standards than men, where research by Dr. Cecilia Hyunjung Mo shows that they

column

must be more qualified than their male opponents to win election.

Both liberal and conservative politicians alike have called on the governor to resign. Kamala Harris, Julian Castro, Elizabeth Warren, Cory Booker and Bernie Sanders, all potential players for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020, have called for Northam’s resignation. Even Joe Biden, one of Northam’s most ardent supporters tweeted that Northam has “lost all moral authority and should resign immediately.”

If Northam resigns, Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax would assume the governorship.

Fairfax would become the second black governor of Virginia after L. Douglas Wilder — the first black democrat ica l ly elected governor of any state — who assumed office in 1990.

Fairfax embraces his AfricanAmerican heritage and stands firmly against Virginia’s racist history. When taking the Oath of Office to become the Commonwealth’s second black elected official, he

carried the manumission papers dated from 1798 that freed one of his ancestors from slavery. He protested the honoring of the Robert E. Lee statue by the senate, instead opting to bring attention to the history of slavery in this country.

With pressure quickly mounted against Northam in a matter of hours, it is apparent that today’s political climate demands much more from our elected leaders than ever before. In his apology, Northam noted that it will “take serious effort to heal the damage this conduct has caused” but that he was “ready to do the important work.” The work that needs to be done to move the Commonwealth forward extends far beyond an apology. Northam’s sudden amnesia and lapse in credibility has made clear that Virginia needs unwavering leadership, and the healing will begin once he steps down.

JARRODD DAVIS • opinions columnist • senior/public and urban affairs

J.K. Rowling must stop retroactive editing of stories

S

The Harry Potter books remain a beloved classic, and their legacy must be preserved free of unecessary modification of storylines. ince I was in second grade, I’ve wanted to meet J.K. Rowling.

To say that I’m a fan of her work would be an understatement of historic proportions. Harry Potter changed my life — it’s why I love reading and writing as much as I do now. I wanted to speak to her, to ask her how she did it, to tell her just how much her books meant to me.

Now, I’m not so sure.

It’s not that Harry Potter is any less important in my life. But I can’t deny that my view of Rowling hasn’t been tarnished by a decade of reflection on her first series and observation of her comments and actions following its completion.

The first and most newsworthy of these alterations was when she announced that Dumbledore was gay.

Rowling stated that she had always intended Dumbledore to be in love with his former companion and later rival Gellert Grindelwald. The text of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” does make clear that Dumbledore and Grindelwald had a very close relationship and their falling out had an intense impact on the remainder of Dumbledore’s life. The moments they spent together were some of the few times that Dumbledore explicitly let himself be vulnerable around someone other than Harry.

However, none of this changes the fact that the books never explicitly say that Dumbledore is gay. If somebody who has never heard of Harry Potter before sits down and reads the books for the first time, they wouldn’t know that Dumbledore was in love with Grindelwald. The only way they could form this

interpretation of the characters is through headcanon because the book does not show any authorial intent.

Some people were thrilled by this announcement. Some were not. To others, it was a cop-out — appeasing more progressive readers without alienating her conservative audience. I personally do not have a problem with the announcement. Rowling spoke as though she’d gone back through the text and discovered the half-concealed innuendos — just as any other reader could. She placed herself as nothing more than another reader with her own vision of the story.

However, the decision to make Dumbledore gay outside of the text did not matter in the context of the story.

Then the Fantastic Beasts movies were announced and Rowling was set to be the screenwriter. While the first movie features only one character — Gellert Grindelwald — who had been seen in the Harry Potter movies, “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald” includes a number of characters that have been first in the original series. Among those characters — Albus Dumbledore.

It would seem as though this was the perfect opportunity to include Dumbledore’s sexuality in the official canon.

Two young men driven apart by one’s lust for power — the script practically writes itself.

Yet, for some reason that escapes me, no one involved with the creation of “The Crimes of Grindelwald” thought to include this detail.

A number of side characters were given their own straight romance subplots — a number of which seem to have cluttered the storyline

rather than enhanced it. It would make perfect sense to have Dumbledore express his feelings for the story’s main antagonist, since they not only interact in the movie but also have their relationship as a major plot point.

David Yates, the director of both Fantastic Beasts movies, says the next movie will make it “clear” that Dumbledore is gay. But what does that really mean? A new trend is to announce characters as “gay” in the promotional material leading up to a movie’s release, while making the character’s sexuality in the film so vague it would fit well as a column in The Quibbler.

We increasingly disillusioned fans have found ourselves in a bit of a conundrum. Harry Potter was such an important part of our formative years that cutting it off would be tantamount to heresy. Yet it’s hard to return to the magical world with the same eyes once your image of its creator has been tarnished.

So, fans have given substance to Roland Barthes’ “Death of the Author” theory.

Barthes proposed that the author is completely irrelevant once his or her work is published and that they are nothing more than just another reader. This theory preserves a book as it is, giving the reader the ultimate authority.

Nowhere in the text of the books or the movies has Rowling written Dumbledore as gay. The average reader following the “Death of the Author” theory would likely assume he is straight, given that Rowling is writing as a straight person.

But the representation of Dumbledore’s sexuality — or lack thereof — is only one of

Voice your opinion. Send letters to the Collegiate Times.

All letters must include a name and phone number. Students 365 Squires Student Center must include year and major. Faculty and staff must include Blacksburg, VA, 24061 position and department. Other submissions must include city of residence and relationship to Virginia Tech (i.e., alumni, opinionseditor@collegiatetimes.com parent, etc.). We reserve the right to edit for any reason.

Anonymous letters will not be printed.

Letters, commentaries and editorial cartoons do not reflect the views of the Collegiate Times.

Editorials are written by the Collegiate Times editorial board, which is composed of the opinions editors, editor in chief and managing editors.

a number of issues that fans have taken with her stories.

Looking back at the original books, you come to realize that there is not a lot of diversity.

A few of the characters have their race stated outright, like Dean Thomas and Angelina Johnson, or have it heavily implied through their names, like Cho Chang and Parvati Patil. For everyone else, the implication is that they’re white. Christmas and Easter are the only two religious holidays ever shown being celebrated, yet Rowling has said that there were Jewish students at Hogwarts.

Rowling has continued to assert her authorial intent into the canon, to the growing frustration of fans. The Fantastic Beasts movies are seen as such — not really parts of the Harry Potter canon, more half-hearted offerings to those with only a vague interest in the Wizarding World.

I have not seen “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald,” nor do I intend to. After the first reviews came out and were not complimentary, I decided to stay as far away as possible from the movie, fearing it might damage my opinion of the Harry Potter series.

I don’t hate J.K. Rowling.

No matter what she says or

MATT CROSSICK / TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE J.K. Rowling at the BAFTA awards in London, Feb. 12, 2017.

does, my life has been irreparably altered because of her writing. I don’t regret loving her books either. Harry Potter will always hold a special

place in my heart.

But I am disappointed.

SALLY DUKES • opinions columnist • senior/political science

COLLEGIATE TIMES NEWSROOM. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231-9865

Assistant opinions editor: Justin Redman

Editor-in-Chief: Jessica Brady (editor@collegiatetimes.com)

Photo editor: Kaila Nathaniel

Managing editors: Ashley Long and Isabella Rossi Design editor: Sajanee Chithranjan Assistant design editors: Celina Ng and Roberto Ramos-Diaz Copy editors: John McBride and Tori Walker News editor: Mike Liu Assistant news editor: Tahreem Alam Lifestyles editor: John Battiston Assistant lifestyles editor: Emily Hannah Sports editor: Maddie Thompson Assistant sports editors: Dillon Campbell and Robby Fletcher

Assistant photo editor: Anthony Wu Social media editors: Meg Connors and Anna Davis

Have a news tip? newstips@collegiatetimes.com BUSINESS STAFF. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231-9860 Business manager: Abby Setash (business@collegemedia.com) MEDIAMATE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 888-897-7711 collegiatetimes.com/media_kit/ orders@mymediamate.com

Opinions editor: Neha Ogale

The Collegiate Times, a division of the Educational Media Company at Virginia Tech, was established in 1903 by and for the students of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. The Collegiate Times is published every Tuesday of the academic year except during exams and vacations. To order a reprint of a photograph printed in the Collegiate Times, visit reprints.collegemedia.com. The Collegiate Times is a division of the Educational Media Company at Virginia Tech, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit with a mission to provide educational experience in business and production of mass media for Virginia Tech students. © Collegiate Times, 2019. All rights reserved. Material published in the Collegiate Times is the property thereof, and may not be reprinted without the express written consent of the Collegiate Times.

news

editor@collegiatetimes.com

February 5, 2019 PAGE 3

collegiatetimes.com

collegiatetimes.com/news

In the Jan. 29 print paper, we published an article with the headline “Theatre program at Virginia Tech welcomes first dance professor.” We intended to convey that Scotty Hardwig is the first professor in the program who is also a professional dancer. But, we now recognize that the headline can be interpreted as Hardwig is the first dance professor in the program. This is incorrect as Hardwig is not the first professor to teach dance in the theatre program.

DEMS: Del. Hurst calls ‘racism in any form’ inexcusable from page 1

On Saturday, Northam told lawmakers that he would not resign because that is the “easy way out.” He also retracted his statement from Friday and now denies being in the yearbook photo. He said “that is not my person on that picture in the yearbook,” and he asked Virginians to accept his word during a press release; however, he recalled a time he used blackface for a dance competition right after he graduated from medical school, when he dressed as Michael Jackson.

The Democratic Party of Virginia Chairwoman Susan Swecker said in a statement following the news that Northam would not resign said that “we stand with Democrats across Virginia and the country calling him to immediately resign. He no longer has our confidence or our support.”

The Virginia Legislative Black Caucus released a statement Saturday morning amplifying their call for Northam to resign, along with the Virginia House Democrats who stated that “a leader must have the confidence of the people in order to effectively govern, and unfortunately, that is no longer the case for Gov. Northam.”

Delegate Chris Hurst, 12th district, stated that he stands with the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus and calls again on Northam to resign.

“Racism in any form is inexcusable,” Hurst said in a tweet on Friday. “We cannot afford to repeat the mistakes of our past. In the wake of these unsettling discoveries about Gov. Northam, Virginians are demanding better from their leaders. I ask Gov. Northam to listen to his constituents and resign.”

In a joint statement released on Saturday, Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, Sen. Mark Warner

and Congressman Bobby Scott stated they no longer believe Northam can serve as the governor of Virginia after his press conference and should step down and “allow the Commonwealth to begin healing.”

Payne Tarkenton, president of Young Democrats at Virginia Tech, said he and his organization support the official position of other democratic organizations across Virginia. He said there were several issues that happened because of the press conference Northam held on Saturday and was not sufficient to resolve the problem.

“Our club called for Gov. Northam to resign Friday evening when he first came out with a statement saying that he was in the photo,” said Tarkenton, who is also a senior majoring in political science and history. “And then after his press conference yesterday with this new claim (that he was neither of the figures

MATT JONES / COLLEGIATE TIMES Then Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam speaks after the first debate ahead of the Virginia gubernatorial election, July 22, 2017.

in the photo), we felt that the answers that he gave (were) unsatisfactory … So myself and our organization, felt even after the press conference and after his new claim, that Gov. Northam should still resign.”

Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax also made a comment in regards to the issue on Saturday, in which

he said he is committed to serving and helping to heal the Commonwealth. Tarkenton said Fairfax has handled this situation well.

“He’s got my full support to lead us from this chapter and start the process, long as it may be, of healing, and of reconciling and moving on as

best we can from this whole ordeal,” Tarkenton said.

@CollegiateTimes

Science Olympiad offers Virginia Tech researchers new learning experiences study conspiracy theories More than 200 high school students attended the Science Olympiad Tournament that was hosted at Virginia Tech.

KEVIN SANDLER news staff writer

On Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019, Science Olympiad at Virginia Tech hosted its second Science Olympiad Tournament, with over 200 high school students competing from counties across Virginia, as well as a school in Pennsylvania.

Science Olympiad is a series of science tournaments held across the United States aimed at improving students’ problem solving skills, teamwork and understanding of science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields for the youth.

Trisha Deshmuk h, a Virginia Tech junior majoring in biological sciences, started the organization for Science Olympiad last year.

“I competed in Science Olympiad in high school and middle school,” Deshmukh, who is currently the president of this organization at Virginia Tech, said. “I always enjoyed going to invitational and regional tournaments.

That was always my favorite part of competing.”

This year, with more volunteers, officers and schools competing, Virginia Tech hosted the regional tournament McBryde Hall, Torgersen Hall, Hahn Hall South, and War Memorial Hall, and Squires Student Center.

From 8:45 a.m. to nearly

2 p.m., students competed in testing events such as astronomy, fossils and forensics.

In War Memorial Hall, high school students competed in engineering-based events including flying a plane that they built or testing a boomilever, which is, essentially, the arm of a crane.

Katriona Lane, a junior majoring in biology and spanish, as well the communications chair and volunteer coordinator for Science Olympiad at Virginia Tech, hopes that the tournament will resonate with the students.

“I want them to have fun and to learn how to work in a team and how to problem solve,” Lane said. “It’s a life skill that’s pretty important to have.”

David Parks, the chair of outreach for Science Olympiad, says that the competition provides the students a chance to demonstrate their skills, and that his favorite part about the experience is seeing the planning coming together.

“To see everything that we’ve done to prepare Virginia Tech for the event and then see everything that the students have done to prepare makes it all worth it.”

Parks said.

Virginia Tech aided the organization by hosting the event, by providing monetary donations, supplies

or volunteers coming from the Center for Enhancement of Engineering Diversity (CEED), the College of Science, as well as the Cure and Da Vinci Living and Learning Communities.

Ac c o r d i ng to the competing students, many claimed to gain invaluable experience from the tournament that they hope to use in their future careers.

“It’s a learning experience,” said North Pocono High School student Shivani Patel. “You are potentially building up the experience of what you want to do later in life.”

Juniors Harrison Ponczak and Kaitlyn Phan from South County High School say that competing today gave them confidence in themselves.

“I learned how to put my all into projects, and I haven’t really done that before Science Olympiad,” Phan said.

North Pocono High School placed first in the tournament overall.

Additionally, spirits were high and encouragement was strong, according to junior Praneeth Uppar from John Champe High School.

“You can see how loud we are when we are getting awards, it’s a culture where you can support each other,” Uppar said. @CollegiateTimes

KEVIN SANDLER / COLLEGIATE TIMES Two students working on their science project at the Science Olympiad, Feb. 2, 2019.

The study is aiming to create strategies for countering online conspiracy theories, especially in wake of traumatic events.

DYLAN HANES news staff writer

Two Vi rgi n ia Tech researchers recently examined the nature of online discussions in a new study about conspiracy theories in online communities. The goal of the study is to help create strategies for countering conspiracy theories, especially in the wake of traumatic events.

Anti-vaxxers, flat-earthers, holocaust deniers. These are just three groups associated with conspiracies that have made their way into the mainstream in recent years.

How are these ideas spreading?

Postdoctoral researcher Mattia Samory and Assistant Professor Tanushree Mitra in Virginia Tech’s Department of Computer Science recently published a paper answering that question.

What started as an attempt to understand how Twitter users talked about anti-vaccination conspiracies transformed into a study of how people talk about conspiracy theories in general in online forums. As for which online forum to study, Reddit’s subreddit r/Conspi racy provided the perfect space to observe user conversations.

Reddit.com is part social media, part anonymous forum. Similar to other social media sites, like Facebook, users subscribe to and post content in online communities. Subscribers to Reddit’s online communities are called Redditors, and while Redditors can view each other’s post history, there is nothing on a person’s profile that would identify them in the real world. Reddit’s communities are called subreddits, and they are usually set up in a way to allow a safe space for like-minded Redditors to talk freely about a topic of interest to the subreddit.

R/Conspiracy is one such subreddit created specifically as a home for conspiratorial ideas and discussion. As this article is being written, the post pinned to the top

of r/Conspiracy is antivaccine in nature, containing phrases like “Blind, unquestioning subservience to the criminal Medical Cartel,” and “complete trust in vaccines represents one of the pillars of this tyranny.” The ultimate goal of Samory and Mitra’s research is to inform strategies for countering conspiracy theories, especially in the wake of traumatic events.

While interesting, posts like this don’t help researchers like Samory and Mitra understand how conspiracies are discussed, how they spread and how to counter them.

To achieve that goal, the researchers didn’t look at individual posts like the one quoted above. The researchers looked at “over 6 million comments spanning over 10 years of discussions in r/ conspiracy,” according to their research paper.

“We looked at, how does this online community … behave soon after and just before these events happen on these platforms?” Mitra said.

“There is this huge influx of new users chiming into these platforms whenever these … events (occurred).”

The increase in conspiratorial discussion surrounding traumatic events turned out to be a key observation in understanding how new Redditors were being exposed to conspiratorial ideas.

In addition, Samory and Mitra observed that specific Redditors discussed several different conspiracy theories.

This observation led the researchers to develop a way of categorizing theories. They focused on the “key elements of a conspiracy theory: the conspiratorial agents, the actions they perform, and their targets.” These key elements (agent, action and target) form what Samory and Mitra call a narrative-motif.

A narrative-motif is a combination of the general claim a conspiracy theorist is making and the overall theme of that claim. For example, if a Redditor claimed “DEA o r ch e s t r a t e s d i si n fo rmation campaign to conceal

surveillance powers,” and “FBI fabricates hoax of ISIS gold and silver coin story,” these claims would be categorized according to the agent, the actor and the target. While each conspiracy theory is about a different topic, they are both saying something similar: governmental agency controls communications.

Samory and Mitra used this process of categorizing claims as narrative-motifs to see how conspiracy theories were related.

“There are all these similarities and differences between these narrative-motifs and you could basically cluster them and see how people belong to one of these clusters or not one of these clusters,” Mitra said.

The goal of their research isn’t to stop the discussion of conspiracy theories. As Mitra said, “The main fascinating thing was you have these persistent conspiracy theories that never really go away, like 9/11 or the flatearth conspiracy theories, or Obama’s birth. These are theories that never go away despite evidence.”

The comments and posts the researchers observed show deep mistrust of power and traditional narratives.

“So all these top organizations, they don’t believe them.

That was the general theme that was happening in these discussion topics,” Mitra said.

“I think we can only observe what is happening, but why it’s happening and to get that insight, we can only get that when we talk to these people.”

@CollegiateTimes

PAGE 4 February 5, 2019

editor@collegiatetimes.com

collegiatetimes.com

lifestyles collegiatetimes.com/lifestyles

COURTESTY OF TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE

Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh) performs surgery in an episode of “Grey’s Anatomy.”

4 fan-favorite TV shows that need to finally say ta-ta to the tube

Everyone loves a good episode of “Grey’s Anatomy” or “Supernatural” ... but sometimes, too long means too boring to last.

SAMEERA SUNKARA lifestyles staff writer

Every year, television networks have to make a crucial decision regarding which shows must come to an end while viewers anxiously await the results.

In most cases, the end of a series leads to sadness; however, there are certain shows have gone on for way too long. “ G r ey ’s An a t o m y ” (2005-present) ABC’s longest-running medical drama, “Grey’s Anatomy,” began its 15th season last year. Despite being one of the most popular shows on television, the time has come for this journey to come to any end. When it first started, this show followed the life of Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo), the daughter of well-known surgeon Ellis Grey (Kate Burton), as a surgical intern in Seattle.

Full of romance, comedy

and, of course, science, who could resist following the lives of Meredith, her friends, and everyone’s favor ite neurosurgeon, McD rea my (Patr ick Dempsey)?

However, over the last few years, the quality has deteriorated due to the increasing amount of repetition and ridiculous plot twists.

Additionally, the show has lost several longtime cast members over the years, the most significant of which include Sandra Oh and Dempsey, resulting in falling ratings. So, before it becomes too cheesy and hated by fans, “Grey’s” may as well go out with a bang.

“The Walking Dead” (2010-present) As AMC’s “The Walking Dead” approaches its 10th season, there are several reasons why this season should be its last. This post-apocalyptic horror series, focusing on the survival of humanity in a

world overrun by zombies, is a favorite among those who enjoy adventure, gore and thrill. Despite its impressive popularity, the ratings have begun to decrease over time.

Several important characters, including Carl Grimes, Hershel Greene and Glenn Rhee, have been killed off. Additionally, due to an increase in death and violence, the emphasis on family values and humanity present in earlier seasons has taken a backseat. The storylines are growing old and repetitive, as many of the villains share the same personality traits. So, with exit of lead character Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) last season, perhaps it’s time for this series to end on a high note as well.

“NCIS” (2003-present) Another television series that ought to reach its end is the CBS police drama “NCIS,” which is now in its 16th season. While it continues to maintain a

large fan base, the departure of several series regulars, including Cote de Pablo, Michael Weatherly and Pauley Perrette, left an unfillable void. Despite the introduction of new characters, it seems unlikely that “NCIS” will return to its former glory.

With many of the characters’ secrets already revealed, the show is not as exciting as it used to be, and this lack of creativity is beginning to show. Additionally, actors including Mark Harmon, starring as Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs, and David McCallum, as Donald “Ducky” Mallard, are not as young as they once were. So, while ending the show now may bring sadness to many fans, it’s better than letting them die of boredom.

“Supernatural” (2005-present) CBS’s dark fantasy television series “Supernatural,” the l o n g e s t- r u n n i n g

American live-action CBS and Warner Bros (CW) series, is another show that has run its course. Starring Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles as brothers Sam and Dean Winchester who hunt supernatural creatures for a living, the show hit it off extremely well from the start. Featuring monsters, demons, angels and even God himself, the show adds a whole new perspective to the world of fantasy where no creature, including man, can be trusted.

However, the original storyline was completed at the end of the fifth season, and nowadays it’s as though the series is simply being dragged out with lots of repetition. In addition, the series is running out of antagonists; after all, the brothers have already defeated God, so any other villain is like child’s play. Overall, the show has already begun to slide downhill, and producers should just bring it to a

finish before the number of fans decreases even more.

Every television series reaches a point where it has reached its full potential.

As time goes on, old shows must come to an end in order to make way for newer, more original television series.

So, if a television series has been running for way too long and no longer is of interest, feel free to stop watching it and move on to something new.

@SameeraS97

Don’t break your bank account while planning this year’s spring break It’s not truly a “break” when you return home only to find yourself in crushing debt. We’re here to make sure that won’t happen.

BREANNA KNOTTS lifestyles staff writer

As we students are struggling to push through the first few weeks of the new

semester, spring break teases us in the future. Hotel rooms are being booked, and vacation plans are becoming a reality, rather than a fun idea.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY TAYO OLADELE An illustration of a student bringing money out of his wallet, Jan. 29, 2019.

Planning trips can be exciting, with the multitude of college spring break websites advertising their all-inclusive vacations, etc.

But, straying from those options may be beneficial to your bank account. Use these helpful tips to make for a cost efficient, unforgettable spring break.

Avoid hotels The first and most important tip I can give you is to avoid overpriced hotels when booking your trip.

There are many cheap alternatives available that never cross the mind –– such as renting an RV, camping or simply staying with relatives. Venturing to a big city can require hotels charging $150-$200 per night, which can add up quickly.

If you choose to reside outside of the city lines, campgrounds are abundant, which can be as cheap as $20 per night. Having the freedom to build a bonfire and be a bit rowdier is a selling point for college

spring breakers looking to make memories.

When many people think of camping, they immediately picture deep forest, but the reality is there are campgrounds just about everywhere. If you are looking for a beach location, beautiful campgrounds can be found on the coast of Florida, Georgia or close to Myrtle Beach.

Carpool Airplane tickets can be the most expensive aspect of a vacation, so they should be saved as a last resort.

The only way flying makes financial sense is if your destination happens to be outside of the United States, or across the country.

Carpooling with friends can be fun and cost efficient, considering the only expense would be gas.

Another plus is the availability of a vehicle wherever your destination may be, which saves you from the possibility of needing to rent a car.

Although carpooling may not be the most time efficient way of traveling, it is definitely the least expensive.

The more people, the less it costs for everybody in the long run.

Pack heavy Squeeze as much as you can in to that suitcase. The more necessary items you can bring from home, the less you will have to spend on clothing and other essentials when you arrive.

Eating out can get pricey, especially in big cities and tourist-packed locations.

It is smart to grocery shop beforehand for food that can be used as snacks or meals. Some easy things to buy would be cereal, bottled water and bagged snack food.

A sid e f r om fo o d, remember to pack small things like sunscreen or sunglasses that can easily be forgotten. Forgotten items are commonly overpriced at touristy destinations, so it is a must to remember

beforehand.

Start now!

One of the worst things you could do is wait until the last minute to buy all of your new clothes, food, drinks and other miscellaneous items. It is not practical to rack up a list of expenses last minute.

If your destination happens to be warm, now is prime time to buy summer clothes considering it is off season. Keep on the lookout for different websites and stores that are having major sales.

Using these easy tips, you can start planning an inexpensive, unforgettable vacation. It is best to stray away from advertisements with their all-inclusive packages and do the work yourself. It will save a load of money and will provide more options to fit your definition of fun.

@CollegiateTimes

editor@collegiatetimes.com

February 5, 2019 PAGE 5

collegiatetimes.com

a l s c s r tf e

a

Check out the new Collegiate Times podcast, After Class new episodes posted every other Friday on SoundCloud, Google Play and iTunes

COLLEGIATETIMES

study break

Today’s Birthday Horoscope (Feb. 5): Community action satisfies this year. Spiritual

reflection and introspection provide rich reward. Domestic surprises arise. Summer action and excitement lead to quiet introspection and planning. Discover fresh inspiration this winter, prompting changes to your health and work routines.

Practice to pull for your team.

W U

FOR RELEASE FEBRUARY 5, 2019

Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis

ACROSS 1 Ring ref’s decision 4 Hindu division 9 Rig up 14 Hankering 15 Aquaman’s realm 16 “Grey’s Anatomy” staffer 17 Immigrant’s ID 19 Extend the library borrowing term 20 Tries to hit 21 Low singers 22 Blackjack elevens 23 Not fitting 25 Title for Jose or Diego?

27 Tuition-paying aid 32 Rude and crude 34 “Begone, feline!”

35 Unsubscribes, with “out” 36 Jazz trumpeter Al 37 Indian prime minister mentored

by Gandhi 38 Eric Carle’s “The __ Hungry Caterpillar” 39 Viral internet item 40 Improve text 41 Porto-Novo’s land 42 Competitive swimming venue 45 Cul-de-__ 46 Sniffling maladies 47 Mother’s Day gift holder 49 Old phone company nickname 52 Biblical opening 55 Food recall culprit 56 Emmy-winning reality series for entrepreneurs ... and a place for the ends of 17-, 27- and 42-Across?

58 Biblical verb 59 Fictional Swiss miss 60 “Excusez-__” 61 Frankfurt’s state 62 How ballerinas dance 63 Sinus doc DOWN 1 Rapper whose name sounds like an endangered cat

2/5/19

By Tyler Lian and Jeff Chen

2 “The Americans” co-star Russell 3 Many an action film hero 4 Admit 5 Greet aggressively 6 Burn a little 7 Road covering 8 Conclude 9 Fascinated 10 The Roots’ frontman on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” 11 Big coffeepots 12 “Noted” 13 Church rows 18 PC panic key 21 African language group 23 Tracking implants, for short 24 A few feet from 25 Blockhead 26 Princess who gives up her voice to be human 28 Vintage music purchase 29 Magical access words

Previous Puzzle Solved Monday’s Puzzle Solved

N

O

J

X

M P

K

J

E

D

Y

A

U

V

Polar Vortex S

I

B

R

J

P

U

H

B

I

K

N

A

X

S

K

Q

Z

Y

F

M M E

P

A

Y

P

K

R

W M

R

N

A

D

V

N

R

W A

K

R

T

L

I

O

P

W

I

M E

C

W J

Y

O

V

S

P

F

C

L

N

R

U

R

E

A

P

C

T

K

J

T

E

Y

Q

M N

F

F

A

G

L

L

P

T

B

I

C

Q

A

Z

U

J

G

O

R

N

X

R

S

E

J

L

O

W S

Z

F

A

T

E

F

Y

E

O

N

X

H

O

E

E

B

F

C

M I

C

O

O

G

W C

Z

T

E

S

S

Z

F

D

N

B

U

W I

P

A

U

W G

D

S

U

P

A

C

B

E

O

G

Z

V

L

U

S

L

S

R

Y

Q

Z

A

L

L

N

L

A

N

S

V

U

Q

W J

A

R

F

G

F

W P

O

S

R

I

A

O

A

Y

M L

O

D

A

H

Q

F

N

C

J

B

H

W T

U

U

O

C

C

I

J

P

Z

L

L

O

U

R

V

F

C

Q

O

X

B

C

F

F

O

Z

K

T

A

A

Q

G

O

V

A

C

O

V

W D

O

I

P

B

M H

P

I

E

V

J

G

S

I

C

W A

E

M

E

N

L

T

T

Y

D

C

P

S

S

C

I

E

B

X

T

V

F

Z

J

Z

E

I

I

S

N

J

T

B

C

N

T

I

N

A

M W O

N

S

J

A

M D

H

N

J

X

O

E

J

F

O

V

D

I

H

D

M M C

G

P

N

F

S

Z

F

E

H

W G

J

L

W Y

P

P

K

L

U

A

E

Y

B

K

X

Z

F

Q

K

O

C

D

B

B

E

W I

T

M G

Boots Cold Frozen Gloves

A

T

Hat Hot Chocolate Ice Jacket

H

T

C

Scarf Snow Snowman Sweater

Brewster Rockit: Space Guy! by Tim Rickard

©2019 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

30 Glass-roofed lobbies 31 Timberlake’s former band 33 Biological building blocks 37 Sam of “Peaky Blinders” 41 Tot’s comforter, affectionately 43 Not at all 32-Across 44 Work too hard

xkcd by Randall Munroe 2/5/19

48 Opposite of rise 49 Screen door material 50 Aleve target 51 Jungle squeezers 52 Canter or gallop 53 A party to, as a private joke 54 Classroom acting 56 “Shameless” network, briefly 57 Egg layer xkcd.com

Where you go, we go. collegiatetimes.com

PAGE 6 February 5, 2019

editor@collegiatetimes.com

collegiatetimes.com

Top-tier talent scrapes the bottom of the barrel in new movie ‘Serenity’ A-list names like Matthew McConaughey and Anne Hathaway can’t save Steven Knight’s incompetent new seaside thriller.

JOHN BATTISTON lifestyles editor

Steven Knight’s 2013 film “Locke” is an example of smart, efficient filmmaking that manages to pack a sizeable emotional wallop, and exceeds reasonable expectations when considering its limited indie sensibilities. His latest directorial effort, “Serenity,” released on Friday, Jan. 25, is quite the opposite: It is what happens when a film, despite having a call sheet overflowing with heavyweight Hollywood talent and a decent budget, simply fails to accomplish its intended effect.

The film follows grizzled, salty-skinned fisherman Ba ker Dill (Matthew McConaughey), a cantankerous war veteran obsessed with catching a legendarily giant tuna he calls Justice. He lives in relative

boat, Serenity (cue unimpressed “Ah-ha”). His life is generally simple and — sure — serene.

Then Karen returns.

Dill’s slinky, stunning ex-wife (Anne Hathaway) saunters into the local watering hole one night, the bulky diamond ring on her left fourth finger glistening so dazzlingly it merits its own wind-chime sound effect. She entices Dill to accompany her to his boat, where she makes a simple proposition: If Dill throws her abusive husband Frank (Jason Clarke) overboard for the sharks, she will give him $10 million.

From there, things get crazy. Not in a way that you’d expect. And certainly not in a way that works.

That’s all of the plot information I can safely divulge before giving away the end of the film, a twist which,

“All that said, ‘Serenity’

is a truly, albeit ironically, entertaining watch, almost impressive in its compulsion to throw a fistful of tacky nonsense at the screen and hope that something sticks. peace on Plymouth Island, loosely balancing his time between his seaside home (a generous word for a shoddily furnished shipping container), the bedroom of his occasional lover (Diane Lane), the island’s single bar and the deck of his fishing

”

I might add, an attentive filmgoer should easily pick up on half an hour before it is cardboardedly spoon-fed to the audience. But no matter; there’s plenty more about “Serenity” to discuss without going any further into story.

GRAHAM BARTHOLOMEW / TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE

Matthew McConaughey as Baker Dill in “Serenity.”

The performances, while honorable for their level of commitment, are doomed to laughability by Knight’s overly conspicuous, hammy dialogue and disinterested direction. McConaughey, a certified vessel of immense range (“Interstellar,” “Dallas Buyers Club”), cannot break through a rigid shell of unlikeability, a temperament the film attempts to redeem by shoe-horning flashbacks of his former life with his adorable, now estranged son. Hathaway br ings her tradema rk combination of bravado and fragility, but is fed a constant stream of incompetently penned, noir-ish quips and wince-inducing

pet names. (The dozen or so times Karen alludes to Frank as “Daddy” is two dozen too many.) And Clark, irresistibly cool in films like “Zero Dark Thirty,” is limited to playing a one-note sleazebag, a whiskey bottle practically glued to his hand anytime he isn’t using it to smack his wife’s rear.

I haven’t even mentioned that the wonderful Djimon Hou nsou is ent i rely disposable as Duke, Dill’s first mate and hapless voice of reason.

In addition to Knight, the film wastes typically solid behind-the-lens and post-production talent. It restrains the skills of cinematographer Jess Hall

(“Hot Fuzz”), and composer B e nj a m i n Wa l l f i s ch, who co-wrote the incomparable score to “Blade Runner 2049” with Hans Zimmer, bombards auditorium speakers with overpoweringly swelled, drippy strings.

All that said, “Serenity” is a truly, albeit ironically, entertaining watch, almost impressive in its compulsion to throw a fistful of tacky nonsense at the screen and hope that something sticks.

Its intent and execution are so grossly misaligned that the ensuing awfulness is nothing short of magnetic; it would be less truthful to tell a friend “I saw ‘Serenity’” than it would be to say “I

witnessed ‘Serenity.’”

When watched with a gaggle of friends hoping for an unforgettably hilarious night out, this film will probably please. When viewed in any other context, being fed to Justice as an hors d’oeuvre will seem preferable to sitting through “Serenity.”

I give “Serenity” one out of five stars. If you would like to hear a more in-depth discussion of the film, listen to the premiere episode of my podcast, Reel Underdogs.

@JB3Writes

LIST: Visit in-town family businesses for local flavor and great places to study from page 1

it deserves its own checkbox. The event is entirely non-competitive (unless you want to go for a high placement, in which case, more power to you) and is a great opportunity to connect with thousands of Hokies, including current students, alumni, New River Valley residents and more.

Get breakfast at Joe’s Diner Gillie’s, whose brunch is item 46 on the list, is by no means overrated; their mid-morning fare is some of the best I’ve ever had, due in part to their perfectly cooked eggs, delicious coffee and delightfully unpredictable background music — they once played the entirety of Black Sabbath’s record “Paranoid” while my friends and I were there. But if you’ve ever tried to get a seat at Gillie’s on a Saturday or Sunday morning, you know it’s no easy feat. If the wait is too long for you, and your standards are a tad too high for Waffle House (which, if they are, I kindly suggest you reevaluate your priorities), then Joe’s Diner is just around the corner, tucked inconspicuously between Moe’s Southwest Grill and Hokie Hair. The restaurant has a wonderful, homegrown atmosphere; coffee is served in a unique array of mugs you would expect to have been pulled straight from your grandmother’s

cabinet, the servers and owners are as friendly as you could hope and the menu offers a great variety of classic breakfast food.

St u dy your Hok i e tail-feathers off at Mill Mountain Mill Mountain Coffee and Tea is my top study destination on- or off-campus.

Located on North Main Street, about a five- or six-minute walk from Surge, the locally owned shop has a soothing effect on all who enter, the air filled with the hissing of milk steamers and the aroma of freshly-roasted beans. Most times of the day, it isn’t too hard to find seating, whether at a table or at the bar, and most spots have an outlet nearby, perfect for that six-hour grind sesh you so desperately need. While you’re there, enjoy a pot or two of loose-leaf tea, if that’s your thing; I recommend the cinnamon-orange for a spicy kick of caffeine-free goodness.

Watch a Battleship game in McComas Gym One of the very first things I did as a freshman was watch a game of Battleship in the pool at McComas; I had a blast as part of that crowd, and it was one of the first experiences that showed me I was truly at home at Virginia Tech. Battleship is simple: Several teams of students paddle around the pool in a canoe and attempt to sink the others’ boats by filling

them up with water; the last team standing (or floating, I guess) is declared the victor.

Whether you’re in the pool or cheering along with your friends from the secondfloor bleachers, Battleship is a wonderful time and something I wish I would have gotten to watch more now that graduation approaches.

• Spacious 1, 2, and 3 bedroom apartment homes!

• Private balcony or patio • Majority of utilities in monthly value rate • Wired for high-speed internet access • Large Walk-in Closets • Animal friendly (restrictions apply) • Private laundry facilities in each building • Optional washer/dryer in apartment home • Optional furniture and all-inclusive packages

750 Hethwood Blvd. #100 G • Blacksburg, VA 24060 877-746-1676 • www.HethwoodLiving.com @JB3Writes

800-828-1140 (TTY)

editor@collegiatetimes.com

collegiatetimes.com

sports

February 5, 2019 PAGE 7

collegiatetimes.com/sports

COURTESY OF HOKIE SPORTS No. 12 Virginia Tech had seven bonus point victories and won nine of 10 bouts against Duke, 40–3, in the Cameron Indoor Stadium. Zack Zavatsky became the 12th Hokie with 100 career wins with his 18–9 victory over Duke’s Kaden Russell, Feb. 1, 2019.

Tech wrestlers continue winning campaign at Duke The Hokies only dropped one of their 10 bouts of the night and remain a dominant force in the ACC wrestling conversation.

NICHOLAS HATCH sports staff writer

When Duke athletics make their way into a conversation, often the first thing that comes to mind is their extraordinary basketball program, consisting of stars such as Zion Williamson, R.J. Barrett and Cam Reddish.

These three prodigies have raised Duke University to supreme status in Division I sports and,specifically, ACC men’s basketball. While these three have made headlines time and time again,

Virginia Tech wrestling possesses a three-headed monster of its own consisting of Zack Zavatsky, Mekhi Lewis and David McFadden.

The monster came to play once again Friday night in Cameron Indoor Stadium as each of the three left the mat with a victory of their own, two of the three for bonus points.

Beginning the night with three-straight victories by Joey Prata (125), Korbin Myers (133) and Mitch Moore (141), the Hokies got out to quite the start as it

appeared to be another dominating performance that the Virginia Tech community has grown so accustomed to hearing about. Dropping only one of the 10 bouts on the night, which came at the hands of Blue Devil Mitch Finesilver, the Hokies rattled off seven bonus-point victories, the most of the season. Ryan Blees did all he could to knock off Duke’s 149-pounder as he attempted to execute various leg attack techniques, but Finesilver would not let down his guard, leading to a final decision of

3–1 with Blees on the losing end.

Not only did they set their seasonal bonus-point record thus far, but Zack Zavatsky (184) also claimed his 100th Hokie win, effectively moving him up to 12th on the school’s all-time wins list. Zavatsky, a reigning NCAA All-American and the nation’s 6th ranked 184-pounder, has been one of Virginia Tech’s key contributors this season and has brought an important leadership component to his redshirt senior season that

will assist in leading the Hokies to hopefully, another ACC championship. Ending the night in style, was Billy Miller (285) who earned his first pin in Maroon and Orange at approximately the one-minute mark of the first period. This concluding bout sent the Blue Devils to wallow in sorrow after a devastating 40–3 final score that highlighted the ruthless nature that Hokie wrestling brings to the mat.

Although Duke men’s basketball has been making headlines ever since snagging

many of the best prospect players in the nation, Virginia Tech reigns supreme in all aspects of wrestling in the Atlantic Coast Conference, bulldozing anyone who gets in their way, evident by their 20–1 record against ACC opponents in their past 21 meetings. Next up is North Carolina on Feb. 8, in Chapel Hill at 6:30 p.m.

@CTSportsTalk

Women’s basketball snatches big road victory over Boston College in fiery fourth quarter performance The Hokies are now on a two-game win streak after Sunday’s comeback win, having dropped seven of their last eight games.

STEVEN ROWEN sports staff writer

On Super Bowl Sunday, Regan Magarity and Dara Mabrey led Virginia Tech to a 95–86 win in a hard fought ACC battle against Boston College. The Hokies looked to regain their early-season prowess, as they came into this game having lost seven of their last eight contests.

In the first quarter, the Hokies (15–7, 2–7 ACC) quickly broke out to an 8–0 lead with Dara Mabrey and Taylor Emery sinking a pair of 3-pointers to start out the game. The rest of the quarter was back and forth with Boston College (14–8, 3–6 ACC) battling back, finishing off the quarter

leading 28–27.

The start of the second quarter was much of the same, with Virginia Tech and Boston College trading baskets, neither team gaining a clear advantage. Near the end of the first half, the Eagles went on a 13–0 run, which gave them a substantial lead. The Hokies persevered, with Mabrey and Emery making two quick 3-pointers in the final minute of the second quarter that cut the lead down to six as they entered the second half.

The Eagles began the third quarter up by six, but quickly expanded their lead, which soon increased to 16, leaving the Hokies to fight an uphill battle. Mabrey once again came up clutch, adding five

points as the third quarter wound down, including a 3-pointer as time expired to cut the deficit to just nine points.

The fourth quarter was where the Hokies really shined, as they wasted no time fighting back into the game. Boston College’s lead soon disappeared and the Hokies never looked back.

Outscoring the Eagles 33–15 in the fourth quarter alone, the Hokies emerged victorious in a statement 95–86 win over Boston College.

The Hokies played great all around, shooting 58 percent from the field and 55 percent from three-point range. Regan Magarity scored 20 of her career-high 30 points in the second half

alone, while dominating the boards with 14 rebounds, leading to her 15th doubledouble of the season. Dara Mabrey also contributed 26 points, while shooting an impressive 4-of-7 from threepoint range. Guards Aisha Sheppard and Taylor Emery also reached double-digit scoring, putting up 14 and 12 points, respectively.

The next Virginia Tech women’s basketball game will take place at 12 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 10, in Cassell Coliseum, where the Hokies will play the Louisville Cardinals in another ACC matchup.

@CTSportsTalk

COURTESY OF HOKIESPORTS Redshirt senior Regan Magarity (11) goes for a layup against Boston College, Feb. 3, 2019.

Swim and Dive finishes strong at TECHnotational The team closed out its regular season at home, several Tech swimmers claiming first place in their events over the weekend.

JANE NUNN sports staff writer

On Sunday, the Hokies finished up their regular season meets at the 2019

TECHnonational in the Christiansburg Aquatic Center. While this event was not scored on team basis, the Hokies truly did dominate the pool. They saw wins in

every event on the final day of competition, and several swimmers finished within the B time standard for NCAA swimming.

Friday started off with

ANTHONY WU / COLLEGIATE TIMES All Hokies competing in the 200-yard individual medley race set and wait for the buzzer, Christiansburg Aquatic Center, Feb. 1, 2019.

a bang, with the women’s team capturing the 200 freestyle relay and a final time of 1:31.48. Reka Gyorgy also dominated the 200 IM on the Friday night finals, posting a time within the NCAA B cut and dropping two seconds from her swim at prelims earlier that morning.

Saturday, the women finished out on top in the 100 fly and the 100 breaststroke.

Gyorgy took home a 54.42 for the 100 fly, only one second away from the NCAA B standard time. Maya Atkins was also a second off of the NCAA B standard time with a 1:02.66 in the 100 breaststroke. The women’s 200 medley relay also finished in first place with a time of 1:40.68. The women finished strong on Sunday, with Lara

Siebrecht winning the 200 backstroke with a 1:59.64 and Julia Bruneau finishing first in the 100 free with a time of 51.25.

On the men’s side, Antani Ivanov grabbed an NCAA B time in the 200 butterfly with a 1:42.90, only fourtenths away from breaking the school record in the event.

On Friday, Norbert Szabo completed the 200 IM with a NCAA B cut with a 1:46.37.

Saturday was also a strong day for the men’s team. Szabo was only a few tenths from the NCAA B standard time in the 200 free, with a final time of 1:36.55. Hassler Carroll, Alex Hines and Alex Wright came in strong to finish off the weekend on the men’s side as well. Carroll dominated the 200 fly with a

final time of 1:47.35. Hines completed the 100 freestyle with a 44.70, only one second from the NCAA B time standard. Wright ended his weekend with a 200 backstroke. His final time was a 1:48.18.

While the times show their talent, the Hokies were also glowing with sportsmanship and team spirit, which is nothing new for this strong team. The Hokies will finish out their season at the ACC Championship in Greensboro, North Carolina from Feb. 27 through March 2.

@CTSportsTalk

PAGE 8 February 5, 2019

editor@collegiatetimes.com

collegiatetimes.com

AHMED MUSTAFA / COLLEGIATE TIMES Virginia Tech Hokie Kerry Blackshear Jr. (24) attempts a basket. The team scored a season low and beat the Wolfpack in a 47–24 game at PCN Arena, Feb. 2, 2019.

Hokies prevail in low-scoring affair with Wolfpack A short-handed Virginia Tech team managed to grab a quality road win against a struggling N.C. State, who was just four days removed from its narrow overtime loss to the ACC-leading Cavaliers. The Hokies are now 7–2 facing conference opponents.

CLAIRE CASTAGNO sports staff writer

In what was anticipated to be a high-scoring affair, the No. 12 Virginia Tech Hokies (18-3, 7-2) grinded out a 47–24 road victory over the No. 23 North Carolina State Wolfpack (16-6, 4-5) in a game that didn’t really live up to its billing. Both teams had a historically slow first half and struggled mightily on the offense end of the floor, resulting in both teams’ lowest scoring tally of the season.

Before the game, an uphill battle loomed for the Hokies as point guard Justin Robinson, whose status on a potential return is unknown,

would sit the bench in a boot, a result of a toe injury suffered during Virginia Tech’s 82–70 win at Miami on Thursday.

Early in the first half, Robinson’s absence was apparent as the Hokies’ other playmakers struggled to get their teammates open looks and help establish an offensive rhythm. On top of that, the Hokies were plagued by turnovers, recording nine in the first half. Luckily for Virginia Tech, NC State couldn’t buy a basket, shooting just 19.4 percent from the field and 7.1 percent from three in the first half.

With under 10 minutes left to go until the half, the

score was just 5–2. Wabissa Bede was important for the Hokies in the first half, hitting two 3-pointers and outrebounding taller players on the glass. Ahmed Hill seemed to be the most impacted by not having Robinson on the floor, coming up with five points in the first half as he was unable to get good looks toward the basket. It was a historical first half in PNC Arena, setting a record for the lowest combined score at halftime with just 34 points.

No visible adjustments were executed for NC State in the second half and its scoring drought followed them back onto the court.

Braxton Beverly, one of the

top three-point shooters in the ACC was not able to score a single basket for the Wolfpack and no other players stepped up in his place. As for the Hokies, without Robinson on the floor they looked to throw it inside to Kerry Blackshear Jr. Potential bad news came for Hokie fans as Blackshear Jr. seemed to get tied up under the basket at around 10:45 left to play and exited the floor to the locker room. However, he returned moments later to the bench and then back to the court with just over eight minutes left in regulation. After the final buzzer, he told ACC Network that everything was okay with him.

AHMED MUSTAFA / COLLEGIATE TIMES N.C. State guard Markell Johnson (11) looks to get around Virginia Tech Hokie Wabissa Bede (3) in a home 47–24 loss to the Hokies at PCN Arena, Feb. 2, 2019.

AHMED MUSTAFA / COLLEGIATE TIMES N.C. State guard Devon Daniels (24) looks to get around a double team as Virginia Tech head coach Buzz Williams screams to his players at PCN Arena, Feb. 2, 2019.

As time progressed, the Wolfpack showed no signs of making a comeback as the crowd thinned out in Raleigh. Virginia Tech’s defense made it hard for NC State to drive to the basket, and the Wolfpack couldn’t knock down any outside shots. While the Wolfpack shot just 9-54 for the game, the Hokies struggled as well, shooting just 16-45. Despite its season-low 47 points, it was enough to carry Virginia Tech to a 23-point

road win, its third road victory of the season.

The Hokies have a quick turnaround with a matchup against No. 15 Louisville on the horizon back in Blacksburg on Monday, Feb. 4.

@CTSportsTalk

AHMED MUSTAFA / COLLEGIATE TIMES N.C. State forward Jericole Hellems (4) attempts to go up for a shot as three Virginia Tech Hokies attempt to defend the basket in a 47–24 victory over the Wolfpack at PCN Arena, Feb. 2, 2019.

AHMED MUSTAFA / COLLEGIATE TIMES Virginia Tech Hokie Ahmed Hill (13) looks to drive inside against North Carolina State in a 47–24 victory at PCN Arena, Feb. 2, 2019.