March 26, 2019

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March 26, 2019

COLLEGIATETIMES

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

HOKIES EXTINGUISH LIBERTY FLAMES, SET UP DUKE REMATCH

Virginia Tech is heading to its first Sweet 16 since 1967 after taking down No. 12 Liberty. The Hokies are set to play Duke for a second time this season next Friday.

WYATT KRUEGER sports staff writer

The Virginia Tech men’s basketball team is headed back to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1967 after beating 12th-seeded Liberty Flames 67–58 Sunday night. The Hokies had a balanced attack on offense, with four players scoring in double figures, but the real star of the game was Tech’s stout defense that forced the Flames to shoot 38 percent from the field and 32 percent from three. Kerry Blackshear Jr. led Tech with 19 points and nine rebounds, while Ahmed Hill came up huge throughout the game with 14 points and three 3-pointers.

Tech came out sluggish in the first half, both struggling to score in the paint and defend the three-point

ETHAN CANDELARIO / COLLEGIATE TIMES Head coach Buzz Williams talks with his team during the ACC Tournament game against Miami. The Hokies emerged victorious, beating Miami 71–56, March 13, 2019.

shot. The Flames hit seven 3-pointers in the first half and were speeding up the tempo of the game,

while Tech struggled to hit easy shots and get into an offensive rhythm.

T he Hok ies found

themselves trailing by three at the end of the first half, RECAP / page 4

Hyperloop team to compete at SpaceX in July After three competitions, Hyperloop team advances to the last stage at SpaceX. BENITA LUKE

news staff writer

After a competition in July 2018, Hyperloop at Virginia Tech, an interdiscipline design team composed of students, has made it to the last stage of the competition at SpaceX, which will take place in the summer of 2019.

SpaceX is a private space transportation company that was started by Elon Musk in 2002.

Among its many initiatives, SpaceX is aiming to completely revolutionize space transportation through a service called Hyperloop. SpaceX first announced a Hyperloop Pod Competition in 2015 which encouraged universities and innovators around the world to create functioning prototypes of a high-speed pod.

These pods were first envisioned by Elon Musk to be 100-foot long models capable of seating 40 passengers that would take on routes that consist of

steel tubes roughly 11 feet in diameter. These routes would be in underground tunnels. The ultimate goal is to reduce traffic congested areas and air travel subject to weather delays.

The first three competitions were held in January 2016, August 2017 and July 2018. Twenty-one teams from all around the world, including India, Edinburgh, Switzerland, Australia and the United States, will be competing this summer. The guidelines for the competition are simple: Design a pod that can attain maximum speed with successful deceleration while being self-propelled.

Jesse Gisselquist, a junior in mechanical engineering, is currently the project manager for Hyperloop at Virginia Tech.

“SpaceX has a mile-long test track at their facility in Hawthorne, California. The goal of the competition

SPACEX / page 3

Past and present picks: Best of Blacksburg over time Have your choices for this year’s Best of Blacksburg withstood the test of time, or did they dethrone favorites from years past?

JOHN BATTISTON lifestyles editor

There’s a lot that goes into making Blacksburg, Virginia, the quintessential college town. You won’t find too many universities out there with a massive campus that is dominated by a 65,000-seat football stadium, yet still intimately integrated with the quaint, small town it calls home. But one of the most important parts of what gives Blacksburg its character and charm is its small businesses.

A quick look up and down Main Street and you’ll see just how many locally owned restaurants, shops and other businesses call Blacksburg home. From the bars that dominate the blocks between Main and Draper to the brunch spots you simply can’t pass up after a late night out, our

town has more than its share of local color, and for decades, the Collegiate Times has honored the top tier of local trade with the annual Best of Blacksburg poll.

Looking back just a few years, it’s clear that, while Blacksburg commerce has changed in many ways, some things just tend to stay the same. To ratify this point, let’s take a look back eight years at the Best of Blacksburg results from 2011, when many of you seniors reading were just starting high school –– feel old yet?

What’s changed?

First, let’s take a moment to honor Best of Blacksburg categories of ages past, which are no longer featured in the poll. The most noticeable category from 2011 which failed to survive to 2019 was Best

Local Band, and boy, do I wish this were still in the poll. But I’ll save my rant on local music appreciation for another article, because there is a more prominent issue at hand here: the names of the winners. I’ll chalk it up to sheer misfortune that I was too young to live in a Blacksburg where a band called Multiple Buttholes was taking the town by storm; the band’s Bandcamp page features a whopping three songs, each exceeding seven minutes in length, so if you’re in the mood to honor a Blacksburg classic forgotten by time, give them a look.

Other categories that no longer feature in the Best of Blacksburg poll include Best Radio Station (WUVT 90.7 FM), Best Bike Shop or Repair (East Coasters) and Best Tanning Salon (The Tanning Company, now closed). An entire group of categories, labeled

Wish List, indicated which chain businesses voters wished to see open a location in Blacksburg in the future; 2011 Hokies were hoping to get a Kohl’s and a Cheesecake Factory.

Meanwhile, several new categor ies have been added since the 2011 poll: Best Place for Flowers (D’Rose Flower & Gifts), Best Jewelry Store (Kent Jewelers), Best Law Firm (Creekmore Law Firm) and Best Place to Get Copies Made (Newman Library).

In the categories that have remained unchanged since 2011, students’ and locals’ opinions have, in some cases, changed quite remarkably. The most notable of these changes is the increase in love for a downtown essential, Sharkey’s, which took the top spot in five categories in this year’s poll. While it was still the top choice for

CORY HANCOCK / COLLEGIATE TIMES Grayson Lucas, a bartender at Sharkey’s Wing and Rib Joint, mixes up a drink for a customer.

Best Happy Hour in 2011, it has since managed to snag Best Burgers (formerly Mike’s Grill, since closed), Best Wings and Best Place to Watch Sports on TV (both formerly Buffalo Wild Wings), as well as Best Cocktail, which was not in the poll in 2011.

www.foxridgeliving.com • 877.746.1676

Several other categories have claimed new champions in the last eight years.

D.P. Dough is the 2019 pick for Best Delivery Service, which belonged to Jimmy John’s in 2011. Jimmy John’s has also since lost Best Late CHANGES / page 6

opinions

PAGE 2 March 26, 2019

collegiatetimes.com/opinion

column

Focus on themes, ideas in music not worthwhile Sometimes, it’s better to just hit play and enjoy a song rather than overanalyze the messages artists have written into them.

I

have vivid memories of listening to “The Phantom of the Opera” soundtrack with my mother as a child, and I started playing piano when I was 4 years old. Singing pulled me in soon after that, and my passion for music has never wavered — my roommate has walked in on me belting out Broadway show tunes or Ariana Grande power ballads on too many occasions to count.

Knowing this, it probably comes as no surprise that music is a major focus of my life; it’s something constantly in the back of my mind, whether I’m conjugating in Russian class or reading about the latest Trump scandal on CNN. I also happen to overthink a lot, particularly when it comes to subjects I’m passionate about, and I often find myself asking a myriad of questions about the things encompassing my daily life. That’s how this column began, in fact — with a question. After doing some soul-searching about the morality of one of my new favorite songs, I had to wonder — how much should we care about the perceived meaning behind our music?

This curiosity began a few weeks ago, when Ariana Grande’s latest album, “thank u, next,” was released. I’m a big fan of her work, so I downloaded the album the second it came out on Spotify. I enjoyed all the songs I listened to, but the beat of the last track really pulled me in. All was well until the chorus, and I realized the song’s title was “break up with your girlfriend, i’m bored.”

Immediately, I had to pause the music.

Don’t get me wrong, the song was great — it was

editor@collegiatetimes.com

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the perceived message that bothered me. I’d spent the past four years telling friend after friend to dump their cheating boyfriends, and now I was listening to a song that actively promoted interfering in a relationship. It didn’t sit right with me, and I was torn. The song was a real earworm — it was stuck in my head the entire day — but I wasn’t sure that I wouldn’t be embarrassed if someone overheard me listening to it.

The issue nagged at me for a couple of days until, as I’ve so often found in life, a car ride resolved it all. Halfway to Walgreens on an emergency trip with a friend, I asked her to queue up “break up with your girlfriend, i’m bored” on Spotify, briefly forgetting what had been bothering me all week.

“I’m not gonna play that,” she told me. “I don’t like the message it promotes.”

“But you listen to X X X Te n t a c i o n and 6ix9ine,” I pointed out.

“How are their messages about doing drugs, killing p eople a nd sexua l ly degrading women any better?”

Then it hit me — we put way too much stock into the supposed “messages” the music we listen to sends out. Music is an art form, and art is meant to shock us, to provoke a reaction, to make us think about how we feel about the subject being written about, sung about or painted. Often the singer or lyricist wants to start a conversation with society about pervasive issues that he or she feels are being ignored — they aren’t advocating for us to replicate whatever bad behaviors they may sing about, and as Ariana herself has said, sometimes artists just want a

“fun one” on the album.

The likelihood that the majority of people who count “Creep” by Radiohead as one of their favorite songs are actual stalkers is slim. Similarly, I doubt that anyone’s getting inspiration from Ariana’s latest album to break up others’ relationships. For me, music has always been a form of escape — it transports me into another universe, a place where I’m not myself for a few minutes.

When I’m listening to a particularly good song, I might envision myself as someone more confident, or someone braver, if only for the duration of the music.

That’s what my friend gets out of the hardcore rap she enjoys, and I know some of my friends prefer classical music because it makes them feel more focused and capable.

The reason for listening to a certain type of music doesn’t have to be the same for every person — the point is that you aren’t necessarily listening to a song because you live and die by every one of the messages in its lyrics.

So I say the music you choose to listen to doesn’t have to say anything about what you believe in or the causes you choose to support. You can listen to a song simply because of its catchy beat or because it reminds you of a happy memory. Go ahead and hit play.

LEXI SOLOMON • opinions columnist • naitonal security and foreign affairs and Russian

your views [letter to the editor]

LTE: The Big Plant will make Virginia Tech greener, cleaner

I

remember four years ago, when I came to visit Blacksburg for the very first time — it was gorgeous. There were rolling green hills with red barns dispersed throughout, and heavily forested mountains. The drive alone nearly won me over, and the campus and its endless possibilities did the rest.

The natural scenery of this area is of vital importance to its students, residents and wildlife.

The natural resources and unique imagery of the New River Valley are currently under threat: With endless development that clear-cuts trees, a proposed fracking pipeline that would run over the steep karst topography and endanger all around it and at a more macro level, there is climate change.

T he hot ter, longer summer months are already being felt here. The emerald ash borer now lives a more prominent life and these beetles have killed thousands of ash trees in recent years. The New River is flooding like it has hardly been seen before, and the winds and storms here are becoming more vicious.

I don’t believe we can be yet another generation which takes from the environment without thinking of the future — of sustainability. We should increase our stewardship and responsibility for the nature which sustains us.

Last summer, I stayed here in Blacksburg, wanting to hike and enjoy it and possibly try to organize a large-scale event in earnest. The event I had in mind would be called the Big Plant, inspired by Virginia Tech’s Big Event, but it would be dedicated to planting trees on campus and in the area.

I had seen a headline around that time that stated that the Chinese military would plant 5,000 trees to address climate change.

I was impressed by their vigorous attitude toward climate action, and figured it would be awesome if Virginia Tech did the same.

Being a recent graduate in finance, I had little understanding of how I would pull this off. I got a job with a local arborist, doing laborious tree work and asking questions whenever I could.

The job was outdoors, and being a yuppie of NOVA origin, there was definitely a humorous culture shock.

I had no understanding of how any of their tools worked; I was not used to working with any pace,

there were no forms, only a passing respect for bodily safety and we got off based not on a schedule, but when the job was complete.

These facts sometimes caused conflict among us, though none of them were insurmountable.

Some pros were that I got in better shape, and I got to see much of this beautiful area. My boss was skeptical of my being able to pull off this idea, but he advised me nonetheless. When I asked where I could get land to plant on, he told me to talk to John Eustis over at the New River Land Trust.

I met with John and he was of great help; he listed around a dozen leads I could follow at that first meeting.

One of these leads was Betty Hahn, the daughter of Virginia Tech’s 11th president, T. Marshall Hahn. She was an avid environmentalist, activist and former professor of Appalachian studies.

When I met her, she very much liked the idea of the Big Plant, and offered space on her land to plant, adding that she would reforest it all if she could. She has been a great supporter and sponsor of this event.

I also got in touch with the Stroubles Creek Coalition, who have been working to restore and conserve Stroubles Creek for years now. The head of the coalition — a young and energetic Virginia Tech alumnus named Tom Saxton — in particular liked the idea. In one of my talks with Tom, I learned a fact which seemed to me like it was out of science fiction. He suggested we do cuttings at Stroubles Creek: “Cuttings? Why? I want to plant trees.”

“No, cuttings are when you cut branches of certain species like black willow and stick them into the ground — they then grow into trees.”

“Wow.” Finally, I visited with a kind woman named Bernadette, or Berny, who runs the New River Junction — a scenic camping and picnic site located on the bank of the New River, around 20 minutes away from campus. The New River is the second oldest river in the world, behind only the Nile.

The junction used to have many trees for shade, but they have been devastated by the emerald ash borer.

She said she could use shade trees, but since I was looking to plant trees in high density, she suggested planting

green walls on the perimeters of the site.

I next consulted with a few foresters, including my boss, about which species we should plant. I obtained good lists of native species for all of the sites.

For fundraising, I talked once again with John Eustis, who has experience fundraising for the Land Trust.

He allowed me to see their fundraising letter, which I tweaked and then used to great success.

After work, I would frequent many of the charming local businesses with a personalized letter, asking if they would like to be a sponsor of the event.

Many of them, including: Eats Natural Foods and their customers, Bollos Cafe, Gillie’s, Baseline Solar, InBalance Yoga, and the New River Land Trust — said yes, and made checks out to my club, the Environmental Coalition at Virginia Tech.

These generous local businesses supported the event when it was still just an idea on a piece of paper.

Hopefully, students will in turn show these local businesses the same support.

The university also was a source of funding. We were approved for two Budget Board proposals: one for Stroubles Creek seedlings and one for the purchase of shovels. Student Engagement and Campus Life and the Prospective Gallery also offered funds to pay for art-related needs, thanks to the Gallery’s director, Robin Scully.

Purchases have been made and now the word must be spread. Thankfully, all who hear of the Big Plant seem highly enthusiastic.

Many clubs and organizations have committed to volunteering for the event. I hope all who can come out to the Drillfield on Saturday, March 30 at 10:30 a.m., will help us plant thousands of trees and make a statement of our own.

I hope these trees will not only be planted, but maintained. I also hope that in coming years, this event will expand, so we can plant more trees in more places and spread the event to other universities.

There is no time to waste; we must come together and act now — and possibly with music, refreshments and camping as additional perks.

IBRAHIM MOHAMED • organizer of The Big Plant

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LAURA THOMPSON / TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE Ariana Grande attends the “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination” Costume Institute Gala 2018 on Monday, May 7, 2018, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, New York.

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March 26, 2019 PAGE 3

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Virginia Tech researchers discover rare frog fossil The frog fossil was discovered in the Chinle formation near Petrified Forest National Park and can be dated back to the Triassic.

KELLEY GATES news staff writer

This past summer a paleontological team led by Virginia Tech professors Sterling Nesbitt and Michelle Stocker discovered an extremely rare frog fossil in the Chinle formation near Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona. The fossil is from the hipbone of an ancient amphibian in the total group or “clade” Salientia which includes the orders of frogs

and toads both living and extinct.

According to Nesbitt and Stocker, this fossil is the first of its kind because it comes from an area that was equatorial during the Triassic. Only two other examples of Triassic frog fossils were found in locations that were not near the equator during this period, making the finding especially rare and valuable.

The fossil helps scientists fill in some of the gaps in the paleontological record. The

fossil is dated between the two other Triassic frog fossils and leads the researchers to believe that frog species were widespread and existed throughout the Triassic. The existence of the fossil also helps fill out the ancient biome of Petrified Forest National Park and the surrounding areas.

The frog fossil, the bones of several other ancient aquatic animals, such as lungfish, and the type of rocks found at the site lead the researchers

COURTESY OF VT NEWS Virginia Tech Assistant Professor Michelle Stocker holds a rock with an embedded Chinle frog hipbone fossil.

to believe that the area was once part of a gentle river containing large horsetail-like plants and giant trees.

“The environment at the time was very different from how you or I would think of a river,” Nesbitt said. “There were no angiosperms (flowering plants) at the time.”

The fossil is only about the size of an eyelash. According to Nesbitt, the fossil was mostly discovered on accident as the team was looking through a section of rock that the team knew small fossils were present in. This section was part of an ancient fluvial deposit which is composed of layers of sediment slowly piled up over millions of years and hardened by pressure from the buildup of these layers as well as other factors.

The section of the deposit the fossil was found in is an old section composed of light green and white layers, which contained teeth of various prehistoric river animals. Tooth fossils are the most common small animal fossils as teeth are relatively harder than many other bones,

especially in small creatures.

The teeth gave the researchers clues to where they might find interesting fossils. This led them to discover the frog fossil due to its proximity to these other fossils.

“When you’re splitting rocks, you don’t know what you’re going to find,” Stocker said. “It’s a lot like turning a page in a book; you don’t know what’s inside until you turn the page.”

The researchers believe that they have discovered a new species, but are hesitant to name it. The small size of the fossil gives little information about what the animal actually looked like, so they would like to gather more samples, hopefully from different body parts. They do know, however, that the bone is from a frog due to its shape and texture.

“We don’t want to give the frog a name just yet,” Nesbitt said. “We would like to get a better sample for the official species picture.”

The team plans to go back to the formation this summer to try to find more samples of

this frog species and perhaps find skeletons from other amphibians as well.

Students interested in participating in these digs and paleontology in general can attend the department’s Paleo Lab Night, held every Tuesday during the school year from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

In these labs, which are open to Hokies of all majors, students can help clean and prepare real fossils that the team has excavated from various sites. Students do not need any prior knowledge to attend these meetings and can work their way up to working more in depth with paleontology. To attend the digs, undergraduate students can apply for an internship with the team. However, spots are usually limited to three interns per semester. Applications for this year’s dig are over.

However, applications for next year’s internship begin in January.

@CollegiateTimes

Dairy science students affected by industry decline The downfall of the dairy industry forces some Virginia Tech dairy science students to reconsider their career paths.

LEAH HALL

news staff writer

The dairy industry in America is suffering a hit according to Katharine Knowlton, a professor in the dairy science department at Virginia Tech. Many dairy science majors at Virginia Tech are personally affected by the downfall of the industry.

“Almost half of our kids (dairy science students) go into herd and farm management on their home farm or another,” Knowlton said.

There are many contributing factors to the decline in the industry, including the over-production of dairy

milk and less of a demand for dairy products, according to Knowlton.

Catherine Savage, a sophomore majoring in dairy science, said that the trend lowers the value of milk, which means less income for her family’s dairy farm.

In February, Savage found out that her family was selling their dairy farm.

She always had the prospects of returning home to work the family farm, but now she is forced to alter her graduation goals.

Kavita Bushong, a sophomore, and Katelyn Allen, a senior, both dairy science majors at Virginia Tech, weighed in on the situation and pointed out that on

top of trying to stay afloat economically, they also have to abide by certain regulations that can become another burden.

Allen’s farm is in M a r yl a n d near the Chesapeake Bay. The environmental regulations are especially important being so close to a large water source.

“The decrease in income from the fluctuating milk market has negatively impacted my family,” Bushong said. “We not only have to think about the farm and the cows in the short-run, but also the profitability in the long-run if the industry continues to have years of low milk prices.”

In addition to the financial hit, Bushong, Allen and Savage all mentioned the guilt they feel asking for money for college. All three students are active in finding scholarships and money through work in order to pay for school. Thankfully, there are many sponsors in the dairy industry that have grants in place to encourage young farmers to further their education.

T his past October, Savage, Allen and Bushong were all on the Virginia Te c h d a i r y-judg i ng team, which select cows and evaluate their dairy production performance. It is through this experience that Savage says she was

able to make some professional connections. After graduation, she aspires to possibly work in animal livestock reproduction and starting her own small dairy farm one day. Allen said that in a perfect world, she would love to return to her farm and manage the operations, but before she does that, she is planning to give back to her community by teaching agriculture in the public schools.

Bushong, like many Virginia Tech agricultural students, is pushing for veterinary school. The dairy science department offers a specific track for aspiring veterinarian students. Bushong is hoping

to specialize in dairy cows.

T he da i r y science department at Virginia Tech is one of three in the country.

Although the industry is taking a dive, the next generation of students are hopeful that the industry will survive in the future.

“I stay optimistic because I see a continued need for our products, even though the market might adjust in certain products,” Allen said. “Plus, the industry is made of really innovative people who find a way to make things work, so that’s a good sign for our future.”

@Collegiate Times

SPACEX: Project promotes interdisciplinary collaboration from page 1

is to get (the pod) traveling as fast as you can within 1 mile. This is a mechanical engineering senior design project, but we have many different types of engineers contributing to this team,” Gisselquist said.

“We currently have mostly mechanical engineers on our team, but we have electrical, aerospace and industrial systems engineers on our team as well as several business majors.”

Hyperloop at Virginia Tech has an application process at the beginning of every semester. The organization allows students to connect

with people from different fields as well as engineers from SpaceX and Tesla. They have been sending students to compete in the competition for the past three years, and their designs and goals have changed over time.

“In the past years our designs had to do with a gas-thrust propulsion, but this time and last year we were focusing on more of an electric propulsion where we use electric motors,” Gisselquist said. “We’ve gotten through multiple stages of this competition where SpaceX themselves evaluates our design in terms of liability and safety.

We are currently entering the manufacturing stage of the

pod, but we have finished our design.”

The fourth competition will take place in Hawthorne, California, this summer on July 21, 2019.

@CollegiateTimes

COURTESY OF HYPERLOOP AT VIRGINIA TECH The exterior of the pod designed by Hyperloop at Virginia Tech.

Live with up to 7 roommates in our 5 bedroom!

sports

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RECAP: Hokies reach first Sweet 16 since 1967 season from page 1

and needed to get back to what their identity has been all year: solid defense.

In the second half, Virginia Tech locked in on the defensive end — forcing bad shots and turnovers, and held the Flames to 27 percent shooting and only six field goals. On the offensive end, opting to run the offense through Blackshear Jr. and Nikeil Alexander-Walker proved successful for the Hokies, but they struggled to pull away from the Flames until the two minute mark.

Hill and Justin Robinson continue to be the heart and soul of this Hokie team; Hill was the second leading scorer and his three-point shooting helped Virginia

Tech build a lead late in the game, while Robinson contributed an efficient 13 points and four assists off the bench for the Hokies.

The win in San Jose marked the 26th of the season for Virginia Tech, a program record, and head coach Buzz Williams earned his 100th win as the Hokies’ head coach. Now, the highly anticipated rematch with the one-seed Duke Blue Devils awaits this Friday, March 29, in Washington D.C.

@CTSportsTalk

ETHAN CANDELARIO / COLLEGIATE TIMES Ahmed Hill (13) rallies the team in the last minutes of the game against Florida State at the ACC Tournament. The Hokies would fall short in overtime, escaping victory 65–63, March 14, 2019.

Women’s basketball defeats VCU in WNIT victory The Hokies move on to a third straight WNIT Sweet 16 after beating VCU at Cassell Coliseum behind Taylor Emery’s 21 points.

DILLON CAMPBELL assistant sports editor

In similar fashion to their 92– 65 win over Furman in the first round of the Women’s National Invitational Tournament, the Virginia Tech Hokies (21-11, 6-10) pulled away from the Virginia Commonwealth University Rams (24-9, 13-3) after the first quarter, defeating the Rams 82–72 and advancing to their third straight WNIT Sweet 16.

“All in all, it’s a good win,” Virginia Tech head coach Kenny Brooks said.

“Anytime you can win against an in-state opponent, it’s a good win. Beth (O’Boyle) does a really good job with

that team. We’ll look back on it one day and understand that it’s a good win, but right now it’s about surviving and advancing, so I’m very proud of our kids.”

With the score sitting at 16–15 Virginia Tech after the first quarter, the Hokies rained in four 3-pointers in the second quarter and ended the half an unconscious 6-8 from long range, swishing long balls through the nets whether or not there was staunch defense being played.

Meanwhile, the Rams hit just 5-14 from downtown, struggling to keep up with Tech’s shooting from distance.

It was an all-around group effort for Virginia Tech with Taylor Emery, Trinity

Baptiste, Aisha Sheppard, Rachel Camp and Regan Magarity all reaching the double-digit points plateau.

Emery and Baptiste led the way for the Hokies. Virginia

player, dropping 14 points, collecting nine rebounds, dishing out three assists and keeping the pressure on the VCU defense by continually driving to the cup, shooting

“All in all, it’s a good

win. Anytime you can win against an in-state opponent, it’s a good win.

”

Kenny Brooks Virginia Tech women’s basketball head coach

Tech’s regular season scoring leader scored a game-high 21 points, constantly keeping the defense on its heels and showcasing her big-game ability.

Baptiste was Tech’s top post

10 foul shots.

After a slow start where she scored just four points through the first three quarters in what may well have been the last home

game of her collegiate career, Magarity eventually settled into her game, moving to third place on Virginia Tech’s all-time scoring list and finishing with 10 points, 12 rebounds, one assist and three steals.

Virginia Tech’s starters weren’t the only ones to get in on the fun in the second round WNIT matchup against VCU. Bench points were integral to the Hokies maintaining a comfortable cushion throughout the game. Camp led the charge off the bench with 11 points, five rebounds and two steals, while Alexis Jean and Kendyl Brooks scored six and three points, respectively, giving Tech 20 points off the bench.

As runner-up in last year’s WNIT Championship and coming up short in the WNIT Elite Eight the previous season, Virginia Tech looks to win its first WNIT crown in school history and make its second WNIT title game.

The Hokies will face Kenny Brooks’ alma mater James Madison (27-5, 17-1) on Thursday, March 28 at 7 p.m. in Harrisonburg, Virginia.

@DillonHCampbell

Mekhi Lewis gives Tech first national championship The redshirt freshman took down the No. 1 wrestler and the defending champion in the 165-pound class en route to the title.

NICHOLAS HATCH sports staff writer

Mekhi Lewis, the redshirt freshman from Bound Brook, New Jersey, and 2018 Junior World Champion, e nt e r e d the NCA A Tournament with a chip on his shoulder as he dominated virtually every match of the regular season. The stage, one of the biggest of his career, was PPG Paints Arena located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. There is no doubt that Lewis will associate it with a magical run that was capped off by an outstanding victory over two-time defending champion of Penn State, Vincenzo Joseph.

T he f i rst nat iona l champion in Virginia Tech wrestling history, Lewis brought a skillset to the table that not many can replicate as he used his combination of speed, flexibility, strength and quickness to outlast each and every opponent he faced, one being Iowa’s Alex Marinelli, the No. 1 ranked wrestler in the nation at 165 pounds. Lewis entered the tournament as an underdog labeled as the eighth best wrestler in his class, but these ranks would quickly vanish into thin air when he upset Marinelli in a 3–1 decision and put down Joseph 7–1.

Joseph found himself struggling to control the

quickness and strength of Lewis as he was pulled into a cradle and rolled to his back awarding Lewis four points for a nearfall. This aforementioned cradle rocked the Nittany Lion to sleep as the Hokies boasted the first national champion in the history of their wrestling program while also leaving the tournament with three All-Americans: Lewis, David McFadden and Zack Zavatsky.

In response to a question concerning the magnitude of his victory for the Hokie wrestling program and the school in general, Lewis stated, “it means a lot because Virginia Tech wrestling has always been really good but hasn’t had good finals so to have the first one, it means a lot to me.” He also earned recognition from one of the greatest wrestlers of all time, Jordan Burroughs over a Tweet saying, “that’s a baaaaaaaaaaaaddddddd man! Congrats Mekhi Lewis! Jersey stand up!”

McFadden, the two-time All-American prior to this season, capped off a stellar season of proportion by placing fifth and finishing with a record of 6–2. The Hokie 174-pounder earned his spot on the podium following an extremely tight victory over No. 10 Mikey Labriola of Nebraska in a 4–3 decision while previously dropping a tough one

early in the tournament to Army’s Ben Harvey.

McFadden will look to next season to chase the success of his wrestling partner, Lewis, and take his game to the next level by hopefully bringing another national championship title back to Tech.

According to USA Wrestling, Virginia Tech head coach Tony Robie following the 2019 NCAA finals attributed some of Lewis’ accomplishments to his teammates.

“Dave (McFadden) is a part of Mekhi’s success, you know and I think having that rivalry between the two in the room when they wrestle, its really competitive and neither wants to lose so I think that there’s something special between those guys.

They’re teammates, they’re training partners, they are brothers … ” Zavatsky, in his final season in a Hokie uniform, took home eighth place after exiting the tournament with a 3–3 record.

Zavatsky struggled a bit to emerge victorious in the contests with which he was favored as he lost by a point in a brawl for seventh place against No. 26 Dakota Geer of Oklahoma State.

Zavatsky entered the 2019 Division I tournament as the No. 3 ranked wrestler in the nation at 184 pounds, and secured his second NCAA

All-American title as a result of an outstanding final season.

Overall, these three wrestlers left a mark on this program that cannot be replicated by any school, in the nation in addition to the bond they share with one another. Virginia Tech wrestling will look forward to next season to expand upon this success while Lewis and McFadden will also attempt to defend their spots on the throne.

@CTSportsTalk

ANTHONY WU / COLLEGIATE TIMES Hokies’ Mekhi Lewis interlocks with Cavaliers’ Cam Coy at Moss Arts Center. The Hokies win 30–6 to the Cavaliers, Feb. 16, 2019.

ANTHONY WU / COLLEGIATE TIMES Hokies’ Mehki Lewis sqaures off with Cavaliers’ Cam Coy at Moss Arts Center. The Hokies win 30–6 to the Cavaliers, Feb. 16, 2019.

editor@collegiatetimes.com

March 26, 2019 PAGE 5

collegiatetimes.com

Best of Blacksburg Winners

1. Best Place for Breakfast Our Daily Bread Bakery & Bistro

20. Best Golf Course and Driving Range Blacksburg Country Club

Rib Joint

21. Best Date Spot Frank Theatres CineBowl & Grille

29. Best Salon or Spa Nail Bar Blacksburg

13. Best Coffee 4. Best Mill Mountain International Fare Coffee and Tea Zeppoli’s Italian 14. Best Sweets Restaurant and Sugar Magnolia Wine Shop

22. Best Karaoke Top of the Stairs

30. Best Gym Blacksburg Boxing and Fitness

5. Best Vegetarian Fare Gillie’s Restaurant

15. Best Dining on Campus West End Market

6. Best Mexican Fare Cabo Fish Taco

16. Best Overall Restaurant Cabo Fish Taco

24. Best Place to Watch Sports on TV Sharkey’s Wing & Rib Joint

7. Best Subs Sub Station II

17. Best Overall Bar Top of the Stairs

2. Best Bakery Carol Lee Donuts 3. Best Burgers Sharkey’s Wing & Rib Joint

8. Best Pizza Benny Marzano’s 9. Best Sushi Green’s Grill & Sushi Bar 10. Best Wings

Sharkey’s Wing & Rib Joint 11. Best Delivery Service D.P. Dough 12. Best LateNight Food Benny Marzano’s

18. Best Festival Steppin’ Out

23. Best Live Music Moss Arts Center

25. Best Place to Play Pool or Shoot Darts Hokie House 26. Best Place to See a Movie Frank Theatres CineBowl & Grille

19. Best Hiking Trail 27. Best Happy Cascades National Hour Recreation Trail Sharkey’s Wing &

study break

32. Best Place to Get Copies Made Carol M. Newman Library 33. Best Grocery Store Kroger (South Main Street)

37. Best Place for Flowers D’Rose Flowers & Gifts

43. Best Apartment Complex The Edge Apartments & Townhomes

38. Best Jewelry Store Kent Jewelers 39. Best Place to Buy Sporting Goods RunAbout Sports 40. Best Ski and Snowboarding Slopes Snowshoe Mountain Resort

42. Best Place to Get VT Gear Campus Emporium

44. Best Law Firm Creekmore Law Firm PC 45. Best Place to Get a Car or Car Serviced Auto Master Tire & Service

41. Best Clothing Store

34. Best Wine Selection Vintage Cellar 35. Best Beer Selection Kroger

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CHANGES: Top of the Stairs still local King of Karaoke from page 1

Night Dining to Benny Marzano’s, which has also claimed the prize for Best Pizza once held by P.K.’s.

Best Sweets –– formerly titled Best Confection/ Frozen Treat –– has changed hands from Frosty Parrot to a new business, Sugar Magnolia. And, perhaps most notably, Blacksburg’s favorite restaurant, once The Cellar, is now Cabo Fish Taco.

What’s the same?

Some Blacksburg classics are classics for a reason: they’ve maintained a high level of quality for a number of years. Many of these are household names for any Hokie, and are essential experiences for any Tech student or Blacksburg local.

As one might expect, Top of the Stairs (TOTS) has always been the local King of Karaoke. It’s a verified right of passage for Hokies 21 and over to shake off all

inhibitions and sing their heart out on a Tuesday night, while everyone in the jam-packed upstairs bar cheers them on. Though the Best Overall Bar category did not exist eight years ago, it would hardly be a shock if TOTS were to claim the prize then as it did this year — just take a look at the line that runs down College Avenue after a football game, and you’ll see how many people truly love this town classic.

Several local eateries and

cafes still hold a special place in Blacksburg’s heart after all these years. Mill Mountain Coffee and Tea, with its vast and unique array of blends and its open, welcoming environment — not to mention its close proximity to the east side of campus — continues to be voters’ favorite coffee joint. Sub Station II, also very close to campus, still holds the honor of best subs in town. 310 Rosemont, a locally owned fashion boutique on North

Main, remains Hokies’ favorite clothing store. And, of course, everyone’s favorite hiking destination –– one of a few categories that does not involve a business –– is still the Cascades.

While the days get busy with classes, homework and social events, four years at Virginia Tech is plenty of time to get to know the local color in Blacksburg. Part of being a Hokie is engaging with the community, and one of the best ways to do that is

supporting local businesses and artistic efforts. With 45 categories featured in this year’s Best of Blacksburg poll, it’s clear that there is plenty of local trade to get to know during your time here. So get out every once in awhile and cherish the short time you have as a member of the world’s best college town.

@JB3Writes

Local greenhouses encourage student involvement, prepare for spring Crow’s Nest, a Best of Blacksburg nominee, seeks to grab Hokies’ attention by encouraging the purchase of house plants.

JOHN MCBRIDE copy editor

By the time Christmas rolls into town and Santa sends out his sleigh, Crow’s Nest Greenhouses has already closed up shop for the winter, and it won’t reopen until the spring.

It’s March now, though, and the smell of lupin returns with the sun and warmer weather at Crow’s Nest.

Wind chimes hang outside, their songs welcoming spring jubilantly. Around this time of year, owner Jay Smith, a Virginia Tech alumnus and Staunton native, can be found with dirt-covered hands digging in the greenhouses.

Winter is a big prep time for the spring planting hustle, and it’s easy to see by the expansive collection of flowers, mosses and groundcovers that this time isn’t wasted.

“We rest for a few weeks and first do some maintenance things,” said Smith.

“The first of February is when we start sowing seeds.

We start getting perennial plants in, like plugs. That’s how we start off.”

The season is still early, though, and Smith is still hard at work sowing seeds that will grow later in the spring and summer. March and early April are still big planting times for Crow’s Nest, afterall.

Out front of the wood house that is Smith’s base of operations, sit vibrant terracotta and clay pots stacked on tables and shelves. A little farther out stretches rows of bare trees waiting with hope to be adopted so that they can grow to full size in someone’s yard. Chickens cluck somewhere hidden among them.

“Not everyone grew up in the country,” said Smith. “So they like to come out and experience a little bit of the outdoors. We have chickens running around. There’s four cats that live here.”

Behind the wooden house sit five greenhouses, four of them heated, that can be used throughout the winter.

Each of the four heated

greenhouses are a whopping 96 feet long and 30 feet wide, and the fifth is also 96 feet long but only 17 feet wide.

“In 2005, this was nothing but a bare field, so we put the shop up, and we put three greenhouses up,” Smith said. “In the field where we used to grow produce, I put another greenhouse two years later. In 2008 we put up another one.”

Crow’s Nest used to grow and sell produce as well but had to stop due to the greenhouses getting too full due to the higher demand for annual and perennial plants. However, since it’s a perennial vegetable, Crow’s Nest still grows asparagus.

Most of the nursery’s big business comes from people living in Blacksburg and the surrounding areas like Roanoke and West Virginia.

The clientele are mostly homeowners, which means Virginia Tech students aren’t the biggest demographic. When asked how to get more students interested in gardening, Smith said that educating them is the best

CAROLINA HERNANDEZ / COLLEGIATE TIMES Crow’s Nest Greenhouse located in the Price’s Fork community of Blacksburg, March 22, 2019.

way, as gardening can be daunting at first. That will get them going in the right direction, he says.

“We have knowledgeable, friendly staff that likes to help people,” Smith said.

“One thing I’m trying to focus more on is houseplants, which is a big draw for students. That’s where we’ll pick up in the fall.”

This is good news for college students and their

hectic lives, as taking care of houseplants can help reduce stress in young adults.

Even though spring is an extremely busy time for Crow’s Nest, they still work throughout the fall to bring more life into the holidays through pumpkins, squash, Christmas trees and poinsettias. Fall is also one of the best times to plant bulbs in a garden that will bloom in the spring; gardening doesn’t

just have to be a warmweather affair.

Crow’s Nest is located on 1811 Brooksfield Road and is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m Monday through Saturday.

@JohnMcBride98

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March 26, 2019 PAGE 7

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You voted, we listened: Get to know your picks for the Best of Blacksburg Want to take a quality hike? Craving a good breakfast after a night out? Need to make a copy? Look no further than our list.

SAMEERA SUNKARA lifestyles staff writer

The town of Blacksburg is full of wonderful restaurants, stores and other small businesses enjoyed by its residents.

The Collegiate Times released the annual survey of these businesses, and as usual, there are many different categories. The residents of Blacksburg have once again decided which businesses a re deserving of the title as the Best of Blacksburg.

Places to eat For all those foodies out there, a number of Bla ck sbu rg’s p opu la r hotspots were ranked as the best in town, ranging from Best International Cuisine to Best Delivery Service.

Wit h its brea k fast options, desser ts and pastries, Our Daily Bread was voted as having the best breakfast food. Alongside the breakfast options, this restaurant also offers lunch, brunch and live music on Saturdays. Though it is technically not considered to be a restaurant, Sugar Magnolia, located on North Main Street, is known for having the best sweets in Blacksburg.

Ca rol L e e Donuts on North Main Street was recognized as the top bakery, which is not surprising based on the variety of popular donuts offered by the popular donut shop. Zeppoli’s, on University City Boulevard, was voted as having the best international cuisine.

For all the vegetarians and vegans in Blacksburg, Gillie’s was voted as having the best vegetarian cuisine in town. Those who prefer more casual cuisine, Sub Station II, on Turner Street, was voted as the restaurant with the best subs in Blacksburg.

The infamous Benny Marzano’s on Prices Fork

Road, well known for its giant slices of pizza, was voted as the top pizza joint in Blacksburg as well as having the best late-night food. As far as Blacksburg delivery service goes, D. P. Dough, located on North Main Street, is ranked No. 1.

Green’s Grill & Sushi Bar on College Avenue was voted for having the best sushi in Blacksburg, most likely due to its wide assortment of sushi.

However, the menu is not only limited to sushi; Green’s also offers a spread of salads, sandwiches and Middle Eastern cuisine.

Of course, for most college students, the most important thing in their lives is coffee –– Mill Mountain Coffee and Tea was voted as having the best coffee in Blacksburg.

As far as on-campus dining goes, West End Market at Cochrane Hall, with its assortment of cuisines, took first place.

Wit h its del icious fish tacos and affordable Mexican cuisine, Cabo Fish Taco was recognized as not only having the best Mexican food in town but also as the best overall restaurant. Additionally, Cabo is u n ique to Blacksburg, so if you haven’t been here yet, add it to your personal Hokie bucket list.

Over 21 only For those aged 21 and over, several bars and stores were also listed on the Best of Blacksburg as having the best beer, best happy hour and more.

Sharkey’s was the winner in several different categories: the best burgers, wings, happy hour, cocktails and places to watch sports television. Sharkey’s North Main Street location makes it the perfect spot for a late night bite.

Students who enjoy playing pool and shooting darts should head over to

Hokie House on North Main Street, the winner of Best Place to Play Pool and Darts, to enjoy a few drinks.

Those who are preparing for a tailgate or frat party, or even someone who enjoys a good beer, Kroger was ranked No.1 as far as the best beer selection goes. Not only does this allow an individual to pick up beer on a grocery run, but Kroger has relatively low prices as well. In contrast, the best selection of wine is available at the Vintage Cellar on South Main Street.

Top of the Stairs, affectionately referred to as TOTS, is the most popular bar in town, packed almost every single night with eager people lining College Avenue to get in. It is no surprise that TOTS not only won Best Karaoke, but is also considered the best bar in Blacksburg overall.

Sh o p s and other activities There are not that many grocery store options in Blacksburg. However, the winner of Best Grocery Store is the Kroger located on South Main Street, commonly known as “Gucci Kroger.”

Those in need of books for the upcoming semester should consider making a purchase at the University Bookstore and Volume Two. As far as spirit wear goes, the Campus Emporium on North Main Street is ranked No. 1 for Virginia Tech gear, so be sure to head on over before the spring game to pick up some sweet new outfits.

According to Best of Blacksburg, 310 Rosemont is the best clothing store this town has to offer. With its trendy options, this contemporary boutique is definitely worth visiting.

Those who are interested in some fashionable bling should head over to Kent Jewelers on South Main Street, the winner of Best

The outside of Sharkey’s, Oct. 19, 2016.

Jewelry Store in Blacksburg.

For anyone looking to make a move on his or her crush, flowers are the way to go — and D’Rose Florist on North Main Street was voted the best flower shop in town.

They even deliver.

According to voters, the best place to make copies is Tech’s very own Newman Library.

Those who are extremely active should keep in mind that the winner of Best Gym in town is Blacksburg Boxing and Fitness on South Hill Drive. The winner of Best Place to Buy Sporting Goods is RunAbout Sports on South Main Street.

For the more outdoorsy types, Cascade Falls was voted as the best hiking trail around the Blacksburg area.

The fairly easy hike is a favorite spot for most hikers.

Sk i i ng e nt hu si a s t s should consider spending a weekend at Snowshoe Mountain Resor t, the winner of Best Ski and Snowboa rding Slopes.

While these slopes are not in Blacksburg itself, the students can travel over from this town by the megabus for only $16.

Steppin’ Out, which occurs annually on Aug. 2 and 3, was ranked as the No. 1 festival in downtown Blacksburg, with its arts

TAYO OLADELE / COLLEGIATE TIMES

and crafts booths as well as live music. Golfers in town should consider visiting the No. 1 ranked best golf course and driving range in this area, the Blacksburg Country Club on Clubhouse Road.

Music lovers should definitely consider attending a show at Moss Arts Center, voted as having the best live music in town. And, as a Virginia Tech student, you can pick up performance tickets for free.

For all the couples out there, Frank Theatres CineBowl & Grille was voted as the best place to go out on a date as well as the best movie theater in Blacksburg. Frank’s is not just a movie theater, but a bowling alley and restaurant as well.

With upcoming date parties and Ring Dance, students should consider getting their nails done at the best salon in Blacksburg, the Nail Bar on Prices Fork Road. Additionally, body art enthusiasts should consider heading over to the Ancient Art Tattoo Studio on Roanoke Street, voted the best tattoo parlor in town.

Miscellaneous There are several other miscellaneous businesses

that were recognized as the Best of Blacksburg.

With its close proximity to campus and its included amenities, The Edge was voted as the best apartment complexes in town. Though the rent is high, the cable, wifi, utilities and gym are all included in the rent.

On another note, anyone who gets into a bit of legal trouble could head on over to Creekmore Law Firm PC, located on North Main Street; it was voted Best Law Firm in Blacksburg.

For those who brought a car to Blacksburg, the best place to get a car serviced is Auto Master Tire and Service, according to Blacksburg voters.

The town of Blacksburg will continue to develop over the coming years, and new restaurants and businesses will establish themselves. As the new establishments come and old ones go, the Best of Blacksburg will always showcase the best in town.

@SameeraS97

Hokies’ choice coffee: Mill Mountain fosters idyllic, welcoming atmosphere The Best of Blacksburg pick for best off-campus coffee is a Hokie favorite for a reason: its friendly service and community.

JOHN BATTISTON lifestyles editor

One of the many blessings that comes with attending a university with such an acclaimed dining program as Virginia Tech’s is also one of the most necessary: the coffee. Students living on campus have access to such quality brands as Peet’s, Dunkin’ Donuts and Au Bon Pain when a caffeine kick is their best shot at making it through

an assignment-heavy day.

However, when it comes to off-campus options, Hokies’ favorite coffee joint is a short, but worthwhile, walk away.

Mill Mountain Coffee and Tea, which has earned readers’ vote for Best Coffee a number of times, has been around for nearly 30 years, though it did not originate in Blacksburg. Founder Dave Johnson, a Virginia Tech alumnus, opened the first shop of his eventual

tiny empire in Roanoke, naming it after the peak that the Roanoke Star calls home. Over the years, the business grew to eventually inhabit its six current locations, which include shops in Salem and Daleville. The Blacksburg location, which is tucked between Foamo and 622 North and is within walking distance of the Surge Building and Moss Arts Center, is currently operated by Scott Elich.

Elich, formerly a business

partner of Johnson’s, took on sole operation of the Blacksburg store when he started a family.

Jackie Walsh, a shift manager at the Blacksburg shop and a senior studying management at Virginia Tech — one of Mill Mountain’s many student employees — believes that the friendly, welcoming environment and service is what keeps its many loyal customers coming back.

“I feel like the people who

TROY CLARK / COLLEGIATE TIMES Students work on their laptops at Mill Mountain Coffee and Tea, Blacksburg, Virginia, Oct. 13, 2018.

work here really cater to the regulars,” Walsh said. “Like, you’ll walk in the door and ask for a cup of coffee, and it’s already sitting on the counter, waiting for you.”

T he st a f f ’s at t entiveness to customers’ wants and needs is especially impressive given the wide variety of products Mill Mountain offers. The back wall parallel to the storefront is lined with depositories filled with coffee beans from Brazil, Colombia and Ethiopia, each a unique roast and blend made on-site. Atop the wooden countertops sit a number of large jars filled with various tea blends, of which patrons can order a full pot if they so please.

The chalkboard mounted next to the cash register lists each day’s special brews, with such colorful options as decaf chocolate raspberry (which happens to be this writer’s favorite item on the menu). And at the front of the store stands a glass case exhibiting a variety of pastries and small entrees to keep visitors’ hunger at bay.

Not content to merely keep the customers’ sense of taste and smell satisfied, Mill Mountain also acts as an idyllic spot for study and socialization, its open floor

plan abundant in seating, electrical outlets and natural light. It is open for 16 hours most days, making it a suitable refuge for the earliest bird and the nightliest owl. At its busiest, one will spot visitors cranking out term papers, perusing religious texts, catching up with old friends or even chatting with perfect strangers. With community engagement being such an important part of the Hokie mindset, it’s easy to see why the shop caters to so many Tech students and faculty.

“It’s easy to meet people here and just have a relaxed time,” Walsh said. “It’s just a friendly place.”

Virginia Tech’s campus offers plenty of options for students needing a graband-go cup of joe or a study spot within shouting distance of their next class.

Still, Best of Blacksburg voters agree: For those willing to go a little out of their way to engage with the Blacksburg community over a fresh roast, Mill Mountain Coffee and Tea is well worth a try.

@JB3Writes

PAGE 8 March 26, 2019

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