Spring Sports
VOLUME 100, ISSUE 40 Thursday Feb. 6 - Sunday Feb. 9, 2014 San Diego State University
Spring into Action
cover art design by mark anthony santos, production designer women’s golf:
( pa i g e
s p i r a n a c ) s ta n l i u
m e n ’ s t e n n i s : j o n at h a n b o n p u a s p
s d s u at h l e t i c s
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baseball: jordan owen, ssp
track
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p h o t o g r a p h y c o u r t e s y o f s ta f f p h o t o g r a p h e r s :
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f i e l d : s h a n i e k a t h o m a s , m o u n ta i n w e s t p h o t o s
| softball: jordan owen, ssp ( r i c c a r d o m i c h e l i n i ) j a m i e s c h wa b e r o w / n c a a p h o to s | w o m e n ’ s t e n n i s : ( l a u r a a n to n a n a ) k r i s t i a n c a r r e o n , s p p o l o : ( c a r i n a c a r b e l l o ) j o r d a n o w e n , s s p | r o w i n g : c o u r t e s y o f s d s u at h l e t i c s | s w i m m i n g : k e l ly s m i l e y , s p
men’s golf: wat e r
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lacrosse: adriana bush, se
2 WATER POLO sports EDITOR
With the holidays far behind us, it’s time to look forward to spring: April showers, May flowers and a whole new season of sports. This issue details the sports to watch this spring, including those beginning in the next two weeks, such as baseball, and those that will be ending in the next couple of weeks that we couldn’t possibly leave out, such as water polo. Look out for these 11 Aztec sports teams inside this issue: track and field on page 3, baseball page 6, softball on page 7, women’s tennis on page 5 and men’s tennis on page 8, golf on page 4, lacrosse on page 11, rowing on page 9, water polo on page 2 and swimming and diving on page 10.
ONLINE EXCLUSIVE Go to thedailyaztec.com or download The Aztec App for exclusive online content including a recap of the men’s basketball team close call against Boise State and San Diego State’s historic $20 million donation.
#sdsuwaterpolo
Water polo hopes to make a splash brandon greenwell STAFF WRITER
This past summer, the No. 9 San Diego State women’s water polo team left the Big West Conference to join a new women’s water polo conference, in which the Aztecs are already making a name for themselves. SDSU was picked as the favorite to win the Golden Coast Conference championship this season by a poll of the league’s head coaches. After starting off 3-0 and winning their 12th season opener in the last 13 years this past weekend, it looks as if this may be the season the Lady Aztecs have been waiting for. “I think the Golden Coast Conference is a great way for our team to start out new, fresh and on top,” junior utility Taelor Moreno said. With every new season comes new challenges, but the challenge that arises each year for this team involves the Harper Cup, which is traditionally played against the University of California, San Diego, and has never been lost by SDSU. Knowing each meeting could potentially be the end of the Aztec dominance in the Harper Cup adds pressure to every situation, Moreno said. “We play together and in sync, which makes everything that much easier and allows us to trust one another,” Moreno said. Consider the amount of synchronization that water polo requires and then try to
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imagine playing a sport of that caliber with freshmen on the starting squad and a roster without seniors. That is something the SDSU women’s team faced this year and in the past as well, according to junior defender Nika Sedghi. The Aztecs have been faced with challenges such as finding a conference that would accept them playing with an extraordinarily young team, but they have still managed to play the role of favorite, getting off to a quick 3-0 start. So far, SDSU has taken down Concordia University, California State University, Bakersfield and CSU Long Beach without too much of a threat. However, they will be facing off against other teams such as the University of the Pacific, Loyola Marymount University, California Baptist University, Azusa Pacific University and Fresno Pacific University. Nonetheless, much lies ahead of this team and no championship comes easily. Expect the Aztecs to work as hard as any other team in the conference to ultimately earn the firstever SDSU water polo title. Looking forward, the Aztecs hope to play well enough and achieve such a record that would enable them to not only win a championship, but to also move into the Mountain West Conference next season and play for an even bigger title among greater competitors.
Junior utility Taelor Moreno. JORDAN OWEN, SENIOR STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
SPECIAL ISSUE
adriana bush
feb. 6 - feb. 9, 2014
TRACK AND FIELD
feb. 6 - feb. 9, 2014
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#AztecT&F
Track & field jumps up the rankings early livvi sefton staff writer
Last year, the San Diego State track and field team enjoyed one of its greatest seasons in program history. This year, the Aztecs plan to be even better. The reigning indoor and outdoor Mountain West Conference champions look to claim the titles again and send more athletes to the NCAA meet. “This year, we want to be more team-oriented at practice and competitions,” redshirt junior Brittany Gonter said. “We want to repeat our past victories, exceed them and continue to strive for excellence.” The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Association preseason poll
placed SDSU at No. 33 in the nation. But the Aztecs have already made a move in the rankings after the first week of the indoor season. After an impressive start to the season at the Cherry & Silver Invitational in Albuquerque, N.M., the Aztecs climbed to No. 29. Gonter said it’s good to jump up on the rankings early in the season, but track and field is a sport about hitting peak performance at the right time. “The rankings keep things in perspective,” Gonter said. “But I believe it’s not where you begin, but rather where you end the season at the big meets.” After a stellar junior year, senior Shanieka Thomas is one of 10 athletes in the nation to be placed on the Bowerman Trophy Watch List. Thomas is the only jumper in contention for the Heisman of track and field, as well as the only MWC athlete, men and women, on the list. Thomas took the national title in the triple jump at the NCAA outdoor meet last season and was runner-up in the event at the NCAA indoor meet. She was also named the MWC Female Athlete of the Year for all sports, the indoor and outdoor track and field Student Athlete
Senior Brittany Bozeman particpates in the long jump at the 2013 Aztec Invitational. Adriana Bush, Sports Editor
of the year and most outstanding performer at the 2013 MW Indoor Championships. She was also the USTFCCCA Indoor West Region Field Athlete of the Year. Senior Allison Reaser will look to take her third consecutive title in the heptathlon in both the indoor and outdoor championships in her senior season. She also competed in the NCAA meet last season with Thomas, sophomore Nicole Oudenaarden and alumna Alex Evans. The Aztecs finished tied with Auburn University in 23rd. In the first two meets of the young indoor season, the Aztecs have set two school records. The first came from redshirt junior Jasmine Burrell at the Cherry & Silver Invitational. Burrell broke her own record in the weight throw by more than two feet. The second record was set last weekend at the Howie Ryan Invitational in Houston in the distance medley relay. Junior Dynasty Gammage (1,200 meters), senior Maderia Toatley (400 meters), sophomore Chelsea Kruthers (800 meters) and sophomore Rachel Roesgen (1,600 meters) finished in 12 minutes, 5.71 seconds, breaking the previous record of 12:13.23. The Aztecs are on the road again next weekend for the Don Kirby Elite in Albuquerque. They then head to the MWC Indoor Championships Feb. 27- March 1 at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado, where they look to secure the program’s second indoor title in history. The MW Outdoor Championships are held in Laramie, Wyo. May 14-17.
4 golf
feb. 6 - feb. 9, 2014
#sdsuteetime
who’swho Editor In Chief Leonardo Castañeda
Women’s golf drives for a title
Managing Editor Ana Ceballos News Editor Hannah Beausang assistant News Editor Luke Henning
Rafael Avitabile staff writer
After a win at the Las Vegas Colliegate Showdown and four top-10 finishes in four fall events, the San Diego State women’s golf team is poised to make a legitemate run at the conference title this year. Golfstat.com and golfweek.com have the women’s team ranked at No. 37 and No. 41 respectively, which is higher than any of its Mountain West opponents, including the 2013 champion, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. The Lady Aztecs’ early success is largely because of the outstanding play of freshman Sirene Blair. Blair has finished as the team’s low scorer in every event so far this season, including medalist honors in Las Vegas. The first year player carries a No. 21 ranking from golfstat.com and is establishing herself as an early favorite for Mountain West Freshman of the Year. “This is such an amazing school and I’ve had such an amazing experience here,” Blair said. “To represent them in such a great way has really been a privilege and an honor. Once I started getting in contact and visiting with the school, I knew I wanted to come here.” Blair is picking up right where sophomore Emma Henrikson left off last year. Henrikson compiled two
top-10 finishes in her freshman campaign and a stroke average of 75.69, which led her to recieve Freshman of the Year honors and First-Team All-Mountain West recognition. Although she has only finished in the top 10 once so far this season, Henrikson has lowered her stroke average to 73.73 and has kept her play consistent. Golfstat.com currently has her ranked 97th in the country. “I try not to focus too much on rankings and all that,” Henrikson said. “I just try to play my game. My No. 1 goal is to win a tournament. As a team, we have a goal to become Mountain West Champions, which I really think we can do this year.” The team will kick off its chase for the MW trophy on Feb. 15 at the Peg Barnard Invitational hosted by Stanford. Confidence from a win in the Aztecs’ last tournament will play a huge part going into the spring against a higher level of competition. Fortunately, they got a taste of the winner’s circle early, and there’s no doubt this experienced team can compete well in every event this season.
Sports Editor Adriana Bush Opinion Editor Madison Hopkins Entertainment Editor David Dixon Features Editor Elisse Miller Copy Chief Caitlin Johnson Assistant Copy Chief Erik Dobko Copy Editors Maria Del Carmen Huerta Kelly Hillock Elpin Keshishzadeh Terence Chin Photo Editor Monica Linzmeier Art Director Carlos Jimenez Production Designers Mark Anthony Santos Gabriela Flores Web Editor Victor Escoto _____________________________________ Advertising Director Jesse Castañeda
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A.s. Sales Manager Jordan Kato Account Executives Tony Disarufino Chase Gillmore Matt Kilefner Radbeh Rabaz Marissa Walsh Kathleen Williams Adam Zabel Accounting & Contracts Michael Bratt Kim Le Public Relations Kelly Hillock Christina Koral _____________________________________ General Manager Jay Harn
#sdsuteetime
Men’s golf makes a name for itself rafael avitabile staff writer
Without the hype of national TV coverage or crazed student fans, the San Diego State men’s golf team is quietly establishing itself as a premier program on the Mesa. Winners of the 2011 and 2012 Mountain West Championships, the Aztecs will look to start another streak and bring home a third Mountain West Title in four years. After a light fall schedule, men’s golf carries a golfweek.com and golfstat.com pre-spring ranking of No. 47 and No. 52 respectively behind University of Nevada, Las Vegas and University of New Mexico. Their runner-up finish to New Mexico in last year’s conference championship has provided plenty of motivation for this experienced team to retake its seat atop the Mountain West. Junior Xander Schauffele and sophomore Riccardo Michelini, two standout players from last season, will lead the team as they try to improve on last year’s impressive season that featured five top-5
finishes and a win at the Lamkin Grips San Diego Classic. So far, the Aztecs have finshed in the top-10 in all three of their tournaments this season. After earning All-Conference honors last year, Schauffele is off to a strong start, finishing as the low man of the team twice, including a fourth place finish at the William H. Tucker Invitational. Schauffele currently hold a pre-spring ranking of No. 102 on golfstat.com. “As team captain, for us to play well I need to lead the team,” Schauffele said. “I’ve got to put my foot forward and set an example, set the bar high. Those are the things I can do to get the ball rolling and keep it rolling.” Michelini has started slow after missing the first tournament of the fall while playing a pro event in Italy, but the 2013 Mountain West Freshman of the Year has his expectations set high for himself and his team. “My number one goal would be to win Nationals with the team, and obviously winning as many tournaments as I can individually,”
Michelini said. “That would be the best thing for us, not just for me. Even for Coach. We all put in so much effort in this program, you just want to see everyone succeed.” From basketball to football and even in golf, Aztec tradition runs deep in the hearts of student athletes. The embodiment of the university’s moniker is essential for the men’s golf team as it begins the spring chasing another Mountain West title, and no one appreciates that Aztec mentality more than head coach and SDSU alumnus Ryan Donovan. “There’s a toughness we try to instill here at San Diego State and we take pride in being Aztecs,” Donovan said. “We get some players that like to roll up their sleeves a little bit down here and have a little bit of swagger. I let the guys go and play their own game and I think they buy into that.” The spring season kicks off on Feb. 17 at The Prestige at PGA West in La Quinta. Last year, the Aztecs finished in 12th place out of 15 teams at a combined 39 strokes over-par through 54 holes.
Graphics Specialist Christopher Blakemore _____________________________________
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WOMEN'[-=S' TENNIS
feb. 6 - feb. 9, 2014
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#aztecwtennis
An ‘I’ in tennis, but no ‘I’ in team patrick carr staff writer
On Tuesday before practice at the Aztec Tennis Center, freshman Olivia Larsson was enjoying carrots, freshman Kennedy Davis gave junior Hailey Johnson a coffee mug with Ron Burgundy’s face on it, and head coach Peter Mattera was grinning. Mattera loves what he does and is in his 20th season coaching women’s tennis at San Diego State. He said success comes from how the team bonds, and if this year’s team is any indication of things to come, then it could really be something great. On the court, the Aztecs are led by their lone senior and captain, Laura Antonaña Iriarte, who hails from Spain. As the only senior, she feels a little bit of responsibility and said she wants to “set the bar so they hopefully follow that.” She isn’t the type of captain who gives orders, but at practice it would have been apparent to a random person that she is the captain. During warmup drills, coach Mattera used Iriarte’s swing as an example of what everyone should be trying to do. Seven different countries are represented on the women’s tennis roster
of eight players and they are “super close,” Davis said. Davis is from Archbishop Mitty High School in San Jose. Everyone I talked to had similar answers, such as, “We are very close” or “We spend a lot of time together.” Iriarte even told me a story of how a few of the European players got together in Europe for New Year’s Eve. During practice, Iriarte’s hitting partner was Dora Somoracz, a sophomore from Hungary. Sophomore Tami Nguyen was born in the U.S. and moved to the Philippines before coming back to America. Junior Kristin Buth is from Germany and Iriarte’s doubles partner this season. Sophomore Isabelle Hoorn, from the Netherlands, went 18-8 in doubles last season. Mattera said the players all have their own unique stories of how they ended up at SDSU, and there isn’t necessarily a by-the-book recruiting process. They all might come from different places, but Mattera is the reason they can shatter the commonly-held stereotype of tennis being an individual sport. Johnson said Mattera was “99 percent of the reason” why she transferred to SDSU.
Former Aztec Alicia Aguilar played four seasons under Mattera, and described him as being “kind of like a father to us.” She also said the teams she played on were also a close group like the one this season, and credits the fatherly influence paired up with assistant coach Lindsey Gamp, who also played under Mattera from 2000-03 and was a four-year letterwinner. Aguilar said the two of them are a huge factor in getting the team to be close, and that they’re very good together. Aside from the team being a tight-knit group, there are a couple things that stand in the way of an 11th conference title for Mattera. The first, he said, will be to stay injury-free. With eight players on the roster, there’s not much room for injury. Another issue may be a new experimental match format being used by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association. Essentially, the new format makes matches shorter, something Hailey Johnson called “uncomfortable.”
But she, Iriarte and Gamp all agreed that mental toughness would play a huge part. Mattera said many of the teams in the Mountain West Conference have new players, but San Jose State Unversity, Fresno State Unversity, University of Nevada, Reno, and University Nevada, Las Vegas would be tough this year. As he put them, “the usual suspects.” That being said, Mattera is very hopeful and has high expectations for the team this season, a team that plays two-thirds of their remaining matches at home, and also went undefeated in conference play last season. This season should provide plenty of opportunities for the Aztec faithful to see just exactly how the women’s tennis team is indeed a team.
Freshman Kennedy Davis. Kristian carreon, staff photographer
ATTENTION: ALL SDSU STUDENTS All SDSU students are invited to attend advisory open forums to solicit student input on the following proposed increase in campus mandatory student fees:
The Bar Has Been Raised in the Field of Accounting. Are you ready?
Prepare yourself with a Master of Professional Accountancy (MPAc) degree from The Paul Merage School of Business at UC Irvine. Our rigorous, full-time, one-year program – one of only two UC-based MPAc programs in Southern California – provides an intensive, focused level of training designed to prepare you for an executive career in accounting. Paid winter internship opportunity Proseminar/professional career development course Career management and advising Classes and networking with MBA students Pre-requisite courses available
Learn more about maximizing your career success: merage.uci.edu/go/campusMPAc
Shall a new mandatory Student Success Fee be established effective Fall 2014? The proposed fee level per semester, if this fee is approved, will be determined through a series of public forums and consultations with interested regularly-enrolled students at San Diego State University, except those exclusively attending Imperial Valley Campus.
OPEN FORUM TIMES DATE
TIME
LOCATION
HOST ORGANIZATION
Thursday, Feb. 6 Thursday, Feb. 6 Friday, Feb. 7
8:30 am 12:30 pm 11:00 am
Templo Mayor, Aztec Student Union Templo Mayor, Aztec Student Union Templo Mayor, Aztec Student Union
Monday, Feb. 10
10:00 am
Templo Mayor, Aztec Student Union
College of Arts & Letters Student Council
Monday, Feb. 10 Tuesday, Feb. 11
6:00 pm 8:30 am
Templo Mayor, Aztec Student Union Templo Mayor, Aztec Student Union
Afrikan Student Union
Tuesday, Feb. 11 Wednesday, Feb. 12
4:00 pm 9:00 am
Templo Mayor, Aztec Student Union Templo Mayor, Aztec Student Union
Wednesday, Feb. 12 Thursday, Feb. 13 Thursday, Feb. 13 Friday, Feb. 14
3:00 pm 12:30 pm 4:00 pm 10:00 am
Fowler Athletic Center Auditorium Templo Mayor, Aztec Student Union Theatre, Aztec Student Union Templo Mayor, Aztec Student Union
Monday, Feb. 17 Monday, Feb. 17
10:00 am 1:00pm
Templo Mayor, Aztec Student Union Templo Mayor, Aztec Student Union
Tuesday, Feb. 18
10:00 am
Templo Mayor, Aztec Student Union
Tuesday, Feb. 18
1:00 pm
Templo Mayor, Aztec Student Union
Wednesday, Feb. 19
12:00 pm
Templo Mayor, Aztec Student Union
Wednesday, Feb. 19
4:00 pm
Templo Mayor, Aztec Student Union
Thursday, Feb. 20 Thursday, Feb. 20
8:30 am 4:00 pm
Templo Mayor, Aztec Student Union Theatre, Aztec Student Union
Associated Students Graduate Student Association
College of Professional Studies & Fine Arts Student Council College of Health & Human Services Council Associated Business Students Council Honors Council College of Education Student Council
Friday, Feb. 21 12:00 pm Templo Mayor, Aztec Student Union _____________________________________________________________________________ Please attend one of the scheduled open forums to learn about the proposed fee increase, ask questions and have your voice heard.
949.824.8153
merage.uci.edu/go/campusMPAc
Please bring your current SDSU Card ID to the forum of your choosing. To review additional information about the proposed fee increase, visit http://studentsuccessfee.sdsu.edu. Forum dates, times and locations are subject to change.
6 BASEBALL
FEB. 6 - FEB. 9, 2014
#aztecbaseball
Aztecs looking to keep MWC crown RYan Posner staff writer
“Survive and advance,” the motto of former NCAA basketball coach Jim Valvano, was adopted by the San Diego State baseball team last season down the stretch when they were forced to win the Mountain West
“Now they know they can do it — they have done it already.”
- Tony Gwynn
Conference tournament to receive a bid to a regional playoff, after only going 31-31 in the regular season. The key for head coach Tony Gwynn was to survive one game at a time in the conference tournament and advance to the next one. “You know we get in there; we beat Air Force the first day, then we played (University of Nevada, Las Vegas) and we lost,” Gwynn said. “Now you’re sitting there with one loss, knowing one loss is going to send you home, and you want to keep playing.”
The Aztecs were able to accomplish their goal when they defeated New Mexico two games in a row, winning the tournament and clinching a berth into the regional. “When we won and went out and celebrated on the field, as (the team) came back to the dugout it was kind of awesome to hear them say, ‘Hey we’re Mountain West champs, we’re going to a regional, Coach!’” Gwynn said. This was the players’ first time playing in a regional, and for some, it was an experience they had been dreaming about since they began playing college baseball. “The regional atmosphere was indescribable,” senior infielder Tim Zier said. “It was a dream for me to play college baseball, and then my higher dream was to play in a regional.” While they were not able to come away with a victory in the regional tournament, losing to the University of San Diego 6-3 and the eventual national champion UCLA 5-3, there were many positives the team and coaching staff were able to take away from the experience. “Now they know they can do it—they have done it already,” Gwynn said. “We got a majority of the guys on the team last year coming back and I think they are pretty confident.” Coming into this season, SDSU will showcase a fairly similar roster to the one it ran out last year. However, one face that will be missing from last season is the team’s catcher, Jake Romanski. Not only was Romanski productive offensively, batting .303 with three home runs, he was also an exceptional defender who threw out 48.4 percent of would-be base stealers. Off the field Romanski was also regarded as a fantastic leader the players could look up to. “Losing a guy like Romanski is tough. He was really good, and yes, you’re going to suffer a little bit with him gone, but hey, that’s just the nature of college baseball,” Gwynn said.
New to the scene will be pitching coach John Pawlowski, who had been the head coach of Auburn for the last five seasons. He will be replacing Eric Valenzuela, who took the head coaching vacancy at Saint Mary’s after serving as the Aztecs’ pitching coach and recruiting coordinator the past four seasons. With Pawlowski, SDSU is able to bring an experienced coach onto the staff to help aid a team that is on the doorstep of doing big things. “You look at the program, San Diego State, the history and the tradition that is here speaks for itself, and the opportunity to be a part of something special excited me,” Pawlowski said. A key player that will be returning will be junior starting pitcher Michael Cederoth, who, after striking out 109 batters in 95.1 innings last season, garnered some national attention, and is now projected to go high in the MLB draft this summer. Cederoth knows he has room to improve though, and after posting a sub-par 4.25 ERA has made adjustments during the offseason. “I have been focusing more on throwing strikes,” Cederoth said. “That same philosophy has helped me not focus on who is in the stands watching, and more on who I am playing for.” For the first time, SDSU will open up its season against a conference opponent when it begins a three game series at San Jose State University starting Feb. 14. Its first home game will be against Loyola Marymount University on Feb. 18. After their Cinderella-like run last year to make it into a regional, the Aztecs know they have what it takes to be Mountain West champs and make it to the playoffs again. With a strong sense of confidence throughout, it’s safe to say the team is anxious and ready to kick off the season and improve on what they have already accomplished. “We can start tomorrow and all of us would be ready,” Cederoth said. “You can feel the energy during practice. We want to get going.”
7
SOFTBALL
feb. 6 - feb. 9, 2014
#aztecsoftball
Softball has much to be excited about matt d’ambrosi contributor
With returning 2013 Mountain West Conference Coach of the Year head coach Kathy Van Wyk, Player of the Year redshirt senior outfielder Patrice Jackson, and Freshman of the Year sophomore pitcher Danielle O’Toole, it must be hard to see further improvement for the Aztecs, right? Wrong. The San Diego State softball team enters the 2014 campaign as the reigning MWC champions. While this team returns all of the personnel mentioned above, the 2014 Aztecs do differ from last year’s squad. “Maturity—I think this team is a little more focused than last year’s team,” Van Wyk said. Adding maturity and a higher level of focus to a team that was second in the MWC last year in team batting average, slugging percentage and hits should
have Aztec fans feeling optimistic. Van Wyk is back again for her 18th season in the Aztec dugout, and she’s glad to have redshirt junior utility player Hayley Miles back with her. Miles, the 2012 MWC Co-Player of the Year, sat out last season due to injury. With all of these factors, it’s safe to say a third consecutive MWC title is a realistic possibility for the Aztecs this season. There are some obstacles this team will have to address. But overall, there’s plenty of reasons for faithful fans to pack the SDSU Softball Stadium come the home opener on Feb. 13 against California State University, Fullerton. Here’s a more in-depth look at some of the players who will make the 2014 season one not to miss.
Two-thirds will do Look out Miami Heat: SDSU softball has a big three of its own. Between Jackson, Miles, and senior pitcher and utility player Lorena Bauer, the space allotted for this article isn’t big enough to list all of the accolades and records these three players can hang their hats on. Unfortunately, it looks as if it’s going to be back-to-back seasons in which only two of the three will be in the starting lineup come the first game of the season. There had been much anticipation about Bauer, Jackson and Miles being able to play together this spring. But after trying to break her fall in an impact play during practice, Bauer suffered what is thought to be an elbow injury. “We aren’t positive yet, but we think the elbow dislocated,” Van Wyk said. When asked about how long the injury would have Bauer out, Van Wyk said, “The minimum is four to six weeks and the maximum is out for the season.” Although the status of the 2013 First Team Easton All-American is still yet to be determined, one thing is for sure: Bauer will certainly be an integral part of this team, even if it’s just in the dugout. “She will still be with us through her spirits and support,” Jackson said.
Anchor of the rotation Pitching could be a question for the Aztecs. They lost 2013 MWC Pitcher of the Year Rebecca Arbino, but retained O’Toole. Van Wyk made O’Toole’s spot in the rotation clear. “Danielle is our number one,” Van Wyk said. O’Toole returns to the pitching circle after a stellar freshman season and will certainly be the backbone of a very young pitching rotation rounded out by freshmen Andi Smith and Erica Romero.
Miles: ready for action Despite not playing an inning last season, Miles was still named to the 2014 USA Collegiate Softball Player of the Year Watch List. Her numbers throughout the first two years of her career speak for themselves. A career .389 hitter, Miles already holds four SDSU records after only two seasons of play. She is versatile defensively, having seen time at shortstop and center field throughout her time at SDSU. It’s no doubt that she will be a vital part of the Aztecs’ offense in the absence of Bauer. “Hayley is a gamer. She is intensity-plus,” Van Wyk said.
Games to mark on your calendar >Feb. 27: University of Tennessee The Lady Volunteers are the preseason No. 1 team in the country. A win could be huge in helping the Aztecs garner national recognition.
Senior slugger Jackson is back for her fifth year, after a season in which she was named the MWC Player of the Year, hit .366, homered 18 times and batted in 48 runs. She seems poised for another big year. When asked about the difficulty of staying motivated, she quickly dismissed such a notion. “My motivation really is the team,” Jackson said. This will be Jackson’s last season in an Aztec uniform, and she is going to do everything she can to help this team win as many ball games as possible.
>April 25-27: Colorado State University The Rams finished two games behind the Aztecs last year in conference play. This threegame series at the SDSU Softball Stadium is late enough in the season that it could have big-time implications in terms of who takes home the MWC title. The Aztecs play their first regular season game Feb. 6 against Appalachian State University at the Kajikawa Classic held at Arizona State University. For a team with high expectations and studs all over the place, expect to hear a lot about SDSU softball all spring long.
6 BASEBALL
FEB. 6 - FEB. 9, 2014
#aztecbaseball
Aztecs looking to keep MWC crown RYan Posner staff writer
“Survive and advance,” the motto of former NCAA basketball coach Jim Valvano, was adopted by the San Diego State baseball team last season down the stretch when they were forced to win the Mountain West
“Now they know they can do it — they have done it already.”
- Tony Gwynn
Conference tournament to receive a bid to a regional playoff, after only going 31-31 in the regular season. The key for head coach Tony Gwynn was to survive one game at a time in the conference tournament and advance to the next one. “You know we get in there; we beat Air Force the first day, then we played (University of Nevada, Las Vegas) and we lost,” Gwynn said. “Now you’re sitting there with one loss, knowing one loss is going to send you home, and you want to keep playing.”
The Aztecs were able to accomplish their goal when they defeated New Mexico two games in a row, winning the tournament and clinching a berth into the regional. “When we won and went out and celebrated on the field, as (the team) came back to the dugout it was kind of awesome to hear them say, ‘Hey we’re Mountain West champs, we’re going to a regional, Coach!’” Gwynn said. This was the players’ first time playing in a regional, and for some, it was an experience they had been dreaming about since they began playing college baseball. “The regional atmosphere was indescribable,” senior infielder Tim Zier said. “It was a dream for me to play college baseball, and then my higher dream was to play in a regional.” While they were not able to come away with a victory in the regional tournament, losing to the University of San Diego 6-3 and the eventual national champion UCLA 5-3, there were many positives the team and coaching staff were able to take away from the experience. “Now they know they can do it—they have done it already,” Gwynn said. “We got a majority of the guys on the team last year coming back and I think they are pretty confident.” Coming into this season, SDSU will showcase a fairly similar roster to the one it ran out last year. However, one face that will be missing from last season is the team’s catcher, Jake Romanski. Not only was Romanski productive offensively, batting .303 with three home runs, he was also an exceptional defender who threw out 48.4 percent of would-be base stealers. Off the field Romanski was also regarded as a fantastic leader the players could look up to. “Losing a guy like Romanski is tough. He was really good, and yes, you’re going to suffer a little bit with him gone, but hey, that’s just the nature of college baseball,” Gwynn said.
New to the scene will be pitching coach John Pawlowski, who had been the head coach of Auburn for the last five seasons. He will be replacing Eric Valenzuela, who took the head coaching vacancy at Saint Mary’s after serving as the Aztecs’ pitching coach and recruiting coordinator the past four seasons. With Pawlowski, SDSU is able to bring an experienced coach onto the staff to help aid a team that is on the doorstep of doing big things. “You look at the program, San Diego State, the history and the tradition that is here speaks for itself, and the opportunity to be a part of something special excited me,” Pawlowski said. A key player that will be returning will be junior starting pitcher Michael Cederoth, who, after striking out 109 batters in 95.1 innings last season, garnered some national attention, and is now projected to go high in the MLB draft this summer. Cederoth knows he has room to improve though, and after posting a sub-par 4.25 ERA has made adjustments during the offseason. “I have been focusing more on throwing strikes,” Cederoth said. “That same philosophy has helped me not focus on who is in the stands watching, and more on who I am playing for.” For the first time, SDSU will open up its season against a conference opponent when it begins a three game series at San Jose State University starting Feb. 14. Its first home game will be against Loyola Marymount University on Feb. 18. After their Cinderella-like run last year to make it into a regional, the Aztecs know they have what it takes to be Mountain West champs and make it to the playoffs again. With a strong sense of confidence throughout, it’s safe to say the team is anxious and ready to kick off the season and improve on what they have already accomplished. “We can start tomorrow and all of us would be ready,” Cederoth said. “You can feel the energy during practice. We want to get going.”
7
SOFTBALL
feb. 6 - feb. 9, 2014
#aztecsoftball
Softball has much to be excited about matt d’ambrosi contributor
With returning 2013 Mountain West Conference Coach of the Year head coach Kathy Van Wyk, Player of the Year redshirt senior outfielder Patrice Jackson, and Freshman of the Year sophomore pitcher Danielle O’Toole, it must be hard to see further improvement for the Aztecs, right? Wrong. The San Diego State softball team enters the 2014 campaign as the reigning MWC champions. While this team returns all of the personnel mentioned above, the 2014 Aztecs do differ from last year’s squad. “Maturity—I think this team is a little more focused than last year’s team,” Van Wyk said. Adding maturity and a higher level of focus to a team that was second in the MWC last year in team batting average, slugging percentage and hits should
have Aztec fans feeling optimistic. Van Wyk is back again for her 18th season in the Aztec dugout, and she’s glad to have redshirt junior utility player Hayley Miles back with her. Miles, the 2012 MWC Co-Player of the Year, sat out last season due to injury. With all of these factors, it’s safe to say a third consecutive MWC title is a realistic possibility for the Aztecs this season. There are some obstacles this team will have to address. But overall, there’s plenty of reasons for faithful fans to pack the SDSU Softball Stadium come the home opener on Feb. 13 against California State University, Fullerton. Here’s a more in-depth look at some of the players who will make the 2014 season one not to miss.
Two-thirds will do Look out Miami Heat: SDSU softball has a big three of its own. Between Jackson, Miles, and senior pitcher and utility player Lorena Bauer, the space allotted for this article isn’t big enough to list all of the accolades and records these three players can hang their hats on. Unfortunately, it looks as if it’s going to be back-to-back seasons in which only two of the three will be in the starting lineup come the first game of the season. There had been much anticipation about Bauer, Jackson and Miles being able to play together this spring. But after trying to break her fall in an impact play during practice, Bauer suffered what is thought to be an elbow injury. “We aren’t positive yet, but we think the elbow dislocated,” Van Wyk said. When asked about how long the injury would have Bauer out, Van Wyk said, “The minimum is four to six weeks and the maximum is out for the season.” Although the status of the 2013 First Team Easton All-American is still yet to be determined, one thing is for sure: Bauer will certainly be an integral part of this team, even if it’s just in the dugout. “She will still be with us through her spirits and support,” Jackson said.
Anchor of the rotation Pitching could be a question for the Aztecs. They lost 2013 MWC Pitcher of the Year Rebecca Arbino, but retained O’Toole. Van Wyk made O’Toole’s spot in the rotation clear. “Danielle is our number one,” Van Wyk said. O’Toole returns to the pitching circle after a stellar freshman season and will certainly be the backbone of a very young pitching rotation rounded out by freshmen Andi Smith and Erica Romero.
Miles: ready for action Despite not playing an inning last season, Miles was still named to the 2014 USA Collegiate Softball Player of the Year Watch List. Her numbers throughout the first two years of her career speak for themselves. A career .389 hitter, Miles already holds four SDSU records after only two seasons of play. She is versatile defensively, having seen time at shortstop and center field throughout her time at SDSU. It’s no doubt that she will be a vital part of the Aztecs’ offense in the absence of Bauer. “Hayley is a gamer. She is intensity-plus,” Van Wyk said.
Games to mark on your calendar >Feb. 27: University of Tennessee The Lady Volunteers are the preseason No. 1 team in the country. A win could be huge in helping the Aztecs garner national recognition.
Senior slugger Jackson is back for her fifth year, after a season in which she was named the MWC Player of the Year, hit .366, homered 18 times and batted in 48 runs. She seems poised for another big year. When asked about the difficulty of staying motivated, she quickly dismissed such a notion. “My motivation really is the team,” Jackson said. This will be Jackson’s last season in an Aztec uniform, and she is going to do everything she can to help this team win as many ball games as possible.
>April 25-27: Colorado State University The Rams finished two games behind the Aztecs last year in conference play. This threegame series at the SDSU Softball Stadium is late enough in the season that it could have big-time implications in terms of who takes home the MWC title. The Aztecs play their first regular season game Feb. 6 against Appalachian State University at the Kajikawa Classic held at Arizona State University. For a team with high expectations and studs all over the place, expect to hear a lot about SDSU softball all spring long.
8 MENS TENNIS
feb. 6 - feb. 9, 2014
#sdsumtennis
anthony reclusado contributor
The San Diego State men’s tennis team is ready to dominate, and Aztec fans should take notice. Led by head coach Gene Carswell, this SDSU team has the talent to not only capture its first Mountain West tournament championship in eight years, but to make a splash in the NCAA tournament. After a down 2010-11 season where they went 7-16, the Aztecs have successfully improved the past two years, finishing 15-8 and 18-8 respectively. This growth was not unnoticed by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association, which ranked SDSU in the top 65 for the last two seasons and at No. 53 in the nation for the 2013-14 season.
With two seniors, Hunter Nicholas and Juan Florez, and two juniors, Thorsten Bertsch and Andranik Khachatryan, this team has the veteran leadership to succeed. In addition, the young talent of four freshmen, Milen Ianakiev, Hendrik Jebens, Jonas Meinzer and Maxi Boewer-Stelter, and lone redshirt sophomore Freddy Gelbrich, can build off of previous success and make this season a memorable one. Along with the leadership from coach Carswell and the four upper-classmen, this team’s ultimate goal is to reach the NCAA Tournament. “We take every match one at a time and we know every match can be a breaking point for the team, so every time we step onto the court it is do or die,” Nicholas said. The Aztecs are aware that when they step onto the court it’s all business and they need
to zero in on their job. That’s not to say this team doesn’t know how to relax and enjoy themselves when time permits. “When we are off the court it is a pretty loose atmosphere and we are all joking around with one another,” Nicholas said. Bertsch is recognized by the ITA as one of the best players in the country. He was ranked No. 114 in this year’s preseason men’s singles rankings, and currently sits at No. 69. This is the highest ranking by an individual for SDSU since the 2006-07 season, where Markus Dickhardt was No. 35 in the nation. The heightened exposure has not pierced Bertsch’s mindset, where he remains grounded and within the team mindset of playing as a single unit. He has gone as far as establishing goals for the team. “I want this team to be top 40 and qualify for the NCAA Tournament directly,” Bertsch
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said. That has not stopped him from setting personal goals, which include continuing to advance in the ranking and be selected for the NCAA singles tournament. SDSU is not just a bunch of individuals playing for themselves—it is a family that plays for each other. “We all go to classes together, we live together, we train everyday together; we are a family, and when we step onto the court we play as one unit,” Nicholas said. To remain connected to campus and the other sports programs, the men’s tennis team performs the “I Believe” chant before every match to get themselves pumped up. Now all they need is some Aztec pride from the student body, so come out and cheer on the Aztecs at their next home match on Feb. 27.
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ROWING
feb. 6 - feb. 9, 2014
9
#rowsdsu
Lady Aztecs row toward victory
kristi vettese staff writer
The San Diego State women’s rowing crew began its 2013-14 season this past November against UCLA. Coming off of a challenging season last year, the women of SDSU’s crew team have their sights set on a successful and fun year ahead. “With the new coaching staff, we have been training so much harder than we ever have in the past,” senior co-captain Kate Raymond said. “It has been awesome to see the steps of improvement and I can’t wait to see what we will do this season.” Not only do the girls compete in various meets and competitions during the season, they also make a point to get involved in the community and at various events throughout the year. Last year the team competed and participated in the Row for
Last year, the Aztec Varsity 8 crew finished sixth place in the San Diego Crew Classic. courtesy of sdsu athletics
the Cure event, supporting the Susan G. Komen organization. The team also participated in the Marine Corps Combat Fitness Test, which took place this past month on campus. Led by Marine Corps officers and other enlisted personnel, the girls engaged in various fitness tests, including different running drills and activities such as combat conditioning exercises. This season the team has made a few notable changes, including the addition of first-year head coach Bill Zack. Zack, who previously coached at the University of Portland for two years, has already begun to get the team involved in events this season. Zack said the Marine Corps event was a way to bring the team together and get them ready to compete this season. “I thought it would be very beneficial
and I think that it was a great success,” Zack said. “It was certainly a shared experience that will help the team have good team chemistry.” Zack, along with assistant coaches Daniel Duxbury and Heather Crichton, are looking forward to the endless possibilities this season, including the fact that the team will be a member of Conference USA for the first time. “This is the first year in which the team is a member of a conference, so the end-of-the-year regatta will be the team’s major emphasis,” Zack said. “The local San Diego Crew Classic and the Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association will be very important this season as well.” Last year the Aztec Varsity 8 crew finished sixth place in the San Diego Crew Classic and are hoping to improve this year.
“The San Diego Crew Classic is a huge event in the rowing world,” Raymond said. “Many collegiate rowing clubs from all over the country compete at the Crew Classic, and it’s a fun time all around.” Senior co-captain Chelsee Brewster said the San Diego Crew Classic is also her favorite event of the year. “The most exciting regatta of the season is the San Diego Crew Classic. It is held on our home course of Mission Bay, and it is extremely exciting to race in front of our home crowd,” Brewster said. This year the team has quite a few returning rowers, including both senior co-captains, sophomores Julia and Vera Brockherde, junior Cassie Wilson and sophomore Hillary Lupo, which will certainly help in the team’s experience coming into this season.
10 SWIMMING AND DIVING
Feb. 6 - Feb. 9, 2014
#SDsuswim&dive
Aztecs dive into MW Championships kristian ibarra staff writer
Heading into the 2013-14 season, the San Diego State swimming and diving team questioned what kind of success they would see. After finishing the regular season undefeated and going into the Mountain West Championships in just a few weeks, most of those questions have been answered. “I think everyone is very confident going in,” senior captain Mikaela Macklin said. “In the beginning the coaches were kind of nervous because we had such a small team, which is rare for us because we’ve always had a huge team.” Last year, the Aztecs relied on their depth to secure the Mountain West Championships. This year, head coach Mike Shrader pins much of the team’s success on the senior class and all of its leadership, he said. “All three of those girls are very valuable to the team and they’ve really helped us a lot in the water, as well as out of the water,” Shrader said. “You can’t really replace that.” While the team is losing three senior swimmers this year, Macklin said she isn’t worried about losing any of that leadership or talent in the coming years, highlighting the team’s sophomore class for all of the
Junior Dana Michaels competes in the 200-yard free style. kelly smiley, staff photographer
hard work they put into maintaining and creating team traditions. “The sophomore class is amazing,” Macklin said. “They always want to do everything together; they always want to have team movie nights. That’s something that stems out of their love for the sport and for each other.” The sophomore class, comprised of 10 swimmers and divers, is the largest class this current roster has. The freshmen boast the second highest amount, with seven swimmers and divers. Senior swimmer Jordan Hanna is also proud of the younger swimmers this year, citing them as a big reason for the team’s undefeated season. “I’m proud of us as a group, training, racing and being there for each other,” Hanna said. “It’s awesome finishing a senior year undefeated; it doesn’t happen every
year.” While Macklin applauds the sophomore class for its leadership, she said the team relied on its freshmen a lot this year. Macklin said she couldn’t be more proud of how they performed under such great pressure. “They’re really strong-minded for freshmen,” Macklin said. “My freshman year I was terrified. I freaked out my first day at conference.” Among the reliable freshman swimmers is Frida Berggren, the quietly competitive girl from Sweden. After finishing her first regular season as an Aztec, Berggren has already noticed and adjusted to some of the competitive differences between swimming in Vastora and San Diego, she said. Honored as the Mountain West Women’s Swimmer of the Week from Jan. 5-11, Berggren only has a few things on her mind heading into the
Mountain West Championships. “I’m just going to go in there, try to swim fast and have fun,” she said. Finishing an undefeated season, one that included a close victory against rival Boise State, may leave a team too confident heading into the Mountain West Championships meet, but not the Aztecs, Shrader said. Even with all of the team’s success, the swimmers are always looking to improve, he said. “I just really love this time of year, where you’ve worked hard, and now in the next couple of weeks we’re fine tuning, getting our starts and turns better, our techniques better, our speed better,” Shrader said. The Aztecs will look to defend their 201213 championship and secure their third Mountain West championship in four years when diving into the pool at the Palo Alto Aquatic Center in San Antonio.
lacrosse
feb. 6 - feb. 9, 2014
11
#sdsulax
Lacrosse team ready to dominate Adriana bush sports EDITOR
On Feb. 14, the San Diego State women’s lacrosse team will begin its third season in program history and first season with upperclassmen on the roster. They were the 19th collegiate sport added to SDSU, making them the first addition since indoor track and field began in 2000. They may be young, but on the field these Lady Aztecs are fierce and determined to one day be the best in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation. “I’m excited to see how far we go in the MPSF because every year we set different goals, and this year we are doing less of an outcome goal and more of a process type of goal,” assistant captain and junior defender Lauren Paul said. “So I’m excited to see
where we go and how much this impacts whether we do better than last year.” In 2012, its first season in program history, SDSU had an overall record of 5-10 and a conference record of 2-5. The following season, the Aztecs improved their overall record to 8-8 and their conference record to 3-5. This season, they are driven to keep improving. What makes the 2014 season unique is that the Aztecs finally have upperclassmen on the team, which according to team captain and junior midfielder Christina Ricciardulli brings greater maturity and competitiveness among both the upperclassmen and lowerclassmen. “More and more people are taking a leadership role, because now we’re in our third season and we have two years underneath us,” Ricciardulli said. “The freshmen are willing to push us and we’re
willing to push them, so I think it’s a really good mix.” The 2013 recruiting class added nine freshmen to the 2014 spring season roster, two of which are goalkeepers who will be battling for the starting position. Head coach Kylee White is impressed with all the freshmen and the hard work they’ve put into helping make the team better. “As freshmen you’re excited to come in and pick up right where the last team left off,” White said. “They did a really great job of coming in and absorbing everything that we’ve done for the last two years, and each day we see such growth from them.” The first four games of the season will be played away, with the season opener being against Winthrop University in Winthrop, S.C. The Aztecs won’t play back home until March 8, against Boston College.
Until then, White doesn’t see the consecutive away games impacting the team. “Being away, I don’t think will hurt us just because it’s the first two games so they’re amped up on that, and then the second away trip are conference games, so it’s like a new start,” White said. “Having two fresh starts so to speak doesn’t hinder us at all, and it’s just northern California for the second trip.” SDSU was picked to finish sixth this season in the 2014 Preseason MPSF Women’s Lacrosse Coaches’ Poll. Last season, the Aztecs finished fifth in the MPSF standings, and this season the Aztecs are even more driven to work as a team and prove everybody wrong. “We’re just excited, ready and determined to have a successful season ... our main goal this year is to dominate now and excel together,” Ricciardulli said.
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12 THE BACK PAGE
feb. 6 - feb. 9, 2014
#fiction
To be a rock, and not to roll
H
endricks had a mane—an oily profusion of dark thistle descending from his skull. Long, unruly and garish. Werewolf hair. No joke.
And his beard … you know what? Hendricks had two manes: one came out of his head, and the other from his face. A coarse whisker mop descended dangerously from his jaw. Hendricks of the double mane sat erect, skin Nordic and pale. His hands lay flat on an ebony desk. An ancient Metallica T-shirt straddled his torso, reeking of ribs from 1977 and Hot Pockets from yesterday—Dec. 30, 1999. Wooden shelves lined his office walls, each supporting clay statuettes and corresponding autographed posters. The Rolling Stones had a shrine, and so did The Doors, Guns N’ Roses and Avenged Sevenfold. A Gibson Les Paul electric guitar leaned menacingly against a stand in the corner opposite the door, dusty with apathy. Hendricks sat. Nineteen years of festering. At 6:56 p.m. a balding Brute in leather burst into the room. The two exchanged customary expletives. The Brute distastefully dropped a paper on Hendricks’ desk and departed, slamming the door as he left. Hendricks glanced at what the Brute left behind and twitched his mouth. The paper read, “ASSIGNMENT: Punish. DETAILS: Talentless freak played
RICHARD FREELAND STAFF WRITER
Creedence Clearwater Revival’s ‘Fortunate Son’ at a local bar. He sounded like a whiny bitch. You know what to do.” Hendricks scanned his assignment several times and sighed, a rare sign of semi-weakness. His job at the Musical Admonition Department, a small government office, barely sufficed to sate his rage for the last 19 years. In the glory days he impaled fools who made mistakes playing “Freebird” with rusty shovels, and forced Black Sabbath impersonators to eat their instruments, savoring every moment. Hendricks had always complained music was dying, and no one proved him wrong. He crumpled up the assignment, ate it, chewing slowly to ensure complete digestion, and then vomited the remains into the well-sized abyss just behind his desk. He heard the anguished cries of the young girl from last week who attempted a pop cover of Baba O’ Riley. He listened bemusedly for a moment as her desperate cries rang up from below—something about water. He chuckled. Hendricks sensed a subtle change in the room’s atmosphere. He glanced about the office wildly, manes whipping. Then he sighted the anomaly. A red light gleamed above the door, the kind found in World War I submarines. For a moment he hypnotically gazed into the bloody florescence, then shuddered with delight and spread his jaws gapingly. His manes vibrated with excitement. Code Red. “This is it,” he whispered.
words
61 Initial-based political nickname 65 Touched ground 66 Govt.-owned home financing gp. 67 Made calls at home 68 Chest muscles, briefly 69 Early temptation locale 70 Mails
Crimson brilliance coated Hendricks’ mane—a petrified river of blood. A polite knock pattered mockingly on the door, seducing his glance. Then the door erupted off its hinges and into the office, landing with a foreboding boom. The Brute stood in the empty entryway. “Code Red!” he yelled. “It’s about f***ing time, am I right?” Hendricks grinned wickedly. Code Red meant a holiday for musical enforcement negotiators—a very special violation, worthy of a very special punishment. In the old days Hendricks received a Code Red call every month or so. These days, however, the kids didn’t know enough music to ruin any. Hendricks rose from his seat with vampiric poise and eagerly awaited the assignment he’d been waiting years for. It was a chance to feel alive again. A shirtless man barreled into Hendricks’ office, tossed a stone tablet onto the ebony desk, and exited. Hendricks flipped the tablet over, eyes enlarging. The tablet read: “And she’s buying a stairway to heaven.” Hendricks howled. Nineteen years of tracking and torturing disgraces to music, and at last a Code Red for Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven,” the most overplayed classic rock song of all eternity. Hendricks leapt from his desk and strode out of the office. The Brute trailed, salivating at the promise of punishment. The Double Mane could already feel the leather seat of his hulking Harley motorcycle, the wind skipping across the suburban streets and kicking up whispers, protesting the slaughter to come—a blight on all nature.
numbers
Down
Across
1 Like many abbreviated terms in footnotes 6 “Hurlyburly” playwright David 10 Beer 14 __ ballerina 15 “Foaming cleanser” of old ads 16 Champagne Tony of ‘60s golf 17 Biblical peak 18 Confused state 19 Plodding haulers 20 Emulate the successful bounty hunter 23 Halloween creature 26 Three IndyCar Unsers 27 Part of D.A.: Abbr. 28 __ Fáil: Irish “stone of destiny”
29 “To the best of my memory” 33 Chem lab event 34 A.L. lineup fixtures 35 Baby powder ingredient 36 Siesta 38 Missal sites 42 Grind 45 Start of a green adage 48 “Shalom aleichem” 51 Adolphe who developed a horn 52 “Do the Right Thing” director Spike 53 Intraoffice IT system 54 Attach, as a codicil 55 Devious traps, and a hint to surprises found in 20-, 29and 48-Across 59 Mechanical method 60 Open and breezy
1 12-in. discs 2 Bush spokesman Fleischer 3 Sardine holder 4 Colorful Apple 5 Finger painting? 6 Hilton rival 7 In __: stuck 8 Cairo market 9 Pushed (oneself) 10 Explode 11 Store name derived from the prescription symbol 12 “Bam!” chef 13 Film fish 21 Second half of a ball game? 22 Cut with acid 23 1984 Olympics parallel bars gold medalist Conner 24 Out of port 25 Nonstick cookware brand 30 Seaport of Ghana 31 Bowled over 32 Tree with quivering leaves 37 Mitt Romney’s 2012 running mate 39 “The Celts” singer 40 Stacked fuel 41 Poker game 43 Bruins’ campus: Abbr. 44 Like most new drivers 46 Hot springs resorts 47 Strengthened 48 Prisoner’s reward 49 Strikingly unusual 50 Trailing 51 Purse part 56 New York team 57 “Him __”: romantic triangle ultimatum 58 Bout of beefy battlers 62 ER vitals 63 “However ...” 64 Product promos
HOW TO PLAY: Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box contains every digit 1 to 9. Difficulty Level:
2/4
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thefuture
THURSday’s Birthday (2/6/14) - Health and service provide context this year. Listen to emotions and intuition, with Mercury retrograde (today until 2/28). Plan, practice and prepare. March and April favor home improvements, while the solar eclipse (6/10) brings romantic change. Aim for balance, even with travels and adventures. Young people inspire playfulness. Follow your heart. It’s profitable. HOW IT WORKS: 10 is good, 1 is bad.
Aries (March 21 - April 19) - Today is an 8 - For about three weeks with Mercury retrograde, talk and plan with associates. Clean up the place. Don’t take risks. Double check financial transactions. Review recent negotiations and decisions. Increase peace through meditation. Taurus (April 20 - May 20) - Today is a 9 - Review data to find a hidden truth. Misunderstandings are plentiful for the next three weeks. Ask questions, even if you’re nervous. Repeat what you said to be sure it gets through. Gemini (May 21 - June 21) - Today is a 6 - For the next three weeks while Mercury’s retrograde, revisit creative ideas from the past. A temporary disruption could slow things... have a backup plan. Revisions are necessary. Take your act on the road. Cancer (June 22 - July 22) - Today is a 7 - For about three weeks, pay off bills. Don’t confront authority or get into legal disputes... it would just get complicated. Watch for technical difficulties. Tune your equipment. Keep decreasing your obligations. Share food and fun with friends. Leo (July 23 - Aug. 22) - Today is a 7 Secure what you’ve achieved over the next several weeks. Continue to increase your authority, although possibilities to advance remain static for a while. Keep practicing, and raise your skills. Make plans, and check equipment for repairs. Virgo (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22) - Today is an 8 - For three weeks, confusion is more common in groups. Travel can get disrupted or interrupted. Accept responsibility where due, and stay patient. Review documents and sign again as needed. Avoid overspending. Free up some time for peacefulness. Libra (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22) - Today is a 7 For three weeks, you gain most through old contacts and familiar practices. The initial phase of a job is over. Fact and fantasy clash. Keep decreasing public obligations. Pad your schedule for unexpected circumstances, and take quiet time. Scorpio (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21) - Today is an 8 - For about three weeks, hold onto what you have. Better safe than sorry. Avoid risks. Have people over instead of going out. Travel and transportation can get disrupted. Pay extra attention to a partner. Sagittarius (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21) Today is a 9 - Communicate carefully for the next three weeks. Save your insights for later... avoid misunderstandings. This retrograde period is good for organizing, sorting and filing. Clean your desk, and complete old projects. Service breakdowns could slow things. Capricorn (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19) - Today is a 7 - For about three weeks, revise and refine your procedures. Review your notes, to simplify. Dig into a research assignment. Double-check bank statements and financial transactions. Today and tomorrow, play and have fun (especially with family). Aquarius (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18) - Today is a 6 - Review the data and practice over the next three weeks. Sign papers and contracts after that, if you can wait. Increase support structures. Handle home repairs, especially regarding plumbing. Travel could get tricky. Pisces (Feb. 19 - March 20) - Today is a 7 - For the next three weeks, renew old bonds. Review financial contracts and statements. Increase your savings with planning. Wait for a better time to take risk or make major decisions. Review the pros and cons thoroughly first.