Issue 25, Volume 82

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Issue 25, Volume 82

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NEWS

Ten years strong

This month, UH's most prominent literary magazine celebrated a decade of high achievement and growth. | PG. 2

'Isn't that what makes it fun?'

Despite unexpected challenges, the Frontier Fiesta chairman took pride in the event's expansion and successful inclusion of non-Greek students. | PG. 4

The sky is falling

A UH professor researched meteorite samples found on Earth to decipher the details of their journey from Mars. | PG. 5

OPINION

Look who's talking The former California governor's story of immigration and hard work will make him a perfect commencement speaker. | PG. 7

Polite politics

Lawmakers engaging in talks about policy should take notes from the way that student organizations debate. | PG. 8

SPORTS

Path to the Draft

Cornerback Brandon Wilson shined at UH's annual Pro Day while superstar Greg Ward Jr. underperformed. | PG. 10

'Chicken salad'

In spring practice, the football team's defense is showing that they are on track to prove they're worth their salt. | PG. 11

2 | Wednesday, March 29, 2017

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Marialuisa Rincon, EDITOR

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The Cougar

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ABOUT THE COUGAR The Cougar is published every Wednesday during the fall and spring semesters and online at thedailycougar. com. The Daily Cougar is supported in part by Student Service Fees.

COPYRIGHT No part of the newspaper in print or online may be reproduced without the consent of the director of Student Publications.

ISSUE STAFF WEB EDITING

Emily Burleson CLOSING EDITORS

Trey Strange Alex Meyer Leah Nash

“There were a couple of art pieces and writing content that were inspired by this political situation," said co-manging editor Maria Isabel Gonzales | Courtesy of Glass Mountain

IN FOCUS

WRITING

International, professional, controversial Literary 'hidden gem' celebrates 10 years amidst changing artistic landscape

JASMINE DAVIS

ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR @JPDAVIS_TDC

Amid a changing artistic climate and increasing recognition from the literature community, the University of Houston's undergraduate literary magazine, "Glass Mountain," will be celebrating its 10th anniversary in April.

Glass Mountain first came on the scene in 2006 when undergraduate students created the magazine as a counterpart to UH's graduate literary magazine, "Gulf Coast," according to the Glass Mountain website.

The first edition came out in Spring 2017.

"We accept writing from emerging writers, which is a

voice that's very under-served when it comes to literary magazines," said General Editor LeeAnne Carlson. "These are people who aren't necessarily going to be comfortable submitting elsewhere."

Glass Mountain defines an emerging writer as anyone who hasn't pursued a post-bachelor's degree in creative writing, Carlson said, and with the exception of its faculty advisor, Audrey Colombe, the magazine is entirely run by undergraduate students.

"To have the amount of work that this takes done entirely by undergraduates is huge," Carlson said. "I may be a little biased, but I really would hold our literary journal up

“For me, the satisfaction is seeing these students who get to know each other and work together and get to develop networking and working lives here while they’re at school.,. said faculty adviser Audrey Colombe. | Courtesy of Glass Mountain

to almost any other out there as far as professionalism and appearance."

Branching out In the past year, Carlson said, the magazine has expanded to accept submissions worldwide, from a history of exclusively publishing UH student content.

The shift in the caliber and nature of work Glass Mountain has begun publishing has contributed to the growing confidence of the magazine's staff, Carlson said.

This is clear in the more controversial pieces that have been selected for April's edition.

"Right now the political situation is really making a lot of artists unsettled with issues like funding. For us, it's important to give a forum to that," Carlson said. "We know we're professional. We know we're not just pandering to the emotion of the moment."

Carlson said the magazine's new push to accept more diverse, and sometimes more politically-charged, writing allows the publication to reflect the diversity UH is known for.

"Their vision definitely changes," said Co-Managing Editor Marissa Isabel Gonzales, "which you can also see in past magazines, and especially this semester."

Shaina Frazier, Glass Mountain's former co-managing editor, said the work of past editors and members of the organization played a critical role in laying the groundwork

“We accept writing from emerging writers... these are people who aren't necessarily going to be comfortable submitting somewhere else” LeeAnne Carlson, General Editor of Glass Mountain for today's Glass Mountain.

Though she graduated with a bachelor's in creative writing after serving on the publication from 2013-2015, Frazier said she's noticed the increased engagement the magazine has with both the UH community and the literary community as a whole.

Frazier attributes this growth to the ever-increasing size and diversity of the Glass Mountain staff.

"I think that while the heart

GLASS MOUNTAIN

Continues on next page

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GLASS MOUNTAIN

Continued from previous page of the magazine has remained the same, the nature of it has changed greatly," Frazier said.

"The contributions of the staff in terms of their commitment to publishing such incredible content, as well as expanding the magazine's nature of inclusivity, has certainly led to the success we see today."

Gaining attention In addition to publishing two editions of the magazine during the year, Glass Mountain also provides opportunities for emerging writers to benefit from the program through readings at Bohemeo's, a local bar and coffeehouse, and at its annual Boldface writing conference.

"You're actually hearing their heart and their experience," Carlson said on the value of writers sharing their work at Bohemeo's. "Yes, in a performed, polished way, but in a way you might not otherwise hear it."

Carlson added that the magazine's continued presence at

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NEWS

news@thedailycougar.com

Marialuisa Rincon, EDITOR

Bohemeo's has garnered Glass Boldface affordable for emergof her most rewarding experiMountain attention from a ing writers, according to the ences. community outside the Univerwebsite. sity.

Increasing According to value the Glass MounMost people in tain website, the literary comBoldface is the munity know UH only writing for its graduate conference in creative writthe country ing program, dedicated to Carlson said, emerging writers but many don't and takes place recognize the each May at UH's caliber of the MD Anderson undergraduLibrary. Carlson ate program said Boldface is despite it offera unique opporing courses tunity because from the same comparable distinguished writing conferprofessors. ences can cost "The same facup to $2,500, ulty that teach while Boldface the graduate starts at $195 for students teach students. the undergradGlass Mounuate students," “We’re turning away really good work, that’s just the caliber of the tain also hosts Carlson said. "I work that we’re getting,” Carlson said. | Courtesy of Glass Mountain Write-A-Thon in really believe November, which gives sponGonzales said the opportunithat Glass Mountain and Boldsored writers an opportunity to ties working on the magazine face are playing a vital role in participate in a day of writing has allowed her to engage with bringing attention to the underworkshops and conferences in the literary community outside graduate writing program." order to raise money to keep UH, which has given her some As a large presence in UH's

creative writing community, Maryam Ahmed, the Glass Mountain poetry editor, said one of the most rewarding parts of working for the magazine is the ability to refine her own writing and be made aware of talented writers she may not otherwise have discovered.

"I feel like if I wasn't in Glass Mountain — if I was just a creative writing major here — I wouldn't have known about all of these amazing community writers," Ahmed said on the value of Glass Mountain to UH's creative writing program. "I feel like we don't highlight enough the more hidden achievements of UH." April's anniversary edition of the magazine will be dedicated to past and present members of Glass Mountain, Gonzales said.

“Without the people who have come in and done the work that they have done, we wouldn’t have been able to have 10 years of this," Gonzales said. "It’s really hard to keep a magazine running, especially a literary magazine, and this one has continued on.” news@thedailycougar.com

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Marialuisa Rincon, EDITOR

REVIEW

Fiesta 'adapts and moves forward' to success ALEX MEYER

MANAGING EDITOR @ALXMEY

An alternate location, an up-and-coming musician, the looming Saturday storm threat — this year's Frontier Fiesta had multiple attributes different from previous years.

With a performance by the "Broccoli" singer D.R.A.M., a carnival ride, face painting and the traditional Greek life variety shows, Fiesta's attractions this past weekend had student attendees and alumni alike filing in the gates.

The Cougar sat down with Frontier Fiesta Association Chairman Christian Kladzyk to discuss the turnout.

The Cougar: Did this year’s fiesta turn out the way you expected?

Christian Kladzyk: Absolutely not – isn't that what makes it fun?

Our board's motto this year was "adapt and move forward." This mindset allowed us to cherish any challenges that came our way.

TC: Was there anything you

would have done differently or hope to improve on next year?

CK: Nothing differently. I think the future of Frontier Fiesta looks very bright if we continue in the strides of the past two years. I think that we have done an excellent job of expanding the event into something more inclusive and representative of our student body.

TC: Do you think the turnout was good or bad?

CK: Trust me, I am looking forward to our numbers just as much as anyone else. I think it was a solid showing throughout. Looking back at Saturday of Fiesta, you could definitely see that there was anticipation for the event after a rainy Friday night.

Family Fun Day was a huge hit earlier in the day, and Saturday night concerts flooded Fiesta City.

TC: What challenges did you face? Was it a struggle changing locations from last year?

CK: There will always be backend challenges. As long as you act

like everything is OK, attendees think everything is going according to plan, right? Again, we adapt.

Moving back to lots 20A and 20C definitely proved to have more benefits than not. One of our biggest compliments was how well the site layout looked.

TC: What aspect of it do you think was most popular or successful?

CK: If you're making me choose one overall, it would have to be the Saturday of Fiesta. Director of Special Events Jonathan Gerescher did a tremendous job of coordinating the Frontier Fiesta 5K, Family Fun Day, and recognizing this year's scholarship recipients. This, along with Director of Performances Madeleine Rodriguez's work in coordinating carnival rides and concerts, allowed for the event to flourish throughout the weekend.

President Khator was also very fond of the work that all variety shows put in to creating their fronts and performances as well. news@thedailycougar.com

Communications senior Terrance Moseley, or T-SHAWN as he is known to his fans, opened for D.R.A.M. Saturday night. | Justin Cross/The Cougar

Frontier Fiesta featured concerts from local performers, variety shows by student organizations, cook-offs, carnival rides, barbecue plates and contests. | Justin Cross/The Cougar

Frontier Fiesta headliner, D.R.A.M., ignited the gathered a crowd Saturday night, performing his best-known songs, Broccoli and Cha Cha, at the Bud Light Stage. | Justin Cross/The Cougar

Among the art and music, Uncommon Colors featured a "blank canvas" booth, for students' messages and both rides were accessible for all ages during "Family Day." | Justin Cross/The Cougar

Wednesday, March 29, 2017 | 5

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NEWS

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Marialuisa Rincon, EDITOR

SPACE

Geology professor maps meterorites' million-year journey ISABEL PEN

STAFF WRITER @ISABELISAPEN

A million years after a celestial object smashed into Mars, splintering part of the planet and launching debris into deep space, professor of geology Thomas Lapen is examining the rock samples born from the collision that found their way 30 million miles to Earth.

Using isotope geochemistry, Lapen was able to piece together formation, composition and a probable timeline of these rocks that managed to escape their birthplace on Mars in a recent publication in the journal Science Advances.

"We’re getting a pretty significant chunk of information about how the planet works over a long period of time and about what the mantle is like that partially melted to produce the lavas that eventually make it to the surface to form the largest volcanoes in the solar system," Lapen said.

While Lapen and his team used the minute physical details and

textures of the Martian meteorites, also called shergottites, to learn about the formation of the rock itself, the key to Lapen’s remote exploration of the largest volcanoes in the solar system lay in some of the smallest bits of nature: isotopes.

By analyzing quantities and specific types of these elements with differing numbers of neutrons, Lapen was able to deduce countless invaluable sets of information.

Details about the meteorites, such as the timeframe in which the samples were formed, how long they were in space and how long ago they landed on Earth, were all determined by examining the isotopes present in the rock samples.

After analyzing the isotope data, Lapen found there was a group of shergottites — a type of igneous rock that has fallen to earth as a meteorite — that, despite having different individual ages, were ejected from the surface of Mars together around 1.1 million years ago.

Lapen and his team concluded

one of the samples he was analyzing, NWA 7635, was 2.4 billion years old — far older than the other rocks from the same ejection event.

"It seems like NWA 7635 came from one location on Mars with 10 other shergottites that share a similar chemical composition," said UH lab supervisor and paper co-author Minako Righter. "These meteorites provide information about a single location on Mars suggesting that there was at least two billion years of volcanic activity on Mars."

Researchers may know that these rocks came from the same volcanic area of Mars, but they have no way of knowing to which specific volcano the meteorites belong.

"We know that the samples that we studied as meteorites are Martian because they contain trapped Martian atmosphere and gasses," said Anthony Irving, a collaborator on the project and affiliate professor at the University of Washington.

"But until we go to Mars and bring a sample back, we won’t know exactly where they come from."

t is unclear where exactly on Mars the samples came from, Lapen said, but the material is of volcanic origin and travelled 30 million miles.. | Isabel Pen/The Cougar

Craters, which can often show a record of a planet’s bombardment, are not as useful in this instance, Lapen said. Because recent lava flows can overwrite existing craters, a characteristic smooth topography is common among Martian locations that experience igneous activity.

Though taking a core sample of the Martian surface is not logistically feasible at the moment, Lapen

and his team plan to continue to study other shergottites in order to extrapolate more of the unsolved history of the planet.

"It’s a way of sampling the layered crust without drilling, without going out there and then being able to evaluate the geochemistry of that volcanic center that was active for billions of years," Lapen said. news@thedailycougar.com

SHOW YOUR COUGAR SPIRIT AT GRADUATION! Pick up your spirit cord this week at:

M.D. ANDERSON LIBRARY March 21st - March 23rd 9:00 am - 4:30 pm

VISIT: UH.EDU/COUGARGRADCHALLENGE

6 | Wednesday, March 29, 2017

OPINION

thedailycougar.com/opinion

PUZZLES

EDITORIAL BOARD EDITOR IN CHIEF

Trey Strange

MANAGING EDITOR

Alex Meyer

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Leah Nash WEB EDITOR

Emily Burleson NEWS EDITORS

Marialuisa Rincon Jasmine Davis Traynor Swanson SPORTS EDITORS

Leonard D. Gibson III JD Smith

OPINION EDITORS

Thomas Dwyer Jorden Smith ARTS EDITORS

Karis Johnson Karin Keller Julie Araica PHOTO EDITORS

Justin Cross Ajani Stewart SENIOR STAFF

Erin Davis Erin Fehres Dana Jones Emily Lincke Camille Mullery Katie Santana Peter Scamardo

STAFF EDITORIAL The Staff Editorial reflects the opinions of The Cougar Editorial Board (the members of which are listed above the editorial). All other opinions, commentaries and cartoons reflect only the opinion of the author.

Opinions expressed in The Cougar do not necessarily reflect those of the University of Houston or the students as a whole.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Cougar welcomes letters to the editor from any member of the UH community. Letters should be no more than 250 words and signed, including the author’s full name, phone number or e-mail address and affiliation with the University, including classification and major. Anonymous letters will not be published. Deliver letters to N221, University Center; e-mail them to letters@thedailycougar.com; send them via campus mail to STP 4015; or fax to (713) 743-5384. Letters are subject to editing.

GUEST COMMENTARY Submissions are accepted from any member of the UH community and must be signed with the author’s name, phone number or e-mail address and affiliation with the University, including classification and major. Commentary should be limited to 500 words. Guest commentaries should not be written as replies, but rather should present independent points of view. Deliver submissions to N221, University Center; e-mail them to letters@thedailycougar.com; or fax them to (713) 743-5384. All submissions are subject to editing.

ADVERTISEMENTS Advertisements in The Cougar do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the University or the students as a whole.

The Cougar is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press.

studentpress.org/acp

Bees are important and directly relate to our food supply, and it is imperative that we protect them if they are struggling to exist. | Katie Santana/The Cougar

POLITICS

ACROSS 1 Nonaggressive Asian snake 6 FBI agent, slangily 10 On the waves 14 Nonoriginal copy 15 System with an LP player 16 They drill through stuff 17 Like a needy one with NOT EVEN A MOUSE? Meanwhile, the real threats 20 Type of oven to the bee are groups like 21 The meaty part of the American Farm Bureau menus?

Federation that are contesting 22 Poem of tribute 23 Historic event of 1944 the bee's new status on the 24 Notes from the boss grounds that it would place 28 Feature “far-reaching regulatory of some burdens” upon the agricultural man caves 30 Large hawks industry.

32 Hard-nosed and According to studies, the unbending rusty patched bee population 35 Use a Singer 36 Escapee who was has dropped almost 90 percent free as a LOST BIRD? in the last two decades.

40 Precious stone That alone is a pretty good 41 Product taken for mild reason to list it as a federally pain 42 Bewildered “for protected animal, yet there words”? are lobbyists who would 45 “___ you when rather protect profits than you’re sleeping ...” the existence of a species that 49 Indian honorific gives crops the ability to grow 50 Commotions through pollination.

52 Santa in California While it was unfortunate that 53 Drink for Opie Taylor regulations that would put them 56 Boast 57 “I’ll get my high on the endangered species list was in limbo for two months, Trump was not out to get the bees.

Regardless, bees are important and directly relate to our food supply, and it is imperative that we protect them if they are struggling to exist by themselves.

While it was unfortunate that regulations that would put them on the endangered species list was stuck in limbo for two months, Trump was not out to get the bees. That regulation got tied up just like all the rest that were filed in the first sixty days of his presidency.

Rusty patch bumble bee now federally protected

I

n January, the rusty patched bumble bee was slated to become the first bee to be placed on the endangered species list by the U.S. Department of the Interior.

President Donald Trump’s administration later placed a halt on the species’ status change as it went over federal regulations involving federal THOMAS agencies and DWYER the federal OPINION EDITOR register.

Last week, it was approved to be an endangered species.

This specific bumble bee has been waiting to be placed on the endangered species list since the Obama administration tried to rush the bee’s status to go into effect on Feb. 10.

However, when the administrations turned over, it fell under Trump's far-reaching orders to halt all regulations from federal agencies for 60 days.

This order included the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service — two departments that oversee endangered species requirements.

Many news articles are painting the situation to be as if Trump was out to keep bumble bees from being federally protected animals, but it was just a regulation that was filed at a poor time.

Opinion editor Thomas Dwyer is a broadcast journalism sophomore and can be reached at opinion@ thedailycougar.com.

school diploma, DOG GONE it!” is ...

61 ___ vera (common lotion ingredient) 62 Ireland, to natives 63 Assists a criminal 64 Uttered “not guilty” in court 65 Customs or directions 66 Deli sausage DOWN 1 Polish metropolis 2 Make a place one’s home 3 Miniprogram for computers 4 Wrinkle-crushing device 5 Word with “little,” “much” or “late” 6 Gold Coast place 7 Not quite crying, but almost 8 One place to love from 9 “Good shot!”

10 Any excessive drug user 11 Manly address 12 Abbr. meaning “and more” 13 Fire residue 18 Second versions of screenplays 19 Rope-making material 23 Carpenter’s groove 25 Arizona city 26 When

27 29 30 31 33 34 36 37 38 39 40 43 44 46 47 48 50 51 54 55 56 57 58 59 60

repeated thrice, a court cry Storm heading, sometimes Blackball “Some time ago ...”

Open horse-drawn carriage with one seat Legendary Hall-ofFamer Willie “That’s ___ ya got?”

Prefix with “physical” Female domestic worker, in Mumbai Stocking stuffers “Treasure Island” author’s monogram It can be a main feature Exhibited a certain speech defect Certain woodwind Bring-home-thebacon person Approves officially, as legislation Most wise Mimic’s business Antiwar animals Sketched Large continent See 49-Across Alfred E. Neuman dental feature Right-angle bend Female deer Not cooked

Wednesday, March 29, 2017 | 7

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OPINION

opinion@thedailycougar.com

Thomas Dwyer, EDITOR

GRADUATION

Governator will be great commencement speaker

W

hen UH announced that Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Governator himself, a man whose upbringing and ambition to make dreams into realities could inspire anyone, was going to be the speaker for its third commencement ceremony, I was ecstatic.

THOMAS On top of DWYER that, he waived OPINION EDITOR the $40,000 speaking fee and chose to speak to the class of 2017 for no cost other than lodging and transportation around the city, making the Governator the most economic speaker the University has ever had (compared to actor Matthew McConaughey, who cost the University $135,000 plus travel and lodging and whose speech was arguably over-valued, even

though he donated most of what he earned to charity).

Schwarzenegger is special largely because of his unique upbringing. He was born in a small village in Austria, became a world-renowned bodybuilder and made it to the governor's seat in California (but not before playing iconic roles in films like Terminator and Conan the Barbarian).

Let that sink in: An immigrant was born with a dream of making it to America, made it here, became wildly successful and was able to get elected as the governor of one of the largest states in the union. Arnold is living the American dream.

Given UH’s high degree of diversity and number of international students, Schwarzenegger’s history as a man who came to America with big aspirations will surely strike close to home with many graduates. There will be plenty of graduating seniors just trying

to wrap their head around the fact that they are getting one of their most memorable pep talks from a legendary figure.

While some may turn their nose up at the use of celebrity speakers, UH is essentially investing in publicity whenever they make agreements with big names to speak at graduation, and I’ll gladly get behind any non-negative publicity my school can stir up.

Some also want to draw as much attention as they can to his personal life and his infidelity in his previous marriage, but he isn’t going to be

speaking at UH about marriage counseling.

He will most likely be speaking on his journey and how it's possible to make dreams manifest, and I cannot think of many other people as prominent as Schwarzenegger who are good living examples of that.

Schwarzenegger has agreed to speak for 25 minutes to the graduating seniors, and I have no doubt that those 25 minutes will be amazing.

And if we're lucky, he'll end his speech with something along the lines of "class of 2017, you're terminated," and then fly off in a chopper.

Schwarzenegger's past as an immigrant who came to the U.S. with a big dream will strike close to home for some students. | Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Opinion editor Thomas Dwyer is a broadcast journalism sophomore and can be reached at opinion@ thedailycougar.com.

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OPINION 713-743-5304

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opinion@thedailycougar.com

Anthony Torres, EDITOR

CAMPUS

UH's political climate should inspire other campuses to reach across aisle I t is the unfortunate reality that we now reside in where those who ideologically disagree do so personally.

The divide seen in the national media and in Washington, D.C. can spill onto college campuses, leading to extreme rifts between groups on different sides. It is also not uncommon for those on opposing sides JORDEN to dislike each SMTIH other.

ASSISTANT On the OPINION EDITOR University of Houston campus, however, there's a different political climate.

"Despite the growing divide in our political climate, individual relationships transcend politics and have the potential to bring people together who never see eye to eye on anything," said College Republicans at the University of Houston President Matthew Wiltshire. "The individuals who make up the political organizations on campus are likely to know and may even be friends with those who are their ideological opposites. There is a certain level of friendship on campus."

Even so, there can be tension.

Although on-campus political groups show a common respect toward each other unlike the tear-down tactics attributable to today's politics, not everyone in political organizations choose to

interact with each other.

President of Young Americans for Liberty Michael Anderson is familiar with this divide.

"At UH there is a common sense of respect for individual beliefs and ideology," Anderson said. "However, I am no stranger to individuals calling me some pretty nasty names."

Even though UH has a courteous political climate, there are still those who choose to ostracize anyone who disagrees with them.

Those who do form relationships, however, have a common respect for one another, even if their tax policies don’t necessarily align.

"Discussing the issues leads UH's political climate should be a light for those in the national spotlight to follow. | Jasmine Davis/The Cougar to respect and understanding that in many ways can bridge of open and respectful diverse — not just ethnically This may not be an extreme the political divide," said communication," said political and socioeconomically, but phenomena, but it is very Communications Director for science junior and member intellectually. Students are able different from the way college the University of Houston College of the College Democrats and to interact with ideas that are not campuses are described in the Democrats their own and national media: a haven for Gabriel Aguilar. this discussion fighting between the two sides.

On the other leads to an UH’s political climate should hand, there are undeniable be a light for those in the also students respect. national spotlight. who are active on When (the now It’s not that hard to get along both sides of the disgraced) Milo — all you really need to do is aisle.

Yiannopoulos talk.

At any given Kudos to the many political Valerie Campos, College Democrats and Young Americans came to speak meeting, there organizations on campus that for Liberty on campus, he is always one was not met work toward a better and student who decides to make the Young Americans for Liberty with the same resistance from brighter future for all. leap across the aisle and open up Valerie Campos. "The political students that he was on other the conversation. organizations at the University campuses.

Assistant opinion editor Jorden Smith is a political science "Both organizations are of Houston are a prime example The same goes for liberal and creative writing junior and strongly founded on the principle of how different ideologies can speakers on campus; UH can be reached at opinion@ of inclusivity and it is exemplified work together.” students allow each other the thedailycougar.com through their prioritization It also helps that UH is so right to think.

“The political organizations at the University of Houston are a prime example of how different ideologies can work together.”

Matthew Wiltshire

Michael Anderson

Gabriel Aguilar

Valerie Campos

President of the College Republicans at the University of Houston

President of Young Americans for Liberty, at UH and for Texas

Communications Director for the University of Houston College Democrats

Member of University of Houston College Democrats and Young Americans for Liberty

Despite the growing divide in our political climate, individual relationships transcend politics and have the potential to bring people teogether who never see eye to eye on anything

"I cannot think of many organizations that have worked with both college republicans and blacks lives matter on different issues. Some of the success we have had in YAL at UH is due to the city we live in and the University we attend."

"The polarization across the country has not avoided UH. Democrats demonize the Republicans and Republicans demonize the Democrats. This threatens the long term political "health" on campus and does nothing to solve the issues that both sides care about."

"Having the pleasure of being a part of both the University of Houston College Democrats and the Young Americans for Liberty at the University of Houston has really shown me the true meaning of tolerance and cooperation."

Wednesday, March 29, 2017 | 9

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SPORTS

sports@thedailycougar.com

Leonard D. Gibson III, EDITOR

BASEBALL

Silver Glove Series: The battle for Bayou City LEONARD D. GIBSON III

SPORTS EDITOR

@ LEONARDDGIBSON

The biggest rivalry in Bayou City is back as the Houston Cougars and the Rice Owls are set to meet on the baseball diamond for the Silver Glove Series.

The Cougars will play host to the Owls next Tuesday at Schroeder Park at 6:30 p.m. The game features a Cougar team that has surged in the last ten games and a Rice team that has had its fair share of problems this season.

This Silver Glove Series has been a part of Houston culture since 1948 and has seen these two programs match up 181 times. The Owls lead the alltime series 103-78 while most recently winning the series every year from 2001-2013.

In 2014, however, this decade-long dynasty came to an end, and the Cougars have won the series ever since.

The Cougars have the possibility of going into this rivalry game on a 14-game win streak, raising the stakes even more.

However, Houston travels to UCF this weekend for the start of conference play, and the Black Knights’ 19-6 overall record shows their competitiveness. The Cougars swept No. 27 UC Irvine this past weekend, so they are definitely capable of

The Rice University team may lead the Silver Glove Series 103-78, but since 2014, the Cougars have won each year. | Kennia Martinez/The Cougar

continuing the streak.

Rice, on the other hand, is having one of their worst seasons ever. They went from a 38-24 overall record last season to a 7-19 record so far this season. They rank at No. 142 in batting average (.267) and No. 182 in ERA (5.10).

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Comparatively, the Cougars have the fourth best ERA in the country (2.16) and sit at No. 42 in batting average (.302). They boast an 18-5 overall record and have lost at home only twice so far.

Junior left-handed pitcher Seth Romero and junior

shortstop Jake Scheiner have spearheaded the Cougars so far. Romero, who will pitch Friday, is second in the nation in strikeouts per nine innings (14.95) and Scheiner is ninth in batting average (.438).

Overall, Houston is the better team, and while Rice has

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historically had a competitive baseball team, the Cougars should easily beat the Owls.

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NFL DRAFT

Brandon Wilson soars at UH Pro Day, Ward. Jr. struggles LEONARD D. GIBSON III

SPORTS EDITOR

@ LEONARDDGIBSON

Everybody expected to be talking about Tyus Bowser going in the NFL Draft's first round or Greg Ward Jr.'s transition from quarterback to wide receiver; nobody thought they would see such an impressive performance from Brandon Wilson at UH's Pro Day. The University of Houston’s 2017 Pro Day on Monday saw 10 Cougars work out in front of scouts from each of the 32 NFL teams in an effort to get drafted.

The event gave these Cougars the opportunity to increase their draft stock, but also to meet with representatives from NFL teams.

"This is an interview," said head coach Major Applewhite. "They want to see who you are as a person and how you work when faced with drills you’ve never run before."

To the top Wilson knocked the athletic part of his interview out of the park.

He bench pressed 225 pounds 24 times and recorded a 41 inch vertical jump. If these times had been recorded at the NFL Combine, they would have ranked first among other cornerbacks.

His dominant performance didn’t end there.

His 4.36 time in the 40-yard dash, the fastest of the day, was a hundredth of a second off tying the fastest defensive back in the NFL Combine, Fabian Moreau, who ran a 4.35. His 133 inch broad

If Brandon Wilson had been invited to the NFL Combine, he would've ranked in the top five in multiple events against other cornerbacks. | Justin Tijerina/The Cougar

jump was just 3 inches behind the NFL Combine’s leader, Moreau, again with 136.

Adversity again The biggest question going into Pro Day, however, was how Houston’s star quarterback, Greg Ward Jr., would transition to wide receiver.

“There’s a lot of quarterbacks that go four years throughout

their college career and never actually play wide receiver. He’s played that position,” Applewhite said. “That’s a skill set that he’s had to refresh himself with and go back through some of the final points to get ready for a day like this.”

Ward Jr.’s height and weight have been his biggest detractors his entire football career, but other problems have made their

appearances. When looking at Combine and Pro Day statistics, Ward Jr. does not compete with the competition.

The fastest 40-yard dash in the NFL Combine was set by Washington’s wide receiver John Ross with a time of 4.22. While this impressive mark is hard to compete with, Ward Jr.’s 4.58 time would have put him tied at No. 37 of the 51 wide receivers who

participated in the 40-yard dash in the combine — in both his 3-cone drill (6.96) and 20 yard shuttle (4.29).

“I did okay on my 40. I feel like I can always do better at anything,” Ward said. “I believe I showed a little bit.”

In the end, however, a number is just a number.

If Ward had been judged on numbers alone, he would have never become the star quarterback for the Cougars. Just like how he had to prove his worth at the collegiate level, he will have to prove himself in the NFL.

Expecting greatness

Greg Ward Jr. may have been the star quarterback for the Cougars, but he's switched over to wide receiver for the NFL draft. | The Cougar Archives

Even after missing a couple games due to injury, outside linebacker Tyus Bowser finished second on the team with 12 tackles for loss. | The Cougar Archives

From the defensive side of the ball, Tyus Bowser and the possibility of him going in the first round has been circulating. One of three Cougars to be invited to the Combine, Bowser put up all his numbers there.

Against other linebackers, he ranked first in the vertical jump (37.5 inches), first in the 3-cone drill (6.75 seconds), fifth in the 40-yard dash (4.65 seconds) and third in the broad jump (127 inches).

"I'd love to be a first round draft pick,” Bowser said. “I hope that it works out that way. I'll just wait until that day comes.” sports@thedailycougar.com

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FOOTBALL

Defense aims to prove they're more than 'chicken salad' J. D. SMITH

ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR @ JDSMITH_08

On Saturday, the Cougars competed in their first intrasquard scrimmage of the spring. In similar fashion to the past three seasons, the defense dominated, allowing only two touchdowns.

In part three of the series leading up to the Red and White game, The Cougar breaks down a defense looking to replace five starters.

finishing his freshman campaign second in the nation in tackles for loss and first among defensive tackles with nine pass breakups.

He was at his best in the biggest games, totaling four sacks and five tackles for loss against Oklahoma

they look to continue this trend.

“I think as a team we grow together and however that identifies us is how that’ll be, but I think as a defense we’re still together,” Davis said. “Whatever this year has for us, whatever identity it gives us

“I've seen Todd Orlando make chicken salad out of some lesser parts."

Tom Herman, Former head coach

Moving on Much like the offense, the defense is dealing with significant changes following former head coach Tom Herman’s jolt to Austin. The defensive coordinator for the past two seasons, Todd Orlando, followed suit, ending his time as a Cougar with a disappointing performance in the Las Vegas Bowl.

In his place steps former Miami Hurricanes defensive coordinator Mark D’Onofrio. Under him the Hurricanes were consistently one of the best in the nation at forcing turnovers, something the Cougars are quite used to.

As with every coaching change however, there are differences in how the defense will scheme.

“The scheme is just a little bit different,” said junior safety Garrett Davis. “There’s a different feel as far as being able to cover a receiver or fitting up a run.”

D’Onofrio joins the Cougars after a year off from the college game.

After being let go by the Hurricanes in 2015, he spent 2016 coaching the Boys and Girls Club in Miami.

D’Onofrio inherits a defense that has been one of the best in the nation at forcing turnovers and stopping the run over the past three seasons. He will have to prove that those Miami defenses were not indicative of his coaching ability as they ranked near the bottom nationally in scoring, passing, rushing and total defense.

All-American leader With the loss of five starters to graduation and the NFL, the defense needs someone to step up and be a leader on the field.

Luckily, they have an answer in sophomore defensive tackle Ed Oliver.

The 19-year-old Houston native made headlines before arriving on campus, becoming the first fivestar rated recruit to choose a group of five school. He followed that up with one of the best defensive seasons the Cougars have ever seen.

He was named First Team All-American by several outlets,

and Louisville.

Now in his second season, Oliver knows he will be looked upon to lead the defense.

"A lot more is expected out of me,” Oliver said. "I'm not allowed to be a kid anymore. I'm held to high expectations because a lot of teammates look up to me and I want to show them the right things to do."

When Herman announced he was leaving for Austin, Oliver voiced his displeasure in his former coach, tweeting — and quickly deleting — “Why you lie to us coach?” This feud continued into the start of spring practices when Herman made remarks about the quality of defenses Orlando had coached in the past.

"I've seen Todd Orlando make chicken salad out of some lesser parts," Herman said in a March 6 press conference.

Backfield breakdown A season after they had to replace both starting safeties, the Cougars feature a shakeup in the secondary for the second straight year following the departure of both starting corners. The duo of Brandon Wilson and Howard Wilson combined for six of the Cougars’ 7 interceptions, starting a combined 21 games.

While Brandon Wilson was out with an injury, junior Jeremy Winchester was called on to start at corner and is the remaining Cougar with the most experience.

The Spring native totaled 45 tackles with one sack and eight passes defended in eight starts, seeing action in all 13 games.

After spending two seasons at receiver, junior Isiah Johnson made the transition to corner over the offseason. He has adapted well to the change, leading all defenders with five tackles in the scrimmage.

we’ll roll with it.”

For a defense that has consistently ranked near the top of the nation in many categories recently, the expectations are high as they head into 2017. Davis knows that no matter what happens the pride they show for the community and school will shine through.

“We take pride in being the UH defense, we take pride in wearing the jersey.” sports@thedailycougar.com

First Team All-American, sophomore defensive tackle Ed Oliver, is coming off one of the best seasons in Cougar history. | Courtesy of UH Athletics

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With his first throw, senior Cameron Cornelius aims to finally win the American Athletic Conference Outdoor Championship before moving on to the national stage. | Courtesy of UH Athletics

TRACK & FIELD

Senior shot putter set to blow away competition PETER SCAMARDO

SENIOOR STAFF WRITER @ PLSCAMARDO2

To be able to come back from multiple knee surgeries and still dominate the competition is what senior thrower Cameron Cornelius has accomplished this season in the shot put.

After missing all of last season, Cornelius came back strong to win his third American Athletic Conference Indoor Track and Field Championship title in his third year of competition. In 2016, Cornelius decided to redshirt the indoor season in an attempt to get more time to prepare for a run at the AAC Outdoor Championship. In two seasons of competition, Cornelius had fallen short of the Outdoor Championship by a total of four inches.

What started as a vengeance year ended as a scrapped season when prior injuries started to impact Cornelius' performances.

"I woke up one day and felt a really sharp pain in my knee," Cornelius said. "I had torn my meniscus somehow. I knew exactly what it was because it's happened two other times. I tried to throw one meet at UTSA and I was throwing 62 feet prior to my knee injury, but that meant I could only go 56, 57. So we decided to just go ahead and trash the whole season and get prepared for this one."

The comeback Cornelius came back in peak form, opening up the indoor

season with a throw of 18.02m.

At the time, this was the eighth best throw in the nation and set the standard for his season. Winning every meet he competed in, Cornelius easily won the conference title with a throw of 18.43m.

Despite this, Cornelius missed out on a trip to College Station for the AAC Indoor Championship. His throw at conference only put him at No. 31 in the country and athletes are required to land in the top 16 to qualify for nationals.

As with every season, the athletes who missed out on nationals went right to work prepping for the outdoor season.

In his very first meet, Cornelius had three throws better than his personal best, 18.36m — a record he set his freshman year.

On the day he topped out at 18.88m, it became the third best throw in the country. "(I was) impressed but not surprised," assistant coach Will Blackburn said. "We're at that cusp of being really good. He's just got to stay a little more consistent at it right now. We're going to keep things as simple as possible through the next couple weeks. Once he gets to hopefully 63, 64, then we'll have to move to another step or technique."

A man on a mission Cornelius said with that one throw, he fell in love with the sport all over again. Suffering

After recovering from a third injury, Cornelius has shown he is still one of the top throwers in the country. | The Cougar Archives

from constant knee pain, he was considering if it was worth it to continue the sport. But now that he's come back strong, Cornelius has his mind set on following through with his vengeance season.

His goals go further than finally winning the AAC Outdoor Championship.

His goal is to earn First Team All-American status and to medal at the World University Games in September. Because of that, his coaches have actually delayed when Cornelius will

peak. They need him to be in top form when the team travels to Taipei, Taiwan to represent Team USA. Ironically, his coaches believe he has almost recovered too well, moving so fast in his technique that he was missing his shots.

But now, Blackburn said, Cornelius has been able to slow it down in order to keep his body in line and perfect his shot.

Cornelius has one thing in mind when he reaches the conference final: to win it on the first throw. He has all the motivation

in the world and faced adversity to get to this point. He has the confidence that the hard work he and his coaches have put in will see him through conference and onto his greater goals.

"All-American first and foremost," Cornelius said. "I really don't care what distance it takes to get there. If I throw 61 and get it, that's fine. If I have to throw 64 to get it, that's fine. I might have to have a perfect throw to get there, but I think it's doable." sports@thedailycougar.com