DT VOLUME 122, ISSUE 46 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2022
SELF-LOVE ND A SOCIAL MED IA Students discuss the impact social media has on self esteem and body image. raquel higine
/ the daily texan staff
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Students discuss impact of social media on body-image and beauty standards.
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Pease Parkside residents without heat, gas, hot water for over a month
Assoc. Comics Editor Sylvia Asuncion-Crabb
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Senior Sports Reporters Ethan Ferguson, Amsal Madhani, Jordan Mitchell
04
UT must provide emergency weather resources to
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Labor shortages at CapMetro cause students living in Riverside to miss class.
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Contents:
By Joelle DiPaolo @JoelleDipaolo
Some residents at the Pease Parkside apartment complex in West Campus have been without gas, heat and hot water for over a month due to failed utility inspections, causing frustration among residents who said management has done little to compensate them. Texas Gas Service, which provides gas for the apartment complex, investigated an odor report on Dec. 20 that caused the gas to get turned off at one of the four buildings, said Bailey McBride, public relations director for Texas Gas Service. John O’Neill, president and broker of the Pease Parkside apartment complex, said they are working on fixing the issue, but it’s taking longer than expected after they discovered more issues and decided to replace the whole system. Resident Connor James Gebhart said he has primarily been staying at a friend’s house because of the lack of heat and gas. He said he is disappointed about management’s lack of urgency. “They just gave us these burners so we can finally cook food, but that was like a week ago,” Gebhart said. “It’s been like three weeks without them even trying to find a solution for us.
kara hawley
/ the daily texan staff
Due to failed utility inspections, residents at the Pease Parkside apartment complex have been without gas, heat and hot water for over a month.
It’s quite frustrating.” After initial repairs and subsequent inspections, O’Neill said plumbers discovered all nine of the outdoor gas lines had leaks, and that it would be easier to replace the system than fix it. O’Neill said management gave residents space heaters, an electric portable stove burner, a gym membership for showers and a $400 credit to help with the effects of the lost utilities. Fenil Patel, a resident and graduate student, said the monetary compensation provided by management was not nearly enough. “(Originally) they merely gave us $100 compensation in the next rent, which is insultingly low,” Patel said. “They’ve increased their offer from $100 to $400. Which, if you look at a month’s rent, is just 35% of it. Whereas we have suffered for more than one and a half months.” Rutvij Dave, Patel’s roommate, said as an international student in a
one-year program, he has had difficulties finding alternative places to stay because he does not know a lot of people in Austin. And since he does not have a car, it is difficult for him to go to the gym to shower. “We chose this place because it was close to UT so we could run our errands with the University,” Dave said. “But … because we have so much on our plate, we’re not even able to get ready to go to the meetings.” Because of the winter storm this week, O’Neill said it gave residents the option to be put in a hotel for a week or receive another $400 credit. O’Neill said the materials for the new pipes will arrive this weekend and will take seven days to install. After the installation, the building will have to undergo a final inspection, but management said the gas should be restored in about a week. “I just hope that it gets ready soon so we can at least take showers,” Dave said.
NEWS
ANNA CANIZALES
3
News Editor | @THEDAILYTEXAN FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2022
CAMPUS
CapMetro’s future light rail could eliminate vehicle traffic on Guadalupe The potential light rail could be a solution to the nearby ‘transit desert,’ a UT professor said. By Leila Saidane @leilasophiaaa
apital Metro’s future light rail could eliminate vehicle traffic from The Drag, simultaneously solving the West Campus “transit desert,” according to associate architecture professor Junfeng Jiao. Option B of CapMetro and Austin Transit Partnership’s December 2021 plan would create a transit mall on Guadalupe Street, permitting only the light rail and buses from 22nd Street to 29th Street. The transit mall would include full bike and pedestrian facilities. Alternatively, option A of the plan would create a light rail, but contain vehicle traffic to one lane. These options are part of
Project Connect, a $7.1 billion plan passed by Austin voters in November 2020. “The goals of (a) light rail in the area are to maximize person throughput through the corridor, increase (the) level of transit service to the area and provide operational flexibility and resiliency across the system as transit network changes the future,” a CapMetro representative said in an email. The neighborhoods surrounding UT, including West Campus, are a transit desert, or an area with limited transportation, Jiao said. The light rail could be a solution. Removing vehicle traffic from the Drag would enhance cyclists’ and pedestrians’ safety and provide easy access to a frequently-running light rail, the CapMetro representative said. “When you try to cross Guadalupe Street, you encounter many different
interruptions, mainly coming from cars,” Jiao said. “If we just reduce or completely remove the cars, people can have a relatively smooth transition from walking to the light rail. It is a very thorough safety perspective and a much better solution than having vehicle traffic on streets.” The CapMetro representative said the light rail project referenced other cities’ transport options, like the 16th Street Mall in Denver, when considering what transit would function best on the Drag. The Drag currently transports 6,500 people per hour, according to ATP. Option B has the capacity to transport over 20,000 people an hour through the no-traffic transit mall, according to the projection. The project also aims to accommodate West Campus’ growing population, which increased an estimated 77% from 2000 to 2015, according to ATP. Jiao said he believes the light rail will not create a major problem for drivers in West Campus as they can re-route to other streets and residents will have more transportation options. “As a walker and somebody who’s just trying to get to class, I would feel safer not having cars on Guadalupe at all,” French freshman Eva Eaton said. “Walking to class is scary (because of) speeding.” Mass transit systems like a light rail emit less
pollution than cars due to their increased passenger capacity, Jiao said. “It can reduce (students’ and residents’) financial costs and they can easily go a longer distance through the light rail,” Jiao said. “They also don’t need to pay insurance, gasoline and car maintenance.” Eaton said she spends a significant portion of her salary on gas, so having the transit mall would offer her another mode of cheap transportation as well as a safer walk to campus. “As a student, and definitely as a driver, it would be less stressful and overall better,” Eaton said. “It’s better for the environment; I love that about it. I think it would make getting into campus from West Campus a lot easier.”
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Editor-In-Chief | @TEXANOPINION FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2022
COLUMN
OPINION
Create resources for students during severe weather Use University funding to create emergency weather resources for students. By Julia Zaksek Associate Editor
ast February, when Winter Storm Uri swept through Texas, my three roommates and I had no power for five days. Our house was 40 degrees. We slept two to a bed under layers of blankets, only venturing outside to charge our phones in the car and warm up when our fingers grew numb. When the power finally turned back on, I cried. During the storm, thousands of Austin residents were without power, water or both for nearly a week. UT students were largely left to fend for themselves. Moving forward, UT must create detailed, comprehensive plans to provide clean water, food and warming spaces to all students during a weather emergency. Despite hazardous weather and the ongoing pandemic, students worked together to help each other. While this is admirable, the burden should not have been placed on students. We’re currently in the middle of another freeze, and yet again, students are on their own. Instead, the University should serve students during emergencies. Kat Zhang, an advertising, Asian Studies and Chinese junior, was fortunate enough to have power and water for
the duration of Winter Storm Uri. After she realized how many students were without these essentials, she quickly began organizing student volunteers to distribute clean water to students. “There were literally people going to the fountain and filling up empty milk gallon containers with the water from there just because it was so bad,” Zhang said. Zhang and her team of 120 volunteers provided water and bathroom access to students across West Campus and in university dorms. “If one moderately intelligent UT student can help a considerable amount of people, a university with billions of dollars can probably (have) a lot of impact when their students are struggling,” Zhang said. The University certainly has the funding to create resources for students during severe weather. UT must create a plan to ensure there will be multiple warming centers with clean water, restrooms and food for students, as well as safe transport to centers. “What we like to say is that the best way to prepare is at the individual level,” Director of Emergency Preparedness Jonathan Robb said. That’s certainly what UT students had to do during last year’s storm. The University offered few resources to students. The Union and Gregory Gym were open to students for access to water,
dane hildreth
electricity and snacks, but students had to brave a walk or drive over icy streets that were unsafe for days. Robb said for students who cannot access campus, emergency services can really only provide students with recommendations for outside help. “What we hope to do is be able to (inform) students that are a little further away from campus of where resources are available through the city of Austin,” Robb said. “So, the city is a great partner for the University and provides tremendous resources during emergencies and disasters as well.” Meanwhile, students with experience driving in winter conditions were putting their own safety on the line to deliver essentials to students who were
/ the daily texan staff
unable to leave their homes, fueled largely by student donations and resources provided by the city. “It’s ridiculous that students have to literally bend over backwards to make sure that their peers are not dying of dehydration or not starving during times of crises (when) we’re literally within 200 feet of a huge institution with so much funding and so much power,” Zhang said. Students and their families pay the University to provide them with an education, but also to keep them safe and support them in times of crisis. The burden should not solely fall on students during an emergency. Zaksek is a Plan II and women’s and gender studies senior from Allen, TX.
LIFE&ARTS
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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2022
STUDENT LIFE
New student organization creates space for passions for mushrooms By Angela Lim @angelalim
While rummaging through UT’s course schedule archives over the years, Ali Shirazi discovered BIO 329, a medical mycology class last taught in 2007. Recognizing a lack of opportunities to study the field on campus, Shirazi made plans to revive the efforts himself. “I just thought there seemed to be a need,” said biology junior Shirazi. “I mean, (mushrooms are) an entire kingdom, and UT has the resources. We’re this great research institution.” To gauge other students’ interest in mycology — the scientific study of fungi, mushrooms and yeast — Shirazi shared his idea of starting an organization to the UT community on Reddit and Discord. In less than two weeks, he founded the Longhorn Mycological Society, a space where students can learn about the biology of mushrooms and participate in activities such as community foraging and cultivation. “I was expecting people to be like, ‘That’s off-handed, weird, whatever,’” Shirazi said. “But no, most people who hear about it are like, ‘Oh, I don’t
actually know much about (mushrooms), but they seem interesting. I’d be willing to learn more.’” Since its creation on Jan. 22, the Longhorn Mycological Society GroupMe gained over 60 members. Neuroscience freshman Michael Solomon said he found out about the organization through friends who showed him Shirazi’s Reddit post. “I tell my friends about my fascination with mushrooms, … and I always try to point them out whenever I see one,” Solomon said. “I joined (the club) immediately, and I’m really excited to see where it goes.” After learning about the medicinal properties and natural importance of fungi in middle school, Solomon said his interest in mycology gradually developed over time. “Growing up, you start to appreciate the small things around you more and take notice of them, and over these past years, that’s what’s pulled me into (mycology),” Solomon said. Computer science sophomore Prithvi Jamadagni said he first read about the unique biological characteristics of fungi from science magazines 10 years ago. Fascinated by
mushrooms’ environmental functions, he continued learning about their roles in ecosystems. “(Fungi are) able to establish really complex symbiotic relationships with many other trees and plants,” Jamadagni said. “They’re able to cleanse the soil by leeching out specific metals, which I found very interesting.” Through joining the Longhorn Mycological Society, Jamadagni said he hopes to enrich his knowledge in various mushroom species and their growing conditions with other mycophiles. “It’s a really cool way to meet people who have a niche interest,” Jamadagni said. “You get a window into some parts of the world.”
Shirazi said he aims to make mycological resources more accessible for the UT community by fostering an organization that welcomes all students, regardless of expertise. He said he hopes these initiatives will show demonstrated interest to include mycology in University course catalogs again. “Being able to create this work, start something new on campus and fill the need for such a large portion of biology is super fulfilling, but it’s also just something that needs to be done,” Shirazi said. “It’s been a really pleasant thing to realize that there is a vacuum in this space of science where people have this interest in mycology.”
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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2022
STUDENT LIFE
LIFE&ARTS
Students discuss impacts of Instagram, TikTok on beauty standards
Social media apps with filters sets unrealistic beauty standards and distort self-image, some students say By Isabella Gonzalez @isauhbellah
hile watching the music video for Lady Gaga’s 2009 hit “Telephone” with a friend, Vivian Moyers came to a stark realization about body image and beauty standards. As the pop star paraded through prison cells wearing nothing but a studded leather bra, underwear and six-inch stilettos, Moyers began to think about the treacherous lengths Gaga endured to achieve her slender physique. “Lady Gaga had previously disclosed that during these music videos, she was at the peak of her eating disorder,” said Moyers, an international relations sophomore. “As we were watching the music videos, we were saying, ‘This isn’t healthy for us; we shouldn’t be watching this.’” In 2022, on top of tuning into stars like Gaga on YouTube, Moyers and other students like her now have nonstop access to their peers’ handmade content. As a result of social media apps such as Instagram and TikTok, where users have the opportunity to share their own bite-sized music videos with the virtual world, the picture perfect standards of beauty once
reserved for celebrities and idols now pertain to everyday people, too. Watching classmates don filters that aim to enlarge eyes, shorten noses and narrow faces, computer science sophomore Justice Warren said constant exposure to flawless faces exacerbates negative feelings toward one’s self-image. “(Seeing) friends and people you go to school with using (filters) and posting selfies, you start thinking, ‘Why do they look like that? When I turn the camera on, I don’t look like that,’” Warren said. “You feel like (you) can’t post a picture without also using those filters or learning how to do makeup.” As Instagram and Tiktok become increasingly prevalent in social interactions, Warren said online impressions serve as a prominent way to critique outward appearances. “The self becomes a form of media.” Warren said. “Just like you wouldn’t share a drawing that you didn’t think was perfect or worthy of likes, pictures of me have to be perfect (as well).” Speech language pathology senior Zoe Brezner said as digital communication increases, especially on TikTok, which saw a 787.86% increase in usership in the U.S between January 2018 and July 2020, teens have become more susceptible to expecting unrealistic standards of beauty. “Girls are exposed to social media so young, they start thinking … that they need to look like Instagram models,” Brezner said. “They’re young and impressionable, (so) they think that that’s normal.” Moyers said falling victim to these pressures proved detrimental during her formative years. But, after unfollowing mutuals and celebrities who
contributed to negative perceptions about herself, she now puts more emphasis on sharing things she enjoys. “I went through a phase where I would heavily edit and filter my pictures to try to embody (Western) beauty standards,” Moyers said. “But recently, I’ve gotten into the flow of posting what makes me happy.” Similarly for Brezner, by being mindful of the lengths users online go to produce perfect appearances, she can curate her feed to help motivate healthy habits and focus on content she enjoys. “I try to avoid the influencers who aren’t as positive. … (Instead), I try and watch creators who use their platform not necessarily to show off, but to spread a more positive message.” Brezner said she credits her ability to avoid negative comparisons and maintain self-love to her parents, as they commonly instilled values of confidence in her as a child. “(My parents) always (said), your body is what makes you special, so you should never be ashamed of it,” Brezner said. “Whenever I was little, they always emphasized that confidence is the most
beautiful thing, so I always try to take that with me.”
raquel higine
/ the daily texan staff
NEWS
7
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2022
STUDENT GOVERNMENT
Student government reform bills ensuring greater accountability passed unanimously By Mackenzie Sullivan @macksully
Student Government unanimously passed two reform bills designed to make structural and ethical changes to SG’s governing documents at an assembly meeting Tuesday. The bills aim to ensure greater accountability among members. Authored by College of Liberal Arts representatives Kevin Roberts and Jerold Holman, A.B. 13 amends SG’s Code of Rules and Procedures, and A.B. 14 amends SG’s Constitution. The bills create a code of conduct for SG members, add more university wide representatives and outline a process for impeachment among other things. When the idea for reform bills arose in November, Roberts said they initially planned small-scale changes, but as he and Holman worked on the legislation over winter break, the need for greater changes was evident. “Following a series of conversations from students, it was clear that Student Government wasn’t meeting that threshold it should be meeting,” Holman said. “We should all be held to really high expectations for our students.” A major change to the Code of Rules and Procedures is the implementation of a code of conduct, which details punishments for SG members who commit offenses outlined in the document such as harassment or abusing their positions. Roberts said a code of conduct will hopefully make SG members more mindful of ethics following last semester’s scandals
mateo macias
/ the daily texan staff
Student Government unanimously passed Amendments A.B. 13 and A.B. 14 at Tuesday’s assembly meeting. The bills aim to create more accountability amongst SG members in response to calls for reform and change.
among executive members, which included allegations of sexual assault against former vice president Ethan Jones. “Members will be much more careful with the actions that they do take and make sure they’re not breaking any rules,” Roberts said. “I think with having them here now, and having them enforced, we can really ensure that people follow the rules and do the right thing always.” Four new universitywide representatives and a line of succession for the student body president will be added to the constitution,
according to A.B. 14. The bill also lays out a clear impeachment procedure after the failed impeachment of some executive members last month. An amendment to A.B. 13 allows representatives with an excused absence to vote before the meeting, which the authors hope will address issues SG faced with meeting quorum. “We thought this was a good compromise of making sure there (were) procedures in place that allowed us to continue to hit quorum, but still making sure we were getting the representation that
was needed from the student body on all the pieces of legislation,” said Braxdon Cannon, speaker of the assembly. Cannon said SG previously passed some measures to regulate member conduct, but having an official code of conduct ensures greater accountability. “This is definitely something that I think the assembly can all agree is moving in the right direction, just because the provisions in the code of conduct are obvious,” said Cannon, a mathematics and sustainability studies sophomore.
Holman and Roberts said they had ongoing conversations with the student body and assembly members to gather input and ensure the bills fulfilled their main goal of improving SG for students and members alike. Roberts said the assembly’s passage of the two bills marks the beginning of many reformative changes he intends to make within SG. “These rules and this legislation that we wrote are just a down payment to further significant changes (and) structural changes we intend to make,” Roberts said.
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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2022
NEWS
UNIVERSITY
Home estate sale by longtime Texas supporter to create largest Texas Women’s Athletics scholarship in history
copyright justin and lakana trubiana, and reproduced with permission
Local Austin restaurants teamed up to purchase Betty Grubbs’ estate with intent to create a botanical garden and eatery with female-owned vendors.
By Leena Alali @leena_aym
A Student’s Right To Privacy The below is considered directory information. Under federal law, directory information Theinformation information below is considered directory information. Under federal law, directory can be madecan available to theavailable public. You restrict You access to restrict this information by this visiting information be made to may the public. may access to information by http://utx.as/personal-info. Please be aware that if you request yourthat directory information to to visiting http://registrar.utexas.edu/restrictmyinfo. Please be ALL aware if you would like be restricted NO information about you given to anyone, including family restrict information from appearing inwill thebe printed directory, you mustyour make yourmembers, changes at this except as required law. Any restriction will remain effect until you it. directory web page by the by twelfth class day of you the make fall semester. If in you request thatrevoke ALL your
information be restricted NO information about you will be given to anyone, including your
by law. Any restriction you •make willparking remainpermit in effect until •family Namemembers, except as required • Classification Student revoke it. •you Local and permanent • Major field(s) of study information addresses • Most recent previous educa• Expected date of graduation name number • classification heightattended if member of •• Phone tional and institution • Degrees, awards, and honors • weight athletic team local address and permanent •• Email •anJob title and dates of employreceived (including selection • major field(s) of study addresses ment when employed • Public user name (UT EID) criteria) date of graduation • student parking permitby the • expected •• Place birth university in a position that • Participation in officially information phoneofnumber • degrees, awards, and honors •• Dates attendance requires student status recognized activities and sports e-mailofaddress received (including selection • the most recent previous • Enrollment status • Weight and height if member of educational institution attended • public user name (UT EID) criteria) an athletic team • job title and dates of employ• place of birth • participation in officially ment when employed by the recognized activities and • dates of attendance DIRECTORY INFORMATION SHOULD BE KEPT CURRENT. OfficialUniversity correspondence is sent that in a position sports • enrollment status to the postal or email address last given to the registrar. If the student requires has failedstudent to correct this status
address, they will not be relieved of responsibility on the grounds that the correspondence was not delivered. For details about educational andCURRENT. official communications with the University DIRECTORY INFORMATION SHOULD records BE KEPT Official correspondence is sent see General Information, 2021-2022 catalog. to the postal or e-mail address last given to the registrar; if the student has failed to correct
this address, he or she will not be relieved of responsibility on the grounds that the correspondence was not delivered. For details about educational records and official communications with the University see General Information, 2011–2012.
Betty Grubbs was a fanatic supporter of all Longhorn sports, and she dedicated herself to ensuring that women at UT had the opportunity to play sports until her death in 2018. Now, her home estate could serve to benefit Texas Women’s Athletics. On Feb. 1, the Sunset Valley Zoning commission recommended the city council approve a rezoning permit to allow Grubbs’ estate to be used for business purposes. The proceeds of the sale of Grubbs’ land will go directly to UT as seed money for the Betty Grubbs Endowed Scholarship Program for Texas Women’s Athletics, an agreement she had written before she died. If approved, it would be the largest scholarship for Texas Women’s Athletics in history, said
Jody Conradt, a retired UT women’s basketball coach, in a letter of support for the proposal. “She was one of the very earliest supporters (of Texas Women’s Athletics),” said Chris Plonsky, chief of staff for Texas Athletics. “She knew everybody (in Austin) … and (would) encourage people to buy tickets to especially women’s basketball and volleyball.” Local Austin restaurant owners Reyna Vazquez of Veracruz All Natural and Lakana Trubiana of Dee Dee Thai teamed up to purchase Grubbs’ estate in the hopes of creating a botanical garden and eatery with female-owned vendors. Vazquez and Trubiana also plan to host an annual fundraiser for the Grubbs’ endowment fund to continue honoring her beyond the initial sale of the land. Vazquez said they plan on hiring women and
immigrants to support the Austin community better. “It’s important that the original local places that started here continue to thrive and keep Austin’s unique identity,” Trubiana said in an email. “This is also a great opportunity to support small local woman-owned businesses with our own unique cultures and identities.” Plonsky is glad the proposed eateries are women-owned, and she said this project could not have come at a better time, considering this year will be the 50th anniversary of Title IX. “People like Betty Grubbs supported so many Austin community activities,” Plonsky said. “She could have skipped right over college athletics, but when she saw that (UT) was going to treat their women athletes just like their men … she said, ‘I’m all in.’”
NEWS
9
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2022
CITY
CapMetro delays in Riverside cause students to miss class By Leila Saidane @leilasophiaaa
UT students who live in Riverside faced transportation challenges on Tuesday as only one of three Capital Metro buses that run the Riverside route were operating due to bus driver shortages. “Tuesday’s UT shuttle delays were an effect of labor shortages our agency is facing,” Jenna Maxfield, a representative for CapMetro, said in an email. “During these times, our operations team has to make difficult decisions to meet service demand for the entire system with the labor resources available.” Maxfield did not specify the cause of the labor shortages in the email. William Ramírez, an economics and honors humanities sophomore and a Riverside resident, said he was frustrated some UT professors had mandatory attendance policies when the city and the University were unable to provide adequate transportation. “A lot of these things, students can’t control, and they’re being penalized and have to face repercussions for it,” Ramírez said. “Luckily, I was able to make the bus, but at least 20 to 30 other students were left behind. If you miss a lecture or two of class you’re behind for weeks.” Government junior Cecilia Garcia said city buses are her only form of transportation as a resident in Riverside. Garcia said buses typically arrive every 15 minutes. On Tuesday, they arrived every hour instead. Although she said she was able to catch the bus, Garcia said she would have been penalized in her government class if she had missed it. “There was only one bus running the whole morning,” Garcia said. “It was completely full, sitting and standing, and there was still a crowd
of people left at the bus stop. A bunch of people missed (their) class because there was no shuttle to school.” Garcia said she felt frustrated with the discourse on Twitter between students who reside in West and North Campus blamed students who reside in Riverside. “Riverside is the most affordable housing (area) at UT,” Garcia said. “That really irked me, and I don’t think people understand that for the people who live in Riverside … the shuttles are the only form of transportation.” Garcia said the University should do more to accommodate Riverside students and take a more active role in providing transportation to student living areas. “I would like the actual University to implement a specific shuttle just for Riverside students,” Garcia said. “They’re not really giving us any resources to actually get to campus. I would like CapMetro to
at least provide two more buses because we’re back in person.” Eliska Padilla, UT’s issues and communications manager, said in an email that questions about bus route issues should be redirected to CapMetro, but she also pointed to a Jan. 11 message from Sharon Wood, executive vice president and provost, that asked faculty members to be flexible with students who have “exceptional circumstances.” Ramírez said University administration should no longer allow professors to require attendance because the policy alienates certain groups of students. “(The University is) always so big on inclusivity and being all together, but once we start asking for inclusive classrooms, they literally push us out the door,” Ramírez said. “I want the University to stick to their words and actually push for inclusive classrooms and inclusive workloads, like no mandatory attendance.”
jack myer
/ the daily texan file
UT Shuttle delays lengthened commute times and caused problems for commuting students. Only one out of three Capital Metro buses on the Riverside route were operational due to labor shortages, on Tuesday.
HANNAH WILLIFORD
10
Sports Editor | @TEXANSPORTS
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2022
FEATURE
SPORTS
piperi brothers talk passion, past, shot put juan figueroa
/ the daily texan file
Tripp Piperi has earned the title of No.2 performer in UT history for both indoor and outdoor shot put.
Piperi brothers reflect on their journey to Texas and futures in shot put.
By Ethan Ferguson @ethan_ferguson6
ripp and Patrick Piperi grew up on sports. Whether it was starting track at eight years old or being linemen in high school, their father, Adrian Piperi, pushed them toward athletics. Now, the Piperis say it is the time on the field that made all the difference. “I think all the sports we did helped shape us into the athletes we are today,” Patrick Piperi said. Tripp said he found shot put through his track career.
The passion would later lead to an impressive collegiate career, becoming the men’s Big 12 indoor champion in 2018 and holding a personal best of 21.74 meters. “When you have fun with something it’s not incredibly challenging to get better at it,” Tripp said. Patrick, his younger brother and a junior at Texas, saw his brother excelling in shot put while he was running 400s for the track team, and decided to make a change. “Seeing how successful he was definitely motivated me even more,” Patrick said. Tripp has created a lasting impact throughout his duration at Texas, earning the title of No. 2 performer in UT
history in both indoor and outdoor shot put. He’s broken Ryan Crouser’s indoor record at Texas and has goals of breaking his outdoor record. Crouser threw at UT and is known as the greatest shot put thrower of all time. Tripp said he looked up to Crouser when he was younger, but has started to admire him differently. “I’m (getting to) a point where, in the next few years, I’m gonna be competing with him all the time,” Tripp said. “I look up to more of his mental fortitude when he’s competing.” When it came time for Patrick to choose a college, his brother played a large role in coming to Texas. “I was texting him every single
day about the advantages of coming to Texas,” Tripp said. “It is nice to have somebody here that understands you more than anyone else.” Tripp and Patrick agree that it’s an interesting dynamic, but said they’ve built a stronger connection being on the same collegiate track and field team. “We have our own ways of encouraging each other,” Patrick said. “We always want each other to do well.” One of their favorite performances together came from their triumph at this season’s Red Raider Open. Patrick earned a lifetime personal-record in college with his 18.00-meter throw to finish in fifth. Tripp had his season best throw of 20.99 meters and won the event.
“I was up on the railings yelling for him to get that number,” Patrick said. “Whenever we see one person get a big throw, it makes us want to get one.” Tripp is pursuing a graduate certificate, but continues to throw for Texas through COVID-19 eligibility. He plans to throw professionally. Over the past year, Patrick has learned how to fight with an interest in Muay Thai. He has goals of getting into MMA after college. Patrick’s objective is to hit the Olympic standard for shot put before he graduates. Tripp and Patrick say their performance up to this point is where it needs to be. This season, they have goals of sweeping the Big 12 Championship.
SPORTS
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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2022
BASEBALL
High expectations fuel No. 1 Texas baseball in pursuit of national championship jack myer
/ the daily texan file
Redshirt sophomore Trey Faltine hits the ball and runs to first base. After facing losses in last season’s College World Series, Texas baseball has embraced 2022 as another chance to win.
By Jordan Mitchell @TheJordanKenzie
On June 26, Longhorn baseball fans erupted in chants of “Texas Fight” as sophomore Cole Quintanilla took the mound. Despite the two losses to Mississippi State earlier in the season, many had their money on Texas to win the semifinal in Omaha for their 13th trip to the College World Series final. However, a chance at their first national championship title since 2005 wasn’t in the cards for the Longhorns. With one out in the bottom of the ninth, the Bulldogs’ Tanner Leggett hit an RBI off Quintanilla’s slider for the walk-off win to top Texas 4-3. Nearly eight months after the devastating loss in Omaha, preseason No. 1 Texas baseball has
fully embraced 2022 as their revenge season. “We’re definitely hungry and we want to win,” said redshirt sophomore Trey Faltine. “Having that taste in your mouth from last year and being so close, … we want to prove to everybody else and prove to ourselves that we are capable.” Faltine, who is considered to have one of the best gloves in the NCAA, fielded a .968 last season as Texas’ starting shortstop. But he is also a team leader. Emerging as a media personality over his college career, he has kindled spirit in a program that already plays best when the lights shine the brightest. “He’s got a ton of energy,” head coach David Pierce said. “He just never stops and loves being at the ballpark. He loves
baseball; he loves working.” Texas baseball also holds leadership in the pitching staff. Despite All-American pitcher Ty Madden and Quintanilla departing to pursue professional baseball, redshirt senior Tristan Stevens returned for one last dance at UFCU Disch-Falk Field to improve his draft stock and pursue some “unfinished business.” Last season, the preseason All-American worked his way into the weekend rotation and led the team with an 11–3 record on the mound, but wasn’t drafted to a professional team. “It was a no-brainer (to come back),” Stevens said. “I see myself (as) more valuable to this program. We want to build that standard for years to come because last season wasn’t a oneand-done.”
Catcher Silas Ardoin is supporting weekend starting pitchers Stevens, redshirt sophomore Pete Hansen and sophomore Tanner Witt. Witt, who emerged from the bullpen to start on the mound, attributes Ardoin’s pitch calling with his comfort in his new position. “I have 100% confidence,” Witt said. “I said it last year and I’ll say it again; I’ll go to war with that guy.” Texas baseball caught another lucky break in 2021 as designated hitter Ivan Melendez opted to return to the Forty Acres despite going in the 16th round of the MLB draft. However, Pierce plans on moving the redshirt senior to first base, raising one of the few questions surrounding the preseason No. 1 team. “(Melendez’s) skill set of picks
and footwork and ground balls is really good,” Pierce said. “I think it’s more about alignment, positioning, decision making — and that piece is coming along.” With the seven preseason All-Americans in Melendez, Faltine, Stevens, Hansen, Witt, Aaron Nixon and Mitchell Daly, No. 1 Texas baseball looks to have no major gaps to fill in its pursuit of the 2022 title. However, Stevens says there isn’t any added pressure with the preseason accolades. “If you come to the University of Texas, you know (what) you’re getting yourself into, especially for this baseball program,” Stevens said. “Kids come here to get those expectations — you should know that going in. And if you don’t, the University isn’t for you.”
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Comics Editor | @TEXANCOMICS FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2022
COMICS