The Daily Texan 2022-03-25 by The Daily Texan

24th Street Starbucks pledges to unionize

DT VOLUME 122, ISSUE 57 FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2022

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Emmanuel Williams shares his journey to becoming a international designer.

Sports

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UT joins global network to become more inclusive for older students.

Life&Arts

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UT should create a student business week for student entepreneurs.

News

Assoc. Newsletters Editor Jessica Garcia Copy Desk Chiefs Mantra Dave, Angelina Braese

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Opinion

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Contents:

Texas women’s basketball is putting the NCAA on notice in its Sweet 16 run.

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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Sanika Nayak (512) 232-2212 editor@dailytexanonline.com

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NEWS OFFICE

Sanger Learning Center increases student wages

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By Joelle DiPaolo @JoelleDipaolo

The Sanger Learning Center increased most student employee wages from $11.25 to $14 an hour this semester in an effort to attract more tutors. Paige Schilt, director of the Sanger Learning Center, said the center wanted to raise wages after seeing the pandemic’s effect on the labor market, which has caused the center to suffer a labor shortage. The center saved money during the pandemic by moving operations online, Schilt said, which gave them the funds to increase pay for employees through the 202223 school year. Student employees who have worked four or more semesters will now receive $15 an hour. Schilt said the center applied for additional funding from the University in hopes of

continuing the increased wages beyond the next academic year. “We’re still very much engaged and trying to amass the funds to really change the pay structure … for the long term,” Schilt said. “We’re hoping that the University will make more recurring funds available to raise student wages.” Schilt said she hopes the pay increases incentivize more students to apply to be tutors. Last fall, the center had 280 student employees, as compared to 327 during the fall 2020 semester. “We know that students, through no fault of their own, experienced a lot of gaps in their education because of the pandemic, and we anticipate that the need for academic support is going to be greater than ever in the coming years,” Schilt said. “We really want to make sure

that we’re well prepared and fully staffed.” Chemistry junior Kimberly Ngo said she likes being a tutor with Sanger because she can set her own hours. She said the pay increase motivated her to work more hours. “I was gonna try and take it easy my last semester and just do schoolwork, but with the pay increase, I’ll stay my last semester and get some extra money,” Ngo said. Undeclared communications freshman Samia Tasnim, a Spanish tutor, said her employers at the center are very accommodating. “I think $14 is pretty acceptable at this point,” Tasnim said. “$11.25 was too low, especially if you’re doing a more intensive course.” Schilt said she hopes the pay increase makes working at the center a more accessible job for students. “We see (being a tutor)

/ the daily texan staff

as very skilled work and we want to definitely be able to pay our students in a way that recognizes the challenge of the work they do,” Schilt said. “We were concerned that we might not be attracting students who really need the job to support themselves.” Tasnim said the pay increase will help her save to live off campus next year. “The main reason I’m working right now is to save up for rent money next year because West Campus is expensive,” Tasnim said. “If I could get some extra cash, that would be wonderful.” Ngo said before the pay increase, she considered quitting in favor of a higher-paying job. “Now I can feel more content about my financial situation,” Ngo said. “Even just a couple (more) dollars (an hour) is so, so helpful.”

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S A N I K A N AYA K

Editor-In-Chief | @TEXANOPINION FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2022

COLUMN

OPINION

UT should create a business week for student entrepreneurs The University should host a weeklong platform for student entrepreneurs.

By Michael Lazenby Senior Columnist

eing an entrepreneur can be difficult. The process of turning an idea into a product is often stressful, challenging and time consuming. In fact, some reports say approximately 20% of small businesses in the United States fail within their first year. Given that the University has spearheaded numerous entrepreneurship initiatives in the past, UT should create and host a student business week to support student innovators. While many students have envisioned starting their own business, there are numerous barriers between aspiring entrepreneurs and their finished products. One difficulty is receiving crucial customer feedback. The University is filled with valuable consumers and faculty experts, but they are difficult for student entrepreneurs to interact with. Being a student is demanding enough without having to track down people to provide feedback on your product. During student business week, Longhorns with initial business ideas or those that already operate their own company would set up a booth in conference rooms or other reserved spaces on campus,

available for all students to visit in a one-week period during the semester. Entrepreneurs would discuss their businesses or products and receive real-time feedback from fellow students. Physics graduate student Jonas Smucker explained some of the ways students could benefit from having a platform to showcase their ideas and products. “I think collaboration is the secret to success,” Smucker said. “Having a week dedicated to this, you could talk to other students, get new ideas (and) maybe find people you want to form businesses with.” Without a student business week, it will take longer for entrepreneurs to gauge consumer response and, ultimately, offer their finished product to the marketplace. Amanda Golden, assistant director at the Herb Kelleher Entrepreneurship Center, further explained the value of student entrepreneurs having a platform to receive feedback from the marketplace. “Opportunities that allow students to connect with potential customers and gain valuable feedback would likely contribute to start-up success or highlight areas (of improvement) in potential products as the founder moves forward,” Golden said. Golden mentioned that a student business week could be integrated

LEGALESE | Opinions expressed in The Daily Texan are those of the editor, the Editorial Board or the writer of the article. They are not necessarily those of the UT administration, the Board of Regents or the Texas Student Media Board of Operating Trustees.

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with what the University currently offers student entrepreneurs. “I think it could be another useful tool in the student’s toolbox,” Golden said. “I think ... an idea like this would potentially find an easy fit with things that are already being done at the University.” While the University has done an excellent job connecting students to workshops and even potential investors, student entrepreneurs still need crucial, instant feedback from their peers and potential customers. Sara Kennedy, director of

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strategic and executive communications for the Office of the Dean of Students, confirmed that a student business week would be feasible. “Within the University’s (guidelines), this event might be possible, especially if it was indoors or in a ballroom so that folks can choose to visit or not,” Kennedy said. The University has already dealt with the possible logistical hurdles encountered with setting up entrepreneurship events in the past. It’s comforting that members of the UT community seem to have a favorable view on creating a

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/ the daily texan staff

platform where students and their ideas can be elevated. Entrepreneurship has the power to change lives. It’s disappointing to consider how many student business ideas might have faded away due to a lack of feedback or exposure. While the University has done a good job encouraging entrepreneurship in the past, it must help students get real experience with potential customers through a weeklong platform dedicated to student businesses. Lazenby is an economics junior from Chicago.

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NEWS

FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2022

UNIVERSITY

UT joins global network for age inclusivity on campus By Madeline Duncan @maddunc

UT joined a global network in February in an effort to make the campus a more inclusive space for students of all ages. The Age Friendly Global Network is an initiative started by Dublin City University to create college communities committed to serving students of all ages. Karen Fingermann, director of the Texas Aging and Longevity Center at UT, said specific changes to aid older students have not been determined, but the network’s principles of encouraging older students’ involvement in campus activities will be implemented over time. “We’re going to think creatively about more ways to bring mid-life and older adults into the classroom with younger adults,” Fingermann said. “It’ll be an evolving

effort. But I think five or 10 years from now, you’re going to really see that we’ve done more to make this a life-span campus.” Christine O’Kelly, coordinator of the network at Dublin City University, said the goal of the network is to get students to think about how to maximize being an older student. “We want to create an opportunity where it’s welcoming for students to come back to do a master’s degree, to do a Ph.D., to continue their learning process,” O’Kelly said. “We want opportunities for students to learn more about intergenerational engagement because they’re going into a multi-generational workforce.” Michael Fioretti, a recently graduated 42-year-old UT student, said that he often did not feel included in the campus spirit as an older student. “The process of orientation, I don’t think it was

geared towards older students,” Fioretti said. “My experience as a student depended on my mindset and how open I was to getting involved with (younger) students.” Fingermann said joining the network is an exciting opportunity to exchange information with other universities about how to best serve adult students at the University. “Now that we’re part of the network, we’ll be receiving more information on the best practices for expanding our educational research opportunities to include adults in midlife and older age,” Fingermann said. Fioretti said UT joining the network is a good step towards promoting diversity on campus. “UT has some things to work on for it to say it’s age-friendly,” Fioretti said. “But getting involved (puts) things on the right track and it’s (something) I wish I had before I graduated.”

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FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2022

NEWS

CITY

24th Street Starbucks pledges to unionize, gains support of Austin community By Morgan Severson @morgan_severson

Starbucks employees announced their intent to unionize their 24th Street store on March 7, becoming the first store in Austin to join the national trend. The employees have since gained the support of local and state leaders, who held a press conference at the store on Thursday to express their solidarity with the organizers. Union organizers at the West 24th and Nueces Street Starbucks cited issues with scheduling, wages and an “erosion of trust” in a letter posted on social media. Organizers said they want to unionize to advocate for better pay, scheduling, communication and COVID-19 policies. Organizer Lillian K. Allen said employee work schedules should be posted three weeks in advance, but lately the schedules have been changed frequently without notice. He said this is a problem for the workers, since many of the employees are students who have other obligations outside of work. “We’re all college students, so our life cannot revolve around our jobs, and sometimes it does, because sometimes that’s the circumstances that we’re in,” said Amanda Garcia, an organizer and sociology sophomore. “Do we go to class, or do we risk getting fired from our job or written up for not going to our shift?” Allen said workers at the store received no verbal response from management after announcing their plans to unionize, but they found a letter posted in the back of the store from the district and area managers, which he said seemed disingenuous. District manager Susan Smith Nixon referred The Daily Texan to Starbucks’ press team for comment about the employees’ intent to unionize.

“We are listening and learning from the partners and the stores as we always do across the country,” a Starbucks spokesperson said. “From the beginning, we’ve been clear in our belief that we are better together as partners without a union between us and that conviction has not changed.” On Thursday, U.S. congressional candidate Greg Casar, Mayor Steve Adler, state Sen. Sarah Eckhardt, U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett and Austin City Council members visited and spoke at the store in support of the employees’ unionization efforts. “It’s that Texas spirit that we have to rebuild and it’s the Starbucks workers who are continuing to build that right here and right now,” Casar said. “We are going to be able aileen vela / the daily texan staff to reshape this history of this state Congressional Nominee Greg Casar gives a speech at the Starbucks at 24th and Nueces on March 24. Casar, along with other political figures, held an event in support of the employees’ actions to unionize, the first Star… and ban the anti-union tactics bucks in Austin to do so. that we’re seeing corporations like Starbucks use.” “We are unionizing not just to improve mobile orders through the Starbucks app. Natalie Wittmeyer, a volunteer with our conditions, … but also, to hopeful“Management reads those comments, Starbucks Workers United, is assisting Texly push more stores into unionizing so and if anything is going to change Staras stores with unionization and works at that we can improve Starbucks on a sysbucks’ stance on unions, it’s not going to the nation’s first Starbucks to unionize in temic level,” said Collins, a Plan II and be us,” Allen said. “It’s going to be hearing Buffalo, N.Y. economics sophomore. from the customers.” “My role with them has been guiding Employees from the Starbucks on West Organizers submitted union cards and them through the steps both legally and 45th and North Lamar Street also ana petition March 11 to the National Labor emotionally,” Wittmeyer said. “Making nounced their plans to unionize in a letter Relations Board to hold an election for the sure that they’re prepared for the physical posted March 21 on Twitter. store to officially unionize, which Garcia Labor Board part of the process, but also Community members are currently supsaid she expects to pass when it’s voted on the emotional toll because it’s definitely porting the store’s unionization efforts in six to eight weeks. hard to feel like you’re up against a ginorby ordering their drinks under the names “That’s when we’ll really be able to sit mous corporation.” “Union Strong” or “Union Yes.” Howevdown together as a union and discuss the Employee and organizer Sydney Collins er, Allen said the best way for communithings that we need and the things that we said the employees understand they are a ty members to offer support is by leaving want to see from our workplace in order to part of a bigger movement. comments in surveys they receive after best support us,” Garcia said.

LIFE&ARTS

ZOE TZANIS

Life&Arts Editor | @TEXANARTS FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2022

FEATURE

UT alum finds success at major fashion company Emmanuel Williams designs seasonal clothing at Levi Strauss.

By Reya Mosby @reyamosby

oung Emmanuel Williams begrudgingly doodled in his childhood bedroom after getting grounded. Without toys during this punishment, Williams — then set on NBA dreams — traded his mini basketball and kiddie hoop for a pencil and paper. He drew tennis shoes as he thought about his basketball idols and their footwear, determined to one day make his own signature sneaker. From then on, Williams embraced his love for design, creating outfits for his toys out of toilet paper and tape and envisioning bright, colorful outfits in his head. “I love everything (about designing clothes),” Williams said. “It’s fun — the process, creativity and thinking. I like the expression and … the process of watching something evolve and grow, just coming from me.” Williams proceeded to study textiles and apparel and participated in numerous programs at UT, ranging from a mentorship program at NIKE to a study abroad trip in China and Japan. After graduating at the end of the 2021 fall semester, Williams decided to pursue his passion for fashion by helping to design seasonal clothing lines as an assistant designer at Levi Strauss & Co., one of the most celebrated names in apparel.

“It doesn’t feel real, but I’m extremely grateful,” Williams said. “I didn’t do this on my own. It’s God, and I give Him the gratitude everyday. This is (because of) the people I’ve met — teachers, people who believed in me, etc.” As a freshman, Williams didn’t know how to sew and was scared to tap the pedal of a sewing machine. However, after tediously practicing with the mechanics of design, Williams said he saw the fruits of his labors. He also received help from experienced staff members such as Eve Nicols, a professor of instruction in textiles and apparel, who helped him find his aesthetic by combining his love for anime with design. “He’s put a lot of effort in and grown tremendously,” Nicols said. “Emmanuel has always been very bright (and) a joy to work with, but (he is) also highly motivated, ready to work harder (and) take it to that next level.” Nicols and Williams’ mentor, Ryan Sutton, director with the Longhorn Center for Academic Excellence, said they believe Williams will combine his love of fashion and creation with his positivity and desire to help people and spark change both in and out of the fashion industry. “He wants to be able to talk to people, create impact, share a message and inspire,” Sutton said. “I hope he’s able to continue to climb this ladder (and) fuse his art and design with (the) motivation to transform communities, families and generations.” Sutton said that after years of watching Williams grow as a designer and person, this

job position stands as a true testament to Williams’ hard work and determination. “(I feel) over the moon (about Williams’ new job),” Sutton said. “I know how hard he’s worked, seen how dedicated he’s been and seen him grow. For him to come out winning like this warms my heart. He deserves it.” Williams hopes to one day design his own line and bring his unique visions into other areas of media like film, music and video games. Right now, he said he is excited to begin this new journey at Levi Strauss & Co. “I consider myself an anomaly,” Williams said. “This is my story. I’m fearfully and wonderfully made by God. I’m starting a journey, and I’m trying to figure out myself in a positive way.”

BEYOND THE

F R AM E

julius shieh

Featuring the best from the photo department.

| daily texan staff

Brooklyn-based artist Erin Hoagg, known by her stage name Rare DM, performs for the first time at SXSW at Higher Ground on March 18, 2022.

FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2022

STUDENT LIFE

UT students dive into art world as volunteers at the Blanton Museum By Leeza Meyer @Leeza27295633

chelsea li/ the daily texan staff

LIFE&ARTS

Walking by walls covered in bright colors and profound messages, art history senior Maria Contreras begins her day working as a student admissions assistant at the Blanton Museum of Art. Helping guests check in, answering questions and providing any needed information about current exhibits, Contreras offers a smiling face to guests as they walk through the doors. The Blanton not only influences guests but also impacts Contreras, providing a space to gain firsthand experience working at an art museum. “I have always studied art history and gone to museums, but I’ve never gotten to experience and meet the people

behind the scenes,” Contreras said. “Working here has helped me appreciate art (and) museums as institutions and the work that goes with it.” The Blanton offers Contreras and other UT students the opportunity to dive into the art world, allowing them to understand, internalize and appreciate it more intimately and bring this knowledge to students and guests that visit the museum. The volunteer and internship experience, where students participate in professional development seminars, tours and exhibition openings, has given Contreras the opportunity to explore and grow in her own journeys — both academic and internal. Morgan Boudousquie, art history junior and Blanton volunteer, said she found herself more capable of speaking about art with guests, which

contributed to the growth of her confidence. “The museum is magnetizing, and I’ve had more meaningful conversations about the art (there),” Boudousquie said. Susan Griffin, manager of visitor and volunteer services, said working at the museum fosters a deeper connection with students and how they interact with art. “I love meeting a variety of people (who) love art and are interested in being here,” Griffin said. “I get the opportunity to see how art excites students and how they are bringing this excitement to the museum.” Ariel Cacic, an assistant in visitor services and former art student, said working at the Blanton has added to her own background knowledge of the process behind displaying art. “I studied art in college, and working here has been a great

extension of learning how the art world works,” Cacic said. “Being involved in the arts, on the business side, has greatly helped me find my own idea of what (goes on behind the scenes).” The Blanton offers students an array of opportunities to work closely with professional artists and work on developmental skills, Contreras said. This hands-on work influences volunteers’ lives as they continue with art, creating connections that last a lifetime. “I have met so many people in the industry based all over the world,” Contreras said. “Once you have the opportunity to be in this environment — the heart of a museum — it definitely gives a launching pad for more opportunities like that and for appreciating the art in a more impactful way.”

LIFE&ARTS

FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2022

STUDENT LIFE

Bevoman Triathalon returns triumphant, hosts regional collegiate conference in Pace Bend By Joe Freedman @joefreedman_

At the crack of dawn, onlookers could glimpse athletes stretching and tuning their bicycle across the forested hills of Pace Bend Park. Just as the sun came over the horizon, the sound of an airhorn bounced off the trees, sending a fleet of athletes into the frigid lake water below. “Once I hit the water, my cheeks were like ice cubes. I couldn’t feel my face, my fingers or my toes,” said Julie Pham, an engineering graduate student and Texas Triathlon member. “It was a difficult start for sure.” The Bevoman Triathalon, founded in 2016, is an annual fundraising event for the Texas Triathlon team that consists of a 1,500-meter swim, 40-kilometer bike ride and 10-kilome-

ter run. After a two year hiatus, this year’s race took place in person on March 20, welcoming the general public to race in its open division and hosting 113 collegiate athletes from the South Midwest Collegiate Conference. While the race now serves as the championship race for the Conference — including athletes from Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Arkansas — according to Kyle Polansky, Bevoman’s unofficial founder and UT class of 2018 alumnus, Bevoman’s success was a long time coming. “Bevoman started as a small-time trial to help the Tri Team prepare for Nationals in Lake Lanier, Georgia,” Polansky said. “Over the years, setup for the race has gone from a handful of bike racks to dozens of them, along with many other pieces of equipment that have helped ease the growth of the event.”

In the months before the race, the 30 memrace in just 2 hours and 34 minutes. bers of Texas Tri trained under Coach Matt “It’s been a long time since I’ve done a colleAbshire, a class of 2020 alumnus and longgiate race because of the pandemic, so I didn’t time program member. Abshire held practices really know what to expect going into the Bevalmost daily, many of which included a comoman,” Pham said. “It was motivating to see bination of swimming, biking and running to everyone representing UT being so supportive prepare the athletes for each aspect of the race. of each other out on the course.” “We discuss everything from transitions to Since this year was the first in-person race race nutrition, and I do my best to give advice since 2019, many members on the team had on improving race times,” Abshire said. “While never experienced the Bevoman, including my focus has never been on winning trophies current president Jack Cooney. The MIS juand awards, I want every individual on the nior said he viewed the race as a success and team to push themselves athletically and work is looking forward to the continued growth of towards their personal goals.” the program. After two years of training with Texas Tri, “It felt great to see all the collegiate athletes Pham was excited to show her skills on the cross the finish line with a huge smile on their course. She placed second in the collegiate feface,” Cooney said. “They just completed a male bracket, finishing just behind UT-Arlingvery tough race, and you’re able to see all their The New York Times Syndication Sales Corporation ton athlete Peyton Hisel. Pham completed months hard work and preparation pay off.” 620 Eighththe Avenue, New of York, N.Y. 10018 For Information Call: 1-800-972-3550 For Release Monday, February 28, 2022

Crossword ACROSS

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42 ATV with four tires

20 Rarin’ to go

22 Bed-andbreakfast, e.g.

23 Bill known as the “Science Guy” 24 “___ word is a lamp unto my feet …”: Psalms

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44 ___ nodes

48 Coffee dispenser 49 “___ your head!” 50 “Chairman” of Chinese Communism

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Edited by Will Shortz 1

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No. 0124

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PUZZLE BY JOHN GUZZETTA

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36 Enjoys a lateafternoon snack, as a Brit might

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29 Extremely

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38 Sudden storms with whipping winds 39 Hobby

43 Prickly seedcase

45 Socialize at a party 46 Commemorative tablet 47 Calvin’s tiger companion, in the comics 50 Curie who coined the term “radioactivity” 51 Pays for a hand 54 Superlative suffix 56 Playground place 59 Stitch 60 Super Bowl org.

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HANNAH WILLIFORD

Sports Editor | @TEXANSPORTS FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2022

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

SPORTS

Women’s basketball heads into Sweet 16 match against Ohio State Freshman Rori Harmon and Aaliyah Moore lead the way for the Longhorns. assad malik

/ the daily texan file

Aaliyah Moore takes a shot in match against Iowa State.

By Amsal Madhani @amsal_madhani

ollowing an impressive 28-6 season capped off with a Big 12 championship, the Longhorns turned their focus to the NCAA Tournament, where they have been putting the league on notice. Texas cruised past the first two rounds of the tournament with big wins over Fairfield and Utah, but it’s not over yet. With great contributions from freshmen players Rori Harmon and Aaliyah Moore, the Longhorns have found ways to be successful on both ends of the floor as they seek a trip back to the Elite Eight following Friday’s Sweet 16 matchup against Ohio State. Moore has been a standout performer for Texas during the first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament, posting a double-double against Fairfield in the first round and shooting 9-of-10 against Utah in the second. “She’s playing like the kid we knew she was going to be, and she’s getting more and more comfortable every day,” said head coach Vic Schaefer. “She’s playing with confidence. But she’s worked at it.” The freshman forward has started to

come into her own and find her groove after an ankle injury forced her to miss a chunk of the regular season. “My son goes, ‘Hey Dad, (Aaliyah Moore), she’s playing really good. Where’s that been?’ I’m like, ‘Well, son, she’s been hurt, and it takes a while to get back sometimes when you’ve been hurt like she was,’” Schaefer said after the team’s win over Utah on Sunday. Along with Moore, Harmon has lit up both ends of the floor with a double-double in the first round and 11 points, eight assists and two steals in the Longhorns’ blowout win in the second. Just a freshman, Harmon has provided veteran-like leadership to the team with her tenacity on defense night in and night out. “Rori was really special leading our team. She was special defensively,” said Schaefer after Sunday’s win. “When we have kids asking to come out of games because they’re tired, that means they’re playing really hard because we are in really good shape.” Harmon’s play this season has not gone unnoticed, winning her the All-Big 12 Freshman of the Year award. Her outstanding play throughout the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament has shown that she deserved it With a Sweet 16 matchup against No. 6 Ohio State coming up Friday, the

Longhorns will look to lock in and play some of their best basketball to return to the Elite Eight. “You know what, we could have played a lot of people today, and I think it would have been a good day for Texas,” Schaefer

BEYOND THE

said on Sunday. “My challenge now is to try to keep that going, and that is hard because they’re going to go listen to a bunch of people talk, and we got some folks’ attention I’m sure today, but we’ve got to stay humble and hungry.”

F R AM E

assad malik

Featuring the best from the photo department.

| daily texan staff

Neugebauer, a product of Leinfelden-Echterdingen, Germany, holds the title of being a three-time All-American.

SPORTS

FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2022

BASEBALL

aileen vela

/ the daily texan staff

Sophomore Tanner Witt pitches the ball against the University of Alabama at the UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Feb. 27. The sophomore starting pitcher was shut down for the year after Texas’ medical staff said the right-hander required Tommy John surgery.

No. 2 Texas baseball on come up despite March growing pains By Jordan Mitchell @TheJordanKenzie

For No. 2 Texas baseball, the month of March has been a struggle. Despite the Longhorns kicking off their March campaign as the No. 1 team in the nation with dominating wins over Sam Houston, Tennessee and No. 7 LSU, Texas has dropped five total games, including three over the spring break in South Carolina. Texas has also lost Tanner Witt, sophomore Sunday starting pitcher, after Texas’ medical staff determined the righthander required Tommy John reconstruction surgery. However, Longhorn baseball fans

shouldn’t worry about their Omaha expectations for the season after the program’s turbulent month. Replacing Witt on the mound is sophomore Lucas Gordon, who is finding his groove after lackluster losses on the road against UCLA and South Carolina. In those starts, Gordon allowed four runs in his 7.1 innings pitched in comparison to Witt’s two runs in 11 innings. In his most recent showing against Incarnate Word, the lefty dished out a mere 80 pitches in seven shutout innings, striking out a quartet of batters and forcing 10 groundouts. Like redshirt sophomore Pete Hansen and redshirt senior Tristan Stevens, the sophomore’s fellow

weekend starting pitchers, Gordon is becoming comfortable pitching to contact for easy putouts with his three-pitch arsenal. In addition to addressing concerns on the mound, head coach David Pierce has worked out the kinks in the batting lineup. After the Miami Marlins drafted power hitter Zach Zubia in the 2021 draft, redshirt junior Ivan Melendez took over the three hole, leaving a vacancy at cleanup. In the first weekend series of the season, Pierce tried out sophomore Mitchell Daly in the four hole after recording a .316 batting average in 2021, despite being more of a contact hitter than a power at-bat. However, Daly began the season batting .213, which prompted Pierce to try

redshirt senior Murphy Stehly at protecting Melendez in the lineup. Stehly has been unstoppable this year, hitting .443 with five home runs and 22 RBIs, mashing three of those home runs in Sunday’s match against Incarnate Word. Pierce says Stehly works hard behind the scenes to improve his bat, emerging as a leader for Texas that pushes his teammates to better themselves. “(Stehly is the) first guy in the building and last guy out,” Pierce said. “(He’s) an older player that really allows younger players to realize where he was when he came in, and the success he’s had because of his work and his routines.” With Texas balanced in the batting

lineup, the Longhorns are driving in 49% of their runs with two outs, flustering opposing pitchers. “It’s a backbreaker for the opposing team,” Pierce said. “I think it’s critical for confidence that no matter what the score is, the inning isn’t over until the third out.” With March close to concluding, the Longhorns have a new identity as a hardy team with hot bats and poised pitchers headed into conference play in Lubbock this weekend. And while the tail end of March is no easier for Texas, Gordon believes his team has momentum. “I think some of the reason that we went to South Carolina was to prepare for this,” Gordon said. “Coming back knowing what it’s like to play that many games on the road, I think we’re ready.”

B A R B R A D A LY

Comics Editor | @TEXANCOMICS FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2022

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