The Daily Texan 2021-09-03

DT VOLUME 122, ISSUE 14 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2021

taking a stand Students advocate for Texas government to accept more Afghan refugees and asylum seekers.

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PERMANENT STAFF Editor-in-Chief Sanika Nayak Managing Editor Myah Taylor Assoc. Managing Editors Jennifer Errico, Hannah Lopez Director of Digital Strategy Katya Bandouil Director of Diversity & Inclusion Abhirupa Dasgupta Internal Relations Director Carolynn Solorio External Relations Director Rachael Hatchett Assoc. Opinion Editors Izzy Costello, Sruti Ramachandran, Megan Tran, Julia Zaksek Illustration Coordinators Abriella Corker, Audrey Williams Editorial Cartoonist Anna Kaminetz

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Students rally for more support to Afghan refugees following U.S. withdrawal.

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Kicker Will Stone recounts the monumental moment he committed to Texas.

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05

UT students talk about how they use fashion to express themselves.

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UT must create a set day for professors to release syllabi and class information.

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Life&Arts

Opinion

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DT

Contents:

UT tracks growing COVID-19 breakthrough cases with testing, contact tracing

By Samantha Greyson @GreysonSamantha

Since June 1, COVID-19 breakthrough cases have made up over 60% of cases detected in UT’s contact tracing efforts, a UT epidemiologist said.

The University has recorded about 300 breakthrough cases within the UT community since June 1 when the University first began seeing significant reports of repeat infections. People who contract COVID-19 after vaccination are considered a breakthrough case. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said these cases may be less severe, vaccinated individuals who contract COVID-19 may still experience symptoms.

While UT does not know the exact number of vaccinated students and faculty, the University has vaccinated over 70,000 people. This number includes Austin community members.

The vaccine’s protection against COVID-19 diminishes over time and with the prevalence of the delta variant, breakthrough cases are becoming more common, according to the CDC. UT is expected to administer booster shots in the coming months, and the Biden administration encourages Americans to receive a booster shot eight months after their second COVID-19 shot.

The Texan strives to present all information fairly, accurately and completely. If we have made an error, let us know about it. E-mail managingeditor@thedailytexan.com.

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Contact tracers call people who test positive for COVID-19 through the University’s Proactive Community Testing program to garner more information on their whereabouts, COVID-19 history and isolation status, said Darlene Bhavnani, assistant professor of population health.

“During the investigation, contact tracers capture history of COVID-19 vaccination, including dates of administration and vaccine name,” Bhavnani said. “In this way, contact tracing is able to identify breakthrough cases.”

Dago Lopez, a theatre and dance and interpersonal communications studies junior, said they got vaccinated in April but tested positive for COVID-19 in late July after going to a dinner party with friends.

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“(My friends) made spaghetti and I love spaghetti, and the way they make the sauce — it tastes amazing,” Lopez said. “But I couldn’t taste the goddamn sauce. So that really freaked me out.”

While quarantining, Lopez lost their taste and smell and woke up with a headache for multiple days, but Lopez said overall the symptoms were not too bad. They self-isolated for 15 days, and UT contact tracers spoke with them multiple times over the phone.

“When I tested positive, I forced my friends — all of them — to go get tested even though they were all vaccinated, and everyone came back negative,” Lopez said.

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News Editor | @THEDAILYTEXAN FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2021

UNIVERSITY

Innovation revives communities in need UT’s partnership with Red Cross gives students experience in humanitarian engineering.

By Kevin Vu @Kevin_Vu_

fter the Cockrell School of Engineering teamed up with the Red Cross to distribute a device that creates low-cost menstrual pads for women in areas of need, the group now aims to tackle climate change and set up an international field site where they can test products.

The partnership, which officially began last spring, will distribute aid products made by UT’s Humanitarian Product Design course. The group also created a machine to process latrine waste and portable solar-powered lighting systems that are currently in the prototype stage. The group hopes to have working products in 10 years for the global south and refugee camps in Bangladesh, but it does not know an exact timeline yet.

“We’re very honored to work with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies,” said mechanical engineering professor Janet Ellzey. “The knowledge that they bring to us is really invaluable, and we could not have this program without them as a partner.”

The course lasts two semesters and is open to all engineering students. Ellzey said students will plan a product in the first semester and create a prototype of it the second semester.

Faith Leake, an electrical and computer engineering sophomore, is in her second semester of the course and said working on the biodigester that converts latrine waste into fertilizer was the highlight of her spring.

“It’s all for some goal of helping real people,” Leake said. “This stuff we’re designing and prototyping is going to be implemented in a refugee camp. We’re working with leaders for the Red Cross

and like Bangladesh right now. So it’s really got long-term or real effects in parts of the world.”

Ellzey said the idea for the course came after a group of mechanical engineering students wanted to help underserved communities. The team that created the menstrual pad machine did so in response to Syrian refugees in need.

While about 300,000 female Syrian refugees in Lebanon as of spring 2019, only 12,000 receive any menstrual hygiene aid such as pads and laundry soap, according to a report by the Mechanical Engineering Design Project program.

In the summer of 2018, Ellzey said the Lebanese Red Cross tested the menstrual pad machine, which utilizes a panini press type structure to press sanitary pads from layers of material.

The device was successful in creating menstrual pads with similar efficacy to commercial menstrual pad products, according to a report from Hygiene, Empowerment, and Research for Social Impact.

“Your generation is very committed to positively impacting society,” Ellzey said. “Particularly, engineering students wanted to use their engineering skills to improve the lives of marginalized communities.”

Both Ellzey and William Carter, an alumnus working for the Red Cross, said they envision students doing big things with the program.

Carter said he hopes the program will produce engineers with broader perspectives to deal with challenges such as climate change.

“With climate change, we need humanitarian engineers, and we just don’t need them in Bangladesh, we’re going to be needing them in the United States of America,” Carter said. “We need more engineers bringing their skill sets and their work to deal with the challenge of our times.”

copyright bailey jones, and reproduced with permission

Cockrell School of Engineering students get real-world experience working with the Red Cross on projects like creating a device that cheaply creates menstrual pads, a machine to process latrine waste and portable solar-powered lighting systems.

S A N I K A N AYA K

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Editor-In-Chief | @TEXANOPINION FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2021

COLUMN

OPINION

professors, Release syllabi before semester begins Associate editor Sruti Ramachandran urges UT to set a day to release class syllabus information.

By Sruti Ramachandran Associate Editor

lass syllabi provide crucial information for students: the structure of classes, breakdown of the curriculum and, perhaps most importantly, textbooks and required materials.

Currently, UT’s deadline for professors to post class information is the first day of classes. Professors have until the seventh class day to upload course syllabi and updated curricula vitaes to the Access Syllabi and CVs system.

However, this is not a place students commonly access, and waiting to post materials until the first day or later forces students to retroactively get class information after courses have already started.

UT should create a syllabus release day before the first day of classes where all professors send their course information to students or upload their syllabi to Canvas.

UT’s current process of posting class syllabi is very disorganized. Every class gives the information at different times, making it difficult for

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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students to feel comfortable and prepared on their first day of class.

Daphnee-Anne Grignon, communication and leadership junior, did not expect to get a syllabus at 1 a.m. the morning of the first day of classes, causing her to rush to get her textbook.

“If you don’t get the information to your students ASAP, then they’re just scrambling to find textbooks,” Grignon said.

Giving the class information out early makes it easier to transition into content directly instead of spending a week struggling to get students on the same page regarding materials. It will make it easier to be evenly prepared through classes.

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/ the daily texan staff

“That would also help in terms of getting to content faster. … It would relieve the stress a lot, because it would … have all the information and supplies you need faster,” Grignon said.

Assistant teaching professor Jennifer Jones Barbour said that she would be open to the idea of having an earlier syllabus release day, and that it is especially important regarding virtual classes.

“I think some students are curious and they want to get situated before the first day of classes, and the syllabus can help them do that,” Barbour said. “Posting it early gives students time to get situated. If you don’t post it early, then you

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have to get affordances for learning what needs to happen.”

She mentioned that she tries to get her syllabi out before classes start, and that it can be more difficult for certain classes to release it earlier.

Kathleen Harrison, communications manager for the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost, said UT has these deadlines to allow for flexibility with faculty.

“Faculty are welcome to provide their syllabus sooner, and many do. Having the first day and seventh day as deadlines, however, allows for some flexibility should additional information and critical updates be needed,” Harrison said. “Students are always welcome to reach out to their instructors before classes begin should they have any questions or concerns about their class.”

Although flexibility for faculty is important, support for students is as well. To ensure students can be the most successful in class, it is important to make sure they have the materials needed for that class ahead of time.

To get those materials, students need time and information.

The beginning of class is one of the most stressful times of the year: People move in, try to join clubs, figure out a new environment and a number of other major life changes are happening at the same time.

Academic success is at the forefront of many people’s minds, and grades don’t wait until students are comfortable.

Ramachandran is a communication and leadership and sociology sophomore from Austin, Texas.

EDITORIAL TWITTER | Follow The Daily Texan Editorial Board on Twitter (@TexanOpinion) and receive updates on our latest editorials and columns.

LIFE&ARTS

5

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2021

Students use fashion to express identity

By Ikram Mohamed @ikramxmoham

Forced to adopt a persona that didn’t align with her identity, Marnie Matthews said not being able to dress the way she wanted during high school left her feeling trapped. Before transitioning, she always felt expected to present herself in a masculine way.

“There was always a danger of fully expressing myself the way I wanted,” said Matthews, a textiles and apparel senior. “I could express myself a bit, but only enough that was digestible to people, … so I (wore) basic clothing … (and) definitely toned down more before college.”

For many students, fashion forms a bigger picture, helping them express their identity and confidence. Although harder for others, in the end, some are able to push through social obstacles and plant seeds of happiness.

Once she came to Austin and found the freedom to explore her own personal style, Matthews faced a different problem:

figuring out what worked for her.

“After I transitioned, I hadn’t figured out what my style was and what I wanted to go for,” Matthews said. “What a lot of cisgender people don’t realize is once you transition, you don’t get those grace periods of middle school and high school, where your makeup and your outfits look ‘crunchy.’ You have to get a whole new wardrobe (and) figure out makeup. There isn’t really a guide.”

Economics sophomore Bibi Macias experiments with clothing, and finding her own personal style brings her joy in her everyday life.

“Every night, I’m always like, ‘What am I going to wear the next day?’” Macias said.

“It gives me something to look forward to each day. There’s definitely a therapeutic element to (fashion).”

Macias said when she initially got into fashion, she thrifted most of her clothing pieces due to financial reasons. Now, thrifting continues to hold her attention.

“I fell in love with (thrifting),” Macias said. “It felt like an adventure each time going in and trying to find a cool piece. Knowing the pieces were unique

Hey,

Austin!

made it more special.”

Arleth Amaya, a government and Mexican American studies junior, shows off her personal style by thrifting and hand-making all of her clothes.

“I like mixing different types of styles and making it my own,” Amaya said. “(How I’m dressed) depends on how I’m feeling. SomeJULIUS SHIEH / the daily texan staff times I’ll wake up and feel more feminine and Arleth Amaya, a government and Mexican American studies junior, shows other times more mas- off her personal style by thrifting and hand-making all of her clothes. culine, and I consider with isn’t what I ended up leaving with.” that into my style.”

As for Matthews, years of experiAmaya said fashion allows her to come to menting lead her to be more confident terms with her identity and has caused her in herself and style. to realize she only needs to impress herself. “(My style) is still growing and it’s still “I really like seeing what I’m capable evolving. … I think it always will be,” Matof putting together,” Amaya said. “Each thews said. “The moment (I began) wearing day I’m like, ‘How can I surprise mywhatever I wanted is when I became the self?’ Because even though I have an idea happiest I’ve ever been.” of what I want to wear, what I start off

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2021

NEWS

WORLD

UT students advocate for increased government action to help Afghan refugees

By Tori Duff @torianneduff

Attia, an Afghan American, remembers being inspired when she saw a female school principal in Afghanistan 10 years ago.

Now a UT senior, Attia grew up hearing stories about when Afghan women held few rights and could not even attend school under Taliban control.

“We’ve had women’s rights movements, the women’s march, girls schools … (and) we don’t know if all of that will stay,” said Attia, whose last name has been left out due to concerns for the safety of her family in Afghanistan. “The only thing we have to look back to for reference on (for) what things will look like is the ‘90s, when women couldn’t do these things.”

Now, she doesn’t know if she’ll ever see another female principal again after the Taliban took back control following the U.S. military withdrawal Aug. 30.

Attia organized a rally Aug. 28 at the Texas Capitol urging the state government to accept more refugees and asylum seekers, increase humanitarian aid to Afghan people and encourage U.S. lawmakers to ensure women’s rights in Afghanistan.

“You feel helpless watching,” Attia said. “Because you know in your heart there’s not a lot you can do about the situation, but you can’t just sit back and not do anything.”

Since President Biden announced the full withdrawal of troops Aug. 14, the U.S. has evacuated more than 5,500 U.S. citizens and 7,000 Special

destiny alexander

Immigrant Visa holders along with their families, as the Taliban seized control of the Afghan government during the withdrawal. The U.S designed the Special Immigrant Visa program to allocate visas to Afghans and Iraqis who are affiliated with the U.S. military and contractors.

Estimates vary on how many U.S. citizens and SIV holders remain in the country.

The U.S. State Department estimated there are at least 100,000 Afghan nationals at risk still in the country. The majority of refugees are fleeing to neighboring Iran and Pakistan, and a total of 98 countries have pledged to take refugees as the U.S. departed.

Austin City Council voted to welcome SIV refugees into the city Aug. 26 and so far 35 visa

These resettled people are some of the most vulnerable people in the world.”

SHANNON LONG

longhorn alliance for refugees and asylees director

holders and their families have been housed by Refugee Services of Texas in Austin since August.

/ the daily texan staff

Austin has not released a definite number of refugees they are willing to accept.

Shannon Long, the director of the Longhorn Alliance for Refugees and Asylees, said an important part of this process is making sure these families are placed in safe homes and are aided in adjusting to their new environments.

“These resettled people are some of the most vulnerable people in the world,” said Plan II senior Long. “They’re vulnerable because they’re in a country they’ve never been in, they may not speak the language and they have no family or no cultural affiliation here.”

Long and Attia said they are

frustrated by how few Afghans the U.S. has accepted.

“It shouldn’t just be the people who helped the U.S.,” Attia said. “Because there’s going to be people who have nothing to do with the U.S., like women and children, that are going to be subjected to a lot of human rights abuses.”

Attia said one of her biggest concerns with the Taliban takeover is a possible regression in the progress of Afghanistan’s women’s movement, especially given that she has young female relatives still living there.

The Taliban’s education minister has stated women will be permitted to continue attending schools and universities as long as their teachings are in line with Taliban interpretations of Islamic law.

“I’m worried about what their future is going to look like and whether they will be able to have a continued education,” Attia said.

Denise Gilman, a law professor who directs the UT Immigration Clinic, said students can reach out to congress members to help Afghan refugees.

Gilman said students can also give refugees a space to share their experiences, through resources such as Refugee Services of Texas or the Multicultural Refugee Coalition.

“These people have really been traumatized. … They might not be what you expect,” Attia said. “When you go through such a psychological trauma, there’s a time when you have to allow them to feel safe again in this new country, because it’s hard to feel safe again after what they have gone through.”

LIFE&ARTS

FIZA KUZHIYIL

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Life&Arts Editor | @TEXANARTS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2021

STUDENT LIFE

Students voice crystal concerns Students discuss crystals trending on social media and the rising popularity of spirituality.

By Sofia Treviño @Sofiacis_7

hen Fatima Vega lost her uncle, she said she felt like she lost herself. Only eight years old, too young to understand the gravity of the situation, her mother placed a transparent quartz crystal in her hands. Pressing it against her fingers, Vega took the first step into her spiritual journey.

“When I was growing up, I really didn’t understand it,” linguistics freshman Vega said. “But it helped me feel more connected to the Earth itself (and) feel more balanced out rather than wondering what’s next for me.”

Though the use of crystals for healing practices dates as far back as 4000 BCE, misconceptions lead many to believe they are merely a passing trend. Rising in popularity through social media platforms such as TikTok, many have found new, personal meanings for crystals.

Moving between Mexico City, Barcelona and Dallas in a family of healers,

Vega grew up around Santeria, using herbs and healing rituals. Having years of practice with crystals and knowing the meaning behind each one, Vega said seeing people use her spirituality as an aesthetic makes her frustrated and worried about losing the true meaning and value of her family’s traditions.

“Different cultures have different meanings of what spirituality is, but this is mine,” Vega said. “I grew up with it. It really sucks, to see that it’s being overly used and there’s a bunch of misconceptions of what it is, predominantly on TikTok.” Biology sophomore Sam Aguilar began manifesting and using crystals shortly before entering college. Though they grew up in a Christian household, Aguilar said they felt more connected to using crystals and learning more about themself in the process.

“For me it’s a routine, so it gets me into a better mindset and mood,” Aguilar said. “I use (crystals) for spiritual, emotional and mental healing. I like manifestations and setting my own intentions to bring good energies and friends and overall optimistic feelings.”

Aguilar said they saw crystals growing in popularity on social media, especially over quarantine. After researching the many cultural variations and learning the meanings behind the crystals, Aguilar suggested taking the time to learn the background behind specific spiritual practices instead of simply following trends on social media.

“I definitely think it’s cool that platforms like TikTok and Instagram are spreading awareness on crystals and genuinely helping people,” Vega said.

rocky higine

“But it’s also disrespectful whenever they don’t take the time to research and respect the art form of using crystals and relating that to spirituality.”

Michael Elk, store manager at Nature’s Treasure, a crystal shop in Austin, said he sees the interest in crystals evolving day by day. His customers range from spiritualists to healers to rock collectors and more.

Though he grew up learning about crystals from his father and still uses

/ the daily texan staff

them, Elk said he welcomes new people who are learning about spirituality.

“We have definitely observed a huge influx of new visitors that ask about specific stones that have trended on social media, especially moldavite, carnelian and aventurine,” Elk said. “However, they often feel connected with other stones we carry and end up leaving with a deeper appreciation for the crystal kingdom as a whole.”

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2021

LIFE&ARTS

CAMPUS

UT students, staff discuss ways to participate in sustainable fashion industry BySofia Treviño @Sofiacis_7

Standing in a warehouse littered with clothes, fabric mountains reaching towards the ceiling, Karla Villegas started to dig through layers upon layers.

Unwanted items turned into hidden treasures in her hands. After her first visit to a rag house, a wholesale vintage recycling plant in McAllen, Texas, Villegas began consciously shopping sustainably.

“It was shocking to see (how rag houses) work,” said Villegas, a radio-television-film sophomore. “Those are also prominent with people who really need to go there and it’s the only option (where) they can buy clothes. It was really eye-opening to see, ‘Wow, people are throwing away

all these clothes. That’s insane.’”

Fast fashion stores such as SHEIN, Zara and H&M draw consumers in with their affordable prices and trendy styles. However, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in 2018, 66% of generated textiles ended up in landfills. To support fashion sustainability, students such as Villegas gravitate toward inexpensive and unique pieces at thrift and vintage stores.

“It’s more satisfying for you to go out and pick something that, in a way, might be meant for you, rather than to get something mass produced on SHEIN,” Villegas said. “Not only is it good for the environment, but it also makes you look cool.”

Vertica Bhardwaj, a textiles and apparel associate professor, said building a sustainable fashion industry requires change on both the individual and societal level.

She suggested college students start taking steps toward sustainability by learning more about the fashion industry through social media, following campaigns like Greenpeace and Remake, and supporting ethical brands such as Patagonia and The North Face.

“What calls for a change is voluntary consumption, where people start to actually think and ask themselves what their core values are,” Bhardwai said.

Apart from buying and selling used clothes, advertising sophomore Kristy Thai practices sustainability through her business, Clutter. Giving a second life to old jewelry by repurposing used beads, she transforms them into trendy, one-of-a-kind necklaces.

When Thai launched Clutter in January 2021, she made a commitment to using sustainable practices, such as using eco-friendly packaging, recyclable mailers and biodegradable

juleanna culilap

labels. Despite her efforts, however, challenges still arise.

“It’s very difficult to be a sustainable brand when the industry itself thrives off of going from production to consumption to disposal,” Thai said. “We’re eco-conscious, and we recognize how hard it is to be labeled as sustainable. It’s an ongoing effort.”

Although Mercari, an online marketplace, remains Thai’s main bead buying source, she also scavenges through thrift shops and her friend’s and family’s unwanted jewelry. This way, she remains true to her philosophy and provides each customer with an individual experience.

“No one piece is the same,” Thai said. “It reflects how thrifting is. When you buy something at the thrift store, it’s really rare that someone else has the same thing. It adds an element of individuality and makes you unique.”

/ the daily texan staff

SPORTS

N AT H A N H A N

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Sports Editor | @TEXANSPORTS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2021

FEATURE

Following in some big footsteps Kicking commit Will Stone is the next in line of a long list of legendary Texas kickers.

By Nathan Han @NathanHan13

ill Stone rem e m b e r s the moment he committed to Texas pretty well.

The high school senior kicker said he had just finished kicking practice in June when he received a call from special teams coordinator Jeff Banks.

“I just thought it was going to be another call,” Stone said. “A few minutes later (Banks) said, ‘Never mind. Sarkisian’s going to call you straight from his phone.’

I kind of got the idea of what was probably going to happen.”

But hearing those words come out of Texas football head coach Steve Sarkisian’s mouth still meant the world to the local Austin product and five-star kicker.

“He was like, ‘Hey Will, how have you been doing today?’”

Stone said. “I said I was kicking and he said, ‘Did you miss any?’ I said, ‘Of course not.’ Then he was like, ‘That’s good because you’re

going to get a full scholarship to Texas.’”

Stone committed on the phone directly after the offer.

The lefty kicker said one of the big reasons he committed was the coaching staff.

“I think the combination of coach Crosby, coach Banks and coach Sarkisian is something you can’t get anywhere else in the country,” Stone said. “It’s one of the best coaching staffs Texas will have in a really long time.

There’s not really any other guys I’d rather be developed by than those people.”

Current Texas kicker Cameron Dicker said Banks came in and understood the position well when it came to developing his own leg and managing fatigue while handling punting duties.

Stone has also shown an ability to punt along with place kicking and kicking off.

The Regents High School senior hopes he’ll be next in a long line of Texas greats, including Dicker and future Hall of Fame member Justin Tucker, who Stone said is his favorite kicker of all time.

“Thinking about how the chain of the kickers from Texas includes one of the best kickers ever to be in the NFL down to Cameron Dicker, who’s easily one of the best kickers in college football,” Stone said. “It doesn’t hurt having some of the best kickers in the footsteps behind you.”

And while he continues his senior year at a private high school, kicking in front of around 500

copyright will stone, and reproduced with permission

Regents High School senior and Texas commit Will Stone poses for a photo during his last visit to Texas. The kicking commit is eager to get on the field for Texas.

fans, Stone said he feels like he’s ready for the bigger stage of 100,000 fans at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.

He said he’s visited DKR for a couple of games every year and will be in attendance during Saturday’s season opener versus Louisiana.

“I’ve always wished I had more people watching the games,” Stone said. “I’ve said this point a couple of times, but I think pressure is a privilege, … and I’m

pretty excited to feel that pressure up at Texas.”

But the kicker still has a state high school championship title to defend. Last Friday, he drilled every single one of his six extra points and a 35-yard field goal with ease in a 45-8 win.

“Nothing’s really set because I want to have a really fun senior year with all my friends before we all leave each other,” Stone said.

“But I think going perfect inside of 50 (yards) is nothing that’s out of the question.”

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FRIDAY, SEPTMEBER 3, 2021

SPORTS

SOCCER

julius shieh

/ the daily texan staff

Savannah Madden shuts out New Mexico State University on Thursday, adding to the win column for the season.

Welcome to the Win Column, Texas soccer

By Vicente Montalvo @VMont20

Senior midfielder Julia Grosso made a run past the defensive backline toward goal as teammate freshman forward Trinity Byars played a through ball to her. Controlling the ball with the first touch, Grosso struck the ball, sending it below the lunging keeper for her second goal of the match.

Texas soccer finally captured its first win of the season Thursday, beating an undefeated New Mexico State squad 4-0 at Mike A. Myers Stadium.

The Longhorns were led throughout the match by Grosso and freshman midfielder Lexi Missimo. Both talented players tallied two goals apiece for the Longhorns as they were clinical throughout the evening in the attacking third.

Something lacking in their previous matches was the mentality to attack early and often, but that changed Thursday night.

“The amount of opportunities we had in and around the six — there were quite a lot,” head coach Angela Kelly said.

Texas got on the board late in the fifth minute when Grosso took off toward goal, weaving in and out of traffic before finding herself with a shot opportunity. With all the confidence of an Olympic gold medalist, she sent a ball past the keeper into the far post to put Texas up 1-0.

The two Longhorn freshman recruits continued the goal scoring effort in the 10th minute when Byars played a ball to Missimo near the left side of the box. Missimo took her chance at goal as she curled a ball past the keeper into the net to add to the Longhorns’ lead and give the generational talent her first

collegiate goal.

Kelley constantly rotated players during tonight’s contest, something that was missing during their loss to No. 11 Georgetown. A total of nine Longhorn substitutes had the opportunity to step on the field Thursday evening.

“When you have two games in a weekend you have to try to manage your bodies,” Kelley said. “We have a really deep squad, and we were able to get lots of people contributing and to me that’s important as we go throughout the season.”

Not only was the attack clinical for the Longhorns, their defense was too. Fifth year goalkeeper Savannah Madden had her first shutout of the season between the sticks, making an incredible save during the first half of the game.

When an Aggie forward raced their way toward the goal, Madden stood tall, defending the net. Making a Longhorn defender move in the wrong direction, the forward created enough space to send a shot at Madden that was deflected away from goal. She finished with four saves on the night.

“To have a clean sheet is important to us,” Kelly said. “Madden was the game changer voted on by the squad. She had a great match and she’s just so mature back there.”

Texas can’t celebrate for too long as they face a ranked opponent in Rice this Sunday.

Kelly says the team is ready for whatever challenge is ahead of them and looks to improve every time the Horns take the field.

“If you look at our schedule, probably 90% of them are ranked now,” Kelly said. “They can be No. 1 in the country, they can be No. 19 — it doesn’t matter to us. It’s just important that we get better every match.”

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2021

COMICS