The Daily Texan 2022-04-15 by The Daily Texan

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VOLUME 122, ISSUE 63 FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 2022

hank green goes to texas UT students wait for hours outside the Texas Union to hear the Crash Course co-founder speak.

leila saidane

/ the daily texan staff

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UT Theatre and Dance explore convergence of romance and technology in “Love and Information.”

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Life&Arts

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UT is working with the City Auditor to finalize a review of Austin Water after the third boil water notice in four years.

Quarterbacks Hudson Card and Quinn Ewers face off in a battle for the starting job.

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TODAY Apr. 15

The University of Texas should offer English as a Second Language classes to all employees.

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Opinion

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Contents:

UT students wait hours for lecture with Crash Course co-founder Hank Green By Hope Unger

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@imhopeunger

Science content creator Hank Green visited the Texas Union on Thursday to talk to students about his journey in science and communications. Hosted by the Student Endowed Centennial Lectureship, hundreds of students lined up to see Green in person. Green is known for his educational science videos on media platforms such as YouTube and TikTok. He started his video career on VlogBrothers, co-hosted by his brother, author John Green, and moved on to help launch Crash Course, a series of educational videos that quickly teach students about different topics. Green has also hosted podcasts, co-created VidCon and published several books. “The world is super interesting, so I don’t have to be that interesting — I just have to tell you about the world. I just have to see it in the right way and use the right eyes,” Green said at the lecture. “We’re always finding out new interesting things, and (students) are always learning about new interesting things, even if I’ve known them for 20 years, everybody starts out from scratch. So I get to tell high schoolers about this stuff.” Biochemistry sophomore Sofia Scalzo said she was one of the first students in line, arriving at 1:30 p.m. to ensure her spot. Scalzo said she planned on being the first in line when she saw the poster for the event on the side of the Union a week before. “He’s been an influential person in my life since I was in high school, so I just really love him,” Scalzo said as she waited. “I can’t believe he’s coming here.”

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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leila saidane

/ the daily texan staff

Hank Green speaks to an audience of over 900 students in the Texas Union Shirley Bird Perry Ballroom April 14. Green spoke about his career in science, freelance video production and writing and entrepreneurship.

SECL is an organization of representatives from different student groups who invite a speaker to campus every year, exposing students to a wide range of perspectives during their time at UT. Communications director Hayley Fitzsimmons said SECL identified 200 potential speakers before choosing Hank Green to speak to students. “He is an influential character in our lives,” said public relations junior Fitzsimmons. “Hank Green’s probably taught you a thing or two.” Fitzsimmons said communication with Green’s team was a lot faster than she expected and everything was set in a couple of weeks. “I’m going to be excited to see a roomful of students who have at some point in their life been impacted by this man and his knowledge,” Fitzsimmons said.

Fitzsimmons said the last thing she wanted was for any of the 900 seats to be empty. However, the auditorium was filled to capacity and some students had to be turned away. During the conversation, Green said he has plans to remake the biology crash courses with UT chemistry professor Kate Biberdorf, known for her educational chemistry video series Kate the Chemist. Green ended his lecture by emphasizing to students the power they have to be in charge of decisions they make in their lives. “Everyone has agency and everyone has power,” Green said. “The amount of power that we have varies greatly. … We have a lot of agency, we have a lot of control. … Some people don’t want to hear that they have agency because they’d rather not have to deal with it.”

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S A N I K A N AYA K

Editor-In-Chief | @TEXANOPINION FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 2022

COLUMN

OPINION

UT should offer ESL classes to employees Senior columnist Lucero Ponce urges UT to offer ESL classes to all employees who are interested By Lucero Ponce Columnist

he University of Texas at Austin is one of the largest universities in the nation and involves many moving parts. Some of the key people that allow University operations to run smoothly are the staff. Because of the many responsibilities and duties employees carry out everyday, they deserve more benefits from the University. Along with the other benefits UT already provides, the University should follow suit with other employers in the nation and begin to offer English as a Second Language ESL classes to all University employees. The University does not offer ESL classes to all employees. Currently, the availability of ESL classes 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.

renee xiong

depends on a department’s decision, but it should be a Universitywide initiative for any and all employees. “Employees can take advantage of the Staff Tuition Assistance Program to take a language class. They would need to be enrolled as a student, but it could still be an option for some employees,” Veronica Trevino, media manager for Financial and Administrative Services, said in an email. “Some University departments pay for people to take language classes for their jobs.” University Housing and Dining is one of the departments that does offer ESL classes. According to Jennifer McClain, senior training coordinator for University

Housing and Dining, UHD offers beginner and intermediate level ESL classes to full-time staff who have worked there for at least six months. Improving English proficiency can benefit employees by preparing them for possible new job opportunities. Though knowing English is by no means a measure of aptitude, employees may want to take ESL classes and should be able to do so easily. Alejandra Aquino, building attendant leader for UHD, has been taking the ESL classes for five years. Last semester, she was applying for her leadership position, and her ESL instructor modified the course to help her by incorporating mock interviews and job descriptions into

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/ the daily texan staff

the lesson plan. “In my opinion, (ESL classes are) good, because there’s opportunity for learn for the speak and expression in English and is increasing my understanding,” Aquino said. “This is good for me because (ESL classes) help me for my new position, for understanding my interview (and) for the application for the position.” Not only do ESL classes benefit employees in their job, but they also help employees in all aspects of their daily lives. “(ESL classes) help me for example when I come for the school (for) my son, for the appointment with the doctor, when I come to the store shopping,” Aquino said. “This has helped me … when in the

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class and talk with my other co-workers and speak and a little bit in public (with) a little more confidence for the expression in talking English, (and) communication with the students.” With UT’s large staff population, there are many employees who come from vastly different backgrounds. In Travis County alone, 31.15% of residents speak languages other than English. This high percentage of residents that speak other languages demonstrates the need for UT to provide extra optional classes for staff members who wish to improve their English proficiency. Employees should not have to enroll as students to take a language class. The University should follow UHD’s lead by offering free ESL classes. However, it should offer these classes to all employees, regardless of if they are part-time or full-time. The responsibility of offering these benefits should not fall on individual departments, but rather the University itself. Staff members help build the foundation of the University and keep it afloat. The University should provide more benefits to its employees, and offering ESL classes is a good place to start. Ponce is a journalism freshman from Laredo, Texas.

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

NEWS

ANNA CANIZALES

News Editor | @THEDAILYTEXAN FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 2022

CITY

City auditor, UT preparing to review Austin Water after boil water notices UT is working with the city auditor to finalize a review of Austin Water after the third boil water notice in four years By Morgan Severson @morgan_severson

T is finalizing an agreement with the city of Austin to review water operations after February marked the city’s third boil water notice in four years. Austin Water released an explanation of why the citywide boil water notice occurred in February, but the new report will include a higher level of review.

UT’s Center for Water and the Environment will finalize the agreement with City Auditor Corrie Stokes and assess the recent boil water notices. The discussion will evaluate the best practices Austin Water could implement to prevent boil water notices in the future, Stokes said. “In a city like Austin, I think the sentiment was that we shouldn’t have this many instances of water that has to be boiled or other water quality issues,” Stokes said. “(The City Council) said, ‘We want to do an outside assessment of this.’” The city of Austin made a five-year interlocal agreement with UT in 2020 to allow the University and the city to do collaborative research without needing the city council’s approval each time. On March 30, the city’s Audit and Finance Committee directed Stokes to use the interlocal agreement to work

with UT researchers in conducting the audit, Stokes said. She said the Center for Water and the Environment was a good choice to conduct the research because they have experience with water engineering studies and research. “It felt like a way to get this project underway a little bit quicker than going through our competitive bidding process and have really great (experts) getting started sooner rather than later,” Stokes said. Lynn Katz, the director of the Center for Water and the Environment, said since the contract with the city auditor is not finalized yet, she could not go into specific details of what researchers will be looking into at Austin Water. “It’s a pretty broad scope to review the water utility of the city and ensure that the city is doing the best they can to provide safe water to citizens,” Katz said.

Siddhi Patadia, a biochemistry and computer science senior, said she experienced boil water notices in Austin during her freshman and senior year. “I’m talking to my friends who are at different universities and they’re like, ‘Boil water notices? We’ve never had that in our four years. Is this just an Austin problem?’” Patadia said. During her freshman year, Patadia said dealing with a boil water notice for the first time away from home felt scary and frustrating to deal with on top of her school work. She said she hopes this audit is thorough so other students do not have to handle a boil water notice. “I would just hope that they find the root cause and do everything in their power to solve it because I would hate for people to get sick or have problems because of the water supply,” Patadia said.

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FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 2022

NEWS

COVID

UT, Austin Public Health offers second COVID-19 shot for eligible individuals By Leila Saidane @leilasophiaaa

Immunocompromised individuals and people 50 and over can now get their second COVID-19 booster shot through University Health Services and Austin Public Health following updated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations released last month. Qualifying individuals who received their first booster at least four months ago are eligible for a second mRNA booster. Adults who received the initial vaccination and booster shot of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine are eligible for a Pfizer or Moderna shot as their second booster after four months as well. More information on the CDC’s full vaccine recommendations can be found on their website. Terrance Hines, UHS executive director and chief medical officer, said given how unpredictable COVID-19 case surges are, it is important for people to receive boosters as they become available to them. “When (people) become eligible is the best time to go ahead and get that additional protection … to avoid or minimize their overall risk,” Hines said. “Those are groups that are at greatest risk of severe illness and death or hospitalization. By giving them this additional protection, we hope to avoid the most serious consequences of COVID.” Vaccines are available through UHS for students, faculty and staff by appointment only at the Student Services Building and available to the public at the UT Family Wellness Center. Vaccines are also available through Austin Public Health by appointment or walk-in at the Old Sims Elementary Gymnasium. All vaccine providers can be found using vaccines.gov. Getting vaccinated can help prevent lasting side effects of COVID-19, such as long-lasting effects on the lungs and kidneys and, in the case of the Delta variant, developing diabetes post-recovery, said Nelda Garcia, a registered nurse supervisor in Austin.

These side effects are worsened if an individual is immunocompromised, she said. “We’re trying to (avoid) getting to the point where we have more people with diabetes than otherwise wouldn’t have had it,” Garcia said. “People are recovering, (but) they’re having foggy memories. They’re still having headaches. These are all effects that we can take care of now with the simple vaccine.” The CDC reported that individuals boosted during the Omicron surge were 21 times less likely to die from COVID-19 and seven times less likely to be hospitalized compared to those not vaccinated. Garcia said the availability of booster shots during the surge at the beginning of the year helped hospitals to focus on patients dealing with ailments other than COVID-19. “The hospitals were able to care for people who have strokes, heart attacks or just any kind of injuries,” Garcia said. “They were taking care of the people that they were supposed to be taking care of. Urgent cares weren’t over-flooded anymore. We continue to encourage our population to (get vaccinated) because we have seen the effectiveness.” Garcia said getting boosted significantly reduces risk of severe disease with the Omicron variant.

emma george

BEYOND THE

/ the daily texan staff

FR AM E

Featuring the best from the photo department.

By giving them this additional protection, we hope to avoid the most serious consequences of COVID.” TERRANCE HINES

uhs executive director

“Your symptoms are not (so) severe that you would need to have a respirator or need to go to the hospital,” Garcia said. “It’s something that you can handle with your primary care physician.”

leila saidane

| daily texan staff

Students wait in line for “A Conversation with Hank Green,” hosted by the Student Endowed Centennial Lectureship, on April 14, 2022. Hundreds of students formed a line leading outside the Texas Union.

LIFE&ARTS

ZOE TZANIS

Life&Arts Editor | @TEXANARTS FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 2022

FEATURE

Government professors encourage students to take up running Government 310L professors share love for running, encourage students to try the sport

By Catherine Cahn @texanarts

he clock flashes 3:30 a.m. While the rest of the world is fast asleep, Sean Theriault is already out the door with his running shoes on, beginning his miles for the day. Twelve hours later, Theriault will livestream to teach American Government 310L with Bethany Albertson, where their love of running will most likely come up in conversation, as it does most days. “When my run is done, I’m ready to tackle the day,” Theriault said. “Step away from the table. Step away from other people. It gives you a sense of clarity that is really helpful.” UT government professors Theriault and Albertson both began running when they started their Ph.D. programs and said they quickly fell in love with the sport. Now, as co-professors of GOV 310L, they encourage their students to run through extra credit opportunities and mandatory tasks, which could include participating in the Longhorn Run on April 23. Theriault and Albertson offer eight community engagement assignments in the course, such as visiting the state capitol or talking to a grandparent about politics. Students must complete six of the

assignments for course credit and may receive extra credit for the remaining two. So far, Theriault said 310 of their students have signed up for the most physically intensive assignment of the semester — the Longhorn Run. Theriault and Albertson said they not only encourage students to run so they can share their enthusiasm for the sport, but also because they care about the well-being of their students. “I feel bad that I’m such a big advocate for running with the full recognition that some people, for whatever reason, just can’t participate,” Theriault said. “But for the vast majority of people who can participate, I want to encourage them to start instilling good habits now. We know that when you take care of your body, your body takes care of you.” Albertson said while she and Theriault have different running styles and techniques, she hopes those differences encourage students to run, regardless of varying skill and interest levels. “Sean offers one vision of running, which is very dedicated, but there is a whole world of running,” Albertson said. “My side of it is pretty populated too, which is much slower, much more relaxed. I like students to see that there’s no right way to engage in this habit.”

Biomedical engineering senior Mahdi Sadr said he does not consider himself to be a runner. However, after hearing about the Longhorn Run in government class and receiving encouragement from Theriaut, Sadr wanted to sign up. “I went to (Theriault’s) office hours, and I talked to him. ‘I want to do this run, but when I run, after a couple minutes my knees start hurting,’” Sadr said. “He was like, ‘You can do this. This is what I would advise.’ His enthusiasm got me to sign up, as well as the extra credit.” Theriault and Albertson said while running, they’ve experienced great

success, clarity and many runner’s highs. By encouraging students to get involved with the Longhorn Run, Theriault and Albertson said they hope to spread the healthy habits and great joys that running has brought them. “I fly a lot around the country and sometimes around the world even, and I’ll never check my bag that has my sneakers in it,” Theriault said. “I have no idea where my plane is going to get held up or (if) the luggage isn’t going to make it. But, if I have my sneakers, I’m gonna get through the day because I know I’ll be able to go for a run.”

FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 2022

LIFE&ARTS

FOOD

New food truck Wabara serves up Korean American fusion By Shama Gupta @shama7gupta

madison morris

/ the daily texan staff

Two students order from Wabara, a new food truck on 21st street. Jae Jeon, Wabara’s founder, aims to bring Korean American fusion food to the UT community.

Jae Jeon leaned over his cashier’s window, watching as students passed between UT and West Campus. Every now and then, he struck up conversations with a frequent customer-turned-friend while he awaited the next order. Jeon opened Wabara, an egg sandwich food truck on 21st street and Whitis Avenue, in early February after leaving his job as a sushi chef. Despite the difficulties of navigating the food truck scene as a first time business owner, Jeon said he enjoys his freedom and newfound connection with the UT community. Jeon came to Austin a year and a half ago after being recruited by an Austin restaurant. However, the ownership of the restaurant changed, and Jeon said he didn’t want to be a roll man despite being offered more money. “Being a sushi chef and a roll man (are very) different,” Jeon said. “You don’t need much skill to be a roll man, and it was kind of embarrassing for

me. (Despite) the skills I have, they wanted me to do those ‘helper’ jobs.” Now, Jeon said he enjoys having complete ownership of his work and the quality of the food he produces, while also connecting to his customers. “I feel more engaged with my customers and like I can be myself,” Jeon said. “In a restaurant, you can’t do that. When you’re working for somebody, it’s not allowed. Dealing with college kids makes me feel young again.” After contemplating what food he would sell, Jeon said he landed on sandwiches with Asian fusion elements. “I wanted to (take) everything in me and fuse it (together),” Jeon said. “I have Korean history and a Japanese background, and I’ve lived in the States for 20 years. I thought of this egg and bacon sandwich because it’s very Americanized, but I can infuse the sauce, flavor relations and spices because people like fusion food.” Jeon said he’s still developing and curating new ideas for the menu and currently working on making a Korean burger. After walking past the truck and realizing it

was newly opened, psychology freshman Phoebe Cates said she was pleasantly surprised. “It was super busy,” Cates said. “They had sold out almost everything, but I got the classic. It was good. I would definitely go back.” Business freshman Jason Yang said that Wabara’s proximity to campus and Jeon’s light-hearted personality adds to its appeal. “It’s super close and convenient, and I come back a lot because (Jeon) is really cool and cracks jokes a lot,” Yang said. “I have to pass by here to go to (Guadalupe Street anyway).” Yang’s recommendation led aerospace engineering freshman Nick Christner to try out Wabara. Christner said he went four times during Wabara’s opening week and now averages about two times a week, eagerly purchasing the brisket signature sandwich. “(The best part is when) my customers keep coming back to me,” Jeon said. “They appreciate my food. People who really know how to eat (and) know what they’re eating actually appreciate (me). I really take care of my customers and food quality.”

LIFE&ARTS

FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 2022

THEATRE & DANCE

UT Theatre and Dance production ‘Love and Information’ premieres Wednesday By Sage Dunlap @SageDunlapp

A seductive tango dancer, an unruly CIA agent torturing a whistleblower and a TikTok-crazed teenager — these describe just a few of the many identities lived by Andrea Nuñez over the past few months. “When you view the show as a museum of human connection, it allows you to connect with each character for the time that you have them in (a) special, fleeting way,” said Nuñez theatre and dance senior. On Wednesday, 16 actors took to the Oscar G. Brockett Theatre to bring director Mike Steele’s “Love and Information” to life. The ensemble-led production utilizes music, dance and acting to portray dozens of short stories that showcase various aspects of human connection in the modern world through over 100 characters. Tackling different locations — from a neighborhood park to a bustling bar — the production’s soundtrack played a crucial role in giving context to the ever-changing scenes. The responsibility of dreaming up sound designs fell on the shoulders of Alex Titsworth, a theatre and dance sophomore. Titsworth said she collected both electronic and natural sounds to match the play’s technological theme. “We took the idea of what it would be like if a visitor was walking in (a museum), seeing slices of life,” Titsworth said. “If we were right there, in this show, what would that sound like to us? We’re hearing a bird on the right side. We’re hearing a small little scratch of a rat in the left corner. We ran with it.” Though Nuñez has participated in ensemble-style productions in the past, she said her experience preparing for “Love and Information”

differed due to more relaxed COVID-19 restrictions. Finally able to perform with many actors on stage at once, the cast incorporated large dance numbers, and Nuñez took on the role of dance captain. “I try to embody my characters mostly through my movements,” Nuñez said. “Dance sequences have to be filled with something … whether robot intensity or campy seductiveness. It’s a lot of fun to embody those elements.” For acting junior Alyssa Hernandez, “Love and Information” marks her first performance with UT Theatre and Dance, a milestone postponed for three years by COVID-19. However, due to consistent communication among the cast, Hernandez said she feels comfortable taking the stage for the first time since high school. From daily check-ins to discussions with intimacy choreographers, the ensemble worked together to ensure every cast member felt comfortable bringing intense subject matter to the stage. “(This play) is very fast-paced,” Hernandez said. “You might be sad one scene, and then you need to be happy-go-lucky the next. Being able to separate what happens on stage and your own reality (is necessary), and our director is very considerate and very acknowledging of the play and what it requires of us actors.” Hernandez said working on a play that heavily discusses modern relationships and technology caused her to reflect on her own life and reassess her outlook on her relationships with others. “(The play) opened my eyes on certain subjects, whether it be climate change or … relationships with your parents,” Hernandez said. “Being able to hear everyone’s point of view really helped me. It’s beautiful that we’ve tried to incorporate everyone’s interpretation.”

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Crossword ACROSS 1 Fertile soil 5 Send too many emails 9 Infuriate 14 Pay to get in a card game 15 “Night” author Wiesel 16 Totally pointless 17 Inverted pose seen in break dancing and yoga 19 Sports network that airs “Courtside Cinema” 20 & 21 Broadcast unit that may operate with 50,000 watts 23 Chowder morsel 25 Misled deliberately 27 & 30 Numbers displayed in rows and columns 32 Locale for a home garden

34 Open room with natural light 36 Others 38 The present 39 Renders null 40 Jar cover 41 2010s White House family name 43 Little hellion 44 Ink stain 46 “Mad Money” host Jim 47 Fine sediment 49 & 51 Long-lasting cover for a house 52 Life or Lucky Charms 54 Smart guy? 56 & 58 What this puzzle’s circled letters are … or what they’re doing 62 Biden’s debate opponent in 2008 64 Fell asleep quickly

ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE S A H A R A

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A I R B A G

N O V I C E S

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66 Iridescent gems 67 Great burden 68 Online marketplace for crafts 69 Secret meeting between lovers 70 “Is the ___ Catholic?” 71 Location DOWN 1 Bert who played the Cowardly Lion 2 Fit for military service 3 Not much 4 Federal program for health care coverage 5 Mathematical grouping 6 Blood bank donation 7 “___ No Sunshine” (Bill Withers classic) 8 Won gold, silver or bronze 9 Little redhead in a long-running Broadway show 10 Fake name given by Odysseus to the Cyclops 11 Cuba’s ___ Bay 12 Winter setting in N.Y.C. 13 Fire (up) 18 Fifth note in an octave scale 22 Traditional Father’s Day gifts 24 Cash withdrawal spot, in brief

Edited by Will Shortz 1

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PUZZLE BY ERIC BORNSTEIN

26 Start of Juliet’s “What’s in a name?” speech 27 Actress Viola of “Fences” 28 Invisibly small 29 Impressive feat in baseball 31 Water filter brand 33 Dopey or Sneezy 35 Kind of computer port, for short 37 Home of the Raptors, on scoreboards

40 Something to lick 57 One-billionth: Prefix on a stick 59 Unleavened 42 Checkout lines? flatbread in 45 Exam for an Indian cuisine aspiring atty. 60 Makeup of some “bunnies” 46 Collectible toon image 61 Affliction that aptly rhymes 48 Hiking paths with “eye” 50 Touches base 62 Cauldron before running 63 Figure that a home, say bank charges for 53 Iowa senator Joni a loan, for short 55 Lamb’s mother

65 180° from NNW

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FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 2022

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FOOTBALL

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A look inside Texas’ battle for starting quarterback By Matthew Caldwell

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Quarterback Hudson Card runs the ball down the field against the University of Louisiana at Lafayette on Sept 4, 2021. Texas went on to win 38-18.

@matthewcald

Several weeks into spring practices, the Texas coaching staff has gotten a chance to review most of the players. While there are battles for starting spots at almost every position, for the second year in a row, the most intriguing battle for Texas football comes down to the quarterback position. One of the contenders in the battle is a familiar face: sophomore Hudson Card, the man who initially won last year’s quarterback battle, is no stranger to battling for his position. It wasn’t until a couple of weeks before the 2021 season that Card was named the starter over Casey Thompson, who transferred from Texas to Nebraska this year. Last year started off well for Card. The Longhorn’s first game was against a strong Louisiana team, ranked No. 23 at the time. The Ragin’ Cajuns only lost one game during the season, and it was to the Longhorns. Against Louisiana, Card went 14-for-21 and completed two touchdowns in a blowout before being pulled to give Thompson a go. But Texas’ second game of the season went awry for the sophomore signal caller. A sold-out Saturday night game in Fayetteville, Arkansas, with an electric opposing crowd, got to Card. He looked rattled by the loud fans and the suffocating defense of the Razorbacks. Card went 8-for15, throwing for 61 yards while taking two sacks. His performance against Arkansas would all but wrap up Card’s season as starting quarterback. Thompson jumpstarted Texas’ offense, leading the Longhorns on three touchdown-scoring drives. While Thompson transferred, Card stayed at Texas and is in the running for the starting job again. His competition is now the high-school

phenom, redshirt freshman Quinn Ewers. He was a 5-star recruit, one of five players since 2000 with a perfect rating, who originally committed to Texas, but decommitted and attended Ohio State for a season, where he logged only two snaps. Then, it was back to Texas for Ewers. Ewers is best known for his precision and arm strength, something his future targets have already spoken about. “Quinn puts some zip on that thing,” sophomore wide receiver Xavier Worthy said. Card showed flashes of elite play in his first game against Louisiana last season but didn’t have many good chances to show his biggest strength. “He is a really good athlete,” Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said. “Hudson’s legs are a weapon for him.” Sarkisian said Ewers has been a good sport about the competition, which has given him a chance to learn the offensive systems at Texas. “The guy that gives our team the best chance to be successful will play,” Sarkisian said. “One throw isn’t going to define who the starter is. We’ve been rotating those guys pretty fairly, and we probably will throughout spring. We owe both of these guys an opportunity.” Whoever wins the starting job at quarterback will be set up for success. The Longhorns offense boasts some of the nation’s elite playmakers. Junior running back Bijan Robinson is coming off a 15-touchdown season, Worthy showed all the makings of a star wideout and junior Jordan Whittington is finally healthy again. “I would say (Whittington has) been the highlight of what we’ve got going,” Sarkisian said. All eyes will be on this quarterback battle ahead of Texas’ first game against ULM on Sept. 3, where either the returning Card will start for the second consecutive season or newcomer Ewers will call the shots for the Longhorns.

SPORTS

FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 2022

SOFTBALL

Texas softball falls short against dominant pitching from OU’s Bahl By Nick Hargroue @NHargroue_1

No love is lost in matchups between Texas and Oklahoma, and Thursday’s battle was no exception. In a game that had been sold out for weeks and had the second-largest attendance of all time for No. 13 Texas softball, No. 1 Oklahoma won game one in a close affair by a margin of 3-0. Oklahoma jumped out to an early lead in Thursday’s game at Red & Charline McCombs Field, scoring one run in each of the first two innings. An error by freshman infielder Mia Scott at the start of the game allowed the Sooners a free baserunner, eventually leading to the first run of the ballgame. As a team, the Longhorns made four errors in the game, allowing extra opportunities for Oklahoma too often to be successful. Head coach Mike White was adamant that the team must avoid these mistakes to beat the Sooners. “They don’t call it the ‘hot corner’ for nothing; we’re getting surprised by some hot shots that we should be able to make, and we’ve seen (Mia) make those plays,” White said. “Obviously she didn’t want to get out of the bed and make any mistakes, so I mean it is one of those deals that hopefully she learns from.” Texas did its best to put runs on the board against Oklahoma; however, a star performance by freshman pitcher Jordy Bahl kept the Longhorns off-balance. Her mastery of the rise ball had hitters whiffing all night, ending the game with 15 strikeouts and only allowing four

hits on the night. Bahl’s swagger was palpable, as she easily handled the majority of the Texas lineup from the first pitch. “We had a certain game plan, but when a kid’s got three nasty pitches out there, it’s hard to sit on one pitch,” White said. “A lot of pitchers we face you can kind of eliminate a pitch, but you know she moves around as good as anybody and was able to pull the strings when she needs it.” Texas kept this game close due to a stellar performance from graduate transfer pitcher Hailey Dolcini, who was also recently named a finalist for the Senior CLASS award for her excellence on and off the field. Dolcini had a tough start in her first Red River Showdown, allowing Oklahoma to take a multi-run lead in the first two innings. However, she gained more and more confidence against the Sooner lineup as the sun began to set at Red & Charline McCombs Field. “I think she was fantastic, you know, she was dialed in,” White said. “Just a couple of mistakes here and there that came back to haunt us a little bit.” Dolcini finished the game with three hits, two earned runs given up and four strikeouts, an admirable effort against a team that averages nearly 10 runs a game and routinely blows other teams out of the water. Thursday’s performance wasn’t a winning result, but the team showed their ability to stick in a ballgame with one of the most dominant teams in collegiate softball history. Texas goes to battle once again against Oklahoma on Friday at 6 p.m., hoping to pull off the improbable versus the still-unbeaten Sooners.

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/ the daily texan staff

Graduate transfer pitcher Hailey Dolcini overcame a tough start in her first Red River Showdown. Dolcini was recently named a finalist for the Senior CLASS award.

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Comics Editor | @TEXANCOMICS FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 2022

COMICS