The Lantern — March 10, 2022

Page 1 Thursday, March 10, 2022

Olentangy River Road COVID-19 testing site to close due to decreased demand

MACKENZIE SHANKLIN | PHOTO EDITOR

The COVID-19 testing site located inside a parking garage off of Olentangy River Road will close Thursday due to the decline in demand for testing.

HOSNA SADAQAT Lantern reporter sadaqat.3@osu.edu The drive-thru COVID-19 testing site on Olentangy Road, which was used to test symptomatic individuals, will close Thursday in response to a declining demand for tests.

The site, a partnership between the Wexner Medical Center at Ohio State and Chemical Abstracts Service, a division of the American Chemical Society, has processed about 16,000 tests since it opened Jan. 3, Amy Colgan, media relations consultant at the medical center, said in an email.

According to the medical center’s website, asymptomatic PCR testing will

still be performed at the Jesse Owens North Recreation Center Monday through Friday, and tests for symptomatic individuals are available at Student Health Services.

Appointments can be made through the MyChart app.

The testing site closure follows the university’s Tuesday announcement that it will lift its mask mandate starting Friday at 6 p.m. The city of Columbus lifted its mandate Monday.

Ohio State’s COVID-19 positivity rate is less than one percent as of 4 p.m.

Wednesday, according to the university’s COVID-19 dashboard.

For more information about COVID-19 testing, visit the Safe and Healthy Buckeyes website.

Page 2

Thursday, March 10, 2022

CAMPUS

Undergraduate students presented their research at the Denman forum ON PAGE 3

Ohio State experts weigh in on seasonal depression as spring nears ARIANNA SMITH Lantern reporter smith.1426@osu.edu Ohio State experts say students with seasonal depression might experience improved moods as both warmer weather and daylight saving time approach.

Sunday marks the start of daylight saving time, bringing longer days and shorter nights as winter turns into spring, likely bringing warmer weather with clearer skies. Dr. Ryan Patel, a psychiatrist for the Counseling and Consultation Service, said students, especially those with seasonal affective disorder — a type of depression related to seasonal changes — can find relief as winter ends and daylight saving time begins.

“The days are a little bit longer, in the evenings there is more light and combine that with warmer weather than the wintertime, it may be easier to go outside and do things,” Patel said.

Patel said those with seasonal affective disorder suffer from depressive symptoms that are heightened during the winter months. For some, though, he said the symptoms can increase in the summer.

Symptoms of seasonal affective disorder include increased sleep and downtime, cravings for carbohydrates, weight gain, feelings of sadness or tiredness and a heavy feeling in the legs and body.

Patel said these symptoms can appear due to less exposure to less light in the winter, fewer activities to do and spending more time indoors studying, making college students especially vulnerable to experiencing seasonal depression.

Dan Strunk, a professor in the Department of Psychology, said some studies suggest that change in time and weather, regardless if it gets colder or warmer, creates stress, and can lead to physical and

Daylight saving time will begin Sunday, bringing longer days and shorter nights.

mental health concerns.

“Seasonal changes are a contributing factor to the experience of mood disorders and depression, specifically, for a significant minority of people who experience those disorders,” Strunk said.

Strunk said he recommends people use one of the three types of treatment for seasonal affective disorder: lightbox therapy, which uses a device simulating light outside when days are cloudy, antidepressant medication and cognitive behavioral therapy, a talk therapy that helps

people understandknow how thoughts affect emotions and behaviors.

Patel said for those who suffer from seasonal depression, sleep hygiene is important and can be improved by maintaining a regular sleep schedule and avoiding alcohol, smoking and bright screens before bed.

Strunk said mental health struggles are becoming increasingly common. Many people do not seek treatment, which can be a result of obstacles preventing easy access, but he said individuals should be

ARIANNA SMITH | LANTERN REPORTER

persistent in finding a treatment that works best for them.

Strunk said he urges anyone affected by seasonal depression not to wait for spring to find relief.

“It’s one thing to help people in that winter when they’re feeling bad, but even better, would be to help people in a way that doesn’t just get them better this winter, but helps for the following season,” Strunk said.

thelantern.com

@TheLantern

Thursday, March 10, 2022 | The Lantern | 3

Undergraduate students showcase research at Denman Forum

Undergraduate researcher, Howard Fei (left), discussing his research with a Denman faculty reviewer.

BRODY SERRAVALLI Lantern reporter serravalli.1@osu.edu Pomerene Hall bustled with scientific discovery Tuesday as students unveiled research in areas ranging from medicine to international relations.

Over 170 undergraduate researchers convened at Pomerene Hall for the 27th annual Denman Undergraduate Research Forum. Claire Sweigart, program director of Undergraduate Research & Creative Inquiry at Ohio State, said the Denman Forum gives students, particularly graduating seniors, a unique opportunity to share their research with those outside their field of study.

“It’s a really great chance for students to present on their research and share the innovative work that they have been doing with the broader university community,”

Sweigart said. “Bringing everyone back in person to campus to share their research has been really wonderful.”

The Denman Forum was divided into 10 academic categories and had three sessions where students presented their research to faculty reviewers.

Sweigart said many students who participate in the forum are looking to continue their academic careers in graduate school, and the event provides them an opportunity to practice presenting their research while adding to their resume.

“It really sets these students apart, the fact that they participated in research and practiced communicating that research,” Sweigart said.

Jade Hettick, a faculty reviewer for the animal science category, said a student’s ability to demonstrate an understanding of the motivations behind their research is the most important factor in her assessment.

“We’re looking to see if students understand what they’re talking about,” Hettick said. “Not just that they did the basics of the experiment, that they understand why they did the experiment.”

For students like Chance Carafice, a fourth-year in engineering physics, the forum is an opportunity to build upon the skills he has honed throughout his academic career. He said although there were time constraints, he is happy with how his group worked on its research project.

Carafice said his research applied machine learning to create records of changes in tropical glacier environments over time.

“My lab crew was really supportive, and I’ve been meeting with them for about a week doing practice runs and throwing drafts at them so they could give me comments in order to eventually get here,” Carafice said.

BRODY SERRAVALLI | LANTERN REPORTER

Hettick said students were assigned three reviewers who judged their presentation.

For each category, Hettick said students were given a score from 1-10, earning an overall score at the end of the forum.

The students with the highest scores in their category are also awarded at a separate ceremony — which will take place Thursday at the Barrister Club by invitation only.

Shannon Dixon, a fourth-year in food, agricultural and biological engineering, researched the effect of long-term temperature and pH stress on some deep sea organisms. She said although she was nervous to participate, her Denman experience was fulfilling.

“I’ve had a lot of fun, actually. Getting to talk about my research and present it just kind of reaffirms that I’m interested in going into this for grad school,” Dixon said.

Page 4

Thursday, March 10, 2022

ARTS&LIFE

Tastes like home: Southernstyle brewery and restaurant to open in Columbus ON PAGE 5

YouTube sensation and Ohio State alumnus Coyote Peterson aims to inspire future generations of explorers AUSTIN MUCCHETTI Lantern reporter mucchetti.1@osu.edu In an ever-changing social media landscape, Ohio State alumnus and Emmy Award-winning content creator Nathaniel Peterson is a driving force on YouTube.

Known on the platform as Coyote Peterson, the 2005 Ohio State graduate said he launched his YouTube channel Brave Wilderness in 2014 with 2008 Ohio State graduate and filmmaker Mark Vins. Since then, he has produced animal wildlife content that has made him the most popular animal-centered channel on YouTube.

Peterson’s channel, which currently has over 19.7 million subscribers, ranks 185th in subscriber count on the platform and has raked in over 4.3 billion total channel views.

Peterson said his aim with Brave Wilderness is to educate people about animal wildlife while keeping the content entertaining.

“People have a reason to be afraid of something until they can get to the inside of that animal’s story and understand that it serves quite an important purpose on our planet,” Peterson said. Our job, we feel, is to be the storytellers and the voice for these animals that can’t speak for themselves.”

When he was younger, Peterson said he was interested in animals, but he was also heavily influenced by prominent tales of that era, such as Steven Spielberg’s “Jaws” and “Jurassic Park” and George Lucas’ “Star Wars.”

“I was sort of crafted at a young age, when the VHS tape was, like, the thing to do on Friday nights,” Peterson said.

Peterson said allowing his imagination to run wild during his childhood enabled him to eventually combine his two passions.

COURTESY OF BRAVE WILDERNESS

Known on YouTube as Coyote Peterson, the 2005 Ohio State graduate said he launched his YouTube channel Brave Wilderness in 2014.

When he came to Ohio State, he said he pursued a career in screenwriting, producing and directing to learn how to effectively tell a story.

“I wanted to do the same thing for a different generation that Spielberg and Lucas’ generation did for me,” Peterson said. “And when we found the ability to then weave my love for animals into it, it was a little bit of right place, right time.”

Although Peterson said he is proud to have been a student at Ohio State, he said he had a love-hate relationship with his time on campus. When he was a freshman, Peterson said Ohio State lacked a film and media program. However, he said with the help of his advisers, he was able to participate in a personalized study program that gave him the flexibility needed to pursue his passion.

“It was Ohio State allowing me to do this, that sculpted me into the business and storytelling leader that I am today,” Peterson said.

One of Peterson’s biggest content

inspirations was Steve Irwin, and Peterson said he aimed to fill the hole left in the animal-entertainment space following Irwin’s passing.

“Once Steve passed away, we really sort of jumped on board with the idea that we could be the next opportunity to bring all generations, but specifically younger generations, animals in a new way, especially with the advancements in camera technology and the storytelling platforms that were coming up through YouTube,” Peterson said.

Mario Aldecoa, wildlife biologist and producer for Brave Wilderness, said he believes the timelessness that goes hand in hand with animal content is the key element to its success.

“The content that’s produced is what we call evergreen, meaning that it will never get old,” Aldecoa said. “You know, there’s always going to be a generation of people that will learn about nature.”

Beau Sedivy, chief operating officer for Brave Wilderness, said he credits the

channel’s success to the determination of the team, as well as the on-screen talent.

“I think you have to have talent to be successful, and we have a lot of talented individuals, you know, starting with Coyote as the spearpoint of the organization,” Sedivy said. “But I think you also have to have dedication and commitment and a lot of hard work.”

Aldecoa said the channel’s familyfriendly nature also helps to attract audiences of all ages.

“Kids can watch us, and adults watch us too,” Aldecoa said. “So we have lots of fans of ours, parents that will be like, ‘You know, it’s great that we could trust that the stuff that you guys are putting out is safe for our kids to watch,’ and they’ll tend to end up watching it too.”

Sedivy said he is proud of the content Brave Wilderness produces and the educational value it provides.

“I think we’re just proud that we’re inspiring that next generation of animal explorers,” Sedivy said.

thelantern.com

@TheLantern

Thursday, March 10, 2022 | The Lantern | 5

Goodwood Brewing and Spirits to bring Southern flavors to Columbus TYRIK HUTCHINSON-JUNIOR Lantern reporter hutchinson-junior.1@osu.edu Columbus will soon have a new destination for craft beer and Southernstyle food when Goodwood Brewing and Spirits opens Monday.

Goodwood Brewing and Spirits is a spot for burgers, brunch and brews, according to its website, and will be located in the Arena District at 401 N. Front St. Ted Mitzlaff, owner and CEO of the Goodwood, said it will promote a homey environment for people of all ages, and will offer a private event space, shuffleboard and pool table.

“It’s family-friendly, the vibe in the restaurant is very cool and festive,” Mitzlaff said. “We really just want people to come and have a good time.”

Mitzlaff said this will be the company’s third location, with two others in Indianapolis and Lexington, Kentucky. He said he has been looking to open a location

in Columbus for the past two years, and when an opportunity arose, he knew it was something he could not pass up.

“I’ve spent a lot of time in Columbus, and I fell in love with the city,” Mitzlaff said. “Once we saw this location, we knew it was the right place.”

Michael Wilson, general manager for the Columbus location, said the brewery will have 12 beer taps, which are all crafted

by Goodwood, and customers will be able to take beers to go. He said Goodwood will also offer samples so people can decide which beers they like most before purchasing them.

“You can do any four beers that you want,” Wilson said. “You can try out all of these different beers until you find one that you like.”

Wilson said the food’s Southern style will make it distinct from other eateries in Columbus. Goodwood will serve various items such as chicken and waffles, spicy collard greens, mac and cheese melts and

signature beer-infused sauces that will be available for purchase, according to its website.

“We have things on this menu that you don’t see often around Columbus,” Wilson said. “I think once people see and try it, they’ll fall in love with it.”

Wilson said Goodwood will offer a positive environment for college students because it’s reminiscent of home and the comforting food that sometimes comes with it.

“A lot of students probably miss home and the food from home,” Wilson said.

“They’re going to come here and enjoy it and hopefully come back.”

Because it has not yet opened, Goodwood is still actively hiring, and Wilson said they will be hosting open interviews every day.

“It doesn’t have to be full time, you can just work two days a week, and that’s fine,” Wilson said. “It doesn’t matter what your background is or what type of job you need, we can fulfill it.”

Goodwood Brewing and Spirits will open at 11 a.m. every day. Closing times will be determined based on sporting events in the area, such as Columbus Blue Jackets games, Wilson said.

“We have to be flexible to stay relevant,” he said. “There will be 15,000 people at a Blue Jackets game, so why wouldn’t we want to attract that business?”

The grand opening for Goodwood Brewing and Spirits is set for Monday, and more information can be found on the company’s website.

JOIN OUR MAILING LIST

www.thelantern.com/email

ONLINE: WWW.THELANTERN.COM | TWITTER: @THELANTERN FACEBOOK: @THELANTERNOSU | INSTAGRAM: @THELANTERNOSU

6 | The Lantern | Thursday, March 10, 2022

thelantern.com

@TheLantern

Men’s Basketball: Ohio State looks to shake off rough finish to season in Big Ten Tournament JACK EMERSON Sports Editor emerson.131@osu.edu Entering its Feb. 27 game against Maryland, Ohio State was riding momentum from beating the eventual Big Ten regular season co-champion Illinois just a few days prior.

All of the sudden, the wheels fell off. The Buckeyes lost three of their last four games to close the regular season — with two of those losses coming from teams below .500. As Ohio State looks to return to form in the Big Ten Tournament, head coach Chris Holtmann said he just wants to see improvement from his team in the postseason.

“Certainly we’d like to be MACKENZIE SHANKLIN | PHOTO EDITOR healthier and also playing a little Ohio State graduate guard Jamari Wheeler (55) dribbles the ball during the Ohio State-Michigan game Sunday.

Ohio State lost 75-69. bit better,” Holtmann said. “I feel confident in this group and what average. valuable,” Holtmann said. concussion protocol, while aggressiveness and quality of we can be.”

With attention to the Buckeyes’ Ohio State’s late-season sophomore forward Zed Key play,” Holtmann said. “I think it’s Ohio State’s rough stretch trouble defensively, Holtmann struggles have produced a similar will be a game-time decision important that we stay aggressive culminated in a deflating senior said his squad addressed their situation to the final stretch of last as he battles through an ankle and play really well and day loss to rival Michigan Sunday, shortcomings on that end ahead year’s regular season. In 2020-21, injury that held him out of two understand that it’s going to be a where it was outscored by 13 of the postseason. the Buckeyes closed the regular games during the final week challenging game. I think that’s a points in the second half. The “We’re certainly trying to, season with four consecutive of the regular season. Redshirt mindset as much as anything.”

Buckeyes allowed the Wolverines but we’ve had some guys out of losses before stunning the senior Justice Sueing remains The postseason provides Ohio to explode for 45 points in the practice too, so that’s impacting conference field en route to a Big unavailable for Ohio State, last State an opportunity to right the closing frame while shooting 48.4 things,” Holtmann said.

Ten Tournament Championship suiting up for the Buckeyes Nov. wrongs of the final week of the percent from the field and 44.4 Alongside its defensive appearance.

12, 2021. regular season. With a chance percent from 3-point range. downfall, Ohio State has seen While the Buckeyes pulled There was some good news on to emulate last season’s Big Ten “It’s really hard, as a head fatigue creep in — stemming out an unexpected run in last the injury front for the Buckeyes Tournament success, Holtmann coach, when your seniors lose on from a schedule in which the season’s conference tournament, Wednesday, though. Freshman said it will be a distinct challenge senior day,” Holtmann said.

Buckeyes played 10 games in 25 Holtmann said it comes down guard Meechie Johnson Jr., for his squad.

The Buckeyes’ second-half days. to a game-by-game basis in the who aggravated his ankle “The biggest thing for us, defensive struggles against Although that stretch potentially postseason. against Michigan Sunday, will again, is how we’re playing and Michigan served as a microcosm tired the Buckeyes out ahead of the “There’s no guarantees,” be available for the Buckeyes are we improving in some of of its difficulties across the four- postseason, Holtmann said it also Holtmann said. “It’s a lot of Thursday. those areas,” Holtmann said. “We game stretch. Since Feb. 27, Ohio carried benefits of preparation matchup-driven, it’s how you play As the Buckeyes were unaware know that this tournament, every State has allowed its opponents for the day-to-day nature of the on that particular night. To some of their Thursday opponent until game will be a challenge. That’s to average 74.3 points per game conference tournament. degree, it’s the feel around your late Wednesday night, Holtmann the reality.”

— which is 5.9 points above its “That’s such a unique situation team as well.” said Ohio State’s experience Ohio State kicks off its season average. for a college basketball team. But Injuries have also piled up against both Minnesota and postseason run Thursday against Ohio State opponents have shot hopefully the quick turnaround, for the Buckeyes prior to the Penn State will help in the game- either Penn State or Minnesota 45.3 percent from the field during the quick prep, the ability to kind Big Ten Tournament. Graduate planning process. at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in the four-game stretch, up by more of turn the page from one game forward Kyle Young will not “It’s really important that Indianapolis. The game will be than four percent over its season to the next and move on, will be play Thursday, remaining in you come with a level of televised on Big Ten Network.

thelantern.com

@TheLantern

Thursday, March 10, 2022 | The Lantern | 7

Men’s ice hockey club to compete in first national tournament in program history Ohio State’s men’s club ice hockey team celebrates its first national tournament berth after its regional final victory over Cincinnati Feb. 27.

ZACHARY TAYLOR Lantern Reporter taylor.3762@osu.edu The Ohio State men’s ice hockey club will travel to St. Louis to compete in the program’s first-ever berth in the American Collegiate Hockey Association’s National Championships.

The Buckeyes collected a No. 4 seed and will play Massachusetts, Dakota College and Trine University, who are all in Pool C with Ohio State.

The winner of the pool will advance into the next round of the tournament.

Declan Rooney, a third-year in finance and club treasurer, said it’s exciting to be at

the national tournament for the first time in club history, especially with the amount of youth on the team.

“We’ve got basically two full years worth of guys that hadn’t played on this team,” Rooney said. “For a team that’s this young to be able to go out there and do what we’re doing now, I think it’s super exciting.”

Even though the team may be young, Alex Vineyard, a third-year in aerospace engineering and club president, said he believes this team has what it takes to compete at the national level.

Rooney echoed this confidence and said that going in with the right mentality and playing their style of hockey can help the Buckeyes go far.

“We qualified for a reason. We’re here to do some damage no matter what the seeding says,” Rooney said. “Just go in and play our brand of hockey, and the chips will end up falling where they may.”

Massachusetts is entering the tournament as the top seed in Pool C, and Vineyard pointed to its traditionally dominant nature as a telling sign of its season.

“They’re always good. You see them in nationals pretty much every year,” Vineyard said. “They’re going to be a really, really tough opponent.”

Head coach Greg Corcoran pointed to Dakota College’s offense, while Rooney pointed to Trine’s similar schedule, making both teams difficult challengers for Ohio

COURTESY OF SAVANNAH DEUER

State.

“They kind of play a similar caliber of teams that we do for the bulk of their schedule,” Rooney said. “I think that’s going to be a really good, even matchup.”

Corcoran said that if the Buckeyes play their way, there’s no reason they can’t be the ones to go all the way.

“Someone’s going to win this thing, so why not us?” Corcoran said. “Why can’t we do it?”

The Buckeyes play Massachusetts at 2:45 p.m. Monday before they play Dakota College Tuesday at 11:45 a.m. Ohio State finishes the group stage against Trine Wednesday at 2:15 p.m.

Page 8

Thursday, March 10, 2022

SPORTS

Ohio State men’s basketball kicks off postseason Thursday ON PAGE 6

Softball: Handley fits right into Buckeye program for 6th year MEGAN HUSSLEIN Lantern Reporter husslein.1@osu.edu As a 24-year-old from Mogadore, Ohio, graduate Lexie Handley is living the dream.

Handley is using her sixth year of eligibility to play for the Buckeyes. She originally began her collegiate career at Akron in 2017, then transferred to Auburn following her freshman season.

Now, she is back in her home state.

“There’s nothing better than representing your home state and family,” Handley said. “Columbus has always had a special place in my heart, just because being from Akron, Columbus is the big ‘where you want to be.’”

Handley said a few factors went into her decision to transfer, including the effects the pandemic had on college athletic programs and the opportunity to get a master’s degree at Ohio State.

Handley is pursuing a master’s degree in sports coaching and already has a degree in nutrition science. She said she’s built good connections with professors and students in her courses, allowing her to learn a lot since arriving back in Ohio.

Along with having solid classroom experience, Handley has had an impressive start in her first season as a Buckeye. The left-handed pitcher has a 1.64 ERA in 47 innings pitched, which are both team-bests.

However, Handley said she

Ohio State graduate pitcher Lexie Handley (00) points to the catcher during a game.

credits her team’s support for her early accomplishments.

“It’s easy to have success when you have a great group around you who wants you to do well, and that’s what I found here at Ohio State,” Handley said. “The stats are great and everything, but it’s not because I want them to be great for Lexie Handley, it’s because Buckeye softball is on the rise.”

Head coach Kelly Kovach Schoenly said she jumped at the chance to get Handley and that many other schools were trying to recruit her from Auburn, but she knew that the lefty would fit right in with the Buckeye squad.

“I think her experience was

intriguing,” Schoenly said. “She throws really hard, which is also intriguing, and just being lefthanded is such a different look.

It’s very helpful in that regard.”

Schoenly said Handley always wants to be at the top of her game and is constantly striving for excellence. She said the other pitchers would agree that Handley has a fire in her, noting that the left-hander is “not afraid of the challenge.”

Handley has gelled with the team. However, pitching to the Buckeye catchers was a bit of a learning process for both junior Sam Hackenbracht and sophomore Hannah Bryan because they said they’re not used

to catching lefties.

“Lexie, coming in, she’s meshed really well with the team,” Bryan said. “She’s taken her position and ran with it. She’s done a very great job. It took me a couple of times to catch Lexie to get used to it, but now it’s working well.”

Handley playing at Ohio State also means less flights across the country for her parents, who are dedicated to watching her play. Handley said her father encourages and provides her with constructive criticism, but both her parents have made sure to support her as much as they can.

“My parents are incredible.

They have come to like over 95

COURTESY OF OHIO STATE ATHLETICS

percent of my college games,” Handley said. “They’ve traveled the country with me every weekend when I was in Auburn.

They love it.”

As for life after her playing days are over, Handley plans on using her master’s degree to stay close to softball.

“I want to stay in college softball,” Handley said. “I think there’s a lot of growth that can continue to happen in this sport, in female sports in general, but especially softball. That’s where I’ve invested myself in. I want to be a college pitching coach, and I want to continue building up the sport.”