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VOL. 40
NO. 17
JANUARY 17, 2018
themetropolitan
Denver stock show tradition rides into biggest year yet
Photo by Mimi Madrid Puga | mayala3@msudenver.edu
Braxton Morgan picks up his volunteer from a barrel to his horse during the Rescue Race of the CINCH Equicross event at the Western Stock Show on Jan. 11. Morgan won the Flag Race during the gymkhana style rodeo competetion where riders fight against the clock and other contestants’ time. | Pg. 6
INSIDE NEWS
| pg. 3
Colorado independent candidates unite
OPINION
| pg. 4
Tackling controversies from a different point of view
SPORTS
| pg. 8
Women’s basketball stop CSUPueblo’s undefeated season
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JANUARY 17, 2018
NEWS
3
Unite Colorado offers support network for unaffiliated candidates By James Bofenkamp
public interest ahead of any
jbofenk1@msudenver.edu
others and using both common sense and common ground to
On Jan. 9, using a study by
address problems. The declaration
the Centrist Project Institute,
also includes an assertion that
Unite Colorado claims that a
the candidates “stand for the
slight majority of voters believe
timeless values of opportunity,
that Democrats and Republicans
equality and stewardship,” and
aren’t working together well
“champion integrity, transparency
in the state legislature.
and accountability.” Unite
Unite Colorado seeks to address these concerns, not by forming a new party to throw its hat into
Colorado also desires greater civic engagement and involvement. Discussing the tyranny of the
the ring, but instead offering a
parties, former state representative
support network to independent
Kathleen Curry recounted an
candidates. In doing so, they
anecdote of her time in office. In the
hope to enable viable unaffiliated
story, Curry speaks with a colleague
candidates to compete on a
who expresses disappointment
financial and professional level
in her. The colleague was upset
with the established parties.
because they thought that Curry
The study produced by the CPI
had proposed a good bill, one which
says that, “a majority of Colorado
they would like to support. However,
voters (53%) believe the two major
the party instructed its members
parties are not working together
to not vote for Curry’s bills due to
well in the state legislature to
her having become unaffiliated
solve problems facing Colorado,”
after leaving the Democratic party.
and further states that up to 82
“This is political speak for, ‘We
percent of Republicans, 84 percent
do not want you to succeed,’”
of Democrats and 92 percent
Curry said. While the colleague
of independent voters are open to voting for an independent candidate. Unite Colorado’s study claims that the state is
voted for Curry’s bill. Curry tells this story as evidence impugning the motivations of the parties. Supporting Curry’s story, state
ripe for successful campaigns
Senator Cheri Jahn recounted
from independent candidates.
the mindset of the Democratic
And aside from some basic, non-partisan ideals, the organization truly wants independent candidates. To show what is desired from its nominees, Unite Colorado created its “Declaration of Independents.” It has five tenets, including putting
party in Colorado’s senate. “How do we get this party in the majority? How do we keep this party in the majority? How do we get these people in our party elected? Instead of, what policies can we be working on together?” she said.
Photos by James Bofenkamp | jbofenk1@msudenver.edu
Executive director Nick Troiano answers questions from the audience about creating a infrastructure for independent candidates at the Denver Press Club on Jan. 9. organization. Instead, they are far
independents face the possibility
affiliation with the Democratic
more likely to support candidates
of being branded a spoiler in
party and started serving
who are running for open seats with
upcoming elections. Especially
the last of her term as an
a split or dissatisfied voter base.
after the 2016 election.
Jahn recently abandoned her
independent, starting Jan. 10.
Troiano rejected this notion,
Colorado is not a new party, Troiano
asserting that the candidates
Colorado, Nick Troiano, asserted
instead referred to the organization
supported by Unite Colorado would
that the organization was not
as an “un-party.” Instead of a
provide Colorado voters a valuable
there to be hostile to the existing
built-in, willing group of voters,
alternative to choosing the lesser
parties. Troiano said, addressing
candidates receive connections
of two evils. Furthermore, he
the parties, “We’re not here to fight
with fundraising sources, as well
said that the term spoiler implies
you. In fact, our whole movement
as the infrastructure necessary
ownership over the votes.
is here to work with you.”
to run a political campaign.
The executive director of Unite
However, Troiano did elucidate
While this does not supply the
In response to the idea that voters are growing either more
his concerns and what his
candidates with guaranteed votes
liberal or conservative, and
movement is supposed to target.
like a party affiliation might, it does
therefore centrist candidates
allow them to compete Troiano
might not do as well, an undaunted
mindless partisanship. What we are
claims. And he framed this as a
Troiano again fired back. He
against is the corrupting influence
boon to the candidates. Instead of
asserted that instead, the popularity
of special interests,” he said.
taking a certain category of voter for
of both President Trump and
granted, each unaffiliated candidate
Bernie Sanders in the last election
Unite Colorado is working along
would be required to appeal to
had more to do with their anti-
with four independent candidates
each group of voters individually.
establishment positions, than with
“What we are against is
To work toward these goals,
from races across the state. These
“Independents are here
any radical ideas they may espouse. When it came to concerns about
candidates include Maile Foster
to represent everyone, to
from House District 18, Jay Geyer
listen to everyone, and so the
the viability of an independent in
from HD-33, Eric Montoya from HD-
movement has to be reflective
office, Curry had a simple reply.
31 and Steve Peterson from Senate
of everyone,” said Troiano.
“Just because you’re in a party
Troiano believes this will
doesn’t mean you’re an effective
needs to prove to the organization
provide voters who traditionally
legislator,” she said. In fact, she
that not only are they capable
vote along party lines alternatives.
asserted that there were plenty of
candidates, but also as Troiano
He says there are voters who
seats simply occupied by plenty
said, that they had a legitimate
may have been taken advantage
of guaranteed votes and little else.
path toward an election victory.
of as a sure vote, because they
Curry asserted that the effectiveness
haven’t had any alternative for
of the legislator depends entirely
Colorado would not simply waste
a long time. This gives them the
on the person elected to the office,
resources given to it. Instead, they
opportunity to find candidates who
not the party they signed on with.
would be opportunistic and careful
will actually work to help them.
District 30. Each of these candidates
Troiano stressed that Unite
in who they chose to support.
Thornton city council member Eric Montoya signing the Declaration of Independents, a document describing the requirements for Unite Colorado’s candidates.
Stressing the fact that Unite
However, many affiliated
Unite Colorado hopes to help fill the state legislature
Unaffiliated candidates running
voters may see this as a threat to
with motivated and effective
against popular incumbents aren’t
their party’s chances of victory.
unaffiliated candidates.
likely to get assistance from the
Smaller parties and
OPINIONS
4
JANUARY 17, 2018
Why I’m right: “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” staff Editor-in-Chief Esteban Fernandez eferna14@msudenver.edu Managing Editor Montana Martin mmart427@msudenver.edu News Editor Madison Lauterbach mlauter1@msudenver.edu Assistant News Editor James Bofenkamp jbofenk1@msudenver.edu Features Editor Miriam Mimi Madrid mayala3@msudenver.edu Sports Editor Rich Allen rallen57@msudenver.edu Assistant Sports Editor Matthew Stefanski mstefan3@msudenver.edu Assistant Sports Editor James Burky jburky@msudenver.edu Photo Editor Ali Watkins awatkin9@msudenver.edu
T
his winter’s unsurprise hit,
of arguments I’ve heard center
“Star Wars: The Last Jedi,”
around that action being out of
website, “The Federalist,” is that
rankled fans like never
One critique of the movie from
character for Luke. What’s ironic,
the movie flubbed the ending by not
before. Although much derision
is that Jedi have a proud history of
letting Luke come back (for real) to
was cast at “The Force Awakens”
fleeing into isolation when things
take responsibility for his mistake.
for being derivative and at “Rogue
go south for them. Ben Kenobi and
What this approach gets wrong
One” for being - well I’m not
Yoda are two prominent examples.
though, is that it was no longer
sure what people have actually
Supposedly, Luke wouldn’t go
Luke’s fight. The galaxy had moved
been complaining about, their
into exile because in the original
on. It’s up to a new generation of
complaints are unspecific - “The
trilogy he faced Vader even after
heroes to pick the mantle from Luke.
Last Jedi” has been accused of
learning that Vader was his father.
However, although Luke’s time was
That Luke wouldn’t give up with
ending he still had a valuable role to
Ben Solo because he didn’t give
play. To teach the new generation
up with Anakin Skywalker.
from his mistakes and pass on the
murdering many a fan’s childhood.
Esteban Fernadez
They missed the point. The latest Star Wars movie was about growing up and letting
holes ticked by an industry machine. “The Last Jedi” took those
That completely misses why
spirit of rebellion that helped him
go of the past. Of passing the
heartless creations and imbued
Luke went into exile. Luke didn’t
torch to the next generation. The
them with soul. Rian Johnson, the
go into exile because he lost Ben
power of embracing failure.
director, took the usual Star Wars
Solo to Snoke, he went into exile
storyline may have touched a nerve
topple the Empire so long ago. Out here in the real world, that
That the movie had that sort
plots and made them collide with
because of the intense shame Luke
too close to home. What person
of visceral reaction from a small
reality. Each character was forced
felt for a fleeting moment of fear
hasn’t made mistakes they want to
group of fans is unsurprising, since
to reckon with the consequences
and aggression. Luke felt like he not
run away from, and have? An entire
the subset of fans who most loudly
of their actions. They failed, time
only let Ben Solo down, but also
generation, in the shape of the great
voice their displeasure mostly
and time again. There was no magic
himself. It wasn’t that Luke was
recession, left behind a mess to
refuse to grow up themselves.
last-minute reprieve. No long-shot
avoiding Kylo Ren, it was that Luke
clean for the younger generation.
The failure of “The Force
gamble that worked out in the end.
was avoiding the intense shame he
The older generation’s solution? Try
Awakens” was that the new trio of
In return, we were gifted living,
felt over that moment in weakness.
to make things like the good ol’ days
characters, Rey, Finn and Poe didn’t
breathing characters that now could
He was avoiding his failure. Luke
even though the world has moved
feel like characters, just points on
be free to follow their own paths.
was human after all and he couldn’t
on. They could take a page from
forgive himself for that. This only
Luke’s book, and learn to let go.
a checklist to be crossed off. The
The point that rattled most was
story behind the movie had no soul,
Luke Skywalker retreating to a
compounded the problem, as the
it was a punch card with all the right
hermit’s life on Ahch’to. The range
Galaxy did need Luke Skywalker.
Director of Met Media Steve Haigh shaigh@msudenver.edu Assistant Director of Met Media Ronan O’Shea roshea3@msudenver.edu Production Manager of Met Media Kathleen Jewby kjewby@msudenver.edu Office Manager Elizabeth Norberg enorbert@msudenver.edu Sales and Marketing sales@mymetmedia.com marketing@mymetmedia.com Brady Nelson bnelso73@msudenver.edu Caitlin Monaghan cmonagh12@msudenver.edu
What We Do The Metropolitan accepts submissions in the form of topic-driven columns and letters to the editor. Column article concepts must be submitted by 1 p.m. Thursdays and the deadline for columns is 9 p.m. Sundays. Columns range from 500 to 600 words. Letters to the editor must be submitted by 5 p.m. Mondays to be printed in that week’s edition. There is a 500-word limit for letters to the editor. The Metropolitan reserves the right to edit letters for formatting and style. All submissions should be sent by email to themetonline@gmail.com. The Metropolitan is produced by and for the students of Metropolitan State University of Denver and serves the Auraria Campus. The Metropolitan is supported by advertising revenue and student fees and is published every Wednesday during the academic year and monthly during the summer semester. Opinions expressed in The Metropolitan are not necessarily those of the university and/or members of the university, nor Met Media’s advertisers.
Cassie’s conundrum: Sexually harassing men
S
pring was ending and as the
We both realized, that this wasn’t
a subgenre of feminism. It was
days grew longer, the warm
the first time we had acted like
something that came out of our
weather began to bring more
this. That action came as second
mouths before we could stop
people into the park next to my
nature to us. To some degree
ourselves. We experienced the other
house. I would drive next to this park
of defense, her and I have gone
side without meaning to, and for a
almost everyday and watch young
through a few experimental forms
split second, it made us feel good.
mothers take their children for
of feminism, which may have left
walks in their strollers, Live Action
us in this confused standpoint.
Role Players or LARPers sword
One form of feminism I tried
The problem was, that after we passed him, we had no idea what his reaction really was. We
fight in their medieval drab. People
in the past believes in owning the
didn’t know if we hurt him, if he
recreated and worked out next to the
word slut. This means, instead
found it flattering or if he felt
of woman complaining about
naked and afraid. We don’t know
double standards, to reflect
if he went straight home, took a
beautiful lake out in the warm sun.
Cassandra Ballard
On one warm summer day, my roommate and I took a trip to
The further we got down the
those double standards instead.
shower to scrub himself clean of
the gas station, passing by the
street, the more our giggles
That means bragging about
the memory and put on sweats to
park. As she drove, our windows
faded as we began to realize what
sexual conquests, catcalling or
wallow for the rest of the night.
were rolled all the way down. The
we had, actually, just done.
committing inappropriate grabbing,
Although this situation is
passenger side faced the park,
I looked right at her. “Did
while we were both in a feisty
we just degrade him?” We both
mood with music on full blast.
giggled again but this time
that way has nit real effect on it.
sense that the catcaller is taking
with a breath of unease.
If a man is known for promiscuity,
control of a complete stranger. No
he is just a man. If a woman is
matter how the victim responds,
As we passed the end of the park, a young man was jogging
“Are we hypocrites?” I asked.
just like how men do to us. Assaulting the double standard
not as harmful as physical harassment, it is harmful in the
right next to the road with his shirt
She brushed it off with a no
promiscuous, she is seen as dumb
the catcaller has the upper
off. He had styled hair, blue gym
and then said, “well, he was
and rarely taken seriously. Chelsea
hand. It is nothing more than a
shorts and a perfect six pack. He
the one with his shirt off.”
Handler is a prime example of
instantaneous gratification of
this form of feminism and the
power at the expense of someone just trying to live their life.
was so close, I felt like I could have
I looked at her and said, “yeah,
touched him. Without a second
he was pretty much asking for it,
repercussions that come with it.
thought my roommate and I did
running next to a road with such
This form of feminism is nice in
something unpredictable.
a little amount of clothing on.”
theory, but in reality, it does not
matter. What matters, is that there is
empower, it only kills the soul.
a possibility that we hurt or scared
We both stuck our heads out the window and screamed, “ow, ow!” He didn’t even flinch, and as
That’s when it hit us. We were so wrong. How did we get here? Two self
But this situation was something
His response really does not
him and that’s simply not OK.
else. This was not intentional.
we passed, we giggled like we
proclaimed feminists treated men
It was something cultural that I
were in the eighth grade again.
exactly how we hated to be treated.
don’t think can be explained with
Have an article you’d like to contribute? Want to voice your thoughts on a current event or subject that has been covered in the paper? Send your pieces to themetonline@gmail.com or Managing Editor Montana Martin at mmart427@msudenver.edu
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FEATURES
6
JANUARY 17, 2018
More than a century of western heritage
The National Western Stock Show celebrates history, tradition and competition By Sandisz Thieme
90 acres and more than 900
sthieme@msudenver.edu
booth sections. The building housed pony rides, petting zoos,
The National Western Stock Show goes stronger than ever
rodeos and competitions. One of the attractions was
this year with record attendance
the United States Equestrian
through four of the first six
Federation Hunter/Jumper pro
days the show took place. High
and amateur competition. In this
hopes and expectations exist
competition, riders have their
for the remaining ten, according
horses jump over obstacles of
to the President and CEO of
varying heights and then are
the NWSS, Paul Andrews.
judged on a series of commands
The stock show isn’t just a huge advertising opportunity for ranchers and a one hundred
from an announcer. One of the riders was amateur, Kelsey Casper. It was Casper’s second time
million dollar boost to the
at NWSS but her first time
local economy. It’s a staple of
competing. It was also her
Colorado’s western traditions,
horse Shelton’s first real show.
heritage and cowboy-culture.
They have trained together for
“It doesn’t matter whether you
about a year to prepare for the
wear a suit and tie the remaining
stock show. Early on she knew
300 plus days a year, for two
Shelton was born to jump.
weeks in January you’re wearing your boots and your hat and your jeans and celebrating your western
he would go, by himself,
heritage here,” Andrews said.
just jump,” Casper said.
In 1906, the NWSS officially
Photos by Mimi Madrid | mayala3@msudenver.edu
“When he was younger, I used to put up jumps and
Sydney Trujillo composes herself after getting bucked off her horse during the Keyhole Race of the CINCH Equicross event at the National Western Stock Show on Jan. 11. Trujillo is one of the contestants between ages 14 to 18 who competed for scholarship money in the gymkhana style rodeo.
Shelton’s raw talent was being
began. Livestock transported
refined when, three weeks before
on the railroad line west from
the show, he was diagnosed with
Chicago had a natural stop in
equine colic. The abdominal
recovered and returned to
expectations after a smashing
constant training. They hope to
Denver during the early 1900s.
pain is a common yet serious
training within two weeks of
performance. He placed 5th
increase the number of ribbons
Ranchers and livestock owners
gastrointestinal disorder.
preparations for the NWSS.
in Jump and Race and 3rd in
and awards while decreasing the
show out of nine riders.
number of veterinarian visits.
decided to hold stock shows
Casper had to decide between
pumped oil into his stomach. Shelton narrowly
Casper and her family
was just there for the exposure. Shelton exceeded Casper’s
number of shows all over the U.S. this summer along with
in Colorado so they could buy,
giving Shelton a surgery with
hoped for the best but
sell and trade livestock before
a 50 percent survival rate or
had low expectations for
weeks ago,” Casper said after
example of Coloradoans
continuing west to California.
waiting patiently with hope that he
Shelton’s first show.
the show while feeding Shelton
celebrating their western heritage.
and lovingly undoing his braids.
The NWSS continues to be
Ranchers from all over the U.S. are able to compete in January
would recover on his own time. They decided to wait it out.
“I just want him to jump everything the first time and
“We almost lost him three
“He was hospitalized and
because no ranchers breed,
After a week off, they loaded
birth or raise calves during this
him for a “Magic Trailer Ride.”
month. Over the years the show
The nervousness of entering
of getting any awards, saying
We got 3rd and 5th place and
grew from its original 15,000
the trailer helped him pass
that if Shelton won a ribbon it
I was very, very pleased.”
attendees to today’s massive
the blockage after the vet
would be fabulous but that she
be brave,” Casper said. She downplayed the prospect
Their story is just a small
the premiere North American
I didn’t think we were going
showcase for all aspects of
to make the show and we did.
western traditions for 112 years and only continues to grow.
Casper and Shelton have a
turnout of nearly 700,000 visitors. People continue to travel from all over the country to compete. Justin Barber, co-owner of Barber Ranch traveled from Channing, Texas. Barber and his ranchers brought droves of cattle about 400 miles, no easy feat, to compete in Colorado’s nationally renowned stock show. Barber said a trip like the one he took can cost between $15,000 and $20,000. His goal is to advertise his livestock to one of the biggest crowds available in the business. “It’s like the Super Bowl of cow shows,” said Jeff Chaffin. He was another rancher in town visiting from Texas. It’s serious business competing in the show. Cattle undergo a meticulous grooming process before their moment to shine. Cows and bulls are washed, brushed and styled with hairspray to look their best. The National Western Complex was chock-full of hat, boot, denim and leather clad locals and tourists alike. The space is less-than-modest with
Jaden Elam directs her cow during competition at the NWSS on Jan. 11. The Oklahoma resident travelled to participate in “the Super Bowl of Cattle.”
Kelsey Casper takes out her horse Shelton’s braids after the Adult Amateur Hunter Show on Jan. 11. He competed after nearly dying three weeks ago.
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SPORTS
8
JANUARY 17, 2018
Roadrunners weather the ‘Thunder’ storm Women’s basketball ends CSU-Pueblo’s undefeated season in overtime
By Rich Allen
Smith’s career-high 27 points, the
rallen57@msudenver.edu
Roadrunners posted another highoctane offensive performance,
The MSU Denver women’s
coming on the heels of their
basketball team sent shockwaves
83-67 victory over Adams State
from the Auraria Event Center
University on Jan. 6. She landed
on Saturday night, sending
nine of her 14 field goal attempts,
pulses through the entire Rocky
including two 3-pointers and
Mountain Athletic Conference.
added seven points from the
The Roadrunners downed the previously undefeated
free-throw line on 10 tries. “I think one of our main focuses
Colorado State University-Pueblo
tonight was patient attack,” Smith
Thunderwolves in an 85-82
said on what allowed her to find
overtime fireworks show. The
success in the game. “Attacking,
lead changed eight times in the
let me do it. That’s my thing. So,
fourth quarter, five of those in
the patient part really helped in
the final two minutes. In the extra
terms of finishing out baskets.”
period it was the Jonalyn Wittwer
The Runners displayed grit
show, whose two clutch three-
and resilience, watching their
pointers accounted for half of MSU
second-quarter lead of eight
Denver’s post-regulation offense.
points diminish early in the third.
“I was just open and my
In the fourth, with less than
teammates found me,” Wittwer
three minutes remaining, they
said. “When you’re that wide open
found themselves on the wrong
Photo by Geoff Ziegler | gziegler@msudenver.edu
you’ve got to take the shot. I knew
side of a four-point deficit. Two
I was open and I took it, and they
free throws from Smith and a
Junior guard Jaelynn Smith drives to the paint during MSU Denver’s victory over CSU-Pueblo 85-82 at the Auraria Event Center on Jan. 12. Smith’s 27 points were integral to the Roadrunners’ win over the previously undefeated Thunderwolves.
were falling. I’m glad they were.”
basket from downtown by J’Nae
Even with leading scorer,
Squires-Horton at the 1:50 mark
3-pointer and gave the Runners
senior Georgia Ohrdorf, limited
gave MSU Denver a 68-67 lead.
a lead they would ride until the
to less than 10 minutes on the
What ensued was a back
buzzer, securing the victory.
a 7-1 record since Dec. 16. “I think they learned from
trailing CSU-Pueblo and Fort Lewis University. They are fourth
that experience last year,”
in points per game scored and
said head coach Tanya Haave.
have the sixth best defense in the conference by the same metric.
court, the team found the net at a
and forth over the next two
rate the Thunderwolves had not
minutes, with four lead changes.
39 victory over New Mexico
“We didn’t talk about it much,
seen yet in RMAC competition.
Finally, a foul by Smith allowed
Highlands University the
we talked about staying in the
The Roadrunners’ 73 regulation
Wolves senior guard Katie
following day, the Roadrunners
moment. I think for them, they
Colorado Mesa at the Auraria
points was the most points the
Cunningham to sink a pair from
improved to 12-5 overall and
never mentioned it to me, but
Event Center on Jan. 19, seeking
Wolves had allowed in conference
the line with four seconds left to
8-3 in conference play. After
the fact they were cognizant of
to continue the momentum of
all season, topping the previous
knot the game at 73-73, giving
preseason concerns of faltering
it, they learned from that.”
their three-game win streak
high of 60 they ceded to Colorado
way to overtime. Forty-six
over winter break in the vein of
Mesa University on Dec. 15.
seconds into the extra period,
past seasons, they emphatically
third in the RMAC with 11 games
Wittwer knocked down her first
countered that narrative with
left to play in the regular season,
Led by junior guard Jaelynn
With their dominant 68-
MSU Denver currently ranks
The Roadrunners take on
with the RMAC playoffs on the horizon at the end of February.
Men’s tennis prepares for Graetz’s senior season By Rich Allen
Player of the Year and his teammates
rallen57@msudenver.edu
Alejandro Martinez-Morilla and
As the MSU Denver men’s
to be conference champions.” Elkins knows that just the
Joey Tscherne – Graetz’s doubles
RMAC title isn’t enough, and he
partner for the previous three
acknowledges that every win is
tennis team prepares for their
seasons – were named first team
essential to earn a top-four seeding
spring opener on Jan. 21 at the Air
all-conference. All three also placed
in the region to land a spot in the
Force Academy, it begins a chapter
in the top 10 of the Intercollegiate
regional tournament. After landing
of polarity for the program.
Tennis Association’s fall regional
at No. 5 last season and just
While first-year head coach
rankings, making MSU Denver the
missing the cut, the goal is clear.
Barrett Elkins prepares his squad
highest represented school in the
for their first go-round the Rocky
NCAA Division II South Central.
Mountain Athletic Conference
Elkins is aware that the
“We were that close from making the regional,” Tscherne said. “This year we want to do
regular season under his watch,
accolades and recognition is less
that. We want to make it and we
program icon and senior Josh
than inconspicuous to the team’s
want to make a statement.”
Graetz enters his last. Graetz,
competition over the coming three
set to graduate in May, is the
months, but has confidence in
that goal a reality with their trip
his players’ ability to respond.
to Air Force Academy on Sunday.
winningest player in school history Photo courtesy of MSU Denver Athletics
in singles with a nice record of 69-24, already 14 victories above second place Peter Lantz. While he hasn’t started reflecting
Then-junior Josh Graetz prepares to serve in a match at the Regency Athletic Complex on April 9, 2017. Graetz is the winningest player in MSU Denver tennis history beginning his final season.
on his career thus far, the successes
“I think they’re ready to come
They begin their trek to make
Following that, they then have
in and defend the conference
two more Division I tuneups at
championship they won last year,”
University of Northern Colorado
Elkins said. “I think they understand
and home versus Eastern
that with that comes a natural
Washington University on Feb.
target and responsibility to not
3, the same day as the women’s
have any letdowns. A lot of people
season begins at Air Force. The
of last year plus preseason all-
as a team,” Graetz said. “I think
RMAC recognition for him and
this team deserves a lot in terms
his teammates have him hoping
of the effort we put in. So, if we
were selected to win the RMAC in
are going to be looking at us on
men begin RMAC competition Feb.
for a vehement conclusion.
can go to nationals this year, that
the preseason coaches poll. Graetz
their calendar and wanting either
16 at Colorado Mesa University.
would be great. That would be a
was named all-RMAC Preseason
revenge from last year or wanting
“I really just want to finish strong
great last season to reflect on.” Both men’s and women’s tennis
JANUARY 17, 2018
SPORTS
9
Men’s basketball goes streaking to start semester By Rich Allen
field goal percentage and three-
confident making a bold claim
rallen57@msudenver.edu
point percentage, respectively. The
about halfway through the season.
Roadrunners played them into a 15MSU Denver men’s basketball head coach Michael Bahl approved of what he saw from his players
“In my opinion, we have the
51 field goal rate, landing only three
Defensive Player of the Year in
of their 16 attempts from the arc.
Bounama Keita,” Bahl said. “And
To this point, MSU Denver
if he’s not Defensive Player of the
in back-to-back victories at the
has found its success by grinding
Year, that’s a shame. He’s by far
Auraria Event Center as they
out and playing physically with
had the biggest impact for us.”
ascend the Rocky Mountain
an emphasis on defense, rather
Athletic Conference standings. “The only thing we care about
than prioritizing scoring. “Scrappy is just the way we
The presence of Keita and van Heyningen, Bahl noted, opens up other players on the court and
as a program is ‘how hard did we
like it,” said sophomore forward
makes the rest of the team stronger.
play?’ and ‘how’s our attitude?’”
Cain van Heyningen after Friday
One of the beneficiaries has been
Bahl said. “I thought we got back
night’s victory. “If you look at the
junior transfer Jaryn Taylor, who
to playing extremely hard and
shots we took, everything was right
put up 13 points against Highlands
playing together. When you hold
around the rim. My teammates
and used his six-foot-seven
a team to 60 points last night and
put me in a position to do what
stature to secure six defensive
hold them to 41 points, I don’t care
I do: get a lot of rebounds.”
rebounds from seven total.
who you’re playing at the college
MSU Denver has relied heavily
“We had a big presence
on the duo of big-men in the
inside, it helps us a lot,” Taylor
The Roadrunners followed a
six-foot-eight van Heyningen and
said. “The more touches I get
dramatic 63-60 win over Colorado
six-foot-ten senior Bounama Keita
the more comfortable I feel.”
State University-Pueblo on Jan.
to establish a presence in the
basketball level, you played hard.”
As the rest of the Roadrunners
12 with a defensive shutdown of
paint on both sides of the court.
start to find that comfort based
the high-powered New Mexico
The result has been a conference-
around their defensive core, that
Highlands University the next
leading offensive rebound rate,
has translated into a play style
day to improve to 9-8 overall and
a fourth place rebounding rate
Bahl has been more familiar
8-3 in the RMAC. In Bahl’s first
and an average points per game
with, moving away from the high
year at the helm, the team battled
against of 70.8, good for third.
scoring games earlier in the season
through a road-heavy first half of
Keita, who earned RMAC
where they topped 78 points three times in their first six.
their schedule to a top-three spot
Defensive Player of the Week honors
in the conference standings.
on Dec. 4, only played 38 minutes
It has also meant more
across both games this weekend,
victories, going 8-3 since then.
In game one, the Roadrunners
The Roadrunners play next
turned a two-point deficit with one
but still verged on a double-double
minute left in the game into a three
against New Mexico Highlands en
on Jan. 19, taking on the ninth-
point lead with two seconds on the
route to another recognition of the
place Colorado Mesa University
clock. The next day, they held a
award on Jan. 15. He tallied seven
Mavericks at the Auraria Event
team that was averaging 82 points
points and 11 rebounds, adding five
Center. MSU Denver will look to
a game to half that. Coming into
blocks and a merciless slam dunk to
run their win streak up to three and
the game, Highlands ranked fifth in
begin the scoring in only 21 minutes
continue their defensive prowess.
the RMAC in average offense and
on the court. He’s played such an
defense, and third and second in
integral role that Bahl already feels
Photo by Geoff Ziegler | gziegler@msudenver.edu
MSU Denver senior guard Cameron Williams goes up for the dunk after stealing the ball in the second half of the men’s basketball game against Regis University at the Auraria Event Center on Dec. 8, 2017. Williams finished the game with 18 points, but the Roadrunners fell to the Rangers 79-59.
Denver winter teams thriving in wake of Broncos By Matthew Stefanski
first postseason appearance since
skid to start the month of December,
mstefan3@msudenver.edu
the 2012-13 season and would face
the team has rattled off 12 wins in
the Golden State Warriors, the
their last 16 games, including a still-
team that defeated them in the first
alive seven-game win streak. They
Colorado Avalanche are in
round of their last appearance. The
are doing this in spite of starting
the thick of some entertaining
past month has been extremely
goaltender Semyon Varlamov
playoff races, giving Colorado
up-and-down on the Nuggets.
being out due to groin injury. The
professional sports fans some
However, as they rallied off wins
team also won its 23rd game of the
consolation after a rough fall.
against No. 1 Golden State, as well
season on Jan. 13, surpassing their
as their divisional rival Portland
win total from last season in just
the Denver Broncos finally ended
Trailblazers. Meanwhile, they have
over half of the time. The Avalanche
on New Year’s Eve, as the team
dropped games against some
aim to continue their win streak with
finished its worst season since
low end teams, including the
two more games at home before
Kyle Orton was the quarterback
12-win Atlanta Hawks and 13-win
a seven-game road stint, which
of the franchise. The Kansas City
Sacramento Kings. The Nuggets
includes four games in five days.
Chiefs clinched the AFC West by
will try to get some momentum
defeating the Broncos 27-24 on a
going as they play a stretch of eight
continue their playoff hunts through
last-second field goal. The Broncos
of their next 10 games at home.
the winter and into the spring, while
The Denver Nuggets and
A dismal football season by
fired several different assistant
On the ice of the Pepsi Center, Photo by Matthew Stockman | Getty Images
coaches and coordinators, but general manager John Elway opted to keep head coach Vance
Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche plays the Minnesota Wild at the Pepsi Center on September 24, 2017 in Denver, Colorado.
Joseph on staff for one more year. But as Sports Authority Field at Mile High shut its doors until August, Pepsi Center is beginning to heat up, allowing disappointed
to thaw out and begin Spring
fared much better. Despite being
Training in February. As for the
considered an afterthought after
Broncos, the team awaits its highest
their franchise-worst 22-56-4
draft pick in seven years, when the NFL Draft kicks off April 26.
seed in the Western Conference
record in 2016-2017, they also find
other professional teams in Denver.
playoff race. This means if the
themselves in the playoff hunt,
playoffs were to start tomorrow,
although they are currently just on
the Nuggets would be making their
the outside. After a rough six-game
The Nuggets sit at a 22-21
the Rockies wait for the weather
however, the Avalanche have
fans to find some alleviation in the
record, good enough for the eighth
Both Pepsi Center teams look to
10
EVENTS
EVENTS AT AURARIA
CONCERTS
1.17
Welcome Week: Student Involvement Fair
1.19
Mod Sun
Location Summit Music Hall
JANUARY 17, 2018
ROADRUNNER ATHLETICS 1.19
The Wailers
Men’s Track and Field
Women’s Track and Field
Location Gothic Theater
Price $18
Price $25
Time 7 p.m.
Time 9 p.m.
Location Tivoli Turnhalle
1.19 @ Colorado School of Location Golden, Colo.
Price Free
1.19 @ Colorado School of Mines Twilight Classic
Mines Twilight Classic Time TBA
Location Golden, Colo. Time TBA
Time 10 a.m. 1.19
John Maus
Location Marquis Theater 1.18
Welcome Week: Movie Night (“Wonder”)
Location Tivoli Turnhalle Price Free Time 4 p.m.
1.19
Pandas & People
Location Hodi’s Half Note
Price $15
Price $10
Time 8 p.m.
Time 9 p.m.
Women’s Basketball 1.19 vs. Colorado Mesa
Third Friday Art Walk
Location Denver 1.20
Marilyn Manson
Location Fillmore Auditorium
965 Santa Fe Drive
University
1.20
Anti-Flag
Time 5 p.m.
Price $50
Price $20 Time 3 p.m.
1.20 vs. Western State 1.22
Passion Pit
Location Denver Time 7 p.m.
Location Summit Music Hall
Time 8 p.m.
Location Ogden Theater Location Center for Visual Art
1.19 vs. Colorado Mesa
University
Men’s Basketball 1.19
Men’s Basketball
1.22
The Wombats
Location Gothic Theater
Price $35
Price $35
Time 8 p.m.
Time 8 p.m.
Women’s Basketball 1.20 vs. Western State
University Location Denver Time 7 p.m.
University Location Golden Time 5 p.m.
Price Free Time 6 p.m. 1.25
Dinosaur Jr.
Location Ogden Theater 2.1
The Takeover: Roadrunners Give Back & [Element]
1.25
LCD Soundsystem
Location Belly Up Aspen
Price Free w/ RSVP
Price Varies
Time 8 p.m.
Time 10 p.m.
PROFESSIONAL SPORTS Avalanche 1.18 vs. San Jose Sharks Location Pepsi Center
Location Tivoli Turnhalle Price Free Time 1 p.m.
1.25
Guttermouth
Location Streets of London Pub
1.26
Broadside
Time 7 p.m.
Price $14
Price Varies
Time 9 p.m.
Time 6 p.m.
Open mic and pizza night
Location Tivoli Garage Lounge
Mary Lambert
Location Larimer Lounge
Time 1 p.m.
Nuggets
1.16 vs. Los Angeles 1.28
1.20 vs. New York Rangers Location Pepsi Center
Location Summit Music Hall
Nuggets 2.6
Avalanche
1.29
Josh Ritter
Location Ogden Theater
Price Free
Price $15
Price $40
Time 4 p.m.
Time 8 p.m.
Time 8 p.m.
Clippers Location Away
1.19 vs. Phoenix Suns Location Pepsi Center Time 7 p.m.
Time 7:30 p.m.
TRENDING NEWS Logan Paul After celebrity vlogger Logan
“You get a democracy!”
Instagram is burnin’ up
An influenza A strain known
The boy band of your middle
Golden Globes for her acceptance
for Irish band The Cranberries,
as H3N2 that has hit millions of
school dreams, Jonas Brothers,
the body of an apparent suicide
of the Cecil B. DeMille Award
died at the age of 46 while she was
Americans is currently the cause
have reactivated their Instagram
victim in Japan, YouTube has
made headlines, and hope from
in London for a brief recording
of the most widespread outbreak
account, sending fans into a frenzy
begun to cut business ties with
some for a presidential campaign
session. The Cranberries rose
since public health authorities
of reunion speculation. This year
Paul. Last year, Forbes magazine
in 2020. Winfrey’s viral speech
international fame with their 1993
began keeping track more than
marks the 10-year anniversary of
estimated he made $12.5 million,
was rooted in African-American
debut album “Everybody Else
a dozen years ago. The strain
the Brothers’ third studio album “A
making him the fourth highest-
history and made promises that
Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We?”
is known for both its severity
Little Bit Longer” which was their
paid YouTube star in 2016. The
positive change is on the horizon
which sold over 40 million records
and evasion to vaccinations
first to reach No. 1 on the Billboard
video showed Paul and his friends
for women. However, Winfrey has
worldwide, and included the
that are typically more effective
200 chart. The real-life brothers
at the Aokigahara forest at the
stated that she has no plan to run
band’s unforgettable ‘90s anthem
against the other types of flu.
disbanded their four years ago.
base of Mount Fuji, known to
for office. As recently as October,
“Linger.” Their song “Zombie”
Additionally, another type of
be a frequent site of suicides.
Winfrey told “CBS This Morning”
won the “Best Song” award at the
flu, caused by the influenza
Following immediate backlash,
host Gayle King, “There will be no
1995 MTV Europe Music Awards.
B viruses, is still expected to
Paul uploaded a video apology
running for office of any kind.”
have never posted the video. I should have put the cameras down and stopped recording what we were going through.”
Dolores O’Riordan, frontwoman
Sick of it
Paul posted a video showing
in which he said, “I should
Oprah Winfrey’s speech at the
Dolores O’Riordan
show up later in the season.
BREAK
JANUARY 17, 2018
Top 5
Alternative albums of 2017
11
Photo booth
From Miriam Madrid
1. The Far Field // Future Islands 2. Masseduction // St. Vincent 3. Sleep Well Beast // The National 4. Hot Thoughts // Spoon 5. Black Mile to the Surface // Manchester Orchestra
Overheard “I can figure out where he lives. I’m a journalist.” “We dance to this in Jazzercise!“ “He doesn’t want to write, he just said that!“
The first week of classes can be overwhelming, exhausting and even disheartening. But we at The Metropolitan are here for you and with you, MSU Denver. Here’s a puppy photo from our
“One of us threatened to break into the other’s house tonight, and it wasn’t me.“
staff to prove it. This is Bonita, newborn Chihuahua to Chula.
Brain games Across
49. National League squad
6. Better half, often
42. Circus performer?
1. Singer’s function
51. Word with force and
7. Rip-off
43. Plants grass slab by slab
4. Catty comments
8. Liveliness
48. Somewhat upset
8. Simulated
53. Remedies for the cold
9. Spasm
50. Put away
14. Type of steroid
shoulder?
10. Choral part
52. Sports official
16. Mainstay
58. Fundamentals
11. Blush
54. October birthstone
17. Win in an upset
62. Charges
12. Post a gain
55. Within permitted
19. Lightweight crease-
65. Giacomo Puccini
13. Carrie Nation’s
bounds
resistant fabric
specialty
supporters
56. Jagged
20. Arab nobleman
66. Resume boozing
15. Ink problem
57. Fe or Catalina
21. Possesses
69. ‘’Taxi’’ or ‘’Seinfeld’’
18. Vigor
58. ‘’___ Good Men’’ (1992)
22. Refreshed
role
23. Tip, as a topper
59. Indonesia island
24. Term start
70. Cornwell or Clancy, e.g.
25. Standoff
60. Scottish family
26. Featherbrain
71. How one might feel after
27. Floppy contents
61. Performed a glissade
29. Capricorn, e.g.
a sprint
28. Partner of this and that
63. Laboratory heating
34. Venerable
72. Mimicked
(with ‘’the’’)
device
38. Last name in pool
73. Long Island drink
30. Mesabi loads
64. Commercial
31. Quick look-see
establishment
legends 40. Sports building
Down
32. Wild about
67. I, to Claudius
41. A must-do when dieting
1. Distinctive taste
33. Dramatis personae
68. Twilighty
44. Shampoo brand
2. Accustom
34. ‘’Heidi’’ setting
60. Long-term investment
45. Prefix for dynamics
3. They meet at corners
35. Jackson 5’s hometown
61. Gymnast’s quest
46. Detect
4. Sentimentalized
36. Spots
47. Word with buddy or
nostalgically
37. Lunkhead
honor
5. Impish one
39. Withered
Answers:
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