WEDNESDAY April 27, 2016 Vol. 100 • No. 7
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OPINION
Colored hair a hot trend
There is no excuse for ignorance. With information so readily available, why are so many people still ignorant of basic facts?
NEWS
Nursing students prep for symposium. Students will have the opportunity to apply what they’ve learned at this June’s symposium.
CAMPUS
Don’t let the stress of finals beat you down. Check out several ways to keep your stress levels down during finals.
Photos by Emily McDermott Texas Wesleyan student Emily McDermott (with her daughter Molly) says she colors her hair to express herself.
Brianna Kessler
English major and mom, who said she colors her hair to express her personality. “For me it was about self-expression,” McDermott said. “Probably the same reason people get tattoos.” McDermott said she believes people still stereotype those with colored hair despite the growing trend and acceptance. “It’s more associated with hipster now than punk rock,” she said. “And
bnkessler@txwes.edu
Colored hair has popped into Fort Worth to stay as more and more young people embrace the modern hair trend and color their hair with vivid colors like bright pink, green, blue, and even grey to express their individuality. One of those people is Emily McDermott, a 29-year-old senior
Jungle Book remake doesn’t disappoint. The spectacular live action and digital animation hybrid satisfies anyone with jungle fever.
SPORTS
NFL draft stocked with impressive players. Carson Wentz (above) is expected to be one of the first quarterbacks drafted this week.
ONLINE
In its first season since 2002, the tennis team capped a successful campaign.
HAIR. page 3
Weight room on the move Gracie Weger Coleman
“It will be a seamless transition,” Franks said. “We’re probably looking at early summer before the renovation is complete for that move to happen.” With the addition of football and lacrosse, Wesleyan will have more than 500 student-athletes who will need a place to work out, Athletic Director Steve Trachier said. “Our desire is to accommodate the needs of the students,” Trachier said. “There’s not a way in the world you can cram 500 students into that little weight room we have now.” Franks said because of the square footage, it would be a challenge to try and put the weight room anywhere else on campus. “It would be really tough to find something that is open like The Sub with the amount of space without having to build something new,” Franks said. “We’re real excited about the project and with the reintroduction of football it’s awesome. We have collaborated very nicely with the Athletic Department to put the design of the weight room in
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A&E
the older you are the more your judged, especially if you’re a mom.” McDermott, who has been coloring her hair since she was 19, said she has noticed an increase in judgmental reactions to her hair since she has gotten older, and she gets the most judgmental looks when she is with her daughter Molly or at church. “Sometimes when my husband and I attend the morning service
at The First Methodist Church, in downtown Fort Worth, we get a lot of awkward stares,” she said. McDermott, who has green, purple, and pink highlights, said she always gets one of two reactions. “One, why would you do that? And two, I love it,” she said. “Although, I am use to it now.” McDermott said she believes creativity and self-expression go hand and hand and America as a culture sees itself as full of individuals. Yet there are many restrictions on expressing yourself, especially with colored hair. Dr. Sarah Roche, assistant professor of marketing at Texas Wesleyan, said America is such an individualistic society that Americans often focus on ways to differentiate ourselves. In fact, according to a recent study by Dove, 70 percent of woman alter the state of their hair. “I mean, that almost makes it a norm,” Roche said. “This trend is probably being pushed down by pop culture, not to mention all the self-help videos on how to do it on You Tube and social media.” The study by Dove revealed that eight in 10 women feel pressured to wear their hair a certain way. Which is why Dove is trying to break this stigma and encourage
The weight room for all Texas Wesleyan athletes is currently a very small room located on the second floor of the Sid W. Richardson Center, but that’s about to change. A new weight room is being installed where The Sub dining facility is now, and will open this fall, said Brian Franks, director of Facilities Development, Operations, and Emergency Services. Renovations are scheduled for the Sub to the moved to the Baker Building, which is at the corner of Wesleyan and Rosedale streets, Franks said. These renovations are due to start in two weeks. “We are trying to replicate what Aramark is able to do with The Sub, at the Baker Building. That project will start within the next couple of weeks,” Franks said. The Sub will remain open at its current location until its construction is complete at the Baker Building.
Photo by Gracie Weger Coleman The weight room for all athletes is in the Sid W. Richardson Center.
place so it’s going to be cool.” Zack Lanham, freshman kinesiology student and a current Wesleyan cheerleader, said he doesn’t use the weight room, but does make time
to workout at the Jack and Jo Willa
WEIGHT ROOM. page 3
Symposium set for summer Rowan Lehr rmlehr@txwes.edu
Texas Wesleyan’s nurse anesthesia students are getting excited about the upcoming Simulation Symposium. The Wesleyan Graduate Program of Nurse Anesthesia plans to host the four-day summer training program for the second year in a row, according to Michelle Ardigo, assistant professor/simulation laboratory. “They gain a lot of skill during those four days that they wouldn’t
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“I am driven by my curiosity in the mechanics of human physiology.” -Ryan Duplechin get throughout the year,” Ardigo said. “They get their regional anesthesia skill, ultrasound skills, and central line placement.” According to Ardigo, this year’s symposium, which will be held on campus from June 17 to June 20, will encompass students from 11 states. Ryan Duplechin, a first-year GPNA student, wrote in an e-mail
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he is looking forward to the symposium because he is excited about gaining hands-on experience with anesthesia equipment. His first year as a Wesleyan GPNA student has been demanding, but rewarding, because he has been productive, Duplechin wrote. “I am driven by my curiosity in the mechanics of human physiology,”
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Duplechin wrote. “Anesthesia training is the best avenue for a nurse to approach the pinnacle of understanding in this realm of science.” The most challenging part of the program is staying well-rested and sharp, Duplechin wrote. “Success in the program demands more of my time than anything else ever has before,” Duplechin wrote. “With a high volume of knowledge and understanding, comes long hours spent in my books and notes.” Matthew Manley, a first-year
SYMPOSIUM. page 3
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Opinion
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Felons barred from voting rights EDITORIAL
Does a human being locked behind bars have the same rights as one walking free? As the presidential election draws near, many people have begun to debate the issue of felon voting. Felons’ right to vote, or lack thereof, vary tremendously from state to state. This tangled web of varying state laws is too complex and creates confusion. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures’ website, ncsl.org, in Maine and Vermont, felons never lose their right to vote, even while they are incarcerated. In Florida, Iowa and Virginia, felons and ex-felons permanently lose their right to vote, although Virginia and Florida have supplementary programs which enable gubernatorial pardons. The remaining states, including Texas, each have their own approaches to the issue. Most felons are unfamiliar with the laws of their state. Many believe they’ve permanently lost their right to vote, though this is rarely the case. According to procon.org, 14 states, plus our nation’s capital, return a felon’s voting rights as soon as incarceration ends. Four states won’t restore a felon’s voting rights until the felon completes incarceration and parole. Texas is among the 19 states that only reinstate a felon’s right to vote after incarceration, parole, and probation have been completed. How is anyone, especially those incarcerated, supposed to keep up with this crazy quilt of laws that vary from state line to state line? The process needs to be simplified. All people being released from all prisons should be informed of and understand their rights, and more so, have their right to vote automatically reinstated. In the current system, ex-offenders are essentially being told that their voice does not matter – that though they are American citizens, their views on how America should be governed are both unwanted and unnecessary. Some might say that by breaking the law, these citizens lost those rights. But if the justice
Graphic by Dalise DeVos This map of the United States highlights the 14 states that already reinstate ex-offenders’ right to vote upon completion of their prison sentence.
system that society has trusted to determine their innocence, or rather, lack thereof, now deems them fit to reenter society, why should society then make it difficult for them to do so? Felons already face many barriers upon release, and reinstatement of their voting rights shouldn’t be one of them. Many can’t get a job because of their background, leading them feeling as if they have no choice to turn back to criminal activity. Maybe
if these individuals felt more like valued citizens who have something positive to contribute, instead of good-for-nothing rejects, fewer of them would return to a life behind bars. Until these issues are addressed, millions of U.S. citizens will never regain the rights that so many take for granted. According to procon.org, 2.5 percent of the American population in 2010 lost their right vote due to a felony conviction. That’s might
I just searched “How fast is Google search?” and my results came up in 0.56 seconds. That fast. Right there whenever you need it. Almost every answer for almost every question. For most people, it’s no further than the palms of their hands. According to the Pew Research Center, nearly two-thirds of America’s total population owned a smartphone in 2015. This is up 35% since 2011. In fact, 15% of Americans’ only access to the internet is through a smartphone. According to Gartner Dataquest, those who don’t have a phone can use one of the two billion personal computers around the world. So why, with all of these resources at our disposal, are there still people who are unaware or shrug off such a basic scientific fact as the Earth revolving around the sun? The answer is just plain ignorance. People who don’t know the information are simply refusing to see fact after years and years of analytical data proving that the Earth revolves around the sun. If one in four Americans don’t even know the Earth revolves around the sun how can someone expect them to understand the scale of global warming or the crisis in the Middle East?
No matter your stance on basically any issue at this moment in time, you must realize that we, as humans, are in the middle of a major turning point in history. As you read this, the most outlandish election in the United States’ history continues, and global warming poses a significant threat around the world. As Americans, however, we, the people, have more rights than ever before in history. These extreme circumstances call for intense ideas. The legacy of our time can only be written if we all grab the pen together. I think it’s high time we start holding ourselves and those around us accountable for knowing the facts before we act. That we make sure the “greater good” really means the greatest good. False information is unacceptable in a time where what’s real can be found within a few clicks and 0.56 seconds. The facts and answers are always present in the daily wave of panic and entertainment. It just takes some curious hands to find them. So you got a question? Go ahead Google it. Then once you’ve found your answer, do not simply accept it. Question more, ask more. Expand and heighten the vision of yourself
not seem like a lot, but it’s almost six million people! More than 10 percent of Florida’s voting population is disenfranchised. As a swing state, imagine how outcomes of presidential elections might have changed had these citizens been able to vote. America cannot truly call itself a democratic nation until all of its citizens, regardless of race, gender, and yes – criminal background – have a voice in who governs it.
Smart phones, not smart people Ricardo Cortez Content Producer rbcortez@txwes.edu
If you’re reading this, take out your smartphone or get to a computer. Go to Google and search pandas. Take a moment to look at your screen and realize what you’ve done. You’re welcome. At your fingertips is an immense library full of information on pandas. Scholarly papers, websites and videos, each with its own comment section providing even more insights on what you have just digested. What do pandas eat? Got it. Where do they live? Got it. How many of them are still in existence? You get the point. Everything you could possibly want to know, plus some stuff you might not want to know, all right in front of you. With this amazing technology in our grasp, why did the National Science Foundation find that in 2014, one in four Americans still believed that the sun revolved around the Earth?
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Photo courtesy of huffingtonpost.com Even with access to the world’s most popular seach engine at thier fingertips, many people are still ignorant about basic facts that should be common knowledge.
and those around you. After all, knowledge is power, so be powerful.
Rams up Thumbs up to big voter turnout for the SGA elections. Thumbs up to graduating seniors. Thumbs up to the baseball team’s incredible season. Thumbs up to University College Day.
Rams down Thumbs down to the end of Common Meal for the semester. Thumbs down to Dr. Tom Smith retiring. Thumbs down to trying to get everything done before the semester ends. Thumbs down to security poles that don’t work at West Village.
Wednesday | April 27, 2016|3
News
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HAIR
continued from page 1 woman to express their selves through their hair. And according to the sociology of hair, woman use their hair to establish both as a group identity and as a form of everyday resistance from social norms established by dominant culture. Taylor Norrid, co-owner of Panther City Salon and a stylist for six years, said there has been an increase in clients wanting vivid, unnatural colors put in their hair. “We have more and more clients coming
into our salon to get fashion colors put in their hair,” Norrid said. “It’s definitely becoming more mainstream and accepted in the DFW area. I have one client with bright pink and green hair who is a nurse at John Peter Smith Hospital. Twenty percent of the clientele at Panther City Salon comes in to get vivid fashion colors added to their hair, Norrid said. “We have about six to eight girls who come in to get these colors added a week,” she said. “Our biggest concern is to educate our clients
about the cost and maintenance with these colors.” Norrid said she believes the older people, like younger people, are becoming more accepting of the new hair trend. But are people still quick to make judgement upon those with colored hair or do they understand its greater purpose of self-expression? David Monge, coordinator for student organizations and Greek life, said he colored his hair grey for fun. “I was bored during winter break,” said
Monge, 33. “For me it wasn’t that deep it was just for fun. I haven’t experienced life any differently being a male with colored hair.” However, Jeremy Pena, a 26-year-old switch technician at Ericsson, said he has experienced stereotyping and negative criticism from others due to his colored hair. “I love my hair but sometimes I feel like people judge me because I am a guy,” he said.
to work in sometimes can be a problem, Lanham said. Lanham said he goes to The Sub pretty often but would rather have the weight room closer. “It’s probably better for my health anyway,” Lanham said. “The less I eat there, the more I work out.” Wesleyan athletic teams don’t have the ability to utilize Morton, Trachier said. “Right now, individual athletes can go to the Morton Fitness Center, but can’t go as a team,” Trachier said. “This is an opportunity to get a place where all athletes can work out.” Students go in shifts when the weight room
is available, Trachier said. The new weight room will give the opportunity to have more than one team in the room working out at the same time. “We have long needed a better weight room and this will do that,” he said. The university as a whole talks about the student experience and wants students’ ties here to be meaningful, Trachier said. Part of that is having the facilities and the accommodations for the different programs that the university supports; the addition of the new weight room moves the university closed in that direction. The facility will be be better equipped for both
instruction and physical conditioning and weight training. “I’m pretty excited about that,” Trachier said. Softball player Kayla Prachyl said she is excited about the new weight room. “This is a good trade because it’s tight for us in there the weight room we have now and there are only 20 of us,” Prachyl said. The softball team usually splits up outside in the halls or jumps rope and then has to switch places for workouts in the current weight room, Prachyl said.
things a lot easier.” Lancaster said he is absolutely looking forward to the symposium. “We’re learning a little bit about that right now in our assessment class, so I think being able to put the knowledge we learned to practice on mannequins will be great,” Lancaster said. Lancaster said he gets by with the support of his wife Amy Lancaster, an intensive care unit nurse at Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center. “It’s kind of like a dream of mine to become a certified and registered synthesis,” Lancaster said. “Being able to come out at the end and know I was able to accomplish my goal and dream of being a CRNA is probably what drives me the most.” The Simulation Symposium will take place June 17 to June 20 at the GPNA building and Lou’s Place. The cost is covered by tuition. For more information go to txwes.edu.
Photo courtesy of Michelle Ardigo Erasmo Coutino (left) instructs graduate nurse anesthesia students on ultrasound techniques.
WEIGHT ROOM
continued from page 1
Morton Fitness Center. “Usually me and some good friends of mine get up about 5 a.m. when most people aren’t in there and then we hit our rotations,” Lanham said. Lanham said having a weight room that’s dedicated to athletes is nice. “I’m pretty excited about the new weight room and I plan on trying out for football in the fall. I plan on making the team, so that should be my new weight room,” Lanham said. Having to share a weight room with other students can be a hassle to the degree that they might have to use the same weights or having
SYMPOSIUM
continued from page 1
GPNA student, agrees that the time constraints can be difficult. Balancing his family and the first year of the GPNA program have been tough, he wrote in an email. “The most difficult part of the program during the first year is maintaining the drive to focus on class work when there is so much else that could be done,” Manley wrote. Like Duplechin, Manley is looking forward to the symposium. “I do not know what it will be like but ready for the chance to learn everything possible about regional anesthesia,” Manley wrote. Josh Lancaster, a first-year GPNA student, said his first year has been like a rollercoaster ride between learning each professor’s teaching styles, how to develop study groups and how to study accordingly. “At first it was a little tough getting our feet wet with the material, then developing ways of studying,” Lancaster said. “Once we’ve gotten together with a good solid group, it has made
4 |Wednesday | April 27, 2016
Campus
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Don’t let stress get the best of y
Twerk Break Up Studying non-stop is actually not helpful. Studies show in order to really retain information the brain needs time to absorb what it has learned. You should take short breaks and do some activity that takes your mind off the study material, like watching all your friends’ snapchat stories, even the ones that only video themselves rapping along with the car radio.
Just Breathe In moments when you feel your stress level rising, inhale deeply for four counts, hold it for four counts, and exhale for four counts. Repeat this a few times. It might surprise you how much better you feel.
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Exercise helps yo additional energy dorphins to better If you’re worried a lines, don’t be – f minutes of exercis you must, study wh ercise bike or tread some Rihanna, an
Wednesday | April 27, 2016|5
Campus
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you during finals
k Out
ou focus, gives you y, and releases enr your overall mood. about meeting deadfitting in just 15-30 se a day can help. If hile you’re on the exdmill. Or just turn on nd work, work, work.
Eat Right Eating nutritious foods will energize you and increase your concentration and retention. Fruits and vegetables are the best choice, as they have the required vitamins and nutrients to prevent illness, boost energy, and fight stress. Avocados, fatty fish, and nuts are also good options.
Go Dark Dark chocolate is full of flavonoids and antioxidants that have been shown to lower stress hormone levels and improve your mood. In addition, cacao contains just enough caffeine to boost your energy levels and help you power through the rest of your cramming.
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Return to the wild with Jungle Book Rowan Lehr rmlehr@txwes.edu
The Jungle Book is a spectacular live action and digital animation hybrid remake of Walt Disney’s 1967 animated classic. Modern and mildly dark, the 2016 film fits right in with the new wave of live action remakes of classic Disney animated films, such as Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland (2010) and Kenneth Branagh’s Cinderella (2015). Both the 2016 film (rated PG, 105 minutes) and the 1967 animated classic, (rated PG, 78 minutes) are adaptations of the 1894 book, The Jungle Book, by Rudyard Kipling. Directed by Jon Favreau, The Jungle Book Photo courtesy of imdb.com features a man-cub named Mowgli (Neel Mowgli (Neel Sethi) and Bagheera (voiced by Ben Kingsley) in this year’s remake of the 1967 animated classic The Jungle Book. Sethi), along with an array of digitally animated jungle creatures, including the familiar Baloo the bear (voiced by Bill Murray) and tor working with an entirely digital cast and Although the latest film is more serious with visual gags and lively songs featured in the Bagheera the black panther (voiced by Ben set was a superior display of pure 21st century less singing and dancing than the 1967 ver- 1967 classic might have enhanced the film, but Kingsley). Disney magic. sion, it does include the songs The Bear Neces- the lack thereof did fit with the story’s serious The movie begins with an orphaned Mowgli Bill Murray’s dry, snarky voice was perfect sities sung by Mowgli and Baloo, and I Wanna nature. being taken in and raised by wolves. The plot for Baloo, a good-hearted but dim-whited Be Like You sung by King Louie. The 2016 film is just as good as the Disney thickens when Mowgli finds himself being goofball. Christopher Walken also voiced a With the exception of Baloo and Bagheera, classic, which is one of the highest complihunted by Shere Khan (voiced by Idris Elba), a great King Louie, the giant king of the mon- who get quite a bit more screen time than the ments any remake can receive. The ending, one-eyed tiger, and faces the difficult decision keys. other animals, most of the animals are less per- however, will still surprise those familiar with of either staying in the jungle and endangering The 2016 film does an excellent job of ex- sonified than in the 1967 classic, which works the animated classic, as it is entirely different. the wolf pack that raised him, or leaving to live panding upon the original story in a much well with the new tone of the story. For old school Disney fans, fans of classic in the nearby man-village. more realistic manner, while maintaining the The only thing that felt missing from the children’s literature, and audiences of all ages, The Jungle Book’s combination of a single ac- Disney feel viewers come to expect. 2016 film was the humor. Some of the jokes, the Jungle Book is a must-see.
54th St. Drafthouse a “pour” choice Michael Acosta rmacosta@txwes.edu
I heard a lot of great things about 54th Street Restaurant and Drafthouse, but I was not impressed at all. The restaurant, located in the Alliance shopping center in north Fort Worth, opened up on Jan. 25 and is the chain’s second restaurant in the Metroplex; the other is in Irving. The place is nicely set up, with a bunch of art on the wall and TVs showing Rangers and Stars games. Normally at a bar/grill, you just seat yourself, but this one you had to wait while a server came and sat you. It was a weeknight and I went during happy hour and was surprised that they weren’t busy at all but it still took 15 minutes for a server to come and serve us. The server finally seated us and told us the waiter would be with us shortly. Apparently, shortly to them means 15 to 20 minutes, because that’s how long it took us to get service. The waiter finally came, apologized for taking so long and took my drink order. The place has 54 beers from various places around the world, but only six domestic beers (priced at $4 for 16 ounces) were available during happy hour, which was baffling to me. It started to make sense that the place wasn’t busy. I ordered a Shiner, because we’re in Texas so why not? It still took 20 minutes to get it. I was starting to see a pattern. I was reluctant to order food because, while hungry, I had to
Photo by 54th street.com 54th Street Restaurant and Drafthouse, located in the Alliance shopping center in Fort Worth, offers 54 beers on tap, as well as basic bar grub.
wonder how long it would take me to get it. First I ordered the gringo dip and chips ($7.29), a creamy pepper jack cheese blended with house spices and pico de gallo and served with chips and salsa. That came out real quick, but I wasn’t impressed. The chips were fine, but the salsa tastes like it came from a grocery store. I also ordered a chopped brisket sandwich ($8.99) because I love bris ket, but even that wasn’t that good. It tasted dry and plain.
The restaurant was very quiet, but if you’re looking for somewhere to catch up on emails or homework, this isn’t the place because there is no Wi-Fi. The staff was friendly and somewhat attentive, although they seemed too on edge for a place where only three or four tables were being used. Most bar and grills have music blaring on the speakers no matter what day of the week, but 54th didn’t. It seems to appeal more to middle aged folks, although there is occa
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sional live music on the weekends. 54th Street Restaurant and Drafthouse is located at 9251 Rain Lily Trail in the Alliance Shopping Center across from Pluckers and Cinemark Movie Theatres. The restaurant serves food 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday; drinks are served 11 a.m. to midnight Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Thursday through Saturday. For more information call 817-750-5400.
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Here’s what to expect at the NFL draft
Photos courtesy of NFL.com Carson Wentz (left) and Jared Goff (right) are widely expected to be the first two quarterbacks off the board at this week’s NFL draft, which will be held in Chicago from Thursday to Saturday.
Michael Acosta rmacosta@txwes.edu
April is one of my favorite months of the year. It’s probably one of the last mild weather months before the Texas heatwave comes. Baseball season starts up again, too. But perhaps one of the biggest events that happens this month is the NFL draft. This year’s draft is being held in Chicago with the first round on Thursday, the second round on Friday and the fourth through seventh rounds on Saturday. You can see live draft coverage on NFL Network or on ESPN. What makes this draft most interesting is that there is not a clear No.1 pick. The Los Angeles Rams, who earlier this month secured the No. 1 in a blockbuster trade with the Tennessee Titans, will most likely take a quarterback. Yes, they already have Nick Foles, but he’s been inconsistent during his tenure in the NFL. The Philadelphia Eagles have secured the No.2 pick, thanks to another blockbuster trade with the Cleveland Browns, and whichever quarterback the Rams don’t take, the Eagles will. Sam Bradford can complain all he wants, but he’s injury prone and will probably need to wrap himself in bubble wrap to stay away from injuries.
The draft is always so unpredictable and this year will certainly be no exception. Here are my five bold predictions for the draft. 1. Notre Dame linebacker Jaylon Smith will still be a first-round selection: Smith was once perceived as a top 10 pick, but there are many questions surrounding his health after a major injury in the Fiesta Bowl. Smith got glowing reviews from his surgeon about his rehab, and one of the teams will take him toward the end of the first round. High risk, high reward pick 2. There will be five quarterbacks taken in the first round: Jared Goff, Paxton Lynch, Connor Cook, Cardale Jones and Carson Wentz will all be selected in the first round. There are plenty of teams with quarterback needs. The Rams, Eagles, 49ers (depending on Colin Kaepernick), Cowboys and Jets could all use a quarterback. Even though the Browns got RGIII, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them splurge on a quarterback in the first round. 3. The Cowboys will trade back into the first round to snag Derrick Henry: The Cowboys need defensive help badly and it’s no secret. They will probably snag Ramsey with the fourth overall pick, but I see them trading back in the first round to grab the best running back in the draft. This guy is a beast and would thrive running behind that o-line.
4. There will be two wide receivers taken in the first round: Wide receiver is probably the weakest position in this year’s draft. Many receivers only ran 4.5-4.6 in the 40-yard dash at this spring’s NFL combine, which is incredibly slow. Laquon Treadwell out of Ole Miss and Josh Doctson from TCU will probably be the only receivers taken. Will Fuller from Notre Dame is blazing fast, but questions surround on his ability to run solid routes will make him a second- round pick. 5. Robert Nkemdiche will still be a firstround pick: The defensive tackle from Ole Miss is extremely talented; many teams will be scared off by his character issues, but a team such as Oakland or maybe Dallas will take a chance on this guy, depending on what happens with some of the other teams. He’s a difference maker on the defensive line. What are your predictions and who do you hope your favorite team will draft? Tweet me at @acostatalks and let’s debate. Here are my top 20 picks. 1. Los Angeles Rams: Jared Goff QB, University of California 2. Philadelphia Eagles: Carson Wentz QB, North Dakota State. 3. San Diego Chargers: Laremy Tunsil OT, Ole Miss. 4. Dallas Cowboys: Jalen Ramsey S, Florida State.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Miles Jack OLB, UCLA. 6. Baltimore Ravens: Ronnie Stanley OT, Notre Dame. 7. San Francisco 49ers: Paxton Lynch QB, Memphis. 8. Cleveland Browns: Ezekiel Elliot RB, Ohio State. 9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Vernon Hargreaves III CB, Florida. 10. New York Giants: Darren Lee OLB, Ohio State. 11. Chicago Bears: Shaq Lawson DE, Clemson. 12. New Orleans Saints: DeForest Buckner DE, Oregon 13. Miami Dolphins: Andrew Billings DTBaylor. 14. Oakland Raiders: William Jackson III CB, Houston. 15. Tennesee Titans: Laquon Treadwell WR Ole Miss. 16: Detroit Lions: Taylor Decker OT, Ohio State. 17: Atlanta Falcons: A’Shawn Robinson DT, Alabama. 18: Indianapolis Colts: Ryan Kelley C, Alabama. 19. Buffalo Bills: Connor Cook QB, Michigan State. 20. New York Jets: Josh Doctson WR, TCU
8 | Wednesday | April 27, 2016 TheRambler.org | For news throughout the day.
Rams look forward to SAC tournament
Photo courtesy of Little Joe Jake Davis (left), third basemen, leads off from second base April 15 against Oklahoma City University.
Jared Rabye
the NAIA national poll for the first time since the beginning of the 2014 season. With the season coming to a close and the SAC conference tournament beginning May 6, the Rams look to make a strong push into post-season play, Jeffcoat said. “We have a shot of winning the conference tournament,” Jeffcoat said. “If we don’t, we could get an at large bid to go to a regional tournament and if we win that we would be on the NAIA World Series.” During the season, Jeffcoat noticed that the pitchers were stepping up and really determining the outcomes of the games right around the time the team went on its big winning streak. “The starting pitching has improved very nicely since the beginning of the season,” Jeffcoat said. “Those guys have really locked into what they want to do on the mound and it’s showing in the team’s record.” Senior pitcher and business management major Ricky Hull has been one of the Rams’ strong performers on the mound, going 6-2 so far this season in 11 appearances; he noted that
jdrabye@txwes.edu
The Rams’ long winning streak this season has been all about healthy players and executing the fundamentals. Head coach Mike Jeffcoat said that the Rams have done tremendously well since the start of spring break, going on a 17-game winning streak that ended Saturday with a 6-4 loss to Saint Gregory’s University, largely due to how well the team has limited mistakes. “We have really just done the little things right,” Jeffcoat said. “Sometimes we don’t play our best game and still come away with a win because we limit the key mistakes than can turn a game around.” The 17-game winning streak was two short of the team’s 2008 benchmark; the Rams took over the top spot in the Sooner Athletic Conference after sweeping Oklahoma City University 5-3, 3-2 and 2-1 on April 15-16. On April 19 the Rams were ranked No. 20 in
Photo courtesy of Little Joe Ricky Hull pitching against OCU on April 16. Hull leads the team in shutouts and is second in complete games.
the pitchers are really excelling because the offense is doing so well. “When our offense scores in the early innings it really relieves some of the stress us pitchers face compared to when we’re down or tied,” Hull said. “It allows us to be a little freer in our decision making and that makes us more unpredictable against hitters.” Comparing things to a previous season is always difficult, but Hull has noticed that this season the standard that each individual pitcher has set for himself exceeds last season’s. “We just want to work harder and help the team get wins,” Hull said. “It doesn’t really matter to us if we dominate on the mound or not, if the team is in the right position in the game we have confidence we can get the win.” The quality of coaching the Wesleyan pitchers receive is on another level compared to most of the teams they face, Hull said. “It’s nice to have coach Jeffcoat around because he played 10 years in the major leagues and knows what it takes to be successful at all levels,” Hull said.
Junior shortstop Casey Moses is a valuable member of the Rams, leading the team in hitting with a .381 batting average and 53 hits in 45 games so far this season. He thinks for the team to keep winning they just need to play their game. “Earlier in the season we didn’t bring energy to every game,” Moses said. “Now we bring the same energy day in and day out.” Moses believes that the Rams can make a serious run into post-season play because the team has a strong catcher in Garrett Crook. “Having a great catcher is the first ingredient to a national championship team,” Moses said. “Garrett helps the team out a lot behind the plate and comes up with timely hits that helped us throughout the season.” The Rams travel to Waxahachie to play a doubleheader against Southwestern Assemblies of God University on Saturday. The first game will start at 1 p.m. The Rams return home to the Ballpark in Grand Prairie the next day for Senior Day to face SAGU again at 1 p.m.
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April 27 - May 10
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BB vs SAGU 1 p.m.
JVBB: Junior Varsity baseball MGOLF: Men’s Golf WGOLF: Women’s Golf 2 WGOLF 3rd anual BB: Baseball Lady Rams Golf MTRACK: Men’s Classic track and field TT: Table Tennis WTRACK: Women’s 3 track and field BB vs UT-Dallas 3 p.m. SB: Softball
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SB vs Bacone College 2 p.m. 4 p.m., MTRACK, WMTRACK at Abeline Crihstian
SB starts Sooner JVBB at Weatherford Athletci Conference College (DH) 2 p.m. Tournament in Oklahoma City
SB (DH) vs SWCU 12 p.m. BB (DH) at SAGU 1 p.m.
BB starts Sooner Athletic Conference, MTRACK WTRACK at Texas Tech. TT, Texas Wesleyan Open
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