Western Courier | May 2nd, 2018

Sports: Western athletics year in review.

Opinions: Eliminate term limits for Presidents.

Sports: Baseball prepares for Iowa.

Wednesday, May 2, 2018 - Vol. 118 Issue 85

Community speaks at BOT meeting

Nicholas Ebelhack editor-in-chief

NICHOLAS EBELHACK/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Professor of Sociology and Anthropology Patrick McGinty (top middle), Associate Vice President of Student Services John Biernbaum (top right), student Allison Anderson (bottom left) and UPI President Bill Thompson (middle bottom) speak to President Jack Thomas, Board of Trustees Chair Cathy Early (right) and the rest of the board at Monday's meeting.

A lengthy public comments section opened Monday’s Western Illinois University’s Board of Trustee, as numerous campus community members approached the podium to speak to the board in relation to different struggles.

Patrick MgGinty, professor of sociology and anthropology, approached the podium first to read a message from Mark Bernards, associate professor of agriculture, who said that Western needs to allow faculty to make moves to be successful.

“Circling the wagons in a time of crisis is a prudent

response,” Bernards wrote.

“However, if the wagons remain circled, the wagon train does not move forward. It often feels like at WIU that the wagons are still circled, the faculty and their chairs are dedicated and talented, please provide them the freedom and resources to be creative and look for ways to improve programs.”

Laura Barden-Gabbei, professor of biological sciences, also commented with her views the ability for faculty to work, stating that practices are affecting opportunities and go against the university’s strategic plan.

BOT

page 3

SGA rounds out legislative session

By Marc Ramirez assistant news editor

During the Student Government Association’s last general assembly meeting for the academic year, Debbie Kepple-Mamros, Assistant to Joe Rives, Vice President for Quad Cities and Planning, joined SGA once again to discuss final changes in the proposed Higher Values in Higher Education 2017-2027 document.

“Every year we are going to have a strategic plan supplement that allows the university to respond to any new challenges and take advantage of new opportunities,” Kepple-Mamros said.

“However, all of it will stay on the foundation of this

document. Therefore the document is really the foundation for the next ten years for the university.”

Kepple-Mamros stressed vital it was for all governance groups to endorse the document going forward since the University is entering their accreditation period in the upcoming fall. Kepple-Mamros also expressed how she hopes the updated document showcased the changes that the Student Government Association previously brought up and that the changes made were up to the standards of the general assembly.

SGA page 3

SARA REMAR/ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR

SGA President Grant Reed (right) and Speaker of the Senate Patrick Quinlan (left) give their final reports of the semester.

2

Wednesday, May 2, 2018

NEWS

WesternCourier.com

City Council discusses problems in Macomb

Mayor Mike Inman discusses issues facing Macomb.

By Steven Barnum assistant news editor

Mayor Mike Inman presented a State of the City address during Monday evening’s meeting. Among topics discussed were crime, quality of life, declining enrollment at Western Illinois University and the city’s current and

WC Located on the third floor of the Heating Plant Annex on the south end of campus across from Sherman Hall.

Mail: 1 University Circle, WIU, Macomb, IL 61455 Phone: 309-298-1876 Fax: 309-298-2309 Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays E-mail: micour@wiu.edu Member: Illinois College Press Association, National Association College Press

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future financial positions.

Index crimes, a term used to describe serious offenses like armed robbery or burglary, have decreased by 32 percent over the last five years. City ordinance violations have seen a more drastic decline; they are down more than 47 percent in the last five years.

When it comes to safety on

the roads, traffic accidents are down 30 percent in the last five years, along with a 48 percent decrease in injuries from traffic accidents.

One theme of the night was the challenges the town will have to face in the future due to the declining enrollment at Western. Coupled with the increase in online shopping, sales tax collections are down by nearly two percent in the last year.

“We are absolutely proud to be the home of Western Illinois University,” Inman said.

While he noted that other college towns in the state of Illinois have experienced similar issues, Western’s decline of over 21 percent over a 10 year period appears to be a concern for future growth; however, a new recruitment strategy is in place to halt that decline and an investment has been made in the Go West bus system.

STAFF MEMBERS editor-in-chief Nicholas Ebelhack NA-Ebelhack@wiu.edu assistant news editor Marc Ramirez MA-Ramirez3@wiu.edu assistant news editor Steven Barnum SS-Barnum@wiu.edu opinions editor Ryan Zurek RP-Zurek@wiu.edu sports editor Devon Greene DJ-Greene@wiu.edu assistant sports editor Haley Richards H-Richards@wiu.edu edge editor Baylee Brynteson BM-Brynteson@wiu.edu copy editor Brie Coder B-Coder@wiu.edu

proofreader Valerie Clemens VN-Clemens@wiu.edu proofreader Alexis Lowe AL-Lowe@wiu.edu proofreader Tacuma Venzant T-Venzant@wiu.edu photo editor Becca Langys RE-Langys@wiu.edu assistant photo editor Sara Remar SE-Remar@wiu.edu production manager Jimmy Pierson JM-Pierson@wiu.edu business manager Faith Rucker F-Rucker@wiu.edu advertising manager Patryk Mazur P-Mazur@wiu.edu adviser Will Buss WJ-Buss@wiu.edu

Another area of concern is the rising cost of the police and fire pension, where there’s a 150 percent spike since 2013. Through a gradual process, Macomb is both reducing and eliminating several positions in those departments. By alluding back to lower crime rates and the handling of a record number of EMS calls, Inman stressed that the town’s police and fire units have done a tremendous job protecting the public.

When it comes to housing in Macomb, the numbers indicate that it’s a buyer ’s market. There are currently 149 homes up for sale, with 21 additional homes pending sale. Homes are gradually spending more time on the market compared to a couple years ago, but Inman pointed out that for those who want to join the Macomb community, both medium household income and per capita income are on the rise.

Inman assured the public that the town has a development plan for downtown businesses, and that there will be several opportunities for entrepreneurs to pitch their ideas. One of those opportunities will take place on July 19 at the Forum, where members of the public can present their ideas for a downtown business, in a pitch competition and potentially be awarded $25,000. For those interested, registration will take place this month.

Pointing out another positive in the town’s future, Inman announced that NTN-Bower Corporation, a large manufacturer of precision roller bearings, would expand its production at the Macomb plant, which is a large investment and is expected to add 100 jobs within the next 18 months.

Overall, there are plans for $400 million in investment between now and 2019.

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Wednesday, May 2, 2018

@WesternCourier

BOT

from front page

“We are now inhibiting faculty from doing interdisciplinary work with our graduate students by saying only faculty within a department may work with a student from their department," Barden-Gabbei said. “Really?

That’s not our strategic plan, our strategic plan is interdisciplinary, our strategic plan is moving us forward in a positive direction that opens up doors for all of us, and yet we are seeing those doors closed by the very people who say this is of value to us.”

People also came to the podium to discuss ongoing contract negotiations between the University Professionals of Illinois (UPI) Local 4100 chapter and Western. Transfer history major Allison Anderson spoke in support of UPI. “I am here to support the faculty and professors in their negotiations for a fair contract,” Anderson said. “The only reason I came here was because of my family connections to the university, and as soon as I got here I could see the net of established faculty and how impressive the faculty is.”

Shortly after, Associate Vice President for Student Services John Biernnbaum came to voice support in the administration, which has received scrutiny from a no-confidence vote from Western faculty members this semester.

“We can’t be everything that we have always been, we have to redfine ourselves before they define us," Biernnbaum said. “You would be surprised at the number of people that support this administration, and this board, that you never hear from because we are not at the front page of the newspaper, and they are not at this mic. Stay strong.”

UPI President Bill Thompson also approached the podium, though not to talk about contract negotiations, which according to a UPI-Western joint are “close” to a tentative agreement. Thompson spoke with a proposal for President Jack Thomas, who said that he was supposed

to have a meeting with but was canceled.

“This meeting was supposed to be a reset meeting to establish a better relationship,” Thompson said. “I want to propose that the union can help the administration with its retention problems, and we we’re going to meet to propose how we are going to do this.”

He said that UPI wanted to establish a group of volunteers that can work to keep students at Western.

In Thomas’ remarks, he spoke on the frustrations that many people at Western have aired following the multi-year long state budget impasse and declining appropriated funding for higher education, stating that “we have to make the best decisions with the hand that we have been dealt,” even though the decisions could be difficult.

“We are trying to do the best that we can and make the best decisions that we can within our leadership roles,” Thomas said. “We will continue to do that, but we can’t give what we don’t have, if we agree on a certain contract and it requires a lot of funding, how will we fund it? We have to look out for the best interests of this institution.”

Following remarks, Interim Provost Kathy Neumann gave updates on progress for dual high school credit, which is in progress at a number of high schools, and online programs, which she said were an opportunity for Western to reach new markets in response to declining enrollment.

She also addressed new academic programs that will be available in the fall, such as an integrated program for general studies majors to receive a master ’s in Law Enforcement and Justice Administration, as well as minors in Broadcasting and Journalism and in Instructional Design.

Vice President for Quad Cities and Planning Joe Rives also spoke on programs offered on military bases, stating that they need to do it right the first time to succeed unlike previous attempts from other institutions.

FIND US ON @westerncourier THE WESTERN COURIER

SGA

from front page

The Student Government Association motioned to accept the changes that were made and unanimously passed support for the Higher Values in Higher Education 2017-2027 document with little discussion.

Moving on in the agenda, SGA Constitutional Amendment 2017-2018.001 was brought to the floor during Unfinished Business. Author Grant Reed, SGA President, addressed some of the concerns from last weeks meeting.

“In Bylaw Article I, Section 6, Number 3 which is the Attorney General’s roles and responsibilities, she has changed ‘hold final author-

NEWS 3 ity’ to ‘hold final interpretation’,” Reed said regards to the constitutional changes made by Attorney General Kelly Rodgers. “In Bylaw Article VII, Section 2, Number 4, she has also removed ex-officio as a role of the Attorney General.”

Unity Senator Natasha Kelch brought up the concern last meeting that if the UNITY Senator position fell under that LGBT*Q Resource Center as outlined in Article III, Section 5, because she was concerned that the center could possibly not be as successful of representing all constituencies due to the fact that the center has a small staff. Kelch offered a friendly amendment to leave the chair under the possession of UNITY rather than the LGBT*Q Resource Center.

During Tuesdays meeting, discussion went further into Kelch’s concern.

Conversation went back and forth across the floor as numerous senators and executive board members discussed whether it would be appropriate to leave UNITY as a separate chair not ran under a larger department or organization. After a vote to leave the constitutional amendment as is and have UNITY under the representation of the resource center, it was decided that UNITY would continue to stand as its own chair.

SGA Constitutional Amendment 2017-2018.001 then proceeded to be passed unanimously as the governing document for the 50th legislative session for the 2018-2019 academic year.

Wednesday, May 2, 2018

4 OPINIONS

WesternCourier.com

There shouldn't be a term limit

In our country’s political divide, we all have mixed emotions on our political system; from impeachment, to illegal activity from our political officials, to a political officials term limit.

Our current constitution and laws set limitations and guidelines for our political system with officials; their duties, responsibilities, qualifications and term limits.

City mayors have a term limit decided by the city; each different for a city. For Chicago,

the term limit is a four-year limit. The governor of a state has another office that has a term limit decided by the state constitution; the governor of Illinois does not have a term limit and can serve however long they can. The President of the U.S. has a term limit of two, four-year terms.

There are many who debate that the president should have a limit. Some say there shouldn’t be a limit, and some say a specified limit. I personally think there should not be

limit to the number of terms a president can serve, but there should be a restriction on the number of consecutive years served. In other words, a president can serve an unlimited amount of terms but no more than four years consecutively.

This idea is both a good and bad one and has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Our country is a democracy, that has a political system of governing. As a democracy, it is a system of government where the people of the country have a right to voice their opinions through elected officials. Our democracy needs rules and laws that make the government an equal and unbiased government for all the entire country’s good. Our coun-

try does not need a president/ leader who stays in as long as he wants, then that becomes a dictatorship. Countries that have an unlimited term limit for the leader of a country, sometimes becomes a country that is being totally controlled by that one leader, and leads to rebellion and mistrust from the people. Our democracy in this country would begin to fade away if we aren’t successfully exercising the democratic processes in the country.

Having an unlimited president/leader of a country causes the corruption of the government system. The longer a leader leads, the more likely the democratic institutions will be suppressed. The leader will have a longer time

to corrupt the entire system and the general public will not be able to understand its true reality.

This unlimited presidency term would not be a good idea because new leaders won’t be created. When a leader rules for a long time the country is put in a negative position of not having new leaders. The next generation of promising leaders, next in line, would either give up after losing all energy and grit, or grow too old without finding replacements for the leader.

A president’s term should be no more than four consecutive years and have an unlimited access to running for office and serve an unlimited amount of terms.

There is no such thing as talking white I grew up in a predominantly White neighborhood but I have plenty of Black relatives and friends. I am from a suburb of Chicago.

There are people who were born on the streets and speak so-called “street talk,” and are told they talk black. There are also plenty of people that are a bit more privileged, and do not speak street talk, and are told they talk white. Either way, wherever and however they were raised, being told you talk a certain color is ignorant.

Growing up I was always around many different races and people from different cultural backgrounds. No certain race spoke a certain way. I’ve always been one to speak in complete sentences and not use text talk or slang. I’ve always tried my best to speak with proper grammar, in an educated manner. Just because I choose to speak this way as a black woman does not

mean I am breaking a norm.

I’ve had the same education as everyone else, but because I am black it is assumed that I should talk a certain way.

When I break that stereotype, people are shocked.

If I had a dollar for how many times someone told me I talked white I could make college free for everyone. I try to hold it in when people say that, but it really bothers me. When people say that to me I always reply, “What’s talking white? How does one talk a color? That is a foolish thing to say.” When I say that people usually drop the subject and go on to something else. But I don't.

Since when did white become the superior “color of talking”?

You can go back in history and look at all the facts leading to this idea, but in today’s day and age, it’s not a thing that should be said. The thing that upsets me the most is that the people who say this are the ones that are closest to me, the

ones who grew up with me or the ones that see me on a daily basis. It is hard to change stereotypes, but this stereotype needs to end, not only for me, but for other black people too.

Black people who grew up on the streets shouldn’t be told they talk black. Some of the best rappers grew up on the streets and are lyrical geniuses using numerous literary devices but because they are rapping, they “talk black.” Someone who is black but speaks proper English should not be questioned as to why they “talk white” because proper grammar is not a color, it is a sign of education, no matter what race. And most importantly, people who don’t complete their sentences correctly, use slang, and other forms of communication that aren’t proper grammar does not mean they are unintelligent.

All in all, being white does not correlate with proper English, and being a different race does not correlate with being uneducated, even if you don’t talk with proper grammar.

If you’re a different race and do talk with proper grammar, that does not mean you “talk white.”

Editorial Policy The editoral views of the Western Courier shall be confined to this editorial and are to be separate from news coverage otherwise noted. The editoral presented is based on the ideas and views of the WC editoral board.Columns are the opinions of the columnists alone and should not be construed as the opinions and beliefs of the WC staff as a whole.

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2018 Spring Semester Editorial Board Editor-in-Cheif - Nicholas Ebelhack Edge Editor - Baylee Bryntesson Opinions Editor - Ryan Zurek

Wednesday, May 2, 2018

@WesternCourier

Don't forget the Labor movement

Yesterday was May 1, a day that is celebrated in most of the rest of the world as the International Workers Day, a holiday that seeks to commemorate the struggles of the Labor movement.

Although the United States does have a Labor Day, I find it slightly ironic that we don’t celebrate ours on the same day as the rest of the world, given that May 1, was specifically chosen to be near the anniversary of the Haymarket Riot. This event took place in Chicago, on May 4, 1886, after

the Chicago Police killed labor protesters as they organized and demonstrated for an eight hour work day.

However, the fact that this holiday and its origin are constantly overlooked, ignored, and downright hidden by and from the American people is no accident. Most of the Labor movement goes untold in high school American history classes. We take for granted such things as the eight-hour workday, the banning of child labor, the five-day work week, minimum wage, health and

safety regulations and countless other benefits. These did not appear out of nowhere.

These rights were not generously granted to the American people by benevolent corporations. No, they were fought for and won by the working class.

Working class issues remain relevant today. We cannot sit idly by and watch wages go down while profits go up. Labor movements are still relevant. Even though we are at a University, and working towards a degree, we will still be workers. Not all labor is manual labor. It is important that we remember our history, and keep in mind the long struggle that brought us the things that we take for granted.

OPINIONS 5

Wednesday, May 2, 2018

6 SPORTS

WesternCourier.com

Baseball from back page

Accompanying his batting average is his 23 hits, 11 RBIs and two doubles. Dorethy also has a fairly impressive fielding percentage with a .778.

Another solid offensive leader for the Leathernecks is junior utility man Bailey Montgomery.

Montgomery places second on the team behind Dorethy with a .282 in batting average. Leading

BECCA LANGYS/PHOTO EDITOR

Megan Reed strides before track practice.

Track

from back page

On April 14, Olson finished in first during the Illinois State Redbird Invite. In the shotput event, he had a 14.81 meter throw, as well as 49.68 meters in the javelin. At the Kip Janvrin Open last week, Olson placed 10th in the shot put with a 14.44-meter attempt. His last event of the week was back at the Drake Relays in the javelin. He came in with a 52.63 meter throw.

Another strong competitor from the field events is freshman Victoria Adesola. Last week, Adesola came in second in the triple jump (10.49 meters). She also competed in the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 15.66. For just beginning her college athletic career, she is on the right track and has plenty of time to maintain her strengths within the next several years.

Sophomore Michael Rinella stands tall for his team with being the main and only man in the pole vault competi-

tions. Back at the Tom Botts Invitational on April 20-21, Rinella cleared the bar with a height of 4.31 meters, and replicated this again last Friday with 4.45 meters.

With finals coming up next week, these men and women are the ultimate superheroes by balancing their academics and their athletics. This Friday will bring the Leathernecks one step closer to making their dreams a reality and becoming high ranking champions.

Twitter: boxin_briecoder

CLASSIFIEDS

WC

For Rent

For Rent

Submit a classifieds ad to Micour@wiu.edu

1 & 2 bedroom apartments, new $250 signing bonus on 10 and 12 month leases. Two blocks from campus. Bus stops nearby. Free water, garbage and parking. Laundry onsite. Clean, well maintained and secure. Call Ted 309-837-5600 or visit markertrental.com.

Spacious 2-5 bedroom homes for rent. 10 month lease available. Great locations, close to bus stops, plenty off street parking, all new windows, AC, energy efficient furnace, hardwood and ceramic tile floors, free washer/dryer. Well maintained (24 hrs.) by local landlord.

Call 309-255-1233.

Houses for Rent 2016/2017: A&D Real Estate has several 3, 4 and 5 bedroom houses for rent, all with at least 2 bathrooms, recently rennovated and located close to campus. Call for a tour or visit our website at www.wiucollegerentals.com. Local landlord with a focus on clean and updated housing with personal service for your college housing needs. 309-313-1122.

FALL INTO SAVINGS with Charleston Boulevard Apartments! Now offering SPECIAL RATES through Dec. 2017! Call for specific details 309-833-4545!.

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Now showing for 2017 & 2018 year 2, 3, and 5 bedrooms homes all close to campus. Call 309-331-4565.

Westen Investments has only two 4-Bedroom brich houses available. Call our office at 309-833-5995 to schedule a showing! We will show to 2-3 person groups as well!

STC Investments now leasing for the 18/19 school year. We have 1-6 bedroom apartments/houses ready for you to call home! Check out our selection at www.stcinvestments.com.

You can also find us on Facebook to see daily posts!

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the team in slugging percentage with a .369, Montgomery also has 29 hits, six doubles and 17 RBIs. Another Leatherneck who finds himself on the Summit League Leaderboards is junior infielder Deion Thompson.

Thompson has 34 hits, 18 RBIs, and a .262 batting average this year. This places him in third on the leaderboard with 14 steals.

Twitter: thefluffy66

Bailey Montgomery prepares to hit the ball.

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Small 1BR apt near campus and downtown. All utilities included. (Electric, Water, DISH, Garbage) $500/month, $300 deposit. Available immediately. Also have 2BR, you pay electric. $600/month, $350 deposit available September 1st. Please contact 309-255-4367 for a showing.

CLEAN, REMODELED, AND WELL MAINTAINED HOUSES AND APTS FOR RENT IN GREAT LOCATIONS. UTILITIES PAID FOR APARTMENTS. RENTING NOW FOR FALL 2017.

ALSO RENTING TWO APTS FOR SPRING 2016. CALL JASON AT 309-221-3985.

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Looking for 2 roommates to share a 3-bedroom furnished house beginning in August for 2018-19. 10- to 12-month contract. New carpet, air, garage w/ storage, laundry. $300 each per month, plus utilities. Call Sharon at 309-338-3888.

The nicer apartments are going fast, excellent service- 24 hour emergency maintenance. Reasonable prices. Studio, 1-3 bedrooms, locations on/off campus available ‘18-’19 school year. Check us out at rentcollegepads.com. If interested, please call F & H Rentals 309/837-1705.

JOSH PURNELL/COURIER STAFF

RATES $5.50 per issue (open rate) $4.00 per issue (campus rate)

For Rent Available now: Close to campus, clean studio apartments, excellent condition, reasonable rent, and partly furnished.

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No noise policy. Bus stop across the street. Close to campus. Well maintained. Studios are $460/mo, One bedrooms are $620/mo. Call Doug at 309-255-8179 for an appointment.

Westen Investments still has affordable 1-4 Bedroom Apartment/Houses available. Be sure to check out our website (www.westeninvest.com) to see our available listings, and call our office at 309-833-5995 to schedule a showing. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter to win prize giveaways!

APARTMENT FOR RENT: FOR QUIET PERSON. ONE BEDROOM APARTMENT FOR RENT LOCATED AT 314 West Carroll ST Macomb, Ill 61455. Available end of August 2017-new carpeting yearly lease SMALEST FURNISHED IN MACOMB $345.00/month - HEAT & AC INCLUDED private entrance, off-street parking included call for appointment309-837-4748 or 255-5075 woodburning fireplace, ask for Paul.

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(309) 335-2206 after 6:00 pm, may leave message anytime.

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Sports 7

Wednesday, May 2, 2018

@WesternCourier

Looking back at the Leathernecks Western Illinois is close to completing another great school year.

This year Western accomplished many extraordinary things, but athletics did an amazing job representing our University all year long.

The athletic teams in Macomb may not have brought in any championships this year, but they did achieve some difficult tasks. Let’s take a look back at all the memorable moments for the Leathernecks this year.

Football season is always a favorite for Leatherneck fans.

This past year, the team accomplished great things under the last season of coach Charlie Fisher. The team went 8-4, and 5-3 in the tough Missouri Valley Conference. Seniors Jaelon Acklin and Brett Taylor shattered records.

The two led the Purple and Gold to the FCS Playoffs, and ended their Western Illinois careers on very high notes. At the seasons end, many seniors were preparing for the NFL Draft, and awaiting their once in a lifetime chance to play in the National Football League. Four Leathernecks will

be on NFL training camp rosters this fall. Acklin, Taylor, Jacob Judd and David Griffith will all have the chance to chase their NFL dreams.

When fall comes to an end, basketball season starts right after. Both the men and women’s basketball teams put together impressive seasons. The women’s team finished their season third in the very challenging Summit League. The women beat nationally ranked Stanford on the road, and finished with a 22-10 record. Michelle Farrow broke the school record for most three-point field goals made in a single game with eight threes.

The team also broke the NCAA record for most three-point field goals made in a game. The team made their trip to Sioux Falls in the spring looking to repeat as Summit League champs, but came up short losing to South Dakota State University in semi-finals.

The team did not come home empty handed; Emily Clemens, Morgan Blumer and Taylor Higginbotham were on AllSummit Teams. Clemens was

also named to be apart of the very superior All-Decade team for the Summit League.

The men’s team, seeing the success the women’s team was having, had to follow up their impressive resume. The men had a productive season under the four-year coach Billy Wright.

The team went 12-16, but the record does not reflect on how the team played this season. The Leathernecks left everything on the court this year, and they found themselves in many closely contested matchups. They had some thrilling moments throughout the season. Senior Dalan Ancrum’s go-ahead three pointers against Eastern Illinois and freshman Kobe Webster’s buzzer-beating floater against Fort Wayne are some that come to mind.

We also got to witness the growth of freshman Isaac Johnson, and see Brandon Gilbeck receive Defensive Player of the Year honors. The Purple and Gold went into Sioux Falls for the Summit League tournament as the eight-seed going up against the top-ranked SDSU and NBA prospect Mike Daum.

Everyone expected the team to get blown out, but the men had other ideas. They went on to lose 66-60, but were points away from being the first ever eight-seed to upset a one-seed in Summit

League history. Before you know it, it’s spring and that means it’s time for baseball and softball.

The seasons are coming to a close for both teams. The baseball team is currently 10-25 overall and 7-10 in Summit League play.

Throughout the season, we have seen the emergence of a twoheaded monster in the pitching rotation with Ian Koch and Ryan Dunne on the rubber. The team will look to close out their season on a high note with postseason play right around the corner.

The softball team has exceeded expectations all year under first year coach Beth Golitko.

The team currently sits atop the Summit League standings with a 9-3 conference record and 17-27 record overall. The team had some great moments this season. The softball team defeated the University of Iowa on the road. We got to see ace Emily Ira surpass 500 career strikeouts as a junior, and see freshman Alyssa Ealy hit a walk-off double against Fort Wayne for her first career hit as a Leatherneck.

The athletes in the Purple and Gold did extraordinary things this year. Even though the respective sports programs did not win any championships for the University, the student-athletes in each sport forever changed the culture within each locker room they were apart of.

Golf wraps up season in Nebraska

Cassidy Jurkaites follows through on the chip shot.

GOLEATHERNECKS.COM

Nebraska City, Neb. -- The Western Illinois' women's golf program wrapped up their season at the Summit League Championship Tuesday, scoring a 309 in the final round of the three-day, 54-hole tournament at the ArborLinks Golf Club. The Leathernecks finished fifth overall with a combined team score of 929 and were paced by senior Alex Krehbiel’s top-10 effort.

North Dakota State won the event with a scorecard of 24-over-par (888).

“We had another solid team performance today. Our seniors finished strong and capped off a record-breaking year,” said head coach Lia Lukkarinen.

“Alex had a great tournament with another top-10 finish to wrap up her career, and Allie [Leingang] placed 11th and had a strong finish coming in on the last day. It was a good ending for a team that has produced the lowest team average for Western Illinois.”

“All three seniors will be deeply missed next year,” said Lukkarinen. “And overall, I

was happy with the way that we played. We look to build off this great year and use it as momentum going forward into next season.”

Seniors Krehbiel, Allie Leungang and Ashley Dumler concluded their Leatherneck careers as the team's top three scorers in the tournament. The trio helped Western secure third place after the first 18 holes and finished the tournament with individual scores of 226, 228 and 238, respectively.

For Krehbiel, the performance was ninth best in the 40-woman field. Her total was highlighted by a one-over-par score of 73 on the first day of action, while Leingang crowned the season by matching her opening round score of 74.

Sophomores Cassidy Jurkaites (241) and Nicole HamiltonCross (249) rounded out the field for the Leathernecks.

Western concluded its 2018 season with a team-average of 309.18, which ranked fifth overall in the Summit League standings.

GoLeathernecks.com

Track races toward end of season

By Brie Coder copy editor

BECCA LANGYS/PHOTO EDITOR

Bo Brasseur warming up before track practice.

DEKALB, Ill. — The Western Illinois track and field teams will cruise their way up and compete in the Huskie Classic, hosted by Northern Illinois University this Friday.

Even though this event is a single day competition, that does not mean the Leathernecks should stop setting new personal records anytime soon.

With the Summit League Championships just around the corner on May 10-12 in Tulsa, Okla., the Purple and Gold must maintain their stamina in order to place high in one of the biggest events of the season for the team.

Last week and weekend, Western participated in both the Drake Relays in Des Moines, Iowa, as well as the Kip Janvrin Open in Indianola, Iowa. Head coach Diane Wholey has helped both sets of teams up the ante and take home many great awards for the Leathernecks.

The first high award came from sophomore Michaela Busch, who earned 4,805 points in the heptathlon that she, com-

peted in last Wednesday and Thursday. Busch astounded herself and her coach, as she set collegiate bests in the 100meter hurdles (14.90) and in the 200-meter dash (26.25), while placing fourth in both the high jump (1.63 meters) and shot put (10.33 meters). Because of her determination and success she came in third on both days of the event.

Busch also competed in the 4X400 relay last Friday as well.

Her along with sophomores Megan Reed and Bo Brasseur and senior Jamieria Stennis clocked in at 3:58.63. Brasseur also took part in the sprint medley relay with seniors Raytoria Richardson and Jamieria Stennis and freshman Hailey Tranchitella, who all came in with a time of 4:07.84.

These women are just a few to watch out for this Friday and this concluding season.

For the field events, freshman Nick Olson has been on fire when it comes to landing within the top-five in both the shot up and javelin.

Track page 6

Baseball looks to shutdown Hawkeyes

By David Koier courier staff

IOWA CITY, Iowa — The Western Illinois Leathernecks baseball team heads to Iowa City on Wednesday to face off against the Iowa Hawkeyes from the Big Ten conference.

The Leathernecks head into the contest with 10-25 overall season record.

The Hawkeyes enter the game with a 26-14 overall record and a 9-7 conference record, placing them seventh in the Big Ten. The Leathernecks are coming off of a conference series loss after the Purple and Gold were swept in Oklahoma by the Golden Eagles of Oral Roberts. The Leathernecks started off the series pretty rough with a 19-2 loss last Friday. They kept it close the next two days but lost in both contests 3-1.

The Leathernecks have a few strong pitchers this season in senior Ryan Dunne and junior Ian Koch. Both of the pitchers have produced stellar numbers from the mound, and are recognized on the Summit League Leaderboards. Ian Koch leads the Leathernecks

in earned run average with 3.24, which also places him in third on the Summit League leaderboard.

When it comes to strikeouts, both Koch and Dunne have their names near the top of the Summit. Dunne’s 66 strikeouts put him on top of Western’s list as well as on top of the Summit League’s.

Koch is the runner-up in strikeouts for Western and third on the Summit League leaderboard with his own 60 strikeouts. Dunne only allows the opposing batters to accumulate a .260 batting average against him, while the batting average against Koch is a .254 on the season.

The Leathernecks have some impressive batting stats as well. Redshirt freshman infielder Alex Dorethy leads the Purple and Gold in batting averages with a .303 average on the season. Dorethy is the only Leatherneck with a batting average over the .300 mark.

Baseball page 6

Ian Koch on the mound for the Purple and Gold.

JASMYNE TAYLOR/ COURIER STAFF