Western Courier | April 1st, 2019 by The Western Courier

Sports: Women's golf jumps ahead in tournament

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Opinions: Should we do more to stand up against abuse?

Monday, April 1, 2019 - Vol. 119 Issue 71

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Inman seeks third term as Macomb Mayor

FELICIA SELMON//COURIER STAFF

By Steven Barnum news editor

Mike Inman feels prepared to serve another term as the mayor of Macomb. The Macomb High School and Western Illinois University graduate found work with the Illinois State Police in 1986 and remained with the department for 25 years. Inman’s interest in law enforcement developed after working as a security guard in the hospital. He also spent time with the McDonough County Sheriff’s office as a radio dispatcher and a jail officer. “All during this time, I was getting involved with local politics,” Inman said. “It’s always been my philosophy that you should be giving back to the community that has been

so generous to you. I had a great childhood here and I have nothing but pleasant memories of Macomb.” Inman entered the political atmosphere in 1994 when he began serving on the county board. He then served on the library board, which put him in a position to pursue running for city council. He was elected as the alderman of the fourth ward before becoming mayor in 2011. He ran for re-election unopposed in 2015 and will be the only candidate on the ballot this year. Inman is glad that he has the experience in government and law enforcement prior to his time as mayor. “I feel that my background has been very beneficial for me in this job,” he said. “There are a lot of skills I honed as a police officer and serving in the local

government. First and foremost, you have to be willing to listen sincerely to people. You have to understand their problems so that you have the best chance to solve them. I hope that folks who come into city hall appreciate the fact that they have been heard and every effort to help them has been made.” When it comes to the current city council, Inman believes that everyone is effective as a group. He said that even during votes where not everyone agrees with each other, they find a way to move on without taking anything personally. Furthermore, he tries to surround himself with people with different mindsets in order to give the city a more diverse perspective. With less money to spend in recent years, the city has reduced employees through attrition.

Through this practice, Inman is able to let cut back on the costs of running departments like the police force or the public works department without laying off employees. The city currently employs 110 people, a number that Inman said is lean and the reason why he is reluctant to reduce the staff any further unless the city runs out of options. Expecting that Macomb will lose population after the upcoming census, he said that city has prepared for the impact for the last five years. Macomb paid the Census Bureau $91,000 to get a more accurate count during the last census, which he said netted an additional $351,000 in residents who weren’t counted during the first attempt. Collecting every dollar they can is important, according to Inman, since there are few tax revenue

avenues left to pursue. The potential decline in population, both student and fulltime residents, keeps Inman realistic about convincing new businesses to open. People may look for brand name restaurants and stores that are known nationwide, but Inman said that there are locally-owned operations that are comparable in Macomb. “I personally share the same desires of the people to have more here,” Inman said, “but part of what was able to drive our ability to market the community to business developers was our student population. Developers look for students.”

Mayor page 3

NEWS

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Monday, April 1, 2019

Alderman At-Large Don Wynn looks to retain seat on city council By Steven Barnum news editor

Alderman At-Large Don Wynn is seeking his third term as a member of the Macomb City Council. The Columbia, Miss. native moved to Macomb after graduating high school and has been a resident of the town for the last 50 years. He was employed at NTN-Bower Corporation for six years before landing a job at Western Illinois University, where he worked in the physical plant department for more than three decades. He is disappointed in Western’s recent downspin but takes a calm approach to revive it. “I think that right now Western is at the lowest point that I’ve ever seen it,” Wynn said. “Now being on the outside looking in, I think there needs to be change there. I don’t necessarily think it’s a city

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council or a government decision. It might just be a Western decision.” Wynn doesn’t see Western’s decline in enrollment as a reason for its lackluster marketing. He sees billboards and campaigns from central Missouri up to the Chicago area, adding to his confusion as to why fewer students are choosing to be Leathernecks. After retiring from his position at Western, Wynn re-entered the maintenance scene at Wheeler Village in Macomb. For the last eight years, his job duties have included making sure everything is sound with the 45 homes located in the village. His job experience and time in Macomb is what gives him a perspective that he thinks offers value to the city council. “Being here for 50 years is helpful because I’ve seen a lot of changes,” Wynn said. “I’ve heard all of the

courtesy of tri states public radio

stories, know a lot of the people and I can talk to anyone. I feel like I can continue to help Macomb move forward.” With an expected population decline after the results of the 2020 census, leaders in Macomb may have to learn to operate without all of its current resources. Wynn remains optimistic that both the University and the town of Macomb can bounce back from any downturn. There won’t be much financial wiggle room in Macomb’s future, according to Wynn. “It’s always going to be a struggle,” he said. “There just isn’t enough money to go around, so any icing to go on the cake we’ll have to go without. The norm is going to have to be maintaining the resources that we do have.” Wynn also talked about how the town’s problems are often out of the council’s

STAFF MEMBERS editor-in-chief Devon Greene DJ-Greene@wiu.edu news editor Steven Barnum

proofreader Amanda Wandachowicz

SS-Barnum@wiu.edu

A-Wandachowicz@wiu.edu

opinions editor Allison Young

photo editor Becca Langys

AN-Young@wiu.edu

RE-Langys@wiu.edu

sports editor Bradley Piros

assistant photo editor Sara Remar

BJ-Piros@wiu.edu

SE-Remar@wiu.edu

assistant sports editor Chris Bean

production manager Jimmy Pierson

CR-Bean@wiu.edu

JM-Pierson@wiu.edu

edge editor Marc Ramirez

business manager Faith Rucker

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copy editor Brie Coder

advertising manager Jacob Day

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JD-Day@wiu.edu adviser Will Buss WJ-Buss@wiu.edu

control, especially when it comes to having to pass regulations that require money from the town. He also points out that the city will collect fewer tax dollars with the decline in population, but other rural Illinois communities will be experiencing the same blow. “This has always been a forgotten part of the state. I don’t know what it is about this area but it just doesn’t get enough attention,” Wynn said. “We use most of our resources we can quite regularly to market this place, but even it just might not be enough. We just have to keep plugging away at it.” From Wynn’s perspective, one of the strengths of the current city council is its ability to respect differing opinions and to compromise when necessary. “We normally see eye to eye on most issues,” he said. “It’s a good group

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of workable people and nobody has a personal agenda. It’s been this way ever since I’ve been involved.” Above all else, Wynn hopes to continue to show that he shares the community’s interests and that residents of Macomb find him approachable. “I’m willing to talk to anybody. If someone has an issue, I tell them to get ahold of me or somebody who can help and we’ll get you some answers,” Wynn said. “Whether they’re happy with a decision or not, I encourage them to come to the meetings and voice their concerns. I’ll always listen because I like their input. I try to tell everyone that it’s still up to the people what we want in this town.” Tammie Leigh BrownEdwards will also be on the ballot for Alderman At-Large.

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Monday, April 1, 2019

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NEWS 3

Annette Carper hopes to

continue in the third ward By Steven Barnum news editor

Long-time Macomb resident Annette Carper will be on the ballot for Alderman in the third ward. Carper has served on the city council since August 2018. After graduating from Macomb High School and Western Illinois University, Carper decided to stay and raise a family in the town that she’s felt at home in since she was 11-years-old. She spent 15 years as the Deputy Director of the McDonough County Housing Authority and also has experience in social services, retail and restaurant management. Currently, she is the Executive Director of Lamoine Retirement Living, which opened its doors in downtown Macomb last year. Carper trusts that her job experience is helpful for the council. “I’ve been fortunate enough to work with people all these years,” she said, “people who have different backgrounds or who are living with limited income. My eyes really opened to diversity throughout the time I’ve been in management.” Politics was never one of Carper’s favorite aspects of life, but she remains passionate about working to solve the issues facing Macomb. She said that she treats the city council as a business and the weekly city council meetings as business meetings. In addition to representing the third ward on the city council, she is also on the Transportation Committee, the Historical Preservation Committee and the Census Committee. Throughout her time on the city council, Carper learned about the importance of listening to opposing views and working together to pass ordinances that work for the town. “It’s a city council that knows how to work together, but there are times when not everyone is in agreement,” Carper said. “But I don’t think disagreements are a bad thing because it lets us see different perspectives. There’s a lot of experience on that council so I always try to listen what their views are. I also try to listen to the public to see what their concerns are and how we can address them.” Fiscal responsibility and being able to function as a city government without making drastic cuts will be a chal-

lenge, according to Carper. As a member of the Census Committee, she said that the city is fully committed to getting the highest and most accurate count that they can. When brainstorming, Carper said that the town needs to be creative. Whether that means embracing Macomb’s strong health care opportunities and emphasizing its strengths as a retirement community or simply being more aggressive when marketing the town’s existing strengths, Carper doesn’t think that Macomb is limited in potential. “People in this community work really hard to grow our town,” she said. “Working downtown showed me what they are doing to help. I think that it’s a challenge but I also look for the opportunities that we have and try to think positively. We just have to learn to think differently.” Carper thinks that there is plenty of reason for change at Western, especially after the layoffs, the Board of Trustees violation and the University’s inability to attract new students as of recent. She talked about how the rebound at Eastern Illinois University is an example of why the state shouldn’t take the sole blame for Western’s problems. The blame should also fall on the University’s marking deficiencies. “If you have a business that’s declined the way that Western has, then you’d have to look at upper management. The University has to be marketing all the time. We have a lot to offer and we definitely need to do a better job. There needs to be a change in the management.” After Mellie Gilbert retired, Mayor Mike Inman selected Carper to fill the seat. Surprised but flattered by the opportunity, Carper accepted the position and was appointed with unanimous approval. While some contenders for the seat couldn’t accept the job due to time constraints, Carper was happy to find a way to fill the void. “I appreciated the opportunity to be considered for such a position and for being recognized for the skills I can bring to the city council,” Carper said. “I’ve seen all the changes that have occurred in Macomb and with the University and I would like the opportunity to continue to help contribute to the community.” Carper will face challenger Gregg Huston in Tuesday’s race.

courtesy of tri state s public radio

Mayor

from page 1

In addition to a decline in enrollment at Western, Inman said that the United States is moving away from brick and mortar shopping. Stores like K-Mart and JCPenney have shut their doors, which Inman said is an external factor that the city cannot control. “The way we shop in this country is shifting,” he said. “I don’t like it because it takes jobs out of the community and it takes sales tax out of the community, which is what we use to improve roads. Even though being able to shop at home on your computer is convenient for you, it’s terribly detrimental for the overall economy.” When Inman and city leaders are able to attract businesses to open in Macomb, it’s a long

process. It took three years for McAllister’s and the city to finalize the project, which Inman said is the standard time frame for anyone who questions the city’s urgency to add stores and restaurants. “There’s a bit of naivety to think that just because we want a certain store or restaurant that it’s going to come here,” Inman said. “We are competing with every community.” Regarding economic development, Inman looks at the announcements that NTN-Bower and Pella will add hundreds of jobs as a positive improvement in the manufacturing sector. He also mentions the role that the agricultural sector continues to play in the community should help lessen the impact of the recent layoffs at Western. “Anyone who is objective would see that the University is still facing a number of chal-

lenges,” Inman said. “The layoffs have a ripple effect on the entire community, both to the individual and the economy. Having said that, we need to be supportive as a community, the majority of the decisions are going to have to be made by the institution right here in Macomb.” Regarding write-in challenger Kristen-Diane Pollock’s displeasure with the way Inman filled Mellie Gilbert’s seat with Annette Carper, Inman said his process was fair and extensive. “I had an extremely diverse group of candidates that brought a lot of talent to the table,” Inman said. “That was probably the most diverse pool of candidates I’ve ever interviewed in my life. Mrs. Carper has made a career out of serving people and I felt that she was the most qualified.” Inman will run for a third term as mayor of Macomb on Tuesday.

OPINIONS

Monday, April 1, 2019

WesternCourier.com

JIMMY PIERSON/PRODUCTION MANAGER

The trend regarding children in the past couple of years has certainly been a positive one; children are valued from the time they are in the womb to the time after their birth. Gender reveal parties begin the process of not only the parents, but those closest to them learning more about the baby. In the past, children were seen as less important than adults and not much fuss was made about them. Society placed them as inferiors to adults and

anyone older than them. Nowadays, societies praise children for everything they do. While we are seeing the upward trend in the importance of children, we are also tending to ignore a very prevalent issue that is happening right before our eyes: child abuse. If we place so much importance on children, it hardly makes sense that we are ignoring them as they are being abused. It may not directly impact people, but the statistics regarding it

are staggering. While we go on living our normal day-today lives, an average of five children die every day at the hands of child abuse. How can we possibly go on living our normal lives knowing that there are children suffering in silence? How do we justify our silence? We seem to do just fine at that every day. It may seem safe to assume that the reason so many children suffer in silence is due to a fear of reporting their abuse or a lack of trusted adults to tell. However, it seems that the issue may actually be with the adults they do tell. Reportedly, only 58 percent of adults who are told about abuse actually act on it. The other 42 percent

brush it off and do not take action. When they do take action, cases are often handled effectively. Sometimes, the parents are even brought in while the children are being questioned. It is safe to assume that a child who is beaten by their parents will not admit this in a room where both their parents and police officers are in. Whether it's emotional, physical or sexual abuse, the effects can last a lifetime for these children. Throughout their adolescence, children are trying to learn how to trust those around them, how to have loving relationships and most importantly how to be a kid. They shouldn’t experience trauma. To make matters worse, 90 per-

cent of these children know their abusers. Their trust is violated, their expectation for interpersonal relationships is forever altered and they are never the same. Abused children are more likely to serve time in jail as both juveniles and adults, be diagnosed with a psychological disorder and get pregnant when they’re teenagers. Without proper care during childhood, abused children may fail to learn essential life skills and therefore struggle to function independently in society. In order to foster a healthy society of adults that are less emotionally tortured and more trusting and independent, we need to stand together to address the problem of child abuse.

The new laws in Brunei are questionable Recently, there has been a lot of controversy in the news about the small country of Brunei. I have never heard of this country before so I looked it up, and it is a small Asian country located on an island near Malaysia and Indonesia with a population just shy of half a million. The reason this country is making headlines is because of a new law being put in place that makes homosexuality and adultery offenses punishable by death, more

specifically stoning. The Sultan stated that the policy has been slowly integrated since 2014 and the official announcement was just a posting on the Brunei’s Attorney General’s website a few months ago. After reading this, I checked my calendar and yes, we are still in 2019. While most people, including myself, don’t agree with adultery in its traditional definition, it’s still not an offense that justifies stoning. It might feel like it in the moment, but

there are much worse things someone can do. So that law doesn’t really seem to make sense. Now that I’ve covered that, let me move on to the bigger issue. Seriously, we’re in 2019 and we still have people that believe that individuals should be ridiculed, punished or even killed for who they happen to love or be attracted to. It didn’t make sense before and it still doesn’t make sense now. Homosexuality isn’t a choice, it’s just how they feel. If someone’s not sure there’s nothing wrong with exploring it. If someone is confident there’s nothing wrong with that either. Who someone chooses to love isn’t anyone’s business but their own; it doesn’t affect anyone else.

Contact Allison Young

Luckily, most of the world is making better strides towards acceptance and understanding, but some countries are still a little bit behind. This is a time where laws like that should be getting revoked, not enforced. There is no logical or legal reason that that law makes any sense. I understand it’s a religious state but seriously? Based on its location, it’s not like citizens who feel this way are able to just leave, maybe some can but it’s a decent trip to a region or country that would accept them. Their options are live in secret or die, how does that make any sense? The backlash as expected is pretty huge. Members of multiple governments across the

world have responded to the new law with severe criticism. calling it “barbaric and inhumane.” One Australian Senator even pointed iy out that it violates the UN Declaration of Human Rights. It does though, this isn’t something that the government should be able to restrict, let alone punish by death. That’s taking police and police resources away from actual crimes and real dangers, not some made up or moral danger that happens in two consenting adults’ bedroom. It’s weird to think that there are still countries that stone and kill people for the most harmless of acts. It’s 2019 already, things are changing, cultures are changing and this should change too.

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Dora explores the big screen

Layout by: Jimmy Pierson

Written by: Evan Willams

Late last year, it was revealed that a live-action â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dora the Explorerâ&#x20AC;? movie would be released with an obviously older Dora. This kind of made people scratch their heads as it appeared that an older girl would be playing a 7-year-old, and without context, you might have thought it was one of those parodies Paramount would give context to. The picture of Isabela Moner as Dora and revealed that the film would feature Dora in high school.

CONT. E.2

E2 EDGE

Monday, April 1, 2019

Dora explores more than just her hometown Dora

from page 5 “Dora the Explorer” came out when I was just starting the first grade, though I have watched it a few times I never was that crazy about it. Even so, there is still a bit of nostalgia with this new movie and I was curious. The movie trailer starts out with Dora running in the jungle and exploring a temple with Boots (the monkey from the show). Right away, I get this “Tomb Raider” for kid’s vibe which I'm totally on board with. Dora's parents reveal that they are going on an adventure, but they won't let Dora come. They end up sending her to live in the city to go to school with her cousin

Diego who doesn't really act as he does in the show (where is Baby Jaguar). Hilarity ensues on her first day of school as she goes through security to have her backpack looked through (who doesn't talk) and he pulls out one of those pickaxes you use for mountain climbing and a flare. On a field trip to a museum, Dora, Diego and two of their classmates are kidnapped and shipped in a crate to the jungle. Let’s put this out there, she has a large knife and knocks out one of the villains with a freaking yo-yo, I love it. The rest of the trailer shows them exploring this temple or something so Dora can find some treasure and rescue her parents, so basically “Tomb

Raider” for kids. Based on this trailer, there will be a lot of action, adventure and of course comedy. Boots will be in it as well but unfortunately, I don't think he talks, and where is the map? I do hope they have some inside jokes making fun of the cartoon a little bit. I also would like to say that if Swiper the Fox doesn't make an appearance or isn't revealed to be a big bad guy at the end, I will be disappointed. The movie has not been rated yet, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was rated PG-13 because it appears to be targeted for young adults who watched “Dora the Explorer” as a kid. The movie is set to come out this August and I might actually see it; I enjoy movies with strong female characters and from the looks of this trailer, that is what she is. Either way, one thing is for sure, you will never watch the cartoon the same again.

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AINTITCOOL.

"Five Feet Apart" hits theatres and hearts of those with CF On March 15, 2019, the film “Five Feet Apart” was released to theatres. This film stars Cole Sprouse, best known for his role as Cody on the Disney’s “The Suite Life of Zach and Cody,” and Hailey Lu Richardson, known for her role as Krista in the movie “The Edge of Seventeen.” Sprouse and Richardson both play teenagers who have cystic fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis, sometimes known as CF, is a genetic disease that affects the lungs, pancreas and other organs. This disease causes the lungs to form thick mucus and causes many lung infections over the individual’s life span. Cystic fibrosis causes a shortened life span; in the United States the life expectancy for someone with cystic fibrosis is about 37 and a half years. There is currently no cure for cystic fibrosis, but foundations

intensive care unit (NICU), she sees a male with cystic fibrosis

such as The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation/CF Foundation will not rest until there is a cure for those who suffer from cystic fibrosis. “Five Feet Apart” is a movie about a teenage girl named Stella, who ends up having to go back to the hospital for a “tune-up” regarding her cystic fibrosis. We soon learn that Stella had been keeping a video diary on YouTube of her experiences with cystic fibrosis, when she begins vlogging with a familiar nurse to her, Nurse Barb. Not long after being at the hospital we learn that Stella’s close friend, Poe, is also staying at the hospital. Stella and Poe have known one another for what seems like forever, since they were 7-years-old. While Stella is walking around the hospital one day to go and see the babies at the newborn

who she has not seen before. Though his friends are getting intimate on his hospital bed and she is instantly infuriated. After finding her way to the NICU to look at the newborns, this same male comes up into the NICU to speak to her. She addresses that he must be the kind of guy who breaks the rules to feel like he has control, to which he notes that she isn’t wrong. We soon learn that this male’s name is Will and that he is at the hospital as a drug-trial patient for a new cystic fibrosis medication. It is obvious that Stella and Will are interested in each other, though Barb is consistently reminding them of the rule – “six feet apart at all times.” This rule is in place for the safety of patients with cystic fibrosis, because if they are closer than six feet apart at any given moment there is a high probability of catching each other’s bacteria, which is a life-threatening situation. “Five Feet Apart” follows Stel-

la, Poe and Will’s journey while in the hospital, paying close attention to the developing romance between Stella and Will. As seen in an article by the Akron Beacon Journal, it has been noted that this film was not an accurate display of the medical side of cystic fibrosis, as patients are typically confined to their rooms unless with nursing staff. Though, cystic fibrosis patients, their families and staff were all very moved by this film, as it accurately displays the daily struggles that those with cystic fibrosis must encounter. Additionally, these medical staff members and family members are thankful for the public attention that this film is giving to cystic fibrosis. “Five Feet Apart” has been noted as a “tear-jerker,” but for all of the right reasons. This film covers so many heavy topics such as family, love and loss; that no matter who is watching there is something relatable. “Five Feet Apart” is currently playing in theatres, and if you have not yet seen it I highly recommend this touching and heartwarming film.

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E3 EDGE

Monday, April 1, 2019

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Bachelor Colton picks his bachelorette

This year ’s finale of “The Bachelor” was the most unpredictable and most dramatic conclusions in this show’s history. The final three girls that went into the fantasy suite dates were Tayshia, Cassie and Hannah G. All three of these wonderful women were more than excited to go on this final date with Colton. The fantasy suite dates took place in Portugal, a beautiful backdrop for these dates. The first woman to attend her date was Tayshia. The date ultimately went amazing, leaving no doubts in either Tayshia or Colton’s mind’s that they wanted to go to the fantasy suite together. Their date concludes when Colton escorts the camera’s out of the fantasy suite, only to have them return realizing that Colton and Tayshia still had on their mics. The following morning, Colton and Tayshia woke up and he brought her breakfast in bed. The two lovers were both smiling immensely and seemed to have no worries in the world. The second woman to have her date was Cassie. This date went extremely well and Cassie and Colton’s chemistry was booming the entire time. While Colton was pulled aside for a middate interview, he voiced that he felt Cassie was the one he wanted at the end of this. Meanwhile, Cassie was

struggling with where she stood. She was not sure if she was in love with Colton and after an unexpected visit from her father, she decided that she was going to go home that night. Later that evening, Colton was beginning to tell Cassie how he felt when he noticed she was distant and upset. This is when Cassie expressed her concerns to him about being able to feel the same way that he was feeling. After Colton continuously told Cassie how much he loved her and how much he wanted to be with her in the end, Cassie ultimately stuck with her decision to leave the show. Due to this extremely heartbreaking experience, Colton is seen pushing a camera man out of the way, scaling an 8-foot fence and running off into the remote Portuguese countryside. After a long search for Colton on both foot and by vehicle the show’s staff finally was able to find him. Colton at first refused to get into the shows production crew’s vehicle, but after talking with Chris Harrison got into the car. Though, Colton made it clear that he was done with the show. The following day, Colton talked with Harrison offcamera about what he felt he had to do. Colton was pictured going up to one of the women’s doors and knocking, which we soon find out is Tayshia. Colton

her and asks to speak explains to herwith that he is in love with Cassie. Colton expresses that his heart cannot be in love with two people at the same time. At the end of this sincere and unfortunate conversation, Colton breaks up with Tayshia. The final woman, Hannah G., had been waiting in her room since arriving in Portugal, more than excited for her date with Colton. She had not told him yet but she was ready to tell Colton that she loves him. When Colton arrived at her door, she was unaware that anyone else had even had a date with Colton at that point, and was excited for her date that day. Though, when she saw Colton she knew that something was wrong. Colton sat down with Hannah and explained to her what he had explained to Tayshia, which was that he was in love with Cassie and that his heart could not love two people. While he did not want to lose Hannah, his love for Cassie was so strong and she was all that he wanted in this point and time. Finally, Colton returned to Cassie’s room to explain his love for her, that he had sent all the other women home, and that he wanted another chance. Cassie was willing to try again and the following week they went to Spain together where Cassie was able to meet Colton’s family. In the end, while the show did not end up with an engagement, it did end up with Colton and Cassie choosing each other. Colton and Cassie are still together now, happier than ever and thinking about an engagement in the future.

E4 EDGE

Monday, April 1, 2019

WesternCourier.com

Looking at the takedown of Bonnie and Cylde

WIKIPEDIA.ORG

This past Friday, Netflix released a new original film called “The Highwaymen,” starring Kevin Costner and Woody Harrelson, the film focuses on the deaths of Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow from the viewpoint of the men that took them down. Parker and Barrow were a pair of love-struck bank robbers back in the Great Depression era. The two would constantly be on the move with their crew, jumping from one state to the next, but never getting too far away from Texas. Texas was where they grew up and fell in love. With the Barrows living just a few houses down from the Parkers, the two seemed destined to be together. After Barrow got sent to jail for a robbery, Parker waited for him and once he got out of prison, she started joining Barrow on his crimes. The legend of Bonnie and Clyde was born. Costner portrays Captain Frank Hamer who is an old Texas Ranger. Since the Rangers have been disbanded by Governor Miriam

“Ma” Ferguson, Hamer has been quietly living life in retirement with his wife and pet pig. After a prison escape that involved three of Barrow’s old partners, Hamer is called upon to bring Parker and Barrow down. Hamer initially refuses, due to his wife saying no. However, as time goes on and more reports come out about the killings of Parker and Barrow, Hamer talks his wife into letting him take them down. One of Hamer’s old partners from the Texas Rangers was Maney Gault, portrayed in the film by Harrelson. Gault now lives with his daughter and her family, without a job and drinks. One morning after breakfast, Gault walks his grandson to the bus stop where he hears that his grandson has heard about what he used to do for a living. Embarrassed and ashamed by what he’s done, he sends the boy on his way and walks back to the house. Hamer saw the scene play out and decided to drive away instead of asking for Gault’s help.

After Hamer goes and stocks up on weapons for the job, he finds Gault waiting by his car. Gault explains that he saw Hamer drive up to the house and saw him drive away. Gault pleads his case to Hamer to let him team up with him again and Hamer agrees. The rest of the film follows the pair on their attempt to at first capture Parker and Barrow, but ultimately the only way to catch the pair was to set a trap and kill them. If you love historical films, then “The Highwaymen” is for you. The star-studded cast was what initially drew me in, but learning that the film was about Parker and Barrow that made me continue watching the film. I had seen a couple of different films about the two before, but this one was different. This one focused on the law aspect of their demise, not on them. The film also showed just how big they were during their crime spree, which I had not known before. “The Highwaymen” was pretty accurate in recreating the historical aspects of the day. I strongly encourage watching the film, but it is bloody so just keep that in mind. Overall, the film was true to the time period it was trying to represent and had a great storyline that you don’t want to miss watching.

Jordan Peele shatters expectations with “Us” Devon Greene Editor-in-chief @Starewaytodevon

I went and saw Jordan Peele’s new movie “Us” on March 22, and was blown away by the director’s second film. At points when I was in the theatre, I legitimately forgot to breathe because I was so invested in the film. I’ve sworn off watching movie trailers because I feel they give away too much of the story, especially horror movies, so I came into this movie relatively blind. The movie begins with an especially tense scene as our main character, Adelaide, wanders off into a house of mirrors where she runs into someone who looks exactly like her. The film goes on to explain that every person in the United States has a doppelganger. Before I give away too much of the plot, I’d like to dive into how Peele is changing the horror genre with his unique storytelling and fantastic cinematography.

Peele brings a different viewpoint to horror that we haven’t seen in quite some time. The former comedic writer has focused on societal problems as the antagonist in his movies. In his debut film, “Get Out,” racism was the primary antagonist but in “Us,” Peele says basically nothing about race. Get Out is one of the highest rated movies on Rotten Tomatoes where it stands at 98 percent. Movie fans around the world weren’t expecting Peele to churn up another classic in his second time releasing a movie but he did just that. We’ve heard of the sophomore slump in sports but the same theory applies to movies, surprisingly, Peele was able to avoid it as “Us” currently boasts a 94 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. Peele casted black actors and showed that black actors can create some of the best films of

all-time. Lupita Nyong’o takes on her first lead role in this film and she blew me away with her acting. Nyong’o dominated the screen whenever she was on it and her contrast between one character she plays and another is fantastic. Nyong’o studied the speech disorder spasmic dysphonia when preparing for her role. Her voice acting along with her physical acting left me extremely uneasy and nervous when she was portraying her doppelganger “Red.” Another area that sets this movie apart from most is it's use of music. I’m going to start delving into spoiler territory here, so I recommend you watch the movie before reading any further. There’s one scene where Peele uses “Good Vibrations” and it plays in the background while the white family is being murdered by Nyongo’s family’s doppelgangers. The contrast between the brutality of what is happening on screen and the happy vibe of the song is so jarring that it makes it remarkably memorable. A similar strategy was used in the

movie “Strangers Prey at Night” when one of the main characters is fighting with the Man in the Mask while Bonnie Tyler’s “Total Eclipse of the Heart” plays in the background. Both of these scenes are some of my favorite in the horror genre because of the ingenious juxtaposition. A second example of music that is more on brand with social commentary was the use of N.W.A.’s “F--- tha Police.” “F--- tha Police” is used as the mother of the white family is crawling towards her dead husband on the ground. This song was used perfectly because it’s been established that race relations between African Americans and the police is not as healthy as it should be. This is one of the few times where I feel race is subtly addressed in the film. The song also features the lyrics “F--- the police comin' straight from the underground” which is where the doppelgangers come from. With Peele’s background in comedy, he does a fantastic job bringing scenes of comedic relief to the plot. Winton Duke was

the main actor to bring the relief with multiple scenes where he made the people and the theatre bust out in laughter. Yet, one of the areas this movie excells in its comedy and then seconds later, flipping it on it’s head and throwing us in to a terrifying scene. The first scene that comes to mind to illustrate this is when Duke find’s the family’s doppelgangers waiting for them on the driveway. Duke walked out with a shovel to investigate and increasingly talked in a more threatening and “gangster-like” way in order to scare the shadowy figures away. Duke’s tone of voice and physical acting was hilarious but when he was finished talking, the doppelgangers scattered and the whole theater when silent as the biggest figure started making his way towards the house. At this point, whenever I see Peele’s name attached to anything, I’m sprinting to the theatre with money in hand ready to hand it away. Peele is rebooting the “Candyman” franchise next year, and I cannot wait to see what the mastermind creates next.

OPINIONS 5

Monday, April 1, 2019

@WesternCourier

Communication is essential to succeed College is already stressful enough with the lack of sleep, excessive workloads and constant worry about the future. So, when professors and students lack proper communication and understanding, that stress can soon multiply. Now, I am totally aware of the constant assignments that are required for a course. I am also aware of how much time, energy and effort that is needed to make a successful semester for both the professor and student. However, communication is missing somewhere

somehow and is in need of a solution. When we as students send emails to our professors for whatever the case may be, we too expect a response if one is needed. Whether it’s in the event of an absence, a grade, a particular class discussion, an assignment, etc., there shouldn’t be a reason why days go by without a response. We too are adults and require assurance or even sometimes reassurance as well. Some of us have full-time events outside of our full-time school schedules, so it would be nice if communi-

cation on both ends were mutually reciprocated. Students, too, need to communicate important information as well. If you know that you will be absent or not able to complete an assignment on time, inform your professor. They can only care so much until they realize that their leniency is being taken advantage of. If you know that you’re going to be in need of assistance throughout the semester, be willing to give assistance as well, so that the line of communication stays clear. In addition, we understand that just like ourselves, professors can get sick and or need days off too, but an email to let us know that a class is cancelled rather than to have to walk all the way to Waggoner from CorbinOlson only to find that class has

been cancelled can be a bit frustrating to say the least. If you help us help you, I can assure that stress levels can possibly decrease on both of our ends. Also, it would help if we all could be a bit more understanding and rational as well. Life is rather unpredictable, yes, and things do come up and or occur out of our control. But, to have assignments given because a class was in need of a cancellation is a bit tedious. Life isn’t fair, but that doesn’t mean that a point has to be made to prove that by assigning unnecessary work. It’s already strenuous enough having to complete the requirements for each course with only three absences allowed throughout a semester. We could all use a little help to make our lives

a bit more simple, so why not start with something that’s constantly on our minds every day like school? Again, I understand we all have lives, but for any relationship to work, communication is key. It unlocks the doors to many unanswered questions after class discussions, it provides a learning tool on days where availability becomes an issue and it leaves no room for assumptions. Professors and students must have healthy communication in hopes to survive the semester. Just like life, you can either drive the college-mobile or allow it to drag you along for the ride, and that shouldn’t have to be the case with something that can be easily fixed with words and actions.

What are you going to do this summer? Summer is quickly approaching, so what are your plans? In college, I see a divide in what students do over the summer, travel or work? I have personally done both, but I think they both can have a great impact on your summer. I am sure everyone would rather travel over the summer, but we all have to work sometimes. Of course for some of us, we do both. This summer, I have many plans for traveling to many different countries. Sadly, I have to work in between my trips. So, what are the benefits of both? In my opinion, I think both options are great for spending your time outside of school. Whether you are making money to support yourself in the future or learning about new cultures, both options are beneficial. If you end up having to work over the summer, it is not the end of the world. Try to think of it as an investment to your

future. If you are working over the summer, you are usually going to spend that money on things you really need, but what about having fun? If you work the majority of the summer, you would make enough money to support yourself throughout the semester, and plan some fun weekend trips throughout the summer as well! Although you may not be able to travel anywhere far or exotic, a weekend getaway with your friends can always be fun. Working over the summer has its restrictions, but you can always make it a positive experience. For those of us who are planning on mostly traveling this summer, there is so much to do! Personally, I am headed to Germany, along with many other European countries. The benefits of traveling over the summer are never-ending, but I can point out a few. Experience is a big part in the way

we all behave and treat people. The more experience you have, the more widespread your knowledge can be. Experiencing other cultures spreads your awareness of the ways in which other people may live. With knowledge of other cultures and people, your personal outlook will be changed for the better. We often forget there are people in different parts of the world who live differently from us. When you travel and experience these differences, it expands your social knowledge. No matter what you are planning on doing this summer, try your best to make it fun and let it change you or your point of view for the better. If you are unable to travel far, try to experience new places close to home that you have not explored before. Parks, forests and campgrounds are fun places to explore, even if you are alone. If you are traveling, be safe and learn as much as possible along the way! Talk to new people and learn about their experiences. Summer is a great time to try new things and put your actions in motion to better your future!

Editorial Policy

The editorial views of the Western Courier shall be confined to this editorial and are to be separate from news coverage otherwise noted. The editorial presented is based on the ideas and views of the WC editorial 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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E-mail letters to the Editor and Local Forum messages to micour@wiu.edu. Letters should not be more than 350 words in length. The author’s name and phone number must be included for verification purposes. Failure to include such information will lead to the letter being discarded. The WC staff will edit letters in cases of timeliness, obscenity length and grammer, and we do not guarantee publication of all letters.

2019 Fall Semester Editorial Board

Edge Editor - Marc Ramirez Editor-in-Chief - Devon Greene Opinions Editor - Allison Young

PIXABAY

Summertime is a time for college students to have several different opportunites such as internships or traveling.

Monday, April 1, 2019

SPORTS

WesternCourier.com

Tennis splits weekend double-header with Coyotes and Mavericks By Bradley Piros sports editor

OMAHA, Neb. – The Western Illinois University women’s tennis team took back to the courts over the weekend for the first time since St. Patrick’s Day. Last time out, the Leathernecks were shutout 7-0 to the University of North Dakota. The team fell in their first match last Friday to the same lopsided 7-0 score, this time to the University of South Dakota Coyotes. It might have been a one-sided score line, but it was much more competitive than the final score shows. Kicking things off in doubles play was the pairing of freshman Megan Tagaloa and junior Laura Ballesteros in the No. 1 spot, but they fell 5-3 in a close match. Following them in the No. 2 spot were freshman Anouk Maajong and Mia Melnizki. They fell 6-2. Last up were the sophomore sisters Ana and Mary Bjelica in the No. 3 spot. Their efforts weren’t enough and they fell 6-1. Western’s troubles followed them into singles play where they failed to earn a point.

Melnizki, Ballesteros, Tagaloa and Mary Bjelica all fell two sets to none. Her sister Ana was able to force a tie-breaker in the most competitive matchup of the day but fell two sets to one after losing 11-9 in the tiebreaker set. Maajong also pushed through to a tiebreaker set but also fell 2-1 after losing the third set 10-3. Luckily, the Leathernecks had a day to shake this loss off and that’s exactly what they did. They were able to bounce back and grab a 4-3 victory over the University of Nebraska Omaha Mavericks. The Leathernecks started off strong, winning in the No. 1 doubles spot as Tagaloa and Ballesteros won 6-4. The Mavericks did get the 1-0 lead, though, by winning the other two doubles matches 6-4 and 6-1. Western had to battle back and it wasn’t looking very promising in the opening two singles matches. In the No. 1 spot was Melnizki but she fell in two sets (6-2, 6-4). Ana took to the No. 2 spot but fell in two sets with a pair of 6-3 scores. Her sister Mary was able to pick up

Western’s first singles win in dramatic fashion. After losing the first set 6-2 she was immediately able to bounce back to win 6-4 and force a tiebreaker set. She then won two sets to one after winning the third set 6-4. Now Western believed they could make a comeback. Maajong won in two sets (7-6, 7-5) and so did Ballesteros (6-2, 7-5). Tagaloa won in two sets (6-2, 6-3) and just like that, the comeback was complete. With those results Western earned their first Summit League win and now sit with a 1-3 conference record. They are currently last in The Summit League standings out of six teams. The top four teams compete in The Summit League Tournament. Western got there last year and they’re be looking to get back there this season. Western only has one conference match left against the first place Denver Pioneers. Their next match is a non-conference matchup against the University of Missouri Tigers. First serve is this Sunday at 4 p.m. in Columbia, Mo. Twitter: bradjp08

Mary Bjelica awaits her opponent's return.

CLASSIFIEDS

For Rent

Submit a classifieds ad to JD-Day@wiu.edu

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!. NICE, CLEAN, WELL MAINTAINED 1 TO 6 BEDROOM HOUSES FOR 2016-2017 Our houses have hard wood floors, ceramic tile, central air, washer and dryer and are close to campus with plenty of parking. We offer a ten month lease so you don’t pay for the months you aren’t here. Please call 309-255-1959 for a showing. Now showing for 2017 & 2018 year 2, 3, and 5 bedrooms homes all close to campus. Call 309-331-4565. Westen Investments: Leasing season has officailly begun, and we’re showing properties now! 1-5 bedroom houses close to campus are ready to be leased for this upcoming school year! Call our office at 309-833-5995 to schedule an appointment! Stay updated with us on Twitter @Western_Invest 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!

Ana Bjelica follows through on her serve.

LARGE STUDENT RENTALS 5 and 6 Bedroom Homes are still available!! Ask for our $1000.00 Discount program! First come first serve for the last large homes that are open for the fall. NICE, CLEAN, WELL MAINTAINED 1 TO 6 BEDROOM HOUSES FOR 2017-2018 Our houses have wood floors, ceramic tile, W/D, central air, and are close to campus with plentry of parking. We offer low rent and a 10 month lease to save you money! Call 309-255-1959 for a showing. 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. Timbercrest Apartments 1587 Riverview Drive Now showing 1 & 2 Bedroom Units. Very clean, close to WIU campus with bus stop in front of building. Washer/dryer available in most units, all other appliances included, FREE INTERNET, ceiling fans in every room, pet friendly. All units have off street parking and private decks overlooking campus. Both 10- and 12-month leases are available. Openings for Summer 2017 and school year 2017/2018. Deposit required. Phone (309)833-3192 and leave message. Westen Investments: Are you looking for an apartment? We are now showing our beautiful 1-3 bedroom apartments for this upcoming school year! Don’t like paying for utilities? Ask about our ALL UTILITIES options, and be sure to check out our website (westerninvest.com) to see our listings! Schedule an appointment with us today at 309-833-5995. 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 / PHOTO 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. Ceiling fans and a/c. Professionally maintained. No pets. Semester leases offered. Call 309 837 4369 and leave your phone number if not there. Email: MandKhousing@gmail.com ALL APARTMENTS - ALL INCLUSIVE Get control of your budget. Know exactly what you are spending each month. Each apartment includes free a/c, free heat, free electricity, free water, free cable tv, free hi speed internet, and free off street parking. Laundry on site. 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. For Rent: Little Swan Lake, 30 min from campus. 2br, 2bth, heated double car garage with work area. $600 per mo. (309) 335-2206 after 6:00 pm, may leave message anytime. Spacious 3 Bedroom Upper in Duplex close to campus and Jackson St. All utilities furnished and appliances Includes cable and internet 18/19 school year $375.00 per Br Ph 309 255 8086 Please leave message Still have some nice large locations available at reasonable prices. Excellent service- 24 hour emergency maintenance. 1-8 bedrooms, locations on/off campus available ‘18-’19 school year. Pets at some locations. Check us out at rentcollegepads.com. If interested, please call F & H Rentals 309/837-1705. 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.

Sports 7

Monday, April 1, 2019

@WesternCourier

Reflecting on past and present USMNT coaching decisions

It’s no secret that the U.S. Men’s National Team has struggled since failing to make the 2018 World Cup. Many people blame the talent on the field, and that’s part of it, but in the end it has come down to the horrific coaching. Ever since the absence of Bob Bradley who coached from 2006-2011, the USMNT has failed to show any signs of consistency. Bradley, who now coaches the LAFC (Los Angeles Football Club), posted a 43-12-25 (W-D-L) record after 80 games behind the U.S. bench. He coached the team during the 2010 FIFA World Cup where the U.S. won their group that included England, Algeria and Slovenia, by no means a difficult group. They then fell out in the Round of 16 to Ghana 2-1. Bradley did however coach the team to a Gold Cup in 2007 when the U.S. beat Mexico 2-1 with a penalty scored by Landon Donovan. Following him was Jürgen Klinsmann who took over from 2011-2016. He coached the team to the 2014 FIFA World Cup. The U.S. was placed in Group G with Portugal, Germany and the team that knocked them out in the 2010 World Cup,

Ghana. Many people were calling this the “Group of Death” and it really was. No one expected the U.S. team to make it past the group stage. In the end, the team did barely enough to get in after beating Ghana 2-1, tying Christiano Ronaldo and Portugal 2-2 and losing to Germany 1-0. They finished tied for second in the group with Portugal each with four points, but the U.S. went through on goal differential after Germany destroyed Portugal 4-0. Everything went right, and somehow the U.S. found themselves in the Round of 16 again. This time around their opponent would be Belgium. Led by Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku on the attack, this was never going to be a walk in the park. The game was tied 0-0 after 90 minutes, with every American sitting on the edge of their seats. I sat watching as the team headed into extra time. De Bruyne scored in the 93rd minute to take the 1-0 lead, and then Lukaku doubled it in the 105th minute. Julian Green gave the U.S. hope after cutting the deficit in half only two minutes later but it proved to be too little,

too late as Belgium took the win 2-1 and moved on to the quarterfinals. It was a valiant effort and Klinsmann did everything he could, but he was sacked and Bruce Area was brought back. He took the team to the 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cups. In 2002 the team finished second in Group D behind South Korea and in front of Portugal and Poland. The U.S. beat Mexico 2-0 but then lost to Germany 1-0 in the quarterfinals. In 2006 the team finished last in Group E behind Italy, Ghana and Czech Republic and failed to make it to the Round of 16. He won Gold Cups in 2002 and 2005. People, including myself, were intrigued to see him back because he’s gotten us far before. But this time around his efforts can go down in the worst coaching performances in USMNT history. He was re-appointed as head coach on November 22, 2016 after Klinsmann had a rocky start in the first round of FIFA World Cup Qualifying matches. He lost to Mexico 2-1 and to Costa Rica 4-0. With those results, Klinsmann was out and Arena was back in. Arena showed promise after turning the team around to beat Honduras 6-0 in the next round of World Cup Qualifying after tying his debut 0-0 to Serbia. He really seemed to be taking charge and even led the team to another Gold Cup in the

summer of 2017 after beating Jamaica 2-1 in the final. After what seemed to be a promising road to the World Cup, everything came crashing down in the final round of qualifiers. The U.S. lost to Costa Rica 2-0 and then tied Honduras 1-1. They turned themselves around to beat Panama 4-0 and all of a sudden it was down to the qualifying match. All they had to do was tie Trinidad and Tobago, but instead they lost 2-1 and missed out on the World Cup for the first time since the 1990. Arena realized his failure, and resigned only three days after the loss. On came Dave Sarachan to clean up the mess that Klinsmann and Arena made. Sarachan went 3-4-5 in his short time with the team while the U.S. looked for a long-term solution. That solution was found on Dec. 3, 2018 in Gregg Berhalter. Former coach of Columbus Crew SC and former player for the LA Galaxy, this guy has been around the game. His first test behind the bench was a friendly against Panama. His side won 4-0. They beat Costa Rica 2-0 and Ecuador 1-0. Last time out the U.S. tied Chile 1-1 to keep Berhalter undefeated since joining the team. Is it too early to call? Absolutely. But he sure looks promising at the moment. Not much is known about the 2022 FIFA World Cup yet,

other than that Qatar has an automatic bid. There are still rumors that the tournament will be moved to the fall to compensate for the brutally hot summers in the Middle East. Qualifying dates haven’t yet been confirmed. Berhalter ’s first real test will be the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup. The tournament will be it’s 15th edition and will be held in 16 host cities across the U.S. The tournament is set to run from June 15-July 7. The USMNT is a young team, a very young team, with an average age of only 26-years-old. It’s currently holstered with some experience in midfielder Michael Bradley. He played in every minute in the 2010 and 2014 World Cups and has been the backbone in midfield for the team. With the leaving of fan favorite goalkeeper Tim Howard, the USMNT had to move onto Sean Johnson from New York City FC and Jesse Gonzalez from FC Dallas. Up front they depend on 21-year-old Christian Pulisic and 24-year-old Jordan Morris. These guys are the future of the team’s attack, and you can’t win if you don’t score goals. There’s a long way between now and the start of the 2022 FIFA World Cup and anything can happen. Let’s just hope Berhalter can guide this young team back to the tournament and perhaps make a deep run.

Leathernecks shine individually and as a team in UNI Invite By Brendan Reidy courier staff

MACOMB, Ill. — It is the time of year when spring has sprung, and that means it is time for golf. Though college basketball is in the headlines predominately this time of year, this is also a big time for golf as well. The Masters are right around the corner, and it is the time when people dust off their clubs and head over to the nearest course to get back in the swing of things. For Western Illinois, both the men and women’s golf teams teed off this weekend in prospective tournaments. Both teams played in a tournament hosted by the University of Northern Iowa. The men teed off in Cedar Falls, Iowa this past weekend, and got off to a fast start. They followed some of their best players on the team including Jackson Wetherbee and Kyle Irlbacker. The two

Katie McTaggart chips it onto the green.

are in the top spots for Western and currently lead Western with a combined team score of 299. The Leathernecks are the leaders in the tournament and have a pretty substantial lead. The only team within reach is the University of Creighton. They are six strokes back of Western, and will need to sink more putts if they wish to have a chance to unseat the Purple and Gold atop the leaderboard. In individual play, Wetherbee is leading the Leathernecks. He has hit the ball straight and superbly, and that was only his first round of play. For the women’s team, they haven’t gotten off to as strong of a start as the men, but are playing very compressively. They currently sit in fourth on the leaderboard. Leading the way in team play for the Leathernecks is Nicole Hamilton-Cross. She shot an 11-over par, and as a team Western Illinois finished with a 341-combined score at Pheasant Ridge Golf Course.

GOLEATHERNECKS.COM

"We struggled to hit greens and played more bogey golf than we wanted," said head coach Lia Biehl Lukkarinen. "Tomorrow we will enjoy a less windy day and will work on stringing putts together." Other players that stood out on the team were Katie McTaggart and Cassidy Jurkaites. They hit the ball well off the tee and shot an 84 and 85, respectively. There is still plenty of time to climb up the leaderboard, but the women will have to be sharp if they want to finish in the top three. Both teams are in a prime position to come out on top this weekend, but it is awesome to finally see the weather begin to change. The birds are chirping and the grass is growing, but more importantly, the golf clubs are swinging. It is a great time to pull out your clubs and hit the fairways. Hopefully, the Leathernecks can continue to be successful as the weather continues to get better outside.

Cassisy Jurkaites stares down her putt.

GOLEATHERNECKS.COM

Baseball drops first two games in series with Omaha Mavericks By Christopher Bean assistant sports editor

Date/Time Feb. 15 (FRI) 1 P.M. Feb. 16 (SAT) 1 P.M. Feb. 16 (SAT) 4:30 P.M. Feb. 22 (FRI) 3 P.M. Feb. 23 (SAT) 2 P.M. Feb. 24 (SUN) 1 P.M. Mar. 1 (FRI) 2 P.M. Mar. 2 (SAT) 2 P.M. Mar. 3 (SUN) 1 P.M. Mar. 8 (FRI) 3 P.M. Mar. 9 (SAT) 2 P.M. Mar. 10 (SUN) 12 P.M. Mar. 12 (TUE) 6:30 P.M. Mar. 13 (WED) 3 P.M. Mar. 15 (FRI) 3 P.M. Mar. 16 (SAT) 1 P.M. Mar. 17 (SUN) 1 P.M. Mar. 19 (TUES) 3 P.M. Mar. 22 (FRI) 3 P.M. Mar. 23 (SAT) 1 P.M. Mar. 24 (SUN) 1 P.M. Mar. 26 (TUE) 3 P.M. Mar. 29 (FRI) 1 P.M. Mar. 30 (SAT) 1 P.M. Mar. 31 (SUN) 1 P.M. Apr. 2 (TUE) 6 P.M. Apr. 5 (FRI) 3 P.M. Apr. 6 (SAT) 1 P.M. Apr. 7 (SUN) 1 P.M. Apr. 9 (TUE) 4 P.M. Apr. 12 (FRI) 3 P.M. Apr. 13 (SAT) 1 P.M. Apr. 14 (SUN) 1 P.M. Apr. 16 (TUE) 6 P.M. Apr. 19 (FRI) 3 P.M. Apr. 20 (SAT) 1 P.M. Apr. 21 (SUN) 1 P.M. Apr. 23 (TUE) 4 P.M. Apr. 26 (FRI) 6:30 P.M. Apr. 27 (SAT) 1 P.M. Apr. 28 (SUN) 1 P.M. Apr. 30 (TUE) 6 P.M. May 3 (FRI) 6 P.M. May 4 (SAT) 2 P.M. May 5 (SUN) 1 P.M. May 10 (FRI) 3 P.M. May 11 (SAT) 1 P.M. May 12 (SUN) 1 P.M. May 14 (TUE) 12 P.M. May 16 (THU) 3 P.M. May 17 (FRI) 2 P.M. May 18 (SAT) 1 P.M.

Opponents At Tennessee Tech At Tennessee Tech At Tennessee Tech At Southeast Missouri At Southeast Missouri At Southeast Missouri At Southern Illinois At Southern Illinois At Southern Illinois At Saint Louis At Saint Louis At Saint Louis At Arkansas At Arkansas Vs South Dakota State Vs South Dakota State Vs South Dakota State Vs Iowa Wesleyan Vs North Dakota State Vs North Dakota State Vs North Dakota State Vs St. Ambrose At Omaha At Omaha At Omaha At Bradley Vs Oral Roberts Vs Oral Roberts Vs Oral Roberts Vs Bradley Vs Purdue Fort Wayne Vs Purdue Fort Wayne Vs Purdue Fort Wayne At SIU-E At South Dakota State At South Dakota State At South Dakota State Vs SIU-E At North Dakota State At North Dakota State At North Dakota State At Iowa At Oral Roberts At Oral Roberts At Oral Roberts Vs Ohama Vs Ohama Vs Ohama Vs Iowa At Purdue Fort Wayne At Purdue Fort Wayne At Purdue Fort Wayne

Score L,2-3 L,3-8 L,4-7 W, 9 - 2 L, 14 - 2 W, 5 - 2 ( 11 Inn. ) L, 8 - 1 L, 6- 1 L, 16 -1 W, 3 - 0 W, 5 - 4 L, 8 - 2 L, 8 - 0 L, 11 - 2 L, 7 - 6 W, 10 - 6 L, 7 - 4 W, 16 - 3 L, 5 - 4 W, 9 - 6 L, 11 - 1 W, 13 - 3 L, 8 - 2 L, 4 - 3 Omaha, NEB. Peoria, IL. Macomb, IL. Macomb, IL. Macomb, IL. Macomb, IL. Macomb, IL. Macomb, IL. Macomb, IL. Edwardsville, IL. Brookings, S.D. Brookings, S.D. Brookings, S.D. Macomb, IL. Fargo, N.D. Fargo, N.D. Fargo, N.D. Iowa City, Iowa Tulsa, OK. Tulsa, OK. Tulsa, OK. Macomb, IL. Macomb, IL. Macomb, IL. Macomb, IL. Fort Wayne, IN. Fort Wayne, IN. Fort Wayne, IN.

MACOMB, Ill. — The Western Illinois men’s baseball team traveled to Omaha to take on the first place Omaha Mavericks. The Leathernecks fell to 8-16 and 2-6 in Summit League play. The Mavericks are 16-6-1, and 8-0 in the conference. The Necks continue to struggle on the road, dropping two games to the Omaha Mavericks. Omaha headed into the weekend as the best team in the Summit and remained there after the weekend. The Mavericks got off to a hot start in the first game, when Ben Palensky drove in Jack Lombardi on an RBI single. Two batters later, Parker Smejkal reached on an error by short stop Deion Thompson, scoring Braden Rodgers for the second run in the first. Starting pitcher Jace Warkentien settled into the game and pitched three scoreless innings in-a-row. However, the Mavericks added three to their lead to make it

5-0 after five innings. They would score three more runs in the next two innings, giving them their biggest lead of the game, 8-0. The Necks finally scored in the eighth when CJ Schaeffer hit into a fielder ’s choice, scoring Drue Galassi. Western would get one more in the ninth thanks to Kevin Raisbeck’s single scoring Grant Hannant, but the Mavericks held on to win 8-2. In the second game of the weekend, the Mavericks scored the game's first run in the third when Matt Bondarchuk stole second, allowing Breyden Eckhout to score from third. The Mavericks scored again when Bondarchuk grounded out to second, scoring Eckhout to make it 2-0. This was the only earned run Javin Drake gave up. Drake pitched 7 innings, allowing 7 hits and two walks while striking out 10. For the second game in-a-row, Western did not score a run in the first seven

CJ Schaeffer stays ready to catch a pitch.

innings. However, they would not go away easily. Hannant scored their first run on a fielder ’s choice. Alex Dorethy hit a pinch hit singled up the middle, scoring Raisbeck to tie the game at two. The next at bat, Schaffer broke the tie on his RBI single, scoring Diego Munoz. However, the Mavericks answered right back in the bottom half of the inning when Palensky ripped a double to left center, tying the game at 3. The Leathernecks went 1-2-3 in the top of the ninth. Lombardi led the bottom half of the inning with a lead-off walk, and quickly got to third on a passed ball and wild pitch. Bondarchuk singled up the middle to give Omaha a 4-3 walk-off win. The Leathernecks move onto Peoria to take on the Braves from Bradley University on Tuesday night. The Braves are 12-9 this year, and 0-2 in the Missouri Valley. The Necks continue to find consistency on the road after a 2-11 start to the season.

JOSH PURNELL / COURIER STAFF