The Torch // Volume 53 // Edition 12E

THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF LANE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

MAY 09, 2018

VOLUME 53, EDITION 12E

LCC board member arrested / pages 2 Ban on assault weapons / page 3 Tech Together / page 5

EUGENE, OREGON

NEW POLICE CHIEF PROMISES NEW ERA

photos by Daniel Martinez /photojournalist

New Eugene Chief of Police Chris Skinner speaks to the attendees at his swearing-in ceremony. The former police chief of Richland, Washington plans to use predictive data analysis and community outreach techniques to reduce Eugene’s crime rates in the coming months.

Chris Skinner embraces technology and community involvement Marek Belka Reporter The exhaustive search for Eugene’s new law enforcement leader ended on May 2, when Chris Skinner was sworn in as the Eugene Police Department’s new Chief of Police.

Skinner, who grew up in Kennewick, Washington, beat out 33 candidates for the position, surviving what he called a “rigorous hiring process” to replace former chief Pete Kerns, who retired in April 2017. Kerns agreed to stay on as interim chief until December of that year, after which he was replaced by David James, a former police chief in Carrollton, Texas.

Eugene City Manager Jon Ruiz, who was in charge of hiring the new police chief, lauded praise on Skinner’s experience and “dedication to trust” to a room full of police officers, veterans and community members of the greater Eugene area. “[Skinner] knows how to navigate the complicated and satisfying realm of community relationships,” Ruiz said.

In the absence of a permanent city hall, the swearing-in ceremony was held at Lane Community College’s Mary Spilde Campus in downtown Eugene. After being sworn in by circuit judge Wayne Allen, Skinner heaped praise on the EPD during his initial remarks.

“This department understands why they do what they do,” Skinner said. “The men and women of this department deeply care about this community.”

Skinner takes over a police department with a budget of over $53 million that has come under increased scrutiny in recent months. Earlier this year, EPD administrators revealed that officers did not respond to nearly one-third of all emergency calls and asked for increased funding to streamline communications and hire new dispatchers. A recent

streak of highly-publicized armed robberies and assaults — crimes that have yet to be solved — also have many citizens on edge. During his remarks, Skinner laid out his goals for improving the EPD’s standing in the community.

“Policing is very much a monopoly. If you don’t like it, you don’t have the luxury of choice. You can’t call the Springfield police for help if you live in Eugene,” Skinner said. “[The Eugene police] won’t treat you like a monopoly, we’re going to treat you like customers. We’re going to build brand loyalty through the quality of our product.”

Before accepting the Eugene position, Skinner served as police chief in Richland, Washington, as well as deputy chief of police for the Hillsboro Police Department and a Sheriff ’s deputy in Benton County. In Richland, Skinner presided over 62 commissioned officers in a city of nearly 60,000. (Eugene’s police force currently employs 192 officers in a city of over 167,000.) In Richland, Skinner implemented what he called “a data-driven and progressive” strategy to reduce crime — using tools like predictive data analysis and community collaboration — and plans to bring that same strategy to Eugene. According to public records, crime rates in Richland dropped during the first three years of Skinner’s tenure, but have since steadily risen to a rate close to the beginning of Skinner’s time there. Furthermore, Eugene’s crime rate is nearly double that of Richland’s, though crime has seen a reduction in recent years.

For Lara Parker, a community organizer who attended the ceremony in an attempt to speak with the new chief in-person, Skinner’s past experience alone isn’t enough to win her over.

“I’ve been to Richland, and I know it’s nothing like Eugene,” Parker said. “Eugene isn’t just a regular-old town. We have something special here in our community, and it takes a special sort of tact to keep it that way while still dealing with our unique challenges.

Jon [Ruiz] can praise him all he wants, but I won’t be impressed until I actually see him do good work.”

Skinner will earn an annual salary of $153,171. The new chief plans to host several community meetings to allow citizens of Eugene to voice their concerns and make suggestions about public safety policies in his first few months in office.

2

stories that matter

theTorch // www.lcctorch.com

Wednesday, May 9th, 2018

SPORTS STUDENT GOVERNMENT theTorch CAMPAIGNS UNDERWAY The independent student newspaper of Lane Community College

THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF LANE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

THE STAFF Editor-in-Chief

Jeffery K. Osborns

Production Director Cat Frink

Art Director Diana Baker

News Director Dylan Plummer

Reporters

Marek Belka Zach Bruhl Fiona W. Corrigan Janelle Dutton Mckenzy Gausnell Noah Noteboom Sabrina Piccolo

Photojournalists

Nathan S. Calkins Daniel Martinez Sterling S. Gonzalez Anna C. K. Smith

Business Director Jordan Jones

Web Designer Josh Chatfield

Content Distributor Gabriel Collins

News Adviser Charlie Deitz

Printer

Oregon Web Press Albany, Oregon

LETTERS AND GUEST COLUMNS • Letters to the editor should be limited to 300 words.

• Guest columns should be limited to 700 words.

• Please include the author’s name, phone number and address (for verification purposes only).

• The Torch reserves the right to edit letters and guest columns for length, grammar, spelling, libel, invasion of privacy and appropriate language.

• The Torch cannot guarantee publication of letters or guest columns, and may not be able to reply to all submissions.

POLICY

• The Torch is editorially independent and

reserves the right to publish at its discretion.

All web and print content is the property of the Torch and cannot be republished without editorial permission.

• Up to two copies per issue, per person of the Torch are free; each additional copy is $2.

CONTACT theTorch Lane Community College 4000 E. 30th Ave. Eugene, OR 97405 (541) 463–5655 @lcctorch

facebook.com/LCCTheTorch Emails: editor@lcctorch.com letters@lcctorch.com advertising@lcctorch.com tips@lcctorch.com

being in charge.

“We would check on the ability to expand the food pantry, and look into options for feeding students in school,” Good said.

He spoke about bringing back dining dollars as well as possibly opening a type of soup kitchen for students to take away some Zach Bruhl of the distractions that could be faced by less fortunate students.

Reporter “It is terrible to have dreams without the ability to achieve The Associated Students of Lane them due to what you cannot control,” Good said.

Community College Student Government Rumors have circulated that the Blyleven/Good campaign are holding elections for various positions on campus for the has used illegal campaign methods as they had originally been upcoming school year. Elections will be held online from the only candidates represented at Blenders, Good’s place of May 15 to 17. employment. Good said that everything the group did was fair Two tickets for president and vice by the rules of campaigning in the president have been submitted, with ASLCCSG Bylaws, and added that current Treasurer Amadeo Rehbein having a positive relationship with his and Vice President Becca Hill pairing employer has helped him gain their up to face current Sustainability endorsement.

Coordinator Keely Blyleven and The senate elections have only six Campus Community Director Dan candidates filed so far, but that does Good. In addition to the presidential not undermine the importance of — Rehbein and Hill, and vice presidential elections there are voting. Caleb Peterson, a candidate Running for ASLCC 2018 up to 10 open senate seats to be filled. for senator stressed this importance Rehbein and Hill are running on a saying, “we need students to vote no platform based on four central values: matter how many candidates there accessibility, inclusivity, accountability are because it will help decide which and sustainability. One of the main person fills Senate Seats 1 through focuses of their campaign is to open 10.” With each senate seat being at a a line of communication between the different level of the “pecking order.” student body and the board of directors After the election has taken place the at the school. Hill believes strongly president will create a committee of at that “any elected official’s job is to least one executive committee member speak up to power for students.” The and at least two senators in order to group has experience in high levels of appoint the executive staff team. All student government and intend to use ASLCC members are required to enroll the lessons they learned in the past to in and complete at least six credits hours mold how to best keep communication while maintaining a 2.0 term GPA. — Dan Good, of Blyleven and Good open for all involved in the school.

These positions will be filled within Running for ASLCC 2018 Blyleven and Good are running on thirty calendar days of taking office, a platform of accessibility and equity, according to ASLCC Constitution. looking to provide “all-encompassing During election days, student govsustainability for student success.” Both candidates have experi- ernment members, that are not running for office, equipped ence in student government and hope to use their experience with tablets will be available to as to assist students in the voting running programs like the Rainy Day Food Pantry to provide process on the first floor of the Center Building . Students can options for all students. Good, a self-proclaimed utilitarian also find the ballots on Orgsync by following the “StudentOrgs” spoke about how the pair would approach the first days of link on the top right corner of the MyLane portal.

Both tickets running on accessibility platforms

"...any elected official’s job is to speak up to power for students."

“We would check on the ability to expand the food pantry, and look into options for feeding students in school,”

LCC Board member arrested Phillip Carrasco faces two counts of third-degree sex abuse Marek Belka Reporter A member of the Lane Community College Board of Education was arrested on May 5 on two charges of sex abuse in the third degree involving a minor.

Anthony Phillip Carrasco, 41, was arrested by the Eugene Police Department in the late afternoon on May 5 after a weeks-long investigation that began on April 21, according to a report by the Register-Guard. He has been released from

the Lane County Jail. The identity of the victim or details behind the accusations are not currently known, but police say that he is “acquainted with the victim,” according to a statement.

Under Oregon law, a crime is considered sexual abuse in the third degree if “the person subjects another person to sexual contact and the victim does not consent to the sexual contact or the victim is incapable of consent by reason of being under 18 years of age.” It also includes “propel[ing] any dangerous substance at a victim without the consent of the victim,” with “dangerous substance” defined as bodily fluids.

Carrasco, who graduated from both LCC and the University of Oregon, had been a longtime activist and organizer in the Eugene area prior to his election to the LCC Board of Education in 2015.

Carrasco is currently President of Grupo Latino Accion Directa, a Latinx advocacy

group, and an organizer for the Oregon chapter of the labor union AFL-CIO. He has also volunteered for the city of Eugene as a Human Rights Commissioner, and an Equity and Human Rights Board Member.

Carrasco was also a moderator during the public hiring forum for Eugene’s new police chief and frequently hosts local candidate forums regarding Latinx issues in Oregon.

LCC administration and the Board of Education called the allegations a “personal matter, not college business” and declined to comment on the allegations.

Carrasco also could not be reached prior to publication.

Carrasco represents Zone 5 on the Board of Education, which includes most of central Eugene. Carrasco is due back in court on May 11 at 8:30 a.m. Changes to his employment status with the college and his myriad organizations are not immediately clear.

Wednesday, May 9th, 2018

stories that matter

theTorch // www.lcctorch.com

3

NEWS

Assault weapons caught in the crosshairs

Initiative petition 43, IP43, proposes an end to most sales, transfers or possession of assault weapons and largecapacity magazines.

illustration by Anna C.K. Smith + Cat Frink / photojournalist + production director

Potential measure for assault weapon and magazine ban challenges Oregon laws Sabrina Piccolo Reporter Oregon voters may have the opportunity to vote on a reduction on assault weapons and large-capacity magazines this November. Initiative petition 43, IP43, proposes an end to the sale, transfer or possession of certain weapons and magazines in order to “promote the public health and safety of the residents.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Oregon saw 513 firearm deaths in 2016, an increase of 27 deaths over the previous year. From 2010 through 2014, about 83 percent of the 2,280 Oregon resident deaths from firearms was due to suicide, the Oregon Health Authority states.

IP43 states that assault weapons include any semiautomatic pistol, rifle or shotgun with a revolving cylinder, conversion kit or detachable magazine that has the ability to accept over 10 rounds of ammunition. A large-capacity magazine is one that can hold over 10 rounds.

The petition states that it would be a crime if one “manufactures, imports, possesses, purchases, sells or transfers any assault weapon or large capacity magazine” beyond the exceptions in the petition. It would require that a person with any of the weapons above sell them to a firearms dealer or gunsmith, remove them from Oregon, disable them or dispose of them.

Those who want to keep an assault weapon or

large-capacity magazine that they had possessed before the petition would go into effect must register the weapon with the Oregon State Police.

They would perform background checks as well as require proof that the person has the weapon or magazine stored on their or a willing and approved third-party’s property. If the registration is successful, the person would not be allowed to purchase other assault weapons.

Initiated by three chief petitioners, the petition has gained the support of others, such as Ceasefire Oregon, a grassroots organization that advocates higher gun ownership standards, more accountability of firearm dealers and improved safety gun and gun ownership safety requirements.

Ceasefire Oregon Executive Director Penny Okamoto said that “reasonable, effective gun laws” are necessary to combat the abusive use of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, noting that although there is a magazine limit of five for hunting large game in Oregon, the state has no limit when applied to humans.

“About one person a day kills themselves with a gun,” Okamoto said.

After a shooting at a mall in Clackamas County, on Dec. 11, 2012 – in which an assault weapon was used – was followed three days later by shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut,Ceasefire Oregon helped draft a petition similar to IP43. However “it was killed quickly” by Congress, Okamoto said.

“After Sandy Hook, people were shaken with grief and shock,” Okamoto said, referring to a shooting in which 20 elementary school children were killed, “The country thought, ‘Surely, now surely, Congress will make a difference.’ But it didn’t. The legislature had the chance to act five years ago, but it didn’t.’”

Okamoto also said that not only has Congress failed to act on gun control, the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms

Act prevents citizens from suing firearms manufacturers and sellers when their products are used to commit crimes.

“We can’t sue anyone, and we can’t get Congress to act, so people are angry,” she said.

Kevin Starrett, the founder of the Oregon Firearms Federation, an organization that provides “a no-compromise voice for gun owners” and informs said owners of their Constitutional right to bear arms, opposes the initiative petition.

He said that the proposals of IP43 allow for the theft of guns from gun owners by banning all modern firearms.

These firearms are “the only firearms protected under our Constitution,” he said. Starrett also said that the petition’s terminology is misleading.

“By inventing a term – assault weapon has no technical meaning – and then defining what the term means,” he said in an email, “they have essentially hijacked the language.

‘Assault’ is a crime. Guns do not commit crimes. They could have just as easily said they were banning ‘crime guns’ and then defined ‘crime gun’ as any gun that holds more than two rounds.”

Starrett added that the support for IP43 is backed by little knowledge or consideration for the threats that such a petition, if passed, could cause.

“Banning guns will allow the state to have a monopoly on power,” he said, referencing time periods in history, such as Stalinist Russia and Cambodia under Pol Pot, in which bans or severe restrictions on guns took place.

According to the Oregon Secretary of State website, 88,000 signatures will be needed by July 6 in order for the initiative to be on the November ballot. The petition currently waits at the attorney general’s office for a ballot title. If successful, the ballot will be passed on to the secretary of state. If the measure appears on the ballot and receives a majority vote, it would go into effect in January 2019.

4

stories that matter

theTorch // www.lcctorch.com

Wednesday, May 9th, 2018

FEATURES Dancing for a cause Annual recital holds finale after 13 years Fiona W. Corrigan Reporter Dance Northwest’s Down 4 It 2018: The Final Concert will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 12 at Lane Community College’s Ragozzino Performance Hall. The concert will be the finale of a 13-yearold tradition.

The mission of Down 4 It is to “instill a lasting love and appreciation for dance through developing artistry,” Anita Sanford, founder and director of Dance Northwest

and LCC instructor, said about the decision to retire the concert after 13 years.

“It is an honor to have been a part of something that has allowed dancers to celebrate our commonality, embrace our differences and create community,” Sanford said.

“Emotions will be running high as the final curtain closes. I look forward to seeing what the artists bring to the stage.”

The dancers will perform a variety of styles including Hip Hop, Contemporary, Jazz, Tahitian, Tap and Lindy Hop. In the past, Down 4 It concerts have been an active part of the community, donating portions of proceeds to organizations such as Womenspace, the Red Cross, To Write Love on Her Arms and Food for Lane County.

This year, a silent auction will take place in the lobby before the concert and during intermission. Proceeds will be donated to Womenspace, a local nonprofit that works to end intimate partner violence in Lane County.

Dancers and choreographers from all over Oregon, including Work Dance Co., Track Town Swing and Portland's Fresh Vibe, will take part in the performance.

Tickets can be purchased for $20 online at the Dance Northwest website.

photos by Zach Bruhl /reporter

"Evolutionary Pull" (bronze, graphite, travertine) Doug Wiltshire

Talented trio of techs Studio artists featured in LCC gallery Zach Bruhl Reporter Trinity, an art exhibit, is being showcased in the Robert Hall Gallery from April 30 through May 24. Works by Anna Stehle, Douglas Wilshire and Zachary Smith are on display. Photography, sculpture, ceramics and installation art will all be featured.

Anna Stehle, an employee of the ceramics studio on main campus, has been taking part in galleries at Lane Community College for seven years, this being her sixth gallery. Stehle has accepted a job at Georgies Ceramic and Clay Co. and this will be her last gallery on campus. Stehle specializes in ceramics and photography, she has mugs, pitchers, whiskey glasses and photos on display in the gallery.

Douglas Wilshire, participating in his third gallery, has been working in the sculpture studio for four years. Specializing in sculpture, Wilshire has a collection of anatomical and abstract art on display and said he uses the galleries to “exercise his ability and showcase the mindset the program is in.”

Being featured in a Lane Community College gallery for the first time, Lane alumnus Zachary Smith comes in open-minded, saying he is “hoping that this will serve as an opportunity to showcase my work” and has no predetermined expectation for success.

Smith has worked as a volunteer in the ceramics studio in the past but has recently accepted a position in the 2-D department. Smith has different bowls on display in ranging colors and drawing attention to his style.

“It’s great to see the art out of boxes and on display” where the pieces truly belong, Smith said.

As students, faculty and staff flow in and out of the gallery, “the best part is seeing others react to artwork” Paisley Idemiller, a second-year Fine and Studio Arts student at LCC, said.

Displays on campus can help to draw in students from other majors as well. Manny Santana, an art student, started his path at Lane as a welding major and has always had a passion for working with his hands.

“I tell my girlfriend I love to have control of the creation,” Santana said in an apron spattered with paint from a day’s work. After seeing galleries like this on campus, his interest shifted from welding to art.

Some pieces will be for sale, while others are just for enjoyment The main concern of the artists is not about sales, Stehle said. She added “this is an opportunity to showcase my work” and scoffed at the idea of a sales quota for the duration of the gallery.

The gallery is open from 8am-5pm Monday through Thursday and 8am-4pm on Friday.

Wednesday, May 9th, 2018

stories that matter

theTorch // www.lcctorch.com

5

FEATURES

‘Yes, You Belong’ Diverse tech students unite in networking event Zachary Bruhl Reporter The Women in Computer Science of University of Oregon hosted the second annual Tech Together, a conference for students interested in pursuing computer science careers in the area.

“The event is coordinated as an opportunity for students to help network in the industry, gain mentorship and see the potential that the CS industry has to offer,” WiCS Chief of Recruiting and UO senior Emily Wu said.

The schedule of events included a keynote speaker, a question-and-answer panel with current female industry professionals and some one-on-one resumebuilding opportunities.

Tanya Crenshaw, Senior Software Engineer at New Relic and this year’s keynote speaker, was optimistic about the prospects for further diversification in an industry that has been traditionally dominated by white males. She and others — like her longtime friend Kristin Buxton — told stories of 150-plus-person lecture halls with three non-white, non-male students in attendance during the 1990s. As time has passed, they have noticed a shift in the “vanilla frosting” theme that has been represented in CS industry jobs. However, a 2018 study by Stanford University shows that white males still make up a larger portion of the industry than all minority groups combined does.

“I want my field to be a place where lots of different types of people can feel a sense of belonging,” Crenshaw said, adding that events like this help to reinforce the optimism they have and the values that are so dear to them.

The message was positively received immediately.

“The event was so encouraging and positive, especially in helping students, both male and female, realize that there are spaces in the tech industry for all people from all backgrounds,” Ashley Merriner, an Oregon State University student attending the conference, said.

“Being told ‘yes, you belong’ from industry leaders like our keynote speaker was incredibly motivating,” Merriner added.

However, they realize this change won’t come overnight and hope people aren’t discouraged when their hard work doesn’t yield immediate change or results.

“When your head is down and you’re in it, you don’t realize what or how you are improving,” Crenshaw said. “Allow yourself a chance to get out into the world and see what you’ve changed and how or what you’ve improved.”

UO CS advisor Kelly Pratt has seen firsthand how this event and ones like this can drastically help people within the field, confessing that “CS can be full of introverts, and this can offer an example of how to network within the industry.”

Speakers at the event went as far as taking time out of their talks to encourage and even force networking to take place right in the auditorium. This included having attendees get out of their seats to introduce themselves to someone else within the room and even urging them to exchange contact information and send a follow-up text or email.

WiCS have high hopes for increased diversity at future events and within the industry. Bringing in real life examples seems to be the best way to accomplish that. As Crenshaw said, “I want to offer inclusion here in a major that has lacked it in the past, and I offer a living example of how it’s done.” With the help of a recent grant, WiCS will be able to hold this event for the foreseeable future.

photos by Sterling S. Gonzalez /photojournalist

University of Oregon student Emily Wu (center) focuses on Tanya Crenshaw as she delivers her speech. Wu is the Chief of Recruiting for Women in Computer Science at UO and is paursuing degrees in economics, mathematics and computer science.

"Allow yourself a chance to get out into the world and see what you’ve changed and how or what you’ve improved."

—Tanya Crenshaw Senior Software Engineer at New Relic

Tanya Crenshaw delivers a speech aimed to encourage women to pursue jobs in computer science.

Definitive non-binary book released Author and gender scholar to visit Lane Marek Belka Reporter Non-binary scholar and librarian Charlie McNabb will host an interactive book reading and discussion about the legacy and representation of non-binary gender identities in popular culture at Lane Community College on May 9.

McNabb, a graduate of the University of Oregon, is the author of “Nonbinary Gender Identities: History, Culture, Resources,” a new book that explores non-binary gender representation and legacies in the United States. In addition, their book provides an extensive guide to other books and media about non-binary genders, including academic theses,

fictional works, movies, TV shows and online publications.

McNabb also runs their own consulting firm, based in Salem, which specializes in cultural sensitivity training, archival work and crafting annotated bibliographies highlighting literature from marginalized communities.

The talk is sponsored by both the LCC Library and the Gender Equity Center.

“We just wanted to get the word out about someone who has lived the experience,” Jerry de Leon, director of the Gender Equity Center, said. “To be able to share their expertise in an academic fashion is important for other people’s experience.”

McNabb’s book comes at a pivotal moment in the struggle for non-binary representation, as more young Americans begin to identify somewhere between the male and female ends of the gender spectrum. While there have been few statistical analyses of the non-binary population in the United States, a study published by the National Institute of

Health estimates that between one million and five million transgender and non-binary Americans live openly in the U.S.; this number is likely to rise considerably in the next few years. Legal representation is growing too: in 2017, Oregon became the first state to legally recognize non-binary as a third gender option on driver’s licenses, with California and Washington, D.C. following soon after. With the publication of McNabb’s comprehensive volume of non-binary literature, both activists and academics can further explore the voice and work of non-binary Americans.

“The idea of gender equity is very important to us here at Lane,” LCC interim library director Linda Crook said.

“And we’re very excited to bring this voice to campus.”

According to Crook, the college has purchased a copy of McNabb’s book for the library and will also be offering discount coupons to students who wish to purchase one.

The reading will be held in the LCC Library in Room 229 on Wednesday, May 9 at 2 p.m.

6

stories that matter

theTorch // www.lcctorch.com

Wednesday, May 9th, 2018

SPORTS

Titans shine at Twilight Lane competes at UO Twilight meet before heading to NWAC Championships Noah Noteboom Reporter On April 17, the University of Oregon announced that the historic Hayward Field will undergo a $500 million renovation. On May 4th, the last regular season track meet was held on the field until 2020, when the renovations are scheduled to be finished.

The University of Oregon Twilight meet is the last home meet for UO athletes before they compete in the upcoming PAC-12 Championships held at Stanford University on May 12-13. For a few Lane runners, it is the last meet before

the NorthWest Athletic Conference Championships held in Gresham, Oregon.

“I was a little disappointed with my results, but you can’t not enjoy competing at Hayward Field,” Lane pole vaulter Morgan Fossen said about the possibility of this being her last meet at Hayward Field. Fossen came in second in the women’s pole vault, jumping 11’-9.75”.

On the men's side, three Titans placed in the top five in the pole vault. Bai Abiello and Nathan Wirth placed fourth and fifth, while sophomore Corey Sledge came in second with a final jump of 16’-2”.

Other jumpers included Jacob Williams, whose 23’-4.5” long jump was good enough to take home first place. In the men's triple jump, Titan Able Williams placed third with a jump of 45’-1”.

The Titan men’s 4x100 meter relay team set a new season record with a run of 41.71 seconds, which placed them second ahead of teams like Clackamas and SouthWest Oregon, who they will be competing against in the NWAC Championships.

“It was a rough beginning of the season, but we knew things would come together,” said Jacoby McNamara, the anchor leg in the Lane 4x100 relay team.

McNamara would also compete in the 100m and 200m races later in the meet. In the 100m, McNamara raced against former Olympian and Oregon Duck Devon Allen, who set meet records in both the 100m and 110m hurdles in his return to Hayward Field. McNamara placed fourth overall in the 200m with a time of 21.49 seconds.

In the women’s 200m, two Titans placed in the top five. Freshman Shayla Noil placed third and sophomore Carly Kleefeld finished in fifth. Noil posted a time of 24.86 seconds, while her teammate, Kleefeld, ran a 25.25.

Noil came just 0.06 seconds shy of breaking the school record held by Allie Church, who went on to compete at Division 1 Oregon State.

20 Lane track and field athletes have met the qualifying time or measurement to compete at the NWAC Championships, which will be held at Mt. Hood Community College on May 21-22.

photos by Noah Noteboom /reporter

Sophomore Nolan Bylenga stays ahead of the pack in the men’s 800-meter race at Hayward Field. Bylenga placed sixth in his heat, running a time of 1:54.45.

The Twilight meet was likely the last opportunity for many Lane track and field athletes to compete at the legendary Hayward Field.

Wednesday, May 9th, 2018

stories that matter

theTorch // www.lcctorch.com

7

SPORTS

Titan jumper Jacob Williams takes his second attempt in the long jump competition at the UO Twilight meet on April 4 at Hayward Field. Williams’ best jump of the day was 23’-4.5” which earned him a first place finish in the event.

Sophomore sprinter Jacoby McNamara looks to the finish line during the men’s 200-meter race in Friday’s Twilight meet at Hayward Field. McNamara also competed in the 4x100-meter relay and the 100-meter race. He placed second in the relay and 10th in the 100-meter dash.

Sarah Curran, currently a sophomore finishing up at Lane, jumped 33’-7.5” in her best attempt at the triple jump event Friday afternoon.

8

stories that matter

theTorch // www.lcctorch.com

Wednesday, May 9th, 2018

SPORTS

Lane clinches playoff spot

photos by Sterling S. Gonzalez /photojournalist

After a tough start on the mound for Harrison Grow, relief pitcher Bryce Mulcahy throws out some warm up pitches to start the inning. Mulcahy had a strong outing only allowing four hits and throwing three strikeouts in five innings played.

Nine straight playoff appearances for Lane Noah Noteboom Reporter The Lane baseball team secured a spot in the NorthWest Athletic Conference playoffs with two home wins against the Clackamas Cougars on Thursday, May 3. The Titans are wedged in second place behind the Linn-Benton Roadrunners and one spot ahead of Clackamas. With only nine games left in the regular season, they are gearing up to take it one step further than their NWAC semi-final loss last season against Linn-Benton.

The bats were swinging early as the Titans and Cougars racked up 11 hits in just the first three innings. Lane managed to score one run in the second inning, but Clackamas turned up the pressure and scored four runs in the third to take a 5-1 lead. Titan Logan Zozaya scored Lane’s first run after sophomore second baseman Jayden Hanna hit a single past the Cougar infield defense.

The Titan defense allowed zero runs after giving up four in the third inning.

Sophomore pitcher Bryce Mulcahy came into the game in the third inning and earned the win for the Titans as he allowed just four hits and struck out three Clackamas batters in five innings of action.

Things slowed down offensively until the bottom of the fifth inning when seven different Titans got on base. The Titans managed to score five runs and take their first lead of the game thanks to a Hank Forrest single that drove in Zozaya and outfielder Tim Storms to put the score at 6-5.

The Titans scored three more runs before the game was over, comfortably winning 9-5. Storms and Hanna led the team with three hits and two RBIs each.

Lane rode their defensive momentum into the second game, shutting out the Cougars 6-0. They allowed only two hits in seven innings of play.

Sophomore shortstop Lane Kashiwamura led the Titans with two hits and two runs.

While the red-hot Roadrunners clinched the top spot in the Southern Region, the Titans will try to take down the Roadrunners who haven't lost a game since March 30. For Lane, this will be the ninth straight year the Titans have made it to the NWAC playoffs, and seventh straight under head coach Josh Blunt.

Lane traveled to Chemeketa over the May 5 weekend and came out with just a single win. But the Titans return to Titan Field on Monday to face Linn-Benton for the first time since last year’s semi-final game when the Titans fell short of the NWAC Championship. The first pitch is scheduled to be thrown on Tuesday May 8 at 4 p.m.

Third baseman Logan Zozaya keeps his eye on the ball as he looks to lay down a bunt.

Zozaya finished the day with no hits but crossed the plate twice in the game against Clackamas on May 3.