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Chess

LA VIDA NEWS OPINION SPORTS

A College of Media & Communication class, Maymester to

Mayoral candidates weigh in on Prop A

By AUSTIN WOOD News RepoRteR

Lubbock voters will make a decision on decriminalizing the possession of less than four ounces of marijuana on May 4.

After the City Council unanimously rejected a measure to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana last November, this measure was sent to the voters in the form of Proposition A, which will read on the ballet as:

The code of ordinances of the City of Lubbock shall be amended by enacting an initiative ordinance creating “Freedom Act Lubbock” including measures to reduce enforcement of low-level marijuana offenses.

The full text of the ordinance cites overstretched law enforcement resources and discriminatory enforcement practices as wrongs that will be righted by its passage. The ordinance calls for the Lubbock Police Department to cease issuing citations

and carrying out arrests for Class A and Class B misdemeanor marijuana possession – meaning any amount less than four ounces.

“When you look at the arrest and the racial breakdown,” said mayoral candidate Adam Hernandez, one of the main organizers behind Freedom Act Lubbock. “Even the age breakdown of those arrests. It’s just disproportionately impacting certain sectors of our community, which is not good in any sense.”

Hernandez said Prop A will allow law enforcement to focus on more pressing concerns in the community.

“Lubbock in particular,” Hernandez said, “We have a lot of serious, serious issues in terms of crime that I think most of us would like our officers to focus their time on versus somebody has a joint in their car.”

Project Destiny Texas, the main force behind Lubbock becoming a “sanctuary city for the unborn,”

constitutes the main opposition to Prop A. Their website, projectdestinytexas.com, warns of the threat of “illegal, unregulated marijuana,” which “destroys communities, lives and the future.”

Project Destiny also has begun to display highly visible signs around Lubbock, which state “Protect Lubbock, Vote Against Prop A.” It cites laced marijuana, health risks and underage use as dangers of the bill. Its website estimates that four ounces of marijuana can be used to make 250 marijuana cigarettes.

“I’m very opposed to the proposition that’s on the ballot,” said District 4 Councilman and mayoral candidate Steve Massengale at a mayoral forum recently hosted by the Fire and Police Associations. “I already voted against it once. Here’s what you need to know: it’s against the law – if it were passed it would be confusing to law enforcement. We’ve got to be very cautious about

ordinances like this. It’s probably the beginning of other things that could come.”

There has been some controversy about the legality of Prop A if passed. Other cities in Texas that have passed similar measures such as Austin, San Marcos, Killeen, Elgin and Denton, are currently being sued by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton for

decriminalizing in contradiction with state law.

Lubbock Mayor Tray Payne and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott have both publicly stated they believe local decriminalization violates the State Constitution.

Election day falls on May 4.

Tech legacy extends through Bloss, Jackola

Bloss embraces challenges, success of Masked Rider

On Dec. 16, 2023, Lauren Bloss rode on the back of her beloved horse Centennial Champion as it charged across Louisiana’s Independence Field to the beat of the Matador Song. Bloss recalled the intense sounds of the fireworks and the rush of her last football game as the 62nd Masked Rider.

Bloss, a graduating fourth-year animal science major from El Paso, officially ended her term as Masked Rider on April 19 in the Transfer of the Reigns ceremony. In opening remarks, Bloss detailed the impact of her year, from learning skills of resilience to embracing a new-found sense of confidence.

“For the first time in my life, I wasn't to be made fun of,” Bloss said. “Instead I was accepted and loved. Little did I know that in becoming the Masked Rider, I would not only get the journey of a lifetime but a family.” Before coming to Texas Tech, Bloss said she battled with mental illness.

“The barn was where I went to escape. However at school, I was bullied for my love for horses,” Bloss said. “Kids mocked me and went so far as to put pictures of dead horses in my locker.” Bloss said she would not be here without her mom Wendy Bloss’ support on some of her toughest days in high school.

“Oh my gosh, it's been unbeliev-

able,” Wendy Bloss said. “Like just to watch her growth from where she started to where she ended is just phenomenal.”

Seeing Lauren Bloss in one of her happiest moments at Transfer of the Reins, Wendy Bloss said one would not know the work God did in her.

Her dad Leigh Bloss held back tears.

“I think the role fit her, and she fit the role,” Leigh Bloss said. “And I don't know, I felt like they really matched and it was a dream come true for her, and we just got to come along for the ride.”

Stephanie Rhode, spirit program director, acknowledged many challenges in Lauren Bloss’ tenure, from horse injuries to being the first Masked Rider since the program started charging for appearances.

Through everything, Rhode said she handled it professionally.

“You (Lauren Bloss) were ready to go. You were at the Equestrian Center. You were in costume, and the horse was ready to get out. We were riding on the insurance approval,” Rhode said during the Transfer of the Reigns ceremony.

By MARIANNA SOURIALL editoR-iN-Chief

Jackola finds purpose through Raider Red

Raider Red, one of Texas Tech’s mascots, comes to life through each person who zips up the red suit.

And for Holden Jackola, the experience of being Raider Red is one he said gave him life.

“I tried out for Raider Red twice,” Jackola said. “And the second time, I got it. I finally felt I had done something for me. I had gotten something by myself, for myself. I was going to be able to do every dance I wanted to, and they would just say, ‘That’s just Raider Red.’”

Jackola’s term ended at the April 19 Transfer of the Guns ceremony, an event where the coveted mascot role is passed on to the next.

“We waited until one hour before the game and had to make the decision that we weren't going to run. That was trying. That was the game that we didn't get to run.” Despite tribulations, Lauren Bloss said God worked through Centennial Champion and those around her to make this year an imperfect yet perfect one.

Lauren Bloss said she prayed before each game, and as the year continued, she began to see ladybugs; the ladybugs became a symbol of hope.

One of the most notable ladybug sightings, she said, was on the Masked Rider’s 70th anniversary when she successfully ran before many former Masked Riders amidst nerves and high anticipation.

“I finally figured it out that later that night. I grabbed a bucket to clean out his (Centennial Champion’s) water, and guess what I see? A tiny little ladybug at the bottom,” Lauren Bloss said. “I immediately started crying and praising God because that little ladybug was a reminder that God is always faithful. And from then on, I knew that because God brought me to it, He was gonna see me through it for the rest of the year.”

Prior to becoming Raider Red, Jackola said in opening remarks, he lacked a sense of identity in his life.

“For a long time, when I came to Tech, I thought I wasn’t worth much,” Jackola said. “That I never did anything for myself. That I couldn’t get through something without someone else’s help, or I got something because I was part of a group.”

ing in the suit, “but for some reason people say smile and (I) smile in the photo.”

Em Jackola, Holden Jackola’s sister, said she is proud of the impact Holden Jackola has made on the Tech community.

“I haven’t had a chance to go to any of his games yet,” Em Jackola said. “So getting to see him do this has been really, really neat to understand how important he is to the campus and to so many people. It’s really humbling.”

While traditionally the role of Red Raider is assumed by two people, this year Holden Jackola was the only individual named to the position.

“That’s the only reason I was able to do 500 events was because I needed to step up and take over and I worked my hardest to make sure that I was around,” He said.

In the 2023-34 academic season, Raider Red traveled to New York, making appearances on the TODAY Show and in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

I finally felt I had done something for me. I had gotten something for myself, by myself.

HOLDEN JACKOLA

FOURTH-YEAR BFA ACTING

MAJOR FROM SAN ANTONIO

Becoming Raider Red enabled Jackola to find purpose in bringing joy to others.

From the tiny child hands who hit the mascot’s black boots to the smiles shared in each photo, Jackola recalled his favorite memories during the Transfer of the Guns ceremony.

“You know, you can’t talk,” Jackola said in reference to be -

Additionally, the friendly cowboy rode a motorcycle across Jones AT&T Stadium during football games, a memory Jackola recalled in nervous laughter. The mascot head almost fell off, he said, when the bike took off.

Holden Jackola said he found a friend in Raider Red, and by the end of his tenure, the characteristics of the mustachioed mascot are the ones he hopes to encompass one day.

“To me, he’s something I strive to be — unforgiving. He doesn’t ask permission to dance, to find his way into the front of photos. He’s a man of very few words but always has something to say, and you know what he’s thinking,” Holden Jackola said.

Grandmaster Alexander Onischuk extends his professional experience to the next generation of competitors.

Marfa, will offer journalism experience at the border.

Andrew Goodrich, a staffer at The DT, details the best places to vacation this summer on a budget.

Texas Tech football wide receiver Haydon Wiginton breaks into the country music scene with his debut album on the horizon.

MAKAYLA PEREZ/The Daily Toreador A student advocates for Proposition A voting outside the SUB April 25, 2024.

JACOB LUJAN/The Daily Toreador Lauren Bloss, the 62nd Masked Rider, laughs at the Transfer of the Reigns. The event officially signifies the end of Bloss’ tenure and beginning of the 63rd Rider’s term on April 19,2024.

JACOB LUJAN /The Daily Toreador Holden Jackola passes on the role of Raider Red, which he held during Texas Tech’s Centennial year, to the next friendly cowboy at the Passing

Chess Grandmaster trains next generation

By CHRISTIAN JETER Features Writer

Backed by his extensive experience and numerous accolades, Alexander Onischuk continues his legacy as a chess Grandmaster while teaching the next generation of chess players.

Now serving as a head coach and program director of the Texas Tech Chess Program, Onischuk has played in several national and international chess championships over the course of

ACCOLADES

his career.

Born in the Soviet Union, Onischuk is a UkrainianAmerican who took to playing chess at a young age and eventually found himself climbing the chess ladder.

Coaching students in a classroom is different from playing in the field, Onischuk said. He still feels the drive to win, but it is contrasted by a desire to see his players improve.

“I am still extremely competitive myself. So, when my students have beaten me,

and that happens from time to time, I have this conflict,” Onischuk said. “On the one hand, as a competitive person, I feel so bad because I want to beat them back for revenge. But on the other hand, I feel happy because everyone will progress, and my goal overall is for everyone on the team to get a little bit better.”

Emil Risteski, a first-year mathematics major from Skopje, North Macedonia, and member of the chess team, said training under

Ranch Horse Team secures championship

By PETER PIERUCCI staFF Writer

The Texas Tech Ranch Horse team won its fourth consecutive national championship on April 15 in Amarillo, claiming the Division I national title and bringing home the Hughes Horse Trailer.

Teghan Brooks, a senior animal science major from Wolfforth, has been with the team for the last four national championships.

“Words can hardly describe it, but gosh, it’s just incredible,” Brooks said. “Simply put, it’s incredible just to see where it all started freshman year to what it’s become now. It’s changed for the better.”

Justin Stanton, head coach of the team, said he has been blessed to be able to win the championship for the past four years. He said the students faced a lot of pressure but were able to keep working hard to win.

“The amount of mistakes

that we had at the show were far fewer than we’ve ever had,” Stanton said, “and I think it’s due to that pressure and these kids taking that pressure well and coming out on top of it.”

The team competes in

Simply put, it’s incredible just to see where it all started freshman year to what it’s become now. It’s changed for the better.

TEGHAN BROOKS RANCH TEAM MEMBER

four different events, Stanton said, which include cow work, reining, ranch trail and ranch riding.

“There’s two go-rounds,” Stanton said. “Each competitor will step into the showpen eight times over the course of two days.”

The team took 25 riders,

Onischuk is a memorable learning experience due to his mastery of the sport.

“With his experience, he helps us a lot because I think that the comments he gives are really useful for our chess improvement,” Risteski said, “because he has an understanding of the game that is much better than probably anyone here.”

Onischuk said he values bonding with his players both in the classroom and during outside competitions.

“One of the challenges of collegiate sports, collegiate chess as well, is that young people graduate. Once you’ve built a strong team, you only have maybe one chance, one season that you have this bigger team that can try to win,” Onischuk said. “I wish they could stay but, of course, being realistic I understand that’s impossible. But it keeps me going. I mean, you can never really relax with collegiate games or sport ideas. You will constantly have to work in a constant process.”

Viktor Matviishen, a fourth-year economics major from Vinnytsia, Ukraine, who is also a member of the team, said many members attended Tech due to the chance of working under Onischuk.

“He’s a very famous

ROBOTICS

each bringing their own horse, but only six competed, Stanton said. Two riders were in each of three classes: non-pro, limited and novice.

Kacy Mauer, a junior agricultural communications and general business major from Evant, spoke on her experience competing in the limited non-pro class at the national championship.

“I mean, it’s really kind of surreal when you all get together, and you all have a common goal, of course of winning,” Mauer said. “But also at the same time, you have a common goal of cheering all your teammates on and wanting them all to do well.”

Mauer said she loves how team members used the wins for a bigger message.

“For the most part, everyone always gives credit to God, and I think that’s just amazing,” Mauer said. “It helps the team stand out and not in a prideful way, but it’s a team effort.”

Grandmaster, and I believe that he’s a good coach. Since I came here, I did manage to improve, and I have learned a lot,” Matviishen said with a smile. “I think it’s one of the reasons we came here was because of Alex. We have one of the most famous chess players in the world.”

One of the former top100 players in the world, Onischuk has led over 20 years of victories in the world of chess. After winning several tournaments, including the U.S. Championship in 2006, he achieved the title of Grandmaster.

Upon accepting an offer to teach at Tech in 2012, he has since coached the chess team and led them to two victories in their 2015 and 2019 Pan-American Chess Championship wins.

As he rose the ranks of his career, Onischuk said he began to play and meet with higher echelons of notable opponents holding high ranks in the chess landscape.

“Almost all the best players in the world – I played most of them,” Onischuk said. “Of course, playing with them, you know, working with them, I did work with some of the world champions, although I was learning more from them than they were from me, but it was a great experience.”

Onischuk has played a myriad of different chess opponents, including Garry Kasparov and Magnus Carlsen – two former chess world champions. He also has faced individuals who played José Capablanca, a former Cuban world champion who pioneered one of the earliest records of continuous tournament victories.

While only a teenager, Onischuk said he knew he would quickly become a high-level chess competitor after winning several tournaments.

“When I was 15, I qualified to play in the World Championship under 16, where I finished second,” Onischuk said. “I would say then I knew that I would probably become a professional player.”

Now mentoring skilled and knowledgeable students, Onischuk said he has a mutual respect for them and tries to learn from his players just as they learn from him.

“Chess-wise, all my students bring in some new ideas,” Onischuk said. “They’re so competitive, even for me, so it’s kind of hard to just come unprepared and try to impress them.”

Engineering students present capstone projects

By GRACE HAWKINS Features Writer

As their college journey wraps up, the mechanical engineering seniors in the Design II course showed off the final projects they’ve been working on for two semesters Monday at the Mechanical Engineering Capstone Expo.

Professor Turgut Baturalp, who has taught the course since 2020, said the students in his section have worked hard over the semester to prepare for the expo.

“We have a variety of projects,” Baturalp said. “We have healthcare-related ones, like surgical tools, for example. We also have robotics-related and competition-related projects.”

Noah Curry and his group, in Baturalp’s section, designed and built a diver propulsion vehicle, allowing divers more range of motion in the water. The group utilized 3D printers, thruster motors and an Arduino to build their product.

“Our group chose to do a hands-free DPV because we thought we found a hole in the market,” Curry said. “The process of putting it together was simple once all the electronics were established.”

Curry and his group won

the Innovation Award, given out to only one project at the expo.

Michael Stegman and his group, also in Baturalp’s section, built a bicycle that utilizes both gas and electric motors to achieve more efficient transportation.

“The goal is to have the electric motor bring the bike up to a certain speed for the gas motor to maintain the speed, while also being able to increase the speed of the bike,” Stegman said.

The bike is powered by a 50cc gas motor, a fuel tank, two 22.2 volt batteries, a front-wheel electric motor and an exhaust. The group said the biggest challenge was assembling the wiring for the motors.

Professors Jeff Hanson and Stefania Chirico also teach the Design II course.

Nicholas Heller and his group, in Chirico’s section, built a step-cart for retail customers who are under 5’5” to be able to reach items on a tall shelf.

“What we discovered through customer discovery was that older people, like our grandparents or maybe our moms, can’t reach the top shelf at a grocery store, they always have to ask someone,” Heller said.

The cart works by using a four-bar linkage system that allows for extension and

retraction and can be added to the base of a shopping cart to add an extra foot of height.

In Hanson’s section, Eugine Ogaro and his group built a miniature golf robot that can putt a golf ball through a series of nine obstacles. The bot is made from a lithium battery-powered drill motor connected to a golf putter. Those components are on a robotic drive train powered by an Arduino and two motor drivers.

The project won the Technical Award at the expo and will be presented at the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Student Design Competition in June.

There were 30 design teams and projects presented at Monday’s expo. Each team worked for two semesters to come up with the design and fabrication of the project, all things that are useful for future jobs, Baturalp said.

“They are experiencing collaboration, organization, time schedules, project budgeting and things like that,” Baturalp said. “Other than that, they are getting hands-on experience. They are doing the machining and assembly from scratch, and having to buy all the parts they need.”

MAKAYLA PEREZ/The Daily Toreador

An American Society of Mechanical Engineers golf robot is presented at the Mechanical Engineering Expo inside the Red Raider Ballroom April 29, 2024. The project won the expo’s Technical Award.

JACOB LUJAN/The Daily Toreador

Alexander Onischuk, program director and head coach of the Texas Tech chess team, earned the title of international Grandmaster at age 19. A former top-100 player, U.S. champion and 2013 Pan-American Continental Champion, Onischuk now guides current students and players as they grow in the game.

@CJeter_DT

Maymester cultivates real-world exposure

By ELENE KHAJISHVILI staff wRiteR

Texas Tech’s College of Media & Communication, partnering with West Texas Human Rights Retreat, will embark on a Maymester multimedia journalism course on migration, human rights and environmental impact in Marfa.

The program will be led by professors Lyombe Eko, TJ Martinez and Melissa Santillana from May 12-25.

“I was a journalist in Africa, and I have seen my colleagues get thrown in jail, so I decided that I was going to write a human rights retreat,” Eko, a William S. Morris Professor in Innovation, Journalism and Information, said.

Situated on 18 acres in the Davis Mountains near Fort Davis, the West Texas Human Rights Retreat is a global sanctuary for writers, journalists, artists and intellectuals facing persecution, according to its website.

“West Texas Human Rights Retreat (WTHR) is an international haven of freedom of expression and human rights,” Eko said. “Each fall, the retreat hosts human rights fellows whose rights have been violated in their home countries. ”

Through the study-away Maymester, the program curriculum aims to introduce students to the underreported stories of the borderlands, Eko said.

“We will take 10 students to the Texas Tech Center at Junction to spend nights at the hotel and travel to the border, which is approximately four hours away to drive,” Eko said.

The number of students enrolled has since increased to 11.

A van will shuttle students from the Lubbock campus to Junction, Eko said.

“The goal is to take a group of students to the borderlands, where they can interact with Mexican and

American journalists,” Eko said. “We want to compare the climate of fear experienced by Mexican journalists with the climate of flux on the American side.”

Students enrolled will utilize different media throughout the course.

“Students will have hands-on experience with multimedia production, including photography and drone usage,” Eko said. “We want to capture the essence of the borderlands and document interviews with key stakeholders.”

The program will not just be for the students involved, but for the community seeking a deeper understanding of the challenges posed by the borderlands between the United States and Mexico.

“At its core, this program is about immersing students in the reality of journalism,” said Martinez, an assistant professor of practice in Journalism & Creative Media Industries. “We want them to

see, firsthand, the challenges and nuances of covering such a critical issue.”

Students will embark on visits to border areas, including Texas and Mexico, where they will witness the physical landscape and engage with local communities.

“We’re not just teaching journalism — we’re cultivating storytellers,” Martinez said.

The program will host Mexican journalists in Marfa, providing students with perspectives from those directly affected by and reporting on the immigration situation.

Central to the program’s curriculum is the integration of multimedia journalism techniques. Under the guidance of instructors with expertise in video production, students will learn how to conduct interviews, capture footage and craft narratives.

“As someone with a background in broadcast journalism, I’m passionate about instilling these foundational skills in our students,” Martinez said. “It’s about preparing them to be effective journalists in an ever-evolving media landscape.”

Students will gain a deeper understanding of the issues they cover and build connections with the Mexican journalists.

“In today’s world, realworld experience is invaluable, whether it’s through this program or others like it,” Martinez said. “I encourage students to seize every opportunity to broaden their horizons.”

Mental health resources combat summer stress

By KAYLA STONE News RepoRteR

Students have access to on-campus and virtual mental health resources to combat stress from classes over the two-part summer term. These courses require the same content at accelerated rates and can impact student mental health.

Both full- and halfsummer classes are offered, senior director of University

Advising Catherine Nutter

said. The change in pace decreases down time between assignments, which can lead to stress.

“Summer courses are the same courses we teach in spring and fall. They just run at an accelerated rate,” Nutter said. “Some of those courses run for five weeks, which means you need to put in about three times as much work and about a third of the amount of time.”

Students may take summer courses to replace grades from earlier terms,

Nutter said. Courses taken over the summer will require the same assessments and learning outcomes.

“There’s as many quizzes or as many tests and things of that nature,” Nutter said. “So it really is just not as many days in between assignments.”

Senior biology major from Wichita Falls Tanner Beard said he believes students choosing to take summer classes should weigh the pros and cons before enrolling. One major con is the shorter

time allotted.

“I would say it’s a little bit different given how you only have like a month or two a whole semester,” Beard said. “So there’s a bit more of a time crunch to try to learn the material.”

For students dealing with stress over the summer term, the Student Counseling Center will be open to actively-enrolled students on campus and in the Lubbock area, said Austin Wade, assistant director for Group & Outreach Services

of the SCC.

Students enrolled in any summer course will have access throughout the summer.

Students not enrolled for a summer course who want access to SCC resources are required to pay a fee through Student Health Services prior to any appointment, Wade said.

“[The SCC] is available throughout the summer. The resources that we provide are available to students who are actively enrolled,” Wade, a

licensed psychologist, said.

“We do promote Tech’s contracted virtual therapy resource that’s free to all students as well.”

Students who are away from campus and need assistance or mental health support are able to utilize Telus, Wade said. Telus is a virtual therapy and ondemand support resource students have free access to when setting up their account with Tech credentials.

@KaylaStoneDT

@EleneKDT

AYNSLEY LARSEN/The Daily Toreador

Students enrolled in JOUR 4301 will travel to Marfa for a Maymester course on reporting on international issues and conflicts.

Beat the heat on a budget

Over the vast almost 270,000 square miles of land the Lone Star State offers, there is no excuse for not finding a spot to get away from the heat this summer, especially on a budget.

Spanning across Texas, I have five spots accessible within a three-hour drive of at least one side of the state.

South Plains: Buffalo Springs Lake

For those staying in Lubbock this summer, I have a place for you. Just under a half-hour to the southeast lies Buffalo Springs Lake.

Sandy Point Beach and Marina Beach are the two places to swim in the lake that deliver a great day trip to cool off. Gate admission costs $16 for adults.

Texas Hill Country: Guadalupe River

In the just over 10-mile distance between New Braunfels and Canyon Lake lies the Guadalupe River. The Horseshoe, a short section of the river, is a half-hour

to six-hour float depending on which option you pick. The river is about 65 degrees Fahrenheit and provides a relaxing and fun float, especially in the rapids section. The experience is customizable as you can bring your speaker as well as a cooler for beverages (alcohol is allowed).

Local tube rentals hover around $20, and hotels can be found for around $150 a night. El Paso: Balmorhea State Park A three-hour drive east of El Paso sits Balmorhea State Park. The pool there is supplied by water from the San Solomon Springs and reaches a depth of 25 feet. Access to the pool is included with the

When people think of the phrase ‘working out,’ they imagine being in a weight room full of blaring music surrounded by yelling basketball teams, barbells slamming against racks and the sound of stomping on a treadmill. This isn’t the typical study space that most people imagine. However, there may be more mental benefits to this unconventional scenario than many believe.

“Many students experience a high stress level during finals,” according to studies by institutes like Georgetown Uni -

versity. This is often due to crunch time essays, multi-chapter calculus exams and long study sessions that last endless hours into the night. All these obstacles can contribute to an anxietyinducing ending to the academic year.

$7 entrance fee to the park. Hotels in the area are around $100 a night.

DFW Metroplex: Little Elm Beach

On Lake Lewisville, almost an hour north of Dallas, lies Little Elm Beach. The beach is smaller, but still provides a way to cool off on a short day trip. If you have a Texas boating license, there are ski and pontoon boats available to rent as well. A $10 parking fee gives access to the beach. There are over 20 restaurants nearby for a quick meal. Hotels in the area cost around $100 a night. East Texas:

Tyler State Park

The lake at Tyler State Park spreads across 64 acres and is fed by a spring. It also features a platform about 25 yards off the shore to jump off of. Admission to the park costs $6 for adults and gives you access to the lake. Hotels in the area hover around $100 per night.

@AndrewG_DT

Raider Red’s final countdown

level.

Often, exercise is seen as a chore rather than an activity and therefore is easily tossed aside when it comes time to prepare for exams. Yet, working out does something very unique for our bodies.

Relieving these stresses can be accomplished in a variety of ways: hanging out with friends, watching a good movie and much more. However, working out is an easy avenue to overlook.

... there are plenty of reasons to jump on the treadmill before opening that textbook.

Whether it be running five miles or maxing on bench press, when performing a moderate amount of exercise our bodies begin to activate our endorphins, or our “feel-good” neurotransmitters. These endorphins can not only alleviate stress, but also better incentivize the brain to focus when necessary.

The Mayo Clinic has done extensive research into understanding how training the body can also train the mind. One of its studies from August 2022 focused on how physical activity could relieve

mental stress. “As you begin to regularly shed your daily tensions through movement and physical activity, you may find that this focus on a single task, and the resulting energy and optimism, can help you stay calm, clear and focused in everything you do.”

When lifting a weight, muscles receive tiny rips and tears all over the tendon. When these damages heal, muscles will be stronger than before. This healing is done by way of more blood flow traveling to and from the damaged muscle.

However, exercising also extends this stronger blood flow to the brain as well. This can rejuvenate the neurons and transmitters in the brain, resulting in a much stronger concentration

Highway division

56. Crucial component of a Catholic sacrament

57. Harbinger

59. Removed with surgical precision

61. Even more like 64-across

62. Prism productions

63. Artist with albums that include “21” and “25” 64. “Give me a hard one next time!”

DOWN

1. Tennis star Williams

2. Speak from a pulpit

3. Scientific prefix

4. Brainy bunch

5. Former org. for Edward Snowden

6. “___ A Sketch”

7. Mechanical, as memorization

8. Car with a “u” that stands for “Utility”

9. Was aware of

10. Super soon

11. Decrease in quality

12. Miss an early morning final exam, perhaps 14. Drink served by a barista

17. Recycling container

19. Antlered animal

22. Setting for “The

Another research study by the University of London in May 2022 found that, “Just 20 minutes of exercise before studying can improve your concentration and help you focus your learning.”

Many of these effects are temporary. However, there are longer-lasting benefits to mental health that can be observed in exercise as well. Increased blood flow and mental clarity can lead to an improved level of memory. And, of course,

being able to better remember what you learned in class can have major positive impacts when finals season comes around. There are plenty of reasons to jump on the treadmill before opening that textbook. However, you don’t have to train like an Olympic athlete to receive many of the potential benefits.

Taking three days of 30-minute moderate exercises out of your week should be enough to boost both your physical and mental abilities, but always remember to take plenty of rest days.

@CJeter_DT

Shining”

24. Minor

28. O.J. Simpson trial Judge Lance ___

29. Medieval Scandinavian language

31. Handmade craftsselling website

32. Desert-esque

33. From the heart?

34. ___-Barbera (Scooby Doo creator)

35. Trek across 36. A long, long way to run

37. Passage to the lungs

38. One with a short fuse

41. Sound on a farm

42. Puts off 43. Eventually 44. Either end of a grin

47. Internet shorthand before summing up a lot of text

49. How often Santa checks his list

50. ”___ la vista, baby”

52. Fall behind 54. Bird house

55. Trade show

58. Martial arts master Bruce

60. Mark Zuckerberg’s role at Meta

A playable online version of this crossword and its solution are available at dailytoreador.com/ puzzles.

ADAM SIERRA/The Daily Toreador

COLUMN

Andrew Goodrich is a sophomore journalism major from Irving.

Wiginton embraces passion off the gridiron

By TY KAPLAN SportS reporter

The rolling plains of West Texas have fostered icons of country music for decades.

From the late Jimmy Dean to Texas Tech alumnus Pat Green, there has been no shortage of Honky Tonk tunes and Western Swing embedded in the Texas flatlands.

Set to release his debut country album “West Texas Dirt” on Friday, Tech football wide receiver and singer/songwriter Haydon Wiginton said being recognized alongside those names is an experience he could have never imagined.

“It’s crazy. I mean, I can’t even put it in words,” Wiginton said. “I put out a couple of songs just for me, you know. I was like, man, it’d be cool if I put some songs out, and then all of a sudden they (West Texas natives) started backing it and started supporting me. It’s just like I said, they’re great people. There’s a lot of love going around here.”

Wiginton’s journey, while still in progress, is one he said could not have been accomplished alone.

A member of the Red Raider football program, Wiginton said head coach Joey McGuire played a pivotal role in connecting the budding musician with the

SOFTBALL

local music scene and the icons he admired as a child.

“First off was David Wilde with the radio here in town. He has a show at Cook’s Garage every Thursday night, and that’s kind of where I got started,” Wiginton said. “... Coach McGuire also got me hooked up with Josh Abbott, William Clark Green, just those huge names from out here in West Texas, Flatland Cavalry. I mean, people I grew up listening to and never thought I’d meet them, you know, much less get advice from them.”

A staple of Lubbock and its red dirt music community, Cook’s Garage served as one of Wiginton’s live debuts to the Hub City. David Wilde, a music consultant and on-air host of Texas FM Live at Cooks, said from the moment he saw Wiginton perform live he knew the young performer was something special.

“I’ve seen all kinds of artists,” Wilde said. “I’ve seen the guys that think they’re rockstars right off the bat and don’t want to put in the work, and I’ve seen the guys that really put in the time and the effort. Haydon is one of those guys. You can tell he’s a true Texas guy.”

It wasn’t long after the country musician began to land more live gigs across town, one in particular be-

ing The Blue Light, a live music venue in Lubbock.

Wiginton and his group, the Haydon Wig Band, made their debut at the venue on Feb. 17, 2023, as openers for Grant Gilbert. Since then the band has been invited back for multiple shows and will host an album release on Thursday night for Wiginton’s “West Texas Dirt” album.

Lead guitarist for the Haydon Wig Band, Hayden Vancil, said the turnout they

pulled before Gilbert ended up kick-starting their relationship with the venue and the city of Lubbock.

“I think all that (returning to The Blue Light) stems from that first concert because we pulled in a ton of people,” Vancil said. “... There’s nothing that Texas Tech kids love more than football and country music, and I’ll tell you what, they show up and they show out.”

Alongside the support of the Hub City, Wiginton’s

father, Lee Wiginton, said he has traveled from Midlothian to see his son play at The Blue Light on multiple occasions.

When watching his son live for the first time, Lee Wiginton said he was overcome with emotion and felt at ease seeing how comfortable Haydon Wiginton had become on stage with his band.

“It was a completely unknown world to me, and therefore in my mind I’m

thinking it’s gonna be a completely unknown world to him,” Lee Wiginton said. “... The first one that I went to though was one of the most satisfying and proud moments of my life, you know, to see him up there, the smile on his face. The music he writes is his words and his heart and his experience, and seeing him enjoy that with his friends was just really cool to me.”

Friendship blooms between freshman standouts

according to Tech Athletics.

By ANDREW GOODRICH SportS reporter

With mostly upperclassmen in the starting lineup, two freshmen have earned their spot at the plate for Texas Tech softball.

In their first season as Red Raiders, center fielder Logan Halleman and second baseman Raegan Jennings combined to play in 74 games, solidifying their roster spots under head coach Craig Snider.

While working toward a starting role, Jennings said she found a best friend in Halleman, a friendship she said eases the tension of fitting into a new team and helps her play at a higher level.

“I’d say she (Halleman) is my best friend,” Jennings said. “She’s my roommate and we do everything together. I feel like being here would be a lot more difficult if she wasn’t here with me, especially out on the field, so I’m very grateful for her.”

Coming into their freshman year, Halleman and Jennings were no strangers to competition. Natives of the Lone Star State, the freshman duo competed at Texas 6A schools with Halleman at Flower Mound High School and Jennings at Atascocita High School.

Halleman said the quality of play and future division one athletes she faced at the high school level prepared her for the Big 12’s intensity.

“It’s very competitive,”

Halleman said. “I think that really helped me become the player I am here. I think it’s also helped playing with high-level people not just in select but in high school. I have a lot of D1 athletes there too so it pushed me to be my best.”

Similarly, Jennings said the rigorous training she became accustomed to and her high school’s push for success year-round set her up for how collegiate athletes spend their off-seasons.

“My high school was pretty competitive as well,”

Jennings said. “A lot of my teammates were very successful where they’re from too. Having that in high school I didn’t really have an offseason; we were still trying to win everything.”

Jennings and Halleman’s performances throughout their debut collegiate season place the pair third and fourth on the team, batting .337 and .329 respectively,

In addition to a consistent swing, Halleman has found success around the diamond in the form of stolen bases. The Flower Mound native has recorded 17 stolen bases this season, according to Tech Athletics, and said the backing of her teammates has helped her along the way.

“It’s a big confidence piece,” Halleman said. “My teammates behind me really push me to be the best and practice, and everyone’s very competitive out there. So knowing that I can steal (bases) out here, everyone has my back no matter what they just make me feel comfortable.”

Alongside the support of Jennings and teammates, Halleman said her father played a large role in the development of her game.

“I’d say my dad is one of the biggest contributors to my success,” Halleman said. “I work with him on the daily at home, hitting, fielding and everything. Working with him has really helped me become who I am.”

While Halleman reflected on the moments that brought her to Rocky Johnson, Jennings went on to detail what she is most proud of this season.

“Understanding that the girls I’m playing with or against are a lot older than me and they have had more time here and in college softball,” Jennings said. “ I’m more proud of the fact that

I’m being successful playing against girls that have been here for four or five years.”

Though freshmen, Snider said Halleman and Jennings contribute speed, power

and consistency to the Red Raiders.

“They’ve proven that you know you put the numbers on paper, they’re driving in runs or getting base or steal-

ing bases,” Snider said. “I’m really excited for those two freshmen for what they’ve done for us this year.”

JACOB LUJAN/The Daily Toreador

Haydon Wiginton, a junior wide receiver for Texas Tech, smiles at the audience while performing at Lubbock College Night at the

Supermarkets Arena

26, 2024. Wiginton’s debut album, “West Texas Dirt” is scheduled to release May 3.

Pair of Red Raiders drafted, six sign as UDFAs

By PETER PIERUCCI Staff Writer Demerson

The 2024 NFL draft saw two former Texas Tech Red Raiders selected as well as six others signing with teams as undrafted free agents on Saturday.

Tech added eight players to the NFL, bringing the total to 18 active NFL players who graduated from Tech. The newcomers will be joining veteran Red Raiders in the league such as Patrick Mahomes, Tyree Wilson and Jordyn Brooks.

Safety Dadrion Taylor-

and linebacker Myles Cole both were selected on day three of the draft. All-time leading punt yards holder Austin McNamara signed with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Taylor-Demerson was the first Red Raider off the board to the Arizona Cardinals with pick 104 in the fourth round. He posted a 4.41 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, according to Tech Athletics, the fastest among all safeties.

During his five-year tenure at Tech, Taylor-Demerson recorded 238 tackles,

22 pass deflections, 10 interceptions, two sacks and two forced fumbles, with his first season as a starter being 2021, according to Tech Athletics.

Taylor-Demerson is joining a Cardinals secondary that was ranked 29th this past season, according to PFF. He will have an opportunity to improve his game from veteran safeties Jalen Thompson and Budda Baker.

Cole was the final Red Raider drafted at pick 29 in the seventh round by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Transferring from Louisiana-Monroe in 2022 and making his first full-season start for Tech in 2023, Cole recorded 44 tackles, nine tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks, according to Tech Athletics.

The Jaguars’ defense was ranked 12th last season, according to PFF. This will give Cole a chance to learn from some of the top edge rushers such as Josh Allen and Travon Walker.

In the hours following the draft, Tech had six more players signed as undrafted free agents.

McNamara, who signed with the Bengals, will compete for a starting spot against current Bengals punter Brad Robbins. McNamara averaged 45.9 yards per punt with 11,341 yards punted in his five-year tenure at Tech. This puts him at the top of the record books for punting at Tech, according to Tech Athletics.

Tight end Baylor Cupp signed with the reigning Super Bowl champs Kansas City Chiefs, giving him a chance to play with Mahomes. After transferring from Texas A&M University

in 2022, according to Tech Athletics, Cupp recorded 246 yards and four touchdowns in the two years he spent at Tech.

Wide receiver Xavier White was signed by the Indianapolis Colts, which were ranked 23rd in passing offense in 2023, according to PFF. White, according to Tech Athletics, had 754 yards and six touchdowns in his 5 years at Tech. White had the fastest 40-yard dash at the Big 12 pro day with a time of 4.45 sec.

Offensive guard Cole Spencer signed with the Tennessee Titans. Spencer previously met with the Titans for the Big 12 pro day before the draft where he recorded a 4.89 40-yard dash.

Defensive back Tyler Owens signed with the Washington Commanders, which ranked 32nd in passing defense last season, according to PFF. Owens , according to Tech Athletics, recorded 56 tackles, one interception and four pass deflections at Tech after transferring from the University of Texas in 2022, according to Tech Athletics.

Defensive back Rayshad Williams joins Tyree Wilson with the Las Vegas Raiders. After transferring to Tech from the University of California Los Angeles in 2021, Owens recorded 94 tackles, one interception and 23 pass deflections in his three years at Tech.

The 2024 NFL preseason will start Aug. 9, with the regular season starting Sept. 5.

@PeterPierucciDT

JACOB LUJAN/The Daily Toreador

Texas Tech football players, clockwise from (0), Rayshad Williams, Xavier White (14) , Cole Spencer (70), Austin McNamara (31) , Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (25), Baylor Cupp (88), Tyler Owens (18) and Myles Cole (5), were all signed to play at the professional level. Cole and Taylor-Demerson were both selected on day three of the 2024 NFL draft.