02.23.21

V THE VIDETTE

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2021 Vol. 133 | No. 19

videtteonline.com

NEWS 3

MILNER FUNDRAISES TO EXPAND VIDETTE ARCHIVE GYMNASTICS SCORES UPSET SPORTS 8

Getting back in the game

Redbirds return to Hancock Stadium for season opener

F

Story by JAKE SERMERSHEIM | Sports Editor | @JakeSermersheim

or the first time since Nov. 16, 2019, Illinois State football will return to Hancock Stadium for a home game.

Since the Redbirds beat Missouri State 1712, the landscape of Redbird football and the rest of

the Football Championship Subdivision has dramatically changed. After delaying the spring season and a weather delay, the Redbirds are ready to open the 2020-21 season on Saturday against South Dakota.

See FOOTBALL on Page 7

Photograph by ALEX GANT | Photo Editor | @AlexGant16

PAGE 2 | NEWS | THE VIDETTE

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2021

ISU tentatively planning for traditional fall semester CHELSEA CORA News Reporter | @cora_chelsea

P

resident Larry Dietz and the Board of Trustees announced that Illinois State University is tentatively planning to have a traditional in-person semester come this fall as vaccine distribution and the overall pandemic continues to progress.

The board held the meeting Friday via ISU’s YouTube channel. The board passed legislation, provided updates regarding the university’s COVID-19 plans for the fall, updates regarding students who were displaced due to the fire at Sugar Creek Apartments and ISU’s engineering program.

While nothing is set in stone, Dietz and the board continue to be paying close attention to what President Joe Biden has been informing this past week regarding vaccine distribution along with COVID-19 trends among the state and nation.

The United States is supposed to have over 600 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine by the end of July which would be enough to vaccinate every single American.

As long as the U.S. stays on track for the vaccine distribution, ISU students, staff and faculty should be able to receive the vaccine before the start of the fall semester.

“My expectation is that the university will safely offer as many in-person classes as possible in the fall of 2021 as we plan for a more

traditional experience with more students in the residence halls and in-person activities and out of classroom experiences,” Dietz said.

With information and the situation changing constantly, Dietz explained that the university will continue to adhere to guidance provided by the Illinois Department of Public Health along with government officials.

Dietz said that the university will be ready to make changes based on the conditions at the time.

Members of the graduate student workers union expressed ongoing concerns pertaining to negotiations surrounding graduate student contracts and protection for international workers.

“Do the right thing Dietz, just approve a contract with raises and fee cuts for us and protect our international workers,” graduate student union member Trevor Rickerd said.

Dietz mentioned that they have met with the Service Employees International Union a total of 23 times prior.

Dietz expressed that the Board of Trustees meeting is not the time to engage in negotiations as there are specific staff at ISU that are experts in labor negotiations.

“During Wednesday’s negotiation with the SEIU Local 73, the university presented a counter proposal that included significant movement on a variety of issues,” Dietz said.

While Dietz did not go on to discuss further negotiations surrounding the Graduate

Workers Union, he did take the time to thank the work that the graduate students put into providing a learning experience while also maintaining a school and personal life.

“We understand the challenges of the multiple roles in your lives, those being of student teacher, researcher, perhaps a partner and parent, and we appreciate your contributions to the education of our undergraduate students,” Dietz said.

Twelve units at the Sugar Creek Apartment caught on fire a few hours after a train derailment earlier this month.

No lives were lost or hurt during both incidents but students at Sugar Creek have been displaced. The Dean of Students office continues to work with students who have been impacted from the Sugar Creek Apartment fire.

Dietz went to Sugar Creek apartments and visited with students along with some members of their families, and he tried to provide reassurance as much as he could.

“The Dean of Students Office continues to work with students displaced by the apartment fire to provide resources and assistance,” Dietz said.

“The office has been in regular contact with First Site Apartments who are the owners of the complex and the American Red Cross regarding assistance for the students who were relocated to a hotel until further arrangements could be made.”

Additionally, the Dean of Students Office is working with students to provide on-campus meal plans and to replace lost textbooks and laptops.

On Sunday, the Student Involvement Center and the Dean of Students distributed an estimated 20 packages to students who were affected by the fire.

An update regarding the School of Engineering was also presented at the board meeting.

The presentation discussed the engineering program proposal, the enrollment management plan and the post-pandemic vision.

The presentation explained why engineering should be an option at ISU because it would result in more students attending due to there being a higher demand for engineering, workforce development, international recruitment and how ISU will become a more comprehensive university.

Engineering would be available to first-year students, transfers and international students. There will be three types of engineering — electrical, mechanical and general. A minor will be available to interested students.

All engineering degrees will be required to have an internship to gain learning experience. The degree will have 122 hours divided into four categories: General Education (30), Mathematics and Natural Sciences (32), Engineering Courses (54) and Electives (6).

uEXPANDED STORY @ Videtteonline.com

Rivian pushes through pandemic with strides JOHN MURRAY News Reporter | @Jmurr__

Local automaker Rivian was able to escape the past year relatively unscathed in terms of production and performance.

As the automaker industry and the country as a whole begins to recover from falling into the collective financial pit that was 2020, Rivian has sizeable strides on the horizon.

Zach Dietmeier, Communications and Policy manager for Rivian’s plant based in Normal, said that navigating the uncertainty of the past year has been challenging and it is “onward and upward” from here.

“Rivian is proud of the fact that we were in a position to avoid any layoffs in 2020,” Dietmeier said.

“We scaled back on our on-site workforce for six weeks at the beginning [of the pandemic] but continued to pay all personnel in full.”

Dietmeier added that Rivian did have to weather a vehicle delay during the pandemic.

He went on to say that all three of the company’s vehicle programs have since remained healthy and have “progressed efficiently.”

Even in the midst of a pandemic, Rivian has an intensive and ambitious manufacturing agenda for 2021.

After the remodeling and reconfiguration of its plant in Normal, Rivian plans to launch its first three vehicle models.

Rivian’s R1T begins production in June while the R1S and Amazon delivery van models are slated to follow in the second half of the year.

The pandemic hasn’t stopped Rivian from expanding either.

The company now employs over 700 people across facilities in Michigan, California, the United Kingdom and Normal with hundreds of available positions open for hire.

Photo Courtesy of Rivian Twitter

Local automaker Rivian continues to navigate through the challenges of the last year and has an intensive and ambitious manufacturing agenda for 2021.

IT’S WINTER!

CALL OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO LEASE

WWW.CLASSACTREALTY.COM | 309-454-2960

STAFF LIST

PHONE OR FOLLOW

2020-2021 Editor in Chief Elizabeth Seils News Editors Kellie Foy Grace Kinnicutt

Photo Editors Alex Gant Maia Huddleston

Features Editor Andrea Ricker

Night Editors Katie Beste Kelvin Pough

Sports Editors Rachel Hickey Jake Sermersheim

Social Media Lauren Hamlin

Art Director Flynn Geraghty

Classifieds Clerk Danielle Burstyn

Ad Sales Manager Brianna Wilkens

Marketing Team Manager Erynn Schroeder

Ad Production Manager Haliah Offutt Business Manager Grant Olson

Business Adviser Madeline Smith General Manager John Plevka

Editor 309.438.8745 Display Ads 309.438.8742 Business 309.438.5929 Classifieds 309.438.7685 Fax 309.438.5211 General Manager 309.438.7688

Twitter @The_Vidette Facebook @The-Vidette Instagram @the_vidette YouTube @videttevideo

The Vidette

The Vidette is published Tuesdays every week, except for final examinations, holidays and semester breaks. The digital Summer Vidette is published in June and July. Students are responsible for the content of the Vidette. The views presented do not necessarily represent, in whole or part, those of the Illinois State University administration, faculty and students.

The Vidette is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press and the Illinois College Press Association. Subscriptions are available by mail to anywhere in the United States for $150 per calendar year. © The Vidette 2021 University & Locust / Campus Box 0890 / Normal, IL 61761–0890

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2021

THE VIDETTE | NEWS | PAGE 3

Vidette archives look to move deeper into digital era Birds Give Back aims to raise $29,000 to complete digital archive

GRACE KINNICUTT News Editor | @GKinnicutt

it and [given] the newspaper being the nature of what it is, it’s just not going to go last so we need to get it digitized,” Anderor the first time since the son-Zorn said.

Birds Give Back annual day It was announced earlier this of giving took flight, Milner year that The Vidette will transiLibrary will be focusing on a tion to an online-only format. The project for the annual Day of Giving. last printed issue will be April 27.

Milner’s Birds Give Back project Anderson-Zorn hopes to have this year focuses on digitizing The the digitization process in place Vidette for alumni, students and combefore the paper switches to an munity members to access online. all-online format.

“We are very excited to be focus“We want to have it in place ing on an actual project which is the before The Vidette goes online continued addition to the Digital completely, then I have some Archives. We are excited to have two backup methods to capture at alumni attached to this project,” Milleast the look of The Vidette when ner Director of Communications and it’s all online,” Anderson-Zorn Outreach Erin Link said. said. “It’s a fundamental shift Link said the goal is to raise about in how people gather and digest $29,000. information going from print to To help reach that goal Thursday, completely online.” two alumni challenges have been set.

The plan is to archive each The first challenge will be that once 20 newspaper decade by decade. gifts, which are donations, are made With the money raised during to Milner for The Vidette Digitization Birds Give Back and the hope of project, $3,000 will be unlocked from Alex Gant | Photo Editor | @AlexGant16 reaching the goal, Anderson-Zorn former Vidette Production Manager Much of the Vidette’s history sits in archived books in The Vidette office building. Birds Give Back is looking to and Link said it should help cover from 1978 Dave Edyburn. The second digitize the archive for public use. BELOW: A screenshot of the archive, which is available to the public. the cost of digitizing the challenge will be for every dollar could put it up for us in the mannext decade. raised, a dollar will be matched up to ner that we wanted,” university Anderson-Zorn’s aim is to $3,000. get the funding needed for “We have never had an alumni challenge be a part of our Birds archivist April Anderson-Zorn said. the next decade and hopeGive Back efforts and we’ve also never specifically had a concrete Due to the expense of digitizfully to exceed their goal. project like the Vidette Archives digitization,” Link said. Third annual event ing, issues since 1980 have yet “I would really love to The archives contain 4,622 issues with 47,055 pages rangBegins at midnight Thursday and ends at midnight Friday to be added into the university’s see us far outpace our ing from 1888 to 1980. The Vidette archives are used for digital archives. The university 17 groups participating across campus funding goal and maybe research, class projects and when alumni want to find classhas physical and microfilm copies 26 fundraising goals and challenges get a good chunk of money mates or relive memories from time spent on campus. of all issues but due to wear and for the next decade. That’s “Every year, [all of us in the library ask] what are our digi2,021 gifts total is the fundraising goal tear, they are not as accessible. what I’m aiming for and tization priorities, and this has always been a priority. Since There is also a fundraiser gathering messages of encourageIn order to digitize past will say I have faith in the I’ve started at ISU, getting The Vidette digitized has been ment for current Redbirds copies, microfilms — scans of Redbird community. I a priority. We just weren’t able until the last several years A panel of Redbirds will discuss experiences as hardworking think they are going to do the newspaper — are sent to a to find a company that we liked that could do the work that vendor where they run them students during a pandemic at 7 p.m. Thursday it,” Anderson-Zorn said. through a special machine Milner and university that digitizes and grabs the information off them. This archives will be promoting the project across social media by allows for people to go into the database and search sharing past issues of The Vidette along with promoting the through the newspaper using key words such as “homedatabase in classes who are researching certain topics and coming parade” or a certain sporting event. might need a news story from back in the day.

While it is not possible to digitize every little thing, The Vidette Digital Archives can be found online through Anderson-Zorn explains that user requests and preservaMilner’s database. The online database is free to access. tion are two of the biggest factors that decide what gets digitized in the archives along with the deterioration and GRACE KINNICUTT is a News Editor for The Vidette. She at how fast of a rate. can be reached at gkinnic@ilstu.edu. Follow her on Twitter at “In this case, it’s The Vidette. The Vidette really needs @GKinnicutt.

F

“Since I’ve started at ISU, getting The Vidette digitized has been a priority. We just weren’t able until the last several years to find a company that we liked that could do the work that could put it up for us in the manner that we wanted.”

April Anderson-Zorn, Illinois State University archivist

Attention job-hunters: Career Fair today CHELSEA CORA News Reporter | @cora_chelsea

Illinois State University’s Career Services will be holding its Spring Career Fair from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday.

Due to COVID-19 and for the safety of the students and employers, the fair will be held virtually this spring.

Students need to make sure they have completed their profile in HireA-Redbird, ISU’s job vacancy board.

This is where the event will be held this semester and where applications are often posted.

Additionally, it will be beneficial for students to check the tips for how to effectively navigate a virtual fair on the website.

“Even though our attendance for our in-person fairs are much higher, we do anticipate many students participating,” Assistant Director for Marketing and Communication for Career Services Susan Whitsitt said.

“Career Services chose to provide the virtual fairs so that Redbirds can still connect with employers and identify open positions. This can also be especially helpful to students

who may be out of town and taking classes remotely.”

Whitsitt went on to say that the career fair can help the employers who are not able to come to ISU with the pandemic as well.

“It also serves to assist employers who may have not been able to come to campus due to the pandemic. Although it may not be ideal, we are helping Redbirds to be resilient and continue to thrive with their careers, even during the pandemic,” Whitsitt said.

There are currently 47 employers who will be attending the virtual fair this semester. There will be representatives from a variety of different industries from large corporations to nonprofit.

“Students can check out the list of employers attending and the positions they are seeking to fill on the Spring Career Fair webpage,” Whitsitt said.

The virtual fair may be out of the ordinary, but it should not affect a students’ success. Many of the employers attending the fair will

notice when a student can easily navigate remotely and successfully work virtually.

“Participation in a virtual fair displays to employers one’s work ethic, technology skills and leadership.

These are very important transferable skills to employers as many employers are working remotely as well,” Whitsitt said.

“Since organizations cannot cease their operations during the pandemic, they will be seeking candidates that are also resilient, determined and able to adapt to challenging situations.”

The Career Services website has many tips that will be helpful during the career fair. Students can find virtual resume reviews, InstaCareer, tips on navigating a virtual fair among other things.

It is not too late to complete a profile on Hire-A-Redbird for the Spring Career Fair. The Zoom link and further instructions on attending the virtual Spring Career Fair can be found on ISU’s Career Services web page.

Latest DEI update provides retention numbers at ISU

Illinois State University President Larry Dietz’s office shared its latest diversity, equity and inclusion message with the campus community Friday morning.

The report discusses “increased retention numbers for students of color, new faces helping to create an infrastructure for continued diversity, equity and inclusion efforts on campus and funds available for identity-based registered student organizations.”

ISU’s Division of Academic Affairs reports an increase in student retention rates for the 2019-2020 academic year and includes “noteworthy improvements among those who identify as members of underrepresented minority groups.”

The retention of African American students increased significantly from 66.8% in the 2018-2019 academic year to 80.2% last year. Retention rates also went up for students who identify as Hispanic for their primary ethnicity, increasing from 67.7% to 79.9%.

The retention rate for first-time college students surpassed 82%, making the rate the highest point it has been in nine years.

Interim Assistant Vice President for Student Success Dr. Amelia NoëlElkins announced that funds are available to support ISU’s identitybased registered student organizations that qualify. The email said that “grants from GEER have already funded loaner technology equipment along with support for spaces for underrepresented students.”

The email also announced that two faculty and staff members, assistant professor in the School of Communication Dr. Byron Craig and Media Relations assistant director Rachel Hatch, have joined Interim Assistant to the President for Diversity and Inclusion Dr. Doris Houston “to advance the university’s goals of diversity, equity and inclusion on campus.”

KELLIE FOY | VIDETTE NEWS EDITOR

Viewpoint

PAGE 4 | THE VIDETTE

VIDETTE EDITORIAL

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2021

What we should keep post-pandemic

N

if they do not want to go inside.

When businesses might not have enough space to seat people, they can still offer curbside to those who wish to take it back home.

Contactless delivery and curbside pickup

Face masks, especially when sick with even a cold, need to remain. In the U.S., for the most part, it is not customary to wear a mask even when sick.

Expecting to go to work sick or going out with friends and potentially putting coworkers, friends and family at risk for some sickness is not worth it.

If we are sick, we stay at home and if we have to go out, we wear masks.

There is no reason to not wear a mask when sick or when having to be around sick people. We have all invested in reusable masks or packs of masks, and

ormalcy feels within our reach as we all count down the days until enough people have been vaccinated to return to life as we once knew it.

Many of us are yearning to attend a packed concert, belting out lyrics surrounded by a bunch of people we will never know or going to a sporting event ready to cheer on our favorite team.

COVID-19 has changed so much, but here are some things that should stay after the pandemic ends.

Delivery before COVID-19 was already convenient but now no human interaction is even needed.

Order the food online or over the phone, someone drops it off at the doorstep with a picture as proof. We all run from watching through the window or the couch on the tracker, unlock the door, grab it and lock the door again.

We no longer have to sign a receipt or stand there awkwardly as the pizza delivery man pulls out the box from the pizza warmer bag.

Then curbside pickup began. Fast food businesses were already ahead of the game on this one but for small, local businesses it was a game changer for them and the customer.

Local food businesses that do not have a drivethru window or a delivery service can offer the option of having someone run their food out to them

Face masks

there is evidence that wearing masks helps prevent the spread of illnesses.

Wear masks when sick. Don’t stuff them away in some random box or drawer after COVID-19 is over. Use masks when sick and having to go out and about.

Also, the plus side of wearing masks is it keeps our faces warm during the winter. It’s a win-win situation. We can help stop the spread of viruses and keep our faces warm.

ing 40 hours or more in one week, with little to no time for family, hobbies or down time. It leads to burn out and a disconnect from those most important to us in our lives.

Also, bosses who expect us to still come in to work while sick need to be out the door.

For many jobs, it is easy to work from home. Working from home when sick allows the individual to prevent anyone else from catching what they have, and it allows them to take the rest they need.

Working from home Some days it might not even be worth Let’s get rid of the idea and realit to make the trip in to work, so why ity that a 40-plus-hour work week to drive all the way to work when it can provide for ourselves is healthy or that be done from the comfort of our own our bosses expect us to come in to work homes? when we are sick or have family matters If a meeting can be done over email or going on.

Zoom, let’s avoid the hassle of making There is nothing healthy about workpeople come in when they can easily do the day’s work from the comfort of the couch.

The way we lived in certain aspects before COVID-19 was nasty.

It shouldn’t take a pandemic for all of us to start wearing masks when sick or for companies to allow the option to work from home or to take more days off to spend with family.

We shouldn’t have to go to overcrowded and improperly cleaned bars or get on public transportation that hasn’t been cleaned and sanitized properly in months.

For the safety of our own health, we cannot go back to how we lived before COVID-19.

Editorial Cartoon by Flynn Geraghty | Vidette Art Director

EDITORIAL POLICY Editorial written by GRACE KINNICUTT, a member of The Vidette’s Editorial Board. Editorial policy is determined by the student editor, and views expressed in editorials are those of the majority of The Vidette’s Editorial Board. Columns that carry bylines are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Vidette or the university.

Our biggest accomplishment isn’t an award MY VIEW ELIZABETH SEILS | Editor in Chief

T

his past weekend, The Vidette participated in our annual Illinois College Press Association conference.

While the glitz and glamour of downtown Chicago was traded for the comfort of our apartments and the glow of our computer screens, the conference was still a great success. The Vidette secured 16 total awards, eight of those were for first place, which is the most first place awards we’ve ever won.

ONLINE POLL

What do you want to keep post-pandemic?

Cast your vote at Videtteonline.com or by using The Vidette mobile app

But, I think this year we’ve all gained something more meaningful than any awards we won. Not to get all “the real prize was the friendships we made along the way,” but truly, the ability to work at The Vidette during one of the craziest years of my life has kept me going through the good and the bad.

And we have been much luckier than most college newspapers in this time.

We’ve been able to keep up printing physical editions this year, and we’ve been able to safely do work in-person some of the time. Those two factors kept morale high and was the saving grace for many members on the staff.

It paid off for us as well. We’ve been able to continue quality coverage and reporting since the pandemic hit.

I had the pleasure of speaking on a panel of other editors in chief and it was interesting to see how COVID-19 had affected the communities and universities they were a part of. Plus,

it gave me the chance to reflect on how much I’ve been affected by the pandemic and how much The Vidette has helped me through it.

I remember exactly how I felt in those first few weeks of the shutdown. At the time, the previous Vidette staff was high off the success of ICPA 2020, and we had all felt like more of a well-oiled machine than ever before.

I remember getting that first announcement that the university would be online for the rest of the year. I was heartbroken, I was angry, but I made sure to get it on the website first.

While we were all in different parts of the state, all of the sub-editors were connected in that time, slumped over our computers and sharing in a grief that we would never be in the same office again. But as much as there was sadness, there was work to do too. Having those stories to write and press conferences to attend gave me the sense of purpose I needed to stave off the stress and the sorrow that COVID-19

“

was giving me.

Even still, through the summer and the fall, I counted the days to the next time I would be in that office, just to feel normal once again.

I’m proud of all of our awards, and I’m proud of all the experience I’ve gained at The Vidette thus far. I’ll be happy to add all that to my resume, but I am most proud of how we supported and helped each other through what might end up being the most challenging years of our lives. I only hope that the staff can continue that tradition next year.

Congrats to all of my editorial staff: to Kellie, Grace, Andrea, Alex, Jake, Rachel, Katie, Kelvin, Lauren and Flynn. You all make such a positive impact on my life. Here’s to finishing the year strong!

ELIZABETH SEILS is Editor in Chief of The Vidette. She can be contacted at elseils@ilstu. edu. Follow her on Twitter at @SeilsElizabeth.

THEY SAID IT

NOTABLE NUMBERS

? 4,622

Vidette issues archived so far by Milner Library. The library is hoping to finish archiving the printed editions of The Vidette with the funds earned by the Birds Give Back campaign, starting Thursday.

194.150

NEWS, PAGE 3

was the final score for Redbird gymnastics during its upset victory on Sunday afternoon against the Northern Iowa Cyclones.

SPORTS, PAGE 8

Seeing [Levi’s] eyes just light up with life has at times really brought me to tears. Just seeing him understand that this is love and this is OK. [That he’s] not going to be hurt anymore.”

Natalie Lefkowitz, junior physical education major

EDITORIAL BOARD ELIZABETH SEILS Editor in Chief | @SeilsElizabeth ANDREA RICKER Features Editor @ricker_andrea GRACE KINNICUTT News Editor @GKinnicutt KATIE BESTE Night Editor @BesteKatherine

MAIA HUDDLESTON Photo Editor @maiawrites MYA ROBINSON Sports Reporter @Im_Myaaa JOHN MURRAY News Reporter @Jmurr__

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2021

THE VIDETTE | NEWS | PAGE 5

Vidette Staff for runner-up in General Excellence Sweepstakes. First place won by Daily Illini, University of Illinois, Urbana

First place Opinion Page First place Feature Story

First place Feature Page Layout

First place News Story First place Sports News Story

First Place Front Page Layout

VIDETTE WINNERS IN ILLINOIS COLLEGE PRESS ASSOCIATION CONTEST

First place awards

First place General News Photo

Sports Reporter Darnysha Mitchell for Editorial “Backing Black athletes requires actions, not words” Editor in Chief Elizabeth Seils and Vidette Editorial Board for Oct.6 opinion page Seils for front page layout, three successive pages published on Sept. 15, 22 and 29 with graphic illustration by Art Director Flynn Geraghty and featured photo by Maia Huddleston Features Editor Andrea Ricker for Features Page Design from April 14 Former Features Reporter Hailey Bialas for feature story “Full-time student, full-time parent; What is it like to be a college student and a parent?”

Former EIC Jonathan Barlas, former News Editor Grace Barbic and News Reporter Meghan Fortunato for news story “Widespread Hiring Freeze Worries Seniors” Sports Editor Jake Sermersheim for sports news story “A Redbird is Not a Life”

First place Editorial Writing Photo Editor Alex Gant for news photo “Protest Speaker”

Third place awards Vidette staff for COVID-19 coverage March 17 edition Seils and Vidette Editorial Board for Aug. 25 opinion page Ricker for Dec. 3 feature page design News Editor Kellie Foy for news story “Diversity, What comes next for diversity at ISU?” Sports Reporter Jake Fogal for sports feature story “Tribute to Classic Midwest Rivalry” Photographer Nickolas Parra for general news photo “Election Night Wait” Fogal and Sermersheim for sports page design March 24 edition

Fourth place awards Gant for photo essay “Protests against racism, police brutuality”

Vidette takes record 8 firsts in ICPA competition VIDETTE NEWS STAFF

The Vidette captured a record eight firstplace awards for editorial achievement in the 2020-2021 Illinois College Press Association contest. The winners were announced Saturday afternoon during the organization’s annual February conference, held virtually this year.

The Vidette won a total of 16 awards in the competition among other campus news organizations in the state of Illinois. The Vidette captured second place in the overall General Excellence Sweepstakes, which tallies points for awards won. The large-school General Excellence Sweepstakes winner this year was the Daily Illini of the University of Illinois, Champaign.

The eight first-place awards surpassed the previous record six first-place awards earned at the 2018 ICPA competition. First-place awards this year came in Editorial Writing, Opinion Page, News Story, Feature Story, Sports News Story, Front Page Design, Features Page Design and General News Photograph.

The Vidette won third-place awards in COVID-19 Coverage, Opinion Page, Feature Page Design, News Story, Sports Feature Story, Sports Page Design, Headline Writing and General News Photo. The Vidette also won a fourth-place award for Photo Essay.

“This is an outstanding achievement for the dedicated student journalists at Illinois State,” Vidette General Manager John Plevka

said. “They have once again represented the university well among their peers across the state.”

The contest period spanned from Dec. 1, 2019 through Nov. 30, 2020. Editors in Chief were Jonathan Barlas during the spring 2020 semester and Elizabeth Seils, the newspaper’s current top editor.

Plevka said he was especially gratified “when you consider the conditions these students were challenged with during the past year. While the university essentially shutdown last March, these incredible students rose to the occasion and continued to provide timely, detailed and valuable coverage of a historic pandemic, historic race relations issues and, oh yeah, a historic election in the fall. The word ‘proud’ just does not begin to capture how I feel about these fine young people.”

Seils also saluted her staff for having persevered in the face of a worldwide health crisis.

“Despite the constant stress and fatigue of being students in a pandemic, we did some amazing work that I couldn’t be more proud of. Award-winning or not, I am so proud of all of our reporters, editors and photographers for everything they do,” Seils, a senior journalism major at Illinois State, said.

Plevka said he was also pleased to see all aspects of the newspaper gain recognition – news, sports, opinion writing, headline writing, design and photography.

“Putting out a newspaper and maintaining a full-service news website is a team sport

Vidette Photo

Vidette staff members with makeshift ICPA awards. The real certificates will be mailed to the winners. Back row, from left: Jake Fogal, Alex Gant, Jake Sermersheim and Andrea Ricker.

Front row, from left: Rachel Hickey, Kellie Foy, Elizabeth Seils and Grace Kinnicutt. and this Vidette team is something special,” Plevka said.

The contest drew 896 entries from 24 Illinois schools. It was judged by 28 professional journalists. Plevka completed his term as immediate past president of the ICPA Board but was re-elected to the board as an at-large

member representing large schools.

During Friday’s conference sessions, Illinois State University alum and Vidette Hall of Fame member Carl Hulse presented to a virtual group of more than 50 student journalists. Hulse is the chief Washington correspondent for the New York Times.

Stay totally connected

with your Illinois State community through the very cool Vidette mobile app.

It’s easily & quickly downloadable at the App Store or GooglePlay

Features

PAGE 6 | THE VIDETTE

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2021

Lending a helping paw Quarantine pets light up students’ lives ANDREA RICKER Features Editor | @ricker_andrea

C

OVID-19 has caused many students to feel separated from others. During a mentally straining year, sometimes people just need to find a reason to get out of bed and face the world.

For some Illinois State University students, that reason was an animal companion. “[Having my cat] has allowed me to have something to look forward to when I’m coming home,” senior studio arts major Skye Kimball said. “Even Photo courtesy of Natalie Lefkowitz when he’s annoying and crazy, just knowing Illinois State University junior Natalie Lefkowitz adopted her dog Levi in October. She describes their relationship and how they are able help there’s a little guy I can play with or cuddle is so each other. wholesome and heartwarming.”

Kimball originally had a cat that was more “As soon as I saw his face my heart just fluttered and I got focusing faster, rather than scrolling through social media.” aggressive, so she brought him to a better home in August. goosebumps everywhere,” Lefkowitz said.

Mako has also been able to help Gilman with the loss of her Then, she unexpectedly found her kitten Meelo.

Levi spent most of his life living in a puppy mill. “He’s the past betta fish Leo. After processing the loss of Leo, who she “I knew a friend who took care of a lot of cats and asked picture-perfect dog that anyone would want and that’s why he had for over two years, Gilman was able to welcome her new her if she was interested in taking a slightly aggressive one was used for making other puppies,” Lefkowitz said. fish into her life. because he was making my mental health worse at the time,” Levi was determined to be a flight risk, which means the “Bettas have huge personalities and are able to recognize Kimball said. “She smallest things can put him into fight or flight their owners,” Gilman said. “Mako has such a different persaid yes [and when] I mode. Lefkowitz describes it as, “if he gets sonality compared to my old fish who was really laid back.” dropped him off she scared and is not on a leash, he would run like Fish care is pretty simple according to Gilman. She turns asked if I wanted any of there’s no tomorrow and he wouldn’t think his light on in the morning and turns it off around 5-6 p.m. the many kittens she was about coming back.” and feeds him twice a day. taking care of.”

Since adopting him on Oct. 11, Lefkowitz has Mako also has some tank mates, a snail and a few shrimp.

“Meelo was a cute little been able to teach him how to be a comfortable Once a week, Gilman has to siphon out a third of the water spunky dude so I took dog over the past few months. and all the debris out of the tank and replace the water. him home with me,” “Every single day seeing him be more comGilman adds that Mako has been able to help with her menKimball said. fortable with something new warms my heart.” tal health.

Welcoming home a After having Levi for over a month, Lefkow“I find it so relaxing to watch him swim around his tank new pet can be a long itz decided to make him an Instagram acand interact with his environment,” Gilman said. “It relieves process. But for many, it count. @Levislongtongue has a picture of him stress and also makes me happy because I know he was given is a process that pays off. with every person he has met.

a good life and I’m taking good care of him.”

Meelo was a street “Seeing his eyes just light up with life Across the board, the pets students adopted cat and began showhas at times really brought me to tears,” during quarantine have been helping them ing signs of illness as Lefkowitz said. “Just seeing him mentally during a difficult time. he was “scrawny and understand that this is love and Lefkowitz describes herself as a social unhealthy.” Kimball had this is OK. [That he’s] person, and losing daily social interto buy medicine to nurse not going to be hurt actions due to COVID-19 has made him back to health. Now, anymore.” it hard for her to have a sense of Meelo is healthy and Lefkowitz describes normalcy. happy. her relationship with Having a pet has allowed students Bringing home Meelo Levi as not only beneficial to have a routine of taking care of was a learning experito him but for herself as well. something that is not just themselves. ence for Kimball. She “Getting to adopt Levi was truly “I wanted a dog that had that hard past learned to be patient and the greatest thing that has ever hapwith that trauma because I had that hard also learned how pets pened to me. I couldn’t imagine my past and I had that past trauma. I didn’t can help their owners. life without him now that I have him.” deserve that stuff that I went through and “They motivate you to Right now, Levi is a certified Emoneither does Levi,” Lefkowitz said. “Seeing Photo courtesy of Skye Kimball get up in the morning tional Support Animal, but is working that hurt in his eyes on his profile picture on ISU senior Skye Kimball adopted her kitten to feed them,” Kimball toward becoming a therapy dog. the adoption site was like seeing Meelo in August. Kimball describes Meelo as ISU senior Nicole Gilman said. “As much as I hate being “a cute little spunky dude.”

It is not just the furry friends that have part of myself in his eyes.” finds companionship and bengetting up early it’s a been helping students through quaranLefkowitz added, “I wanted to efits from her betta fish Mako. good start to my days.” tine. Senior zoology and conservation give him the life he deserves. And Photo courtesy of Nicole Gilman For junior physical education major Natalie Lefkowitz, major Nicole Gilman got her betta fish Mako in August seeing that blossom out of him has adopting a dog was always a goal for her. Quarantine made and he has helped her just as much as cats and dogs been the greatest reward of my that want for a four-legged friend even more prevalent. have helped others. life.”

Before getting her dog, Lefkowitz would often go on Pet“[Mako] has really helped me with the online aspect of finder and look at all the adoptable dogs. As soon as she saw classes,” Gilman said. “I have a hard time paying attention ANDREA RICKER is a Features Editor at The Vidette. She can her Australian Shepard Levi’s profile she knew “that’s my sometimes and get distracted easily. Being able to watch him be contacted at arricke@ilstu.edu. Follow Ricker on Twitter at dog.” swim around during online class has helped me get back to @ricker_andrea.

“[Having my cat] has allowed me to have something to look forward to when I’m coming home. Even when he’s annoying and crazy just knowing there’s a little guy I can play with or cuddle is so wholesome and heartwarming.”

Skye Kimball, ISU senior

Virtual game night Friday celebrates Black History Month GRACE DOYLE Features Reporter | @ Amaaziinggracee

The Illinois State University Black Colleagues Association is hosting a virtual game night from 7-9 p.m. Friday as a way to close out Black History Month on a fun and interactive note.

Rachel Gregoire, ISU alumna and founder and CEO of Fam Foolery, Inc. — a company designed to encourage inclusivity and promote the importance of cultural

recognition through gamification — will be a featured guest at the event as she engages with participants through rounds of trivia focused on Black history.

Gregoire realized early on in her career that there was a lack of representation within the gaming industry, so she took it upon herself to create the popular card game Trap Wars and through doing so has generated a way to promote intercultural education, strengthen relationships and start important conversations surround-

ing Black history and current events.

To continue pushing the positivity that Gregoire aims to spread through her game, everyone that participates in the event will leave a winner regardless of their success in answering the trivia questions correctly.

The event is free to attend but those who are interested must register by Wednesday in order to be sent the Zoom invitation. Early registration is highly encouraged as space is limited.

IF YOU GO WHAT: Black Colleagues Association Virtual Game Night WHEN: 7-9 p.m. Friday WHERE: Zoom COST: Free SPECIAL NOTES: Registration is required by Photo courtesy Illinois State News Wednesday

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2021

THE VIDETTE | SPORTS | PAGE 7

Valpo battles back for series split Redbirds unable to sweep homestand

KEN KANOON Sports Reporter | @Ken_k____

MIKEY FORNELLI Sports Reporter | @mfojr

A

fter beating Valparaiso on Sunday night, the Illinois State volleyball team was headed into Monday night’s second match of the two-game series on a three-game win streak, and yet ISU didn’t have an advantage because of it.

The Redbirds’ five-set loss to Valpo on Monday is further evidence of something that has been evident all season throughout the conference; it takes a lot more than just talent to win two nights in a row, and splitting a series is much easier than sweeping it.

“We know how hard it is to play the doubleheader. If you look across the board, it’s all splits,” head coach Leah Johnson said. “There is very rarely a sweep. When you win the first night, the other team has all the obvious adjustments in their pocket.”

Alex Gant | Photo Editor | @AlexGant16 The Redbirds looked locked in at the start of set one, using second-day adjustments to take Illinois State’s Kaylee Martin going for a kill while Maddy Boyer (32) and Haley Hart (1) go to block Maradvantage of Valparaiso’s weak spots with two tin’s kill. service aces early on. However, after ISU took Sydney Holt had two blocks in the third set and six “I thought she looked really good,” Johnson said. a 6-1 lead, Valpo flipped the script. Forcing the Redbirds to commit errors, they went on their own total in the match. Holt, who made her return to the “I know she didn’t hit great tonight, but she’s moving court this weekend after being out since Jan. 30 with well. She’s still trying to get her game back when it run to tie it at seven-all.

The two teams traded the lead until Valparaiso an undisclosed injury, had understandable strug- comes to game flow and live play experience, but won a challenge to tie the set at 20-all, and never gles but ultimately made a positive impact being the rest of her game looks strong. I’m really excited.”

In set four, the Redbirds’ errors became a factor looked back on their way to a 25-21 set one victory back on the court with her team. again.

They fell down 11-2 at the beginning of the over the Redbirds. Valparaiso’s day two adjustments set, and although two big kills in a row from Sarah caused many Redbird errors in the early sets and Kushner seemed to spark some momentum, it was remained an issue for Johnson’s Redbirds throughUp next too much of a hill to climb and Valparaiso took the out the match.

ISU will get set to tie the match.

“I’m not questioning any will. I know we’re trying,” a break for the From there, Valpo took over. They scored seven Johnson said. “We weren’t executing. The rallies next few days unanswered points to start set five and ultimately were so long, and they came up on top 10 points in and then visit won 15-2, capitalizing on the Redbirds’ eight errors a row, which is heartbreaking. We were trying to put Loyola for a in the shortened set, the most of any set throughout pressure on them from the service line, and the risk Sunday and the match. wasn’t in our favor tonight.”

Monday douThe Redbirds still took three out of four games Despite the attack and service errors on the ISU bleheader on of their homestand over the last two weekends, side of the court continuing to keep the score close, Feb. 28 and and currently sit with a winning record of 5-3 in the Redbirds won set two 25-23 after two big kills March 1. Then conference and 7-5 total. “We can’t dwell on this,” to seal the deal on the set’s last points by Kaitlyn ISU travels Johnson said. “If we dwell on this and ignore the fact Prondzinski and Kaylee Martin. Prondzinski’s 15 to Iowa State that a high percentage of weekends are splits, we’re Alex Gant | Photo Editor total kills were tied for the team high, but the match for a game on digging ourselves into an unnecessary hole. We have Kaylee Martin going for high went to Valparaiso’s Peyton McCarthy with 17.

March 10. a kill in ISU’s 3-2 loss. to keep our heads up.”

Going into set three, the Redbirds looked sharper and took the set by nearly double digits, 25-16.

Football

Continued from Page 1

overall ranked team in the FCS and the fourth ranked in the MVFC.

Fans in the stands

Matchup Like the Redbirds, the Coyotes will start their season this weekend. Both teams experienced a postponement in what should have been their opening games over the weekend.

University of South Dakota comes in as a middle-of-the-pack team in the Missouri Valley Football Conference, ranked as the No. 7 team. The Coyotes finished their last season 5-7 with their biggest win coming against No. 5 South Dakota State.

Ahead of the season, eight Coyotes were selected for the MVFC preseason team. All but one of South Dakota’s selections were seniors. Of the Coyotes on the preseason team, punter Brady Schutt was an AllAmerican a season ago.

While the Coyotes missed the playoffs a season ago, the Redbirds made it to the Football Championship Subdivision Semifinals. Like last year, the Redbirds are projected to be a playoff team as the No. 9

Earlier this month ISU Athletics announced that fans would be allowed in the stands at 20% capacity which is approximately 2,678 fans.

Most of the fans in the stands are season ticket holders from previous seasons. For those season ticket holders, seats will likely be in different sections than where they were in past seasons.

300 additional tickets will be available to ISU students. Members of Red Alert will have first pick from tickets starting at 9 a.m.

Monday.

Any leftover tickets will be available for any I S U s t u dent to purchase

CLASSIFIEDS

ISU soccer falls silent behind Basler

starting at 9 a.m. on Friday.

All tickets will be sent over mobile delivery 48 hours before the game starts. Groups no larger than four will be seated. Parking passes will be sent with the tickets. Fans will be given the regulations for Hancock Stadium when they purchase their tickets. Fans can enter Hancock one hour before the game starts.

Senior Red Alert chant leader Curt Strauss is excited for ISU Athletics allowing fans in the stands during the 2020-21 season.

“I hope for a good student turnout,” Strauss said. “I miss the environment so much and I hope others do too. As a senior it was so sad that the original season was canceled but I am so appreciative that now the season has been altered so I can enjoy some games this year.”

Other game-day regulars like cheerleaders, Big Red Marching Machine and the Red Line dance team will still have a role during the game. The numbers will be limited compared to past years. These numbers are not known right now.

No tailgating will be allowed.

Waning winter weather After last week’s intense winter weather canceled opening games, the temperature looks to be much nicer for this week’s matchup. Weather reached in the negatives due to windchill early last week. Missouri State’s field was deemed unplayable against ISU. However, this week looks to be better. The weather looks to be 40 degrees and sunny for this weekend.

How to follow

The game begins at noon on Saturday at Hancock Stadium.

The Vidette Sports Staff will have live coverage of the game on Twitter at @Vidette_Sports. The game will be broadcasted live on NBC Sports Chicago and ESPN+. WJBC will have the call.

Illinois State head coach Brock Spack

Phone (309) 438 - 7685 • Fax (309) 438 - 5211 Corner of Locust & University, Normal, IL | Monday – Friday. 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.

SUBLEASE

HELP WANTED

Subleases available! www.sami.com (309) 888-4600 Need an apartment for immediate move-in? 3 and 4 bedrooms and roommate matching available! www. sami.com (309) 888-4600

Customer service Sales Assistant We seek an energetic, enthusiastic, and well-organized person for the position of Office Administrator/Clerical part-time.

This is a part-time position of 20 to 25 hours per week at $680, depending on workload. Need to be detail-oriented, possess good customer service skills, some cash & items handling skills. Apply Email: Billwilliams0029@gmail.com

Interested in joining the AVANTI’S FAMILY of dedicated associates? To View Available Positions & Apply Online Visit: avantisnormal.com/EMPLOYMENT.HTM or indeed.com $11.00 or Higher Starting Wage Based on Experience and References

SERVICES Are you To-Done with It? If you, a loved one, or a friend have unwanted or unused items that you would like to have picked up for donation or purchased for a fair price, please contact Susan @ (309) 531-8184 via text or call.

D

espite a strong showing from Abby Basler, Illinois State University soccer fell in its second game to St. Louis.

A goal from Basler was the only time the Redbirds could find the back of the net as they could not keep up with the Billikens.

The Redbirds started off slow as the Billikens began the game all over the Redbirds. Things took a desperate turn as the Redbirds gave up a penalty kick in the third minute.

Hannah Larson missed the attempt, but the Billikens’ dominance continued. They had two corner kicks within the first five minutes but did not find the back of the net.

However, SLU struck home a shot in the first eight minutes thanks to Emily Groark.

The Redbirds finally sniffed the goal in the 17th minute thanks to an Ashley Santos shot that was saved by Emily Puricelli of the Billikens.

Despite losing, ISU took control of the game after the 35th minute, with the Redbirds dominating possession in the Billiken’s half.

However, the Billikens scored against the run of play thanks to a kick from Anna Walsh that was struck past ISU goalkeeper Priya Gillan into the right side of the net.

This put SLU up 2-0 in the 42nd minute.

Still, The Redbirds found their breakthrough in the 45th minute as Basler found Abby Basler the back of the net.

Scoring gave the Redbirds a lifeline of hope going into halftime.

At halftime, the game was 2-1 in favor of the Billikens.

The Redbirds ended the half with three shots on goal compared to the Billikens’ four.

Both sides came out trying to assert their dominance on the game but neither team could find the back of the net.

Minutes later ISU’s Micheala Krischten was shown a yellow card after a tackle on the Redbirds’ right flank.

Then, in the 72nd minute, the Billikens scored off a corner that was whipped in by Walsh. It found Abbie Miller at the back post who headed the ball into the net and saw the Redbirds down by two with under 20 minutes remaining.

SLU almost found the net again in the 77th minute as the header

by Hannah Fredich was headed just over the bar off a glorious chance.

The Billikens held off the Redbird attack as they closed out the game winning 3-1 against the Redbirds team still looking for their first win.

This win moves the Billikens to 3-0 on the season while the Redbirds fall to 0-2.

The Redbirds’ next game is against Evansville for ISU’s second regular season match and first Missouri Valley Conference game. The game begins at 5 p.m. on Feb. 27 in Evansville, Indiana.

KEN KANOON is Sports Reporter for The Vidette. He can be contacted at kjkanoo@ilstu.edu. Follow him on Twitter at @Ken_k____.

Sports

PAGE 8 | THE VIDETTE

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2021

ANTHONY FERRETTI Sports Reporter | @AnthonyFerrett6

REDBIRD RE PORT

T

he Illinois State gymnastics team left it all on the floor — literally, that is.

Strong performances all-around and a big finish on the floor allowed the Redbirds to storm past No. 18 Iowa State Sunday at home 194.150 - 193.875.

Head coach Bob Conkling said he was genuinely shocked the Redbirds were able to pull off the comeback after trailing for most of the meet.

“I did not have any idea that we had even a shot to win the meet, honestly, after our beam performance and going in how far behind we were,” Conkling said. “I just told them let’s go out and do the floor routines I know you’re capable of doing.”

The Redbirds kicked off the meet on the vault while Alex Gant | Photo Editor the Cyclones started on the Junior Charlise Doctor focuses on her uneven bars performance to contribute to the Redbirds’ 194.150-193.875 upset victory over No. 18 Iowa State. uneven bars. They were led by freshman Jazmine Neely with a score of 9.775. ISU hoped to take the early lead, but it was the Cyclones who crept ahead of the home team after the first rotation. Neely went on to place third overall on the vault, finishing behind a pair of Cyclone gymnasts.

Reigning Midwest Independent Conference Gymnast of the Week Angelica Labat led the Redbirds on the uneven bars, winning the event with a score of 9.875, just edging out teammate Sofia Iribarren who scored 9.850. Following Iowa State’s performance on the vault, the Cyclones maintained a 97.900 - 97.300 lead over Illinois State.

Senior Savannah Remkus got the Redbirds going on the balance beam with a score of 9.650, but it was Isabelle Fox who scored a team-high 9.775.

(TOP LEFT) Isabella Decroo excitedly fist bumps a Madison Kipp and Labat both tied for third on the teammate following the Redbirds’ upset win over the team with a recorded score of 9.600.

Cyclones. (BOTTOM LEFT) Senior Savannah Remkus As the Redbirds clawed their way back into the strikes a pose during her floor routine. (ABOVE) Angelica Labat celebrates the team performance with head coach hunt, the Cyclones responded with an impressive Bob Conkling Sunday afternoon in Horton Fieldhouse. performance on the floor routine.

While the Cyclones concluded the meet on the balance beam, the Redbirds saved their best event spots has changed the dynamics out on the team,” in a three-way tie for first place. for last with the floor routine. ISU gymnasts comConkling said. “It makes everybody work harder In the all-around competition, Labat placed bined for a score of 48.950. Five Redbirds posted and push to be more consistent and it’s paying off third with 38.800 points, finishing just behind scores above nine points in the event. teammate Fox with a second-place score of 38.875. because it’s happening in competition now.”

Isabella Decroo, Fox and two Cyclone athletes Redbird gymnastics looks to build off of that Conkling asserted that nothing is certain and finished in a four-way tie for third with a score of momentum at 6:30 p.m. on Friday. This will be credited the team’s attitude for turning things 9.800. Mia Quigg tied for second with a score of a tri-meet in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, against around.

9.825, and Cameron Topp’s score of 9.875 put her Southeast Missouri State and Centenary.

“Just having them battle in the gym for lineup

The perfect storm

ISU gymnastics upsets No. 18 Iowa State Cyclones

Redbirds keep a tight leash on Bulldogs ISU women’s basketball sweeps Drake in final home series RACHEL HICKEY Sports Editor | @r_hickey15

Jake Sermersheim | Sports Editor

Junior guard Juliunn Redmond attacks a layup in Saturday’s home 81-71 victory over Drake.

Nineteen lead changes and 40 grueling minutes later, the ISU women’s basketball team came out on top of the Drake Bulldogs for the second day in a row 81-71.

The two teams battled much of the game, with neither program able to secure a lock on the lead. With each basket made, the opposing team always met the challenge.

Halfway through the third quarter, the tone of the game shifted as the Redbirds secured an 11-point lead.

Junior guard Terrion Moore kicked off the Redbirds’ momentum with backto-back three-point field goals to snatch the lead from the Bulldogs. Another shot outside the paint from Moore and a buzzer-beater three-point field goal from Kayel Newland all but sealed the deal for the Redbirds.

“We started making some shots,” head coach Kristen Gillespie said on

the shift in the game. “We got some big was just my thought, I think that was shots from Kayel, T ... it’s like once one our thought as a collective team that went in the rest followed. Then on the we’ve got to do a little more.” other end we were getting stops. We Defensively, freshman Kate Bulljust kind of fed off each other and you man accounted for a team-high eight could feel the momentum rebounds, while Moore and Paige Up next Saylor also assisted in the stifling shift.”

The Redbirds of the Bulldog’s scoring run.

The Redbirds kept their flock to Peoria foot on the gas in the final For Saylor and Redmond, the to face I-74 win is their last home victory as the quarter, picking up more rival Bradley seniors will not return to play ankey points from downtown.

Thursday Strong defensive plays other game in Redbird Arena. The helped the Redbirds prevent evening. ISU win is even sweeter for Saylor, as holds a 50-30 the Redbirds have not been able to the Bulldogs from clawing advantage over defeat the Bulldogs over the course their way back to the top. the Braves in of her four years at Illinois State. In Moore led the Redbird series history. fact, the Redbirds have not beaten offensive attack with 18 points, taking charge in the Drake in regular season play since third quarter after teammate Juliunn the 2012-13 campaign.

Redmond walked off the court due to a “For a young lady like Paige Saylor nagging Achilles tendon injury. who for four years just haven’t had suc“The only thing that I was thinkcess over Drake, it’s a great night. They ing was that the team just needs to have always been that elusive team that come together more,” Moore said. we haven’t cracked that code and it “We needed to fill the spot that she was just quite fitting for it to be her last may have dropped. I don’t think that home game,” Gillespie said.

Track, field dominates at Friday Night Special Illinois State track & field won nine events at the Eastern Illinois University Friday Night Special this past weekend. The meet was the final tune-up for the Redbirds before next week’s Missouri Valley Conference Indoor Track & Field Championship.

Brandon Ratliff ran a lifetime best in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 7.99 seconds. He moved into the No. 4 spot on the ISU indoor top-10 list.

The ISU sprinters ran away with four event wins on the day.

Joining Ratliff in the hurdles, Mya Robinson posted a season’s best of 8.69 seconds to win the event on the women’s side. Junior Kai Larson finished with a time of 51.02 seconds to win the 400m dash. The women’s 4x400m relay of Audrey Harrod, Kyra Dalluge, Bri Buggs and Sabrina Schlenker finished with a time of 4:16.19 to beat Valley foe Evansville.

Logan Calvin launched his way to the top spot in the weight throw (19.95 meters) and the shot put (17.67 meters).

Nicole Bagwell cleared 3.80 meters in the pole vault to soar ahead of the competition. For the men, Eddie Winner lived up to his name, vaulting 5.00 meters to take the event.

Freshman Khalil Ross posted the final event win for the Redbirds, leaping to a personal-best 13.58 meters in the triple jump.

MBB STANDINGS

Conf Ovrl

Loyola Drake Missouri St. Indiana St. Evansville Valparaiso Bradley Northern Iowa Southern Illinois Illinois St.

14-2 19-4 13-2 22-2 11-5 15-5 10-6 13-8 6-9 8-13 6-9 9-15 5-11 11-14 5-11 7-15 4-11 10-11 4-12 7-15

WBB STANDINGS

Conf Ovrl

Missouri St. Drake Loyola Illinois St. Northern Iowa Bradley Southern Illinois Valparaiso Evansville Indiana St.

11-0 15-2 10-5 12-10 8-5 10-7 9-6 12-6 7-6 10-10 8-7 12-10 5-8 8-10 4-7 8-10 2-11 6-12 1-10 4-12

UPCOMING

Baseball

Baseball added a two-game series against Southern Illinois - Edwardsville for Tuesday following the cancellation of their original opener in Belmont.

Softball

Softball travels to Knoxville, Tennessee, for the Tennessee Invitational Feb. 24 - 27.

Women’s basketball

The Redbirds take on Bradley at 6 p.m. Thursday in Peoria for the second game of the series against the Braves.

Men’s basketball

ISU welcomes UNI to Redbird Arena Feb. 26 & 27 for their final regular season series.

Track & Field

Track and field travels to UNI for the three-day MVC championship meet Feb. 26-28.

Compiled by Rachel Hickey