March 1, 2018 • Volume 91 • Issue 7 • Published since 1927
How to protect us?
LBCC reacts to Florida massacre and suggestion to arm teachers. -News, page 2 Photo and photo illustration by Maila Bringas
TO PROTECT AND TO SOFT SERVE
‘PlumbLine’ displayed in gallery
- CityStyle Page 4
Is skateboarding a problem?
- Opinion Page 6
Volleyball team wins 10 in a row Photo by Kevin Chittum
- CityStyle Page 5
- Sports page 8
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NEWS
LBCC discusses arming teachers Trump’s controversial suggestion stirs debate on campus, with some agreeing and some opposed. Story by Alberto Nunez Photos by Maila Bringas Viking Staff @itsmsbee
LBCC students, teachers and the police are talking about what they thought of President Trump’s suggestion about teachers being able to conceal and carry a firearm, during school hours. Jose Hereora, 21, a computer engineering major, said “Teachers with military and firearms experience should be able to conceal and carry. It is the same danger with anybody else holding a firearm, people do not know if somebody is holding a firearm these days.” Hereora added, “At least it is in the hands of somebody who is trained and has good intentions. If a teacher has a conceal-and-carry permit, she or he should be able to get a bonus. If a teacher is willing to put her or his life on the line, why not reward them. If a teacher is legally able to hold a weapon in the U.S., a problem should not exist.” Shadia Gomez, 19, a criminal psychology major, said, “I don’t think they should carry a weapon, someone always have a way to get the weapon on campus. Sometimes when people are from the military, some of them start to suffer from mental
health issues due to combat. If a teacher does get a conceal-and-carry permit, then they should get a bonus because they are putting their lives on the line. Instead of teachers being armed, schools should employ police officers working at the school. Some schools do not have police presence. “ She added, “Some schools just have one security guard on duty and they are not armed. Gomez some students will feel intimidated if their teachers have a gun.” An teacher at LBCC who did not want to be identified for privacy reasons, said, “It is not a teacher’s job to give an opinion on a political view because teachers are here to teach and they are not to influence what their students should think.” She added, “I want my office to be a safe space where anyone could be able talk to me without feeling the need to hold back, students think their teachers might have a different view on a certain issue. Society does not have one quick-fix solution to school shootings. It is something that needs to be discussed by both sides pertaining to teachers being able to conceal and carry.” LBCC’s police Lt. Jeff Liberman said, “The police department cannot take sides in a political issue, LBCC is fortunate to be protected 24/7 by the our government.” Liberman said, “That his unit can request a heavily armed and trained SWAT squad quickly and call in K-9 units. The police department is trained every day and trains with the fire department for school shootings. We try to look at each issues and not as a whole. The police department talks with its teachers and students regularly and if they feel threatened, we will investigate
MARCH 1, 2018
PEACEFUL, BUT CONCERNED: Students walk around freely at the LAC on Wednesday, Feb, 28, amid discussion about the shooting in Florida.
WARY EYES: Officer. C. Chi watches over the Central Quad in his police car Wednesday, Feb, 28, as students debate whether teachers should be armed.
the concern.” Liberman added, “We also try to help and find people with mental health issues before anything bad happens. The people
are provided the mental-health assistance at LBCC.”
leaving campus and I couldn’t see an officer thefts were reported as well as 24 reported around.” burglaries. The Long Beach police assigned While not exceedingly prevalent on to the college suggest: To prevent burglareither the PCC or LAC thoughts about ies and theft, it’s important to remember to possible crime keep your belongis a legitimate“I would be a little worried when ings with you while concern for any-I would be leaving campus and I in class or while one not familiar moving about camwith LBCC. Thecouldn’t see an officer around.” pus. It is also imstatistics providportant to lock your ed in the LBCC -Stephanie Gomez, 18, vehicle and move annual security Criminal-psychology major any important or report represent valuable items out of campuses with a low crime rate regarding sight, or not in the vehicle at all. violent crime and they represent moderate When moving around campus, espenumbers of burglary and automotive theft. cially at night, it’s important to keep your At both campuses over the period from wits about you. Don’t walk while looking at 2014-2016, 10 robberies, three aggravated your phone as a bright screen is distractassaults and one case of sexual assault was ing and makes it harder to see in the dark reported. During the same span, 26 vehicle around you.
It’s also a good idea to remove your ear-buds to help you detect any potential safety issues. It may not always possible to walk directly from class to a car or ride after session, so it’s a good idea to choose well lit paths through campus and to know where the blue emergency phones are located. In addition to the points listed above, it’s important to remember that just because you can’t see a campus police officer, doesn’t mean that they aren’t around. According to Lt. Lieberman, an officer on campus,”LBCC Police patrol both campuses and Child Development Centers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We are always a phone call away.” In fact, if it’s needed, an officer can be requested by any student or employee to escort them to their vehicle, particularly during the dark hours at (562) 938-4910 or (562) 435-6711.
Florida massacre leads to more concern Police cite crime stats as students talk about safety. Story By Steven Matthew Viking Staff @SMatthewsTFI
After the Feb. 14 massacre of 17 people at the Florida high school, LBCC students discussed their own concerns about safety. Stephanie Gomez, 18, a sociology major, was quick to make the point when asked what her biggest concern was at LBCC. “Safety,” she replied, “Last semester I had a class that got out after 9 and I would be a little worried when I would be
NEWS
MARCH 1, 2018
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President outlines achievements Romali highlights success and plans for change in State of the College address. STORY BY MAILA BRINGAS Editor-in-Chief @itsMsbee
President Reagan Romali, in her first State of the College address Friday Feb. 2, praised LBCC’s accomplishments in 2017 and looked ahead to goals and challenges in 2018, urging guests to use social media to promote the event. In 2017, LBCC also celebrated its 90th anniversary, having been established since the fall of 1927. Among the guests in the Hall of Champions were Board of Trustees President Jeff Kellogg and many sponsors who have helped the college. Attending his second state of the college address, journalism major Antonio Ruiz, 70, said he thought Community Colleges face many challenges since they are not given attention to as much as California State Universities or Universities of California. “The vision becomes reality,” Ruiz said.
“I get to see it every day when I’m in class. was recognized by the Green Education We are not as well funded as big colleges Inc., as the Green School of the year in and the uniqueness about LBCC that I’ve Long Beach for 2017, becoming the first discovered is that there is an interesting age Community College to be wise about its range, with different needs.” environmental footprint. Romali reviewed projects from the In addition, increased security also has previous year, citing the incredible impact been added for the safety of students and LBCC has made in faculty. the community. think it’s exciting,” It is assumed that by 2041,said“IExecutive The recent openVice Presings of new build-the campuses will be ful-ident Ann-Marie Gabel ings and programsly transitioned with betterover the recent changes. at the PCC were “I’ve been here 10 and reviewed, giving alearning facilities. a half years and it has place for the lifelong learning senior stud- changed drastically over the years, but it’s ies center and electrical programs. also for the better.” Adding to recreational matters, renRomali also assures that bond monovations of buildings on the LAC are also ey being received is being invested for said to be on schedule to be finished soon, the future of the college, paying off with a improvements from 2002 and 2008 bonds stronger economy and educated work force measures that have led to major changes. along with the impact that it had made for It is assumed that by 2041, the cam- small businesses in the town, helping more puses will be fully transformed with better than 325 local businesses and creating over learning facilities in preparation of the new 1000 local jobs. generations of tomorrow. Achievements from the previous year Technology was a big topic of the included Viking athletic championships speech, with Romali encouraging the au- and awards, astronomy program’s Planedience to live-tweet the event with #LB- tarium Nights event, robotics competition, CCSOC (State of College) to encourage a Telly Award for LBCC’s counselors and wide participation on the web. awards achieved by the journalism stuDue to the installation of new solar dents of Viking News. panels, recycled water systems and other Foster Youth coordinator counselor sustainable energy technology, the college Candace Meehan, 36, said she thought that
Clinics assist vets Story by Rachel Ng Staff writer @racheln92
A free mental health legal clinic conducted by Mental Health Advocacy Services will occur every other Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the veterans center in the E Building at the LAC. Students can show up to attend the clinic headed by Vanessa Lim. The program can assist students who are low-income veterans with disabilities. The clinic focuses on equal justice work and Lim said also “provides free legal services for veterans.” Staff members assist disabled veterans with concerns from traffic or parking tickets, finding employment or assistance in applying for benefits such as Social Security Insurance and Social Security Disability Insurance. The services also include assistance with evictions, housing accommodations and expunging criminal convictions. Lim said her goal is “to have a place where I can have a continuous presence in the community and that’s been a little bit of a challenge for me working so far, because of our location in a downtown urban area, where there is no parking.” The program attempts to serve more veterans. Lim said, “I’m doing a lot of outreach. We’re based in Koreatown in Los
Angeles, which is an area that’s not accessible to veterans and I know that there’s a big community out in Long Beach and I am trying to be able to do some work on the ground, some fieldwork, to meet these people where they are.” She understands the trouble of veterans who utilize her services. Lim said, “For people who are in transition, when it rains, it pours. So, you don’t see just one issue, you see all the stuff happening at once.” The goal of the organization is to provide “access to economic justice and provide advocacy for people with disabilities” The staff assists with parking and traffic tickets. Lim said it is important because “in California a lot of people have unpaid traffic or parking tickets and as a result are not able to drive. So they’ll have a hold on either their license or their registration, which has consequences for employment or school and other opportunities.” Advocates also assist veterans with such issues as reasonable accommodations for service animals. They also provide trainings to educate the public on what they are entitled to in terms of housing. Lim said “We have a housing grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to educate the public on fair housing rights.” Veterans may call (213) 389-2077 for more information.
Romali has made great advances to ensure focus on a student-driven campus. “For staff, it is kind of like a fresh air knowing that she supports students the way we support students and that helps us do our job better.” A strategic plan for the college was introduced, outlining the goals for the college through 2022, including boosting recruitment efforts of enrollment rates, moving registration dates earlier, supporting and expanding accelerated learning, better management of a call center and improving registration and admissions processes for the students. “I love it, I’ve been listening to people to see know what they want to see out of this college,” Romali said in an interview after the event. “It’s not about my ideas, it’s my ability to bring those ideas to the forefront and make them happen. It’s about faculty, it’s about staff, it’s about administrators, it’s about students, and it’s about community. It’s not about me, I’m merely the person who brings it all together, so to be able to show the community what we have done in the last year, to show how we brought it all together and deliver it for the students? Essentially benefiting the community? It’s exhilarating.”
CITYSTYLE
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MARCH 1, 2018
Clubs engage with wide diversity Story by Anna Karkalik Viking Staff @AKarkalik
LBCC sponsored Join-A-Club Day on Thursday, Feb. 15, at the LAC in the Central Quad and Wednesday, Feb. 21, at the PCC on the Lawn. Students were encouraged to attend and discover new clubs and organizations at LBCC and meet student leaders as over 60 clubs were be represented and offered free food, giveaways and music throughout the day. The clubs represented a wide range from all different aspects of student life on campus by featuring different cultural clubs and organizations. Stephanie Kozac, 19, a business major said, “This is my first semester here at LBCC, I would love to get involved with the college by joining some clubs. Kozac also shared that during high school she never really participated in any clubs or sports but thought this might be a good way to meet students with the same interests. Students connected with the cultural affairs committee that plans and organizes cultural events and focuses on engaging students with all cultural experiences. Jesus Karam, 23, undeclared, said “I’ve never heard too much about the clubs here
Photo by alberto Nunez CONNECTING: Students check the clubs in attendance at Join-A-Club day on the LAC Central Quad on Thursday, Feb. 15.
but I usually go to the Quad for the free food.” Larry Martinez, 22, a political science major said, “I’ve tried to join clubs in the past, but now I feel as if I have no time for them as I have work and other things that I’ve already committed to.”
Students can also check out all clubs and organizations at LBCC by creating an OrgSync account at OrgSync.com, which lists all student life activities at LBCC and what days and time clubs meet. Students can then access and view any future activ-
ities that a particular club may be hosting. Students are not required to RSVP to the events but are always encouraged to bring friends and sign up for clubs.
Contemporary art shown in gallery Everyday household materials used to create beautiful pieces for display at the LAC until March 8. Story and photo by Steven Matthews Viking Staff @SMatthewsTFI
The Plumbline Art Exhibit is showing in the Art Gallery in the LAC K Building. The collection has been curated by LBCC art professor and head of jewelry-smithing Kirsten Beeler. One of the goals of the exhibit is to introduce viewers to the idea of contempo- MIXTURE: Bracelet and sculpture pieces created by Mary Donald are on display in rary art jewelry in an area where one may the LAC art gallery. She uses a mixture of plastics, silver and copper. not encounter it often as well as introduce express who they are as artists and people. and he combines it with industrial metals them to a few artists in California who You can really see that as you look at each like steel, titanium, or brass to make jewspecialize in the art of jewelry and met- piece.” elry that has a distinct hand-crafted vibe. al-working. The exhibit featured four artists whose Mary Donald is another Los AngeSandra Estrada, 25, a business admin- work is united partially by the themes on les-based designer who used a range of istration major who has helmed the recep- display in the gallery, but they stand apart many household materials, like latex, nytion desk for the gallery likes the individual in their style, materials and vision. lon, plastics and oxidized silver to make expression on display. “I like how these artEric Silva is a Los Angeles-based jewel- her jewelry. ists took objects from around them in their ry designer who uses a combination of natHer pieces stand out because they chaldaily lives and crafted them into pieces that ural materials, such as elk or deer antlers, lenge the notion of traditional jewelry with
exaggerated shapes and material, but yet never leaves one wondering if they could find a way to include a piece into a fashion ensemble. Suzanne Pugh maintains a studio in Oakland and her work on display at LBCC stands apart because it isn’t distinctly jewelry, but it still boasts some of the strenuous manipulation of metal needed to create and appreciate this form of art. In addition to some water-color pieces, she also has brought fabricated and hand-engraved copper pieces. Alex Hopp, another artist based in Southern California, displays work that is difficult for some to describe. Hopp herself describes it as an exploration into how Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder relates to the identity and practices of her profession. Many of her pieces consist of book pages pressed and sealed to form jewelry pieces, or other books with the pages painstakingly cut in increasing or decreasing discs (1000’s of them) and then arranged on a ribbon to form a necklace. The Plumbline Art Exhibit can be found in K100 until Thursday, March 8.
MARCH 1, 2018
CITYSTYLE
Cops get social, serve ice cream
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Long Beach Police Department and students gather to watch helicopter land and eat ice cream. Story by Maila Bringas Photos by Kevin Chittum @ItsMsBee @kevinchittumm
A crowd of about 170 people attended the Cold Stone Cops ice cream social on the LAC on Wednesday, Feb. 14. Students, faculty and parents participated in the event organized by LBCC Campus Police, others from the Long Beach Police Department Police and the Student Life office. Popsicles and ice cream sandwiches were being handed out to everybody, as well as words of information about the police department and what they do. The helicopter arranged by the LBPD to land on the LAC Central Quad was a show-stopper and caught the eyes of all who were present. Sam Borin, 24, an administration of justice major, said about witnessing the helicopter’s landing: “I’m actually very surprised that they are here. I love it. It’s ice cream and a helicopter.” The helicopter is named “Fox.” Police helicopter pilot Capt. Mike Colbert said, “We really wanted to bring the helicopter to the school to show the students, to interact to them and explain what
CHILLING: LBPD helicopter pilot Capt. Mike Colbert answers questions about the helicopter to students Wednesday Feb. 14.
we do, why we do it, how we do what we do. We can share information of their perception of us and better ways to get to know what we are doing.” Student Robert Williams, 29, who also brought his son to the event, said, “I think it’s really cool, with the community in-
volvement and they’re making their presence known on campus to make (students) feel safer.” Police may be reached at 911 for emergencies or (562) 938-4910 for non-emergencies or for security escorts, especially after dark at the PCC and LAC.
The LAC police station is in Building X next to Veterans Stadium and the PCC officers are based in Building EE. Students and employees are encouraged to sign up for emergency text alerts on the lbcc.edu website.
New year, new semester start fresh Students set new goals for Spring 2018. Story by Leslie Armillo Viking staff @palmtr33s_
It’s a new year with a fresh start and a brand new opportunity to start over. Yes, the cliche is very true, “A New year, a new me.” LBCC students returned from Winter vacation withnew energy. Students no longer have headaches over what to buy grandma for Christmas and most importantly, no more having insane crisis over class finals. Many of the students look forward to the beginning of a new year and new remedies are created to control the immense amount of stress that students normally
face when trying to adjust themselves to with my friends a lot and going to Disneyimprove and upgrade. land or to the movie theaters to help relieve Degni Luna , 20, a communications stress this new year.” major, said the morning of Feb. 6, during Amairani Suarez, 21, a biology major, her TNT club meeting, “Returning to said, “I feel like at the beginning of the seschool my stress level wasn’t nearly as bad mester it’s less stressful because you gain as it was during the holidays and week of inspiration and have an optimistic attitude, finals, because I because you’re excited to had club events, this chance to be suc“My stress is at its worst have my work schedule cessful once again.” was loaded with during the holidays.” Brandon Gaille, a marhours and taking keting podcaster, said “The 12 units wasn’t -Edgar Botello average college student so fun. My stress Business marketing major gets less than seven hours pimples were at of sleep per night. In turn, an all time high. this affects the mood of the Now, I am ready to return to school and student, their health and ultimately their start fresh.” grades. The bottom line? Sleep does matEdgar Botello, 20, a business marketing ter.” major, said, “My stress is at its worst during Susan Bartell, a contributor of U.S the holidays. Returning now, I am stress- News, shared how the transition from free and ready to start the brand new year stressing over finals, wrapping up the holand focus on school. I will be hanging out idays, then to return to school after the
break as “The most profound change occurs because going away to college promotes healthy and necessary feelings of independence, and this strong desire to feel independent continues when a child comes home for a break.” Returning students said they are far more prepared than they were the year before. The busiest time of the year just passed by and students made it through in a enhanced and composed brand-new piece. Jose Gonzalez, 23, an art major, said, “When people go through new experiences, they tend to change us little by little and eventually, we become better as people because of the things we have gone through. “We arrive with a stronger confidence, inspiring attitude and are just physically and emotionally capable to face any new stress or obstacles we might face during the new year.”
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OPINION
EDITORIAL
We need safety training Columbine High School. 15 lives lost. Red Lake Senior High School, 10 lives lost. Virginia Tech, 33 lives lost. Sandy Hook Elementary School, 28 lives lost. Umpqua Community College, 10 lives lost. Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, 17 lives lost. School shootings have become an all too common of an occurrence nowadays. Each shooting seems to follow a similar pattern. People would be shot, bodies laid to rest, a round of thoughts and prayers would go around, then again after the next one. Gunshots, funerals, thoughts and prayers, repeat. On Feb. 14, Nikolas Cruz entered Marjory Stoneman Douglas High in Florida and opened fire, killing 17 people, making it the third deadliest school shooting to date. Survivors of the shooting have gone on to organize the national movement #neveragain. The movement is geared toward gun control and preventing a shooting of this degree from ever happening ever again. Feb.14 has not only sparked a movement, but a major debate on gun control. President Trump has suggested arming our school teachers, as well as banning bump stocks. All these events have raised many a question. One of the most pertinent be-
a majority of the time you see one. If you were to call 911 from your phone on campus, you’d be directed to an automated system, which takes time to get through to a person. LBCC hosts safety training sessions for employees. However, we see a large problem with that: its just for employees. LBCC doesn’t conduct a drill for students to practice and learn what to do. Last April, a mock drill was conducted involving student volunteer’s, but it was mainly for emergency responders with the students acting as victims. Another issue is that schools can conduct active-shooter drill after active-shooter drill, but what is being done to stop an active shooter from coming onto campus in the first place? Most colleges are wide open campuses. The LBCC LAC has a city street and 2 sidewalks that run right through the middle of it, with the PCC being Illustration by Maila Bringas right on a busy intersection. We’ve been taught what to do in ing preparedness. Many schools, including LBCC are running active - shooter drills, the event of an active shooter, but what which doesn’t come as a shock. However, about prevention? LBCC police can be reached by dialing what have schools done to prevent a shooter coming onto campus in the first place? 911 in the event of an emergency. For nonLBCC has police cars on campus, but most emergencies, students and employees can everyone knows by now that they’re empty call (938) 4110.
Story By M. Smith Visuals editor @vhhnk
areas is most likely going to have their classes spread out. In college, professors could care less what your excuse is for being late and how you got to class. I can speak from experience when I say I’ve been locked out of class, denied to take a quiz and shunned by professors for being late. Any opportunity I have to cut corners taken advantage of. Responsible college students understand the value of managing their time and skating is how I save time. For me, it’s unrealistic to get a hot meal, use the restroom, speak to the teacher after class and make it to my next class without the help of some wheels. My productivity is higher on a skateboard than trying to speed-walk or run with textbooks. I know that I can breeze through the campus in a timely manner and get more things done on a skateboard. I can understand the opposing argument that skateboarding on campus is a huge liability if anyone is injured on campus, but I don’t think that’s a strong enough argument. I believe skaters and pedestrians have the common sense to know to stay
Wheels on bus just not enough Skateboarders are rolling around all over the campuses and I’m for it, but LBCC is not. According to the Standards of Student Conduct, skateboarding is prohibited on campus, but that rule has been ignored by many students who are either unaware of the rule or know the rules and don’t care. I read the campus rules, I understand the rule on skateboarding and I’ll be only be playing myself for a fool to not use my skateboard to make life easier. LBCC has two huge campuses and it’s not easy to navigate around especially when you’re on a time crunch. It’s common to see students kick use skateboards and long boards all around campus. As a person who lugs around a skateboard to school, I can speak for every other student by saying that owning a skateboard as an LBCC student is not only an investment, it’s a necessity. Take a look at the LBCC map. The school is broken into two separate campuses with about 5 miles in between. The Viking shuttle has a few stops between both campuses to help students and employees get between both campuses and to each side of the street at the LAC. Any student with a class schedule in different subject
in their own lanes and the campus is large enough to do so. For the most part, we at LBCC are mature adults with the best interest in mind when we skate around. I’m not going to be doing nosegrinds down the rails and pop-shuvits all over the campus causing a ruckus. I know LBCC is not a skatepark, I just need to kick and push throughout the campus. If a solution were to be made to accommodate skaters and walkers, I would propose the idea to create bike lanes on campus which would be a safe way to separate the traffic. The bike lanes would be painted off to the side of the walkways on campus for any recreational wheel-related travel (skate, hoverboard, scooter, bike, rollerblades, roller-backpacks and any other modes). I believe the trust that students will use the lanes will be based on the honors system. If you are a pedestrian who argue you can get everything done and go to classes on time without the help of a skateboard, good for you. You’ll be a blur as I zip past you. I know what works best for me. If LBCC ever decides to scale down to a single building school house, I will leave my skateboard at home. But until then, my wheels are going to glide all over the campus. Happy skating!
MARCH 1, 2018
VIKING NEWS Editor-in-chief: Maila Bringas @itsmsbee Managing Editor: Erin Asis @earsonerin News editor: Gabby Castro @thatgabbygabby Sports editor: Osbiel Montano @osbiel Citystyle editors: Irene Brizuela @dear_ireene Social media editors: Karen Ramirez @karensookewl Visuals Editor M.Smith @vhhnk Design Editor Denise Jones @DeniseJonesLBCC Alberto Nunez Anna Karalik Lashica Johnson Karina Hansen Kevin Chittum Sara Hansen Leslie Armillo Gisela Saldana
Staff:
Cynthia Alvarez Meghan Gonzales Kameron Hall Steven Matthews Jr. Cara Pederson Malik Reeves Ary Garcia Rachel Ng
Advertising manager: Liliana Piedra Adviser: Patrick McKean Photo and online adviser: Chris Viola
The deadline for news, advertisements and letters to the editor is the Thursday before publication. The Viking will be published March 22, April 19, May 10, and May 31. The Viking is published by Journalism 80, 81, 82, 83, 86, 87 and 88 students of the LBCC English Department, with funding from the Associated Student Body. The Viking newsroom is located at LBCC, LAC 4901 E. Carson St., Long Beach, Calif., 90808, Room N108, mail code Y-16, Telephone (562) 938-4285 or contact the staff by email to vikingnews@lbcc.edu or on social media. The views expressed in the Viking do not reflect the views of the advisers, administration or the ASB. First copy free, each additional $1.
Have an opinion?
The Viking welcomes letters to the editor. Writers must identify themselves by showing their ASB card, driver’s license or ID card and email. Only names and major will be published with the letter.
SPORTS
MARCH 1, 2018
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Vikings race out to 10-0 start Men’s volleyball team continues dominant start as LBCC remains undefeated. Story by Leslie Armillo Viking staff @palmtr33s_
The Vikings kept their men’s volleyball winning streak alive, pulling off three straight victories on the road and did not drop a set in any match. They improved their record to 10-0, keeping their top rank in the state poll. In their last home game, the Vikings swept Orange Coast in three sets, 26-24, 25-19, 25-14 in LAC’s Small Gym. Orange Coast is LBCC’s biggest competition this year and was determined to show why they can compete with the Vikings. The strongest performances during the game were from LBCC middle players, sophomore Andrew Pearson and freshman Carlos Hernandez. They showed great defense with their blocks at the net and their hitting percent-
age combined was over 500. really good. Together, they helped open the whole “We did a good job playing in transition court for the hitters to strike back, which even if the pass wasn’t there. This being our made them streak between four to six home opener really brought the energy and points every serve. we just wanted to show the crowd what Sophomore outside hitter Steven Rotter Long Beach volleyball is all about.” described what he thought that made the Middle and outside hitter Andrew game turn out successful: “I believe what Pearson revealed his excitement on the big made the game turn out the way it went win as he said, “It felt great. It was a lot of was because of our composure.” fun out there. We were really excited about “We didn’t get mad at our first home each other when we were “Everything is going to be game, so it felt down four points in the great to play, but middle of the first set. We OK, we just have to follow even better to buckled down and said to through our plays and we come out with a each other, ‘Everything is will get back in.” win. I’d say the going to be OK, we just coaches kept have to follow through our heads in the -Steven Rotter game for sure. our plays and we will get Sophomore outside hitter back in.’ They made sure “I also think the enwe were focused ergy, not just from the team, but from the on winning and having a team full of comcrowd too. Our setter, Melbe Perez, was petitive guys helps with that as well.” a great leader on the court too and our Long Beach’s next match is against Sanoffense flourished because of his smart ta Barbra on Friday, March 2, at 6 p.m. in thinking with whom to set.” the Q Building Small Gym. Freshman setter Perez shared his highlights of the game: “I felt our middle hitters did a very good job on finding the open seams and our serve receive passing was
Steven Rotter Sophomore outside hitter
Melbe Perez Freshman setter
CITY SPORTS OUR THING IS
WINGS MADE FRESH H A N D -T O S S E D DONE RIGHT
Photo by Meghan Gonzales/Viking FLYING: Sophomore swimmer Kyle Franco competes at the Mt. San Antonio College Invitational on Saturday, Feb. 24.
Women’s basketball: Track and field: The women’s basketball season ended The team will compete at the Beach in the second round matchup against Opener on Friday, March 2 at Cal State Los Angeles Trade Tech, 67-55. Long Beach. Baseball: Beach volleyball: The Vikings fell to Southwestern, 11-2, The Vikings are ranked No. 1 in the in there last matchup. Their record now state in the coaches poll. They were stands at 8-6 as they ready for conference able to beat Ventura, 4-1, but fell to Cal play. State Northridge, 4-1. Swimming: The LBCC swim team competed in the Mt. San Antonio College invitational. The men came in 4th place in the 4-by-100 medley relay with a time of 4:18.45.
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SPORTS
MARCH 1, 2018
Late lead slips away Story by Kevin Chittum Viking staff @kevinchittumm
Photo by Osbiel Montano/Viking HARD CONTACT: Isaiah Keyes draws contact as he drives into the point against a San Diego defender. Keyes finished the game with six points.
Despite leading for a majority of the game, a three run seventh inning by El Camino led to a 6-4 loss for the Vikings’ women’s softball team on Tuesday, Feb. 27. After being down 2-0 early, freshman center fielder Emilee Hoppe, freshman third base player Raven Agapay and sophomore catcher Samantha Ontiveros each scored a run in the second inning. Agapay hit a solo home run in the third inning to give the Vikings a 4-2 lead. The Vikings led 4-3 from the fourth inning until the top of the seventh when the Warriors scored three runs to regain the lead. Sophomore pitcher Alissa Cienfuego says they could have executed better to earn the victory.
Vikes reach second round Despite their second round defeat, coaches and players are excited about the future of the program.
in the first half, scoring 20 of the team’s 44 points. With a 3- point jump shot and a couple layups, sophomore guard William English added seven points to the Viking score. Freshman forward Artis Parris gave the Vikings five points and with 28 seconds Story by Cynthia Alvarez left on the clock, sophomore guard Isaiah Viking staff Keyes made a layup. The Knights went into @cindyindie the locker room with a 56-44 lead. Freshman guard Jeremiah Sadler After having its most successful sea- made a few layups, free throws and a killer son in the last two years, the LBCC men’s 3-point jump shot to lead the Vikings with basketball team lost, 116-97, against the 12 points in the second half. top-seeded San Diego City Knights on SatFreshman forward Matthew Wooten urday Feb. 24, in the and freshman guard second round of the “We’re always going to Jordan Heard conregional playoffs to play hard, that’s what tributed eight points end the season. each, but the San The Vikings came we do. Next year, we’re Diego offensive atin as heavy underdogs tack was too much coming back strong.” as the 16th seed, but -Jamiu Akinbile for the Vikings to were able to keep the Freshman guard handle. score close in the first Viking head half, even cutting the coach Barry Barnes deficit to two at one point. said, “What a great experience to let the “In the first half, we were battling, go- guys know what a championship team is ing back and forth,” said freshman guard made of. They got a good example rather Jamiu Akinbile. “They’re a good team, but than us talking as a coaching staff.” we kept up.” A defending championship team with Akinbile set the tone for Long Beach 30 wins and only two losses this season, the
Knights’ victory over the Vikings, a fairly young team with four freshman starters, boiled down to experience, Barnes said. “They’ve been through where we need to go. This was our first process and I think with all the freshmen coming back, we’ll be pretty good next year.” After missing the playoffs the last two seasons, and an especially disappointing 7-win season last year, the Vikings were able to add 12 victories to their record this year and finish the season at 19-12. Having four of the five starters coming back next year, the Vikings look to build on this year’s success and carry it over into next year. Akinbile said, “We’re always going to play hard, that’s what we do. Next year, we’re coming back strong.” The Vikings were able to win their first round matchup against Palomar by a final score of 80-74. The Vikings got into foul trouble early as Palomar generated most of their offense from the line where they went 22-31. William English, a SCC-South First Team All Conference selection, led the team with 25 points. Jeremiah Sadler joined English as a first team selection and Jordan Heard was selected as an honorable mention.
Alissa Cienfuego Viking pitcher “I think we did good as a team, but we could have done better in the last couple innings,” Cienfuego said. Viking coach Megan Martinez said her team performed well, but saw room for improvement. “I thought that we played a decent game, I just feel like we weren’t able to finish today. They took the momentum from us and we weren’t able to recover in that last inning. We should have been able to hold the lead. They had really timely hitting,” Martinez said. Agapay, who scored two runs, said her team had a lot to be proud of, “I honestly thought we did really good. El Camino is a great team. It was a really great game for us. I think our overall performance was really good.” The Vikings’ record moves to 10-9 overall and 0-2 in conference. They play their next game at Los Angeles Harbor on Thursday, March 1.