February 28, 2017

COLLEGE HEIGHTS HERALD

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Tuesday, February 28, 2017 • western kentucky university

TTUESDAY, UESDAY, FFEBRUARY EBRUARY 228, 8, 22017 017 > W WESTERN ESTERN KKENTUCKY ENTUCKY UUNIVERSITY NIVERSITY > VVOLUME OLUME 992, 2, IISSUE SSUE 3377

WKU sues Herald over access to records

BY JACOB DICK HERALD.NEWS@WKU.EDU WKU sued the College Heights Herald on Monday to appeal an order from the Kentucky attorney general.

In January, the attorney general ruled that the university must turn over records of sexual misconduct investigations to the newspaper.

The Herald and the University of Kentucky’s student paper, the Kentucky Kernel, were named as defendants in the appeal to Attorney General Andy Beshear’s decision in January.

Beshear’s decision claimed the university was responsible for releasing Title IX records about final actions in investigations of sexual

harassment by university employees.

In the lawsuit filed by Kerrick Bachert law firm on behalf of WKU, the university claims the complaint is reasonable “to prevent potentially devastating consequences that would result from compliance with the AG Decision.”

Michael Abate, of Kaplan and Partners who is representing the Herald

in the lawsuit, said the university’s actions in this case and its reasoning are disturbing, considering the options given by the attorney general in his ruling in the Herald’s favor.

“It’s appropriate to say it’s troubling the university is suing its own newspaper for practicing good journalism,” Abate said. “Even if they

SEE LAWSUIT PAGE A2

WKU tied among grant winners

BY MONICA KAST HERALD.NEWS@WKU.EDU WKU has tied for the second highest number of Fulbright grantees among master’s degree granting institutions in 2016-2017, according to university and Fulbright officials.

According to Melinda Grimsley-Smith, coordinator of International Scholarships, WKU had eight Fulbright grantees in the master’s program for 2016-2017, the most in one year in the school’s history.

Loyola Marymout University in Los Angeles also had eight grantees, and Villanova University in Pennsylvania came in first with 11 grantees in 2016-2017, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education.

Grimsley-Smith said grantees started applying for the Fulbright award in October of 2015, and are currently abroad working on their projects. The Fulbright award pays for an academic year abroad, which is typically nine to 12 months, according to Grimsley-Smith. There are also special grants that pay for longer periods of time abroad.

Grimsley-Smith said the Fulbright program is a “holistic selection” process, and believes that is one of the reasons WKU students have been successful.

“It is a prestigious fellowship to earn, and a prestigious name that will hopefully follow them for the rest of their lives,” Grimsley-Smith said.

Later, Grimsley-Smith added “it’s a really good reminder that our students have every right to be there on that list, and they have every right to have earned these awards.”

Meagan Skaggs graduated from WKU in 2016 with majors in English and international affairs and a minor in Latin American studies. Skaggs is now in Esquipulas, Guatemala, with the Fulbright Program.

Skaggs said she is teaching English to Guatemalan students, ages ranging from 13 to 15. Skaggs works with Guatemala teachers as well as with a local financial cooperation on social projects that also teach and use English. Skaggs said she works with these students two or three times a week.

“I feel like I’m living someone else’s life,” Skaggs said of her experience.

Skaggs arrived in Guatemala in January and will stay until November with the option to stay longer depending on grant funding. Skaggs will also attend a Fulbright conference with other grantees in the region later this year.

“It really is the experience of a lifetime,” Skaggs said.

Other grantees include 2016 graduate Brittany Broder of St. Charles, Missouri, 2015 graduate Jessica Brumley of Lawrenceburg, 2015 graduate Elizabeth Gribbins of Louisville, 2016 graduate Jarred Johnson of Somerset, 2015 graduate Bailey Mack of Louisville, 2016 graduate

SEE FULBRIGHT PAGE A2

Colton Turley, a student at WKU, adjusts the brakes on a vintage road bike in his shop underneath the Office for Sustainability on Wednesday, Feb. 22 Turley is the mechanic for the Big Red Bike’s program, which repurposes abandoned bikes on campus into rental bikes for students. NIC HUEY / HERALD

City makes plans to improve biker and pedestrian facilities

BY CALLIE MILLER HERALD.NEWS@WKU.EDU

W

KU sophomore Matthew Kline, 20, rides his bike every day, whether it’s to Preston Center, class or a friend’s house. In the fall of 2015, he had a class on South Campus and always took the greenway from class back to his dorm.

The route he took is longer than a motor vehicle route because there are no bike lanes going back to campus.

One day in October, Kline unexpectedly saw a car stop in the middle of the greenway by Daymar College. He didn’t have time to brake and ended up landing on the roof of the car.

Though Kline survived the collision without a scratch, his bicycle was not so lucky. The frame broke and the bike was left beyond repair.

“If I was on a bike lane, it wouldn’t have happened,” Kline said.

The Bowling Green-Warren County Metropolitan Planning Organization is working to improve Bowling Green’s transportation routes for pedestrians and bikers.

The Metropolitan Planning Organization hired Robert P. Murphy Transportation Consultants to organize

Colton Turley’s desk in the Big Red Bike shop is littered with everything you might need to fix a bike, including a plethora of tools and spare parts. Turley is responsible for the upkeep of the Big Red Bikes. NIC HUEY / HERALD a multi-modal implementation plan. The Metropolitan Planning Organization does a study every year on Bowling Green transportation, and when the staff real-

SEE BIKING PAGE A2

Welcome notes greet incoming refugees

BY TYGER WILLIAMS HERALD.NEWS@WKU.EDU Greetings written in multiple languages slowly filled the empty space on a bulletin board hung on the walls of the Warren County Public Library on Thursday. A variety of supporters, including WKU students and Bowling Green citizens, walked in throughout the day on Thursday, leaving messages to welcome Bowling Green refugees.

Denise Anderson, Bowling Green resident and organizer of the event, “Welcome Notes for Refugees,” has recently been volunteering at the International Center and wanted to do something to make people feel better when walking through its doors.

“I’ve always enjoyed visiting the International Center,” Anderson said. “I love it there.”

As a volunteer, Anderson donates clothing and household goods throughout her years living in Bowling Green.

Anderson said she expected around 36 people to show up between 4 to 7

Becky Valentine, of Bowling Green, and her daughter Harper Ferrell attend Welcome Notes for Refugees. The two heard about the event from Denise Anderson the organizer of the event. “We love diversity and support all from around the country,” Valentine said. TYGER WILLIAMS /HERALD p.m. at the library to participate and write notes welcoming refugees to Bowling Green. She said the idea for the event came from a welcome wall

on display at the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville.

“Welcome to your new home in

SEE NOTES PAGE A2

FEBRUARY 28, 2017

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COLLEGE HEIGHTS HERALD

Louisville junior Max Goldstein rides his bike down Normal Street on WKU’s campus on Monday. WKU has a relatively bike-friendly campus, featuring dedicated bike lanes on the Normal Street hill and Chestnut Street. NIC HUEY /HERALD

BIKING

Continued from Front ized much of the public’s feedback regarded biking and walking, they decided to do a study solely on bicycle and pedestrian facilities.

One of the top desires of respondents from past surveys is to have more places to bike and walk, including more greenways, which are walking and biking trails.

Currently, there are gaps in the greenways, and Miranda Clements, greenways coordinator, said people expressed the desire for those to be connected as well. She hopes with more bike lanes and sidewalks, people will find easier ways to get to their destinations.

The Metropolitan Planning Organization posted a survey online last week to get the public’s input about the need for more or better bike/pedestrian facilities.

“This plan is going to look at all

LAWSUIT

Continued from Front have a valid basis for withholding information, they still have to submit redacted documents.”

Abate said under Kentucky’s open records laws, documents must be provided for a request not specifically excluded by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, or FERPA, even if the records are highly redacted. He also mentioned the WKU’s decision to ignore Beshear’s authority to view records.

In Beshear’s decision, he requested to view the requested documents “in camera,” or in private, to determine if the information would be harmful to victims if released. WKU refused to hand over documents to Beshear’s office.

In an interview with a Herald reporter on Feb. 22, while on campus

NOTES

Continued from Front

Bowling Green!” was written on a message left by 8-year-old Harper Ferrell. She wrote seven notes total, all written in different languages. Ferrell wants the refugees to “feel happy” when they see the board hanging at the Bowling Green International Center.

Ferrell’s mother, Becky Valentine, said love is what makes the world go

FUlBRIGHT

Continued from Front

Tyler Prochazka of Newton, Kansas, and 2014 graduate Ryan Vennell of Chatham, Illinois, according to a

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the opportunities and possibilities and come up with recommendations for what would be practical and implementable in Bowling Green,” Clements said.

Clements said she wants people to be able to safely walk and bike to school, work and other destinations. She said one of the areas of focus will be transportation to and from WKU’s campus for students and staff. Improvements could include more pedestrian signals on intersections, crossing signs, crosswalks and bike lanes.

“I’d like to see improved intersections to make it safer for bike and ped,” she said.

After a technical analysis, there will be a meeting sometime around April to inform the community about the plan and so people can express input on the plan.

Colton Turley, bike mechanic at Big Red Bikes on Regents Ave., doesn’t think Bowling Green is as

well-equipped as it could be for pedestrians and bikers. He rides his bike almost every day, usually to campus and to his workplace on Scottsville Road.

Turley said WKU’s campus is a lot better, but other places in the community need work. He has been hit twice by cars while riding his bike.

Turley thinks improvements could be made on Scottsville Road, Richardsville Road, Chestnut Street and downtown.

Kline said he would benefit from improvements on Campbell Lane and Nashville Road.

“There could always be more connectivity,” Kline said.

Turley owns 32 bikes currently, including a double-decker bike he made himself. He encourages his friends to ride bikes with him and hopes to start a group to meet once or twice a month for a cookout and a group bike ride.

Clements rides her bike for recre-

ation as well as to work sometimes, along with some of her coworkers.

Other than having environmental benefits, walking and biking are also great exercise and can lead to a better, healthier life, she said. Robert P. Murphy Transportation Consultants will also look at the potential to increase landscaping to make Bowling Green more aesthetic for bikers and walkers.

Clements is from Australia and said she was surprised after her move to the United States because she was used to a community in which a lot of people walked and biked.

“A community built around cars is kind of ugly,” Clements said. “A community built around pedestrians and bikers is very nice.”

for a sexual assault awareness campaign, Beshear said WKU’s decision to appeal the records ordered released could be influenced by the pending lawsuit between the University of Kentucky and its student newspaper, the Kentucky Kernel .

Beshear said he strongly disagrees with the universities’ claims that withholding public records will protect victims of sexual misconduct on the part of university employees.

“I have serious issues with the University of Kentucky’s lawsuit in that I refuse to believe that hiding every single document about a professor that may be preying on students somehow makes us safer,” Beshear said. “When you look at the amount of sexual assault on college campuses yet how little of it is reported outside the Title IX system, it means we have to have transparency to make sure our campuses are conducting the inves-

tigations in the right way, that they’re treating our victims in the right way, that they are also ultimately seeking justice in the only way to make sure that justice is being provided to us is through transparency. And the University of Kentucky’s lawsuit also threatens the open records and the open meetings act themselves.”

UK’s original lawsuit appealing an attorney general opinion in favor of the Kernel, filed last summer, was attached to the relevant case information in WKU’s suit along with the follow-up appeal from Beshear and the Kernel. The appeal was filed after a Fayette County Circuit Court judge ruled in favor of UK. In WKU’s case, the university wrote to a Herald reporter that 20 cases of sexual misconduct were reported with six resulting in a finding of university policy violations. The university told the reporter the records were prelimi-

nary in nature but would release them pending the UK/Kernel lawsuit decision.

The request to UK from the Kernel in the summer of 2016 were for records specifically referring to the investigation of complaints against James Harwood, former professor in the College of Agriculture. UK denied the requests on several grounds, including citing a violation of FERPA. Abate said comparing the two cases as being identical would be inaccurate and believes the requests made to WKU are vastly different than those made to UK. “Every request under the open records act is different,” Abate said. “In our judgment, we really don’t think these records are covered by FERPA.”

around.

“She [Ferrell] grows up in a world where there’s inclusion,” Valentine said. “We support each other; where we don’t see classes of people, everyone is important.”

Valentine said she wants people to come up to the center to see notes from members of the community who support them.

Erika Brady, WKU professor of folk studies and anthology, attended the event and wrote multiple notes for the refugees.

“It’s a good idea,” Brady said. “A time of great uncertainty is especially important to value the immigrant population.”

Anderson has lived abroad for 20 years in Asian countries including Japan and China. Living in China, Anderson felt welcomed from strangers.

She said the less you have, the more you’re willing to share the little bit you do have.

“I think people flee their countries when they have no choice,” Anderson said. “When it’s life or death, they try

press release from WKU. The awarded students are studying in England, Germany and Malaysia as well as several other countries, according to the release.

Grimsley-Smith said the Office of Scholar Development will have Fulbright Week from April 3 to April 7.

That week, faculty and students will be able to learn more about upcom-

Reporter Callie Miller can be reached at 270-745-6011 and caroline.miller528@topper.wku.edu.

Jacob Dick can be reached at 270-7456011 and jacob.dick@wku.edu. Follow him on Twitter at @jdickjournalism. to live.”

Anderson said refugees and their children should not have these kinds of fears when arriving to their new home.

“If they’ve gotten into this country, they belong here,” Anderson said. “A lot of people have their backs.”

Reporter Tyger Williams can be reached at (270)745-0655 and tyger. williams25@gmail.com. ing Fulbright opportunities.

Reporter Monica Kast can be reached at (270) 745-0655 and monica. kast187@topper.wku.edu.

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Local restaurants provide ‘sanctuary’ for workers

BY DANIELLE CHAVIS HERALD.FEATURES@WKU.EDU Sanctuary restaurants are a part of a new and budding movement that is changing the face of the restaurant industry by creating an active voice in the pursuit of equality for immigrants.

The movement stands in solidarity with all deviations of human rights by a public proclamation of zero tolerance for xenophobia, racism and sexism.

The Sanctuary Restaurant movement and its partners are goal-oriented in providing a safe environment for everyone in the restaurant industry.

The temporary travel ban enacted

by President Trump in January has inspired many dining establishments in the U.S. to become sanctuary restaurants. There are nearly 300 registered sanctuary restaurants in the U.S., according to sanctuaryrestaurants.org.

For individuals affected by legislative changes, sanctuary restaurants aim at providing an inviting workplace and welcoming dining experiences to customers regardless of their background or citizenship.

The Sanctuary Restaurant movement was developed in 2016 from a joint coalition of the Restaurant Opportunities Center, or ROC, United and Presente.org to protect immigrants as well as to defend their economic importance in the restaurant industry.

There are nine Kentucky restaurants that have joined in the movement throughout the state, mostly

concentrated in Louisville and Lexington.

However, in the Bowling Green community, two of the nine restaurants are available and registered with the movement. Zest and Home Café & Marketplace are dedicated to upholding the Sanctuary Restaurant mantra of “a place at the table for everyone.”

Josh Poling, owner of Home Café & Marketplace, explained the purpose of his restaurant’s participation as a sanctuary restaurant.

“Home Cafe becoming a sanctuary restaurant was our way of saying we need to have a conversation about this,” Poling said.

According to the the National Restaurant Association, the restaurant industry workforce is projected to increase by 14 percent in a decade.

However, this potential increase is met with opposition, because of the lack of labor available.

In 2015, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics sampled data for the employment of foreign-born workers in comparison to native-born workers above the age of 16. When focused only on the food service industry data, the employment of foreign-born workers was 7.1 percent compared to the 5.1 percent of native-born workers.

The economic dependence of immigrants is a major concern for the movement, but so is protecting and providing an industry that is inclusive of its diversity such as the restaurant industry.

Poling said that he learned some of the basics in preparation of food from

Home Café & Marketplace is one the two restaurants in Bowling Green that is a part of the movement to pursue equality for immigrants. There are approximately 300 sanctuary restaurants in the U.S. TYGER WILLIAMS/HERALD working alongside skilled immigrants when he was a novice in the food industry. Through personal encounters like Poling’s, the Sanctuary Restaurant movement is adamant in sheltering the diversity of life that makeups their industry.

Nationwide, the Sanctuary Restaurant movement, although new, has sparked conversation in the restaurant industry. Across the nation, thousands of workers and consumers are joining the movement. The future of the movement is uncertain, but many restaurants and supporters are optimistic in the growth and continuation of sanctuary restaurants.

“It will only continue to grow,” Poling said. “I cannot stress enough how important immigrants are to the food industry. I once read restaurants are the last great meritocracy on earth. I’ve worked next to drug dealers, preachers, Christians, Muslims, atheists, felons, convicts, mothers, grandmas ... you name it, I’ve probably worked next to them, and the only thing that matters in a restaurant is can you do what it takes to get through service,” Poling said.

Reporter Danielle Chavis can be reached at 270-745-6288 and danielle. chavis191@topper.wku.edu

Faculty aims to prevent flu epidemic through education

BY REBEKAH ALVEY

HERALD.NEWS@WKU.EDU

College campuses can be hotbeds for illness. With everyone living together and constantly moving, a single virus can soon become a major issue.

Flu outbreaks have been higher this season throughout the Bowling Green community with several students becoming infected. So far there have been over 100 cases, Bryan Kuster, chief of student affairs, said.

Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue, body and joint soreness and headache, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It’s separate from the common cold in that it leaves you feeling drained, Assistant Director of Health Education Kathryn Steward said.

Steward said the amount of outbreaks is much higher than previous years; it has become so bad in some situations that high schools in Bowling Green have cancelled classes.

Steward said to keep students in class, prevention and awareness has become a major focus. The Health Education Department worked with Housing and Residential Life to send out emails and reach students through social media with a goal to educate students and faculty on the virus and make sure people were less likely to become infected.

“We want to make sure students have good habits while sick,” Kuster said.

In the past there have been single strands of the flu virus present on campus, but this year types A and B are present as well as a few cases of strep throat, Steward said.

The flu is a form of a virus which means it can spread person to person faster.

“Even a cough can spread the flu,” Steward said.

Students are recommended to wear face masks if they test positive for the flu and are recommended to rest, possibly missing class. Faculty was included in an email about the outbreaks.

Kuster said faculty members were asked to be understanding of increased student absence and students were encouraged to know their professor’s attendance policy.

“I would imagine class attendance has been affected by the outbreaks,” Steward said.

HRL and the Health Education department have emphasized the flu shot in prevention. Steward said a lot of people have a false perception that the shot will make them sick.

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Their efforts to educate students have extended to ensuring that this is not true. Steward said people who received the vaccine but did contract the flu displayed less severe symptoms.

Steward recommends not getting the shot if patients are already displaying symptoms or feeling sick.

On campus, flu shots are free with insurance or 27 dollars without and are available through March.

If students are exposed to the virus through an infected person, they can take antiviral drugs to fight contracting the flu. The medicine typically works best after two or three days of being exposed.

“Just be careful and try to prevent spreading the virus,” Steward said.

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FEBRUARY 28, 2017> WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY

WKUHERALD.COM EDITORIAL

OPINION

Have an opinion? Tweet us @wkuherald or find us on Facebook at WKUHerald as well. Let us know your thoughts about the editorial, or write us with what is on your mind.

Illustration by Wesley Slaughter

Faltering Fairness City officials fail to meet the low bar of open discussion

THE ISSUE: History was made in Bowling Green with the first-time proposal of a fairness ordinance to add sexual orientation and gender identity as protected categories to existing civil rights laws.

OUR STANCE: While Commissioner Brian “Slim” Nash proposed the ordinance, other commissioners failed to even second the motion for a debate. To not even have open discourse on the issue is ultimately, and decidedly, unfair.

L

ast Tuesday, was one small step for Bowling Green, a step which had finally come after several years of lobbying, impassioned speeches and desperate pleas.

An ordinance to add sexual orientation and gender identity as protected categories to existing civil rights laws, more commonly known as a fairness ordinance, was proposed by Commissioner Brian “Slim” Nash.

The chambers of Bowling Green City Hall were filled with people wearing blue t-shirts that Tuesday, “Another Kentuckian for Fairness,” they read. From the perspective of the mayor and city commissioners, the entire left side of the room was packed with these shirts and they were interspersed throughout the room which had reached capacity by the time the meeting started.

In between the bench where city officials governed and where the public sat was a podium squarely facing the eyes of local government:

an eye in the hurricane of what has come to be a continuous stormy battle.

Before the meeting began, Commissioner Sue Parrigin walked around the outer ring of the chambers, shaking hands with constituents. She wore an “I heart Bowling Green” pin on the left side of her blue blouse, yet her later actions would prove her unworthy of this button.

A man asked her about the fairness ordinance; she said the commissioners have an agenda to follow.

“We’re hiring eight new firefighters first,” she replied.

Before the meeting started, an invocation was given, asking God to oversee the work of the commissioners tonight. This was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. The words “liberty and justice for all” would soon come to ring hollow.

After sifting through the other business of the commission, the time came to propose the fairness ordinance. The proposed amendment was read, Mayor Bruce Wilkerson asked for a second on the motion in order to bring discussion. The room went silent. A second was never received.

Supporters of the fairness ordinance marched out of the chambers to join others in the lobby of City Hall and outside. Approximately 200 people were in attendance. Cries of “shame, shame, shame” could be heard from outside City Hall and inside the lobby as supporters made a tunnel of shame in anticipation of the other commissioners and mayor

to walk out.

Parrigin came out of a back entrance to avoid the crowd, escorted by a police officer, as she attempted to get into her car in front of City Hall without being noticed. However, chants of “shame” followed her as she drove off into the sunset.

Perhaps she was on her way to WKU to check on her own lawsuit against the university for age and sex discrimination. You know, the one she has every legal right to file while LGBT people have no legal recourse for termination of employment or housing.

The Herald has supported the passage of a fairness ordinance in the past, and we applaud Nash for proposing the amendment and support him in the coming battle. We applaud even louder for the citizens of Bowling Green who have been pushing for the ordinance since the beginning.

The issue here is simple, commissioners refuse to even discuss the adoption of a fairness ordinance. We already know that the commissioners and the mayor have their own faulty reasons for refusing to adopt the ordinance.

Commissioner Joe Denning believes there are already laws in Kentucky that protect the LGBT community from discrimination, which last time we checked, isn’t the case as Kentucky has no statewide fairness law. Because if we did, this wouldn’t be an issue to begin with.

Wilkerson has continuously maintained the issue would be best man-

aged on a state level and not a local level. And while there is a fairness bill in the form of Senate Bill 63, you also have anti-fairness bills such as House Bills 105, 106 and 141.

Let’s be real for a moment; the “Bowling Green Massacre” sounds more believable than the General Assembly and Gov. Matt Bevin actually passing and signing a statewide fairness bill into law.

Commissioner Rick Williams has served on the city commission since 2013 and is opposed to the ordinance as well. There’s not as much reasoning behind Williams’s opposition so we assume he’s been racking his brain for a few years trying to think of one. We wish him luck.

Perhaps most baffling of all is the reasoning behind Parrigin’s opposition. She’s said she’s for equal treatment but thinks the ordinance should be on a federal or state level.

“There is discrimination in every corner of this globe, of some sort, people are discriminated against.

And it’s real. Is it appropriate for a local city government to decide protected classes? I just don’t believe it is,” Parrigin said in a recent interview with WBKO. However, Parrign has no trouble touting the powers of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the very act which gives her the right to pursue legal discourse against WKU for allegedly discriminating against her.

Fairness supporters are simply wanting to attach sexual orientation and gender identity to our already existing civil rights statutes here in Bowling Green. It is more than appropriate for local government to decide this issue if the federal and state levels have not done so.

In fact, had it not been for the Civil Rights Act, Commissioners Denning and Parrigin may not even be city commissioners today. Yet, they continue to be greedy by not fully extending these rights to all.

Passing the ordinance would ensure universal human rights and also would have economic benefits for Bowling Green.

We’ll set the bar low for the other commissioners. All Nash needs is a second to bring discussion on the ordinance. That’s all we’re asking of you at this point. At least let everyone publicly know your prejudices instead of hiding behind veiled talking points.

Some may say the issue of fairness was decided in the November election when several candidates running on passing the ordinance failed to get a seat. This is nothing more than a straw man. We’re talking about the bare minimum of discussing the ordinance and having an open debate about it.

If the ability to have an open discussion and freely share information and different viewpoints was voted out in November, then we all have bigger issues than the fairness ordinance to worry about.

We implore just one more commissioner to second the ordinance when it is presented again on March 7. At least give the ordinance the public discourse it rightly deserves.

Until then, the other commissioners and mayor should think twice before uttering the words “liberty and justice for all.”

SPARSH’S PICK

In midst of chaos, diversify your playlist

BY SPENCER HARSH HERALD.OPINION@WKU.EDU

With the inconsistent weather and flu epidemic plaguing the existence of every student, things may be getting hectic. On top of that, mid-terms are drawing near and your fifth-week assessment may have caught your attention. However, you’ve got a game plan and you’re not going to let some weird weather or that classmate that doesn’t cover their mouth when they cough stop you from having a great semester.

In the midst of all the chaos this semester, be sure you set aside some time to relax. One of best ways to do that may be to sling-up a hammock somewhere on campus when the

weather cooperates, listen to some music and sway in the wind.

Here are five songs to check out to help you make the best of your day: 1. “Nobody Speak” by DJ Shadow – While the track was recorded and produced by DJ Shadow, EL-P and Killer Mike of Run the Jewels are featured in the track. The track itself has some traditional instrument sounds, but still has occasional synth breaks and modern flairs to keep it upbeat. The track fits well into a workout playlist or as something to listen to in the morning to give a strong start to your day. If you want a good laugh, check out the official music video for the track on record label Mass Appeal’s YouTube Channel.

2. “Early Blue” by F. J. McMahon – This folk-style track features a sooth-

ing acoustic tune and McMahon’s calm voice. This can be considered a classic, as the original song came out in 1969. Even the old-school quality of the audio offers a certain relaxing tone itself. This track would fit well into a study playlist, a driving playlist and is over-all a good song to relax to.

3. “Asleep on the Bus” by BESTiE – This indie-style track fits well into that playlist you might listen to between classes or while driving around Bowling Green. The chilledout tone of the song may also make for a good one to listen to in the morning when you’re getting your day started. The opening line of the track, “Monday always comes too soon,” will likely hit home for a lot of students.

4. “The Next Afternoon” by Mr.

Carmack – This chill-beat, hip-hop instrumental fits perfectly into your studying and relaxing playlist. While the sounds featured in the mix are pretty laid-back, the tempo is actually pretty upbeat, possibly making it a decent track to work out to. This track can be found on Reality EP, which has a plethora of Mr. Carmack tracks if you’re wanting more.

5. “Sorry” by Future – As the last track on Future’s newest album, “HNDRXX,” this may be one of Future’s more underrated tracks. Moving away from the typical high-energy tracks, Future takes a bit of a gamble with this style. However, the gamble was worthwhile with the result of a laid-back, hip-hop track that can be listened to while you’re walking to class or while you’re just chilling in your room.

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FEBRUARY 28, 2017

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1. How many Canadian provinces border any of the Great Lakes? (a) 3 (b) 1 (c) Zero 2. The 'Mathematical Bridge' constructed without using any nails is located where in Britain? (a) Cambridge (b) Liverpool (c) Oxford 3. What country is known as the 'Land of Milk and Honey'? (a) Morocco (b) Jordan (c) Israel 4. What is the only land-locked country in southeast Asia? (a) Cambodia (b) Thailand (c) Laos 5. What country is sandwiched between Switzerland and Austria? (a) Leichtenstein (b) Latvia (c) Lithuania 6. Only three cities in Montana have a population over 50,000.

What are they? (a) Helena, Missoula & Bozeman (b) Billings, Missoula & Great Falls (c) Billings, Helena & Great Falls 7. Lake Tahoe has only one outlet. Into which river does it flow? (a) Carson (b) Walker (c) Truckee 8. What are the only two European countries whose capital cities are on the Atlantic ocean? (a) Netherland & Hungary (b) Andorra & Greece (c) Iceland & Portugal 9. According to the 1990 census, what was the largest capital city in population? (a) Phoenix, Az (b) Austin, Tx (c) Sacramento, Ca 10. The Allegheny and Monongehela rivers meet to form what river in Pittsburgh? (a) Missouri (b) Susquehanna (c) Ohio

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FEBRUARY 28, 2017 > WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY

WKUHERALD.COM

PHOTO

Sophomore Bailey Dahlquist looks for a target to throw his bucket of water at during the intramural battleship competition on Saturday. One of Dahlquist’s teammates, Harlee Havens, said “It’s fun, but stressful.” SILAS WALKER/HERALD

Battleships Sink or Swim

W

ith the soundtrack to “Pirates of the Caribbean” setting the mood, WKU Intramural Sports hosted a real-life battleship competition in the Bill Powell Natatorium. Four-person teams got into canoes. Equipped with two buckets to throw water and two yoga mats to block water. They battled it out until only one team remained.

The Bill Powell Natatorium is the scene of an epic water battle as four teams in canoes go into the pool and try to sink each other on Saturday. SILAS WALKER/HERALD

Sophia Blair, Rachel Henderson, Elegance Shemwell and Brooklyn Flynn cling to their canoe as it flips on Saturday in the Bill Powell Natatorium. SILAS WALKER/HERALD

Freshman Sophia Blair throws water to try and sink opposing teams while sophomore Rachel Henderson blocks water from entering their canoe with a yoga mat on Saturday. Both girls are members of Alpha Xi Delta sorority. SILAS WALKER/HERALD Senior Ben Sissom hurls water at another team as their canoes collide on Saturday.

Sissom’s team made it to the final battle, but they did not win. SILAS WALKER/ HERALD

B1 Life

WKUHERALD.COM

FEBRUARY 28, 2017 > WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY

LIFE

» Topic: Look forward to Thursday’s coverage of the second-annual Black History Month Symposium

Alexandra Watts (Daviess County), Leah Seargent (Eastern Kentucky) and Jenna Jo Jeffries (Henry County) introduce themselves to the judges at the beginning of the Miss Kentucky United States pageant on Saturday, Feb. 25, at Van Meter Hall. HANNAH LEBOEUF/HERALD

Program combines bingo, exercise

BY OLIVIA MOHR HERALD.FEATURES@WKU.EDU Assistant Professor of Exercise Science Jason Crandall invented Bingocize about five years ago with the intention to help older adults exercise and have fun at the same time. WKU helped him trademark and copyright the program and also helped with commercialization and marketing efforts for the program.

Bingocize combines bingo and exercise and allows older adults to switch between bingo games and exercises that depend on the extent of their physical and cognitive ability. Participants can also win prizes.

Several WKU students have gotten involved and help run the program.

“It’s basically a way to sneak exercise into [older adults’] lives in a fun way,” Crandall said.

Bingocize also teaches participants about health education by helping them learn to prevent falls and how to eat better. Crandall has done extensive research to improve and expand Bingocize.

Bingocize exists in several states around the country, and Crandall is collaborating with a Ph.D student from the University of Kentucky and an institute in Finland called Ikäinstituutti to expand the program to

SEE BINGOCIZE PAGE B2

TiTLES & TIARAS

Pageant winners crowned at Van Meter

BY SALLY WEGERT HERALD.FEATURES@WKU.EDU Wearing a dress she referred to as “the love of her life,” Leah Seargant took the stage at Van Meter Hall Saturday evening to represent Eastern Kentucky in the Miss Kentucky United States Pageant Finals. Seargent, an 18-year-old broadcasting major from Daviess County, was in her second year competing in the pageant, and was hopeful for a new title.

Representatives from all over Kentucky came together at the Holiday Inn in Bowling Green on Friday for a “meet and greet” with one another before the competition preparations began early the following morning.

The Miss Kentucky United States pageant took place over two days and involved swimsuit and evening wear competitions as well as interview portions for the contestants.

Finalists were announced after the opening ceremony on Sunday, and the winners were crowned that evening.

Katy Moody Cusick, executive director at Miss Kentucky United States Organization, had been involved

in the planning and preparation of the weekend’s events for nearly seven months since returning from the 2016 Miss United States pageant. It is her second year directing the pageant, and despite having “a few bullets to dodge backstage,” she said she was elated with the event’s success.

For Seargent, as well as other contestants, pageant preparation can

pageant will advance to the official Miss United States Pageant this summer in Orlando, Florida.

For Seargent, involvement in pageantry is what motivates her to live her best life.

“I use pageants as a motivation to do things that are better for me and better for other people,” Seargant said. “You work out and eat healthy

I use pageants as a motivation to do things that are better for me and better for other people.”

Eastern Kentucky contestant, Leah Seargant start as early as a year before the event date. There were 53 contestants competing in various categories, 15 of which were in Seargant’s category of “Teen.” The age categories represented during the weekend were Little Miss, Pre-Teen, Jr. Teen, Teen, Miss and Mrs., and winners announced at the close of Sunday’s

and get spray tans and do community service.”

According to the organization’s website, the Miss United States Pageant process is intended to “empower all delegates to become active participants in her community while

SEE MISS KENTUCKY PAGE B2

Soon-to-be Night Market visits Bowling Green

BY ELISABETH MOORE HERALD.FEATURES@WKU.EDU Imagine strolling around Bowling Green among vendors, booths and restaurants, all selling items that may not be accessible during the daytime.

Whether you enjoy window shopping or trying new products, the Bowling Green Night Market may be the newest place to visit.

Night markets are exactly what they sound like. In night markets, local and regional vendors are able to rent booths, which will allow them to sell their wares to the general public as normal stores begin to close for the night.

“It’s a fun thing to do in Bowling Green, where there will be food, entertainment and local crafts,” Sol Gvin, one of the student leaders of

ENACTUS said. “It will be like a small festival.”

Although the Bowling Green Night Market is still a work in progress, it is currently being ran by ENACTUS, a student group that came to WKU in order to let students become entrepreneurs. ENACTUS can be separated into three words: en, which stands for entrepreneurial; act, which stands for action; and us, which stands for the students involved in ENACTUS. The main goal of ENACTUS is to improve campus and the world through entrepreneurial action.

ENACTUS has been awarded multiple grants in the past to fund their entrepreneurial endeavors. These endeavors include a project where ENACTUS helped connect Burmese refugee families with their cultural heritage by selling native crafts and a Kasigau basket project, where ENAC-

TUS gained $3,500 in sales that were sent to Guilds in Kenya.

“A basic goal of the ENACTUS movement world-wide is to create sustainable ventures that will exist beyond the initial efforts of any team,” Krist Schell, Executive-in-Residence at the Gordon Ford College of Business and faculty adviser for ENACTUS said. “This is a key goal of entrepreneurs to make a venture that creates value after direct inputs are no longer necessary.”

What drew ENACTUS to the idea of night markets is a study abroad that one of the leaders, Joseph Dahmer, did in Asia. Night markets are popular in Asian culture and they can be found mostly in East and Southeast Asia, so when Dahmer took the study abroad to Asia, he got fascinated with the concept of night markets, which he eventually pitched to ENACTUS.

Night markets have steadily become more popular within the United States. The closest night markets in Kentucky are in Louisville and Lexington, as well as in Nashville.

Many night markets are a daily or weekly event, though ENACTUS said that they would like to make this a monthly event. Although no information about the time and date of the night markets is set in stone, ENACTUS said that they would like to incorporate Stadium Park Plaza and Center Street, though they are still looking for areas downtown that will work best. The time that they are aiming for is between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m., which will help bridge the gap between when the downtown stores close and the bars open later on in the night.

SEE NIGHT LIFE PAGE B2

FEBRUARY 28, 2017

B2

MISS KENTUCKY Continued from B1

nurturing and promoting a cause meaningful to her.”

Seargant’s community service platform is breast cancer awareness, which she chose as an homage to her mother who was diagnosed with

BINGOCIZE Continued from B1

Finland. They are also speaking to people from the Netherlands about the program.

Crandall also has a partnership with cognitive psychologist Matthew Shake, and they are working together to research how Bingocize improves cognition.

Crandall is working with a professor from the University of Kentucky to see how the program will impact childhood obesity. He and his partners have also worked to spread Bingocize around Kentucky.

Bingocize requires several WKU students involved in exercise science, speech-language pathology and other programs run the program at various facilities in Bowling Green, including Bowling Green Retirement Village, Chandler Memory Care, Chandler Assisted Living, Bowling Green Towers, Housing Authority of Bowling Green and Barren River Adult Daycare.

As a result, many students have formed relationships with the older

NIGHT LIFE Continued from B1

When the first night market is debuted, ENACTUS is hoping to have at least 40 vendors present. The first Night Market will be facilitated by ENACTUS, though if it is successful, they will be encouraging local businesses and the city of Bowling Green to form together to keep the night market running.

“We try to make sustainable proj-

COLLEGE HEIGHTS HERALD

breast cancer when Seargant was a child. Her work is targeted to raise money for individuals affected by the disease, often locals to her hometown.

“Pageants have overwhelmed my life, but it’s for the good, I guess,” Seargent said. “If I’m not on stage, then I’m doing something in the

community or for another person.

This is who I am now.”

Although Seargent did not earn a title in the weekend’s competition, she said she felt content with the results and will be happy to maintain her title as Miss Daviess County from the previous year.

“If the judges don’t like you for who

you are, then you really shouldn’t win the title because that’s not what they are looking for at the moment,” Seargent said. “Being yourself is the most important thing in pageantry to me.”

adults at the facilities who don’t get to interact with young people often. It benefits the students as well because it gives them more experience working with older adults so they can better understand and communicate with them.

Crandall finds the relationships forming between students and the older adults they work with through Bingocize amazing and beneficial.

“One thing that impacts me the most is to hear the stories about the relationships students have built with the older adults when they’re out there,” he said.

Crandall said the older adults involved experienced improved functional performance, muscular strength, balance, mobility and living and that Bingocize helps older adults become more mobile and independent.

Department Head of Communication Sciences and Disorders Jean Neils-Strunjas has done extensive research involving the effects Bingocize has on older adults with dementia, Alzheimer’s and other cognitive impairments.

In a research study last spring, Neils-Strunjas and Crandall found that people with dementia in residential

areas are more active during and following participation in Bingocize. They interact with others more, show more purposeful activity and are more active and socially engaged.

According to Neils-Strunjas, students involved in Bingocize understand older people and how to communicate with them better as well as older adults’ physical limitations and cognitive disabilities. They are more inclined to work with older adults after they graduate, and older adults enjoy interacting with the students.

“We feel like it’s a win-win all around,” Neils-Strunjas said.

Neils-Strunjas described programs like Bingocize as important because she said there is an aging population, and older adults will soon make up a large percentage of the population.

“We feel that it will meet a need that will only increase in the future,” she said.

Thomas Machine is a student who helped run Bingocize. He is a senior from Brandenburg, majoring in Kinesiology and Exercise Science. Machine was one of the Lead Exercise Coordinators for the program and helped at the Village Manor Community in Bowling

Green.

Machine discussed how his experience with Bingocize prepared him for potential careers that may involve assisting older adults and the relationships students form with the older adults involved with Bingocize.

“Building relationships with them allowed them to trust us when we were giving them exercises,” Machine said.

“It was also a great way for my team and me to step out of our comfort zones and help others with the knowledge we obtained. I loved getting to know the residents and they would always share their wisdom with me as well.”

Machine enjoyed helping older adults become more independent, and he loved interacting with them.

According to Machine, Bingocize allows older adults to share their wisdom and stories with younger adults, and he found his experience rewarding.

“I am grateful for each moment of it,” he said.

ects,” Dahmer said. “It’s not going to be an ENACTUS-led project year after year. We try to find something that can be fixed and to have someone else adopt it and make it their own.”

ENACTUS’ tentative schedule for the night market is on March 31 between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m., though that is subject to change if certain permits do not go through. With the current weather situation in Bowling Green, Dahmer said there are multiple plans to continue the night market wheth-

er there is sun, rain or snow.

Within the night market, ENACTUS is aiming to have many local vendors, established businesses and WKU clubs or businesses attending.

Whether booths have local artists or chain businesses, ENACTUS is encouraging a wide range of people to attend.

“When I first came to ENACTUS, I had no idea that this Night Market would be something that the community would really jump on board

Reporter Sally Wegert can be reached at (270)745-0655 and sallywegert@ gmail.com.

Reporter Olivia Mohr can be reached at 270-745-6288 and olivia.mohr564@topper.wku.edu

with,” Dahmer said. “The night market is going to be shaped by the patrons and the people that go. If you have anything that you would like to sell or anything that you would like to advocate for, I would definitely recommend checking it out.”

Reporter Elisabeth Moore can be reached at 270-745-6288 and Elisabeth.moore938@topper.wku.edu.

Follow her on Twitter at @emoore938.

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FEBRUARY 28, 2017 COLLEGE HEIGHTS HERALD B3 Lady Tops finish undefeated against C-USA at home

BY SAM PORTER HERALD.SPORTS@WKU.EDU In just its third year in Conference USA, the WKU Women’s basketball team accomplished something few programs accomplish each year across college basketball: finishing undefeated at home in their respective conference.

The Lady Tops capped off the regular season this past week with wins over Charlotte and Old Dominion University. WKU finished 9-0 against C-USA opponents and 14-1 overall at home “Every year we set goals. One of those goals is to be undefeated at home in the conference,” Head Coach Michelle Clark-Heard said. “Over the past four years, we’ve found a way to lose one or two at home. It’s a big deal for us. I talk to them all the time about going in day in and day out and finding ways to win in a tough conference.”

Earlier this season, the Lady Tops suffered their first conference loss of the season in an 89-85 overtime loss against Charlotte. Last Thursday, the Lady Tops overcame a double-digit deficit to avenge that loss in a 75-74 thriller in E.A. Diddle Arena.

Redshirt senior guard Kendall Noble

led WKU with 23 points while junior forwards Kyvin Goodin-Rogers and Ivy Brown also broke double figures. The Lady 49ers jumped on the Lady Tops early as WKU once again struggled defensively against the Charlotte attack.

The Lady 49ers and took a 30-17 lead midway through the second quarter before the Lady Tops slowly trimmed their way into the deficit; junior forward Tashia Brown’s three pointer right before the half cut the deficit to 38-32 at the half.

“We made some mistakes changing up our defenses early on,” ClarkHeard said after the game. “The reason they’re so hard to guard is because they have players that can drive well, players that can shoot well and players that can play the post well. They have all three.”

After Charlotte’s Nyilah Jamison-Myers opened the second half with a bucket, the Lady Topper offense came to life. After sitting out most of the first half due to foul trouble, Ivy Brown hit three three-pointers that sparked a 19-5 run to give WKU their first lead since the first quarter. The lead gave WKU a 51-45 lead that wasn’t given up the rest of the game. Soon after, the Lady Tops went on a 9-2 run capped off by freshman guard Whitney

Creech’s three pointer that pushed the WKU lead to double digits late in the third quarter.

“Our first half wasn’t very good, but we came out in that third quarter and really made a statement,” Creech said after the game. “When coach subs in, we try not to lose the momentum and chemistry that was in there. That’s what I try to do; bring energy and help the team any way I can.”

WKU’s lead grew to as many as 13 points. However, similar to the first meeting a late Lady 49er brought Charlotte back into the ball game. Trailing by one with one second left, Charlotte had one chance to hand WKU their first home conference loss of the season. Charlotte’s Ciara Gregory had a look at the bucket, but her shot was just off the mark as WKU held on for the narrow one-point victory.

Two days later, WKU hosted Old Dominion on senior day. Senior guards Kendall Noble, Micah Jones and Ima Akpan were honored following a 79-73 victory. Noble and Jones combined for 39 points as WKU never trailed once in the regular season home finale.

“It’s super special,” Noble said about getting the win on senior day. “It would’ve kind of ruined the day if we had lost, but our teammates played

hard and we got the win so now we can celebrate.”

After the Lady Tops jumped up early 27-18 early, the Lady Monarchs went on a 9-2 run to cut the WKU lead to 2 points. However, the Lady Tops answered with a 9-1 run of their own to push the lead to 10 points. Leading 3833 late in the first half, Jones banked a three before the buzzer to give WKU an eight-point lead. Jones finished with 21 points of 6-8 from three point range.

“It was great to see her shoot that way. She deserves it,” Noble said about Jones.

“She works harder than anyone on her shot and I’m glad it finally paid off.”

The win improves WKU to 22-6 (14-2 C-USA) and keeps them atop the C-USA standings. The Lady Tops travel to Denton, Texas on Thursday for a match-up against North Texas.

With a win against UNT or on Saturday against Rice University, the Lady Tops will clinch the regular season C-USA title and the number one seed in the conference tournament.

BASEBALL

on two hits, left two runners on base and struck out 10 times in the first six innings. In the end, the Toppers had eight hits and 15 strikeouts.

“Our guys came out today with the right mindset and mentality to try to win this series after a great win for us yesterday, and we weren’t able to do that,” Pawlowski said on Sunday.

“You take away that third inning and it’s a different game, but we weren’t able to overcome that.

“There’s a big drop off today from yesterday, but then we had a couple good at-bats in there.”

WKU will face off against Lipscomb at Nick Denes Field on Tuesday, followed by a game against the Kentucky in Lexington on Wednesday.

Continued from SPORTS

Senior pitcher Kevin Elder took the mount last for the Hilltoppers in a 3-2 loss against Jacksonville State University on Friday, Feb. 24. In his two relief appearances, totaling 6.1 innings, Elder has only allowed three hits. NICK HUEY/HERALD

DUO

Continued from SPORTS coaches are always telling me to keep shooting. I haven’t shot the best this year and hearing them gave me confidence and it paid off.”

Jones hit consecutive threes midway through the third quarter, giving WKU its first double-digit lead of the afternoon. While it didn’t take long for Jones to find her rhythm, Noble entered the locker room scoreless at the

UPHILL

Continued from SPORTS automatic bid by winning the C-USA tournament.

At this point in the season, every team is chasing the first place Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders, who might have a shot at an at-large bid should they fall in the conference tournament. MTSU boasts a 25-4 record with marquee wins over Ole Miss, Vanderbilt, Belmont and Murray State University.

It looks like all roads to a C-USA tournament championship will go through the Blue Raiders.

WKU will likely have to win four

nine hits. His performance earned him his first win of the season.

Sophomore pitcher Evan Acosta came in after him to shut the door, going three innings and giving up no runs on two hits for his first save of the season.

JSU jumped all over WKU in game three, and it took WKU too long to respond in a 9-5 loss.

The Toppers scored a run in the second to level the game at 1-1, but JSU answered with a seven-run third inning. Despite a four-run seventh, which featured a two-run home run from freshman outfielder Wyatt Featherston, WKU never fully recovered.

The Toppers’ offense was pretty much stagnant up until that seventh inning, as they scored just one run

Reporter Sam Porter can be reached at 270-799-8247and sam.porter270@ gmail.com Follow him on Twitter at @ SammyP14.

Reporter Jeremy Chisenhall can be reached at 859-760-0198 and jeremy. chisenhall921@topper.wku.edu. Follow him on Twitter at @JSChisenhall.

half on 0-4 shooting.

After a scoreless first half, Noble scored on a layup that stretched the Lady Topper lead to 13 points. The layup sparked an 18-point burst in 18 minutes to end Noble’s final game in Diddle Arena. The Lady Monarchs never got closer than six points in the final quarter as WKU held on for the six-point victory.

“I pulled Noble to the side at halftime and I could tell she was a little frustrated,” Clark-Heard said. “I told her this

will be your last time this crowd gets to see you. You have to relax and do what you do. Myself and the staff knew we just had to get her going.”

With the senior day victory, the Lady Tops improve to 14-2 in C-USA. With one victory in their final two road games, the Lady Tops will lock up the C-USA regular season title and the No. 1 seed in the Conference tournament.

With three wins in the Conference tournament, Noble and Jones will clinch their third NCAA tournament

appearance as a duo.

“Every game with her is awesome,” Noble said about playing with Jones.

“She’s always been there for me and I try to do the same for her. I hope we finish the year strong. I don’t want it to end, but when it does I want to be able to go out on top.”

games in four days in order to advance to the NCAA’s.

The Toppers have just two regular season games remaining before they enter post season play.

This week WKU will face off against North Texas on Thursday and Rice on Saturday. Both games are set to tip off at 7 p.m.

Stansbury and company have not taken the court with either team this year, giving the Tops an opportunity to play freely within themselves as their opponents haven’t had a prior look at the group WKU puts on the floor.

North Texas (8-20) is sitting at 13th in C-USA and has been struggling as of late. They recently fell to the Golden

Eagles of Southern Mississippi (9-20) by a final score of 76-53.

The Tops should be able to utilize their talent and experience on the perimeter to get back in rhythm before battling with the Owls of Rice.

Rice is on the other end of the spectrum of the conference. With a 20-9 record on the year the Owls are currently fifth in the conference. Rice is on a roll right now as they just knocked off the second place team in C-USA, the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs 88-81.

Rice will prove to be a tough test for the Toppers in the last contest of the regular season. It is senior night for the Toppers so look for some impressive performances from the five WKU se-

niors Junior Lomomba, Pancake Thomas, Que Johnson, Anton Waters and Ben Lawson will have one final shot to advance deep in the post season. The talented group of seniors will have to lead the team for their goals to be achieved.

It would be a refreshing and unexpected mark for the seniors and first-year head coach Rick Stansbury to make the NCAA tournament after starting the season with a 13-16 record.

Reporter Sam Porter can be reached at 270-799-8247and sam.porter270@ gmail.com Follow him on Twitter at @ SammyP14.

Reporter Matthew Stewart can be reached at 859-797-3140 and matthew. stewart015@topper.wku.edu Follow him on Twitter at @MES_WKU22.

FEBRUARY 28, 2017 > WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY

WKUHERALD.COM

SPORTS

» Women’s Basketball: Lady Toppers finish 9-0 in Diddle against C-USA competition.

Shaky hitting does WKU in against JSU

BY JEREMY CHISENHALL HERALD.SPORTS@WKU.EDU

Although it got red-hot at times, the WKU baseball team couldn’t consistently produce in its latest three-game series against Jacksonville State over the weekend.

The Hilltoppers scored 21 runs in the series, but 14 of those came in one game. They left a total of 20 runners on base.

“The thing is, you’re not always going to score a lot of runs,” Head Coach John Pawlowski said. “The key is to be able to have quality at-bats. If we can piece together quality at-bats, the pendulum doesn’t swing quite as big as it’s swinging right now.”

The series started off with a WKU loss on Friday, as JSU defeated them 3-2. In that game, redshirt junior pitcher Ryan Thurston struck out eight batters and senior catcher Hunter Wood stretched his hit streak to six games.

WKU never led in the game. JSU broke a tie in the sixth inning when senior center fielder Peyton Williams grounded out to second base and scored Payton Young on a fielder’s choice. They kept that score the rest of the game. WKU threatened in the ninth when they put runners on first and third, but it failed to convert the opportunity.

WKU left a total of seven runners on base in game one, and had just one extra-base hit, a double from Wood.

“We came up with guys up on base, and especially there late we threatened, and it’s just good to see our resilience,” Thurston said. “We had a chance, I liked the way we fought with two outs in the ninth.”

Game two saw WKU’s offense hit a hot streak, as they scored a season-high 14 runs en route to a 14-4 victory.

After JSU took an early lead in the second inning, WKU answered with six unanswered runs followed by eight runs in two innings.

Wood hit two home runs, one in the third and one in the seventh, to stretch his hit streak to seven games. Junior outfielder Colie Currie homered as well, and the two accounted for eight of the Hilltoppers’ 14 runs.

Junior outfielder Kaleb Duckworth, junior outfielder Steven Kraft, junior first baseman Nathan Methvin, freshman infielder Kevin Lambert and freshman infielder Bryson Smith all contributed with an RBI apiece as well.

WKU got solid pitching for the second straight game, as junior pitcher Paul Kirkpatrick went six innings and only gave up three earned runs on

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Forward Justin Johnson (23) and Middle Tennessee guard Tyrik Dickson (0) jump for a rebound during the Topper’s 78-52 loss to Middle Tennessee State University on Thursday Feb. 16, 2017 in Diddle Arena. SILAS WALKER/HERALD

Uphill Hopes

WKU’s postseason hopes hang in a familiar balance

BY MATTHEW STEWART HERALD.SPORTS@WKU.EDU Making the NCAA tournament is an accomplishment that a team or program can wear on its sleeve. They can be proud of that. They can show it off.

WKU hasn’t made the NCAA tournament since 2013. The Hilltoppers don’t have a player on the team that has worn the red and white in an NCAA tournament game.

In last year’s pursuit of the big dance, WKU fell short in the semifinals of the Conference USA tournament to high-volume scorer Trey Freeman and the Monarchs of Old Dominion.

The Tops came up short in the past few seasons under Ray Harper when they had hopes of making the NCAA tournament after Harper guided the team to the Big Dance in 2013.

In 2013 the Tops were placed in a No. 1 seed versus a No. 16 seed matchup on against Kansas. WKU put up a valiant fight with the perennial powerhouse Jayhawks, taking a one-point lead into halftime.

The game went down to the final minutes, but WKU ultimately fell short of pulling off the monumental upset of being the first 16 to knock off a 1 seed.

Kansas won by a final score of 64-57.

That same season, WKU won the

Sun Belt Conference tournament after winning four games in four days in Hot Springs Arkansas. After falling to Kansas, the Tops finished their season with a 20-16 record.

In 2014 WKU fell in the first round of the Sun Belt tournament to Louisiana Lafayette and saw their season end at 21-11 while finishing second place in the conference on the season.

The opportunity for Rick Stansbury and his squad to sneak into the tournament is coming, and coming fast.

In order for the Tops to make the tournament they will have to secure an

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Lady Topper duo shines on senior day finale

BY SAM PORTER HERALD.SPORTS@WKU.EDU In their final game in E.A. Diddle Arena, redshirt senior guards Kendall Noble and Micah Jones made it apparent that they weren’t going to be content leaving the floor without a victory.

The duo combined for 39 points as WKU held off Old Dominion 79-73 on their senior day. The two seniors currently boast 125 wins since coming to the program in 2012.

“I’m so glad we figured out a way to get the win so they could finish out here in style,” Head Coach Michelle ClarkHeard said after the game.

“It’s an emotional time for me because when I first got the job, we were pretty low as a program. Getting Kendall and Micah here and seeing what they’ve accomplished and how they’ve elevated this program is remarkable. They’ve been involved in 125 wins. That is a lot of wins. I’m just proud to have the opportunity to coach young ladies like this.”

Clark-Heard took over the program in 2012 after the the team went just 10-21 the year before. Jones and Noble were part of Heard’s 2012 recruiting class to help Clark-Heard reverse the WKU program and get it moving in the right direction. During their five years together, the trio of Clark-Heard, Noble and Jones have been involved in five 20win seasons, two conference championships, two NCAA tournament appearances and two appearances in the WNIT. This past Saturday, the trio celebrated their final game in E.A. Diddle Arena following their final victory at home.

“She’s my best friend. We’ve been through a lot together,” Noble said about Jones.

“It’s been a long a five years with a lot of ups and downs, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”

It didn’t take long for Jones to find her groove in the home finale. With an early 5-2 lead, the Greensburg, Kentucky, native hit her first of six three-pointers in the game to push the lead to six points.

Guard Kendall Noble (12) goes up for a shot against Old Dominion player Rhaven Kemp (0) in a game against Old Dominion University on Saturday, Feb. 25 in Diddle Arena. KENDALL WARNER/HERALD Jones helped WKU push the lead to as many as nine in the first half.

Right before halftime, Jones banked in a three that gave the Lady Tops an eight-point ad-

vantage heading into the locker room. With a 45-37 lead early in the third quarter, Jones hit back-to-back threes to give WKU its first double-digit lead of the afternoon

“Seeing a couple of shots go in always helps my confidence,” Jones said after the game. “My teammates and

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