The Times-Delphic

THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER FOR DRAKE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1884

THE TIMES-DELPHIC DES MOINES, IOWA | THURSDAY, FEB. 24, 2011 | VOL. 129, NO. 29 | WWW.TIMESDELPHIC.COM

Meet the candidates Candidates for Student Body President

Greg Larson Junior From Bismarck, ND Finance/Marketing

This year Student Senate has made large strides in improving communication and representation of Drake students. I’ll continue to encourage this through the newly formed monthly SAB and Student Senate Bulldog Brief emailed to every undergraduate student. It is my primary responsibility to be available and attentive to what students care about and need from their senators and to communicate that to those who need to hear it most.

Nathan Bleadorn Sophomore From Waverly, IA Marketing/Management

I am confident I’ll be a proactive representative of the student body.

While I look forward to furthering my knowledge, I feel I have a sufficient understanding of how the university operates and have built positive relationships with students, faculty and staff. One of my priorities is to improve communication and collaboration among students, organizations and Student Senate. Additionally, I will encourage senators to work on projects outside of their own roles.

Candidates for VP Student Activities

Jessica Hamilton Sophomore From North Aurora, IL Marketing/Management

My passion for student programming motivated me to run. I am always excited to work with others and make a difference in the community. In order to establish a strong sense of community throughout campus, we first need to maintain a welcoming atmosphere for first years. I will increase community by hosting larger events involving campus organizations, further relationships with Drake Athletics and promote consistent weekend programming.

Michael Riebel Sophomore From Bloomington, MN Accounting

I would like to change how SAB is viewed and increase participation in SAB events and activities. I’d also like to work more closely with other organizations to combine resources to offer a greater variety and more successful events. The Vice President of Student Activities must know how SAB functions and how Student Senate is organized and functions. My work with both gives me the knowledge and experience to be successful as Vice President of SAB.

A quick introduction to those running for Drake Student Senate officer positions

by Sean Walsh

Staff Writer sean.walsh@drake.edu

Hundreds of posters, flyers and Facebook invitations have flooded Drake’s campus this past week. It is just another sign that Student Senate Executive elections are quickly approaching. The elections for the Executive Officers starts Monday, Feb. 28 at midnight and ends on Tuesday, March 1 at 11:59 p.m.

The elections will fill three positions for next year—student body president, vice president of student life and vice president of student activities.

Candidates for student body president include current Vice President of Student Activities, Greg Larson, and Student Body Treasurer Nathan Bleadorn.

Two candidates are seeking the vice president of student activities position, the office currently held by Greg Larson. The vice president of student activities is the chair of Drake’s Student Activities Board. The two candidates are Jessica Hamilton, the current SAB campus impact co-chair, and Michael Riebel, the current SAB bands committee cochair and the technology liaison for Student Senate.

There are three candidates vying for the vice president of student life position, all three of which are current senators. Community Outreach Liaison Amanda Laurent, Buildings and Grounds Liaison Matt Van Hoeck and Organizational Senator Stephen Slade are the candidates.

Students can vote on blueView under the Campus Life tab beginning Monday. If a candidate does not reach the 50 percent plus one vote requirement, there will be a run-off election the following week. Results will be announced at midnight on Wednesday. All Drake University students are eligible to vote.

Candidates for VP Student Life

Amanda Laurent Sophomore From Minnetonka, MN Public Relations

I have the experience and the passion to work towards your goals. I pride myself as being a hardworking, friendly person and I believe this accessibility is exactly what Drake students need in a Vice President. I want to be “part of the solution” at Drake, helping our university progress toward a better future. The one change I would make to this position would be to hold each and every senator more accountable for their responsibilities.

Matthew Van Hoeck Sophomore From Hiawatha, IA LPS/Environmental Policy

I am unique for this position because this year on Senate I held a new position, Buildings and Grounds Liaison. I was able to take this position and define it how I saw would be most beneficial to students. My motivation for running for Vice President of Student Life is first, to have the joy of being able to represent you, and second, to be in a position in which I can help promote purposeful activities within senate and the student body.

Stephen Slade Sophomore From Loen, IA Bio/Neuroscience

I would like to create a more unified campus, make students more aware of events and organizational opportunities and to ultimately increase attendance at those events. I would like to see stronger encouragement for senators to attend events and consider publicly posting which events they do attend to show support. By being involved in a variety of organizations myself, I feel like I can more than adequately represent diverse groups around campus.

>> Candidates for office were asked to contribute information about themselves and their campaign to the Times-Delphic. The above has been edited for space and in an effort to give each individual an equal amount of representation.

Networking opportunity will be casual, fun Coalition of Black Students and African Student Association event open to all students

by Tad Unruh

Staff Writer tad.unruh@drake.edu

Looking to network and gain business contacts in the Des Moines Area? Then this event is for you. The Coalition of Black Students (CBS) and African Students Association (ASA) are holding a joint networking event with a casual air to it. It will take place this Friday Feb. 25 at 6 p.m. in the conference rooms 310 and 311 in Upper Olmsted. President of CBS Lawrence

Crawford is excited about the prospects of the event as many professionals in the Des Moines area will be attending.

“There will be a lot of Drake grads that work for local companies–Wells Fargo, Bankers Trust–a lot from financial industries, and maybe some from Capitol Hill,” Crawford said.

It will not be a structured event but more of a free-flowing conversation in hopes that people attending will make local contacts. This event will also be business casual with food and attendees are encouraged to bring copies of their resume and business cards. If you aren’t a member of CBS, you are still encouraged to come.

inside

With this event, CBS hopes to extend its reach across campus.

Crawford also explained CBS’s role on campus.

“CBS is a multicultural and inclusive organization to provide quality programming for the black and African-American community, and also provide that programming to non-AfricanAmericans here at Drake,” he said.

Also, according to Crawford, CBS has educational programs that are more social and cultural in nature. The networking event lies more under the social aspect. The event hopes to garner a significant number of professionals as well as students to broaden their horizons.

NEWS

OPINIONS

FEATURES

SPORTS

First-year hall hosts male pageant tonight

Is “It gets better” campaign misleading?

Creative ways to jazz up a dreary dorm room

Men’s Basketball looking for a solid end to the season

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NEWS

quote of the

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THURSDAY, FEB. 24, 2011 | PAGE 2

day news SECURITY REPORTS FAST, FURIOUS... AND WITNESSED

11:40 p.m. Feb. 18

A female student reported she observed a black Chevrolet Avalanche driven by a male that backed into another car in the 2900 block of Forest Avenue. The suspect vehicle drove off. The female student victim was contacted and advised she would file a police report later in the day.

6:03 p.m. Feb. 17 Security and police responded to Morehouse Residence Hall based on report that a female student was being held in her room by her boyfriend. He was being abusive and would not open the door. The domestic situation resulted in the male, who is not associated with Drake University, being arrested for disorderly conduct and advised on trespass for the campus. The dean of students was advised. The male is a student at another university and his actions will be coordinated with representatives of that school by the dean of students as well.

2:02 a.m. Feb. 18 Security responded to Jewett Residence Hall based on report of an intoxicated female. The

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THE TIMES-DELPHIC

Just keep yourself and your friends in check. People will forgive your behavior but will not always forget.

— JEN CALDER ON ACTING RESPONSIBLY | PAGE 3

underage-for-drinking student was barely conscious but was able to advise she was drinking at a bar located in the 2300 block of University Avenue and didn’t know how much or what she had been drinking. Her speech was slurred and her equilibrium was such that she could not even stand without assistance. Fire-Rescue was called. While waiting for rescue she vomited several times and became less and less alert. Rescue arrived and she was transported to a local hospital. A resident assistant and a hall coordinator were present.

4:12 a.m. Feb. 18 A male student reported he was chased by a male near 29th Street and University Avenue.

The student thought he had lost the suspect

and the male appeared once more and began his chase. The student ran to Morehouse Residence Hall and called security. The entire area was checked and they observed no one in the area.

2:12 a.m. Feb. 19 A male waved down a security officer in the 2600 block of Forest Avenue. He then began west bound where he was stopped at 27th Street and Forest Avenue. The underagefor-drinking male student had slurred speech and was swaying side to side. He produced someone else’s expired driver’s license. He was then seen back to his residence hall. The matter had been coordinated with the dean of students as well as the Iowa Department of Transportation.

Residence hall to host “Mr. Carpenter” contest

10 male Carpenter residents will compete Thursday night for the crown

by Napoleon Douglas

Staff Writer napoleon.douglas@drake.edu

Carpenter Hall Executive Council is holding its first annual Mr. Carpenter Competition, a male pageant which will crown the very first king of Carpenter Hall.

Out of the more than 100 men in the hall, 10 males have made the final cut to proceed to competition which is at 7 p.m. in the Carpenter Lobby.

Contestants include Cody Berman, David Book, Will Ducey, Joel Greenya, Brock LaFace, Mark Lesser, Josh Matthews, Nate

Paulson, Daniel Reishus and Dylan Verburgt.

The winner of the show will not only receive $50 toward a dinner at Rock Bottom Brewery, but a crown, sash and the reign as the Man of the Hall.

The competitors will compete in three categories before the elimination to the final four that head to the finals.

First is a choreographed dance round, which will then be followed by a showcase of personal talents. The men will end the preliminary rounds by showing of their Sunday’s Best in the Suit and Tie Formal Wear Strut.

After that the judges, who are four of Carpenter’s five residence assistants, will tally up the points and announce the finalist. These competitors will advance to the classic question

War in context Students in “Rhetoric and War” course being encouraged to examine the perception of modern conflict

by Lauren Horsch

Copy Editor lauren.horsch@drake.edu

War changes things. War changes people.

It changes the land, it changes feelings, even perspectives. But most of all, war itself changes.

Niko Poulakos, professor of the class “Rhetoric and War” at Drake University said that war changes depending on the era of perspective. He also said that geographical areas and time periods affects the general public’s perception of war and how the reactions and the counterculture are spawned.

“In the 1960s you have a very West Coast, Berkley, San Francisco, California, kind of feeling movement that is burgeoning in a weird kind of tune in, turn on, drop out sort of philosophy,” Poulakos said, “which is much different than a crazy, excessive, overthe-top ironic performance that is going on today.”

Today’s anti-war movements revolve around critiques of the wars in an almost ironic matter now instead of the usual protests involving signs and chants.

“Instead of people marching through the streets with signs that read ‘No blood for oil,’ you will have people dressed in tuxedos, in 19th century dress costumes with signs reading ‘Billionaires for Bush,’” he said.

One such group that has protested in an ironic fashion is the Anarchist Cheerleaders, who don cheerleading uniforms to help their cause against a particular subject.

Poulakos states that the recent trend of ironic protesting come from typical war resistance not being enough anymore–protesters want media coverage and to draw attention to the war itself.

Poulakos also adds that this new trend stems more from offshoots of other movements that could not gain attention.

“This isn’t necessarily a new concept,” he said, “because it begins in the 1960s where you have splits from groups. So, you’ll have

a civil rights movement, but then you’ll have the Black Panther movement that comes as an offshoot of that.”

Today, the general public sees more of the offshoot groups thanks to a more ideologically driven need to protest instead of just being policy-based. Groups are also starting to attempt to mobilize everyday citizens instead of just a small group of people or students.

According to Poulakos the new question that has to be asked is: “What kind of an anti-war statement is that?” It’s no longer just about directly opposing the issue at hand, but rather bringing forth something that demands attention due to an “ideological culture.”

“We just don’t necessarily know what kind of (anti-war) statement it is,” he said.

Recently news has focused on the uprising in Egypt that began almost entirely due to social media. Poulakos thinks that social media will continue to change war in many ways. He cites WikiLeaks and Facebook as ways that people have helped organize movements.

Drew Kaufman, a first-year politics and history major, views social media as a tool for how war is viewed.

“It makes it easier for leaks to happen, but it also can lead to more peaceful revolutions as we saw in Egypt,” Kaufman said.

The military can even be affected by media as well. According to Poulakos, an “ongoing tango” has been danced between the media and the military about what and how much the media can report. This dance has been going on since the Vietnam War when reporters were first embedded and able to see, first-hand, what was going on in the war.

War itself does not change, according to Poulakos, but rather the context does.

“Because of media involvement in war, the fact that it (war) can be made up close and personal…that does something to the meaning of a war, and changed the public perception of it.”

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round. The winner will be determined by an audience secret ballot vote.

Once the King is crowned, he will shine his pearly whites to the camera and hold a spot behind the Carpenter Front Desk until a new batch of men come around to fight for a spot.

The night’s event is hosted by members of Carpenter Executive Councils, including the Programming Chair and and First Floor Representative.

The planning committee has been working to plan the event for a month and a half and encourages students of all grades to attend. Programmers saod “the night is going to be filled with laughter, cookies, cheers and some of the elite studs who walk our campus.”

CBS enjoys “Mama’s Cookin’” The Coalition of Black Students hosted its “Mama’s Cookin’” event on Sunday at the Black Cultural Center on 28th Street. It featured a mid-afternoon meal of biscuits, chicken, lemonade and other goodies as part of the organization’s Black History Month celebration. The event was open to all students interested in stopping by for a bite. photos by CONNOR MCCOURTNEY | photo editor

Calling all prospective editors It is now time to apply for next year’s editorships of these student publications:

The Times-Delphic Editor-in-Chief The Times-Delphic Business Manager DUiN Editor-in-Chief Drake Magazine Editor-in-Chief Periphery Editor-in-Chief Drake Broadcast System President Applications are available in SLC and are due March 21. If you have questions, please contact Carol Spaulding-Kruse at carol.spaulding@drake.

FOR BREAKING DRAKE NEWS, CHECK OUT WWW.TWITTER.COM/TIMESDELPHIC

PAGE 3 | THURSDAY, FEB. 24, 2011

OPINIONS & EDITORIALS

THE TIMES-DELPHIC

opinions&editorials Wisconsin riots over Rules of the bar thebuzz

government cuts

Union workers losing advantage in Wisconsin, nine states to follow suit A $3.2 billion state deficit and the possibility of 1500 layoffs has prompted the Wisconsin governor, Scott Walker, to make “deep cuts.” Last week legislation introduced plans to cut government employees take-home pay by 8 percent. Government employees in Wisconsin will also have to pay 5.6 percent more toward their pension and 12 percent more toward their health insurance. In light of the deficit, affected Wisconsin unions have already conceded these cuts; the real hullabaloo in Madison is over the governor’s insistence of removing collective bargaining. Collective bargaining was established in 1935 under the National Labor Relations Act. Unions were given the right to negotiate with business over “minor” details such as health care, working conditions, pension, etc. In layman’s terms, taking away collective bargaining is taking away the primary advantage of belonging to a union.

Nine other states are planning on passing legislation similar to Wisconsin’s austerity measures. Liberal doomsayers have predicted that Wisconsin is the proving ground for a nation-wide GOP effort to permanently diminish union power, effectively setting a precedent for other states to follow.

In Defense of the teachers (a government employee).

On average, teachers make about $40,000 a year–a meager pay considering the nature of their profession; educating the next generation of politicians, doctors, environmental scientists and so on. Public school is where most Americans develop invaluable cognitive abilities such as reading, critical thinking and problem solving. Besides actually educating our children, teachers are also our country’s de facto babysitters nine months out of the year. Imagine having to manage middleschoolers every day: hundreds of pint-sized, disease-ridden, hellions detained against their will.

This is truly a demanding career to voluntarily subject oneself to. Despite the lack of a competitive salary and the dauntless challenge

of trying to educate a relatively apathetic audience, individuals still pursue teaching; presumably out of notions of civic duty. I cannot express how thankful I am for the handful of good teachers I’ve had over the years. Individuals who genuinely care about cultivating the minds of their students. Individuals who choose to teach out of sense of duty and not pure financial gain. Individuals who challenge our youth to create a better society. Public education is an institution that our culture takes for granted. We forgot how essential these institutions are for the livelihood of our culture and, ultimately, our future.

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On average teachers make about $40,000 a year–a meager pay considering the nature of their profession.

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Obviously deficits do not get rid of themselves, and cuts need to be made. However, the unilateral approach that Walker has taken is contradictory to the spirit of democracy.

Surely there are alternative measures that can be taken to curb Wisconsin’s deficit besides crippling a union’s right to negotiate.

MICHAEL UJIFUSA COLUMNIST

Ujifusa is a senior public relations major and can be contacted at michael. ujifusa@drake.edu

Recently it has become more and more obvious that people are a complete 180 degrees from their normal selves when they are intoxicated. And I know you are saying “Hello.

Duh, Jen, get with it. How could you have never noticed this?” But people are literally going crazy when they are out at the local campus establishments. To be honest, it’s starting to scare me a little bit. Here are some drinking 101s for how to behave when out socializing.

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Going out is supposed to be fun and a stress reliever.

Ladies, I know this happens, believe me I have been there; the problem happens when this behavior becomes a weekly thing.

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Please don’t cry at the bar. It’s just really bad form, and it’s something people do not forget. You really don’t want people to be pointing you out on campus as the girl who was crying at Dublin or Peggy’s for the past three weeks. I would hope that all of us who do go out have a friend who is sober enough to take you away from the situation and get you home. If you’re crying at the bar, it’s time to go home. Alcoholic beverages can bring out many emotions, but when you are crying, nothing good can come from that. Going out is supposed to be fun and a stress reliever. Ladies, I know this happens, believe me I have been there; the problem happens when this behavior becomes a weekly thing.

Please do not pick verbal fights while you are out. This is not the time or place to start an argument or heated discussion. Just because you have liquid courage does not mean you should use it. Fighting with an ex-boyfriend, -girlfriend or a current one is just tacky, and fighting with a friend or acquaintance is even worse. Do you really want to air your dirty laundry in front of other Drake students?

Talking about something sober is always better and much more will be resolved if you do so.

Please do not physically fight at the bar. I don’t think I have to explain why, but just in case, I will. Guys, this does not make you seem

Senate’s executive positions will be voted on Monday and Tuesday next week through BlueView.

macho, I know maybe for a few circumstances a physical fight may be unavoidable, such as self defense. However, don’t go starting fights and you probably won’t have that problem.

Ladies, physically fighting is all wrong. Pulling hair and ripping clothes is so not necessary.

Unless you are protecting yourself for self defense, it’s not necessary.

Please do not be the drunkest person in the place. If you are repeatedly, week after week, the drunkest person in the alcholic establishment, people begin to notice and then correlate that to your everyday self. We are all smart Drake University students; you know when you should go out and when you shouldn’t.

If you are sick, on medication, or having an emotional day, probably not the best to go out.

It will only bring negative results, either that night or the next day.

I do not know why people choose to do crazy and bad things when out at the bar. I know alcohol has a major influence in the way we act; however, how can people have two different personalities, one when drinking and a complete opposite one while sober? It really boggles my mind, and I think we have some kind of choice in the matter. Part of you chooses to be an angry drunk, a fun drunk or a scary drunk. You have the ability to control that and some of it may be prevented by you drinking less.

All students have had one of those nights where it seems as though an alien has taken over their bodies, and they are very embarrassed the next day and walk around with their tails between their legs and their heads down. Those nights happen and will probably happen to you again in your college career.

Just keep yourself and your friends in check.

People will forgive your behavior but will not always forget. I know it’s hard to control our drunken personas, but I believe in all of you.

You are so much better than the drunken version of you. Good luck this weekend and, most importantly, be safe.

JEN CALDER COLUMNIST

Calder is a junior public relations major and can be contacted at jennifer. calder@drake.edu

‘It Gets Better’ campaign Letter to the Editor only valid to small degree

In regards to the article published on Monday, Feb. 21, 2011, titled “Making the Grade” by Jackie Wallentin on the front page of The Times-Delphic; I came across a discrepancy in the first paragraph of the story: “Facility Services shined doorknobs, and wiped down computer keyboards.”

The second part of this statement is false. I am the one who cleans the computers and wipes the keyboards as it is in my job description as Assistant Technical Engineer under the Head Technical Engineer Jeff Nichols.

So in regards to giving false credit, I respectfully ask you to properly give credit to the correct source: me.

Thank you for your time, Jason Miller jason.miller@drake.edu

THE TIMES-DELPHIC THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER FOR DRAKE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1884 LIZZIE PINE, Editor-in-Chief editor@timesdelphic.com JESSICA MATTES, Managing Editor features@timesdelphic.com MATT MORAN, Sports Editor sports@timesdelphic.com

JILL VAN WYKE, Faculty Advisor jill.vanwyke@drake.edu ANN SCHNOEBELEN, News Editor news@timesdelphic.com KATIE MINNICK, Sports Design Editor katie.minnick@timesdelphic.com

CONNOR MCCOURTNEY, Photo Editor photos@timesdelphic.com

KAILA SWAIN, Digital Editor digital@timesdelphic.com

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LAUREN HORSCH, Copy Editor lauren.horsch@drake.edu

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There is a continuous encouraging campaign called “It Gets Better.” It is something that was started by Dan Savage after the suicides of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender teens, and it has now become something that many celebrities and businesses are becoming a part of.

These videos are very encouraging, especially for members of the LGBT community as well as anyone who feels different from their surroundings. While I think it is a great campaign on the fight against bullying, it may also be deceiving.

In the media, you can find a video with President Obama explaining how “it gets better.” You can then look in the news and find articles about how same-sex marriage is being banned from states that already legalized it, such as Iowa.

So, then you have someone telling you that life is going to get better and everything will be OK, but you can’t get married.

Yes, the “It Gets Better” campaign is aimed at young adults and teens who are struggling with fitting in at school and not getting bullied, but it still seems a bit deceiving for later in life.

It does get better, at least once you’re out of high school and are able to surround yourself with people who you chose to be around, after that, though, is debatable.

My life has gotten better but now, with all of the samesex marriage debates, I have to hope that life will get better once again. When I think about my future, as in who I will spend it with, I get terrified. That is not how someone should feel about thinking about her life partner, but for many LGBT members, it is.

Looking in the media makes me wonder if it really will get better for the LGBT community. Hearing people say that you cannot get married or have legal rights with your life partner is just like them saying that you are a second-rate citizen with different rights than those who prefer members of the opposite sex.

This makes me wonder, is it really fair to tell someone that it will get better for her after high school, but then when he or she is ready to commit to someone, it will get worse?

I believe it gets better, and I truly think that the campaign is necessary and very encouraging. It does get better. I just find it hard to believe that it will get better for the LGBT when it comes to same-sex marriage.

Maybe that’s it—it gets better, to a degree.

BRYN GOLDBERG | COLUMNIST

Goldberg is a sophomore public relations major and can be contacted at bryn.goldberg@drake.edu

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FEATURES

features

don’tmissthis

‘Last Comic Standing’ comedian cracking up Friday night at Drake

photo from www.kiracomedy.com

by Lillian Schrock

Staff Writer lillian.schrock@drake.edu

Kira Soltanovich decided in the first grade that she wanted to be a comedian.

What was her first joke?

“I joked that I fell asleep in the restroom ‘cause it’s called the ‘rest’ room,” Soltanovich said.

Soltanovich got sent out of the classroom for making this joke. But that was OK with her, she said, because it gave her more time to work on her jokes.

“I would sit outside the classroom and work on my material. When the teacher let me back in, I would do my joke I had prepared, causing the class to erupt into laughter,” Soltanovich said.

This only caused the teacher to slam the door in Soltanovich’s face and send her back into the hallway.

This Friday at 8 p.m. on Pomerantz Stage, Soltanovich will be performing her comedy stand-up.

Soltanovich was born in Russia, which was still the Soviet Union during the time she was a child. She moved to San Francisco, Calif., with her family when she was 2-years-old. Soltanovich attended San Diego State University and majored in theater.

“I don’t know if you should consider it a real school. I mean, if you can go to class in a bikini…” she said.

During college, Soltanovich acted in plays and assisted with costumes, lights and set building. She also worked at the San Diego Zoo as a tour guide. However, that job didn’t last too long.

“The zoo didn’t appreciate how I was doing my tours. I cracked innocent jokes,” Soltanovich said. “There was one joke about an animal related to the giraffe that has a really long tongue. I said it was ‘even longer than some of my exboyfriends’ tongues.’ They really didn’t appreciate that one.”

THURSDAY, FEB. 24, 2011 | PAGE 4

After college, Soltanovich started doing stand-up anywhere she could. She performed at laundromats and women’s shelters, taking advantage of any stage time she could get.

“After college, I starved for a long time,” she said.

Kira worked her way into comedy clubs and started performing at colleges.

Before long, she found herself on television. Kira received a guest role on “3rd Rock from the Sun.” She has also been on “Last Comic Standing” and “Girls Behaving Badly.” Some might know her as the voice of a talking photo booth in a sketch on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.”

“A lot of my stand-up is stuff that is happening in my life,” Soltanovich said.

“They’re real stories.”

Soltanovich said she does comedy for the audience.

“I want people to laugh. It’s the best drug ever,” she said. “That’s why I don’t drink alcohol. One time my mom told me I was a disgrace to Russians because I wouldn’t take a shot of vodka. But I said ‘Mom, I’m 8, and I have school tomorrow!’”

Soltanovich was supposed to come to Drake in December, but was thrown off schedule with the birth of her child, said Greg Larson, president of the Student Activities Board.

“Comedians are great entertainment for colleges because all they need are a mic and a bottle of water,” Larson said.

“And they’re really funny.”

Every autumn, Drake has the Fall Comedy Series, in which a comedian comes to Drake every month. When Larson and his fellow SAB-ers saw Soltanovich at a convention for the National Association of College Activities last year, they knew Drake needed the laughs she would offer.

It’s easy to tell Kira Soltanovich is a natural at making people laugh, and she’s ready to get Drake’s campus cracking up.

The Drake Wind Symphony will perform tomorrow at 8 p.m. in Sheslow Auditorium. This event is free to students.

ALBUM REVIEW

“King of Limbs” consistent with Radiohead albums, limited by size

by Frank Merchlewitz

Staff Writer frank.merchlewitz@drake.edu

It’s been a while since we’ve heard from everybody’s favorite British alternative rock band. Radiohead has been holed up since the smash success of “In Rainbows” in 2007. The album revolutionized how musical content could be delivered to listeners, allowing fans to download the album on a “pay-what-you-like” basis. The experiment proved to be phenomenally successful, critically and commercially, and it showed the music industry that truly good music can sell itself.

However, the band felt drained from its extended writing and recording periods, especially after such an artistically prolific decade. The band members took an extended break from recording with the intent to only produce music in an organic environment—recording as they pleased and releasing EPs at their own convenience. When it was announced on Valentine’s Day that the group would release a new album, “The King of Limbs,” via their website the following Saturday (Feb. 19). It turned some heads from musicians and critics alike.

Then they decided to release it a day early to the joy of many salivating fans.

So what can be said about “The King of Limbs”? Thus far, it has baffled many music critics, who were unprepared for the prospect of a new Radiohead record. For starters, it is the band’s shortest album, just over 37 minutes in length. To put that in context, that’s less than Radiohead’s debut album “Pablo Honey” (42 minutes), which today appears more like a commercial rock record when compared to Radiohead’s work since “OK Computer.” With just eight tracks, it’s hard to get a good read on “Limbs” after just one or two listens.

There is a lot happening here in such a short period of time, a lot of which most of Radiohead’s loyal fan base will be accustomed to.

From the standpoint of overall musical tone, “Limbs” sounds like something that could have been released between “Kid A” and “Amnesiac.”

Essentially, it matches the Brian Eno influenced records that preceded “In Rainbows.” The whole album contains Radiohead’s familiarly ambient approach that dominated these earlier records. It’s a sonically menacing thread that loosely ties the

individual tracks together. However, “Limbs’” use of electronics is slightly more subtle. The synthetic drones and dynamics come across somewhat organically, if not just more sparsely, than on Radiohead’s previous releases. At times, this is incredibly effective, especially on “Give up the Ghost,” complimenting the natural instrumentation and quiet vocal harmonies that sustain the song. However, “Feral” often flirts with the line between tastefully used effects and just being over-the-top electro-psychedelic-y (a technical term).

For the most part, the songs on “Limbs” are pretty consistently structured. A hallmark of the album is its use of heavily syncopated drum beats that have the quality of sounding almost looped.

Drummer Phil Selway does an outstanding job at driving “Limbs” forward and grounding the loose rhythms and harmonies in something altogether stable and infectious. Most tracks have repetitive forms, but that doesn’t mean they are lazily constructed. In fact, there are enough times that some layers are peeled back or dropped out that allow the songs to breathe and expand. On “Lotus Flower,” Thom Yorke croons “Slowly we unfurl/ As lotus flowers”—lyrically sexual, but also an accurate description of how many songs on “Limbs” operate. Drums falling out here, guitar out there, a climax at the end—most of this is pretty basic. But “Limbs,” like other Radiohead releases, is beautifully produced with dense arrangements that can sometimes only be heard and fully appreciated on high volume with good headphones. The sound gets in your brain and unfurls, spreading out and growing little by little.

“Limbs” is a pleasant surprise from a band that some fans considered to be dormant. However, it is definitely not Radiohead’s most accessible release and not a great point of entry into their extensive musical catalogue. It’s like running into an old friend at the grocery store, chatting for a few moments about their kids etc., etc., then heading off to buy your cereal. “Limbs” excellently compliments and expands on previous Radiohead releases in a subtle and musically entertaining way, but its brevity limits its potential to be viewed as the next great Radiohead release. To fans, however, it’s absolutely worth the listen, and it’s definitely worth getting excited over for the possibility of a tour. Who knows, maybe Thom Yorke shops at Hy-Vee.

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Krafty Kids and SIFE combine to raise funds for after-school program

by Eryn Swain

Staff Writer eryn.swain@drake.edu

On Feb. 25 from 5 to 7 p.m., students and community members will have the chance to buy pots. Yes, you read correctly–pots. However, these pots are actually flowerpots hand-decorated by children at Children and Family Urban Ministries.

These children attend an after-school program at CFUM called The Haven, which offers homework help, fun activities and literacy enrichment for schoolaged children. Children in this program typically come from families at or near the poverty line, and many of the kids attend Moulton Elementary School just across the street from CFUM. About 10 members of Drake’s Students In Free Enterprise volunteer their time once a week to help fourth and fifth grade students who attend The Haven to learn valuable skills they don’t learn in school. Last year, SIFE decided to have a craft sale where these children created crafts and sold them on campus at Drake.

This taught the students how to develop a product, market the product and sell the product. The children, with the help of SIFE, raised over $150 for their organization.

This year, SIFE decided to change things up and help the kids in a slightly different way.

Madeleine Hornick, one of the project leaders of the SIFE group dedicated to The Haven, decided to help the children create crafts that are more meaningful to the consumers than the bookmarks and necklaces created last school year.

Hornick brought up the idea of having the kids decorate flowerpots to sell. That way, community members could have a functional craft, while donating to a good cause. The goal is to double the funds that were raised last year.

Hy-Vee donated all of the necessary supplies: flowerpots, markers, seeds and potting mix. Becase of Hy-Vee’s donation, 100 percent of the profits will go straight back to The Haven. Members of the SIFE group spent many weeks monitoring the children as they decorated these flowerpots and assisted the kids as needed. Now, it is time to sell.

If anyone would like to participate in the sale, stop by the Hubbell Dining Hall walkway and buy a one-of-a-kind flowerpot decorated by a child from Children and Family Urban Ministries for only $5.

Also, everyone who purchases a pot will get the chance to meet the artists themselves. Many of them will be on campus to help sell their masterpieces.

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FEATURES

PAGE 5 | THURSDAY, FEB. 24, 2011

THE TIMES-DELPHIC

Dorm room style not impossible

by Lillian Schrock

Staff Writer lillian.schrock@drake.edu

While living in a college dorm room, it can become a great struggle to not only claim your own space, but also to personalize it. Many students at Drake have gone beyond coating their wardrobes with posters and plastering their walls with pictures, but have become interior decorators to differentiate their rooms from every other dorm on campus. Here are their stories:

Room #1: Katherine Fritcke with a kitchen area in a Goodwin-Kirk single

Fritcke has a shelving unit she bought from a fellow Kappa Alpha Theta member when the girl moved into the sorority house.

Fritcke arranged the shelving unit in a corner of her single in Goodwin-Kirk Residence Hall. Underneath the shelves is a refrigerator, and on top of the shelving unit is a microwave and more shelves for food and dishes.

“It’s the greatest thing in the world to me,” Fritcke said. “It’s like my own little kitchen.”

Room #2: Keely Hunting and Brooke Porter, Goodwin-Kirk interior designers Hunting and Porter are the only two inhabitants of a quad in Goodwin-Kirk. They wanted to utilize the extra space in a unique way, so they began rearranging the furniture and doing crafts to make their room one of a kind.

“I would call it homemade bohemian,” Hunting said.

“It’s definitely elegantly crafted,” Porter said.

When one enters the room of Hunting and Porter, the first sight is a bed that they moved from one of the side rooms to be used as a futon in front of a small television. Next to the television is a shelf full of movies, and in front of the bay window is an actual futon. In the room on the left are four desks, two wardrobes and a lofted bed positioned as a day bed. In the room on the right are the other two wardrobes and the girls’ beds. Interspersed throughout the dorm room are crafts the girls made, including cutouts from calendars taped to the wall, bedazzled clothespins strung together with ribbon that are hanging pictures, decorative squares on the wall made from scrapbook paper and ribbon edging and a “tree” on the wall made from cutouts from newspapers.

“People always ask why we put so much time into decorating our room when we’re just going to have to take it all down at the end of the year,” Porter said. “But we are living here for a year, and we want it to feel like home.”

photos by LILLIAN SCHROCK | staff photographer

Room #3: Mariam Vahdat and Kristin Turnquist with a “love bed”

Vahdat and Turnquist elected to rearrange their room in Crawford Hall at the end of first semester to create a new environment. Their final decision was to put their two lofted beds right next to each other and cover it with a queen-sized sheet.

“We call it the ‘love bed,’” Turnquist said.

Vahdat and Turnquist often host girls for sleepovers in the large bed. Underneath the “love bed” is a makeshift fort with a futon where the girls often watch movies on Vahdat’s laptop.

KEELY HUNTING AND BROOKE PORTER use one extra bed as a futon in their central living room.

J-School Graduate returns for Writers and Critics Series

by Cori Clark

Staff Writer corrine.clark@drake.edu

About 25 students, faculty members and community members gathered in the Reading Room of Cowles Library on Tuesday for the third installment of the semester’s Writers and Critics Series: “The Bareness of the Face: Latino Encounters in Iowa, via South Africa.”

“It was a very interesting approach on trying to understand how cultural tensions can be addressed in the interest of revitalizing communities socially, economically and culturally,” Professor Jody Swilky said.

Jane Juffer, a Drake grad, gave an insightful lecture on the examination of how religion is shaping the Latino and Latin American migration in the United States. Juffer focused on the communities in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions.

Juffer’s lecture was broken up into four parts highlighting the work of philosopher Emmanuel Levinas. The 40-minute talk was bookmarked by stories of her and her husband, a native of Cape Town, South Africa.

“

It was an interesting commentary on immigration that creatively weaved in ideas on intimacy. I thought it was really interesting.

-Amber Boston

”

“It was an interesting commentary on immigration that creatively weaved in ideas of intimacy,” junior Amber Boston said. “I thought it was really interesting.”

This was Juffer’s first visit to her alma mater in years. She explained how her journalism degree from Drake has helped her with her many accomplishments and ongoing research she conducts.

“It’s nice, it feels both very familiar and quite strange,” Juffer said. “I went to Meredith Hall today and it felt like I never left.”

Juffer first got involved in social issues in 1983 during the height of the apartheid in

South Africa. She was editor-in-chief of The Times-Delphic and led the paper’s staff in an investigation of the investments Drake had in South Africa.

The staff wrote editorials urging Drake to digest its investments in South Africa. However, Drake did not think it should be held accountable like the public universities were. Eventually Drake University did eliminate some of the campus’ investments.

“It really informs my scholarship. Although I am an English professor, I do a lot more stuff out in the world. I do a lot of interviewing, a lot of books and articles I have written are about social issues which has started here,” Juffer said about the impact her journalism degree from Drake has on the life she leads today.

Juffer is an associate professor in the department of English at Cornell University and is the director of Latino/a Studies Initiative. She has written two books: “At Home with Pornography: Women, Sex and Everyday Life,” and “Single Mother: The Emergence of the Domestic Intellectual.” She has also written many articles.

Juffer earned a degree in journalism from Drake University, earned her master’s degree in English from Loyola University of Chicago and her doctorate in English from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

The next lecture for the Writers and Critics Series will be on March 24 at 7 p.m. in the Cowles Library Reading Room. The presentation, “My Holy War: A Former Missionary Kid Recalls Life in Marxist Ethiopia,” will be presented by Tim Bascom. Bascom is a visiting assistant professor of creative writing at Drake University.

Upcoming Series

Campus Calendar >>Allstate Meet the Firm Tonight, 5 p.m.

Drake Room, Upper Olmsted >>Alumni Networking, Hosted by ASA and CBS Friday, 6 p.m.

Olmsted 310, Upper Olmsted >>SAB Comedian Kira Soltanovich Friday, 8 p.m.

Pomerantz Stage >>Drake Wind Symphony Concert Friday, 8 p.m.

Sheslow Auditorium >>Drake Orchest Concert Monday, March 1, 8 p.m.

Sheslow Auditorium

March 24, 7 p.m.

Cowles Reading Room Time Bascom

>> Let’s DU Lunch Tuesday, March 2, 11:30 a.m.

Des Moines Club (666 Grand Ave.)

April 6, 7 p.m.

Cowles Reading Room Emerging Writer Award in Literary Notification

>>Drake Concert Band Concert Tuesday, March 2, 8 p.m.

Sheslow Auditorium

THE TIMES-DELPHIC

THURSDAY, FEB. 24, 2011 | PAGE 6

SPORTS

DÉJÀ VU

sports

For the second-straight week, senior Jenna DeLong was named MVC Pitcher of the Week for her efforts last weekend at the Hillenbrand Invitational in Tucson, Ariz. DeLong struck out 19 in 18.2 innings of work with a 2.62 earned run average over four outings. She nearly helped Drake to an upset win over No. 4 Arizona. DeLong received the honor for the fifth time in her career.

BASKETBALL

Finishing Kick With the clock winding down on the season, Bulldogs set sights on a strong finish

photo by CONNOR MCCOURTNEY | photo editor

FRESHMAN RAYVONTE RICE took home his third MVC Newcomer of the Week award on Tuesday for last week’s performances against Missouri State and Detroit, when he averaged 19.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.0 steals. Rice recently moved into second on the all-time Drake freshman scoring list with 390 points, surpassing Josh Young’s 382 in the 2006-07 season.

by Eduardo Zamarripa

Staff Writer eduardo.tamezzamarripa@drake.edu

With only one game remaining in the regular season, the Bulldogs are gearing up for the Missouri Valley Conference tournament as they seek to build on their recent improved play.

Drake has won four of its last six games and is trying to improve its position in the standings before the start of the tournament.

“We are playing with a lot more confidence having won four out of the last six games,” sophomore Seth VanDeest said. “We are playing well at the right time of the season, and that is very important.”

Drake is currently ranked seventh in the MVC at 6-10 in conference play (12-16 overall) and still has an outside shot at moving up a spot for the tournament, which is important because the first six seeds have a bye in the first round.

“We need to keep working hard in practice and focus on improving,” VanDeest said. “We still need to improve our rebounding and many other things if we want to finish the season strong.”

The Bulldogs need to win their remaining games and need Evansville to lose its last two games as well. But at least the Bulldogs might be able to put some pressure on the Purple Aces.

“We know we have to get some help ,but really, we just have to take care of our business,” sophomore Ben Simons said. “We know we have to win the rest of our games in the regular season for that to happen” On Wednesday, the Bulldogs faced off against Evansville in their last home game of the season. The Purple Aces are currently sixth in the MVC at 8-8 in conference play and would love to secure the first-round bye. Results for Wednesday night’s game were not available for this edition of The Times-Delphic, so details will be published in next Monday’s issue.

In their first meeting of the season, the Purple Aces stifled the Bulldogs en route to a comfortable 67-51 victory. The Bulldogs only shot 34 percent from the field and made only 15-of-29 free throws. Attacking the paint will be one of the keys of the game for Drake.

According to the MVC tiebreaking formula,

if both Drake and Evansville finish tied at the sixth spot, the deciding factor would be the strength of non-conference schedule. And as of right now, Drake would hold that tiebreaker over Evansville. That could change based on how opponents of each team finish out their respective seasons.

The sixth seed will play the third-place squad, which will be Indiana State after its victory over Northern Iowa on Tuesday night, in the quarterfinals of the State Farm MVC Tournament.

The last game of the season for Drake will be on the road against the Bradley Braves this Saturday. The Braves have had a rough season and are sitting in the cellar of the MVC at 3-13 in conference play.

Drake took care of Bradley 64-58 in the teams’ first meeting of the season. VanDeest led the way with 17 points and the Bulldogs really benefited from the charity stripe as they went 18-of-25 for the game.

There is a good chance that the Bulldogs will actually meet the Braves in the first round of the MVC. As the seventh seed, Drake would square off against the 10th seed in a first-round playin game. Bradley lost to Illinois State 51-50 on Tuesday night, so it has clinched the last spot in the Valley. The Redbirds are guaranteed a ninth-place finish.

In their last five meetings against the Braves, the Bulldogs own a 2-3 record.

Still, the Bulldogs are not too worried about who they will end up playing in the tournament or if they will earn that coveted first-round bye.

“Obviously you’d like to be up there, so you don’t have to play that extra game on Thursday,” Simons said. “Once the tournament starts, anything can happen. You see it every year where a surprise team comes out and wins a bunch of games and makes it to the NCAA tournament.”

And if the Bulldogs continue their recent surge, they might have a chance to upset some teams in the MVC tournament.

“Really, once you get to that point, it’s whoever’s playing really well,” Simons said. “Since we have been playing really well, I think it gives us a lot better shot to go in there and win three or four games.”

photo by CONNOR MCCOURTNEY | photo editor

SENIOR KRISTIN TURK was named MVC Player of the Week for the fourth time this season for her 26and 27-point efforts in wins over Illinois State and Indiana State. She became the ninth player in Valley history to win the award at least four times in a season.

Drake battles Missouri State, Wichita State for MVC tourney positioning

by Mary Bess Bolling

Staff Writer mary.bolling@drake.edu

Drake’s Kristin Turk, now a four-time MVC Player of the Week, and the Bulldogs will face-off against Missouri State and Wichita State this weekend.

As the Bulldogs take to the road, they bring with them the momentum of two hard-fought wins against Illinois State and Indiana State.

Both teams were ranked higher than Drake in the Valley standings going into the contests.

Drake sits just one-half game away from Missouri State for the fourth place spot in the Valley standings, so both of this weekend’s games are key in determining the team’s seed in the conference tournament.

“We need to take it just one game at a time,” head coach Amy Stephens said after the Indiana State win Saturday afternoon.

Stephens recognizes that this weekend’s games are key in the positioning for the tournament.

Considering the Valley’s percentage of home wins so far this season, the upcoming road games will be even more difficult for the Bulldogs.

Valley teams overall are 45-27 on home turf, and Missouri State and Wichita State are no exception.

Friday night’s contest against Missouri State will begin at 7:05 p.m. in Springfield.

Missouri State’s Casey Garrison will probably compete with Turk for the most points in the game.

The two have battled for the top scoring average in the league since the start of the sea-

son. Garrison claimed the title last year, but sits 2.2 points per game behind Turk so far this season. Garrison averages 18.1 points per game, while Turk scores 20.3 points per game.

If Turk can manage to keep up her 20-point scoring average, she’ll be the first player in the Valley to do so in five years.

Missouri State will bring a few other strengths to the table Friday. The Bears are currently ranked No. 5 in the NCAA for blocks per game and No. 8 in field goal percentage defense.

Wichita State will also challenge Drake next Sunday with its home-court atmosphere.

The Shockers earned a 69-52 win over the Bears last Thursday at Wichita State’s Charles Koch Arena.

The top scorers were junior standout Haliegh Lankster with 18 points and sophomores Michelle Price and Jessica Diamond with 16 and 12 points, respectively.

The Bulldogs shut down opposing offensive threats in both games last weekend and will look to continue that pattern on the road.

“I’m excited for what’s to come,” junior Amber Wollschlager said. “We’ve just been playing as a team recently, and that’s what we kind of got away from early in conference play.”

In this second half of the season, teams know what to expect from Turk, and she’s been marked tightly in the past few games.

Wollschlager and junior Rachael Hackbarth, in addition to Turk, have proven themselves as powerful contributors on the scoreboard.

“That’s been the key to our team all season long, that our three key upperclassmen come to compete,” Stephens said. “When they come to play, we win games.”

PAGE 7 | THURSDAY, FEB. 24, 2011

SPORTS

THE TIMES-DELPHIC

MEN’S TENNIS

Drake defends turf before hitting the road

by Dominic Johnson

Staff Writer dominic.johnson@drake.edu

The Drake men’s tennis team improved its record to a perfect 6-0 after posting two 6-1 victories on Sunday. The Bulldogs defeated University of Illinois at Chicago and Graceland University in a dominating fashion in preparation for two difficult matches this week against Iowa and Minnesota.

The Bulldogs’ weekend began Sunday morning against the Flames of UIC, and the Bulldogs suffered a rare hiccup early on in the match during doubles play. All seemed to be going according to plan for Drake at doubles, with senior Mauricio Ballivian and freshman Robin Goodman easily defeating their opponents 8-4, but the real struggles came at the second and third positions. Sophomore Jean Erasmus and junior Jonathan Hadash were at the second doubles position, and sophomores Ryan Drake and Anis Ghorbel were at the third position.

Neither team was able to break away from the Flames, and shortly after Drake and Ghorbel lost 9-7, Erasmus and Hadash left the court with the same result. This was the first time the Bulldogs lost the doubles point all season.

“We definitely did not expect to lose the doubles point against UIC, and I think because we did, it ended up being a positive reaction,” sophomore James McKie said. “It was a massive wake-up call for us on how serious the doubles point is and what we have to do to improve.”

The wake-up call at doubles spurred Drake to action at singles, where head coach Evan Austin put forth his usual lineup of players to distinguish the Flames. At the first slot, Ballivian needed three sets to defeat UIC’s Alexander Raa 7-5, 4-6, 6-4. McKie, who did not play doubles, posted a straight-set 7-6, 6-4 victory after starting slowly in the first set. Like Ballivian,

Erasmus needed three sets to take out his opponent 6-7, 6-4, 6-3. Ghorbel, Goodman and Hadash all made quick work of their opponents, with no set finishing closer than 6-4.

A few hours after the UIC match, the Bulldogs took the court against the Graceland Yellowjackets, a nationally ranked team in the NAIA. If the Bulldogs looked shaky in the earlier match, all nerves and jitters were gone against the Yellowjackets. Drake dominated the doubles point this time around with the Ballivian/Goodman duo rushing out to an 8-2 victory at the first slot. McKie and Ghorbel soon followed up with an 8-3 victory at second doubles. Ryan Drake played with Erasmus at third doubles to sweep doubles play with an 8-5 win.

“In the afternoon all three pairs were much better because we were louder, more intense and didn’t show any negativity, which is so important in doubles,” McKie said. “You can have all the skill in the world and be a terrible doubles player; it’s about sticking to the basics, making a lot of balls and constantly showing huge intensity as one break could be all the difference.”

Austin changed the singles lineup against Graceland, with junior Sean O’Grady and sophomore Ryan Drake getting playing time while letting McKie and Hadash rest. The Bulldogs proved too much for their NAIA opponents, as Ballivian made quick work of Graceland’s Remy Caffardo, ranked No. 2 in all of NAIA play. The rest of the match followed suit, with each Bulldog except O’Grady posting convincing straight-set wins. Erasmus, Ghorbel and Goodman all moved up spots from their usual positions in the lineup, with Erasmus playing at No. 2, Ghorbel third and Goodman fourth.

This week, the Bulldogs face their stiffest competition of the season against Iowa and nationally ranked Minnesota. Iowa was ranked as high as No. 63 in the nation this season, but has since dropped out of the top 75. Minne-

sota is currently ranked in the top 30, sitting at No. 27 after beating nationally ranked Fresno State, Virginia Tech, Boise State, Wisconsin and Nebraska in a single five-game stretch.

A win against both Iowa, which the Bulldogs played in Iowa City on Wednesday, and Minnesota, which they play in Minneapolis tomorrow would boost the team’s resume and possibly earn them a spot in the national rankings for the first time since Chase Hodges led the Bulldogs to a No. 33 ranking during the 2007-2008 season.

The Bulldogs are confident that they can beat both teams if they are able to stay focused on each individual point, game and match.

“After this weekend, we have gained the confidence in both doubles and singles to take down big teams like Iowa and Minnesota,” Goodman said. “We have set very high goals, but they are definitely reachable and realistic, so we have to prove ourselves this week.”

The Times-Delphic will have a full report on Drake’s matchups against its Big Ten opponents in next Monday’s issue.

>>Drake Preps for

No. 27 Minnesota

The Bulldogs have a chance to burst onto the national scene tomorrow when they travel to the Twin Cities to take on nationally ranked Minnesota. The red-hot Golden Gophers have won five straight matches, all against nationally ranked opponents. Here are the key probable matchups:

No. 1 Singles: Mauricio Ballivian vs. Sebastian Gallego • Ballivian has a chance to prove he belongs in the national individuals’ rankings.

No. 4 Singles: Anis Ghorbel vs. Phillip Arndt • Arndt moved to 4-0 at the fourth singles slot this year with a win in a dual-match against No. 41 Nebraska last Saturday.

No. 1 Doubles: Ballivian/Ghorbel vs. Gallego/Arndt • Head coach Evan Austin has stressed the importance of the doubles point all season,and he needs his top doubles combo to deliver early to set the tone of the match. compiled by Matt Moran | Sports Editor | sports@timesdelphic.com

SOFTBALL

WOMEN’S GOLF

Kennesaw State bests Bulldogs in Mathwick leads Bulldogs at Kiawah finale of Hillenbrand Invitational

Island Intercollegiate

by Tad Unruh

Staff Writer tad.unruh@drake.edu

FILE PHOTO

SENIOR CATCHER ERIN MOLLOHAN gives the pitcher a target and waits for a fastball. Mollohan led the Bulldogs with two hits and an RBI in a 6-3 loss to Kennesaw State in the finale of the Hillenbrand Invitational in Tucson, Ariz., on Sunday.

Owls avenge day one loss to Drake with 6-3 victory; Dordel lasts just 2.1 innings

by Blake Miller

Staff Writer blake.miller@drake.edu

After starting the season 4-0, the Drake women’s softball team traveled to Tucson, Ariz., to participate in the Hillenbrand Invitational. The Bulldogs went 2-3 at the tournament, splitting two games with Kennesaw State, beating Pacific and losing to Texas A&M Corpus Christi and No. 4 Arizona.

“Overall, I think we had a great tournament performance while in Arizona,” sophomore Macie Silliman said. “The big difference in our losses was just a few swings of the bat. It’s nothing too big for us to handle and work on for upcoming games.”

Senior pitcher Jenna DeLong agrees.

“Our offense struggled, but I don’t see that happening very much to this team, so I’m not worried about it.”

In the team’s fourth game of the tournament, Drake took on the No. 4 team in the nation and put up a good fight, only to lose 5-3.

“We played right there with the Arizona team and that makes me and many others see how much potential we have to live up to during this season,” Silliman said. “We have 14 solid softball players on our roster, and on any given day the nine out there are going to perform.”

The Bulldogs’ final game of the invitational was their second of the weekend against Kennesaw State, losing 6-3 after beat-

ing them in their first game of the tournament 7-5. Drake was able to jump out to an early 3-0 lead after the top of the second inning. Senior Erin Mollohan and freshman Nicole Randel had RBI singles, and Silliman scored the third run on a double steal.

But after a home run and a few big innings by Kennesaw State, the game ended with six unanswered Owl runs.

Drake will play Missouri in Columbia, Mo., next Wednesday and then head to Tulsa the next day for the Tulsa Invitational, where the team will play four games.

“For our future games we need to be more consistent with our bats and keep generating runs,” Silliman said. “We have great pitching that will keep us in the games, we just have to figure out how to manufacture runs to win the games.”

Some of the great pitching Silliman refers to is by DeLong, who has been named Missouri Valley Conference Pitcher of the Week for the past two weeks. DeLong went 2-0 at the Arizona Invitational, including a run-rule one-hitter against Pacific.

“It’s quite an honor to win any award, let alone the MVC Pitcher of the Week in back-to-back weeks,” DeLong said. “I wish the award was actually the MVC team of the week because that is an award my team would sweep all year long.”

Although the season is still young, Drake is doing all it can to become not only the best team in its conference but also a team that is respected across the nation.

“We have to keep looking at previous games and improve on our mistakes to constantly be more and more successful,” Silliman said.

The Bulldog women’s golf team unpacked its clubs from the golf shed and headed to South Carolina for its first tournament of the spring season, travelling to warm and windy Kiawah Island for the Edwin Watts/Kiawah Island Intercollegiate to face 33 teams from across the country.

The tournament ran Sunday through Tuesday and showed the Bulldogs’ promise. Overall the team finished 31st. Head coach Leanne Smith felt this tournament would be a tune-up to get back in the flow of golf season.

“We always have a little give here,” Smith said. “I don’t expect them to shoot as well as they did after the fall. I want them to get their feel back and ready for April.”

Over the three days of play the senior and junior leadership was apparent from the start. Excluding the solid play of freshman Hadley Jennings, the Bulldog top five included all upperclassmen.

Leading the pack was senior Michelle Mathwick, and she has been one of the unquestioned senior leaders of the team this year.

Mathwick said she was satisfied with how she played, even though Monday was a tough day of play.

“I’m definitely happy with how I played so far,” Mathwick said. “Everything came together on the second nine [holes]. It’s nice to get back into the swing of things.”

Mathwick shot a 237 over three days and placed 84th in the tournament.

Jennings said Mathwick shows leadership on and off the course.

“Our seniors are excellent examples and are very smart on the course,” Jennings said. “I always know Michelle will hit the ball well in tight spots. She has a great swing, great confidence, and I definitely want to model myself after her.”

Jennings shot well under Mathwick through the three days and utilized a retooled swing throughout the tournament.

“I am very happy with my swing,” Jennings said. “I am hitting it much better than I have in my entire life.”

That swing has kept Jennings in contention with Mathwick as the low scorers throughout the tournament for the Bulldogs. Jennings shot a 256 overall and placed 149th.

Overall, building confidence was the greatest asset to becoming a better team. The “tune-up” these girls were experiencing has stressed the importance of getting back to outdoor environments.

Mathwick has faith that her team will be able to pick up on the nuances and not let the bad shots get into their heads.

“We can’t beat ourselves up if we don’t play well. We have to work toward today and also the end of the year,” Mathwick said.

“Go into [tournaments] expecting that you have to make good shots.”

The Bulldogs hope to improve from their South Carolina performance in Primm, Nev., at the Jackrabbit Invitational March 14 and 15.

“We hope to redeem ourselves on the course, and we’re hoping to get ready to compete and be one of the top teams at conference,” Smith said.

>>Edwin Watts/ Kiawah Island Intercollegiate results 84th - Michelle Mathwick (80-73-84 = 237) Tied, 134th - Kaitlyn Mauk (88-83-76 = 247) Tied, 143rd - Chelsey Falk (88-83-82 = 253) Tied, 150th - Hadley Jennings (82-87-87 = 256) 166th - Christy Wittmer (101-94-90 = 285) compiled by Matt Moran Sports Editor sports@timesdelphic.com

THE TIMES-DELPHIC

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THURSDAY, FEB. 24, 2011 | PAGE 8

PERIPHERY 48

Final deadline for Editorial submissions

March 1, 2011

WRITING

Writing submissions will be accepted from all genres including Poetry, Fiction, NonFiction, Drama and Essays. Each piece should be submitted as a Microsoft Word document in 12 pt., Times New Roman font and should not exceed 5,000 words. Individuals may submit up to five pieces of writing for review.

About

Periphery, Drake University’s Art and Literary journal, is accepting submissions for its 48th publication.

We are seeking submissions in Art, Literature, Spoken Word, and Music.

The final deadline is Tuesday, March 1.

Submission is free and open to all writers and artists living in the Des Moines area and/or attending Drake University, Grand View University, Des Moines Area Community College, or Simpson College.

SPOKEN WORD and MUSIC

Spoken Word and Music submissions should be sent as an mp3 attachment.

All work should be submitted electronically to periphery@ drake.edu and should accompany a cover letter including name, e-mail address, phone number, intended genre, and title(s) of work.

Visit www.peripheryjournal.com to view past examples of art and literary works.

Want more opportunities to write?

Join The Times-Delphic Relays team! We’re putting together a huge issue and can use your stories. Get clips published and get noticed.

Contact Matt Nelson and matthew.nelson@drake.edu