the
Volume 118, Issue 18
VISTA “Our Words, Your Voice.”
Student speaks out against military coup
vvv
INSIDE
vistanews1903 @thevista1903 @thevista1903 The Vista ucentralmedia.com Tuesday, March 2, 2021
March for Julius Jones in OKC
Spring Graduation
UCO gave an update on whether or not students will be able to walk for Spring graduation this May. See Pg. 4
Han Seth Lu (right) stands in front of crowd at the “Solidarity With Myanmar” rally at the OK Capitol, Feb. 6. (Provided/Liankip Pa)
Amanda Siew
Forensics Recognized UCO ranked first in the country for forensic science. See photos from their department activites.
See Pg. 5
UCO Tennis in ITA The tennis team played at the Indoor National Championships this weekend. See how they performed. See Pg. 6
@amandasiewyk Contributing Writer
“I tell myself it’s a zombie apocalypse, with the zombies being the military,” UCO senior Han Seth Lu said. “It’s how I’ve been coping with everything.” The international student from Myanmar recalled the chaos that unfolded in his home country this month after the Myanmar military staged a coup while he was over 8,000 miles away in Oklahoma. However, none of this surprised him as military rule was something he grew up under for 14 years of his life.
High school students will tour campus this week and meet faculty members. along with much more! See Pg. 2
Continued on Pg. 3
Protesters in Oklahoma City speak out for Julius Jones, a man on death row whose case has faced doubt by a growing population. (Provided/ Manuela Soldi)
The “godfather of iron” returns to UCO Bryce McKinnis @McKinnisBryce Managing Editor
Around Campus
Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, spent decades under a military dictatorship following two coups in 1962 and 1988. It would not be until 2011 that the military junta was officially dissolved, and the Burmese people would finally gain democracy. “Since I was born within the military dictatorship era, I didn’t really know what it was like to have freedom,” Han said. “We had a lot of restrictions and rules to follow, but everything just seemed normal.” Han grew up in a family that were strong supporters of the National
Jared Ka’aiohelo was quick to accept an offer from UCO football head coach Nick Bobeck to fill the vacant strength and conditioning position after the departure of Jason Smelser last month. “When [Bobeck] contacted me,” Ka’aiohelo said, “he asked if I could come in and help with the rest of the semester to kind of give them time to figure out what their next step is.” Of all options to fill the position, there was hardly a better solution for
Bobeck than to bring back the coach who pioneered the UCO strength program. Ka’aiohelo is now the owner of Athlete Inc., a professional and amateur athletic performance and recovery facility in Oklahoma City. He played high school ball down the street at Edmond Memorial, where he helped the Bulldogs to a State Championship in 1989 — still their only state title. He retired from a professional playing career in 1999 and swiftly found a spot on the University of Oklahoma’s strength and conditioning staff in 2000, where he spent a couple seasons
before landing the UCO job in 2002. “When Chuck Langston got the head football job at UCO,” Coach K said, “he hired me there as the first head strength coach in school history.” From establishing a football strength and conditioning program in his first year to expanding the weight room to include performance training for all UCO sports in 2003, Coach K created a now-integral foundation for the UCO Athletic Department. He even helped to furnish the weight room. Continued on Pg. 6
2 | The Vista
Tuesday, March 2, 2021 Lunch and Learn - Definining Your Photo Album: Melton Gallery hosts an educational workshop on photography from 12 to 1 p.m. Economics Club Panel: The UCO Economics Club will host a virtual panel from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Ask the hosts about how their degree in economics helped them. To attend, contact Dr. Jog by email at @cjog@ uco.edu or the club president Travis Bauman at tbauman1@uco.edu. Wednesday, March 3, 2021 New Faculty Lecture Series - Dr. Karen Manna: From 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. you may join Dr. Manna via Zoom as she lectures about the French Revolution, Triangulation, and the Politics of Toxic Masculinity in eighteenth-century France. You must register for the meeting in advance. The zoom link can be found at uco.edu. MSBA Information Session: For students wishing to pursue an MS in Business Analytics, ask questions at this session from 11-11:45 a.m. The meeting link is on uco.edu.
March 2, 2021
Around Campus
Thursday, March 4, 2021
Saturday, March 6, 2021
Monday, March 8, 2021
Save the Date - Josh Rivedal: Author, playwright and actor Josh Rivedal discusses suicide prevention and mental health from 2-3 p.m. Register in advance at uco.edu.
UCO School of Music Audition Day: From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. the School of Music will host auditions for the 2021-2022 academic year. You can register for an audition on the UCO School of Music website.
UCO Virtual Office Hours for Tulsa Community College: From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., students attending Tulsa Community College may ask questions regarding admissions, scholarships and transfers. No appointments are necessary, and the link to the office hours can be found online.
Musical Theatre: Sweet Charity: At 7:30 p.m., Mitchell Hall Theatre hosts the musical "Sweet Charity." From the UCO event calendar: "Taxi dancer Charity continues to have faith despite endless dissapointments at its hands, and hope that she will finally meet the man to romance her away from her sleazy life." Friday, March 5, 2021 Musical Theatre: Sweet Charity: At 7:30 p.m., Mitchell Hall Theatre hosts the musical "Sweet Charity." 38th Annual Multicultural Education Institue: All day. Program helps those in education incorporate strategies surrounding a diverse array of cultures into their teaching. Central Close Up: High school juniors and seniors will be touring the campus, attending academic sessions, and have the opportunity to apply for admission.
Saturday, March 6, 2021 Musical Theatre: Sweet Charity: At 7:30 p.m., Mitchell Hall Theatre hosts "Sweet Charity." "Taxi dancer Charity continues to have faith despite endless dissapointments." 38th Annual Multicultural Education Institue: All day. Program helps those in education incorporate strategies surrounding a diverse array of cultures into their teaching. Sunday, March 7, 2021 Musical Theatre: Sweet Charity: At 2 p.m. matinee Mitchell Hall Theatre hosts "Sweet Charity." From the UCO event calendar: "Taxi dancer Charity continues to have faith despite endless dissapointments at its hands, and hope that she will finally meet the man to romance her away from her sleazy life.
VISTA
Staff
Jacob Silva Cory Bryce McKinnis Tanner Johnson Lyric Peterson Tanner Laws Rudy Barnes Lilly Myers Ravin Ray Amanda Siew Ty Wallace Cynthia Faulkner
Photographer Contributing Writer
EDITORIALS
Managing Editor Sports Editor Digital Media/Copy Editor
Contributing Writer Contributing Writer Contributing Writer Contributing Writer Adviser
Advertise with us! The Vista is published weekly during the spring, summer and fall semesters. In all issues, The Vista has opportunities for both digital, online and print ads. For information or questions contact: 405-974-5549 or thevista.ads@gmail.com
Front Pg. Teaser Photos, from top: Provided/Pixabay Provided/Forensics
Provided/Vista Archives
UCO’s Student Voice Since 1903 The Vista is published as a newspaper and public forum by UCO students, weekly during the academic year, at the University of Central Oklahoma. The issue price is free for the first copy and $1 for each additional copy obtained.
Editor-in-Chief
UCO Wind Ensembles Concert: At 7:30 p.m. Mitchell Hall Theatre and the UCO School of Music presents the UCO Wind Ensembles Concert featuring the UCO Wind Symphony.
Provided/Broncho Sports
To submit events for next week’s Around Campus, please email thevista@ucentralmedia.com. Include the title of your event, time and place, and a brief description. Descriptions are subject to editing.
the
Major Monday - Mass Communicatoin: At 1 p.m. until 1:45 p.m., students can ask open questions to faculty in the Mass Communications department to learn more about the major and ask for advice.
Opinion columns, editorial cartoons, reviews and commentaries represent the views of the writer or artist and not necessarily the views of The Vista Editorial Board, the Department of Mass Communication, UCO or the Board of Regents of Oklahoma Colleges. The Vista is not an official medium of expression for the Regents or UCO.
LETTERS
The Vista encourages letters to the
editor. Letters should address issues and ideas, not personalities. Letters must be typed, double-spaced and must include the author’s printed name, major, classification and phone number. Phone numbers are included for contacting purposes only. Letters are subject to editing for libel, clarity and space, or to eliminate statements of questionable taste. The Vista reserves the right not to publish submitted letters.
ADDRESS LETTERS TO:
Editor, The Vista, 100 N. University Dr. Edmond, OK 73034-5209, or deliver in person to the editor in the Communications Building, Room 131. Letters can be emailed to thevista@ucentralmedia.com.
Protest
March 2, 2021
The Vista | 3
Student speaks out against military coup
Continued from Pg. 1
-al League for Democracy (NLD), a pro-democracy political party that was established in 1988. As a child, Han remembered times where the electricity in his neighborhood would go out, which meant that the military was going to show up at his home, looking to arrest pro-democracy advocates. “I vividly remember that they would come into our house with a lot of military trucks,” Han said. “They would talk to my parents, and they would sometimes search our house because they thought we were hiding these people.
“The learning materials were somewhat nationalist, like you were taught that being Burmese is the best thing.” - Han Seth Lu “It was pretty much a norm for me.” Han said he found his education under military rule to be “problematic.” All schools were nationalized after the 1962 coup. Han said the curriculum would be set by the military regime and applied to schools across the country. Private educational institutions would not be allowed until 2013 after the military rule was over. “There was a lot of manipulative and brainwashing material put into the curriculum,” Han said. “The learning materials were somewhat nationalist, like you were taught that being Burmese is the best thing.” Han also said that students were discouraged from participating in community service projects and studying the social sciences. “Everywhere you go, the teaching was the same,” Han said. “They’re trying to frame everyone to be the same person.” Han would get his first taste of education outside of the nationalized curriculum after graduating from high school.
After the U.S. lifted sanctions on Myanmar, Han was accepted to the English Access Microscholarship Program (https://exchanges.state. gov/non-us/program/english-access-microscholarship-program) in 2013, a two-year international program created by the U.S. Department of State for disadvan-
taged students, where he learned English, civic engagement and service learning. After that, Han was accepted to the 2014-2015 Burma Youth Leadership Program (BLYP), where 20 selected students would study leadership and citizen action in the United States at Indiana University for four weeks. Under the program, Han chose education as his focus. During his time in Indiana, he shadowed classes at the university and at a local high school. It was then that Han would realize, “Crap, the education I went through in Myanmar wasn’t actually education.” When he came back to Myanmar, Han co-founded the Noor Education and Community Center with other BYLP education-focused alumni in his hometown of Bago. The center would provide training to local teachers and teach languages, social science and leadership to students aged 6-17 years old. Since coming to Oklahoma in 2017, Han has become an active member of the Bronchos community. He serves as the Director of International Student Affairs under the University of Central Oklahoma Student Association’s presidential cabinet and was formerly the president of the UCO International Student Council and Mr. UCO International 2019-2020. Han last saw his family when he traveled home to visit during the summer of 2019. Now, he is uncertain of when he will see them again. On the morning of Feb. 1, the Tatmadaw, Myanmar’s military staged another coup d’état and deposed the democratically elected members of the ruling party, the NLD, including President Win Myint and State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi. The Tatmadaw then declared a year-long state of emergency under claims of voter fraud in the November 2020 general election and planned to hold a new election at the end of the state of emergency. All of this happened the day before the Parliament of Myanmar was due to swear in the members elected in the November election.
Han Seth Lu speaks to Burmese teachers during a workshop at the English Language Teaching Conference in 2018. (Provided/Han Seth Lu)
Over the past month, Burmese people launched the Civil Disobedience Movement and held protests across the country in response to the military junta. The Tatmadaw implemented various strategies in retaliation, including enforcing a nationwide communication and internet blackout, blocking off local news channels, releasing tens of thousands of prisoners, and arresting and threatening the use of violence against protestors. At least two protestors have been shot dead by riot police. Han also said the military announced that those who speak out against the regime will be labeled as “enemies of the state.” “The first week [of the coup], I wasn’t able to sleep at all,” Han said. “It was kind of scary because the internet was cut off in Myanmar, and I wasn’t able to speak with my family.” The coup has gained international attention, with various world leaders calling for the restoration of democracy and asking for the immediate release of Suu Kyi and other Burmese leaders. President Joe Biden ordered new sanctions against the military regime Feb. 10, which would prevent them from accessing $1 billion in assets in the U.S.
Burmese communities across the U.S. have also been speaking out against the coup, including California, Iowa, New York, Texas and Wisconsin. Han would co-organize one of the two protests in Oklahoma. “I am standing here today to demand the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and other civilly and democratically elected officials,” said Han, in a speech at the Feb. 6 “Solidarity with Myanmar” rally at the Oklahoma State Capitol. “If we want to stand up against injustice, we can still condemn her actions but we still need to condemn the injustice happening to her.” Due to the volatile situation in Myanmar, Han said he has had to cut ties with his family for their safety. “Given the fact that my family has an active political history, the military could retaliate against them if they knew I still had active communication ties with my family,” Han said. Han’s family will no longer be able to wire money to him for his tuition. While he has been financially independent since his sophomore year, Han said he is in discussion with the Office of Global Affairs to sort out his tuition for his remaining years at UCO.
4 | The Vista
February 2, 2021
Graduation/Scholarship
May graduation guidlines shown by UCO
UCO will be hosting its May graduation in person for those that complete the required amount of credits. Guests will not be allowed at this time. (Photo/Creative Commons)
Ty Wallace
@HALTexe Contributing Writer
In-person graduation ceremonies will return this semester, the University of Central Oklahoma announced last week. However, there will be pandemic-related restrictions, such as no guests or faculty present. “The university will livestream the ceremonies for others to view online. Graduates who want to participate in commencement ceremonies are required to register in advance. No student will be admitted without reg-
istration. Face masks will be required for all in attendance.” The graduation may still be canceled if the pandemic’s conditions get worse around May. Jordan Taggart, a management information systems major who graduated last May, believes it is too soon to return to in-person graduation. “As someone who was forced into having a virtual graduation last spring, I think it’s pretty irresponsible of UCO to return to in-person graduation this semester. Virtual graduation wasn’t ideal but I don’t think it’s worth risking your life just for a photo
of you walking across the stage. I don’t really see the point if it’s just going to be live-streamed and your family isn’t allowed to attend. I think graduates should save the money they would have spent on a cap and gown and just stay home. “ One student graduating this spring, Ben Staudt, an instrumental music education major, focused on the possible ramifications of an in-person gathering. “The announcement for limited in-person graduation leaves me with reservations,” Staudt said.“It’s normal to want to celebrate safer case numbers, and the restrictions are in line with what most people would agree meet or exceed the standard. “Personally, I am against the event despite this because if even one new case happens as a result of the ceremony, it will not be worth whatever perceived gain occurs. My welfare and morale are not contingent on an in-person graduation ceremony and I will lose no sleep if I do not attend one as I complete my education. The school is welcome to run it, but I remain ambivalent on the need despite the professed safety, and would prefer if they simply didn’t in order to stay consistent with minimizing risk to students during the semester.” Kayla Sinclair, a graphic design major, said she’s not ready to be in a crowd just yet.
“I feel conflicted about it,” Sinclair said. “We are still in a pandemic, and while guests are not allowed, there will still be a lot of people in one place at a time. I don’t feel safe yet to do that. As much as I want to be with my classmates and have us graduate all together, I’m not sure if I would feel comfortable doing that yet at this ceremony.” Brookly Wigington created an online petition the day of the announcement asking for limited guests to be able to attend the in-person ceremonies. The petition points out that other schools in Oklahoma, such as OU, OSU, and OBU, are already allowing this. The petition also mentions Oklahoma’s recovering COVID-19 numbers and vaccinations, even calling for an outdoor option instead. Her Twitter post promoting the petition reads: “Without my parents, I wouldn’t be where I am now, I can’t imagine graduating without them there. Please sign and share this petition to allow limited guests at the graduation ceremony this May at UCO.” As of writing, the petition currently has over 680 signatures. The graduation ceremonies will still have a virtual attendance option for those who are not able to be there in person. The in-person ceremonies will be held May 7 to May 9 in the Hamilton Field House.
Marissa Murrow honored with education scholarship Jacob Silva
@jdsilva_ Editor-In-Chief
Pictured above are various photos of Murrow, originally used in a feature story by reporter JaNae Williams.. Murrow died in a head-on collision in October due to the other driver being under the influence. (Photo/Vista Archives)
In October 2020, University of Central Oklahoma student Marissa Murrow died in a head-on collision due to the other driver being under the influence of alcohol. Murrow was 19 years old. Now, via a press release, the university has announced that alongside the College of Education and Professional Studies, UCO has created the Marissa Murrow Legacy Scholarship for Teacher Education to honor her and her family. Murrow was a sophomore under the special education major. This scholarship will be awarded each spring to an education major that involves themselves with on-campus organizations. In the press release, Murrows’ father Jeff says “Her favorite quote was, ‘one person can make a differenece and everyone should try.’”
Forensics
March 2, 2021
The Vista | 5
UCO Forensics program ranks No. 1 in nation Tanner Johnson @tdjohnson28 Sports Editor
The University of Central Oklahoma is ranked as the top institution for forensic science according to a recent national ranking by Study.com. Central ranked one out of 34 and is the only higher education institution in the state recognized on the list. Programs were ranked in areas based on the comprehensive curricula offered in both physical science and the criminal justice system. Other factors that were considered included the university facilities, partnerships and career placement opportunities. “It is an honor for UCO to be recognized as the best along with so many other deserving programs,” said Dwight Adams, Ph.D., director of the W. Roger Webb Forensic Science Institute at UCO. “The W. Roger Webb Forensic Science Institute’s faculty, facilities and association with law enforcement make our program an exciting place to prepare for a forensic science career and to develop a passion for service.” The Forensic Science Institute is one of the University of Central Oklahoma’s most popular undergraduate programs. They have a multidisciplinary program that emphasizes training and research of all forms of evidence collection, analysis, reporting, preservation, and testimony. Central offers four majors within the Bachelor of Science degree program, forensic science-general, forensic science-chemistry, forensic
From the left, Misty Walker, Quinn Campbell and Dakota Reynolds investigate a mock crime scene on Feb. 25 at UCO in Edmond. UCO is ranked as the top institution for forensic science. (Tanner Laws/The Vista)
science-molecular biology and forensic science-digital forensics. Central’s forensic science undergraduate program is a concurrent degree program, which means students are required to declare a second degree in addition to forensic science. In addition to the undergraduate programs in forensic science, Central offers master’s degree programs in forensic science, forensic science-molecular biology, forensic science-chemistry and forensic science-digital forensics. Left: Samantha Schumacher, left, and instructor Craig Gravel measure an angle at a mock crime scene on Feb. 25 at UCO in Edmond. Gravel teaches Internship in Forensic Science as a capstone course. (Tanner Laws/The Vista) Below: Left, David Cagle, Taylor Meuss and Clifford Shaw gather information during mock crime scene on Feb. 25 at UCO in Edmond. (Tanner Laws/The Vista)
From the left, David Cagle, Taylor Meuss and Clifford Shaw gather information during mock crime scene on Feb. 25 at UCO in Edmond. UCO is ranked one out of 34 for it's forensic science program. (Tanner Laws/The Vista)
A student measures distances during a mock crime scene on Feb. 25 at UCO in Edmond. Internship in Forensic Science is a capstone course offered to UCO students taught by Craig Gravel. (Tanner Laws/The Vista)
6 | The Vista
March 2, 2021
Tennis/Football
Tennis places third at indoor nationals Tanner Johnson @tdjohnson28 Sports Editor
The University of Central Oklahoma tennis team placed third at the Intercollegiate Tennis Association National Indoor Championships at Edmond Center Court over the weekend. The Bronchos beat Flagler College 4-2 on Friday to advance to the semifinals on Saturday. They lost to the University of Indianapolis in the semifinals 4-0 before defeating Angelo State 4-0 on Sunday. “I’m really proud of this team. This is a big accomplishment,” UCO head tennis coach Jaron Maestas said. “We really wanted to come out and play our best today, and make sure we left this tournament with a win, and they did that today.” On Friday, Central won in a comeback. The Bronchos dropped the doubles point. They lost the No. 1 and No. 3 doubles matches, but ledat No. 2 doubles, the match was not finished. In singles play, Adel-Byanu Abidullina beat Eden Schlagenhauf. She won the first set 6-2, and then went on to win the second set 6-1.
In the No. 1 singles spot, Adel-Byanu Abidullina helps secure the Bronchos’ third-place finish in the ITA Indoor National Championships in Edmond over the weekend (provided/bronchosports).
True freshman Blythe Buntrock gave the Bronchos a 2-1 lead after winning 6-2, 7-5. At No. 4 singles, Paola Landin lost 6-2, 7-5 to even the match at 2-2, but Central would answer right back with Nikki Boyar winning 7-6, 7-6 at the No. 6
singles putting them back in front, 3-2. At No. 2 singles, Mae Canete clinched the match for the Bronchos. She won 6-2 in the first set before losing 7-5 in the second set, but she would respond by winning the third set 6-0 to give the Bronchos the 4-2 victory. On Saturday, Indianapolis took the doubles point with wins at the No. 2 spot (6-2) and the No. 3 spot (6-3). Central trailed 4-3 in the unfinished No. 1 spot. Indianapolis won each of the single play matches and they clinched the wins at No. 1, No. 3 and No. 6 On Sunday, the Bronchos won the doubles point with wins at No. 2 and No. 3. The Bronchos won at No. 1, No. 2 and No. 4 in singles to clinch the match. Landin and Canete won 6-3 at the second spot in the lineup, and Boyar and Buntrock won 6-4 in the third spot. Abidullina won 6-1, 6-4 at No. 1 singles. Canete also won 6-0, 6-1, at No. 2 singles. Landin gave the Bronchos the sweep with a 7-5, 6-3 win at No. 4. The Bronchos play next against Texas A&M-Kingsville and St. Mary’s in San Antonio, Texas, on Friday.
The “godfather” of iron returns to UCO Continued from pg. 1
“There’s a lot of cool things we had to do,” Coach K said. “We got some weight equipment in and worked with all of the different sports coaches that were there.” Bobeck said that some of UCO’s current players may not be privy to Coach K’s history at UCO, but they should appreciate his presence. “Most of these guys were really, really young or not even born when he was here last,” Bobeck said. It was during his first stint at UCO that Coach K forged a relationship with Bobeck. “Coach K and I have had a relationship since I was a graduate assistant here at UCO,” Bobeck said. “He stands for the same things that I stand for within our football program. Their friendship persevered throughout multiple career stops, and 19 years later, Coach K said that Bobeck is the “main reason” he came out of retirement to accept the interim position. Ka’aiohelo left UCO in 2007 for a brief stint at Kansas before becoming the athletic director of sports performance at Rice in 2009. He retired from Rice in 2012 and moved back to Edmond.
“He and I have been colleagues, but we’re friends beyond that,” -Nick Bobeck
“I knew I’d had my time with coaching,” Ka’aiohelo said, “but you know, my kids were at a certain age where I was missing a lot of their stuff ... and so, I had to make the decision of what was important.” Once he returned to Edmond, Ka’aiohelo began a training service in his garage — what would become Athlete Inc. His early clients came from his network of former college disciples, many of whom were then playing professionally and training with
Coach K during their offseason. Now, Athlete Inc. caters to professional, college and youth athletes and even recreational fitness connoisseurs in its 12,000-square-foot facility. The north wall adjacent to the weight room adorns signed jerseys from Seahawks receiver David Moore, former Braves outfielder Lane Adams, NCAA career home run record-holder Lauren Chamberlain and about a dozen other athletes in the professional realm; each of whom have sought performance training and knowledge from the godfather of iron. On the West wall near the turf field is a banner that reads MORE ALOHA MORE REPS. Along with Ohana, Coach K uses both words as his coaching mantras, nodding to his Hawaiian heritage, which he credits for shaping his passion for coaching. Coach K’s sense of altruism and servitude stem from Aloha. “The aloha spirit for us, and from the culture where we come from, we want to be very humble about what we do,” Coach K said, “We try to lift everybody up, I mean, one of my favorite sayings is ‘if it’s lonely at the top, you’re doing it wrong.’” Coach K prefers Lilo and Stitch’s interpretation of Ohana. “Ohana means family, and family means no one left behind,” Coach K said. Ka’aiohelo’s approach was one of the most important factors for Bobeck to bring an old friend back to Wantland Stadium. “[Ka’aiohelo] believes in toughness and work, and he has a great way with kids,” Bobeck said. “He understands how to handle those guys. He understands the rhythm that we want within the locker room and the weight room.” Coach K hoped to create a seamless transition for the Bronchos’ football program when he accepted the temporary job; Bobeck said, “there’s no ques-
Ka’aiohelo coaches a UCO football player in the Sports Performance Center (Photo/Lyric Peterson).
tion” that he has. “Coach Smelser and I had a really close relationship,” Coach K said. “We’ve worked together and gone to some conferences together, and so a lot of his programming is very similar to what I have done. “What’s important for the student-athletes is to make sure there’s some similarities there and some synergy so they can continue their work,” Coach K said. Bobeck has been happy with the transition Coach K has brought to his weight room, and as the Bronchos continue their search for a permanent solution, Bobeck smiled at the prospect of keeping Ka’aiohelo full time. “I’d love for him to be the guy,” Bobeck said, “but I don’t know that that’s going to be a reality. “I mean, he’s got his own business, he’s got his own family, but he’s helping us.”
Basketball
The Vista | 7
March 2, 2021
Both basketball teams bid fifth in MIAA Tanner Johnson, Rudy Barnes and Bryce McKinnis @tdjohnson28, @McKinnisBryce
Men
The UCO men’s basketball team will play Missouri Southern, whom the Bronchos defeated Saturday, Wednesday at 6 o’clock in the first game of the 2021 MIAA Tournament in Joplin, Missouri. The Bronchos lost to Rogers State on the road Wednesday before rallying to win back-to-back games against Central Missouri and MoSo on Thursday and Saturday, respectively, to finish the regular season 12-10 (read more below) The Bronchos’ 2021 campaign earned coach Bob Hoffman and his squad the fifth seed in the conference tournament. UCO split its season series 1-1 after its Saturday meeting with the Lions; MoSo defeated the Bronchos 75-74 in their home-opener Nov. 19. If UCO wins, it would play the winners of No. 1 Northwest Missouri and No. 8 Emporia State in the semifinal game. Wednesday UCO fell to the Rogers State Hillcats 87-80 Wednesday afternoon after leading 32 minutes. RSU, in contrast, only led six minutes. The loss dropped the Bronchos record to 10-10 on the season. “They hit some big shots down the stretch and found a way,” UCO head coach Bob Hoffman said. “We played well but not well enough.” Callen Haydon led the Bronchos in scoring with a season-high 32 points. A Cam Givens 3-pointer capped off an 11-2 run that put the Bronchos up seven early. Central held its lead until a Brewster Peacock triple put the Hillcats up 68-66 with five minutes left in the game. The Bronchos never recovered the lead.
Both Isaiah Wade and Givens had double-doubles. Wade finished with 16 points and 13 rebounds, and Givens finished with 12 points and 14 rebounds. Thursday Haydon and Wells combined for 39 points as UCO beat Central Missouri 77-75 Thursday night in Warrensburg, Missouri. Haydon shot 6-10 from the floor in a 20-point effort, and Wells shot 7-12 while hitting five triples for 19 points. Senior forward Isaiah Wade added 12 points and nine rebounds. “We hit a skid this past weekend and Avery Allen handles the ball near half-court at Hamilton Field House (provided/bronit was a bad time to do it but they re- chosports). sponded tonight with a win,” Bronchos head coach Bob Hoffman said. The UCO women’s basketball team Central started the third quarter on The Mules took a 14-9 lead to start the game before the Bronchos scored will hold the fifth seed in the MIAA an 8-2 run to build their biggest lead 11-straight to take a lead headed into Tournament, the conference an- of the game before MoWest answered nounced Saturday. on a 20-7 run, narrowing Central’s the break. The Bronchos are scheduled to open lead to five to start the final period. UCM clawed back to retake the lead the tournament Wednesday against The Bronchos continued to hit shots with about seven minutes left in the Emporia State at 6 p.m. in Joplin, in the closing minutes of the game as game. Both teams exchanged leads until MoWest was unable to recover. the Bronchos went on a 6-0 run in the Missouri. UCO split its regular season series Thursday final minutes as the Mules were unable with the Hornets, losing on the roUCO dropped a close game to The to overcome. adJan. 21 before besting ESU 77-70 University of Central Missouri JenSaturday nies 79-76 Thursday night in WarUCO finished its regular season Sat- Jan.28 in Edmond. The Bronchos finished their regular rensburg. urday in a 105-101 overtime win at season 14-8 after going 1-2 last week The match came down to the fiMissouri Southern. nal possession Littell missed a tightThe Bronchos erased a 12-point defi- (read more below). Wednesday ly-contested layup and the Bronchos cit late as Haydon tied the game at 89 UCO beat the Missouri Western failed to secure the rebound as the with 28 seconds to go in the fourth. Wells, who finished the game with 26 Griffons Wednesday night 83-75. It clock expired. points, knocked down his sixth 3-point- was the fifth consecutive win for the The Jennies went to the free-throw line 36 times and made 32 while the er of the night to give UCO a 3-point Bronchos. The Bronchos had four players score Bronchos hit 24-of-30 from the charlead with 39 seconds to go. “I’m so proud of our guys,” Hoffman in double figures; Brooke Rayner and ity stripe. said. “We’re playing three games in four Taylor Dement led the Bronchos in Johnson paced the Bronchos with 24 days, all on the road. . . these guys just scoring with 16 points each as Kelsey points and 12 rebounds to notch her Johnson and Caley Young trailed with twelfth double-double of the season. came out and fought for it.” 14 apiece. The Jennies’ Nija Collier led UCM Central never trailed during the with 21 points and seven rebounds. game, and they led by as many as 18 “We didn’t play good in the first points. quarter,” said Bronchos head coach “We shot the ball really well tonight Guy Hardaker. “When we started to and we played defense really well too,” make shots we played pretty well.” UCO head coach Guy Hardaker said. The Bronchos shot 24 percent to the “That’s a good combination. We kind Jennies’ 44 in the first half, trailing by of hit a wall for a minute in the second as many as 19. half but I’m happy with the way the Both teams improved with their ofteam played.” fensive output in the second half, but Both teams traded buckets in the the Bronchos never recovered fully first few minutes, but after a layup by recovered. Aliyah Llanusa and a 3-pointer by Jaci Saturday Littell, UCO led 13-6. Littell led all UCO scorers Saturday At the end of the first quarter, the as the Bronchos fell to MoSo 57-67 to Bronchos led 22-12. close their regular season. In the second quarter, the Griffons “I think we did a good job defenmanaged a 15-8 run to cut Central’s sively, but we couldn’t make enough lead to three. shots,” Hardaker said. We’ll just put The Bronchos spent the next four this one behind us and get ready for Bob Hoffman celebrates near the Bronchos’ bench at Hamilton Field House (provided/ minutes building their lead back to 12 the postseason.” bronchosports). at the half.
Women