VOLUME 12 ISSUE 4
WWW.READREADMYBEACON.COM
Monday, November 24, 2014
Taylor Swift’s success • Twins and triplets on campus • Tennis teams await next season
Opinion
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Monday, November 24, 2014
On the cover: Joshua, Tom, and Michael Lubben are seniors majoring in music composition.
Swift’s 1989 goes platinum Fall 2014 The Beacon is a monthly student publication. DUANE MEEKS Dean of the School of Communication and Media MICHAEL RAY SMITH Adviser HANNAH DEADMAN Executive Editor DAVID WILLIAMS News Editor SIERRA DARVILLE Features Editor JEREMIAH SATER Sports Editor RYAN ARNST Photo Editor AMANDA HIGGINS Art Director JAMES HALL Web Editor CELESTE BROWN Copy Editor VICTORIA VARTAN Advertising Director Staff Peter Amirata Taylor Branham Shaquanda Briggs Amanda Cairo April Evans Greg Halmos Jasmine McCranely Keisha Oakley Jonathan Reed Dana Stancavage Jackie Streng Becca Stripe Ashley Suter Ryan Teason Victoria Vartan
How Swift continues to dominate the billboard charts By Peter Amirata Staff Writer Opinion
In today’s ultra-competitive and changing music industry, it has been extremely difficult for artists to gain success and sell albums. One artist that has ascended to the top is seven-time Grammy Award winning musician Taylor Swift. Beyond her good looks and stunning talents, she has the ability to perplex her listeners with catchy and jubilant songs on a consistent basis. Swift already sold five platinum records and has consistently broken records throughout her ten-year career. This year alone, Shake It Off reached the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 at number one. Between Oct. 27 and Nov. 2 of this year, her album 1989 composed 22 percent of all albums sold in the U.S. However, Swift’s 1989 is not the best selling album of the year; that title still belongs to Disney’s Frozen soundtrack, which has sold more than 3 million copies since January. The money does not just come from Swift’s record sales; gross revenue from her music tours in North America are projected to total more than $112 million according to billboard.com. Some speculate that the biggest reason for Swift’s album success has been because she did not upload her music to Spotify. In contrast to iTunes, Spotify allows users to create an account without having to pay for each song. Because of music-streaming services like Spotify, music industry revenues have decreased over the last decade.
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Photo by Ryan Arnst
Photo by Ryan Arnst
According to Time.com, Taylor Swift’s 1989 is on track to reach more than 1.3 million copies sold by the end of this year.
According to billboardbiz.com, in 2014, anticipated revenue from the music industry in the United States is believed to hit more than $15 billion – this total is down from more than $22 billion only a decade ago. Artists have adjusted to this unfavorable trend by generating more revenue from concerts and merchandise sales.
Along with Swift, several other artists are also excelling in the music industry this year. According to the Huffington Post, Beyoncé’s new self-titled album has sold more than a million copies and reached this year’s top five album sales. Even though competitors are doing fairly well, Swift’s originality and maturity sets her apart
from her competition. She sets a much better example for her listeners by promoting songs with deeper meanings that have a positive message unlike many popular artists who convey inappropriate remarks in most of their content.
News
The Executive Editor may be reached at hannah_deadman@pba.edu
Job opportunities increase in Palm Beach County By David Williams News Editor Priscilla A. Taylor, mayor of the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners, provided insight on favorable changes to Palm Beach County businesses and organizations at a recent chamber of commerce meeting. The job outlook is brighter than ever in Palm Beach County, according to Taylor. “This past year, Palm Beach County has one of the highest wage growth rates in the nation, and was number one in the state
for the highest average pay,” she said. Taylor used an example of the Palm Beach Convention Center’s new hotel building, which has created hundreds jobs for construction workers. “This is great news for Palm Beach County, because one convention injects $1 million in the local economy,” Taylor said. This year, the first of six annual college football games will be played at FAU on Dec. 23, with teams from conference USA and the Mid-American conference. The Board of County Commissioners also approved plans to build a new $135 million stadium through a state grant, tax dollars
and funds paid by the Houston Astros. The town of Scripps has established deep roots in the county by conducting research in the field of biotech engineering that has been and will expand the county but also the entire state. In a 350,000-square-foot facility, the county employs 500 scientists who study cancer biology, chemistry, molecular therapeutics and more. The quality of life is continuing to improve not only for the residence of the county but for the homeless as well. “The homeless coalition of PBC reports a 28 percent decrease in homelessness since
2011,” Taylor said. She added that most of this success is because of the opening of the Senator Phillip D. Lewis homeless resource center, which opened in 2012. During the first two years of operation, staff accessed more than 5,000 individuals, around 1700 families and interim houses for more than 900 individuals. Crime has decreased more than 24 percent between 2007 and 2012. Taylor also highlighted the county’s progress with juvenile assistance programs. One new federally-funded program called “Back to the Future” assists youth who return to their
communities after being released from prison. “The goal of these programs is to reduce the relapse into criminal behavior by 50 percent in a five year period,” Taylor said. Because of the needs of young residents, Taylor confirmed that the county has created a new youth services department to ensure the healthy growth of children and provide a new level of leadership to support their successes. “We plan to persevere and foster in a valued quality of life for all the visitors and residents of Palm Beach County,” Taylor said.
News
Monday, November 24, 2014
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Non-profit organization speaks on North Korea Liberty in North Korea urges students to help refugees from the country
By Becca Stripe Staff Writer When many Americans think of North Korea, they might immediately think of the country’s dictator, missiles and nuclear weapons. What most Americans fail to see is the suffering of the people who are trying to escape the oppression of the communist reign. On Nov. 11, the PBA Justice Club, headed by Valentina Ferreira, Natalie Funk and Hannah Knize, hosted an event in the Lassiter Student Center, giving students the chance to hear from non-profit organization Liberty in North Korea. The organization rescues North Korean refugees hiding in China and resettles them in the U.S. and South Korea. Shellie Palmer, a global studies graduate from the University of Arizona, works for the organization as a southeast nomad, making up one of five teams traveling across North America. “Despite the scale of the challenges in North Korea, there’s hope,” Palmer said. “There are real ways for all of us to get involved to support the North Korean people as they overcome the challenges to achieve their liberty.”
During Palmer’s travels across the country, she shares what she believes are some of the greatest challenges facing humanity today, encouraging her generation to support those who are suffering in North Korea. Palmer informed students that mainstream media is the main influence on views Americans possess on North Korea. “It makes us feel so hopeless like there’s nothing we can do about it,” Palmer said. “There’s so much more to North Korea, and in reality, it’s a big challenge facing our generation. But it’s also a big opportunity to work together; to become a part of a historic movement.” A famine that struck North Korea in the 1990s became a breaking point for its citizens, who realized the only way to survive was to disobey the regime and break free from the structure of communism. From this revolt, North Koreans who were born between the 1980s and 1990s during the time of the famine are generally called the Jangmadang generation, which means “markets” in Korean. Palmer gave three reasons why the Jangmadang generation is a unique generation to the country, saying that those in the Jangmadang generation grew up in
a new economic reality and are able to network with others like never before. Three young North Koreans, who were born and raised in camps, shared their experiences through a video at the event. They were fed very little, forced into labor, tortured and often witnessed the killings of fellow prisoners, including family and friends. These three teenagers became refugees and were rescued by the Liberty in North Korea organization. Palmer had the students at the event close their eyes and then open them, imagining they had woken up to Florida being cut off from the rest of the governed country, just like North Korea. According to Palmer, the Internet is not available for them to check social media or view current events. All forms of communication have been cut off to family and friends outside of their region. Palmer than asked the students, “What would happen to Florida if everybody’s freedom and potential was actually suppressed like that?” Palmer said, concluding the exercise. “Sadly in North Korea, this is the reality today.” Almost 10 years ago, a group of students responded to what they
Photo by Ryan Arnst
Liberty in North Korea ambassador Shellie Palmer shares the story of a teenager girl who the organization rescued from a camp North Korea.
learned about North Korea by sharing the stories of the North Korean people with their friends. As more students became aware of their challenges, more people started to join their efforts. Liberty in North Korea quickly grew calling themselves a grassroots organization, mobilizing hundreds of thousands of people from around the world under one common belief: the North Korean people will be free in their lifetime. Palmer emphasized that bringing North Korean refugees to freedom and safety from other
countries is not an easy task. “It is a 3,000-mile journey through a modern-day underground railroad in China and Southeast Asia, crossing through rough terrain and multiple borders,” Palmer said. It takes $3,000 to bring one refugee to freedom and provide safer settlement, she added. Since 2010, people have donated enough funds to Liberty in North Korea to rescue over 250 refugees. At the end of the event, the team members collected donations from guests at the event.
Local non-profit hosts event to raise awareness about women overseas By Jackie Streng Staff Writer Placing more women in leadership is the mission of nonprofit Women in the Window organization, which they shared at their recent event, Evening in the Courtyard at the center for Philanthropy. The organization helps train and encourage hundreds of women in impoverished countries to be better leaders. Their mission is to equip and empower women in the 10/40 window – those who live from 10 to 40 degrees North of the equator in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. At Thursday’s event, the courtyard was decorated with photographs and homemade decorations from Africa and India. Each guest was given a passport to be stamped at different tables, with volunteers who spoke about one of the five training areas – head, heart, hands, health and advocacy. These areas target spiritual formation, economic empowerment, holistic care, human rights activity and education and leadership. “These women feel so much joy to be invited, included and invested in. The multiplication
is huge,” Kerr said. “From one woman we train, that one woman will go train dozens more.” Edwin and Sylvia Caruana, who were guest speakers at the event, are partners with the organization. “It’s not about what men think of women in these cultures,” Sylvia said. “It’s about what these women think of themselves.” The Caruanas emphasized the importance of strategy to reach women in North Africa – an area where being a Christian is difficult. “God doesn’t count by the hundreds.” Edwin said in his ending remarks. “He counts by ones.” Though it is their first year as an independent non-profit, the organization has been in the works since 2000, when founder Kim Kerr traveled to India. “I looked into many women’s eyes and saw their cries with my heart and soul,” Kerr said. “The treatment they endured was despicable, and I couldn’t go back home to business as usual.” PBA alumnus and admissions department employee Brittany Henson helped co-chair Evening in the Courtyard. “This is a great organization that a lot of people don’t know much about,” Henson said. “We really want students to get con-
Photo by Jackie Streng
Women in the Window International’s logo overlaying a map of the world and their target area of the 10/40 window, which encompasses areas in Africa, the Middle East and Asia.
nected with us and gain experience.” Kerr added that she desires to pass her co-chair position to the next generation and possibly
have a few students help train women overseas. Women in the Window’s next public event is in March, and will feature a luncheon and silent auc-
tion at The Beach Club on Palm Beach. For information about Women in the Window, call 561-2495377.
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Features
Monday, November 24, 2014
Brothers and sisters call PBA home Twins and triplets stick together even through college life By Taylor Branham Staff Writer As friendships are formed on campus, one specific relationship might go unnoticed – the relationship between siblings. Palm Beach Atlantic has a number of siblings on campus, including twins and triplets. One of these groups is Emma and Katie Ballantyne. Despite their differences, they are involved in similar activities. Both girls play for the university’s women’s volleyball team, are medicinal and biological chemistry majors and chose to attend the same university. “We decided it that way so we can keep each other accountable for each other’s actions,” Katie says. “We wanted to stick together through the good times and the bad.” Although the Ballantynes share the same major, they have different career goals. Katie wishes to be an orthopedic surgeon, while Emma desires to pursue a career in forensic science. The two say their close relationship enables them to share everything with each other. For those who consider what life is like as a twin, the Ballantynes give their input on the positives and negatives. “I like having someone who is always there for me and can relate to me,” Emma says. “No matter what, she always has my back.” Katie shares one negative aspect of having a twin. “The con to having a twin is being called ‘Emma.’ I cannot tell you how many times I have been called ‘Emma,’” Katie says. Breanna and Deanna Butts are another set of twins on campus. Since Oct. 15, 1990, the two have been inseparable.
According to their family, they communicated with each other in their cribs as infants and wore matching clothes almost every day until middle school. Breanna and Deanna also decided to attend the same university. “We decided to go to school together because we’ve always been together and we did not want to attend separate schools,” Breanna says. They attended Brenau University in Gainesville, Fla. during their freshman year before transferring to PBA the following year. The girls are both dance majors and studio art minors, sharing the same passion for choreography, art and music. They began dancing at church at age seven and currently serve in performing arts at their church. After graduation, they hope to open their own dance studio in Deerfield Beach, Fla. “The best part about being a twin is the fact that I always have someone to talk to, encourage me and walk with me through the hard times,” Deanna says about being a twin. Breanna agrees that having a twin has its perks, such as being able to hang out together at any time. “Life wouldn’t be the same if I didn’t have a twin sister,” Deanna adds. The relationship between these sets of twins is also similar for another pair of siblings. Triplets Michael, Thomas and Joshua Lubben are seniors who are also involved in activities together. Like the Ballantynes and the Butts, the Lubbens decided to attend the same university for similar reasons. “We wanted to keep the closeness and accountability we have as brothers,” Thomas says.
Photo courtesy of Palm Beach Atlantic Athletics
Emma (left) and Katie Ballantyne pose for a team photoshoot at the beach. They are just one pair of siblings who chose to attend the same university.
The Lubben family has always been close, Michael says. However, the three of them have been even closer. Michael, Thomas and Joshua enjoy playing music together in their free time, but also have different personal hobbies. Thomas is a part of PBA’s rowing crew, while Michael enjoys reading and working on music compositions. “I love to be outside,” Joshua says. “I want to be out enjoying
God’s creation as much as I can.” Though the boys are music composition majors, Thomas is also double majoring in English. Still, they seek different paths for the future. Joshua says while he and his brothers are similar, he is fascinated by what God has called them to do individually. “God has called me to Native American ministry,” Thomas says. “I’ve been spending my time researching ministries so I
can dedicate myself to full-time service.” The triplets value every opportunity and experience they have shared at PBA. “Being a triplet has always been a blessing,” Michael says. “Not only do I have built in best friends, but I have fellow disciples who grow with me through similar experiences.”
PBA hosts its 32nd annual Great American Bug Race Students and local residents let cockroaches loose to win $100 By Ryan Teason Staff Writer Several people gathered in front of Rinker Hall on Nov. 12 to watch and compete in PBA’s oldest tradition, wit h a crowd varying from PBA students, grade school students and residents of West Palm Beach. Crowds grew as competitors and bystanders watched the 32nd annual Great American Bug Race begin. Around 25 contestants participated in the race, with more than half being PBA students. Junior biology major Mosa Molapo was one of the competitors. “I had a lot of fun racing my bug today,” Molapo said. “It reminded me of living in Rinker
Hall being surrounded by all of these bugs.” The PBA Science Club hosts the Great American Bug Race every year to raise money for the club. PBA student and club member Esther Watkins said she was excited to be a part of the group that put the race together. “We have been planning this event for a couple of months now,” Watkins said. “We have around 15 members of the science club volunteering as a judge or working the booths.” Cockroaches were the insects of choice at the Great American Bug Race. The science club purchased the roaches from a company called Carolina. “Carolina ships the bugs over to us and we jar them for the race,” Watkins said. “Our number
of volunteers always drops when it comes to jarring the bugs.” PBA science professors Sara and Dr. Fred Browning assisted the science club in organizing the fundraiser. West Palm Beach pest control company Avalon helped sponsor the race. Competitors could purchase a roach for $1 each or bring their own for 50 cents. Some also bought t-shirts. Contestants placed their insects on a circular track and waited to see which one would complete the track the fastest. Sophomore accounting major Priscilla Cerqueira and her bug Wednesday were the winners of this year’s race, taking home the grand prize of $100. Junior international business major Franklin Howse participates in the Great American Bug
Photo courtesy of Palm Beach Atlantic University
Students wait in anticipation for the start of the Great American Bug Race, which took place in the Rinker parking lot Nov. 12.
Race every year, though he has not yet won the prize. “I came into the race with high hopes, but unfortunately Black Thunder and Green Lightening, (his two roaches) both lost,”
Howse said. “I feel a huge victory coming my way in next year’s bug race.”
Monday, November 24, 2014
Features
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PBA partners with local church at Rosemary Village Students complete their workship requirements by spending time with young kids By Sierra Darville Features Editor Palm Beach Atlantic University is a school of diversity and community. One of the university requirements asks students to complete 45 hours of community service, also known as Workship. The program gives students the opportunity to connect with the community as well as peers. One of PBA’s popular workship projects partners with Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church at of Rosemary Village, a neighborhood located near Sapodilla Avenue. This outreach program sends PBA students to interact with local grade school children. Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, PBA volunteers participate with Rosemary students in various activities like basketball, coloring, reading and homework assistance. Junior psychology major and student program leader Linda Leonardo is responsible for organizing the volunteers and gathering games and snacks for the kids. Leonardo says she enjoys
spending time with the kids and their families. “Not many of [the kids] have things to do after school because it’s such a low income neighborhood,” Leonardo says. “I definitely think that this is a positive alternative.” Junior biblical studies and cross-cultural studies major Stephen Hagberg has been volunteering at Rosemary since last spring. “It’s a completely different dynamic,” Hagberg says about the program. He values the opportunity to get to work with people faceto-face rather than performing manual labor. Consistency is something that is truly important for the kids at Rosemary, Hagberg says. Even in a short amount of time, the relationships that they form with the students are incredibly strong, he adds. “The real moments I enjoy are the opportunities to say something genuine or that’s real that’s helpful in their growing up,” Hagberg says. Kindergartener Yunque is a student that attends the program. She enjoys being able to run around with her cousins, who also attend. “[Rosemary] has everything I could think of,” Yunque says.
She loves being able to receive assistance on her homework and playing with the volunteers. Sophomore biblical studies major Ryan Mandala hopes to be a positive role model for the kids. “Rosemary is a constant force in the community,” Mandala says. “We have a good say in the values that they learn because they get things from us.” Being the positive influence that the kids need is something that they find joy and accomplishment in, Mandala says. “Just looking at the expressions on their faces right now, it’s priceless,” Mandala says. First grader ReNyia said her favorite part at Rosemary is playing on the playground. Before running around and playtime, ReNyia makes sure to finish of her homework first. “I like reading The Lorax,” ReNyia says about some of her other favorite activities. “I also like to color and eat pretzels.” The kids of Rosemary value the help and friendships that they have with the volunteers. Third grader De’andre says his favorite part at Rosemary is playing basketball and taking pictures with the volunteers. “Sometimes I like to take pictures of everybody, but sometimes I like to take selfies,” De’andre says.
Photo by Sierra Darville
Freshman Emily Hochheiser spends her time assisting the kids with homework at Rosemary Village.
The program is not limited to just meeting at the local playground and having snacks. One outside tradition allows the kids to come to PBA’s home opening game of the men’s basketball team, which the kids and
volunteers say they look forward to, adding that participating in Rosemary Village benefits the kids as well as themselves.
Sports
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Monday, November 24, 2014
Palm Beach Atlantic tennis teams prepare for season of firsts Asti Adams and Veena Vasquez among players regionally ranked after the fall By Dana Stancavage Staff Writer Palm Beach Atlantic University’s men and women’s tennis teams have had a successful year and continue to make strides as they enter the Sunshine State Conference. The women’s team recruited three freshmen and one transfer student. “As players come and go each year, the team dynamic always changes,” said Veena Vasquez, a senior pharmacy student. “It has definitely been a challenge, but it makes each year a unique experience. It continues to push us and motivate us to work hard together as a team.” Vasquez is ranked 20th in singles and eighth in doubles with partner Valerie Nagoviticina in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association south region. “We’re like a family—if one team member doesn’t do something, we all don’t do it,” said Michaela Mignemi, a freshman athletic training major. “We’re a lot closer than most tennis teams.” She has been playing tennis since she was six-years-old. “It’s definitely gone better than I expected with half of the team being new,” Mignemi said. “Everyone was very welcoming and we all get along very well.” Head coach Chi Ly recruits players who will play well in the PBA atmosphere. “We want the right player to fit the right school,” Ly said. “Because we are a faith-based school, it is very important.”
Ly has coached PBA’s men and women’s tennis teams for 10 years, prioritizing relationships with the teams. “It’s not just tennis for Ly,” Mignemi said. “He also wants us to be better people on and off the court. He wants us to have good grades, and he wants what is best for us.” The teams utilize the fall to practice and warm up for their main season in the spring. “It’s a chance to showcase the players on an individual format,” Ly said. “Several players have competed well and a few have received regional and national rankings based upon the fall results.” The men’s team is ranked 10th in the region and 41st in the nation among Division II schools, according to the ITA website. “We have higher expectations for them now,” Ly said. “They have been working hard in the offseason to train, and they know we are better and that’s when we see improvement on the court.” Although the fall brings opportunities to obtain new players, the men’s team returned seven players from last season with no new recruits. “Having the same team as last year allows us to compete with more heart and effort,” said Matt Leeds, a junior biology major. For the first time in PBA history, both men and women’s teams have regionally ranked doubles pairs, according to PBA athletics. Nicholas Uryson is ranked 10th in the region and 47th nationally among Division II schools. Asti Adams and Nicholas Bat-
Photo courtesy of Palm Beach Atlantic Athletics
Asti Adams (left) and Veena Vasquez are both regionally ranked in doubles. “I hope to have a successful, fun season with the chance to possibly make NCAA regionals or win the National Christian College Athletic Association championship,” Vasquez said.
tistini are ranked ninth in the region in doubles. Uryson and Romain Nowaczyk are the second men’s doubles pair ranked in the region at 10th, according to the ITA website. This spring, PBA will play in the Sunshine State Conference for the first time on a provisional basis. This conference is known as the “Conference of National Champions,” according to the SSC website. “We get to compete with some of the best schools in the nation, allowing us to keep pushing ourselves and increasing our level of play everyday,” Leeds said.
New schools selected for the conference must complete a three-year provisional period before becoming full members, according to the SSC website. PBA’s expected time to enter the SSC is the 2017-2018 athletic season. “It is an honor for us to be a part of that group,” Ly said. “However, it is going to be very competitive.” Although PBA is not eligible for a SSC championship this year, the team said they are still working hard to impress the current members of the conference. “Now that we’re in this confer-
ence, there’s a goal to reach and we’re really focused,” Mignemi said. The tennis teams will continue to compete in the ITA and NCAA tournaments. “I am very excited to be playing in my senior season this coming spring,” Vasquez said. “I hope to have a successful, fun season with the chance to possibly make NCAA regionals or win the National Christian College Athletic Association championship.”
First intramural season ends with new location at the Rinker Athletic Campus By Jasmine McCranely Staff Writer
Palm Beach Atlantic University intramurals are nearing a close as the program finishes its first semester at the Rinker Athletic Campus’ new facilities. Since the opening of the RAC, intramurals now have a permanent home more suitable for sports than previous locations on campus. “The RAC is bigger with less congestion and more options,” said Abigail Hews, director of campus recreation. Hews added that she heard positive feedback from students about the new location. “The RAC was very nice and it was fun to play on a real field,” said Taylor DeLange, a sophomore public relations major. Flag football and softball were
the first sports played at the new fields this semester. “It was so nice to be able to play on an actual field and have room to run around,” said sophomore communication major Lexi Cahall, who played flag football. The old intramural field had limited space for activities other than the scheduled games. “It was also nice to have extra space around the fields so we could warm up before our games,” Cahall said. Participation has remained stable because of available shuttle transportation to the athletic campus. Still, Hews said she hopes to increase student participation. “Taking a few extra minutes to drive there is definitely worth it for how nice the complex is,” Cahall said. “I think if people really want to play they will be willing to drive a few minutes.” The softball field provides the look and feel of a professional layout with dugouts for both teams.
With the new athletic campus, students said they noticed better upkeep of the RAC. “The new fields are wonderful,” Cahall said. “It makes intramural sports feel more real, exciting and important.” She said the multiple fields made game times more convenient. “[It is] much better than the old intramural field,” said sophomore Adam Dickens. This semester he is involved with floor hockey, softball and basketball. Dickens added that the players on his team also noticed the differences between the RAC and the previous intramural field, including more equipment that is available to use. Previously, students could not wear cleats on the intramural fields. This rule has changed since the new athletic campus opened, according to campus recreation. Cahall is in favor of this change. “It was also really great to be
Photo courtesy of Kaila Seiders
Monica Waller (front left) and Kaila Seiders (front right) celebrate their win at the intramural flag football championship game on Oct 20. The game was played at the Rinker Athletic Campus.
able to wear cleats,” she said. Dickens also added that he hopes to compete in intramurals again next semester. Spring intramurals will include soccer, bowling, basketball, ulti-
mate frisbee and volleyball. “The new complex is beautiful,” Cahall said. “I am really happy we have somewhere we can go and play now.”
Sports
Monday, November 24, 2014
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Men’s and women’s golf teams complete fall season Fall season ends with championship season in sight By April Evans Staff Writer
Palm Beach Atlantic University’s men and women’s golf teams finished their fall season in preparation for their official season this spring. Head coach Craig Watson recruited many freshmen this year, with the fall being a time for new players to transition into collegiate golf play. “Some of the freshmen guys during the first tournament this fall were shaking,” said sophomore finance major Ben Murray. “It’s good to get those first few tournaments under the belt, it’s like a preseason with the real season in the spring.” The women’s team was originally scheduled for four tournaments this fall, but due to injuries and eligibility issues, the team was only able to compete in one. “It was good to have this one tournament,” said Hayley Betz, a sophomore athletic training major. “I think it gave the freshman some experience.” The women’s team competed at the Beyond the Roar Invitational
Nov. 1-2 along with the men’s team. Four women competed, finishing better than 20th among the entire field. The men’s team finished with two players in the top 10. The women’s team plans to be healthy in the spring with no eligibility issues, in order to play a complete schedule. “I think the lady Sailfish are going to have a little more confidence, because of playing a full schedule in the spring,” Watson said. Despite the lack of playing time in the fall, the team has no shortage of expectations for the spring. “We’re going to look pretty good for our spring semester,” Betz said. She said she does not expect any new players for the spring, but added that Watson spoke about new recruits coming next fall. “Our recruiting efforts this fall should help produce a full ladies roster next year,” Watson said. Betz said she looks forward to a full roster. The men’s team played in five tournaments during the fall with six of the 12 players as freshmen. Watson said that freshman Luke Johanson stood out during the fall tournaments. “We were so lucky we got
Luke to come here,” Murray said. “Luke could go play anywhere he wanted to and he came here.” Johanson has been the most consistent player this fall, Watson added. Murray said the men’s team had only four players last season, so the increase in numbers has changed the dynamic of the team. “There’s more competition within the team,” Murray said. The fall has given a majority of the men’s players an opportunity to play in a tournament. The men’s team competed at the Guy Harvey Invitational at PGA National Golf Club in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. Oct. 6-7. The tournament gave the team a look at the Division II competition in the Sunshine State Conference. PBA is in its first year of the three-year provisional period before fully joining the Sunshine State Conference. “Pretty much all the Division II schools in the [Sunshine State] conference are top schools for golf,” Murray said, “To actually play with those guys is so much fun.” Murry said he is excited for the spring. “We’ve got a ways to go,” Murray said. “We can definitely do better in the spring.”
Photo courtesy of Ben Murray
Ben Murray looks forward to the spring season. “We’ve got a ways to go,” Murray said. “We can definitely do better in the spring.”
Readers share what they are thankful for... ly from i m a f y m I can see
Skype so r o f l u f k n erber “I am tha K a n a i ” r . y B a – s aw 2000 mile e and enm in e v e li e b o h d professors w n a s d n ie fr d o o g “For y dreams.” m r e ft a o g d n a hieve om courage me to ac – Brooke Wahlstr “I’m thank ful for pum pkin spice lattes.” – Heather Wroth le I’ve p o e p w great ne e h t l l a ful for k n a h t nent ester.” n “I am m e e T s s d “For the time set aside to relax!” i i th -Dav at PBA t e m – Emily Hochheiser
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Le Coin à Crêpe owners Allan Voiron (left) and Ben Colabella (right) serve crêpes with Terence Ouma to raise money for Professor Scott Spell’s daughter Jenny, who has been in critical condition the past month. For more information about Le Coin à Crêpe, follow @coinacrepe on Twitter and Instagram.