therunneronline.com California State University, Bakersfield
Nov. 17, 2021
Vol. 47, No. 6
’Runners Ready to Return
After a year and a half of mostly virtual education, faculty and students prepare to come back to CSUB campus in Spring 2022. See pg. 3
Illustration by Faith Okoli/The Runner
KIE speaker shares poetry, ideas on prison reform See pg. 2
10 questions you’ve always wanted to ask on a first date See pg. 4
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facebook.com/runnercsub
Netflix Review: Kaepernick kneels for injustice See pg. 8
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Women’s Basketball shuts down Bethesda 111-19 See pg. 10
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The Runner
Nov. 17, 2021
The Runner Staff The Runner
California State University, Bakersfield 9001 Stockdale Highway Bakersfield, CA 93311-1099 661-654-2165 runner@csub.edu FACULTY ADVISER Jennifer Burger jburger1@csub.edu DIGITAL MANAGING EDITOR Ellice Richman erichman@csub.edu ART TEAM Faith Okoli, Kelsey Peters, Jessica Rosas ADVERTISING & MARKETING Zackrie Agnew, Genisis Delgado WEBSITE EDITOR Liliana Hernandez ASSISTANT EDITORS Kennadi Burke, Xochitl Martinez COPY EDITORS Teresa Alcantar, Taylor Ayala, Charline Delgado, Marlene Garcia, Anahi Lomeli DIGITAL TEAM Camila Arambula, Joe Bejarano, Taylor Budshaw, Jaycee Fivecoat-Long, Carlos Hernandez, Alexis Lynde, Yvette Meza, Natalie Page, Ariane Skeggs, Ian Tash, Vada Underwood REPORTERS/WRITERS CJ Alcala, Somiah Alkobadi, Guadalupe Avalos, Juniva Bojorquez, Jennifer Chavez, Victoria Cipres, Rebekah Corral, Ana Dominguez, Alea Gaona, Jacqueline Gutierrez, Guadalupe Leon, Nick Lopez, Yasmin Marcelo, Vincent Ortiz, Rhyan Nile, Alondra Roman, Lily Shaffer, Leah Truitt, Dionna Woolfolk ABOUT US The Runner is a laboratory newspaper published daily online with a biweekly PDF e-edition, in conjunction with the Department of Communications at CSU Bakersfield. DISCLAIMERS Views and opinions expressed in The Runner are not necessarily those of the editors, staff or the Department of Communications. The staff of The Runner reserve the right to refuse or omit any advertising or material which advocates illegal activity, or which may be considered libelous, irresponsible or tasteless. COPYRIGHT Copyright belongs to the Department of Communications at CSU Bakersfield. CONTACT US Send corrections requests, letters to the editor, op-ed submissions and press releases to runner@csub.edu. Send advertising inquiries to Faculty Adviser Jennifer Burger at jburger1@csub.edu.
Prison reform advocate shares writings with CSUB By Ana Dominguez Staff Writer Dr. Michael Dean Burroughs, Director of the Kegley Institute of Ethics and Associate Professor of Philosophy at California State University, Bakersfield, invited Reginald Dwayne Betts African, who is an African American poet, legal scholar, educator, and prison reform advocate to perform at the 17th annual Kegley Institute of Ethics Fall lecture: A Question of Freedom: A Memoir of Learning, Survival. Betts read three of his magnificent literary works A Question of Freedom: A Memoir of Learning, Survival, And Coming of Age in Prison, Bastards of the Reagan Era, and What We Know of Horse. Betts was incarcerated at age 16 and sentenced as an adult for 9 years in prison. His poems reflect his experience and sentiments during his incarceration years. Betts is an example that being incarcerated does not define a person. He is a model of inspiration, perseverance, and hope for people that are or have been imprisoned. Second chances are possible for everyone, especially for those who seek redemption. Betts explained, “how books saved his life in prison and how black authors influenced his decision of becoming a writer and writing his memoir even though he was too
Screenshots by Ana Dominguez/The Runner Reginald Dwayne Betts, author and prison reform advocate, speaks via Zoom for the Kegley Institute of Ethics Fall Lecture on Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021.
Screenshot of Reginald Dwayne Betts showing his friend’s laminated letters created on paper made from recycled prison clothing.
young to write one at age 46 and did not have had finished college.” Life can be tough; however, Betts found a way to express his feelings and captivate the audiences with his literary work. Despite not being a graduate student in the beginning of his career, he had a need to let the world know what was in his head, mind and soul.
“When I was a junior and undergrad, I do not know why I had something to say to the world about my experience, but I did. Seeing people still read this book after many years, is rewarding.” Betts said. Opportunities come in your life, and you need to take them. Prepare yourself the person you want to be. “The only reason that I did not get back to prison was because I gave myself
what every student college gets which is a college education and a set of robust opportunities to become something in the world that I wanted to be,” Betts said. Betts continues to give inspiration to those who had overcome the American prison system and who had suffered the depravation of their freedom. He is an inspiration to those who need an advocate against adversity.
ASI Recap: Lots of student events taking place By Anahi Lomeli Copy Editor The weekly meeting of Associated Students Inc. on Friday was full of announcements for events going on this month for students. The Indigenous Faculty and Staff Association will be holding an event in honor of Native American Month on Nov. 17 from noon to 1 p.m. discussing the “truth about Thanksgiving.” Alumni Engagement reported having a drive-in movie event on Dec. 4. They will be playing “Elf.” Campus Programming will be celebrating Inter-
national Education Week. Wednesday will be Runner Hour at noon on campus. There will be a Brown Bag discussion on Thursday, Nov. 18. The topic will be Cross Cultural communication at noon on Zoom. A food and culture show will be held at the Runner Café at 7 p.m. Thursday afternoon. There will be a restaurant review on Campus Programming’s Instagram page on Friday. Student Affairs reported the Bakersfield Homeless Youth Committee honored CSU Bakersfield with a certificate of recognition in helping work toward ending youth homelessness. The Office of Student In-
volvement reported Nov. 17 is Bring a Buddy Day at the Food Pantry. Hunger and Homelessness Awareness will continue to receive donations for side dishes for Thanksgiving dinners (pre-packaged) at the Food Pantry. Student Recreation reported a Leadership Development weekend Nov.1921 for students who want to become troop leaders or simply want to gain confidence in regards to Outdoor Adventures. The Student Recreation Center plans on remaining open during winter break Monday through Friday fro 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. starting Dec. 15. It will be closed
Dec. 24-Jan. 2. They will also be closed Nov. 25-28 for Thanksgiving weekend. The Environmental Protection Agency will be having a virtual outreach event for veterans and service members on Nov. 17 from noon to 1 p.m. as well as on Nov. 18 from noon to 1 p.m. via Zoom. The Director of Sustainability will be holding a Gardening in Small Spaces event. There will be two sessions: 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Nov. 18 in-person at the Edible Garden. Get free seeds and learn how to start your own tiny garden.
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The Runner
Nov. 17, 2021
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lifted within 24 hours and they are able to register.” Assistant Dean of Students Emily Callahan and her office have hired staff who are communicating with the students who have yet to upload information into the system and encouraging them to do so. Chief Martin Williamson also encourages those who go to campus to continue using the daily screening on the CSUB Mobile app. He reported there had been a significant drop in users filling out their screenings when entering campus. Williamson also went on to say the screening is the “strongest and best preventative method,” as a way to stop the spread of COVID-19. The chief was able to confirm that
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There has been much confusion over uploading COVID-19 vaccination statuses for the school system. The latest information regarding uploads and holds have been answered by the Associate Director of Student Health Services, Erika Delamar. She confirms that 90% of students have uploaded an option of COVID-19 vaccination status into the system. There is a concern that some students are not aware that although they are all online a COVID-19 status still needs to be uploaded. For any students experiencing issues uploading
their vaccination records, the Help Desk is available to help resolve this issue by calling 661-654-4357 or going to its.csub.edu/ support. There is also a lab open in the library to assist uploading, according to Delamar. Delamar further reports, “If their submission is incomplete and the record is unable to be verified, they are sent an email regarding the issues so the records can be verified. “Although verification [may] take 3-10 days the hold lifting does not. COVID holds are lifted based on submission to the system not verification. “Therefore, once they submit a COVID vaccine record or exemption form to Point N Click the COVID registration hold is
Number of Cases
By Anahi Lomeli Copy Editor
Chart by Marlene Garcia/The Runner
many of the COVID-19 outbreaks that have been emailed to CSUB staff and
students were not cluster cluster events. Some positive cases were
self-identified, others were from online screening, and from the vaccination hub.
Faculty advocate for full return to campus By Ana Dominguez, Anahi Lomeli, Alondra Roman Staff Writers Returning to campus can be a controversial topic for faculty, staff, and students. There are those who advocate for a full return to campus along with those hesitant to return. Factors such as: maintaining social distancing, safety concerns, participation, experience, flexibility, and grades are all weighing into this decision. Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at CSUB Dr. Vernon B. Harper Jr., stated that the, “decision of modality for spring 2022 classes will be on each Faculty to decide what is best for students. We will return for the Spring semester with all the health prevention measures to avoid any health risks.” Check prevention policies here. Doctor Jackie Kegley, professor of Philosophy and Religious Studies, is among those hoping for a safe return to campus. Kegley has been an educator at CSU Bakersfield since 1973 and is currently teaching both online and on-campus. “I’m ready to go back. I like the person-to-person interaction with my students if it works out. If it’s a large class sometimes it’s a little harder to do that be-
cause we don’t have rooms in which we can safely distance [ourselves],” says Kegley in an interview via Zoom. Although you can do many things on Zoom, “some students don’t participate on Zoom...which makes it harder for other students,” says Kegley. She wants to return to campus if the circumstances allow for a safe distance among students and faculty. Another faculty member advocating for the full return of faculty is Doctor Antje Lauer. Lauer has many titles such as professor of Biology, Vice Chair of Academic Support and Student Services, and the representative for Biology on the Academic Senate. She has been with the CSUB community since 2007. When asked where Lauer stands on the issue of faculty returning to campus, she stressed that she wanted everyone who is vaccinated to return to campus. She also expressed her disapproval of the optional religious exemption and believed it too easy of a way for the community to avoid vaccination. However, with this being said, she does empathize with our elderly faculty and immunocompromised students and staff mem-
bers who prefer to stay online due to their delicate circumstances. Regarding those who have filed exemptions due to religious views, fear of a new vaccination, and medical reasons, Lauer understands and further empathizes with those who have chosen to not get vaccinated. “People should learn how their immune system works so they are not afraid and make their own independent decision,” she said. As for the Center for Disease Control and Prevention announcing the vaccination “offers better protection” even for those who have already contracted and built natural immunity to the virus, Lauer said this is a false claim and that it does not align with the scientific community discoveries in regards to the study of immunity and antibodies. Lauer expressed her worry about the courses that will remain online. When asked what could be the reason for the split between online and faceto-face she simply stated: “convenience.” She explains how Canvas has made it much easier to make and grade tests. The important issues she says must be considered are: the decrease in learning outcome, the reducing of standards, and the lack of
foundational relationship between students and teachers. Her greatest worry is that online learning, “might not pay off enough in the future.” Another important issue that has come up in her face-to-face classrooms is the setback of students lacking lab skills. Since the prerequisite labs that led up to her particular classes were all held online, the knowledge students “should have known” did not transfer over to real face-to-face lab time. Lauer does not believe those faculty who prefer online teaching due to convenience purposes will be convinced to return. She did leave off on a hopeful note saying, “those who love faculty life might return if they feel they belong [on campus].” Faculty member Matthew Woodman, a professor at CSUB for 20 years, also expressed his opinion on returning to campus. Woodman is a part of the English department and is currently holding four face-to-face courses and one on-line. He expressed his want for every class to be face-toface but stresses that it must be done safely. “Things are complicated. There is no simple answer to a complicated issue,” he said. Woodman believes every-
one should get vaccinated (unless it is for a genuine health concern) as a way to look out for other members of society so we can return back to society. Regarding a potential rift among faculty between face-to-face and online coursework, he explained that the best learning is in the classroom which is why teachers are pushing for a full return. He does mention that there is a demand for online teachers since many students do need that flexibility. However, he is aware that a major reason faculty will not return to campus is because they are teaching out of town. Woodman’s main reasons for returning have a lot to do with the quality of teaching/learning. He lists reasons like: the best learning takes place at school; whereas, there are too many distractions at home, the learning style is more effective, the professors are more engaged, students are more inclined to ask question in person, attendance is low online, and the classroom allows for students to give their full undivided attention. In the interview Woodman also admits there is a notable negative difference in student grades and engagement when being taught online. “There are consistently
much better successes in person. Too many students are falling through the cracks [online]. Zoom lets people off the hook too much. There is an overall lack of accountability,” Woodman said. A suggestion that was brought up to help faculty return to campus is the idea of having better air purification. He feels that if it is a health issue that is stopping faculty from returning, the investment in an air purifier may ease that worry of certain staff. Unfortunately, he does not believe there is a reason to convince other staff members to return if they are online solely for convenience. The decrease in grades and engagement is not the only issue that concerned Woodman. He worries about the social aspect for students. He explains that, “Students don’t talk to each other unless forced to. Conversations that are inspiring are gone now. Students don’t even realize they are missing all this. A huge part of education is what happens outside the campus.” The conversation ended on a hopeful note with the wish that we have more events and more people around as a way to encourage people to come back. “Joy can be contagious,” he shares.
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Nov. 17, 2021
10 must-ask questions for a first date By Rhyan Nile Staff Writer Does hearing the words “First Date” or the thought of going on a first date make you anxious? The idea of wanting to achieve perfection for the first date can cause a lot of overwhelming feelings. This is because we all naturally want to make the best first impression. So because we want to be our best selves, we often avoid asking certain questions, usually ones that can be controversial, such as religion or politics, and simply resort to small talk only. Dallas McKinney, 28, said, “There’s nothing fun about just saying words at each other to pass the time.” Small talk is no way to get to know someone and their true intentions. Kassy Webb, 25, said, “If I could tell my date what questions I wanted him to ask me, I would want him to ask me how certain life events made me feel? What do I like to learn about? What are my goals in life?” A first date is where we discover if we want to continue dating the person and the only way to figure that
out is by asking the right questions. So, what are the things that you most want to know about a person? To help you out, here are 10 questions to ask on a first date:
matters most from a person will give you a good idea about what characteristics they have to offer and know your compatibility. What are your long- and short-term goals? We all have things we want to accomplish. Some things can be accomplished in a short time and some things are going to take longer but either way, both will require time. This will help you see the person’s mindset and if the two of you are on the same path.
What does your daily routine consist of? This is a great question to ask the person to get them to talk about themself and also learn what his/her day-to-day looks like. The easiest way to get to know someone is by letting them talk about themself. This will also give you clarity on how much quality time you’ll have to spend with this person. What’s your personality type? This question could be asked from different angles. You can ask them this question from the perception of Myers-Briggs personality type which tells you how this person perceives the world and makes their decisions. Or you can ask this from a characteristic point of view. What is your love language? This is my favorite question to ask when getting to know someone. A person’s
Illustration by Faith Okoli/The Runner
love language is so important to know because this is how a person is going to tell you how a person expresses and experiences love. Without knowing this you can miss the best part about the person. It also shows you their commitment to their partner. What is something you need to work on? This question lets you see the maturity level of the other person. You can see how the person carries
him/herself and know how they handle conflict. What have you done to change yourself for the better? The ability to put your pride aside and fix what’s been broken is so humbling. This show’s you a person’s strength and if they can adapt to different environments and situations. Where do you see yourself in five years?
Their dreams, how hard working they are, and what’s important to them in life. Seeing what they value most from themselves and others around them. Top five necessary character traits? Everybody has a list of characteristics that they need from a person to be with them, such as loyalty, trust, compassion, communication. Knowing what
What’s something you want to learn or wish you were better at? Ask them if there is anything specific that they’ve been wanting to learn about or try. And if they do or you do, you can help each other learn something new. Or even discover something new about yourself. Do you want something serious? Or just someone to have fun with? Nobody wants to waste their time. And instead of assuming, it’s better to ask the person where they are at in life and how much they can contribute to the relationship.
The pressure of work and its impact on students By Alexis Lynde Staff Writer The general rule of college is to study two to three hours per unit, per week, but what does this mean for full- time students who work 30-plus hours a week? Leeonny Velasquez is a junior at CSU Bakersfield who also works as a barista at a retail coffeeshop. Velasquez said she originally planned to take five classes this semester, but found the pressure of attending work and school overwhelming and had to drop a class. “Now I feel like I have gotten a lot more hours at work, so much so I had to drop a class. Which isn’t my ideal choice, but I can’t take the pressure of both. It’s been a little chaotic for me. I’ve had a little trouble trying to balance school and work, and I can’t just not work. It’s not really an option for me.” said Velasquez.
Illustration by Alexis Lynde/The Runner
Velasquez does try and make as much time as possible for school. Her shifts at work are typically from 4:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. so she can attend classes during the day. Velasquez often tries to catch up on lost sleep by napping between classes. Many college students feel they do not have the option to limit their hours at work. Ryan Taylor is a first-year graduate student at CSUB and shift
manager at a local trampoline park. Taylor said he has living and school expenses that his job helps pay for and cannot afford to take a break from work. Comparatively, it seems students feel they do not get much of a break at all. “I feel like if I'm not at school, I'm at work, and if I'm not at work, I'm at school or doing something for school,” Taylor said. Taylor even tries to finish homework assignments
during his scheduled work breaks. The cycle of work and school has driven students like Velasquez and Taylor into burnout. Without even a day break from school or work, students feel exhausted and that they cannot perform their best in either their academic careers or jobs. Additionally, because these students spend almost all of their time at school or work, they do
not have much time for themselves. Abigail Hillie, a CSUB junior and former Target employee, said she did not have the time or energy to focus on other things such as exercise. Furthermore, the demand for quality workers has only increased in the post-quarantine world. Many companies have been understaffed since the pandemic hit and are trusting their more efficient
employees to handle the extra workload. “I always felt like there was way too much work that needed to be done and not enough people to do it. I was called almost all of my off days and asked if I wanted to work extra shifts. I felt they needed me at all times, and I needed to do more work than I could do,” Hillie stated. The pressures of work and school have left students feeling tired and torn. Velasquez and Taylor suggested more flexible deadlines and less busywork to aid working students in their academic journeys. Hillie wanted her former employer and professors to know, “I am human too. I’m a person who needs to have time for themselves. I can make mistakes, and I have struggles too. Be understanding and kind and help me so then I can do my best.”
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E-sports Club hosts Halloween gaming By Yasmin Marcelo Staff Writer The E-sports Club at CSUB held Operation: Mash of Monsters in the Student Union multipurpose room. on Oct. 23. The event involved a costume contest, board games, DIY mask painting, lanyard sales, and a much-anticipated Super Smash Bros. tournament. Student Jennifer Vandever expresses how the activities advertised by the club met her expectations as they had numerous fun board games such as Monopoly, Magic: The Gathering, Cards Against Humanity and many more. She also states that she was excited for the “Smash tournament the most and face mask painting.” According to club president Jesus Barajas, the event was initially intended to be a “welcome back to campus” occasion, considering that it will be plenty of students’ first time attending in-person classes. However, it was delayed because of the lack of resources and shortage of time. Eventually, the event evolved into a Halloween-themed one, but it was still limited by “COVID restrictions and funds,” Barajas explains.
Photo by Yasmin Marcelo/The Runner Operation: Mash of Monsters, with a maximum occupancy of 50, enjoyed a great turnout with 31 attendees. Student Organizations & RunnerSync Coordinator, Ed Webb shares how he volunteered to ensure COVID protocols were being maintained. His tasks included: “checking students using Checkpoint, checking COVID screenings on phones end
explaining guidelines regarding mask wear, social distancing, and food.” Vandever believes the event did a good job at implementing COVID safety procedures as “they made sure, if you need to eat or drink, you go somewhere else outside to do that. [Also], all the supervisors [we’re] looking to see that everyone was wearing their mask.”
Both Barajas and Vandever state the Smash tournament as the highlight of the event. Barajas was glad “a lot of people participated,” and he was impressed by all the players’ “skill range.” He also appreciated everyone’s sportsmanship and camaraderie. Vandever says her favorite part of the event was “getting to win a round in the smash tournament.”
Webb discusses how he “enjoyed it very much when there were gasps and cheers during the tournament matches. It felt good to hear ‘signs of life’ again.” Already satisfied with the event’s outcome, Barajas would only make minor changes given the chance. He says he would have chosen longer cables for easier access and given clearer instructions “about how the event is being run.” Vandever only wishes that there could have been “another Nintendo switch or PlayStation games set up” to allow more people to partake in other video game options. In order to stay updated to similar events in the future, Barajas says, “Students can stay in [the] loop... read club announcements, speak with other students, play games... and participate in virtual activities” by joining their Discord server. Webb says he “would like to encourage clubs to hold more events. The Office of Student Involvement is willing to help them navigate COVID protocols so events can be fun AND safe, and not just one or the other.” To keep updated with the Esports Club, follow their Instagram, @csub_esports, and their Twitter, @CSUBEsports.
Las Vegas showcases cars in the ‘Sema Convention’ By Somiah Alkobadi Staff Writer Las Vegas has been known as a party city for some time now. I recently went this past week for a car convention, “Sema,” and it seemed that COVID-19 took a toll on the Vegas strip. Las Vegas was a place I was somewhat familiar with, going almost yearly with my family. This year, I noticed that there were fewer people on the strip than usual. Buffets were shut down due to the pandemic, which showed the impact that COVID-19 had. According to VisitLasVegas. com, “As of Aug. 16, all large indoor events with 4,000 or more attendees are able to show proof of vaccination as an exception to the indoor mask requirement. Individual event organizers are able to choose between requiring masks indoors for all attendees or ensuring that all attendees are vaccinated.” Vegas had no restrictions when it came to doing activities with other people, but wearing masks was mandated everywhere we went. The Sema Convention is a car convention on brands selling/ advertising their products. This is one of the biggest conventions hosted in Las Vegas, and there
were no restrictions on being vaccinated or how many people could enter. The convention went on from Nov. 2 to Nov. 5. They had employees holding up a “please wear a mask” sign, but they were not enforcing it. According to the Sema Show website, “With 1,300 exhibiting companies and 30,000 buyers registered to attend, the SEMA Show is where the hottest, newest automotive products debut.” There were thousands of people at the show with no guidelines on how to keep everyone safe. I noticed that there were many people wearing convention lanyards around Vegas. A few Uber drivers stated that Vegas was busy because there were two major conventions happening. For some reason, it did not seem that way. As I went into restaurants to see where the buffets were, employees had told me they were shut down. I know of many people who go to Las Vegas for the buffets at hotels, so seeing that most were shut down due to the pandemic meant Vegas lost a lot of business. There was no need to have the vaccination to get anywhere, but it was scary to see how you could be around so many people without them caring about the virus.
Photo by Somiah Alkobadi/The Runner
Photo by Somiah Alkobadi/The Runner
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‘Inside Job’ is Netflix’s new must-see By Leah Truitt Staff Writter If you are a fan of conspiracy theories, dark humor, AI, and technology gone terribly wrong (or hilariously right), then the new Netflix animated television show, “Inside Job,” is for you. Produced by Alex Hirsch, the creator of the hit animated Disney television show “Gravity Falls,” and with characters voiced by stars such as Christian Slater and Brett Gelman, “Inside Job” is a show you should definitely consider adding to your watch list. Follow the misadventures of
Reagan, a socially awkward workaholic who will do anything to climb to the top of the company ladder and finally outgrow her father’s shadow. She and her team (which is comprised of a biochemist who seems to be constantly struggling with a new drug addiction, a social influencer who works to create subliminal messages to control the masses, a war veteran who is half human and half dolphin, and a giant talking psychic mushroom) work for a company called Cognito Inc., a corporation that secretly runs the government and influences world events and politics.
Picture from Netflix.com
Follow their exploits as they create a robot to replace the president, party, and schmooze with shape-shifting reptilians, fake their deaths, and unearth forgotten memories in Reagan’s own mind, all while trying to move up the ranks in the corporate ladder. The show will leave you wondering just how far the characters will go for a promotion and what moral and ethical barriers they will be willing to cross in order to achieve their goals. The animation is reminiscent of “Gravity Falls,” and the humor, which resembles animated shows such as the Adult Swim classic, “Rick and Morty”, or the Hulu Origi-
nal, “Solar Opposites,” is sure to have viewers entertained While there are similarities to the aforementioned shows, “Inside Job” provides a new and interesting addition to the world of adult animation. Filled with lively antics, delightful plot twists, and a mountain of family issues, “Inside Job” is a mustsee. *This show is TV-14, so I would not recommend it for younger viewers. It does contain adult themes. I highly recommend “Inside Job” to those who enjoy shows such as “Rick and Morty”, “Solar Opposites,” and “Bojack Horseman.”
Newly released film ‘Antlers’ masters suspense Juniva Bojorquez Staff Writer “Antlers” is a wonderful horror mystery film directed by Scott Cooper that was released to theaters on Oct. 29, 2021. The staring cast is Jesse Plemons, Keri Russell, and Jeremy T Thomas. The film starts out with a mystery that puts the audience on the edge of their seats. It is set in a small town in Oregon, where there are lots of trees and fog. Throughout the whole movie, it is so dark, gloomy, and eerie that
it has the audience in suspense. From the start of the movie, it focuses on a young boy named Lucas, his teacher named Julia Meadows, and the teacher’s brother named Paul Meadows, who is a cop of the town. The teacher notices that Lucas is always very quiet and always has the same clothes on, and she begins to get concerned for him. His teacher feels like she is responsible for this boy and wants to make sure that he is doing good. She does not understand what is going on with the young
Photo from Amazon.com
boy. She feels that she needs to be there for this little boy because she herself did not have a good childhood. Lucas’ father, Frank, and little brother Aiden are very sick throughout the whole movie, and it is not quite explained what is really going on until the end. Lucas is always seen by himself, and throughout the movie, he sets up traps to catch animals. He is never seen eating the animals himself or creating any type of taxidermy with these animals, but instead, he is seen throwing
them into a room in the house with locks on it. The creepy creature Antlers is something else, and the movie is great because the creature is not fully seen until the end, which is a great way to keep the mystery going. The creature is a wendigo, and the background of it is explained in the movie. Overall, “Antlers” is a great movie to watch as the suspense keeps building up, and there are quite alot of jump scares throughout the movie.
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Nov. 17, 2021
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Celebrate on campus with Friendsgiving By Anahi Lomeli Staff Writer Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and for many students hey will not be able to go home for the holidays. While it may seem tough to be away from family this holiday, a great way to brighten the mood is by having a Friendsgiving. Here are a few simple and inexpensive grocery items, game ideas, and fun decorations
that can help bring a new tradition to the CSU Bakersfield dormitory. Trader Joe’s is within walking distance from the campus, so I took the liberty of browsing for grocery items that are both tasty and microwavable. These items include chicken marsala with mashed potatoes, meaty lasagna, mushroom fettuccine, roasted vegetables, four-cheese scalloped potatoes, pumpkin pie, pumpkin cobbler, and
other sweet treats. None of these items exceed $10, but if you wanted a grander Thanksgiving feast, why not consider having a potluck with your roommates? Trader Joe’s is a great choice when it comes to effortless yet delicious meals that are sure to leave you in a food coma. When it comes to games to play, there are fun and cheap items just around the corner too. In fact, if you prefer not to make a trip to
Target, you can download free printable games online. If you have the ability to do a little shopping, perhaps consider some fun Minute to Win It games. One includes the Face the Cookie challenge. To break it down in simple instructions: place a cookie on your forehead and maneuver it into your mouth with no hands. Another classic is the Shamrock Shake, where you tie a tissue box around your waist, fill it
with ping pong balls, and twerk it out! The last game I want to mention (though there are a few more) is Defying Gravity. In this challenge, three balloons are needed per person. Each person must try to keep their balloons from touching the floor for a full 60 seconds. As an added bonus, maybe incorporate fun little prizes for each champion at the end of each round. Lastly, do not forget to
set the mood. The pumpkin spice candle from Kohl’s will surely set the vibe for this get-together. There are also cute and inexpensive decorations easily found at the Dollar Tree. Thanksgiving this year does not have to be lonesome. Start a new tradition and create new memories with these simple and inexpensive tips. All you need is your roommates, good food, and a great tone to liven up the holiday.
Runner staff member Anahi Lomeli found these quick-to-prepare side dishes and desserts at Trader Joe’s, one block from the CSU Bakersfield campus.
Budget-friendly gift guide Thanksgiving serves up By Jacqueline Gutierrez Staff Writer With money and deadlines tight, it may be hard for some college students to shop during the holiday season. But that does not mean they have to settle on gifts for loved ones. Here are some gift ideas for shopping on a budget or tight time limit: Gift Baskets This is an easy route. It is important to include items that the recipient would enjoy, and it may also be easy while shopping on a budget. It is important to set the budget prior to going shopping. For example, your budget could be $20-$30. Fill your basket with items they would like, such as snacks, gift cards, selfcare items, or stationery items. It is important to remember that one will need to purchase a gift bag or basket and tissue paper if you do not have it already. Another good thing about this gift idea is that a shop-
per can purchase this gift while on a regular shopping trip to the store. Ordering gifts online For more unique holiday gifts, one can find many different items on Etsy, according to a blog on the Intethnic website. Although Etsy may be a bit pricier, it is a good starter for unique gifts, such as custom necklaces, wallets and piggy banks, from Etsy website at www. etsy.com. According to the Travel Away website, Uncommon Goods is another site where online shoppers can purchase unique giftS. One neat aspect about this website is the many different categories and price ranges. While on the Uncommon Goods website, shoppers can click on the categories, such as “gifts for coworkers,” and within that category, shoppers are able to sort the price range. Shoppers can find this website at www.uncommongoods.com.
Looking for Sales This option saves shoppers money, but it may be more time-consuming because of having to search for deals or coupons. In this growing digital world, shoppers can download apps that notify them of sales and provide coupons. The Coupon Project website lists a variety of coupon apps where individuals can find coupons for anything, such as medical prescriptions and groceries. Apps listed on the website also include Groupon and RetailMeNot, which can be used to shop this holiday season. RetailMeNot is a coupon app where you can search for specific stores and see if there are coupons you can use and may even offer cash back, according to The Coupon Project website. Groupon is an app that allows you to redeem coupons on your phone, and purchase items like electronics, clothing and home goods, according to The Coupon Project website.
cultural fare for families By Juniva Bojorquez Staff Writer
Thanksgiving is a time when families get together to enjoy delicious foods, and each culture has its signature dish that they make every year. Almamun Alfarah stated, “I actually do celebrate Thanksgiving; while it’s not part of my religion (Muslim), we still like to participate. We eat the basics like mashed potatoes, some turkey, anything they sell at the stores right
now that are popular for Thanksgiving.” Even though his culture does not really celebrate Thanksgiving, he and his family still like to participate in the holiday. Angela Lopez Romo, who is a senior at CSU Bakersfield, said, “Well, my family isn’t really family-oriented, so we just adjust to wherever we get invited to. But my mom’s go-to dish is green beans with bacon.” Her family comes from Mexico, and green beans
with bacon are unique to her family’s Thanksgiving dish. Erica Barroga, who is a senior at CSUB, detailed how “Pancit Palabok,” is a famous Filipino dish of the Philippines that can be served as one of the entrees during Thanksgiving. It’s a noodle dish with shrimp sauce that’s topped with other ingredients, typically cooked shrimp, boiled pork, crushed chicharron, fried tofu, scallops, fried garlic, and green onion.
Illustration by Jessica Rosas/The Runner
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Opinions
The Runner
Nov. 17, 2021
Kaepernick kneels for injustice Lilliawna Shaffer Staff Writer
One of the largest conflicts in National Football League history was generated by Colin Kaepernick when he began kneeling during the United States National Anthem on Aug. 26, 2016 in protest against the oppression of people of color. On this day his reputation immediately became a divisive topic resulting in one of two opinions: people either respected him for his bravery and dedication to stand up against social injustice, or people considered his actions as disrespectful and named him an unloyal traitor. Kaepernick told reporters, “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color. To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder,” according to Sporting News. At the time, Kaepernick was entering his sixth season with the San Francisco 49’ers. By the beginning of the regular season almost a dozen NFL players followed Kaepernick’s brave actions and began protesting alongside him. The season continued as Kaepernick became a nationwide topic of controversy due to the protest that he set in motion.
Image from IMDB One Fox News writer said that Kaepernick “Insults Americans and Law Enforcement Officers Everywhere.” Many people opposed this form of protest by arguing that politics should be kept out of sports, and that kneeling during the National Anthem was a major sign of disrespect to those in the military who sacrificed their lives for our freedom. People who hold this belief don’t understand that by Kaepernick using his high-profile status as a platform to speak against social injustice, he is doing more than just kneeling during a song. He is showing the world that he is passionate enough to risk his career in an attempt
to bring more attention to the police brutality that is harming people of color at an extremely alarming rate. Brave soldiers in the U.S. Military fight and give their lives to preserve our freedom. These ‘freedoms’ are derived from the U.S. Constitution, which clearly states our right to protest. Kaepernick is exercising this right to protest, not against these soldiers, but against the injustice that is taking place in our homeland. Several military members supported Kaepernick for exercising his Constitutional right to protest, as well as standing up for racial injustice. “I wanted to put something out there in the world … to say that ‘There are vet-
erans who not only agree with Colin Kaepernick’s right to do that, but also agree with the substance of the action,’” U.S. Army Veteran, Richard Allen writes in a letter to Kaepernick, “And are willing to stand up and say Black Lives Matter and this is an important issue that we need to address in our country.” At the end of the 2016 through 2017 season Kaepernick opted out of his contract with the 49er’s and remained unsigned. In Oct. 2017 Kaepernick and former teammate Eric Reid filed a grievance under the collective bargaining agreement, according to ESPN. They claimed that several members of the NFL engaged in collusion against signing them to an NFL contract due to his protest. In March 2019 Reid and Kaepernick were given 10 million dollars as a result of the settlement. This disappointing amount does not compare to the amount of money they lost as a result of not being re-signed by an NFL team. In the meantime Kaepernick launched several organizations and got involved in several campaigns to combat oppression. “Originally fully funded by Kaepernick, he founded the global Know Your Rights Camps to advance the liberation of Black and Brown people through education, self-empowerment, mass-mobilization and the
creation of new systems that elevate the next generation of change leaders,” states part of the mission statement on Kaepernick’s website. In Oct. 2021 Kaepernick released a Netflix documentary series titled “Colin in Black and White,” which briefly explains his childhood and early young adulthood. The series is a heart-wrenching emotional show that explores the unfortunate experiences of a young Black man growing up in Central California. One specific disheartening moment was during episode three titled “Road Trip” when Kaepernick was pulled over by a police officer while driving his family to his baseball tournament. The officer presented the very defensive and restrictive actions that are all too often seen in interactions between people of color and law enforcement. The traumatizing effects this event had on Kaepernick allude to why he is so passionate about combating police brutality. Given the fact that Kaepernick himself grew up and still experiences his own injustices, his passion for Black Lives Matter was inevitable. His ability to be involved and frontline social justice movements is a blessing to minority communities. However, this does not disregard the disappointing fact that the NFL did not support him and this
in turn caused his athletic career to end. NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell, describes in an interview with former NFL Linebacker Emmanuel Acho, that he should have listened to Kaepernick earlier. He later “released a video apologizing on behalf of the league for not doing a better job of listening to players’ concerns about racial inequality,” according to ESPN. ESPN further states, “Goodell also said that players kneeling is ‘not about the flag’ and that their intentions are being “mischaracterized.” Goodell continues to say, “These are not people who are unpatriotic. They’re not disloyal. They’re not against our military.” The NFL acknowledges they made a mistake by not supporting Kaepernick and other players who were taking a stand against racial inequality, but Kaepernick is doing bigger and better things that truly allow him to make an attempt at resolving social injustice. Kaepernick has since signed deals with Nike and Netflix, on top of working with other Black athletes and celebrities to work in communities. At the end of the day Kaepernick is a hero for standing up against the oppression of people of color, while law enforcement and U.S. military members are heroes for giving him the freedom to do so.
Who is to blame for Astroworld tragedy? By: Alondra Roman Staff Writer Nov. 5, 2021 witnessed the tragic deaths of at least eight people and the injury of many more at the Astroworld festival according to CNN news. Event organizer and Rapper, Travis Scott was performing at the sold-out festival of over 50,000 when tragedy struck at around 9 p.m. Once Scott began concertgoers “surged toward the stage,” according to Vulture.com. The youngest among the dead was only 14-yearsold and the oldest was 27. Among the hospitalized,
the youngest is 9 according to Vulture. Concertgoers describe being pushed from behind as others pushed past security barriers. In Tik Tok videos you can see panicked concertgoers desperately seeking help and screaming “people are dying.” In one Tik Tok video you can see a young woman climbing onto the platform where staff was recording screaming, “There’s someone dying in there! There’s someone dead!” as posted by user @astroverse007. Scott continued to sing ignoring the screams of others, even stopping the concert to say, “‘Who asked you to stop? Y’all
know what y’all came to do,’” according to BBC. com. There are multiple Tik Tok videos of guests screaming for help and to end the concert. Medics are running into the crowd attempting to rescue those injured; yet, the concert continued. In a video posted by @ hannrileyy you can see two male concertgoers dancing on top of an ambulance that was attempting to help those injured. There were multiple signs that Scott should have taken seriously. Had he stopped the concert at the first warning sign this tragedy could have been
prevented. Other artists have paid close attention to their audience and taken the measures necessary to honor the safety of their fans. Artists such as Harry Styles, Michael Jackson, Adele and Linkin Park have stopped concerts when witnessing chaos in the crowd. Scott was given multiple warning signs and could hear the screams of guests. He is among those to blame for the tragedy that occurred. He had the power to stop the concert at the first sign of chaos and overcrowding; instead, he continued to perform as people were
dying. There have been minor situations that other artists have caught as they were performing and have refused to continue the performance until they were taken care of. More and more videos are surfacing of other artists taking action for the safety of their attendees. There is no reason as to why Scott could not have paused his performance to ask what was happening. He was careless as a performer and organizer. Because of his lack of concern at least eight people are now dead and many more are injured. The events at the As-
troworld Festival can only be described as a nightmare that could have been prevented or minimized had Scott listened to the pleas for help and acted accordingly. His staff were also aware of the terror occurring and should have put an end to the concert immediately. Unfortunately the lives lost cannot be replaced and the trauma will live on for those that witnessed the tragic event. Scott and those responsible must be held accountable and measures must be taken to prevent another tragedy like this from occurring again.
Opinions
The Runner
Nov. 17, 2021
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Solving the dangers of fast fashion By Leah Truitt Reporter According to BBC, every year approximately “92 million tonnes of textile waste is created” and a large majority of this waste comes from the fast fashion industry. Fast fashion clothing is clothing that is often created to match certain trends; it is often inexpensive and cheaply made and is not designed with long or sustained use in mind. The design process often overlooks how this affects the environment and often workers who design such garments are not paid an ethical or a living wage. Many popular clothing brands, such as Shein and Forever 21, are a part of the fast fashion industry. The fast fashion industry contributes greatly to a number of environmental
and social issues. According to a BBC article written in 2020, “around 85 percent of all textiles in the U.S. are either dumped into a landfill or burned.” These numbers are beyond concerning for the state of our environment especially when so much of this textile waste is easily avoidable. It is easy to walk into a store, see a cheap clothing item, and purchase it. Convenience is key in the case of fast fashion. It is just as easy to go through your closet and get rid of clothing to simply turn around and buy more. However, one thing that many fail to realize is that when you get rid of clothing it has to go somewhere. Even when clothing is donated to a thrift store or a charity shop there is no guarantee that it will be
used or sold. Often clothing that is sent to a thrift store still ends up going into a landfill regardless of the good intentions of the
pieces and articles of clothing that you could never find in a department store. However, sometimes it seems impossible to find
“Around 85 percent of all textiles in the U.S. are either dumped into a landfill or burned.” – 2020 BBC article individual that donated it. The best option is, of course, to avoid purchasing new clothing whenever possible. Shopping at thrift stores and charity shops provides a great opportunity to find clothing that is new to you. Sometimes you can find the most amazing vintage
everything used. At times it can be hard to find specific articles of clothing in your size. Not everyone has the time to dig through bins of clothing or to go to a thrift store in the first place. The convenience of being able to order clothing online or walk into a store
and find exactly what you are looking for is something many people prefer over shopping for used clothing. While the fast fashion industry is still going strongsmaller businesses have been popping up recently to make less of an impact on the environment and to give garment workers access to ethical and livable wages. For example, Lucy and Yak, a small clothing business that originated in the U.K. in 2017, promises all of their workers a livable wage. They pair up with small businesses around the world to source the material for their garments and work incredibly hard to make sure that all of their clothing is making as small of an impact as possible on the environment. Another great clothing
business that started fairly recently is Big Bud Press, a clothing brand that was created in Los Angeles in 2015. According to their website, “more than 98% of the fabric used is grown and made domestically.” They are sweatshop free as well and work to pay their workers an ethical wage. While these businesses may charge more for their clothing, it must be understood that they created their clothing with sustainability in mind. The clothing is meant to last and the cost reflects that. Regardless of where you choose to shop, please try to take responsibility for your clothing use. Clothing never just disappears and even if something is “cheap.”
Adult animation can broach difficult topics By Leah Truitt Reporter Adult animation has become increasingly popular over the years, with shows such as “Bob’s Burgers” and “Rick and Morty” becoming more and more mainstream. With the changing tide from live action to animated shows there has been a broadening of genres, stretching from the delightful sardonic with shows such as “Solar Opposites” and “Rick and Morty,” to the extremely bizarre with shows such as “Tuca and Bertie.” With the gaining popularity of such shows there have been more opportunities to challenge and discuss difficult issues. By using a format that has limitless possibilities it has become easier to present information and stories that are often difficult to bring up. For example, the incredibly popular animated show, “Bojack Horseman,” is presented as a comedy where Bojack Horseman is a horse who was the star of his own television show in the 1980s. He now lives in his mansion, a washed up TV star who eternally wishes to relive his glory days.
However, the show is incredibly dark, delving deep into his battle with depression and addiction. Throughout the course of the show it addresses issues such as suicide, guilt, anxiety and the consequences that the past can have on the present. Another animated show that presents difficult topics (albeit in a much more lighthearted manner than “Bojack Horseman”) is “Tuca and Bertie.” While the show is presented as strange and delightful, filled with bright colors and even brighter characters, the two main characters (Tuca and Bertie) do face struggles of their own. Tuca, a bright and exuberant toucan, is a recovering alcoholic. Bertie, a nervous songbird, suffers from severe social anxiety and has to deal with sexism in her workplace. While the characters obviously live in a fantasy world (most of the characters are humanoid birds or plants), their struggles are incredibly relatable. Throughout the show, Bertie struggles with panic attacks, one of her first serious romantic relationships, as well as balancing her career, social life, and
hobbies. Tuca has to deal with her continued search for meaning, along with family struggles. “Bob’s Burgers” is a fairly popular animated show about a family business that is trying to stay afloat. It follows the misadventures of Bob and Linda and their children, Gene, Louise, and Tina as they work through life. This show, while defi-
nitely a comedy, addresses issues such as financial stability and failure. Throughout the show one of the main characters, Bob, mentions his fear of failure. The characters also often discuss paying the rent, restructuring loans, and (on many occasions) trying to afford Christmas presents for the kids. These are very relatable concerns for most people. While this show is
meant to be a comedy, the concerns that many of the characters are dealing with are very human. By showcasing difficult issues through the lens of animation there are limitless possibilities to how information can be presented. It is a great platform to discuss difficult topics and I hope that the field of animation will continue to discuss such topics in an honest and thoughtful way.
concerns that many of the characters are dealing with are very human. By showcasing difficult issues through the lens of animation there are limitless possibilities to how information can be presented. It is a great platform to discuss difficult topics and I hope that the field of animation will continue to discuss such topics in an honest and thoughtful way.
Sports
The Runner
Nov. 17, 2021
Win makes 350 for Coach Barnes Vincent Ortiz Sports Reporter The CSU Bakersfield men’s basketball team beat Life Pacific on Saturday night 85-60 and in the process earned Head Coach Rod Barnes his 350th career win. The ‘Runners were coming off a tough loss to #2 UCLA and wanted to earn a victory in their home opener at the Icardo Center. When asked what it meant to get his 350th career win Coach Barnes said: “I couldn’t start without thanking God for the many opportunities that I’ve had and the many coaches that I’ve worked with.” The Roadrunners were sluggish to begin the game and the Warriors exceptional ball movement made it an 18-18 tie game midway through the first. The Warriors had no answer for the Justins though. As guard Justin McCall grabbed a rebound and drew a foul, converting the free throw for a 3-point play. Shortly after, Justin Elder-Davis found his zone at the top of the elbow for a smooth jumper to give the Roadrunners a 13-point lead. The Roadrunners played stellar defense and held Warrior leading scorer Austin Cook scoreless. At half the Roadrunners led 43-30. The Roadrunners started the second half right where they left
Photo by Joe Bejarano/The Runner Shawn Stith scoring off a fast break against Life Pacific Saturday November 13, 2021.
off as Guard David Walker had a monstrous slam dunk igniting
the Icardo Center crowd. As the game progressed the Roadrun-
ner depth began to wear down the smaller Warriors. With 9:02
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left in the game junior college transfer Kaleb Higgins broke the game wide open with four consecutive buckets. Three Roadrunners scored in double figures Saturday night with sophomore guard Caleb Higgins leading both teams with 17 points on 6-11 shooting, including two 3-points shots that busted the game wide open. Senior guard McCall had another stellar game racking up 12 points and 6 rebounds. McCall credited his teammates with his success “we worked together well as a unit, the shots I got, I couldn’t have got without my team.” Guard Justin Edler-Davis was unstoppable all night hitting shots from the top of the elbow and short corner, scoring 15 points for the Roadrunners. On the win Elder-Davis said “it builds confidence and positive attitudes and we’ll continue to build off it.” The Warriors were led in scoring by Pedro Leal-Cruz who scored 12 points on 4-5 from the field. Going forward Barnes noted ‘as far as x’s and o’s we have to defend better.’ The Roadrunners (1-1) will hit the road for their next game as they play Northern Arizona in Flagstaff on Thursday, Nov. 18. The game can be seen on ESPN+ and has a 5 p.m. (PT) tipoff.
Women’s Basketball blows out Bethesda 111-19 Vincent Ortiz Sporter Reporter The CSU Bakersfield women’s basketball team opened the season in dominant fashion against Bethesda University on Tuesday, Nov. 10, recording the program’s largest margin of victory with a 111-19 win. It was the first home basketball game in 612 days with fans in attendance and the Roadrunners did not disappoint. From the tip the Roadrunners dominated every facet of the game leading in every statistical category, including a 92-point margin of victory. The Roadrunners had five players in double figures, including three who recorded double-doubles. Roadrunner guard Jayden Eggleston led all scorers with 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as well. The Roadrunners’ size was apparent from the beginning as the Flames had no answer for center Vanessa Austin who registered six early points in the first quarter before colliding with
a teammate and leaving the game with an ankle injury. After the game, Head Coach Greg McCall said, “it was just a small tweak we could have put her back in but we didn’t want to take any chances.” Austin could be seen on the sidelines in good spirits cheering on her teammates. Despite Austin’s ankle injury, the Roadrunners didn’t miss a beat as freshmen forwards Hennie Van Schiak and Kayla Morris came in and notched double-doubles in points and rebounds Morris said, “I knew I had to pick my game up and be there for Vanessa and my team” and did just that scoring 14 points and 10 rebounds. For her effort Van Schiak led all players in rebounds with 14 as she controlled the paint in Austin’s absence. At halftime the Roadrunners led 47-7 and, in most cases, teams leading by such a large margin might let up or lose their intensity. Not the Roadrunners, not tonight. The Roadrunners would contin-
ue their aggressive play for the remainder of the game. During the fourth quarter the Roadrunners held a 93-point lead (4th, 3:49). The Roadrunners offense was on point as they shot a collective 52.3% from the field. Miracle Saxon added 16 points, shooting 6-10 from the field. Bethesda was led in scoring by guard Kaitlin Romancito with 8 points. The Flames failed to generate any offense all night despite playing with an energetic pace. The Roadrunners’ full and half court press smothered the Flames and forced them to take poor shots while also racking up 35 turnovers. The Roadrunners imposed their defensive will on the Flames accumulating 21 team steals. “Games like this are going to help set the tempo for our season,” Eggleston said after the game. The Roadrunners will need to be at their best as they play a difficult non-conference schedule that includes #9 Oregon State and #20 UCLA.
CSUB (1-0) went on to open a three-game road stretch next at Pacific on Nov. 17 followed by a
trip to Corvallis, Oregon to take on #14 Oregon State on Nov. 20.
Photo by Yvette Meza/The Runner CSUB’s Simone Johnson makes her way down the court against CSU Dominguez Hills at the Icardo Center on DATE.
The Runner
Sports Nov. 17, 2021
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CSUB Volleyball struggles in close loss against UC Davis Aggies By Vincent Ortiz Sports Reporter The CSU Bakersfield volleyball team looked to build on their momentum against UC Davis Saturday night at the Icardo Center. The ’Runners started the match off great, taking an early two-set lead over Davis. Yet in a comeback that silenced the ’Runner crowd, Davis pulled off a comeback claiming the match in the final three sets of a five-set victory (25-12, 25-14, 26-28, 22-25, 13-15). It looked like it would be a night for the ’Runner’s as they convincingly won the first set with a 6-0 run that gave them a 13-6 lead. From that point on the ’Runners cruised to a first set victory 25-12, with libero Anna Unke putting the exclamation point on the set with a service ace. The ‘Runners .591% hitting percentage fueled their great play compared to Davis .074%. The ’Runners continued to attack the Aggies during the second set, and received great play from outside hitter Paige McCluskey and setter Selesia Elisaia. Great ’Runner teamwork and poor Aggie’s communication
Photo by Joe Bejarano/The Runner Brooke Boiseau leaps to get contact with the ball during the volleyball game at the Icardo Center on Nov. 13 vs. UC Davis.
would lead to the ’Runners taking the second set 25-14. Davis came out in the third set and played with a sense of urgency, something not seen all night. The third set evenly tightly fought and McCluskey would provide a big play to bring it to
Mens Soccer falls in first move to Big West Nick Lopez Sports Reporter The CSUB men’s soccer team came into the season ranked tenth, dead last by the Big West coaches polling. CSUB went on to provide a 5-3-0 record in the regular season, good enough to be seeded fourth heading into the end of the regular season. The Roadrunners hosted the #5 seeded team UC Davis for the opening round of playoffs. However, they could not hold off the Aggies offense, resulting in a season ending 3-1 loss. Despite the low predicted rankings, the team was able to put together a well-respected seasonal outcome. “Davis was very good and deserved to advance,” CSUB Head Coach Richie Grant told gorunners.com. “In the moment there is disappointment, because so much energy went into getting here tonight, but we’ve established a good foundation for ourselves in the Big West and that will set us up well for our future in the league.” The Roadrunners were a young
team led this year by their seniors Aodhán O’Hara who had five goals of his own who led the team in goals scored this season O’Hara caps off his CSUB career with 14 goals. Carlos Armendariz and Tom Shepard were both forces on the offensive side both have four goals on the season. All of Armendariz’s goals were resulted from penalty kicks, an impressive 4-4 in his efforts. The Roadrunners proved that they are a team to be reckoned with in the Big West conference. The roadrunners had an impressive Big West debut and certainly exceeded the conference’s expectations. With only seven seniors this season the team, next season the Roadrunners will return as a more experienced team in the Big West looking to top this season’s performance. Senior Forward Aodan O’Hara earned an All-league honorable mention. Senior midfielder Carlos Armendariz was selected for the second team All-league. Freshman defender Bryson Hankins was selected for the All Freshman team.
an 18-18 tie. Things quickly fell off the rail for the ‘Runners as they found themselves down 19-23. A timeout by Head Coach Giovana Melo would help the ’Runners regain their composure and take a 24-23 off a 5-0
scoring run. The ‘Runners ran out of gas and their bid to sweep the match fell short as they lost the third set 26-28. The ’Runners and Aggies played the last two sets close as well, but in the end the Aggies
pulled it out winning (22-25, 13-15). When asked after the game about the reversal in play Head Coach Giovana Melo said, “I just think we got cocky, we can’t play like that and we thought we had the game in the bag.” Coach Melo would elaborate that it had been a reoccurring issue all season “we just kind of let things happen, when were good and put on the pressure on and do the things we know how to do we are a very good team and hard to beat.” Setter Seleisa Elisaia who recorded 43 assists and seven kills when asked if there were any positives to take away from the loss said, “probability just learning to stay with each other in those harder moments holding onto each other in those hard moments.” The Roadrunners (16-8, 9-7) played their next home game against Cal Poly on Nov. 16. The Roadrunners won their first two sets, then came back from a third set loss to win over the Mustangs on Nov. 16. Final scores were 25-14, 25-21, 12-25, 25-22. The Roadrunners will face Hawai’i on Friday, Nov. 19 at 5 p.m. in their final home game.