Sports

Intramural sports stays virtual this winter

Ondrea Machin Staff Reporter In past winters, the Recreation Center has been able to interact with students on campus through tabling events at the Gabriel Strasbaugh Staff Reporter

The Wildcats’ return has the football team preparing for a season that’s better late than never. Despite the continuation of the pandemic, the football team’s 2020 season is in the final stages to get into competitive gameplay.

While off from classes, winter conditioning has the players keeping up their workout regimens for not just themselves, but their teammates as well.

Junior Linebacker Daeon Hudson said the team’s first mindset is what defines the culture in the locker room.

“We hold ourselves accountable” Hudson said, “keep in contact through ourselves and within our groups like defense.”

Part of their accountability is presenting individual progress with the that we’ve done for that day. When you SURC. This year, the Recreation Center

Although COVID-19 has restricted Instagram @cwurecreation, Discord and on-campus activities, intramural sports Twitch to interact with students and get are following COVID-19 protocols and them involved. offering virtual events this winter. Senior and Intramural Manag-

There er Spencer are sever- Dalvell said al events that the Recplanned for reation Centhis quar- ter is finding ter, includ- new ways to ing esports, Each quarter since the get students trivia nights on Twitch, pandemic so far we have to interact with each the Hydration had the opportunity to other, since COVID-19 Challenge, Wildcat Fit learn as we go and then affects in-per son events. Challenge reflect back on what “As we’ve and the indoor Iron- worked and what didn’t. been able to have a couman. ple quarters T h e Recreation Center has plans to of- Shanna Kessler, Intramural Sports and Special Events Coordinator to experience what it’s like with [COVID-19], fer in-per- we’re figurson events ing out some as well, but new things to Intramural kinda introSports and duce and try Special Events Coordinator Shanna Kes- to expand upon what we already have,” sler said that, depending on what phase Dalvell said. the county is in, those events are still in Senior Intramural Sports Supervithe process of being approved. sor Madison Fritts said the Recreation

“Each quarter since the pandemic so Center staff offers several online portals far we have had the opportunity to learn for different levels of fitness. The gym is as we go and then reflect back on what taking reservations, and the Recreation worked and what didn’t,” Kessler said. Center is offering different programs for

Photo courtsey of CWU recreation center

Student’s playing basketball inside the Recreation Center while being socially distant. people who prefer to stay inside or find sionals to help people along the way. the gym intimidating. Kessler said that the staff is highly pre-

“Getting people involved in some kind pared to enforce COVID-19 policies and of activity is really beneficial for mental handle conflict and help people underhealth, since we are stuck inside all the stand what is going on. time and sitting behind our computers all All intramural sports, except the inday,” Fritts said. door Ironman, have no fees or cost to par-

Fritts oversees the Hydrate and Wild- ticipate due to the financial circumstances cat Fit Challenges. These events are virtu- of each student being different. For some al and at our own pace with health profes- students, it is a difficult time financially.

Football team targets character building as it continues to persevere through COVID-19 restrictions

players in each positional group. Photo courtsey of CWU athletics

“We be taking pictures of the work CWU’s football team participating in a ROTC winter condition last year inside the field house of Nicholson Pavilion. is using social media platforms such as see your brothers doing their thing, and senior foundation, the defense Success on both sides of the ball are reit motivates you like I can’t let them is looking to cut that number down sults from the difference in culture in the down,” Hudson said. to swing clock possession in the locker room.

Inspiration has now claimed its spot Wildcats’ favor and present more According to Hudson, the culture now atop of the Wildcats’ checklist heading scoring for their offense. The final resembles the 2017 team whose sole loss into the season. six games of the previous season came in the postseason. A willingness by

Last season the Wildcats’ defense showed the turning of the tide for each person on the team to speak their gave up an average of 29 points per the Wildcats, as they did not come thoughts and feelings. game. With the core group of play- up short on the scoreboard for the “We got a hundred people on the team, ers still intact with a strong junior rest of the year. players, coaches and all. And we all come from different backgrounds. So, we all have to come together to make the one,” Hudson said.

The coaching staff has now adapted their winter conditioning to feature more of an emphasis this season on character building; you being the change while inspiring others to follow suit.

Offensive Coordinator Zachary Tinker said the emphasis on unity is just part of the plans and lessons they as a staff persist to instill in the players.

“It hits all of our core values of character strength and honor. The concept of perseverance knowing that the tough times won’t last,” Tinker said.

In regard to the university, following government regulations continue to impact the team’s plans in the foreseeable future.

Head coach Chris Fisk said that the adversity continuing just makes his team stronger.

“I think one thing [COVID-19] has taught is to appreciate and be excited about what you do have, and what you can do. We will make the most of it,” Fisk said. “We’ll have to make a few adjustments to our winter conditioning due to some of the close quarter combative contact stuff we would do in the past.”

Fisk said the first day the team will meet in person since winter break will be Martin Luther King Day, with their first conditioning tentatively scheduled for Jan.19.

Hope for CWU men’s basketball season rises

Deacon Tuttle gating these challenging times he e points Staff Reporter to the fact that injuries are random but Dakaline White Staff Reporter

Team newcomers look to provide dynamic play making abilities along with experience to this roster. Getting better every day is the ultimate goal for the women’s basketball team. After talking with some of these newcomers and head coach Randi Richardson-Thornley, excitement and anticipa-

Randi Richardson-Thornley, Head Coach

tion seem to be the feelings going into the year. Their core values of compete, learn and love drive them to enjoy the game and being on the team, both on and off the court. The past year has challenged everyone in different ways. The women’s this virus is an uncontrolled variable that basketball team has had the conversations that are needed emotionally in a time like this. They also use their time working on their skills as an outlet to get away from the world that, at times, seems to be on fire. Junior Forward Kiera Bush said the state of the country right now has challenged her and the team to be there for each other in a new and different way, it has also brought them closer as they’ve become a family in the process. Senior Guard Kizzah Maltezo mentioned the coaching staff allows the team to be open and have the conversations needed during these trying times. Richardson-Thornley excitedly claimed that Maltezo “can flat out score the basketball at a high rate.” Richardson-Thornley preached how after transferring over from Concordia University, Maltezo has stepped in immediately as a great leader. Maltezo’s experience and leadership provide an excellent option for the team on the court. Confidence is valuable for her role. “I’d like to say I am a scoring threat,” Maltezo said. Luckily, this year CWU can look forward to having Maltezo as a scoring option rather than have to game plan against her. Redshirt Freshman Forward Erika Brumfield is dynamic in the post. Brumfield transferred from Portland State University. “She will fit into our system because she has the ability to play with her back to the basket,” Richardson-Thornley said.

The men’s basketball team represents has been thrust into sports suddenly. several attributes to people both on and “This is one of the tougher things off the court – teamwork, commitment, I’ve been through in my 20 year career,” and dedication.The CWU men’s basket- Rinta said. ball program T h e has been in- Wildcats’ jected with attitude is new life during positive in these uncer- the face of tain times. So, these trywhat does that ing times. look like for The team this year? Head coach This is one of the goal is to create a Brandon Rinta said mov- tougher things I’ve sense of unity and ing forward they’re trying been through in my to improve o v e r to get some games on the 20 year career. all when compared schedule. to the fall

These quarter. games will be non-confer- Brandon Rinta, Head Men’s Unfortu nately for ence and the Basketball Coach students opponents are and fans currently un- alike Rindecided. This ta wanted is the game to inform plan unless those that COVID-19 begins to spike once more. if games begin, “...the opportunity to see

When asked how Coach Rinta is navi- is [going to] be limited.”

Photo courtsey of CWU athletics

Freshman Forward Gaige Ainslie doing a lay up drill at practice.

Junior Forward Matt Poquette when asked about playing as a team said the team starts practice on Jan. 19 and hopefully they can play sometime in February. Regarding COVID-19 restrictions and how that will affect practice, Poquette said they’re going to be testing every week which will allow them to have a regular practice. Masks in this process are still being discussed. In Poquette’s eyes the keys to success in these following months are self-discipline and a strong work ethic. CWU’s play-by-play commentator Danny Debock regarding the prospect of a season noted, “for me and for [CWU] this was going to be a big year.”

According to Debock, he lives and breathes sports along with many others around campus. With no games to cover it will feel as if there is something missing. Debock’s excitement rose when talking about last season and how impressive it was to see the team starting to really mesh at the end.

Once the climate is healthy to cover games for the Wildcats, no one is going to be more eager than Debock to mention

New faces look to help the Women’s Basketball Team compete for a GNAC championship

CWU’s accomplishments. “But she can also step out and knock down scoring ability. With an expanded role three’s as needed, which makes our 4/5 we should see Gardner making a lot of group really tough to guard.’’ three-pointers for this team like she did at

Brumfield’s inside-out game will Portland State. surely benefit this team once on-the-court Whether they play games or not this play resumes. season, our Richard- Women’s son-Thorn- Basketball ley said team’s apBush brings proach will a “physical be the same. back to the basket presWe are going to work as The group plans on getence in the hard as we can today ting better paint.” She also men- and then we’ll do the every day and competing to tions Bush’s drive, hard same thing tomorrow win. If they get a chance work and coachability with what tomorrow to play this year, those being a solid brings. games will be plus for this a pathway to team. help compete

Bush said - Randi Richardson-Thornley, next year for a she brings Head Coach GNAC chama form of pionship. physicality to “We are the post that going to work will help the as hard as we team. Bush can today and likes to keep the energy on the court up then we’ll do the same thing tomorrow and enjoys running the floor. with what tomorrow brings,” Richard Sophomore Guard Cassidy Gard- son-Thornley said. ner is an “elite level point guard who can With new Washington state shoot the ball at an extremely elite level,” COVID-19 guidelines being enforced, Richardson-Thornley said. whether we see the women’s basketball

As a freshman at Portland State team get some on the court playing time University, Gardner had some big or not, we can expect them to be ready games where she showcased her unique physically and mentally.