Long Beach Current; October 14, 2024

CURRENT LONG BEACH

LONG BEACH STATE’S NEWS SOURCE SINCE 1949

Vol. XCVI, Issue 8

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Monday, October 14, 2024

LIFE'S A PITCH

Long Beach Current 1250 Bellflower Blvd., LA4-203 Long Beach, CA, 90804

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Acsah Lemma Editor in Chief eic@lbcurrent.com

El Nicklin Multimedia Managing Editor multimedia@lbcurrent.com

Linsey Towles Managing Editor managing@lbcurrent.com

Sam Farfán Community Engagement Editor community@lbcurrent.com

Kristina Agresta Director of Business Operations business@gobeach.media

Editors News Editor Juan Calvillo news@lbcurrent.com Arts & Life Editor Julia Goldman arts@lbcurrent.com Opinions Editor Joannah Clemente opinions@lbcurrent.com Sports Editor Davis Ramage sports@lbcurrent.com Solutions Editor Jaylyn Preslicka solutions@lbcurrent.com Design Editor Mary Catipay design@lbcurrent.com Copy Editor Khoury Williams copy@lbcurrent.com Photo Editor Samuel Chacko photo@lbcurrent.com Social Media Editor Jazmyn De Jesus socials@lbcurrent.com Video Editor Dante Estrada video@lbcurrent.com Podcast Editor Aidan Swanepoel podcast@lbcurrent.com Assistants News Assistants

Arts & Life Assistants Opinions Assistants Sports Assistants

Design Assistants Copy Assistants Photo Assistants

Social Media Assistants Video Assistants Podcast Assistants

Ethan Cohen Annette Quijada Mayra Salazar Delfino Camacho Grace Lawson Diego Renteria Lizbeth Cortes-Gutierrez Romi Mathews Christine Nader Matthew Coleman Alyssa De La Cruz Matthew Gomez Jack Haslett Soleil Cardenas Luis Castilla Timothy Hessen Bella Garcia Madison Yang Lauren Benson Justin Enriquez Devin Malast Mark Siquig Matthew Gregory Andrew Miller Eduardo Contreras Jr. Kimberly Perez Gianna Echeverria Alexandra Gryciuk

Business Advertising Manager Andrea Contreras advertising@gobeach.media Creative Director Jennix Bien creative@gobeach.media Web & Technology Director Leila Nuñez web@gobeach.media PR & Marketing Manager Nicollette Combre beach.pr@gobeach.media Distribution Manager Joseph Vargas distribution@gobeach.media

Advisers Design Adviser Gary Metzker Content Adviser Barbara Kingsley-Wilson Advertising & Business Adviser Jennifer Newton

ON THE COVER

DEVIN MALAST / Long Beach Current Senior forward Summer Laskey (right) played a physical game against UC Davis on Oct. 10, taking two of 10 shots on goal. Despite the team's efforts, Long Beach State would lose 3-2 at George Allen Field.

NEWS

JUAN CALVILLO / Long Beach Current Long Beach Utilities workers repair areas that were affected by the water main break. LBU notified those in the areas under the Boil Water Notice and the public that the water was safe on the morning of Oct. 11.

Long Beach boil water notice rescinded

BY MAYRA SALAZAR News Assistant

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he Long Beach Utilities Department announced the cancellation of an Oct. 9 Boil Water notice. The LBUD and State Water Resources Control Board Division of Drinking Water said boiling tap water is no longer necessary on Oct. 11.

This notice came following results from water quality test samples which deemed the water as safe to drink.

According to their press release, since the Boil Water Notice was announced, Long Beach Utilities conducted 117 analyses of water samples in the affected zip codes to determine if the water was safe to drink.

Long Beach Utilities issued a notice on Wednesday, citing a large water main break at 3502 Orange Avenue, where a notable drop in water pressure happened.

The zip codes affected included 90805, 90806 and 90807. Water in those areas was deemed unsafe

to drink, but as of Oct. 11, residents are now able to safely consume the water.

Previously on Oct. 10, a representative for the Long Beach Utilities Engineering and Development Service Counter said there was no estimated timeframe for when safe water would return to the areas.

“The water is safe to shower and clean with, just not safe to drink,” the representative said.

Residents in the affected areas were advised to either boil water for one minute or use household unscented liquid bleach with specific instructions to kill any possible bacteria.

Long Beach Utilities and Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson shared an update regarding the situation on Oct. 10, focusing the attention on what was being done for water mainline maintenance.

Officials were said to be waiting on results from specialized water monitoring and water quality tests which required 24 hours to complete.

“Only the areas shown on the map were affected,” a Long Beach Utilities Boil Water Inquires representative said.

Land Acknowledgment Here at the Long Beach Current we acknowledge that the school we report on is located on the sacred site of Puvungna, “the gathering place”. We are on the land of the Tongva/Gabrieleño and the Acjachemen/Juaneño Nations who have lived and continue to live here.

We also acknowledge the Gabrieleño/Tongva (pronounced: GABRIEL-EN-YO/TONG – VAH) and Acjachamen/Juaneño (pronounced: AH-HACH-AH-MEN/JUAN-EN-YO) as the traditional custodians of the Los Angeles region along with the Chumash (pronounced: CHOO-MOSH) to the north and west, and the Tataviam (pronounced: TAH-TAH-VEE-YUM) and Cahuilla (pronounced: KAH-WEE-YAH) Nations to the east.

We respect and value the many ways the Tongva/Acjachemen cultural heritage and beliefs continue to have significance to the living people and remind us about the sacred and spiritual relationship that has always existed here at what we now call California State University Long Beach.

Editorials: All opinions expressed in the columns, letters and

Letter Policy: All letters and emails

Monday, October 14, 2024

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cartoons in the issue are those of the writers or artists. The opinons of the Long Beach Current are expressed only in unsigned editorials and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the journalism department or the views of all staff members. All such editorials are written by the editorial board of the Long Beach Current.

must bear the phone number of the writer and must be no more than 300 words. The Long Beach Current reserves the right to edit letters for publication in regard to space.

NEWS

BRYAN CHAVEZ / Long Beach Current Anjelika Mendoza, a senior who majors in organismal biology attended the health fair to take advantage of a free flu shot provided by CSULB Student Health Services on Oct. 9. The next round of free flu shots will be given out on Oct. 15 near the USU escalator.

Student health fair brings a variety of wellness resources to campus

BY BRYAN CHAVEZ Contributor

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ong Beach State’s Student Health Services hosted a health fair for students, staff and faculty to get connected with different health and wellness resources.

From breast cancer awareness to financial literacy, the health fair covered various different wellness topics.

CSULB Wellness & Health Coordinator Heidi Girling said the health fair aimed to target every angle in regards to health.

“We have a lot of different ways to engage with these topics about wellness, and remembering that there are many things that make up our wellness," Girling said.

With flu season upon us, the health

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fair offered free flu shots for students, staff and faculty.

“I think it’s really important for people who have trouble with healthcare availability because it’s not always around, especially for kids (students) that are living on their own right now,”Allyna Alfelor, a sophomore kinesiology major in said.

She took advantage of the free flu shot.

“This is critical, especially right now that we have an epidemic in mental health with higher rates of depression and anxiety,” Anjelika Mendoza, a senior organismal biology major, said.

Mendoza praised the department’s effort in bringing resources directly to the students. She said an event like this is crucial for students to take advantage of.

“All the [staff and faculty] here just want to see [students] succeed, and just want to help you be the best you can,” Mendoza said.

The city of Long Beach STI/HIV mobile clinic was invited to take part in the health fair to offer students free testing. Leo McLaughlin, HIV/STI Program Manager for the city of Long Beach, said he believes in being sex positive, but people should be aware of how to prevent getting a STI. McLaughlin said good sexual knowledge as well as communication with partners is important for college students.

“When you are in an environment away from home, you have more freedom to be able to explore your sexual identity as far as sex is concerned, so a lot of times, a lot of individuals don't

Monday, October 14, 2024

really know how you catch and prevent STDs so it is important to check these things when you are being sexually active,” McLaughlin said.

For students who are concerned or want to know more about their STI/ HIV status, the STI/HIV mobile clinic will return to campus on Oct. 24 and Nov. 13.

Student Health Services also has an on-campus clinic, located in front of the School of Nursing.

Students who paid the $75 student health fee can receive multiple free services. These services include X-rays and lab testing. The clinic has walk-ins and appointments available for students.

“A clinic that you can use. It is convenient, it's accessible and it’s affordable” Girling said.

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NEWS CSULB kicks off Outober with LGBTQ+ resource fair

BY JAMIE AUSTRIA Contributor

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ables from organizations providing services including gender affirming care, the university’s Trans Care team and 12-step fellowship programs lined the speaker’s platform outside of the Beach Shops Bookstore Oct. 8 for the GLOW As You Are Resource Fair.

The university’s LGBTQ+ Resource Center worked alongside the Women’s Gender and Equity Center to bring together groups who provide resources to the LGBTQ+ student community.

“For us, it’s a really big way of showing our community that we belong on campus,” Ash Preston, assistant director of the LGBTQ+ Resource Center, said.

“We have a place, you can see us out in the open very visibly.”

The Queer Student Alliance and the Queer and Trans Faculty and Staff Affinity Group were present at the fair.

Student Health Services is the on campus medical clinic available for students and provided through their tuition. The clinic houses a sub-department that focuses on gender affirming care.

The sub-department’s services include laboratory tests, a clinical team and both estrogen and testosterone specific hormone therapy.

Students can get help and treatment from their dedicated clinical team. Once speaking with an assigned case manager for a consultation, students will then be prepared for treatment and receive a prescription, should hormone therapy be a right fit.

“A lot of people start out with just making an appointment just for primary care,” Rachel Porter, peer health educator, said. “And then they express their interest in gender affirming care or their interest in what their options are and then we can refer them.”

The Atlantic Alano Club is another program aimed to help those within the LGBTQ+ community. The nonprofit club hosts events in support of the community, especially in the recovery space.

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12-step fellowship program meetings range from Alcoholics Anonymous, Crystal Meth Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. They are free to attend and available both in-person and online.

“If anybody is struggling or is curious about recovery, we encourage them to check [the meetings] out because we’re also one of the only queer meeting spaces south of Silverlake and north of San Diego,” Albert Madrigal, member of the Atlantic Alano Club said. “We started in 1984 in response to a need in the community for queer people and people of color, as well, to have a meeting space that was affirming to them.”

The university also has two programs that were founded to bring together the LGBTQ+ community.

The Queer Student Alliance, a student-run club, focuses on making a safe space for LGTBQ+ students. The club hosts regular meetings on campus.

An upcoming event includes a tea party in collaboration with CSULB’s Furries at the Beach. The QSA also plans on creating a community-made magazine where individuals are welcome to submit their own artwork and writing.

The Queer and Trans Faculty and Staff Affinity Group is a CSULB organization focused on campus employees.

The group hosts social events to unite those who share similar experiences and to better their time while working at the university. These events provide LGBTQ+ and transgender staff with the opportunity to make friends and connections outside of campus.

The group also hosts events that students are welcome to attend. These are done to introduce students to faculty who are a part of the same community.

“A themed experience with LGBT students is that it can be a little bit lonely,” Raul Pacheco, QTFSA staff chair, said. “A lot of the time they don’t see themselves represented in faculty because maybe they don’t have a queer faculty member in their particular college so it’s good for them to see other queer folks on campus and for them to know that they’re not alone.”

JAMIE AUSTRIA/Long Beach Current Students are told about the campus Queer and Trans Faculty and Staff Association.

Association staff chair Raul Pacheco and Women’s and Gender Equity Center coordinator, Daisy Aguirre, speak with students on the student included events held.

”

If anybody is struggling or is curious about recovery, we encourage them to check [the meetings] out because we’re also one of the only queer meeting spaces south of Silverlake and north of San Diego.

Monday, October 14, 2024

Albert Madrigal Atlantic Alano Club member

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NEWS

Campus protests at center of TPM policy discussions

BY MADISON YANG Copy Assistant

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tudents expressed frustration with the new CSU-wide Time, Place and Manner policy at the Know Your Rights: Campus Protests event on Oct. 7, held by the ASI Judiciary Branch.

Craig Smith, professor emeritus of the Department of Communication Studies, said there have been cases of offensive speech being posted freely on campuses with no consequences in the past, but TPM policies or content restrictions could regulate such activity.

Two additional faculty members filled out the panel at the Judiciary Branch’s event, Associate Vice President of Student Affairs Jeff Klaus and Director of Student Life and Development Anna Nazarian-Peters.

Klaus elaborated on the ways in which the TPM policy is new, and the ways in which its regulations are not entirely unfamiliar to Long Beach State.

“Every campus had a time, place and manner policy prior to this year, but this is the first time the [CSU] system came MADISON YANG / Long Beach Current up with the policy,” Klaus said.

(Left to right) Communications Professor Emeritus Craig Smith, Associate Vice President of Student Affairs Jeff Klaus and DirecThe new policy follows the budget act tor of Student Life and Development Anna Nazarian-Peters discussed the CSU-wide “Time, Place, and Manner” policy and how of 2024, wherein TPM regulations were it affects Long Beach State on Oct. 7 at ASI’s Know Your Rights: Campus Protests event. mandated by legislature.

As part of this process, the CSU system also said every university must have did not want to share their personal in- the future when deciding whether or not to get their education. students should be reprimanded for a an addendum. This instruction gave formation.

“I feel like it’s creating such an un“That’s what I’m afraid of. That [ad- protest.

CSULB two weeks to create a new addensafe environment for some students and ministration] is not educated on this, “Amplified is anything used to proj- it’s really unfair because the whole point dum.

However, according to Klaus, the and will start taking those restrictive ect your voice,” Nazarian-Peters said. of being in school is to be free of judgThe audience questioned what kinds ment,” Argueta said. “Campus should language in the new campus addendum steps on students,” the student said. parrots last year’s existing campus regu- Upon this statement, other student at- of sound-amplifying technology would be unbiased… a campus should be, like, be prohibited, and whether or not shout- ‘Okay, you can do your quiet protests lations. The addendum is now composed tendees snapped in agreement.

Another student expressed dismay in ing at the same decibel that a technolog- and what not, but don’t go about putting of CSULB’s previous regulations as well as the framework for TPM, all of which the TPM restrictions, as they felt student ical device could produce goes against posters and calling people foul names.’” can be found on the campus regulations protests are educational and valuable to policy.

ASI Associate Justice Maureen Torrez the student body.

While most student attendees felt explained how ASI wanted to present website.

“These things that are promoting these new regulations were a violation to this event to aid Long Beach State stuStudents who attended the meeting felt strongly about the changes and genuine, pro-student, pro-community their freedom of speech, other students dents in gaining more information about were eager to ask the panel questions. education are what’s being targeted,” shared a different perspective, such as the new policy and address student confourth-year psychology major Jasmine cerns regarding future protests.

The first student to question the panel they said.

Many students found issues with the Argueta. probed whether or not everyone in ad“We do want a well-educated student Argueta argued that students come body,” Torrez said. “We sincerely do not ministration was well-educated on the lack of clarity in certain TPM policies, TPM policies, given these rules are new claiming the ambiguity of each regula- to school with various backgrounds and want them to get in trouble or anything tion – such as what constitutes ‘sound it is important to consider how campus of that sort.” and include lots of detail.

Most students who asked questions amplification’– would pose problems in is, at the forefront, a place for students

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Monday, October 14, 2024

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NEWS

Is the GO BEACH gap actually a shortcut?

SAM FARFAN / Long Beach Current Located on upper campus, the gap behind the GO BEACH sign is often used as a shortcut to the USU walkway. Even though congestion during peak traffic hours delays students attempting to walk through the gap, many believe they’ll get to their campus destinations quicker by taking it.

BY TAYLOR LITTLE Contributor

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tudents might see a crowd forming while walking by the GO BEACH sign on campus at Long Beach State during the busy hours of the day.

A small gap, intended for something other than mainline traffic, has been utilized as such by students for years. This gap, or desire path, has constantly been sought out over the actual walkway in front of the GO BEACH sign.

According to 2011 Alumni and Alumni Engagement Associate Ilana Tel-Oren, this space, colloquially known as “the gap,” is located directly behind the tailend of the GO BEACH sign. This crevice, no wider than two feet, has had students and faculty squeezing through it for generations.

Even before the GO BEACH letters were placed, “the gap” was used so often

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that it has become a historical tradition among faculty and students, including third-year health science major Payton Luke.

“I noticed the gap in my first year... I saw other people go through it, and it’s kind of just a habit now,” Luke said.

The phenomenon at the GO BEACH sign can be defined as a “desire path.”

Desire paths form when animals, typically humans, repeatedly walk along an unintended route, creating a “path” over time.

One example of desired paths off campus would be offshoots of bike paths or hiking trails. These alternate paths are utilized so much that they become recognizable and more used than original trails.

Andrew Furman, an architecture professor from Ryerson University, spent many years researching this concept and said desire paths show the endless human desire for choice and agency in the book, “Sustainable City VII.”.

“Well, the shortest distance between two paths is a straight line, so people see the shorter distance and follow that way—we are creatures of habit,” CSULB Psychology professor David Whitney said. “In terms of people waiting or crowding around the gap, we tend to double down on our choices even when there is a cost.”

From a social psychological perspective, desire paths exemplify the human desire for efficiency, agency and the inherent desire to be part of a group. Due to this convergence of desires, going through “the gap” has become a ritual amongst students and faculty.

Many incoming students see the crowd push through “the gap” and follow in their footsteps, creating the current cycle.

This innate desire for efficiency and choice has created a collective mindset that the GO BEACH gap is necessary for the campus landscape.

Interviews with dozens of students

Monday, October 14, 2024

on campus suggest the gap feels like a more efficient route than the one provided by the larger, laid-out walkway.

Students and faculty have taken it upon themselves to define this crevice as the optimal travel method.

This habitual choice reflects the human desire to pave their own way, whether in life or for something as simple as traveling up and down campus.

“I feel like it’s shorter,” Matthew Delmar, senior art major, said. “Sometimes I have to go around when I have a lot of stuff and can’t fit through the gap. I think it’s kind of funny when people with a lot of stuff are so dead set on going through the gap, even if they are carrying like five bags”.

Though “the gap” is innocuous, it is a historically social phenomenon contributing to a slice of CSULB history. Its use shows that something as trivial as a gap in a walkway’s architecture can significantly impact both CSULB students and faculty—past, present and future.

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ARTS & LIFE

CSULB community celebrates Latine culture and pride with drag Lotería

BY GRACE LAWSON Arts & Life Assistant

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ynchronized claps, whoops and yells of excitement filled the University Student Union Ballroom on the evening of Oct. 9 for a pride-themed celebration of the Mexican board game of chance, Lotería.

Presented by the Lotería Resource Center and LGBTQ+ Resource Center, the Drag Lotería event sought to invite students and faculty to enjoy the traditional game in an inclusive and celebratory setting between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Students filed through the USU ballroom doors to walls decked out with hanging pride flags on the walls.

Attendees were welcomed to their tables with rainbow centerpieces that were lined with pride-themed Lotería cards. Once sat, some attendees chatted amongst themselves, buzzing with excitement at the opportunity to meet the queens and enjoy the traditional game.

Among them was second-year molecular biology and cellular biology major, Jason Diaz, who said that this was their first time at a drag show.

“This is something I really wanted to experience. It’s also mixed with Lotería, which is really important to me because I have so many fond memories,” Diaz said.

“As somebody who’s Latine, like playing Lotería in my childhood at family parties, I feel like mixing those two things

together, it’s really important for students.”

The incorporation of Latine culture and LGTBQ+ celebration is what brought Natasha Hundreds to the Long Beach State campus.

Hundreds, who was named Miss Long Beach Pride 2024, performed their own lip sync routine for the crowd.

“I think it’s important to have queer events, so we are visible, so other students on campus that are maybe not comfortable yet with their identity, feel comfortable enough to come out at least to see their resources available, and also because drag is fun and drag is about celebration,” Hundreds said.

As the Lotería game came to an end, prizes including paints, pride flags and Long Beach monogrammed water bottles and a lunch box were offered to winners.

The performing queens stayed after the event to chat with students and offered to take pictures with attendees.

Another performing queen, Paradisa LaHore Darling, is a Long Beach State alumni. Coming back to the CSULB campus to help host the event as an alumni has been a fulfilling experience, Darling said.

“I think events like this are important because even as a student here when I first saw there was drag bingo, I felt included and found a place for me, even if it was one day out of the year,” Darling said. “Coming back as an alumni, I want to give back.”

GRACE LAWSON/Long Beach Current Drag queen Paradisa LeHore Darling performs a lipsynch for the Lotería audience on Oct. 9.

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I think it’s important to have queer events, so we are visible, so other students on campus that are maybe not comfortable yet with their identity, feel comfortable enough to come out at least to see their resources available, and also because drag is fun and drag is about celebration.

Natasha Hundreds Miss Long Beach Pride 2024 lbcurrent.com | @lbcurrent

Monday, October 14, 2024

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ARTS & LIFE

Shudder, slash, and savor: Inside the haunting Long Beach horror-themed bar

BY CHRISTOPHER CHAN Contributor

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ehind the doors of The 4th Horseman lies one hell of a chilling experience.

With walls adorned in horror, a stage built for screams and pizza to “die for,” the bar has gained notoriety for its horror-inspired atmosphere and has earned a reputation as a go-to spot for delicious food, crafted beer and a place to partake in blood-curdling events.

Owner Jeremy Cross sees the space as a spooky sanctuary, envisioned to celebrate the dark and punk rock community. The bar is designed for patrons to gather and talk about their favorite horror flicks, share laughs and help craft a community.

“There is a massive horror community that is very underserved, when we opened this place, there wasn’t really that much at that time,” Cross said. “But we’ve seen in the last five or six years a lot of focus on the horror community because it is a very passionate group of people.”

Saturated in blue and red lighting, the bar doesn’t fully come to life until the heavy rock music rages. No easy listening here as loud rock plays in the background of the bar on a nightly basis, enticing a certain kind of customer to visit this one-of-a-kind location.

The ominous oasis draws horror fans from great distances to make the drive and immerse themselves in a thrilling environment, like customer Lesley Morales, who said they appreciate the appealing aesthetic.

“What I gravitated towards was the fact that it was spooky, I feel like people gravitate towards this if they like scary hard metal music,” Morales said. “It’s very inviting, there are skulls and clown masks everywhere.”

The unique horror is even present in the offered menu items, with dishes bearing names including Slasher, Death to Piggy, and the Hellfire pizzas.

The curation and intention behind each dish is thoughtfully created to reflect the horror environment, according to Cross.

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CHRISTOPHER CHAN / Long Beach Current A horror-themed bar decorated with fluorescent lighting and horror memorabilia, The 4th Horseman seeks to create a haven for heavy metal enthusiasts and horror lovers.

“We have an incredible kitchen manager, Mike Royal, who comes up with most of the recipes. We collaborate with other places to bounce ideas off each other for the pizzas,” Cross said. “What we try to do is keep it simple, but keep it authentic.”

This same trend also extends to drinks, as the selections like Ghost Town Earth Magic Sour Ale and Allagash Haunted House Dark Hoppy Lager are part of the dark, eerie assorted menu that Cross takes pride in.

“We have an amazing selection of craft beers,” Cross said. “We have probably the coolest selection of craft beers in the entire city, that’s no joke.”

Beyond food and drinks, the bar hosts a variety of events that capture the attention of locals, including Katie Arceo, who said she visits the bar daily.

Arceo said she first visited for the atmosphere and stayed for the events.

“I think the events are cool, people are into the dark aesthetics [and] they are fun,” Arceo said. “It’s not for everyone, but for those who get it, get it.”

Events at The 4th Horseman include trivia nights, comedy nights, live music and watch parties for the reality show “Dragula,” featuring performances by stars from the show.

“We do 14 different events every month,” Cross said. “Every Tuesday

Monday, October 14, 2024

night we’re doing a live watch party for the show ‘Dragula,’ a horror-themed drag show, and we have performers from the show and other drag queens do performances here.”

Horror-themed and performances aside, Cross wants to ensure that The 4th Horseman is a place for everyone to freely express themselves—with some minor exceptions.

“Everybody is welcome here except for bigots and racists,” Cross said. “If you don’t like loud music, if you don’t like horror movies stay away; if you’re into that, then come down here and experience it. Just make sure you’re 21 with an ID.”

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ARTS & LIFE

GREGORY RR CROSBY / Long Beach Current Clockwise from top left: After the show on Friday, Oct. 11, a ‘Q&A’ session with the student choreographers was moderated by Concert Director Rebecca Lemme. This discussion allowed the audience to get more perspective on each choreographed dance featured. Taking place in the Martha B. Knoebel Dance Theater, general admission to the show costs $25. Discounts for students drop the ticket prices down to $16. Eva Watson’s “to make room for you” includes elements of contemporary movement, white face paint and linen costumes in an introspective dance.

Fine Arts and Dance departments display talent in stage show ‘Variance’

BY ALEX GRYCIUK Podcast Assistant

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n opening night, creative choreographers, student dancers and faculty demonstrated their talent and explored heartfelt stories of cultural and personal identities.

This show was “Variance,” Long Beach States’ College of Arts and Department of Dance’s ninth annual performance presentation.

The Oct. 10 Fine Arts concert showcased a wide range of genres, including hip-hop, contemporary movement and Vogue Femme.

“There’s just a variety of different styles and really cool, unique pieces,” Anabel Irwin, second-year dance science major said. “It definitely is able to connect to the human quality, with experiences that [are universal].”

First up in the night’s program was “to make room for you” by Eva Watson, a contemporary movement piece with a voiceover narrating the choreographer’s

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journey through therapy.

The abstract themes were realized in part through shining prop doors, artistic lighting and accompanying unique sound design.

The elements helped contextualize the discovery of sub-personalities and challenges faced when experiencing trauma.

Next came a piece by Rebecca Bryant in collaboration with multimedia fiber artist Jeanne Medina. Entitled “unfolding//desplegando,” the performance featured geometric patterns projected on intricate, bird-like costumes, which added to the moody portrayal.

A partner version of this piece premiered on August 2024 at the Jornada de Danza festival at Universidad Centroamericana José Simeón Cañas in El Salvador.

Following was Dante Casarin’s “My Sole, Our Lite,” which presented a cultural exploration of the dance styles known as House and Litefeet. The dance styles originated in urban cities and are celebrated for their energetic and kinetic movements.

The amalgamation of New York hip-

hop attitudes, non-judgement and community engagement created a high-energy environment for the audience, leading to the crowd cheering and clapping along to their favorite parts of the upbeat, percussive dance.

Blending theatrical presentation with dance, “You Little Faker” by Sammy Macias explored self-expression through contemporary and hip-hop elements.

The piece calls into question themes of society and conformity.

Creepy facial movements and silky doll costumes paired well with dark lighting to invoke a sense of eeriness to the audience.

Next, “Callejera” by Michi presented an autobiographical work that explores the beauty and insecurity of embracing her trans identity.

Voguing and contemporary movement aesthetics combined house and electronic music to create a dynamic performance.

The unique sound was created in collaboration with the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music (BCCM) and Álvaro Cáceres.

Symmetrical, mechanical and in-

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sync — “WIRED” by Elaina Greenawalt explored the struggle between self-suppression and expression. Shadows invoked by creative lighting and reflective costumes helped to mirror the intended internal monologue.

The final performance, “Can’t You See?” by Danzel Thompson-Stout, blended popping, jookin’, house footwork, and breakin’ floorwork with original music. In a layered performance, dancers in business costumes prompted the audience to confront the tension between their public and private identities.

With performances scheduled for both Oct. 11 and 12 at 8 p.m. and an additional Saturday 2 p.m. matinée, curious audiences still have the opportunity to witness the versatile talent the dance department has to display.

“This is a form of art. It’s inspiring, and it’s like going to a museum,” Allison Matthews, third-year hospitality management major and “WIRED” performer said.

“If you’re into art, you’ll have an appreciation for this,” she adds.

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ARTS & LIFE Long Beach State’s ‘VALORANT’ team celebrates victory at NRG Spectrum Castle

BY JULIA GOLDMAN Arts & Life Editor

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nited under saturated neon hues, Long Beach State’s Esport association and “VALORANT” enthusiasts joined together on Friday to celebrate the gaming fandom at the NRG Spectrum castle in Los Angeles.

The free event was hosted by NRG Esports and the computer manufacturing company, Intel, from 4 to 10:30 p.m.

Themed under the event’s title, Intel x NRG Night Market, the venue walls were lined with decorative stalls playing host to artificial recreations of fish tanks and dumplings, boba cartons and Asian fruit, including durian.

Once streams of visitors entered beneath red and gold hanging lanterns, they were invited to a wide array of activities, from shopping at the artist alley, competing in a CPU speed build competition and meet and greets with notable online personalities, including s0m, FNS and Sapnap.

As attendees bustled between each activity, they eventually joined the castle’s main stage, where CSULB’s Team Black, the “VALORANT” team, faced off against Santiago Canyon College’s collegiate team.

According to Team Black Manager Drew Nguyen, Long Beach State and Santiago have a prior history as they both faced off in Team Black’s first scrimmage.

Impressed by their previous match, Nguyen said Santiago invited and challenged the Beach to the NRG LAN tournament.

For two matches, five players from each college faced off against each other on desktop setups, with their gameplay being broadcast to the audience.

In-Game-Leader Rocke Posadas called the shots for Team Black during each match.

A fourth-year history major at the

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SAMUEL CHACKO/Long Beach Current John Vo cheers in support of his former school, Santiago Canyon College during their face off against Long Beach State in their Valorant collegiate match on Oct. 12 at the NRG Spectrum Castle.

”

Esports is all about GenZ, right? Those are the folks who have the time to come out and support events like this.

Hauk Nelson Director of Business Development Beach, Posadas said playing on the stage was electric and that he was immensely proud of how the team played and communicated.

With Posadas’ lead, Long Beach State won the tournament with an overall score of 2-0 after going 13-8 and 13-11 against Santiago.

Posadas said that Santiago’s team was amicable and great opponents and that he wanted to face them again.

As Posadas recounted the match and the end of his college career, he beamed from ear to ear.

“Being up on the stage here and seeing the support... this has been the best moment within my four years,” Posasdas said. “I’m glad I got to do it with them.”

Team Black’s time on the NRG stage marks the night market as one of the first occurrences NRG has opened their castle up to the public, according to their Director of Business Development, Hauk Nelson.

After initial proposals between the two companies in May for a 30-to-40day turnaround, Nelson said the event’s fruition resulted from a shared desire to curate a meaningful event for the VALORANT community under a night market theme.

“Esports is all about GenZ, right?

Those are the folks who have the time to come out and support events like this,” Nelson said. “I think they are the backbone of our fandom as well, so we want

Monday, October 14, 2024

to make sure we’re giving back to the fans, of course.”

As the event continued, attendees began to congregate towards the main stage for the night’s final event: an NRG CloutClash match, where s0m and FNS indulged in their heavily teased rivalry on the main stage.

Spearheading the two teams against each other, s0m and FNS drafted teams of YouTubers, Twitch and esports personalities, including Sapnap, sagemommy and Mooda.

The playful clash ended with s0m’s winning, and each member was awarded a bedazzled Intel pendant.

Watching the match from the audience, attendee Lorenzo Alesiani said the Intel x NRG Night Market is vital for large esports organizations to host community-based events.

“It kind of normalizes esports more, apart from everyone being in their room,” Alesiani said. “I think events like this bring everyone together, it’s good for publicity and it sets a good precedent for organizations existing for the player’s benefits, not just a brand name.”

Though a tentative plan, Nelson said he would like to do more public events like the night market in the future and that NRG wants to use the castle for more events for the gaming community.

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OPINION

Is graduate school worth it?

As great of an educational opportunity it can be, graduate school can be a financial burden. It is important each student willing to pursue it, find a balance in their higher education journey.

BY GRACE LAWSON Arts & Life Assistant

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any students may have found themselves in the scenario of searching up “yearly salary for a …” when picking a major.

As a college student, choosing a major is choosing a career path, it is determining your future, or at least that is how it can feel. The decision typically involves envisioning plans for what you want to do in life once you earn your degree. In most student’s cases, graduate school is a top contender.

However, as CSU tuition increases by 6% each year, it is harder for students to justify the means to attend graduate school if undergraduate schooling is already increasing.

According to the Education Data Initiative, most students come out of a basic master's degree program $53,920 in debt, not including the debt from a bachelor's degree. Law and doctorate programs costs can begin over $100,000.

Graduate school for most is what grants a promised salary its veracity.

However, in the current climate of the world, while states are sinking into the ocean, national debt is higher than ever and groceries cost are double what they used to be.

Is it really worth it?

Dina Perrone, the dean of graduate studies at Long Beach State strongly advocates for pursuing graduate school, noting the benefits and the payoff.

“Job security is what many students want coming out of a master’s program,”

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Graphic by EL NICKLIN/Long Beach Current When continuing their higher education journey, students have to decide if grad school will be a benefit for them in the long run, or financially inhibit them post grad.

Perrone said.

Graduate school provides the ability to expand a student’s knowledge on a field of interest. In most cases, especially for certain majors, graduate school is one of the only ways of expecting job security coming out of higher education.

Though for many college students, including Perrone, graduate school is a passion chase. Graduate school offers mentorships, research funding and networking with professionals in respective fields. It provides easy ways to dedicate time to a person's respective educational niche without waiting for funding and tools that outside institutions don’t have readily available in the way that college campuses do.

“Grad school for me shepherded my understanding of the world and what my life could be like,” Perrone said.

Master’s programs also require much

less credits, according to Perrone, and can be completed in as little as 18 months if a student attends full time. The programs allow a person to explore change in careers, which can be beneficial for older students, or those that have other life commitments.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median average salary in 2023 for a worker with a bachelor’s degree is around $1,493, whereas a salary for a worker with a master’s degree is $1,737.

Though students are aware of these benefits, the cost of graduate school still dissuades them. Due to the current economic state of the world, many students don’t find the tradeoff worth it.

Not only may it not be worth it, graduate school requires a lot of self discipline, and can be a large time commitment. For some, this can be another

Monday, October 14, 2024

reason why they turn them away from it.

This is true for both fourth year criminal justice major Bridget Urzua and Yuritza Ramirez, a third year sociology major.

“There's a lot of pros and cons, there's a lot of people that are like, ‘Yes, but it's tiring and exhausting,’ but I’m like what's the benefit if you're exhausted?” Ramirez said.

What graduate school offers can be a great benefactor for a person's future and help provide numerous opportunities within a student's niche. However, as tuition increases for undergraduate school, it can be harder for students to justify the means to pursue graduate school.

At the end of the day, Urzua said, "it's worth it."

“If I had the guts and the money, I’d definitely do it," he said.

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OPINION

Graphic by JAZMYN DE JESUS / Long Beach Current Walking down the hallway, a smile is shared with friends while thoughts of doubt and worry follow closely behind, hiding the inner struggle with a cheerful facade.

When it comes to mental health, men need help, too

BY CHRISTOPHER CHAN Contributor

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uietly, the thoughts creep in, telling you that you are not good enough.

You smile and tell everyone you are OK, but the weight is too much some nights.

One night, after driving to the beach to catch a late-night breeze and clear my thoughts, I broke down. Later, at home, after ensuring no one was around, I punched the wall and threw my drink across the room.

Moments like these are all too familiar—too often, men feel the need to hide their emotions out of fear of being a burden. The stigma that forces men to stay silent and suppress their feelings must be confronted.

Recently, during a therapy session, I came across a post by BuzzFeed highlighting issues men face when show-

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ing vulnerability. It made me think about my peers at Long Beach State and whether male students bottle their emotions out of fear of being judged.

Students, including Dylan Salguero-Perez, an 18-year-old kinesiology major, agreed and said the way men are viewed often makes it harder for them to be open about their emotions.

“Men, that’s the way we’ve been looked at—to be tough and not cry,” Salguero-Perez said. “My dad is a tough guy, and he taught us not to cry. It’s just something that men don’t really do.”

Salguero-Perez’s comments echo how society expects men to act a certain way when, in reality, this standard can be counterproductive. Instead, there must be greater attention and understanding toward men moving forward.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website, men make up 50% of the population, and alarmingly, the website’s suicide

rates for men are nearly 80%.

Having nearly been a part of that statistic, it matters to me that male students know help is always available, especially now that resources are expensive.

Mai Schweizer, a 24-year-old teaching credential student, notes that while resources exist on campus, they often lack promotion.

“The hardest thing about accessing resources is that it’s expensive. Therapy is expensive,” Schweizer said. “You could send emails; they could end up in my spam folder because I get a lot of those, but I’ve never seen anything mental health-related.”

While CSULB has done a great job providing the resources on campus, including the Counseling and Psychological Services offered, there is always room for improvement. This is especially important considering the hesitancy male students show in addressing their mental health.

Monday, October 14, 2024

Ricardo Rocha, a 20-year-old environmental science major, said men may need a little push to realize it is OK to seek help.

“It’s just my opinion, but men have more aggressive emotions. It’s like you don’t want to be seen as a crazy person.

Yeah, there is therapy, but it starts with the people around you, people that you love,” Rocha said.

Rocha’s sentiments prove that despite the availability of therapy, support must come from the people around men. Instead of waiting for men to open up, it’s time to create an environment where they are encouraged to be open.

This is not a critique of the resources on campus; these are the words of someone who was close to the edge and wants to ensure his peers do not reach that point. The best way to achieve that is by continuing to raise awareness about this silent epidemic.

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SPORTS

LBSU women’s soccer overpowered by UC Davis

DEVIN MALAST/Long Beach Current Long Beach State junior forward Liz Worden fought hard in The Beach’s game against UC Davis on Oct. 10. Despite Long Beach State’s 10 shots, they would come up short against Davis 2-3 at George Allen Field.

The Beach suffers second straight loss at home, unable to match the Aggies' scoring attack.

BY BRYAN CHAVEZ Contributor

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ong Beach State women’s soccer surrendered a pair of crushing back-to-back goals late in a 3-2 home loss to Big West rival UC Davis on Oct. 10 at George Allen Field.

The Aggies came into the match with the most goals scored in the Big West, and this proved to be too much firepower for a LBSU defense that has allowed the second-most goals of any team in the conference and has struggled so far this season. The Beach has won just one of their last five games, and fell to 2-5-1 at

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home for the year.

“We’ve been down in 12 out of our 15 games and we keep fighting, and we’ll keep fighting,” head coach Mauricio Ingrassia said. Ingrassia believes his team needs to learn how to handle the important moments in the match, and a loss in this manner is an important lesson moving forward.

The first goal came from the visiting Aggies in the 18th minute of the first half. A loose ball from LBSU redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Aurora Schuck found its way to UC Davis redshirt junior Genavieve Fontes, who curled the ball fiercely at the far post of the goal for her ninth score of the season.

Both of The Beach’s goals came from

a spark of individual brilliance. Before the first half ended, redshirt freshman Kailey Supa scored her first goal of the season as she tied the game with a shot outside the 18 yard box, surprising the out-of-position Aggies goalkeeper.

Both teams looked uninspiring for the first 30 minutes of the second half, but The Beach struck first thanks to the efforts junior midfielder Julia Moore, who took the ball from midfield and shot it low and hard past the UCD goalkeeper to give The Beach their first lead of the night 2-1.

LBSU’s lead did not last long. Just three minutes later, UCD senior forward/midfielder Sam Tristan tied the game 2-2 with a goal. The tied score

Monday, October 14, 2024

lasted just as briefly as LBSU’s lead, as the Aggies took it right back in the 80th minute of the match when freshman midfielder Abella Hunter put UC Davis on top 3-2 with a shot 10 yards out from the goal that slipped past The Beach’s defenses.

“It’s just one of those moments in transition where everyone is kinda off,” LBSU sophomore midfielder Jordan Candelaria said. “You miss a player running in and it’s just one of those freak things that happens.”

The Beach defeated Cal State Bakersfield, 1-0 for their sixth victory of the season at George Allen Field on Sunday, Oct. 13.

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SPORTS

DEVIN MALAST/Long Beach Current Junior forward Liz Worden, a powerhouse for LBSU has put up a 0.419 shot on goal percentage so far this season. Worden has contributed three goals and four assists, with much more to give as the season wraps up.

BY JACK HASLETT Sports Assistant

S

ometimes a change of scenery is all you need.

Junior women’s soccer forward Liz Worden has torn up the pitch since her transfer to Long Beach State from the University of Texas this season.

Worden, awarded Big West Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 30, arrived in Long Beach looking for more opportunities on the field and a chance to be closer to her native Riverside, CA. Worden has found those opportunities in her brief time with The Beach.

At LBSU, Worden has started all twelve matches this season, four more than her eight combined starts in two seasons as a Longhorn, and is tied for second on the team with three goals.

“I just wanted a new experience,” Worden said. “I love my teammates, they’re very supportive. The environment’s been good.”

An even more staggering figure, Worden totaled 945 total minutes played across two seasons with the Longhorns and has nearly matched that total in Long Beach just two months into the season.

Worden’s playing time at Texas dwindled in 2023 with her minutes nearly cut in half between 2022 and 2023. Long Beach presented itself as a chance for Worden to stay on the field and settle

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Liz Worden: From Longhorn to Long Beach

in the match, including the assist on the game-winning goal scored by redshirt junior midfielder Makayla Demelo.

Worden’s tenacious pursuit of the ball and her elite footwork make her a vital part of an LBSU offense that has scored 15 goals so far in the season.

Worden is unafraid to take shots and is often looked to do just that by her teammates.

She leads The Beach in total shots with 30, while being second in shots on goal with 12.

“We’ve had a lot of injuries and had to navigate some rocky waters and it took us a little bit to catch our groove but [Worden] stayed with the plan the whole time and now it’s starting to pay off,” Ingrassia said. “She’s either sticking them in or making plays. I think there’s a lot of trust that has been built by the attacking players and Liz is a big part of that.”

JACK HASLETT/Long Beach Current Junior forward Liz Worden has helped LBSU secure six wins and two ties in the 2024-25 season. Worden has contributed 10 points and has become a regular sight on George Allen Field.

Worden is a kinesiology major at CSULB, but has aspirations to play soccer professionally after college.

“For Liz, I see a lot of talent… I think she’s starting to take care of some smaller details that are going to help her at the next level, and that would be the goal for all of us to see her shine at that next level,” Ingrassia said.

Until then, finding joy in playing soccer with the team and culture she has so far built at The Beach is what drives Worden.

“You kind of just have to love what you do,” Worden said. “Try to find joy in it and it’ll come easy.”

into a steady role as a scorer and leader on the team.

Worden says that her happiness from soccer drives her to play the game. That happiness has been apparent to those around her on the team.

“For now, knowing where she came from the first two years, the biggest win is that she’s enjoying herself and enjoying her teammates,” LBSU head coach Mauricio Ingrassia said. “I’m starting

to learn how to really coach her and it’s been a real plus and now we’re seeing the fruits of it.”

Worden has been a mainstay in The Beach’s offense. Even if she isn’t the one scoring the goal, she is sure to be involved in the play.

That could not have been more clear than in The Beach’s 4-3 victory against UC San Diego on Sept.29. Worden scored one goal and netted two assists

Monday, October 14, 2024

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SPORTS

Courtesy of Devin Malast of LBSU athletics Freshman Cecilia Costa at the Beach Tennis Fall Invitational. Costa was one of three freshmen to advance to the round of 16 in the singles draw.

Courtesy of Devin Malast of LBSU athletics Freshman Daria Malaescu focused on her singles strategy during Beach Tennis’ Fall Tournament from Oct. 3 through Oct. 6. Malaescu competed in a total of fours singles matches throughout the weekend at Rhodes Tennis Center.

The six fresh faces of LBSU women’s tennis

BY JACK HASLETT Sports Assistant

L

ong Beach State women’s tennis is full of new arrivals for the 20242025 season, as the 2024 recruiting season brought six freshmen to the team.

Pamela Badillo, Daisy Carpenter, Cecilia Costa, Diana De Simone, Thea Jagare and Daria Malaescu make up six of The Beach’s seven roster spots.

The large freshman class brings an infusion of talent to The Beach, with Badillo, Costa and De Simone ranked among the top 300 in the International Tennis Federation junior rankings.

Bringing in such a large freshman class

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was not an intentional mission, according to head coach Jenny Hilt-Costello. After surveying the transfer portal and recruiting class, it was the freshmen that ultimately stood out to her.

“I think we have a really talented group joining us,” Hilt-Costello said. “I’m really excited to have that new, fresh energy ... we’re really looking forward to building that winning culture.”

The transition to The Beach has proved to be a welcome one for the new athletes.

“I really get along with all the teammates,” De Simone said. “We’ve practiced almost every day, I really like the courts.

Also, the weather and everything, I love it.”

The team began their season on Oct. 3 at the Beach Tennis Fall Tournament, and showed promise with four freshmen ad-

vancing to the round of 16 (Jagare, Costa, De Simone and Badillo.)

The chemistry necessary to determine doubles pairings is yet to reveal itself this early in the year, so the focus so far in the season is learning the individual strengths each player. Despite the inexperience of the team, the team‘s skill level has made a big impression on the LBSU coaching staff.

“I’m just seeing a general strong level of tennis right now, we’re not going to have to spend a lot of time on the basics,” Hilt-Costello said. “We can go right away into tactics and things that are going to help them play at this higher Division 1 collegiate tennis level.”

The Beach are not only a young team this year, but an international team as well. Every player on the 2024-25 roster

Monday, October 14, 2024

hails from a different county, representing three continents in total.

“Tennis is worldwide,” Hilt-Costello said, “Our recruiting strategy has always been: we want the best available who want to be here. There are a lot of international players who look at Southern California, the academics we have here at Long Beach State, and our tradition we’ve had with tennis here, and it’s really the complete package.”

The upcoming season is full of opportunity and new beginnings for The Beach women’s tennis and they intend to make the most of it.

“I’m excited to play for the team, play for the girls… I want to be the best version of myself and win,” Costa said.

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