PAGE 6: ARTS & CULTURE
Historical Ag buildings to receive updates to revitalize the College of Agriculture
K-State Rodeo Club hosted rodeo teams from across the midwest to compete in Weber Arena
PAGE 11: SPORTS
Cooper Schultz, twotime Kansas Amateur of the Year, is ready to take himself and the team to the next level
PAGE 12: SPORTS
K-State men’s basketball hits the road to face struggling Oklahoma State
and via delivery, and happy to support the cause, Ens said.
Huge vats of pancake batter and pounds of bacon and sausage awaited the eager Pancakes for Pawnee attendees lined up outside of Early Edition on Tuesday, Feb. 21.
Kendall Ens, in charge of marketing and graphic design for Pawnee Mental Health Services, said the event was a huge success due to both new customers
“It was a very positive vibe. It got busy really quick, which we expected,” Ens said. “We had a lot of people walk in which we really appreciate. … I was able to chat with them for a little bit when I wasn’t writing down orders for the pending line.”
Volunteers from Manhattan banded together to help the mental health center, including Early Edition and volunteers
rant,” Ens said. “Every time we come in, they’re gracious and very energetic in saying, ‘Hey, yeah, just take over this location. We’ll make sure everything is cleaned up.’”
Christian Vidana-Aranha, manager for the west-side location of Early Edition, said prep work for the event was intense, requiring twice the usual amount of food the location makes on a daily basis.
“We had to make all the pancake batter, because we do make those fresh in the store,” Vidana-Aranha said. “We made probably about six or seven … of them to prepare for the event. We ordered extra sausage and put it to the side so it’s easy for them to make, and then same with bacon. We bring it in, we cook it, we slab it up for them and then they just throw it on the grill and cook it.”
Early Edition is very involved in the Manhattan area because the owners value family and community, Vidana-Aranha said.
ment, Ens said.
and loyal, yearly attendees. Ens said the event raised $23,840.90 because of sponsorships and income from 417 meals. The funds will help Pawnee Mental Health Services clients in 2023.
The event went off without a hitch — customers were eager to buy pancakes, both in person
from Target. Pancakes for Pawnee has been running for five years with the help of Early Edition on Kimball Ave, Ens said.
“We have really enjoyed partnering with Early Edition to do this. They have been an amazing community member in allowing us to use their restau-
“We try to get as involved in the community as we can. We are very open to new events, orders, all that good stuff. We love to get involved with new people in our community and make sure that everybody feels like they’re welcome in our restaurant,” Vidana-Aranha said. “We want to extend a helping hand. We’ve been in Manhattan for 20plus years, so we want to make sure that everybody in Manhattan feels like they’re welcome here.”
Proceeds from the event will cover costs that present barriers to patients receiving treat-
“Money raised goes into our general fund that allows us to assist clients in our communities when they need it the most,” Ens said in a Feb. 23 email. “Examples of how the fund is used is helping families in affording groceries to get through the weekend, buying gas for emergency travel, especially assisting parents or guardians to be able to visit their child who is receiving in-patient mental health treatment.”
Pawnee Mental Health Services is classified as a community mental health center, which is different from a private practice; the provider assists anyone in need, Ens said.
“We are an all-inclusive mental health provider. We are in 10 counties, and we work with anyone regardless of their ability to pay,” Ens said. “So if somebody is in need of mental health services, we are available, and we try and work as best we can with insurance providers or employers to make sure that everybody has access to mental health care.”
Olivia Waren, sophomore in biochemistry and client support provider for Pawnee, said events like Pancakes for Pawnee help raise both money and awareness for its various services.
“A lot of people don’t realize what Pawnee does. I feel
like a lot of people just drive by it, especially students,” Waren said. “They think it’s just another mental health facility or therapy-based place, but honestly, it does a lot more.”
Waren said Pawnee Mental Health Services has a crisis support unit, school-based programs with paraprofessionals, respite services for children and overwhelmed families and more.
“We do everything,” Waren said. “There’s therapists, and then there’s people who, like me, provide the in-between.”
The impact of Pancakes for Pawnee will be felt by real clients throughout the coming year, Ens said.
The family of James Boyer and Community First National Bank have endowed $50,000 to create a scholarship in honor of the late Dr. James Boyer, the first African American professor at Kansas State’s College of Education. Alan Boyer, son of James and Enda Boyer, said his father was known as the “champion of diversity” at Kansas State University.
“He had three loves: the church, the family, and music,” Boyer said. “He loved education as well. … He started a lot of the programs that many of the university’s diversity initiatives are rooted in. He pioneered a lot of the curriculum in the College of Education when it comes to educating not only teachers about communicating across cultures, but also educating young people about communicating across cultures.”
Debbie Mercer, Dean of Education, said James Boyer’s impact is still felt in the College of Education.
“He established courses that really called out discrimination against any individual,” Mercer said. “I think that foundation is still seen … throughout every course that’s offered in this college. That’s what teaching is all about, right? It’s individualized at its very core, and so I think that those principles, those beliefs, helped form what’s currently our teacher education program.”
Alan Boyer, professor of practice and assistant director of digital innovation media in K-State’s A.Q. Miller School of Media and Communication, said cross-cultural communication is important when teaching.
“In the classroom, back in the early 70s and until today, there are a lot of teachers who don’t ever teach someone from a different culture, and then there are students who never have a teacher from a different culture,” Boyer said. “And so having that experience of being exposed to different cultures makes the education experience
that much more enriched.”
Rob Stitt, president of Community First National Bank, said he got to know James Boyer when Boyer approached him for a loan to establish his church.
“Church loans aren’t extremely common for starting a brand new church so I had never done one before, but he had his job at K-State … and had a great reputation,” Stitt said. “So that’s something that we decided to do. … He was just very dynamic. A great motivator and spiritual person. People believed in him, wanted to follow him.”
Boyer said an exhibit honoring James Boyer began the conversation about the Champion of Diversity scholarship.
“Two years ago when Dean Mercer commissioned that mural, that exhibit in Bluemont Hall, [Stitt] saw the front page story in the Manhattan Mercury and called me and he said, ‘You know something Alan, your dad was a special man. I want to do something. I don’t know what I want to do, but I want to do
before the scholarship can be awarded.
dents of color to K-State.
“I think his presence in-
of educators who have the skill set to communicate across cul-
something.’ And so he and I got to talking and I talked to Dean Mercer and the foundation got involved,” Boyer said.
Boyer said they settled on the amount for the endowment in the middle of 2022.
“The bank put in $25,000 and my family put in $25,000 to make that scholarship possible,” Boyer said.
Mercer said this scholarship will be recurring.
“An endowed scholarship means X number of dollars are in that scholarship account. It’s making money, it’s making interest and the interest is pushed off and that’s how much can be awarded in the scholarship every year,” Mercer said. “So here’s $50,000, and that means that there’ll be, say, $2,000 worth of interest every year and then I can award a $2,000 scholarship to an individual. So it depends on the amount of the endowment and how much money is earned to be able to push out.”
Mercer said interest on the endowment needs to be made
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When Ernie Minton was appointed Dean of Agriculture in 2019, he said he knew Kansas State University’s agricultural facilities were in need of maintenance.
“I went in knowing we had some really bad facility situations that needed to be addressed as soon as the funds became available,” Minton said.
Minton said some of the agricultural buildings on campus are 60 to 70 years old, and that age shows.
“When we switch from air conditioning to heating in Shellenberger Hall every year, you can expect a major water leak, a major steam leak, or water in someone’s office,” Minton said. “These are definite markers to say ‘okay, something needs to be done, this building is failing.’”
Jaime Knight, senior in agronomy, said he and other students noticed the lack of upkeep of facilities within the program.
“I work in the greenhouse and it’s really obvious because it is pretty old in a lot of places,” Knight said. “In a lot of the buildings there’s just really shoddy AC systems which makes it pretty uncomfortable, and I know there’s certain parts that are honestly just falling apart and need technological updates.”
Susan Metzger, associate director for agriculture and extension, said the delayed upkeep at K-State has been a problem for colleges across the United States. It is a phenomenon referred to as “deferred maintenance.”
“Part of the thing about having historic facilities is they are beautiful, but they are old, and overtime they have deteriorated,” Metzger said. “Just like our own homes, they need upgrading.”
In 2015, Gordian, a business management company, conducted a nation-wide survey to assess deferred maintenance cost with data from 97 landgrant universities including K-State.
“The survey was conducted to get some data to quantify just what size of a problem this was,” Minton said.
Minton said after the survey was published, the K-State College of Agriculture received word that they would be given $25 million from the state to address their facilities’ needs along with the opportunity to raise additional funds.
“That $25 million came without any match requirement, but then there was a larger bucket of $75 million of which we could apply for up to $25 million, but we had to raise $3 for every $1 we requested out of that fund,” Minton said.
In August 2022, Metzger, the project manager, said he coordinated with the KSU Foundation to reach out to stakeholders such as The Kansas Farm Bureau, the Kansas Livestock Association and Kansas Wheat.
“We pulled the leaders of those organizations together and we described this project and this once in a lifetime opportunity to seek funds and asked for their support and advocacy, and they were all on board,” Metzger said.
Earlier this month, Minton said he was informed that the College of Agriculture had reached its fundraising goal.
“We finally got to $75 million and a little beyond that, so we turned in a challenge grant application to the Kansas Department of Commerce,” Minton said. “About a week ago, President Linton called saying that we received the $25 million.”
Minton said the total $125 million will be used to renovate Call Hall and Weber Hall, build Agronomy Research and Innovation Centers and construct a new livestock performance arena next to the Stanley Stout Center.
“I think Weber is an example of a building that needs updates, and getting another animal showing facility is really good not just for the rodeo but also for the clubs on campus too,” Knight said. “Agronomy also getting a research building is exciting since some of our research efforts are being hampered by what we are working with.”
Metzger said she is hopeful that these updated facilities will help with student recruitment and retention.
“That [historical buildings] might have a bit of nostalgia for one generation, but it’s not the way we want to attract a modern student
that might have an interest in food and agriculture,” Metzger said. “Creating spaces that look like what it is going to look like in the food and agriculture industry is what we want to create with our buildings.”
Metzger said this project has been in the works for 5-7 years and is finally coming together.
“President Linton joined the University a year ago … and we also had this unique opportunity with this challenge grant application, so it’s really just that we had a project waiting for that energy to be behind it,” Metzger said.
Dean Minton said he believes this is a starting point to continue addressing deferred maintenance within the College of Agriculture.
“We are hopeful that the first project or two that we do will create some momentum so that we can continue to work on our facilities,” Minton said.
The new buildings and renovations are set to be finished by the end of 2026.
L i g h t f o o t F a m i l y B a n d @ M a n h a t t a n B r e w i n g C o m p a n y , 6 P M
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C a l e b N e l s o n @ B l u e m o n t H o t e l , 8 P M
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A s s i s t a n t D i r e c t o r f o r C o l l e g i a n M e d i a G r o u p a t K a n s a s S t a t e
U n i v e r s i t y . H e w o r k s w i t h t h e
C o l l e g i a n , M a n h a p p e n i n ’ M a g a z i n e , E x p l o r e M H K : T h e K - S t a t e r ’ s G u i d e t o M a n h a t t a n , M H K h o u s i n g . c o m , a n d W i l d c a t 9 1 . 9 , f i n d i n g l o c a l a n d n a t i o n a l a d v e r t i s e r s t o h e l p s u p p o r t s t u d e n t m e d i a a t K - S t a t e . D a r e n h a s b e e n i n v o l v e d w i t h M a n h a t t a n ’ s l o c a l m u s i c s c e n e s i n c e t h e l a t e 9 0 ’ s a n d p r o m o t i n g m u s i c e v e n t s s i n c e t h e e a r l y 0 0 ’ s . E a c h s e m e s t e r , D a r e n h e l p s t o p u t o n M a n h a p p e n i n ’ M a g a z i n e ’ s r e l e a s e e v e n t , f e a t u r i n g v e n d o r s , g i v e a w a y s , a n d l o c a l m u s i c . H e i s e x c i t e d t o j o i n t h e b o a r d f o r M H K M u s i c S c e n e .
The crowd roared as drag queen and host of the K-State Drag Show Monica Moree (Dusty Joe Garner-Carpenter) stepped on the stage in McCain Auditorium for the second time that night. The bursting auditorium grew quiet as the dazzling host announced the show’s short delay due to a line out the door for last-minute ticket sales, then erupted loudly as the mezzanine began to fill.
When Moree came back out the third time, she promised the crowd they’d leave with a little more love than they walked in the door with.
“You’re sitting at the largest charity drag show in the world,” Moree said. “We’re creating safe spaces out there, in the world, by creating safe spaces in here, right now.”
The annual show raises money for Kansas State’s LGBTQ students, helping to fund scholarships, excellence funds and counseling services through the LGBT Resource Center.
“The Dusty Joe Garner Excellence Fund of the LGBT Resource Center pro-
vided assistance to over 100 students in 2022,” Moree said. “That fund provides financial access to mental health care for queer students, gender affirming care, counseling and more.”
The performance featured drag queens Victoria Fox, Penny Tration, Tywoo, Lil’ Kim Chi and Valerie Love and drag king Alexander Cameron, all embodying glamor while advocating for gender-inclusivity.
The show is all made possible by K-State’s Sexuality and Gender Alliance, LGBT Resource Center, Student Governing Association and Union Program Council.
Julia Coverdale, SAGA President, said the drag performers show people ways to play with gender and how the queer community can express themselves through art and performance.
“I hope this shows students how you can mess [with] the way you look and how you identify,” Coverdale
said. “I hope they gain insight into what’s being displayed by the media, our legislature and even what’s happening on campus.”
Coverdale said the Annual K-State Drag Show is an eye-opening experience for people who haven’t previously been exposed to drag.
“So much of what people are shown of drag is a limited selection chosen to spread hatefulness in the world,” Coverdale said. “I wish more people knew the true beauty of drag and found community in it.”
The show ended with a performance of “What Makes a Man a Man,” performed by Moree. Starting on stage as Moree, the performer transformed into Garner-Carpenter throughout the course of the song. The song is about a drag queen, and the performance was a powerful demonstration of gender fluidity challenging the audience to rethink what they know about gender.
“It’s corny to say, but we’re all just human,” Grace Legg, senior in animal science and industry, said. “It’s performances like this that break through those stigmas for the people that need to be reminded.”
Legg attended the show with her friend, Annika Dains, who said this was one of the most emotionally impactful shows they’ve ever seen.
“I hope the show helps
to show people not to fear what’s different from you,” Dains said. “Embrace the differences.”
While the drag show has passed, drag at K-State is far from over. SAGA is putting on an amateur drag show at 7 p.m. on March 3 at the Frith Community Center. The opportunity to perform is open to all, and further information on performance sign-ups can be found on SAGA’s Instagram @kstatesaga.
“Take up space,” Moree said, shortly before her last performance. “Educate yourself to make the world you want to live in. Make your noise.”
To learn more about the LGBT Resource Center or donate, check out its website.
“Every cowboy has a story of the Kansas State Rodeo. They remember the crowd … they are here to compete but are also here as a family,” Garrett Panzer, Dodge City agriculture welding teacher and 2023 K-State Rodeo judge, said. “They leave with nothing but memories.”
Panzer said he has helped with rodeos all over Kansas and surrounding states. He grew up around farms, feedlots and playing football, but he said he has never seen a sight quite like the K-State Rodeo.
Panzer said he believes the rodeo has many parallels to his job as a teacher.
“The rodeo is an extension of the classroom,” Panzer said. “There are rules to be followed, and I enforce those rules.”
Panzer said the K-State Rodeo helps to “preserve the unique lifestyle” and “continue the heritage” that is Western-American life. He said it is an excellent stepping stone for young men and women who want to compete in professional rodeos, and he is happy to be a part of that process.
Panzer values the sense of family among rodeo competitors and cites a unique act of kindness as an example. When a barrel racer couldn’t compete with her horse, she reached out to a friend and fellow competitor, who off ered her best horse
for the barrel racer to use.
Many aspects of the rodeo make it unique to K-State. Weber Arena is short in length, resembling the National Rodeo Finals in Las Vegas. This creates timing challenges that make penalties and non-fi nishing times more common. The arena is built like a bowl, with the crowd sitting up over the rodeo. This can be intimidating for those who haven’t competed before. The bowl arena amplifi es an already chaotic crowd and can be incredibly distracting.
“Each year, Wildcats fl ock to Weber Arena after a week of fervently searching for tickets to ensure their spot in the bleachers,” Lauren Osborne, junior in strategic communications, said.
As advertising chair for the Rodeo Executive Board and a barrel racer, Osborne said the energy brought by the crowd was a beautiful sight to see.
“[It] exemplifi es how much Wildcats cherish and value each other,” Osborne said. “Like we always say, ‘EMAW!’”
Osborne said she is overjoyed to be a competitor and member of an event that inspires kids.
“I’ve seen and met several young kids … who look up to us competitors, which is a really special feeling knowing that I was once that young kid,” Osborne said.
Rebecca George, graduate from the University of New England who is furthering her studies at K-State
through the Angus Australia Foundation, said the K-State Rodeo was her fi rst rodeo experience.
“It is a great representation of the ag lifestyle many students love,” George said.
George said she believes the rodeo is a great way for students and Manhattan residents alike to support their athletes.
“It is an event for all diff erent types of people to come together and enjoy the rodeo entertainment and culture,” George said.
The deep history of our agriculture program and the pride our Wildcat cowboys and cowgirls have in their craft are on full display at the rodeo. The spirit of the rodeo is something that penetrates the soul of every heart
that watches. The K-State Rodeo is a creature that is as alive and beautiful as a Kansas cotton-candy sunset over the prairie.
“The relationships and memories I’ve made through the K-State Rodeo are ones that I will treasure forever,” Osborne said. “When the Wabash begins as a competitor with a purple vest enters the arena and every spectator jumps up, the loving community of K-State is illuminated and embodies the K-State values statement — ‘We live by the purple rule: Family comes fi rst.’”
Cowboys and cowgirls displayed their skill at the K-State Rodeo. Competitors participated in different events over three days.
A lively and colorful atmosphere strikes customers as they walk through the doors of Antojitos Mexicanos El Sol. The walls are painted in bright shades of red, yellow and orange. Despite a lack of fancy decor, the restaurant has a warm and friendly vibe.
El Sol’s staff warmly greet customers with smiles, making them feel at home. The restaurant is family-friendly, with plenty of tables and booths for larger groups, but it also has a certain charm that appeals to college students looking for a hidden gem.
The staff is incredibly attentive and caring, making sure customers have everything they need and that their dining experience is a pleasant one. They
are happy to answer questions about the menu and offer expert suggestions.
The Mexican restaurant is a vibrant and hospitable place. While not the fanciest place in town, it has a certain charm that draws people in and keeps them coming back for more.
The bar area is cozy and intimate with an ambiance that invites customers to stay, watch a game, relax and enjoy a drink. The bartenders are kind and knowledgeable, and they take pride in creating cocktails that are not only visually impressive but bursting with flavor. The margaritas are perfectly balanced and made with high-quality ingredients.
The menu at El Sol is extensive, featuring classic dishes such as tacos, burritos, enchiladas and fajitas, as well as lesser-known specialties like zanca
torta and gordita. The portions are generous, but the prices aren’t worth it.
One can appreciate that the food was cooked within ten minutes and presented beautifully. Every taco was placed with care and garnished with fresh parsley and a lime wedge. Despite this, the food was bland and lacked a special flavor. The beef in particular was under-seasoned and stale while the tortilla was cold and boring.
The Quesabirria Platter was a favorite, fried in its own juices and served with an avocado salsa; it still lacked that extra flare that would make it stand out. The Burrito California, though, was a winner, with refried beans, carne asada, white rice and french fries, topped with mozzarella cheese, guacamole and pico de gallo. The chorizo taco was another
highlight of the meal, which was seasoned and cooked to perfection.
While the food looked
fantastic, it was disappointing that the flavors didn’t live up to the view. If looking for a decent Mexican meal in Manhattan,
this restaurant could be an option, but don’t expect anything extraordinary.
In a franchise infamous for reusing its role-playing formula of battling gyms, catching Pokémon and defeating a chaos-causing syndicate, Game Freak Co. Ltd. shook things up with its newest generation of Pokémon games, Scarlet and Violet. The Paldea region, the Spain-like setting of the games, introduces new twists and a compelling storyline to the series’ otherwise cookie-cutter gameplay.
Unlike other Pokémon games, the journey begins by befriending the legendary Pokémon, allowing you to bond with the region’s champion as opposed to being an alienated end-game deity. Your trainer
creates deep bonds with their rivals, and each have great character arcs and fun interactions. The games do a much better job of acquainting you with those you interact with. Characters feel real, and for once, your trainer doesn’t seem alone.
Scarlet and Violet manage to balance beloved features with new options. The traditional gym and champion system is carried over from previous titles. Team Starr plays the role of the chaotic troublemakers and the adventure in battling Titan Pokémon is reminiscent of the Nobles in Pokémon Legends: Arceus. With the open world of Paldea, trainers can take on these paths in whatever order they please.
Game Freak finally gave players fully open-world main-
line series games this time. However, the highly-requested feature comes at the price of world optimization and exposes the games to hardware limitations of the Nintendo Switch. Overworld Pokémon often appear boxy, and constant frame rate dips hurt immersion while traversing the region. The games also appear rushed because of numerous bugs and glitches.
It’s not uncommon for AAA games to release in an unpolished state — Cyberpunk 2077 for example — but little has changed since the games’ launch on Nov. 18, 2022. While players have to intentionally cause most glitches, major ones like the laggy box system and Pokémon getting trapped behind walls occur very frequently and impact many players. The
A leader of the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (ACT UP) during the height of the HIV/AIDS crisis, Ron Goldberg will share his experience with social justice and read from his memoir, The Boy with the Bullhorn (Fordham UP, 2022)
Pokémon Company International announced an update slated for late February to address bug fixes and add functionality, but it is unknown to what degree this will fix the games.
Despite flaws, Scarlet and Violet take major steps in the right direction both gameplay and story-wise.
Scarlet and Violet include an in-game university that teaches new and experienced players
alike about Pokémon. New tools in Pokémon sets and items added to the iconic battle system add methods to outwit your opponent. The game cuts between scenes less, and the seamless transitions while interacting with the world are easier to follow.
The final act of the game alone is worth the playthrough.
Area Zero is gorgeous — exploring the habitat’s prismatic caves, glittering air and sparkling water
while listening to Toby Fox’s beautiful score puts you in the trainer’s shoes. The final discovery employs a dark and poetic twist that leaves the player satisfied and shocked.
The Paldea experience ranks highly above the standard Pokémon journey. Game Freak still has time to polish the game, and the performance issues aren’t severe enough to dampen the otherwise enjoyable playthrough.
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(SAGE),
Kansas State men’s golf has risen to new heights. After completing a fall season sweep of three championships, the team is positioned alongside national championship contenders. One key player behind its success is Cooper Schultz.
Schultz has already piled up accolades as a redshirt sophomore. He won the individual title at the Wildcat Invitational and was named Big 12 Golfer of the Month in September — the fi rst Wildcat to receive this award since 2018. These accomplishments were achieved in addition to being named Kansas Amateur of the Year for two consecutive years.
“It was big because
there’s been a lot of great names to come through Kansas,” Schultz said. “Just being compared to them is an honor.”
Despite his success, Schultz believes his best golf is yet to come.
“This last year I had a little struggles … in my swing, but I still managed to get it done,” Schultz said. “Just knowing that I don’t have to play my best golf to be able to get the job done, it’s kind of rewarding.”
In the fi rst tournament of the spring season, K-State placed third behind No. 5 Illinois who ran away with the team title 13 strokes ahead of second-place Arkansas. The takeaway for the team was largely positive despite placing far behind.
“We played, as a team,
Redshirt sophomore Cooper Schultz stands with head coach Grant Robbins and his first place trophy from the Wildcat Invitational. Schultz finished 11-under par to win the individual competition, leading K-State to a first place team finish at 27-under par.
probably about the worst we could have played to get third … if that’s the worst we’re going to do, just think about the best,” Schultz said.
“Illinois is a national championship caliber team, but so are we.”
For Schultz and the Wildcats to reach their goals, the focus is on keeping it simple.
“It’s really just down to minimizing the mistakes,” Schultz said. “And of course just having fun … you’re obviously taking it seriously, but at the end of the day it’s just golf.”
Being a part of such a successful team has played a huge role in Schultz’s development.
“The way my game has been [able] to grow is basically just being competitive, being able to keep up with the guys,” Schultz said.
“We’re playing really well and the better your team is, the harder it’s going to be to qualify … you’ve got to have a good all-around game.”
Some Kansas Ameteur of the Year recipients have moved on to professional golf, like PGA Tour golfer Harry Higgs. Schultz broke Higgs’ junior amateur scoring record when he was 18.
“I would say the best golfers in the world are on the PGA tour right now,” Schultz said. “My goal is to play against the best players possible so hopefully one day I’ll be there.”
Kansas State seeks its first win against the nation’s best since losing a 4-3 midweek game against the Lamar Cardinals. The showing spoiled an undefeated record for the Wildcats, but K-State has the opportunity to shock the country against No. 1 LSU. LSU head coach Jay Johnson restored hope in the Tigers’ historic program the day he stepped foot in Baton Rouge, Louisiana to replace legendary Paul Mainieri. Although there’s high expectations for any manager that laces purple and yellow cleats, LSU is on its way to resur-
gence following a No. 1 preseason ranking and 3-0 start.
Highly touted high school recruits and MLB prospect transfers quickly turned the tide and raised the bar to a new level. Former NC State Wolf Tommy “Tanks” White exited his debut with an elbow injury and ace pitcher Grant Taylor’s out for the season with a torn UCL. However, betting odds suggest that the Tigers remain locked and loaded for a College World Series run if they play their cards correctly.
In the wake of Taylor’s news, Paul Skenes stepped into the ace role and dominated Western Michigan, striking out 12 hitters and allowing three hits in six innings pitched. Skenes’ second appearance will likely be against the Wildcats with proper rest
for Friday’s first round of the round-robin tournament.
Four LSU junior right-handed pitchers and three position players cracked Perfect Game’s preseason top 150 prospects list, according to BRProud. Of those players, center fielder Dylan Crews ranked No. 1 following a .349 batting average, 72 RBI and 73 runs scored in his first-team all-American 2022 season.
First baseman Tre’ Morgan ranked No. 16 after a second-team All-American season this past year, and leads the Tigers with nine RBI in four games. Morgan’s only behind No. 128 prospect, shortstop Jordan Thompson, who’s scored four runs and five hits in equal amount of at-bats as Morgan, likely due to the lineup order.
The remaining three pitcher prospects include No. 61 RHP Christian Little, No. 88 RHP Ty Floyd and No. 119 RHP Blake Money. Little and Money made appearances in the first three games, Little striking nine batters out in 5 2/3 innings pitched, while Money struck three batters out and allowed a run in two innings.
seven Bearkat hitters are listed above the measuring stick for successful hitting at a .300 batting-average, two at .500 and above while two are hitting .400.
Wichita State transfer Tyler Davis helms the top of the batting categories, slicing a .533 batting average on eight hits and four RBI in 15
plate appearances. The twoway player hasn’t displayed anything on the mound this season but expects to pitch coming off an injury this past season.
Sam Houston State enters as the classic’s lone mid-major program, with a 3-2 record with wins against Rhode Island and McNeese State. K-State serves as the Bearkats’ first Power 5 opponent in the 2023 campaign. The team is out-scoring opponents 49-23, an average of 9.8 runs per contest. Along with run production,
Mercer said this scholarship can help bring diversity to education throughout Kansas.
“Within the college, I would say a major impact of the scholarship is helping us toward our goal of diversifying our student population so that the diversity of teachers in the state of Kansas changes,” Mercer said. “So, we’re the largest preparer of teachers in Kansas, and
we know by looking at Kansas teaching demographics that we have a large majority of teachers that are white women in Kansas classrooms, but we know that that’s not reflective of the students we have in the classroom.”
Hannah Sullivan, senior in music education, said creating a diverse culture in the College of Education is beneficial in the long run.
“I don’t know who said it, but … the classrooms that we’re in should look like the world that we will serve,” Sullivan said.
Deuce Vaughn declared for the 2023 NFL Draft on Jan. 2 on social media. Vaughn played a key role in the Wildcat offense throughout his K-State career, finishing second in career rushing yards just behind Darren Sproles.
Eight days after Vaughn’s announcement, Florida State transfer running back Treshaun Ward committed to K-State. The 5-foot-10, 189-pound running back just finished his sophomore season at Florida State with two years left to play.
Ward was a Top 25 transfer portal player and a highly-sought recruit out of high school. He received offers from Oregon, Louisville, Maryland and Kentucky. Despite the allure of big-name schools, he chose to stay close to home and take a walk-on spot at Florida State University. Ward rushed 6.6 yards per carry during his four-year stint with the Seminoles while dealing with injuries.
After entering the portal, Ward heard from schools such as Tennessee, Ole Miss, Texas, South Carolina and Kansas. Something about K-State separated them from the rest.
“During my visits, they [K-State] didn’t tell me something just to get me here,” Ward said. “They let me know I’m still gonna have to work hard to get better and maybe someday be another NFL running back from here.”
The contrast in environment between Kansas and Florida may not suit everyone, but for Ward, it was ideal for his football career.
“I don’t believe there is
a really big distraction here,” Ward said. “When you come here, it’s a great opportunity to just focus on ball.”
While in the portal, Ward said he was looking for a school that best fit his game. After seeing what the Wildcats accomplished last season with Vaughn, K-State became his front-runner.
“As far as running backs go, you know, I am a little guy as well,” Ward said. “After seeing what Deuce did last year, I wanted to get into an offense that is similar to my game.”
Building relationships with his teammates and coaches and getting familiar with the school has been a key focus for Ward since his arrival on campus.
“Just developing my relationship with the staff, it was like, these guys are family,” Ward said. “Family is so embedded into K-State. You see it everywhere.”
Ward is wearing a sling due to a wrist injury but is getting the rest and recovery he needs to be ready to play next season.
