GOP divided
Blogging prof
Ca-caw, ca-caw!
PERSPECTIVES
COMMUNITY
NEWS
Conservatives must go on offense
The
@Collegian_GCC @gcc.collegian The Collegian: The GCC Newspaper Friday, February 26, 2021
Throckmorton shares his side hustle
Campus club creates culture
Collegian The Award-Winning Grove City College Student Newspaper
Vol. 106, No. 15
COVID learning curve Virus leaves students behind
Lauren Ness Copy Editor
Student teachers are learning to navigate and close the “learning gap” caused by the COVID-19 pandemic as students spanning all ages lost months of learning when schools discontinued in-person classes and transitioned online. As schools have transitioned to in-person classes
or a hybrid of both in-person and online learning, challenges of maintaining student engagement and consistent learning arise. “This learning gap is unique and is certainly evident,” senior Walter Chevalier, a student teacher in a hybrid ninth grade U.S. history class at Grove City Area High School, said. Senior Katie Clarey, who is student teaching fully in-
person in kindergarten at Oakview Elementary School, said her friends who are teaching in first-grade classrooms are teaching almost the same material she is. Masking policies balanced with “mask breaks,” social distancing and students going in and out of quarantine certainly change approaches to in-person learning. However, online learning has not gone away and seems to
be where the largest gaps in knowledge result. A lack of structure when students are learning from home and the challenges of staying motivated cause the most difficulty. Senior Jesse Belitz commented, “If a student does not have something intrinsically driving them to put in the effort, they fall behind. Without structure and routine, most students crumble
in online learning.” Belitz is teaching fifth grade math for Butler Middle School’s cyber option. Belitz mentioned some strategies teachers use to boost student engagement and provide structure when online, like “requiring cameras on in class, encouraging students to visit office hours for extra support and providing structured ‘checklists’ for LEARNING 3
Beloved alumna passes away
Spring it on
Collegian Staff
Warmer weather this week brings a promise of spring to a winter-weary campus.
MATT SCHOONOVER
Caring through quarantine
Gabrielle Capaldo Staff Writer
What began as a small group of volunteers helping students in quarantine has turned into a committee called the Quarantine Care Team (QCT). Last fall as positive COVID-19 cases increased at the college, so did the workload of Student Life & Learning (SL&L) who was tasked with housing students and contact tracing. However, the needs of students span beyond a place to stay. They need food, academic assistance, laundry, package delivery, counseling and more. In October 2020, President McNulty created the QCT to meet quarantined
students’ specific needs. According to Mandie McCreadie ’04, assistant registrar, members of the team include herself and the following: Betty Tallerico, Cathy Jacobs, Don Opitz, Zachary Pitcher ’17, John Inman, Brenda McNulty ’80, Amy Frank, Michelle Hummel and Debbie McComb. McCreadie said the team was formed to “care well for students while they’re needed for COVID reasons to be away from their normal support system, routine, available resources, etc.” Resources the QCT provides include doing laundry for students in quarantine, delivering packages, retrieving items from students’ rooms, coordinating onCARING 9
GCC
As of Thursday, the COVID-19 Positive Dashboard on MyGCC reported 14 new cases between Feb.19 and Feb. 21. This brings the total up to 65 students cases and 7 employee cases since the first of the year. The Quarantine Care Team offers help to those students in the hotels who are directly affected by the spike.
Former Dean of Women and Vice President for Student Affairs Nancy (Lee ’54) Paxton has passed away. A longtime Grove City College administrator, mentor and friend to students and PAXTON alumni died Feb. 20 at her Grove City home at 88. “It would be difficult to exaggerate the impact Nancy Paxton had on the lives of thousands of students during her tenure at the college,” said President Paul J. McNulty ’80. “She was a constant source of cheerfulness, kindness and devoted service to the campus community. Now, in the presence of her Savior, she can look to her right and to her left and enjoy fellowship of the saints who have gone before her.” Paxton joined the college as dean of women and director of housing. She was promoted to dean of students and vice president of student affairs in 1991, a post she held until her retirement in 2004. In this capacity, Paxton managed leadership in residence halls, coordinated student housing needs, organized special events, supervised student counseling and led various campus activities. Upon her retirement, the college awarded her an honorary Doctor of Human Letters degree. With nearly three decades of service to the college and its students, Paxton advised many campus organizations including Panhellenic Council, Mortar Board, Crown and Sceptre, Association of Women Students and the Student Government Association. She was a sister of Alpha Beta Tau sorority. Her husband, H. Thomas Paxton, passed in May 2016. Nieces and nephews survive.
Editorial
Page 2
The award-winning Grove City College student newspaper, Feb. 26, 2021
From the Tower
Find the balance to your Sabbath rest
Sabbath is a holy word, especially on Grove City’s campus. Sundays are days when the town sees us college students dressed to the nines in our traditional khakis and styled Doc Martins. In groups we travel to church where we sing songs about Jesus, take communion and then go out for brunch where we talk to our friends and watch movies in the afternoon. It’s a time of rest – a break from intellectual stress and job-searching angst. So much of our lives on campus are filled with things to keep us busy. The typical Grover is reminded to slow down, take a chill pill, remember that God rested on the seventh day. We work hard… mostly. How much of the work we do is genuine work? How often do you skim your readings or rush through a meeting just to move on to the next thing? Are you working diligently and thoroughly for your degree, or are you making your degree B.S.? A lot of us are busy, but that doesn’t mean we’re working. We’ve tricked ourselves into thinking that running from place to place and filling our schedules to the brim is desirable, or even godly. We go, go, go. So we’re reminded to rest and be still—almost relentlessly. Do we get too caught up in the time of rest? We tend to overcompensate and indulge in our own self-care and slip into procrastination. We tip the scales in favor of our “earned” Sabbath. Even with COVID-19 running rampant all around us, campus and the outside world haven’t stayed slow forever. The pace has picked up and the race rages on. Social media buzz and college drama and schoolwork galore all blend together for a messy mix of busy bull that keeps our minds going with no real work to show for it. Now, take a break for a moment and remember the sweetest rest you ever experienced. We, the editors, are willing to wager that your most rejuvenating rests were not amidst a lazy week or an unproductive season. Most of the realest rests we remember were after the sweatiest sports practice, the toughest exam or longest stretch of work scheduling our body had ever seen. Have you worked hard for your Sabbath? Is your Sabbath well-earned? Is it a Sabbath at all, or simply just avoidance from the real work?
Paige Fay
Editor-in-Chief
Anna DiStefano Managing Editor
Collegian Staff Editor-in-Chief Paige Fay
Business Manager Kathryn Miller
Managing Editor Anna DiStefano
Copy Editors Jessica Hardman Ashley Ostrowski Claire Josey Lauren Ness Kylie Jasper Joanna Thorpe Elizabeth Schinkel Katherine Bennett Austin Branthoover Sydney Travis Eve Lee
Section Editors News David Zimmermann Community Fiona Lacey Perspectives Clark Mummau Sports Emily Rupczewski
Design Chief Caleb West
Staff Writers Scott Amon Gabrielle Capaldo Noel Elvin Ayden Gutierrez Chris Murphy Connor Schlosser Jules Wooldridge
Copy Chief Britney Lukasiewicz
Staff Adviser Nick Hildebrand
Photo Chief Matt Schoonover
The Collegian is the student newspaper of Grove City College, located in Grove City, Pa. Opinions appearing on these pages, unless expressly stated otherwise, represent the views of individual writers. They are not the collective views of The Collegian, its staff or Grove City College.
Green Eyeshade Award the
This week’s Green Eyeshade Award goes to News Editor David Zimmermann for his can-do attitude and flexibility in tumultuous times. You rock! The Green Eyeshade Award honors student contributors that demonstrate consistency and excellence in their work.
Zimmermann
Is social media ‘The Matrix?’
David Zimmermann News Editor
Over winter break, I watched “The Social Dilemma” on Netflix for the first time. I enjoyed this insightful documentary, but I did not think twice about it the next day. Two weeks ago I had to watch it again – this time for a class. It was in my second time viewing it that the film’s message about the dangers of social media profoundly resonated with me. There was one line in the film that really stuck out in my brain (and hence prompted me to write this editorial). It was a quote from former Google design ethicist Tristan Harris. “How do you wake up from the Matrix when you don’t know you’re in the Matrix?” he asked. This was such an interesting question for me because I like to think in terms of movies. Relating a film to everyday life is part of how I make sense of what happens in the world. And the more I entertained this question, the more I saw parallels between the fictional world of “The Matrix” and the tangible effects of social media in the real world. Now I am not saying we are
actually living in a simulated reality, so don’t take me literally here. But I am posing that social media does create a personalized dream world specifically catered to all our wants and desires. As the youngest in my family, I was exposed to all sorts of films that my older siblings grew up with, including “The Matrix.” The first time I saw this 1999 classic was a long time ago, so I can never get back those first impressions I had as a kid. But I always remember the scenes that made me the most uncomfortable. One such scene shows the sentient agents implanting a bug within Neo after he refuses to comply in his interrogation. If you’ve seen the movie, you know what I’m talking about. It was scenes like this that made me most terrified because as a young kid I thought that would somehow happen to me one day. And, in a way, it kind of has. Although it isn’t as dramatic or “scary,” social media does the same thing – it implants thoughts in your mind that normally you would never have imagined on your own. Somehow you find yourself more addicted to your phone and less focused on the world around you. Maybe you are anxious, tired or just don’t have the motivation to work anymore. You are so caught
VULTURE
up with what other people think of you that you choose to live life in your fake reality, in the form of social media. All the people you follow, all the posts you like, everything you do on your phone is meant to keep you asleep in a dream – an idealized version of reality. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat are all designed to keep giving us the “blue pill.” Under social media, ignorance is bliss. Not once do these apps offer us the “red pill” – a way to wake up to the truth of what it is doing to our lives, how it is subversively and quietly affecting our minds. And the worst part is: we don’t even realize this choice is already made for us. We are so plugged in that we don’t want to wake up and smell the coffee. Reality sucks, but it is better than living in a dream. It is better to hang out with real, genuine friends rather than to follow a “friend” whom you barely know. It is better to look up at the world rather than to stare down at your phone. Yes, it may be harder to do these things, especially given the pandemic, because we do not want to be reminded of the real world. But nothing worth having ever comes easy. Now one last question. Are you awake?
World news roundup Texas Winter Storm The Lone Star State’s 254 counties all faced unprecedented weather last week as a winter storm raged across Texas, leaving millions without heat or water. According to the Associated Press, about 80 people have died because of the below-freezing temperatures and power outages across the state. The failure of the state’s electrical grid caused many lawmakers to advocate for renewable energy sources in the future. In response to the storm, Gov. Greg Abbott called for the winterization of generators and power plants, saying that “what happened is absolutely unacceptable and can never be replicated again.” NY Nursing Home Deaths Almost a year after the COVID-19 pandemic broke out in New York, Governor Andrew Cuomo came under scrutiny as it was reported that the number of COVID-19 deaths in NY nursing homes was intentionally undercounted by as much as 50 percent. According to data released by the state Department of Health, more than 15,000 nursing home residents died due to COVID-19 unbeknownst to New York’s public. In fact Melissa DeRosa, Cuomo’s top aide, said that
this information was withheld so that federal prosecutors would not use the true numbers to their advantage against the Cuomo administration. New York’s governor is currently under investigation by a U.S. attorney and the FBI. Royal Update After feeling ill, Prince Philip has spent the past week in King Edward VII’s Hospital in London. At 99 years old, the Duke of Edinburgh is being treated for an infection and, according to Buckingham Palace, will remain in the hospital for several more days. February has been a challenging month for Queen Elizabeth II as she has not only expressed grief over her husband’s declining health but is also saddened by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s exit from the Royal Family. But this month has not been all bad news. Princess Eugenie, daughter of Prince Andrew, gave birth to her newborn son, August Philip Hawke Brooksbank. Eugenie announced that the baby was named after her grandfather, Prince Philip.
David Zimmermann
News Editor
News The Collegian,
Feb. 26, 2021
Page 3
This eastern phoebe was seen outside of Thorn Field. The Bird Club Coalition started as an opportunity to appreciate and study local birds.
LAUREN BROCKWAY
Can’t stop raven about the birds Clark Mummau Perspectives Editor
College ornithologists and ornith-enthusiasts join together in the revitalized birdwatching club on campus, the Bird Club Coalition. The leadership of senior Dana Ross and freshman Lauren Brockway has helped the club grow and has provided direction for the future. Vice president Brockway found out about the club at the Org Fair, and the past president asked if she wanted to lead the club. Due to her other commitments, she declined, and so they went to Ross. Ross was looking to start a bird club with one of her
LEARNING
continued from 1
their weekly and daily tasks.” Online learning has shown students how to be positive digital citizens. Belitz added, “Not only are they mastering technology, but each week we spend one morning focusing on kindness and how they can encourage one another online.” Chevalier observed some students feel more comfortable online which increases their participation and engagement. To reap these potential benefits of online learning, Chevalier said responsibility goes both ways: “teachers must help students to be successful for learning online, and students must learn to set themselves up for success at home.” Maintaining consistent communication is also essential to preserve a student’s learning and engagement. “When parents provide support and structure after school or whenever students have to do remote learning, the learning is not lost and students are still being engaged,” Clarey said. Clarey, Belitz and Chevalier are optimistic about education’s future and their ability to adapt to and fight this learning gap. “We are focused on teaching students now and being the best educators to meet their needs,” Chevalier said. Belitz reflected, “I am
friends after they purchased bird books as a joke but then started becoming invested in birdwatching. They learned that a club already existed, and then got involved with it. Shortly after, Ross was asked to be the president. Both Brockway and Ross said the club is a low-commitment activity, and over 100 people have joined the club’s Telegram group chat. They also hope that people not part of the club will join in with some of the club’s activities this semester. “Anyone can really come and participate. It’s supposed to be fun, and it’s supposed to be a chance for people to just go on a bird walk,” Ross said.
Because it is winter the club is less active; but they plan to get meals together and go on bird walks along Pinchalong Road, which is a good place to see birds. Ross also mentioned trying to take some trips – if COVID-19 restrictions allow – to places like Moraine State Park and the Pittsburgh Aviary. Should those trips not work out, there are locations on and around campus to see birds such as lower campus and the quad. Brockway, who has been actively involved with the ornithology community since her first official bird walk in 2015, also mentioned that the club is hoping to put up nest boxes and bird feeders
around campus. She hopes that Information Technology Services can help set up cameras for the boxes to monitor them. “I’ve already found a few kestrels that hang around Hicks, so I think we’d actually get a few birds interested,” Brockway said. “There are birds everywhere. I’ve noticed eastern bluebirds just hanging out between SAC and STEM.” While the presidency and vice presidency are filled, each member gets to make their own title and unique bird call that they can respond to. Ross is currently working on making business cards for each person. She also said that the club is working
on making a bird map of the campus. “Stop being distracted. There have been plenty of birds that I’ve noticed just by looking up. There was a bald eagle flying over campus the other day, and it was just because I happened to be looking up over STEM that I saw it,” Brockway said. “I feel most people tune out birds as background noise, but I guess I’ve trained my ear to notice every little peep, so I’ll notice just about everything flying over making noise. I would say it takes some time actually going out and seeking birds and understanding their behavior before you start seeing them everywhere,” she said.
going to take away strong skills in educational technology, great competency using Google’s educational tools and more, all while learning creative ways to build relationships with my students from their bedrooms and couches.” To continue to inform and prepare future educators, education professor Dr. Jarrett Chapman ’04 is teaching Capturing the COVID-19 Gap, a new course, this spring. The class’ first goal is to examine how previous disruptions in learning due to natural disasters impacted learning practices in schools, then applying that information to current situations in schools given the COVID-19 pandemic. The second goal is research-oriented, where students will “work with our close PK-12 partner schools to gather data about the early indications of this learning gap,” Chapman said. Ultimately, Chapman’s aim for the course is that preservice teachers will “better understand the schools they will be walking into as they begin their professional careers” as well as “allow our pre-service teachers to have an active role in that research regarding the transitions and effectiveness of school district decisions.” While the education system is feeling the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic, the lasting impacts have potential to influence everything.
Senior Jesse Belitz teaches math to fifth-grade students for Butler Middle School’s virtual option.
JESSE BELITZ
Community The Collegian,
Feb. 26, 2021
Page 4
Finding sorrow and joy Landman tells her life story
Emma Whiteford Contributing Writer
Last week sophomore Mollie Landman shared her story of tragedy as part of the “One Story” series that launched just recently as a means to let students share their stories of healing. Landman adores her classes and finds great fulfillment in studying BARS. She loves milk (maybe a little too much), at one point attempted to learn violin and she sporadically writes articles for her blog. Her heart for the Lord is truly so inspiring, and perhaps you can relate to some of the things you just learned about her. But Landman’s story is also one of immense brokenness and restoration revealing how God’s power is magnified in weakness. At 12 years old, Landman met Brady Hunker. The two became fast friends. They dated through high school, took their prom pictures in Home Depot, made crazy bucket-lists, had a dazzling summer wedding and embarked on the college adventure together. But beneath this magical love story, runs a deeper current. In the summer before their sophomore year of high school, Hunker was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma— a type of bone cancer. Suddenly, Landman and Brady were thrown into a life regulated by treatments, surgeries and chemotherapy. They fought and won that battle
against cancer together, inextricably unified by the struggle. But at the end of their junior year, Hunker’s cancer returned, and it had spread to a lethal extent. The two were once again hurled into deep valleys and dark trenches, but they refused to give the cancer the power. Hunker and Landman married in July 2019 and began their first semester at Grove City College that fall. Then whirlwind excitement came crashing down when, on Sept. 11, the couple received the news that the cancer had spread to Brady’s brain. There were no treatment options--he had a month to live. At this, Landman and Brady withdrew from classes and set out to complete their bucket list. They witnessed the beauty of the roaring Niagara Falls, wandered through Wyoming and went camping to experience the great outdoors. Then dreary, miserable November settled in. Hunker’s pain became debilitating as the cancer began to destroy his body, and, on Nov. 25, Hunker died. Landman, 19 and widowed, found herself alone in the battle’s aftermath. Broken and lost and yet called to return to college, Mollie said that “kicking and screaming I decided to go back to Grove City.” And there, God began to pick up the broken pieces and cultivate a work of restoration. Her faith was shaken and sharpened as she slowly
ANNA LAERO PHOTOGRAPHY
Sophomore Mollie Landman lost her husband, Brady Hunker, to bone cancer in 2019. began to hold “grief and joy in the same hand.” Prior to returning to school, Landman was prepared to move forward, but she didn’t anticipate experiencing joy on this side of heaven. But God began to color her life with an incomprehensible outpouring of joy, and her faith was transformed. “Everything I thought I knew, changed,” Landman said. She began to live out daily what she had just learned. She came to truly
grasp the hope and truth of Gospel realities in a radical and tangible manner. The joy that encompassed her life was a peaceful confidence rooted in gratitude and awe of God. It was not a happiness stemming from the understanding that “my life is so great;” rather, it was a joy established on the unwavering reality that “my God is so great.” “That’s why it lasts through everything,” Landman said. “Because it’s not dependent
on what I go through.” Landman has felt the interwoven prevalence of joy and sorrow in a fallen world. “Tragedy,” she said, “is going to knock at everyone’s door, but we do not and will not walk that path alone—the pain and the joy sit right together. We will suffer, and we can also experience joy in the same breath. Nothing is wasted. God uses everything for our good and for His glory, and nothing is too big or too small for the Lord to work through or work with.”
The faith conversation Dear What do I do if someone tells me I’m not “Godly enough” but never asks me about my faith? OLIVIA ORTMAN
COVID-19 restrictions caused the Broad Street Grille, a student favorite, to temporarily close in 2020.
Joy comes in the morning Noel Elvin Staff Writer
The Broad Street Grille (BSG) reopened Feb. 9 after almost a year being closed due to COVID-19 restrictions. They are currently open at 50 percent capacity and are practicing social distancing and masking. In addition, they are using disposable menus and sanitizing continuously, and the bar will remain closed until further notice. Hours have been slightly cut back: They are open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday through Saturday and closed on Sundays and Mondays. They now have delivery running during these hours, but orders must be placed by 8 p.m. each night.
The BSG menu is also slightly smaller but still has many options including manager Josh Seelbauth’s favorites: the buffalo chicken wrap and pan-seared salmon. The primary dishes they removed from the menu were the pasta dishes, but they still have many burgers, salads, sandwiches, entre and appetizer options. They had initially closed in March 2020 and then reopened in June at 25 percent capacity. They remained open for a month but had to reclose because 25 percent capacity was not realistic for a business of their size. “It was cheaper to close the doors,” Seelbauth explained. Although there are still currently concerns with the restaurant industry and what new COVID-19 regulations could surface, BSG is remaining positive and is
thankful that the numbers are looking better than what they had been. Many students are looking forward to having the BSG open again as it is within walking distance from campus and a nice price point for students looking for a break from the cafeteria. Juniors Maddie Zammantaro and Sarah Matthews are all excited to once again order a side of sweet potato fries and some appetizers. “My life hasn’t been same without their cinnamon butter and sweet potato fries,” Zammantaro said. Matthews reminisced the memories that the BSG reopening brought from freshman year: “It’s a little nostalgic… We ate there so often, like once-a-week freshman year after church. I think that’s how we survived freshman year.”
Dr. Love
Tragically, Confounded Grover
Dear Confounded Grover, I’m tempted to say that the best thing for you to do is tell them to, “Make like a tree and get out of here.” But if they don’t get the “Back to the Future” reference it wouldn’t be funny, you would look like an idiot, and it would be a uselessly awkward situation. So instead, I recommend you simply take the initiative by asking about their faith and start the conversation that is a true Grover classic: the faith talk. Ah yes, the good ol’ conversation that is 100 percent free of tension, condescending tone and judgement… I’m being facetious, my young Grover. This is a topic that must be approached prayerfully, tactfully and gently as it can quickly feel
like an accusatory probe. Be genuine in conversation and sincere in your questioning as this is a truly great opportunity to plant a seed that could be helpful to them, yourself or both, even if it’s not right at the moment but maybe even years down the road. So, get back out there and see what you can do to determine if this is someone that will be a good fit or just a good friend.
I’ll be watching,
Dr. Love Love M.D.
The Collegian,
Feb. 26, 2021
Page 5
Wait, we were founded when?
Seven Questions with…
Scott Amon
Greg Bandy
Before you read this article, I suggest you find a chair. The information you are about to read will likely cause shock, anxiety and, in extreme cases, unpatriotic thoughts. Please, stay your anti-GCC petition writing desires until the end of the article. Grove City College was not founded in 1876 but 1884. In the 1800s, founding a college was not as easy as filing the proper paperwork for a college charter. Instead, organization and motivation were the key components for any college. “The college’s founding date is traced back to 1876 because a “Select School at Pine Grove, Pa.” was founded in March of that year,” Vice President for Student Recruitment Lee Wishing III said. Though Grove City did not receive its charter until 1884, the year 1876 was the date when the school started to function as a college. Grove City College, originally called Pine Grove Normal Academy, traces its start to 1858 when “Richard M. Thompson felt the town of Pine Grove (now Grove City) needed to provide instruction in ‘College Prep’ so that more individuals from the community could go on to be teachers, pastors, doctors,” College Archivist Hilary Walczak said.
Associate Professor of Communication & Visual Arts
Staff Writer
COLLEGE ARCHIVES
GCC became an official college in the year 1884, contrary to the fact that it actually began in 1876. At the time, Western Pennsylvania was a very rural area where an adequate education was difficult to find. Pine Grove Normal Academy filled that need and continued to serve the community as a preparatory school for the next two decades. During these decades, the school’s principal was the Presbyterian pastor from a local church. In 1875, however, the town decided to build a larger building and hire a principal to handle the increasing needs of the school. According to Walczak, it was that year that they “interviewed and hired young Isaac C. Ketler who had just graduated from Edinboro Normal School and was teaching at a small schoolhouse.” If you do not desire the good old days, then you might after hearing that the
tuition for one semester at Pine Grove ranged from $4 $6.50 in 1876. The school only had 13 students in 1876 but continued to grow, and as the population grew so did the coursework. “[A]s the school grew into the hundreds, they created a set curriculum and started adding more collegiate level courses not just college prep and teacher training,” Walczak said. Between 1878-1879, the school increased its campus size and began building. The land that the school bought is now lower campus today. In 1884, the school was approved to receive a college character and subsequently renamed itself to Grove City College after the local town changed its name to Grove City. So, does this mean that the
college was not founded in 1876 but 1884? Not exactly. It became common practice in the 19th century for these rural schools to become colleges. The majority of colleges in Pennsylvania follow this trend. “Often the argument for Grove City College is ‘well you can’t claim 1876 because you didn’t become a College until 1884.’ If this were the rule of thumb then almost every college in Pennsylvania would have a different founding date,” Walczak said. Instead, April 11, 1876 is acknowledged as the point in the school’s history when the school became organized and started offering upperlevel courses. Ever since, this date has become known as founder’s day. You may breathe a sigh of relief. Grove City College’s reputation remains intact.
Blogger reveals church hypocrisies
Right now, I’m listening to “Trampoline” by Shaed. It’s only a one-minute drive for me. What are you currently reading? Oh golly. The World’s Largest Man: A Memoir by Harrison Scott Key. It was a winner of the 2016 James Thurber Prize. What’s something you’ve been pondering lately? Where I’m going to go when COVID ends. Somewhere warm where there’s sand and water. What is your favorite restaurant right now? Juniper Grille in Cranberry. Name the movie that makes you emotional.
Fiona Lacey
Community Editor Dr. Warren Throckmorton has belonged to the GCC Psychology department since 1994, but he’s been keeping hypocritical Christian leaders accountable through his blog since 2005. In the wake of the Ravi Zacharias International Ministries’ issuing of their 2021 report that found longtime apologist and Christian leader guilty of sexual harassment, Throckmorton addressed the tragedy’s implications to the members of the Apologetics Club last Thursday. He himself had been writing about Zacharias’ dishonesty since 2017. The recently released report found that Zacharias had not only been texting multiple women from around the globe but had explicit pictures of these women as well. The report also discovered that Zacharias used RZIM funds to pay for expenditures and gifts he offered to female massage therapists of whom he asked to perform sexual favors in return. The 16page report remains a point of devastation for many, including Throckmorton. After 10 years of disclosing substantial amounts of information concerning the dishonesty and corruption of several Christian heroes and leaders, Throckmorton did not expect the overwhelming level of fraud and deceit now proven to be true of Zacharias. “I was surprised,” Throckmorton said. “There’s something dark in him.” The extent of Zacharias’ deceit and corruption stunned even Throckmorton, who calls himself a “skeptic by nature.” Throckmorton’s research was never about exposing the person, though. “It’s about the ideas- finding the truth.” His years of blogging has
What do you listen to on the ride home?
It’s a tossup between “Shawshank Redemption” and “Lord of the Rings: Return of the King.” What are you looking forward to today? Coming home and seeing my dog who is so happy to see me everyday. Every time I leave he thinks I’m never coming back. He loves me so much.
What is your favorite class you are teaching this semester?
FIONA LACEY
In his blog, wthrockmorton.com, Throckmorton reveals inaccuracies from figures like Ravi Zacharias and David Barton. taught him only this: Human Checking Claims About Our for money,” Throckmorton nature can corrupt just about Third President.” Thomas said. “I was told that Indian anything. Nelson Publishing removed Federal government docuAfter writing op-eds as a Barton’s book from publica- ments were open to anyone, Senior Fellow for the then tion soon after. so I learned how to read newly founded Center for ViThrockmorton was also them and found the numbers sion and Values (now Insti- involved in exposing the in- hidden in plain sight.” tute for Faith and Freedom) correct use of church funds Throckmorton finds this Throckmorton began blog- by mega church leader Mark common thread in most evging all things distrustful in Driscoll. Through an anony- ery issue he’s written about: 2006, when he wrote on the mous tip he received in 2014, the evidence is hidden in inherent disfunction of con- Throckmorton found that plain sight. version therapy. Driscoll’s Mars Hill Church, “I’m not revealing really His first discovery of dis- in their attempt to get anything,” he said. “I just honesty was an alarming Driscoll’s book on the New describe what’s right in peohistorical inaccuracy about York Times Bestselling List, ple’s faces. I go after things Thomas Jefferson made by had used church funds to pay that people won’t.” Christian nationalist David for over 11,000 copies to be To Throckmorton, his disBarton. Barton, a known bought. The contract of this coveries about Zacharias, believer in American Chris- transaction with a market- Barton, Driscoll and others tendom, claimed factual in- ing company was leaked to give him a general skeptiaccuracies about the 1804 Throckmorton anonymous- cism towards leaders and inJefferson Bible in his book ly. stitutions. But this, he said, is “The Jefferson Lies”. The Mars Hill Church good. “I challenge Barton,” brand was damaged, and an “I like my things to be loThrockmorton wrote in a exodus occurred in many cal,” he said. “My work has 2016 blogpost, “to identify of the campuses across the insulated me. In and out of the missionary who received country. church, people are people.” Jefferson’s 1804 version. No Through a simple use of When speaking to the primary source evidence ex- the Freedom of Information Apologetics club on Thursists that Jefferson ever gave Act, Throckmorton wrote on day night, Throckmorton the extraction to anybody.” more disturbing findings, encouraged students to think As a response, Throckmor- like the $60-90 million fund- the same. ton and GCC political science ing stashed away by Gospel What the Christian sector professor Dr. Michael Coult- for Asia, an international avoids, Throckmorton says er eventually published “Get- ministry. we must look into. “This stuff ting Jefferson Right: Fact “They were begging people matters.”
I’m very excited to be teaching my Special Events and Promotions class.
Write for the Collegian! Interested in writing for the Collegian? The Collegian provides excellent opportunities for students who are interested in journalism careers, in writing and in exploring campus events and issues. All sections welcome new writers.
Email the Collegian at collegian@gcc.edu.
Through the lens,
Feb. 26, 2021
Page 6
Placement is key Young Life members find their ministry teams for 2021
Photos and text Matthew Schoonover Photo Chief
Young Life is a national ministry orgainization with it’s focus on the next generation. The organization has branches with middle school, high school and disabled students. Young Life is a campus centered ministry with off-campus ministry, focusing on community values by reaching out to children in the local schools through student leaders. The group uses community to introduce the Gospel of Christ as shown with their mission statement, “Introducing adolescents to Jesus Christ and helping them grow in their faith.” Young Life is a positive growth community on the college’s campus with a large impact in the local area.
Through the lens,
Feb. 26, 2021
Page 7
Bailey Mantzell
Placements are especially important for the upcoming academic year so that all the new leaders can be put on existing Young Life teams. Geoffrey Halliley (top right) arrived early and said, “Young Life gives me the opportunity to love God and others.”
Bailey Mantzell
Perspectives The Collegian,
Page 8
Feb. 26, 2021
Quit playing defense Republicans should shift focus
Liz Finnegan
Trump? This, of course, is a question with no clear answer. There seems to be, however, a great amount of agreement arising in the GOP about the importance of fighting political battles from a cultural standpoint. In the words of Andrew Breitbart, “Politics is downstream of culture.” The culture of the GOP has circulated around the personality of former President Trump, and many party leaders are beginning to notice the gigantic cultural divide that has managed to divide
the two parties over the last four years. Whereas conservatives adopted a position of brazen defense, liberals have launched an unfettered cultural attack on religion, education, free speech, marriage and family. More and more, conservatives are beginning to recognize that playing defense in a battle over culture is not the position they want to be in. While conservatives typically find themselves as the protectors of tradition, the current attack on these values seems to demand that
conservatives redefine themselves and take the offensive position in the current culture war. In order for the conservative movement to gain traction and have an impact in the post-Trump era, conservatives must reposition themselves as culture shapers, infusing education, the arts, sports and media with fundamental values and core tenets which define classical conservatism. Playing defense is no longer sufficient. The conservative move-
ment is currently facing a crisis of positioning: how does the party market itself when the left has demonized it as racist, homophobic, smallminded and discriminatory? If the right wants to have a shot at having political influence, they must focus on repainting the narrative and finding a way to shape the movement, and culture in general, around fundamental morals and values, rather than the personality of one eccentric and demonstrative former president. The Republican party is lost. It lacks definition, direction and is at a crossroads. The party can define itself in the light of politicians’ personalities, or it can delineate itself according to its principals of a moral and just society, using the foundations of family, limited government and a focus on education and religion as building blocks. I posit that the future of the cause needs to be oriented towards the latter. We must find a way to present these timeless values to the younger generations through institutions and social mediums. This culture war is too important to forfeit, and with the level of education and the depth of the moral compass which these younger generations possess, there is great hope that conservatives can unify together and expand the message of truth, justice, family, community and freedom.
Across
host
2. Opposite of East
17. Blogging professor
2. Opposite of lose
28. KFC colonel
19. Windows for the face
3. City to the north
29. Mens varsity with sticks
4. Describes verbs, adjectives and others of their kind
7. Violation – no dribbling
33. U.S. Secretary of the Treasury
Contributing Writer For better or worse, the past four years have been some of the most electrifying, divisive and determinative years for the conservative party. From the coalition of “Never-Trumpers” to the “Basket of Deplorables,” Republicans have found themselves identifying less along ideological lines, and more so in reaction to the personality and policy decisions of former President Trump. Since the Reagan Era, the conservative movement has not seen such an unmistakable and cogent leader. Trump undeniably helped define modern conservatism as a socio-political movement which denies the radical culturalism of the left and resists the socialist and nihilistic forces which liberals endorse. However, after four years of such a clarifying president – one who defined Republicanism in the light of his own unprecedented personality and governing style – we are left with this question: how does the party proceed in his absence? With no definite leader, no majority power in the federal government and a remarkable amount of intraparty division, what does the future of the GOP look like in the wake of former President
FORBES / PBS
Collegian Crossword
Perspectives Policy The purpose of the Perspectives section is to give a space for student voices. Here, student writers have the space to critique, question and analyze the world around them. Perspectives articles represent the views of the individual writer. They do not represent the views of The Collegian, The Collegian staff or Grove City College. While pieces in Perspectives are subjective by nature, The Collegian has standards for publication. Articles submitted for publication are expected to provide arguments of substance that rely on fact and are void of foundationally emotional and biased arguments. This is not a space to parrot party lines. Perspectives articles are expected to take original stances, and, where applicable, consider the interaction of faith within their topic. This is a space where all voices can be heard. It is our goal as The Collegian staff that Perspectives reflect the diversity of thought represented on the college’s campus. Additionally, The Collegian will not accept a Perspectives article if the topic has not been reported on by the newspaper. This means that the publication of a submitted or proposed article may be delayed so The Collegian can provide a factual, unbiased context for the paper’s readership. If you would like to submit an article for publication contact The Collegian at gcc.collegian@gmail.com.
9. Pass, set, hit, attack, serves
5. Stressed, unstressed 6. Current religious season
20. Describes the rancher 23. October birthstone 25. Ice moon of Jupiter
36. Third month
8. U.S. Secretary of State
13. New club on campus
37. Abbr. the Lord’s chicken
10. These are back in Hicks
18. Computer light color
38. Perspectives Editor
11. Discount grocery store
30. Superior East coast grocery store
21. College apartments
39. Mason Ramsey’s talent
12. Eyeshade hue
31. Equilateral quadrilateral
22. Slow run
40. Edith Wharton’s “Age of _____”
14. Beloved Tennessee songstress
32. Acronym; Student Union
Down
15. Acronym; downtown restaurant
24. Three-flavor ice cream 26. Small dog 27. First name, “Bachelor”
1 State hit by severe weather
16. Forgotten dwarf planet
26. Savory pie
34. Acronym; will do your laundry or pick up mail 35. To increase to $15 36. Green one-eyed monster
The Collegian,
Feb. 26, 2021
Page 9
Minimum wage bears maximum consequences Shelbi Henkle
Contributing Writer Discussion about raising the current federal minimum wage of $7.25 to $15 has become more fervent with the election of Joe Biden. The Biden Administration announced a new $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief fund on Feb. 19. The relief fund plans to raise the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour. It is crucial to grasp the sideeffects of such a legislation, considering the increase in minimum wage may cause many unintended consequences. Many liberal-leaning legislatures argue changing the $7.25 minimum wage (established in 2009) would allow for individuals to make a “livable wage” and stimulate the economy. Yet economics shows that the results would be detrimental to the American economy as the spike in
wages would kill small businesses and would further encourage companies to seek automation. If minimum wage is raised, employers and major companies will seek alternate routes that are less costly. When it becomes more expensive to utilize human workers, innovation will find a cheaper solution – a dystopian perspective, where human employees are more costly because of insurance, sick leave and human error. This could lead to advancements of robotics and AI, as demonstrated in Amazon’s “cashier-less” store established in Seattle in 2018. This would be a ‘radical’ consequence of $15 minimum wage. What is more likely to occur is the increase of American-based businesses turning to overseas manufacturing.Places where labor laws are limited, such as Taiwan, China, Vietnam and India are already utilized by technology and fashion companies to produce cheap goods. In these areas, the conditions and payment of the workers is rarely t h e
priority. Companies such as Forever21, Shein, Nike and H&M all utilize overseas labor since they are not required to pay minimum wage. Since people rarely focus on issues that are not directly impacting them, let’s paint a hypothetical picture of what the $15 minimum wage would look like in reality. By January 2023, California will have established the $15 wage law state-wide. Currently, California’s minimum wage is $12. As of 2019, it also boasts the third-largest homeless population in the United States. Now, this is an implied correlation, but it makes one wonder how much the heightened required wage has hurt California’s economy. Smaller businesses and start-ups will have to stay afloat by raising the prices of their goods, or else sink due to labor costs. According to Forbes, “While some people may benefit with an in-
Does impeachment even matter? Corey Kendig
Contributing Writer It seems like a normal occurrence in these postTrump times to hear the word “impeachment” at least 10 times during one news cycle. Alas, this word is targeted not at the newly elected president but at former President of the United States, Donald J. Trump. To the casual political spectator, this may not come as a shocking revelation, but to a concerned citizen, this is an unprecedented occurrence. Never before has a former President been impeached, which begs the question: is this even allowed under the Constitution? The law of the land never specifically states whether a private citizen can be impeached. Obviously, Trump is no ordinary private citizen, but he no longer holds office, which makes him no more powerful than any other non-elected person. The real punishment that comes with impeachment is not Trump’s removal from office, but his ability to run for federal office in the future. This again begs the question: can a former public officer be impeached? This may seem like a ques-
tion with no solution, but there is historical fodder outside of the Constitution that may shed some light on whether the Framers intended impeachment to extend to former public officials. In “Federalist Paper 51,” James Madison talks about impeachment, as well as checks and balances. “Federalist 51” tells us why checks and balances, oversight and impeachment are a necessary part of this republic. Madison tells us “if men were angels” we could trust them to rule us with absolute authority. If one polled Grovers, mostly all would agree that Men are not as close to angels as one would like to think. Realizing the fallenness of man, Madison sets up a system of insurances to protect the government from any one person becoming too powerful and a way of removing that person from power. Madison says that once an official is impeached by the House and indicted by the Senate that person is then removed from office, barred from running for office again and loses all perks of their former office. The emphasis in Madison’s writing is on the removal from office. “Federalist 51” also talks of elections, in which disliked elected officials can be removed and replaced. Madison did not want impeachment to be used to keep
people out of office; he wanted elections to be the leading force in removing unwanted officials from office. In this way, he would never picture a private citizen being impeached because impeachment should only take place if the accused holds office. This essay from Madison may not be doctrine in the United States, but it offers insight into the meaning of the Constitution. Our president, Paul J. McNulty ’80, agrees with this interpretation and thinks that this impeachment is unconstitutional. President McNulty is familiar with presidential impeachments due to his experience with the Clinton impeachment proceedings. Once establishing the unconstitutionality of such a trial, what is the next step? The Supreme Court may have ruled against the impeachment of private citizen Trump; however, speculation says that the Court would not have intervened due to its recent reluctance to defend the former president, despite the court being made up of three of his appointees. At the end of the day, Trump has been charged with impeachment twice, and has been acquitted for a second time. Nothing has changed, except for the precedent of the situation; in the end, that may be the scariest change of all.
crease in their hourly earnings, other employees will be let go to save costs.” Essentially, to function and maintain wider profit margins, businesses will need to let go of all non-essential employees. This means younger employees – those aged around 16 to 19. This prevents young people from entering the workforce. Whereas $15 an hour sounds good, the reality is that a worker’s hours will be completely slashed. Overtime will essentially not exist. Besides, many employers will take advantage of immigrants and noncitizens by paying them below the current minimum wage. There are many more issues with the $15 minimum wage that extend beyond economics, such as the question of pay based on skill level. Is being a fast food or retail worker a skilled enough position to warrant a starting pay of $15 per hour? Overall, the $15 minimum wage sounds like the solution to many economic issues, but the inevitable reality is that it could cause long-term and damaging societal changes.
CARING
continued from 1 campus food delivery services and staying in touch with students to keep them company. Assistant to the President Tallerico, who is the main coordinator of QCT, said many students have been taking advantage of this new committee. “Not all students feel that need, but we’ve had a lot of students reach out,” she said. Coordinating on-campus meal delivery is also part of the responsibility of the QCT this semester. Although many of them deliver meals themselves, they have also enlisted volunteers from around campus. “We put a call out to people to sign up for meal delivery on a shared document,” Tallerico said. “This includes operations staff, RDs, librarians, Carnegie Alumni staff and so many more.” When it comes to students in the hotel, Bon Appetit delivers packaged meals to the hotel for them. Once the meals arrive, hotel staff bring the meals to students’ doors. According to sophomore Maggie Troxel, the QCT team has been amazing during her time in quarantine. Troxel said that the QCT did her laundry for her, brought her packages, provided an abundance of snacks and were a clear point of contact. “One time, one of the RDs called me over Teams just to check in to see how I was doing,” she said. “I know the school gets a lot of flak, but I really feel like they’re doing a
great job.” Conversely, other students feel that the QCT is not specifically helpful to them but is still a good idea. “Other than an email at the beginning of quarantine with a Bible verse and letting me know I could reach out to them, I didn’t really hear from them again,” junior Ashten Yoder said. Senior Daniel Ford concurs adding, “I’m pretty low maintenance so I don’t need much, but I guess it’s nice knowing that they are there anyway.” If she could ask the QCT to help in a more concrete way, Yoder would like to see some changes in how classes are done with students in quarantine. “I don’t know if they can do anything about this, but the most frustrating part of being in quarantine is getting on classes,” she said. With that, McCreadie has acknowledged in her email to quarantine students to be “self-advocates” when it comes to their academics. While living in an unusual time, these volunteers are happy to serve. Vice President for Enrollment Services and Registrar Inman said, “Serving on the QCT has been a real pleasure for me as I have even involved my wife, Janice, who also works at the college, for meal deliveries.” “I enjoy it,” Tallerico said. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to serve in our campus community. It’s not often we get to serve the students in this different way, but that’s what Grove City is all about — community. And I’m happy to be a part of it.”
Sports The Collegian, Feb. 26, 2021
Page 10
Confidence on the court
Volleyball team makes their spring season debut Emily Rupczewski Sports Editor
College volleyball season is right around the corner. Yes, you read that right. After a postponed fall season, volleyball is finally about to get the triumphant return it deserves. It all starts tonight in the Grove City College Arena, where the Wolverines will make their first appearance against a conference opponent since November of 2019. The team has been hard at work since returning to campus this year, practicing for this delayed season since the fall. Though this setback seems like a detriment, the extended time to perfect the unity of the team may prove to be an advantage. “The fall semester gave us the opportunity to develop our large freshmen class and to incorporate them fully into the program without the extra stress of being in-season,” Head Coach Leo Sayles said. Though no official rotation has been released yet, it’s likely that these freshmen will play in some starting roles, as some of last season’s key positions at setter, libero and middle were left vacant. “We will have a balanced group of returners and newcomers in the primary lineup this year,” Sayles said. “Although we may have some standout performances ahead, I believe it is more important that our capacity to score in every position has increased. I believe we have players who can take over stretches of the game at any time if we are playing well and look forward to seeing which players shine in those
GCC
Faith Keating makes a pass in last year’s game against Saint Vincent. Keating and the Wolverines will take on Washington and Jefferson tonight as they play their first game of the 2021 spring season. moments.” aces, playing in all 31 match- kills, aces and reliability in joy, love and confidence on With the addition of new es last season. the front row. Troxel, who the court can be a dangertalent and the strength of the The outside-right-side spent the first half of the ous thing for our opponents. returners, this rotation depth threat that Sems and Soren- season injured, came off the Each of us are sharpening is key to the Wolverine’s suc- son bring to the table should bench in the last six games as one another, and I know it cess this season. be a warning to opponents. the Wolverine’s hard-hitting will pay off when we begin This year’s returners inThese seniors will leave secret weapon, promising to playing.” clude the two senior captains, behind not only a unique sea- be a threat again this season. “This will be a very special Brooke Sorenson and Elisa- son and record-setting statisGiven the strong reper- season for all of us,” Sayles beth Sems. This season is the tics but also a legacy. toire of hitters in Grove City’s said. “Because of all the variduo’s fourth season with the “I am most looking forward front row, PAC opponents ables which now affect our program, and each have con- to playing with my seniors will be forced to cover a lot of opportunities, we are seektributed to the team’s success one last time,” sophomore ground in the back row. ing to enjoy the moment and immensely over the years. outside hitter Faith Keating Joining them is the junior live in the present, playing “Elisabeth Sems and said. “They have helped me class, including middle hitter with gratitude and controlBrooke Sorenson have done a grow in all different ways Carrie Dill, defensive special- ling what we can. As we have tremendous job as captains, this past year and showed ist Emily Rohrs and outside all learned, we cannot script helping the team to stay fo- me what it’s like to live and and right-side hitter Amanda anything in life, let alone a cused on redeeming the op- play for God’s glory. I want to Schmidt. season. But if we make the portunities we are given,” continue learning from them Though there is strength in most of the moments God Sayles said. “I believe their and cherishing each moment numbers and statistics, the provides for us this season, experience and drive are a together.” Wolverines find one of their we will all be able to look key component of our culture Sophomore outside hitters greatest strengths in their back at the last year with a this year and will hopefully Keating and Maggie Troxel team culture. sense of accomplishment.” help elevate the team when a are another deadly duo in ad“Last year the team culture Catch the volleyball team match is on the line.” dition to the seniors. was based on love,” Keating back in action tonight, as Sems, an outside powerLast season, Keating said. “It reminded me why they take on Washington & hitter, led last year’s team earned rookie recognition I played volleyball and gave Jefferson at 7:30 p.m. in the with 323 kills and 41 service for her hard swings, repeated me a confidence…Together, Grove City College Arena.
Lacrosse returns ready Emily Rupczewski Sports Editor
The lacrosse team braces for another season with the championships as their goal. Though it’s been a harsh winter, the lacrosse team can be seen practicing outdoors when the field is plowed, practicing in the IM rooms or even playing recreational box lacrosse at the Grove City YMCA on the weekends. COVID-19 hit many sports teams hard last winter, and it was especially devastating to men’s lacrosse. After preparing all winter, the reigning 2019 PAC champions were forced to wrap their 2020 season after only four games. The team went 2-2 last year, their last game a 18-9 win over Mount Union. In preparation for what would be their next game against Messiah, the team was given the season-ending news during their last practice. “We were in fact told that the season was canceled, and we would all be going home during practice last year,” sophomore James Petrolle said. “We were all kind of in shock even though there had been rumors circling for a few days beforehand. That
experience was full of mixed emotions.” “It ended up being a pretty emotional practice for me, as my brother was a senior on the team at the time,” sophomore Charley Brannan said. “The hardest part for me was knowing we had played our last lacrosse together. It did, however, end up being a great, vulnerable opportunity to have a sincere goodbye conversation with each senior.” With over 300 days since their last game, lacrosse season is finally back. Through it all, the team’s vision has not changed. After a standout 2019 season, the team looks to come back stronger than ever with high hopes to secure a championship once again. “Our vision for this season is to win a PAC Championship and play in the NCAA Tournament,” Head Coach Alec Jernstedt said. “We had a chance to do that in 2019, we felt like we could do it in 2020, and so we are working every day to be the best version of ourselves in 2021. Hopefully fans can expect to see us playing as hard as we can every time we get a chance to compete.” “The vision for this year is
MATT SCHOONOVER
The men’s lacrosse team practices on Thorn Field in preparation for this Saturday’s game. The team looks to make a comeback this season as the reigning PAC champs. the same as it is every year,” junior Addison Bennett said. “Love deeply, be internally focused and be your best. If we do those things and play for an audience of One, it will be a successful season.” As for what to expect from the team this season, expect to see a strong lineup of returners hungry for the competition and ready to reclaim their title as PAC champions. The Wolverines will have the opportunity to showcase their hard work and vision this weekend, as the team visits Westminster for their first game of the 2021 season. “This Saturday’s game is our chance to finally display
what we’ve been working so hard on for so long,” Petrolle said. “This is the moment we’ve all been waiting so anxiously for. All the late nights in the weight room, early mornings doing conditioning and long hours on the practice field are for this. We are excited about our team’s abilities this spring and are ready to go fight for another PAC title.” “Mainly we’re just excited to be on the field again,” Brannan said. “We’re expecting great competition from Westminster. We’re going to play to the best of our abilities and let the outcome decide itself.”
The Wolverines will face the Titans at 1 p.m. tomorrow at Westminster. They will return to their home turf at 1 p.m. next Saturday, as they face Saint Vincent for their home opener.“Mainly we’re just excited to be on the field again,” Brannan said. “We’re expecting great competition from Westminster. We’re going to play to the best of our abilities and let the outcome decide itself.” The Wolverines will face the Titans at 1 p.m. tomorrow at Westminster. They will return to their home turf at 1 p.m. next Saturday, as they face Saint Vincent for their home opener.
The Collegian, Feb. 26, 2021
Page 11
National Sports Column
Sports at a Glance
Wilson and Watson on the move?
News
Volleyball, men’s lacrosse and cross country are back. All three sports will be making their 2021 debuts this weekend.
Women’s Basketball
Kat Goetz has been on a roll. Last week Goetz averaged 13.0 points, 13.5 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game, had a 17-point, 17-rebound double-double week against Chatham. Currently, Goetz averages 9.5 points and 11.3 rebounds per game this season. She ranks second in the conference in rebound average.
Swimming and Diving
ABC 13
Deshaun Watson does not plan to return to the Texans; hopes to be traded before next season.
Connor Schlosser Staff Writer
Dynasties rise and fall. Quarterbacks come and go. Much uncertainty surrounds the quarterback position across the league, but here are two field generals whose future with their franchises are truly obscure. Houston seemed to have all the right building blocks for a dynasty that could compete in the Super Bowl in a few years. A consistently elite wide receiver? Check. A defensive anchor and leader? Check. A young, athletic quarterback that can not only pass but also run the ball effectively? Check. In November of last year, Houston Texans head coach and general manager, Bill O’Brien, made the ill-advised trade that sent impressive wideout Deandre Hopkins to Arizona in exchange for injury-prone running back David Johnson. The Texans eventually fired O’Brien and finished with a disappointing 4-12 season. Fast forward to two weeks ago, five-time pro-bowl defensive end J.J. Watt posted a video on Twitter, thanking
UNDEFEATED continued from 12
only lead of the day and kickstarted an 8-0 run. However, it wasn’t until the end of the quarter that the Wolverine scoring machine started to really warm-up. In the second half, the Wolverines dominated, going on a 23-3 run and outscoring Westminster 25-9, stretching the lead to 45-19 at half. Podkul paced the Wolverines in the first half with 10 points and Goetz added seven rebounds. The third quarter offered fans a glimpse at the future of the Wolverines, especially at the guard position. Bowen and senior guard Jordan McConnell only played a combined fourteen minutes while Vezzosi ran point and sophomore Meghan Kallock poured in nine points in eight minutes on her way to a career day. Kallock finished the night with a career high 14 points, knocking in three of four from beyond the arc. Sophomore guard Logan
Houston for the memories. Released from the Texans and now a free agent, the defensive leader and captain will be in a different uniform at the start of next season. Without Hopkins and Watt, Deshaun is on an island in Houston, and rumors have already begun. Watson is at the top of half the league’s offseason wish list. Coming off a career-high year despite Houston’s woes, he led the 2020 season in passing yards ahead of Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady with 4832. Watson ranked seventh in touchdowns and third in completing percentage among starting quarterbacks at .702, barely behind MVP Aaron Rodgers and veteran Drew Brees. If Watson is that productive without an elite offense, imagine what he could do if he were to be surrounded with more talent. Former Super Bowl champion Russell Wilson is still one of the league’s best. The Seahawks last Super Bowl appearance was in 2015, but Seattle has remained a playoff threat virtually each season with Wilson at the helm. Although the Seahawks finished at the top of their division with a 12-4 record, they fell to the Los Ange-
les Rams and their strong defense in the Wild Card round. Why has Wilson’s name been tossed around in trade talks? Earlier this month, Russell voiced his opinion on the Seahawks struggles particularly aimed at management. “I want to be able to be involved because at the end of the day, it’s your legacy, it’s your team’s legacy…” Wilson said. “…it’s the guys you get to go into the huddle with and at the end of the day, those guys you’ve got to trust.” The former champ has room to talk too. The offensive line has been an Achilles heel to Seattle’s system for a few seasons now. Wilson has been sacked 394 times throughout his nineyear career. His apparent frustration and or desire to “be involved” did not sit well with management, and many teams around the league have expressed interest in the 32-year-old signal caller. Wilson is a definite top-ten quarterback; he may even be top-five material to some. What jerseys Watson and Wilson will be wearing at the beginning of next season remains to be seen, but a blockbuster trade may already be in the works.
Fuss also contributed, recording her first two college buckets, scoring four points in two minutes. Saturday afternoon saw the Wolverines knock down a season high nine three-pointers and win the turnover margin by 17. Grove City’s depth once again proved to be far superior to their opponent, as four Wolverines scored in the double-digits and the bench outscored the Titans’ bench 41-22. McConnell finished with team highs in four steals and six assists. Goetz grabbed ten rebounds and Podkul scored a season-best fourteen. The junior forward is one of two Wolverines to have scored double figures in all five games this year along with Bowen. Grove City will face Franciscan at 1 p.m. tomorrow in Steubenville, Ohio as they aim to remain undefeated.
SHOOTOUT
continued from 12
siderable playing time as the reserves racked up 46 points. Robinson scored 11 and swiped two steals and Rose scored eight points and grabbed four rebounds. As for Saturday’s game at Westminster the lead was exchanged numerous times in the first ten minutes before a six-minute drought for Grove’s offense gave the Titans the lead for good. Down 24-34 at half, Grove hung tough, matching Westminster shot for shot as both teams scored 44 in the second half. The Titans outrebounded the Wolverines 49-41 and knocked down 21 free throws. For the Wolverines, Rice scored 15, Robinson scored 12 in 14 minutes, and Rose grabbed eight rebounds. Now 2-2, the men’s basketball team looks to add to their win column as they face Franciscan at 1 p.m. tomorrow in the Grove City College Arena.
Freshman Liz Hasse has earned her third rookie of the week honor this season. Last week, Hasse won both 100 and 200 free, and assisted in the 200 free relay, which the Wolverines won in 1:40:09. Senior swimmer James Hancock earned PAC swimmer of the week in back-to-back weeks. Last week, Hancock won the 100 and the 100 free. He also assisted in Grove City’s winning 200 free relay.
Results
Women’s Swimming & Diving (5-0): W, Westminster (189-104)
Men’s Swimming & Diving (4-0): W, Westminster (201.5-90.5)
Woman’s Basketball (5-0): W, Thiel (103-49) W, Westminster (89-55)
Men’s Basketball (3-2): W, Thiel (61-59) L, Westminster (78-68)
Upcoming Volleyball:
Feb 26, 7:70 vs. W&J March 3, 6:30 at Bethany
Men’s Lacrosse:
Feb 27, 1pm at Westminster
Women’s Cross Country: Feb 27, 11:30 am at Bethany
Men’s Cross Country: Feb 27, 12:15 pm at Bethany
Men’s Basketball:
Feb 27, 1pm vs. Franciscan March 3, 5:30 pm vs. W&J
Women’s Basketball: Feb 27, 1pm at Franciscan March 3, 7pm at W&J
Softball:
March 3, 2pm vs. Saint Vincent
Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving:
PAC Championship Tournament March 1-5 at GCC
WOLVERINE WEEKLY HONORS
Liz Hasse Freshman Swimmer PAC Women’s Swim Rookie of the Week
James Hancock Senior Swimmer PAC Men’s Swim of the Week
Kat Goetz Freshman Forward PAC Women’s Basketball Rookie of the Week
Sports The Collegian, Feb. 26, 2021
Page 12
Luca Robinson goes up for a rebound attempt in Wednesday’s game against Thiel. The Wolverines won the fast-paced nailbiter 61-59.
MATT SCHOONOVER
Wolverines win over Thiel in shootout Gresham Smith Contributing Writer
Wednesday night’s men’s basketball game against Thiel was a white-knuckler ‘til the buzzer as the Wolverines snagged their second PAC win 61-59. The win was a strong display of resilience as the Wolverines were down by as much as eight in the second half and Thiel held the lead as
late as the 3:32 mark before a tip-in by senior guard Justice Rice knotted the score at 54. A minute later, a jumper from senior forward Chris McKrell gave the Wolverines the lead for good. A stellar first half from redshirt freshman Luca Robinson helped keep the Wolverines within three at halftime. Robinson scored 10 points in only eight minutes, one of three Wolverines to finish
with 10 or more in the scoring column. Junior guard Ben Rose scored 10 and swiped three steals while Rice filled up the box score. Rice finished with 11 points, six rebounds, four assists, and three steals. Junior center Josh Brown led the Wolverines with seven rebounds and two blocks in 15 minutes. Rice was the central catalyst for Grove City in the second half as
he led all players in scoring, grabbed two steals and collected five rebounds. Junior guard Isaac Thrasher added two three-pointers in five minutes. As a team, Grove City was outscored 34-24 in the paint and shot 33.3% from the field. However, the Wolverines converted efficiently at the free-throw line and knocked down two more threes than Thiel.
Monday saw Grove City and Saint Vincent face off in a game rescheduled from February 15th. The Wolverines won handily by a margin of 81-63 as they shot 50% from the floor. Rice scored 14 and dished four assists. Senior forward Joe Meola scored 10 and led the Wolverines with seven rebounds. Grove’s bench saw conSHOOTOUT 11
Women undefeated after Thiel takedown Gresham Smith Contributing Writer
The Wolverines just keep rolling. The Lady Wolverines bulldozed Thiel Wednesday night on the road 102-49. After scoring only 18 in the first quarter, Grove City scored 60 over the next two as four players scored in double figures. Once again, senior guard Jess Bowen lead the charge with 20 points, seven assists, three rebounds and four steals. And speaking of steals, Bowen was one of three Wolverines to grab four, and one of seven to finish with multiple steals. Thiel had a total of 33 turnovers for the night. Freshman forward Kat Goetz continued to impress as she finished with another double-double, her third of the year and her fourth game with double-digits in rebounds. Junior Forward Allison Podkul finished with fourteen points, four rebounds, four assists and four steals. Off the bench, Sophomore center Nina Cano had a career night with 10 points and six rebounds in 10 minutes. Indeed, the career-night bug seemed infectious. Freshman guard Addie Flanders scored her first seven collegiate points in nine minutes and freshman forward Bailey Foster grabbed
MATT SCHOONOVER
Jess Bowen goes in for a layup against Geneva during last Saturday’s game. The Wolverines beat Geneva Saturday night 89-56. Bowen has been a major component to the Wolverine’s success as the team has gone undefeated so far this season. five rebounds and scored her first four collegiate points in five minutes. Freshman center Katie Baller finished off the trio of first timers as she knocked down two free
throws. Other Wolverine contributors include senior guard Jordan McConnell who dished five assists, senior guard Lindsey Stanforth who
finished with nine points and sophomore guard Emma Vezzosi who collected three steals and scored eight. Saturday afternoon, Grove won its third game in a row
against their PAC rivals, trouncing the Westminster Titans 89-55. An early three-pointer from Vezzosi eliminated Westminster’s UNDEFEATED 11