‘Full Gallop’ captures legend
Violet Whitmore News Editor
“Full Gallop” will be in full swing tonight as the first one-woman show in roughly ten years at Grove City College.
“Full Gallop” is a comedic biographical narrative starring senior Grace Scheller as Diana Vreeland, the famous Editor-in-Chief of Vogue in 1971. The play follows Vreeland after her tumultuous end at Vogue and public dismissal from her position.
The show was written by Mark Hampton and Mary Louise Wilson and premiered in New York’s Bay Street Theater in 1993.
It’s a Wolverine Winklevoss winner
Emma Rossi Editor-in-Chief
Four students from the Winklevoss School of Business participated last Thursday, April 3 in the 10th annual DICK’S Sporting Goods & Pitt Business Strategy Case Competition held at DICK’s corporate headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Seniors Caroline Dawson and Lilian Karchut, junior Anthony Fiorenza and sophomore Marcus Loizes were selected to compete in this in-person event with 58 team submissions from 37 unique schools. While the team did not win one of the top three spots, they did compete in and win the wildcard competition among the non-top three finishers, essentially meaning they placed fourth overall.
“This is a really strong result given we were the only DIII school in the finals and this was our first year in the competition,” the team’s advisor, professor of business analytics Dr. Ryan Miller ’99 said.
The team proposed the “Pacesetter Playbook,” a strategy aimed at enhancing athlete engagement, loyalty and sales for DICK’S Sporting Goods new concept store, the House of Sport. Their plan included launching a super app that integrates AIdriven personalization and
Violet Whitmore News Editor
Last Saturday, Grove City joined more than 1400 protests across the country that called for resistance against actions taken by the Trump administration.
The April 5 “Hands Off” movement was a nationally organized series of protests across the country, arranged by local leaders.
are
“It is an enormous opportunity to do a one-woman show because it’s a great undertaking for anybody to take on, not only to memorize it, but because the research that has to go in when you’re doing a historic figure is tremendous. The background, studying the character — all of
The protests call for an end to government intervention in healthcare, social security, tax cuts for the wealthy and social rights, according to the Hands Off website. “This is a nationwide mobilization to stop the most brazen power grab in modern history. Trump, Musk and their billionaire cronies are orchestrating an all-out assault on our government, our economy and our basic rights — enabled by Congress every step of the way,” the website stated.
Grove City resident Katherine Bailey was following the rallies on mobilize.us and wanted to attend. After seeing that the closest rally was
EMMA ROSSI
Grace Scheller rehearses her one-woman show “Full Gallop,” which completes its run at 7 p.m. today in the Little Theatre. Scheller plays the legendary former Editor-in-Chief of Vogue, Diana Vreeland, pictured top left.
PHOTOS BY LUKE MORTON Music and memories are made at AEX Live last Saturday as Grovers enjoy food and student performances.
Senior Trent Donaldson (above) performed with junior Ashlyn DeVaney (right) for students gathered in the Breen Student Union.
From the Tower
I love CVA
Tomorrow is the Communication and Visual Arts Department’s (CVA) fifth annual Lux Mea Film Festival. The Collegian has been proud to cover Lux Mea for all five years of its existence. This year, our front page spread featured news from the festival and an exclusive interview with the professor behind it all – Prof. Greg Bandy (or as CVA students call him, Prof. B). In Community this week, we sat down with some of the filmmakers whose work will be featured in the festival this year.
I am always proud to be a comm major, but this weekend always fills me with an extra surge of pride for my department. In my four years of being a comm major, I’ve heard every joke in the book about how supposedly stupid this degree is.
Most recently I was told it was just an “MRS. degree,” meaning people only declare as a comm major to find a husband. This came as a shock to me since I haven’t seen “spouse” on my status sheet. I am not married nor engaged nor close to it, so I worry this means the department won’t let me graduate. Hopefully this love letter to the department will make up for it.
Being a comm major, despite the jokes and the slander and the misunderstanding, is a true delight. My professors, Dr. Kimberly Miller, Prof. Shannon Barrios, Bandy, of course, and Ashton Ruby make this department so great. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting some of my closest friends through the CVA.
In my classes, I’ve learned to – you guessed it – communicate through speech, writing, video, photo, design and the greatest medium of all-time, Microsoft PowerPoint. I’ve been given the opportunity to make documentaries about hidden parts of campus, write hundreds of articles and dozens of research papers, survive and thrive through about 85 million group projects and spend an entire semester working with Clarion County’s Economic Development Corporation to improve their business structure.
It was through my first ever CVA course in the fall of my freshman year, Writing for the Media with Dr. Miller, that I got connected to the Collegian. That, I guess, has worked out well for me. With only two issues left in my career, I think I’ve decided I like it.
I’m not sure how many comm majors there are on campus, but chances are you’ve seen them; on stage in Pew, in the tech booth in Harbison, behind the camera anywhere and everywhere, hauling equipment across campus in massive black bags, in WBN’s recording studio, working for the Center for E & I, giving campus tours, reserving a lounge to watch a movie for homework (yes, that is real) or maybe locked inside the Comm Lab hunched over a computer with comically large headphones on.
I can’t count how many times I’ve been asked, “What do you even do with a comm degree?” I also can’t count how many different answers I’ve given! Across my four years, I don’t think I’ve met two comm majors that have the exact same goals. Some want to go into film, some want to go into journalism, some want to go into corporate communications and others still have entirely different ambitions. And within each of these fields, there are so many more niches that my peers are working towards.
This weekend’s festival puts the hard work of comm majors on display. Not every film was made by comm majors, but all the different aspects and moving parts of the festival have been accomplished through the CVA and those working in collaboration with the department. Go! See! Enjoy! Ogle at the comm majors all gathered in one place. It only happens once a year.
Emma Rossi Editor-in-Chief
Collegian Staff
Editor-in-Chief
Emma Rossi
Managing Editor
Grace Scheller
Section Editors
News
Violet Whitmore
Community
Emily Fox
Perspectives
Grace Scheller
Entertainment
Catharine Runion
Sports
Mia Gallagher
Photo Chief
Luke Paglia
Copy Chief
Kathryna Hoyman
Business Manager
John Remaniak
Copy Editors
Anastasia Brown
Olivia Emerick
Kendall Lambrecht
Bonnie Pittman
Hannah Williams
Staff Writers
Dom Puglisi
Matthew Purucker
Madison Lynch
Christa Bashinski
Garrett Gess
Madelyn Braho
Staff Photographers
Luke Morton
John Hake
Staff Adviser
Nick Hildebrand
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. Let’s go Women’s Frisbee! Rooting for you, always, always, always. So proud of your grit and determination. Women get things done! I love you all!
The ‘science’ of learning to write well
Mia Gallagher Sports Editor
Do you ever just feel like your life is full of juxtapositions? Like everything you do and all of your involvements and commitments don’t seem to add up as nicely as one would expect?
I often feel this way – especially when telling others everything I’m involved in. They stare in disbelief when I tell them I’m both a varsity athlete and a member of a marching band. They ponder how I make time to commit to my responsibilities as both a research assistant in STEM’s basement lab and as a front-facing ambassador for Career Services.
But the part of my life that draws the most speculation from others is actually my role here with the paper. “Don’t science majors detest writing?” they say. “I’ve never met a STEM major that can write like you!” they exclaim.
I’ve always wondered why people have this reaction. Writing has always been an important part of my life – a way for me to express myself and communicate to people on a deeper, more intimate level. I can still remember back to when this passion started – in fourth
GALLOP continued from 1
said Professor Betsy Craig ‘77, who is directing the production.
Memorizing lines on top of stage blocking and character research was a challenge for Scheller. “The hardest part was learning the lines — the show is about an hour and a half and 50 pages of script. It took me three months of learning and going over them every day,” she said.
Scheller picked the show because of the joy and laughter it brings audience members. “The Theater Department has meant so much to me, and I wanted it to be a special farewell. I want everyone to have a good time and laugh like she did — she
grade, with a humble freewrite about the beauty of spring – and the first newspaper article I had published – three reasons why short people are better than tall people. In high school, my English teachers would hold up my essays as “high quality” examples, and even here during my first two years on the paper I have had my fair share of front-page bylines.
To me, this ability to write clearly and eloquently has never been strange. And the more I think about it, why should it be? Who do you think write research articles or feature stories about cool scientific discoveries? How would any record of the earthshattering breakthroughs in medical treatments, environmental protection and astrological study be kept if experts on these topics could not communicate effectively?
Sure, they could hire someone to write for them, but a certain level of authenticity and creativity would be lost.
The ability to write well is not lost to those of us in STEM majors. Our professors, well-versed in the crisp, concise language required of scientific writing, push us to elevate our academic writing in lab reports and poster creation to publication standards. Every word counts in science writing, and each must be used to communicate the gravity or intrigue specific findings should inspire.
had so much fun, and I don’t want to be sad about leaving,” Scheller shared.
“Diana has a million stories to tell about real, legendary people — it’s so funny to be able to describe her stories. I got to know her so well. She really was so interesting, and I love her, her attitude and what she stood for,” she said.
Craig was pleased when Scheller announced her decision. “I’ve also spent a large part of my life studying oneperson shows on historic figures that are commercially successful, and I loved meeting the author and actor of the original show. She was very important to me and special to me, and I’ve always wanted to do her show. When Grace picked this show, I
And when it really comes down to it, the art of writing itself could be deemed scientific. The precision and creativity required to craft a coherent and captivating narrative are qualities found in any worthwhile scientific endeavor. The pressure to communicate clearly, concisely and timely emulates the traits necessary to effectively work in any STEM discipline. The formulaic demands of grammar, syntax and semantics follow those seen in lab procedures and protocols.
At its core, the ability to write well helps us better understand the human condition, just as all scientific endeavors should ultimately do. The cultivation of this vital skill may take time, but it is a fundamentally important quest that all should embark on at some point in life. Though people will undoubtedly continue to give me puzzled looks when I tell them about my beloved craft, I can sit and quietly smile to myself that their bafflement isn’t quite as justified as they believe. Writing, like all else in our created order, is a God-given gift that helps us better understand Him and His creation. And I am truly blessed to not only possess this gift but also use it in the unique ways He has called me to.
was really pleased because I know Mary Louise Wilson, the writer and first actor, would be really pleased with her production,” Craig said. This production is a unique opportunity for students to see a one-woman show. “I don’t think people know that a one-person play is a full play. There’s a whole arc in the evening of where the character starts and where the character ends up, and I think the audience will enjoy meeting this outrageous woman who is very important in our American life,” Craig said.
“Full Gallop” will have its final show at 7 p.m. tonight in the Pew Fine Arts Center Little Theater. No ticket is required.
ISTOCK
GCC past and present
The College’s culture has shifted since ‘75
Matthew Purucker Staff Writer
Grove City College is well known for its traditions, but the College has undergone many changes as well. These have altered campus life throughout the history of the College, producing the Grove City of today as a different institution compared to the College of years before.
Some of these are familiar to the astute Grover. A couple of years ago, Gedunk became Chick-fil-A, Rockwell was not under construction and Andrew DiDonato ‘10 had yet to become PAC championship-winning football coach.
However, going back further, the contrasts become more pronounced. The Christian identity of the College, for example, was far different than now.
“In 1972, Charles MacKenzie was hired to bring the College back to its evangelical roots. Grove City College was drifting away from its Christian foundation the way many colleges already had,” Dr. James Bibza, Biblical and Religious Studies professor, said.
“The idea that one should look at their academic discipline from a Christian perspective was foreign to many faculty and was seen negatively by some. … Today, most, if not all disciplines, are seen as being under the Lordship of Christ and are to be studied explicitly through the perspective of a Christian world and life view,” he said
While Bibza has been a professor at Grove City College since he came to the campus in 1975, he was far from the only faculty member who noted the College has better aligned its courses in Christian doctrine.
“The biggest change to campus is my time is about to happen — the retirement of President McNulty and the arrival of President Lingo.” Biblical and Religious Studies professor Dr. Carl Trueman said. “During my seven years working for the former, I witnessed a growing Christian commitment and catholicity among many students
My sister and my boyfriend do NOT get along. She does not like him AT ALL, and he feels the same way about her. Every time my boyfriend visits, they end up fighting. How do I handle this situation?
Well… if your sister is anything like my sister, she probably has a good point.
However, if your sister is like my sister, there may be a teeny, tiny, atom-sized point made by your boyfriend.
In all honesty, I trust my sister to figure out the people around me more than anyone else – especially me. I wouldn’t ever tell her that to her face (I’d never hear the end of it), but it’s true.
on campus, the result of the ethos that the president cultivated during his tenure. I hope to see that continue in the next few years,” he said.
Another change from the Grove City College of years past is the College’s increase in academic rigor. In previous years, the College was not as selective when admitting students.
More than that, though, according to Grove City College President Paul McNulty ’80, the College became more attractive to prospective, high-achieving students.
“There’s a lot of people from the ‘70s and the ‘80s and the ’60s who look at Grove City College now, and they say, ‘Whoa, it’s way more Christian than it was when I was there.’ They also say, ‘It’s way more difficult academically. I don’t know if I could even get in now, right?’ I think most of my peers feel that way,” McNulty said.
Aside from a growing Christian environment, students now do not have to worry about keeping off the grass or getting up early on Saturday for classes. Both of those changes were before McNulty’s time.
However, when rules like those were in place, they shaped the identity of the College for students who attended the College decades ago.
“Interestingly, the students weren’t old-school in their behavior or happily going along with any of (those unnecessarily difficult rules). The students were often frustrated, and there was a
Top is an aerial view of
ing STEM. Bottom is the
has become more Christ focused
certain unsettled vibe that I felt in the ’70s. And the ’70s themselves were more of a continuation of the rebellion from the late ’60s, and so there was a lot of free-spirited behavior,” McNulty said.
As for what McNulty considers his legacy, he emphasized a familiar theme.
“In the last 10 years especially, we’ve just become more focused on putting our Christian identity up front and making that kind of our centerpiece. And that’s probably the biggest change since I was a student,” he said.
‘Unadulterated
She has known me for my whole life, which means she has had about 18-22 years to gather information on me – my habits, my likes and dislikes and my type. Unlike me, she’s not blinded by blue eyes and good hair.
(Side note: No, you guys can’t know my age – that could narrow the search for
the true Dr. Love).
loathing’
But, if all is fair in love and war… OK, I guess that doesn’t exactly apply, but the sentiment does. It’s true that things aren’t always easy with relationships. Sometimes there are obstacles you have to overcome. Any married older couple that you know would say that there are hard times, but that’s why a relationship requires commitment. This might be a fairly easy obstacle to overcome. Let’s focus on why they don’t like each other. Was it loathing at first sight? Unadulterated loathing… for her face, his voice, her clothing?
Sorry. Couldn’t resist. Or do they have a valid rea-
son to dislike each other? It’s possible that they started on the wrong foot, which leaves hope for reconciliation in the future. It’s also possible that their personalities simply don’t match. That’s ok. He’s your boyfriend, not hers.
For them to fight EVERY single time that they see each other, I’m guessing that it runs a bit deeper than that.
A sibling-like rivalry is one thing, but if they can’t stand each other, that will make Thanksgiving dinner verrry awkward. I’d want to pass the sweet potatoes without a bun getting thrown at my face. I think you should have them clear the air over some good food. Plan a low-stakes, casual meetup (ideally with
delicious steaks, too) with the two of them. In my ideal scenario, I want my family to love my boyfriend. He’ll be my sister’s brother-in-law someday, after all. I hope the same for you. Please update me after the meeting – I live for this kind of stuff.
Auspiciously,
Dr. Love Love M.D.
GCC OUIJA YEARBOOKS
the campus in 1977 before some of the academic buildings were built includ -
Religious Activities Committee in ‘79. Some have reflected that the College
in recent years.
GCC OUIJA YEARBOOKS
Dr. James Bibza om 1980.
16 films set to debut at Lux Mea
Emily Fox Community Editor
16 films will make their debut on the big screen tomorrow night at Grove City’s fifth annual Lux Mea Film Festival. This year’s red carpet event will feature documentaries, comedies, stories exploring complex emotional themes and even a Western thriller.
Four documentaries set to premier this Saturday capture a behind-the-scenes view of several Grove City College events and traditions. “Set for Success” focuses on the first season of Grove City men’s volleyball, and “Honk” showcases the work of the College’s thespians as they produced this spring’s children’s theater production.
Two documentaries featured in the festival will tell the stories of two of the College’s most well-known figures. The first, “From Your College Dad,” aims to tribute Dr. Powell, a beloved marketing professor finishing up his final semester at Grove City. The second, “Farewell,” highlights the legacy of the College’s ninth president, Paul McNulty ‘80.
“From Your College Dad” was filmed by junior Tierna D’Arcy and seniors Blaise Kilmartin and Liliana Zylstra. Their film focuses on the lessons Grovers have learned from Dr. Powell that they will take beyond the classroom.
“God has gifted all of us passions and strengths that He wants to see us use for His kingdom. Dr. Powell does this both in and out of the classroom. He is bold in how he connects marketing to kingdom mentalities. He also sees people for people, wanting to help awaken,
push and propel them into all that God has in store for them,” Kilmartin said.
“He does this through his lessons, office converstaions and taking that extra mile by intentionally investing into those that allow him to do so.
As a pastor’s kid, my dad, Jim Kilmartin, taught me that as Christians we are all fulltime ministers in whatever sphere of influence we enter.
Dr. Powell did not become a pastor, but he has helped to shape almost 7,000 young men and women through teaching, the sphere of influence that God opened up for him,” she said.
“To put it simply, I just wanted to use what God has given me, to take these talents and giftings, and say thank you. I wanted to genuinely honor him for everything he has done, not only for myself or the students, but also for this amazing place we call Grove City College. So, if students take anything away, I hope it is that our professors are people, and we should make sure to say thank you to them for all they do in whatever special ways we can,” Kilmartin expressed.
Kilmartin also filmed “Farewell” with senior Catherine Maher. Their film captures the reflections McNulty and the College’s First Lady Brenda McNulty ‘80 have taken away from 11 years of
serving the College.
“Sitting down with President and Mrs. McNulty and hearing them share their memories, challenges and hopes was such a sweet and honest experience. They answered every question with honesty and vulnerability, and you could feel how much Grove City has shaped them and how deeply they’ve invested in it,” Maher said
“Capturing that on film felt like a privilege, and we wanted to do it in a way that would reflect the care they’ve brought to campus life. Overall, the McNultys were incredibly kind and generous. They let us completely rearrange their living room so we could film, and from the moment we walked in, they made us feel welcome,” she shared.
Maher and Kilmartin contributed several other films to the festival’s lineup. Maher’s documentary about the Pittsburgh Project shares the non-profit’s work with Pittsburgh youth, and her film “Magnum Opus” highlights the beauty of the creative process. Kilmartin’s third film directed alongside senior Emma Herrmann, “Just As You Are,” explores themes related to acheivement and meaning. Another more serious story that will be told at this year’s festival is senior Kobi Bui’s film “Carry Weight.” This film focuses on
themes surrounding God’s will for our lives.
The film festival will also present documentaries covering topics outside of Grove City. Along with “The Pittsburgh Project,” junior William Hearn’s much anticipated documentary “Helene” covers the work Aerial Recovery has done to support victims of Hurricane Helene, a devastating storm that impacted much of the southeastern part of the country.
“All of the interviews were filmed on site in North Carolina. It was a very encouraging experience to see everyone working together, and I hope that shows through in the film. One of the women who I interviewed was volunteering all day, even after the storm had sent a tree through her house. That was a very powerful moment,” Hearn said.
“I hope people realize that one of the most important things they can do as a citizen is be a help and encouragement to their neighbors,” he said.
While many serious, important topics will be covered at Lux Mea, students will
Get your tickets!
Don’t miss the 5th annual Lux Mea film festival!
also have the opportunity to laugh while watching the various comedic films in this year’s lineup. Seniors Lydia Dyk and Sophia Otten hope students will be able to find some common ground with the main characters of their film, “Don’t Go Molly Rose.” “When I was writing the screenplay last semester, I wanted to create a character that was both relatable and quirky. So, I took some inspiration from day-to-day awkward moments that we all go through, like someone stealing your unassigned assigned seat, amplified and exaggerated them, then it became George and Molly Rose’s story all on its own,” Otten said. Lux Mea will showcase the talents of Grove City’s best filmmakers, actors, actresses and storytellers. Don’t miss your chance to see these films and more at 7 p.m. tomorrow night in Crawford Auditorium, and join the filmmakers at the after party in the Staley Hall of Arts and Letters Atrium. Get your tickets today in the Student Union from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for a reduced price of $5. Tickets will also be on sale at the event for $7.
Scan the QR code to order your tickets ahead of time!
Grupac gives Grove sports graphics
Emily Fox Community Editor
Any Grover who’s on Instagram is bound to have seen Wolverine sports’ game day announcements, athlete honors, weekly schedules, highlight videos and announcements on the College’s official athletics account. But have you ever wondered who creates the graphics bringing Grove City sports straight to your cell phone?
This past July, Grove City hired Duquesne alum Tyler Grupac to be the College’s assistant sports information director. Along with creating the graphics and much of the video content posted on
the Wolverine athletics account, Grupac keeps track of stats for home games, manages student workers, makes announcements for the College and even does some photography for Grove City sports teams.
“I chose to work at Grove City because it was an amazing opportunity for me to learn and grow in the sports industry. I had two close friends play sports here, and they told me everyone here is just so supportive and kind, so it was kind of a no-brainer to me,” Grupac said.
“Every sports information
department is run differently. In some places, the work is divided up and people get assigned certain sports, but here I am able to get experience in every sport and work a ton of games. It just felt like something like that would only benefit me more in my career. Also, I really enjoyed that I would get to run the social media and make content for all our accounts. It’s been fun doing the social media, whether it’s making graphics or putting out highlight clips,” Grupac said.
“I’ve had people at games come up to me and parents email me about how they liked the highlight videos or how they liked the graphics, which has felt very rewarding
to me,” he added. Grupac grew up in Irwin, Pa. and graduated from Duquesne University last May with a degree in sports information and media and with a minor in digital media arts. He worked for Duquesne’s Athletics Marketing Department as an intern, developing marketing strategies for promotional games, posting live in-game highlights on social media and handing out game promotions, and he even controlled the music during sporting events. In March 2024, he marketed the NCAA March Madness tournament in Pittsburgh. He also earned Duquesne’s Award of Excellence in Sports Information
and Media Development.
“It feels surreal when I’m the one in charge of games and supervising workers because just a year ago, I was in college kind of doing the same stuff as them,” Grupac said.
Grupac has been and will continue to be an asset to Wolverine sports. The next time you see a graphic with the final score of men’s volleyball or a highlight video of women’s lacrosse, remember that the man behind the media is a recent college grad –not so different from yourself – dedicated to bringing our community the best of Grove City athletics.
Hunger Games return
Collins publishes Haymitch’s backstory
Mia Gallagher Sports Editor
“All propaganda is lies, even when one is telling the truth. I don’t think this matters so long as one knows what one is doing, and why.”
This simple yet impactful quote – coming from celebrated author and journalist George Orwell – is one of four that Suzanne Collins carefully chose to include in the epigraph of her latest best-selling novel, “Sunrise of the Reaping.”
Through it, she masterfully sets the tone for the thrilling narrative to come and communicates essential truths about humanity and the narratives it chooses to weave and believe.
In this highly anticipated fifth installment to “The Hunger Games” series, Collins believes she has expertly explored and correctly characterized these truths throughout her telling of the 50th Hunger Games and its victor, Haymitch Abernathy.
Haymitch is a fan-favorite character who rose to notoriety for his mentorship of Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark in the series’ original trilogy. In this novel, he awakens on the morning of his birthday, July 4, not to a happy celebration but to the misery and fear that accompanies the Reaping.
But while the upcoming Hunger Games always inspire such intense feelings, this year’s games pose an entirely different threat altogether: twice as many tributes will be forced to enter the arena and fight to the death.
Forced to leave his family
‘A
and the love of his life behind, Haymitch is shipped off to the Capital with a beloved childhood friend, an oddsmaker’s unpredictable son and the mayor’s stuckup daughter. He has only one goal in mind: preventing the Gamemakers from using his tears for Panem’s entertainment.
This beautifully crafted tale not only tells a compelling story fans have been waiting ages to get their hands on, but it truly provides a nuanced understanding to the story Collins tells in the original trilogy and in “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.” With multiple familiar
names and faces appearing throughout the narrative – and more than one tearjerking scene – it’s sure to be a book that you’ll have trouble putting down.
As a long-time fan of the series who has read each of the books multiple times over, I can attest that this book is easily my favorite. Each chapter came with its own unique, heart-wrenching twist, and while we knew going in how the narrative inevitably had to end, I was not emotionally prepared for the sheer trauma Collins packaged in the final pages of the tale.
Collins has said time and again that she chooses to
write only when she has something important to say, and boy did she have a lot to say.
This novel is a politically and rhetorically charged read through and through. The ease with which narratives can be spun to fit an agenda – and her obvious criticism for how we so easily buy into these doctored tales – truly haunts each plot movement, forcing readers to consider the real-world implications such truths hold.
Although Collins harps on our complacency with the parroted status quo, she also leaves the door open for a future where humanity can break free of these cycles and embrace free thought and expression for themselves.
“You were capable of imagining a different future. And maybe it won’t be realized today, maybe not in our lifetime. Maybe it will take generations. We’re all part of a continuum. Does that make it pointless?” she wrote.
“Sunrise on the Reaping” isn’t just another book about the Hunger Games and the characters we’ve grown to love. It’s a reflection of humanity – its weaknesses, yes, but also its ability to imagine a better tomorrow.
It’s a constant reminder that while “the snow may fall, the sun also rises,” making it abundantly clear that the power to enact change is in our hands. It is up to us to use that power to paint a poster of the world we hope to see and then work to make that vision a reality.
Minecraft Movie’ revives theaters
Dom Puglisi Staff Writer
How can a film be an inherently bad movie and yet a spectacular cinematic experience?
“A Minecraft Movie” perfectly answered this question for me when I saw it opening night. The movie had become an utterly ironic watch for many before it even released; scenes of Jack Black screaming Minecraft terms, a blocky CGI world and a glam-rock Jason Momoa were featured in the movie’s trailer.
This took the internet by storm, leading to unprecedented hype for a PG-rated kids’ film. The movie’s content lives up to this trailer, with eerie “real-world” renders of Minecraft’s creatures, plot holes galore and the type of cheesy humor one would expect to find in a lazily written kids’ film.
However, I will never forget my experience seeing this mediocre film, as it made clear to me why the movie theatre is a societal institution that isn’t going away anytime soon.
As we parked the car at the theatre for our sold-out middle-of-the-night showing, it was clear that the parking lot was filled with other college students. There was an uproarious sound in the lot as people screamed lines from the trailer, as if speaking in a
different language.
The inside of the theatre was no different. Just before the film started, the rowdy crowd of college students and adults booed the trailers standing in the way of them and their children’s film.
The whole film was met with passionate crowd reactions. The opening scene was met with rapturous applause; every line from the trailer was screamed out by the entire theatre, and the cheering during Steve’s fight scenes made it feel like I was at a live MMA match.
By the end credits scene, a middle-aged man, clearly having had consumed a few adult beverages, conducted the crowd to be silent dur-
ing the scene and led everyone in a gleeful cheer once it was finished. He yelled out, “I’ll see you guys next year at ‘Minecraft 2!’”
This experience was one that I could never have had streaming the film in my house; it was an experience of true community. All of us Western Pennsylvania residents with little in common assembled together to revel in the pure joy of irony, to laugh together and lend a middling movie an awesome glow of joy.
I imagine the first viewers of “Star Wars” felt the same thing: a tangible energy in the room uniting everyone together.
I find the typical theatre
Tunes from the tower... Djo’s ‘The Crux’
Catharine Runion Entertainment Editor
Joe Keery’s musical alter ego, Djo, released his third studio album this past Friday, and it is an expansion on all of the best qualities of his music.
TikTok famous for “End of Beginning,” Djo’s previous albums “Twenty Twenty” and “Decide” found gradual success in their psychedelic poprock niche. Now, people have started to connect Djo’s persona with his actor counterpart, and his album “The Crux” has been met with favorable reviews.
This album is such a diverse treatment of sound and lyrics. Djo is more than capable of creating upbeat bops and hitting emotional moments within the same album and sometimes even in the same song.
“Lonesome Is A State of Mind” and “Delete Ya” have somber lyrics, but they are mingled with complex instrumentals and light-hearted beats. There’s a notable feeling of ‘happy-sad’ that has accompanied Djo through his previous albums, and it is especially strong in “The Crux.”
The album hits a few typical love songs with “Gap-Tooth Smile” and “Golden Line.” Both are sweet and authentic, getting points for fun and for true feelings. “Back On You” celebrates the powerful impact Djo’s sisters and best friends have had on his life.
Instead of cultivating one set style, Djo meanders through a variety of different vibes. He repeatedly evokes a classic rock feel, calling on sounds similar to Boston and the Eagles.
The psychedelic vibes of the ’70s mix with ’80s beats and synth – “Link” has similar sound patterns to the verses of Don Henley’s “Boys of Summer” – and there’s even some 2000s nostalgia. Other tracks, such as “Charlie’s Garden,” fall into a distinctly Beatles sound.
experience nowadays rather sterile, as we try to choose a seat as far from others as possible, watch the film and promptly leave. This viewing was anything but that. Instead, it felt like a rowdy block party soon to be shut down.
I greatly enjoyed this viewing, and I hope one day I may have this communal theatre experience while watching a decent film, though the irony of screaming for this corporate cash grab like it was “Citizen Kane” was definitely a big part of the appeal.
The mastery of the album’s sound is crowned with his lyrical mastery. His lyrics don’t always create linear storylines, delving into deeper concepts and feelings rather than standard stories about being broken up with. The album’s second track, “Basic Being Basic,” is a thesis and mission statement for Djo – and likely for Joe himself.
The success of the artist Djo doesn’t just piggyback off Joe Keery’s own personal success. Most people still don’t realize that they are the same person. Instead of getting an easy boost, Djo has focused on maintaining strong lyrical integrity, exploring sound, experimenting and having fun.
The album’s titular song and the final track on the album, “The Crux,” drives this point home: you have to get back to your heart.
Play ball!
Wolverine Baseball secures seventh PAC win on Wednesday
Rounding third and heading home…
The Wolverines improved their conference record to 7-3 this past Wednesday with two wins over the Allegheny Gators in a homefield doubleheader. Grove City took the first game 8-6 and the second game 16-5 thanks to a 13-run sixth inning.
Sophomore thirdbaseman Sam Bevin hit his sixth homerun of his collegiate career to close out the sixth inning, sending two of his teammates across homeplate.
The Wolverines are back in action in a doubleheader against Franciscan beginning at 1 p.m. tomorrow on R. Jack Behringer Field.
Photos by Emma Rossi, Editor-in-Chief
Perspectives
History’s truths stand
Smithsonian reminds Americans of the good, the bad and the ugly
Madelyn Braho Staff Writer
With the avalanche of executive orders that have been signed since Trump came into office, it is easy for individual orders to get lost.
On March 27, the Smithsonian was targeted in an executive order regarding exhibits that make American values appear “inherently harmful and oppressive.” This mainly concerns narratives that discuss how the concept of race has been used to oppress people in our country’s history. It also discusses a Smithsonian American Art exhibit that says that
“race is not a biological reality but a social construct.”
This order is concerning because it marks a movement towards increased government control of speech and censorship. The Smithsonian may be a federal trust, but it is not controlled by the president.
Its job is to inform based on our best understanding of the world and is not a puppet of the president or anyone else. It should be responsible to its board and the wider scientific and historical community, not whoever is currently in office.
But what may be even more worrying is the blatant attempt to remake history. If the Smithsonian is supposed to portray America as having
an “unmatched record of advancing liberty,” how do we reckon with the institution of slavery or with the historic lack of voting rights and autonomy of women?
In Senator Cory Booker’s record-breaking 25-hour filibuster at the start of this month, he addressed this very movement towards a revisionist history which sanitizes our past. “I don’t want a homogenized history. Tell me the wretched truth about America, because that speaks to our greatness!” he said, 20 hours into the speech.
Which is more wonderful and honorable, to have begun perfect, or to have begun imperfectly and constantly fought to be better? The people of America have done evil
things, as has every person of every country. Our national genealogy holds enslaved and slaveholders, war profiteers and freedom fighters. If we try to flatten this history, America stops being a country, a collection of people, and becomes a fantasy, and fantasies cannot live in the real world.
This attempt to tear down the Smithsonian may have been done in the name of unity – an effort to end societal divisions. But true unity does not come with uniformity. Power and domination inflict uniformity, a silencing of contradictions, as has been demonstrated by authoritarian regimes of the past. Real unity comes when many voices are heard and
hear each other. If we cannot bear to face the sins of the past, then perhaps we have not done enough to rectify them. To be proud of our country and its people, we need to have something of which to be proud — and I argue that we do. But it is not accomplishments of overcoming others or being right from the start, as the current administration may like it to be, but of recognizing our faults and correcting them. We began with a good idea — that the people should have a say in how they are governed — and we have faltered and failed, but we have also changed. It is that willingness to change that I am most proud of. Only the dead are unchanging.
‘Why so serious?’: We should be more whimsical
Catharine Runion Entertainment Editor
Here’s a question that is hard to ask with a straight face: Where did all the frivolity go? Where is the whimsy?
This isn’t actually a joke; it’s a serious inquiry. Somehow, our generation has lost hold of how to have real, good fun in life – and it makes me sad.
I’m not talking about destructive fun, nor am I advocating for us to give seriousness up entirely. We’ve lost touch with many important things in this age of 24/7 internet access, but one of the most important is the ability to be bored.
If you think about it, the concept of boredom is al-
most entirely obsolete. Any spare moment in which we have nothing to do is filled by our phones, on which we can doom-scroll for long periods and consume hours of meaningless content. This isn’t as much of an anti-phone tirade as it is a pro-boredom argument. It’s good for us to be bored now and then, not only because it allows us to truly rest but because it makes space for original creativity that simply doesn’t happen when you’re scrolling.
My case study in this piece is a simple one: the decrease in pranks and shenanigans on the collegiate level. As a child, my dad told stories of college pranks ranging from parachuting mice to crosscampus water balloon slingshots.
One of my professors (who shall remain nameless) recently told me of some pranks pulled in his days as a student here, including nailing dorm doors shut and stealing underwear drawers. All of the best and most memorable things I did as a child were because I didn’t have access to phones or the internet. The most I ever got was a 30-minute window in which to play Webkinz. When I wasn’t on Webkinz, I was running around outside with big sticks screaming “YOU SHALL NOT PASS” at my little sister. I was creating intense lore for a Lego city that spanned my entire kitchen table. Sometimes, I was only lying for hours on my kitchen floor, but it would spark something else like making cornbread or long
calls to my grandma that made the boredom worth it.
In my childhood, I don’t remember the hours spent playing Wii games or watching TV; I remember the times when my boredom became the direct stimulant for creativity, frivolity and fun.
I’ve found the same thing to be true in my adult life.
The hours I’ve spent between classes scrolling on Instagram mean literally nothing to me in hindsight, but the times when I’ve sat in silence, done spontaneous things or had good, old-fashioned fun with dear friends are all memories that will stay with me until I’m old.
No one’s really debating that we as a generation need to get more comfortable in silence with our own minds. This is the second time with-
in a few weeks that I’ve said “it really is that dang phone” in the paper, but it’s true: once we emancipate ourselves from the internet, we can be more creative, connect better with others and have way more fun.
I’m not trying to encourage anyone towards destructive pranks or excessive rulebreaking, but we as Grovers are notorious for taking things way too seriously. I am as prone to this fault as any. So instead of doomscrolling, let yourself be bored for a little bit.
Become mischievous. Do stupid things. Pull harmless pranks. Actually have fun. If you want good stories to tell your grandkids in 60 years, get off your phone and give in to the whimsy.
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
NBA’s ‘one-and-done’ rule needs to be done-and-gone
Emma Rossi Editor-in-Chief
The “one-and-done” rule is ruining men’s college basketball.
In 2005, the National Basketball Association (NBA) implemented the rule that before an ath lete can declare eligibility for the NBA draft, either one year must elapse between their declaration and their high school graduation, or they must be 19 years old or have turned 19 the year they enter.
Most athletes choose to spend their one year of elapsed time playing basket ball for the NCAA.
The rule needs to be abol ished. It is difficult to argue that men’s basketball play ers should be required to at tend all four years of college.
There are many success sto ries of athletes being drafted straight out of high school (i.e. LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and, not the least of these, one of the greatest power forwards of all time –Kevin Garnett).
There are also many exam ples of athletes who could’ve forgone their one year of limbo – players like Zion Williamson, LaMelo Ball or most obviously, Kyrie Irving, whose 11 games at Duke didn’t do much for him. Ball didn’t go to college, rather choosing to play pro fessionally overseas.
Then there are tales of woe like that of Darius Bazley, who was originally commit ted to complete his one-anddone year at Syracuse Uni versity. He decommitted and announced he would spend his one-and-done year play ing in the NBA’s G-League. The G-League, which used to be called the D-League, with “D” for “Development” defining the purpose of the league, has since been re named the “G-League,” with “G” for “Gatorade” (because sponsorships rule and devel opment drools).
Bazley changed his mind again and got an internship with New Balance instead. Bazley was drafted 23rd overall in 2019 and floated around the league un til he decided to go overseas and play for the Guangdong Southern Tigers.
The G-League has failed in mission and purpose. When former NBA
commissioner David Stern established the league, his intention was to create a farm system. Now, thanks to the league’s shortcomings and the one-and-done rule, well-established college programs have taken the GLeague’s place.
ploit their youth and inexperience” and the second reads “We want ‘em as young as possible” (weird!).
If the NBA was serious about allowing its draft prospects to mature as individuals and further develop their game, they would promote
staying longer. For both the team and the player, stability, loyalty and consistency are better.
NBA legends like Tim Duncan and Steve Nash chose to play for their respective universities (Wake Forest and Santa Clara) for who was promising enough that he was drafted first overall after his one-anddone year with Louisiana State University. Simmons has been a major disappointment, and part of his problem is that he wasn’t mature enough – both professionally and individually.
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 or want further clarification of The Collegian’s expectations contact Editor-in-Chief Emma Rossi or Managing Editor and Perspectives Editor Grace Scheller
This has affected his career in the long term. He was traded from the Sixers after messy negotiations, and most recently, his continual underperforming led Shaquille O’Neal to say Simmons needs to be arrested. “$250 (million) for that? Robbing people, man. You can’t do that,” O’Neal said.
In contrast to the NBA, the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) requires athletes to either play four years of collegiate basketball or be 22 years old before declaring for the draft.
Former Iowa Hawkeye Caitlin Clark played all four years of her collegiate eligibility before being drafted by the WNBA’s Indiana Fever. During her four years at Iowa, Clark developed as an athlete tremendously. Likewise, the program benefited. The attention Clark drew over the span of four years set records for women’s basketball. She was beloved by Iowa fans and became an integral part of their program.
It’s clear Clark is an outlier, but her impact on Iowa’s program is one that can be replicated on a smaller scale with men’s college basketball. If players who are talented enough to play professionally choose to stay with their programs longer, they too can become cornerstones in their college’s athletic departments.
Regardless of whether or not the NBA gives its potential players free reign to decide what to do posthigh school, there needs to be a change from the one-and-done. I’m ready for college basketball and the NBA draft to return to the way it was pre-2005 (which I obviously remember).
GRAPHIC BY EMMA ROSSI
The Collegian, April 11, 2025
The Bible through AI’s eyes
Grove City College
Students and faculty at Grove City College are using AI to speed up and improve biblical translations to spread the Word in a polyglot world.
For the past few years, Computer Science professors Britton Wolfe and Brian Dickinson and their students have been working with SIL Global, a faith-based nonprofit that uses machine learning to develop language solutions to improve lives.
One might think that the best-selling book of all time had been translated in every language known to man, but that’s not the case.
“The Bible has been translated into most widely spoken languages and can reach most people, however, the full Bible is available in only about 10% of all languages. One of the primary applications of our work is completing the Bible translations in languages where it is partially complete,” Dickinson said.
High-quality translation tools don’t exist for hundreds of languages, impacting the ability of millions – particularly in Africa and Asia – to access not just the Bible, but digital tools necessary for communicating and participating fully in today’s world.
To aid SIL, student-faculty research conducted at Grove City College is focused on making algorithms that it uses to automate biblical translation work better and more efficiently. In addition to better translations, the coding updates can reduce demand on computing power, a key benefit to missionaries and others in the field who rely on personal laptops to do the work.
Dickinson said the work focuses on simplifying the conversion of language characters into common Roman (or Latin) script. “In our Romanization project, we are working to bridge the gap between state of the art AI translation models like NLLB-200 and languages with non-Latin scripts on which it may not perform as well,” Dickinson said.
The goal is to create completely or nearly-completely reversible romanizations of non-Latin texts, which should allow existing translation models to do a better job creating initial translations of the Old Testament in languages that already have a New Testament, he said.
The “big idea,” Dickinson said, is teaching a computer to translate based on a portion of the Biblical text that already exists in a non-Latin script. “Then the computer could make a rough translation of thus far untranslated portions of scripture. That would simplify the daunting task of translating the entire Old Testament into a task of correcting the computer’s mistakes,” he said.
Dr. Brian Dellinger, chair and professor of Computer Science, hailed the work of the professors and several former and current students who have worked on the project – Jonathan Allarassem’24, Allison Harnly, Alex Hemmerlin, Keith Graybill Jr., Hannah Proctor, and John Bauer.
“I think the work they’re doing is a great model of what we want our students to do: to be thoughtful about how their skills as computer scientists can contribute uniquely to the Kingdom of God,” he said.
Orchestra meets EDM
Grove City College
The Grove City College Orchestras will close out their season with a concert featuring the world premiere of “Urban Symphony,” a composition by Professor of Music Dr. Joseph Hasper.
The concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday April 11 in Ketler Auditorium of the Pew Fine Arts Center on campus is free and open to the public. It will be livestreamed at gcc.edu/ livemusic.
The Symphony Orchestra will perform Hasper’s composition, which includes electronic dance music (EDM), four movements of varying textures and styles, and several soloists from the orchestra. A noted composer, Hasper wrote “Urban Symphony” during a fall 2024 sabbatical.
The orchestra will also perform Beethoven’s Egmont Overture, Philip Lane’s “Pantomime” for string orchestra, and finish with John Williams’ “Flight to Neverland” from the movie “Hook.”
The Chamber Orchestra will be performing the 4th movement of Dvorak’s 9th Symphony “From the New World”, Vaughan-Williams’ Norfolk Suite, and “In the Company of Angels,” which features the strings and harp.
Dr. Jeffrey Tedford ’00, chair of the Department of Music and director of Orchestral Activities, directs both ensembles. It is a busy and exciting time for the symphony musicians, who
in Butler, she and her daughter decided to create and host one for the nearby community. This was not her first time attending a rally, but it was her first time organizing one.
“After we took the plunge, we thought maybe 25 people would show up. We didn’t use social media or do a lot of advertising, and all we did was pass out flyers on Broad Street and put them in the windows of a couple businesses,” Bailey said.
The event was publicly announced on March 24. On the day of the rally, over 200 people attended. The group met at Grove City’s Memorial Park and included residents from Grove City and many from Mercer County.
“People started coming in, and everyone was happy and uplifting. It was so gratifying that this many people came out in this city,” Bailey said. She and three other attendees spoke at the rally at the beginning of the event.
because they are worried about cuts to medical funding,” Bailey said.
The protesters lined the sidewalk in front of Memorial Park on Main Street and sang, chanted and laughed as the rally continued. Bailey noted that many people passing by in their cars were supportive and respectful of their demonstration.
will be performing at the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association Conference the evening before their concert on campus.
During the concert, Tedford will recognize seniors and announce the recipient of the Clifford and Joanne Cox Award for Musical Excellence, awarded to a returning student who embodies musical excellence, dedication to the orchestra, and a positive attitude toward the orchestra program and Music Department.
“The end of the concert season is an exciting time as we celebrate our seniors and the culminating performance of our work that began in August. It is also exciting to bring to life Dr. Hasper’s new symphony and share his composition with our audience,” Tedford said.
The Orchestra’s performance of “Urban Symphony” will be Hasper’s second world premiere in a month.
On March 21, his “Portrait Number 5” was performed for the first time at Penn State University’s New Music Festival. The “virtuosic showcase piece” was one of just 34 compositions selected from 362 submissions for the festival.
“Having my piece selected for the festival feels like a bit of validation, or confirmation,” Hasper said. “I know God put me in this place at this time for a reason and gave me certain work to do. Part of that work is composing music.”
Young and old came to protest. “There was a broad swarth of demographics attending, and everyone was very positive. Seniors are worried about retirement savings. Veterans are worried about their futures— a young veteran came with a flag, as well as an older veteran. There was a young family with a son with Down syndrome and congenital heart failure disease. They came
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performance tracking tools, creating seamless omnichannel experiences for athletes.
They also introduced a Platinum Loyalty Tier with exclusive benefits to incentivize high-spending and engaged customers. Additionally, the strategy addressed underperforming product categories through gamification and gait analysis technology, bundling complementary items to boost sales.
With projected returns of over six times the initial investment in the first year, the team emphasized the long-term growth potential of their innovative approach. Round one of the competition kicked off on Feb. 10. The team was given a data set and asked to analyze it and build a strategy for maximizing sales from the experiences at the new DICK’S House of Sports concept store.
The new stores have a variety of experiences, like an outdoor skating rink and soccer field, a two-story rock wall, multiple golf simulators and a virtual batting cage
“After the rally, there were lots of positive comments on the Hands Off site. People felt like they had community now and didn’t expect so many people to feel the same way as they did,” Bailey shared.
Bailey and others are now organizing another event on Saturday, April 19 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Memorial Park titled “Grove City Fights Back.” The movement will be a culmination of the 50501 Protests and Women’s
that simulates taking batting practice at an MLB stadium. The team had until Feb. 21 to submit their five-minute video for the first round.
Their video was one of eight selected out of 58 submissions for the second round of competition. In the second round of competition, an updated case was sent on Feb. 28 and the team had until April 3 to build their presentation. The team was invited to DICK’S corporate headquarters for a dinner with HR executives and a tour of the building on April 2. The second round of the competition took place during the morning of April 3.
During this second round, the team had 15 minutes to present their strategy in person to DICK’S executives and the top three teams were selected to compete in a third round for cash prizes. The other five teams competed for a “wildcard” win and DICK’S gift cards. While Grove City’s team did not make the top three, they won the wildcard competition.
In the wildcard competition, the team was given 45 minutes to come up with a
March that seeks to uphold the Constitution and end executive overreach.
“We are feeling strong, and we can’t let up. The administration will not stop here, and we want to make it known we are protesting. We want to hold our representatives accountable; why aren’t you standing up for education, veterans, disability, elderly and science?” Bailey said.
There is a “protest blueprint” created by political scientist Erica Chenoweth called the “3.5% Rule”. If three point five percent of the population participates in a movement, it is likely to succeed. This, Bailey noted, is what some Grove City residents are hoping to be a part of.
For more information on future rallies in the area, go to mobilize.us, Grove City Fights Back.
completely new strategy for how to utilize 1000 sq/ft of space in one of the House of Sport stores for a new experience. The team proposed an augmented reality space where customers would be able to try out new equipment and compete.
“We were by far the smallest school in the final eight. I was most proud of how the team bounced back from a tough loss, making it into the top three to take the wildcard win,” Miller said.
Dawson, Karchut, Fiorenza and Loizes spent countless hours developing their initial concept and competing through all three rounds. This competition wasn’t for credit.
“Our team spent weeks nailing down our strategy and presentation. It was awesome to see everyone collaborate. It was a really unique experience – I really liked having the chance to figure out a real-world problem,” Loizes said.
Next spring, Dr. Miller will be teaching MARK 412: Retail Management, and will include this competition in the course.
KATHERINE BAILEY
The Hands Off rally last Saturday featured homemade signs created by attendees. They protested government overreach in various departments.
Wolverines track and field finds success at SRU
Mia Gallagher Sports Editor
Last Saturday, April 5, the Grove City College track and field program continued their dominant 2025 campaign with a statement performance at Slippery Rock University’s Dave Labor Invitational.
Continuing to build on the success found during the indoor season, both teams managed to notch top 10 team finishes at the allNCAA event. Further, individual efforts by both squads produced finishes that were the highest among Division III competitors at the meet.
The women’s squad, who took fourth out of 23 teams, finished first among Division III competitors. Headlining this stellar team effort was senior Lydia Bennett, whose pair of first-place finishes in the 800-meter and the 1500-meter events also allowed her to clinch both program records in the process. Classmates Ella Lyle and Grace Smith followed
Bennett in the 1,500-meter, securing second and third place finishes, respectively.
Continuing to find success in the distance events were senior duo Virginia Willams and Julia Bauer, who claimed third and fifth in the 10,000-meter event, respectively. Freshman pair Julianna Lindberg and Maggie Mollenauer rounded out the successful distance showing with 10th-place finishes in the 800-meter and 10,000-meter events, respectively.
From the field, senior Danika Sudar succeeded in breaking her own school record in the hammer throw with her seventh-place finish in the event. Joining Sudar were sophomore Elly Bruner and freshman Lucy Gyergyo, who claimed top 10 finishes in the high jump and triple jump, respectively.
The men’s team found similar success, claiming eighth place out of the other 26 teams in attendance. Recording the highest finish at the event for the College’s
men was senior Jonah DeWitt, who took second in the 10,000-meter. DeWitt’s efforts were followed by junior Alex Mitchell’s third place finish in the 200-meter – the highest finish by DIII competitors at the meet.
Joined by freshman Jeremiah Knowles, graduate student Gabe Dunlap and junior Greg Wilson, Mitchell also contributed to the team’s fourth-place 400-meter relay finish.
Moving from the track to the field, Dunlap secured fourth place in the javelin throw. Senior classmates Ryan Lenhart and Nick Petucci also turned in successful field performances in the discus and triple jump events – each contributing two sixth-place finishes to the team’s total score.
With only two meets left until the outdoor PAC championship, Wolverines track and field will return to action tomorrow, April 12 at the Westminster Invitational.
Sophomore Elly Bruner finished seventh in high jump at the SRU Invitational, clearing 5-1. WLAX continued from 12 utes. Stevenson opened the scoring just over a minute into the game on a power play, assisted by Blythe. Unassisted goals from Roetering, Shilling and Robinette quickly followed. Grove City held a 4-1 lead after the first quarter.
In the second, Roetering assisted on two more Blythe goals, helping the Wolverines build a 6-3 halftime advantage.
Robinette, senior goalie Elyse Kiggins and junior defender Reese Hasley each recorded four ground balls, while Roetering added three. Roetering fought hard, with six caused turnovers, and senior defender Emily Arnold forced four more as Grove City pressured Chatham into 22 total turnovers. The Wolverines committed 19. Grove City outshot Chatham 27-20 overall and 19-13 in shots on goal. Kiggins made six saves. Against Geneva, six Grove City players delivered multi-
goal performances in a dominant showing. Robinette had a four-goal performance.
Roetering, Stevenson and Shilling each contributed three goals to the offensive surge. Senior defender Amber Wartman and freshman midfielder Ella Krabitz both netted two goals.
Additional scoring came from Arnold, junior defender Haylie Porter, junior attack Grace Forry, Blythe and freshman midfielder Mia Mygatt. Blythe acclaimed three assists, while senior attack Anna Korzeniewski added two. Forry, Mygatt, Robinette and Roetering also tallied assists. Grove City jumped out to a 4-0 lead after the first quarter and extended the advantage to 15-1 by halftime.
Roetering caused three turnovers, and Mygatt forced two. Wartman dominated the draw with five controls, while Mygatt and Robinette each secured four. Shilling and Wartman both collected four ground balls. Grove City
outshot Geneva 39-2 and forced 32 turnovers while committing 23. Junior goalie Mia Gallagher stepped up strong in one of Grove City’s best defensive games of the season.
Abby Roetering won the PAC Midfielder of the Week for her outstanding plays on both sides of the ball. Jess Robinette won the PAC Newcomer of the Week for her performance and currently leads Grove City with 28 goals this spring.
Grove City faced the St. Vincent Bearcats on the road last Wednesday, and the Wolverines will host non-conference Senior Day Showdown against Mount Union at 3 p.m. tomorrow, April 12 at Don Lyle Field. The Raiders were the Ohio Athletic Conference runnersup last year, and the Wolverines look to add one more win to the books before they host Bethany at 5 p.m.
(331) Women’s Golf: 5th/7, W&J Invitational (417)
Upcoming
Lacrosse: at Connecticut College April 12 @ 5:00 p.m.
Lacrosse: vs Mount Union April 12 @ 3:00 p.m.
vs Franciscan (DH) April 12 @ 1:00 p.m. Softball: vs Bethany (DH) April 12 @ 1:00 p.m. Men’s Volleyball: at PAC Championship April 12 Men’s Tennis: vs Washington & Jefferson April 11 @ 4:00 p.m.
MATT DURISKO
Senior Ryan Lenhart placed sixth in discus at the SRU Invitational.
MATT DURISKO
Lacrosse runs the City Wolverines remain atop the PAC after recent wins
Emma Rossi Editor-in-Chief
Men’s Lacrosse is 6-0 in the PAC after defeating the Franciscan Barons on Wednesday night in game two of their five-game road trip.
The Wolverines took the victory with a 28-2 score. freshman attack Cole Pedroso led the Wolverine offense with 5 goals. He was followed by sophomore attack Sawyer Strong
12 other Grove City players secured goals in Wednesday night’s competition.
Junior Tyler Gladstone made four saves. Sophomore Kyle Gill made three saves.
Last Saturday, the Wolverines defeated the Allegheny Gators in a dominant 25-4 offensive showcase.
13 different players scored for the Wolverines, with sophomore midfielder Tyson Bui leading the charge with four goals. Three Wolverines had three goals apiece: attacks senior Matt Blythe, junior Stewart McClain and Strong each secured a hattrick on Saturday.
Junior attack Rigdon Greene, sophomore attack Davis Schneider and gradu-
ate student midfielder Noah Goad had two goals apiece. Rounding out the box score with one goal each were midfielders junior Boden Davidson, graduate student Gabe Jensen, freshman Ethan Binns and senior Alec Jones.
Also contributing to the Wolverines’ tally were Pedroso and sophomore defender Evan Curry.
Tyson Bui recorded a goal and an assist in the first minute of the game while Goad, Greene and Blythe also scored in the first three minutes on Saturday.
Grove City outshot Allegheny 45-36, including a 36-14 margin in shots on goal. Graduate student goalie Danny Stone made five saves in the first half. Kyle Gill made five saves in the second half.
Junior Colton Lehberg won nine of 11 faceoffs, while graduate student Luke Rios won eight of 10 faceoff opportunities. Both men collected six ground balls. Davidson added four ground balls.
Four Wolverines secured hattricks on Wednesday, April 2 in Grove City’s homefield 17-5 win over the Chatham Cougars. Blythe, Hou-
gan, McClain and Curry all fired in three goals as Grove City closed its home schedule with a win.
Goad, Tyson Bui and Schneider added goals for the Wolverines, who led 6-1 after one quarter.
Greene recorded a teamleading three assists. Davidson, Binns and sophomore midfielder Breck Peacock assisted one goal each.
The Wolverines led 7-3 at halftime, then broke open the game with six goals in
the third quarter. McClain’s man-up goal 78 seconds into the second half sparked the outburst. He added his third goal of the game with 6:48 remaining in the third quarter. Blythe, Goad, Hougan and Jones also scored as Grove City carried a 13-5 lead into the fourth quarter.
Blythe and Lehberg both picked up five ground balls. Stone and graduate student faceoff specialist Luke Rios each collected four ground balls. Rios won nine of 11
faceoffs, while Lehberg won eight of 10 faceoffs. Stone made eight saves in 45 minutes of action, earning the win. Gladstone made one save in a scoreless fourth quarter. Grove City held a 48-23 edge in total shots. Chatham had 25 turnovers, while the Wolverines turned over possession 24 times. Tomorrow, April 12 the Wolverines will face Connecticut College at the U.S. Lacrosse Headquarters in Sparks, Md
Women conquer Chatham in sixth PAC win
Garrett Gess Staff Writer
The Grove City College women’s lacrosse team rolled to a 22-1 victory at Geneva last Friday, which followed a 10-7 home victory over Chatham. This is the team’s fifth straight win, and the Wolverines hold the undisputed advantage in the PAC with a 6-0 conference record.
The Wolverines finished March’s march with a lot of momentum and show no sign of stopping as they progress into April.
Hosting Chatham, the Cougars proved to be a for-
midable force, but an early 4-0 lead by the Wolverines proved to be too much to overcome. Sophomore attacker Taylor Blythe led the offensive charge with four goals and three assists. Senior midfielder Abby Roetering and sophomore attacker Gwen Shilling each scored twice, while freshman midfielder Jess Robinette and sophomore midfielder Tori Stevenson both contributed a goal and an assist.
The Wolverines came out firing fast, scoring three goals in the first four minWLAX 11
JOHN HAKE
Sophomore midfielder Tyson Bui netted four goals and one assist in the Wolverines recent victory over the Allegheny Gators.
JOHN HAKE
Men’s lacrosse will face Connecticut College tomorrow, April 12, for their non-conference finale.
LUKE PAGLIA
Women’s lacrosse heads into their final conference match-ups undefeated in the PAC.