The Optimist - 04.19.13

Features Page 5

Feeding Frenzy

vol. 101, no. 51

friday, april 19, 2013

Local burrito shop near campus attracts students

1 SECTION, 8 PAGES

state INSIDE NEWS ACU Rodeo organizers set up a petting zoo outside Moody

Plant explodes north of Waco Students worry about family from the area

several people and injuring many more.

While national and local newspapers and news staA fertilizer plant exploded tions are reporting conflictWednesday evening in ing numbers of those killed West, about 20 miles north and injured by the exploof Waco, reportedly killing sion, the Waco Tribune-

Mark Smith

editor in chief

mandy lambright chieF Photographer

Herald reported Thursday that an estimated five to 15 people were killed by the blast and more than 160 were injured.

The West Fertilizer Co. plant caught on fire at about 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, and

emergency responders quickly showed up to extinguish it. About 20 minutes later, the entire plant blew up, sending up a pillar of smoke and fire, registersee explosion page 4

mandy lambright chieF Photographer

Page 3

NEWS JMC department to send off seniors in style – with a candy bar Page 4 stephen reyes stafF Photographer

NEWS University Scholars honored in Chapel Page 4

SPORTS

Baseball team No. 2 in LSC, facing off against Tarleton for top spot Page 8

SPORTS Golf player uses time on the course to grow in spiritual life Page 8

OPINION North Korea escalating its threats, picking unecessary fights Page 6

NEWS Alpha Kai Omega conducting kickball fundraiser Page 3

HITTING

RUSH HOUR SOCIAL CLUB EVENTS IN FULL SWING

Top Left and Right: David Salinas, senior exercise science major from San Antonio, and Bianca Luna, sophomore communication major from Abilene, smash take swings at the Trojans/Alpha Kai Omega fruit smash rush. Middle Right: Country singer Mark Powell performs at the GATA/Sub T-16 rush. Bottom Right: Students skate and hang out at the Siggie Moonie skate rush.

adrian patenaude stafF Photographer

commencement

ONLINE NEWS Intro to Business Venture Out sticks to tried-and-true formula acuoptimist.com

VIDEO Student filmmakers participate in annual FilmFest

acuoptimist.com

PHOTOS Check our Flickr for more shots from club rushes

Mother, son to graduate together gabi powell features editor Like mother, like son.

Graduation announcements have been sent out and congratulation cakes have been ordered.

Come May 11, while most parents will be in the audience snapping pictures of their child collecting their diplomas, Jo Ann Evans will follow her son Bryan Evans to receive her own.

Jo Ann Travis Evans first arrived on ACU campus in 1976 majoring in social work. After meeting husband Steve, the decision was made for Jo Ann to quit school the end of her junior year and work full time, while Steve finished his senior year.

The option of resuming her education was taken off the table when the two married in 1981 and three years later had their son, Bryan.

Bryan Evans, senior family studies major from Angleton, was born with spina bifada, a spinal condition in which part of the spinal cord is exposed through a gap in the

backbone.

“He was a typical little boy, in a wheelchair, but otherwise a sweet child who loved sports, fought with his big brother and possessed a joy for life and a deep love for people,” she said. “Bryan’s positive spirit at such a young age began to shift my relationship with God. I experienced Him in a new way as He used the circumstances in our family to call me into my life purpose.”

Bryan’s condition played a vital part in setting the stage for his mother’s career path and eventually her decision to hit the books for a second time. When Bryan entered kindergarten, Jo Ann co-founded the Spina Bifida Association of Texas Gulf Coast and spent the next 10 years working for cause at the national level as a board member and chairman of the Spina Bifida Association of America in Washington, D.C. “It was during the years of helping families I began to dream of one day becoming a Marriage and Family therapist but I also knew it would never come true,” Jo Ann

adrian patenaude staff photographer Bryan Evans, senior family studies major from Angleton, will graduate next month with his mother, Jo Ann.

said. “My husband and I divorced after 25 years, I was living in Dallas and never thought about going back to school, much less graduate school to become a therapist.”

After accepting a position as the administrative coordinator in the Alumni Relations department

at ACU, Jo Ann worked on campus for a year when hearing about the Bachelor of Applied Studies program. Lynda Thornton, the advisor, explained the program was for nontraditional students, urging her to see graduates page 4

technology flickr.com/acuoptimist

OXFORD Marissa Jones, our Oxford correspondent, details her latest experiences abroad theoxfordcommablog. wordpress.com

Iffy Wi-Fi frustrates students, Team 55 madeline orr copy editor Many students noticed a non-existent Wi-Fi connection on campus this week.

Dempsey Peterson, wireless network administrator,

said he believes the cause could be related to a bug in the operating system code.

“We were getting some spotty indicators about certain mobile devices about a week ago and that is when we started looking into it,” Peterson said.

By Monday, students and faculty had no access to wireless Internet and open desktop computers in the library quickly became scarce.

“When the problem got fairly severe on Monday, I was able to get with the en-

Abilene Christian University

gineers of the equipment manufacturer and we’ve been working for several days trying to resolve the issue,” Peterson said. “We have actually been working to duplicate and resolve the issue since April 8.”

The company that pro-

duces the equipment is currently working to recreate the problem in their lab in California so they can help ACU get its system back online.

“One of the biggest see wi-fi page 4

friday 4.19.13

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friday

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saturday All Day - Project Merge

All Day - Tennis LSC at Southlake

All Day - Tennis LSC at Southlake

All Day - Project Merge

Two weeks until finals week

1 p.m. Baseball at Tarleton

8 p.m. JMC Senior Send-Off

12 p.m. Softball at Eastern New Mexico

7 p.m. Baseball at Tarleton 7 p.m. SHADES Show

2 p.m. Baseball at Tarleton

7:30 p.m. Footloose ACU Theatre

7:30 p.m. Footloose ACU Theatre

8 p.m. Freshman Formal

8 p.m. CC - Abilene Philharmonic

Chapel checkup

Announcements

86 13

Shades Step Squad presents Reminiscing the 90’s April 19 and 20 starting at 7 p.m. in Gym D of the SWRC. Doors will open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $5 pre-sale and $7 at the door. Tickets will be sold in the Campus Center from 11-2 p.m. April 15-19.

The Optimist

monday

All Day - Track at Michael Johnson Classic

2 p.m. Softball at Eastern New Mexico

@acuoptimist

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sunday

All Day - Project Merge

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The ACU Career Center is now on Pinterest. Go to pinterest.com/acucareercenter to begin following the boards from the ACU Career Center Pinterest today.

Upward Bound is still looking for male summer advisors to come work with high school students for six weeks this summer.

The 58th annual ACU Rodeo will be April 25 at 6:30 p.m. Registration is currently in the Campus Center from 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Monday-Friday.

The 30th annual Kirk Goodwin Run will be April 27. Register at www.TheKGR.com.

Senior Send off will be April 29 at 5:30 p.m. outside the Hunter Welcome Center.

There will be food, games, a short program and performance by Jane and the Gentlemen.

ACU Theatre presents Footloose April 19-20 and 26-27.

Half-price tickets are available after 7 p.m. on the day of the performance. You must show your ACU Student ID at the WPAC Box Office.

The Brown Library is looking for a few students from different majors to help plan the next library learning space.

The meeting will occur April 22 at 11:45 a.m. in the Adams Center Bamboo Room.

Lunch will be provided. To sign up click on the link in the ACU announcements.

Alpha Kai Omega is hosting a Kickball Tourney to raise money for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life April 22-23. You can sign up on IMleagues.com. Sign ups will also be available in the campus center April 1517 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

optimist@acu.edu Police Log Police log 4/09/2013 1:36 p.m. Education building personnel reported a suspicious male in a professor’s office. The person claimed to be a former student of the professor but gave Education personnel what was determined to be fictitious name. He left the building and ACUPD was notified; they were unable to find the male.

4/12/2013 12:00 a.m. An area resident called ACUPD alleging that people were climbing on her air conditioner trying to peep into the house. Officers were unable to locate anyone or any signs of tampering.

04/13/2013 12:01 a.m. An area resident reported that someone had been knocking on her front door. Officers found no one in the area.

Weekly Stats for week of April 2-April 9 04/13/2013 9:13 p.m. ACUPD was called about a loud noise party in the 700 block of EN 14th. Investigating officers found no indication of a noise violation.

4/14/2013 1:24 a.m. ACUPD was notified that students had been seen climbing a ladder onto the north exterior stairwell at SRWC. No one was located.

4/14/2013 12:15 p.m. A student reported that someone had struck his vehicle and fled the scene during the time the vehicle was parked in the Mabee-Edwards lot.

4/15/2013 8:30 a.m. A staff member reported that someone had used sidewalk chalk to write “Crazies” – with an arrow pointing toward the main entrance of the Medical and Counseling Center.

Alarm Animal call Assault Assist Building lock/unlock Check building Disturbance Domestic disturbance Escort Foot patrol Found property Hit and run Investigation follow up Mental subject Monitor facility/lot Motorist assist: Jumpstart Other Unlock Noise violation Other Parking lot patrol Parking violation

3 Patrol vehicle: 2 4

Maintenance 1 5

Refuel 3 1 Prowler 16 Random patrol

11 93 4 Report writing 3 1 Robbery 1 1 Sex Offense 7 3 Suspicious activity 8 3 Suspicious person 1 1 Welfare check 4 6 Total Events: 236 1 Police Chief Tip of the Week: 5 ACUPD joins all levels of law 12 enforcement in reminding citizens 13 to be observant and vigilant: “If 1 you see something, SAY SOME6 THING!” Report suspicious activity 6 to ACUPD immediately.

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Volunteer Opp0rtunities The Center for International Education is looking for conversation partners for international students to practice English, conversations and cultural learning.

Partners meet for one hour each week at a time and place determined by the partners. For more information contact Laura McGregor at 325-674-2821 or laura. mcgregor@acu.edu.

St. John’s Episcopal School is seeking volunteers to paint metal playground equipment anytime MondayFriday after 3 p.m. and Saturday anytime. For more information contact Rebecca McMillon at 325-695-8870 or flores@stjohnsabilene.org.

Center for Contemporary Arts needs a gallery assistant to greet patrons, answer phones and answer basic questions about the Center and its programs. This opportunity is open Tuesday-Friday. The Center for Contemporary Arts is located at 220 Cypress Street. For more informa tion contact Jessica Dulle at 325-6778389 or visit: http://www.center-arts.com/.

Rescue the Animals is seeking volunteers to take pictures and videos in preparation for the launching of their new website as well as maintenance of the site after the launch. This opportunity is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. For more information contact Kathy Walker at 325-677-7722 or rescuetheanimalsvolunteers@yahoo.com.

The National Center For Children’s Illustrated Literature is looking for volunteers to greet patrons, assist with art activities, sell books and make visitors feel welcome. Help is also needed for special events like Artwalk and exhibit openings. The NCCIL is located at 102 Cedar St. For more information on times and dates contact Debby Lillick at 325-673-4586 or visit: http://www.nccil.org/index.htm.

The Christian Ministries of Abilene: Food Pantry is searching for volunteers to greet and interview neighbors, do computer entries, shop with neighbors, take groceries to vehicles, bag, stock and pick up orders on Mondays and Fridays from 9:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. and 1 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. and on Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.

The Food Pantry is located at 701 Walnut St. For more information contact Becky Almanza at 325-673-1234 or cmapantry@aol.com.

The Christian Service Center is seeking volunteers to help assist with filling requests for items such as clothing, bedding, kitchen utensils, etc. from the donation center, sort and organize donations and occasionally pick-up donated items. Volunteers are needed every weekday and the first Saturday of each month between 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. For more information contact Roberta Brown at 325-673-7561 or at robertabrown51@ hotmail.com. For more information on the program visit: http://www.uccabilene.org/ministries/csc.htm.

The Food Bank of West Central Texas needs volunteers to help sort and stock food and other items any weekday Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. The Food Bank is located at 5505 N. 1st St. For more information contact Janice Serrault at 325-695-6311 or abfoodbk@camalott. com.

Meals on Wheels Plus needs volunteer drivers to deliver afternoon meals to seniors and adults with disabilities Monday-Friday between 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Drivers must be at least 18 years old and have a valid driver’s license.

Training is provided. For more information contact Samantha Barker at 352-672-5050 or visit: http://mealsonwheelsplus.com.

The Salvation Army is looking for volunteers for a variety of needs including sorting and pricing items in the thrift store, helping in the kitchen and/or doing yard work. Times are flexible. Volunteers are needed throughout the week Monday-Saturday. The Salvation Army is located at 1726 Butternut St. For more information contact J.D. Alonzo at 325-677-1408 or visit: www.satruck.com.

Linda Tijerina at 325-676-9946.

Breakfast on Beech Street is seeking volunteers to help set up, prepare and serve breakfast to homeless/lower income folks any Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 5:30 a.m. or Tuesday at 5 a.m. B.O.B.S is located at First Christian Church on 3rd St. and Beech St. Service times must be scheduled in advance. To serve on Mondays contact Jody Depriest at 325-669-3312 or jody.depriest@ gmail.com. To serve on Tuesdays contact Allen Daugherty at 325-660-6949 or ale.al@suddenlink.net. To serve on Wednesdays contact Jane Harvey at 325-695-0092 or jharvread@aol.com. To serve on Thursdays contact Margaret Beasley at 325-692-4149 or mbeasley5@suddenlink.net. To serve on Fridays contact Rachel Brown at rdb08a@acu.edu.

Christian Homes & Family Services is seeking volunteers to do minor landscaping such as raking, trimming bushes, minor apartment repairs and general upkeep MondaySaturday from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. For more information contact Shaylee Honey at 325-677-2205 or Shoney@ ChristianHomes.com.

The Abilene Public Zoo is seeking volunteers to help clean/feed animals, assist zookeepers and assist with educational classes any weekday any time between 12 p.m.-4 p.m. They are also seeking volunteers to help with general labor such as grounds cleanup and painting any weekday at any time between noon and 4 p.m. For more information contact Joy Harsh at 325-676-6487.

The House That Kerry Built is looking for volunteers to assist in the day care of medically fragile children any day Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. or 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. Contact Keith Loftin at 325-672-6061.

Rescue the Animals is seeking volunteers to work at the adoption center doing a variety of tasks including cleaning, socializing and grooming the animals Monday - Saturday from 1 p.m.-5 p.m. For more information contact Mindi Qualls at 325-698-7722 or rescuetheanimalsvolunteers@yahoo.com.

The International Rescue Committee is seeking volunteers to work with refugees who recently moved to the U.S., teaching English, helping with homework and mentoring. Contact Susanna Lubango to make an appointment at 325-675-5643.

The CAC Department is seeking volunteers to participate in Special Olympics, by helping mentally/physically challenged people play games and sports Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. For more infomation contact Angel Seca at 325-690-5235.

University Place is seeking volunteers to help with the resident birthday party for residents the third Wednesday of each month at 2:30 p.m. For more information contact

For additional volunteer opportunities visit: www.acu. edu/campusoffices/ccsl/ministry-service/volunteeropportunities/

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news

Friday 04.19.13

COMING

ATTRACTIONS

ACU Rodeo puts on petting zoo outside Moody to promote event

mandy lambright chief Photographer

Matt Vela, junior math major from Arlington, and Zach Stromberg, junior psychology major from Brattleboro, Vt., gather around farm animals at ACU Rodeo’s small petting zoo outside Moody Coliseum on Wednesday. The group is promoting the Rodeo event to be on Thursday.

social clubs

Alpha Kai to conduct kickball tournament margo herrera student reporter The women of Alpha Kai Omega are putting on a kickball tournament called “Let’s Kick Cancer Out of the Park.” It is a two-day tournament that will take place in the evening April 22-23 at ACU. Emily Sample, junior psychology major from Fort Worth, and Ruby Poole, junior nursing major from Frisco, are in charge of organizing the

kickball tournament.

Sample said Alpha Kai is participating in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life event this year and for one of their fundraisers they are sponsoring this kickball tournament.

The club’s tournament will be here on campus and is $5 per person with at least 10 players on a team. Teams can be co-ed.

“So if a guys club makes a team with a girls team, they can still get intramural points, which could be really fun,” Sample said.

Poole said students from Hardin Simmons and McMurry Universities and Cisco College are more then welcome to join.

The clubs fundraising goal is $1,500 but as of 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, they have raised $2,140 and they still have a couple weeks to raise more.

All of the proceeds of this tournament, along with the money the members of Alpha Kai have raised, will go to the American Cancer Society. This is Alpha Kai’s third year

to participate in Relay for Life and their first year to have this tournament.

The members have invited everyone in Abilene to come out to the tournament in hopes of getting the word out about Relay for Life and help raise money for it.

The money the club will raise and donate will help provide patients and their caregivers with a free place to stay. It will also set the patients up with mentors who have gone through the same diag-

state

Explosion: Plant blast felt, seen from DFW area continued from page 1 ing a 2.1-magnitude earthquake on the Richter scale and destroying buildings and homes nearby, including a nursing home, apartment complex and middle school. The massive explosion could be seen and felt from Dallas, more than 80 miles away.

Gov. Rick Perry made a disaster declaration for the surrounding county, McLennan, and said about 70 homes were damaged by the exploding debris. The small town of about 2,800 has been evacuated.

Sean Marmolejo, junior family studies major from China Spring, began to worry for his family as

“

We are lucky to say that they made it out with just a few cuts and scratches.”

sean marmolejo junior family studies major from china spring

soon as he heard about explosion. His grandmother lives six blocks from the plant, just outside the major blast radius, and some of his cousins live in the town, too.

“We are lucky to say that they made it out with just a few cuts and scratches,” Marmolejo said.

Those relatives are now staying with family and friends after the evacua-

tion.

Hailey Thompson, senior Ad/PR major from Allen, has several family members who live in or are from West. Her great uncle, Donald Adair, works at the plant and lives nearby.

Thompson learned of the explosion at about 9:30 p.m. Wednesday in a text from her mother.

“She said his plant blew up and there was no word

from him yet,” Thompson said. “[Thursday] morning we heard that none of my family got hurt but their home was damaged.”

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosions and state fire marshal are investigating the cause of the fire and explosion, which could take six months.

The plant was investigated in the past for ammonia fumes and a fire there earlier this year forced the nearby school to evacuate, according to the TribuneHerald.

contact smith at mds10a@acu.edu

commencement

Graduates: Mother returns to ACU to finish degree continued from page 1 think about finishing the undergrad Jo Ann began 33 years earlier.

“I admit the thought of going back to college at my age and after so many years was overwhelming but with Lynda’s gentle (and persistent) nudges I began school the spring of 2010.”

Jo Ann said her son’s reassurance pushed her to resuming the work required to go the degree distance.

Though sharing the college experience as mother and son on the same campus has been unusual.

“My mom and I got a good laugh at the light bulb moment expressions on peoples’ faces in that class when they made the connection be-

tween me and my mom,” said Bryan.

The student response to Jo Ann as a fellow student has been both encouraging and supportive, she said.

“The relationships I have with students are similar to the one I have with my sons in that I generally take the approach as a mentor and friend,” Jo Ann said. “I occasionally might slip into ‘mom’ mode, but the students who know me well know it comes from a deep love for them.”

For Bryan, after the initial shock of sharing classes with his mother, he feels her return has led to both a unique and growing experience in their relationship.

“It’s been nice having someone always there to support you and to know

exactly what you’re experiencing because they’re experiencing the same thing,” he said. “I feel like so many students parents can’t fully relate to them during their college career because so many of their college experiences were twenty, and sometimes thirty years before their kids. Since enrolling at ACU I feel like I’ve had more of a friendship with my mother and less of a parent/child relationship, which has been awesome.”

For Jo Ann, the studying will not stop after commencement ceremonies.

This fall, she will start marriage and family therapy grad school, hoping one day to open her own private practice, but “open to whatever God has planned.”

“Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined how God would bless my life some 30 plus years after beginning this journey,” she said.

“One of the great things of not only being students at ACU together but living in the same town is that both my mother and I have been able to get to know and love and be loved by many of the same people,” said Bryan.

“We want to share the graduation celebration with those people who mean the most to us and a lot of those people overlap into both of our lives.”

contact powell at gmp10b@acu.edu

nosis, provide transpor- to us but means more than tation to appointments we will ever know,” Sample and provide female can- said. cer patients with wigs and makeup. contact the optimist at “The wigs and makeup jmcnetwork@acu.edu may not seem like much

news

Friday 04.19.13

4

academics

University Scholars honored in Chapel deep into areas that others have abandoned. page 2 editor “‘I will go down that trail, and I will recreate it. I will Fifty students were awarded redeem that fallen trail. I will as University Scholars Thurs- bring new research into the day morning in Chapel on the world in an area that people Hill. University Scholars are previously thought all of required to have a G.P.A. of at the questions had been anleast 3.5, but also must be extremely motivated in and out After graduation, being of the classroom. recognized for research in Faculty members nominate students they believe this manner will help me deserve this honor. After that, as I apply to grad school.” a group of elected faculty members reviews the nomiDavid Gasdova senior english major from nations and chooses 50 stuhouston dents to receive this honor.

These students come from majors ranging from Biology swered,’” Little described. to Theatre. Each student was David Gasvoda, senior chosen for their research and English major from Houston, hard work throughout their believes this recognition will college careers. help him grow academically Dr. Andy Little, assistant in the future. professor of business law, “After graduation, being described these students as recognized for research in having an attitude of persis- this manner will help me as tence and willingness to delve I apply for grad school,” Gas-

Katie greene

“

mandy lambright chief photographer

Fruit piles up at Will Hair Park in preparation for the Trojans/Alpha Kai Omega fruit smash rush.

voda said.

The students are not the only ones who benefit from this recognition. Professors are also blessed by the University Scholars.

“Seeing them leave as seniors many of them with lives transformed by the work we do brings meaning to our lives,” said Dr. Vic McCracken, professor in the Department of Bible, Missions and Ministry.

Little encouraged these students to look to more than their knowledge for worth. He stated that love is more important than knowledge, and when forced to choose, one must choose love. “We often know so much about love that we fail to love. Our embodiment of love must exceed our knowledge of love,” Little said. contact greene at keg09b@acu.edu

student groups

Ad/PR club attends conference in Dallas margo herrera student reporter On April 9, the Ad/PR club traveled to Dallas and attended a Public Relations Society of America luncheon and toured two agencies, Ketchum and Richards Partners.

According the ACU website, the Ad/PR club is used for professional development, networking for students and affiliation with national organizations.

The Ad/PR club tries to plan a trip to DFW every year.

Allye Foster, senior communications major from Lubbock, is the president of the club.

Johanna Fleming, sophomore Ad/PR major from Toronto, Canada, is a member of the Ad/Pr club.

“I look forward to this trip every year,” Fleming said. “It’s such a great opportunity.”

First they attended a PRSA luncheon that the Dallas Chapter hosted. According to the PRSA website, the

speaker was Kevin Strawbridge and his speech was about developing key messages and core content in a digital era.

The website said he is a successful strategist, marketer and multi-channel entrepreneur with more than 18 years of experience. He shared his insight on the surge of online commerce and its effect on retail with “showrooming” and marketing initiatives.

“It’s a really good opportunity for students to go and

hear a professional speak,” Foster said. “Also, it’s a great opportunity for students to network and meet professionals in that area.”

After they attended the luncheon, the club went to tour the Ketchum headquarters.

The Ketchum website said the agency has more than 100 offices and affiliates in 70 countries, and more than 2,400 colleagues make them proud. They are storytellers, singers, dancers, authors, advisors and counselors. Above

all, they’re PR professionals, driven to go beyond the obvious solution.

After, the club toured Richards Partners, the PR side of Richards Group, a large advertising firm in Dallas.

According to their website, the Richards Group is the largest independent branding agency in America.

Foster said the main reason she really liked planning this trip for the club is because students can think they know what they want to do, until they actually see it. It’s a

great chance to be in that environment, meet people and see what it’s like.

“We’re at a disadvantage being in Abilene because for those of us not looking to stay in Abilene, we don’t have as great of an option to network with professionals outside of this,” Foster said. “So this trip helps give students that small in and helps broaden their connections.” contact the optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu

social clubs

KJK to end rushing on an animated note Brock Niderhoffer student reporter The women of Ko Jo Kai had their Disney-themed spring rush last night at Bennett Gymnasium and club members, as well as potential pledges, both came out in style.

Students who attended the rush were encouraged

to dress up in their best Disney character costume, come out to spend time with the women of KJK and simply be themselves.

“Being a part of a club, you don’t want to put on a front and be someone you’re not and then enter the club and feel like nobody knows you because you didn’t act like who you are at first,” said Madison

Hudson, senior psychology major from Abilene.

Ko Jo Kai has had the largest pledge class out of all of the social clubs on campus for the past two years, according to the Optimist, so a large crowd was expected for the event.

“I [was] probably most excited about seeing everyone’s costume,” said Carli Cartwright, freshmen

biochemistry major from Loop.

As with all of the social clubs on campus, students interested in rushing can sometimes experience nerves before rushes because they want to make a good impression with the members of whatever club they are most interested in.

“It’s fun getting to see

everyone dressed up and you get to act silly,” Cartwright said. “But then there’s the pressure of coming up with a good costume, but overall I like the themed rushes.”

With spring rushes coming to an end, students interested in rushing a social club have hopefully had the opportunity to visit several rushes and meet lots of dif-

ferent people in each club.

The Devo rush, which is the last spring rush activity, will take place this Sunday at 8 p.m. at the Beauchamp Amphitheater. All students interested in rushing in the fall are invited to come out and join. contact the optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu

departments

COBA, JMC faculty to lead trip to New York City Joshua garcia managing editor COBA and JMC majors will have the opportunity to spend next semester’s fall break in New York City.

David Swearingen, executive in residence of the College of Business Administration, led a group of about 20 COBA majors to New York City during spring break two years ago. Swearingen was formerly the vice president

of corporate communications for Johnson & Johnson.

Dr. Jonathan Stewart, professor of finance, also went on the trip. Stewart said the group visited the headquarters of Johnson & Johnson, American Express, Tommy Hilfiger and the New York Stock Exchange, among other places, thanks to Swearingen.

“He basically set us up with a bunch of awesome tours,” Stewart said.

Students also participated in a mentoring session at the Manhattan Church of Christ.

“We had a huge panel of professionals,” Stewart said.

“We had folks from all different industries.”

The trip is not for course credit, but Stewart said students can gain valuable experience.

“The students pay for it on their own,” he said. “It’s just intended to be an experiential opportunity.”

While the previous trip

was exclusive to COBA majors, the next trip will also be open to students from the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication.

Joyce Haley, JMC instructor and advisor to Morris & Mitchell, said it just made sense for JMC majors to be included.

“Around the time of the last trip, we started talking to David about the possibility of opening it up to JMC students as well,” Haley said.

Haley said the trip would be a good opportunity for

advertising and public relations majors and journalism majors wanting to write about business and related fields.

“There’s a lot of overlap,” Haley said. “In fact, a lot of Ad/PR majors are business minors.”

Haley said the trip will provide new perspectives.

“Anytime that you have a different cultural experience, you broaden your world, your value, what you have to contribute,” she said.

The trip is open to 27

students. The cost will be $1,895, which includes a lunch and dinner, transportation, sleeping accommodations and group events.

The itinerary for the trip has not been finalized.

Applications will be available next week. For more information, contact Swearingen at dps10a@acu.edu; Haley at haleyj@acu.edu; or Stewart at stewartjo@acu. contact garcia at jtg10b@acu.edu

departments

JMC department to bid seniors farewell with event margo herrera student reporter The Department of Journalism & Mass Communication is hosting a Senior Send-off event on Monday from 8-9:30 p.m.

ACU’s Senior Send-off is an event that takes place towards the end of each spring semester and is centered on launching the graduating class of that year into their

futures.

This event is a ceremonial event that entails a blessing and words of encouragement from fellow classmates and professors about each senior.

The event usually includes food and drinks along with a presentation of a gift to each of the seniors that is chosen by the planning committee.

The JMC Senior Sendoff planning committee

is a small group of Ad/PR majors who have a special interest in event planning.

The committee is lead this year by BrookeLee Galle, junior Ad/PR major from Eula.

Galle said after multiple theme ideas were presented to her, this year’s Senior Send-off theme for the JMC department will be “Oh the Places You’ll Go” taken from Dr. Seuss. There will be a candy bar included in the

event.

Galle said the program will include the JMC professors and any JMC students who want to attend. The seniors will receive a gift, as well as advice from the professors at the event.

There will be a senior slide show and time to reminisce on memories shared with other JMC majors and professors.

“It will be a time for seniors to remember all the

good and bad moments in JMC,” Galle said. “The seniors will get to spend time with friends and professors before they graduate, and they will walk away with a gift too.”

Sarah Stephens, sophomore Ad/PR major from Haltom City, is a member of the committee and is excited to be working on the event.

“I think that Senior Send-off is a wonderful

tradition as it honors each senior for all of their hard work and accomplishments,” Stephens said.

“It shows appreciation and acknowledgments to them for their professors who have watched them grow and learn throughout their undergraduate years.” contact the optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu

technology

Wi-Fi: Some students continue to experience issues son said the system seems to be running now with problems with an issue only a few students having like this is trying to consis- problems. tently duplicate the prob“Our system is designed lem in a test situation so with backup equipment that we can figure out how for the wireless network, to fix it,” Peterson said. so when we finally deAs of Wednesday, Peter- termined which piece of continued from page 1

equipment was causing the problem I was able to move everything over to the backup,” Peterson said.

Many students are still reporting to have to reregister their device for wireless access. Peterson

said the typical solution for this problem would be to turn the device off and back on but that may not be the case in this instance.

Shelby Peterson, sophomore speech pathology major from Odessa, said

the past few days have showed her how much she relies on the Internet.

“It wasn’t good because I couldn’t get any homework done, but it was kind of nice in the same sense because I couldn’t do anything without it,” she said.

In addition to wireless issues, many students’ ACU email accounts were not functioning Wednesday morning. contact orr at mco10b@acu.edu

F 5

FRIDAY 04.19.13

featureS

EEDING RENZY STORY BY: MARK SMITH

CONTACT SMITH AT MDS10A@ACU.EDU

E

mily Teel, sophomore art major from Abilene, sees her friends every time she’s at work.

Teel works at Sharky’s Burrito Co., the popular buildyour-own-burrito restaurant located near the Abilene Christian University campus.

One of the few burrito places in Abilene, it is frequented by many students from ACU and Hardin-Simmons University, as well as Abilene residents.

Teel began working at Sharky’s more than a year and a half ago, the summer after she graduated from Abilene High School. But she didn’t even like the restaurant’s over-stuffed burritos.

“I didn’t think it was that awesome,” she said.

She tried the food again after a month or two of working in the space filled with the mixing smells of chicken, steak, spicy ranch, queso and seasoned tortilla chips.

It started to grow on her.

“I eat it three times a week now,” she said. “It’s probably not the best, caloriewise, but it is the best quality.”

Teel, like many other customers from ACU and HSU, usually chooses the kids burrito, a generously sized tortilla filled to capacity with meat, cheese and veggies. The “big” and “bigger” burritos, the most popular main menu items, are only a bit bigger.

“But I have to get the salads now because they’re a little better for me,” Teel said.

Randall Young, owner of the local Sharky’s restaurant, said the restaurant sees about 80 percent regular customers.

Some of the Sharky’s original menu items bring the regulars back again and again to the restaurant located in the corner of the United Supermarkets store on N. Judge Ely Boulevard.

“We hear good feedback about our customer service, but that comes second after our chips and spicy ranch,” Young said. “The spicy ranch is good on everything. Some people don’t think they’ll like it, but when they taste it they say, “Oh gosh, this is good.’”

However, even though Young said he enjoys the freshly made spicy ranch, it isn’t his favorite Sharky’s sauce.

“I like the habanero sauce the best,” he said. “More people would like it if they tried it.”

Abilene is home to only a few burrito restaurants; of these, Sharky’s is closest in comparison to Blue Taco’s two local locations. Some students from out of town miss two popular burrito chains, Chipotle Mexican Grill and Freebirds World Burrito.

“I like Sharky’s, but I think Chipotle is better,” said Jonathan Martin, junior biology pre-med major from San Antonio.

“My brother used to work there and I went there all the time.”

But the disagreement continues around campus and the community.

“I hate Chipotle,” Teel said. “Basically, Sharky’s is my favorite.”

Sharky’s, named after the head cook of the Amarillo restaurant, usually employs ACU students.

“There are three ACU students working here now, and we’ve had up to six at a time.” Young said. “I like having them work here.”

Now Teel’s older sister Megan, senior graphic design major from Abilene, also works at Sharky’s.

Young said he usually also has a few HSU students working in the restaurant each semester, but rarely students from McMurry University because it is on the other side of town.

“We’re so tied to ACU and HSU because we’re located so close to them,” Young said. “We try to sponsor and donate to different organizations involved with the schools, like with ACU Game Day and advertising with the Optimist.

We try to do a lot of different things, but we can’t do them all.”

The Sharky’s location in Abilene opened in April 2006, after the company branched out from its original location in Amarillo. Business partners Young and Brent Epps both co-ran each one until about 2008, Young thinks, when they mutually agreed to split up; Epps staying in Amarillo, and Young focusing solely on Abilene.

Young said the new location, and its proximity to college campuses, has been good for business. Students make up about 60-65 percent of Sharky’s customers.

“I love being in this location,” he said.

“It’s a good place for students to come and eat off campus.”

But this sort of popularity among a constantly changing student population makes for a volatile rotation in the burrito place’s customer base.

“Students leave after graduation,” Young said. “This rotation happens every year, and then we have to work to gain back new freshmen. It’s an ongoing deal trying to regain customers. A lot of restaurants don’t have that problem.”

Homecoming and Sing Song weekends create an even greater traffic jam in the restaurant space.

Even though the students dominate the customer base during the school year, the community traffic picks up during the summer to keep the total burrito sales near the same rate as when school is in.

“The locals know there are less students here during the summer so they come in more,” he said.

But some students stay in Abilene even during the summer and take advantage of the shorter lines, surprising some workers like Emily Teel.

“I see some people I know in line and had no idea they were in town, and wouldn’t have known if I didn’t work there,” Emily said.

Megan Teel, senior graphic design major from Abilene, prepares a burrito at Sharky’s Burrito Company.

Sharky’s Burrito Company has been serving Abilene’s residents and students since 2006.

Ad/PR majors Erika Tanaka, junior from Conroe, and Brandy Houston, sophomore from Abilene, goof off while enjoying a meal at Sharky’s Burrito Company. photos by Mandy Lambright CHIEf Photographer

Opinion

friday 04.19.13

6

editorial

Kim Jong-un picking unecessary fights mores of Western politics have continuously backed North Korea has been increasingly hostile to South Korea, North Korea into a corner.

Japan and the US. In recent years, South Korean leadership has been more stern in its reour take lations with North Korea.

While North Korea may not pose an actual threat, a missle For the past few weeks, strike could prove disastrous for all involved.

North Korea has escalated its threats. Japanese In 1948, a political dis- spread of communism. and South Korean governagreement in Korea caused With hostility, North ments are on high alert. a split between North and Korea has resented the in- A reckless missile attack South. When the commu- tervention ever since. Just against South Korea, Japan nist regime of the North as permeable Western cul- or the US could be disasattempted to conquer ture poses a threat to the trous for all involved. the right-wing South, the conservative values of IsBut does North Korea United Nations, led by the lamists in the Middle East, even have the potential to US, stepped in to stop the the ever-domineering make good on its threats?

the issue

Dr. Mark Cullum, associate professor of history, said the biggest danger from North Korea is shortrange missiles.

“They’re not likely to launch a nuke out of the blue,” he said.

However, Cullum said North Korea’s potential to do something devastating is not beyond imaginable.

“They could do something provocative, meet a stern response, and then escalate their provocations until something like all-out war begins,” he said. “Another no less dis-

EVAN’s marks

turbing possibility is North Korea could help other rogue nations or terrorists get nuclear devices. So they’re a dangerous lot, no doubt.”

Over the past week, North Korean volatility has decreased. The North Korean government may be inching toward peace talks.

Monica Bae, youth and family ministry and sports and recreation management major from Suwon, South Korea, said her family back home has continued life as usual.

evan marks

“My family does not take the whole situation seriously,” Bae said. “They just make fun of it.”

Bae said many of her Korean friends have expressed a similar attitude on Facebook. However, even if North Korea may not pose an actual threat, the tension between North and South is noticeable.

“I just want hope and peace,” Bae said.

contact the optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu

column

Letters from a disgruntled American traveler abroad OXFORD COMMA

MARISSA JONES

column

Sleep more important than study CALL ME, MAYBE

LINDSAY PALMER

It’s getting to the end of the school year and stress levels are high. You are struggling to go to classes, you’ve forgotten you need chapel credits, you have too much homework to do and not enough time. It’s getting to the point where many people pull all nighters or stay up to finish homework in preparation for their final exams. But is losing sleep to do homework actually worth it?

Dr. Philip Alapat, medical director of the Harris Health Sleep Disorders Center and assistant professor at Baylor College of

Medicine, says that college students should get at least eight hours of sleep every night.

This suggestion makes me want to snort. I am lucky to get at least six hours of sleep; getting eight hours of sleep would be a miracle.

Like many students, I do homework during the day but I also have to stay up to finish it.

After being on the phone with my mother one day, she told me I needed to sleep more because it was affecting my homework. I brushed it aside but told her I would look it up. When

hashtagACU 2:38 p.m. April 18

10:27 p.m. April 17

Sometimes I like to just sit back and watch adults try to figure out technology. #whatsahashtag

Two more minutes in this wind and my weave is gonna blow off! #weaveprobs

@chelseasergio

@MarquitaBugg

4:36 p.m. April 17

10:33 a.m. April 18

#thatawkwardmoment when your grandmother freaks out after she hears we can wear shorts at ACU on campus and to chapel @ overheardACU

To anyone who just saw me crawl through the window to get into Morris: 1. You should’ve let me in 2. It’s cold so I regret nothing

@miss_kdlawrence

@StephanieDay19

I looked up college students and sleeping, I found out that everything my mother told me was right. Shocker, right?

Studies show that memory recall and ability to hold concentration are improved by rest. The Harris Health Sleep Disorders Center says that any prolonged sleep deprivation will affect your mood, energy level, ability to focus and will overall affect your academic performance.

Knowing this is the first step to change. Yes, you can stay up every so often, but not sleeping for a long period of time is just harmful.

After reading about this, I found some recommendations to help college students not stay up so late.

Study during times where your brain is at its optimal function, which usually are between 6-8

personal attacks, obscenity, defamation, erroneous information or invasion of privacy. Please limit letters to 350 words or fewer. A name and phone number must be included for verification purposes. Phone numbers will not be published.

One of my AHS kids came into my class eating A CUP OF SUGAR for breakfast. This is what’s wrong with America.

@kirby_nicole 10:13 a.m. April 17

Are any Jrs. at ACU actually going to that MAPP test that is “mandatory”?

@IsaiahTeran

published by the department of journalism and mass communication editorial and management board

Address letters to: ACU Box 27892 Abilene, TX 79609 E-mail letters to: optimist@acu.edu

contact palmer at lsp10b@acu.edu

the Metro door posed to run.

And when the doors opened you bolted.

Hope you’re doing well.

To the man who kicked us out of first class: First off, I would like to begin by apologizing. I know it sounds like a convenient lie, but we honestly had no idea we were sitting in the first class car on that train.

We just thought it was a really nice train that, for once, took pride in its economy class car.

Secondly, I would like to commend you on the luxurious amenities you provide for your most prized customers. Those seats with the fancy plugs surrounding it were superb. The expansive leg room provided, convenient tables and general cleanliness were topnotch. We enjoyed ourselves immensely for the 45 minutes we managed to lounge in comfort, so thank you for that.

Finally, was it really necessary to be quite so rude about making us move?

Honestly, it really wouldn’t have hurt to let us continue feeling elite. There were maybe three other passengers in that train car. But I understand why you had to.

You were just doing your job.

But did you have to say it like that?

“Pay or move,” you said, twice, in the most condescending Italian accent I’ve ever heard.

We were moving, sheesh.

But really, we are deeply sorry for our mistake. Ciao.

11:17 a.m. April 17

9:06 a.m. April 17

contact jones at mnj10a@acu.edu

10:20 a.m. April 17

editorial and Letter Policy Unsigned editorials are the opinions of the Optimist and may not necessarily reflect the views of the university or its administration.

Signed columns, cartoons and letters are the opinions of their creators and may not necessarily reflect the viewpoints of the Optimist or the university.

The Optimist encourages reader response through letters to the editor but reserves the right to limit frequent contributors or to refuse to print letters containing

p.m.

Do not study early in the morning if you aren’t very alert and don’t overuse caffeinated drinks.

Although those are not very surprising recommendations, I came across small changes that would help with sleep deprivation.

Some include things as easy as using the same eating patterns, sleeping without lights so you will fall into a deeper sleep and not drinking caffeine four hours before you go to bed.

It’s the end of the semester and many students are stressed and sleep deprived. However, we all need to recognize that losing sleep to do homework is more harmful than it is helpful.

To the woman who tried to pickpocket me: When I stepped on that busy metro, I’ll admit I took no notice of you. You were pretty unassuming which could’ve made you effective.

And I don’t want to be too harsh or critical but you really did blow it. There are some things in life that don’t make sense: color blind fashion designers, teachers who hate children, squeamish surgeons and, of course, clumsy pickpocketers.

I don’t presume to be an expert on the ways of pickpocketing, but it seems to me one of the pretty important requirements of being a pickpocket is dexterity with a large dose of sneakiness.

You might need to work on that. You started out well enough when you hid your hands beneath your coat– that was pretty sly– and then bumped into my purse with calculated casualness and got your hands on my wallet.

That was good! Keep that up!

But here’s where things went wrong: you dropped the wallet. How could you drop the wallet? If there was one thing you weren’t supposed to do, it was drop the wallet!

When I looked on the ground, my wallet was lying there. I looked at you, and you looked at me.

“You dropped that,” you said innocently, eyes wide.

I was very confused.

“Thank you?”

I’ll admit, my mind definitely could’ve processed the scenario quicker. So you’re welcome. Because if it had, you would’ve been in big trouble. You kept looking at me frantically, but by the time I fully comprehended your actions, you were by

newsroom (325) 674-2439

sports desk (325) 674-2684

9:56 a.m. April 17

You know your day has been crazy when you fall asleep on your bed eating waffles. #seniorproblems

Every time I trim our shrubs there’s further proof that I should have been a hair stylist. #forgetaccounting

@Nick_Tatum

@a_morrisonman

9:58 a.m. April 17

10:23 a.m. April 17

Uhh so the green tea I just bought from the admin cafe expired 2 days ago... #sick #ACUprobs

@laurenb510

@acuedu tech team, FIX THIS! What is the issue with the wifi/registration screen? #SoonPlease

@GavinMLane

I apologize to the guys I flashed when my skirt blew up on the way into the business building. Whoops.

@Angela_Wilson_ 5:41 p.m. April 17

Just ate a re-heated Taco Bueno muchaco because I feel like courting death today.

@BrainOfJake

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7

sports

friday 04.19.13

softball

‘Cats swept by ASU on the road jimmy isbell sports reporter After a sweep last weekend of Cameron University, the Abilene Christian softball team was dealt a sweep of their own from Angelo State Tuesday evening.

The Rambelles won both games by scores of 6-2 and 5-1, snapping a three-game win streak.

The Wildcats dropped their season and Lone Star Conference records to 2422 and 8-12.

“

The pitcher in game two pitched lights out.”

lyndi smith outfielder/first baseman acu softball

Defending LSC Player of the Week Madison Buckley played well, alongside Winkfield who had three of the team’s total seven hits in game one, but their offensive efforts were not enough to lead the ‘Cats to victory.

Two solo homers from Rambelle Lauren Smith versus Wildcat starter Caitlyn Crain (11-10) was just part of the Rambelle’s offensive dominance during game one.

“They were tough, but we did not play to our full potential,” Crain said.

The Wildcats seemed to find some drive late in the seventh with two outs when Sara Vaughn made contact for a single, in which pinch runner Ashley Nolan reached home plate cutting the lead to 6-2.

The rally was quickly ceased when Buckley connected on a ground ball back to starter Mary Kate McKay who then made the easy throw to first to end game one.

Freshman Taylor Fitzgerald sought revenge

paige otway Staff Photographer

Infielder Sara Vaughn rounds the bases at Poly Wells Field. The Wildcats were swept by Angelo State in a two-game series on Tuesday in San Angelo. The team has a three-game series against Eastern New Mexico this weekend. in game two when she belted her third home run of the season, giving the ‘Cats an early 1-0 lead.

ASU’s ace Sandra Serna quickly gained composure after Fitzgerald’s solo shot, ending the game with no mistakes. Serna made

sure the ‘Cats didn’t touch home plate as she recorded four strikeouts and three hits throughout. The win gives Serna her 18th victory of the season.

“We just didn’t hit like we should have,” said Lyndi Smith. “The pitch-

er in game two pitched lights out.”

Wildcat senior Shelby Hall pitched a defensive game until the fourth, when ASU tied the game on a sacrifice fly.

The sixth inning seemed to be a friend to

ASU and an enemy of ACU as the Rambelles scored seven of their eleven total runs in the sixth. The Rambelles scored four runs on five hits against Hall and junior Peyton Mosley to end game two 5-1.

The ‘Cats will travel to

the desert to begin a threegame series against ninth place conference foe Eastern New Mexico.

contact isbell at jri10a@acu.edu

track & Field

Teams to split up, take talents to two meets daniel zepeda sports reporter Six members of ACU’s track and field team will travel to Walnut, Calif. this weekend for the 55th running of the Mt. SAC Relays.

Seniors Baptiste Kerjean, Amanda Ouedraogo, Chloe Susset, Ayesha Rumble and Banjo Jaiyesimi will travel to the golden state to represent ACU. Freshman Xavier King will also join the seniors for the competition. The rest of the squad will travel to Waco to compete in the Michael Johnson Dr. Pepper Classic.

“I’m confident in our team and in the stu-

“

We have consistently stepped up all season when we’ve had to and I know we will again at Baylor.”

jerrod cook interim head coach acu track & field

dents going to California,” head coach Jerrod Cook said. “The seniors and Xavier have proven themselves and I know they will do well.”

Kerjean currently owns the second-best hammer throw in NCAA Division-II at 213 feet-8 inches (65.13 meters) and will attempt to better that mark against an all-star field that features the top-two throwers in all of D-I, Alec Faldermeyer

of UCLA (228-10) and Nick Miller of Oklahoma State (227-4).

Ouedraogo will compete for the triple jump title in a field of ten other competitors. In the Texas Relays, she put up a 43-03.25 (13.19m) that was good enough for fourth place.

Susset and Rumble both are ranked seventh in their individual events. Susset also is the 11th-ranked runner in the 1500m with

a top time of 4:32.87, which she recorded last weekend at West Texas A&M. Susset won the steeplechase at the Texas Tech Open behind a seasonbest time of 10:48.79, while Rumble placed fourth there with a 800m time of 2:11.22 the weekend before that.

“I feel that this team is doing extremely well,” sophomore Lauren Hartwick said. “Coach Cook has been awesome and we have had a lot of people step up and really perform well.”

Middle-distance runners Jaiyesimi and King are just a few seconds shy of attaining provisional marks in the 800m and 1500m, respectively.

baseball

First: Wildcats in a dog fight for an LSC title from page 8

mandy lambright chief Photographer

Catcher Emmett Niland catches the ball behind home plate.

pitching staff struggled to get anyone out that game.

Five pitchers combined to allow 17 Tarleton hits.

Overall though, the starting rotation has been lights out in 2013.

The team has a 4.21 ERA and is holding opponents to a .270 batting average. The staff has been anchored by senior transfer Carter Hahn who is 7-2 with a 2.65 ERA. He is leading the team with four complete games.

Aaron Lambrix has also been magnificent. He is 3-3 with a 2.95 ERA. Lambrix threw 6.2 innings last week in the third game against Cameron. He allowed just one earned run and struck out two Aggies.

“We’re going to continue to rely on him (Lambrix) and Hahn,” Bonneau said. “Both of those guys

“

Last couple of weeks we haven’t hit as well but the offense really came alive on Sunday.” kyle giusti infielder acu baseball

can raise their games when they have to.”

Tarleton has swept Arlington Baptist and Eastern New Mexico. They also took three of four games from Incarnate Word. They own the best defense in the league (.975), the fourthhighest team batting average (.308) and the thirdlowest ERA (3.77).

ACU lost three of four to the Texans at home last year, but leads the all-time series 78-61. contact isaacs at jei08a@acu.edu

Jaiyesimi’s 800m season-best of 1:52.58 currently ranks him 26th in D-II and is a mere .08 seconds shy of the provisional standard, while King ranks 50th with his mark of 3:56.00.

King – an all-conference cross country selection in his first fall at ACU – needs to run under 3:52.00 in order receive national championship consideration.

In Waco, sprinter senior Shennae Steele, sophomore Lexus Williams and freshman Johnathan Farquharson will compete against rival schools Angelo and Tarleton State.

TCU, Sam Houston State and Oklahoma State will also compete at Baylor

over the weekend.

“We have consistently stepped up all season when we’ve had to and I know we will again at Baylor,” Cook said.

Stark and Brooks each recorded career best scores during their outdoor season debuts in the decathlon and heptathlon last weekend at West Texas A&M. Brooks totaled 4,954 points – a personal record by 153 points, while Stark won four events en route to scoring 6,276 points – bettering his previous career best by 172 points.

contact zepeda at djz11a@acu.edu

sports

friday 04.19.13

baseball

8

standings

‘Cats battle TSU for first edward isaacs sports editor

men’s tennis

Team

Div.

Ovrl.

Cameron UIW ACU MSU

19-2 11-5 12-14 16-5

3-0 1-2 1-2 1-2

Team

Div.

Ovrl.

ACU MSU TSU UIW Casmeron TAMU-K

21-5 15-5 11-10 10-8 14-7 1-9

5-0 4-1 3-2 2-3 1-4 0-5

Team

Div.

Ovrl.

TSU ACU ASU UIW TAMU-K WTAMU ENMU Cameron

14-6 13-7 11-9 11-9 10-10 10-10 6-14 5-15

25-11 25-16 27-15 25-15 27-14 24-16 19-20 11-25

Div. 14-4 13-5 11-7 11-7 10-8 9-9 8-10 6-12 6-12 2-14

Ovrl.

women’s tennis

First place in the Lone Star Conference will be up for grabs this weekend when the ‘Cats travel to Stephenville to take on the Tarleton State University Texans.

The Wildcats will play a four-game series that could determine the regular season conference champion. The weekend match-up begins Friday

“

baseball

It doesn’t get any easier, that’s for sure.”

britt bonneau head coach acu baseball

at 3 p.m. and continues on Saturday with a 2 p.m. doubleheader. The finale is set for 1 p.m. Sunday.

“We know we’re going into some tough competition the next two weekends and facing some good arms,” said head coach Britt Bonneau. “It doesn’t get any easier, that’s for sure.”

Tarleton State has been almost unbeatable at home this year. They have lost only one game (11-1) at the Cecil Ballow Baseball Complex and are 25-13-1 overall (14-6 LSC). The Texans are currently 1.0 game ahead of ACU, who is now 25-16 after taking three of four from Cameron University this past weekend.

The team scored 12 runs in the Sunday finale versus Cameron.

“Getting the series win was huge,” said junior infielder Kyle Giusti.

“Last couple of weeks we haven’t hit as well but the offense really came alive on Sunday.”

TSU split with defending LSC champion Angelo State University

softball

Team TWU WTAMU MSU ASU UIW TSU ACU Cameron ENMU TAMU-K

briefings

mandy lambright chief Photographer

Former ACU punter Spencer Covey is working out with the last week. The Rams are Crutcher Scott Field April pionship,” Bonneau said. have met one time this Cowboys this week. tied for third place with University of the Incarnate Word at 11-9. ASU will play at Cameron this week then travel to

26-28.

“These are the teams you’re going to have to beat if you’re going to win a conference cham-

“We’ve got to learn how to play at that level. We’ll find out what we’re made of.”

The ‘Cats and Texans

season and it resulted in a 15-5 seven-inning loss for ACU. The Wildcat see first page 7

Wildcats dismantle the War Hawks sports reporter Wednesday, the Wildcats played one last match to end their regular season. Both the men’s and women’s team challenged McMurry, our neighbors down the road, and did not break a sweat as they landed the Warhawks.

The women’s team didn’t take long to claim their victory, as some matches took only 45 minutes.

In singles, three matches were 6-0 straight and two had the score of 6-1, 6-0.

ACU golfer Alex Carpenter was in this week’s edition of Sports Illustrated.

Carpenter was a part of the popular “Faces in the Crowd” section in which he was recognized for his outstanding golf career at ACU.

Senior right-handed pitcher Carter Hahn winds up to throw a pitch at Crutcher Scott Field. The Wildcats face Tarleton State this weekend, and the winner of that series will be in first place in the LSC.

tennis

brittney johnson

36-10 32-7 34-12 26-14 27-16 21-18 24-20 13-25 14-33 12-29

Micah Hermsdorf who defeated Lauren Renner, Brittney Reed who matched with Sydney Gonzalez, and Hannah Kelley were the matches with a score of 6-0.

The matches of Laura Mongin who faced Salitza Abrantes and Kaysie Hermsdorf who challenged Jessica Bentley finished with a 6-1, 6-0 score and Emily Conrad had her 12th win of the season against Brandy Curry, 6-3, 6-1 The team won all three of the doubles matches.

Two duos served up an 8-4 match, Jamie Lee Denton and K. Hermsdorf

and M. Hermsdorf and partner Kelley. Pair Mongin and Reed defeated McMurry’s Gonzalez and Chelsea Miller 8-2.

The women’s team added a 9-0 win to their winning streak, now at 10 games straight, making them 22-5 overall this season with a 5-0 record in the Lone Star Conference as they head to the LSC Championship Tournament this weekend.

The men’s team end their regular season on a high note as they made a huge comeback after their disappointing trip in Florida last weekend.

The team won 5 of 6 of

their single matches.

Hach Hans faced off against Chris Breaux 6-2, 6-2. Guilherme Gesser matched up with Felipe Cruz 6-4, 4-6, 10-4. Alfredo Desiati put in work and defeated Christiano Mendes 7-5, 7-6 (7-2).

Nicklas Wingord took on Dani Perez 6-2, 6-4 and Borja Cortes finished 6-3, 6-4 against Preston Steblein.

The squad won 2 of 3 doubles matches.

Hach partnered with Gesser defeated Breaux and Casjen Rico 8-2 and Cortes with Jason Proctor challenged pair Cruz and Perez 8-3.

golf

The Wildcats celebrated a 7-2 victory, which improved their season to 13-14 overall with a 1-2 conference mark.

Both teams head to Southlake to start the road in defending their title as conference champs.

The No. 2 seed men’s team will first match up against the University of the Incarnate Word, while the top-seed women’s team will play the winner of the Incarnate Word versus Cameron match.

Who’s Hot Senior pitcher Carter Hahn put together an outhahn standing start last week. Hahn threw seven innings of shutout baseball against Cameron. Hahn’s nine punchouts brought his season total to 75, which leads ACU. Hahn dominated hitters, only giving up four hits. The Wildcats went on to win the game 2-1, and Hahn was credited with a much-deserved win.

upcoming contact johnson at baj12a@acu.edu

The baseball team plays at Tarleton State University Friday at 3 p.m. in the first game of an important four game set. The team also plays a double-header Saturday and a Sunday The bond that Renner formed with the matinee at 1 p.m.

Renner playing 18 holes with God matthew sloan assistant sports editor In the Lone Star Conference Championships, Corbin Renner made a furious charge up the leaderboard in the final round for an impressive second place finish.

Despite the pressure of an individual sport, the course is one of the places Renner finds peace.

“W hen I am out on the renner golf course it is a lot of free time to grow in my spiritual life and see what God has in store for me,” Renner said.

“Growing up I wanted to play ever y other sport just like any kid would, but golf always had something in it that brought me back to it.

Before Renner entered kindergarten he was swinging a golf club, giving him a way to spend time with his father and play a sport at the same time.

“I started playing golf when I was three years old with my dad in Little Rock,” Renner said. “I started playing competitively by the age of six.”

As a teen, the Little Rock, Ark. native was travelling during the weekends to compete in tournaments, many of which were out of state.

“A lot of the junior tournaments I played

“

When I am out on the golf course it is a lot of free time to grow in my spiritual life and see what God has in store for me.”

Carpenters helped lead him to ACU, where the life-long friends have come together to become one of the most formidable teams in the country.

“Going into high school I knew Luke, Adam and Alex Carpenter and they were like corbin renner brothers to me,” Renner said. sophomore acu golf “We hung out all the time and played golf all the time. When I found out I was movin were in Texas,” Renner said. “On the ing to Little Rock and going to the same weekends I would be travelling with my dad. high school as them, it was a lot of fun. Then We would just pack it all up and go to a tour- when I heard that Adam and Alex signed nament, and then head back for school on with ACU and I figured out Luke was going; Monday.”

I wanted to go there too. Coach gave me an Renner has had plenty of success on the opportunity, so I was basically following my golf course, but the first time he beat his fa- brothers here.” ther has always stuck in his mind.

As a sophomore, the future is bright for “The first time I beat my dad I was about Renner, who is already one of the Wildcat’s 13,” Renner said. “It took a long time, but I top golfers. Renner hopes to continue to decan remember that day for as long as I live. velop his game and eventually play golf for We were playing for a coke and a candy bar a living. at the gas station.”

“One of my goals I set coming into college From there, Renner was a part of a talent- was to be the number one player and beed high school golf team that featured him come a team captain,” Renner said. “When and the Carpenter brothers that are now his I get done with college, I want to try and beACU teammates as well. come a professional golfer, so we’ll have to “He is a good kid and has basically been a see what the Lord has for me.” younger brother to me since my junior year in high school,” teammate Alex Carpenter said. “It has been really fun to watch him contact sloan at grow up not only as a golfer but also as an mes10b@acu.edu overall good guy.”

The softball team plays at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. against Eastern New Mexico University in a Lone Star Conference matchup Friday before a series finale Saturday afternoon.

The track and field team competes in the Mt. SAC relays Friday and Saturday. They are also in the Dr. Pepper Michael Johnson Classic Saturday.

The men’s and women’s tennis team plays in the Lone Star Conference tournament Saturday all day long.