The Optimist Print Edition: 11/11/2009

Optimist the

Vol. 98, No. 23

The Season in Photos

PAGE 5 1 section, 8 pages

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

BREAKING NEWS, VIDEOS, PHOTOS, DISCUSSION AND EXCLUSIVE CONTENT

acuoptimist.com

RESTAURANTS

Pizza Inn claims Judge Ely location Colter Hettich Editor in Chief

COLTER HETTICH Editor in Chief

Pizza Inn will stand between CVS Pharmacy and Taco Bueno on North Judge Ely Boulevard.

Students will have another takeout option soon when Pizza Inn opens on North Judge Ely Boulevard.

Bruce Bixby, commercial property owner from Abilene,

leased the land to Pizza Inn because it complements the area’s “mix.”

“These major chains, once they determine they want to be somewhere, they will do everything in their power to get that location,” Bixby said.

He said he plans to remodel or rebuild the Radford Hills Shopping Center and is “negotiating leases that would give us the green light.”

Bixby said Abilene, unlike the struggling national economy is doing better than fine.

“I have probably 400 tenants in West Texas and most of them are having record years,” he said. “Almost all our buildings are full.

contact Hettich at

clh05d@acu.edu

INTRAMURALS

JOZIE SANDS Chief Photographer

Cody Bowden, sophomore information systems major from Crowley, holds on tight during a match between Trojans and Mabee freshmen on Monday evening.

Intramural waterball returns Adrianna Castaneda

with more rules to prevent a repeat of past accidents.

Contributing Reporter Kenli Edwards, director of intramural sports, said dunking and holding Waterball has made its way back to is now a penalty. In the past, players ACU campus with a splash.

The intramural office cut the sport were allowed to dunk opponents in from the schedule last year because possession of the ball and hold them of injuries and unsportsmanlike con- underwater until they released it.

Players are responsible for reportduct. Waterball returned this year

ing any injuries that are not witnessed, such as a bloody nose or busted lip.

Injured players should move to the sidelines where referees can see them.

All players sign a waiver releasing the school and the intramural office from liability for injuries.

Alia Barnes, sophomore communication science and disorders major

from San Francisco, Calif., suffered a shoulder injury in a past game against Sigma Theta Chi. Barnes said she was hurt sometime during the first half but continued to play throughout the game.

Waterball is not unfamiliar territory see WATERBALL page 4

MUSIC

VETERANS DAY

University plans first Local Christian rock act Veterans Day ceremony signs with Chicago label Christianna Lewis Contributing Reporter ACU will honor veterans from all over the Big Country, as well as ACU alumni who have served in the armed forces, at its first Veterans Day tribute.

Dr. Royce Money, president of the university, will conduct the opening ceremonies at 11 a.m. Wednesday in Moody Coliseum. A 30-minute ceremony will

replace regular Chapel activities.

There is no other Veterans Day tribute in Abilene, said Jim Holmans, executive assistant to the president, and Dr. Money and a planning committee of faculty and staff members saw that as an opportunity for ACU to give back to veterans and the community as a whole.

“It should be a heartwarming service,” Hol-

Forecast Fri

74° 50°

mans said.

The Big Purple band will perform patriotic music at the ceremony.

The band’s narrated rendition of Duty, Honor, Country will include excerpts from the speech by the same title Gen. Douglas MacArthur delivered to the cadets at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1962.

Brittany Brand Contributing Reporter Victory Records gave the local band, Close Your Eyes, an opportunity to record an album when they signed them Oct. 30.

Brett Callaway, lead guitarist for Close Your Eyes, said the band was talking to other labels before Victory called, asking the Photo courtesy of MYSPACE.COM/CLOSEYOUREYESMUSIC

see VETERANS page 4

Inside Sat

76° 54°

Sun

80° 56°

RADICAL ISLAMISTS have complicated life for peaceful Muslims and patriotic non-Muslims.

How do we preserve both freedom and security?

Page 6

Close Your Eyes, of Abilene, signed with Victory Records.

see LABEL page 4

Online WILDCAT VOLLEYBALL, undefeated at home, ended its 2009 season on a 15game winning streak, and finished No. 2 in the LSC Tournament.

Page 8

VIDEO

LOUDandCLEAR

Was Hasan’s rampage motivated by religion? a. Yes, the evidence abounds. b. No, it is Islamophobic to even suggest that. c. He was psychologically unstable, period.

Flag Football Championships

Visit acuoptimist.com to join the discussion.

2

Campus Day Wednesday, November 11, 2009

CALENDAR AND EVENTS

11

WEDNESDAY

11 a.m.

Leadership Summit Mandatory Meeting 3 p.m.

Spring 2010 Registration: Freshmen

12

THURSDAY

4 p.m.

Carmichael-Walling Lectures 2009: From Jesus to Paul 5:30 p.m.

ArtWalk 6:30 p.m.

The Case for Origins: A Scientific Evaluation of the Theory of Evolution at the Paramount Theatre

13

About This Page The Optimist maintains this calendar for the ACU community to keep track of local social, academic and service opportunities. Groups may send announcements directly to optimist@jmcnetwork. com.

To ensure an item will appear on time, the announcement should be sent at least 10 days before. The Optimist may edit items for space and style.

Corrections and clarifications of published news articles will be printed in this space in a timely manner.

FRIDAY

Last day to withdraw from a class 11 a.m.

Senior Academic Honors Chapel and Reception 7:30 p.m.

Ethnos Family: The Culture Show

Chapel Checkup

Credited Chapels to date: Credited Chapels remaining:

57 14

Volunteer Opportunities The Salvation Army needs volunteers to help shoppers select Angel Tree toys, keep Angel Tree records, label items and receive gifts.

Contact Cecilia Barahona at 677-1557 for more information.

Meals on Wheels needs volunteers to deliver hot meals to disabled seniors and adults each week. Volunteers work once a week, MondayFriday, 11 a.m. -1 p.m. Call Elisabeth Rodgers at 6725050 for more information.

The Abilene Community Theatre will perform Inspecting Carol at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 5-7 at 801 S. Mockingbird Lane. Tickets are $8 for students.

Call the box office at 673-6271.

Ethnos Family: The Culture Show will take place at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 13-14 in Cullen Auditorium.

Tickets are $3 and will be available in the Campus Center from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. during the week of the show.

Announcements ArtWalk will take place from 5-8:30 p.m. Oct. 8 in Downtown Abilene.

There will be live music, shopping and art exhibits.

Jazz Night will take place at 8:30 p.m. Nov. 17 at Monks Coffee

Shop. The event is free and will feature the ACU Jazz Combo.

The premiere of Mauritius will take place at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 19 in The Culp Theatre. Call 674-2787 to purchase tickets. Tickets are also available online

at www.acu.edu/theatre and at the Box Office in the Williams Performing Arts Center, open MondayFriday from 1-5 p.m.

Skillet’s Awake & Alive tour with Hawk Nelson will take place at 6 p.m.

Nov. 22 at the Abilene

Civic Center. Tickets can be bought in advance for $18.50 or $23 at the door. Groups of 10 or more can purchase tickets for $15 each. Tickets can be bought at Beltway Park Church, Lifeway and Mardel Stores, or online at www.iTickets.com.

Campus News

November 11, 2009

Page 3

RESIDENCE LIFE

ResLife glides through disc golf tournament Jill Dougher Contributing Reporter Eighty people participated in the first Residence Life disc golf tournament on ACU’s new course Saturday.

Jae Webb, residence director of the sophomore experience, and Chris Windsor, residence director of the freshman experience, said it was time for people to reap the benefits of a disc golf course.

“We’re hoping it will be the first of many ResLife tournaments,” Webb said.

The communitywide tournament was an 18hole, two-person scramble – in a scramble, partners use the better of the two players’ shots – ac-

cording to the Residence Life Web site.

The tournament cost $5 for ACU students and $10 for other participants. The first 40 to sign up received a free T-shirt.

Deonna Shake, instructor in exercise science and health, raised more than $18,000 to build the course. She said she is excited to see how the course bridges the gap between ACU and the public.

“Our vision was to let the course work for the community,” Shake said.

According to the Web site, the tournament had three divisions: mixed, women’s and men’s.

“The winds on Saturday created less-than-

TOURNAMENT WINNERS Men’s championship division: n The Destroyers, Brad Ivy and Santos Montoya Men’s recreational division: n Team Boss, Bryson Shake and Brady Welch Mixed division: n The Rogers, Alan and Francis Rogers Women’s division: n The Basket Cases, Deonna Shake and Tammy Powell

ideal conditions for a disc golf tournament, but it did make for some interesting and funny shots,” Shake said. “I hope we continue to have a good following with future tournaments on our new course.”

HEATHER LEIPHART Staff Photographer contact Dougher at

optimist@jmcnetwork.com

Walker Nikolaus, sophomore engineering physics major from Ramstein, Germany, practices disc golf on the course behind Smith-Adams Residence Hall.

SERVICE

College Bowl supports Big Brothers Big Sisters Casey Oliver Contributing Reporter Big Brothers Big Sisters of Abilene is inviting students to the seventh annual College Bowl For Kids’ Sake competition Saturday to raise funds for their program.

The team-bowling event, which will take place at the Abilene Bowling Lanes, will include door prizes, pizza and T-shirts.

Each team will consist

of five members, and members are encouraged to raise $350 to cover the team entry fee, although the fee is not required for participation. Intramural points will also be awarded to participants.

Michelle Parrish, corporate partnerships coordinator for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Abilene, said the event was a success last year.

“We had 22 teams compete last year,” she said.

“We were able to raise a lot of funds from them.”

Parrish said there are only six teams signed up to participate, and she hopes to get more teams

by Saturday.

“This is one of our most important fundraisers,” she said.

Parrish said 100 percent of the money raised at the event – the organization’s final fundraiser of the year – supports the matching of college

It’s wonderful that people we don’t necessarily know are willing to support us. It shows the compassion that our community has for others who are in need.

KIRBY MCERLANE Junior family studies major from Sugar Land

students with children.

Kirby McErlane, junior family studies major from Sugar Land, said she appreciates the donations of others.

“It’s wonderful that people we don’t necessarily know are willing to financially support us,” McErlane said. “It shows the compassion that our community has for others who are in need.”

Volunteers and contributors may be donating to

the organization, Parrish said, but the kids’ lives show the real difference.

“The kids are so appreciative of the donations,” Parrish said.

“They hand-write thank you notes, and it’s encouraging that they understand outside financial support.”

College students may not have the time to be mentors, but they can give back to their local community during this

event, according to the press release.

The event will take place from 1-3 p.m. Saturday. Students can visit the event’s Web site at www.westtxbowl.kintera. org for more information or to register a team.

contact Oliver at

optimist@jmcnetwork.com

From Front

Page 4

November 11, 2009

VETERANS DAY

INTRAMURALS

Waterball: Fan Veterans: Day honors soldiers favorite is back Continued from page 1

Continued from page 1

for Barnes, who played water polo throughout high school. Before tearing her ACL in the spring of her senior year, she planned to play for Stanford University. Barnes said playing waterball is much easier than water polo, because all players have to do is place the ball on the other side of the pool.

“The difference between waterball and water polo is the sheer fact that people are bred for water polo and people are trained for waterball,” Barnes said.

Hilary Standish, senior psychology major from Austin, plays waterball on the Alpha Kai Omega team and said she fell in love with the sport after watching just one game. Standish said she wished the sport was year-round because it builds community and gets everyone “amped” every year.

Every team plays the sport a little differently. Waterball is an eye opening experience for spectators when they see normally courteous people act in such a violent manner.

Mark Daughdrill, junior psychology major from Cypress, plays in the intramural league on a team he formed with friends. Daughdrill said

the difference between a women’s game and a men’s game is the greater ferocity of the women, while the men do not seem to care afterward.

“Some girls, we didn’t know they had the fight in them to keep playing,” Standish said.

Aly Cain, sophomore political science major from Houston, attends a waterball game at least once a week and enjoys cheering on her friends in the water. Cain said the games are intense for the spectators, as well as the athletes.

“If more students knew about waterball coming back to campus this year, there would be more involved outside of social club teams,” Standish said.

She said waterball is an exciting game that keeps the crowd standing in anticipatio. Although it is a rough sport, Standish said there are rarely hard feelings outside the game.

“What happens in the pool, stays in the pool,” Standish said.

contact Castaneda at

optimist@jmcnetwork.com

tary Academy at West Point in 1962.

The Armed Forces Medley will be a chance for veterans attending the ceremony to stand and be recognized. Special tribute will be given to those soldiers who died in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as ACU alumni who lost their lives in service.

Opening Day Ceremonies traditionally included patriotic elements, such as the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. The plan-

ning committee developed the Veterans Day tribute after Money made the decision to spread those observances among other days of remembrance.

Because Memorial Day is not observed during the school year, the committee chose Veterans Day to recognize men and women who have served in the military, said Dr. Gary McCaleb, vice president of the university.

Though the Veterans Day tribute has not been declared an annual event, it has the poten-

tial to become one, McCaleb said.

Ron Hadfield said it is important to set aside a time to honor veterans, and he was excited to be part of the planning process.

“I was asked, but I would have volunteered anyway,” said Hadfield, assistant vice president for university communication.

Hadfield said a great deal of his appreciation for veterans grew from his relationship with Dr. John C. Stevens, ACU’s chancellor emeritus and eighth president.

The former president,

now deceased, served in WWII. “He loved his country,” Hadfield said. “I was inspired by his stories and respected his contribution.”

Hadfield said veterans can too often be taken for granted, and this is a chance for ACU to honor what they have done and continue to do to secure freedom.

contact Lewis at

optimist@jmcnetwork.com

MUSIC

Label: Album due early 2010 Continued from page 1 band to play a show in Chicago. Soon after the show, Close Your Eyes and Victory started negotiating a contract. In the end, the contract with Victory seemed the most solid, Callaway said, and the band decided to sign with them.

Callaway, who has been playing guitar since seventh grade, said he always has aspired to sign with a record label. He has been a part of this project, though, for only about four years.

Shane Raymond, the band’s vocalist, and

Callaway met while attending Hardin-Simmons University. They both were wearing band T-shirts, which sparked a conversation. The two realized they had similar interests in music and started Close Your Eyes, Callaway said.

Close Your Eyes is a five-man group: Raymond on vocals; Callaway and Andrew Rodriguez on guitar; Sonny Vega on bass; and David Fidler on drums.

Callaway said the group plays hardcore music, but contrary to the stereotype, they don’t scream all the time. He said their style is from a movement that came out of the punk

scene in the ’80s. They consider themselves a Christian band and try to maintain a positive message.

According to the Web site, the band’s mission statement “is to give hope to the hopeless, give bread to the hungry, give love to the unloved and give life to those who feel there is nothing left.”

Zak Zeinert, a member of another Abilene band, Swing the Lead, has had a few opportunities to play with Close Your Eyes.

“They are awesome guys,” said Zeinert, senior photojournalism major from Houston.

“They put a lot of effort into what they do.”

Close Your Eyes will start recording Monday, and the release date for the band’s new album – Callaway said Hands and Feet is the potential title – is Mar. 16, according to Victory’s Web site. Callaway also said the band plans to tour after recording wraps up.

For more information, visit www.myspace.com/ closeyoureyesmusic.

contact Brand at

optimist@jmcnetwork.com

November 11, 2009

Focus

Page 5

JOZIE SANDS Chief Photographer

Daryl Richardson leaps over a Southeastern Oklahoma State University player to complete a play. The Wildcats stomped SE Oklahoma in a 33-14 victory in Shotwell Stadium Sept. 19 – the Wildcats’ third game of the season. ACU improved to 4-0 with the win, while the Savage Storm fell to 2-2.

ChasingtheirChance Playoff shot caps tumultuous season

JOZIE SANDS Chief Photographer

HEATHER LEIPHART Staff Photographer

ABOVE: Red-shirt freshman quarterback Mitchell Gale passes the ball to a fellow Wildcat in the game against Angelo State on Oct. 10. He threw for 218 yards and one touchdown and completed 18 out of 24 passes.

The Wildcats blew past the No. 23-ranked Rams 38-14 in San Angelo.

The win improved ACU to 7-0 on the season.

ABOVE RIGHT: Nick Jones pushes through the Texas A&M-Commerce defense. The Wildcats beat the Lions 20-14 in overtime Sept. 12, in spite of the rain. With the win at the Cotton Bowl, the Wildcats improved to 3-0 on the season and 1-0 in the LSC. RIGHT: Running back Daryl Richardson shrugs off a Tarleton State defender while running the ball downfield in the game Oct 24. ACU fell for the second time in as many weeks, this time at the hands of the Texans with a final score of 13-6.

HEATHER LEIPHART Chief Photographer

Opinion

Page 6

EDITORIAL

November 11, 2009

Balancing freedom, security difficult gether a profile of Hasan, and even a thorough profile might not conclusively reveal a motive.

But Hasan, according to widespread reports, was vocal about his allegiance to the Muslim faith and strongly opposed U.S. military efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

If Islam continues to grow in popularity and influence, not just in the U.S. but across the world, non-Muslim Americans will face the difficult task of protecting themselves from extremists like Hasan, while upholding the right of all citizens to impartial freedom.

The U.S. has declared a war on terror. Former President George W. Bush and President Obama have stated the

trates a cultural tension that surfaced most recently in reactions to the Fort Hood shooting. This tension can easily stifle discussion in an environment where political correctness is in vogue.

Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, licensed psychiatrist, was practicing at Darnall Army Medical Center at Fort Hood on Thursday when he went on a shooting rampage, killing 13 and wounding at least 30, according to www.cnn.com. On Friday, President Barack Obama cautioned the nation against “jumping to conclusions.” Caution, however, should not preempt honest questioning.

Government agencies and military leaders have only begun to piece to-

She saw them coming, but told herself the fear was an irrational one.

As she and her husband stepped into the SUV, the two black men rushed the vehicle, pulling handguns from their pockets, and stole the vehicle.

Later that night, her husband tried to calm her, but to no avail. “… And it’s my fault, because I knew it was going to happen,” she screamed. “But if a white person sees two black men walking toward her and she turns and walks the other way, she’s a racist, right? Well, I got scared, and I didn’t say anything, and 10 seconds later, I had a gun in my face.”

This scene from the 2004 film Crash illus-

war is not against Islam but against extremism that promotes acts of terror and destruction.

It is not the fault of peaceful Muslims that violent radicals have killed thousands in the name of Allah. We must resist the impulse to fear an individual simply because he practices Islam.

If other signs point to danger or abnormality, take one more objective look at the situation before taking action or making accusations.

Nevertheless, a red flag is a red flag. We cannot function as though extremists will broadcast their deadly intentions before following through on them. Fear of the unknown is powerful, and seemingly arbitrary attacks are scary. Authorities

Ataraxia

By Jordan Blakey

THE ISSUE

Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, a proclaimed Muslim, went on a shooting rampage Thursday, killing 13 and wounding at least 30.

OUR TAKE

As the Muslim faith continues to grow in popularity and influence in the U.S., we should take care to temper fear with objectivity and understanding. should be free to address security threats without facing accusations of racism or ethnocentrism.

To say Hasan acted violently because of his beliefs is not an inherently bigoted statement. To say all Muslims will act in the same way because of their religion, is. It is the responsibility of every citizen to recognize the difference.

In moments of conflict, we cannot act as

though violence is never religiously motivated.

We should, however, be slow to judge – after all, that’s our religion.

Email the Optimist at:

optimist@jmcnetwork.com

COLUMN

Future focus ruins present E-Span Lizzy Spano

COLUMN

Disfellowship causes doctrinal debate Hacked Off Chelsea Hackney You know you’re a Church of Christ kid if you’ve been on the wrong end of a disfellowshipping joke.

I like to consider myself w e l l versed in the docHackney trinal heritage of the Church of Christ, but this practice is quite foreign to me.

Growing up, I knew only two things about disfellowshipping: it wasn’t something you wanted to happen to you, and you weren’t supposed to call it excommunication. After 18 years of church camp and a college education, I’m still a little fuzzy on the details. That is, until I spent the past week researching exactly this topic.

For those who are unfamiliar with the practice, it is a way to discipline members who refuse to repent of a sin. It is supported by several New Testament Scriptures, the most common of which is Matthew 18:15-17.

This passage outlines the “procedure” a Christian should follow if “your brother sins against you.” First, you should go to him alone and tell him of his fault.

If he doesn’t listen, take a few people with you. If he blows them off, too, take it to the church. If the whole church can’t convince this guy to cut it out, “treat him as you would a pagan or tax collector.” In other words, show him the door.

While that sounds harsh in theory, it is. God is serious about removing yourself from anything that distracts, tempts or separates you from him. Sin being the ultimate separation, staying

Exclusion is not a sign of compassion; it is, in fact, a sign of failure. It is the church’s symbolic way of washing its hands of “impossible” cases. away from hardened sinners would seem like the best choice. Many church leaders also argue disfellowshipping causes the excluded member to feel lonely and desire reconciliation with the family and with God. That’s just not true.

I think exclusion is going to be written on the epitaphs of churches across the country. Exclusion is not a sign of compassion; it is, in fact, a sign of failure.

It is the church’s symbolic way of washing its hands of “impossible” cases. To disfellowship someone is to give up on them.

I’m a young Christian, and I am not a theologian. I can, though, grasp the concept of

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 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.

Address letters to: ACU Box 27892 Abilene, TX 79699 E-mail letters to: optimist@acu.edu

a perfect and jealous God. I understand Christianity requires sacrifice and sanctity. I do not subscribe to the anything-goes-becausemy-buddy-Jesus-lovesme-no-matter-what kind of faith. But, correct me if I’m wrong, Jesus died for us while we were still sinners.

And we’re going to refuse to share a pew with one?

contact Hackney at

ceh05c@acu.edu

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Published by the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication Newsroom (325) 674-2439

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We are always waiting for the next big thing to happen. Whether it is a subconscious thought process or a recognized feeling, it seems almost everyone believes Spano his life is on the verge of something.

Some are looking for a new and better job; others are about to graduate and enter into adulthood. Still others are hoping to finally stumble upon true love; trying to have a baby; or waiting for their big break.

People are always banking on the fact their lives are soon going to improve, or they are soon going to achieve the success and happiness they have always been searching for.

Shauna Niequist, author of Cold Tangerines, writes in her memoir that she grew up feeling like she lived in a movie, and her mundane life was acceptable as long as she knew the climax was coming and things were going to turn around soon.

We have entertained similar thoughts. Movies and books have presented an unrealistic picture of how life should be, with happy endings and love stories that cannot possibly be attained in real life.

Instead of setting our hopes to find a Nicholas Sparks love story or our godlike vampire boyfriend, we should take stories for what they are:

stories. Appreciate books and movies for their possibility of escape from the real world – don’t substitute their expectations for real world values.

You can’t watch a tender interaction between a mother and newborn with a group of girls without one of them remarking, “I can’t wait to have children!” Men are expected to be planning for a success-

We should appreciate the place we are in life, instead of constantly anticipating what is going to happen next. ful career by the time they graduate from high school and snag a wife before they graduate college.

We should appreciate the place we are in life, instead of constantly anticipating what is going to happen next. If we are always waiting and wishing for the next best thing to happen, everything good about the present is going to pass us by.

Instead of wondering how life could be better, think about what is good about life right now. Maybe we don’t have picture-perfect, movie-perfect, bookperfect lives. The reality is, we never will. We need to realize the next big moment – and whatever else we have been waiting for – is happening right now. contact Spano at

eas07a@acu.edu

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From Sports

November 11, 2009

Page 7

CROSS-COUNTRY

Injuries: Wildcat season ends in disappointment Continued from page 8

“I had to make an in-game decision with Cleophas,” Burroughs said. “We had to stop this to prevent a major injury and minimize future damage.”

To say injuries affected the team would be an understatement. Not only did the team lose Tanui during the race, but freshman Colby Delbene was racing through visible pain, as well. ACU also had to run the entire season without star runner Romain Rybicki because of an injury.

“We’re a good team,” Burroughs said. “You just can’t lose three of your best runners and expect to qualify.

We could sustain one injury but not three.”

However, the race was not a complete disappointment for the Wildcats. All-Region

You just can’t lose three of your best runners and expect to qualify.

SAM BURROUGHS Cross-Country Head Coach

runner Amos Sang won the individual title and will represent the Wildcats as an individual at the 2009 NCAA II National Championship later this month. Sang outstripped the competition, crossing the line more than a full minute ahead of the rest of the pack with a time of 29:53.23.

Unfortunately for ACU, there was a dropoff between Sang and the Wildcats’ second finisher. Daniel Maina crossed the line in 20th place with a time of 32:24.79.

Missouri Southern won the men’s title with 56 points; Southwest Baptist came in second with a score of 81 points.

The women’s team ended a frustrating 2009 season with a 19th place team finish.

Freshman Chloe Susset was ACU’s top finisher, crossing the line in 34th place with a time of 23:15.66. Missouri Southern captured the team title as expected, with an impressive score of 18 points.

Second-place Dallas Baptist finished in a distant second with 86 total points.

HEATHER LEIPHART Staff Photographer contact Craig at

jrc07d@acu.edu

Amos Sang won the individual title at the NCAA regional cross-country meet in Nelson Park on Saturday.

FOOTBALL

FOOTBALL

Playoffs: ’Cats and MSU set to battle

Short: ’Cats fall to MSU in season finale

Continued from page 8

In the fourth quarter, ACU had a chance to complete the comeback, but fell short.

The Wildcats again called on Lineberry to kick a long field goal after a long drive stalled. Lineberry nailed a 51-yard field goal to make the score 15-13.

ACU got the ball back at its 30-yard line with 3:31 left in the game, but was stopped on a fourth-and-7 when Gale launched an incomplete pass, closing out the game.

The loss dropped ACU’s overall record to 8-3 and gave Midwestern a share of first place in the Lone Star Conference Championship for the first time in Midwestern’s history.

The Wildcats will return to Wichita Falls for a first-round playoff game Saturday at noon, when they will have a chance to redeem Saturday’s loss.

“After watching the game film, we were just a couple plays away from putting up more points,” said quarterback Mitchell Gale. “It is encouraging to know we get another chance.”

Continued from page 8

they will play the winner of the TSU-Kingsville game. The winner of the ACU-MSU game will travel to Missouri to face the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats.

The Wildcats beat the Bearcats 19-14 in Abilene during the opening game, in the Bearcats’ only loss in their 10-1 season.

Saturday’s game will kick off at noon. Tickets can be purchased in advance by calling the MSU ticket office at 940-3974779. Reserved tickets cost $10. General admission is $5, and tickets are $3 for students.

contact Cantrell at

jrc07f@acu.edu

JOZIE SANDS Chief Photographer

Kevin Washington makes a tackle against Midwestern State University on Saturday.

contact Cantrell at

jrc07f@acu.edu

VOLLEYBALL

Roll: Momentum carries volleyball team into postseason Continued from page 8

starting players Shawna Hines and Michelle Bacon on Thursday; each was voted to the academic all-District VI volleyball team with Bacon selected for the second team and tournament wasn’t the only Hines, the third.

ACU will face Kingsville good news the Wildcats reat 2:30 p.m. Thursday in ceived this weekend.

ESPN Magazine honored Canyon. If the Wildcats

We have worked on improving and perfecting our game for the playoffs.

Lindsey Campbell. “We LINDSEY CAMPBELL Volleyball Assistant Coach have worked on improving and perfecting our game for the playoffs.”

The tournament has the seventh seed in the consequences for the re- region, and the top eight gional tournament, as teams advance.

Inclusion in the LSC well. The Wildcats are

win, they will face the winner of the match between Angelo State, third, and Texas Woman’s, sixth. The championship match will be at 7 p.m. Saturday.

contact Gwin at

agg07a@acu.edu

QUICK FACTS The Wildcats enter the Lone Star Conference tournament as the second seed. n West Texas A&M defeated ACU in the 2008 championship game 3-2. n The LSC automatic berth will go to the winner of the eight-team single elimination tournament.

Sports

Page 8

Standings FOOTBALL Ovrl.

Div. Team MSU Tarleton St. TAMU-K ACU Angelo St. WTAMU SE Okla.

TAMU-C Central Okla.

NE State ENMU SW Okla.

East Central

7-2 7-2 7-2 6-2 5-3 5-3 4-4 4-4 3-5 2-6 2-6 2-7 0-8

9-2 9-2 9-2 8-2 6-4 5-5 6-4 4-5 3-7 2-8 2-7 2-8 0-10

VOLLEYBALL Ovrl.

Div. Team WTAMU ACU Angelo St. TAMU-C Central Okla.

SE Okla.

TAMU-K TX Woman’s MSU Cameron East Central Tarleton St. SW Okla.

ENMU

13-0 12-1 10-3 8-5 7-6 6-7 6-7 6-7 6-7 5-8 5-8 4-9 3-10 0-13

31-3 27-5 18-13 24-9 16-15 22-14 17-12 16-16 10-24 17-12 14-21 10-21 6-28 6-23

WOMEN’S SOCCER Div. Ovrl.

Team WTAMU Central Okla.

TX Woman’s MSU ACU TAMU-C SW Okla.

Angelo St. ENMU East Central NE State

7-2-1 7-3 6-3-1 6-4 5-3-2 5-5 4-5-1 4-6 4-6 3-7 1-8-1

14-2-3 14-6-2 8-9-2 13-5-2 10-7-2 10-8-1 7-10-2 10-9 9-10 6-8-2 5-11-1

Scores THURSDAY Soccer ACU 1, Midwestern State 2

Volleyball ACU 3, TAMU-K 0

SATURDAY

FOOTBALL

MIDWESTERN REMATCH

Wildcats advance to playoffs

Wildcat comeback falls short

Ryan Cantrell

Ryan Cantrell

Assistant Sports Editor

Assistant Sports Editor

Despite a tough loss to Midwestern last Saturday, the Wildcats will be going to the playoffs for the fourth straight year.

ACU earned the sixth and final spot and will travel to Wichita Falls for a rematch against the third seeded Midwestern State Mustangs. ACU is hoping to avenge a 15-13 loss in the season finale.

The Wildcats were in danger of missing the playoffs after the loss last week. However, losses

by Missouri Western and Central Missouri – who were ranked fifth in sixth and the region, respectively – and a strong strength of schedule kept ACU from falling out of the top six teams in the region. Quarterback Mitchell Gale was just glad to make it to the postseason.

“It is encouraging to know that we made it to the next season,” Gale said. “We see this as a new five-game season. We take into account that the past 11 games do not mean anything.

We also know that everyone else starts over, too, at 0-0.”

Texas A&M-Kingsville won its final game and moved up to the fourth seed. They will face Tarleton State, which lost last week to West Texas A&M but fell to only fifth in the rankings.

Central Washington earned the top seed in the region as the only undefeated team entering the playoffs, and Nov. 21,

The Mustangs’ 15-point first quarter doomed the Wildcats on Saturday. The 15-13 loss dropped ACU to sixth in the region, which earned them the last playoff spot.

“Our guys came back,” said Head Coach Chris Thomsen.

“They fought hard, and I am proud of them.”

Zack Eskridge dominated the first quarter, a perfect 11 out of 11 for the quarter. He led the Mustang offense to two touchdowns and a field goal, although the offense missed both extra points, bringing the score to 15-0 after one quarter.

Offensively, the pressure got to Gale, and he struggled to complete 18 of 31 passes for 141 yards, with one touchdown and one interception for the game.

ACU turned things around in the second quarter, using the wind to help them drive down 58 yards and score on a three-yard pass play to tight end Trey Simeone with 3:58 left in the second quarter. Morgan Lineberry added a 56-yard field goal with 1:53 left to make the score 15-10. The Wildcats went into the half trailing by five.

The third quarter was a defensive battle as both teams held the other scoreless. ACU’s defense stopped the Mustangs on a short field after Gale threw an interception.

JOZIE SANDS Chief Photographer

JOZIE SANDS Chief Photographer

Above: Edmund Gates walks to the sideline as Midwestern players celebrate their victory. Below: Mitchell Gale carries the ball in a loss against Midwestern.

see PLAYOFFS page 7

Wildcats roll into LSC tournament as No. 2 seed

ACU 13, Midwestern State 15

Volleyball ACU 3, Tarleton State 1

MONDAY

Austin Gwin

Women’s Basketball

Assistant Sports Editor

ACU 47, SMU 74

Upcoming Volleyball ACU vs. TAMU-K, 2:30 p.m.

FRIDAY Volleyball LSC Semifinals

HEATHER LEIPHART Staff Photographer

Daniel Maina runs in the 2009 NCAA Regional crosscountry meet at Nelson Park on Saturday.

Injuries plague Wildcat runners Jeff Craig Sports Reporter

Soccer NCAA Quarterfinals

SATURDAY Football ACU at Midwestern State, noon

Volleyball LSC Championships

Soccer HOME GAMES LISTED IN ITALICS

Briefs

n Junior Ijeoma Moronu was named LSC Setter of the Week for the fifth time this season. Moronu is now fourth on the ACU all-time list for assists with 3,471.

An unpredictable season came to a disappointing end for the cross-country teams at the NCAA Regional meet.

The men’s team, fresh from a dominating performance at the Lone Star Conference Championships on Oct. 24, seemed poised to finish in the top three at the regional race. A top three finish would have earned the Wildcats a spot in the national championship.

However, a season filled with injuries finally caught up to ACU. The team finished in ninth place after losing all-Region runner Cleophas Tanui to patellar tendonitis, also known as jumper’s knee.

see SHORT page 7

VOLLEYBALL

CROSS-COUNTRY

Football

THURSDAY

November 11, 2009

“The race started off well,” said Head CrossCountry Coach Sam Burroughs. “Amos [Sang] dominated the first part of the race, and Cleophas was right up there with him. The second lap, Cleophas lost a lot of ground. You could physically see distress in his face.”

Burroughs began to notice Tanui’s struggle’s in the second lap of the three-lap race. Burroughs said he could tell something was wrong with Tanui when he began to hobble on his knee. As the pack began to pass Tanui, Burroughs was forced to make a tough call and pull one of his best runners out of the race, all but ending ACU’s title chase. see INJURIES page 7

Win every home game: check. Make the playoffs: big check.

The Wildcats finished their home record 16-0 and earned the second seed in the Lone Star Conference tournament with two victories last week.

“It’s great to have those two goals under our belt,” said Head Coach Kellen Mock. “The girls are on such a roll right now. Being undefeated at home and in the conference

tourney means we have had a successful season.”

The first seed in the LSC tournament is usually the host, and West Texas A&M – the team that handed the Wildcats their only conference loss of the season – will fill the role this year.

The Wildcats will face the seventh-seeded Texas A&M-Kingsville Javelinas in the first game of the tournament.

ACU’s first-round matchup with Kingsville on Thursday should be different than their

match against them Nov. 3. Kingsville was without its starting outside hitter in ACU’s 3-0 victory against the Javelinas.

“They may be a little different squad than what we saw, but we are prepared,” Mock said. “They will be fighting to stay alive against us, and we are ready.”

The Wildcats have won 15 matches in a row, last losing to Central Missouri on October 2.

“Going out with so many wins at the end see ROLL page 7

SOCCER

Season ends in overtime loss Sam Bartee Sports Reporter The Wildcats ended their regular season with a 2-1 overtime loss to Midwestern State in the quarterfinal round of the Lone Star Conference Postseason Tournament in Canyon on Thursday.

ACU learned Monday its record will not be good enough for an at-large bid for the NCAA Division II South Central Region Tournament.

Midwestern striker Kari Bristow scored her second goal in the 94th minute to

eliminate ACU from the conference tournament and drop them to 10-7-2 on the season. Most notably, the loss to the fourthseeded Mustangs ended ACU’s chances of earning an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament.

The Wildcats, facing strong winds, were able to get only two shots off, compared to the Mustangs’ eight in the first half. Early in the second half, the Wildcats used two consecutive corner kicks to fire shots at freshman Mallory Whitworth. In the 54th min-

ute, Lyndsey Womack scored the game’s first goal. However, MSU used a 12-6 shot advantage and Bristow’s two goals to defeat the Wildcats.

Central Oklahoma won the LSC Championship in a 4-2 shootout over West Texas A&M Sunday. The two teams went to a shootout after playing to a 1-1 tie through the regulation and overtime periods.

contact Bartee at

skb09a@acu.edu