Kentucky Kernel: January 13, 2022

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Thursday, January 13, 2022 est. 1892 | Independent since 1971

SWEET VICTORY

Thursday, January 13, 2022

news

UK resumes in-person classes as omicron cases rise

By Hannah Stanley news@kykernel.com

The new year brings new challenges for UK, and the omicron COVID-19 variant has become one of the most relevant.

The university has implemented further actions to prevent the spread across campus.

UK has purchased two KN95 masks for each individual coming to the main campus and is in the process of purchasing more, according to a campus-wide email from president Eli Capilouto on Jan. 7.

These masks are being handed out at wellness huts, in dorms during move-ins and in other various locations on campus.

During Jewell Hall move-in, KN95 masks were found piled up on elevator floors and miscellaneous hallways just two days into the new semester, residential advisor Aza Appelman said.

Jewell Hall residential advisors have to ask many of their residents to put on a mask when going through the lobby and hallways where many often pull them out of their pocket after being told to do so, Appelman said.

“A good majority follow the mask policy with little complaining, but many blatantly refuse to wear their masks, or they put them on when authoritative figures are around only to rip them off when they get into an elevator or onto a different floor,” Appelman said.

Alongside enforcing the mask mandate, the university is recommending students be vaccinated, receive the booster shot as well as the flu shot and to be

2 | kentucky kernel

“constantly” tested if not vaccinated, according to UK spokesperson Jay Blanton.

“Now, we're really going to push for boosters because we know those are particularly effective against this current strain omicron, which appears to be much more highly transmissible but also appears to be less severe,” Blanton said.

UK will implement a booster incentive program around Feb. 1 similar to the earlier one for COVID-19 vaccinations but with cash prizes, Blanton said.

“I think booster incentives are great,” UK sophomore Ella Zombolo said. “As a person who wasn’t going to get the booster, it does lean me into the ways of getting it for all of the great prizes that are available.”

Also wary about receiving their booster, Appelman is planning on getting theirs later into the semester due to the incentive program and overall concern for others’ health and safety.

UK sophomore Thomas Francisco received his booster upon his arrival for the spring semester due to the many people he knows who have tested positive, but he also had other ideas to minimize the spread.

“I feel like a week or two of semi-isolation and online classes could be a slightly better response on the university’s part, but I’m really pretty indifferent about it because isolation means my mental health will likely take a hit,” Francisco said.

Appelman also expresses similar opinions with the ideas of an initial delay and isolation.

“I think delaying in-person

JACK WEAVER | STAFF Students walk across campus on the first day of the spring semester on Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky.

classes by two weeks would be extremely beneficial,” Appelman said. “Going ahead and starting back in-person when we don’t absolutely have to seem unjustified.”

Nonetheless, relying heavily on vaccination rates, Capilouto is pushing forward with in-person education and as much normalcy as possible.

Most recent numbers show that the UK community is 90.8% vaccinated — students at 87.8% and faculty at 96.7% — according to the email.

Capilouto’s email also said “we [university staff and faculty] are here to educate students”

and acknowledged that students perform better academically and socially when on campus and in-person.

“I am definitely a little scared [and] concerned to go back to in-person classes right now with what’s going on, but I’m also a little relieved,” Francisco said.

“I don’t think I can mentally handle the isolation that would come from moving all classes online.”

Blanton said mental health issues such as those from students who are feeling isolated and disconnected are trying to be prevented and helped “I would definitely rather be

at school and in-person for mental health reasons, but only if it’s safe,” Appelman said. “For me personally, even being allowed to stay on campus but have online classes sounds nicer than just being sent home.”

Zombolo also said she’s ready to be back and attend her new classes where she can see her fellow friends across campus in midst of the pandemic.

“I think UK is taking the right procedures in order to have the university be in-person,” Zombolo said. “They care about their students and their education, and it shows that they do by having us come back to campus.”

Thursday, January 13, 2022

Humans of UK:

kentuckykernel

Ariane Rodrigues Patrus Almeida faces challenges in a new country

By Abbey Cutrer news@kykernel.com

This is Humans of UK, inspired by the Humans of New York Instagram series by photographer and author Brandon Stanton.

This series dives into the individuals of UK as well as their stories, strifes and passions.

Ariane Almeida had to wear a mask for 28 hours straight while traveling back to Lexington from her hometown of Belo Horizonte, Brazil, after winter break.

Almeida, a freshman international student majoring in environmental and sustainability studies, made the decision to study in the U.S. to study multiple disciplines.

“The difference that made me choose to study abroad was the freedom with the degree,” Almeida said. “In Brazil, double majoring is not a thing, and in order to change majors, you have to take the college entrance exam all over again.”

Almeida took 17 classes her senior year of high school to prepare for her entrance exam.

“The test covers everything, and it takes up two Sundays, five and a half hours each,” Almeida said.

“It’s really difficult to get into university in Brazil be-

ABBEY CUTRER | STAFF Ariane Almeida, a freshman international student, poses for a photo on Monday, Jan. 10, 2022.

cause our high schools are so comprehensive.”

Because Lexington is nearly 5,000 miles away from Almeida’s home in Brazil, her journey to and from school can take over a day.

“I left my house at 1 p.m. on Friday and got here Saturday at 2 p.m. It was so many hours,” Almeida said. “I have to get to the airport, get a flight from my city to the biggest city in Brazil, then from that city to the U.S. and then a flight from that city to Lexington.

The longest flight was nine and a half hours.”

Aside from the timing, Almeida faces other dilemmas that arise when traveling internationally.

“Traveling international-

ly is already a complicated thing. You have to deal with immigration, passports, visas, negative COVID tests and wearing a mask the entire time,” Almeida said.

Almeida said she has to bring so many documents due to her fear that immigration may turn her away or even racially profile her due to her Lebanese heritage.

“The last time when I was coming in August, the lady at immigration looked at me and said, ‘We’re going to scan you, pat you down, and look through all of your bags,’” Almeida said. “And I was randomly selected three more times that trip.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has further complicated

Almeida’s life, as it had a significant impact on her home country and social circles.

“The pandemic was really strong in Brazil, [but] our president denied the pandemic at first and said it was a little flu,” Almeida said. “Everyone I know knows someone who died.”

Nine members of Almeida’s family all contracted COVID-19 at one point and had to isolate.

“As a side effect of COVID, my mom had a neurological change that affects memory and movements that she is in the process of healing right now,” she said. “My mom and dad were really sick, and my grandma passed away.”

Almeida explained that her grandmother’s funeral differed from standard American funerals.

“You would just see the casket go in the ground, but that was it,” she said.

“You couldn’t see the person, there is no preparation of the body, and they just bury them in the hospital gown.”

After all she’s been through, Almeida said she is grateful, but she still feels the effects of her life’s many stressors.

“I’d say the whole thing is just exhausting,” she said. “I mean, I’m alive and here.”

CONTACT

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editor@kykernel.com Managing editor:

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features@kykernel.com Sports editor:

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sports@kykernel.com

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KENTUCKY KERNEL OFFICES 340 McVey Hall University of Kentucky Lexington, KY 40506

On the front cover:

MICHAEL CLUBB | STAFF Kentucky poses with their trophy after the UK vs. Iowa Vrbo Citrus Bowl football game on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022, at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida. UK won 20-17.

On the back cover:

MICHAEL CLUBB | STAFF Kentucky flags are waved before the UK vs. Iowa Vrbo Citrus Bowl football game on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022, at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.

spring 2022 | 3

Thursday, January 13, 2022

news

New Alumni Gym mural sparks mixed opinions among students

By Hannah Stanley news@kykernel.com

Alumni Gym’s new mural makeover brings not only a splash of color to its plain walls but also mixed reviews.

After agreement from the students and other committees, such as the Student Government Association and the Committee for Art in Public Spaces, a bright yellow Wildcat face is now painted across the previously empty space near the treadmills.

Some students within the College of Fine Arts’ Guerilla Art class were tasked with creating and painting the mural to add liveliness to the gym’s plain brick and white walls.

The Guerilla Art class is offered in the fall and taught by Lee Ann Paynter, a faculty member in the School of Art and Visual Studies.

With a heavy emphasis on large community projects, murals are often some of those bigger projects, Lance Poston, Office of Student Success assistant vice president for external relationships and operations, said.

Director of Campus Wellness Ron Lee approached Poston, wanting to incorporate new student voices and visuals in the gyms.

“The essence of what we're going for here is

4 | kentucky kernel

something that we certainly want to replicate in other ways,” Poston said.

“That may be through art; that may be through other types of highlighting student work.”

Poston said the Wildcat mural is just the first step in adding artwork within Alumni Gym in hopes of continuing to serve students and displaying student artwork.

UK junior and Alumni Gym employee Jade Thornbury said she thinks the added touch of the university’s mascot will draw in people's attention during their workouts.

“I love the new mural, I think it adds some color and life in the gym,” Thornbury said. “I especially enjoy the background, it adds a bit of creativity to that corner of the gym.”

Contrary to Thornbury, UK sophomore Luke Allen said the Wildcat doesn’t fit Alumni’s sleek and contemporary look.

“While that doesn’t mean it isn’t a place for art, having this mural in particular doesn’t fit the energy the gym has created through its modern design,” Allen said.

UK senior Allison Parks said she doesn't think the new mural blends in well either, but she would love to see additional murals and student work displayed in the gym.

ABBEY CUTRER | STAFF A Wildcat mural is displayed in the Alumni Gym on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022, in Lexington, Kentucky.

“I think the brick looks nice, but it's somewhat of a dull visual, especially since there aren't that many windows downstairs or mirrors upstairs,” Parks said.

Allen said he prefers the simpler and aesthetically-designed look Alumni previously held and hopes to maintain it throughout the rest of the space.

“I don’t believe there needs to be more murals in Alumni Gym,” Allen said.

“It would make the space feel even more crowded than it already is, thus likely making it more uncom-

fortable.”

However, rather than feeling crowded, Parks sees the mural as an opportunity to create a more welcoming and community-like environment. She said more murals will lead to more color and allow her and her friends to view Alumni as less of a serious environment.

“We're all Wildcats at the end of the day, so in some way, I think the mural helps eliminate the sense of social competition that many people feel when they work out in public spaces,” Parks said.

Similar to Parks, Thornbury said the new mural adds school spirit to the gym that wasn't there before.

“Before the mural was there, there was not a Wildcat in sight,” Thornbury said. “I think having this touch of the mascot in the corner will draw in people's attention while they workout.”

Thornbury said, as well as showing off school talent, adding further murals and student work will bring more joyful spirit to the gym.

“I would like to see

more murals go up around Alumni, just because it is a great way to show off the talent and gift the painters have,” Thornbury said.

Poston hopes the art installation will bring a greater sense of community to the space and allow other students to show off their talents.

“I think in many ways that [murals] can liven up the space and reflect our student body,” Poston said. “I think there's value also in incorporating those unique pieces of art that students design, that students installed.”

Thursday, January 13, 2022

news

Safety on campus: Is UK doing enough?

By Sophia Shoemaker news@kykernel.com

After witnessing several crime reports in the fall semester, some UK students have started questioning their safety on campus.

Reports of these incidents leave students like junior Ash Pechan wondering if UK is doing enough to prevent them.

“When I lived in a dorm, I saw those warnings [sexual assault bulletins] all the time, but they never did anything about it,” Pechan said. “I never saw them take any action.”

On Nov. 2, the UK police department issued two crime bulletins. Both incidents occurred on UK’s campus in residence halls. One was described as sexual abuse and the other as strangulation.

UK offers multiple services and resources to its students, such as the Violence Intervention and Prevention Center, located in the Gatton Student Center.

Students can make appointments to learn about consent culture, connect to other resources and have a safe space to share their experiences.

“We lead, support and sustain a culture of accountability to eliminate violence and oppression at UK,” the VIP Center says on their website. “We create safe spaces for

When I lived in a dorm, I saw those warnings [sexual assault bulletins] all the time, but they never did anything about it. I never saw them take any action.”

- Ash Pechan

JACK WEAVER | STAFF A UK student walks past a blue light tower outside White Hall Classroom Building on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022, at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky.

people to be heard, while also speaking for those who have been silenced.”

The attitudes of students reflect the need for violence prevention and an increased focus on safety. Many female students never walk by themselves at night, instead calling someone to pick them up.

To combat this fear and make student transportation easier, UK created Wildcab, a rideshare service that is free for all students. It runs from Thursday to Saturday from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Students can request a ride through the app.

Although UK offers these safety measures and safe spaces, sophomore Jozie Stiles worries that people on campus don’t know anything about them.

“My freshman year, nobody told me about the safety features on campus like Wildcab. That was information that I found on my own,” Stiles said. “Even now, when my friends and I go out, we never walk anywhere by ourselves, and [we] Uber if we are going further from home.”

Freshman Tess Wampler feels generally safe in her residence hall but is concerned

about how frequently sexual assault happens at UK. She believes that it sexual assault is one of the biggest threats to student safety, especially because of how the university “doesn’t do much” to prevent it.

“I remember the modules I had to do before I got here, and the alcohol education one was really long, but they skimmed over the sexual assault prevention,” Wampler said. “Most questions were asking if you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, rather than actually addressing the problem.”

spring 2022 | 5

Thursday, January 13, 2022

news

Man accused of theft on north campus caught by dance team members The suspect has prior criminal record, police say

By Sarah Michels news@kykernel.com

If it weren’t for two members of the UK Dance team, north campus’ winter break thief may not have been so quickly caught.

Sophomore roommates Izzy Hess and Chloe Lucido had just returned to their Boyd Hall dorms after a three-day trip to the Citrus Bowl when they realized that someone else had been in their rooms while they were gone. As members of the dance team, Hess and Lucido were required to stay and train in Lexington during winter break, except for their brief stint in Orlando. The only other students living in the dorms over break were the RAs

and maybe one or two other people, they said.

Their locked bedroom doors initially tipped them off. While UK students can enter the main section of their dorm suites using their student ID cards, the individual bedrooms inside use traditional keys instead.

Lucido and Hess hadn’t locked their bedroom doors, knowing that they would be back just a few days later, and had left their keys in their rooms. However, when they arrived back at Boyd Hall on Jan. 2 at approximately 6:50 a.m., they were locked out.

Hess realized that her belongings were moved around, but nothing was taken. She said she didn’t have any cash in her room

We will spare no expense in ensuring [students’] health and safety and will be evaluating what happened here and quickly make improvements where necessary. We apologize this happened. It’s not acceptable to us. We will quickly and transparently communicate about this and ensure our students and families have the support they need moving forward.

- Jay Blanton, UK spokesperson 6 | kentucky kernel

to steal. Her roommates weren’t as fortunate. The thief, later identified by UK Police as contracted maintenance technician Kristian Lowe, stole approximately $300 from Lucido’s room, in addition to her safe.

“He took all the valuable stuff out, broke some of my jewelry or whatever, and then just stole my safe,” Lucido said. “Like an empty safe, which is odd. And he definitely went under my bed to find the key [to the safe] and put it all back, so it was scary. He definitely looked around.

He thought he had enough time, not realizing that me and her stayed here pretty much all break.”

Lowe also entered the bedroom of Hess and Lucido’s third roommate, sophomore Genevieve Moll, and took her Coach wristlet, approximately $500, a pair of sunglasses and her school-issued iPad while she was home for winter break, according to his arrest citation.

After searching for an RA at the front desk — nobody was there — Lucido and Hess called the police, who used their student ID cards to pull the records of who had accessed the dorm while they were absent.

The badge history showed that Lowe, contracted by UK housing partner Grey-

JACK WEAVER | STAFF A student walks out of Boyd Hall on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022, in Lexington, Kentucky.

star, was the only one who had entered their room, at 10:52 a.m. on Dec. 29, 2021, according to the police report.

The police used UK’s technology to determine that Lowe also entered approximately 859 other dorm rooms between Boyd Hall, Holmes Hall, Jewell Hall and Blazer Hall, stealing mostly cash. Camera footage showed Lowe pushing a cart large enough to hide other items he allegedly stole, but couldn’t identify the actual items.

At approximately 3:15 p.m. on Jan. 2, 2022, three UK police officers arrested Lowe in the Joe Craft

Center Lot. Lowe had brass knuckles and $1,303 in cash still in his coat pockets, according to the police report.

He admitted to stealing the cash from several Holmes Hall dorms on the fifth, sixth and seventh floors earlier that day alongside an employee named Josh.

He said the money he stole from Boyd Hall was in his home closet and denied taking any non-cash items.

The police report did not share any additional details about “Josh,” Lowe’s alleged partner-in-crime.

According to his arrest citation, Lowe faces several charges: two counts of burglary in the second de-

gree, a class C felony which carries a sentence between five to ten years’ imprisonment upon conviction; one count of unlawful possession of a weapon on school property, a class D felony which carries a sentence between one to five years’ imprisonment; and one count of criminal mischief in the third degree, a class B misdemeanor that carries a sentence of up to 90 days in jail if convicted. He was released on $1,000 bond on Jan. 4 on the condition that he have no contact with UK property.

Lowe, 28, has a crimiSee THEFT on page 18

Thursday, January 13, 2022

opinions

All of UK should be tested

By Editorial Board opinions@kykernel.com

As students approach the fifth semester that has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, it seems unlikely that the virus will be going away anytime soon. At this point, though, the University of Kentucky needs to be more consistent in its measures to fight COVID-19.

An email sent by UK president Eli Capilouto on Jan. 3 detailed the COVID precautions the university will be implementing for the spring 2022 semester, and not much has changed since the fall.

All unvaccinated students, faculty and staff are being required to take a weekly COVID test. If they do not comply, there are various levels of repercussions, the highest level for students being a possible interim suspension, according to UK’s Spring Guide.

However, only testing the unvaccinated is not doing enough to stop the spread, since it is possible that vaccinated individuals are equally as likely to catch and spread the virus.

As of now, data on the positivity rates in light of vaccination status are unavailable to the public. It appears that nobody is sharing these numbers, though it could be helpful for the public to have access to in the midst of so much uncertainty.

UK’s email said that when compared to previous strains, “The Omicron variant is much more transmissible.”

UK spokesperson Jay Blanton said that UK is following the recommendations from the CDC in not testing vaccinated individuals as well, and he is not sure if UK tracks whether individuals testing

positive are vaccinated or not.

If the omicron variant is spreading more quickly than other variants, why is the university not holding everyone accountable so that asymptomatic cases are not overlooked?

According to the university’s COVID-19 Data Dashboard, as of Dec. 15, 87.4% of students, 97.1% of faculty and 93.2% of staff at UK are vaccinated. This implies that only a very small portion of people at UK are actually getting tested regularly.

Last academic year, UK required every individual who was on campus to be tested monthly with one of four designated testing groups. This was a better option than only testing unvaccinated individuals because it was able to detect asymptomatic individuals, as well as those showing signs of COVID. The positivity rates from this point last year at UK are not available to the public.

“It’s an apples and oranges comparison, though,” Blanton said about looking at data from last year compared to this year.

“I mean, at one point you were looking at people who were being mandatorily tested because they’re not vaccinated, or entry testing because everybody had to test, as opposed to another group for a complete different reason.”

According to the Spring 2022 Guide, vaccinated individuals are also not required to isolate after being exposed to someone with the virus, even though they are as likely to get it as an unvaccinated individual, who will be required to isolate for a five day period.

The CDC’s website says that although vaccinated people have a reduced chance of being hospitalized from COVID, they are able to catch the virus, as well as

JACK WEAVER | STAFF A community member receives a COVID-19 test on Friday, Feb. 5, 2021, at UK’s Kroger Field testing site in Lexington, Kentucky.

spread it.

It is for this reason that vaccinated individuals still should be required to be tested regularly to ensure they are not transmitting the virus to others.

If UK is looking at the facts and the transmissibility of the virus among vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, it is clear that the same precautions should be taken for both.

Several colleges, including Vanderbilt, Northern Kentucky University and the University of Cincinnati, have delayed the start of in-person classes for the upcoming semester due to the rise in cases.

UK did not delay the in-person start date, so classes began on Jan. 10.

Last spring, UK required every student who would be coming

to campus to complete re-entry testing between Jan. 14 and Jan. 30, 2021.

This semester, however, students were not required to receive a test upon arrival on campus.

The university should have required everyone to be tested when they return to campus to ensure the safety of students, faculty and staff. Members of the UK community should be protecting each other through checking regularly to see if they are spreading the virus unknowingly.

According to the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services’s website, on Jan. 6, 2021, the positivity rate of COVID-19 in the commonwealth was 11.66%, and as of Jan. 6, 2022, the positivity rate has doubled to 22.89%.

If rates are this much higher,

why is UK taking less precautions than they were a year ago?

It is simply reckless to disregard that vaccinated individuals can also be carriers of COVID-19.

Regular testing needs to be mandatory for all students on campus to lessen the likelihood of a surge on UK’s campus.

UK is responsible for making decisions to benefit the health of all individuals on campus, and they are not doing that by disregarding the possibility of the majority group on campus also spreading the virus.

Testing only the unvaccinated regularly isn’t fair to anyone.

As the semester starts, it isn’t too late for UK to start testing everyone again so that all students, faculty and staff will be held equally accountable for protecting their peers.

spring 2022 | 7

Thursday, January 13, 2022

opinions

The importance of academic breaks

By Brooklyn Kelley opinions@kykernel.com

As I watched the country roads turn into interstates through my windshield and eventually saw the Lexington skyline, I realized how bittersweet it was to have a shorter winter break.

Last year’s winter break was much longer than this one, and students had far more time to recover from the stressors of yet another semester tainted by COVID-19.

However, the promise of spring break to come and memories of fall break in the past semester makes the shorter winter break worth it.

Much like the fall 2020 semester, the past semester was difficult. Though many things, like normal athletic events and in-person classes returned, the looming possibility of everything going online again created worry that was too heavy to ignore.

I did miss having fall break in 2020, and it was extremely difficult to endure the whole semester without time to catch my breath, even though the longer winter break was slightly redemptive.

While I loved being at home for longer last year, I did begin to miss my friends and my classes, and I felt more than ready to come back by the end of winter break.

This year, I felt like I still had goals I had set before winter break that I did not have the chance to complete, but I am reassured by the promise of having spring break to complete those tasks.

Fall break was enough time for a short trip to refresh my mind, and this winter break, though it was only three weeks, was long enough for me to visit with family that I don’t normally see and take some time to think about things other than classes.

It is extremely difficult for me, and many other students, to go through a

8 | kentucky kernel

JACK WEAVER | STAFF William T. Young Library is surrounded by ice-covered trees following an ice storm on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021, at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky.

whole 17 weeks without a break.

Between classes and extracurriculars, it is hard for students to find time during the semester to take care of their mental health.

Burnout is a very common issue among college students, and going an entire semester without a break only increases burnout symptoms.

Honestly, I don’t think I will remember much about my classes themselves once I graduate. I do, however, think I will

remember the breaks when I stopped and was able to take time to think about my experience.

I often find myself obsessing over classwork and responsibilities related to school, so having a few extra days without assignments due is a great way for me to recharge.

To me, college is much more enjoyable when I am taking time to consider how lucky I am to be here.

Breaks throughout the semester, even

if they are short ones, help students to collect their thoughts, rest and spend time with loved ones.

So, while I did long for more time with my family as I was making the hour drive from my home back to Lexington, I understand that my break was cut short because I will be given chances to rest and make memories that last this academic year.

I look forward to the time that we do have off this semester and the good times that will come with it.

Thursday, January 13, 2022

Is the Citrus Bowl Kentucky football’s ceiling?

By Barkley Truax sports@kykernel.com

For the second time in four seasons, the Kentucky Wildcats are Citrus Bowl champions. But where does the success end?

In 2019 and now 2022, Mark Stoops has led his Cats to two 10-win seasons — something that has only been done two other times since 1947. As someone who’s grown up, born and raised following the Kentucky football team since infancy, the two-win Joker Phillips teams became the norm throughout my childhood, and the popular battlecry around Lexington was, “just wait for basketball season.”

Those statements are simply not made anymore — at all. After defeating Iowa 20-17 in the Citrus Bowl on New Year’s Day 2022, Kentucky now boasts the nation’s longest non-conference winning streak at 16. They were previously tied with the Hawkeyes heading into the bowl game.

Under Stoops, Kentucky has qualified for a bowl game in six-straight seasons, including fourstraight bowl victories from 2019-2022 (Citrus twice, Belk and Gator).

When Kentucky defeated ULM in the 202122 season opener, Stoops’

100th game as the Wildcats’ head coach, he notched his 50th victory at the helm. The only other coach to attain that title is the legendary Bear Bryant, widely regarded as one of the greatest collegiate coaches in football history.

With Kentucky’s Citrus Bowl victory, Stoops tallied win No. 59 and is one game away from tying Bryant’s program-high 60 wins as head ball coach.

It seems as though Stoops and the team are just getting started. But success doesn’t happen simply because of the coaching staff — it starts with the athletes on the field and having them buy into the program’s vision.

With starting quarterback Will Levis already announcing his intentions to return to Lexington next season and with star running back and wide receiver Chris Rodriguez and Wan’Dale Robinson’s NFL Draft status up in the air as of this writing, the pillars of this season’s Kentucky team may remain.

If Kentucky’s self-proclaimed standard of 10 wins per season is to maintain, acquiring Rodriguez and Robinson’s signatures are the first steps.

With Stoops bringing in the top recruiting class to the Kentucky program that Lexington has ever

seen next season, there’s no telling where the likes of incoming freshmen such as Kiyaunta Goodwin, Dane Key, Barion Brown and Destin and Keaton Wade will be by the time they’re the stars of the program — it starts by learning from those that pave the way before you.

The seniors that just won the Citrus Bowl in 2022 were freshmen during their first victory in 2019. That’s when the standard was set, and barring the COVID19-riddled and SEC only schedule of 2020-21, it’s maintained. There is a winning culture in Lexington and Mark Stoops built it from the ground up brickby-brick, season-by-season, recruit-by-recruit.

The only thing holding the team back from an SEC Championship berth, a New Year’s Six bowl game — even the College Football Playoff — is itself.

This has been apparent in both seasons that Kentucky has won 10 games under Mark Stoops. First in 2018-19 when they were utterly embarrassed by a 4-5 Tennessee team, who took down the then-7-2 and No. 12 ranked Kentucky 24-7 in Knoxville. That was a game that UK should have ran away with on paper and was the deciding factor holding them back from a top bowl game.

sports

MICHAEL CLUBB | STAFF Kentucky Wildcats wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson (1) flies through the air after missing a catch during the UK vs. Iowa Vrbo Citrus Bowl football game on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022, at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.

That sentiment is true this past season as well.

Kentucky laid an egg in Starkville, Mississippi against Miss. St. 31-17 after leading the Bulldogs 10-0 after the first quarter.

Add that to Kentucky’s 45-42 loss to another under performing Tennessee team and Kentucky didn’t only blow a potential Sugar Bowl berth, but a potential College Football Playoff showing with their only loss coming to Georgia, a team that’s gearing up to battle Alabama in a SEC

Championship rematch in the national championship game.

It’s not to say Kentucky blew it, but maybe they weren’t ready for the bright lights of college football yet. Maybe the incoming freshmen, current freshmen and rest of the younger generation of Wildcats are the ones to launch Kentucky football into the stratosphere. Maybe that road is being paved before our eyes at this moment.

Two Citrus Bowls in four years is an impressive

feat, but the rabid fanbase that is the Big Blue Nation will be craving more.

They’re beginning to hold the football program and their basketball counterparts in the same light — and that’s saying something.

With BBN now expecting greatness from their team, the ball is in their court. Their fate is in their own hands; it’s all about what Kentucky does with it. Will they capture greatness? Or just let it slip through their fingers?

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Thursday, January 13, 2022

CATS BRING THE HEAT It comes down to our players caring about each other and having a toughness and having a resiliency about them. You know, respecting the game. We talked about playing the game with honor, and they do that. These players do. This is a player-led team.

- Mark Stoops

Kentucky Wildcats wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson

Kentucky Wildcats running back JuTahn McClain

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Thursday, January 13, 2022

AT THE CITRUS BOWL MICHAEL CLUBB | STAFF Kentucky Wildcats wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson (1) gets tackled short of a touchdown during the UK vs. Iowa Vrbo Citrus Bowl football game on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022, at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.

Kentucky Wildcats wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson

To the right: CORRIE MCCROSKEY | STAFF Kentucky Sweetheart Majorette cheers at the Cat Walk before the UK vs. Iowa Vrbo Citrus Bowl football game.

To the far right: MICHAEL CLUBB | STAFF Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Will Levis (7) acknowledges fans after the UK vs.

Iowa Vrbo Citrus Bowl football game.

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Citrus Bowl champions: Kentucky defeats Iowa 20-17

By Hunter Shelton sports@kykernel.com

Kentucky reigned victorious in the 2022 Vrbo Citrus Bowl, defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes 20-17 in dramatic fashion at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.

The win is the tenth on the season for Kentucky, which is just the fourth time in program history that the Wildcats have won double digit games in a season. The win is also the fourth consecutive bowl victory for the Wildcats.

Wan’Dale Robinson was named MVP, totaling 10 catches for 170 yards, the sixth most single-game yards in Citrus Bowl history. Robinson broke the single-season receiving record in the process, as his 170yard performance brought his season total to 1,334 yards, surpassing Craig Yeast’s record.

“It is really hard to describe what [Robinson] has meant to us,” UK head coach Mark Stoops said. “He is the ultimate competitor, and he is very selfless. He plays extremely hard. He plays the game for himself, his family, his teammates, this institution, the state. Just plays so hard and makes such competitive plays in big moments. That is what you need to win a bowl game, to beat quality opponents.”

Will Levis completed 17 of 28 passing attempts for 233 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

Chris Rodriguez tallied 107 yards for one touchdown on 20 carries, becoming the 48th player in Citrus Bowl history to hit the century mark in single-game rushing yards. Rodriguez averaged 5.4 yardsper-carry against Iowa.

Defensively, Jordan Wright led the Wildcats in tackles, accounting for 10, including four solo tackles, a tackle-for-loss and one pass-breakup which led to an interception.

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MICHAEL CLUBB | STAFF Kentucky Wildcats running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. (24) breaks a tackle heading towards the end zone to score a touchdown during the UK vs. Iowa Vrbo Citrus Bowl football game on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022, at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.

Kentucky picked off Iowa quarterback Spencer Petras on three occasions, as D’Eryk Jackson, Quandre Mosely and DeAndre Square all found the end of a Petras pass on Saturday.

Petras finished the game with 211 yards passing and one touchdown on 19 completions to go along with his three interceptions.

Hawkeye running back Gavin Williams ran for 98 yards on 16 carries. Iowa ran for 173 yards as a team on Saturday, despite being without their starting running back and star player Tyler Goodson, who opted out of the Citrus Bowl to pursue the NFL Draft.

Sam LaPorta led Iowa in receiving, totaling 122 yards and a touchdown on seven catches.

Iowa made their mark on the defensive end, sacking Levis six times while also ac-

quiring nine tackles-for-loss.

Kentucky would make a statement with their opening drive, going 80 yards over 13 plays, ending with Levis finding Rodriguez for a five-yard score. Levis completed all six of his passing attempts in the first drive for the Cats, while Rodriguez racked up 28 yards on four carries before the touchdown.

The Hawkeyes would sustain a long drive on their third time around, hitting multiple chunk plays, getting into the UK redzone. A false start on third and goal would push Iowa back to the UK 9-yard line before an incompletion led to fourth down. Caleb Shudak connected on a 28yard chip shot to get the Hawkeyes on the board.

Kentucky would answer with another big drive of their own. After back-to-back sacks by Iowa’s Joe Evans and Zach Van

Valkenburg, Levis would hit Robinson on a 34-yard completion on third down to move the chains into Iowa territory.

A 12-yard dash by Rodriguez got Kentucky into goal-to-go, but the Hawkeye defense provided three straight stops, forcing UK to kick a short field goal of their own.

Matt Ruffolo nailed a 21-yarder, extending Kentucky’s lead to 10-3.

With just over two minutes left in the half, JuTahn McClain kicked off the UK drive with a 10-yard rush that would turn into 20 yards thanks to an unnecessary roughness penalty on Iowa. Kentucky wouldn’t be able to gain another first down in the Hawkeye redzone, settling for three more points as Ruffolo made a 28-yard field goal.

The Wildcats entered the locker room with a 13-7 lead, outgaining the Hawkeyes in the first half, 156 yards to 126. Iowa did not convert a third-down opportunity in the first half.

“The first half, I felt like we were really playing very good football. I would have liked to see us capitalize in the red zone and score some touchdowns to create some more separation but give them credit. They don't make it easy,” Stoops said.

With their backs against the wall, Iowa came out guns blazing in the second half, as Williams kicked off their first drive of the half with an 18-yard scamper, setting up a 34-yard completion from Petras to LaPorta, quickly moving into UK territory. Three plays later, the Hawkeyes found themselves in a fourth-and-one situation at the UK 11-yard line. Iowa head Coach Kirk Ferentz elected to go for it, but a fumbled snap halted the Iowa drive, turning the ball over to Kentucky.

Iowa would again push the pace in their next possession, as Leshon Williams rushed for 20-yards in two carries before running back Arland Bruce IV raced See CHAMPS on page 18

Thursday, January 13, 2022

sports

‘It was thrilling.’

Kentucky, Iowa fans ring in New Year, Citrus Bowl style

By Rayleigh Deaton sports@kykernel.com

A hush fell over the crowd.

It seemed nobody in the packed stadium dared to breathe, for fear that doing so would cause them to miss something in the precious few remaining minutes.

The air was electric in the stands, as Iowa fans hoped they could hold onto their four-point lead, and Big Blue Nation prayed for a miracle.

The Kentucky side of Orlando’s Camping World Stadium had been uncharacteristically quiet for the majority of the second half, as a Wildcat victory seemed less and less feasible. Some blueand-white-clad fans had already made their way to the exit, hoping to beat the crowd and fairly confident they would not miss anything but the sight of defeat.

With mere minutes left in the Citrus Bowl, few spectators remained seated. Iowa and Kentucky fans alike were on their feet, watching the field in rapt attention.

Suddenly, Kentucky reclaimed the lead, evoking an eruption of cheers from the blue and white half of the stadium. In what seemed like seconds, it was over. The Cats had snatched a narrow victory from the jaws (or beak) of defeat.

Even before kickoff at the New Year’s Day game, Iowa

and Kentucky fans alike seemed to know that they were about to watch a special match. The atmosphere in both camps was like a party, as befitted the New Year’s Day game.

The UK turnout showed up several hours early for Cat Walk, forming a sea of blue in the Orange State. Following a rollercoaster ride of a football season, Kentucky fans seemed ecstatic and somewhat relieved to have made it to the Citrus Bowl.

John and Bonnie Mims traveled to Orlando from Memphis, Tennessee, excited to watch the Cats. John Mims, born and raised in Lexington, Kentucky, said walking in and seeing the crowd gave him goosebumps, and Bonnie Mims agreed.

“We love this team; we love [Mark] Stoops … It’s good to see that [Kentucky] can play basketball and football,” she said.

Sisters-in-law Jennifer and Dena Howard drove the 12 hours from Lexington to cheer on Kentucky. During Cat Walk, Jennifer Howard said she was “feeling excited” about the game.

“BBN showed up,” she said.

“It’s gonna be a good game day.”

Kentucky fans Jim McNutt and Dave Patterson had been roommates when they went to UK, graduating in 1984. The two friends also went to the Citrus Bowl when Kentucky played in 2019 and were looking for-

CORRIE MCCROSKEY | STAFF Fans cheer during the UK vs. Iowa Vrbo Citrus Bowl football game on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022, at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.

ward to seeing what the Wildcats would do in 2022. McNutt said he thought Kentucky’s offense had been better than Iowa’s throughout the season and hoped the same would ring true in the upcoming game.

Iowa fans also congregated before kickoff, as tailgaters pitched yellow and black tents in the 80-degree January sun.

Deborah Hardy said the 2022 Citrus Bowl was her first Hawkeye game; she had traveled from

Wisconsin to visit family in Florida and was looking forward to cheering on the Hawks.

Barry and Vicki Borchers flew in from Iowa and were hoping for a victory for the Hawkeyes.

Barry Borchers said he expected a “low-scoring game,” which he said would be “good for Iowa,” and predicted a final score of 21-10. Although rooting for the opposing team, he said he loved UK coach Mark Stoops, who had played for the Hawkeyes during

college.

Following the game, UK fans congregated near the confetti-covered Kentucky end zone to celebrate the victory. Few Iowa supporters remained in the stands as the Wildcats reveled in the victory.

Although the bowl ended with only one winning team, fans on both sides of the stadium agreed that the game was a memorable one.

See FANS on page 18

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By Hunter Shelton sports@kykernel.com

The “Across the (By) Line” series will give Kentucky basketball fans an in-depth look at their opponent for this week — from the mind of the opposing school’s sports editor.

This week: Josh Lane, University of Tennessee, The Daily Beacon Where do you see Tennessee amongst the ranks of the SEC? How good do you think they are and do you think that they are good enough to win an SEC Championship?

Lane: At the beginning of the year, I would have put Tennessee up with the best of the best. They had five-star recruits coming in, John Fulkerson coming back, veterans stepping up in another year under head coach Rick Barnes; it was good at the beginning of the year. Obviously, they’re playing weaker teams then.

Now that they got into the meat of their schedule against some harder non-conference teams and into SEC play, they haven’t looked the same. The last three or four games, offense has been really hard to come by. Right now, I'm a little hesitant to say that they’re at the top of the SEC. Definitely in the top

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Across the (By)Line: Tennessee Volunteers

half, but I have a hard time imagining them competing for an SEC Championship.

Oscar Tshiebwe has dominated headlines in the world of college basketball. How do you see Tennessee attempting to contain him on Saturday?

Lane: Tshiebwe is going to give Tennessee trouble. Lately, Tennessee has not had much of an inside presence. Fulkerson had COVID-19; he came back and it hasn’t been the same. They’re playing Olivier Nkamhoua, he’s had some good and bad games.

Defense has still been really good for Tennessee, but for them to have any chance stopping Tshiebwe it’s going to be up to those big guys up the middle. We know they have the talent, but they haven’t looked like it the last couple of games.

What do you think Rick Barnes’ gameplan is going to look like against UK?

Lane: Offensively, Barnes this year, it’s been uncharacteristic of him, has really preached all about taking shots if you get good looks. You get the open shots, go ahead and take them. This team is shooting 20-plus 3-pointers a game.

MICHAEL CLUBB | STAFF The Kentucky Wildcats huddle up during the UK vs. Miles College menís basketball game on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021, at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky.

That never used to happen on a Rick Barnes team. Especially with Tennessee’s slump, it’s been the small, fundamental things, positioning and such, that’s thrown off their shots. So I think it’s going to be just be confident, take your shots, but it’s also going to be about the small things, the fundamentals, the details, because Tennessee has been messing that up.

What, to you, is the most intriguing match-

up on Saturday?

Lane: Obviously, Oscar has stolen the show quite a bit. But also TyTy Washington, Tennessee will need to try and contain him. But I'm looking up the middle for Tennessee, in particular John Fulkerson. He and Tennessee have had some success in Kentucky in the past, so will that translate to this year? I don’t know, but he’s going to be a big part of it if it does happen.

Who is one player on Tennessee that needs to step up for the Volunteers to have a chance in Rupp Arena?

Lane: Kennedy Chandler is a big name, he’s played well … so I'd say for him to continue if he can cut back on the freshman mistakes. Also Zakai Zeigler, he has come off of the bench a lot, he’s been a big spark plug for Tennessee at point guard. He’s

short, but he’s got a lot of energy, he’s feisty and doesn’t quit.

Do you think that Tennessee will do enough to win on Saturday?

Lane: I think Kentucky is going to win this one.

They’re looking pretty good right now and I can’t see Tennessee fixing everything and being ready for a Kentucky offense by Saturday. I think UK wins by eight to 10 points.

Thursday, January 13, 2022

sports

Kentucky/SEC update COVID protocols amidst surge of omicron variant in US

By Cole Parke sports@kykernel.com

Amidst the surge of COVID-19 cases in the U.S., the SEC and University of Kentucky have updated their health and safety protocols.

The increase in cases comes as the omicron variant made it to the U.S. in late 2021. Since its arrival, college sports, including both men’s and women’s basketball and college football, have seen postponements and cancellations in high numbers.

On the college football front, at least five college bowl games were cancelled, prematurely ending the seasons of several programs, and several other teams had to be replaced after dropping out of their bowl game. Narrowing in on the SEC, Texas A&M was forced to remove itself from the Gator Bowl against No. 17 Wake Forest and had to be replaced by Rutgers.

The Wildcats themselves faced COVID-19 challenges in their Citrus Bowl performance against Iowa, having to play without multiple key players due to “injuries and health and safety protocol,” according to Kentucky Football’s Twitter page.

Despite the issues, college football was able to wrap up its bowls without altering its policies, but college basketball and other spring sports don’t have that luxury.

The unprecedented number of cases has resulted in most conferences, including the SEC, being forced to revise their ini-

tial COVID-19 policies for the basketball and upcoming spring seasons.

The conference announced that teams are required to play any game on their schedule as long as they have at least seven scholarship athletes and one member of the coaching staff available. The decision was made to help calm the concerns of multiple college coaches that teams may “duck” or avoid playing teams they don’t believe they can beat. Teams also have the option to play with fewer players if they choose to.

If a team is unable to put forth seven scholarship players and one coach and do not believe they can play, the game will be declared a no-contest and will not result as a win or loss for either team.

This rule is a change from the original plan when the season started, which was that any team unable to play for COVID-19 concerns would be forced to forfeit the game, which would count as a loss in conference standings.

Forfeits will no longer be present with the new rules. Schools will be able to ask for a postponement if possible, but if the event is unable to be rescheduled, it will be a no-contest.

“As we have done since the onset of the pandemic,we continue to evaluate our policies and procedures related to COVID-19 based on the most current information,” SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said on Dec. 23.

“Circumstances have clearly changed since our interrupted game policy was implemented

MICHAEL CLUBB | STAFF Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari yells at an official during the UK vs. Miles College men’s basketball game on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021, at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky.

in August and this updated approach is intended to support healthy, fair, and equitable competition.”

Both Kentucky men’s and women’s basketball have had several events altered or postponed due to COVID-19 cancellations. As both teams move into conference play, the new policies will likely be put to the test as game cancellations have yet to show any sign of slowing down.

The women’s team specifically has had a matchup against

Mississippi State postponed on two separate occasions. The two teams were supposed to play on Jan. 2 and later on Jan. 13, but neither time panned out for one team or the other.

Men’s basketball head coach John Calipari has emphasized the importance of booster shots to his team as a means to prevent breakthrough cases and spread within the program.

“My hope is that we are able to mitigate [the effect] if folks will get the booster,” Calipari

said on Dec. 18. “Last year was the most miserable thing I’ve ever been through. My whole worry was keeping guys safe.

[The coaches] are going to talk [to the players] about it. I’d like them to get boosters. I did it.”

As of now, the men’s team has not had to alter an event due to positive cases within its program. The women’s team has only had to postpone one event, its Jan. 3 game against Mississippi State, due to cases within the program.

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UK Athletics spring into action this upcoming semester

By Cole Parke

sports@kykernel.com

While students are moving back in, hoping to get re-adjusted to college life for the new semester, UK Athletics is looking to do the same. Matter of fact, some never left.

Since students departed in mid-December, both the men’s and women’s basketball teams have continued their seasons almost as planned, with just a few bumps in the road.

The men’s team currently checks in ranked at No. 18 in the latest AP Top 25 poll with a 13-3 record. While most students left with a sour taste in their mouth after the Cats were stunned on the road against Notre Dame, Kentucky has gone 6-1 since then, including three wins in conference play.

Notable wins by the Wildcats include their dismantling of North Carolina 98-69 in the CBS Sports Classic on Dec. 18, and their 83-56 win over the Missouri Tigers to start 1-0 in the SEC on Dec. 29.

While Kentucky did drop another game on the road against No. 21 LSU, they bounced back with two SEC wins over Georgia and Vanderbilt to maintain a positive conference record.

The men’s team returns to action at home against No. 18 Tennessee on Saturday, Jan. 15.

On the women’s side, the Cats left students with a 64-58 loss to No. 7 Louisville in the Jimmy V Classic on Dec. 12. Since then, Kentucky has been unable to play three games, all postponed due to issues surrounding Covid, and have gone 2-1 in games played.

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JACK WEAVER | STAFF Kentucky Wildcats forward Oscar Tshiebwe (34) high fives guard Kellan Grady (31) during the UK vs. Southern basketball game on Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021, at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky.

Their most notable win came at home against No. 15 Georgia, where the Cats won 84-76 to start 1-0 in the SEC. Kentucky would then go on to fall short 74-54 against No. 1 South Carolina on the road.

The Cats currently find themselves 8-4 overall, 1-1 in the SEC, ranked No. 19.

Kentucky was set to return to action on Thursday, Jan. 13, to battle the Mississippi State Bulldogs at home, but COVID-19 issues within the Mississippi State program forced another postponement.

The Wildcat football team also concluded its season, winning the Vrbo Citrus Bowl 20-17 over No.

15 Iowa on New Year’s Day. The win allowed the Wildcats to finish the season 10-3 and secure their second Citrus Bowl trophy in four years.

Kentucky gymnastics looks to start its season this Friday, Jan. 14, against No. 15 Georgia after the Cats' opener against No. 12 Arizona State was canceled. The event will be the home and season opener for Kentucky and has earned the title “excite night.”

Track and field also returns to action this Friday for the Jim Green Invitational inside Nutter Field House. Both the men’s and women’s teams will compete in the spring opener.

The rifling team returns to

the range on Saturday, Jan. 15, to duel Army at West Point. The following day, Sunday, Jan. 16, it will battle the NC State Wolfpack.

Both men’s and women’s tennis will start their spring schedules this week as well, both at home, with the women opening with a double-header against East Tennessee State at home on Friday, while men’s tennis opens against Dayton in a double-header on Saturday.

Swimming and Diving will return on Jan. 22 on the road against rival Louisville. The Cats will then return to Lexington on Jan. 28 to challenge Cincinnati in the spring home opener.

Come February, both the Kentucky baseball and softball teams will take their respective diamonds for their season openers as well.

The softball team opens first on Feb. 10, facing the Wisconsin Badgers first in the Northern Lights / Southern Lights multiteam event in Florida. In the following days, it will also play Michigan State, Liberty, Hofstra, Iowa and Virginia Tech as part of the event.

The softball team won’t play a home game until Mar. 3 when it takes on Michigan as part of the John Cropp Classic.

The baseball team will open its season on Feb. 18, with a three game series against the Jacksonville State Gamecocks on the road. Its home opener will be on Feb. 22 against Southeast Missouri State.

Finally, both men’s and women’s golf return for their spring seasons. The women’s golf team opens in Naples, Florida, on Jan. 18 against Louisville for the Battle of the Bluegrass. They do not have a home event for the remainder of the regular season.

Men’s golf opens much later on Feb. 28 against Coastal Carolina in Nevada for the Lake Las Vegas Intercollegiate Event. Similarly to the women, men’s golf does not have a home event for the remainder of the season.

An exciting and full spring slate for Kentucky athletics is beginning to take form. Teams are wasting no time getting right back into the flow of things, with 12 events scheduled for the first official week of the spring semester.

Thursday, January 13, 2022

sports

TyTy Washington etches name into UK history; breaks single-game assist record

By Cole Parke sports@kykernel.com

Kentucky freshman guard TyTy Washington Jr caught the spotlight in the Wildcats’ 92-77 win over the Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday night at Rupp Arena.

The win saw the Cats improve to 2-1 in the SEC, while also picking up their first win without starting point guard Sahvir Wheeler who was injured in the game prior.

While a bounce back game for the team as a whole, the win over the Bulldogs also served as a bounce back for Washington, who was limited in Kentucky’s previous game with cramps. With Wheeler being injured early and Washington unable to meaningfully contribute, Kentucky ultimately fell 65-60 on the road against No. 21 LSU. Against Georgia, Washington recorded the second double-dou-

Hopefully I set the record [for a long time].

Hopefully nobody breaks it, but to the next person who does break it, congrats to them.

- TyTy Washington

ble of his career, notching 17 points in the win.

More importantly than his 17 points, Washington also set a single-game school record for assists with 17, beating out John Wall, who recorded 16 against the Hartford Hawks in December 2009.

Washington tied the record with 59 seconds to play, passing the ball to Keion Brooks Jr who would go up for a dunk. He beat the record with just 25 seconds left, feeding Oscar Tshiebwe the basket.

“I didn’t even know that was the assist record,” Washington said after the game. “My teammates on the court were telling me ‘Yo, you need two more to set the record,’ and I was like ‘Oh shoot!’ That’s when I kind of just went out there and did it to get the last two.”

Washington, while excited to break the record, also commented on the significance of breaking a record that belonged to John Wall, a member of the UK Athletics Hall of Fame and current NBA player.

“It excites me, I mean it’s John Wall,” Washington said. “I watched him play. I watched a lot of his highlights at Kentucky and I watch him in the NBA a lot.

It’s exciting for me to go out there and break the record [because] a lot of other great point guards came [to Kentucky after Wall] as well. I [get to] be the one to say I went to Kentucky, and I set the record.”

MICHAEL CLUBB | STAFF Kentucky Wildcats guard TyTy Washington Jr. (3) celebrates a teammate’s three pointer during the UK vs.

Georgia men’s basketball game on Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022, at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky.

UK head coach John Calipari also spoke on allowing Washington to remain in the game to break the record with under a minute left to play.

“I didn’t know [he was about to break the record],” Calipari said. “If [someone is about to break a points record] I’d probably take them out, but if you’re talking assists or rebounds I don’t mind leaving a guy in, but the game will dictate that. If we’re up 30 then I’m not [allowing them

to remain in the game]. I’m not worried about [breaking records] at the expense of the other coach and their program."

Washington’s school record ties for seventh most single-game assists in SEC history. He is also the first Wildcat since Ashton Hagans in the 2018-2019 season to record a double-double with points and assists as well as points and rebounds in a single season.

“Hopefully I set the record

[for a long time],” Washington said. “Hopefully nobody breaks it, but to the next person who does break it, congrats to them.”

Washington, who has started every game for Kentucky this season, is expected to continue as a starter in the Cats’ next game on the road against Vanderbilt. That game is set to tip-off inside Rupp Arena at 1 p.m. E.T on Saturday, Jan. 15, and will air on ESPN as the Wildcats search for their third SEC victory in a row.

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THEFT

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6

nal history. According to his arrest citation, he was charged with wanton endangerment and violation of his probation in February 2015. In September 2013, Lowe faced charges of assault in the fourth degree and sexual abuse in the first degree, which covers all sexual assault outside of rape or sodomy according to Kentucky law.

Greystar, a real-estate company that develops and manages much of UK’s campus housing, reported to the university that

CHAMPS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12

down the sideline for a 20-yard touchdown, reviving life into the Iowa faithful at Camping World Stadium, bringing the Hawkeyes within four points.

With the momentum in hand, Williams immediately broke for a 19-yard run on the first play of the following Iowa drive. Two first downs later, Petras found LaPorta on second and short in space with blockers in front, as the tight end raced to the endzone for a 36-yard score, giving the Hawkeyes their first lead of the afternoon.

With the wheels falling off the wagon, Kentucky’s defense made a crucial stand when needed following another Wildcat punt, forcing an Iowa three-andout after stopping Leshon Williams on third and short.

Unsure of how many opportunities they had left, Levis found Robinson for a 13-yard catch on the first play of the next drive. Two plays later, the Wildcats were bailed out on third down after a pass interference call on Iowa extended the UK drive.

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they conducted a background check on Lowe, as they do with all their employees, said UK spokesperson Jay Blanton.

Based on his work order, Lowe had no legal reason to access the dormitories, and it’s unclear how he got the master key. There are fewer dorm staff during the break, Blanton said, and Lowe took advantage of that.

Blanton said that UK is planning to review its policies and procedures in order to find their gaps in security and eliminate them.

“We will spare no expense in ensuring [students’] health and safety and will be evaluating what happened here and quickly make

Izayah Cummings found his first reception of the game on the following play for 13 yards, pushing UK toward Iowa territory. Three Levis incompletions later, Kentucky was forced to go for it on fourth down once again, again coming up short as Levis was intercepted by Jermari Harris at the Iowa 46-yard line.

Just minutes away from a heartbreaking loss, Kentucky’s defense once again came through in the clutch, as Abule Abade-Fitzgerald stuffed Gavin Williams on third-andone. Iowa attempted to draw UK offside on fourth down, but the Cats didn’t budge, and the Hawkeyes punted away, giving the Wildcats one more chance to make magic in Orlando.

With 3:31 left in the game, Levis began his drive the same way he did many, finding Robinson, gaining seven yards. A Lukas Van Ness sack on second down forced third-and-10, which saw Levis deliver a strike to Robinson up the seam, resulting in a 17-yard gain, bringing a roar out of Big Blue Nation.

Robinson would gain another 10 yards two plays later, as time ticked down. Following an incompletion, Levis heaved his

improvements where necessary,” Blanton said. “We apologize this happened. It’s not acceptable to us. We will quickly and transparently communicate about this and ensure our students and families have the support they need moving forward.”

Affected students received an email from UK as they moved back into their dorms with a link to a loss form. Blanton said UK’s goal is to compensate students for their material losses as quickly as possible. But, in addition to cash and stolen items, some students who live in the affected dorms say they’ve lost some sense of security.

best pass of the game to Robinson downfield, which saw the Nebraska transfer juke his way down to the Iowa 1-yard line, a 52-yard gain.

“I saw a corner coming at me and wanted to make him miss and whoever else was coming, make them miss,” Robinson said. “I don't really know how to explain it. It is just more of instincts. You just go out there and do it. I can't really tell you how to do it or what to do. It is just God-given, I guess.”

A false start by Austin Dotson set the Cats back five yards, but the next play saw Rodriguez do what he does best, shedding tackles and finding paydirt, as his six-yard run regained the lead for Kentucky with just under a minute remaining.

“Credit to the defense for getting the ball back to us, threeand-out — letting us get the ball back with three minutes and change,” Levis said. “We were in a two-minute mentality, but it gave us some breathing room to go out there. I know we had enough time to get things done.”

Iowa would fight to get into field goal territory to give Shudak a chance to send the game into overtime, but an errant

“I feel like I'm not completely safe anymore,” Lucido said.

Junior Eli Smith said that UK needs to rethink which employees they hire and how they manage them.

“You really don’t know who you’re contracting,” Smith said.

“I don’t know if he was purposely given the key, but I think more purposeful oversight would be best.”

Sophomore Alex O’Dell said that while having a universal key is useful in certain situations, it’s also dangerous. She thinks that a better option could be having “master” keys that only open a small section or number of rooms

pass by Petras fell right into the pocket of DeAndre Square, erupting one half of Camping World Stadium while deflating the other.

After a sluggish second half, the Wildcats overcame adversity and defeated the Hawkeyes 20-17 behind the star players making star plays.

“I just really, greatly appreciate the way guys stepped up and competed,” Stoops said.

“Our guys rose to the occasion.

Offensively, our guys converted. We knew coming into this game how good Iowa was defensively. They make you earn the yards.”

The victory caps off Stoops’ second 10-win season at Kentucky while earning his second Citrus Bowl trophy.

Despite being the one at the helm, Stoops believes that his program runs through the hearts of the players he coaches.

“It comes down to our players caring about each other and having a toughness and having a resiliency about them,” Stoops said. “You know, respecting the game. We talked about playing the game with honor, and they do that. These players do. This is a player-led team.”

instead of all of them in order to limit the damage of incidents like this. Moll agreed that employees should not have access to a universal key.

“I don’t think RAs or maintenance or anybody should ever come into our rooms without us present and without us opening the door for them. I don't think that it's okay for people to be able to go into rooms and rummage through your belongings,” Moll said. “I don’t know how all that works, but I'd love some of my money back.”

Lowe’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Jan. 13.

FANS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13

Originally from Iowa, Hawkeye fans Paul and Cindy Flickinger now live in Florida. Although their team lost, the Flickingers said they enjoyed watching the match.

“It was a close game; it was a good game,” Cindy Flickinger said.

Other Iowa supporters echoed this. Linda Young, Kelly Reams and Kathy Thiem traveled from Des Moines, Iowa, to cheer on their team. Reams, father of Hawkeye defensive lineman Chris Reams, said he thought it was a “good, clean game.”

Mary Jo Green and Teresa Hayden said the close game was “worth the drive” from Kentucky.

“It was exciting. A little too exciting,” Green said of the victory.

UK grads Harrison Lane and Autumn Hunes flew to Orlando from Lexington to cheer on their alma mater. Lane called the match a “nailbiter,” adding that he was surprised to see so many UK fans leaving before the end of the game, expecting defeat. He and Hunes stayed to the end and were glad they did. “[Kentucky] never gave up, they just kept at it,” he said. “It was thrilling.”

Thursday, January 13, 2022

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