TECHNICIAN APRIL 7, 2022
VOL . 102 | NO. 26
FIRE FESTIVAL
DREAMVILLE RETURNS, ROCKS RALEIGH See page 8
Contents
2 TECHNICIAN THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2022
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IN THIS ISSUE: page
03
Asian Students Association celebrates Asian culture, community on campus
WHAT YOU MISSED: A quick look at the headlines in and outside of NC State
NC State students rejoice UNC losing national championship After UNC men’s basketball blew a 16 point lead during the national championship against Kansas, ultimately losing 72-69, NC State students and fans revelled in the Tar Heels’ misery.
SOURCE: JAYLAN HARRINGTON, TECHNICIAN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
NEWS page
07
Gas prices are not controlled by the President; ignorance to this fact is telling
Couple stumbles upon 6-foot great white shark at Outer Banks While looking for seashells, Dana Rose and Zack Culbertson came across the carcass of a great white shark on Hatteras Island. The Outer Banks is thought by experts to be a breeding ground for great whites, which are known to grow up to 20 feet in length, as they frequent the waters.
OPINION page
SOURCE: THE NEWS & OBSERVER
Centennial piano brings
10 music, joy, community to State campus
Twenty-two years after two of Charles Darwin’s notebooks went missing from the Cambridge University Library, they were anonymously returned. The books were returned with a note that read, “Happy Easter.” After a publicity blitz launched by librarian Jessica Gardner in 2020, the notebooks were left outside her office in a pink gift bag.
CULTURE page
SOURCE: THE NEW YORK TIMES
2021-22 swim season:
14 Highs, lows and breaking the status quo
Robot dog roams ruins of Pompeii Boston Dynamics has built a four-legged robot to patrol the ruins of Pompeii, Italy and collect data on safety and structural issues of the ruins. It is able to navigate tricky terrain that is more difficult for humans. Spot, the robot, will also inspect tunnels created by tomb raiders in a safe, effective way that police officers cannot.
SOURCE: SMITHSONIAN MAGAZINE
SPORTS Editor-in-Chief Jaylan Harrington
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Stolen Charles Darwin notebooks returned to Cambridge
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News Editor Avery Davis
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Managing Editors Caryl J. Espinoza Jaen Tristan Tucker
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THE RADAR Events to keep an eye on for the week of April 7
YOGA IN THE GARDEN Thursday, April 7, 10-11 a.m. GREGG MUSEUM OF ART & DESIGN, ROSE JACKSON AND EVELYN THIEM GARDEN Free If you need a breather or a kickstart to your day, head over to Rose Jackson and Evelyn Thiem Garden for Yoga in the Garden, a community event hosted by the Arts Department. Make sure to register for this class and bring your own mat or towel.
STATE DANCE COMPANY CONCERT Friday, April 8, 7-8:30 p.m. TALLEY STUDENT UNION, STEWART THEATRE $6-$14 Enjoy powerful performances this Friday by attending the annual concert, hosted by State Dance Company. You’ll get to dive deeper into the meaning behind these pieces and take home a meaningful message.
BLACKXPERIENCE FESTIVAL Saturday, April 9, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. STAFFORD COMMONS Free Support the community by joining students for the BlackXperience Festival, hosted by University Activities Board at Stafford Commons. You can jam out to music, play carnival games and support Black-owned businesses by purchasing food and items.
MOUNTAIN BIKING AT HARRIS LAKE Sunday, April 10, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. HARRIS LAKE COUNTY PARK $30 for students; $40 for members If you are interested in attending a mountain bike expedition surrounded by nature, join Outdoor Adventures at Harris Lake County Park. Instructions on basic mountain biking skills and techniques will be provided, but be prepared to bike for a couple hours.
Technician (USPS 455-050) is the largest student newspaper of NC State University and is published every Thursday throughout the academic year from August through May except during holidays and examination periods. Opinions expressed in the columns, cartoons, photo illustrations and letters that appear on the Technician’s pages are the views of the individual writers and cartoonists. As a public forum for student expression, the students determine the content of the publication without prior review. To receive permission for reproduction, please write the editor. Subscription cost is $100 per year. A single copy is free to all students, faculty, staff and visitors to campus. Additional copies are $0.25 each. Printed by Triangle Web Printing, Durham, NC, Copyright 2022 by North Carolina State Student Media. All rights reserved.
COVER BY SARAH COCHRAN
News
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THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2022
Asian Students Association celebrates Asian culture, community on campus
COURTESY OF LY LE
Elyse Boldizar Staff Writer
The Asian Students Association (ASA) is a student-run organization on campus that promotes cultural connection, social networking and personal development for Asian students or those interested in Asian culture. The organization hosts a number of events across campus to celebrate the diversity of Asian culture and connect students. Ly Le, a fourth-year studying animal science, is this year’s ASA president. Le joined in her first year at NC State as a freshman representative, an internship-based role where ASA members can shadow leaders and learn more about the organization. This year as president, Le is responsible for overseeing events, board meetings and fundraisers. “We’re an Asian inclusive, not Asian exclusive, organization here on campus,” Le said. “Our main purpose here is to create a community for Asian Americans and people interested in Asian culture, as well
as be a safe space for them because it is still a predominantly white institution. And we want to make sure that Asian American and Asian voices are heard here on campus.” The Asian Students Association hosts three major types of events throughout the year: A general body meeting hosted every other Wednesday where members can meet and connect, a monthly fundraiser and an annual beach trip (postponed this year due to COVID-19). In addition to these events, ASA also hosts events for students from across campus to participate in, not just ASA members. On March 10, ASA hosted Asia Night which is the largest Asian cultural showcase on campus and includes performances from a wide variety of individuals and groups. The event is one of the Asian Students Association’s most popular — attracting not only people on campus but also people from across North Carolina who come to perform and attend. Performers at Asia Night this year included the Triangle Chinese Dance Club,
Asian interest fraternity Lambda Phi Epsilon performing the Philippine folk dance Tinikling, and NC State’s K-pop dance group KPACK. Asia Night this year was held as the kickoff event for a series of events ASA is hosting to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage month coming up in May. The organization will also celebrate Songkran, a water festival primarily celebrated in Thailand and Southeast Asia that marks the new year, on April 13 from 6-8 p.m. at Harris Field. Students are invited to participate in water games and enjoy food while learning about Songkran. A major aspect of ASA is teaching its members leadership and networking skills. Board members take turns planning events so they can learn more about the organization and coordination duties. As president, Le said one of her favorite events to plan this year was a panel of Asian women who spoke about issues they faced being a minority group. “There’s this really interesting intersec-
tionality of how, as an Asian American woman, we experience a lot of different kinds of prejudice, microaggressions and at some point, macroaggressions as well,” Le said. Sumeetha Jagadeesan, a second-year studying chemical engineering and ASA secretary, said her favorite part of being in the association is meeting other Asian students from different majors. “I’d recommend it for really anybody that’s just looking to make friends in general,” Jagadeesan said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re Asian or if you’re not Asian or if you’re looking for culture, or if you’re lonely or if you’re interested in doing something on Wednesday night.” Those interested in joining the Asian Students Association or in attending one of ASA’s upcoming events should check out the organization’s Instagram as well as its Get Involved page to learn more.
News
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Asian Artist Showcase highlights Asian American artists at NC State Jacob Hodges Correspondent
Critical Asian Narratives & Engagement (CRANE) Collective, a student-led organization centered around creating a community for Asian students at NC State, held its first Asian Artist Showcase in Talley Student Union’s Coastal Ballroom on April 1. In the showcase, Asian American artists presented a mixture of artistic mediums ranging from the visual and performance arts to tangible artistic mediums such as printmaking and sculpture building. Entry was made accessible with a “choose your own pricing” system, and revenue went to CRANE Collective directly for funding of future endeavors. In the center of the ballroom were tables with various arts and crafts activities in which attendees could stop, relax and create something together. The showcase itself housed many booths of Asian American artists putting forth and, for some, selling their art. Minh-Thu Dinh, a fourth-year studying electrical engineering and president of CRANE Collective, helped organize the event for the Asian American Showcase. “This is really the first time Asian American artists are being featured, especially thosewho are students or just those who are in North Carolina,” Dinh said. “I’ve talked to a lot of… artists who will be at the event who have mentioned that this will probably be the first time that I will be in a space full of Asian and Asian American artists, which
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Cathy Thai, a second-year studying animal science, paints someone’s face during the Asian Artist Showcase hosted by CRANE at Talley Student Union on Friday, April 1, 2022. This year, CRANE Collective hosted its first ever Asian Artist Showcase, an event where Asian and Asian American artists can display their artwork to the North Carolina community.
is something that I find really special.” Dinh, along with her fellow CRANE leaders, said the event was the club’s priority this academic year. They said providing a platform for artistic Asian American students of-
fers a unique opportunity for the University. Jennifer Huynh, a third-year studying biology, had a booth titled “888 Jems by Jen,” showcasing beaded jewelry inspired by her experience growing up as a Bud-
dhist. Kit Ostrea, a second-year studying art and design, displayed a booth featuring both printmaking and painting; her works showed snapshots of her familial AAS continued page 5
Student Legal Services’ cases change throughout pandemic Melissa Sleater Correspondent
Student Legal Services provide a wide range of legal assistance for NC State students. Pam Gerace, director of the office, said the office handles many different legal issues.
We are a general practice law firm, so we kind of do everything that hits the door. — Pam Gerace
“We are a general practice law firm, so we kind of do everything that hits the door,” Gerace said. During the pandemic, Student Legal Services began using Zoom as its primary form of communication. Michael Avery, a staff attorney for Student Legal Services, said many students prefer the virtual option. “The interesting thing is that we discovered that really students took to the idea of virtual and remote assistance,” Avery said. Before the pandemic, the attorneys were considering setting up a temporary office on Centennial Campus. Gerace said the new use of Zoom presented another option. “Before COVID, we were going to try to set up a temporary office on Centennial Campus because we knew it was so hard for them [students on Centennial Campus] to get here by bus,” Gerace said. “We don’t need to do that now, so we can just do Zoom.”
GRAPHIC BY EZEKIEL SNYDER
News
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Academic Success Center provides mentoring services Emily Vespa Staff Writer
The Academic Success Center (ASC) offers a variety of free resources to NC State students to promote academic success, including peer tutoring, peer mentoring and writing support. Barbara Windham, the director of the ASC, said the ASC programs aim to guide students in developing skills essential to academic success. “The goal is to help students become independent learners during their university experience and we offer a variety of programs that allow that to happen,” Windham said. The ASC offers peer tutoring for a variety of STEM classes, such as math, chemistry, physics and biology. Students can meet one-on-one with a peer tutor, attend group tutoring sessions or visit drop-in tutoring at the center. According to Windham, the ASC also offers academic peer mentoring, in which students are paired with a peer mentor to improve academic success skills such as study techniques and organization. Students meet with their peer mentor once a week throughout the semester and can set weekly goals to achieve academic success. The ASC also contains an undergraduate and graduate writing center. Megan Minor, a third-year studying psychology and a writing consultant in the undergraduate writing center, said the writing center connects students with one-on-one consulting
Zoom has made accessing legal services more convenient for students across NC State. Avery noted there have been fewer missed appointments as a result of the Zoom option. Along with taking virtual calls, the actual cases the attorneys at Student Legal Services saw during the pandemic also changed. At the beginning of the pandemic, landlord tenant cases increased. Gerace said the attorneys did a lot of work negotiating with landlords. “We did a lot of negotiation trying to get students out of leases because legally, unfortunately, COVID was not a defense for getting out of your lease,” Gerace said. Avery said landlord and tenant issues are always a part of their practice. However, these matters increased during the pandemic. “The landlord/tenant [issues] was certainly the biggest increase, even though that’s generally a big part of our practice,” Avery said. Gerace said students’ use of technology during the pandemic presented a range of cases. Cyberstalking and online scams targeting students increased, according to Gerace. With less students on campus, Avery saw noticeable decreases in some of the types of cases the attorneys typically see.
COURTESY OF MEGAN MINOR
services for any piece of writing. “The writing center program is for students of any major and any discipline to come get help in their writing,” Minor said. “We do everything from poetry to personal statements to lab reports, so anything you could possibly need to get looked over.” Additionally, Minor said the writing center seeks to provide students with the means to improve their writing skills longterm. “Within the writing center, we have a bunch of different resources that you can actually take with you to look at,” Minor said. “It’s nice to have something tangible
“We saw less traffic, drugs and alcohol offenses like that because people just weren’t around,” Avery said. Interpersonal violence cases also went down as people went home or were staying in their rooms, according to Avery. However, he noted as students have come back to campus these cases have started to rise. “It doesn’t surprise me that we’re seeing more of these [interpersonal violence cases],” Avery said. “But it also means that we can get out in front of it and try and assist and protect those that are victims of interpersonal violence.” The office is happy to talk to students about anything from legal trouble to questions about law school. Avery said he wants students to know the legal services are already paid for from student fees. “I want students to know that it’s a free service,” Avery said. “It’s already paid for, so there’s nothing that they’re going to have to pay for as far as our services.” Gerace said they usually suggest students email them with any questions, or to schedule an appointment. Contact information for Student Legal Services can be found at studentlegal. dasa.ncsu.edu/contact-us/.
to look at when you’re feeling confused, so that you’re also learning how to help yourself through the writing process and learning where you’re struggling a little bit more, so you can focus on that and adjust and grow in your writing.” Windham said the ASC is an important supplement to classroom instruction because it provides opportunities for students to develop skills critical to academic success, such as time management and goal setting. “Everybody who comes to NC State is a successful student,” Windham said. “It’s difficult to get into NC State. That being said, there’s a lot of students who
AAS
life growing up half-Filipino in continued from page 4 America. The event also featured program breaks at three separate times throughout the night, showcasing the visual and performance art aspects of the showcase. Original choreography and music, spoken word performances, puppetry fables and short film debuts were spotlighted with varying themes like self-discovery, love and loss and coming-of-age.
The hope is that through interacting with each other, they can widen their network, and in turn widen their possibilities for artmaking. — Meera Butalia
come not really having developed study skills — they didn’t have to study in high school — and college is a new ball game. It’s helping students make that transition between high school and the university environment.” Minor said some students prefer to seek help from a peer because it can be less intimidating than asking an instructor. “I feel like it’s a lot less scary sometimes to come talk to someone who’s your peer rather than your professor, because it’s a different dynamic talking to somebody who’s your age versus talking to somebody who’s graduated and already knows a ton about the subject,” Minor said. Two years ago, the ASC moved into a new space on the second floor of D.H. Hill Library, which Windham said is ideal for student success. “It’s a central location in the library where students can meet others, so it’s not just getting help on content, but it’s a great place to meet other students, especially drop-in tutoring in the evening,” Windham said. “It’s also a place to study outside of the Academic Success Center hours.” To learn more about the ASC, visit its website, asc.dasa.ncsu.edu/. Editor’s note: Megan Minor is also a photographer for NC State Student Media.
Stephanie Sosa, a fourth-year studying graphic design, not only had a booth showcasing her tangible works, but was also one of eight artists with performance/visual art. Sosa’s animated short films “Our Ability to Forget” and “The Search” cast a lens on the themes of the acceptance of oneself, and the titular search for one’s true identity. Another leader of CRANE Collective, Meera Butalia, a third-year studying environmental sciences, said the showcase could help artists foster a sense of community and to grow their creative network within an uplifting environment. “[Though] we’re not making the artists spend time together, the hope is that through interacting with each other, they can widen their network, and in turn widen their possibilities for artmaking,” Butalia said. “This was an effort on our part to approach it in a way that is a little less formal and hopefully a little more cozy.”
For more information and updates on CRANE Collective or how you can get involved, visit its Get Involved page, Instagram or Facebook.
Opinion
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Why tipped workers need to know about the 80/20 rule On Dec. 28, 2021, the rule that can save tipped workers was reinstated by the Labor Department (DOL). The 80/20 rule allows tipped workers to get paid a higher minimum Riley wage when doing tedious Sipe Correspondent tasks like side work that does not involve tipping by customers. Every tipped worker needs to know about this so they can get paid the money they deserve. When working a job like serving, the Fair Labor Standards Act allows tipped workers to be paid the low amount of $2.13 an hour, as long as that person earns enough in tips to make up the difference in the minimum wage, which is $7.25 an hour in North Carolina. This is known as a tip credit and oftentimes this is not the case, as servers are often left without tables to serve and doing work that they are not rightfully being paid for. The 80/20 rule is here to allow those people to be rightfully compensated. The rule requires an employer to pay their workers at least the minimum wage if more than 20% of their work is non-tip generating. Tedious tasks like filling salt and pepper shakers, rolling silverware, stocking items, sweeping, cleaning and prepping for the next day are tasks a server should be getting paid more money for if they don’t have any tables to serve. I’m sure most servers and tipped workers would agree they spend excessive time doing labor they are not getting paid for. This is where the 80/20 rule can be utilized so when workers are putting in their efforts into tasks that do not directly relate to the tips they earn, they can get paid the same amount as other workers that are tasked with doing the same things. The 80/20 law breaks workers down into three groups so employers have a definition of who the law will apply to. The categories
Spit in Food
Emma Reid, staff cartoonist First-year in exploratory studies
are “job duties that directly produce tips, job duties that directly support tip-producing work and any other job duties.” When workers fall into the third category, they are to be paid at least the minimum wage. Workers in the second category also have an opportunity to make more money. Defining what is directly supporting tip-producing work is different for each employer, so this law helps lay it out for people. Employers are only allowed to use tip credit for workers in the second category if it “is not performed for a substantial amount of time.” The DOL has even defined a substantial amount of time as anything over 30 minutes. Servers, this means when you do side work for longer than 30 minutes with no
tables, you should be getting paid at least $7.25! Last week, my roommate came home in rage about the fact her employer didn’t honor this law. She had no tables for two hours and was doing job duties that didn’t produce tips or support work that produces tips. According to DOL guidelines, she should have been paid at least $7.25 for that next hour and a half after her last table. When confronted, her employer said the switch in wage only counts when your boss says you don’t have to serve any more tables, rather than when your table physically leaves. But according to the DOL, this isn’t true. Her employer took advantage of her lack of knowledge regarding this law and falsely told her that she didn’t qualify for
Say Less
Pearl Knight, staff cartoonist Third-year studying art and design
earning money. At the time, she didn’t know the details and could not argue her case to get the money she earned and deserved. This is precisely why it is so important for tipped workers to know about this law so they don’t get taken advantage of. I don’t doubt other employers will do the same thing they did to my roommate. This law was made to protect tipped workers, but most of my tipped-worker friends didn’t know about the law until my roommate had this issue. Employers will most likely hide their knowledge of the law and choose to not uphold it unless someone brings it up. If you are a tipped worker right now and you didn’t know about this, your bosses are probably hiding it from you because they don’t want to pay up. Being informed and well-versed in the 80/20 law can help stop employers from exploiting their workers. Trying to hide the fact that they potentially owe all of their tipped workers more money is shady and selfish. One-on-one confrontation about not getting paid the right amount may not be the best strategy for getting that money, like I saw for my roommate. A great way for employees to make sure their bosses aren’t capitalizing off them is to go together and take action. Group solidarity is a powerful thing, and if all employees demand their bosses uphold the law, they are more likely to get paid what they deserve. This knowledge is also powerful when employers are not expecting their employees to demand the money they have been hiding from them. Readers, I encourage you to share this information with anyone you know who could benefit from it, to ensure they get paid what they deserve. The restaurant industry is already very stressful and demanding, so any amount of money owed to a worker, they should get.
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Opinion TECHNICIANONLINE.COM
THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2022
Don’t compare yourself to social media influencers So you’re scrol l i ng through socia l media looking for daily inspo, latest fashion updates, what your favorite celebs are up to, your favorite Ashley sports team updates and Linzey the list goes on for most. Correspondent As we scroll through apps to pass the time, we have all found ourselves looking at the time and realizing we have been on social media for hours. During our scrolling time we are either actively or subconsciously looking at lives we wish we could obtain. Wishing we had the clothes that one person is wearing, wishing we had unlimited funds to travel and see the world, wishing we could start a successful business like that entrepreneur we follow. And these people are at or around our age? Give me a break. Social media portrays a lot of wonderful lives, seemingly easy to grasp if we just knew how we could obtain the same. I used to follow a bunch of social media accounts in regard to beauty, fashion, modeling and fitness. I didn’t think anything of it for a long time until one day I noticed while scrolling endlessly, looking at all these beautiful people with picture perfect lives, I was comparing my life and myself to them. I was working out (still a good choice), staying up to date on the latest beauty trends and trying to model my
life after these supposedly perfect people. I was running myself rancid trying to be anything but my one true self. Finally, I got tired of it. I unfollowed and stayed away from people who weren’t making a positive impact in my life. Influencers on social media aren’t perfect. They are normal people just like all of us. A lot of these accounts are staged and a lot of those picture-perfect women and men are most of the time highly edited. The great part of social media today is that accounts are starting to reveal the truth as shown in this Buzzworthy article. They are becoming aware of their audience and taking off the veil because they realize a lot of young people are bending over backwards to try to achieve the same lifestyle, body and looks. Unfortunately, we become the spectators who give this value to them. I found a couple great articles that support both ends of the spectrum on how social media is deceiving, but growing in its goal to impact individuals. Rachel Ramirez, a New York based journalist, talks about the deception influencers and social media portray. Ramirez mentions how this deception can have a hold on low self-esteem and symptoms of depression. She connects her point regarding the negative impact social media may have on individuals with the episode “Nosedive,” from the popular Netflix show “Black Mirror.” I myself have watched this
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episode, and I can tell you it is chillingly accurate. There have been an increase in efforts to break the illusion created by social media as shown in the article from Buzzworthy mentioned above by highlighting a few influencer accounts who, among many, are taking off the veil and showcasing the truth on social media. The article takes a look at one influencer in particular who decided the game was over and it was time to show
the truth. The response she had received was even better than she could have imagined and released a video in response. With all being said, don’t bend over backwards to try and be someone you are not. Being yourself is more powerful than putting on a show — plus it’s a lot of work. No one is perfect. No life is perfect. Choose social media that impacts your life in a positive, empowering way.
Gasoline prices are not controlled by the President; ignorance to this fact is telling Republican strategy for midterms in implicating President Joe Biden for record high gas prices has gained commentary as an insult to voters’ intelligence, but the electorate’s Justin complicitness is proving Welch the point. Correspondent While the inner-workings of the global oil market are not common knowledge, a simple Google search would overwhelmingly refute the notion that American political leaders have significant impact on gas prices. Otherwise, President Biden would press a button and kick back for seven more years as approval ratings carry him to another term. In actuality, the current global gas crisis is a result of several factors. The past decade has seen the United States propelled onto the global stage of the oil market with a fracking boom, and in 2018 the U.S. became the top crude-oil producer
in the world. This spurred a new partnership between OPEC and Russia to mitigate the effects of America’s emergence in the market they historically dominated. This coordination continued up until the emergence of COVID-19 in early 2020. As lockdowns across the world immobilized industrial output and general transportation, demand for oil plummeted. Saudi Arabia, the leader of the OPEC cartel, proposed cutting production to raise prices. Russia declined, opting instead to try at a greater slice of the global demand for themselves. What followed was a price war, with each nation flooding the market with millions of additional barrels a day, slashing prices in an attempt to command what remained of the Asian trade. This supply shock in tandem with a demand shock created unprecedented circumstances and oil prices crashed to record levels below zero. All of the world’s main oil producers soon responded by dramatically decreasing their output. Reopening saw demand begin to
outpace supply, but the market had been fundamentally changed by its perils in the pandemic. Its volatility has spooked all players into extreme caution. Companies and their investors became more interested in the safe and plentiful profits of the increasing price trend as opposed to the costly and lengthy risk of upping production. The market has been further complicated by the invasion of Ukraine, as is summarized by NC State economy specialist Michael Walden. The removal of the third largest producer of oil from the global supply has affected prices all around the world, a note to ponder before attributing blame on domestic policy and politics. The global market sets the price for crude oil and consequently gasoline, not the president, Congress, the Governor or the mailman. Accusations from senior Republicans in Congress solely cast blame on President Biden. Conservatives point to the administration’s shutdown of the Keystone Pipeline and anti-natural resources rhetoric as the
reason for price hikes, despite the fact that gas prices had been increasing before Biden took office. This agenda has been fueled by North Carolinian congressmen Madison Cawthorn, a former governor and the GOP state-party affiliate. The pipeline project would have had minimal, if any impact on prices. As for energy policy, U.S. crude oil production is expected to break records in the coming years. This is in part due to the Biden administration approving thousands of permits for drilling on public lands, much to the dismay of environmental activists. In conjunction with the largest release of American oil reserves ever, it’s clear curtailing domestic production and “energy independence” is not the underlying motivation of the White House.
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INTERNSHIP/SUMMER JOB Warehousing and Manufacturing May to August Monday through Friday ~
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Culture
10 TECHNICIAN THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2022
Centennial piano brings music, joy, community to State campus Caleb Jolley Staff Writer
On NC State’s Centennial Campus, the bright and lovely sound of a piano can often be heard ringing across the Oval, coming from underneath a large white tent between Hunt Library and On the Oval Food Hall. Appearing mysteriously in fall 2021, this whimsically decorated outdoor piano has fostered a community of its own, sparking conversations and spreading life, joy and music across campus. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, large tents have appeared on campus featuring picnic tables, lighting and even wifi to provide students with more outdoor seating options. The tent on Centennial Campus, however, also has an eye-catching piano that suddenly appearedup to the bewilderment
“I tend to be Jude’s go-to person when he comes up with an idea,” Carter said. “[For the piano], I knew I had these exterior latex paints, and I knew I had these metallic little objects… and one of the shapes looked kind of like a bluebell. So I decided, ‘Well, if I’ve got this flower theme started with some of the shapes I have access to, what if I turn it into a thing about flowers and vines and things like that?’” What resulted is an eccentric blue piano adorned with dots and stars between black and green vines leading to orange, blue and green 3D flowers. The piano, made in 1902, had been given new life and was ready to see its new home. “It’s got a very traditional, very kind of bluesy, New Orleans feel to it,” said DesNoyer. “And it was like, you know what, that’s what it’s gonna be. We’re not gonna tune this to
GRAPHIC BY SHRADDHA MISHRA
and joy of many. “Very early last semester, a friend of mine texts me and says ‘There’s a piano under the tent,’” said Zack Bonds, a graduate student in applied mathematics. “It just showed up in the middle of the tent. … All there was was just this colorful piano, very bizarrely decorated.” Unknown to students, the piano came from a collaboration project between Jude DesNoyer, the activation and special events manager for Centennial Campus, and Gregory Carter, a lecturer in the College of Design. “The idea for the piano is something I’ve had for quite a while,” DesNoyer said. “When the pandemic came and those tents came in, I was like — there’s the opportunity to try it and put a piano under there and just see what happens.” With the idea set in motion, DesNoyer found a piano for free on Craigslist and contacted Carter to decorate it.
make it perfect, we’re not going to change it. We’re just gonna call it what it is and let it ride and have its own character.” The piano was soon dropped off with no explanation whatsoever. Regardless of where it came from, people began playing the bizarre and mysterious piano. Before long, the tent piano became a staple of Centennial Campus. Whether an avid player, listener or just a passerby, the piano has captivated many, bringing people together through the shared enjoyment of music. “I just love the atmosphere in this area,” said Karina Seebaluck, a second-year studying psychology. “The tent and the benches really encourage people to come around and be united by music.” One such way people have been united is through a Discord server called “Oval Tent Piano Players.” Beginning as a group chat between students who met at the piano, the
TECHNICIANONLINE.COM
Navigate some of downtown Raleigh’s most artistic murals Jameson Wolf Staff Writer
conversation switched to a Discord server as more people became interested. With a QR Downtown Raleigh is home to a rocode posted on the piano itself, anyone is bust collection of public art sprinkled encouraged to join the server, regardless of — sometimes unassumingly — on street musical experience. The server now hosts a corners and sides of buildings. Get to diverse community of over 100 people who know a little corner of Raleigh with a two share an interest in the piano. mile spring stroll around downtown’s “We have a wonderful variety [of people Warehouse and Fayetteville Street Disin the server],” said Andrew Farkas, a thirdtricts. Can you find all 29 murals along year studying computer science and one of the the route? students responsible for creating the server. “We’ve got some people who don’t play and just listen, some people who just want to start learning piano, some people who have been playing as long as I have. … Everyone has all sorts of different genres and specialties and skill levels, and it’s really great.” Through the server, members often share sheet music, organize hangouts, share news and even perform tuning and maintenance on the piano. JAMESON WOLF/TECHNICIAN One student was even inspired to spread the joy of an outdoor piano to Main Campus. Route: “I realized it’s really cool for a piano to just È Start at the intersection of West be set on campus and nobody say anything,” Hargett Street and South West Street said Kevin Childs, a fourth-year studying È Head south down South West Street computer science. “It’s all kind of a mystery, È Turn left to head east down West and something as simple as that can form a Martin Street community. … So I decided one day, [to] go È Turn right to head south down Mcon Facebook Marketplace and see if I can Dowell Street find a free piano and drop it off on the Main È Turn left heading east on West Davie Campus for people on Main Campus to play Street and, ideally, a community to form similar to È Turn left up South Salisbury Street the one that formed on Centennial Campus.” È Make a quick right on Martin Street Thanks to Childs, people on Main Campus È Turn left to head north up South now also have an outdoor piano to enjoy, loWilmington Street cated under the tent outside of Case Dining È Turn left on East Hargett Street Hall. È Turn left on South Salisbury Street Both pianos saw use through the fall semes- È Turn right on East Martin Street ter until they were suddenly taken away over È Take a stroll up through Nash Square winter break, leaving many to wonder about to meet back up with Hargett Street their fate. Thankfully, they were returned for È Head east on Hargett Street to comthe spring semester. The Centennial Piano plete your loop back to where you was returned with a plaque giving credit to began Carter’s artwork, finally giving a clue about È Don’t forget to say hi to Tuffy on your the people responsible for it. way back down Hillsborough Street! Although they returned from winter break, Find… the question still remains as to what the long The sun setting in the west over the term future of the pianos will be. smiling faces of the Raleigh commu“I really hope they stay,” said Michael Babb, nity as they Beautify Emerging Spaces a recent NC State graduate who works at the Together. Friday Institute for Educational Innovation Our city’s namesake “escaping crition Centennial Campus. “I hope that the cism” in a reimagining of a famous college somehow promotes this and keeps it portrait. as a staple. I really like it, and I know a lot CAM volunteers’ street painting of people really like it, not just playing it but inspired by the Black Lives Matter listening to it too.” movement. Unfortunately, according to DesNoyer, the Recreation of a touching moment tents are currently scheduled to be removed between mother and famous athlete after the spring semester. son. “We’re working on trying to figure out A family on a First Friday outing. where the piano’s going to go,” DesNoyer said. Disney damsels in daily dress. Suggested summer reading.
PIANO continued page 11
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Culture TECHNICIANONLINE.COM
THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2022
Breaking down the best Raleigh bookstores for lovers of every genre Dhwani Shah Correspondent
If you’re stuck in a reading slump or simply looking for a new read, you’ll want to check out these bookstores across Raleigh — most of which are mere minutes from campus. From comics to different subgenres of nonfiction, you’re guaranteed to discover a bookstore that has what you’re looking for. Quail Ridge Books If I had to pick a favorite bookstore, Quail Ridge would have to be the one. From the interior of the shop to the selection of books, this North Hills spot does it the best. Like Barnes & Noble, Quail Ridge has a variety of books to choose from, which are set up according to genre. Plus, the store offers several other items, such as stickers, journals and stationary. When you enter the store, there is a pick-up section on the left side for those who are interested in placing an order in advance. When I walked in, I was taken aback by the lovely decorations — there was a huge tree covered in lights, a neat fireplace, light up signs and quotes from books dispersed throughout the store. My favorite part had to be the store’s “Blind Date with a Book ” — books wrapped in paper with guidelines to suggest for whom the book would be a good fit. Given its uniqueness and versatility, I would suggest Quail Ridge Books as the first bookstore to check out in Raleigh. Barnes & Noble Barnes & Noble is a classic. The new releases on the shelves and the variety of books the store has to offer is unmatched. I was intrigued to see the layout of this store, as it seemed much smaller than most Barnes & Nobles I’ve been to.
Flowers, dragons and critters that welcome you to an artist’s creative space. Five figures in entangled motion. Android users — try viewing through the Abstracted Motion app for added fun. Homage to the Oak City Kitty. Some 20-cent North Carolina Wildlife. A voter’s call to action, the building blocks of democracy, Black Lives Matter memorial. An appeal to ethics. A passionate embrace, a floral backdrop. A cityscape with Red Hat’s stamp of approval. Solange graces an electrical box. The state bird of North Carolina. Downtown deer. Art-DECO facade + local retail!
GRAPHIC BY AVERY SZAKACS
I was certainly not disappointed. The storefront in the Village District was divided up into different sections according to genre, making it simple to navigate your way through and find the perfect book. Plus, there are computers set up throughout the store if you’re interested in finding a specific book. While it has a wide selection of novels, it also has journals, stationary and unique board games displayed at the front. There
Fire escape brain teaser. Raleigh-grown NC Central University basketball great. Iconic historical protests brought to life on a single facade. Cotton candy palette arrow through the forehead. Cicadas watched over by the sun and moon. Berkeley the Squirrel! Colorful maze as you stroll through the trees. An aquatic journey from one storm drain to another. Trigonometric tree. Flower clouds welcoming you into Raleigh’s first pay-what-you-can cafe. Want more to see? Check out the Downtown Raleigh Alliance’s comprehensive list of downtown public art.
isn’t much of a seating area, so I wouldn’t suggest this as a study spot — however, it would be the perfect bookstore to go to if you’re in a reading slump. You can make your way down the different sections set up and even ask the friendly staff for book recommendations. Nice Price Books & Records Calling all comic book lovers — Nice Price Books is certainly the ideal store to visit if you’re looking for comics. As soon
PIANO
“We’re building out a not her kind of activacontinued from page 10 tion space. It’s not on the Oval, it’s a little bit removed from the Oval, and it may unfortunately end up there.”
The fate of the piano and other spaces on campus may also lie in the students’ hands.
as I entered the store, I saw boxes and boxes filled with old and new edition comics. The selection is endless — featuring comics from Marvel and DC, such as Teen Titans, “Lucifer”, “Coffin Hill” and more. That being said, there’s more to Nice Price Books than just comics. Different genres of novels are divided into small sections throughout the store. I would say its biggest sections are comics, mystery/ thriller and science fiction. Plus, the store also offers vinyls, CDs, shirts, toy cars, plants and more. The best part of Nice Price Books is that it is close to home — I would definitely check this store out if you find yourself on Hillsborough Street. Reader’s Corner If you are a nonfiction reader, Reader’s Corner would be the place for you. The store is packed with nonfiction books of every sub-genre. You name it, you could probably find it in an instant with the help of a knowledgeable employee. As a student, this would be the perfect place to buy a book related to the field of your study — there were sections labeled solely for business, engineering, religion and physics. Along with educational books, there are many other books that can help you in the course of your life, such as self help, cooking and books about plant care. The antique books stood out to me the most — affordable and in good condition, the books are taken great care of. Like Nice Price Books, Reader’s Corner is conveniently located right along Hillsborough Street. I highly recommend checking out these bookstores. Who knows — maybe you’ll find your new favorite book. However, the fate of the piano and other spaces on campus may also lie in the students’ hands. “I know for a fact that [the removal of the tents] sparks conversation on Centennial Campus,” DesNoyer said. “If there are any students that have any ideas that are similar to the piano, I’d love to talk to them. … I don’t have all the answers, but I know there are some students with some really good answers out there. I just need ways to find them.” With the crazy North Carolina weather finally warming up for good, find some time to check out the tent pianos on Centennial and main campuses. Go and play or listen, sit down and study or maybe even start a conversation with someone and make a new friend. If you find it’s something you enjoy, consider getting involved with people like DesNoyer, and shape this campus into what you, the student body, want it to be.
Sports
12 TECHNICIAN THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2022
TECHNICIANONLINE.COM
Make-or-break seasons, continued success in store for 2022’s top MiLB Pack Pros Bryan Pyrtle
Assistant Sports Editor
With the 2022 Minor League Baseball season already upon us, several MiLB Pack Pros are continuing their push to climb through the ranks and become MLB Pack Pros. Among them, six former Wolfpack players are ranked among the top 30 prospects in their respective organizations. Let’s take a look at what lies ahead for these aspiring major leaguers. Patrick Bailey, catcher, San Francisco Giants With Joey Bart generating a lot of hubbub with the spring he’s had, it can be easy to forget that the Giants have not just one but two catchers among the top 10 prospects in their organization with Patrick Bailey in the mix. While Bart looks like the immediate successor to long-time San Fran backstop Buster Posey, Bailey still carries a lot of upside with him heading into the 2022 season. In his first pro season, Bailey excelled with the Single-A San Jose Giants but struggled in the jump to the Eugene Emeralds in High-A ball. The switch-hitter saw his onbase percentage drop by .125 between San Jose and Eugene while nearly matching his strikeout total in 52 fewer plate appearances. For a prospect whose offensive calling card is his plate discipline, Bailey will have to make significant progress at the plate to stay on track for his journey to the show.
San Francisco system, a rough patch in his rookie campaign won’t derail that all at once. Tyler McDonough, outfielder/second baseman, Boston Red Sox NC State baseball fans will remember Tyler McDonough as the center fielder for the 2021 team that made it to the College World Series, but McDonough’s defensive alignment looks like it will be more fluid at the professional level. Much like former Red Sox fan favorite Brock Holt, McDonough is emerging as a utility defender at second base as well as center field. On the offensive side, McDonough is also switching to a more power-based approach at the plate. Although the switch-hitter tied for the most home runs on that 2021 Wolfpack squad, McDonough’s power numbers primarily came from his ability to drive the ball into the gap and leg out extra base hits, as exemplified by his team-leading 21 doubles for NC State in his final season. At the pro level, McDonough has put on some muscle to increase his raw power at the dish, taking away a smidgen of his speed. With only half a season of minor league baseball under his belt, McDonough won’t be playing at Fenway Park until around 2024, but his promisingly smooth transmission into the professional ranks makes him a big piece of Boston’s farm system, good enough for No. 19 in the organization. Nick Swiney, left-handed pitcher, San Fran-
DAVID TRACEY/TECHNICIAN
Freshman catcher/outfielder Luca Tresh takes a swing against Clemson on Saturday, May 11, 2019 at Doak Field. Tresh went 0-2 with two strikeouts and one walk in the Wolfpack’s 4-3 loss.
Still, there’s no reason to be concerned about Bailey’s development. The Giants have a reputation of developing good catchers in their organization (see Bart), and Bailey has the defensive tools and leadership to succeed behind the plate. As the No. 8 prospect in the
cisco Giants For a guy that missed over two months of his first pro season with a concussion, Nick Swiney had a really good 2021. As in, “0.84 ERA in 12 starts” good. Granted, Swiney had a light workload while
rehabbing his injury. He never reached five full innings in a single start in rookie ball or in Single-A with the San Jose Giants, but allowing just three earned runs in 32.1 innings is nothing to scoff at. On top of 0 home runs allowed in 2021, Swiney’s numbers give the Giants a lot to be excited about. The southpaw’s success, both past and future, hinges on his two best pitches: a wicked upper-70s curveball and a changeup with a little more oomph. While both carry immense swing and miss potential, Swiney will need to learn to throw them consistently for strikes as his opponents’ plate discipline improves with each level of the minor leagues. His low 90s fastball will help him pound the strike zone as well. Although Swiney’s concussion resulted from a freak occurrence of him hitting his head on a bus door, the 6-foot-3 lefty will also need to prove his durability in the coming year if he wants to remain a starter in the pros. If he can’t withstand the grind of a full season’s worth of innings, Swiney may be moved to a relief role. For now, he sits at a respectable rank of No. 18 in the Giants organization. Jose Torres, shortstop, Cincinnati Reds The Cincinnati Reds seem to have started a rebuild this offseason with the departure of several key pieces from the major league roster. Left-handed pitcher Amir Garrett got dealt to the Royals, left fielder Jesse Winker and third baseman Eugenio Suarez were shipped to Seattle and right fielder Nick Castellanos left for Philadelphia in free agency. And that will make it a 4-0 offseason. That being said, Jose Torres is now in a great position to develop his game just in time for a possible Reds resurgence in 2024. Along with Cincinnati’s top prospects that are set to break into the show over the next couple of years, Torres could make the jump to the majors as part of a new wave of young Reds talent. Torres in particular is primarily a defensive shortstop, but his bat caught fire in his first professional season. The rookie slashed .337/.383/.568 over 119 plate appearances with the Single-A Daytona Tortugas in 2021, a pace that will accelerate his progression through the minor leagues if he is able to maintain it. With his already solid glove, the Reds’ No. 17 prospect has all the necessary tools to make it to the big leagues. Now he just needs to produce. Luca Tresh, catcher, Kansas City Royals Although he is the furthest from the show out of anyone in this group, projected to make his MLB debut in 2025, Luca Tresh has the simplest road to get there. To put it bluntly, Tresh won’t reach his full potential until he learns to limit his strikeouts. Much like his 2021 season with the
Wolfpack, Tresh’s raw power was hampered in his first pro season by his inability to get the bat on the ball. In Single-A Columbia, Tresh struck out in 11 of his 35 at-bats and registered just one extra-base hit for an abysmal slashline of .143/.231/.171 for the season. Until Tresh can better work the count and show more plate discipline, his tremendous upside will continue to go to waste.
To put it bluntly, Tresh won’t reach his full potential until he learns to limit his strikeouts.
Make no mistake, Tresh is a great baseball player. Not every 17th-round pick gets a $423,000 signing bonus, and his teammates in the minors have praised him for his leadership and competitiveness. But after a 2021 campaign that left a lot to be desired, 2022 will be a big year for the Royals’ No. 28 prospect to prove that he has what it takes to succeed. Will Wilson, shortstop, San Francisco Giants With left-handed pitcher and MLB Pack Pro Carlos Rodón inking a deal with the Giants this past offseason, San Francisco further solidified its connection with NC State baseball as Will Wilson completes the minor league trio of himself, Bailey and Swiney. That being said, 2022 will be Wilson’s third season as a pro, and the pressure to live up to his No. 15 overall selection in the 2019 draft is mounting. His lack of mobility in the field hints at a future move away from shortstop, so Wilson will need his bat to rebound in 2022 if he wants to stay relevant in the Giants organization. The jump to Double-A is regarded as the most difficult in the minor leagues, and Wilson’s experience was no exception. After 49 productive games with High-A Eugene to start the 2021 season, Wilson slashed a miserable .189/.281/.306 with Double-A Richmond over 51 games. These numbers were exacerbated by Wilson’s 81 strikeouts in 221 plate appearances, showing he has a lot of work to do if he wants to stay on track for his projected MLB debut in 2023. For the Giants’ No. 22 prospect, 2022 will need to be the year that Wilson takes his game to the next level.
Sports
TECHNICIAN 13
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THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2022
Tuohy hitting great strides in second year at NC State
Bryan Danner Staff Writer
Sophomore Katelyn Tuohy has been one of the best runners for the Wolfpack cross country team across her two seasons with the Pack, collecting a host of medals including silver medals in the ACC Cross Country Championships and the NCAA Division 1 Southeast Regionals this past fall. At the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships, she garnered a pair of silver medals in the 3000-meter and 5000-meter races. Finally, she captured gold at the Raleigh Relays March 24-26. Also among Tuohy’s accolades are three NCAA All-American honors, two All-ACC honors and four All-ACC Academic selections. Her silver in the 2021 Southeast Regionals helped her win All-Region honors. On March 29, 2022, she was named ACC CoTrack performer of the week, showing that even recently she still excels in her sport. She is also the only athlete ever to win Gatorade Athlete of the Year for Cross Country four times, making her the only athlete to do so in any sport. From New York, it’s Katelyn Tuohy The New York native has found a home in North Carolina and feels just as comfortable as she did up north. “When I committed to NC State, I thought it was going to be a big difference coming down south,” Tuohy said. “It hasn’t really been a crazy transition.” Tuohy was drawn to NC State by its friendliness and family atmosphere. “I was just looking for a family atmosphere,” Tuohy said. “Where I was going to be happiest, where I was going to be the most successful, that was kind of without a doubt NC State.” Tuohy also mentioned how appreciative she was of the coaching staff at NC State and knew the distance team was very reputable. Road to nationals The NC State women’s cross country team won its first ever NCAA National Championship in 2021. It was ranked first in the nation and finally cashed in for the program’s first championship. Tuohy finished 15th in the event, second for the Pack in that race. The Wolfpack finished second in its previous appearance at NCAAs, so the team had nationals marked on its calendar all year long. “Winning nationals is definitely a memory I will cherish forever,” Tuohy said. “This year, we were all in, ‘We are winning nationals. That’s our goal.’ We wrote it on our board. It was in our locker room. We saw it everyday.” The particular event was a 6k race, and Tuohy recorded a time of 19:43.1. This time set a new personal best in the event for her and was a vast improvement from regionals, where she recorded a 20:06.2 in a second-place finish. Not an individual sport With lots of conditioning and endurance training, cross country is a physically de-
NATALIE FOLSOM/AGROMECK
Wolfpack sophomore Katelyn Tuohy crosses the finish line in first place at the Adidas XC challenge at WakeMed Soccer Park on Friday, Sept. 17, 2021. Tuohy finished with the fastest time of 16:29.6 and helped the women’s team score first overall.
manding sport. However, it is just as taxing on the mind and on the athlete’s discipline. Having supportive teammates around at all times helps keep Tuohy motivated and focused. “At some points it’s very individual, but we really look at it from a team perspective,” Tuohy said. “When you’re on a super competitive team, you could get competitive with each other, but we really just support each other and uplift each other.”
“I think when you’re surrounded by individuals that share the same values as you do… it makes life so much easier.” — Katelyn Tuohy
The coaches encourage leading by example by not picking captains for cross country. Tuohy said everyone has something to offer her and takes something away to add to her training. Motivation is important in any sport, but in cross country, everyone can
inspire each other. “To be good at this sport, you really have to be disciplined” Cross country is not exactly a fast-paced sport. There are no breaks between innings, halftime, timeouts or stoppages of play. The athlete must buckle down and run for long periods of time. This takes an enormous amount of discipline. “It takes a lot of dedication, time, and effort,” Tuohy said. “I think when you’re surrounded by individuals that share the same values as you do … it makes life so much easier.” Much like wrestling, rifle or swimming, cross country puts a premium on the individual athlete’s training and dedication. However, the team builds each other up and motivates each other to become the best athlete possible. It still comes with a lot of sacrifice, but Tuohy says it’s worth it. “Just looking back at this past season, we were able to win nationals as a team,” Tuohy said. “I’m super grateful to be surrounded by girls who also make the sacrifices that you’re willing to make just to have this collective team effort that’s something bigger than yourself.” During meets, that team culture and shared motivation is even more important. Sometimes there are other teammates in the same heat, but other times there is not. It still comes down to doing your part and supporting each other. “You know you trust that every single girl
is going to give it their best effort and you’re going to return the favor and do everything you can for them,” Tuohy said. Inspiring the younger generation All of Tuohy’s achievements have given her a lot of attention both on social media and in the athletic world. Tuohy hopes to inspire a younger generation of runners and represent the team culture she is a part of. “I definitely do have a lot of attention on social media,” she said. “It’s really cool being able to inspire the younger generation of runners.” Tuohy mentioned that she gets plenty of messages from high schoolers asking for advice or just to make a comment. Sometimes, she’ll inspire someone even younger. “Just at indoor track nationals, I finished my race, and I went over to my parents, and there was this little girl who was probably 9 or 10 years old,” Tuohy said. “She was holding her shoe asking for me to sign it, and she was in awe that I was there and I was talking to her and her dad. They said they drove three hours just to watch me race and how I inspired her to get into running. … I thought that was just super cool. ” Tuohy was inspired herself by her older brother, Patrick, to get into running and start her cross country journey. She started off with soccer and tried running to get in shape for soccer, but fell in love with track instead. Patrick currently competes at Fordham University in New York.
Sports
14 TECHNICIAN THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2022
TECHNICIANONLINE.COM
Looking back on 2021-22 swim season: Highs, lows and breaking the status quo
swimmer NC State will see for at least one more year, look no further than junior Culture Editor Katharine Berkoff. Following in her dad’s The Wolfpack entered the 2021-22 swim footsteps, Berkoff defended her national and dive season with incredibly high extitle in the 100-yard backstroke last month pectations, as it has for the past three years and broke the American, NCAA, meet, or so. U.S. Open and pool records in the process. Spearheaded by head coach Braden Furthermore, Berkoff took home two Holloway, a slew of talented athletes were gold medals and one bronze medal in last slated to rake in major ACC points and December’s World Swimming Championmake appearances at NCAAs: freshmen ships in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Caroline and Grace Sheble, high school fly There’s absolutely no telling what kinds of phenom Aiden Hayes and David Curtiss, records Berkoff will break over the summer to name a few. With the addition of such and next year, but she certainly isn’t slowgifted swimmers, the ing down anytime sky was the limit for soon. NC State’s swim team. A lt hou g h NC That being said, State’s retainment even the best and of Berkoff is a huge brightest will ineviboost to the overall tably hit some bumps depth of the team, in the road. Before the Wolfpack will the season officiallose a few key ly began, Olympic swimmers on the medalist and arguwomen’s side. Seably NC State’s best nior and Swedish recruit, Noe Ponti, Olympian Sophie made the decision to Hansson will leave leave NC State and collegiate competiopted to train in his tion after this seahome cou nt r y of son, as will fifthSwitzerland instead, year ACC champiciting mental fatigue ons Julia Poole and in the months after Kate Moore. his third-place perIt’s unclear at formance in Tokyo. this point whether It’s an unfortunate any of them will truth that NC State’s opt to enter the freshman class didn’t ISL draft, although perform quite as well it’s likely Hansson as expected this seawill continue her son, especially on the swimming career men’s side. Curtiss’ well into her 20s. 18.77 50-yard freeWit h t he postKIELY ELLENBERGER/TECHNICIAN style made him the ponement of this fourth-fastest NCAA NC State sophomore James Plage competes in the 200-yard freestyle during the NC State Wolfpack’s swimming and diving meet against year’s ISL season the Duke Blue Devils at the Casey Aquatic Center on Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022. The men beat the Blue Devils 177-112. freshman in history due to the ongoing in the event and an ACC champion to In the meantime, I’ll keep my fingers swimmers from Arizona and Virginia, war in Ukraine, it’ll be interesting to see boot, but he faltered at NCAAs, posting crossed for a top-five showdown next sea- respectively. where some of NC State’s top talent ends 19.22 in finals. son, assuming that NC State retains its As for the top athletes NC State will up upon graduation. Hayes also had a somewhat rocky start position in next season’s rankings. retain, its men’s distance dream team of Obviously, any hard and fast predictions to the season, oftentimes front-loading the And speaking of next season, most Divi- junior Ross Dant and sophomores Will I end up making about the Wolfpack’s 200-yard butterfly and falling short in the sion I-worthy high school graduates have Gallant and James Plage will return for performance in the pool next season will final 50, but came back to garner some ma- already committed, which means we have the 2022-23 season. Although they’ll be probably end up changing over the course jor points in the 100-yard butterfly at ACCs a pretty good idea of the talent NC State losing graduate student Eric Knowles, he of the next several months. FINA World and NCAAs, setting the 17-18 national age will bring in. North Carolina natives Mi- was by no means the fastest member of that Championships, European Championships group record in the process. chael Cotter and Lance Norris will join the distance squad — I’ll be more concerned and FINA Short Course World ChampionDespite Ponti’s absence and a some- Wolfpack as freshmen this fall. to see Dant go when he graduates. ships will all occur this year, spelling out what underwhelming performance from Cotter’s strongest events are the 200- and As the third-place finisher in the 800-me- some exciting international races for curthe freshman during the regular season, 500-yard freestyle events, while Norris ter freestyle in Olympic Trials last June and rent NC State swimmers and alums alike. the men’s team cruised through an unde- specializes in distance freestyle. They’ll a clear leader of the men’s team this year, No matter which way you slice it, the feated regular season. Granted, they didn’t certainly add to NC State’s already strong Dant’s talent will almost certainly be one Wolfpack’s best and brightest aren’t goface the toughest competition out there — freestyle roster, although the depth of tal- of the Wolfpack’s many strengths during ing anywhere anytime soon, and we’ll Duke and UNC-Wilmington simply aren’t ent joining the team next season isn’t quite championship season next year. continue to see some incredible recruits on the same level — but a win’s a win. as strong as last season’s recruits. However, when it comes down to the best for years to come.
Sam Overton
On the other hand, the women experienced two losses over the regular season — an unexpected figure, but the losses came against Virginia and Texas, two of the top three teams in the country. The women’s team did win handily against No. 5 Tennessee earlier on in the season, but I would have liked to see some close matches throughout the regular season. It’s unreasonable to think that Stanford would make it all the way out to Raleigh for a random meet in January, but Ohio State or Alabama would have been riveting competitors.
I was keeping my fingers crossed that Olympian and all-around sprint phenom Claire Curzan would stay in state and choose the Wolfpack for the next four years, but you can’t always get what you wish for. She, alongside club teammate Charlotte Hook, will join Stanford this fall as the top two recruits in the country. This will certainly put Virginia’s NCAA winning streak in contention, but NC State’s chances of finishing on top will remain slim. That being said, the Wolfpack will see the likes of Kennedy Noble and Katherine Helms, two well-rounded
Sports
TECHNICIAN 15
TECHNICIANONLINE.COM
THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2022
What I learned about myself through covering sports I never envisioned working in the realm of college sports when I came to college in August 2018. Believe it or not, I came to NC State in pursuit of an engineering degree. Instead, I Tristan found myself knee-deep Tucker in editing sports movie Managing reviews, hiring sports corEditor respondents and going to every men’s and women’s basketball game I possibly could. I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Now, four years later, I’m coming down the homestretch of my stint at Technician that also began in that fateful August. I’d be lying if I said the task wasn’t a difficult one. Going to as many sports events as possible, writing upward of 30 articles a month, making meetings on time, as well as all of my responsibilities as managing editor, on top of all the classes I took was soulcrushing at times. But through all of the late nights, sleepwalking through days and personal strifes, I found out a great deal about myself. Much of that was due to being in and around the NC State Athletics family. The first thing I learned about myself was, in the words of legendary NC State coach
Jim Valvano, that I “don’t ever give up.” I’ve always been a tireless worker, but working sports games brought the best out of my resilience and how to be confident in myself and my abilities. Like I said earlier, I came into college with no journalism experience, and yet, NC State sports welcomed me and helped form me into the writer and person I try to be every day. But I didn’t just learn that from being thrust into the fire. I was able to learn from some of the best writers and people I’ve been around. The SIDs in every sport were a guiding hand for me over the years, ensuring that us college writers got the same experiences and affordances as other experienced writers in the industry. I can’t thank them enough for giving me, and all the other sportswriters at Technician, the opportunities we’ve been able to have. Of course, my writing and confidence wouldn’t be nearly what it is today without some of the best writers I’ve gotten the pleasure of learning from. Former sports editors Andrew Schnittker, Alec Sawyer, Camden Speight and Jake Caccavaro taught me an endless amount of what it takes to be a resilient person and writer. Without them, I wouldn’t have learned what I did. Current/former editors/senior writers Jaylan Harrington, Wade Bowman, Nicholas
Schnittker, Bryan Pyrtle, Ben Ellis and Rachel Bilenki, as well as the entirety of the rest of the sports section, have helped me every step of the way, and I’m thrilled that I had the chance to work with them. That’s something else NC State Athletics taught me, particularly through my time working with the women’s basketball team: when you surround yourself with highcharacter individuals, anything is possible. There were many times this season when women’s basketball head coach Wes Moore attributed his success to the character of the players he recruited, and it resulted in one of the most energetic environments I’ve ever been in. That much was true of the writers I got to be around at Technician. Because of working in and around college athletics, I’ve also been able to take a crucial lesson to heart: living in the moment. My career at NC State is hallmarked by several crucial feats for the athletics program, from the women’s basketball team winning three straight ACC Championships, to the football team beating UNC-Chapel Hill in a miracle comeback in my last game as a student, to the men’s basketball team upsetting Duke in PNC. I’ve seen it all. In each and every one of those incredible feats, I’ve been able to live in the moment and fully understand that I am only in college
The Little Things
once and to enjoy those experiences. Those moments helped me realize that, and being able to see all of them firsthand — most often as a reporter — is one of the most fulfilling experiences of not only my college career, but my entire life. Now, when you come to NC State, you better expect to hear about Jimmy V. There’s no better epitome of the Wolfpack culture than the legendary championship-winning coach, and his lessons are felt throughout athletics to this day. Not only did he teach me to never give up, but he taught me to love what I do, and make sure to laugh, think and cry as often as possible to fully live my experiences. The final thing NC State Athletics, coach Valvano and my experiences in student media have taught me is to fully love what I was doing. I can say, without a doubt, that I’ve loved every moment of my reporting career at NC State. Working in athletics has been one of the best, most rewarding journeys I’ve ever embarked on, and I couldn’t be more thankful for the experiences NC State Athletics has offered me. Many people go through life without chasing their passions or doing what they want to do, instead focusing on what they “need to do.” I’m thankful to not be one of those people.
Avery Szakacs, staff cartoonist First-year studying art and design
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