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UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN IOWA CEDAR FALLS, IA THURSDAY, APRIL 5 VOLUME 114, ISSUE 42

CEDAR FALLS, IA

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2022

VOLUME 118, ISSUE 31

OPINION

CAMPUS LIFE

SPORTS

OPINION PAGE 3

CAMPUS LIFE PAGE 5

SPORTS PAGE 6

Guest columnist Glenn Gray writes of the enrollment crisis looming over UNI.

Wrestlers edge Oklahoma 17-15.

Black Student Union kicked off Black -History Month Tuesday in Maucker Union.

Students navigate COVID-19 test options EMMA KOEHLER Staff Writer

What was supposed to be a simple trip to Kansas City to visit family turned into a nightmare, especially as very few were wearing masks within still high rates of COVID19 during the spring of 2021.

Symptomatic and frustrated, sophomore French 2+2 major Emily Wilding returned to UNI campus where she later tested positive and was moved to isolation. Fast forward to today, and Wilding has developed parosmia: the long-term

loss or altered sense of smell that is currently incurable.

“I still witness many frustrations to this day about having COVID-19 and I don’t see them ending anytime soon,” said Wilding.

The pandemic world is full of uncertainty, and it has since the early stages of COVID-19.

Questions surrounding transmission rates, isolation lengths and vaccination status were common. Confusion and misunderstanding still exist about many factors including wearing masks, new variants and the types and processes with

TONI FORTMANN/Northern Iowan

Many students have utilized at-home tests or drive through testing for COVID-19.

which to get a COVID-19 test.

Chief Medical Officer and Vice President of Medical Affairs for MercyOne Northeast Iowa Matthew Sojka compared the beginning of the pandemic to the current state as, “Originally we didn’t have very many tests. Going back a year and a half ago, March or April, and you were told if somebody were sick enough, they might have gotten tested in the emergency room or through the fever and upper respiratory clinics.” He added, “We didn’t have enough tests to go around.”

Sojka continued to explain the surge that hit about a year ago in November and December 2020. He said there were tests, but not enough to keep up with the amount of people that were sick, so supply was strained.

“This time around, we’ve been able to keep up on the hospital side and in our clinics having availability,” Sojka said. “We do have testing supplies at this time to take care of the community and for you to find out whether you have COVID-19.”

UNI students can be tested for COVID-19 on campus at the Student Health Clinic and

From injury to inspiration UNI professor Windee Weiss dedicates herself to teaching, gymnastics, coaching and family GRACE PATTERSON

Guest Writer

University of Northern Iowa professor and former gymnastics National Team member, Windee Weiss dedicates herself to educating the future coaches, leaders, and athletes of sports after suffering several injuries in her competitive gymnastics career.

Originally, Weiss’ was studying to be an orthopedic surgeon, but after failing organic chemistry, she decided that wasn’t for her. After blowing out her left knee and sustaining multiple other injuries in gymnastics, Weiss became

UNI/Courtesy

UNI professor Windee Weiss, pictured above.

fascinated with the rehabilitation and mental processes of sustaining injuries.

She changed her major to athletic training and psychology, but then became fascinated with primarily

the mental side: fear and motivation. She then completed her master’s in sport psychology.

Originally from Omaha, Neb., Weiss completed her undergraduate and master’s studies at Southern Illinois University in sport psychology. She then went on to get her doctorate in sport psychology at the University of Virginia. Weiss commented, “It took a while for me to decide to be a professor, but I love educating the future coaches and the people that will have leadership roles working with our future athletes.”

See WEISS, page 4

TONI FORTMANN/Northern Iowan

UNI students can be tested for COVID-19 on campus at the Student Health Clinic.

many think of this as the first logical option. No specific test information is listed on the Student Health Clinic’s website, such as what variety of tests are offered. However, an

anonymous source from the clinic mentioned several different tests, including at-home tests available within the front doors of the clinic.

KATIE AKIN

Iowa State University and the University of Northern Iowa waived the ACT or SAT testing requirement in 2020, due to scheduling difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic.

While the testing was optional, the Board assigned a team to evaluate whether the test scores were an effective measure of how successful a student would be in college.

The Admissions Study Team determined that GPA was a better indicator than ACT scores of how likely a student was to graduate in four years.

See COVID-19 TESTS, page 2

Iowa Board of Regents votes to remove standardized testing requirement Iowa Capital Dispatch

The Board of Regents voted unanimously Wednesday to permanently remove the standardized testing requirement for admission to Iowa’s public universities.

“Our findings continued to indicate that the tests do have some value on predicting first year GPA (grade-point average), but ultimately had a limited relationship to the likelihood of graduation,” Chief Academic Officer Rachel Boon said.

The University of Iowa,

See BOR VOTES, page 2

PAGE 2

CAROLINE CHRISTENSEN News Editor

NEWS

COVID-19 TESTS

continued from page 1

Students are encouraged to call 319-273-2100 to schedule an appointment for a test as well as utilize the Panther Health Survey if experiencing symptoms or have been exposed.

If a student has their coverage on file with the health clinic, the clinic will bill the insurance company for any charges that may incur. As stated on the Student Health Clinic’s website, “Any charges that are not covered by the insurance company will be transferred to the student’s U-bill account.”

This was a concern for junior social work major and psychology minor, Kailee Farrell. She did utilize testing through the Student Health Clinic when they offered free testing at one point.

She recalled, “At the time, I had no health insurance. This was a bit of a concern for me which is why I was very happy to hear the Student Health Clinic was offering free testing.”

When Farrell began to develop symptoms again, she was concerned what costs she may face if she sought out testing, as she had just gotten new insurance. She knew that if she either stayed on campus or went to seek tests off campus, she would face the same uncertainty either way as the free testing period from the Student Health Clinic had passed.

Within the Cedar Falls and

FEBRUARY 3, 2022 | NORTHERNIOWAN.COM | VOLUME 118, ISSUE 31 Waterloo community, outside using the drive-up service. I did one Waterloo location offers both of campus, there are addition- the test at home and got results PCR and rapid testing, whereal options for COVID-19 tests. within 10 minutes.” as one Waterloo location only Some of these options include offers PCR testing. Individuals I still witness CVS, Walgreens, Urgent Care needing testing can remain in clinics, and Test Iowa. Testing many frustrations their vehicle and are expected options today continue to be to this day about to perform the swab themselves advanced and useful in deterunder the direction of an employhaving COVID-19 mining the virus. ee, according to the Walgreens Sojka said those seeking and I don’t see them testing website. Also online is COVID-19 tests should first ending anytime an interactive testing availabilevaluate if they are symptomat- soon ity scale according to location ic or asymptomatic. If they are and details on what locations symptomatic, he suggested using offer free testing. Three options at-home test options.

Young has also used testing of at-home rapid and PCR tests “They’re cheap, they’re easy locations in the past but want- are available online with various to get, they’re readable in 15 ed to use the at-home tests for in-store quantities. minutes, so that’s a nice option,” immediate results as she works “The PCR test is very accusaid Sojka. in a daycare setting and the cost rate,” said Sojka, “The one probIf an individual is asymptom- of them was not an issue for her. lem with the PCR test is it stays atic but believes they may have She credits the at-home tests as positive for several weeks after been exposed, Sojka suggests a well as other testing locations as you may have COVID-19.”

PCR test from Test Iowa as he great options for whichever an Another opportunity for said it is easy and very accurate. individual may prefer. at-home testing is through Test “All of our MercyOne primaCVS offers one drive-through Iowa. Test Iowa will mail kits ry care sites have those Test Iowa testing location in Waterloo to residences and has kit pick-up kits available to pick up and then where a PCR, also commonly locations all over Iowa, free of you do your own process,” said known as the COVID-19 lab charge. Test Iowa’s website has Sojka. test, is available and provides instructions on how to request Both CVS and Walgreens results in two days. According and pick up a kit, activation offer live testing and at-home to the CVS testing website, the instructions, the appropriate way test options. Interested individu- Waterloo location is a commu- to collect a sample, and how als of live testing fill out an initial nity testing location and is free to return the kit. However, the questionnaire for both places to of cost, individuals do not even request form from Test Iowa’s determine symptoms and trans- need to present insurance infor- website states, “At-home Test mission details. Options for the mation. The at-home options Kit(s) will be shipped via UPS type of tests are determined from CVS has available include one and processing may take up to the questionnaire and based on type of PCR test and three dif- one week to be shipped to your location. ferent types of rapid diagnostic home.”

Junior early childhood edu- tests, all available online and varSophomore business admincation major Addie Young is ious in-store availability. istration major Connor Olson one UNI student who did utilize Walgreens has one location in recalled his experience with at-home testing and said, “I got Cedar Falls and three locations in Test Iowa location testing as my COVID-19 tests from Target Waterloo for live testing. All but very easy and said, “We drove

through and the test was very quick and mostly painless, just uncomfortable.” He also goes to explain the process as, “I simply logged onto the Test Iowa website and signed up for a date and time. When the time came, I drove to the site wearing a mask, rolled down my window when it was my turn, they performed the test, and I went on home.”

Initially, Sojka recalled feeling nervous about the at-home tests as there was not much data on them. Currently however he said, “They’re as accurate as a strep screening or flu test in the offices that you’ve been going to for primary care.”

Urgent Care Clinics, such as MercyOne, hold both in-person and telehealth appointment options at available clinic locations. As suggested on MercyOne’s testing website, if an individual is showing symptoms, they should contact their local health care provider. If an individual needs a health care provider, they can also find that information on the testing website. A provider will decide if a patient needs to be referred to one of the many testing sites MercyOne offers. The Cedar Falls/Waterloo/Oelwein/ Northeast Iowa locations will only accept individuals who are referred by a primary care provider.

“I think right now the testing, you’re going to see these options continue in the community as we move forward,” Sojka said.

standardized testing might be a mistake,” he said. “I think standardized testing has value, and it has more value the more students take them.”

With the Board’s vote in favor, the proposal now heads to the Legislature’s Administrative Rules Review Committee for approval.

The Regents will keep the same mathematical formula to determine automatic admission of Iowa residents. The “Regents Admission Index” (RAI) uses high school GPA, relevant high school coursework and the ACT score to generate one numerical score for applicants. If the score is high enough, the student is admitted automatically.

Board spokesperson Josh Lehman said the formula will remain in use, even after ACT

testing – an essential part of the equation – becomes optional.

“If a student wanted the automatic admissions route, they would need to take the test in order to get an RAI score,” Lehman explained in an email. “But students who don’t have a test score would be able to be admitted by individual review, just not having an RAI score.”

Boon reiterated that Iowa’s public universities will still consider ACT scores, even while recognizing schools are able to make “well-informed admissions decisions” without the test.

“I want to be clear: This does not mean that the ACT has no value,” Boon said. “We continue to believe the ACT does have value.”

BOR VOTES

continued from page 1

The team also reported that standardized tests sometimes presented challenges for low-income or rural students who had less access to testing, based on conversations with school districts across the state.

With this vote, Iowa would become one of many universities to extend or permanently implement a pandemic-era pause on standardized testing. The Admissions Study Team said transitioning to a test-optional policy would keep Iowa’s public universities competitive with peer institutions that made the change.

“Many Big 10 and Big 12 institutions also have pilot test optional policies, but three in

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BOR/Courtesy

A Board of Regents analysis found high school GPA is a better indicator of college graduation than ACT scores.

the Big 10 and at least three in the Big 12 have made a permanent change to test optional admissions,” the report reads.

Boon said the “widespread” shift to test-optional policies created a sense of urgency for Iowa to make a

change. Regent David Barker said he voted in favor reluctantly, recognizing the need to stay competitive with other universities.

“I worry that the collective decision that many universities are making to de-emphasize…

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OPINION

NIXSON BENITEZ Executive Editor

FEBRUARY 3, 2022 |

NORTHERNIOWAN.COM

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VOLUME 118, ISSUE 31

Disclaimer: The following opinion articles featured do not reflect the opinion of the Northern Iowan newspaper or staff as a whole.

Enrollment crisis looming over UNI GLENN GRAY

Guest Colmnist

Editor’s Note: Glenn Gray is a tenured university administrator with 35 years of experience in higher education including 19 years of service as a chief housing officer.

Caroline Christensen’s Nov. 29 article in The Northern Iowan headlined “UNI enrollment projected to increase within 5 years,” suggests UNI may best serve students by planning now for 2026 to 2030 relative to enrollment.

Enrollment • Past Five Years Fall 2017 (11,907 students) to Fall 2021 (9,231 students) Enrollment dropped by 2,676 students or 22.5 percent (a 53-year low) An average annual drop of 535 students.

• Five Year Forecast Fall 2022 (9,231 students) to Fall 2026 (10,821 students) Enrollment projected to increase by 1,590 students or 17.2 percent An average annual increase of 318 students.

• Assuming UNI can realize this ambitious forecast, enrollment will still be down 1,086 students or 9.1 percent at the end of the five-year forecast in comparison to the start of the previous five years.

The following table depicting high school graduation rates indicates that there is a long-term enrollment crisis looming for U.S. Colleges and Universities, including UNI.

Relative to Iowa’s population, a Nov. 17 article by James Lynch published in the Des Moines Register states “The 2020 census showed Iowa’s population growing about 4.7% compared with the national rate of 8%. Iowa’s five-year population change rate is an anemic 1%. Right now, more people are leaving Iowa than coming into the state.”

– by way of price. The total net cost and the total low-income net cost to attend UNI is higher than UNI’s competitors, including SUI and ISU. The following tables depict disparate net costs among Iowa’s three public four-year institutions.

The following considerations will reduce UNI’s expenditure per FTE.

1. Right-size UNI’s campus footprint which is designed, financed, and staffed to serve 3,000 more students than will

Division II, or maintain the Division I athletics program but eliminate the costly football program.

Doing so will reduce student fees.

4. Create a workplace culture that stops the costly and counterproductive turn-

NET COST OF ATTENDANCE*

Based on an analysis of past enrollment trends and future enrollment forecasting, UNI is becoming a medium size, primarily residential institution. Subsequently, UNI’s strategic and fiscal planning is best based on an FTE of up to 10,000 degree-seeking students, with at least 50% or 5,000 students attending full time, and at least 25% or 2,500 students living on campus.

Cost of Attendance Affordability is critical to access, especially among first-generation, low-income, marginalized students. UNI is the only public comprehensive landgrant university in the state of Iowa. As a land-grant university, UNI is charged with providing education at low cost to all Iowans regardless of race or economic status. Iowa’s other two public universities, SUI and ISU, are large research I institutions with far greater financial resources to support students in general and low-income students in particular.

UNI can grow enrollment and increase student retention – retention of freshmen into their sophomore and junior years

PREDICTED CHANGES TO THE NUMBER OF HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES, 2012-2032

Predicted Changes to the Number of High School Graduates, 2012-2032.

Source: Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, 2016

LOW INCOME NET COST OF ATTENDANCE

The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and the Education Trust College Results Online Portal.

Expenditure per FTE UNI is designed, financed and staffed to serve 13,000 students. Fall 2022 enrollment is projected to be 9,231 students, or 3,769 students (29 percent) below UNI’s capacity.

Assuming UNI will become an institution serving up to 10,000 students, it is imperative that UNI lower its expenditure per FTE. To accomplish this, it is of paramount importance that UNI Senior Leadership make innovative, difficult and at times what will be unpopular decisions.

be served going forward. (i.e., relocate/eliminate/ selloff everything south of University Avenue).

The utilities and maintenance savings alone will help lower the price of attendance.

2. Outsource costly auxiliary services – services the Cedar Valley community will welcome providing UNI (i.e., auto pool, refuse removal, bookstore, catering and retail services, public safety).

If done right, outsourcing will increase revenues.

3. Convert UNI’s Division I athletics program to

over of faculty and staff (e.g., there have been four enrollment executives and four student affairs executives at UNI over the past 8 years).

Realistic, accurate and data-informed enrollment planning, lowering UNI’s net cost of attendance, reducing UNI’s expenditure per FTE, and deploying innovative and effective recruiting and retention strategies will help reverse UNI’s five-year decline in enrollment, better serve students, and contribute to long-term success for UNI.

PAGE 4

CAMPUS LIFE FEBRUARY 3, 2022 |

NORTHERNIOWAN.COM

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CATHERINE CROW Campus Life Editor

VOLUME 118, ISSUE 31

“Too bright for our infirm delight “ KARLA DE BRUIN Managing Editor

The latest exhibition at the UNI Gallery of Art is the “Too Bright for Our Infirm Delight.”

Featuring female-identifying artists, indigenous artists, and artists of color. The exhibition is free and students can visit anytime during the spring semester. The dates are now until Feb. 25, March 21-April 15; and April 28-May 13.

Located in the Mary Haskell-Hanse room in the Kamerick Art Building, it features many artists such as Dawoud Bey, Doña Rosa, Melanie Walker and many others. The exhibition has a wide variety of mediums it has fine art prints, ceramics, watercolors, photographs and

drawings.

The name “Too Bright for Our Infirm Delight’’ is drawn from an Emily Dickinson poem “Tell all the truth but tell it slant.” According to UNI Gallery of Art Director, Darrell Taylor, “Too Bright for Our Infirm Delight insists that humankind often has trouble with some of the more important truths of life.” The exhibition is to help the Art of North America class. It’s also meant to emphasize artists that are underrepresented in the art world.

UNI ART GALLERY / COURTESY

UNI art gallery host a new art exhibit, “Too Bright for Inform Our Delight” throughout the secoond semester. Showcasing pottery and drawings along with a few different other art pieces.

EMCEC: new understanding N.I. ARCHIVES

Editors Note: this article was written on Feb. 3, 1971.

The EMCEC had just started in what is now the Honors Cottage.

A really beautiful thing has happened at UNI. A truly rewarding, educational thing has been offered to us. It happened Sunday and its going to continue to happen for a long time. Its called the Ethnic Minority Cultural and Education Center and it is fantastic.

Most of the people who attended the Sunday open-

WEISS

continued from page 1

Weiss currently teaches undergraduate and graduate studies including Sociology & Psychology of Sport, Psychological Skills for Sport Participants, Psychology of Injury, and Motivation in Sport & Exercise at the University of Northern Iowa.

After being a professor for 18 years, Weiss believes that she is about to “cast a wider net” with teaching the education of sport psychology to the future coaches for the future athletes to give the coaches “tools in their tool kit.”

She has also been the faculty mentor for several undergraduate research teams. Her research interests include sport commitment, social influence, motivation and psychology of injury.

Weiss is very busy outside of teaching college students.

She is married and has three healthy and active kids: Dash, age 15, Jersey, age 13 and

ing had little or no idea of what they might find there.

They left the center with a new understanding of minority peoples and a tremendous admiration of what has been accomplished here.

Its difficult, if not impossible, to isolate one or two things which stand out in your mind about the center. Certainly you can mention the moving paintings by UNI black co-ed Betty Hooper, or the striking honesty of the African and Mexican artistry. You can talk about the vivid, almost frightening-

ly beautiful murals by UNI bkacj student Palmer Byrd, or the solidifying atmosphere in which these things exist. But to really appreciate the full thrust of the center one must view the total product, and if you do that you will surely agree that is is real, that it is valid and that it is relevant.

At the risk of leaving someone out, we must salute those people who made this thing happen. People like Benedict Harris, Reginald Hayes, John Heath, Byron Washington, Gloria Stigler, Betty Hooper,

Palmer Byrd and Sue Collier deserve our gratitude for endless time and energy they have spent to make the Cultural Center a reality.

When he was appointed as EMCEC Director way back in October, Reginold Hayes stated that he viewed the Center as “somewhat of an establishment to expell and alleviate some of the social misconceptions people do have about minority people.” And we feel it can do that and more if given the proper support and encouragement of the people

Sparkes, age 10. Dash loves baseball and wants to work in the front office of the Yankees if he ends up not playing baseball. Jersey is a high-level gymnast who trains in Ames Monday through Friday. Yes, Weiss and her husband drive to Ames and back every single day for their daughter to train.

Their youngest, Sparkes, is also a gymnast and plays baseball. “He has a crazy brain and is a fifth grader at eighth grade math level,” Weiss added.

Weiss began gymnastics when she was four and became a high-level competitive gymnast. “I wouldn’t say I was the best gymnast on the floor, but I definitely worked the hardest,” Weiss added. She loves gymnastics and it has been a constant part of her life since she was 4 years old. After sustaining injuries, Weiss kept gymnastics in her life by coaching and judging all throughout her college career.

“I love this sport because it is such a mental sport,” Weiss said.

In addition to coaching and

judging, she is a national choreographer for the compulsory routines for thousands of girls across the United States. These girls perform her floor and beam routines that she choreographs. She gets to travel all over the country teaching coaches and judges the routines and then gets to watch and judge the girls doing those routines. Weiss commented that this is her “hobby and passion that pays.”

Weiss has a passion for worrying about the below average kids when it comes to sports. She believes that with good coaching, the less experienced kids can be way better than the average athletes. “A good coach can make a good athlete be an awesome athlete,” Weiss commented.

“Everyone knows about the talented athletes; their talents are obvious. I worry about the athletes that aren’t as obviously talented. I believe with good coaching; a below average athlete can be better than the average athlete. The coach must know how to tap into

their undiscovered talents. I want the below average kids to enjoy the sport, be surprised and glad how much they enjoyed it,” Weiss stated.

“What tools can I give the future coaches and leaders so that they can help these athletes and to not lose athletes lost in the shuffle?”

the Culture Center is designed to reach: the white population of this community. There can be no alleviation of misconcpetions if whites do not visit the center. Go over often, ask questions if you have them, relate to what is happening and there will be no end to the success of the center.

To the people responsible for the center we can only add our congratulations for an extremely fine opening and our sincere wish that the entire program be a large success.

We would only add one thing more: THANK YOU. Weiss has a very strong passion for sports, psychology, and the future. “Our best predictor of later physical activity is getting kids active when they are young and give them good experiences so that they want to continue to be active.”

PAGE 5 CATHERINE CROW Campus Life Editor

CAMPUS LIFE FEBRUARY 3, 2022 |

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VOLUME 118, ISSUE 31

Panther Portrait: Kickoff

KARLA DE BRUIN / NORTHERN IOWAN

Black Student Union kicked off Black History Month in the union on Tuesday, Feb. 1. The student organization will be celebrating 50 years on campus this year. BSU will be hosting a few different events throughout the month.

PAGE 6

SPORTS FEBRUARY 3, 2022 |

WRESTLING

NORTHERNIOWAN.COM

COLIN HORNING Sports Editor

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VOLUME 118, ISSUE 31

Panther Train takes down OU for second-straight ranked win DAVID WARRINGTON

Sports Writer

TONI FORTMANN/Northern Iowan

The UNI wrestlers continued their winning ways, earning their fourthstraight dual win with their 17-15 defeat of Oklahoma last Sunday.

Less than 24 hours after shocking the third-ranked and previously unbeaten Oklahoma State Cowboys, the UNI Panthers wrestling team was right back at it. Staying in the state of Oklahoma, they took on the Oklahoma Sooners at McCasland Field House in Norman on Sunday, Jan. 30. Keeping up the momentum they had picked up the night before, UNI took down the 21st-ranked Sooners for another top-25 victory, winning by a final of 17-15.

Kyle Biscoglia got the ball rolling for UNI at 133 lbs, defeating Tony Madrigal by a 4-0 decision to tie the dual at 3-3. Cael Happel kept it going for the Panthers at 141 lbs, dominating Oklahoma’s Zack

Zeamer en route to a 14-5 major decision victory, giving UNI a 7-3 advantage.

After a loss at 149 lbs, UNI bounced back for two more match wins. In the 157 lb weight class, Derek Holschlag continued his strong season by picking up a 10-2 major decision victory, while Austin Yant was able to pick up a decision victory, shutting out Joe Grello to win 3-0. These victories gave the Panthers a 14-6 advantage with four matches to go.

After a 9-6 decision loss from Lance Runyon at 174 lbs, UNI’s Parker Keckeisen competed at 184 lbs. Keckeisen has had quite the season, coming in as the fourth-ranked wrestler in the nation at that weight and with only two losses on the year, both coming against the nation’s top ranked wrestler at 184, Aaron Brooks

of Penn State. This matchup was surprisingly close, with Oklahoma’s Keegan Moore able to keep it competitive, but it was still a victory for Keckeisen, 7-5.

The Panthers dropped their final two matches by decision, but still hung on to win the dual by a final of 17-15.

With the victory the Panthers improve to 5-5 on the season and have won their last four duals in a row. They will finish the regular season with four straight duals in Cedar Falls. This weekend they will take on Air Force on Friday and West Virginia on Saturday, with both of those matchups taking place in the West Gym. They will then move over to the McLeod Center to face off with in-state rival Iowa State on Friday, Feb. 11, as well as Wisconsin on Thursday, Feb. 17.

WOMEN’S TENNIS

Creighton, UNO hand Panthers tough losses in season-opener CADEN SHEA

Sports Writer

The UNI women’s tennis team traveled to Omaha, Neb. this weekend to face both Creighton University and the University of Nebraska-Omaha (UNO) in a pair of season openers for the Panthers. The Panthers were looking to rebound after a tough 2021 regu-

lar season with a record of 2-13. The UNI team added some new blood this season with the addition of two freshmen. They fell to Creighton 7-0 and lost to UNO 6-1.

The Panthers faced the Creighton Bluejays in the first matchup, with the Bluejays sweeping the Panthers 7-0 in the first set of matches of the day. No.

6 Olivia Fain of UNI was defeated by Allison Wilcox of Creighton in a hard-fought match, winning the first set 6-3 but falling in the latter sets. UNI’s Emma Carr versus Creighton’s Valerie Negin ended in a forfeit after a shoulder injury suffered by Carr.

The team looked to bounce back the very next day against the Mavericks of

the University of NebraskaOmaha. Although the team lost 6-1, UNI’s Thaissa Moreira was victorious at the No. 3 spot in her match against Addison Miller.

Moreira swept the first set but was defeated in the second. Moreira won the third set after a 10-5 super tiebreak which ultimately won her the match. UNI’s No. 1, Lorena Cardoso won her

opening set against UNO’s Rachel Osborn fell in her chance at super tie-break at 10-5.

Although the Panthers were unsuccessful in this weekend’s road trip, they look to bounce back in yet another upcoming road trip in Minneapolis, Minn. against the University of Minnesota and North Dakota this upcoming weekend.

NFL

Conference championship weekend recap: Bengals and Rams emerge DREW HILL

Sports Writer

With the Kansas City Chiefs leading 21-3 in the second quarter of the AFC Championship game last Sunday, it looked like the four-game streak of NFL playoff games being won on the final play might end.

The Divisional Round held the previous week featured four games, three of which were won on game-winning field goals and one which was won by a touchdown in overtime. NFL fans were not sure whether the conference championship games would be as exciting, and during the first game, it seemed like the day might start with a blowout.

The AFC championship featured the Kansas City Chiefs and the Cincinnati Bengals.

The Chiefs had appeared in the previous two Super Bowls, defeating the San Francisco 49ers in 2020 and losing to

the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2021. The Bengals, on the other hand, had not made the playoffs since 2015 and had not made a Super Bowl since 1989. In fact, Cincinnati had not won a playoff game since 1990 until this season. They were led by a young cast of talent including second-year quarterback Joe Burrow and rookie receiver Ja’Marr Chase and had already upset the AFC’s No.1-seeded Tennessee Titans. However, after falling behind 21-3 to the Chiefs, it looked like their magical season might come to an end.

That’s when the Bengals’ defense took over the game.

After a Burrow touchdown pass, the Chiefs marched all the way down to the Bengals’ one-yard line, but were stopped short with no score just before the end of the half. In the second half, the Bengals’ defense forced four Chiefs punts and an interception. In the meantime, the Bengals picked up

two field goals and a touchdown pass to Chase to take a 24-21 lead.

Kansas City got the ball one more time, with just over six minutes to go. They took it all the way to the Cincinnati fouryard line, but a sack by Sam Hubbard pushed the Chiefs back to the 26. Chief’s kicker Harrison Butker knocked in a field goal to tie it up at 24, and the game went into overtime.

In overtime, the Chiefs got the ball first, but Patrick Mahomes threw an interception, and after a short drive into the red zone, rookie Evan McPherson kicked the game-winning field goal for the second straight week as the Bengals won 27-24 in overtime to advance to the Super Bowl.

While the NFC championship broke the streak of games being won on the final play, it was still an exciting game that featured a comeback. This game featured two teams from the state of California: the

Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers. The Rams struck first on a touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford to star wide receiver Cooper Kupp to take a 7-0 lead, but the 49ers scored 17 unanswered points to take a 17-7 lead. The Rams weren’t done yet, as Stafford found Kupp for another touchdown early in the fourth quarter. Two stops and two field goals gave the Rams a 20-17 lead, but the 49ers still had one more chance to tie or win the game.

However, San Francisco quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo threw an interception, and the Rams were able to kneel out the game. The 49ers had won six straight games against the Rams, but the Rams snapped the streak to get to the Super Bowl.

It was an especially important game for Stafford, as he has the career stats to be a Hall of Famer, but never had great team success until now. A

Tribune News Service

L.A. Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford looks to lead his team against the Bengals in the Super Bowl on Feb. 13.

Super Bowl win would tie him up in Super Bowl wins with other great quarterbacks like Drew Brees, Russell Wilson, and Aaron Rodgers.

On Feb. 13, either the Bengals or Rams will win the Super Bowl. With how the last two weeks of NFL playoff games have gone, we can be sure it will captivate the millions who watch.

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FUN & GAMES

KARLA DE BRUIN Managing Editor

FEBRAURY 3, 2022 |

Across

1 Cabo’s peninsula 5 Stupefy 10 Earthy shade 14 “Don’t have __, man!”

15 Jennifer Saunders’ “Ab Fab” role 16 Room service challenge 17 Simba’s mate 18 Pack animal?

19 Shrewd 20 Port 23 Heavy weight 24 It may need a boost 25 Port 34 “Mean Girls” actress 35 Instrument heard in the Doobie Brothers’ “Black Water” 36 Lived and breathed 37 Uncompromising 38 __ nus: barefoot, in

Bordeaux 39 Hilarious one 40 Scotch datum 41 Construct 42 Friend of Jerry and George 43 Port 46 Org. with a square-rigger on its seal 47 Jungle swinger 48 Port 57 Ointment additive 58 De Valera of Ireland 59 “Dies __” 60 Array of options 61 Urban air problem 62 Reposed 63 Rear deck 64 Blush-inducing H.S. class 65 House meas.

Down

1 Judicial seat

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2 Smoothie fruit 3 Cola named for its intended effect 4 Football squad in white jerseys, typically 5 Lagging 6 Time change?

7 Turbaned Punjabi 8 Selective Service classification 9 Blue Devils’ rival 10 Homeowner’s account, perhaps 11 Kind of sandwich or soda 12 Tiller opening?

13 Taxi alternative 21 Unlike new clothes 22 Indian tourist mecca 25 Like some pond growth 26 Blacksmith’s need 27 Copper?

28 Like Wrigley Field’s walls 29 Many a flower girl 30 Acknowledge, in a way 31 “It’d be a dream come true” 32 Judd matriarch 33 Legally prohibit 38 One of Disney’s official eleven 39 Perfume staples 41 Forum infinitive 42 Yokum cartoonist 44 Garage service 45 Agitated 48 Where much tie-dyeing takes place 49 Kitchen bar 50 Prohibition 51 Tone down 52 Camera that uses 70mm film 53 Move like honey 54 Modern-day Mesopotamia 55 Newbie 56 Commonly anchored shelter

VOLUME 118, ISSUE 31

We’re We’re looking looking for for stories!!

Is there something happening around campus? Let us know and we can share your event.

We cover everything!

From events happening on campus or off. Or news around campus.

Email Executive Editor Nixson Benitez at benitezn@uni.edu

visit our website! northerniowan.com

STAY WARM!

PAGE 8

CLASSIFIEDS FEBRUARY 3, 2022 |

HELP WANTED Experienced caretaker with vehicle for active senior for activities, errands and doctor appts.

Hourly pay. Background check required. Call Joe 917-501-5402.

Aries (March 21-April 19) — hings start to get better at the job, Aries. Mercury retrograde ends bringing new energy to your sector of career and social status.Problems you've been having at work may start to improve, slowly, but surely.

Why not set a new goal for yourself, Aries, and begin to chart where you are now and the progress you make each week toward your goal.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Clarity returns, Taurus.

Mercury retrograde ends bringing new energy to your sector of higher learning and beliefs.

It's normal to question things in your life, especially when you feel that your faith has been challenged.

Now is a wonderful time to

restart a spiritual practice or to give yourself time to pray, meditate and set the day right while inviting your higher power to join you in your daily journey.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) — You find what you've been looking for, Gemini. Mercury retrograde ends bringing new energy to your sector of shared resources.This is a great time to apply for loans or to begin looking for grants and things that your work, yourself or someone you are able to help can become eligible for. You won't know what's out there until you look.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — You are able to get a straight answer, Cancer. Mercury retrograde ends bringing new energy to your sector of commitments.What may have felt iffy in a relationship can start to show signs of promise and hope.You may find it a lot easier to connect with a potential partner or date on an app where the communication was challenging. Perhaps you will meet in real life this weekend.

CROSSWORD

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KARLA DE BRUIN Managing Editor

VOLUME 118, ISSUE 31

Today's Horoscope

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — TFinally, things start to fall into place, Leo. Mercury retrograde ends bringing new energy to your sector of daily duties. It's good to give your to-do list and your weekly agenda a polish as you start to reset your goals for the week.

Be sure to write things down so to avoid being forgetful and missing something that is super important to you.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — The time for fun is here, Virgo. Mercury retrograde ends bringing new energy to your sector of creativity.

This is a great time to think about a fresh color to your home, inside or out.Maybe you're ready to throw away old bedding, rugs and give an entire room a fresh look to bring new energy into your living spaces.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — TIt's time to put things in order, Libra. Mercury retrograde ends bringing new energy to your sector of home and the family. Even though the new year and holidays have passed there are still some loose ends

SUDOKU ONE

that you have to tend to. Use this time to start bringing back more order into your home life.

Organize items you use every day; perhaps it's a good time to make putting things into some sort of usable system is practical for the upcoming weekend.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is an 8 — Domestic renovation provides a mood and energy boost. Organize, clean and declutter spaces.

Improvements provide welcome functionality.

Optimize home systems for family support.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — An important message or contract may come through, Scorpio. Mercury retrograde ends bringing new energy to your sector of communication.

Errors in contracts, paperwork, and things that you needed to submit over the last few weeks may return to you for a revision. Take time to review things carefully, and if you need an extra set of eyes to read what you're ready to sign, don't talk yourself out of it.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

— TYou learn something new, Capricorn. Mercury retrograde ends bringing new energy to your sector of identity and personal development. It's a great time to take an online study course or to sign up for a class that you need for work.

Fitting things that involve learning into your schedule will begin to become much easier for you.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — You learn who someone really is, Aquarius. Mercury retrograde ends bringing new energy to your sector of hidden enemies. Something you hear can be revealing and you may finally know if you have a person in your life you can trust or who will stab you in the back (now and later).

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — You discover what matters most in life, Pisces.

Mercury retrograde ends bringing new energy to your sector of friendships. This is a wonderful time to celebrate and make plans with people you love being around. Make time for your best friends and also to meet new people.

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