Northwest Missourian Feb. 22, 2024

CON V ERGING CA MPUS & COMMUNIT Y

NORTHWEST MISSOURIAN THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2024

MARYVILLE, MISSOURI

NWMISSOURINEWS.COM WM

VOL. 112, NO. 21

@THEMISSOURIAN AN

‘THE RE AL

AMERICAN

E X PE R I E N C E ’ Recent shooting impacts students HANNAH CLAYWELL News Editor | @Hannah_9504

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orthwest parking lots were half empty Feb. 14. This would have been unusual for any other Wednesday, but that was the day of the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl parade in Kansas City, Missouri.

Many students decided to skip classes to celebrate the Chiefs’ Super Bowl win with tens of thousands of other fans.

The celebration took a quick turn when shots were fired at the rally. One woman was killed and 22 had gunshot wounds, 11 of which were children.

Two of the students at the parade were sophomore Trey Smith and exchange student from the Netherlands Yara Verstappen.

Smith was near the shooting when it happen pened with a few friends and ended up getting se separated from his group. He said everyone started s running, and he was walking toward tow Pershing Road in front of the Unio Union Station. ““I walked towards the intersection and the there was a girl, probably in her 20s, that had people around her, and she was laying o on the ground,” Smith said. “I think her leg was shot and other than that, she seemed OK. Then to the right, like more towards the re was a guy probably my age, intersections, there as not looking look and he was good. There was a lot of blo blood and stuff everywhere.

Th There were police around th them, and his mom was standing by him and screaming … it was probably the hardest to see.”

Smith said this was the first time he’s experie rienced anything like this t and was relieved when he found his friends fr and was

able to make sure everyone was all right. He said it’s still hard to think about.

“You’re so overjoyed to like, get back with your friends and see their faces and know that they’re OK, but you’re also scared for everybody else,” Smith said. “It was just a surreal experience, kind of very vivid.”

Verstappen said this was also her first time experiencing anything like this. She had left before the shooting took place but said it still had an impact on her and the friends she went with.

Varstappen said she believes nothing like this would have ever happened in the Netherlands, so it was a broadening experience.

“If we would have left, like, 30 minutes later, it could have been us that were there,” Vastappen said.

She said she reached out to her family in the Netherlands — because it was huge news that would most likely reach them as well — to let them know she was safe.

Varstappen said because she and her friends had never gone through something like this, and they were all in shock. She said they all went back to her room that night to talk through it and make sure each of them were all right after everything that had happened.

“I think only the next morning it actually hit me, like, ‘Oh shit, it did happen,’” Varstappen said. “And, when I walked from Franken (Hall) to the (J.W. Jones Student) Union to get some breakfast, I noticed that there was a little bit of a change in the whole atmosphere here. It was way more quiet than it was normally.”

She said it made her think about what could happen if she goes to another larger city. She said shootings happen in the U.S. a lot more and people in the Netherlands don’t usually have guns.

“It’s still an experience that I hope not to have again, it’s, you can say, ‘The real American experience,’” Varstappen said. yShe said the most important part is everyone she went with is safe, and she isn’t going to apbe scared to go someplace that this could happen, but it will be in the back of her head now.

“I just hope one day America will be wise eenough to say, ‘No guns un for everyone,’” Varr-

stappen said. “Because what I have experienced here, I never could experience back home.”

Lisa Lopez-Galvan One of the people who was shot died from man her injuries, Lisa Lopez-Galvan. Freshman amVivian Redmond knew her and her famend ily personally. Redmond was a friend nd of Lopez-Galvan’s daughter and h played competitive softball with her when they were younger.

Redmond said Lopez-Galvan wass an amazing person and had a hugee impact on her life.

“She would just make me feel special, make me feel like I’m important,” Redmond said.

Redmond said she found out through a girl who went to high school with her after she texted her asking if she needed anything. She said she didn’t consider it could have been Lopez-Galvan who died and was in shock when she found out.

“I was standing outside of HP (Hudson and Perrin Hall) before this thing for sorority with these girls and I literally just stopped walking and I just broke down crying — or broke down crying slash was so in shock that I couldn’t cry,” Redmond said. “I was just in disbelief. I still cannot believe that she died.”

She said she has been in contact with Lopez-Galvan’s daughter and made sure she knew how much Lopez-Galvan meant to her.

“She did not impact just my life, like, everyone’s life,” Redmond said. “Like, every person she’s ever talked to, she has always impacted their life, and she was the glue to w how their family. … I want people to know good of a person she was.” elated Two juveniles were detained on gun-related and resisting arrest charges after the parade and er. two men have been charged with felony murder. d They are each being held with a $1 million bond.

A GoFundMe Go has been set up for anyone interesting in donating to support LopezGalvan Galvan’ss family. As of Feb. 21 $38 d $380,461 has been raised to help her family.

SPECIAL PECIA SECTION A4

IN OUR OWN BACKYARD

AN INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1914.

Student Perspective

Our View

Column

Students speak out about mass shooting during Chiefs Super Bowl parade Wednesday, Feb. 14.

Missouri legislature needs to make a change and protect its citizens from gun violence.

Focusing on the color of someone’s skin is ignoring the real problem of mass shootings.

PLEASE

RECYCLE

Feb. 22, 2024 @TheMissourian

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NEWS

Trained diver talks scuba certifications DAKOTA OSWALT Asst. News Editor | @doswalt_NWMSRN

There was a scuba lesson and presentation at 5 p.m. Feb. 20 in the Garrett-Strong Science Building. The event was presented by Chuck McIntosh of Painted Turtle Adventures LLC, a diving specialty school based in Conception Junction, Missouri.

Painted Turtle Adventures LLC was formed 15 years ago with McIntosh, a certified diver with the Professional Association of Diving Instructors, in hopes of teaching others about dive operations.

The main emphasis of coming to Northwest to teach will be the scuba program.

S.C.U.B.A. – Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus – was created in 1926 by Yves le Prieur. His new device allowed humans to breathe underwater on their own for the first time, according to PADI. The invention allows people to maneuver underwater for practical purposes, like naval maintenance and underwater welding, but also for fun, which is what McIntosh likes to incorporate into his lessons.

“This is a good program for anybody,” McIntosh said. “It’ll be in a classroom with a few pieces of equipment and information I’ll put up on a markerboard, trying to tell them the steps we need to go through for scuba certification. The first certification is called Open Water certification.”

All certifications are done through PADI, which offer a variety of courses on certification for diving and diving education topics. There are many experience levels to choose from, as well as course types and specified activity types, like freediving, emergency first response diving and mermaiding.

McIntosh’s presentation gave information on the courses and certifications offered through PADI, and students had the opportunity to sign up for further lessons.

He also informed them about Try Diving, an experience where people can try on diving equipment while McIntosh guides them on what diving feels like.

These take place at the Maryville Aquatic Center in the summer and the Clarinda Lied Center in Clarinda, Iowa, during the winter. Besides paying a one-time fee to use the pool, there are no other commitments necessary for the session.

The next Try Diving session is from 9 a.m. to noon March 30 at the Clarinda Lied Center and again from 9 a.m. to noon April 13. McIntosh also has tentative approval from the Maryville Aquatic Center to hold sessions on Fridays during the summer.

Discover Scuba lessons are offered next, which are also for non-certified learners.

Afterward, people begin recreational Open Water and Advanced Open Water certification courses through PADI, which then leads to advanced training for Rescue Diving and Dive Master certifications.

Each course costs a varying amount of money, from $230 to $363 according to the PADI website, but PADI offers monetary scholarships for people who are will-

KAILEEN DOHRMAN MISSOURIAN PHOTOGRAPHER

Chuck McIntosh, instructor at Painted Turtle Adventures, hosts an on-campus scuba diving lesson & presentation to educate students how to become a certified scuba diver Feb. 20.

ing to learn diving skills, which is how McIntosh got his start. PADI also offers courses for many age groups. Acquiring a diving certification can open the door for many lifetime careers.

McIntosh said he’s had students who went on to become underwater welders.

Underwater welding, also known as hyperbaric welding, can be used to create and repair offshore structures such as pipelines, ships and submersibles, according to Science Direct.

He has also had students join dive teams, another thing McIntosh occupies his time with. He is a member of the Midwest Regional Dive Team based in southwest Iowa. The MWRDT aims to “provide water rescue and recovery for the citizens of our surrounding communities,” according to its Facebook

page. As part of the team, McIntosh assists with various tasks, one of which includes weapon recovery.

“We’re short on divers, and what I’m trying to get accomplished, not only is for service for the college students, but bring other people in that would like to step on over into search-and-recovery dives,” McIntosh said.

Senior Colleen Glenn is majoring in marine biology and wildlife management and ecology, with a minor in chemistry.

She is the vice president and treasurer of Northwest’s Marine Biology Society.

She said Painted Turtle Adventures has already offered presentations and lesson opportunities to the Marine Biology Society, but this year the club is attempting to make the same opportunity available to other students at Northwest.

“Given that we are in the Midwest, diving opportunities are limited,” Glenn said in an email to The Missourian. “By partnering with a PADI certified diving company, Northwest broadens that potential skill set of its graduates and gives a greater opportunity for employment later on.”

Glenn said, outside of recreational fields, career opportunities for certified Scuba divers include underwater photography, reef restoration, rescue safety driver and archaeologist. Dock repair and underwater tree removal are also jobs that could require the skill of scuba diving.

Glenn said the lessons are in-person to start, for attendees to receive the basics for water safety and information on the equipment used. Afterwards, a Try Diving session is scheduled to complete some dive requirements and allow for practical skills to be practiced. If a student wishes to further their scuba skills, they can proceed to become certified through PADI. McIntosh said he loves to watch the “lightbulb” come on when people start scuba diving. He said, at first, since people are breathing underwater, their brain tricks them into thinking they are in danger. After the learners overcome a brief period of fear, McIntosh said they usually get the hang of it and start to enjoy it.

He said the most important rule of scuba diving is to keep breathing.

Peyton Connell is a freshman marine biology major who came to the presentation because a scuba certification is necessary for her future career as a shark researcher.

“I am required to have my scuba diving license to most likely get a job anywhere so I thought this would be a good opportunity to get field expertise,” Connell said.

Taylor Acklin is also a freshman who is double majoring in marine biology and wildlife ecology and conservation. She said she looks forward to using marine skills for her future career.

“I just think I am interested in getting a scuba license anyway and doing things with that scuba license,” Acklin said. “This meeting and furthering my knowledge on it will be impactful for my major.”

While scuba diving can be fun, McIntosh said people can also learn the skill to serve their community. McIntosh said it’s always better to make friends with other divers so they can have each other’s backs and help each other along the way.

Whether it be joining an emergency team or assisting with underwater clean up and maintenance, McIntosh said the skill of scuba opens the door to many opportunities.

READ MORE ONLINE A full version of this story with a closer look at dive training information at Northwest is available online at NWMISSOURINEWS.COM

Maryville Aquatic Center looks toward renovations HANNAH CLAYWELL News Editor | @Hannah_9504

Maryville has been discussing the possibility of renovating or rebuilding the local community pool. A survey has been sent out to Maryville residents to gain their perspective on the project.

Director of Parks and Recreation Jeff Stubblefield said the Maryville Aquatic Center has lived past its expected lifespan and there is a need to repair or replace it. The original aquatic center opened in 1993, shortly after there was a major water leak that was not fixed until 2017.

“So it’s been fixed and since it’s been fixed, you know, things have been good,” Stubblefield said.

“And since I’ve been here, other than the normal wear and tear on an outdoor facility, pumps and all that stuff. It’s in relatively good shape for a 31-year-old facility.”

Outdoor pools in the Midwest have an average lifespan of 20 to 25 years and Stubblefield said other pools in the area are experiencing the same need for repairs. He said outdoor pools are made for the Midwest and the weather in the region.

“We’re living on borrowed time,” Stubblefield said.

Since the pool has lived past its projected lifespan by up to 11 years, the Parks and Recreation Board came together and decided that a study on the future of aquatics in Maryville was needed.

“So we hired Waters Edge, which is a firm out of Kansas City, to do a feasibility study for the future of aquatics in Maryville, and through all the preparation and the prep work and this, we’re doing this survey to determine what the people want,” Stubblefield said.

The goal of the survey is to see what the people in Maryville and surrounding areas want.

Maryville has the only pool in the county, so people come from surrounding towns to swim.

Stubblefield said there are three main options

going forward: renovations, a new outdoor facility or an indoor and outdoor facility. The Parks and Recreation Board has to look into these options and see what the cost will be for each possibility and how much the community is willing to pay for this facility and the upkeep.

The Maryville Aquatic Center opened in

1993

Stubblefield said aquatic centers are expensive expenditures and would need support from the community to be a realistic project. He said he suspects this study will open some eyes as to what it is going to cost to maintain and to build a new facility.

“I mean you’re looking at millions of dollars to build it, but you gotta be able to maintain it,” Stubblefield said.

Stubblefield said it’s important to get as many people as possible to fill out the survey because he and the city needs to know their thoughts.

“We need as many people’s decisions, their assessment of what they would want and what they would support,” Stubblefield said. “And it’s just, you know, we want their opinion.”

The survey sent to the community and surrounding areas is open until March 6.

22,, 2024 NEWS Feb. @TheMissourian

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ALEXIS STARKS PHOTO EDITOR

A collection of artwork by Aamina Palmer is hung in the Olive DeLuce Gallery at the Olive DeLuce Fine Arts Building Feb. 20. The collection will be displayed until March 8.

Northwest hosts artist for Black History Month RAIEA SALERNO News Reporter | @RaieaS

Black History Month at Northwest is coming to a close with a few events, including visiting artist Aamina Palmer. Providing a new voice and perspective on art, she embraces language and identity with photographs in a recent lecture.

Palmer has created art that explores the idea of expression and personal identity since middle school. Even with no specific event that inspired her journey, her interest in art came to her when exploring and interpreting photographs. Her goal in her art is to storytell with what she sees around her, utilizing that as a personal language. Her lecture took place 7 p.m. Feb. 19 in the Olive DeLuce Fine Arts Building.

“I enjoy the idea of using my photos as a language per se,” Palmer said. “I think of photography as my first language in that way.”

She experiments with communication with the use of images. Oftentimes, she will find keywords of an image and form poetry out of those words, so the poem and photo coincide as a form of communication.

Palmer pursued a photography and film degree at Virgin-

ia Commonwealth University in 2016. With her education and experience, she explores video and sound as a medium when communicating language with her photos.

“I don’t think I’m communicating easily in words, but I feel like in images, it's a lot better,” Palmer said. “I really enjoy being a viewer. I just like learning how things are made.”

Palmer uses photography as a visual language when words otherwise might fail. She uses her knowledge and love of video to overlay sounds and images that give off a specific message to what a photo might mean to her. In the end, her main message is communication, language and message, finding a story in everyday photographs and everyday life.

Junior Ethan Buckner said she loved the experimentation regarding everyday objects and pulling a new perspective on what would be considered mundane.

“I enjoy the fact that she finds these everyday objects and takes pictures,” Buckner said. “You can’t exactly tell what some of the things are. But it’s the imagination. You get to decide almost what it is.”

Palmer explained that she is always experimenting and finding new ideas to convey what a photo might mean to her. Buck-

ner related to this, enjoying the many interpretations.

Art is often viewed as fine art, like with paintings and drawings.

However, to many, art is a lanALEXIS STARKS PHOTO EDITOR guage that comes in many forms.

Regardless, art forms are different Artist Aamina Palmer lectures to students about her process of creating art Feb. per artist and exploration is often 19. Palmer discussed how she embraces language and identity with photographs. personal, like with Palmer and her exploration of language and identity through photographs.

Junior Luke Kral said he was astounded by such an art form and a different take on what was usually considered art.

“This young woman, great to have her here,” Kral said. “I was not ready for an ethereal, philosophical or experimental approach to visuals. I think I learned a lot once I got into it.”

Kral said he enjoys all of the visiting artists that come to Northwest, but he particularly loved Palmer’s exhibition and lecture.

He found the art form to be unique and exploratory, something he found greatly fascinating.

“I think it’s the great thing about this Visiting Artist series,” Kral said. “Having a variety of artists from around the world who are defining success in different ways.”

Palmer’s art exhibition will be open for visitors and viewALEXIS STARKS PHOTO EDITOR ers until March 8 in the Olive “Scribble” is one of the many photographs displayed in the Olive DeLuce Gallery at the Olive DeLuce Fine Arts by artist Aamina Palmer.

DeLuce Gallery.

Water line breaks on campus, University takes action SYDNEY SLATON Missourian Reporter | @TheMissourian

A water line near the Carl and Cheryl Hughes Fieldhouse broke in early February and the University is partnering with Waldinger Corporation to work on it into March.

A news release went out Feb. 11 letting students and the community know about the broken line and Northwest’s plan to fix it. Northwest Capital Programs and Facility Services have partnered with Waldinger Corporation to repair the pipe. The University estimates it will take until March 8.

Capital Programs Director Scott Kuhlemeyer said the plumbing around the fieldhouse was older than other areas. Older plumbing is especially prone to damage during the winter

months when the ground freezes and thaws multiple times, making the ground expand and contract.

“This is an aged water line which is more susceptible to damage from the natural movement of the earth than newer lines due to its age,” Kuhlemeyer said in an email to The Missourian.

Capital Programs oversees construction projects on campus with the help of Facility Services as well as campus stakeholders, this job falls primarily to Kuhlemeyer. Assistant Director of Facility Services Rick Allen said his job is to oversee all maintenance jobs on campus, working with other departments like Custodial Services and Landscape Services.

Kuhlemeyer, Facility Services and Waldinger are working on repairs,something that would have happened this

“

This is an aged water line which is more susceptible to damage from the natural movement of the earth than newer lines due to its age."

SCOTT KUHLEMEYER CAPITAL PROGRAMS DIRECTOR

year regardless.

“The existing line is being replaced with a new line and new valving,” Allen said in an email to The Missourian. “This was already a part of our up-

grade that was scheduled over the upcoming summer.”

Waldinger Corporation specializes in plumbing as well as metal, mechanical and electrical work. “We have worked with them on several projects and repairs over the years,” Allen said.

“We have an annual service contract that they currently hold.”

To mitigate future water line breakages, the University plans to upgrade the plumbing across campus, a project Allen said will be mainly overseen by Capital Programs.

Kuhlemeyer said Capital Programs are looking at multiple different angles to ensure the project goes smoothly and all problems are addressed. He said they’ve identified the problems with the existing plumbing, and they are putting in measures to prevent

similar problems once the new system is installed. And while the University holds a contract with Waldinger, this campus-wide project will be bid publicly.

“We have performed an engineering analysis and coordinated with maintenance and repair records to develop prioritization of the water infrastructure improvement needs,” Kuhlemeyer said. “As part of the upgrade work, we are improving redundancy and adding isolation valves to better localize any future outages/disruptions.”

As the weather warms up and students move off campus for the summer, Capital Programs and Facility Services will work to improve the plumbing across campus. Until then, they will continue to repair any damage that occurs.

Feb. 22, 2024 @TheMissourian

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SPECIAL SECTION

People of color aren’t to blame, guns are HANNAH CLAYWELL Columnist @Hannah_9504

It happened again and I’m not even surprised. Another mass shooting happened — this time in our own backyard.

After the Kansas City Chiefs won the Super Bowl, many people, including me, were ready to celebrate. Celebration was met with tragedy when a mass shooting happened at the end of the parade, killing one person and injuring more than 20 people, 11 of them were children.

Now that photos have gone out showing who the suspects possibly are, let’s not make this about race. If you are focusing on the fact they are Black people, you are taking away from the fact that gun violence is a problem. Anyone can cause a mass shooting because of the loosely-restricted access we have to guns in this country, not just Black people.

Every time someone focuses on the color of the shooter’s skin, they take away from the fact someone was killed or injured. The problem is not Black people, the problem is that we have relatively easy access to guns that can kill people so easily.

Do your research and don’t use this as an opportunity to blame people of color for a problem caused by several different races, including white people.

This is not a time to push your political agenda against people of color, now is a time to show support to the victims of the shooting.

My immediate reaction was to text my roommate, who I knew was there. Then, I found out the next day one of my friends was there, right next to the shooting. No one deserves to go through this.

I almost went to this parade.

All I can think about is what I would have — could have — done in this scenario. I know my younger brother probably asked my parents to take him, what would I have done if my 14-year-old brother was there?

I know writing this isn’t going to change the world, but I will not stop bringing attention to this issue. If I do, then I might as well be giving up and accepting the normality of gun violence in the U.S. — I am not willing to do that.

I will not stop talking about this. I will not sit back and ignore the problem.

What is it going to take to bring more regulations on weapons that are built to kill?

How many more children have to die? How many people are going to have to die?

You never think it will happen to you, but Union Station is somewhere I have been going my whole life. This area of Missouri is my home. I had friends, family and people I see everyday on campus there.

Every single one of us was affected by this, and it could have been any of us caught in the crossfire.

I cannot even imagine being one of the people there. I cannot imagine the trauma that comes from that. How are we supposed to live our day-today lives without thinking that we could be the next victim of a mass shooting?

The survivors of this tragedy are going to be affected for the rest of their lives, even if they are physically unharmed. It’s been a week and it seems like people are already forgetting, these survivors won’t forget.

When is it going to stop?

When are we going to feel safe?

Right now it feels like never.

IN OUR OWN B Students share experiences at GAGE SULLIVAN Sophomore

ANNACLAIRE MATZ Senior

BROOKLYN FARNAN Junior

We got to Kansas City at 4:30 a.m., and sat there until about 12:30 p.m.

Before the buses started rolling in, they had a DJ come out. Tech N9ne came out with two songs.

He did like a new song that he just came out with, and then there was another artist that came out. Then, at about 2 p.m., the players finally started coming up on stage. They did the national anthem, the flyover and then after that they had speeches from the GM Brett Veach, and then Andy Reid did his talking. Mahomes did his talking and then all the rest of the players and stuff.

When we started walking farther away towards the left side of the stage, we got stuck in the crowd. We started walking up the hill, and that’s when all three of us were walking together.

It sounded like those long strips of fireworks that you light and they all go off at once. Everyone got down really fast and started backing up.

There were people farther in front of us that were like, “That was just fireworks, there’s nothing to worry about.” And then there’s other people like saying, “No, that was gunshots” and stuff like that.

I think it was at least 15 shots and they were really, really fast. So, in my head I was thinking, “That wasn’t a gun” and nor did I ever think I’d be in that kind of situation.

And once we started walking and we got to the street, it just kind of started spreading out. There’s barely any people and it wasn’t like a big crowd and kind of confusing.

My friend and I both saw there were people on the ground. It was like a big puddle of blood next to them. So, then that’s when all three of us just started running up the hill. I don’t think my stomach dropped until I got back to Northwest really. I mean, there’s just a lot of adrenaline kicked in. When I found out that it was gunshots and there’s people on the ground, adrenaline kicked in and the only thing in my head was to get out.

On Wednesday, Feb. 14, I drove down to Kansas City with my boyfriend, and two of our friends to watch the parade.

We watched it from right across the street of Power and Light and the day was going great so far. Our group decided to spend the rest of the afternoon at Power and Light to watch the rally.

It seemed like right after the rally had ended for the most part, I got a text from my friend who was watching the news telling me to stay in one spot and she’ll tell me if she sees anything else happen.

I was very confused and could not get many texts through, then the rest of our group began getting texts explaining that there was a shooting and asking if we were OK. It was terrifying, and the scariest part was that it was getting really difficult to send texts. So that’s when I called my friend, and she explained what she had seen on TV so far and that it seemed like we were safe for now at Power and Light.

We decided to regroup and get some food, and there was definitely a shift in the day and we were all a little anxious and on edge as we waited for our food and began receiving more texts asking if we were OK. As we were walking out of Power and Light, I got another text from my friend letting me know that there had been three shooters and two have been caught, and that is when as a group we all decided to just get out of downtown as quickly as we could.

It was a really scary day, but we were so thankful that our group stayed together and we were able to make it home safely. My heart broke for all of the victims and all of the people who were at the rally, and we were really lucky that day.

A resident assistant’s job is to assist residents. My job description is to help whenever they need, whether that be them being locked out of the building or them going through a crisis. I am trained for all, something we aren’t trained for though, is when your residents are in the heart of Kansas City when shots are fired into a crowd, on what was supposed to be a celebratory day.

I was called and told what happened. I did not go to the parade, but so many of my close friends and family did. So, I reacted in the only way I knew how. I picked up my phone and began to call people.

As someone who was born and raised in Maryville, I had multiple friends, family, residents and members of my RA staff at the parade. The list of close people started to run in my head as I began to call and text everyone I knew who could have possibly been there.

My heart rate couldn’t have been good as people didn’t answer, because as much as you want to listen to logical thinking, you can’t. All the worst-case scenarios begin to run through your head at a fast rate. A rate you cannot control as much as you want.

However, I was a lucky one, all my people were accounted for and safe. No one had been physically injured, however, the looks on the shaken students’ faces as they walked back into my building Wednesday is something I will not soon forget.

22, 2024 SPECIAL SECTION Feb. @TheMissourian

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OUR VIEW:

This needs to be the final straw for lax gun laws

BACKYARD Chiefs parade shooting ILLUSTRATION BY HAILEY JOHNSON-NEESER CARTOONIST

ANDREW SEVERSON Sophomore

CHEYENNE REECE Junior

When I heard there was a shooting that took place after the Chiefs parade rally, I was shocked.

For context, me and my friend Jacob thought it would be cool to attend the parade after the Chiefs won the Super Bowl. We woke up at around 5 a.m. to get a good viewing and parking spot downtown.

A couple hours had passed, and the parade finally started, and it was amazing. It was cool to see the players up close because they almost don’t feel real when you only see them on TV. After about an hour and a half, Jacob and I decided that we would skip the rally to try and beat traffic. While we were walking back to my car, we heard popping noises. Everyone around us had no idea what those were and just simply thought those were fireworks of some sort.

While we were going through traffic, something started to feel off. People were hustling through the streets and everyone seemed to look frightened.

As we were about to get on the Interstate, I got a call from my mom saying that there’s been a shooting Downtown and she wants me to come home.

That’s when we both realized that those popping noises from earlier were gunshots.

The rest of the car ride we were completely shocked, wondering about what would’ve happened if we decided to attend the rally.

I remember looking at the fields of red and being unsettled by the sheer amount of people gathered in Downtown Kansas City, but thinking something like that could never happen so close to home.

The day, the people, the energy, it was all so electric, people partying and celebrating the Chiefs’ back-to-back Super Bowl wins.

I was fortunate enough to say I had left before the shooting started, I didn’t even know what had happened until my phone started blowing up with calls and texts from family, friends, even my roommates.

The fear in my mom’s voice wanting to know if I was safe. The sudden panic, thinking of the people I knew still there, freaking out realizing that one of my friends was still in that crowd, scanning their snapchat trying to see if they were near the area and getting no response from them for a while as they tried to flee the area.

My heart is broken thinking about how this event, one that was meant to strengthen and empower our city and started out so amazing, was turned into a truly tragic and horrific event. My thoughts are with the families impacted, I hope we can learn from this time and truly make change. There needs to be real change, and I’m sorry our government is placing priority on their gun rights and not your lives.

NEWS STAFF

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“It was a moment where I could have been in, as all it would have taken is for one of us to say, ‘Let’s stay for the rally.’”

“So, in my head I was thinking, ‘That wasn’t a gun’ and nor did I ever think I’d be in that kind of situation.”

“While we were going through traffic, something started to feel off, people were hustling through the streets, and everyone seemed to look frightened.”

“The list of close people started to run in my head as I began to call and text everyone I knew who could have possibly been there.”

“The fear in my mom’s voice wanting to know if I was safe.”

“From now on, I’m always more cautious when I’m in a large group. I now look for escapes and exits when I can.”

“My heart broke for all of the victims and all of the people who were at the rally, and we were really lucky that day.”

These are all pieces of firsthand accounts from Northwest students at the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl parade.

On Nov. 1, we wrote an Our View about mass shootings, begging for gun reform and for people to realize that a shooting can happen anywhere, even in their backyards — and then it did.

During the parade Feb. 14, on an unusually nice day for February when people gathered to celebrate, 22 people were shot. One person died, eight with immediate life-threatening injuries, seven with life-threatening injuries and six with minor injuries, Kansas City Interim Fire Chief Ross Grundyson said in a news conference.

Many Northwest students, their friends and family were at the parade. The recounts of people trying to find out if someone they loved was hurt are heartbreaking. The frantic phone calls, the flood of texts asking if they were OK, the fear that someone they knew was hurt — it is all unfathomable until it’s reality.

When people hear of mass shootings, they don’t think it would happen to them. People didn’t walk into the streets of Downtown Kansas City that morning thinking that someone would die that day and more would be shot. But the horrible reality is that it did happen, it happened to people we know, and tragedies like this will continue unless lawmakers decide to create policies to stop it.

In the Nov. 1 Our View, we said, “This has to stop. Unprecedented action needs to be taken by our leaders to create a safer country for Americans to reside in. Otherwise, the numbers will just keep climbing.”

Now, only four months later, a shooting has happened only an hour and a half from Maryville, at a place where many students, their friends, families and loved ones could have been killed. Many people

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at the parade thought if they had made a different decision on where they stood, if they decided to stay for the rally, then they could have been one of the people shot and possibly another person who was killed.

Simply read the accounts of people who were at the parade.

They were scared for their safety, and even more terrified that the people they loved were dead. For some, the possibility that a loved one was shot and killed was a reality.

It doesn’t matter if one person, 20 people or 1,000 people were killed in a mass shooting — no one should have to fear this possibility. Reform is necessary.

2024 started 52 days ago, and there have already been 56 mass shootings in the United States, according to the Gun Violence Archive. Please, let that sink in — there have been more shootings than days this year.

Thoughts and prayers aren’t enough. Posting on social media saying this is a tragedy and doing nothing else isn’t enough.

It’s time for gun reform.

What else has to happen before Missouri decides it is finally time for gun control?

We’re not saying that all guns need to be taken away, but there needs to be tighter regulation so people aren’t allowed to take assault rifles into public and injure 21 innocent people and kill another. Clearly, the current plan of battling gun violence with more guns isn’t working, as there were over 850 law enforcement officers along the parade route, and people were still shot and one killed.

People can be anti-mass shooting and pro-second amendment. You can want to protect the right to bear arms and still recognize that something isn’t right when people fear for their life at large gatherings. It doesn’t matter what the previous laws and regulations of owning and purchasing a gun are. It is time for serious change.

It’s no secret that Missouri is lax on its gun laws. Our state is ranked 48 of 50 when it comes to gun law strength, and is 70% higher than the national average of gun deaths, according to Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. This gives Missouri a failing grade.

This was on full display as a day meant for celebration turned into a day for mourning.

Missouri fails to protect its citizens, showing it values the right to own a gun over anyone’s life.

Now is not the time to pretend this didn’t happen, that it didn’t impact the people we know, that people weren’t hurt and we weren’t terrified that someone we loved was dead.

It’s time to pressure the Missouri legislature to make a change and finally start protecting people from gun violence.

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Feb. 22, 2024 @NWMSports

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SPORTS

Northwest softball ends break with trip to Kansas ANDREW CLARK Missourian Reporter | @NWMSports

Northwest softball had the past weekend off from games after starting the first two in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, and Wichita Falls, Texas. The Bearcats finished the first two road trips with a record of 5-4.

The break from traveling and playing games allowed the team to rest their bodies to be fresh for the upcoming games at the Washburn Invitational Feb. 23-25 in Topeka, Kansas. Coach Naomi Tellez said the traveling takes a toll on the body, and the rest was much needed.

“Hopefully, we’re all healed,” Tellez said. “We’re all healthy. We had a sickness go through our team. So, hopefully that’s all done out of the way with that, we can go play on Friday (Feb. 23).”

The offense is a key for the success of the Bearcats. Northwest sits in second place in the MIAA in team batting average at .347, just behind Pittsburg State, who is hitting .356 as a team.

Three of the Bearcats rank top 20 in the MIAA in individual batting average, with junior center fielder Lillie Filger leading the way at .471. Filger’s batting average is the 10th best in the MIAA. Junior third baseman Skylar Pieper is right behind Filger, hitting .440, putting her at 11th. Senior catcher Lauren Gray is hitting .400, which puts her at 20th in the MIAA. Filger said the early-season success comes from the attitude the team has created. It revolves around not being satisfied with where she is at but continuing to get better.

“I would just say by really going off of our team motto of this year of ‘Never settling’ like last year,’” Filger said. “You know, I think we finished off pretty well. But, I think, this year, I just want to come back and fight harder for this team and for my coaches and for the Bearcat community as well.”

Filger has started every game in the leadoff spot in the batting order for Tellez. Filger’s speed and ability to hit the ball as a lefty allows her to make something happen, Tellez said. When describing Filger, Tellez said she is just a spark plug for the team.

When Northwest goes to Topeka, it will be facing St. Cloud State (6-1), Winona State (5-1), Southwest Baptist (4-4), Augustana (4-4) and Minnesota-Crookston (2-2). One of the improvements Tellez said she would like to see is from the pitching staff.

The Bearcat pitchers rank last in the MIAA in earned run average and second worst in walks allowed. Tellez said the issue is the pitchers not being confident in their ability and trusting the practice time spent.

“I just think that we can’t be so scared to get hit,” Tellez said. “You know, like throwing balls through the zone allowing our spin to take place, allowing the break to happen.

But right now, we’re just trying to be so fine, and it’s obviously turning into walks and we’re just not throwing to contact.”

After having the weekend off, Tellez has been having intrasquad scrimmages at practice. These practices allow for the players to compete in preparation for the weekend games. Tellez said during the scrimmages she wants to see the pitchers throw strikes early in the count to hopefully lead to more efficient innings.

The scrimmages are not just for the pitchers to get better but for the hitters, too. Filger said knowing what everyone is capable of allows the team to scrimmage against one another and make each other better for the upcoming games.

“At practice, we’ve been scrimmaging.

So, making our pitchers better, making us hitters better,” Filger said. “Our pitchers know what our weaknesses are, and, us as hitters, know what our pitchers’ weaknesses are. So, just that has been pushing us to be better as well.”

ALEXIS STARKS PHOTO EDITOR

Northwest softball sophomore infielder Sara Farlow collects a ground ball during practice Feb. 20. The Bearcats’ next game will be against St. Cloud State Feb. 23 in Topeka, Kansas.

UP NEXT *All games will be played in Topeka, Kansas NW vs. St. Cloud State 4 p.m. Feb. 23

NW vs. Winona State 2 p.m. Feb. 24

NW vs. Southwest Baptist 4 p.m. Feb. 24

NW vs. Augustana 10 a.m. Feb. 25

NW vs. Minnesota-Crookston 2 p.m. Feb. 25

SHARE

CONTINUED FROM A8

ONKARABETSE KOIKANYANG PHOTOGRAPHER

Northwest track and field freshman high jumper Jeremiah Rainey-Dunlap leaps over the pole at the Friday Night Lights - Last Chance Meet Feb.16 on The Carl and Cheryl Hughes Fieldhouse track.

CONFERENCE

CONTINUED FROM A8 “It’s been a blast coaching him,” Masters said. “I’m so glad I had the opportunity, because as good a high jumper he is, he’s a way better human.”

One of the challenging parts about the MIAA Championships is the length of it. The event lasts

BOOST

CONTINUED FROM A8 “It means a lot for us to be here at this point in the season,” Meyer said. “It speaks a lot about the type of kids we have —

three days, making Masters and his staff work hard to make sure the teams are ready to go.

Masters said the preparations and practices have led to this.

The coaches have made sure the athletes know what preparations look like on the day of the competition, that way the coaches can focus on being fans of the team.

“We’ve taught them enough, and they know how to prepare,” Masters said. “They know how to warm up, they know how to go compete. Obviously, we’re going to coach when we can, but in the running events, the coaching is done. The coaching happens during the year, and you hope that you’ve taught them enough to go and you can be a fan.”

kids that have been in our program for multiple years — and the group of seniors we celebrated last Saturday (Feb. 17). It’s just a great group that’s continued to get better each day, and we’ve seen our program grow

and rise each year because of it.”

Northwest’s (20-5, 14-5 MIAA) most recent victory came against Northeastern Feb. 17, where the Bearcats came away with a 72-54 triumph. This gave Northwest its first 20th-win season since the 2010-11 campaign and just its fourth since the turn of the century.

“It has been awesome,” Green said. “I mean, around three years ago when the men won their national championship in 2021, I was like, ‘How awesome would it be to be in the running one day for this?’ It didn’t feel real at the time. Just to be having a seat at the table this time of the year has been awesome.”

Junior guard Caley Kesten has been the Bearcats leading scorer in the past five games averaging 15 points per game and five rebounds a game over that stretch.

Kesten looks to stay on fire as her teammates keep feeding her the ball.

“She’s been playing with a free mind,” Meyer said. “Not overthinking and she’s just playing well. She is shooting it at a very high level right now, she’s playing very well under control in the paint. Defensively, she has been elite at picking the ball up full-court for us. She’s a really important piece for us.”

That program is Northwest men’s basketball. The Bearcats (21-4, 17-2 MIAA) have been on a bit of a tough journey this season, starting with their worst opening record since 2015.

Northwest is 19-2 since then.

But, that doesn’t mean it’s always been easy for the team.

Four of the Bearcats’ first five conference games were decided by 10 or fewer points. They lost to Fort Hays State (20-5, 15-4 MIAA) for the first time since 2013. Even in a win against Pittsburg State, coach Ben McCollum said, “It feels not as controlled as it has in the past.”

And now, just the second MIAA squad to beat Northwest this season — again, for the first time since 2013 — is the last foe standing in the way between the Bearcats and a share of the regular season title for the 24th overall time in program history.

And that foe is the one just over 40 miles south on U.S. Highway 71 — Missouri Western (15-10, 9-10 MIAA).

“You know, you’re 40-some minutes away, some people call it a rivalry,” Jackson said. “A lot of people want to beat us, but I think, you know, it’s a little bit extra down there. So, them coming here, I think, yeah, it’s gonna be a little bit more to it than usual.”

It’s Bearcats-Griffons for the 101th time in the series history.

It’s Northwest’s chance for revenge and history. It’s Western’s opportunity to keep itself afloat in the fight for a spot in the MIAA Tournament after losing seven of its last 10 and falling to 10th in the conference standings — only the top 10 earn a spot.

And it all begins at 3:30 p.m.

Feb. 24 in Bearcat Arena.

Northwest’s best chance to officially claim a share of the MIAA regular season title may be against Western, but it is important to note the other possibilities.

Hays — the team in second in the conference standings — hosts Pittsburg State (15-9, 11-7 MIAA) at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 22. If the Gorillas, who are third in the conference, can knock off the No. 14 Tigers, Northwest clinches a share of the MIAA. If Hays does lose to Pitt State, then Northwest wins against Western, the Bearcats own the title outright. The Tigers also host Missouri Southern (12-12, 10-8 MIAA) at 4 p.m. Feb. 24.

If Hays beats the Gorillas but loses to the Lions, then Northwest clinches at least a share of the MIAA, regardless of the out-

come with the Griffons.

“I think this is probably the hardest to achieve throughout the year — that’s the hardest championship to achieve,” Jackson said. “You have to be on your game every single night, day in and day out.”

Northwest, as the No. 2 scoring defense in Division (59.9 points allowed per game), will attempt to best Western, as the No. 9 scoring offense in the MIAA (71.8 points scored per game).

The Bearcats’ offense, which ranks seventh in the conference, averaging 73.9 points per contest, will look to overcome the Griffons’ defense that sits at sixth in the MIAA, giving up 66.9 points on average.

If there wasn’t enough stakes to the Saturday showdown, it could potentially be the last home game of the season for Northwest. While the Bearcats may yet host the Central Region Tournament again, those seedings aren’t decided until the NCAA Selection Show at 11 p.m. March 10, and the matchup with the Griffons is still the last game in Bearcat Arena for the regular season.

Northwest men’s basketball and Missouri Western will have

101 meetings in the series’ history after the game at 3:30 p.m. Feb. 24

Northwest will be protecting a perfect 11-0 record at home.

But, for McCollum, it doesn’t make any difference.

“Every day is special, every part of the season is the journey — the ups and downs, you know, all that stuff is special,” McCollum said. “I think teams that sustain success have that mentality of, ‘The journey’s the fun,’ you know? The preseason workouts, that’s fun. Those are the cool, special moments. And, for us, obviously, we’re always excited about games, we’re always excited about practice, but, you know, no time is bigger than the other.”

22, 2024 SPORTS Feb. @NWMSports

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ALLISON DUARTE PHOTOGRAPHER

Maryville wrestling freshman 165-pound Kedrick Watkins attempts to hit a quad pod against a South Harrison wrestler at the Maryville Tri Jan. 30 at Maryville High School.

Maryville freshman wrestler goes to state NATHAN VANDRUFF Sports Reporter | @nathanvandruff2

The Maryville boys wrestling team went to the Class 2 District 4 Tournament Feb. 16-17, and competed against 14 other teams for a spot at a district title.

The Spoofhounds brought 10 wrestlers to the district tournament, freshman 165-pound Kedrick Watkins was the only Maryville wrestler who advanced to state, placing third in his bracket.

“I thought the matches went well,” Watkins said. “My mindset was probably just like, I knew that I could compete, and I just needed to keep telling myself to not give up.”

Watkins, in his matchup on the front side, came up short, losing 8-2 to an undefeated senior out of Richmond, Elijah Sanders. Watkins then wrestled in the blood rounds where

two wrestlers battled for their spot at state — the winner advances and the loser goes home.

Coach Tyler Nickerson said he talked about how to calm his wrestlers down when a big match is coming up.

With Watkins’ big match coming up, he gave him some words of advice “I could tell he was a little nervous,” Nickerson said. “And, he was expressing that same feeling to me. But I just tried to do my best in reassuring him that, you know, he’s a capable wrestler, he’s prepared well, he does things right and that if he just sticks to his game plan, he will do great.”

Watkins went down early in the match, giving up two takedowns in the first period and early in the second period. But, with a reversal, Watkins was able to get the fall to wrestle for third place. In his third-place bout, Watkins was able to pick up another win, 4-0.

Nickerson said he coached the

Spoofhound boys team to enjoy wrestling while it is still able to do it.

Nickerson has been a big advocate in making the most out of their high school wrestling careers by showing growth and progress.

“The season never ends how you want it to, unless you’re standing on top of the podium in Columbia, Missouri.” Nickerson said. “But, our kids came out and wrestled hard, and for a lot of them, it didn’t go their way.

After the tournament, I told them of how well they all did in showing growth and progress this season.”

Freshman 215-pound Kade Watkins also made it to the blood rounds during the district tournament. Kade received a bye in his first matchup, which placed him against a senior from Odessa, Bo Leatherman, where he lost via fall in the first period.

Kade Watkins won his following two matches via pin, which put him

INFOGRAPHIC BY REESE SERVI MISSOURIAN DESIGNER

Girls basketball prepares for districts ahead of regular-season conclusion LANDON CLOUSE Missourian Reporter | @NWMSports

As the Class 4 District 16 Tournament creeps closer, Maryville girls basketball suffered a loss to North Platte Feb. 16 with a score of 73-49. Now, this group will look to close the season on a high note.

The final preparation before the postseason for Maryville starts against Chillicothe at 6:15 p.m.

Feb. 22 in Chillicothe, Missouri. As their record may suggest, the Hornets can give the ’Hounds a test ahead of higher-stake matches.

Coach Kelly Obley said her squad realizes the significance of this matchup and looks to be prepared for districts.

“It is a great last regular-season game for us because they are such a good opponent,” Obley said. “So, we have a couple practices to prepare for them and then ultimately use that preparation to help lead us into districts.”

The Spoofhounds’ (7-15) recent defeat to North Platte (215) halted a promising streak of two consecutive victories. However, with two wins in the last three games, Maryville is still riding high on great, energetic defensive play and everyone on the court crashing the glass, which leads to extra possessions. Soph-

omore guard Brylee Acklin said her team should show up ready to go against Chillicothe.

“Having a winner’s mindset is really important for us,” Acklin said. “We need to go into the game — even though they’re gonna be really good and may have a better record than us — I still think we need to go 100% all in because we can do it. We just have to believe we can and show up.”

Maryville’s performance from its juniors paired with its effort swarming the ball may provide a perfect chance for the Spoofhounds to halt the Hornets, who are on a 14-game win streak.

Obley said they need to tighten up after its recent loss to North Platte to be ready for more important games to come.

“Working on getting extra possessions, making sure that we box out for rebounds, and crashing the offensive glass,” Obley said. “Then, ultimately limit our turnovers and take care of the basketball.”

The first-round game of the district tournament for the Spoofhounds is against Savannah at 5:15 p.m. Feb. 26 at Maryville High School. The Monday matchup presents a rematch from Feb. 15, where Maryville showed up in its last home game of the regular season against Sa-

UP NEXT

MHS vs. Chillicothe 5 p.m. Feb. 22 Chillicothe, Missouri Class 4 District 16 Tournament Feb. 26-March 1 Chillicothe, Missouri

vannah (11-14) and secured a hard-fought 49-42 victory.

With a win already under its belt, the stakes are even higher this time around in a “win or go home” situation. Performances fueled by great defensive double teams, turnovers and successful scoring at the rim are what the Spoofhounds look to replicate to advance to the next round.

Acklin said winning two in a row against the Savages is important, but they should not take it for granted.

“I think it’ll be really important for us to come out just like we did — if not better — because it’s really hard for a team to win two games in a row,” Acklin said.

“I think it’ll be really important for us to stay really focused during that and to have the mindset coming in almost like we haven’t beat them before. And, we can’t come in overconfident about it.”

UP NEXT Class 2 State Tournament Feb. 21-22 Columbia, Missouri

in the blood rounds, where he faced a familiar foe. St. Joseph-Benton senior Jason Blue wrestled him at the MEC tournament where he was pinned in the third period.

“Kade wrestled a lot tougher and smarter in that match,” Nickerson said. “He showed a lot of growth and development this season.”

Kade Watkins went down 5-0 early in the match and was unable to recover from the deficit. He was one of two freshmen on the Spoofhounds wrestling team to wrestle in the blood rounds.

Old places, new faces Northwest softball travels to familiar site for Washburn Invitational. see A6

SPORTS Feb. 22, 2024

Conference meet next ahead for track and field teams

State scrapper Maryville wrestling sends freshman to state championship meet. see A7

‘GONNA BE MEMORABLE’ NW men seek share of MIAA in Saturday showdown

ANDREW CLARK Missourian Reporter | @NWMSports

Northwest track and field is preparing for the MIAA Indoor Championships Feb. 23-25 in Topeka, Kansas. The Bearcats are looking for its first indoor conference team title since 1998, one of the six indoor conference championships in both teams’ history.

Since coach Brandon Masters took over the program in 2018, both the men’s and women’s teams have placed in the top six every year at the conference meet. The women’s team took second place to Pittsburg State in the last two indoor seasons.

Masters said to beat a team like Pitt State, Northwest would have to double its roster size.

The ability to have multiple people earn points in every event is a big advantage for the Gorillas.

“We’re not set up to win duels,” Masters said. “We are set up to be good at the events that we do and hope that’s enough to score enough points to take down a team like Pittsburg who has three kids in every single event.”

WESLEY MILLER Managing Editor | @wesleymiller360

T

here are times it can seem like sports and fate work together to produce perfect, unforgettable moments.

For many in the Midwest, that was when Patrick Mahomes found wide receiver Mecole Hardman for the walk-off touchdown to secure the Kansas City Chiefs’ win in the 2024 Super Bowl. For Bearcat fans, it might just be the next clash inside Bearcat Arena.

“Really, just from the top down, it’s been an amazing journey,” junior guard Isaiah Jackson said. “And, to be at the top again right now, you know, trying to finish this thing out, it’s just gonna be memorable.”

He is part of a program searching for its 11th-straight conference regular season title. The “journey,” he mentioned is a team starting 2-2 for the first time in eight seasons, dropping out of the national polls for the first time in 120 consecutive weeks but still having a chance for a share of the MIAA crown with a win in its next game — with three regular-season contests still left to go.

“

I’ve seen this team improve over the last five years that I’ve been here, and so I just want to see this team continue to improve and kind of leave behind a legacy of success.”

SEE SHARE | A6

BLAKE MORGAN

UP NEXT

SENIOR HIGH JUMPER

One of the athletes competing at the MIAA Championships is senior high jumper Blake Morgan. In the last three indoor conference championships, Morgan finished in second place in the high jump. He also finished in third place in his freshman season.

Morgan said conference is the meet that Northwest worked all season for. The ability for him and the team to compete at a high level against the rest of the conference is important to him.

“I mean, it’s important to me, personally, because I feel like I’ve done well in the past and had success,” Morgan said.

“So, I would kind of like to keep that going. I always have more goals that I want to hit, so I want to hit those goals for me.

I’ve seen this team improve over the last five years that I’ve been here, and so I just want to see this team continue to improve and kind of leave behind a legacy of success.”

Masters has been coaching Morgan since 2019 and said he has grown into his own. Masters said the time spent together has been a blessing for him and has learned more about the high jump from Morgan than the other way around.

SEE CONFERENCE | A6 UP NEXT MIAA Indoor Championships Feb. 23-25 Topeka, Kansas

NW vs. Missouri Western 3:30 p.m. Feb. 24 Bearcat Arena AARON HARE ASST. PHOTO EDITOR

Northwest men’s basketball junior forward Daniel Abreu scores a layup during the first half of the Bearcats’ 73-56 victory over Northeastern State Feb. 17. Abreu scored 12 points against the RiverHawks.

Bearcat women looks to boost chances at title NATHAN VANDRUFF Sports Reporter | @nathanvandruff2

Northwest women’s basketball has been putting in work on defense. In the last five games, the Bearcats have not given up more than 55 points.

Northwest is 5-0 during that stretch and is sitting third overall in the MIAA standings.

Their next matchup is against Missouri Western at 1:30 p.m. Feb. 24 at Bearcat Arena.

The Griffons are on a conference-best 11-game winning streak, with their last loss coming against Northeastern State Jan. 6.

They have been one of the most dominant teams defensively in the MIAA all season.

In the conference, Western has given up the least amount of points per game — 57 — and scored the second-most per game (75.4%).

Northwest has also been among the best defenses, led by senior forward Jayna Green and junior guard Caely Kesten. Green leads the team in blocks with 1.9 blocks per game and junior guard Molly Hartnett leads the team with 1.5 steals per game. The Bearcats give up just 59.2 points per contest which is third in the MIAA. With a win against Western, the Bearcats are behind the Griffons by one game. With only three regular-season matchups left for Northwest, it will need some help to earn a share of the MIAA regular season title.

AARON HARE ASST. PHOTO EDITOR

Northwest women’s basketball junior guard Molly Hartnett dribbles the ball down the court during the first quarter of the Bearcats’ 72-54 triumph over Northeastern State Feb. 17.

Pesonally, coach Austin Meyer has yet to earn an MIAA title since 2018 when he served as the men’s assistant coach. For the women’s program, it would be the first since 2011.

SEE BOOST | A6

UP NEXT NW vs. Missouri Western 1:30 p.m. Feb. 24 Bearcat Arena