the
VOLUME 1 31 , ISSUE 4 NOVEMBER 3, 2022
S GNAL The heart of Ouachita news
CONTENTS PAGE 2 | WWW.OBUSIGNAL.COM
COVER STORY.............................3 NEWS......................................4-5 ARTS/ENTERTAINMENT...............6 OPINIONS................................... 7 SPORTS......................................8
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Julia Shands
S GNAL
PRINT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Valeria Gomez
ONLINE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Emilee Webb NEWS EDITOR
Jane Ellen Dial
Isaac Bourne SPORTS EDITOR
Rachel Dunnam OPINIONS EDITOR
Sydney Motl COPY EDITOR
ARTS/ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
Dr. Jeff Root Adviser
Ouachita Baptist University Office: Evans Student Center Email: signal@obu.edu Phone: (870) 245-5210
Matthew Cheatham
AD COORDINATOR
Addie Chumley STAFF DESIGNER
Levi Dade
PHOTO EDITOR
Sarah Dean
PHOTO EDITOR
Dr. Deborah Root Adviser
Jackson Carter Online Adviser
The Signal is the student newspaper of Ouachita Baptist University, and is published twice a month on Thursdays during the fall and spring semesters when school is in session. The newspaper is distributed free of charge; 1,200 copies are placed in more than 20 locations across campus. Opinions expressed are those of the writer and not necessarily those of the newspaper staff or university. The Signal is a member of the Columbia Scholastic Press Association and the Associated Collegiate Press and is printed by the Nashville Leader. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Letters to the editor are encouraged and accepted, unless libelous, irresponsible or obscene. Letters should be typed and include a signature and contact phone number, and must be less than 500 words. The Signal reserves the right to edit letters for space and style. Letters should be sent via campus mail to Box 3761 or via email to signal@obu.edu.
COVER STORY WWW.OBUSIGNAL.COM | PAGE 3
Smallwood gains fame, goes TikTok viral BY MADISON BASCO Staff Writer
Junior Caroline Smallwood downloaded TikTok during her senior year of high school, wanting to post fun videos for her friends and family. Since downloading the app, she’s posted covers of various songs. On Sept. 9, she decided to quickly throw together a cover of “Tennessee Orange” by Megan Moroney. Overnight, it blew up, and by the next day, she had 10,000 views. “I wasn’t even a huge fan of my cover of that song,” Smallwood said. “I almost didn’t post it because I wanted to redo it and make it better, but I didn’t have time because I was leaving to go to a football game. When I left the game, I noticed that I was getting a little more traction than I normally would. It was insane.” Over the next few days, Smallwood and her family and friends watched her account closely and noticed that the video kept gaining views. It gradually went up from 50,000 views to 100,000 views and is now sitting at 4.7 million views. Smallwood currently has 73.2K followers. “I never expected that to happen because I really just posted for fun,” Smallwood explained. “It’s terrifying, but I also love it. I think there is a bit more pressure because I have to actually post now. Before this, I would post once a month, but now there are people who follow me because they want to see my videos. It’s so crazy that people want to hear from me.” Shortly after her video went viral, Smallwood decided to check her Instagram direct messages, which she normally doesn’t do. When she opened them, she saw a message from an American Idol casting director asking her if she
Caroline Smallwood, junior elementary education major from Powderly, Texas poses with her guitar. Smallwood posted a singing video on TikTok and has since reached 4.7 million views and gained traction on the app. (photo by Levi Dade)
would be interested in auditioning for the show. “I screamed; I didn’t know what to say,” Smallwood said. “I grew up watching that show, and my parents have encouraged me to try out for something like this. I’ve always felt like I’m not good enough for those shows. I never thought it was an option, so them contacting me was unbelievable. It was a very validating feeling.” Beaming with excitement,
Smallwood immediately sent a screenshot to her family when she received the message about auditioning for American Idol. “They were all calling me freaking out,” Smallwood said. “They’ve always made jokes about how I would audition for something like this one day, but I never actually thought I could. My family has always been very supportive. When my video blew up on TikTok, my brother was checking
it every five minutes. Every day he would check my follower count. They’ve read every single comment on that video, and there are around 5,000 comments. My roommates have also been amazing. The moment that I got the DM they were taking pictures of me reading the DM. They were like, ‘You are going to want to remember this.’” Moving forward, Smallwood has the opportunity to try out alongside 100,000 other participants. Three
hundred of those participants will be picked and will head to live auditions to perform in front of Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan. “I am terrified,” Smallwood said. “Even if this experience ends up being just an experience, I still have the chance to meet those people, which is crazy.” Growing up, Smallwood mostly sang at church with her sisters, but at the age of 12, she began to develop a passion for singing and now sees it as another form of self-expression. “Singing was always a way I could feel my emotions and express them,” Smallwood said. “When you’re talking, you can’t always be fully honest with yourself. You can be a lot more honest singing a song than you can be just talking. I think singing is the way I feel things and work through things.” Smallwood’s grandpa inspires her in her musical pursuits. “He was a very talented piano player, and he would record gospel music,” Smallwood said. “I have his vinyl record in my house. He always encouraged me to sing. I’ve looked up to him as a person and an artist. I think that his encouragement made me pursue singing more than I would have if he hadn’t been my grandpa.” Smallwood explains that so many doors have opened for her in such a short period of time. She’s not sure where this might take her, but she is open to all of the possibilities. “I think I never viewed a music career as an option,” Smallwood said. “I always thought that singing was something I would do for fun, and that I would start a teaching career and just do that on the side. But, I feel like this opened up a lot of opportunities for me, and if it was an option, I would love to do this as a career.”
NEWS
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E6 program revamps Dr. Jack’s, involves students BY AUSTYNN CROCKER Staff Writer
Holly Hatcher hammocks on campus. OOLA is working to equip OBU with more outdoor activities. (photo by Levi Dade)
OOLA enhances campus beauty BY CAMRYN MANNIING Staff Writer
With all the opportunities present on campus, one in particular seeks to serve in a capacity no other club or organization does; the Ouachita Outdoor Life Association, or OOLA, seeks to make the Ouachita campus a more beautiful place. The four pillars of the organization are reverence, service, conservation and adventure. With future projects ranging from a trail through the ravine to a pavilion behind Jones Science Center, OOLA exists to make the outdoor areas of Ouachita the best they can be. Founder and president Andrew Tarlton saw the need for OOLA during his sophomore year at Ouachita. “The purpose of the Ouachita Outdoor Life Association is to utilize the servant heart behind many Ouachita students to build outdoor spaces for students, faculty and visitors to enjoy,” Tarlton said. “We want to cultivate a culture where we respect the outdoors because of our God who created them. We also wanted to capitalize on the beauty that we have here at Ouachita.” After two years of planning and
preparation, OOLA was officially established in May 2022 for Tarlton’s senior year. The organization has been supported by multiple staff and has much in the works for upcoming months and beyond. “Right now we are working on a proposal for a ravine trail,” said Tuesday Melton, vice president of OOLA. “We’ve had the idea for a little while now, and we have had several people agree to support it, so we are really working hard to get it finally put into action.” The trail is planned to connect to the ravine stairs by Francis Crawford Hall and travel through the bottom of the ravine to the Speer Pavilion area. “We also have plans to fix up some of the areas down at Speer Pavilion, as well as creating fitness trails on campus, making pre-existing areas more accessible to Wi-Fi and creating electrical outlets for students to study outside,” Tarlton said. “Eventually, we hope to host events to promote outdoor adventure, like slacklining, outdoor climbing and other outdoor sports.” Though these ideas of the organization are great, they aren’t easy to accomplish. “We are currently working with
Ouachita maintenance, staff and community to plan better ways to access our outdoor space with these projects,” said Priscilla Leverett, a member of the executive board of OOLA. Acquiring new members is necessary for the organization to outlast those who have established it and continue to impact Ouachita for years to come. However, one won’t have to join the program to see its impact. “Even for those not involved, OOLA wants all students to enjoy what we design and build, and we hope that they can appreciate all the beauty our campus has to offer,” Melton said. As well as a few larger projects, the entire campus can be involved in building trails, pavilions and other outdoor projects. OOLA provides opportunities for students to get service hours while directly benefiting the campus they utilize daily. Furthermore, OOLA is currently working on an upcoming Christmastime event where student organizations on campus can sponsor a tree and plant it at Speer Pavilion. According to Melton, each organization will have the option to decorate the tree they plant.
Ouachita students have come to know and love the coffeehouse known as Dr. Jack’s, located in Evans Student Center, through its delicious coffee and various drink options. Dr. Jack’s was a student-developed project founded in 2016. It began as a website focused on selling coffee beans. Since the creation of the coffee shop, many of the same resources have been used to create the coffee students enjoy today. Although Dr. Jack’s is undoubtedly a successful business, several staff and students at OBU believe it can be more. To make Dr. Jack’s more than what it currently is, Johan Eriksson, director of the entrepreneurship program, developed what is called the E6 program. This initiative will announce the official relaunch of Dr. Jack’s website. The program is centered around six E’s: entrepreneurship, education, exposure, experience, enrichment and enablement. The relaunch of Dr. Jack’s places an emphasis on students’ role in the brand. “We want to make good coffee and invest back into the students,” Eriksson said. Students will have substantial involvement and influence in all aspects of the business. The six E’s of the program will give students the opportunity to develop entrepreneurial traits, further their education, enhance their exposure to the workforce, gain experience and be enriched through working for Dr. Jack’s. Lastly, they will develop the skill of enablement. The Dr. Jack’s team have outlined four initial projects before its relaunch. First is the debate of the correct legal entity, whether that be for-profit or not-for-profit. The next
step is identifying the primary mission of Dr. Jack’s. There are three missions Dr. Jack’s currently seeks to attain. The program will work to teach a variety of different majors how to work in their field through the creation and production of the coffee business. The next principle was a part of Dr. Jack’s when it was originally founded, which was that it exists to do good. The Dr. Jack’s team strives to partner with churches through the Honduras Baptist Dental mission. This partnership would raise money, build houses and create microeconomies, which the team would like to test in their trip to Honduras in the spring. The last goal is to sell good quality coffee. The third step in the company’s relaunch is to establish the building requirements for the future website. “With the relaunch of Dr. Jack’s, we will be able to sell directly to students and alumni,” Eriksson said. The fourth step is arguably the most exciting. Over spring break, students who are currently involved in the E6 program are volunteering to travel to Honduras, where there will be an initial site visit to coffee farmers. The E6 team plans to build relationships, see how the coffee is grown and assist with the construction of homes. A total of 25 students can make the trip, with 15 spots already filled. Dr. Jack’s is focused on giving back to the community by purchasing coffee beans directly from Honduras. The coffee beans will be imported from Honduras, roasted and sold to partnering churches, which will help build out the idea of microeconomies. Although the team has made great strides, the work is not yet finished. Eriksson looks to continue making progress for Ouachita’s entrepreneurship program.
NEWS
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Chemistry students place at INBRE Conference BY EMILEE WEBB News Editor
Two Ouachita students, Madison Easley and Hope Murphy took home awards at the 2022 Arkansas INBRE Conference held Friday and Saturday, Oct. 21-22, at the Graduate Hotel and University of Arkansas campus in Fayetteville, Ark. Ouachita had ten attendees at the conference, with nine students presenting a research poster and one giving an oral presentation. The Arkansas INBRE Research Conference involves participation from colleges and universities in Arkansas and surrounding states in the areas of biology, chemistry and physics. Students attend to present their research and to hear other researchers as well. Dr. Joshua Kwekel, assistant professor of biology at OBU, attended the conference, along with faculty members Dr. Hamilton and Dr. Hubbard. Dr. Kwekel explains the significance of Arkansas INBRE and the effect it has on Ouachita’s science department. “The National Institutes of Health is the organization that disperses funding for biological research across the country,” Kwekel said. “For primarily undergraduate institutions, or PUIs, like OBU, it is hard to compete with larger institutions for that funding. INBRE exists to facilitate research in PUIs and get money to faculty and to students to do that research.” The conference itself is a great way for students to gain experience and network. Dr. Kwekel describes the practical skills students who attend the conference gain and the benefits they will see in the future. “It’s a fantastic way to communicate science,” said Kwekel. “To just put the work that they are doing into words and share that with people within their discipline looks
fantastic on a resume. It is a good activity to train the brain to think and communicate in a technical way that is coveted in the real world. The conference provides training in critical thinking that involves communication through a complex set of ideas. Wherever you are in the job field, you have to be able to communicate well with others and think through a project, so this looks good on documents when applying to graduate programs, medical school or a job.” Dr. Sharon Hamilton, associate professor of chemistry at Ouachita, also attended the INBRE Conference. Dr. Hamilton speaks on the awards given at the conference. “Arkansas INBRE does give out awards, and they are actually cash awards in addition to the certificate,” Hamilton said. We had two winners, both out of chemistry. Madison Easley works with Dr. Sarah Hubbard in chemistry, and Hope Murphy does research with me.” Madison Easley gave a poster presentation in the chemistry category, and Hope Murphy was invited to give an oral presentation in the chemistry category. They both placed second in their respective divisions. Dr. Hamilton tells of the tough competition at the conference and why it is so significant that Easley and Murphy received awards. “There were at least one hundred poster presentations in total,” Hamilton said. “They are judged based on the categories of biology, chemistry and physics, and Madison still had substantial competition for earning her award. There were six oral presentations for chemistry selected out of all of the applications, so it was a big deal for Hope to already get selected to give an oral presentation. She had some stiff competition, and we were really excited that she got second place.”
Madison Easley (left) and Hope Murphy (right) pose for a picture as award winners at the Arkansas INBRE Conference. Easley placed second in poster presentation, and Murphy placed second in the oral presentation. (photo by Sarah Dean)
The influence of these awards does not end with a certificate. Dr. Hamilton explains how winning these awards will help Easley and Murphy as they apply to programs in the future. “Because they won awards, their names kind of stick in faculty’s heads,” Hamilton said. “The conference is hosted by UA Fayetteville, so you have faculty from both Fayetteville and UAMS at the conference. If one of the girls wanted to go to graduate school or medical school at one of the schools that was at the conference, certainly the faculty would recognize them, and it is something that they can and should put on their resumes.” Madison Easley, a senior biomedical sciences major, received the second-place award for her chemistry poster presentation. Easley explains the research that she conducted this summer. “I presented over the research I did this summer in Dr. Hubbard’s lab, which involved monitoring BPA leaching from feminine hygiene products using fluorescence spectroscopy,” Easley said. “I fo-
cused on analyzing different products for BPA presence and comparing BPA concentrations among products of varying price ranges to investigate the potential disparity between affordability and BPA exposure.” Easley recalls the memories she made at the conference, as well as her gratitude for a great experience. “This conference helps set me up for my future by exposing me to so many great presentations from researchers while allowing me to gain experience communicating my own work to others,” Easley said. “My experience at INBRE has reinforced my love for science and its breadth; it’s great to see so many people with a shared passion for science, yet with such diverse focuses. Getting to attend the conference with my excellent professors and peers from OBU made it an even more worthwhile experience.” Hope Murphy, a senior biomedical sciences major, received the second-place award for her oral presentation in the chemistry category. Murphy explains the research
that she presented. “My research, which is still ongoing, is about a new synthetic one-step method for modifying alginate, a natural polymer,” Murphy said. “Traditional stepwise synthesis is time-consuming and can be difficult to complete for undergraduate researchers with a limited amount of time in the lab. The resulting modified alginate can be electrospun into nanofibrous dressings that we anticipate using for wound healing applications in the future.” Murphy also had a great time at the conference. She recalls the memories made and the experience gained from Arkansas INBRE. “This conference provided networking exposure for me, as well as the opportunity to gain presentation experience,” Murphy said. “My favorite memory from the whole experience was getting to attend the banquet for the keynote speaker on Friday night. I really enjoyed that because all of the Ouachita students got to sit near each other and enjoy spending some time together.”
ARTS/ENTERTAINMENT PAGE 6 | WWW.OBUSIGNAL.COM
‘This is My Fathers World’ opera aims to bring people together while pointing to the Creator
BY KATIE BAYER Staff Writer
The OBU theater department will present “This is My Father’s World” from Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 3-5, at 7:30 p.m., and Monday, Nov. 6, at 2:30 p.m. in Mabee Recital Hall. The opera is directed by Dr. Kara Claybrook, assistant professor of music, and Dr. Candice Aipperspach, associate professor of music. “This is My Father’s World” is a musical exploration of God’s creation through the five senses. The opera is based on the hymn also titled “This is My Father’s World” and is sung at the beginning and ending of each performance, serving to tie the plot together. The story is based on John 1:1 from the Bible, taking the audience on a journey through seven parts: creation, places, journeys, silly, sepa-
ration, deceptions and restoration. Students from all corners of Ouachita are coming together to produce the opera. There are participants from the music program, theatre department and even unrelated fields of study who are experiencing being in a production for the first time. “The students I’ve worked with are so hardworking and so patient,” Claybrook said. “They’ve been really patient and cooperative, and have given willingly of their gifts, and I really appreciate it.” Each student performer will have a featured moment during the opera, along with an ensemble that everyone will serve in. Directors and performers lookto aid people into the mindset of thinking about God, even if it is through secular ideas. This opera is a perfect opportunity for the arts to honor God. “Art is like anything—it can be
Mac Ricks, a sophomore musical theatre major, rehearses for the “This is my Fathers World” opera. The opera is based off the hymn “This is My Father’s World” and will explore God’s creation through the five senses. (photo by Sarah Dean)
misused. I want to use it well, and I’d like to instill that in others as a teacher,” Claybrook said. “This is My Father’s World” has been a production that has taken months of preparation, dating back to April of last semester. Many creative minds were instrumental in making the opera a success including Dr. Claybrook and Dr. Aipper-
spach serving as overseers, Dr. Lee Aipperspach playing piano, Josh Anderson assisting with lighting and project management and many students helping to bring ideas to the table. Claybrook shares her enthusiasm for the upcoming production, encouraging students on campus to get excited and come with open
minds. “Music and opera are cool,” Claybrook said. “Find something that’s interesting. It changes your attitude so that you’re more receptive to it [the opera].” “This is My Father’s World” is sure to have something for everyone. Reserve your tickets now through the box office.
‘Black Adam’ reflects movies critics’ reviews BY WYATT ASHLOCK Staff Writer
In the year 2007 Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson had an idea for an anti-hero movie based on one of his favorite comic book characters, and 15 years later, that idea would become a reality. In 2,600 B.C. in the city of Kahndaq, a man was bestowed with superpowers by the most powerful wizards, and he was imprisoned shortly after. In the present “Black Adam” (Dwayne Johnson) is freed from prison, ready to bring justice to Kahndaq by any means necessary. A new team must come out of the shadows to stop Black Adam from his unique form of
justice. Hawkman (Aldis Hodge), Doctor Fate (Pierce Brosnan), Cyclone (Quintessa Swindell) and Atom Smasher (Noah Centineo) will team up to represent the Justice Society of America (JSA) and try to bring Black Adam to justice. Director Jaume Collet-Serra creates a standard film that does not reinvent the wheel when it comes to the superhero genre. It is a visually appealing film and has some great special effects. Several spectacular slow motion moments were very impressive. Writers Adam Sztykiel, Rory Haines and Sohrab Noshirvani created a story that had some nice moments, but other than that, it was a mediocre story. Certain characters such as Doctor Fate and Hawkman
felt like they had full stories written about them while the other JSA members felt thrown in for the sake of needing more members. There were also parts where anyone familiar with these characters, either from other shows such as “DC’s Legends of Tomorrow” or the comic books, would be curious as to why the most essential details of the characters’ stories were left out. I will say the one thing I was impressed with was that the writers did a good job at introducing all of these new characters and the city of Kahndaq while tying it into “Shazam” (2019) without making me feel overwhelmed. Composer Lorne Balf creates some powerful themes for both Black Adam and the JSA. How-
ever, besides the themes, the score for the movie was very mediocre. I was really impressed with the use of “Paint It, Black” by The Rolling Stones in an epic fight sequence. Johnson’s acting was nothing spectacular, but it was fun to watch him become an epic anti-hero. Hodge and Brosnan were both fantastic in their roles. Hodge’s take on Hawkman brought some great laughs to the role. Brosnan’s portrayal of Doctor Fate was amazing, and it was apparent that he put a lot of work into becoming this character. Overall, “Black Adam” was a standard superhero movie that is impressive by DC standards but is not anything too special if compared to Marvel standards. Howev-
er, there is a post-credit scene that blew me away. I went in with zero expectations and had a fun time. I was glad to have seen the movie in the theaters because I know that had I waited for the film to come to streaming, I would have been upset with myself for not watching it sooner. If you have never seen a DC film before and are looking for a place to start then this is the movie for you. While there are some connections to “Shazam” and “The Suicide Squad” (2021), neither are necessary to understand this film. I recommend seeing this film if you are a DC fan or if you are just looking for a fun movie to see, earning it a 3 out of 5 tiger paws. “Black Adam” is available in theaters.
OPINIONS
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A freshman’s guide to Guard the Tiger BY RACHEL DUNNAM Opinions Editor
For over a hundred years, Arkadelphia, Arkansas has been home to one of the oldest football rivalries in the country. Battle of the Ravine is one of the most anticipated events of the fall semester at Ouachita. It is a rivalry football game between the Ouachita Tigers and Henderson State University Reddies. This game is rich in history because it is tied for the title as the oldest rivalry game in NCAA Division II football. With a total of 94 games played, the Ouachita Tigers lead the series with 45 wins and Henderson State at 43. There have been 6 ties throughout the span of 94 games.
For many students, faculty at both schools and members of the Arkadelphia community, this event is a long-awaited one. The football game itself is not the only part that brings joy to the faces of students, however. In the spirit of friendly competition, both Henderson and Ouachita embark on a so-called “prank war” during the week preceding the big game. During this week, the student body, led by the men of Rho Sigma, work together to guard the marble tiger statue. Although the tiger is guarded by a gate and security cameras, Rho Sigma spends the entire week camping in tents, grilling and playing cornhole. Every night of this week, a different class takes turns standing watch to protect Ouachita’s great landmark.
Students gather all the way down the plaza, setting up different tents and activities to entertain throughout the long hours of the night. The shenanigans begin on Sunday afternoon and extend until the night before the big game. The pranks students pull on both sides of the Ravine could be anywhere from dying Henderson’s fountain purple to pouring mustard on students’ cars. Battle of the Ravine and the traditions of the week have deep roots. These are traditions that freshmen are excited to be involved in, and they spend the entire night before the game staying up all night to defend the tiger. Student senate members sit at a table in the Student Center where freshmen can check in every hour as proof that they
stood guard the entire night. Even though some may be apprehensive to stay up all night when they have class the next morning, it is a fun tradition that brings classmates together. The energy and atmosphere surrounding this week as a whole adds to the excitement of this time-honored tradition. Freshmen should try and get involved as much as they can during this week and make the most of it. Many memories and friends are made during this time when students bond and do their best to protect the tiger statue and defend Ouachita from pranks across the street. There are many tents and activities led by other clubs lining the plaza for students to take part in as they embark on this all-night
adventure. Visiting the different booths run by clubs and organizations can also be a fantastic way for freshmen to meet upperclassmen and learn a little more about each of the different ways they can get involved at Ouachita. Like many events at Ouachita, Battle of the Ravine week is an opportunity to get out of your comfort zone and try something different. The Battle of the Ravine is more than just a football game. It is about more than just protecting a valued landmark. It is a time for freshmen and upperclassmen alike to join together to accomplish a common goal and make long-lasting memories with each other. This year, be sure to show up and show out as we prepare for the Battle of the Ravine and guard the tiger.
How to find the perfect date for TWIRP Weeks BY SYDNI WHITFIELD Staff Writer
TWIRP, or “The Woman is Required to Pay,” is one of Ouachita’s most exciting and anticipated traditions. Ouachita hosts several themed events during the two weeks of TWIRP. Similar to a Sadie Hawkins dance, the girl is required to ask the guy and pay for the date. For freshmen, this is one of the most memorable events. Not only do freshmen get a glimpse into the different personalities of the women’s social clubs, but TWIRP is a time to make new friendships and memories that last a lifetime. During Barn Bash, for example, you are put in random groups with
your partner, and this becomes an opportunity for meaningful memories, and potentially, new friendships. There are usually photobooths at the different TWIRP events as well, so many pictures are taken throughout the two weeks that freshmen will be able to look back on with fond memories. During this season at Ouachita, some girls may be anxious about asking someone to be their date, and they may even wonder if they really need a date in the first place. TWIRP is such a fun time at Ouachita, but only if girls do not let the stress of asking a date interfere
with their enjoyment of the week. Whether girls realize it or not, guys typically want to go to the dances and will take being asked as a
compliment. Throughout the years, asking someone to TWIRP is often seen as platonic. No one can jump
to the conclusion that it is anything more. You may even find a great friendship from your TWIRP date. It is always worth asking and it is what you make of it. You may now find yourself asking, “What should I look for in a TWIRP date?” These dances are exciting, so be sure that your date is fun, easy going and willing to dance. Try to build some type of friendship with your potential date prior to asking him because this will prevent the night from being awkward. Once you have decided who you want to ask, the nerve-wracking part is actually asking the guy. The easiest way to
go about this is to ask in regular conversation. While a lot of people turn to Snapchat or texting, it’s always best to do it in person. Try not to overthink asking someone to be your date. If you are asking the right guy, he will be excited and honored to be able to go with you. TWIRP is such a great opportunity to get to know a guy on a deeper level. It is a chance to have fun conversations and learn more about one another. If there is someone in your class who stands out to you, be bold and ask him. At least, you will likely build a friendship. With or without a date, don’t overthink these two weeks. Every event is an opportunity for a fun, carefree time. TWIRP is a blast and a fantastic Ouachita tradition. Have fun with it and make long-lasting memories.
SPORTS
PAGE 8 | WWW.OBUSIGNAL.COM
Senior tight end Hunter Swboda points at the camera. He has accounted for 78 yards this season and caught one touchdown. (photo by Levi Dade)
Sophomore guard T’vondrick Henry drives against the defense in a scrimmage game. The Tigers hope to bring this success into their season with several new transfers and key returners that have helped to create a team bond. (photo by Levi Dade)
Men’s basketball prepares for season, facilitates team culture
BY ISAAC BOURNE Sports Editor
It’s the dawn of basketball season as the OBU men’s basketball team suits up to start a new, exciting 2022-23 campaign. Coach Dennis Nutt brings in seven new transfers this season with eight returning players, including two of the three leading scorers for the team last year, junior guard Ma’Darius Hobson, and junior forward Tylar Haynes. The addition of D1 graduate transfer LaQuan Butler Jr. gives this team a new big three to base itself around. With many new additions this season, coach nutt commented on the team’s chemistry. “We just try to put our culture out there and our philosophy, and hopefully the guys will blend well… and hopefully you put a
product out there that wins games,” Nutt said. “As soon as I got brought in, I felt the culture from the start and it’s a team bond,” Hobson mentioned at GAC media day in October. “We always have one main goal and we talk about it each and every day. We work hard. We have a great attitude and great effort.” Butler said, “I feel like everybody has the same goal or will to win, so being a transfer, you know, I’m new here, so I like what’s going on right now.” Butler has been a big addition to coach Nutt’s roster, as he comes from the University of Texas - Rio Grande Valley after averaging 7.4 ppg for them last season, even scoring 19 points for the team in their season opener. Butler mentioned his experience with UT - RGV and his hope for the season.
“It’s been a struggle for the last few years, so I’m pretty excited to get out here with this group of guys and compete,” Butler said. The biggest early story coming out of this team has to be their early season road trip to Stillwater, Oklahoma to take on Division One, Power Five team Oklahoma State in an exhibition game. “This is a special trip for us, it’s a challenging game of course, but to play at that level and for them to see a Power Five type school it’s going to be a lot of fun,” Coach Nutt said about the exhibition. This game will be held on Nov. 3 in the historic Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and will be the first of two division one opponents that the team will face this season, the second being in Natchitoches, Louisiana against Northwestern State University on Nov. 10.
Football continues winning tradition, remains undefeated BY MATTHEW CHEATHAM Staff Writer
The Ouachita football team is continuing to uphold their reputation as a formidable opponent, being an elite team in Division II. With a victory against East Central on Oct. 27th, the team stands undefeated with a 9-0 record and is ranked #4 in the region for NCAA playoff consideration. Collectively on the season, the Tigers have scored 414 points (46 average) compared to giving up 146 points (16.2 average). To go along with their 14 straight winning seasons, Gregory Junior gave the program its first ever player drafted into the NFL when the Jacksonville Jaguars selected him in April, and the team is consistently ranked in the top five of Division II football for most of the season. Already at 9-0, one more win will clinch the outright GAC championship. “The most important game is the game on the schedule. Nothing else matters to our team but the next game up. Our focus is one-hundred percent on Southeastern Oklahoma
State University; they have a very good team and we will have to play our best game,” said Coach Todd Knight, the head football coach for the Tigers for the past 23 years. “The biggest thing that we have to focus on is being consistent, and that starts in practice,” said sophomore running back Kendel Givens, who is second on the team in rush yards with 854. “We want to finish up the right way and send those seniors out the right way. In order for that to happen, we have to keep playing ball how we know how to play and have fun with it.” Givens’ running mate in the backfield, senior running back TJ Cole, became the sixth OBU player ever to have at least 3,000 career rushing yards, continuing the upward trend for this years team. Besides SEOSU on Nov. 5, the Tigers will finish the season against Henderson in one of the most historically noted and epic rivalries in all of sports. The Battle of the Ravine will be held at Henderson on Nov. 12 at 2 p.m. There, the Tigers will prove their stance as a legitimate contender in NCAA Division II football.