Volume 131, Issue 5: November 17, 2022

the

S GNAL

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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.

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Tigers win BOTR in thrilling overtime

BY KATIE BAYER Staff Writer

As the clock struck midnight on Sunday, Nov. 6, a thick hush whispered through the air and settled over Ouachita’s campus. Perhaps it was the nearly full moon outside each dorm window. Perhaps it was residual excitement from Tiger Tunes. Or perhaps it was something in the food at dinner. Regardless, something magical was stirring.

As the dawn raked its fingers over the tiger statue, glistening with dew that Monday morning, a primal instinct awoke in students and faculty alike as a century-long spirit once again reared its glorious head. By the time classes had begun for the day, the whisper became a roar as Tigers young and old donned their purple and gold for the 95th time in Ouachita’s history. Battle of the Ravine week was here at last.

Festivities last week were in full swing. Campus security doubled their efforts and patrolled every square inch of campus, daring a troublemaker from across the street to show themselves. Students grabbed a blanket, a cup of coffee, then made camp to Guard the Tiger alongside the Men of Rho Sigma. Talk of upcoming exams was overshadowed by the twittering of the weekend to come. All around campus, students grinned in camaraderie. No matter who people were, or what social group they were from, for this week, the student body was closer than ever before. Everyone was a Tiger, and everyone wanted to win.

For Cliff Harris, former defensive back for the Ouachita Tigers and Pro Football Fall of Fame inductee, Ouachita is the smallest school with the biggest heart.

“I’ve been coming up here for years and years, and it never

changes,” Harris said. “No matter who’s in the lead, no matter what the record is, it always comes down to the Battle of the Ravine. I was a part of several of those playing for Ouachita, and it’s so much fun and so exciting. It’s like the Super Bowl of the Ouachita season.”

The Tigers had already succeeded to snag a 10-0 regular season,

louder and louder as they prepared to cross Highway 67 into enemy territory. All around, Henderson students crossed their arms and jeered as we passed, laughing as they held up crude messages on poster boards. The students marched on. The team remained unfazed. The Tigers waited for the right moment to pounce.

ahead 34-20. All hope seemed lost until the Tigers rolled up their sleeves and tied the game 34-34.

Overtime commenced, and the Reddies had the ball. On fourth down, HSU kicked the field goal, prompting cheers from the enemy side. The Tigers stood glued to the stands, staring with uneasy eyes at the scoreboard, 37-34. But the

Ouachita senior TJ Cole ranthe ball and barreled through the stampede of purple and red before him. A pack of Reddies engulfed Cole and brought him down onto the turf. For a few agonizing seconds, all visuals were lost. In those seconds, time stood still. The silence was deafening as cheeks stung from the cold and our hearts drummed nervously inside our chests. Tiger fans let out a silent prayer: Come on Tigers, come on Tigers…

One second. Two seconds. Three. Then, a symphony of celebration. Tears of joy sprang to the eyes of fans as all of Ouachita erupted in bone-rattling applause. There on the scoreboard, the verdict lay: Henderson, 37. Ouachita, 40. The Tigers had won.

Director of Athletics David Sharp was standing at the end of the field and could only describe the winning touchdown as exhilarating. “You prepare like you prepare all year long, but you can’t get excited if you get behind or ahead, which was shown today… it was outstanding.”

but nothing would hold a candle to the game that was to come. If Ouachita won against Henderson, not only would they beat their biggest rival for the sixth consecutive year, but this would also mark their fourth undefeated regular season in the span of eight years. The stakes were high, but the tension was higher.

On Saturday, Nov. 12, Ouachita alumni and a majority of the student body marched behind the football team, raising their voices

Carpenter Haygood Stadium was packed shoulder to shoulder. The atmosphere crackled with decades-worth of history and the heat of the battle. Ouachita scored the first touchdown, but the Reddies kept the Tigers on their toes and made a scoring play of their own. For the entirety of the opening half, an unrelenting game of back-andforth occurred, ultimately tying the game at 13-13 once the whistle was blown at the half. Then, during the fourth quarter, Henderson pushed

game wasn’t over yet; Ouachita had the ball. Bragging rights, the game, the Ravine itself – it all came down to this. Henderson fought hard, but Ouachita fought harder, earning themselves the first down eight yards from the end zone. The Tigers roared like they had never roared before. Feet stamped and throats were scraped raw as animal-like excitement leapt from every mouth. Then, the crowds grew silent as thousands of eyes watched the action unfold.

Henderson hung their heads for the sixth year in a row as a sea of purple flooded onto the enemy’s field. The night was ablaze with the white-hot passion of victory as the Tigers surrounded the team, raising their arms high enough to lift the weight of anticipation from their shoulders. Months of blood, sweat and tears had finally paid off. Ouachita was set to go to the playoffs, and the Ravine would remain protected for another year. Far above our heads, the sky transitioned to a deep lavender, almost as if it knew the outcome. The Battle was over, and the night was Ouachita’s. Not a soul in the nation could match the Tiger’s joy as they raised their voices high above the clouds. On this sacred night, nothing was better than to be a Tiger.

Players celebrate Ouachita’s sixth win against the Reddies in a memorable Battle of the Ravine. The game was a nail-biter as the teams took turns scoring with Ouachita making a comeback in the game’s final four minutes. (photo by Levi Dade)

Elrod Center offers Thanksgiving baskets for Arkadelphia families

BY JACIE SELLARS Staff Writer

As the Thanksgiving season approaches, the Elrod Center is putting together Thanksgiving Baskets to provide a meal for Arkadelphia families in need. According to Judy Duvall, director of the Elrod Center, this project started almost 20 years ago, and it has continued to grow over time.

“It started small when we reached out to the community to see what families might benefit from having a meal at Thanksgiving,” Duvall said. “At first, we helped around 25 to 30 families, and it has grown over the years. Now, we serve around 100 families in Arkadelphia.”

This year, Leigh Anne McKinney, associate director of the Elrod Center, is overseeing the project. McKinney works with school counselors and local organizations like Lighthouse Ministries in order to identify families that need Thanksgiving Baskets. She also works to inform students about the project through emails and a pre-

The SAAC encourages athlete participation via Sharp Cup Competition

BY AUSTYNN CROCKER Staff Writer

The organization known as SAAC has been on campus for nearly all of Ouachita’s history. SAAC stands for Student Athletic Advisory Committee, and it is a National Collegiate Athletic Association, or NCAA, required organization. Every sport on campus has a representative that participates in SAAC meetings, who relays information about SAAC events to their teammates and participates in SAAC organized community service events.

sentation in chapel. Students have the opportunity to donate canned goods, dressing, desserts and other foods needed for a Thanksgiving meal. The Elrod Center partners with Sodexo to provide a cooked ham for each basket, and students, faculty and staff can donate money for goods. The Thanksgiving baskets also include handwritten notes, children’s books and Bibles.

“So much love goes into these baskets,” Mckinney said. “We try to give the families everything they need for a holiday meal.”

The Elrod Center partners with students, faculty and staff in order to assemble and deliver the baskets. This year’s student leader is Allie Jane Wilson. Wilson helps promote the project, gather information, find volunteers and coordinate logistics. She has helped with Thanksgiving baskets in previous years, and she loves how the project brings joy to community members and volunteers.

“I have been blessed to grow up in a loving family with a Thanksgiving meal every year, and this project brings that same joy to

families in the Arkadelphia community,” Wilson said. “I hope the families receiving these baskets will see the love that Ouachita has for them, but most importantly, the love God has for them.”

Along with donating, there are several ways for students to volunteer. On Nov. 17, students can come to the Elrod Center between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to pack the baskets. This is a simple way to help that makes a big difference. On Nov. 21, students can help deliver the baskets to the families. Each year, the families are surprised with the Thanksgiving baskets, and basket delivery gives students an opportunity to go out into the community and spread joy. Duvall described volunteering for the project as a wonderful way to serve the community.

“Ouachita students and staff have so much,” Duvall said. “We have food to eat, and we are in such a rich environment, and with that privilege comes a responsibility for us to help others and bless the lives of others. This is an opportunity for us to give back since we have been given so much.”

Although SAAC has always been an active organization on campus, it has had years where it is considerably more active than others. SAAC reached its peak at Ouachita under the leadership of Jordan Sharp, a Ouachita football player from 2013-2016. There were a dozen other members at the time, and they worked to raise funds every year to the Make-awish foundation. They made a big impact with their donations but once leaders like Jordan and other seniors graduated, SAAC became significantly less active.

Lydia Rogers, assistant athletic director for compliance, along with David Sharp, director of athletics, came up with a plan for enhancing SAAC in recent semesters. “It has to be student led,” Coach Sharp said about the direction of SAAC. One of the first objectives was to elect one or more athletes from each sport. Once this was accomplished, they continued with regular meetings, and over the summer they hosted a retreat, where SAAC members from all over the GAC were invited.

Through this event, “Stu-

dent-athletes saw the value of the relationships with other schools,” remarked Rogers. She continued to explain how the SAAC members from different universities were able to connect and learn from each other. “It has been good to see SAAC come together to discuss various institutions’ issues.”

As Student Athletic Advisory Committee continues to grow, EJ Day, a junior on the volleyball team, was recently elected as president. The committee is working to create more positions where athletes can serve. During Rogers’ quest to enhance SAAC, she met with Audra Kedy, senior associate commissioner for compliance for the GAC, and they discussed what SAAC needs to focus on. Kedy helped provide the answer: community service and community engagement. Community service is available through the Elrod Center’s TranServe, by aiding organizations like Lighthouse Ministries and the Humane Society.

As for Community engagement, SAAC leadership devised a plan to enhance and encourage athlete to athlete game attendance. Athletes will now receive a point for their sport for every game or tournament they attend for Ouachita. By the end of the academic year, the sport with the most points will win the Sharp Cup, a coveted title. The Sharp Cup is one of the incentives for athletes to watch other sports compete, but the friendly competition aspect is driving all of OBU’s student-athletes to attend as many sporting events as possible. The student-athletes of the SAAC are working hard and making significant progress to create an encouraging and dedicated culture for sports at Ouachita.

The Elrod Center’s mission focuses on service in the community. The Thanksgiving Baskets project was started almost 20 years ago to provide Thanksgiving meals to those in need and has now grown to serve 100 families. (photo by Levi Dade)

Junior Chase Hartsell wins student production award, highlights Battle of the Ravine history

BY Matthew Cheatham Staff Writer

Ouachita added to its reputation of producing some of Arkansas’ finest communications students recently when junior Chase Hartsell, a sports media major, was awarded a National Student Production Award, also referred to as a Student Emmy, by the Mid-America chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) for his 2021 project named “A November Morn,” highlighting the history of the Battle of the

Ravine between Ouachita Baptist University and Henderson State University.

Unlike a traditional news package, the project is a video poem narrated by Dr. Jeff Root and Dr. Casey Motl with guidance and inspiration from Chris Babb, instructor of communications, and his sports media class. The final product debuted on the Ouachita Sports Digital Network’s “OSDN GameDay” live show that was aired prior to BOTR 2021.

“Featuring archival footage and photos as well as current videos and images, this project pays trib-

ute to the past, present and future of the rivalry,” said Hartsell.

“Many of the judges for this award had never heard of Battle of the Ravine beforehand, but after watching the video, they said they could see the significance of the game,” Hartsell said. “It’s also been a blessing to see how this project has served as a promotion for OSDN and the Rogers Department of Communications.”

Hartsell’s Student Emmy is a significant addition to both Ouachita’s communications department and himself.

“For me personally, this award

has presented a great networking opportunity,” Hartsell said. “It has allowed me to get my name out there in a new way, and I’ve been able to connect with professionals and other students from around the region as a result of this experience.”

The NATAS’s official mission statement stated on their website is “to provide scholarships to deserving high school and college students who are studying or intend to study journalism, broadcast television, television production and communications.”

Hartsell added, “I am so grate-

ful for the feedback that I received from both of these groups, and I was both surprised and honored when I got the news that my project had won the award from NATAS Mid-America. It was a really special moment.”

Hartsell”s “A November Morn” is available to watch on the Ouachita Sports Digital Network channel on YouTube. All tigers are encouraged to view and educate themselves on the school comradery, town’s excitement, and nation’s amazement at one of college sports fiercest rivalries that takes place all on one November morn.

Left: Chase Hartsell poses for a picture on campus with his Student Production award from the Mid-America chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. (photo by Sarah Dean) Right: Hartsell attended the 46th annual Regional Emmy Gala on Oct. 29 in St. Louis, Mo., to be recognized and presented a Student Emmy for his video poem inspired by the Battle of the Ravine titled, “A November Morn.”

Guitarmageddon showcases music majors

BY RACHEL DUNNAM Staff Writer

This past Tuesday, the Division of Music at OBU hosted a spectacular music showcase, better known as Guitarmageddon. Guitarmageddon is a bi-annual event held every semester by Ouachita guitar and bass music majors and the music industry program. Directed by Dr. Bruce Johnston with his Guitar Seminar class, Guitarmageddon has been a fan favorite event here on campus for six years.

“I wanted to create a band using only me and the class,” Johnston said. “I wanted it to be fun first, so I let everyone play on every song, which means we’re basically the OBU guitar ensemble. With everyone playing on every song, it becomes quite an overwhelming guitar aesthetic, so I jokingly called it ‘Guitarmageddon’ the first semester we held the event, and it just stuck.”

The former dean of the School of Fine Arts, Dr. Gary Gerber, first

discussed the idea for an on campus performance with Johnston six years ago. Guitarmageddon became an opportunity for guitar students to get performance experience while also being an entertainment source for the Student Center.

“I wanted to do something that was a little less formal than a con-

cert hall performance; to me, it needs to feel more like a ‘gig’ at a venue,” Johnston said. “So, I got together with Tim Harrell, and we put it on the Dr. Jack’s stage, where we still hold it to this day.”

The students and faculty involved in the event worked all semester to make Guitarmageddon

a show to remember. The guitarists meet once a week, as well as periodically out of class, to practice to put on the show at the end of the semester and showcase all of their work. This year, Guitarmageddon featured Dr. Johnston, Harrison Shuffield, Austin Murberger, Garrett Taylor, Logan Tal-

ley, Ayden Bennett, Collin Clark, Jamie Linton, Meredith Medford, Brynn Clark, Chaney Campbell and Chloe Wallace. The event took place on Dr. Jack’s stage. Students were able to receive both PAC and arts engagement credit for attending the event.

With all different styles of music and variety of vocalists, it is no surprise that Guitarmageddon was a hit again this year. Meredith Medford, a junior music industry major, spoke about her experience with the event.

“It’s one of my favorite events that I’m a part of,” Medford said. “It has allowed me as a music industry student to get real-life experience singing all different kinds of genres. It’s also so much fun because we all work together really well, and when you have a good atmosphere to practice in, it makes the experience much better.”

Guitarmageddon offers something for everyone and was an event to remember. It will take place again in the spring of 2023 with a new set list to rock out to.

Theater presents “A Servant to Two Masters”

BY SIERRA HOSS Guest Writer

Ouachita’s Department of Theatre Arts will present “A Servant to Two Masters” from Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 17-19, and Monday, Nov. 21, at 7:30 p.m. in Verser Theatre. A matinee performance is set for Sunday, Nov. 20 at 2:30 p.m. Written by Carlo Goldoni in 1746 and adapted by David Turner and Paul Lapworth, “A Servant to Two Masters” is a comedy that tells the story of Truffaldino, a hungry servant who, upon realizing that working for two masters could ensure him a greater supply of food,

tries to do the job of two men while working desperately to conceal that fact from both employers.

The production is directed by Ouachita alumna Shelby-Allison

Hibbs, executive director of The Studio Theatre in Sherwood, Ark. Hibbs earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in directing from Baylor University and has worked extensively among theatre companies in the Dallas area as a performer, playwright, director and producer. Through her work with Echo Theatre in Dallas, she received the 2014 Outstanding New Play award from the Dallas/Fort Worth Theatre Critics Forum and the 2015 Steve Lovett Award for Outstanding New

Work by a Local Playwright from “The Column,” a Dallas-based publication honoring excellence in theatre.

“It’s been wonderful to reconnect with my professors and work with current students, who have been so inventive and energetic in every rehearsal,” Hibbs said. “Working on this show has been an absolute joy, and Ouachita should be proud of the current talent in the theatre department.”

“Shelby is awesome to work with because she collaborates with the actors and allows us to make choices and be creative,” said Maddy Moore, a junior musical theatre and theatre arts double

major from Mesquite, Texas, who plays Pantalone.

“The Servant of Two Masters” draws on the tradition of commedia dell’arte, a genre developed in Italy the 16th-18th centuries in which masked actors improvise from a plot outline based on themes associated with stock characters and situations. Moore said that being part of the cast is teaching her a lot about performing this early form of professional theatre.

“Everyone in the cast brings their own personalities to the show,” she added, “which creates a loving and fun environment.”

Erin Bagley, a senior musical theatre major from White Oak,

Texas, is assistant director of the production. She said her duties include “watching Shelby and how she directs, works with the actors and communicates what she wants. It’s good to have students work under a director to see how it’s done, and it’s a good experience to have someone mentor you in something that could be your job in the future.”

Tickets are available through the Ouachita Box Office, online at www.obu.edu/boxoffice or in person weekdays from 1-5 p.m. Current Ouachita students may receive one free ticket with their student ID. For more information, contact the Ouachita Box Office.

2021 graduate Ethan Kuntz plays guitar at guitarmageddon. Guitarmeggedon showcased guitar and bass music majors as well as the music industry program while entertaining students with rock and roll performances. (photo by Hannah Adamson)

Taylor Swift’s Midnights album review

BY MADISON BASCO Staff Writer

Taylor Swift has left her fans in awe for the past couple of years. After dropping two albums, Folklore and Evermore, in 2020 and two rerecordings, Fearless: Taylor’s Version and Red: Taylor’s Version, she has come back yet again, dropping something brand new. Titled “Midnights,” this album is a collection of songs that journey through Swift’s “sleepless nights” and reflects on heartfelt themes such as insecurity, anxiety and self criticism. Midnights is beautifully written, genius and one of Swift’s best albums yet.

Swift is known for reinventing

her music. From her debut album, to 1989, to Folklore, Swift has transitioned from country, to pop, to alternative indie folk music. With Midnights, Swift returns to her roots and releases a more synthesized pop album, leaving the alternative folk behind from her last two album releases. Many listeners of Swift ran to Twitter, TikTok and Instagram complaining about the switch back to upbeat pop, claiming that the album did not feel as impactful or soulful as her last two. However, Midnights is not only a fun album to scream in the car, it is a truly brilliant piece that encapsulates Swift’s biggest fears, nightmares and insecurities. Swift crafted a melodic album while still being able to highlight such

important and relatable themes, which is rare in the music industry today and truly captivating.

The album consists of 13 tracks and seven bonus tracks. Some of the songs dive into deep themes and ideas while others are carefully crafted upbeat pop songs that can be listened to at any time. “Anti-Hero” and “Karma” are my top two songs and are a great example of the variety of this album. “Anti-Hero” is a genuine and honest piece where Swift reflects on herself and who she is as well as what the world thinks of her. Throughout the song she characterizes herself as a villain, reflecting on her struggles with depression and self-criticism. “Anti-Hero” is an astounding song that is relatable

and heartfelt. Swift delves into what it feels like to struggle with anxiety along with what that mindset does to self image. Many people resonate with her lyrics which is what makes Swift such a talented songwriter and singer. After listening to this song, the lyrics truly stay with you. “Anti-Hero” was her first song to stay No. 1 on the Hot 100s for multiple weeks since her song “Look What You Made Me Do” in 2017.

“Karma” is another song on the album that quickly became a fan favorite. This song contrasts most of the songs on the album. Midnights is a collection of songs that captivate the feeling of being awake in the middle of the night when thoughts of self-hatred spin

out of control. However, “Karma” is the exact opposite. It’s about being happy with who you are and content with the life you are living so much that you are being rewarded for that. It’s a classic song that can be played with the windows down. The lyrics are witty, which is something Swift is known for. “Karma” definitely radiates classic Taylor Swift with an upbeat melody and catchy tune.

Swift did an amazing job crafting each of these songs to display different emotions and feelings about important topics and relationships. Midnights has a song for everybody, and if you do not listen to it, you are missing out on the true lyrical genius that Swift displayed in this album.

Breaking bread and practicing thankfulness

BY LEVI DADE Guest Writer

Have you ever noticed how once the calendar turns from Oct. 31 to Nov. 1, people, businesses and churches begin decorating for Christmas? Once Halloween is done, I often hear the remark, “Why are people already decorating for Christmas?” Of course, no one actually forgets Thanksgiving,

From Mariah Halbert...

Have a glass of spice tea!

Mix the powder in a bigger container. When storing the powder, seal it tight allowing no moisture in. Two tbsp of the powder mix in a mug and add hot water over. Stir and enjoy! Add more powder to taste. It can be enjoyed cold as well!

but what people might forget is its significance. The Thanksgiving holiday is everyone’s chance to enter into a time of gratitude. Why is this significant? We aren’t just thankful once a year. We are thankful many times a week, or at least we should be. Thanksgiving is more important than many of us realize.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us to “give thanks in everything.” I doubt Paul had once a year in mind

- 2 cups of tang

- 1 1/2 of instant tea

- 1 lemonade package

- 1 tsp ground cloves

- 1 tsp cinnamon

- 2 cups of sugar

- Tbsp of mix per cup

when he wrote that! The practice of remembering what the Lord has done for us and being thankful for that is one way we can be motivated to live a life that honors Him. Because He has done so much for us, we should want to live in obedience as an expression of our gratitude.

One reason the tradition of eating a meal with those we love is a big part of Thanksgiving is because it is very relational. This may not

always be the case in our context, but it was in biblical times. In Jesus’ day, eating a meal with someone communicated to that person that He accepted them and loved them. This is why when you read the Gospels, you always see Jesus eating a meal with tax collectors and sinners, but you never see the Pharisees eating with them. The Pharisees thought that anyone less than them was not worthy to speak to them. Yet Jesus ate with them.

Signal staff’s Thanksgiving must-haves!

From Madison Basco...

Thanksgiving Bread!

Preheat oven 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients and place in two loaf pans. Takes about 45 min. to cook. Done when you stick with toothpick and it comes out clean. Wrap immediately in foil. Serve with cool whip on top!

- 3 1/3 cup flower

- 3 cup sugar

- 2 tsp baking soda

- 1 1/2 tsp salt

- 1 tsp cinammon

- 1 tsp nugmeg

- 1 cup oil

- 4 eggs

- 2/3 cup water

- 1 cup pumpkin

From Addie Chumley...

Trace Creek Potatoes!

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place thawed potatoes in a 9 x 13 inch baking dish, Mix together next 7 ingredients and pour over potatoes. Top with crushed cornflakes and drizzle melted butter all over. Bake uncovered at 350 for 45 minutes. Serves 12.

He showed them that he loved them and wanted the best for them. During this time of gratitude, maybe that is what we should do. When we are at Thanksgiving dinner, maybe we should express our love and appreciation for those who are around us, to those who might feel unworthy or unloved. Perhaps through our gratitude for others and for Christ, we can demonstrate the love of God to those who need to experience it the most.

- 32 oz package of frozen potatoes

- 1/2 cup melted butter

- 1 10 1/2 oz can of cream of chicken soup

- 12 oz grated American cheese

- 8 oz carton of sour cream

- 1 tsp of salt

- 1/4 tsp of pepper

- 1/2 small onion chopped

- 2 cups crushed cornflakes

- 1/2 cup of melted butter

ESPN, this is why you should pick up BOTR

BY ISAAC BOURNE Sports Editor

The 95th edition of the Battle of the Ravine did not disappoint, bringing excitement and drama to a storied rivalry that has stood the test of time. Through the movement of divisions and conferences, Ouachita Baptist and Henderson State have remained bitter rivals. The unique premise of one team crossing the highway to the other team’s stadium is unheard of in college football.

“It’s such a unique deal,” remarked Chris Babb, director of sports media productions. “The visiting team dresses in their locker room and walks across the road; there’s just nothing like it.”

Multiple attempts have been made to get the game picked up by a major TV network, but many have wished for the biggest network of them all, ESPN, which hosts their College Gameday at the site of a featured matchup for the week. While many would be surprised as to why they would visit a DII school, Babb is adamant.

“From our perspective, they’ve gone to a DIII school, an HBCU and an FCS school (for the event), so a DII school is bound to be next,” Babb said.

And he has a compelling case, as the story of rivals across the street seems like an excellent premise for College Gameday, especially since the game is usually between two of the top teams in the GAC and often decides who wins the conference.

The numbers back up the event’s importance as well, as the OSDN broadcast of the game from last year garnered over 10,000 views on YouTube, while the broadcast of the game from this year posted by Henderson Athletics has 6.6 thousand in just 24 hours. No matter which way you see it, this game draws viewers, and an ESPN broadcast of the game would just bring more popularity to a game that is already special in the hearts of Arkadelphians.

“We know it’s special and unique, so it would be great if the people on the national level could see it too,” Babb said.

After this year’s game brought a two-score comeback and an over-

time victory to one of the top teams in DII, it will make the matchup hard to resist for the story-hungry ESPN who is always looking for a new and exciting take on the college football scene.

It would not be the first time this rivalry has seen itself in the mainstream media, as College Gameday has given lip service to the rivalry,

and Sports Illustrated published an article on the game back in the fall of 2019.

While restrictions on the time of the season may be a turn-off for the channel, seeing as DI games this late in the season may have higher stakes, generating greater stories for College Gameday, the stakes of this game stack up just as high. Out

of the past 10 matchups between Henderson and Ouachita, seven of them have featured teams with playoff aspirations with just a single team in the way.

This storied rivalry has everything that a major sports media channel could want, so please, ESPN, give the Battle of the Ravine a shot.

Women’s cross country wins GAC after big season

BY EMILEE WEBB

News Editor

The Ouachita Women’s Cross Country Team was named the Great American Conference Champions on Nov. 5 after competing in Shawnee, Okla., for the championship title. After beginning the season ranked fifth, the team fought hard for its well-deserved conference win.

The achievement was a huge thrill for the Tigers. Freshman kinesiology major Addison Southerland spoke about her initial reaction to hearing the news.

“It was really exciting,” Southerland said. “Honestly, it took a minute to sink in because we are such a young team, and that’s never been done before in our program. We got 5th last year, so it was a big jump for us to go from fifth to first. And our team has grown so much, so it was just a bit of a shock.”

The night before the race was also crucial for the cross country team. Taylor Koeth, a junior secondary education and English major, explained that the team spent time together and focused on their reason for running the race.

“The night before, we got to go into Oklahoma City and have din-

ner to get our mind off of the race,” Koeth said. “I think getting the focus off of the race and onto God helped the team immensely. So, during the race, we were focused on running for somebody other than ourselves.”

During the championship race, the Women’s Cross Country Team put all of its hard work into practice. Each girl was in a great mindset, and they all worked to encourage each other to run a great race. Another well-deserved title was given to the team’s coach, Steve Guymon. Guymon was named the GAC coach of the year. Taylor Koeth expressed the impact that

Coach Guymon has made on the team and its participants.

“I think you can ask anyone on the team and they will tell you that Coach Guymon is the main reason that they wound up running at Ouachita,” said Koeth as she talked about Guymon’s influence on the team.

She added, “He puts the time into recruiting you, and then once you get here, he makes sure that you’re doing well in school and that you’re running well. You can go to him with anything, and he always has suggestions and ideas about what you can do. He’s definitely been instrumental for the

team’s success.”

The Women’s Cross Country Team is ecstatic looking into its upcoming indoor and outdoor track seasons, as well as next year’s cross country season. Southerland explains the team’s headspace moving forward.

“Coach Guymon already wants to look toward nationals in the upcoming years. I think this gave us all a confidence boost that we are making a name for ourselves. We are definitely going to be a dominating force for the next couple of years. We will just get bigger and better and continue to grow as a team.”

As one of the unique traditions of the Battle of the Ravine, coaches and players of the OBU football team cross the highway in their uniforms to play Henderson State. The Tigers won after an eventful game of alternating leads. (Photo by Levi Dade)