3-6-23 Emerald Media Group - ODE

NEWSROOM

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Hannarose McGuinness

PRINT MANAGING EDITOR

Brandon Roth

DIGITAL MANAGING EDITOR

Sarah Matlick

NEWS EDITORS

Alexis Weisend

Gavin Gamez

Caleb Barber

A&C EDITORS

Krista Kroiss

Evan Reynolds

SPORTS EDITORS

Aaron Heisen

Mojo Hill

OPINION EDITORS

Emma J Nelson

Sophia Cossette

PHOTO EDITOR

Maddie Stellingwerf

SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER

Ian Enger

DESIGN EDITOR

Liz Blodgett

COPY CHIEF

Amanda Lurey

ASSOCIATE COPY EDITORS

Dylan Farell

Logan Robertson

VIDEO EDITOR Troy Munson

PODCAST EDITOR

Jamie Diep

SOCIALS EDITOR

Jennifer Singh

VISUALS EDITOR

Julia Stalnaker

BUSINESS

PUBLISHER & PRESIDENT

Bill Kunerth X317 bkunerth@dailyemerald.com

VP OPERATIONS Kathy Carbone X302 kcarbone@dailyemerald.com

DIRECTOR OF SALES & DIGITAL MARKETING

Shelly Rondestvedt X303 srondestvedt@dailyemerald.com

CREATIVE & TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

Annie Smith X327 creative@dailyemerald.com

STUDENT SALES MANAGER

Amy Mendez

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Riley Valle

Keaton Roberts

Max Goldenberg

Josh Delapena

ON THE COVER

Claire Porter stands center of the group. Claire led the workshop and taught the attendees the

PHASE TWO OF THE HAMILTON WALTON TRANSFORMATION PROJECT IS IN PROGRESS

PHASE TWO OF THE HAMILTON WALTON TRANSFORMATION PROJECT IS IN PROGRESS

Construction is in progress of Building B and Building C, two new dormitories, starting Phase two of the Hamilton Walton Transformation Project by the University of Oregon.

BY JASMINE SABOORIAN

The Hamilton Walton Transformation Project is in progress as Phase two is underway to construct two new residence halls, temporarily known as Building B and Building C.

Phase one was the demolition of Walton Hall and the creation of Unthank Hall. Phase two includes Building B and Building C. Building B will be a traditional freshman dormitory while Building C will contain new, apartment-style residences designated for upperclassmen.

Building B, the traditional freshman dormitory residence hall, will contain many new amenities for its residents. It will offer single, double and triple rooms with attached bathrooms for up to 705 students. Building C will offer single-studio and four-bedroom units with bathrooms and kitchens for up to 400 students.

Building B and Building C will be replacing the already demolished Walton Hall and the soonto-be-demolished Hamilton Hall.

“Times have changed and needs have changed,” Director for University Housing and Associate Vice President for Student Services and Enrollment Manager Michael Griffel said. “We are incredibly fortunate to work with a lot of students, stakeholders and community members to develop this project that brought us Unthank Hall and is bringing us Building B and Building C.”

Building B’s amenities have been revamped to fit today’s standards of comfortable and convenient living as a student on campus, Griffel said. Additional amenities include a community kitchen, music practice rooms, a bike shelter, laundry facilities, study rooms, community lounges, landscaped courtyards, a service center and a package center.

“It’ll feel very familiar to Unthank Hall,” Griffel said. “As you walk through any of our buildings, you’ll know that they’re about learning and community and students making connections.”

According to Griffel, Building C will be different from any other residence hall at the University of Oregon because it will be the first apartment-style, on-campus residence hall.

It will include a bike shelter, music practice rooms, laundry facilities, study rooms, lounges, landscaped courtyards and one meal per day at Carson Dining for on-campus convenience.

The University of Oregon is receiving positive income from current students and prospective students and families that are eager to live in Building B and Building C, Griffel said.

From an architectural perspective, Mike Harwood, associate vice president for Campus Planning and Facilities Management and university architect, said the Hamilton Walton Transformation Project has been a five-to-sixyear vision that is now in the final stages.

“We had the idea of trying to keep the scale consistent using materials that are familiar,” Harwood said. “But also introducing a more cost-effective material and trying to do that in an interesting way that keeps the pattern and interest of the buildings on campus.”

The funding process behind the Hamilton Walton Transformation Project is known as housing receipts. They are separate from tuition but linked to room and board rates.

With the demolition of Hamilton Hall, the number of students admitted to the University of Oregon will not significantly change as Building B and Building C will closely replace about the same amount of space.

Phase two of the Hamilton Walton Transformation Project is set to be completed this July, and the residence halls will be ready for occupancy by fall 2023.

Second

most

past week: UO’s College of Arts and Sciences will not hold departmental commencement ceremonies” by Alexis Weisend

(Maddie Stellingwerf/Emerald)

Voices

to participate in our next Voices of UO. “Do you prefer bluetooth or good oldfashioned cord headphones?”

Do you want your voice heard literally? Scan here to respond to our Voices of UO prompt with a brief voice message, and head to www. dailyemerald. com/ multimedia/ podcasts/ next week to listen to the replies!

(Maisie Plew/Emerald)

For updated coverage of sports and digital-exclusive content, go to www.dailyemerald.com

Across from Hayward Field, construction on the Hamilton and Walton project continues in Eugene, Ore., on Feb. 6, 2021. (DL Young/ Emerald)

BOWMAN: THE TWO SIDES OF NEXTDOOR BOWMAN: THE TWO SIDES OF NEXTDOOR

Opinion: Does Nextdoor encourage users to love, or hate, their neighbors?

Nextdoor is a social media app that allows neighbors to get in touch with each other — whether that be to buy and sell items, ask for advice or share news. While lovely in concept, users are notorious for complaining to other neighbors, specifically about crime and the houseless population.

Until recently, I had never used the Nextdoor app, but I saw its potential as a vehicle for community building and mutual aid. I was also curious: Were the stereotypes true? Or is there more to Nextdoor than meets the eye?

After scrolling through the first 100 posts on my home page, I found that the three most popular types of posts were advertising the sale of a good or service (20%), complaints about crime or suspicious activity (19%) and giving or soliciting recommendations (17%). Other common types of posts related to missing or found pets (10%) and the recent and disturbing development of antisemitic and transphobic flyers delivered to people’s front porches (9%). I saw five posts offering to give away free goods, four mutual aid requests and one complaint directly referencing the houseless population (although posts and comments alluding to the neighborhood “going downhill” or suspicious persons were not uncommon). While the majority of posts were neutral in nature, overtly negative posts outnumbered overtly positive posts by about three to one.

Is engagement with community members truly beneficial if so much time is devoted to theft, break ins and suspicious persons lurking in the park? How is one to love thy neighbor when reading post after post complaining about how the neighborhood is going to shit? In some ways, Nextdoor encourages neighbors to fear one another. I may feel for Janice and the package that got stolen off her porch, but how is posting the Ring video footage keeping the community safe? Instead, it encourages paranoia and distrust toward other community members without getting to the root as to why people steal in the first place. Still, as someone who longs for a community in which neighbors know and help each other, I don’t want to dismiss the app entirely.

My opinion is only so valuable, given I have only had the app downloaded for a couple of weeks. So I decided to ask the people of Nextdoor what they thought about the app. I received over 40 responses in only a couple of days. Some commenters were enthusiastic about Nextdoor and the community they had found there. Most comments were more nuanced in nature, such as a DM I received from Sebastiane P., who uses the app as a way to help his neighbors find their

BY SHELTON BOWMAN

lost pets. He explained that the app appears to be “less about helping neighbors and more about complaining about neighbor conduct,” something he is critical of. “We could come on here and offer our neighbors fresh muffins out of the oven if we wanted to,” Sebastiane P. said.

Another reply came from Donna M.: “Social media of all kinds, this platform included, reveals our weaknesses, fears and judgemental tendencies. Just like with voluntary surveys, the data collected will always be skewed to only include the kind of people who want to participate. Generalizations of humanity cannot be made from it, as it will always omit data of the people who choose not to use social media.”

The consensus is the app is too negative and that they were tired of the frequent complaints about crime and neighbor conduct, although some appreciate the app as a place to air grievances and keep themselves informed on criminal activity. Those who had positive experiences on the app were those who reached out for help and received support from the community. One man said it was people on Nextdoor who helped him finance his dentures. Several people commented that the app helped them find their lost pets, and one woman was grateful to the people on Nextdoor who shared toys with her when her grandchild came to visit. Linda M. said, “Nextdoor has been a surprise to me. The people are so helpful and kind. I have seen an outpouring of kindness.”

I saw a lot of this kindness and community

support myself. I saw posts inviting people to potlucks and neighborhood events as well as posts thanking community members for lending a helping hand during hard times. I saw people rallying behind their trans and Jewish neighbors, stating their horror at the antisemitic and transphobic flyers they had received, promising to donate to the ACLU and offering support to those affected.

I left the experience with a more nuanced understanding of Nextdoor. I am hopeful that neighbors, when given the opportunity, will come forward to help one another. I enjoyed hearing the experiences of others. I, too, experienced an outpour of support after posting about my article, with many commenters wishing me luck and expressing excitement about the story. Still, I can’t help but feel unsettled about the surveillance, the promotion of shame as a method for social control and the comments and posts that encouraged the distrust of others. As John C. ominously put it, “Nextdoor! It’s like Yelp for neighbors.”

I don’t want an app on my phone where individuals are reviewed and critiqued. Despite this, I still see the potential of Nextdoor as a platform for mutual aid, political organization and community care. Community members want to help each other and, when provided with opportunities, will support one another. I hope those who read this will be encouraged to reach out to their neighbors, whether on or off the app.

(Stella Fetherston/Emerald)

@DailyEmerald

The Daily Emerald is UO’s student-run, independent and award-winning weekly newspaper. We cover everything on the UO campus as well as the surrounding area. Our weekly print editions and daily online content includes visual stories, multimedia, news, A&C, sports and opinion.

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Ethos Magazine is a quarterly features magazine. Our mission is to elevate the voices of marginalized people who are underrepresented in the media landscape, and to write in-depth, human-focused stories about the issues a ecting them.

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To learn more visit dailyemerald.com/emg/

NEWSROOM

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Hannarose McGuinness

PRINT MANAGING EDITOR

Brandon Roth

DIGITAL MANAGING EDITOR

Sarah Matlick

NEWS EDITORS

Alexis Weisend

Gavin Gamez

Caleb Barber

A&C EDITORS

Krista Kroiss

Evan Reynolds

SPORTS EDITORS

Aaron Heisen

Mojo Hill

OPINION EDITORS

Emma J Nelson

Sophia Cossette

PHOTO EDITOR

Maddie Stellingwerf

SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER

Ian Enger

DESIGN EDITOR

Liz Blodgett

COPY CHIEF

Amanda Lurey

ASSOCIATE COPY EDITORS

Dylan Farell

Logan Robertson

VIDEO EDITOR

Troy Munson

PODCAST EDITOR

Jamie Diep

SOCIALS EDITOR

Jennifer Singh

VISUALS EDITOR

Julia Stalnaker

BUSINESS

PUBLISHER & PRESIDENT

Bill Kunerth X317 bkunerth@dailyemerald.com

VP OPERATIONS

Kathy Carbone X302 kcarbone@dailyemerald.com

DIRECTOR OF SALES & DIGITAL MARKETING

Shelly Rondestvedt X303 srondestvedt@dailyemerald.com

CREATIVE & TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

Annie Smith X327 creative@dailyemerald.com

STUDENT SALES MANAGER

Amy Mendez

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Riley Valle

Keaton Roberts

Max Goldenberg

Josh Delapena

ON THE COVER

N’Faly Dante looks up in frustration at the ending stage of

MARCH MADNESS MINUTES RESTRICTION FOR A PROMISING ATHLETE

5-star freshman center Kel’el Ware has seen role diminish, but why?

What happened to Kel’el Ware’s production on the Oregon men’s basketball team?

A guy who showed promise in the former part of the 20222023 season with his four double digit shooting performances and stints of multiple blocks per game, has seen his role diminish this month.

“I was disappointed in his effort. I let him know that. He’s going to have to make some adjustments or I’ve got to make some decisions,” Oregon head coach Dana Altman said. “His time has been reduced. That doesn’t help us, because he is talented.”

Over the last 14 games, he has averaged a modest 9.6 minutes and 32.7 field goal percentage per game.

This has been a stunning realization to Ducks’ fans.

Ware arrived in Eugene on July 1, 2022, as the prized recruit of the 2022 recruiting class.

The Little Rock, Arkansas native, towers over defenders with his 7 feet, 210 pound frame. According to 247 Sports, he was a 5-star recruit, ranked No. 7 overall in his class and was considered to be a one-and-done NBA prospect.

Ware had four double digit scoring outings in the beginning of the season albeit in the first month of play, where he posted 13, 16, 17 and a career-high 18 points.

Since then, he only produced double digits once, which came in the Dec. 31 victory over in-state rival Oregon State University.

In the post game conference, Altman made sarcastic remarks about Ware’s showing, conveying that he hadn’t been pleased with the efforts of the heralded freshman.

“At least acted like he wanted to be here tonight,” Altman said.

BY KEIJI PATTERSON TWITTER @KEIJI PATTERSON

This came in part to a compliment about Ware’s energy on the floor.

The subsequent matchup against the Colorado Buffaloes — where Oregon got blown out 68-41 — was when Altman reduced Ware’s minutes in half.

Prior to this occurrence, he played 22.5 minutes per contest during the months of November and December.

It’d be unfair to discount the emergence of sophomore center Nate Bittle, of Central Point, OR. Another former 5-star recruit from the 2021 class, albeit viewed as a project when he signed, has averaged 19 since the Colorado contest.

Bittle’s 7-foot, 215-pound physique provides the Ducks with a long and wiry rim protector next to star center N’Faly Dante (5star in ‘20 class).

Bittle has posted 19.3 minutes, 6.6 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.4 blocks, while he’s provided a veteran presence after riding the pine most of his freshman year.

Perhaps this is Altman’s strategy toward Ware, if the center decides to stay another year.

It will be interesting to see if the Ducks can secure a bid to go dancing this mark or if they make some noise in the NIT tournament.

Kel’el Ware ultimately got six rebounds, one assist and 10 points in the March 2 game against the Golden Bears . With his contribution, the Ducks beat them 84-51.

Kel’el Ware misses the ball as his opponent goes for a layup. The Oregon Ducks face the Florida A&M Rattlers on November 7, 2022, at Matthew Knight Arena. (Jonathan Suni, Emerald)

LOOKING BACK AT THE MOST MEMORABLE NCAA TOURNAMENT RUNS FROM OREGON’S BASKETBALL PROGRAMS

LOOKING BACK AT THE MOST MEMORABLE NCAA TOURNAMENT RUNS FROM OREGON’S BASKETBALL PROGRAMS

Both of the Ducks’ basketball teams have strung together some impressive March Madness runs over the years. Let’s rank them.

BY BRADY RUTH • TWITTER @BRADYRUTH10

Look, Duck fans. We all know. These basketball seasons that the Oregon men’s and women’s teams have put together this year aren’t what we expected. Both programs started the year ranked, but now are fighting just to be bubble teams for this year’s NCAA tournament.

The men’s team is looking like a National Invitational Tournament lock barring a miraculous run at the Pac-12 tournament in Las Vegas. The women’s team sits on the bubble right now, but it still has the Pac-12 tournament left on the schedule.

Women’s head coach Kelly Graves remains optimistic.

“I still think that we’re a team that’s going to get into the NCAA [tournament]. I truly do,” Graves said in an interview on Feb. 21.

It certainly appears that the women’s team has a better shot than the men’s. But with both programs serving as a major question mark for this year’s tournament, it seems fitting to look back on brighter years and relive some of the best March Madness runs in school history.

1939 INAUGURAL TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS

It was the Ducks – called the Webfoots at the time – that won the first ever NCAA men’s basketball tournament. Sure, at the time it was only an eight-team tournament instead of the 68-team gauntlet we know today. But the banner still proudly hangs at Matthew Knight Arena to celebrate the lone National Championship between either program. Oregon defeated Texas 56-41, Oklahoma 55-37 and Ohio State 46-33 to win the first ever National Tournament. The competition was far from what it is today, and the path for a championship is significantly more daunting now. But Oregon got a championship out of the 1939 tournament, and so the run comes in at No. 1 on my list.

2019 WOMEN’S FINAL FOUR RUN

The Final Four is the furthest the women’s team has ever gone, but what a run it was. The Ducks were a No. 2 seed and won four games over No. 15 Portland State 78-40, No. 10 Indiana 91-68, No. 6 South Dakota 63-53 and No. 1 Mississippi

State 88-84 before falling to the eventual national champions: No. 1 Baylor 67-72. Oregon set several school NCAA Tournament records for fewest points allowed (40), most rebounds (50) and most steals (16) against Portland State. The Ducks also set a school record for 3-pointers made in a tournament game with 13 against Mississippi State.

Guard Sabrina Ionescu set several records as well. Against Mississippi State, she set Oregon records for most total points (31), field goals made (12) and 3-pointers made (5) in a tournament game.

The 2019 Ducks felt like a team of destiny, and they made an incredible run. It would have been great to have seen that team get another shot in 2020. Thanks a lot, COVID-19. Regardless, the women’s best tournament run in program history fits nicely on my list.

2017

MEN’S FINAL FOUR RUN

As you’ll see across the next two bits, the 2017 tournament was quite a year for Oregon’s basketball programs. The men’s team entered March Madness as the No. 3 seed in the Midwest bracket – and won it. The Ducks took down No. 14 Iona 93-77, No. 11 Rhode Island 75-72, No. 7 Michigan 69-68 and No. 1 Kansas 74-60.

Guard Tyler Dorsey set an Oregon record for best field goal percentage (.900) in a tournament game in the win over Rhode Island. The Ducks lost a heartbreaker to No. 1 North Carolina 76-77. The Tar Heels went on to win the whole dang thing leaving Oregon fans to wonder what could have been if just a few more shots had fallen.

But the men’s best run of recent memory still deserves to have a spot on this list, and for me, it’s right here at No. 3.

2017

WOMEN’S ELITE EIGHT APPEARANCE

I wasn’t lying when I said March 2017 was a memorable one for the green and yellow. The teams the women knocked off this year are arguably more impressive than the ones the men did. But the men’s team made it just one game further and lost to the eventual national champion, so it ranks just slightly higher.

But the women’s team entered as a No. 10 seed and stole the show. In one of the true Cinderella stories of that tournament, the Ducks took down No. 7 Temple 71-70, No. 2 Duke 74-65 and No. 3 Maryland 77-63. They set a program record for best free throw percentage (93.8) in a tournament game in their win over the Terrapins. But Oregon ran into a bigger women’s basketball powerhouse: No. 1 UConn. The Huskies trampled the Ducks 9052 in the Elite Eight and squashed the unexpected run. But it was Ionescu and Ruthy Hebard’s first seasons with Oregon and it gave the duo a muchneeded taste of the postseason.

What the Ducks did in that 2017 tournament was incredible, and it put Oregon women’s basketball back on the map. It was the first NCAA tournament that the team had made since 2005, and the Ducks have made each tournament (except for the 2020 cancellation) since. We’ll hold out hope that this year’s team can find a way to keep the streak alive.

2013 MEN’S SWEET 16 APPEARANCE AND THE BEGINNING OF THE ALTMAN ERA

Dana Altman’s first tournament appearance with the Ducks was certainly a memorable one. In 2013, his Oregon team entered March Madness as a No. 12 seed and caused some serious disruption in the Midwest region. The Ducks dominated No. 5 Oklahoma State 68-55 in a game where Arsalan Kazemi collected 17 rebounds that set an Oregon record that still stands today for rebounds in a tournament game. Then, just a few days later, the Ducks blew out No. 4 St. Louis 74-57 for their second shocking win in a row.

No. 1 Louisville was next on Oregon’s schedule, and the luck ran out. The Cardinals won 77-69 and ended the Ducks’ run en route to a national championship. Oregon men’s basketball has been to five tournaments since, including that 2017 run. The Ducks can make some noise in these tournaments, and with a little bit of Altman magic – or manifested Bronny recruiting – they can hopefully return to March Madness form soon.

Peyton Pritchard (3), guard for the Ducks, cuts a piece of net. Oregon Ducks men’s basketball takes on Stanford at Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene, Ore. on Mar. 7, 2020. (Madi Mather/Emerald)

WHY JERMAINE COUISNARD TAKES NO GAME FOR GRANTED

BY AARON HEISON • TWITTER @AARONHEISON

Oregon’s practice ended 30 minutes ago, yet Jermaine Couisnard remains on the court working on his 3-point shot. Couisnard shuffles around the arc, needing to knock down five shots at each spot before he can move on to the next.

It’s his third time through the drill, when his shirt comes off.

“You trying to look good for the cameras?” Oregon head coach Dana Altman says, calling over from the media scrum.

“Nah,” Couisnard says. “I need to knock down some shots.”

That’s how Couisnard’s always viewed the game of basketball. It’s what he was taught growing up in East Chicago, where, as a sixth grader, his father encouraged him to play against high schoolers and grown men on the neighborhood’s blacktop court. It’s not about looking good for the cameras.

As a senior, he plays with that same gritty energy. But Couisnard’s overall approach has matured recently after he learned basketball was just inches away from being taken from him. He’s changed the way he prepares and he’s learned to “take no day for granted.” It’s shown with his performances in Oregon’s most significant games this season.

“You never know when the ball is going to stop bouncing for you,” Couisnard said.

That rang true when Couisnard sustained a non-contact injury and tore his patellar tendon in late October.

“The doctor was telling me: if there was a slightly greater tear it could have ended my career,” he said.

With that reality in mind, the three months he was sidelined doesn’t compare to the worst case scenario. He spent most of his time in rehab, recovery or sitting on the scorer’s table at practice.

He observed the care that fellow seniors Will Richardson and N’Faly Dante put into their preparation before a practice or game and vowed that when he came back, he would mimic that process.

When Couisnard was at the University of South Carolina last year before transferring to Oregon, he would rarely stretch or take warm-up shots before practice. On game day, he would sleep in-between the shootaround and tipoff, but now he feels staying awake and ready results in a more productive outcome.

“It’s cool going to nap, but I learned that I’m drowsy,” Couisnard said. “Now my mind’s prepared when I stay up for the game.”

Couisnard curated a routine best suited for his personal health.

He took it upon himself to encourage his teammates from the sidelines or offer advice that could improve the game plan. He envisioned his own role on the team: as a shot creator and a facilitator that could play off of Richardson.

When that period commenced, he required little ramp-up time, adapting to the play style of his new teammates.

Before each game, he’d let his mind wander back to his doctor’s words, and the time his dad’s friends, Kyum Gillis and Bobby Smith, made him cry on

the outdoor courts in East Chicago. Being the youngest player there — a kid amongst grown men — didn’t excuse Couisnard from the trash talk that came with the environment. At times, over 100 spectators would crowd the court, hollering insults and expletives.

He struggled to block it out. Could you blame him? People who loved him, who had his goodwill in mind, were using their words to put him down.

“Ever since that day, I never let nobody get under my skin,” Couisnard said.

That mindset, coupled with the wait to return from injury, was evident in the Ducks’ matchups against No. 8 Arizona and No. 4 UCLA. Two of the few home games this season where the crowd was filled with rowdy fans, who, unlike Gillis and Smith, weren’t jeering for his best interest.

In Oregon’s 70-63 loss to the Bruins, he set an example with his activity. It was noticeable in his eyes that, despite the 12-point deficit the Ducks faced with nine minutes remaining, he sensed an opportunity for a surge.

It started by running the floor and opening himself up as an outlet, on consecutive possessions. The first resulted in a layup, and the next a 3. He then picked up guard Jaylen Clark full court and swiped the ball off Clark’s leg, forcing a turnover. Couisnard remained on the floor clapping, his actions willing the crowd back into the game.

That energy lent itself to a win against Arizona.

The Arizona game was just his fourth since returning from injury. The Ducks sat at 9-8 needing a statement win to strengthen their résumé. Couisnard had played with a minutes cap and had yet to find his shot, but Altman seemingly lifted the restriction and elected to put him in the starting lineup.

The Wildcats’ starters responded to the crowd by setting a chippy tone, not all that dissimilar from the one present in Couisnard’s youth pickup games.

“I knew we needed this game. I knew we needed toughness,” Couisnard said. “I feel like what got me prepared for that was playing outside.”

Midway through the first half, he overthrew a streaking Dante on an alleyoop, but the ball luckily found its way through the net. That’s when he knew he knew it was his night.

He capped off the season-high 27-point performance with a step-back 3 to put the Ducks up 87-68, celebrating it by turning to the crowd with his arms out and raised.

“These are the games people are going to remember,” Couisnard said. “The Arizona game — it was the first time I let everything go.”

That ability to rise with the stakes of a game is something Couisnard said he doesn’t see in everyone. It’s a byproduct of lived experiences, one his teammates will surely value as they near Pac-12 Tournament play.

‘YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN THE BALL IS GOING TO STOP BOUNCING FOR YOU’:

Oregon guard Jermaine Couisnard (5) shoots a three-pointer. Couisnard led the Ducks in points with 18. The University of Oregon Ducks defeat the University of Utah Utes 68-56 at Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene, Ore., on January 28, 2023.(Kai Kanzer/Emerald)

Experiences from his youth and time off for an injury help Oregon guard Jermaine Couisnard get up for the Ducks’ biggest games.

OREGON’S

Here’s what comes with building around two key players.

BY NINA-GRACE MONTES

Teammates help up Ducks guard Will Richardson (0) after a fall. Oregon Mens Basketball host the Washington State Cougars at Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene, Ore., on Dec. 1, 2022 (Maddie Stellingwerf/Emerald)

GAME PLAN

When University of Southern California’s Iaroslav Niagu was passed the ball at the top of the three point line in the middle of a transition, he saw an open lane toward the basket. As he drove to the basket, Keeshawn Barthelemy came behind him on his right side, attempting to swipe the ball away, forcing Naigu to go to his left.

Then N’Faly Dante came up right behind him. The center twisted his body while in the air to face the ball and swatted it away before it was too late.

Following the block, while the Ducks were in transition, Will Richardson held the ball at the top. His left-hand dribble drive pulled three defenders, and as he got closer to the basket, a fourth one stopped right in front of him. He wrapped his body around Niagu for a jump pass to Dante. Dante planted his feet and threw it into the basket while hanging onto the rim.

“We’re starting to get used to riding the hot hand,” Richardson said following the USC game. “They went to a zone, so we just fed N’Faly a couple different times. Once it was working, we just went back to it.”

Richardson managed the floor well that game, with a total of 16 points, nine assists and six rebounds. Dante finished with a team-high 17 points, shooting 8-11 from the free-throw line and five rebounds. When these two have a good game, the end result tends to be in favor of the Ducks. When they’re off, the entire team seems to lose their rhythm, similar to what happened in the following game against No. 4 UCLA.

It makes sense, as head coach Dana Altman and his staff have been working to build this team around Richardson and Dante the past two years. Through recruiting, play style and game plans, it has shown that these two are the center of attention.

Coming out of high school, Richardson became a guard who’s able to play at different speeds when crashing towards the basket, which reflected his smart decision making and versatility. In certain scenarios, he’ll just attack the defender off of the dribble to get closer to scoring. Even though he’s able to create shot opportunities for his other teammates, he has a good enough range that defenders are guarding him at all spots on the floor. The small errors that he showed in high school, like control and reigning in his aggression, slowly started to disappear when he arrived in Eugene.

At Sunrise Christian Academy in Wichita, Kansas, Dante was ranked as the No.1 player in the state and No. 15 ranked nationally. With a long presence around the rim, he ran the court well that was paired

with an average skill set protecting the rim. He started to develop a solid mid-range game, but most of his offense was tip ins, put backs, and dunks. Ultimately, he was one of the most impactful recruits in his class, and after committing to Oregon, he was the fifth best prospect in program history.

Throughout his time in Eugene, Dante has dealt with nagging injuries. Last season was the first time we saw him close to healthy after he entered last pre-season rehabbing an ACL tear. Now, he’s played in more games this season than he has in previous years. Even in the limited games he played in, he showed electricity, which made people excited since Oregon hasn’t had a true center in a long time before he arrived.

“Dante is the first one at practice, last one to leave,” Altman said. “The two-anda-half years prior to this, he just hasn’t been healthy. It’s hard to put in a lot of work when you got tendinitis in your knee or you’re working a year to overcome an ACL tear.”

While under Payton Pritchard and Chris Duarte’s wing, Richardson was a strong compliment piece to the team since he didn’t have that pressure of leading it. But when he needed to, he would step up, making fans excited about a future built around him.

During the 2019-20 season, the team struggled during pre-season games. Once conference play started, they started to look like a team that was going to make a deep-tournament run. Pritchard and Duarte were preparing for the NBA draft and playing at a very high level while Richardson and Dante were getting ready to take over the team.

Once the takeover started, it didn’t go as planned. While they were adjusting to being the leaders of the team, they faced some on-and-off the court issues that placed some hurdles along the way.

After testing the NBA waters following last season, Richardson announced in June 2022 that he would withdraw from the draft and join the Ducks for one more year. After Pritchard graduated, he was expected to take the reins, but he struggled to maintain the same consistency that Pritchard brought to the Ducks.

But this season, we finally saw them starting to mesh. Richardson had a different leadership

style than before, and it started to rub off on his teammates, and since Dante wasn’t dealing with injuries, the Ducks had two major pieces that they’ve been waiting to have at the same time.

“The most important part about being a leader is doing it every day,” Richardson said. “Whether my life is going good, or not, just making sure I’m coming here to do what I gotta do and lead the team.”

They’re able to command both sides of the court and specifically building around a center and a point guard, all aspects of the floor are covered. Because Richardson and Dante both have creative styles of play for their positions, they each bring a variety of skill sets that teams struggle to keep up with once they find their groove.

With everything that they provide to the Ducks, they’re a solid, reliable core that will always deliver a good, fully-rounded game.

But when it comes to building around certain key players, there’s always a downside. There are always worries about injuries, something that both Dante and Richardson have dealt with recently. Since the Ducks heavily rely on these two, opposing teams are able to build specific game plans around them, which is a huge disadvantage to Oregon since they don’t have a consistent player who will provide all-around game play for them.

Throughout the season, they’ve shown that it depends on the night on who’s going to show up. In the last four games, Richardson’s shooting percentage has dropped significantly, but Dante and Jermaine Cousinard have stepped up and led the team in scoring.

Entering the Pac-12 tournament and holding onto their March Madness hopes after beating Oregon State at the end of the season with a buzzer beater and Dante’s career-high 18 rebounds, the team will look to keep this momentum going while trying to get other players involved. After this season, Oregon will have the No. 8 recruiting class in the nation coming to Eugene. With both Richardson and Dante gone, we can only hope that they transition smoothly.

The most important part about being a leader is doing it every day. Whether my life is going good, or not, just making sure I’m coming here to do what I gotta do and lead the team.”

WILL RICHARDSON

LOCAL JUNIOR COLLEGE GUARD BELLA HAMEL RECEIVES

BELLA HAMEL

RARE OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY AT OREGON

The Oregon native is ready to represent her state at the highest level.

BY LILY CRANE • TWITTER @LILYCRANE23

It is not often that junior college athletes get the opportunity to transfer to their local universities to play Division I athletics. That’s the reality for Lane Community College shooting guard Bella Hamel.

The Titans have a winning history, with five Northwest Athletic Conference championships and 14 appearances in the tournament’s Final Four. Hamel will be making the transition from a winning junior college program to one of the nation’s top D1 programs at the University of Oregon.

Hamel is a third-year sophomore at Lane. Through 25 games this season, she is averaging 18.7 points per game and 12.6 rebounds on 46.2% from the field. Hamel was also named all-NWAC defensive and South Region first team in 2021-22.

Hamel joins a 2023 Oregon recruiting class that includes Sofia Bell, Sarah Rambus and Sammie Wagner.

Hamel played high school basketball at Liberty in Hillsboro, Oregon. She racked up several honors, including 6A all-state and first team all-league. Growing up in the state, receiving the offer to play D1 at Oregon carried extra meaning for her.

“I just can’t believe it honestly,” she said. “I’m glad that I get to be a born and raised student-athlete here in Oregon and to get to represent one of the best schools in our state.”

Hamel said the process of her recruitment came about quickly. She recalled Oregon head coach Kelly Graves coming to one of her practices and a couple of

games in November 2022. From there, she took a visit to Matthew Knight Arena and received an offer shortly after. All of it took place within a six-week period.

Hamel described the excitement from her Titans team when she received the news.

“It was a big shock to everyone,” she said. “They definitely knew this was the potential I was at. They were just totally excited for me.”

She believes a “big confidence boost” from growing more comfortable with the game has led her to develop into the player she is now and receive the offer.

Hamel will be joining an Oregon team that is expected to keep Te-Hina Paopao, Chance Gray, Grace VanSlooten and Phillipina Kyei, four of its five starters. She said Ducks fans can expect to see her bring an all-around style of play to the roster next season.

“I think I’m going to really help the team in shooting and in rebounding, as well as just being a vocal advocate on the team,” she said.

Before Hamel completes the transition to Oregon, she is concentrating on finishing her time at Lane out strong.

“I’m just focusing on trying to carry my team to the NWAC Championship,” she said. “Just pushing every game. In practice and in games to be the best team in our league.”

Titans fans will have a few more opportunities to watch Hamel play in the NWAC tournament which takes place March 8-19. Then, it will be time for her to swap her jersey for the one in green and gold.

Bella Hamel hails from Hillsboro, Oregon, currently plays at Lane Community College and is transferring to UO next year. (Photo courtesy of Eric Evans)

AS THE REGULAR SEASON ENDS, SO DOES THE COLLEGE CAREER OF N’FALY DANTE

In a college basketball world full of coming and going, N’Faly Dante has been one of the few Oregon basketball mainstays over the past four years. He originally came to Eugene in 2019, choosing to enroll with the Ducks instead of the usual powerhouses Kentucky, Kansas or Michigan State.

According to 247Sports, Dante was ranked as the number one player from the state of Kansas, as well as being the No. 4 ranked center and No. 14 player in the class of 2020.

Head coach Dana Altman recruited the Malian big man to be Oregon’s future at the center position, but his career got off to a complicated start.

On Oct. 15, 2019, it was announced that Dante had been ruled ineligible for part of the 2019-20 season due to the NCAA missing his clearance date.

The hype for the five-star to replace former center Bol Bol had been through the roof, but it tempered after the news of his ineligibility.

According to NBA Insider Shams Charania, Dante was a projected lottery pick in the 2020 NBA draft with his ability to rebound and protect the rim at an elite level.

“He is talented, and if there’s one guy who can adjust, it’s him,” Altman said. “With him inside we can simplify things inside both offensively and defensively. He’s a wonderful young man and I love working with him.”

His Duck debut was put on hold temporarily, but it didn’t last long. On Dec. 18, 2019 he would don the green and yellow for the first time, notching 11 points in a 33-point blowout win against Montana.

Throughout 2019, Dante played in mostly a reserve role, averaging 14 minutes a game as a part of a team that made a Sweet 16 run.

He showed great promise in the following season, leading the team in rebounds in a pivotal three-point win at Washington. Just three days before, Dante showcased how dominant he can be, dropping 22 points and five rebounds on Florida A&M.

Right as he was rounding into the shape experts had predicted, on Dec. 19, 2020, it was announced he had torn his ACL and missed the remainder of the season.

“It was a really hard moment for me. When I had my surgery, I didn’t have my mom. No one in my family knew about it,” Dante said in an interview with the Pac-12 Network “All I could do was be sad about it. It is what it is, you can not control being hurt. All you have to do is work your butt off and you’ll be fine like I did.”

Right when it seemed Dante’s career was veering off path, he put together the most consistent

notorious shot blocker’s time in Eugene will be remembered fondly. BY

JACK AARON • TWITTER @JACKAARON

season to that point. He played 32 games in the 2021-22 season. In 10 of those games, he led the team in rebounding including a season-high of 15 in a 3-point loss to No. 3 Arizona.

Oregon’s record was 7-3, whenever Dante led the team in rebounding, proving that his physicality led to wins.

While some thought he could opt for the NBA, he decided to come back for his senior year.

“I’m excited for this team. One thing I love about us is that we all want to play together and play hard,” Dante said coming into the 2022-23 season. “That makes me happy, seeing my teammates go really hard. We’re all about winning. I have confidence we’ll be better than last year, but we still have a lot of work to do. You can’t be successful if you don’t work hard so we all want to work hard.”

Thus far in the 202223 season, Dante has averaged a career-best in points (13.6) and rebounds (8.1).

His hard work has been on full display this season, having been the leading scorer in eight of 28 games, along with being the team’s leading rebounder in 15 of those games.

When Dante boxes out and positions himself well against the defender, it’s nearly impossible to out-rebound him. This ability has given Oregon one of the most fearsome rimprotecting duos with him and fellow fivestar big man Nathan Bittle as the duo averages nearly two

blocks a game, although it hasn’t always translated to wins.

The Ducks have recently lost three straight games to No. 4 UCLA, Washington and Washington State, likely putting an end to any March Madness hopes. It’s an unfortunate way to go out, but it doesn’t mean that Duck fans don’t appreciate the dedication Dante has put in any less.

As for what’s next: Look for Dante’s name to be called in the 2023 NBA Draft on June 22.

The

Ducks center N’Faly Dante (1) high fives a teammate after a basket was made. University of Oregon Mens Basketball defeat the USC Trojans 78-60 at Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene, Ore., on Feb. 9, 2023. (Maddie Stellingwerf/Emerald)

CHANCE GRAY’S

CHANCE GRAY’S FAMILIAL GUIDANCE HAS HELPED HER NAVIGATE OREGON WOMEN’S UP-AND-DOWN SEASON

BY LILY CRANE • TWITTER @LILYCRANE23

It was an uncanny performance, to say the least. Freshman guard Chance Gray was shooting 1-of-7 from the field as Oregon’s game was tied with under five minutes to go.

Regardless, Gray remained aggressive. It’s the only way she knows how to shake off previous misses. So she drove to the hoop and drew a foul. She knocked down both free throws — a theme that defined Oregon’s 78-73 win over the University of California, Berkeley, on Jan. 27.

In a game separated by two possessions, all 10 of her free throw makes were crucial.

That is the kind of poise under pressure that Oregon fans have seen from Gray this season. When shots aren’t falling, she finds other ways to impact the game, whether that’s making a key defensive play, getting her teammates going offensively or getting to the free throw line.

Gray has played and started in every game this season for the Ducks. She is averaging 10.7 points per game, 2.4 assists and 0.8 steals.

Part of Gray’s maturity comes from the fact that her family is not new to navigating the collegiate sports scene. Her father Carlton Gray played college football for UCLA and was drafted into the NFL where he played eight seasons. Her older sister Amber Gray played basketball at both the University of Tennessee and Xavier before playing professionally overseas. Both coached her during her last season at Winton Woods High School.

“They’ve taught me the work ethic and what it takes to be successful at these different levels, so I’m very thankful to have people like them in my corner,” she said. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.”

Her father has been coaching her since she first picked up a basketball when she was 5 years old. Even now that she is away from home and playing collegiately, Carlton still gives her a lot of advice pertaining to basketball. He said he reminds her

that playing the number of minutes she has, let alone being a starter, is rare for a freshman playing at a program like Oregon.

“She’s blessed to be on the court and to be going through so many situations that most kids don’t get probably until their junior or senior season,” Carlton said.

Gray’s role has seen significant changes compared to how she played at Winton Woods. With veteran guards Te-Hina Paopao and Endyia Rogers in the lineup, Oregon does not need her to

defensive end of the floor get her going offensively.

It’s been a turbulent season for the Ducks. The program has lost five games in a row for the first time since 2015-16 and is in serious jeopardy of missing out on the NCAA tournament for the first time in seven years.

Gray said that her family has helped her navigate her way through the individual and team hardships of the season. She said they remind her not to lose herself through the “ups and downs.”

“She’s being allowed to play under a lot of situations, good and bad, as far as what the team is going through and to take lessons in that,” Carlton said. “The biggest thing is just to maintain focus on learning from every situation.”

score 20 points a game. Carlton said defense has been an emphasis for her this season.

“With those kinds of guards, I kind of felt like if she can make some shots and defend at a high level that she can give herself an opportunity to get on the court,” Carlton said.

Gray said the sentiment that she has had to become more of a defensive guard than she was in high school, where most of the nation’s top players are known for their offense. She said her efforts on the

When asked about what she hopes to accomplish during the rest of her time at Oregon, Gray said she wants to continue to grow into her role and eventually become an All-Pac-12 guard. Carlton hopes she can get to the level of play in college that had her ranked No. 7 overall out of high school, but knows that winning is top of mind for her and the Ducks.

“She wants to see the team get back to the success that they had obviously with Sabrina [Ionescu] and that class of kids. That’s a lot of pressure, but that’s what they want,” Carlton said. “If this team has success, then the individual stuff will come.”

Oregon freshman displays the promise of the future of the program.

Chance Gray (2) drives to the basket from the perimeter. The Oregon Ducks host Carroll College for an exhibition match on October 28, 2022, at Matthew Night Arena. (Jonathan Suni, Emerald)

They’ve taught me the work ethic and what it takes to be successful at these different levels, so I’m very thankful to have people like them in my corner. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.”

CHANCE GREY on her family’s experience with the collegiate atheletics scene.

One of my favorite things about Eugene is its abundance of amazing and unique Thai restaurants. Whether you’re looking for a fancy dine-in experience, a casual sit-down spot, or a quick meal on the go, there’s certainly a Thai restaurant to fit your needs!

SABAI PACIFIC RIM CUISINE - 27 OAKWAY CENTER

This upscale Thai restaurant is the perfect place to call in and make a reservation if you’re celebrating a special occasion. Sabai’s atmosphere

If you’re in the mood for some Thai, you can’t go wrong with these Eugene favorites.

BY LAUREN LEONE

A REVIEW OF ALL THINGS THAI IN EUGENE A REVIEW OF ALL THINGS THAI IN EUGENE A REVIEW OF ALL THINGS THAI IN EUGENE

consists of white tablecloths, dim lighting, and cozy booth seating. I highly recommend ordering the Vietnamese wings on the appetizer menu strictly for the delicious, sticky caramelized Sabai wing sauce. No matter the occasion, Sabai is sure to not disappoint.

MANOLA’S THAI CUISINE - 652 E BROADWAY

If you’ve driven down East Broadway, you couldn’t possibly miss the sight of the bright yellow and purple exterior walls of Manola’s. This vibrant restaurant is strictly takeout, but the food is so worth it. My favorite items are the pineapple curry and the sweet and sour chicken with sauteed veggies.

TASTY THAI CAMPUS - 1308 HILYARD STREET

Tasty Thai Campus is the perfect restaurant for college students because of their inexpensive menu and their proximity to campus. If you’re looking to grab a quick bite for lunch or pick up some food on your walk home, Tasty Thai is perfect for you! My personal favorite thing to get

is their five piece spring roll appetizer for less than $4. This restaurant was also voted as Favorite Thai Restaurant and Favorite Lunch Bargain in 2010 by the Register Guard, and I couldn’t agree more!

CHAIYO FOOD TRUCK - 44 EAST 7TH AVE

If you happen to be in the Downtown area and are craving a quick bite, Chaiyo Food Truck is where you should head! Chaiyo serves up happiness with its menu items like potstickers, green papaya salad and other Thai classics. While you wait for your food, you can sip on a sweet Thai iced tea. Chaiyo prides itself on being a unique experience by only using the freshest ingredients and employing traditional Thai cooking techniques.

This list is just the beginning of all the great Thai restaurants throughout Eugene. No matter your budget or cravings, there’s bound to be a Thai restaurant for everyone in Eugene.

Just next to the University of Oregon Campus, Tasty Thai Campus is a great spot to get lunch. Located at 1308 Hilyard Ave. (Kai Kanzer/Eerald)

BEING CREATIVE AS A COLLECTIVE BEING CREATIVE AS A COLLECTIVE BEING CREATIVE AS A COLLECTIVE BEING CREATIVE AS A COLLECTIVE

DANCE GROUPS THRIVE AT THE UO, CREATING COMMUNITIES AROUND IDENTITY AND ARTISTIC EXPRESSION.

BY MIRANDAH DAVIS-POWELL

When it comes to schools known for their dance programs, the University of Oregon is not most people’s first thought. Yet there are several flourishing dance groups at the UO, all of which use the skill as a form of expression and creativity, some groups are associated with the School of Music and Dance on campus, but others operate as independent clubs. Dance can be rewarding, but it doesn’t come without a fair share of challenges for those who love to do it.

Holly Renshaw is a second-year at the UO and is currently the president of K.Aire, a K-pop dance group at the UO. She had early experiences with pressures from teachers and a studio that made her feel disconnected from her passion for dance in childhood. “I did for a while feel like quitting. I didn’t feel like the achievements meant as much, and my mental health was suffering because of [the teaching style],” she said.

According to Renshaw, her experience with a teacher who had a toxic way of motivating students had a negative effect on her, and others in her studio. “She had the sort of teaching style where she would pit people against each other,” she said. Renshaw and a close friend were often compared to each other when they were in Irish dance classes together at a young age.

Renshaw’s past experiences have informed the way that she manages her leadership role in K.aire. “I definitely try to be very conscious of making sure I don’t compare people and that I value all of our dancers’ individual styles, and also where they’re at,” she said. Renshaw makes it a goal to motivate the members of the group while steering clear of comparing them to other members.

Renshaw said K.aire sometimes follows choreography from videos of K-pop performances, other times members create their own choreography. The group makes an effort to be inclusive in their choreography when it comes to placement, allowing members to take turns

with center positions. Members get their roles in the choreography based on who is interested in a certain role. Those who don’t get their first pick get a chance to have their first pick at a different time. “I definitely try to be more fair and equal because I have experienced and seen what it’s like when people get pushed to the side a lot,” she said. Renshaw has a lot of gratitude for her experiences with dance despite the fact that they were difficult. “At its core, the sport is a positive thing, and so if you can manage to get away from any of the bad influences, I think it’s really worth it to stick it through,” she said.

COMMUNITY THROUGH VULNERABILITY

Abigail Chaffee is a first-year taking a contemporary class through the UO School of Music and Dance. She’s been dancing for around 16 years and has always found community in it — even in her current dance classes where she doesn’t know anyone. She said she finds it fun being vulnerable with strangers because it puts everyone on the same playing field.

“You’re in a class full of people you’ve never met before, everyone’s at different levels,” Chafee said. “Our teacher has us do partner activities with people that we don’t know, so it’s very vulnerable, and for that reason, it feels like a community.”

She said it feels like there’s nothing to lose from being vulnerable in dance, even if it can be a bit awkward at times. Creating intimacy is very unique to the art form of dance, and other sports don’t really have that, according to Chaffee.

“A lot of dance is kind of just failing at things and trying things and seeing if it works. And if it doesn’t, no one’s really judging you,” Chaffee said. She’s grateful to have the opportunity to experience dance as a judgment-free zone, fostering inclusivity no matter a student’s level.

Shaylene Gionson, second-year at UO and

member of Duck Street Dance Club and K.Aire, said that she always is very expressive when she dances and it allows her to connect to people despite the fact that she’s shyer in her day-to-day life.

According to Gionson, the expressivity that comes along with dance, along with being able to explore everyone’s individual style has really helped her fall in love with the activity and helped her create several connections along the way. “I made a lot of new friends, and some of my best friends now are also from Duck Street,” she said.

Beyond friendships, dancing in K.Aire and Duck Street has helped Gionson create a network by dancing with people who come from all different kinds of experiences and backgrounds. Her networking has led her to exciting opportunities such as leading the choreography for K.aire’s performance in this year’s annual drag show at UO, this year’s theme being ‘Drag me to Heaven.’

“It was definitely a passion project for me,” Gionson said. She had the opportunity to choreograph the same song that got her interested in K-pop in the first place. “I just can’t believe that this almost three-minute-long song — everything on that stage essentially came from my brain,” she said. “It bamboozles me still.”

Gionson appreciates choreographing K-pop dances because the style typically has a lead vocalist at the center of the choreography, cycling through different members being the focus of the performance. Although K.Aire is focused on the dance side of K-pop performances rather than singing, the style still follows the one-memberat-a-time format. Her fondness for K-pop choreography is rooted in the inclusivity of the style. “Regardless of your skill level, everybody gets a center,” she said. “Everybody gets their time to shine.”

INCLUSIVITY OF ALL SKILL LEVELS

“Once I started breakdancing I realized it’s not really as hard as it looks, but it’s still really cool,” Robin Reyna, first-year and member of Flock Rock, a breakdancing group on campus, said. He had no previous experience with dance, but since joining Flock Rock, he has experienced the inclusivity that dance has to offer.

He said Flock Rock especially is very beginner-friendly. “There are people who are total beginners. There’s one guy who’s been doing it since middle school, but at the same time it doesn’t feel like you’re being left out or anything,” he said. Flock Rock performed in the fall term as one of the groups (along with Duck Street) at the eighth annual UO Hip Hop Jam, a hip hop arts and culture party thrown by the Hip Hop & The Politics of Race FIG.

The Hip Hop jam was Reyna’s second live performance ever. “In my personal experience, it’s super nerve-wracking,” he said. Despite the nerves, he said he has lots of fun during live performances. The energy from the crowd was also helpful, encouraging him to get out of his comfort zone. “When I was out there I could just feel the moves come into my head, and I was just flowing them all together,” he said.

MAINTAINING CULTURAL VALUE

“Growing up dancing around all different kinds of cultures has definitely opened my eyes to how much love goes into it,” Nicholas Dunn, fourth-year and member of the UO Hui’O Hawai’i Club, said. Dunn’s passion for dance comes from its ability to connect people to their identity and culture. He will be performing in the Hawai’i Club’s annual Lu’au, on April 29 at McArthur Court.

According to Dunn, the goal of the annual lu’au is to promote the Polynesian culture. “I think it’s very important to advocate for different cultures around the world. I think it’s very important that we bring this to the school for our diversity as well, representation of the students we have here,” he said.

In last year’s lu’au, Dunn performed the haka, a traditional Muori war dance; Muori are the Indigenous Polynesian people of mainland New Zealand. While he will be teaching others the dance for this year’s lu’au, he performed the haka entirely on his own last year. He remembers using all of his energy for the performance. “I lost my voice right after, and I fell asleep backstage,” he said. “I made sure everyone heard it, and I think that inspired a lot of people to join me for this year’s lu’au.”

He said the Hawai’i club is always looking for dancers, but they are especially looking for dancers now to participate in the lu’au at the end of April. “You don’t even need to be Polynesian to enjoy the culture or even dance with us,” he said. “We welcome everyone who has an interest in culture.”

Students in different dance groups at the UO appreciate the community and cultural inclusivity fostered within the art form. It provides them with opportunities to meet like-minded people, practice vulnerability and make long-lasting friendships. Above all, students value dance as an equalizer for its ability to create connections between its participants.

Dunn appreciates dance for these same reasons. “We have an instant bond because you need to have that when you’re performing together,” he said. “When we dance together, we come together.”

A lot of dance is kind of just failing at things and trying things and seeing if it works. And if it doesn’t, no one’s really judging you,”

ABIGAIL CHAFFEE

SPORTS OWEN AVRIT: OWEN AVRIT: FUTURE PGA PROFESSIONAL?

Oregon’s leading golfer describes his future goals and his journey to his dream school.

BY KEIJI PATTERSON • TWITTER @PATTERSON_KEIJI

Owen Avrit stood in the grueling winds of Waimea, Hawaii, as he warmed up for the 2023 Amer Ari Intercollegiate golf tournament on Wednesday, Feb. 8.

“We played Sunday, Monday, Tuesday. The weather was perfect. Then Wednesday, Thursday and Friday you could hardly stand up,” Avrit said. “I’ve never experienced wind like that before, it was really crazy and just happened to be the three days of the tournament. Some of the golf carts out there had their windshields completely fly off.”

This tournament was canceled due to the hazardous winds. However, Avrit remained unphased by the treacherous conditions and looked forward to his next opportunity to compete on the links.

Avrit is no stranger to situations not going his way.

When he was a senior at Arroyo Grande High School in 2019, he fielded scholarship offers from several programs, but not the school of his dreams, the University of Oregon.

Upon high school graduation, Avrit signed with Long Beach State University’s golf team.

“The head coach reached out to me and seemed really enthusiastic about wanting me there. It was appealing to me because the most important thing… was making sure that I was going to play,” he said. “If you’re going to a big name school and you’re on the team that’s cool and all, but if you’re not playing then what’s that really doing for you… if you want to pursue professional golf because it has been my dream for as long as I can remember.”

Avrit was solely focused on competing and getting the reps that he needed to improve his game and be successful at this level and ones to come. While he wanted to attend a big-name school, he chose LBSU, a sleeper school which wasn’t really known for its golf program.

From his first collegiate competition, Avrit thrived.

“My very first college event…I won. Can’t think of a better start to a college career than that,” Avrit said. “Once COVID cut the season short in early March of my freshman year… I went home and a lot of the college players and I from my area… we all came together and created our own little college group where we practiced every day during COVID.”

A group that featured his local competitors including his older brother, Jack, who played for Santa Clara University, helped create a sense of community for him and this group during such a trying time.

During lockdown, there was a ton of uncertainty which gave Avrit time to think about where he was and wanted to be.

“I knew that I had a really solid freshman year and that if I entered the transfer portal that I would end up somewhere that I wanted to be,” he said. “Coach Wilson was the absolute best, but to me, the school itself wasn’t the right fit for me. Living in LA (Los Angeles) was kind of a lot coming from San Luis Obispo (a smaller town). I just needed a change of pace.”

Despite the unknown and feeling anxious, Avrit put all his eggs in one basket and entered the transfer portal.

“Although I had confidence I was going to land somewhere I wanted to be, it was still pretty nerveracking,” Avrit said. “Once my name entered the portal, Coach [Casey] Martin here got on the horn with me. I committed here on the third day of the portal.”

Avrit garnered portal interest from the likes of Oregon State and San Diego State, but when Martin reached out, Avrit knew where he’d end up.

“Oregon was originally my dream school.

I remember watching them win the National championship in 2016 and I have some family up here… took some trips up here to play a few tournaments and… I just fell in love with the state, I thought it was beautiful,” Avrit said.

Despite knowing where he wanted to attend to fulfill his collegiate career, Oregon had filled up its roster spots by the time Avrit reached out to the coaching staff during his recruitment.

Fast forward to 2020, Avrit’s dreams turned into reality. Avrit kept his dreams in sight and took a risk when he had the chance.

Avrit’s father worked at Avila Beach Golf Resort with William “Billy” Gibbs, First Tee master coach, national trainer and Owen Avrit’s lifelong mentor.

Gibbs lauded about his pupil’s work ethic and drive that he’s noticed since Avrit first picked up a club under his supervision when he was five years old.

“There was never a moment where me and his dad would just look at each other like, ‘Who is this kid?’” Gibbs said. “He would come to junior programs or my First Tee class with kids a lot older than him, and he stood his ground and went along with his business.”

Gibbs recalled a time where he put down a friendly wager with Avrit on the practice greens.

“It was like a 50 foot putt and he’s like six (years old), ‘If you could make that putt… I’ll give you 20 bucks,’” Gibbs said. “As soon as he hit it, we just looked at each other like, ‘Oh my god, it’s going to go in.’ He’s one of those kids that if there was a challenge in front of him, he would just stay until it’s completed.”

Avrit’s performance is a true testament to his drive and skill, which is why it comes as no surprise that he ranks in the top 100 golfers among amateurs.

There’s no doubting Avrit’s capability and diligence. As a junior, he made the All-Pac-12 Second Team and PING All-West Region Team.

With Oregon’s season on his mind, the PGA Tour has always been a part of Avrit’s quest, but he has one more year of eligibility if he chooses to exercise his COVID year. However, he has the rest of this season to focus on before making his decision.

“Since I started playing golf when I was two… I immediately fell in love with the game,” he said. “It’s been my goal since as long as I can remember to play on the PGA Tour and just have a successful career. I want to do that for a living and win majors and be a champion out there.”

Oregon men’s golf senior Owen Avrit ranks No. 96 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings. (Keiji Patterson, Daily Emerald)