THURSDAY, FEB. 13, 2014
VOLUME 117 ISSUE 35
Spectrum The
NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY | FOR THE LAND AND ITS PEOPLE
Anna Cunningham pours change into a bottle to help support the College of Engineering during this year’s Battle of the Cents-es. The College of Pharmacy, Nursing and Allied Sciences went up against the College of Engineering to raise money for Lexi Bolstad. Bolstad suffered a head injury last August.
JOSH FRANCIS | THE SPECTRUM
Battle of the Cents-es Doubles Amount Raised Friendly competition collects more than $4,000 for area teen injured in accident
BENJAMIN NORMAN | STAFF WRITER
A
fter a fervent week of fundraising across campus, the Battle of the Cent-es concluded last Friday, hauling in a grand total of $4,444.38 for Lexi Bolstad, a Fargo Davies senior involved in an accident last
College of Engineering Coins: $1126.49 Currency: $906 Total: 220.49
College of Pharmacy, Nursing + Allied Sciences Coins: $1509.87 Currency: $902 Total: 607.87
Grand Total $4,444.36
summer. The College of Pharmacy, Nursing and Allied Sciences went toe-to-toe against the College of Engineering while enjoying some friendly competition. This while they collectively raised money for Bolstad. “We doubled our amount that we raised last year,” said Marisa Rittgers, president of the College of Pharmacy, Nursing and Allied Sciences Ambassadors and a junior studying nursing. Bolstad suffered a severe head injury last August after falling from a Global Electric Motorcar, a battery-operated electric vehicle. “I don’t really know what to say,” Lexi’s mom Robin Bolstad said. “We are very, very honored that (the colleges) picked Alexis.” The Bolstads were surprised to find out they were chosen as the recipients of this year’s Battle, for besides attending NDSU years ago, they have no connections to the university. “That made it really special for us that they would think of her,” Robin Bolstad said. The weeklong fundraiser began on the right foot with a kick-off event Feb. 2, which the Bolstads, including Lexi, attended. “She had smiles on the whole time,” Robin Bolstad said. “She was just so thrilled to be at NDSU and to be among college students. I don’t know if she really fully understood what was going on, but she was so happy, and it was fun for us as her parents to see her like that.” As for the money raised, the Bolstads were mutually shocked when they discovered the grand total. “We were speechless,” Robin Bolstad said. “All we can say is that we are very grateful.” There was, however, one thing that did not go over too well, at least for Robin Bolstad.
techgyrls highlights stem fields
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“I’m a little bit bummed that the engineers didn’t win,” Robin Bolstad, a former NDSU engineering student, said jokingly. The victors proved to be the College of Pharmacy, Nursing and Allied Sciences, ousting the College of Engineering in their penny-war-styled fundraiser. All coins collected were “positive” for the college that received the change, while bills and other currencies were “negative,” meaning they deducted from that college’s competition score. The College of Pharmacy, Nursing and Allied Sciences continued their dominance over the College of Engineering, with a
“We are hopeful that at some point in time Alexis is aware enough and will really understand what has happened so she can thank people herself. We are proud of you kids for doing this.” – Robin Bolstad, mom of Lexi Bolstad
final competition score of $607.87 to $220.49. “It is crazy how much money college students can raise in one week for a great cause,” Rittgers said. The Bolstads are appreciative of the work put in by all parties. “Thank you,” Robin Bolstad said. “We are hopeful that at some point in time, Alexis is aware enough and will really understand what has happened so she can thank people herself. We are proud of you kids for doing this.” While her daughter’s condition has improved greatly since
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THURSDAY, FEB. 13, 2014
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MATAYA ARMSTRONG | THE SPECTRUM
Results of a recent NDSU study showed that pigs who consumed primarily vegetables gained more body fat than pigs that consumed a ground-beef diet.
NDSU Professor Studies Fat Gains in Pig Diets Benjamin Norman Staff Writer
With more than 1/3 of Americans obese, health is a matter that weighs on the United States today. Eric Berg, an NDSU professor and the associate head of animal sciences, recently put pigs on differing diets in hopes of uncovering facts and statistics that could, in turn, be related to human eating patterns. The control group received a vegetarian diet, while the test group received a ground-beef ration. The meat-eating pigs saw a 38 percent increase in body fat compared to a 50 percent increase in the vegetarians, even though the test group consumed more calories and had 36 percent fat from saturated red meat. “The big take-home was both test groups got fat,” Berg said, but the selection of swine that received the ground-beef diet gained less fat than the control group. “(The experiment) was really testing the hypothesis that you hear from the remnants of the Atkins diet, that people can eat as much bacon or as much fatty hamburger as they want, and they won’t gain any weight,” Berg said. “Is that true? Is that testable? Berg and his team used pigs as surrogates in the tests for practical reasons. “The reason we chose pigs,” Berg said, “is that the National Institute of Health recognizes pigs as a perfect model to use as a substitute for humans when you study how food affects their whole physiology.”
After securing some money for experimental uses, like buying feed, and receiving approval from the Animal Care and Use Committee, the experiment could commence. “When we formulate a diet for pigs, we know down to the micronutrients—we know everything to make that pig thrive,” Berg said. He said the vegetable diet added 15 percent corn oil for unsaturated fat in order to model a human’s average daily allowance. As it is with every scientific experiment, researchers must keep all variables constant, except the experimental variable. All tested pigs received necessary nutrients needed to sustain a healthy life. All of the tested pigs,
Body fat cont en t 83 % body fat gained
Berg said of his pigs. “Previous research shows that pigs will eat until their nutrient requirements are met and then they’ll stop, but they didn’t.” The pigs ate over 20 pounds per day. The study was supposed to last more than six months, but the pigs ate the research team out of money. “Some people say calories don’t matter, it’s the type of food you eat,” Berg said. “Well, in this case, I think calories do matter because the ground-beef pigs, even though, by our calculations, they ate a lot more calories, but they gained less fat.” Kim Vonnahme, an associate professor of animal science at NDSU, is a walking testimonial to Berg’s findings. Vonnahme
s o u d rce o o f y b d e n d e te r m i body fat gai 0%
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Findings may give insight into human diets
ned
WHITNEY STRAMER | THE SPECTRUM
all of which were females, had the same boar as a father. The pigs were also all raised in a same-sized, spacious pen where they started their diet when they had the same amount of body fat. Both groups could eat as much food as they wanted, which also led to some interesting findings for Berg and his team. “I was surprised that they ate so much,”
told The Forum that she has lost nearly 50 pounds since changing her diet to consume less carbs and more fat. The controversial Atkins diet, created by nutritionist Robert Atkins, has seen its popularity fluctuate throughout the years, but its core concept is that of a low-carbohydrate intake and high-protein and fat-consumption diet.
While lost weight may occur using this diet, critics claim that eating too much red meat can cause cholesterol levels to rise, causing cardiac issues. Berg’s preliminary numbers also show that insulin levels were stable over the testing period for the meat eaters, while the vegetarians slowly saw their levels increase. Prevailing theories suggest that as a person becomes fat, they are also developing pre-diabetes and other conditions, Berg said. “We are trying to add some science behind some of these diets like the Paleo or Atkin’s Diets,” Berg said. “If I start talking about a low-carbohydrate diet to medical doctors, a lot of them tune out. But if I start talking about a low-glycemic diet — that, that’s the new word. That makes scientific sense to them. The rest are just fad diets.” Although the numbers are telling, nobody has claimed to find the cure for obesity or how to make one skinny for swimsuit season. “While we are confident in the data, really, all you can take home is saying that these significant differences were, in this particular genotype of pigs given these particular set of circumstances, what happened,” Berg said. What the experiment does do is set the foundation for future tests, which ultimately could lead up to humans being tested on their diets. As for now, Berg has submitted four abstracts for presentation this March for the Midwest section of the American Society of Animal Science. The data is also set to be presented to the American Meat Science Association this June. “I got tired of meat getting the bum rap, so I dug out some science,” Berg said.
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THE SPECTRUM | NEWS | THURS, FEB. 13, 2014
TechGYRLS Encourages Young Girls to Explore STEM Fields
The College of Engineering and the Society of Women Engineers have banded together to show young girls that science and technology fields aren’t just for boys. Sophomore mechanical engineering major and SWE member Karlie Matejcek helps run this year’s TechGYRL program. She said the third- through seventhgrade girls work on a variety of projects from robots and coding to a projectile motion activity with life-size Angry Birds. Toothpick structures, hydrogen cars and rockets are also on the agenda for the 10-week course. “I really love the fact that these girls come in from
“I want to be an engineer like my dad,” she said with a smile. The program may be designed for young girls and taught by mostly women, but NDSU men are lending a hand as well. Scott Weninger, a junior computer science major, was at Monday’s session where the girls played with robots that they coded themselves on a computer program. He was also at Tuesday’s class where the girls concocted their own ice cream. Weninger said that girls tend to grow up thinking that the math and science is for boys, and because of that, the world is missing out. “Not just engineers, but the world, hasn’t been using the other half historically,” he said. “We’ve been pushing women away, but really if you take their perspective, honestly we haven’t been using our full potential.” Throughout the course, the elementary and middle
4:15-6:15 p.m. every Monday and their session is at full capacity. However, there is still room in the fifththrough seventh-grade level, which meets every Tuesday at the same time. The session costs $50.
little bit here and there,” Weninger said. “Even if they don’t like engineering or math and science, they can go a different way knowing that they at least tried it.” The third- and fourthgrade students meet from
Members set to begin recruitment process
To pay for books and tuition.
ai
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school girls get a taste for what may become a lifelong passion or just a fun course to expand their horizons. “You want everyone to go for whatever they want to, and this is the best time to show them everything, a
MATAYA ARMSTRONG | THE SPECTRUM
Alpha Phi Omega to Start Again After Years Off
My one reason?
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TechGYRLS is a student-run program designed to inspire young girls to explore the STEM professions.
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Alpha Phi Omega is in the process of rebooting their NDSU chapter in order to make the organization active once again. The co-ed fraternity organization, which is focused on service is looking to make a bigger effort for recruitment and publicity, Alpha Phi Omega vice president of membership Chris McEwen said. The chapter currently has more than 400,000 members across 375 campuses in the United States. However, the NDSU chapter was down to a slim number of members. In fact, Alpha Phi Omega President Steve Schalau said he was the only one looking at putting any work into the chapter until this year. “We had a bit of a lapse in membership, but now we’ve got a drive to recruit again,” Schalau said. “So we’ve been stepping up our game, bringing in new members so we can get back on the playing field.” The fraternity seems to be on the track for a new life. Even though Schalau was interested in recruitment, he said it would have been too much work on his own. However, that changed when McEwen joined. The idea to give Alpha Phi
The Spectrum
Omega a bigger push came last fall, and since then they have been making plans for various events. Though this isn’t exactly a comeback. The NDSU chapter was only on a hiatus, and never was technically inactive. But now Schalau and McEwen are leading the charge towards bringing it back to relevancy. “Between the two of us, we’ve had enough manpower to really get around to recruiting new members,” Schalau said. Though Schalau has been involved with the chapter since 2011, McEwen hadn’t been a part of the chapter since he was an undergraduate student before 2010. Even though membership has been sparse over the past couple years, McEwen said he feels good about the possibilities of recruitment this year. “We’re hoping to restart a chapter at NDSU which has existed for some time, but hasn’t really been active for a year and a half,” McEwan said. “We’re trying to give this all a fresh start where we give this a whole new member base that can really take charge.” The Alpha Phi Omega chapter at NDSU still has
some struggles to deal with. Because they are a co-ed fraternity, they won’t have a house like many Greek fraternities at NDSU. This means they will need to look to fellow fraternity houses or NDSU facilities for initial meetings. For starters, Alpha Phi Omega will have an information table set up from noon to 5 p.m. Thursday in the Memorial Union. They will also hold a meeting sometime within the week to try and bring in members. Schalau, a senior studying landscape architecture, said the main focus for them right now is simply getting the chapter up and on its feet. He said he wants to see the chapter go on long after he graduates. “I want to use this as a fresh start to get Alpha Phi Omega up and running again,” Schalau said. “I’ve been looking at doing that the last couple years. Hopefully by the time that I end up leaving, there will be enough members who will continue to show interest and keep the fraternity running at NDSU after I’m done.”
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different backgrounds and different families and they get to learn about science and math,” Matejcek said. The U.S. Department of Commerce found in 2009 that only 24 percent of the science, technology, engineering and mathematics workforce consists of women. Because men tend to dominate STEM fields, Matejcek and other student instructors in the program said that teaching young girls to explore science and other technology fields is vitally important. “(Girls are) never really encouraged to become scientists and mathematicians and engineers,” Matejcek said, “and I think this is an important program because we really allow them to grow in that sense.” Victoria Thomason, who is a fifth grader from Ellen Hopkins Elementary in Moorhead, said she loves being part of TechGYRLS.
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24 percent of STEM workforce is women
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Features
THURSDAY, FEB. 13, 2014
NDSUSPECTRUM.COM
The Spectrum
National Olympian
The nation’s top junior pistol shooter Alana Townsend has her sights set on the 2016 and 2020 Olympics.
MATAYA ARMSTRONG | THE SPECTRUM
Alana Townsend
NDSU Sophomore takes pistol shooting to international levels JULIUS KUNWELEYIL | CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Squeezing a bullet through the bull’s-eye 10 meters away would possibly require some family background of military snipers with hardcore training and militant motivation. However growing up on the farm, 19-year-old National Olympian Alana Marie Townsend needed only the words of a mother who could see into the future of her kids, and she would prove everyone wrong. “I started shooting Sporter Air Rifle when I was nine,” Townsend, affectionately known in some media circles as the “farm girl,” said. “I wasn’t very good when I started. I was not good at all, but my mom made me stick with it, and it proved that she was right that I actually had a future with shooting.” The NDSU sophomore started out her target-shooting career some 10 years ago on a small family farm in Kalispell, Mont., where she and her family grew winter wheat and alfalfa hay. The agribusiness major joined the youth development organization, 4-H, at the age of five, where she participated in Cloverbuds projects until she was nine before becoming a regular who could shoot the Sporter Air Rifle. At age 12, Townsend “picked up (the shooting pistol) right away and was pretty good at it.” While attending Glacier High School in Montana, she joined another national organization, the Future Farmers of America, through which she earned her first state degree. She is currently looking forward to receiving her first American Degree, which is the highest degree in FFA in October 2014. The 2012 Junior Category National Champion also joined the Flathead Country Shooting Sports when she was nine years old, an adventure she says “sparked her interest in shooting.” Townsend was on the 2009 Montana air pistol team finishing third in the national 4-H shooting competition. A year later, she made the Junior Olympics team. She traveled to Plzen, Czech Republic in 2011 where she placed 11th, then again in 2012 but placed 18th on that occasion. She did feature the World Cup in Fort Benning, Ga. in which she came 35th. From then, Townsend rose to occupy the second place in the open division and third in women’s when she participated in the March 2013 National Rifle Association Intercollegiate competitions. Townsend attributed her source of inspiration to her family, close friends and coaches. Her mom’s words of encouragement were a major factor that would propel her to the level of National Olympics Championships, making her one of the best pistol shooters in the country. But she included another factor, her inner drive to keep shooting, which she said is “something I love to do.”
STOCK PHOTO | THE SPECTRUM
“Once I start shooting and getting into my rhythm, I’m fine and I know that I prepared the best that I could.”
MATAYA ARMSTRONG | THE SPECTRUM
In reflection of the most memorable moment in her life as a national Olympian, the Junior Olympics Developmental Team “sniper” revealed that she has had so many of such occasions that picking out one would be tough. She, however, managed to select a couple of moments. Her rise as the champion of the April 2013 National Junior Olympics Pistol Competition was one memorable occasion, which crowned her the top junior in the United States, making her “feel on top of the world.” “I was so close a couple of years before that, and so winning it finally made me so happy,” Townsend said. She also referenced her most recent performance that placed her at 8th position out of the over 50 competitors at the Bavarian Air Gun Championships in Munich, Germany last month. This competition saw her come face to face against some of the best pistol shooters in the world. She described this completion as “a big deal,” as she tied her personal best of 382 out of 400 possible points and emerged the only American to make the final set. Townsend revealed that prior to competitions, she does not feel nervous at all because she knows she is getting prepared for the match. “When I get to the match and start seeing all the competitors and finally get into the range, I start getting a little bit nervous. I get butterflies in my stomach,” Townsend said. “I mean, it happens to everybody, but once I start shooting and getting into my rhythm, I’m fine and I know that I prepared the best that I could for the match. I’m going to do the best that I can, and I can’t be disappointed with that.” Townsend’s campus life is a typical mix of heavily loaded academic and sports activities since she enrolls full-time and doubles as the North Dakota State University’s marksmanship team member. She is also a member of the Sigma Alpha Professional Agricultural Sorority. This did not keep her busy enough: she also works part-time job at Macy’s in Fargo. Looking into the future, Townsend expressed her desire to make the Olympic team for 2016 season, but for now, she would rather prioritize her education. All else working according to her plans, the Olympian is expected to graduate from NDSU in 2016. Although, she says she would gladly welcome the opportunity to represent her country in the 2016 Olympic games scheduled to take place in Brazil, a move she admits could extend her graduation by an academic year. Townsend also has ambitious plans for 2020, as she sees herself “going through the second half of the Olympic trials, and competing in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.”
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THE SPECTRUM | FEATURES | THURS, FEB. 13, 2014
A Gallery Transformation
NEW BOHO
Connor Dunn
SHOP THIS HOT TREND
Features Editor
NOW!
DAY
Visit www.gliks.com to find your nearest location
2•12•14
Ice-Age Fossils 7 p.m., Fargo Public Library 2•13•14
Herp Zoo and Frog Call Lounge Noon-2 p.m., Stevens Hall room 107 Hall of Biodiversity Noon-4:30 p.m., Memorial Union Meadowlark Movie – “Becoming Human” 12:30-2:30 p.m., Memorial Union Century Theater Celebrate Darwin’s birthday with cake 2:30-3 p.m., Memorial Union Butte Lounge Darwinian Agriculture: Evolutionary Tradeoffs as Opportunities 3- 4 p.m., Memorial Union Century Theater 2•15•14
Darwin’s Cabinet of Curiosities 1-3 p.m., Fargo Public Library Details at: ndsu.edu/biology
A mess on the floor, paint buckets and artwork everywhere, a few ladders here and there. Now that disaster is not the new form of art on display, but the scene that can consistently be seen during the transition process that follows every change in the exhibits at the Memorial Union Gallery. Netha Cloeter and her six-person student staff has worked in collaboration with the NDSU Theatre Arts Department, which provided six additional students, to take apart the birds of Ali LaRock and Paul Noot, ship off the art, bring in the new exhibit and erect the masterpiece that is Don Larew’s “The ART of Theater: Master – Mentor – Medium,” all in just four days. With all of the workers doubling as students, beside the Visual Arts and Gallery Coordinator herself, Cloeter realized the importance of communication required to work around varying schedules and people coming in and out constantly. “It is hard to keep track of all of it and make sure people know what they are doing,” Cloeter said, “but the curator Don Larew, who is a former professor and
historian of the Little Country Theater, drew up a plan that made it a lot easier to know where things need to go.” Even before any actual alterations are made to the gallery, an entire week was devoted to gathering the necessary material for the upcoming exhibit. Cloeter stated that everything with “The ART of Theater” is on loan from the theater department, the costume collection that is in the Family Life Center, the NDSU Archives and the personal items of Don Larew. The first physical focus after tearing down the previous exhibit is wall repair. Anywhere in the gallery that needs cosmetic care is attended to with paint touched up on the stages and moveable walls. On those freshly painted walls are texts produced by the Memorial Union Graphics Shop, which Cloeter described as “the perfect way to have text on the wall that we can take down pretty easily.” The ceiling functioned with the wall, as there is a backdrop in the rear of the gallery hung from the rafters to compliment Larew’s vertical aspects of the show. “There was also a language we used for all of the same-sized pieces through-
MATAYA ARMSTRONG | THE SPECTRUM
The MU gallery staff puts four days into the process of setting up the show.
MATAYA ARMSTRONG | THE SPECTRUM
After several days of work, the show opened. The gallery is filled with mannequins, costumes and models representing the history of the theatre.
out the exhibit, so they were consistently placed at a uniform height throughout the exhibit,” said Cloeter. Once all of the pieces of the exhibit are in place, the last step of the installation process is the lighting. “Overall, it is an intense process, especially with the
time constraint of only four days, but we are always proud of our final product,” said Cloeter of the sometimes-messy start, which becomes astounding art in every exhibit at the Memorial Union Gallery.
Preventing Osteoporosis Mercedes Pitzer
Contributing Writer
Even though most of us college students are young and in our early 20s, it is important to think about our health in the long run — especially when it comes to osteoporosis. The term osteoporosis literally means “porous bone,” and according to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, “[it] is a disease of progressive bone loss associated with an increased risk of fractures.” Healthy bone (when looked at under a microscope) looks very similar to a honeycomb. There are tiny holes and spaces everywhere. With people who have osteoporosis however, their holes and spaces are much larger. This means that their bones have lost mass or density and the structure of their bone tissue has become abnormal. Though osteoporosis can occur at any age, it tends to be more common in older people. This is because at a young age, we are able to create new bone tissue faster than we lose old bone tissue. As we grow older however, it flip-flops and we naturally lose bone mass a lot faster than it is created. This is a serious issue because with such brittle bones, the possibility of getting a fracture increases. The National Osteoporosis Foundation explains that in serious cases, fractures can even occur from simple actions such as sneezing,
coughing or just bumping into furniture. As stated by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, osteoporosis is such a major health problem that it affects “more than 44 million Americans and contributes to an estimated 2 million bone fractures per year.” This breaks down to affecting approximately one in every two women and one in every four men older than the age of 50. In just 11 years from now, it is estimated that the number of fractures due to osteoporosis will rise to over 3 million. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, “broken bones due to osteoporosis are most likely to occur in the hip, spine and wrist; but other bones can break too.” A fracture that occurs much easier than expected is the most obvious and most common symptom of this disease. However, the Mayo Clinic explains that back pain, loss of height over time and a stooped posture have also been found to be symptoms of osteoporosis. This is partly why osteoporosis is known as the “silent disease” — people cannot feel their bones getting weaker and therefore do not know they have it until something serious occurs. Not only is osteoporosis a disease in itself, but eventually, it could even cause some people to experience depression due to the fact that they may not be able to get around as easily or do
things they used to enjoy. Doctors do not currently know the exact medical causes of osteoporosis, but there have been several identified major factors that can lead to this disease. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons state that these include aging, heredity, nutrition and lifestyle, and medications and other illnesses. As explained previously, with aging, it tends to be the older you are, the more likely you are to develop osteoporosis. In terms of heredity, the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons says “a family history of fractures; a small, slender body build; fair skin; and Caucasian or Asian ethnicity can increase the risk for osteoporosis.” People who have poor nutrition, low body weight, a sedentary lifestyle, excessive smoking or alcohol habits and a high steroid consumption can also increase a person’s chance of developing osteoporosis. Once a person is officially diagnosed using a special skeletal x-ray to detect bone density, there are several treatment options. To prevent osteoporosis, slow its progression and protect yourself from fractures, it is important to consume the right amount of calcium, Vitamin D and to exercise regularly. Since it is natural for our bodies to lose calcium everyday, it is important to replenish it. According to the American Academy of Or-
thopedic Surgeons, women and men ages 19-50 should consume 1,000 mg of calcium per day. Dairy products such as yogurt, cheese and milk are excellent sources of calcium. It only takes about three glasses of milk per day to reach this goal. Vitamin D is just as important as calcium because it helps your body to absorb this essential nutrient. Dairy products are also an excellent source of this vitamin, but if your diet does not contain enough of this nutrient, taking vitamin supplements every day is highly suggested. Exercising regularly is also very important to decreasing the risk of osteoporosis. It is recommended to exercise 3-4 times a week. According to Thomas Pederson, a senior majoring in agricultural and biosystems engineering, this is exactly what he does. “I drink a lot of milk and eat a lot of food which has nutrients needed for bone health. I also exercise a lot; usually by playing basketball at the Wellness Center,” Pederson said. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons also states that other treatment options include estrogen replacement therapy (ERT), selective estrogen receptor modulators, calcitonin and bisphosphonates. Overall, osteoporosis is serious, common and it can sneak up on you. Make sure you do not become a statistic, and drink a glass of milk today!
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Arts & Entertainment
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JOSEPH RAVITS | THE SPECTRUM
Justin Timberlake Gives Fargo 20/20 Experience Rhianna LaValla Contributing Writer
Justin Timberlake effectively turned the Fargdome into something of a club for one solitary Friday night. Playing portions and occasionally whole numbers, of 17 out of 21 songs from parts one and two of “The 20/20 Experience,” Timberlake certainly covered his bases. He also played many of past hits, such as “My Love,” “SexyBack” and “Rock Your Body.” Songs from both parts of “The 20/20 Experience” that were not part of the show include “Spaceship Coupe,” “You Got It On” and “Blue Ocean Floor.” His song “Amnesia” was not performed live for the audience but was played during the 10-minute intermission. Throughout the show there were lights, cameras in the press pit and lots of action — he made the stage move. Those sitting in the VIP section in the middle of the Fargodome floor got to see Timberlake up close as he walked down off of the moving stage, with a few other members of his band, and into the raised sections of the bar. In essence, creating a second stage. From this vantage point, the whole audience could see Timberlake with clarity. Those sitting way up in the “nose bleed” seats, and in the very back of the Fargodome, got a bargain. Timberlake managed to
turn those seats into actually not bad seats, especially for the price. Some of the, supposedly, not so great seats sold for just $59, while some of the VIP seats were rumored to go up to $1,500. VIP seats for Timberlake’s Feb. 9 per-
“Those sitting way up in the ‘nose bleed’ seats, and in the very back of the Fargodome, got a bargain. Timberlake managed to turn those seats into actually not bad seats, especially for the price.”
formance in the St. Paul Xcel Energy Center were selling for $1,250 for two seats, according to the ticket provider, vipnation. com. Timberlake expertly combined music and show, proving that he is not just an artist; he is a performer. Throughout the performance, Timberlake was constantly dancing, showing off his footwork and entertaining the crowd. With his six backup dancers, he managed to sing and dance for two and a half hours. Talk about a workout.
Also entertaining the audience and providing a great atmosphere was the huge honeycomb-shaped screen behind and above the stage. Throughout the performance, the screen showed different images — some a bit more risqué than others — and created an atmosphere that complimented Timberlake’s entertaining style. Images included live shots of Timberlake and his band, The Tennessee Kids, along with other abstract images that were mostly black and white, as well as a few naked women and outlines of bodies. The images seemed to be more artful and stylistic choices rather than erotic. Beams of light also came out of the screen, and provided the audience with a light show. The whole performance was an entire sensory experience. It seemed as though Timberlake was going for a new-age soul Big Band feel with the Tennessee Kids. The Tennessee Kids is a 16-piece band, the same number as a standard classical Big Band. Featured were four backup singers that came out from behind their fronts to dance with Timberlake, as well as some of the instrument-wielding Kids. Tennessee Kids guitar player Elliott Ives came out to the front of the stage and got some limelight during “SexyBack.” Ives has a long relationship with Timberlake; his band FreeSol signed to Timberlake’s Ten-
JOSEPH RAVITS | THE SPECTRUM
nman Records almost eight years ago. Also interesting was the unexpected addition of the Kids’ member Kevin Williams playing flute and tuba. Aside from the ten-minute intermission, Timberlake and the Tennessee Kids hardly paused their entertaining. Yes, Timberlake took a few short breaks to talk with the audience, but even then, he was in entertaining mode. As for his thoughts on North Dakota, in the beginning of his performance Timberlake stated, “It’s cold as f---.” Well Mr. Timberlake, we hope you liked Fargo as much as it liked you.
Chalk One up for Theatre B’s ‘Gruesome Playground Injuries’ Jack Dura
Staff Writer
Theatre B has a highlight of its season on its hands with the production of Rajiv Joseph’s “Gruesome Playground Injuries.” Chronicling the somewhat acidic but rock solid friendship of two childhood friends, this show takes being there for each other to a whole new level. Friends Dougie (Taylor Schatz) and Kayleen (Christina Johnson) first meet at age eight in their school nurse’s office, swap stories for why they’re there and begin to get to know each other. As the years ago by in this nonlinear time sequence of 30 years, the audience sees the extreme depths to which the two sink. Years go by between meetings and run-ins, and as time moves on, the two friends find themselves in some very dark
places. Kayleen suffers from stomach trouble and is deeply scarred by indifferent parents and her awkward growing-up years. Her decline is marked by self-harm, addiction and poor mental health, but the one thing that is positive and constant in her life is Dougie, her oldest friend. Dougie is an unlucky, accident-prone daredevil who never really thinks things through. As the years go by, his injuries add up. From losing an eye to being struck by lightning, the guy never really seems to grasp that his actions have definite consequences. Pairing these characters together makes for an interesting friendship. No matter what, the two are always there for each other; even though they’re seeing each other every five years; even though they only see each other
The Spectrum
at their worst; even though they’ve been hurt, inside and out. In 90 minutes, this show stirs up a whole heap of emotions. Laughs, tears, and smiles are found everywhere in here. Dougie and Kayleen are very easy to watch, and the audience can’t help but want to throw them both a life preserver in the raging sea that is their lives. It is hard to pin down which scene would best define the two’s friendship, but if love is found anywhere in this story, it is when Dougie learns of Kayleen’s first sexual encounter and sees the scars of her self-harm. What follows is very raw, and Schatz and Johnson can be congratulated on delivering such a passionate moment. Only one thing really works against this show, and that is the transitional music between scenes. As the actors rearrange the
set and change costumes, a harsh and eerie instrumental cuts the air like nails on a chalkboard. It would be a wise move to take some earplugs along for this, as the music’s volume is quite loud. With one show left in its season after this current hit, Theatre B is on the downward slide of 2013-2014. “Gruesome Playground Injuries” started the new year off right for the downtown theater, and for the next two weekends, area residents can catch this stellar show before it shuts down. “Gruesome Playground Injuries” continues its run at Theatre B at 716 Main Avenue every Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. until Feb. 22 with a 2 p.m. matinee on Feb. 16. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors, $10 for students, and are available at the box office and by phone at 701-7298880.
7
THE SPECTRUM | A&E | THURS, FEB. 13, 2014
JOSEPH RAVITS | THE SPECTRUM
JOSEPH RAVITS | THE SPECTRUM
JOSEPH RAVITS | THE SPECTRUM
JOSEPH RAVITS | THE SPECTRUM
Nothing Too Impressive in FMCT’s ‘Nerd’ Jack Dura
Staff Writer
For its winter warmup production, the FargoMoorhead Community Theatre brought Larry Shue’s “The Nerd” to area residents last Friday, February 7. As a farce, this show aims to lull its audiences into a mindset where winter doesn’t exist and everyone can enjoy a funny show for two hours or so. “The Nerd” entertains, that much is straightforward, but its laughs are cheaply earned and there is nothing overly impressive about its setting, scenes, or
characters. Architect William Cubbert (Chris Horsager) is visited by the man who saved his life in Vietnam – an irritating, bumbling oaf named Rick Stedman (Jay Nelson) – who inspects chalk for a living and speaks with just the whiniest voice imaginable. Very soon after Rick’s arrival, Willum, his girlfriend Tansy (Nicole LeBlanc), and best friend Axel (Eric Kloster) are ready to hit the roof after bearing the nerd’s antics. From his tambourine practice late at night, to awful scenes in public, to his inability for the slightest of conversation, Rick is about
the most annoying houseguest one could want, but the bad news is he’s here to stay. Rick essentially moves with Willum, ruining his architecture sketches for a long-suffering client (Jeff Rondeau, a real highlight of the cast), and just being an all-around pest. Other characters also suffer under Rick’s ineptitude, including the wife (Kayla Rice) and son of Willum’s client Mr. Waldgrave. A party game among everyone on the night Rick arrives ends in disaster when Rick drops everybody’s shoes and socks into a pond, sending Rondeau’s character into a very
watchable rage. Another character worthy of note is Eric Kloster’s Axel Hammond. A sarcastically witty drama critic, Axel always has a line up his sleeve, however obscure or abstract it may be. Kloster fits the role very nicely, and his delivery was always well-timed and dry to the bone. However, there were a few things in this show that worked against it, particularly a scene involving an impromptu voodoo ritual to scare off Rick. This moment of “The Nerd” bordered on slapstick, which as perhaps the cheapest form of com-
edy, is highly undesirable in shows where wit and high humor are supposed to propel the plot. Rick Stedman himself was another thumbs-down here. His unlikable demeanor and overall ineptitude at life made him out like a zit that just wouldn’t pop. It was unclear as to whether the audiences should like or loathe this character, as he just didn’t do anything endearing. If audiences liked any character, it was Willum, the anguished architect torn between letting the nerd stay or sending his guardian angel packing. For its opening night,
this show did succeed. “The Nerd” won its laughs, however dubiously, and though it would have been nicer to have less physical humor and more of a likable title character, viewers can just be happy that they shooed away the winter blues for one night. “The Nerd” continues its run at The Stage at Island Park at 333 4th St. S. from Feb. 13 to 15 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 16 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $16 for adults, $12 for students and seniors, and $6 for children, and are available at the box office and by phone at 701-235-6778.
8 THURSDAY, FEB. 13, 2014
Opinion
NDSUSPECTRUM.COM
The Spectrum
New Farm Bill Lends Helping Hand John Roach
Spring Blast Decisions Should Echo Student Voice
Contributing Writer
Any individual who is fortunate to drive through the rural Midwest during the summer months is almost certainly aware of the importance of the rolling fields of corn and soy beans that cover the land. The great states of North Dakota and Minnesota are vital participants in the agricultural industry, something that is well known to the natives of those states. Fortunately, more than just the fine residents of the Midwest know the crucial nature of this livelihood. Legislators recently passed the Agricultural Act of 2014, a bill signed into law last Friday by President Obama. The passage of agriculturally targeted bills is not something new to those familiar with the backbone of the North Dakota and Minnesota economies — but given the state of U.S. economy as a whole, this one may strike a different note. It is no secret that the United States is in debt. In fact, it has become a very open and heated topic of discussion on all political levels. Bills such as the recently passed Agricultural Act of 2014 are, to put it simply, contributing to an already rising debt level. Proponents of the bill of course point to the necessity of promoting the agricultural base of the Midwest, something that can hardly be argued. Farming is an essential fiber of the Midwestern economy, and without some degree of aid, food prices would likely skyrocket. Unfortunately however, the Agricultural Act of 2014 is little more than a misnomer. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the bill comes with an overall price tag of $956 billion. This number is staggering to begin with, even considering the roughly $17 trillion that the U.S. owes. Even more staggering is that approximately $756 billion of that sum will be dedicated to nutrition programs. The term “nutrition program” is, in reality, simply polite phrasing for what is colloquially known as a food stamp program. Nutrition programs such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, have been tied to agricultural legislation for some time, an occurrence that often prompts questions. Why would the majority of a bill supposedly directed at agriculture be targeted predominantly towards those who have no ties to the agriculture industry? Residents of agriculturally based states such as North Dakota and Minnesota generally favor the passage of agriculture-oriented bills, as they realize the importance of farming to their states. However, if legislation such as the Agricultural Act of 2014 was marketed as an increase in food stamp spending, its reception would likely be much less positive. Unfortunately, as the situation stands, only a fraction of the $956 billion spent by the bill will go to the hardworking farmers of the Midwest. The rest will be distributed over a population almost completely uninvolved with the production of our nation’s food.
The Spectrum Editorial Board
Emma Heaton | Editor-in-Chief Caleb Werness | Opinion Editor Nathan Stottler | Design Editor In December, student government approved for $75,000 of reserve funds to be spent on the annual Spring Blast. The reserve funds come from student fees, which every student pays for in tuition, so it makes sense for the money be to put toward something that would benefit those students. Student government plans to use a portion of the reserve funds to have a concert with a more prominent artist. Other area universities currently participate in similar events. The University of North Dakota has hosted artists such as Snoop Dogg and Timeflies at its event, Springfest. The University of Minnesota hosts Spring Jam every year. Artists such as Matt Kearney and OK Go perform at its festivities. The Spring Blast planning committee has not booked any artists for the event, but have a few potential performers in mind. However, we believe that this decision — since it is namely to benefit the students who attend — should be up to the student body, not just a single committee. Once the student government committee has assembled a list of possible artists to perform at Spring Blast, a survey would be sent out to the students. This type of selection process would maintain the integrity and focus of Spring Blast as an event for students. Once this decision has been made, there are many benefits to hosting this event. The great part about Spring Blast is that it has the chance to provide the students of NDSU with a type of celebration that they
MATAYA ARMSTRONG | THE SPECTRUM
Performer vote, outdoor venue should be considered have never had, and which students at many other universities enjoy. At the end of a semester of hard work and frigid temperatures, an outdoor concert and weekend-long festival atmosphere can provide a great stress relief and endorphin release for students. Spring Blast, as a “last hurrah,” endof-the-year party can also give students a chance to gather with their friends and classmates one last time before they leave school in the pursuit of summer jobs or postgraduate opportunities. After months of being stuck inside, isolated in classrooms and apartments, Spring Blast puts students back outside in an atmosphere that allows them to relax and celebrate the new season while hanging out with and running into friends old and new. Additionally, Spring Blast can be used as a recruiting tool for prospective students. With UND providing Springfest for their students, NDSU ought to supply a parallel spring celebration in order to promote an academic atmosphere that is equally as vibrant and diverse. Over time, Spring Blast could become an iconic festival that rivals its equivalent gatherings in Grand Forks, Minneapolis and Duluth. Student government has selected the Fargodome as its target venue for the signature Spring Blast concert, a facility that is large enough to support its attendance goal of 4,000 students. While the Dome certainly has the capacity to host such a concert, it may be a stretch to think that 4,000 students would make their way so far from campus just for a concert. Even some football games
this year had trouble drawing that many students all the way to the Dome. Additionally, though the Fargodome can hold the target audience, it is capable of holding more than six times more. With so many vacant seats in the venue, it could give the concert a dead, under-attended atmosphere. A venue that holds less people would make the concert feel like it was better attended, heightening the celebratory atmosphere. Student government looked at a number of other venues, including the Bison Sports Arena and Churchill Field. Both of these, however, were deemed too small to host the desired audience. However, a prime venue may have been overlooked — Dacotah Field. Located closer to campus, and the other Spring Blast activities, Dacotah Field could draw more students to its seats for the concert. The outdoor atmosphere would add to the celebration of the new season and would keep students exactly where they want to be on a bright spring day — soaking up the sunshine. Though Dacotah Field would put the concert at the mercy of the elements, the BSA could be held in reserve in the case of inclement weather. Though it is not the most attractive venue, it would seat plenty of students while providing just the kind of atmosphere needed for a successful concert. The last thing student government should want is for the concert to be reported as “hohum.” An atmosphere that doesn’t suggest a successful event will do little or nothing for promoting future Spring Blast activities.
Bye Bye, Birdy: ‘Flappy Bird’ Gone for Good
Caleb Werness Opinion Editor
No game in history has caused more grief and joy than the infamous Flappy Bird. The game debuted on the Android and iPhone App store in May 2013. Since then it has risen to the most downloaded free-to-play game. Tales of agony and frustration, along with screenshots of gleeful successes have plagued the social media world. Facebook and Twitter feeds have been overwhelmed with confessions of addicted players.
After taking the world by storm for the past few months, game developer Dong Nguyen announced he was taking the game of the market. It appears that the success of the game became a Frankenstein’s monster for the Vietnamese developer. On Feb. 8, Nguyen stated via Twitter that “he couldn’t take it anymore” — referring to the mass attention, both love and hate, the game was receiving. Nguyen also stated that the game was not for sale. In response, dozens of phones with the game installed have been place on eBay for auction. The going rate for some of the phones are anywhere from $900 to $15,000. As a Flappy Birder myself, I am famil-
iar with the sense of accomplishment and the fury the game can bring. I found myself wasting away up to an hour on the ridiculously addicting game. What I feel is the game’s driving success is its simplicity coupled with its abnormal difficulty. It creates the grounds for competition among friends and a challenge of whom can achieve the highest score. It was reported that the game company that released the hit game was making up to around $50,000 a day in ad revenue. I think Nguyen may have acted rashly in pulling the game from the app stores. Like all fads, the hype of Flappy Bird will fizzle
out eventually. It has been holding the spotlight for a few months, and I feel that soon enough people will move on. The same thing happened with Angry Birds. The game took the world by storm and produced all sorts of merchandising. Though, inevitably, it diminished from the spotlight as time went on. Granted, Angry Birds paled in comparison to some of the anger caused by Flappy Bird, but the concept is the same. It will be interesting to see how long the game will stay in the limelight of pop culture since its recent extinction. Will it take weeks or months for this bird to fly south for good?
9
THE SPECTRUM | OPINION | THURS, FEB. 13, 2014
Internet SpeedDisparity Needs to End
NDSU needs equal access across networks Josh Francis Staff Writer
It’s 8 a.m. on a Monday morning. As I rush to get ready for my first class of the day, I realize I need to print a document from Blackboard. After turning on my laptop and trying to access Blackboard, it becomes clear that it’s not going to be a quick process. Instead of dealing with the incredibly slow Internet speeds we get in Niskanen
Hall, I decided to tether my laptop to my cellphone. Verizon’s 4G network offers much faster Internet than we get from our lousy service provider CableOne. But tethering uses up a lot of data, which cell-service providers don’t provide a lot of. Unlike the rest of campus, residents of Niskanen Hall and University Village are not connected to the NDSU Wi-Fi network; each room has its own router and modem. NDSU needs to extend their campus-wide Wi-Fi network to reach Niskanen Hall and University Village because students living here are subjected to third-worldslow Internet speeds. (Note: I’m told Niskanen Expan-
sion is on the school’s network because it’s newer.) There was an article in The Spectrum’s Monday issue that detailed the school’s plan to upgrade on-campus wireless speeds, but there was no mention by the school of improving speeds at Niskanen or University Village. When I came to NDSU, a big reason I chose to live far away from the main campus as opposed to a building closer to the main campus was the promise of individual connections. That may have been a mistake. I decided to conduct a few tests, using the website www.speedtest.net, I determined we have some of the slowest Internet service on campus.
Internet speeds are measured in megabits per second, which measure how long it takes to download or upload something to or from the Internet. My first test of my room’s Wi-Fi network didn’t work because the Internet was so slow the test wouldn’t work. The second test showed our Internet speed was slower than I thought possible. With a download speed of 0.08 megabits per second and an upload speed of 0.01 Mbps, I thought there must be something wrong. After resetting our Internet router, I tried again. The results weren’t much better, 0.65 Mbps down and 0.34 Mbps up. A third test was about the same. Even when our router
was switched out, speeds don’t typically get above 3 Mbps down. In contrast, our speeds out here at Niskanen are sometimes slower than the average Internet speeds in Afghanistan, DR Congo and Sudan, according to Speedtest.net. At best, we get 2.9 to 3.4 Mbps, which is still slower than average speeds in the Philippines, Palestine and Mozambique. The average Internet speed for the United States is about 7.2 Mbps down. Others on my floor in Niskanen Hall say they have similar problems with their Internet being slower in their rooms than on campus. On the main campus, I expected the speeds to be
much the same, but I soon discovered speeds on campus were much faster. Two tests I conducted in the Memorial Union yielded download speeds of more than 50 Mbps, in the Quentin Burdick Building I was able to get about 30 Mbps and in Minard Hall I was able to get an astonishing 140 Mbps down and 200 Mbps up. On campus, I had zero problems opening Blackboard or watching a YouTube video. In our room, that’s a different story. When speeds dip below 2 Mbps and with four people on multiple devices on the network at a time, it becomes impossible to use the Internet. You can’t do a lot of schoolwork without reasonably fast Internet.
Buying Valentine’s Day at a Store is a Trap Rebecca Opp
Contributing Writer
Roses are red, violets are blue and this poem has been overused. With Valentine’s Day coming up, people will be looking for the perfect sentiment to express their feelings for that special someone. Stores will be selling flowers, candy and anything shaped like a heart. For many consumers, these may seem like key ingredients to a perfect Valentine’s Day. However, going the stereotypical route doesn’t have to be your only option this year. With the growing popularity of ecards and Valentine memes, it is easy to
tailor a message for your significant other. You can find everything from “Star Wars” to “How I Met Your Mother” Valentines through a simple Internet search. This way, you can send a personalized Valentine that fits the other person’s interests. There are also multiple ways to deliver these messages. To make a public statement, post one of these images on your friend’s Facebook wall. If you are anything like me and have a habit of waiting ‘til the last minute, this might be the solution for you. If you prefer a more personal approach, print the image out and turn it into a card. Deliver it in person or tape it to their door anony-
mously. Because these Valentines require no investment other than a moment of your time, you can send them to as many people as you want. Send these to your friends, family or significant other. Valentine’s Day has a bad reputation of being reserved for couples, but it does not have to be this way. It’s not just about romance; it’s about showing someone that you care. Whether you decide to get creative or go the traditional route, you have the ability to make someone’s day. The point is, there are many ways to celebrate this Valentine’s Day, but you are not limited to what you can find in a store.
Deportation, Eh? Caleb Werness Opinion Editor
Stories of Justin B i e b e r ’s latest antics have been plaguing the headlines. The 19-year-old Canadian pop star has been in the news due to stories regarding his arrest. Twitter and Facebook exploded when Miami Police arrested Bieber under charges of drunk driving and resisting arrest. He was also driving with an expired license. To the annoyance of many, Bieber’s unruly behavior continues to make the news. Approximately 236,000 people signed a petition calling for the pop star’s deportation to Canada within the last two weeks. The petition claims that Justin Bieber is creating a harmful image of American pop culture. It reads, “We would like to see the
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ment in watching the downfall of a celebrity? It may be just because the celebrity in question is Justin Bieber, and people are not fond of him. His rise to power has gained him a lot of critics. I think it is because Bieber is trying desperately to outgrow his 16-year-old boy toy image adorned by 11 through 14-year-old girls. However, his fan base outside of that demographic is minimal. I believe Bieber is trying to find ways stay relevant — similar to what Lindsay Lohan did, but less extreme. It will be interesting to see what happens regarding the petition. Will Bieber get his act together, or will he be another child celebrity who was ruined by money and fame? If I had to bet on it, I would say he is already in his inevitable downfall, but never say never… Caleb is a sophomore majoring in English.
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dangerous, reckless, destructive, and drug abusing, Justin Bieber deported and his green card revoked. He is not only threatening the safety of our people but he is also a terrible influence on our nations youth. We the people would like to remove Justin Bieber from our society.” According to policies implemented by the Obama Administration, a petition that receives 100,000 signatures within 30 days is eligible to be put before the President. It is growing tiresome to hear Bieber’s name on the evening news. I, for one, am not fond of seeing Bieber continually on my news feed. Yet, I find it interesting that something like this — something that seems so trivial — can occupy the attention of the nation for as long as it has. I think this really calls into question the people’s priorities. Why do we, as a culture, get so much enjoy-
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10 THURSDAY, FEB. 13, 2014
Sports
NDSUSPECTRUM.COM
The Spectrum
ALEX SOBRERO | PARADISE, CALIF. | SO. | INFIELD
ALYSSA REINA | AUBURN, CALIF. | SO. | CATCHER
AMANDA GRABLE | SANTEE, CALIF. | JR. | INFIELD
BRANDI ENRIQUEZ | NORWALK, CALIF. | SR. | INFIELD
The
California Nine
CHEYENNE GARCIA | VISTA, CALIF. | SO. | INFIELD
JOSH FRANCIS | STAFF WRITER
PHOTOS COURTESY OF | NDSU ATHLETICS
T
JENINA ORTEGA | SAN JOSE, CALIF. | SR. | CATCHER
here are about 60 students from California attending NDSU; nine of them are on the softball team. Head Coach Darren Mueller said the program began recruiting from the Golden State 18 years ago when he was an assistant coach. They haven’t stopped.
Their pitch to recruits from California is working. There are more players from California on the team, nine, than from any other state. In contrast, the team only has one player from North Dakota. Seven of the Californians will return next year and Mueller said there aren’t any plans to let up recruiting from the West Coast. “We started going out there because of the ability for them to play year round and the number of games they play in added experience to our program,” Mueller said. While there are upsides and downsides to playing softball in North Dakota, two of the team’s seniors say they never regretted their decision to choose NDSU. Senior catcher Jenina Ortega, from San Jose, Calif. was recruited by Mueller about four years ago, it didn’t take her long to commit to the school. “I was really excited about the people that were here,” Ortega said. “There were other options but I kind of just knew this was the right place,” she added. “It only took me a day to commit.” Brandi Enriquez, from Norwalk, Calif., joined Ortega in 2010. “I honestly just wanted to get away from California,” Enriquez said. “I just wanted something new, something different.” THEY DIDN’T COME FOR THE WEATHER In many areas in California, the difference between summer and winter is just a few degrees. It’s not rare to find Southern Californians at the beach in the middle of January. “The weather was kind of a struggle, I had never seen snow before I got here,” En-
riquez said. But after three and a half years of trekking through the snow, Ortega and Enriquez have gotten used to it. Their fellow Californian teammates are getting used to it, too. “We do hear a lot about the weather, however I think NDSU sells itself,” Mueller said. “We have excellent academic programs here and also one thing we consistently hear is how friendly the people are here,” he added. “We have also had some success in our program and feel that helps us in our recruiting.” CULTURE SHOCK California and the Midwest have their cultural differences. Californians say ‘soda,’ North Dakotans says ‘pop,’ California has Carl’s Jr., North Dakota has Hardee’s and the list goes on. Enriquez and junior Krista Menke, a Nebraska Native, are roommates and they say they are always learning more about each other and their different cultures, especially recipes for food and lingo. “I feel it’s a culture shock sometimes, learning things about each other,” Enriquez said. Ortega said she learned to love Fargo and said the people are nicer here. But it doesn’t matter what the makeup of their team is because they are all one family now. “We all have one goal in mind and that’s to win,” Menke said. “I feel like it’s not that big of thing having nine teammates from California.” Coach Mueller said the team is close but the true test of how they mesh as a team will take place during the season.
DIFFERENCES Culture isn’t the only difference for the nine women from California. Practicing in a gym is not typical on the west coast, but at NDSU it is the norm. “I’ve never played in a gym before I got here,” Enriquez said. Mueller said they don’t use the fact they can’t practice outdoors until mid-spring as an excuse. “We use the time to break down and sharpen their skills and enjoy the time on the road,” he said. The team isn’t scheduled to play their first home game in Fargo until April 4. So far that hasn’t hurt them, they are 3-1 with big wins over Morehead State, a blowout against Tennessee Tech, 13-0 and a win against Notre Dame, 4-1. RECRUITING Coach Mueller joked that he should buy an apartment in Southern California. Mueller and his staff scout players at large tournaments, primarily in Orange County, Calif. He said he is out there five to six times per year. NDSU isn’t the only area team recruiting from California either. Minot State has five Californians on its softball team, South Dakota State has four, South Dakota has three and Valley City State has two. While the team will lose Enriquez and Ortega, Mueller said they have two incoming freshmen from California to fill their spots.
JENNA ISABEL | FONTANA, CALIF. | SO. | OUTFIELD
LOGAN MORELAND | WOODLAND, CALIF. | SO. | INFIELD
MARITZA LOPEZ-PORTILLO | SAN DIEGO, CALIF. | SO. | OF
THE SPECTRUM | SPORTS | THURS, FEB. 13, 2014
11
NDSU Dominates Northern Colorado in Conference Victory Monk, Lehmann register falls Sam Herder Sports Editor
The NDSU wrestling team continued its dominance in the Western Wrestling Conference, improving to 3-0 after a 28-11 victory
Sunday over Northern Colorado in Greeley, Colo. This was the Bison’s ninth victory in 13 duals. NDSU jumped out to a quick 6-0 lead in demanding fashion. Two decisions by redshirt freshman 141-pounder Clay Cathey and senior 149-pounder Tyler Diamond kicked off NDSU’s strong performance. The Bison won seven of the 10 matches.
UNC’s No. 20 ranked 157-pounder Mitch Polkowske won by technical fall over Tanner Carlisle to get UNC on the board. But No. 3 Steven Monk registered his 17th straight win with a pin over Charlie McMartin in the first period. That is Monk’s third pin in his last five matches. The Bison took the next three matches, highlighted by a Tyler Lehmann pin that
BSA Nears Its End for Three Contrasting Programs Sam Herder Sports Editor
The Bison Sports Arena has seen its better days. That lead would still be appropriate 10 years ago. But now, we can finally say the BSA is down to single digit events. The NDSU men’s basketball team has three remaining home games while the women have two. The wrestling team adds two home events. While all three teams are vying to send the old BSA off in good fashion, they all are trying to achieve very different goals. The men are trying to remain a relevant commodity for a fan base that loves its football. The women are trying to become relevant again. And the wrestling team is trying to prove they belong as a Division I program. While Saul Phillips and his Bison men aren’t afraid to poke fun at the BSA’s conditions, they were also quick to compliment the environment Saturday. That’s when more than 4,500 fans packed the building to watch NDSU face Fort Wayne for a first place spot. Always second in the NDSU athletics spotlight, this team
wouldn’t mind playing more than three games at the BSA if that type of crowd shows up every game. Maybe the most fun team to watch that Phillips has coached, the Bison have become the “you have to see this team play� that they have yearned to have said about them for many years. And with five seniors leading the team, the time is now to catch them in action. In the 1990s, that was the case for the Bison women. The Bison were to Division II in the 90s as the football team is to the FCS in the 2010s. Now, the program is struggling to keep NDSU fans interested. With a 6-18 record and a coaching change likely to happen at the end of the season, this program has a calendar on the wall counting down the days to never playing in the BSA again. This program has only won 10 home conference games in the last three years. The BSA hasn’t been kind to them and many fans have stopped bothering to show up. A struggling program and bleachers that would cause back problems for a first grader isn’t a good combination. The women’s basketball program will begin a rebuilding process next season. A new facility should help that matter.
Meanwhile, flying underneath the radar is the NDSU wrestling program. The Bison are showing they belong with the Division I men. Head coach Roger Kish has been the engineer behind this program that keeps getting better each year. Last season it was Trent Sprenkle becoming NDSU’s first Division I All American. This year it is Steven Monk’s turn to represent the Bison on the national stage. The Bison are currently ranked No. 20 in the “USA Today� Coaches Poll. Wrestling has always been a sport that doesn’t get the respect it deserves. But the future is bright for this program. One website ranked last year’s recruiting class the best in the nation. When the new arena is finally finished, don’t be surprised if the wrestling team becomes that team that everyone needs to see in action. The BSA is on its last leg. It’s been like that for a while. The three teams that use the arena are in different spots in terms of where the program is currently at and where it’s heading. The BSA will be no more in a couple months. In a couple years, when the new doors open, the intriguing question is where will these three programs be?
put the dual out of reach. Matt Gray started out with an 8-6 decision over Josh Van Tine at 174 pounds. No. 19 Kurtis Julson followed with an 11-4 decision at 184 pounds over Nick Bayer to put the Bison up 13. Lehmann didn’t waste any time putting the match out of reach. At 197 pounds, Lehmann registered his seventh pin in eight duals. His pin over Cole Briegel came
at the 5-minute, 26-second mark. UNC got back-to-back decisions at heavyweight and 125 pounds to get the score closer. Henry Chriino defeated John Gusewelle, 8-3 and 125-pounder Trey Andrews beat Hunter Weber, 4-3. With the match out of reach, 133-pounder Justin LaValle rounded up NDSU’s dominant performance with
a 15-2 major decision over Sonny Espinosa as the Bison took the 28-11 victory. NDSU hits the road this weekend before hosting two duals. The Bison will be in action at the NWCA National Duals in Columbus, Ohio this Sunday. Then, NDSU hosts Wyoming Feb. 21 and South Dakota State two days later. The NCAA West Regional begins March 8.
Accepting Michael Sam: The NFL’s First Gay College Recruit Joe Kerlin Staff Writer
History is written every day in sports. The memorable moments on the field that will be passed down for years to come is why we watch, why we write and why we talk about sports excessively throughout our lives. But sports also have these rare moments off the field when journalists, fans and other athletes are reminded how big of an impact these men and women we watch religiously have on society. Sunday night was one of those moments. Former Missouri defensive captain Michael Sam became a pioneer last weekend when he announced to the world that the NFL will soon have its first openly gay player. Sam, an anonymous name to the majority of football fans outside the state of Missouri, has etched his name in football’s history book and will be seen as a trailblazer for the remainder of his career. University of Missouri students cheered, and former teammates supported Sam in such a refreshing way,
that it’s difficult to believe homosexuality is still a hot button issue in America and within the realm of sports. It was only a matter of time before an American football player announced to the world his attraction to the same gender. And to move forward as a sports culture, and a society as a whole, we should celebrate and condone Mr. Sam’s actions, because never again will a change in American culture and its sport’s collide like this again. All the media coverage Sam’s story is receiving is well worth the airtime, but I would be fibbing myself if I wasn’t wishing announcements of homosexuality by athletes were a non-story in the future. If an athletes actions off the field are not affecting their performance during competition, who are we to care? Unfortunately, many believe Sam’s courage will have a backlash due to the timing of the announcement. Already labeled as a “tweener,� meaning NFL scouts don’t know whether Sam will play outside linebacker or defensive end, talking heads believe Sam’s announcement will affect his already dwindling draft stock. People believe Sam will
provide an unnecessary distraction to whichever organization that drafts the SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Year. I would argue that plenty of players enter the NFL with some sort of “baggage� but if we look back at draft history, baggage didn’t stop franchises from selecting other players trapped in the vicious media cycle. The Chargers didn’t hesitate nor see a distraction when they selected Manti Te’o in last year’s draft. Te’o was quickly accepted by his teammates after an embarrassing end to his college career. And I would argue Sam’s acceptance from teammates should be the last thing on the minds of organizations across the NFL. Unlike Te’o, a case study of Sam’s level of acceptance was proven when the Missouri Tigers went 12-2 after their defensive captain announced his sexuality to teammates prior to the start of the season. He was universally loved by his teammates, not for his sexuality, but for the impact he made on games. I wish nothing but the best for Sam and his future in the NFL. I also hope one day, we can start condoning Sam’s character and talent over his sexual orientation.
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