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VOLUME 58, ISSUE 45 | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2024 | NDSMCOBSERVER.COM
Notre Dame Senior class council president resigns
Rover asks Kay for legal fees
Observer Staff Report
Senior class council president Paul Stoller resigned this week in an email sent to Judicial Council. Lulu Romero, who prev iously ser ved as v ice president, has replaced Stoller, according to her email signature. Stoller, a business analy tics student, was elected three times by his peers and has ser ved as class president for the class of 2024 since his sophomore year. According to the 20232024 constitution, class see COUNCIL PAGE 3
Observer Staff Report
ISA SHEIKH | The Observer
Senior class council president Paul Stoller resigned this week in an email. He will be succeeded by current vice president Lulu Romero.
John Mearsheimer talks war and international politics By GRAY NOCJAR News Writer
Students and facult y packed a room in Jenkins-Nanov ic Hall for an international relations lecture given by John J. Mearsheimer. The professor of political science from the Universit y of Chicago spoke on his newest paper, titled “War and International Politics.” The lecture was part of a seminar series hosted by the Notre Dame International Securit y Center. Mearsheimer began by outlining three key themes that would encompass his lecture. The were, what the essence of international politics was, why states chose to enter into conf lict and why escalation of conf licts from a limited to total war were so commonplace. On the inner workings of international politics, Mearsheimer emphasized that war, or even the threat of conf lict, was the most important factor in determining how states behave on a global level. “War is the dominating
NEWS PAGE 4
feature of international politics,” said Mearsheimer. “It really matters enormously. It matters in terms of inf luencing how leaders think, and inf luences how states interact w ith each other, whether talking about an actual war, or the fact that war is sitting there in the background.” Due to the devastating destructiveness of international conf lict, Mearsheimer stated that over time many nations had attempted to outlaw war entirely. However, he explained that ever y effort had ultimately failed due to the nature of politics w ithin nations and the architecture of the international system. “Politics is all about fundamental disagreements on first principles, fundamental differences about questions regarding the good life and these fundamental differences that indiv iduals or societies or states have, are sometimes so profound, that people want to kill each other,” said Mearsheimer.
VIEWPOINT PAGE 6
On the reasoning for states to initiate conf lict, he named a variet y of motives, some more morally or legally justified than others. He stated that there were three cases in which war was considered appropriate by the international communit y. “The first case is a preemptive strike. The second case is a UN Securit y Council resolution and the third is that you’re allowed to initiate a war w ith a countr y if it’s engaging in mass murder or genocide,” he said. Mearsheimer specified that other justifications, such as wars to prevent an adversar y from grow ing too powerful or simply engaging in conf lict to benefit a nation’s economy are considered unjust by the international communit y. The Russo-Ukrainian war was brought up as an example, w ith Mearsheimer explaining, “the Russians clearly invaded Ukraine and the basic argument is that this war see POLITICS PAGE 3
SCENE PAGE 7
The Irish Rover is asking a court to order Notre Dame professor Tamara Kay to pay $178,000 in legal fees for an unsuccessful defamation lawsuit that she filed against the student publication. Attorneys for the Rover filed a motion for attorney’s fees in St. Joseph Superior Court Friday. “Because the Irish Rover was the prevailing defendant on a motion to dismiss filed according to Indiana’s Anti-SLAPP law, it is entitled to a mandatory award of attorney’s fees,” the motion said.
The court had found on Jan. 8 that alleged defamatory statements in two Rover articles “were made in the furtherance of the defendant’s right to free speech, were made in connection with a public issue” and “were made with good faith and with a reasonable basis in law and fact.” “The court found that ‘healthcare’ in this context referred to abortion services and concluded The Irish Rover’s reporting on Dr. Kay’s pro-abortion activities and speeches were accurate and lawful,” argued the Bopp Law Firm, the Rover’s counsel, in a Monday news release.
SMC alumna writes children’s By SALLY BR ADSHAW News Writer
O n Fr id ay, S a i nt Ma r y ’s C ol le ge a lu m n a Steph a n ie R y a n g av e a r e ad i ng of her c h i ld r en’s b o ok , “L et ’s L e a r n A b out C hem i st r y,” at t he Robi n s on C om mu n it y L e a r n i ng C enter. R y a n’s “pa s sion pr oje c t ” w a s i n s pi r e d by s e v er a l pa r t s of her l i fe. “I h ad my s on, a nd I a m a c u r r ic u lu m de v elop er, a nd I st a r te d to t h i n k of m i s c onc ept ion s p e ople h av e a b out c hem i st r y. I’m ju st w r it i ng a nd I’m t h i n ki ng , y ou k now a lot of ba sic c hem i st r y i s ac t u a l l y ju st s ol id s, l iqu id s a nd g a s s e s ... a nd I t hou g ht , y ou k now w e c ou ld ac t u a l l y do t h i s a lot e a r l ier,” R y a n s a id . T he b o ok b e g a n a s a Pow erPoi nt s l ide s how, a nd onc e R y a n r e a l i z e d it s p otent i a l s he b e g a n a K ic k st a r ter c a mpa ig n to l au nc h t he b o ok . She s a id t h at t he S a i nt Ma r y ’s a nd Not r e Da me c om mu n it ie s “r e a l l y help e d get it of f t he g r ou nd .” A s t he pr oje c t g a i ne d moment u m Ryan s ent
W BASKETBALL PAGE 10
i l lu st r at ion s out to t he c om mu n it y w ho help e d f u nd t he b o ok to get a s en s e of w h ic h st y le w or ke d b e st . T hen, R y a n r e ac he d out to t he i l lu st r ator C h r i st i ne C a g a r a w ho help e d br i ng her a r t i st ic v i sion to l i fe. R y a n s a id her hu sba nd, w ho i s not a c hem i st , r e ad ov er t he b o ok i n it s e a rl y st a ge s a nd felt t h at it “t a l ke d dow n” to t he r e ader. S o, R y a n h i r e d a de v elopment a l e d itor b e c au s e “ b e c au s e s omet i me s t a l ki ng to k id s i s not a s e a s y a s y ou’d t h i n k it i s,” R y a n s a id . R y a n s a id, “[ My de v elopment a l e d itor] w a s t he one w ho s u g ge ste d putt i ng t he w ord s u nder ne at h w it h t he a n s w er s i n it s o t h at t he pa r ent , w ho m ig ht not b e a s c ient i st , w ou ld k now [w h ic h i s ] t he s ol id, t he l iqu id a nd t he g a s s o t h at t he y don’t h av e to fe el l i ke t he y don’t k now t he a n s w er.” “L et ’s Learn A b out C hem i st r y ” i s for m at te d w it h s er ie s of fou r i m a ge s a nd t he y ou ng r e ader see ALUMNA PAGE 3
TRACK PAGE 12
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TODAY
THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2024 | NDSMCOBSERVER.COM
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webmaster@ndsmcobserver.com Policies The Observer is the independent, daily newspaper published in print and online by the students of the University of Notre Dame du Lac, Saint Mary’s College and Holy Cross College. Editorial content, including advertisements, is not governed by policies of the administration of any institution. The Observer reserves the right to refuse advertisements based on content. The news is reported as accurately and objectively as possible. Unsigned editorials represent the opinion of the majority of the Editor-in-Chief, Managing Editor, Assistant Managing Editors and department editors. Commentaries, letters and columns present the views of the authors and not necessarily those of The Observer. Viewpoint space is available to all readers. The free expression of all opinions through letters is encouraged. Letters to the Editor must be signed and must include contact information. Questions regarding Observer policies should be directed to Editor-in-Chief Maggie Eastland. Post Office Information The Observer (USPS 599 2-4000) is published Monday through Friday except during exam and vacation periods. A subscription to The Observer is $130 for one academic year; $75 for one semester. The Observer is published at: 024 South Dining Hall Notre Dame, IN 46556-0779 Periodical postage paid at Notre Dame and additional mailing offices POSTMASTER Send address corrections to: The Observer P.O. Box 779 024 South Dining hall Notre Dame, IN 46556-077
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Viewpoint
INDIA DOERR | The Observer
Colin Mahoney, a leprechaun on the cheerleading team, plays a game of chicken toss with a child at the women’s basketball game. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish played the Syracuse Orange at a game held at the Joyce Center on Thursday night, losing 79-65.
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Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
“The Eucharist and Human Dignity” Lecture Oak Room, South Dining Halll 4:30 p.m. - 5:45 p.m.
Self Love Vision Boards Holy Cross Parlor 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. Learn to love yourself through board making.
Black History Month First Friday Dinner 104 Coleman-Morse Hammes Lounge 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Celebrate with others.
Service Saturday DeBartolo Performing Arts Center 3 p.m. & 7 p.m. Oscar-nominated film showing this weekend.
Basilica Mass Basilica of the Sacred Heart 10 a.m. & noon Join others on campus in celebrating Mass.
PrismND Hangout LaFortune History Makers Room 8:30 p.m. - 10 p.m. Relax and enjoy food with others.
Miss Notre Dame Washington Hall 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Support O’Neill Family Hall and watch women compete for the title.
Snow Tubing St. Patrick’s County Park 7:45 p.m. - 10:15 p.m. Enjoy innertubing off campus with FlipSide.
“Anatomy of a Fall” DeBartolo Performing Arts Center 3 p.m. & 7 p.m. Oscar-nominated film showing this weekend.
“The Little Mermaid” DeBartolo Performing Arts Center 1 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. See the 2023 adaptation for $1.
NEWS
Council CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
presidents must attend week ly senate meetings and ser ve as voting members. Attendance at class council meetings is required to maintain membership. Stoller’s departure arrives unexpectedly, as senior class officers begin their term on May 1 of the year elected and ser ve until the class’s five-year reunion. Stoller and Romero did not respond to requests for comment.
Politics CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
was both unjust and unbelievably illegal. And there’s just no question that almost ever ybody thought that war was w rong.” The last topic of conversation was on the tendency for minor conf licts to escalate into a comprehensive and destructive war. Mearsheimer staunchly advocated for limiting total war in a world w ith nuclear weaponr y, say ing, “once that limited nuclear war starts, you do not want it to escalate. You want to do ever y thing you can to shut it dow n.” Despite the threats that these major conf licts pose, Mearsheimer offered a few explanations for why escalation is still commonplace. The first was that once a war begins, politics becomes subsidiar y to militar y power. “Winning a limited v ictor y means that you leave your adversar y intact. So militar y leaders like decisive v ictories. They don’t like limited v ictories. Furthermore, militar y leaders do not like civ ilians telling them how to conduct the war,” Mearsheimer said. He also cited nationalism as a major contributor to fueling greater conf licts, w ith prime examples being Napoleonic France and Nazi Germany. “W hat nationalism allows you to do is raise a mass army and it allows you to get people to think in ways where almost ever ybody hates the other,” he said. Mearsheimer concluded w ith a brief summar y of his position, announcing that “war is endemic to politics, and once war is endemic in international politics, fear rules the air, fear that your sur v ival is threatened. Bottom line: war can never be eliminated.” Contact Gray Nocjar at gnocjar@nd.edu
NDSMCOBSERVER.COM | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2024 | THE OBSERVER
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ND awards largest architecture prize By ETHAN CHIANG News Writer
American architect Peter Pennoyer has been named the 2024 winner of the Richard H. Driehaus Prize at the University of Notre Dame. This prize is awarded annually to a living architect that has been a major contributor to classical architecture and urbanism in contemporary society. “[Pennoyer] has shown an amazing inventiveness within the classical language,” Michael Lykoudis, professor and former dean of the Notre Dame School of Architecture, said. “The classical language of architecture is not just simply Greco-Roman classicism, but it alludes to the shared building traditions of the world.” Lykoudis said the Driehaus Prize “represents an effort to explain, celebrate and recognize why architecture matters to the world.” The idea for the prize started with discussions between Lykoudis and Driehaus, American businessman and philanthropist, in 2002. The following year, the first prize was awarded to Léon Krier of Luxembourg. Prize winners receive $200,000, making it the largest global architectural prize given
annually, Lykoudis said. “When we talk about sustainability, when we talk about our identities, as humans belonging to cultures, it is the architecture and character of the cities which make up those cultures,” he said. “What the Driehaus prize does more than any other prize is represent how those cultures are recognized through their traditions.” According to Lykoudis, who served on this year’s jury, Pennoyer has worked significantly to make architectural classicism relevant again in both the public and private realm. “He’s done buildings for individual residences, but he’s also done apartment buildings, midrise buildings in New York City,” Lykoudis said. “We make sure the architect we select has given a contribution to the public realm — those streets, squares, blocks and the identity of cities, either by working within or helping create identities for places that have lost [them].” In addition to considering public-facing contributions, Lykoudis said the jury, made up of renowned architects from around the world, also pays attention to current events. “We try to make a decision that would offer some
ETHAN CHIANG | The Observer
The Notre Dame School of Architecture, housed in Walsh Family Hall of Architecture celebrates the annual winner of the Dreihaus Prize
possibilities about how to resolve some of the issues that are coming up. In the past, we’ve had issues of climate change, globalization or localization,” he said. In addition to the cash prize, Pennoyer will be awarded with a bronze model of the Choragic Monument of Lysicrates at a ceremony in Chicago. “[The ceremony] is a gathering of friends of the [School of Architecture], friends of the laureates, friends of architecture from all professional walks of life,” Lykoudis said.
Architecture students at Notre Dame have the opportunity to attend this event as well. “Our students get to rub elbows and meet with people from all over the world ... In fact, all continents are represented by our laureates and by the people who are invited to come,” Lykoudis said. “They get to enter into a professional event and put their bestfoot forward. Sometimes, they get jobs out of it.” Contact Ethan Chiang at echiang@nd.edu
Alumna CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
pic k s w h ic h of t he fou r do e s not b elong i n t he c ate gor y. O n t he opp o site pa ge, R y a n e x pl a i n s how t he st ate s of m at ter a f fe c t e ac h a n s w er. T h r ou g hout t he b o ok , Ryan i nc lude s fou r y ou ng c h a r ac ter s t he r e ader c a n fol low a long w it h . T he s e c h a r ac ter s a pp e a l to t he t a r get aud ienc e of t he b o ok , c h i ld r en a ge s 0 to 6. Ne a r i ng t he end of t he c r e at ion pr o c e s s, R y a n h i r e d a c op y e d itor a nd a publ ic i st a nd t hen r a n i nto t he COV I D -19 pa ndem ic .T he lo c kdow n me a nt t h at R y a n w a s u na ble to go to b o ok l au nc he s or r e ad at b o ok s hops or pr e s c ho ol s. S o, s he b e g a n s h a r i ng her w or k t h r ou g h s o c i a l me d i a . She c re ate d t he s e r ie s “L et ’s L e a r n A b out S c ienc e” on s o c i a l me d i a w her e s he demon st r ate d si mple e x p er i ment s u si ng hou s ehold obje c t s t h at pa r ent s c ou ld u s e to te ac h t hei r c h i ld r en a b out s c ienc e. D u r i ng her v i sit to t he Robi n s on C om mu n it y L e a r n i ng C enter, R y a n le d t he c l a s s of pr e s c ho oler s a nd t hei r f a m i l ie s i n one of t he s e e x p er i ment s, c r e at i ng l av a l a mps out of
Sally Bradshaw | The Observer
Saint Mary’s College alumna Stephanie Ryan delivered a reading of her children’s book, “Let’s Learn About Chemistry,” at the Robinson Community Learning Center to a class of preschoolers and their families.
w ater, v e get a ble oi l a nd fo o d c olor i ng. “S c ienc e i s f u n ... I r e a l l y hop e t h at t he pa r ent s to ok aw ay t h at e v er y t h i ng t h at w e ju st d id t he y c a n do i n t hei r k itc hen at home, a nd t h at t he y don’t ne e d to b e s c ient i st s to do it , a nd t h at t he y c a n ju st do it on a r a ndom T hu r s d ay e v en i ng for f u n,” R y a n s a id . She c ont i nue d, “I t h i n k t h at ST E M i s a l l a r ou nd u s. It i s l i fe. ST E M i s a to ol t h at helps e x pl a i n t he w or ld a r ou nd u s, s o I t h i n k t h at it ’s not r e a l l y
a ‘get i nv ol v e d i n’, it ’s to help t hem e x pl a i n w h at ’s goi ng on a r ou nd t hem .” R y a n c om mente d on her t i me at S a i nt Ma r y ’s, e xpl a i n i ng how s he h ad a pr ofe s s or du r i ng her w or kst ud y p er io d w ho pu l le d her a side a nd a s ke d i f s he h ad e v er c on sider e d te ac h i ng. “My ju n ior ye a r, e v er yb o d y s at dow n a nd t he y w or ke d out a w ay to m a ke it s o t h at I c ou ld get w h at I ne e de d to le av e w it h e duc at ion a s a s e c ond a r y [ m ajor] , a nd t hen I w ent
i nto g r adu ate s c ho ol w it h t h at fo c u s ... S a i nt Ma r y ’s was i n st r u ment a l in helpi ng me e v en f i nd t h at t h at w a s a s pa r k I h ad,” R y a n s a id . L o ok i ng to t he f ut u r e, R y a n s a id s he h a s a not her b o ok in t he w or k s a b out ox y gen, a nd r e ader s c a n le a r n mor e a b out her w or k a nd up c om i ng b o ok on I n st a g r a m a nd T i k Tok @ let s le a r n a b out s c ienc e. Contact Sally Bradshaw at sbradshaw01@saintmarys.edu
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NEWS
THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2024 | NDSMCOBSERVER.COM
AI-related Honor Code violations skyrocket Generative AI has completely upended the academic world — for better and worse By LIAM PRICE New Writer Editor
Built by the artificial intelligence (AI) company Open AI, ChatGPT rocked the world when it became available in the late Fall 2022, offering chatbot technology with a capability the public had never seen before. In a singular, free program, ChatGPT could tell jokes about rabbits, write love poems for a significant other and compose proper university mission statements. After OpenAI’s grand entrance into the chatbot scene, other large tech companies, including Google and Bing, raced to develop their own versions of the technology. Performing whatever task a user could think of, the possibilities seemed endless. But these generative AI technologies had become so powerful, many educators feared that they could also do your homework — or worse, it might be able to ace your final exam for you. According to Ardea Russo, the director of the office of academic standards, in the Spring 2023 semester, while the technology was fairly new to student users, 10% of academic Honor Code violations at Notre Dame were related to generative AI. But in the Fall 2023 semester, that figure jumped to 30%. The world of academic dishonesty, an age-old problem for universities, has been transformed.
Passing Business Analytics without knowing how to code Students majoring in Business Analytics at Notre Dame would typically find it impossible to get by without learning how to code — until now, perhaps. A graduating senior in the major spoke on condition of anonymity to The Observer about their heav y use of GPT4, OpenAI’s most powerful, subscription-based generative AI service. The student said they have used the service to complete coding assignments in R or Python languages in “anything from weekly homework to full-blown final projects.” “I’m not skilled in the synthesis of the projects, but I can read them,” the student said. “I don’t know if I could do them at all, because I can’t really code.” There are hazards, the student acknowledged. Sometimes an AI’s output will include an error such as “[INSERT BLANK HERE],” which could spell an Honor Code violation if not edited out of the student’s
assignment submission. But the student has never been caught, because coding assignments typically only have one or two right answers. Despite not knowing how to code, the student does not think their education has been deficient. “It’s just kind of a trend for where data analytics and coding is going,” the student said. “Learning to code in the language itself is going to be an outdated medium.”
Updating policies
academic
Notre Dame has worked quickly to update its academic policies to better suit the changing academic landscape. Upon returning to campus this semester, students received an email from Russo reminding them of this policy and its recent updates. In the email, Russo told students that editing written work using AI technologies is “not recommended,” and reminded them that “use of generative AI in a way that violates an instructor’s articulated policy, or using it to complete coursework in a way not expressly permitted by the faculty member, will be considered a violation of the Honor Code.” Russo said that the University has provided a degree of f lexibility to its Honor Code, allowing professors to set their own policies, with the University’s policies taking effect in the absence policies set by a professor. “I think the f lexibility makes sense for what different types of classes are trying to accomplish,” Russo said. Compared with the traditional form of plagiarism, where copied work from another student or academic can be detected and proved if the original work is found, generative AI technologies are difficult to detect in a student’s work. But sometimes, detection is possible. AI can reveal itself in subtle ways, Russo explained. Professors can compare past essays side-by-side with a suspicious submission in order to detect work that is written in an entirely different style. Sometimes, the AI “hallucinates,” and the professor can catch its mistakes. And in other instances, the output of an AI submission is totally different from what a “typical undergraduate” would produce. A professor’s suspicion doesn’t merit an immediate Honor Code violation, but instead it will lead to a conversation with the student to find out more about the situation. In setting consequences for
Photographer | The Observer
Generative AI models such as ChatGPT have become ncreasingly iused n academia, prompting the University to rapidly revise academic policies to prevent academic dishonesty while enabling student learning.
AI-related violations, Russo said the University takes into account the forthrightness of a student in coming forward to confess their offenses. And if a suspected student remains in denial of a violation after initial conversations, the professor can opt to go to an Honor Code hearing with the student, for which a University panel will decide the case with a vote. And despite the race to update policies to adjust to a changing world of technology, Russo stressed that punishment isn’t the goal in the enforcement of policies on generative AI at Notre Dame. “It’s not like anyone wakes up in the morning just wanting to catch cheaters.” she said. “We care about students learning, and if you’re outsourcing your work to ChatGPT, then you aren’t. And we want you to take your Notre Dame degree and represent us as a well-educated member of society.”
Changing academia
world
of
Susan Blum, an anthropology professor at Notre Dame, says that the problem of how to best manage AI technology in the classroom is not confined to Notre Dame, but is prevalent across the country. “It always takes us back to what the goals of education are, and all the really smart writing professors that I read, talk about the fact that writing really is for thinking and learning,” Blum said. “But if we emphasize that writing is for producing a product, then outsourcing that task gets you the product, but it doesn’t get you the thinking.” Rethinking the goals of education is a responsibility for everyone in education, Blum
said, one that will “challenge what we assume.” Students in particular must question their goals in obtaining an education. “If your incentive is to get a decent grade with the minimal amount of engagement, you know, AI will get you part of the way there. You won’t learn anything, but you’ll get the work done,” Blum said. “So if learning matters, you can only use it so much.”
AI to be a better person Some students use AI to get by, and others, like Mark Evgenev, use it for everything. Evgenev is a junior at Notre Dame majoring in science business who in January 2023 had an epiphany upon encountering ChatGPT: the technology is “the future.” Evgenev set himself to work. Funded by Notre Dame, he took over 200 hours of courses on AI-prompting through the online course program Udemy and joined Collaborative Dynamics, a community of over 10,000 people aimed at learning how to prompt AI effectively. With this work, he began to develop his own styles and theories of prompting AI. Evgenev has also co-founded an AI-centered company, desync, which aspires to lower barriers to entrepreneurship by matching start-up companies with the right investors. “When it comes to fundraising, a lot of people get it really, really wrong,” Evgenev said. “They start spamming all the investors they can find, and they just get ignored.” Desync therefore uses a database of 220,000 investors which its AI can sort through to match a single founder to the 100 most-fitting investors, whom the bot can then send
emails to with an ideal pitch. While he finds himself increasingly invested in the field of AI, he is not very worried about the implications of AI for the education of serious students. “We got into one of the best schools in the country, and just using this to cheat and get through classes, that’s not going to get you anywhere,” Evgenev said. Instead, Evgenev thinks students should use the opportunity to increase their knowledge repository in their classes, use it to practice on more problems in order to master a given skill or as an explainer on concepts they find difficult to understand. “It’s really an opportunity to learn more rather than do less,” he said. Evgenev aims to become a subject-matter expert in AI, and he is already working over 100 hours every week between schoolwork and his time running his company. The amount of work, he said, is “roughly insane,” but it’s part of his personality. “When I do things, I’m either all in, or I’m not in,” he said. Evgenev said he has used AI successfully to help him improve “across every single level of life” over the last year. “I have AI as a nutritionist. I have AI as a psychologist — if I have any problems I could just have that conversation and feel a tiny bit better. I can have AI for athletics, AI for personal development (to learn) how to actually talk to people better,” Evgenev said. The goal in this AIengrained lifestyle, he said, is to “be better as a person.” Contact Liam Price at lprice3@nd.edu
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THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2024 | NDSMCOBSERVER.COM
Hate permacloud? Pretend it’s summer in these windowless, distraction-free study spots Rose Quinlan A Contrarian’s Contribution
In September, I published a column telling everyone about the perfect outdoor study spots, because the weather is only gorgeous for a few precious weeks under the Dome. Those golden weeks of sunlight left us long ago, and as we return to campus I’d like to write a companion piece for my fellow sun-lovers. Instead of dwelling on my vitamin D deficiency during these somber months, I like to hide from the weather by finding study spots that are completely isolated from the outdoors. Windowless study spaces are like casinos in that you can’t feel the passage of time: no sun to set at 5, no rain to make you dread the walk home. Google a picture of Notre Dame in the summer, and you can almost pretend it’s August again! These spots are also perfect for avoiding all distractions. If you just need a study spot where the only thing to do is look at your textbook, this article is for you. Fortunately, our generous campus architects do not care for natural light, so the Notre Dame campus is a gold mine of windowless time capsules for the perfect all-nighter. Without further ado, here are the top five study spots on campus that I would recommend to a vampire. Hesburgh Library: No more impressive effort has been made to minimize window access than in the construction of Hesburgh Library. From the outside, it seems that the library has very few windows. From the inside, it’s hard to find any windows at all. When I need to sink into an intense study session without the outdoors in sight, I head to the reading room on the 10th f loor. The basement is also an excellent spot for essay writing — I swear, time passes differently down there. Just please remember to be quiet on the windowless f loors, or you will receive dirty looks (from me). The Math Bunker: I confess that I am not a math major or even a STEM major, and I love the Math Bunker (aka the Math Library). For those who have not discovered this somber study spot, look for a nondescript staircase leading down into the bowels of Hayes-Healy Hall. In the basement, you will find a space that formerly stored math textbooks, and now is home to dozens of STEM kids writing silently on white boards. You might not enjoy your time down there, but you will leave with a completed problem set. The Mendoza Basement: If you’re intimidated by STEM kids or just find the Math Bunker too depressing, the Mendoza Library is a strong alternative. Descend all the way down the dramatic spiral staircase in Mendoza and you will find lots of nooks and crannies full of kids prepping for their Deloitte interviews. This is a great spot for quieter group work, and there is an outlet at nearly every seat. DeBart Classrooms: Did you know that DeBartolo Hall is so big, it could seat the entire student body at the same time? DeBart is home to hundreds of classrooms, and fortunately for you, many of them are windowless. For some serious isolation, head to DeBart at night after classes have ended, and find your own little seminar room to pass the hours without being bothered by a soul. Fitzpatrick Hall of Engineering, top f loor: One perk of having a roommate in STEM is 24-hour access to one of the most solitary study spots on campus. Find a way into Fitzpatrick at night, and the top f loor has comfortable — and often empty — study spaces, complete with glass doors and whiteboards. The building itself is constructed to suit the engineering aesthetic; that is, it looks like a nuclear war bunker. It’s the perfect place for some somber and focused exam preparation. Although these five are my go-to spots, I also encourage my readers to check out the first f loor of Stinson-Remick, the main room in JenkinsNanovic, the upper f loors of the Law Library and the basement of your dorm. I am confident that with enough patience and delusion, we can make it to spring. Good luck, and happy studying! Rose is a senior from Buffalo, NY with majors in economics and the Program of Liberal Studies. Her writing interests include ethics, campus culture and the intersection of economics, politics and philosophy. When she’s not writing, you can find her reading on the 10th floor of the library, losing intramural basketball games or working at the Law School. You can contact Rose by email at rquiniaz@nd.edu. The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
Brazil’s footprint scenes Lara Novaes Victor Diary of an International Student
During an expedition to his second plantation on the other side of the island, Robinson Crusoe stumbles upon a human footprint on the sand. Instead of rejoicing on the possibility of company or salvation, his first instinct was to retreat to his fort in fear of savages and cannibals. As I read through this passage, I couldn’t help but relate to his desire to hide inside and refuse to leave the premises of his “castle” for years. Specifically, I understood his fear of what others could do to harm him and all that he worked so hard to build and grow. This constant fear and anxiety is extremely familiar to me or any other Brazilian. However, while Robinson had no real reason to be afraid, Brazilians have many reasons to be afraid everyday, especially due to the persistent economic and political turmoil Brazil faces. One of my earliest memories as a child is seeing my parents leave for work in the morning and going to bed before they came back. Every time I asked them why they worked so much, they always said “A gente tem que aproveitar o máximo que dá hoje, porque amanhã a gente não sabe o que vai acontecer” (We have to make the most of today because we don’t know what will happen tomorrow). That never made sense to me. Why would they think so much could change in one night? As I matured and learned more about my country’s history, I came to understand why they felt so uneasy about what tomorrow would bring. In a country like mine, whose governmental intuitions are weak, the political and economic status quo can change in the blink of an eye. For example, in the Military Revolution of 1964, within just two days the president was deposed and exiled. That short revolution began a decade long military dictatorship. My grandmother tells me a lot about this dark period in Brazilian history: inflation was as high as 84% per month and stores changed the prices of all products at least twice a day. Even after the dictatorship ended, we were very far from being stable. During the first week of the new democratic government led by Fernando Collor, 80% of all money invested in banks was with held by the government with no previous notice. Even 30 years after the incident, some people still haven’t gotten their money back. As a response to this traumatic history, Brazilians became a sort of superpower Lockean figure. Akin to Robison Crusoe after he got to the island, we are extremely productive and feel like we constantly need additional income, even if we have well paying jobs. Last year, we had the Brazilian presidential elections. All of the Brazilian students in Notre Dame were extremely apprehensive about the results and spent the whole day checking how the vote count was going. Most of my American friends who saw us tirelessly refresh the government page were extremely puzzled by it. They didn’t understand why it mattered so much to us given that most
of them didn’t even know when elections in the U.S. would happen again, who they would vote for and even if they were going to vote at all. That got me wondering why our political and economic status quo are fundamentally different, why we worry so much while most Americans don’t feel like politics affect their daily lives. To these questions, I came to the conclusion that from the beginning we have been fundamentally different. English colonial settlements in America like the Province of Carolina were ruled by fundamental constitutions proposed by proprietors which in Carolina’s case included the Earl of Shaftesbury. Along with that, the settlement’s righteousness was defended by prominent philosophers such as John Locke who was at the time one of Shaftesbury’s secretaries. The concepts developed in Locke’s “Second Treatise of Government” were used to justify England’s right to American soil. This was based on the idea that Native Americans were living in a state of nature and did not exploit the land properly and therefore had no property rights over the land, as opposed to Englishmen who exploited their new estate to its fullest and, as a consequence, had this right to property. In contrast, most proprietors of Brazilian settlements in the early colonial years never claimed their lands, let alone established a constitution with philosophical support. For most of that period, Brazil was used as a sugar plantation, wood extraction site and a way for the Catholic Church to expand its reach through the missionary education of natives Brazilians. Portugal only began to formally colonize Brazil when other nations started to invade northern regions such as Recife and Olinda. Instead of being reinvested in Brazil, the profit made out of the exploitation of Brazilian resources was used to pay the crown’s debt to the English government. Along with that, most government decisions about Brazil were made in Portugal. As a consequence, Brazil did not receive enough investment and had weak governmental structures from the very beginning. These core differences in the founding of both nations unfolded into bigger and more prominent gaps as time went by. As the years go by and elections happen, we must decide if we want to continue to relate to Robison Crusoe after stumbling on the footprint or start to trace our long way towards becoming an economic and politically stable nation whose people don’t have the need to act as super power Lockean figures in search of greater power and property. Lara is a member of the class of 2026 from Taubaté, Brazil with majors in economics and Chinese. When she is not complaining about the weather, you can find her studying in a random room of O’Shaughnessy with her friends or spending all her flex points in Garbanzo. You can contact Lara by email at lvictor@ nd.edu. The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
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THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2024 | NDSMCOBSERVER.COM
INSIDE COLUMN
My Notre Dame trauma as Taylor Swift album releases Andrew Marciano Viewpoint Copyeditor
Throughout my collegiate career, Taylor Swift has dropped a majority of her re-recordings (except for the “reputation” and “Debut” re-records as of this writing). So, in honor of this being my last ever article for The Observer, I’ve decided to put moments from the past four years that I tend to associate with each album release on full blast to the masses.
“Lover” This album doesn’t technically count, as “Lover” came out my senior year of high school, plagued by the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. It signified new beginnings and change, from the warm and beautiful city of San Diego to the volatile weather of South Bend, Indiana. I had never left home for such a long extended period without my parents and had the stress of living in a dingy dorm with a bunch of strangers and subpar dining hall food (given that the food was placed in styrofoam packages, we had to eat outside under a hornet-infested tree and had to wear our masks between bites). Other than that, there were not really any traumatic experiences during this period.
“folklore” Every time I think about “folklore,” it takes me back to the rainy, pumpkin spice-esque days of freshman year: the hurricane warning on the first day of school, sitting alone in my dorm as the leaves changed colors and the classic freshman year friend group falling out. A guy was caught talking smack once at a party the day before Easter and a friend got into a tussle with him in my honor. A couple stitches later and after everyone and their mom discovered what happened, the guy was quickly exiled from the group. Now I know this does not necessarily bring about “folklore” energy, but I do remember that during the walk back, the song “peace” was playing in a nearby tent. That misty, cold night was the first time I felt like I had a friend by my side. Looking back, we were all annoying freshmen trying to find our place in the world holding onto our right to immaturity.
“evermore” “evermore” was another album that was released freshman year, but I do not associate any bad trauma with it. Rather, this album has personally left a positive mark on me that has continued throughout these past four years. It’s a representation of maturity, offering a glimpse of hope amidst all of the moments of college where you sink to your worst.
“Fearless (Taylor’s Version)” If this was a cheesy column, I would say “Fearless (Taylor’s Version)” highlights the act of trying new things, meeting new people and taking risks, all associated with the beginning and end of freshmen year. Unfortunately, this is a cheesy column and this album did help with my fears of studying abroad in the summer, so I agree with this discernment.
“Red (Taylor’s Version)” The quintessential break-up album — in this case, a breakup from my best friend. “Red (Taylor’s Version)” was released in my sophomore year in the fall, which was marked by limited character development and a familiar batch of friends, led by a frigid winter season. It was also a time that taught me the importance of communication in friendships and taking responsibility when you’ve wronged someone. It was during this period that I had a falling out with one of my best friends (which was completely my fault) and a healing of our friendship after that (after I had taken full responsibility). We’re still going strong to this day.
“Midnights” An album already beset by sleepless nights, it came out my junior year fall, which was certainly marked by self-reflection and a broken friendship. It was during this time my now ex-friend wronged me, spread fake rumors and refused to take responsibility for their actions, all under the guise of false assumptions and their “blunt” personality. Looking back, a person with a poor personality who plays the victim despite being the propagator is not someone I’d want to be associated with. Frankly, attempting to mend that friendship was simply a waste of my breath. It caused me to place my guard up and made me ensure to never allow someone to take advantage of my forgiveness again.
“Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)” A representation of the transition into adulthood and the importance of speaking up for what you believe, the album came out at a semi-pivotal time, the summer before senior year. There was nothing traumatic in this period, besides me discerning my future, visiting Pittsburgh for the first time and meeting up with old friends. However, I do tend to think back to summer and all the beautiful times in San Diego, especially since It was also a time when I got over a hometown flame and chose to be a lawyer.
was not problematic enough, I had gotten into a fight with my ex-friend after I had hoped to heal our relationship. Unfortunately, my ex-friend once again attempted to shift the blame onto me, even though I had every right to be upset due to their wrongdoing. They refused to take responsibility for their actions once more, causing me to realize that this friendship was not worth mending. At one point you have to realize that some people will never change and continue their stubborn behavior to their detriment while you allow yourself to heal and realize the importance of your true and real friendships. You move on, you get better and leave the past behind; haters are gonna always hate. C’est la vie.
“reputation” and “Debut” Although these last two albums (Taylor’s Version), have yet to be released, “reputation” certainly highlights being with the ones you love and finding safety and solace amongst the drama of college. The real friends won’t care about the “he said, she said” — they’ll be there for you whenever you need it, and those are the memories you will hold onto. With respect to Taylor Swift’s debut album, it’s a representation of a beginning–in this case, life after college. All in all, they’re a look ahead as you leave your struggles and pains behind for something new. On the other hand, while it is important to leave the past behind, it’s also necessary to realize how the events have transformed your life. I may sometimes regret what occurred, wishing I reacted differently or said something else. Yet, without these experiences, good or bad, I could not have met the new friends whom I am grateful for every day and who helped me when it all went crashing and burning. For me, I try to keep my side of the street clean, and I’d rather care about the moments that make me happy, leaving behind a negative environment to be surrounded by the people I love.
Closing Remarks The cheesiness is not yet over: In my last ever column, I would like to give a shoutout to those on The Observer team that have significantly impacted me the most: the AMEs (shoutout to Gabby and Hannah), Ed Board (shoutout to Christina, Anna, Meg, my twin namesake McGuinness and my wonderful boss Claire) and The Observer, for being a consistent, questionable source of revenue these past four years.
“1989 (Taylor’s Version)” For me, “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” represented a rebirth and letting go of the past. The album came out amidst Halloweekend while I was at CJs, and it perfectly encapsulates the feeling of embracing the future. If the CJs line
You can reach Andrew Marciano at amarcian@nd.edu. The views expressed in this Inside column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
Housing First Leah Moody BridgeND
I spent the summer after my freshman year working at Andre House, a soup kitchen and drop-in service center for people experiencing homelessness in Phoenix. Andre House is located in the middle of what once was known as “The Zone,” a large homeless encampment located near the city’s capital. However, in spring 2023, local business owners prevailed in a lawsuit against the city of Phoenix, ordering the city to clear all tents from The Zone. The Zone grew to its massive size of approximately 1,000 people due to a 2019 9th Circuit Court ruling that decided it was unconstitutional to prosecute citizens living on the streets when an insufficient number of shelter beds were available. However, in 2023, a judge ruled that the city of Phoenix was responsible for failing to address the issue and for letting a public nuisance continue. Despite lengthy battles with the ACLU, The Zone was cleared, with hundreds of chronically homeless individuals displaced. Now, the city of Phoenix is continuing to scramble to find long-term solutions for hundreds of unsheltered people. The clearing of The Zone is not an isolated phenomenon. Around the nation, countless cities — such as Portland,
Oregon, and San Francisco — have taken steps to clear out encampments, placing greater restrictions on public camping. The presence of homeless encampments has caused many to question the sufficiency of the Housing First model. Housing First is the idea that once chronically homeless individuals are placed into secure housing — “Housing First” — they are better suited to tackle other issues, such as addiction, that may keep them from securing long-term housing. Thus, instead of traditional strategies that enforce sobriety and other standards prior to housing placement, proponents of Housing First typically support low-barrier, permanent supportive housing, which first places people in housing, and then gives them a choice to connect with supportive resources afterward. For many, the widespread use of the Housing First method has created hope that chronic homelessness in America could, someday, be a thing of the past. After all, the statistics that some organizations claim are extremely hopeful — the National Low Income Housing Association reported in a 2004 study that the Housing First model is more likely to get people out of homelessness, with 79% of individuals in Housing First programs remaining stably housed compared to just 27% in abstinence-based programs. Still, growing public discontent amidst the increasing presence of large unsheltered populations has led to a call for the clearing
of homeless encampments along with general criticism of Housing First, with politicians such as Ohio Senator J.D. Vance arguing that the model ignores the root causes of homelessness. However, many remain convinced of the efficacy of the model. Thus, in attempts to continue getting people sheltered, many cities are experimenting with unique ways to continue, despite opposition, getting unsheltered people off the streets and into housing before addressing other underlying issues. One example of an innovative application of the Housing First model is the Community First! Village, located just outside of Austin, Texas. The community, which houses approximately 400 residents, is made up of about 200-squarefoot tiny homes, providing residents with shelter in which they are allowed to stay permanently. All residents pay rent, and some have jobs within the village. Some argue that the homes fail to meet housing standards, with most residents only having access to communal bathrooms and kitchens. However, for many residents, it seems that the low cost of living, alongside the sense of community the village provides, is proving to be much more effective than traditional housing models. Read the rest of Leah Moody’s column online at ndsmcobserver.com
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THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2024 | NDSMCOBSERVER.COM
By Observer Scene Staff
Notre Dame’s Film, Television and Theatre students put Sundance to shame with the 35th annual Notre Dame Student Film Fest last weekend. With a diverse group of work — ranging from documentaries to dramatic shorts — this showcase demonstrates the creativity and wit of the Notre Dame student body. Working within the constrai nts of the semester, FTT majors rose above expectations and blew away the audience with “Confishion.” All the films this year were fantastic — we just don’t have space to review them all. Kudos to the budding filmmakers at Notre Dame!
“Nearness of You” (Josh Vo) Shot using mostly camcorder footage, “Nearness of You” is a filmmaker’s goodbye to the friends and the love that made moving away to London so hard. Completely lacking dialogue, Vo’s narrative is transmitted through the use of written no tes on a white board, reminiscent of the intertitles of the silent film era. His use of old footage from rehearsal and time spent with the people he is saying goodbye to carries the film’s emotional weight. This is especially true when it comes t o the girlfriend he is leaving behind. When he arrives in London and the dynamic flips — he is the one watching a goodbye video now — it hits like an emotional truck,
By ARIANNA DENNING Scene Writer
As we near the premiere of the last episode of “Percy Jackson and the Olympians,” I wanted to offer a reflection on just why this particular quest has captured the attention of newcomers and PJO veterans alike. Why do we all seem to be tuning into this children’s show, rabid and frothing at the mouth for every episode that comes out, finally happy that we have a good adaptation? Well, I must first do my due diligence and establish what this series means to my age group. The first book, “The Lightning Thief,” came out in 2005. But, to me, the series’s popularity peake d when the final book “The Last Olympian” was published in 2009 and the movie came out just a year later. These books were released at exactly the same time as I was learning to love reading in elementary and middle school, and it was a match made in Olympus. Author Rick Riordan never let up either, continuing to release series like “The Heroes of Olympus” and “The Kane Chronicles” to feed my mythology obsession. For me, and I think many others, “Percy Jackson” was one of the first series that really captured our imaginations in the pre-teen days. The mythology, the humorous characters and compelling action scenes were the perfect combination. I’d be lying if I didn’t wish just the tiniest bit that I’d get some godly claiming sign and be whisked away to Camp Half-Blood. Every kid I knew that read these books
leaving the viewer to ponder the weight of the goodbyes we’ve just seen. — José Sánchez Córdova, Assistant Managing Editor
“The Ballad of Bart” (Victoria Dominesey, Ian Oh) In the opening scene, you can tell that the guy sketching for us is a pretty good doodler — but that’s not the only surprise. In this portrait full of raw passion and vulnerability, a man named Bart discloses a little bit of everything from his life, including his time in the military, his experience going to prison for drug dealing and his relationship with his wife (who’s called “Love Goddess” in his phone). “The Ballad of Bart” takes the pieces of Bart’s life and skillfully arranges them into a touching narrative that shows how life unfolds in funny ways. After all, Bart says, he wouldn’t have found his life’s passion — music — or taken up illustrating, had he never gone to prison. I came to believe wholeheartedly in Bart by the end, and I think this film has the power to make you believe in yourself and all of humanity a little more, too. — Cozette Brown, Scene Writer
“Bajo El Sol” (Micaela Alvarado, Ryan Lin) “Bajo El Sol” follows immigrant street vendors in Santa Ana, California, providing glimpses into their work and aspirations. The filmmakers weave together clips of a vendor searching out and serving customers with intimate interviews of him, his wife and his wife’s cousin, who is also a vendor. The conversations are strikingly
related closely to one of the characters. After all, they didn’t just deal with problems relating to life-or-death, but often struggled with common insecurities relating to school or relationships. For me, I was sure I was the reincarnation of Annabeth Chase, the next child of Athena. So I’m sure I wasn’t alone when I felt a sense of disappointment watching the 2010 and 2013 movie adaptations of the first two books. They weren’t adaptations of the books at all, but a loosely inspired movie that seemed to throw darts at plot points while blindfolded. I do have a controversial take, which is that I enjoyed the movies for pure nostalgia’s sake. They’re so wonderfully and horrifically reminiscent of that era of filmmaking. The Lady Gaga casino scene is sheer cinematic joy. However, do I consider them an actual “Percy Jackson” adaptation that does any justice to the books? No. Frankly, the success of an adaptation usually all comes down to one major component: author involvement. It’s often the difference between a beautiful adaptation of a book to screen and one that resembles the loose sweater thread that connected the “Percy Jackson” book series and the movies. Rick Riordan publicly denounced and washed his hands of the movie. Conversely, in the television series, he has writer and producer credits and was involved in the casting process from the beginning. That was what reassured me from the beginning. I knew that finding child actors with the acting chops to live up
honest and all almost entirely in Spanish, which provides an opportunity for English-speaking audience members to recognize and, with subtitles, cross the language barrier. The thesis of the film comes from one of the vendors as he talks to the interviewers during a car ride: “And I’m just like you.” “Bajo El Sol” is an inviting, impactful testament to the humanity of the immigrants it chronicles. — Ayden Kowalski, Scene Writer
Audience Choice Award Winner: “Confishion” (Alexx Simone Johnson, Thomas Larson) “Confishion” is a comedy for the modern Catholic. It details the struggle of one student who fails to look after her priest’s fish when she mistakes pepper flakes for fish food (a mistake any person distracted by their phone could make, right?). “Confishion” takes the question of sin and spins it into a lighthearted look at some of today’s most pressing questions, like “Is it wrong to sell feet pictures online?” and “Is it better to tell my priest I killed his fish under the seal of confession?” This little film might not have all the answers, but it manages to connect the ordinary quirks of real life with some of the more intimidating realities of religion. For anyone who is wrestling with their faith (or an embarrassing side hustle), “Confishion” is a sure laugh and a cathartic release. — Cozette Brown, Scene Writer Read more at ndsmcobserver.com. Contact Scene at observer.scene1@gmail.com
to the hype was going to be difficult. But the fact that the author gave the actors and the show his stamp of approval was immensely comforting. And they nailed it. Walker Scobell as Percy Jackson, Leah Sava Jeffries as Annabeth Chase and Aryan Simhadri as Grover Underwood are phenomenally cast. Their chemistry is impeccable and heart-wrenching. The show follows the books closely, only making a few changes that aren’t deal breakers. Now, I’m not saying the show is perfect. Do I personally think that it can be a little heavy-handed in its explanations? Sure, but it’s also supposed to be for kids and viewers who didn’t read the books. However, it’s getting what matters right, especially the worldbuilding and the essence of the trio we all know and love from the books: Percy’s sassiness, Annabeth’s guardedness and intelligence, Grover’s tendency to snack. This show is what we get from including authors in the making of adaptations. Their opinion should be respected. After all, they know their worlds better than anyone. When a production allows the making of the show to be a partnership between author and director, it creates a final product that respects its devoted fanbase. It also does the important job of introducing the “Percy Jackson” universe to the next generation. The final episode airs this week, and I for one, will be ready to watch. Contact Arianna Denning at adenning@nd.edu TREY PAINE, MARIA TOBIAS | The Observer
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SPORTS
THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2024 | NDSMCOBSERVER.COM
SPORTS AUTHORITY
IRISH IN THE SUPER BOWL
Miller: Women’s basketball must utilize secret asset Jake Miller Senior Sports Writer
Notre Dame women’s basketba ll team has had a remarkably volatile season. The Irish endured a pounding from Sout h Carolina and batt led — but couldn’t f inish — in bot h games against Sy racuse. At t he same time, Notre Dame now has t wo impressive upset road w ins against Tennessee and most recent ly, UConn. A 15-point underdog on Saturday night, t he Irish turned t he f ig ure around, w inning by t hat many. W hile sloppy at times, t he Irish genera lly play and shoot well. Obv iously, t he team has a wea kness handling post players on defense, but superior play from Sonia Citron and Hanna h Hida lgo has kept t he team steady t hus far. At times, such as Saturday night, ot her players like Maddy Westbeld took t he spotlight. Against UConn, Westbeld played t he entire game, f inishing w it h 23 points off of 60% shooting from t he f ield. Yet, t he Irish are limited in t heir dept h, and w it h key g uard Oliv ia Miles now conf irmed to be out for t he duration of t he season, t he Irish need to look elsewhere to ensure t hat, in big games, Hida lgo and Citron can be supplemented in t he backcourt. Emma Risch, a f ive-star recruit who saw limited action in t he f irst few mont hs of t he season, is a lso out for t he season due to a hip injur y. The Irish need key transfer g uard A nna DeWolfe to step up to t he plate. DeWolfe needs to ta ke key minutes, but if used properly, she is a major weapon — not just a role player. During her time at Fordham, she won t hree straight First Team A ll Conference (A-10) awards, and last year, she was second in t he conference in scoring. This year, she is averaging 9.1 points per game on 46.5% f ield goa l shooting, t he highest in her career. At f irst glance, DeWolfe’s stats don’t look overly surprising. She’s playing a litt le bit less (30.8 minutes now vs. 37-38
minutes at Fordham), and she’s scoring a litt le bit less; she roughly averaged 18 points per game t he last few years. Of course, t he ACC competition is more diff icult, and t he Irish are scoring well — even when t hey lose. DeWolfe’s scoring (or lack t hereof ) isn’t t he problem. Her sy nerg y, spacing and defense is. Current ly, DeWolfe tends to start and play in a w ing/g uard t y pe position a longside bot h Hida lgo and Citron. DeWolfe often comes out of t he game f irst in order to bring in a post player. In my opinion, t his doesn’t bring out t he best of DeWolfe, a natura l “drive and score” g uard who is best w it h space and t he abilit y to dribble. DeWolfe is neit her a t hree point specia list or a player who w ill be k now n for her motions, screens or cuts. Unfortunately, play ing her a longside Hida lgo and Citron forces her into t hat exact role. Often, head coach Niele Ivey starts her in t he corner, outside of t he t hree point line, letting her have space when ot her defenders help cover t he lane. Unfortunately, t he Irish’s offense rarely sw ings t he ba ll around t he horn for DeWolfe to be an asset in situations when she’s open. Positioning (and more so sta lling) DeWolfe in t he corner would be a great idea if she was a t hree-point specia list. She’s not. She’s adequate from t here, shooting 34.9% on t he year. But it’s not a preferred look for her, and if zone (or heav y help-side) defense can force t hat shot, it’s a w in for t he opposing team. Defensively, against UConn, DeWolfe f inished w it h a plus/minus of -12. Last week’s home game against Sy racuse was no better: -16. Genera lly not an overly physica l player (or one who picks up persona l fouls, a good t hing), DeWolfe often f inds herself mismatched against larger players. Her natura l role on defense is to g uard t he primar y ba ll handler near t he key. Ivey tends to
prefer to have Hida lgo g uard t his player, which ma kes sense, given her abilit y to draw a stea l. However, Hida lgo’s play a lso generates silly fouls and can blow a coverage. In last week’s game against Sy racuse, Hida lgo t w ice missed a fastbrea k/turnover lay up. In addition, Hida lgo’s play is risk y from an injur y-prevention standpoint; as t he new face of Notre Dame women’s basketba ll, is t he prospect of a stea l rea lly wort h a potentia l t w isted ank le or (accidenta l) elbow to t he face? DeWolfe prov ides more stabilit y during fastbrea ks and has had years of success g uarding shorter g uards. Obv iously, t here’s no perfect combination or easy f i x, but when t he Irish play man defense, I’d like to see Ivey experiment w it h some different setups. As t he Irish get closer to ACC Tournament play, t he team w ill have to play more games in a shorter timespan. Play ing Hida lgo, Citron and Westbeld t he entiret y of t he game might work in t he reg ular season, but in order to get t heir best production — especia lly against fast-paced teams — Ivey w ill need to reduce t heir minutes. DeWolfe is a serious asset in t hese situations, and she has t he abilit y to act as a true/traditiona l point g uard and lead t he second unit, similar to what Lou Williams did for many years on t he Hawks. The Irish don’t have a lot of weapons right now w it h severa l scholarship players out for t he year. So far, t hey’ve been a consistent team, and Ivey’s setup hasn’t been overly surprising. That could change, depending on what she decides to do w it h A nna DeWolfe going for ward. I’d advocate for as much experimentation as possible. Contact Jake Miller at jmille89 @ nd.edu T he views expressed in this Sports Authorit y are those of the author and not necessarily those of T he Observer.
Alumni head to Super Bowl LVIII By RYAN EASTLAND Sports Writer
Two exceptional Irish alumni are set to take the field for Super Bowl LV III: Aaron Banks and Drue Tranquill. Both Banks and Tranquill started their respective conference championship games Sunday and w ill suit up at A llegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Feb. 11. For both Irish alumni, it is their first Super Bowl. A lthough Banks plays for the 49ers, who made the Super Bowl in 2019, he wasn’t drafted until 2021. Likew ise, Tranquill was traded last off-season from the Chargers to the Chiefs, so he was not a member of last year’s championship team. W hatever the outcome is, a former Irish player w ill be receiving their first Super Bowl ring.
Aaron Banks, Guard, #65, San Francisco 49ers Aaron Banks played for the Irish from 2018 to 2021. During his time he made 38 starts. He was a stellar offensive guard and declared for the draft in 2021. He went on to be drafted by the 49ers w ith the 48th pick, in the second round. This season, Banks has been a v ital part of the 49ers dominant rushing offense. Their running back, Christian McCaffrey, boasts 18 rushing touchdow ns this season. Such an amazing season is not possible w ithout elite lineman like Banks. Any football coach in America w ill tell you that “the game is won in the trenches,” that is the battle bet ween offensive and defensive lineman. This statement could not be more true, and San Francisco w ins games by w inning in the trenches. Banks is a crucial piece to the 49ers formidable O-line. If Banks and the O-line have a good day at the office,
a 49ers v ictor y w ill be imminent. During the game, look for # 65 to be dealing w ith the Chief’s pass rush and pulling on run plays. Especially look for Banks to be pulling for his former Irish teammate Drue Tranquill at the second level.
Drue Tranquill, Linebacker, #23, Kansas City Chiefs Drue Tranquill played at Notre Dame from the 2014-2015 season to the 20182019 season. He played five years and was even married as a grad student. He was the cornerstone of the Irish defense throughout these years w ith ver y consistent play. Apart from an injur y his sophomore year, Tranquill played in double digit games ever y year in South Bend. In his career at Notre Dame he recorded a total of 292 tack les and 25 tack les for loss. Tranquill went on to be drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers w ith the 130th pick in round four of the 2019 draft. Tranquill was a solid player for the Chargers before being dealt to the Chiefs this off-season. This season he has been all over the field making plays for Kansas Cit y. He has 4.5 sacks and 54 tack les this season. Ironically, Tranquill w ill be tr ying to stop Banks and the 49ers run game during the game. If the Chiefs’ defense can weather the storm of the 49ers run game, it is ver y likely they w ill be taking home the Lombardi Trophy. Tranquill w ill be looking to set up the Chiefs’ defense for success in Vegas. Look for #23 to be plugging up gaps on run plays and dropping into shallow coverage on passes. Contact Ryan Eastland at reastlan@nd.edu
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DAILY
NDSMCOBSERVER.COM | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2024 | THE OBSERVER
CROSSWORD | WILL SHORTZ
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HOROSCOPE | EUGENIA LAST Happy Birthday: Adjust what’s necessary. Thinking ahead will help you navigate your way through unexpected situations. Don’t feel you must take on more than you can handle. Do what’s feasible, and you’ll feel comfortable with the outcome. Take a healthy approach to life, love and physical well-being, and you’ll find the perfect balance to manufacture your dreams, hopes and wishes. Live life your way. Your numbers are 6, 11, 23, 27, 33, 38, 47. ARIES (March 21-April 19): Stick to the people who have something to contribute and are willing to share. Your partnerships will be just as important as what you have to offer. Distance yourself from negativity and disruptive individuals who put you down or are looking for an argument. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): ESet your sights on your destination, and don’t stop until you get satisfactory results. Refuse to let someone disrupt your plans or use emotional manipulation or anger to push you in the wrong direction. Be true to yourself, and the right doors will open. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Pay attention to detail, and don’t let emotions influence money matters. Spending on something you don’t need will lead to stress. Educating yourself before making a purchase and investigating your options before you buy into what someone tries to talk you into will be important. CANCER (June 21-July 22): You have a choice. Refuse to let someone take advantage of your kindness and generosity. Call the shots instead of letting others choose for you. Make a point to stabilize your life and secure your future with wisdom, participation and kind words. Romance is favored. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Spend more time at home, making your place more comfortable and welcoming. Build better relationships with loved ones, and keep the peace with colleagues and associates. How you treat others will make a difference when you want something in return. Waste less and enjoy more. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Don’t spend on unnecessary items. Self-improvement doesn’t have a price tag. Choose to learn more, expand your options sensibly, and eat and exercise properly to ensure good health and the strength and knowledge to go after your goals. Happiness depends on good decisions. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): You’ll face mixed emotions regarding relationships and domestic changes. Take the initiative and proceed with determination. Refuse to let anyone come between you and your destination of choice. Don’t complicate matters or give up too much for too little. Choose what makes you happy. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Rely on your resources to assess a situation before you act. Consider how travel and educational pursuits will affect pros and cons that influence the outcome before you begin. Look for a unique approach, and you’ll discover the perfect alternative. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Do your best. Put your mind and muscle behind your skills and knowledge, and don’t let anyone distract you. A disciplined attitude will deter others from interfering in your life. Focus on making money and honing your skills. Make physical improvements that improve health. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Align yourself with trustworthy people. Refuse to let your emotions stop you from making the right decisions. Put a cap on spending and look for alternatives to help build equity. A domestic change that offers stability will boost your confidence. Personal growth is apparent. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Don’t exceed what’s necessary. Maintaining integrity and being reasonable will be the quickest and most affordable way to achieve your goals. Set a price and don’t budge. Be the mastermind behind your life decisions, and you’ll have no regrets. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Refuse to let anyone limit you. Step outside your comfort zone if it helps you get what you want. Be secretive until you are ready to launch your plans. Keep your costs down by doing the work yourself. Birthday Baby: You are sensitive, pioneering and flexible. You are optimistic and meticulous.
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SPORTS
THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2024 | NDSMCOBSERVER.COM
FENCING
Irish are nearly perfect in DeCicco Duals, look forward to end of regular season By ANDREW McGUINNESS Sports Editor
On t heir home tur f for t he f irst t ime t his season, Not re Da me fencing looked comfor table a nd domina nt a l l weekend long. The t hreet ime defending nat ional cha mpions went a combined 26-1 at t he DeCicco Dua ls over t he weekend, w it h a 15-12 loss by t he women’s tea m Saturday as t he lone blemish on t he weekend. On Saturday, sophomore Ja mes Chen a nd f reshma n Radu Nitu delivered per fect per forma nces in foi l a nd sabre, respect ively. Sophomore Ka it ly n Hu lseburg delivered an undefeated sabre per forma nce herself, whi le sophomore Josephina Conway a nd junior Rebeca Ca ndescu won a l l of t heir foi l matches. Senior Dav id Woznia k (epee), senior Phi lip Dorit y (foi l), f reshma n
Rya nne Leslie (foi l) a nd junior Emi ly Cha ng (sabre) lost on ly once. Sunday brought about more domina nce for bot h t he Irish a tea m a nd severa l indiv idua ls. On t he women’s side, t wo sabres (f reshma n Siena Hua a nd senior Cate Priest ley) ra n t he table, as did g raduate student Zoe Ba rnette did in foi l. Sophomore Ri ley Robinson was a work horse, going a n outsta nding 21-0 across ever y dua l. Freshma n foi l Mason Sta n ley just about matched him w it h a 19-0 ma rk. Not re Da me will ta ke a shor t t rip to Eva nston, Il linois, to conclude its reg u la r season at t he Nor t hwestern Dua ls on Feb. 3. The Irish w i l l t hen play host to t he ACC Cha mpionships f rom Feb. 24-25. DAVINA RUSSELL | The Observer
Contact Andrew McGuinness at amcguinn@nd.edu
Irish freshman foil Ryanne Leslie battles in the Decicco Duals hosted by Notre Dame from Jan. 27-28. The men’s and women’s teams both ended with a 7-0 record, setting the Irish up for success as the season begins to wind down. They will look ahead to their next away match at the Northwestern Duals on Feb. 3.
ND WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Irish begin their ACC gauntlet as they head on the road to face Georgia Tech following their 82-65 upset win over Connecticut By NOAH CAHILL Sports Writer
The Notre Dame women’s basketball team is coming off their best performance of the season in an 82-67 v ictor y against No. 8 UConn. Going into one of the most hostile env ironments in college basketball, the Irish dismantled the Huskies behind a dazzling 34-point-10 rebound performance from freshman guard Hannah Hidalgo. The matchup against UConn was Notre Dame’s last non-conference game as they head into a challenging final stretch of the season, one that includes No. 5 NC State, No. 17 Virginia Tech, and t w ice against No. 16 Louisv ille, who currently sits atop the conference. They w ill look to continue building on the w in as they go on the road again to face ACC opponents Georgia Tech on Thursday.
Ever y game w ill be pivotal in deciding seeding for both the ACC tournament and overall NCA A tournament, both only about a month away. W hile Notre Dame has five of their last six games, the Yellow Jackets come in w ith less momentum, losing four of their last five. They sit ninth in the ACC w ith a 4-5 conference record and 13-8 overall record. Their strengths lie in the strong backcourt pairing of sophomore guards Kara Dunn and Tonie Morgan. Dunn leads the team in points per game w ith 15.7, Morgan sitting right behind at 14.9 while leading the team in assists, rebounds and steals. These t wo have carried most of the load offensively this season and w ill need to have big games to compete against the surging Irish. Notre Dame’s size may pose problems for a Georgia
Tech starting lineup w ithout a single player over 6’1. This should prov ide opportunities for junior for wards Maddy Westbeld as well as Natalija Marshall and Kylee Watson off the bench, all three over 6’3. Westbeld has been particularly dominant dow n low this season, averaging 14 points and leading the team w ith nine rebounds per game. Offensively, the Irish w ill continue to rely on their brilliant backcourt of Hidalgo and junior Sonia Citron, averaging 24 and 18 points per game respectively. Both have also produced on efficient shooting splits: Hidalgo at 49/39/80 and Citron at 47/40/90. In wake of the unfortunate news of Oliv ia Miles’ injur y status, as ruled out for the season, the t wo guards w ill have to continue leading the team on this season-defining stretch.
Entering the game ranked sixth in the ACC and projected to be a six seed in this year’s tournament, Notre Dame w ill be hungr y to prove that they belong in the elite tier of teams. After a relatively easy first half of the schedule, the Irish have started to face consistent tests that w ill reveal the team’s true identit y. Despite overcoming a big one last Saturday, they w ill need to
stay steady this Thursday. W hile Georgia Tech has not been a threat to ranked teams this season, any game on the road in the ACC is far from straightfor ward. Thursday’s contest in McCamish Pav ilion w ill begin at 7 p.m. w ith the ACC Net work Extra prov iding the broadcast. Contact Noah Cahill at ncahill2@nd.edu
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SPORTS
Tennis CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12
With the third match deadlocked at 5-5, Kansas succeeded in the tiebreaker to escape doubles. In singles play, Notre Dame fell behind at an overall score of 3-2. The difference between an 0-2 and 1-1 weekend came down to the final results of the No. 2 and No. 3 matches. The latter went final first, with Irish senior Yashna Yellayi prevailing in comeback fashion (5-7, 7-5, 6-3). With the tie-breaking point on the line, Andreach played to a 6-6 score in set three against 110thranked Gracie Mulville. Andreach had dropped the first set, 6-3, before capturing set two by the same score. Set three’s 12-point tiebreaker also came down to the wire, but Andreach pulled it out, 7-5. All in all, the Notre DameKansas battle finished in just under three and a half hours. Now at 3-1, the Irish will head home to face Ball State and Chicago State on Sunday.
Irish men drop big tests against Big Blue and Big Red Coming off a road win at Wisconsin and a 3-0 start, Ryan Sachire and company went 0-2 in the Bluegrass State. The weekend opened with promise, as the Irish won the No. 1 doubles match. But Kentucky pushed back with 6-4 and 6-2 wins to earn the doubles point. Singles play then all went the Wildcats’ way, with a tiebreaker win from Jaden Weekes concluding Friday’s competition. On Saturday, the top Irish doubles team of sophomore Sebastian Dominko and senior JeanMarc Malkowski again opened with a 6-1 win. But Notre Dame let No. 3 doubles get away (7-5), allowing Nebraska to take the point. During singles play, Dominko brief ly pulled the Irish within a 2-1 count. He topped Calvin Mueller in a tight, two-set match, winning 7-6 (7-4) and 6-4. However, the Cornhuskers took care of the rest, ending the weekend on Anton Shepp’s three-set triumph in No. 2 singles. The Notre Dame men will now recuperate during their only idle weekend of the regular season. On the women’s side, the Irish will head to Ann Arbor to face Michigan on Feb. 9. Contact Tyler Reidy at treidy3@nd.edu
NDSMCOBSERVER.COM | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2024 | THE OBSERVER
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SMC BASKETBALL
Belles’ struggles continue against Trine, scoring 118 points total in three-game losing streak By ANDREW McGUINNESS Sports Editor
Saint Mary’s basketball dropped its third straight contest on Saturday, losing 83-43 at home against Trine. The defeat moved the Belles to 5-14 overall and 2-8 in conference play. Offense has been the primary cause of the Belles’ struggles since the start of the spring semester. They have failed to break 45 points in each of their last 3 games, scoring a seasonlow 33 in their previous contest at Calvin. It didn’t take long for Saint Mary’s to realize Saturday probably would not go the Belles’ way. Saint Mary’s hit a couple of early 3-pointers but then scored just 3 points total over a 7-minute stretch. During that time, the Thunder built up a commanding 32-point edge that they were never in jeopardy of surrendering. The Belles’
woes continued throughout the middle part of the game, with the team putting up just 14 points in the second and third quarters combined. By the time they found their offensive footing, it was too little, too late. Trine rode an incredibly balanced attack to victory. Only two players, including just one starter, put up doubledigit points. In total, 15 different members of the Thunder got on the scoresheet. Their team defense was strong as well, forcing 25 Saint Mary’s turnovers that led to nearly a third of their points. Trine also dominated inside, holding significant advantages in rebounds (49-31) and points in the paint (40-12). The Belles will now begin a three-game road-trip that kicks off on Wednesday at 7 p.m. against Hope. Contact Andrew McGuinness at amcguinn@nd.edu
RYAN VIGILANTE | The Observer
Belles’ sophomore Nicole Connolly dribbles down the court in St. Mary’s 106-57 away loss to Holy Cross College on Dec. 6, 2022.
ND MEN’S BASKETBALL
Team heads to Virginia looking for a series sweep, end of slump By JAKE MILLER Senior Sports Writer
ROMINA LLANOS | The Observer
Irish junior guard J.R. Konieczny shoots in the team’s 73-61 Irish Wear Green home loss to Miami on Jan. 24 at Purcell Pavilion.
Once again, the Notre Dame men’s basketball team heads into a road matchup trying to climb out of a pit. Entering Wednesday’s matchup against Virginia, the Irish have lost four straight games — all against unranked teams. The Irish head to Charlottesville to take on a tough Virginia team who the Irish managed to beat at home earlier this year. The rematch should be a key opportunity for the Irish to take a leap, and for the Cavaliers, it will be a test to see if its hallmark defense can step back up. One of the keys to the game is Virginia’s defensive prowess, a hallmark of coach Tony Bennett’s system. The Cavaliers boast impressive rankings nationally, holding opponents to an average of 60.5 points per game and a field goal percentage of 41.5%. Their renowned pack-line defense, designed to stifle penetration and force contested shots, poses a significant challenge to Notre Dame’s offensive architects. Against Boston College’s first half zone defense, the Irish struggled.
Markus Burton and Tae Davis often drove to the hoop but kicked out a pass for a three-point shot, which the Irish often missed. Bennett will attempt to make the Irish take more of these quick looks closer to the three-point line. At the same time, Notre Dame steps into the matchup flaunting a clear weakness on offense. Notre Dame’s scoring offense is the worst in the power five and in the bottom 2% of Division I, averaging 62.4 points per game. In recent games, head coach Micah Shrewsberry has been more open to having his players shoot from deep. Notre Dame has taken 106 three-point shots during its four-game losing streak. On the season, Virginia is undefeated at home. Their last loss at home was against Houston in December 2022. Virginia is not overly reliant on any one player. Reece Beekman leads the team with 12.9 points per game. The Cavaliers have won their last four games. Wednesday’s action tips off at 7 p.m. on ESPN2 and the ESPN app. Contact Jake Miller at jmille89@nd.edu
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THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2024 | NDSMCOBSERVER.COM
ND TENNIS
Irish tennis teams go 1-3 during ITA Kickoff Weekend in Columbus By TYLER REIDY Associate Sports Editor
The Notre Dame tennis teams traveled southeast over the weekend, competing in the ITA Kickoff Weekend. In Columbus, Ohio, the women’s squad fell to Ohio State before skimming past Kansas. Meanwhile, the men’s crew dropped both of its tussles against Kentuck y and Nebraska in Lex ington, Kentuck y.
Irish women rally against Kansas for 1-1 weekend
SOFIA CRIMIVAROLI | The Observer
Graduate student Page Freeman battles on Notre Dame’s home court at the Eck Tennis Pavilion against Syracuse on Apr. 14. The Irish went on to secure a 4-2 win over the Orange after their recent loss to Miami.
After a dominant, seasonopening weekend at home, A lison Silverio’s group v isited the loss column for the first time Friday. Host program Ohio State, ranked No. 13 in the nation, blanked the Irish w ith a 4-0 v ictor y. Junior Carrie Beckman and graduate student Page Freeman hung tight in No. 1 doubles,
but the Buckeyes pulled through to earn a 7-5 w in. They would add a 6-2 v ictor y in No. 3 doubles to earn the day’s first point. In singles play, Freeman (No. 1) and senior Julia Andreach (No. 2) played close opening sets against ranked opponents. However, Freeman ran out of gas in a 6-0 second set, and Andreach’s match went unfinished as Ohio State captured closing points in No. 3 and 5 singles. But the Irish refused to leave Columbus w ith an empt y weekend. On Saturday, Notre Dame overcame a lost doubles point to dow n Kansas, 4-3. That first point certainly hung in the balance for a while, though. The Jayhawks claimed No. 1 doubles (6-4) before the No. 2 match required a 12-point tiebreaker. see TENNIS PAGE 11
ND TRACK & FIELD
Irish end January at Michigan Invitational By TYLER REIDY Associate Sports Editor
On Friday and Saturday, the Notre Dame track and field team competed in Ann Arbor at the Michigan Invitational. The weekend brought in several top teams from throughout the Great Lakes region, including Wisconsin, Michigan and Indiana State. The women’s squad collected victories in three events. Senior Alaina Brady posted a winning long jump of 5.85 meters. Last season’s event winner in Ann Arbor, junior Kendall Burgess, followed Brady closely with a 5.66 this year, finishing third. In the high jump, a Notre Dame senior again topped the leaderboard. Madison Schmidt won the event for a second consecutive year, improving upon her previous distance from 1.71 to 1.76. Senior Jadin O’Brien followed her for a second straight year in fourth place. The 4x400 relay saw the Irish place both squads inside the top six. Senior Bridget Lalonde, sophomores Reese Sanders and Remy Finn and freshman Jordyn Borsch put forth a balanced effort to win the event in 3:45.18.
On the men’s side, graduate student Joey Zayszly stole the show with a heptathlon victory. The Oklahoma transfer set a personal best with 5,167 points, pulling away with outright wins in the 60-meter and pole vault heptathlon events. Another personal record fell with Daelen Ackley’s performance in the mile. One of four runners to break four minutes, the dynamic sophomore earned a fourth-place finish in 3:58.81. Returning to field events, graduate student Michael Shoaf added another solid performance to his impressive Irish career. The two-time ACC champion shot putter narrowly missed a winning throw in Ann Arbor. Still, his 19.11-meter result earned him second place, matching his NCAAs distance from last season. Shoaf also cracked the top five in the weight throw (19.94m). This weekend, the Irish will return to South Bend for the Meyo Invitational. The competition will run from 4 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. on Friday and 11 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. on Saturday. Contact Tyler Reidy at treidy3@nd.edu
SOFIA CRIMIVAROLI | The Observer
Irish senior Alaina Brady soars over the bar in the women’s high jump competition at the Notre Dame Invitational in the Loftus Sports Center on Jan. 20. Brady tied for second in the event, jumping 1.58 m.