Escape, September 19, 2013

ESCAPE smile. EXPLORE. relax. / sept. 19 / weekend

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LOVE IT

pg.

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+ more online @ oudaily.com/escape

contents Sept. 19

4 Weekend to-do list 4 the girl, the gay and the cynic 5 Get out of the heat 6 Get fit watching youtube 6 Run, sooners, run 8 cover: Dancing through life 11 music, movies, and tv 12 Can you dig it?

14 The corner challenge 15 did it hit the spot?

Escape is a student-produced publication of OU Student Media, a department in the Division of Student Affairs. Copyright 2013 OU Student Media.

photos: Neil Patrick Harris provided; Volleyball by Heather brown: The swirl by Evin Morrison

ESCAPE

It’s been a while since we’ve had the chance to visit, but I hope everyone has been enjoying their weekends. I know Norman will be a little lost this weekend without having a game to plan your lives around, but we have some super alternatives in this issue. A bye week doesn’t mean you can sit at home and be lazy; go try something new. That’s right: explore.

Most of all, smile this weekend. You deserve it!

P.S. I want to thank everyone that contributed to ESCAPE last year and everyone in our advertising office. We are a Pacemaker Finalist, which is a huge accomplishment for a brand-new publication. You guys are the best, and we couldn’t have done it without all of your help and support!

evin morrison, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF @EVINelizabeth

contributors

Hillary mclain

Kate McPherson

managing editor

Copy Chief

@Hillarymclain

@Katemcp92

Miranda Sanchez @Havokrose

tegan burkhard @chicadelamusica

Patrick McSweeney @pmcsweenz

contact us !

The Oklahoma Daily Editor

on the cover

Let us know what you think. Seriously.

Editorial Adviser

Fine arts graduate student Tye Love leaps before rehearsals for the Oklahoma Festival Ballet.

email: escapeou@gmail.com twitter: @ou_escape

Kyle Margerum

Judy Gibbs Robinson Advertising Manager

Kearsten Howland Advertising Adviser

Anne Richard

Becca Slaughter @BeccaMlynn

Samantha Waddell @s_Waddell

Heather Brown @hipsterHeather

Jacob oller @JacobOller

Evin Morrison | photo

5

satirical relationship advice

the girl

the gay

i have a huge crush on someone. how do i know if they like me back?

Look, this sounds harsh, but the chances are if you have to ask, then the answer is probably not good.

Usually, you can tell if the feeling is mutual because, well, the other party actually shows some interest.

Let’s look on the bright side, though: maybe you are just really oblivious to the mysterious ways of opposite sex. Does he or she ever hang out with you when you aren’t in class?

Do you have their phone number?

How’s the texting situation? Hopefully your answers were yes, yes and pretty good. If not, you should start looking for a different lover because sweetie, this isn’t going to happen.

Also, if you are waiting for them to make a move, stop it. That is so weak of you, and I am ashamed. Get off your ass and go ask them to do something

i have a huge crush on someone. how do i know if they like me back?

First of all: Is he or she cute? If not, keep moving.

Now, if they are, in fact, drop dead sexy gorgeous, stake your claim.

There’s no time like the present (or whatever people say). Girls, squeeze into your hot little cocktail dress and guys, get some abs and flaunt them.

Once your body is ready, lay it on real thick. (Basically: Be a stalker.

A sexy one.) Make your presence and intentions known. If they’re reciprocated, you’ll know. If they’re not, find a hobby. I hear needlepoint is popular among old people who can’t seem to attract a mate.

Just don’t become one of those sad creatures who pines after someone for longer than a week. (Quietly raises hand to admit that I am one of those sad creatures.) Take action to get action, baby.

I am so bored in my relationship. how do i make dating more exciting?

First of all, why are you bored?

Take a minute and really think about that …

OK, now that that’s done, you can figure out a plan. Maybe you are in stuck in a rut, which is better than the alternative. If you spend every night at your apartment watching movies together then make plans to go do something fun. Surprise them because what’s more exciting then a surprise, amiright?

On the other hand, maybe you’re bored because you have been dating someone boring. I mean, the spark that everyone is so desperately chasing after doesn’t live inside everyone. You might have picked a dud, but now that you know, you can find yourself a shiny new toy.

I am so bored in my relationship, how do i make dating more exciting?

Start out by getting some sexy, red lingerie. This works for both men and women. Just try it out. Trust me.

(And for all of those sexy guys out there who do try it, send me a photo.

Wink.)

But seriously: you’re bored with your relationship? Get a new one.

Ain’t nobody got time to spend — especially in college — on a boring relationship. Yes, there are probably long-term things you could do to fix the brokenness, but go get yourself a fling. Repairing a relationship is just too much damn work. Make things easy for yourself.

One exception: If the person who you’re in a relationship with is drop dead sexy gorgeous, keep trucking through it. At least he or she will look great in photos.

the cynic

things to do this 1.

weekend

2.

what: CAC Creativity Festival when: Sept. 19-21 where: All over Campus

Between a fashion show, Battle Of The Bands and a powdered paint war, there really is something for everyone. Check out their Facebook page for the full list of events. what: Lee Brice when: 8 - 11 p.m. Saturday, sept. 21 where: Riverwind Casino

If you are into country music, here’s your chance to pull on your boots and two step the night away. Tickets start at $30.

3.

what: Monsters University when: 6, 9 & midnight Friday, sept.

20 where: Meacham Auditorium

Mike Wazowski! The monster crew is back in a prequel all about college life. Who knows?

Maybe you’ll relate.

4.

what: OU festival Ballet when: Sept. 20-29 where: Rupel J. Jones Theatre

The opening show starts at 8 p.m., but with so many performances, you can definitely fit one into your schedule. (pg. 12)

5.

what: Karmin when: 8 p.m. saturday, sept. 21 where: Oklahoma Memorial Union Lawn

It’s the Must-Stay Weekend concert for the fall presented

by UPB. Don’t know the band? Who cares? It’s free!

i have a huge crush on someone. how do i know if they like me back?

Does she laugh at your terrible jokes like you’re Dave Chappelle? Does she rub your ripped biceps like you’re a macho man? Chances are you’re neither, so she probably wants the ‘D.’ The ladies don’t show that kind of interest if they aren’t lookin’ for some lovin’.

Don’t have a crisis; just take the compliment, and hold out your hand.

She’ll love that squeaky-ass bunk bed in your dorm. Guys can play hard to get, too: don’t let her stay the night; it will just make her lust after you more. Or she will never call you back, but then you can go chase after the other honeys that have been giggling at your outdated pick up lines.

I am so bored in my relationship, how do i make dating more exciting?

No spark, huh? Well then, why haven’t your dropped this one and started shopping for a newer model? I mean it’s college, the dating equivalent to the giant car lots that line Interstate 35. Grab your greasy car salesman (wingman) and hit bars.

But, really are you bored, or is she?

If it’s mutual, maybe it’s time to go “on a break.” (Hah.) If you’re pouring your heart out and she’s treating you like shit on her shoe, then she’s not worth your time. You should have let that one night stand stay one. Too late now, but you should have accidentally lost that number.

If, on the other hand, she’s a sexy, loving girl that you’re raging against, you’re a douchebag.

contact us!

Send us questions: email: escapeou@gmail.com twitter: @EscapeGGC

5

Have a pajama sunday What is Pajama Sunday, you ask? Well, it is a Sunday that you dedicate to yourself. Never change out of your most comfy PJs and indulge in your favorite show, book or food. Hey, you have all day — you can do all three! You might feel guilty staying in the A/C all day, but we all need personal days. You will be glad you did it once Monday rolls around.

Read this book: Bones of the lost

By Kathy reichs If you like crime shows like “Bones” or “Criminal Minds,” then you will love the Temperance Brennan series. “Bones of the Lost” is the sixteenth book in the series, but don’t think that means you have to buy all of them. Reichs does a great job of writing each book like it’s the first. You definitely won’t be lost.

Available in hardcover at Barnes & Noble for $17.28

things to do To keep out of the

Heat

Evin Morrison | words & Photos

Fall officially begins on Sunday, but that doesn’t mean we can blissfully start drinking pumpkin chai and bundling up in our favorite sweaters because it is still too hot.

Until that first wonderful cold front comes blowing down the plains, here are a few things to do to escape this oppressive heat.

Hit the pool Pretty obvious, right? Well, think about it — when is the last time you got into a pool? Probably before school started, which means you are long overdue for a pool party. Blow up your raft and float around. Soak it all in because swimming months are coming to an end. Plus, you can get a little bit of a tan before you have to start depending on tinted lotion.

Plan a safe ESCAPE. Safe, FREE, alternative transportation for OU STUDENTS Thursday-Saturday nights, 10 p.m. to 3 a.m.

Questions or Concerns: SafeRide@ou.edu Check out SafeRide.ou.edu for schedule and more information.

&

HAZING ALCOHOL

HOTLINE

405.325.5000

Call because it’s wrong, it’s stupid, and OU students are so much better than that.

The University of Oklahoma is an Equal Opportunity Institution. For accommodations on the basis of disability, call 325-3161.

Get your bake on: Healthy no-bake cookies - 1 banana, mashed well - 1 cup sugar - 1/4 cup cocoa powder - 1/2 cup non-fat milk - 1/2 cup peanut butter - pinch of salt - 1 teaspoon vamilla extract - 3 cups instant oats 1) Put everyhting except the vanilla and oats in a saucepan and bring to a boil.

diy project: Gameday toms Needed: - Plain Red Toms - Paint (white and black) - Fine paint brush 1) Do some research and figure out what you want on your new shoes. There are dozens of examples on the Internet.

Experienced Sexual Assault?

There is Help.

Call SART

OU’s Sexual Assault Response Team

405.615.0013

7 days a week, 24 hours a day

2) Stir continously and let boil for about one minute.

3) Add in the vanilla and oats. Stir until mixed.

5) Drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto waxed paper.

6) Let cool and enjoy!

2) Pencil it in. Lay it all out in pencil before you start to paint. This will save you from having to do a patch job or worse, start over.

3) Start with the white and fill in your pencil marks.

If you can still see some pencil, don’t panic — just wash it off after the paint dries.

4) Outline with the black pint to really make them pop.

5) Let them dry overnight.

Be aware. Show you care.

Keeping OU safe our _ is your job.

OU’s Behavior Intervention Team

Report Online:

ou.edu/normanBIT

If a person is an immediate threat to themselves or someone else or is incapable of caring for themselves, CALL 911.

...a message from Student Affairs

6

youtube

Fitness!

Hey – get out of the cat video vortex of YouTube and feed your mind some information that will help you help your body. Whether you are just starting out or you are looking for a new routine, the following four YouTube fitness channels have unique content to assist you to create a great workout routine.Miranda sanchez | words Evin Morrison i photo

Blogilates

Scott Herman Fitness

From certified fitness instructor Cassey Ho comes POP Pilates. These workouts tend to focus more on having fun while still providing a productive workout. Perhaps the best part of her channel is her themed cardio dances.

From “The Great Gatsby” to “Sailor Moon,” Ho dresses up to fit the part of her character and incorporates signature moves from the show or series in her workout.

In addition to the workouts, Ho has a side series on her channel entitled “Cheap Clean Eats” to help you create an easy meal or snack. *Editor’s Pick: The “Call Me Maybe” Mighty Squat Challenge will leave your legs burning—you know, in a good way.

If you don’t want to look lost when you pick up the weights in your gym, brush up on some exercises with Scott Herman. This man is all about muscle gain. The flame-filled videos are the more intense muscle gain workouts Herman offers, but there are also a number of “How-To” videos to get you started on your journey to muscular perfection. Excellent workouts aside, Herman has some of the best video thumbnails in the YouTube fitness industry. Some feature Herman dressed up as super heroes and cuddling produce because nutrition is truly that important.

Fitness Blender

Lionsgate BeFit

Fitness Blender offers a variety of exercises. Fitness Blender duo Daniel and Kelli particularly favor the high intensity interval workouts, or HIIT, workouts.

According to their “What is HIIT?” video, they prefer to use this method for maximum calorie loss. Another great video series from this channel is the 80-minute long “1000 Calorie” workout videos, which are designed to help you lose around 1000 calories per workout.

Although more entertaining than useful, Fitness Blender has a playlist dedicated to their bloopers and sometimes include a silly exercise. For example, in the video “Fitness Blender’s Puppy Workout,” you literally use a puppy to workout.

Lionsgate BeFit is the go-to channel for a variety of workouts. After all, they have 534 videos and counting.

Their videos include workouts for abs, cardio, yoga, Krav Maga, Pilates, dance workouts and much more.

Even better, the channel features an even wider variety of professional fitness trainers such as Jillian Michaels, Scott Herman and Denise Austin. If you want life advice to reduce stress and get into the Zen, BeFit has that too.

Deepak Chopra, labeled by “Time” magazine as “the poet-prophet of alternative medicine,” has several videos on the channel to help you reach a better state of mind through yoga and self-awareness.

Get the urls @ oudaily.com/escape

3.1MIles 5k runs you’ll actually enjoy Evin Morrison | Words

fun run

Run or Dye

8 a.m. Sept. 21

9 a.m. Sept. 28

Healthy Sooners will be hosting their annual race around campus on Saturday. It may be too late to register, but go out and cheer on your friends.

Don’t forget to take a two cans of food to help the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma.

Wear your white shirts and get ready to be covered in color. You’ll look like a walking rainbow and maybe if you’re lucky, you won’t get any powder in your ears. (It’s kinda hard to get out.) Go register now before the slots fill up. It will cost you $45, but really, what’s the price of fun?

Ultimate Gladiator Dash

Tomato Dodge

9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 28

Modeled after the La Tomatina Festival in Spain, you are literally going to be running while tomatoes are hurled at you. Don’t worry they are cast off tomatos that are super ripe, so they won’t hurt. It’s like recycling for fruit. Maybe invest in some protective eyewear for this one. It costs $30.

Remember how much fun you had playing in the mud as a kid? Here’s your chance to do it as a grown up. No, you don’t have to be ready to compete on “American Gladiator,” but it might help if you’ve run before. The registration is open and costs $65.

9 a.m. oct. 26

Row

Greek

Becca Slaughter and Samantha Waddell | words

Fall is a busy time of year here at OU. Between football season, University Sing practice and class itself, it’s hard to find time for a normal college life…like lying in bed watching Netflix and procrastinating on doing those midterm projects. Well, say good-bye to your free time (but only for a few weeks)! It’s Homecoming season.

H

omecoming means pomping hours, dance practices and plenty of late nights. We know this sounds like a lot, but we promise it can be a really fun time and we’re here to tell you how — or at least how to survive the next few weeks.

The key to surviving Homecoming is learning time management. Trust us, it’s an art form. This is not the time to procrastinate on your zoology phylum poster boards, ladies and gentlemen.

The best time to get your homework and studying done is before Homecoming dance practice because then you’ll have the rest of the night to yourself once you’re done learning choreography.

But when it comes to pomping, we recommend squeezing in a couple hours between classes or heading to the house fresh out of class. That way, when you’re done, you have the rest of the evening to do homework and you might even have enough time after that to squeeze in a “Harry

Potter” marathon. It’s up to you! But let’s be honest: once you go home, you won’t want to leave. Try to get as much Homecoming stuff taken care of before you find yourself crawling into bed. And remember, it’s in everyone’s best interest to spread out your pomping hours. No one wants to hear you complain about having to spend five hours sticking little pieces of plastic tablecloth through holes of chicken wire. In reality, All-Night Pomp is much worse.

If you happen to get the honor of being a member of your chapter’s Homecoming dance team, make the most of it! Think about it. You would probably much rather spend your time dancing than sitting in an assembly line building the float. Well, that is assuming you have some sort of rhythm (and it helps if you’re a people person).

What it comes down to is the friends you make and the memories created at those late night practices when everyone is delirious. Who knows, you may even meet your future boyfriend or girlfriend. We’ve seen it happen before!

And now, what everyone has been waiting for. Drumroll please ...

“

Trust us, it’s an art form.

Homecoming Themes 2013 Gamma Phi Beta, Delta Tau Delta & Pi Kappa Alpha Tarzan Alpha Omicron Pi, Kappa Sigma & Kappa Alpha Peter Pan

Alpha Chi Omega & Delta Upsilon Up Pi Beta Phi, Lambda Chi Alpha & Sigma Phi Lambda Alice in Wonderland

Delta Gamma, Sigma Chi & Fiji Toy Story

Kappa Alpha Theta & Sigma Alpha Epsilon Hercules

Kappa Kappa Gamma, Brothers Under Christ & Phi Delta Theta Finding Nemo

Delta Delta Delta, Lambda Phi Epsilon & Sigma Phi Epsilon Aladdin

Alpha Phi, Pi Kappa Phi & Alpha Tau Omega Space Jam Alpha Gamma Delta & Phi Kappa Psi Lion King Chi Omega, Beta Theta Pi & Sigma Nu Dr. Seuss Union Programming Board Beauty and the Beast

7

DancingThrough Life Kate McPherson I Words Evin Morrison I Photos

I

f you’re looking for Tye Love, you’ll almost certainly find him in Reynolds Performing Arts Center on the North Oval. The ballet graduate student is preparing for tomorrow’s opening of the Oklahoma Festival Ballet, but he’s not in the studio just for practice — he’s there because he loves it.

Love, who is working toward his MFA, came to OU in 2006 for his undergraduate degree, but his passion for ballet came much earlier. continued on the next page

10

continued from page 9 “I started taking ballet at age four,” he said. “It was the summer after I saw ‘The Nutcracker.’ I told my mom I wanted to be in ‘The Nutcracker,’ and she said I had to take ballet, so I did.”

The Dallas native studied at the Ballet Academy of Texas in Coppell, Tex. Although his roots are in the south, he traveled to hone his craft.

“Growing up, I received scholarships to study at summer intensives with Orlando Ballet, Joffrey Workshop Texas, Joffrey Midwest, Joffrey New York and The Rock School [in Philadelphia],” Tye said.

While Tye’s parents supported his budding dance career, he said he was the first in his family with any involvement in ballet.

“My mom did have a picture of [famous dancer] Mikhail Baryshnikov on her fridge in college, but that was the extent of any ballet in my mom or dad’s life,” Tye said.

Tye said he chose to do his undergraduate work at OU because the opportunities it provides are unparalleled.

“After high school, I did not feel ready to join the professional world [of ballet], and I wanted to have a college experience,” he said. “OU is nationally ranked as a top-three collegiate ballet program, and I found being close to home at OU was a great fit.”

While at OU, his most meaningful experience was working as a freshman with legendary dancer Frederick Franklin, Tye said.

After graduating, Tye stuck around Oklahoma to achieve his first goal of dancing in the perennial Christmas favorite.

“I spent four seasons dancing professionally with Oklahoma

City Ballet, having the opportunity to dance principal soloist roles in ‘The Nutcracker,’” he said. “I decided to come back to OU because of the amazing faculty who are like a family to me and who can help me achieve a higher level of dancing for myself.”

It’s not just the faculty that brought him back, Tye said.

“The facility at the University of Oklahoma is amazing,” he said. “It is so nice to be dancing up on the third floor of Reynolds Performing Arts Center and look down on the campus and have the clock tower within view. It’s a great view, and it is an inspiring place to dance. And other than the great scenery and facility, OU has a world-renowned dance faculty that really care so much about each individual dancer. They are also brilliant former dancers and are true experts in their field.” “[Performing] is a feeling of euphoria that cannot be replicated or compared to, in my honest opinion,” he said.

With that perspective, it’s no surprise that Tye is heavily involved with Oklahoma Festival Ballet, OU’s resident ballet company. The company has 40 dancers and performs at home as well as on tours domestically and internationally.

“This [year’s] performance has so much range for myself as a dancer,” he said. “I will be dancing the very classical ballet pas de deux from ‘Sylvia.’ I will also be dancing in new faculty member Ilya Kozadayev’s original work ‘Harmonic Inspirations.’ This ballet is very neoclassical and a representation of ballet choreography in the 21st century. And finally, I will also be dancing in [OU School of Dance director] Mary-Margaret Holt’s ‘La Chanteuse de Paris.’ I think the audience will have fun watching the relationships in singer Edith Piaf ’s life develop on stage.”

Tye said Friday’s show is one of the company’s strongest.

“This year’s production of Oklahoma Festival Ballet is so diverse and is a great representation of ballet in the 21st century,” he said. “It is a very diverse program … I believe [in] this year’s production, everyone can find something they will enjoy and will end any preconceived opinions of what ballet is.”

Ballet Dictionary Dictionary] ] Balletomane A fan of Ballet

cavalier The Ballerina’ s male partner ‘ Demi-plie Half bend at the knees Glissade Gliding

‘ Maneges] Circular movements

Sissonne Jump from both feet onto one foot

Pas de deux Dance for two performers

en Tournant turning

Pirouette Completed turn on one foot ‘ SautE A jump

Variation A solo dance in a classic ballet

]

Virtuoso A very talented dancer

Movies

The

Grumpy

“Rush” “Rush” focuses on the 1970s rivalry between Formula One racers James Hunt (the far-too-beautiful Chris Hemsworth) and Niki Lauda (the average-for-a-movie-star Daniel Brühl). Director Ron Howard’s new film will undoubtedly contain the same compelling ambition of his other biopics (“A Beautiful Mind,” “Cinderella Man,” “Frost/Nixon”).

However, with the film’s focus on the fast and sexy world of Formula One racing as opposed to, say, the impeachment of the nation’s sweatiest president or a schizophrenic mathematician, Rush looks to reach Howard’s widest audience yet.

I’m excited for it, if for no other reason than to see Thor in a racecar.

In theaters tomorrow

couch Potato Jacob Oller | COLUMN

The majority of this issue seems to be about exercising— gross. Maybe you see your weekends as a chance not to move, like I do. If so, you’re right, so I’ve put together a list of things you can enjoy sitting down in a comfy chair. No tennis shoes or sweat required. The only thing I’m going to be exercising this weekend is my thumb— adjusting the volume.

“Prisoners” “Prisoners” looks like a more realistic version of “Taken.” What if your dad didn’t have a very special set of skills, but still wanted to save his kidnapped daughter? Then he — like Hugh Jackman in this film — would probably follow suspects in the case and kidnap them, going to drastic lengths to extract information which will inevitably lead to some moral dilemma or another. Jake Gyllenhaal plays the detective investigating the kidnapping that Jackman butts heads with. Calling it now: Gyllenhaal shoots Jackman at the end. “Prisoners” seems gritty, thrilling, and particularly relevant in these times of Amber Alerts and Ariel Castro.

In theaters tomorrow

TV “The Emmys” Neil Patrick Harris looks to deliver solid hosting chops to his second gig hosting the TV award show, with hints of the theater-bred sparkle the “How I Met Your Mother” star has honed over the years. Look for “Breaking Bad” to crush other dramas with Netflix newcomer “House of Cards” having some surprise victories.

“The Office” finale will get a sentimentality award as the end of an era, and the supporting casts of “Mad Men” and “Game of Thrones” will battle it out.

Looks to be good, but I’d rather watch the actual TV shows it’s handing out awards to.

8 p.m. Sunday on CBS

Cleveland Area Rapid Transit/(405) 325-2278

Yes, you have time for another cup.

Park permit-free at the LNC and let CART do the driving to campus. rideCART.com/CARTgps.com/@CARTNorman/CART on Facebook

Music Cher, “Closer to the Truth” Madonna had her comeback, and now it is Cher’s turn. Plus, instead of dressing up as a cheerleader, Cher keeps it fierce. Forget Bruno Mars for the Superbowl halftime show — bring on the Goddess of Pop! The already released single, “Woman’s World,” is a throwback to the good ol’ days when Cher was dancing on a aircraft carrier. OK, so maybe she’s modernized a little, but that was a great music video.

“Woman’s World” is incredibly empowering and the music video really hits that home, with appearances of real women dancing alongside Cher. She’s so cool.

Available Sept. 24

13

BUMP. SET.

SPIKE. Tegan BurkHard | words Heather Brown | photos

I

f it weren’t for her sister’s impromptu volleyball lessons in their backyard, No. 14 Sallie McLaurin may have never racked up wins on the court alongside the other Sooner volleyball women.

Though Sallie is now a two-time AllAmerican middle blocker, her roots aren’t on the court. Before she joined any volleyball team, Sallie was putting her 6’2” height to good use in the dance studio instead. Sophomore year of high school, however, she gave up dance to spend more time on the court with her friends.

After raking in numerous awards as a high school player, including All-State selection, MVP status and several all-tournament honors, Sallie traded up, from outside hitter, to the faster-paced world of college volleyball as middle blocker.

“I’m decent, I think, at high balls,” Sallie said. “But whenever it’s really quick, I like to just be really fast. They’re just really fast and you just have to be up in the air. So I like to be around the court, and be up and block. I just fell in love with the position because you have to be going 24/7.”

As a Sooner, Sallie deftly balances her commitments, splitting her time between the classroom as a health and exercise science senior and the court. While completing coursework and competing on court this season, she has also managed to earn the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week title for the second straight week.

“Whenever you come into your senior year, you have some pressure on you of scoring and being kind of the point person,” McLaurin said. “And this definitely affirms that I’m doing something for my team.”

Sallie and the Sooner volleyball team spend countless weekends trekking across the country to compete. But this weekend, the Sooner volleyball women will take a break from their travels to host the Nike Invitational.

During the three-day tournament, the Sooners will face Nebraska-Omaha, Miami and LIU Brooklyn.

“Home is the best advantage,” Sallie said. “More fans mean better energy. Volleyball is all about momentum. And so, getting momentum on our side is definitely key.”

Every woman has her own way of focusing and preparing for a win on game day. McLaurin said focusing on God gives her better focus on the court. While other players may be streaming pump-up jams in the hip hop or rock genre, Sallie plugs into instrumental gospel music. She also memorizes a Bible verse prior to each game and recites it in her head throughout the game.

During tournaments, the women bond by singing, eating, dancing and quoting favorite movies like “Bridesmaids.” Sallie said last year the team even attempted to memorize the entirety of “Pitch Perfect.”

On game day, tradition is key. As they file out of the bus each day, the women each have to pound Coach Santiago Restrepo’s hand.

And before each game, they take a moment to pray in the locker room before hitting the court, Sallie said.

As a Sooner, Sallie has added even more

“

I just fell in love with the position because you have to be going 24/7

awards and titles to her list of high school achievements, including Big 12 Freshman of the Year, success she attributes to God. “He has definitely given me everything: [God has] given me my skill, my mentality.

He’s blessed me with a college, that coming in, I didn’t have to adapt to the style that they play,” she said. “Everything was kind of laid out for me.”

She says she couldn’t have done it all without keeping her priorities straight and using her planner. By putting God first, school second and volleyball third, she says she has been able to pull off the juggling act faced by all collegiate athletes.

As her senior year comes to a close, Sallie reflects on her past, citing the team’s win against Texas when she landed the winning kill as one of her most memorable moments.

With the time she has left at OU, she said she is determined to simultaneously learn to play piano and figure out what she wants to do with her life.

Although she said she is considering playing volleyball professionally, it would mean relocating overseas since the U.S. has no professional league. Even as an Olympic hopeful, Sallie said she would have to train and play overseas.

In the future, Sallie will have to face a decision between coaching or full-time ministry, but for now, she merely has to focus on bringing her A-game to the court for the Nike Invitational and helping her team bring home a championship win.

Hit the

Court OU vs. Nebraska-Omaha Thursday, Sept.

7:00 p.m.

OU vs. Miami Friday, Sept. 20 7:00 p.m.

OU vs. LIU Brooklyn Saturday, Sept. 21 7:00 p.m. *All games will be played in McCasland Field House

8

University Blvd .

7

Buchanan ave.

6

3

4

Asp ave .

2

BOYD st

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1

5

Bye-Week

Bar Crawl Patrick Mcsweeney | words evin morrison | illsutration

The Challenge As students at the University of Oklahoma, we have the party come to us in the form of tailgates for home games and watch parties for away games. Unfortunately, this weekend there will be no Sooner football to give us an excuse to have a good time. The Simon Pegg movie “The World’s End” has once again popularized the bar crawl, so here is a path around Campus Corner’s best bars that should give you just as much entertainment as watching Texas lose to K-State this weekend. Take on the challenge in a team or do it on your own, but make sure you drink responsibly. Have your DD on speed dial or prepare to grab a cab.

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The MOnt 1300 Classen Blvd.

Although not really on Campus Corner, The Mont is a Norman legend.

While here get yourself a Swirl. The combination of frozen sangria and frozen margarita is the perfect drink to sip on a patio. Although The Mont may seem far away, it is definitely in walking distance to the next location.

O’connell’s 769 Asp Ave. O’Connell’s is where you are likely to run into everyone you know. Grab a Blue Moon and walk around, briefly catching up with the people who lived on your floor freshman year that you haven’t seen since. logan’s 749 Asp Ave. Logan’s is probably the biggest bar on Campus Corner. I have always felt it would be the perfect place for a game of hide and seek, which is why I have it as the third stop because I don’t think you will be ready for that yet. Grab yourself a big glass of Killian’s and explore. fuzzy’s taco shop 752 Asp Ave. Fuzzy’s is more than just a place to get food once the bars have closed. With a large assortment of fun drinks, Fuzzy’s is the perfect addition to a bar crawl.

I recommend the Shark Bite with vodka, gin, rum, blue Curacao, soda, sours and Sprite. seven47 747 asp ave.

FREE SPOT! Seven has everything, so this can be your chance to find a drink you like or just go with the Bud Light to help get you through the rest of the night. chimy’s 529 Buchanan Ave. Since you didn’t get a margarita at Fuzzy’s, this is your chance. For $5 Chimy’s provides you with a margarita that is more than strong enough. blackbird gastropub 575 S University Blvd.

This is my favorite place on Campus Corner. The food is great, and the music may as well be my Mumford and Sons Pandora station. However, the best part is $2 wells and $3 double wells. Try a whiskey sour.

The library bar & grill 607 W Boyd St. No, not Bizzell. The Library Bar and Grill is one of the best places around to get a beer. With this as your final stop, you should be able to take advantage of the happy hour from 10-close. With $2.25 Brewhouse Beers, you really can’t go wrong. I suggest the Irish.

15

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Each issue, we take a look back at the pop culture moments that made us gasp, cry and scream.

Here’s how this works: The closer something is to that little green dot below (this paragraph, the more we liked it. The farther away, the more it sucked.

The now-infamous video of a woman catching fire while twerking turns out to be a stunt from the latenight talk show host.

Maybe this can teach us all a thing or two about our media consumption.

Eddie Murphy re-enters the music scene The comedian just put out a new video with Snoop Lion. This is no “Party All the Time” — Murphy gives us something entertaining and surprisingly good.

Curvy on the catwalk New York Fashion week finally caught up with reality for its first-ever plus sized show with designer Eden Miller’s clothes on the catwalk. Hooray for inclusivity! The colorful and slinky line is pure eye candy.

Dances with science “Dancing with the Stars” is back as of Sept. 16. The only decent reason to watch this is none other than Bill Nye. The bowtied bestower of knowledge from our collective childhood is back, and as geekily suave and chipper as ever.

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