The Battalion — April 4, 2024

SERVING TEXAS A&M SINCE 1893 | © 2024 STUDENT MEDIA THEBATT.COM

THURSDAY, APRIL 4

OPINION Opinion writer says spring’s new hottest accessory is a book, whether read or not. A3

@THEBATTONLINE

SPORTS FEATURE How A&M’s coaches, female athletes are bridging the gender divide in sports. B1

EVENTS IN AGGIELAND CHILIFEST Music Festival April 5-6 MSC Aggie Cinema April 5 The Closet Showcase April 5

Draggieland crowns queen A&M’s annual drag competition showcases dedication, talent

By Nadia Abusaid @nadiaatthebatt

Ashely Bautista — THE BATTALION

Drag queen Hanna Santanna performs to “Roar” by Katy Perry during their head-to-head lip-sing battle with drag queen Lily Adonis Kline at the Draggieland show in Rudder Theatre on Thursday, March 28, 2024.

Dressed in sparkling dresses and detailed makeup, Draggieland’s five contests strutted through Rudder Auditorium at the 5th annual drag competition hosted by Texas A&M’s Queer Empowerment Council, or QEC, a student organization that serves the LGBTQ+ community with one queen, Hanna Santanna winning it all.

The pageant-style drag competition took place on Thursday, March 28 where five drag queens competed to be crowned this year’s Queen of Draggieland.

Emcee Nirvana Piranha opened the show, explained the competition’s layout to the audience, welcomed the judges and introduced the drag queens. The show was broken down into two categories, performance and talent, and two drag queens were selected by firstyear judges Sasha Frost, Chloe Knox and Lucy Paradisco to compete in a final fan-voted lip sync battle to determine the winner of Draggieland.

Chloe Knox said she and the other judges were looking for polished looks with attention to detail.

“A lot of the drag competitions that we’ve judged have been amateur competitions, and often they’re week to week, so it’s stuff people can put together in a week’s time, but since this is yearly, even though a lot of the drag queens have only been doing drag for a short amount of time, they’re really, really polished DRAGGIELAND ON PG. A2

Forever a Singing Cadet ‘The Voice of Aggieland’ hosts 130th Anniversary Reunion Concert, celebrates tradition

By Ana Renfroe & Amy Leigh Steward @aeoenia @amyleighsteward “I saw the people gather / I heard the music start / The song that they were singing / Is ringing in my heart.”

Words from “No Man is an Island” and other classic songs will fill

Rudder Auditorium as the famous Singing Cadets hosts its second-ever reunion concert this weekend.

Almost 250 current and former members will take part in its flagship spring choir performance, celebrating the group’s lengthy history in Aggieland — and beyond.

The choir’s 130th Annual Reunion Concert starts at 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 6. Reserved seating is available online for $10 per seat; however, current Texas A&M students can claim a free ticket with their student ID. The nine-member glee club founded in 1893 now boasts 60 members in its ranks, and the “Voice of Aggieland” serves as one of the oldest student organizations

on campus.

But even old-school organizations can create new traditions. After all, as they say in Aggieland, “Do it twice, and it’s tradition.”

While the group typically holds its flagship concert every spring, the Singing Cadets asked former members to join the group for a 125th-anniversary performance in 2019. The event was a major success, inspiring many former students to return for the next iteration. This year’s attendees will hear over 175 more voices onstage.

Former student Aaron Daniel, Class of 2019, currently serves as vice president of the Association of Former Singing Cadets Board. As a senior, Daniel performed in the CADETS ON PG. A2

Kyle Heise — THE BATTALION

Members of the Singing Cadets practice at the John D. White ‘70 - Robert L. Walker ‘58 Music Activities Center on Tuesday, April 2, 2024.

Worth the (heavy)weight himself — well, maybe a little for

boxing, and then this past year [I

charity boxing event, giving amateur fighters the chance to channel their service in a fun way. Proceeds will go towards United Way of Brazos Valley, a charitable organization that provides education and healthcare programs.

With previous boxing experience, Peacock said this opportunity piqued his interest and gave him the opportunity to advance his skills.

“I’ve done one year of technical

learning the fundamentals and getting in shape, but contact you’re using those fundamentals against another person, hitting them.”

FFN provided Peacock an avenue to do two things that align with his passions: box and give back.

“I wanted to see the other side of boxing,” Peacock said. “At first it was just technical, and then [for] Fight Night I’ll be able to do contact and try to use those skills. And [I

did] contact,” Peacock said. “I dehimself — but moreso for charity.

Aggie boxer faces Thursday night, 18 Aggie boxers cided to sign up for Farmers Fight culmination of training in will step into the Reed Arena ring Night when it was posted in teams, and compete for a cause. Farmers and I’ve been doing contact ever charity fight night Fight Night, or FFN, is a student since … [For] technical you’re just

By Sydnei Miles @Sydnei_M04

Kyle Heise — THE BATTALION

Society, ethics and law senior Glenn Peacock spars during the Farmers Fight Night practice at Bryan Boxing on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024.

Almost every morning, society, ethics and law senior Glenn Peacock hits the gym. Punching bags, speed bags, weights, repeat. The same routine, consistently every week since the fall. Peacock has a fight Thursday and prepares with one goal in mind: to win. Not for

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Lee performing to Ariana Grande’s “yes, and,” Lily Adonis Kline performing to “Closer” by Lemaitre featuring Jennie A and Hanna Santanna performing to “Greedy” by Tate McRae. In the performance category, Hanna Santanna placed first and Bella Donna Fables was named runner-up. Hanna Santanna also placed first in the talent category and Lily Adonis Kline was named runner-up.

Hanna Santanna and Lily Adonis Kline competed in a lip sync battle to Katy Perry’s “Roar,” and after audience voting, Hanna Santanna was named Queen of Draggieland and won $500, a bouquet and a sash.

She reigns as queen of Draggieland until next year’s winner is determined.

Santanna said she loves the performance aspect of drag, especially after transitioning from being a

YouTuber, where audience interaction is limited.

“My favorite part of performing is getting to experience human interactions. It’s the applause coming from the YouTube background.

I don’t really get to feel it, it’s all words. Its comments,” Santanna said. “Doing drag is so much more fulfilling because I get to hear it. I get to feel it. There’s like an energy that you literally feel in drag, and that’s what I love about drag, is that nothing beats in real life.”

Santanna said she hopes to return to Draggieland next year as a host.

“I’m a show host first and foremost. Coming from a YouTube space, I’m a personality, so … I would love to come back and emcee and just give people a great show,” Santanna said.

Draggieland judge Sasha Frost said Aggieland was a lot different when she graduated in 2011 and is happy to see a drag show being held on campus.

“I was a student here 13 years ago, and so for me it’s really incredible to see how drag has been incorporated into A&M. Back when I came to school, we were listed as one of the top 10 anti-LGBT,” Frost said.

“So to see a production like this held in school, on campus, it’s just real-

heart on fire for A&M, in a very metaphorical sense,” Snyder said.

“Whether it’s the funeral of a former student, or on Muster Day, or just simply doing concerts all around the state, around the country, around the world, being able to represent what it means to be an Aggie to so many other people and being that first impression for people — this is what it means to be an Aggie.”

The group sings in venues all across Texas and the nation, and, occasionally, internationally. But even in settings thousands of miles away, the Singing Cadets still manage to find an Aggie in every city, as Snyder put it.

“It’s a really, really, really cool experience seeing these random American tourists pass by,” Snyder said. “There were a couple [of] Aggies by chance that happened to be there. They’re like, ‘Man, I’m in a foreign country, but that’s something that I recognize.’”

Public relations manager and communication junior Colby Brown said the Singing Cadets have paved their way as a campus tradition, and the group tours to spread the Aggie Spirit because their performances are highly sought after.

“When we’re doing those performances, our main goal is to push this idea of what A&M can bring to a person’s life and how it can enrich them,” Brown said.

Brown said performing with the current members is a life-changing experience, but he’s excited to mingle with alumni onstage as well.

He and other Singing Cadet officers hope to “enrich” members and alumni alike this weekend.

Engineering freshman Lausen Ost spends his time coordinating activities for first-year members as a freshman representative; while not involved in planning the reunion concert, he’s been a part of every rehearsal and has been working

together with current members to prepare.

“I think it will be a very enjoyable and unique time to perform with so many people like me, who enjoy music and voluntarily gave up their time — or for a lot of them, all four years of their college careers — just because they enjoy singing and love Texas A&M,” Ost said. “I can’t wait to perform this upcoming Saturday.”

For one day, alumni will be able to relive their time as a Singing Cadet. Daniel said experiencing the multi-generational camaraderie he first saw as a student means even more to him now that he’s on the other side.

“When I think about what all these years of history mean, I think it’s really about service to the university,” Daniel said. “It’s about the continued relationships that will always live on. I may not know all the guys that were around in the 1930s

Ashely Bautista — THE BATTALION

Drag queen Deaven Lee performs at the Draggieland show in Rudder Theatre on Thursday, March 28, 2024.

DRAGGIELAND CONTINUED in the looks we have seen so far,” Knox said.

Competitors incorporated the Alice in Wonderland theme into their performance category stages with Bella Donna Fables performing to “Pink Pony Club” by Chappell Roan, Shelby Fine performing to a rendition of Shirley Bassey’s “Diamonds Are Forever,” Deaven

CADETS CONTINUED first-ever reunion concert.

At a casual fall reunion during his freshman year, Daniel witnessed the camaraderie that sticks with alumni long after their time in the choir.

“You first experience that in the group, when you see folks come back and reminisce on good times and make an effort to maintain those strong bonds, relationships and friendships,” Daniel said. “Not only between members of the group and their contemporaries but also start new friendships between guys who may have been decades apart.”

Political science junior Mark Jonah Snyder currently serves as the group’s vice president and was elected as next year’s president. Originally from Pennsylvania, Snyder said the choir made him feel at home in an unfamiliar city.

“A big thing that Singing Cadets has done for me is kind of set my

GLENN CONTINUED signed up] because of the community service aspect, we’re raising money for those with cancer in the Brazos County area.”

Peacock’s opponent is aerospace engineering senior Jake Young. Enemies in the ring, these two boxers built a friendship outside of the fight. They practice alongside each other, working together in the gym and building up their skills. Young said he’s confident going into the big face-off and intends to prioritize fun and enjoyment over all else.

“We practiced together, we’ve trained together. He’s got a great head on his shoulders and he’s a really athletic guy,” Young said. “He cares a lot about the charity that we’re supporting and a lot about Farmers Fight Night and everyone here, and I care a lot about him, too.

I would say we’re good friends outside of this. We’re just gonna put on a good show and whatever happens, happens. I’m looking forward to it.”

Peacock shared the same sentiment and said he is excited and looking forward to going against Young, someone both noble and respectable.

As someone who has seen firsthand the journey to FFN, Peacock’s friend and pseudo-coach, kinesiology senior Aiden Connor, said his

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admiration for Peacock grew as he witnessed his dedication.

“He hasn’t had, I’d say, official experience in boxing at all,” Connor said. “But once he started taking it seriously, [I was] like, ‘OK, this is something that’s like actually going to happen.’ So I’m really proud of him for going out there, and it takes a lot away from his academics like his study time, but he’s found the balance. It’s just really neat what he’s doing.”

Connor acts as friend and confidant for Peacock, encouraging him in tough moments and offering unwavering support as Peacock prepares for his three bouts with Young.

“I think he has a good foot in the door for it,” Connor said. “He’ll come back from practice and talk to me about what he’s learned. I have a little bit of experience in boxing.

With some things he taught me, I was like, ‘OK, this happens to you, counter this way.’ I’m not saying I’m a coach or anything, but just some little tips and some advice to help him in his training.”

The image of bright lights and cheering fans fuels Young’s excitement and motivation, enhancing the thrill and further reinforcing the sense of a collective purpose.

“I think walking out to your own walkout song, having your own ring

ly incredible and it shows just how far A&M has come as a school, and how far we’ve come maybe as a nation, too.”

Material science graduate Sophia Ahmed said Draggieland is a celebration and showcase of LGBTQ+ talent. Ahmed serves as president of QEC. “It’s really just a celebration of queer life because drag is such an integral part of queer culture,” Ahmed said. “It’s also a show of resilience and beating adversity given how there’s so many attacks against the gay community and drag community … it’s a big show of resilience and pride. And also it’s nice because when you pay for Draggieland it helps support local drag queens and future queer events as well.”

Political science junior Erik McLaughlin attended Draggieland for the first time this year and said he wanted to attend the show for entertainment and to support minority groups.

“It’s a great representation of freedom of speech on campus, especially since A&M is such a conservative environment. Freedom of speech means something very different to a lot of people so I think it’s a good way to support a … smaller voice in the community,” McLaughlin said. or 1920s, [but] the work that they did and the work they put in for the university and for the group — it’s carried through to today, even 100 years later.”

The group has faced challenges in the past, but it’s still standing strong, Snyder said. The Singing Cadets feels tight-knit even after growing from its nine-person start to the multitude of members today, including choralists from all majors and backgrounds, as well as outside the Corp.

“I hope that we’ll make it another 130 years,” Snyder said. “I’m hoping I live long enough to see 200 years of the same cadets — even if I’m one of those old guys who’s onstage sitting in a wheelchair — that I can come back and there’s still this vibrant community of cadets who care very deeply about A&M and care about each other.”

Kyle Heise — THE BATTALION

Aerospace engineering senior Jake Young spars during the Farmers Fight Night practice at Bryan Boxing on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024.

escorts, just seeing all the fans that are coming out there not only to see a boxing match but support charity,” Young said. “The first time this has ever happened, like, ‘Hey people, students are going to go into Reed Arena and fight each other for like three hours, that’s so sick.’

I think being part of something that has taken a ton of work to get set up and being kind of the first one to ever do it, that’s going to be the cool part.”

Fear is not a big factor for the

big night, as Young said he will feel content afterward despite the outcome.

“I’ve been told, like a month before this, by people that’ve done this before, ‘Hey, the faster you accept every single outcome that can happen is the faster you can actually have fun doing this,’” Young said.

“I’m just gonna go out there, do my best, and you’ve watched the Netflix documentary from Johnny Manziel, ‘Win or lose we booze.’

We’re just gonna get out there, do

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BOOT BAG

our best and whatever happens, I have a great support system. We’re gonna have fun after.”

In hopes of future growth for FFN, Peacock said he encourages participation because this experience merges notable aspects.

“You’re building a small family with other boxers and coaches that you kind of bond with on a different level and respect,” Peacock said.

“It’s a great opportunity to give back to the community.”

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The Battalion | 04.04.24

OPINION

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Corynn Young — THE BATTALION

Add a book to your outfit Opinion writer says literature has become an accessory — let’s take advantage of it Isabella Garcia @Isa_TheBatt When you see posts of dark literature sprawled aesthetically across the floor, what comes to mind? Or of mysteriously obscured girls with perfectly disheveled hair standing in front of a case of books, chic tote bag conveniently in sight? Outfit-of-the-day crewneck sweaters and Mary Janes with “Wuthering Heights” strategically in the camera shot?

Ooooh, she must read.

Reading — specifically, owning books — has always been associated with class. From the first century, old white dudes were already criticizing the fetish for grandiose displays of books, with philosopher Seneca outright denouncing the wealthy for using them as no more than “decorations for the dining room.”

Seeing as books have always been a status symbol regardless of whether they’re being read, it’s no wonder why celebrities — the ultimate arbiters of status — love to post pictures of themselves reading. Designer Marc Jacobs frequently posts selfies

of his latest novel, supermodel Gigi Hadid was photographed carrying Albert Camus’ “The Stranger” during Milan Fashion Week, and Kendall Jenner was seen reading Chelsea Hodson’s “Tonight I’m Someone Else” — in a tiny, bright orange bikini while effortlessly laying atop a yacht, of course.

I don’t necessarily mean to imply celebrities aren’t actually reading the novels in these elegant, completely natural photo-ops, but isn’t it a coincidence they never seem to be shown with culturally “unglamorous” books? In our media, TV series like HBO’s “White Lotus” show idolized star Sydney Sweeney reading “The Portable Nietzsche.”

Even goofballs like Ryan Reynolds are shown reading the classic “Jane Eyre.”

Celebrities are going so far as to set up photo-ops intentionally showing off the latest “it” book, handpicked by a celebrity book stylist.

Besides the obvious image of cultivated knowledge, this is undoubtedly a consequence of books integrating themselves into the fashion space. Vivienne Westwood, a notorious and undeniably influential fashion designer, maintained walking around with a book in your hand is status. As a consequence,

you’ve got to commit to the books and the looks. As British Vogue put it, “A well-dressed nerd is not the same as a poorly-dressed one.”

So, not only have books become a medium to showcase style, but their portability has given way to broadcast your reading environment as well.

When you post a picture of your weathered Jane Austen novel beside a Starbucks latte and subtly include a gothic backdrop, you’re telling the world this is how you read.

This romanticized environment — your “reading scene” — touches the realm of ideas exhibited in what you’re shown reading. Since a book is a natural bridge between our material world and abstract ideas, as one writer puts it, you’re therefore saying “This is who I am.”

It’s easy to see how these cultural phenomena can elicit a desire to showcase this sort of social capital; after all, who wouldn’t want to be able to present themselves to the world as their most beloved book character? Even interior designer Nina Freudenberger professes books as the most important accessory in the house. They can reveal someone’s values and answer, “Who do they want other people to think they are?”

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The presentation of reading insofar as its effect when coupled with celebrities, social media posts and general mass media has led books to become integrated into people’s identities. When you attach books to specific people, brands or products, you create an identity for your reader base that now manifests itself in “hot-girl” aesthetics; being seen reading is more important than the act of reading itself.

With books now being tied so heavily to our aesthetic brand identities, we have to be careful not to let ourselves get carried away and place our personalities in these heart-shaped boxes. If you read “Lolita” just because it was marketed as coquette and, shockingly, did not find your affinity for bows and innocence represented in this tale of abuse, don’t feel like you have to pretend to have liked it. Neither should you automatically assume the literary merit was lost on you.

By the same coin, don’t delude yourself into thinking reading Dostoyevsky’s “Crime and Punishment” while fashioning Doc Martins under a wool coat in a dark academia-esque library means you understand Raskolnikov’s total alienation and empathize with his struggles.

Speaking from experience, I don’t mean to deter anyone from picking up whatever book they please. Rather, I say this to encourage deeper exploration of the impactful nuances literature can offer, lost in our haste to seem erudite.

I will never forget bringing “Atlas Shrugged,” a whopping 1,200 pages, into my ninth-grade government class. It took me five years to realize it’s not about trains.

However, given that women have historically been criticized for reading or partaking in intellectual activities at all, this “hotgirlification” — albeit, biased towards “highbrow” literature — is a much-needed reprieve. Even if the popular girls in high school are just using books as accessories, it makes it much easier for those of us who were bullied for reading at the lunch table.

These trends die out as quickly as they spark to life, but hopefully we’ll be able to continue a permanent encouragement of the hot case for reading — regardless of how you look doing it.

Isabella Garcia is an economics sophomore and opinion writer for The Battalion.

SPORTS Leveling the playing field THURSDAY, APRIL 4 | SERVING TEXAS A&M SINCE 1893 | © 2024 STUDENT MEDIA

Female Aggie athletes, coaches speak on persisting disparities among collegiate athletics

By Kylie Stoner @sportsbystoner On Monday, 12.3 million viewers tuned in to watch Iowa defeat LSU in the women’s March Madness Elite Eight. The game, starring Iowa’s senior guard Caitlin Clark, broke ESPN’s record for mostwatched college basketball game, men’s or women’s.

The record stands as just one among many in the increasingly-popular world of women’s college sports. Last August, Nebraska’s volleyball team entered the Guinness book with the largest crowd at a women’s sporting event.

At Texas A&M in particular, women’s sports have been excelling.

Women’s tennis had back-to-back conference seasons without a loss in 2022-23. Softball had its best start ever to SEC conference play ever this season, and soccer has the most conference championships at A&M in the last 20 years, soccer coach G Guerrieri said.

“Our women’s teams here at Texas A&M are arguably our most successful teams,” Guerrieri said.

Yet, there are still some disparities between men’s and women’s sports — even here in College Station.

Andersen Williams, graduate forward and midfielder for the Aggie soccer team, was told when signing with A&M that the program would be receiving a new facility.

“Our facility is definitely next up to be redone,” Williams said. “It’s been promised to us for a while, so that’s kind of sucky.”

Aggie soccer has played at Ellis Field since 1994 when the complex opened. Their program began one year prior in 1993 with Guerrieri, who still leads the squad today.

When the university’s club women’s soccer team was promoted to compete at the collegiate level, Guerrieri said the players in 1993 just wanted equality.

The players who began the Aggie soccer program wanted to eat at the dining hall for athletes and have access to tutors, trainers and nutritionists.

“I think from that point on we’ve just tried to continue to fight to do whatever we could to make it to where our women would be treated on equal footing,” Guerrieri said.

Williams’ time with the program will likely expire before the new complex will be completed — or even started.

“Probably not when she’s here,” Guerrieri said. “It’s unfortunate that it takes a long time for glaciers to move.”

While soccer is some time away from a new facility, Aggie softball recently got Davis Diamond. Previously, the team played at the Aggie Softball Complex from 1994 until 2018.

“I think softball has got a pretty nice facility,” Guerrieri said.

“They’ve been able to bring their stuff up to the same level as what baseball has.”

However, softball’s head coach Trisha Ford doesn’t want to stop at “pretty nice.” She wants to see outfield seating at Davis Diamond.

“I think the better product we put out, the more people will come,” Ford said.

Now in her second season leading Aggie softball, Ford produced the best start to conference play this year since A&M joined the SEC in 2012. Even with the impressive product that softball puts out on the field, there are still inequalities in how they are treated versus the

baseball team.

Thinking back to a time of unfairness, graduate pitcher Shaylee Ackerman said she thought ‘that shouldn’t happen’ on an occasion with a male sport.

“We had a signing opportunity with baseball,” Ackerman said.

“There was one instance where we got thrown outside, and it was during the winter time. We were outside, and the boys were inside.”

Guerrieri said when colleges aren’t actively thinking of improving female athletes and their sports, it won’t get done.

“Unless you’re really putting some conscious thought into it, things can go unattended,” Guerrieri said.

Aggie women’s tennis has been one of the most consistently excellent sports on campus, and Mitchell Tennis Center has never exceeded its capacity. With the ability to seat 3,000 people, the record attendance was 2,339 for a men’s match in 2002.

The attendance at women’s sports is inconsistent with their men’s counterparts, Williams said.

“The student body puts a higher emphasis on the male sports,” Williams said. “Basketball, for example, if you look at the attendance for the male basketball games versus the female basketball games, it’s very different.”

As back-to-back SEC season champions, women’s tennis has not gotten the respect they deserve, and they know it. A&M is home to junior Mary Stoiana, the No. 1 women’s singles player and half of the No. 4 doubles duo in the nation.

“Women’s tennis isn’t as popular as other sports,” junior Jeanette Mireles said.

Mireles said she would like to see more attendance and appreciation for the women’s tennis team, and she isn’t the only person in the athletic department who would like an increase in attendance.

Jamie Morrison, head coach of the Aggie volleyball team, said even though interest in volleyball is growing, he would like to see it more at A&M in particular.

“I want to have 7-9 thousand people at every single one of our volleyball matches,” Morrison said.

Morrison’s sophomore opposite hitter Logan Lednicky believes that the program has excelled under Morrison’s guidance.

“I think just from year one to year two as volleyball players we got tremendously better, and I think it’s only going to go up from there,” Lednicky said.

Lednicky said volleyball is growing nationwide and getting on more people’s radars. The statistics back her up as well.

Nebraska’s volleyball program set a world record in August 2023 for the largest crowd at a women’s sporting event with 92,002 in attendance, according to ESPN. The match in August of 2023 was held at the school’s football facility Memorial Stadium, which can hold about 15 thousand fewer fans than A&M’s Kyle Field.

“I do have hopes [for a game in Kyle Field],” Lednicky said.

Morrison said he plans to sit down with new athletic director Trev Alberts soon. Alberts was most recently the athletic director for the University of Nebraska. With the Cornhuskers, Alberts was able to make their volleyball program the only profitable one in the country, Morrison said.

“I would love that to happen here where we’re getting to add to the

Photos by Chris Swann — THE BATTALION

Top to bottom: Graduate forward Andersen WIlliams, graduate pitcher Shaylee Ackerman, sophomore opposite hitter Logan Lednicky and junior Jeanette Mireles stand for photos.

“There’s a giant football field success of other sports,” Morrison nue and whatnot, which is totally understandable, but I think overall across the street right now, but that said.

A&M’s men’s sports are bring- just having the equal opportunity [is is the engine that drives this university to some extent,” Morrison said. ing in the most funding. In a 2017 key],” Ackerman said.

Don’t knock it till Texas Tribune you try it, Ford said. article, the total She noted that she revenue for men’s hasn’t had someone sports at A&M come to a softball was $130,991,248 game and not think while women’s about getting season sports brought in tickets. $25,313,665. MorG Guerrieri “I just think the rison said it isn’t more that we can impossible for feTexas A&M Soccer Head Coach expose our sport male sports to do The differences between male and sports in general — the female the same; however, he said the women’s programs need the chanc- and female sports at A&M are obvi- sports — the more people will unes to succeed in order to add to the ous, Morrison believes. They aren’t derstand,” Ford said. always equal, but sometimes they earnings.

“I mean, in general, male sports are equitable and necessary. For exare going to bring in more reve- ample, the Aggie football program.

“Our women’s teams here at Texas A&M are arguably our most successful teams,”

SPORTS

The Battalion | 04.04.24

Sports writer presents his top-10 draft predictions ahead of the April 25 NFL Draft

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By Mathias Cubillan @mathiascubillan

Perhaps the one true lock of the draft, Caleb Williams will call the Windy City home this season. Justin Fields being traded to Pittsburgh ended any speculation that the Bears would pass on one of the decade’s best quarterback prospects. Williams’ dynamic creation and immense physical talent will be surrounded by a newly-reinforced supporting cast. General manager Ryan Poles brought in wide receiver Keenan Allen and running back D’Andre Swift to supplement WR D.J. Moore, and Williams will find himself in an unusually ready-made situation for a rookie QB.

New general manager Adam Peters will need a QB after moving on from Sam Howell following a rocky season. Drake Maye’s name has not been brought up much in connection to the Commanders, but Peters was part of the San Francisco staff that fooled everyone in 2021 when it selected QB Trey Lance. Maye played in coach Phil Longo’s air raid system at North Carolina, and Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury’s scheme is a part of that coaching tree. Maye’s downfield aggression pairs perfectly with star wide receiver Terry McLaurin, and Washington gets a franchise-changing answer at quarterback.

With the Bill Belichick era coming to an end, New England will look to usher in the next iteration of Patriots football. Jayden Daniels has the sort of electrifying play style that owner Robert Kraft could want to bring excitement to a region that just endured a lifeless offensive season. De facto general manager Eliot Wolf could consider trading back to recoup assets for a roster completely barren of talent, but ownership wins out in this scenario and Daniels brings a dual-threat skill set to Foxborough.

With an established QB in Kyler Murray already in place, Arizona will get offers from teams trying to get their hands on a signal-caller. Arizona elects to take the best player on the board with an all-world wide receiver. Harrison is an offense-changing weapon that wins with his size, body control and route-running prowess. Arizona is starting to build something on offense with Murray, Harrison and breakout tight end Trey McBride.

The Vikings decided not to re-sign veteran QB Kirk Cousins this offseason, leaving a gaping hole on the depth chart at QB. The Vikings have been gearing up for a trade up since they acquired an additional first-round pick from Houston. With elite weapons in wide receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison already on hand, Minnesota decides to fly up the board and choose McCarthy to steer the ship. Coach Kevin O’Connell comes from the Sean McVay coaching tree that relies on quarterbacks to play within themselves and make good decisions, something McCarthy has shown en route to a National Championship at Michigan.

Just a year after inking QB Daniel Jones to a 4-year, $160 million contract, the Giants will have to seriously consider moving up for a quarterback. They miss the boat in this scenario but pick the most explosive player in the draft class. Nabers has field-tilting speed to give Jones his first true difference maker to get the ball to. The Giants choose to build up the roster around the quarterback while kicking the QB decision down the road for a year.

Sometimes you just need to take your vegetables and make the boring pick. New coach Brian Callahan brought his father and famed offensive line guru Bill Callahan onto the staff and now gives him a massive lump of clay to mold. Alt is a 6-foot-9 behemoth of a left tackle with great athleticism to be a blindside protector. Alt should slide right into the starting lineup next to 2023 first-round pick Peter Skoronski to lock down the left side of the line.

The Atlanta Falcons are on a never-ending search for pass rush and have not drafted a player with multiple 10-sack seasons this millenia. New coach Raheem Morris gets some juice off the edge with NFL Combine star Turner. Morris’ defense relies on versatility on the ends with Leonard Floyd and Michael Hoecht previously having success, and Turner’s elite first step and fluidity in space gives the Falcons a fast ball off the edge.

With the second of two top-10 picks, Chicago decides to get spicy. Should the Bears be smart and draft a pass rusher or an upgrade at offensive tackle? Maybe, but instead they go with pure unadulterated fun in Washington’s Rome Odunze. Chicago gives Caleb Williams all the tools he could ask for, and Odunze’s well-rounded skill set makes him an ideal go-to guy for a rookie.

After moving back with Minnesota, the Chargers get back up to get their guy. New coach Jim Harbaugh has made it known that the offensive line will be a priority for LA, and he will fall in love with Fuaga’s hard-nosed playstyle. As a right tackle, Fuaga can bookend the Chargers’ line opposite Rashawn Slater to keep superstar quarterback Justin Herbert upright while bringing a much-needed nastiness to the roster.

Graphic By Pranay Dhoopar

SPORTS

The Battalion | 04.04.24

B3

Lana Cheatham — THE BATTALION

Junior INF Koko Wooley (3) slides into home base during Texas A&M’s game against Prairie View A&M at Davis Diamond on Tuesday, April 2, 2024.

Wildcats slide into Aggieland A&M softball looks to bounce back in SEC play against Kentucky

By Mathias Cubillan @mathiascubillan No. 14 Texas A&M will welcome unranked Kentucky into town for an SEC weekend series at Davis Diamond starting on Friday, April 5 and finishing on Sunday, April 7.

The Aggies are 29-7 overall and 8-4 in SEC play, while the Wildcats are 23-12 with an underwhelming 2-7 conference record.

The teams met in a wildly up-and-down series last season in Lexington, Kentucky that

included both teams run-ruling the other. A&M won the series 2-1, but Kentucky took the latest matchup with a commanding 10-2 victory.

The Maroon and White took a trip to Baton Rouge, Louisiana last weekend and were swept

by LSU in a series in which the Aggie offense could not get off the ground. A sliver of midweek hope shined for A&M in the form of a Prairie View A&M trouncing. The Panthers’ night ended in only five innings as the Aggies won with a 10-0 run ruling while tossing a no-hitter.

Coming off their first two conference wins of the season in a series against then-No. 13 Alabama, the Wildcats are striving to build momentum and crack

the NCAA Top-25 rankings after being the last team out in the latest poll.

Explosive offenses have been the story for these two teams, as both A&M and Kentucky rank in the top 16 nationally for home runs per game with 1.34 and 1.29, respectively. The Aggies have the 12th-best slugging percentage in the country at .549 and the Wildcats are not far behind at .518.

Despite giving up nine runs in the last game against LSU, A&M’s pitching staff reminded fans how solid it has been this season with a near-perfect game against Prairie View A&M. Junior LHP Emiley Kennedy has been a star thus far, exhibited by her 51st-ranked 1.65 ERA,

and the entire group has an impressive ERA of 2.14, ranking 20th in the country.

Kentucky’s pitching has been the Achilles heel for the team, with a 3.58 ERA and giving up 143 runs as a collective.

Fielding is a strength for both teams as A&M has a .972 fielding percentage, with Kentucky just a tick behind at .971. Both teams have only 26 errors on the year.

The biggest discrepancy between A&M and Kentucky comes in assists with 234 and 179, respectively.

A&M’s key to success in the weekend series will be staying ahead of the count on defense.

The Maroon and White’s clearest advantage is in pitching, and keeping the Wildcats at bay and

preventing big plays will be a priority for A&M. Senior INF Trinity Cannon is living up to her name, bombing 10 pitches over the wall already this season, and the Aggies will need her offense to lift them past the Wildcats.

The Wildcats will lean on their eruptive offensive potential to pull out the upset. Kentucky’s potent batting is led by senior SS Erin Coffel, who has 11 home runs in 35 games. With A&M being in a similar class at batting and tier above in pitching, Kentucky will have to rely on its heavy hitters to get multiple runs in an inning early to put pressure on the Aggie pitching staff.

The entire series will be televised on SEC Network+ starting on Friday, April 5 at 6 p.m.

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BLINN COLLEGE TRANSFER? You may already have earned your associate degree!

You may be eligible to earn your associate degree through reverse transfer if you: • Have earned at least 15 credit hours at Blinn • Have earned at least 60 total credit hours • Meet current degree requirements Next steps: 1. Send your official Texas A&M University transcript with TSI information included 2. Email grad@blinn.edu or call 979-743-5280 to check your eligibility 3. Complete the Reverse Transfer Application at www.blinn.edu/graduation/reversetransfer.html