Sept. 4, 2020 Hutchinson Collegian

The student voice of Hutchinson Community College

Sept. 4, 2020 O - Editorial Endorsement

The Collegian gives some not-so-typical election-season endorsements. Page 2

www.hutchcollegian.com

Vol. 62 Issue 1

C - Mental Health

S - Cross Country

There are resources available on campus, city for students struggling with mental health during the pandemic. Page 3

Blue Dragon runners are preparing for the only HutchCC home event of the fall semester. Page 4

Masking up for a new year on campus

By Sam Bailey Editor in Chief

Photo by KJ Ryan/Photo Editor Hutchinson Community economics instructor Matt Wilper teaches a class behind the protection of a ruler and his face shield.

It’s not often that long-held traditions go through major changes, but in 2020 the almost ritualistic check of whether you have your phone and keys has been greatly altered.

It is now normal to grab a mask when reaching for the keys on the way out the door.

While for many, masks are just another thing to remember in the morning so everyone stays safe, some professions come with added complications when it comes to wearing masks.

Instructors at Hutchinson Community College have had to adapt to wearing masks to teach in front of socially-distanced classes these first few weeks of classes, and have found challenges in doing so.

“Projecting my voice enough for everyone to hear has been very challenging,” said HutchCC sociology instructor Kim Newberry.

Struggling to hear people talk in masks has been a common theme when it comes to the classroom, but it becomes even more difficult when students and instructors try to perform in the arts with the masks

Photo by KJ Ryan/Photo Editor Hutchinson Community College President Carter File teaches a leadership class with the protection of a face mask.

on.

“We just learn to sing ‘through the mask,’” said Director of Choral Activities Neal Allsup.

“We are forging ahead and making it work. The sound may be a bit muffled, but it’s really the distance that is more of a challenge.”

As well as having to wear a mask, students and instructors are required to social distance.

“My classes seem much larger when we socially distance, especially when my Tuesday/ Thursday classes fill the whole Waldo Auditorium,” Newberry said.

While wearing the masks muffle instructor and student voices and being far away from each other makes it only worse, Allsup says that isn’t even the hardest part.

“One of the most challenging things is not being able to see the shape of the mouth/jaw for the specific technique required for this type of singing,” Allsup said.

While teaching some classes has become more complicated due to COVID-19, students are also having to make a big adjustment. Some students are even using the masks to draw in on themselves and use them as a type of shield.

“I am having a harder time getting students to contribute in class,” Newberry said. “The mask makes it easier to hide, but it is also hard for students to project loud enough for everyone to hear.”

While some students are finding it difficult to See Mask, Page 3

Socializing during a global pandemic

By Brooke Greene Staff Writer

During the Covid-19 Pandemic, lives have been flipped upside down, some more drastically than others.

College students’ lives in particular have been altered to best suit what is thought to be the appropriate path to ending a pandemic. Students have suffered through being forced to leave campus and the dorms in the spring, they have been transferred to online education and told to adapt to new campus, county and city rules and guidelines.

Rule No. 1, wear your mask.

While many might feel controlled by this pandemic, there still must be time set aside to have some fun. The only problem is where to have fun, considering plenty of places are shut down or have restrictions for viable use as a social outing. Bowling while wearing a mask may not sound fun, and theaters are still under from the outbreak. So, the question remains - what are students doing for fun during the pandemic?

For Hutchinson Community College students such as Lynze Kotschegarow, (hometown) spending time outside

became more of a priority. She started going on runs and riding her bike to escape the captivity of the virus, as well as engaging in new hobbies.

“I started reading for pleasure again, and have spent more time with my hobbies like painting as well as trying new hobbies like making things with resin and making jewelry,” said Kotschegarow. She also made it a priority to spend more time with her loved ones.

Former HutchCC student Laynee Barlow, Plevna, experienced some of the chaos during last semester’s transition to online schooling.

“The transition to online was pretty hard. It did free up a lot of time though,” Barlow said. “Aside from putting in a lot of hours into working, I spent plenty of time hanging out with friends, enjoying being outside, I took my dogs to the park a lot and went home more than I had been. I got to spend lots of quality time with my little brother as well, and I started playing my guitar a bit again, as well as dabbling in cooking.

“Quarantine was a time to get back into things I hadn’t done in a while and pick up new things I hadn’t done before.”

Hutchinson sophomore Jace Losew,

Upcoming events Sept. 4 — Terry Masterson Twilight Classic cross country meet at Fun Valley, 8:30 p.m.

Sept. 7 — Labor Day, no classes Sept. 8 — Virtual Activities Fair ends

Hutchinson, also took advantage of being outdoors.

“I have recently spent my time building a backyard, moving a lot of dirt and rocks for the flower gardens, and hammocking on 43rd street,” Losew said.

Many students have not selected a specific place to make their new hangout spot. If anything they have ditched the social norms and started embracing

character-building activities.

The place may not exist anymore, a place where everyone goes. Instead, students are reconnecting with things they loved before the stresses of college and before the idea of “adulting” emerged. Covid-19 may be a pandemic, but for some it may not be a social prison, but a wake up call to keep on pursuing happiness.

Photo by Emily Branson/Photo Editor Hutchinson Community College students including Josh Baker have limited opportunities to socialize on campus.

The happenings around campus

College Student Weather Report

Friday High: 90; Low 66 It’s OK, we’re only kind of judging you for sweating that much Saturday High: 93; Low 71 Swipe right, everyone’s hot Saturday Sunday High: 96; Low 68 Brought to you by global warming

Find these exclusives at www. hutchcollegian.com - How have international students handled traveling to and from their home countries?

Story by Kyran Crist.

- A feature on new SGA president Zach Shanline. By Zariah Perilla-Best.

Opinion

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The Hutchinson Collegian Friday, September 4, 2020

Quarantine life be like The Collegian’s 2020 Endorsements There comes a time in every newspaper editorial board’s life when it must engage in dialogue with its readers to determine what actions are worthy of support for our society’s bettering.

Typically, endorsements come in the form of candidates and are published early enough into their elections to affect their outcome. However, this late into the cycle, we deemed it best to instead endorse collective actions, government policies, and personal, moral guidance that will drive us forward.

As young adults tossed into an increasingly chaotic world, we face and will continue to face undoubted hardship and setbacks to progress. However, we can not – we must not – allow pessimism to control us, ensuring the worst to happen.

In just the past few months, we have seen protests against police brutality, daily lives upended by a pandemic, unemployment, global markets and wealth gains ironically skyrocketing together and a lackluster response to it all from elected officials.

Now is not the time for complacency.

This year may yet be the most important year of our lives if we make it so.

The Collegian endorses: Wearing a mask Due to the federal government failing to take the coronavirus and its effects upon our lives seriously, the responsibility to halt its spread falls upon us.

The privilege to attend in-person classes, compete in sports, and maintain a sense of “normalcy” will only be extended to us as long as we follow public health officials’ guidance.

Wear a mask while on campus, and anywhere you may come into contact with others. Wash your hands regularly for twenty seconds. Maintain social distancing and avoid mass gatherings. If you are not feeling well, stay home, or follow Residence Life’s rules, and consult with instructors to make up lectures and coursework.

Embracing radical empathy Part of what makes the college experience great is the exposure to students of cultures, socio-economic status and personal identity different from our own.

Being in class and interacting with people whom we may initially have animus towards based upon our biases encourages us to ditch the prejudices in favor of embracing our diversity.

At the same time, we must educate ourselves and each other about the systems which suppress our

ability to self-actualize, especially those in disadvantaged and minority groups.

We must work towards social equity through supporting movements and policies to change our policing system, end the carceral state, provide healthcare and education to all, shelter the homeless, improve working conditions for low-wage and immigrant laborers, slow the threat of climate change, reign in the cost of living, and better our society generally.

As the late political commentator Michael Brooks once said: “Be ruthless with systems. Be kind to people.”

Participating in community Donate to and volunteer at food banks and homeless shelters, listen to community leaders and activists, follow local news, and learn about your community’s history.

Take a few minutes to research who your elected representatives are and if their policies align with your community’s beliefs and interests. Local officials directly impact your life, from road repairs to your education, cost of housing, and job prospects.

You pay their salary, and they are public servants, so they may as well be encouraged to do the best by their constituents.

Moving forward It is said that President Franklin Roosevelt once met with a group of activists who were pushing for radical economic policies before the writing of New Deal legislation. After listening to them, he said, “You’ve convinced me. Now go out and make me do it.”

We have this same power if we make ourselves heard and do our level best to improve our world, both at the hyper-local level of conversation with others and at the governmental level through lobbying, rebuke and protest.

Public intellectual Noam Chomsky theorized that humanity faces two options for its future.

“We can be pessimistic, give up and help ensure that the worst will happen,” he said. “Or we can be optimistic, grasp the opportunities that surely exist, and maybe help make the world a better place. Not much of a choice.”

The Killers’ latest album doesn’t implode Columnist

Caleb Spencer Ever since the release of “Hot Fuss” in 2004, the Las Vegas-based band The Killers have stayed a household name across the world. However, they never quite saw the same critical or commercial success that came with “Hot Fuss.”

However, with the Aug. 21 release of “Imploding The Mirage,” The Killers attempted to capture the synth-rock catchiness that their early singles used to hook into the world’s ears.

Right from the start, “Imploding The Mirage’’ catches your ear with “My Own Soul’s Warning” with echoing vocals that feel custom-made for large-stadium shows, along with shiny

synth blasts that compliment the lighter acoustic guitar greatly. Acoustic guitar makes a larger impact on the second track, “Blowback,” trading places with the synths and leading for what almost sounds like if The Killers wanted to make a modern country song.

“Dying Breed” starts quiet, with only a fast drum beat and single-note guitar to suggest the buildup that occurs as the track continues. Ethereal backing vocals and sweet-talking lyrics make for a song that belongs in the climax for an 80s romance movie. Heading into the lead single for the album, Caution, featuring a fiery guitar solo to close out the song, this track rivals some of the classic songs in The Killers’ discography.

The first feature of the album comes from k.d. lang on “Lightning Fields,” which brings with it a three-song span that drags the rest of the album down with it. Outside of a change of vocal delivery with the addition of k.d. lang, there’s nothing too notable about this track - more synth, more echoing vocals, more of the same for The Killers.

However, the next track changes.

“Fire In Bone” enters with a groovy baseline and jangly drum beat, all

The Hutchinson Collegian The student voice of Hutchinson Community College

The Collegian is created by Hutchinson Community College’s Newspaper Production class each week during the academic year, except for when school is not in session, or during final exams. Copies may be found on campus Friday mornings, or in Shears Technology Center, room 207.

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sounding like ’80s pop. Despite the change in pace, this is still the weakest track. The baseline enters strong but disappears halfway through the song, the lyrics are boring and repetitive, and nothing interesting happens after the 30-second mark.

Filling out the lull in the middle of the album, “Running Towards A Place” does nothing to make someone want to listen to it or pay attention to what the song has to say.

After falling into a rough patch, the last feature of the album comes from Weyes Blood on “My God.” The shared chorus between Brandon Flowers and Weyes Blood, along with some catchy percussion, carry the album out of the hole left by the three prior tracks.

The solo verse by Weyes Blood also breathes fresh air into the song, making this one of my favorites on the entire album.

Considering the number of highs and lows on this album, it’s only fitting that the last two songs are forgettable.

They’re both OK, but they are immediately forgotten in my mind. I don’t expect them to hold any place in my memory in the future.

Overall, “Imploding The Mirage”

Collegian Staff Editor In Chief Sam Bailey Campus editor Caleb Spencer Opinion page editor Aaron Strain Sports editors Adam Kolb, Bailey Pennycuff Photo Editors Emily Branson, KJ Ryan

Online Edtior Kyran Crist Editorial cartoonist TBA Staff members Brooke Greene, Leslie Grajeda, Felix Johnson, Jolene Moore, Zariah Perilla-Best, Laci Sutton, Izzy Wheeler Collegian Adviser Brad Hallier

www.HutchCollegian.com

shows that The Killers can still pump out radio-ready tunes, even if they aren’t as consistent as they were back in the 2000s. While most of the tracklist hits, a little less than half of the songs are at best forgettable and at worst bad.

If you want golden-hour driving music with your friends, “Imploding The Mirage” is a solid option.

Album artwork of “Imploding the Mirage” by synth-rock band The Killers Caleb Spencer is an Andale sophomore and the Collegian’s Campus Editor studying Media Communication and Production.

Letters to the editor The Hutchinson Collegian welcomes letters to the editor. Letters must include the author’s signature, address and phone number.

The Collegian reserves the right to edit letters for style, legality and length. Letters may not exceed 300 words.

Send letters to hallierb@hutchcc.edu.

Non-discrimination statement Hutchinson Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, age, military status, sexual orientation, or any other protected category under federal, state, or local law, or by college policy.

For inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies contact: Jake Gunden, Coordinator of Equity & Compliance 1300 N. Plum Hutchinson, KS 67501 (620) 665-3500 equity@hutchcc.edu (www.hutchcc.edu/equity)

The Hutchinson Collegian Friday, September 4, 2020

Campus

Lockdown and mental health at HutchCC

By Leslie Grajeda Staff Writer

The Covid-19 pandemic took the wind out of students’ sails and their mental health from shutdowns suspending direct human contact to schools rapidly moving online.

“We are social animals, as humans,” said Christopher Lau, Hutchinson Community College’s Coordinator of Advising, Career Development and Counseling.

As shutdowns began, some students started to notice negative aspects of their lives and could not pinpoint what they were.

It’s OK not to be OK, and students have valid reasons to feel negative emotions. Students fearing themselves or their family becoming sick, arguing over the virus’ politicization, and the cancelation of social interactions contributed to feelings of unease and despair.

While the desire to not further spread the virus is justifiable, the social pressure not to be “the screwup” can also become too much to bear, Lau said.

Having more leisure time at home exposed students to political turmoil, panic, police brutality, and hospital overcrowding more than they would be normally. Students who cared about these issues, but felt unable to catch up, may have become tired and weary.

Also, the increase in time alone or with family could have exacerbated the mental and familial issues students may have experienced before the outbreak.

“This pandemic is like a spotlight that can’t be turned off. It shines a light on issues that no longer can be

Page 3

Puzzles

ignored,” Lau said.

Specifically, the pandemic’s effect on education forced pressure and anxiety on some students.

“Changing from face-to-face learning to online learning was Lau a kick in the face,” Scott City sophomore Karina Ryala said. “As someone who does not learn well online, I knew this was going to be a hard end to my first year of college.”

Ryala said she lost motivation for school during the transition.

While they appreciate classes starting up again, she and other students are somewhat fearful of doing so in the middle of a pandemic.

The mask mandate helped ease anxiety, but seeing many on campus without a mask made the anxiety return.

“Here’s a virus killing millions of people, and now we are all together again,” Ryala said. “As someone with health issues, I’m scared to catch the virus.”

During this time of hardship, students are encouraged to follow HutchCC’s Covid-19 guidelines, as well as city and county recommendations.

The Student Success Center in Parker Student Union offers free mental health services. In partnership with HutchCC, Prairie Star provides two free appointments at their facility for mental health, sexually-transmitted-infection treatment, or other health issues. Horizons Mental Health Center offers medication plans and outpatient care.

What are students doing for fun Campus literary publication during the pandemic?

By Jolene Moore Staff Writer

What were you doing between when you were sent home from school in the spring until today?

For many, that answer would consist of sleeping, working or even doing nothing. But for others who had hours to pass when they weren’t doing one of those activities, they were learning a new skill.

With as much time as was given over the extensive break, it makes sense to fill your time with different consuming activities. For Hutchinson freshman Katie Rumback, she found a new passion for running during the long days of sitting around.

“I wanted to spend time with my boyfriend outside, since we couldn’t go inside anywhere, and I needed a way to exercise, so we started running on the trail behind our house,” Rumback said.

She also said how her boyfriend and her decided to challenge themselves to run every day for 50 days.

“At the end of the 50 days, we were running 2.5 miles and walking another mile.”

She still plans on keeping up with her running as much as possible with the new school year starting. Hutchinson sophomore Maria Barragan decided to spend her extra time outside as well, but doing something with a little more get and go. Barragan spent her time straddling her new Harley Davidson motorcycle.

When asked why she decided to go with two wheels instead of four she said, “I wanted to learn because it

Mask

• Continued from Page 1

adjust to the masks and find the courage to speak up loud enough to be heard through them, many are trying their best to remain focused and engaged in this new classroom environment.

will be cheaper gas wise, and because I’ve ridden with my dad since middle school.”

Barragan said she has always enjoyed riding her dad’s, so her buying one for herself was no question. But a slight damper in Barragan’s road travels comes from the Department of Motor Vehicles closing down, and only open with appointments. Barragan said she wished she could ride every day, but without a full license, she is only able to ride about three days a week with her dad but she enjoys every second of it.

Hutchinson sophomore Josie Harris on the other hand learned a more hands-on skill. Harris was taken to creating a certain kind of jewelry. She works at Stratica, the underground salt museum located in southeastern Hutchinson. One perk of her job is she gets to take home different pieces of salt that fall onto the ground. By collecting these different pieces of all shapes and sizes, she has taken to designing them into unique sets of earrings.

“At Stratica, we sell wire-wrapped salt earrings,” she said. “I decided that I didn’t really want to pay for them, so why not make them.”

Harris has been designing her own earrings since mid-June and said that she plans on making a bulk amount and selling them to the mine to be sold in the gift shop.

These skills are just a few examples of what others have been doing over our long quarantine break. With summer coming to an end there are still plenty of skills to learn so just get out and get curious.

“The students aren’t complaining or resisting and handling it in a very mature and adult-like manner,” Allsup said. “I’m so proud of them.”

Making major lifestyle adjustments is never easy, but everyone is making them together at HutchCC, and the masks, while frustrating at times, are allowing students to remain in the classroom.

needs student editors

By Izzy Wheeler Staff Writer

“The Tulgey Wood”, Hutchinson Community College’s annual student literary magazine, needs an editor and co-editor for the 2021 edition.

Every year, “The Tulgey Wood” puts a magazine together, and the staff puts up fliers as soon as possible during the year. Since this year isn’t a regular school year, the staff’s cutoff date is April 15, 2021 for pieces to come in, and the final stage of picking the best pieces will begin.

“The Tulgey Wood” publishes student poetry, fiction and nonfiction, and artwork in black-

and-white and color.

The editor will scan art and photography to size, and select digital submissions. The editor will edit, spellcheck, and check creativity to see that a poem is a poem.

According to English Professor Dan Pohl, who serves as the publication’s adviser, “We want poems that show the action taking place or the emotion that’s taking place, we don’t want poems that just tell us that the person is angry or happy.”

The editor will work with .jpeg, .rft, .doc, and .docx electronic documents. The main task involves putting together an entertaining representation

Downing

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“No. 1 goal is to become a family. Next is to have a 3% increase every day. If we take it one set, one point, one match at a time, the score will be on our side,” Downing said. “Another goal is to go undefeated at home. We should get a lot of hometown support so I think we can do it.”

Outside of volleyball, Downing loves to surround herself with family.

“I have the best family ever. Two lovely kids who are very active and athletic; they love sports,” Downing said.

“I love getting to go watch Aah’lice play sixth grade volleyball as a fourth grader and also getting to watch Adrian play football. Thank God my fiance (Adrian Jackson) loves sports too.”

Just like in volleyball, Downing has made sure her family has their priorities and beliefs set.

“God is the head of our house, and my family is my biggest thing. Volleyball and family intertwine in my life,” Downing said.

In July 2015, Downing tragically had to face the death of her youngest child.

of student creativity from the 2020-2021 school year.

Some requirements for this position include: students must have a 3.0-4.0 GPA, knows how to write, what to look for (entertaining value), how to edit, and knows how to put the best effort forward as far as representing HutchCC. Recommendations from other faculty members are helpful. Pohl said he is looking for someone with a “creative spark and artistic mindset”.

If interested, contact Pohl at pohld@hutchcc. edu or call 665-3334, Monday 1:40-2:40 p.m. or Tuesday or Thursday from 9:10-11:20 p.m.

“What drives me is my son, Dash. He passed away when he was eight weeks old from SIDS. He drives me because I know I cannot let my other two babies down. I have two on earth, and one is blessing me from heaven,” Downing said.

Downing’s players know how the tragedy impacts her life; they understand how it has made her as a person.

“The team knows we can go to her for anything. Depending on the situation, we may have to ‘feel her wrath’ but she makes sure to let us know that she’s always there for us,” Thorne said.

To be who Downing is today, it is an understatement to say strength is a necessity.

She takes her pain and transforms it into a drive for life. She converts her agonizing heartbreak to provide a nurturing vibe for anyone she comes into contact with.

“There was a time when I didn’t think I could go on, I didn’t think I could get back up. Strength that God gave me is what saved me and my family,” Downing said. “I cling to God, he helps me to keep my babies from harm and to take care and raise them. Yes, I still cry, but it has affected me positively for the way I coach - I am nurturing. I will always be someone who my family can come to.”

Sports

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The Hutchinson Collegian Friday, September 4, 2020

Coach down with Blue Dragons

Photo Courtesy HutchCC Sports Information Delice Downing has experienced plenty of success on the volleyball court, as a player and coach, having won two national titles coaching Coffeyville, her alma mater.

Tragedy has struck her family off the court, with the death of a son. She is entering her first year as Blue Dragon coach.

Experienced Downing brings skillset to HutchCC

By Bailey Pennycuff Co-Sports Editor

Delice Downing has found a new program to call home.

Downing spent 16 years at Coffeyville, building a national power after her playing career came to an end.

Over the summer former volleyball coach Patrick Hall retired and Downing was enticed with Hutchinson Community College.

“I’ve always heard nothing but good things about Hutch,” Downing said. “(Athletic Director Josh) Gooch was actually a coach at Coffeyville while I was there, so he kind of knew me. It worked out well because when this job opened up, he gave me a call and it was just one of those things where I just fell in love.”

Downing was born and raised in Atchinson and attended Coffeyville Community College, where she played volleyball, basketball and softball, all while maintaining a 3.4 GPA. After her two years at Coffeyville, she went on to play volleyball at the

University of West Alabama.

Downing was an influential player on any team she was on and often played in every rotation on the volleyball court.

“As a player in college, I played mostly right side. But I also set and played some outside too,” Downing said.

Her freshman year at Coffeyville, she earned the honors of first-team All-Region 6, first-team Jayhawk All-Conference as well as the conference’s Freshman Player of the Year. Also during her freshman year, she earned Jayhawk All-Conference Honorable Mention for softball.

Her sophomore year, she went on to be named the MVP of the conference, as well as first-team honors for both All-Conference and All-Region 6.

Once her playing days were over, she went on to coach high school volleyball for two years. After those two years, she returned to Coffeyville to be the head coach of their volleyball program for 16 years.

While at Coffeyville, she led her team to the NJCAA Division 2 national championships in 2017 and 2018.

In 2015 she was named the KJCCC Coach of the Year. In 2017 she received NJCAA Coach of the Tournament.

Lastly, in 2018, she was awarded NJCAA Division 2 Volleyball Championship Coach of the Year, as well as the Tachikara NJCAA Division 2 Coach of the Year.

Just as everything else in the world is being affected by the pandemic, this year’s volleyball season will be as well.

However, Downing has decided to look at the positives about the season being pushed to spring.

“We are using this time to train and really get to know each other. I’m the type of coach who loves to have fun, so we plan on challenging other teams to different games and having a lot of fun,” Downing said.

Downing also plans to spend a lot of quality time with the team.

“We are going to have s’more nights, and a bunch of group activities and

team bonding time. It will really bring everyone together and make a strong commitment to the team,” Downing said.

With preseason beginning in January, Downing is having her team’s grind begin now.

“We plan to be one of the top teams in the conference this season, and we’re feeling really great. (Assistant coach Tori) Provencio has been amazing helping me and getting everyone ready,” Downing said.

The team has connected with Downing and her coaching methods.

“It’s still pretty early days but the whole team has shown major improvements under her coaching,” sophomore volleyball player Jenna Thorne said. “I think she’s lovely off the court and she definitely knows when to switch from friend to coach.”

Downing and the rest of the team have their priorities set, as well as different goals.

See Downing, Page 3

Blue Dragons ready for school’s only fall home event

By Adam Kolb Co-Sports Editor

It’s not often that there is only one sport competing at a school, but because of the COVID-19 pandemic, that is now the case for the Hutchinson Community College cross country team.

The Blue Dragons will have their first meet on Friday, at Fun Valley, where they will compete in the Terry Masterson Twilight Classic.

The men’s golf team will start its fall slate later this month. But for now, it’s all about Blue Dragon cross country.

For Blue Dragons coach Justin Riggs, it’s finally being able to compete again that has him looking forward to this season.

“It feels good to be back after so many months,” Riggs said. “I’m real excited to see what they can do.”

While cross country is already, by nature, a socially-distanced sport, there will still be precautions at the meet on Friday, as well as all the other meets this season. One of those precautions include socially-distanced camps between teams.

“Coach just wants to make sure everyone is in their own little bubble,” said returning sophomore runner, Teagan Flanagan.

Even though feeling secluded isn’t ideal for runners, it’s a safer way to get back to normal as quickly as possible.

The cross-country runners will be the only Blue Dragon team participating at home until 2021. Despite this, the pressure to compete at a high level is

normal according to coach Riggs. However, there is a sense of pride in being the only team competing.

“I think it’s really special to us,” said sophomore Megan Miller. Overall, cross country will compete in six events this semester, from September-November.

While the start to this semester hasn’t been com-

pletely normal, cross country coming back is a step closer to getting back to the way things were. Although not a perfect scenario for the runners, it’s one they don’t mind.

“We’re racing,” Flanagan said. “That’s all that matters.”

Photo courtesy HutchCC Sports Information Hutchinson Community College women’s cross country runner Sheila Too (249) competes in a 2019 meet. The Blue Dragons will open their 2020 season at Fun Valley on Friday.

Blue Dragon sports schedules, results. All home games, events in caps.

Cross country

Sept. 4, TERRY MASTERSON TWILIGHT CLASSIC, at Fun Valley, 8:30 p.m.

Sept. 19, at Bethel College, 10:45 a.m.

Oct. 3, at Allen County, TBA

Oct. 10, at Fort Hays State, 9 a.m.

Oct. 31, Region 6 Championships, at El Dorado, 10 a.m.

Nov. 14, at NJCAA Division 1 Championships, Fort Dodge, Iowa, TBA

Golf

Sept. 14-15, at Ryan Palmer Classic, Amarillo, Texas Sept. 28-29, at Missouri Southern Invitational Oct. 5-6, at CSU-Pueblo Fall Classic, Pueblo,

Colorado Oct. 12-13, at Midwestern State Fall Classic, Wichita Falls, Texas Oct. 19-20, at NJCAA National Preview, Lubbock, Texas