Dec. 3, 2021 Hutchinson Collegian

The student voice of Hutchinson Community College

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December 3, 2021

pinion

Laci Sutton gives her opinion on the year round favored iced coffee.

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www.hutchcollegian.com

ampus

Students discuss their favorite seasonal coffee flavors.

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ports

A blocked punt changed the football team’s fortunes in the conference championship game.

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Vol. 63 Issue 10

ports

Colton Fast gives an update on recent developement with the Esports team.

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‘Cause it’s hot and then cold

By Cole Deutschendorf Staff Writer

Mozart vs. Beethoven. Dogs vs. cats.

Fred vs. Shaggy.

These are debates that have been around for a while, debates that can bring out the worst in people, debates that will have truly disastrous effects.

But nothing can compare to the debate of hot coffee vs. cold coffee.

It is a debate that is as old as time itself.

Well, maybe not that old, but a debate that has become fairly popular over the last couple of years as rampant coffee use seems to have gone up exponentially.

Usually, when discussing other topics, it is commonplace to be able to tell what someone’s thoughts are on a certain topic. This is not the case for this debate, as there are no parameters to what people are feeling.

For some, it depends on what season it is, i.e. drinking hot coffee in the winter and drinking cold coffee in the summer.

For others, the coffees may taste different.

Some people just prefer one over the other, with no rhyme or reason as to why they feel that way.

Matt Wilper, an economics professor at Hutchinson Community College, debated Newton freshman Dawson Ellette during macroeconomics class one day.

“The purpose of coffee is to make you warm,” Wilper said. “In fact, the stat that I just made up off the top of my head says that 80% of people that drink cold coffee end up killing their parents.”

“That is absolutely not true,” Ellette responded defiantly, shaking his head in disgust. “Cold coffee is simply just delicious and better.”

Then a student, who chose to remain

anonymous, spoke up from the back of the room.

“If you’re going to drink cold coffee, you should drink cold brew,” the student said.

“Cold brew brews in cold water, so it’s less acidic. Plus, it has more caffeine in it.”

Despite differences in the class, everyone came to the conclusion that frappuccinos deserved the most hate out of any type of coffee.

“I can tolerate people who drink cold coffee,” Wilper said. “But people who drink frappuccinos should be shunned from society.”

At last, some common ground. A majority of the class nodded in agreement, and they came to this conclusion: Whether you enjoy hot coffee over iced coffee, or vice versa, everyone should dislike frappuccinos.

Photos by Braedon Martin and Shelby Spreier Campus vending machines offer cool caffienated beverages, i n c l u d i n g S t a r b u c k ’s coffee. Professor M a t t h e w W h i l p e r, h o w e v e r, p r e f e r s a h o t fresh brew coffee in t h i s c o o l e r w e a t h e r.

Degrees & motherhood

Photo by Brooke Greene/Collegian Collegian Editor In Chief Brooke Greene, 27 weeks pregnant, managed to get some practice maternity photos.

@Brooke’s Photography- Boudoir

Upcoming events Dec. 4 — Football vs. Hinds Community College at Gowans Stadium at 1 p.m.

Dec. 6 — Final exam week starts.

Dec. 10 — Make-up exams.

Dec. 11-Jan. 2 — Winter break.

The final stretch, the third trimester, the weeks that seem the most important as the time nears to welcome a brand new baby into the world.

I am approaching my 31st week of pregnancy with my daughter Sawyer - yes, I am aware that name is a “boy’s” name. However, if she is anything like me, a sassy tomboy, then I see the name fitting very nicely.

These next few weeks are packed with appointments. Once a mother reaches her third trimester, appointments are scheduled every two weeks until the end of the pregnancy. This is when the nesting kicks in, the nursery is one of the top priorities, the baby shower and maternity photos come up, all of the excitement is heightened because the end is so close yet so far. However, this is not like waiting for Christmas as a kid. This is life-changing. It is an event that doesn’t compare to anything else, and nothing will ever be the same.

I happen to be a very busy mother. I am working on finishing my second degree, and as you all know, the dreaded finals week is approaching. I also work two jobs, which as long as the mother carries a healthy pregnancy throughout her gestation, working is recommended as it keeps the mother active and used to her normal routine. This all inquiries that my third trimester is going to be hectic and jammed-packed with activities until Little Miss decides to make her appearance.

It can be hard to balance everything. It feels overwhelming some days, and there are times where I want to throw the homework aside

The happenings around campus

College Student Weather Report Friday High: 71; Low 37 This weather is gonna give us all whiplash.

Saturday High: 55; Low 39 Out with the pumpkin and in with the peppermint.

Sunday High: 60; Low 25 Oh, the weather outside is frightful.

Weather source: accuweather.com

The Gestation Journal

and just sit and feel my baby kick.

Pregnancy is already a difficult task. Being busy can make it stressful, but the goals and the reward insight make it all worth it. My advice to any pregnant or new mothers who are also going through school would be to make time for themselves. Just take a few minutes every day to have your decaf coffee, watch an episode of your favorite show, sing in the shower, cherish the few moments you find comfort in being alone.

Whether you are terrified by this or overjoyed, you will never be alone again once that little one is born. Nights out will become rare, rested evenings will be sacred and scarce, your boobs will leak, your back will hurt, your eyes will feel heavy, and even when you do manage again to make time for yourself, your bouncing baby will still be on your mind constantly. The thought of seeing them again will become the new highlight of your night out.

With that being said, I have a busy final 10 weeks ahead of me. The next time I write about the insane and busy life of being a pregnant mother in college, well, I may no longer be pregnant.

The Gestation Journal will eventually take a new approach to being a mother in college, as I welcome my first born into the world.

Signing off for now, Sawyer and I will write to you all in a couple of months.

Brooke Greene is the Collegian Editor In Chief and pregnant with her first child.

Visit and follow us on social media @hutchinsoncollegian @HCC_Collegian the_hutchinson_collegian hutch_collegian

Opinion

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The Hutchinson Collegian Friday, December 3, 2021

Movie Review: “Ghostbusters: Afterlife”

Columnist

Connor Keating Well everyone, they finally did it. After 30-something years they finally made a new “Ghostbusters” movie.

Wow, over 30 years have passed since “Ghostbusters II” and we are now finally getting a third “Ghostbusters” movie ... there weren’t any “Ghostbusters” movies between that.

The plot of the new film, “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” follows the granddaughter of Egon Spengler (played by the now deceased Harold Ramis), as she’s forced to move into her grandfather’s creepy old house in the middle of nowhere Oklahoma, (not to be confused with Nowhere, Oklahoma) because her alcoholic mother was kicked out of her apartment. Egon’s granddaughter, Phoebe, begins discovering her grandfather’s life as a Ghostbuster, right as her and her friends discover Gozer is trying to return.

This film can basically be split in half. The first half is Phoebe discovering what her grandfather was like, making friends with a kid literally

named Podcast, and then fighting a ghost and it’s all pretty good. Then the dog monsters show up and it’s basically the first film again so, ‘yes it’s true, this movie has no originality.’

That basically goes through the whole movie because there’s tons and tons of fanservice throughout. Lots of little references to certain little things and at first, it’s fun, but it gets to a point where it becomes a little too much, particularly around the climax.

Fanservice is a tricky thing.

I’ve seen it done well and I’ve seen it done bad. A show I’m a big fan of is “SSSS.GRIDMAN”. It’s a reboot of a 1990s Japanese TV show, so it of course has quite a few references to the original show. It also has a lot of references to other similar media like “Ultraman” and “Transformers”.

The thing is though the show does its own unique thing, making it familiar yet different from the original show. Rarely does the fanservice affect or get in the way of the plot.

Then you look at a film like “Godzilla King of the Monsters” which is filled to the brim with fanservice and easter eggs. Problem is, though, the film is literally just a remake of “Ghidorah: The Three Headed Monster”, and the way it handled the weapon from “Gojira” was very sloppy, and it completely undermines all of that film’s messages for a stupid little reference, leaving us with a bad movie that felt more like a YouTube fan film made by a

five year old.

“Ghostbusters: Afterlife” kind of over does it by the end. At the very least, the first half of the film is pretty good, and the second half is still pretty fun, though it does drag on after a while.

Character wise, Phoebe steals the show. Her actor does an amazing job of feeling like Egon, but as a little girl, and she still has some quirks and gags of her own.

So while the film knocks it out of the park with the main protagonist, a lot of the others kind of fall flat. Her brother, (that kid from “Stranger Things”) doesn’t do anything but drive the car. Besides that he’s got no purpose, and then he makes friends with this one girl who is even more useless, and their entire subplot feels tacked on because it’s “Ghostbusters”, so they need four people.

There’s also Podcast, this conspiracy-theorist kid Phoebe makes friends with, is actually pretty good, and he’s got some funny moments which is good since it’d be really easy to make a character literally named Podcast unlikeable. Oh, and the mom along with the teacher are fine, but don’t have much to do.

When it comes to comedy, this film is actually a bit more serious. There are jokes and comedic moments, some of which land and some of which don’t, but there isn’t much that’s flat out not funny, however there’s nothing that lives up to the comedy from the original. It just sort of sits on a line of, ‘it’s OK.’ At least it’s

not trying too hard to be funny and completely failing.

Now, I don’t want to spoil the ending, but once the movie starts you know exactly where it’s going. So without spoiling it, I think the ending is a nice tribute and send off for the franchise … like please stop. No more.

“Ghostbusters: Afterlife” is a fun movie that was clearly made as a love letter to the original. Almost as if they had made a terrible insult to the series prior, and are trying to make up for their mistakes …

odd, I didn’t think “Ghostbusters II” was that bad.

Anyways, go see it, it’s a lot of fun, and then go watch the original because that’s a great movie.

I give this film three slimed Bill Murray’s out of five. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go and remove all memories of “Godzilla King of the Monsters” from my head.

Connor is a Halstead freshman studying General Studies.

Album Review: “Red (Taylor’s Version)” Taylor Swift released her 2012 album “Red” on Nov. 12. Fans have been anxiously awaiting the album, titled “Red (Taylor’s Version)”, and knowing all too well the new music and changes made to the originals were going to have us sipping away like a bottle of wine.

“Red” was the album the former country singer threw away the accent and took a dive into the genre of pop.

This new album is even bigger, deeper, more heartbreaking, and casually crueler than the original. She did something with this album that few artists have ever done before - she changed her style.

Let’s address the colossal elephant in the room “All Too Well (Ten Minute Version)”. That’s right. Taylor took her own beautiful work of art, tore it all up and broke it like a promise until it was nothing but a crumpled piece of paper lying there.

The new “All Too Well Swift has done nothing (Ten Minute Version)” but make an already summarizes Swift at her near-flawless album absolute best because this perfect. She’s shown is the original. She wrote that she can still rock the 10-minute version the country accent in the back in 2012, cut it down, “From The Vault” track and condensed it into the “I Bet You Think About song so many people sing Me”, and in the 10 years at the top of their lungs tosince this album was day. She goes deeper into originally released Swift the story, venting her rage shows the experience and heartbreak with ruthshe has gained that has less lyrics like, “If we had Maegan Vincent allowed her to experbeen closer in age, maybe iment with her music. it would have been fine, and that made “Red (Taylor’s Version)” is a masterme want to die,” and “I’ll get older but piece, shattering the fan’s hearts into your lovers stay my age”. jagged pieces of a mosaic.

It makes “Dear John” sound like But the amazing thing about this “Love Story”, and succeeds in album is it’s a tribute to how far Swift leaving you in a puddle of your own has traveled, how many times she’s tears. risen from the dead, and you can’t help After nearly 10 years since but get excited for what she’s going to the original album was released, do next.

Columnist

This is the golden age of something good and right and real, and for Taylor Swift, the golden age is only the beginning Maegan Vincent is a McPherson sophomore studying journalism.

Sip happens: let me enjoy cold coffee

We all have something in our lives we would classify as a guilty pleasure. Something that isn’t necessarily good for us, but no matter how hard we try to resist, we always give in.

Sometimes, these guilty pleasures can start massive debates among the people around us.

I have found myself having such a debate lately, and this article is going to tell you why I’m right.

I’m an addict. Now, before you jump to any crazy conclusions, just calm down. My drug of choice costs around $5 and is served in a plastic cup. It comes in a wide variety of flavors and

you don’t even have to leave your vehicle to get it. (Technically you don’t have to leave your house, but if I’m being honest, it never tastes the same.)

If you haven’t guessed it by now, I’m talking about coffee.

Not just any coffee, but the best kind of coffee to exist.

Oh yes, I’m talking about iced coffee.

This may seem like a minor speci-

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Columnist

fication, but it’s a big deal to me. Iced coffee is much, much better than that nasty steaming cup of bean juice.

If I’m grabbing a coffee before an early morning clinical, I’m going for the chilling iced coffee to give me a good wakeme-up.

If I’m having a nice, hot lunch I’m not going to wash that down with more hot liquid. I’ll be drinking a refreshing, iced coffee.

I know what you’re thinking. In the

middle of the freezing tundra that we call winter, who in their right mind is going to give their hands hypothermia clutching onto their frozen cup of joe?

Me. That’s who.

I am not weak. I will not let the temperature outside determine what beverage I will consume.

I don’t care if it’s 20 degrees outside.

I will always choose my sweet, blended cup of deliciousness.

Laci Sutton

Laci Sutton is a Nickerson senior studying nursing. She is the Collegian opinion page editor.

Collegian Staff Editor In Chief Brooke Greene Opinion Page Editor Laci Sutton Sports Editor Joel Muhs Audio Editor Zariah Perilla-Best Online Editor Aubreigh Heck

Social Media Coordinator Jayshaun Jones Editorial cartoonist E. G. Weinhoffer Staff members Cole Deutschendorf, Colton Fast, Savannah Goode, Leslie Grajeda, Connor Keating, Braedon Martin, Maegan Vincent, Danae Moser, Collin Shields, Ben Short, Shelby Spreier, Brendan Ulmer Collegian Adviser Brad Hallier

www.HutchCollegian.com

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: Brett Bright, Coordinator of Equity & Compliance 1300 N. Plum Hutchinson, KS 67501 (620) 665-3500 equity@hutchcc.edu (www.hutchcc.edu/equity)

The Hutchinson Collegian Friday, December 3, 2021

Campus

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Caffeinated consumers

By Braeden Martin Staff Writer

Typically, when people think of caffeine intake, especially caffeine intake for energy, they think of coffee or energy drinks.

However, there is one important caffeinated beverage that is ignored when discussions on how to wake up occur.

Soda, pop, soft drinks, or whatever you call it.

It’s an odd thing to ignore, really, when it comes down to the brass and tacks of it. Soda is heavily considered when you talk about caffeine, since it’s such a well-rounded and enjoyed substance.

However, it simply isn’t one of those things that come up with the discussion. Maybe it’s the fact that many sodas are such sugary beverages, that it is seen as more of a snack drink, compared to a wake-up drink like coffee or energy drinks.

Alternatively, it may just be because few seem to drink soda to wake up.

However, there is one minority that is often ignored, be it because they are an incredibly small group of people, or because no one considers their opinion in the grand coffee versus energy drink debate. People that drink soda to wake up.

Ryker Douglas, Hutchinson freshman, is just such a person.

“I’ve never liked coffee, ever since I first

Photo by Lee Wellman/Collegian Dylan Sammons downs some soda in the commons area at Elland Hall.

tried it I hated the taste,” Douglas said. “With energy drinks, my parents always told me they were dangerous as a kid, so I never tried them. When I finally did, I didn’t even get any energy from them, I stayed just as tired as I had been, and then got even more tired when I crashed, so I tend to avoid them.”

Gabe Spencer, Hutchinson sophomore, falls under a similar, but slightly different category. Someone who likes both coffee and energy drinks, but his preference lies with soda.

“I think coffee is really good, probably because I’m addicted to caffeine, and energy drinks are fine, but I really like soda,” Spencer said.

Along with their reasoning for disliking the main two wake up

drinks, the sheer variety of sodas certainly provides for more diversity in this rare minority of morning soda drinkers.

“My preferred soda is Diet Dr Pepper,” Douglas said. “The taste isn’t anything special though.

It’s just my mom’s favorite soda, so it was the only one we had in our house for a long time and usually still is. In the end, I’ve just gotten used to the taste and it’s become my go to.”

“I really like Mountain Dew, there’s something about the slight lemon lime flavor, and it tastes less carbonated which I think is pretty good,” Spencer said.

In the end, even though they are not a majority in the slightest, it is important to hear from this brave group of soda drinkers, enjoying their soda to wake them up in the morning.

Photo by Brooke Greene/Collegian The Grab and Go at the Student union sells all types of different sources of caffeine and much more.

Pumpkin spice and everything nice

By Aubreigh Heck Staff writer

It is that time of year again. Where the leaves are changing, the winter clothes are coming out, and holiday songs fill every department store’s speakers.

With this festive and seasonal change comes the opportunity for stores and businesses across the nation to profit off of everyone’s festive mood. Notably, food and beverage stores.

Coffee shops are perhaps some of the largest partakers of this tomfoolery, from the peppermints, to the toffees and, of course, the pumpkin spices.

Some students at Hutchinson Community College enjoy this time of the season, and not just for the pretty lights.

Aaron Alicea, a Hutchinson sophomore, likes pumpkin spice and everything iced.

“I would have to say pumpkin spice is my favorite,” Alicea said. “I prefer

it iced.”

While pumpkin spice comes to people’s minds when they think of seasonal coffee flavors, not everyone claims it to be their favorite.

Kiana Brown, a third year HutchCC student from Floydada, Texas, has a more unique preference.

“A salted caramel mocha iced latte from Starbucks is my favorite,” Brown said. “No matter what time of the year it is I always get my coffee iced.”

Some people have multiple favorites when it comes to their seasonal drinks, unable to stick to one of many flavors.

Mason Wood, a Hutchinson sophomore, falls into that category.

“I like peppermint hot chocolate, and pumpkin spice is usually pretty good too,” Wood said. “A peppermint hot chocolate takes the sweetness of the chocolate and pairs nicely with the mint. I do not usually drink many seasonal things though, I tend to stick with flavors that are there year round.”

Sports

The Hutchinson Collegian Friday, December 3, 2021

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Roundup: Blue Dragons qualify for Salt City Bowl

Athlete of the week

(Nov. 21-27) Angelo Stuart, men’s basketball

was at the Salt City Bowl, the Blue Dragons came out with a win in 2019, 45-21 over Monroe, N.Y. This is the first meeting of two top 10 teams in the Salt City Bowl since 2015 when No. 3 Snow College took on No. 9 Dodge City.

Hutchinson is coming off a positive fivegame win streak, including complete playoff domination with a total score of 168-19 in three games. With the strong right arm of the NJCAA’s leading passer Dylan Laible, the offense looks to continue its scoring prowess while the stout front seven of the defense looks to dominate up front, thus leading to a complete football game that has the Dragons winning in their 24th total bowl game.

Men’s basketball – The Blue Dragons march forward through a so-far undefeated season, standing at 10-0. Saturday, they took on the Barton Cougars and completely routed them 101-75. Leading the Blue Dragons in scoring was guard Kaimen Lennox with 24 points on 11 of 17 shooting. Following after was Angelo Stuart with 22 points and Kobe Campbell with 17 points.

Wednesday at the Sports Arena, the Blue Dragons came from nine points down at halftime to beat Cowley 76-75. Angelo Stuart led the way with 21 points.

Women’s basketball – The Blue Dragons are 9-2, starting the season off on the right foot.

Photo by Sports Information Wednesday, the Blue Dragons downed 2020-2021 Blue Dragons (from left) Ivan Thomas. Tye Edwards, CJ Ogbonna, and Stevie Cowley 63-53 the Sports Arena behind 31 Young celebrate after a play points from Mya Williams.

Saturday, the Blue Dragons stumbled as

By Jayshaun Jones The 12th Salt City Bowl this year will they lost to Barton 58-54. Leading HutchStaff Writer feature No. 5 Hutchinson Community ColCC in scoring was Mya Williams with 21 lege, as the host Blue Dragons will take on The Salt City Bowl is back after a onepoints. Second in scoring was Mele Kailahi the No. 8 Hinds, Miss. Eagles on Saturday year hiatus after last season’s bowl was with 14 points. at Gowans Stadium. The last time HutchCC canceled due to Covid.

The week: Stuart had quite a week duringt two impressive victories for the Blue Dragons.

First on Nov. 23, Stuart Stuart had 25 points in just 28 minutes in a 106-99 win over Pratt. He was 9 of 18 shooting, sank five 3-pointers, and added four rebounds. Four days later, Stuart had 22 points in just 24 minutes during a 101-75 rout of Barton. He added four rebounds, two steals and one assist.

The season: Stuart, a sophomore from East Stroudsburg, Pa., is averaging 21 points a game for the fourth-ranked Blue Dragons, while shooting 42% from the floor and 34% from 3-point range.

Block, drop and roll

Blocked punt from Kedzior turned the game

By Benjamin Short Staff Writer

WICHITA – The Hutchinson Blue Dragons won a 49-19 decision on Sunday afternoon at Riverfront Stadium in Wichita against Garden City to claim the throne of Jayhawk Conference champions for a second straight season.

The tale of the tape was big plays, and the Blue Dragons had a lot of them. One, in particular, came with 9 minutes, 14 seconds left in the second quarter when Hutch had a slight 14-13 lead on the Broncbusters, and needed the momentum swing to take over this game.

It came from a blocked punt.

The blocked punt came from

sophomore Dylan Kedzior, and it did just that for the Blue Dragons.

Kedzior and the Blue Dragons prepared for this in the previous week, knowing they might need a big play on special teams.

“We talked all week about forcing a blocked punt,” Kedzior said. “We haven’t blocked a punt in I don’t know how long. I think it was a big momentum booster for us. We game-planned all week trying to get a blocked punt, and it’s good we came out and got one.”

Hutch went on to score two more times before half, on rushing touchdowns from Anwar Lewis and Tye Edwards, using the momentum from Kedzior’s blocked punt in making it a 28-13 game going into the break.

Without that block who knows if that’s the margin at

the half. The Blue Dragons went on to win the game with a huge game for the Blue Dragons’ defense that pleased coach Drew Dallas.

“Proud of our defense,” Dallas said. “I mean, I thought they played outstanding, didn’t break, allowed some field goals, and then offensively, just able to get a quick strike, and then after that, there was no looking back. Just pleased with their efforts, their enthusiasm, and how they’ve responded all year and they responded well today.”

The all-around effort made it easy for the Blue Dragons to pull off this blowout win.

The stat line for the No. 15 Kedzior read one tackle and one blocked punt. Although that’s not a record-breaking or eye-opening stat line, that block might have helped change the Blue Dragons’ destiny, by winning the Jayhawk

Photo by Shelby Spreier/Collegian Sophomore Brandon Hall propels fellow sophomore Anwar Lewis into the air in celebration

Conference and punching their ticket to the Salt City Bowl

coming up on Saturday at Gowans Stadium.

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

Basketball, men’s

Nov. 3, FORT SCOTT, W 122-95 Nov. 5, ODESSA, Texas, W 92-90 Nov. 6, NORTHERN OKLAHOMA-TONKAWA, W 97-88 Nov. 10, at Northern Oklahoma-Tonkawa, 10096 Nov. 12, vs.McCook, Neb., W 88-61 Nov. 13, vs. Clarendon, Texas W 97-95 Nov. 17, at Independence, W 96-91 Nov. 20, at Cloud County, W 86-81 Nov. 23, PRATT, W 106-99 Nov. 27, at Barton, W 101-75 Dec. 1, COWLEY, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 4, BUTLER, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 8, at Coffeyville, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 11, DODGE CITY, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 13, at Colby, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 5, NORTHWEST KANSAS TECH, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 8, at Seward County, 8 p.m.

Jan. 15, GARDEN CITY, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 17, INDEPENDENCR, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 19, CLOUD COUNTY, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 22, at Pratt, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 26, BARTON, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 29, at Cowley, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 2, at Butler, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 5, COFFEYVILLE, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 9, at Dodge City, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 12, COLBY, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 14, at Northwest Kansas Tech, 8:30 p.m.

Feb. 16, SEWARD COUNTY, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 23, at Garden City, 7:30 p.m.

Basketball, women’s

Nov. 2, BETHANY JV, W 95-24 Nov. 5, MINERAL AREA, Mo., W 75-66 Nov. 6, NE OKLAHOMA A&M, W 66-51 Nov. 9, WASHBURN JV, W 73-56 Nov. 12, vs. Labette at Great Bend, W 58-55

Nov. 13, vs. Howard, Texas at Great Bend, W 67-43 Nov. 17, at Independence, L 85-69 Nov. 20, at Cloud County, W 89-74 Nov. 23, PRATT, W 64-57 Nov. 27, at Barton, L 58-54 Dec. 1, COWLEY, 5:30 p.m.

Dec. 4, BUTLER, 5:30 p.m.

Dec. 8, at Coffeyville, 5:30 p.m.

Dec. 11, DODGE CITY, 5:30 p.m.

Dec. 13, at Colby, 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 5, NORTHWEST KANSAS TECH, 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 8, at Seward County, 6 p.m.

Jan. 15, GARDEN CITY, 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 17, INDEPENDENCR, 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 19, CLOUD COUNTY, 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 22, at Pratt, 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 26, BARTON, 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 29, at Cowley, 5:30 p.m.

Feb. 2, at Butler, 5:30 p.m.

Feb. 5, COFFEYVILLE, 5:30 p.m.

Feb. 9, at Dodge City, 5:30 p.m.

Feb. 12, COLBY, 5:30 p.m.

Feb. 14, at Northwest Kansas Tech, 6:30 p.m.

Feb. 16, SEWARD COUNTY, 5:30 p.m.

Feb. 23, at Garden City, 5:30 p.m.

Football

Sept. 4, at Coffeyville, L 17-10 Sept. 11, BUTLER, W 1-0 Sept. 25, FORT SCOTT, W 55-6 Oct. 2, at Garden City, W 24-16 Oct. 9, INDEPENDENCE, L 33-28 Oct. 16, at Highland, W 20-7 Oct. 23, at Dodge City, W 49-17 Nov. 7, HIGHLAND*, W 77-0 Nov. 14, at Independence*, W 42-0 Nov. 21, vs. Garden City* at Wichita, W 49-19 Dec. 4, SALT CITY BOWL: vs. Hinds, Mississippi, 1 p.m. *-Postseason

Campus

The Hutchinson Collegian Friday, December 3rd, 2021

Puzzles

Hutchinsnubbed At about 1:40 on the afternoon of Monday, Nov. 22, my stomach was turning and my heart was torn.

Since I’ve come to Hutchinson Community College I’ve fallen in love with the sports teams, the people, and this place I get to call home for the next two years. So this hurt me when the NJCAA tweeted out the final polls that showed the four teams who will be participating in the first-ever four-team NJCAA playoff.

Hutchinson was placed at No. 5.

Despite the Blue Dragons’ outstanding resume, and last year’s championship win, the pollsters deemed them not a top-four caliber team.

This was shocking, considering the Butler forfeit, the Independence 42-0 blowout win after losing to the Pirates on a last-second score to win in the regular season, and Sunday’s 49-19 win over Garden City to win the Jayhawk Conference championship.

There are a few reasons that I’m mad about this. And mad is honestly an understatement.

Chuck Chaney, the award-winning Sports Editor for the Butler County Times-Gazette, tweeted out after the rankings came out “as I was told, the voters see Hutch as a 3-loss team despite the forfeit. That was their downfall”.

On Saturday, September 11, Butler did win a football game against the Blue Dragons. It came out later in the year that they used an ineligible player throughout the regular season, and thus, made the Grizzlies forfeit all their regular-season games. The ineligible player actually scored against the Blue Dragons and contributed regularly to the Butler offense.

That’s, point-blank, not allowed. So when you get caught not following the rules and a game gets forfeited and taken out of your loss column, that counts as a win.

That’s an official win, and the voters don’t know what happens in that game if the ineligible Butler player didn’t play, therefore they shouldn’t

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assume the Blue Dragons would’ve still lost if Butler wouldn’t have played an ineligible player.

The Blue Dragons played five games against ranked teams this year. They were 3-2 in such games.

They played 18 games (one game vs. Fort Scott was canceled) from March to November, as Covid forced the fall 2020 season to be played in the spring of 2021. Every game Hutch played this calendar year came vs. another NJCAA team. The Blue Dragons didn’t play one prep school or junior varsity. No free games, just a dog fight every weekend in a hard-ass conference that you have to do your best every week to be successful in.

The list of pollsters includes an Iowa voter, but not from Iowa Western. Still, I don’t think Iowa Western wanted Hutchinson to get in this playoff. That is not a team you want to play in the first round. And no disrespect to Snow, last season’s national runner-up to Hutchinson, but Snow doesn’t have the resume that Hutchinson does.

The Badgers haven’t proven themselves as the Blue Dragons have.

The Badgers have played three games against non-NJCAA teams.

In Hutchinson’s last 60 scheduled games (one cancellation), three came against non-NJCAA teams.

Hutchinson made a remarkable playoff run this year to win the tough Jayhawk Conference. The Blue Dragons completed two shutouts, 77-0 against Highland and 42-0 against Independence which was No. 5 during that game and ended up at 14 in the rankings. Then in the championship game, the Blue Dragons dominated Garden City, winning 49-19.

Say I am biased. Say a two-loss team from Kansas doesn’t deserve to get in. But don’t deny facts, and the facts show the Blue Dragons are a top-four team and they just got the short end of the stick from the pollsters.

Columnist

Ben Short

Ben Short is an Abilene freshman studying journalism

Esports first year in NJCAA Playoffs

By Colton Fast Staff Writer

To rise Quigley

Photo by Shelby Spreier/Collegian

The NJCAA’s national fall Esports tournaments have officially commenced this week.

This will be HutchCC’s first look at sanctioned NJCAA playoff experience for the Esports program, and so far, the Blue Dragons have seen much success.

Freshman Colton Fast won his first round series with a 3-0 sweep against 14 seed Louisburg College for “2K21”, and Terry Ta winning his first-round “Super Smash Bros” matchup, in a nail biting 3-2 victory over 34 seed Alexandria Technical Community College.

Terry Ta gives off a much more eccentric mindset with confidence going into each game.

“None” Ta said. “I like to be the underdog going into the game. If I know I’m going to win, I’m going to play cocky and not play my game.”

Smash’s next rounds are going

to be often, with multiple back-toback games. However, there are still teams yet to play for HutchCC. Warzone participants Zoe Barta and Christyn Howard participated Wednesday. and the “Call of Duty Cold War” team is playing at 7 p.m. Friday.

With HutchCC being new to the NJCAA playoffs, players and coaches have pressure, just like any other athlete.

“I feel a lot of pressure, as we represent the first group of people to play, and we’re going to be used as a comparison for years to come,” said “Cold War” captain Trevor Beaird.

Esports coach Heath Hensley said he likewise feels the pressure.

“Tremendous. We are on a national stage now, and every game and step we take puts us closer to boosting our name,” Hensley said. “With a lot of hopeful seasons on the line, it will make for a very exciting playoff run for all teams.”

By Brendan Ulmer Staff Writer

If anyone on campus is interested in expressing themselves in a public medium, the school offers a unique opportunity through a literary magazine, “The Tulgey Wood”.

“The Tulgey Wood” is headed up by Grace Quigley, a McPherson sophomore, who saw herself take a meteoric rise to become editor.

“During the fall semester of 2020, I noticed posters around campus advertising the need for an editor and co-editor of ‘The Tulgey Wood’,” Quigley said. “Once I decided I’d like to give the position a try, I emailed the professor involved with the project to let him know I was interested.

Within the week, he had let me know that I was the co-editor.”

Poetry and writing had not always come so simply for Quigley though, but she quickly realized her immense potential and the her work could add to her own life.

“I remember writing my first poem. It was badly written and poorly structured, but it was the first time poetry made sense

to me,” she said. “Writing poetry helped me understand the art form and provided a necessary outlet for my thoughts and feelings. I initially got involved with ‘The Tulgey Wood’ because I enjoyed poetry, but that initial interest has morphed into a desire to introduce others to this form of expression, and encourage them to try it out themselves. Poetry has served as a meaningful storyteller in my life and my hope is to give others a valid platform through which to continue and promote their writing.”

For anyone else who is interested in contributing to “The Tulgey Wood”, Quigley highly encourages you to do so.

“I would say, shoot your shot,” Quigley said. “If you have any questions before submitting your work, please reach out. We’re hoping to involve as many students as possible in ‘The Tulgey Wood’s content, cover art, and everything in between. If you’re interested in the production and publication process, shoot me an email. This project is really about showcasing our school’s talent and the more students get involved, the more accurate our artistic representation.”

Sports

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The Hutchinson Collegian Friday, December 3, 2021

To be or not to be? That is the question

Photo by Shelby Spreier/Collegian Following HutchCC’s first ever NJCAA football title, the Blue Dragons followed up their undefeated season with their second consecutive KJCCC title.

Last season

This season

Preseason ranking: No. 1

Preseason ranking: No. 1

Points per game: 45.4

Points per game: 37.7

Yards per game: 472.4

Yards per game: 435.9

Record: 8-0

Record: 8-2

Wins against ranked opponents: 3

Wins against ranked opponents: 3

Conference title: Yes

Conference title: Yes

National title: Yes

National title: Snubbed

Photo by HutchCC Sports Information