Best of OSU 2021

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2 | The Lantern | Thursday, March 25, 2021

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BEST SPIRIT SONG

CARMEN

OHIO I

ANDRÉ WHITE Arts & Life Producer white.2884@osu.edu

t’s the song that unites Buckeyes around the globe.

“Carmen Ohio” was composed by Fred Cornell, an Ohio State football player and men’s glee club member, in 1903. Cornell set the song to the tune of a song called “Spanish Hymn,” which was popular at the time, according to Evan Drexler, communications director for the athletic and marching bands.

The song was first performed by the men’s glee club and gained popularity after being published in The Lantern in 1906. After the lyrics appeared in a program for the game against Michigan that same year, the tradition of singing the song after home games began.

Parker Stevens, a fifth-year in neuroscience and flugelhorn player for the marching band, said “Carmen Ohio” unites all students regardless of their

individual experiences.

“You hear it and it means something unique to everybody,” Stevens said.

“It allows everybody to reflect on their own path through Ohio State, which ultimately brings us all together as Buckeyes.”

There are many interesting details that define the song as the community knows it today.

“Carmen” means “song” in Latin and “Carmen Ohio” can be translated to “Ohio’s Song” or “Song of Ohio.”

Drexler said the chimes heard at the beginning of each performance of “Carmen Ohio” are paying homage to Orton Hall, located between the North and South Oval. The building’s chimes to mark the start of the next hour would be followed by a playing of “Carmen Ohio.”

The chimes were added to the performance of the song in the 1950s, Drexler said.

“They would play Carmen Ohio in the afternoons, I believe.

Block O students celebrate at a 2019 game.

COURTESY OF BLOCK O

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And from that it transitioned to the chimes being added to the song when the marching band would play it, as a reference back to Orton Hall,” Drexler said.

W

hile the song has existed for over a century, some traditions associated with it are still fairly new.

Drexler said the tradition of football players locking arms and singing “Carmen Ohio” after games began with Jim Tressel, head coach of the football team from 2000 to 2010. Drexler said Tressel’s successor, Urban Meyer, continued the tradition, followed by current head coach Ryan Day. Stevens said the song is a

symbol of pride for students and that he feels the song’s personal impact is greater when he performs it outside of the university. He said his fondest memories of performing “Carmen Ohio” involve performing it at the Big House during away games against “that team up north.”

“As sentimental and as important that song is to Ohio State, that is even more so when we’re not at Ohio Stadium,” Stevens said. “We wear Ohio State on our chest, and we say it with pride, and we don’t let go of the fact that we are Ohio State just because we’re somewhere else. If anything, it makes us even more proud.”

“Carmen Ohio” is not

exclusive to sporting events –– the song is played at many Ohio State-affiliated events such as BuckeyeThon and commencement ceremonies.

Each rendition of the song calls for the locking of arms at the song’s start, and the raising of arms to form the “O-H-” during the song’s final line: “How firm thy friendship, Ohio.”

T

ime and change has surely impacted the meaning of the song for Stevens, he said.

“As I have gone on and become a senior member and started looking towards my last performances with the band, it’s something that I know is just

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going to be a hugely emotional moment for me when I play it for the last time in Ohio Stadium,” Stevens said.

Stevens hopes students will take advantage of each chance they have to join in the performance of “Carmen Ohio.”

“Every time a Buckeye hears that song, I would just say whether you’re in the band or not, realize how incredibly special it is to be a part of that moment –– to come together with all of the Ohio State fans and just hear that beautiful song and then to raise your arms together,” Stevens said. “Just cherish every moment and live in that moment as much as you can because it won’t be around forever.”

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4 | The Lantern | Thursday, March 25, 2021

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Buckeye Donuts on North High Street was voted best late-night eats.

BEST LATE-NIGHT EATS

BUCKEYE

DONUTS

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CHLOE MCGOWAN Lantern Reporter mcgowan.184@osu.edu

D

espite facing several challenges from the pandemic and two armed robberies in the past seven months, Buckeye Donuts owner Jimmy Barouxis said he’s only looking forward with a positive attitude.

The beloved 24-hour donut shop on North High Street, which was voted best late-night eats for the third year in a row by Lantern readers, was robbed at gunpoint in July 2020 and again in February. However, Barouxis and his employees said the love and support from the community motivates them to keep going.

“I think we’re through the hardest part, and we’re about to make it to the other side,” Barouxis said. “You gotta keep going. You know there’s a light at the other side so that’s where we’re going.”

Buckeye Donuts is one of the oldest shops on North High Street, entering its 51st year in business, Barouxis said. Located at 1998 N. High St., Buckeye Donuts aims to provide customers and Ohio State students with an inexpensive, welcoming, warm and comforting environment.

Although the menu features hot breakfast sandwiches, gyros and sides like jalapeno poppers, onion rings, veggie samosas and hummus, it’s no secret that the donuts — especially the Buckeye

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Donut, a peanut butter and chocolate staple — are coveted treats.

RaNajha Maye, a second-year in social work and Columbus local, said she’s been going to Buckeye Donuts regularly for about three years. She said their commitment to staying open 24 hours a day, serving the community and the conversations she’s had with the employees fueled her continued support during the pandemic and the robberies.

“The staff is really nice, and they make you feel like they’re taking care of you,” Maye said.

“I personally haven’t had a bad experience.”

Connor Davis, an employee and 2020 Ohio State graduate, said there was a surprising amount of support from the local community and other people all over the state in the aftermath of each robbery.

“We’ve been busier after the robberies just because we’re on people’s minds,” Davis said.

“There’s been bounties offered for the perpetrators and just people coming in and expressing their gratitude for what Buckeye Donuts does for the community.”

After the first robbery, Barouxis said there was a small bump in business over the summer, which is expected whenever they’re featured on the news. However, he said the second robbery brought in so much business that they were busy nonstop for three

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days, and he didn’t really have time to reflect on or process what happened.

“We had people coming out of the woodwork that we hadn’t seen in years,” Barouxis said. “A lot of alumni came to see how we were doing to make sure we were OK.” The robberies seemed to bring in additional support from Ohio State students as well, Davis said.

While they’re getting plenty of walk-ins and traffic off the street from students, they’re also still getting a lot of online orders.

Maye, who is also a driver for Grubhub and DoorDash, said she’s seen an increase in Buckeye Donuts orders from students on and around campus.

“I’m definitely noticing more service support. I’m at Buckeye Donuts more frequently for other people’s orders along with my own,” Maye said. “Sometimes when I go to Buckeye Donuts, depending on the day, I have to wait outside now.”

Barouxis said the past year is water under the bridge now that Buckeye Donuts has recovered from the chaos — they are moving forward on a daily basis and trying to maintain normalcy.

“The student body is very conscientious,” Barouxis said.

“Just the students coming here and being customers is all the support we needed, morally, financially and spiritually. It really helped us.

Thank you, and we love you.”

CHRISTIAN HARSA | ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR

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OUT -RINN

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CHRISTIAN HARSA | ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR

Out-R-Inn, located off the corner of North High Street and Frambes Avenue, was elected best campus bar.

BEST BAR CLEMENT KASSER Lantern Reporter kasser.7@osu.edu

R

ight past the corner of High Street and Frambes Avenue, a flock of excited people dressed in green was carefully filtered by a busy staff. The blasting music was welcomed by the customers and employees alike. Masks were up, but laughter and smiles were

easily inferred as St. Patrick’s Day was duly celebrated at OutR-Inn. Serving customers since 1969, Out-R-Inn is held up by the same bricks and wood that supported the bar at its opening. Scribbles adorn the walls, serving as visual reminders of decades of memories made in the historic bar.

In 2021, Out-R-Inn was named best campus bar by Lantern readers. Despite mainly serving

students, the bar has plenty of regulars from all walks of life leaning against its counters.

Billy Parrott, a former Ohio State student who has been a bartender at Out-R-Inn for seven years, said he can recall still his first few trips to the bar as a student.

The bar reopened March 3 after a two-month closure, according to the bar’s Instagram. Mason Darnell, a 2020 alumnus and Out-R-Inn regular, said the bar

did a great job of connecting to its customer base through social media during the pandemic.

The bar is highly active on its Instagram, boasting more than 2,700 followers.

Parrott said following COVID-19 guidelines slows the serving pace, but longer wait times have not made patrons any less excited to come back to OutR-Inn. “We used to get busy at 10

o’clock, 11 o’clock at night and get crushed up,” Parrott said.

“Now it’s more just a steady flow the whole time.”

The bar is currently open from Wednesday to Saturday each week. Parrott said people miss their Sunday and Monday “Mug Nights” — during a normal year customers can receive highly discounted beer refills after paying $2 for a full Out-R-Inn beer mug — but can find comfort

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in the $2 double well night on Thursday where customers can get two mixed drinks for $2.

Darnell said his first visit to Out-R-Inn was for Mug Night, and the presence of Sicilia Pizza and PJ’s Grill nearby completes the experience.

“It’s a very nice little spot over there,” Darnell said.

Parrott said the community built at the bar helps him overcome the stress and fatigue of a busy day.

“We’re almost like a family at this point,” Parrott said.

Familial spirit also encompasses regular customers, and Parrot said he can recognize about 80 percent of the people coming in, making work more exciting.

Amanda Wilt, a 2020 Ohio State alumna, said she loved going to the bar during her

college career when she wanted to have casual and fun moments.

“There were a lot of people my age there all the time, it was always just fun to see who you would run into and who you would have a conversation with,” Wilt said. “You can end up in an hour-long conversation with a kid that you had like one class with your freshman year.”

Parrott said Out-R-Inn strictly sticks to its 21-year-olds-only policy, making the experience at Out-R-Inn more special as students turning 21 years old are excited to head to Out-R-Inn after years of waiting.

“Campus can change, Columbus can change, but OutR-Inn is always gonna be a home away from home for everybody,” Parrott said.

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BEST CONCERT VENUE

NEWPORT MUSIC HALL

CHRISTIAN HARSA | ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR

The outside facade of Newport Music Hall on North High Street.

MAISIE FITZMAURICE Lantern Reporter fitzmaurice.12@osu.edu

A

bove the doors of the Newport Music Hall reads “We Miss U!” –– a sentiment felt all too strongly by students missing live music. Despite not holding a live show in over a year, Newport Music Hall continues to be a place of fond memories for local artists and Ohio State students.

Located across from the Ohio Union at 1722 N. High St. is the Newport Music Hall, America’s “longest continually running rock club,” according to the venue’s website. Marissa McClellan, marketing director at Newport, said the venue has been serving the Ohio State and Columbus communities for more than 40 years.

“I think it adds to the character of campus,” McClellan said. “It

gives the students something to do and something to look forward to, and Ohio State has been a great neighbor for us.

We’ve definitely loved being on campus and creating memories for students, whether they come here from other cities, states and countries or they’re local to Columbus.”

The building started off as a movie theater in 1923 but became the Agora Ballroom in 1970. It was later bought by entertainment production company PromoWest and renamed the Newport Music Hall in 1984, according to the venue’s website. Since then, Newport has hosted artists such as Neil Young, The Ramones, Green Day, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and more.

Although there are a multitude of other venues in the Columbus area, none of them are as close to campus as Newport. This makes

it a campus staple where music fans can gather, Van Lowry, chief of finance and treasurer for the Music Industry Club at Ohio State and a fourth-year in communication, said.

“The Newport is just crucial from a cultural standpoint as far as music goes because I think music kind of ties the community together — especially the campus community together — in a way that no other thing really could,” Lowry said.

Cartier Pitts, a music manager at Carnelian Production LLC, a firm in Columbus that connects smaller musicians with new managers, said Newport isn’t just important to students — it is vital to many local artists in Columbus.

“Local venues are extremely important, especially for the artists I’ve been working with for the past two years, because those are the first stages that they

really get a chance to connect with potential new fans and get their face out there,” Pitts said.

McClellan said she hopes shows will be able to return this year, maybe even in time for the upcoming fall semester, but it depends on vaccination rates and instruction from city officials.

P

itts said she’s not sure if larger venues such as Newport are safe yet for large groups. Smaller venues, spread-out outdoor concerts and drive-in shows are what she said she expects to see this summer.

“I approve of smaller, socially distant shows, but as far as big ragers, if Coachella looks the way it normally does by this June, I think we’re doing something wrong,” Pitts said.

Zhenel Rawlinson, a fourthyear in music and an alternative R&B artist, said she has been

able to perform intimate, seated shows at small venues in Columbus. The crowd size is often cut in half or more, and spectators must wear masks and follow social distancing guidelines.

“It would have been nice to see people’s faces, see them smiling sometimes during my set,” Rawlinson said.

Lowry said it’s important to support artists, now more than ever, by streaming their music, purchasing merch, following their social media accounts and donating.

“If you really like the people that you listen to, or you say you do, I think now’s the time to kind of show that more than ever and kind of just be a fan,” Lowry said.

Fans of Newport can sign up for its newsletter and check its website for updates on shows and events.

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BEST COFFEE

STAUF’S COFFEE ROASTERS TESS WELLS Assistant Arts & Life Editor wells.1442@osu.edu What started as a quaint 800-square-foot business equipped with a small roaster and a basic espresso machine has grown into a collection of six well-known and well-loved coffee shops around the Columbus area.

Stauf’s Coffee Roasters, established in 1988 by Tom Griesemer, was voted best coffee

by Lantern readers this year. The first micro-roaster in Columbus, Stauf’s has had more than 30 years to build a reputation in the Columbus community, roasting its beans fresh every few days and serving each cup of joe or homemade pastry with a genuine smile.

Mark Swanson, president of Stauf’s Coffee Roasters, said the company emphasizes excellent

customer service above most other factors. He said being nice to store patrons is an aspect that likely helps Stauf’s receive recognition from customers.

“I would walk across the street for an inferior cup of coffee if the service is better,” Swanson said. “I really think when people are spending their hard-earned money — heck, and in these times everyone’s going through a collective crisis, which is really difficult — it’s really important for us to be kind to each other.”

Sarah Sack, general manager at the Stauf’s Victorian Village location, said Stauf’s is likely popular because of a bundle of factors including accessibility, pricing and customer service.

“We might be on the cheaper end for specialty coffee,” Sack said. “And I think just close locations, you know, we have a store that’s close to Columbus

Stauf’s Coffee Roasters’ Victorian Village location on Neil Avenue.

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State and [the Columbus College of Art and Design], and then this location is really close with OSU, within walking distance.”

Despite customer service and accessible locations the company prides itself on, Stauf’s won best coffee because of, well, its coffee. Swanson said customers can expect to receive any coffeerelated drink they can think up and that “we do everything.”

In addition to serving a vast collection of drinks, Stauf’s has a medium-sized wholesale

business, which sells to larger vendors such as Whole Foods and smaller coffee shops. Swanson said the wholesale side of Stauf’s helped tremendously when COVID-19 hit, despite general sales being down 40 percent.

“With that and our mail order, it kind of helped us keep our heads above water,” Swanson said. “But I will say this, it is our staff and the customers that saved us. I mean, the team did a great job, and our customers responded, and they have been so loyal and

amazing.”

Sack said despite bumps in the road, the business fared relatively well during the pandemic.

Stauf’s was deemed an “essential business” and was able to keep four of their six locations up and running — the buildings in Grandview, Victorian Village, German Village and North Market are still open, though the experience is more carry-out than dine-in based.

Above all, Swanson said Stauf’s was able to stay afloat

because of team prioritization and subsequent community support.

“Everything had to start with our little three-legged stool, which is the staff, the customer, then revenue,” Swanson said.

“So if the team is taken care of and we care about their health and we care about their work environment, the customer will appreciate that. And hopefully we can still maintain that little sense of community that coffee shops do, even though you can’t sit down and hang out.”

HOPEFULLY WE CAN STILL MAINTAIN THAT LITTLE SENSE OF COMMUNITY THAT COFFEE SHOPS DO, EVEN THOUGH YOU CAN’T SIT DOWN AND HANG OUT.”

Mark Swanson, president of Stauf’s Coffee Roasters

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BEST FOOTBALL PLAYER

JUSTIN FIELDS KEATON MAISANO Sports Editor maisano.2@osu.edu

In a season full of adversity, junior quarterback Justin Fields battled through pain to tally a signature performance and avenge Ohio State’s loss to Clemson in 2020.

With six passing touchdowns — an Ohio State bowl game record — against Clemson in the Sugar Bowl, Fields overcame a shot to his ribs in the second quarter to advance the Buckeyes to the College Football Playoff National Championship. Fields finished the eight-game season with 2,100 passing yards, 22 passing touchdowns and six interceptions to go along with five touchdowns on the ground.

With COVID-19 concerns and the Big Ten’s decision to initially postpone the season, Fields’ junior season almost never happened.

“He could’ve packed his bags and left,”

head coach Ryan Day said Sept. 19, 2020, on Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff.” “He never wavered once. He never even thought about leaving. He looked me in the eye and said, ‘Coach, the NFL will come one day. I want to win a national championship with this team, and I want to win a Heisman Trophy.’ And that was it. We never had another conversation.”

The Georgia native’s final collegiate season began with an absurd level of efficiency. Through three games, Fields had as many touchdown passes as incompletions with 11 of each.

Fields tossed five interceptions in his next three games but helped navigate the Buckeyes through COVID-19 complications that could have derailed their season.

The Buckeyes finished the regular season with a 5-0 record that placed them in the Big Ten Championship. The perfect start moved Fields to 17-0 as a starter in regular season games.

MACKENZIE SHANKLIN | PHOTO EDITOR

Ohio State junior quarterback Justin Fields (1) protects himself against a Nebraska player during the Ohio StateNebraska game Oct. 24, 2020. Ohio State won 52-17.

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With the help of graduate running back Trey Sermon’s program-record 331 rushing yards, Ohio State downed Northwestern 22-10 to win its fourth consecutive Big Ten title.

Fields and the Buckeyes went on to face Clemson in the College Football Playoff semifinal.

After suffering an injury on a play that resulted in the ejection of Clemson graduate linebacker James Skalski, Fields tossed four of his six touchdowns to rout the Tigers 49-28. The junior quarterback tallied a career-high 385 passing yards to help win the Sugar Bowl Offensive MVP. “He’s a warrior. I mean, that’s a guy you always want on your team,” senior wide receiver Chris Olave said Jan. 11. “He’s a leader on and off the field. And people look up to him. And the season he had this year, the growth he had from last year, it’s huge.

And I’ve got all love and all respect for

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him. Can’t wait to see him do big things.”

The season and Fields’ collegiate career came to a close in Miami, where Fields suffered just his second loss as a Buckeye.

Fields finished his final season earning the Chicago Tribune Silver Football — an award given to the Big Ten’s best player.

He also added a Graham-Brees Offensive Player of the Year award and a First-Team All-Big Ten selection.

The accomplished quarterback declared for the 2021 NFL draft Jan. 18 and is projected to be one of the first quarterbacks selected.

“My path to the Ohio State University was not a direct one, but I could not have asked for a better final destination. I knew this was a special place the moment I stepped on campus,” Fields said in a Twitter statement Jan. 18. “It has been the honor of my life to wear the Scarlet and Gray and represent the Ohio State University.”

MACKENZIE SHANKLIN | PHOTO EDITOR

Ohio State junior quarterback Justin fields (1) kneels before the Ohio State-Clemson Sugar Bowl game Jan. 1.

Ohio State won 49-28.

where you want to be.

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BEST STUDENT ORGANIZATION

O BLOCK

OLIVIA ALBERT Arts & Life Editor albert.228@osu.edu

Nick Wead, a third-year in economics and president of Block O, leads a cheer during a 2019 football game.

COURTESY OF BLOCK O

For every home football game at 7:45 a.m., eager Buckeyes donning scarlet and gray meet at Ohio Stadium. They spend hours laying out colored cards to create a design that will later be held up by students for the stadium and a national audience to see.

Now, that tradition has been put on hold.

Block O, the official student section for Ohio State athletics founded in 1938, is known for being the loudest and rowdiest in all of Ohio State’s arenas and stadiums, Dan Pitts, a fourth-

year in operations management and logistics management and the director of the NutHouse, said. With visitors not allowed at sporting events, the group had to find a new way to connect students to Buckeye Nation.

“When we found out that we weren’t gonna be able to have any of our students sections, it was kind of taking the essential bread and butter out of our student organization, and we had to really be creative on how we want to go about this year,” Nick Wead, a third-year in economics and the president of Block O, said.

The group has held many new events this year, such as a Women in Sports panel and an Instagram

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Live Q&A with men’s basketball head coach Chris Holtmann, Pitts said. They also partnered with the Undergraduate Student Government, the Ohio Union Activities Board and mental health organizations on campus for “Tackling Challenges with Coach Day: Mental Health During a Pandemic,” an event held Feb. 25 where football head coach Ryan Day discussed breaking the stigma surrounding mental health and shared his own mental health struggles.

“We’re doing things that we’ve never really done in the past,” Pitts said. “We’re trying to branch out and become more than just a sports section.”

Wead said the group had two goals for the year: to establish a sense of community and uphold traditions. Specifically, he said they are working to make sure that the next generation of Block O members will be invested in the organization.

This year, Block O implemented mentorship groups, Wead said. With each member of the board heading a group of eight to nine freshmen or new members, Yusty Sanchez, a third-year in new media and technology communication and football director for Block O, said this new opportunity aims to give freshmen a sense of normalcy this year.

“We made a really big emphasis on the quality of life with students and just being there for everyone,” Sanchez said. “I think the most difficult part of this pandemic is, especially for the freshmen, they don’t really have an understanding of what Ohio State is like in a normal year.”

Gretchen Rudolph, a fourth-year in Spanish and communication, said she joined one of the groups as a senior because she wanted to make new friends.

“I think that that’s been helpful not just for freshmen but for transfer students or people just trying to get involved or even me as a senior that’s been involved, and I think it’s fun to make friends,” Rudolph said.

In such an abnormal year, Wead said the organization has seen unwavering participation.

Pitts said he normally receives about 12 applications to be on the NutHouse committee –– members who set up pregame and clean up after, assist in administrative duties and boost overall morale during basketball games. This year, he received about 25 applications.

The group was able to continue some traditions, such as their card stunts which began with the club’s founding in 1938. Sanchez said at the beginning of the year he had members submit photos of themselves, which were later compiled to make a larger picture of the stadium for a virtual card stunt. When the university allowed student organizations to meet in-person with groups of 10 or fewer Sept. 23, 2020, the card stunt tradition was able to revert back to in person.

Rudolph said they designed the stunts during the week and on the Friday before every home game, groups of 10 members would go to the stadium, count all the cards and tape them down in place. On Monday, they would go back to the stadium to take down the stunt and get ready to start the process all over again.

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However, they were restricted from setting up stunts Nov. 12, 2020, when the university prohibited student organizations from meeting in-person altogether. Rudolph said she was upset she would no longer be able to go into Ohio Stadium and get that taste of normalcy.

After graduation, Rudolph said she will continue to attend as many sporting events as possible, but it won’t be the same.

“I’ll miss kind of like that special insider thing,” Rudolph said. “It’s kind of like that more intimate connection with the team you’re not going to get just as like a general fan.”

Pitts, a two-time director of the NutHouse, said it hurt not being able to lead the student section during his senior year. Yet, the sense of community built through Block O is enough to make up for the lack of sports, Pitts said.

“I’ve met some of my best friends here at Ohio State through the NutHouse specifically. So leaving those people will be tough, but I know that I’ll be friends with them for a very long time,” Pitts said. “Block O’s a great time. A bunch of savages.”

Editor’s note: Gretchen Rudolph has previously freelanced as a photographer with The Lantern.

COURTESY OF BLOCK O

Cardboard cutouts of Block O members fill the south stands of Ohio Stadium.

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Ohio State sophomore forward E.J. Liddell (32) dunks the ball during the Ohio State-Purdue Big Ten Tournament game on March 12. Ohio State won 87-78.

BEST MALE ATHLETE

E.J. LIDDELL JACK EMERSON Assistant Sports Editor emerson.131@osu.edu

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oming off of a promising freshman campaign in which he backed up former Ohio State big man Kaleb Wesson, forward E.J. Liddell became a household name in his sophomore season.

Using the shortened 2020-21 season to burst onto the scene, Liddell led the Buckeyes to the Big Ten Tournament Championship game and a No. 2 seed in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament.

Not only did Liddell find success on the court, but he was voted best male athlete this year by Lantern readers.

After coming off the bench in every game as a freshman, the Illinois native posted career highs in scoring, rebounding and assists. Liddell posted 16.2 points —

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second to junior guard Duane Washington Jr. — to go along with a team-high 6.7 rebounds per game.

“I worked all summer just to go out there and prove myself and I felt like I did that,” Liddell said Wednesday. “I elevated my game and I proved the doubters wrong.”

Liddell’s improvements earned him a spot on the coaches’ All-Big Ten first team, while being awarded second team honors by the media.

Joining Washington as members of AllBig Ten teams, head coach Chris Holtmann praised Liddell for the leaps he made entering his sophomore season.

“It’s a great accomplishment for those guys,” Holtmann said March 10. “As a

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coach and a coaching staff, that’s exciting to see that with those young men.”

Not only did Liddell post career highs in scoring, but he also upped his efficiency from his freshman season. Despite shooting six more shots per game, Liddell’s shooting percentage rose from 46.4 percent in his freshman season to 47.4 percent as a sophomore.

However, his biggest strides were made beyond the arc, as he increased his 3-point percentage from 19.2 percent to 33.8 percent on two more attempts per game.

Liddell proved he would be a force for the Buckeyes right out of the gate, as he posted double-digit scoring totals in Ohio State’s first four games. In their Dec. 8, 2020, game against Notre Dame, Liddell scored 17 of his 19 points in the second half to help the Buckeyes get past the Fighting Irish 90-85.

Entering conference play, Liddell proved his nonconference play was legitimate as he dominated in the nation’s top conference.

In Ohio State’s conference opener against then-No. 11 Rutgers Dec. 23, 2020, Liddell dropped a then-career-high 21 points to help the Buckeyes surge back from a 16-point second-half deficit.

In his first career trip to his home state, the two-time Illinois Mr. Basketball recipient torched then-No. 14 Illinois for a career-high 26 points while shooting 4-of7 from beyond the arc in an 87-81 win Jan. 16.

“It’s my home state school but that’s not what motivated me today; it was my teammates,” Liddell said Jan. 16. “I felt like I needed to do more to help us win today.”

Liddell’s play pushed Ohio State to a seven-game winning streak through the middle of their conference schedule — averaging 18.1 points per game during the stretch.

The Buckeyes would rise as high as No. 4 in the AP Poll at the end of the streak, but a four-game losing streak to close the regular season would push them out of a potential No. 1 seed in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament.

However, Liddell’s play did not falter during the losing stretch, as he averaged 18.7 points per game throughout the streak including a 23-point performance against rival Michigan Feb. 21.

Although the Buckeye forward struggled

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MACKENZIE SHANKLIN | PHOTO EDITOR

Ohio State sophomore forward E.J. Liddell (32) attempts a 3-point shot during the Ohio State-Purdue Big Ten Tournament game on March 12. Ohio State won 87-78.

with his scoring efficiency through Big Ten Tournament play, he still carved out double-digit scoring efforts in all four games.

With their Big Ten Tournament success, the Buckeyes earned the second-best No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament and a first-round meeting with No. 15 Oral Roberts.

Despite the favorable draw, Ohio State was stunned by the Golden Eagles 75-72 in overtime — becoming the ninth No. 2 seed to lose to a No. 15 seed.

However, Liddell kept the Buckeyes alive throughout the contest, dropping a team-high 23 points on 10-of-15 from the field and 14 rebounds.

Although it was a shocking loss for the Buckeyes, Liddell said he plans to use it as motivation going forward.

“It sits in my mind pretty heavily,” Liddell said Wednesday. “It’s gonna help motivate us through the offseason.”

With another year to improve and much of the Ohio State roster returning for another season under Holtmann, Liddell is primed to make an even larger leap than he did this season.

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18 | The Lantern | Thursday, March 25, 2021

Ohio State then-freshman forward Emma Sears (19) completes a throw-in during the Ohio State-Penn State game Oct. 6, 2019. Ohio State lost 2-3.

BEST FEMALE ATHLETE

EMMA SEARS

ATHENA MARKOWSKI Lantern Reporter markowski.19@osu.edu

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he may only be in her second year of college soccer, but forward Emma Sears has already made a name for herself within Ohio State athletics.

Sears, who was named best female athlete by Lantern readers this year, has started every game

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for the Buckeyes this season.

The Dublin, Ohio, native ignited the Buckeye offense this season by scoring their first four goals.

Sears, junior forward Kayla Fischer and freshman midfielder Peyton McNamara lead the Ohio State attack, combining for 10 goals.

“I think we all work really well together because Peyton’s really good on the ball, and then combining with us, me and Emma have similar qualities that we can

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run at the backline,” Fischer said. “I think that’s why it works really well because she can check back to our midfielders and then Emma and I have the ability to run in behind.”

In their season opener against Michigan, Sears scored her first collegiate goal in the second half off an assist from Fischer. In the next game, a home bout with Wisconsin, Sears proved she was a force to be reckoned with, clinching a win by scoring a hat-trick against the Badger defense.

“I relied a lot on my teammate’s balls to score those three goals,” Sears said. “I got a lot of through balls which helped me and then after that, I just tried it out towards the goal and was able to finish them.”

After her explosive play against Wisconsin, Sears was named the Big Ten’s Co-Offensive Player of the Week March 2, earning the title alongside Indiana senior midfielder Melanie Forbes. This was Sears’ first career conference award, becoming the first Buckeye to achieve the honor since senior defender Izzy Rodriguez in 2018.

“Quite frankly, Emma just made a commitment to her own body in the offseason, and she’s a player who has a very deep fitness base,” head coach Lori Walker-Hock said. “But she also coupled out with strength training, and so the power she’s gained in her legs right now is the difference; it makes her more explosive.”

Walker-Hock credits Sears’s talent to her commitment to getting a little bit better every day. Even with the uncertainty of a season, she said Sears never once slacked off, putting in work even in the lonely days of quarantine.

“It’s really just a credit to her willingness to do the work during COVID by herself and during that time, so I applaud her

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IT’S REALLY JUST A CREDIT TO HER WILLINGNESS TO DO THE WORK DURING COVID BY HERSELF AND DURING THAT TIME, SO I APPLAUD HER FOR DOING THAT WORK AND HER COMMITMENT TO JUST TAKING HER BODY TO THE NEXT LEVEL.” Lori Walker-Hock, Women’s Soccer Head coach

for doing that work and her commitment to just taking her body to the next level,” Walker-Hock said.

Although she never found the net in her freshman season, Sears saw the field 17 times last year, attempting 15 shots and starting twice. She came to Ohio State as a four-year letter winner and three-year starter at Dublin Jerome High School.

At the club level, Sears played for former professional soccer player Chris King at Ohio Premier. Some of her accolades

include being named to the first-team AllOhio twice, a three-time first-team Ohio Capital Conference player and the 2018 OCC Player of the Year.

Sears and the Buckeyes (3-1-3) have three more regular-season matchups to compete for the Big Ten title. Although the season was pushed back a semester, Sears’s dedication and determination have motivated the team during a season unlike any other.

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20 | The Lantern | Thursday, March 25, 2021

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BEST PIZZA ADRIATICO’S

PARADISE THOMAS | LANTERN REPORTER

Adriatico’s employees making the pizza that was voted the best by Ohio State students again in 2021.

PARADISE THOMAS Lantern Reporter thomas.3889@osu.edu

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ate nights, game days and student organization meetings at Ohio State are often accompanied by the cheesy comfort of Adriatico’s New York Style Pizza.

Slinging pies since 1986,

Adriatico’s is a staple of the Ohio State community and was voted best pizza by Lantern readers this year. Greg Fortney, owner of Adriatico’s New York Style Pizza at 1618 Neil Ave., said he opened the Columbus pizzeria after working at an Adriatico’s in Cincinnati during his college years.

“During my senior year I built the shop here in Columbus, and I just really liked everything about

Columbus. So I ended up moving here and just operating the shop,” Fortney said.

Adriactico’s serves pizza, salads and pasta among other entrees, as well as various appetizers. Their base pizza prices range from $5.99 to $33.99 depending on size and crust type. Toppings and specialty pizzas are also available.

Fortney said being a part of the Ohio State community for so long has allowed Adriatico’s

to be ingrained into the overall Ohio State experience for many students, alumni and faculty.

“Actually, we’re part of the OSU fabric,” Fortney said.

“We’ve been on campus for a very long time. Being here since 1986 has given us the opportunity to employ a lot of students and serve our pizza to a lot of students and faculty, and they’ve turned into alumni and now their children are starting to eat it. It’s been just a

wonderful relationship.”

Ca’Marea Snipes-Thomas, a third-year in special education, said he was introduced to Adriatico’s during a program in his residence hall, and since then it has been his go-to pizza place on campus.

“It’s one of the best tasting pizza places on campus,” SnipesThomas said. “I have tried a couple of others, but Adriatico’s has definitely been one of my

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favorites amongst every other pizza place. It’s just convenient that we can use our BuckID cash to purchase anything from that pizzeria.”

With the COVID-19 pandemic affecting the restaurant industry and the traditional dinein experience, Fortney said Adriatico’s is no exception.

“From the day the governor shut

Adriatico’s storefront on Neil Avenue.

down our dining room, our sales dropped dramatically,” Fortney said. “Campus just isn’t the same right now. We have very high hopes that it will return in the fall and next year will be more of a traditional college year, but this past year has been trying to everyone.”

Despite the pandemic, Fortney said Adriatico’s is staying true to

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their quality as they have over the past 35 years. Everything is made from scratch, from the dough to the cheese, which is aged inhouse.

“It’s really hard to do it all, and so when you’re lucky enough to have the campus embrace you like they’ve embraced us for so long, it affirms that we’ve done a good job, and it’s just terrific,”

Fortney said.

Justin Smith, a second-year in environmental policy, said his first taste of Adriatico’s was at a club meeting — its uniqueness as well as its affordability is what made him want it again.

“I think it’s unique definitely, and also just because of the style of pizza that it is,” Smith said.

“And it’s also bigger than most.”

Snipes-Thomas said the quality of Adriatico’s pizza is consistent and keeps him coming back to them.

“Adriatico’s has some great pizza,” Snipes-Thomas said. “I know every time that I ordered from them I’ve received a warm pizza — it’s never a miss. It’s always a vibe whenever I order from them and so I’m a big fan.”

PARADISE THOMAS | LANTERN REPORTER

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22 | The Lantern | Thursday, March 25, 2021

Joy’s Village storefront located near North Campus.

BEST INTERNATIONAL FOOD

JOY’S VILLAGE

CHRISTIAN HARSA | ASST. PHOTO EDITOR

TYLER SAUNDERS Lantern Reporter saunders.620@osu.edu

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ucked in the basement of a plaza on the corner of North High Street and Woodruff Avenue is Joy’s Village, a family-owned Chinese restaurant voted best international food near campus by Lantern readers this year.

Joy’s Village has served the Ohio State and Columbus communities since 1986, making it a well-established spot for students

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EVERYTHING IS MADE FROM SCRATCH — THAT INCLUDES THE SAUCE AND OTHER INGREDIENTS USED IN OUR RECIPE. THE RECIPE IS BASED ON A FAMILY RECIPE FROM JACKIE AND HIS BROTHERS.” Ivy Choo, coowner of Joy’s Village

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to find authentic Chinese cuisine, Ivy Choo, co-owner of Joy’s Village, said.

Choo’s husband, Jackie, took over from the previous owner 30 years ago and has served authentic Chinese, Cantonese and Hunan cuisine ever since.

“Everything is made from scratch –– that includes the sauce and other ingredients used in our recipe,” Ivy Choo said. “The recipe is based on a family recipe from Jackie and his brothers.”

Popular menu items include General Tso’s chicken, orange chicken and mapo tofu, Choo said, and accommodations can be made for those with allergies or other dietary restrictions.

The chicken lo mein and the portion sizes led Samantha Rinehart, a Columbus-based food blogger known as @samsaysyum on Instagram, to eat at the restaurant when visiting friends on campus for the odd Saturday night out.

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“We would go to Big Bar and then go to Joy’s Village to chow down on the chicken lo mein, and it was definitely great after a couple of drinks,” Rinehart said.

Rinehart said Joy’s Village seems to be as much a staple for the community as it is for her and her friends on campus.

“Every time that we visited the restaurant it was packed, and people do go back to Joy’s Village often,” Rinehart said.

Choo said delivery services

such as Grubhub and DoorDash have helped Joy’s Village bring in business this year. The restaurant has done well with takeout orders, but Choo said dine-in has been slow, likely due to the location of the facility and the pandemic.

“We are hidden in a basement, and a lot of people do not even know it,” Choo said.

Choo said most of their business in a normal year can be attributed to international students, but with travel restrictions and

complications due to the pandemic, she said the decrease of international students on campus might be correlated to the restaurant’s decrease in business.

“Before the pandemic, we were just packed for lunch and dinner and all the seats were taken,” Choo said. “I don’t know if it is because of international students not being available at this moment.”

Joy’s Village is open every day from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

CHRISTIAN HARSA | ASST. PHOTO EDITOR

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24 | The Lantern | Thursday, March 25, 2021

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BEST PLACE TO SPEND A SATURDAY AFTERNOON

THE COLUMBUS ZOO AND AQUARIUM

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and and sea animals are not the only creatures that can be found at the Columbus Zoo on a Saturday afternoon.

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium was voted best place to spend a Saturday this year by Lantern readers. With more than 10,000 animals and hundreds of species to visit, guests can enjoy their weekend by participating in activities and events at the zoo ranging from exercising to bathing elephants, Tom Stalf, president and CEO of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, said.

ANDREW HORNE Lantern Reporter horne.169@osu.edu

“You’ll have an opportunity to hear from a keeper, or you’ll see a program where there are animals that are right there with you and the trainers,” Stalf said.

“There are so many behind-thescenes experiences — if you want to give an elephant a bath or go in and meet our sea lions or go in with our red pandas.”

Stalf said an important component of a guest’s experience at the zoo is walking the more than four-mile-long pathways.

“No matter what the weather is like, there’s always activities,”

An Amur tiger roams in an exhibit at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.

Stalf said.

The zoo is also partnering with local fitness instructors for the “Workouts for Wildlife” series, a yoga-style workout that allows guests to meet with animals afterwards, Jeff Glorioso, experiential marketing director at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, said.

The next workout sessions will take place with penguins April 10 and sloths April 11, according to the website.

There is an additional registration fee for the event, with all of the

ANDREW HORNE | LANTERN REPORTER

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A red panda climbs a tree at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.

proceeds going toward the zoo’s conservation efforts, Glorioso said.

Adventure Cove is a recent addition to the zoo, Stalf said. It features exhibits with sea lions and seals, a walk through an underwater tunnel in the sea lion and seal pools, an area for guests to feed stingrays in Stingray Bay and interactive exhibits that honor the legacy of Jack Hanna, director emeritus of the zoo.

“There are three different pools with an underground tube that you can walk through and see 360 degrees around to watch the animals swim right under you,” Stalf said.

The zoo is actively working to ensure that guests, employees and animals remain safe from COVID-19 during events, all of which can be found on the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium events calendar. Glorioso said

guests must select a time slot when registering for tickets to maintain social distancing at the zoo.

“We’re working with the Delaware Health District in making sure that we’re doing everything we can,” Glorioso said. “We still want to give folks that outlet to come out to the zoo, see what we have to create new experiences for themselves.”

Stalf said he has one last piece of advice for Ohio State students looking to stick it to “that team up north” — avoid the wolverine exhibit.

“Just walk right past the wolverine exhibit,” Stalf said.

“As you’re seeing the mountain lions, right behind you would be the wolverines — I wouldn’t even turn around — I would just keep going into the aviary and then see our bald eagles.”