Volume 61 Issue 7

Thursday, October 26, 2023

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Volume 61 Issue 7

THE USD VISTA VISTA

The Official Student Newspaper of the University of San Diego since 1968

Big Blue Bash is a smash hit among students

l a l H o w y p e e p n a H Toreros

Kid Ink, Social House, Taylor DeGuzman, and Drew Felix rock the night away

The Harvest Moon rising over the Immaculata creates a spooky atmosphere ahead of Halloween.

Photo courtesy of @shotbyvish and @uofsandiego/Instagram

November is Native American Heritage Month USD community discusses diversity efforts on campus

RITI DEY ASST. NEWS EDITOR The start of November marks the beginning of Native American Heritage month.

On Oct. 8, the U.S. observed Indigenous Peoples’ Day as a day meant to commemorate and honor the thousands of Indigenous cultures in the nation.

The history of what is now known as “Indigenous Peoples’ Day” began on a college campus in 1992. The University of California, Berkeley introduced “Indigenous Peoples’ Day” as an alternative to Columbus Day, to protest the 500th anniversary of Columbus’ arrival to the Americas.

USD’s history with Indigenous Peoples’ Day, and celebrating Indigenous inclusion, is much more recent. In 2020, USD invited speakers Theresa Rocha Beardal, Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology at Virginia Tech, and Theresa Stewart-Ambo, Assistant

Professor in the Department of Education Studies at University of California San Diego, to present about evaluating the efficacy of settler land acknowledgements at land-grant universities.

In 2022, there was a “Cultivating Community Kickoff,” a series of events which lasted the entire week to shine a spotlight on Indigenous culture and awareness surrounding cultural appropriation. However, in 2023, USD did not have an explicit celebration or acknowledgement for Indigenous Peoples’ Day. While USD over the years has implemented different initiatives to attempt to promote inclusivity around campus, the initiatives are mainly focused on renaming buildings and making land acknowledgements to pay respect to the Kumeyaay Nation at events and in syllabuses.

In 2019, USD announced that Serra Hall, alongside three other spots on campus, would be renamed to honor Indigenous cultures.

President Harris

declared that the space would be renamed to “Saints Tekakwitha and Serra Hall” in honor of the first Indigenous saint in the Catholic Church, Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, who was a part of the Algonquin-Mohawk tribe.

Saint Tekakwitha converted to sainthood later in her life.

She became known as “Lily of the Mohawks” for her fearless dedication to her faith. According to President Harris, the renaming was meant to “encourage continued dialogue on the important topics of colonization, the spread of the Catholic faith and the impact both had on Native American populations.”

Sahmie Wytewa, Tribal Liaison on campus explained the importance of indigenous voices in leading conversations about renaming buildings.

“These conversations have to come from community and Native Indigenous voices. Larger than that, if our Native and Indigenous students aren’t from this place or didn’t grow up with this history or

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aren’t aware of the history, we do have to include our tribal community members that want to have these conversations.”

As someone who is Hopi with no tribal Kumeyaay ancestry, Wytewa shared that these conversations should be happening with community who can speak to the history of the region.

“I’m not native indigenous to these areas, so I would want to make sure that we are incorporating the voice that is most valid to the mission system and what the concern is about this particular campus and its buildings,” Wytewa said.

USD Professor of Anthropology Dr. Meghan Donnelly shared her thoughts regarding this remaining initiative.

“Often, when I talk to my students, I ask them ‘do you know the history of this building?’ and it’s pretty common that they don’t know

See Native heritage, Page 2

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theusdvista.com

MORE STORIES Israel and Palestine See News, page 3

Ghost hunters See Opinion, page 5

USD faces its fears See Feature, page 6

Horror movies See A&C, page 10

Sports superstitions See Sports, page 12

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The USD Vista

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October 26, 2023

NEWS

Honoring Indigenous History at USD Toreros discuss Indigenous Peoples’ Day and heritage month

From Native heritage, Page 1

what the history is,” Donnelly noted. “That to me feels like something has fallen short, because if the renaming is part of a process of making a more inclusive campus, and students don’t even know why the building was renamed or don’t know who Kateri Tekakwitha was, then I think more work still has to be done to help educate, to help students really understand [the purpose].”

The subject of renaming buildings has been contentious around the country, as people debate whether it is an effective form of starting conversations about inclusivity and coloniality.

USD senior Lindie Ross who did research this summer on the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) shared about her thoughts on the renaming of buildings.

“I was involved in discussions with other students and staff last spring about creating resources and spaces for Indigenous students on campus,” Ross described. “The long term goals of these conversations were to

address the history of Serra and Saints Tekakwitha Hall, and the renaming of the building, as well as offer tuition to students that identify as Indigenous. UCSD is free for Native students, so why wouldn’t USD be also?”

Donnelly also explained her perspective on the purpose of renaming buildings on campus.

“My understanding also was that [renaming buildings] was supposed to be the start of dialogue about that history and the role of the Catholic Church in the missions system and in settler colonialism, and I think that we could do better at USD to continue that,” Donnelly expressed. “Students want to know what the history is, and they want to have those conversations.”

Ross explained other initiatives that she discussed with other students and staff that she wished USD could implement to promote inclusivity among the school community.

“We also believe that there should be scholarship funding for the Indigenous Alumni Association, and not just funding that is left over from other events, but for there to be more

events that promote community engagement,” Ross said.

Another restorative practice put into place in recent years at USD was land acknowledgements.

Land acknowledgements are common at USD, especially before presentations, events and large gatherings. The Office for Mission states that land acknowledgements are meant for “cultivating mindfulness of where we are and the history of this place.” While land acknowledgements are meant to bring awareness to the history of the school and the land it resides on, people have criticized the practice.

Donnelly explained, “I don’t think there is any way to categorically say ‘land acknowledgements are good or bad,’ but I think land acknowledgements should be part of a bigger project of true recognition of the violence of settler colonialism and true recognition of the need for reparations for the indigenous people who have been and are impacted by settler colonialism.”

Wytewa explained how

USD Tribal Liaison Sahmie S. Wytewa on a hike with the Outdoor Adventures club.

Photo courtesy of @usd_outdooradventures/Instagram

USD’s Saints Tekakwitha and Serra Hall was renamed from Serra Hall in 2019.

Photo courtesy of https://www.sandiego.edu/news/detail.php?_focus=71799

USD is moving further than just acknowlegements.

“Last year, I did a lot of work on moving beyond land acknowledgements, being very intuitive to what the campus was saying, that it is performative, and that there were some conversations prior about renamings and other initiatives that were led by students,” Wytewa reflected.

USD first-year Julie Garabet shared her confusion on the lack of celebration for Indigenous Peoples Day, considering other practices such as land acknowledgements that the university heavily relies on.

“I’m not too familiar with Indigenous Peoples Day,” Garabet explained, but “I didn’t know that Indigenous Peoples’ Day happened yet.

I think it’s a bit concerning considering that the school really emphasized the acknowledgements during orientation.”

“I had a connection to Ashoka Changemaker, hub and it stuck with me that if we could have organizations [like USD] be partners to tribal communities, then our work could take on a

different meaning, in the way of moving beyond the trauma, the generational, intergenerational and the historical influences of federal policy,” Wytewa said.

On this Indigenous Peoples Day, USD did not celebrate or acknowledge the historical significance of the day, or the school’s nuanced history with Indigenous groups.

Wytewa said that while students and faculty reflected on the importance of acknowledging this day for them, there remains urgency to promote inclusivity and communicate the importance of the history of Indigenous People beyond a single day.

“One of the biggest points that I try to drive forward on this campus is that I don’t want to ever get caught up in celebrating indigenous identity on one day,” Wytewa explained.

“We celebrate it all day, every day, all through the year.”

For those who would like more information, the office of the Tribal Liaison has multiple events to celebrate Native American Heritage month which can be found on the Instagram account @usdtriballiason.

Volume 61 Issue 7

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NEWS

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The USD Vista

USD community reflects on Israel and Palestine Some report concern and fear about latest developments ANJALI DALAL-WHELAN NEWS EDITOR The most recent outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas has led to varied reactions and conflicts throughout the world.

The topic has reached colleges, as students around the country have held vigils, protests and information sessions on the side of either Israel or Palestine.

On Oct. 7, Hamas, the militant group operating out of Palestine, launched a surprise attack on Israel. According to The Guardian, at least 1,300 people were killed in the attack while the Israel Defense Force says 199 people were taken as hostages, the majority being civilians.

According to the New York Times, so far, Hamas has released four hostages.

After the Oct. 7 attack, Israel declared war on Hamas and began a siege on Gaza. On Oct. 13, Israel advised over one million residents of the Gaza Strip to evacuate, an order that the United Nations called “impossible” without “devastating humanitarian consequences.”

According to the Gaza Health Ministry as of Oct. 24, at least 5,791 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed by Israeli air strikes, 2,360 of them being children.

According to a statement from President Joe Biden, on Oct. 21 the first humanitarian assistance reached Gaza since Hamas’ attack. 20 trucks with food, water and medical supplies were allowed into Gaza to provide aid.

Moroccan journalist and former USD professor of Middle Eastern politics Aboubakr Jamaï offered historical context on Hamas’ attack.

“I think we shouldn’t have been surprised in the sense that something’s got to give.

That you cannot permanently keep people, human beings, under the conditions that the Palestinians were kept under.

That at some point, something needs to give out,” Jamaï explained. “Everybody talks as if history doesn’t exist. 70% of the Gazan population, which is 1.4 million people, are refugees from 1948, which means that the land that is today called Israel was their home and they were expelled from it in 1948.”

Jamaï condemned the death of civilians on both sides.

“We should condemn the death of civilians, but we need to contextualize it,” Jamaï said.

Two days after the initial

attack on Israel, USD President James T. Harris III released an email statement with the subject “Terrorism in Israel” sending prayers to Israel and calling for an end to violence.

This statement received criticism from USD’s Palestinian Solidarity Committee (PSCUSD), who issued a statement on Instagram criticizing President Harris for not mentioning Palestinian lives and historical context in his statement.

PSCUSD is calling for President Harris to apologize for the letter and rewrite it.

As of Oct. 17, PSCUSD said they had not received a response from anyone in USD’s administration.

USD sophomore Ava Cumello is Jewish and visited Israel over this summer. She also commented on Harris’ statement.

“I think I knew they were gonna have to take a more neutral stance, just because it is such an inflammatory topic right now.

But I do wish there was some type of condemning of Hamas.

To not condemn that seems like kind of a bit of a hit to the Jewish students and people on campus.”

USD graduate student Alina Cheema was disappointed by President Harris’ statement for a different reason.

“As a Muslim, I have been a supporter of the Palestine movement for so many years.

I felt very isolated and not safe in our school. I know that our school can’t come out and speak for Palestine, but at least I would have expected them to be neutral and considerate of all students,” she expressed.

“Especially the [subject line] which was ‘Terrorism in Israel,’ it just felt so one-sided, and against us. The only word I can use to describe it is ‘ignorant.’”

Palestinian solidarity groups at many other universities have also issued statements.

A statement from the Harvard Undergraduate Palestine Solidarity Committee which was co-signed by 33 other Harvard student organizations stated that they “hold the Israeli regime entirely responsible for all unfolding violence.” This statement received backlash from Harvard alumni and professors who called it anti-semetic.

According to the New York Times, Harvard students affiliated with the group were doxxed.

Merriam-Webster defines “doxxing” as a form of harassment in which someone’s personal information is released. A truck with photos

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and names of students, and a banner reading, “Harvard’s Leading Anti-Semites’’ drove outside the Harvard campus.

Reports of anti-Semitic incidents in the U.S. have risen steadily over the past several years, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Recently, The Independent reported a photo of pro-Palestine protests in Times Square, where one person in the crowd held a photo of a swastika on his phone.

Palestinian solidarity protests have also taken place across most major cities and many college campuses.

Cumello reflected on her identity as a Jewish person seeing Palestinian solidarity protests after the Hamas attack.

“I do find it scary, because it seems like a lot of what’s going on, both on college campuses and pro Palestine rallies is less about fighting for better rights for the Palestinian people and more about anti-semitism,” Cumello said.

“Like the people in Times Square holding up swastikas… I want to advocate for all innocent people. I think all innocent people deserve, obviously, the right to life, health and happiness. So I’m all for better rights for the Palestinians.

Let’s make sure [nobody is] going to go out and kill Palestinians civilians, but it seems that there’s a lot of anti-semitism happening [too]. So it’s just been scary to see all that and seeing people so one sided on college campuses.”

USD Professor and Executive Director in the Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice Dr. Andrew Blum shared his perspective on students facing consequences for speaking.

“Universities are places where that type of [free] speech needs to be allowed and encouraged. I think people need to realize there are over 14 million undergraduate students in the U.S. With that many students, people will always be able to find something a student has said to criticize,” Blum said.

“At the end of the day, those in power should worry more about the conflict in Israel-Palestine than policing what students in the U.S. are saying about the conflict in Israel-Palestine.”

On Oct. 17, USD’s Associate Student Government (ASG) released an email statement with the subject “Statement on IsraelHamas.” The email called on students to educate themselves on the issue and acknowledged the complexity of the situation.

The email also stated, “we express our deep sympathy and mourn for

all those affected by the violence, especially those that are a part of our campus community. And we hope for a peaceful resolution that can pave the way for a more stable and prosperous future for all residents of the region.”

USD’s Palestinian Alliance of Law students (PALS) and Muslim Student Association (MSA) held an event called “Learning Palestine” on Tuesday, Oct. 17. The goal of the event was to educate students on the history of Palestine, as well as to hear perspectives from people who were presently in Gaza. Around 40 students in undergrad and graduate school attended the event.

USD Senior Hasan Iqbal attended the “Learning Palestine” event and explained his reason for being there.

“As someone who is not Palestinian, who is not a devout Muslim, who has been educated for nearly a decade about the occupation, I feel that it’s a moral obligation of mine to speak out against misinformation, and speak up, for those that cannot,” Iqbal said. “Too long has it been inflated that being against the state of Israel means you are antisemetic, and that is not right.”

Iqbal mentioned a hate crime that occurred in Illinois last week, where a six-year-old Muslim boy was stabbed to death.

“In my mind, this child, Wadea, his blood is on our hands because our peers have been willingly spreading misinformation that leads to the justification of this kind of violence.”

On the social media app Fizz, an anonymous app which requires users to have a USD email to access and post, one anonymous user posted words which PSCUSD and USD PALS considered to be hate speech: “enough of letting these Hamas terrorists think they’re powerful and can instill fear. I say we flatten the Gaza strip into a f***ing parking lot.” PSCUSD and USD PALS issued a joint statement on Instagram in response to the anonymous post, condemning the Fizz post and demanding action from USD. “We emphasize that such acts and rhetoric around the country and in our own campus have been emboldened by wide spread of false narratives, misinformation, and lack of acknowledgement and condemnation of the genocide occurring against Palesinians in Gaza, including inefficient statement from

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academic and other institutions around the country,” the joint statement said. The Fizz post has since been removed.

USD sophomore Lia Freehlign reflected on her stance as a Jewish student seeing the reactions to the war.

“For the most part, I feel pretty supported, especially with those around me. And even though there really is not a big Jewish population at USD, I do feel very safe on our campus.” Freehlign said. “Even just being around San Diego, I’m not fearful, I don’t really feel like I get a lot of negative energy from people around me.”

Although she hadn’t personally experienced it, Freehlign expressed that some Jewish people have feared for their safety, due to recent events.

“I’ve heard about so many attacks happening in other places in the world. I certainly don’t feel like I can’t express my own opinions and won’t be respected for them. But I’m certainly aware that there is a great sense of fear in the lives of Jewish people.”

According to the New York Times, some Jews in the U.S. have said they feel abandoned by the support Palestine has received in the past weeks.

“In the Hamas attacks, many saw an existential threat, evoking memories of the Holocaust and generations of antisemitism, and provoking anxiety about whether they could face attacks in the United States. And they were taken aback to discover that many of their ideological allies not only failed to perceive the same threats but also saw them as oppressors deserving of blame,” the New York Times reported.

While support for Palestine has been shown through social media and solidarity protests, President Joe Biden continues showing strong support to Israel.

Biden recently concluded a trip to Israel where he expressed the U.S.’ support for the country. Israel and the U.S. are close allies. According to BBC, the U.S. provides Israel with $3.1 billion in defense aid a year. Last week Biden asked Congress to approve an additional $14 billion in funding for Israel.

Colleges around the country including USD are participating in the discourse.

While some students fear consequences of speaking out, others have been vocal, making this issue prominent at USD. The information reported in this article has been updated as of The USD Vista’s production day, Oct. 24, 2023.

The USD Vista publication is written and edited by USD students and funded by revenues generated by advertising and a student fee.

Advertising material published is for information purposes only and is not to be construed as an expressed or implied endorsement or verification of such commercial venues by the staff or University.

The USD Vista office is located on the fourth floor of the Student Life Pavilion in room 403B. All inquiries should be sent to: The USD Vista 5998 Alcala Park San Diego, CA 92110 Opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of The USD Vista staff, the University of San Diego or of its student body.

Letters to the Editor can be submitted to The USD Vista office.

Letters should be limited to 300 words and must be signed. For identification purposes, USD identification numbers and writer’s year must be included in the letter. The USD Vista reserves the right to edit published letters. Any content sent to the editor will be considered for publication unless otherwise stated.

The USD Vista

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October 26, 2023

OPINION

You’re never too old to dress up Embrace the magic of Halloween

LILY ANDERSON ASST. OPINION EDITOR As summer fades into fall and the air grows crisp, a certain excitement starts to manifest.

Halloween is approaching, and the familiar anticipation of costumes, candy and scary stories is palpable.

While some may argue that dressing up is reserved for the younger generation, you’re never too old to wear a costume and embrace the magic of Halloween.

Halloween is a holiday that transcends age and speaks to the child in all of us. It’s a time when we can let go of our inhibitions, unlock our creativity and immerse ourselves in a world of fantasy.

From the young trick-or-treaters excitedly running door-to-door to the college students attending costume parties, Halloween offers a unique opportunity for everyone to break free from their everyday roles and indulge in the joy of dressing up.

One of the most common arguments against adults dressing up for Halloween is that it’s childish or immature. However, this notion overlooks the therapeutic and stressrelieving aspects of this practice. In

our increasingly busy lives, we often become entangled in the seriousness of school, responsibilities and work. Halloween provides a much-deserved escape from this monotonous routine. Dressing up as a favorite character and embracing the make-believe allows us to momentarily step away from any worries and experience the excitement of childhood once more.

Halloween costumes offer a unique platform for self-expression and imagination. Whether it’s channeling a beloved movie character, a historical figure or an otherworldly creature, costumes act as an extension of our personalities.

They allow us to explore parts of ourselves that we might not reveal in our everyday lives. The act of choosing, creating and wearing a costume can be an empowering experience that fosters self-discovery and encourages authenticity.

Dressing up also allows us to bond with others in a way we usually cannot. Family, friends and even strangers can connect through a shared admiration for creativity and enthusiasm. Dressing up together can be a unifying experience that brings individuals of all ages closer, creating a sense

of community. My favorite way to dress up is by creating a clever group costume that my friends and I can all participate in. After all, what is Halloween without the infectious laughter, the shared stories and the photos in costume with loved ones?

It’s also essential to acknowledge the economic impact of Halloween.

As a society, we invest heavily in this holiday, from purchasing decorations to costumes and candy. To restrict the enjoyment of Halloween exclusively to children is to underestimate its significant role in our economy.

The holiday is also an excellent time to practice sustainability and support local businesses.

Last year, I chose not to participate in Halloween. I was stressed out about school, anxious about spending money on a costume and figured it was in my best interest just to ignore the festivities. While I may have slightly benefited from the increased sleep I got that weekend, I look back on last October and am sad I made this decision. While I’ll probably be scrambling to find a costume and make plans, I cannot wait to step out this year dressed to the nines with my best friends.

Halloween is a celebration that

There are plenty of unique costumes for older Halloween fans.

Photo courtesy of @rachelperman/Instagram

does not discriminate against age and speaks to the timeless spirit of imagination and creativity. It’s an opportunity to experience the thrill of dressing up, bonding with loved ones, and finding the joy of self-expression. As we approach

Halloween, remember that you’re never too old to embrace the magic of this spooky holiday. So go ahead, pick out your favorite costume, adopt your inner child and get ready to join the fun because the spirit of Halloween is forever.

The consumerist costume conundrum Fast fashion is the only thing scary about Halloween

NYLA HARRIS ASST. A&C EDITOR JACKIE MARQUEZ OPINION EDITOR

Spooky season is here, and many are scrambling to get their costumes together, before Halloween day arrives.

While it’s convenient to buy a pre-made costume, there are

better options when it comes to curating the perfect costume.

Pop-up Halloween stores like Spirit Halloween are an iconic staple to spooky season. However, the costumes they provide are far from sustainable. Made primarily of plastic, costumes by fast-fashion brands like Spirit Halloween aren’t made to last multiple wears. A study conducted by Hubbub, an environmental charity based in the United Kingdom, found that one out of four Halloween costumes is

Spirit Halloween is one of the largest Halloween retailers in the U.S. Photo courtesy of @spirithalloween/Instagram

only worn once. These costumes are practically made to be thrown out, and they generate nearly 2,000 pounds of plastic waste annually in the U.K. , Hubbub found.

Despite their poor quality, these costumes still fall on the costlier side. Most adult-sized Halloween costumes cost between $40 and $70… and this is just for the costumes themselves. If you want accessories, wigs or special-effects makeup you’ll have to shell out even more money. On top of that, they’re rarely unique. Halloween chains capitalize on the current year’s trends; this year your local store is sure to be full of costumes inspired

by Greta Gerwig’s blockbuster “Barbie.” Buying from chain stores, ensures that you won’t be the only person wearing your costume.

There may be temptation to give in and buy a quick costume from fast fashion brands because of their convenience; however, there are more sustainable and affordable ways to participate in the tradition of dressing up. Secondhand stores around San Diego offer a wide variety of Halloween costumes and accessories, perfect for Oct. 31 and Halloweekend.

Thrift stores are an easy and accessible way to shop for a Halloween costume. Around the USD campus alone, there are over 10 thrift stores within a five-mile radius. Shopping at

Pop-up Halloween stores cater to the season’s latest trends and are rarely original.

Photo courtesy of @spirithalloween/Instagram

a local thrift store is a simple way to go green. Disposing of unwanted clothing takes a toll on the environment, so choosing to buy second-hand clothing over brand-new is the ultimate way to “reuse, reduce, recycle.” Thrifting also has more unique options than big-brand stores. Since secondhand stores rely on donations,

the pieces vary in age, style and brand. This allows for more creativity and personalization.

So, if you want a Halloween costume that is affordable, sustainable and unique, consider buying an outfit second-hand.

It’s an environmentally friendly way to execute the best and spookiest costume this Halloween.

The views expressed in the editorial and op-ed sections are not necessarily those of The USD Vista staff, the University of San Diego, or its student body.

Volume 61 Issue 7

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Opinion

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The USD Vista

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OPINION

Ghost hunter or hoax hunter?

Paranormal investigators’ lack of scientific method is frightening RONNIE SAENZ ASST. OPINION EDITOR Since the dawn of humanity, we’ve had the existential fear of death and what follows, and innumerable attempts have ensued to solve this grand mystery of life. Some find their answers in prophets handing down their systems of belief or even whole religions. Others as of late have resorted to trusting something even spookier: paranormal investigators.

Ghost hunting or paranormal investigation was popularized by the 2004 reality show “Ghost Hunters.” Ever since, it has become a multi-million dollar genre of reality TV, spawning countless shows over the decades investigating paranormal phenomena around the U.S. mostly. The problem with all of these shows is that none of them have any scientific basis and might as well be pseudo-science. Not only that, but the “devices” they use are unreliable on purpose, as to give false results that will draw in more viewers. Despite these apparent flaws, millions of people still tune in to these paranormal phonies because many people find the idea of life after death fascinating. Especially with less people believing in traditional religion, there are more people than ever searching for other supernatural outlets.

The scientific method is the widely accepted method of investigating phenomena, through rigorous testing, observation and experimentation. To date, none

Ghost hunting may be more effective and believable if ghost hunters followed the scientific method.

of the paranormal investigation shows have used the scientific method to prove that what they’ve detected are ghosts. They haven’t even proved that their methods can detect paranormal activity. What these investigators typically do is interview the locals on a haunted location, gathering as much information on whatever “paranormal entity” they’re investigating. Then they do an in-person investigation where they bring in infrared

cameras, electromagnetic field (EMF) readers and microphones to the location.

They investigate for a few days only at night, and then pack up and leave for the next place. If they were really serious about making a proper scientific investigation they would have stayed at that location for months, maybe even years to gather evidence of paranormal activity. Scientists typically gather observational data over the course of years

The cast of “Ghost Hunters” has perpetuated the hoax of ghost hunting with their popular television show Photo courtesy of @ghosthunters/Instagram

and even decades to prove their hypothesis. But no, all it takes is three days to figure out if there are ghosts in a given location. Not only do they spend too little time at suspicious locations, there is also no data to support that any of the equipment they use could detect paranormal activity — whatever paranormal activity would look like—in the first place.

Another issue with these investigations is that even if their equipment was detecting paranormal activity, all the devices are horribly inaccurate and often give false positives.

One of the most popular devices used by paranormal investigators is the EMF reader.

In normal applications, the EMF readers are used to detect power lines, but paranormal investigators have decided it also detects ghosts. The issue with these devices is that they are extremely sensitive to any electromagnetic field so much that a watch battery can trigger it. Even if we pretend it can detect ghosts, it very often gives false positives, so it’s completely unreliable for any research purposes.

To the credit of the paranormal investigators, they very often pick up faint human-like sounds at the locations they explore. It is arguably the most convincing part of their collective research, and evidence with some kind of logical substance behind it.

How could a noise only humans

Photo courtesy of @simi_prep/Unsplash

produce come out of thin air?

As convincing as it is, these sounds are often made out to sound like speech, due to a phenomenon known as “temporal induction.” Temporal induction occurs when humans fill in the gaps of an ambiguous noise with human speech. None of the sounds presented by paranormal investigators are clear enough to be properly identified, so our brains fill in the gaps to hear language or other human sounds. Chances are, they are just random sounds coming from inside the area they investigate.

It’s been nearly 20 years since the popularization of paranormal investigation, and there’s been almost no change to the methods of observation.

If these investigators really wanted their “research” to be taken seriously, it would be presented as a documentary and not like a reality TV show.

Paranormal investigators are frauds, because they follow the money more than the scientific method. You may think it’s relatively harmless entertainment ,which to some it is. However, it still spreads misinformation, and these investigators are profiting off of it. So, as viewers we need to realize that ghost hunters and paranormal investigators are purely for entertainment purposes, and that they do not belong in any conversation about proving the existence of ghosts.

The views expressed in the editorial and op-ed sections are not necessarily those of The USD Vista staff, the University of San Diego, or its student body.

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The USD Vista

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October 26, 2023

facing yo

Faculty and studen

Shivers race down your spine as you enter the dark room, you begin to lose your breath and your heart thumps through your chest. The doctor asks you if you're ready for your shot, your face begins to numb and palms clam. Your professor asks you to explain the reading to the class from last night, your body tenses up and you begin to sputter.

Fear can work as an instinct for us and serves as awareness in dangerous situations for survival. In the month of October, when fear runs through the spooky season, it can be a time to recognize fears and how to overcome them.

Fears aren’t always scary movies and creepy costumes, they can be even more intense in our minds. People’s fears can be different, which makes them more challenging to accurately cast into one net. The correlation between all fears, however, is that when people overcome their fears, not only do they break out of self-confining boxes, but they can begin to live life without mentally straining limits.

Here at USD, students and faculty shared their biggest fears and how they’ve managed to overcome them.

Mov

“Ov acros like at the m the fa from d and m

Public Speaking “I overcame my fears of public speaking through lots of practice. After I broke through my anxieties, I realized I actually enjoyed aspects of public speaking. It’s all about seeking discomfort to keep growing.”

-Grace Elian, USD Junior

Spiders and New Food

“I am scared of spiders and I’m very h try new foods. I learned to overcome m spiders by analyzing the situation, and that if I was that spider, I'd be a whole scared of me. I got over my fear of tr foods, when I finally asked myself, ‘if can’t physically hurt me, why wou worried?’ I believe facing fears is the b live a fulfilling life.

-Caleb Huffman, USD Sophom

Volume 61 Issue 7

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FEATURE

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The USD Vista

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our fears

dents share phobias

Disneyland Rides Moving Across the Country

“Overcoming a fear has been moving across the country from my family. I feel like at first it seemed like staying would be the more difficult decision, but staying in the familiar is just a way to keep yourself from discovery. I ended up moving anyway and meeting some of the most important people in my life.”

-Manya Kamara, USD Senior

Foods

very hesitant to come my fear of on, and realizing whole lot more r of trying new self, ‘if the food y would I be s the best way to e. phomore

“I used to be deathly afraid of most rides at Disneyland. My mom tells stories of the guilt she felt, after forcing me to ride ‘Pirates of the Caribbean,’ and I'd fall asleep before the first drop, just so I didn't have to experience my fear. Over the last couple of decades, I've been slowly building up my tolerance for those rides, and have found that I really have fun on them. It may sound like a trivial fear, but being able to willingly ride ‘Space Mountain’ would shock my 10 year old self.”

-Hilary Beggs, Kroc School Director of Admissions

School club Scaries “For most of my time at USD, I haven’t been sure of what organizations I wanted to get involved with.

After not connecting with my first experience, I was scared of committing to another club or organization. I finally was able to overcome the fear and get involved with two different positions on campus. The people and experiences have been amazing so far, and my only regret is not taking the chance sooner. I think we all are scared that we won’t find a place to fit in on campus, and I think it’s natural. It’s okay to be scared, but know that there’s a place for everyone and you just have to go find it.”

-Ethan Takaha, USD Senior

Spread by Khushi Patel/The USD Vista: Content by Cameron Traylor/The USD Vista

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The USD Vista

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October 26, 2023

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Volume 61 Issue 7

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ARTS & CULTURE

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The USD Vista

A RT S & C U LT U R E To wear or not to wear?

The harm of cultural appropriation and fetishization SATVIKA NITYA ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR Halloween is the time to unleash your creativity and go all out with your costumes.

Whether that be dressing up as your favorite anime character or picking a super niche metaphor and turning it into a person, figuring out your Halloween costume is daunting and exciting at the same time.

But picking your costume comes with a very important concern: cultural appropriation.

Cultural appropriation is when members of a majority group adopt cultural elements of a minority group in an exploitative, disrespectful or stereotypical way. By definition, this phrase seems like one that can be understood pretty easily, but the lines of what counts as cultural appropriation are blurry.

To know what counts as cultural appropriation, the definition of culture itself needs to be identified. The earliest explanation of culture comes from anthropologist Edward Burnett Tylor, who wrote in 1871 that, “culture… is that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, custom and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society.” Though the definition of culture has developed and evolved in our current day, the one thing that remains is that culture is something that is learned/inherited when you belong to a certain group.

Keeping this information in mind, the rules around picking your Halloween costume need to be shaped in a way that respects other communities and identities, while keeping up the spooky spirit. For many, the line between cultural appropriation and appreciation lies on intention and context.

When cultural clothes or items are shared by those belonging to the culture with others outside that group in the context of festivals, cultural holidays, religious events or even as a sign of respect, it is done so with the intention of sharing culture, such as when tourists visit other countries and are given traditional clothes to wear. When you go to weddings or ceremonies of different cultures, you want to respect the boundaries and traditions of the people. So wearing clothes that belong to that culture become a way for mutual celebration.

Knowledge about culture is to be shared but when it is used as a way to stereotype, reduce an entire culture to one representation or separate the cultural meaning from the clothes, as for pure entertainment,

‘Mean Girls’ character Karen Smith dresses as a ‘sexy mouse,’ displaying college culture’s sexual fetishization of Halloween.

Photo courtesy of @meangirls/Instagram

it

is cultural appropriation.

During Halloween, when someone dresses up in the cultural clothing of one group, they are taking away the original meaning and intent of those clothes and may be making a joke out of a culture they don’t belong to. Along with that, they reduce an entire culture to one stereotyped representation, making it seem like all members of that group look like that one representation. And it’s especially harmful because minority groups are often discriminated against and face backlash for the same clothes that are now being worn by majority groups, as a form of spectacle.

An easy example of this are braids. In states across the U.S., many young Black kids get discriminated against for wearing their hair in braids. a hairstyle that is culturally significant to the Black commmunity.

Non-Black celebrities like Kim Kardashian have often been seen wearing these hairstyles as “fashion,” which some say is ignorant of the historical past attached to the hairstyle and insensitive to the Black community.

USD first-year Priya Hecox talked about ignorance and how that plays a role in cultural appropriation.

“Especially in college, you’re having discussions as an educated person and part of that is that you have to be culturally aware and open to learning,” Hecox said. “Google is a great resource and talking to your friends is a great way to talk about whether your

outfit is appropriate or not.

You cannot be educated and ignorant at the same time.”

A part of Halloween costumes being a center for cultural appropriation, especially for college students is fetishization, which is the act of making someone an object of sexual desire based on some aspect of their identity. College culture expects Halloween costumes to be revealing, and the media, especially in the early 2000s, has widely spread that idea. According to Halloween historian Lesley Bannatyne, the overt popular sexual artifice of the Playboy aesthetic in the 1990s shifted the emphasis from blood and gore to the idea of costumes being sexy.

The concept had become ubiquitous in 2004 when “Mean Girls” was released in theatres.

But the line in the movie that “Halloween is the one night a year when a girl can dress like a total sl*t and no other girls can say anything about it” took off as an explanation of a culture that hadn’t yet been put into words. This idea is taken further when movies and shows also propagate culture being fetishized. For example, the show “Pretty Little Liars” showed a character dressed as what they called a “sexy Indian” as she wore stereotypical clothes associated with Native Americans.

USD junior Soniya Malla talked about this fetishization of Halloween costumes being disrespectful.

“Halloween, especially in the U.S., is all about making

your outfit look more sexy,” Malla said.

“That really matters, because if you’re doing something that is cultural and you’re trying to make it look sexy then you’re doing it wrong, because you’re doing it for the wrong reasons. You are taking real people and making their culture that’s important to them look less than.”

Discussion of costumes gets more complicated when talking about dressing up as characters.

If you want to dress up as a character you really like but they belong to a different culture, is it okay to still dress up as them?

For many this depends on the extent to which you’re carrying out the costume. Wearing the clothes of the characters is fine but if you’re imitating their hair, skin color, facial features or adding additional garments of their culture, that leans into appropriation. In an article by Sesali Bowen, she talks about the strict how painting your face black, brown, yellow, or red to signify any ethnic group as part of your Halloween costume is strictly out of limits.

Bowen also talks about how the best Halloween costumes are the ones where you commit yourself to the character completely, not just the visual details. If you cannot pull off a costume without including racially driven details, then you’re doing it wrong and shouldn’t be wearing that costume in the first place.

The conversations around cultural appropriation are long and complicated. These conversations are worth having in order to respect all human beings and the cultures that they come from.

It’s all fun and games until someone gets hurt.

So for this Halloween and all that follow, make sure you have this conversation when deciding your costume.

Jennifer Aniston attending an Indian wedding in a movie, showing respect to the culture.

Photo courtesy of @netflix/TikTok

The USD Vista

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October 26, 2023

Fear factor: horror movie edition

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The psychology behind peoples’ draw to the genre

ZOE MARIE ZAPANTA ASST. A&C EDITOR

October is here, which means that the spookiest time of year is in full swing.

The Halloween season is characterized by a multitude of fall activities, but one of the most common scary activities to do is watch a horror movie.

Scary movies, otherwise known as horror movies, are a genre of storytelling “intended to scare, shock and thrill its audience” according to Studiobinder. Horror has many different interpretations across its many sub-genres.

These sub-genres each have their own distinct characteristics to set them apart, and across the different genres each of the movies have a core villain, monster or threat that creates a problem. Some of the subgenres of horror include foundfootage and slasher films. Found footage movies are framed as if they were recordings of events that have been discovered and relayed to the audience, such as “The Blair Witch Project.”

Slasher films involve a killer stalking and murdering a group of people, usually by use of bladed or sharp tools. Other examples include supernatural or psychological. Supernatural horror has an emphasis on the

The famous character ‘Ghostface’ from the horror movie series ‘Scream.’

Photo courtesy of @horrormoviestills/Instagram

afterlife like ghosts or demons, and examples include “The Exorcist” or “The Conjuring.”

Psychological horror focuses on the horrors of the mind, causing characters to question their reality and sanity. A famous example is “The Shining.”

These examples, though all uniquely different, still have one thing in common: fear.

Although people willingly scare themselves by watching horror movies, there is an explanation behind their enjoyment of it. The copresident and vice president of

USD’s Film Society, juniors Sergio Gomez and Noah Huang, offered their own reasons for the enjoyment of the genre.

“People like horror because fear gives people the feeling of excitement — hyper awareness, increased heart rate and a bit of adrenaline,” Huang said.

Gomez elaborated on the desire to watch a horror movie.

“Horror movies scratch a sorta primordial itch. The part of your brain that misses the adrenaline rush of running from a predator,” Gomez said.

“The brain misses that feeling

in a weird way, and horror movies provide that for us.”

To elicit an adrenaline rush in a way that appeals to the audience, there are certain elements and themes that make the “scariness” effective. USD film student, senior Ralph Cabrera shared his insights on what contributes to the success of horror effects and what makes horror movies so scary.

“I feel like sound design and scoring are probably the most important elements for horror films,” Cabrera said. “Most people pay attention to visuals for horror films but don’t realize what’s really scaring them are the sounds which help the build-up during intense scenes.”

Gomez shared his own perspective on this as well.

“Horror can be broken down to two themes: fear of death and fear of the unknown. And fear of the unknown comes from fear of something unknown hurting us, so it goes back to fear of death — or worse,” Gomez said.

“Effectiveness comes from how they’re utilized. One of the best elements of horror that makes use of both of these is that of keeping your monster hidden.

Only allowing the audience to see a brief flash of them, sometimes building up to a reveal. This keeps the monster unknown, and primarily terrifying.”

But horror can be so much

more than thrills and jump scares.

Horror can also reflect society and its fears as well as comment on current issues. USD Professor and co-director of the Film Studies Minor, Dr. Eric Pierson, shed some light on this phenomenon.

“I think the horrors of the mind are much more interesting than the person with the chainsaw. Reality is a very delicate space and when that space is altered it can be very interesting to watch,” Pierson said. “For example ‘Get Out’ uses the genre of horror as a tool to explore racism. ‘Rosemary’s Baby’ tells us a great deal about the price some are willing to pay for fame. ‘Frankenstein’ is more than just the monster, it is about the arrogance of man.”

There lies a fine line between the horrors of the mind and the fears that haunt our collective consciousness. The distinction between personal fears and those shared among society may not always be clear. However, horror movies can be more than entertainment, they can also be mirrors of societal anxieties that invite deep thinking.

As October unfolds its chilling embrace, the spookiest time of the year invites us not only to scream but to confront our deeper fears lurking in the shadows by enjoying a compelling narrative that goes beyond the screen, resonating with our reality.

‘Squid Game: The Challenge’ Inside Netflix’s new spin-off reality show

ZOE MARIE ZAPANTA ASST. A&C EDITOR In 2021, Netflix released one of their most famous shows: “Squid Game,” a South Korean survival drama television series.

Following the series’ worldwide acclaim, Netflix created an actual reality show based on “Squid Game” set to release next month.

The original “Squid Game” series revolves around a secret contest where 456 players, all of whom are facing deep financial hardship, risk their lives to play a series of deadly children’s games, for the chance to win a 45.6 billion yen prize. The new series, “Squid Game: The Challenge” is a 10-episode series that features over 450 contestants competing in events inspired by the TV show, in addition to some brandnew challenges. Also, there is a $4.56 million prize for the winner, which, according to Engadget Netflix, is the largest reality show payout of all time.

Part of the original messaging of “Squid Game’’ according to Medium was a critique on capitalism and consumerism, two big issues that cause injustice and inequality in modern society. The show itself has also been considered disturbing, because of certain visuals and their representation of these themes. Using the

format of the games and putting it into a real-life reality show — when reality shows themselves can be controversial — raises questions about that choice.

USD sophomore Kai Marshall shared his opinion on the choice to have “Squid Game” as a reality show.

“Based on the original series, reality shows create unrealistic expectations on earning money,” Marshall said. “People would go to great lengths just to get more money. A real life version of ‘Squid Game’ would definitely shock people, as it would create a lot of drama and traumatic experiences.”

The show has not been released yet, but it already has some controversy surrounding it.

According to Variety, contestants — some who weren’t paid to participate in the series — say on one of the filming days, they were told the actual game would take roughly two hours to play and shoot, but instead that turned into an almost sevenhour ordeal for some contenders.

Variety also reported that a number of contestants collapsed on set due to a combination of cold and fatigue from the eight hours of prep time before the game even started.

Variety got this information from a contestant, but changed their name to protect his identity.

USD sophomore Logan

The poster for ‘Squid Game: The Challenge’ coming out on Nov. 22 on Netflix.

Photo courtesy of @squidgamenetflix/Instagram

Kidani also expressed his thoughts regarding the impact on the contestants.

“This [real life] version seems to bring a lot of trauma to the players,” Kidani said. “I expected there to be a lighter connotation to the games in the reality show. There are a lot of hurdles in the games with a lot on the line, but it is uncomfortable to hear about the

state that they are [participating in] especially knowing the dark tones of the real show.”

Though the original show has international appeal, it was originally created for a Korean audience, as commentary on their society. Original “Squid Game” creator Hwang Donghyuk took inspiration from Korean games, and he used those games and issues as a

commentary on the Korean nation specifically, because the nation is divided with military tension and the large population in a small area. The reality show is being adapted into an international lens. The new show is being filmed in the U.K, with participants from all over the world. USD junior Evan Espineli reflected on what this could mean for the show.

“The demographic of participants in the reality show may differ from the demographic in the original show, in order to appeal to an international audience,” Espineli said. “The participants will likely take the competition very seriously and may get heavily affected, should they lose. But if the reality show can highlight the desperation people potentially have like the original show, the new adaptation of the show will be very interesting to watch.”

While the anticipation for the reality show is real, some believe that the ethical and societal implications cannot be ignored due to appeal.

As viewers eagerly await the unfolding of the reallife games, the line between entertainment and exploitation may be blurred, challenging audiences to confront the darker realities that could emerge within the confines of “Squid Game: The Challenge.”

The USD Vista

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October 26, 2023

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The USD Vista

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October 26, 2023

SPORTS

Superstitious sports instincts Athletes share superstitions and practices

LAUREN CEBALLOS SPORTS EDITOR

Halloween is filled with eerie elements and different supernatural beliefs, including superstitions. Merriam-Webster dictionary defines it as the “belief or practice resulting from ignorance, fear of the unknown, trust in magic or chance, or a false conception of causation.”

Some common superstitions that cause “bad luck” include “splitting the pole” or walking on both sides of a pole when walking with a friend, having or seeing a black cat, walking under a ladder and breaking a mirror. Other common superstitions that cause “good luck,” include finding a penny with the heads side up, knocking on wood so as not to jinx something and crossing one’s fingers in hopes that things will work in their favor.

One place where they show up is in sports. Last semester, The USD Vista’s 2022-2023 Sports Editor Amara Brooks wrote a story entitled “Game day superstitions.” With the new school year, superstitions are still common to have as an athlete or sports team. They provide routine and ritual for mental preparedness.

USD sophomore softball player, outfielder Carly Ruiz explained where she believes sports-related

Some athletes have individual superstitious practices, but some are as a team.

Photo courtesy of @usdwbb/Instagram

superstitions come from.

“Those superstitions come about when somebody gets out of a slump... makes a good play or when somebody has a consistent string of good games.

And they say, ‘oh, I wear this bracelet during every single one of these games. I’m going to continue to wear it.’” Ruiz said.

Ruiz has a routine for every single pitch.

“Before I step in the box... I reset, I stare at a logo on my bat.

I take a breath and then I step in with my left foot, step in with my right foot, I touch my helmet and then I get ready to hit.”

Ruiz also holds personal superstitions as well.

“I have worn the same towel in my back pocket for every practice and game, and that’s starting to become my

new superstition,” Ruiz said.

Her old superstition was unwillingly put to an end.

“I had a big rope chain that I would wear. But it broke, so I had to take it off,” Ruiz said.

USD first-year forward basketball player Jimmy Oladokun Jr. believes in the power of superstition as well.

“I think it just helps you get into the right mindset like when you repeat something the result can be the same, and if you had a good result then you can just repeat whatever you did to get a good result, that’s how I feel.”

Oladokun Jr. does not have an extreme routine before games but instead he focuses on his mentality by listening to a hype playlist and taking care of himself.

“I have a playlist, but it

has so many different songs, I can’t just pick one song to get hyped to,” Oladokun Jr. said.

Although it is not too strict of a routine, Oladokun Jr. still finds the power in superstition.

“I just do personal maintenance, I just like to feel clean before my game,” Oladokun Jr. said.

Oladokun Jr. said that the men’s basketball team has team dinners before their games which he enjoys and finds fun during his first season as a Torero.

USD junior basketball player, guard Kylie Horstmeyer is not superstitious but collectively, her team does a lot of superstitious things.

“As far as our pregame warmup, we have the same spot in each drill each lineup,

which is something that’s really unique and we do special dancing before every single game,” Horstmeyer said.

Horstmeyer’s teammates listen to pump-up songs as well but Horstmeyer prefers relaxing music before playing.

Horstmeyer does something that is different from most players during her pregame warmup.

“Growing up, my mom always used to tell me — which I repeat in my head before a game — ‘play with your instincts.’”

This is less of a superstition and more of a personal experience for Horstmeyer.

“When I play basketball, I’m thinking a lot... It’s just a good reminder that you don’t need to think all the time… it’s just to not think as much and just play.”

In terms of specific superstitions, one of Horstmeyer’s teammates needs to eat a single piece of sour candy before every game.

Ruiz’s team always does the same warm up routine.

Before the game, they stand in a circle and hold hands to compose themselves.

Some superstitions are rooted in patterns that are observed by the people who entertain them. Some athletes have adopted these ideals and integrated them into their pregame routines and practices.

October sports update

Where teams stand two months into their season LEVI COOVERT CONTRIBUTOR

As October’s spooky season winds up, the San Diego Toreros’ athletic teams have no time for tricks or treats. For many of the fall athletic teams, the season is about halfway finished, meaning games are becoming competitive and playoff seeding coming into the conversation.

The USD football team has faced a difficult schedule so far, which continued on Oct. 14 with a 30-16 loss at Marist. On Oct. 21, the Torero’s hosted Drake, and suffered another crushing home defeat. USD took a 20-19 lead with 42 seconds left, courtesy of an Isiah Williams’ Touchdown. However, Drake pulled off a miraculous 42 second scoring drive, capped off by a 38-yard touchdown pass from QB Luke Bailey as time expired. USD is now 1-6 on the season. One standout player on the team is graduate senior Jayden Wickware, who

COMING UP THIS WEEK

previously played for Princeton for three years. Wickware lead the Toreros with five sacks this season, and also contributed four QB hits and an interception so far. The Toreros host Wickware State on Oct. 28 at 2p.m. for the Homecoming game.

The volleyball team has a 4-2 record in the month of October, with their latest two wins coming over San Francisco and Portland. Their two losses came at the hands of LMU,and Pepperdine, the two teams ahead of them in the WCC. USD is now in 3rd place, with a 7-2 league record and an 11-8 overall record. Recent highlights from the season include USD senior Madi Allen recording her 1,000th career dig, and USD senior Isadora Tercariol recording her 1,500th career assist.

The women’s soccer team, despite having lost three games in a row, had something to cheer about this week. USD sophomore Josephine Schlichting’s goal

USD WVB vs LMU Thursday, Oct. 26 7:30 p.m.

San Diego, CA

on Wednesday, Oct. 18, made ESPN’s nightly Top 10 Plays list, although the girls ultimately lost the game 4-2 against Saint Mary’s College. Most recently, the girls lost 0-3 on Oct. 21 at the University of San Francisco.

Meanwhile, the men’s soccer team has an undefeated conference record (2-0), and is contending for a WCC title. In a highly anticipated matchup against rival SDSU, the men tied 1-1 and kept it a very competitive game. On Oct. 21, USD lost their first match in two weeks, falling 1-5 at the hands of the #12 ranked Portland.

The USD Men’s rowing team competed last weekend at the Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston, one of the largest collegiate regatta’s in the U.S. They finished second place in the Varsity 4+ Category, with a time of 17:14.02.

USD’s cross country team recently competed in the Highlander Classic, hosted

by University of California,

USD WSOC vs Pepperdine USD WROW vs Head Friday, Oct. 27 of The American 7 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 28 San Diego, CA Sacramento, CA

Riverside. The USD women finished 16th, while the men finished 24th. Danielle Hubble, for the women’s team, had a strong finish, leading the women’s team by finishing 64th overall, with a time of 21:56:0. Hubble was named WCC Runner of the Week earlier this year, and continued her very strong season.

The men’s tennis team recently hosted the San Diego Veterans Classic. They won 10 matches total, including 5 out of 6 against Navy and 4 out of 6 against Boise State.

USD sophomore Nikhil Niranjan shined, winning 5 out of his 6 matches, while graduate transfer student Savriyan Danilov, who is from Moscow, Russia, made his home debut for USD with two victories.

Last weekend, the squad competed in the ITA southwest regionals, where three Toreros advanced to the Semifinals.

USD sophomore Oliver Tarvet went to the semifinal

USD WSWIM vs Alumni Meet Saturday, Oct. 28 10 a.m.

San Diego, CA

in singles, while Sacchitt Sharrma (Senior) and Iiro Vasa (Junior) went to the semifinals as a doubles pair.

The women’s tennis team also competed at the San Diego Veterans Classic, and won 6 of 9 matches overall. They won two each against Denver, Navy and LMU. Last weekend on Oct. 21, they competed in the ITA Southwest Regionals, and like the men’s team, saw multiple players make deep runs. USD sophomore Mia Mack and Senior Elizabeth Goldsmith went to the quarterfinals for doubles, and Goldsmith also went the quarterfinals for singles. Junior Claudia De Las Heras also defied the odds to made the singles quarterfinals despite being ranked at No. 97 going into the tournament.

For many of USD’s teams, it has been an up-and-down season, but no matter the record, there has been a lot of individual and team success for all of USD’s fall sports.

USD FB vs Morehead State Saturday, Oct. 28 2 p.m.

San Diego, CA

USD MSOC at Santa Clara Saturday, Oct.28 Santa Clara, CA