The Vista March 23, 2021

the

Volume 118, Issue 20

VISTA “Our Words, Your Voice.”

vistanews1903 @thevista1903 @thevista1903 The Vista ucentralmedia.com Tuesday, March 23, 2021

Hazing shuts down UCO Cheer

INSIDE

Donating Blood

Find out if you can donate blood after receving the COVID-19 vaccine.

See Pg. 3

Illustrated above are past dance performers from the University of Central Oklahoma. The existing UCO Cheer team has been suspended for a hazing incident, and an investigation surrounding the incident is ongoing. (Provided/Vista Archives)

Golf Recaps

Bryce McKinnis

Rudy Barnes and Tanner Johnson recap last week in UCO golf.

See Pg. 5

A Year of COVID-19 Ty Wallace talks to students about living with the coronavirus for one year.

See Pg. 8

@McKinnisBryce Managing Editor

The UCO cheer team has been suspended for the remainder of the school year, the office of president Neuhold-Ravikumar announced Saturday morning in a campus email.

The cheer team will not be allowed to participate in national competitions for two years, Neuhold-Ravikumar said in the statement.

“Recently, the university was made aware of reports of hazing on the UCO cheer team,” Neuhold-Raviku-

Heath Gray wins title Rudy Barnes

Contributing Writer

Around Campus Take a look at all of the events happening on and around UCO’s campus this week.

See Pg. 2

Heath Gray finished the season with a 13-0 record and won the 184-pound title at the 2020-2021 NCAA Division II Wrestling National Championship in St. Louis, MO at the America’s Center Convention Complex . Four other Bronchos wrestlers also placed, Dalton Abney, 197 pounds, second, Tanner Cole, 133 pounds, third, Ty Lucas, 157 pounds, fifth and Paxton Rosen, 125 pounds, sixth.

Continued on Pg. 6

mar said. “Reports of hazing are approached swiftly and with great concern for the safety and well-being of our students.”

President Neuhold-Ravikumar said the ongoing investigation, handled by the UCO Office of Student Conduct and Title IX, was conducted “promptly upon receiving notice” of reports of hazing.

The university confirmed to The Vista that there is no criminal investigation regarding the allegations at this time.

Student-athletes who are found responsible for hazing could face removal from the team and suspension from the university. Athletes who are found innocent will “undergo a membership review process” and may be able to try out for the team again next year, Neuhold-Ravikumar said.

“Training on hazing and bystander intervention practices will be required for the UCO cheer team and for the leadership of all student organizations,” Neuhold-Ravikumar said.

Continued on Pg. 5

UCO COVID-19 DASHBOARD Active UCO COVID-19 Cases:

14 Recoveries: 829 Total Cases: 843

Self-Reported COVID-19 Vaccinations:

327 Students: 131, Faculty: 100, Staff: 96

Statistics are based on information via the UCO online COVID-19 dashboard as of Monday, March 22. COVID-19 vaccinations can be self-reported following a community member’s final dose of the vaccine. Community members can also self-report intent to NOT receive a COVID-19 vaccination.

All self-reports can be made via the UCO Vaccine Clinic webpage. COVID-19 infection reports can be made via the UCO COVID-19 self-reporting tool on the online dashboard.

2 | The Vista

Tuesday, Mar. 23, 2021 Broncho Buzz - Alcohol Jeaopardy: From 1-2 p.m., Health Promotion will host this virtual event to address alcohol-related myths and facts and the impacts alcohol can have on mental and physical well-being.

Virtual Naloxone Training: This virtual training will take place from 2-3 p.m., teaching students and employees how to administer naloxone to someone overdosing on opioids.

To register, email Dr. Kerry Morgan at kmorgan31@uco.edu.

Adulting 101 - The Art of Taking Initiative: From 3:30-4:30 p.m., students can learn how to lead through initiating action while balancing approach and communication.

UCO Jazz Ensembles IV and III In Concert: At 7:30 p.m. in the NUC Ballroom A, UCO Jazz Ensembles IV and III will perform. Tickets are free for students with a valid UCO ID, and $18 for the public. Tickets can be purchased online, or by calling 405-974-2100.

Wednesday, Mar. 24, 2021 Broncho Bystander Training: This virtual event, hosted by the Center

March 23, 2021

for Counseling and Well-Being, can be attended by anyone in the UCO community, and will take place from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Find the registration link via the online campus calendar.

The Cost of Vaping: From 3-4 p.m., a UCO Peer Health leader will discuss the cost of vaping, marketing techniques used by tobacco companies, and resources on prevention.

This event is being held for National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week.

New Faculty Lecture Series - Dr. Seth Tannenbaum: At 3:30 p.m., Dr. Seth Tannenbaum will lecture on The Degregation of Sportsman's Park in St. Louis: Black Baseball Fans' Use of the National Passtime. This event is virtual.

Around Campus

Adulting 101: Please Don't "Reply All": From 3:30-4:30 p.m., learn professional email etiquette that will impress your advisors, professors, colleagues, and future employers.

Find the Zoom link at calendar.uco. edu.

Eyakem Gulilat Gallery Talk: From 6-7:30 p.m. in the Melton Gallery, photographer Eyakem Gulilat discusses his photo-documentary exhibit The Spaces Between, as well as themes found within the work. A Q&A will follow. This event is free and open to the public by reservation, which can be made by emailing meltongallery@uco.edu.

Glamazon: Starting at 7 p.m. in UCO Lot 53, students can get a close-up, educational look at drag for UCO's first outdoor drag show.

Friday, Mar. 26, 2021

Thursday, Mar. 25, 2021 TEDxUCO's Sparks: From1-4 p.m. in the NUC Constitution Hall, a multitude of speakers will present TED talks for the community.

Tickets can be purchased onlin, with three different tiers available.

De-Stress Yourself: Beginning at 11 a.m., a UCO Peer Health Leader will provide information on unhealthy coping mechanisms, and discuss tips and resources on how to deal with stress in healthy ways. This event is being held for National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week.

Fostering a Compassionate Class Community Workshop: From 1-2 p.m., the Antirascist Pedagogy Working Group will host an hourlong workshop featuring tips and

To submit events for next week’s Around Campus, please email thevista@ucentralmedia.com. Include the title of your event, time and place, and a brief description. Descriptions are subject to editing.

the

VISTA

Staff

Jacob Silva Cory Bryce McKinnis Tanner Johnson Lyric Peterson Lilli Meyers Ty Wallace Yu Xiang Tanner Laws Cynthia Faulkner

Digital Media/Copy Editor Contributing Writer

EDITORIALS

Managing Editor Sports Editor

Contributing Writer Contributing Writer Photographer Adviser

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The Vista is published weekly during the spring, summer and fall semesters. In all issues, The Vista has opportunities for both digital, online and print ads.

For information or questions contact: 405-974-5549 or thevista.ads@gmail.com

Electric Pizza Concert Series: At 7:30 p.m. at the UCO Jazz Lab, the UCO School of Music presents a party atmosphere concert of original electronic compositions by UCO composition students. This performance is limited to 25 guests.

Saturday, Mar. 27, 2021 Tri-Center Symposium: From 1-4 p.m. the College of Math and Science is virtually hosting the annual Tri-Center Symposium. This symposium showcases student research posters from the three research centers within the college.

Front Pg. Teaser Photos, from top: Provided/Vista Archives Provided/Vista Archives Provided/Vista Archives Provided/Vista Archives

UCO’s Student Voice Since 1903 The Vista is published as a newspaper and public forum by UCO students, weekly during the academic year, at the University of Central Oklahoma.

The issue price is free for the first copy and $1 for each additional copy obtained.

Editor-in-Chief

examples on creating environments for students to reflect on biases and tackle difficult conversations.

Opinion columns, editorial cartoons, reviews and commentaries represent the views of the writer or artist and not necessarily the views of The Vista Editorial Board, the Department of Mass Communication, UCO or the Board of Regents of Oklahoma Colleges. The Vista is not an official medium of expression for the Regents or UCO.

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editor. Letters should address issues and ideas, not personalities. Letters must be typed, double-spaced and must include the author’s printed name, major, classification and phone number. Phone numbers are included for contacting purposes only.

Letters are subject to editing for libel, clarity and space, or to eliminate statements of questionable taste.

The Vista reserves the right not to publish submitted letters.

ADDRESS LETTERS TO:

Editor, The Vista, 100 N. University Dr. Edmond, OK 73034-5209, or deliver in person to the editor in the Communications Building, Room 131.

Letters can be emailed to thevista@ucentralmedia.com.

Donating/Learning

March 23, 2021

The Vista | 3

Donating plasma after being vaccinated

Yu Xiang Contributing Writer

While COVID-19 vaccinations have moved into Phase 3, which includes students over 18 and anyone working in education, questions of donating blood after being vaccinated have come up. Can you donate convalescent plasma if you have had COVID-19 and have received the vaccine?

According to the Food and Drug Administration, “Convalescent plasma is an antibody-rich product made from blood donated by people who have recovered from the disease caused by the virus.”

The FDA recommends that someone who has had COVID-19 and received a vaccine that was not part of a clinical study can donate plasma if they meet these conditions: 1) Had symptoms of COVID-19 and a positive test result from a diagnostic test approved, cleared, or authorized by the FDA. 2) Received the COVID-19 vaccine after diagnosis of COVID-19 AND 3) Are within 6 months after complete resolution of COVID-19 symptoms.

Those who were not infected with COVID-19 and only received the vaccine cannot donate convalescent plasma, according to Michael Ling, a supervisor of the Oklahoma Blood Institute testing lab. The antibodies that vaccinated individuals develop are different from those who were diagnosed with COVID-19.

“The antibody that is detected by the instrument for a recover patient is antibody which is called IGG, which is very different from the antibody that

we get from vaccination,” Ling said.

According to Ling, trying to donate unusable plasma that does not work is a waste of time.

“After vaccination, the instrument in the testing lab is not going to pick up the antibody for COVID-19,” Ling said There are various types of blood donations: automated red blood cells, platelets, plasma, and whole blood, according to the Oklahoma Blood Institute. All are in high demand.

“The recovered people from Covid can donate convalescent plasma and then get tested, one of the tests performed in the Oklahoma Blood Institute testing lab,” Ling said.“The second confirmation test needs to be sent to Gulf Coast in Houston to be tested. Both tests must be positive for antibody and with high titer.”

After the FDA changed the eligibility requirements of donors due to the blood shortage during the pandemic, more people donate.

According to Ling, donors must do the profile testing to see if the donation may be used.

“The most important concern I have is the donor has to answer the ques-

Since COVID-19 made its way to the U.S, blood donation centers like the Oklahoma Blood Institute have urged survivors of the virus to donate (Provided/Pixabay)

tion area in the donor rooms honestly,” Ling said.

The mobile blood donation site operates in different locations, but they have had drives in Edmond recently (Find a site near you ).

People may sign up before they arrive at the mobile blood drives as well as simply walk-in, said Komece Mitchell, a supervisor at Oklahoma Blood Institute Mobiles.

Those who have receieved the vaccine for COVID-19 but have not been infected with the coronavirus cannot donate convalescent plasma (Provided/Pixabay)

“We just take your whole blood, you can also have the opportunity of doing a double red cell donation, what we take out the double amount red cell or our plasma donation, as well,” Mitchell said.

According to Mitchell, the entire process takes about 30 to 45 minutes after the screening. “They find out important information from screening, such as medical history, blood pressure, temperature, the number of red cells of the volunteer, etc “We only take about a pint, and then you recover and ... you might eat a snack and drink,” Mitchell said There will be a mobile blood drive on the University of Central Oklahoma campus from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Thursday at Nigh University Center in Heritage Room 326. Donors will receive a T-shirt and free admission to the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum.

Virtual learning remains polarizing for students, faculty Olivia Hernandez Contributing Writer

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, students and staff had to learn a new way of teaching and learning. Many classes and events were shifted virtually causing students and teachers to adapt to the virtual world.

Elementary education major Jewels Martinez was not a fan of the switch to online.

“I personally do not like having virtual classes or events,” Martinez, a senior stated. “I am a people person and I feed off people’s energy so having everything being virtual is hard for me. I miss the days where I interacted with my classmates on a daily basis.

Even though I still have a few in-person classes, however a lot of my major classes for my degree were shifted online which makes it frustrating for me.”

Many teachers had to quickly transition all of their class materials to virtual, which can be difficult, especially when technology is not on your side at times. While some teachers are not enjoying virtual learning, some are.

“I prefer virtual learning especially during a time of a pandemic,” stated business professor Yury Roub “It not only keeps my students safe but also me. We don’t have to worry about social distancing or wearing masks when you are virtual. It is a win-win situation, both the student and I are safe as well as not having to wear a

mask when we are talking,” While there are some faculty who are all for virtual classes, there are some who still wish we could go back to the ways things were before COVID-19 Melissa Graham, a business professor stated that she has found the distance difficult.

“My students give me life. So not being able to interact with them faceto-face and only on a computer screen has been tough for me. I look forward to the future of hopes of returning to some sort of normality in our lives,” Graham stated For some students, like senior Kali Allen, the virtual switch has made things easier.

“I have honestly already adjusted to

virtual learning, At first I was against it, but now it works better with my schedule,” Allen, a psychology major said “I am a full-time college student who lives on my own while also financially supporting my 2-year-old.

I have a full-time job, which I work 40+ hours a week. Not only that, I am enrolled in 16 credit hours. So being able to hop on class wherever I’m at has taken a lot of stress off me.

“Before COVID, I would have to find arrangements for someone to watch my son so I could go to campus for one or two classes and then drive all the way back home just to go to work. Having the option to be home while in class has been a blessing and has saved on childcare for me.”

4 | The Vista

March 23, 2021

Dance/Design

Kaleidoscope Dance preps for performance Lyric Peterson Copy Editor

The performance will showcase two different teams, Kaleidoscope Dance and Kaleidoscope Dance 2, the junior team, at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and at 2 p.m. Sunday.

The concert offers limited in-person seating and patrons are required to wear a mask, according to UCO Dance. Walk-up tickets will not be available, attendees must purchase tickets in advance at uco.edu/cfad/ mitchell-hall/tickets, or a discounted virtual option is available for purchase at centralconnection.org/dance.

The performances are choreographed by UCO Dance faculty: Hui Cha Poos, Alana Murray, Robyn Pasternack, Kim Loveridge and Artistic Director Tina Kambour with guest artists Tiffanie Carson, Christian Von Howard and Chris Norad.

The Dancers have been working year-round to perform various styles of dance numbers.

Gable Couch, a dance performance major said, “This past summer, KD worked with Christian Von Howard to create a piece titled ‘I See You,’ which is the opening number of ourshow.

Two weeks ago, Tiffanie Carson came to the Dance Department to teach classes and set a work of hers on Kaleidoscope called ‘On the Periphery.’ We have been working diligently to make sure we are performance ready.

“In addition to our Kaleidoscope pieces, the current KD2 company is performing new work by Hui Cha

Poos and Kim Loveridge that they have been working on all semester, as well. This show has a variety of styles including modern, jazz, ballet, contemporary, hip-hop and aerial. There truly is something for everyone in the audience.”

The performers have been taking additional precautions in rehearsals due to COVID-19.

“We take extra cleaning measures, keep as much distance as we can between running dances, avoid partner work in dances, and take breathing breaks outside the building if we need,” Couch said.“Dancing in masks for up to 10 hours a day has been a challenge, but all of us in the company are pretty well adjusted by now.”

The dancers have been rehearsing since January, including Zoom rehearsals during the two-week ice storm, Couch said.

Dancing in masks for up to 10 hours a day has been a challenge, but all of us in the company are pretty well adjusted by now.”

-Gable Couch Kaleidoscope Dance Company gives UCO students the opportunity to work as professional dancers.

“Being on Kaleidoscope is a lot like being on a professional dance company. We endure rehearsals and performances similar to the pros,” Savana McCabe, dance performance major,

Kaleidoscope Dance practices for their upcoming performances. They follow COVID-19 health and safety guidelines while practicing. (Provided/Savana McCabe)

said.

“Kaleidoscope has given me the opportunities to grow in my dance technique, further my rehearsal experience, work closely with guest artists, expand my choreography abilities, and perform.

“Specifically, with our upcoming show, I have the opportunity to work and perform in Mitchell Hall with amazing lighting, set and costume designers.”

Kaleidoscope is UCO’s touring dance company that performs at college dance festivals, Oklahoma outreach programs at elementary and high schools, and out-of-state per-

formances. But, it looks different this year.

“With COVID, it has really dampened our opportunities to tour but we’re hoping to get back to it soon,” McCabe said. “Usually in the spring we would be traveling to the American College Dance Association Festival, but it has been cancelled for this year.”

Though Kaleidoscope will end after this weekend, patrons can attend a separate show later this spring.

“In May the dance department has our senior capstone showcase.”

Design students aim for top spots in new competition Lauren Couch Contributing Writer

UCO is hosting the first-ever online Salute, Student Design Competition for interior and graphic design students.

The competition opened on Feb. 21 and will be open for submissions until the deadline of April 9. Salute is open to high school, undergraduate, and graduate students and they can all can submit their work created from the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 school years.

To enter the competition, students can purchase a ticket from the Salute Eventbrite page. One ticket allows for one competition entry. Students in a design program can also buy entries

in bulk.

Salute includes award-winning and experienced artists from all over the country as the judging panel for the competition.

“The incorporation of outside, national judges, is a really valuable opportunity for the students,” assistant design professor McKenna Sanderson said. “They really aid in bridging the gap of lack of professional experience when looking for jobs right after graduation.”

Salute was a passion project created

by Sanderson last year and was supported by the UCO School of Design for its development. The competition has also received support from Blick, REES, and Porch School & Art Supply for giveaways and to cover costs asso-

ciated with the competition.

Salute helps achieve many of Sanderson’s goals such as providing lowcost competition opportunities for students of all backgrounds with quality judges from diverse backgrounds.

“Competitions like these are important for students to be involved in so they can practice getting their work in front of others outside of their own circles and schooling,” Sanderson said.

Salute also hopes to address the lack of interior design competition opportunities, build a list of potential BFA and MFA student recruits, increase exposure to UCO School of Design, and raise money for renovations to the new design building.

Jazlyn Huynh, a sophomore in the

graphic design program, believes Salute is an opportunity to learn and grow in her work.

“This is a chance to submit work I’ve been working really hard on this year,” Huynh said. “Simply entering in competitions is something to be proud of, and if you happen to win, really helps validate your work.”

The competition offers four different awards: Best in Show, Best in Category, Honorable Mentions, and General Merit. Salute is also giving away two $100 Blick gift cards to two randomly selected winners.

Winners are hoped to be decided by Mid-May and will be announced online and featured on the Salute Design Instagram profile: @salute.design. competition

Cheer/Hazing

The Vista | 5

March 23, 2021

Hazing shuts down UCO cheer A group of UCO cheerleaders performs during a 2017 football game at Wantland Stadium in Edmond, Okla. The university announced on Saturday through an email from President Neuhold-Ravikumar that the 2021 cheer activities have been suspended due to hazing.

The faces in this image have been blurred or covered to protect the identity of these former cheerleaders. (Provided/Vista Archives, Illustration/The Vista)

Continued from Pg. 1

UCO has not released the names of any athletes associated with acts of hazing.

The Vista contacted the office of Neuhold-Ravikumar but was told that she was unable to discuss the allegations due to the ongoing investigation.

The Vista reached out to numerous cheer athletes, each of whom expressed that they were not at liberty to discuss the allegations.

A Broncho tee box sticks out of the ground on a golf course. The university announced Wednesday that golf coach Josh Fosfick was no longer with the UCO golf team and athletic department. (Provided/BronchoSports)

Select UCO cheer athletes going Golf coach to nationals as club team Lilli Meyers

Contributing Writer

Select UCO cheer athletes are planning to go to nationals as a club, instead of through the university. The decision to form a club team was decided before any hazing suspensions were announced regarding the cheer team.

Before UCO’s cheer team was suspended, cheer athletes were told they could only participate in the National Cheer Association competition virtually because of COVID-19, so the club team, Central Jags, was created. UCO-affiliated athletes will not be allowed to participate in the NCA competition at all because of the suspension.

About 25 UCO cheer athletes will be traveling to Orlando, Florida, in early April to participate in the Dance

Team Union College National Championship. By selling apparel and holding a cheer clinic in Edmond, the athletes have raised almost all the money they need to go to DTU. “A select few cheer athletes decided to go to DTU College National Championships as a club instead of through the university,” said Ruthie Ross, a junior at UCO who has been on the cheer team since her freshman year.

“We’ve organized local fundraisers through social media,” Ross said.

“We’re holding a cheer clinic at the all-star gym we practice at to raise money for our entry fees, flights and uniforms.”

The athletes have been organizing their practice times and coaching themselves. With the cheer athletes not going to the competition as UCO Bronchos, they are unable to use the practice facilities at UCO.

“We have been using a local all-star cheer gym to practice,” Ross said. “We practice from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Fridays.”

The team has put together their own routine and are also designing their costumes for the competition.

“There isn’t a coach taking us to the competition or leading our practices.

It’s all student led,” Ross stated.

University officials confirmed to The Vista that UCO cannot restrict the Central Jags from competing at DTU. “They cannot [compete] as the UCO Cheer team or any other official representation of the university,” said Adrienne Nobles, vice president for communications and public affairs.

Central Jags has not released a statement regarding the allegations.

A group of cheerleaders surround a pile of pom-poms. UCO President Patti Neuhold-Ravikumar released an email Saturday to the UCO community stating that all UCO cheer activities had been suspended through the end of the year. According to the email, members of the cheer team had been involved in hazing. (Provided/Pixabay.com)

leaves UCO athletics suddenly J.D. Silva

@jdsilva_ Editor-in-Chief

The UCO athletic department has “parted ways” with former UCO men’s golf coach Josh Fosdick, the university announced Wednesday. The departure took place just one day after the men’s golf team competed, and placed second, at the Broncho Invitational.

Fosdick, who was in his fifth season coaching the men’s golf team, was unavailable for comment.

Athletic director Stan Wagnon appointed senior strategic advisor Chuck Bailey to take over as interim men’s golf coach immediately.

UCO is scheduled to play at the Space Coast Championship this weekend, hosted in Melbourne, Fla. Postseason play for the Bronchos will begin in April.

This is a developing story.

Peyton Knell takes a swing during a round of golf. Former UCO golf coach Josh Fosdick "parted ways" with the university's athletic department suddenly, following the Broncho Invitational. (Provided/BronchoSports)

6 | The Vista

March 23, 2021

Wrestling

UCO’s Heath Gray defeated defending National Champion Connor Craig in the finals at the the NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships. (Provided/BronchoSports)

Heath Gray wins wrestling title Continued from Pg. 1

Bronchos senior wrestler, Gray entered the NCAA Division II tournament ranked number one in the country at 9-0, and was named National Wrestler of the Year by the National Wrestling Coaches Association last season. Gray also ranks fifth in Division II for average earned team points at 4.19. Gray won three matches on Friday and Saturday to go into the finals against number two ranked defending National Champion Connor Craig from West Liberty.

The championship match between Gray and Craig started out with both wrestlers feinting takedown shots. At the 1:30 mark of the first period Gray landed the first takedown to go up 2-0 and then Craig escaped to make it 2-1 Gray to end the first period.

The start of the second period Gray was on bottom and scored one point for the escape 3-1.

Craig was on the bottom to start the third period and earned one escape point to put Gray ahead 3-2.

The final seconds of the match ran out as Craig was desperately trying to find a takedown in and defend his championship, but Gray had a defensive stance and wouldn’t allow any late takedowns.

“I was up by one point, I knew my defense was good, and I had to just stay low,” said Gray. “I had a lot of confidence in the training that we put in and all I had to do was just wrestle.”

Gray became the 46th National Champion for the Bronchos wrestling program, the last champion

UCO’s Ty Lucas competes against Fort Hays State’s Tony Caldwell at NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships. The Bronchos placed sixth overall in team standings with 65.5 points. (Provided/BronchoSports)

was in 2017-18 Eli Hale 125 pounds. Six members of the UCO wrestling team were on the mat practicing for the national championship game last season before the onset of COVID-19 shut down collegiate athletics. Gray was one of the team members that lost their season.

Bronchos 197-pound wrestler Abney placed second at the championships. Abney entered the tournament ranked number three with a 7-1 re-

cord. Abney was able to wrestle his way to the finals match against number one seed Ryan Vasbinder from McKendree.

The match was aggressive and fast paced which had only one point scored by Vasbinder via an escape to win the match 1-0.

The Bronchos wrestling team was able to score 65.5 points as a team and finished sixth in the team standings.

Golf

March 23, 2021

The Vista | 7

Men’s golf bested on home turf Tanner Johnson @tdjohnson28 Sports Editor

The University of Central Oklahoma men’s golf team finished second place in the Broncho Invitational that finished Tuesday at Oak Tree Country Club.

“The course played really tough,” head coach Josh Fosdick said. “I’m proud of the way our guys fought and battled in trying to defend their home course. It was a really strong field and to finish second we had to beat a lot of good teams.”

Kylian Cavdar and Caleb Kimmel both placed in the top 15. In the final round, Carson Tewell had the low round with an even-par 70. Cavdar shot a 71. Kimmel closed with a 72.

Evan Griffith shot 71 and Jacob Lackey finished with a round of 79.

In the final round, the Bronchos posted 290 with 876 total. Oklahoma Christian won the 20-team event at 871, followed by UCO, Washburn (881), Central Missouri (882) and Arkansas Tech (885).

Central had a “B” team in the tournament, which came in 14th with a 911 total. Ethan Galvan led the way for them. He shot a four-under 66 for the low round of the final day.

Cavdar finished tied for eighth in the individual standings with a 218 total and Kimmel was 13th at 220.

Caleb Kimmel tracks down a ball he just struck at Oak Tree Country Club last Tuesday. The freshman ended the tournament shooting 72 on his way to a 13th overall individual finish. (Provided/BronchoSports)

Galvan and Peyton Knell tied for 10th with 219 totals for the second team.

Galvan eagled the par-5 fourth hole and added four birdies while making just a pair of bogeys in his 66.

Tewell offset three bogeys with three birdies in his even-par round. Cavdar bogeyed two of his first three holes before playing the last 14 1-under. Kimmel was 1-under on his last 11 holes.

The Bronchos compete again March 21-23 in Viera, Fla. for the Space Coast Collegiate Championship.

Peyton Knell, shown at an earlier tournament, tied for 10th. (Provided/BronchoSports)

Women’s golf finishes fifth at Midwestern State tourney Rudy Barnes

Contributing Writer

The University of Central Oklahoma Bronchos women’s golf team finished fifth in the Midwestern State Invitational Tuesday.

“We didn’t play our best,” Bronchos head coach Michael Bond said. “The wind made it pretty tough, but we had too many big numbers and that’s something we can’t do.”

On the first day of the tournament, Emma Shelley led the way for the Bronchos, she recorded rounds of 76 and 78 for a total of 154, tied for ninth.

Susana Olivares shot 78 and 78 for a total of 156. At the end of the first day, the Bronchos were in sixth place with a 632 total.

The Bronchos were in sixth place after the first day of the tournament, but Emma Shelley follows-through in Wichita Falls last Tuesday. She placed 12th individually. (Provided/BronchoSports)

The wind made it pretty tough, but we had too many big numbers.

— Coach Michael Bond made improvements by moving up one spot in the placements after finishing with a total of 316 for the final round and 948 for the tournament.

Kinsley Hall led the team in the final round with a 78. Shelley and Olivares both shot 79.

Shelley finished tied for 12th and Olivares tied for 17th.

Oklahoma Christian finished in first place with a team score of 904, followed by St. Marys with 908, and West Texas A&M with 929.

The Bronchos return to action March 29-30 at the Regional Preview in St. Joseph, Mo.

8 | The Vista

March 23, 2021

COVID-19

March marks one year of COVID at UCO Ty Wallace

@HALTexe Contributing Writer

Last year around this time, students were enjoying their spring break, UCO announced during this time that the break would be extended by a week.

Now we’re powering through a spring breakless spring semester. A week ago last year, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 virus a pandemic. It’s been a long year: We’ve seen one of the most controversial elections in history, several protests for police reform, and a bankrupt GameStop reach a stock price of $347.51.

Students have been in a tricky place throughout the pandemic. Courses can span an incredibly wide variety of topics, that don’t all transfer to online instruction so easily. Ryan Reilly, a forensics and chemistry major, mentioned how online communities have acted as a buffer from the loneliness of traveling out of state for college in a pandemic.

“Well, my life has changed, but not as drastically as other individuals,” Reilly said. “ Last year when the pandemic hit, I was a senior in High School going about my day and then I never went back to school.

Never got a prom, never got a graduation ceremony, and never got to see my high school friends in person and I probably will not again.”

Reilly said that life in quarantine has not been all negative.

“Though my life didn’t change as much due to my hobby of being a gamer, I stayed in most days, and when the lockdowns started, I wasn’t able to go outside at all. Coming to college, I have never experienced a ‘normal’ college year so I technically don’t know how it’s supposed to go, but I can tell it’s just more lifeless. I’m fortunate enough that I made friends on the UCO Esports discord or else I would have no one.”

Haleigh Garrett, a graduate student in adult education, said she is starting the next chapter of her

life after graduating with her bachelor’s degree.

“I personally feel like my life has changed a lot.

I’m working from home, I’ve navigated the postgrad life during a pandemic, and I also got engaged, so it hasn’t all been bad, that’s for sure. I also feel like navigating life isn’t as easy as it used to be, as in, it’s just mentally harder. I started graduate school the same semester that the pandemic started, so it was definitely a lot to hit all at once.”

Garrett noted that the rest of the world doesn’t stop during a pandemic, and in some cases, it even goes faster.

“Navigating

postgrad life, starting graduate school, AND a pandemic all happening at once was a lot, but I don’t think it mentally made things harder until this spring semester.

“Not having a spring break off from school work, and starting the spring semester a week later than usual really threw me and a lot of my peers off. We

all have talked about how this has been the hardest semester so far during the pandemic.”

Kurt Marin, a management information systems major, mentioned some of the opportunities COVID took away from him. Freshmen who came to UCO in the fall missed out on many aspects of a student’s first year of college.

“My life has changed quite a bit since COVID, everything has become less stressful since I can do work from home, whether it’s my job or school.

Now I’m only a freshman, but I feel like COVID did a number to me due to the fact that I missed out on some crazy freshman shenanigans… So far COVID has not slowed down my progress at all for college and while I had some setbacks to create the campus experience I managed. I formed study groups with my classmates and we got to know each other pretty well and help each other with work. I am also a part of the HSI (Hispanic Success Initiative) and the leaders there made the meetings very fun despite it being online, when it is usually an in-person sort of thing.”

Marin also said that he found new friends online during the pandemic. Sites like Discord have seen massive growth as an alternative to in-person interaction.

“I also joined the UCO [esports] community and I’ve had a blast. Met a bunch of pals there and while we can’t really meet up in person most of the time we hang out in voice/video calls while we play games, watch movies or shows and just talk in general for a good time… While I do hope things return to normal soon, having some of these COVID social and work practices being slightly integrated into society would be pretty neat.”

Many students have struggled with the pandemic, but as the year goes on, hopefully, we’ll all be able to return to in-person instruction comfortably. Oklahoma is doing well with vaccine distribution, with almost 1.5 million doses administered, and with vaccination clinics popping up on campus along with phase 3, UCO could be looking towards a healthy future.