Preventative Safety Locks Installed in Campus Classrooms
Emma Gabrys Editor-in-Chief
During winter break, Saint Xavier University (SXU) installed one-hundred and four SAFEBOLT emergency locks on classroom doors around campus.
On Feb. 10, 2025, Public Safety sent out an email regarding new information pertaining to these locks.
“The SXU Public Safety Department, Facilities Management and the Student Government Association (SGA) worked collaboratively over the past year to identify a classroom safety solution that would provide a mechanism to lock down a classroom in the event of an emergency,” said Public Safety in the email.
“Locks can protect people from harm during emergencies by controlling access, securing areas that are supposed to be restricted, and providing clear and efficient ways to exit safely. They can prevent unauthorized individuals from entering the building. This helps ensure that only those who are supposed to be in a particular area can access it,” explained Cassidy Dawson, President of Student Government Association.
A review of several other safety products was done before the decision to use SAFEBOLT emergency locks.
According to Pete Skach, Director of Facilities and Giuliana Islas, Orientation & Belonging Coord, the locks were installed “as a preventative measure.”
Islas continued by explaining that the idea of safety lock installation came to her
when she was a sophomore at SXU when safety measures were being discussed.
Dawson said, “SGA believes in the best possible campus safety we can provide for our students at SXU. With scanners already on most doors it was an easy fix to make our campus safe.”
To use the lock, one must press the red button once from the inside of the room which “instantly locks down the classroom. This one-step approach allows occupants to immediately focus on sheltering in place or evacuating. Even when the SAFEBOLT lock is engaged, exiting is always possible by pulling down the door handle to open it,” according to Public Safety.
“In the event of an emergency where the classroom door needs to be locked quickly, these devices will allow that to be done by simply pushing the red button in,” stated Skach.
Locks will only work when the red button is pushed from the inside of the classroom when the door is closed.
Islas explained, “The door works to keep people out, not to keep people in.”
Peter Skach continued that locks can be opened from the outside if needed in an emergency. “The department of Public Safety has the keys and would be the ones to open any locks from the outside,” he said.
“Each specific door had to be worked on to accept the new locking devices This required drilling, routing and grinding carefully so that the locking devices worked properly,” Skach further explained.
Islas shared, “It’s important to have these locks because they can help prevent a
tragedy from happening. While there is no 100% sure way to keep students safe, this is a preventative measure that could be very helpful in case of an emergency.”
Islas explained that after the pandemic and as the ’22-’23 school year began, the doors no longer required swipe access and anyone could walk into campus buildings.
“This was obviously a safety concern. SGA spent a very long time surveying students to hear their thoughts, and it became overwhelmingly clear that students would feel safer if only people with Cougar IDs could enter the campus,” she said.
Islas explained that the idea of safety locks came to her when she was a sophomore at SXU when safety measures were being discussed.
“In the event of an emergency where the classroom door needs to be locked quickly, these devices will allow that to be done by simply pushing the red button in,” stated Skach.
Islas presented the idea during her time as Vice president of RSO Affairs in Student Government (SGA) in the spring ‘23 semester. She shared her recommendation to the SGA Executive Board and later to Katy Thompson, Vice President of Student Life, and Pete Skach, Director of Facilities Services.
“There had recently been a shooting at a university in Michigan, I believe, and that got me thinking that if there were ever an active shooter on campus, it would be impossible to lock the classroom doors,” stated Islas.
For instructions on how to use SAFEBOLT emergency locks, refer to the Securitech video or the emergency procedure signage posted in each classroom for a step-by-step guide in the event of an emergency,” according to Public Safety.
For further information regarding the installation of emergency locks contact, publicsafety@sxu.edu or 773-298-4400.
SGA and SAB Host Pizza with the President
Athena Reum News Editor
On Feb. 17, Saint Xavier University’s (SXU) Student Government Association (SGA) and Student Activities Board (SAB) hosted Pizza with the President for students and faculty members to attend. Pizza and salad with beverages including lemonade and water were served.
Each academic year, President Keith Elder Ph.D., MPH, MPA, has lunch with students to give them an opportunity to ask questions regarding what the rest of their time will look like at SXU but also to get to know the president on a personal level.
Each club was represented by their presidents, Emily Saldana (SAB) and Cassidy Dawson (SGA) and is held in the Diner near the Diner’s atrium.
Dawson stated, “Over the years, it has become one of our most attended social events that we host. As your student government association we always make it a priority to look at what the student’s want.”
Throughout the lunch, attendees were encouraged to engage in conversations with Elder and the SGA and SAB leadership, with the chance to ask questions regarding various aspects of university life. This includes campus improvements to academic programs and student services.
This open dialogue fosters a transparent relationship between students and administration, ensuring that students feel informed and included in university decisions.
“Our biggest motivation for this event
is to provide students with the opportunity to network and build connections with the University President, SGA President, and SAB President. It is important to us that students have a chance to gain insight to any upcoming changes, initiatives, goals,
etc,” explained Dawson.
“Pizza with the Presidents is an important event that all students should take advantage of. While the free pizza is a nice perk, it’s so much more than that. It provides a unique opportunity to connect with both students and staff in a relaxed, low-pressure setting. Events like these allow both parties to exchange valuable insights and foster stronger relationships.” Shared Dawson
The events create a platform for students and staff to engage in discussions, ask questions, and learn about upcoming initiatives. Students can also share their perspectives on various aspects of university life.
Following this, Dawson shared, “My hope is that attendees realize that we care more than just the problems students face. It is about the student as an individual as much as a whole. We love to hear about the experiences students have at SXU and who they aspire to be.”
SGA and SAB plan to host more events like this, offering students opportunities to connect with leadership and stay informed about what is happening at SXU. With ongoing support from the administration, students can expect more opportunities to influence their campus experience.
President Serving Pizza To Students
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Inside View of SAFEBOLT Lock The Xavierite
Outside View of SAFEBOLT Lock The Xavierite
Opinions
Our
Thoughts on the New SAFEBOLT Locks in Campus Classrooms
The Xavierite Editorial Board By
With the start of this semester, SXU has implemented new SAFEBOLT locks on each of the classroom doors in the Warde Academic Center (WAC). The main purpose of these locks is to protect SXU students, faculty, and staff from potential harm.
“[The locks are] very much needed in order to keep students safe,” one member of the board asserts. “It is always in the air that something could happen to the students and faculty on campus.”
“The locks keep us safe just in case,” a member noted. “If anything, students should be more scared without the locks than with them.”
“It is very easy for someone to walk into a building,” another member added, noting how easy it is for students to be put at risk. “People use their manners, holding the door open for one another. Unless they know the person, it could potentially be an intruder.”
According to a study conducted by the American College of Surgeons, the number of active shooter incidents increased from 20 in 1970 to 251 in 2021. With this massive skyrocket, many schools across the country are moving to ensure the safety of their students, many implementing locks like the ones from SAFEBOLT.
While most would agree that these locks do add a degree of security to schooling environments, some would argue that measures like this only serve
Addison
John McNamara
Opinions Columnist
as a reminder to students of the violence occurring within our country and across the globe, and do more to distract from learning than to protect the learners themselves.
While we certainly acknowledge this as a real truth of many safety measures implemented in schools in recent years, overall the board agreed that they still need to be put in place as these are still real issues that we as a collective must deal with.
“There’s two things that all life has in common: birth and death,” a member stated in defense of the new safety locks. “It is human to fear the idea, but it is up to one to remember that it can occur at anytime anywhere.”
Despite the locks being arguably needed, the editorial board overall seems to agree that SXU has never felt like a place where students, faculty, or staff would have to worry about an instance where the locks would need to be utilized.
“I walk around campus at night or in the dark all the time to get things like food,” one member noted, exemplifying the feeling of safety on campus. “It has never felt unsafe.”
While campus has overall been a safe place for students, there is always a risk that something can happen at any time, at any place. “Safety is always an overall concern for me on campus,” one member said. “You never know who could slip through a door and try to hurt students.”
In addition to the SAFEBOLT locks, the editorial board also offered up a few alternative options that could potentially aid in keeping SXU a safe environment.
“Public safety should have people inside each dorm building at night,” one member suggested, “in the event that something happens there that they need to quickly get to.”
Along with the implementation of stronger safety measures, students also need to be sure not to do things like letting people they aren’t familiar with into the school, and just to have good situational awareness as a whole. “Students need to be aware of their surroundings,” one member noted.
Overall, the editorial board feels that in the event of an emergency where the school’s classrooms would need to be on lockdown, SXU is fully prepared to handle the situation to ensure the safety of everyone at the university to the best of its ability.
Rae: The Media-Appointed “New Britney”
the two sonically.
Rising star Addison Rae has undoubtedly proven herself as a pop star over the past few months; however, I do notice an ongoing trend of the star being treated as though she were not her own artist.
Rae is often compared to other pop artists who came before her, most prominently Britney Spears, but even Lady Gaga with Rae’s newest single “High Fashion,” fans likening the title to Gaga’s 2013 ARTPOP track “Fashion!”
I found the comparison to Gaga to be an absolute reach into hell; the songs, sonically or lyrically speaking, have practically no similarity.
To an extent, I can understand the comparison to Spears given the fact that one of Rae’s singles, “Aquamarine,” samples Spears’ 2003 hit “Breathe On Me.” Even then, there are notable differences between
Rae also wore a diamond-encrusted bra in the “High Fashion” music video, inspired by one Spears wore in one of her live performances in the 2001 concert film “Britney Spears Live from Las Vegas.”
Another star I saw Rae be compared to was Lana Del Rey; with the release of “Diet Pepsi” back in August, many called the track out for copying the latter, noting how Del Rey has mentioned Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and other soft drinks in her songs on numerous occasions, making them a part of her overall aesthetic as a pop star.
Rae seems to embrace this as well, as she posted an Easter egg on Instagram alluding to the release of “Diet Pepsi” a few months prior to its release with the caption “I love Lana.”
Addison Rae undoubtedly seems to lean into the artists she is compared to, and even does get certain aspects of her aesthetic and music from other artists; however,
Al Manakeesh Taste of Palestine Food Review
Mariam Jaber Opinions Columnist
On my 21st birthday last month on Jan. 27, I decided to visit Al Manakeesh Taste of Palestine in Bridgeview for brunch last month on Jan. 27. Accompanied with me was my mom, sister-in-law, and nephew. I had such an amazing time that I thought I should write about it.
The entire menu of Al Manakeesh consisted of, well, manakeesh, which are traditional Palestinian/Levantine flatbread. However, these are not your average, simple manakeesh; these are baked in a pizza oven, and can be customized in every way you can think of.
There’s the original manakeesh flavors: cheese, labne (Lebanese yogurt), and zaatar (Palestinian thyme), and you can mix the toppings together as well, such as cheese and zaatar (dry or with olive oil mixed in), labne and zaatar, or even labne and cheese.
Other manakeesh toppings include an array of vegetables, cheeses, and even meat. The menu is not limited to manakeesh at all, as you can order a pizza or Jerusalem bagel, made any way you want with whatever flavor you like.
During my visit, my family and I ordered a margherita pizza, a cheese with dry zaatar manoushe (manoushe is the singular form of manakeesh), a pesto manoushe that came with cherry tomatoes, and a Jerusalem bagel that was filled with veggies and cheese. My mom and sister-in-law also ordered some hot traditional Palestinian mint tea, on the side.
Now, this was my second time visiting Manakeesh, and it was by far the best time I’ve gone.
I chose my margherita pizza to be topped with black olives and mushrooms, in addition to the tomato sauce, basil leaves, and mozzarella cheese. I would rate it a 5/5, with 5 being the best. It was baked to perfection, and I crave till this day. The pesto manoushe was baked with pesto sauce and topped with mozzarella cheese slices and sliced cherry tomatoes. As I’ve said before, this was my second time visiting Al Manakeesh, and so I didn’t feel the need to have any of the pesto manoushe because I didn’t like it much the first time around. I’m not a big tomato person, and pesto is not my favorite thing either.
I would rate the pesto manoushe a 2.5/5.
Onto the Jerusalem bagel; as someone who is blessed to be from the city of Jerusalem, I absolutely love Jerusalem bagels when they’re traditionally made. It looks something similar to a stretched out wreath–long and oval shaped. The Jerusalem bagel at Al Manakeesh however, resembles a huge burger with the toppings inside, which I would’ve been okay with, but the flavors really threw me off. Inside the bagel was a mix of veggies, diced red and green bell peppers, olives, and mushrooms, as well as Mexican cheese and mozzarella.
I love Mexican cheese, but I did not like the flavor it had when mixed with the veggies in the bagel. I really wanted to like
there is noteworthy individuality to Rae’s style that I feel often goes unappreciated when she is so frequently held against other musicians.
I suppose the comparisons are due in part to Rae’s embracing of them, which makes it hard to say that it isn’t deserved.
But, I do know that, judging by the music itself, Rae certainly has talent as a pop musician that is certainly individual to herself, which is why, as a fan, I wish she wouldn’t play into the whole “new Britney” trope as much as she does.
I feel like Rae is already so severely undermined as an artist given the way she came onto the scene; before recently, Rae was widely seen as a joke due to her start on TikTok as an influencer.
Rae is just starting to get taken seriously as a mainstream pop artist, and I wonder if her likening her image to that of other pop stars is only reinforcing the old public perception that Rae isn’t unique or interesting, or giving critics more room to pan her as such.
This isn’t to say that I don’t like the reference to Spears in the “High Fashion” music video or the song “Aquamarine.”
I, in fact, loved both; I thought she looked phenomenal in the former and the latter is probably one of, if not my favorite in Rae’s discography.
However, many young female artists experience the same accusation of copying older, more established artists, so this certainly isn’t an experience unique to Rae.
Overall, I don’t think it is problematic for artists to occasionally give homage to other artists who have inspired them in some way in their own work, nor do I think it is “copying” them.
I think Rae has a brand unique to Britney Spears’ and other artists, however I think Rae referencing Spears two singles in a row gives a massive amount of material for haters to attack her individuality as an artist and person as a whole.
this Jerusalem bagel, but it was just not doing it for me. I rate it a 3/5.
One of my favorite manakeesh of all time would have to be the cheese with dry zaatar. The first time I went to Al Manakeesh back in Sept. 2024, my sister and I ordered cheese and zaatar, but the zaatar was mixed with olive oil. I don’t mind the olive oil and zaatar mix, but I couldn’t taste any of the cheese, as it was very overpowering. However, the cheese manoushe with dry zaatar flakes was absolutely delicious, it reminded me of Palestine. I rate this manoushe a 5/5, it was simply amazing. I would have to say that the restaurant, Al Manakeesh Taste of Palestine, really lives up to its name. I really enjoyed it and felt like I was in Palestine, it even reminded me of a manakeesh place I previously visited with my aunt and cousin there called Zaman Manaqish.
The decor of Al Manakeesh was beautiful, signs and artwork of Palestine are everywhere. On one wall, there is a painting of a Palestinian grandmother looking through a window, and then her hand is made of wood and is hanging out of the painting. Whoever designed the interior of this restaurant deserves a raise for a job well done.
For anyone wanting to try a traditional Palestinian breakfast food, I would definitely recommend Al Manakeesh. If you’re unable to visit during the morning hours to catch breakfast, fear not, because they are open until midnight every day at 8401 South Harlem Avenue, Bridgeview, IL 60455. You can also order online and check out their menu at https://www.almanakeesh. com/about.
Stan Culture and The Harsh Realities
As someone who is heavily involved with pop culture I find it easy to become a fan of celebrities, but there is a line of behaviors that shouldn’t be crossed. Unhealthy parasocial relationships can become dangerous, harming the fan and celebrity.
Stan culture is a term used for behaviors acted by fandoms that are devoted to a celebrity. This could involve having social media dedicated to them, collecting posters, or anything associated with that person.
When I was in seventh grade, I became involved with stan culture through the app Twitter. This platform made it easy to connect with other fans and be vocal about the celebrities I loved.
Through that experience I quickly realized how some fans were much more devoted and obsessed than others. Artists like Taylor Swift and Beyonce had fandoms that were quick to know every little detail about them.
I believe that this kind of behavior can quickly become toxic if fans are emotionally attaching themselves to these people and not knowing how to create a healthy balance.
This can be as simple as a Taylor Swift listener attaching her feelings of heartbreak with Taylor and her music. It will create intense feelings between the two.
As fans dive deeper into every detail about a celebrity, it will continuously create more curiosity. It can lead them to want to go beyond a celebrity’s boundaries of privacy.
With a mindset like this, the lines of supporting a celebrity become blurred with their growing obsession. When celebrities share anything about their personal lives it can open a toxic relationship with fans.
Fans could quickly develop a parasocial
relationship and believe a celebrity owes them all of their business. They could form a version or idea about this celebrity based on only what they see online.
This will create unrealistic expectations toward a celebrity, making them out to be a perfect person who only does good. This pedestal is a disaster waiting to happen because celebrities are people that will make mistakes too.
I think this behavior makes it difficult for up and coming actors or artists to become successful. This pressure from their fans makes no room for them to mess up. However, there are also instances where fans support anything a celebrity does. A blind devotion like that also creates a weird environment where celebrities can get away
with any wrongs they’ve done.
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These fans can easily become sheep and not understand how to stand by their own morals and ethics. This is harmful, especially to young fans that are still developing their virtues. These unhealthy behaviors may not seem as extreme, but it’s known to go as far as jeopardizing people’s lives. Like I’ve mentioned, a fan’s morals become rocky and has led to mistreatment of non-fans. Through platforms like X, formerly Twitter, die-hard fandoms defend their idols in the most extreme ways. They are quick to dox someone’s address, harass them, and send death threats.
It’s unacceptable behavior that cannot continue to be normalized in the fandoms
because the lives of people are being dealt with. It becomes scary knowing that in the past celebrities’ lives have gotten taken because of crazy fans.
A prime example of this was singer John Lenon from The Beatles. A big fan of his had disliked a statement John made, then shot and killed him after requesting an autograph.
This situation could have been avoidable if this fan hadn’t put John on a pedestal of expectations. Again, John is his own person and is not going to share every idea his fans have.
This situation may not always be the case for every celebrity or fan, but if unhealthy behaviors continue then it’s possible to steer in that direction. All of the unhealthy behaviors I mentioned aren’t okay either.
I’m not saying that fandoms shouldn’t exist or that they are horrible people. They should just be creating a healthy balance of loving a celebrity and realizing that they don’t know that person.
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with keeping up with celebrities and having posters of them in your room. I’m someone who has a room filled with musicians on almost every wall.
Since I was thirteen, I’ve grown to understand that celebrities are regular people who are just in the public eye. I shouldn’t let my infatuation cloud my judgment or make me form a one sided relationship with them.
Celebrities shouldn’t have to be so cautious around their fans and worry about their safety. They should be able to have a good connection with the people that constantly show them love and support. Fandoms can be a positive environment and create an awesome community. It’s not wrong to adore someone’s talents and show them appreciation. Just know the difference between being a fan and crossing the line.
SAFEBOLT Emergency Lock The Xavierite
Addison Rae posters inspired by her song “Diet Pepsi” (left and top) and a signed 7’ “Diet
Opinions Columnist
Keyasia Garcia
My Bedroom Posters of The Beatles
Artwork inside Al Manakeesh Taste of Palestine
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Can Marvel Make a Comeback?
Grace Tynski
Features Contributor
The Marvel Cinematic Universe
(MCU) was once an immovable fixture of pop culture. Everyone went to see each new movie, and they were greatly discussed by casual viewers and enthusiasts alike.
“Avengers: Endgame” made history among blockbuster films. It was the culmination of over twenty preceding Marvel films and broke several box-office records when it was released in 2019. At that time, the MCU seemed unstoppable.
However, there’s been a significant decline in quality Marvel content since 2020. Before then, each MCU installment was good—maybe not great, definitely not ground-breaking, but good as far as action movies go.
This isn’t to say the MCU’s been irredeemably horrible since “Avengers: Endgame.” There have been bright spots, like the “WandaVision” and “Moon
Knight” series. Films like “Spider-Man: No Way Home” and “Deadpool & Wolverine” also stand out as recent Marvel triumphs. Still, nothing’s been the same since “Avengers: Endgame.” Some may argue the lack of certain iconic characters (Iron Man, Black Widow, Steve Rogers, etc.) have contributed to Marvel’s downfall.
Others might attribute the problem to some of Marvel’s unimpressive Disney+ series. Disappointments like “Secret Invasion” and “She-Hulk” failed to grab audience’s attention, but this doesn’t change the fact that they directly impact upcoming MCU films.
This creates an odd dilemma for audiences. It’s difficult to go into a Marvel film blind or uninformed, but forcing yourself to watch a lackluster series just to understand the next movie is impractical.
Marvel isn’t completely incapable of making quality post-Endgame content; it’s just frustratingly hit-or-miss with every
Stanza Bonanza
Poems By: Richard Hurley
Restriction
Compacted and compounded my words forced into a page without the freedom to express in the real. Such is the way of words, to take the real and confine it. So I turn and spin words like fiber through a spindle, for it is when words are woven together that we make the fabric’s meaning.
Piece of Mine
Stolen stalwart, why do you hide beyond the midnight sky? Why across hills and valleys lies this serenity that we can’t reach? Valor bound cane of the weary and dreary, they call onto you. Why do you leave us so o’peace and calm, why do you reside in not one of us?
Anxious
How does one work under duress?
Stressed to a Howl, How’ll one find the way to readdress?
Amiss amongst a mess, I prowl for means of success.
Remiss I am, for I lack a rest.
If you would like to submit poetry for the bonanza, please send your submission to thexavieritenewspaper@gmail.com
project.
A major component of Marvel’s past success was its reliability. Familiar characters and familiar plotlines made audiences want to see each new installment because they knew what they were in for.
Most MCU fans didn’t watch these films for the cinematography or impeccable screenplay. They’d watch to see their favorite characters interact and save the world. It’s about action and excitement.
The MCU’s never been for everybody, but longtime fans were loyal and dedicated. Now, Marvel’s lost its audience’s trust.
New characters are introduced without any foreseeable reappearances, movies with familiar characters are hard to sit through, and the CGI somehow looks worse than it did fifteen years ago.
Going to the movies is more expensive than ever, and most people don’t want to gamble on whether they’re going to be bored out of their minds or not. This means more people wait for the new Marvel movies to arrive on Disney+, which significantly hurts box-office numbers.
It’s an odd spot for Marvel to be in, since they haven’t completely sunken their ship yet. Just when audiences are ready to leave the MCU behind, the company will tease an upcoming project that shows promise.
For example, the first teaser for “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” released two weeks ago and garnered over 202 million views across all platforms. It’s already the best Marvel trailer debut for a non-sequel movie.
“Daredevil: Born Again” releases on Disney+ on March 4. The series is highly anticipated since it reintroduces Daredevil as a leading character after his cameos in
both “Spider-Man: No Way Home” and “She-Hulk.”
The original Daredevil series, released by Netflix, concluded in 2018. Fans waited years in hopes of an MCU revival, and expectations are high.
“Thunderbolts*” releases this May and brings back a fan-favorite Marvel character, Bucky Barnes.
These projects have undoubtable potential, but that doesn’t guarantee anything. Very possibly, they could all flop. If they don’t, it most likely still won’t be enough to bring the MCU back to what it once was.
The most recent MCU release, “Captain America: Brave New World” was met with divided opinions from critics. Audiences generally enjoyed it though, according to its 80% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Although the MCU isn’t entirely done for, it is certainly past its prime. The next Avengers movie doesn’t release until 2027, and audiences have already lost a lot of patience.
2025 looks to be a deciding year for the MCU’s future. If the slated projects do well, it could mean a turnaround for the company and a revival for the superhero genre. If they don’t, it begs many questions.
Will Marvel continue to decline until it fades away from the collective culture completely? What would that mean for the superhero genre? What would that mean for blockbuster movies in general?
If the movies have lost their entertainment factor, at the very least it will be entertaining to watch how Marvel fares this year and if it can salvage what’s left of its universe.
Songs of Home: Remembering the Music
Vanessa Orlando Features Contributor
When I think of The Beach Boys, ZZ Top or even Barry White, I think of one person, my grandfather. My best friend leaves behind memories of the music he loved most.
My grandfather was musically inclined like no other. Growing up, he seemed to have an enjoyment for classical music and tuning in on the AM radio. In fact, anywhere I would go with him, it was strictly opera or classical music. Much so, that I even played the violin as a child as it was second nature to hear music such as that.
I always knew my grandfather loved music which probably explains my passion for it as I got older. As a kid, I would listen to his cassette tapes that he would leave all over the house since I liked how it sounded different compared to what friends were listening to.
At the age of 10, I was listening to Alabama and ZZ Top on a cassette player in my house instead of listening to Justin Bieber. To be fair, I wouldn’t have changed
anything about it either. Now as it brings nostalgia, I can smile and reflect. There was no fan of The Beach Boys quite like my grandfather either. At a young age I saw a CD special on TV for The Beach Boys and I knew we had to order it for him for that upcoming Father’s Day. Of course, he loved it and played with them in his truck.
I’m especially grateful for my grandfather’s presence in my life since he truly was my best friend. One of our most occurring conversations was the topic of music. Now that he has passed away, I listen to the same music as he did to remember all the memories created with him.
I remember always hearing Christmas music on a loop every year because my grandfather’s favorite time of the year was Christmas. My siblings and I knew that once the music started, it was time for us to help him decorate the entire house. We were “simply having a wonderful Christmas time.”’
My grandfather always had a flare for Western films and music too. “The Good The Bad and The Ugly” soundtrack was
prominent in my childhood. Though it wasn’t on the radio, it might as well have been for the amount of times my family and I were subjected to hearing it.
One of the funniest things he used to do was pick me up from my sports practices blasting that soundtrack or “Sharp Dressed Man” by ZZ Top so loud that everyone always knew my grandpa was coming around to pick me up.
You begin to reflect and think about how much someone accomplished in their life, and my grandfather is one of those people. When I look back on his life, the music is one of those notable traits about him. I found myself making a playlist of all the songs that remind me of him.
My mom shared memories of the songs she remembers singing with my grandfather in her life. The memory she shared is when he took her downtown to see The Phantom of the Opera. Now, when she hears the songs from that movie, she remembers him and the memories connected to the music. Everyone shared music that my
grandfather enjoyed so we could all have a playlist to go back to when we’re missing him. “Everyday” by Buddy Holly was one of his go-to songs to feel happy and so was “Aloha Oe” by George Kulokahai since his favorite place to travel was Hawai’i. If he was ever feeling groovy, there was no doubt he would be playing Barry White. “Can’t Get Enough of Your Love Babe” or “You Are The First, The Last, My Everything” were almost like his signature songs. It was almost a guarantee he would be dancing around too and surely my siblings and I would join him.
You underestimate how much power music holds on memories, especially when it’s all you have left. Now, I look at all of his vinyl records, CD’s, and cassette tapes and think about the life he lived. I begin to reflect how much the music meant to him and now it holds different meanings. Listening to his favorite music is a reminder that his life lived to the fullest surrounded by the people he loved most. Remembering the Music
Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson in “Captain America: Brave New World” (Eli Adé/Marvel/TNS)
My Grandfather with my older brother during Christmas
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My mom with her dad
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“It”: The Truth Behind Mike Hanlon’s King-Written Character
Barbara Lunsford Features Editor
“It” has become a horror classic, not only with Pennywise standing out as an iconic horror villain, but with the loveable characters that come together to do something incredible. On top of defeating an evil being, the characters are flawed in their own ways, separating Stephen King’s work from typical horror. The film adaptations have brought the horror to life along with these contemporary issues… almost.
The 1986 novel covers almost 1,200 pages, so you can expect some parts to be left out in the two hour films. However, King writes about a lot of timeless and relevant problems, despite the book being nearly four decades old and a part of the horror genre.
“It” has had three film adaptations over the years, with an original version being released in 1990 and a separate two-part set being released in 2017 and 2019. The recent two have gained a lot of popularity since their release.
In the recent films, a lot of the issues King writes about are portrayed accurately on screen. We get a glimpse of domestic and family abuse experienced by Beverly Marsh, a hate crime towards Adrian Mellon and Don Hagarty, the suicide of Stanley Uris, and other traumas experienced by the characters.
Each member of the “Loser’s Club” gets bullied for something or experiences some sort of hardship; it ties them all together and can be seen to help give them strength throughout the story.
In the way Beverly experiences abuse, Bill Denbrough loses his brother; Eddie Kaspbrak has an overprotective, germaphobe mother; Richie Tozier uses
humor to disguise insecurity; Stanley has a lot of anxieties and pressure on him surrounding his true identity; and Ben Hanscom is outcasted for his weight.
Then there is Mike Hanlon. In the films, Mike is given a small role with fewer lines than his counterparts. Yet upon reading the novel, Mike is a key part of the “Loser’s Club” defeating “It” in the first place.
After thinking they defeat “It” the first time, Mike is the only one who stays in Derry, the town where the entity resides.
After leaving, the others forget everything they had defeated, leaving Mike as the only one to remember and the only one to bring everyone back 27 years later.
Yet Mike is more than the reason the group collaborates to defeat “It” once and for all; he is a character plagued by his own problems that separate him from others.
For starters, Mike is one of the “Losers” that does come from a loving family, but this is stripped away from him in the films. The movies allude towards Mike’s parents
dying in a burning building while he is just a child.
In “It Chapter Two,” a newspaper image can be seen reading, “Two Crackheads Dead in Harrison Avenue Fire.” There is another altered image shown later in the film that calls them a “local couple.” Both are in reference to Mike’s parents.
While this can be linked to “It” adding hallucinations to the way Mike perceives what is happening around him, it can also be seen to spread untrue information, or even a cultural trope some may carry.
Noting both articles and the shift is easy to miss, creating a new issue in the way Mike’s character and background are inaccurately portrayed.
In reality, Mike watched his father die in a hospital room later on in life, but grew up looking up to him.
Mike is also brutally victimized by racism-driven slurs and acts throughout the book.
Henry Bowers, the main bully of the story, has his reasons for going after each
member of the “Loser’s Club.” His reason for Mike is that he is the only child of color in the town of Derry. So in the same way that the other children struggle with things like weight and anxiety, Mike deals with racism.
These events are altered in the film.
The “Loser’s Club” in the 2017 adaptation challenges Pennywise in 1989, while this occurs in 1957 in the book.
An argument can be made about translating the language or some of the events to fit into this different time period. However, the changes made to Mike’s character alter the way the audience views him entirely.
Instead of being the historian of the group who is responsible for making the calls that lead to the final demise of “It,” he comes off as a background character in the group who has little purpose being there.
For a story including several prominent societal issues, there should be a way to demonstrate Mike’s character accurately on screen while also being fair and appropriate.
The directors were able to show the domestic abuse and the hate crime, among other things, in an eye-opening way that allowed for awareness to be spread about such terrible acts.
While I do love the films and the story, a lot can be said about the way adaptations can alter our perception of reality entirely. It is crucial to highlight characters in a true light to avoid bigger problems, like the stereotypes that can spread through storytelling. These are only a couple of the changes made to Mike’s character.
While society is growing to be more accepting, King highlights the hatred that some people still carry and throw onto others. The book has several brutal incidents demonstrating such, as there is no sugar-coating pure hatred.
Binge-Watching or Broadcasting?
Kennema Hamilton
Features Contributor
Recently, there has been a lot of debate over whether people should switch back to cable with the pros and cons of streaming services. I find myself asking the same question, wondering if I should keep scrolling through Netflix or switch back to cable and watch whatever random show comes on.
It’s crazy to think about the fact that the way we watch television has changed so much. At one point in my life, I remember setting aside certain times just so I could sit and watch my favorite shows uninterrupted. I was even staying up to watch reruns of George Lopez at three in the morning.
Now we have this chance to watch all our favorite shows in one sitting, which sounds great…until you realize you’ve just finished a 10 episode series in a day and now have nothing left to watch. Cobra Kai, I’m looking at you. So sure, both options have their perks; however, they certainly do come with their downsides.
There are many advantages to network TV; like when awards season comes around.
People with streaming devices like Firesticks and Roku are always scrambling to find where to watch the Oscars or the Grammys, and trust me, I was definitely right there with them. I was googling “How to watch the Grammys live” like my life depended on it. And it’s not just award shows; live sports events like the Super Bowl or the World Cup feel different when you’re watching it in real time. There’s something about experiencing it in that exact moment as it happens, then immediately going on social media (for me, that’s X, formerly
known as Twitter) to see everyone freaking out at the same time.
On Sunday, Feb. 2, Sabrina Carpenter, Beyonce Knowles-Carter, and Kendrick Lamar won Grammys, and I could not have been happier. But what made it even better was seeing my friends on X celebrating with me in real time.
To me, moments like that just aren’t the same when you’re watching it at a separate time.
Then there are the actual TV shows; watching them weekly builds up this anticipation and suspense. Take The Walking Dead, for example. Every week, my best friend and I would tune in live, and there was nothing like pausing it midway
just to freak out and over analyze every little thing.
But while network TV has its perks, it also has its fair share of headaches, starting with commercials.
Nothing ruins an intense build-up to a scene faster than a loud ad about car insurance or fast food. The suspense would be building; someone’s about to either die or get caught then boom, commercial break. Then there’s the time they choose to air these shows and the sad moment when your favorite show gets cancelled because of low ratings. Mind you, I’m still crying over The Tomorrow People getting cancelled by The CW.
But then here comes streaming, where
Bora Bora - Chicago Ridge’s “Sweet Treat” Cafe
Videographer Sam Alcala
A bit over 10 minutes from SXU’s campus, Bora Bora is a lovely smoothie cafe located in Chicago Ridge—right by the Chicago Ridge mall. It is an Arab owned franchise, which is clear from their numerous unique menu offerings.
I found out about Bora Bora through word of mouth and decided to go with a few friends.
I didn’t know what to expect, but was quite pleased with my initial visit. I’ve since visited two more times, most recently a few days ago.
Upon arriving at Bora Bora, I was instantly charmed by the endearing logo displayed above the door.
It features the name in bright yellow with a funky pineapple mascot atop. I found it quirky, in a way that made me more excited to enter the cafe.
Inside, I was greeted by the cafe’s vibrant blue booth style seating and a gorgeous fountain lined with what appeared to be fake moss. It felt inviting and much more lively than other popular franchise cafes.
With it being my third time at Bora Bora, I really wanted to try out their food and see if it’s as good as the drinks.
Since it is a cafe, they didn’t have as many food options but there was still a good variety.
The menu offered savory and sweet options, including croffles, crepes, and fruit-based bowls (pitaya, coconut, matcha, acai).
I noticed their drinks leaned on the sweet side so I decided to get a turkey croffle (a combination of croissant and waffle).
The croffle itself was pretty basic; it had
smoked turkey, lettuce, tomato, avocado, mayo, and mustard. I didn’t find it to be anything special.
It was small for the price ($9.59), but I didn’t find it unusual as their specialty is drinks.
I personally wouldn’t get their croffles again, but I do think it’s fun to try for novelty. I am interested in trying their bowls next time, though.
In terms of drinks, I think Bora Bora’s perfect for those who love to get a sweet treat. If you’re not a fan of sugar, I don’t think many of these drinks are for you. They offer a variety of smoothies, milkshakes, coffees, soft drinks, and their own signature drinks.
So far I’ve only had their soft drinks, which come with the option of being mixed with either red bull or 7UP. I’m not fond of energy drinks, so I got 7UP both times.
I’ve tried their “Blue Lagoon” and “Candy Crush” drinks. The Blue Lagoon
drink had fruit syrup, lemon & mint, and 7UP.
It was a little basic ingredient wise but tasted very good, I liked that it wasn’t sweet to the point of tasting artificial.
I had the “Candy Crush” drink during my second visit to Bora Bora. It had peach rings, sour worms, strawberry popping boba, 7UP, and cotton candy.
I really loved this drink, but you do have to be in a sweet mood for it. If you’re a sweet tooth, this drink is a dream in a cup.
My friends mainly got milkshakes this time around; one drink that seemed popular amongst them during our visits was the “oreo milkshake.” I did not personally get to try it, but my friend Demetrius said he particularly liked it.
The service was overall quite lovely, my friends and I have never waited too long for our drinks.
you can have it all, except for, you know, the live events and that weekly build up. With streaming, you get the chance to binge-watch everything in one sitting. You don’t have to wait each week for the next episode.
Plus, most of the time it’s ad-free, so you can watch your shows uninterrupted. And let’s not forget, there’s a huge list of shows right at your fingertips, all easy to find. You can even download these apps on your phone, meaning you can watch your favorite shows anywhere, something I definitely do when I’m traveling.
But while these are all great things, the downsides are just as frustrating. Subscriptions are no joke. I have Disney+, Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, HBO Max, and Viki.
By the time you add up all these prices, it’s basically like paying for cable. At that point, I might as well just get YouTube TV.
It would be easier if one platform had everything, but they don’t, so you end up subscribing to multiple services just to watch all the movies and shows you want.
Then there’s the fact that live events aren’t included unless you subscribe to an extra package, which, of course, costs even more money. At that point, it starts to feel like too much.
And while having multiple choices sounds amazing, it can also feel overwhelming. Sometimes, I spend more time scrolling than actually watching, or I feel like I’ve already seen everything.
That’s why I think both options have their own appeal. They each have unique benefits, and it’s easy to see why people go back and forth between them. Whether it’s catching live moments or binge-watching an entire series (me with The Vampire Diaries recently), both have something to love.
Brian Raica Jr. Deputy
Editor-In-Chief
Spoilers ahead!
As it was released on Feb. 13, 2024, “Captain America: Brave New World” proved to the world that the new era of the MCU can perfectly tie back to its very own origins.
The second the film began, there were reminders of 2008’s “Incredible Hulk.” Betty Ross (Liv Tyler) was both pictured and mentioned by name, and her father Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross’s (Harrison Ford) wartime past was mentioned.
There were even newsreels from the Harlem battle between the Hulk and the Abomination. Although those two didn’t appear in the movie, the story of “Brave New World” kept the characters true to themselves.
When he was introduced in the MCU over ten years ago, Sam Wilson (portrayed by Anthony Mackie) was a trauma counselor for wartime veterans. Although at this point he may be saving lives as Captain America, he still tries to comfort those around him using his knowledge of social work.
On the other hand, Thaddeus had a fiery spirit throughout his appearances in the MCU. Although until now he was portrayed by William Hurt (d. 2022), he always bantered with the heroes. He spent countless days and resources hunting Bruce Banner, because Banner’s gamma-infested body was “property of the US military.”
He even attempted to get along with the heroes by passing the Sokovia Accords, which were eventually repealed. During this time, though, Sam Wilson was one of those who rebelled against them. Since that very moment, the two had hated each other.
“Brave New World” misled fans, including myself, into believing that Thaddeus’s casting change also gave him a change of heart. However, it did not. He
The staff was especially helpful during my last visit when I accidentally left my wallet behind. They answered my call quickly and held onto my wallet for me to pick up.
Overall, I’d highly recommend those with a sweet tooth to visit! They have fun options to satisfy your sweet treat cravings and the cafe makes a great spot to visit with friends—very instagram-worthy.
The wait was a bit longer during our last visit due to the food ordered, but not overtly so. The staff is friendly and patient and the cafe itself always looks clean and put together.
“Brave New World:” A Bold “Incredible Hulk” Sequel
tried to hold himself together but eventually gave into being the warmonger that he was.
Looking back at “the Incredible Hulk,” Bruce Banner does his best to not turn into the hulk unless provoked. Thaddeus tries to do the same, but is provoked due to the anger he has building up because of his world collapsing in on itself. Once again, he goes full-on warmonger mode, but as the Red Hulk.
Ironically, it was another character from “The Incredible Hulk” that tempted Thaddeus: Samuel Sterns (Tim Blake Nelson). Although Thaddeus re-appeared in the MCU after 2008, Sterns hasn’t shown his face since. The last time we saw him, his head had started growing due to Bruce Banner’s blood dripping in through a wound.
We learned that after all this time, Sterns was kept in a prison lab by Thaddeus.
What’s worse is that the amount of gammainfected blood in his head increased over the years, increasing his intellect.
Something I never thought I’d say after seeing the movie is that I feel bad for Thaddeus. He made plenty of mistakes, but he did not deserve to be publicly humiliated and even turned into a monster.
I truly enjoyed the anxiousness felt throughout the film. My favorite fight sequence was when Captain America and Falcon tried to bring down the mindcontrolled jets. In all seriousness, if those jets weren’t stopped, then Japan would have gone to war with the United States.
As for my review of this film, I absolutely loved it. It was very different, but reminded me of Cold-War era films that described the world on the brink of a precipice. Additionally, it proved that Bruce Banner and even the Abomination weren’t
needed for a Hulk sequel. With that being said, it didn’t feel like a Captain America movie. It felt like Thaddeus Ross was the main character. He experiences more problems throughout the movie, but at the end the biggest problem he faces is solved: His daughter, Betty, returns to his life.
Over the years of skirmish between himself and the MCU’s heroes, I’m sure it moved him away from her. It actually made me tear up a little in theatres seeing their reunion. Although Betty only appeared onscreen at the end, it was a perfect way for her character to be involved. Overall, I believe that this film isn’t necessarily a story of Captain America overcoming a problem. It’s a sequel to “The Incredible Hulk”
Spine of Stephen King’s “It” The Xavierite
Listing of streaming services on my television The Xavierite
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Saint Xavier Falls to Saint Francis on Senior Night
Sean Carey Sports Reporter
The Saint Xavier women’s basketball team finished their regular season this last week going 1-1, against two conference teams.
They defeated the Saint Ambrose Bees on Wednesday Feb. 19, by a total of 34 points, winning 86-52.
Unfortunately for the Cougars, they fell short on senior night to the Saint Francis Fighting Saints losing 63-66.
With their regular season over, the Cougars have finished 5th in their conference and are looking to make a splash in the CCAC tournament and keep their national championship dreams alive.
The Cougars came into their Wednesday night game against the Saint Ambrose Fighting Bees extremely confident.
The Cougars have an overall record of 21-2 against the Fighting Bees and have not lost to them since 2010.
The Fighting Bees sit towards the bottom of the CCAC rankings in 9th place and have not won a game since Feb. 1. It was extremely evident that this game was going to be a blowout right from the start. In the first five minutes of the first quarter, the Cougars managed to score a quick 12 points compared to the Fighting Bees 2. The Fighting Bees weren’t able to get anything going. They scored only six points in the first, shooting at a pitiful 15.38%.
Despite going 1-8 from the three point line the Cougars still managed to score 22 points in the first quarter shooting at 45.45% from the field.
The Cougars would go on to ride this momentum into the second quarter scoring exactly 22 points again and went into
halftime with a 44-19 lead.
The Fighting Bees were able to play a little better this quarter, almost doubling the amount of points they scored in the first. Unfortunately for them, the lead was starting to get out of hand.
This deficit on the scoreboard would spark some energy within the Fighting Bees as they came out on fire in the third quarter.
The Fighting Bees would manage to score 20 total points, which is more than they scored in the first half. They were also able to shoot at a match high 69.23% from the field during this quarter.
Despite the efforts on offense, the Fighting Bees were not able to contain the Cougars on the defensive side of the ball.
The Cougars managed to score 21 points shooting at 47.06% from the field. The Cougars would go into the fourth quarter with a 65-39 point lead.
By the time the fourth quarter rolled around this game was already over. The Cougars managed to add 21 more points and the game finished with a final score of 86-52.
The senior night game on Saturday kicked off with recognizing the eight graduating seniors: Ryann Ogarek, Naya Haymon, Sofie Carr, Alyssa Crenshaw, Jenna Hernandez, Hayley Macdonald, and Eleanor Harris.
This game was an extremely important one for the Cougars as the Saint Francis Fighting Saints sat one spot ahead of them in the CCAC standings. The Cougars understood the pressure they were under and came out firing in the first quarter, outscoring the Fighting Saints 23-14.
The Fighting Saints were able to make some defensive changes going into the second quarter and were able to hold the Cougars to only nine points while scoring
22 themselves. The final score of the first half was 36-32 and the Fighting Saints had all the momentum.
The third quarter was extremely competitive with both teams giving it their all. The lead shifted four times throughout the third quarter, but the Fighting Saints ultimately gained the upper hand, closing the period with a 54-47 advantage heading into the fourth.
In the fourth quarter the Cougars were able to close the gap and make the game competitive. With 40 seconds left in the game Jaidn Green was able to make a clutch shot making the score 63-64.
The Cougars fouled, sending Laurelei Thormeyer to the free throw line. Laurelei drained both free throws increasing the Fighting Saints lead to three points.
With 13 seconds left in the game the Cougars had a chance to get off one last shot. Unfortunately they missed their oppurtunity and ended up losing 66-63.
Despite the loss several players reached double digit scoring for the Cougars. Aaliyahna Derrel and Alyssa Crenshaw each had 10 points.
Ryann Ogarek almost had herself a double-double with 13 points and 9 rebounds. Jaidn Green also added 13 points herself.
With this loss the Cougar’s regular season officialy comes to an end. They sit in 5th place with a record of 18-10. They now have to prepare for the CCAC tournament quarterfinals against the Indiana University Northwest Redhawks.
The Cougars are currently 2-0 this season against the Redhawks. Despite this the Redhawks sit one spot ahead of the Cougars in the CCAC rankings. The Cougars should be confident in keeping their CCAC championship hopes alive.
Saint Xavier Goes 3-1 Over Roosevelt
This past Tuesday Feb. 18 2025, the Cougars traveled to Roosevelt University in Chicago, Ill. and won three sets to one. What was once a former CCAC rivalry matchup, is another win for the undefeated Cougars that are now 9-0.
This matchup started off with a little back and forth, as the game was knotted up at 5-4. Eventually, the Cougars would build steam and go on a 10-3 run making the score 15-7. After trading points for a little the Cougars would close out the set and win that set 25-17, taking the first set.
The Cougars went 6-0 to start off the second set then ended because of a service error. The Cougars and Lakers would go back and forth again making the score 9-4, but the Cougars would go on a 4-0 run making the score 13-4. Due to service and attacking errors from the Cougars, the Lakers brought the game to 17-10. The Cougars couldn’t afford to let up a comeback, so the Cougars closed out the second set 25-13. The Cougars would be up two sets to none.
The third set opened with a 7-7 score and a stalemate. Multiple errors from the Cougars would give the Lakers their first lead during the whole matchup at a score of 13-10. The Cougars were down but not out of the game. The Cougars would play hard and tied the game at 16. The Lakers would put together an offensive attack to win their first set of the matchup. The Cougars would still lead the match up 2-1.
The fourth set opened with a back and forth exchange of points as the game was tied at 10. This was the third time in two sets that these two teams were tied. Although the Cougars and the Lakers aren’t in the same conference, this matchup shows that
the rivalry still looms. Even so the Cougars put up an offensive clinic and went on a 9-4 run and the Cougars would take not only the set, but the win.
This rivalry has not lost steam.
Although the scoreboard says something different, this game was close. There were many points in the last set the Cougars and the Lakers went point for point like how boxers go punch for punch. There also was something on the line. The Cougars were aiming to keep up the winning streak and strive for number one in the NAIA. The Lakers on the other hand were searching for their first win. It would’ve been a statement for them if they got their first against a former rival, as well as the number two
ranked team in the NAIA.
This game wasn’t the cleanest for the Cougars as they finished the game with 20 errors, which is shockingly more than usual. In their past two games they played Olivet Nazarene University and Benedictine University Mesa. In their game against Olivet Nazarene, they only had eight errors, and 11 against Benedictine. Which means the Cougars accumulated more errors in this game than their past two games.
Errors are very crucial because they reward the opposing team a point, and the more errors equals more points for the other team. The Cougars focal point going into their next game should be not only to play smart but clean.
On the other hand, the Cougars’ attacking game has been very effective. The Cougars had 56 total kills in this game, which is
Sports Editor Drake Hayes
SXU’s Distance Squad Shows Out at GVSU Meet; Foster and Franklin Continue to Claim Awards
After placing third at the CCAC Indoor Championships, the Cougars continued to perform at the highest level. The Cougars took on the challenge of attending the Grand Valley State University (Mich.) track meet, where they would be competing with other schools from NCAA Division I, II, and III programs.
The Cougars didn’t bring their entire squad to this meet, but brought enough guys to the meet in order to compete.
During the Distance Medley Relay, we saw the distance team hit the NAIA ‘B’ Standard. The relay team finished at 14th place, breaking the program record with a time of 10:09.36. This was the second-best time for an NAIA school, mixed with other programs other than NAIA.
The Distance Medley Relay team consisted of junior Rohindeep Bhattel, junior Charlie Zufan, senior Isaac Sytsma, and senior Jonathan Jacobo.
In other news, the weekly CCAC awards were announced earlier last week and the track teammates who were honored are none other than senior sprinter/hurdler Lendale Franklin and senior jumper Ronnie Foster.
Franklin was named CCAC Track Athlete of the Week. This was his first time earning the honour in the 2024-25 season.
Foster was named CCAC Field Athlete of the Week in back to back weeks, making this the third time this season that he has won the award.
Franklin showed out at the GVSU
meet as he also hit the NAIA ‘B’ Standard. He hit the standard in the preliminaries of the 60m Hurdles, running at 8.13 seconds, the third fastest time in team history.
Franklin proceeded to finish the 60m Hurdles finals in 8.21 seconds, placing him eighth overall.
While Foster was at the GVSU meet, he killed it at the Triple Jump. Finishing in second place, Foster recorded the secondbest jump in team history, jumping for a distance of 13.88m (meters).
Foster also took part in the Long Jump and logged a distance of 6.74m, placing him in fifth place and tying for the ninth-best all time score at Saint Xavier.
Junior sprinter, Sean Harris, was a part of a separate 200m race and finished at 21.86 seconds, recording the second-fastest time in team history and placing at 11th overall.
Harris also took part in the 60m Hurdles and completed the event with a time of 8.36 seconds, placing at fourth.
Junior sprinter, Myles Money, entered the 400m Early Section and raced well, he finished with a time of 51.30 seconds which resulted in a 10th place draw.
Sophomore sprinter, Charles Campbell, also competed in the 200m and finished with a time of 22.61 seconds, placing 13th overall.
Besides partaking in the Distance Medley Relay, Zufan competed in the 200m Early Section and a different 400m race. During the Early Section, Zufan finished in sixth place with a time of 22.67 seconds. Then for the 400m, he ran the thirdquickest time in program history, finishing in 49.57 seconds.
Senior thrower, Ayobami Arokoyo, competed in Shot Put and threw for a distance of 14.72m, placing eighth overall.
During the 3000m event, senior distance runner, Luke Snedden, earned himself a new PR (personal record) as he finished the race at a time of 8:56.58. This placed him 33rd overall out of 90 runners in the event as he was also the only NAIA competitor in the 3000m.
At the 4x400 Relay event, a team that consisted of Foster, Money, Zufan, and Sytsma competed in the event and finished with a time of 3:21.88. They ran the secondfastest time in team history and their time placed them fourth overall.
Nine members of SXU’s track squad will head down to Gainesville, Fla to represent SXU at the NAIA Men’s Indoor Track & Field National Championships. The National Championship will take place from Thursday Feb. 27 to Saturday Mar. 1.
SXU Gets past St. Ambrose, St Francis In The Regular Season Finale
Saint Xavier University vs. St. Ambrose 103-101 (W)
The Saint Xavier University’s (SXU)’s men’s basketball team just skipped past St. Ambrose 103-101 on Wednesday, Feb. 19 at Lee Lohman Arena in Davenport, Iowa.
Senior forward, Jordan Jackson, led the way for the Cougars, scoring 25 points on an efficient 11-14 shooting from the floor. He also added three rebounds but later fouled out of the game with 20 seconds left.
Both teams were trading baskets in the first half, SXU had a seven-point lead at 16:52. At the end of the half SXU held onto a 50-48 lead.
St. Ambrose stormed back and had a seven-point lead for themselves. At the 7:56 mark, SXU regained their lead and led by six after a three-pointer from junior guard Mekhi Wilson.
Both teams went down to the wire, with the Bees missing two opportunities to send the game to overtime from the freethrow line.
It was a huge win for SXU as they are now tied for the NO. 3 seed in the conference standings, with a final game remaining in the regular season.
Junior guard, Deoantre Warren, ended the game with 18 points, two rebounds, and two steals. He shot 4-9 from behind the three-point line and was an overall 7-15.
Senior forward, Andre Brandon tallied 15 points with seven rebounds.
Senior forward, Kevin Bishop had a final statline of 11 points, seven rebounds, and an assist.
SXU dominated when it came from points off the bench. The Cougars had a total of 54 while St. Ambrose had only 7.
Overall it was a close game between two good teams, but the Cougars came out on top to collect another win.
Saint Xavier University vs. St. Francis 70-54 (W)
Continuing onto the last game of the regular season, the Cougars hosted the University of St. Francis, securing a 70-54 win. It was a dominant win on Saturday, Feb. 22 at the Shannon Center as they head into playoff basketball. It was a quick 10-0 start to the game for SXU, but St. Francis went on a 13-0 run to take the lead at the 9:38 mark. Both teams took turns taking the lead and by halftime, both teams were tied 27-27. After each team had 37 points, SXU went on a 12-0 run to take a 37-49
advantage. This set the tone for the rest of the second half and they had as much as a 19-point lead with 3 minutes remaining.
In 30 minutes of play, Brandon recorded 14 points, and seven rebounds on 3-7 shooting.
Jackson concluded the game with 13 points, two rebounds, three assists, and two blocks in 32 minutes.
Bishop had 13 points, eight rebounds, and two steals in 27 minutes.
SXU’s shooting splits were 21-48 (43.8%) as a whole. They shot 9-24 (37.5%) from the three-point line and 19-27 (70.4%) from the charity stride.
The Cougars locked in the NO.3 spot with an overall record of 19-9 and 14-6 in the conference,
In their last game against St. Francis, SXU could not collect the win, but this time around, they played much better on both ends of the floor to gather the win.
It was a good regular season for the Cougars, they played collective basketball which is what all teams should do. They make a good case to be on the best teams in the tournament and they are looking to prove that this upcoming week.
The Cougars will kick off the CCAC Tournament on Tuesday, Feb. 25. At the time of writing there is no opponent determined, but SXU is looking to make a playoff run to the championship game.
Sports Reporter
Dolapo Ogunleye
Senior Sprinter/Hurdler Lendale Franklin Competing in a Race
@lendalefranklin1 on Instagram
Sports Reporter
Adrian Lopez
SXU forward Jordan Jackson SXU Athletics