02-14-2023

Round Rock campus awarded $1 million for STEM-for-All partnership

By Christian Martinez News

Contributor

Texas State President Kelly

Damphousse and Texas Representative John Carter secured a $1 million funding grant for the Round Rock STEM-for-All Partnership and research initiative. The grant came from the 2022-2023 general appropriations bill of Texas.

The grant will go toward funding internships for teacher and student

training, professional development sessions and more.

"This grant will be used greatly for a research component that is currently getting worked on," Leslie Huling, director of the LBJ Institute for STEM Education and Research said. "It’s research for the workforce needs and figuring out what are the educational demands and needs are in order to provide positively for companies."

Huling said more research needs to be done with the workforce not

only for its needs but also for how they can make it better by using science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The research could fill in gaps or areas needing more attention to create a better overall workforce for the newer generations.

SEE GRANT PAGE 2

VALENTINE'S DAY

#WeMetAtTXST: Alumni share their campus love stories

By Brianna Chavez Life & Arts Reporter

In a Fall 2020 Hillviews Magazine article, Jacque Crouse, a former contributor for the publication, collected Bobcat love stories after an overwhelming response of stories were sent to the Texas State Alumni Facebook and Twitter accounts. The hashtag #WeMetAtTXST was created and has continued to be used on social media and the alumni web page every Valentine's Day for couples to share how they met on campus.

Hunter and Quieraney Hornsby

After being convinced by a friend, Hunter Hornsby joined Tinder to try out the dating app. He didn't

SEE VALENTINE'S DAY PAGE 3

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expect the first person he matched with to be his future wife, Quieraney Hornsby, but it was.

"I went on Tinder not knowing what to expect," Hunter said. "Our relationship felt very natural and progressed in a way that felt right."

When the couple met each other for the first time in the fall of 2018, Hunter was a sophomore and Quieraney was a freshman at Texas State. Their first date was three days long. What originally was going to be an outside picnic for the first date turned into watching library-rented movies and eating snacks on Hunter's dorm room floor after the weather took a turn. The two didn't want to stop hanging out together, so Hunter and Quieraney officially became a couple after he asked her out with a cheesy joke.

Hunter and Quieraney went through highs and lows

together. The COVID-19 pandemic proved that they could get through anything with each other. Hunter helped Quieraney seek professional help with her mental health, something for which she appreciated him.

"The fact that he cared enough to help me was big," Quieraney said. "It made me realize what kind of person I want for my kids, someone who will care about them and their mental health."

In 2022, Hunter graduated with a master's in education, and Quiernaney a bachelor's in political science. Just a week before their graduation, Hunter asked Quieraney to be his wife. They plan to have their wedding in July and will celebrate their fifth anniversary in September.

Texas State chemistry students work in a stockroom of the College of Science and Engineering department on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, in Centennial Hall.

PHOTO BY FELICITY GUAJARDO

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FROM FRONT GRANT

Huling said this money was not a need but was accepted by their sponsor, Texas Representative John Carter.

"The Texas congressmen essentially looked at their districts and each thought 'what would benefit my district and help it go forward?'" Huling said. "So our sponsor, John Carter, was able to get the funds for us since they were available."

STEM-for-All’s plan is to help people of all ages think about themselves as science learners and perceive themselves as people who contributes to science.

The grant also impacts the lives of young student interns in a positive way.

Aaron Yeh, a freshman at Westwood High School in Round Rock, is a student intern for the STEM-for-All program. He said that he is looking forward to seeing how the money will help his program.

"I think the money will help with materials and let the kids have a more immersive and hands-on experience," Yeh said. "I feel like it is a significant contribution to help foster education in STEM, and it is absolutely doing its part in supporting education."

Yeh enjoys knowing that he is part of a bigger picture for the world. As an intern, he is involved in building the drones that will be used at future STEM fairs and teaching students at Success High School in Round Rock how to fly the drones.

"I really enjoy knowing that the work I’m helping do is going to help so many kids realize the potential they have in fields of STEM," Yeh said. "I’m helping them build their careers based on something they love."

In the STEM-for-All programs, students learn how math, science and technology help the world, why it is important that people study these subjects and what problems the world currently faces that need to be solved using STEM. Brainstorming ideas, and having critical thinking and problemsolving skills are just some of the things taught in the programs.

One of Yeh's former teachers is also part of this program as a teacher intern.

For more information on the STEM-for-All initiative visit it's website.

Ellen Lukasik, a math teacher at Success High School, is helping students learn more about STEM and what it can do for them and their community.

Lukasik said that she is very excited about these funds and what they will be used for.

"In some ways, this money is a relief," Lukasik said. "I don't know how we're going to continue to do these things in the future without a little bit of funding support."

Lukasik said the money hasn't affected her directly, but if it went to where she is, the money would help with interaction, more STEM program awareness and having events to get more students involved. Despite the $1 million grant, Lukasik said more funding will be needed later on.

"I think we need ongoing initiatives and continuing programs," Lukasik said. "We're going to have to continue to be innovative in our approaches, which, unfortunately, cost money."

Texas State biology junior Caden Summers works on a project for the Wittliff Collections, Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, in Centennial Hall PHOTO BY FELICITY GUAJARDO

ILLUSTRATION BY MADISON WARE

"I don't know how we're going to continue to do these things in the future without a little bit of funding support."

ELLEN LUKASIK Math Teacher, Success High School

LIFE & ARTS

FROM FRONT VALENTINE'S DAY

Logan and Jeena Domino

Jeena Domino, a former Texas State Strutter, met her husband in a bowling class. After suffering an injury that prevented her from taking her usual dance classes, she decided to sign up for bowling in the spring of 2018 to complete her hours. During class at Sunset Bowling Lanes she met Logan Domino. Jeena sat alone during class until Logan invited her to his group where they became best friends.

Later in the year, Jeena and Logan helped each other through their long-term relationship breakups by introducing each other to friends. Eventually, in the fall of 2018, Jeena noticed that Logan only wanted to talk and hang out with her.

"He was helping me get back into the world after my breakup," Jeena said. "Then one day he didn't want me to talk to his friends and wanted me to talk to him instead."

Logan was determined and asked Jeena out twice. She said she fought it for a while, telling him that they were just friends. When Logan asked a third time, she began to realize there was a connection and agreed to be his girlfriend.

Jeena loved how he was always down to have a good time and helped her become more outgoing, which she said made her have a great senior year at Texas State.

"I was the calmness to his storm," Jeena said. "He really helped me break out of my shell and enjoy my

The couple graduated in 2019 with each other by their sides. Jeena graduated with a bachelor's in dance education and Logan with a bachelor's in agriculture. In May 2021, Logan proposed to Jeena. They officially tied the knot last August.

Aaron and Victoria Black

Victoria Black, associate dean for student services at Texas State, was in her first year of her master's program in 2007 when her husband, Aaron Black, arrived at Texas State to complete his undergrad after serving in the military for four years.

The two had previously met in San Marcos in 2007 but really felt sparks fly when they reconnected on the Alkek Library stairs later that year. They chatted and exchanged phone numbers, and a day later Aaron messaged Victoria asking if she would like to go to dinner with him at Kobe Japanese Steakhouse.

"Here was this really, in my opinion, handsome man that was taking me out to a fancy dinner at Kobe," Victoria said. "It was really nice."

In 2009, Victoria graduated with a master's in counseling and guidance, and Aaron with a bachelor's in psychology. The couple got married in 2010 and live an active lifestyle, cycling and running together. Since they are both the only child in their immediate families, Victoria and Aaron knew they wanted to have kids. They have three young boys named Sebastian, Oliver and Caleb who love to learn, play games and attend Texas State athletic games with their parents.

David and Rosina Ruiz Valle

Rosina Ruiz Valle, the program specialist for the University College at Texas State, was a freshman in 1975 at then Southwest Texas State when she met David Valle. David transferred to Texas State from Laredo Junior College in Laredo, Texas, and only had two years left to complete his degree. He told his mother he would head back to Laredo after graduation but decided to stay in San Marcos.

"I tell people 'He fell in love with Southwest Texas State' but actually he fell in love with me," Rosina said. Rosina and David met through mutual friends at Texas State. They both had the same interests in music and concerts. From Elton John to Paul McCartney, Rosina said they attended concerts together and traveled around Texas to see artists that they loved.

Their first date was at a Grand Funk Railroad concert in San Antonio.

From the start, Rosina admired David's maturity, focus on education and regard for family.

"David and his mom were very close," Rosina "They say you can tell a lot about treats their mom. He was just the kindest."

In 1977, David graduated with a bachelor's in business, two years before Rosina completed her bachelor's in education in 1979. The couple got married in the fall of 1980. They welcomed a son, David Rene, into their lives in 1987. Their son graduated from Texas State with a bachelor's in geography in 2013.

In a time when students are focused on their future careers and maintaining a work-life balance, love can still be found throughout campus. These four couples said that having courage, connecting on shared interests and staying with people that bring good into your life can lead to strong relationships, both platonic and romantic.

"I definitely was a lonely person and didn't have any friends," Jeena said. "The right group of people will come along eventually, even if it feels like they won't."

Black TXST students to showcase creativity in "Young, Gifted & Black"

By Haley Velasco Assistant Life and Arts Editor

As Anyae Anasia, a musical theatre senior, finishes off her last semester at Texas State, she knew she is leaving her legacy within the Department of Theatre and Dance. With the determination to promote Black artistry at Texas State, Anasia will direct and produce the first annual "Young, Gifted & Black: A Black History Celebration."

"Young, Gifted & Black: A Black History Month Celebration" will entail an evening of performances including songs, monologues and scenes directed, produced and performed by over 30 Black Texas State artists in the Department of Theatre and Dance. The event is at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 26 at the Performing Arts Center Recital Hall.

Anasia has high hopes for a successful turnout because of her commitment to her goals.

“My goals are to produce, direct and perform in work that tells the stories of Black voices that are seldom heard and to uplift the Black community in doing so,” Anasia said. “I believe that this is my first step into this direction.”

Anasia had the idea for the show in the fall of 2020, her sophomore year, but could not fully commit to creating it with her busy schedule. Finally, Anasia began reaching out to Black faculty and artists in the acting and musical theatre department over the summer of 2022. Soon after, they began having monthly planned meetings along with collaborating with Take 5, a student networking community for BIPOC, Latinx and ally creators at Texas State.

Anasia also has the goal to motivate students to keep going with their education and she believes the show’s dedication to Harris will be a great way to implement this.

“I’m not entirely sure if there are students like this, but I’m sure that there are that they may be questioning whether or not they want to be in college, and maybe seeing that this woman went and graduated from Texas State for the rest of our kind would be very encouraging, especially at an event like this,” Anasia said. “Seeing how it has like basically affected all of us and opened the gates for all of us to kind of go to school here.”

The show is dedicated to Shirley Harris, the first Black student to graduate from Texas State, then

Southwest Texas State, in 1967. After Harris received her bachelor’s degree in education, she taught at elementary schools for 40 years in San Antonio. To acknowledge Harris’ teaching career, a scholarship will be awarded at the show to a deserving Black student pursuing a degree in education.

Kaitlin Hopkins, the faculty advisor for "Young, Gifted & Black" and the head of the musical theater program, had the idea to dedicate the show to Harris and create the first-ever scholarship in her name. Hopkins is honored to be the faculty advisor for the show and feels that Anasia's courage will take her far.

“I remember the first time I walked into one of the rehearsals for the showcase and I was just like ‘I didn’t even know y’all were here!’ Like I didn’t even know some of the Black people that went to this school were in this program,” Downing said. “Just being able to make my knowledge of other Black creators that are in this program was just automatically a plus.”

Downing's inspiration to join the performing arts world began when she performed in church when she was younger. With a love for being in front of an audience and speaking, Downing found her place in the Department of

underqualified,” Wesley said. “Being a performer, there’s a stigma that the people putting on the production hold the power and so you try to punch up toward that — you try to meet it, but just having this reminds us that we have everything within us to create. You have everything that you need to be a thriving artist and just do that. You are interesting, you are beautiful, your story is beautiful, so go tell it.”

Anasia hopes the show can go on after she graduates, but she knows that it will take a lot of work and commitment to make "Young, Gifted, & Black" an annual production. Even if this is the only time the show gets put on, Anasia would like to see other performances that celebrate Black culture in the future.

All in all, Anasia, Downing, Wesley and Hopkins hope to pave a way for a new tradition for Black History Month and create a safe space for Black artists at Texas State.

“We’re not doing this just because want to tell whatever story we want to tell and whatever thing that we want to do, but because it’s for the Black community and we’re trying to tell these stories for the Black community to celebrate Black artistry and Black people,” Anasia said.

To get tickets to the show, go to txstatepresents - Young, Gifted & BlackA Black History Month Celebration (Sun 2/26) (universitytickets.com).

“When you take on a leadership position and a creative producing directing position there’s no guarantee you’re going to succeed at it,” Hopkins said. “She’s putting herself out there with her peers and asking people to give up their time and their talent and their energies to help acknowledge the work of Black theater artists and musicians and I admire that. I think that she’s going to have an extraordinary future and really make a difference in our industry because she’s not afraid.”

Anasia has been holding rehearsals since the beginning of fall 2022 to ensure that the show is a hit. Students involved in the production like Savanah Downing, a performance and production senior, have been given a glimpse into a community that they did not know existed.

Theatre and Dance. Now, Downing looks forward to performing "Too Beautiful for Words" from the film "The Color Purple" at the show.

Although Downing has always had a love for the performing arts industry, she feels as though the Black community has always been overlooked and not given an equal opportunity to relay their talents. She and Tyler Wesley, a musical theatre sophomore, hope that "Young, Gifted & Black" will bring more attention to Black artists within the performing arts industry.

Wesley is grateful for the opportunity that he has been given to perform "Make Them Hear You" from the musical "Ragtime," and he hopes that it encourages young Black artists to tell their own stories.

“Underrepresented does not mean

The cast of "Young, Gifted & Black: A Black History Celebration" rehearse a musical number, Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, at the Peforming Arts Center.

PHOTO BY FELICITY GUAJARDO

Opinions in The University Star are not necessarily those of our entire publication, Texas State University’s administration, Board of Regents, School of Journalism and Mass Communication or Student Publications Board.

EDUCATION

Low graduation rate needs a fix for a better valued diploma

By Dalton Powell Opinions Contributor

Texas State's graduation rate is distressingly low. Though there is a new emphasis on improving the university's graduation rate, especially as Texas State President Kelly Damphousse looks to create a new culture of student success, the strategies implemented by the university are nonspecific and unfocused.

As the university sets new records with its freshmen enrollment, there needs to be a more strategic implementation of these ideas to cultivate student success into discernible resources that students can easily access.

In recent years, Texas State has grown dramatically in terms of enrollment. Although there are plenty of new students every year, the university has an ongoing issue with retaining its undergraduates. According to a report by Texas Monthly, which used statistics provided by the university, 25% of freshmen do not return for a second year. Furthermore, the percentage of students that graduate within a fouryear timeframe is 36% and the overall graduation rate is 58%.

A university's graduation rate correlates to its reputation. Damphousse said there is a recent sentiment that universities with high retention rates and graduation rates were viewed as better performing. Texas State's recent push to become an R1 research institute reflects this value.

"We want to be seen as a university that is high-ranking in its research,

ECONOMY

but is also high-ranking in its student success efforts," Damphousse said. "We have two great commissions going on right now. One of them is becoming an R1 institution and [the other] is the Commission on Student Success. Both of those things have huge impacts on the reputation of the university."

Comparing Texas State's graduation rates to the University of Texas at Austin shows an issue that needs addressing, especially if Texas State desires to compete academically with schools across the country. UT has an undergraduate enrollment of 40,916 — significantly higher than Texas State's which has remained around 34,000 since the fall of 2017. UT had less than 4% of freshmen not return for a second year, a four-year graduation rate of 72.8% and an overall graduation rate

of 87.7%.

Texas State can learn from the success of the University of Texas Student Success Initiatives that were implemented a decade ago. Before this program, UT had similar struggles with its graduation rates, with the four-year number stagnating at around 52%. However, since implementing the program, rates have steadily increased.

Brian Dixon, UT Austin's vice provost for Enrollment Management, revealed the in-depth approach to their success in increasing graduation rates.

Not only is there a shared sentiment of student success across the campus, but there is also an emphasis on resources provided to students, especially those from low-income and underrepresented backgrounds. This contrasts with Texas State's approach to graduation rates.

Damphousse argued that a topdown effort is the best approach to increasing the graduation rate. This means that the upper levels of administration should take the first step in "creating a culture." Though there is immense focus on the First Gen Proud program, which has increased freshman retention rates to a record level this past year, there need to be clear strategies to assist with other underrepresented demographics.

Vice President for the Division of Student Success Cynthia Hernandez expanded upon Damphousse's observations. To her and the Division of Student Success, created once Damphousse took the role of the university president, there is an emphasis on creating a sense of belonging. Though this lacks a clear strategy, it does help to start a conversation between students and the administration on what the student body truly needs — a refreshing experience to voice their opinions to university staff and faculty.

The future of Texas State's graduation rates starts with an open dialogue between the students and the university's administration. In that regard, Damphousse and the Division of Student Success are building an excellent future for Bobcats. But a new culture can only last if we build foundations upon adequate resources available to the university's underrepresented population.

- Dalton Powell is a public administration senior

Lose the private-public pay gap

By Lindsey Boyd Opinions Contibutor

In 2022, Texas employed roughly 1.96 million people in the public-nonprofit sector. Of these people, the average salary was $45,940. In 2020 U.S. nonprofits were the third largest employer in the economy, and in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, we could see just how important the roles of these employees are.

Yet the pay gap between those who work in the public sector and those who perform similar functions in the private sector is ever-growing. If not addressed, this pay gap could lead to an increased decline in graduates entering the workforce in public jobs.

The nonprofit sector is more significant than one might imagine. For example, K-12 teachers are state employees, which means they are in the public, nonprofit sector.

The average salary of someone working with a Master of Public Administration degree is roughly $73,000. Meanwhile, the average salary of someone working with a Master of Business Administration degree is approximately $101,034. For reference, Stephanie Reyes, the interim city manager for the City of San Marcos, holds an MPA degree. The average pay for a city manager in Texas is $78,542. A city manager position is equivalent to that of a CEO at a company.

Being classified as a nonprofit means the business does not generate a profit. Nonprofits need to make money to survive, just like any other business. Nonprofits take the money made and put it directly back into their mission rather than making money off the top. The notion that nonprofit employees, such as the CEO of Goodwill, should make less money than people who work in the private sector because, in doing so, they are somehow robbing their mission of needed funds is misled.

There is misinformation circulating about donating to goodwill. In 2017, the CEO of Goodwill Industries, James Gibbons, made roughly $598,300 in salary, and Goodwill has approximately 4,245 locations in the U.S. Meanwhile, Walmart CEO, Doug McMillon, made about $1,272,000 in compensation in 2021 and Walmart has roughly 4,650 locations in the USA. This is an example of nearly identical jobs with an astronomical gap in pay.

Just because Gibbons manages stores with a nonprofit mission and McMillon operates stores in the for-profit arena doesn't change the fact that they have similar jobs. Ideally, you would want these employees to have on-par job qualifications; thus, onpar compensation shouldn't be a frowned upon idea.

Nonprofit organizations pay their management well, government agencies raise their minimum wage and police or fire departments offer sign-on bonuses simply to try and stay competitive in today's job market and hire well-trained and well-educated employees to serve in critical social service positions.

To read more from the opinions section including columns, editorials and letters to the editor, scan the QR code to go to the opinions tab on The University Star's website.

This sector includes people employed at your local city hall, the people who keep the water going, the people who maintain the parks, police officers and firefighters. Also, consider people who support local homeless shelters like Southside Community Center in San Marcos. These workers play critical roles in communities. To get a competitive, well-trained and well-educated workforce in the nonprofit sector, businesses need to pay well and have good benefits.

The same is true in the private sector. This pay gap concerns college graduates entering the workforce, as 1,035 students in Texas are getting their degree in public administration this year, and 70 are at Texas State.

-Lindsey Boyd is a public administration graduate student

The University Star welcomes Letters to the Editor from its readers. All submissions are reviewed and considered by the Editor-in-Chief and Opinions Editor for publication. Not all letters are guaranteed for publication.

Send letters to stareditor@txstate.edu by Wednesday at noon. We welcome letters on all topics, include your name, major and classification if you are a student, or relation to the University or city of San Marcos. We do not publish anonymous letters.

ILLUSTRATION BY DALTON POWELL

ILLUSTRATION BY EVA BOWLER

Texas State junior forward Nate Martin (11) high fives fans after winning against Arkansas State University, Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023, at Strahan Arena. The Bobcats won 66-62.

PHOTO BY SARAH MANNING

Texas State freshman right-handed pitcher Analisa Soliz (23) gets set before throwing a pitch to the Villanova Wildcats, Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023, at Bobcat Softball Complex. The Bobcats lost 4-2.

PHOTO BY DILLON STRINE

Texas State freshman utility Katarina Zarate (28) swings at a pitch against the Villanova Wildcats, Saturday Feb. 11, 2023, at Bobcat Softball Complex. The Bobcats lost 4-2.

PHOTO BY DILLON STRINE

Texas State junior utility Hannah Earls (3) catches the force out at second which makes Villanova Wildcats sophomore infielder Ava Franz (10) out, Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023, at Bobcat Softball Complex. The Bobcats lost 4-2

PHOTO BY DILLON STRINE

Bobcats looks to dominate Sun Belt

By Ashton Knight Sports Contributor

Due to their performance during the 2022 season, the Texas State baseball team has found itself to be the team that everyone wants to beat, and they do not take that lightly. Their incredible season has built up anticipation for 2023 and they are ready to put in the effort for another winning season.

"We've gone from the hunters to the hunted," senior outfielder Jose Gonzalez said. "We've got a pretty big target on our back as conference champs and we made a big splash in the regional...they know who we are, they know what we got and we're going to bring it."

The Bobcats finished their successful 2022 season with an overall record of 47-14 and a record of 26-4 for the Sun Belt Conference. Their season ended when the Stanford Cardinal knocked them out of the NCAA Stanford Regional after a three-game series in which they lost two games.

The Bobcats had a 2022 season full of great performances from the team, making a name for themselves as a program to look out for. Senior pitcher Zeke Wood completed the season with an ERA of 3.78, a 7-1 record and 103 strikeouts. Gonzalez, one of the team's top hitters, finished last season leading the team in RBIs with a total of 60 and 13 home runs throughout the season.

"When they walked this fall, they had a different look in their eye of their expectations ... [with] the way Regionals played out, some great games and the way it ended," head coach Steven Trout said. "Although they were really happy with the way the season went, there was also that emptiness there at the end."

Despite losing eight seniors last year, including pitcher and 2022 Sun Belt Conference Male Athlete of the Year Tristan Stivors and Conference Player of the Year Dalton Shuffield, the team feels prepared to take on this season without them.

Seniors and other returning players have put in the effort to shape their team into the powerhouse that they were last year, despite the departures.

"I think we are for sure deeper this year," Wood said. "We lost some great guys last year...but we also picked up some guys that have experience under their belt and some younger guys that have really shown in the fall and early spring that they're suited to maybe even take that role [of leadership]."

Leadership and neutrality are major themes for the team this year. The coaches and players have put an emphasis on how their behavior during and after games is a reflection of who they are and how they play. Trout said maintaining composure and good leadership is incredibly important.

"I think the biggest thing is...just stay neutral. Stay neutral with our emotions, stay neutral when something goes good ... or something goes bad ...try to stay as neutral as we can,"

Texas State baseball junior left-fielder Jose Gonzalez (23) runs the bases after hitting a home run during a game against Stanford during the NCAA Stanford Regional, Sunday, June 5, 2022, at Klein Field at Sunken Diamond in Palo Alto, Calif.

Trout said. "That starts with myself. I have to be neutral. You know there's times you have to be excited [and] times you have to get after your team. We just have to stay as neutral as we can and if you do that, you have a chance to be in control of yourself and ... your performance."

The returning players have a lot of confidence in the incoming players, with the bullpen and batting lineup gaining some power. Sophomore infielder Ryder Hernandez has made changes to improve his performance and the team is anticipating his return to the plate.

On the mound, there are new players that the team is looking forward to competing with this year. The pitchers to look out for include junior pitcher Tony Robie, who started 11 games and pitched in 19 with an ERA of 5.05 last season.

These players, including Wood, have put in the effort to improve the highly anticipated Bobcat bullpen after Tristan Stivors, who was a key player for the team last year, graduated.

The coaches and players are anticipating the start of this season and they are ready to perform for the program. The Bobcats have spent this preseason growing together and working to ensure that they are mentally prepared to be one of the top competitors in the Sun Belt Conference.

"I'm itching to get back on the field and so is everyone else," Gonzalez said. "I think everyone knows what we have to live up to and everyone's prepared for it. We're ready to do it."

Texas State will begin the 2023 season with a three-game series against Northwestern University. The opening game is set for 6 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 17, at Bobcat Ballpark and will be streamed on ESPN+.

Track and field continues historic season

By David Cuevas Assistant Sports Editor

Texas State track and field’s record Texas State track and field’s recordbreaking 2023 season continued at the Tyson Invitational in Fayetteville, Arkansas, and the Howie Ryan Invitational in Houston, from Feb. 1011.

Ten different Bobcats competed at the Tyson Invitational and 30 competed at the Howie Ryan Invitational.

Senior Dominick Yancy ran a 46.41 in the men’s 400-meter, breaking the previous Texas State record of 46.48, which Yancy set at the Corky Classic in Lubbock in January.

This was the second Texas State record previously set by himself that Yancy has broken this season after running a 20.97 in the men’s 200-meter in January.

On Saturday, the Bobcat men’s 4x400 relay team bested itself once again by setting a school record for the second time this season. The team consisted of junior Brian West, senior Taahir Kelly, senior Bervensky Pierre and Yancy. They ran 3:06.48 to finish fifth and break the previous Texas State record in the event by nearly two full seconds.

This was the third time this season the men’s 4x400 relay team ran a sub3:10 time, breaking a 37-year-old Texas State record.

On Friday, redshirt senior Sedrickia Wynn ran a 7.37 in the women’s 60-meter preliminaries, the third-fastest time in Texas State history. She also clocked 8.28 seconds in the women’s 60-meter hurdles matching the third-fastest time in program history for the event, which she previously set at the Corky Classic in January.

This put Wynn into Texas State’s top-seven times for the sixth time this season. Wynn also finished eighth overall in the women’s 60-meter dash.

Wynn’s impressive performance carried over to Saturday by running a 23.52 in the women’s 200, the school’s third fastest time in that event. By clocking that time, Wynn owns two of the top three fastest runs in Texas State history in the women’s 200.

On Friday, Kelly ran a 47.08 in the men’s 400-meter, which is the sixthfastest time in school history. Kelly placed 11th in the event while his relay teammate Yancy finished in fourth.

TXST starts season with winning record

By Carson Weaver Sports Editor

Texas State softball (3-2) played in a five-game tournament to commence the 2023 season over the weekend. The team split two doubleheaders and won the final game of the tournament to grab a winning record to start the season.

The Bobcats went up against Wichita State and Kent State in a doubleheader for their first games of the season on Friday.

The ‘Cats dropped their first matchup to Wichita State 3-2 in a game where reigning Sun Belt Conference Pitcher of the Year junior pitcher Jessica Mullins was tagged with the loss. Mullins only gave up one run in three innings of relief after entering for senior starter Tori McCann but allowed a wild pitch in her first inning of work to allow the game-winning run to score.

Texas State followed its opening day loss with a mercy rule 8-0 blowout

of Kent State in the second game of the doubleheader. Senior infielder Sara Vanderford, a preseason All-Sun Belt selection, had two hits in the victory, including her first home run of the season in the bottom of the third inning.

Matchups against Kent State and Villanova on Saturday produced another doubleheader split for Texas State.

Texas State won Saturday’s first matchup 5-1 against Kent State, a team the Bobcats had beaten just 14 hours earlier. Mullins made her first start of the season and threw five innings, only allowing one run on seven hits. Sophomore outfielder Ciara Trahan, the 2022 Sun Belt Freshman of the Year, went 3-for-4 with three RBIs in the victory.

Nine walks were issued by the Texas State pitching staff in a 4-2 loss against Villanova in the final doubleheader matchup of the tournament. Four Bobcat pitchers entered the game, including a first career start by freshman

pitcher Analisa Soliz, and each gave up at least two walks in the loss.

Head coach Ricci Woodard said that anytime a team gives up nine walks, it probably won’t lead to a win.

“I thought they outplayed us in every category,” Woodard said following the Villanova loss. “We’ve got to rebound quickly… [Wichita State will] demolish us if we show up like this tomorrow”

Texas State abided by Woodard’s hopes of a rebound win and won the last game of the tournament 7-4 against Wichita State. Backed by a two-RBI double by junior utility JJ Smith, the Bobcats scored all seven of their runs in the bottom of the third inning en route to their third victory.

“I thought we did a good job of learning through the first four games and using some of the things we learned and doing a better job,” Woodard said.

Junior pitcher Jessica Mullins pitched in four of the five games, throwing a complete game on Sunday in the victory of Wichita State.

Vanderford had at least one hit in all five games of the tournament. She has seven hits, four doubles, one home run, four walks and five RBIs on the season.

Texas State is tied for fifth in the Sun Belt Conference following the tournament.

The Bobcats will face Lamar University in the I-35 Tournament at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 16., at Bobcat Softball Stadium.

On Saturday, Pierre ran a 21.26, matching his teammate redshirt senior Ashton Callahan’s time for the eighthfastest in program history. Over the course of this indoor track and field season, Pierre has run the third, fifth and eighth fastest times by a Texas State sprinter in the event.

Moving into the field events, freshman Utitofan Sam and redshirt junior Carly Watts finished second in the women’s weight throw and shot put. Sam threw a distance of 17.61 meters/57-9.5 in the weight throw. Watts had a distance of 14.90 meters/48-10.75 in the shot put.

In the men’s shot-put event, senior Tyler Noles finished in fourth place by throwing 15.90 meters/52-2.

With both the Tyson and Howie Ryan Invitationals in the rearview mirror, Texas State will shift focus to the 2023 Sun Belt Conference Indoor Championships which will be held from Feb. 20-21 in Birmingham, Alabama.

Texas State baseball breaks out for the final time before the Bobcat's first game of the NCAA Baseball Stanford Regional against UC Santa Barbara, Friday, June 3, 2022, at Klein Field at Sunken Diamond in Palo Alto, Calif.

Texas State softball team celebrates after an inning ending double play against the Villanova Wildcats, Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023, at Bobcat Softball Complex. The Bobcats lost 4-2.

PHOTO BY DILLON STRINE

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