04 11 2006

CULTURAL EXCHANGE

TREACHEROUS TRIP

Japanese Language and Culture Club holds third annual Sakura Festival

Texas State baseball travels to College Station after 2-1 series win over Northwestern

SEE TRENDS PAGE 5

SEE SPORTS PAGE 10

TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY SAN MARCOS

www.UniversityStar.com

APRIL 11, 2006

TUESDAY

VOLUME 95, ISSUE 72

THE IMMIGRATION ISSUE:

Protest at the Capitol

Protestors take to streets of Austin to call for immigration reform

By Joe Ruiz The University Star

A.D. Brown/Star photos

A

USTIN — Thousands of Central Texans marched downtown on Monday afternoon to protest resolutions before Congress calling for tougher crackdowns on illegal immigration.

An estimated crowd of 12,000 were present throughout the day, and an estimated 3,000 congregated on the steps of the Capitol building to listen to speakers, organize and chant slogans calling for equal rights within the immigrant communities.

The lush, green lawns of the Capitol were awash in white shirts

12,000 STRONG: (Above) Austin Police Department officers kept a crowd of 12,000 protestors under control and safe from traffic as they marched from the Capitol Building to the Federal Building on Monday afternoon. (Lower left) One of many children who attended the march as part of The National Day of Action for Immigrant Justice watches on as speeches were delivered on the steps of the Capitol. (Upper left) American and Mexican flags were ever-present during the march as protestors showed their loyalty to both countries.

See PROTEST, page 4

Muslim scholar aims to enlighten, educate listeners at discussion

By Anna Heffley The University Star About 100 people attended a discussion called “Islam Uncovered” led by an Islamic scholar in the LBJ Mall on Thursday.

Anas Hlayhel has studied Islam for 15 years and lectured on the subject for seven years, said Samer Morad, manufacturing engineering junior and president of the Muslim Student Association.

Hlayhel began his lecture with the basics of the Muslim faith.

“The purpose is to introduce Islam,” Hlayhel said. “Many people have heard of it, but probably not from the right sources.”

Hlayhel said Islam answers the most important questions, such as “Why are we here?” and “Why did God create us?” with “to worship and obey God.” Hlayhel said Muslims believe God, or “Allah” in Islam, is the only creator, owner, manager and overseer.

Muslims also believe there is nothing in humans that is similar to God in any way and that humans cannot comprehend the reality of God until after they die.

“Anything you imagine about God, just remember, he is different,” Hlayhel said.

The word “Islam” is directly derived from the phrase “submit to God.” Worship should be obeying God with utmost love and utmost submission, Hlayhel said.

“Any act of God is an act of worship,” Hlayhel said. “Praying, fasting, charity, those are all

84˚/62˚

By Clayton Medford The University Star

important parts of worship, but the other aspects are love and submission.”

Islam also teaches people to hope in God’s mercy and not despair if a sin is committed, but remember to balance hope with fear, Hlayhel said.

“Hope in his mercy, but fear his punishment,” Hlayhel said.

“You can’t have just hope or just fear, you have to have both.”

Hlayhel said another important aspect of Islam is gratefulness to God. “He’s given you life and all bounties. Thank God in your heart and with your tongue,” Hlayhel said.

Hlayhel said Islam is based on the Six Pillars of Iman, two of which are belief in prophets and Judgment Day. All the true prophets brought different laws, but the essence was the same, since they came from the same God, Hlayhel said.

“All the prophets agreed God was the one and only God,” Hlayhel said. “Don’t worship anything besides God. Not money, not other people, nothing.”

Hlayhel said when you die, your wealth and family do not follow you, only your actions follow you to Judgment Day. “God looks at your heart and what you did in life,” Hlayhel said. “But Islam doesn’t say to abandon this life. Work, make money and use it for the sake of God.” Even though his lecture was covering religious information, See SCHOLAR, page 3

Today’s Weather

Cloudy

ASG reads legislation supporting summer athletic scholarships

Precipitation: 10% Humidity: 58% UV: 6 High Wind: SSE 12 mph

Legislation supporting the creation of four summer school scholarships for athletes was read for the first time at the Associated Student Government meeting on Monday.

The legislation, authored by Spanish senior and Sen. Carla Podgurecki, calls for the “immediate and permanent funding of 6-credit summer school scholarships to be given to two female and two male athletes.”

Podgurecki’s resolution

claims “summer school is a critical time for students to take classes in order to complete classification transition (and) in order to graduate in shorter number of semesters.”

Lead sponsor of the legislation and Sen. Clerk Kyle Morris said Texas State student athletes are at a disadvantage because of Texas State’s 128hour graduation requirement.

“Our competitors, however, have a 120-hour degree requirement. So that means we have to take more hours, and right now we don’t offer summer scholarships. So

that means that while they are in their competitive seasons, they’re not going to take more hours than their counterparts.

If they had these scholarships, they would be able to take more courses in the summer, which means in the long semesters they would have lighter course loads,” Morris said.

Student athletes are required by the NCAA to complete 40 percent of their degree requirements by the end of their second year of eligibility, 60 percent by their third year and 80 percent by their fourth.

Morris said this requirement

was a major factor in sponsoring Podgurecki’s resolution.

ASG Vice President Cassie Holman said that Podgurecki’s bill is the first step ASG is making toward supporting across the board scholarships that will cover long semesters as well as summer sessions.

The senate went into executive session to vote on the only tied race of last week’s ASG elections. The race between current senators Eric Heggie and Casey Hartle was decided in a 16-7 vote in favor of preinternational studies senior Heggie.

Relay for Life runs laps and bounds for a good cause

By Marquita Griffin The University Star People walk for many reasons — to better their health, reduce stress or to simply have time to themselves — but on Friday, people walked in honor and in memory of those who currently have cancer, those who survived cancer and those who died from cancer.

The Relay for Life, an overnight community meeting where anyone can contribute to the fight against cancer, was held from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. at Bobcat Stadium. The San Marcos community partnered with Texas State to participate in the 12hour walk event.

Music rocked the stadium while people walked, skipped, hula-hooped and ran around the track. Jennifer Moore, public relations senior, said she was running in support of those affected by cancer.

“I’m racing for the cure,” Moore said.

Moore attended the event with her sisters of the Alpha Kappa

Alpha sorority to support one of their members, Shalanda Gilford, whose mother died from cancer in January.

Charlene Esek, athletic training senior and AKA member, said Gilford was participating in Relay for Life in her hometown, Cleveland, Texas. By participating in Relay for Life, Esek said the sorority is supporting Gilford.

“All of this is so emotional because it hits so close to home,” Esek said.

The Sterry Sweehearts were also present at the stadium. The residents of Sterry Hall, an all-female dorm, decided to engage in a significant community project and chose Relay for Life as the project to get involved in.

Jjounyta Buchanan, undecided sophomore and Sterry Hall resident assistant, said the hall wanted to use their theme of “girl power” to endorse a good cause.

Leslie Cortez, accounting junior and Sterry Hall RA, said the participants from their hall arrived at 7 p.m. and were going to stay until the end.

Two-day Forecast Wednesday Isolated T-Storms Temp: 87°/ 62° Precipitation: 30%

Thursday Mostly Sunny Temp: 88°/ 58° Precipitation: 0%

David Racino/Star photo SLOW BUT STEADY: Marchers circled the football field at Bobcat Stadium from 7 p.m. Friday to 7 a.m. Saturday , raising more than $40,000 in the Relay for Life, the American Cancer Society’s signature fundraising event.

“We’ve decided to take shifts because we are in for the long haul,” Buchanan said.

Other activities accompanied the walking as a way to represent support.

The Diaz Martial Arts Performance entertained the audience.

Inside

TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY SAN MARCOS

News ..............1-4 Trends .............5-7 Comics .............. 7 Crossword ......... 7

Sudoku .............. 7 Opinions ............ 8 Classifieds ......... 9 Sports .............. 10

Children demonstrated the discipline of martial arts as their contribution to Relay for Life.

Eddie Diaz, instructor, passed out cards entitling people with a free 30-day trial program for See RELAY, page 3

To Contact Trinity Building Phone: (512) 245-3487 Fax: (512) 245-3708 www.UniversityStar.com © 2006 The University Star

PAGE TWO The University Star

Tuesday in Brief

April 11, 2006

starsof texas state The University Star, Bobcat Update and KTSW brought home awards from the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association Convention.

The convention, which was on Thursday through Saturday at the Clarion El Tropicano Riverwalk Hotel in San Antonio, was a gathering of publication and electronic media organizations from Texas colleges. More than 500 students and faculty members from more than 45 Texas two- and four-year schools attended the convention.

The Star won its second consecutive “triple crown,” taking best

overall paper, best in show and sweepstakes in its division. KTSW won sweepstakes in the radio division. The Star took 32 awards, KTSW took nine and Bobcat Update won five awards.

The Star won seven live contest awards at the convention, three of which were first place. The paper also took first place in 11 competitions for previously published material. KTSW took first place in one contest for previously broadcast material and Bobcat Update won first place in two competitions for previously broadcast material.

News Contact — Kirsten Crow, starnews@txstate.edu

Calendar of

Christian cottontail

STARS OF TEXAS STATE POLICY Do you know someone at Texas State who has recently celebrated a great achievement? Nominate your choice to appear in The Star as a “Star of Texas State.” Write an e-mail to starletters@txstate.edu with the subject line “Stars of Texas State,” and include your nominee’s name, his/her relationship to the university, contact information for yourself and your nominee, and a brief description of the achievement. Also include a photo of your nominee if available. Accepted nominees will be featured at the top of Page Two.

EVENTS Clubs & Meetings Thursday Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship will meet at 8:30 p.m. in Old Main, Room 320. There will be a guest speaker, Anthony Scoma of Southwest Family Fellowship.

Events Wednesday American Marketing Association will host John Hampton, head of corporate accounts for Enterprise Rent-A-Car, at 5:30 p.m. in the LBJ Student Center, Room 3-14.1 Thursday Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper will be celebrated at 7 p.m. in the Catholic Student Center.

Sheldon Solomon, professor of psychology at Skidmore College, will present “Grave Matters: On the Role of Death in Life” from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Alkek Teaching Theater as a part of the Common Experience. Solomon will give a lecture on the role death plays in people’s lives.

Friday Living Stations of the Cross will begin at the CSC at noon and the procession will continue on into The Quad.

Monday The Mitte Honors Program will sponsor “Dignity and Community: Courage in the Time of

AIDS” by photographer Susan Winters and Nozuko Ngcaweni’s slide presentation of the AIDS pandemic in South Africa at 7:30 p.m. LBJ Teaching Theater.

On This Day...

1947 - Jackie Robinson became the first black player in majorleague history.

Arts & Entertainment Tuesday

1968 - President Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act.

There will be a trombone ensemble at 8 p.m. in Evans Auditorium.

1970 - Apollo 13 blasted off on a mission to the moon that was disrupted when an explosion crippled the spacecraft. The astronauts returned safely.

GiGi Love will play at George’s at 8 p.m. Admission is free.

Friday A free screening of The River of Innocence, a documentary of the San Marcos River, will be presented by WE CAN San Marcos at 7 p.m. at the public library.

Saturday Ramon Parker, saxophonist, will perform his senior recital at 2 p.m. in the Music Building recital hall.

CALENDAR SUBMISSION POLICY Calendar submissions are free. Send submissions to Calendar of Events at starcalendar@txstate.edu or call (512) 245-3487 for more information.

E-mailed press releases will not be accepted. If using e-mail, please submit as a simple bulleted list of essential information. Submissions are on a first come, first served basis and notices for weekly meetings need to be submitted every week they will take place.

The University Star reserves the right to refuse entries or edit for libel, style and space purposes. Deadline: Three working days prior to publication.

A.D. Brown/Star photo A member of the Texas State Baptist Student Ministry greeted students on Monday in The Quad in an attempt to put the emphasis of Easter more on the holiday and not the commercialization of it.

CRIME BL TTER University Police Department

San Marcos Police Department

April 4, 5:20 a.m.

DUI-Minor/Clear Springs Apartments An officer came in contact with a student who was driving under the influence of alcohol. A citation was issued to the student.

April 7, 9:58 p.m.

Possession of a Controlled Substance/520 Linda Drive Possession of cocaine under 1 gram and possession of marijuana under 2 ounces.

April 4, 11:35 p.m.

Criminal Mischief/Causes Substantial/San Marcos Hall Parking Garage An officer was dispatched to the San Marcos Hall parking garage in reference to an incident. A student’s car had been marked with washable paint.

This case is under investigation.

April 8, 12:18 a.m.

Evading Arrest/200 W. MLK Drive Evading arrest/detention, violation of city code: riding bicycle on sidewalk/downtown, public intoxication.

April 8, 3:26 a.m.

Traffic Stop/204 N. I-35 Officers made an arrest for public intoxication. The subject also had a fake ID.

Crime stoppers: UPD: 245-7867, SMPD: 353-TIPS

Texas Intercollegiate Press Association awards THE UNIVERSITY STAR Overall Excellence Staff — First Place Special Section Basketball Guide — First Place Editorial Writing Staff — First Place Sports Column Joe Ruiz — First Place Feature Story Eloise Martin — First Place General Column Jonathan Sims — First Place Opinion Page Design Stephanie Vinson — First Place Sports Page Design Scooter Hendon — First Place Sports Feature Photo Matt Rael — First Place Information Graphic Erin Hanley — First Place Illustration (non photo) Jeffrey Cole First Place Online Newspaper — Second Place Critical Review Deanna Ledezma — Second Place Special Section Adam Brown — Second Place

Feature Photo Armando Sanchez — Second Place Picture Story Tiffany Searcy, Brynn Leggett, Mershon Illgner, Marcia Garcia — Second Place Headline Writing David Michael Cohen — Second Place Ad Design Topher Sipes — Second Place Ad Design Marisa Leeder, Topher Sipes — Second Place News Feature Story Eloise Martin — Third Place Newspaper Illustration Mike Wood — Third Place Single Subject Design Matt Rael — Third Place Sports Feature Story Brandon Cobb — Honorable Mention Sports Action Photo Andy Ellis — Honorable Mention LIVE CONTESTS Magazine Design

Matt Rael — First Place Critical Review Kyle Bradshaw — First Place Print News Writing Jason Buch — First Place Newspaper Advertising Marisa Leeder — Third Place Editorial Cartoon Mike Wood — Third Place Editorial Writing Joe Ruiz — Third Place Sports Photography Adam Brown — Third Place BEST OF SHOW (One issue printed during the Spring Semester judged at the convention) The University Star — First Place KTSW RADIO Spot Commercial Daniel Sanford — First Place Overall Newscast Jennifer Podraza, Mastin Kirksey — Second Place Documentary Matalie Kraus-Darden — Second Place Spot News Laura Jamison — Second Place

PSA, Promo Spot Commercial Nick Kukowski — Second Place PSA, Promo Radio Public Affairs Staff — Second Place Documentary Erica Hernandez — Third Place Spot News Brittani Simms — Third Place Feature Story Danielle Madsen — Honorable Mention BOBCAT UPDATE TELEVISION Sportscast Cameron Kushwara, Brant Freeman — First Place Audition Tape Michele Barragan — First Place Audition Tape A.J. Lebron — Second Place Overall Newscast Michelle Barragan, Andrew Etuk, Emily Trout, R.J. Marquez — Third Place Television Spot Commercial, PSA, Promo Andrea Robinson — Honorable Mention

1974 - The Judiciary Committee subpoenaed President Richard Nixon to produce tapes for impeachment inquiry.

Health Beat Don’t let procrastination cripple spring’s last four weeks In the last weeks of the semester, many students begin to lose motivation and direction.

We may tell ourselves, “I’m too stressed; I need a break. I’ll watch television for the next 30 minutes and then get back to work.”

The problem is, we never get back to work. Before we know it, we’re even further behind in coursework and homework and tests seem impossible and major projects are major problem — stress abounds. What to do? How do we get from “overworked, constantly pressured student” to “life-is-good, college success story”?

One step toward getting everything under control is recognizing procrastination. To procrastinate is to defer action.

We procrastinate with activities that are completely unrelated to the tasks we need to complete.

Procrastination can lead to stress, anxiety and “burn-out,” causing your performance to be adversely affected.

Do you procrastinate? If so, the next section of this article has some great information on getting your life back on track.

Start by recognizing your “procrastination activities.” These are things that you typically do in place of what you should be

doing and include things like watching TV, surfing the internet for topics unrelated to your coursework and hanging out with friends. Everyone has their own “procrastination activities,” figure out what yours are.

After you’ve figured out how you procrastinate, set yourself up for success by adjusting your environment.

For example, if you like TV more than textbooks, go somewhere that doesn’t have a television to get your reading done.

Next, break big projects into smaller tasks. By doing this, a major project goes from “mission impossible” to “I finished it a week ahead of schedule.” Keep a daily to-do list — assign easy tasks first, that’ll really help.

Also, keep track of your progress with graphs, charts or stickers to remind yourself how successful you’ve become.

Finally, reward yourself with those things you used to use for procrastination.

If you’re having trouble getting motivated or reducing procrastination, call the Counseling Center at (512) 245-2208 or visit our Web site at www.counseling. txstate.edu. Also see SLAC or any of the learning labs around campus.

—Courtesy of the Counseling Center

NEWS

Tuesday, April 11, 2006

The University Star - Page 3

RELAY: Ceremony commemorates lives lost to cancer SCHOLAR: Collaboration between organizations brings Hlayel to LBJ Mall CONTINUED from page 1

boxing or martial arts program.

Diaz said health is an important factor in cancer and he wanted people at the relay to have an opportunity to at least consider Diaz Martial Arts as an option to become or stay healthy while also learning the disciplines of an ancient art.

People also engaged in the hula-hoop contest, face painting, a football game, dancing and visiting in their teams’ tents.

The mood was both heavy and light as people shared stories and encouraged one another.

Carol Anderson, Bonham Elementary School teacher, was the team captain of the Bonham Angels. She said four members of her team had survived cancer and they were present not only to support one another, but also to send a message to those who may have never experienced a relay before.

“If you experience a relay, you can better empathize with people who have dealt with cancer either directly or indirectly,” Anderson said. “There are so many more reasons why a person should attend a relay, but it all falls under that general idea. A person usually leaves with more understanding about many things.”

The Kappa Delta Chi sorority participated in the relay for the eighth consecutive year. Siana Herrera, communication studies senior, said the sorority’s philanthropy is breast cancer and last semester they raised about $2,000 for the cause.

“That is pretty good for only 12 girls,” Herrera said. “That proves our dedication to the issue.”

Herrera said the sorority was participating in the relay to support one another.

Kandice Cruz, communication studies senior, said she was walking specifically for her family. Cruz’s family is dealing with cancer’s effects on a few members of her family and she said the relay fills her with hope.

“Cancer — the word — it sounds so final, but you see all these people with survivor shirts on and it helps,” she said. “You know there is life after cancer and the people here prove it.”

Herrera and Cruz said their sorority was completely devoted to participating in the relay the entire 12 hours. They arrived at 6 p.m. and planned on staying until 7 a.m.

Deleigh Hermes/Star photo LIGHT OF MEMORY: The track at Bobcat Stadium was lined with luminarias — white paper bags lit from within — in remembrance of relay participants’ friends and relatives who had died of cancer.

“Cancer never sleeps,” Cruz said. “We will be here until we’re told to go home.”

The most anticipated part of the relay was the luminaria ceremony.

“The ceremony is incredibly intense, and if nothing else convinces people of how amazing the relay is, the ceremony will,” said Jennifer West, photography senior and member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority.

West was accompanied by Trish Weir, mass communication senior, and 28 other members of Alpha Delta Pi sorority. Weir said the relay was composed of “fun sub-activities, which allowed everyone to be involved and enjoy each other’s company and support.”

Weir said she found it encouraging how many people participated and how many survivors, identifiable by their purple shirts, were present.

West said the relay has increased considerably in size and recognition since she began participating, and she looks forward to the future of the relay.

“How can you not want to be a part of this?” Weir said. “I cannot wait for five years from now to see how much it has grown.”

At 9 p.m., the stadium lights were turned off and the luminaria ceremony began. Bags containing a light lined the tracks and the bleachers. The bags around the track were presented in the memory of someone and the ones in the bleachers spelled “Hope.”

Meeghan Zeringue, mass communication senior and co-chair

of the event, began her opening speech to the ceremony as participants walked to the end zone and gathered around the field goal. Teams, couples, friends and families sat together. Players on the Texas State football team sat together.

Epsilon Williams, mass communication senior and football player, said the entire team was present and had a member dedicated to walking the track the entire night. Williams said the team was present to support members on the team dealing with the issues caused by cancer.

“We are a team. We play as a team, and we will support as a team,” Williams said.

The names of those who had luminaries placed in their honor and in memory were read aloud as the Gospel Expressions Assembly sang old spirituals in the background. The only sounds that could be heard were the voices of the gospel choir and the speaker reading off the names.

Sitting on the field, lit only by the bags in the stadium and around the track, people comforted one another.

Friends held hands, family members hugged, people cried and people laughed. Some wiped their tears from their eyes and others let their tears fall. The emotions ran high throughout the audience, carried by the current of the gospel choir’s intense voices.

A moment of silence followed after the names were called.

At the closing of the moment of silence, Zeringue said that her goal for the relay is “One day (I)

hope that we won’t have to meet here under these circumstances fighting the same tragedy.” She said by looking at the turnout of participants, she felt her goal was coming closer to reality.

Zeringue said Pamela Nieva, political science senior and chair of the event and the Hispanic Business Student Association were a significant factor in bringing the relay to Texas State and making the event as constructive as it was.

Nieva, on the other hand, contributes the success of the relay to the entire Relay for Life Committee.

Nieva said the relay team, the San Marcos community and Texas State came together to “make the relay as amazing as it was.”

Nieva said she was touched by the turnout at the stadium and knew all the hard work that went into the event would pay off.

“I mean, there are no words to describe how incredibly important, beautiful and emotion this relay is,” Nieva said. “All of our hard work has gone towards a great cause. I mean, just look at it, what else can you say?”

This is the second year Texas State has been the site of the relay, and this year the event raised more than $40,000. The Relay for Life Committee said they feel that is a great indicator of how successful the event is becoming and they look forward to next year. They encourage any organizations, businesses and individuals who want to participate in Relay for Life to contact the nearest representative to get more information.

CONTINUED from page 1

lectures to the Muslim community,” Morad said. “This event is this event was an informative a step forward to bring diversity discussion, not a sermon. to this school.”

“It seemed that the speaker Many students said they were was not there to convert anyone, drawn to the event because merely to give a better under- they wanted more information standing of his about Islam. religion,” said “The primary Matthew Sisk, reason I was in an undecidattendance was ed freshman to receive some who attended insight about the discusIslam as a relision. “He did gion and how a very good the religion, as job of answerwell as its foling questions lowers, are able and explaining to adapt their himself withvalues and out preachbeliefs in our ing.” contemporary Hlayhel was world, in spite brought to — Jermaine Jackson of the negative speak at Texas portrayal that is history senior State as a colsometimes put laborative efupon Islam,” fort between the Texas State said Jermaine Jackson, history Muslim Student Association senior. “Anas Hlayhel made the and the University of Texas Is- lecture more of a discussion, lamic Dawah Foundation, with and with his mix of Arabic and help from the Texas State Mul- English contributed to my unticultural Student Association, derstanding of Islam and in all.

Morad said.

I walked away enlightened and “He always comes to the educated about the religion and prayer halls in Austin and gives its followers.”

nas Hlayhel “A made the lecture more

of a discussion, and with his mix of Arabic and English contributed to my understanding of Islam...”

www.UniversityStar.com

NEWS

Page 3 - The University Star

Tuesday, April 11, 2006

PROTEST: Governor’s Mansion, Sen. Cornyn’s office sites of demonstrations CONTINUED from page 1

and predominately American and Mexican flags.

The rally on the steps was part of an earlier walkout and protest on the campus of the University of Texas.

One of those at the Capitol attended because of what he had faced in his five years in the United States as an undocumented immigrant.

“We came to work in America to get a better life,” Sergio Peña said. “We want to get our papers, that way we don’t have to worry about being here and not be scared and afraid.”

Holding an American flag with his family, Peña joined those on the lawn and steps in chants of “¡Si, se puede!” Spanish for “Yes, we can!”

The protest — which later became a march — was part of the National Day of Action for Immigrant Justice, a day planned to rally hundreds of thousands of people in at least 39 states, according to CNN. Austin’s protestors, while predominately of Hispanic descent, were joined by people across the racial and ethnic spectrum.

Brigid Shea, a former Austin city councilwoman, was among the protestors marching through Congress Avenue and other streets on their way to the Federal Building at the intersection of San Jacinto Boulevard and East Ninth Street.

“I think these protests are very similar to those of the Civil Rights protests in the ’60s,” Shea said. “I think the way we treat immigrants is a re-invention of slavery.”

Shea, who openly cried during the walk, also marched as a way to teach her son and his friend how to stand up for what they believe is right.

“If you don’t give us our rights, we’re going to open our own doors,” said Jack Bennett, friend of Shea’s son. “It should be very easy to just give them their rights.”

Immigrants, both legal and illegal, were part of the protest and march that stopped briefly to chant at the doors of the Texas Governor’s Mansion on Colorado Street as well as the local offices of Sen. John Cornyn, RTexas, on West Sixth Street.

Shortly after 5 p.m., Kyle resident Rigoberto Faz briefly led the march down 11th Street be-

f you don’t “I give us our rights, we’re

going to open our own doors.

It should be very easy to just give them their rights.”

— Jack Bennett protestor

fore turning left on Colorado.

Faz, hand-in-hand with two of his three sons, joined the march to show that immigrants contribute daily to American life.

“My parents came here from Mexico to work,” Faz said. “I’m not claiming to be a perfect person, but it gave me the opportunity to give my children, my wife and my family an opportunity to have a better life. I believe everybody should have that right to come and have the opportunity to work as long as they remain crime-free, I don’t see a reason why we have to deport anybody.”

Following the chants at the Governor’s Mansion, the march continued four blocks further to Sixth Street, where the line of protestors turned right and proceeded to stop at Cornyn’s offices.

Chris Jimmerson, executive director of Political Asylum Project of Austin and one of the organizers of the march, stopped the group as they arrived at shaded entrance to the building.

“This is Senator Cornyn’s office, and they have a message they want to send to Senator Cornyn about supporting immigrant rights,” Jimmerson said.

“We want a program that allows people to become legal, and we want just, comprehensive immigration reform.”

Three protestors carried a giant letter, affixed with a stamp of Latino civil rights icon César Chavéz, to the door of the locked building and left it against the entrance, addressed to the local offices of the senator.

“It’s clear that we need both border security and reform to address the 12 million people currently living inside our borders illegally. The Cornyn/Kyl bill takes a comprehensive ap-

A.D. Brown/Star photos MANY FLAGS, ONE CAUSE: After following a route through downtown Austin, protestors descended on the Federal Building to listen to various speeches about immigration reform proposals.

RALLY REVELRY: (Left) A group of protestors dressed flamboyantly and performed at various stops along the protest route.

proach that would bolster our border security, enhance interior enforcement and comprehensively reform our immigration laws. Our plan would also provide a second chance, without amnesty, for those who want to work legally in the United States.

But I will continue to oppose legislation that includes amnesty or simply repeats the mistakes of the 1986 bill,” Cornyn wrote in an e-mail statement to The University Star through his press secretary, John Drogin.

After leaving Cornyn’s office,

the march looped back through Fifth Street and turned left onto Congress, before turning again on East Ninth Street to arrive at a final rally at the Federal Building.

Those walking at the head of the march on Fifth Street could observe people still turning onto Sixth Street in front of Cornyn’s office.

Many of the demonstrators were peaceful along the route, even when confronted by a handful of counter-protestors, although an official statement

about situations during the rally and march were unavailable after multiple phone calls to the Austin Police Department were not returned.

“I believe that we’re a nation of laws and that we need to uphold the law as it is. Illegal immigration is against the law, so I think that the people who are here illegally need to go home and come back via proper channels,” said Grant Rostig, a Libertarian candidate for the 25th U.S. Congressional District of Texas.

The candidate said that even with his alternative stance to the masses walking through Austin, he had been confronted only briefly.

“A few people have said a few things, but it’s been pretty peaceful, actually.”

Rostig is challenging Democratic incumbent Lloyd Doggett in the November elections.

By 7 p.m., most of the protestors had left the Federal Building, but traffic through Austin’s downtown streets was still blocked.

TRENDS THE UNIVERSITY STAR

releasesof the week music

You in Reverse – Built to Spill

Garden Ruin – Calexico

Elan Vital – Pretty Girls Make Graves

Death By Sexy – Eagles of Death Metal

Fun with Dick and Jane — (PG-13) Jim Carrey, Tea Leoni

Tuesday, April 11, 2006 - Page 5

The Greatest Game Ever Played — (PG) Shia LaBeouf, Stephan Dillane

dvd

An Unfinished Life — (PG-13) Robert Redford, Jennifer Lopez Ellie Parker — (R) Naomi Watts, Scott Coffey

Trends Contact — Kyle Bradshaw, starentertainment@txstate.edu

JAPANESE IMMERSION Expo bridges gap between cultures with performances, art

By Maira Garcia The University Star Japanese food, dance, music and art were united not just for the sake of entertainment but to bring awareness of the growing Japanese community at Texas State.

The Japanese Language and Culture Club held its third annual Cultural Expo, Sakura Festival, at the LBJ Student Center Ballroom last Wednesday.

The expo was aimed at educating students and the San Marcos community of Japanese culture. JLCC, established in 2003 by exchange students and enthusiasts of the culture, worked throughout the semester to organize the event.

Organizers and performers at the expo walked around in traditional Japanese dress, mostly long, colorful robes and wooden thong sandals called geta. Visitors to the expo were immersed in Japanese culture through food, art and entertainment.

“There are 109 Japanese students at Texas State, which is the largest number of all international students,” said Yuki Tokaji, an exchange student from Japan who performed at the event, “It’s good to experience other cultures to gain respect.”

The event was filled with a variety of Japanese entertainment, particularly music and dance. Door prizes, which included a $50 gift card to Pompei Steakhouse, a wok and rice cooker, were handed out at the end of the night.

Starting the evening was a choir singing Japanese pop or “J-pop” songs. The songs, sung along with a piano, overflowed with rich harmonies and could be appreciated for their emotional interpretations.

More than 40 students of Crockett Elementary and the Suzuki Strings program showed

SAKURA SONG: A Japanese pop-music choir opened the festivities at the annual Sakura Festival on Wednesday evening in the LBJ Ballroom.

David Racino/ Star Photo

off their violin skills. The young Sushi, dumplings, hot green violinists are taught at an early tea and chicken teriyaki were age to develop musical ability served to guests throughout the under the Suzuki Method. This evening.

In addition to food and enform of string teaching originated in Japan and was brought tertainment, the expo featured to the United States in the early 12 booths, each with a differ’60s. ent exhibit of Japanese crafts Austin Taiko, a group from and customs, such as origami, Austin that practices a modern- shodo or calligraphy and kirie, ized form of Japanese drum- the art of paper cutting to make ming, played traditional and a picture.

One booth original songs allowed on bulky woodguests to try en drums.

The drumhere are 109 on a kimomers chanted no, which is Japanese over the neara traditional students at Texas form of dress ly deafening an tribal beats as State, which is the involving elaborately they struck the largest number of d e c o r a t e d drums with silk robe thick sticks. all international tied together Between mustudents ... by an obi, a sic numbers, It’s good to thick sash groups pertied into a formed yosaexperience other bow at the koi and so-ran cultures to gain back. dances. YosaFor those koi is a choreorespect.” interested in graphed dance — Yuki Tokaji more modperformed by mass communication junior a large team ern couture, that mixes traa fashion booth was ditional dance also availwith modern music. Each dancer was dressed able to those looking to purin a black robe outlined in chase second-hand clothing bright orange and held a small and browse Japanese fashion wooden clapper called a naru- magazines.

Kazuhiro Wakita, accountko, which provides a beat. Soran is a newer dance form that ing junior, helped manage the also involves traditional dance three-table long fashion booth but has a modern rock beat. that had nonstop visitors. He Texas State Martial Arts explained the ever-changing also gave a demonstration on fashion scene and fads. the self-defense art. Students “Japanese fashion has a cleanshowed their sparring abilities er style,” Wakita said. “Guys like and skills with weapons. a tight fit, since we tend to be While the audience was en- smaller.”

Another booth displayed the tertained, they were given a taste of Japanese food and drink to latest in Japanese entertaincompliment the ment, like video games and televic u l tural sion shows. experience.

“T

David Racino/Star photo SHODO STUDENTS: A member of the Japanese Language and Culture Club paints shodo symbols, a form of Japanese calligraphy, at the Sakura Festival.

People lined up to play Taiko: Drum Master on PlayStation 2 with a pair of plastic drums and drumsticks.

At the event, the interaction between event organizers and guests established a bridge for the cultural gap.

“It’s interesting to see what people from the other side of the world do and how we are similar and different,” said Mary Ann Dix, studio art sophomore.

“I learn something different every year.”

David Racino/Star photo CULTURAL CRAFT: One of the booths at the Sakura Festival gave visitors the opportunity to try their hands at folding origami under the supervision of origami aficionados.

Page 6 - The University Star

TRENDS

Tuesday, April 11, 2006

FITE NIGHT

RECAP David Racino/Star photos (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP) DISQUALIFICATION BY DISLOCATION: After his fight ended prematurely because of a dislocated shoulder, Texas State lacrosse player Harris Schlortt (right) is forced to forfeit the fight to his opponent JD De La Rosa.

BOXING BOBCAT: Sophmore Delbert Current (left), representing Texas State football, lays a right hook on his opponent during Thursday’s Fite Nite at the Hays County Civic Center.

Current was the undisputed winner of his fight.

READY TO RUMBLE: Texas State lacrosse player Harris Schlortt heads to the ring before he is forced to forfeit his fight because of a dislocated shoulder early in the first round.

Dance performance enthralls audience with its fresh style

By Samuel Ladach-Bark The University Star Set against a soft pastel background, writhing bodies convulsed and contorted in unnatural ways. Imitating a death scene, one young man dressed in Army training fatigues made loud gasps as he propelled himself horizontally across the Evans Auditorium stage floor. This performance was part of the University Performing Arts Encore Series.

The Bruce Wood Dance Company entranced an audience on Saturday at Evans Auditorium.

The performance showcased the acclaimed choreography of the company’s artistic director, Bruce Wood.

Wood studied dance at the School of American Ballet and gained experience performing in many different dance troops,

including the New York City Ballet. It was in 1995 that Wood was asked to make his debut as a choreographer, when a small dance company from Austin asked him to create a ballet for them. The ballet was an overwhelming success, and Wood has been a fulltime choreographer ever since.

It was from this foundation that the Bruce Wood Dance Company formed and presented its first complete season at the Fort Worth Bass Performance Hall in 1997. Since then, Wood has created more than 50 ballets for the company.

At Saturday’s performance, three dances were presented, each with an easily identified central theme. On a modestly lit stage, eight dancers conveyed a broad spectrum of human emotion from the tragic story of fallen comrades in “Follow Me” to the upbeat, big

band-fueled “Anything Goes.”

Wood’s style is not one somebody would associate with traditional dance ensembles. His style is very fluid and draws from obvious ballet influences combined with a quirky style all his own. Within all three performances, key techniques held the recital together as a whole and helped define Wood’s unique approach to modern dance. These themes included frequent lifts, entangled limbs and an interesting, yet awkward flair, which always kept the audience on their toes.

Unlike traditional dance ensembles, Wood experiments with new techniques all the time, and always pushes his art forward.

“Anything Goes” was a tribute to the big band era and the muSee DANCE, page 7

TRENDS/DIVERSIONS

Tuesday, April 11, 2006

✯Star Comics

The University Star - Page 7

DANCE: Wood’s choreography paints portrait of soldiers’ life CONTINUED from page 6

sic of Cole Porter. The women, dressed in matching purple cocktail dresses, twirled and fluttered circles around the men in striped three-piece suits. The tone of this piece was one of happy reflection on the past, when prohibition was a fact of life and the youthful public seemed to party harder out of spite.

The next act, “Follow Me,” was a tribute to the men of the armed forces. Wood was once asked to create a ballet in tribute to the soldiers at Fort Benning in Georgia. In a speech before the performance, Wood conveyed how apprehensive he was in accepting this commission. He has never had a positive opinion on war in any form, but while spending three days on a base with the soldiers and having several conversations with Vietnam veterans, he discovered something amazing about the men and women of the armed services.

“I found that every man and

found that every man and woman “I shared the same reason for becoming a soldier. They had a desire

to be part of something that was larger then themselves, a desire to help people and a desire to spread freedom.”

— Bruce Wood Bruce Wood Dance Company artistic director

woman shared the same reason for becoming a solider,” Wood said. “They had a desire to be part of something that was larger then themselves, a desire to help people and a desire to spread freedom. I promised to make my ballet a tribute to that idea, not one of political or social bias.”

Wood held true to his words. Set to the soft orchestral music of Giuseppe Verdi and Michael Kamen, Wood’s choreography painted a portrait that did not glorify the life of a soldier, but instead gave the audience an intimate look at

their trying existence. Closing out the evening was a showcase of a Texas traditional titled “Lovett!”

It was an energetic display of what makes Texans great and our naturally positive outlook on life.

The highlight of this dance had the women and men on opposite sides of the stage, while the men followed the taunting feminine fingers offstage on their knees.

Throughout the night, it was obvious why Wood receives so much praise of his work. His choreography keeps the performances varied and fresh.

SU DO KU Complete the grid so that every row, column, and 3-by-3 box contains every digit from one through nine inclusively.

Thursday’s solutions:

© Pappocom

Thursday’s solutions:

Go to www.UniversityStar.com for today’s answers.

OPINIONS THE UNIVERSITY STAR

Tuesday, April 11, 2006 - Page 8

quoteof the day “Under no circumstances should (student service-learning) hours be used to promote activities such as going to a protest for illegal aliens.”

”

—Brad Botwin, president of the Richard Montgomery High School Athletic Booster Club in Rockville, Md., about the school district’s plan to offer community service credit to students who left school to protest immigration reform. (Source: The Washington Times)

Opinions Contact — Joe Ruiz, staropinion@txstate.edu

THE MAIN POINT

Uneducated students cripple spirit of protests Across the nation, proposed legislation targeting 12 million illegal immigrants has sparked a wave of protests — in Texas alone, marches and rallies numbering in the tens of thousands swept before government buildings and city squares, but many of the hot spots are being found in high schools and universities.

Students in numbers unseen since the Vietnam War have participated in the protests; thousands walking out of classrooms to rally for what some call discriminatory and disabling legislation and for others, an unsure and uneducated cause. Some of these students are making their first independent decisions as young adults to accept the consequences of standing up for what they believe in, while others are jumping on a bandwagon in search of a sense of unity without educating themselves on the very proposal they rail against — or some are looking for a great excuse to miss class.

Some of the students participating have been unable to answer simple questions from the media regarding why, exactly, they have walked out of class. Many have promptly answered with explanations of cultural pride or the standard Horatio Alger speech. When pressed further, however, about specifics of the legislation they opposed, many were clearly ignorant of the logistics, uncertain of what stipulations were involved.

For the students who have misguidedly marched out of class, it should be said that worse than silencing the community voice in the face of wrong is blindly following the pack and protesting what is not understood.

But for the students who have made an educated decision to walk out on a system they believe does themselves, the economy and their families wrong — kudos.

While high school administrators have resorted to banning students from the prom and graduation to thwart what they fear could easily turn to utter disorder in their schools, students have continued to press on.

The school districts have pleaded with the students to discontinue the protests, arguing that the message has been heard, or that there are other ways to protest other than walking out and causing a disruption.

One might wonder, however, what these same administrators were doing during the Vietnam War. They very well may have heard the same admonishments, pleads and threats — and also known very well that other forms of protesting often don’t get things done.

They, too, may also have learned the lesson many of our parents did: Sometimes you have to sacrifice benefits and accept the consequences to do what you believe is right.

In November, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author Nick Kotz came to speak at Texas State as part of the Common Experience and to commemorate the signing of the Higher Education Act by President Lyndon Baines Johnson.

Kotz asked the crowd of students gathered to hear him speak, “What will it take to lead you out into the streets?”

Six months later, young people across the country are taking to the streets. These aren’t the college protests of the ’60s to which Kotz was alluding. People of all ages, not just truant high school students, are making their voices heard. The students involved in these protests are probably as uninformed about the issues as the college students Kotz saw protesting in the ’60s. When Kotz said “lead you out into the streets,” he meant young people everywhere, but he was addressing Texas State students. So far, those students who heard him speak are showing the same apathy they’ve shown to just about every major issue that has affected their country, their state or their community.

The Main Point is the opinion of the newspaper’s editorial board. Columns are the opinions of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the full staff, Texas State University-San Marcos Student Media, the School of Journalism and Mass Communication or Texas State UniversitySan Marcos.

Big Oil fills own pockets at pump Fortune magarespectively. zine placed ExxonThe Lundberg Mobil in the No. 1 Survey, which surspot on their list of veys 7,000 gas sta500 top U.S. comtions nationwide, panies for 2006. reported that gas MSNBC reported prices increased that ExxonMobil’s 40 cents from a STEPHANIE SILVAS revenues increased year ago and 15 Guest Columnist more than 25 percents in the past cent from last year two weeks. Oil and brought in $36.1 billion prices fluctuate just under in profits. CNNMoney breaks $70 a barrel, and it seems to down the profits to reveal the me that oil companies are company’s daily earnings at passing on all the costs to the just under $100 million, and consumers. according to Globe and Mail I understand that the price Update, ExxonMobil’s profits of gas includes taxes, and I was not only more than the understand that oil compaNo. 2’s profits, but more than nies constantly have to meet the next four spots combined. with standards enforced by This isn’t the first time legislation that cut into profExxonMobil has been at the its. However, I don’t undertop, but I find it difficult to stand how these companies understand how this compacontinue to rake in billions of ny can see such a gross profit dollars when their consumers while we sit in an energy criare struggling to pay for their sis. Its not like we don’t need product. gasoline or that gasoline is a I’m not an expert on ecoluxury. I’m not complaining nomics, but I don’t think about the price of diamonds its right that Exxon is makor Lamborghinis. We all ing $36.1 billion in profits depend on gas, and until we when we’re in an energy find other resources, gasoline crisis. When the stock market prices affect us all, regardless doesn’t do well, stockbrokers of whether or not we drive a don’t do well, you’d think car. that when the oil market And it’s not just Exxondoesn’t do well, companies Mobil, either. CNNMoney selling oil won’t do well. reported that “Oil companies But, you see, it doesn’t formed a profit dream team.” work that way in the oil inFourth and sixth place on the dustry. Why? Because the oil Fortune 500 list belonged to industry is the prime example Chevron and ConocoPhillips, of what we call Big Business,

and with Big Business comes big money from lobbyists.

Yes, there is a huge demand; and in return, the oil industry must meet that demand. But the oil companies don’t say that the high price at the pump is due to supply and demand. That would imply that they don’t care about their consumers, and all they care about is profit. Instead, the oil industry claims that OPEC, the hurricanes and lack of reserves are cause for the increased price at the pump. Yet with all these setbacks, they continue to make billions of dollars in profits. These companies are not only passing along all the costs, they are adding to it to make their huge profits. The Department of Energy states that there has been a growth in the domestic supply of gasoline by 4.5 million barrels since January, but we still haven’t seen the decrease in price.

And I know, summer is right around the corner, and prices are more than likely going to increase, but prices increase all time. Apparently heat, cold, disasters, shortages, OPEC and just about anything else cause oil prices to increase, yet the oil industry is still on top.

As easy as it would be for me to blame this solely on the Republican Party, it seems to me that neither party is do-

ing much to stand up to Big Oil. According to the Detroit Free Press, oil companies are receiving $7.2 billion in government subsidies and were allowed a $2.6 billion tax break. So, they charge us the tax at the pump, and then the oil companies get a tax break.

That’s fair.

With the anticipated work of some U.S. senators trying to cap costs, Bush has declared that he would veto any energy bill with a windfall profits tax.

So, there really isn’t much we can do, especially when the national energy policy is a result from Cheney’s meeting with leaders in the oil industry. It’s like deciding our drug policy with drug dealers. This administration is transparently behind the oil industries.

We need to elect officials in November who will stand up to the Bush administration and put legislation in place to lower prices by creating a more competitive market.

Representing the pockets of the oil industries isn’t what our elected officials are in office to do, but it is definitely what they’re doing.

Exxon’s slogan is “We’re Drivers too.” There are many drivers out there, but with $36.1 billion in profits, Exxon apparently isn’t the type of driver who finds a $50 tank excessive.

Stink of tobacco industry tainting bodies, college campuses OK you Cats of the hell is the matBob, I’ve got to ter with you? None rant today. I hate of you who started everything havsmoking in the past ing anything to do 20 years can honwith the tobacco estly say you never industry. I hate toknew cigarettes were bacco companies, addicting or bad for SHAWN A. I hate cigarettes, I you and yet you still FREEMAN hate butts, I hate do it. As the ChewStar Columnist smoking and I hate lies Gum representatruth.com advertive from Clerks can tisements. There is nothing tell you, you are actually payin the world that annoys me ing these people to kill you. more than the people on both Truth.com is spending milsides of a cigarette. lions of dollars on these cute Let’s start at the beginning. little ads that are telling us Tobacco companies, what this very fact. Their logic may the hell is the matter with be that though the fact that you? You are like the little kid cigarette smoke is massively who gets caught in a lie but harmful is common knowltries to hold on to every bit of edge, people are still smoking ground until his entire lie is so maybe they are not getting discovered. “Cigarettes aren’t the picture. Let me tell you, if bad for you. OK, maybe they people can light up a cigarette, are. Cigarettes aren’t addictsmoke it all the way through ing. OK, maybe they are. We and not automatically know don’t try to hook people while without ever having read any they are young and therefore medical evidence that it is have a customer for life. OK, bad for you, maybe we should maybe we do.” start putting an impotency Cigarette smokers, what drug in the mix because stu-

pid people should not be allowed to breed. I think the Darwin Awards should be set up like a yearbook. Here’s the guy who tried to use a power line to hold himself up while he fixed his roof, and here’s the guy who tried to basejump with a bed sheet and here’s the “smoking section.”

If it is clear that people are going to smoke no matter how bad cigarettes are for them, wouldn’t a better use of that money be engineering a cigarette that won’t kill you, or finding a cure for cancer?

Cigarette laws are a bit of a struggle for me. I really don’t like the idea of legislating people’s lives. The problem I have is that cigarette smoking doesn’t just affect the smoker. We have speed limits not because the speeder can’t handle driving that fast, necessarily, but because speeding cuts down on reaction times.

You can get out of the way of a car moving 70 mph a lot easier than you can a car moving 125 mph. There are

many things to say about that sentence, but that is a different column. My point is this: Your right to destroy your own lung tissue ends where my lung tissue begins. I hate even the smell of cigarette smoke so much that I would betray my dream of a small government and support a law that banned smoking on campus.

Finally, no matter what you do to your own body, pick up your f***ing butts and put them in the trash. Nothing is worse when walking to the library and getting hit in the face with the stench of 10 thousand stale cigarette butts. The most maddening thing about it is the fact that there are trashcans right there.

That’s like crapping on the bathroom floor right next to the toilet. It’s beyond lazy.

I know I’m sounding like a grouchy old man, but it’s like people decided they are going to do whatever they can to make this school a more unpleasant place. End of rant.

Letters policy: E-mail letters to starletters@txstate.edu. Letters must be no longer than 300 words. No anonymous letters will be printed. We reserve the right to edit for grammar, spelling, space and libel. We reserve the right to refuse obscene, irrelevant and malicious letters. All e-mails must include the name and phone number of the letter writer. Students should also include their classifications and majors.

The University Star 601 University Drive Trinity Building San Marcos, TX 78666 Phone: (512) 245-3487 Fax: (512) 245-3708

Editor In Chief..................David Michael Cohen, stareditor@txstate.edu Managing Editor..................................Joe Ruiz, staropinion@txstate.edu News Editor......................................Kirsten Crow, starnews@txstate.edu Assistant News Editor.........................Jason Buch, jb1163@txstate.edu Trends Editor.................Kyle Bradshaw, starentertainment@txstate.edu Photo Editor......................................A. D. Brown, starphoto@txstate.edu Sports Editor...................................Miguel Peña, starsports@txstate.edu

Copy Desk Chief.........................Emily Messer, starcpchief@txstate.edu Design Editor.......................................Matt Rael, stardesign@txstate.edu Systems Administrator.............Chris Jeane, starsysadmin@txstate.edu Webmaster...........................Ryan Johnson, starwebadmin@txstate.edu Art Director.......................................Marisa Leeder, ml1131@txstate.edu Advertising Coordinator......................Jodie Claes, starad1@txstate.edu Account Executive......................Richard Para, Jr., rp1060@txstate.edu

Account Executive................................Ana Kulak, ak1094@txstate.edu Account Executive..................................Lindsay Lee, atlas@txstate.edu Account Executive.....................Lindsey Randolph, lr1068@txstate.edu Student Business Manager................Robby Silva, rs1237@txstate.edu Publications Coordinator..Linda Allen, starbusinessoffice@txstate.edu Publications Director..............Bob Bajackson, stardirector@txstate.edu Visit The Star at www.UniversityStar.com

The University Star is the student newspaper of Texas State University-San Marcos published Tuesday through Thursday during the fall and spring semesters. It is distributed on campus and throughout San Marcos at 8 a.m. every other Wednesday of Summer I and II with a distribution of 6,000. Printing and distribution is by the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung.

Copyright April 11, 2006. All copy, photographs and graphics appearing in The University Star are the exclusive property of The University Star and may not be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the editor in chief.

C �LASSIFIEDS ���������� THE ����UNIVERSITY �����������STAR ����

��������������������� ad policiesand costs

Tuesday, April 11, 2006 - Page 9 Wednesday, August 24, 2005 - Page 33

All classified ads are charged 20¢ per word. Ads may be emailed to starclassifieds@txstate.edu.

Check your classified ad for accuracy. Any changes must be made by the second day of publication.

The deadline for all classified ads is noon two business days prior to publication. Classified ads must be paid in advance unless credit has been established. Refunds will only be given when a classified ad has been paid by credit card. The Star reserves the right to refuse, edit, and discontinue any classified ad at any time without prior notification. Classified ads will be edited for style purposes. Classified ads that do not note heading, will be put under the appropriate heading. All classified ads are published free, on-line at www.universitystar.com. Since this is a free service, posting is not guaranteed. While The University Star attempts to screen ads for misleading claims or illegal content, it is not possible for us to investigate every ad and advertiser. Please use caution when answering ads, especially any which require you to send money in advance.

E-mail starclassifieds@txstate.edu Email Classifieds Classifieds at starclassifieds@txstate.edu

FOR RENT

$0 DEP. $0 APP. Large Condo 1 & 2 bdrms available. Some bills paid. Call Apartment Experts (512)805-0123 or check out more apartment specials at www.sanmarcos-apartments.com $0 DEP, $345 MOST BILLS PAID. Call Apartment Experts (512)805-0123.

1 BEDROOM 670 SQ FT $420. 2 bedroom 835 sq ft $495/ For more info call Apartment Experts 805-0123. $99 INCLUDES DEP. App. and 1st month rent. Beautiful property! 1, 2, 3 bedrooms. Call Apartment Experts (512)805-0123. $785 2/2.5 WINDMILL APTS. 3 blks from TXState. Preleasing for 5/20 and 8/20. Free HBO, Road Runner, full-size W/D. www.windmilltownhomes.com for floor plans & prices. 396-4181.

I’M FREE! I’M EASY! WANNA MOVE? Great Locations is your best resource when shopping for apartments.

Visit us and get a FREE shirt and a chance to win a New Dell. www.glsanmarcos.com, 512-878-2233.

1/1.5 LOFT, 700 SQFT. Backyard and w/d included call Apartment Experts (512)805-0123 1/1.5 TOWNHOME only $525, pets ok, W/D included. www.glsanmarcos. com, 878-2233.

3X2 & 3X3 DUPLEXES newly remodeled, hardwoods and tile, w/d, dogs ok. $642 Great Locations 878-2233 ALL BILLS PAID 1, 2, & 3 BEDROOMS. Your choice, close to campus, IH-35, or Hopkins. Great Locations, 512-878-2233.

FURNISHED ROOM, cable TV, private bath, kitchen/laundry privileges, non smoker. $400 per mo, call 512-878-0360.

1 BR GUEST COTTAGE on historic San Antonio St. Unique, safe, private, & charming area. Suitable for one tenant only. Walk to TxSt. Every bill paid, W/D included. NS/NP. $650.

754-1227.

SPLIT LEVEL TOWNHOME. 2 bedroom, starting at $625. Call Apartment Experts, (512)805-0123.

WALK TO CAMPUS! 1 bed $410, 2 bed $460 with cable & internet paid.

Great Locations, 512-878-2233.

WALK TO CAMPUS. $99 total move-in 2-2 $599. 1-1 also available.

Call Apartment Experts 805-0123.

ALL BILLS PAID! 2 bedroom $650 W/D included. Call Apartment Experts, (512)805-0123.

NOW PRELEASING efficiency one & two bedroom apartments. Great Prices & Specials! 754-0001.

3/3 ONLY $305+ BILLS include water, internet, and W/D. Great Locations, 878-2233. www.glsanmarcos. com RENT TO OWN, seller financing, 3/2, 4/2 Large Doublewides, on one acre, Hill country, Large Oaks, 512-754-3344, San Marcos, TX 3X3 DUPLEX, 3 covered parking spaces, cable, internet, phone, and trash paid. Going quick! Great Locations, 512-878-2233. $149 TOTAL MOVE IN! $420, 2bdrm $525. On TX State shuttle. Call Apartment Experts (512)805-0123.

TOWNHOME 4-2.5, all bills paid, W/D included call Apartment Experts (512)805-0123 AVAILABLE MAY 1. Beautiful new 3b/3.5b. 1497 N. LBJ, (512) 665-6500 or (512) 396-4488. No pets.

IMMEDIATE MOVE-IN at 702 Bracewood. 2bd/2b for $475 per month. Call Legacy Real Estate at 665-0350.

FREE APARTMENT LOCATING! Managers specials, floor plans, deposit information. A+ Video Apartment Locators, 512-392-3463. aplusapts.net LARGE T-HOME, $99 total move-in free cable, internet, and phone. W/D included. Call Apartment Experts 805-0123.

FOR RENT

ALL BILLS PAID! 4 bedroom $710 W/D included. Call Apartment Experts, (512)805-0123.

1/1.5 LOFT! Only $445 includes cable, phone, internet, partial water & close to TSU. Great Locations, 512-878-2233.

611 BRACEWOOD ready for immediate move-in. Large 2 bedroom 2 bath with water/waste water paid. Small pet welcomed. REDUCED TO AN AMAZING LOW PRICE OF $565/month.

Call Legacy Real Estate at 665-0350.

APARTMENT HOTLINE-Free info on over 60 apartments, condos, and townhomes. www.glsanmarcos.com, 866-282-8517. $350 FULLY FURNISHED cable, internet, water paid, W/D included. Call Apartment Experts 805-0123. $49 TOTAL MOVE-IN includes app, dep, and 1st months rent free (1,2, & 3 bedrooms). Great Locations, 512-878-2233.

NEED LOW RENT? Roommate matching could be the answer. Call and we’ll set you up. Apartment Experts (512)805-0123.

MOVE IN SPECIAL, one month free, large 3/3, W/D. 512-422-0903.

1/1 LOWEST PRICE NEAR TOWN. Most bills paid & pets ok, only $315.

Great Locations, 512-878-2233. www. glsanmarcos.com BIG 2 BDROM 900 SQFT. $585! call Apartment Experts (512) 805-0123. $1-1 $375 500 SQFT! call Apartment Experts (512)805-0123 3X2 DUPLEX, 2 car garage, vaulted ceilings, W/D, cable, water, dogs ok. $900. Great Locations, 512-878-2233.

NEW 3/2 HOUSE. Huge yard, great floor plan, alarm, garage. Great Locations, 512-878-2233.

SPACIOUS & NEW 3/2 House. West of IH35. upgrades throughout, garden, tub, huge master, large bedrooms & closets, 2 car garage. Great Locations 512-878-2233 2 BEDROOM ONLY $495. $149 total move-in (1st month rent, app, dep.)

Great Locations, 878-2233. www.glsanmarcos.com $0 APP $0 DEP. Brand new, most bills paid. Pool views available. Great Locations, 512-878-2233.

CHECK OUT OUR current apartment specials online at www.sanmarcos-apartments.com or call Apartment Experts (512)805-0123.

ARTISTIC LOFTS, hardwood floors, W/D, 16 foot ceilings. www. glsanmarcos.com. Great Locations, 512-878-2233

FOR RENT-APTS IMMEDIATE MOVE-IN at 702 Bracewood. 2/1 for $475 per mo. Call Legacy Real Estate at 665-0350.

611 BRACEWOOD ready for immediate move-in. Large 2/2 with water/ waste water paid. Small pet welcomed.

REDUCED TO AN AMAZINGLY LOW PRICE of $565 per mo. Call Legacy Real Estate at 665-0350.

BISHOP’S CORNER at 1409 Bishop has a 1 bedroom for $395. Early May availability. Quite, small complex.

Water/waste water and trash paid. Visit legacyrealestate.biz, and call Legacy Real Estate at 665-0350.

ROOMS NEXT TO CAMPUS free internet, cable, and other free utilities $325-$375 call 392-2700.

APARTMENTS NEXT TO TEXAS STATE now leasing for May and August. Beautiful wooden floors, no shuttle or parking worries. Rooms, 1B, 2B, 3B and roommate matching. Free internet, cable and some utilities. $300 - $605 per person. 392-2700 $785 2/2.5 WINDMILL APTS. 3 blks from TXState. Preleasing for 5/20 and 8/20. Free HBO, Road Runner, full-size W/D. www.windmilltownhomes.com for floor plans & prices. 396-4181.

APARTMENTS FROM $375/MO. Near stadium. Gas, water paid.

353-5051.

FOR RENT-APTS

BISHOP’S CORNER at 1409 Bishop has a 1 bedroom for $395. Early May availability. Quite, small complex.

Water/waste water and trash paid. Visit legacyrealestate.biz and call Legacy Real Estate 665-0350.

3 BEDROOMS WITH 3 FULL PRIVATE BATHS. Extra large kitchen, washer/dryer, fridge, dishwasher, 3 carports, storage building, and FREE phone-cable-high speed internet. $845.

Agent, (512) 665-8788.

FOR RENTCONDO/TOWNHOMES $785 2/2.5 TOWNHOUSE. 3 blks from TXState. Preleasing for 5/20 and 8/20. Free HBO, Road Runner, full-size W/D. www.windmilltownhomes.com for floor plans & prices. 396-4181.

FOR RENT-DUPLEX FOR RENT DUPLEX 3br/3.5ba 101 Cedergrove (on bus route). Fenced backyard/pets ok. $1050 per month.

512-557-2557.

DUPLEX FOR LEASE for immediate move-in. 2/1 at 1107 Marlton for $625 per mo. Easy terms. Call Legacy Real Estate 665-0350 and visit legacyrealestate.biz.

LARGE DUPLEX, pre-lease for 8/1, 3/3.5, garage, W/D, fenced.

512-422-0903 519 HUTCHISON has two duplex units for immediate move-in. 3/3 includes full size W/D for $1050 per mo. $900 security deposit. Also, available 2/2 for $650 per mo. Pets negotiable.

So close to campus you can walk. Visit legacyrealestate.biz and call Legacy Real Estate 665-0350.

DUPLEX NEXT TO TEXAS STATE. Modern, excellent condition. 4/2.5, large kitchen, 2 living areas, sauna, w/backyard, pets OK, $1650. 757-0399 DUPLEXES FOR LEASE off of Sagewood! 3b/3 1/2b/ common living/dining/kitchen/2 car garage/internet access. $400.00 per room call today!

(512) 913-8028.

FOR LEASE 2/2 DUPLEX at 909 Allen St. Carport, fenced yard, pets allowed. $775 per mo. available June 1st. Call Steve, day 830-379-0300, night 830-372-5512.

SAGEWOOD DUPLEXES preleasing for 6/1 &8/1, bus route, 3/3.5 garage, W/D inc., Call 512-699-9759 519 HUTCHISON has 2 duplex units for immediate move-in. 3bd/3b includes full size W/D for $1050 per month. $900 security deposit. Also, available 2bd/2b for $650/month. Pets are negotiable. So close to campus you can walk. Visit legacyrealestate.biz and call Legacy Real Estate 665-0350.

DUPLEX FOR LEASE for immediate move-in. 2/1 at 1107 Marlton for $625 per month. Easy terms. Call Legacy Real Estate at 665-0350, and visit legacyrealestate.biz.

SAGEWOOD DUPLEX FOR RENT. Pre-Leasing. 3B/3.5B $1100.

310-714-4352 $765 2/2 WINDMILL DUPLEX. 3 blks from TXState. Preleasing for 5/20 and 8/20. Free HBO, Road Runner, full-size W/D. www.windmilltownhomes.com for floor plans & prices.

396-4181.

FOR RENT-DUPLEX

3 BR/3.5 BATH DUPLEX. Available April 30 and May 31. Pets allowed. $1100. Call (512) 587-2660 or (210) 324-0285.

FOR RENT-HOUSES HUGE 3/2, W/D, ETC. 1600 sq ft. $890 per mo. 713-774-5953.

FOR SALE SELLING A GARAGE POOL TABLE with ping pong top for $450. Comes with all sticks, balls, and paddles. Willing to negotiate, call 512-422-2718.

5/3/2 HOUSE FOR SALE quite neighborhood, close to Texas State, immaculate excellent condition, tile/wood and approx. 2700 square feet. $179,000 fenced yard, San Marcos. 757-0399.

HELP WANTED JOHNNY ROCKETS “The Original Hamburger,” located at Prime Outlet Mall, is now hiring for all positions!

Have fun at work and be a part of the team that serves fun food with a 50’s flair. Food service experience desired but not necessary. Please come to our open interviews scheduled Mon.-Thurs. from 1-6 pm in Suite 915, or apply online at www.JR305.com WWW.TEXASARABIANHORSES. COM needs riders, groomers, a web developer, ranch hand, and photo models. Apply online.

CAN YOU WALK, CHEW GUM AND HAVE FUN ALL AT THE SAME TIME? Do you want to truly make a difference in lives of special children? Are you looking for rewarding, challenging and fun Summer Camp counselor experience? Join us this summer at Star Ranch, a Christian Summer Camp for children with Learning Disabilities. We are looking for a few good balancing acts! Salary, room, board, and laundry provided. Near Kerrville, call Cody, 830-367-4868 x 205. www.starranch.org ASSISTANT SECRETARY: php, website develop/design: www.tribalorientaltexxtiles.com GUADALUPE COUNTY CHILDREN’S ADVOCACY CENTER is seeking a fulltime ClientServices Coordinator. Duties include coordinating client intake and victim services, volunteer management, multi-disciplinary team meetings, and assist with case tracking. Required qualifications include degree in social work or related field and experience in a social service agency. Prefer bilingual, victim advocacy experience. Full job description at www.gccac.net. Resume and three professional references to GCCAC, 424 N. River Street, Seguin, Texas 78155.

WANT TO MAKE MONEY WORKING IN AN UPBEAT ENVIRONMENT? Apply in person for waitstaff at the best place to eat in Gruene. Gruene River Grill, 1259 Gruene Rd., New Braunfels 830-624-2300.

PART-TIME HOUSEKEEPER. Apply within. Blair House Inn, Wimberley, 512-847-1111.

LOOKING FOR PROMISING MEN AND WOMEN FOR ALL POSITIONS. Great pay & free trip rewards.

Full time and permanent positions avail. Call now positions won’t last.

512-878-6172

HELP WANTED

MANAGED SERVICES REPRESENTATIVE -teleNetwork is currently seeking applicants for positions in the dynamic andfast paced field of Managed Application Services Support. Full and Part Time positions are available with flexible scheduling at our Austin and San Marcos call center locations. Apply on-line today at http:// www.telenetwork.com/careers HAVE FUN AND MAKE MONEY ON THE GUADALUPE RIVER!!!

WhiteWaterSports is now hiring for summer seasonal help. For more information, see our ad below!!!

TECHNICAL SUPPORT REPRESENTATIVE -teleNetwork is currently seeking TSRs to provide technical support for dialup and DSL customers. Full or Part Time positions available with flexible scheduling at our Austin and San Marcos call center locations. More information and online application available at http://www.telenetwork.com/careers EXPERIENCED horse trainers, riders, groomers: www.texasarabianhorses. com BOBCATSNEEDJOBS.COM WE NEED Paid Survey Takers in San Marcos. 100% FREE to join. Click on Surveys. !BARTENDING! Up to $300/day. No experience necessary. Training Provided. Age 18+ ok. 800-965-6520 x 157.

TEKA MARKETING INC. is now expanding and looking to fill several full and part time positions. Very flexible hours and casual work environment. For more information call 1-512-805-0020.

RANCH HAND, apply on line www.texasarabianhorses.com GREAT SUMMER JOBS available at Rockin “R” River Rides. Apply in person at 1405 Gruene Road on the Guadalupe River in New Braunfels830-629-9999.

TOP BOYS SPORTS CAMP IN MAINE! PLAY & COACH SPORTS*HAVE FUN*MAKE $$$.

All team & individual sports, All watersports, hiking/climbing, A&C. TOP SALARIES, Free Room/Board/Travel.

Apply online: www.campcobbossee.com. Call: 800-473-6104.

PHOTO MODELS, apply on-line: www.nabilcronfulphotography.com OFFICE ASSISTANT/RECEPTIONIST NEEDED for medical office, Immediate opening for part-time fax resume to 512-353-7607.

MISCELLANEOUS WE PAY UP TO $75 per online survey. www.cashtospend.com ATHLETIC, OUTGOING MEN for calendars, greeting cards, etc $75-200/ hr, no exp. needed, (512)684-8296.

HORSEBACK RIDING LESSONS: close to campus. English/Western. Visit www.texasarabianhorses.com

ROOMMATES

SUMMER ROOMMATE wanted to sub-lease room in 3/2 nice house w/2 females. $330, plus 1/3 bills. Close to campus, W/D, hot tub, garage. Call 979-541-7840.

LOOKING FOR A ROOMMATE, $275/month, with personal bath, if interested contact, Jose Martinez at 512-396-0342.

WALK TO CAMPUS! Room in 2/1 for mellow, clean female, $300.

512-586-4002.

WANTED FEMALE ROOMMATE to share 3 br/3.5 bath duplex. Own br/bath. Common living. Available now. $317. Call (512) 587-2660 or (210) 324-0285.

SERVICES MATH TUTOR. BSc Math, MSc Physics;. $15 per hour. Call 665-1286.

WWW.STUDENTATTORNEY.COM

WANTED BUYING both civil war or early TEXAS NEWSPAPERS, swords, guns, letters, documents, clothes, pictures, etc. 512-557-7224.

WANTED: USED CARS, TRUCKS, VANS. Any condition. Running or not.

If you have something to sell please call Willis Mitchell. 512-353-4511 The University Star is available at the following locations in San Marcos.

The Allniter Diner Alvin Ord’s Applebee’s Café on the Square Cancun Rob’s San Marcos Chamber of Commerce Cheatham Street Warehouse San Marcos City Hall Classic Cuts Conley Carwash Eskimo Hut Garcia’s Mexican Restaurant Gil’s Broiler Goodyear Great Clips Grin’s HEB on Hopkins Hill Country Grill Jo on the Go Klingemann Tire Pros Both locations of Mocha’s & Java’s Murphy’s Deli Rose Garden San Marcos Public Library Southern Exposure Spud Ranch Sundance Tanco The Meadow’s The Yellow Store Valentino’s Wing Stop Zooka’s Let us know where you would like to see The Star.

SPORTS THE UNIVERSITY STAR

sports snortsquotes from the sports world “The low blow hurt real bad. He was ready to go when I got hit with the low blow. He was tired. I was breaking him down and he was tired. He was fatigued. He was ready to quit.”

— The new IBF welterweight champion, “Pretty Boy” Floyd Mayweather, on Zab Judah’s actions during the 10th round of their Saturday night title fight.

(Source: Fightnews.com)

Tuesday, April 11, 2006 - Page 10

Sports Contact — Miguel Peña, starsports@txstate.edu

Relays turn up more quallifiers

By Carl Harper The University Star

Monty Marion/Star file photo

LOOKING AHEAD: Seen here in the Bobcats’ March 7 game against the Aggies, Justin Fiske took the 6-4 win. He pitched 2.2 innings of play, allowing one run on four hits. The Bobcats will face the Aggies again tonight in College Station.

Demons deposed 2-1 in weekend’s three-game series

By Chris Boehm The University Star The Bobcats outscored Northwestern State 23-5 during the weekend, taking two of three for their fifth series win of the season.

The Bobcats, 12-6 in the Southland Conference, demolished the Demons 15-2 on Saturday before dropping a 4-3, 16-inning decision in Sunday’s finale. NSU won when Johnnie Santangelo broke a string of seven scoreless innings with his first career hit, a single to left center that scored Ben Rodriguez.

“Our guys competed well all weekend. It’s tough to take two of three at Northwestern State,” said head coach Ty Harrington.

“But we could just not score on Sunday.”

Saturday, Texas State pounded out 17 hits against five Demon pitchers, led by a career-high six RBIs from David Wood. The Bobcats had six players finish with multi-hit games, including three each for Kyle Jones and Cody Merrell.

Despite the large margin, the Bobcats actually came from behind to pick up the victory for Dan Donaldson, 4-3, as the Demons held onto a 2-1 lead through four innings.

“We didn’t give up any at-bats (Saturday),” Harrington said.

“That’s what I was really impressed with. That’s the first time we’ve done that this year, and it was a lot of fun to watch.”

Donaldson went eight innings in the victory, allowing two runs on six hits and four walks, while striking out six.

“I thought Dan was great.

The one thing he did, he got stronger as the game went on,” Harrington said. “Both him and (Friday’s starter) Scott Moore were excellent. Dan did a good job baffling the hitters and attacking the zone.”

Friday, Moore pitched his second complete game of the season, striking out 12 Demons on the way to a 5-0 win at BrownStroud Field. Aaron Garza and Heath Keel contributed a home run apiece, each finishing the night 2-5 with a pair of RBI. In Saturday’s stretch, NSU starter Drew Brown got into trouble in the fifth when he gave up singles to Thomas Field and Cassidy Dresch to open the inning. Jones then attempted a sacrifice bunt, but Brown misplayed the ball to load the bases for Luke Cannon, who earlier scored Texas State’s first run on his eighth homer of the season.

“We knew we were capable of

this (offensive output), but just haven’t done it on a consistent basis,” Harrington said. “We had great preparation last week, and when you do, things like that can happen. Hopefully, we’ll see more of that Tuesday (at Texas A&M).”

Cannon drew a walk to score Field, with Brown lasting to face just one more batter. The Demons’ starter put his team behind 3-2 when he plunked Merrell for another walk. Merrell reached twice on Saturday on hit-by-pitches, bringing his season total to 17.

Pitcher Kyle Broughton allowed a fielder’s choice chopper to Wood, scoring Jones on the play as Texas State ended the inning up 4-2. The Bobcats added to their lead in each successive inning, dropping three runs an inning later on a two-out rally before NSU surrendered six in the top of the ninth.

Sunday, Merrell picked up three more hits for the Bobcats; but it would not be enough, as a late home run from Cannon would be in vain. Trailing 3-2, the right fielder knocked Derek Cloeren’s final pitch of the game, and first of the inning, over the fence in right center.

Both Cloeren and Bobcat starter Mike Hart lasted seven innings, each allowing three runs. Justin Fiske, 2-4, came into the game in the eighth, pitching 8.1 innings to take the loss on the Santangelo hit. The junior allowed five hits and a walk, striking out 13 in extended relief.

“Justin was fantastic. He gave us every chance to win the game, and we were confident he wouldn’t give up any runs,” Harrington said. “That’s why we played for one run, trying to bunt guys over. We knew he could put up zeros for two or three innings.”

The Bobcats get a break from SLC action this week, traveling to College Station today for a rematch against Texas A&M. Texas State defeated the Aggies earlier this season at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. “(A&M) will be playing with a lot of pride,” Harrington said.

“They’ve got tradition and have historically been one of the better programs in the country. But I expect us to do the same. And when you’ve already defeated someone once, you feel confident, you think, ‘Hey, let’s do this again.’”

Texas State returns home for a two-game series this weekend against Dallas Baptist with game one at 6:30 p.m. on Friday and game two at 3 p.m. on Saturday.

Texas State competed in the 79th running of the Clyde Littefield Texas Relays on Wednesday through Saturday in Austin at the Mike A. Myers Track and Soccer Stadium. The Texas Relays is an annual gathering of the nation’s top professional, collegiate and high school track and field athletes. This four-day event was the longest meet of the season up to this point for the Texas State team.

Some of the schools that Texas State joined in Austin were LSU, Florida State, South Carolina, Miami, USC, UCLA, Arkansas and Texas-Christian.

The coaches, along with the players, were especially excited for this meet mainly because they were battling against some of the toughest programs in the country, and there was a high crowd capacity during the four days.

“The events are spread out though the week. This is one of the three biggest meets in the country; many top-25 ranked schools will be there. It’s a pre-type regional meet, so we will be competing against the best. I believe this week we will get to see what we are made of,” assistant coach Blaine Wiley said prior to the beginning of the meet.

Coach Wiley also spoke about the Mike A. Myers stadium and how it differs from other tracks in the nation.

“It’s one of the better tracks in the country, condition-wise. The track is called a European Oval, which has wider lanes that are more comfortable to compete in,” Wiley said. “We are excited. There will be sixty thousand-plus people that will attend over the week, so it is a great atmosphere for a big event.”

Many Bobcat athletes also had their say on the meet and what they were expecting.

Britni Lawrence, freshman transfer student from Texas Tech, called it “some crazy competition.” Others such as Sarah Stultz and Robert Melin said it was going to be a tough meet that they were looking forward to competing in. But along with the veterans came new members to the team, such as Camilla Davis.

“I haven’t been to the Texas Relays before, so it will be a first-time experience for me. I think the team will show out this year. The competition will be off the wall, so I think we will perform well due to the pressure,” Davis said.

Texas State did in fact perform well, as they had multiple top-10 finishes and regional qualifiers hit their mark.

During the first day of the meet, freshman Roel Elizalde placed third in the Section B 3000-meter steeplechase to capture the highlight reel of the Bobcats’ early success. He finished with a time of 9 minutes and 45.67 seconds in a close finish as the top-three runners all finished less than a second apart from one another. Also competing on Wednesday was Javier Prado, who

placed fourth in the Section B 1500-meters with a time of 3:58.72, while Whitney Perkins claimed fourth in the women’s 3000meter steeplechase at 12:23.37.

In the second day of events, Stultz qualified for the NCAA regionals in a second event — the hammer throw. She previously qualified in the discus at the UT-San Antonio Invitational and since then had been focusing on achieving the same mark for the hammer. Stultz threw the hammer 55.55 meters, which is almost 13 feet better than any other throw this season for her.

Even after her first two throws were ruled as fouls, she was able to mentally gather herself and come out big with an impressive performance.

“I was very pleased with my throw. I had a very good practice, so I felt that it carried over into the meet,” she said.

Stultz additionally spoke of rebounding from her rough start.

“When you foul your first two throws, it’s easy to begin looking towards the next meet. But I overcame it and threw better on my third attempt,” Stultz said. Her mark was good for eighth place.

Katya Kostetskaya advanced to the finals of the 400-meter hurdles on Thursday with a time of 58.99 and claimed seventh place.

This was also an NCAA regional qualifying mark that was pleasing to Kostetskaya.

“I liked the atmosphere of the Relays. The finals were different from the preliminaries because we had more time to prepare. But I am happy with my time because this is the fastest I have ran, and it’s early in the season,” she said.

Kostetskaya went on to place fifth in the finals on Saturday with a faster time of 57.79.

Also on the track, senior Yuliya Stashkiv clocked a time of 17:32.54 in the 5000 meters for a third-place finish.

On Friday, Britni Lawrence placed seventh in the women’s pole vault with a mark of 3.80 meters. Lawrence is still somewhat frustrated at her results but believes her jumps will begin going her way soon.

“I went back to my longest run, so it took longer to get dialed in. But my run felt good and I felt fast. I couldn’t get off the pole very well though, but I think once it all comes together it will be really good. I know I will jump high soon,” Lawrence said.

In the field events for the day, Stultz came out getting sixth place in the women’s discus with a mark of 47.27 meters while Kemuel Morales placed 10th in the men’s shot put with a throw of 16.51 meters.

“I should have done better in discus. I was still sore from the events earlier in the week, but it was an average throw,” Stultz said.

As the Bobcats concluded the meet on Saturday, the men’s 4x200 meter relay team captured the final highlight. The team of Dayne Grahmann, Jack Higginbotham, Justin Callis and Robert Gill placed eighth and clocked in with a time of 1:25.95. Additionally on Saturday, Kostetskaya finished fifth in the 400-meter hurdles finals at 57.79.

Texas State now heads to the west coast on Thursday where they will compete in the Mt. San Antonio College Relays in Walnut, Calif.

Deleigh Hermes/Star photo THE BIG SHOW: Texas State track and field competed on its biggest stage of the season at the 79th annual Clyde Littefield Texas Relays, where they the team faced several nationally ranked universities at Mike A. Myers Track and Soccer Stadium.

Softball continues to dominate SLC

By Carl Harper The University Star Texas State continued its dominance in the Southland Conference by sweeping Northwestern State for its fourth straight conference sweep in 2006.

In game one of the doubleheader on Saturday, pitcher Katie Ann Trahan got the start for the ’Cats and had one of her best outings of the season. She pitched a fourhitter, seven-inning shutout game with 13 strikeouts and improved her record to 15-7 for the season.

The women’s softball team pounced all over Demons’ pitcher Michelle Castellano beginning in the third inning when Kristin Gunter came to the plate with Amy Krueger on second and Amy Hromadka on first. Gunter doubled to right-center giving the ’Cats a 2-0 lead. Two batters later, Alex Newton knocked out her fourth home run of the season to left field, extending the lead to 4-0.

“I’m starting to feel better. My hands are moving quicker during the swing, and I can see the ball better,” Newton said.

This home run was also her second conference dinger in 2006.

After Trahan struck out the side in the top of the fourth, Gunter hit another double to score Hromadka from first, who had reached on a fielder’s choice. At this point, Gunter now leads the Bobcats with 17 RBIs in conference play. She went 3-for-4 in the game, with three doubles, and talked about her success after the day was over.

“We had runners on base almost every time I came up to bat, and it felt good to bring them in,” Gunter said.

With a commanding 5-0 lead going into the sixth inning, head coach Ricci Woodard brought in Ali McCormack to pinch hit for Hromadka.

On the first pitch, McCormack hit a booming shot to left-center field to claim her third home run of the season and first of conference play.

“It felt amazing. I have been waiting for it to come around for awhile now, and it was nice and solid,” McCormack said.

Texas State’s defense held on for one more inning as they offensively roughed up the Demons in game one, 6-0.

In game two, the Demons took an early 1-0 lead in the second when Brittany Card was hit by a pitch and then later scored on a Sarah Noack’s groundout to first base.

The Bobcats were held scoreless through the first four innings of play when Krueger got a two-out, two-RBI double to the right center gap in the fifth inning.

It began with Ashton Peters picking up a single to left field. Then, Jetta Weinheimer entered the game as a pinch-runner and was sacrificed to second off of Tamara Keller’s bunt. After Ryan Kos walked to first and McCormack struck out, Krueger sent her two-RBI clutch hit over the outfielders’ heads that proved to be the game winner.

“I was due to get a big hit, and it felt good to come through,” Krueger said after the game.

The Bobcats held on to achieve the 2-1 edge over the Demons.

Sarah Lancour pitched the Bobcats to the win, giving up one run off of two hits and four strikeouts in seven innings of play. Her overall record now stands at 12-6, while her SLC record is at a dominant 6-0.

Amanda Glenn received the loss for Northwestern State, giving up two runs off of four hits with four strike outs in six innings of work. Woodard spoke of the team’s performance along with their opponent’s efforts moments after the game.

The ’Cats got a two-out rally going when Trahan and Newton slapped back-to-back singles that brought up Peters. On a 1-2 count, she roped a two-RBI double to the left-center gap that put the Bobcats in the lead 2-0.

“It was my first solid hit of the series, so it was nice to come through at the right time,” Peters said.

This hit, along with Trahan’s solo home run to left-center in the fifth inning, was all the Bobcats needed as they hung on to a 3-0 victory in game three and the series sweep.

Trahan had a no-hitter going through five innings of play when Sarah Noack legged out an infield single to first that was viewed as a questionable call by the first base umpire. But Trahan had an outstanding day as she pitched seven shutout innings giving up only two hits and seven strikeouts.

She showed no signs of slowing down even after her remarkable performance the day before.

“I was feeling good. I wanted to stay aggressive and felt that I came out dominant in both games. Everything came through for me,” Trahan said. Trahan’s record continues to rise on the positive side as it is now at 16-7 for the year.

Texas State now stands at 28-13 overall and leads the SLC by two games over UTSA with a 14-1 conference record. On Wednesday, they will be in Austin battling it out with UT at 6:30 p.m.