V
SPORTS 8
REDBIRDS SWEEP BULLDOGS WITH MONDAY NIGHT WIN
THE VIDETTE
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2021 Vol. 133 | No. 18
videtteonline.com
The Big
CHILL Bitter temps, blowing snow stalls activities at ISU, central Illinois STORY BY GRACE KINNICUTT | News Editor & ANDREA RICKER | Features Editor
M
cLean County went into a Winter Storm Warning on Monday lasting until 6 a.m. Tuesday. With the impending winter weather, Illinois State University closed its doors at noon Monday and continues to be closed Tuesday. The Bloomington-Normal area is expecting to get about 5 to 7 inches of snow over the course of Monday afternoon and lasting until the early hours of Tuesday morning. Along with campus closing early Monday, in-person, hybrid and online classes were canceled. Students who usually have to go to campus for class are happy to stay inside where it is warm and do not have to deal with the slippery, snow-covered roads. “I’m a commuter so I have to drive to school,” sophomore computer science major Aubrey Jumonville said. “The recent snow has been really light so when it’s fresh the roads are super slippery and I have to drive extra carefully. I always try to offer my friends rides to places because I know I would hate to walk anywhere in this cold.” Even though most classes are being held online, there are still a variety of reasons students living in the dorms have to go out in the cold.
“Walking to Watterson [dining] is less than ideal to say the least,” sophomore graphic design major Madison Brendal said. Brendal lives in Hewett Hall, which means she has to leave the building to get meals. “Holding bags of food and a drink causes your hands to freeze up, which has led me to eating a lot in the dining center itself, if I go at all,” Brendal said. Even for those living in off-campus apartment buildings, there come times when they have to brace the cold. “Right now I’m leaving my apartment frequently since I have a dog so I can take them to go to the bathroom,” junior Amanda Chin said. “I have to go grocery shopping today so that’ll be rough.” “Going places in this weather normally means it takes me twice as long since I have to dress warmer and warm up my car for a longer time,” Chin said. Students are trying their best to stay warm in these freezing temperatures. “[I’m] staying warm [by] avoiding the outside but bundling up if I have to. I also have an emergency kit in my car,” Chin said. When it is essential to go outside, Brendal adds that layering is the key to staying warm. See SNOW DAY on Page 2
A lone student walks through the snow on School Street toward College Avenue Monday. Temperatures on Monday reached a high of only 3 degrees. The cold weather is expected to continue until the weekend, where there is a chance to finally see above-freezing temperatures. Photograph by ALEX GANT | Photo Editor | @AlexGant16
INSIDE: TOWN OF NORMAL SEES HECTIC, FIERY WEEKEND | PAGE 3
PAGE 2 | NEWS | THE VIDETTE
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2021
Parking ban in effect until Tuesday
SNOW DAY
Continued from Page 1
“I have special thermal leggings, which I wear under regular leggings and sweatpants, as well as a T-shirt, sweatshirt and my winter coat,” Brendal said. “I also wear a hat, but lost my gloves right before this cold came, so my hands usually go unprotected.” For Jumonville, this winter has been much worse than last year. “Last winter it felt like it took forever to get cold but when it finally did it stuck around. [It wasn’t] cold enough to snow but not warm enough to be comfortable,” Jumonville said. “This year the cold came fast.” Since the weather has been much colder and snowier compared to last year, some are losing motivation altogether and just want to snuggle up in bed. “Personally, I’ve been struggling with the weather a lot more this winter. I feel like it’s been a lot colder and it’s causing me to be a lot less motivated,” junior human development and family science major Tucker Wheaton said. “If I have to go out, I take it slow and just watch other drivers. I had to work this morning and I made sure to leave extra Alex Gant | Photo Editor | @AlexGant16 Cars are parked on the snowy School Street. Campus will be closed Tuesday following frigid winearly so I wouldn’t have to rush.” ter weather and snow. A parking ban has been issued in Normal to assist with plowing. Some students flat out hate the snow but are excited to cozy up inside. “Personally, this year feels like winter is much worse snow accumulate,” senior childhood education major Elizabeth Seabert said. than past years. I struggle to stay focused since I just want to cozy up. I would Snowfall is expected to last until the early morning hours Tuesday. Heavy [say] that I hate the snow [but] more specifically, I hate driving in the snow,” snow is expected through the night. junior family and consumer science teacher education student Makenna VickThe conditions could impact the evening commute home and Tuesday ers said. “My car isn’t great in this weather, so I have to be mindful of that and morning commute. Drivers should use caution and allow extra time to get to I try to keep driving to a minimal.” where they are going. Other students are looking forward to having more snow this year and Latest road conditions in Illinois can be found by visiting the getting admiring the fresh snowfall. around Illinois website or by calling 1-800-452-4368. “I feel like last year was a little more mild of a winter in my opinion. I’m For information regarding university closures and operations, students over the cold and I’ve never been a huge fan of snow, but for some reason I should check emails or visit ISU news online. just think it’s fun to get large amounts of snow! I just get excited watching the
ISU senior campaigns for seat on Heartland CC Board of Trustees
responsibility, creating an equitable and inclusive campus environment and vocational training and technical education. As a former HCC student, Crockett said that HCC changed his life and having the opportunity to have a strong local community college is important to him. KELLIE FOY “Community college has changed lives. HeartNews Editor | @kellie_foy land changed mine and I think what has [the] potential to change lives of so many folks in our community is a Previously participating as HeartHeartland education,” Crockett said. land Community College’s Student Crockett went on to discuss the value Body President and Student Trustee, that many elements of community colcurrent Illinois State University senior lege have provided him, saying that the and political science major Joshua skills provided for those individuals Crockett decided to take his commithelp them get good-paying jobs. ment to HCC a step further. “The degree, the certificate, espeWith the local election in April Josha Crockett cially the job training and vocational around the corner, Crockett announced his candidacy for HCC’s Board of programs, those are the kind of skills, talents and credentials people need to get good-paying Trustees in December. According to Crockett and his campaign jobs. I think right now that’s what central Illiwebsite, his beliefs and goals include fiscal nois [and] the people who go to Heartland need.
It’s that path to economic security and mobility,” Crockett said. These two things and the fact that the students at HCC are “anyone and everyone” led him to want to go back and be involved as a member of HCC’s Board of Trustees. This is also why he is stressing the factor of having an inclusive environment among the entire student body throughout his campaign. “What I love about [community colleges is] that the students are anyone and everyone. Yes, they are recent high school graduates who are looking to gain credit before they transfer somewhere like [ISU],” Crockett said. “But they are also the worker who was on a job for decades who was laid off and who needs to come back to learn new skills. They’re working parents who are taking night classes to provide a better life for their kids. They’re that person enrolled in an English as a Second Language program or GED program.”
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The Town of Normal issued a snow parking ban on all streets within Normal that will be in effect until 7 p.m. Tuesday. The police department may issue tickets to vehicles parked on the street. According to a press release, “no parked cars are permitted on any streets in the Town of Normal,” when parking bans are activated. “Cars must be moved off the streets to a driveway, garage or parking lot. Residents who do not have a driveway or garage may park their cars for free in the parking lots of the town’s parks,” the press release said. This includes, but is not limited to, Anderson, Fairview and Underwood. Snow parking bans are activated to allow snow plow crews to clear entire streets and parking areas. “For your safety, when approaching operating salt vehicles, stay at least 100 feet behind the equipment. It is inadvisable to pass salt or plow trucks,” the press release said.
KELLIE FOY VIDETTE NEWS EDITOR
Accounting Career Fair to be held Friday Illinois State University’s Career Services will be holding a virtual accounting career fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday. The fair connects alumni and students who are majoring in accounting and looking for an accounting position with recruiters who are hiring for only accounting positions. Employers can register and access the fair through the Hire-A-Redbird’s fair overview page. Students can access the fair through their Hire-A-Redbird accounts. Employers and students can both access the fair using the Zoom link available on the Accounting Fair page. For more information, individuals can contact Career Services Events. KELLIE FOY VIDETTE NEWS EDITOR
IT’S WINTER!
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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2021
Weekend of
havoc
in Normal
THE VIDETTE | NEWS | PAGE 3
T
he Town of Normal and the Normal Fire Department had their fair share of work this weekend. Early Saturday morning a cargo train derailed from the train tracks around Hester Street causing power outages and road closures. At about 1:24 p.m. Saturday the Normal Fire Department was dispatched again to the Sugar Creek Apartments due to a three-alarm blaze that ruined 12 apartment units. On Sunday morning, a fire broke out at the train derailment site, consuming two cargo trailers that were thrown off the flatbed of the train. Monday morning another fire broke out at the derailment site from the spilled rail cargo.
COMPILED BY GRACE KINNICUTT | News Editor WRITTEN BY ELIZABETH SEILS | Editor in Chief | KELLIE FOY & GRACE KINNICUTT | News Editors PHOTOGRAPHS BY ALEX GANT | Photo Editor
TOP: Normal Firefighter Jesse Poplawski’s face is covered in soot after battling the flames from the fire. ABOVE LEFT: Debris from the train derailment blocks off traffic. ABOVE RIGHT: First Site Apartments residents look out at the firefighters battling the blaze. AT RIGHT: Cleanup crews examine the wreckage through snow and cold. AT FAR RIGHT: Normal firefighters battle the blaze at Sugar Creek apartments, located in north Normal.
SATURDAY Train derailment
NFD and the Town of Normal will continue to provide more updates as information becomes available as the incident will be an extended operation. “Besides the train cars, a fence between the tracks and apartments, a large trash bin and several power lines were damaged. No cars in the parking lot seem to be damaged,” ISU junior Mike Trubshaw said.
A freight train derailed between Vernon Avenue and Fell Street in the Town of Normal at approximately 5 a.m. Saturday. NFD and the Illinois State University Police Department said there were no injuries and no hazardous materials. Sugar Creek Apartment fire Union Pacific Railroad and Ameren Illinois have assessed the derailFirefighters battled a three-alarm blaze Saturday afternoon around 1:24 ment site and are working to finish the repairs with as little impact to p.m. at the Sugar Creek Apartments owned by First Site Apartments at residents, the surrounding neighborhoods and businesses as possible. 606 S. Linden Street. ISU student Edward, who did not want to use his last name due to priA fire destroyed or heavily damaged 12 apartments. All tenants of the vacy, was awake and in his apartment when the incident happened. apartments were accounted for and there are no “The train’s coming through, but this time reports of injures to the tenants or the firefightit’s shaking the apartment, usually it’s not, ers. and it’s loud. I look out the window [and] it The first units to arrive reported a heavy fire looks fine for a second, so I closed my blinds,” coming from the roof of the complex and imEdward said. mediately called for more backup. “It starts to get a little bit louder and I check A second alarm was sent that called in offthe apartment even more. The next time I look duty Normal firefighters, and Bloomington Fire out, I see sparks coming off the tracks. ProbDepartment sent an engine company with two ably three seconds later, there’s a flash of light aerial ladder trucks and a warming/rehabilitaand you just hear a super loud noise almost tion unit. Bloomington Township, Towanda, like an earthquake.” Carlock and Hudson Fire Departments were also Citizens are urged to stay away from the called in to prevent a shortage of manpower. incident as many power lines are down and The fire consumed a majority of the roof may cause portions of the trains or tracks to be structure which coallapsed into the third floor energized with electricity. Cleanup crews search through the wreckage in apartments. The first and second floor units ISU junior Sophie de Sa Silva, who lives below freezing temperatures for salvageable prodwere heavily damaged due to the fire traveling near the train tracks, woke up to the derailucts. inside the wall and void spaces between units. ment saying the situation scared them at first. What was not damaged by the fire and smoke They went on to say they were able to start piecing it together when they was damaged due to the water used to put out the fire. looked outside later that morning before repairs started. It ended up taking the firefighters over two hours to bring it under “I was asleep and I woke up at like 5 a.m. from the building shaking. I control and required fire crews to rotate in and out of operation due to the heard a huge crash [and] it kind of sounded the same as when a train goes extreme cold. by, but 10 times louder. There was a huge flash of light and I saw a few of First Site and the university are working with tenants of the building the train cars on their side outside my window,” de Sa Silva said. to secure temporary housing until it is safe to return to the undamaged NFD continues to stress that citizens should not approach the area in apartments in the complex. Students displaced from the fire should conattempts to take pictures or video as portions of the train and track pose tact the Dean of Students office for further assistance. an electrocution hazard and may be energized. The cause of the fire is currently unknown.
SUNDAY Fire breaks out Reports of a fire broke out at the train derailment site around 10 a.m. Sunday. Normal Fire Department responded to the dead end of Hester Avenue Sunday morning to reports of a fire in the spilled cargo trailers from the derailment. Heavy fire and smoke were coming from the spilled contents from two semi-trailers that were dislodged from the train. Water used during the firefighters’ effort to prevent further damage mixed with material that caused a reddish-orange substance to run off into Sugar Creek. The substance was identified as a non-toxic, water soluble paint. The origin of the fire is still under investigation but was related to clean-up efforts.
MONDAY Second fire ignites at derailment site The Normal Fire Department reported via Twitter a second fire emerging at the train derailment site. As of 11:32 a.m., the fire from the train was under control. NFD was still on the scene and said that the fire involved spilled rail cargo.
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Viewpoint
PAGE 4 | THE VIDETTE
VIDETTE EDITORIAL
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2021
National holiday calls values into question
P
residents Day is a holiday that typically only means much to mattress salespeople, bankers, office workers and lucky school kids and teachers who get the day off. It is the ticket to a long weekend, but what does it celebrate? Officially, it commemorates the birthdays of Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, who were born Feb. 22 and Feb. 12, respectively. Fun fact: the holiday is not officially referred to as Presidents Day. According to the United States government, it is technically named Washington’s Day in commemoration of the first president’s birthday on Feb. 22. According to Encyclopedia Britannica, the holiday was changed from the official day to the third Monday of February due to a 1968 law called the Uniform Monday Holiday Bill that allowed working people a set number of long weekends throughout the year. There was also a statute that applied for a name change to include Lincoln’s birthday, but Congress rejected the change. Sorry Lincoln. We throw a lot of honor and accolades in the way of Washington and Lincoln, most of the praise well-deserved. Any trip to the Capitol will present evidence of how revered and god-like Washington is
celebrated to be. A famous painting decorating the rotunda of the People’s House is named the Apotheosis of Washington. It depicts him rising into heaven with the human incarnations of liberty, freedom, happiness, victory and fame and others flanking him as he ascends. Painted in 1865, decades after his death, it reflects the reverence that many continue to have for the birth of the nation, and the American mythos that surrounds it. All this to say, the names and honors we give presidents is powerful. The American mythos that is given to objects and ideas is almost impenetrable and makes anything under its protection
untouchable. At what point, however, does history hinder progress? When do the legends of our forefathers and our nation cloud what we are trying to be? The United States, as much as it may be trying to move past it, is in something of an identity crisis. The polished images of America’s past presidents and historical figures might not be enough to push us in the right direction. However, it can give us valuable context for what we have made ourselves and our values out to be. Naming monuments and buildings after past presidents reflects what is honored and approved of from them. It
makes one wonder what citizens want to honor and remember from their modern leaders in the generations to come. Naming monuments and holidays after presidents or other political figures may seem harmless, but it is names and people that persist over decades and centuries. Are we still a culture and a nation that can produce an Honest Abe and allow him to lead our nation? Ask any American what they value and they will give some combination of freedom, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. However, how do those specific words laid out in the founding documents of the nation hold up to our world today? Are they holy, untouchable legendary words? Or are they the ideas written down by humans and flawed men now protected by centuries of the American mythos? As one lazes about on an extra day off, it is not likely they are considering these questions about their identity as a U.S. citizen. Perhaps that is part of the freedom granted to them, and a luxury they are not aware they are able to enjoy. The first president and the founding members of the nation were pondering those questions, and on a day set aside to remember one of them, maybe we should be asking those questions too.
Editorial Cartoon by Flynn Geraghty | Vidette Art Director
EDITORIAL POLICY Editorial written by ELIZABETH SEILS, a member of The Vidette’s Editorial Board. Editorial policy is determined by the student editor, and views expressed in editorials are those of the majority of The Vidette’s Editorial Board. Columns that carry bylines are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Vidette or the University.
Reflecting on nearly a year with COVID-19
ver the course of the past year, many of us have mentally struggled due to COVID-19 changing how we socially interact on a day-to-day basis. Before the pandemic hit, I liked to think that I handled my mental health OK. Did I handle it perfectly? Far from it, but when the world suddenly shut down in spring 2020, I found myself not doing so hot. COVID-19 mentally ruined me. Even though I didn’t live in the dorms, I
decided to stay home since I was home and working over spring break and knew I would be back in the summer to work. Moving back home saved me money and I loved being around my mom every day again, but mentally it wasn’t the best decision to be doing my college work from my childhood bedroom. I felt like I was transported back to high school again. A chapter I closed years ago felt like it was reopening again, and I was not coping with it in a good way. I missed my friends, my roommate, my professors, sitting in Milner until midnight with my best friend doing homework and airdropping songs from Spotify. I never felt more alone than I did in March and April 2020. I missed the life I built and became accustomed to in Normal. I was drowning in my thoughts with no end in sight. As someone who once found it easy to be alone and enjoy the quiet, I started to
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dread it every day. As the days and weeks slowly went on, I barely texted my friends back. I could barely bring myself to get out of bed to attend the one class I had over Zoom twice a week. I just stopped checking my emails. I was having a hard time coming to terms one year ago that I was not doing OK. Now looking back on 2020 as we slowly approach March once again, I’m so thankful for the small things that pushed me to get out of bed and actually do something, even if all it required was being on my computer. I had one Zoom class and while at the time I was annoyed it wasn’t asynchronous like the rest of my classes were, I’m so thankful I had that one Zoom class every Tuesday and Thursday. It was the only taste of the life I was used to before COVID-19. It forced me to move from my bed to my desk. But even during one of the lowest points of my life, I still experienced some of my proud-
est and happiest moments. I unexpectedly was awarded a scholarship, gained a new position at The Vidette and became closer to my friends at Illinois State University, even when distance kept us apart. Even though my last year of undergrad is not normal in any sense, I’m just happy to be near campus, safely surrounded with my friends again. Last year was traumatic to say the least. It took a while to become accustomed to the new normal. When summer rolled around to start my summer job, I was thankful to finally get some interaction outside of my house. I still have days where my best is moving from my bed to the couch and being in a weird funk. But I’ve learned it’s OK to just exist some days and be sad. GRACE KINNICUTT is News Editor for The Vidette. She can be reached at gkinnic@ilstu. edu. Follow her on Twitter at @GKinnicutt.
THEY SAID IT
? 5.97
feet high is the new Illinois State University record for the women’s high jump set by Kameesha Smith. High jump requires athletes to propel themselves over a vertical height. The previous record was in place since 1992. SPORTS, PAGE 8
.001%
of native prairie still exists in Illinois. Assistant professor Ben Wodiaka said that there have been “considerable losses” in ecosystems in Illinois.
NEWS, PAGE 5
EDITORIAL BOARD
“
I am so excited, but I am really nervous because everyone that advances after regionals is one of the top elite schools and people that have amazing mock trial programs.” Nadalie Ponce, ISU Mock Trial Team member FEATURES, PAGE 6
ELIZABETH SEILS Editor in Chief | @SeilsElizabeth ANDREA RICKER Features Editor @ricker_andrea GRACE KINNICUTT News Editor @GKinnicutt KATIE BESTE Night Editor @BesteKatherine
MAIA HUDDLESTON Photo Editor @maiawrites MYA ROBINSON Sports Reporter @Im_Myaaa JOHN MURRAY News Reporter @Jmurr__
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2021
THE VIDETTE | NEWS | PAGE 5
Making cuts to promote growth Biological Sciences looks to restore Sugar Savanna Creek for all living things MEGHAN FORTUNATO News Reporter | @Meghanfortunato
T
o the naked eye, a patch of vegetation might seem like a good thing, but some plants can hinder the natural growth of others. The School of Biological Sciences is looking to save some native flora and fauna from another invasive species. The school is looking to renovate Sugar Savanna Creek and create space for educational use and enable insects to migrate back on campus. Before first-year graduate student Jesse Smith came to Illinois State University, he worked as an administrative assistant at the University of Akron and worked on the Ohio Bee Atlas project. At the time, he was surveying bumblebees across the state. Smith brought his research experience to ISU. “On my lunch, while at Illinois State, I would walk around, eat my sandwich in the Quad and look at bees. The first year I was super impressed because I found six different species of bumblebees,” Smith said. “Then my next year I found like two species of bumblebees, which is odd, we should see more bumblebees than this, and so it made me want to do something.” Smith talked to facilities to encourage a change in planting due to the plants’ differences from previous years. “The planters in the Quad put into my mind this idea and concept of conservation and restoration ecology, and urban ecology. We could be doing more with our landscapes than what we’re doing,” Smith said. “I started talking to faculty members, including associate professor Dr. Angelo Capparella and he told me about this site.” Smith began volunteering time with friends and once the department got involved, a committee formed, organizing events with other biology grad students, undergraduates, friends and NexSTEM students from Heartland Community College. “I’ve worked with them and had a couple of people come and help, and they did some science over there,” Smith said. “I’ve done pollinator surveys with them as well as looking at effects of the honeysuckle and what amount of sunlight is coming through the honeysuckle canopy, where honeysuckle rose below the forest trees.” Student Environmental Action Coalition, a registered student organization on campus, became interested and helped organize a trash cleanup day. “I just wanted to get some hands-on experience, and I know that undergraduates in the Biology Department want to get this hands-on experience with plants and outdoor research,” Smith said. “That’s something that isn’t necessarily always offered to undergraduates but is very helpful when getting a job. It turned into a big project; the Biology Department was fully onboard.” Smith is a member of the committee and a big part of this project. Discussion of what is next, what is happening and how the committee will move forward was planned. “Individual people come and volunteer their time on any particular day, to either pick up trash, to help plant some native plants out there, to cut off the seed head of non-native plants and then cutting honeysuckle, so I had probably close to 50 people, not just students,” Smith said. After getting grounds on board, Smith met and worked with the facilities on the site. While biologists were grinding up tree stumps, facility members helped remove the stumps and provided tools. Scattered across the area was a particular giant shrub that could endanger plants growing on the site. “It’s called amur honeysuckle, it can be 10 almost 20 feet tall and what it does is it creates a second canopy to the woods to the forest and in doing that it blocks out all sunlight from getting down to the bottom floor,” Smith said. The grounds facility has helped remove branches and 25 trees from the site, not high in value, in order to create space for a functional ecosystem at Sugar Savanna Creek. “It kills the things that should be living on the forest floor. There are native honeysuckles,” Smith said. “There’s a difference between a native plant, a non-native plant and then a non-native plant that takes over and it’s invasive to the environment.” The four acres of space will be dedicated to natural environment education. Smith wants to offer students and the community the most that can be provided. Designated in the four-acre area is a long-term research plot. There will be 24 replicator plots and four rows of the plantation.
Alex Gant | Photo Editor | @AlexGant16
Sugar Savanna Creek is located near Cardinal Court Residence Halls. It is currently the site of a School of Biology Project to restore the amount of native plants to the area.
“We’re focusing on making sure that these are equitable opportunities for everybody. I do integrate original research in my course and have students have this as a place to go than be in the classroom,” Dugas said. “I think that’s something that we hope is that this is going to be something people remember in 10 to 15 years from now, that they went out there.” The Biology Department’s superiors have provided money to have someone devoted to managing the project without the support of the campus community and the community in general. “I think Ben Wodika especially, and Jesse have been the drivers and getting stuff done, and I will say that I was more than skeptical when I heard the plans,” Dugas said. “I was wrong, they’ve accomplished Alex Gant | Photo Editor | @AlexGant16 more than I could’ve imagined.” Illinois State University’s School of Biological Sciences graduate student Jesse Instructional assistant professor Ben Smith examines the foliage at Sugar Savanna Creek. The project looks to cut Wodika is involved in restoration ecology back on invasive plant species and allow the native plants to regrow. and has been helping Smith on the site cutScientifically, to test through academic research in measurting down honeysuckle for a year and a half now. ing the action happening to the plants and below ground, the “We’ve divided up what we hope to do in two short interproject will look at common landscaping plants. Then, they mediate and long-term goals, and so the short-term then to will look at the native plants that can be substituted for the make the setting so it’s useful, which involves clearing honeylandscaping plants to see the ecological impact of either plant. suckle,” Wodika said. “The plants are serving a purpose more than just being “We’re also going to be implementing or planting and putpretty,” Smith said. ting in place an experiment where you practice all the experi“It’s serving a channel purpose, which is, I hope for the mental areas, but a rigorous experiment that will allow us to university to not only have the Quad and campus be beautitest and evaluate some interesting ecological questions.” ful but to make it functional for bees, birds and other living The team is interested in creating an area where the general things, not just us.” public is going to have a positive outcome. Smith went on to discuss how humans should take a step Choosing plants that grow in this area focuses on one exback and serve the environment. perimental group to have native prairie plants. “We have designed for humans in mind, but maybe we The question is, are native plants truly outperforming nonshould take a step back and design for more than just us,” native plants? Smith said. “Less than 1/10 of 1% of native prairie exists in Illinois,” “Let’s see what we can put good [and what] we can do for Wodika said. “That’s just a small fraction of what used to be our environment.” here, so there have been considerable losses in plant life and Smith gave a couple of steps leading up to the big picture animal life and function when we lose those ecosystems.” and hopes the site is seeded and complete in years. Incorporating native plants into the experimental design “Initially this year we have I would say almost a third of the and having the other group or the other part of the experispace cleared of honeysuckle ready to be planted, and I would ment. This referred to as exotic plants that didn’t involve in like to see that done, and that’s very likely to be done,” Smith this area, but homeowners commonly plant.” said. Depending on plants, native plants typically attract more “I graduate, but there are still plenty of things to be done, than just pollinators. and things I would still like to be done or see even though Still, many other types of insects typically result in having I may not be here, having dedicated classroom space for more birds. students.” “We essentially end up with a richer or a more interesting Students utilizing the space have involved planning with as well as healthier ecosystem for not just ourselves but for assistant professor Matthew Dugas, who will be using the site the animals that they live in this area,” Wodika said. for teaching purposes, ensuring what the students can do at the Smith and the team plan to put seeds down by March. site. While the site continues being renovated, members of the “The way to integrate research which I think is broadly a project plan to make the grassland area blossom as it once did goal across most institutions right now,” Dugas said. 30 years ago. “The best is to do a more comprehensive job of integrating research to improve teaching, focus on inquiry-based learnMEGHAN FORTUNATO is a News Reporter for The Vidette. ing, asking and answering questions and dealing with the She can be contacted at mefortu@ilstu.edu. Follow her on fact that things don’t always work out like the way they think Twitter at @Meghanfortunato. they’re going to.” Dugas expressed good things for the future.
“I think that’s something that we hope is that this is going to be something people remember in 10 to 15 years from now, that they went out there.” Matthew Dugas, assistant professor
Features
PAGE 6 | THE VIDETTE
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2021
Championship bound
Flipping into a new format
Redbird Mock Trial team succeeds at regionals
Gamma Phi Circus virtual show set for May ANDREA RICKER Features Editor | @ricker_andrea
JORDAN MEAD Features Reporter | @meadjordan19
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llinois State University’s Redbird Mock Trial team is enthusiastic as it prepares for the upcoming Opening Round Championship Series with the American Mock Trial Association. “I am so excited, but I am really nervous because everyone that advances after regionals is one of the top elite schools and people that have amazing mock trial programs,” legal studies and political science student Nadalie Ponce said. “I know we are going to be going against the best teams, and I am excited that we are one of the best teams to advance. So, it’s exciting but it’s nerve wracking.” Parker Francisco, Kyla Egizio, Photo courtesy of Illinois State News ISU’s Redbird Mock Trial team is preparing for the Opening Championship Rounds series with the American Mock Tyler Gray-Henry, Brock Melrose Trial Association in March. Connor Martin, Kyla Egizio, Amelia O’Neil, Carlos Montenegro, McKenna Plotner, Nadalie and Ponce were recognized as Ponce and Parker Franciso will be advancing to the Opening Championship Rounds. outstanding regional competitors during the previous virtual regional 4-4, loosing against George Washington Univerto learn about trial.” tournament, the entry tournament to the champisity and Loyola University and defeating Grand Ponce also said that she enjoys competing in the onships. Canyon University and Brandeis University. Mock Trial program because it prepares her for her “For all the outstanding witnesses and attor“Regionals was very competitive. We went future in law school. She hopes to become an attorneys that got awards, it means a lot for each and against really good schools,” Ponce said. “We ney with a focus in immigration law or defense. every one of us,” Ponce said. “We got recognition had judges with different styles based on their “There have been a lot of judges who’ve from ISU and from the American Mock Trial location. We wanted to advance, and we didn’t judged us and said, ‘people who are in Mock Association.” want our season to be over, so I think that’s Trial are 10 times more at an advantage Ponce went on to say that the regional competiwhat gave us so much pressure, but we’re really than people who are in law school because tors are now more prepared for their future careers excited that we came forward.” they don’t have the court and presentation in addition to their futures competing in the Mock ISU students wanting to pursue a career in law experience.’ It’s all about presentation here,” Trial program throughout the next few years. can see what the world of trial advocacy is like Ponce said. The regional tournament required ISU Mock through ISU’s Mock Trial program. Professor Ponce went on to say that the Mock Trial Trial students to perform their best because this Joshua Rinker teaches Politics 283, Trial Advoprogram requires students to present a case and is the tournament that either advances or ends cacy, every spring semester. This class serves as be prepared for any circumstances, and it opens their season depending on their performance. a gateway to ISU’s Mock Trial program. doors both within ISU and beyond. Squad 1033 earned a 6-2 record, earning them “For people who did not sign up for the spring Championships will be virtual due to COthe third place spot out of 20 teams. ISU won all Trial Advocacy POL 283 class, I encourage VID-19 in mid-March. the ballots during the trial against St. Ambrose them to sign up the following year,” Ponce said. Those interested in more information about University and University of California at River“Even if you don’t want to be in the Mock Trial the Mock Trial Program can contact Joshua side. ISU squad 1034 maintained their record of program, that is still an amazing course to take Rinker at jprinke@ilstu.edu.
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he Gamma Phi Circus will be holding its 2021 spring show virtually on May 1 and 2. This is the first time in its 92-year history that the home show will be held virtually. The circus has been able to practice throughout the 2020-21 school year by follow safety precautions and COVID-19 guidelines. Ticket information has yet to be announced. Those interested in learning more about the virtual show can visit the Gamma Phi Circus Facebook and Instagram. The Gamma Phi Circus has been a part of Illinois State University for 92 years and is the oldest collegiate circus in America. Last year, the circus had to cancel its 2020 home show due to COVID-19. The show was expected to be held in April in Redbird Arena. In years past, the annual home show is held in the arena during Sibling Weekend at ISU. The last home show was the 90th anniversary show, Celebration, in 2019. The virtual show will allow for guests to watch the circus performance from the comfort and safety of their own homes.
Fresh flavor, Star Ginger joining ISU dining options CHELSEA CORA News Reporter | @cora_chelsea
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Alex Gant | Photo Editor @AlexGant16
Star Ginger will be joining the lineup of dining options at the Bone Student Center, starting at 11 a.m. Wednesday.
llinois State University is adding a new dining location, Star Ginger, at the Bone Student Center. Star Ginger will be opening in the Bone Student Center to eat at 11 a.m. Wednesday. Its hours are from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. It will be closed on weekends. Star Ginger is a Southeast Asian concept with multiple locations throughout the country. The new venue was added to the Bone Student Center as a result of student feedback that was gathered before the Bone revitalization began. “We want the Bone Student Center to continue serving as the ‘living room’ of campus and feel like a ‘home away from home’ for students, so listening to student input on dining options was critically important,” Assistant Director of Marketing, Training and Hospitality Erin Watts said. All six of the retail dining services in the Bone serve a different dining purpose. Adding Star Ginger adds to the variety that the Bone Student Center has to offer. “Star Ginger will provide Redbirds with a wide range of authentic Pan-Asian dishes, including stir fry rice bowls, sushi rolls, Vietnamese pho, Thai chicken, fresh chopped salads and much more,” Watts said. This addition to the Bone will provide students with a change in food to eat, giving them many more options. “It’s difficult to compare Star Ginger to other restaurants because of its unique menu focusing on small-batch cooking and featuring recipes developed by award-winning chef and founder Mai Pham. Regarding the menu, we think it is important to share that Star Ginger will offer a variety of healthy, gluten-friendly, vegetarian and plantforward options,” Watts added.
Star Ginger is located on the second floor of the Bone Student Center, joining Qdoba and Timbers in The Birds’ Nest. The Birds’ Nest offers an open space seating area designed to allow students and their friends and family to choose to dine at any of the options but still be able to eat together and enjoy their meal. Although dine-in is currently available, there are still COVID-19 guidelines put in place. The Birds’ Nest has been set up as a Designated Dining Area. Therefore, seating is limited, social distancing is enforced, a card system is used to identify sanitized tables currently available and masks must be worn at all times unless eating or drinking. “We certainly hope students will be interested in dining at Star Ginger, and we feel confident that students will enjoy the Star Ginger experience. We’ve heard positive feedback from student employees and other student groups, so we’re extremely excited to open and begin serving customers,” Watts said. Many students have given positive comments and feedback about the new addition to the Bone Student Center. “It seems exciting, we don’t have a lot of Asian-influenced restaurants around here so it should be good,” sophomore accounting major Isabelle Pierpont said. Students have been getting sick of the everyday dining and the lack of change throughout the dining hall and Bone Student Center. So, they are thrilled to have a different option soon. “I think it’s cool. It adds a different type of fusion flavor theme, and it gives students a different food option,” freshman exercise science major Damola Williams said. CHELSEA CORA is a News Reporter for The Vidette. She can be contacted at crcora@ilstu.edu. Follow Cora on Twitter at @cora_chelsea
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2021
SPORTS IN BRIEF Men’s basketball splits with SIU Illinois State men’s basketball walked into Carbondale and walked away with a split series. In game one of the series, ISU broke a sixgame losing streak with an 80-55 win over Southern Illinois. Playing better in the opening minutes was key to the win according to Illinois State freshman Emon Washington. “We had to play the first four minutes more aggressive and play it right,” Washington said. Despite losing, ISU head coach Dan Muller said he expected Southern to play a better game. The Salukis did just that. After a much better defensive showing, Southern won game two 59-49. Muller noted how the Redbirds’ lazy start doomed them. “Southern looked great today. We were not ready to play,” Muller said. “I thought we would take a step maturity-wise. We came out lackadaisical and they jumped on us.”
Joey Aquino | Photographer
Illinois State’s Marry Crompton driving against Missouri State’s Brice Calip.
ISU vs Bradley rescheduled
Illinois State women’s basketball matchup against Bradley has been pushed back from Feb. 24 and has been moved to Feb. 25. The game will be played at Renaissance Coliseum in Peoria. Tipoff is at 6 p.m.
Volleyball
Continued from Page 8
Johnson challenged a Drake point and won it after the review showed a touch on the Bulldogs. A block from Lund and two straight blocks from Kushner had the Redbirds two points away from the match. Kushner capped off a 5-0 scoring run to take the set 25-18 and the match 3-1. After the match, Johnson applauded the team’s toughness throughout the match. “We knew that it would be another close match,” Johnson said. “It was a rough match offensively for both teams, but we controlled our side of the net and never gave up. Defensively, we were all over the place with five players recording doubledigit digs. We were able to close out tight sets at the end and we were able to convert.” The Redbirds will stay at Redbird Arena this weekend for a pair of matches against the Valparaiso Crusaders at 4 p.m. Sunday and Monday. Follow @Vidette_Sports on Twitter for live coverage of both matches.
THE VIDETTE | SPORTS | PAGE 7
Football opens with new-look roster JAKE SERMERSHEIM Sports Editor | @JakeSermersheim
‘It’s time to start playing’
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ince Illinois State University football’s 9-3 loss to North Dakota State in the semi-finals, a whole lot has changed for the Redbirds. The most widespread change affecting everyone across the Missouri Valley Football Conference is the shift from a fall season to a spring conference season. Besides the time of the year changing, ISU has faced more pressing adjustments. Many of the players that were expected to be senior leaders this year have left. But despite these losses, ISU head coach Brock Spack does not envision it affecting the team too much. “The game plan for our team is different,” Spack said. “Those guys have been gone for a while so it should not affect us too much. We have some good young guys that have not played yet. They are going to be forced into playing a little earlier than we thought. I think it will be good for us down the road and the big picture. The only way to get experience is to play and it is time to start playing.” Defensive leaders Romeo McKnight and Charles Woods left before they got the chance to play a fall Alex Gant | Photo Editor | @alexgant16 season. Quarterback Brady Davis as well as running and Illinois State freshman tight end Brett Spaulding being lifted by teammates during the Redbirds’ defensive back Jeff Proctor both left the Redbirds looking fall scrimmages earlier this offseason. ISU opens the season on Saturday in Springfield Missouri to pursue an NFL career. James Robinson and Luther against Missouri State. The Missouri Valley Football Conference changed this year’s season from Kirk graduated and were both picked up on NFL rosters. the fall to the spring due to COVID-19 safety precautions. Despite the changes, Spack noted he is still confident which at this level is one of the hardest places to play on the in his team. 2021 SCHEDULE road. He also runs really well. He is a little different skill “We are a different team than we were [in] summer or set than Brady. He was improving his throwing motion. Feb. 20 at Missouri State, 1 p.m. August,” Spack said. “I feel really good about our team. He always had a strong arm and he has improved on that. They have worked really hard and I really like their attiWhat I really like is that he is calm under pressure.” Feb. 27 South Dakota, noon tude. They have done a great job through all the stops Despite losses at quarterback and running back, ISU and starts. It is hard in the winter to go out in practice.” March 6 at Northern Iowa, 4 p.m. returns with one of the best FCS offensive tackle prospects One of the biggest surprises for the Redbirds was Davis in the country, Drew Himmelman. deciding to train for the NFL rather than finish his senior March 13 at North Dakota State, Himmelman has already been tagged with pre-seaseason. With Davis out, the Redbirds will have to rely on 2:30 p.m. son Missouri Valley Football Conference First-Team sophomore Bryce Jefferson to run the team’s offense. all-conference and Football Championship Subdivision As a freshman, Jefferson showed he had the poise to March 20 Western Illinois, noon All-America honors. If successful, Himmelman will add lead the Redbirds. After Davis suffered his second ACL another All-America season under his last belt after March 27 at South Dakota State, tear, Jefferson stepped in for the final four last year. TBA games of the season, three of which were Spack knows what to expect from his senior leader. starts in the Football Championship Subdivi“I always expect a lot out of him. He is an NFL April 3 Southern Illinois, noon sion playoffs. prospect,” Spack said. “He is a very good player “I like what he did in Dec. of 2019, he did a April 10 North Dakota, noon for us, he has done a great job. He has been an Allgreat job in the playoffs,” Spack said. “Now that American. He came back for us to develop more he has been thrust into that starting role. The FCS playoffs set to run from April tape. He thought it was more important to come 18 — May 15* good news is he has played in big-time games. back to develop with us. We appreciate his I like the guys behind him. I really like the Bryce Jefferson Home games in red loyalty. We expect big things out of him.” position, to be honest. It would have been nice With every game uncertain due to a potential outRoad games in black to have Brady, but Bryce has started to establish himself break of COVID-19, Spack notes that building depth is *The FCS cut its playoff bracket from as a starter.” the most important part of this season. Spack has spent 24 teams to 16 teams. 10 teams will In his three playoff starts, Jefferson threw at a 50% the offseason building his depth down to the third team. be selected from winning conference completion clip, throwing for 145 yards, with 1 intercep“We played at least three groups through the spring. We championships. The remaining six tion 1 passing touchdown and 1 rushing touchdown. did it all through the fall as well,” Spack said. “We have teams will be at-large bids. Teams that Through what he saw on the field, Spack was most worked our threes and not just our twos. We told them played a fall season will have that go impressed with how Jefferson handled himself against you have to have the mindset that you are a play or a posiinto consideration when going under the tough competition. tive test away from playing.” selection process. “He was very calm. He ran the offense well, never got rattled,” Spack said. “Particularly at the Fargo Dome, uEXPANDED STORY @ Videtteonline.com
Swimming, diving opens season with win over Valpo ANTHONY FERRETTI Sports Reporter | @AnthonyFerrett6
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he Illinois State swimming and diving team made a splash in its first meet of the season with a 178-35 win over the Valparaiso Crusaders Saturday afternoon. In its first meet in over a calendar year, ISU swimming head coach Caitlin Hamilton said she was pleased with the team’s mentality given the challenges heading into the season. “We would normally be getting ready for our Missouri Valley Conference meet at this point,” Hamilton said. “I noticed a massive switch in just like approach and excitement with the team this week and it’s finally real. It finally was gonna happen and getting an event off in a COVID-19 year is always a big win in our books.” On the diving side, ISU started off strong by sweeping both diving events since the Crusaders didn’t bring any
Courtesy of Illinois State Athletics
Illinois State Swimming and Diving team opened the 2021 season with a 178-35 win over Valparaiso. divers. Senior Caroline Lecoeur led the way in 1-meter diving with a score of 291.23 and in three-meter diving with a score of 295.20. Not only were those top finishes for Lecoeur, but her efforts have already qualified her for National Collegiate Athletic Association’s zone qualifier later this spring in both diving events. As the senior led the way for ISU
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on the boards, it was the freshmen who propelled the Redbirds to victory in the pool. The Redbirds would place first in all of their events highlighted by strong performances from a number of their newcomers. The freshmen-heavy relay team of Kenzie Weber, Cassidy Carey and Mikayla Jasek along with sophomore Madyson Morse led the way for the
Redbirds in the 200-yard medley relay with a time of 1:50.06. Freshman Raegen Follis placed first in both of her individual events. Follis swam a 1:57.75 in the 200-yard freestyle and outswam teammate Redbird Morgan Rosser in a highly competitive 500-yard freestyle by .01 of a second. Olivia Gonder, along with Follis and Carey, were the trio of freshmen to win both of their individual events. Carey won the 100-yard butterfly and 100-yard backstroke. Gonder took home first place in the 200-yard individual medley (IM) and 100-yard freestyle. Hamilton was impressed with what the freshmen brought to the table in their first meet. “We’ve got a really talented young class that came in this year as freshmen. They just brought the excitement right out of the gate and I think that set the tone as we go through the first relay into the 1,000.” Hamilton said. “The ball was rolling from there.”
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Sports
PAGE 8 | THE VIDETTE
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2021
REDBIRD RE PORT Softball picks up a win in rain-shortened weekend
Illinois State’s volleyball players celebrate on court during their two-game sweep of the Drake Bulldogs. ISU gave Drake its first conference losses of the season. Nickolas Parra | Photographer
Out of the dog house
ISU over .500, hands Drake first MVC losses ANTHONY FERRETTI Sports reporter | @Anthonyferret6
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he weather may have been cold, but Illinois State volleyball (6-4, 4-2 Missouri Valley Conference) stayed hot against the Drake Bulldogs (6-3, 4-2 MVC) Monday night. Illinois State took the second match 3-1 and handed Drake its second straight conference loss of the season. Drake walked into the weekend unbeaten in the Valley. Freshman Kaitlyn Prondzinski picked up right where she left off with the opening kill for the Redbirds. After Drake took a one-point lead, the Redbirds took the lead back thanks to their aggressiveness on offense. Another kill from
Prondzinski gave ISU a 12-8 lead, forcing a Drake timeout. The freshman finished the set with six kills. ISU head coach Leah Johnson said when facing a team like the Bulldogs, scoring was going to be anything but easy. “Drake’s a team that will make you work for your own points and tend to take teams to long rallies, which we’ve seen back-to-back nights now,” Johnson said. “More often than not, we were able to finish those points tonight.” Later in the set, attack errors for the Redbirds narrowed their lead. ISU looked to respond out of the timeout, but Drake quickly tied and took the lead on the following point, which capped off a six-point scoring run. Illinois State stayed focused at the net, but their ten attack errors cost them. Drake took the opening set 25-23. The Redbirds responded quickly in the second set. ISU rattled off five
straight points and took a 10-4 lead. Drake talked things over, but Illinois State stayed aggressive. A service error following the timeout didn’t stop the ’Birds from a six-point scoring run that increased their lead to 11 points. Back-to-back kills from Kaylee Martin gave the Redbirds a 22-11 lead. As they neared a victory in the set, Drake cut the lead to six after a 3-0 scoring run. After a timeout by Illinois State, Sarah Kushner got the kill for set point. The Bulldogs’ offense tried to give the ball back to the Redbirds, but an error gave ISU a 25-17 victory in the second set. Illinois State hit .244 as a team and allowed Drake to hit .038. With the match tied at one set apiece, the two schools exchanged leads to start the third set. Then three straight kills by Nicole Lund, Kushner and Martin gave the Redbirds an 8-5 lead. ISU jumped out to an 11-8 lead, but a pair of kills from
Drake’s Emily Plock and an attack error on the Redbirds tied the set at 11 apiece. After exchanging several points, the Redbirds came up with three straight points to give them a fourpoint lead. However, errors proved costly for ISU as it allowed the Bulldogs to quickly tie at 20. The Redbirds took a slight lead and didn’t look back. A kill from Kushner propelled the ’Birds to a 25-23 set victory and led the match 2-1. In the fourth set, three Drake errors, two Prondzinski kills and a service ace from Kushner gave ISU a quick 6-0 lead. The Bulldogs kept pace with the Redbirds from that point on. Once again, four straight errors from the ’Birds got Drake to within two points. Drake would tie at 12, but the Redbirds responded with three points sparked by a kill from Prondzinski. See VOLLEYBALL on Page 7
Smith, Koski rewrite ISU history at Big Meet Redbirds post 21 personal bests
holds the record for the 5000-meter run with a time of 13:59.24. Bovee noted that Koski’s personal best posed a good problem for the Redbirds. “That was a big personal best for him,” ZACH STANGEL Bovee told goredbirds.com. “I just can’t even Sports Reporter | @zstange5 say how proud I am of him just putting in the work over a long period of time to get to where he is. We’re going to have to make llinois State track and field high jumper some choices with indoor and cross country Kameesha Smith continues to etch her championships being just a few days apart, name in the history books over the weekbut that’s a good end at Grand Valley State’s Big Meet. problem to have. Smith cleared four bars (1.65m, 1.69m, Up next Kevin looked great.” 1.73m and 1.77m) and won the event. She Next up for ISU Mye’Joi Williams cleared a personal-best (1.82 meters) to take will compete at the got a personalover the top spot in the Redbirds’ history EIU Friday Night best mark of 14.95 books. The previous record-holder was TifSpecial on Friday meters in the shot fani Archey at 1.81 meters in 1992. Smith is at the Lantz Indoor put. That throw got now tied for sixth in the nation. Fieldhouse. The her into the ISU ISU’s Director of Track and Field Jeff Bovee event time is to be indoor top-10 list. noted how Smith has been close to the record announced. That throw also in recent weeks. ranks No. 3 in the “Kameesha going back-to-back weeks trying valley. to get the school record and finally getting it Reflecting on the meet, Bovee mentioned this time was just awesome,” Bovee told gorecoming to Grand Valley seems normal in this dbirds.com “She’s really established herself as different season. one of the top high jumpers in the country and “It was good to get back to a big invite it will be interesting to see how she develops for track & field again,” Bovee told goredthroughout this season. She’s only had two birds.com. “It’s been a long year, but it feels meets now and she has a lot left there.” like we’re getting back to normal a little bit Grace Duan and Kristin Higgins were not far behind and got second and third. Duan Courtesy of Illinois State Athletics coming up here to Grand Valley. They have a phenomenal facility and I thought our stucleared a personal-best 1.73 meters which tied Illinois State’s Kameesha Smith celebrating after breakdent-athletes took advantage of it. Overall, I the number nine spot. Higgins cleared 1.69 ing Illinois State indoor track and field’s high jump record. think this is just what we needed at the right meters. The women’s high jumpers had an Along with Smith, ISU’s Kevin Koski moved into second in time, just two weeks away from the conferoutstanding meet as they were ranked No.2 in ISU record books in the 5K. ence meet.” the nation in the U.S Track & Field and Cross Next up for ISU will compete at the Eastern Illinois University Friday Night Country Coaches Association Event Squad Rankings last week. Kevin Koski was close to breaking school records in the 5000-meter run. Special on Friday, Feb. 19 at the Lantz Indoor Fieldhouse. The event time is to be He came up one second short with his time of 14:00.40. Miles Baker still announced. That will be its final meet before the MVC Indoor Championships.
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Illinois State’s softball team travelled to Jacksonville, Florida, this past week for the River City Leadoff. The Redbirds got their first win of the season against North Florida on Thursday, winning by a score of 4-0. Senior Morgan Day pitched a complete game shutout, allowing only one hit and three walks. Morgan Day Senior Andrea Coursey and freshman Madi Bylak led the way offensively, each going 2-for-5. The Redbirds took the field again on Thursday but did not have the same luck, falling 11-0 to the Clemson Tigers. Nothing went well for the Redbirds, allowing three runs in the first inning along with six in the top half of the fifth. Errors played a big part in the loss, recording three on the day, one of which was a throwing error letting a Tiger runner score. Sophomore Dayna Kennedy recorded the only hit of the afternoon for the Redbirds in the bottom half of the fifth inning ending the no-hitter. The Redbirds’ last three games were canceled due to rain.
MVC MBB STANDINGS
Conf Ovrl
Loyola Drake Missouri St. Indiana St. Evansville Valparaiso Bradley Northern Iowa Southern Illinois Illinois St.
13-4 18-4 11-2 20-2 10-5 14-5 9-6 12-8 6-7 8-11 5-8 8-11 5-10 11-13 5-10 11-13 4-9 10-9 3-12 6-15
MVC WBB STANDINGS
Conf Ovrl
Missouri St. Drake Loyola Bradley Northern Iowa Illinois St. Valparaiso Southern Illinois Indiana St. Evansville
9-0 13-2 10-3 12-8 7-4 9-6 8-5 12-8 6-5 9-9 7-6 10-6 3-6 7-9 3-8 6-10 1-8 4-10 1-10 5-11
UPCOMING
Men’s basketball
Men’s basketball returns to action at 6 p.m. Thursday in Peoria against Bradley.
Baseball
Baseball opens its season at 4 p.m. on Friday at Belmont for a four-game series.
Women’s basketball
ISU welcomes Drake at 4 p.m. on Friday for a two-game series. That game will also be the annual Play4Kay game.
Football
The Redbirds open their season at 1 p.m. Saturday by traveling to Missouri State to take on the Bears.
Soccer
ISU’s regular season continues at 2 p.m. on Saturday when they travel to take on St. Louis University.
Volleyball
Volleyball opens a two-game series at 4 p.m. on Sunday against Valparaiso. Compiled by Jake Sermersheim