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December graduates get a headstart in workforce Lexi Kerzman
Lexi.Kerzman@coyotes.usd.edu
Aaron Packard I USD Athletics
Sophomore Leah Drengenberg runs in the USA Triathlon Collegiate National Championships in Tempe, Arizona on Saturday. Drengenberg placed third and became the university’s first All-American triathlete.
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Drengenberg makes history,
Coyotes take 2nd at National Championships Jake Lindenberg
Jake.Lindenberg@coyotes.usd.edu
Sophomore Leah Drengenberg led the Coyotes to a second-place finish at the USA Triathlon Collegiate National Championships in Tempe, Arizona on Saturday. In the process, she became the university’s first All-American triathlete. Drengenberg crossed the finish line in one hour, seven minutes and 21 seconds to secure a spot on the podium in third place, finishing behind Kyla Roy and Audrey Ernst of Arizona State. “I honestly couldn’t believe it when I first finished,” Drengenberg said. “When I crossed and everyone was telling me ‘third place’ and ‘podium spot,’ I was so excited. I was happy for me and I was happy for the team. It was an awesome realization.” This is the second time in two years of existence USD’s triathlon team has finished runner-up at the national championships. They finished with 18 points, only falling to Arizona State who scored eight. “Bringing in so many freshmen, we weren’t sure how it was all going to work,” Drengenberg said. “We all get along so great and I think that’s part of it. We’re a family and we’re all able to work together so well and push each other.” The Coyotes had seven top-20 placers, five of which finished in the top-10. Following Drengenberg, freshman Ella Kubas placed seventh in her first national meet, clocking in at 1:08:26. Sophomores
Sammy Whitting and Payton Ryz took eighth and ninth place, finishing in 1:09:08 and 1:09:32 respectively. Freshman Cass Dalbec secured 10th place by finishing the course in 1:10:16. Rounding out the top 20 were the freshman pair of Maddie Katz and Teagan Shapansky. Katz took 16th with a 1:10:46 finish while Shapansky clocked 1:12:05 for 19th place.
Drengenberg said she is excited about the future of the program. “I think we can definitely snatch a national championship within the next two years,” she said. “We have two big recruits coming in next year that are going to bring more top places to the team.” The meet concludes the second season of triathlon at USD.
Aaron Packard I USD Athletics
Leah Drengenberg bikes in one of the three legs of the triathlon.
As many students prepare for another semester of classes, some students are preparing for life after college. The Academic & Career Planning Center (ACPC) has seen an increase in first-year students already having a number of college credits completed via dual credit courses offered in high schools. This trend has the potential to raise the semester graduation rates, Stephen Ward, ACPC Director said. The issue with graduating early, Ward said, is that students have to begin preparing for future careers that much earlier. Ideally, he said, students would start talking about career plans their sophomore year of college, not senior year. “We want students to … really start thinking about what internships they should do, putting together a resume and thinking about what a job search will look like,” he said. “They need to narrow down so the process at the end isn’t as tedious senior year.” Heather Johnson, ACPC Assistant Director, said employers are typically looking at May graduates as potential employees in October or November, meaning major positions are being filled almost a year in advance. That is one challenge the ACPC tries to assist students with, Johnson said. “If people are proactive and attend the different events that we have on campus and come when we bring different employers on campus, they can network,” she said. “Obviously around this area, networking is a gold mine for getting a job.” On Monday, the ACPC sponsored an internship fair in the Muenster University Center that hosted a variety of employers from the surrounding areas. Students should be taking advantage of fairs like this, Johnson said, even during their freshman year. “Every time that we have an event, I email it to every student so they should read their email, then they will know every event that is coming up and what’s going on and taking advantage of the different events on campus,” Johnson said. If students want to graduate early, they need to be in contact with their adviser early to enroll in the classes necessary. Some courses are only offered during one semester and if that is the case, advisors need to be aware as soon as possible, Johnson said. “Their advisor can help them adjust the four-year plan to three-and-a-half years if that’s their goal,” she said. “There are also some classes that are only offered once a year so as soon as they make that decision to graduate early they should work with their advisor to make sure it is possible.” Ward and Johnson agreed there has been an increase in students starting college with dual credits already on their transcript. They said this could add pressure on students to graduate earlier, but Ward said it is up to the individual. “Economically, the quicker you get into the workforce the quicker you’re going to pay off loans. Any time you have out in the workforce, your salary is going to be higher, See GRAD, Page A3
Streetscape project to refurbish Vermillion’s Main Street Austin Lammers
Austin.Lammers@coyotes.usd.edu
After 40 years without an upgrade, the sidewalks and street corners of downtown Vermillion could have a different look by 2021. The $2,450,000 Downtown Streetscape project will remodel Main Street’s streets and sidewalks, adding landscaping and seating features outside of businesses from McVicker Plaza to North Dakota Street. Additions include: • flowerbeds and trees lining the sidewalks • a decorative strip outlining the curb • trash and recycling receptacles • Signage • Street lighting • Bike racks • Storm sewer improvements City council has scheduled a public hearing for the project, referred to the Business Improvement District #2 (BID #2) plan, on Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. in
Opera operations See how the USD Opera will bring the show “Many Moons” to life.
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City Hall. From there, the council can create an ordinance, and, if passed, open the project’s bidding. If the ordinance is passed and bidding goes according to plan, construction could begin in 2021 and will take a year to complete, said Dominguez. In the BID #2 plan, the city will fund 82%, or $2,000,000, of the project from a fund they’ve fed since the project’s conception in April 2016. The remaining 18% will come from taxable property owners, split into Area A and Area B along Main Street. Those in Area A will pay $5,752 and those in Area B will pay $1,917 in installments over the next 10 years, according to the BID #2 plans. Though both areas include residential properties, only commercial owners are required to pay for the renovations, said City Engineer Jose Dominguez. “If you think about it, it’s a pretty good deal,” Dominguez said. “You’re See DOWNTOWN, Page A6
Submitted Rendering I The Volante
A rendering of a street corner shows what a renovated Main Street corner would look like after completion of the Downtown Streetscape project.
volante online.com This is our last print issue of the semester, but follow us online for your news until next year.
Cardiac Coyotes Find out how USD clawed back to defeat Drake and Utah in overtime.
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