At least once in your life you will hear someone express that they were born in the wrong decade. While it may be true that in the twenty-first century the world is, for the most part, better off than it used to be, some will always long for the forgotten aesthetics of milkshake-sharing and poodle skirts. Sure, we have the internet and almost everyone can read and write and has indoor plumbing, but there are certain traditions from the “olden days” that would make our modern days better.

The first thing we should bring back are swords and common sword-play. Here me out. It could be another sport that you could compete in and buy tickets to see. Not to mention, swords are way more honorable than guns. You want to compete for a lady’s or gentleman’s honor? You have to beat your opponent in sword play. I bet there’s nothing like the feeling of someone getting on one knee and pledging their sword and heart to you. There’s also a University in Norway that hands out swords with diplomas after students graduate from college. Anyone can have a piece of paper declaring their qualifications, but a true adult is responsible enough to have a sword on their belt or in their living room.

The second thing we should bring back are cloaks. I don’t know why these ever went away. It’s not like we’re super heroes at risk of getting sucked into a jet. They’re warm like blankets that we could walk around in, and they look good with every outfit. Not to mention, the pockets are so big that we could all save money on bags and purses. And, of course, they look fly as hell.

Now that the two-thousand twenties are approaching, I feel this third thing is especially important: swing dancing. Have you ever been to a school dance, and then out of nowhere your high school ballroom dance team busts out into a jive? It’s amazing, fun to watch and it really livens up the party. Now imagine if we could all do that. Imagine the dance battles. The music. The exercise. Parties could be so much more than Cards Against Humanity and drinking games (but let’s still keep those too).

This fourth tradition is going to sound weird since we have email, but there are still reasons to bring back letters. Call me old-fashioned, but getting letters is exciting. They’re like physical reminders of your existence in the world. And to get a letter from a friend or family member who lives far away is nice because you get to read their handwriting and that’s something that feels more personal. You get to hold the same piece of paper that they held, and you can sometimes even smell them. Those kinds of things are invaluable.

Finally, we should bring back castles. America doesn’t really have any castles because they were already outdated when America was founded. Instead of regular old hotels and apartment buildings, we should have castles, modernized with solar panels on the turrets. Castles are each so unique in their looks, and with the right materials they don’t have to be too expensive, especially if you plan on charging people to live there or stay in them. Like hotels, they could also be used for weddings and other events, showcasing the new additions of detail and complexity to American architecture.

Of course, none of these things are necessary. Technology has advanced, and we have fast, cheap ways of building things. We also have dance styles that can be used for nearly any genre of music, and modern sports and clothes. But, honestly, we need more variety, and we deserve to experience the rad things of the past. Time machines don’t exist, but we can still experience the best things of the past without sacrificing our socially advanced present.

The post Patience: Traditions We Need To Bring Back appeared first on Daily Utah Chronicle.

  Collaboration to broaden student textbook affordability options BOSTON and CHICAGO —April 12, 2018—Cengage, an education and technology company, and RedShelf, a leading provider of digital learning materials, today announced the expansion of their existing partnership to include Cengage Unlimited, while also formalizing their collaboration on inclusive access. Through both programs, Cengage and RedShelf are […]

Spoiler Warning for the Season 8 Finale (Season 8, Episode 16) of “The Walking Dead,” as well as all episodes of the previous seasons. Certain spoilers from the graphic novel series will also be discussed. Minor spoilers from “Fear the Walking Dead” will also be discussed. 

Cooper Andrews as Jerry, Khary Payton as Ezekiel, Danai Gurira as Michonne, Melissa McBride as Carol Peletier, Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes, Norman Reedus as Daryl Dixon, Christian Serratos as Rosita Espinosa. (Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC)

All Out War is officially over. The final battle has been fought. After two and a half seasons of fighting, the conflict with the Saviors has finally come to an end. The Season 8 Finale of “The Walking Dead” is a mixed bag of emotions and resolution that closes the chapter of the longest arc of the series. While not perfect, this is an excellent conclusion to a bumpy season; a season that began with mercy concludes with wrath…but also…mercy. This is the end of an era for the series, but it also sets up “a new beginning” for the story. Peace is finally here…and it’s about damn time.

There’s something truly beautiful about seeing all of the principal characters together; this is what the series was built on and it’s a shame that the most recent seasons seem to have forgotten that. The finale opens up with the characters preparing for their final battle, all together and united likee in the good ‘ole days. Inside Barrington House, Rick checks on baby Gracie and glances at himself in a mirror, symbolizing that he is at a good place both mentally and morally (note that in “Still Gotta Mean Something,” he glances at a broken mirror after killing Saviors, representing his fractured morality and mentality). Siddiq enters the room to feed Gracie and is slightly caught off guard when Rick asks to hear how Carl got bit. Siddiq explains exactly how it happened, even touching upon the fact that Carl was helping to honor Siddiq’s mother, someone he had never met before. Rick seems completely satisfied by what Siddiq tells him and thanks him for sharing; this is a conversation that has been a long time coming and it hopefully sets these two characters onto a path of friendship. Carl made the ultimate sacrifice to help and save Siddiq, so would only make sense for his character to be given a larger role moving forward, one that develops a strong connection with Rick.

Outside, Carol speaks with Henry about the fact that the war is almost over. Henry asks Carol to return to the Kingdom after its all done, promising to not run off ever again. There’s a humorous moment between Jerry and Ezekiel as the king states that not all will be lost if people die on this day; in typical Jerry fashion, he states that no one will die and that everything will be fine in the end. Rick, Maggie, Michonne, Carol, Daryl and Rosita discuss their plans for the battle, using the notes that Dwight sent via Gregory. They are obviously hesitant to trust what the plans say and decide to scout ahead. There’s a tense moment as Morgan rushes to the main gate, showing signs of mental instability as the Savior prisoners reenter the community after drawing away walkers. Morgan tells Carol that they need to be dealt with and swings his staff, knocking Henry to the ground in his confusion. Rick pulls Morgan aside and tells him that he should stay behind at the Hilltop, but Morgan is dead set on finishing the fight. Alden steps forward and expresses that he and the other Saviors wish to join the battle also, but Maggie shuts this down, still weary to trust them. The theme music begins to play as soldiers from Alexandria, the Hilltop and the Kingdom walk out of the gate on a mission to end the war once and for all.

Danai Gurira as Michonne. (Photo credit: Gene Page/AMC)

It isn’t just Team Family preparing for the final battle as the Saviors also gear up to head out at the Sanctuary. Negan taunts Dwight and tells him that he will be coming along, as will Eugene and Father Gabriel. Eugene hands Negan a gun that he uses to shoot at a target labeled “Rick,” laughing in the process. Negan then sends a team of Saviors to a point in the road where they are to set up a blockade with walkers, something that is later revealed to be part of a ploy to trap Rick’s group. Laura drives Eugene, Gabriel and Negan toward their actual meet point as the tyrant “confesses” that he is sacrificing some of his men to put an end to the fighting. Gabriel sees a moment of distraction and jumps out of the moving car before running into the forest, still partially blinded; he comes across a walker, which is killed by Laura before he is held at gunpoint by Eugene. Negan seems to be proud of Eugene and disappointed in Gabriel, the latter of which receives a punch in the gut by Lucille. They load back into the car as Gabriel cries out, pleading for Eugene to let him warn their group of the Saviors’ misdirect. At the roadblock, Rick’s group unloads on the Saviors, killing everyone before finding a decoy note that lists the location of where Negan will be. Morgan hallucinates Jared, who urges him to “try” death, but Jesus ultimately brings him back to reality. There is a ton of tension present as the forces move into their positions for the final battle, feeling reminiscent to “Too Far Gone” and other major battle episodes.

While walking to where they believe Negan to be, Jesus speaks with Morgan about his belief that not all Saviors need to be killed. This has been his central ideology all season and this conversation shows that he has still managed to hold onto it, even after everything they have been through. Jesus explains that Morgan should save the sharpened end of the staff for the dead and use the normal end on people; Carol pokes a little bit of fun at Jesus for this idea, stating that she was just starting to like him. The militia stops abruptly when they spot a massive herd on the horizon, with Rick stating that he has never seen one so large. In an open field, Rick and the others are shocked when they hear the eerie Savior whistle, accompanied by the voice of Negan telling them that they have just wandered into a trap. Via a loudspeaker, Negan announces that everyone in Rick’s group will be killed, along with Dwight and Gabriel; he shares the fact that Eugene is responsible for everything that is happening to the united forces. Dwight is shown to be wearing the same prisoner uniform that Daryl wore during his time as a hostage at the Sanctuary; there have always been parallels to these two characters, but this is the most disturbing, especially considering Dwight has been developed into such a likable character this season. Everything looks hopeless for our survivors, but the series once again proves that hope always prevails and that the characters will always have each other’s backs.

Alanna Masterson as Tara Chambler – (Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC)

Negan begins a countdown and orders his men to move toward a lined position on the ridge to fire on Rick’s group. In a dramatic turn of events, Negan gives the order to shoot and the bullets from all of the Savior guns immediately explode; the force of the explosions injure all of the Saviors, even brutally killing many in the process. Negan’s hand is blown to bits and the rest of the force is distracted, allowing Rick and the others to fight back, making their way to the ridge and killing Saviors along the way. Negan quickly realizes that Eugene has sabotaged the bullets, betraying the Saviors; however, before he can do anything, Gabriel steps forward and punches Negan to the ground, leading to an altercation that gives Dwight the opportunity to take a few licks at his oppressor. Maggie screams out that Negan is running away, making it clear that it is her singular mission to make sure that he dies on this day. Regina and her crew set their sights on Eugene, also angry at his betrayal, but Rosita manages to subdue them before they bring harm to her “former traveling companion;” it isn’t exactly clear if Regina is killed or if she is simply injured here. Elsewhere on the battlefield, Morgan saves Jesus from a Savior, but stops short from killing him; it’s a bit odd that Jesus is holding onto this belief system right in the middle of an active battle, but it is consistent with his arc this season. Maggie, Michonne, Siddiq and others make their way to where the surviving Saviors have surrendered; Laura demands that her colleagues throw their hands up and asks that the militia spare them. The battle, while exhilarating to watch, is far less action-packed and epic than one would expect from the end of All Out War.

The standoff in the field isn’t the only front of the war’s final battle. At the Hilltop, Kal and Eduardo alert the residents that the Saviors are nearing the community. Tara leads an evacuation through the tunnel that Sasha crafted last season; she leads the Hilltoppers, including Enid, Gracie, Alden, the prisoners and others, into the forest as the Saviors surround the community. Tara tells Enid that she is going to stay behind and hold the Saviors off to allow the rest of the survivors the chance to get away. Alden refuses to leave Tara alone and orders his fellow Saviors to help in defending the Hilltop residents; he is so adamant about it that he tells Tara that he will even help her without a gun. The attacking Saviors start making their way to the treeline, but a series of explosions put an end to them, leaving Tara completely stunned. She steps out from the bushes to see Cyndie, Aaron and the Oceanside forces hurling explosives at the attackers. Sure, it is incredibly cliche that they would arrive just in the knick of time to save the day, but at least they are finally involved in the All Out War arc…plus it’s just damn thrilling to see them fighting. There’s a look of joy and content on Tara’s face as she sees the badass army assisting in the take down of the Saviors; she has been trying to recruit them since she first stumbled upon the hidden community in “Swear,” so it is totally rewarding that they have finally come out of the shadows and now longer have to be afraid.

Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Negan and Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes. (Photo credit: Gene Page/AMC)

The climax of the episode comes as Negan and Rick finally face off against each other one-on-one. Their final duel takes place beneath the tree with stained glass panels that was first shown in the Season Premiere. Rick takes a single shot at Negan, but misses (of course) and breaks the glass of a panel; Negan takes a few swings at him with Lucille, but the fight ultimately ends up being purely based on physical strength as their weapons are thrown to the side. Negan stands looking down on Rick and opens up about his “eeny, meeny, miny, moe” routine, which he explains was bullshit; he selected Abraham and Glenn as the victims because he didn’t want to kill a father in front of his son. In hindsight, Negan states that he probably should have just killed Rick back during their first meeting as it possibly would have indirectly saved Carl’s life. Rick gets back onto his feet and tells Negan that they can build a future with them both alive, just as Carl wished; Rick pleads with Negan to think about it for just a few seconds as he lays out the vision that Carl dreamed. This seems to be effecting Negan as tears fill his eyes, making it seem as though he will surrender and agree to a ceasefire; in yet another plot twist, Rick slits Negan’s throat with the broken piece of stained glass. As blood pours out of Negan’s throat, he lets out a hoarse jab at Carl’s naive belief. This showdown is eerily reminiscent to the standoff between Rick and Shane in “Better Angels,” especially considering Rick used similar tactics to regain power, as well as the fact that both took place in a field. This duel also has shades of the fight between Rick and The Governor in “Too Far Gone.” This conflict has a totally different ending than those previously mentioned, however.

The real emotional punch of the finale comes as the camera pulls back to reveal Maggie, Michonne and the rest of the militia force standing behind Rick in the field. Rick turns to his group and tearfully tells Siddiq to “save him.” This sets Maggie off and she begins to run toward Negan, screaming and crying as Michonne holds her back; “he killed Glenn” she screams at the top of her lungs, furious and devastated that Negan will be saved while her beloved husband lay mutilated and beaten under a mound of dirt. “It’s not over until he’s dead,” she continues as Michonne does her best to comfort a distraught Maggie. Rick gives a rousing speech to his people about how they need to be better than Negan in order to build the future that comes after. He orders the captured Saviors to lower their hands before repeating the line in his speech from the Premiere about those that wish to switch sides and help being allowed to do so. He points to the herd on the horizon and emphasizes that the dead are the real threat and that the fighting among each other must stop if they wish to survive. It’s a powerful speech that really encapsulates what Carl died for and the message he left behind. There’s a moment of reunification as Rosita asks Eugene if he is responsible for the bullet sabotage, to which he explains that he was inspired by Gabriel’s ineptitude. Rosita punches him right in the face, signifying that their rocky relationship might be on the path to recovery; a punch in the face can sometimes be the best “let’s move on” you’ll get in the apocalypse. The full scene of red-eyed Rick sitting under the tree is shown as he triumphantly proclaims “my mercy prevails over my wrath,” bringing the entire season to a complete circle.

Josh McDermitt as Eugene Porter, Christian Serratos as Rosita Espinosa, Danai Gurira as Michonne and Lauren Cohan as Maggie Rhee. (Photo credit: Gene Page/AMC)

The last stretch of the finale serves to conclude many of the arcs of this season and sets up the “A New Beginning” story for next season. Maggie returns to the Hilltop and speaks with Alden, who expresses his upmost gratitude for her giving him and the other Saviors a second chance; he explains that he will be heading back to the Sanctuary, but offers to assist in bringing some of the plans from Georgie’s “A Key to the Future” book to fruition. Tara, Rosita and Eduardo pay a visit to the Sanctuary with a bus full of survivors to assist in repairing the shattered windows of the Sanctuary. Frankie and Tanya, now dressed in normal clothes, are free from their enslaved lives as Negan’s wives; they thank Tara for helping in refurbishing their home. Surprisingly, Laura gives a nod of approval to Rosita; it seemed as though Laura was totally loyal to Negan, but she appears to have seen the value in peace. Out in the forest, Daryl has driven Dwight to a secluded spot and it seems as though an execution is about to take place. Dwight once again vehemently apologizes and expresses his remorse for all the bad things he has done, specifically killing Denise. Daryl straight up demands that Dwight leave and never return, lest he wishes to be killed; he hands him car keys and tells him to go find Sherry. Later, Dwight is shown returning to the safe house that he and Sherry established and that he last visited in “Hostiles and Calamities.” He finds a note that has a simple infinity symbol, along with pretzels and beer, letting Dwight know that Sherry is still alive and well; maybe this is a hint that she will return in Season 9. This is a fantastic emotional conclusion to Dwight’s story of the past two and a half seasons and serves as excellent set up for his future.

This finale serves as a jumping point for Morgan’s future in the “TWD” franchise, particularly placing him on a course for his crossover to “Fear the Walking Dead.” He arrives at the Heaps, much to the surprise of Jadis, to let the trash queen know that Rick has offered her a place in the community. There is a beautiful sense of peace between these two characters as Morgan points out that Jadis doesn’t want to be alone and that she needs people; “everything is about people. Everything in this life that’s worth a damn,” he tells her, repeating exactly what Eastman told him while encouraging Morgan to find others to survive with in “Here’s Not Here.” There has been such a remarkable shift in the character of Jadis this season, and her layers are peeled back even further as she reveals her real name to be “Anne.” She agrees to join the rest of Rick’s group, but Morgan lets her know that he will be staying at the Heaps, unable to be with people at the moment. When you think about it, Jadis and Morgan actually have a lot in common and the fact that they are given this simple scene together showcases the fact that “The Walking Dead” is a story about human beings and our similarities; the zombies are merely an aspect of the environment, but the real draw of the story is the humanity that comes out in scenes such as this.

Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes, Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Negan, and Danai Gurira as Michonne. (Photo credit: Gene Page/AMC)

The final bit of the episode is downright chilling. Maggie holds a meeting with Jesus in her office, discussing the fact that keeping the prisoners alive at the beginning and end of the war was the right call. Her tone changes when she tells Jesus that Rick was wrong for sparing Negan and that Michonne was unjustified in holding her back. Maggie states that they will build up the Hilltop, bide their time and wait for a moment to strike; Daryl steps out from darkness in agreement. Obviously they aren’t talking about killing Rick and Michonne, but it is a bit odd and slightly out of character that they would sneak behind his back like this; it is especially strange that Jesus is part of this considering he has been an advocate for peace all season, although a case could be made that he only wants Negan dead. One should also question why Maggie wasn’t consulted on Negan’s fate as she has more stakes in his survival/death than anyone; it would have been far more rewarding to have Maggie be the one to make the decision to keep him alive, reflecting back onto what Glenn, Hershel, Beth and Carl would have done in the situation. The narrative flips to Alexandria where Rick, Michonne and Siddiq have Negan tied to a bed with a bandage on his neck wound. After two and a half seasons of living under Negan’s boot, the tables have turned and Rick and Michonne lay out their plans for the tyrant; he will live in a cell, rotting until he dies, but still watching the people that he oppressed as they flourish without him.

The season comes to a conclusion in the most perfect way as Father Gabriel visits his blown out church, taking a moment to pray as the sunlight illuminates the darkness; he thanks God for giving him the strength and courage to survive. A voice-over from Rick is set against a flashback to many years before the apocalypse as he walks with a young Carl on the farm that was mentioned in the letter; Rick reads his own message to Carl, one of hope and prosperity about the world that Carl led everyone to. “You showed me the new world. You made it real,” Rick tells Carl as past versions of themselves walk into the sunset. While the decision for Carl to die is still hard to swallow, it is absolutely heartwarming that he is at least being honored properly in the finale. Rick mentions in his own letter that the day on the farm that Carl mentions was the first time that Rick figured out who he was as a person and as a father. That summarizes the effect Carl had on the other characters; he helped keep Rick, Michonne, Shane, Lori and everyone else grounded in who they are as people. He brought them back from darkness and showed them the light when they were lost; he represents pure good in a world of evil. It’s the characters that survive that carry his legacy and his message, ushering the series into a new era of peace, tranquility and unity. Of course, this is still “The Walking Dead,” so that won’t last long.

Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes. (Photo credit: Gene Page/AMC)

“Wrath” is an imperfect capstone to the All Out War story arc. While it does deliver a multitude of intense and emotional moments, the final battle is lacking and some of the character moments feel forced and unnatural. That being said, this finale is a satisfying conclusion to many of the individual arcs. The episode hits all of the emotional cues and delivers several gut-punches as Season 9 and the extended future of the series is set up. The best moments of the episode include Rick’s conversation with Siddiq, Eugene’s betrayal, Rick and Negan’s duel, Rosita and Eugene’s reunion and Morgan’s advice to Jadis, among others. Adapting several iconic moments from the comics, including Negan’s throat being slit and his prisoner status, show that the story still pays homage to its origins even if the overall narrative is quite different. The direction of Greg Nicotero deserves praise, as does the musical score of Bear McCreary, who never fails to compliment the story with his powerful music. The performances across the board are spectacular, but Lauren Cohan, Andrew Lincoln, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Lennie James, Austin Amelio, Josh McDermitt and Seth Gilliam are the standouts. The countdown to Season 9 begins now and there are a lot of questions in the air: will Dwight find Sherry? Will a civil war arise between the characters? What is up with the helicopter? Will peace between the communities last? WHERE IS HEATH? The Season 8 Finale marks Scott M. Gimple’s final episode as showrunner after first stepping into the role in Season 4; Angela Kang is taking over in Season 9. What vision will she have for the series?

“The Walking Dead” will return for Season 9 in October 2018. Season 4 of “Fear the Walking Dead” premiered immediately following the “TWD” Finale as part of “Survival Sunday” to celebrate Morgan’s crossover. A full review of the Premiere is forthcoming. Be sure to stay tuned to the Niner Times for continuing coverage of “The Walking Dead” franchise. 

The Bruins came away from the Clemson Invitational with mixed results.

“I think the racing was a little bit up and down,” said coach Amy Fuller Kearney.

UCLA rowing finished 12th out of the 21 teams in the final team-by-team point totals at this weekend’s meet. No. 4 Ohio State finished first, followed by No. 9 Virginia and No. 12 Wisconsin.

Fuller Kearney said that being able to compete against such a large field of teams was great preparation for the Pac-12 and the NCAA championships in May, especially since eight of the teams who participated are ranked among the top 20 in the nation.

“It definitely changes the feel on the course,” Fuller Kearney said. “Everybody out here is fast, so it’s a really good opportunity to test our speed.”

UCLA’s varsity four crew recorded the Bruins’ best finish Friday at second place, and the third varsity eight took third in their race. In addition, UCLA’s varsity eight posted a fourth-place finish, while the second varsity eight boat finished sixth.

On Saturday, the Bruins raced in heats in the morning session and the finals in the evening. The third varsity eight and varsity four crews each advanced to their A final races with second- and third-place finishes, respectively. In the finals, the third varsity eight took fourth, and the varsity four took seventh.

Fuller Kearney said that she was pleased with the high placements by the varsity four and third varsity eight, and that she just wants more consistency in her first and second varsity eights’ races.

“There were some definite highs this weekend, like the varsity four did an excellent job, getting seventh in the A final, and the third varsity eight getting fourth place overall,” Fuller Kearney said. “I think that with the first and second varsity eight, it’s a competitive field, and I don’t think we were successful in putting three solid races together.”

One of the teams the Bruins faced was rival No. 13 USC, who took fifth place overall at the invitational, and who will host the Bruins in two weeks for a dual meet. Out of the three races in which both teams had a boat, USC beat out UCLA twice.

Fuller Kearney said that though the rivalry meet is coming up, the team is concentrating on the more important Pac-12 championships that come right after.

“To be honest, as a program what we need to do is focus on the conference championships at the end of the month,” Fuller Kearney said. “I know USC is a big rivalry for UCLA, but for our program right now and for our movement forward we need to really keep our eyes on that Pac-12 championship so we can be sure we’re ready to go there.”

Tanisha Wright observes a play from the bench. Photo by Chris Crews

March Madness has just ended.

Villanova won the title on the men’s side, while Notre Dame hit two consecutive buzzer beaters in the Final Four to win the title for the women. At Charlotte, the offseason women’s basketball workouts have started up, and there’s a familiar face in the gym: Tanisha Wright. However, Wright is now on the floor working out, instead of being on the sidelines.

Wright, a member of the 49ers’ coaching staff this past season, is returning to the WNBA after a year off and recently signed with the Minnesota Lynx as a free agent. And, while she didn’t suit up to play this year, it’s clear that she’s still got it.

“I think I stepped away to figure out things, to see what other opportunities that were out there,” Wright said. “I like to stay in shape. I stay in shape and I work on my game as much as I can because I like to grow and get better. I never really stopped doing that. I took some time to get in shape to be able to prepare myself for a training camp. And once I felt like my body was okay and mentally I was okay, it’s just a matter of getting out there and doing it.”

This year, Wright was a part of the coaching staff that oversaw a young Charlotte team. The 49ers had a few growing pains early on, losing multiple games in the non-conference slate by three points or less. However, the team rebounded in the conference portion of the schedule, scoring 10 conference wins before falling in the first round of the Conference USA Tournament to finish 14-16.

Now, as the semester nears its end, Wright will be preparing to join the Lynx, the franchise that won the WNBA Finals last year on the strength of Sylvia Fowles and Maya Moore.

“Joining a group that already has championship pedigree, being able to bring that and because it is a veteran group who’s been together for years, they already have a cohesiveness about them… really, it’s about adding on and being a support system to the rest of the people that are there,” Wright said. “Obviously, I wanna perform up to my abilities, but it’s really being a servant leader at this point.”

Wright is no stranger to the spotlight. A stellar collegiate athlete at Penn State, Wright played for the Seattle Storm from 2005 to 2014, and won a ring with the Storm in 2010 alongside Swin Cash, Sue Bird and Lauren Jackson. She averaged 9.2 points that year, helping the squad bring the title home, and she’ll be looking to reach the pinnacle again this year.

“It does not matter; you can be the best college player at that level, but when you get to the League, you’re gonna find someone who’s bigger, somebody who’s faster, and somebody who’s stronger. So really, it’s just about developing your game, continuing to get better year in and year out. And if you do that, the sky’s the limit,” Wright said.

For Wright, the relationships she has built as each level have been priceless. Head coach Cara Consuegra was a graduate assistant at Penn State when Wright was playing, and the two stayed in contact throughout her career. Wright noted the pointers she’ll take from Charlotte when she reports to Minneapolis.

“The main difference is you see the game completely different. You’re no longer out there performing it. When you’re on the court, you have all the ability in the world to make plays happen,” Wright said when explaining the differences between playing and coaching. “When you’re on the sidelines, you don’t necessarily have those abilities, so you try to impart that on the players that you’re coaching. The perspective of the game is probably the main [thing]… and what I can take to [the League] is the perspective… the understanding everything that leads up to coaches preparing players for a game.”

While she played for Penn State, Wright agreed that C-USA is a sleeper for talent. Redshirt senior Nyilah Jamison-Myers was invited to two pre-draft camps for the WNBA, and Wright says that there are more players in the conference who could make it to the next level.

“You can be a good talent that wasn’t seen—Conference USA, we’re a smaller conference so we’re not seen as much as the Power 5 schools,” Wright said. “You can be a kid who’s not seen as much, but if you’re put in the right situation when you go to the professionals, your game can blossom, you can get better and become somebody who people ‘slept on.’ At the end of the day, we’re all basketball players. It’s what you’re willing to do to grow your game, to get better each and every day and the amount of time you’re willing to put into it.”

Wright will once again have the ability to make plays on the floor for Minnesota.

In 2016, she averaged 6.7 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 28 starts for the New York Liberty. She’ll undoubtedly look to add to those numbers again. And, while her stay in Charlotte was short, Niner Nation will be sure to cheer on Wright when she suits up this year. Minnesota’s season tips off on May 20 as they will take on the Los Angeles Sparks in the Target Center.

The University of Maine football team began spring practices on Wednesday April 4, officially kicking off their 2018 season. The team is looking to improve upon their 2017 run, which saw them end with a record of 4-6, good for seventh place in the CAA. Although the team is less than two weeks into practice, Head Coach Joe Harasymiak is pleased with what he’s seen so far.

“It’s been going really well, spring ball for us is really about development,” Harasymiak said. “All the seniors are gone and graduated, so we have a lot of guys running around and trying new spots,” Harasymiak added.

Notable departures for the Black Bears include defensive backs DeAndre Scott and Najee Goode, along with offensive tackle and NFL hopeful Jamil Demby. Star running back Joshua Mack also left, opting to transfer to a higher-level program for his final two years in college. Mack proved to be Maine’s most valuable asset on offense in 2017. The Rochester, New York native led the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) in rushing yards with 1,335 on 243 carries and also hauled in 30 catches for 209 yards. With Mack out of the picture, Maine now will rely on a trio of backs to split time at the position.

“We got plenty of guys that are ready to go,” Harasymiak said in regards to the running back position. “Joe Fitzpatrick is back, he did a great job for us last year. We have two redshirt freshmen that are outstanding, and that we’re really excited about. We’ll fill the role and we’ll be good,” Harasymiak said.

Fitzpatrick played well behind Mack in 2017, compiling 382 yards on 64 carries while scoring a touchdown.

Harasymiak has reason to be excited about the new duo of running backs as well. Outside of them, the team landed one if it’s biggest recruiting classes in the last decade. The Black Bears have 23 new faces coming in and may have a chance to get four to five more players in the process.

On top of all the new players, Maine has many key returning players too. Star wide receiver Micah Wright is expected to be ready by the start of the actual season. Wright is coming off ACL surgery and is currently not practicing with the team. Second-year quarterback Chris Ferguson is back, and has a year of experience under his belt. Ferguson is looking to build off a solid first-year campaign which saw him throw for 2,064 yards along with 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. In the early goings of practice, Ferguson is already flashing signs of improvement.

“He’s got a better command of everything and his decision making has been better,” Harasymiak said. “The mental side of it is where we really want to see the progress,” Harasymiak added.

Harasymiak always stresses the importance of having a good mentality, something team failed to be consistent in last season. The Black Bears proved to be a tough test for most opponents in 2017, but let games get away from them in the fourth quarter. They ended their season by blowing a 12-point fourth quarter lead against Stony Brook, and also lost games against the University of New Hampshire (UNH) and Delaware, both of which were tied going into the fourth.

“To compete with teams that win titles, we need to take a step in the fourth quarter. It comes down to the mental side and being tough enough to make those plays,” Harasymiak said. “Certainly we’re more experienced in those games now and we’re creating environments in practice that simulate being tired and having to make plays in the fourth quarter.”

If Maine can make those fourth quarter plays Harasymiak talks about, it could be the difference between a six win season and a nine or 10 win season. Either way, Maine has plenty of things to be excited about in the 2018 season, including a Thursday night showdown against rival University of New Hampshire to start the year. It’s a home game for the Black Bears and Harasymiak admitted he wants to bring the prized Brice-Cowell Musket back to Maine. The musket is a special trophy that has been a staple of the Maine and New Hampshire rivalry for decades.

“We got to beat them, we want the musket back,” Harasymiak said.

Maine has a tough schedule to work with for the first few weeks, taking on Western Kentucky, Central Michigan and Yale after that opening matchup with the Wildcats. If they can win any of those games, even with the departures they have had to overcome, it should give them the momentum necessary to be a tough matchup for the rest of the conference.

With only about 20 percent of the student body consistently participating in campus-wide elections, legislative student organizations have a widespread perception of being unable to create useful change for students. However, Student Government and academic councils have the unique opportunity to produce legislation and convey student concerns to administrators, who can then help improve the student experience in meaningful ways. 

This week, we spotlight newly elected leaders from Student Government and the Senate of College Councils, each of whom present their visions and make the case that students do have the power to enact initiatives that positively impact campus life. 

Benjamin Solder, speaker of the Student Government Assembly, speaks about the Assembly’s goals in the upcoming year. Solder hopes students begin to see SG as a means to change campus, and encourages interested students to apply for internal positions, speak at the beginning of Assembly meetings, or even contact him directly with questions.

David Jenkins, president of the Senate of College Councils, explains how the organization functions in coordination with the 21 college councils, and lists some goals for the upcoming year. Jenkins emphasizes a commitment to receiving student feedback, communicating with organizations outside of the traditional legislative spheres and staying persistent to ensure that student voices are heard.

As always, if you have thoughts about this subject or any other, please reach out to us at thedailytexanforum@gmail.com.

Nemawarkar is a Plan II and government junior from Austin. Shirvaikar is a math and economics junior from Frisco. Anderson is a Plan II and history sophomore from Houston.

The baseball team was swept by Columbia at home this weekend and lost its first game Friday 8-2 before falling in both games of a doubleheader 5-4 and 2-0 Saturday. After the weekend’s contests, the Bears (7-18, 3-9 Ivy) move to seventh place in the Ivy League standings with just three conference series remaining in the season.

“Obviously we would have liked to have won at least one, much less take the series,” said Head Coach Grant Achilles. “(Columbia is) playing good baseball right now and we didn’t execute enough to beat them. (It’s) a tough weekend to walk away from, but I’m still proud of our guys and how they competed.”   

Brown 2, Columbia 8

In the series opener, the Bears were outmatched by the Lions (12-20, 8-4) from the opening pitch. Although Brown recorded eight hits — including three from catcher Parke Phillips ’20 and an RBI from shortstop Willy Homza ’19 — the team could not score enough runs to keep up with Columbia’s explosive offense. Right fielder Joe Lomuscio ’21 notched the other RBI on a groundout to shortstop in the seventh inning.

On the mound, Bruno had to dig deep into its bullpen and featured six pitchers in nine innings. The Bears gave up ten hits and six errors.

Brown 4, Columbia 5

To open Saturday’s doubleheader, the Bears jumped out to an early lead over the Lions but faded in the final innings. In the bottom of the fifth frame, Brown threatened when Homza, first baseman Hunter Carey ’18 and second baseman Rich Ciufo ’20 loaded the bases. Phillips then reached first base on an error by the Lions shortstop to send Homza and Carey across home plate. Soon after, the Bears again jammed the bases with a single, and center fielder Sam Grigo ’18 launched a two-RBI double to right field and brought Phillips and Ciufo home. The Bears’ clutch hitting in the inning extended their lead to 4-1.

“We were getting blanked before (the fifth inning), so obviously it’s good to help the team break through, break that seal and jump out in front,” Grigo said. “The rest of the day was a combination of their pitchers doing a really good job, a little bit of unluck for us, and then the wind. It was a tough combination this weekend, but their pitchers did a really good job.”

In the top of the seventh, Columbia lit up for three critical runs to tie the game. The Bears were unable to respond, and the teams entered the ninth inning tied at four. But with one out in the top of the ninth, Chandler Bengston reached third base to put the Bears in a jam, before Julian Bury bunted to bring Bengston home and give the Lions a crucial late lead. In the bottom of the inning, the Bears struck out twice and could not get on base to finish the loss.

Brown 0, Columbia 2

In the series finale, both teams’ defenses came out of the dugouts ready to play, and each put up strong early performances on the mound. Starting pitcher Garett Delano ’20 set the tone for the Bears and allowed only four hits over seven innings with five strikeouts. Delano also notched Bruno’s first hit of the game with a single in the bottom of the fourth.

“I felt pretty good, but it doesn’t really matter,” Delano said. “We lost. We got swept. So we have to come back on Tuesday on our midweek and next weekend and play hard.”

Brown loaded the bases in the bottom of the fifth with two outs but could not bring any runners home to continue the defensive duel. In the bottom of the sixth, the Lions earned a critical single that plated the first run of the day from either team and put the Bears at a deficit.

Columbia carried its one-run lead into the ninth, as Bruno only managed to record three hits in the first eight innings. In the top of the ninth, the Lions knocked in an insurance run to extend their lead to two and put the game out of Brown’s reach.

“We’re still in position where if we take care of our business and … we win, then that gives us a good chance to still be in competition at the Ivy League Championship Series, which has been our goal since day one,” Achilles said. “Just taking it one game at a time, and trying to execute as best as we can — that’s really our ultimate goal for the remaining games.”      

The Bears will take to the road for the rest of the month and will face Harvard in a three-game away series this weekend before visiting Siena College Tuesday, April 24. 

Tai Martin goes for the ball in a match. Photo by Chris Crews

On a cool and overcast Friday afternoon, junior Tai Martin once again found herself playing the game she loves in a home match against Davidson.

“Three dribbles before I serve and two leg slaps before I return,” Martin said about her favorite rituals. However, these gestures are more second nature than superstition for a player with her experience.

Martin has been playing the game since the youthful age of six when she begged her mom for months to take her to tennis lessons. Martin’s mother Tami was reluctant at first, for her young daughter was an inside child whose love of the game sprouted from Mario Tennis on the Nintendo 64. However, she took the chance that her daughter could swap a game controller for a racquet and turn an indoor activity to a healthy hobby. She signed Martin up for lessons and the rest is history.

Since then, her childhood passion has turned into a success story at the college level. Martin has been a consistent bright spot on the women’s team since stepping foot on campus her freshman year. She recorded seven and eight singles wins her freshman and sophomore years playing predominantly as the one seed. Martin is now building off her past success and rounding out her best season yet.

As well as being a star athlete, Martin is also an exemplary student. Named to numerous Dean’s and Chancellor’s Lists, she is finding a way to balance her academic and athletic lives.

“I have had to plan out my day better, made sure to study, and have spent many late nights working, but it has been worth it. I am a perfectionist,” Martin said.

Though It hasn’t always been easy, Martin has found a way to be a dually successful student-athlete. She is a perfectionist in the classroom and also back on the tennis courts, where she is setting lofty goals for the rest of her career.

“As a team, we definitely want to win conference, that is number one. I also would like to make it through the regional tournament in the fall and eventually into the NCAAs as an individual or playing doubles. Making it to the NCAAs is my number one goal,” Martin said.

These are high aspirations for any player, but never bet against an athlete who loves the game like Martin. While most collegiate athletes play for the perks of being a campus celebrity, Martin plays because she loves the game.

“I just love playing tennis. I am really competitive and hate to lose.” Martin said. “Even if I win and don’t play my greatest, I know I could have done better. I’m just a perfectionist in everything I do.”

Though her sole focus is playing at the top of her game, winning almost always comes as a result of her best performances. Complacency has ruined the careers of many gifted athletes, but not Martin as a team-first mentality lights a fire under her prior to every match.

“I love playing for my team. I push my hardest for my girls, and even in tough losses I feel it still brings us closer together.” Martin said.

She has the backs of her teammates and her teammates and coaches return the favor. The team does everything for each other and that is what gives each huddle a family-like atmosphere. Just like a real family, Martin says there are plenty of times where everyone cuts loose and has fun.

“All of the young players on the team have such great games. If they believe in themselves I have no fear that when I am gone they will take over and do great things.” Martin said.

She said as much when asked about her personality on the court versus out of Halton-Wagner Tennis Complex.

“On and off I am loud. I am really energetic, it’s just magnified when I am playing. My teammates will tell you I am very animated. I can usually control my mouth but my face stays very animated,” Martin said.

Her intensity was palpable if you watched her battle in her single’s match against Davidson. Hustling to every ball, Martin was able to sweep her opponent in two hard-fought sets. Her win helped propel her team to a crushing 4-2 victory that was never close. The victory snapped Davidson’s ten game win streak. When I mentioned this she couldn’t help but revel in the fact she also helped snap the Wildcat’s record 16-game home win streak the year before.

Beating a team whose riding a hot streak is no easy task and can only be done with an aggressive style of play. The 49ers came out with the win due to a blend of power and control which is a hallmark of Martin’s game.

From the fans to her teammates, coaches, and her mother who took a chance many years ago; Martin will continue to receive support from those around her. Through handwork, she has built a legacy at Charlotte. Tai Martin loves the game of tennis, and no one doubts she will continue to set new heights and reach the goals she sets out to accomplish on the tennis court and beyond.

The University of Utah softball team will take on two in-state foes, Weber State University and BYU, on Monday and Wednesday evening, respectively. This break in play from their conference schedule is allowing the Utes to regroup and end the season on a high note, though they are trying to maintain the rhythm they’ve set already. 

“Playing some teams that we haven’t played this season is good, and it is helping us get back to playing Utah softball like we know we can,” said senior pitcher Katie Donovan. “We are looking to go on a roll right now. It is important for us to stay fresh because too long of a break can make you get out of sync, and we need momentum to finish out the season.”

Weber State is currently No. 1 in the Big Sky conference with an 8-4 conference record. BYU has a 5-1 conference record as the Cougars are No. 1 in West Coast Conference. While the Utes haven’t fared to well in the Pac-12 — they have a 2-10 conference record — the have been optimistic and confident in their ability to work as a team. 

“We are learning to be more resilient and are finding that staying together through the tough times is critical. That is a priority for us right now,” said head coach Amy Hogue.

In its most recent Pac-12 competition, Utah faced Washington and dropped all three games of the series. The team struggled with its bats, but it had other successes in the field and pitches.

Coming off of a big win against Southern Utah where they scored nine runs in five innings was a big confidence booster for the Utes, and they are aiming to carry that momentum into Monday’s games against Weber State.

“We have had some tough weekends, but we have learned a lot. We are trying to take everything we have learned and use it against all of these teams,” Donovan said. “These teams are still very good, and we are not taking the games lightly. We are not taking anything lightly and we are hoping for better outcomes.”

The Utes are working hard to jump right back into their season and finish strong in their last few series in the Pac-12, and these games might be their opportunity to start on the path to doing just that.

The Utes will start kick off their week with a doubleheader against Weber State on Monday, April 16, with the first game starting at 4 p.m., and game two at 6 p.m. They will face BYU on Wednesday evening at 6 p.m.

c.overfield@dailyutahchronicle.com

@Casey_Overfield

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