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Students honored the mem- ory of bus accident victim, Anabel Reid during at 24- hour run/walk fundraiser at Elmer Gray Stadium Fri- day and Saturday. The Anabel Reid Run for Water took place from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. to raise mon- ey for the Water 4 Anabel Reid Memorial Fund to help build water wells and pro- vide clean water to coun- tries in need, an issue Reid was passionate about. “She always thought of other people first,” said ad- ministrative assistant in the Department of Agricultural and Environmental Scienc- es, Mandy Scudder. “It’s a no brainer to us that, to her, clean water for everyone was the way it needed to be.” Sarah Hailey said she was willing to get involved for the cause. “I’ve always had a pas- sion to participate in these types of things,” Hailey said. “I love to run, so I feel that is my way of giving back.” Scudder said Hailey wasn’t the only student willing to run for the cause. “We had 411 runners and walkers,” said Scudder. “We gave away 411 running bibs and we had over 100 volunteers.” By the end of the 24-hour period, Scudder had collect- ed $14, 534 and an addition- al $2,000 was given online to the Water 4 Anabel Reid Memorial Fund. With num- bers like that, thousands of people stand to benefit from the water wells. “The total cost for the wa- ter well kits is $5,000. From that kit, you can build 50 wa- ter wells. So $15, 000 will build 150 wells,” Scudder said. With pledges rolling in until April 20, Scudder said this mark seems achievable. “We brought honor to Anabel,” Scudder said. “Her story did not end with her death.” Members of Reid’s fam- ily were also in attendance. “I asked Anabel’s mom what Anabel would say if she could say something to us,” Scudder said. “Her eyes filled with tears and she smiled and she said, ‘Anabel would be smiling all the way.’” inside Page 3 page 5 page 3 Miss Frontier Texas named Saturday The new provost is hoped to provide stability for the university Humanitarian photographer speaks during Justice Week Abilene Christian University Sports page 6 news opinion news acuoptimist.com See more photos of Saturday’s SpringFest photos vol. 100, no. 47 wednesday, march 28, 2012 1 SECTION, 10 PAGES Fever Pitch Dominant pitching highlights series Dr. Phil Schubert appointed interim deans of the Col- lege of Biblical Studies and the College of Arts and Sci- ences Friday. Dr. Ken Cukrowski, vice provost, will be interim dean of the College of Bib- lical Studies. Cukrowski served as associate dean in the college before he began work in the Provost’s office. Dr. Greg Straughn, in- terim provost, will go back to the position of interim dean for the College of Arts and Sciences, the same po- sition he held in 2009-10. Schubert announced the appointments at meetings with faculty and staff Fri- day. Both terms will begin this summer. Dr. Charles Mattis, dean of College of Arts and Sci- ences, and Dr. Jack Reese, dean of the College of Bib- lical Studies, announced last month they would be stepping down from their positions. Mattis is leaving to open a dental practice, and Reese will fill a differ- ent role at the university. Schubert, president of the university, said Straughn’s appointment is contingent on the univer- sity’s hiring of a permanent provost by this summer. “If that doesn’t happen, the provost search commit- tee and Dr. Straughn will continue their present du- ties and other arrangements will be taken into consider- ation,” Schubert said in an email to all faculty and staff. “I’m extremely grateful for Dr. Straughn’s leadership over the last few months in his role as interim provost.” Schubert said he listened to feedback from around campus to help him make the appointments. “We talked to deans and faculty members in the col- leges because we value their perspective highly,” Schu- bert said. “We were looking for someone who had been at the university for a long time, had good credibility, had previously demonstrat- ed the ability to do this kind of work and had a strong perspective about our vi- sion. The feedback I heard pointed to Dr. Straughn and Dr. Cukrowski.” Straughn said he is look- ing forward to returning to his old position of interim dean. “I am looking forward to working with the faculty and chairs in CAS,” Straughn said. “It’s my home college, and to whatever extent that I can, I hope I will be able to provide some stability and assistance amid some of the changes going on at the university. Straughn said Cukrows- ki’s experience will be help- ful to the college. “His recent leadership in the provost’s office has kept him aware of the many initiatives the College of Biblical Studies has been undertaking, and his past service as associated dean of the college will be of tre- mendous help in the com- ing year,” Straughn said. “I look forward to continuing to work with Dr. Cukrowski as a fellow interim dean next year.” Schubert also said in the meetings that the uni- versity is ahead of next se- mester’s enrollment budget goal. “It’s much too early to make final predictions,” he said in the email. “But it reinforces the high student demand for our university.” mark smith managing editor leslie lewis Staff Photographer Students participate in the Anabel Reid Run for Water Saturday at Elmer Gray Stadium. The run raised funds for the Water 4 Anabel Reid Memorial Fund. mandy lambright chief Photographer Above: Caroline Nikolaus, sophomore psychology major from O’Fallon, Ill., performs at SpringFest Saturday. Left: Students enjoy student musicians at SpringFest. Center: A group of students perform original music at FilmFest Saturday at the Paramount Theatre. Asia Todd, sophomore journalism major from Chiang Mai, Thailand, wrote the song performed in her entry, “Lemonade.” Right: Megan Goodson, junior computer science major from Crandall, sews a catch-all bag for one of the final activities in the Miss Fron- tier Texas pageant. ‘Run for Water’ fundraiser honors bus accident victim Two interims named for dean positions Erin Coldewey student reporter university university contact smith at [email protected] contact Coldewey at [email protected] mandy lambright chief Photographer destiny hagood Staff Photographer destiny hagood Staff Photographer
Transcript
Page 1: The Optimist - 03.28.12

Students honored the mem-ory of bus accident victim, Anabel Reid during at 24-hour run/walk fundraiser at Elmer Gray Stadium Fri-day and Saturday.

The Anabel Reid Run for Water took place from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. to raise mon-ey for the Water 4 Anabel Reid Memorial Fund to help build water wells and pro-vide clean water to coun-tries in need, an issue Reid was passionate about.

“She always thought of other people first,” said ad-ministrative assistant in the Department of Agricultural and Environmental Scienc-es, Mandy Scudder. “It’s a no brainer to us that, to her,

clean water for everyone was the way it needed to be.”

Sarah Hailey said she was willing to get involved for the cause.

“I’ve always had a pas-sion to participate in these types of things,” Hailey said. “I love to run, so I feel that is my way of giving back.”

Scudder said Hailey wasn’t the only student willing to run for the cause.

“We had 411 runners and walkers,” said Scudder. “We gave away 411 running bibs and we had over 100 volunteers.”

By the end of the 24-hour period, Scudder had collect-ed $14, 534 and an addition-al $2,000 was given online to the Water 4 Anabel Reid Memorial Fund. With num-bers like that, thousands of people stand to benefit from

the water wells.“The total cost for the wa-

ter well kits is $5,000. From that kit, you can build 50 wa-ter wells. So $15, 000 will build 150 wells,” Scudder said.

With pledges rolling in until April 20, Scudder said this mark seems achievable.

“We brought honor to Anabel,” Scudder said. “Her story did not end with her death.”

Members of Reid’s fam-ily were also in attendance.

“I asked Anabel’s mom what Anabel would say if she could say something to us,” Scudder said. “Her eyes filled with tears and she smiled and she said, ‘Anabel would be smiling all the way.’”

inside

Page 3 page 5 page 3

Miss Frontier Texas named Saturday

The new provost is hoped to provide stability for the university

Humanitarian photographer speaks during Justice Week

Abilene Christian University

Sportspage 6

news opinion news

acuoptimist.com

See more photos of Saturday’s SpringFest

photos

vol. 100, no. 47 wednesday, march 28, 2012 1 SECTION, 10 PAGES

Fever PitchDominant pitching

highlights series

Dr. Phil Schubert appointed interim deans of the Col-lege of Biblical Studies and the College of Arts and Sci-ences Friday.

Dr. Ken Cukrowski, vice provost, will be interim dean of the College of Bib-lical Studies. Cukrowski served as associate dean in the college before he began work in the Provost’s office.

Dr. Greg Straughn, in-terim provost, will go back to the position of interim dean for the College of Arts

and Sciences, the same po-sition he held in 2009-10. Schubert announced the appointments at meetings with faculty and staff Fri-day. Both terms will begin this summer.

Dr. Charles Mattis, dean of College of Arts and Sci-ences, and Dr. Jack Reese, dean of the College of Bib-lical Studies, announced last month they would be stepping down from their positions. Mattis is leaving to open a dental practice, and Reese will fill a differ-ent role at the university.

Schubert, president of the university, said

Straughn’s appointment is contingent on the univer-sity’s hiring of a permanent provost by this summer.

“If that doesn’t happen, the provost search commit-tee and Dr. Straughn will continue their present du-ties and other arrangements will be taken into consider-ation,” Schubert said in an email to all faculty and staff. “I’m extremely grateful for Dr. Straughn’s leadership over the last few months in his role as interim provost.”

Schubert said he listened to feedback from around campus to help him make the appointments.

“We talked to deans and faculty members in the col-leges because we value their perspective highly,” Schu-bert said. “We were looking for someone who had been at the university for a long time, had good credibility, had previously demonstrat-ed the ability to do this kind of work and had a strong perspective about our vi-sion. The feedback I heard pointed to Dr. Straughn and Dr. Cukrowski.”

Straughn said he is look-ing forward to returning to his old position of interim dean.

“I am looking forward to

working with the faculty and chairs in CAS,” Straughn said. “It’s my home college, and to whatever extent that I can, I hope I will be able to provide some stability and assistance amid some of the changes going on at the university.

Straughn said Cukrows-ki’s experience will be help-ful to the college.

“His recent leadership in the provost’s office has kept him aware of the many initiatives the College of Biblical Studies has been undertaking, and his past service as associated dean of the college will be of tre-

mendous help in the com-ing year,” Straughn said. “I look forward to continuing to work with Dr. Cukrowski as a fellow interim dean next year.”

Schubert also said in the meetings that the uni-versity is ahead of next se-mester’s enrollment budget goal.

“It’s much too early to make final predictions,” he said in the email. “But it reinforces the high student demand for our university.”

mark smithmanaging editor

leslie lewis Staff Photographer

Students participate in the Anabel Reid Run for Water Saturday at Elmer Gray Stadium. The run raised funds for the Water 4 Anabel Reid Memorial Fund.

mandy lambright chief Photographer

Above: Caroline Nikolaus, sophomore psychology major from O’Fallon, Ill., performs at SpringFest Saturday. Left: Students enjoy student musicians at SpringFest. Center: A group of students perform original music at FilmFest Saturday at the Paramount Theatre. Asia Todd, sophomore journalism major from Chiang Mai, Thailand, wrote the song performed in her entry, “Lemonade.” Right: Megan Goodson, junior computer science major from Crandall, sews a catch-all bag for one of the final activities in the Miss Fron-tier Texas pageant.

‘Run for Water’ fundraiser honors bus accident victim

Two interims named for dean positions

Erin Coldeweystudent reporter

university

university

contact smith [email protected]

contact Coldewey [email protected]

mandy lambright chief Photographer

destiny hagood Staff Photographer

destiny hagood Staff Photographer

Page 2: The Optimist - 03.28.12

28

24 49

29 30 31Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

12 p.m. ACU Women’s Tennis @ New Mexico State

7 p.m. Omega Dance Company @ Bennett Gym

2 p.m. ACU Women’s Tennis @ UTEP

5 p.m. ACU Softball vs. WTAMU @ ACU

11 p.m. Trojan Spot-light Mixer @ The Skatin’ Place

All day - Outdoor track @ Texas Relays

8:30 a.m. Butman Methodist Camp intern-ship interviews

All day - Student Dietetic Association can drive

5 p.m. ACU Men’s Tennis vs. St. Mary’s @ ACU

Police Log

Chapel checkup

@acuoptimist

The Optimist

[email protected]

Wednesday 03.28.12 2

Announcements

Around Abilene

Mar. 28

9 a.m. The Abilene Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the 28th Annual Business Expo at the Abilene Civic Center. Over 200 exhibitors will be featured. Call 325-677-7241 for free tickets.

Mar. 29

7:30 p.m. A production of the musical “Feast of Snacks” will be performed in the Van Ellis Theatre at Hardin-Simmons University. For more informa-tion call 325-670-1405.

Mar. 30

8 a.m. The 13th Annual Champions for Children Conference will be held at the Abilene Civic Cen-ter and will focus on child abuse prevention. Keynote speaker, Marc Fomby, will be followed by the Cham-pion for Children Award Luncheon. For tickets, visit www.championforchildren.net.

Mar. 31

7 p.m. Crystal Rae Produc-tions presents the play, A Rai-sin in the Sun at ACU’s Cullen Auditorium. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for students and children.

ACU is participating in Recycle Mania. Cans, paper, plastic and cardboard will be collected in new dumpsters located in front of the Teague until Saturday.

The ACU Student-Athelete Advisory Com-mittee is hosting the 2nd Annual Run for Wishes on May 5 from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m. Participants, area Make-A-Wish kids and families and volunteers will run together to help raise money for children with life-threatening conditions. Registration is $15.

Beginning Fall 2012, the Department of Art and Design is now offering a Minor in Interior Design. For more information call 325-674-2085 ext. 2087.

The Many Face of Justice Theatre will be holding a chapel forum on Wednesday at 3 p.m. followed by a slam poetry concert.

The Study Abroad Office is accept-ing applications for all study abroad programs. Several departments will be taking students to locations around the world this summer. English, Psychol-ogy, Art and Design, COBA, Commu-nication, Music, Bible and Pre-Health majors are encouraged to apply. Pro-grams are open to non-majors. For more information, e-mail the Study Abroad Office at [email protected], call 325-674-2754, visit www.acu.edu/studyabroad or go to the Study Abroad Office in Room 124 in the Ad-ministration Building.

Freshman Formal will take place April 13 at the Lytle Bend Ranch beginning at 7 p.m and will include a dinner and a dance. Tickets are on sale for $20 in the Campus Center.

Jordan Swim, founder of Food Cre-ates Community, will be featured in a chapel forum on Thursday at 5 p.m. A local market will be available following the forum.

Virtuous Sisterhood and OME are join-ing together to provide a chance for students to learn how to lower the cost of tuition, minimize loans and receive specific scholarships. This event will be held on April 5 at 7 p.m. in Bible room 114.

The Department of English is holding Jane Austen Days. As a part of this se-ries, there will be a special chapel titled Jane Austen and Christianity in Bible room 115 and an event titled High Tea and Seminar in the Inkwell lounge on Thursday at 4 p.m.

The ACU Opera presents the classic piece, Carmen, with a groovy new set-ting. It will be held on April 1 at 3 p.m. and April 3 at 7:30 p.m. in Cullen Audi-torium. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students.

The Student Association officer debate forum will be held on April 9 in Moody Coliseum from 8 to 9 p.m. Students running for executive SA positions will answer several questions in order to inform students of their platforms and qualifications. Students will receive two chapel credits for attending.

The ACU Undergraduate Research Festi-val will take place on April 2 in the Hunter Welcome Center. Two winners will be announced, one science based project and one non-science based project.

Volunteer Opp0rtunities

The City of Abilene Homeland Security Dept. is looking for volunteers on March 28 from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m., to help with a simulated aircraft crash at the Abilene Regional Airport. Volunteers will be made up as injured passengers and and may ride in an ambu-lance or bus to the hospital and one person will get a helicopter ride to the hospital. A continental breakfast and lunch will be served. Contact Jim Bryan at 325-676-6683 or e-mail [email protected].

Day Nursery of Abilene will host their 20th An-nual Mexican Dinner Fundraiser on March 31, at the Abilene High School West Cafeteria and needs volun-teers for shifts from 2 to 9 p.m. Help is needed with set up, hanging banners, preparing and serving food and drinks and a variety of other jobs. Contact Shelia Cory at 325-673-1110 or e-mail [email protected].

The Abilene Zoo is looking for volunteers to help with general labor such as grounds cleanup and painting any weekday at any time between noon and 4 p.m. The Zoo is located at 2070 Zoo Ln. Contact Joy Harsh at 325-676-6487 for more information.

Abilene Hope Haven Inc. needs volunteers to provide childcare while parents are in class, any evening Monday-Thursday from 6:45 - 8:15 p.m. Abilene Hope Haven is located at 801 S. Treadaway Blvd. For more information contact Kathy Reppart at 325-677-4673 or visit www.abilenehopehaven.com/volunteer.

Volunteers are needed to enjoy a free lunch with students at Bonham Elementary School on a weekly basis. This would be sometime between 10:00 a.m. and 1:15 p.m., and would involve spending lunch time with students and having a positive impact on their lives. Contact Jason Shaw at 325-639-3745 or e-mail [email protected].

Meals on Wheels Plus needs volunteer drivers to deliver afternoon meals to seniors and adults with disabilities Monday-Friday between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Drivers must be at least 18 years old and have a valid driver’s license. Training is provided. A Chapel exemp-tion is available if delivery time conflicts with Chapel. Contact Jessica Stewart at 325-672-5050 or email [email protected].

The Big Brothers Big Sisters program is looking for volunteers to participate in Lunch Buddies. Bigs and Littles will enjoy lunch together at the child’s school once a week. Students can earn Chapel credit for each visit. Big Brothers Big Sisters is also looking for volunteers for its Community Based program. Bigs

are matched with Littles in a one-on-one relation-ship and spend four to six hours per month together in the community. To sign up or learn more visit www.bbbstx.org or call 325-674-3113.

New Life Alliance is looking for volunteers to help with their after school program on Monday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. You will help with snacks, homework, crafts, games and other activities in addition to mentoring and building relationships with youth. Contact Ashley Kee at 325-672-1636 or e-mail [email protected]. The House That Kerry Built is looking for volun-teers to assist in the day care of medically fragile children any day Monday through Friday from 8:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Contact Dave Kraly at 325-676-3104 or e-mail [email protected] for more information.

Rescue The Animals is looking for volunteers any-time between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., Monday-Friday. They need help around the adoption center with general cleaning, socialization of the animals, helping potential adopters and other tasks. Con-tact Mindi Qualls at 325-698-7722 or email [email protected]. The center is located at 5933 S. 1st St.

Young Life Ministries needs volunteers Mondays, Tuesdays and weekends from 6-9 p.m. Volunteers will hang out with kids, experience leadership roles, serve others and introduce students to Christ. Young Life is located at 1917 S. 6th St. For more in-formation contact Chuck Rodgers at 325-676-1211 or email [email protected].

The Betty Hardwick Center needs volunteers to participate in Special Olympics by helping mentally/physically challenged people play games such as basketball, track, and/or bowling Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Center is located at 801 Cypress St. Contact Angel Seca at 325-690-5235 for more information.

HERO, Hendrick Equine Rehabilitation Opportuni-ties, is looking for volunteers to help with their spring program by assisting their clients as they ride horses for therapy. No experience with horses is necessary. Help is needed Tuesdays and Thursdays from Mar. 20 to May 3. Volunteers can help anywhere from one to six hours per week for the duration of the program. Volunteers must attend training on either Mar. 6 or 8. Contact Beth Byerly at 325-660-3465 or e-mail [email protected].

Disability Resources, Inc. is looking for volunteers to assist developmentally disabled residence. Help is needed with activities, art projects, reading books, ex-ercise activities, assisting with vocational training needs and other interactions Monday through Friday from 9 a.m-4 p.m. For more information contact Becky Moody at 325-677-6815 or e-mail [email protected].

Volunteers are needed to read to Taylor Elementary School students Monday through Thursday after-noons at UCC from 3:15-4:30 p.m. Enter through the south entrance. Contact C.G. Grey 325-668-2842.

Da’ Cipher 360, a program for at risk children, is looking for volunteers on Monday evenings from 5-8 p.m. at the Rose Park Activity Center, 2625 S. 7th St. Volunteers can help in a variety of ways including helping with set up, learning activities for kindergar-ten-3rd graders, tutoring 4th-8th graders, and assist-ing with clean up. Contact Alvina Scott at 847-333-7026 or e-mail [email protected].

The Salvation Army is looking for volunteers for a variety of needs including sorting and pricing items in the thrift store, helping in the kitchen and/or doing yard work. Times are flexible. Volunteers are needed throughout the week Monday-Saturday. The Salva-tion Army is located at 1726 Butternut St. For more information contact J.D. Alonzo at 325-677-1408 or visit www.satruck.com.

Habitat for Humanity needs volunteers to help with various construction tasks including carpentry, painting, cleaning up, installing cabinets and other tasks. Volunteers are needed any day Monday-Sat-urday between 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Contact Steven Legget at 325-670-0489 or e-mail [email protected].

The Food Bank of West Central Texas needs volun-teers to help sort and stock food and other items any weekday Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. The Food Bank is located at 5505 N. 1st St. For more information contact Janice Serrault at 325-695-6311 or [email protected].

The Abilene Boys and Girls Club needs help any weekday between 3:30 - 6 p.m. helping children of all ages with games, art, gym time, reading and com-puter skills. Locations are 4610 N. 10th St. or 1902 Shelton St. Contact Mark Denman at 325-672-1712 for more information.

For additional volunteer opportunities visit: www.acu.edu/campusoffices/slvr/vol_opps/

Page 3: The Optimist - 03.28.12

wednesday 03.28.123 campus news

brittany williamsstaff photographer

Festival to display undergrad work

More than 100 students will take part in ACU’s fourth-annual Under-graduate Research Festi-val on Monday in the Bob and Shirley Hunter Wel-come Center.

“I am excited that we have a record number of students involved this year,” said Dr. Mark Powell, Director of Undergraduate Research and professor of chemistry.

The festival will high-light the research of many students across various disciplines. Several awards will be presented for supe-rior presentations.

“It is a really good expe-rience; a lot of people don’t get that experience until they get to grad school,” said Mark Cullum, asso-ciate professor of history

and Honors.The festival expanded

this year to invite stu-dents from local colleges and universities to present their projects.

“I think it’s just a great opportunity for the pre-senters to develop some communication and lead-ership skills,” Powell said.

Students’ presentations are two-fold. They will in-clude an oral and visual portion.

“We’re looking for evi-dence that the student has carried out some inves-tigation or created some new piece of art or litera-ture that is a new distribu-tion to their discipline,” Powell said.

Faculty members have mentored students while on their quest for informa-tion in preparation for the festival.

“While it’s a serious ex-perience, it also prepares

you to move on from ACU, on to other venues, such as outside the state or even the country”, said Joseph Austin, junior accounting and pre-law major from Houston.

Austin entered the fes-tival with his research concerning the Internal Revenue Service’s rela-tionship with religious freedom.

“It’s been a great expe-rience learning about how the I.R.S. creates laws to govern all non-profits, spe-cifically religious organi-zations and houses of wor-ship.” Austin said.

This is Austin’s second year to enter the annual festival and has also par-ticipated in research festi-vals out side of the state.

“Research is never fin-ished,” Austin said. “There is always more to learn.”

For more information about the festival and un-dergraduate research visit the Office of Undergradu-ate Research’s website at acu.edu/academics/under-graduateresearch, or con-tact Dr. Greg Powell.

research

contact williams [email protected]

Ag student crowned Miss Frontier Texas

An ACU student secured the title of Miss Frontier Texas during the final com-petition Saturday.

Haley Wilkerson, soph-omore animal science and pre-vet major from Bon-ham, was crowned the winner, officially obtain-ing the title of Miss Fron-tier Texas after the final frontier skills tests, Chuck Wagon Cooking and Fron-tier Living contests.

Wilkerson found her hobbies growing up helped her succeed in parts of the competition, while she completed other tasks for the first time.

“I grew up shooting guns, riding horses, and I loved the history of the

frontier,” Wilkerson said. “From the fire and cook-ing lessons from Tom Perini to shooting a buf-falo gun and saddling a horse, I kind of wish I hadn’t won so I could do it again next year. It was amazing experience.”

As the first Miss Fron-tier Texas, Wilkerson won a $4,000 scholarship and a pair of custom boots from James Leddy Boots. The other semi-final-ists were offered a $200 scholarship or automatic eligibility in next year’s competition.

Wilkerson is a member of the women’s social club Alpha Kai Omega and sur-vived the ACU Agricultur-al Department bus crash in November 2011. She said she appreciates the support and encourage-

ment given by her family and friends to go through with the competition.

“Step out and seize the opportunities that God has set before you, because you can do anything with God’s help,” Wilkerson said.

Morris & Mitchell, ACU’s on-campus ad-vertising agency, started building the Miss Fron-tier Texas campaign and scholarship program more than three years ago. The competition was created to encourage involvement among col-lege students in the local Abilene community.

Andrew Cramer, senior Ad/PR major from Spring and account director at Morris & Mitchell, said he was proud to be a part of the success of the Miss Frontier Texas competition

and development.“I have had so much

fun working on The Miss Frontier Texas Competi-tion. It seems like yester-day when Frontier Texas approached Morris & Mitchell,” Cramer said. “It has all gone by so quickly and has been a fantastic learning experience for everyone involved.”

local

leigh foithonline managing editor

contact foith [email protected]

FilmFest attracts crowd, hands out honors

Liberation, a short film by student Jacob Kitts, won “Best Picture” at FilmFest Friday, one of four awards he claimed that evening.

Kitts’ film and all other

entries were shown down-town at the Paramount Theatre. About 600 guests attended to see the film entries, musical perfor-mances and showcasing of the original films. The hosts awarded a total of ten awards during the show.

In his film, Kitts, a senior digital entertainment tech-nologies major from Round Rock, focused on human trafficking and hope. He had a specific message he wanted to convey to the au-dience.

“Sometimes we feel like we’re trapped in a fallen

world, but if we choose to act then we can change whatever circumstance we are in. We have the power to change our own life. The main character has been dreaming about escape for so long, and now she has a chance to make it happen,” Kitts said.

The visual effects of Liberation were time con-suming. It took Kitts six hours to digitally blow up Smith-Adams Hall, the close-up shot of it explod-ing took three hours and the wide shot of the cam-era rotating around the actress took three hours. The outdoor scenes were filmed during the day, which he converted day to night.

“Winning Best Picture means a lot to me, because I’ve been trying to do it since 2009,” Kitts said.

Kitts has been making

movies as a hobby since 2004. After the event held Friday, Kitts spoke with the judges and received advice concerning his fu-ture in film.

Tom Craig, director of student activities and pro-ductions, said FilmFest is a good opportunity for students to display their creativity.

“This year, we saw some great work – from stop-motion work to lots of gunfire to buildings exploding and burning,” Craig said. “Our judges were very impressed with the creativity and skill of our student teams.”

Asia Todd, sophomore multimedia major from Chiang Mai, Thailand, took home the award for “Best Original Mu-sic Composition.” Tyler Eidson, Emmy Sparks and Asia Todd performed their song, Lemonade, from the music video.

“To have something that we produced be such a hit with the audience was re-ally encouraging,” Todd said. “I absolutely plan on participating in FilmFest next year.”

awards

brookelee gallestudent reporter

contact galle [email protected]

brittany williams staff Photographer

Haley Wilkerson, sophomore animal science and pre-vet major from Bonham, won the first ever Miss Frontier Texas pageant Saturday.

haley wilkersonmiss frontier texas

I kind of wish I hadn’t won so I could do it again

next year.”“

joseph austinjunior accounting and pre-law major

from Houston

While it’s a serious experience, it also prepares you to move on from ACU, on to other venues, such as outside

the state or even the country.”“

2012 FilmFest winners:

Best Writer: Lucius and Adrian Patenaude for “Pride of Life”

Best Technical Director: Ben Weaver for “Yemiffimey”

Best Production Designer: Jacob Kitts for “Liberation”

Best Sound Designer: Jacob Kitts for “Liberation”

Best Director: Lucius Pat-enaude for “Pride of Life”

Best Producer: Caitlin Bradford for “Yemiffimey”

Best Dramatic Film: Jacob Kitts for “Liberation”

Best Non-dramatic Film: Caitlin Bradford for “Yemiffimey”

Best Actor: Nick Palmieri as Ezekiel in “Pride of Life”

Best Actress: Jennifer Fiese in “Liberation”

People’s Choice Award: Stephen Estrada and the team that produced “Light of Ray”

Best Original Music Com-position: Asia Todd for “Lemonade”

Best Picture: Jacob Kitts for “Liberation”

destiny hagood Staff Photographer

Left: Students enjoy the four-person bungee jump at SpringFest. Right: Pierce Hardin and Annique Dentino, freshmen psychology majors from Lubbock, perform a duet on stage during SpringFest.

Page 4: The Optimist - 03.28.12

ACU’s upper ranks in-clude an Interim Provost and after this semester will include an Interim Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, an In-terim Dean of the College of Biblical Studies and an Interim Dean of the Col-lege of Education and Hu-man Studies.

For anyone keeping score at home, this means ACU’s chief academic of-ficer and three of the four deans of colleges will hold that position only until a permanent candidate is selected.

Though these are the

people at the top of the ladder when it comes to deciding what happens in the classroom, we shouldn’t necessarily be alarmed. But we do need to be aware of the situa-tion.

It is unusual for a healthy university to have this many leaders leave at one time. Stability is im-portant within a univer-sity because current and prospective students are looking for an institution to provide them with an education, a degree and a reputation to back that de-gree down the road.

Instability on the ad-ministration side doesn’t immediately affect the stu-dents. Most students can’t

name their dean, much less the provost or his respon-sibilities. But if it gets bad enough for faculty mem-bers to lose faith in the ad-ministration, the students will feel the effects.

But with change, the op-portunity for growth in-creases. It is easier for new people to introduce a fresh perspective. A new boss is expected to come with goals and a plan to achieve those goals.

Among other respon-sibilities, the provost is a liaison between Dr. Schu-bert and the faculty. One of the two candidates up

for the position, Dr. Darryl Tippens from Pepperdine or Dr. Robert Rhodes from New Mexico State, will also have final say concerning matters of curriculum, in-cluding CORE.

It is unsettling to see our university isn’t at its stron-gest. But we need remem-

ber that most things get worse before they get bet-ter. We hope this is ‘worse’ and with a new provost comes ‘better.’ Maybe he’ll even fix CORE.

It’s Justice Week, so I’d like to bring to light to a grow-ing injustice that most people don’t think about: software piracy.

It may seem like a recent problem, mainly eased on by the proliferation of the internet, but this is anything but. Back in the early 80s it first came to light with one of the first personal computers: the Commodore 64, which by the way beat Steve Jobs’ Macintosh to market by a full two years.

When Nintendo came onto the scene in 1985 with its first home con-sole, it went the extra step to include a “lock and key” mechanism: a specialized

chip, “the lock” within the console that would check in the game cartridge for another chip, “the key.” Without the key in the lock, the game would not boot. This method worked... for about three years.

The pirates stayed ahead literally breaking through the lock chips.

But by 1995, Nintendo had a new, creative way to beat the pirates at their own game.

In one of the last games released for the Su-per Nintendo console, “Earthbound” contained the usual locks and keys, but included other piracy checks scattered through-out the game that would

make the pirate think they had won. But when these checks came up with something wrong, they began cranking up the game’s difficulty to nearly unplayable lev-els. Enemies f looded the screen.

And even if the pirate or pirated cartridge buy-er managed to make it to the end, their last line of defense came into play. Part-way into the final battle, if the last piracy check came up positive, it would freeze the game. Then as the unsuspect-ing perpetrator reset to try the battle again, he would find that his game progress was completely erased.

All their months or per-haps years of progress were all for nothing. But, in a way, this is a perfect analogy for what software piracy does to the soft-ware publisher: it makes

all their work mean noth-ing.

Nintendo’s fable against software pirates, while devilishly clever, didn’t last long. The pirates soon found the locations where the additional piracy checks took place, and crippled them.

Today’s publishers use complicated DRM, where players have to always be online when they play so that the game is constant-ly checked for piracy. No internet connection, no game. This is almost pun-ishing to the consumer, and may even lead them to piracy themselves as new work-arounds are concocted, but as a devel-oper it is a necessary evil, and yet another chapter in the ongoing fight against software piracy.

Oh Dear, Christian College Ben miller

the issueThe university has experienced a significant turnover in ad-ministration this semester.

our takeWe realize that the university is going through changes, but the uncertainty is uncomfortable.

Hannah barneseditor in chief

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Unsigned editorials are the opinions of the Optimist and may not necessarily reflect the views of the university or its administration.

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WHOA! IS MEDAVID SINGER

Ones and zerosblANE SINGlEtARy

Editorial

Socially aware Christians blind to own surroundings

Justice due for software developers

Provost could stabilize unsteady admin

As middle-upper class, Christian Americans, one of our most important jobs in life is raising awareness. More important than reach-ing a spiritual awakening, letting people know you’re volunteering or doing any actual, real work is the call to put our trust fund checks and free time during the week-end towards letting people know that certain things are, in fact, happening.

It is not enough to go and help someone. With that, you can only hope to change one person’s life. However, if we can raise awareness by sim-ply informing people, there is a chance that we can de-liver water to a village, bring down a dictator or at the very least contribute to a delight-ful two days of social (media) activism.

But I find a fault in our continuous, Godly quest to raise awareness about Afri-cans and hunger and decade old tribal warfare. We have spread our awareness so thin between continents and villages and wells that we are blind to our own surround-ings. Things pass us by every day and we are oblivious.

What color shirt did the girl in front of you at Star-bucks have on this morning? How many people were sit-ting down in chapel today? How many times did the professor say “this will be on the test” while you quietly online shopped in the back of a $3,000 class?

You probably can’t answer any of these.

Enough is enough.This is why I am begin-

ning my campaign to raise awareness.

It’s time for us to keep our head on a swivel. To sleep with one eye open. To put down our iPhones and actu-ally notice something about the person talking to us.

If you’re interested in sup-porting awareness, you can contribute to the campaign by buying a wristband. It won’t make you more con-scious of your environment, but the money goes to the Awareness Fund which helps teach underprivileged kids to notice their surroundings (most likely violence and poverty).

I beg of you to share your impassioned pleas through Facebook and Twitter, and let the world know that it is time for environmental ig-norance to cease. With the power of the Internet, we can truly change the world from the climate controlled com-fort of our own rooms.

And in a week, when the world as moved on, we may not have done anything at all, but at least we can feel good about ourselves.

column

Column

hashtagACU

contacT singer [email protected]

Wednesday 03.28.12 4opinion

My goal is to save my bean bucks and purchase the entire candy and chips cart on the last day of the semester.

The Titanic 3D trailer al-ways reminds me of the awkward convo in 3rd grade when I admitted to my parents I secretly saw it at Kayla’s house.

forgot my house keys again... too bad pup-pies can’t unlock doors #roommatescomehome

@treytres3

@allisonlynn23@megmharley

2:57 p.m. Mar. 26

11:32 p.m. Mar. 26

11:39 a.m. Mar. 26

We have spread our awareness so thin between

continents and villages and wells that we are blind

to our own surroundings. Things pass us by everyday

and we are oblivious.”

This means ACU’s chief academic officer and

three of the four deans of colleges will hold

this position only until a permanent candidate is

selected.”

I think God wants me to fail Comm Law. I don’t understand.

A guy in the bean is wearing a Baylor shirt that says, “I Know Where I’m Going” ..clearly you don’t bro, you’re at ACU.

I love to move up a tiny bit when I’m stopped at a red light and see how many cars behind me will do it too. it’s a fun game. try it.

Lunsford trail, you have been there for me through the past 4 years, and I will never forget you nor replace you. #seniorsentiments

@grantste

@emilyalyssasays

@morganicole4 @finchalyssa@wingostar1

@lene_botha@JennySkorusa

@tsmccuistion

@wtravisking

9:24 a.m. Mar. 27

1:39 p.m. Mar. 27

3:08 p.m. Mar. 26 8:42 p.m. Mar. 26

9:09 a.m. Mar. 26

2:43 p.m. Mar. 26a

“I’ve seen kids eat dirt... I even eat dirt.” -Dr. Isen-hower What?

They started playing Milkshake in the rec, but then decided on Moulin Rouge. #whereami

9:49 a.m. Mar. 23

1:29 p.m. Mar. 2612:37 p.m. Mar. 26

Half the class is asleep from staying out late to watch the #HungerGames

Really glad the art build-ings heater is on #dying

Just inhaled 3 bean cookies. I hate myself and I love myself.

contact [email protected]

contact the optimist [email protected]

Page 5: The Optimist - 03.28.12

wednesday 03.28.125 news/sports

Debate forum to introduce SA candidates

While presidential debates continue across the coun-try, ACU will be holding its own version of these noto-rious showdowns.

The Students’ Associa-tion officer debate forum will take place April 9 in Moody Coliseum from 8-9 p.m.

Students running for executive officer positions will begin by introducing themselves to the student

body and explaining their motivation behind run-ning for office.

Each candidate will have the opportunity to answer broad questions before specific questions are directed toward the candidates running for each position. In the last half of the debate, audi-ence members will have an opportunity to ask ques-tions via text message.

Executive Vice President Julianne Hart, the officer in charge of SA elections and organizing the debate,

will appoint an election’s co-chair and three election committee members, all of who will not be affiliated with SA.

“Together, we will be working on specific ques-tions to ask the candidates and what we think the stu-

dents need to know,” Hart said. “We’ll also be open to input from other SA mem-bers or other students on what the important issues are this year.”

Every year, candidates can count on being asked about their personal faith. Hart appreciates this as-pect of the debate.

“As a university, our Christian mission is really important, and we think it’s important our student leaders are invested in the mission of our school,” Hart said. “We also always

ask about people’s motiva-tions for leading, their pas-sions and their plans for the future.”

Executive SA president Connor Best thinks the de-bate offers an opportunity for students to become in-formed voters.

“It is sometimes difficult for people to know enough information to make an informed decision, but if people come to the debates and hear the candidates’ speeches in Chapel, they should have plenty of in-formation to make a good

decision,” Best said. “It is good for the candidates be-cause it makes them think about issues that are im-portant to the student body and decide where they stand on those issues.”

Students will also re-ceive two Chapel credits for attending the officer debate forum.

students’ association

marissa jonespage 2 editor

contact jones [email protected]

Humanitarian headlines Justice Week

A Monday Chapel presen-tation from humanitarian photographer Esther Ha-vens served as the unoffi-cial opening for ACU’s an-nual Justice Week.

The week-long event features prominent guest speakers, groups and events attempting to raise awareness about social in-justices around the globe.

International Justice Mission, Wishing Well, ACU Fair Trade, Locavores and The Red Thread Move-ment along with several other organizations spon-sor Justice Week.

ACU IJM vice president Sarah Ratliff, junior mar-keting major from Lake Ki-owa, helped organized the week’s events. She said she wanted to make this year’s Justice Week different.

“I’m really excited about the speakers we have,” Ratliff said. “They are all different. There will be a little bit of something for everyone.”

During Monday’s Cha-pel in Moody Coliseum, Havens showcased some of her artwork and spoke of her experiences while visiting third-world coun-tries. Havens has worked on social-awareness cam-paigns with organizations such as TOMS Shoes, War-by Parker and Concern Worldwide.

Ratliff said many peo-ple are familiar with Ha-

vens’ photography.“This gave people a

chance to put a face to her art,” she said.

The first of four Cha-pel forums took place in Moody Coliseum Monday evening. Heidi Burkey of Discover The Journey, a nonprofit organization, led the forum.

Burkey is an interna-tional documentarian. She is among a group of photographers and jour-nalists helping DTJ raise awareness for children in crisis internationally, through media and art. The title of her forum was “The Role of Storytelling in Social Justice.”

“This group is good at putting stories together about people and their unique situations,” Rat-liff said.

Immediately after the forum, an art exhibition in the Shore Art Gallery gave

students a chance to see Havens’ work.

Jessica Goudeua and Kelsi Williamson (’11) of the Hill Country Hill Trib-ers visited campus Tues-day. This group works with refugee communi-ties in Austin by provid-ing them with skills for supplemental income.

Williamson, a gradu-ate of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, cur-rently serves as the com-munications associate for the organization.

“It started four years ago with Burmese people who wanted to learn to speak English,” William-son said. “Now we teach refugees both English and life skills.”

Williamson said Hill Country Hill Tribers fo-cuses mainly on women because they become iso-lated after having to stay

home to take care of their children.

“One of my goals in coming to ACU was to in-form people of the flex-ibility involved with a grass-roots organization,” Williamson said. “The things you have planned

aren’t always what God wants. We also wanted to educate students about the situation in Burma.”

campus

edward isaacssports editor

contact isaacs [email protected]

The schedule for the rest of Justice Week is as follows:

Wednesday

• Chapel forum featur-ing Wishing Well’s theater presentation of “The Many Faces of Justice” followed by a Slam Poetry Concert both in Moody. The forum begins at 3 p.m.

Thursday

• Chapel forum with the ACU Locavores and the Bryan Oliver Band. The ACU Locavores promote eating local foods. The Bryan Oliver Band is a

group from Oklahoma City. The forum begins at 5 p.m. in Moody

• A local market around the concourse of Moody follows the forum. The Bryan Oliver Band will also be playing.

Saturday

• The In The Red Fashion Show will take place at the Winsor Hotel. To learn more visit their website http://intheredfashion-show.wordpress.com/.

Sarah ratliffJunior marketing

Major from lake kiowa

I’m really excited about the speakers we have.

They are all different.”“

Split: Pitching dominates in weekend LSC series

was hit by a pitch. Both runners moved into scor-ing position on a wild pitch. The TAMU-K pitcher was then called for a balk after stumbling off the mound which tied the score, 1-1.

Converted starter Josh Stone and reliever Clint Cooper (4-2) combined to give up one run on six hits and 11 strikeouts.

“Stone set the tone early in game one,” Bonneau said.

Adam Aspaas (5-1) pitched a 7.0 inning complete game shutout for Kingsville in game one on Saturday.

Starter Jordan Herrera and reliever Sam Malchar allowed all 11 runs between the first four innings.

ACU was able to turn its pitching around in the sec-ond game. Austin Palmer and Cooper returned the favor to the Javelinas as they com-bined for a four-hit shutout.

Duarte again drove in the game-winning run for the Wildcats. He hit a high chopper to the left side of the mound that tailed away from the Texas A&M-Kingsville closer. The pitcher attempted to make a play at third base, however he could not beat Rodge Macy to the bag and Kyle Conwell crossed home plate with the walk-off run.

“Having two walk-off sit-uations doesn’t happen very often,” Duarte said. “You dream about doing that.”

In the final game, a mis-take by starter Aaron Lam-brix cost the ‘Cats a chance at taking the series away from TAMU-K.

In the top of the fourth Kingsville reached on an in-field single to start the inning. The next batter dropped down a sacrifice bunt to move the runner. Lambrix fielded the ball and threw it wide of first base allowing the Javeli-nas to score from first.

A second unearned run was charged to Lambrix later in the inning to make the score 3-1.

“We weren’t able to re-group after that inning,” Bonneau said.

ACU had a chance for late-inning heroics in the ninth. Luke Mejia was hit by the first pitch of the inning. Ea-ger then smashed a double in right-center field to put the tying run in scoring position.

But the Wildcat offense stalled at the wrong time. Kevin Finklea struck out for the second out and Conwell lined out hard to end the game.

The ‘Cats are back in action Friday in Portales, N.M. for a four-game series with Eastern New Mexico University.

contact gwin [email protected]

baseball

from page 6

Tiger Woods is on the road back to greatness despite setbacks

contact isaacs [email protected]

column

the sports jediAustin gwin

The last time it happened, we didn’t know. We didn’t know about the women, the affairs, the scandal.

I remember watching the 2008 U.S. Open.

I watched as the great Eldrick “Tiger” Woods, with two left leg fractures and a torn ACL in his left knee, beat Rocco Mediate in a playoff to win his 14th Ma-jor championship.

Little did I know that four years later, he would

still be stuck on 14 cham-pionship titles.

Just two weeks away from The Masters, the ques-tions linger – will Tiger ever win another major cham-pionship, or maybe even more importantly, will he break JackNicklaus’ record of 18 major victories?

To both questions, my answer is yes.

Despite a three year slump, Tiger Woods is still by far the best golfer in the world.

When he is putting the ball well, he can’t be beat. He is a player that rides on momentum and flourishes when he has a lead.

Last week Tiger got his first PGA Tour victory since 2009 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

It was just what he needed. A taste of victory. Momentum.

At this point in his ca-

reer, we all know that Ti-ger is focused on only one thing – winning major championships.

While he still plays in other tournaments throughout the year, Woods relishes the big stage and the national audience.

Despite no Tour vic-tories in 2010 and 2011, Woods managed two fourth places at the most

hallowed of all golf tour-naments.

Let me remind you that these were during bad years for Woods.

This year isn’t a bad year. Even before his victory at the Arnold Palmer, Woods shot his lowest Sunday round ever – a 62 – at The Honda Classic, finishing in the second.

I think Tiger is primed for another major victory, and I am not the only one.

British “bookies” are already tabbing Woods as the overall favorite to win The Masters.

Do I think we will ever see the Tiger from the early 2000s that seemingly won every tournament? No, and I don’t think it’s fair to ex-

pect that of a 36-year-old. In 2010 Tiger graced the

cover of ESPN the Maga-zine’s “Perfect Issue,” to show that he wasn’t a perfect golfer, but he was trying.

Fantastic competition is abundant too in the likes of familiar names like Phil Mickelson and Padraig Harrington and young up-and-comers Rory McIlroy and Luke Donald.

One thing is for sure though. Tiger is back. And if that famous red shirt is anywhere near the top of the leaderboard on Sunday at Augusta, look out.

Julianne Hartexecutive vice president

Students’ association

It’s important our student leaders are invested in the

mission of our school.”“

Fifth: Wildcats improve conference record after defeating Javelinas softball

contact shake [email protected]

from page 6

whole team efforts, and they were exactly what we needed in terms of win-ning the series.”

ACU’s lone run came in the third when Flanary hit

an RBI single that scored Winkfield, proving to be all the Wildcats would need. Winkfield also con-tributed offensively with two hits.

Arnold was given the loss after 4.1 innings of work and allowing five hits.

The Wildcats are cur-rently sitting in fifth place in the Lone Star Confer-ence standings and have a three-game homestand this weekend against rival West Texas A&M. A doublehead-er starting at 5 p.m. Friday and a one game Saturday

at 1 p.m. are on slate as the Wildcats hope to improve their LSC standing.

Despite a three year slump, Tiger Woods is still by far the best golfer in the world.”“

Page 6: The Optimist - 03.28.12

wednesday 03.28.12 6sports

TeamASUTSUTWUWTAMUACUUIWMSUCameronTAMU-KENMU

Div.10-210-29-27-56-56-64-84-82-101-11

Ovrl.26-525-1026-722-1020-918-1114-1713-1813-196-24

Softball plays a three-game series against LSC foe West Texas at Poly Wells Field beginning Friday at 5 p.m.

The baseball team will face LSC opponent Eastern New Mexico in Portales, N.M. beginning on Friday. The four game series starts at 6 p.m.

Men’s tennis stays in Abilene Thursday to play St. Mary’s. The matches begin at 5 p.m.

Women’s tennis plays St. Mary’s at the Eager Tennis Pavilion on Thursday at 5 p.m. Friday, the team travels to Las Cruces, N.M. to take on New Mexico State at 2 p.m. The ‘Cats then travel to El Paso for a match-up against the University of Texas-El Paso at 10 a.m. on Saturday.

softball

standings

briefings

Player Profile

Upcoming

Julie Goodenough was hired as the new women’s basketball coach. Goodenough coached at Charleston Southern the last six years and was also the head coach at Hardin-Simmons. She takes over for Shawna Lavender who was let go on Feb. 27.

Senior Nick Jones and junior Amanda Ouedraogo each won the national championship at the NCAA Division II indoor track and field championship meet. Jones won the shot put and Ouedraogo placed 1st in the women’s triple jump.

Right-handed pitcher Clint Cooper was named the Lone Star Conference’s Co-Pitcher of the Week on Monday. Cooper went 2-0 and struck out seven in 4.0 innings of work. He allowed no hits or walks.

Baseball

TeamWTAMUASUTSUTAMU-KACUCameronUIWENMU

Div.7-15-35-34-44-44-43-50-8

Ovrl.19-521-712-915-716-1315-148-119-16

Julia Mongin has almost been perfect this season for the tennis team. She is

10-1 overall and 2-0 in the LSC. Mongin is ranked No. 3 in the nation in singles and is undefeated against nationally (2-0) and regionally (3-0) ranked opponents. She has a current win streak of seven matches.

Teams tame Temple in scrimmage

Over the weekend, both the men’s and women’s tennis team started their weekend by disposing of Tyler Junior College in front of the fans at Eager Tennis Pavilion on Friday afternoon.

Although the match was a scrimmage, it was the only action the Lady ‘Cats had all weekend, and they were able to answer the bell by taking care of an Apaches squad that was dreaming of an upset.

However, the depth of ACU overwhelmed the Apaches and sent them back to Tyler empty handed, and the Wildcats

remained perfect in the month of March with a 6-3 win.

The ACU men’s team began their grueling weekend by scrimmaging the Apaches as well.

“TJC is one of the top five JuCo teams in the na-tion,” senior Nick Plum said. “Playing a top team like this gets us ready to play in the kind of intense atmosphere.”

The Wildcats ended up falling short against the Apaches 5-4, although the score of the match will not be reflected on ACU’s record because it was only a scrimmage.

The next day, the men’s team travelled to Waco to take on another Junior College and a Division I

school while the women’s team got some much-de-served rest.

The Wildcats started off their double header by putting a beat down on Temple College 9-0.

ACU asserted their dominance over the Owls, only dropping one set in the entire match.

Highlights of the match included Plum winning his first match as a num-ber one singles player and freshmen Kyle Plum

and Michael Morris both winning their matches in straight sets.

“It was a pretty easy start to the day,” Mor-ris said. “They were not a very hard team to play well against.”

In the second match of the double header, the Wildcats were not so lucky. ACU ran into a buzz saw that was the 3 5th ranked Baylor Bears, and ended up losing the match 6-1.

Despite the lopsided score, the ‘Cats were able to grab a couple of match-es from the ultra-talented Baylor squad.

The undefeated duo of Plum and Hans Hach im-proved to 7-0 on the first line with an 8-5 victory.

Junior Alfredo Desiati was the only singles win-ner of the evening for the ‘Cats, winning his fifth line match in three sets which improved his over-all record to 13-7.

Desiati came roaring back after dropping the first set, and finally took down Lars Behlen in the third set match tie-breaker.

Both the men’s and women’s tennis teams will be back in action this Thursday at Eager Tennis Pavilion when they take on St. Mary’s University at 5:00 p.m.

matthew sloansports reporter

contact sloan [email protected]

tennis

‘Cats split with Javelinas

The Wildcat baseball team could not improve its .500 Lone Star Conference re-cord after earning a split with Texas A&M University-Kingsville over the weekend at Crutcher Scott Field.

ACU won the first game of a four-game series 4-1. The team then split a double-header on Saturday losing the first game 11-0. The ‘Cats de-feated Kingsville 1-0 in eight innings in the nightcap. The series concluded on Sunday with a 3-1 Javelina victory.

The Wildcats are now 16-13 overall and 4-4 in the LSC. TAMU-K improves to 15-7 and 4-4. Pitching domi-nated the weekend as Abilene Christian scored only six runs in the series and just two runs in the final three games.

“We pitched really well in three games and two of those three games we had a chance to win,” head coach Britt Bonneau said.

Junior Chuck Duarte was the hero in the first game. He smacked his first home run as a ‘Cat which was also a walk-off bomb ensuring a come-back victory for the team.

Duarte came to the plate with two on, and no outs of a 1-1 tie in the ninth. He crushed an 0-1 pitch over the wall in left field, giv-ing ACU its second straight late-inning win.

“Kingsville thought I was going to bunt because that’s what I tried to do on the first pitch,” Duarte said. “Coach didn’t give me the sign so I swung away.”

The Wildcats were held scoreless through 7.0 in-nings by Javelina starter Jaden Dillon. Dillon had four strikeouts and allowed just six base runners.

The Kingsville bullpen opened the eighth with two quick outs but Travis Schue-tze walked and Tyler Eager

edward isaacssports editor

baseball

mandy lambright CHIEF Photographer

Junior short stop Luke Mejia makes an offbalance throw to first against Kingsville at Crutcher Scott Field. The Wildcats split a four game series with the Javelinas.

Wildcats take series verus TAMU-K

The Texas A&M Javelinas may have taken the final game in the three game series against the Wildcat softball team Saturday, but ACU still took the series.

The Wildcats (20-9, 6-5) won both games of the doubleheader Friday, but fell 12-7 Saturday afternoon in the series’ final game.

Kingsville scored 11 combined runs in the fourth and fifth innings Saturday en route to win-ning the game and salvag-ing the series sweep.

Abilene Christian took a 5-1 lead into the fourth inning after scoring five runs in the bottom of the third. But, the Javelinas roped out six hits and made the ACU defense

pay on a key error to make the lead 8-5.

Freshman Lee Cordova hit a two-run single in the fourth, and junior catcher Kodie Garner smoked a single to right field that scored two, and a fielding error by sophomore Lyndi Smith caused a third run to come home, making the score 8-5.

In the fifth inning, the Javelinas unleashed three more hits and cashed in an-other ACU error to extend their lead to 11-6. Sopho-more Kaylee Villanueva hit a three-run double to left field that proved to be the dagger for the game.

ACU pitcher Caitlyn Crain was handed the loss, as her record falls to 9-2 on the year. Brianna Fowlkes and Sara Vaughn each had homeruns for the Wildcats for an ACU offense that

struggled in the latter in-nings of this game. ACU left 12 runners stranded on the bases in the loss.

In game one of the dou-bleheader Friday, the Wild-cats were led by a stellar pitching performance by sophomore Peyton Mosley en route to a 4-2 win.

Mosley threw a com-plete game, allowing only three hits and surrendering only one earned run in the game. She had three strike-outs and improved her re-cord to 7-5 on the season.

“The first game Friday definitely set the tone for that day,” Mosley said. “I just went out on the field each inning and worked on conquering each hitter one pitch at a time.”

ACU struck first, scor-ing in the first inning when sophomore Courtney Fla-nary passed home plate on

a past ball. The Wildcats extended their lead in the third when Flanary scored on a Kimberly Briggs dou-ble, making the score 2-0.

The Javelinas fought back though. Gardner hit a solo homerun that rico-cheted off the scoreboard in left field, cutting the lead to one.

However, ACU coun-tered with two runs in the bottom half of the inning off of RBI singles by Briggs and senior Sarah Martinez.

Texas A&M-Kingsville had a scoring opportunity in the top of the seventh with the bases loaded and one out by way of two ACU fielding errors. But, the Jav-elinas only came away with one unearned run in a rally attempt that Mosley quick-ly closed the door on.

Flanary finished the game with three runs

scored and two hits. Briggs contributed with two RBI’s.

Sophomore Lauren Denney picked up the loss, giving up four runs in four innings of work.

In the second game of the doubleheader, Crain led the charge and was domi-nant on the mound, throw-ing a complete game, four-hit shutout en route to a 1-0 win for the Wildcats. Crain had eight strikeouts in the game and improved her re-cord to 9-1 on the season.

The Javelinas’ pitch-ing staff made things dif-ficult for the ACU offense as well in a true pitchers’ duel. Junior Denise Ar-nold and Denney.

“Caitlyn did an awesome job during the second game as well,” Mosley said. “The two wins on Friday were

bryson shakesports reporter

softball

michael morrisfreshman

acu tennis

It was a pretty easy start to the day. They were not a very hard team to play

against.”“

see fifth page 5

see split page 5


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