On Oct. 21, Wolves cross country headed to Bellingham, Washington to compete in the GNAC Championships.
The men’s cross country team, currently number 12 in the NCAA DII rankings, took home two trophies —their first team title, as well as a first-place 8,000-meter trophy for senior David Ribich.
The team win is the first GNAC Championship win in Western history — it also beat a seven-year winning streak from University of Alaska Anchorage. The Wolves came close to a win 10 years ago, but ultimately ended up in second place.
Ribich, currently GNAC Athlete of the Year, won the 8,000-meter with a time of 24:54.82, coming in 0:48.83 seconds in front of Edwin Kangogo from University of Alaska Anchorage.
Western junior Dustin Nading placed eighth in the same event with a time of 25:32.76. Wolves Tyler Jones, Parker Marson and Justin Crosswhite came in at 11th, 12th and 13th, rounding out the top 15 spots in the event.
The cumulative scores of the men’s team resulted in the 51-point win for the Wolves.
Senior Kennedy Rufener took the lead for Western’s women’s cross country, placing seventh in the women’s 6,000-meter run. Rufener finished with a time of 22:07.73.
The second Wolf to place was senior Suzanne Van De Grift, who came in 21st with 22:53.51.
The Wolves stay in Monmouth for the next cross country event. The NCAA West Regional meet is slated for Nov. 4 at the Ash Creek Preserve.
On Nov. 4, the Wolves go head-to-head in the homecoming game against Azusa Pacific. Azusa is currently ranked third in the GNAC with a conference score record of 3-3. The Wolves are ranked fourth, following right behind them at 1-5.
Though Western’s history with the Cougars isn’t long, it is torrid. The teams first played each other in 1999, with the Wolves missing the win by a mere four points. The next year, Western creamed Azusa to the sound of 44-14. That was the last time the teams would face each other until 2009, when Western won the battle yet again.
Looking at more recent history, Western has lost the past three games against Azusa and has lost at home for the past two seasons.
When the Wolves played the Cougars on Sept. 30, they lost 17-48.
To find out if the Cougars will pounce on the Wolves yet again, or if the Wolves will thrive at home, go to the homecoming game on Nov. 4 at 1 p.m. or read our coverage in issue 6, printing on Nov. 8.
Just before the Wolves football team were able to gain traction on Oct. 21, the Humboldt State University Lumberjacks were swift to put the first points up. Just before the Wolves were given the opportunity to have their prey in the crosshairs, the ‘Jacks were there to elude their momentum. And before the Wolves were able to see a positive outcome in the game result, there were the ‘Jacks chopping down at the adversarial Wolves to a 42-32 victory.
The away action in Arcata, California displayed a balance between such big and even short chops by both teams.
Less than four minutes into the game, two big offensive plays for touchdowns by the ‘Jacks would deal the Wolves the first blow, putting them at 14-0.
GNAC rushing leader in all-purpose yards, and ‘Jacks senior tailback, Ja’Quan Gardner would be the recipient of one of those touchdowns.k
But a big play made by the Wolves would swing things their way.
A fumble by HSU quarterback Robert Webber, recovered by Wolves redshirt freshman lineman Tayvis Passos, shifted such position. The Wolves’s hunt to get back into the game meant capitalizing on the turnover after a field goal was made.
Later in the second quarter, a 90-yard punt return for touchdown by senior wideout Paul Revis amounted to 17 unanswered points and a Wolves lead of 17-14.
The game took another swing after the ‘Jacks scored 25 unanswered for a big gap at 35-17.
The Wolves fought back valiantly, chipping away at the lead until midway in the fourth quarter where they would cut the deficit to 10 after a goal line-passing touchdown from Wolves senior quarterback Phillip Fenumiai to senior receiver Zack Suarez.
The ‘Jacks would prevail in the end, however, with a final score of 42-32.
The rematch proved exciting, with GNAC leaders on both ends providing contributions for their teams.
Gardner made his runs throughout the game, netting a total of 215 yards on 35 carries. While leading receiver in receptions, Revis would be a key factor catching six for a total of 89 yards including the highlight punt return.
Fenumiai got his start while the starting quarterback, senior Nick Duckworth, did not play due to injury.
Next on tap for the Wolves is opponent Tarleton State where they will look to end a two game slide. The away game will be played on Oct. 28th in Stephenville, Texas. Kick-off is set for 4 p.m.
Those seeking an experience manufactured to scare even the bravest of heart need look no further than the Nightmare Factory at Oregon School for the Deaf. For the last three decades, the Factory has been spooking its victims with ghouls, zombies, monsters and clowns.
In particular, one clown has stood out: Mr. Booger. Each year, Mr. Booger straps those brave enough into a wheelchair and takes them for a “Wild Ride” through his funhouse. The Nightmare Factory website advertises that “this insane ride of your life includes many years of terrifying flashbacks! Great birthday gift for that special someone! Not for the faint of heart or people with weak knee syndrome!”
For those eager for a thrill, but not thrilled by the prospect of being wheeled around by a clown, there is another option to enhance the experience of the Nightmare Factory: Z-Tag. For $10 in addition to admission, haunt-goers can purchase an “infection detector” which will allow them to partake in a modified version of tag.
As explained on the Nightmare Factory website, “Human players start out with a green tag and must survive by avoiding zombies and finding health kits or a healer … Zombies have red tags and seek out humans, Infection happens when a zombie player’s badge gets within 3 feet of a human player’s badge.”
The infected human must then find a health kit within a certain amount of time or they, too, will become a zombie. Tags are for the players to keep, and they can re-enter the haunt to play again for a reduced price.
For those seeking to be scared to death or who just want to make it out alive, the Nightmare Factory offers intensity levels for everyone.
However, for those with heart conditions, seizures and asthma the Nightmare Factory has a special warning; “Fog machines, strobe lights, specialty lights and high startles in use!”
For more details or to purchase tickets, visit nightmarefactorysalem.com or call 503-378-3825.
Regular admission tickets are $15, VIP tickets — which reduce wait time on busy nights — are $25 and tickets for Mr. Booger’s Wild Ride are $40. Tickets for the Wild Ride must be purchased in advance.
Listen to if: you want honesty, and you need a good cry.
“Terrible, Thanks for Asking” is an emotional show. Hosted by Nora McInery, “Terrible, Thanks for Asking” is a podcast that celebrates the more somber bits of life. McInery is well-versed in those moments;within the span of a few weeks she lost her second child, her husband and her father. “Terrible, Thanks for Asking” stems from those experiences.
In the podcast, McInery interviews people about those dark parts of life; the episode themes vary from what it means to be perpetually single in your thirties to what happens when your best friend dies. This podcast is one that can’t help but breed empathy for every situation, even for people who may be hesitant about whether or not they will be able to relate to what’s discussed.
“The Love Bomb”
Photo courtesy of podcasts.com
Listen to if: you’re interested in gender identity, sexuality and the interconnectedness of people.
“The Love Bomb” is hosted by actor Nico Tortorella, who identifies as a cisgender, sexually fluid bisexual. In this podcast, he interviews people in his life who he loves, has loved or doesn’t love yet.
In the purpose of full disclosure, Tortorella uses the word love openly. This is probably the only case wherein I don’t roll my eyes involuntarily at the phrase “in love with love” — Tortorella’s interest and honesty makes it work. “The Love Bomb” delves into the deeper discussions relating to how people identify and what those identities mean to them. The show just concluded its second season, so there are about 40 one-hour episodes to wade through.
“Still Processing”
Photo courtesy of stitcher.com
Listen to if: you want to stay informed and intersectional
“Still Processing” is a show put on by The New York Times that primarily deals with the intersections between culture and race. Co-hosted by culture writers Wesley Morris and Jenna Wortham, the podcast has interviewed RuPaul to talk about the Emmy’s, analyzed the implications of the show “Girls” and, most recently, discussed the sexual harassment allegations against Harvey Weinstein.
Though the topics discussed on “Still Processing” may not be new ones, both Morris and Wortham bring a sharp-witted perspective to the table. “Still Processing” is a show that forces listeners to think about their actions and the media they consume. “Still Processing” just wrapped up their most recent season, but has 53 episodes that are up and available for your listening pleasure.
“It Makes a Sound”
Photo courtesy of nightvalepresents.com
Listen to if: you love fiction and analyzing the power of music.
“It Makes a Sound” is a new podcast from Night Vale Presents. Like most of the podcasts in the company’s arsenal, “It Makes a Sound” is a fictionalized serial show that only spans a season of episodes. In this case, “It Makes a Sound” is set to produce nine.
Set in the ‘90s, the podcast begins when its fictional host, Deidre Gardner, finds a tape of an unreleased album from the elusive musician, Wim Faros. The podcast follows Gardner as she attempts to solve the mystery of the Wim Faros tape. “It Makes a Sound” is beautiful in the way that it captures what it’s like to truly be a fan of something. Gardner takes you through her journey as she finds the tape, and brings you along as she tries to use music as a way of revitalizing the world around her.
For some college students, Halloween is practically synonymous with dressing up and partying with red Solo cups in hand. Meanwhile, Tuesdays are practically synonymous with homework, stress and extracurriculars. This year, the two happen to fall on the same day. Don’t let this discourage you; this Oct. 31 can still be one for the books, even if parties aren’t involved.
This Halloween, you can find yourself discovering new ways to make the holiday just as thrilling as it would be if it fell on a weekend. The best way to get equally fired up is with a classic addition to every All Hallows Eve season — haunted houses. If you have the time, grab a group of friends and head to the Oregon School for the Deaf’s Nightmare Factory. Though not for the faint-of-heart, the experience will be one you surely won’t forget.
If you want a similar event, but want to stay close to home, head to Independence for a more local haunted house. Located at 35 Northway St., almost anyone can find an hour out of their Tuesday to make their way over for a bone-chilling good time.
Still want to be scared but too busy to leave home? A horror movie date with friends is the perfect night in. Bake some Halloween-themed cookies, crowd around any classic scary flick and be prepared to have your heart beat out of your chest at every jump scare.
Not one to enjoy scares, but still want to celebrate? Get festive by partaking in the standard Halloween staple, and carve pumpkins. Anything from classic jack o’ lantern faces to intricate designs can be created — bonus points if you save the seeds and roast them for a sweet or salty treat.
While Halloween falling on a Tuesday may seem unfortunate, don’t let it disappoint you. There’s no reason you can’t make the most of it. So grab a bag of candy, throw on that costume anyway and start celebrating.
I am an avid fan of horror-comedy, but I can be picky about this genre. Usually because most films turn out to be little more than “comedies with gore” (e.g. Tucker and Dale Vs. Evil.) In this list, I’ve put together what I think are the five best films that perfectly straddle the line between shocking terror and gut-wrenching laughter.
The Frighteners
Just five years before Fellowship of the Ring hit theatres, Peter Jackson directed “The Frighteners;” a film starring Michael J. Fox as Frank Bannister, a conman who uses his ability to communicate with ghosts to trick people into thinking he’s an exorcist. “The Frighteners” is an enthralling mystery that weaves Bannister’s con artistry, his uncertain past, a terrifying mass murder and a mysterious string of deaths caused by an unknown assailant.
Cabin in the Woods
Drew Goddard, writer of “Cloverfield,” “The Martian,”and the upcoming “Deadpool 2” made his directorial debut with “Cabin in the Woods” — a film he wrote with nerd-culture icon Joss Whedon. “Cabin in the Woods” is a great deconstruction of all the horror tropes and characters we know so well. It subverts the genre in surprising ways, while still paying homage to and celebrating the gory heritage we all know and love. “Cabin in the Woods” is frighteningly original and shockingly funny.
American Psycho
Bret Easton Ellis’s novel of the same name can be a difficult read. Those not used to such violent fiction can easily see it as a fetishization of murder and sexual violence, but the decision to have the film helmed by female director Mary Harron helped turn it into a violently hilarious parody of 1980’s greed and narcissism. Christian Bale delivers one of his finest performances as the utterly psychotic Patrick Bateman: a self-obsessed desperate-to-impress yuppie by day, deranged serial killer pop-music aficionado by night.
Bubba Ho-Tep
B-movie king Bruce Campbell stars as Elvis Presley, years after he faked his death and now resides in a nursing home with a black man who claims to be John F. Kennedy. Together the two must face off against an ancient Egyptian mummy that is now feeding off the souls of the weak retirement home residents. Based on a novel by Joe R. Lansdale and directed by Don Coscarelli (“Phantasm,” “John Dies at the End”). “Bubba Ho-Tep” is – well, I don’t even know what else to say, if that all doesn’t reel you in then you’re a lost cause.
Evil Dead II
While the original “Evil Dead” is a campy misstep of a horror film by a group of novice filmmakers, and “Army of Darkness” is a straight-up comedy, the middle film “Evil Dead II” is the movie that I believe perfectly strikes a balance between fear and farce. “Evil Dead II” is a film that is equally inspired by the gore and horror of “Friday the 13th,”as it is by the outrageous slapstick of The Three Stooges. Bruce Campbell is at his peak as Ash Williams, S-Mart housewares clerk and demon-slayer. This movie is fast, fun and full of atmosphere. If you’re a fan of the recent Showtime series or terrific reboot, it’s well worth checking out the franchise’s roots here. It’s one of my favorite films, and I cannot recommend it enough.
