Mount Hood

Men’s basketball on four-game win streak, looks to continue

Rachel Shelley
 Sports Editor

The men’s basketball team is currently on a four-game win streak, beating their most recent opponent, Academy of Art University (AAU) in San Francisco, Calif. 83-73 on Nov. 29.

The match-up between the Urban Knights concluded a three-game holiday road trip where the Wolves returned to Monmouth unbeaten. The game started off with a 10-0 lead for the Wolves after a pair of free throws by forward Lewis Thomas. Western increased their lead after guard Julian Nichols completed a fast break lay-in. The first half ended with the Wolves up 38-28.

The second half opened up with Western extending their lead to 16 with free throws from forward Andy Avgi. Guard Devon Alexander nailed a three pointer to take the Wolves to a 21-point lead. The Wolves went 6-for-6 from the free throw line during the final minutes, finishing with a victory of 83-73 securing a four game win streak before starting conference play.

“Our team has been very tough defensively,” said Head Coach Brady Bergeson. “We have found ways to make things hard for our opponents. Our goals for the games this week are no difference than they have been. We need to uphold our defensive standards and continue to progress offensively by sharing the ball and working for good shots.”

Nichols finished with a season and career-high 26 points and went 6-for-11 from the field and 13-for-14 from the free throw line. Three other Wolves were in double figures: Avgi, Thomas and forward Mawan Sarhan with 16, 12 and 12 points respectively. Avgi and Thomas tied with a team-leading and game-high seven rebounds. Nichols and guard Jordan Wiley each dished out four assists.
The team shot 49 percent from the field on 25-of-51, 30.8 percent on 4-of-13 from the three-point line and 87.9 percent from the free throw line with 29-of-33.

“We have a lot of talent returning from last year,” Alexander said. “There are high expectations. With that being said, we want to take it one game at a time and focus on our team’s trademarks. So far our strength is that we have at least five guys that can help us in scoring on any given night. We can be one of the top defensive teams in the country as well; we just have to prove that we are day in and day out.”

The Wolves play the next five games at home, two from the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC). The Wolves welcome University of Alaska Anchorage Saturday, Dec. 6 at 2 p.m.

Men’s and women’s cross country finish West Region Championships

Jacob Hansen
 Staff Writer

The men’s and women’s cross country teams traveled to Billings, Mont. Saturday, Nov. 29, to close out their season. It was the NCAA West Regional’s held at Amend Park, where the Wolves women’s team finished 16th overall and the men’s 19th.

 

The men’s team had two finishers in the top 100: David Ribich and Zach Holloway. Ribich clocked in with a time of 32:34:34, coming in 52nd place, and Holloway at 58th with a time of 32:43:94 in the 10k. The next trio of runners was Sam Naffziger, Riley Anheluk and David McLeod. Their respective times were 22:48:79 at 101st, 34:41:12 at 120th and 34:57:35 at 126th. Joe Soik finished right behind McLeod at 34:58:16 in 127th place.

“The team as a majority was pretty disappointed with how the season ended at regionals,” Holloway said. “I feel that I as an individual underachieved at the regional meet and that our team had more potential this season to have been more competitive. Our team has still made great progress with our fitness and all the work we put in the fall will carry over to indoor and outdoor this year. I think the disappointment will motivate the entire team to be more focused and train harder than ever this winter.”

Chico State won the title with 30 points, qualifying for the NCAA Championships in Louisville, Ky. Saturday, Dec. 6. Alaska Anchorage, who finished with 53 points, didn’t go down without a fight as they took the top two spots in the race.

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For the women’s side, Stephanie Stuckey finished 58th overall in the 6k with a time of 23:08:05. Close behind her was Rachel Crawford with a time of 23:25:29, finishing in 73rd place. Rounding it out for the Wolves women’s team was Annie Wade, Debora De Leon, Bailey Beeson, Nicole Anderson and Kolby Childers. The quintet came in 96th, 101th, 126th, and 135th overall to represent the Wolves. Their times were, 23:49:93, 23:55:27, 24:09:92, 24:41:96 and 25:08:36 respectively.

“The team didn’t finish where we could have,” Crawford said. “We are focused on what we can do next in indoor season. Regionals was tough because our bodies weren’t used to the climate or elevation. The competition was even stronger than in past years, but every race makes us stronger and helps us prepare for the future.”

Simon Fraser took home the team title for the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) with a score of 103 points. Chico State came in a close second with 112 points and Alaska Anchorage took the third step on the podium with 144 points.

Western will celebrate its 47th annual tree lighting this year

Jennifer Halley
Campus Life Editor

The 47th annual tree lighting ceremony, that has become a holiday tradition to both students and residents of Monmouth, kicks off on Saturday, Dec. 5.

The longstanding tradition began Nov. 23, 1967, when the 122-foot-tall sequoia tree – in between Todd and Campbell Halls, was lit for the first time that evening, according to the Lamron, Western’s student newspaper at the time.

For that first lighting, the tree, which was planted on campus in the late 1800s, consisted of “100 strings of multi-colored lights – a total of 2,500 bulbs. [It] will be crowned with a lighted star,” the Monmouth Herald said.

The first tree lighting was conducted by the Monmouth fire department and employees of the Oregon College of Education (OCE), what is now Western. “They used a ‘special extension ladder’ to reach the top,” The Monmouth Herald added.

A couple years after the first lighting, the fire department and Vernon McFarland, an OCE employee, received plaques to honor their hard work and diligence in keeping the tradition alive, even though it had been around for only a few years at that time.

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President Leonard W. Rice, for which Rice Auditorium was named after, was given the opportunity to light to first tree in 1967.

The tree lighting tradition almost came to an abrupt halt in 1993 “when college officials announced they could not afford to light the tree, ending a 26-year tradition,” the Statesman Journal said.

The article continued, “President Richard Meyers said state
budget cuts in higher education made the $5,600 expense for lights seem wasteful.”

Due to the city’s diligent fire department and its dedicated residents, donations were made and enough money was given to allow the tradition to continue.

Then, an agreement was signed by the fire department and the college that said the college would provide electricity and the fire department would hang the lights for the tree.

For many students, the tree lighting ceremony signifies what Western is all about.

“[It] sets a precedent for the rest of the year,” Bryan Kelley, a junior at Western said. He added that the tree symbolizes “harmony,” “peace” and “good will” for both Western and the community of Monmouth.
The tree also represents what the purpose of the event is: to bring everyone together and to celebrate the holidays as a whole community, said Cheyenne Standing-Elk, senior and director of Student Activities Board at Western.

“This event brings school and community together,” Standing-Elk added. “Families travel from out of town, family members come together, elementary schools are involved, and even people who live in Independence comes to it.”

Each year, according to the Journal in 2000, “Western traditions have drawn larger and larger crowds every year and serve to unify the student body through the power of their own creation.”

This year’s tree lighting will be Dec. 5 at 6 p.m., with a holiday parade, pictures with Santa, and a bake-off sale, as well as a choir performance in the Pacific Room.

Surviving the end of term

Jennifer Halley
 Campus Life Editor

The term is coming to an end. With that comes the stress and anxiety that often accompany students as they prepare for finals.

From the first-year student to the seasoned senior, finals can throw everyone through a loop. It is a week of all-nighters, hours spent poring over books or writing papers and an over-abundance of caffeine consumption.

No matter how much students prepare for finals, that dreaded week always seems to sneak up on them – catching them off guard.

Everyone always asks: “How is it already finals week?”, as if they didn’t know it was approaching.

The last few days of term should not be this chaotic. According to usnews.com, a little bit of planning – both throughout the term and for finals week – can effectively minimize a student’s stress load.

Here are a few ways students can reduce stress and get through finals week without feeling depleted by the end of it. There may even be some energy left over to celebrate afterwards.

1. Plan your schedule.
From waking up in the morning until you go to bed at night, a list of all the day’s events should be written out in a planner or a notebook.

Don’t have one of those? Get one. Research shows that time management reduces stress, procrastination, and allows a student the chance to even sleep and eat better.

Writing out everything you have to do in a day will help you to organize your thoughts and prioritize.

2. Get at least 7 hours of sleep per night.
Mayoclinic.org said that adults need seven to eight hours of sleep every night in order to maintain a healthy body and mind.

So shut off the TV, stop playing the video games and get some shut-eye. Being well-rested clears the mind and students are able to make better decisions, focus better and feel more balanced overall.

3. Plan physical activity.
Exercise exerts a number of health benefits that can promote positive well-being and even counter negative mental states, livestrong.com said. It also increases energy levels.

Half the battle of surviving finals week is feeling mentally prepared for the upcoming tests, presentations or projects, versus feeling nervous or anxious.

Taking 20 minutes to go on a jog, do some yoga, or take a quick walk will overall benefit a student’s stress levels, energy levels and feelings of well-being.

4. Utilize the writing center.
Writing final term papers can be intimidating and anxiety-inducing. In order to not become completely derailed, visit the writing center in the APSC building, where the tutors will help brainstorm, draft and edit your paper with you.

The writing center is open Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Evening hours are from 7-10 p.m. during the weekdays.

5. Take a break and hang out with friends.
Lay off the books for a few hours and take an opportunity to hang out with friends. See a movie. Go to the mall. Eat out at a restaurant. Play board games in your pajamas.

Taking a couple hours off will give you and your brain a well-deserved break, leaving you powered up and rested for the next stretch of studying.

6. Establish a good study space.
Studying in your living room amidst noisy roommates is probably not the best place to get some work done.

Whether it’s the library, your bedroom, or a quiet corner booth at Shari’s, make sure your study space allows you to focus on what you’re studying without all of the outside interference.

7. When studying, avoid social media. And your phone.
Nothing is more distracting than a Facebook post or a text message when trying to study. So shut off the phone for a while.
That way, focus can be on what is in front of you, rather than the Instagram photo of what your aunt ate for dinner.

8. Use study groups and teachers.
There is no shame in going to a teacher’s office hours to ask for help, nor is it a bad idea to get with a study group and go over notes for the upcoming exam.

Purdue University said that study groups can help to divide-and-conquer the material being studied. That way, students don’t spend all their study time trying to just organize notes.

9. Set goals for yourself.
Having goals such as getting a B on that Chemistry test, or receiving an A on that final paper, will help when you go to study. If you study with no goal in mind, your focus will be all over the place.

Set goals for studying too, such as getting through a certain number of chapters each day. This will help studying seem a little less daunting.

10. Plan a time to celebrate when it’s all over.
Seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, so to speak, and having something to look forward to can help students push through this hard week, knowing it will all be over soon.

Reward yourself, and breathe after that last final. You deserve it.

4 Podcasts You Should Be Listening To

PHOTO COURTESY OF PODBOYS.COM

 

By Nathaniel Dunaway
Entertainment Editor

 

Ideally, winter break is a time to sit back, relax, and let all the stress and worry of fall term just melt away. It’s also a great time to grab a nice cup of cocoa or eggnog, pop in some earbuds, and listen to some podcasts. If you aren’t already a fan of podcasts, you should give them a shot. They can help you learn a language, cook a meal, or study for an exam. Podcasts can make you smarter, and they can make you happier. The following is just a handful of podcasts you should give a try this winter break.

  1. “The Truth”

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Described as “movies for your ears,” “The Truth” is a frequently improvised story podcast that serves as a form of dramatic audio storytelling. Ranging in tone from hilarious to deeply emotionally affecting, the stories that unfold on “The Truth” are always full of heart and, well, truth. The first episode, entitled “Moon Graffiti,” was inspired by the speech Nixon wrote in case the 1969 Apollo moon landing had failed.

 

  1. “Thrilling Adventure Hour”

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Staged live in the style of old-time radio stories of the ‘40s and ‘50s, “TAH” is a wonderful little podcast that’s perfect for the listener who’s looking for long story arcs and plenty of recurring characters. One series, called “Beyond Belief,” chronicles the paranormal investigations of socialite couple Frank and Sadie Doyle. Another, “Sparks Nevada,” tells the ongoing tale of the heroic marshal of Mars. Nathan Fillion makes frequent appearances in the latter series, as the Mayor of Mars, Cactoid Jim.

 

  1. “Stuff You Missed in History Class”

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A spinoff of the “Stuff You Should Know” and “HowStuffWorks” podcasts, “SYMiHC” covers unique or little-known historical topics such as “5 War Dogs of History,” “Is there a real Macbeth curse?” and “Mary Anning, Princess of Paleontology.” It’s an incredibly informative podcast that is always fascinating and engaging. Each episode is only about 25 minutes long, so in just one afternoon you can learn an incredible amount.

 

  1. “The Moth”

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Much like the similar podcast “StoryCorps,” “The Moth” is dedicated to the art of storytelling. Unlike “StoryCorps,” however, these stories are told and recorded on stage in front of live audiences. These first-person tales are often heart-wrenching and beautiful, and they help us to understand the importance of recording stories, as well as give credence to the adage that everyone has at least one great story to tell.

 

Watsky Destroys Portland

George watsky is the recipient of the youth speaks and brave new voices poetry slam awards. PHOTO COURTESY OF WIKIPEDIA

 

By Declan Hertel
 Staff Writer

I feel music on a spiritual level. My belief in the power of
music is the closest thing I have to a religion.

The philosopher Kant called music “the quickening art”; it changes moods and minds and brings life back to the lifeless.

Music is the one thing I believe in wholeheartedly, and as such it has become my religion in a way.

If music is my religion, then live performances are my church. And boy, do I love going to church. I had the privilege Dec. 1 of hearing a sermon delivered by the reverend Watsky, an alternative hip-hop artist from San Francisco.

I have been a fan of Watsky for a long while and tonight was the first time I had ever seen him live. He did not disappoint.

Watsky played the Wonder Ballroom, a great little Portland venue, on the final leg of his North American tour supporting his stellar new album “All You Can Do.”

After excellent opening performances by Anderson Paak and KYLE, both of whom have a new fan in me, Watsky stormed out of the gate with the raging anthem “Bet Against Me” from his new record. He immediately had the entire crowd screaming along with him, and they didn’t stop for the entirety of his hour-thirty set.

He blazed through old songs and new, occasionally offering some of his brilliant spoken word poetry, flawlessly and passionately delivering his intricate lyrics as his backing band tried their very best to match his energy (they succeeded).

When he stopped to talk to us about things he cared about, he was very genuine and kept wide of condescension. He closed the main show with “Whoa Whoa Whoa,” a song showcasing the incredible speed at which Watsky can rap with a chorus so catchy it ought to be criminal.

After a deafening chant of his name from the crowd, Watsky and his band returned to the stage to play the title track from “All You Can Do,” and ended the night with “IDGAF,” a song from his first album that once again had the crowd bellowing the profane chorus. It was reckless, joyful and immensely inspiring.

Folks, please, please go see live music. It is an experience like no other. You become part of something greater than yourself; at a show a community is born and then lives spectacularly and dies with an explosion all in the space of three hours. And it is beautiful.

The volume of the show made me near deaf. My throat hurt from screaming along. My entire body ached from jumping around all night. But I had the time of my life.

Campus Blotter week 9

HIT AND RUN

At 7:28 a.m. Nov. 20 in Lot R, Public Safety was contacted about a hit and run.

BICYCLE THEFT

At 9 p.m. Nov. 17 at the Alderview apartments, Public Safety took a late bicycle theft report. The bike was valued at $700.

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF

At 9:21 a.m. Nov 18 in Lot A, Public Safety received a report of a mirror that was broken on a utility vehicle. It was valued at $20.

MEDIC ASSIST/ILLNESS

At 11:48 a.m. Nov. 18 at the Student Health and Counseling Center, Public Safety responded to a student having an active seizure.

At 6:29 Nov. 19 in New P.E., Public Safety was contacted in reference to an injury.

At 8:18 p.m. Nov. 20 in Heritage Hall, Public Safety was contacted by University Housing in regard to a mental health issue.

At 7:35 p.m. Nov. 22 in Spruce Hall, Public Safety responded to a mental health incident.

MARIJUANA VIOLATION

At 5:20 p.m. Nov. 19 in Heritage Hall, Public Safety contacted a room in regards to a marijuana violation.

At 2:25 a.m. Nov. 21 in Barnum Hall, Public Safety was contacted about a marijuana violation.

At 12:08 a.m. Nov. 24 in Ackerman Hall, Public Safety
responded to a report of a marijuana odor.

ALCOHOL VIOLATION

At 10:32 p.m. Nov. 21 in Butler Hall, Public Safety was contacted by on-duty resident assistants in regards to an alcohol violation.

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