Mount Hood

Ohtani’s dominance

Written by: Quincy Bentley | Sports Editor

Shohei Ohtani’s recent performances have been nothing short of historic, solidifying his status as one of the most versatile players in modern baseball. The Japanese-born superstar has gained fans worldwide with his incredible achievements as both a hitter and a pitcher — a feat that’s rarely seen in the game.

In the 2023 season, Ohtani showed the world what a dual-threat player looks like. As a hitter for the Los Angeles Angels, he led the entire league in home runs for most of the season, establishing his spot among the best sluggers in the MLB. Ohtani’s power and precision were demonstrated with each swing, as he consistently launched balls out of the park and delivered clutch hits in high-pressure situations. He finished the 2023 season with a league-leading 44 home runs, while also striking out 167 batters, despite an elbow injury that limited his playing time toward the end of the season.

After the 2023 season, Ohtani took advantage of his free agency and decided to stay in Los Angeles, signing a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers. His contract went down in history as the largest deal in North American sports.

Right when people thought he couldn’t get any better, Ohtani shocked the world in the 2024 regular season. On the offensive side, Ohtani nearly captured one of the MLB’s most coveted awards, the Triple Crown. This award recognizes players who lead the league in three major categories; batting average, home runs, and runs batted in — RBIs — a feat that hasn’t even been touched since Miguel Cabrera in 2012. By the end of the season, Ohtani had a .310 batting average, which was just short of the league leader, Michael Harris II. Nevertheless, Ohtani dominated in home runs and RBIs, truly showcasing his ability to hit for power and precision. Ohtani also is the first baseball player in history to have 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in one season, and the ball he set this record with was sold for 4.4 million dollars. In his first year with the Dodgers, he won the National League Most Valuable Player award, led his team to the World Series and recorded the highest home run count by a Dodgers player in a single season.

Ohtani’s impact goes beyond his statistics. He has reignited global interest in baseball, especially among fans in Japan. In a sport where specializing in one position has become the norm, Ohtani’s ability to excel as both a pitcher and a hitter has defied conventional wisdom. His skillset goes hand in hand with his relentless work ethic, proving that hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.

Contact the author at howlsports@wou.edu

Hoop & Howl

Written by: Quincy Bentley | Sports Editor

Western men’s and women’s basketball programs shared the stage for the Hoop & Howl event Oct. 11. The night started with player and coach introductions, with the crowd raving in response. Notably, senior guards Bella Pedrojetti and Jason Gallant received favorable ovations from the audience as they walked onto the court to their selected songs. 

Fans were able to watch and even join in on some of the events on Friday night. The men’s and women’s basketball teams competed in a series of events — skills challenges, a three-point challenge and a dunk contest. 

During the skills challenges, players from each team were instructed to choose two individuals from the stands to help them take home the win. The fans that were chosen were happy to be picked and also spread a competitive spirit throughout the gym. They started by making a layup, a free throw and one three-pointer. From there, they began dribbling around a series of cones and then had to finish with another three-pointer to solidify the victory. 

After the skills challenges finished, Wolfie, Western’s school mascot, decided to get in on the action. Two fans from the audience were chosen to race Wolfie to halfcourt and back and, let’s just say, Western’s spirit animal took a big tumble. To wrap up the first sequence of events, the winners ended up leaving with more than just a smile on their faces — they were given an exclusive Hoop & Howl shirt for their performances and willingness to step up. 

The second half of events involved a three-point shootout. The men’s team was on one side of the court while the women’s team was on the other. The players were given five shots on five different spots around the three-point line, with one of these spots being a money ball rack. Each made shot counted as one point, but the money ball rack was especially important because the shots made at that spot counted as two points. 

On the women’s side, freshman guard Brianna Badonie got off to a hot start, scoring 15 points in the first round. Shortly after, senior guard Bella Pedrojetti responded with 15 points, forcing Badonie and Pedrojetti to compete in a tiebreaker. Both players chose two spots on the court to shoot from and attempted five shots from each. It was a close battle, but Pedrojetti took home the win after making six out of her ten total shots. On the men’s side, junior guard Carson Frinke scored 17 points,  allowing little room for any of his teammates to combat. Freshman Mario Williams Jr. put up a fight, but nobody was able to reach Frinke’s score, declaring him the winner.

The dunk contest, the most anticipated event of the evening, included contestants junior forward Anjay Cortez, junior guard Makaio Mims, sophomore guard Makaio Morphy and sophomore forward Hawthorn LaPierre. Although there were four competitors, one was able to shine above the others. In round one, the six-foot-eight-inch forward, Cortez, threw down a 360 alley-oop dunk from his teammate Gallant. This received a total of 49 points out of 50, making it a tough score to beat. Morphy and LaPierre showed off their impressive jumping ability in round one, but Mims threw down a reverse dunk that allowed him to surpass the two sophomores. The final two contestants boiled down to Mims and Cortez. Mims received a score of 45.8 after stuffing in a 360 off the backboard alley-oop that left the crowd in shock. Surprisingly though, his score was not enough to match what Cortez brought to the table. For his final dunk, Cortez performed an under-the-legs dunk that was so impressive it led to a perfect score of 50 from the judges. After a great showing from the contestants, the high-flying forward Cortez took home the dunk contest title. 

Lastly, the winner of the men’s three-point contest battled against the winner of the women’s three-point contest to showcase the better shooter. Carson Frinke and Bella Pedrojetti are both sharpshooters from long range, but only one of them could come out on top that night. The same rules applied — five shots at five spots with a money ball rack — and the two shooters proceeded to go at it. Frinke was on fire, only missing three out of his first ten shots. In contrast, Pedrojetti started slow but began to heat up around her second spot, and from there she didn’t slow down. Despite finishing with a score of 18, Frinke came up short and Pedrojetti’s insane performance of 20 points led her to victory.

When Alex Saindon, the assistant coach for men’s basketball, was asked about his thoughts on the event, he stated, “I think it was a great experience. Hoop & Howl is an important tradition here at Western, and I’m excited to see it grow from here … go Wolves.” 

Overall, Hoop & Howl was a great way to generate more fans to come out and support both the men’s and women’s teams as they start their seasons.

Contact the author at howlsports@wou.edu

Dodgers take down the Padres

Written by: Quincy Bentley | Sports Editor

The Los Angeles Dodgers took down the San Diego Padres to advance in the Major League Baseball playoffs Oct. 11. 

The 2024 National League Division Series between the two California teams came to an electrifying end in Game 5, with the Dodgers securing a 2-0 victory and advancing to the National League Championship Series — NLCS. The game was defined by dominant pitching and crucial moments that made it an intense and thrilling match from start to finish.

Coming off a difficult Game 2, Dodgers starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto delivered a stellar performance on the mound, pitching five scoreless innings. Yamamoto bounced back impressively, allowing just two hits while walking one and striking out two. He kept San Diego’s lineup at bay, silencing stars like Manny Machado and Fernando Tatís, who were crucial to the Padres’ success in earlier games.

The game remained tight, with both teams’ pitchers going at it. Padres ace Yu Darvish was equally impressive, keeping the Dodgers’ offense quiet for most of the game. He went six strong innings, allowing just two runs while striking out four. He even struck out Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, who went hitless in the game. Despite his efforts though, it was not enough to overcome what the Dodgers brought to the table.

The Dodgers managed to break through in the second inning when Kiké Hernández launched a solo home run off Darvish’s pitch, giving his team an early 1-0 lead. It was Hernández’s second home run of the series. Darvish took that home run personally however and managed to keep the Dodgers scoreless until the seventh inning.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, Teoscar Hernández delivered the game’s final blow with a solo shot to left field, giving the Dodgers a 2-0 advantage. This was his second homer of the series against the Padres, and it came at the perfect time. 

Relief pitchers Evan Phillips and Alex Vesia shut down the Padres in the late innings, with Phillips striking out key hitters like Machado and Jurickson Profar. The Dodgers’ bullpen was nearly flawless, closing out the game and the series without allowing a run. 

Unfortunately for the Padres, their offense, which had been explosive earlier in the series, went stagnant when it mattered the most, and the Dodgers punched their ticket to the NLCS. This Game 5 victory was a testament to the Dodgers’ depth and ability to perform under pressure. They now move one step closer to their World Series ambitions.

Contact the author at howlsports@wou.edu

Remembering Lindsay Babb

Written by: Jaylin Emond-Hardin | Entertainment Editor

Content Warning: this article contains mentions of domestic violence

In the fall of 2001, while she was president of the Oregon Sports Union, also known fondly as ORSU, Toni Fujiwara started a Women’s+ only collegiate rugby tournament, intending to show the team’s facility and introduce college players to the next level of rugby. 

The tournament ran at the beginning of the spring season, with non-rugby games between matchups and awards given to those who embodied the spirit of rugby. The teams had a social afterward, and ORSU connected with the college players to help them with the transition to the club level of play. 

This then evolved into the Jesterfest Tournament in 2005, an inheritance from the ORSU collegiate tournament which the club ran in the ’90s and 2000s. 

In 2005, the University of Oregon was still a relatively new club, and it was where Lindsay Babb played her collegiate career. She graduated with a sociology degree and continued her rugby career with ORSU. In Babb’s time with ORSU, the team went to their first Sweet 16 in a National tournament in 2006, a number six ranking nationally in 2007 and a membership in the brand new Women’s Premier League in 2009. 

“Babb and a few other college players joined ORSU in our epic bus tours to Canada for the Abbotsford Tournament and knew on that trip that ORSU was the club for them,” Fujiwara said. “Babb was such a bright light, both on and off the field. She was a tenacious competitor and the best of teammates.” Fujiwara credited Babb as a major part of creating the vibrant culture at ORSU. 

Unfortunately, tragedy struck  June 22, 2010. Babb was murdered by her ex-boyfriend in an extreme act of domestic violence the morning after she broke up with him. Five days later, Babb’s killer was charged with domestic violence murder. “Even in the end, Lindsay didn’t think her life was in danger,” said Mike Babb, Lindsay Babb’s father, at the sentencing.

That year, the rugby community across the entire nation came together in memory of Babb. For the 2010-2011 season, almost every team in the Womens’ Premier League wore a unicorn — ORSU’s mascot — on their sleeve to honor Babb. “It was a reminder that our community is so strong and truly has each other’s back, through thick and thin,” Fujiwara said. 

In 2011, the club renamed Jesterfest to Babbfest, keeping Babb’s memory and impact alive. It’s not about winning the tournament, but instead bringing the rugby community together for a day full of joy.

The tournament features speakers and sessions from Raphael House of Portland — Portland’s shelter for survivors of domestic violence — and Rose City Self-Defense, where Fujiwara works as the Youth Coordinator. Part of the proceeds from Babbfest are donated to Raphael House in continued support of survivors of domestic violence. 

“When we talk about (being) prepared to defend ourselves in the line of work I do, I always remember that you can be the most prepared, you can know how to defend yourself, you can be the toughest of tough people and the reality is it can happen to anyone,” Fujiwara said.

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

San Jose State’s volleyball program facing controversy

Written by: Quincy Bentley | Sports Editor

The San Jose State University volleyball program has recently gained significant media attention due to the potential inclusion of a transgender player on their roster, and in just three weeks, four universities have forfeited their match against San Jose State. These schools include the University of Wyoming, Boise State University, Southern Utah University and Utah State University, which recently canceled their Oct. 23 match against San Jose State University — SJSU. Surprisingly, none of the schools came out with any statements explaining their reasoning behind the decision to forfeit.

The rumors about the SJSU player’s gender identity started in April 2024, when a website by the name of Reduxx published an article titled “Biological Male Quietly Joined Women’s NCAA Division I Volleyball At San Jose State University.” The player mentioned in the article is Blaire Fleming, a redshirt senior who transferred from Coastal Carolina University to SJSU in 2022. As of the 2024 season, Fleming has put up impressive numbers, ranking fourth in kills and fifth in service aces in the Mountain West Conference. 

One of Fleming’s teammates, Brooke Slusser, a senior setter who transferred to SJSU from Alabama in 2023, has also been having a standout season. She is ranked third in assists, and tied for tenth in digs in the Mountain West Conference, but Slusser’s impressive stats aren’t the only reason she’s making headlines.

On September 23, Brooke Slusser filed a lawsuit against SJSU and the NCAA —  “Slusser v. NCAA and San Jose State University.” The lawsuit, centered around Slusser’s teammate, Blaire Fleming, claimed that the university failed to inform her and her teammates that Fleming was transgender. Slusser also claimed that she roomed with Fleming on road trips without knowing about her gender identity, and in April 2024, Fleming allegedly disclosed to Slusser that she identifies as transgender. In a nutshell, Slusser argues that Fleming’s participation raises concerns about fairness and safety for female athletes, and she isn’t alone in this viewpoint. After all of this information surfaced, more than a dozen female college athletes accused the NCAA of violating sex based discrimination laws. 

In regards to Fleming’s performance on the court, Slusser claimed that Fleming’s spikes were recorded at over 80 mph, which, according to her, is way faster than any female player she has ever seen. The lawsuit also shows that some players on the team were even concerned about getting concussions due to Fleming’s hard hitting spikes.

After noticing the attention the university was receiving, the Senior Director of Media Relations for SJSU, Michelle Smith McDonald, stated that the university will not publicly address the gender identity of any student due to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. In a statement by the university, McDonald stated, “It is disappointing that our SJSU student-athletes, who are in full compliance with NCAA and Mountain West rules and regulations, are being denied opportunities to compete. We are committed to supporting our student-athletes through these challenges and in their ability to compete in an inclusive, fair, safe and respectful environment.”

Under current National Collegiate Athletics Association — NCAA — rules, transgender women are allowed to compete on women’s teams if they have undergone at least one year of hormone therapy to suppress testosterone levels, which is believed to reduce any potential competitive advantage. The NCAA’s guidelines are based on the belief that hormone therapy levels the playing field between transgender women and cisgender women. However, despite these regulations, the debate centers on whether the physical differences, even after hormone therapy, provide an unfair, competitive advantage. 

Slusser and her legal team argue that the “Slusser v. NCAA and San Jose State University” lawsuit is about fairness and safety. It raises the question of whether previous policies properly protect female athletes from what they believe is an uneven playing field. This case doesn’t just highlight the debate within SJSU’s volleyball program, it highlights a debate that is playing out across all levels of competition around the globe. Depending on how this lawsuit goes, it could potentially lead to a new legal precedent or even a new set of rules within the NCAA, but as of right now, the debate over whether transgender women should be allowed to compete in women’s sports continues to stir controversy.

Contact the author at howlsports@wou.edu

Rose retirement

Written by: Quincy Bentley | Sports Editor

One of the most captivating talents in National Basketball Association — NBA — history, Derrick Rose, announced his retirement from basketball Sep. 26, 2024. For the fans who had followed his career from the beginning, this moment spurred a mix of emotions. Rose’s career was tumultuous and demanding, giving fans an example of a relentless determination to overcome obstacles that would have broken most athletes. His decision to retire officially ended the chapter on one of the most valued, yet tragic figures in NBA history.

Derrick Rose’s rise to fame occurred years before he set foot in the NBA. Rose was born and raised on the South Side of Chicago and attended high school at Simeon Career Academy. He led his high school team to two Illinois state championships, which earned him national recognition. His elite athleticism, speed and ability to finish at the rim made him one of the most sought-after prospects in the country.

After high school, Rose gained attention from NBA scouts while playing college basketball at the University of Memphis. He led Memphis to the most wins in National Collegiate Athletic Association — NCAA — history, Memphis’ first number-one ranking and an appearance in the national championship game. This groundbreaking season by Rose allowed him to put his name into the NBA draft, finally fulfilling his dream and beginning the story of his life.

In 2008, Rose was drafted to the Chicago Bulls as the number one overall pick and instantly rose to stardom. His fast-paced play, explosive dunks and top-tier playmaking ability made him a fan favorite. Not only was he the best player on his team, he was arguably the best player in college basketball at the time.

As a rookie, Rose averaged 16.8 points, 3.9 rebounds and even led all rookies in the passing category by racking up 6.3 assists per game. 

After his first year, Rose became an NBA All-Star for three consecutive years. He succeeded on the court and reached his prime midway through his career. In his third season, Rose became the youngest player in NBA history to take home the MVP award, winning at the age of 22. That year, he averaged 25 points and 7.7 assists and also led the Chicago Bulls to the Eastern Conference Finals. Unfortunately, their run was cut short by LeBron James and the Miami Heat’s “Big Three.” 

Sadly, in game one of the 2012 playoffs, Rose tore his ACL in his left knee. This was the season after he won MVP, making the injury even more consequential and mentally taxing on Rose. Rose was then sidelined for the entire 2012-2013 season, and over those next two years, he only played 10 games because of this gruesome injury. Once Rose did return to the court in the 2013-2014 season, fans and players could see that he was not the same player he once was. 

During the 2016 offseason, the Chicago Bulls decided to part ways with Rose, trading him to the New York Knicks for guard Dennis Smith Jr. and a second-round draft pick. This devastated Rose, and his reaction was documented for the public to see. Rose was visibly emotional when he received the news, leading him to break down in front of the cameras. 

Throughout the next couple of seasons, Rose suffered additional knee injuries, including a torn meniscus in his right knee. These setbacks robbed him of the explosive athleticism that had made him such a unique talent. Fans were distraught to see how different of a player Rose had become, and that his body truly couldn’t hold up to the demands of the NBA anymore. 

Throughout Rose’s career, he played for the New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons and the Minnesota Timberwolves. Although he never got back to the same playstyle he once had, Rose found a way to adapt as a role player. 

One of the most emotional moments of his career came Oct. 31, 2018, while playing with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Rose scored a career-high 50 points in a victory over the Utah Jazz. Tears filled Rose’s eyes as he was embraced by teammates, visibly emotional in his post-game interview — when asked what this game meant to him, Rose responded, “Everything, man, I worked my ass off.” 

For many, this performance symbolized Rose’s spirit. That night, his refusal to let injuries define him or his career was put on full display.

Statistically, even though his numbers may not reflect the full amount of his impact, Rose finished his career with averages of 17.7 points and 5.3 assists per game. Fortunately, the NBA community understands that Rose’s influence on the game goes beyond stats.

When looking back at his historical career, what-ifs remain: What might have been if Derrick Rose’s body held up? How many championships could the Bulls have won with a healthy Rose leading the charge?

Contact the author at howlsports@wou.edu

Fall sports calendar

Written by: Jaylin Emond-Hardin | Entertainment Editor

Thursday, Oct. 10

12 p.m. — Men’s Soccer vs. Simon Fraser University B.C.

2:30 p.m. — Women’s Soccer vs. Montana State University Billings

Friday, Oct. 11

8 – 10 p.m. — Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Hoops and Howl

Saturday, Oct. 12

10 a.m. — Women’s Soccer vs. Seattle Pacific University

1 p.m. — Men’s Rugby vs. Oregon State University

1:05 p.m. — Football vs. Eastern New Mexico University

Thursday, Oct. 24

12 p.m. — Men’s Soccer vs. Northwest Nazarene University

7 p.m. — Volleyball vs. the University of Alaska Anchorage

Saturday, Oct. 26

All Day — Women’s+ Rugby, tournament

10 a.m. — Men’s Soccer vs. Montana State University Billings

1 p.m. — Men’s Rugby vs. Washington State University

1:05 p.m. — Football vs. Texas A&M University, Kingsville

7 p.m. — Volleyball vs. the University of Alaska Fairbanks

Sunday, Oct. 27

6 p.m. — Women’s Soccer Club vs. Oregon State University

Thursday, Oct. 31

12 p.m. — Men’s Soccer vs. Saint Martin’s University

2:30 p.m. — Women’s Soccer vs. Western Washington University

Saturday, Nov. 2

10 a.m. — Women’s Soccer vs. Simon Fraser University B.C.

Sunday, Nov. 3

All Day — Cross Country, Stumptown Youth XC Championship

Thursday, Nov. 7

1 p.m. — Women’s Soccer vs. Central Washington University

7 p.m. — Volleyball vs. Saint Martin’s University

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

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