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FRIDAY FEBRUARY 5, 2010

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Hearts for Haiti walk-a-thon has beenn rescheduled. For details see page 2.

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The men’s basketball team hosts Texas in the first game of the Red River Rivalry series. See page 6.

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Winter weather to revisit Norman Meteorologists say storm won’t be as severe as last week’s but advises checking the forecast, taking precautions CAROLINE PERRYMAN Daily Staff Writer

Ready for more winter weather? Another winter storm is approaching OU this weekend. Patrick Marsh, meteorology graduate student and National Severe Storms Laboratory employee, said rain will begin Sunday afternoon before turning into light freezing rain and snow Sunday night. Marsh said the storm should not be as bad as last week’s and the worst of it will be the cold air that may not

get above freezing for days. There is always a possibility for more winter weather late next week, he said. Although Marsh said not to expect too many road problems, Monday would be the worst day to drive. “There should be one to two inches around OU campus and in the Norman area,” Marsh said. “A lot can happen and a lot will happen. The best thing you can do is be aware that winter weather is possible and cold weather is coming. Pay attention to how the forecast changes and prepare yourself with food, flashlights and blankets.” Jenifer Bowen, National Weather Center meteorologist, said the storm is currently off the West Coast, which makes the exact forecast

uncertain. Nevertheless, Bowen urged precautions. “From Sunday to around Tuesday morning there should be a mix of rain and snow, depending on the temperature,” Bowen said. “The storm will not be nearly as bad as last week’s road conditions and power outages. The most accumulations will be in western and northwestern Oklahoma. People should exercise the same precautions, especially with traveling, and pay attention to the up-to-date forecasts on our Web site.”

UP-TO-DATE WEATHER The Norman National Weather Center www.weather.gov/norman

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The Pastoral Dreamer, located on the North Oval, was covered with snow as a result of the most recent winter storm which hit Norman last Thursday.

NEW BIKE RACKS LOCK OUT THIEVES Planned racks will be more secure and provide more spaces, say Student Congress spokesmen TROY WEATHERFORD Daily Staff Writer

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University College freshman Andy Cheng locks his bike at the bike racks outside of Adams Center. OU will spend $18,500 to replace bike racks around campus.

OU is replacing racks that leave bikes vulnerable to thieves with ones that are designed to be safer and provide more spaces. The university is spending $18,500 to replace bike racks outside of Monnet Hall ($1,325), Burton Hall ($9,600) and Copeland Hall ($7,575), said Taylor Bitting, vice chairman of the Student Congress Problems and Projects Committee. The new racks should effectively double the number of bikes that can be locked outside the buildings, he said. The current racks are vulnerable to bike thieves because their low placement means many locks can only reach through the front wheel. A thief could leave the wheel and take the bike, said Jonathan Vann, chairman of the Student Congress Problems and Projects Committee. The new racks allow bike owners to use U-shaped locks to affix the bike’s frame to the higher rack, making it impossible to steal the bike by dismantling the wheel. UOSA contributed $1,000 to the project, Vann said. The OU Bike Initiative, sponsored by the office of Nick Hathaway, executive vice president and vice president of administrative and finance, paid the remainder. The Problems and Projects Committee had decided to make the racks a priority last fall, when they discovered OU administration had the same intent. “The administration was already going to replace many of the racks anyway,” Bitting said. Bitting said the committee next will try to get racks replaced south of Lindsey Street, where many freshmen park their bikes to be near the dorms, he said. “It’s a pretty terrible way to start your career at OU, by having your bicycle stolen,” Bitting said.

Student takes magic act to the pros NBA teams around the league hire OU student to perform at halftime shows CASEY PARVIN Daily Staff Writer

At age 7, J.P. Wilson, business sophomore, performed his first magic show at a children’s birthday party. Thirteen years later, he presents his seven-minute, magic-filled act to sold out NBA crowds across the country. “He is the hottest halftime act around the league,” said Dan Mahoney, vice president of corporate communications for the Oklahoma City Thunder. “He has a great work ethic. He is a student as well and it’s incredible that he balances it all. It must be magic.” In addition to the Thunder, Wilson has performed his halftime act for the Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz, Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors and Chicago Bulls. He said he became interested in magic after his parents returned from a trip to Las Vegas with a magic set. “They brought me back a magic set with about 10 different tricks in it,” Wilson said. “They taught me one and once I mastered that one, a week later I got another trick and that went on. I’d master a trick and they’d get me a new one.” PHOTO PROVIDED After magic lessons in multiple states, Wilson began to J.P. Wilson, sophomore business major, performs magic during an Oklahoma Thunder halftime form a relationship with the New Orleans Hornets in 2005 MAGIC CONTINUES ON PAGE 2

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Obama pushes for education increases President’s administration calls for more student aid, lower student loan payments JONATHAN BROU Daily Staff Writer

President Barack Obama’s 2011 budget has “historic” increases for education, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said Thursday. Most of the budget is frozen at the 2010 levels — the current fiscal year — but increases include early childhood education, K-12 reform and college access and affordability, he said. “It’s a cradle-to-career objective,” Duncan said during a national conference call held with student reporters. “(Obama) sees it as the key to our economic future.” Duncan said a goal of the Obama administration is to dramatically increase college readiness for high school students and college completion rates, both of which are important in order to get the highest proportion of college graduates in the world by 2020. College graduates make up about 40 percent of young people today, Duncan said. A generation ago that was enough to lead the world, but at least 10 countries have surpassed that rate, he said. An additional 10 million students will need to graduate with either bachelor’s or associate’s degrees to meet the goal set by the administration. The Obama administration has allotted $173 billion to education in its budget for the 2011 fiscal year. The money is intended to give more students access to a college education by increasing Pell Grants amounts 1 percent above inflation each year, improving the quality of community colleges through increased funding, better preparing students for college and strengthening the income-based repayment program. The administration also plans to end federal subsidies for higher education loans OBAMA CONTINUES ON PAGE 2

VOL. 95, NO. 91

2 Friday, February 5, 2010 Caitlin Harrison, managing editor dailynews@ou.edu • phone: 325-3666 • fax: 325-6051

Magic Continues from page 1 after Hurricane Katrina forced the team to temporarily move to Oklahoma City. Wilson first did game photography for the Hornets, but his magical talent soon took center court. “We did a bunch of game entertainment with them and then we started with the magic act,” Wilson said. “We were trying to figure out a way we could do a halftime act for a big arena. The second year the Hornets were here we were able to perform it.” The act took about a year to

develop, he said. “It’s hard enough to do magic in front of one audience, but to find magic that you can do completely surrounded with people looking down at you from all angles as well can be difficult,” Wilson said. Wilson said the halftime act has changed a lot over the past three years. He is currently teaching his new assistant, University College sophomore Maree Treece, the tricks of his trade. Following some skepticism, Treece accepted Wilson’s offer to be his assistant after viewing the YouTube videos of past halftime performances. “I didn’t know what to think about it at first, but he was not

making it up,” she said. “I just started working. We’ve had two practices. It takes a lot of timing and we have to be flexible with time and traveling.” Wilson and Treece will perform their first halftime show together Feb. 17 in Dallas when the Mavericks host the Phoenix Suns. “There are so many things that go on in the real world, everyday life problems, that once you step into a magic show it’s kind of like you have the opportunity to take everybody’s minds to a different place,” Wilson said. “So then it’s something to relax, take their minds off of the real problems off the world and put them more on a fun, magical place.”

Obama Continues from page 1 to private banks and shifting those savings, projected to be around $87 million, into the education budget. Duncan said this plan should allow for the budget increase without raising taxes to fund them. “Ultimately, our goal is simple. It’s for all of you to have a chance to be successful,” Duncan said. The Obama administration also wants to change the way students deal with education financing after graduation. The idea is to reduce the monthly payments of student loans to a more manageable level. This could open

2010 budget agreement lacks specifics OKLAHOMA CITY — Late last month, Gov. Brad Henry announced that he and leaders in the House and Senate had agreed on a plan to close a nearly $1 billion hole in the current fiscal year’s budget, but details about where that money will come from remain murky. Henry, House Speaker Chris Benge and Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee apparently don’t agree on how much to spend from the state’s constitutional Rainy Day Fund, a state savings account that has a balance of nearly $600 million. Henry has proposed spending $485 million from the fund to help close the gap in the current budget year that ends June 30. Lawmakers need to come up with about $530 million — the rest will be absorbed through across-the-board cuts to agency budgets that average about 7.5 percent each. Under the agreement, supplemental funding would be provided to ease those cuts for education, health care and the state prison system. The governor and legislative leaders also have access to about $700 million in federal stimulus funds, although that money is limited to spending on Medicaid and education. Both Benge and Coffee said Friday they will not support spending more than $225

million from the reserve fund on the fiscal year 2010 budget. Benge, R-Tulsa, acknowledged Thursday he was surprised to see the governor’s proposal, but downplayed its effect on the agreement. “I don’t think it’s an agreement breaker,” Benge said. “It doesn’t stop anything. We will use stimulus money for the balance, and I think it will work out just fine.” Benge said House staff currently is preparing bills on the 2010 budget that will begin winding their way through the legislative process next week. Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, said those bills will propose spending just $225 million from the Rainy Day Fund. “We probably will send him a bill that will spend less of the Rainy Day Fund, and he can make his own decisions,” Coffee said, “but the spending priorities that were worked out will be consistent with the agreement. “We just don’t agree with the concept of draining most of the Rainy Day Fund.” Henry spokesman Paul Sund acknowledged Friday there was no agreement with legislative leaders on the $485 million from the Rainy Day Fund, but said that issue and others are still being discussed. Coffee said he likes the idea of spending $225 million on the 2010 budget and

another $225 million on the 2011 budget that begins July 1. That would leave about $150 million in the reserve fund for next year’s Legislature and a new governor. Henry, a Democrat, is term-limited and cannot seek another term. “We think 2012 is going to have its own set of issues that the state needs to be prepared for,” Coffee said. “This could last for several years.” Meanwhile, legislative leaders and the governor still haven’t started negotiations on the budget for the 2011 fiscal year — where lawmakers will have about $1.3 billion less to spend than they did last year. Henry has proposed a host of potential revenue enhancements to close the budget gap, including a one-year moratorium on tax credits, consolidating state agencies, collecting taxes on Internet sales and a transportation bond issue. Henry, Benge and Coffee all have agreed there won’t be any tax increases this year. Coffee said virtually all other ideas “are on the table,” although he acknowledged he has no specific plans for how to close the huge gap in next year’s budget. “I have not come up with any specific proposals that originate with me,” Coffee said. “If you’re asking me which ones I’m advocating for today, I don’t have any for you.”

possibilities for graduates to take lower-paying jobs that provide a valuable service to society, without worrying that their salaries won’t be enough to cover high monthly payments. An income-based repayment plan was passed into federal law July 1, but it caps loan repayment at 15 percent of the student’s income. The new proposal will reduce that amount to 10 percent of discretionary income and forgive the remaining debt after 20 years, or 10 years if the student takes a job in public service. The House of Representatives passed the bill containing the proposal, called the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act, by a vote of 253-171 in September. In order for these programs to go into effect, the U.S. Senate also must pass the bill.

HEARTS FOR HAITI RESCHEDULED The Hearts for Haiti walk-a-thon, postponed because of last week’s winter storm, has been rescheduled for Saturday at Crossroads Mall in Oklahoma City. Broadcasting and electronic media senior Jourdan Selim-Guyton, president and founder of the OU Haiti Helpers, has teamed up with the American Red Cross to raise funds for the disaster in Haiti. Despite having to reconfirm pre-registered groups’ participation due to the postponement, Selim-Guyton said she just wants to people to show up. “Just come out. Every walker counts,” Selim-Guyton said. “Bring your friends [and] family members.” Registration is $5 per individual and students can log on to the Web site, haitihelpers2010.weebly.com, for a sponsorship form. Sponsors can match the registration fee or pledge to pay a certain amount per lap walked. Registration is from 7 a.m. until the event starts at 8:30 a.m. in the mall’s food court. One hundred percent of the proceeds will go toward the Red Cross’ Haiti Relief fund, SelimGuyton said. -Daniela McCormick/The Daily

CAMPUS EVENTS TODAY

Oklahoma Memorial Union.

PROFESSIONAL DRESS FOR WOMEN A seminar with wardrobe tips for professional women will be held at 10:30 a.m. in the Heritage Room of the Oklahoma Memorial Union.

ETA KAPPA NU Eta Kappa Nu invites all ECE students to join The MathWorks for a free MATLAB seminar at 1 p.m. in Devon Energy Hall, Room 130.

PROFESSIONAL DRESS FOR MEN A seminar on how men should dress professionally will be held at 10:30 a.m. in the Frontier Room of the Oklahoma Memorial Union.

ALPHA PHI OMEGA ROAD RALLY Alpha Phi Omega will host a scavenger hunt and cookout at 6:45 p.m. in the Dale Hall Tower. SATURDAY

T E AC H I N G S C H O L A R S I N I T I AT I V E WORKSHOPS A half-day event exploring issues and themes of teaching at OU will be at 11:30 a.m. in the

U-NIGHT FOR HAITI U-Night for Haiti will host a silent auction and five-band concert from 6 p.m. Saturday to 6 a.m.

OUR COMMITMENT TO ACCURACY The Daily has a long-standing commitment to serve readers by providing accurate coverage and analysis. Errors are corrected as they are identified. Readers should bring errors to the attention of the editorial board for further investigation.

In Thursday’s edition of The Daily, Bonnie Amspacher was misidentified in The Diner story.

CAPITOL BRIEFS HENRY ASKS FOR LOOSE RESTRICTIONS Gov. Brad Henry said surrounding states have agreed to ease highway restrictions as crews restore power to Oklahoma communities hit by the late January ice storm. Henry declared a state of emergency and suspended highway restrictions for crews coming in to provide provisions and restore power and asked other states to follow the same emergency procedures to help Oklahomans receive needed assistance. “We appreciate the cooperation from neighboring states and will continue to count on their support as we work to restore power in the affected communities,” Henry said. Oklahoma also will receive federal government funds after Henry’s requested a federal emergency declaration. HOUSE BILL TARGETS DROPOUT RATE Legislation to combat high dropout rates in Oklahoma was passed unanimously by the Common Education Committee. House Bill 2863 will require schools to inform

parents of fifth- through seventh-grade students of the importance of student success, the early warning signs that a student may drop out and suggested intervention tips. The legislation was sponsored by Rep. Samson Buck, D-Ardmore. RESOLUTION PRAISES PREGNANCY CENTERS The Oklahoma Senate passed a resolution to praise the efforts of pregnancy resource centers providing comprehensive care to men and women facing unplanned pregnancies. Senate Resolution 82 was approved Jan. 4 to commemorate Rose Day, an annual event for Oklahomans to express support for unborn children. “As hundreds of Oklahomans gather today at the Capitol to promote and support the lives of the unborn that the Senate honor groups that provide assistance for women who choose childbirth over abortion,” said Sen. Dan Newberry, R-Tulsa, the sponsor of the resolution. -Anna Marie Stone/The Daily

Sunday in the McCasland Field House. $5 entry fee.

at 6:30 p.m. in the Crimson Room of the Oklahoma Memorial Union.

SUNDAY MONDAY ALPHA PHI OMEGA PINNING CEREMONY Alpha Phi Omega will begin its pledging process at 2 p.m. in Sarkeys Energy Center. VIETNAMESE CULTURE DAY 2010 The Vietnamese Student Association will host Vietnamese Culture Day 2010 at 2 p.m. in the Oklahoma Memorial Union. ALPHA SIGMA KAPPA Alpha Sigma Kappa will hosts its weekly meeting

SOONER ALLY TRAINING Sooner Ally Training will be held at noon in the Sooner Room of the Oklahoma Memorial Union. WANT TO HAVE YOUR EVENT PUBLISHED? Go to OUDaily.com and scroll down to the event calendar. Click on the ‘Submit Event’ tab underneath the calendar. All event submissions are pending approval by The Daily Editorial Board.

Friday, February 5, 2010

Joshua Boydston, L&A editor dailyent@ou.edu • phone: 325-5189 • fax: 325-6051

ONLINE »

Get a few laughs watching Fun Friday day videos, featuring this week’s editionn of the “Crazy Squirrel” series, a “Rant!,” t!,” “Science(ish)” and “Fan Boys.”

School of Music and Sooner Theatre open collaborative show LUNDEN ENGLAND Daily Staff Writer

Churchman said. Or the nerd, or even the potential nerd — you know, the kids that, I think, live in all of us — the insecure kid, the kid who doesn’t fit in, and so on. And it celebrates “Entertainment” is sure to be defined, spelled and likely that and gives them a place to be the top dog, to be in their used in more than one hilarious sentence element finally, to shine. And it does it with Friday with the opening of “The 25th Annual PLAYBILL humor and a lot of heart.” Putnam County Spelling Bee” at Norman’s hisThe production will feature an element of What: “The 25th Annual audience involvement that is sure to prove toric Sooner Theatre at 101 E. Main. The two-time Tony Award-winning Putnam County Spelling Bee” engaging and playful. In “Spelling Bee” tradiBroadway musical, composed by William tion, the performers at Sooner Theatre will Finn and written by Rachel Sheinkin, tells the Where: Sooner Theatre, 101 E. call four audience members to come onstage story of six unique (and arguably misfit) ado- Main St. Norman and actually compete in the spelling competilescents competing in a spelling bee, and the tion. To the shy spectator, though, take heart: three equally-idiosyncratic adults in charge of When: Feb. 5-7 & 11-14 Sunday performances begin at Audience members will be screened and sethe competition, as well as a number of minor lected just before each show, and none will be 2 p.m. (albeit colorful) characters. All other performances begin at forced to participate. A promising feature of this production of 8 p.m. Indicative that “The 25th Annual Putnam “Spelling Bee” is its collaborative effort between PHOTO PROVIDED County Spelling Bee” is to be a veritable treaThe Sooner Theatre and OU’s Weitzenhoffer Tickets: Star Circle - $25 sure trove of adult (read: fantastically funny) A variety of Norman community members star in “The 25th School of Musical Theatre — a first-time part- Main Floor - $20 humor, the musical has been rated ‘R’ by the- Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” The show opens at 8 p.m. nership between the two institutions. OU Students - half-price with atrical licensing company Musical Theatre Friday at the Sooner Theatre, 101 E. Main St. Directed and choreographed by Shawn valid OU ID International and is intended for adult Churchman, assistant professor in OU’s School age actors—they’re just chomping at the bit to be in this audiences. of Musical Theatre, the production uses acting “I think it really does appeal — very much show, and so I really would strongly encourage OU students talents from OU students and faculty, community members so — to college-age students, because of the style of the to come see it. The humor is going to be right up their alley.” and high school students to give life to the relatable tale. humor,” Churchman said. “It’s always a favorite with college“For me the story’s appeal is that it celebrates the misfit,”

Film reads as sincere, if sappy, love letter

U-Night for Haiti hopes to raise awareness, donations

Hankies will be in abundance at movie theaters this weekend with the opening of “Dear John,” the latest weeper based on a Nicholas Sparks novel, the man who has unleashed “A Walk to Remember” and “The Notebook” on the world. Those who long for their emotions to be tantalized, pummeled and altogether manipulated have a dear friend in Sparks, who knows how to pile on the maudPHOTO PROVIDED lin tragedy like nobody Channing Tatum and Amanda Seyfried join the ranks of Nicholas else. Sparks’ doomed couples in “Dear John,” opening Friday. This time, the setting is Charleston, S.C., around vehicle that gives the film Jenkins get far more face the turn of the 21st century. more than its fair share of time than a movie like this Army Special Forces mem- montages. He has less than tends to give its supporting ber John Tyree (Channing a year left in his deployment, players. Ta t u m , “ Fi g h t i n g ” ) i s and the two will be back toStill, the third act home on leave and meets gether soon — a plan that schmaltziness eventually cute with college hits a wall when shows up, and it’s a flood of girl Savannah Curtis the Sept. 11 ter- stroke, cancer and broken (Amanda Seyfried, ro r i s t at t a c k s hearts that returns the audi“Jennifer’s Body”) hit and military ence to familiar Sparks terwhen he jumps off m e m b e r s a l l ritory — a welcome relief for a pier to retrieve her over feel the duty his fans, no doubt. purse from the ocean. to reenlist. While Tatum — whose The two ensuing The film finds acting skills are often overweeks they share tosomewhat of a shadowed by his heartthrob gether are full of idyllic footing with this image — gives us a characclichés: the makeout DUSTY g r o u n d i n g i n ter to care about, Seyfried’s session in the pour- SOMERS real-life events, primary talents come into ing rain, the moon but it rarely feels view in a short segment they’ll both be able to like more than a plot device. where she sings. As a drasee from wherever they are , It could have been Sept. 11 matic actor, she looks lost and John finds himself fall- or it could have been any half the time. ing in easily with Savannah fictional event that put him Either way, the two are and her friends, includ- in a difficult position. Real- set adrift in a sea of sap the ing Tim (Henry Thomas, world subtext never makes film tries to carefully bal“Don’t Look Up”), who has an appearance. ance with several unfocused an autistic son who adores Up until this point in war sequences to make it Savannah. the film, it feels like a re- semibearable for the guys All of it gives John an markably restrained af- who are dragged there by excuse to avoid his father fair from the Jamie Linden their Valentine’s dates. Too (Richard Jenkins, “Burn script based on the Sparks bad romance is the one area After Reading”), a shy, awk- novel and the direction of where the film categorically ward man who finds solace Lasse Hallström, who has fails — the most moving in his large coin collection, a his own predisposition for scene has Savannah out of hobby he used to share with sentimentality. sight and mind. John. The relationship between “Dear John” will preach Soon enough, John is John and his father plays a to the choir quite capably; back overseas, but he and large part in the narrative, others should just return to Savannah are committed to and it’s a pleasure to see the sender. staying connected through wonderful character actor Dusty Somers is a journalsim junior. frequent letter writing, a

LISTEN TO DUSTY TALK FURTHER ON THE MOVIE “DEAR JOHN” AT OUDAILY.COM WEEKEND CONCERTS Friday: Red City Radio, The Righs and The Pretty Black Chains 8 p.m. The Conservatory, 8911 N. Western Ave, OKC For Fans Of: Black Keys, Dead Weater

Saturday: Theatre Breaks Loose with Dang We’re On Fire, Hold em High, Cutthroat Crusade and Head Over Hills 6 p.m. The Conservatory, 8911 N. Western Ave., OKC For Fans Of: Yellowcard, Say Anything

Maggie McClure and Shane Avery 8 p.m. Othello’s Campus Corner For Fans Of: Vanessa Carlton, Michelle Branch

Brother Gruesome with Shitty/Awesome 9 p.m. Opolis, 113 N. Crawford, Norman For Fans Of: Panda Bear, Deerhunter Daily Staff Reports

JOSHUA BOYDSTON Daily Staff Writer

The OU community has had a hand in helping those in need after the recent disaster in Haiti, but an event Saturday night aims to help even more. The OU Helping Haiti group has helped organize several fundraisers and benefits, but U-Night for Haiti represents the culmination of all those efforts with the help of many others. U-Night for Haiti is being co-sponsored by the of Office of the President, the Athletics Department, UOSA, Housing and Food Services, Student Affairs, International Affairs Society, International Programs Center and Coke. All donations from the event will go to the American Red Cross Haiti Relief Fund. U-Night for Haiti will be an all night event that not only hopes to educate and raise money, but also to provide some entertainment on campus. The suggested $5 donation at the door will grant you a full night of live music, a live auction, food, drinks and several speakers. Local bands Map the Sea, Travis Linville, Bungalouski, Samantha Hendrick and Katie Tracy will be performing throughout the evening. The live auction will feature items signed by OU athletes, many of whom will be volunteering at the event. The highlight will be a Skype interview with an OU student’s family in Haiti. Those in attendance will also have the opportunity to write to members of the Eglise de la Communante Evangelique d’Haiti, a PHOTOS PROVIDED

church in Port-auPrince, with phrases translated into Creole provided for their use. One of the event’s organizers, Megan Powers, was excited for yet another opportunity to aid the devastation. “U-Night for Haiti will be a celebration of the unity of the human spirit, and a chance for the entire community to come together and reach out the Haitian people — to the child who has been orphaned and the father who mourns his lost daughter,” Powers said. “Haiti may be an island, but it does not exist alone. The people of Oklahoma have experienced tragedy, and they know the ways in which a stranger’s concern can inspire, and a few kind gestures can help the days seem a little less long.” The event will run from 6 p.m. Saturday to 6 a.m. Sunday in the McCasland Field House.

Friday, February 5, 2010

Max Avery, opinion editor dailyopinion@ou.edu • phone: 325-7630 • fax: 325-6051

Read Janna Gentry’s column on the oppression of women at:

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OUR VIEW

COMMENT OF THE DAY »

In response to the many letters to the editor about greek stereotypes. YOU CAN COMMENT AT OUDAILY.COM

“Hey, I have an idea. Let’s all just stop judging each other and let people do what they like. If someone wants to be in a fraternity, good for him. He who chooses not to be in a fraternity, good for him as well. People have different likes, dislikes, opinions, etc. Welcome to life. Now let’s stop hating each other and get back to bashing Texas... -scpeyton

STAFF COLUMN

We must keep dying languages alive Boa Sr, the last speaker of the Bo language, recently died on an Andaman island off the coast of India at the age of 80. Her death ends the native linguistic link to the 65,000-year-old Andaman cultures of Southeast Asia. Languages are a connection to a culture that cannot be achieved in any other way. One cannot translate a people’s history, songs, stories, jokes, legends and way of life without losing key parts of them. Languages hold cultures together. Through language we can keep traditions and pass them on. Language is our first link to our heritage. And they are lost when they don’t have native speakers. English, Spanish and Mandarin Chinese are rising at the cost of our less-common languages. They are like the price club driving the mom-and-pop stores out of

business; they can’t compete unless we make an effort to keep them alive. Because we know in the long run, it’s the right thing to do. Like Latin, Bo is now a Frankenstein language, only spoken as a second language. OU understand the value of keeping languages as alive as we can. OU offers students Creek, Kiowa, Cherokee, C h e y e n n e a n d C h o c t aw — a l l American Indian languages that need to be kept alive in the face of the great English price club. A language’s death should be heralded as the saddest of events, a tragedy that receives far too little attention. We need to prevent this type of tragedy. Step out of your bubble. Learn a language, help keep a it alive. Experience a new culture through language.

STAFF CARTOON

Dannon Cox is a broadcast junior.

Supreme court got this one wrong On Jan 21, a decision rendered by the Supreme corporate sponsorships to cover advertisement Court in Citizens United v. The Federal Election costs. Commission (FEC) overturned centuries of corIt is the perfect synthesis of corporatism and poliporate spending restrictions, institutionalized the tics, or what Benito Mussolini called “fascism.” return of judicial activism and set a precMost importantly, however, is there does edent that will forever change the political exist a real, well-substantiated difference landscape as we know it. Whatever vesbetween textual and broadcast mediums. tiges of democracy Americans had pridWhereas reading is an active process that ed themselves in have now been surrenis analytical and deliberate, with time for dered to the exigencies of corporatism. reflection and pause, broadcast media The decision expanded to address an saturates a passive audience unwittingly entire spectrum of questions — namely, with excess visual and auditory stimulathat of corporate personhood. Their tion, which, unsurprisingly, has scientifargument: if individuals are allowed to EVAN ically-confirmed ramifications for voting contribute money to political campaigns, behavior. DEFILIPPIS why can’t an association of individuals The ramifications for democracy would pool their resources and do the same? be catastrophic. The conclusion is reThe question, however, belies fallacious reasoning: sounding: television is unique in its ability to shape when corporate money constitutes free speech, the public agenda and directly influence voting “who” exactly is doing the talking? behavior. The louder, prettier and more frequent We can be certain it is not the lower-to-middle the advertisements are, the greater the public will class workers who are “emancipated” by this new associate with its messages. Just as shouting fire in decision their opinions will be disregarded as CEOs, a crowded theater constitutes a “clear and present shareholders and other investors decide profit over threat”, so too does any vehicle that can homogenize welfare. Why is it a handful of people get to decide public opinion at the expense of democracy. on behalf of the remaining 80 percent of the workIt is inconceivable to me that people are chamforce which political campaigns are going to be sub- pioning this decision as a win for democracy while sidized with the fruits of collective labor? If money failing to recognize corporations now have more is free speech, and money is produced through rights than real citizens with none of the liability. joint activity, then allowing a cartel of economic A corporation doesn’t have to sign up for jury duty, elites to override the concerns of the majority con- it doesn’t have to enroll in the selective service, it stitutes nothing less than disenfranchisement and never has to pay a “death” tax, it is functionally imdespotism. mune to criminal liability and despite all these glarThe debate also addressed the distinction being inadequacies, it is still treated as a human. tween broadcast media and print media: why was The “human-form” is now more disadvantait that, according to McCain-Feingold, corporations geous than the “corporate-form;” it can only get could engage in electioneering via print media, but worse from here. not in broadcast media? What was to stop the FEC And to think labor unions or munificent organifrom eventually banning books? zations will have the power to mitigate corporate In response, a slippery-slope argument of my influence is laughable. The recent health care deown: if we are to allow corporations to sponsor ads, bate is only a sample of what we can expect in the what’s to stop them from donating directly to a po- near future. In a country where corporations are litical candidate? Or better yet, under the Supreme so powerful they are able to mobilize a population Court’s logic, which presupposes money is free against its own self-interest while controlling the speech and corporations are people, what is to stop political agenda, how can we claim to live in a decompanies from eventually claiming the legal right mocracy? Goldman Sachs spends more annually to vote in a general election? on paychecks to its top employees than the total net Even if these hypotheticals never come to frui- worth of all major national labor unions combined. tion, the Supreme Court’s decision permits direct You thought we had a chance? corporate donations by proxy. Future presidenDeFillipis is a political science, economics and psycholtial campaigns will now just redirect money from Evan ogy junior. their media budget to other areas, while securing

STAFF COLUMNS

Rebutting the nationalistic rebuttal Stay patriotic in troubled times I had the misfortune of walking into my dorm room a few days ago while my roommate was watching Fox News. They were airing the Republican “rebuttal” that Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell gave in response to President Barack Obama’s State of the Union Address. I only watched for a minute or so, but in that minute McDonnell managed to make two statements that I took to be profoundly absurd. The first: “Most Americans do JEROD not want to turn over the best medi- COKER cal care system in the world to the federal government.” The second: “America is the most generous and prosperous nation on Earth.” Wow. I could understand these kinds of remarks coming from one of our more naively patriotic brethren among the general populace, but for an elected official to air them on national television (albeit Fox News) is a bit frightening. First, we do not have the best medical system in the world. We spend more per capita on health care than any other country and yet the World Health Organization ranked us 37th (between Costa Rica and Slovenia) last time it published a worldwide ranking. Numbers aside, if our nation really did have the best health care system in the world, there wouldn’t be a three-decade-long debate raging over its reform. Indeed, even President George W. Bush addressed the need for health care reform in his last State of the Union address. Second, we are not the most prosperous nation in the world. According to the CIA World Factbook, the U.S. had the 10th highest GDP per capita in the world at $46,400 (less than a third of first place Lichtenstein’s). Even if we ignore GDP, the leading factor in determining a nation’s economic prosperity, we need only shift our gaze toward the national debt. Our federal government is in debt more than $12 trillion. That’s $12,000,000,000,000. And as if it weren’t bad enough already, our biggest creditor, other than ourselves, is none other than communist China. Ironic much?

Compared to reality, hyperbolic assertions that we are the “most prosperous” nation on Earth and that we have the “best medical care system in the world” are not only wrong, but grotesquely misleading. It takes little more than willful ignorance for anyone to believe these statements. Perhaps more to blame than ignorance, however, is simple-minded, unfounded patriotism. Many of us have grown up thinking that America is, and always will be, the richest, strongest, smartest, most just, best country on God’s green Earth. How wrong we were. It doesn’t take much to see that, although “best” is a subjective term, it probably doesn’t apply to 21st century America. However, this shouldn’t be taken to mean America is the worst country in the world, not by a long shot. Rather, we simply need to realize we are by no means the best, whatever that may mean. And no, I’m not an “unpatriotic piercednose Volvo-driving France-loving left-wing communist latte-sucking tofu-chomping vegan weenie” just because I will admit my country is not perfect. Rather, I find it more patriotic to admit its faults and then work to fix them. We are no longer, assuming we once were, “a city upon a hill.” While we are a great nation, we are not perfect. We are not the most prosperous. We are not the most healthy. We are not the smartest, hardest-working or happiest either. Conversely, we’re definitely not the poorest, sickest, dumbest, laziest or saddest. The point is we shouldn’t assume America’s dominance because at some point it was the “greatest” nation on Earth. Those of us who haven’t realized that need to confront reality. We have problems. They need to be addressed by us. Let’s stop ignoring them, stuffing our ears, yelling “Socialism!” and hiding behind unfounded patriotic, nationalistic, jingoistic rhetoric. Let’s make America the best. For real this time. Jerod Coker is a professional writing, political science and philosophy junior.

As we Americans sit watching our sol- make the world a better and freer place. diers die in wars that might have been This is a fact we should be proud of; a prevented years ago and our reality we’ll do anything to defend. economy faces the greatest Ap o l o g i z e f o r o u r a c t i o n s deficit in history with no sign of when they are wrong? Of course. getting better any time soon, it’s Apologize for who we are? Never. important that we not take the It is important for us to acknowlproblems we see with our govedge all the embarrassing, awful ernment policies to mean that things we have done in the past and the U.S.has somehow failed as try to make amends. It is equally a country. important we move on and not let This country is going through BECCA ourselves believe we are somehow a hard time, as it has several SKUPIN permanently flawed or tainted. times throughout its long and We make amends, we move on varied history. It probably will and we try to do better in the future. again. We’ve already proven we can. Two hunHave we made mistakes? dred years ago, large numbers of people Yes, of course we have; we are humans. were treated as property. A hundred years There is not a nation on this earth that ago, half the population couldn’t vote or does not have something shameful in its keep their wages. Fifty years ago, innocent past. Bloody revolutions, holy wars and citizens were being blacklisted for their mass genocides haunt every group of politics. people who have ever called themselves a Our country did those things. But our country. country also declared those things were We are quick to forgive and forget the wrong. We’ve had protests, court cases and shortcomings of the nations demonstrations. When around us. Why shouldn’t we do our core beliefs clashed “When our core the same for ourselves? with our national policy, The moments the U.S. fails to beliefs clashed with we have fixed it. completely live up to its ideals of our national policy, That’s the way democfreedom, equality, democracy we have fixed it.” racy works. In a system are just that — moments. Our that relies on the choices “way of life” is not our laws, poliof millions of people, cies or even our history. mistakes are going to happen. When the Rather, it is all these things and so much crisis is over and the problem is solved, more. It is our faith in democracy. there is nothing left to feel embarrassed People acting together will ultimately about. choose good over evil, fairness over opWe can chalk it up to experience and pression. It is our belief in helping those move on, proud of ourselves for having the who are suffering and our continued hope courage to change what we felt was wrong the actions we take will be the right ones. and proud that we live in a country we can Sometimes these very qualities get us improve when we need to. into trouble. Sometimes we make the So let’s stop with “America is bad,” wrong choice. We give aid to those we people. That’s not true. As cliché as it is, shouldn’t and fail to support those who America is pretty darn awesome. desperately need it. Becca Skupin is an English sophomore. These times are unfortunate but they don’t change the fact we have the power to

T=: O@A6=DB6 D6>AN Jamie Hughes Caitlin Harrison Ricky Maranon Lisa Phan Max Avery Michelle Gray Marcin Rutkowski

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5 Friday, February 5, 2010 Thad Baker, advertising manager classifieds@ou.edu • phone: 325-2521 • fax: 325-7517

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STUDENTPAYOUTS.COM Paid survey takers needed in Norman 100% FREE to join. Click on Surveys.

CLASS MONITORS WANTED!!! Available positions in the OU Athletics Department!!! Junior, Senior, Graduate, and Post-graduate applicants only!!! Hiring for Spring 2010. Call 325-8453 for more info!!!

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MISAL OF INDIA BISTRO Now accepting applications for waitstaff. Apply in person at 580 Ed Noble Pkwy, across from Barnes & Noble, 579-5600.

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2 col (3.25 in) x 2.25 inches

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8 5

1 9 4 9 4 7 2 3 8 7 1 8 6 2 7 1 2 6 4 3 1

Previous Solution 9 6 7 5 2 8 4 3 1

4 5 1 9 7 3 2 8 6

8 3 2 1 4 6 7 5 9

5 2 8 3 9 1 6 7 4

6 1 9 4 5 7 3 2 8

7 4 3 6 8 2 1 9 5

1 7 4 8 3 9 5 6 2

3 8 5 2 6 4 9 1 7

2 9 6 7 1 5 8 4 3

Monday- Very Easy Tuesday-Easy Wednesday- Easy Thursday- Medium Friday - Hard

Instructions: Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9. That means that no number is repeated in any row, column or box.

HOROSCOPE By Bernice Bede Osol

Friday, Feb. 5, 2010 AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) -- Be doubly careful about how you handle those in authority. People in general are touchy, and because they have the upper hand to begin with, you need to be extra cautious. PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) -- It would prove unwise to prematurely discuss the success you hope to have with a project still in the planning stages. Wait until it is a foregone conclusion before saying anything. ARIES (March 21-April 19) -- Be careful about poking your nose into another’s business because your curiosity could draw you into a quagmire. Don’t ask for trouble. TAURUS (April 20-May 20) -- It’s always smart to be openminded about the views and opinions of others, but don’t think that everything they say is wise, or even true. Use some common sense to discern the difference. GEMINI (May 21-June 20) -- Just because someone is doing something a bit differently doesn’t make it wrong, especially if it encompasses an area about which you know little. Their way could actually be better.

Previous Answers

CANCER (June 21-July 22) -- Be sure to supervise a project being handled by another because you could be held accountable if things go south. You have every right to check on it from time to time.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) -- If things are festering within you, this might be the wrong time to bring up an issue about which you and your mate are diametrically opposed. Nothing can be resolved if you get all worked up. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -Attitude is important with regard to whether or not you will be productive. If you see things as difficult and distasteful, you’ll ruin your industriousness. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) -- Only you can decide to be happy or grumpy. If you choose beforehand that you don’t want to do something, regardless of how hard another tries to please you, you’re not likely to have a good time. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) -- If you fail to put to rest something you could have finished, chances are it is going to be left undone for many weeks to come. Keep this in mind before you turn your back on it. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) -- Subdue inclinations to prejudge and put down events or people before either have a chance to prove themselves. If you persist, this could become a gloomy day. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- If you’re planning a night out, choose your playmates carefully if you want to have a good time. Someone harboring a sour mood could spoil the entire outing.

my friend’s got mental illness

To a friend with mental illness, your caring and understanding greatly increases their chance of recovery. Visit whatadifference.samhsa.gov for more information. Mental Illness – What a difference a friend makes.

Universal Crossword Edited by Timothy E. Parker February 05, 2010

ACROSS 1 North Atlantic food fish 5 Gowns’ companions 9 Late-summer bloom 14 Have a few too many 15 Varied mixture 16 Wild dog of Asia 17 Redundant partner of “done with” 18 “Arrivederci ___” 19 Palindromic form of address 20 Pay attention 22 Saintly images (Var.) 23 Hang in there 24 Fill to the gills 26 Pulverize potatoes 29 Book after Job 33 Actor Jack and NBA-er Spud 37 Gross-weight deduction 39 Stunt plane maneuver 40 ___-trigger temper 41 DNA structure 42 Currency abroad 43 Back 40 unit 44 Australian gem 45 Plume provider

46 Slave 48 Indecent 50 Success for Rocky 52 Fabricate 57 Early Irish alphabet 60 Go on and on 63 First of six popes 64 Broadcast, as radio waves 65 Fish-eating eagle 66 “Manhattan” director 67 Hyperbolic function 68 Spanish theater 69 Hagar the Horrible’s wife 70 Important time periods 71 Largo and West DOWN 1 Scarf made of fur 2 Hags’ assembly 3 Cause to topple over 4 Lost in Paris? 5 Eye part 6 Shower gel ingredient 7 Native American from Arizona 8 Flies like an eagle 9 Shows honesty, in a way 10 “Hurry up!”

11 List heading 12 Enthusiastic vigor 13 Deep sleep stages 21 Octopus’ abundance 25 Tippy-top 27 Baby-book first 28 Islamic equivalent of kosher 30 Facial expression of displeasure 31 Twist’s request 32 Canine of kiddie literature 33 Inquiry starter 34 Individually 35 Whirring sound 36 Expression of luck 38 Bug 41 Sacred

45 Dame Everage 47 Thin layer 49 Lateral measurements 51 Beyond zaftig 53 Type of tee 54 Inspiring fear 55 Mary Poppins was one 56 Shade providers 57 Brightly colored fish 58 Sayers of football 59 Seed cover 61 Arab prince 62 Columbus craft

PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER

SLIGHT ADJUSTMENTS by Kenneth Holt

Friday, February 5, 2010

Aaron Colen, sports editor dailysports@ou.edu • phone: 325-7630 • fax: 325-6051

« SOFTBALL FFor softball media day coverage visit d OOUDAILY.COM

FACE-OFF: WHO WILL WIN THE SUPER BOWL? The Indianapolis Colts are going to win their second Super Bowl in four years because of two reasons: quarterback Peyton Manning and his supporting cast on offense. Manning, who won a record-tying third Most Valuable Player award this season, is arguably the best player in the National Football League and is the reason why the Colts are even playing in Super Bowl XLIV. But Manning should be able to pick apart the New Orleans Saints’ weak defense if he is given time to pass. The Saints were ranked No. 25 JONO in total defense and No. 26 in pass GRECO defense during the regular season and are in the bottom third of both categories during New Orleans’ two playoff games. So the Saints will be trying two things to slow down Manning: The first is to make the Colts’ offense one dimensional by stopping the run game. Many teams have succeeded at accomplishing this task, since Indianapolis is one of the worst running teams in the NFL. The risk in forcing the Colts to drop back and pass is that you’re putting the ball in Manning’s hands. If the Saints are able to force Indianapolis to become one dimensional, then the smartest thing to do would be to win the time-of-possession battle by at least 10 minutes. The second task the Saints would have to accomplish would be to hit Manning early and often. They don’t have to sack him on every play, but teams in the past have shown that if you can get Manning on the ground and keep him uncomfortable in the pocket then you have a good shot of forcing

turnovers and errant passes. Manning has the most talented and consistent wide receiver-tight end combination in the league in wide receiver Reggie Wayne and tight end Dallas Clark, and has a pair of young wide receivers who are making significant contributions as Manning’s third and fourth options. Wayne slowly became Manning’s No. 1 target over the last couple of seasons, and Clark has quietly become one of the top-three tight ends in the league. Defenses scheme to control these two players, but in the end they will be productive enough to help the Colts win. Wide receivers Pierre Garçon and Austin Collie each had productive seasons and slowly became recognizable names with their solid play during the regular season. The Saints probably became more aware of the two receivers after their performances in the AFC Championship game when they each had a touchdown and more than 100 yards. Indianapolis’ defense will give up yards, but it is ranked No. 8 in the league in defensive scoring. The defense knows how to step up when it needs to and it will need to step up against the Saints’ potent offense. In the end this game will be determined by which defense will be able to shut down the opposing quarterback, and it is hard to see the Saints’ defense preventing Manning from having a poor day. Manning is the best, and he will add another Super Bowl title to his impressive Hall of Fame resume.

Track and field resumes competition in Nebraska, New York City meets

MEN’S BASKETBALL

From “Caddyshack” to “Rocky,” there’s Manning passes the ball like he’s playing nothing more blatantly patriotic then the hot potato. And although Reggie Bush good old American underdog rising up to may have had a slight mishap on a punt glorify their cause. Sure, Peyton Manning return against the Vikings, forgetting his may be considered NFL football royalty explosive capabilities and his punt return and the Colts are known for their high- of 83 yards against the Arizona Cardinals powered passing offense. To argue, how- is simply naive. ever, that the Colts are superior due to Bush just caps off a group of superior their passing history ignores the numbers. Saints running backs. Pierre Thomas The Colts only passed for less than 200 and Mike Bell both have more rushing more yards (4605 yards passing) than the yards than Bush. Moreover, when one Saints (4490 yards passing) and the man is down the others steps Saints scored as many touchdowns. up to keep defenses guessing. And if a Saints hater wants to The Saints’ offense constantmake this a quarterback showly utilizes this triple-threat down, then let us again review the combination. numbers. Drew Brees has 34 touchEvery NFL fan has been downs and 11 interceptions in the following the news of Colt’s regular season while Manning defensive lineman, Dwight holds only 33 touchdowns and 16 Freeney, and his sprained interceptions. Not to mention the ankle. I read yesterday that his GEORGIA Saint’s defensive line has a history long walks on the beach have of giving quarterbacks some hits BASORE been helping him rehabilitate. to feel the morning after the game Well, I’m glad he’s enjoying the (just ask Brett Favre and Kurt Warner). sound of the ocean, but the bottom line is You may say cheap shot, I say aggressively the Colts’ defensive line relies on his sacks pursuing the ball. and quick moves. Allowing Brees the time Besides, in the NFL momentum is he needs in the pocket is undoubtedly everything and the Saints have a history dangerous. of changing momentum quickly. Saints Don’t be too swift to bet against a team safety Darren Sharper had nine intercep- with a well-rounded pool of talent. It’s tions this year tying for most in the league hard to beat the Big Easy. and 376 yards after the interception, approaching the most in league history. This scenario is quite likely considering

OU puts home streak on the line JORDAN MARKS Daily Staff Writer

from cancer. “He’s a big part of what we do,” head coach Jeff Capel said. “He’s the guy that After coming off a disappointing perfor- made Oklahoma basketball.” mance at Nebraska, the Sooners look to reSenior forward Tony Crocker, who is bound and defend their undefeated home playing his last game against the Longhorns record in the Red River Rivalry game this at Lloyd Noble Center, said he remembers Saturday at Lloyd Noble Center. meeting Tisdale when he came to visit the Oklahoma (12-9, 3-4) is going into locker room during Crocker’s career. Saturday’s contest with much needed week Crocker, too, is on the verge of making long rest. history, only eight rebounds shy of being “My body feels refreshed and my legs second Sooner to record 1,000 points, 500 are ready to go,,” freshrebounds, and 150 threem a n g u a r d To m m y pointers in a career. KEYS TO THE GAME Mason-Griffin said. “At T h e N o . 9 Te x a s the Nebraska game I was a Longhorns (19-3, 5-2) SOONERS WIN IF… little fatigued, but I’m back have struggled of late, losnow ing three of their last five The talented freshman games, but are currently • Keep Longhorn front court has logged the most minundefeated in the state off the boards utes this season, which of Oklahoma this season, • Limit Longhorns to 67 leaves him second in beating Oklahoma State points minutes per game by a on Monday. • Keep ball out of guards freshman second to none Though the Sooners hands other than Sooner legend lead the all-time series 46• Force James and Pittman Wayman Tisdale. 28, the Longhorns have into foul trouble Tisdale’s life and playing had success of late, wincareer will be celebrated at ning seven of the last eight -Jordan Marks/The Daily Saturday’s game. Tisdale is meetings with the two the Sooner’s all-time leadteams splitting the series ing scorer and rebounder. last season. He passed away last May Tip-off is at 3:05 p.m.

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New Balance Collegiate Invitational could serve as a measuring stick against top competition

in the women’s 60-meter dash and fourth in the 200-meter sprint at the Razorback Invitational. Junior Ronnie Ash is a current NCAA GEORGIA BASORE Champion in hurdles and placed second Daily Staff Writer in the 60-meter hurdles at the Razorback Invitational. The OU track and field team will face Because the J.D. Martin Invitational was some potential NC AA canceled due to weather championship competiWHO TO WATCH FOR last weekend, Smith said tors when it competes in he replaced the meet with a the New Balance Collegiate practice. Invitational this weekend in “Our short sprinters are New York City. Shump focusing on technique work The New Balance invita- t h r e w a and the technical sprints tional has a history of fore- 5 5 - 3 . 7 5 of hurdling,” Smith said. shadowing national cham- in the shot “Distance Runners are putpions. The Texas A&M put at the ting in anywhere from 70 to women placed first last year Texas A&M 100 miles per week.” and went on to win the na- Invitational, Salaam said the practice tional championship. The winning the KAREN was very beneficial. meet will feature more than event. “[The practice] gives you SHUMP 200 teams from around the energy you’re not able to get country. by yourself,” Salaam said. “The most prominent The OU throwers will be schools at the meet will traveling to another event this weekend. probably be LSU, Tennessee and Texas A&M,” Several of them will compete in the Frank head coach Martin Smith said. Sevigne Husker Invitational in Lincoln, Neb. A sprinter to watch for the Sooners is Smith said the meet will help his throwers sophomore Mookie Salaam. Salaam recently maintain their skills after being forced to skip placed second in the 200-meter dash at the a meet. Texas A&M Invitational with a personal best “It fits with what they are trying to do in time of 21.11. their plan,” Smith said. Salaam said one of his toughest rivals at Both the New Balance Collegiate the meet runs for Texas A&M, junior Curtis Invitational and the Husker Invitational will Mitchell. Texas A&M is ranked by the NCAA meet all day Friday and Saturday. as the top indoor track and field team on both the men’s and the women’s sides. Another Sooner to look out for is senior Scottesha Miller, who recently placed first

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