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/ The Sunflower

THURSDAY Sept. 19, 2021 Volume 126 Issue 6

WICHITA STATE’S STUDENT NEWS SOURCE SINCE 1896

@sunflowernews @thesunflowernews

www.thesunflower.com

CELEBRATING UNITY

The Student Government Association and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion put on Diversity Week this week. One of the main attractions was the Unity Project, where students can come and add a string to the circle to symbolize their story. Top: East High School student Carla Garza poses below the unity project outside the Rhatigan Student Center. She was the guest dancer at the Latine Heritage Month celebration event on Sept. 15. (Khanh Nguyen / The Sunflower) Left: Student Body President Rija Khanh laughs as she adds her string to the unity project on Sept. 13. (Jordan Plowman / The Sunflower)

GoCreate offers free memberships to students BY JULIA NIGHTENGALE copyeditor@thesunflower.com / @JuliaNightengale

GoCreate, a 20,000 square foot maker space on the Innovation Campus, is offering free membership to all WSU and WSU tech students for a limited time only. “Students have this opportunity, that won’t last forever, but Wichita State has done this as a beta test to see who is interested and our membership base has just blown up in the last few weeks when this was announced,” McCollum said. Kimberly McCollum, the assistant director of GoCreate, said that even if someone believes they do not have the skill, they have the resources to help you learn. “It is very important to that foundation that they encompass the whole idea that not only can anyone be a maker, but then entrepreneurs and prototyping and such come with a vast variety and rich history of entrepreneurship

here in Wichita from years past,” McCollum said. “It comes from that whole history of where we were in the midwest and we couldn’t get things as fast as everybody else. So, we were utilizing whatever we had around.” McCollum said it is not uncommon for someone working in a studio to have an ancestor who had some kind of entrepreneurial spirit or were makers themselves. “I think that’s one thing that makes us so amazing here in Wichita, is that not only can anyone be a maker in our space and we have this amazing facility to do so, but then also we have this spirit about us that if we want to prototype something in this place we can definitely help you do that,” McCollum said. In the collaborative space at GoCreate, McCollum said that she has seen Kickstarter groups form, and seen students who were working in different studios

PHOTO BY LENA ALHALLAQ / THE SUNFLOWER

Nursing sophomore Lindsay Dexter works with an embroidery machine in GoCreate on Sept. 15.

collaborate to make each of their projects better. GoCreate has multiple different studios, including textiles, 3D, design, metal, and wood. For a full

list of available tools and studios at GoCreate, go to gocreate.com. “If you can dream it, we can help you make it or make your dreams come true… Really, truly

the sky’s the limit,” McCollum said. No previous skills are needed to visit GoCreate. Along with student SEE CREATE PAGE 2

2 | THURSDAY, SEPT. 16, 2021

NEWS

FROM THE ARCHIVES FRIDAY, SEPT. 15 2000

STATE FAIR 2021

Our fair’s a great state fair BY RYAN DOOM

If you don’t wear Wranglers or cowboy boots, what could interest you in going to the Kansas State Fair? Plenty. You just have to relax, pay $6 to cover, and enjoy the heritage of Kansas. After all, the farming lifestyle is what put our great state on the map. It’s important we have a glimpse into that culture. Not to mention that there are games, rides, conventions and beer. What kind of fair would it be without the usual barrage of lights and sounds from carnival rides and games? With names like “The Twister,” a trip on whirling carts that turn 45 degrees vertically, “Banzai,” a spin’-til’-you-vomit ride, and “cliffhanger,” a ride that simulates hang gliding, you can get the need for speed out of your system. The “Tilt-A-Whirl,” “Yo-Yo,” and “Zipper” are still going strong. No fair experience could be complete without a stroll through the variety of carnival games. Walking through what should be named the valley of exportation, you’re able to choose from a large selection of entertainment. It depends on how many dollar bills you want to put down for a chance to win that giant stuffed Snoopy. But don’t blow all your cash at the games. Everyone has to eat, and there is plenty to choose from. Food is abundant and decent, but prices are high. What do you expect? Prices range from $3 for a slice of pizza to $5.50 for an onion blossom to $2 for a medium soda. Not outrageous but not exactly sensible, either.

If rides or games aren’t your thing or you just don’t trust them, there is plenty else to do. It’s just a matter of what you decide to take in. Whether or not they’ll admit it, everyone who has seen a logman competition on ESPN has loved it. At our own fair, straight from Canada, is the Paul Bunyon Lumberjack Show. The performance features a group of fellows who’ve perfected the art of throwing aces and sawing logs in two. Don’t pretend you aren’t awe-inspired when you see it. At noon, you can see different types of auto racing. From modified and street cars to sprint cars, a racing fan’s thirst for engine revving is satisfied here. You can even take your pick at which type of farm animal you’d like to see judged. Take the llama competition, for example. Only the best and brightest llamas around come to strut their stuff. They’re put to the test, completing an obstacle course by stepping over timber, walking through folding chairs, walking backwards and wading in a kiddy pool. One of the fair’s most popular attractions is 71-year-old Norma “Duffy” Lyon’s sculptures made from a 1,000 pound hunk of butter. Duffy has made these sculptures since 1986. This year she strayed from her usual cow and created a detailed buffalo. Bring your own bread. No matter what you might be attracted to at the fair, it is a fun place to visit one week out of the year. Leave your worries at home and enjoy the rides at the Kansas State Fair.

PHOTO BY JORDAN PLOWMAN / THE SUNFLOWER

Horses from the Hutchinson Correctional Facility Wild Horse Training Program on display at the Kansas State Fair Sept. 10 through Sept. 19. The State Fair is back this week after being cancelled last year due to COVID-19.

CREATE FROM PAGE 1

FILE PHOTO BY SELENA FAVELA / THE SUNFLOWER

Rape reported at Shocker Hall BY LINDSAY SMITH editor@thesunflower.com / @Lindsay_ KSmith

At 2:08 a.m. Tuesday, a student reported being raped at Shocker Hall. The sexual assault allegedly occured at 3 a.m. Sunday, two days prior. The WSU Police Department would not give any further details at this time citing the active investigation. “Just going to have to be patient and wait for us to wrap this up before we’d be able to

release some of the details,” Captain Corey Herl said. The Clery Act requires universities to alert students of any immediate threats of harm on campus, however, no alert was issued to students Wednesday. “There’s no federal requirement in Clery if there’s not an ongoing threat,” Herl said. “The way that’s identified is there’s an immediate threat of bodily harm to the campus community, and those go out

The Sunflower, founded in 1896, is the student-run newspaper covering Wichita State University. The print edition is published Monday during the fall and spring semesters. The staff publishes daily online at www.thesunflower.com.

MISSION The Sunflower — both in print and online — will be a timely resource of information about the Wichita State University community. It will report on news, issues, activities, academics and athletics, in addition to offering a forum for discussion, reviews and commentary. It will also be an effective learning experience for students, who will have the final authority over what is published.

LEGAL One free copy of The Sunflower is available to members of the WSU community. Additional copies may be purchased for $1 in the newsroom, Elliott Hall 019. The Sunflower is private property and unlawful removal or use of papers is prosecutable. The Sunflower is funded by a combination of print and online advertisment sales and student fees allocated by the Student Government Association. The Sunflower is a member of Kansas Collegiate Media, the Associated Collegiate Press and College Media Association. Copyright © 2021 The Sunflower. This newspaper, its design and its contents are copyrighted.

immediately,” Herl said. “That’d be like a gas line broke or … a bomb threat or something like that.” “Student safety is our top priority,” President Rick Muma said in an emailed statement. “We take seriously any report of sexual violence and fully support suvivors of such abuse.” Survivors of sexual assault can contact the Wichita Area Sexual Assault Center at (316) 263-0185.

employees, they also have technicians and mentors to help people create. McCollum said that the mentors make GoCreate a unique maker space because you are not only learning from the best, but from people who love what they do. The mentors donate a certain amount of hours per week and receive stipends from the state for their work. “You can literally walk in with an idea, you may not know how to weld or you may not know how to sow … What we do is we basically say, ‘come on in, we teach you’ and then you can move from station to station,” McCollum said. McCollum said that right now, sororities on campus are busy using the direct to garment machines to make shirts for their littles. She has seen marketing groups use the design studio for marketing projects and music majors use the 3D printer for an adaption of an instrument. GoCreate also does special event things for different people

EDITOR IN CHIEF Lindsay Smith news@thesunflower.com

DESIGN DIRECTOR Thy Vo design@thesunflower.com

NEWS EDITOR Julia Nightengale news@thesunflower.com

PHOTO EDITOR Khanh Nguyen photoeditor@thesunflower.com

OPINION EDITOR Jaycie Nelson opinion@thesunflower.com

ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR Lena Alhallaq photos@thesunflower.com

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Kyran Crist arts@thesunflower.com

MARKETING MANAGER Kaylee Stout marketing@thesunflower.com

SPORTS EDITOR Sean Marty sports@thesunfower.com

ADVERTISING MANAGER Rachel Thomas admanager@thesunflower.com

ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR Emmie Boese elboese@shockers.wichita.edu

FACULTY ADVISOR Amy DeVault amy.devault@wichita.edu

around the state, including the Kansas Cosmosphere, YMCA, and Meritrust. They are currently working on projects for a few businesses in town. In terms of materials, students should bring their own if they plan on working in woods or metals, while they supply most of the materials in the design studio and 3D printing. If you need help getting materials, GoCreate can help you go through different networks to get the best pricing. McCollum said that there is a wide variety of students using GoCreate, which is what she intended to happen. When she took over the role 18 months ago, she wanted to hire student workers from multiple disciplines so that they could be the “palm” for outreach and tell their classmates about GoCreate. “Initially, I would say that we have a larger group of engineers, but then I also see people that just want a hobby or they just want to do something to get their minds off of studying,” McCollum said.

Lindsay Smith: 316-978-6905 editor@thesunflower.com ADVERTISING

Rachel Thomas: 316-978-6906 admanager@thesunflower.com

Corrections

The Sunflower is committed to accuracy in its publications. If you find an error in any of its publications, please email the editor at editor@thesunflower.com immediately.

NEWS

THURSDAY, SEPT. 16, 2021 | 3

Suicide prevention walk Community members gathered on Wichita State’s campus on Saturday, Sept. 11. Participants could either choose to run a 5k or participate in a 1 mile walk. The event’s goal was to bring awareness to suicide prevention and was a partnership between Counseling and Prevention Services and StopSuicideICT.

Lots of smiling runners participating in the Suspenders4Hope run/walk event at the Wichita State Student Rhatigan Student Center on Sept 11.

PHOTOS BY KAYLEE STOUT / THE SUNFLOWER

Young girl skips through the finish line during a Suspenders4Hope event at the Wichita State Student Rhatigan Student Center on Sept 11.

A group walks together during a Suspenders4Hope run/walk event at the Wichita State Student Rhatigan Student Center on Sept 11.

Suspenders4Hope hosted a run/walk event at the Wichita State Student Rhatigan Student Center on Sept 11.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 16, 2021 | 4

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Sports

HAVE A STORY IDEA? contact The Sunflower’s sports editor, Sean Marty sports@thesunflower.com

Kailin Newsome makes an early season impact as a transfer for WSU BY SEAN MARTY sports@thesunflower.com / @TheSeanMarty

PHOTO BY KHANH NGUYEN / THE SUNFLOWER

Freshmen Kailin Newsome celebrates during the game against Kansas University on Sep 10 at Horejsi Family Volleyball Center.

The world of collegiate volleyball isn’t new to Kailin Newsome. Newsome said she started playing the sport and ultimately followed her sister, Jaden, to play college volleyball. “She’s probably my biggest role model,” Newsome said. “So, she’s had a huge impact, I would say.” Newsome started out her collegiate volleyball journey with Southeastern Louisiana, finishing last season with 280 kills, including a career-high 26 kills against Texas A&M Corpus Christi. Newsome also tallied 11 double-doubles during the 2021 season. Newsome then received some accolades based on her performance, including Southland Conference Freshman of the Year and Southland All-Conference First Team. “It was really big for me,” Newsome said. “I expected to have a good season but obviously didn’t expect to get all the accolades that I got. So, that was really good.” In the following offseason, Newsome decided it was time for some change and entered her name in the transfer portal. “I just really wanted something bigger,” Newsome said. “I just wanted to be in a bigger conference, bigger school.” While Newsome was looking for her next school she was joined by Jaden, who was also looking

for her next school after receiving another year of eligibility. “A lot of schools tried recruiting us both to get us both at their school so that was kind of a cool thing,” Newsome said. “But we ended up at different places again, so that’s fine.” Newsome said it is helpful to have her sister to got through, especially when they were both looking to transfer. “It’s very helpful because she’s experienced most of the things that I’m starting to go through being younger than she is,” Newsome said. “So, it’s really helpful just to have a person to be able to give me advice like that.” Ultimately, Newsome decided to commit to WSU and Jaden committed to the University of Missouri for her final season. Newsome said she decided to become a Shocker because of the early relationship she built with head coach Chris Lamb and the rest of the Shocker volleyball program. “I loved the coaches right off the bat,” Newsome said. “They were very honest and upfront about everything. Whenever I came up for a visit, I met all the girls and I fell in love with campus.” Wichita State volleyball head coach Chris Lamb said that after watching some film from last season, they felt she could have an impact on the program. “We started watching all the tape and she’s the only one they’re

setting, everybody’s preparing for her and she just had to work to find points,” Lamb said. “We also think we can make her better but we thought she was a pretty good blend of a passer and maybe could score just enough and I think we were right.” Newsome has found early success with the Shockers through the team’s first two tournaments. During the A-State Invitational, Newsome was named the all-tournament team after tallying 26 kills and 20 digs to start off the season. This past weekend at the Kansas Invitational, Newsome compiled a pair of double-doubles, including a season-high 18 kills against Delaware. “I think that this year my teammates and I kind of hit it off very early,” Newsome said. “We’re all best friends and it’s really good.” Lamb said that Newsome’s ability to keep the defense on their toes makes her hard to defend. “The way she gets herself out of trouble makes people really defend her,” Lamb said. “She’ll hit under, she’ll tool, she’ll hit line, she makes you have to work to defend her. She really does move it around the court and she’s fearless, she’ll take big swings in tough situations.” Newsome and the Shockers will be back in action starting on Friday with their home-opener against South Dakota at 7 p.m.

PHOTO BY KHANH NGUYEN / THE SUNFLOWER

Freshman Annalie Heliste celebrates during the game against Delaware on Sep 11 at Horejsi Family Volleyball Center.

Shockers win two games in Kansas Invitational, improve to 5-1 on the season BY SEAN MARTY sports@thesunflower.com / @TheSeanMarty

The Wichita State volleyball team traveled to Lawrence, Kansas and competed in the Kansas Invitational over the weekend. The Shockers finished the weekend 2-1 and improved its record to 5-1 on the season. The Shockers returned to action this weekend with the Kansas Invitational following a 13-day layoff after they withdrew from last weekend’s SD Invite “due to COVID-19 related issues”. WSU was limited to 12 of its 18 players, including four starters from its first three games. The Shockers were able to find some success in Lawrence, going 2-1 and improving its record to 5-1 on the season. “This is a young, enthusiastic, fun-loving, really seem to appreciate and enjoy each other group,” head coach Chris Lamb said. “It’s been a lot of fun and I think they’ve handled this curveball we’ve been thrown about as well as to be

expected.” The Shockers opened up the tournament with a victory over Kent State in four sets despite the long layoff. The victory extended WSU’s winning streak to four games. “I’m extremely happy with our patience and when that team pushed coming back and taking that third set, we were down big and came back,” Lamb said. “It’s exciting to see a young team, a new team basically not folding it up and coming out fierce and making effort plays in that fourth set.” In the following match, the Shockers were swept by the hosts, Kansas University, in three sets which led to the first loss of the season. For the match, the Shockers hit .180 and had 26 kills. Individually, freshman Kailin Newsome led the team with 11 kills. After the loss to KU, one of the things Lamb said he would watch out for was the fight his team showed even through adversity. “I’m going to measure the

energy, I’m going to measure the fight,” Lamb said. “I want to know if we hit rough patches of not being great communicators, I’m going to look for people looking defeated. I know we’re going to try our hardest to stay in it and battle and never give up on it.” WSU then responded after the tough loss on Friday, defeating Delaware in five sets to close out the weekend. Both teams split the first two sets and in the third set WSU found themselves trailing 19-13 in a pivotal point in the match. WSU responded to closeout the set with a 12-6 run. Delaware evened up the match with a 25-20 victory in the fourth set. WSU found themselves trailing once again in the fifth set but used a 6-0 run to spark a come-from-behind 15-11 victory to take the match. One of the bright spots was the play of WSU’s middles in the absence of starting middle Morgan Stout. Lauren McMahon and Natalie Foster played every set in the weekend with the pair

combining for 46 kills in the three matches. “All of the stuff we’re doing in the middle is new for both of these guys,” Lamb said. “Neither of them are really locking the door with the skillset demands of an M1 and we have two middles, we only had one for the last two weeks of practice. We’re just trying to spoon-feed that thing as much as we can and give it as much attention as we can.” Freshman outside hitter Kailin Newsome delivered solid performances throughout the weekend, with 39 kills. Newsome also tallied a double-double in two of the three matches. After only seeing action in one game during WSU’s season-opening tournament two weeks, sophomore Kayce Litzau took on the setter responsibilities in Lawrence. Litzau compiled a total of 119 assists in three matches, including a career-high 54 assists in the victory over Delaware. The Shockers will return home next weekend with the Shocker

KANSAS INVITATIONAL VS KENT STATE

25-15, 25-20, 23-25, 25-14 Rohling - 18 kills Litzau - 43 assists

VS KANSAS

22-25, 20-25, 16-25 Newsome - 11 kills Litzau - 22 assists, 9 digs

VS DELAWARE

25-16, 20-25, 26-24, 20-25, 15-11 Newsome - 18 kills Liekweg - 25 digs Volleyball Classic on Friday. The first match against South Dakota is set to start at 7 a.m. The Shockers will then play Wyoming (11 a.m.) and Creighton (7 p.m.) to wrap up the weekend.

5 | THURSDAY, SEPT. 16, 2021

SPORTS

PHOTO BY JORDAN PLOWMAN / THE SUNFLOWER

Junior Andrew Stewart throws the ball towards first base during WSU’s game against Cowley College on Sept. 13 at Eck Stadium.

Baseball drops fall-opener to Cowley College, 15-11 BY SEAN MARTY sports@thesunflower.com / @TheSeanMarty

The Wichita State baseball program opened up its fall season with a loss to Cowley College, a local junior college program, 15-11 in 16 innings on Monday. Cowley used three hits in the fourth inning to plate four runs, taking an early 5-1 lead. The Shockers would respond with two runs in the sixth and two more in the seventh to tie the game at five. The Tigers then retook the lead in the eighth, but WSU once again tied the game with an RBI single by senior Garrett Kocis in the bottom of the eighth. The Shockers took their only lead of the game in the bottom of the ninth after freshman Payton

Tolle delivered an RBI single to give WSU a 7-6 advantage. Cowley would then score seven unanswered runs to take a 13-7 lead heading into the bottom of the 13th. WSU got one run back in the bottom of the 13th on a wild pitch to cut the lead to 13-8. Cowley added two more in the 14th before the Shockers used RBI singles from Jordan Rogers and Brock Rodden and a bases loaded walk from Tolle to cut the deficit to 15-11. “This is a great situation for our guys,” assistant coach Mike Sirianni said. “First time playing, a long day, and playing a different team and putting people in different spots and giving people an opportunity to succeed, giving people an opportunity to fail.”

“We learned a lot about our guys and for us it’s about the big picture and we’re a huge development program. We’ve got so much ammo to give our guys so we can continue to develop.” WSU used this exhibition as a way to give some of its newcomers to the program an opportunity to see some in-game action. The Shockers only used one pitcher who played last year for WSU, Ryan Steumpfig, while many newcomers got a chance in the lineup as well. “The fall is huge,” Sirianni said. “You try and challenge people and try to put people in different spots and see how they handle it and see how they can handle the success as well as the failures. This game is so hard that you just have to show up and play every day so giving guys

those opportunities it’s great to see good and bad.” The loss came against one of the top junior college programs in the country, with Cowley advancing to the JUCO World Series with a 47-10 record last spring. Sirianni said that it was great for WSU to play another opponent in the fall, especially after only having scrimmages a year ago. “We can go intersquad and we can play games but there’s nothing like playing another team in another dugout with another jersey,” They’re obviously always a good club and that’s why we wanted to bring those guys up here because they’re fun to play because they’re good.” The Shockers recently announced that they will travel to

Lincoln, Nebraska to take on the University of Nebraska on Sept. 2 to wrap up their outside competition in the fall. Sirianni said this game will be important for the freshmen to have the experience of travelling. “That’ll be a different aspect for us because we’ll be going on the road so we’ll be travelling and doing all that stuff,” Sirianni said. “For the new guys, that’ll be interesting, that’ll be their first time going on the road and getting on a bus. That whole experience for all our kids will be an eye-opening experience but it’ll be good because they went to a Regional last year and they’re obviously a good club too.”

Brock Polhill leads WSU to sixth place finish in season-opening tournament

Yazmine Wright wins AAC Runner of the Week

BY SEAN MARTY

BY RACHAEL RUDISILL

sports@thesunflower.com / @TheSeanMarty

racheltaryn268@gmail.com

Wichita State junior Brock Polhill helped lead the Shockers to a sixth place finish at their first tournament in the fall season, the K-State Wildcat Invitational. Pohill finished in fifth place after shooting one-over-par during the 54 holes. Polhill’s 54 hole score (67-7573 – 215) was his best finish since joining the Shockers in 2018. He had previously tied for fifth place at last spring’s Missouri Tiger Invitational for his only top-five finish in his career. “He really set the tone for the younger guys and kind of showed that this is what it’s going to take to compete at the top spot for Wichita State,” head coach Judd Easterling said. “He continued to do what he’s been doing in Wichita and it was nice to see a guy that worked hard over the summer came here and continued to work hard and all of his hard work paid off.” Wichita State (303-304-293 – 900) tied for sixth, as a team in the 13-team field after shooting 36-over-par. “It was good,” Easterling said. “Happy to get on the road, playing under pressure, kind of seeing if practicing and preparing has paid off and was super proud of Brock Pohill and how he finished.” Freshman Lucas Scheufler (7379-72 – 224, +8) led the Shockers in Tuesday’s final round with an even-par, 72 to secure a tie for 21st in his collegiate debut. Scheffler is a native of nearby Andover,

COURTESY OF WSU ATHLETICS

Wichita State junior Brock Polhill takes a swing during last year’s Shocker Cup on Sept. 17, 2020.

Kansas and went to high school at Trinity Academy. “Lucas competed for us all 54, that’s what we preach,” Easterling said. “Never giving up on any hole or any round, just competing all day and he really did that today. He was the low man on the team as a freshman and the kid’s a grinder.” Dawson Lewis (81-72-73 – 226, +10) overcame a rough start to the week by shooting one-over-par in the final two rounds to finish in a tie for 28th. Jack Glenn (73-78-75 – 236, +20) took 55th and Grayson Wallace (82-81-88 – 251, +35) tied for 70th to round out the scores for WSU. WSU is returning to a full fall season after not traveling to any tournaments until the spring. Easterling said that season will be important to evaluate the roster after losing four athletes this offseason. “Hopefully we can continue to

get better,” Easterling said. “We’re going to a couple golf courses in the next couple weeks that we’re familiar with just to hopefully set the groundwork for a successful spring. In these five events this fall, we’re seeing who the top guys are, what guys are going to be good in the back end of our lineup.” Easterling said that this fall season can be especially for the newcomers to get acclimated to the program. “The guys had a good summer, we’ve got a really good freshman class. I think we’re going to be younger in the next couple weeks in the lineup but hopefully we can continue to keep getting better and better and be ready for that push come April and May.” The Shockers are back in action next Monday and Tuesday, Sep. 20-21, at Colorado State’s Ram Masters Invitational at Fort Collins Country Club.

Yazmine Wright, was a showstopper in the JK Gold Classic. The Gold Classic is Wichita State’s Men’s and Women’s Cross Country Team annual home meet. Wright won first place in the women’s 5k finishing with a time of 17:34.10. Her time was also 39 seconds ahead of the second place finisher. As a fifth year member in the program, she has taken on more of a leadership role than in the past. With this season’s team having fewer members than in past seasons, Wright hopes to help each member as much as she can. “I feel a lot older than everyone but being a fifth year is also nice because now I feel more capable of helping others,” Wright said. Wright controlled a sizable lead throughout the race and ultimately finished 13 seconds shy of the course record set last January by former Shocker Winny Koskei. Wright also extended a streak of seven straight Shockers winning the individual title, joining Koskei and Rebekah Topham. “It’s terrific,” head coach Kirk Hunter said. “Anybody who can do what Winny Koskei can do is a girl to watch out for on the national scale. It’s really special what she did here and I’m really happy with the way she’s performing.” Wright said her race was a “confidence booster.” “My coach [Kirk Hunter] and I discussed that I would be running this race to see where I was at in the season,” Wright said. “I gave it my all and was not expecting the win.” This was Wright’s first college

win and not only did Hunter see her success, but so did the NCAA as they named Wright American Athletic Conference Athlete of the Week. “I was not expecting to receive Athlete of the Week,” Wright said. “This was my first time receiving this title.” Due to COVID-19, Wright was given an extra year of eligibility. Very few athletes get the opportunity to continue competing for a fifth season without taking a season off or redshirting. Wright is taking this season as a sign of growth. Throughout the remainder of the 2021 season, Wright has numerous goals she hopes to accomplish with her team. Wright has been running for five seasons, so she hopes to share her knowledge with others. A personal goal of hers is to cut more time in the women’s 5k. “My first mile was faster than what I wanted which caused my second and third miles to be slower than what I was hoping for,” Wright said. “My goal is to be more conservative in my first mile so that I can be faster in the second and third mile.” Wright is a biology major and said that after she graduates in the spring, she hopes to spend the next two years in physical therapy school, and continue running. “This year I have become a lot more passionate about running and I hope to continue,” Wright said. “I want to run for as long as I can.” Wright and the Shockers will be back in action on Saturday as they travel to Lincoln, Nebraska for the Greeno/Dirksen Invitational.

6 | THURSDAY, SEPT. 16, 2021

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Arts & Entertainment

HAVE A STORY IDEA? contact The Sunflower’s A&E editor, Kyran Crist arts@thesunflower.com

COURTESY OF WSU STUDENT AFFAIRS

Sarah Laffen plays Twsiter during Shockers After Dark on Sept. 10 inside the Rhatigan Student Center.

Students gather together for Shockers After Dark BY PIPER PINNETTI piscesbxnny@gmail.com

Shockers After Dark had students covered with a night of fun on Friday night featuring mechanical bull riding, inflatable twister, sign painting and more. Friday evening, roughly 200 people gathered in the Rhatigan Student Center to participate in Shockers After Dark. The first 150 students received a goodie-bag with a glowing message board and a chalk marker for decoration. To receive a glow in the dark t-shirt, students had to complete at least four of the games offered through the night For two hours, students went bowling in the lanes downstairs, hopped on the mechanical bull and fell off, and sang for karaoke. Freshman, Austin Rempel, joined the fun with some friends for about an hour. Rempel waited

in the long line for the mechanical bull and discovered a new activity he enjoys. “The mechanical bull was the best activity there because I found out that I am a rootin’ tootin’ cowboy now,” Rempel said. Downstairs was also Evelyn Graray, a freshman studying art emphasis, who decided to go to the event to talk to people. “I decided to go to Shockers After Dark because I wanted to experience the fun WSU had to offer and a way to socialize with new people,” Graray said. The event had various booths providing free foods such as gooey chocolate chip cookies, sweet brownies, and salty popcorn for free while it lasted. Sophomore Lauren Vuytecki heard about Shockers After Dark from other people she met during a transfer student social that the college had held the day

before. “While I was there I exchanged Snapchat info with some of the girls,” Vuytecki said. “One of them mentioned in our Snap group-chat After Dark was happening that night, and asked if there was anyone who would like to go. I thought it sounded fun so I said I’d go.” At Shockers After Dark, she was able to learn more about her new friends through the fun activities offered at the event. They did everything from karaoke to woodblock painting. Of all the activities offered, friends speed dating was her favorite activity. It allowed her to get closer to friends “We first did the friends speed dating, which I really enjoyed because I got to know the girls better and it was just so fun to crack jokes about some of our answers,” Vuytecki said. “We also participated in

the woodblock painting, the game where you throw a frisbee through a slit in a bucket…” Vuytecki says that she enjoyed the night and the time to simply socialize with her new friends and others on the campus. “A big part of why I

WSU assistant music professer starts off School of Music faculty artist series BY MITCHELL ADAMSON mxadamson@wichita.shockers.edu

The School of Music, College of Fine Arts of Wichita State, has started the faculty artist series, displaying the talents of the various staff members. Dr. Timothy Jones was the most recent artist that was featured on Sunday, Sept. 12. Jones is a renowned violinist, who has taught courses in English, Portuguese, the Law of Time, and other mathematical and meditative techniques. He is an assistant professor of Violin, holding degrees in Music Education and Violin Performance. Currently, Jones is the Associate Concertmaster of the Wichita Symphony Orchestra as well as the Assistant Professor of Music at Wichita State University Jones has connections that spread not only to various areas of the local Wichita Orchestra, but also to other areas of North and South America. Being involved in many different age groups, teaching his love for the violin with anyone who is willing to learn. Accompanying Jones on the piano Sunday was Gene Philley, a pianist that has a degree in piano performance from the University of North Texas. Tracing to different areas of music not only in Texas, but also in New York/New Jersey. Jones performed an assortment of pieces by Johannes Brahms, each holding a special place of significance and meaning. The first piece that Jones

played was Sonatensatz, Wo0 2-- which points to the friendship that Brahms had with other musical associates. The first piece built anticipation as Jones worked seamlessly from low areas to great heights. It was as if someone was searching for something-- of friendship and the great lengths that it entails. The Violin Sonata No 1. in G Major, offered three different movements each with its own dynamic presentation. The first movement was graceful and with quick movements, but not so fast paced that it felt as though you were racing. The second was more methodical and smoother, so graceful. Jones was full of life as he moved from lower to higher octaves. The piece conveyed his emotions to the audience. After the intermission, Jones took us to more of Brahms most famous works--with the Hungarian Dances, Brahms final violin sonata No 3. in D minor, Op. 108. The Hungarian Dances Wo0 1 were livelier and more felt as if it was something that you could dance to. It seemed as more of a full sound. Violin Sonata No 3. in D minor, provided a lower and deeper sound. The piece added a different layer to the depth of Jone’s performance. There was a more resolving sound. The next performance will include the Rie Bloomfield Organ Series, with Nathan Laube at 7:30 on September 21st.

COURTESY PHOTO FROM STUDENT AFFAIRS

spontaneously agreed to attend was to put myself out there and try to socialize more,” Vuytecki said “And it was honestly just so fun to talk with them and engage in a way I haven’t been able to in a long while.”

THINGS TO DO ON CAMPUS THIS WEEK THURSDAY, SEPT. 16 Unaplogetically Wu 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Rhatigan Student Center, Rm. 264

Cracking the Career Code 12-1 p.m. Shocker Hall

Interfest 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Neff Hall Courtyard

Pee For Pizza 12-4 p.m. Steve Clark YMCA & Student Wellness Center

FRIDAY, SEPT. 17

Meals on Wheels 10:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m. Senior Services of Wichita

Design Your Life 2-3 p.m. Shocker Hall

Grief Support Group 2-3 p.m. Steve Clark YMCA & Wellness Center

Cosmic Bowling 5-10 p.m. Shocker Grill and Lanes

SATURDAY, SEPT. 18 Paint Night Session 1: 5:30-7 p.m. Session 2: 7:30-9 p.m.

Rhatigan Student Center, Rm. 142 COURTESY PHOTO

Dr. Timothy Jones starts off the School of Music’s faculty artist series.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 16, 2021 | 7

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Opinion

HAVE AN OPINION?

contact The Sunflower’s opinion editor, Jaycie Nelson opinion@thesunflower.com

It’s time to get a gas station on campus I cannot name one student who would not benefit from a gas station. To have it conveniently placed on innovation campus would be an easy way for students to fill up their tank in between classes.

Lindsay Smith Editor in chief editor@thesunflower.com

FILE PHOTO BY THE SUNFLOWER

Wichita State student and professional boxer Manny Thompson trains for his Dec. 1 fight at Title Boxing Club

The benefits of cardio kickboxing Jaycie Nelson Opinion Editor opinion@thesunflower. com

An amazing way to relieve stress while building strength, increasing flexibility and enhancing your balance; kickboxing. The build-up of stress weighs heavy on your shoulders as the semester continuwes. You feel like screaming into the void to release some tension, however that could make you appear a little crazy; you do you though. Cardio kickboxing lets you blow off some steam in a healthy and safe way without having to have physical contact with anyone else; just you and the bag. Cardio kickboxing is you standing in front of a bag with loud music, an energetic instructor, and some fun. Sometimes we don’t even realize how much stress we

Had a bad day? Hit a bag. Didn’t do well on an assignment? Hit a bag. Relationship or family problems? Hit a bag. need to let out before we start hitting that bag. Had a bad day? Hit a bag. Didn’t do well on an assignment? Hit a bag. Relationship or family problems? Hit a bag. Problem? Solution. Instead of sitting and letting your problems pile up and overflow your mind, release some tension and take out some of your frustration on an inanimate object that can’t hit back. Cardio kickboxing resembles the structure of a hiit workout -- high intensity interval training -- and allows you to increase your

MEET THE STAFF

Ad Manager, Rachel Thomas

Major: Business Marketing Year: Junior Favorite Color: Yellow Hobby: Watch a lot of Netflix Favorite type of Music: Country Favorite Song: Death By a Thousand Cuts by Taylor Swift Life Motto: “Work smarter not harder.”

heart rate, which improves your overall heart health. It also is a great way to burn calories and all that chick-fil-a I may or may not be eating a lot of currently. Another benefit is the mental distraction. During class you are listening to the instructor and letting them tell you what to do -eliminating your choices and process of decision making -- which is beneficial when we normally make an estimated 35,000 decisions a day. Give your brain a break. Like most workouts, there is the added benefit that your energy levels actually rise after working out. While you may feel physically exhausted, your energy levels will start to take a boost, helping you perform better in school and at work, and could possibly increase your social life as well. Release some stress, hit a bag and call it a good day.

There have been many times where I wake up in the morning, see my gas tank and tell myself “I’ll get gas after class.” And then, after class, I leave campus to go home and have to go out of my way to get gas. But here’s the thing. Why should I have to leave campus to get gas? We have a hotel on campus. Why not a gas station? I cannot name one student who would not benefit from a gas station. To have it conveniently placed on innovation campus would be an easy way for students to fill up their tank in between classes, knowing full well they’ll not have the energy to go somewhere else to get gas after class. And while we’re chatting about gas stations, why doesn’t campus get a full convenience store? I, personally, would love that. It doesn’t have to be a Quick Trip. Any convenience story would do. Someplace I could go if I needed a quick coffee but didn’t want to spend $8 at Starbucks, somewhere I could go if I got a

headache and needed Advil, or just a place I could go for a cheap snack that has a larger selection than our vending machines. We have a lot of places on campus right now. Two Starbucks shops, Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, Chick fil a, you name it. Don’t get me wrong, I like how there are multiple restaurants on campus. But at the end of the day, sometimes I just need to get my gas tank filled. I know there is a gas station right across the street and that is my go-to whenever I need to stop by. It’s not too out of the way, but I would still love one right on campus. Innovation campus is always growing. Let’s get something that the students would really use.

The importance of gaining experience in your work-field Rachel Thomas Ad Manager admanager@thesunflower. com

Part time jobs are a crucial part of many college students’ lives. Many students need the money for tuition, rent, or just extra spending money. From working in retail to the food industry, there are more than enough jobs to go around for any type of student. While these jobs are flexible for college students, there is a great deal a student can learn by working directly in the field they are going into. As a marketing student I have been able to secure two positions within my career path while in

college. Each job is helping me develop the ability to see how things work from two completely different perspectives within advertising. Both of these positions have taught me so much more than what you are able to learn in the classroom. Even though the curriculum is important to learning about the business world, some things can’t be learned through a lecture. On the job experience has taught me things like networking, writing professional emails and how to meet with clients. If it wasn’t for the positions I am in now it is very possible I wouldn’t have been able to effectively develop these skills. These are skills that will be used in the

majority of my career, and couldn’t be learned in a classroom. Having these opportunities will help to set me apart and put me ahead of my peers after graduation and during my job search. If you are able to find an internship or a position within your career path it will more likely than not prove to be beneficial in the long run. On the job skills are a very valuable asset to have in your career skill set. Oftentimes, these internships can turn into full time positions after graduation. So take initiative, get on handshake and find a position in your career path, your future self will thank you.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” - Eleanor Roosevelt SUNFLOWER HOT TAKES The Sunflower editorial board gives their one-sentence opinions.

Sean Marty: People suck at driving. Khanh Nguyen: Go to therapy bro. Mitchel Adamson: Always hug your homies goodbye. Rachel Thomas: Pumpkin spice should be available year around. Jaycie Nelson: I agree with Rachel.

8 | THURSDAY, SEPT. 16, 2021

OPINION

Street WHAT’S YOUR CURRENT FAVORITE MOVIE/ SHOW? AND WHY?

COURTESY PHOTO FROM ALEX HARO

Hannah Foster sits in Leslie Coffee Company and sips her coffee.

Date yourself before you date Jaycie Nelson Opinion Editor

BRIANA WARNER FRESHMAN, PRE-LAW “Right now we’re watching reruns of Brooklyn Nine-Nine… it’s just a good laugh, it’s a break from all the serious crime shows I watch.”

GRACE PASTOR FRESHMAN, BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

opinion@thesunflower. com

Take yourself on a date to the movies, coffee or lunch. When you go on “dates” with yourself, you build confidence to act independently and give way to space for creative thinking. Spending time alone is important. While it’s also important to socialize, we often take for granted the time we need for rest, creative thinking and reflection. Our lives seem to get busier and busier as always being “productive” is the new normal. Being alone is also a time to self-reflect, which is overall important to our well-being. We often think, “will this benefit me?” or is it “worth my time?” The answer is yes. Taking time for yourself will

increase your positivity for who you are. You’ll understand who you are, what you like, and what you want to do. When we are alone and without distractions, it can spark our personal creativity and give way to new ideas and plans you want to build on. Most of my epiphanies occur when I’m in solitude and trying to work on one task, when all of a sudden my mind shifts gears and develops this idea or dream I want to achieve. Date yourself before you enter into a relationship, or if you’re already in one, go on dates with yourself anyways. “Dating yourself” is simply just spending time with you. Becoming independent and understanding yourself will help you recognize what you want and don’t want in a relationship or partner. If we don’t grant ourselves time to reflect, we end up drifting and using other people’s decisions and

“Dating yourself” is simply just spending time with you. Becoming independent and understanding yourself will help you recognize what you want and don’t want in a relationship or partner.” actions to choose who we are and what we do. Have you ever canceled plans to hang out with yourself? That’s okay. The truth is if I want to be alone, but end up being peer pressured or guilt tripped into attending a social gathering, I find myself just waiting for it to be over so I can head back home; and I’m probably not that fun of company

to others. There are exceptions, and sometimes being around others could lift your moods if you find yourself down, but sometimes when we are feeling overwhelmed and consumed with external factors, creating time for yourself -even if that means canceling plans -- is essential to your well-being and mental health. Another way to go about this “date” for yourself, is to turn off social media for the day. Whether that means logging out of apps or physically deleting them from your phone. Take yourself to coffee without the distractions of others, including the people online. Take a day, an hour, or even 5 minutes to take some time for yourself. Go on a date with yourself, and my favorite phrase -- that I use way too often when I’m about to buy something I don’t need -“treat yourself.”

“I’m like rewatching Outer Banks because I like the adventure in that and the mystery.”

IAN LEVI FRESHMAN, BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING “I’m watching Money Heist… I think it’s cause the drama and the crime, so it’s just funny. Plus they have the Nairobi, the character from the Nairobi, I’m from Nairobi.”

ILLUSTRATION BY THY VO/ THE SUNFLOWER

Why you should watch the movie “Lone Survivor” Mitchell Adamson Columnist meadamson@shockers. wichita.edu

KELVIN KIRUI FRESHMAN, AEROSPACE ENGINEER “My favorite movie is Breaking Bad… his character go through real life, real life events, real life stuff… The producer did a great job.”

PAUL COOK-BURTON FRESHMAN, UNDECIDED ENGINEERING “Right now I’m really into America Ninja Warrior because it’s really fun to watch how they get through the obstacles... They lowered the competitor age from 19 to 15… Teenagers who can’t legally drive, but they can legally fly.”

If you haven’t seen “Lone Survivor” starring Mark Walhberg, you definitely need to give it a watch. Growing up in a family full of Marine Corps veterans, we would all get together and watch patriotic films. Being American was something to be proud of. Today it is seen as something to be ashamed of, you can actually be laughed at for loving the country. It always confuses me that people often ridicule the government, its leaders, it’s veterans, and all of the institutions. I understand if there are faults made, but aren’t we all working to better one another. Why are we so divided? I think that is why I’m inspired by patriotic war films, it shows that no matter the race, religion, no matter what group you categorize yourself under, people are bonded together to fight for the same purpose -- America. The Lone Survivor follows the story of Marcus Luttrell and his fellow Navy Seals, as they go into Afghanistan to track down a Taliban warlord who had killed marines. In the wake of the U.S. removing itself from Afghanistan, this movie brings full circle real examples of what happened to U.S. soldiers when they were in combat. It builds a stronger sense of patriotism in the wake of something that is so close to us today.

Luttrell and his team drop in, in the early morning hours and proceed to a checkpoint where they can observe a local Afghani village from a distance. It is at this point that they encounter a group of goat farmers, which they have to decide to execute or let go. They decide to let the farmers go, and in reaction one of the men goes and tells the Taliban leaders. Then the Seals are surrounded by the Taliban having to fight their way out. I get a rush when I watch this movie, it’s as if they are my brothers going in and protecting me. I feel such a connection as I watch, knowing that there are men and women that have fought for my freedom and my protection. After watching the movie I always feel the same way, “the people in this nation are my brothers and sisters, and I am lucky that some decide to go and fight to continue to protect the freedom I enjoy.” It is something that I try not to take for granted, knowing ultimately Luttrell was the only one that made it out alive. These Navy Seals, that we often don’t give proper recognition to, went out to protect other members of the armed forces, and ended up losing their lives. At the end of the day we all bleed the same color, so instead of fighting with your neighbor about who is politically right and wrong, take a moment to be thankful for the men and women that fight for us and for the beautiful nation that we live in.

MOVIE RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE SUNFLOWER STAFF 1. DADDY’S HOME

11. NAPOLEAN

2. GET SMART

DYNAMITE

3. CRAZY RICH

12. LA LA LAND

ASIANS

13. PRIDE AND

4. REMEMBER THE PREJUDICE TITANS

14. THE PROPOSAL

5. INVINCIBLE 42

15. THE GREAT

6. WOODLAWN

GATSBY

7. FACING THE

16. THE GREATEST

GIANTS

SHOWMAN

8. THE NOTEBOOK 17. THE PURSUIT 9. TITANIC

OF HAPPINESS

10. THE BLIND SIDE 18. BEAUTY AND THE BEAST