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Campus fashion history is on display in the Merrill-Cazier Library.

Utah State University, Logan, Utah

Lifestyles Aggie Voice showcases student talent and community spirit.

Sports

First-year Utah State sprinter Adia Ross breaks school record in collegiate debut.

Week of January 12, 2026

Page 2 - The Utah Statesman, January 12, 202

2026 USUSA Elections

n reflection of last year’s USUSA Elections cycle, The Utah Statesman once again implores more students to run for a USUSA position. There are positions that cover every corner of campus, including statewide, meaning almost every USU student has a position they could possibly be interested in or eligible to run for. When USUSA positions go unopposed in the elections cycle, a student gains a substantial scholarship simply for declaring, and the privilege of choice the greater student body has when it comes to their representation is removed. Last elections cycle, both the clubs and organizations executive director and the athletics and campus recreation executive director ran unopposed for their positions. Months later, one of these officers was then tried before a hearing board for various violations of their position description. If there were opposing candidates to these positions in the last elections cycle, the officers would not only be motivated to take their heavily scholarshipped positions more seriously but also then put in effort to be better qualified for a leadership role that upholds USUSA standards. As a board, we hope students, especially after the two hearing board meetings in the fall semester, will see a need for more voices in student leadership here at USU and decide to run for office. The board acknowledges the hard work all members of USUSA put into their positions for the all-encompassing betterment of USU. We hope other students recognize the hard work of our student leadership and that they feel inspired to be apart of something bigger than themselves on campus, such as USUSA. — The Editorial Board

Max Alder

ow many times have you walked campus and noticed an uneven curb, sat on uncomfortable and outof-date furniture or noticed a room in need of an upgrade and assumed there was nothing you could do to change it? I’m here to tell you that you can and, more importantly, you should. What is this magical vehicle of change, you might ask? None other than the Facilities Enhancement Fund. Through a campus improvement fund, the Utah State University Facilities Enhancement Committee is given $200,000 every single year to fund projects requested of them. The process is quite simple. A request is filled out and submitted, and then in early February, the committee gets together, reviews all the requests they received and then votes on which project to approve. Plus, you haven’t even heard the best part. Students are not only able to submit requests but are highly encouraged to do so. In fact, the exact wording on the website is as follows: “The purpose of the Utah State University Student Facility Enhancement Fund is to provide students with direct input into decision regarding the disposition of funds for enhancing facilities and for reviewing the facilities needs overall at this institution.” Just in the last few years, facilities enhancement has helped fund things like water bottle filling stations in the Fine Arts Center, feminine hygiene dispensers throughout campus, lounge furnishings in the HPER and countless classroom furniture upgrades. These are all things students use

every day, and their existence wouldn’t have been possible without those who took it upon themselves to do the research and fill out a request. As the chair of the committee, it has been my goal for this year to be the most successful year of its existence, as I am aiming to receive a record number of requests. For that, I call upon you. I call upon the student body of Utah State. If you are thinking about filling out a request but you’re afraid of it being denied, don’t be. First, there is no harm in trying, and second, with the committee, it isn’t all black and white. A request can be approved in full, partially approved or moved over to a different department if deemed necessary. In fact, there have been projects that have started out as small requests that turn into six-figure, university-wide upgrades. They just needed the students to bring it to their attention. So, for those on the fence, there is no request too large, too small, too simple or too crazy. When in doubt, fill one out. The committee can only do so much on its own. We rely on you to start the process and make a difference. For those of you who do fill one out, thank you. Your courage can contribute to this campus for years to come. However, please don’t overlook the request form. The committee will only approve the best request forms, so if you take the chance and fill one out, don’t go halfway. All the information you need to make a great request is right there in the form, so don’t sweat it — just take it seriously. I believe in all of you to make our campus — your campus — better. You all can help make Utah State better, and I encourage you to do so. For more information and to fill out a request form, visit usu.edu/involvement/ funding/facilities-enhancement. If you have any questions, please visit my office, TSC 325A, or email me. Go Aggies! — executivevp.ususa@usu.edu

Student-run newspaper for Utah State University since 1902. Reporting online 24/7. Printed weekly during the school year.

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THE BOARD Avery Truman managing editor

Hazel Harris-Staples lifestyles editor

—————— Malory Rau news editor

—————— Ella Stott chief copy editor

editor@usustatesman.com

life@usustatesman.com

news@usustatesman.com

copyeditor@usustatesman.com

sports@usustatesman.com

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—————— Mark Greenwood sports editor

Page 3 - The Utah Statesman, January 12, 2026

Making change through the Facilities Enhancement Fund

—————— Jack Burton multimedia editor

The Utah Statesman Office TSC 118 435.797.1742 usustatesman.com Senior Reporters Essence Barnes Bailey Daniels Carson Frost Reporters Alyssa Caywood Grace Colvin Emma Hatch Emi Ludlow Jayke Martin Rory McNeill Dylan Moore Mia Nielsen Dani Packer Jillian Peterson Emma Shelite Kenadie Skye

Cover art by Jack Burton Published and distributed by USU Student Media 0165 Old Main Hill Logan, UT 84322

Senior Photographer Dane Johnson Photographers Alyssa Cook Elise Gottling Claire Ott Hadley Sintay Copy Editors Jaxon Charlton Camille Simpson Addy Wood Columnist Asher Schroader Letters can be hand-delivered or mailed to the USU Student Media office in TSC 118. They can also be emailed to editor@usustatesman.com.

For advertising inquiries TSC 118 435.797.1775 studentmedia@usu.edu

Page 4 - The Utah Statesman, January 12, 202

A university funding update amid HB265 By Rory McNeill STATESMAN REPORTER

n Dec. 9, newly appointed Utah State University President Brad L. Mortensen appeared before the Utah Executive Appropriations Committee to present a revised budget plan for the university in accordance with House Bill 265. Despite receiving partial funding, the State denied USU full funding once again due to concerns regarding the spending of previous university presidents. Passed in March of 2025, HB265 withheld 10% of funding to Utah’s public universities, including Utah State, which amounted to over $12 million for the university. As part of the bill, universities were required to create a strategic reinvestment plan to receive their full funding again. As part of these plans, universities must reallocate funds into programs that lead to high-demand career fields, as well as focus on growing industries around the state of Utah. On Dec. 8, Mortensen presented the revised budget plan to the Executive Committee of the Utah System of Higher Education, where the proposed budget was accepted unanimously. When presented the following day to members of the legislature’s budget committee, the plan was accepted with positivity from state officials, but concerns remained over the spending of former USU President Elizabeth Cantwell. “I do have some concerns about giving the full reallocation

GRAPHIC BY Kamrin McNeill

back until we understand what those concerns are in that audit,” said House Speaker Mike Schultz during the hearing. “There were some things that made us really nervous, to be honest with you.” The committee ultimately decided to release 30% of the withheld funding back to the university while retaining the remaining 70% until the State has completed and reviewed an audit of the spending of the previous president. In a statement shared with Fox 13 in the article “Utah State University officials wait on lawmakers for millions in budget funds,” Schultz shared the following concerning the plan: “We have full confidence in President Mortensen and believe the changes he made to Utah State University’s strategic reinvestment plan build on the institution’s unique strengths and mission. At the same time, we felt strongly it was important to give USU additional time to

review and make any additional changes to its plan in response to the forthcoming audit before making a final determination about its compliance with HB265. We appreciate the university’s leadership and partnership as we work together to make higher education affordable, high-impact and aligned with today’s workforce needs.” Mortensen spoke as well about the decision, stating that it was a step in the right direction for the university. “I was told to treat it like it’s a yellow light,” Mortensen said in an interview with Fox 13. “Like we’re proceeding with caution, but we are proceeding, and students should have confidence that we’re going to do the work to get the rest of that money restored.” Major changes in the university’s budget plan include the reallocation of $2.4 million in funding to various programs around the university. Those affected the most include the university’s health programs, which will receive less funding than previously allocated in prior plans. The new plan includes larger investments in AI programs as well as nearly $1.4 million allocated for student success initiatives across the university. Rory McNeill is a sophomore from Rocklin, California studying mechanical engineering. He loves Aggie sports, skiing, golf and writing music. — rory.mcneill@usu.edu

Novemeber 23 Officers responded to a medical call for service at the Living Learning Center regarding an allergic reaction. Officers and EMS assessed the individual, and transport to LRH was not required. Novemeber 21

K-9 Sage and Officer Nebeker attended an alcohol awareness activity and social at Richards Hall. Alcohol awareness tips were provided, and the residents met and interacted with Sage.

Novemeber 22

Novemeber 28

USU Police responded to the parking lot of the University Inn. A vehicle, had a door open, and no one was around. Police found nothing unusual and secured the door.

USUPD received a report of an individual that was filling a university fleet vehicle with gasoline and noticed that it had overfilled and was spilling on the ground. The individual stopped that pump and called it in. USU Fire Marshals, LFD and USU EH&S worked together to address the spill, and once the area was cleaned, they cleared the area and returned to duty.

By Bailey Daniels STATESMAN SENIOR REPORTER

ven Aggies who don’t consider themselves fashion-savvy deal with clothing daily, a truth that affects today’s students as well as those from decades past. To showcase this fact, Utah State University students in Melissa Clark’s advanced apparel studies course have compiled “Fashioning USU Through the Decades,” an exhibit in the Merrill-Cazier Library. Located in the basement near Special Collections & Archives are 18 outfits, eight created by students and 10 from the program’s historic clothing collection. The historic pieces were primarily donated by USU alumni and residents of northern Utah, and two belonged to Edith Bowen. Bowen made history at USU as the principal of the Whittier School, later renamed the Edith Bowen Laboratory School, according to cehs.usu.edu. According to Clark, Bowen’s influence only adds to the significance of the well-preserved historic clothing the class has been able to display. Clark instructed her students to separate into three groups. Their specific tasks were to do historic research, choose what to put in the exhibit and design pieces for entry. Some pieces were created specifically for the exhibit while others were created by students within the past couple of years. One of the students who created a design specifically for the exhibit was Lucy Herbert, a senior studying outdoor product design and working on getting advanced fashion studies certificates. “We were asked to do a 21st century design in the decade of the 2020s,” Herbert said. “I wanted to pull inspiration from past decades but also be able to showcase the athleisure trend we’ve been seeing. That’s not something we’ve seen before, how everybody will comfortably wear sweatpants in public.” Herbert designed a pair of sweatpants and a sleeveless top. The sweatpants were created with a more elevated look in mind, while the top contains a flattering silhouette

Historic outfits are displayed in the basement of the Merrill-Cazier Library, as seen on Jan. 5.

and color blocking she felt aligned with current trends. The set contrasts the historical clothing on display across from it, with Herbert mentioning the confusion those from decades past may feel toward the way Americans dress today. To her, one of the most significant parts of the exhibit is the connection it allows people to feel to the creation of clothes. “Everybody connects to clothes because we wear clothes every day and choose what we wear. I think the craft of clothing is something that we’re disconnected from sometimes,” Herbert said. “Getting to see current pieces that students have actually made is relatable to people. It’s more than a piece on a canvas — it’s something you can actually wear.” Herbert also spoke about one of her classmates’ pieces, a white blouse and skirt made by Kirsten White. The modest outfit reflects the current “prairie” trend she’s been seeing. According to Herbert, modesty can be a sign of recession and reflects how clothing changes with societal shifts. On the historic side of the exhibit, there is information about each decade, from the 1880s to 1980. The posters highlight both the fashion trends of those times and significant events at USU. “It’s fun to be able to pull pieces and showcase actual things that were going on during the decade,” Clark said. “It’s really interesting to see how fashion represents what was going on at the time. I don’t think that’s something

PHOTOS COURTESY OF SPECIAL COLLECTIONS

a lot of people really think about.” Clark went on to highlight the exhibit’s goal to tell USU’s history. Because the clothing was donated by people in the area, whether they went to the university or not, Clark finds them especially relevant. “My students seem to really enjoy the collection too. I use it for this class because we talk a lot about 20th century fashion,” Clark said. “It’s just such an integral part of our lives, so I’m hoping that people see that connection of how the clothing really does represent these different eras.”

Bailey Daniels is a senior studying technology systems. She loves Lana Del Rey, sweet treats and all things whimsical. — bailey.daniels@usu.edu

Page 5 - The Utah Statesman, January 12, 2026

Aggie apparel: Campus fashion history on display in the Merrill-Cazier Library

Page 6 - The Utah Statesman, January 12, 202

Aggie Voice showcases student talent, community spirit By Jayke Martin STATESMAN REPORTER

heers and laughter filled the TSC on Jan. 7 as students took the stage for Utah State University’s Aggie Voice, a vocal competition that transformed a typical evening into a showcase of talent, creativity and campus pride. Eight contestants, Alivia Hadfield, Aly Burns, Austin Nielson, Brielle McWillis, Claire Bailey, Dawson Dimmick, Kinley Hess and Olivia Bench, sang for a crowd of fellow students, friends and faculty. Hosted by USUSA, Aggie Voice not only showcased the musical talents of the students but also highlighted the creativity, courage and community spirit of USU. Each performer sang a song of their choice, and the audience voted to determine the top three finalists. These contestants performed again for a panel of judges, which consisted of the senator for the Caine College of Arts Lily Takemoto, USU voice professor Thomas Glenn and USU President Brad L. Mortensen. The competition’s winner Claire Bailey said she decided to audition as a way to reconnect with her creative side after an academically demanding semester. “I literally spent all of last semester studying and just working my butt off, and I wanted to do something creative,” Bailey said. “I grew up doing creative things all the time. I went to an arts high school and loved it, but now I’m studying nursing here at USU, so I don’t really get to sing that often.” Bailey said singing has been her primary form of expression since childhood and that nerves helped fuel her performance rather than hinder it. “When I’m anxious and stressed, I always perform my best,” Bailey said. “The adrenaline just gets around.” For the final round, Bailey played guitar and sang “The House of the Rising Sun.” “I like to reimagine songs and work with a more contemporary freedom of voice,” Bailey said.

PHOTOS BY Dane Johnson President Brad L. Mortensen judges the Aggie Voice competition in the TSC Ballroom.

The eight contestants of Aggie Voice 2026 are seen on stage after Claire Bailey, left, was announced as the winner.

As the winner, Bailey received $100 and the opportunity to record a song with Aggie Radio 92.3 FM. Dimmick said he decided to participate after encouragement from friends and family. “One of my roommates mentioned it to me, and I didn’t even know about the event,” Dimmick said. “My friends and family encouraged me, so I thought, ‘Why not?” Contestant Dawson Dimmick said although he felt nervous before performing, the supportive atmosphere helped ease his anxiety. “I just kept reminding myself that the experience was meant to be fun,” Dimmick said. “Once I got up there and started singing, it wasn’t as scary.” In addition to performing, contestants said rehearsals before the competition allowed them to get to know each other and build friendships, making the experience less intimidating and more enjoyable. “Everyone was so supportive, and it made the whole experience fun,” Bailey said. “I loved getting to perform with such talented people and see everyone cheer each other on.” Dimmick said the encouragement from the audience made the experience even more memorable. “The Aggie spirit really showed,” Dimmick said. “Everyone was cheering, and even if you messed up, nobody cared. It was just fun.” As the evening ended and winners were announced, participants said the experience itself was the most rewarding part. “Life’s too short not to put yourself out there,” Bailey said. “The best things happen when you step outside your comfort zone.”

Jayke Martin is a junior studying journalism with a minor in theater. She loves reading and meeting new people. — jayke.martin@usu.edu

through the same struggles as you.” Kuhni is an engineering technology major, and Montejo Camacho is a dual major in business management and Chinese. The club is open to any student with any degree at any skill level who is interested in learning more about cooking and meeting new people. According to Kuhni, the club has been created to boost PHOTO SUBMITTED BY JOSHUA KHUNI culinary skills, independence Students meet at the LLC to participate in the new USU Culinary Arts Club and pose for a photo with the and community. dishes they have made. “The mission of the club is to help students learn culinary art skills, get them By Kenadie Ferraro passionate about cooking and give people more selfSTATESMAN REPORTER sufficiency and independence,” Kuhni said. According to Kuhni, the club is welcoming and new club has come to the Logan campus. The relaxed. Currently, the meetings vary each month. The Utah State University Culinary Arts Club was typical meet-up is either a potluck or a workshop to founded and started by Joshua Kuhni on Sept. learn new culinary skills. In the previous semester the club had two potlucks and a hot cocoa hangout. 3, 2025. “A big goal for me is to get a sponsorship for the club “I feel like food is like a universal love language. Like, everybody loves food, everybody understands it, and so we can fund ingredients to have more frequent activities,” Kuhni said about the future of the club. it just brings people together,” Kuhni said. Currently, the club meets one or two times a month. Kuhni feels a calling to assist in what he calls a Kuhni said he is wanting to become more consistent “cooking insecurity.” “There’s the SNAC [Student Nutrition Access Center] and frequent. The best way to stay updated is by to help with students who need food and ingredients, messaging and following the club’s Instagram account but a lot of students don’t actually know how to cook @usuculinaryartsclub. “I’m really hoping we can get rolling with frequent with them,” Kuhni said. “I’ve always been passionate about culinary arts. By making a club where I can activities and hoping we can get spaces reserved for help teach other people and get people excited about workshops and other things we can do this semester. culinary arts, it could have a positive effect on a lot of I’m really hoping to make all of it very accessible and just welcoming,” Kuhni said. students’ lives.” The club is within its foundational period which The club’s staff adviser is Jonathon Walters, the means figuring out the route of expansion and how program coordinator for SNAC. “Jonathon went to culinary arts school, so he has a they want to leave their mark. “A goal of mine is that we become better known. I am lot of expertise. He will be helping us with a lot of our upcoming workshop events,” Kuhni said. “He has also hoping we are able to make a digital cookbook of helped a lot with setting up activities, using the SNAC our recipes so we can help other students even after pantry to support the culinary arts club, and he has we graduate,” Montejo Camacho said. connected us with faculty and staff around campus to help us reach our goals.” Adriel Montejo Camacho joined the club at its Kenadie Ferraro is beginning. He appreciates the community the club has majoring in journalism and brought, and he wants to share that with the student communications and minoring body. in marketing design. She “The club has a lot of value to the members because is from Draper and loves it is a community. We all teach each other and are all anything active and outdoors. at a starting place because none of the members are culinary arts majors,” Montejo Camacho said. “It’s nice — kenadie.jackson@usu.edu seeing people who are also at your level and going

Audrey is the host of the show “is anybody out there?” on Aggie Radio 92.3 FM. Occasionally, she reads poetry or does a musical themed show but mostly plays whatever music has been on her mind! You can tune in to “is anybody out there?” Wednesdays at 2 p.m. Silver Lining Laufey

A Love That Will Last Renee Olstead

I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing Aerosmith

Just What I Needed The Cars

Rockstar A Great Big World

Page 7 - The Utah Statesman, January 12, 2026

New USU club tackles ‘cooking insecurity’

Page 8 - The Utah Statesman, January 12, 202

Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival to return to Logan By Grace Colvin STATESMAN REPORTER

eady for a mountain-filled movie night? On Feb. 5-6, the annual Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival & World Tour is set to make its return to the Ellen Eccles Theatre, celebrating Banff Centre’s 50-year history of mountain-based storytelling. Spanning over 50 countries and reaching hundreds of thousands of viewers, the touring film festival was created by Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity in Banff, Canada with the purpose of highlighting the adventure, culture and significance of mountain life. The event serves as an extension of the center’s annual eightday festival, which took place in Nov. 2025. This year’s festival featured 87 films. For the Logan tour stop, 16 of those films will be presented to audiences, including award-winners “Best Day Ever” and “Old Man Lighting.” Directed by Ben Knight and Berne Broudy, “Best Day Ever” is a documentary that tells the story of two adaptive mountain bikers, Greg Durso and Allie Bianchi, who experience the power of nature and community as disabled athletes. The piece won Best Film in the Mountain Sports category as well as the Audience Choice Award. According to film festival tour coordinator Heather Walter, it’s for good reason. “It’s a beautiful film,” Walter said in an interview with The Utah Statesman. “It helps, I think, viewers and audiences really get insight of an adaptive sport athlete, or athletes in this case, and how challenging their lives can be — but incredibly rewarding when a community comes together to support them.” The winner of Best Film in the Climbing category, “Old Man Lightning,” promises to make audiences “laugh and cry and maybe piss yer pants,” according to the center’s website. “It’s described by the filmmaker as ‘Rocky’ meets ‘Monty Python,’” Walter said. The piece was directed by Dawn Kish, and while its official description doesn’t reveal much about the plot, it claims to be “the best climbing, comedy, comeback ever made.” Also among the films presented on the Logan tour stop are “The Finisher” directed by Julia Marie Campanelli and Drew Darby, “Dissidence” directed by Rama Dio Syahputra and several shorter films. In order to ensure each stop on the tour delivers on the festival’s standards, the tour coordinators — known to festival fans as “road warriors” — travel and collaborate directly with local organizations to prepare for each showing. “We’ve been very committed to maintaining a standard that is consistent, and it’s high-quality,” Walter said. “People know when they come to a show that they’re going to get a professional presentation.” According to Walter, the Logan tour stop is no exception. Coordinators from the center work directly with Utah State University representatives each year to select films they believe will resonate the most with their audience. For the five tour stops in Utah, this

Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour poster.

audience consists mainly of college students. “Large numbers of college students attend this event each year,” said Sheri Jardine, the content manager for UtahPresents at Kingsbury Hall, which hosts the Salt Lake City tour stop. “Because the films are so exciting, with a wide variety of sports and world locations, the event appeals to college students who love adventure films as well as those interested in world cultures.” The tour is slated to move on to Salt Lake City directly after its Logan engagement. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the festival. When asked what keeps people coming back year after year, Walter gave credit to the talented filmmakers and creators who submit their work. The festival received more submissions this year than ever before, and according to Walter, the films slated highlight more cultures, genders and backgrounds than ever before. “It’s become much more diverse. We see films that are, as they say, representing many more cultures, many more perspectives, many more women. It’s a night that will inspire, it will make you smile and laugh, it will make your jaw drop,” Walter said. “Most importantly, it’s an opportunity to be together with other people who value outdoors, the environment, the culture of mountain life and the opportunities that the great outdoors provides to all of us.” At the time of publication, further information and tickets for the Logan tour stop are not publicly available.

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY PAUL ZIZKA

Grace Colvin is a sophomore in the theater education program at USU. After graduation, she plans to become a middle school drama teacher. When she isn’t writing or working on a play, she loves making crafts and woodworking. — grace.colvin@usu.edu

By Emma Shelite STATESMAN REPORTER

tudents looking for a way to ski or snowboard more often this winter have an option beyond going solo: USU Snow Club, a student-run group that pairs resort meetups and campus hangouts with discounted passes, rideshares and gear deals. The club is open to skiers and snowboarders across the Utah State University community, and its goal is simple. “Our mission is to help foster a community on and off the mountain,” said Jessi Swearingen, the club’s events coordinator. Club president Aidan Cone said the club is meant for a wide range of riders. “I don’t think we really set a standard for skill level,” Cone said. “It’s focused on bringing people together who are like-minded and creating a community and a place where they can connect.” That community comes with a low barrier to entry. A season membership costs $20 for the 2025-26 school year, and it unlocks access to partner discounts, including Beaver Mountain and Ikon Pass codes, plus perks like free film night entry and industry discounts, according to the club’s website. For many students, cost and transportation are the biggest hurdles to getting on the hill. According to Swearingen and Cone, the club tries to address both.

PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY AIDEN CONE Members of USU Snow Club meet around a large club sign at Beaver Mountain Ski Area.

Cone said cost can keep students away from snow sports. “No secret, getting into skiing and snowboarding is extremely expensive,” Cone said, adding that rentals and lessons can be a lower-cost way to test the sport before investing in gear. The club advertises a negotiated Beaver student season passes for $420. Ikon base and full passes are listed at $729 and $999 respectively through its pass discount page. Cone said the Beaver deal is a major reason students join. “We offer that really, really amazing price throughout the season,” Cone said. Two members of USU Snow Club grill hamburgers and cheeseburgers at Beaver Mountain Ski Area. Cone urged students to pay attention “Those events in the fall, the movie night, tailgates, to early-season deadlines for larger pass bonfires — those events are honestly our most popular,” products. “That price kind of creeps up throughout summer and Cone said. “You’re not having to drive up 40-50 minutes fall, leading into the season, and those go off sale on Dec. to Beaver to meet. It’s right here on campus.” 1,” Cone said. For students who are curious but intimidated, both On the logistics side, the club uses a Discord group chat to help members connect for carpools, updates and event leaders emphasized starting small and finding support. announcements. Cone said the club avoids promising Swearingen recommended USU’s ski and snowboard P.E. classes as an entry point, especially because buying a transportation, but the carpool channel stays active. “We try and limit, like, advertising that we help get Beaver pass through the club can make the class cheaper people to the mountain for liability reasons, but we and create more opportunities to practice outside of do have a group chat … focused towards setting up class. While the club does not run beginner-only events, carpools,” Cone said. “You know, say, ‘I’m heading up. I Swearingen said the community is meant to be welcoming have a few open seats if you want to go. Let me know.’” Most winter programming centers on Beaver Mountain, at every level and focused on getting people together on which the club calls its home resort, about 40 minutes the mountain regardless of ability. “Our goal with events is to welcome everyone,” Cone outside Logan. Throughout the season, the club hosts barbecues at Beaver on alternating Saturdays and said. Sundays so more members can attend, and officers often spend the day riding with newcomers. Those resort days are meant to be flexible rather than rigid, according to Swearingen. A typical Snow Club event includes officers setting up in the parking lot, flying a club flag and grilling around lunchtime, with members stopping by between runs to meet people and then heading back out. Cone described the spring schedule as an on-hill meetup that feels like a tailgate. “We have on mountain tailgates from the parking lot,” Cone said. “We cook up hot dogs and have pancakes sometimes.” The club also leans into off-mountain events to keep Emma Shelite is a senior pursuing a bachelor’s degree people connected before and after snowfall. In the fall, in communications and journalism. Her writing is Swearingen said the club typically hosts a film night with fueled by Dr Pepper and an extroverted personality. sponsor giveaways, plus wax nights where members can Outside of the newsroom, she is passionate about learn, tune equipment and hang out. Cone said those fall cooking, athletics and her love for dogs. events are often the easiest way for newcomers to show up. — emma.shelite@usu.edu

Page 9 - The Utah Statesman, January 12, 2026

Snow Club brings students together ‘on and off the mountain’

Page 10 - The Utah Statesman, January 12, 202

Utah State freshman sprinter Adia Ross breaks school record in collegiate debut

By Carson Frost

STATESMAN SENIOR REPORTER

Living in Cache Valley has been a sharp contrast from Tokyo, but it is one Ross said she has grown to appreciate. “It’s very new coming from a big city,” she said. “I love seeing the mountains and the snow. People are really nice, and everybody’s been so supportive. I feel like a baby sometimes because I don’t understand everything — even the traffic lights — but everyone is really helpful. I love Logan.”

dia Ross had already traveled thousands of miles to get to Utah State. Breaking a school record in her first collegiate race wasn’t something she expected to happen. The first-year sprinter from Tokyo, Japan, was competing in her first indoor meet in the United States when she ran the 60-meter dash in 7.48 seconds, breaking a Utah State school record that had stood since 1987. Ross finished No. 4 overall in the race behind two AllAmericans and an NCAA finalist, but the time immediately placed her atop the Aggies’ all-time list. Despite the historic result, Ross admitted the moment was filled with nerves. “I felt very intimidated,” she said. “Everybody looked so fast, and I had to remind myself, ‘I deserve to be here. I can compete with these girls.’” From an early age, she had set her sights on competing collegiately in the U.S., a goal shaped in part by her father, who is American. “Ever since I was in middle school, I wanted to go to college in the United States,” Ross said. “My father wanted me to come to the States too.” That plan nearly unraveled during high school. Ross said injuries disrupted her consistency and confidence. At the same time, the financial reality of moving overseas made the decision even more difficult. “I got injured almost every single season,” she said. “I wasn’t very happy with my results, and I was really about to give up on coming to the States because financially it’s PHOTO COURTESY OF USU ATHLETICS really difficult.” Adia Ross runs at the BYU Invitational in early December. A scholarship opportunity ultimately made the move possible, and Utah State sprints coach Rodney Burkes That adjustment extended onto the track. Ross said in played a key role in that decision. Burkes first came across Japan, she was often the sprinter her competition feared. Ross while reviewing international sprint results and videos At her first collegiate meet, held at BYU, the dynamic felt online. reversed. “I was looking through international meet results, and “In Japan, I believe I was the intimidating-looking athlete,” I came across her on Instagram,” Burkes said. “I was Ross said. “But at BYU, I was the one who felt intimidated.” wondering, ‘Is this legit?’ But what stood out was that a lot Even so, Ross entered the race with specific expectations. of the times she ran were into a negative wind.” She said she was targeting a time in the low 7.4 range, a Burkes said that detail mattered. In the U.S., headwinds standard that would qualify for finals and national-level often lead to adjustments or restarts, but Ross consistently competition in Japan. produced elite times under difficult conditions. “The whole reason I came to the U.S. is to dominate in “Seeing her run that fast into a negative wind, I was like, Japan,” Ross said. “I came here to be great, not good.” ‘Man, this girl is pretty special,’” Burkes said. When the results flashed 7.48, Ross said she felt conflicted. After connecting with Ross and her family — often through The time broke a decades-old school record, but it didn’t translation apps — Burkes felt confident she could adapt meet her personal standard. to life and competition in Logan. Ross later visited campus “I wasn’t very satisfied,” she said. “Coach Rodney always with her uncle, former NFL football player Derek Ross, tells us to chase execution and not the time, and I feel like I before committing. chased the time more than the execution.” The transition, however, has been significant. Ross said she Burkes said his perspective entering the meet was different. had not been to the U.S. in nearly a decade before enrolling Rather than focusing on times, he was more interested in at Utah State, and adjusting to both the language and how Ross handled the moment. culture came quickly. “With freshmen, especially their first meet, I just want to “English was really difficult at first, especially all the track see how they compete,” Burkes said. “I want to see if they lingo,” she said. “The culture shock was very big.” run fast and get comfortable or if they want more.”

Even then, Burkes admitted the result exceeded his expectations. “If I had to put a time on it, I thought maybe 7.5,” he said. “I wasn’t expecting 7.4 in the first meet. Honestly, I never thought about the time at all.” When Burkes was told Ross had broken a school record dating back to 1987, his initial reaction was disbelief. “I thought it was a joke,” he said. “Then they told me it was real, and I was like, ‘Okay, we’re a little ahead of schedule.’” Ross, however, was less surprised. She admitted she had been tracking Utah State’s school records long before stepping on campus.” “I always look at school records,” she said. “I’ve been looking at it since I committed.” Despite the early success, neither Ross nor Burkes said they have changed their approach. Ross described the debut as “an okay start,” emphasizing she is more focused on improving execution than celebrating the record. Burkes echoed that sentiment, stressing patience and long-term development. “She’s already fast,” Burkes said. “You don’t need to do too much. You rush it, you risk injury. We’re just going to let the journey be the journey.” Ross said being surrounded by experienced teammates has helped her adjust, particularly learning about indoor racing and competing on banked tracks — something she had never done before. “They teach me everything,” she said. “Living in America, competing indoor, how different it is. Hearing their stories is really exciting.” Over winter break, Ross returned to Japan and trained with her former high school and club teams. She said training alone was difficult, but the experience reinforced why she chose to take the risk of coming to the U.S. “I felt like I had to show them that coming to the States and risking it is worth it,” she said. “I don’t want people to think, ‘She didn’t get faster in college, so I won’t go.’ I want them to think, ‘I want to go because she’s doing really well.’” Looking ahead, Ross said her goals include lowering her times while maintaining strong academics. “I want to run low 7.4, maybe high 7.3,” she said. “But I don’t want to be distracted by academics or eligibility. I want to maintain a high GPA and make everyone proud.” For Burkes, the priorities extend beyond the stopwatch. “Track is a small piece of their life,” he said. “My job is to help her accomplish every goal she has, on and off the track.” Ross’s record-breaking debut may have made history, but both the athlete and coach see it as a starting point rather than a destination. Carson Frost’s family originally hails from Los Angeles, and he is a passionate fan of the Lakers, Dodgers and Philadelphia Eagles. — carson.frost@usu.edu

By Mark Greenwood

STATESMAN EDITOR

tah State Athletics and Vice President and Director of Athletics Cameron Walker announced two changes to its coaching staff on Jan. 3, one within the volleyball program and one within the football program. Keith Smith was named the new head coach of USU Women’s Volleyball, while Robert Anae was named the offensive coordinator for football head coach Bronco Mendenhall. Smith will join the Aggies as the new head coach after former head coach Rob Neilson left to be the new head coach at BYU in late December. Anae will fill the vacancy left by former offensive coordinator Kevin McGiven, who was hired by the University of Utah to fill the same role. Keith Smith Smith comes to Logan with extensive experience in both college and national-level volleyball. Smith most recently served as an assistant coach for Texas Christian University in 2025, where the Horned Frogs posted a 21-11 record and an NCAA tournament appearance. Prior to his time in Fort Worth, Smith spent three years at Auburn as an assistant coach, helping lead the Tigers to back-to-back 20-win seasons and back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances in 2022 and 2023 for the first time in program history.

choice to advance Utah State volleyball. His background with USA Volleyball will be invaluable as the program works to reach the next level.” Smith joins the program after a record-setting year under Neilson, where the Aggies posted an undefeated conference record and a first-round win over Tennessee in the NCAA tournament. “My goal is not to rebuild the program but to retool it for long-term, sustainable success that keeps it on an upward trajectory,” Smith said in the same press release. “I’m excited to bring a highly competitive staff to Logan and develop a roster that will chase championships in the new Pac-12 and wins in the NCAA tournament.”

joins the Aggies after spending the last 10 years on staff at Weber State, coaching the wide receivers since 2022. During his time as wide receivers coach in Ogden, Ridley coached two all-conference wide receivers in Jacob Sharp and Ty MacPherson. MacPherson finished the season as the first 1,000-yard receiver for Weber State in 15 years. “Skyler Ridley is an elite in-state recruiter with deep relationships throughout Utah, and that will be invaluable as we continue to build our program the right way,” Mendenhall said in the press release of the announcement. “He brings a strong special

Robert Anae Anae will again join Mendenhall as an offensive coordinator starting in the 2026 season. Anae and Mendenhall have coached together for 15 years between BYU and Virginia prior to their now linking at Utah State. Anae has 36 years of college football coaching experience, including 18 years as an offensive coordinator, and has spent time at BYU, Virginia, North Carolina State, Syracuse, Arizona, Texas Tech, UNLV, Boise State, Ricks College and Hawai’i. Skyler Ridley is announced as Utah State Football’s wide receivers coach on Jan. 5.

teams background, a clear vision for developing wide receivers and most importantly, outstanding character. Skyler aligns perfectly with our culture, our standards and how we want to represent Utah State Football.” Ridley will take over coaching a historically successful position group for Utah State that produced NFL products such as Jalen Royals and Deven Thompkins in recent seasons as well as All-Mountain West First Team receiver Braden Pegan in 2025. Robert Anae is announced as Utah State Football’s offensive coordinator on Jan. 3.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF USU ATHLETICS Keith Smith is announced as the new Utah State Volleyball head coach on Jan. 3.

Smith has also spent time coaching national teams, most recently coaching the women’s U21 national team at the 2025 NORCECA Pan American Cup prior to the 2025 season. Smith led the team to a gold medal, sweeping all five matches they played. “I’m excited to welcome Keith to Utah State as our new head volleyball coach,” Walker said in a press release on Saturday. “He’s a proven recruiter with a strong track record of developing players. From the start of the hiring process, his professionalism and expertise were evident, and his attributes and vision aligned with those of our volleyball student-athletes, making him the ideal

“I’m thrilled to welcome Robert Anae as our offensive coordinator at Utah State,” Mendenhall said in a press release on Jan. 3. “Robert and I share a long history together, and the success we’ve had side by side speaks for itself. His ability to develop quarterbacks is as good as anyone in college football. Robert understands how to build an offense that is smart, adaptable and player driven. He is the perfect fit for our program, our staff and the direction we are taking Aggie Football.” Anae will take over the playcalling for one of the Mountain West Conference’s top units in 2025 as they look to continue their success into the 2026 season, the Aggies’ inaugural season in the new-look PAC-12. Skyler Ridley On Jan. 5, Mendenhall announced the addition of new wide receivers coach Skyler Ridley to the staff. Ridley

Mark Greenwood is a junior at USU studying finance. He is an avid Los Angeles Dodgers fan and loves playing tennis and skiing. You can typically find Mark in the Spectrum or covering various USU events. — mark.greenwood@usu.edu

Page 11 - The Utah Statesman, January 12, 2026

Utah State Athletics announces coaching additions in volleyball and football

Page 12 - The Utah Statesman, January 12, 202

Utah State Men’s Basketball returns home to face Nevada on Wednesday Editor’s note: This page was produced and printed prior to Utah State’s matchup against Boise State on Saturday, Jan. 10. By Mark Greenwood

STATESMAN EDITOR

tah State Men’s Basketball returns home on Wednesday to face the Nevada Wolf Pack after a weekend bought with Boise State. The Aggies faced the Broncos on the road on Jan. 10 on a four game winning streak. Nevada comes to the Spectrum on Wednesday night looking to pull off an upset and stay near the top of the Mountain West rankings, while the Aggies will hope to continue their success. Read more about Utah State’s matchup against Boise State and its upcoming test against Nevada at the link below. — mark.greenwood@usu.edu

PHOTOS BY Jack Burton MJ Collins Jr., 2, dribbles the ball up the court against Montana State on Dec. 8 in the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum.

Drake Allen, 8, stares down an Illinois State player at the Delta Center on Dec. 13.

Utah State Women’s Basketball battled with San Diego State on Saturday afternoon By Dylan Moore

STATESMAN REPORTER

tah State Women’s Basketball took on San Diego State in the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum on Saturday afternoon. The Aggies entered the matchup with a 6-8 overall record and looking to get to an even 3-3 in conference play with a win. Read more about the game at the link below.

Dylan Moore is a junior majoring in political science and minoring in anticipatory intelligence and Russian. He always loves going on outdoor adventures and cooking. PHOTO BY Dane Johnson Aaliyah Gayles, 3, looks to pass the ball in bounds during the game against Idaho on Dec. 13.

PHOTO BY Elise Gottling The Utah State Women’s Basketball team huddles together during the game against University of Utah at the Spectrum on Nov. 7.

— dylan.moore@usu.edu

Page 13 - The Utah Statesman, January 12, 2026

Column: Opportunities outside the classroom, Sigma Tau Delta By Hazel Harris-Staples STATESMAN EDITOR

cademic organizations and chances for professional development can play a large role in a student’s undergraduate experience, offering opportunities that extend far beyond the classroom. Through Sigma Tau Delta, Kaylee Jo Stocks, a student studying English and economics at Utah State University, has found community, developed skills she can use later in her career and discovered where her true passion lies: experiences that mirror my own in seeking career opportunities outside of our undergraduate classrooms. Sigma Tau Delta is the international English Honors Society, where Stocks serves as the junior student adviser in the Far Western Region. “It’s basically a place for students — English majors and minors — to come together, share what they love and learn more about English,” Stocks said. “Every year, they put on a convention, which is basically like a conference where you can share your own work, meet different authors and hear from them.” Stocks discussed how her position in the club has helped her with opportunities not only currently but in her career to come. “I’m a double major, and for a while, I thought I’d go down a more economicsbased career path, but honestly, because of my experiences in the English society, I’ve learned that English is my passion,” Stocks said. “It’s what I love, and I wouldn’t really want to do anything else. I’m glad I have my other major, but my current plan is to hopefully get into publishing or a similar field after I graduate.” One other benefit Stocks pointed out was the chance to network and meet new people. “It’s been really nice to meet new people and work with them in that way, especially because I never would have met them otherwise,” she said. Getting involved isn’t always easy, but in Stocks’ experience, it has been worth it. “I’d say just go for it. My freshman year I wasn’t involved in much because I was nervous, but I pushed myself out of my comfort zone,” she said. “I’m so grateful I did — I’ve had so many opportunities since then. I think that applies to anyone in any major. You just have to put yourself out there.”

Professional development opportunities are not unique to the English department. While it can sometimes feel inaccessible to students in the arts and humanities, there are opportunities for extra learning outside the classroom in many majors and departments at Utah State. Getting involved in these sorts of professional development activities has helped me shape my undergraduate path and career trajectory and continues to offer me hope for a future working in a field where I can feel fulfilled in my work. I have the opportunity to attend a professional development event this year with other students from my program: the Society for Photographic Education conference. I will share my portfolio for critique, learn from people who are currently making work in the field and network with my peers in different programs. I’m incredibly excited for the extra opportunity to learn and experience what it will be like to be a graduate student and working professional in my field. One of the things I am most excited about is hearing from one of the photographers who is currently making work that inspires me. At the SPE conference, I will get the chance to ask questions about her work in person, which isn’t an opportunity I ever thought I would have. For students outside of the English program looking for professional development opportunities and academic organizations, a good place to start is within your own department or college. Social media pages often have opportunities for students, so that can be a jumping-off point. For English major or minor students interested in getting involved with Sigma Tau Delta or learning more information, contact Kaylee Jo Stocks at a02356272@ usu.edu.

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Hazel Harris-Staples is a junior. In her free time, she works on crocheting a wiener dog scarf and convincing her husband they should adopt a real one named Cylinder. — hazel.harris@usu.edu

First Snow of 2026

Page 14 - The Utah Statesman, January 12, 202

Jack Burton is in his last semester at Utah State. Aside from shredding the mountainside, he likes to work on his Raspberry Pi and run from any kind of social interaction. If you see him, make sure to laugh — otherwise he might think he’s not funny. — jack.burton@usu.edu

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Page 15 - The Utah Statesman, January 12, 2026

Pregnant?

By Jack Burton

Page 16 - The Utah Statesman, January 12, 202