VOL. 104, NO. 21 MARCH 5, 2019
TH E U N IVERSIT Y O F TE X AS AT EL PASO W W W.T H EPROS PEC TO RDA I LY.CO M
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OPINION
MARCH 5, 2019
Despite progress, we still have work to do BY MARIA RAMOS PACHECO The Prospector
In the United States, March is Women’s History Month, an opportunity to highlight and celebrate the contributions women have made to the country
and society. Recently, women have been taking higher positions in politics—despite their race, color, age or religion—including El Pasoan Veronica Escobar who became the first Latina congresswomen from Texas and represents the 16th Congressional District. We also see Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the youngest woman to ever serve in the U.S. Congress at the age of 29. Let’s not forget to mention speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi—the only woman who has served as speaker. She is the highestranking elected woman in U.S. history. I could mention more women who are making history and leading our country. We have so many successful females, but the ones who amaze me the most are those of who we never hear of, the ones who don’t get the spotlight and still, they keep working hard every day—college students, entry-level employees, entrepreneurs, artists, CEOs, mothers, daughter and girlfriends. All the roles played by women are endless. But we all know women who don’t usually speak up. When the #MeToo movement kicked off in 2017, women came out and spoke out for themselves, inspiring other females around the country and the world to do the same. This was a huge step. #MeToo was more than just a hashtag. It was a revolution to take down men who abused their
STAFF Editor in Chief: Claudia “Gigi” Flores Web Editor: Daniel “Curly” Mendez Layout Editor: Christian Gutierrez Copy Editor: Brianna Chavez Sports Editor: Isaiah Ramirez Entertainment Editor: Catherine Ramirez Photo Editor: Claudia Hernandez Multimedia Editor: Ashley Johnson Staff Reporters: Alexia Nava, Oscar Avila, Valeria Olivares Photographers: Priscilla Gomez Contributors: Carolina Alvarez, Glenda Elena Avalos, Cynthia “Teddy” Baylon, Michael Cuviello, Eliott Luna, Jaqueline
power, their roles and position by harassing women verbally, emotionally and physically. The #MeToo movement is not over. We are still seeing effects that are good and necessary to our society. Women need to be treated equally, fairly and with respect. We deserve so much because we do so much for this country. As a millennial, college student, Latina and minority, I want to make changes and contribute to my community and society. I want other peers to stand up and speak about what is bothering them, express new ideas, think about what we can do to have a better future, to make a difference for ourselves and our country. We are all in the same boat, but I want to invite women and men to think and do more. We need better leaders who are not thinking with their pockets, but are thinking about what is fair and equal for everyone in this country. We need leaders to stop dividing people. We need leaders who propose equal opportunities to make salary wages equal despite gender, race, color or religion. We need leaders to teach the younger generations to respect and treat everyone equally—to stop seeing women as objects. We can do better. Women’s History Month is a great opportunity to celebrate women’s progress, but it’s also a time to think, can we do better? There is a long way to go, but we are getting there, we just need to keep working for it every single day. Maria Ramos Pacheco may be reached at theprospectordaily1@gmail.com
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VOL . 104 , NO. 21
Martinez, Maria Pacheco, Sergio Muñoz, Michelle Reyes, Noah Sarabia Account Executive: Milou Pietersz, Erick Valverde Senior Designer: Salma Lozoya Designer: Elliott Luna Videographer: Alejandra Baca Advertising Coordinators: Malia Greene, Natan Contreras Administrative Secretary: Marcela Luna Accounting Specialist: Isabel Castillo Assistant Director: Tracy Roy Director: Veronica Gonzalez
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THEPROSPECTOR
MARCH 5, 2019
Tuesday
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NEWS | 3 |
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Engineer of the Year
Women of Combat promotes MMA fighters
“One of the things we’re trying to do is to increase retention at a professional level,” Santiago The Prospector said. “I give a lot of workshops during the week to Clinical professor Ivonne Santiago, Ph.D., was freshmen students, to help them understand their named El Paso’s Engineer of the Year in February strengths, deal with their degree plans and their for her contributions to improve public welfare. different careers strategically, with tangible action The Engineer of the Year award is given by the to be successful.” Texas Society of Professional Engineers (TSPE) to When talking about the importance of menoutstanding members who have been nominated torship, Santiago thinks back to when she came by an organization, Santiago said. She was nomito El Paso from Puerto Rico. She left everything nated by three different organizations and she is behind in Puerto Rico and began her professional the first UTEP professor to receive the award since career in El Paso. 1973. “I realized, after the “I think that the fact, the importance of reason I got the award having mentors in my life, was because the TSPE of having people that will realized the value of give you sound advice, changing lives of peothe type of advice you ple one step at a time don’t want to hear,” Santiand one community at ago said. “Looking back, I a time,” Santiago said. could have done the same As a civil envithing in a way that was ronmental engineer, wiser.” Santiago has been inAnother important volved in numerous projects in many araspect Santiago sees in eas, including her namentoring is the impact tive country of Puerto she can have on female Rico. Her role is to students in the engineerenhance teaching and ing department, a maleimprove conditions dominated field. The in communities with inequality in the field precarious conditions is something Santiago by improving access to CLAUDIA HERNANDEZ/ THE PROSPECTOR deals with on a daily baProfessor Ivonne Santiago was named Engineer of the Year sis. There are 21 men in drinking water. One project on UTEP’s civil engineering which she worked with students was the install- department. There are two women. ment of a solar-powered water treatment system in Santiago hopes that this might change, espea community in Haiti, where, before that, people cially now that she received the award. had to walk two hours to get clean water, she said. “I think that one of the reasons why I am happy “For the first time in their lives, they have safe to have gotten this award is that it also generates a drinking water in their community—they don’t level of respect for women,” Santiago said. “When have to walk two hours to get water,” she said. you’re a woman in engineering, in many ways, you Another project is the “Title V” program, are extremely visible or invisible. If you’re just doing which aims to increase engineering freshmen student retention and success at UTEP. Santiago an average job as a woman engineer, you’re invisible, mentors students in workshops to help them find but if you do something really, really bad, or really, their strengths and figure out ways to deal with really good, that’s when you’re the most visible.”
The Prospector
Professor is first at UTEP since 1973 to receive award
BY ALEXIA X. NAVA CARMONA
their degree plans.
Alexia X. Nava Carmona may be reached at theprospectordaily1@gmail.com
BY CLAUDIA FLORES
Women of Combat, an organization that promotes and highlights women in contact sports, is bringing a training seminar to El Paso April 8. Located in Maple Valley, Washington, the organization supports women in competitive contact sports regardless of whether they are members of the organization. Nancy Williams, El Paso native and president of the organization, was introduced to mixed martial arts (MMA) at an early age. “Growing up, I was exposed to boxing and kickboxing in El Paso, Texas and Cd. Juarez, Mexico,” she said. “I continued to follow these sports until my son got into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and eventually MMA, especially as women became more prevalent in the sport.” For many fighters, paying bills, promoting themselves, working and training are parts of developing themselves as MMA fighters. According to an article by MMA Fighting, while sponsorship for the audience is just about the logos, sponsor money means everything for the fighters, as securing them is a turning point for prosperity in their careers. “I thought there must be a way to sponsor them with minimal time investment on their part and not have to get into an exclusive contract. I passed some of my ideas by some folks and Women of Combat was born,” Williams said. While the sport is primarily dominated by men, it’s important for Women of Combat to create a space for women to feel included and motivated to be part of the sport according to Williams. “Early on, it was difficult due to there not be-
ing many women to train with or fight against and earning respect that they were serious about the sport,” Williams said. “Currently, the situation has greatly improved especially in the gym environments. But there is still more growth to occur.” Part of the organization’s mission, is not only to help women economically to get sponsorships or get fights, but to raise awareness that there is an equal chance for women to achieve their dreams Williams said. “Women need to be aware that the majority of their training partners will be men and usually bigger than them,” Williams said. “They still need to earn respect and show that they are serious about the sport.” Women of Combat will host a training seminar April 8, led by fighters at various locations in El Paso and Cd. Juárez. In El Paso, the training locations are Wolves Den, Bushido MMA and Lees Boxing, followed by a sport nutrition and health seminar at FitSource 180. Castillo’s Team Gym will be the designated location for the training seminar in Cd. Juárez. For Williams, the opportunity to bring the seminar to the region is all about promoting the fight scene, especially the boxing scene, in the community. “El Paso that may not be as visible, but there are great gyms training great fighters, providing fitness opportunities, self-defense knowledge and the next generation of martial artists,” Williams said. For more information about Women of Combat and its upcoming seminar schedule, visit asilindeza.com/womenofcombat. Claudia Flores may be reached at theprospectordaily1@gmail.com
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| 4 | NEWS
MARCH 5, 2019
UTEP Professor: Vaping may be harmful BY OSCAR AVILA The Prospector
In 2017, Assistant Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fatima Z. Alshbool, began to research the effects of e-cigarettes and vapor machines. E-cigarettes are battery-powered devices that heat up nicotine-infused liquid into a breathable substance. Alshbool is focused on the Cardiovascular disease aspect of this research—specifically, the pathogenesis of thrombotic diseases. She became interested in heart health after she lost relatives to
E-cigarretes and vapor machines may bring health risks.
smoking-related heart illnesses. She hopes that her findings will lead people to reconsider vaping and inform teenagers of risks. According to Alshbool, smoking is known to increase risk of heart disease because it affects platelets in the bloodstream causing them to over clot the blood. Although tobacco manufacturers claim their vaping products are risk-free, Alshbool warns these electronic variants are a potential threat. In 2018, she collaborated with her husband, Fadi Khasawneh, on a study of lab mice exposed to e-cigarette vapors. Their research found that blood clots
SPECIAL TO THE PROSPECTOR
developed in the mice over five days of exposure. Their research has raised questions on whether the effect occurs in humans or not. Although studies from other mouse models have aligned with human studies in the past, Alshbool cannot confirm that this is a possibility with her research now. “This is just a short time, so for humans it could be longer, and humans have more variability,” Alshbool said. E-cigarettes also come in a large variety, there are many variables that must be considered, which lengthens the process. Alshbool believes more research must be done to have a better understanding of the health risks vapes might cause. She is concerned about teenagers who have never smoked and are encouraged to do so through vaping. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported use of e-cigarettes in high schools increased by 78 percent from 2017 to 2018. The National Institute on Drug Abuse also said 30.7 percent of teenage e-cig users are more likely to start smoking compared to 8.1 percent of non-users. These numbers trouble Alshbool because of how
THEPROSPECTOR
sensitive adolescent brains are to the negative effects of nicotine. “The youth, they never smoked before, so you’re creating a new generation of tobacco users, especially like with the JUUL, which has a very high concentration of nicotine,” Alshbool said. JUUL is a brand of e-cigarette similar in appearance to a USB flash drive. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also found from JUUL’s manufacturer that a single JUUL pod contains as much nicotine as a pack of 20 cigarettes. Its sleek and ergonomic design make it the current top-seller in the nation and a popular choice amongst teens. Ultimately, the long-term health effects of e-cigarettes is still being discovered. As of today, there is not enough evidence to prove they are the better choice than traditional tobacco products. Alshbool cannot confirm this, either, but she stands by her research. Oscar Avila may be reached at theprospectodaily1@gmail.com
ENTERTAINMENT
MARCH 5, 2019 EDITOR CATHERINE RAMIREZ, 747-7446
5
UTEP Orchestra welcomes new conductor Mexican author speaks about new book
BY VALERIA OLIVARES
“But just being part of the orchestra is defi-
The Prospector
nitely something I wanted to do before I
Bohuslav Rattay was introduced into his first semester as interim conductor for the UTEP Symphony Orchestra Tuesday, Feb. 26, during a concert at the Fox Fine Arts Recital Hall. Rattay stepped in for the spring semester as Lowell Graham, the orchestra’s previous conductor, recently suffered a shoulder injury. The orchestra will present three concerts under Rattay before transitioning back to Graham next semester. Rattay, who is also the music director of the El Paso Symphony Orchestra, described working with the students as a slower process due to their lack of experience. Although he treats them as he treats other professionals, he understands that he is not working with musicians who have been playing for many years. “I don’t treat them any different,” Rattay said. “It’s only the process that is a little delayed because of the inexperience.” Rattay is not the only newcomer. Jesus Rodriguez, a senior computer information systems major, plays the violin for the orchestra for the first time this semester. “Working with Mr. Rattay has been incredible,” Rodriguez said. “His level of professionalism inspires all of us to continue to grow as musicians and as an ensemble. I think it’s definitely been something that’ll last with us for the rest of our careers.” Although Rodriguez is currently taking six courses and graduates in May, he makes time for music. “I’m extremely busy,” Rodriguez said.
graduated. I’ve always had passion for music.” Like Rodriguez, Preston Griffith has a passion for the music that they perform. Griffith, who is learning how to be an orchestra director, is a violinist and the concertmaster of the UTEP Symphony Orchestra. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in music education. “I went into this career because I grew up playing music,” Griffith said. “My mom’s an orchestra director and I learned from, basically, a toddler how to play violin and I kept on playing and got better and better. I thought that there’s nothing else I want to do. There’s nothing else I’d rather do. I don’t think I could do anything and be as happy.” Christopher Terrazas, a music education major who plays the trombone, spoke highly of Rattay as the new conductor. “He is very expressive in this conducting and I really love the energy that he brings to the group,” Terrazas said. “(Rattay) expresses a lot of passion in his conducting and everything he does. He’s very patient with all of his students and shows a lot of care and respect for everyone.” Valeria Olivares may be reached at theprospector1@gmail.com.
GLENDA AVALOS / THE PROSPECTOR Bohuslav Rattay inaugurated his semester as the new conductor for the UTEP Symphony Orchestra Tuesday, Feb. 26.
BY NOAH SARABIA The Prospector
Roma Calatayud-Stocks, an author from Mexico City, spoke about her second installment of her book trilogy, “A Symphony of Rivals,” which focuses on life in the 20th century overseas in Austria, Italy, Germany and the U.S., Feb. 27 at Barnes and Noble at the Fountains at Farah. “A Symphony of Rivals” is set in the 1930s in Germany, Austria, Italy, and the United States in the years leading up to World War II. It follows the lead character Alejandra, where the arts and culture have been taken over by a new administration in Germany. The character Alejandra, named after a Mexican waltz by Enrique Mora, stays present throughout the book series and is bicultural with a Mexican nationality. Many of the other characters in Calatayud-Stocks’ books are multicultural as well. Calatayud-Stocks said she tries not to put herself in the book as far as her beliefs, but rather relies on the psychology of the characters to drive the story forward. However, she said she puts herself in the book if she feels it is important to highlight a particular area in history or a particular person. “I guess that’s a very conscientious choice, to be able to decide what parts of the world I want to go to,” Calatayud-Stocks said. Calatayud-Stocks explained she puts more of her personal experiences in the first book, drawing from her life, even though the book is not autobiographical. She seeks to engage readers and thus believes that going beyond her own experiences will help do so. The first book, “A Song In My Heart” in-
cluded a CD with music composed to go along with each chapter in the story. The music that was chosen was historically significant and plays a central role with the characters. “When I’m thinking about the story, I always have to be thinking about the music,” CalatayudStocks said. She includes many genres of music in her storytelling with two of her own songs along with different composers from several countries. Calatayud-Stocks said the arts have been present in her life since she was a little girl, and it’s important for her to display how music and the arts transcend time and societies and create bridges among people. “It was not until I combined both the music and the literature and the writing in 2002 that those things really came together,” CalatayudStocks said. Calatayud-Stocks explains how Beethoven’s music plays a big role in the main character’s life as an inspiration. “Beethoven’s Legacy plays as a moral compass that contrasts against fascism,” Calatayud-Stocks said. She hopes her readers can learn a lot about other cultures and their contributions in music and art. She guarantees that by reading her novels, readers will learn a lot about art in other cultures, as well as history in different periods. Calatayud-Stocks is currently writing the last installment of her trilogy “Ode to Joy”. Her first two books can be found at Barnes And Noble, on Amazon, or as e-book downloads. Calatayud-Stocks said she has been considering turning her novels into films in the future. Noah Sarabia may be reached at theprospector1@gmail.com.
| 6 | ENTERTAINMENT
“Eggscellent”
THEPROSPECTOR
MARCH 5, 2019
A solo exhibition by Leah Powell BY JAQUELINE MARTINEZ The Prospector The Glass Gallery, inside the Fox Fine Arts building, gives students an opportunity to showcase their artwork every year. The exhibitions usually run one to two weeks, giving the artist an option to host either an opening or closing reception in which the public can attend, view the artwork on display and meet and greet the artist. The Glass Gallery serves as an exhibition space for student work including media and features, the gallery holds approximately eight exhibitions every semester. Senior and studio art major Leah Powell held an opening reception for her egg-themed solo exhibition, “Eggscellent,” Feb. 27. Powell, whose concentration is drawing, has been developing her style as an artist for the last couple of years, under the guidance of Professor Therese “Terri” Bauer. Powell wore a yellow dress along with a handmade egg pin in her hair at the reception to go along with the egg-themed exhibition said it all started out as a zine. “The reason that I used eggs is because I
was actually obsessed with them back in the day when I first started taking drawing classes. I became known as the ‘Egg Girl’ and so I kind of took it as my own branding,” Powell said. “It grew from there, from deepening the complexity to the conceptual nature of it.” The “Eggscellent” reception featured an interactive activity with the artist where the public could create their own scenes using various drawings of characters and objects with magnets attached to the back, that they could place in a metal background, following hand-picked prompts provided by the artist. “All of the characters have started from either a relationship I had with someone or another person entirely and they’ve evolved to be something more,” Powell said. “They’re all connected to me.” Powell included a self-made gift shop in the section behind the scenes, where she hung paintings, drawings and glass-bottle necklaces where attendees could choose from. After picking out a gift, the visitors were required to go to the table where the artist was seated and she would take a picture with a Polaroid camera of
JAQUELINE MARTINEZ / THE PROSPECTOR Leah Powell takes photos at her solo exhbition Feb. 27, at the Glass Gallery. their hands, holding the gift. “These are sort of my receipts,” Powell said, as she plans to use these photographs for her next in-class critique. “I needed to have this show because it’s interactive and in a classroom critique space, there’s not really the opportunity for that just because of time and because you have to share the space with other people which can make it a little more difficult when you need to see people’s reactions to it.” Powell was asked what she thought of the aftermath of her exhibition.“It’s met me right in the middle, which I think was really good for me,” she said. “I think the best experiences
2019
were the connections that I was able to get with people when I did take their picture or when I went out there and played a game with some of the people that were there. That was probably the best expressions of my concept and my vision for the show – the connection there.” Powell is planning to exhibit for a second time the week after finals this semester, where she will make a couple of changes and add new artwork. The upcoming exhibition at the UTEP Glass Gallery, “Tómame: Solo Exhibition” by Claudia Ramirez beginning March 4 and will run until March 8. Jaqueline Martinez may be reached at theprospector1@gmail.com.
STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION
SPRING ELECTIONS
FILING DATES March 4 - 15, 2019
POSITIONS AVAILABLE: (1) President (1) VP for Internal Affairs (1) VP for External Affairs (17) Senator At-Large Collegiate Senators (one per College/School)
ELECTION DAYS ONLINE VOTING Starts: Wednesday, April 3 at 7 a.m. Ends: Thursday, April 4 at 5 p.m.
CAMPAIGNING BEGINS April 1 PRESIDENTIAL AND VICE-PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE: Union Building East, North Plaza Tuesday, April 2 12 - 3 p.m.
MANNED POLLING STATIONS
VOTE
Wednesday, April 3 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Union Bldg. East, 1st floor
Thursday, April 4 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Union Bldg. East, South Plaza
MORE INFORMATION VISIT THE SGA WEBSITE OR CALL US UTEP.EDU/SGA (915) 747-5584 sgaelections.utep.edu
SPORTS
MARCH 5, 2019 EDITOR ISAIAH RAMIREZ, 747-7446
7
The lone seniors of UTEP basketball
Paul Thomas leads young Miners BY DANIEL MENDEZ The Prospector
FILE / THE PROSPECTOR UTEP women’s basketball will be in action in the regular season finale against North Texas March 7.
Jordan Alexander anchors Lady Miners
BY ISAIAH RAMIREZ The Prospector
The UTEP women’s basketball team has had an anchor in every sense of the word this season in senior forward Jordan Alexander. This season has had its fair share of unfortunate events for the Lady Miners from a depleted injury-filled lineup, to not being able to close out games, but there has been one steady force the lone senior, Alexander. A versatile and dynamic player, Alexander is a coach’s dream due to her exceptional work ethic and valuable dedication to being a leader. “We ask her to do so many things out there on the floor and she’s playing really well right now and like a senior,” head coach Kevin Baker said. Alexander’s value to this Lady Miners team is prestigious and she has excelled on the court this season averaging 13 points her last five games, and eight on the season while grabbing an average of five rebounds a game. Losing a player of Alexander’s caliber would be tough for any team going into the next season. “She doesn’t know this, but we’re suspending her graduation another year because we don’t want to lose a player like her,” Baker stated. Alexander started her collegiate basketball career at the University of Louisiana then transferred after her freshman season to Trinity Valley Community College where she reached doubledigit scoring on eight occasions averaging six
points and two rebounds. Alexander would then come to UTEP after a visit that turned out to be the start of a exceptional two-year career. “I’ve only been here for two years, but it’s been an amazing experience and instantly on the visit I knew I had to come here and I love the city of El Paso,” Alexander said. Playing at three different programs proved to be beneficial for Alexander as she improved in her game in every phase. “Going to three different schools, I’ve got to see different types of basketball being played and different type of coaching styles. I’ve also had the opportunity to expand my game to where I am now,” Alexander said. Whether it’s getting buckets, grabbing boards or dishing assists, Alexander is a critical component in the Lady Miners game plan. “Even the things that don’t show up on the box scores, you don’t see a lot of what she does in terms of off the court,” Baker said. After her collegiate basketball career is over Alexander has aspirations of continuing her education. “Since my major is sociology and my minor is business what I want to do essentially is open up a center and help people and kids,” Alexander said. UTEP will be in action at home at 7 p.m. March 7 against North Texas in the regular season finale. Isaiah Ramirez may be reached at theprospector1@gmail.com.
As the only senior member of the UTEP men’s basketball team, forward Paul Thomas hasn’t had the senior year he had hoped. “I think it’s been good, you know as far as my development as a player,” Thomas said. “Wins and losses may tell a different story, but it’s tough with a new culture and a new coaching change (and) the young guys to win a lot of games.” The Miners have an 8-19, 3-13 C-USA record on the season, and for the first time in 21 years (since 1998) the team failed to qualify for conference play. “He’s had a chance to not only be a great ambassador on the court but he’s done a really good job off the court,” said first-year head coach Rodney Terry. Thomas said the team has competed in every game even against powerhouses like Marquette and Arizona. The Miners have struggled on the road (0-12). All wins have been at home. As a senior, Thomas has started 25 games and is averaging seven points and five rebounds on the season, his lowest since his freshman season. “I don’t regret anything about it. I enjoyed my senior season,” Thomas said. As the Houston native reflected on his journey as a Miner, Thomas has fond memories. One of the highlights of his tenure donning a Miner jersey was the 50th anniversary of the 1966 Texas Western Championship team as a freshman in 2016 when the team faced Western Kentucky and the Don Haskins was near capacity. Another moment that sticks out to Thomas was when UTEP ended the then-ranked No. 24 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders 15-game win streak with a win at home his sophomore season. During his junior season, he recalls hitting the game-winning shot at Charlotte to keep the team’s conference tournament hopes alive. “My time as a Miner has been great,” Thomas said. “Lots of ups and downs obviously, but I don’t regret one thing about coming here. I’ve had great times here, great games (and) met great people along the way.” The 6 foot 8 senior has had his share of coaching staffs, having played for a total of three different staffs within four years. But this season was different, where out of the nine-man rotation, the Miners utilized four players that are freshman. Thomas was asked to help set the foundation of being a player that works and plays hard all the time. “Being the lone senior (I’ve) seen a lot,” Thomas said. “Been through some losing streaks, been
COURTESEY/ UTEP ATHLETICS UTEP men’s basketball hosts “Senior Night” Wednesday ,March 6 as they face Middle Tennesse. through some winning streaks and that’s the biggest thing when dealing with the young guys is just to be the same whether you’re losing or winning.” Thomas felt at home as soon as he got to El Paso from Houston, Texas. He describes El Paso as a great town that is not well known to the rest of the country. One of the reasons why Thomas chose UTEP over other universities was the strong fan base for basketball. The fan base did not disappoint Thomas. “I love playing for the fans night in, night out. Even when we’re losing, it’s still a good crowd in there,” Thomas said. Thomas wants to see just how far his basketball journey will continue. If it’s playing overseas or attempting to play in a pro basketball league, Thomas wants to play the game of basketball for as long as someone wants him on their team. Once that chapter is written, Thomas would like to join in law enforcement at the federal level. The senior is graduating in May with a degree in business marketing. Wednesday’s game, as UTEP faces Middle Tennessee, is “Senior Night” for the Miners as they reach the final stretch of Conference USA group play. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Don Haskins Center. Daniel Mendez may be reached at theprospector1@gmail.com.
| 8 | SPORTS
THEPROSPECTOR
MARCH 5, 2019
Hometown standout excels on field BY MICHAEL CUVIELLO The Prospector Freshman right fielder Kasey Flores, formerly of Eastlake High School, made her presence known from game one of the season in the Las Cruces Classic. In her first collegiate game Flores homered twice and had seven RBIs. For the weekend, she had three home runs and was named Conference USA player of the week. Quite a promising start for the local product, but it was not without high expectations. At Eastlake High School, Flores amassed 75 home runs and 283 RBIs while leading the Falcons to the regional quarterfinal of the playoffs. As a senior, she led the nation with 30 home runs and 95 RBIs which earned her a selection on the Maxpreps All-American team and was named the co-MVP of District 2-5A. Flores has displayed her power early and often in her debut as a Miner and currently leads the team in RBIs with 17 and is tied for the lead in home runs with senior infielder Courtney Smith with five. In the Miners matchup against Weber State Flores hit four RBIs, had three hits, and a homer leading UTEP to a 17-5 win. Playing well at the collegiate level isn’t easy considering players such as Flores must adjust to many aspects of the game. “It’s the whole scheme and amount of prepa-
ration. The pitching at this level is quite an adjustment.” Flores said. Overall, the Miners have struggled so far this season with five wins and 13 losses which includes a split of four games this weekend in the University of California at Riverside tournament with wins against UC Riverside and Sacramento State.
”I will play wherever coach puts me and play my hardest to help the team.” -Kasey Flores
Flores believes her most significant contribution to the team is her ability to be a good teammate and support the other players by being excited when they do well. Considering Flores and several teammates are hometown products, heading back to El Paso is beneficial to friends and family so they may watch and support these Miners. “This will be very exciting for my family as well as all of the families of the girls from El Paso for their families to finally see them play after all these road games,” Flores said. As the season progress, Flores believes the
GLENDA AVALOS/ THE PROSPECTOR Freshmen infielder Kasey Flores leads the team with 17 RBIs and is tied for first in home runs with five mentality for the Miners is take the season one game at a time and focus on task at hand and showcase her talents at any position on the field. “We want to be a gritty team that goes out there and competes for every game, and I will play wherever coach puts me and play my hardest to help the team,” Flores said.
UTEP’s three-game homestand against Charlotte will have two games on March 9 with the first taking place at 1 p.m. and the other at 3:30 p.m. The Miners last game in the homestand will take place at noon March 10 at the Helen of Troy Softball Complex. Michael Cuviello may be reached at theprospector1@gmail.com.