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The Pacer reviews the newest Anthony

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the rite The Pacer looks at the

daily grind of a UTM bookstore employee

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in their shoesWe pick out famously banned books from

over the years

page 7

10 things

thepacerEliott Eddings

Pacer Writer

NewSouth Books of Montgomery, Ala. have decided to print an edited version of Mark Twain’s “Huckleberry Finn.”

The new version will omit words that might be deemed as racially offensive to African-Americans and Native Americans.

Specifically, “Huckleberry Finn” and “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” will be released in a single volume that omits the “nigger” and replaces it with the word “slave.” The word “injun” is also omitted.

While the publishers will continue to print the original edition of the book in addition to the edited version, this raises a tricky question for many, namely, “when does history end and censorship begin?”

Numerous attempts were made to speak with Suzanne La Rosa, publisher and spokeswoman of NewSouth Books, but she was unavailable for comment.

The Pacer spoke with Dr. Melvin Hill, assistant professor of English at UTM.

Although Hill did say that editing the book might be appropriate for younger children, he said that the unedited edition should be used for older children. He also expressed the importance of teachers explaining the historical and political context of the book.

Dr. Henry Parker, professor of Philosophy, also shared his view regarding the edited novels.

“I believe that great works of art should not be expurgated. The integrity of the work must not be compromised. There are many aspects of our culture that are racially biased, like the English language itself. Those

w h o are offended by racial bias should refrain from reading the book instead of altering it,” said Parker.

In an article published January 3 in Publisher’s Weekly, Twain Scholar Alan Gribben worked alongside NewSouth Books to produce the Finn/Sawyer volume and explained his reason for helping to create the edited version.

“After a number of talks, I was sought out by local teachers, and to a

person they said ‘we would love to teach this novel and Huckleberry Finn, but we feel we can’t do it anymore.’ In the new classroom, it’s not really acceptable ... for a single word to form a barrier, it seems such an unnecessary state of affairs,” Gribben said.

The hardback version of the two-novel version is available in February and will retail for $24.95.

New edition of Twain classic censors slurs

The official ground breaking ceremony for the new Fine Arts building took place Tuesday morning within the Paul Meek Library. Poor weather didn’t deter the ceremony as Chancellor Tom Rakes spoke to several guests, including UT President Joe DiPietro. (Pacer photos/ Jeremy Jones)

One year later, Student Rec Center powers forwardStanton Watson

Pacer Writer

Although the Student Recreation Center (SRC) only recently celebrated its first year of existence, the young and growing facility has already realized great success in its mission towards providing the faculty and students of UTM with quality programs and facilities that promote fun, social interaction and healthy lifestyles.

The Campus Recreation department has seen a more than expected utilization of the facility since its opening as the parking lot outside of the facility and the equipment within the gym are constantly full.

“The SRC has been a huge success compared to the old facilities. The students no longer have to share space and time with the HHP and Athletic departments as they did with the limited space of the Elam Center. The SRC is for students (which pay an activities fee each semester)

and faculty/staff and retirees who purchase memberships,” said Shelley Stout, Coordinator of Aquatics and Leisure Recreation.

The SRC has continuously been improving since its beginning. The large variety of equipment in the fitness center includes 65 cardio machines, over 12,000 pounds in free weights and strength training machines. The amount of available equipment is still being updated today with the addition of new machines such as the Jacob’s Ladder and a rowing machine.

One of the new opportunities, which began last spring, is a selection of group fitness classes, which have been and are expected to be very popular. These classes include training in weights, yoga, cycling, cardio, spring break prep classes and even full body workouts to promote healthier lifestyles.

One of the more popular fitness classes is the recently started Zumba class, which had a turnout of over 80

participants in its first session. Any of the group classes offered at the Recreation Center can also be taught as a private class for any university affiliated club, team or organization.

More upcoming additions to the SRC that are expected to be highly popular amongst the students are a wide variety of leisure recreation games such as board games, card games, pool, foosball, Wii games and more.

“There is going to be stuff here for everybody. Anybody will be able to come and find something they enjoy doing for fun,” said Matt Emison, a student employee of Campus Recreation.

With more available time and space intended for student recreation, Campus Recreation has seen an increase in intramural league participation as well as an improved environment in which sports such as intramural basketball can be played.

Kimberly Olive-Milligan,

see REC CENTER page 4

onlinePOLLDo you agree with the removal of racial slurs from the new edition of Mark Twain’s classic

“Huckleberry Finn?”

vote at utmpacer.com

Independent voice of the University of Tennessee at Martin Volume 83Issue 16February 2, 2011

Photo Illustration/Jen DeYeso

ViewthepacerFebruary 2, 2011 Page 2

Spencer TaylorExEcutivE Editor

Jennifer DeYesoManaging Editor

Editorial Board

Serving UTM for 81 yearsFree in Single Copy

Editorially Independent

Editorial PolicyOpinions expressed in personal

columns are those of the writers and may not reflect the opinions of the staff as a whole. Editorials are written by members of the Editorial Board, with contribu-tions from other students, cam-pus administrators or community members on an as-issue basis.

SuBMiSSion guidElinESStory ideas or news tips may

be e-mailed to pacer@utm.edu or presented at our weekly staff meetings, held at 5 p.m. every Tuesday during the semester.

The Pacer welcomes comments, criticisms or ideas that its reader-ship may have. We encourage you to send a Letter to the Editor through e-mail at pacer@utm.edu or via our Web site at http://www.utmpacer.com/lettertotheeditor/. Letters to the Editor should be no longer than 250 words. Letters must contain the name, major and hometown of the author, as well as contact information. Submissions may be edited for grammar, spell-ing and brevity.

StatEMEnt of PuBlicationThis newspaper is printed every

Wednesday during the semester.

Our press run ranges from 2,000 to 5,000 copies depending on the edition. The University of Tennessee at Martin earmarks $3.60 per enrolled student to pay for staff salaries and overhead costs of running our office. The cost of printing the newspaper is covered by advertising revenue.

points pacer_opinions@ut.utm.edu utmpacer.com/lettertotheeditor

Editorial

Marquita Douglas, nEwS Editor

Bruce Harbin, aSSt. nEwS Editor

Regina Emery, co- lifE Editor

Trevor Smith, co- lifE Editor

Joshua Lemons, SPortS Editor

Justin Hunt, viEwPointS Editor

Jasmine Brooks, Editorial aSSt. Kara Kidwell, advErtiSing ManagEr

Layton Scarbrough, advErtiSing SalES

Tomi McCutchen Parrish, faculty adviSEr

thepacerThe Pacer

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Break the ground, break a leg and break my heartJustin Hunt

Viewpoints Editor

The groundbreaking ceremony for UTM’s new Fine Arts building was this week, and for many people that’s exciting — not just to celebrate the coming of a new building, but usually ribbon-cutting ceremonies involve scissors the size of Japan.

A lot of people would assume that since I am a theatre major I, too, would be enthusiastic for this new $13 million dollar building.

Well, I’m not.It is all a matter of bad

timing. I hardly had the chance to be in my own department’s building. During my first few semesters at UTM, I was busy completing my general

education requirements, most of which were in the Humanities building. I really only had two classes in the Fine Arts building before they moved all theatre classes and faculty to Gooch Hall.

Now I could complain about how the current “acting space” in Gooch is just a regular classroom with low ceilings, fluorescent lights, a makeshift stage of hollow, plastic blocks, and, well…nothing else.

I could complain that fine arts majors don’t really have a building/place to hang out or call their own and at least attempt to maintain a student community, but I won’t. I could also complain that potatoes make me gassy, but that’s irrelevant.

Instead, I would like to

comment on how current theatre majors are at a huge disadvantage. College is a place where students prepare themselves for post-graduation, and many of UTM’s theatre majors plan to pursue acting upon graduation. However, the current building situation has a crippling effect. Students are being placed in inadequate facilities to train and equip themselves for their future careers.

Problem 1. Since the Harriet Fulton Theatre in the Fine Arts building can no longer provide the stage for university productions, all shows are produced in the Student Life Center on a basketball court with horrible acoustics and bleachers for

audience seating that are so uncomfortable that people go home and soak their butts in hot water after seeing a show. Due to the Student Life Center’s technical restrictions, the theatre department is forced to adapt and choose plays that can accommodate this poor setting.

Problem 2. Rehearsals for play productions take place in the acting space in Gooch I mentioned earlier. It’s important for an actor to be accustomed with the stage he is performing on, but trying to rehearse a full-fledged production in a classroom is a bit ridiculous. That would be the equivalent of an Agriculture major attempting to grow vegetation in a Dixie cup while the greenhouse was

under construction.Problem 3. All the theatre

department’s costumes and props went into storage during the renovation of the Fine Arts building. That means acting classes and student directed productions have no supplemental materials unless the students want to reach into their own wallets or purses.

There is not much anyone can do in this situation, and my hat is off to the faculty in the theatre department for adapting to the hand that was dealt them. I’m thankful for what my department can offer during this transition, but it’s disappointing that a number of students will have a stifled collegiate experience.

Now join your hands, and with your hands your hearts

Lizzie WoutersGuest Columnist

Valentine’s Day. I’ll bet fifty of you rolled your eyes when you saw those two words; and about a fifth of that stopped reading all together.

Why is it that over the years those two little words have grown into something so negative?

“It’s just a holiday invented by the candy and card corporations.” Yes, they profit immensely from this holiday, but do you really know where it comes from?

The legends of St. Valentine are just as mysterious as what a woman wants. One thing is for sure: he was a martyr. One legend says the Emperor Claudius II thought men without a wife and children made better soldiers; so he outlawed marriage for young

men. Valentine took pity on young lovers seeking union and married them in secret, but when he was found out he was sentenced to death.

Another legend says that he was the first sender of a “valentine.” While he was in prison he fell in love with the jailor’s daughter who visited him during his sentence. Supposedly, before his execution he wrote her a love letter and signed it “your valentine.”

Now with all of that being said, I would like to say that the people who sneer at those who celebrate this holiday leave me piqued!

“You’re supposed to tell your significant other how special they are every day!”

Oh? Do you celebrate the birth of Christ everyday as you would on Christmas? Or do you take communion in honor of His death as you do on Easter?

No, you do not.

So it makes sense that you would not do a grand gesture for your loved one as you do on Valentine’s Day.

Celebrate love! You don’t have to be “in a couple” to

celebrate. Human beings are capable of so much warmth and tenderness, but we keep in locked up inside of ourselves and push strangers into the cold; with so much splendor in this world, it’s pitiful that

we cannot cast our bitterness and anger aside and just be happy for those who surround us who have found a little of that allusive ardor.

Folks, this is coming from a single woman’s pen whose relationship just very recently ended—I’m not

biased. Just let go. Be with those comrades you cherish most.

Tell those around you how special they are to your heart. Valentine’s Day isn’t only for

those in love. It’s just for love! I don’t know about the rest of you, but I have surrounded myself with some of the most beautiful spirited people, and I intended on letting every one of them know how rare and sensational they are.

Let go of those toxic feelings! The only thing they do is poison your heart and make it harder for you to experience the joys that life brings into your life. Be happy for those who have found love with the knowledge that your time is coming! Be there for each other! Give someone a rock to lean on or a shoulder to cry on. Love one another, and don’t be afraid to let your shield down for a millisecond to let someone know how they have impacted your life.

The human heart is much too beautiful to be wasted on negative emotions.

“Love one another, and don’t be afraid to let your shield down for a millisecond to let someone know how they have

impacted your life.”

Searching for meaning in the most hated of holidays, significant other or not

Campus Quotes“ ”

Mitchell PokeJunior Marketing major

“I think that the context of Huckleberry Finn shouldn’t be changed.

Although the words used in it are negative words,

people should know that these words were used to demean people so that we can learn

from past mistakes and be able to grow together

as a human race.”

Verina WherryJunior Dietetics major

“It’s defeating the purpose of free speech

if we go back and change what was

written in the past”

Josh GatlinSenior Music Education major

“Isn’t that the movie with Jonathan

Taylor Thomas?”

Michael GearinFreshman Biology major

“It was a different period and we can’t hold it to today’s standards.

We have to respect that.”

Samantha KillebrewSenior English major

“I think that it is a representational piece of American literature and it shouldn’t be changed.

It’s a representation of the time period in which it was written. I can understand why people think it should

be changed, but to do so takes away from the way it was intended to be read.”

Do you agree with the removal of racial slurs from the new edition of Mark Twain’s classic Huckleberry Finn?

Pace

r Gra

phics

/Jen

DeY

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For history’ssake, don’t twist Twain

In this week’s Pacer, we questioned students and faculty alike on their opinions regarding the soon-to-be-published version of Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn that excludes racial slurs and replaces them with a more palatable word choice.

In case you didn’t notice, it was a big deal for us — landing on cover, being this week’s (new) Campus Quotes question and becoming the online poll question for the week.

What’s more is that we at the Pacer believe that there is no higher disrespect nor dishonor that can be done to a cherished work, such as these two, than censoring it in the name of decency.

One driving reason behind the censorship is to eliminate words that would otherwise make teaching the beloved Twain tales to a younger audience difficult and uncomfortable.

Have abridged and summarized versions of all the great classics not existed for children for years? Why, in this case, must the author’s original words be only slightly distorted to appease our own discomfort with our past?

No one will defend the meaning behind the words used within Twain’s novels, and no one on this editorial board will dispute that they are wrong, period.

What this censorship does is nothing more than attempt to whitewash our own history and give parents and teachers an easy out from giving young children a hard history lesson.

It’s a lesson no one wants to give, but, as the saying goes, those who can’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

NewsthepacerFebruary 2, 2011 Page 3

A weekly walk in another’s life experience

In Their Shoes

Crystal WatsonPacer Writer

With buying books comes stress.

It’s the third week of a new semester. For some, it may be their first and others their last. But what we all have in common as students and faculty members are our use for the bookstore.

Many students don’t know half the stress that UTM’s bookstore and staff experience. Many of them deal with different attitudes and unwillingness to cooperate.

Students some time or another, have all witnessed the bombarding and standing in the crowded lines for long periods of time.

UTM’s bookstore is just one of the premiere places that fall at a students’ convenience to purchase or, as of this semester, even rent books now.

Samantha Covington, UTM’s bookstore manager, has 8 ½ years of experiencing the stress behind it.

As recent as this semester, Covington has experienced some students being ugly and hateful to her as well as the staff.

Yes, books are still expensive, which comes along with the whole college experience. Covington declares it is some of the same reactions every semester with purchasing books and book buyback.

“The main stress comes from students and faculty,”

Covington said. Spring 2011 has brought

about new ideas. Renting books has become one of the new ideas for students to purchase books for the entire semester for half the new price. This is just a way of saving more money for the students, while at the same time providing them with a less stressful way on purchasing books for full price.

“We are trying to take care of 800 students and 300 faculties and that can be very stressful,” Covington said.

Many of us would break down and quit a stressful environment like this but for Covington as well as her bookstore staff they love what they do.

“My relationship with the

students, staff, organizations and athletics, I look forward to. Like the saying says I like ‘Keeping it young’,” Covington said.

On the other hand, Junior Nursing major Emily Sills does not feel much stress of working at the bookstore.

“I wouldn’t say that it is stressful, but I do like working here because it gives me more responsibility and a better idea of what the real workforce is all about,” Sills said.

With this being one of the two jobs she has Sills mentions how she uses her time management skills and getting her most important work done first. Luckily this is the beginning of the semester, when assignments are not so strenuous.

“I deal with it the best way I can. Luckily it has not gotten to the point where students or staff have gotten ugly with me. If that did happen I would just walk away to cool down and then get back to work,” Sills said.

When visiting the bookstore, things seemed to be under control. But when your scholarship money has not come in, or your Skyhawk card has been declined and they have cancelled your book order things can get a little out of control.

Students and staff do get mad or upset, but most of the bookstore employees want others to think of it as these people are catering to our needs and catering to mistakes that we have made

and with students expecting the bookstore employees to fix it in an instant, is impossible.

Covington and Sills are just a couple of staff that you have probably encountered that had the best attitude ever in working with people.

Students and staff ought to appreciate the type of friendly environment and people that UTM upholds even in working in a fast pace environment as the bookstore can be, especially during the beginning and end of the semester.

The one thing Covington and Sills had in common saying: “I love working here and I love to read.”

Now that the obstacle of overcoming the beginning of the semester is over, the

Buying books brings stress to all, even employees

Marquita DouglasNews Editor

UTM plans to recognize the accomplishments of past African American students that helped to desegregate the university in a special way.

UTM is looking forward to holding a yearlong celebration honoring the first African American undergraduates that took the big step and attended UTM for not only the campus, but also all surrounding communities.

The African American students that were enrolled at UTM in the fall of 1961 and paved the way for many other black students to gain admittance to the university today, will be one of the main honorees for their courage to overcome adversity and begin classes at UTM.

The university plans to celebrate the achievement with several guest speakers, special events, and other programs for students, staff, and anyone else interested. UTM will acknowledge and pay homage to the many achievements, triumphs, and struggles of African American students enrolled at UTM during the past 50 years.

UTM hopes this observance of past African American students will bring the campus together even more as a whole.

As apart of the yearlong celebration, students will get the chance to learn about UTM’s history and look onward to the future of enrolled African American students and the community.

For more information about the scheduling of events, contact Dr. Annie C. Jones, director of the Office of Minority Affairs at 731-881-7282.

UTM to honor enrollment of past African-American students

MARTIN – The BASE-TN (Become a Special Educator in Tennessee) Teaching Program, funded by the Tennessee Department of Education’s Division of Special Education, is now available at UTM.

BASE-TN is designed to increase the number of teachers qualified to teach students with special needs in Tennessee.

BASE-TN provides financial support for persons who meet eligibility criteria and desire to earn an initial Tennessee teaching license or endorsement in special education.

This support involves a commitment to teach in a Tennessee public school two years for each academic

year of financial support received.

BASE-TN will pay for tuition only. Additional costs, such as testing, copying, meals and books, must be paid by the student.

There are two groups of candidates who are eligible to apply for BASE-TN.

Those with first priority include individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree in an area other than special education (2.75 GPA required) and desire to obtain a license to teach in special education.

Individuals currently employed as an educational paraprofessional in a special education classroom and who have already completed a minimum of two years of undergraduate coursework

or have earned an associate degree (2.75 GPA required) are among those in the second priority group.

The first group of UTM students who will be supported by BASE-TN tuition funding will begin in summer. The deadline to apply is March 11. About 10 students will be selected.

For more information, contact Dr. Beth Quick, UTM Department of Educational Studies chair, at bquick@utm.edu or 731-881-7210.

To learn more about BASE-TN or to get an application, visit www.k12.tn.us/BASE-TN.

BASE-TN now available at UTM

Laura Buckland Pacer Writer

Miss Meagan Meketi, of Paris, Tenn., was crowned Miss University of Tennessee at Martin at the Miss UT Martin/Miss Soybean Festival , Saturday night, at the Student and Leadership Center on UT Martin’s campus.

Meketi, UTM Biology major, won the 2011 title and opportunity to compete in the Miss Tennessee Scholarship pageant this June in Jackson, Tenn. Also headed to the Miss Tennessee Pageant in June is Chelsea Chandler, 23, Psychology and Music major at Christian Brothers University from Germantown, Tenn., was crowned Miss Soybean Festival.

Former Miss UTM Taren Hatcher and former Miss Soybean Festival Loren Dean were happy to crown these two new wonderful girls as great representatives for the University and Weakley County.

“I am shocked! This has only been my second pageant and I’ve learned so much from my experiences. I can’t wait to get to compete in Miss Tennessee,” Meketi said, following her win.

Meketi chose the platform American Cancer Society, and her career goal is to be a Nurse Practitioner.

“I’m so excited to be back in Weakley County because

it reminds me of when I used to ride horses and apart of the American Quarter Horse Association in my youth,” Chandler said.

Chandler chose the platform Animal Advocacy, and strives to achieve her career goal by getting her masters in Industrial Organizational/Psychology and to hopefully become an E.G.O.T. (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony).

Runners up for the Miss UTM crown were: Sally Saputo,20, Broadcast

Journalism major, first runner up; Leah Rodgers, 20, Elementary Education major (Pre K-3rd), second runner up. To be eligible to compete in Miss UT Martin you have to be a student at The University of Tennessee at Martin.

Runners up for the Miss Soybean Festival were: Elizabeth Murphree, 18, a Communications major at Mississippi State University, received first runner up and Sarah-Taylor Argo, 20, an Interdisciplinary Studies

major (grade 4-8) with a concentration in Math received second runner up .

Both former Miss UT Martin and Miss Soybean Festival, Taren Hatcher and Loren Dean, were the hosts for the night and both provided vocal entertainment. Each girl had to participate in a swimsuit competition, talent competition, evening wear competition and an onstage interview session each with two questions.

Miss UT Martin and

Miss Soybean Festival both received $1500 scholarships along with an amazing package of awards and first and second runner up received $500 and $200 in scholarships. There was a full house this year at the Miss UT Martin/Miss Soybean Festival pageant. All twelve talented women gave their best effort this pageant and left with a wonderful learning experience.

New Miss UTM and Miss Soybean Festival crowned

LEFT Chelsea Chandler, of Germantown, second from left, won the 2011 Miss Tennessee Soybean Festival title at the annual Miss University of Tennessee at Martin/Miss Tennessee Soybean Festival Pageant, Saturday night, at the Student Life Center at UT Martin. First runner-up was Elizabeth Murphree, also of Germantown, left; and second runner-up was Sarah-Taylor Argo, of Alamo, right. Chandler was crowned by Loren Dean, second from right, 2010 Miss Tennessee Soybean Festival.

RIGHT Meagan Meketi, of Paris, second from left, was crowned 2011 Miss UTMartin at the annual Miss University of Tennessee at Martin/Miss Tennessee Soybean Festival Pageant, Saturday night, at the Student Life Center at UT Martin. Runners-up for the Miss UT Martin crown were: Sally Seputo, of Milan, left, first; and Leah Rogers, of Brighton, second, right. All members of the Miss UT Martin court must be UT Martin students. Taren Hatcher, of Greenfield, second from right, 2010 Miss UTMartin, crowned Meketi.

(Pacer Photos/Jeremy Jones)

NewsFebruary 2, 2011 Page 4

Contact the UTM TACO BELL® Campus Marketing Representativefor your next event for sponsorship and donation opportunities!

Jacob Rossjacrross@ut.utm.edu • 901-277-4047

PEPSI and the Pepsi Globe are trademarks of PepsiCo, Inc. ©2011 TACO BELL CORP.

Hunger Pains Got You Puzzled?TACO BELL® Has The Answer:

CRUNCHY, SPICY,MELTY and GRILLED

Erin Creech Pacer Writer

The UT Martin Livestock Judging team, coached by Animal Science lecturer Jason Duggin, traveled over 1,000 miles just after New Year’s in search of the nation’s best. . . hamburger?

Well, not exactly.Duggin, an Oklahoma State

graduate and recent addition to the UT Martin faculty, traveled with his team to Denver, Colo. in early January to compete in the National Western Stockshow Competition. The students spent almost thirteen hours judging cattle, hogs, sheep and goats based on a set of standard criteria.

“What we do on the livestock judging team is evaluate meat animals,” said Duggin. The team examines two classifications of animals

– breeding and market – based on criteria such as muscle, body volume and structural correctness. In other words, “We pick out the one that best combines those things,” said Duggin.

In a typical competition, team members will be asked to rank four animals, known as a “class,” in order of quality and explain their reasoning to a professional judge. They do this 12 times. Each participant is given a score out of 50 based on how accurately the animals were ranked and another score out of 50 based on the logic and presentation of their reasons.

“Let’s say you had a middle pair that was close,” Duggin explains, “and you placed the animals 1-2-3-4, but the officials placed them 1-3-2-4 and they thought 2 and 3 were close, you really got 48 out of 50. You could potentially

go talk the way you placed it and still score pretty high. You might score better than someone that placed them correctly because you saw them well and you made a reasonable argument.”

So there’s more to judging livestock than being able to tell a bull from a hog.

“It’s all about thinking on your feet and still being able to communicate even in instances of stress, or sometimes sheer panic,” said Amanda Cain, a senior also known as “AJ.”

Team members spend time organizing their notes and then present their arguments one-on-one before a professional judge. Students must communicate their points effectively and be able to confidently argue their placements in order to score well.

“Right before a contest, my

mind goes a thousand miles a minute and I feel extremely nervous,” said Cain. “I just have to remind myself that we are prepared and do deserve to be there. Then I feel like I can go forth with confidence and just compete to the best of my abilities.”

The UT Martin team placed 14th out of 29 teams in Denver’s carload competition, doing well considering they were the most inexperienced team to compete. A carload competition is where several pens of four animals are presented and the animals are ranked as groups rather than as individuals.

Between competitions, the team practices with elite livestock breeders across the country and the students form business connections they can use in the future.

“It’s a huge networking

opportunity,” said Duggin. “A large portion of the livestock breeders in the nation respect livestock judging teams, so it’s a big network and people understand how much work and effort it takes.”

A judging “season” lasts from January to November and team members devote every weekend to on-the-road practices.

“It’s a huge character building effort and for someone to complete it means they go above and beyond just your normal school,” said Duggin. “There’s no glory in it, but it really helps you become a better communicator and helps with decision making skills and networking.”

Matthew Chesnut, also known as “Bulldog,” is a junior on the team. “It’s a fun experience overall. We’re learning, but at the same time

we’re having fun and getting to go to these places we might not normally get to go,” said Chesnut.

The team has grown close over the last few months of practice and the members have a deep respect for their coach.

“Duggin told us we would make friends we would remember for a lifetime and do things that we’d remember forever, and so far that’s definitely been true,” said Chesnut. “It’s been a blast just hanging out with the rest of them.”

The team will finish out the season with major competitions in Houston, Texas; Jackson, Miss.; and Louisville, Ky., where they will compete for the national championship title.

Rec Center From Cover

the Interim Coordinator of Fitness at the SRC, says, plans for the future include a joint effort with Student Health Director Shannon Deal and the Student Health Department in offering a series of classes in the SRC’s upstairs classroom that encourage education in wellness for the student population. The chance for students to assess their Body Mass Index and Body Fat percentage has recently been made available in the fitness center, and personalized fitness plans for students may also be available in future semesters.

Since the opening of the SRC, the Campus Recreation department has been able to employ between 80 and 90 students for positions including fitness center attendants, intramural officials, lifeguards, supervisors and more.

Campus Recreation is currently in need of American Red Cross certified lifeguards as

well as intramural scorekeepers, and students are encouraged to fill out an application for work online.

While the new recreation facility has enjoyed early success, it has not been without problems. Due to students excessively lending out their Student ID’s or entering the building using another individual’s ID, measures have been taken to discourage this from continuing.

Students are warned that anybody who is found to be entering the facility with an ID that is not their own will be banned from the facility and from participation in intramural sports for two weeks.

Any student interested in a one-on-one fitness center orientation can do so on Monday nights until February 14. After February 14, an orientation is available upon request.

Competition brings UTM’s livestock team closer

Megan AblesAnneliese Alexander

Amy BeloteKatie BivensChelsea Boyd

Megan BurchamJerrie Carrington

Catherine ColeEvelyn Daniel

Torie EfirdSyrena FlowersDarcy FrazierAbbie Fuqua

Katherine GriffyShelby HendrenJordan Johnson

Ashley KingNatalie MedlingBethany MeeksKristen MitchellMackenzie Moore

Amy NeilsonHillary Peterson

Katelyn RayMallory Robinson

Secily ScottRebecca StokesJessica Stone

Chelsey TalbottCasey Taylor

Samantha TreadwellCandie Weatherholt

Sarah RowlandStaff Writer

College students are charging more tuition and school related funds to credit cards than ever before according to research by Sallie Mae, the nation’s leading student loan company.

According to the study, in 2008 the average college student charged $2,200 in tuition and other educational expenses to credit cards rather than using other student loans or financial aid.

Despite the trend, it’s better for students to use student loans rather than credit cards, said UTM’s Thomas Payne, chair of the Department of Accounting, Finance, Economics, and Political Science and holder

of the Dunagan Chair of Excellence in Banking. The lower interest rates and options of deferring payments and interest costs are better for long term expenses while credit cards are better for short term expenses, he said.

Students, though, seem to still be relying on credit cards for academic loans and other expenses while racking up high debt at high interest. Sallie Mae also reported the average college student is in $3,173 of credit card debt overall.

“The best thing to do is not to accumulate any more debt than is absolutely necessary,” Payne said.

For students who are already in heaping amounts of debt, Payne said they need to start making an effort now to get themselves out,

starting with not charging anymore to the credit card then making regular payments more than the minimum payment due.

“I realize students are on a limited budget and they may have dug a hole and the hole may be something they can blame themselves for or it might have been an emergency situation and was unavoidable. Regardless, if they can say ‘I’m going to pay off $50 more than my minimum payment. I’m going to make real payment toward the principle amount owed on this credit card balance’ then they’re making progress,” Payne said.

When a student thinks about creating a budget, Payne said, he or she should think about big expenses, categorize them and think

about how much they can spend in each area.

“When you first do a budget it won’t be right. You’ll realize, ‘Oh, I didn’t think about that.’ That’s okay. Think about it next time. It’s a fluid thing. After about two to three months you’ll have a pretty good idea,” Payne said.

Payne said there are plenty of resources online to help with budgeting such as mint.com and bundle.com, online budgeting systems that allow a person to create personal budget accounts and compare expenses to averages of others in different demographics.

Finance 160 is a class that covers the basics of financial planning such as budgeting, checking, and credit cards, said Payne, and is available to any student.

Better budgeting may be the solution to student debt

February 2, 2011 thepacer Page 5

1-21-11 at 6:33 p.m. - Browning Hall - Subject reported slipping on some ice and injuring an ankle. EMS responded and treated the subject at the scene. Subject refused transport and was taken to the hospital by a friend where it was found the ankle was broken.

1-21-11 at 10:34 p.m. - Off Campus South - Officers assisted MPD with a subject threatening to do harm to self. Subject was taken into protective custody.1-22-11 at 12:49 a.m. - University Village Phase I - Two subjects were referred for violation of the drinking-age law.

1-23-11 at 3:39 a.m. - University Village Phase II - Three subjects were referred for violation of the drinking-age law.1-23-11 at 6:19 p.m. - University Village Phase I - Report of alcohol being present in one of the suites. Officers responded and confiscated the alcohol. A subject was referred for violation of the drinking-age law.

1-23-11 at 8:19 p.m. - Crisp Hall - Subject arrived at headquarters with a cut to the head and arm resulting from an accident that occurred while moving items into a dorm room. EMS responded and treated the subject at the scene and the subject was then transported to the hospital.

1-24-11 at 5:25 p.m. - Browning Hall - Report of a subject who had fallen in the stairwell and injured a knee. Subject was transported to the hospital.1-24-11 at 5:35 p.m. - University Courts “L” Unit - A student was arrested on domestic assault and criminal trespass. (General Sessions Court)

1-26-11 at 4:09 p.m. - Student Rec Center - Subject reported the theft of a cell phone. After investigation, a student was arrested on theft of property. (General Sessions Court)

1-26-11 at 11:37 p.m. - University Village Phase II - A student was arrested on public intoxication and violation of the drinking-age law.

1-27-11 at 10:19 a.m. - Communications Building - Report of a subject who had passed out. Officers and EMS responded and the subject was transported to the hospital.

1-27-11 at 5:05 p.m. - Student Rec Center - Report of vandalism to a vehicle. Investigation continues.1-27-11 at 6:13 p.m. - UC - Report of a subject who had injured their ankle. Officers and EMS responded and the subject was transported to the hospital.

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Take note!of upcoming

events on campus

Pacer Graphics/Jen DeYeso

Disgruntled Artists

II Exhibit

Art exhibit in the Paul Meek Library

upstairs gallery Tuesday, Feb. 8, from 5

p.m. to 6 p.m. For more information,

contact Douglas Cook at (731) 881-7406

or Diane Shaw at (731) 881-7417.

Meek Literary Legacy SeriesNationally known authors will give a lecture and autograph books Monday, Feb. 7, from 4 p.m. until 5 p.m. at the Holt Humanities Building. The event is open to the public and free admission. For more information contact Mary Vaughn Carpenter at (731) 881-7070 or Dr. Lynn Alexander at (731) 881-7492.

Campus

Map

Grad School at SIUC

For more information:Lu Lyons (618) 453.4512 llyons@siu.edu Pat McNeil (618) 453.4330 pmcneil@siu.edu

To find out how, visit:

http://gradschool.siuc.edu/imagine.html

NEW: Neighboring states tuition savings program!

Graduate SchoolSouthern Illinois University Carbondale

Success

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LifeFebruary 2, 2011 thepacer Page 6

pacer_features@ut.utm.edu

Josh LemonsSports Editor

Kevin Smith wants to revolutionize the film industry, and he’s not pulling any punches.

Smith, responsible for such films as “Clerks” and “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back”, spoke after a screening at Sundance Film Festival of his most recent film Red State. Smith came to the mic in the usual Q & A format but instead of fielding questions, broke into

a diatribe about the excesses of corporate Hollywood.

Smith first thanked the audience for coming to the show, then announced to the corporate studio execs in attendance, “...thanks for coming out but we’re not going to sell you the movie...”

Smith then acknowledged that he was “burning all of his future buyers” but that he was upset at the cost of corporate marketing associated with the larger studios.

“For me, the idea of spending five times, giving somebody else five times the amount of the budget for the movie we all collectively made...just seems obscene,” Smith said.

Smith then announced that he and his producers are going to take the film on the road themselves.

Smith said it would be more like the original days of film when movies like “Gone With the Wind” would take their film to a Cinema, “stay a couple days and move on.”

Smith went on and announced dates for the upcoming “Red State USA Tour,” which will open at Radio City Music Hall on March 5, 2011 and will include his typical Q & A format afterward, a 15 day tour, will garner the filmmaker between “1.5 and 1.7 million,” almost half way to the four million dollar budget.

According to the website, www.imdb.com, Red State is a movie that is, “ Set in Middle America, a group of teens receive an online invitation for sex, though they soon encounter fundamentalists with a much more sinister agenda.”

Smith’s previous movie’s were considered much more dialogue driven and had a recurring cast of characters and actors, as well as multiple references to Star Wars and Comics.

Smith told the audience, “We don’t let them sell our movie (the studios). We will sell our movie ourselves.”

Fed up: Kevin Smith refuses to sell(out) newest movie

Director Kevin Smith faces off with protesters from Westboro Baptist Church as he arrives at the premiere of his movie “Red State” during the 2011 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, on Sunday, Jan. 23, 2011.

(AP Photo/Danny Moloshok)

Sarah RowlandPacer Writer

By night Bob Shumake performs music at The Looking Glass Coffee and Curisosities such as his appearance last Friday night at 7, one of his monthly appearances, he said.

Before playing he said he had been sick with a cold and hadn’t been sure if he would be able to perform, but thought he was well enough to try.

He opened the performance with “Knocking of Heaven’s Door” made popular by Guns n’ Roses, in which he played the acoustic guitar and harmonica while singing. Among several covers such as “Heart of Gold” by Neil

Young and “Small Town” by John Mellencamp, Shumake performed one original composition called “Runaway.” Shumake said he has been making music for 25 years.

After finishing his first set, Shumake decided not to

continue another set because his voice was still weak from his sickness. The first set, though, despite his sickness, proved to be an enjoyable experience—mellow music, good coffee and great fellowship with friends.

About The Looking Glass, Shumake said, “It’s a nice fit for Martin. We need more places like this.”

By day Shumake works as a county

extension agent with the UT system providing educational outreach programs to the public. He said he works for organizations such as 4-H and other youth. Shumake lives in Martin, Tenn. and has two kids ages 16 and 11.

UT agent puts on show at coffee shop

Bob Shumake plays guitar at The Looking Glass.

Photo/Sarah Rowland

Statham steady, but Foster steals show in ‘Mechanic’

Stanton WatsonPacer Writer

“The Mechanic” turned out to be better than the average Jason Statham film, although that admittedly is not saying much.

Statham (“Crank”, “The Expendables”) plays a professional hitman who specializes in completing his assignments in such a way that the killings appear to be accidents and proceeds to unsurprisingly disappear without a trace.

When Statham’s character is assigned a target whom he is close to, he comes to question the company he works for and eventually seeks to bring it crumbling down.

Yet again, Statham reprises the role he has played in each and every film throughout his career. He once again assumes the character of the emotionless killer with limited and poorly delivered dialogue, an arrogant glare with a cocked eyebrow, a stubble-covered face and all the right moves in the face of

danger. While Statham continues to

sell tickets based on the body counts and car chases found in his films, The Mechanic was not without an example of quality acting.

Ben Foster, who as previously

appeared in critically acclaimed movies such as “3:10 to Yuma” and “The Messenger”, turns in yet another brilliant performance as Statham’s sidekick and continues to prove himself as one of the best emerging actors in the business today.

Furthermore, Foster also proves in the film that he can throw punches and pull triggers

alongside one of the biggest action stars in the industry.

Foster’s excellent portrayal of a vengeful, troubled hitman protégé served as the perfect contrast to Statham’s lack of emotive acting skills in this entertaining but forgettable adventure.

Director Simon West seems to be coming back to his action roots. His debut was 1997’s “Con Air” starring Nicolas Cage. Later he directed the now classic “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider” before taking on a more dramatic approach with “General’s Daughter” and even dabbled into horror films with the mediocre “When A Stranger Calls.”

While the plot of the film was predictable and familiar, the action was fresh and exciting and the violence deserved its R rating though it was not overwhelming.

The Mechanic is decidedly worth the admission price if only for another chance to see Foster at his best and Statham fulfilling his quota for death and demolition.

Statham (left) and Foster (right) in ‘The Mechanic’

Photo/hollywoodgo.com

Foster also proves in the film that he can

throw punches and pull triggers alongside one of the biggest action stars in the industry

“

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Spencer TaylorExecutive Editor

In “The Rite,” skeptical priest-in-training Michael Kovak (O’ Donoghue) attempts to withdraw from Catholic seminary before his graduation, citing his reason as an absence of faith.

Before he can go through with it, he is essentially blackmailed into participating in a program within the Vatican to recruit and produce new exorcists to meet the rising demand in parishes across the United States and world. Kovak proves to be a stubborn believer in the matters of exorcism, and is soon sent to study with Father Lucas (Hopkins) to witness firsthand the reality of possession and the devil’s hold on humanity.

Throughout the film, Kovak battles demons, both his and those of others, as he grapples with his faith and his ability to believe in what he sees.

The Rite is the newest in a long line of exorcism-based horror movies that reach back to the 1973 classic “The Exorcist,” and many reviewers critical of “The Rite” have claimed that it brings nothing new to the area of the table reserved for “exorcism horror.”

While that may be true, I really couldn’t tell you.

I truly consider myself a horror fan, but I’ve really seen few of the many exorcism-based horror films that are available for viewing.

From my point of view, I can’t compare what it adds to the genre of exorcism, but in terms of general filmmaking, “The Rite” is very vanilla.

Take Michael Kovak’s character progression, for example (SPOILER ALERT).

Established as a skeptic, forced into believing something he doesn’t want to, he continually maintains his beliefs that the devil doesn’t exist, slowly begins to question his beliefs and then eventually folds into believing and understanding what he’s experiencing and by the end of the film, his calling in life.

There. That’s “The Rite” at the most basic level.

That may sound vague, but the evolution of the protagonist from skeptic to believer is a theme used so many times today that it really has to be done well or at the very least, the plot shouldn’t be the engine of the entire film if that’s all it has going for itself.

Many were excited to see Anthony Hopkins filling the lead role in the film, but honestly, it’s not his best role

and that creepy Lambs-esque Hopkins we all love so much really wasn’t much of a factor.

Really, this should be expected as the film’s PG-13 rating did enough to restrict the potential psychological tension of the film as well as Hopkins’ sure-fire ability to make your skin crawl.

“The Rite,” truly, isn’t all bad. Some scenes of the film were fairly disturbing and while it wasn’t “Gold Standard Anthony Hopkins,” I personally still enjoy his acting to the point where it was just nice to see him on screen.

In all, “The Rite” isn’t a terrible film, it’s just hard to imagine it standing out among what will surely be a high number of forgettable 2011 horror films. And if it’s forgettable at purely a horror genre level, then surely someone with better knowledge of the exorcism sub-genre than myself will find it even harder to hold interest.

If you need an excuse to go to the movies, “The Rite” is currently the best thing playing in Martin right now (and that won’t change next week unless you carry a torch for Justin Bieber). However, “The Rite” is just as enjoyable on DVD in a dark room a few months from now than in a dark theatre sometime in the near future.

Newest Hopkins horror flick lacks ‘Rite’ stuff

February 2, 2011 Page 7Life

10 things 10 of the most famous banned books

Edited by Regina EmeryCo-Life Editor

“10 things” is a new graphic section we plan to include each week in Life, highlighting a list of 10 interesting and random items. If you would like for your ideas to be featured in this section, please submit them to pacer_features@ut.utm.edu.

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Sports Information

Freshman Jaclissa Haislip scored a career-high 24 points and led The UTM women’s basketball team to an 86-64 victory over host Murray State this Sat. Jan. 29, at the CFSB Center.

Haislip made eight 3-pointers in the game, four in each half, and set a new school record for most 3-pointers made in the game.

Haislip was 8-of-19 from 3-point range and the Skyhawks were 14-of-35 from behind the arch. Haislip’s 19 attempts was a new school record for most 3-pointers attempted in a game. The previous record was, 14, set earlier this season by freshman Heather Butler at Louisville.

The 14 treys ties a school mark for most 3-pointers made in the game by the Skyhawks. This was the third time this season the Skyhawks have made 14 3-pointers in a game.

While Haislip drilled the eight treys and the Skyhawks won by 22 points, the game teeter-totted back and forth in the first half with the Racers grabbing a 35-33 advantage at the half when sophomore Mariah Robinson knocked down a 3-pointer with four seconds left.

The score was tied twice in the first half and the lead changed 11 times in the game and eight times in the first half.

The Skyhawks took the lead for good when sophomore

Rickiesha Bryant made her only basket of the game, a layup off an assist from freshman Jasmine Newsome with 12:52 to play in the game.

Haislip made her first 3-pointer of the second half with 8:58 and the Skyhawks stretched their lead to five points, 53-48. Butler capped the 10-3 run with a trey with

5:51 to go and the Skyhawks led 63-53 and never looked back.

The Skyhawks had four other freshmen finish the game with double-digit points. Butler tossed in 16 points, while Aubrey Reedy scored a career-high 15 points. Newsome added 12 points and Perica Glenn scored 11 points.

Murray State was led by Robinson who finished the game with 25 points and 14 rebounds. She had 17 points and 11 rebounds in the first half.

Robinson and the Racers dominated the boards in the first half, out-rebounding the Skyhawks 34-22. In the second half, the Skyhawks

out-rebounded the Racers 30-19. However Murray State won the battle on the boards 53-52 in the game.

The Skyhawks, now 13-8 overall and 8-2 in the OVC, will return to action Thursday, Feb. 3, when they travel to Austin Peay. Murray State falls to 6-15 on the year and 2-8 in the league standings.

February 2, 2011 thepacer Page 8

Sports pacer_sports@ut.utm.edu

Skyhawk women rout rival Racers

Freshman Jaclissa Haislip (No. 20) led all scorers Sat. Jan. 29 as UTM downed rival Murray State, 86-64. (Photo Credit/Kenneth Coker/Union City Messenger)

Freshman Jaclissa Haislip, a 6-0 guard on The UTM women’s basketball team was named the adidas OVC Freshman of the Week for her effort this past week against Murray State.

Haislip, from Murfreesboro, played all 40 minutes in the win over Murray State and scored a career-high 24 points to go with 12 rebounds to record her third career double-double. She made eight three-pointers, four in each half, to set a new school record for treys made and most three-point attempts (19) in a single game.

Haislip is among the top 100 players in the nation in rebounds per game. She is averaging 8.5 rebounds a game. She is also the OVC’s fourth leading rebounder and the Skyhawks’ leader.

Haislip is the fourth UTM player to win the Freshman of the Week honor.

A UT Martin freshman has picked up this recognition 11 out of 12 weeks this season. Beth Hawn was named Freshman of the Week Nov. 14, while Heather Butler has been recognized five times this season. Jasmine Newsome has won the honor four times this season.

Haislip

named OVC

Freshman

of Week

Comeback too late as men fall to Murray StateSports Information

The UTM men’s basketball team shot 50 percent of its attempts from three-point range tonight, but it was Murray State who made 11 of 12 three-pointers in the first half to come away with a 92-75 win at the CFSB Center.

Terence Smith and Benzor Simmons each scored 17 points to lead the Skyhawks (8-15, 3-8 OVC), while Reuben Clayton poured in 16 points. As a team, UTM converted nine of its 18 attempts from beyond the three-point arc and shot an even 40 percent (20-for-50) from the floor.

Isaiah Canaan netted 24 points (6-for-6 from three-point range) to lead Murray State (15-6, 7-3 OVC). Isacc Miles scored 19 points while BJ Jenkins and Donte Poole each tallied 11 points to round out the double-figure scorers for the Racers. Paced by its first half shooting effort, Murray State made a season-high 13 three-pointers tonight.

“A wise man once said you can’t win the game in the first half but you can lose it in the first half and we sure did that tonight,” UTM head coach Jason James said. “Murray State is one of the best teams in the OVC and we’re kidding

ourselves if we think we can come out and spot them 20 points and still win the game.”

Both teams opened with a barrage of three-pointers, nailing two apiece from downtown to tie the game at 6-all less than three minutes into the game. Murray State then scored seven unanswered, beginning a 14-1 run over a span of 4:33 to go ahead 20-7

with under 13 minutes left in the first half.

A Canaan trey from the right corner pushed the Racer lead out to 17, but the Skyhawks would slice their deficit to a dozen at the 8:41 mark on a Clayton bucket inside. The Racers unreeled another run - this time an 8-2 spurt in 3:32 - to go on top by a score of 39-21 with just over five minutes

to play in the first stanza.A Canaan layup off a steal

extended Murray State’s lead to 24 points before Simmons scored right before the halftime buzzer to make the score 53-31 at the half.

Simmons’ nine points led the Skyhawks at the break, while Clayton added eight to pace UTM. Canaan (15 points), Miles (13) and Jenkins (11) all

reached double-figures in the first half for the Racers, who shot 65.5 percent (19-for-29) from the floor.

The Skyhawks scored five of the first seven points in the second half and eventually cut their deficit to 18 points with 15:03 to go thanks to five straight points from Dane Smith. However, Murray State would piece together an 8-1 run before Terence Smith drained a three-pointer to make the score 69-47 with 10:36 remaining.

Simmons scored eight consecutive points to help UTM get back within 17 points, but the Racers quickly extended their lead back out to 21 points. Over the next 1:40, the Skyhawks would produce a 7-0 run, capped off by a Troy King trey off a fast break with a little over five minutes to go.

UTM would go on another 7-0 run late in the game to make the score 88-75, but the comeback attempt came too late for the Skyhawks, who saw their four-game winning streak come to an end.

The Skyhawks will continue their OVC road schedule when they travel to Clarksville to take on the Austin Peay Governors on Thursday, Feb. 3 at 7:30 p.m.

Freshman Terence Smith (shown) poured in 17 points while handing out a team-high three assists in the Skyhawks loss Sat. Jan. 29 at Murray. (Photo Credit/Kenneth Coker/Union City Messenger)

For the sixth time this season, a freshman on UTM’s men’s basketball team has been recognized by the Ohio Valley Conference, as Terence Smith was named the league’s Adidas Freshman of the Week this afternoon.

It is the second career award for Smith, as the Russellville, Ala. native also brought home the honors on Dec. 27. Teammates Mike Liabo (Nov. 29 and Dec. 6) and Troy King (Dec. 13 and Jan. 17) account for UTM’s other weekly awards this season.

Smith began the week with a 15-point, nine-rebound and four-assist effort in the Skyhawks’ 78-69 comeback victory at SIU Edwardsville last Monday. His rebound and assist totals were a team-high, while he also set a new career-best mark for field goals made (six) against the Cougars. Down the stretch, he scored six straight points for UT Martin in a span of 1:21 with under five minutes to play to help the Skyhawks ice their fourth straight victory.

On Saturday at Murray State, Smith poured in 17 points while handing out a team-high three assists to lead the Skyhawks. In that game, he was a perfect 3-for-3 from three-point range, and made all six of his free throw attempts. The three makes from three-point land set a new single-game career-high.

Starting in a team-high 18 games, Smith leads UT Martin in minutes played (30.8 per game), assists (3.1 per game - ninth in the OVC), assist-to-turnover ratio (1.4:1 - seventh in the OVC), and double-figure scoring games (15). For the season, he averages 11.1 points and 4.2 rebounds for the Skyhawks while shooting 43.4 percent from the floor and 77.5 percent from the free throw line.

Smith named OVC Freshman

of Week

Sports Information

The UTM women’s equestrian team suffered a disappointing, 12-6, loss to perennial Southeastern Conference power Auburn, Friday at the Ned McWherter Agricultural Complex.

UTM’s Caroline Cramer won her point and the MVP honor in Equitation over Fences, but it wasn’t enough as Auburn rallied for a 3-2 victory in the event.

“Auburn is a really strong team and I knew I had to give the best ride I could in order to win the point,” Cramer

said.UTM head coach Meghan

Cunningham said Cramer stepped up her effort to win the point.

“Caroline had a fabulous ride on Marly, which is a new horse we’ve added to the program.”

Auburn, which was ranked No. 2 in the latest Varsity Equestrian Coach’s Poll, dominated Equitation on the Flat, winning all four points, to claim the Hunter Seat competition 7-2.

“I was disappointed in our

performance, because we made a few errors that proved costly,” Cunningham said.

On the Western side, UTM

won the Horsemanship event 4-0. Michelle Chullock, Candice fulcher, Laurel Elzey and Hannah Derks all won their points.

Despite not winning the MVP, Derks turned in the

highest score with a 73-point ride.

“We did really well at getting back into the swing of

things after C h r i s t m a s b r e a k , ” said UTM W e s t e r n coach Ashley Thompson.

“Everybody had stellar rides in Horsemanship.”

Auburn swept the Reining event, 5-0, and claimed a 5-4 win in Western.

With the loss UTM falls to 2-4 on the year.

The Skyhawks return to action Feb. 26 when they compete at Georgia which will host a tournament. Also competing in the tournament will be South Dakota State, New Mexico State and the host Bulldogs.

“We’ve have some tough matches coming up, but I think we’re headed in the right direction,” Thompson said.

Sports Information Student Assistant Jacob Myracle contributed to this story.

Equestrian team falls short against No. 2 Auburn

“Caroline had a fabulous ride on Marly, which is a new horse we’ve added to the program”

Meghan CunninghamUTM Equestrian Head Coach