Video by Parker Mayberry.
Research, budget forefront of new biology chair’s mind
Month: January 2016
New biology chair hopes to increase funding, research
The new leader elected as biology chair has goals to expand research and funding to the department at Dixie State University.
Erin O’Brien was elected chair of the biology department Jan. 1. O’Brien said she has many goals to boost funding for research and to expand research opportunities.
Mikayla Stokes, a junior biology major from Wrangell, Alaska, said there is a lack of funding in the department for independent research, a requirement for most biology majors’ education. Some students in the department work with faculty in order to fulfill these research requirements.
The main expense the biology department must overcome is obtaining the money for necessary equipment in order to complete experiments, Stokes said. DSU isn’t a research school, so the funding isn’t as readily available. Stokes said in order for the school to grow as a university, it should expand its research capabilities.
“As a biology student, the ability to do independent research is important,” Stokes said. “Dr. O’Brien is very supportive of independent research and sees it as a big need in our department.”
Stokes said there are various opportunities for students to do research even without sufficient funding. The faculty is supportive and helps students improvise where they don’t have the equipment, Stokes said.
“We’re trying to facilitate faculty research as much as we can,” O’Brien said. “We are working with different funding agencies to bring in money to cover the expenses of research. We are working with local startups that are doing research so that our students can get involved.”
Joseph Cartagena, a senior biology major from St. George, said he is happy O’Brien is the new chair.
“One thing I really like about her is she’s a Ph.D., so she understands the point behind the research that we do,” Cartagena said. “I feel like we are only going to move forward from here.”
Kalisi Uluave, a senior biology major from St. George, said DSU needs more options for student research.
“You can’t get the research opportunities that you can at other universities,” Uluave said. “Many students would like to see that expanded.”
O’Brien said the department needs to make students more aware of their current options for research. There are 40 to 50 research opportunities on campus alone this semester. These opportunities mostly consist of working with faculty on their research.
O’Brien is currently in charge of three research opportunities, including one involving the endangered dwarf bear claw poppy.
Uluave is already a part of one research team headed by O’Brien.
O’Brien said biology students should consider going to other campuses during the summer to do research. She said this is what she did in college. This gives students a new perspective and the chance to make more connections by working with more people, O’Brien said.
There have been three new emphases established recently in the biology department: biomedical sciences, biological sciences and natural sciences.
O’Brien said she hopes to work with federal and state agencies to create more opportunities for a natural science emphasis within the next year.
“We are all kind of working to build this place into what meets the needs of our students,” O’Brien said. “It’s not often that you’re at an institution where there’s so much potential to make things better for students.”
Health on a Budget: Running cheap, accessible
Running is possibly the highlight of my day.
I get that running isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, and plenty of acquaintances tell me they only run because something is chasing them.
However, while running isn’t a prerequisite to living healthily, running is one of the most accessible ways to workout.
Gear
Now when I call running accessible, I mean it. You really don’t need high-end gear to get out the door and go.
What I recommend is comfortable clothes. Whether you run outside, in a gym, or on your treadmill at home, comfort is king when it comes to running. Be mindful of where you rub skin-on-skin because chafing is not fun.
And, ladies, be picky when it comes to sports bras. If it’s not keeping you from bouncing, then your sports bra isn’t doing its job.
The only running essential you should spend more money on are your running shoes. Now, I can’t say there is the perfect shoe for everyone.
I would recommend a specialty running store, as the employees there typically have a better knowledge of how to help you. A good local store I recommend is the St. George Running Center.
Training
It can be intimidating to start running, and, without a plan to guide you, running can feel pointless and discouraging without marks to show improvement.
For the beginner runner, I would highly recommend an online training program called Couch to 5k. This training plan alternates between run-walk cycles, and eases the beginner into the running gently. I went through this plan with a friend who never ran more than the mile runs required in high school, and by the end of the nine-week process, we ran a 5k together.
However, if you are a little more confident in your fitness, another online training program that may suit you would be Hal Higdon’s half marathon plans.
If you can run at least three miles fairly comfortably, then these plans could work for you.
Also, these training plans I recommended are free online with associated apps that you have the option to purchase.
Nutrition
I hit my highest weight last May. I absolutely hated how I felt, how nothing fit me anymore, and I was determined to lose weight.
To be clear, weight loss is 80 percent diet change and 20 percent exercise. And, really, you can lose weight without any exercise. However, for overall fitness, I would recommend combining diet with exercise.
There is a myth that runners need to have a carbohydrate-heavy diet. Carbs are great for short-term fuel, but chowing down on pasta and bread isn’t necessary.
Instead, focus on eating less processed food. You will be hungrier as you run more regularly, but don’t eat everything in sight.
Bulk up on vegetables, but don’t neglect your protein. You’ll find it’s more satisfying.
Also, don’t worry about workout specialized edibles, like energy gels and other types of energy supplements. I never bother unless I’m going out for a few hours of running.
Cost
Depending on what you’re willing to spend, running can be a cheap hobby or an expensive one. I tend to like to sign up for races, and depending on the event, it can cost me anywhere from $5 to $70. But it is not necessary for success.
The main reason I would recommend signing up for a running event would be to give yourself a goal to work toward.
As for purchasing running gear like shorts, tops, socks and shoes, I really only recommend spending on your shoes, as your feet will be the ones taking the beating from running. But for my shorts and tank tops, Walmart and Target gear has seen me through hundreds of miles and is still holding up strong.
As I have gotten more involved in running and wanting to do longer distances, I have built on my base gear things like a running ID bracelet, reflective vest for morning runs, washed an iPod, and beaten up several pairs of headphones. It all depends how much you want to invest into running, as I’ve found running a highly customizable sport. And in less than a year, I am 35 pounds lighter and will be running my first marathon Feb. 13. So you could say I’ve found a good return on my running investment.
I wish you the best of luck on your running journey and hope you’ll wish me luck too.
Seasiders too much for DSU women
With a 92-79 defeat against BYU-Hawaii, the Dixie State University women’s basketball team lost its second game of a three-game road trip.
The Storm came into the game following a victory Saturday against the Chaminade University Silverswords, but the good fortune didn’t hold up Tuesday night.
DSU shot for just under 44 percent from the field in the first half but allowed its opponent to connect on nearly 55 percent of its 3-point attempts. The Storm also committed nine fouls during the first half, which sent the Seasiders to the line 14 times. BYUH sunk 13 of those foul shots.
The Storm committed 19 turnovers which allowed the Seasiders to outscore them in every quarter of the game. DSU never led in the game and eventually fell by a final score of 92-79.
Senior center Taylor Mann led the way for the Storm as she recorded a double-double with 22 points and 13 rebounds. Sophomore guard Sandria Bolden recorded 14 points, while senior guard Leslie Tademy finished with 13 points and seven assists. Junior guard Tomorie Sangster chipped in 10 points in the losing effort.
DSU will return home from its road trip and will take on Hawaii Pacific University Saturday at 5 p.m. before taking a seven-day hiatus and hosting California Baptist University Feb. 6.
Season highs propel DSU men to victories in Hawaii
An 18-point victory over the University of Hawaii-Hilo Vulcans Thursday launched the Dixie State University men’s basketball team to a thrilling overtime win over Chaminade University Saturday.
In its first of a three-game road trip in Hawaii, DSU was matched against UHH. A balanced scoring attack led the Storm to a 97-79 victory over the Vulcans.
The Storm shot well throughout the game, which helped them earn the early lead out of the gate. They used a 19-8 run to balloon their lead to 30-18 with just over six minutes to play in the first half.
Coming out of halftime with a 42-31 lead, the Storm really turned on the jets. They shot 61 percent from the field in the second half while receiving a 24-point contribution from the bench players throughout the game. DSU finished shooting a total of 54 percent from the field to earn the 97-79 win.
“We made shots,” head coach Jon Judkins said. “Our guys did a good job of finding holes in the defense, and were able to knock down open looks.”
The field goal percentage was DSU’s highest shooting total of the year, as was its 97 total points, 22 points higher than its season average.
“We did a good job of getting inside their zone,” Judkins said. “We’ve really been focusing a lot on knocking down shots, and it is paying off.”
Four DSU scorers in the game finished in double figures, led by junior forward Josh Fuller who notched his second 20-point performance of the year, finishing with 22. Senior forward Mark Odgen Jr. finished with 21 points, while sophomore guard Trevor Hill added 14. Sophomore forward Zac Hunter tallied 12 points in the win.
“We came together as a team,” said Fuller, an accounting major from Pocatello, Idaho. “The team is really focusing on having the mindset that if one of us scores, we all score, and that’s helped us play well together.”
Following the win, DSU again set a season high in points as it downed the CU Silverswords 103-100 in overtime. This is DSU’s second victory over CU this season.
The scoring for the Storm was again balanced as they saw five of the seven scorers end with 13 points or more. DSU jumped out to a 16-6 lead early in the first half but then allowed the Silverswords to make a 19-6 run over the next six minutes to take a 25-22 lead.
DSU would make a run of its own and take a 40-36 lead into halftime behind making 57 percent of its 3-point shots and being perfect from the charity strip connecting on each of its eight attempts.
The second half was a back and forth battle until the Silverswords took their largest lead of the game, 82-71, with under six minutes to play in regulation. DSU fought back over the next 90 seconds and cut the lead to four before facing a six-point deficit with 49 seconds left on the second half clock.
“I told my team to keep playing defense down the stretch,” Judkins said. “We were able to get some easy shots and that got the momentum going for our defense. That is why we were able to win the game was because of our defensive effort.”
Hill made a pair of free throws and also made an old fashioned 3-point play on a contested layup, which kept the Storm within two, 88-86, with 18 seconds left to play. DSU intentionally fouled on the ensuing inbound play, which sent CU guard Rohndell Goodwin to the line who made one of two foul shots to give the Silverswords a three-point lead.
With the final seconds ticking down, Senior guard Mayson Sawyer hoisted a potential game tying 3-pointer with six seconds left. The shot came off the rim but was rebounded by Hill. Hill quickly kicked the ball out to sophomore guard Brandon Simister, whose off balance 3-point shot torched the bottom of the net to send the game into overtime.
“When [Hill] kicked it out to me, it must have gotten tipped or something because I had to pick it up off the ground,” said Simister, a biology Major from St. George, of his last second shot. “I had to kind of jump off one foot, and when I let it go, I thought I had left it short, but it rattled in. When that shot went in, we knew we were going to win. It was such a fun game.”
DSU led all but 17 seconds of the overtime frame and secured the victory 103-100. It made a season high 10 3-pointers on 18 such shots for a season high 55 percent. The Storm also shot 46 percent from the field and 87 percent from the charity strip.
The Storm was led by Simister, who had a career-high 24 points off the bench. Hill finished with 21 points and a team-high eight rebounds. Fuller and Ogden Jr. each finished with 16 points while Sawyer added 13 points and four assists.
“Coming off the bench, I try to keep the energy up for my team,” Simister said. “We played so hard as a team to win. We never gave up.”
DSU is now 9-7 overall and 6-4 in the Pacific West Conference. It took on BYU-Hawaii Tuesday (scores not available by press time) and will return home to take on Hawaii Pacific University Saturday.
Tunesday: ‘Life of Pause’ resembles perfect girl for editor
Have no fear, Jalen the musical savior is here.
Yes, we’re back for another installation of Tunesday. I’ve been trying to mellow out these past few weeks while I’m getting adjusted to my new classes for the semester. Starting anew can be quite overwhelming for some, but hopefully these tracks can help ease your nerves like they did for me.
Photo courtesy of: Mass Appeal
1. Mick Jenkins – On the Map (f/ BADBADNOTGOD)
Starting off, we have a collaboration between Chicago MC Mick Jenkins and Toronto band BADBADNOTGOOD (BBNG). Together, these two deliver a smooth jam reminiscent of an old ‘80s-era jazz-pop track that’s a cover of The Sensei Blue’s song of the same name. BBNG contributes with a colorful, lively interpretation of the instrumental that provides this song with another feel than the original that’s playful yet grown.
In addition, Jenkins lulls over the song, citing different locations of where one woman, or perhaps his various women, reside. She’s traveling all over the world as a free spirit, but all Jenkins wants to do is be with her no matter where she is.
Check out Mick Jenkins’ most recent project “Wave[s]” here.
Check out BBNG’s most recent project “Sour Soul (with Ghostface Killah)” here.
Photo Courtesy of: Gold Flake Paint
2. American Wolf – Cave Fantasy
Originally released in 2014, American Wolf’s album “My Main Sport” went under the radar of many. Why? I have absolutely no idea. I found out about this song through the IndieHeads subreddit on /r/IndieHeads subreddit on Reddit because they recently released a video for the song (that you can see here).
This track just hits you in the heart. It’s not overwhelming by any means, but it’s dream-like for the most part.
Guided by guitars that remind you of your mother singing you a lullaby to sleep along with an almost tribal-like drum sequence, you’ll get chills the moment the lead singer comes in for his first words. Not only that, but the additional vocals by other band members, are the perfect accessory. Together, all the elements of this song are like a cradle. You are the baby. Drift off into a fantasy with this. It’s a cave fantasy, for sure.
Check out American Wolf’s most recent project, “My Main Sport” here.
Photo courtesy of: Day Wave / @daywavemusic
3. Day Wave – Gone
Jackson Phillips is Day Wave. Phillips does all the instrumentation for his music by his lonesome (excluding live shows). When you hear his music, you’ll ask yourself, “How is that even possible?” I don’t have an answer for you, but, in this case, we don’t need one.
Over a melancholy-backing track that reminds you of driving through the Midwest on a cloudy day away from everything with no clear direction of where you’re going, Phillips conveys how much he’s changed. After things fall apart with a person we loved at one point, there’s a certain metamorphosis we go through that Phillips expresses in a simple manner, but it’s still brilliant nonetheless.
The thing is, though, that person will never be able to see the change in Phillips because he or she wants nothing to do with him. Phillips has changed for the better but still questions whether or not he still belongs. In addition, throughout his change, he has been alone without the one he truly cares for the most.
Check out Day Wave’s most recent project, “Headcase” here.
Photo by: Daniel McMahon
4. Wild Nothing – Life of Pause
In contrast with the previous track, “Life of Pause” is a complete 180 in terms of mood. This song makes me smile; it just has that kind of feeling. You know when you see the girl of your dreams floating through campus, the wind is blowing her hair just perfectly, she’s flashing a smile, her outfit is on point, she just has some kind of glow to her, and you’re just wondering to yourself how is she even real? If that girl was a person, she’d be this song.
Wild Nothing has always been a band that isn’t just great, but they’re consistently great. Whether it’s something purely indie/dream-pop influenced like their album Nocturne or something more electronic based like Empty Estate, it always sounds like this group puts its best foot forward, and that’s something to be admired.
The full Life of Pause album is expected to be released on February 19th, 2016. Pre-order here.
Photo by: Lisa Frieling
5. Flume – Never Be Like You (f/ Kai)
Flume is on another planet. I first heard of the Australian producer with his remix of Disclosure’s “Me & You,” and I’ve been hooked ever since then. For this song, as usual, Flume has that big sound. It’s the kind of triumphant sound that makes you feel victorious like you just hiked the Himalayas (yeah, that’s right, the entire mountain range). That’s the kind of effect this song, and his music in general, can give off.
In addition, he throws some trap-influenced drums in on this song and they’re golden. They give this song, which already sounds gorgeous, a bounce that you can’t help but just ride along to. You might end up going 100 on the freeway with your head out of the sunroof if you don’t control yourself while listening to this song, honestly. It’s incredible stuff.
This song is off Flume’s upcoming LP entitled Skin. Listen to a preview here.
DSU women downed by Hilo, bounce back against Chaminade
Dixie State University women’s basketball set sail for the Hawaiian Islands in search of some success in the Pacific West Conference.
DSU suffered a 68-63 loss to the University of Hawaii at Hilo Thursday but bounced back against Chaminade University Saturday.
The Storm scored 22 first quarter points to get out in front of UHH before surrendering an 11-point fourth quarter lead in the loss.
The DSU lead was an outcome of the strong first-half showing as the Storm shot 44 percent while holding the Vulcans to 31 percent from the field en route to a 15-point lead.
UHH flipped the script in the final two quarters, locking down defensively and only allowing 25 DSU second half points and outscoring the Storm 26-10 in the last nine minutes of the game.
Senior center Taylor Mann notched a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Junior guard Tomorie Sangster had a career-high 12 points to match senior guard Chermayne Moore as the only Storm player in double-figures.
“We made some crucial turnovers and it hurt to drop that game,” said Mann, a senior English major from Castle Dale. “We knew we had to turn around and get a win against Chaminade.”
DSU then moved on the Laie, Hawaii, to face CU, a pivotal game for the Storm to keep their postseason hopes alive.
The series between the two teams has largely been dominated by Dixie State University as it leads 17-1 in meetings since 2007, the only Silverswords win coming in Burns Arena last season.
After the collapse Thursday against UH-Hilo, head coach Jenny Thigpin said she emphasized “finishing” to her team this time around.
“We need to be able to execute down the stretch,” Thigpin said. “We almost gave this one away too, but we were able to close it out, and we’re at least seeing some improvement.”
Both teams struggled mightily from the field, combining for under 35 percent, but the Storm’s proficiency from the charity stripe gave them the edge in the wire-to-wire 61-56 win.
“We always try to hold our opponents to under 60 points,” Thigpin said. “We give ourselves an opportunity to win if we do that, even if we’re struggling on the offensive end.”
DSU converted on 10 of its 14 free throws in the game to help stay in front of comeback-minded Chaminade, who cut the lead to two with under a minute to play.
Mann carried the Storm once again, scoring 18 points on 7-14 shooting and grabbing 18 rebounds to notch her PacWest leading 12th double-double of the season.
The win advanced the Storm to a 4-6 conference record to keep pace with eighth-place Chaminade. The top six teams make the PacWest tournament.
DSU will face BYU-Hawaii Tuesday before returning to Burns Arena for a matchup with Hawaii Pacific University Saturday at 5 p.m.
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DSU alumnus, subject of “13 Hours” speaks on his experience at Benghazi
A hero in the security team that responded to the terrorist attack in Benghazi, Libya, visited Dixie State University Monday to speak about an average Libyan day that ended in a battle for American lives.
Kris “Tanto” Paronto, a DSU alumnus and the protagonist of the movie “13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi,” is one of the six men who helped defend the U.S. State Department Special Mission Compound and a nearby CIA station in Benghazi Sept. 11, 2012. Paronto and his team engaged the terrorists for 13 hours, saving over 20 lives in the process.
Paronto said the story has been politicized since then, and the truth has been lost in its interpretations. Paronto had to resign from his job to tell the truth about what happened in Benghazi.
“This needs to be remembered as an inspirational story … not a political story,” Paronto said. “The story got hijacked by politicians to push agendas … They forget the honor and the courage that was displayed that night.”
The Gardner Student Center Ballroom was packed as community members, students and faculty came to see Paronto deliver his speech.
“[God] lets you find beauty in everything,” Paronto said describing tracer rounds, airborne RPG missiles and explosions he would commonly see from his front porch in Benghazi. He said seeing “a firefight from a distance” is something that should be on everyone’s bucket list.
In the heat of the battle, Paronto said he found himself vulnerable and exposed to enemy fire when the vehicle he was taking cover behind was gone. With nothing else left to do, he took a knee and started shooting.
“I [wasn’t] worried about getting hit,” Paronto said. “I know there’s God … There are situations where you feel he’s there. You feel warm. There’s like a golden cocoon around you and nothing’s gonna hit you.”
Paronto addressed controversial details of the incident, such as the reason for the 20-25 minute delay caused by heavy enemy fire that forced his team to stop 400 meters from their original target.
Paronto recieved a standing ovation from the audience at the end of his speech.
Mike Long, a senior psychology major from Hurricane, said Paronto’s speech offered DSU students an entirely new perspective on the events that took place in Benghazi.
“I heard a lot about Benghazi when it happened, and I know there’s a lot of controversy about it,” Long said. “Him making it more real and being pretty straightforward with everything that happened was something I appreciated.”
“Both my grandpas served in the military,” said Lewis Wilde, a senior biology major from St. George. “There’s something special about [people] who serve this country. I really liked … how faith helped him get through what he’s been through and how faith can help us get through any challenge that we face.”
As for his thoughts on DSU, Paronto said he had a blast in his time as a DSU student.
“It was a good experience,” he said. “I wish it was a four-year school [back then]. I would have loved to stay here for four years. I didn’t want to leave.”
The movie “13 Hours” is currently in theaters. One hundred DSU students received free tickets for showing up early for the speech. Paronto, on the other hand, was presented with a DSU football jersey as a gift from his alma mater.
Kris “Tanto” Paronto speaks Monday at a press conference at Dixie State University next to a DSU football jersey he was presented with. Paronto, a member of the security team that responded to the terrorist attack in Benghazi, Libya, spoke to a packed audience in the Gardner Student Center ballroom.
St. George offers cheap dates for college students
As far as bad dates go, I’ve got one that usually trumps all of the others at parties.
I once thought it was a great idea to take a date on a night hike in the mountains near my hometown in Washington state. Long story short, after a detour off the trail, my date ended up in an ambulance with a broken wrist and dislocated elbow. I was the fortunate one as far as injuries go, walking away with only six wasp stings on my face, which made me look like Quasimodo from Disney’s “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.”
Thankfully, my dates no longer end in hospital trips, but, like hiking, my favorite dates are still cheap and local.
College students aren’t known for having an abundance of extra cash. Lucky for us, effort often goes a lot further than money when it comes to dating.
“Time and effort is definitely more important than money,” said Channing Condie, a freshman elementary education major from St. George. “It shows you care more and can be cute and romantic.”
So, instead of opting for the usual “dinner and movie” date, here are some ideas to boost your cheap and local dating game.
Hike Dixie Rock
-Location: Pioneer Park, Red Hills Parkway
-Price: Free
The walk up Dixie Rock is so short it can hardly be considered a hike, but the view of St. George is stellar from the top of this local landmark.
Attend George Streetfest
-Location: First Friday of each month on Main Street
-Price: Free
George Streetfest boasts free music from local musicians, artists, street vendors and a dance party. It may be the closest thing St. George has to a nightlife.
Play disc golf
– Location: Mathis Park, 1820 W. Mathis Park Place
-Price: Free
If you have frisbees, disc golf is the perfect pair to a picnic at Mathis Park.
Ride the St. George Carousel
-Location: 1 S. 100 W.
-Price: $2 for two rides for two passengers
There’s no shame in feeling like a kid again while going downtown to ride the old-fashioned St. George Carousel.
Watch a play or concert at Dixie State University
Location: Eccles Fine Arts Center
Price: $2 for two DSU students, faculty or staff
DSU drama students are presenting “Moby Dick” from Jan. 28 to Feb. 6 and “The Country Wife” from Feb. 25 to March 5.
Roast marshmallows
-Location: At a fire pit or outside city limits
-Price: $2 for marshmallows
You can’t go wrong with a warm bonfire and marshmallows in the desert. Graham crackers, chocolate bars and hot cocoa are also bonfire-worthy snacks.
Browse the thrift shop for treasures
-Location: Deseret Industries, 2480 Red Cliffs Drive
-Price: Cheap
Sifting through stuffed animals and trying on fashionable clothes from the ‘80s together is a great way to break the ice.
Sing at a karaoke bar
-Location: Jazzy Java Rock’n Roll Grill, 285 N. Bluff St. Karaoke is on Fridays from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
-Price: Free to sing, $5-10 for a meal
You won’t have many insecurities around your date after belting Adele’s, “Hello,” in front of a full audience.
Play racquetball
-Location: St. George Recreation Center, 285 S. 400 E.
-Price: $7 for two, equipment included
Racquetball at the St. George Recreation Center is the ideal date for when the weather is too cold or hot for anything outside.
Visit the St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site
Location: 2180 E Riverside Dr.
Price: $12 for two
Housing dinosaur tracks and fossils unique to southern Utah, the St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site is St. George’s claim to fame for paleontologists and locals alike.
Going on spontaneous runs in the rain, stargazing, and eating a $5 Little Caesars pizza at the park have been some of my most memorable dates, and all of them cost less than an hour’s worth of work. I’m all for the occasional traditional date of a fancy dinner at a restaurant, but those dates rarely stand out to me.
Sam Peterson, a senior business major from St. George, said his favorite dates are the non-traditional kinds like hikes and looking at local petroglyphs “because it gives you time to really connect and learn about each other.”
Dating can be tough — full of disappointments and slightly awkward situations — but it doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg for a date to be good.
DSU baseball to open season with alumni game
Dixie State University baseball is set to take the plate for the 2016 season.
Coming off two consecutive Pacific West Conference championships, the expectations are high with this year’s team and returning PacWest coach of the year, Chris Pfatenhauer, knows it.
“We know there’s a lot of pressure after going back-to-back in the PacWest, but we’re just taking it one day at a time and not looking too far down the road right now.”
A lot of the core players off of the 2015 conference championship team are returning, along with plenty of new talent.
“We’ve got a lot of our core guys returning, but we also have some new faces that I expect to make an immediate impact,” Pfatenhauer said.
The Storm will return their all-conference middle-infield with senior Tanner Morache and junior Drew McLaughlin.
In addition, numerous contributors return to the mound from last year with sophomores Dylan File and Aaron Pope, and seniors Jeremy Alderman and Kolton Brost.
File went 5-1 as a starter last season while accumulating the lowest ERA among DSU starters at 2.95, earning him PacWest Freshman of the Year honors.
The top bats back in action for the Storm are Morache, McLaughlin and junior outfielder Miles Bice.
Morache topped the DSU charts by batting a .385 and registering at least one hit in 38 of 48 games.
McLaughlin hit .326 with 42 runs scored, 22 RBIs, and was among the best in the country with 20 sacrifice bunts. He boasted a .963 fielding percentage with just six total errors in 2015.
Bice batted .280 on 75 at-bats in 2015, garnering a .368 on-base percentage, which is second to Morache for returning players.
Along with the players coming back for more are more newcomers than ever for DSU: nine freshmen, four junior college transfers and two Division I transfers.
“Every offseason presents different challenges,” said Morache, an integrated studies major from Surrey, Canada. “With so many new players, it’s tough to get everyone to buy into what we do here at Dixie State, but I was really impressed with every new player that entered the program.”
McLaughlin, a criminal justice major from Scottsdale, Arizona, said that he knows the expectations are high, but he believes this new-look team has what it takes.
“The offseason went really well,” McLaughlin said. “A lot of new guys came in and have all meshed really well with the returners. We’ve worked hard and expect to repeat as PacWest champs.”
The Storm will host their annual kickoff weekend Jan. 29-30 before their season debut, a series against Cal State University, San Bernardino at Bruce Hurst Field beginning Feb. 5 at 6 p.m.
“We’ve been having full practices for about two weeks now,” Pfatenhauer said. “We’re getting better and better every day and we’re really starting to get into a groove. I like what I’m seeing from this team.”
