Plugged In Issue Six • the official school newspaper of Speedway Senior High School • March 29, 2012 Regional Finalists Speedway boys capture first sectional title in ten years and tenth in program history
Boys basketball at Speedway grew more exciting late in the sea- son. A huge win over a talented Lapel team helped springboard the Sparkplugs into the South Putnam sectional where the boys collected wins over Covenant Christian and the hosts. The pair of wins gave the Plugs a sectional trophy and entry into the 2A re- gional at Connersville. The boys defeated future ICC rival Triton Central in the semi- final session before falling to the defending state champion Park Tudor Panthers. Congratulations to Coach Chuck Bennett and the 2012 varsity boys basketball team. Pictures courtesy Champion staff.
Prom fever is taking Light up the night over Speedway “Everybody come lookin’ real fine, Fresh from the barber shop or fly from the beauty salon, Every moment frontin’ and maxin’, Chillin’ in the car they spent all day waxin’,” is how the Fresh Prince of Bel Air does it. I’m talking about the night where high school students perfect their style of elegance for a five hour night of dancing entitled: prom. This year, prom falls on the same day as the ACT (April 14th), which some students will be taking. (Bummer.) However, this will only take a few hours, so with your remaining time what will you be doing before 6p.m. when prom begins at the Columbia Club? Will you be getting h a n n a ready with friends and taking pictures out on the lawn? Cranking up v o n g p r a s e u t h the tunes to get in some dancing? Let’s get started with the single digit --- countdown! Plugged In Features Writer
see PREPPING on page five ALL SMILES ON PROM NIGHT Now seniors Clayton Adams, Hannah Butler, Jessica James, and Kristen Adams posing in their junior prom photo. 2 Opinion 1...2...3...Breathe Are Speedway students too stressed out? privilege of being able to call myself a this way, taking out other factors that Don’t get me wrong, without some junior. So when I told my doctor this, worried and stressed me so much. stress in your life, you’re pretty much expecting some sort of get-well-quick Most people don’t even realize setting yourself up for a long road drug, she instead prescribed me a heavy they’ve stressed themselves out until of rough times. There’s no challenge dose of relaxation. I walked out of the they mentally and emotionally blow. without roadblocks. And when there’s doctor’s office that day feeling relieved Teenagers are in no way an exception to no challenge, you begin to lead an that I wasn’t going to curl over and die this, which I believe has partly given us incredibly long life of boredom. anytime soon, but also a little clueless. our angst-filled, mean-spirited reputation Stressing about your math test is okay, What teenager suffers from too much over the years. I was completely as long as you don’t let it control your stress? Isn’t that what evolution crafted blindsided when my doctor told me that life. If you wake up three days before us to endure, late nights and early I was overly stressed out and that it was the test and feel as if you’ll just perish if mornings? affecting my health. I decided that I was an A is not obtained, there’s something To my utter surprise, no. Teenagers going to nip my stress filled problem wrong with how you’re sorting out your k a c e y r o s s all over are taking on more and in the bud, and I rearranged my life to priorities. In the words of the absolutely --- Plugged In Opinion Editor more responsibilities without even make me happier and much, much more inspiring Robert Frost: “In three words, recognizing what the stress can do to awake. I started to understand more of I can sum up everything I’ve learned One time, I was at the doctor. I told them. Sure, that extra sport will look my lessons in class because I wasn’t as about life: It. Goes. On.” So, please, for her I had been suffering from extreme great on a college application, but if it groggy during the day. I thought more the love of Molly Ringwald, just don’t exhaustion, as I had been coming home causes your body to take a beating and about other people’s feelings and less sweat it, kid. from school every day practically your grades to drop, is it worth it? No about my own. crawling through the door to my matter what anybody says, one thing is house. I just wanted to sleep. All. Of. more important than anything else: your The. Time. I thought something was health. If you’re getting sick on a regular Are you stressed? critically wrong with me, just like most basis and collapsing from exhaustion Do any of these behaviors describe you? teenagers who jump to increasingly every night, it’s time to rethink the load drastic conclusions. I sat there on the you’re taking on. Frequent headaches examination table, swinging my legs Think of it this way. When are you back and forth when she asked the your nicest? Most people are nice to shocking statement: “Are you stressed?” others when they’re happy with the way Back pain Being overstressed had never life is going. Are you the nicest you occurred to me. I thought I was just can be when you’ve stayed up all night Stomach aches living a regular, busy teenage life. I cramming for your math test? What had friends I saw at school every day about when you practiced shooting free and who I hung out with on a regular throws all week and your team still lost Mood swings and fatigue basis. I had Key Club events pretty the big game? It took me a while to much every weekend, but that was the realize that I’m my nicest when I’ve got If these behaviors describe you, chill out! only extracurricular I was involved in. a grip on my homework load and I’ve I had a pretty large homework load, caught up on my sleep. When I figured Just breathe and relax. but I thought that’s what came with the this out, I made it a point to keep my life Information courtesy of webmd.com This should be all about the Academic team Smart kids unite to showcase their talents against the very best
We’re the only team with regionals in mid-April. It’s the only place in of seniors Patrick Tiffany and Sam Higginbotham academics where a sixty percent will earn you a congratulatory nod from your and Freshman Blake Arevalos, finished first overall. instructor. We came home with two conference ribbons on the first of March, The fantastic Fine Arts team including Seniors yet most students at Speedway don’t even know about our existence. We’re the Clayton Adams and Lindsey Tucker and Junior Hanna Speedway High School Academic Team. And you need us. Vongpraseuth finished third overall. High school sports are all over the media; there is always coverage of the The math and English teams deserve honorable close sectional basketball game or the inspirational football player. You would think mentions as they trailed behind first place by only that the point of high school is sports. But we go to learn. Athletes get a chance to a handful of points. The math team was made up of prove themselves against other schools seniors Casey Miller, Sam Higginbotham, and Patrick at their games. So where is the chance to Tiffany, using junior Caulin McGraw as an alternate. Plugged In prove that we’re smart compared to the The English team of Maddie Kenny, Caulin McGraw,
Adviser: Derek K. Doehrmann schools around us? Where can we dish Sarah Proctor, and Kacey Ross, all juniors, has studied Co-Editors: Casey Miller, Holly Scott th Opinion Editor: Kacey Ross out some smack talk about our recent hard in hopes of placing at the regional meet April 17 . Features Editor: Haily Merritt test scores? The Speedway High School The Social Studies team of myself and sophomores Will Staff Members: Sam Scott, Sam McGlone, Jessica Mehrlich, Katie Mehrlich, Academic Team. Harris and Jessica Mehrlich experienced difficulties in Hanna Vongpraseuth, Alex Lopez, Summer Morrison, Dorian Outlaw, Jordan Carter, Hannah Hendricks. Led by head coach of the women’s the material, but they anticipate a comeback next time. h a i l y m e r r i t t basketball team and English teacher Although Dever arrived at the competition --- The officialschool newspaper of Speedway Senior High Plugged In Features Editor School is published monthly. It is produced by students enrolled Jordan Dever, braniac Michael Sieferman, expecting first places across the board, the result wasn’t in the journalism classes at Speedway Senior High School. It is intended to be a public forum. and thespian/English teacher Tammy a disappointment. “It wasn’t satisfying,” says Dever. Letters to the editor are encouraged. Drop your responses by Murray, the Academic team returned “The team members weren’t satisfied. We were in the running.” Dever aims to Room 240 during the morning or via email in care of DDoeh- [email protected]. home from its conference competition win two to three first places at the Regional Competition, but there will be many Thanks to: ASNE/MCT Campus and Speedway’s Technol- ogy Department for professional courtesies. The printing of with two ribbons. We placed third overall obstacles, both internal and external. Plugged In is performed by JS Printing. in the Indiana Crossroads Conference. Continued on page three Our stellar science squad, composed Opinion 3 It’s Good to be Bad... Celebrating the rise of the Antihero I preface terrible with a few exceptions. I liked worries. It seems that the writers tend to character in which is the devil, not some with Amy (Andrea’s sister), I liked Jim (the forget, from time to time, that there are mediocre demon, the ACTUAL devil. a very dude that dug graves for the heck of it), zombies at all. Not that it matters much, The Angelic Black Lord of Darkness blatant and I really liked Dale (old guy, cool seeing as the humans tend to be twice as Lucifer himself takes the stage as the SPOILER hat, scoped rifle). Notice the theme with animalistic and just as cruel. story’s main protagonist, the story being ALERT. If those characters? In case you didn’t, Mind you, I know that quite based around the War in Heaven and s a m m c g l o n e you have THEY’RE ALL DEAD. recently the resident nut job, Shane, was the establishment of Hell. Now, no one --- Salesman of propane and propane accessories yet to The worst part is that they were quickly “dispatched” by a knife to the likes Satan, but his role as the complete watch the some of the only nice characters; abdomen, but that is neither here nor outcast makes you warm up to him in more recent episodes of The Walking everyone else is a survivalist/racist/ there. Shane had become far too radical, such a way as to actually see his side of Dead, continue at thy own risk. Also, if or otherwise awful. Rick has a hero and the writers noticed, though you the story. you haven’t read John Milton’s Paradise complex, Lori never shuts up, Andrea can’t blame the writers for doing what All in all, it’s an odd, though Lost I spoil some of that, too. has no heart, Shane is a MONSTER , they do. We as viewers, for some reason reoccurring theme, and as long as Carl’s a brat, Sophia’s dead, and most or another, tend to savor the antihero. writers need to eat they will most AMC’s The Walking Dead just everyone else is annoying to such a We love to watch the people we hate; assuredly utilize it. Viewers for some may be one of the better shows on degree that self-immolation becomes often more than the people we love. reason like when good people turn bad, television today. It is comprised of an quickly preferable to listening to Consider for your approval, “Paradise and boy is it good to be bad. amazingly talented cast, deeply detailed them talk. Mind you, some of them Lost” by John Milton, the main characters, and a shockingly in depth are semi-tolerable. I can understand plotline. I have never missed an episode, Glenn’s struggle to be understood as nor do I intend to, due to the show’s an adult amongst the group, Carol’s ability to completely pull me into the combination of grieving and coping with Competitive challenges storyline and not let go until the often her daughter’s death is commendable, bloody end. Yet, one thing has persisted and Hershel’s battle against his Prepare or suffer the consequences throughout the entirety of the series, alcoholic tendencies and realization of continued from page two and it has recently started to bug me a the Walkers’ inhumanity is obviously Internal obstacles include team members believing they can get by without bit. The thing is, in the beginning, most difficult, but at the same time they studying. Academic team involves independent studying, and, as Dever says, “If of the characters were just absolutely are not exactly at the forefront of my you don’t read, you suffer the consequences.” Tammy Murray adds, “Students need to do work outside of schools. Other schools get together as a study group twice a week, probably putting in four times more hours than us.” Take a hike Also, the majority of our team is composed of athletes. This means our team will be lacking at the regional meet due to tennis matches, baseball games, and golf Justice system condones fat kids matches. “At most other schools, [Academic Team] is the only thing the kids do. Here, it’s another extracurricular kids do; it’s one of many,” Dever comments. The whole nation has gone soft. A few weeks ago, an Other than our competition, the judges make up a large part of our external Indiana man took his grandchildren to the Grand Canyon challenges. As Coach Sieferman puts it, “They’re always going to throw things at in order to get them to lose weight by taking a hike. After us. Other schools are finding kids who are taking on the challenge.” For example, completing the hike, his three grandchildren, ages 8, 9, and our Social Studies team focused their studying on documents of the Revolutionary 12, complained about being tired, and even complained to an Era. To their misfortune, only a couple questions pertained to this topic. extent that took their grandfather to court. What their claim With all these obstacles, how does Dever expect three first place ribbons? was: they were tired and thirsty because they were doing too We have “people who are inherently smart,” he says. Classes make a difference. much work. The grandfather was charged with abuse. I f he is Reading books, studying outlines, becoming accustomed to the calculators all declared guilty, he will receive a lifetime in prison. matter. The grade you’re in makes a difference, unless you’re freshman Blake s a m s c o t t The man was clearly just trying to toughen up his Arevalos. Blake, the only freshman who has joined the team in Dever’s time, --- Travel Guide Extraordinaire grandchildren, who are, in fact, overweight. He thought that specialized in Biology. He answered every Biology question correctly. “Blake is a a few good long hikes might do the trick. Apparently, kids beast,” says Science team member Patrick Tiffany. today are so used to doing absolutely nothing but sit and play Coach Dever expresses pride in the Science, English, and Math teams. He has videogames that they cannot possibly do hard work. Apparently, the rest of the the “most confidence because of returning team members” and their dedication world is become as lazy as well, because they perceive hard work as child abuse. to studying. The Social Studies team is all new except one. Fine Arts has new As part of the eldest child’s testimony, he said “I needed medical attention and members. I was hurting and he was hitting and pushing me and calling me fat. I was scared Because we will be losing five teammates due to graduation, we’re on the and it was hard and I was all weak and tired and kind of hurt.” If you ask me, that lookout for replacements. “We need to start young and recruit sophomores so they sounds like a little fat kid that loves to complain because breaking a sweat is a death can be three-year team members. Athletes first, because they have the competitive threat anymore. desire. Naturally competitive people will do what it takes to compete,” comments The man’s actions may have been slightly extreme, but he simply didn’t want Dever. weak, lazy grandchildren. Who can argue with that? No man wants his grandkids Think you can make the cut? Keep in mind that this is one of the few places in to live their lives completely dependent of their mother’s care and a greasy academics where a 60% will get you a congratulatory head nod from your instructor. cheeseburger. The food that the man gave his grandchildren was healthy snacks, “If everyone gets between a 12 and 15 (out of 25), it’s pretty good,” says Dever. Not like veggie burgers and celery, only proving his intentions of getting the kids to only is there an opportunity for a ribbon, but Academic Team is a great addition to lose weight. To some little spoiled fat kids, this is going to seem like child abuse, any resume. The time commitment is fairly minimal, and as Dever says, “It’s fun to and they are going to complain about it. Now the man might have to spend a life in hang out as a group of intelligent people and see where we stack up against private prison for it. schools. I completely and utterly respect this man, as he was merely doing his part to keep the world from turning soft. His effort, however, has turned into just another factor making the world that much softer.
4 Features What are we going to do now?! Staying home for Spring Break offers plenty of options As soon We had a lot of fun doing these things, so you might • Go shopping on Mass. Ave. downtown as March arrives, want to try some (or all) to add some pizzazz to your • Go to the Indianapolis Museum of Art the countdown boring, plan-less spring break. Who said staying in • Get a group of friends together to have a Just to spring break Speedway over break couldn’t be fun? Dance (or any other game) tournament begins. Lunchtime • Go bowling or roller skating conversations revolve Here are some other suggestions for spring • Go explore Eagle Creek around family trips, break 2012!: extra sleep, getting a tan, and best of all, no school. With all the hype and j e s s i c a m e h r l i c h preparation you’d --- think this break Plugged In Features Writer would last for more than just five days. Although hearing about all your friends’ plans can be fun, after awhile it can get old. It can especially bring you down if you don’t have any dazzling plans of your own. However, have no fear if you don’t have the trip of a lifetime planned. Trust me, you aren’t the only one. You just don’t know it because people don’t generally go around bragging about doing nothing. Just because you aren’t going to sunny Florida or the beautiful mountains of Tennessee doesn’t mean you have to lie around your house all day. In 2010, Kacey Ross, Georgia Green, my sister Katie, and I were faced with not having anything to do for spring break. We decided to turn our dilemma around and pack that glorious week away from school full of excitement. Since we had to deal with Indiana’s unpredictable weather, we stayed with indoor activities. Here is a list of things we came up with to PUT YOUR HANDS TOGETHER. A great Spring Break activity, four of us went to get henna tattoos. do for our spring break in 2010: Photo courtesy of Brenda Mehrlich. • Go shopping • Get the classic airbrush “Spring Break
continued from page one “Prom is a fun experience” for senior Lindsey under the fan. This dance will be better than your Tucker, but “IT’S EXPENSIVE!” Being a veteran of favorite ice cream. I cut like a knife, and I dance just prom festivities, Tucker knows it “may be unjustifiable like a dream.” (Hellogoodbye) “You might not now for some underclassmen especially if you “fall in be friends with many people there other than your love” with a multi-hundred dollar dress!” This year’s date,” says Tucker, but that doesn’t mean you can’t Chart compares percent of main style prom dresses are print designs. That is show off your dancing skills. What songs will we be worldwide users of the top Internet browsers, Micro- not counting the flowers, the shoes, hair, make-up, dancing our feet off to? Hopefully not Rebecca Black’s soft’s Internet Explorer and etc. you could find yourself easily spending a good Prom Night! That would be a nightmare for any prom! Google’s Chrome; Chrome couple hundred dollars for this one night, but it’s worth Master Gain DJ is back again this year to entertain is gaining on Explorer as the top browser. MCT 2012 it. As for the guys, they are expected to get a tux, us all once again! “Sexy and I Know It”, “Dance”, or shoes, flowers, tickets ($45 per person this year), and “Last Friday Night” might be the songs you fist pump transportation. They can’t even get their tux and shoes and jump to. Dancing isn’t the only thing prom has until their dates have their dresses picked out. waiting for us though! “Everyone needs to join in on this eventful Post prom will be at the high school gym again evening,” said Keri Benge, post prom chairman. this year from 12-3 a.m. Last year’s after prom was As you may have noticed, prom is about two weeks carnival themed so, what can we look forward this earlier this year as compared to last year. Ms. Franklin year? “I have kept everything under lock and key. I explained, “The place (The Columbia Club) was not want the students to feel very surprised when they available that week. We get good deals and want to walk in,” said Benge. She really didn’t hint at the continue that relationship.” The cost of tickets cover: theme (Alice in Wonderland). However she has “based soft drinks, four course meal (a steak dinner, but there this year Lock-in on her research of past years pros is a vegetarian option as well), valet parking, and flip and cons. She has a look book of the past fifteen years books are also available. But most importantly, don’t Post Proms and does event planning for work.” So, she forget: be prepared for a breathalyzer before and after! must have something up her sleeve! “And they read off our names…” (Taylor Swift) Expect the unexpected this night, so you can keep The names for prom King and Queen that is. This the ‘party rockin’ all night long. Be sure you know year’s King canidates are: Clayton Adams, Christian what wardrobe malfunction you could possibly have Ewoldt, Jacob Neidlinger, Patrick Tiffany, and i.e. heel or zipper breaks. At post prom if you ever find Jonathan Tinajero. Prom Queen candidates: Haylee yourself leaning towards the wall, try jumping up and Duman, Michelle Hay, Emma McGlone, Lindsay down or drink lots of caffeine before you arrive. Other Shaded U.S. map showing percent changes in graduation rates by state; the national high school graduation rate Tucker, and Kolby Williams. than that as Tucker says, “just make sure you have from 2001 to 2009 increased 3.5 percentage points. MCT “My moves will be so hot, You’ll have to stand fun…you won’t regret going!” 2012 6 Features Kids in the Street Music until May AAR release a new album Looking forward with new cds
“When “taking their sound to a different place.” We’re all thinking it: less than two more months! It sounds so close, yet you see my Which is great, except, the bottom line: every day seems to move slower than the last. Summer is almost here. But not face, hope they still sound exactly like the All- quite. it gives you American Rejects, which Ritter freely So, I’ve developed a system: find something to look forward to every hell, hope admits. “If you want to know what week or so. That way, you can focus on a short-term goal, and time moves by it gives you Kids in the Street much quicker! To help you out, I’ve compiled a list of hell…” sounds like, it upcoming albums from now until May. Nothing helps Whether sounds like The keep your spirits up like some great new music. h o l l y s c o t t this one lyric All-American --- Plugged In Co-Editor line just Rejects got their inspired you act together and March 27 to sing at the wrote a record All-American Rejects –Kids in the Street top of your lungs or hurl this paper into that was going Miike Snow – Happy to You the recycling bin, I bet you can’t deny to keep them The Used - Vulnerable one thing: the All-American Rejects around.” Well, April 3 have some pretty catchy songs, the honesty is the best Rascal Flatts kind that will stick into your head until policy, right? Changed you’re driven mad. “Gives you hell, The lyrical hmm hmm hmm…” theme of nostalgia So get ready for the next also inspired an relentlessly sing-able set of tunes on the online contest All-American Rejects’ new album: Kids on the band’s in the Street, due for a March 27 release. website, encouraging anyone and April 10 After ten years in the music industry and everyone to submit a creative piece Counting Crows– immense success with their 2008 album depicting a favorite moment in life. Underwater Sunshine When the World Comes Down, lead “Whatever expresses who you are,” the (or What We Did on our singer, bassist, and lyricist for AAR, site says. The winners will be invited to Summer Vacation) Tyson Ritter, decided he needed a break. hang out with the All-American Rejects April 17 He literally dropped his life as it was, and share inspirational stories. See Train - California 37 fell into almost a year of alcohol, and Allamericanrejects.com for more info. Neon Trees – Picture Show eventually ended up in the mountains “If you were a Rejects fan and April 24 writing the songs for this new album. maybe have disconnected with us along The Dandy Warhols – As expected, the lyrics explore our journey, Kids in the Street will be This Machine more serious themes of regret, nostalgia, the album that reels you back in,” said Jack White - Blunderbuss and excess, whilst maintaining the same Ritter, “And if you’ve stuck around, then Electric Guest - Mondo poppy, toe-tapping sounds. “The record thanks for growing up with us. Because May 1 tackles everything I’ve never been brave that’s what we’ve been doing for the last Carrie Underwood enough to talk about,” admitted Ritter. ten years – growing up. Audibly.” Norah Jones – The band claims that they’re Little Broken Hearts Santigold – Master of my Make Believe Spring Break Sing-a-longs A playlist of some popular new summer jams Finally, the time has come when and I can vouch for this personally. Something Good Can Work – Two everyone dons their swimsuits and Besides, we all know a good vacation Door Cinema Club flip-flops and flock to the ocean for isn’t complete without some good music Turn Me On – David Guetta ft sun bathing, a little rest and relaxation, to listen to. The songs go in order from Nicki Minaj and most importantly, time out of my most favorite to my least favorite; We Found Love – Rihanna school. I have taken the responsibility hopefully they become some of your Panama – Van Halen of mentioning a few songs to add to favorites as well. These are just some summer jams your iTunes if you don’t already have to add to your library. Hopefully some May 1 them. This small little list of songs is Party Rock Anthem – LMFAO of your favorite songs made the list, Brian Jonestown Massacre - Aufheben guaranteed to make you move or sing Good Feeling – Flo Rida and hopefully I added some music that May 8 along very poorly in the car or on the The Motto – Drake ft. Lil Wayne you’ve never heard before. These songs Silversun Pickups – Neck of the Woods plane to wherever your destination may Up All Night – Mac Miller we’re carefully picked to keep sending Keane – Strangeland be. Even Summer Angel – Minus the Bear\ you good vibes throughout the week. May 15 if these Sexy and I Know it – LFMAO They range from just laying on the Best Coast – The Only Place songs aren’t Red Solo Cup – Toby Keith beach to hanging with your friends and May 22 something The Morning – The Weeknd having a blast. They are all designed John Mayer – Born and Raised you City in Flordia – DeadMau5 to make the memories of spring break wouldn’t Crew Love – Drake ft. The Weeknd memorable so that anytime you hear normally Rack City – Tyga them you may recall something funny or listen to they Don’t Stop (Talking To Me) – exciting that happened. So soak up the are some of Foster the People sun and have some fun with these tracks the songs We Are Young – Fun and enjoy the break with good some that will Moves Like Jagger – Maroon 5 good music. get stuck in Rumor has it – Adele a l e x l o p e z the back of --- your head Plugged In Entertainment Writer Sports/Features 7
Made for the big stage A practice opportunity for you Kentucky’s Davis growing into superstardom Spring Break gives students studying Spanish chances to work on speaking skills by Shannon Ryan by Haily Merritt • Plugged In Features Editor Chicago Tribune (MCT) This weekend, Speedway students will be scattering across the country to vacation in sunny ATLANTA - spots for spring break. The most popular vacation Perspectives charter locations are around the Caribbean. A majority of school coach Cortez students will be heading down to Florida to catch Hale saw a lanky yet some rays. As the fabulous Ms. J has announced, gigantic teenager walk this is a perfect opportunity to brush up on one’s into the gym for a sum- Spanish skills. Particularly in the southern region mer league game, and of Florida, Spanish can be spoken just as widely as although he looked like English, if not more so. Take this amazing chance to one of Hale’s players, impress your teacher and hold a conversation with a Hale still had to ask. local in Spanish or take a vow with some friends to “Is that Anthony?” endure an hour without English. Hale said. Hispanic speaking countries have always been Anthony Davis, trendy locations for beach getaways. Spain has the a starting guard, had beautifully famous Costa del Sol, there’s Cancun in sprouted from 6-foot-2 Mexico, the sunny beaches stand out in Puerto Rico, to 6-7. He eventually and even Miami, Florida, is known for its beaches grew to 6-10 during his and popular ports for cruise lines. So wherever you senior season. Kentucky Wildcats forward Anthony Davis (23) center, laughs with Kentucky Wildcats guard Twany go this week, whether it’s Indiana or Mexico, spice It was time for Davis Beckham (10), left, and Darius Miller during practice at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia, Thurs- up the trip with a foreign language. Have a great day, March 22, 2012. UK played Indiana University last Friday night in NCAA tournament action. to learn post moves and (Mark Cornelison/Lexington Herald-Leader/MCT) Spring Break! walk into a whole new Este fin de semana los estudiantes de Speedway world. “I tell them it’s not football,” coach John Calipari irán de vacaciones por todo el país. Se relajarán en Davis, a native of Chicago’s South Side, quickly said. “It’s not a touchdown. We’ll score seven seconds sitios soleados para el descanso de primavera. Los became one of the most coveted players in the na- later. If you broke down, let him score. Don’t foul. I lugares más populares son en el Caribe. La mayoría tion, ranked No. 1 in his class by Scout.com. After he say it over and over.” de la gente de Speedway irá a Florida para bron- initially fielded offers from only DePaul and Cleveland Davis is projected to be the first selection in the cearse. Anunció la señora Jackson que este descanso State, suddenly Ohio State, Syracuse and Kentucky NBA draft if he forgoes his eligibility at Kentucky, es una gran oportunidad para utilizar el español. El were campaigning for him. continuing the recent history under Calipari of play- sur de Florida hay muchos hispanohablantes, casi Now a freshman at Kentucky, Davis won the Oscar ers spending only one season in college before turning tantos como las personas que hablan inglés. Usen Robertson Trophy as the nation’s best college player professional. esta oportunidad para impresionar a su profesor y and has helped return the top-seeded Wildcats to the While Davis has the potential, he said he’s unsure tengan una conversación en español con un nativo o Sweet 16, where they faced No. 4 seed Indiana last of his future. prometan de solo hablar español con sus amigos. Friday in an NCAA South Region semifinal at the “I really haven’t decided yet,” he said. “I’m still Los países hispánicos siempre se han conocido Georgia Dome. worried about the season. You can’t really focus on por ser de moda para vacaciones. España tiene las The big stage doesn’t intimidate a player whose the future right now. I’m just trying to win a national playas famosas y hermosas de La Costa Del Sol. En high school didn’t even have a gym. championship for my team.” México hay playas blancas en Cancún. Las playas “It’s been great to be on a team with winning muestran la belleza de Puerto Rico. También Miami streaks,” Davis said. “(Perspectives) wasn’t really a es conocido por los puertos de cruceros. No im- basketball school. It was an academic school. They had porta a donde vaya, si se queda en Indiana o se va a a basketball team, so I decided to play.” México, haga el viaje interesante. Hable un idioma Davis has broadened his game at Kentucky, adding diferente. ¡Tenga un buen descanso! an offensive repertoire to his intimidating defensive presence. His 7-4 wingspan has helped him block 166 shots, National League Central double the previous Kentucky record and below only 15 Division I team totals. He has expanded his offen- sive game as well, learning to add outside shots to his Prepare for the 2012 season post moves, and he leads the Wildcats with 14.3 points, 10.1 rebounds and 4.6 blocks per game. Continued from page 8 Some of the greatest players to take the field played The country first got a glimpse of Davis’ freakish for Pittsburgh: Roberto Clemente, Willie Stargel, abilities in early December, when he soared through old is a very talented pitcher, but he’s struggled Bill Mazeroski, Honus Wagner, Barry Bonds. Now the air in the waning seconds against North Carolina with pitch placement. Walks have been a concern, but the future of the Pirates rests in the hands of a young to block a shot by John Henson and secure a 73-72 it’s hard to say exactly where his 105 mile per hour center fielder with amazing potential whose name victory. fastball will hit. He’s also had a couple minor injuries. may soon be added to that list. 25-year old Andrew “It’s hard work,” Davis said. “I work out with the Regardless, the Cincinnati Reds have a very good McCutchen signed a 6-year $51.5 million contract guards and the bigs. Post moves, post defense, shoot- chance of capturing the division this year and earning a extension with Pittsburgh, which is a huge sum for a ing, ballhandling - we work on every aspect of our postseason spot. player so young. I would need a lot of money to stay in game.” such a terrible program like Pittsburgh too, though. His versatility can be traced to his early days as a Pittsburgh Pirates Sadly for the Pirates, they are going to have a th guard. For nearly two decades now, the Pittsburgh Pirates 20 consecutive losing season this year, despite the “He never did have that awkward phase,” Hale said. have been the laughingstock of Major League Baseball. excitement. They may have had a chance when they “(Being a guard) helped with his transition. He can do The Pirates, who have not celebrated a winning season signed A.J. Burnett to join their pitching rotation, what a lot of big guys can’t.” since George H.W. Bush was President of the United but an unfortunate encounter with a bunted ball put th Staying out of foul trouble Friday will be para- States, are approaching the 20 anniversary of the last him out of commission for a few months. (Burnett mount for Davis, who was saddled with four fouls dur- time the team finished the season above .500. The five- fouled a ball off of his face during a bunting drill ing the Wildcats’ lone regular-season loss in December time World Series champions have toiled in mediocrity in early March.) But with a strong farm system and to Indiana. far too long now, and their fans have heard enough of the aggressive attitude of the Buccos’ management, this twenty year rebuild. Pittsburgh may soon rise to their former winning ways. 8 Sports The Central Dogma A sneak peek and a look back on the NL Central Saint Louis Cardinals for shipment. Braun became the first The defending World Champion player in Major League Baseball to win Cardinals experienced everything this an appeal of a PED suspension. offseason: hope, excitement, drama, and The whole situation is terribly heartbreak. Albert Pujols, the Golden embarrassing for the League too. The Gloved Batting Champion MVP All- MLB argued during the appeal that the Star and face of the franchise (rivaling standard testing procedure had been even the iconic Stan Musial), left Saint followed perfectly. Really? The process Louis. The Cards marquee player joined of the “highest quality drug testing the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and program of any professional sports became the highest paid first baseman organization in the world” (according in the League at $25.4 million per year, the League) includes storing players’ even though Pujols claimed to have urine samples in plastics bags on a desk wanted to stay in Saint Louis. in the collector’s basement for 44 hours? Was he really all that worried about Braun’s obvious guilt aside, Major League Baseball can’t honestly call that staying put though? The Redbirds had The Chicago Cubs’ Starlin Castro (13) steals second base before the throw reaches Kansas City Royals shortstop just made an outstanding run through the best way to do it. Alcides Escobar in the fifth inning in spring training action in Surprise, Arizona, on Wednesday, March 7, 2012. The Cubs won, 6-4. (John Sleezer/Kansas City Star/MCT) the playoffs to win the World Series. Braun claimed that he was the “victim of a process that completely and they played at Colt Stadium. When wrong, Epstein was a great hire for Instead, the 32-year old first baseman the team moved into the Astrodome Chicago, but he has to change the entire jumped ship to the Angels who missed broke down and failed.” I disagree. Ryan Braun was the beneficiary of a in 1965, they took the name Astros. business strategy of the organization. the playoffs by 10 games in 2011. Unfortunately, the Astros haven’t Cubs will have to be patient and quit The Cardinals were making all of broken process that failed even more. Overall though, the overturning of played a home game there in more than throwing money at problems attempting the necessary preparations for another a decade. Their new (though it’s over to stop the bleeding. Under the guidance run in 2012, with Pujols as the keystone. the suspension was the best thing for baseball as the League tries to get away ten years old now) arena is Minute of Epstein, though, I expect they’ll be a They extended Matt Holliday’s Maid Park. In keeping with tradition, force in about five years’ time. However, contract to secure a solid batter behind from the Steroid Age. It doesn’t look very good when Houston should change the team name this season they’ll still be C.U.B.S., Prince Albert. Additionally, Cardinals to the Houston Completely Useless By September. ace Adam Wainwright should have the centerpiece of your anti-PED Minutemen, recovered from Tommy John surgery by giving a nod Opening Day, which will do wonders crusade is getting Cincinnati Reds busted. to colonial to help out the bullpen with Cy Young revolutionaries. The Reds have a real shot to get winner Chris Carpenter. But instead of Then, and only back to NL Central Champion status this accepting the 9-year $200 million deal Houston then, could year like they were in 2010. With Prince from his team of eleven years whom he Houston avoid Fielder and Albert Pujols leaving the claimed to have wanted to stay with, Astros another mediocre NL Central, they now have the best first Pujols fled to California to play in LA. The Astros 100-loss season. baseman in the division in Joey Votto. It will be interesting to see how promise to be a Cincinnati’s offense isn’t going to be Saint Louis plays this season. A lot of non-factor again anything spectacular, (they ranked in the players will be staying from last year’s this season. Chicago middle of the pack last year) but there team and they did make an offensive Houston beat are a few other hitters who can add a upgrade by signing Carlos Beltran to a every team by Cubs little bit more pop behind Votto. When you’re two-year deal, but they won’t be able to a landslide for The team’s biggest strength this team hasn’t won replace the bat of Big Albert. Hopefully the worst record year, which is usually a vice for the a championship veteran catcher Yadier Molina can in the MLB in Reds, will be the pitching staff. They in 104 years, lead the Cards through an increasingly 2011. The only bring back young gun Johnny Cueto it’s got to tear at competitive NL Central. team to eclipse as a starter and acquired Mat Latos in the mythical your heart. The a trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates. The 100-loss mark Cubs haven’t two young pitchers will help anchor the Milwaukee Brewers will have to touched the Reds’ staff, with Mike Leake and Homer Ryan Braun of the Brewers faced a work hard to Commissioner’s Bailey providing a very good back end lot of controversy this offseason. The avoid another Trophy since of the rotation. The most interesting reigning National League MVP tested 1908 and have triple digit Cincinnati Reds shortstop Paul Janish jumps out of the matter in the Cincinnati bullpen this positive for elevated testosterone levels number in the way after forcing out the Kansas City Royals’ Alex Gordon only been to one year will be what the team does with in October of 2011 according to ESPN’s second column. at second base in the second inning in spring training World Series Aroldis Chapman. Will he continue Outside the Lines. The high testosterone action on Friday, March 9, 2012, in Goodyear, Arizona. since. This The problem The Reds won, 5-1. (John Sleezer/Kansas City Star/MCT) to come out of the bullpen or will the was detected in a urine sample collected with the Astros year, the team Reds start him on the mound? The team by Major League Baseball. The MLB is their complete lack of talent. They made a big hire; Theo Epstein joined invested $30 million into the young awarded Braun a 50-game suspension have no one worth mentioning in their Chicago’s front office from the Boston pitcher with mixed results. The 23-year for use of performance enhancing farm system and they’ve dealt away Red Sox. Epstein was the youngest GM drugs (PEDs). Like any player who all the major talent they’ve had over in baseball history when Boston hired Continued on page 7 fails a drug test in today’s game, the the past few years: Lance Berkman to him at 28 years old, and he was in the Milwaukee left fielder appealed the the Cardinals and Roy Oswalt to the position when the Sox ended their 86- League’s punishment. Phillies. The team is in a dire situation. year title drought in 2004. Theo Epstein The entire basis of Braun’s appeal What they should focus on, as many was still the GM in 2007 when the Red was a technicality related to the chain teams do when the going gets tough, Sox won another world championship. of custody of the urine sample. The is the team’s name. I mean Florida . . . Sadly for Cubs fans, they won’t integrity of the test was called into or I guess Miami, did it. So did Tampa be seeing their century of mediocrity questions after the collector of the Bay. Originally, Houston was founded ending any time soon. Anyone expecting sample, Dino Laurenzi Jr., took nearly as the Houston Colt .45s, which is much a rapid turnaround for the Cubbies will c a s e y m i l l e r be gravely disappointed. Don’t get me --- two days to get the specimen to FedEx more menacing than the current mascot, Plugged In Co-Editor