THUMBS UP
Equestrian Team can ride
Yes, Northwestern has an equestrian club team. Actually, Northwestern has a really talented equestrian club team. In their first show of the season at the University of Wisconsin at Madison, five of their seven riders made it to the podium. Three of the riders won first place in the Open Flat, Intermediate Flat and Advanced Walk Trot Canter classes. One important caveat: in an Intercollegiate Horse Show Association event, riders don’t get to use their own horse. Each rider is randomly assigned a horse that the host team supplies. Then, without any warm-up, the rider competes in their event and is judged on aesthetics and technique. Northwestern also came away with both High Point Rider for the show and Reserve High Point Rider.
THUMBS DOWN
Volleyball loses in five-set heart-breaker
Before Saturday, Volleyball had an impressive 13-1 record. When they hit the court to play against seventh-ranked Illinois, were in the correct mindset. WCAS Freshman Stephanie Holthus had the best match of her career with 19 kills and 20 digs. WCAS Sophomore Julie Chin came away with 26 digs in her first game back since having a partially dislocated shoulder. The ‘Cats won the first set and fourth set, but couldn’t recover from Illinois’ three-point lead in the fifth and final set.
THUMBS UP
John Shurna in the running for Wooden Award
After setting a Northwestern basketball single-season record of 619 points, WCAS Junior John Shurna has made the Top 50 list for the John R. Wooden Award, given to the best college basketball player. The 50-person list is based on last year’s individual performance as well as team records. Last year, Shurna led the team with an average 18.2 points and 6.4 rebounds and was ranked third overall in the Big Ten. This summer, he played for the United States Select Team to help train the USA National Team for the World Championships. Basically, the powers that be think John Shurna is a baller.
THUMBS DOWN
Men’s soccer caught under four losses
Men’s soccer is tied in wins and losses. They have been fighting to keep their record in the positive, but haven’t been able to pull through. The season started off with two losses, which the ‘Cats were able to recover from following a three-game winning streak. However, Holy Cross and No. 15 Michigan State both kept the Northwestern offense at bay, with back-to-back clean sheets. Things are looking up after Sunday’s win against Missouri State, but with a 4-4-1 record, the ‘Cats still have some work ahead of them.
THUMBS UP
Cross Country enjoys a view from the top
Cross Country jerseys could be blank on the front and no one would notice because lately, they’ve only been seen from the back. The women took first place in their first three meets, and on Saturday they fought against 30 mile-per-hour winds and heavy rain to claim the win. WCAS Sophomore Audrey Huth has been leading the team in the past two meets, finishing the five kilometer races in just under 18 minutes. Last year, they came away with first place only once and finished last in the Big Ten Championships.
THUMBS DOWN
Football is losing too many yards
There has been more yellow than purple on the football field this season. The ‘Cats have been having some trouble with penalties in the past two games, something that has the potential to ruin their 5-0 record. Since the Central Michigan game, the ‘Cats have acquired 21 penalties for a total 185 yards lost. That’s a problem for close games like the 29-28 win against Minnesota, especially when several were due to false starts and offsides. Calm down, guys.