PHOTO BY CAITLIN HANDERHAN

READ THE STORY ON PAGE 2

ONLINE POLL RESULTS

Raw Edges preview Page 5

Leao reaches 1,000 Page 8

Serving homeless inspiring Online

Yes, its an interesting new option. 30%

Sounds like an adventure to me. 20%

No, the location doesnt intrigue me. 40%

Im not sure about it. 10%

Total votes: 20

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Students and faculty attend inauguration

By Kierston Bromley
Staff writer
The 2012 presidential election ended when Barack Obama was sworn into ofce during the presidential inauguration Monday, Jan. 21. Due to the courtesy of U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, Pennsylvanias 3rd district, several Mercyhurst employees and students attended the occasion. Included in the group were Joseph Morris, D.A., director of the Mercyhurst Center for Applied Politics and Associate Professor of Political Science, along with political science majors Jake Jaskiewicz and Reed Hunter Garetto. From the Learning Differences program, director Dianne Rogers and students Paulina Wielandt and Marnie Miller also attended. Director of External Affairs & Government Relations Sheila Coon rounded out the group. Coon explained that their group was able to attend due in large part to a visit Brad McGarry, coordinator of the Asperger Initiative at Mercyhurst (AIM) program at Mercyhurst, made to Washington, D.C., in the fall. Because of the good impression this visit made, McGarry was invited by Kelly to testify before the Congressional Committee on Oversight and Government Reform about the importance of the AIM program. It is because of this visit that more congressional representatives are becoming aware of the concerns and issues of the future of American citizens on the Autism spectrum. Thus, when tickets became available for members to distribute, Kelly offered tickets to the university. It was the luck of the draw that I got chosen, said Jaskiewicz, who says that the people who were chosen to go were drawn at random. Garetto concurs that he got lucky. For Jaskiewicz, Garetto and Coon, this was the rst presidential inauguration they had been able to attend. There were at least 800,000 people [at the inauguration], said Garetto. So it was hard to get a decent view of Obamas speech. Coon agrees, citing a crush of thousands of people as she recalls stepping out onto the lawn where the inauguration was to take place. Thousands of people from different cultures and backgrounds were presgreat visual of the president speaking. Im a political science student, said Garetto. Ive taken classes about what makes a good political speech. It was great to hear Obamas plan for America. Coon also enjoyed the speech, but shared an odd experience as well. The most unusual sight was when a man in a brown jacket climbed to the very top of a tree on the Capitol Mall, said Coon. Police offered him a ladder and requested that he climb down, but he stayed. All those attended who could be reached for comment said they would go again if they could. Hopefully, the next [inauguration] I attend will be one when Im sworn in as president, said Garetto. Coon agrees but says that she would put McGarrys name at the top of the list for the next inauguration. His son Connor became ill last week and sadly Brad was unable to attend, said Coon about why McGarry was not at the event. Overall, everyone enjoyed the inauguration and were pleased they were chosen to attend.

NEWS

January 30, 2013

President Barack Obama nishes up his inaugural address in Washington D.C.

ent at the event. It was great to see such a large community of different people of different walks of life, Garetto said. Both Garetto and Jaskiewicz noted it was difcult to get a good view of Obamas speech. However, all agree

Caitlin Handerhan photo

the speech was the inaugurations shining moment. The speech was the highlight of the event, said Jaskiewicz. Everyone was waiting to hear it. Garetto felt hearing the speech was more important than getting a

Bowling, wings, date auction, free food

By Juan Mendez
Staff writer
With the end of the academic year getting closer, this years graduating class is focusing on raising funds for its senior gift, a greenhouse for the school, through a series of events for the school, known as Senior Week. Besides helping the senior gift committee reach its goal of $15,000, Senior Week is all about coming together as a class and celebrating the past four years,senior Rhona Boyle said. The events, which start on Monday, Feb. 4, with the kick-off party at the Student Union, are opportunities for this years seniors to celebrate life in Erie, something the senior committee has achieved by attaining partnerships with various local businesses to make the events possible. The week goes on Tuesday with Glow Bowling, which senior Abigail Robinson thinks is always a fun event. Seniors are getting a great price to go bowling. Wednesday introduces a new event to Senior Week, which is the Wildcard Wing Tasting. For the price of $2, students receive a wildcard which enables them to try eight different wings from various establishments across Erie. South Gate Pizza, Otis 12, Elk Creek Inn, the Gatherings, Dans Rt. 8 Boardwalk, Plymouth, The Corner Stone and The Laker Inn have all partnered with the senior committee to provide the various wings for this event. The Snag a Senior Date Auction, which was a huge success last year, will take place on Thursday, Feb. 7, where 15 seniors will be auctioned for students. Various seniors will be auctioned in hopes of raising money for the senior gift. Each person represents a gift card

Students prepare for Senior Week

January 30, 2013

NEWS

Page 3

or a prize from a local Erie business, Robinson said. The events come to a close on

Friday with both a 100 Days dinner at Egan dining hall for the seniors, followed by the 100 Days Party at the

Caf Diem reopens

By Abigail Robinson
Staff writer
If there is one thing we can all agree on, its that Mercyhurst students love to eat. Fortunately for students, Caf Diem has reopened on the rst level of the Center for Academic Excellence (CAE) courtesy of the Hospitality Management program. Caf Diem was originally situated in Hammermill Library, in a less than convenient space and offered a limited menu mainly consisting of coffee and snacks. The new caf is in a better location and is more focused on healthy food options ranging from coffee to soup, pizza, wraps and sandwiches. The team that worked on reopening the caf saw the demand on campus and used the old Caf Diems shortcoming to improve upon. Assistant Professor of HRM Daryl Georger, Assistant Professor of Hospitality Management Beth Anne Sheldon, Chair of HRM Allison Shrimper and Chef Charles Magalhaes have been a tremendous help in getting everything organized for the caf, as well as the student managers. The caf is open Monday through Thursday 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; however, expansion of hours is a possibility.

Hospitality Management majors work together to supply food for students at the new location for Caf Diem.
With its location in the CAE, many of the intelligence students are asking for a late night food option. The caf is only taking cash transactions for now, but will offer debit and credit transaction along with Laker Loot capabilities in the near future. General Manager Jessica Christofferson says that in the few days the caf has been open she is happy with the turnout. As we continue to grow and learn what the students want we will be able to develop a routine and have more success. I think that once students spread the word and come try the caf,

Salina Bowe photo

business will pick up, Christofferson said. The caf is part of the Hospitality Management program and is completely student run. Student managers include seniors Jessica Fellows, Amy Edwards and Nate Anderson and juniors Chelsea Shilala and Amanda Lippiello. Other students involved are juniors Zach Moss and Emily Kainer, sophomore Lauren Furda and senior Leon Gallop. Any students looking for service hours or would like to learn about the hospitality industry are more than welcome to stop in.

Mercyhurst students began experiencing water-related issues early on Wednesday morning, Jan. 23. Students who reside in the Tanglewood Apartments on East Grandview Blvd. started dealing with the loss of water and heat the day before the main campus did. Low water pressure was noticeable on almost all of campus by Thursday morning, with the toilets not functioning in the academic buildings and extremely low water pressure in the Briggs/Lewis apartments. Details on the source of this issue were few and far between, though it was apparent there was a real problem. Confusion continued until Vice President for Student Life Gerard Tobin Ph.D., sent an informational email to all students and staff that Erie was experiencing a water main break. Due to ongoing issues with the water supply, the Erie campus is closing at 12:30 p.m. today. Classes and all scheduled activities on the Erie campus are canceled through the weekend. We expect classes will resume on Monday, Tobin said in his email to the students. R.A.s were required to stay on campus until 8 p.m. that night to ensure the safe departure of the students on campus. The campus wide evacuation went smoothly with a steady ow of trafc moving through the front gates, students and staff exited campus within a few short hours. Over the weekend, Erie water workers identied the multiple water main breaks and restored water to all of the affected areas. With classes and events running as usual again, Mercyhurst students got to experience the closing of the Erie campus for the rst time in over 40 years.

News Brief
Contributed photo

Corner Stone Bar & Grill. The graduating students are sad about graduation approaching, though they are also ready for the next stage in their lives. Robinson describes her experience about the impending graduation. Im both scared and excited to be moving on from Mercyhurst. I love this place, all the people and the professors, and Im a basket of emotions, Robinson said. Boyle thinks that senior week will have a great turnout, as it has in past years. A signicant amount of planning has gone into these ve days. Our time here is almost through. So if there were ever a time to Carpe Diem, it is now. Also, all proceeds of Senior Week go toward the Greenhouse. I just want to encourage everyone to give what they can to the gift fund, in order to make the Gift of 2013 a success, Boyle said.

Water main break closes campus

January 30, 2013

FEATURES

Page 4

First Lady shined at Inaugural Ball

By Isabella Cardina
Staff writer
Monday, Jan. 21, the world watched as President Barack Obama took the oath of ofce for the second time. While this was the purpose of the event, the fashion industry was anticipating what designers gown the First Lady Michelle Obama was going to wear to the Inaugural Ball. All of the fashion critics and editors predicted Michelle Obama to wear a different designer than she had chosen in 2009. Four years ago she chose up-and-coming designer named Jason Wu. Wus fame and talent was highly noted in the fashion industry shortly after his client, Michelle Obama wore his one-shoulder chiffon gown. This year she shocked audiences, not only with her choice to wear another Jason Wu gown, but also with her new bangs, as well. The red dress she wore was made out of a lightweight chiffon fabric,

Contributed photo

Chelsey Starin, Erico Sanchez and Kellie Wendell dance in the music video in front of Old Main.

Gangnam Style performed MU-style

By Kayla Kelly
Features editor
As the song Gangnam Style by Psy became a hit on the radio with its catchy beat and new dance moves, people started to become obsessed with the song. Psys quirky moves inspired others, and music video renditions began to appear on YouTube. In early November, junior Kellie Wendell noticed the videos online and decided it would be fun to try to create a music video around campus. Her goal was to complete it by midterm week of winter term, which she did. Wendell wanted to incorporate as many groups on campus that she could. Senior Erico Sanchez played Psy, the main character. Behind the scenes and on camera, junior Danny Graham and senior Nick Grecol helped Wendell make the video. The other people on camera included members of Mecyhurst Student Ambassadors, Mercyhurst Student Government (MSG) and Reserve Ofcers Training Corps (ROTC). In addition, Dance and Hospitality Management majors were a part of the video. The video would not have been complete without Mercyhurst President Thomas Gamble, Ph.D., and Parkhurst employees Rhonda Blout and Mimi Hewitt. Once parts of the video were taped, Wendell edited the video on her computer. While the video looks quite professional, she explained the tools she used were simple. Editing is a little hobby I love, but unfortunately I do not have any fancy software, said Wendell. It was all done in Windows MovieMaker and lmed with my Canon EOS rebel T2i. She went on to explain that anyone can make a YouTube hit. All you need are your friends and a camera. We werent even trying to make this into a YouTube hit. It was all just for fun, but the positive feedback made it even better, Wendell said.

of the most popular Mercyhurst University uploads on YouTube. All the positive feedback we have gotten from this video has been incredible. I cannot express how grateful I am for the support from Mercyhurst. Over 2,500 views shows that our hard work has really paid off, Wendell said. So far, Wendell does not have any plans for future lms, but she is open to new suggestions and others who would like to be involved. From the number of video participants, to the amount of viewers, this video is a

similar to her dress in 2009. The dress allowed her to move freely as she and the president danced to Jennifer Hudson singing Lets Stay Together. When planning to wear something for an important event, you must consider what you want to feature. Michelle Obama is enthusiastic about exercise and staying healthy, so she has a great body. One of her best features is her arms, and the dress she chose highlighted this area. Some say she made the choice of Jason Wu to stay safe, but the dress exemplied that playing it safe works for Michelle Obama. As a fashion idol, Michelle Obama has been known to recycle outts and accessories as one of her trademarks as First Lady. She also frequently wears affordable brands such as J. Crew, Talbots and Liz Claiborne. Michelle Obama has been known in the fashion industry as one of the best-dressed women in America. By wearing the Jason Wu dress, she only rose higher on the list. Clearly, she has started the year 2013 off on the right foot in fashion.

Contributed photo

ROTC members have fun dancing to Gangnam Style in the video.

The video was uploaded to YouTube about two weeks ago and quickly grew in popularity. When asked if she thought the video was going to be so widespread, Wendell said, Not in a million years. Once the idea was started, it quickly spread around campus. I was thrilled to have help from everyone, including Dr. Tobin and Dr. Gamble. With just over 2,500 views, it is one prime example of the support in the Mercyhurst community. I hope this video shows that Mercyhurst is a lot of fun and our students have a lot of school spirit. I want this to make prospective students want to come to MU because we are more than just academics, Wendell said. To watch the lm, go to YouTube and search Gangnam Style at Mercyhurst University.

January 30, 2013

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

These students have more to worry about than just the pieces on stage. I needed to nd proper music, scenery, and costumes, said Welsh. And I had to completely create the story on a large group of 18 dancers. The performances at Raw Edges this year all bring to light the creativity of the choreographers. Welshs piece titled The Snow Maiden is a Russian story ballet based on the Russian folk tale. This piece is livelier, while others have a darker edge to them. My piece is very happy, comical and upbeat compared to the other pieces by the student choreographers this year, Welsh said. Allergra Glinskys piece, Breaking Point, is based on someones personal struggle with conforming to society and being an individual. [It] is centered around the idea of the individual versus the mob. It deals with the ego and a persons struggle to maintain individuality under pressure to conform, Glinsky said. The audience will be able to understand Glinskys concept through costume design with the usage of masks. Glinsky also mentions that the solo pieces in Breaking Point represent the archetypal personality traits known in psychology by the acronym O.C.E.A.N (Openness, Conscientiousness, Extroversion, Agreeableness, Neuroticism). It is believed that every person has a mixture of these qualities. The next dance selection was choreographed by Tess Sinke. Her piece is based off of the Edgar Allen Poe poem, The Raven. Music is incorporated to verses being read from the poem, thus, making the scene more realistic. With this addition to the music, it helps the audience know exactly what is happening during the performance. Costumes are used to create the raven, the speaker and Lenore. The movements by the ravens are pulsating and rhythmic so the audience will know that the performers are ravens even without noticing their costumes. Jessica Stachelrodts Fatalis Feminam is a performance that is about women being strong on their own. A duet between a female and male dancer shows through its choreography the struggles between the two of them. The group portions use movements that also relate to a struggle of standing alone. The intricate arrangements between the dancers help audience members realize the meaning behind this piece. Finally the routine ends with a solo which has yet to be performed, therefore leaving a surprise for viewers. Two other routines are choreographed by the guest performers Neta Pulvermacher and Mercyhurst alumna, Meredith Lyons. Meredith Lyons graduated from Mercyhurst in 2003. Since graduating Lyons has earned her MFA at Smith College in Northampton, Mass., and currently performs with modern dance companies in Philadelphia. Lyons dance selection A Life Less

Page 5

Raw Edges raises the barre once again

By Sarah Minch
Contributing writer
This coming weekend, Feb. 1-3, Mercyhurst Universitys Dance Department will be hosting its 15th edition of Raw Edges at the Mary DAngelo Performing Arts Center (PAC). This showcase features Mercyhurst University dance majors as well as alumna Meredith Lyons and special guest Neta Pulvermacher. There will be a number of pieces that were choreographed by dance majors as well as by the special guests with a variety of different music scores from all eras. Seniors Anastasia Welsh, Tess Sinke, Jessica Stachelrodt and junior Allegra Glinsky push boundaries with step arrangement to their pieces in order to break the mold from typical dance productions.

Contributed photo

Students and alum Meredith Lyons will join for a collaborative effort on the PAC stage for this years Raw Edges concert.
Backwards uses video footage to enhance the meaning of the choreography. Words from dancers diaries are ashed across a screen adding emphasis to the movements on stage. The last performance is choreographed by guest Neta Pulvermacher. Pulvermacher studied at Julliard with Solveig Santillano, assistant professor of dance. Pulvermachers piece uses ve-gallon plastic buckets as props. Performers use the buckets at the beginning of the dance routine to create percussive beats that set up the choreography that is in the rest of the number. Another interesting part in this performance that is unusual is adding lights to buckets. These are used as spotlights that highlight different dancers on stage. Pulvermacher shows how versatile a bucket can be. Tickets to see Raw Edges are $15.50 for adults and $12.50 for seniors and students. Tickets for the preview concert are $5. All tickets can be purchased by calling 814-824-3000 or by visiting miac.mercyhurst.edu.

Anticipation has been building since the success of last years Raw Edges concert.

Staff photo

Online

Full list of events can be found on the PAC website

View upcoming performances: www.pac.mercyhurst.edu

www.merciad.mercyhurst. edu/arts_entertainment

Page 6
By Zach Dorsch
Photo editor

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Youth and Dinosaur Jr. This is due to their fuzzed out, indie rock tone. Daniel Blumberg, Yucks singer/ guitarist/songwriter is a master when it comes to writing for this band. This album will send you on a whirlwind of emotions. Songs like Suicide Policeman, which a soft-spoken acoustic number about being on suicide watch for someone who is close to you and trying to talk them out of it. Followed immediately by Georgia, a bright, lighthearted song that features male and female vocals thanks to the bands bass player Mariko Doi. The rst track, Get Away, is my favorite track on the album. I like the fuzzed out bass line that really sticks out, how the lead guitar part dances so nicely with the rest of the song or the lyrics which describe wanting someone so much that you cant get her off your mind. Other tracks, like Holding Out, have a strong grittiness and tons of feedback over distorted vocals, creating the fuzzy soundscape that would make Thurston Moore, Sonic Youths guitarist, smile. If you are into bands from the 90s, Yuck is the right band for you. This old-school band will have their melodies stuck in your head instantly. Dont let the name of this band deceive you; their music is anything but yuck.

January 30, 2013

Yuck impresses with 90s feel

For me, music comes and goes. I will listen to an album a couple of times and then never listen to it again. On a rare occasion, I will like whole album and return to it from time to time. One of those albums is Yuck which is the self-titled album for the band Yuck. Yuck is a London band that could have come straight from the 90s and toured with some of my favorite bands from that era, such as Pavement, Sonic

pac.mercyhurst.edu photo

Our Song: A Winter Cabaret

Wednesday, Jan. 30, at 8 p.m. Taylor Little Theatre

Friday, Feb. 1 - 2:15 p.m. & 7:15 p.m. Taylor Little Theatre
Based on true events, Argo chronicles the life-ordeath covert operation to rescue six Americans, which unfolded behind the scenes of the Iran hostage crisis the truth of which was unknown by the public for decades. On November 4, 1979, as the Iranian revolution reaches its boiling point, militants storm the U.S. embassy in Tehran, taking 52 Americans hostage. But, in the midst of the chaos, six Americans manage to slip away and nd refuge in the home of the Canadian ambassador.

Langer Film Series: Argo

Tickets are $5 and available at the door. Come support our students and the arts.

Macklemore breaks 20-year streak

By Zach Dorsch
Photo editor
Macklemore and Ryan Lewis have been creating a lot of hype with their rap, Thrift Shop, which talks about anti-consumerism. The song is currently sitting at number one in the Billboard Hot 100, and it is the rst time an independently recorded song has taken the number one spot since 1994. The last indie hit to hold this spot was Stay (I Missed You), by folk-pop singer Lisa Loeb. Macklemore, whose real name is Ben Haggerty, is a Washington native who has been recording since the early 2000s under the name Professor Macklemore. He recently got noticed when he released his rst full-length album The Heist with the help of producer Ryan Lewis. On his album, Macklemore not only takes down the idea of being cool just because he bought a $50 t-shirt, but he also takes a swing at the record industry with his song Jimmy Lovine. Lovine is the current chairman of Interscope-Geffen-A&M records and helped launch the career of another rapper, Eminem. In this song he takes down the record industrys contacts and the politics behind it. The last thing that sets him apart from other rappers is his support of gay rights. In his track Same Love, he spits I might not be the same but thats not important/ No freedom till were equal, damn right I support it. I personally commend Macklemore for all he has done. He showed the world you could be number one on the chart without being signed to a big label and that you dont have to rap about cars, money or women in order for the world to listen. I hope this inspires a new set of artists that rap about things that are more real to people such as gay rights and looking good on a dime.

pac.mercyhurst.edu photo

Met HD Live: Rigoletto by Verdi

Saturday, Feb. 16, at 12:55 p.m. Mary DAngelo Performing Arts Center
Director Michael Meyer has set his new production of Verdis towering tragedy in Las Vegas in 1960. In this production, inspired by the antics of the Rat Pack, Piotr Beczala is the womanizing Duke of Mantua, Zeljko Lucic is his tragic sidekick, Rigoletto, and Diana Damrau is Rigolettos daughter, Gilda.

santacruz.com photo

Macklemore becomes the rst artist to have an independently recorded song put on the charts since 1994 with Thrift Shop.

January 23, 2013

OPINION

Page 7

The views expressed in the opinion section of The Merciad do not necessarily reflect the views of Mercyhurst University, the staff of The Merciad or the Catholic Church. Responses on any subject are always welcomed and can be emailed to opinionmerciad@mercyhurst.edu.

Sandy Hook hits close to home

Student contributes to gun control dialogue
By Will DeFeo
Advertising manager
Frank Herbert wrote in Dune that fear is the mindkiller. Although guratively a narrative which is galaxies apart, the message is clear. There is a clear expectation of fear of whatever we cant see or understand, and that is part of the human condition. There is also, through Herbert, an important addendum that this fear will incapacitate; bar from logic or true reason. My hometown borders on Sandy Hook, Conn. Having a close connection to the horror in Sandy Hook Elementary, I was afraid.

Despite relatively short notice, the campus closing on Jan. 25 was carried out swiftly and effectively. Many students and faculty opened up their homes to those who could not leave campus on such short notice. At least students are willing to heed the advice of Student Life when it is most important.

Having a close connection to the horror in Sandy Hook Elementary, I was afraid.
Will DeFeo

One school system over, and it would have been the hallways of my youth all of a sudden suffering that horror, plus the volatile concoction of national news media, lobbyists and politicians. Let me make one thing clear: There

is the truth that New England, home for me, bears a stigma against rearms (despite being the home of Ruger, Smith & Wesson and Colt, to name a few). Its a stereotype and notion that gets passed along (but dont construe this clarication as my holding the opposite). Like fear, the generational stereotype is a given trait that becomes transparent with logic, a calm heart and therapeutic discussion. And its reassuring what will happen when you do have those discussions. The core of gun control is fear, and the mongering thereof on both sides of an unfortunately linear debate. The fear that if we leave assault

ries unrestricted, the streets of America will turn into a warzone versus the fear that a ban would only lead to 1984, plus everywhere in between. My bottom line is this: Dont have a discussion about the topic with the canned evidence given to you from the TV, be careful of your tone and remember Herberts warning about fear. Fear has inltrated every aspect of this debate, in itself making discussion difcult, but the immense leverage it carries pushes us apart exponentially. Dignity, respect and memorial to the Angels of Sandy Hook, as well as safety of the America is a call to compromise for more than ourselves.

Fire alarms in Hirt have been randomly ringing at inopportune times for several days. Students have become so apathetic toward the alarms, that they remain in the building. How many more times will the buildings system cry wolf ?

Girls, guns, guerrilla warfare troubling

By Zack Yost
Staff writer
Congratulations are due to all women in the U.S., I am told, as we have learned that the military is lifting its restrictions on women in combat. This is supposed to be a great blow for equality for women and I am told that equality is good. However, this whole episode reveals the total lack of perspective many people have. While some people are excited that there is now going to be equality in the military, it seems that they have perhaps not thought through what this means. Within the same day that this announcement was made there were calls for the selective service, also known as the draft, to apply to women as well. Currently when you turn 18 and you are a male, you are required under threat of nes and imprisonment to register for selective service. Women are not required to do this and are not allowed to. However, now that women are allowed to serve in combat it does not seem like there is any reason at all why women should not be required to sign up as well. It would be hypocritical for those who pushed for women to be allowed into combat to not also be in favor of requiring women to sign up for the draft. After all, if men can be forced against their will to join the military and kill, why should women not be forced to as well? In a push for the much vaunted, yet ill-dened, value of gender equality people have now opened what is in my opinion Pandoras box. The great scourge of the draft is now lingering above the heads of women all over the nation.

If you dont want it printed . . . dont let it happen.

@mercyhurst.edu Editors Positions editormerciad Alicia Cagle Editor-in-Chief newsmerciad Stacy Skiavo News Editor featuremerciad Kayla Kelly Features Editor opinionmerciad Caitlin Handerhan Opinion Editor sportsmerciad Joe Chiodo Sports Editor entertainmentmerciad Mat Anderson A&E Editor copymerciad Chelsea Schermerhorn Copy Editor photomerciad Samantha Link Graphics photomerciad Zach Dorsch Photo Editor ejohns89 Ethan Johns Web Editor admerciad Will DeFeo Ad Manager wwelch Bill Welch Adviser

As many seniors are gearing up for Senior Week, you can imagine how disappointing it is to nd this tradition once reserved for graduates, is now inviting underclassmen participation.

The Merciad is the official student-produced newspaper of Mercyhurst University. It is published throughout the school year, with the exception of finals weeks. Our office is in Hirt, Room 120B. Our telephone number is (814) 824-2376. The Merciad welcomes letters to the editor. All letters must be signed and names will be included with the letters. Although we will not edit the letters for content, we reserve the right to trim letters to fit. Letters are due Mondays by noon and may not be more than 300 words. Submit letters to box PH 485 or via email at opinionmerciad@mercyhurst.edu.

To read the full article go to: www.merciad.mercyhurst.edu/opinion

Page 8

Lakers fall to 5-12 Leao breaks 1,000 points

By Joe Chiodo
Sports editor
The lady Lakers had a tough weekend against the Indiana University of Pennsylvania Crimson Hawks. Full court pressure and consistent threepoint shooting troubled the womens basketball team, resulting in a 100-47 loss on Saturday, Jan. 26. Junior forward Alayna White knows that the Lakers need to make changes to improve. Our team had a slow start this year, but every game is coming together and getting better. To improve our record we simply have to play a 40-minute game, said White. We have to play perfect; rebound more, less turnovers, and knock down shots. We get a lot of shots up, but we have to knock them down. Freshman guard Adrienne Kloecker feels the Lakers will improve as they become more consistent throughout the season. I think that our team needs to become more consistent in games. We have been doing better lately when it comes to rebounding, but there is always room for improvement, said Kloecker. We need to focus on executing plays all the time, because when we are patient and run the plays, they work. On Wednesday, Jan. 23, the Lakers played hometown rival Gannon University. After a hard ght and close game the Lakers fell to the Knights, 59-43. The loss was very tough for the Lakers to endure. It was a very emotional game for us. We wanted to win this game because we knew we could. It wasnt a good feeling to lose, but it was a great feeling that we came out and fought through all the adversity during the game, White said. This is the rst time in my college career playing our rival Gannon, and, of course, we wanted that win really badly. What makes it worse is that we all know we could have beat them, it was the rst three minutes of the second half that put us in a hole that we couldnt get out of, Kloecker said. Although the Lakers may be struggling in the win column, they are condent in themselves and each other as the season progresses. The Lakers will face Edinboro University on Wednesday, Jan. 30, at 5:30 p.m. in the Mercyhurst Athletic Center.

SPORTS

January 30, September 3, 2008 2013

winning close games and having the mental toughness to focus. The Lakers will be back in action Wednesday, Jan. 30, against Edinboro University. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center .

By R.J. Niedzwiecki
Contributing writer
Mens basketball senior Luis Leao is having a tremendous 2012-2013 season. He is averaging 20.2 points a game and grabbing an average of 6.8 rebounds. Being his senior year, all of his hard work since he started at the Hurst is paying off. Saturday, Jan. 12, Leao and the Lakers traveled to Cheyney for a PSAC showdown. Leo was closing in on the 1,000 point mark going into the game. He successfully reached the milestone and nished the game with 24 points and six rebounds. There are a select few that have done it for Mercyhurst and Im proud to be a part of it, said Leao. Leao could not have done it without his teammates and credits those who helped him to get these points. Even though it is an individual accomplishment, I could not have done it without my teammates, said Leao. The Lakers lost another nail biter on

Saturday, Jan. 26, to PSAC West opponent Indiana University of Pennsylvania, 57-54. You need to play an entire 40 minutes of good basketball to beat the good teams, Leao said. This can help strengthen the team for the end of the season push. Learning to nish out a game is key to

Brian Vail photo

Luis Leao catches a pass beneath the net against Gannon on Jan. 23.

Lundgren named wrestler of the week

By Lindsey Burke
Staff writer
Senior Eric Lundgren was recently named Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Wrestler of the Week. Lundgren had big wins over both West Liberty and Kutztown. Hes wrestling great right now, we just need him to stay consistent, said Head Coach Mike Wehler. Lundgren credits redshirting as a time in which he learned from the sidelines and grew as a player. Redshirting helped me acclimate to a new level of competition, said Lundgren. The transition between high school and college wrestling is a huge leap. As a freshman, I dont think that I would have had much success if coach had just thrown me into the lineup my rst year. Against Kutztown, Lundgren drew a tough match-up against former NCAA qualier Giovanni Ortiz. Lundgren trailed 1-0 after two periods before making his move. With 30 seconds left in the third round, Lundgren earned two points with a takedown and then held off Ortiz, 4-3, to win the match. Lundgren and his fellow Lakers are on a roll on the mat this season. The Lakers have beaten three top-ten ranked opponents, leading to an overall record of 12-1 and 4-0 in the conference. Beating top-ten teams continues to drive us to win more matches, said Lundgren. Weve been the underdog in the majority of our matches. Other than us, no one expected the team to do as well as we have. The Lakers compete against University of Pitt-Johnstown at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center, Friday, Feb. 1 at 7 p.m.

Eric Lundgren remains poised before beginning his match against an opponent.

Brian Vail photo

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