TRACK & FIELD:
Coug pole vaulter Molly
Scharmann
dreams big, aims to leave legacy at WSU
Redshirt sophomore chose Pullman over two other schools
By AVERY COOPER,
Evergreen
April 3, 2018
April 3, 2018
Already
sitting in a tie for third in the WSU all-time pole-vaulting record books as a
redshirt sophomore, Molly Scharmann has even bigger goals.
“Any
collegiate athlete’s dream is to be a professional athlete,” Scharmann said. “If
they’re not dreaming of that, then I don’t know what they’re doing.”
Participating
in sports is something that runs in the family. Her older brother Kelby
Scharmann played golf at University of La Verne and was an individual medalist
at the 2015 NCAA Division II Golf Championship.
Her older
sister Emily is a cross country runner for University of California, Los
Angeles, who finished her collegiate career in the fall.
“We all
compete with each other because I’m not going to let my sister be more successful
than I am,” Scharmann said. “I think we all bring out the competitive side in
each other. Then we also have the self-driven side too, because we just want to
be the best we can be.”
Scharmann
said she followed in her sister’s footsteps by pursuing running.
“I was a
copycat child. I just did everything they did,” Scharmann said. “I realized I
wasn’t going to be as good as [Emily] in cross country and that I wanted a
change.”
That
change came in her freshman year at Tesoro High School in California, when she
and her friends attended a track and field tryout.
“I didn’t
really want to run so I was like ‘oh, I’ll go try triple jump,’ ” Scharmann
said. “I tried triple jump and was horrible … so then I just tried pole
vaulting and I loved it.”
A native
of Southern California, Scharmann chose WSU after receiving offers from La
Verne, California, and California State University, Fullerton.
“It was a
[Division I] Pac-12 school and was obviously my best option,” Scharmann said,
“so I just took a shot in the dark and just came.”
When she
arrived at WSU, Scharmann experienced a transition year. Assistant Coach Brad
Walker said Scharmann was devastated to learn that she would be redshirted her
first season.
“As a
freshman, she was kind of bright-eyed, bushy tail … coming into college not
really sure what to do,” Walker said.
When her
redshirt season ended, Scharmann finally had her chance to compete in the
Pac-12.
During
the indoor season last year, she vaulted a then-personal record of 3.97 meters,
which was good for eighth place at the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation
Championships.
“All of a
sudden she started having PR after PR and really started to figure things out,”
Walker said. “I think it gave her a glimpse of what was and what could be.”
Now in
her second season of eligibility, Walker said Scharmann has continued to grow.
The
entrepreneurship major said she wants to reach her personal goal of pole
vaulting 14 feet by the end of the season.
Walker
believes eclipsing a mark of 14 feet would qualify Scharmann for the NCAA
Preliminary Rounds.
Despite
Scharmann’s success, Walker said her strength and technique are two areas she
can improve.
Walker
said Scharmann has a shot to be among the best vaulters in the Pac-12, but it
is all about continuing the process that got her here in the first place.
“For her to take that number-one
spot, she’s going to have to have a really good next couple of months,” Walker
said. “Coming back next year, as long as she puts together a good summer and
gets stronger and that sort of thing, I think she’ll be vying for that top spot
in the Pac-12.”
………….
BASEBALL Cougars
do battle with Bulldogs
Four of
WSU’s seven victories this season have come at home despite playing 15 games on
the road
By RYAN
BLAKE, Evergreen
April 3,
2018
WSU
baseball will take on Gonzaga University (13-12) on Tuesday. The team is coming
off two walk-off wins and a blowout loss to Arizona State University this
weekend.
Head Coach
Marty Lees said the Cougars’ (7-15) ability to battle back in games has impressed
him.
“These
kids have been pretty resilient for a long time,” Lees said. “They stay
together, they trust each other and they believe in each other.”
Prior to
Saturday’s 7-0 loss to the Sun Devils, six of the Cougars’ last eight games
were decided by one run.
Friday’s
victory featured a promising performance from senior left-handed pitcher Scotty
Sunitsch. He worked seven and two-thirds of an inning, allowing three runs on
seven hits while striking out seven.
“He made a
big jump,” Lees said. “It’s good for him and it’s good for us. We expect that
from him as a senior. He’s been in these battles going on his fourth year.”
Sunitsch
did not start a game for WSU in 2017, instead making 28 appearances out of the
bullpen to the tune of a 4.17 ERA. He has made six starts for the Cougars in
2018 so far, posting a 3.86 ERA.
Tuesday’s
game against the Bulldogs (13-12) is the last of a four-game home stand before
they hit the road for a three-game series with University of Oregon in Eugene.
The
Cougars have played 15 away games this season compared to just seven in
Pullman, and four of their seven victories have come at home.
Sophomore
outfielder Danny Sinatro said the Cougar fans energize the team.
“When we
play here we’re a different team, a different breed,” Sinatro said.
Lees said
the team will continue to improve as their roles become more defined and
players know when it’s their time to step up.
Gonzaga
lost to Stanford University 4-3 Monday in Palo Alto and has dropped five of its
last seven games.
First
pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. Friday at Bailey-Brayton Field. The game can also
be seen live on Pac-12 Networks.
……..
FOOTBALL:
A look at
who will be leading Cougars in 2018: Part 2
Depth at
wide receiver creates competition, uncertainty at position
JACKSON
GARDNER, Evergreen columnist
April 3,
2018
With about
a week’s worth of spring practices under WSU football’s belt, coaches have
thrown on the lab coats to experiment with their first-team groups.
This week,
we take a peek at the two offensive position groups who have new faces coaching
them: the wide receivers and offensive lineman.
The
receivers have two new coaches with inside receivers coach Dave Nichol, who is
in his second year at WSU, and outside receivers coach Steve Spurrier Jr., who
was hired in late February.
For the
offensive line, Head Coach Mike Leach chose Mason Miller, one of his former
players and another student of the Air Raid. Miller is one of those no-nonsense
coaches and seems eager to squash the stigma that the offensive line is soft.
Wide
Receivers:
For the
inside receivers, WSU has a reliable group, and it starts with senior Kyle
Sweet. There isn’t a shortage of slot receivers behind Sweet, either. Redshirt
sophomore Renard Bell and sophomore Jamire Calvin, who can be seen at both the
inside and outside position, are coming off impressive freshman years and are
looking sharp early on.
Behind
those three are redshirt freshman Travell Harris, redshirt junior Easop Winston
and redshirt junior Brandon Arconado, who all provide a wealth of depth for the
Cougars.
The
outside receivers have seen the most turnover from 2017 due to the departure of
starting outside receivers Tavares Martin Jr. and Isaiah Johnson-Mack. The two
reeled in 130 receptions between themselves, and Spurrier Jr. will need to
figure out how to fill that void.
Cougar
fans have been chomping at the bit for an opportunity to see one of the staples
of the 2018 recruiting class, true freshman wide receiver Rodrick Fisher. He
certainly looks like a receiver who warrants a four-star ranking, but his
skills need to be refined and, more importantly, he needs to learn Leach’s
offense.
Several
times Fisher’s teammates have gotten on the young receiver for not knowing an
assignment. However, Fisher seems to be eager to learn — he doesn’t stray far from
Spurrier Jr. at practice.
Sophomore
Davontavean Martin and junior Dezmon Patmon are two of the leading candidates
to take the starting outside receiver spots. Both receivers have taller frames
that cater to the outside position.
Martin is
6 feet 3 inches with eye-popping athleticism, and Patmon, standing at 6 feet 4
inches, has the build of a tight end and will presumably cause opposing teams
matchup issues in the redzone.
Verdict:
Expect Martin, Patmon and Calvin to claim the openings at the outside receiver
spots by committee, but per usual, there will be anywhere from eight to 10
receivers that will see the field, so the starting title can be taken with a
grain of salt.
Offensive
Line:
This week
was the first time Cougar fans got to hear from the fiery first-year offensive
line coach Mason Miller. His first task at WSU will be to find replacements for
three of the five starting spots. He has tried to instill his simple rules that
he believes will lead to success.
“I’m a
Marine’s kid, so I don’t let the grass grow beneath my feet very much,” Miller
said. “We have simple rules: One of them is hustle everywhere you go. Give good
effort, do it with a smile on your face and do it as fast as you can and good
things will happen to you.”
The first
offensive line group Miller ran out for spring practice was redshirt senior
Andre Dillard at left tackle, redshirt sophomore Josh Watson at left guard,
junior Frederick Mauigoa at center, redshirt junior Noah Osur-Myers at right
guard and redshirt freshman Abraham Lucas at right tackle.
While this
is subject to change, expect at least three of these five names to be on the
starting depth chart in the fall.
Mauigoa,
who started for the Cougars last year, is being contested for his job by
redshirt freshman Brian Greene. Miller mentioned Greene as a player who has
followed his rules and is beginning to see the success come to fruition.
Depending
on how the offensive line shakes out, Osur-Myers could potentially take the
center spot as well. Osur-Myers is naturally a guard but has demonstrated his
versatility when he was the sixth man for the Cougars’ offensive line last
season. He appeared at both guard positions as well as center in 2017.
Among the
linemen with no playing experience yet, Lucas has made himself a strong candidate
to replace Cole Madison at right tackle.
His
6-foot-6-inch stature is prototypical for an NFL lineman, and his athleticism
for his size is reminiscent of his teammate Dillard. The one drawback for Lucas
is that he is not yet technically sound to be a consistent starting right
tackle in the Pac-12.
Now a week
into spring practice, Miller has begun experimenting with his first-team line.
Redshirt senior Robert Valencia, who typically lines up with the second-team at
right tackle, has progressively gotten more time with the first-team. He can
play right guard or right tackle but looks more natural in the tackle position.
Lucas
looks more like the best option for the right tackle position with each day of
practice, so if Valencia wants the best opportunity at seeing the field,
securing the right guard spot might be his best bet.
Verdict:
The only
lineman that can be 100 percent sure he will start this season is Dillard.
:::::::::
Graduate
student workers eligible for better dental coverage
Leadership
hopes to include both graduate, professional students
By ANGELICA
RELENTE, Evergreen
April 3,
2018
Dental
care insurance for graduate student assistantships increased from 80 to 90
percent coverage, which will go into effect fall 2018.
Sally
Makamson, privacy and student insurance specialist at Health & Wellness
Services, said the extra coverage would fund services such as preventive and
diagnostic care, cleaning and fluoride treatments.
“It’s good
news for graduate students that are on an assistantship,” Makamson said.
Shane
Reynolds, president of GPSA, said funds were reapplied to their insurance
coverage, which caused the 10 percent increase.
“They
renegotiated our policy,” Reynolds said, “and they found that what we wanted
was cheaper … they took that savings and they reapplied it back, so instead of
80 percent, we’re at 90 percent coverage.”
Reynolds
said there are three types of assistantships: research, teaching and graduate.
Those applying for assistantships would sign a one- or two-year assistantship
contract, he said, and their benefits would be effective for the whole school
year once their policy begins. They start on Aug. 15 and end on Aug. 16 of the
following year.
Research
assistants are students who conduct research and gain lab experience alongside
a supervising faculty member with help from funds and grants. It pays for their
tuition, benefits and stipend, Reynolds said. Teaching assistantships are paid
for through the state, and recipients are usually instructors of entry level
classes. Reynolds is affiliated with the graduate assistantship due to his
involvement in GPSA, he said.
Professional
students, on the other hand, do not receive the same benefits graduate
assistantships receive.
“My
understanding is the way the law was set up before, or at the very least the
way that the university interpreted the law,” Reynolds said, “they only offered
health insurance to the students that are on assistantships because they’re
providing a service back to the university.”
Reynolds
said providing similar benefits to professional students is something GPSA has
been working on with Health & Wellness Services. Although it is an ongoing
dialogue, he said he hopes professional students will be able to buy the same
plan next fall.
“They wouldn’t
get covered the way graduate students do on assistantships,” Reynolds said,
“but they can buy into that plan and hopefully that will save them some money
and still get the coverage that the rest of us enjoy.”
Reynolds
said dental care benefits are an important health issue that are not discussed
enough.
“Everybody
needs to get their teeth checked,” Reynolds said.
……………….
WSU
settles over ‘offensive language’
Former
athletics administrator resigned, agreed not to file complaints against WSU
By REBECCA WHITE, Evergreen
April 2, 2018
Last year,
WSU signed a $31,000 settlement with a former athletics administrator after he
used what a university spokesman called “inappropriate and offensive language.”
According
to the settlement documents, which were obtained by a public record request of
all settlements signed by the university regarding sexual harassment or
assault, John E. Lucier, former associate athletic director, agreed to never
apply or accept a position at WSU again.
Specific
allegations were not outlined in the settlement, and WSU spokesman Phil Weiler
said the complaints had to do with “words, not deeds.”
“My
understanding is that the complaints in this case had to do with inappropriate
and offensive language used in the workplace,” Weiler wrote in an email.
He said to
his knowledge, this wasn’t a case of sexual assault, and the university is not
at liberty to discuss the details of the situation and the settlement.
The
agreement, which was signed by Provost Dan Bernardo, Former Athletic Director
Bill Moos, Attorney for WSU Danielle Hess and Lucier, resolved “all matters
arising from [Lucier’s] entire relationship, employment or otherwise, with
WSU.”
The
university agreed to accept Lucier’s resignation, effective April 7, 2017,
according to the settlement. They agreed to pay him $31,529 for purchasing his
contractual notice as well as agreeing to the terms laid out in the settlement.
Lucier was also eligible to receive whatever annual leave he had accrued during
his employment and WSU agreed to not contest any claim he made for
unemployment.
According
to the settlement, both WSU and Lucier agreed the document was not an
acknowledgment of wrongdoing.
“By
entering into the AGREEMENT, neither party admits any violation of any duty,
contract, order, rule or law,” the documents read. “The negotiation of this
agreement shall not be admissible in any proceeding as to any kind of
acknowledgment or admission of such a violation, wrongdoing or negligence.”
In the
settlement, the university also agreed to funnel all requests for information
regarding Lucier to the human resources department, only providing title,
salary and dates of employment unless Lucier gave written authorization.
Outside of a letter of recommendation and material the university is legally
required to share, WSU agreed to release no other information on Lucier’s
employment until April 2019 when that provision expires.
Lucier
also agreed to give up any claims he might file against WSU for breach of
contract, discrimination or other employment issues brought up before or after
the settlement was signed.
According
to a state employee database, Lucier worked for WSU for about five years. He
previously worked for Fresno State University.
Lucier
could not be reached for comment.
