NORTH CENTRAL

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CO:MISSION | 08

March 2013 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Volume 53, Issue 6

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.......................... NEWS | 03

.......................... FEATURE | 05

.......................... REVIEWS | 10

.......................... OPINION | 12

.......................... SPORTS | 15

One Accord | 04

Ring by Spring | 12

I Am Legend: Nathan Roeder | 15

NORTH CENTRAL STUDENTS SACRifiCE THEiR SpRiNg bREAk TO HELp SpREAD THE LOvE Of CHRiST ACROSS THE wORLD

viDEO ExCLUSivE

wiTH NATHAN

ROEDER iNSiDE!

EDiTORiAL.

ART DiRECTiONAND DESigN.

DigiTAL MEDiA.

Editor-in-Chief/ Rebekah Jacobsonrebekah.jacobson@mail.northcentral.edu

Feature Editor/ Joy Yerrickruth.kahlhamer@mail.northcentral.edu

Copy Editor/ Meghan Smithmeghan.smith@mail.northcentral.edu

News Editor/ Amanda Breisteramanda.breister@mail.northcentral.edu

Sports Editor/ Dan Ericksondaniel.erickson@mail.northcentral.edu

Reviews Editor/ Katelyn Terharkkatelyn.terhark@mail.northcentral.edu

Art Director/ Loren Wrightloren.wright@mail.northcentral.edu

Head of Photography/ Nathan Almquistnathan.almquist@mail.northcentral.edu

Assistant Photographer/ Jenny Scottjennifer.scott@mail.northcentral.edu

Assistant Photographer/ Paisley Bennettpaisley.bennett@mail.northcentral.edu

Assistant Art Director/ Chrissie Parkerchristine.parker@mail.northcentral.eduAssistant Art Director/ Andrew Fischerandrew.fischer@mail.northcentral.edu

Online Editor/ Camden McAfeecamden.mcafee@mail.northcentral.edu

Assistant Online Editor/ Joshua Gregoryjoshua.gregory@mail.northcentral.edu

Assistant Online Editor/ Sydney Messmersydney.messmer@mail.northcentral.edu

Head of Videography/ Amy Lambertamy.lambert@mail.northcentral.edu

Assistant Videographer/ Sofia Almarzasofia.almarza@mail.northcentral.eduAssistant Videographer/ Brian Jones

brian.jones@mail.northcentral.edu

ADvERTiSiNg.Business Manager/ Bailey Schott

bailey.schott@mail.northcentral.edu

Paul BrunnerMark Cronk

Michael DahlagerElexa Feldman

Jacqueline GauthierCrystal Goutierez

Erica HillardTika Jones

Andrew KinneyAnna Koch

Jordan LofthusAlexander Marum

Blake MayesBen Pirie

Kayla TrulsenAlyssa Wallace

wRiTERS.

Dear Readers,Ever since Battle of the Floors last month, there has been an underground

murmuring about diversity at North Central, sparked from the black-face painting during one floor’s skit.

Although I hadn’t been involved in much conversation about it, spring break presented me with the most suitable opportunity to address it.

I was visiting Hope City, a branch of the International House of Prayer (IHOP) that reaches out to the addicts, fatherless and homeless through holistic relief and prayer. It is located in the most violent neighborhood in Kansas City.

“I stick out like a sore thumb here.”Those were the exact words I scribbled in my journal after ambling awkwardly to

the back of the shack-like building on the seemingly abandoned and trashy street corner.

Curled up in my blue plush chair, I looked around the prayer room. I was the rich white girl from the suburbs drowning in a crowd of impoverished minorities. It hurt. I did not feel comfortable and I wanted to leave.

Have you ever felt this way? Being the minority is not easy. All of a sudden you feel like all eyes are on you, because your skin color or clothing is wrong. And there’s nothing you can do to change it.

Besides being self-conscious, a worldview shift can happen. At least that’s what happened to me.

I’ll be vulnerable with you: I struggle with judgmentalism. Hardcore. And maybe that’s why I felt so uncomfortable in a room of people different than me.

But during those two hours I spent in the prayer room, I realized how beautiful diversity is and what it means to have the eyes of Jesus.

I was reminded of the believers gathered in the upper room on the Day of Pentecost. In Acts 2:5, Luke writes that they were all “God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven.” When the Holy Spirit fell upon them, they each began to speak in their native language.

That’s only one story of diversity in the Bible. All throughout its pages are passages describing that the kingdom of heaven is for all men, no matter what background, religion or race they come from.

Okay, I get it, you’re probably thinking. I know that God came for all people.But are your eyes in a different viewing arena than your head? It is one thing to

see people as equal in your head; it is another thing to discriminate others when you actually see them.

I’m guilty of this. And usually it happens unknowingly.In Matthew 7:3, it says, “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your

brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?”It’s time for some spiritual eye surgery. Instead of identifying people based on

their appearance, we need to start viewing people as sons and daughters of God. And nothing more. Because God knows no color or social class.

Once the clock stroke 4 p.m. that windy Wednesday afternoon, both my eyes and my heart were in a different place. I knew a veil that had been covering my eyes for so long had been torn.

I was blind no more.

Rebekah JacobsonEditor-in-Chiefrebekah.jacobson@mail.northcentral.edu

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News Three North Central students read their original written works onstage for other writers at the Sigma Tau Delta 2013 International Convention, which was held March 20-23 in Portland, Ore. Senior English majors Meghan Smith and Nick Wiese, and junior English major Victoria Pyron, were invited to read at the convention after submitting their work to the English honor society, Sigma Tau Delta. Pyron’s work was also accepted in the Sigma Tau Delta literary journal, The Rectangle. The Sigma Tau Delta Convention is the pinnacle of the International English Honor Society’s academic excellence. Ursula K. Le Guin, a renowned American author of novels and poetry, was featured as a keynote speaker. “What’s going to help me the most is listening to the presentations that the authors give, and hearing from someone that has done this for their whole life,” said Pyron, who is also the president of the North Central chapter of Sigma Tau Delta. “It’s almost like going to church for English majors. You’re edified; you’re

encouraged.” On opening night, Pyron, along with others published in The Rectangle, read for those in attendance at the convention. The North Central Writer in Residence and English professor Gary Dop was the emcee of the open mic event held later that evening. English professor Desiree Libengood also attended the convention. Pyron and Wiese presented works of creative nonfiction, and Smith presented a work of creative fiction. Workshops were also taught by writing professionals and authors, including two workshops taught by Dop. “Students thrive interacting with their peers from other universities,” said Dop. “Some of the greatest experience comes in hearing the featured readers and the readings of other students.” In order to take the trip to the conference, the cost per person was around $1,000. Smith and Pyron petitioned on behalf of the group to the North Central Board of Directors for money to help cover the expense of the trip. After much discussion and a vote, the board granted $1,200 to be split among the three students to cover the cost of their plane tickets. “Supporting those students helps them to understand that we value academic excellence as a form of leadership, and we want to support it,” said student body president and head of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors Nathan Hirsh. Pyron shared the possible opportunities that are opened up by representing North Central at this convention. “If we can get published as English majors, undergraduates even, if we can get published in big places. People are going to start looking at the [English] department and say that they produce good writers,” said Pyron.

English students present at international conventionSigMA TAU DELTA CONvENTiON pROviDES STUDENTS THE OppORTUNiTY TO LEARN AND SHARE wRiTiNg.

BY ANNA KOCH

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CELEBRATION OF WRITINGThree students and two faculty members represented North Central at a national writing convention last week.

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As the semester winds down, One Accord gears up BY SYDNEY MESSMER

THiS YEAR’S ONE ACCORD SHARES THEiR viSiON fOR MiNiSTRY AS THEY pREpARE fOR THEiR SUMMER TOUR.

Although One Accord 2012-2013 has already led worship in chapel, a large bulk of the group’s live performance happens over the summer. The band is just now in the midst of recording their original album and will begin training for camp worship in May.

Current band members include: senior worship leading major Shelbey MacKay (guitar and vocals), senior recording arts major Max Smith (electric guitar), junior music business major Peter Barnes (drums), sophomore music pastor major Stephen Witt (piano and vocals), sophomore recording arts major Taylor Heinzen (keyboards), and sophomore music pastor major Dean Jordan (bass).

“Our goal is to let the Holy Spirit minister through us on and off the stage, especially through music,” said sophomore music pastor major Stephen Witt. “I am most excited to accomplish this at summer camps.”

Senior worship leading major Shelbey MacKay also expressed excitement about getting on the road and touring over the summer.

“Something different happens when you spend the majority of your time with the same people, doing life together, and I’m excited to build those deeper relationships,” said MacKay.

Fine arts professor Jeff Deyo talked about how traveling gives the musicians a chance to actually use what they have learned in class, practicing how to be successful on the road for long periods of time.

“A lot of things happen in the classroom at North Central, but something happens when you go and do what you have been talking about,” said Deyo.

Deyo serves as an “older brother” figure for the One Accord band members, pushing them to grow musically as well as spiritually. One Accord is encouraged to set aside weekly devotional time in order to enable them to lead spiritual discussion and to prepare them to proclaim their faith on stage.

“My passion is to mentor them spiritually; most musicians fail because

they become prideful or lazy,” said Deyo. “I knew this group was extremely talented musically, but they also have a spiritual maturity led by passion for God’s ministry.”

Deyo teaches One Accord how to understand physical expressions of worship and how to “dig the well.” He claims that people try to get on stage and act spiritual, but they have not cultivated a private walk with God. In order to have a powerful authentic presence on stage, One Accord students learn how to first privately worship God.

“Worship is anything in life that you do through the Holy Spirit,” said Witt. “It’s about the motivation of the heart.”

One Accord views worship as a way to brag about God’s character through music, reminding them why they love the Lord and give Him thanks for His mercy.

Musically, the current One Accord is different from the past. The band members avoid a “pop” approach to worship, and instead use more complex music and combining knowledge of different genres.

The One Accord program is also set apart from other music groups at North Central by the intensity of the training and the length of the program.

“We just don’t show up,” said MacKay. “We have road managers and jobs within our team, which build responsibility.”

During the 18 months that they play together, band members have the opportunity to travel, earn scholarship money, build leadership skills and network. Networking also provides the students with job opportunities. Several past One Accord members have received two or three job offers even before they graduate.

“One Accord builds connections with district directors and churches that can help promote my career after I graduate,” said Witt.

The band currently practices for 75 minutes every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. In addition to this, group members have independent practices for two hours once a week. The group meets to record their album Tuesday and Thursday from 4 to 10 p.m. and Friday from 1 to 5 p.m.

GEARING UP FOR SUMMERThe 2012-2013 One Accord team spends time in the studio in prepara-tion for a season of camp ministry.

Photo by Sydney Messm

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March 2013 | 05

FeatureMind, Body, & Spirit

BY KAYLA TRULSENTHE iMpORTANCE Of fiNDiNg A bALANCE Of THE THREE AS A COLLEgE STUDENT.

Students at North Central are more likely to be successful when they learn to balance their spiritual life, their schoolwork and their physical health. Learning to balance the sprit, mind and body is difficult in college, and even the slightest imbalance can hurt any progress that is made. Not only is each of these areas as equally important as the others, but they are also dependent on each other.

Spirit:Students attending North Central are encouraged to maintain a healthy relationship with God. Not only is chapel held every weekday, but there are many different events and groups that students can be involved in to edify their spiritual life. Some examples are: Lifecore, Co:Mission, Encounter, and the Upper Room.“A relationship with God goes two ways. It is not only you expressing your thoughts, feelings and prayers to God, but also being willing to listen, be silent and patient. I feel that is something you continually have to work on,” said junior elementary education major and Miller Hall discipleship administrator Kayla Kipe.North Central has provided students with resources, such as discipleship leaders, for when they are struggling with an area of life. DLs are the spiritual leaders on each floor of the residence halls.“As a DL, I help co-lead Lifecore each week to help the girls grow in their relationships with God,” said sophomore elementary education major and discipleship leader Tesa Bertell. “We are here to be leaders to those on our floor, to love them, and make them feel comfortable and at home. We also help our RAs plan floor events.”

Mind:Another area that students should take care of is their minds. As college students preparing for the future and building their résumés, North Central students are often held to a high standard of excellence. Some find it helpful to work on assignments early and gradually.“The professors do care about our education. They’ll answer any questions, and they are available outside of class. In class, they try to make the material relevant to life. They have a lot of knowledge and experience,” said freshman intercultural studies major Zach Fortunato. “Not only that, but the community is also helpful. My DLs and RA have helped me study at times.”

Body:The third main area of wellbeing that students can benefit from is their physical health. Some students have a difficult time eating healthy, exercising regularly and getting a good amount of sleep at night.But, North Central has also provided services to promote physical wellbeing among the students. The Recreation and Wellness department has a fitness center that is open 24 hours a day. Every full-time student gets a membership; otherwise, the Student Services and Activities fee for part-time students is $10 per credit. They also offer a self-defense class, a swim club, rock climbing trips, a men’s wrestling club, and many intramural activities.“We need to recognize that our body, mind and spirit are all connected. Exercise to be a better you and be a healthier servant in the kingdom of God, no matter what your job will be. If you are healthier, you can do that job better and with more energy for longer periods of time, and you will be less distracted by avoidable health related issues,” said director of Recreation and Wellness, Jake Smith.

Learning to balance the care of the body, mind and spirit is something that really could take a lifetime. But, with these services and a positive outlook, students can get a jumpstart at being better servants of God.“Plan your day out. Try to stick to it, and be realistic,” said freshman communication arts major Rachael Thearin. “I try to wake up at least half an hour early to spend time with the Lord. God has to be the center of everything.”

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Homelessness is one the most poisonous problems in our society today. According to the Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless (MCH), about 13,100 Minnesotans are homeless.

“There are a lot of youth 17 and under in Minneapolis that are homeless,” said senior business administration major and co-director of Operation Lunch Samuel Nevarez.

MCH also states that 34% of those without homes are children.

North Central has its own organization trying to make a difference in the number of hungry people in Minneapolis. Operation Lunch is a group of students who collect sack lunches donated by students every Friday during the lunch hour in Carlson right outside the deli. They average about 50 lunches a week.

“The basis of [what we do] is collect the sack lunches during lunch on Fridays, and we take them down to Catholic Charities,” said Nevarez.

According to a report released by Gallup and the Food Research and Action Center, “13.7 percent of respondents in Minnesota reported in 2012 to not having enough money to buy food that they or their family needed at some points during the prior twelve months.”

There are many people right outside North Central’s window who have suffered the consequences of homelessness. Jessica, a resident of Minneapolis who was “wrongfully” evicted, had a difficult time finding a job after her eviction. She explains what has gotten her through this experience.

“God does things for a reason. There is a reason I just got this job. There is a reason the other four interviews didn’t call me back. There is a reason God didn’t want me to get this place [an apartment]. I just know in my heart that he is protecting us [Jessica and her family]. He’s just amazing. I just keep my faith and I know there may

be nothing tomorrow or next week or even next month, but I just know he has a plan for me,” said Jessica.

The fact that we allow people to wander the streets, potentially resulting in hunger and job loss, when we ourselves live in comfort, is something to be seriously considered as Christians.

We might think to ourselves that there is nothing we can do or that we don’t have any money to help. But these are not good reasons for ignoring those who are suffering right outside our front door.

Right down 10th Street from campus, there is an overflow homeless shelter that takes in only families with kids. They are given three meals a day and a roof to sleep under.

There may be nothing you can do financially, but the most important, and perhaps the most valuable thing you can give, is time. Time is one of the most valuable assets available to college students today. It is just as valuable to

give, if not more.“Everybody’s is in the same boat

trying to get a job and trying to help each other out. You get to really know people, and everybody’s just like one big family. You just got to see the positive and just keep bringing,” said Jessica.

Helping the HungryTHE pRObLEM Of HOMELESSNESS iN MiNNEApOLiS AND wHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELp. BY MICHAEL DAHLAGER

Interesting facts on homelessness:20% of homeless adult men are military veterans30% of homeless adult women are fleeing domestic violence

Four practical ways students can get involved:1. Donate your sack lunch on Friday at noon to Operation Lunch.2. Donate gently-used clothes to shelters.3. Get involved in a charity program downtown. Some homeless shelters in the area include: YouthLink, Catholic

Charities, or People Saving People, Inc. 4. Pray for Gods hand of protection and provision on those who are less fortunate than us, and remember to thank him

for what has provided for you.

ON OUR DOORSTEPThe homeless of Minneapolis, as well as oppurtunities to make a difference, surround North Central.

Photo by Nathan Almquist

March 2013 | 07

Easter is on its way and people around the world are preparing for the many traditions that take place this time of year. Whether it is celebrating the coming of spring, or the resurrection of Jesus Christ, families across the world take time to celebrate with one another. Here is what a few North Central students said about the Easter traditions in their families.

“We always wear our Easter dresses to church on Sunday, have an amazing meal afterwards, and finally everyone participates in an Easter egg hunt,” said junior elementary education major Mariah Leichty.

“On Easter morning, my family will go to my grandparents’ pasture on a hill, where we set up a fire and a bunch of people from different churches come to sit and talk until the sun breaks the plane of the horizon. Then we worship God for defeating death,” said junior youth ministry major Dave Ritter.

“My family always goes to the Easter celebration church service with my grandparents on Sunday morning. Then we go home to have Easter dinner, which always includes ham and mashed potatoes. After, the little kids have an egg hunt,” said junior American Sign Language interpreting major Natalie Tebben.

Bunnies, Feathers and Squirt Guns By Alyssa Wallace

Czech Republic and Slovakia: On Easter Monday it is tradition that men spank women with handmade whips made from willow branches decorated with ribbon. The willow tree is the first tree to bloom in the spring, so the tradition is said to represent passing on the vitality and fertility of the willow tree to women.

Rome and Italy: On Good Friday the Pope pays tribute to “Via Crucis” (The Way of the Cross) at the Colosseum. A large cross with burning torches lights the sky as the 14 Stations of the Cross are described in several different languages. Mass is held on Holy Saturday and on Easter Sunday, where many visitors gather in St. Peters Square to receive a blessing from the Pope known as “Urbi et Orbi,” or “To the City and to the World.”

A LOOk AT STUDENTS’ EASTER TRADiTiONS AND TRADiTiONS AROUND THE wORLD.

Poland: “Smingus-Dyngus” (Water-Prank Day) is an Easter tradition in Poland of pouring water on one another. On Easter Monday the boys try to soak anyone they see with buckets of water, squirt-guns, or anything they can find. The legend is that any girl who gets drenched that day will marry within a year. This tradition originates from the baptism of the Polish Prince Miezsko on Easter Monday in 966 A.D.

Southern France: In Haux, France, a gigantic omelet is served in the town square on Easter Monday. The omelet calls for approximately 4,500 eggs and typically serves up to 1,000 people. This tradition originates from when Napoleon and his army were traveling through southern France where they stopped to eat omelets. Napoleon enjoyed his omelet so much that he ordered the town to gather all their eggs to make his army a giant omelet for the next morning.

Norway: For the Norwegian people, Easter is a very popular time to read crime novels. Publishers even come out with special “Easter Thrillers” called “Paaskekrimmen.” The tradition is said to have originated in 1923 when a publisher advertised its crime novel on the front pages of the newspaper. People couldn’t decipher it from regular news and did not know it was just a novel advertisement.

Verges and Spain: The traditional “dansa de la mort,” or “death dance,” is performed on Holy Thursday in this medieval town of Spain. People dress as skeletons and walk through the streets, reenacting scenes from the passion of Christ. The march ends with a few of the skeletons carrying boxes of ashes, starting the macabre dance (dance of the dead) at midnight, which goes on for three hours, well into the early morning.

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“My family always goes to the Easter celebration church service with my grandparents on Sunday morning. Then we go home to have Easter dinner, which always includes ham and mashed potatoes. After, the little kids have an egg hunt,” said junior American Sign Language interpreting major Natalie Tebben.

SCAN THiS CODE TO wATCH MORE STORiES Of EASTER TRADiTONS.

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The Nicaragua team traveled through 10 different cities within 10 days, ministering to the needs of each community, including Managua, Nueva Guinea, Rama, and other villages. During their time, the team partnered with North Central alumni missionaries Ken and Kendra Doutt, who have ministry programs all over Nicaragua. These programs help feed over 5,000 children every week and provide practical aid as well.

Senior elementary education major and Co:Mission director Kate Pilman shares the team’s experience in Nicaragua.

“We did over 20 children and adult services, and as a team fellowshipped and prayed in over 100 homes. We gave out backpacks with school supplies, [and] helped aid in a few of the food programs,” said Pilman.

Pilman shares the goals of her team’s work.“Our goal was to serve. We had no

agenda. Many people find it easy to think that they know what they need to do to meet the needs of the people in a place where they have never been. We helped in aiding the missionaries by doing whatever they needed to bless what the Lord has done, to be the extra hands and feet they need,” said Pilman.

With 10 days of nonstop serving and volunteering, there must be a time of preparation both practically and spiritually beforehand. Pilman explained how her team prepared for their work in Nicaragua.

“I prayed. I prayed for our team, the missionaries, the country, the people, and that the Lord would guide us as we go to this foreign land… We also had to prepare a drama and a song to share while we were there,” said Pilman.

This preparation allowed their team to become more united and stronger as they worked in each city. Pilman explained the dynamics of her team.

“I saw a lot of spiritual growth in my team members. This trip was a reminder of how God’s love is always constant to all people. Our lives should be lived as a vessel for the kingdom, dead to our self. In my team, I saw ‘American social norms’ being broken. We were pushed physically and spiritually,” said Pilman.

Looking back on the trip, Pilman described some of the most memorable moments of the trip.

“Some fun moments were when junior elementary education major Mickal Sayler and I killed a chicken, standing in a cattle truck for an hour with 20 plus people, experiencing the pouring rain in a canoe down the river, zip lining, visiting an active volcano, and running through the market for six dozen backpacks and school supplies,” said Pilman.

Overall, the Nicaragua team experienced a time of service, sacrifice, and outpouring of God’s love as they made efforts to meet the needs of each people group.

ARIZONAThrough Co:Mission, a student-

led missions organization, six North Central students participated in a mission trip to Arizona. The leaders of this trip were senior youth ministries major Courtney Muller and senior pastoral studies major Caleb Krause. During their time in Arizona, the team paired with an organization called Native American Outreach Ministries,

Inc. (NAOMI). Together they shared the story of Christ to children who were victims of abuse and neglect.

The NAOMI House is located in Jack Rabbit, Ariz. The team spent four days alongside the children. When the kids were off at school, the team went to work by cleaning and organizing the large amounts of donations the organization received.

“God really confirmed the fact that I [and we all] need to take ownership of missions wherever, however, and to whomever that may be. All he asks is if we are willing to go,” said Krause, who strongly encourages others to partner up with Co:Mission for a spring break trip at least once.

Not only did the team work with the children at the NAOMI House,

but they also went on an adventure into the Grand Canyon. Although the weather seemed to work against their plans, they made the most out of it.

“Do it [Co:Mission]! The experience will change your life and absolutely wreck your heart. It sounds scary to be that vulnerable with God, but the reward is worth more than we can comprehend,” said Krause.

CO:MI SSIONfROM MARCH 2-12, STUDENTS TRAvELED TO NiCARAgUA, SwEDEN AND ARizONA ON MiSSiON TRipS THROUgH CO:MiSSiON. THE ORgANizATiON, fORMERLY kNOwN AS “NiNEDAYS,” pROviDES STUDENTS fROM ANY MAJOR TO pARTiCipATE iN MiSSiONS wORk OvER SpRiNg bREAk LOCALLY, NATiONALLY AND iNTERNATiONALLY.

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Photo provided by Kate Pilman

10 CITIES IN 10 DAYSThe Nicaragua team was on-the-go serving over hundreds of people during their time in the country.

March 2013 | 09

SWEDENAnother group of students traveled to

Sweden, visiting a number of cities including Linköping, Stockholm, and Uppsala, where they focused on reaching out to fellow college-aged students. The team partnered with two North Central alumni, Phil and Katja Zarns, who are missionaries to Sweden.

Knowing that the people in Sweden typically look down upon Christianity, co-leader and junior media communications major Alyssa Wallace said, “We were all pretty nervous before we went, that we weren’t really going to have anything to do, but that of course is underestimating the power of God, because of course he showed up.”

Wallace continued, “The culture of Sweden is very cold and independent. Sweden is three percent Christian – meaning following Christ, and Stockholm is one percent Christian. This mission trip was much different than a typical mission trip. It was completely relationship-based.”

The team’s first outreach project was to help a young adult group host an event in the city of Linköping and hand out flyers to many young people in order to draw greater attention to the event.

“This was the first time they were putting on this event, so it was God’s impeccable timing that we were there to help,” said Wallace.

The next outreach project was to simply build relationships within the community, where they offered free cinnamon rolls and coffee for the students and invited them to an event that was hosted the following night.

Wallace described the outreach opportunity and said, “It was amazing to be a vessel of the Lord as he would point specific people out that we would approach. It really showed the love and care he has for every person and how he knows exactly how they should be approached in love and trust.”

On the day of the advertised event, the Sweden team had anticipated around 50 college students. Much to the team’s surprise, 250 college students showed up, providing a massive opportunity for the team to minister.

With the remainder of its time in Sweden, the team supported local churches, small groups, and other campus organizations. Through these opportunities the team was able to meet and pray with students and young adults. The group was also able to do a prayer walk around the university.

“God used us to encourage and lift up the incredible work of the Christian groups already moving in Sweden, which in turn was an encouragement to us because we met some of the most on-fire people, we decided, that we have ever met,” said Wallace.

Overall, there were many relationships built between the students of North Central and the students in Sweden. Some team members have connected with those they met in Sweden on Facebook and continue to keep in contact and speak into those students’ lives.

“A lot of us have been inspired to love the college students and young adults in the Twin Cities area in a more Christ-like way,” said Wallace.

PRAYER TEAMThe prayer team is a dedicated group

that has a heart to serve in a different way. They didn’t travel anywhere for Co:Mission, but rather stayed on the North Central campus.

Around eight volunteers pledged to show up every day and pray for at least an hour for the various trips. These volunteers prayed and interceded in the Upper Room, which is located on

the third floor of Liechty Hall.Other students were encouraged to

join in and pray, which many did. While the mission trips to Nicaragua, Sweden and Arizona took place, the prayer team members were in constant prayer for each and every one of the team members.

”Ironically enough, we prepared for this prayer team by seasoning it with

prayer,” said junior intercultural studies major Tyrone Waldon. “My co-leader [senior elementary education major] Hannah Veer diligently read through ‘Intercessory Prayer’ and gave us some food-for-thought every now and then.”

“I focused most of my prayers on the Sweden team, praying that the Lord would do miracles through the team, as well as in the team,” said Waldon. “I

am very glad that God was with them and preparing the way.”

The students believed that God worked in the lives of the prayer team members and spoke to them in profound ways. They gave up their spring break to pray and seek God on behalf of those who were on mission trips.

CO:MI SSION by Crystal goutierez & Erica Hillard

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COLLEGE-AGED MINISTRYThe Sweden team was challenged by reaching out to students their own age in an entirely new culture.

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AS i LAY DYiNg & THE DEviL wEARS pRADA@ fiRST AvENUE

ANDY gRAMMER @ SkYwAY THEATER

CHRiS TOMLiN @ TARgET CENTER

LiANNE LA HAvAS @ vARSiTY THEATER

SigUR ROS @ ROY wiLkiNS AUDiTORiUM

COLD wAR kiDS @ fiRST AvENUE

bON JOvi @ xCEL ENERgY CENTER

DiviNE fiTS @ vARSiTY THEATER

fRANCESCA bATTiSTELLi & THE AfTERS @ EMMANUEL CHRiSTiAN CENTER

Lions and tigers and witches, oh my! Before attending North Central’s matinee performance of The Crucible, I knew very little about the play. I recall reading parts of it in high school for literature, but I could not tell the reader what exactly it was about, or why it might be significant or important for others to read or watch.

According to the director’s note in the production’s program, director and fine arts professor Wayne Matthews writes that, “The Crucible…was originally written as a response to ‘McCarthyism’ and the inquisitions by the House Un-American Activities Committee in the early 1950’s. Miller saw ‘astonishing correspondences’ with the calamity of the Salem witch trials of 1692 and what was happening in American during that period of time.”

The Crucible is a worthy production to feast one’s eyes on simply for the sake of learning and being informed about America’s past. While the play runs a bit long, at two-and-a-half hours, The Crucible has its own appeal. Anyone who might be drawn to this production should be looking for something gripping, thought-provoking, or even somber.

The play opens with little Betty Parris (PSEO student Sarah Sullivan) lying on a bed, who is unmovable and seized by evil spirits. Continually throughout the play,

Betty and her friends “cry witch” on many innocent ones in their Salem village home. Through a convoluted series of events, hundreds of people are called “witches” and are tried (and many hanged) by an unjust court system believing that these “pretty little liars” are given by God to decry Satan’s workings.

As a whole, the cast succeeded in drawing me into the story to experience the Salem Witch Trials. The actors had chemistry and exuded energy throughout a tiresome lot of lines. A group of North Central students sitting behind me in the small chapel were captivated throughout the entire production.

“Well, that was thought-provoking,” one said, while another was in tears. The roles of Abigail Williams (freshman theatre major Emma Wallett) and Rev. John Hale (freshman theatre major Adam Wells) were both particularly convincing in their 17th century garb.

Overall, if one does not merely desire mindless entertainment, but can handle being intellectually stimulated and engaged, I would highly recommend The Crucible. It will certainly remind audience members of the importance of critical thinking, the power of truth, and the importance of being inquisitive. Attendees might also want to bring their tissue boxes and history notebooks along.

THE CRUCIBLEThe townspeople gather around Betty Parris who is struck down by evil spirits, in the opening scene of The Crucible.

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Photo by Paisley BennettA “bewitching” performance

BY ELEXA FELDMANNorth Central’s production of The Crucible sparks deeper thinking in audience members.

March 2013 | 11

Pre-Date: Men who love starting a date with flowers can visit Minnesota-owned Bachman’s, which offers discounts and specials to e-club members. As cliché as it sounds, most women love flowers and blush at the sight of a well-picked rose. However, flowers can be expensive at any time of the year, so students can sign-up through Bachman’s website to receive these exclusive offers.

Casual Date Night Outside: Most women, and even men, enjoy long walks on the beach overlooking the sunset. Given the metro area doesn’t have an ocean in its backyard, Lake Calhoun and Lake Harriet are a great alternative for couples. Both lakes give couples spectacular views of parks and the shore. Enjoy a nice picnic at Lake Calhoun, or a nice walk through the Rose Garden, located northeast of Lake Harriet. These are viable options for warm spring days.

Casual Date Night Inside: Money may be tight for most couples in college, but luckily there are casual date nights for students who live in both the dorms and the apartments. One idea is playing the flashcard game. Both players write a series of questions on a flashcard, and then both players answer each other’s questions. The flashcard game is a get-to-know-you type of game that can be great for a first or second date. After all, a board game never hurt anyone, and couples can have a night filled with competition and laughter. Some of our childhood games can also make for date night options. Great board games include: Backgammon, Connect Four, Checkers, and Scrabble. Men, you might want to let the lady win a few rounds. Video games like Dance Dance Revolution, Wii Sports, or Connect Sports are options as well.

Food Date Night: As students, we get tired of cafeteria and deli food. Why not enjoy a nice home-cooked meal? While your mother may not bring Sunday’s dinner as an option, couples can make their own meals together at Let’s Dish in Edina. This place provides a hands-on cooking experience where couples can prepare meals together with the store’s grand recipe list. The cost is affordable, and the process is easy. Students can go to the store’s website to RSVP.

Adventurous Date Nights: For those who like art from a historical view, Minnesota Institute of Arts (MIA) has exhibits of historical art from different cultures. MIA is close to campus and is free to the public.

Open mic nights and poetry slams are also rising up in the Twin Cites and provide a relaxed environment for couples. This is a great chance for students to showcase talent to his or her partner. The Coffee Grounds, located in St. Paul, offers open mic every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month at 6 p.m.

Although Valentine’s Day has ended, we should not think of date nights as an occasion set-aside for one day each year. Seeing that we are in the heart of Minnesota, date night choices are seemingly endless around the metro area. While some dates may cost a pretty penny, others can save students a few dollars.

BY TIKA JONES

Many people at North Central have some sort of Apple product or smart phone device. Apps will come and go, but some popular apps that have stuck around have been ones that students find helpful in their everyday life.

Got a Smartphone?Three apps to use while at North Central.

Vine: If you like short videos, then Vine is for you. People love to use this app to capture sports, pets, nature, food, babies, travel, magic tricks, how-to videos, and more. Record yourself getting ready in the morning, eating food, going for a drive, or Vine your friends. When you are done making your video, simply add captions and tags, then post directly to Vine, Facebook, or Twitter to show your friends and followers. Follow your friends and view what posts they have made, or see what videos your friends have liked. Vine is a unique way to show someone a small glimpse of what your everyday life includes, and allows you to see into your friend’s lives as well. Stay in the loop with Vine.

North Central Athletics: Keep up with our school’s teams, scores, and latest stories with this app, which lists all of the men’s and women’s sports. When selecting a team, you can view their scores, roster, schedule, statistics of each player, news from the team and the coaches, and a biography of each coach. The team’s schedules include the dates of the games, locations of where the team plays, and their final scores of each game. This app also includes player profiles, which include their name, year, height, hometown, high school, and the position that they currently hold. So whether or not you are trying to stay informed on recent scores, future games, or even the players, the North Central Athletics app will do the job for you.

IMDb: Want the latest on your favorite movies and TV celebrities? With this app you can find out the actors in a movie or TV show, who the producer is, what the plot is, viewer ratings, trailers, reviews, photos, and quotes. This app is also helpful in finding what movies are coming out soon and finding the show times of movies in your area. For TV shows, you have the option to see what is popular, what shows are on for the night, and what time they air. When you make an account with IMBd you can even rate movies and create a watch list. You can also receive notifications about top news from IMDb, popular movie openings, posts on new trailers, and celebrity photos. If you have a favorite celebrity, you can read a short biography about them, see photos, and peruse a list of movies that they have been involved in.

D te NightfUN AND iNExpENSivE DATE NigHTS iDEAS fOR COUpLES.

BY ALEX MARUM

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The snow is finally melting, birds are coming back, crows are leaving, soon leaves will start sprouting, and flowers will be blooming. The long Minnesotan winter is almost over.

At North Central, springtime often takes on a different meaning, and the terms “Ring by Spring” and “Mrs. Degree” are significant when heard around the halls of our campus.

As much as we joke about it, these are not just nonchalant phrases.I often check Facebook and see another person I know updating their

status to “engaged.” I sit there and wonder if they know what they are getting themselves into. Do they really understand the grave seriousness that marriage entails?

Get this straight: I’m not against people getting married young. I don’t see any inherent harm in the idea of it. I just think that sometimes we don’t consider the serious ramifications that come with marriage. We don’t think about how the commitment we are making is life-long. Sometimes, in a rush of love and lust, we expedite our trip to the altar, not thinking about how the feelings might fade after only a few years.

I came to North Central expecting to find my wife. I thought that I would meet her in my freshman year and we would be married by the time we graduated. This doesn’t seem realistic anymore. The school year is quickly drawing to a close and there’s no one that I’m even pursuing. I haven’t even been on one date since I’ve been here.

Am I saying this to get pity? No. I’m just saying that sometimes things don’t work out the way that we have always dreamed. Maybe I’ll find her next year, maybe in five years, or maybe never. I want what God wants for my life, and that may not be what I have been expecting.

As cliché as it sounds, we need to pray, and when your knees have rug burn all over them, pray some more. Seeking after God’s will is the only thing that we can do when making such a crucial decision. And the pain of rug burn fades much more quickly than the pain of divorce.

Men, if you feel that God is leading you towards a woman, learn her name before you propose. Put time into developing your relationship – there’s no rush.

Ladies, you must also be seeking after God. Don’t go for the first guy that shows interest in you. Look for a godly man who puts Jesus first in everything.

According to research done by the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago, Christians have a divorce rate of 42 percent, which is not much less than the 50 percent rate among religiously

unaffiliated Americans. This is simply not acceptable. We need to be a much better example to

our culture. Far too often, divorce is seen as the easy way out of a marriage. Too many couples don’t consider the impact their decision will have on the rest of their lives and their kids’ lives.

The Bible has a very clear stance on divorce. In Mark 10:11-12, Jesus says, “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.” Jesus says that the only situation where divorce is acceptable is in marital unfaithfulness.

I’m not saying that getting married young means the marriage is destined for divorce. There are plenty of couples that get married at a young age and stay together. Just be fully aware of the life-long commitment that is being made. We must be a good example to the world and keep our marriages going.

There are no specific guidelines that I can give you. God has a different plan for each of us, but a marriage relationship must be built on a solid commitment to each other. We often have the mindset that we must get married at some point during our time on earth, but remember that marriage comes with its own problems and limitations. Talking to a number of married couples, those initial feelings will fade. The honeymoon will end. Then reality comes and there must be a deep commitment behind those feelings in order for the relationship to continue in a healthy way.

For all those getting engaged and married in the next few months, you have my congratulations. I’m truly happy for you; keep praying and seeking counseling from elders and pastors. You’re going to need it. This will be the most important decision a person can ever make. It is truly for a lifetime.

Ring by Spring, and Gone by Fall BY BLAKE MAYES

A LOOk AT DivORCE AMONg YOUNg COUpLES iN THE CHURCH.

March 2013 | 13

It was a unique experience growing up in Fort Smith, Ark. It was the typical small rural town, but it was not easy being of Laotian descent and living there. No matter how I felt, I knew it was home and that is where I grew up and where I came from. I knew I was different.

On my fifth birthday, I thought I was going to pick out a cow for a pet. Instead, the cow I chose became the birthday meal and fed the whole Laotian community. My home life was different from the lives of my friends and what I saw on T.V. (unless you count the movie, My Big Fat Greek Wedding.)

I remember dealing with racism while growing up in Arkansas. When I was 5 years old, a grown Caucasian male came up to me and said I was not worthy of living because I was not white. Remembering this moment forms bitterness in my heart.

When I first came to North Central I expected to feel like I belonged and was accepted. And I was for the most part. But we always speak about reaching out to other counties and we desire to do that for Jesus, but we can be stuck in a rut hanging out with the same group.

However, being at North Central there have been little things in everyday conversations that I (and those of other minorities) excuse and allow to hurt me. For the most part, we blame ignorance, but that does not lessen the hurt.

At Battle of the Floors, a group painted blackface during their skit, and I believe this was done in ignorance and not hate. Still, for people who have been hurt by racism before, it caused a lot of pain and frustration.

There have been times when I have walked places around campus where people would attempt to start off a conversation with me by saying things like, “I like eggrolls,” or “How do you see?” For the most part I

kept walking and ignored it. But those comments made me feel belittled, judged, hurt and not human. These seem funny, but they can add to the feeling that I just don’t belong here.

I tried sharing these thoughts to a fellow student who didn’t think the blackface incident was a big deal. The student thought people should just get over it and quoted Galatians 3:28, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

While I agree there are no racial or economic barriers when it comes to salvation, I think this student’s method ignores those who feel as though they are being treated differently because of their skin. This still hurts. And a Christian comment like that can truly sway someone away from the Lord.

At one point, North Central was home and I felt safe. But after several incidents, I feel like I should leave. I don’t know if I belong here. Unfortunately, I’ve talked with other students who feel the same way.

One thing people seem to forget is that racism is not just mental and emotional hurt. It bruises your spirit and soul in unfathomable ways. Those who have never felt judgment from another because of the color of their skin will have a hard time understanding this.

North Central should be a safe place not only because we are a higher learning institution, but also because we are a Christian community called to love each other. But how can we do that if all we do is break each other down in the small things we do on a day-to-day basis?

North Central as a campus needs to want to change or it will be a bubble that no one on the outside world will be able to penetrate. Let’s show love because we are called to and not because we feel like it.

Anything of quality has a price. The Little Rascals taught me this. You can’t drop some knick knacks and string and expect a clubhouse. A life with Christ has the same rules. God invites us to be believers, but he intends for us to be disciples.

Salvation is offered to us, but it was not free – let’s be sure to make that clear.

There comes a moment when the Christian must consider the extent – not just the choice – to which they trust their life to Christ. This moment may come years after committing their life to Christ or even choosing a career or ministry. But it will come.

It is the moment when, typically, each person is faced with a question: “How far are you really going to trust God?” It is when that step means that something in you will die. It is when something you desire will be given as sacrifice in order that God may prove himself. It is the moment when faith does not feel beautiful.

“If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:26-27)

This verse, when understood as seriously as it was intended, hurts to comprehend. For some, this may mean literally giving up relationships, jobs, time, money, or dreams. If we had not been obedient to Christ before, but chose to change, there will be painful transition. There will be mistakes and there may be some fear of the future, but it is through consistent obedience that we witness God’s faithfulness and see his power come to life.

There is hope – faith doesn’t continue to hurt. There is a cliché saying

that Christians say when they seem to struggle with things. I have said it myself and I would like to address it here: “Being a Christian isn’t easy. But it’s worth it.” Yes, it is worth it. No, it isn’t easy every day.

But, we need to be able to move past this statement. This is the statement of immaturity. God never intended us to always suffer within ourselves over Him. He intended that we would come to a level of maturity that we would no longer have to try and trust Him, but that we would grow to respond without questioning when He spoke.

We should not be like children that need to argue with our parents whenever they tell us to get ready to leave. We have to be ready and we have to be mature enough to know how to put Christ’s character before our personality.

Discipleship is not extreme in the sense that there is a specific way to be a disciple. In fact, it is the act of lack of control that then allows God to lead our lives. Throughout history, God never looked for perfect people. He looked for those who were available to His call and willing to risk it all.

At North Central, we live in a general state of comfort. Our faith is hardly ever – if ever – threatened. We are typically content with spending time with friends and family while holding jobs and working towards degrees. We have dreams of getting careers, starting families and spreading the truth of Christ.

But in all this time, we must challenge ourselves with the question, “How much am I really ready to give to God?” Because there may come a time when it may be your family or your friends. It may be your job or your education. It may be your dreams of a family. It may mean you.

And if it’s you, who will you love more that day?

Called to Love

A Disciple’s Painful Payment

BY ANNA KEOPHANNGA

BY JOY YERRICK

A MiNORiTY STUDENT’S RESpONSE TO THE RACiAL iNCiDENT AT bATTLE Of THE fLOORS

bELiEf iS THE bEgiNNiNg, THE REST Of THE JOURNEY iS wHAT DEfiNES OUR fAiTH.

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Five days a week I walk into chapel and am confronted with the opportunity to worship God in a setting with my peers and professors. But the longer I have been at North Central, the more I have realized how fake our worship has become, with people forcing emotions and feelings that are not truly present.

Why do we start with loud songs of jubilee and victory? Why do we tend to end with slower songs? Why do our services seem so cookie cutter? And why do we structure our services, instead of allowing the Holy Spirit to take control?

John 4:23 tells us that God is looking for people that worship Him “in spirit and in truth.” What does this mean?

Worshiping in spirit means that your whole heart is used during worship. In order to engage your whole heart in worship, there must be a genuine passion for Jesus. Without this, all we have is a false and superficial level of worship. A person is able to wave their hands and show as many physical signs of typical worship, but until their heart actually means it, it is worthless.

Worshiping in truth means that a person’s worship is knowledgeable. A person cannot worship in truth if they do not know who God is. How can someone worship in truth if they don’t know who God is? How does a person know who God is? We can read the Bible, and with the help of the Holy Spirit

gain an understanding of God and his ways. It is important to remember that God is looking for a blend of these two

essential aspects of worship: we must worship in spirit and in truth. God desires a balance of the two.

Maybe we should stop before we start. Maybe we should ask God what He wants to do in chapel and quiet our hearts before we begin service. What if we stopped rushing into worship and focused on Jesus first? Would we still sing fast songs of celebration if we focused on God before we sang? What if we couldn’t even stand in His presence, and we became so reverent that slow songs were the only way to start a service?

We should humbly come before the Lord in reflection and consideration before we jump and shout. How can we rejoice and sing loud songs of praise until we reflect on what God has done? We need to base our joy and exhilarating times with the Lord, and we also need to spend our intimate and quiet times with him. Without these times, then we are jumping and dancing with an artificial intimate connection.

I think that we could still see an even greater outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our services than we’ve ever seen before. I encourage us to come into the presence of God by quieting our hearts and focusing on God before we start praising. I believe that prayer can lead to praise. What if we started worship our knees and ended on our feet?

insincere Emotions or Genuine Worship?

BY ANDREW KINNEY

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EDiTORiAL pOSiTiONS fOR fALL 2013!Applications are online for the following positions:

AppLiCATiONS ARE DUE MARCH 31!

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Sports

March 2013 | 15

As winter begins to shift into spring, the attention of Rams sports fans begins to shift from the basketball court to the tennis court. The tennis program is in the beginning phases of its season under new head coach fine arts professor Larry Bach.

Although Bach has been affiliated with North Central for over 30 years, this is his first year coaching the tennis team. He also coached the golf team in 2005.

The tennis team captain, junior biblical languages major Sutton Rehwaldt, explains his excitement for the new direction of the team.

“I think [Larry Bach] is going to be an incredible coach. He’s already shown his commitment to this team.”

The team is also going to have an assistant coach this year, a position new to North Central’s tennis program, which may help increase the team’s success.

Though it is inherently competitive, the team views their sport as much more than winning or losing. The athletes in the program keenly enjoy what they are doing on the courts, regardless of whether it is practice or a game day.

Freshman elementary education major Mary Metzger is brand new to the team and is already having a lot of fun.

“The team has such a great bond,” said Metzger. “The atmosphere is so friendly and I just really enjoy playing for this school.”

The team plays their home games at Baseline Tennis Center on the University of Minnesota campus, just a short drive away from North Central. The season runs through April and all games are free of cost. A complete schedule of all the games can be found on the Rams athletic page.

On the Upswing

Senior youth development major Nathan Roeder has established himself as potentially one of the best basketball players at North Central. Breaking numerous school records and racking up numerous awards, he has proven to be a valuable asset to the men’s basketball team during his four years in the program.

During his career as a Ram, Roeder rewrote the record book, setting new markers for the assist records, most steals in a game, most free throws made, and, most memorably, the scoring record when he scored 51 points in a 99-92 victory against the University of Minnesota-Morris.

Roeder has received awards from multiple athletic conferences in the past three years, including ones from the NCCAA, UMAC, as well as the NABC.

Included among the titles Roeder has earned are his first team all-conference and conference player of the year title for UMAC, D3hoops.com 2013 men’s All-West Region team, second team all-region, and first team all-district in the NABC.

In the NCCAA he was named the Region First Team, Region MVP, and All-American the last three years. He was also recognized as the National Player of the year, and he received the Pete Maravich Memorial Award for basketball and leadership.

Beyond that, Roeder was announced as one of 10 finalists for the prestigious Jostens Trophy. The Jostens Trophy is awarded to a Division III men’s and women’s basketball player who excels not only on the court but also in the classroom and in the community.

“Nate is one of the best players I’ve coached in my 23 seasons of coaching. What Nate has figured out is how to make himself and his team better and

competitive. He is one of those guys who leads by example, especially during practice,” said fifth year head coach of the North Central men’s basketball team Jon High.

When asked about his experiences on the team, Roeder raved about his teammates.

“I love my teammates a ton, they’re the best teammates in the world. You can’t take basketball to heaven but you can take your teammates. I’ve been blessed to have great coaches and teammates throughout my time at North Central,” said Roeder.

Despite all the success Roeder has maintained, through his humility he continues to give all his success to God.

“God’s been good to me and blessed me with a gift. I feel I’ve been blessed because without him I would have not been able to accomplish any of this,” said Roeder.

In the future, Roeder hopes to take the leadership skills and perseverance he learned in basketball and use those lessons in his ministry.

Like his father, he plans to be a youth pastor someday and is helping plant a church in Lenox, Ill. after he graduates.

“The man I am and the success I’ve had in basketball I owe to my father for always supporting me and pushing me to be the best I can be in every aspect of my life,” said Roeder.

I am Legend

BY JACqUELINE GAUTHIER

SCORiNg SENSATiON NATHAN ROEDER RACkS Up THE AwARDS iN A STORiED COLLEgE HOOpS CAREER.

UNDER THE gUiDANCE Of NEw COACHES, A YOUNg RAMS TENNiS TEAM LOOkS AHEAD TO A gROwTH-fiLLED SEASON

FIRST YEAR, FIRST SEEDFreshman Fabian Tunberg returns a shot in a meet versus Bethany Lutheran to win 6-3, 6-2 in his singles match.Ph

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BY BEN PIRIE

SCAN THiS CODE TO wATCH iN DEpTH iNTERviEw Of NATE.

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Tourney Time THE MEN’S AND wOMEN’S bASkETbALL TEAMS TAkE A TRip TO THE NCCAA NATiONAL TOURNAMENT

BY PAUL BRUNNER

Men’s National Tournament Women’s National Tournament Fresh off a Regional Championship, the North Central men’s basketball

team traveled to the NCCAA National Tournament in Missouri hoping to win three games and return home as national champions. The team went into this year’s national tournament with sights set on one thing: a championship.

Ultimately, the team came in fifth overall, winning the consolation bracket.“We went into this year expecting a national championship. Before the

season started, our team came up with the goal of not only reaching the national tournament, but winning it all,” said junior business administration major and team co-captain Ben Peters.

After earning the third seed and receiving a first round bye, the team began their tournament run in a quarterfinal matchup against red-hot Ozark Christian College (Joplin, Mo.). The Rams fell to the eleventh seeded Ambassadors by a score of 73-70. This loss sent the Rams to the consolation bracket.

“Playing in consolation games is hard because you no longer can reach your ‘real goal,’ but once you are in those games the competitive juices start flowing and you are motivated to win those games,” said High.

In an elimination game against Arlington Baptist (Arlington, Texas), the Rams rallied from a four-point halftime deficit to defeat the number two seeded Pioneers 76-58. The game was highlighted by two dunks from Rams’ big men junior business administration major Jordan Harrell and Peters. This was the first collegiate dunk for Peters as he stole the ball and drove the length of the court for the one-handed slam.

The Rams went on to the fifth place game against Trinity Baptist College (Jacksonville, Fla.). In the final game of his record breaking career, senior youth development major and captain Nathan Roeder led the way with 35 points as North Central came out on top of an overtime thriller with a 99-90 win. This victory capped the Rams 19-11 season and earned them a fifth place national finish.

“Finishing fifth at the national tournament is a really great accomplishment for this team. They are to be commended for all the hard work that they put into this season,” said High.

Despite not coming home with a championship, the team came home with their heads held high. Coach High is proud of his players for battling the entire year despite facing much adversity. He is quick to credit all of his players for their contributions, even the ones not seen in the box score.

After winning a Regional Championship and riding a three-game winning streak, the NCU women’s basketball team traveled to Ohio to play in the NCCAA National Championship. As head coach Jeff Grenell prepared for what lied ahead at Nationals, he instilled in his team the importance of playing at another level during championship week.

The Rams finished eighth in the tournament.The team entered the national tournament as the eighth seed, where they would

be faced with the daunting task of facing top seeded Maranatha Baptist Bible College (Watertown, Wis.), a team that boasted a 21-6 record and were the heavy favorites to win the championship. The Crusaders overpowered the Rams from the tip and pulled away with a convincing 84-45 victory. Maranatha would go on to win their next two games to take home the national championship.

The loss sent the Rams to the consolation bracket where they would face fifth seeded Ohio Christian University (Circleville, Ohio). The Rams, led by junior psychology major Julia Skeesick’s 19 points, jumped out to the early lead over the host Trailblazers but came up just short and lost 80-73.

On Saturday, the Rams closed out their 2012-2013 campaign by playing familiar foe Trinity Bible College (Ellendale, N.D.). The Rams upset the Lady Lions earlier in the year during the championship game of the regional tournament. Although Trinity did not win the regional tournament, they still advanced to nationals as an at-large bid and this time around, they cruised to a 70-55 victory over North Central.

Although the team came home from nationals with a 0-3 record, Grenell is pleased with the valuable experience his team gained in addition to the fact that several key players will be returning to the team next year.

“Our system is in place for the next few years. Now, we have to grow as individuals and bring greater work ethic to the overall team,” said Grenell.

Heading into the offseason, the Rams are determined to increase their competitiveness while taking their play to another level. Junior youth development major and team co-captain Jorie Grenell recognizes the importance of improving during the offseason.

“We have offseason workout plans and are also going to be playing against good competition in summer tournaments. Team open gym and workouts are already in the works,” said Jorie Grenell.