6 THE MOUNT

SportsConcussions Knock Players Out of The Game Permanently

Harrison Hohman | News Editor Football has a problem. Over the past few years, no story has had a bigger impact on the sport than the rise of concussion awareness. Many have written this off as an issue that has no good answer, condemning the players to a life of permanent brain damage caused by constant helmet to helmet hits. However, one thing that has been taken for granted are the helmets themselves. It sounds ridiculous, I know. But think about it: Nearly every concussion in football is caused by an object(usually another helmet) hitting up against rock solid helmet. How can we, as people trying to protect the players, possibly believe that concussions will ever go away as long as we are sticking our player’s heads inside of hard plastic cages and demanding them to charge into one another? Personally, I love watching football, and like any other “good” fan, I love seeing some tiny wide receiver get jacked over the middle by a free safety. However, short of removing all physicality from the game, these types of plays will never cease to exist. So, why not try and make the players safer? What if we added a thin layer of hard foam outside of the helmet? It wouldn’t be wrapping the players in bubble wrap, and yet it would put the players at a much lower risk for concussions. A study by USA Today found that these helmets reduce the impact from a hit by roughly

33 percent, which would change many hits from concussion level strength to just another knock. Although this idea seems outlandish, history says that it might actually work. In

1986, Mark Kelso, a safety for the Buffalo Bills, was informed that due to multiple concussions, continuing to play football would put his life in jeopardy. Despite these grim warnings, his doctor gave him another option: the padded helmet. At fi rst he was ridiculed by teammates and fans alike. However, Kelso went on to play football for seven more years, going to four Super Bowls and a Pro Bowl, and most importantly, spending the rest of his career concussion free. “Absolutely the padding made it safer for me and safer for the players I was hitting. You can’t use an outer-padded helmet as a weapon,” Kelso said. Another player who was a guinea pig for

padded helmets was Steve Wallace. This offensive lineman for the 49ers went on to play in multiple Pro Bowls in the 80’s and 90’s, all after being advised to quit football. He as well claimed to have never

received a concussion after adopting the new helmet. More recently, star South Carolina lineman Jadeveon Clowney has begun using one in practice. Clowney’s model, known as a “Guardian Cap,” is a small removable accessory that is pulled over the helmet before practice and can be easily removed afterwards. Mick Steier, a junior safety, has suffered multiple concussions in his three years of varsity football. “If they were easy to remove, than there is no reason not to use them. They could keep a lot of people

off the sidelines.” As history and studies have proved, covering football helmets makes the game safer. The only obstacle is the players who won’t wear them on account of their own pride. However, if football players value how they look over their own safety, than they need to stop whining about the risk that the game poses to their health. If football wants to solve its biggest problem, and protect future generations of players without ruining the game in the process, padded helmets are the only option.

graphic courtesy of www.healthnews.org

Alabama Star isn’t Typical QBKevin Jewell| Columnist He’s everything you look for in the American male. He’s smart, athletic, good-looking, faithful. He has a gorgeous girlfriend and he’s humble. Yet, Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron is constantly overshadowed, whether it be by his team’s success or fellow, attention-seeking quarterbacks in the Southeastern Conference. McCarron isn’t just one of the most underrated players in college football, but one of the most underrated people in general. Every game, McCarron sports a yellow band around his left wrist with the words “Team Starla.” Starla isn’t some wealthy, famous celebrity child. She’s a 4 year-old from Alabama, suffering from severe leukemia. McCarron met Starla Chapman while he was delivering presents to local area hospitals during the winter of 2011. When the young girl offered McCarron her bracelet, McCarron promised he would wear it during the BCS National Championship Game against LSU. McCarron followed through in his 21-0 rout of the Tigers and even maintains his relationship with Chapman today. Even before he met Starla Chapman, McCarron was a big time philanthropist.

In 2012, McCarron helped sponsor a charity event for leukemia and lymphoma. Though his family is quite wealthy, McCarron is very active in giving back to the community. McCarron’s philanthropy comes as no surprise to people who know him best. McCarron is an extremely faithful Christian. He has a tattoo of the Passion on his chest and almost always wear a cross around his neck. He cares a great deal for his family also, who is incorporated included in his tattoo. On the fi eld, McCarron just as good if not better. He has as many losses in his career (2) as BCS National Championships. He is one of the most effi cient quarterbacks in the NCAA. He has accuracy that NFL scouts drool over and beyond that, he’s not arrogant. Because he is on such a dominant team, McCarron is often accused of being a sub-par quarterback, thriving on a good team. All McCarron responds with is a simple chuckle and the phrase, “If we’re winning, it doesn’t matter how much credit I get.” On November 9th, McCarron shed that ‘game manager’ label. When the Tide faced SEC powerhouse LSU,

McCarron messed around and threw three touchdowns and 179 yards in a 38-17 stomping of the Tigers in Baton Rouge. McCarron was effi cient and methodical in the way he tore up the Tiger defense. He, like in most games, averaged 9 yards per attempt and completed 70% of his passes. McCarron is a stud. Through and through. You may have seen his girlfriend, Katherine Webb, during the National Championship game last year. Webb is a model and the former Miss Alabama. She’s something that, as ESPN color analyst Brent Musberger said, “If you’re a youngster in Alabama, start getting the football out and throw it around the backyard with Pop.” For some, McCarron’s success does not translate into the next level. Analyst Todd McShay rated him as a third-tier quarterback. On the other hand, his 6’4 frame and uncanny accuracy indicate that McCarron will have a chance to prove his value in the coming years. With many older quarterbacks like Tom Brady and Peyton Manning on the latter part of their careers, McCarron could be making NFL headlines sooner than you think.

Bluejays in Spotlight Evan Pink| Staff Writer It is a great time to be a Creighton basketball fan. However, the team may not look much different returning four starters including two time All-American Doug McDermott. Joining the Big East conference, the Jays may look the same, but the season will be not like any other. With all eyes on McDermott, who Mount Michael math teacher Michael Smith calls not only the best player in the Big East, but the entire NCAA, the Jays will have a lot of pressure on them coming into this new conference. The competition will be stellar compared to the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) considering that six of the ten teams have the potential to make the NCAA tournament according to ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi. Although expectations are high, there is a weakness that could potentially hurt their chances at a conference title run. Scott Kmiecik, a 1994 Mount Michael graduate who followed Creighton closely last season as a MVC media member said, “It was the boldness of big man Gregory Echenique that allowed them to not compete with, but defeat rugged teams like last year’s Final Four participant Wichita St. A Big East conference slate complete with rosters of strong and physical interior players will challenge the Jays on a nightly basis.” However, Kmiecik still thinks the Jays have the capability to run with Marquette and Georgetown of the Big East and come away with a conference title. On the other hand there is a lot on the positive side for the Jays to look forward too. Being a top ten offensive team in assists, scoring, and three point shooting, the Jays can be very explosive this coming season. The key to keep these categories where they are, the Jays will need to run the offense through McDermott, but not rely on him to do all the scoring. How they can do this is to look for the open man when McDermott has the ball knowing almost every team will double and possibly triple team him to prevent him from scoring. Another key thing to watch out for is the players surround McDermott. Though he is the best to ever put on the Jays uniform, players such as Ethan Wragge and Devin Brooks will allow the Jays to be the explosive team that everyone is expecting. The amazing thing about this team is there unselfi shness as they average the most assists per game in the country. With nearly 70% of baskets made coming off of assists that is something that is just unheard of and an amazing task to accomplish. The biggest stretch this season for the Jays was over Thanksgiving when they played Arizona St. and rolled beating an undefeated Sun Devil team by nearly thirty. That is the only positive the jays could pull from this weekend after falling to San Diego State and George Washington the next two games in the tourney. Though they had a tough week in California Kmiecik stated, “What we can expect is the Jays led by the most prolifi c player in school history along with savvy veteran leadership as the supporting cast to compete for a conference championship and make the NCAA tournament.”

November 7Sports

A little more than two months ago, a commercial pre-workout supplement called “Craze” raised great controversy across the nation, as researchers revealed it to contain a substance very similar to methamphetamines. Common on the U.S. market, it has found its way to Nebraska and into the hands of a consumer at our school. Senior David Uwinganji purchased this pre-workout supplement, which promises motivation and a boost similar to the effects of an energy drink. However, he bought it long before any analysis of its composition was published. Since then, multiple research departments from institutions such as the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency as well as NSF International, a Michigan-based testing organization, have found a methamphetamine-like compound or analog (N,α-diethyl-phenylethylamine), a chemical cousin of the psychoactive, illegal drug. It raises concerns about consumer safety in the entire industry of workout supplements. Not only are there almost no regulations on chemical compositions of new products for the bodybuilding market, but consumers are left completely in the dark about the potential dangers they are in when using such substances. There are no warning stickers or ingredient lists on packaging, and no consumer information provided, even upon approaching the company that produces the product. Driven Sports, the brand under which “Craze” is sold, completely denies the accusation and lab results, which claim there to be a presence of this dangerous analog chemical. The New York-based company launched its own investigation of the product and concluded that it is safe “when used responsibly”, and believes that all findings of an amphetamine in the powder are subject to a mistake in laboratory tests. Workout fanatics are left to worry about their health when using a product, which has not been tested on humans and did not have to seek approval to enter the market. While numerous businesses have halted the sale of “Craze” on the internet, some GNC stores and are still selling the controversial substance, as long as it remains in stock. Officially it has not yet been banned, and since the case has arisen, other products have been found to contain the same substance. However until a ruling is

made, all products will remain in circulation. It is up to the consumer to run the health risks in sacrifice for a toned body.

Meth-Like Substance Found in “Craze”Robin Britt| Staff Writer

(from front page)

Most swimmers hate it. That first swim of the year, it’s always the toughest, but sophomore Jackson Thompson will not let that get to him. As one of the few Mount Michael swimmers, Thompson looks to set records. Being the only swimmer returning from last year does not matter for Thompson, who is excited to jump into this season. He will be joined this year by freshmen Andrew Ahn and Joe Melia who bring a positive mind set and experience to the the team. In his ninth year as a swimmer, Thompson has big hopes for this season. Thompson said, “This year my goal is to make it to state and to break all records by my senior year.” Thompson will have

Swimmers: High Hopes for New SeasonEvan Pink| Staff Writer

to break seven more records to hold all eleven Mount Michael records. This season he is aiming to break the 200 yard individual medley, 200 yard freestyle, and the 500 yard freestyle. Ahn, on the other hand, is joining swimming for fun and exercise. This season, Ahn will participate in the 100 yard fly. Simply put, his goal is to improve himself while having fun. “I was scared of water so my parents signed me up for swim classes, and swimming works out your whole body, pretty much, and you are always excited to see how much you improve,” Ahn said. Melia swam for the Mccormick Junior High Warriors in Wyoming, his home state, for the last three years. He finished second in state last year in the 50 meter. He is very excited for this season. “Swimming can get you in really good shape for a spring sport,” Melia said. “Also there are girls.” Always thinking practically he also said “ Swimming is the only sport that you could die at if you didn’t know how to do it.” Ahn, Melia, and Thompson will not be alone this season. As usual, Mount Michael will partner up with Skutt’s team. Thompson likes to refer to the team as the “Knighthawks,” a combination

of the two schools. This combining of schools is not uncommon. Brownell-Talbot, Roncalli, Mercy, and Concordia also swim together as one team. Head coach Kellie Harris who has been coaching the team for five years believes the sport has value for anyone that is interested. One goal the team has this season is to have all participants learn the four strokes of swimming. “I strive to help each swimmer and am willing take anyone as long as they are willing to try,” Harris said. The “Knighthawks” will kick off their season at Burke on December 7. The team practices eight times a week, even though the Knights can only make the practices after school. Though swimming can be fun it may not be the only reason why Knights may like swimming on her team Harris said, “I believe one of many reasons why this sport can be fun especially for Mount Michael boys is because they can leave campus every night to hang out with girls.”

varsity ball, I love it.” Borsh said. Other post players for Mount Michael also contributed the big offensive debut. Senior Spencer Connors was able to contribute early, yet foul trouble limited his minutes. Big man Bennett Bressman provided a few offensive rebounds late in the game to stifle Nebraska City’s offense. The Knights intensity lead to their success as they forced many key turnovers. “We have a chip on our shoulder and we want to win” Farhart said. The Knights effort to win is nothing unusual. Head Coach John Roshone always prepares his teams this way. What

is surprising is the way they handled their own game. “Our effort got us the victory. There isn’t another way to say it we came out and fought hard until the end,” Farhart said. That is what Coach Roshone preaches to us.” Nebraska City Lourdes was able to catch fire with a few bombs from three-point range early, yet that didn’t affect the play of Mount Michael. The Knights have come a long way since last season. With the loss of their big man, Josh Rauterkus, and two veteran guards in Tommy Maliszewski and Mark Loeffelholz, the Knights had big shoes to fill. Yet that didn’t seem to bother senior

guard Jackson Taylor. “The maturity lost after last season really showed us that we have to step up not only as a team, but as individuals” Taylor said. The individual performances put on display on November 26th shows that this team has grown up. As the Knights got it going early, they never let up. “The intensity and electricity in the Palace was something that helps our team a lot. It’s not very often when a team clicks like we did and playing at home makes it that much more fun,” Connors said.

“To me, cricket is something more than a sport.” freshman Kevin Arul said. Not as popular as the major sports in the United States, cricket is Arul’s passion and hobby. Arul was born in India, where the sport is popular, but he was not fully into cricket until he watched the 2010 ICC World Twenty20, a world-wide cricket competition Since then, Arul often enjoys watching his favorite team, The Chemmai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League with his father. Arul’s love for the game grew when he played for a school team in India. He spent his 8th grade year living in India to be closer to a his grandmother he was sick. The most exciting part of his season was playing in the semi finals for the region. Cricket, similar to baseball, is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on a field at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard

longpitch. Each team takes it in turn to bat, attempting to score runs, while the other team fields. Each turn is known as an innings. Cricket is a national sport in several nations which belong to the International Cricket Council. After years of dormancy in America, cricket is making a rapid comeback as more foreign students attend college in the U.S. Northeastern, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Bryant University, and Worcester Polytechnic have each

established cricket clubs over the past few years. In fact cricket was once a popular team sport in the United States. Harvard’s original cricket team was formed in 1868. However the club lost its varsity status in 1902, when interest in the game died off. “A lot of people think it is simple but it is actually hard.” Arul said. “When balls fly ninety-nine kilometers per hour, it is definitely hard to hit and bowl the ball.”

Swimmers Jackson Thompson, Joe Melia and Andrew Ahn look to improve this season.

photo courtesy of Bro. Luke

Kevin and His CricketSungHan Yoon| Staff Writer

Domination: He Shoots, He Scores

Arul was able to play Cricket at this field in front of his old school School in India.photo courtesy of TIP.Global.org