About Megan Gerber

Megan Geber is the Sports Writer for The Prairie. She joined the staff in 2009. She is a junior Print Media major.

The Buffaloes Set to Charge the Field

Posted on February 4, 2010 by Megan Gerber

The West Texas A&M baseball program is ready to kick off its season this Saturday and improve from their 2009 season record of 20-33. The Buffaloes currently hold the No. 10 position in the Lone Star Conference Preseason Poll and look to face nationally ranked opponents in the upcoming season.

“Angelo and Abilene are always the two toughest teams that we play,” sophomore pitcher Zach Walker said. “Tarleton will be fun this year because we have a new pitcher, Brent Lewis, who came from Tarleton, so we want to beat them pretty bad.”

Walker and senior pitcher Darik Heider will return to the mound this season as the WT pitching rotation. Walker started six games last season with a total of 10 appearances on the field. He registered an 11.27 ERA with 32 strikeouts in his 30.1 innings for a 1-3 overall record. Appearing 10 times with two starts, Heider compiled a 5.25 ERA with 15 strikeouts in 24 innings for a 2-0 record.

“Overall, we have improved on every aspect, pitching and hitting,” Walker said. “We want pitching to be the bread and butter this year. We are going to be a highly offensive team, so we expect big things.”

Along with Walker, four position starters will be returning to the offense to trek towards the championship. Seniors Rob Mann, Heath Baker and Tyson Hickman and junior Brad Elders will be coming back to the Dilla Villa for the 2010 season.

Mann proved to be a force behind the plate as he led the 2009 team in homeruns (12), doubles (18), hits (75), total bases (133), slugging percent (.743) and runs batted in (61). Mann was named to the Lone Star Conference First Team along with gaining a spot on the ABCA/Rawlings All-South Central Region First Team. Mann looks to improve on these statistics in the upcoming season.

“I have set a couple personal goals,” Mann said. “I want to bat over 400, and I want to lead the conference in the area category and help the team get through whatever they need to get through.”

Baker will cover third base for the Buffaloes having led the team in at-bats (206) and runs scored (50) last season.

Hickman returns to the outfield coming off of a .308 batting average with 172 at-bats, 53 hits, 12 doubles and 19 runners batted in total for the 2009 season. Elders will join Hickman in the outfield. Last year, Elders led the team in triples (5) while ranking second in total bases (103).

“We have really good team chemistry,” Walker said. “Everyone gets along real well. We can’t wait to get out on the field and see what we can do.”

The Buffaloes open the 2010 season on February 6th against Howard Paine in Brownwood at 1 p.m.

“I think the upcoming games will be a good feel for us,” Mann said. “I think that we need to find who we are as a team. It’s going to be nice to see some competition.”

LSC play begins for the Buffaloes on February 12th at the Dilla Villa in Amarillo against East Central at 1 p.m.

WT Athletics – What You May Have Missed

Posted on January 21, 2010 by Megan Gerber

PRAIRIE | ALLIE RENYA

Web Editor’s Note: For more Track photos, click here.

For most West Texas A&M students, December 11 through January 11 is time to leave the University and spend time relaxing. That isn’t the case for WT Athletics. Here is what you may have missed over the holidays.

Track

The WT Men and Women’s Track and Field teams opened their 2009-10 indoor season on December 12 in Manhattan, Kansas at the Kansas State All-Comers Meet.

For the men, freshman Xavier Bennett, sophomore Josh Braddock, junior Andrew Sanders and freshman Taylor Johnson ran to grab second place under Kansas State for WT’s 4x400m Relay Team with a time of 3:25.00.
Many individual honors were also given to the men’s team. Placing first among the Division II runners, freshman Justin Reeves put up a time of 8.42 to finish 60m hurdles. In the mile run, junior Rolando Vasquez placed third with a time of 4:28.73. Senior Jarret Kachel grabbed sixth in the 1,000 meters with a time of 2:33.62, placing second among other Division II competitors.

For the Lady Buffs, the 4x400m Relay Team of freshman Sarah Snider, freshman Morgan Shelton, sophomore Sadie Newsome, and freshman Tara Tarrant finished fifth overall and was first in Division II relay times, with 4:03.07.

In individual events, sophomore Allie Reyna and freshman Aries Bazaldua finished second and third in the mile run with times of 5:24.43 and of 5:30.10. In the 60 m hurdles, freshman Bailee Skeen finished third with 9.14, while freshman Rachel King finished in fourth with a time of 9.18. Junior Jadiah Riley threw 42-05.25 in the shot to place third overall.
The WT Men and Women’s Track and Field teams are currently competing in the Texas Tech Invitational in Lubbock.

Basketball

The WT Men and Women’s Basketball Program took part in 17 games combined while most of the student section, or “Thunder Alley,” was away on break.

The Lady Buffs triumphed over all ten competitors they faced over the holidays which brought their overall record to 16-1. After a win over Texas A&M-Kingsville on January 13 and a loss to Abilene Christian on January 16, the current Lady Buff record stands at 17-2 (LSC 1-1).

The Buffaloes lost three of the seven games played over the break, bringing them to a 9-6 mark. Their winning record improved with wins over Texas A&M-Kingsville and Abilene Christian to 11-6. The men are undefeated in the conference, 2-0.

Sophomore forward Jamie Simmons tops the leader board for the Lady Buffs with 281 points, a scoring average of 14.8, 155 rebounds and 15 blocked shots for the season. Junior guard Joni Unruh leads the team in steals with 44 and assists with 65. Unruh also contributes 111 rebounds, 249 points and a 13.1 scoring average.

Leading the Buffaloes is senior guard Nick Burns with 224 points, a 13.2 scoring average, 56 assists and 28 steals. Senior guard LaDarius Hall follows Burns in scoring with 220 points and a scoring average of 12.9 for the season. Under the basket, senior forward Bijan Dotson leads the Buffs in rebounds with 90 totaled for the season.

The Lady Buffs and Buffaloes each have 10 Lone Star Conference games remaining in the season. The next double-header at the First United Bank Center in Canyon is scheduled for Saturday, January 23 at 4 and 6 p.m. against Tarleton State.

Merry Buffmas! Ask the Athlete

Posted on December 3, 2009 by Tammy Luksich

PHOTO \| Rik Andersen	Errolynne Franck Equestrian "I'm going to be spending this Christmas in Seattle with my sister. I love the holidays because of all the Christmas lights."	PHOTO \| Rik Andersen	Dominic Furness Soccer "For the holidays, I will be flying home to England. It will be the first time I have been home in a year, and I can't wait. I'm looking forward to seeing my fmaily and ctaching up."
PHOTO \| Rik Andersen	Zach Walker Baseball “This holiday season I will be spending most of my time back home in Dallas, but may take a trip to New York for a couple days and then Minnesota."	PHOTO \| Rik Andersen	Linsey McHorse Soccer "I'm heading back to Georgetown to spend time with my family and friends."
PHOTO \| Rik Andersen	Taylor Harris Football “I’m going to go fishing on some local stock tanks and shoot skeet over the holiday. I will help my dad put up a bunch of Christmas lights. We try to get more creative each year."	PHOTO \| Rik Andersen	Joni Unruh Basketball “For Christmas, I’m going to Bushland to spend time with my sister and hang out with my siblings.”
PHOTO \| Rik Andersen	Nick Burns Basketball “For the break I plan on spending time with my girlfriend and son.	PHOTO \| Rik Andersen	Kimberly LeComte Softball “What I love most about the holidays is being able to see and spend time with all of my family.”
	PHOTO \| Rik Andersen	Lauren Beville Volleyball "During the holidays my family and I are going on a cruise to Cancun."

Staff Picks: Best Holiday Flicks

Posted on December 3, 2009 by Sam Carter

Official Movie Poster.

It’s a Wonderful Life
Beka Rutledge (Assistant Editor)

The movie that I must watch every Christmas is, “It’s a Wonderful Life.” It is such a great story about second chances and the true love you get from family. Although the film is in black and white, I think that aspect makes it even more beautiful. It captures all the magic of Christmas. Even though there are some low, slightly depressing portions of the movie, the magic of the giving season still shines through. I am in such a great mood after it has ended. It has a great romance in it between George and Mary. One of the famous lines is, “I’ll give you the moon Mary.” It is a very well told story; the plot flows so well. If you haven’t had the chance to see it, I encourage you to catch it on TV or go rent it. It will be well worth it. And don’t forget, “Every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings.

Official Movie Poster.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Sam Carter (Opinion Writer)

I’m talking about the original – the cartoon. Not that over-done, high-budget Ron Howard remake. Though I did like Jim Carrey in it, it doesn’t hold a candle to the original cartoon. The scene of the Grinch slithering like a snake under the tree as he steals all the Christmas presents and decorations, stands out when I think of Christmas programming. It only comes on once a year like “It’s a Wonderful Life,” so it is a special event that I plan my night around every year. It embodies the Christmas spirit and helps put me in it every time.

Official Movie Poster.

A Christmas Story
Tammy Luksich (Sports Editor)

My favorite Christmas movie is “A Christmas Story.” It tops my list because I love all of the characters, especially Ralphie. Watching the movie has been a big family tradition since I was 6-years-old. My dad taught me to shoot a rifle when I was about that age, so I understand the nagging Ralphie felt when his parents continuously told him that he would shoot his eye out. There’s nothing better than sitting at home during the holidays and enjoying a cup of hot cider and watching “A Christmas Story” with my family.

Official Movie Poster.

Home Alone
Jonas Rios (Staff Writer)

I look forward to watching “Home Alone” every Christmas season. It really is an entertaining, funny movie. The robbers crack me up when they are up to no good, and of course the movie has an overall good point of Christmas and family.

Official Movie Poster.

The Grinch
Allie Renya (Photographer)

My absolute favorite Christmas time movie is “The Grinch!” Jim Carrey does an amazing job as the Grinch, and my absolute favorite part is when they show the Grinch as a child and is being taunted by all the other children. This is the one movie that continuously plays over and over during the holidays that I will not get sick of. I think it is a very creative portrayal of the original cartoon that the whole family will enjoy.

Official Movie Poster.

Elf
Kayla Goodman (Editor)

My favorite movie around Christmas is none other than the infamous “Elf!” I love this movie because, well, I love Will Ferrell. He is one of the funniest actors I have seen, and he makes me laugh all the time. My favorite line is, “Buddy the Elf, what’s your favorite color?” Hahaha. If you haven’t seen this movie yet (even though it’s been out for like 10 years) you should! It will make your holiday season complete! No more Mr. Scrooge this Christmas!

Official Movie Poster

Home Alone 2
Georgia Romig (Web Editor)

I’m not sure when it started, but my family started watching “Home Alone 2” for the holidays. It’s not really my kind of movie, but it grew on me over the years… maybe ‘cause I used to be kind of a brat like Macaulay Culkin. Now, it really puts me in a holiday mood. For a comedy, it’s got some really touching moments, especially when the kid gets lost in the Big Apple and reunites with his family. Plus, it’s funny in a corny kind of way.

Official Movie Poster.

Jack Frost
Maria Molina (Staff Writer)

My favorite Christmas movie is Jack Frost because I remember watching it many times when I was a kid. I remember how it made me appreciate my family, especially my dad. It is a very touching story for me because my dad and I are very close, so it made me think about how horrible it would be to lose him. It also made me appreciate him more and made me realize that the times I was mad at him were just a waste of time we could have been together. It also made me think of the days when I was very busy and how I should always have time for him because one never knows what can happen

Official Movie Poster.

The Polar Express
Megan Gerber (Sports Writer)

When I think Christmas movie, I think the Polar Express. It’s the perfect holiday story for every age, and I have to admit that I still get choked up at the end of the film. The animation is great, and who doesn’t love Tom Hanks? I find myself humming the songs from this musical throughout the holidays. This movie gives me the urge to curl up by the fireplace with a big cup of hot chocolate. It definitely will give you the inspiration to believe.

How Sweet It Is…Lady Buffs Reach the Sweet 16

Posted on November 19, 2009 by Megan Gerber

NCAA Soccer

The No. 13 Lady Buffs advance to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Division II Women’s Soccer Championship in San Diego, Calif. after capturing the championship win in the NCAA South Central Region Women’s Soccer Tournament at the Pitch.

“It feels awesome to make it this far because for the past few years, West Texas A&M has only made it to the first round,” sophomore midfielder Lindsay McHorse said. “Since we had a bye the first round, we were already ahead. It feels great to win the second round and go on to California.”

The first round game of the tournament was between the University of Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks and the Truman State Bulldogs on Nov. 13 while the Lady Buffs waited to play the victor of the match on Nov. 15.

The number four seed Bulldogs topped the number five seed Mavericks 1-0, sending the Bulldogs on to the championship match to face the Lady Buffs.

The physical level of the first half ran high as the Lady Buffs recorded eight fouls and Truman State had two. Truman State took three shots on goal and the Lady Buffs tallied two, but neither team was able to find the net in the first 45 minutes.

“For some reason, maybe the wind or the excitement of the NCAA tournament, we just smacked the ball forward a little more than we usually do,” Assistant Coach Chad Webb said. “We usually try to pass the ball through midfield, and we weren’t doing that.”

After halftime, sophomore forward Becky Hewson dropped a shot in over Truman State goalkeeper Jayne Grisham , with an assist by McHorse, to put the single game point on the board.

“The ball went back to Lindsay and she flicked it over to me,” Hewson said. “I saw two other girls going for it, but I got my foot in there and scored the goal.”

The game ended in a 1-0 sweep and the Lady Buffs were honored with a Regional Championship title. This is the second time in WTAMU history that the Lady Buff soccer team has made it to the Sweet 16.

“Anytime you can win in the post season, that’s something special,” Webb said. “Truman was a good team; they were actually better than I expected. They had some girls in the midfield that really impressed me. They made it difficult to score, but Becky found the net.”

The Lady Buffs will play on Nov. 20 in San Diego at 4:30 p.m. PST against St. Edward’s University. The winner will face off on Nov. 22 at 12 p.m. PST against the winner of Game 2 between UC-San Diego and Cal State-Dominguez Hills. The winner will earn a position in the Final Four.

Buffs Go Bowling – WT Selected for Kanza Bowl

Posted on November 12, 2009 by Megan Gerber

2009KanzaBowl West Texas A&M University was selected as the best non-playoff team from the Lone Star Conference and will compete against the University of Nebraska-Omaha of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) in the upcoming Kanza Bowl, sponsored by Lower Inc.

The teams were announced on Nov. 9 to play in the inaugural game in Topeka, Kansas.

The Kanza Bowl will be one of only two bowl games in Division II.

While the LSC has no other bowl commitments, the MIAA also sends a team to the Mineral Water Bowl in Missouri.

The MIAA’s best non-playoff team holds the right to choose which bowl game they will attend. The next best team will have the choice of playing in the remaining bowl game.

The Buffaloes and the Mavericks have yet to face each other on the field, but both will enter the game with winning records.

After defeating Tarleton State University (49-35) on Nov. 7, West Texas A&M wrapped up their regular season with a 6-5 mark and a piece of the LSC

South Division title with a league record of 4-2.

The Buffaloes are undefeated in bowl games, winning the Sun Bowl in 1951 and again in 1962, the Tangerine Bowl in 1957 and the Junior Rose Bowl in 1967.

The Mavericks completed their 14th consecutive season with a record of 7-4. In the MIAA, UNO finished in a four-way tie for second at a 6-3 mark.

The MIAA team will be the home team and the LSC team will be the visitor according to a decision made by both conferences.

Officials for the game will be provided by the MIAA this year. The LSC will have its chance to officiate in 2010.

Kickoff will take place at 1 p.m. Dec. 5 at Hummer Sports Park in Topeka. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the First United Bank Center in Canyon, 651-1414.

Lady Buffs on the Road to Victory

Posted on November 5, 2009 by Megan Gerber

The #6 Lady Buffs had a triumphant week on the road as they topped Tarleton State in three matches on Oct. 29, defeated St. Edward’s in four matches on Oct. 30, and then traveled to Kingsville to rout TAMU-Kingsville in three matches on Oct. 31.

The Lady Buffs conquered Tarleton with scores of 25-12, 25-14 and 25-18 and St. Edward’s with scores of 18-25, 25-19, 25-12 and 25-18. The win over Kingsville was a clean sweep: 25-21, 25-14 and 25-18.

“For a lot of teams we are their Super Bowl, so emotions are always running high,” junior outside hitter Lauren Thedford said. “We expect to go out there and play to our level and try to get better every game.”

The wins advance the Lady Buff record to 29-3 with an undefeated LSC record of 12-0. Tarleton State reduced to 8-19 and 3-7 in the conference, St. Edward’s record dropped to 8-3, and TAMU-Kingsville fell to 17-10 and 6-5 in the LSC.

The most recent poll taken on Oct. 29 ranks the Lady Buffs at #2 in the South Central region and #6 in the nation.

“The high ranking regionally and nationally just makes us want to prove it that much more,” Thedford said. “If we can go into matches and keep a team under 15 or 10, we will. We have to make competition and find some way to get better no matter who the team is, ranked or not.”

Senior right side Laura Prinsen has tallied the most kills for WT with 397 and .272 hitting percentage.

Senior middle Melissa Harper follows with a total of 348 successful attacks and a hitting percentage of .419 for the season.

“We have a great tradition here at WT,” Prinsen said. “Our previous coach Tony used to say, ‘Hate to lose more than you love to win,’ and that stuck with me. I absolutely love all the girls on the team.

I’ve had a lot of fun with everyone this year, and I couldn’t ask for more.”
Senior setter Katie Rickwartz is a leader for Lady Buffs on the court totaling 1,362 assists and 36 service aces. Rickwartz follows freshman libero Lauren Beville (433) and Thedford (374) in digs with 325.

“I love competing at this high level and don’t want to stop,” Rickwartz said. “I’ve been blessed with a great team this year full of wonderful girls. I couldn’t ask for anything more.”

This year’s team remains undefeated in the LSC, proving that the Lady Buffs are tough at home and on the road.

“I love playing at home, but there is just something about going into another team’s gym and beating them at their place, in front of their fans,” Prinsen said.

Lady Buff Volleyball returns to the Box on Nov. 5 to match up against Eastern New Mexico at 7 p.m.

WTAMU Hosts Cross Country LSC Championships: Buffaloes Place Sixth

Posted on October 29, 2009 by Megan Gerber

PHOTO | MEGAN GERBER - Joey Willareal, Thomas Harris and Andrew Striley runs as a team at the LSC meet.

Web Editor’s Note: Click here for more LSC photos!

The Buffaloes’ cross country team tallied 144 points, capturing sixth place at the 2009 Lone Star Conference Cross Country Championships hosted by West Texas A&M University.

The men’s coaches were in charge of setting up the layout and preparing the eight-kilometer course at the WTAMU Horse Center.

Although the course runs through a pasture, there are many steep hills and winding turns.

The challenges of the course don’t waver the team’s preference to run at home.

“Running at home is a lot more fun,” junior runner Thomas Harris said.

Along the course we saw our friends and family, so it was more fun being able to actually see someone we knew as opposed to last year in Kingsville where we didn’t know anyone.”

Entering the meet, expectations ran high. Tarleton State entered the competition ranked 17 at the national level and Abilene Christian came in at 18.

“We try to get them to peak for these last two meets: the conference meet and the regional meet,” Paul Sweetgall, head coach, said.

These are the most important meets of the season. We consider the others as preparation for both the conference and the regional meet.”

The top five teams were Abilene Christian with 33 points, Tarleton State with 75, Eastern New Mexico with 109, Cameron with 118 and Angelo State with 128.

West Texas A&M took sixth place with 144 points.

“We figured that if everything went perfectly, we had the chance to finish fifth,” Sweetgall said.

We just don’t have the lead runner, the number-one runner, that some of the other schools in the conference do.

We looked at it realistically figuring the best we could do was fifth. We finished sixth, which I am still very pleased ok.”

Individual honors went to Amos Sang of Abilene Christian finishing the course with a time of 24:44.0 and teammate Cleophas Tanuiu with a time of 25:21.0.

Julius Krir grabbed third with a time of 25:47.0.

The first runner in for the Buffaloes was freshman runner Joey Villarreal with a time of 26:57.0 placing him in the top-20 with 17.
“Angelo State was right there with me the whole time, and they were pushing me from the gun,” Villarreal said.

I just battled it out with them. Eastern was right there as well, and I was trying to stick with as many Eastern guys as I could because they stepped it up this year.”

Sophomore runner Andrew Striley came in 26th with a time of 27:14.0 as WTAMU’s second-runner-in.

“I was really happy with my time and my placing, and I was glad my teammates were there with me,” Striley said.

I was really glad with how my other teammates did too.

Some of the other guys stepped it up this week too and ran really well.”

The third runner through the shoot for West Texas A&M was Harris with a time of 27:18.0, placing him seconds behind Striley in 27th.

Junior Rolando Vasquez placed 28th with a time of 27:31.0, followed by sophomore Jarred Murray who placed 46th with a time of 28:37.0.

Senior Jarret Kachel took 51st with a time of 28:59.0 while Freshman Michael Janousek finished in 53rd with a time of 29:12.0.

“Just about all of them had good efforts today and ran very good races, and I am very pleased with the progress they have made throughout the season,” Sweetgall said.

They have been improving meet-to-meet, and that is all I can ask of them.”

The Buffaloes will race again on Nov. 7 in Abilene Texas for the NCAA South Central Regional competition.

WTAMU Hosts Cross Country LSC Championships: Lady Buffs Place Fifth

Posted on October 29, 2009 by Megan Gerber

PHOTO | MEGAN GERBER - AND THEY'RE OFF!: Women's Cross Country begins the six-meter race.

Web Editor’s Note: Click here for more photos!

The Lady Buff cross country team seized fifth place with 58 points at the 2009 Lone Star Conference Cross Country Championships hosted by West Texas A&M University on Oct. 24. The six kilometer race trailed through the pastures of the WTAMU Horse Center.

This is the first time WTAMU has hosted the LSC Cross Country Championships, so there was much preparation involved, including the design of the course.

“The past year has been preparation as far as the course layout to meet NCAA regulations,” Kimberly Dudley, head coach, said.

The men’s coach has done most of that. I work on the administrative of getting the information to the coaches and communicating with them on scheduling and locations and hotels and things like that. It’s a gradual process but we are very excited to host the meet.”

Coach Dudley had more to prepare than just the meet; her runners also had to have special preparation.

“We’ve done a lot of progressive runs in practice, and that has really helped,” freshman runner Aries Bazaldua said.

Progressive runs are where you cut down each mile and run faster each mile, and that really helps with these longer races.”

The Lady Buffs had their fair share of practice on their home course.

“Our course is pretty tough compared to a lot of the other courses,” sophomore runner Allie Reyna said.

It’s really uneven, so you feel like you can’t get a pace going. It’s pretty tough, and it’s hard on you. We definitely had an advantage being able to run here every day.”

WTAMU did not win the meet but did make it into the top five. First place went to defending 2008 champions Midwestern State with 70 points. Angelo State took home second with 73 points, and East Central followed with third place at 92 points. Central Oklahoma grabbed fourth with 111, and the Lady Buffs fifth with 123 tallied points.

“Midwestern definitely had a target on their back,” Reyna said. “We haven’t raced Angelo all season, but we were pretty sure that they were going to be tough, and they showed that they were tough today.”

Individually, Sydney Cole of Midwestern State finished the six kilometer race first with a time of 23:02.5. In second, Erice Avarado of Texas A&M Kingsville finished with a time of 23:36.9. Bazaldua of WTAMU finished third with a time of 23:46.4.

Bazaldua was named LSC Freshman of the Year shortly after.

“My goal was just to place as high as I could for the team,” Bazaldua said. “I was in it for my whole team, and I did my job by getting third. I am really happy with my place.”

West Texas A&M runners filed into the finishers shoot one-by-one. Sophomore Eddah Toroitich finished as WT’s number-two runner. With a time of 25:00.5, Toroitich grabbed 16th place. Reyna came in as the number-three runner with a time of 25:20.4, capturing 21st place.

Freshman runners, Jessica Blakely, Nicole Hudgens, Allison Medina, and Brieana Garcia followed.

“We are a very young team,” Dudley said. “We have seven freshmen and two sophomores, so we are definitely on the young side. I am not hesitant at all with them though. They have stepped up and competed at very high levels. I’ve got girls on my team who have a lot of experience at big meets, and I feel they can handle that very well.”

Blakely placed 34th with a time of 25:46.5 with Hudgens in 49th place with a time of 26:27.0. Medina finished in 56th place with a time of 27:11.7, followed by Garcia in 58th with a time of 27:21.1.

The Lady Buffs are set to reach their running climax at the upcoming regional competition.

“We taper off for the conference meet to prepare the girls for a great day of fitness and performance,” Dudley said.

We actually set our peak for the regional meet with how we design our training programs.”

NCAA South Central Regionals will be held Nov. 7 in Abilene, Texas.

Students dive into medical field, Nursing Department provides hands-on approach

Posted on October 22, 2009 by Tammy Luksich

PRAIRIE | MEGAN GERBER - CLINICAL WORK: Senior nursing major Michelle Waide spends time working in a community clinic to enhance her nursing knowledge. Waide will graduate in May 2010 and hopes to specialize in obstetrics after graduation. She plans on beginning her career at a Panhandle hospital or clinic.

For some students, college studies consist of subjects in business, fine arts, education or another field of interest. But for one particular department, most of their studies are spent working with patients at a local hospital or clinic

The West Texas A&M University nursing department engages students in six semesters of classes.

These classes comprise subjects such as Foundations, Medical-Surgical and Psychiatric Nursing, Obstetrics and Pediatrics and Critical Care Community Clinics. Finally, during their last semester, students take the Senior Leadership course where they are given the choice to pick an area of the hospital or community that interests them most, similar to an internship.

“Our curriculum prepares students to be a generalist type nurse,” Helen Reyes, department head of nursing, said.

“We go over all of the areas so when they graduate, they can work in any area of nursing.”

Another key component to the program is the clinical process, which is included in each semester of class work. In the first two semesters students spend time learning about how to conduct themselves in the hospital setting.

After that, the following four semesters comprise class and clinical meetings at the same time. This provides an opportunity for students to have a hands-on experience by working in different parts of the hospitals and community clinics.

“The things I’ve enjoyed the most have to be the clinicals,” Megan Kite, senior nursing major, said. It is a great way to learn and have a hands-on approach to nursing.”

Before being able to participate in clinicals, students must apply to be accepted into the program. Additionally, students must dedicate large blocks of time interacting with patients and the community.

“It differs from other majors because it is a much more personal profession,” Kite said.

PRAIRIE | MEGAN GERBER

“We have to know how to connect with our patients so that in a few minutes they are able to trust us enough to share everything about their medical history. There is a lot of emotion involved with nursing and that’s part of what makes it so great.”

In addition to building relationships with the patients, most students build strong relationships with each other.

“I’ve enjoyed the close relationships I’ve formed with other nursing students,” Michelle Waide, senior nursing major said.

“You really start to rely on each other to get through the program.”

Getting through the program is the most challenging task for some students, but it’s also one of the most rewarding aspects for others.

“Even though it is hard and really tests you on multiple levels, it’s an amazing feeling to know that you have the opportunity to heal someone or even just make the slightest difference in someone’s day,” Megan Romero, senior nursing major, said.

“Each day is full of opportunities to learn more, heal more and love more. Nursing school has helped me to learn a little more about who I am and the type of care that I want to give. Hands down I think that it is one of the most rewarding professions there is.”

The program seems to provide an array of challenges for its students, but that wouldn’t be possible without the help of their instructors.

“The faculty is definitely one of the strongest factors of our program,” Romero said.

“There are some amazing women that absolutely inspire me to keep going, just when I think that I can’t. Not only are they just amazing people to be surrounded with, but they are so knowledgeable and great resources to have.”

As students weave their way through an intricately built curriculum, a hands-on clinical experience, and encouraging instructors graduating seniors have plenty to look forward to in their profession.

“The economy is not so much struggling here as it is in some other parts of the country,” Reyes said. “Here in Texas, there’s a nursing shortage. Starting salary for nurses depends on the area. It may be anywhere from $45-70,000 depending on where they are and how much they work.”

To learn more about the WT nursing program, visit www.wtamu.edu/nursing or call 651-2630.

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