A triple-digits fastball, a mid-90s “splinker” — a combination of a splitter and a sinker many pitchers are trying to replicate today — a 6’6” frame, and a presence on the mound that lets the hitter know “I’m better than you are”: Paul Skenes had all the tools to be one of the best pitchers of the 21st century coming out of college. In his junior and final season at Louisiana State University, Skenes led the Tigers to the College World Series. The right hander went 13–2, with a 2.05 ERA, and struck out 209 in only 122.2 innings of work during the regular season. He wasn’t...
The Nov. 15 boxing showdown between former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson and YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul will go down in history as the most-streamed sporting event of all time. Broadcast live on Netflix from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, the fight drew a staggering 108 million global viewers, including 65 million live concurrent streams. However, despite its record-breaking success, the bout was shrouded in controversy, with questions raised about its authenticity and competitive legitimacy. Tyson, at 58 years old, stepped into the ring against 27-year-old Paul, who has become a...
France Football hosted the Ballon d’Or, football’s most prestigious individual trophy award ceremony of the year, Sunday, Oct. 28 at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, France. The ceremony, marking the 68th iteration of naming a winner, occurs once a year and takes into account the performances of players throughout the previous season, which spans from fall to spring. Specifically, the criteria evaluates individual performance, character, team performance and achievements, class, sportsmanship, and fair play of players from across the world. Over the years, those who have received the award...
A trombone rendition of baseball’s most tenured tune “Take Me Out to The Ball Game”, a piano solo of “Dorothea” by Taylor Swift, and a one-of-a-kind jazz performance of “I Wish” by Stevie Wonder are only a few of the incredible performances that took place this past Saturday at the ninth annual Sharing Stages, an event that highlights the student athletes in the Conservatory of Music and Department of Athletics. Put together annually by Associate Professor of Jazz Studies Jay Ashby and Senior Associate Director of Athletics Creg Jantz, Sharing Stages took place at the Birenbaum Innovation...
When a franchise accomplishes a feat they never achieved with LeBron James, that’s saying something. This season, the Cleveland Cavaliers have jumped out to their best start in team history, 13–0. The previous best start was way back in the 1976–77 season, when the Cavs started 8–0 before ultimately finishing the season 43–39. Going into last season, the Cavs carried heavy expectations. After early playoff exits the previous two years, they were looking to make a deep run towards the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy. A respectable 48–34 finish in the regular season earned them...
Never has a 55th overall NBA Draft selection received as much attention as LeBron James Jr., better known as Bronny. As the firstborn son of LeBron James, Bronny is no stranger to the limelight. He made a name for himself growing up with his basketball mixtapes on YouTube garnering millions of views, and he even signed to FaZe Clan, an esports organization, in 2020 as a content creator. His talent was evident as he continued to play in high school.After averaging 13.8 PPG and nearly two steals a game during his senior year at Sierra Canyon School, Bronny was ranked the 28th best prospect in...
This past Saturday, Nov. 16, Oberlin football faced off and won against Hiram College at home. The contest was of high importance, as it marked the team’s first conference win of the year. It was also senior day and the last game of the College’s 134th football season. Hiram won the coin toss but took the second-half option, letting Oberlin’s offense start off the game. Third-year quarterback Drew Nye started the push up-field strong with a pass to fourth-year running back Greg Lane, gaining a first down. The following 10 minutes of game time was strong back and forth from both teams....
Bringing together students from different , majors, and athletic backgrounds, Oberlin’s club soccer meets multiple times a week to play the world’s sport. The club’s practice times and locations are dribbled around by scheduling conflicts; a scrimmage can occur on the sun-drenched North Fields, where midges and gnats are kicked up by the hundreds; head indoors to Williams Field House for 7-on-7 turf scrimmages; and even run late into the night on Bailey Field, where the stadium lights illuminate every pass and shot. Regardless of location, attendance, or insect population, Oberlin club...
At the end of every semester in Oberlin, the Cat in the Cream holds an event that radically departs from the usual concert, Conservatory recital, or trivia night. The metamorphosis is subtle yet striking; excited parents, siblings, and grandparents from the Oberlin community fill the seats to face a stage populated by young girls and boys, who, along with an Oberlin instructor, perform a choreographed routine they have been practicing all semester. This is Kids in Motion: an Oberlin ExCo that sends College students into the classrooms of Langston Middle School and Oberlin Elementary School to offer...
In a display of unyielding determination, the Oberlin men’s open Ultimate Frisbee team soared to victory at the Division III Ohio Valley Regional Championships, earning a spot in the National Championship. The journey to this moment was paved with countless hours of sweat, sacrifice, and unwavering dedication. The weekend prior, the Flying Horsecows faced many disappointing defeats at Sectionals: plagued by injuries and illness, they finished with a 0–4 record in the Miami, OH competition. However, looking forward to a redeeming performance in Butler, PA, the Flying Horsecows entered the...
Fourth-years Allison Lupatkin and Sumner Wallace both joined the Preying Manti, the women’s and trans ultimate frisbee team on campus, their first year and have been heavily involved since. As they get ready for their first spring tournament in two weeks, they reflect on their last four years with the Manti. Many Manti come from different backgrounds and levels of frisbee. Lupatkin got started with frisbee her first year at Oberlin. It was fall 2020, during the pandemic, and many first-years were doing outdoor social distancing activities. Her friend group tossed in North Quad, and although...
The point could be made that retirement is the hardest part of a professional athlete’s career. Competitors are defined by their athletic ability their entire lives, and...
Second-year Meaghan Kramer is a forward/midfielder on the field hockey team. An international student from the Netherlands, she is planning on double majoring in Biology and...
Fourth-year Yuuki Okubo is a guard for the Oberlin men’s basketball team. Originally from Los Angeles, Okubo was an internet sensation who went viral multiple times before...
Fourth-year Ethan Price is an assistant defensive line coach for the football team. He played football his first two years at the College, but transitioned into a coaching...
Assistant Athletic Trainer JoAnna Simon is an athletic trainer for the Oberlin men’s basketball, football, baseball, and women’s tennis teams. She arrived on campus in...
Third-year Jacob Epps is a two-sport athlete playing both football and baseball at Oberlin. He suits up at wide receiver and defensive back in football and plays third base...
Lauren Mills is a third-year midfielder on the women’s lacrosse team. A double major in Neuroscience and Biology on the pre-medical track, she is constantly on the run....