Deyscha Smith

New beginnings for Mount Holyoke basketball and Annika Brooks ’21

New beginnings for Mount Holyoke basketball and Annika Brooks ’21

BY DEYSCHA SMITH ‘19

Last year, Annika Brooks ’21 spent her time playing pickup basketball with the guys, trying to build her confidence. The sophomore forward from Portland, Maine experienced a difficult rookie season at Wheaton College with little playing time, and knew she needed a change of pace.

The hidden player: Mount Holyoke’s team manager

BY DEYSCHA SMITH ’19

Natalie Russianoff ’19 stands on the turf field at Mount Holyoke College, waiting attentively for her orders. She wears a purple jacket and fur hood like it’s her own practice gear, and cheers on the team with each goal, groundball and goalie save.

Athletes take a stand, on the court

Athletes take a stand, on the court

BY JOY MARAN ‘19 AND DEYSCHA SMITH ’19

A controversial movement that began with Colin Kaepernick, former NFL quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, in 2016 is now happening here at Mount Holyoke. Kaepernick is the first professional athlete to kneel during the national anthem with a mission to bring awareness and confront racial police brutality in the United States. He and many of his fellow professional athletes who have decided to kneel have been criticized by fans and sports businessesmen alike. However, Kaepernick’s movement is building momentum as it permeates into the National Hockey League (NHL) and college teams including those at Mount Holyoke.