4
Meet the
candidates
for SBP
While the monarch butterfly is endangered, researchers remain
cautiously optimistic as population numbers increase this year.
Migratory monarch
population on the rise
Alii Bradshaw —THE BATTALION
Senior guard Jordan Green shoots over two LSU defenders Tuesday night at Reed Arena.
Increase is positive
ecological indication
By Nikita Redkar
After years of plummeting
population numbers, there
may be a glimmer of hope for the
endangered monarch butterfly mi
gration.
Each year, the monarch but
terfly leaves Canada and embarks
on a migration spanning thousands
of miles through the continental
United States into Mexico. Even
though their numbers have dwin
dled in the past few years, the but
terfly’s population posted a modest
comeback in 2015.
The migratory population re
bounded by 69 percent this year
after an all-time population low in
2014. An estimated 56.5 million
monarchs gathered in Mexico for
the winter this year.
While the population surge is a
positive sign, researchers like Craig
Wilson, senior research associate
at A&M’s Center for Mathemat
ics and Science Education, caution
that factors such as poor farming
practices and climate change still
need to be addressed if one of
North America’s longest migra
tions is to be preserved.
Wilson said celebrating the
MONARCH ON PC. 6
PROVIDED
The Cobb family is traveling from California to Florida in honor of
its late daughter.
Family travels nation
to raise awareness
for pediatric cancer
By Victoria Rivas
From one Disney theme park
to another, the Cobb family is
on a philanthropic cross-country
walk that will take them through
Aggieland Wednesday.
In August 2014, Jonathan and
Jennifer Cobb, along with their
three children—Jonathan, Jemma
and Jaxi — began their walk across
America from Disneyland in Cali
fornia to Disney World in Rorida.
Their goal is to raise funds and
awareness for pediatric cancer and
to honor their daughter Julia, who
passed away at 8 years old in 2013
from Ewing’s sarcoma, a form of
cancer.
The Cobb family will walk
Wednesday in honor of Lauren
WALK ON PG. 2
TEXAS A&M 68, LSU 62
Eyes on March
House's 20 points keys 9th SEC win, pads
NCAA Tournament resume
By Carter Karels “It doesn’t mean much, we are just trying to finish off
ake it nine.
Texas A&M won its ninth SEC game and
completed its season sweep of LSU Tuesday
night with a 68-62 victory led by junior guard
Danuel House, who posted 20 points.
Head coach Billy Kennedy credited the “great, NCAA
tournament-type atmosphere” at Reed Arena that he said
made for a strong homecourt advantage.
Senior center Kourtney Roberson garnered a 12th
career double-double with historic implications, passing
Byron Davis to become the ninth-leading rebounder in
A&M history and the 34th member of the 1,000-point
club at Texas A&M.
Timothy Lai — THE BATTALION
Senior pitcher Rachel Fox winds up at home
during the Aggie Classic last weekend.
the year strong,” Roberson said about the milestones.
“The points aren’t what matter most to us, we are just
trying to go out and win games.”
Kennedy said Roberson’s big night comes about as
a result of the difference in maturity for the fifth-year
senior.
Texas A&M (18-7, 9-4 SEC) jumped out to a 21-10
lead behind House, who started the game 3-for-3 from
beyond the arc. The third 3-pointer was a heat check
from long range that brought the 12th Man to its feet and
forced an LSU timeout.
Following that timeout the Tigers (18-8, 7-6 SEC)
LSU ON PG. 5
No. 2 Oregon
top team to visit
A&M since 2006
By Milkyas Gashaw
The softball team will host the nation’s No. 2 team
for the first time in almost a decade.
No. 23 Texas A&M will play in its first midweek
game of the season against No. 2 Oregon on Wednes
day at the Aggie Softball Complex.
Oregon is the highest ranked opponent the Aggies
has faced at home since No. 2 University of Texas came
to town on April 26, 2006. On such a rare occasion,
head coach Jo Evans said it is important to play well
against a great team like Oregon.
“Oregon is probably more talented than UCLA,
who we faced a couple of weeks ago, and projected to
likely win a national championship,” Evans said. “It’s
going to be a great test for us.”
The Ducks went a perfect 6-0 in their opening
weekend of the 2015 season at the Kajikawa Classic in
Tempe, Ariz. Amid a schedule that included No. 25
Texas, North Carolina, Wisconsin and Northwestern
SOFTBALL ON PG. 4
an evening jjf
TOMORROW NIGHT!
UPRIGHT CITIZENS BRIGADE
7:30 PM • Rudder Theatre
Student Tickets $15 at MSC Box Office
$20 Day of Show • Call 979-845-1234
Ip | MSC OPAS
MSCOPAS.org
Sponsored by
Maroon Weekly