Steve Holt, Author at The Optimist

Ten qualify for nationals at Oliver Jackson: Van Wyk only automatic qualifier for Wildcats

March 26, 2003 by Steve Holt

By Steve Holt, Copy Editor Christie Van Wyk won the men's 100-meter dash by such a big margin at the Oliver Jackson Open Saturday, one might have wondered if he had accidentally entered the high school girls' division. The sophomore star won the event in 10.22 seconds, more than half a second faster than the runner-up and good for an automatic bid ... [Read More…]

Column Like I See ‘Em: Iraq not looking to become 51st state

March 26, 2003 by Steve Holt

By Steve Holt, Opinion Editor Many of the anti-war protestors abroad are not outraged primarily by the United States' willingness to put its soldiers' and Iraqi lives on the line, but by alleged "American Imperialism." While the war debate in the states runs heavily along partisan lines, international protestors are calling the war in Iraq just ... [Read More…]

Cats to kick off outdoor season: ACU welcomes four teams to Oliver Jackson

March 21, 2003 by Steve Holt

By Steve Holt, Copy Editor The 48-time national champion men's track and field team, along with the equally decorated women's team, will compete in the first of two home meets Saturday at Elmer Gray Stadium. The Oliver Jackson University Open, named after the legendary Wildcat track and field coach from 1948-63, will begin at 1 p.m. and will ... [Read More…]

War hits near home for some: Middle Eastern students’ concerns extend abroad

March 20, 2003 by Steve Holt

By Steve Holt, Copy Editor The United States' impending invasion of Iraq has sparked international protest for months, and with attacks currently underway, students from the Middle East have mixed opinions. Salah and Sarah Taweel are seniors from Aleppo, Syria, a country that directly borders Iraq. Salah said the siblings' town is near the ... [Read More…]

Column Like I See ‘Em: Applaud small-scale strike to kill Saddam

March 20, 2003 by Steve Holt

By Steve Holt, Opinion Editor The booming sounds and faint flashes of light that came to television viewers at about 8:30 p.m. CST signaled the "opening stages" of the United States' attempt to unseat and disarm Saddam Hussein in Iraq, President George W. Bush stated Wednesday night. It wasn't, however, the beginning of the all-out war. The early ... [Read More…]

Dyess Air Force Base sees key role in past, current military operations

March 19, 2003 by Steve Holt

By Steve Holt, Copy Editor With just hours remaining for Saddam Hussein and his sons to leave Iraq, United States military forces are ready to begin their mission of unseating and disarming the Iraqi president. Alongside hundreds of thousands of American troops in the Middle East, personnel and equipment from Abilene's Dyess Air Force Base are ... [Read More…]

Cats win 48th title: Men’s team first, women second in indoor champ meet

March 19, 2003 by Steve Holt

By Steve Holt, Copy Editor ACU won its 48th national title Saturday, edging out Western State (Colo.) 58-54 at the NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field Champion-ships. The women's team placed second to St. August-ine's. All but two of the 11 Wildcat men's athletes or relays scored team points in the battle, but no points were more important ... [Read More…]

ACU to be well represented at nationals

March 5, 2003 by Steve Holt

By Steve Holt, Copy Editor The men's and women's track and field teams will be taking 24 athletes and both 4x400-meter relay teams to the Division II Indoor Track and Field National Championships in Boston, March 14-15, after the list of qualifiers was announced Tuesday. Three athletes who would not have qualified for nationals based on previous ... [Read More…]

For Jack and Jeanene Reese unity is the key to both their ministry and marriage

February 25, 2003 by Steve Holt

By Steve Holt, Copy Editor Drs. Jack and Jeanene Reese are quick to say that in their ministry together, God is driving and they are along for the ride, albeit bumpy at times. Jeanene knows this all too well. When Mike Warren was killed in an explosion in 1974, Jeanene lost more than just the $12 she had in the bank. She and her late husband had ... [Read More…]

Speaker to lecture despite blacking out

February 25, 2003 by Steve Holt

By Steve Holt, Copy Editor Despite blacking out for seven hours on Super Bowl Sunday, widely known author and preacher Lynn Anderson will still be one of the keynote speakers for the 2003 Bible Lectureship. Anderson, who preached for 19 years at Highland Church of Christ, was unconscious from about 5 p.m. to midnight on Jan. 26. He was rushed to ... [Read More…]