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The Student News Site of Colorado Mesa University

The Criterion

The Student News Site of Colorado Mesa University

The Criterion

The Student News Site of Colorado Mesa University

The Criterion

The Women’s Cross Country team bolts from the starting line during the Gig Leadbetter Maverick Stampede on Saturday, Sept. 5. The Mavs went on to place second in their first meet of the fall semester.

BACK ON THE MAP

Justin Shaw, Sports Editor November 3, 2025

For the first time in more than a decade, CMU’s women’s cross country team isn’t chasing the pack—because they’re part of it. At the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) Championships in...

Junior forward Ethan Levesque (13) gathers with his teammates on the ice versus University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS). The Mavericks would go on to win the game 11-1, with nine CMU players contributing to the scoring column.

THERE’S NO “I” IN HOCKEY

Vicente Valadez, Staff Writer November 3, 2025

With ice-shattering expectations, and Dr. Timothy Winegard at the helm, CMU hockey is off to a commanding 6-3 start, and is doing it all in style. Fresh off a sweep against the University of Colorado Colorado...

Lined up and ready to go, psychology senior and team captain Tom Guaweiler kicks off a match versus Utah State University. The Mavericks would go on to defeat the Aggies 34-10.

NO PITCH, NO PROBLEM

Charlene Clark, Arts & Life Editor November 3, 2025

The Men’s Rugby team has been dominating the High Peaks Conference this 15s season, although they have faced some challenges along the way. Two of their games have been canceled within days of their...

LeBron James (left) whines as Stephen Curry (right) carelessly looks on with Nikola Jokic (center) hoisting the NBA championship trophy.

BASKETBALL FOR DUMMIES

Justin Shaw, Sports Editor November 3, 2025

If you’ve ever watched a basketball game, you’ve probably yelled, “That’s a foul!” at your TV, without actually knowing what a foul is. Or maybe you nodded along when someone said, “That was...

The CMU cheer team gathers for a group photo during the tailgate at the football game on Oct. 11. The team trains three times a week, does community outreach and thrives in Colorado’s powerhouse cheer culture.
 // Courtesy of CMU Cheer

FLYING HIGH

Bonnie Duffy, Staff Writer October 20, 2025

Student athletes at CMU have a packed schedule, and the cheer team is no exception. The team cheers at all home football games, along with some away games and postseason playoffs. The team can be found...

Nobody warned me that fanstasy football would have flashbacks. The PTSD stands for Post-Trade Stress 
Disorder. Graphic by Justin Shaw

FANTASY FOOTBALL RUINED MY LIFE

Caleb Barnett, Staff Writer October 20, 2025

Attention, ladies and gentlemen. I hear that many of you would love to learn to play fantasy football. It’s a fun little game that you can play with your friends and family, and is the closest many of...

Mary “Patti” Arnold spent 30 years covering Grand Junction sports. A mentor to many and friend to all, Arnold embodied the heart of Western Colorado sports coverage. // Courtesy of the Athletics Department

REMEMBERING PATTI ARNOLD

Dean Allen, Staff Writer October 20, 2025

Early in the morning on Oct. 6, 2025, former Daily Sentinel sports editor and longtime CMU sports information assistant Mary ‘Patti’ Arnold passed away suddenly. Word that she was under the weather...

It’s like CrossFit, but everyone is wearing chainmail. You’ll burn calories, make friends and probably question your life choices somewhere between sword swings. // Graphic by Justin Shaw

HEMA FOR DUMMIES

Adrian Hodulik, Staff Writer October 20, 2025

Have you found yourself having the desire to become a knight in an age where nearly all knightly gear is obsolete, and no professional knightly guild exists? If so, the loose grouping of Historical European...

Redshirt Junior Defender Connor Chilson sqaures up for a kick at Sunday’s match versus Fort Lewis College. The Mavericks defeated the ninth ranked Skyhawks in dominant fashion, winning the match 4-1.

MAVS CATCH FIRE AT HOME

Justin Shaw, Sports Editor October 20, 2025

The CMU Men’s Soccer team has found its stride. In a weekend at Community Hospital Unity Field, the Mavericks put together two statement victories, first dismantling Adams State 5–0, then taking down...

Barry Bonds menacingly stares at you, with the intent of intimidation. Why? Because you need to catch up on your baseball lingo.

BASEBALL FOR DUMMIES

Caleb Barnett, Staff Writer October 6, 2025

Baseball used to be America’s favorite pastime, but for better or worse, it has since been dethroned by the NFL. However, baseball still thrives in Latin America. On the surface, it’s simple: nine...

Sophomore defense Olivia Barrett sprints down the field in a match versus MSU Denver on Sept. 28. The Mavs defeated the Roadrunners, shutting them out 2-0 on their home turf.

NO ENTRY

Justin Shaw, Sports Editor October 6, 2025

The CMU women’s soccer team carried plenty of momentum into its first road-and-home split of RMAC play, holding a three-match win streak and a perfect start in the conference schedule. Ranked No. 22...

From happiness to hopelessness, fantasy football can change lives abruptly. While fantasy football can be played for free, many players choose to wager money each season.

FANTASY FOOTBALL FEVER

Charlene Clark, Arts & Life Editor October 6, 2025

Since football season has begun, you may have heard conversations that sound something like this: “I have a draft on Sunday” or “the Cowboys defense got me barely any points this week!” These things...

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