Quarterback Brandon Mitchell, defensive end Austin Flynn, safety Defonta Lowe and receiver Keante Minor can now transfer to other programs.

“Through meetings with these student-athletes, a determination was made that it would be mutually beneficial for them to pursue their goals elsewhere,” Bielema said.

“We fully support them and wish them all the best moving forward,” Bielema added.

Mitchell, who was named the backup to quarterback Brandon Allen after spring practice, can earn his degree this summer and be eligible to play for another program this fall.

During his three seasons at Arkansas, Mitchell completed 25 of 43 passes for 332 yards. Last season, he also caught 17 passes for 272 yards.

After spring practice, Bielema said he would like to find a place on the field for Mitchell, but Mitchell only wanted to play quarterback.

“At this time I’d like to say thank you dearly to all of my fans & The Razorback Nation for all of your support, professionalism, and prayers,” Mitchell said in a post on his facebook page.

It is not known where Mitchell will transfer, but he does have connections to multiple schools, including Western Kentucky where Bobby Petrino is now the head coach.

Flynn and Lowe did not participate in spring practice with the team, but their release was not final until Monday.

The No. 4 men’s track and field team won the Indoor National Championship in March and I expect the outdoor team to do the same.

With one week until the Southeastern Conference Championships, Arkansas owns 35 top 10 marks in 17 different events, including three No. 1 marks, amongst SEC schools

If they can out-perform No. 1 Florida and No. 2 Texas A&M, the Razorbacks will earn their seventh consecutive SEC Championship, including indoor track & field and cross country, May 12.

Whether they win the SEC or not, Arkansas will have a great chance to win the National Championship in Eugene, Ore., and as long as they perform like they did in the Indoor Championships, they’ll win their 42nd title in program history.

Women’s Outdoor Track & Field

Despite their No. 6 national ranking, I predict the women’s track and field team to finish second at the SEC Championships. With No. 1 Texas A&M, No. 3 Florida and No. 4 LSU in the same conference, it would be very difficult to jump all three teams to finish first.

However, with four SEC-leading marks, it is very possible. In all, the Razorbacks have 28 to- 10 marks in 17 different events amongst SEC schools.

While they have talent, I don’t think Arkansas will have enough firepower to score enough points at the NCAA Outdoor Championships to finish any higher than third.

Baseball

Arkansas’ final three series of the season are against opponents with a combined 22-41 SEC record, but they travel to No. 23 Kentucky this weekend.

If the Razorbacks can go 6-3 or better in the remaining games and win two or more games in the SEC tournament, they will have a good chance to host a Regional.

Once they win the Regional, I predict Arkansas will have to travel to Arizona State for their Super Regional. Riding their strong pitching staff, Arkansas will win a tight game three to advance to Omaha, Neb., where they’ll win the first College World Series in school history.

Razorback fans should be cautious though, as hitting and fielding have been weak points this season. If they can solidify their fielding and come through with a few timely hits, the College World Series is highly possible.

Softball

After earning their first national ranking in school history last week, the UA softball team moved up to No. 22 this week.

They are 9-10 in SEC play, which is third in the SEC West. Their last regular season games are this weekend against Auburn at Bogle Park. I think they will win two of three and finish the regular season with a .500 record in the SEC for the first time since 2000.

While the Razorbacks could host a Regional, I doubt they will. I do think they’ll go to another team’s home field and win their first Regional in school history.

Led by senior pitchers Hope McLemore and Chelsea Cohen, Arkansas has a chance to advance to the Women’s College World Series, but their season will most likely end in the Super Regionals.

Men’s Golf

Arkansas finished sixth in the SEC Men’s Golf Team Championship, but junior Sebastian Cappelen won the individual title by shooting 3-under-par. His 202 is a 54-hole record in the SEC.

The Razorbacks are No. 14 in the most recent poll, so I expect them to easily make the NCAA tournament with a three- or four-seed. The Razorbacks will host the NCAA Fayetteville Regional at Blessings Golf Course.

As a team, I think their season will end in the Regionals, but Cappelen could easily finish in the top 10 in the individual championship. If the Razorbacks want to advance out of the Regionals, they’ll need a strong performance from freshman Taylor Moore.

Moore earned Freshman All-SEC and co-Freshman of the Year honors this season and will have to continue this play into the postseason. However, I think Arkansas’ best chance at a National Championship run is still a year away, when Cappelen is a senior and Moore is an experienced sophomore.

Women’s Golf

The women’s golf team enters the NCAA tournament as the No. 2 seed in the East Regional. They are ranked No. 6 nationally.

Eight of the 24 teams in the East Regional will advance to the championship finals, so the Razorbacks should easily qualify, but I predict they’ll knock off No. 1 Alabama and win the Regional.

Like the men’s team, they will need a strong performance from their star junior and freshman. Junior Emily Tubert averages a 73.29 score per round, while freshman Gabriela Lopez averages a 73.64. They are also the only two Razorbacks to win a tournament this season.

If Tubert and Lopez have great scores and a few other Razorbacks chip in, I think Arkansas will finish in the top four in the National Championship.

Barrett Astin pitches at the Arkansas v. Mississippi State baseball game, Saturday, March 30. Astin was named SEC Pitcher of the Week Monday. (Photo by Addison Morgan)

The Arkansas Razorbacks travel to Lexington, Ky. this weekend for a three game series against the Kentucky Wildcats.

The Hogs have won five straight games and now sit at 7-1 on the road in conference play, good for best in the Southeastern Conference, giving the squad a sense of confidence and comfortability on the road.

“I don’t think playing on the road bothers us one bit,” head coach Dave Van Horn said.

This marks the second straight week the Diamond Hogs have faced a SEC foe on the road, after winning two games at Georgia last weekend.

Arkansas’ pitching staff continues to be the class of the SEC this season, and seems to grow stronger and more imposing by the week.

Barrett Astin pitched eight shutout innings last Friday against Georgia, earning him SEC Pitcher of the Week honors. Having a potent arm like Astin’s to start the weekend makes it hard for opposing batters to keep pace for the following games in a series.

The Hogs also beat a solid Missouri State team Tuesday, 6-3, and it took a collaborative effort from the pitching staff: eight pitchers combined for five hits and three runs allowed in the victory.

“They’re the engine that keeps this train moving,” first baseman Dominic Ficociello said.

The Hogs’ staff must remain under control against a Kentucky team that loves to get on base by way of a hit by pitch. The Wildcats rank first in the SEC with 71 batters hit by a pitch, as every player in the lineup is willing to take one for the team at any moment.

“They all wear an elbow guard, that’s part of their offense,” Van Horn said.

The Wildcats took a series victory last weekend at No. 16 Mississippi, the first time they have accomplished that feat since 2007. They start this series ranked No. 23 in the USA Today coaches poll, with a 26-17 record, 9-12 in SEC play.

Freshman outfielder Kyle Barrett gives the Wildcats a consistent bat at the plate, as he is batting .347 this season with a .400 on base percentage and 11 runs batted in.

Kentucky will most likely start a trio of left handed pitchers this weekend. A.J. Reed, Corey  Littrell and Jerad Grundy are the team’s weekend starters, though Van Horn said the Wildcats may be sitting one in favor of a right hander.

Reed will also play first base and has a .310 batting average and a team-leading 10 home runs, while posting a 2.88 ERA on the mound as well.

Friday’s first pitch against the Wildcats is set for 5:30 p.m. followed by a 6 p.m. start Saturday and a 12 p.m. start Sunday.

Nicole Schroeder competes at the Arkansas v. Kentucky softball game, Saturday, April 20. (Photo by Addison Morgan)

In their final regular season series, the Razorback softball team will look to send their four seniors off with a winning SEC record against the Auburn Tigers.

Arkansas will hold their senior day on Saturday for Chelsea Cohen, Hope McLemore, Andrea Sullivan and Amanda Summerford.

Arkansas is coming off a short, but another winning week, this time against the Tennessee Volunteers.

Tennessee came into the weekend ranked second in the country, but Arkansas went into Knoxville and pulled out a 2-1 victory on Friday.

Kimmy Beasley got the complete game win for the Hogs, only giving up 4 hits against the strong Tennessee lineup.

The Hogs were poised to pull an upset and win the series, but a steady rain came in, and they were unable to play another game.

Despite only one game, head coach Mike Larabee knows it was a win to be proud of, “It was a great win for our program.”

The Hogs have gotten production recently from Jennifer Rambo, who is on a hot streak at the plate.

In her last four games, she is hitting .714 with two homeruns and 3 walks.

After earning their first national ranking, the Razorbacks have moved up to 22nd in the polls.

The win improves Arkansas record to 31-17 with a 9-10 mark in Southeastern Confrence play.

Coming into the series, the Hogs have won five of their last six games, all against teams ranked 20th or higher.

Auburn comes into Bogle park as the only SEC team that Arkansas will play that is not ranked.

The Tigers have a record of 30-20, a 7-14 mark in the SEC, and they will be fighting for their postseason lives.

Auburn is currently 11th in the SEC, which is one game back from the final qualifying spot for the SEC tournament.

“Its a must win situation for them,” said Larabee.

Auburn is led in hitting by freshman Emily Carosone, she has started in all 50 games for the Tigers and has an average of .399.

Branndi Melero is the power threat for the Tigers, she leads the squad with nine homeruns and 44 RBIs.

The top pitcher for the Tigers is Marcy Harper, she leads the team with both 16 wins and 122 strikeouts.

While Auburn is fighting for their tournament lives, this series is important for the Hogs seeding in the tournament.

Arkansas needs just one win to clinch a spot in the tournament, their first since 2010.

If the Hogs can sweep Auburn, they would also need Georgia and Kentucky to lose their series in order for the Hogs to get a first round bye in the tournament.

It starts with joining an unusual company of dwarves. Freshman year, four hours from home, I felt far from the comforts I was so used to. But I abandoned my handkerchief and mingled with the wonderful people around me.

Maybe I wasn’t fighting giants on campus with my company, but I fought on the field with, and against, stellar ultimate frisbee players while on the University of Arkansas club ultimate frisbee team. Instead of getting roasted over a fire, our company of smelly athletes enjoyed my mother’s incredible baking while on the road, we sampled hefty amounts of Kansas City barbecue, some Memphis and Texas beef, as well as Louisiana cajun meals on Bourbon Street during Mardi Gras.

I may not have been trapped in a goblin cave, but I have perhaps trespassed into a cave or two around the Devil’s Den area with my roommate and best friend, Spencer Hansen. Then there have been a few times we were caught driving on highways as dark as a cave — the more memorable had me sitting in a car for nearly 20 hours while Spencer drove a small company of guys the entire way to Destin, leaving Fayetteville at 2 a.m..

Maybe I wasn’t getting stuck in spider webs deep in the heart of Mirkwood forest, but all too often I have found myself tangled in wires in the dark basement of Kimpel Hall — working at UATV and the Traveler in the wee hours of the night. The select students down there with me understand the discomfort of the windowless maze of edit bays, but at the same time, my experiences in student media brought me closer to top-notch, international travelers like Saba Naseem, future lawyers like Chad Woodard, strange old men like Zeek Martin and all my fellow broadcast journalism majors whom we will soon be seeing on KNWA, 40/29 and other local news networks, if not larger-market stations.

In terms of my mentors on this incredible adventure, I, of course, have my Thorin Oakenshield, a true leader and dear friend Professor Larry Foley. He has kept me on the right track throughout this long journey. I have also had the incredible honor to work alongside Professor Robyn Ledbetter, Hayot Tuychiev and Professor Dale Carpenter, who are willing to challenge me socially and intellectually, in and out of the classroom. With their support and dedication to the university and my program, I am graduating with an armory of intellectual tools as sharp as Sting.

I’ve been in classes like research methods, honors philosophy and essay writing, where I simply felt I was in middle of a Thunder battle — I was simply trying keep my balance on the ledge. However, without these classes, I would not emerge the same well-rounded graduate.

We are not the same young students we used to be. Four years ago, we were running out our front doors, embracing the adventures Arkansas offered. After years of struggles and countless joys, we’ve become best friends with the companies around us. Through trials and tribulations, we have found the heart of the Ozark Mountains.

Moving forward, I wish all graduating seniors only the very best of luck. I pray you will each continue to have incredible adventures and will embrace each challenge like Bilbo Baggins racing down his Shire stairs into the unknown.

I know less than half of you half as well as I should like, but please understand I love all of you as much as you deserve. The graduating class of 2013 has never let me down. When I receive my Arkansas diploma, I will represent you and not let you down.

Joe DelNero is a graduating broadcast journalism major and previous station manager of UATV and opinion editor of the Traveler. 

Growing up I thought my college years would be full of wild nights, crazy friends, eccentric professors and homework on homework on homework, which they were. But reminiscing, my fondest memories are the colorful trees on Old Main lawn, that one professor who taught me to dream big and think outside the box, $4 martini night at The Wine Cellar, that one assignment I got a B on (I knew it deserved an A), that impromptu road trip, Traveler staff potlucks, all of Joe’s Lord of the Rings bobbleheads, that time I stumbled across Chad’s high school band’s Myspace page, bottomless cups of coffee at Arsaga’s at the Depot, when I moved into my first apartment, when I saw my first story published, the first day of my internship and the day I found out I was accepted in the Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism graduate program.

The memories go on and on, but most of them involve The Traveler, the valuable friendships I’ve made here, or accomplishments I’ve made as a young journalist. I cherish the friendships and connections I’ve made here during my four years, but I’m excited to close this chapter of my life and start the next.

I’ll be moving to Chicago in September for graduate school, and while I’m nervous about moving hours away from my friends, family, and essentially displacing myself from everything I’ve ever known, I’m excited to be doing what I know I’m supposed to be doing.

Dream big. There’s nothing more rewarding than accomplishing something you never dreamed you could. I’m from a small Arkansas town of less than 2,500 people. My high school graduating class was 102. Of that class, fewer than half went on to college or technical school, and even fewer will ever graduate.

I’m the kind of person who doesn’t let anything stand in my way. If there’s something I want to achieve, I’m determined to achieve it. If you’d asked me four years ago what I thought I would go on to do after graduation, I probably wouldn’t have had an answer beyond, “Hopefully I’ll be working!” Sad, but true.

If you ask me now what I’m doing after I graduate, I have a firm answer. I know what I want to do. I know what I need to do to achieve it. I know where I want to go. And I know how to get there. Despite the long hours, strict time commitment and high stress, my time at The Traveler has played an important role in helping navigate me in my future plans.

Take advantage of the time you have left here at the UA. I know people say it all the time, but there’s really no better way to get to know people, to make professional connections, to learn valuable communication skills and to learn what you want to do with your life than by surrounding yourself with people who have your interests.

I got involved with The Traveler in the spring semester of my sophomore year. Since then, I worked as a news writer, the assistant news editor, eventually became the managing editor of the publication and  worked a news reporting internship. Now I’ve been accepted to one of the most prestigious schools in the U.S. for journalism. I’m truly blessed, and I owe almost all of it to the connections I’ve made, the professors who’ve mentored me and all those late nights I spent in the basement of Kimpel in The Traveler office. Like I said, I’m blessed beyond words.

All of this is to say, don’t be afraid to move onto bigger things. Don’t be afraid to do something different than everyone else. One small leap of faith could lead to something extraordinary. Go against the grain. Don’t be reflection of what everyone expects of you.

You never know what you can achieve until you take that leap of faith and try. There will always be a million reasons why you shouldn’t do something, and you’re the only person who can truly decide where you’re life will end up. Don’t sit idly by while you’re life passes by, hoping eventually you’ll accomplish the things you hoped you would. Be active in your dreams.

Growing up and moving on are not one in the same. Everyone grows up, but only those truly courageous take that leap of faith and move on to achieve their dreams. Wherever you go, the UA will always be your Alma Mater. Dive in head first and see where the currents take you. More than likely, you’ll end up somewhere beautifully unexpected achieving dreams you never knew you had.

Brittany Nims is a graduating print journalism major, attending graduate school at Northwestern University in the fall.

I was a double major at the time majoring in political science and journalism and in order to graduate on time I would have to drop one of those majors.

I enjoyed journalism, but law school has always been my goal, so I thought I might as well pursue political science and take some classes that might prepare me for law school.

It was a Friday and I was going to drop my journalism major that day.

I was in an introductory journalism course at the time and as I was leaving to go to see an adviser my graduate teacher Jose Lopez stopped me.

“Hey, you need to write for the Traveler,” he said.

At the time the Traveler seemed like a distant, intense world that I would never have time to commit to, but considering he was a former Editor-in-Chief I was flattered he thought I had the talent to work with the best students in the department.

“No, I really haven’t,” I said.

He then told me to follow him and we walked over to the Traveler office, better known by those who have given their souls to this windowless place in the underground of Kimpel Hall as “The Dungeon.”

I filled out an application to work for the paper and soon after I was hired as the assistant news editor.

Since that time I have met some of the best people I have ever known and I owe these people my gratitude.

To Professor Jordan whose wisdom has meant more to me than I can put into words, and don’t let his humble nature fool you, you won’t meet a better person.

To Saba Naseem who took a chance on me last year and without you I would not be where I am.

To Mattie Quinn who truly makes life worth living.

To Professor Schulte who truly taught me that no matter how well you do, you can always do better.

To Professor Ledbetter and Dr. Watkins who exemplified grace in a very stressful newsroom.

To all of the other journalism professors I had who helped guide me through my time in this place.

To Brittany Nims who always challenged me to be a better editor and who will go on to be a great editor.

To Emily Rhodes who kept me sane.

To Sarah Derouen for never giving up.

To Kayli Farris for stepping up when we needed another leader in news.

To Joe DelNero for always being that burst of fruit flavor we needed during dark times.

To Nick Brothers for your beard.

To Shelby Gill for always being honest.

To Kristen Coppola for your refusal to accept anything less than the very best.

To Haley Markle for always knowing exactly what to say.

To Marcus Ferreira who helped me remember the importance of the 1st amendment.

To Sarah Colpitts who has worked herself to death the last two years making my meticulous ideas a reality.

To Carson Smith who always managed to handle the most stressful situations with understanding.

To Mark Cameron for being a pioneer.

To Emily Delong for being so adaptable.

To Jon Schleuss for being that subtle seasoning that made everything complete.

To Whitney Green who managed to be an important part of the Traveler without ever being on staff.

To the writers, photographers, copy editors, cartoonists and everyone else who worked at the Traveler.

To my friends who worked on the paper last year Brady Tackett, Lauren Leatherby, Jordain Carney for giving me great memories and the confidence to be a leader.

And, of course, to Jose Lopez who gave me the idea to apply for the Traveler.

Finally, to next year’s staff, I wish the very best for all of you.  Unfortunately, I do not know all of you as well as I would like at this point, but I can say that if you can harness Mike Mahardy’s wit with Madelynne Jones’ energy then you will all do wonders next year.

Even as I am writing this more names and faces come to my mind from the last two years.  In my time working here more I would say more than 300 people have come and gone at this place.  It’s impossible to thank everyone.  But know that if you have worked at the Traveler then you’re part of the family.

Just remember, sometimes some great moments in your life and some of the best people you will meet come from an opportunity, like mine, that you weren’t expecting.  So, don’t ever be afraid to seize an opportunity even if you weren’t expecting it, because it could be one of the best decisions you ever make.

Chad Woodard is a graduating print journalism major, editor-in-chief of the Traveler, and preparing for Law School at the UA in the fall.

Entertaining Family

If the entire family is converging on Fayetteville, at some point, you’ll be responsible for coming up with activities to keep everybody entertained. Show off the best of Fayetteville. If you’re looking to drop a little cash for dinner, Fayetteville has several gourmet options. Bordino’s, on Dickson Street, has long been Fayetteville’s go-to swanky dining spot. The restaurant offers innovative Italian cooking, with an extensive wine list and cocktail menu. Theo’s, off Dickson Street behind Bordino’s, has modern American food and an expansive selection of drinks.

Off of Dickson, BHK on the square and Ella’s in Carnall Hall are other celebratory dining establishments. If you’re looking for something less extravagant, Doe’s Eat Place on Dickson does steaks and tamales like no other restaurant. For cheaper fare, take your family to one of Fayetteville’s college institutions, like Hugo’s on Block Street. Geraldi’s on University is another cheaper restaurant that doesn’t sacrifice on quality.

You can also keep family members busy by pointing them in the direction of Fayetteville’s local shops. If people are up early on Saturday morning before commencement ceremonies begin, they can check out the Fayetteville Farmer’s Market, which opens at 7:00 a.m. The Yacht Club On College, located at College and Davidson, is a collection of small boutique stores and restaurants in trailers. Stores like Grey Dog and The Flannel Shack represent the best of Fayetteville’s quirky independent businesses. Riff Raff and The Moustache on the square are also popular local stores.

For a family outing, visit Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville. First-time visitors to The Natural State are usually blown away at the quality of both the art and the museum building . The Bentonville square has several quality restaurants too. The museum is currently running a Norman Rockwell exhibit, “American Chronicles,” which includes all of Rockwell’s “Saturday Evening Post” covers. May 11, “American Encounters” opens, which explores scenes of everyday life in American painting.

Other Events

Dickson Street is the place to be all day on Saturday. Back from a one-year hiatus, Springfest returns. The pancake breakfast at Jose’s starts at 7:00 a.m., vendor booths open at 9:00 a.m., and the annual bed races are scheduled for 11:00 a.m. For a $10 entrance fee, there is a Springfest pub-crawl. It kicks off at 6:00 p.m. at Jose’s, and if completed, comes with a free t-shirt. Music for the event includes Shawn James, 1 Oz. Jig, and Groovement.

Joining Springfest on Dickson Street this Saturday is the Fayetteville Foam Fest. A $30 ticket provides samples of hundreds of craft brews and specialty beers in the Walton Arts Center parking lot. Local brewers like Saddlebock and Fossil Cove Brewing will be pitted against each other in a beer competition. Nomad’s Natural Plate, Greenhouse Grille, and Mellow Mushroom will be providing food to soak up all the beer. A $10 designated driver ticket gets you in the festival, but no beer. All proceeds for the event go towards Feed Fayetteville, which works to alleviate hunger in Washington County. The taps start flowing at 5:00 p.m.

The University Programs spring headliner concert, country singer Kip Moore, is Thursday night at Barnhill Arena. Moore’s hit, 2012 “Somethin’ Bout A Truck,” has received significant radio play on country stations. Moore has only released one album, “Up All Night,” but he has attracted the attention of big names in Nashville. Opening for Moore are artists Drake White and Jana Kramer. The show starts at 8:00 p.m., and tickets for the general public are still available.

For a more authentic country experience, iconic bluegrass band Old Crow Medicine Show is playing at the Arkansas Music Pavilion on Saturday night. Old Crow is best known for the ubiquitous “Wagon Wheel,” on 2004’s “O.C.M.S.” Their catalog provides so much more than the beloved sing-along song. Their 2012 release “Carry Me Back” is full of old-time, foot-stomping songs like “Bootlegger’s Boy” and “Carry Me Back,” which recount life in prohibition America and the Civil War, respectively. The band turns a corner with “Levi,” about a small-town soldier fighting in Afghanistan. The band’s lyrics can tell surprisingly deep stories of drug addiction or change in rural American life. Tickets and information can be found at waltonartscenter.org.

Ricardo Martinelli, president of Panama, and Lee Bodenhamer, Arkansas businessman and philanthropist, will receive honorary degrees for “their achievements in politics and business and for their strong support for education,” according to a press release.

Martinelli, who will receive a Doctor of Humane Letters degree, credits the skills he learned at the UA as the “best preparation he received to become a business leader and the leader of his country,” according to the release.

Martinelli graduated from the UA in 1973 and won the presidential election in 2009 to become president of Panama.

Bodenhamer was born in El Dorado, Ark., and graduated from the UA in 1957.

Later, in 1986, he created the Bodenhamer Foundation, which provides financial support for organizations including the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, the Washington Regional Foundation, the Baptist Health Foundation and the St. Vincent Medical Center Foundation, according to a press release.

Martinelli and Bodenhamer will receive their degrees during the All-University Commencement ceremony at 8:45 a.m. Saturday, May 11, and they will also both address the graduating class of 2013.

“I’m very pleased that we are able to recognize two such distinguished University of Arkansas alumni in this way,” said Chancellor G. David Gearhart in a press release.