The Daily O’Collegian
Monday, August 23, 2010 Page 3B
News
Changing of the guards for O-line By KYLE FREDRICKSON Sports Writer sports@ocolly.com
The Oklahoma State football team lost four starters on the offensive line from last season, and as the pads come on and the season opener looms, the Cowboys must answer many questions surrounding their youth and lack of game time experience at the position. “I think to say that we’re not rebuilding wouldn’t be fair,” fifth-year coach Mike Gundy said. “Because we have got a number of guys that are going out to play that haven’t competed at this level, there’s not a lot of experience out there.” With the departure of last year’s Big 12 offensive lineman of the year Russell Okung, as well as three other starters who com-
bined for 144 career starts, the Cowboys are looking to fill the void with young, but mostly unproven, talent. “We are rolling some new guys in,” Gundy said. “But I think we are more athletic and have more speed than we have had in a number of years. We just don’t have as much experience.” Offensive line coach Joe Wickline, entering his sixth year at OSU, has the task of breaking in the new squad in hopes of protecting firstyear starting quarterback Brandon Weeden. Gundy said he believes Wickline’s experience will help his young players and the learning curve of becoming a sold unit. “Joe’s coached a long time,” Gundy said. “He has a good feel for how much pressure and how hard to push these young guys. He is aware that they are going
O’Collegian file photo Lane Taylor, 68, is the only returning starter on o-line.
to make mistakes, but he knows that they will continue to get better and still work hard.” The Cowboys return just one starter from the line last year, Lane Taylor. A right guard from Arlington,
Texas, Taylor was one of the biggest stories of 2009 when he unexpectedly rose to the top of the depth chart to get the starting job as a freshman. The possible candidates to join Taylor this season as starters include
Racing with Kentucky Derby’s finest
Column by AIMEE ROBINSON Assistant Sports Editor In 2007, I paid $500 for an off-the-track, leggy Thoroughbred with a bad attitude; needless to say I’m one for the long-shots. Watching the 2009 Kentucky Derby, I saw Mine That Bird, odds of 50-1, take the field with jockey Calvin Borel in the irons and pose glamorously in the Winner’s Circle; Borel became my hero that day. On August 21, I personally shook Borel’s hand and had the pleasure of asking a few questions in a one-onone interview in the jockey’s quarters at Remington Park. The day started off just like any other ... Oh wait, I’m lying. I pulled in, completely excited for the $200,000 Remington Park Sprint Cup that evening. Rushed for a parking place, took a wrong turn and was suddenly trapped in valet parking with no way to turn around. I finally found a spot and ran like Seabiscuit in Coach heels to meet announcer Dale Day. Surprisingly, I was still on time, even early. I was given a one-onone tour of one of the
fanciest facilities I’ve seen since Churchill Downs itself. (This is where the Kentucky Derby is held, if you didn’t already know.) The owner’s suites were like an uptown Hilton with a balcony overseeing one of America’s greatest sports. The owner’s suites is something I can someday dream of. Oh, to have a sugar daddy to pay the $10,000 a season for it, and to have a leggy Thoroughbred of my own in the backstretch. A girl can dream, can’t she? I had expected to blurt out my questions to Calvin Borel among 50 other media members, until my new friend, Matt Vance, Remington Park Business Developer, chauffeured me in to the jock’s quarters. I could see Borel behind the glass wall, sitting at a table, as I tried to contain my excitement and hold back the “Could you autograph this, please?” “Could I get a picture with you, please?” “Hi Calvin, it’s a pleasure to meet you, I’m Aimee Robinson, assistant sports editor with the Daily O’Collegian, I would love to ask you some questions.”
I have 44 years before I’m eligible for retirement. Within those 44 years, I highly doubt there will come a day in my career more exciting than Aug. 21, 2010; the day I shook hands with Calvin Borel. — AIMEE
ROBINSON ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR Borel has led three of the past four Kentucky Derby winners to victory, posing each time in the Winner’s Circle with a vibrant smile on his face. He is the regular jockey for Rachel Alexandra, who in 2009 he led to the Preakness Stakes. Many extravagant wins chalk up his career, making him a legend in the world of horse racing. He’s now approaching 4,800 victories in his career, and is still one of the most humble and down-to-earth people I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting. Baffled by his presence, and completely overjoyed, we began our interview. He shared his biggest accomplishments in his life, and how they deeply affected him.
“Every jock’s dream is to ride in the derby, I was fortunate enough to win it,” Borel said. “It’s amazing what is does for your life; it changed my life, but I’ve never changed.” Sitting in front of him, I took notes on his facial expressions: pure passion. He had the biggest, friendliest smile I’ve ever seen. It was as though his eyes danced just talking about his life as an accomplished American jockey. “For a young rider dreaming of becoming the next Calvin Borel, what advice would you have to give?” He smiled, and gave me the most sincere reply. “If you have a dream, and you want to fulfill it, you can do it,” Borel said. When it comes to big dreams, he always tells the children to go for it and to never to give up. I’m sure the 2011 Kentucky Derby will be yet another big show for Borel. He doesn’t have a for-sure mount yet, but he did say there are many promising two year olds. Borel left Saratoga in New York for Remington Park in OKC, riding Atta Boy Roy to the finish line and then posing pictureperfectly in the Winner’s Circle. Atta Boy Roy was purchased for only $4,500 and is proving to be a determined winner. I have 44 years before I’m eligible for retirement. Within those 44 years, I highly doubt there will come a day in my career more exciting than Aug. 21, 2010; the day I shook hands with Calvin Borel.
junior center Grant Garner, senior guard Anthony Morgan, junior guards Nick Martinez and Levy Adcock, and freshman tackle Parker Graham. “I feel we have got four guys that are doing well,”
Wickline said. “We feel pretty comfortable that they will fit somewhere.” While the outsider’s perspective may be this line will have a major decline in production as compared to last season, Morgan believes this team has all the tools to continue success on the offensive line. “Losing all those guys from last year, it hurt,” he said. “But at the same time, Russell Okung taught me a lot. I don’t think it will be too much of a drop off.” Morgan also said he can appreciate Wickline’s passion for the game and how it relates the offensive line’s future success. “It’s the style of coaching,” he said. “(Wickline) is the type of coach that is going to teach a young guy all the right things, he is going to take it slow and build you up.”
The UPS Store covers your mailing, packaging and shipping needs-- all in one store.
Mailbox Services
Bring in your student ID for 10% off!
Secure, 24hr Access*, Package Notification, Holding and Forwarding
Packaging and Shipping
Full-service packaging, UPS air and ground, international shipping
Receiving Services Moving and Packaging Materials
.
3910 W. 6th Ave in Koby Plaza 405.624.8400
Post-abortion support
info@stillwaterlife.org
Perfect for dorms & apts!
Come, follow me! Find your place at First Christian Church. We’re Disciples in Action – a friendly congregation committed to serving our community and our world. Aug. 29
th
– Sept. 26
th
Book Your Passage
NEW Chart Your Course Trim Your Sails SERIES
Seek a Safe Harbor Drop Anchor at FCC
9:00 am
TRADITIONAL
11:10 am
CONTEMPORARY
Captain’s Dinner • 6 pm • Sept 26 th
First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
411 W. Mathews • Stillwater
372-7722
(on Duck near Gallagher-Iba Arena) www.fcc-stillwater.org
Pre-School Now Enrolling
Call Christy 372-7726 x114