The Oklahoma Daily

The Sooners shut out the Tigers in the Big 12 Championships to earn a berth at NCAA Regionals.

Page 4.

Find out who’s blowing into town for the Summer Breeze concert series. Page 2.

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SUMMER SUMME ER 2010

2010 UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA COMMENCEMENT

“May you never forget those who have inspired you, as we will never forget you.”

— OU President David Boren to the Class of 2010

ELI HULL / THE DAILY

The 2010 honorary degree recipients look on as OU President David Boren speaks at the opening of OU’s commencement ceremony May 14 at Lloyd Noble Center. OU awarded honorary degrees to Elizabeth Warren Blankenship, Michael S. Samis, Fred W. Smith, Lissa Noël Wagner and commencement speaker Doris Kearns Goodwin.

GRADS COMMENCE INTO NEW PHASE OF LIFE RICKY LY The Oklahoma Daily

G

loomy weather conditions and light drizzle were not enough to dampen the festivities at OU’s 118th Commencement Ceremony as more than 4,100 graduates of the class of 2010 were recognized May 14 inside Lloyd Noble Center.

The ceremony was moved from the Oklahoma Memorial Stadium because of the threat of rain and severe weather.

The 118th commencement in Sooner history featured Pulitzer Prize-winning author and presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin delivering the commencement address.

OU President David Boren announced in his opening address that The Princeton Review named OU as one of the top-10 best value public universities in the nation for the first time in OU history.

Boren also recognized individual students for their academic achievement and community involvement, including Fulbright and Goldwater Scholars.

In his address to the class of 2010 graduates, Boren addressed the changes that had come since their arrival and reminisced about the achievements of the class since he first watched them move into the dorms and begin their studies at OU. “You will make a difference. You’re leaving our university better than you found it,” Boren said. “Many generations have come before you. In my opinion, the history your generation has written has been the most memorable yet.”

Honorary degrees were awarded to five individuals as well. Elizabeth Blankenship, education and health care advocate from Oklahoma City; Michael Samis, community and health care leader form Oklahoma City; Fred Smith, media and philanthropic leader from Las Vegas; Lissa Wagner, supporter of OU education from Midland, Texas; and Goodwin, journalist and author from Long Island, N.Y., were each recognized by Boren for their contributions.

Keynote speaker Goodwin recounted her childhood and professional experiences, from

ELI HULL / THE DAILY

Pulitzer prize-winning historian Doris Kearns Goodwin receives her honorary degree at OU’s commencement ceremony May 14.

growing up a fan of the MLB baseball team, the Brooklyn Dodgers to working as an assistant for U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson.

Goodwin talked fondly of Johnson, saying the pressure and criticism of the Vietnam War forced his gradual descent into sadness and reclusiveness during the later years of his presidency and the last years of his life; even though she admitted to writing an article

herself discussing how to remove Johnson from power earlier in her career.

“I hope that all of you, when you make your decisions in life, will make them wisely so as [your lives] do not end the way [Johnson’s] did,” Goodwin said.

The award-winning author ended her keynote by reminding graduates of the importance of history, regardless of its national recognition.

“For most of us, our lives won’t be recounted in the marble halls of the White House, but in the stories and memories of our friends and family,” she said. “So as the art of storytelling does not end in our world, neither will our stories.”

After Goodwin’s speech, Boren honored students who graduated with distinction, those with 4.0 grade-point averages, military graduates, retiring OU professors and the graduates of each college as a whole.

“Memories will always tie you to this place,” Boren said. “May you never forget those who have inspired you, as we will never forget you.”

JR’s Bar-B-Q burns Turning design into clothing, credit out of business TROY WEATHERFORD The Oklahoma Daily

ASHLEY HORNING The Oklahoma Daily

J. R .’s Fa m i l y B a r- B - Q i n Norman shut its doors indefinitely May 16, owner Jim Ross said on his website.

The unstable economy played a large role in making the decision to close, said Ross, a former World Wrestling Entertainment announcer.

Ross opened J.R.’s off of Interstate 35 in July 2007, but he said the restaurant could not handle the shift in the economy or the rising prices.

Closing the restaurant was challenging, Ross said.

“We had a fun, almost threeyear run in a volatile business that saw us make many new friends, serve up some awesome food, launch our online business, which is growing exponentially, and see our products on the shelves of grocery stores,” he said.

The announcement seemed sudden and abrupt, said former

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Sooner football free safety Darrol Ray, owner of Ray’s Smokehouse BBQ, 1514 W. Lindsey St. Ray said he was surprised by the news.

“I know the guys, if it could happen to Mr. Ross, it could happen to anybody,” Ray said when asked if the closing makes other barbecue restaurant owners apprehensive. “He knows what he’s doing. The guys behind that [restaurant] were as good as it gets.”

Ross will continue to sell his line of barbecue products on his website (www.jrsbarbq.com), as well as in grocery stores across the country, a more conservative business model that has “unlimited potential,” he said.

Ross said he was grateful to everyone who worked and dined at J.R.’s, and considers the setback “a blessing in disguise.”

“Life is good ... amazing days lie ahead ... great health is a blessing ... we have much to be thankful for ... and most of all ... no excuses,” Ross said.

Thirty students are taking a do-it-yourself approach to launching clothing lines in the May intersession.

These students will design and produce at least nine shirts as part of DIY T-Shirt Printing, said Curtis Jones, art professor.

“Since it’s a quick class, we kind of treat it like a reality show,” Jones said. “Like Project Runway, we split the class into teams and at the end, each team comes up with their own designs.”

Each shirt will be required to work together conceptually, he said.

The 12-day art class is focused on screen printing on fabric and is open to all students who like “to be creative and work with their hands,” Jones said.

Art skills are not a requirement for the class, communications senior Matt Nunley said.

“I’m a communications major, so I can’t draw,” Nunley said jokingly.

Nunley said he used clip art found online to design the shirts that he’s made so far.

“I’ve made tie-dye shirts before, but nothing like this,” Nunley said. “I didn’t know it was going to be so complicated.”

While drawing techniques are not necessary for the class, photography senior Lisa Vanschoyck said she enjoys the chance to use her own designs.

“If I’m going to steal something, I like to print it out and trace it and make it different in some way,” Vanschoyck said.

Although the class focuses on screen printing, it also covers other techniques for T-shirt design like discharge

© 2010 OU PUBLICATIONS BOARD

TROY WEATHERFORD / THE DAILY

Visual communications junior Laura Glover, visual communications junior Megan Gessouroun and film and video studies senior Chrissy Sloat work together to design a T-shirt line as part of a May intersession course.

printing that uses bleach to stain shirts, Jones said. The class also provides resources for students to acquire their own equipment and make shirts cheaply.

“We teach little tricks to setup a shop domestically instead of having to buy $20,000 worth of screen printing equipment,” Jones said.

After four hours of class time, many students stay after class to work with their groups.

“It’s great. We made a shirt on the first day and we can make as many T-shirts as we want,” Nunley said.

As one of the students staying after class, Vanschoyck said the class is fun and easy to duplicate one’s own art.

“It makes it easy to take a drawing and turn it into a hundred drawings,” Vanschoyck said.

VOL. 95, NO. 153

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Thursday, May 20, 2010

Teen-love novels not appropriate course material

OUR VIEW

IT’S SUMMERTIME Summers around OU are nice. Not too many people and not too many homework assignments.

And as you can see, not that many pages in the paper. But we here at The Daily do not believe in quantity, we believe in quality, and that’s what we are going to give you, once a week, every Thursday.

While news is still a priority, we will have a heavier focus on entertainment and events going on around Norman. You can expect our weekly print papers to be lighter than usual, but stay tuned to OUDaily.com for more news, plus multimedia content.

Our goal is to keep you informed of what is going on in the world around us while letting you know about exciting events you won’t want to miss this summer.

Plus, this will provide a fantastic palate cleanser for the fall edition of The Daily come August.

Oh, intersession.

Many students use these few weeks of crash courses to play catch-up on classes not available during the regular semester or to replace a bad grade from an earlier course. And while offering non-traditional classes during this time is nothing new, OU is doing something a little different this year by allowing students to take a class on the topic of “Twilight,” the teenage vampire lovefest and melodrama we all know and love.

LAUREN “Twilight and Youth Culture” earns brief credibility by explaining that it will examine all ABRAM aspects of the “Twilight” phenomenon and how it’s affecting our society. Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past two years, it’s no surprise this course filled up fast. But seriously OU, enough is enough. Most students have encountered the books, movies or memorabilia at some point in their lives and, therefore, view the course as an easy A. At what price does this “guaranteed A” come though?

First and foremost, there’s no such thing as guaranteed grades in college. Second, the credit is offered through the University College so, unless you’re a freshman, it really doesn’t benefit your degree much. Third, you’re paying money to do what anyone could if given enough free time.

In the course’s defense, many academic institutions have

deemed “Twilight” worthy enough to be discussed in the classroom. In fact, the past few years have showed schools are trying to reflect society’s fascination with pop culture fads in intelligent and more creative ways. However, not often does glorification by youth and the media make a trend substantial enough to support intellectual conversation and thought.

Stephanie Meyer’s series is by no means a classic, but the entertainment value is high. From the realism of first-love angst to the various mystical adventures, the book is captivating. However, the storyline is as vague and wooden as a majority of its Hollywood counterparts and really doesn’t have enough literary or psychological depth to have an educational influence.

Although this may seem a bit harsh, I personally am a big fan of “Twilight.” But I’m not so consumed by yet another pop culture phase to realize that sometimes a stupid class really is just that.

While it may be relevant for now, nothing someone learns about “Twilight” will truly help those enrolled after the craze has fizzled out and died. Is “Twilight” fun? Sure. Does it have the influence to be considered legitimate academic subject matter? Absolutely not.

Therefore, I think it safe to say that unless it’s being put up for debate in literature courses, or picked apart clip-by-clip by film and video studies majors, “Twilight” is best left to entertain and dazzle fans outside of the classroom.

Lauren Abram is a broadcast journalism senior.

Cowboys, plumbers top summer gaming releases AJ LANSDALE The Oklahoma Daily

This summer has the potential to be a big one for video gaming.

From sequels of successful games to new titles that could take the market by storm, I’ll be here throughout it all to help you sift through the good, the bad and the bizarre.

There already are four blockbuster titles worth playing either already out or coming out in the next few days. Here’s a rundown:

PRINCE OF PERSIA: THE FORGOTTEN SANDS (DS, Wii, PSP, PS3, 360) RELEASE: MAY 18

The “Prince of Persia” sia” movie will be out May 28 with Jake Gyllenhaal playing ing the title role. As odd as that sounds, this game —which has no relation to the movie — has all of the characteristics the series ries is known for, including the ability to turn back timee as needed. The Prince also has new elemental powers, includncluding freezing fountains of water and creating tornadoes.

As a writer, I can sympathize with the eponymous title character in that he suffered from a severe writer’s block.

When he and his wife go to Bright Falls, he finds his novel finished, but his wife missing. I don’t think I’d pay that high of a price, but he apparently didn’t want to either.

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RED DEAD REDEMPTION (360, PS3) RELEASE: MAY 18

Take “Grand Theft Auto” and put it in the 20th century American West, and you’ve got one hell of an idea. “Red Dead Redemption,” another Rockstar product, has garnered comparisons to “The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion” in its open world concepts. conc Set in the same universe as 2004’s “Red Dead Revolver,” this game has achieved nearly ne universal praise by those who have had h a chance to preview it. Honor and fame will play a role in what your character John Marston can accomplish, and there are several opportunities for side quests. However, the world is ultimately open to you to be a hero or an a outlaw.

SUPER MARIO M GALAXY 2 (Wii) RELEASE: MAY 23

ALAN WAKE (360) RELEASE: SE MAY 18

Ricky Ly Chris Lusk Amanda Turner Mark Potts Eli Hull LeighAnne Manwarren

A psychological dive into madness and fear, the game involves using light and the environment to take on possessed enemies. And, hopefully, find his wife and escape his nightmare.

Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Night Editor Opinion Editor Photo Editor Assistant Online Editor

The grand dynamo synonymous with video v games for 25 years is back and he’s heading h to space. Bowser once again kidnaps k Princess Peach and Mario, the great, gr princess-saving hero he is, takes off after them. “Super Mario Galaxy 2” is going to have several of the same characteristics and tricks that made the first game so amusing, including various inventive powers and platforming elements. Luigi and, my personal favorite, Yoshi will make significant appearances in Mario’s quest across the stars, making this definitely worth the purchase.

AJ Lansdale is a professional writing junior.

Ricky Ly Eli Hull Ricky Ly Mark Potts Judy Gibbs Robinson Bobby Jones

160 Copeland Hall, 860 Van Vleet Oval Norman, OK 73019-0270

phone: (405) 325-3666

Senior Online Editor Multimedia Editor Sports Editor Life & Arts Editor Editorial Adviser Advertising Manager e-mail: dailynews@ou.edu

‘Summer Breeze’ series blows in local talent on big stage HELEN DIRENZO-GRANT The Oklahoma Daily

The Summer Breeze Concert Series sweeps in with Mike Hosty Duo at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at Lions Park.

Summer Breeze offers a variety of musical styles and intends to provide something for everyone. A selection of local and national musicians will headline each concert throughout the series lineup.

The outdoor concerts are scheduled to run May 23 to Sept.

19. Summer Breeze concerts will be located at either Andrews Park or Lions Park in Norman and begin at 7:30 p.m.

The Performing Arts Studio of Norman organizes the series and all concerts are open to the public. Summer Breeze is sponsored through grants from the Norman Arts Council, Oklahoma Arts Council and donations from businesses, organizations and individuals.

For more information, go to www.thepas.org.

2010 SUMMER BREEZE CONCERT DATES AND SCHEDULED PERFORMERS May 23 June 6 June 20 July 11 July 18 Aug. 1 Aug. 15 Aug. 29 Sept. 12 Sept. 19

Mike Hosty Duo Elephant Revival Danny O’Keefe John McEuen Big Smith Son del Barrio Chuck Allen Floyd Dylan Hammett Mama Sweet Sierra Hull

Lions Park Lions Park Lions Park Andrews Park Amphitheater Andrews Park Amphitheater Andrews Park Amphitheater Lions Park Lions Park Lions Park Lions Park

Thursday, May 20, 2010 3

Bobby Jones, advertising manager dailynews@ou.edu • phone: 325-3666 • fax: 325-6051

Phone: 405-325-2521 E-mail: classifieds@ou.edu

Fax: 405-325-7517 Campus Address: COH 149A

DEADLINES Line Ad ..................................................................................3 days prior Place line ad by 9:00 a.m. 3 business days prior to publication.

Display Ad ............................................................................3 days prior Classified Display or Classified Card Ad

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Payment is required at the time the ad is placed. Credit cards, cash, money orders or local checks accepted.

RATES Line Ad

There is a 2 line minimum charge; approximately 42 characters per line, including spaces and punctuation.

(Cost = Days x # lines x $/line)

Auto Insurance Quotations anytime.

Classified Display, Classified Card Ad or Game Sponsorship

Contact an Acct Executive for details at 325-2521.

2 col (3.25 in) x 2 inches Sudoku ..............$760/month Boggle ...............$760/month Horoscope ........$760/month

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POLICY The Oklahoma Daily is responsible for one day’s incorrect advertising.

If your ad appears incorrectly, or if you wish to cancel your ad call 3252521, before the deadline for cancellation in the next issue. Errors not the fault of the advertiser will be adjusted. Refunds will not be issued for late cancellations.

The Oklahoma Daily will not knowingly accept advertisements that discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religious preference, national origin or sexual orientation. Violations of this policy should be reported to The Oklahoma Daily Business Office at 325-2521.

SUMMER SPECIAL! 1 BLK OU $275 1012 S College. 360-2873 / 306-1970.

Foreign students welcomed JIM HOLMES INSURANCE, 321-4664

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2400 sq ft, 2811 Castlewood Drive 2 or 3 bd, 2.5 ba, completely remodeled.

Part of Castlewood HOA, access to pool and common area, $1000/dep, no pets, $1500/mo, includes HOA dues. 5507069.

Services CHILD CARE 24hr/5 day week Home Childcare in Norman! Great rates, flexible hours, free meals, preschool program, and summer field trips! Contact Miss Erica 294-0097!

NOTTINGHAM 2 bd, 2 bath, w/d, fireplace, cfans, lg closets, no pets, covered parking, $695/mo. 360-4107.

HOUSES FURNISHED

PET SERVICES STOP PET OVERPOPULATION Second Chance low-income spay/neuter clinic, $40/dog or $30/cat includes rabies.

Homes under $35,000/yr only.

405-329-7400.

10-14 days.........$1.15/line 15-19 days.........$1.00/line 20-29 days........$ .90/line 30+ days ........ $ .85/line

1 day ..................$4.25/line 2 days ................$2.50/line 3-4 days.............$2.00/line 5-9 days.............$1.50/line

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AUTO INSURANCE

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PAYMENT

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NEAR OU - 3-4 bd, 2 ba, CH/A, $600 dep, $950/mo, yard maint. included. Avail July 1 - No Pets. 550-7069

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HELP WANTED Need skilled assistance with creating Captivate 4 training project in Norman.

Send information and hourly fees to Rick@southcanadian.com

2400 sq ft, 2811 Castlewood Drive 2 or 3 bd, 2.5 ba, completely remodeled.

Part of Castlewood HOA, access to pool & common area, $229,000. Call 550-7069

STUDENTPAYOUTS.COM Paid survey takers needed in Norman 100% FREE to join. Click on Surveys.

J Housing Rentals APTS. UNFURNISHED Nice old apt w/hard wood floors, plaster walls, 2 blocks to campus, tenant pays all bills, smoke free, no pets, for one person.

Call 360-3850.

PLACE AN AD

Apt for rent above Victoria’s on Campus Corner - $525/mo, contact owner/agent Gail @ 364-5300

Help Wanted ads in The Oklahoma Daily are not to separate as to gender. Advertisers may not discriminate in employment ads based on race, color, religion or gender unless such qualifying factors are essential to a given position.

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6 8 3 5 2 7 4 1 9

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4 3 8 2 7 6 1 9 5

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Monday- Very Easy Tuesday-Easy Wednesday- Easy Thursday- Medium Friday - Hard

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Instructions: Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9. That means that no number is repeated in any row, column or box.

HOROSCOPE

By Bernice Bede Osol

Copyright 2010, Newspaper Enterprise Assn.

Thursday, May 20, 2010 TAURUS (April 20-May 20) - You have a tendency to be somewhat of a loner, especially when working. You may have a need to bury yourself in your work, but try to do so without appearing to be unfriendly.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) - Make your social plans when suggestions on what to do come up, because if you wait until later, those with whom you’ll want to share your time will have made commitments.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) - Just because a close friend makes some demands on you doesn’t mean you have to comply, especially if what your pal wants you to do goes against your better judgment.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) When it comes to plans you made with others, instead of trying to change things to suit your new schedule, stick to what was collectively agreed upon.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) - At those times when teamwork is required, be as cooperative as possible without attempting to run the show or change things to suit your way of doing something.

Be supportive.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) - You’ll be fun-loving and cooperative as long as things are going your way. However, when and if something should go amiss or you encounter opposition, you could have some bad moments.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) - Try not to take yourself or what others say or do too seriously, or you’ll end up being particularly vulnerable when it comes to protecting your pride, making you hard to live with.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) - Your interests and the desires of your mate or friends are likely to be totally different today.

Unless you agree to some kind of compromise, you could end up going it alone.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept.

22) - Any frustrations you might experience are likely to be of your own making. One way you might be able to avoid them is to take pains not to be too negative or rashly impulsive.

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) Take care that you don’t come off appearing to be too bossy, or you could end up with a small rebellion on your hands. Exercise all that wonderful tact and diplomacy for which you’re famous.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) When spending time with friends, try not to burden them with your problems or troubles. Your pals have problems of their own that they’re trying to forget.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) There’s nothing wrong with wanting to have a good time even when you’re working, but you need to keep your mind on what’s important first and have your laughs at appropriate moments.

Universal Crossword Edited by Timothy E. Parker May 20, 2010

ACROSS 1 Like mellower wines 5 2000 polling place litter 10 Payment for labor 14 Direction indicator 15 Parisian’s high school 16 High-pitched reed 17 Scepter companions 18 ’60s boxing champ Griffith 19 Work the land, in a way 20 What lovers may do 23 Source of conceit 24 Canadian couple?

25 Japanese cartoon genre 27 House Beautiful topic 29 Vegas machine, for short 32 Common Father’s Day gift 33 Make damp 36 Sound on Old MacDonald’s farm 37 Prefight, what boxers may do 40 Money you expect back

41 Labor dispute strategy 42 Paroled, e.g.

43 Bird’s bill 44 Some scenic trips 48 Part of UHF 50 Truffle finder 52 Like some data 53 What online chatters may do 58 Legal starter?

59 “Sacro� addition 60 Wife of Sir Geraint 61 Newspaper piece 62 Store that’s hard to find?

63 Start of the workday, often 64 Spreads hay to dry 65 Mumbo jumbo 66 Becomes baggy DOWN 1 Stated openly 2 Tow truck dispatcher 3 As a whole 4 You might work on it 5 Freshly washed 6 Sunday songs 7 Battery contents 8 Bite site 9 Taken in by a doctor?

10 Germanic god (Var.) 11 From the beginning, in Latin 12 Source of wealth 13 Broiled sushi fish 21 Swamp avian 22 Accessory for a Dr. Seuss cat 26 “It’s a mouse!� shriek 28 Easternmost Arabian Peninsula nation 29 Portfolio component 30 Stew veggie 31 “I’m ___ you now!�

34 Without work 35 Classical meeting site

36 German chancellor von Bismarck 37 One’s true love 38 In shreds 39 Expense 40 Bud’s comedy sidekick 43 Player’s club?

45 Astronomy Muse 46 Tout’s world 47 Norwegians’ neighbors 49 Enlarges, as a hole 50 “___ porridge hot ...�

51 Affected by poison ivy 54 Go angling 55 Sax type 56 Aloha, in Roma 57 Sedge-filled wetlands 58 Indy stop

PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER

Š 2010 Universal Uclick www.upuzzles.com

HOW IT’S DONE by Phil Kaufman

4

Thursday, May 20, 2010

PITCHING LEADS SOONERS TO BIG 12 TITLE, REGIONAL BERTH OU claims final Big 12 championship; moves focus to Regional in Maryland TOBI NEIDY The Oklahoma Daily

After defeating Texas Tech and Texas A&M, the No. 2-seeded Sooners found themselves one game away from claiming the 2010 Big 12 Softball Championship.

With freshman pitcher Keilani Rickets leading the way on the mound for all three games, the Sooners (43-10) claimed their fourth Big 12 tournament title, run-ruling No. 8 Missouri 9-0 in six innings May 16 at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City.

The run-rule came into effect during the bottom of the sixth following a long time-out

by Missouri to re-group with its senior pitcher Jana Hainey.

With two outs and two runners on base, junior outfielder Haley Nix delivered her 10th home run of the year on the first pitch of the count to put the Sooners up 9-0 over the Tigers and end the game.

Head coach Patty Gasso said she is excited for the team.

“We’re a hot team right now and we’ll find out where we’re going [in the NCAA tournament] after tonight,” Gasso said. “We’re playing some of our best softball.”

SPORTS BRIEFS BASEBALL RUNS WINNING STREAK TO FOUR GAMES The No. 15-ranked OU baseball team blasted past Texas Southern by a score of 13-1 on Wednesday at L. Dale Mitchell Baseball Park to continue its recent hot streak while playing in the state of Oklahoma.

Freshman pitcher Ryan Gibson earned the win and improved his record to 5-2 after allowing only two hits in five innings.

Junior Ricky Eisenberg, freshman Max White and junior Elliott Blair each homered against the Tigers, as the Sooners totaled 17 hits Wednesday.

The win comes the day after the Sooners (39-14, 12-10) earned a crucial win against No. 14 Arkansas at home to keep their hopes alive of hosting an NCAA regional.

With the victory, the team runs its winning streak to four games, while chalking up its 12th win in its last 15 outings.

OU’s last 13 games have been played in the Sooner State, 10 of which were contested in Norman.

With Wednesday’s victory in tow, the Sooners head to Lawrence, Kan., on Friday to begin a threegame series with the Jayhawks to close out the regular season before competing in the Big 12 tournament.

The Big 12 Championship will be held Wednesday through Sunday at the AT&T Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City.

SENIOR TO COMPETE IN NCAA GOLF REGIONAL Senior Ben Blundell begins his journey to qualify for the NCAA Golf Championships today, competing in the NCAA West Regional at Gold Mountain Golf Club in Bremerton, Wash.

The Sooners were unable to qualify for a berth in the NCAA regional, but Blundell was selected May 10 to compete as an individual.

Blundell competed in all 12 tournaments for OU this season, earning seven top-25 honors, including three top-10 finishes.

“Ben has been a key contributor since his freshman season here at Oklahoma and someone that epitomizes the way the game should be played,” said head coach Ryan Hybl.

MEN’S TENNIS ADVANCES TO ROUND OF 16 After defeating the No. 14-ranked Texas Tech in the second round of the Norman Regional, the No. 20 OU men’s tennis team advanced to its first-ever NCAA Round of 16 in Athens, Ga. In his first year at the helm, head coach John Roddick led the Sooners to their best season yet, as the team defeated the Red Raiders for the first time in four meetings this year.

“We played disciplined tennis and I’m just excited for the guys because this was our goal,” Roddick said.

The NCAA Championships begin today and continue through May 25.

-Ricky Ly/The Daily

AP PHOTO

Senior catcher Lindsey Vandever tags Missouri’s Megan Christopher for the out at home plate in the fourth inning of the Big 12 championship softball game on May 16 in Oklahoma City. The Sooners crushed the Tigers 9-0 and earned the automatic berth for winning the conference title.

Through the tournament, Ricketts had a combined .35 ERA, including shutouts against Texas Tech and Missouri.

Ricketts finished with 12 strikeouts in the first and second games of the tournament, ending with 11 strikeouts in the

championship game.

In 20 innings pitched, Ricketts allowed one earned run in eight hits and posted 35 strikeouts. For her efforts, Ricketts was named the tournament’s MVP. “She handled it like a veteran,” Gasso said

about Ricketts’ performance against a tough offensive Missouri team. “There’s such an evolution from when she first got here to where she is now.”

Following their Big 12 Championship win, the Sooners will open NCAA Regionals at 4 p.m. Friday in College Park, Md. The Sooners will face Syracuse on Friday in the opening round. It will be OU’s 17th consecutive season to appear in the NCAA Championship.

Four teams make up the College Park Regional. Syracuse, Fordham, Maryland and the Sooners will compete to advance to the Super Regionals.

OU reached the regionals after receiving an automatic bid by shutting out Missouri.

Syracuse (32-24) won the Big East Tournament Championship to receive its automatic bid, the team’s first appearance in the NCAA Championship.

Fordham (47-10) also is making its first ever appearance, while host Maryland (33-21) finished sixth in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

The winner of the College Park Regional will face the winner of the Seattle Regional from May 28 to 30, hosted by the defending national champions Washington Huskies. The NCAA Regionals are double elimination.