The O'Colly, Friday, May 17, 2024

Friday, May 17, 2024

Raynee Howell Stillwater’s Red Lobster employees were notified two hours before the restaurant closed permanently on Monday.

Stillwater Red Lobster closes abruptly, employees, customers express concerns Raynee Howell Staff Reporter

The closing was a shock, not only to Lara, but also to her managers.

“Our managers found out the morning of May 13 that our store was closing effective immediately,” Lara said.

OSU student Amanda Lara received “They were in the middle of doing ina phone call from her manager at Red ventory to order things we would need Lobster the morning after her shift on for the next week.”

Mother’s Day. Employees of the Stillwater location The restaurant was closed. Not for were not the only ones to receive the the day, but permanently. news. More than 50 locations across the

nation closed without advanced warning given to employees.

Lara said the employees were not told about the closing until two hours before the normal opening time. Without any warning, the stores closed and thousands were unemployed.

The only sign of bankruptcy before closing came from multiple news articles.

In April, Bloomberg reported Red

Lobster was working with a law firm called King & Spalding. The chain was looking to restructure and alleviate debt by filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

The corporation neither confirmed nor denied any claims made.

Without warning from corporate, the thought of a certain location closing did not cross the minds of workers, or See Red Lobster on page 3

OSU’s Kenny Gajewski confident heading into postseason with top-eight seed Parker Gerl Staff Reporter Baylor Bryant and Jake Sellers

Sunday night, Oklahoma State got what it felt it earned: a topeight seed in the NCAA Tournament.

ESPN’s Selection Sunday show revealed the Cowgirls earning the No. 5 seed, clinching the right to host both regionals and super regionals — if they win their regional round — at Cowgirl Stadium, as each top-eight team can do. It’s the fourth straight year OSU has had the opportunity to host two weekends.

Northern Colorado, Kentucky and Michigan will travel to Stillwater. It’s a double-elimination set, beginning with OSU playing NCU Friday at 4:30 CT and UK and UM meeting right after.

“I had a feeling we’d get Kentucky as we were sitting there watching everything unfold,” said OSU coach Kenny Gajewski. “…

Michigan was kind of a wildcard.

To see them pop in there, they played really, really good softball as of late, winning the Big 10 Tournament.

“All of these teams have earned it, and they’re really good in their own right.”

The Cowgirls head into Friday’s game riding a strong stretch.

They’ve won 10 of their last 12 games with four nine-run-or more

Morgantown, West Virginia, where West Virginia University is located, has the highest percentage of student population in its town with 45%.

Analysis of crime rates in Big 12 schools, Stillwater one of the safest in conference

Baylor Bryant and fourth lowest crime rate with 2.48 per 100 perJake Sellers sons. Capt. Colt ChanO’Colly Contributors dler of the OSU Police

Connor Fuxa Karli Godwin is one of several young players in the lineup who has been “tried and tested” this season.

outings and a 2-1 series win over Oklahoma in Norman, which was the exclamation-point finish to their regular season.

This time of year last season was much different, though. OSU entered regionals on a 2-10 skid and had failed to score more than two runs in eight of those games.

Gajewski, now coaching a younger, less-seasoned team, said he’s taking what he learned from last season into this year’s postseason. He wants his Cowgirls to play loose and free.

See Gajewski on page 3

Student populations of the Big 12 Conference cities tend to have less of an effect on crime than permanent citizens.

Data from the cities that house the current Big 12 Conference schools have a relationship between populations, student populations and crime rates.

Data found that Stillwater, Oklahoma, is among one of the safest cities in the Big 12.

Stillwater has the second highest percent of its population being students, with about 34%. Stillwater has the

Department pulled arrest data from 2023. Chandler said based on the data, the OSU student population is generally law-abiding.

“So arrests you had 146, so let’s say the campus population is 25,000 for rough numbers, so 146 divided by 25,000 that’s .005%, so less than 1% of our population is arrested,” Chandler said.

“I would think that that’s a pretty good sign that overall people are pretty law-abiding.”

The 14 college cities of the Big 12 Conference’s crime data was See Crime on page 4

Page 2 Friday, May 17, 2024

O’Colly

News

Black hairstylist impacts OSU students, Stillwater community Maya Banks O’Colly Contributor Amidst the pandemic in 2020, an OSU student decided, after years, to kick-start a business venture, changing Stillwater’s Black community.

Her business has not only provided quality hair services, but also served as a platform for community building and empowerment, hosting events and workshops for Black women in the area.

“My initial goal has always been to make people feel beautiful, and to really just pour back into people, because I know what it’s like to have gotten my hair done, and not liked it,” Malese Pete said.

Transitioning from her hometown of Oklahoma City to Stillwater for college, Pete experienced a shift in clientele.

However, she recognized the need to build a community, understanding the importance of self-promotion and networking.

As a senior majoring in human development and family sciences, focusing on early childhood development, she said she wants to become a preschool teacher while nurturing her business aspirations.

One day after Bible study, she began to think of ways her business could stand out from other hair businesses. Her business, aptly named “Your Hair My Passion,” held a more literal meaning.

“I was thinking, and I realized that every time I posted someone’s hair, I will put my passion with a pink heart,” Pete said. “And I was like, ‘OK, so my passion, and it’s your hair.’

But it’s something that I love to do.”

As the former President of the Minority Women’s Association, Pete has fostered community and empowerment among Black women in Stillwater.

She has organized events such as “Empowerment Through Entrepreneurship” and “Celebrating Black Excellence,” which have provided a platform for Black women to share their

Courtesy of Malese Pete Malese Pete started her small business, “Your Hair My Passion,” to make Black women feel beautiful in Stillwater.

stories and experiences. She is also a member of multiple organizations, including being a trailblazer for Black Christians United.

“At a small business tabling event held last year, I realized the Black community really supports small businesses,” Pete said. “She (an attendee) was an incoming freshman at the time. And I just remember after the event was over, she came up to me and was like,

‘I’m gonna do that one day,’ also served as a source of inspi- graduate and former colleague and she was just very inspired ration and motivation for young of Pete’s in the Minority Womby me telling my story on what entrepreneurs like Adams. en’s Association, said Pete’s that looks like as a full-time “With time, I can see myself ability to juggle her academic college student and doing the with an Instagram, too, and pursuits with her entrepreneurbusiness.” turning to Malese to collaboial endeavors is impressive.

Jordan Credle, a member of rate,” Adams said. “She was After her first appointment, she the Minority Women’s Associa- one of the first Black-owned became a frequent customer. tion, met Pete through another and female-owned businesses I “I think it’s really cool for organization, the National As- heard about in Stillwater when Malese to be a part of so many sociation for the Advancement I moved here for my first year.” groups while being able to do of Colored People. Coming Madison Wise, a freshwhat she loves while being a from Ardmore, Your Hair My man, said many Black students student, too,” Miller said.

Passion was her first attempt to struggle to find reliable hair Pete said she draws inspirafind a local stylist. care in Stillwater. tion from Black leaders as she “I loved how welcoming and “The Black community at continues to build community. willing Malese was,” Credle OSU is very small, and before I “Just thinking about Madam said. “I remember how I felt knew about their organizations, CJ Walker and the legacy that about myself when she showed I figured everyone was driving she laid out for us as beauty me my hair once she finished. an hour to two hours for a new stylists, for me, it’s always She’s not just a stylist, she’s a hairstyle,” Wise said. “Discov- bigger than hair,” Pete said. friend. She’s my go-to when it ering ‘Your Hair My Passion’ “It’s what I love to do. I love comes to getting my hair done gave me a sense of relief and the conversation. I love meethere and my first recommenda- belonging.” ing with people and learning tion when students ask where For newcomers like Madimore about people. I’ve done they can go.” son, Pete’s business is a lifeline. people’s hair from out of the African American Business It’s not just about hairstyling country. So, it’s just a moment Association philanthropy chair services; it’s about finding for ‘Your Hair My Passion;’ it Malorie Adams said she saw a community and a sense of means exactly what it says, like Pete as an inspiration. Seeing belonging. Pete’s business has it’s your hair, but through that, how far a friend’s business has bridged the gap, providing a I get to show you how much I gone has inspired Adams to familiar and reliable resource love what I do.” for those who felt isolated Courtesy of Malese Pete plan throughout her academic Malese Pete is pursuing a career as a preschool teacher as an OSU student while run- journey. Pete’s business has not searching for a stylist. only provided a service, but Ebonee Miller, an OSU news.ed@ocolly.com ning her small business.

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O’Colly

Friday, May 17, 2024 Page 3

sports

Connor Fuxa Kenny Gajewski is confident in his battle-tested roster heading into the postseason.

Gajewski...

12-game stretch, its lineup hasn’t changed.

This comes after weeks of Gajewski giving a handful of Continued from page 1 players opportunities, specifically in the outfield, where “I think we just started spots were up for grabs. In putting so much pressure on nearly every game, a new face ourselves (last season),” Gajew- would start and push toward ski said, “and as a coach, I feel staying permanently. like I learned a ton from that.

But now, OSU is set out So, this year I can draw from there: Claire Timm in left, those experiences last year and Jiylen Poullard in center and go, ‘Guys, like, we got nothing Lexi McDonald at right, which to worry about. Nobody thinks makes the Cowgirls’ top nine a we’re any good anyways. Like, lineup that includes five underlet’s just go win.’” classmen.

Timm and McDonald are OSU’s young, battle-tested sophomores, Freshmen Karli lineup Godwin and Rosie Davis play first and second, respectively, During most of OSU’s hot, and Tallen Edwards (sopho-

more) plays third.

It’s a young group, but its built familiarity.

The infielders have played virtually every game together.

The outfield, though newer, has come along. And when Gajewski opts to bring an outfielder off the bench, it’s more than likely one who got reps in the regular season.

“We have settled in (with a lineup),” Gajewski said, “and I think that’s why we’ve played some really good softball.: “We have played a lot of kids. We have a lot of experience. I look at kids like Rosie and Karli and the Tia’s (Warsop) of the world, that this is new to them; I don’t look at them as freshmen anymore. I

mean, they’re tried and tested a West Coast road trip that and calloused and they’ve been featured a contest with UCLA, in big moments.” which is No. 6 in the field.

Then, the Cowgirls scheduled Appreciating the tough a game 24 hours in advance nonconference slate with No. 4 Florida after rainouts at the Clearwater InvitaAfter his team was onetional, where they played teams and-done at the Big 12 Tourna- such as No. 9 LSU and No. 11 ment, Gajewski’s confidence Georgia. never wavered. He felt his team “That’s just our deal,” Gahad done enough to be in the jewski said. “We’re gonna try top eight. to schedule the best teams that That’s because OSU played we can. a tough, not-so-easy noncon“I feel like we were probference schedule, per usual. ably a top-four seed until we Gajewski felt his 2024 squad lost the first tournament game — along with its Big 12 wins (against BYU)... I didn’t think — built a strong resume with we would drop too far. I feel games it played before confer- like we’re probably right where ence play. we were gonna be.” sports.ed@ocolly.com OSU opened its season with

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O’Colly

News

Baylor Bryant and Jake Sellers The University of Houston, Texas Tech University and the University of Central Florida rank among the top Big 12 schools for reported crime.

Continued from page 1 was obtained from Neighborhoodscout, which uses data collected from the FBI and more than 18,000 local law enforcement agencies.

Cities that had lower student populations tend to have less of a crime rate.

Cities with smaller populations tend to have more percent of their population being from enrollment. Morgantown, Stillwater, Ames, Manhattan, Provo and Lawrence have the highest percent of its populations coming from students, with more than 20%.

Those six cities rank at the bottom in terms of population among cities home to Big 12 universities. They are also bottom six in crime rates per 100 persons.

The cities with higher populations tend to have less of their

population being from enrollment. Houston, Austin and Fort Worth have the lowest percent of its population coming from students, with all of them having less than 6%.

Those three cities are the top three in terms of population among the Big 12, with each having more than 900,000 residents. Those cities are No. 1, five and eight in terms of highest crime rate per 100 persons.

Chandler said whenever you have a larger percentage of the sample, you are going to have more of an influence.

“If our campus body represents 30% of the overall population of Stillwater for 10 months of the year, I think you’re gonna have more opportunity and frequency of that campus body influencing the overall

ʼʼ

Crime...

crime rate,” Chandler said.

“Versus in a situation where you have Houston where it may represent like 5% because the metropolitan area is gigantic compared to Stillwater. You may have more of an influence

the summer months when students are away. Despite many students leaving, Chandler said OSUPD calls for service do not typically decrease.

“If you look at those months in particular, May and June are somewhat of our lightest months,” Chandler said.

“Then July and August start picking back up.

I wouldn’t say that it necessarily decreases in a sense on a consistent basis, but with the exit of a large number of people, Capt. Colt Chandler I think there’s an assumption that there’s goon the local surrounding of the ing to be a decrease in overall campus community versus in law enforcement activity.”

Stillwater where it’s much more Brennan Smallwood, a large and influential.” student, said in his experience In college cities, it’s comstudents at OSU tend to be mon for a large percent of the more law abiding than permapopulation to be absent during nent residents of Stillwater.

If you look at those months in particular, May and June are somewhat of our lightest months. Then July and August start picking back up.

ʼʼ

“Most people who are in a university have things they want to go do, and they are working for their future,” Smallwood said. “In Stillwater, I’ve seen druggies, I’ve seen people who are less law abiding because to me it seems they don’t have those same priorities that you would need to be a student. If I haven’t felt safe around someone, typically they are older and seem to be a citizen of Stillwater.”

Senior Adyson Jergins works at the information desk in the Student Union. Jergins said she feels OSU is a safe campus in her experience.

“I have had a friend who had an incident where because the police were patrolling and doing their job, she was able to get out of a situation she didn’t want to be in, so I think (police) do a good job of monitoring and patrolling the area to make it feel safe,” Jergins said. news.ed@ocolly.com

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O’Colly

Friday, May 17, 2024 Page 5

News

Tribune News Service Stillwater’s Red Lobster is one of three locations that have closed so far in Oklahoma.

Red Lobster...

Continued from page 1

even management.

Heather Pashin, a Stillwater resident who is a frequent customer of Red Lobster, said it is unfair to leave people in the dark about closing, especially for those who depend on the restaurant for income.

“In this economy, many homes are only one paycheck from homelessness,” Pashin said. “This could catastrophically affect some families.”

TAGeX Brands, an equipment liquidation company Red Lobster hired,

C

PE P O

OW N K E E R RC

used LinkedIn to promote the purchasing of Red Lobster’s restaurant equipment, which showed listings of more than 50 different locations, confirming a mass closing. In Oklahoma, three known locations have closed; Stillwater, Lawton and Oklahoma City Northwest Expressway.

TAGeX announced the winning bidder for each location would receive the entire contents of the specific location they bidded on. Selling off locations, including the contents, is a way the company can repay debts and address other issues, like high labor costs and difficult lease agreements. Regardless, the company hasn’t made any final decisions to file for bankruptcy.

With the closing in Stillwater, many

IN LEAS

were left out to dry. Lara had a second job to fall back on, but not all of her coworkers could say the same.

“Many of my coworkers do not have a back up because of the lack of notice,” Lara said. “For many people, they are losing their main sources of income and will most likely have to struggle until they find a new source of income.”

Pashin, who ordered takeout on Mother’s Day, was surprised that the restaurant was slow, but it never crossed her mind that it could be closing. When she found out, she was surprised, but she could see why a company would avoid communicating with its employees.

“I understand why they do it to avoid the risk of a skeleton crew while simul-

taneously receiving an extra amount of ‘one last meal’ customers, but it’s a horrible practice,” Pashin said.

Pashin and other Stillwater residents took to the community page on Facebook to address concerns about the closure. A few employees also joined the discussion, expressing their frustrations with the lack of communication from corporate.

Online platforms, like X and TikTok, are flooded with former employees across different states discussing the closures.

The O’Colly reached out to the Red Lobster management in Stillwater for comment and received no response. news.ed@ocolly.com

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O’Colly

sports

Oklahoma State lands Xavier transfer Abou Ousmane

Calif Poncy Staff Reporter Oklahoma State coach Steve Lutz has landed a big man.

Former Xavier center Abou Ousmane committed to OSU Tuesday, becoming the tallest player (6-foot-10) to join Lutz’s first Cowboys roster.

“Abou is a strong, physical player who moves incredibly well for his size,” Lutz said, per release. “I love his versatility and the way he pursues rebounds. He’s another veteran guy who has played on championship level teams and will be a great addition to the Cowboy Family.”

Ousmane, a senior, brings high-major experience to Stillwater that the Cowboys will be in desperate need of if they want to have a major turnaround in Lutz’s first season.

Ousmane spent the first three seasons of his career playing in the American Conference as a member of the North Texas Mean Green, where

he averaged 10 and 11 points in each of his final two seasons at UNT. Last season at Xavier, Ousmane played a more traditional center role, focusing more on protecting the rim and ripping down boards than being a go-to option on the offensive end. Ousmane averaged six points and six rebounds for the Musketeers, as well as surpassing a block per game for the second time in his career.

Ousmane’s variety of experiences as both a scorer and a defensiveminded big could prove valuable to an OSU team that will be forced to figure out its roles on the fly with a slew of new transfers.

Ousmane joins guard Arturo Dean (FIU), forward Robert Jennings II (Texas Tech), forward Marchelus Avery (UCF), guard Davonte Davis (Arkansas), and guard Brandon Newman (Western Kentucky) as new faces coming to Stillwater next fall.

Lutz’s first OSU team is starting to take shape with the addition of Ousmane, as a true big was the only missing piece to putting together a roster that makes sense, at least on paper. sports.ed@ocolly.com

Connor Fuxa OSU coach Steve Lutz said Abou Ousmane is a “great addition to the Cowboy Family.

OSU Athletics Gabby Hentemann captured her second career 10,000-meter outdoor Big 12 title.

Cowgirls place fourth, Cowboys eighth to wrap up Big 12 Championships Kenzie Kraich Staff Reporter

tured her second career 10,000-meter outdoor Big 12 title in three years. Sophomore Rachel Neaves and senior Johnna Despite competing Orange placed third and against Mother Nature all seventh, respectively, in weekend, the Oklahoma the hammer throw, earnState track & field teams ing both athletes All-Big persevered to secure a 12 honors. This put the top-ten finish for both Cowgirls on top after programs at the Big 12 Day 1. On the men’s side, Championships. freshman Adisu Guadie In the Big 12 chamled the way, scoring the pionships on May 10-12 Cowboy’s only points at Clyde Hart Stadium in with his third-place finish Waco, Texas, the Cowin the 10,000 meters. girls finished fourth and The second day of Big the Cowboys finished 12 action was postponed eighth in the conference by more than five hours competition. OSU had 18 due to inclement weather, athletes achieve All-Big creating a new look for 12 honors and crowned how the meet was confour Big 12 champions ducted for the next two over the weekend. days. All preliminary The Cowgirls put on races on Friday were fora strong performance on gone and were replaced the first day of competiby straight-timed finals tion as graduate student the following day.

Gabby Hentemann capDespite the hiccup

in scheduling, OSU saw seven athletes earn AllBig 12 honors, with the most notable going to runner-up performances by graduate students Bailey Golden and Victor Shitsama in the Heptathlon and Steeplechase.

Other Big 12 honors went to Olivija Vaitaityte, Annie Molenhouse, Philip Frank, Blair Anderson and Payton Hinkle. After the second day of competition, the Cowgirls were tied for second with the Cowboys coming in at fifth overall.

The final day of the Big 12 championships did not phase OSU’s veteran athletes, Gabija Galvydyte, Alex Maier and Molly Born.

Galvydyte defended her crown in the 800 meters with a time of 2:00.42. Not only did this time mark her personal

A SPECIAL PEOPLE! “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.” (1 Pet.2:9-10 NIV) The apostle Peter is writing to a people who previously had no real relationship with God, but as they came to Christ, to trust and follow him all things changed. They are now special people, a pure people, chosen to be a special group who were taken from spiritual darkness. They are God’s people!

If you have come to Jesus, and received forgiveness of your sins; this is also your new condition. The Apostle Paul said it this way; “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;

best, but she also ranks third in the NCAA standings for the event. Maier collected his seventh Big 12 title in the 5,000 meters, as the graduate student set a Big 12 and Clyde Hart Stadium record of 13:36.19.

Born won the women’s 5,000-meter Big 12 championship title in her final season as a Cowgirl, setting a stadium record of 16:13.77.

While the finish was not the outcome OSU hoped for, it will continue to chase its chance at a national title, starting with the NCAA West Prelims in Fayetteville, Arkansas, from May 22-25. The top 12 finishers in each event at the meet will move on to the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Oregon next month. sports.ed@ocolly.com

old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Co.5:17 NIV) We are the people of God and we have sto ry to tell. We can proclaim it clearly and sincerely to all. This happened to me in Japan, November, 1956. I heard the good news of Christ and things begin to change in my life.

Jesus became real and began leading my life. It has been an adventure, learning to fellowship and walk with the Lord. I have made many mistakes, but the Lord keeps encouraging me to keep following Him. The God, who has started a good work in me and you (fellow believer) will finish it with eternal consequences. All through the ages to come we get to experience life with Christ. If you have not yet put your trust in Him and begin following him. I urge you to do It now. He is faithful to lead your life into the best (sometimes difficult) things and will glorify Himself and produce lasting blessings. It’s open to al!.

O’Colly

Friday, May 17, 2024 Page 7

sports

Why Oklahoma State’s Chad Weiberg went outside OSU to find John Smith’s successor Daniel Allen Staff Reporter Days after Oklahoma State wrestling coach John Smith announced his retirement after 33 seasons, athletic director Chad Weiberg took a mental break.

A reset from reality. Time to reflect and ponder the new reality of his athletic department: for the first time in more than three decades, OSU wrestling held a head coaching vacancy.

The Cowboys, whose 34 team national championships mark the highest total for any NCAA athletic program, haven’t won a team title since 2006, a conference title or produced an individual champion since 2021. Thus, the vitality of Weiberg’s hire was immense.

OSU needed a splash hire. Weiberg knew that.

“There should be no expectation of this program that can be too high or that is unattainable,” Weiberg said. “We just had to do everything we could to find the next great leader.”

So, Weiberg went outside of the OSU “family” and hired former Penn State star wrestler David Taylor, whose nickname “Magic Man” holds merit given his laundry list of career accolades and wrestling pedigree.

And OSU fans present at the Boone Pickens Stadium team room on Friday morning during Taylor’s introductory press conference heard the “Magic Man” utter a promising phrase.

“We’re gonna create our own little magic down here.”

All diehard — and even most casual — wrestling fans know of Taylor. Perhaps OSU public address announcer Larry

the t u o ck e Ch

Payton Little Oklahoma State athletic director Chad Weiberg went outside of Oklahoma State to find its new wrestling coach.

Reece said it best: “David Taylor is your favorite wrestler’s favorite wrestler. If John Smith is the face of American wrestling, David Taylor is the current torchbearer.”

Taylor’s credentials illustrate the bevy of success he has accrued throughout his career – a two-time national champion at Penn State, a two-time Hodge Trophy winner— being only one of six college wrestlers ever to accomplish such a feat, a four-time Big 10 champion, a three-time world championship and an Olympic gold winner.

“If you follow wrestling at all, you know about David Taylor,” Weiberg said. “You know about his impressive resume.

“He will bring a fresh set

away! e d i H inal g i r O

of eyes to this historic program and, at the same time, be a fit for the Cowboy family.”

Yet, there remained a lone blemish on Taylor’s resume — no head coaching experience.

A stark contrast can exist between success as a wrestler and that of a coach. But Weiberg had a multitude of experienced options to serve as Smith’s successor.

During Taylor’s introductory presser, Weiberg said a handful of national figures expressed interest in OSU’s coaching vacancy. Not to mention, Weiberg already had the option of interim head coach Coleman Scott, an accomplished coach at North Carolina from 2015-23, logging a 75-49 dual record in that span. Scott

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coached and helped develop 13 All-Americans and nine ACC individual champions. He led the Tar Heels to a 12th-place finish in the 2023 Nationals, the program’s best postseason finish since 1995. Scott left UNC ahead of the 2023-24 season to serve as OSU’s associate head coach under Smith’s final season in Stillwater. So, Scott was the clear-cut favorite, if not the presumed surefire option, to replace Smith.

But Taylor’s resume piqued Weiberg’s interest. And from the moment of their initial phone conversation, it became clear to Weiberg who his most appealing option was.

The passion. The confidence. The concise yet direct and clear nature of Taylor’s

sentiments. All of it intrigued Weiberg.

“We sat down, and I talked with him,” Weiberg said. “I heard his vision for (the program), and just – I think the coach that he could be. That’s when it happened. Obviously, you knew about his credentials and all of those things before you had the chance to really sit down and talk with him.

So, that was important to hear those things.”

Weiberg is confident Taylor’s hiring will pan out in the new era of Cowboy wrestling.

And so is Taylor. He made that rather evident Friday.

“Oklahoma State, it is the place to wrestle,” Taylor said.

“And I’m excited to be a part of that.” sports.ed@ocolly.com

Page 8 Friday, May 17, 2024

O’Colly

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Cowboy Calendar Friday, May 17 Coldbrew live @ 7 p.m.

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Location: Downtown Stillwater https://downtownstillwater.org/calendar/ NCAA Division | Men’s Women’s Tennis Championship Location: Michael & Anne Greenwood Tennis Center https://www.ncaa.com/news/ncaa/article/202210-28/2022-2026-future-di-ncaa-championshipsites Special Olympics Summer Games @ 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. https://www.sook.org/resources/calendar/ Stillwater High School Graduation @ 7 - 9 p.m.

Location: Gallagher-Iba Arena https://www.stillwaterschools.com/ Page/2#calendar45/20240518/event/15959 Teen Video Game Night @ 5:30 - 8 p.m.

Location: Stillwater Public Library https://www.stillwaterok.gov/LibraryRegister The Bottom of the Barrel Live @ 3:45 p.m.

Location: The Botanical Garden at OSU https://botanicgarden.okstate.edu/ Saturday, May 18 College Club @ 2 - 4 p.m.

Location: OSU Museum of Art https://museum.okstate.edu Saturday Jazz @ 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Location: EM Curators of Craft https://curatorsofcraft.co/pages/weekly-events Brewery Tours @ 3 p.m.

Location: Iron Monk Brewing Company Admission: $15 per person https://www.ironmonkbeer.com/calendar Ladies Bingo @ 11:30 a.m.

Location: Crosspointe Church https://www.facebook.com/events/41074889506

Edited by Patti Varol

ACROSS 1 Radio format 5 Johnny Chase’s nickname on “Entourage” 10 Hunk 14 Land east of the Urals 15 Scout’s task, briefly 16 Choice 17 Give unappreciated gifts, literally 20 Unsubscribe, with “out” 21 Boot 22 Took the top prize for 23 Drink suffix 24 Emmy nominee Lucy 25 Pre-chaos moment, literally 34 “Boléro” composer 35 Fields 36 Highlands refusal 37 Cupid counterpart 38 Snide remarks 39 Orchid garlands 40 Set as a price 41 Cozy inn, informally 42 Modest hits?

43 48 hours ago, literally 46 Scrubs ctrs.

47 Consumed 48 Enjoy every bite of 51 Leading the league 54 Place for a mud bath 57 Overconfidence is dangerous, literally 60 Middle East capital 61 Trim 62 Alien conveyances 63 Bulldog’s home 64 Turn off 65 Many a tow job

5/17/24

By Michael Torch

4 Dennings of the MCU’s “Thor” films 5 School that’s home to the Dragons 6 Harvest 7 Plot piece 8 Defoe’s “__ Flanders” 9 Y or N, possibly 10 Showed the door 11 Pork cut 12 Golfer Nordqvist 13 __ red 18 Elliptical part 19 Reuben cheese 23 Las Vegas team 24 Security concern 25 Halloween option 26 Rather severe 27 Call to mind 28 Third baseman Machado with two Gold Gloves 29 Vocation 30 Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme DOWN 31 Upright 1 Birria option 32 Condiment in 2 Letters of urgency Indian cuisine 3 Enumerate 33 Tough to resolve

“The Original Hideaway, located on the corner of Knoblock and University.

Serving quality pizza and more since 1957.”

Murphy’s Department Store 815 S Main, Downtown Open 10-6 Monday thru Saturday

Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle

Daily Horoscope

Thursday’s Puzzle Solved

©2024 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

38 Word with you or who 39 Bass player?

41 Fitness program that incorporates ballet, yoga, and Pilates 42 Siamese fighting fish 44 Marginal drawing 45 Shoe decor 48 Nimble

5/17/24

49 Covent Garden solo 50 Glass vessel 51 Anterior 52 “My turn!”

53 Artist Magritte 54 Jewel box?

55 Tiny splash 56 Plus 58 Lifeguard skill: Abbr.

59 Lab coat?

Nancy Black Tribune Content Agency Linda Black Horoscopes

Today’s Birthday (05/17/24). Dreams can come true this year. Collaboration builds amazing results over time. Process transitions over a private summer, before a fun autumn social connection phase. Physical changes redirect winter plans, before sharing springtime sweetness with your favorite people. Love inspires you to greatness.

To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

Aries (March 21-April 19) — Today is a 9 — Dig into a big job. Physical efforts provide satisfying results. Smooth rough edges before showing your work. Keep practicing.

Feed your body, mind and spirit.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is a 7 — Relax and enjoy the game. Don’t chase illusions. Stick to reliable sources. Have fun with someone interesting. Creative arts inspire. Love feeds your spirit.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is a 7 — Explore culinary arts at home. Use quality, simple ingredients. Try new recipes and flavors. Slice, dice and fricassee. Delight your family with something delicious.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is a 7 — Get the word out about a good cause. Your past work speaks well for you.

Creativity comes easily. Express new ideas. Polish and edit.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is a 9 — Your wallet grows fatter as you keep producing results. Stash some before it evaporates. Position yourself for change. Save for a rainy day.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is a 9 — Take charge to make things happen. You know what you want. Check for scheduling conflicts before compromising. Dress for success. You’re attracting attention.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is a 7 — Meditate on what your heart wants. Imagine your own version of paradise. What might you do there, and with whom? Dream up something wonderful.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is an 8 — Restrictions could get imposed on a group project. Use your charms to avoid an argument. Avoid risky business. Collaborate with friends for shared benefit.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is an 8 — Grab an unexpected professional opportunity. You’re making a good impression. Can you mix business and pleasure? Creative collaboration surges naturally in a social setting.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is an 8 — Good things come from unconsidered directions. Take a spontaneous trip or seminar. Investigate a hot lead. Visit interesting people and places. Explore and investigate.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is an 8 — Revise budgets to embrace an unscheduled opportunity. Find creative solutions to handle responsibilities and grab a chance to grow simultaneously. Collaborate and coordinate.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is a 9 — Have fun together. It could get romantic, even. Don’t worry about small potatoes. Focus on shared commitments, interests and curiosities. Enjoy the here and now.

Level 1 2 3 4

5/17/24

Solution to Thursday’s puzzle

Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9.

For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit sudoku.org.uk

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