The O'Colly, Friday, March 15, 2024

Friday, March 15, 2024

national Sunshine week

The O’Colly’s ongoing fight for freedom of information Luisa Clausen, Kennedy Thomason, Bella Casey Editorial Staff

Column Letting the sun shine: National Sunshine Week I always dreamed of being a journalist. Yet, for years, I was terrified of people.

Confrontation was my biggest nightmare. Although injustice outraged me, I was too scared to speak up because I did not have the necessary information.

Journalism has proved to me over and over that people should be scared of me.

Not because I am mean or rude.

I am not. But because I am wellinformed. Because I know my rights, and I will fight for them. When you have information, you have everything.

One year ago, I thought it was normal for open records requests to take a long time. I thought I couldn’t go to extra public meetings that happened before or after the actual public meeting and I thought public information was a lot more limited than it is.

I was wrong. As a student journalist, I have heard sources say they do not trust the media enough to give me an interview, or that journalists are biased and liars. Although some news channels have fallen short and chosen money over the truth, our gen-

eration is eager to fight for the public.

On March 8, I woke up at 6 a.m. and walked to the Student Union, where the Oklahoma A&M Board of Regents met for a public breakfast before their regular meeting at 10 a.m.

I knew no one from the public would be there, and I would catch their attention. When I arrived, I asked two women who were sitting outside of the breakfast if I could go in. One of them insisted the breakfast was not public, and I insisted it was. The confusion on her face was clear. It’s uncommon for members of the public to show up to these extra meetings. After some insistence and confirmation from a board member, I found my way inside and sat down. I could feel their eyes on me, wondering what I was doing there.

See Information on 2A

Courtesy of sunshineweek.org

Students elect new SGA president, vice president Kennedy Thomason News & Lifestyle Editor The Student Government Association has a new president and vice president.

In an email from SGA coordinator Melisa Echols on Thursday, Aubrey Ruffin and Landry Baker were announced as the president- and vice president-elects for the 2024 term. They won against candidate pairs Audrey Bishop and Kaytly Clift; and Ty McLaughlin and Riley Flickinger.

Ruffin and Baker weren’t together when they saw the results; Ruffin had finished taking a midterm and Baker was doing homework.

“I was just sitting there alone,” Baker said. “I was like, ‘Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh.’”

The pair earned 49.6% of the vote, with the majority coming from the Greek vote. Ruffin and Baker are members of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority.

This election drew the highest voter turnout post-pandemic with 1,190 voters.

See SGA on 4A

Raynee Howell

Bicyclists are part of campus’ pedestrians, who are facing safety concerns after the death of a 19-year-old student last month.

Pedestrian safety top-of-mind for OSU students, faculty, community Raynee Howell Staff Reporter

riding in areas such as Houston.

He never thought moving it would remain a concern when he moved to Once a month, Ian small-town Stillwater.

Gresley, a student from “I grew up riding my Texas, would attend Critical bike all around Houston; Mass, an arranged bike ride I’ve seen countless people in downtown Houston. almost killed because Bicyclists, includsomeone was on the phone ing Gresley and his group while driving, and it’s no of friends, would dress up, different here,” Gresley decorate their bikes and listen to music as they domi- said. “I watched a guy blow nated the streets for a night. through a stop sign today on One night, the festivi- Hester Street by the Endeavor Lab as I was crossing the ties took a turn when a car blew through a stop sign on street in front of him.

“He couldn’t be a neighborhood road. bothered to slow down his A car collided with Jaguar.” his friend, and he rolled At OSU, there has onto the hood; caving the been an increase in pedeswindshield in. Gresley and trian accidents since the the rest of his friends were beginning of 2024. One of in shock as the ambulance the most recent killed Galoaded him up.

Gresley’s friend spent brielle Long, a 19-year-old OSU student. OSU created a night in the hospital but left with only a broken leg. a Pedestrian Safety Task Force in response.

After witnessing the acWith walking being cident, biker safety became the main mode of transpora priority for Gresley when tation on campus, there is an

What’s Inside

Juggling club back in action

emphasis on walkers’ safety.

Bicyclists can also be in danger on campus.

Oklahoma is the ninth most dangerous place for cyclists, yet there has not been much done to ensure the safety of those who ride bikes, especially on college campuses, according to the U.S. News & World Report.

Bicyclists are technically considered vehicle operators, not pedestrians, making it hard for there to be regulations on how to safely travel by bike. OSU Pedestrian Task Force Committee Chair Joe Weaver said all vehicles must yield to pedestrians, but the laws surrounding bicycles, scooters and cars can be harder to manage.

“How we control it and manage it (transportation) is going to be a constant challenge as we go forward,” Weaver said. “They all think they have the right of way, and it’s tough.”

See Safety on 5A

3A

Courtesy of Aubrey Ruffin

Aubrey Ruffin (left) and Landry Baker were elected on Thursday as the new Student Government Association president and vice president.

OSU’s veterinary hospital in search of new faculty Luisa Clausen Editor-in-Chief

reduced emergency room hours for small animals from being open 24/7 to being open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and a decrease in student caseloads are present issues.

Under new leadership, OSU In 2023, state lawmakers creBoren Veterinary Medical Teaching ated the Oklahoma State University Hospital is focused on its improveVeterinary Medicine Authority and ment. secured $84 million for the veteriA multifactorial set of chalnary college. lenges arose because of the lack of The money will allow the money and the COVID-19 pandemcollege to increase the number of ic. The closing of departments such faculty, expand clinical services and as oncology, cardiology and radiology, the departure of all specialists, upgrade facilities such as the disincluding surgery and radiology, not ease diagnostic lab. enough money to hire more faculty, See Faculty on 4A

FAFSA delays cost students

3A

Women’s History Month Miss OSUs speak at panel

4A

Page 2A Friday, March 15, 2024

O’Colly

page 2 Information . . .

Then to now: The O’Colly’s fight for freedom of the press Free press suppression is not a new conversation on campus.

Continued from 1A On April 18, Human Resources sent out its monthly update email to faculty. In this email, there was a section After a few minutes, one memtitled, “Respond to Requests from the ber approached me and said, “We are Media, Attorneys and Others, Stillwater just having breakfast,” with a smile on Campus Only.” his face. I said, “That’s OK, I will stay It encouraged faculty, when asked anyway.” questions “outside of the normal scope” I didn’t get any breaking news or of their position from the media, to conmajor story ideas, but I got something tact Brand Management. bigger than that. I got to make a state“Doing so ensures consistency of ment, “we are here, we are watching, we response as well as minimizing disrupare holding you accountable and we will tion to operations,” the email said. not back down.”

The O’Colly was specifically That day, I learned one of my most named in this email. valuable lessons. I should not fear politiThe email coincided with an arcians and people in power; they should ticle Luisa and I were working on about fear journalists. People in power may try six deans who left campus after the to manipulate people around them to not spring semester. talk to the media, but there will always In a Faculty Council meeting on be documents that can overrule any PR May 9, Provost and Senior Vice Presistatement. dent Jeanette Mendez clarified that facThere is always evidence. ulty could agree to an interview if they Maybe I’m committing the crime felt it was within their expertise. She of being too hopeful, but there will alsaid the HR email was sent out because ways be people who believe in the truth, OSU has faced pending litigation and who believe in freedom of information wanted the blanket OSU response delivand a journalist’s work. ered with matters of legal importance.

National Sunshine Week highSince, faculty have become more lights journalists’ fight for an open and rigid in responses to requests for comtransparent government where public ment from The O’Colly. Requests for information is easily accessible. Without interviews are often met with hesitancy, journalism, democracy is in danger. And and sometimes requests via email are though the students who work for The directly forwarded to Brand ManageO’Colly are young, we are committed to ment without response from the potenmaking a difference by reporting on our tial interviewee. school administration and local governMost of the time, when univerment. Gene Policinski, the senior fellow sity figureheads, such as deans or vice for the First Amendment at the Freedom provosts, are interviewed, a person from Forum, said Sunshine Week annually Brand Management sits in. celebrates freedom of information laws Brand Management was formed to in every state. It also salutes efforts by create OSU-related content and keep a good government advocates and journal- consistent image for OSU. It is in charge ists to use and ensure the effectiveness of items such as OSU news, building of those laws to get the information we a cohesive social media presence and need as self-governing citizens. creating trademarks and designs. Its To the hard-working public we 36-member team ranges from public serve, don’t let people of power bully information officers to marketing and you. Agendas for public bodies are communications specialists. public, and their meetings are open to When necessary, The O’Colly the public. Information is power, and works through Brand Management to the politicians you hire to represent you have access to higher-profile administrahave a duty to fulfill. tors, such as Mendez or President Dr. Kayse Shrum.

It’s the only way to access them.

Public officials, across the spec-

trum, are protected. It is to be expected for Brand Management to sit in on interviews with prominent campus leaders.

However, it becomes a different situation when directly asking faculty to not take interviews with The O’Colly.

“When contacted by reporters, please refer all contacts and questions to OSU Brand Management at (405) 7446260,” the email said. “This includes requests from the Daily O’Collegian/ O’Colly.”

This takes the level of protection Brand Management seeks to provide and magnifies it. It makes it harder for student-journalists to report on the university’s operations and moves in administration, beyond writing fluff pieces about campus.

As it sits, The O’Colly will continue to work on important articles. Our work as journalists doesn’t stop because we hit obstacles.

It reinvigorates us.

Open records are open for a reason The first time OSU Brand Management denied my request for an incident report, I didn’t know better.

The next time it happened, I knew better.

In the time that passed between the two denials, I learned that under the Oklahoma Open Records Act, “law enforcement agencies shall make available for public inspection, if kept, ‘A chronological list of all incidents, including initial offense report information showing the offense, date, time, general location, officer and a brief summary of what occurred.’”

Brand Management violated the Oklahoma Open Records Request by denying me that information.

I requested an incident report for the incident on Nov. 30, 2023. Brand Management said it could not share it because the incident was still under investigation.

I wrote the story without the report. I didn’t know better.

When Brand Management denied my request for an incident report on Feb. 21, 2024, I knew better.

Once again, Brand Management told me they could not share the incident report with me because the incident was

under investigation, and it could take days for the report to be completed.

I explained this violated the Oklahoma Open Records Act. In the same email, I copied OSU President Dr. Kayse Shrum and the OSU Legal Counsel.

I expected to receive the records I requested in return.

Instead, I received a scolding.

Brand Management Chief Communication Officer Lance Latham told me my requests for investigative reports were uninformed and copying President Shrum and the legal counsel to the email was unprofessional.

I never requested investigative reports.

I requested an incident report, and told them under the Oklahoma Open Records Act what information I was entitled to.

Freedom of Information Oklahoma emailed Brand Management expressing its support for me. The incident report I requested was shared the next morning.

After a string of back-and-forth emails that involved my repeated requests for the information, Brand Management asked to meet with The O’Colly’s editor-in-chief Luisa Clausen and me to “meet and discuss what information or education might be needed to prevent such an exchange from happening again.”

We agreed, but requested the meeting be on the record. Brand management responded, asking for it to be off the record, and we reiterated the importance of the meetings being on the record. Brand Management has not initiated any further meeting plans.

The O’Colly is interested in having an on the record conversation with Brand Management.

Sunshine Week celebrates freedom of information laws and highlights efforts of government advocates and journalists to ensure the effectiveness of those laws.

The O’Colly will continue to do our work. Because it’s important. Students deserve the truth.

“Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants,” said U.S. Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis.

Dave Mowry

Milt Priggee

Editorial board Editor-in-Chief Luisa Clausen editorinchief@ocolly.com Sports editor Braden Bush sports.ed@ocolly.com Assistant Sports editor Ashton Slaughter sports.ed@ocolly.com Design editor Ben Holieway design.ed@ocolly.com

The O’Colly Staff News & Lifestyle reporters:

News & Lifestyle editor Kennedy Thomason news.ed@ocolly.com Assistant News & Lifestyle editor Bella Casey news.ed@ocolly.com Photo editor Payton Little photo.ed@ocolly.com

news.ed@ocolly.com

Addie Wagner Ashton Miller Ava Whistler Grace Balducci Hayden Alexander Isaac Terry Jessica Pearce Jocelyn Perez Jonah Barker Raynee Howell

Newsroom

108 Paul Miller Stillwater, OK 74078 (405) 744-6365

Sports reporters: Alyssa Brandon Baylor Bryant Calif Poncy Daniel Allen Davis Cordova Gabriel Trevino Gina Foster Kenzie Kraich Parker Gerl

Photographers & Designers: Andon Freitas Ashlyn Bryant Brock Mills Bryson Thadhani Cassius Davis Connor Fuxa Davis Cordova Ethan Hilbert Gabriel Trevino Grace Galvin Jazmine Robinson Karlie Boothe Lexie Higgins Marcus Conrad Michael Jane‘t Philip Soliz

O’Colly

Friday, March 15, 2024 Page 3A

News OSU maintenance worker retires after 30 years Maddie Swain Staff Reporter Curtis Cooper stepped foot on campus almost 30 years ago.

Hired in 1994 as a carpenter, Cooper began working at the Physical Plant Building, which is now facilities management. Cooper said many of the qualities he brings to campus come from his experience in construction when he owned a business for more than a decade.

“When I came to work here, I was very skilled as a craftsman and in carpentry,” Cooper said. “My strong point is trim work.”

The skills and hard work Cooper contributed to OSU’s maintenance department have paid off.

In the past 30 years, Cooper transitioned from carPayton Little penter, foreman and superviCurtis Cooper, who has worked for sor, to claiming his current Facilities Management since 1994, is title, structural trades manplanning to retire this year. ager, in 2019. recognition, they’re out here to Since earning his title, do their job and make OSU a Cooper has been in charge better place,” Cooper said. of three maintenance departCooper said students can ments: asbestos, roofing and show their gratitude toward interior and exterior restorafacility and maintenance tions on OSU’s buildings. workers through respect for With his experience, safety regulations.

Cooper said he knew how “We are here for the to effectively run crews and campus and its people,” Coomaintain a good relationship with those that he works per said. ”Please abide by our safety regulations, we don’t alongside. want anybody to get hurt.”

When asked about his Outside of work, Cooper favorite part of his job, he kept enjoys camping and fishit simple: his team.

“My favorite thing is just ing with his wife, Janice, being a team player,” Cooper two sons Jayson and Nathan, said. “I want to be on the same and daughter-in-law Jordan. level as all my people. I’m not Cooper is passionate about his walk with God and being above them.”

Aside from being in the a part of a prison ministry “Kairos.” office, Cooper loves getting One colleague, Gabe out in the field with his coworkers and seeing their work Dreiling, who is in Construction and Contract Services, come to light.

However, this can cause said Cooper’s faith is shown in problems. The first is timing. his work.

“Curtis has sought to “A lot of times, our struggles would be schedules,” lead others and work hard Cooper said. “Trying to work from his strong faith position,” Dreiling said. our schedules to be able to Cooper plans to retire accomplish the work we’re this year. He said he has been trying to do can be difficult grateful for those he works working in busy areas.” closely with.

With the amount of Tyler Toland, a Strucstudents, faculty and staff, it can be a challenge for Cooper tural Trades Supervisor and and his crews to do their work Cooper’s colleague, said he looks up to Cooper. without getting in the way of “Curtis has been an others. This brings another exceptional mentor and role issue: appreciation. model to me,” Toland said.

Cooper acknowledged “He is an individual rooted that individuals can often in ethics, morals and strong be unhappy with his crew’s faith.” presence, specifically when Jeff Sweeden, Cooper’s dealing with asbestos.

Sometimes, Cooper said, supervisor as the Director of his crews can feel unappreci- Operations and Maintenance, said Cooper cares for OSU’s ated. campus passionately.

“Asbestos is probably “I have found him to the most challenging,” Cooper said. “They’ve always felt like be a knowledgeable professional,” Sweeden said. “He they’re unnoticed. We come genuinely cares for OSU and in, and we do the work that those that come to campus.” nobody sees.”

That has always reDespite his crew somemained true for Cooper. times feeling under-appreci“We are just happy to be ated, Cooper said his team a part of this,” Cooper said. remains humble.

“They’re not out here for news.ed@ocolly.com

Courtesy of Scotland Souders

Scotland Souders, president of the Juggling Club, restarted the club to share her love of juggling.

Juggling Club returns to campus Jocelyne Perez Staff Reporter

a great mind exercise. She said it helps with focus and vision, as well as hand-eye coordination.

Carter Smith, vice presiAs some students struggle dent of the juggling club, said to juggle priorities, others try a the club is a great stress reliever.

Although other organizations more literal juggling act. can get intense and somber, the OSU’s juggling club is juggling club can be a place of back to connect students with fun. the art of juggling. “(Other clubs) can be kind The club’s president, of serious,” Smith said.

Scotland Souders, restarted He said juggling club, on the club after enjoying it durthe other hand, is one of pure ing her freshman year. Souders enjoyment. was determined to learn how to Although being able to juggle and can now juggle four juggle is a great party trick, the balls and three pins. She said reaction to sharing you’re in the she wants to teach others who juggling club varies. are willing to learn.

Elizabeth Struble, the “I thought it was cool how it brought people together,” treasurer, said her friends and family were in shock when she Sounders said. dropped the news about her The team said learning the new skill is a great pastime participation in the club.

“I texted my mom, and she when times are stressful, and it was like ‘Is this real?’” Struble provides a great space to meet said. “’Is this a euphemism for new people.

Sounders said juggling is something?’”

Overall, the responses all three have received follow the same formula: confusion, then realizing it is cool.

The juggling club met for the first time on March 4, and the club made its own juggling balls with balloons and rice.

Souders said when the club’s members begin the learning process, the results vary.

“Some people get it pretty quick,” Souders said. “It took me like three weeks straight.”

When group gatherings seem to drag, Smith grabs what he can and amazes all with his juggling skills.

“Maybe there’s tennis balls or something where I just start juggling,” Smith said. “And then I teach other people because they want to learn.”

The club will hold its second meeting on March 25 in Ag Hall 169. news.ed@ocolly.com

FAFSA delays leave students to foot bill Baylor Bryant Staff Reporter OSU extended the date to accept financial aid and scholarships to June 1 because of FAFSA delays.

Delays to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid stem from the U.S. Department of Education’s attempt to streamline the online FAFSA form that was riddled with glitches.

The FAFSA delays could cause the retefntion of students to drop. The Director of Scholarships and Financial Aid Chad Blew said drop outs are a real concern.

“It’s a concern because it’s delayed the process particularly for the prospective students,” Blew said. “Besides the fact it may alter the decision, even if it doesn’t, it’s putting undue worry and stress on families, so it’s an unfortunate situation.”

OSU anticipates getting the FAFSA information in late March, and processing the FAFSA information will begin in early April, said the vice president of enrollment management Karen Chen in a message sent out by the Division of Enrollment Management.

Incoming students can expect to receive their financial aid and scholarship award offers beginning mid-April, and current students should receive award notifications in late April, said Chen in the message.

More than 80% of students

receive some type of financial assistance to fund their education through programs such as ​​scholarships, grants, loans and part-time jobs, according to OSU’s 2023-24 Academic Catalog.

The FAFSA delays are halting students’ financial aid and pushing back the timeline for the fall. Blew said normally at this time, students’ financial aid would have been packaged.

“We have been unable to do either one of those, and no one has nationally,” Blew said. “It’s a real concern for the incoming particular freshmen who are making a decision where they are going to school or whether they can go to school next year.”

Student Government Association Off-Campus Student Association Senator Grantham Hamm said the FAFSA delays are affecting students’ livelihood.

“What these other students may not have access to is that they cannot pay the tuition,” Hamm said. “They’re not able to attend college, or they’re not able to pay for things they need like books or certain items for their college experience. Personally, that is probably the worst thing to happen to anybody.”

The four-year Army veteran is unable to update his laptop and get books he needs because of the delays. Hamm’s G.I. Bill covers his tuition, but the financial aid delays are limiting what he can do in his online classes.

“I have had the same laptop for a long time, and with

most of my classes being online, it’s imperative that I have one,” Hamm said. “Being able to have everything on my own personal device is paramount, and it will push back; essentially next semester I may not be able to attend.”

Hamm encourages students to reach out to himself and other senators to ensure their voices are heard. Hamm said that if students have problems they think the university can solve, the senators will help in any way they can.

Another Student Government Association official said she was concerned that the FAFSA delays would cause her to lose her Oklahoma Promise, a program that helps pay for tuition.

“There were concerns within my family like how do we plan for college when we’re not going to have that last little amount of money that I needed,” Amy Campbell said.

OSU has 19,855 undergraduate students and 4,218 graduate students, according to the Spring Student Profile. OSU had a 93.5% retention of freshmen and a 90.7% retention of transfers from the fall semester to the spring semester.

Campbell said FAFSA delays are causing unnecessary stress to the students at OSU. “I think that’s a big thing, especially with incoming students,” Campbell said. “They’re not knowing how much money they’re receiving, especially for people who get need-based money.” news.ed@ocolly.com

OSU athletes talk mental health, stigma, recovery Jocelyne Perez Staff Reporter Brand Squad and Active Minds collaborated to bring the discussion of athlete mental health to the table.

The two organizations partnered to bring OSU athletes together to speak about their struggles with mental health.

The athletes were KT Hylton, Marlie Armatta and Luke Surber.

Hylton spoke about his struggles and suggestions to others who are struggling. Getting a pet or gaining a new hobby can help when trying to cope with mental health struggles, Hylton said.

OSU is his fifth school to play football at. Now, Hylton said OSU feels like home, especially after his first meeting with the coaching staff. They assured him they had mental health resources for their athletes.

Armatta shared her cheerleading journey as she recovered from a seasonending injury, college try-out rejections and how to bounce back. After tearing her ACL, Armatta struggled mentally

with how to identify herself without cheer. The injury gave her the opportunity to see life without cheer, which put life in a new perspective.

Surber shared how his wrestling performance weighed heavily on his mental health.

With some losses under his belt, Surber struggled with mental blocks and had trouble believing in himself.

The solution to his problem was to see a sports psychologist. Surber said everyone should get help in any form they can. Talking to friends or meditating can help with mental health, he said.

The three athletes answered questions from students who attended the lecture. Their answers about how to handle mental health struggles included scheduling yourself to accomplish goals and taking baby steps to recovery.

Erin Vierra, a lecture attendee, said she feels as if she sees mental health differently after the lecture.

“It impacted my views in a more positive way,” Vierra said. “I was able to connect with them on a more personal level. Our college athletes may be bigger

Nick Becker

KT Hylton (left), Luke Surber and Marlie Armatta talked with attendees during the Q&A portion. than life, but they are still people.”

Brand Squad.

Logan Lieder and Brianna Hall Hall said mental health awareness planned the lecture with the hopes of could be helped if professors would talk prioritizing and bringing awareness about OSU’s resources. to mental health. Both are involved in “We could just talk about the reActive Minds and Lieder is involved in sources we have on campus,” Hall said. news.ed@ocolly.com

Page 4A Friday, March 15, 2024

O’Colly

News SGA . . .

Alexis Higgins

OSU Boren Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital plans to open back up the emergency room for small animals for 24/7.

Dugat, a small animal surgeon, and Carey McCully, a veterinary nurse, worked together at the hospital for 16 years. They planned Continued from 1 to retire at OSU, but as the school started to struggle, the coworkers The to-do list for Dr. Kelly Black is long. The hospital director and friends started to wonder what it would be like to open their busistarted in July and has been organizing the hospital’s priorities since ness.

In February, Dugat and Mcthen. The biggest one is to have the Cully opened a veterinary clinic in small animal emergency room open Stillwater, on Star Boulevard, spe24/7 by the end of 2024. cializing in services such as surgery “We are targeting specific positions that we are wanting to rehire for cats and dogs. Dugat denied The O’Colly’s request for an interview. so we can get the ER back up and “I think the change was difrunning 24/7,” Black said. “We’re ficult for all of us involved,” Mcalso focusing on rehiring staff so that we can make sure everybody is Cully said. “I think it’s still difficult for those involved at OSU because able to bring animals in whenever the thing about the vet school is they need.” that the people there are passionate Significant shortages of veterinarians are present across all about teaching, they love students sectors of the profession and levels and they only want to see that place prosper.” of specialization, according to the McCully said there is not American Association of Veterinary one specific reason that led the Medical Colleges. veterinary school to struggle. She Black said the veterinary said it’s hard to attract faculty in industry lost several professionals academia in general but especially after COVID-19 and that led to a high demand for veterinary special- in rural settings. McCully watched colleagues leave their positions not ists.

“The salaries demanded have because they were unhappy at OSU gone up significantly after the CO- but because they were offered better VID-19 pandemic,” Black said. “So opportunities.

Black said the money from the that really put us in a position as budget authority will put an end to the university where we really had that. difficulty keeping those that were in “We’re trying to make sure really, really high demand because that we do very targeted things and they could go somewhere else and things that really need to be fixed get a lot more money.” and really need to be upgraded with Without specialists, the that money,” Black said. caseload for the hospital and for In November, the OSU Vetstudents changed and decreased. erinary Medicine Authority had its The hospital is taking general cases first meeting to decide on prelimiin the small animal department, and nary authorizations on where the if necessary, referring the cases to other veterinary businesses in town. money will go first. The members, Sara Schmidt said most of her which include Dr. Carols Risco, the classmates are interested in general dean of the College of Veterinary practice, but she is concerned about Medicine, discussed the possible the students who want to specialize approval of transferring $5,163,500 in an area. The second-year veteri- for the first six months of the 20232024 fiscal year to support costs nary student said they have fewer options and opportunities to see dif- related to the employment of existferent cases before they choose their ing and new faculty and staff and operational costs. specialization.

Black took more than four Schmidt said Black is listenyears after the changes started to ing to the students’ concerns and happen. The O’Colly reached out to changing the school for the better.

She is aware of the clinician short- Wendy Newport, the teaching hosage across the country but said she pital administrator, who has been working at the veterinary school is confident by the time her class for longer, to understand when and gets to the fourth year, the school will have hired qualified profession- how administrative changes started to happen. Newport denied an als to improve students’ learning. interview.

“They are trying their best,” As Black works on issues Schmidt said. “There’s a mindset left by the previous leadership, his that the clinic is falling apart, and I goal is for qualified veterinarians don’t think it is, I think it’s going to to graduate and have a successful be fine.” future, so he will listen to their conTo make up for the decrease cerns to make sure that happens. in caseloads, the veterinary school “It’s definitely difficult comoffers an externship program that ing into a position where you’ve had partners with practices, such as a lot of issues in the past because I where students can go and get think everybody’s sort of on edge hands-on experience such as surand they are not sure what’s gogery. ing to happen,” Black said. “(I’ve “Obviously, we would prefer to have that here, so students aren’t been) trying to come in and show that we’re going to try to do things having to travel,” Black said. “But we do have things set up so that the a little bit different, show that I’m students are still getting that experi- here to definitely improve things, that we’re not going to keep doing ence.”

In the fall, Dr. Danielle Dugat things the same way.” was the last specialist to leave the news.ed@ocolly.com hospital.

Faculty . . .

After spring break, Baker said the first step will be looking for candidates to appoint to their cabinet and Continued from 1A familiarizing themselves with the day-to-day duties.

Both said they are ex“I think it was an emo- cited to step into their new tional roller coaster because roles with the same team there’s just a lot of feelings mentality they have had that go involved when you throughout the campaign. put yourself out there so “I might have the title much for something, and of president, she might have you want something so bad,” the title of vice president, Baker said. but it is not concrete. It’s Although Ruffin and cohesive together; it is one,” Baker were victorious, Bish- Ruffin said. op, Clift and McLaughlin Last election, there will continue to be members were violations and SGA of SGA. Bishop and Clift Supreme Court hearings that were elected to serve as delayed results. This time, residential life senators. the results were announced

less than 24 hours after voting ended. Ruffin said the positive intentions of all candidate pairings made it a smooth election.

Ruffin and Baker will officially begin their term in August, though they will begin work over the summer.

Until the end of the semester, sitting President Ashley Peterson and Vice President Hilary Albrecht will serve out their term.

“We had so many ideas, and it’s a dream now that we’re like, ‘OK, it’s time we have the opportunity to get to put these ideas in place,” Baker said. news.ed@ocolly.com

Women’s history month

Alumni Association celebrates female leaders with Miss OSUs Grace Balducci Staff Reporter OSU’s female leaders are sharing their expertise with students.

In honor of Women’s History Month, the Alumni Association’s Student Network hosted a panel of the four current multicultural Miss OSUs on March 7. The event was in the Alumni Center at 5:30 p.m. It had appetizers, networking and a panel for questions.

The panel consisted of Miss Asian OSU Hannahmei Carton, Miss Black OSU Albony Bryles, Miss Marcus Conrad Hispanic OSU Michelle Salazar and Miss AmeriMiss American Indian OSU Shaleigh McGee (left) said staycan Indian OSU Shaleigh ing confident and true to yourself are necessary to be a leader.

McGee. of their leadership opporby their stories and what The panelists shared they’ve went through and advice on various aspects of tunity on campus through implementing safe spaces, how they’ve persevered,” leadership. Topics included facilitating difficult converWeber said. “I think it’s how they empower other super important as a woman women, how they empower sations and advocating for their communities and how improvement for their com- just to know our history and munities. know what we’ve come from to juggle the pressures of McGee opened up and what we’ve overcome. being a full-time student and about how she was able to And all the work that we’ve prominent figure. display female empowerdone to get where we’re at Junior Shaleigh ment in her position. today.”

McGee, Miss American “I think if you stay Freshman Isabella Indian OSU since April true to who you are, which Garcia attended the panel as 2023, shared how she has I know is very cliche, but a part of her position with had the opportunity in her sticking to what you know, the Student Network. She position to implement acwhat you’re confident and came to the event looking tions to share and educate forward to networking with others more about the Native what you believe in is the best thing,” McGee said. her fellow peers.

American population in “Because if you’re leading “I honestly think that Oklahoma. people, and you don’t feel I want to look more into the She said about 10% of students self-identify as Na- like you know which direc- multicultural Miss OSU, tion you’re going, how are just because I think that it’s tive American. you supposed to beat everyreally cool that they have “It’s pretty small,” body else?” such a big impact on people McGee said. “I pretty much The audience included being people from different know the majority of people several students affiliated communities and different that are involved on camwith the Alumni Association cultures,” Garcia said. “So I pus that identify as Native as well as curious, supportlook forward to looking into American, and we’re all it to see if I can learn more pretty close. And so I think ive students.

Freshman Rylie Weber about it.” being able to represent them attended the event in her poThe four Miss OSUs in some way or make them sition as an alumni ambasact as a reminder to some feel like they’re seen is sador for OSU. While in her students of the scope that super important.” position, Weber said she has not only OSU women, but The women shared met with many influential all OSU students have at how one of the most imOSU alumnae in positions of being a leader on campus portant elements of being a and advocating for change leader in their communities leadership.

“I just think it’s so within their communities is confidence. They said that interesting to listen to other and beyond. through confidence, they women and just be inspired news.ed@ocolly.com have been able to take hold

2024 GRAPHIC DESIGN CAPSTONE EXHIBITION OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY MARCH 28 – APRIL 12

THE MERGING OF 25 DESIGNERS

OPENING RECEPTION MARCH 30, 5–7PM GARDINER GALLERY OF ART, BARTLETT CENTER

O’Colly

Friday, March 15, 2024 Page 5A

News Safety . . .

Continued from 1A Shelby Keller, an employee in the Department of Wellness, said she feels unsafe riding her bicycle to work because of the number of distracted drivers on the road. She said the recent accidents around campus have felt personal to her.

“With the recent death of Gabi Long and the other student hit that night on campus, I’m angry,” Keller said. “Many students and staff use biking or walking as their sole means of transportation, and it’s unfortunate that we have to worry so much about potentially being hit by cars.”

As co-chair of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Ad-Hoc Committee, a voluntary committee for the city of Stillwater, the safety of pedestrians is a topic Keller is passionate about. She said the task force should have been created before Long’s death.

“I was upset that no contact information for the new task force was added to the email (OSU) sent out because I want to connect with them,” Keller said. “I really hoped that the new task force would reach out to us to join forces, but that hasn’t happened yet.”

The task force will study pedestrian accident records, but Weaver said the record is incomplete because many do not come forward.

Weaver and the task force have hired a consulting group to make changes to problem areas.

“I need a traffic consultant to go look around,” Weaver said. “That’s where something can happen. He doesn’t need to look at data; I want him to look through the lenses of a traffic engineer to say this is not safe, and we need to fix this.”

Weaver said more than 25,000 students walk on campus every day. Despite many other students riding bicycles, scooters and skateboards, Weaver said the task force will solve pedestrian safety issues

first before the other populations will be addressed.

Keller does not agree with this method. She said all forms of transportation safety should be prioritized on campus.

“While the task force is technically for pedestrians, they have to be inclusive to bikes, skating and scootering,” Keller said. “If they aren’t, they are doing a disservice to the safety of students and employees.”

Watch For Me OK, a campaign in Oklahoma City that addresses pedestrian and bicycle safety, has worked to create public messaging and infrastructure updates for metro areas since 2016. The Oklahoma City Planning Department started the campaign, but the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments now manages it.

Maxton Harris, Senior Planner in OKC, has worked closely with Watch for Me OK since his initial internship with the city. He said he wants to protect people engaging in all forms of transportation.

“We are trying to redesign some of our streets to be oriented towards cycling, walking and rolling a wheelchair,” Harris said. “It’s important for everyone to pay attention; we have people dying every year, and that number has been

Raynee Howell

OSU recently created the Pedestrian Task Force to keep pedestrians, including bicyclists, safe on campus. effectively reduce accidents.

Based on his experience working in downtown Oklahoma City, he said there are specific ways of dealing with areas that have heavy foot traffic.

“It’s small enough that you can almost map out where the most dangerous spots are, and looking closer into that is a good idea,” Harris said. “It’s important to ask people where

attention to their surroundings.

Her biggest concern is the lack of bicycle lanes on campus, causing her and many other bicyclists to ride on the road or sidewalk.

“I have been close to having who knows how many accidents, whether it was with someone walking, riding the electric scooters and even vehicles because they don’t pay attention,” Tidwell said.

Long’s death stuck with Tidwell. She said it was a tragedy that a girl lost her life because someone else did not pay attention.

Community members have also noticed the reckless interactions between pedestrians, bicyclists and other vehicles. Hank Allmand, Stillwater community member, said he witnessed a college student jump off her bike in time to avoid being crushed underneath the car where her bike ended up moments later.

“She had the right of they considered a dangerous way on the crosswalk sign, but location to walk and bike.” instead of walking her bike Kassidi Tidwell, a student across, she took off riding it who has ridden her bike on across; the car proceeded to campus for four years, said she turn right on Duck (Street) to has always been slightly conhead north and smashed her off cerned about her safety because the bike and ran the bike over,” people around her do not pay Allmand said in an email.

“Whether you’re a pedestrian, skater

or biker, you have to be aware of your surroundings at all times because the fact of the matter is drivers are often

distracted and have limited visibility.”

Ian Gresley Student increasing amongst pedestrians and cyclists in almost all cities, especially in the south.”

Harris acknowledged the importance of educating the community on pedestrian safety, but he said making changes to infrastructure will more

Mary Cash, owner of Cooper’s Bikes, a local bicycle shop in Stillwater, encourages everyone to be alert and aware of their surroundings, whether they are on a scooter, bicycle, car, bus or walking. In her shop, Cash supplies her customers with safety gear.

“The most important gear would be a helmet and gloves; we also sell shoes and cleats for clip-in pedals,” Cash said.

Cash said she sees college students in her shop daily, and the safety of her customers is important to her.

“Having a bike that works well and fits is very important, and having brakes that you can rely on,” Cash said.

Gresley has been riding bikes for 11 years, similar to the experienced riders who normally enter Cash’s shop. In his years of experience, he has seen an increase in distracted driving.

“Whether you’re a pedestrian, skater or biker, you have to be aware of your surroundings at all times because the fact of the matter is drivers are often distracted and have limited visibility,” Gresley said.

“You never can really count on them looking out for you, so you have to look out for yourself.” news.ed@ocolly.com

Page 6A Friday, March 15, 2024

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OSU fires Mike Boynton after seven seasons season.

“If I’m fortunate to be back, which I don’t have any reason to believe I won’t,” he said. “I’m not trying to speculate but I know that’s a question. I don’t want to pretend like it’s not.”

Gabriel Trevino When OSU’s season ended on Staff Reporter Tuesday after a 15-point loss in the first round of the Big 12 Tournament, It’s the end of an era in Stillwater. Boynton again was asked about his Oklahoma State fired men’s feelings regarding job status. basketball coach Mike Boynton after “I’m not in position to answer seven seasons with the program on that,” Boynton said Tuesday. “I Thursday, first reported by CBS’ haven’t thought about it to this point Jon Rothstein and confirmed by The today at all.”

O’Colly. The Cowboys’ ended the Boynton took over the program 2023-24 season 12-20, tied for the after one year as an assistant under worst finish in Boynton’s time.

Brad Underwood. When Underwood OSU will buyout about $9 million left for Illinois in 2017, OSU promotfor the remainder of Boynton’s coned Boynton. tract, which was set to end in 2028.

OSU went to the NCAA TourBoynton told reporters on March nament once with Boynton, when 7, two days after an 18-point loss to freshman and eventual No. 1 overall Texas Tech that he expected to return draft pick Cade Cunningham decided as the team’s head coach for next to play for the Cowboys. Boynton was

known for recruiting, getting players like Cunningham, and four-stars like Rondel Walker, Donovan Williams, Brandon Garrison and Eric Dailey Jr., and transfers Bryce Thompson and Moussa Cisse.

The Cowboys did not see much success, though. OSU went 119-109 overall and 51-76 in Big 12 games under Boynton and reached the NCAA Tournament once in the seven years.

Weiberg released a statement shortly after reports surfaced on Thursday morning.

“For seven years, Coach Boynton has led this program and represented this university with class. We’re grateful for the genuine passion and care he has for the student-athletes on our team. Unfortunately, the desired results have not followed. Therefore, it is time to part ways and begin a new chapter. We wish Coach Boynton and his family the very best.”

Payton Little

See more on Boynton on 2B

With Mike Boynton’s firing on Thursday morning, OSU will be a priority landing spot for coaches.

OSU must win tough matches to make run – we might have a couple that we have an opportunity to maybe squeeze out some bonus points,” Smith said. “I don’t think it’s gonna be any different than Big 12s. We’re gonna Braden Bush have to win tough matchSports Editor es. We’ve got four freshmen, and they’re gonna The NCAA Wrestling have to go win tough Championships are next matches. Expect that.” week, but Daton Fix isn’t Fix was ranked No. looking ahead too far.

2 to begin the year, then On Wednesday night, dropped to No. 3 for the the NCAA released seed- rest of the season after ings and brackets for the now-No. 2-seeded Ryan NCAA Championships Crookham of Lehigh dein Kansas City, Missouri, feated defending national and Fix is the No. 1 seed champion Vito Arujau at 133 pounds. The only of Cornell. In conferOklahoma State wrestler ence championships, to earn a top seed.

Crookham again defeated “It doesn’t really mat- Arujau for the EIWA ter at all,” said Fix, who title. But Fix won his fifth is looking for his first Big 12 title and jumped national title. “Just places Crookham and Arujau for me in the bracket. I’ve the top spot. gotta win five matches, “It all comes down to and it doesn’t matter who the end and how your conI’m wrestling.” ference tournament goes,” OSU coach John Smith said. “And after Smith agrees. All 10 of seeing what happened in his starters are seeded some of the conference in the bracket, with five tournaments, I thought, Cowboys ranked in the ‘Yeah, there’s gonna be a top 10 of their weights. good chance (Daton’s) No. For the Cowboys to make 1. If you’d asked me two a run, it will take a gritty weeks ago, probably not. performance from seniors But the way it played out, like Fix down to the four that’s where he’s at.” freshmen.

“Our draws are tough See Bids on 2B

Payton Little OSU coach John Smith said OSU’s NCAA Championships seedings were fair and he “expects a pretty good tournament from his team.”

What’s Inside

More on Boynton

Courtesy Tulsa World

OSU’s run to 2004 Final Four defined by resilience, selflessness Twenty years ago, OSU reached the Final Four for the sixth time in program history in a dominant season.

Parker Gerl Staff Reporter It made too much sense for John Lucas III to get the ball like he did with a chance to take OSU somewhere it hadn’t been in almost a decade.

The seconds leading up to it were nearly disastrous, but when the ball touched Lucas’ hands, his late-night shooting sessions and workhorse mentality kicked in. He was ready for it.

“To see him (and how he worked) on a day-to-day basis and going into the gym at night to put shots up, it’s not by mistake that he ended up doing what he did,” Terrence Crawford, a teammate of Lucas’ said.

Twenty years ago, Oklahoma State was gearing up for the 2004 NCAA Tournament. Coach Eddie Sutton and his squad, a combination of new-face transfers and homegrown talent, had coasted to a Big 12 championship, looking to do the same in The Big Dance.

“John knew how to get along with people from different types of backgrounds and environments,” Bobik said.

“The guy was always smiling.

He was a good person,

All those personalities needed to put their egos and on-court skill sets aside. Sutton schooled them on strength in numbers, and by then, they had grown to love each other which made it an easy sell.

“The way coach blended them made them understand to play for each other,” Rutherford said. “You can do a lot of things by yourself, but you do great things as a group.”

*****

too.”

His high-level guard play was the last piece to a core that included past transfers — which wasn’t the norm yet — such as Tony Allen, Stevie and Joey Graham and Daniel Bobik, next to returning big man Ivan McFarlin.

The Grahams came from a Florida military family and were all about hard work. McFarlin was the ultimate teammate who was the biggest cheerleader when he wasn’t out on the court grabbing rebounds and diving for loose balls. Bobik, who started his career at BYU, had a father who reached the NBA, too.

He played hard and loved to talk, sometimes so fast assistant coach ***** James Dickey and the staff had to tell him to “slow down just a little Lucas had a smile he wore so often that his Cowboys teammates bit.”

And Allen, nothing came easy saw it as much as all the jump shots for him. He grew up in a rough he hit. neighborhood and grinded his way Born in Washington, D.C., to OSU, and later Big 12 Player Lucas grew up with a father who of the Year, from two community played and coached in the NBA, colleges. constantly keeping him around “The nuts and bolts, tough kid the sport. Despite that, he never from Chicago,” Randy Rutherford, thought he was above anybody and carried a real genuineness to OSU a former OSU player and assistant for the 2004 team, said of Allen. as a transfer from Baylor.

2B

Check out potential candidates for Boynton’s replacement and more.

Cowgirls decline NIT Cowgirl basketball will not continue its season.

5B

While the Cowboys put the finishing touches on a 20-point thrashing of Iowa State in Ames, Bobik remembers what an ISU player told him.

“Man, you guys are good.”

It was OSU’s fourth-consecutive Big 12 road win. Whoever offered respect to Bobik felt the beatdown.

When their regular season was over, the Cowboys had done that a number of times on the road to conference opponents. Multiple wins versus top 12 teams — some in which OSU had to survive late — and after doing it over and over again, the Cowboys felt their rise.

“You have to be able to believe, and the only way to believe is by going out and doing it,” Bobik said.

OSU took the confidence it gained from those victories into the postseason. They downed Iowa State, Texas Tech and Texas to win the Big 12 Championship and finish 27-3 overall headed into the NCAA Tournament.

With a shifted mindset and a conference championship, the only thing stopping OSU was itself.

“We knew we were built for March,” Rutherford said. “Coach Sutton’s teams were always built for the tournament.”

Timm’s Rise

See Four on 4B

6B

Sophomore bat is the most consistent hitter for OSU softball.

Page 2B Friday, March 15, 2024

O’Colly

sports

Potential candidates for next OSU coach include Sprinkle, Gottlieb Ashton Slaughter Assistant Sports Editor

Oklahoma State will be searching for a new men’s basketball coach this offseason.

OSU fired Mike Boynton on Thursday morning, as first reported by Jon Rothstein. This comes off the heels of the Cowboys going 12-20, tied for the worst record in the Boynton era.

Here are some candidates for OSU’s head coaching opening:

ing the Tigers was impressive, though: 105-51 in five seasons and two NCAA Tournament appearances.

Expect plenty of high-majors to be calling Wade this offseason.

Bryce Drew, Grand Canyon: Drew’s already got family ties in the Big 12.

Bryce’s brother, Scott, is the head coach of Baylor, and Bryce, who’s in his fourth season at Grand Canyon University, is primed to make the Power Five jump.

Two NCAA Tournament appearances at GCU and former head coaching stints at Valparaiso and Vanderbilt make Bryce a viable candidate for OSU.

Danny Sprinkle, Utah State: The 2024 Mountain West Coach of the Year will be a top target for many.

After two NCAA Tournament appearances at Montana State, Sprinkle, in Doug Gottlieb, former OSU player: his first year at Utah State, led the AgGottlieb has been around OSU this gies to their first outright MW conferseason, assisting Boynton and his staff ence title. as a consultant, and has been thrown around in coaching rumors in the past.

Will Wade, McNeese State: Maybe now is the time for the former Wade has coached McNeese State OSU guard. for one season and, on Wednesday, Gottlieb doesn’t have experience coached the Cowboys to a Southland on a college basketball staff but has Conference Tournament Championship, coached multiple United States teams on automatically qualifying them for The an international level. Despite his inexBig Dance. perience, his connection to the program A 30-3 record this season comes two is undeniable and could land him in the years after LSU fired Wade for alleged mix for the gig. recurring violations. His record coachsports.ed@ocolly.com

Courtesy @MatthewJTravis_ (X) Will Wade, McNeese State’s coach, will be a target for many programs this offseason.

Bids...

Davis Cordova OSU athletic director Chad Weiberg delieved the news that Mike Boynton was fired to the team in a meeting.

‘I just thought they had more faith in him’: Cowboys react to Boynton’s firing Gabriel Trevino & Ashton Slaughter

Oklahoma State players learned coach Mike Boynton was fired Thursday in a team meeting.

But from athletic director Chad Weiberg, not Boynton.

OSU announced it fired Boynton after seven years with the program on Thursday morning. The Cowboys finished the 2023-24 season 12-20 and will miss the NCAA Tournament for the sixth year in Boynton’s tenure.

At 11 a.m. Thursday, players met with Weiberg who told them that they would be parting ways with Boynton.

A current player told The O’Colly they were not expecting the news, due to the number of first-year players on the team this season.

“I just thought they had more faith in him. This was kinda shocking.”

This player continued, saying high expectations were set on Boynton, and the department explained that deciding to fire him would alleviate both parties.

“Mike had too much pressure,” he said. “(Weiberg told us) it’s time to

Season finishes under Boynton

2017-18: 21-15, NIT quarterfinals 2018-19: 12-20, no postseason

2019-20: 18-14, no postseason held 2020-21: 21-9, NCAA Second Round 2021-22: 15-15, ineligible 2022-23: 20-16, NIT quarterfinals 2023-24: 12-20, no postseason release the burden. It’s better for him to go separate ways and better for the organization to bring in someone new to try to get us to the next level.”

The O’Colly also learned from a different player that members of the team had discussed the transfer portal, but was limited to the idea of it itself, with some arguing it would be a bad decision to do so. sports.ed@ocolly.com

National Bids for OSU

125: Troy Spratley: No. 6

Continued from 1B At 184 pounds, Dustin Plott lost to Parker Keckeisen of Northern Iowa in the Big 12 finals. Plott’s only loss in duals this season came to Keckeisen, too.

Plott is the No. 3 seed and will have to get through No. 1 Keckeisen for a title.

“It’s about what I expected,” Plott said. “… He’s the one to beat, and I’m not gonna let that last performance be the last one I have with him this year.”

Smith said, overall, the brackets were good. Some pleasing seedings, some not, but brackets are difficult to evaluate. That’s tournaments.

There are four or five teams, Smith said, including his, that could finish second behind behemoth Penn State.

With five wrestlers in the top 10 of their weights, there are several chances for All-American placings.

But just as OSU found out in a tight loss to Iowa State in the Big 12 Championships, seedings and dual records don’t mean much. Smith was encouraged with his team’s conference tournament performance, though, and said he thinks they can carry it over to nationals.

“I expect a pretty good tournament from this team,” Smith said. “Does that mean that we’re going to have several high All-Americans? I don’t know what it means. I just know that it’s gonna be hard to beat some of my guys if they wrestle hard.” sports.ed@ocolly.com

133: Daton Fix: No. 1 141: Tagen Jamison: No. 10 149: Jordan Williams: No. 20 157: Teague Travis: No. 16 165: Izzak Olejnik: No. 7 174: Brayden Thompson: No. 25 184: Dustin Plott: No. 3 197: Luke Surber: No. 27 HWT: Konner Doucet: No. 12

Payton Little OSU coach John Smith said there are four or five teams, including his, that could place second at NCAAs.

brownsshoefitstillwater browns.stillwater 201 S. Perkins Rd · 405-372-7170 Mon–Fri 9:30–6:30, Sat 9:30–5:30, Sun 1–5

THURSDAYS IN MARCH

O’Colly

Friday, March 15, 2024 Page 3B

Classifieds

FOR RELEASE MARCH 15, 2024

Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle

O’Colly Media Sales Manager Needed The O’Colly Media Group is now accepting applications for a full time summer Account Manager, Media Sales. This position is responsible for contacting and selling local, University and Oklahoma businesses OMG advertising opportunities. Specifically print, online and mobile and video streaming service.

Job duties include developing sales, marketing and promotional strategies and create materials to support this effort and propose additional special issues and revenue streams and implement said issues and revenue streams.

Qualified applicant should be able to work with and train students, develop advertising and agency expense budgets, create and monitor daily revenue goals, determine credits and adjustments for advertising errors, serve as liaison between O’Colly and local retail community, university advertisers and other college newspapers. Serve as part of a long term strategic planning to further determine marketing strategies and additional revenue opportunities. Build relationships with prospective clients by attending local Chamber of Commerce meetings and making non sales calls.

Send resume to Lori@ocolly.com for consideration.

GOD’S WONDERFUL LOVE GIFT! “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” (Ro.5:8 NLT) One of the important foundations of our faith is the extent of God’s love for us. It is how far He would go to help us in our sinfulness. If we were to face the righteous judgment of God without his help, we all would be eternally lost; separated from God and all that is good, and it would be forever.

John 3:16 expresses that simply. “ God so loved the world! God went to great lengths to supply a way for us “not to perish;” not to be separated in eternal regret from all that is good and wonderful. It is God who took the initiative. We are so dead in our sins that we did not even see our need fully. To save us, God sent his Son, Jesus, to die for us; to pay the

penalty that was rightfully ours, so that we, humans, could go free.

What does he ask from us? When we learn (hear) the message of God’s love, of Jesus’ sacrifice for us; we trust him, admit our need(our sin), and honestly thank him for his love gift. God forgives all our sins and declares us righteous in his sight.(Ro.5:1) He also gives us a new life within. We are “born again”, and we begin a new and real relationship with God. It is a love relationship; “We love him because He first loved us.” (1 Jn.4:19) “How great is the love the Father (God) has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 Jn.3:1 NIV) Not by any works we have done, but receiving freely Gods love gift. It is free to all!

Cowboy Calendar

Friday, March 15 Alltext Gun Show @ 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Location: Payne County Expo Center https://pcexpocenter.com/events/month/2024-03/ Baltic String Band @ 7 p.m.

Location: Stonecloud Brewing Company https://stonecloudbrewing.com ColdBrew Live @ 7 p.m.

Location: Stonecloud Brewing Company Cowgirl Softball: OSU vs. UCF @ 6 p.m.

Location: Cowgirl Stadium https://okstate.com/sports/softball/schedule Cowgirl Tennis OSU vs. TCU @ 6 p.m.

Location: Greenwood Tennis Center https://okstate.com/sports/womens-tennis/schedule Downtown Funk @ 8 - 10 p.m.

Location: Em Curators of Craft Admission: $5.00 Cover Charge https://curatorsofcraft.co/pages/on-stage St. Patrick’s Day @ 5 p.m.

Location: EM Curators of Craft Friday Flix @ 2:20 - 4 p.m.

Location: OSU Museum of Art https://museum.okstate.edu Grillin’ & Chillin’ At The Varsity Shop @ 1 - 3 p.m.

Location: Em Curators of Craft https://curatorsofcraft.co Karaoke @ 9 p.m.

Location: The Midnight Bar Friday Downtown Stillwater Art @ Wine Walk @ 4 - 8 p.m.

Location: Downtown Stillwater https://downtownstillwater.org St. Patrick’s Day Recess @ 12 p.m.

Location: Couch Perk & Sports Complex Admission: GREEN! Teen Anime Night @ 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Location: Stillwater Public Library Admission: Free Event for ages 14 - 18 https://www.stillwaterok.gov/LiraryRegister The Mid South Endurance Festival @ 7 a.m.

Location: District Bicycles Admissions: Free to Watch https://www.midsouthgravel.com Saturday, March 16 Cowboy Tennis: OSU vs. Illinois @ 2 p.m.

Location: Greenwood Tennis Center https://okstate.com/sports/mens-tennis/schedule Cowgirl Softball: OSU vs. UCF @ 2 p.m.

Location: Cowgirl Stadium

Edited by Patti Varol

ACROSS 1 Cotillion VIPs 5 Fades 9 Redolence 14 Strip of wood 15 Legendary 16 Participated in a regatta, maybe 17 Prefix between giga- and peta18 It concludes The Beach Boys’ “Pet Sounds” 20 Character seen at the beginning and end of “Star Wars” 22 Gain an advantage 23 Collection of vineyards, perhaps 28 Tune from “10” 30 It comes early in September 32 W-2 org.

33 Benefit 35 Nose (out) 36 One is used in basketball but not in hockey 39 Hearty partner 42 Animal also called a forest giraffe 43 Boxer’s warning 46 What can be seen in two places in Missouri 49 Dinner-and-ashow platform 51 Small accident 52 One-named K-pop singer 53 One can’t print dollars without it 58 When read as three words, suitable sponsor for “Sesame Street” and an alternate answer for 18-, 20-, 30-, 36-, 46-, and 53-Across 62 Powdery mineral 64 Inbox filler 65 Cut down to size 66 Poetic tributes 67 Study aids 68 Physicist Bethe portrayed in “Oppenheimer” 69 Moon landing org.

DOWN 1 Summer hrs.

Daily Horoscope

3/15/24

By Alan Levin

2 Roosevelt whom Truman called the “First Lady of the World” 3 Crude carriers 4 Square figure?

5 Erté’s style 6 Tablet since 2010 7 Marshy spot 8 Dundee resident 9 Melodic passage 10 Director Howard 11 Have debts 12 Guys 13 Flap 19 “Stay” singer Lisa 21 2021 interviewer of Meghan and Harry 22 Kimono sash 24 Arduous journey 25 Append 26 Graffiti signature 27 Needle hole 29 Lacto-__ vegetarian 30 Soundly defeats 31 Penne __ vodka 34 Speck 36 MacFarlane or Green of “Family Guy” 37 Elect (to) 38 Polite 39 “Let me see ... ”

Nancy Black Tribune Content Agency Linda Black Horoscopes Today’s Birthday (03/15/24). Fortune follows communications this year. Take consistent disciplined steps to realize personal dreams. Springtime bounty fills your shared baskets, before summer delays or changes require financial adaptation. Achieve a personal triumph this autumn, before collaborating to surmount wintertime shared financial hurdles. Write your story.

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 7 — You can see the statue hidden within the marble. Have faith. Take consistent steps to fulfill your creative vision. Craft, mold and articulate your ideas.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is a 9 — Patiently persist. You can get what you need. Invest in a diamond in the rough. Communication is your golden key. Put together lucrative deals.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is a 9 — Take charge for the results you want. Clean messes and restore integrity for workability. Stick to practical priorities. Discuss your ideas, passions and dreams.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is a 6 — Revise plans.

A long-term dream appears within reach. Avoid noise and chaos. Distractions abound. Patiently persist. Research and organize to discover new possibilities.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is an 8 — Connect with friends. Advance team projects by leaps and bounds. Take advantage of a lucky break. Work out the details later.

Maintain communication.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is a 9 — Pour on the steam. You’re especially productive at work. Creative solutions may require making a mess. Prioritize practicalities.

Coordinate carefully with your team.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is an 8 — Widen your exploration. Communication and transportation networks flow clearly. Strengthen foundational structures for your project. Study and investigate. Do the homework. Discover hidden beauty.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is an 8 — Collaboration can get especially profitable. It may require making a mess, or leaving chores for later. Take advantage of a lucrative break. Coordinate together.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is a 7 — Share support, fun and comfort with your partner. Things aren’t always sunshine and roses. Provide stability in a storm.

Remember dreams and passions.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is an 8 — Physical action gets results. Balance a busy schedule with self-care.

Nurture yourself with rest, good food and exercise. Guard time for healthy routines.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is a 7 — Romantic dreams could seem complicated. Reduce chaos by cleaning messes. Creative ideas spark in conversation. Keep your flexibility and sense of humor. Prioritize fun.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is an 8 — Make a domestic change you’ve been wanting. Physical action has lasting benefits. Rearrange the furniture. Clean, sort and organize. Give away extra stuff.

Thursday’s Puzzle Solved

©2024 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

40 Mahershala with two Oscars 41 Nt. wt. units 43 Southernmost of the Windward Islands 44 Really irks 45 Saloon pour 47 Stands in front of artists 48 Dr. visit 50 Son of Poseidon 54 Engrave

3/15/24

55 “Life & Beth” actor Michael 56 Curling __ 57 Egyptian snakes 58 Number of digits on a keypad 59 Med. care provider 60 “Don’t let it get cold” 61 Whopper 63 Farm-share program, for short

Level 1 2 3 4

3/15/24

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

© 2024 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.

Page 4B Friday, March 15, 2024

Four...

Continued from 1B Instead of screaming or changing anything schematically at halftime, Sutton dropped a friendly reminder to his Cowboys.

After 20 minutes of 15-seeded Eastern Washington carving OSU up in the opening round with a high-post pick-and-roll and consistent interior offense, the Eagles — a pesky team from the Big Sky Conference — were a half away from upsetting the Cowboys.

OSU’s stifling defense appeared left behind in Stillwater, and everything it had accomplished up until that point was at stake.

“Coach walks in nice and calm,” Bobik said. “‘You won the Big 12 Tournament. You guys are the No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament. It’s been a great year, a great ride. But if you lose this game, all that other stuff means nothing. No one’s gonna remember you for all the things you did and all the championships you won.’”

Message received.

OSU woke up on defense and held the Eagles to a 7-for-27 shooting, 20-point second half.

The Cowboys had finally come alive, and a one-sided second half put OSU past EWU, 75-56.

All the tournament jitters could be put to rest. Anybody on the roster who hadn’t won a tournament game, like the Graham brothers and Bobik, got it out of the way.

Albeit a first round game against EWU, The Cowboys had everything to lose while the Eagles had nothing. Winning under those circumstances settled OSU in for a Round of 32 game against Memphis.

***** The Cowboys coaching staff tested Joey pregame.

It’d be Memphis’ wings — Antonio Burks and Rodeny Carney, two NBA prospects — against Joey, who hoped to go pro, too. Sutton and Co. made it the biggest matchup of the night. “(They) challenged his manhood essentially,” Bobik said.

That fired Joey up. He went for 20 first-half points, outscoring Memphis, which put up 19.

He even threw down a dunk so monstrous that it’s still shown in OSU’s pregame hype video at Gallagher-Iba Arena.

The Cowboys out-toughed the Tigers. They beat them up on the boards, ran shooters off the 3-point line and were sound defensively all game. OSU cruised to a 70-53 victory for its second tournament win against a team that was once ranked No. 24 in the country.

Each of OSU’s starters scored in double figures — an all-around improved game compared to the opener.

Slowly and Slowly the Cowboys were gaining steam, and so was their belief.

“We got that first game behind us and played with a lot of confidence against Memphis,” Dickey said. “We really guarded them much better than we did the first half against Eastern Washington.”

O’Colly

sports mid-range jumper for the tie.

“I thought, ‘Well, we’re not gonna get beat,’” Dickey said. “‘The worst we can do is go to overtime’. I was really happy he drove that past that 3-point line.”

Clank. No good. Lucas grabbed the rebound, launched the ball toward the ceiling and ran and jumped into his father’s arms. It hit him and the Cowboys, they were Final Four bound for the first time since 1995.

“The euphoria right after is the coolest part,” Bobik said. “We got the rebound, and there’s so many emotions that go through your mind.”

nated the Big 12. Crawford always reminisces about the sentimental, non-basketball things that came with that season.

“It’s the memories,” Crawford said. “The rings and all the wins are cool, but (it’s) the memories and relationships that can’t be broken because we went through a lot together.”

For Bobik, it’s the fact that each player and coach accepted him.

He came to Stillwater with his wife during a time when transferring wasn’t popular. It could have been a long, tough process. But it wasn’t. The Cowboys welcomed Bobik and his 3-point marksmanship.

“I’m grateful they accepted me,” Bobik said. “I transferred ***** there and sat out a year and didn’t know how that was gonna Twenty years later, Bobik, McFarlin and other team mem- go… I’m just very grateful to be a part of it and that they gave bers reunited back at GIA for an OSU game against BYU, as me a chance.”

Dickey didn’t want to miss the group and its Final Four run out on the fun. From off-court were honored at halftime.

Oklahoma State Athletics (X) activities to late-night workouts Those heights haven’t been John Lucas was a two-time All-American with the Cowboys after transferring to OSU and game days, every second of reached since, and it was the in 2003 following the Baylor scandal. it was enjoyable alongside his sixth time the Cowboys got right-hand man, Sutton. there.

“Being able to be in the gym OSU faced Georgia Tech ***** ***** with those guys was special, after the thriller against St. and going to work every day Travel was easy for PittsSaint Joseph’s and its back- Joseph’s. After trading blows with the staff,” Dickey said. “I down the stretch, GT’s Will burgh fans, who practically court of Jameer Nelson, the just tried to make sure I didn’t made the Sweet Sixteen a home national player of the year, and Bynum snaked by Lucas off a ever miss the bus.” game.

Delonte West — another future screen and finished a layup to The jubilation and selflessThe Panther faithful made NBA pro — would be the new- take a two-point lead. ness that surrounded that season Lucas tried to be a hero with the trip to East Rutherford, est, and toughest, foes. forever remain with Rutherford. a full court heave as the last 1.5 New Jersey, and watched their The Hawks were the first A squad that decided to blend seconds expired, but the Cowsquad hold the Cowboys to one team to go undefeated since styles and personalities left it at boys’ postseason magic ran out. of their worst first half shootUNLV in 1991 and didn’t lose the door daily.

“The ball screen.

It haunts ing starts while grabbing 12 until falling to Xavier in the All of it was key to having me to this day,” Dickey said. offensive rebounds. Controlling Atlantic 10 tournament. An such a memorable season.

Although OSU didn’t win it the glass played right into Pitt’s impressive 27-1 campaign gar“They didn’t have any jealall, everyone who was a part of game plan, as it preferred a nered them a No. 1 seed in the ousy,” Rutherford said. “They the ride remembers it fondly. methodical approach and stuck tournament, which later added just knew how to play ball and The Cowboys finished 31-4, to that with the second chances some animosity to the matchup. play for each other.” it got en route to a 28-26 lead at “We felt like we should have made the Final Four and domisports.ed@ocolly.com the half. been the No. 1 seed,” Crawford OSU hadn’t been dominated said. “It’s different when you on the boards like that since play in a Power 5 conference.

BYU, when it practiced with Saint Joe’s was great, but like at shoulder pads and helmets the the end of the day, we weren’t next couple of days after, aimafraid to play against Saint ing to never get bullied on the Joe’s.” boards again.

Saint Joe’s and its small-ball “We were concerned about style went to war with OSU all the tempo of the game,” Dickey game. Neither gained a comsaid. “We just could never get fortable lead, and with that, any kind of separation from the crunchtime madness comthem.” menced.

Without using football The Hawks’ top-of-the-key equipment this time, the Cowball screen freed up Pat Carroll, boys sorted out their reboundwho drained a 3 that put them ing problem at halftime. All the up 62-61 with 29.9 seconds left. pushing, bumping and flying OSU’s season was running out bodies would be two-sided. of time.

Pitt grabbed four offenLuckily for the Cowboys, sive boards in the second half, they, too, had an All-American which, more importantly, alguard in Lucas. lowed OSU to get out and run in He watched Joey try to transition. weave by a St. Joe’s defender The separation Dickey and the following possession. Joey OSU had been looking for was lost his footing and slipped, created when Joey and Allen led losing control of the ball, too. a 15-5 run with less than eight Bobik stood on the right side minutes left. and watched it unfold.

The Cowboys stood tall “Oh crap. Oh my gosh,” he down the stretch and rode that thought. run to a 63-51 win, leaving them But as Lucas’ defender as one of eight teams standing. closed, Joey recovered the ball Beating a physical Panthers and found Lucas on the left team, and beating them at their wing. own game — bruising and Wide open, Lucas fired banging — gave the Cowboys a a set-shot 3 and cashed the refresher of what it felt like to biggest shot of his life. One bully somebody. They had done he practiced for hundreds of it before, but the feeling of do- hours with no one else watching it in a tournament game was ing. ‘Little John,’ the kid who planted in their minds going never wasn’t around a basketball forward. growing up, had revived the “We figured out a way to Cowboys season. kind of grind it out (and win),” OSU couldn’t celebrate, Bobik said. “...Pitt was supposed though. Nelson ran down with a to be this big, bad, strong team full head of steam as the re(and) kinda had this attitude, maining 6.9 seconds ticked off File Photo but they couldn’t punk us.” the clock. Instead of shooting Eddie Sutton took OSU to the Final Four twice in 16 years as coach. a 3 for the win, Nelson took a

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sports

Cowgirls declining automatic NIT bid, Hoyt cites injuries Davis Cordova Staff Reporter There was an opportunity for the Cowgirls to continue its season, but the team declined the option.

The Oklahoma State women’s basketball team ended its season March 8 in the second round of the Big 12 Tournament against TCU. The Cowgirls finished their season at 14-16, with no chance to make the NCAA Tournament, but they still had an opportunity to play longer.

The NIT changed its selection format this season, and it favors the power conferences. The two highest remaining teams in the NET rankings not selected to the NCAA Tournament from the power-six conferences (Big 12, Pac-12, Big Ten, SEC, ACC and Big East) get an automatic bid to the NIT. The Big 12 is projected seven teams into the tournament and the Cowgirls are the ninth-ranked Big 12 team in the NET, meaning the Cowgirls get an automatic bid, but OSU coach Jacie Hoyt said the season is over.

“We said we were going to decline any of that,” Hoyt said. “Our kids’ bodies can’t take anymore.

It’s crazy what our kids have been able to do and the minutes they have played with all the adversity.”

The Cowgirls had a slew of injuries with four season-ending injuries to Landry Williams, Chandler Prater, Emilee Ebert and Ale’Jah Douglas. The Cowgirls also had Kennedy Fauntleroy and Brionna Jackson leave the program in November.

On top of that, Praise Egharevba missed the Cowgirls’ last game due to an unknown injury, but was seen with crutches at the game.

This left the Cowgirls with little depth, forcing players to push their bodies to the limit.

The Cowgirls’ starters almost maxed out their bodies with the little depth they had. The Cowgirls had four players in the top 10 of the Big 12’s minutes per game.

- (No. 2 in Big 12) Quincy Noble: 35.73 minutes per game - (No. 7) Anna Gret Asi: 34.10 - (No. 8) Lior Garzon: 33.80

- (No. 9) Stailee Heard: 33.47 The four Cowgirls played all 30 games and combined for 4,113 minutes.

Hoyt said Asi has a bone spur, plantar fasciitis and tweaked her ankle in the loss. Hoyt also said Asi, Rylee Langerman and Ehgarevba will need extensive rehab to get back to 100% for next season.

Heard using senior’s game for summer Heard is already one of OSU’s best players, but she wants to get better in the summer using things she has learned from this season.

Heard is OSU’s standout freshman, averaging 12.9 points and 6.3 rebounds per game and was named to the Big 12’s All-Freshman team.

Following the Cowgirls’ loss, Heard said she’s going to miss playing with Noble, a fifth-year senior who played her last game.

“I left everything out there,” Heard said. “It wasn’t the way I wanted to go out, but just going back and thinking and thinking, our seniors. I just really loved playing with Q (Noble) and that’s really what hurt me the most is not being able to play with her again.”

Heard will have potentially three more years with the Cowgirls to elevate her game and with her first full offseason in Stillwater, she hopes to improve her game, especially with things she has learned from Noble.

“Just stepping up,” Heard said.

“I’m going to be a sophomore next year and just stepping up, being a leader, being able to take over the way Q does and just taking a whole bunch of stuff that Q does into my game. Yeah, we’re not the same player, but I can learn a lot from her.”

Noble had 26 points in her final college game and was the target for OSU’s last possession, but never got the ball.

Hoyt said Heard can use what she saw in Noble’s last game as an anchor for her summer workouts.

“She can certainly get better,” Hoyt said. “I think when a freshman gets to see a senior perform like she did today, that’s pretty motivating and I was really happy to see Quincy be able to go out like that.” sports.ed@ocolly.com

Kaytlyn Hayes Ange Oby Kajuru, an Iowa State transfer, is ranked No. 4 in the country and holds a 28-7 singles record this season.

How Kajuru is finding her place at OSU Gina Foster Staff Reporter

The No. 4 women’s tennis player didn’t know she was good until she was a teenager and won the International Tennis Federation W15 Olomouc Tournament.

Ange Oby Kajuru represented Japan well in the tournament, but it wasn’t her favorite tennis memory.

That top spot belongs to the Cowgirls.

Kajuru’s favorite memory of her tennis career was winning the ITA Women’s Tennis Indoor National Championship earlier this season.

After playing at Iowa State for two seasons, Kajuru felt it was time for a change, and Oklahoma State was the perfect fit.

Luckily for the junior, she was the perfect fit for OSU. “We played against her so many times, and it’s just her competitive energy and spirit,” OSU coach Chris Young said. “We always knew she was one of the better players in the country, so when she became available, it was really an easy decision.”

Since coming to OSU in the fall, Kajuru thrived on Court 2. She is 28-7 in singles and 27-8 in doubles.

Assistant coach Jaime Sanchez-Canamares said teammates can rely on Kajuru to make the score 1-0.

Kajuru views her teammates the same.

“We have one to six, but

I feel like everyone can play one and two,” Kajuru said.

“To me, that’s really good and no one can do it. It’s only our team.”

Young said her good energy and personality off of the court helps her team feel connected as they battle alongside each other.

“She can relate to everybody,” Young said. “She’s just somebody that can be a friend with every person on the team and that’s what’s special about our team is the girls are all very connected.”

This No. 1 team has been successful, leaving plenty of room for pressure and anxiety to creep in. However, Kajuru doesn’t notice.

“I don’t think about anything,” Kajuru said. “I just play. I know we are good, but I just feel no pressure.”

She may have a bubbly personality in the locker room but on the court, she is quiet and focused.

Kajur’s skill set is also unique. For being just 5-foot-8, she gets around the court with quick and controlled agility.

“She is super fast, super strong,” Sanchez-Canamares said. “In college tennis, there are several levels based on what teams you play, and sometimes it’s in the middle of a point and the other girl would get an amazing shot, and I turned my head not expecting for her to be there and she’s there before the ball even bounced. It gives her an advantage to win against her opponents because it’s almost like she’s

a little ahead of them.”

Although pressure is not relevant to Kajuru, there is one difficulty she faces in her game that her long strides and fast feet can’t fix.

“When she’s competing and something doesn’t go her way, her way of expressing that is through emotions because she’s not used to it,” Sanchez-Canamares said.

“We try for her to be a little bit more energetic, a little bit more on fire because then when that happens in a match, she’s going to relate to it.”

There are strengths and weaknesses in each athlete, but using her weakness to improve makes Kajuru stand out.

“That’s what makes her great,” Young said. “She demands perfection from herself, but we’re trying to get her to realize that she doesn’t have to expect it all the time.”

Kajuru plans to return to Japan and conclude her tennis career after college.

However, she is making the best of the time she has left and making her mark on the Cowgirl family.

The junior is not done yet because there is plenty of tennis to be played in Stillwater, including the NCAA Tournament.

“I am really excited because there are so many people coming here,” Kajuru said.

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Page 6B Friday, March 15, 2024

O’Colly

sports

Wulfert reaping success after early-season adversity Daniel Allen Staff Reporter

Alexis Higgins Claire Timm leads OSU in six hitting stats, including hits, slugging and triples.

How sophomore Timm became OSU’s most consistent hitter Gabriel Trevino Staff Reporter

was primarily a third and first baseman. Most of her appearances last season were at third when Megan Bloodworth’s bat Coaches disapprove of a began to slow in OSU’s lineup. narrative that Claire Timm This year, with more infield “came out of nowhere.” depth than before, Timm’s It may appear so to fans. left-handed bat would be too Timm took 35 plate appearvaluable to leave on the bench. ances as a freshman in 2023 So coach Kenny Gajewksi made and is now one of — if not the her do something she never had best — hitter on the team as a to that point: play outfield. sophomore.

Timm opened the season Her breakout is one of many as OSU’s left fielder. Then, she on an Oklahoma State softball moved to right. And sometimes, team that features eight under- she’s in center. classmen who are consistent She credits the ease in the starters. transition to the coaching staff, “That kid’s been steady who has forced similar switches since the day she got here,” said with past players. Infielder Talhitting coach Vanessa Shippylen Edwards played left field Fletcher. “She’s just really as a freshman when she was consistent... with not only her a shortstop all in high school. emotions, but also her work.

Former right fielder Katelyn She’s a grinder. She’s funny, Carwile was a pitcher before she’s hard to read at times but moving to the outfield, and now you know what you’re gonna Jilyen Poullard, Macy Graf and get from her on the field.”

Timm are playing outfield for Young players often get lost the first time in college this with themselves in the emotions season. that come with competition.

“I’ve gotten coached up a Not Timm, though. Staying lot, I’ve gotten a lot of work calm is something she said in and I think it’s much better she’s always been in life, not than I was in the beginning,” just in sports.

Timm said. “It’s been a lot of It’s not only helped her in fun to do.” the batter’s box, but also in the “She’s adapting out there field. In high school and as a well and throwing the ball freshman, Timm, at 5-feet-11, well,” Gajewski said. “It seems

to be the right spot. It’s not always the prettiest thing, but it gets the job done for what we needed. She’s still a work in progress, but she’s doing well.”

The Cowgirls need Timm playing anywhere because of her hitting. Through the team’s first 24 games, she leads OSU in six hitting categories, including average, hits, triples and slugging.

Timm excels as the second batter in the lineup. Her batting skills are as good as anyone’s on the team, and she can hit it to any spot. That value, combined with base running abilities, was what she provided to OSU as a pinch hitter in the Cowgirls Women’s College World Series run as a freshman.

She’s not just a small-ball player anymore, though. Timm can get under the ball and hit it hard. That, with her speed, makes her one of the most complete players on the team.

“Some of the swings she takes are beautiful to watch,” Gajewski said. “She’s so even keel. That’s one of the things I love watching her is her mentality. She just continues to play at a high level.”

sports.ed@ocolly.com

Tyler Wulfert’s start to the season hasn’t been ideal, and his offensive numbers will tell you that.

Last year, the Oklahoma State senior third baseman was Big 12 Newcomer of the Year with a .327 batting average and nine home runs. Experts expected a prolific 2024 season.

That hasn’t been the case.

But to those close to him, his .231 batting average isn’t telltale of how efficient he’s been at the plate.

On Tuesday, after a slow start to the year, he broke through. A two-hit, four-RBI night aided OSU in a 14-5 win at Oklahoma. A two-run home run in the fourth inning drew praise from teammates.

“Wulfy is back,” one OSU player yelled from the dugout.

Wulfert’s batting average rose to .231 from a sub-.100 for most of the season. He’s still been accruing quality contact.

This time, it’s resulted in more base hits.

“Just trying to get my pitch.

That’s (what I’ve been working on),” Wulfert said. “Just take a good swing on the right pitch.

That’s all I’m trying to do. I’m just trusting in myself. That’s it.

Just trying to get the right pitch to hit, put a good swing on it and just trust in my swing.”

Although adversity hasn’t been common during Wulfert’s baseball career, he’s taken it in stride. His father, Mark Wulfert, can’t pinpoint when Tyler’s even-keel mentality began, but it’s become more apparent adversity can’t faze Tyler on the field.

“He’s had it his whole life,” Mark said. “I don’t possess that same ability that he has. I don’t share that attitude with him.

I’m not sure where he got it. But he’s just had it his whole life.

He likes to win and likes to succeed, to put it simply.

“You wouldn’t be able to tell if that kid is going through a hurricane or if he won the

lottery. If he hit five home runs in a game, you wouldn’t be able to tell.”

Wulfert produced consecutive high-level seasons at Midland Junior College, but inconsistency occasionally surfaced. Occasionally, a phone call would come Mark’s way.

But often nothing. He’d rather embrace and learn from adversity on his own.

“Tyler, he must have hit seven, 10, 12 balls over on that road trip we had to open the year, that he had nothing to show for,” OSU coach Josh Holliday said. “(He had) a statistical slow start. And then you start to change things or try too hard. But he had been hitting the ball very hard. He just didn’t have a lot of return.”

He first endured it last season, going 1-10 to start the year.

Of course, things got better.

He experienced it again this season, starting the year 2-12 at the plate.

His struggles didn’t improve, either. He began the year 5 for 34 despite having quality at-bats. He generated contact, but often to no avail.

“In baseball, when you hit a ball 115 miles per hour off your bat, you can’t control where it goes off your bat,” Holliday said. “So, he’s just starting to get some better luck. Because he’s been hitting the ball hard.”

Wulfert has found his groove at the plate, with a sixgame hitting streak. OSU is reaping the rewards, and Mark is enjoying it.

“We all want to see our kids succeeds, but definition of success might be different than most baseball parents’,” Mark said. I played it my whole life. I went through it. I love every bit of it. And Tyler gets it.

“I love to see his hard work pay off. I just enjoy seeing him happy. My wife, his sisters, we all enjoy it. This recent tear he’s been on has been fun to watch.”

sports.ed@ocolly.com