The O'Colly, Friday, April 5, 2024

LUTZ WORK

Oklahoma State introduces Steve Lutz as 21st coach of men’s basketball program

Lutz, Weiberg seeking rebuild with NIL, portal

Gabriel Trevino Staff Reporter

Each of the four speakers at Thursday’s press conference to introduce Oklahoma State men’s basketball coach Steve Lutz mentioned his eldest daughter. Lutz’s wife, Shannon, and two of their children, McKenna and Jackson, made the trip to Stillwater for their first public meeting with OSU. Their oldest, Caroline, however, was working. She works with Purdue’s men’s basketball team, which will play in the Final Four in two days. Caroline couldn’t go from Phoenix to Stillwater and back in time, but that’s where Lutz strives to be: a place where OSU can compete for a national championship. “If you’re gonna do this, if you’re wired as a competitor, you want to put yourself in a position to be able to win a national title,” Lutz said. “And that’s something that can be accomplished at Oklahoma State. It’s been proven before.”

“We weren’t just selling a dream,” Athletic Director Chad Weiberg said. “It has been done here before.” Easier said than done.

Lutz is taking over a team that went 12-20 last season and two of its best players in the transfer portal.

Lutz shaped by hard work; hopes to revive OSU with it

Early installations of hard work into his life come from his father, who worked for a telephone company for 47 years. He never missed a day and came home with sweat and blood all over his clothes.

Ashton Slaughter Assistant Sports Editor

When he wasn’t climbing up a telephone pole or crawling under a house and could sneak some time in with his sixth and youngest son, the two would drink from water bottles out of his father’s Igloo cooler in his company’s truck when he had a few minutes to spare.

Now, Lutz, the 21st Oklahoma State men’s basketball coach, has taken the lessons learned from his father and inserted them into his coaching. After being a college basketball player and longtime assistant coach, Lutz led Texas A&M-Corpus Christi to consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances before taking Western Kentucky to The Big Dance this season in his lone season as the Hilltoppers’ coach. He’s all about hard work — a message that Cowboy fans, who reminisce on Eddie Sutton and Henry Iba’s squads — can get behind.

“As the head coach of this basketball program, I’ve got to make sure that we play the right way, and the right way is to submit to toughness (and) hard work,” Lutz said.

Weiberg explains lengthy process that took 18 days

Oklahoma State Athletic Director Chad Weiberg asked OSU players for one thing when he informed them he was looking for a new head coach. Patience. And that was fitting, as Weiberg followed with an 18-day coaching search before naming Western Kentucky’s Steve Lutz as the Cowboys’ new head man, the longest time period so far this cycle. “My whole intent was to get the best basketball coach we could find,” Weiberg said. “I didn’t care about how long it took (or) how short it took. I wasn’t setting a timeframe on it.”

On March 14, OSU fired Mike Boynton Jr. after seven seasons, tasking Weiberg with hiring a head coach for the second time since becoming the decision maker, the other being women’s basketball coach Jacie Hoyt. This go-around was a lengthy process that was met with confusion, curiosity and few updates until its final days. All that didn’t matter to Weiberg, though, because he was comfortable taking his time. He didn’t feel pressure to rush into a move at the expense of someone or something else. Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports reported

job.

Parker Gerl Staff Reporter

Steve Lutz is rooted in hard work.

Davis Cordova

Revive...

Continued from 1A

Being from San Antonio, Texas, Lutz knows and understands Cowboy and Big 12 basketball. Heck, he doesn’t do much outside of basketball. He doesn’t golf. He sometimes reads or cooks barbecue. Otherwise, he and his wife, Shannon, follow their three kids, Caroline, McKenna and Jackson, whenever basketball isn’t the focus — a rare instance.

He grew up watching Big 12 basketball and witnessed OSU basketball as a perennial powerhouse.

He’s heard the stories of the glory days of Cowboy basketball — soldout crowds and avid fan support. He wants 13,611 people “screaming their heads off” in GallagherIba Arena and challenged OSU students to be at every single game.

Lutz knows he’s taking over a program in need of a revival.

“I hear the stories of when Coach Sutton was here and when Coach Iba was here, and people talk about the hair standing up on the back of their neck… and I can’t wait for that to be the case again here this next year.”

To begin this revival, Lutz’s three pillars of OSU basketball for his players will be: love your teammates, do the right thing and do your best.

He’s had conversations with the current players on the team and players who are in the transfer portal, and he said if they decide to attend another university, they wish them the best and that “a couple of them have” — though no player has committed to another school.

Lutz went through a workout with players on Wednesday and plans for more workouts next week. As a former player, he knows the best way for coaches and players to get acclimated is on the court, so he’s getting to know them there as well as off the court. Lutz said he and freshman forward Justin McBride spoke Thursday morning and that they had an honest conversation.

“I’m almost honest to a fault,” Lutz said. “...I have a certain vision for the way we want to play, and as a player, you have a vision for the way you want to play. And if those visions don’t align, it’s never gonna work out.”

His honesty and foundation in hard work led him to a message that he shared with players, members of the athletic department, donors and fans at GIA on Thursday afternoon.

“You’re gonna get 110% from me every single day. I promise you that. I can’t promise you that we’re going to win every single game, but I can promise you that you’re going to have our best,” Lutz said.

Continued from 1A

His predecessor, Mike Boynton, begged for more NIL support to retain players on the roster for next season before he was fired on March 14.

NIL and the transfer portal are hot topics. Especially at Oklahoma State. Leading the team to the NCAA Tournament immediately will be more difficult than it was when Lutz did at Texas A&M Corpus-Christi and Western Kentucky.

But not impossible.

When Weiberg spoke to references about Lutz, he was told the coach is a “relentless recruiter.” Lutz used the portal to build his C-USA champion Hilltoppers this year, and eluded the NIL competition to giving out partial scholarships at previous schools that can’t afford full-rides he’s coached at. Quick turnarounds are what he has done, and with more resources, it could be replicated again.

“I feel good about where we are (about NIL),” Weiberg said. “You have physical manifestations of the kind of support that this place has. You can’t see NIL. It’s not a transparent process, but all you have to do is look around here and you can see how invested our fans and donors are.”

“We’re gonna have more money here (than Western Kentucky),” Lutz said. “Part of my job is to find more investors into our program. You’re investing in individuals, but really, you’re investing

in Oklahoma State basketball. That’s the way we have to look at it. The rules have changed, so we have to embrace the fact that these guys are able to be compensated for their name, image and likeness. And let’s compensate them well, especially the guys we want to retain.”

Before Lutz was announced as the next coach, three scholarship players — all underclassmen starters — entered the transfer portal. Retaining players, even those who decided they may want to leave, is near the top of Lutz’s priorities. Some players might be victims of the change, though.

That requires tough conversations. From assistant coaches to players, when a new coach is brought it, personalities and styles may not fit. Lutz said he will talk with assistants who were on Boynton’s staff and players who may be better off elsewhere if that’s the outcome decided.

Between building the roster with new players from the portal and retaining current ones, Lutz preaches doing the right thing, just as he wants his players to do themselves in order for OSU’s dream of Lutz taking it back to contention to become reality.

“As long as they are open to coming back to Oklahoma State, and if they’re give me a chance to recruit them back, then we’re gonna work together,” Lutz said. “I’ll do my best to retain each of the guys that want to be here. Being a part of the Oklahoma State program is not for everyone. It’s just not. It requires a lot of hard work. If they want to be here, great. If not, we’ll find someone who wants to be here.”

Process...

Continued from 1A

Later that same day, more reports

hinting a deal was close to done filed in, but then three days of silence followed. No announcement. No more reports from Rothstein. Nothing.

“You didn’t hear (Lutz was the guy Thursday) from me,” Weiberg said. “I saw those things, too, but I was operating on my timeline. I wasn’t operating on Jon Rothstein’s timeline or anybody else’s timeline.”

Three days later, it was official: Lutz had been named head coach at OSU after a year at WKU, fresh off an NCAA Tournament appearance.

Then on Thursday, Lutz was formally introduced as the school’s 21st head coach. He brings three seasons of head coaching experience, a palette that includes a tournament bid in each of his seasons as the top dog. One this past season with the Hilltoppers and two in the two years spent at Texas A&MCorpus Christi. What Weiberg asked the players for is the same quality Lutz dubbed as key

to having a successful first season.

“Patience,” Lutz said. “I think patience is always the biggest thing when you take over a job, (like) when you walk in the door and got three, four or five guys in the transfer portal, and you’re looking around saying, ‘Man, I don’t really have a roster...’ So, I’ve always been calculated.”

Lutz posed with a white Cowboys jersey and presented his story, plans for the program and overall coaching style when he spoke behind the lectern.

Right away, he emphasized his vision of having Gallagher-Iba Arena — the place he stood in as he spoke — sold out and becoming the toughest place to play in the Big 12. He promised the fans in attendance and watching on YouTube the newly guided Cowboys would always play hard.

The search that took the longest since 2006, when OSU promoted Sean Sutton to head coach, is over. Weiberg believes Stillwater is the place Lutz is supposed to be.

“I would say that a lot of candidates that ended up in (other) jobs were good fits for those places, too,” Weiberg said. “They got what they needed, and I believe we got what we needed and what fits us.”

Payton Little

Most of OSU’s roster showed up for coach Steve Lutz’s introductory conference on Thursday.

Payton Little

Steve Lutz is the 21st head coach in OSU men’s basketball history and was introduced on Thursday in Gallagher-Iba Arena. Payton Little

New OSU coach Steve Lutz faced the cameras on Thursday at his introductory conference.

Davis Cordova

OSU Athletic Director Chad Weiberg made his second head coach hiring with Steve Lutz. sports.ed@ocolly.com

sports.ed@ocolly.com

SPORTS

Beat writers’ takeaways from Lutz’s introductory press conference

Gerl: Steve Lutz calls it how it is

Oklahoma State fans, staffers and donors got their first taste of the Steve Lutz era at his introductory press conference Thursday afternoon in GallagherIba Arena.

O’Colly Sports men’s basketball beat writers Ashton Slaughter, Parker Gerl and Gabriel Trevino listened to school president Dr. Kayse Shrum, AD Chad Weiberg and Associate AD Larry Reece welcome Lutz and his subsequent speech. Slaughter, Gerl and Trevino also spoke with Lutz and Weiberg, and each compiled their main takeaway from the first impression.

Slaughter: It’s obvious why Lutz is the guy

Weiberg said that Lutz had been a legitimate candidate since the coaching search began. After conversations with those who knew Lutz — including but not limited to Purdue coach Matt Painter, whom Lutz coached under — Weiberg was sold. And it’s clear why.

Trevino: Lutz passed his test

Despite Western Kentucky’s pace of play headlining Lutz’s tenure, he said that he’s a defensive-minded coach first — which was met with applause from OSU donors and fans. Of course it did; that was the foundation of Eddie Sutton’s Final Four teams during the glory days of Cowboy basketball. Lutz is also all about hard work, is a family man and basketball is the most important thing to him outside of his wife and three kids. He’s a basketball guy who wants to revive a program with defense first — despite analytics saying otherwise. No wonder Weiberg thought he’d fit the OSU mold.

When OSU player John-Michael Wright, who just exhausted his eligibility, asked Lutz if he would tell a player their style didn’t fit his, Lutz made sure those watching and listening knew he was a straight-forward coach.

As big man Justin McBride sat alongside the other players in attendance, Lutz pointed to McBride and said, ‘Ask Justin.’ He didn’t make that example to say McBride doesn’t have the skills to play in Lutz’s system or that he should transfer, but instead to highlight that he’s already had some honest, heart-to-heart talks with players who remain. That’s who Lutz is, and he put it on display at Thursday’s introduction.

Other than remembering what other OSU programs have won national championships, how many accolades the basketball team he’s taking over has and knowing GIA’s capacity, Lutz showed he knows what he’s talking about and will be a fit on campus. And that will be important. Lutz is replacing one of the most beloved members of not just OSU’s, but Stillwater’s community. Lutz showed his personality, joking with PA announcer Reece that he needs to correctly call basketball terms during games. The Texas-native, like many Oklahomans, is a family-first man — introducing his wife and two of his children during his opening statement. Even at their behest, it was his joy. If his success follows to OSU, Lutz has the intangibles fans and donors will love.

Photos by Davis Cordova and Payton Little

SPORTS

Seton Hall guard, Oklahoma

native Gray transfers to OSU

Davis

Cordova Staff Reporter

The Cowgirls have their first transfer commit of the cycle − and she is a native of Oklahoma.

Micah Gray, a 5-foot-8 Seton Hall guard, committed to the Cowgirls on Wednesday, per her Instagram.

“We are thrilled to bring Micah back to her home state. Oklahoma kids are very important to us and to add one of Micah’s caliber is exciting,” Hoyt said. “Her shooting and scoring ability will fit perfectly into the way we want to play offensively. Most importantly, she’s got the character and drive that’s a perfect fit for our Cowgirl culture.”

Gray is a sophomore and went to high school at Classen SAS in Oklahoma City. She played at Texas Southern her freshman season where she averaged 16.7 points per game and earned SWAC Freshman of the Year.

At Seton Hall, Gray averaged 11.9 points per game and started all 31 games for the Pirates.

Gray transfers into a program that is looking to add more depth, again, through the portal.

This offseason, the Cowgirls have lost two starters in Hannah Gusters

and Lior Garzon along with six more players through the portal or graduation. This is what the roster looks like right now:

STAYING:

Anna Gret Asi, guard

Rylee Langerman, forward

Brenna Butler, guard

Praise Egharevba, center

Stailee Heard, guard

Landry Williams, guard

IN:

Kennedy Evans, guard - Freshman

Maria Anais Rodriguez, forward -

Freshman

Jaydn Wooten, guard - Freshman

Micah Gray, guard - Transfer

OUT:

Kennedy Fauntleroy, guard - Transfer

Brianna Jackson, center - Transfer

Hannah Gusters, center - Transfer

Chandler Prater, guard - Transfer

Ale’Jah Douglas, guard - Transfer

Lior Garzon, forward - Graduation / Transfer

Quincy Noble, guard - Graduation

Emilee Ebert, guard - Graduation

sports.ed@ocolly.com

Cowboy golf team splitting up for weekend tournaments

Dalton Arredondo Staff Reporter

Every player on the Oklahoma State men’s golf team will be in action this weekend in Georgia or Oklahoma.

Seniors Bo Jin and Jonas Baumgartner, freshmen Preston Stout and Gaven Lane, as well as graduate student Rayhan Thomas, are heading to Augusta, Georgia, for the Haskins Award Invitational. Graduate students Dillion Stewart and Hazen Newman, as well as sophomore John Wild and freshman Johnnie Clark, are heading to Thackerville to compete individually in the Spring Indy at Winstar.

The Haskins Award Invitational will be played in Forest Hills Golf Club, 10 minutes from Augusta National, home of the Masters. OSU coach Alan Bratton said two of his former players will be playing at the Masters, and it inspires his current players to play there one day. “It’s always inspiring to be playing so close to the Masters and so close to Augusta National,” Bratton said. “All these kids dream about one day getting a chance to play there, and they’re gonna see some of their buddies playing there. This week with Austin Eckroat and Viktor (Hovland) being the two youngest Cowboys, they’ll be playing at Augusta, so that’s great inspiration for our guys to know they can do the same

going forward.”

The last time OSU played in Augusta, the team finished fifth with two Cowboys in the top 25. Jin and Baumgartner are back for their second go around in the tournament, looking to perform better after not making the top 25 the year before.

Baumgartner emphasized the importance of planning ahead before the start of the round, especially on a course he’s familiar with.

“I want to get adjusted to the conditions out there, and every year could be just slightly different whatever the greens are, fairways and everything,” Baumgartner said. “So, I already have kind of a strategy of how I want to approach all the holes, because obviously I know them and the hole location they used previously, so I already made the plan ahead.”

The Spring Indy is a good opportunity for the individuals to gain tournament action for later in the season. After struggling in the past two tournaments, Wild said the individual tournament is an opportunity to prove he’s ready to play for the team.

“It’s another chance for the guys to go show we got to prove that our games are ready to be in the lineup,” Wild said. “So it’s a good chance to make a statement and show that you’re ready to be playing for the team.”

sports.ed@ocolly.com

understand

gonna get better. You’re gonna have really bad days and really bad moments. That’s what this game does. It’s baseball. It’s softball.”

Wark crushed a ball over the left-center wall that helped propel OSU to a 9-3 win — waiting to make the catch? Wark’s dad, just like her family told her.

“My mom would always be like, ‘Look in left field we’re all waving our hands to catch the ball’ and then I looked, and it was just a weird coincidence,” Wark said. Wark’s slump wasn’t drastic. There were still hits and good at-bats along the way; she just wasn’t at the point she felt she could be.

Vanessa-Shippy Fletcher, OSU’s hitting coach, emphasizes individual work and what she calls ‘hitters dialogue.’ She and Wark worked together to make minor tweaks to progress, a process Wark and merely every sure-fire starter credit to finding a good place as a hitter.

Sophomore Micaela Wark is the latest to experience the roller coaster of playing the sport. She was in an inconsistent stretch at the plate but has since snapped out of it. And while Gajewski hopes for more home runs from Wark, he is encouraging his DP to take this experience forward and use it to lead. In a late-March threegame series at BYU, Wark managed one hit — the longest she’s gone without a hit this season. But when the Cowgirls came home for a midweek contest against Missouri State on March 26, Wark found the swing she had been looking for.

Wark kept her head high, too. Part of ‘enjoying the suck.’

“Just trying to work through things slowly but surely has been the best thing for me, (and) not getting frustrated with myself,” Wark said.

Now that Wark — one of the players who isn’t new to the college ranks — has regained her swing, Gajewski sees an opportunity for Wark to pass on her experience and knowledge.

Gajewski sat down with Wark for coffee last week and dissected, “leadership... the program, everything that means a lot to her and me (Gajewski) both.” Gajewski said he realized he had misunderstood Wark’s competitive nature and pushed her to continue evolving as a teammate younger players can go to.

“I told her the next step for her is investing in her teammates.

“I said, ‘Hey, just grab Rose (Davis). Just grab her and tell her, I’ve been here. It sucks. It’s part of this. But just get to your next one. I think if (Wark) can keep doing that kind of stuff, that’s when you’ll see her really take off.”

Courtesy OSU Athletics

OSU coach Jacie Hoyt added the Cowgirls’ first transfer commitment of the offseason, Micah Gray from Seton Hall.

Courtesy of OSU Cowboy Golf

The Cowboy golf team will compete at the Haskins Award Invitational and the Spring Indy this weekend.

Parker Gerl Staff Reporter

Classifieds

Come check out the wide variety of elegant clothing at Formal Fantasy!

Located on 121 E. 9th Ave, Downtown Stillwater

The best selection of beer, wine and liquor that Stillwater has to offer! Perfect for all your game day needs, come to Brown’s Bottle Shop located on 128 N. Main

“The Original Hideaway, located on the corner of Knoblock and University. Serving quality pizza and more since 1957.”

Murphy’s Department Store

815 S Main, Downtown Open 10-6

Monday thru Saturday

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.

Cowboy Calendar

Friday, April 5

Game Night @ 5 - 7 p.m.

Location: The Hub

https://mybluepeak.com

Downtown Funk @ 8 - 10 p.m.

Location: Em Curators of Craft

Admission: $5.00 Cover Charge

https://curatorsofcraft.co/pages/on-stage

Karaoke @ 9 p.m.

Location: The Midnight Bar

Friday Flix @ 2:20 - 4 p.m.

Location: OSU Museum of Art

https://museum.okstate.edu

Karaoke @ 9 p.m.

Location: The Midnight Bar

Politics & Pastries @ 9 a.m.

Location: 227 Social Sciences & Humanities Bldg. Stillwater, OK 74078

https://calendar.okstate.edu

Cowboy Baseball: OSU vs. OU @ 6 p.m.

Location: O’Brate Stadium

https://okstate.com/sports/baseball/schedule

Cowboy Classic Boer Goat Sale @ 8 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Location: Payne County Expo Center

https://pcexpocenter.com/events/month/2024-04/

Oklahoma Tennis: OSU vs. Texas @ 5 p.m.

Location: Greenwood Tennis Center

https://okstate.com/sports/mens-tennis/schedule

The Laramie Project @ 2:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Location: Town and Gown Theatre

Admission: Musicals Adults: $16 Students or Military: $14 Seniors (Sun. only): $14 Plays Adults: $14

Students or Military: $12 Seniors (Sun. only): $12

https://www.townandgown.org/current-season

SASA Baseball: Bedlam Shootout Tournament @ All

Day

TND Comedy Smackdown @ 9 - 11 p.m.

Location: Em Curators of Craft

Admission: $5

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tnd-comedy-smackdown-tickets-859864386527

New Echoes: Art Inspiring Art @ 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Location: OSU Museum of Art

https://museum.okstate.edu/art/new-echoes.html

Saturday, April 6

3V3 Basketball Tournament Fundraiser for Cyrus Hunt @ 9 a.m.

Location: Perkins High School Gym

Admission: $100 per Team $5 Entry Fee

https://www.facebook.com/

Daily Horoscope

Nancy Black Tribune Content Agency

Linda Black Horoscopes

Today’s Birthday (04/05/24). Profits abound this year. Strategize and plan to fulfill your long-term vision. Redirect yourself toward inspiration this summer, before autumn muses inspire backstage creativity. Solve a winter puzzle with your partner, before springtime energizes your work, health and fitness. Reap an abundant harvest.

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 — Imagine a project completed. Organize steps for action, and schedule them. Reinforce basic structures. You can see how to realize a long-term dream.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is an 8 — Strengthen friendships and social connections to grow. Disciplined teamwork can win a valuable prize. Apply faithful attention and action for a dreamy community cause.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is a 9 — Socializing benefits your career. Heed an older person’s advice. Crazy dreams seem possible. Get public this month with Venus in Aries. Develop exciting professional opportunities.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is an 8 — Spread your wings and widen your exploration. Thoughtful organization, preparation and planning strengthens support structures for your investigation. Dig deeper for bold discoveries.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is an 8 — Collaborate for lucrative gain. Reject far-fetched schemes in favor of practical solutions. Budget expenses carefully. Divert funds to savings. Get farther, faster in coordination.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is an 8 — Work together for efficiency, ease and fun. Coordinate with your partner to save resources, time and energy. Savor romantic connections. It could get deliciously spicy.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is a 9 — Get into a groove, find your rhythm and move. Physical practices build strength, endurance and energy. Dance, skate and ride. Spin, twist and leap.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is an 8 — Listen for creative inspiration. Notice what your heart wants. Build and strengthen support structures. Strategize for a dreamy prize. Have fun and play.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is an 8 — Take care of yourself and family with a domestic renovation or upgrade. You can realize dreamy outcomes with coordinated efforts. Feed all worker bees.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is an 8 — Creative ideas abound. Write, sketch and dictate. Express your views. Refine the message, find the perfect illustrations and then share far and wide.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is a 9 — Find lucrative ideas and develop them. Tend and nurture them until they bear fruit. Your disciplined efforts pay extra. Rake in the bounty.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is a 9 — Self-discipline can earn extra rewards. A personal dream lies within reach. Make your move. Enjoy the glory. Harvest the fruit of seeds earlier planted.

Final Big 12 Bedlam series up for grabs

Braden Bush Sports Editor

Jaxson Crull remembers changing the course of the 2022 Bedlam baseball series. Oklahoma built a 7-3 lead, then Oklahoma State came surging back. Crull, OSU’s right fielder who was part of that team, hit a single in the bottom of the ninth with the game tied at 7, putting the winning run on third. That set up the chance for OSU to score on a wild pitch the next at-bat and win the game, then the series.

“That was something special,” Crull said.

The Cowboys and Sooners meet again at 6 p.m. Friday at O’Brate Stadium in what will be the final conference Bedlam series. They met earlier this season, a 14-5 OSU win, but the Cowboys are looking to close the weekend series with the last win.

topped only four times in 29 games. Coach Josh Holliday said that’s something he hopes his team can replicate.

“Just gotta put the ball in a location you feel like is best suited to get the hitter out,” Holliday said.

This time, OSU has the chance to finish the series out in front of its home crowd, it what will likely be a packed stadium. When the teams met in March, it was in front of a crowd of 4,117 – the second highest attended game in OU history.

And that was on a Tuesday. The weekend series will bring more. Keisel said he couldn’t believe the crowd the game drew during the middle of the week.

The Bedlam baseball series has produced unforeseen victors, classic games and many scenes of uproar.

Once, when Oklahoma’s Paul Olster trucked Oklahoma State catcher Paul O’Callaghan at home plate in 1989. That led to OSU pitcher Carl Myers hitting OU John Douglas in the back with a fastball, resulting in one of many notable rivalry brawls. And in 1996 when Josh Holliday confronted Derek Wanthan for a rough tag on his teammate, Rusty McNamara, one which Holliday deemed bush league. It led to a shouting match between the two. Moments later, the benches cleared, and bedlam erupted.

“Back in the 1980s and 90s, that was it,” said Jim Traber, who played at OSU from 1981-84. “I would definitely say that baseball was a big, big part of Bedlam and holding true to its meaning. And just the word Bedlam in general. I mean, we got after each other quite a bit.”

But the rivalry is about to be altered. For nearly a century, the Cowboys and Sooners have clashed four, sometimes five or six times per season, including a weekend series for the past 67 years. However, come next season when OU is in the SEC, the two teams will play only one midweek game each year, alternating.

Fans and players have one more Bedlam series to look forward to this weekend at O’Brate Stadium, which begins Friday at 6 p.m.

Fans and players will have one more Bedlam series to take in. A series that has produced so many crazy scenes.

“I wish they would play the full, three-game weekend series,” Cade Cabbiness, an OSU outfielder from 2017-21,

said. “With it being just one game each year, I don’t know how the (Bedlam) trophy is gonna work. “And talk about an RPI booster for both schools. It just makes sense to play (a weekend series)… I want to see it as a fan. Also, as a player. It’s one of the most fun series to play in.”

Some moments have embodied the name of the rivalry, such as that 1989 brawl.

OU’s Chris Ebright hit a flare single near center field in the top of the sixth inning. Oster rounded third base of Allie P. Reynolds Stadium, narrowing his sights on home plate. In his way was O’Callaghan.

Longtime OSU coach Gary Ward watched anxiously from the home dugout, realizing what was unfolding.

Seconds later, Oster collided with O’Callaghan at home plate, knocking him, “virtually out cold.” A couple of innings earlier, multiple Sooners hit home runs and took celebratory strolls around the base paths with banter directed toward the home dugout.

Ward, in Year 12 of 19 as the Cowboys’ skipper, said he tried to keep his players tame and focused in the moment. But the more jawing the Sooners gave, the greater the animosity grew.

And once Oster ran over O’Callaghan, emotions reached a tipping point.

“You could feel it boiling up,” Ward said. “And then, the fuse just lit. Just like that.” On the first at-bat in the top of the seventh, the Cowboys retaliated. OU’s John Douglas awaited the first pitch from OSU’s Carl Meyers. Then, Douglas unexpectedly waived his bat toward the OSU dugout. “(OSU pitching coach) Tom Holliday signals out to the pitcher, ‘You hit him,’ Douglas said to The Oklaho -

man. “That’s the only reason I waved my bat at him. Don’t be throwing at me.” Douglas’ plea was ignored. Meyers plucked Douglas in the back with a fastball on the first pitch of the atbat. Shortly after, the benches cleared. A sea of white and orange and crimson and cream jerseys swamped the pitcher’s mound as tensions boiled over.

Thirty-three minutes of pure chaos. Punches were thrown. Saliva was spat. Words were exchanged. And 14 players were ejected.

OSU won the game, 1310, but Ward called it one of the more chaotic moments of his coaching career.

“When, in a battle for survival, do you back off and become passive?” Ward asked rhetorically. “Never. You just don’t. So, they all went after it. It became a really hard job for the coaches to keep everyone contained and maintain control. It was pure bedlam.”

A new future

Josh Holliday stood adjacent to the visitor’s dugout at L. Dale Mitchell Park on a brisk Tuesday night in Norman.

His emotions still high after a 14-5 Bedlam midweek win in March. He answered postgame questions from the media with relative ease. And then came the inevitable – with OU departing the SEC for all sports except wrestling after the 2023-24 season, will Bedlam baseball continue?

“We are continuing to play,” he said.

With a catch, though – as of 2025 it will be only a solo midweek game. Holliday said multiple logistics factor into the decision to shrink the rivalry, one which he has been critical of and described as “overplayed.”

“Playing them earlier this year, we beat them up pretty good, so I think that gives us a lot of confidence coming into this week just knowing we can beat the crap out of these guys,” said OSU pitcher Janzen Keisel.

In that game, OSU outhit the Sooners, 17-4, with a trio of home runs to go with it. And the pitching complemented the Cowboys at the plate, allowing only four hits. OU also had four errors.

OSU gave up one hit in the final 4 1/3 innings, and it left with 13 strikeouts, a total the Cowboys have

“So, I’m excited for the weekend because we’re gonna have a lot of people here,” Keisel said. “I’m excited for that and the atmosphere.” Crull wants to make some final memories in the series, too. A Bixby native, Crull went to Bedlam games growing up. Now, as a senior, he gets to be part of the final edition of the conference series.

“I’m looking forward to it. It’s my last one, so it may mean a little bit more to me,” Crull said.

“We both come out with our hair on fire, I feel like. You play a little above the usual. It brings out the best in both teams, pitchers, hitters. Concentration is there. That’s how it should be every game, but sometimes the excitement, the energy, the fans − every series is gonna be a great one. You always have to be on your A game.”

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Courtesy of Tulsa World/Joey Johnson Pistol Pete stands on the OU dugout with a broom to represent the OSU sweep during Bedlam baseball at in 2006.

Nick Becker

OSU outfielder Jaxson Crull will play in his final Bedlam games this weekend.

Davis Cordova Staff Reporter

Every Tuesday and Thursday for about two hours during the offseason, Alan Bowman would break down every play from last season.

This is what Bowman, OSU’s starting quarterback, said is helping him improve this spring to prepare for his second year in Stillwater and seventh college season.

Bowman is one of the most experienced players on the Cowboys’ roster, but he’s still finding ways to improve.

With the film he watched of himself during the winter months, Bowman wanted to correct the mistakes he made throughout last season. Every single one. He wanted to correct bad reads on defenses, wrong receivers he threw to or bad footwork.

“Every single play, it didn’t matter if it was a run play or a pass play, I looked to see if my feet were right and if my read was right,” Bowman said. “Realistically, I believe I can make any throw in the game, that’s not what I’m worried about. If my read is right and my footwork is right, then everything else will take care of itself.”

Bowman said there

were about four to six plays in each game that he felt were some “bad” plays to watch again. He said the Big 12 Championship Game against Texas and the UCF game, both double-digit losses, were the toughest to watch back and take notes on.

Bowman is working on a Master in Recreation Management in Leisure Studies – which will be his second master’s degree, with his first being from Michigan.

Bowman will finish out his seven-year college career with the Cowboys this season, and it doesn’t come without jokes from his teammates.

Bowman’s teammates joke with him about his age. Bowman gets anything from ‘old guy’ and ‘old head’ to ‘grandpa.’ But he’s not afraid to dish it back.

“I make jokes with them like, ‘Yeah, you were in eighth grade when I started my first college game,’” Bowman said. “Everyone banters with me for being old. I guess that’s what you get for coming back for your seventh, so I expect that.”

Even OSU coach Mike Gundy took a shot at Bowman. “He’s got AARP. Social Security potentially,” Gundy said.

Beyond his age, 24, Bowman said he’s in the

best shape of his life.

He feels stronger when flinging the ball down field and faster when making a run for extra yards when a play breaks down.

“This is the best I’ve ever felt,” Bowman said.

“Obviously I think it’s the maturity. I’m pretty old, but I do think comparatively there are guys who are doing this at 29, 30, so I’m still young in the grand scheme of things. This is the strongest and the biggest I’ve felt.”

This offseason, Bowman is not having to worry about learning a new system, fighting for the starting job, moving to a new town or meeting 90+ teammates and making friends.

He can focus on improving his game in an environment that he is settled into.

“I just feel really comfortable,” Bowman said. “The coaches have done a really good job with doing what we all do really good as an offense. Playing to our strengths and being more comfortable in the offense makes me feel a lot better.

“Now I can really focus on staying firm in the pocket, if a play breaks down to go get five (yards) instead of trying to figure out what to do with my hands. It’s a little different.”

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Connection between Bowman, Owens big for OSU’s offense

Since Mike Gundy was named coach in 2005, Oklahoma State has had its share of standout wide receivers.

Players like Dez Bryant, Justin Blackmon, James Washington, Tylan Wallace and others immediately come to mind when considering offenses of OSU’s past. This season, the Cowboys wide receiver room looks a little different. OSU lacks a favorite on the Biletnikoff Award watch list. This season, OSU’s wide receiver room is predicated on depth. It lacks a marquee name but is full of talented veteran players, mixed with youth, who complement each other’s skill sets and have played a ton of college football.

“This is an interesting position this year because we have a lot of maturity and then we have new guys,” Gundy said. “There’s not really any fillers, so we need the veterans to stay healthy and bring the young guys along throughout the season.”

Last season, OSU saw several players fill in as big-time contributors out wide, but no one surpassed the 1,000yard mark as a receiver. Brennan Presley led the team with 991 yards, and George Fox transfer Leon Johnson III came in third with 539.

Rashod Owens came into last season down the depth chart in the wide receiver room, but by season’s end, he was a favorite of quarterback Alan Bowman, with the secondmost receiving yards on the team (895). He capped off his breakout campaign with a dominant showing in the TaxAct Texas Bowl against Texas A&M, with 10 catches for 149 yards and two touchdowns.

“He had 64 catches, won bowl game MVP, played really good, and blocked really well,” Gundy said. “He started the year as a third-team guy. We took him on signing day, however many years ago that was, and he really wasn’t recruited.”

Presley, a fifth-year senior, and Owens, a redshirt senior, are both back for the Cowboys, forming one of the Big 12’s elite receiver pairings to complement star running back Ollie Gordon.

Although Johnson is gone, redshirt junior De’Zhaun Stribling is set to return from a wrist injury that cost him most of last season, and before the injury, he was expected to be a major contributor for the Cowboys.

OSU also has players who were thrust into action at times last season, such as redshirt sophomore Talyn Shettron and redshirt senior Cale Cabbiness, who can fill in as needed.

“It’s the integrity the coaches give us,” Owens said. “They preach about us giving maximum effort every day, and that’s one thing they bring out of you, they’re gonna find out the type of guy you are the first day you step in here.”

That means the experience of players like Owens comes into focus.

The rapport between Bowman and his experienced receivers, namely Owens, has been a point of emphasis this offseason.

“It’s getting stronger, every day we work on the little things,” Owens said. “Whether it’s the timing, or where the ball is going to land when he throws, it’s the little stuff that goes on throughout the game or in practice.”

The Owens-Bowman relationship is perhaps the most important on the OSU offense outside of Gordon and his linemen. The top-heavy nature of the Cowboy wide receiver room will be a storyline come next season. Health will be key, but Owens and the receivers could be a strength for OSU.

“Experience and reps is something we feel like you can’t really replace,” Gundy said. “You learn on the run, and we have a lot of maturity in that room.”

Below Shettron and Cabbiness, the position is largely inexperienced, but that will be worked on.

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Andon Freitas

The OSU wide receiver room is full of experience, including redshirt senior Rashod Owens.

Weekend provides chances for Cowboys to show growth

Oklahoma State has started Big 12 play with some ups and downs.

The Cowboys entered Big 12 play with a 13-4 record, but in conference, the Cowboys have went 2-2. They earned wins over BYU and Texas Tech but are now on a twomatch losing streak after losses to No. 29 UCF and No. 3 TCU, looking to get back on track.

The ITA Men’s Rankings has OSU as the fifth highest-ranked Big 12 team, sitting at No. 33.

“Overall, probably not where we’d like to be just for our goals and our standard,” OSU’s Tyler Zink said. “But we’re looking to make a push in these next few matches.”

In the two losses this past weekend, the Cowboys played at UCF on Thursday night and traveled back to Stillwater to host TCU on Saturday afternoon. Not ideal, but

OSU’s Isaac Becroft said tough schedules are part of the sport. “You should be able to get up no matter the circumstances and compete against the No. 3 team in the country,” Becroft said. “I don’t think it should really affect how we prepare and how we perform out there. So that was definitely a little bit disappointing, but a good learning experience and definitely make sure that doesn’t happen again.”

Becroft said the energy was lower after the TCU match, but they can’t let that affect them going into the other matches in the Big 12. “Just putting good days back-to-back-to-back and building on each other’s days,” Becroft said. “There’s no hiding from these teams who are going to be really good. But it’s college tennis, anything can happen. You just have to give yourself the best chance to win and take care of the things that you can control.”

The Cowboys host No.

5 Texas on Friday and No. 31 Baylor on Sunday. Two more tough conference matches.

That’s what they expect. And after OSU’s loss to TCU, coach Dustin Taylor said those are the kind of matches needed to prepare a team for the postseason.

The Cowboys will have an opportunity to show what they learned from last weekend and how they’ve grown since their first match against Texas in January, which resulted in a 4-1 loss. Zink said these matches have made the team tougher.

“One of the biggest things in tennis is just getting the reps in matches,” Zink said. “I think we’ve played a lot, and we’ve gotten better each and every match. I think as a team, we’ve gotten that close dual match experience that I’m hoping will prevail on Friday and Sunday.”

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Pressure, early struggles didn’t faze OSU on way to Big 12 title

Kenzie Kraich Staff Reporter

Getting off to a rough start with a young team was not an easy obstacle to overcome for Oklahoma State’s equestrian team. But head coach Larry Sanchez and his team got things rolling at just the right time heading into the Big 12 Championship.

The Cowgirls took home the Big 12 Championship on March 30 at the Willis Family Equestrian Center in Waco, Texas, with a 10-9 score. This is the fourth consecutive year – and the 10th overall – the team has brought home the title, making history as the first team to win four consecutive Big 12 crowns. “They all call us the Cardiac Cowgirls,” said Quincee Clark, a junior competing in the reining event. “The more pressure that gets poured on us, typically the better we are.”

The Cowgirls faced No. 1 TCU in the Big 12 finals after defeating Fresno State in the semifinals, marking the fourth consecutive time the Cowgirls and Horned Frogs have faced off in the setting. A budding rivalry between

them created determination within OSU’s riders, as they were 0-2 against the Horned Frogs in the regular season.

“You have a little bit of… ‘I want to beat your a** because you beat me twice’ mentality that helps so much,” Clark said. “I kind of go in with a little bit of a chip on my shoulder, like, ‘I want to get this done. I’m tired of losing to you.’”

The Cowgirls prevailed with Clark’s mentality reigning through. After leading 7-3 at the midway point, the Cowgirls trailed TCU, 8-7, going into the last event – Flat. The Horned Frogs went up, 9-7, then OSU had three veteran riders step up.

Junior Riley Hogan, senior Ella Reinauer and graduate student Sydney North posted the final three points of the competition, earning the Cowgirls the win. “We were all huddled around each other,” said freshman Bella Holway. “It was fun to watch.” Sanchez, Holway and Clark credit the success of the team to the leadership and cohesiveness. From the beginning of the season, Sanchez could tell this team was differ-

ent than recent years due to their instant respect for one another. Clark and Holway have found that both underclassmen and upperclassmen have helped contribute to the team.

“I think the older girls did a really good job of bringing everyone together,” Holway said, “but I feel like every single person has your back and you can go to anyone.”

Thriving under pressure has stood as a motto for the Cowgirls this season. The coaches have taken pride in that and have created a positive atmosphere surrounding the idea.

OSU is ranked No. 5 in the nation after handling business at the Big 12 Championship, and it is now looking to ride its steady growth and success into the NCEA Championships in Ocala, Florida, on April 18. The sixth-seeded Cowgirls will face thirdseeded Auburn in the quarterfinals.

“I feel like we’ve busted our butts all year,” Clark said. “We’re just at a steady rise now, and that’s pretty exciting to go into for a week in Florida for nationals.”

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Myah Shoemake OSU is on a two-match losing streak with No. 5 Texas awaiting the Cowboys on Friday.

Baylor Bryant Staff Reporter

Courtesy of Oklahoma State Athletics

After losing to TCU twice in the regular season, OSU had a chip on its shoulder in the Big 12 Championship against the No. 1 Horned Frogs.

Power outage sparks confusion

It was already a hectic night for Belue Harris before her power went out. Harris was watching her cousins, 9 and 10, while their parents handled a family emergency. As the three of them watched TV around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, her apartment’s power went out. Harris lives at Prime Place on Elm. Outside her window, she saw confused residents gathered outside the apartment building. People carried cat carriers, bird cages and tried to calm their nervous dogs. One woman cradled a baby. Emergency vehicle lights illuminated the dark streets.

“I got a little worried and yelled down,” Harris said. “And the policeman was like, ‘Hey, everybody’s supposed to be evacuating.’ But there was nobody with microphones telling us to evacuate. There was no fire alarm going off. Nothing to signify it was emergency except emergency vehicles outside.” Prime Place Apartments emailed all residents urging them to stay calm, check for updates, preserve food and use emergency lighting. It never sent any emails or messages to residents telling them to evacuate.

The City of Stillwater posted that a transformer failure where power providers’ lines connect to the city caused the outage. The power outage and the evacuation were not connected.

The people down the street in Eskimo Joe’s were not as easily distracted from their plans.

“Everybody thought it was kind of cool at first because we thought (the power) was just going to come right back on in a minute, but it ended up being like an all night ordeal,” said Hunter Marquez, who was at Eskimo Joe’s. Flashlights lit up the restaurant as people continued to buy beer and drinks after the power went out.

Without power, card readers were not able to be used and Eskimo Joe’s accepted cash only for drinks. After the power did not come back on and bartenders ran out of change, people were asked to leave Eskimo Joe’s.

Marquez and his friends did not let their night end there. They headed to the Strip to continue the fun. By the time his group headed home, the power was restored. “It was an overwhelming Wednesday to say the least,” Marquez said.

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Ramadan in the western world

ily’s culture is just so deeply rooted in Egyptian culture that we’re just trying to preserve that.”

In elementary school, Reem Mansy found a special place to spend her lunch hour during Ramadan: the library. Mansy grew up in Stillwater, but her family is from Egypt. The fifth-year architecture student has watched and celebrated Ramadan for as long as she can remember.

“I am one of those Muslims who grew up in America but I don’t think American culture really took a toll on me,” Mansy said. “My fam-

For Muslims, Ramadan is the most sacred month of the year. During the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, they fast from dawn to sunset as an act of selfless worship to purify their minds and direct their attention to God. Islam teaches that fasting is done to show obedience to God, increase spirituality and strengthen moral discipline.

Throughout the day, they have five set prayer times that last between five to 10

minutes, and several of those are during business hours when Mansy is in class. But she doesn’t let that stop her. This semester, one of the prayers falls during her studio class. Mansy excuses herself and finds a private room where she can take the necessary minutes to finish her prayers.

As the majority of the Stillwater community continues on with their day, Mansy leans on her community at the Islamic Society of Stillwater as they take this month to increase their connection with God and the Qur’an.

New Student Success Center to focus on freshman advising

OSU will consolidate freshmen academic advising starting in May.

Incoming freshmen will enroll for classes at the new Student Success Center, located at the Agriculture Hall, where a team of 30 advisers will help them enroll and navigate their first year of college. Previously, students would enroll directly with an adviser working in their college department.

The change results from objective three, under imperative two in OSU President Kayse Shrum’s landgrant mission, where it states OSU plans to “Increase advising capacity by 20%, limiting non-advisory duties of advisers to the maximum degree possible.” In July, Shannon Baker was hired as the associate provost for student success, a position created in part in response to imperative two in the land-grant statement which outlines increasing the six-year graduation rate by 10% by 2027. After completing

research on major migration patterns, Baker and her team noticed a significant portion of students change their major during their freshman year. In 2021, 38.5% of freshmen changed their major; in the fall of 2022, 32% did the same. Baker said the research was one of the factors that prompted the change. “If a student changes their major, they’ve got the support to make that transition on the first-year team,” Baker said. “Even if a student changed major, he wouldn’t have to change adviser in his first year.”

Luisa Clausen

From left to right, Azmeen Rahman, Sief Slati and Reem Mansy. Mansy and Slati are engaged and plan to get married this summer. See Ramadan on 7B

Bryson Thadhani

Luisa Clausen

Bella Casey

Luisa

Luisa Clausen

2024 Total Solar Eclipse

Everything you need to know

Ava Whistler Staff Reporter

On April 8, a total solar eclipse will darken the skies over North America. The moon will slide between the surface of the sun and Earth, causing temperatures to drop and stars to appear. For most of the country, there won’t be another eclipse so widely visible until 2044. Because of this, millions of people across the country are gathering in Oklahoma to watch.

A total solar eclipse happens when the full moon passes directly between the earth and the sun, blocking the sun’s light and casting a shadow onto the surface of our planet, physics professor Kim Zoldak said.

“You will be able to experience the moon’s shadow approaching your location on Earth and taking it over, which is quite ominous,” Zoldak said.

Only Canada,

Mexico and 10 U.S. states, including the southeast portion of Oklahoma, will get to see the eclipse in totality. Everywhere else will experience a partial solar eclipse.

A total eclipse occurs when the moon completely covers the sun, and anything less than 100% coverage is considered a partial eclipse. Although the event can last up to five minutes of totality, it will last up to a few seconds elsewhere, including in Stillwater.

During the time leading up to the actual eclipse, the moon will begin to pass over the sun, creating a crescent shape of light. For most locations, this can last for more than an hour as the world starts getting darker and the temperature begins dropping.

The temperature will drop as much as 10°F, and animals and insects will begin behaving as if it’s nighttime. Comets, stars and planets might become visible.

But it won’t always be this way.

“We are lucky that the moon is at the perfect distance,” Zoldak said. “The moon’s orbit grows by about an inch and a half every year... at some point in the future, total solar eclipses will no longer be possible. We live in a special time right now.”

It is not safe to stare directly at a partial eclipse with naked eyes. If any part of the sun is visible, one should wear solar glasses to safely observe the eclipse.

The partial eclipse begins at 12:30 p.m. and lasts until 3:05 p.m. Most of Oklahoma will experience the eclipse peak at 93% close to 1:45 p.m. For those watching in Stillwater, there are a few different eclipse watch parties on campus. Most of them offer a limited supply of free eclipse glasses.

Edmon Low Library is hosting a Solar Eclipse Watch Party at Beverly Clerico Plaza from 12:303 p.m. Native Earth Native Sky is also hosting a watch party at Willard Back Patio from 12:302:30 p.m.

Spring is almost here. As Oklahoma begins its transition to warmer months, it’s time to begin cleaning out your closet.

Here are some tips before you get started.

Come up with a plan

Trust me, you are not the only one who struggles with letting that one sweater or your favorite pair of jeans go. But, it is important when cleaning your closet out to come up with a plan of what needs to go. Reasons could be because you have a change in style or season or needing more room.

Separate by category

Once you have a plan, it’s time to declutter based on your clothing categories. From jeans and shorts to dresses and hoodies, to make this process easier, go through each section of your closet one at a time.

It can also be helpful to separate your wants and needs. Recognizing if you do not wear the clothing item anymore or if you see yourself wearing it soon could help you eliminate and make more room.

If you have not worn it in the past year, it is time for it to go.

Storage

As busy college students, we often find ourselves being disorganized.

While you are going through your closet, think about storage items

for the future. Totes are always a great option for high shelving, and if you are in a dorm, under-bed storage is an easy option to store those items away in a neat manner.

Looking to get a couple of bucks?

So, what are you going to do with the clothes after you purge through your closet? This is sometimes the difficult part as we part with something we once loved.

Today, we see closet clean-outs posted on social media almost daily. Maybe this would be a great option for you to get some change in your pocket. After you go through your clothes, post the items on Facebook or Instagram for your friends and family to see.

Remember to also consider what you are selling the item for to keep it reasonable for the buyer.

Donate

There are plenty of local options that would love to gain some items from you through donations. Here are a few:

Goodwill: Go to your local Goodwill and look for the area that accepts donations to contribute.

Wings of Hope: The Thrifty Butterfly accepts donations for domestic violence victims such as clothing and jewelry.

Salvation Army: The Salvation Army accepts donations from clothing and accessories to household items. After receiving your donation, it sells the items in its thrift stores, which aid in its funding for adult rehabilitation.

Riley Harness

Easter, trans rights, latest in partisan battle

Kennedy Thomason News and Lifestyle editor

While Easter eggs were being hunted, transgender rights were being argued online.

Partisan tensions were raised on social media after President Joe Biden released a proclamation honoring Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31.

The same day as Easter. Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, as well as other conservative politicians, took to social media to voice their disapproval.

“The White House is trying to erase Easter,” Stitt said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. “It should be a day to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection. To replace it with a politically charged awareness day is disappointing.

As for me and my state, we will serve the Lord!”

Many social media posts contained misinformation, leading viewers to believe Biden declared the day a celebration this year. However, Transgender Day of Visibility has been celebrated since 2009. It always falls on March 31.

Easter, however, does not. The Christian holiday fluctuates dates each year according to the church’s calendar.

OSU Queer and Allies president Sam Barrie said the controversy was sparked because it dealt with LGBTQ+ rights.

“People weren’t upset when Easter was on April Fool’s Day last year,” Barrie said. “So I find it a similar issue.”

The controversy comes as the latest display of nation-wide political partisanship. The Democratic and Republican parties are gearing up for a contentious rematch between Biden and Donald Trump in November.

Political science professor Seth McKee said small spats, such as this, are commonplace in today’s political landscape.

“That doesn’t come as a shock to anybody, unless they’re living under a rock,” McKee said. “I don’t see anything in terms of this doing anything that moves the needle. Because it’s as expected. There’s no American voter that looks at this little spat and thinks, ‘Oh, that’s unusual.’ No, it’s par for the course.”

Politicians have used social media platforms, such as X, to share information, opinions and keep their constituents up to date. New arguments pop up frequently and fluctuate with the news cycle.

In Oklahoma, voter demographics show a prominent Republican constituency. Trump won all 77 Oklahoma counties in the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections.

Oklahoma, which has a prominent rural presence, is full of voters who subscribe to traditional values, McKee said.

“One way to think about this is that the culture war trenches have been dug in deep, and they’ve been there for, gosh, I’d say a generation now,” McKee said.

This can make political conversations tough. Avery McIntyre, vice president of the College Democrats of OSU, said she has found social media to be a catalyst for partisanship.

“If you’re posting about it on social media all the time, you’re contributing to the echo chamber,” McIntyre said. “And it’s the same thing that you get frustrated at because you see other people just posting about it and not doing anything.”

Particularly in an election year, McIntyre said it is important for voters to not put their full trust in social media and to recognize bias in the information they receive.

She said finding space for political discourse, particularly on a college campus, can be beneficial. Joining organizations where students can practice activism can be a step toward breaking down the staunch partisanship.

OSU’s College Republicans did not respond to request for comment.

Still, this can be a dangerous issue for transgender Americans. They experience high levels of violence, and half of transgender youth have considered suicide in the past year, according to Biden’s proclamation.

“We’re not trying to aggravate people, we’re just trying to exist,” Barrie said. Balancing identity with politics and safety can be difficult.

For Barrie, Transgender Day of Visibility is an opportunity to proudly display his identity. The weekend’s controversy serves as a reminder for voters to keep alternative perspectives in mind, Barrie said.

Social media, and the political information shared on its platforms, can make it seem as if fighting is the only way of expression.

“It’s when everyone is trying to yell at everyone else, it’s hard to hear the people who are saying, ‘Maybe we shouldn’t be yelling at each other,’” Barrie said.

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said. “And that (conversation) was huge for me to take this seriously and know that I have something to offer.”

OSU celebrated American Indian Awareness Week Monday through Saturday.

Events, conferences and the Miss American Indian OSU pageant happened throughout the week.

Chris Blankenship is a native graduate student studying mathematics who has always valued his education.

“I’ve always placed a lot of value in math,” Blankenship said. “My grandpa was an educator, and he really valued education. He sat me and my sister down one day. We were both straight-A students. He said, ‘That’s a gift you have to use.’”

Blankenship wrote off mathematics as something that came easily to him. But his grandfather’s words stuck with him. He also realized there is not a large Native population in STEM.

“My grandpa saw that, how rare it was,” Blankenship

Dawna Riding In Hare, an OSU professor of Native American studies, uses education to not only teach others about her culture, but to learn more about it herself.

“I have a mix of Native and non-Native students,” Riding In Hare said. “I enjoy having Native students in class because there’s so much history, so much I don’t know about other tribes. They bring their community forward, and we can talk about that.”

Each tribe has distinct qualities. In Oklahoma, there are 39 tribal nations, all with unique history and cultures.

“Being Native, it’s kind of an umbrella,” Blankenship said. “I see differences in culture and mindsets within the different tribes.”

Riding in Hare said Native Americans have an often overlooked economic impact. She said Natives are “economic engines” to their societies.

Caleb Garcia, an economics pre-law major and Mr.

American Indian OSU, said Natives play a vital role in the state’s economy.

“If you were to remove the tribal economies from the state, Oklahoma’s economy would be comparable to that of Nicaragua or Honduras,” Garcia said.

Both Riding in Hare and Garcia are involved with the Center for Sovereign Nations at OSU. The center is dedicated to increasing the number of Native American graduates at the school, building partnerships with the 39 tribes and promoting understanding of sovereignty as it relates to Native Americans.

“To laugh, and cry and support each other, and that’s what I see going on at the center,” Riding In Hare said. “I see a lot of the students coming in to support each other through student leadership that welcomes and helps connect students to resources.”

Another resource for native students is the Native American Student Association. This organization provides opportunities for students to participate in cultural events and activities.

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Campus Closet helps students in need

Maddie Swain Staff Reporter

Knowing what to wear for an interview is a challenge for some college students.

OSU Clothing Closet offers a solution.

The clothing closet on campus has a variety of items to meet almost every need students may have. Oklahoma State Queers and Allies runs the closet, and it began as a way for students to make their style more unique and comfortable to themselves.

“First, it started as a kind of gender-affirming type of closet that provided services and resources such as binders for students that may be transitioning or experiencing transitioning,” said Tyler Peters, the coordinator of multicultural affairs. “It’s really grown into being inclusive for everyone.”

Since opening, the closet has grown into a space that any student can use. Professional attire is something that some students look for when searching the closest for the perfect fit.

Peters also recognized that it can be difficult for students to get business professional attire and hoped that the closet could benefit students as they jumpstart their careers.

“Since October, as career fairs started kicking off, we have tried to push for professional clothing,” Peters said. “That’s really the more expensive piece of clothing and maybe not all students have, so we have had a really big push for that.”

The process of getting

clothes from the closet is set up easily, aiming for students to take what they need and not feel ashamed for doing so.

“Students are welcome to go in and take a look around whether there’s someone there to help them or not,” Peters said. Peters said there are bathrooms across the hall to try clothing on. The closet also accepts donations. Although the closet is preparing for warmer weather items, it accepts any lightly used donations. The closet accepts donations such as cloth-

ing, shoes and accessories that are clean and adult-sized. Peters also emphasized that the closet needs large sizes and up. “We want students to be able to go to that space and take what they need and not feel ashamed of having to use that,” Peters said. The OSU Clothing

Caleb Garcia (left) and Shaeleigh McGee were crowned OSU’s 2023

Payton Little

Ava Whistler Staff Reporter

Student association raises human trafficking awareness

Raynee Howell Staff Reporter

OSU students Samia Aguilar and Avery Gibson used their friendship to make a difference on campus.

After finding themselves having difficult conversations about human trafficking and how they could make a difference, creating the AntiTrafficking Student Association at OSU was an easy decision. Aguilar became president with Gibson as vice president.

Gibson credits Aguilar for starting the difficult conversations that made ATSA possible.

“We looked for a human trafficking club at OSU, realized that there was not one and decided right then and there, let’s do the spreading of awareness. Let’s do it ourselves,” Gibson said.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness month. The Human Trafficking Hotline in Oklahoma identified 887 human trafficking cases and 2,059 victims since 2007, according to the National Library of Medicine. In many of these cases, sexual abuse is the primary act of control used to control the individual.

Aguilar said many rural and local communities are unaware of the amount of human trafficking cases that happen under their noses. According to the FBI, 40 percent of victims of sex trafficking are Native, yet Native women represent 10 percent or less of the general population.

“Oklahoma has a lot of vulnerable populations including Native American women,” Aguilar said. “And for college campuses, just generally young people in bad financial situations.”

ATSA partnered with Oklahoma’s only state-certified program for human trafficking survivors, The Dragonfly Home in Oklahoma City. Halle Carr, victim outreach coordinator, said its mission statement is to walk alongside human trafficking survivors on their path to freedom and restoration.

“Our whole goal is to never tell somebody what they need to do or what they shouldn’t be doing, but listening to them, what are the goals that they want to achieve in their lives,” Carr said. “What are the

things they want to do, and then how can we support them.”

The victims of human trafficking who utilize the resources at Dragonfly are from different ages and backgrounds. Dragonfly serves men, women and youth victims ages 15 or older. The services provided include specialized case management, crisis intervention and advocacy, according to the Dragonfly Home website.

Carr said victims cannot always identify themselves as victims of human trafficking. The education surrounding what is considered human trafficking is important to her and the Dragonfly Home.

“If we have a group of people who are already fitting in the category of being at risk to trafficking, by being able to reach them with that information and really talk about it in their terms and their language is so important for not just people who have experienced it to identify it for themselves, but also for those going into various fields and medical profession that might be the frontline to identify victims,” Carr said.

The Dragonfly Home provides personalized resources for every victim. For victims who have directly experienced sexual assault, there are mental health services and sexual assault nurse examiner exams available.

During a painting exercise, one victim expressed her feelings of hope after finding the Dragonfly Home.

“This survivor came in immediately and knew exactly what she was going to paint; it was a tree with just a beautiful landscape,” said Kaylee Bishop, donor relations coordinator. “She titled it “Tree of Hope.”

“It’s super impactful to know that people coming through Dragonfly are receiving hope, because that’s really a big part of our core values.”

ATSA can connect OSU students in need of resources to the Dragonfly home. By reaching out to ATSA, students can learn more about human trafficking in an inclusive, safe environment while also connecting with resources, if needed.

“Know that no matter what you’re going through or what you’re experiencing, whether you’re a victim of a crime or just struggling (a) little bit, there’s always resources available,” Carr said. “This is a completely judgment free and safe place to call.”

Some students can be seen conquering campus with the same righthand man: a Stanley Cup.

As the Stanley cups and other water bottles travel alongside students to lectures, car rides and meetings, they face a great deal of exposure.

Online users have brought attention to how often the viral Stanley cups are used but rarely washed by their users. People online claim they see the cup straws are typically nasty with backwash debris. Not only are Stanley users receiving hate, but they are also posting online about finding mold in their Stanleys, proving their critiques right.

OSU students Brylea Russell, Lilly Tattershall and Yamile Ovalles try to keep up with their Stanley cup hygiene.

“I clean my Stanley maybe every five times I use it,” Russell said. “I don’t like cleaning it that much.”

Meanwhile, Tattershall cleans hers only once a month. Her defense is that she never has the cup empty because it is always filled with water.

“I don’t remember the last time I cleaned mine,” Ovalles said. “I also only use it for water.”

The girls agreed Stanleys should be used for drinking only water, not soda or juice.

The design of Stanley cups makes it easy for the cups to track lots of bacteria. The cup’s intricate parts allow for small crevices where the mold can become a host. Most online posts display Stanley cup customers in shock with the mold growing in parts of their Stanley they didn’t know came apart. Another community of microorganisms to look out for is biofilm. Biofilm is the build up of bacteria that becomes a slimy coat around the area that coats the lip or straw of a water bottle. The main concern with the bacteria in water bottles isn’t from the mouth, but comes from the hands. The contact between the hands and a water bottle is where most germs and bacteria strike the

The first-year advising team will be divided into five meta-major groups, focused on similar programs, and an exploratory group. Each group will have a manager overseeing their work and acting as a liaison to the programs represented in their meta group. The explanatory group will help guide students who may be undecided on what major to pursue.

The freshman academic advisers will have a lower advising load, and they will teach first-year seminars to be as connected to students as possible. The managers will start working at the Student Success Center on April 29, and the 30 advisers will start on May 1.

Students will meet with their freshman academic advisers when they enroll for their first and second semesters. When it’s time to register for their sophomore year, students will be introduced to an adviser in their major department.

“We might do something like a meet and greet where they meet their adviser in the college,” Baker said. “We want to make it like a rite of passage so they are sort of graduating to their college.”

For freshmen with 36 credit hours who need upperlevel classes, Baker said they plan to set up a hybrid advising system in communication with the colleges.

Baker said this change should not affect non-freshmen students. A few advisers from certain departments applied and were hired to work at the new student center. However, Baker said in this case, the advisers will guide students for the fall semester for a more “gentle” transition.

In case of a curriculum change, the new center will have a system where an appointed person from each college will contact the freshman academic advisers and update the curriculum change.

“I don’t want students to worry about this,” Baker said. “We’re working on a communication to students to just make them aware that the change might be coming. For faculty and staff, rest assured, again, that you’ve worked with an amazing group of people, and that we are working our hardest to communicate with people, talk to people, respond to concerns and get this moving in the right direction.”

Baker will advise incoming history majors so she can interact with students and understand the adviser role from a hands-on perspective

As each college prepares for this transition, Amy Martindale is working with different colleges to define the responsibilities of all advisers for students to get equal services The adviser reorganization will not change degree requirements. Martindale, assistant dean for academic services, oversees academic services for students in the College of Arts and Sciences and since the fall, she has been preparing her team for this change.

The

“The commitment is to help these new advisers to be successful because our ultimate goal is the success of students.”

Cynda Clary

Associate dean for the Ferguson College of Agriculture

Martindale said the new freshman academic advising model will provide a safe space for freshmen to explore their goals and will bring more consistency and clarity to the advisers’ jobs.

Martindale said advisers across campus will go through a sum-

mer training plan so the advisers understand their new responsibilities. The new Student Success Center is working on a questionnaire for each college and department where they will share critical information about each degree path with the freshman academic advisers.

Department heads will no longer supervise advisers from specific colleges and departments. Instead, each college advising structure will be responsible for it. The supervisor will consult the adviser’s

department head for input on the performance evaluation.

Martindale said some people in her staff were initially nervous about the transition but after months of meetings and clarification, the advisers are more confident in the changes moving forward.

“We believe it will really be a very smooth transition for everyone, especially our students,” Martindale said.

Cynda Clary, the associate dean for the Ferguson College of Agriculture, said the centralized freshmen academic advising will support all firstyear students and will continue the healthy culture OSU hosts. Different from other departments, up until this point, faculty at the agriculture college provided academic advising to the students. Clary said part of the connection between faculty and students started during recruitment and the Student Orientation and Enrollment programs over the

summer. But with this new model, the agriculture college is working on different ways to connect students to the faculty such as extension and research projects.

“The (school of agricultural) staff and the new department are equally involved with those students in supporting them and excited,” Clary said.

“We’re fully in support of the academic advisers who will be meeting with our students.” Clary said she met with the advising manager who will be responsible for the programs within the agriculture college and said they are fully committed to working together. The faculty in the school will be available to help the new advisers with anything they need.

“The thing for everyone to know is the commitment hasn’t changed,” Clary said.

“The commitment is to help these new advisers to be successful because our ultimate goal is the success of students.”

File Photo

consolidated academic advising model will guide freshmen as they navigate their first year of college.

Ramadan . . .

Continued from 1B

Sief Slati and Azmeen Rahman sit across the table from her as they share the importance of having a community that shares the same faith.

The Islamic Center was the first place Slati visited in 2022 when he moved to Stillwater, where he met people whom now, he calls family. This includes his fiance, Mansy.

The two got engaged in the fall and plan to have a traditional ceremony in the summer. The couple said they stay strong in their faith and fasting is not as hard as some people may think.

“I feel like a lot of people think Ramadan is a form of torture,” Mansy said. “But it is 100% not. It’s an opportunity to work on yourself and become a better person. It’s a time our heart softens.”

Mansy, Slati and Rahman said they do not dread Ramadan, in reality, they anxiously await. Slati said it is a time of joy and not eating does not interfere with that.

They break their fast when the sun sets, following the steps of Prophet Muhammad, with milk, yogurt or dates followed by Eisha, the night prayer.

Rahman, a doctorate student from Bangladesh, moved to the U.S. in 2017 with his wife. Together they have an eight-year-old, a four-year-old and a newborn. As a father, his priority is to instill the values of his faith and guide them through the traditions of Islam.

He brings his older kids to the center, and as he prays, they run around and watch the adults doing what they will do once they hit puberty. Rahman’s oldest daughter demonstrates interest in fasting though she is still too young. For a few days during spring break, she tried to fast, but once school was back, her parents didn’t let her continue.

For Rahman, Islam is not just a religion. It’s a manual for life. He said the Qur’an gives guidance to everything in their lives, whether it’s brushing their teeth, washing their hair or how to treat their spouse.

“For a lot of us, the goal is to keep learning more and more spiritually in every way,” Rahman said.

news.ed@ocolly.com

TRUST THE LORD! (Part #2)

“In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.” (Is.30:15 NIV) This is what God was saying to his people, but their reaction was to reject his counsel, then struggle and try to work out their troubles in their own way.

God was telling them to turn to him (repentance), stop your fretting, quiet yourselves and look to me; trust me! Let God be the objective of your faith. God never gets tired, but he strengthens the tired and weary. (Is.40:28-29) It is so easy to go the way of his ancient people; trying to work things out ourselves.

When we talk of quieting ourselves; this is not passiveness or inactivity, but a turning in our thoughts to the one who has promised so much to those who will trust him. Look at Ps.123:2, “As the

Best outdoor spots to study at in Stillwater

On a nice day, It can be one of the most calming places on campus.

eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master...so our eyes look to the Lord our God, till he shows us his mercy.” How about Ps.131:1-2 “...I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have stilled and quieted my soul like a weaned child with its mother.” Our activity is turning and quieting ourselves before the one who is truly our helper.

Returning to Is. 30; verse 18: Here is God’s attitude toward us; “Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion.” Isaiah finishes by saying; “Blessed are all who wait for him!” God is good toward us because of Christ. He wants to take action, so He says stop! (seems contrary) Spent some time with him and trust him in the challenges of life. He will lead and work his way! Trust him; you will not be ashamed! (Ro.10:11)

It’s the final countdown, also known as April.

The year is wrapping up, final projects and exams are hitting and the weather is finally turning around. It may be storm season, but some lovely days are heading our way that will be perfect for an outside study session.

Studying outside can improve your mental health, according to UC Davis Health.

“Nature can help decrease your anxiety levels and can help lessen stress and feelings of anger,” according to its website.

So, pack up your books and take your exam, cramming into the beautiful outdoors.

Here are the best outdoor spots on campus and around Stillwater to enjoy the ever-so-gentle Oklahoma wind (in case you were wondering, yes, that is sarcasm) before our three weeks of spring end.

There are several spots on campus, especially around the Student Union. The plaza area is full of tables, so you can enjoy some group studying with easy access to snacks while watching all the April events. Grab a picnic blanket, spread out on Library Lawn with your study materials and hit the books. It may be busy around campus, but everyone is out this time of year, and it’s nice to see the campus bustling.

Theta Pond is a great place to chill with the ducks while reading a study guide or taking a mental break.

If your dorm has a balcony or two, you can sit out and enjoy the sun while studying. The lawn near the Commons is also great to break out the picnic blankets.

Speaking of lawns, the Seretean, Old Central and Willard Hall all have exceptionally well-kept grass lawns and beautiful trees for shade.

The McKnight Center features a nice lawn with plenty of space and spots to sit on a lovely spring day.

If you want to venture off campus, look for good patio options. The Frios Gourmet Pops stand has a patio area with chairs and a cute view of the town. Grab a popsicle for fuel or as a reward, and ace that exam you remembered about today.

Stillwater is home to some beautiful lakes. Boomer Lake and Lake Carl Blackwell are excellent for a picnic-style study session. If movement helps your brain process, walk along the trails with a friend and bring the flashcards.

If you are looking for a sunset study session, there are plenty of places to stop along North Western Road off of campus that provide a great view of Stillwater sunsets.

There are multiple places on campus and off campus to study outside. The key is getting out of your dorms, apartments and houses and finding a spot. Our campus is home to many benches and grassy areas to claim.

This

Luisa Clausen

Traditional food from Bangladesh cooked by Azmeen Rahman’s mother in law.

Tribune Content Agency

Poll on U.S. Muslims that fast during the month of Ramadan.

‘Iron Flame’ shares wild, fast-paced plot

Hayden Alexander Staff Reporter

Note: This article contains spoilers. Rebecca Yarros’ “Iron Flame” is the second novel in the “Fourth Wing” series and is a thrilling continuation of the first novel.

In proper sequel form, the plot thickens, secrets are revealed and tears abound. I gladly lost a whole night’s sleep reading the final 150 pages of “Iron Flame.” There is no doubt that the novel falls into your typical fantasy, enemies-to-lovers romance, but the story stands out. Well-written characters, battle scenes and dragons put this novel at the top of readers’ list.

For those who want to avoid the explicit romance in the novel, multiple online guides point out the pages to skip. I highly recommend this method because the novel is worth reading.

The stakes are high when Violet returns to Basgaith War College after discovering the evil outside the wards. In “Fourth Wing,” we learn that the Navarre government is hiding the Venin’s existence from its citizens. Violet and several cadets witness the carnage. What makes this novel terrifying is that no one is safe. Upon returning to the war college, Violet and the other survivors are systematically killed off. Sometimes, it’s evident that someone is about to bite the dust, but it still catches the reader off guard at other times.

In the novel, newcomer Vice Commandant Burton Varrish is dead set on catching Violet and her allies. He threatens, tortures and kills his

way through the novel.

Violet and Xaden, our walking enemies-to-lovers trope, are fighting. Violet grapples with what Xaden can and cannot tell her, demanding the truth. Xaden wants Violet to trust him and understand that he can’t tell her everything.

Their argument is stupid. I understand Violet feels betrayed but cannot guard her mind from prying readers. If Dain touches her, every secret she holds will be his to share with the villains. Xaden is in charge of protecting an entire rebellion, and because of Violet’s position, he can’t tell her everything.

This constant state of argument is annoying. In one moment, they are all over each other, and the next, they are at each other’s throats. I love the two characters, but their relationship is a little toxic.

Back to the plot.

Violet eventually tells her squad, Rhiannon, Ridoc and Sawyer, about the rebels. They join her and Jessina in trying to steal two books from the original creators of the wards. Violet and the rebels hope to extend the wards because they are the only thing that stops the Venin and Wyverns.

Violet gets caught and tortured for a few chapters before Xaden tears through the war college to rescue her. During her stay in the cell, Liam appears to Violet in visions, encouraging her to keep fighting.

In an epic twist, Dain reads Violet’s mind and turns on Varrish. Varrish doesn’t survive his encounter with Xaden, Dain and Violet. With help from Violet’s mom, the rebellious riders turn half of the quadrant into rebels and escape to the edge of the wards.

The rest of the novel mainly focuses on deciphering how to create more wards and teaming up with the gryphon riders from outside Navvare’s riders. The dragon rider and gryphon riders take their sweet

time learning how to work together, but eventually, they manage.

Another annoying plot point is Catriona, or “Cat” for short. She is Xaden’s ex. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, a novel about dragons, evil demonic creatures and war has time for a jealous ex-plotline. It’s not bad, but it’s a little out of place in a supposedly serious storyline.

This segment of the novel made me want to leap into the pages and murder Cat for Violet. Violet understandably deals with a bit of insecurity, but her dragon, Tarrin, will not stand for it.

The final 100-150 pages of “Iron Flame” are a whirlwind of emotions and a series

of defining moments.

First, Xaden reveals to Violet that he has two signets, shadows and inntinnsic. His second signet gives Xaden the ability to tell people’s true intentions. Inntinnsics do not survive long in Navvare; their powers make them a target for execution.

Second, Violet and multiple other riders race to Basgaith to stop a Wyvren attack on the wyrdstone beneath the college, but it is too late. The wards fall, and a battle for the ages ensues. Amid the battle, Violet’s brother Brennan mends the stone, and she begins siphoning her power into the stone to finish the repair. She’s riding the edge of burnout when her

mother, the hard-as-nails general, pulls her from the stone. In a gut-wrenching moment, General Sorrengail sacrifices herself, not for her country, but for her three children.

The novel ends on the craziest cliffhanger I’ve dealt with in a minute. Violet finds Xaden burnt out after his fight with the ultimate big-bad, the sage. When he turns to face her, his eyes are black. In a sick twist of fate, Xaden is now a venin.

“Iron Flame” is a thrilling and relatively easy read for those looking to do a little reading between study breaks.

Be careful, though, because you might be up at 6 a.m. racing to the novel’s end.

Hayden Alexander

“Iron Flame,” a sequel to “Fourth Wing,” offers enemies-to-lovers romance, battle scenes and dragons.