Friday, December 8, 2023
Debt driven International students face financial fears Bella Casey News and Lifestyle Assistant Editor
puter science. She has a passion for coding and worked as a software developer in India. Then she worked for OSU Dining Services. She had to pay for her education. “After working as a software developer and coming Sai Parvatharaju is afraid back working at this student to break her arm. dining services, it was pretty She cannot afford to pay hard for me, but it was a good any hospital bills. She must experience,” Parvatharaju said. save money. As some students navigate She misses out on vacacollege on their parents’ dime, tions with friends. She worked international students such as two jobs over the summer. She Parvatharaju and Ng must work lives with roommates. to survive. One academic year She must spend money as a graduate international carefully. student costs $50,488, accordShe is saving her money ing to OSU. to buy a ticket home to her famMost international stuily. To pay off her student loans. dents at OSU are in the U.S. on To get an education. an F-1 visa, which is a student “But it’s all worth it,” said visa that is privately financed. Zhe Kai Ng, an international Students must provide a finanstudent from Malaysia who is cial guarantee of $40,000 to be getting his master’s in nutriapproved. This proves they can tional science. afford their education. Parvatharaju is an international student from India who See Woes on 4A is getting a master’s in com-
Dead longhorn draws national attention, investigation ongoing Kennedy Thomason News & Lifestyle Editor
Courtesy of Zhina Shirzad Zhina Shirzad left Afghanistan in 2021, when the American troops left the country. Since then, she struggles to feel at home.
OSU resettlement program gives refugees opportunity to start over Luisa Clausen Editor-in-Chief
When the Taliban took over, Zhina Shirzad left Afghanistan and couldn’t look back. No family. No friends. Just a desperate need to survive. Back home, she left her mother and siblings, with whom she said she has a deep connection. Although Shirzard grew up listening to the sound of bombs and danger, she never saw it with her own eyes. “(Before the Taliban took over) It happened around my office, I heard sounds,” Shirzard said. “It was better before. It was not safe but everyone could go work. Everyone could have education.” Back home, her family believed in education. She graduated with an economics degree, she learned English and she worked hard. Shirzad believed women deserved education. But the Taliban believed the opposite. “When the schools
What’s Inside
closed for women or girls maybe you can’t believe me but I cried for more than four or five days,” Shirzad said. Shirzard decided to leave the country, but her family couldn’t follow her. Shirzard wanted a chance to be free, but when she got to the airport, she didn’t know where they would take her. At the time, thousands of Afghans were being relocated to different countries. And in August 2021, 90,000 were on their way to the U.S. Her journey was long. Three days in Qatar, then Germany for two months at a military camp, New Mexico for two months and finally, Oklahoma. Shirzad lived in Tulsa for a few months until she received a scholarship opportunity to study at Oklahoma State University. For her, education was freedom. So she grabbed her few belongings and moved to Stillwater. In a partnership with Catholic Charities of Eastern Oklahoma, OSU created the Afghan Family Project, which welcomed Shirzad, while trying to manage an overwhelming demand.
Flowers in December? Must be pre-finals week
Emily Boersma, director of the English Language and Intercultural Center, joined the project in August 2022, and said the hard work had been done but there was a long way to go. “Initially it was a crisis management,” Boersma said. “When I started, we began stabilizing, and we began with resettlement.” Before a more prepared phase of the project started, volunteers such as Terri Hollarn were fundamental in helping Afghan refugees settle in Stillwater. Hollarn’s mom was a refugee, so she knew she needed to help. Hollarn called the person in charge of the settling of refugees and offered to help out for six hours a week. She had been retired for a year and said she decided to utilize her time for something good. “Now Terri, did you actually volunteer six hours a week?” Boersma asked, during a group interview for The O’Colly. “So… the next day, I started working between six and 12 hours a day,” Hollarn said with a laugh. And it only went up from that. See Refugees on 4A
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longhorn placed on the attached trailer, backed onto the lawn. A cord attached to the house and longhorn pulled the carcass off the trailer as the truck drove away. OSU, President Dr. Kayse Shrum and FarmHouse released A dead longhorn has statements the same day regardturned campus on its head. ing the carcass. The longhorn, found out“We expect that authoriside of the FarmHouse fraternity ties will prosecute this case to on the morning of Dec. 1, drew the full extent of the law, and national attention. The O’Colly we stand with the Stillwater broke the news, and it trended community in condemning this across social media and major reprehensible act, which in no media outlets over the weekend way represents the values of our such as ESPN, The New York institution,” Shrum said in her Post and Daily Mail. statement. Beginning with initial reThe incident came one ports of the carcass with “F*** day before OSU’s Big 12 ChamFH” carved into its side and a pionship matchup against the cut along its abdomen exposing University of Texas and trended its intestines, the story quickly because of the connection to evolved. Texas’ mascot, Bevo the longAt 6:39 a.m. on Dec. 1, horn. the Stillwater Police DepartHowever, Lt. TJ Low of ment received information that the Stillwater Police Department a dead longhorn was placed on said it had no connection. the front lawn of FarmHouse. “I just want to make sure They responded, confirming the that everyone is clear that it longhorn was dead and removdoesn’t have anything to do with ing it just after 9 a.m. the Big 12 Championship in any Footage circulated among way,” Low said. “It seemed like students of the guilty party a little rivalry between the two disposing of the longhorn on fraternities.” the front lawn. A truck, with the See Longhorn on 4A
Kennedy Thomason A dead longhorn outside of the FarmHouse fraternity was reported to the Stillwater Police Department at 6:39 a.m. on Dec. 1.
OSU student named National FFA President
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Seasoned seniors’ tips to survive finals
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Page 2A Friday, December 8, 2023
O’Colly
News
OSUPD encourages students, staff to report harassment Bella Casey News and Lifestyle Assistant Editor
The harassment spree was reported to OSUPD the next day. Since then, more students have come forward with tales of the gray truck. OSUPD Capt. Colt Chandler said OSUPD has suspects A walk home full of they are following, and they laughter and celebration led are investigating the suspects’ Malese Pete and Diamond Rus- involvement in the original sell to file a police report. case. The two women and their Because the harassment friend, Kandyce Lewis, who was not reported immediately, are African American, were OSUPD was not able to search returning home from OkState for the gray truck the night of Stand United’s table talk event Nov. 13. on Nov. 13. There, students “That’s why we’ve been and OSU President Dr. Kayse encouraging people to report Shrum discussed diversity on things when they happen (or) campus. as they’re happening through a The room the talk was variety of devices,” Chandler hosted in was filled with said. “We want them to use the people. Students wanted to Rave Guardian app if they’re discuss diversity and to make not able to call us directly.” OSU as inclusive as possible. OSUPD’s Rave Guardian The women described the night App allows students to call and as a success. text OSUPD officers and send As they walked to their anonymous tips. cars, a group of three white Chandler encouraged men in a gray truck screamed students to take photos and racial slurs at them. Other videos of any vehicle that students came forward and harasses them on campus so said they were harassed by the the information can be used to same truck that night. help identify their harassers.
An accurate description of a vehicle or its tag number can help OSUPD identify suspects quickly. OSUPD Chief Leon Jones said students should contact OSUPD for any reason— not only harassment. “I mean, that’s what we’re here for,” Jones said. Unless the students made threats to others, there are no legal consequences for their actions because their freedom of speech is protected. If this is the case, Jones said OSU’s next step would be to educate the suspects on why harassment is wrong. “We want to make contact with these individuals for educational purposes, to try to find out why, when, why,” Jones said. “And then curb that appetite for creating this type of atmosphere that we really don’t like.” OSUPD has not charged any suspects in connection to the incident. “We’re not gonna stop until we come up with something,” Jones said. news.ed@ocolly.com
Ben Holieway
Best part of the semester
O’COMIC
Maha Ashour “My favorite thing I’ve done this year is go to Diwali Night because that was so fun, and I feel like I saw so many different people . . . they had performances and dancing and so much good food and the community just came together.”
Tyson Lenard “Sunny’s class, micro econ, she’s always really funny. The first day she was telling us how she wrecked her car and caused an accident, she started the semester off strong.”
Konner Lott “Watching all the Christmas lights being put up for the Christmas season and then going to do the walkaround for Homecoming and going to see all the posters on library lawn.” Kendall McGhee
Editorial board
The O’Colly Staff News & Lifestyle reporters:
Editor-in-Chief Luisa Clausen editorinchief@ocolly.com
News & Life editor Kennedy Thomason news.ed@ocolly.com
Sports editor Braden Bush sports.ed@ocolly.com
Assistant News & Life editor Bella Casey news.ed@ocolly.com
Assistant Sports editor Ashton Slaughter sports.ed@ocolly.com Design editor Ben Holieway design.ed@ocolly.com
Photo editor Ethan Scott photo.ed@ocolly.com Adviser John Helsley john.helsley@okstate.edu
Addie Wagner Ashton Miller Cloe Campfield Hayden Alexander Isaac Terry Jaycee Hampton Jessica Pearce Lauren Joseph Lauren King Michael Clark Raynee Howell
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O’Colly
Friday, December 8, 2023 Page 3A
News Flowers in December? Must be pre-finals week Ashton Miller Staff Reporter
Ashton Miller Flowers for Finals Jordyn Bales (left) and Kennedy Funa destressed during pre-finals week by grabbing flowers and hot cocoa at OSU’s Active Minds’ Flowers for Finals.
them to the flowers before giving them away to anyone who wants one. “I love the idea of putting little cards on the flower so you can take it with you, it’s kind of tellKayleen Sugianto is no ing you, ‘Hey, you really got this,’” stranger to finals week. Sugianto said. As a junior in zoology, SuActive Minds Vice Presigianto has dealt with the stress of dent Jordyn Bales has always been studying for finals and wrapping involved with mental health repup classes throughout her time at resentation and helping others in OSU. For her, simple things like any way she can. Bales said that grabbing hot cocoa and a quick chat help get her through pre-finals this is one of Active Minds’ biggest outreach events, but that’s not why week. Luckily enough for Sugianto, she loves it so much. “It’s not just about our club OSU’s Active Minds chapter hosted and getting involved in our club, their Flowers for Finals event on but also just, in general, caring Tuesday at Chi O’Clock. This year, hot chocolate was provided to help about mental health,” Bales said. “It’s just about wanting to brighten students get through the chilly somebody’s day.” morning. Although it isn’t the best “It’s really helpful, even if it’s just that little swing-by, two minute weather for flowers right now, Active Minds still chooses to use conversation, or just a grab-andgo hot cocoa, it’s just a nice break flowers as a way to brighten the from everything,” Sugianto said. “It gloomy December days. For Bales, it’s when people can be really stressful, very overask for extra for their friends that whelming and everything’s down she feels she’s truly making a difto these last weeks, so having this ference. puts my mind at ease.” “To know that people also Active Minds writes handwant to give it to others, it’s not written encouragements and ties just about themselves,” Bales said.
“There’s multiple people who take two or three and they’re like, ‘Oh, I’m going to give this to my roommate,’ or ‘I’m going to give this to my friend,’ and knowing that it’s not just about us handing it out, but other people also wanting to hand it out, it’s a whole campus thing.” Cheyenne Fisher, University Counseling Services grief and loss outreach intern, was tabling alongside Active Minds in a show of support for students during this stressful time. “We just wanted to table together all different mental health opportunities on campus, as well as provide stress toys, flowers, hot chocolate and positive affirmations during pre-finals week,” Fisher said. Providing students with a variety of resources and continuous support through finals is the main goal of events like these, and adding a floral flare only adds to the fun. “University Counseling Services, Wellness and Active Minds all coordinate together,” Fisher said. “Getting into finals can be extremely stressful so just anything anyone might need we want to be able to provide for them.” news.ed@ocolly.com
Shrum hosts holiday gettogether for staff, students Lauren Joseph Staff Reporter
plauding the president’s office staff for putting on the event and cheering for the Big 12 Championship, the crowd continued to trickle in and fill their plates. This ChristmasFilling the Student focused event celebrated Union with food and cheer- the holiday season through ful chatter, OSU President food. Dr. Kayse Shrum welcomed Vedda Hsu, the directhe holidays to Stillwater on tor of University Dining Dec. 1. Services, said there was a Holiday Happening, lot of effort required to crean annual event, brought a ate the diverse menu. bit of holiday magic to the She said preparations busy end of the semester. begin in October to plan out As “Elf,” one of Shrum’s fa- the sheer volume and vavorite movies, played over- riety of dishes served. The head on the screens, excited head chef is involved with lines of students and staff the plating of each dish. members stretched into the As an evolving prohallways as they waited to duction, Holiday Happening fill their plates with food. has grown from a smaller The ballroom was array of desserts to the filled with long tables of developed celebration meal food, hot chocolate bars and it is today. large ensembles of desserts. Hsu said that as the Christmas trees and decoyears went on, changes rations spread everywhere were made. recalled the upcoming “You know, this is the Christmas season. middle of the afternoon, we Featuring a wide vathought people might like riety of delicacies, such as some savory foods.” brisket sandwiches, bagels, Hsu said Shrum caprese skewers, a mashed directly helped to plan the potato bar, hot chocolate event. Shrum insisted that and a variety of desserts, the cakes were edible, inHoliday Happening proved cluding a one three-dimenitself to be a monumental sional Christmas tree cake. achievement. As the crowd comOne staff member munally cheered for the wished the crowd “Merry upcoming football game, it Christmas” and “Happy melded their school spirit Holidays” directly from the and holiday happiness. president’s office. While apnews.ed@ocolly.com
Payton Little OSU President Dr. Kayse Shrum hosted a staff event to celebrate the holiday season with food and conversation.
Courtesy of Amara Jackson Amara Jackson, an OSU student, was elected to be FFA’s national president last month.
OSU student named National FFA President Ashton Miller Staff Reporter
Amara Jackson didn’t plan on becoming National FFA President. She didn’t even plan on joining the organization. “I joined my freshman year, and I really wasn’t excited about it,” Jackson said. “My sister was in FFA, and I wanted to do everything opposite of what my sister did.” After attending her first Michigan FFA State Convention, Jackson realized how strong the community was. “That’s where I realized, ‘Wow, I want to be a part of something bigger than myself,’” Jackson said. “The FFA organization gave me that opportunity to be a part of something that focused on leadership but also focused on others.” From there, Jackson’s involvement with the organization only grew. As a sophomore in high school, Jackson continuously looked for the next thing she could do within the organization. She participated in leadership contests, public speaking and attended conferences. “It was very step by step for me; I wasn’t looking big picture at the time,” Jackson said. “It wasn’t until a couple years later, when I served as the Michigan FFA State President, when I realized I really enjoy giving back in this leadership capacity.” The emphasis on helping others is a major part of what drew Jackson into the leadership position she is now in. With a desire to give back to a community that helped her so much, Jackson decided to run for Michigan’s candidate for FFA President. Although Jackson didn’t win the first time she ran, after taking a year off, she persevered and ran again. This time, out of 35 candidates, Jackson was selected. “The process has not been linear, it’s been like a roller
coaster,” Jackson said. “Essentially, when I first started FFA, I did not know that this was the journey that God was going to take me on, but I’m excited that I get to be here, and I feel honored that I can represent FFA in this manner.” During her year of service, Jackson will be traveling nationwide to different conferences, camps and conventions. Jackson said she, along with five other FFA National Officers, will travel 320 out of the 365 days of the year. With more than 100,000 miles traveled, being National FFA President is no small feat. Because Jackson’s role is a fulltime commitment, she is taking a year off school and will return to OSU after her term is up. Jackson has a lot resting on her shoulders with this role, and it can be stressful. Jackson said her determination to give back to FFA keeps her motivated during overwhelming times. “As a leader, using whatever role or whatever capacity to see the potential in other people is ultimately why I get up every day and power through these busy schedules,” Jackson said. Jackson said people have helped her out tremendously along the way, whether it be a teacher, a mentor or a fellow friend lending an ear. Jackson said lending a hand when needed and providing leadership whenever possible is an important part of the job. “I could not have gotten here if it wasn’t for different mentors or supporters,” Jackson said. “A lot of people ask me how I got this far in FFA, and I often remind people that it takes a village, and you have to build a village in order to get here. No one can be successful on their own, and I truly believe that relationships are the root of your success.” Tiffany Rogers-Randolph was one of the many mentors Jackson had throughout her FFA journey. As a past national officer, Rogers-Randolph was quick to lend any advice needed to help Jackson along the way. The two met via Zoom
when Rogers-Randolph was elected as the State Executive Secretary for Michigan FFA in 2021. At the time, no one knew what the year would hold due to the pandemic, and RogersRandolph said Jackson’s decision to continue to run showed her dedication to others. “This decision is one example of the sincere heart for service that she possesses,” Rogers-Randolph said. “Amara continuously shows that she chooses to serve others regardless of what the personal opportunities and experiences look like for her.” Even though RogersRandolph has helped Jackson in her role along the way, RogersRandolph said Jackson has taught her a lot. “I am so grateful to have learned from Amara over the past two years,” Rogers-Randolph said. “She has taught me what it means to serve authentically with an open heart, to lead with love and laughter and how to purposefully build community in a way that makes each individual feel valued.” One relationship that Jackson has made along her journey with FFA is a friendship with Morgan Anderson, National FFA Eastern Region Vice President. Anderson and Jackson met in 2021 at the annual State Officer Summit in Washington D.C. and instantly hit off. “Amara’s one of those people that you can become friends with and find yourself wondering how you didn’t meet sooner,” Anderson said. “Now, being her teammate and a close friend of mine, I find myself wondering that all the time.” Anderson and Jackson will be working hand-in-hand to represent FFA and connect with almost 1 million student members. “Friendship with Amara is so timeless, and I believe it’s largely because of her genuineness,” Anderson said. “Whether you’re meeting her for the first time or the hundredth, you’ll always be met with the same pretty smile and listening ear.” news.ed@ocolly.com
Page 4A Friday, December 8, 2023
O’Colly
News employment and three have Refugees . . . time part time jobs. Three Afghan
Continued from 1A
Kennedy Thomason The dead longhorn, found early on Dec. 1, had “F*** FH” carved into its left side and a cut exposing its intestines.
the statement Low said AGR shared Longhorn . . . values,” said. “Alpha Gamma Rho that the longhorn was from does not condone this behavior.” Continued from 1A On Wednesday around 10 a.m., SPD served a search warrant A preliminary necropsy at the AGR fraternity. report was also released on Low said AGR was not Saturday from the OSU Ani- cooperative with investigamal Disease and Diagnostic tors prior to the warrant, but Laboratory. It reported that provided access to the footinitial findings indicated that age from its security cameras the longhorn died of natural after the warrant was served. causes. AGR’s curtains and No updates to the report shutters remained drawn have been released from the throughout Wednesday, and laboratory. the fraternity did not respond The report also said to a request for comment. that members of the Alpha “Alpha Gamma Rho Gamma Rho fraternity had fraternity does have inforinformation about the acmation to lead investigators quisition, transportation and here, so that’s what we’re dumping of the longhorn. trying to further our invesOn Saturday, AGR retigation and gather some leased a statement, condemn- evidence from that day on ing the incident. the first,” Low said outside of “This conduct is incon- AGR on Wednesday. sistent with our fraternity’s
Noble county, which is west of Payne county, but he said SPD is waiting on the full necropsy report from the laboratory to confirm any details. In addition to SPD’s work, OSU’s Office of Student Support and Conduct is conducting a separate investigation. For the guilty party, Low said the punishment will vary on many currently unknown variables. The minimum penalty they could face is disposing of the corpse, which is a misdemeanor, while the potential maximum is an animal cruelty charge, which is a felony. “It’s definitely very cruel and a weird prank,” Low said. “Like I said, it’s very hard to fathom; it doesn’t happen in Stillwater.” news.ed@ocolly.com
Bella Casey International students at OSU pay significantly more in tuition per credit hour than resident students pay.
Woes . . . Continued from 1A Financial assistance is not easy to obtain for international students. They are eligible for only a small portion of scholarships and internships, and they must provide extensive documentation to participate in the ones they are eligible for. “So whenever you have these right-wing Trump-ights saying, ‘Oh, (immigrants are) taking all of their scholarships,’ No, they’re not,” said Tim Huff, director of international students and scholars. “It’s exactly the opposite.” Huff said international students heavily effect the
U.S. economy. He said each international student contributes an estimated $30,000 to $40,000 to the U.S. economy. “Now, the people at the border that come across the border, that’s a different ballgame,” Huff said. “But as far as international students go, they’re here on documentation. (They are the) best documented people probably in the U.S., period.” School is not the only expense international students face. They need groceries, electronics, clothes and must pay medical bills. Unexpected expenses are inevitable. Plane tickets to visit family cost hundreds of dollars. The expenses add up. Not all international students can afford it. Huff said each year,
some international students are forced to return to their home country due to financial issues, though it is rare. “Now, the number of students who say that they have financial woes, that need some help, that’s way, way, way higher,” Huff said. During OSU’s 202324 academic year, international graduate students paid 276.28% more in tuition per credit hour than resident students. International undergraduate students paid 286.54% more in tuition per credit hour than undergraduate resident students. But to Parvatharaju and Ng, it is worth it. “If we do the hard work (now), we will be getting more (pay) in future,” Ng said. news.ed@ocolly.com
From November 2021 to March 2022 the team of volunteers and employees from Catholic Charities of Eastern Oklahoma and OSU, moved refugees to on-campus housing, free for 18 months. “Some were scared, some were angry,” Hollarn said. “We knew this was coming, I think there was more anger than denial.” Hollarn said several refugees believed the situation was temporary and they would go home soon. Hollarn and Boersma said they wish that was true but they worked around helping them adapt to the new reality. Early on, the program offered the refugees a language assessment and placed all of them in English classes. During the crisis management, Hollarn and the team tried to make the transition as easy as possible. Businesses and citizens of the Stillwater community offered not only donations but also services to help with the refugees’ adaptation. The program helped them get their phones set up, bank accounts, vaccination updates and more. After a year into the program as a volunteer, Hollarn was offered a part-time job at OSU. After two years, she is still as involved as when she decided to join the program. In the middle of the interview with The O’Colly, Hollarn gets a phone call from one of the Afghan families requesting help. She does not hesitate to pick up. “She is going on vacation next week,” Boersma said. “But I guarantee you she won’t turn off her phone. That is how much she cares.” The program has evolved, and Boersma said they are entering a new phase. With a new grant cycle starting, the program will switch its focus from immediate results to long term solutions. “I think that I would like to call this chapter lift off,” Boersma said. “So we want to move they’ve stabilized and now we need to work to improve the quality of their lives” In 2023, 25 Afghan residents in Stillwater have full-
residents have enrolled at OSU and one Afghan student moved here to study, With the help from English Language and Intercultural Center, the program now offers Compassionate Afghan Resettlement and English Services Program. This program offers nine hours of intensive English Instruction per week to adults, with three different courses focused on English fundamentals, English for cultural integration and English for occupational purposes. ELIC has also partnered with Stillwater Public Schools to provide a space and programming to allow children to transition into local schools. The OSU Foundation and OSU Global created a scholarship account to develop a scholarship fund for Afghan students to continue their studies, which were interrupted by the downfall of the Afghan government, at OSU. “We would like to be able to serve non Afghan refugees as well,” Boersma said. “This grant allows us to for now we’re only serving Afghan refugees.” All Afghans have attorneys working on their cases to ensure their documentation is updated. Local churches have also been of aid, and St. Francis Javier has donated money to be primarily used for dental. For Shirzad, the program’s team was fundamental to her adaptation at OSU. Although she said her family and her people are constantly in her mind, Boersma and her team approached Shirzad with empathy and care. “When I am with other people from other countries, they respect me,” Shirzad said. “Emily is always taking care. There is not enough words to say about her. She cares about me, about what I like, about what I eat. It is very important to me.” Boersma said it has been a powerful experience to serve the community and advises OSU students and Stillwater residents to always look around and be present to people who may need comfort. “When I’m eating or when I’m outside of the school, my time happy when I have everything. I think about my family,” Shirzad said. “Wish I could give this or I could provide this for them. I wish they could live like me.” news.ed@ocolly.com
Courtesy of Zhina Shirzad Shirzad (third from left to right) stands with other international students for an event hosted by the International Services Office. She said she wishes people from back home could live like people in the U.S.
O’Colly
Friday, December 8, 2023 Page 5A
News Seasoned seniors’ tips to surviving finals Hayden Alexander Staff Reporter
As the semester wraps up, OSU students prepare for finals. As some freshmen hit the books and down caffeine, seasoned finals-taking veterans, seniors, have some advice for first-year students: Studying. It’s long, it’s arduous and necessary. There are ways to make it less stressful. Senior Tony Dong said he studies with friends to make the mountains of PowerPoint slides more bearable. “Make sure you start studying early,” Dong said. “I have found working together in a group or with another person makes studying for finals much easier.” There are multiple places to study across campus, but a student favorite is the library. “I study at the ATRC or the third floor of the library,” Dong said. Studying with friends can improve a study session, but if students want to fly solo, they can find help when needed. OSU offers multiple tutoring opportunities at the LASSO Center. Senior Shelly Ross encourages her fellow students to take the extra step and ask for help. “Don’t be afraid or embarrassed to ask people for any kind of help,” Ross said. “People love it when you ask them for help because they are glad that you trust them so much to ask for help.” Mental and physical health are often the first things on the chopping block for studying students. Cramming at 3 a.m. and downing five energy drinks replaces an everyday routine. Senior Madison Millington said she wants students to put in the work without risking
File Photo OSU seniors offer advice to those taking on finals for the first time: prioritize your mental health, study hard and do not be afraid to ask for help.
their health. “Study hard and efficiently, but don’t burn yourself out,” Millington said. “You still have so many other things to worry about other than finals, so make sure you’re prioritizing.” Destressing is the name of the game, and our seniors have multiple techniques, such as going on walks or doing a quick yoga session on YouTube. For some, the key to unwinding is time with friends. “My favorite way to destress is going out to eat with friends or just listening to music,” Millington said. The pressure to excel in finals is apparent across campus. Still, OSU seniors want students to know that not getting a perfect grade or fail-
ing does not define the college experience. “Grades do not define you,” Ross said. “Exam stress and anxiety are real; just because you fail a final doesn’t mean you did not learn anything.” Ross said she and her friends are making plans to get in the holiday spirit. “We are going to watch Christmas movies before we leave for the semester,” Ross said. Dong is working on a gettogether with his friends for one last time. “We’re having a mini celebration and eating food before we part ways for the break,” Dong said. Before traveling across
The O’Colly study spot choices -Edmon Low Library
-Aspen Coffee
-Round House Bakery
-Student Union
-Balanced Coffee Co. the states to see friends and family, the seniors have one last piece of advice for students: “First year is always tough, but you’ve survived, and now you get to relax for a month and recharge,” Millington said. “Spend time with friends and family, enjoy the holiday season, and go into the rest of college with an open mind and flexibility because
GOD’S ETERNAL BLESSINGS! He touched me. Oh! He touched me! And Oh, the joy that floods my soul. Something happened and now I know; He touched me and made me whole! All the way my Saviour leads me. What have I to ask besides. Can I doubt his tender mercies who through life has been my guide. Heavenly peace!; Divinest comfort! Hear by faith in Him to dwell. For I know what ere befalls me; Jesus doeth all things well. I know I’ll see Jesus some day. I know I’ll see Jesus some day. What a joy that will be, when his face I shall see. I know I’ll see Jesus some day! When my life’s work is ended, and I cross the swelling tide. When the bright and glorious morning I shall see; I shall know my redeemer when I reach the other side. And his smile will be the first to welcome me.
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Kennedy Thomason
things happen.” “You’re almost done,” Dong said. “Once you’re done with finals, you can relax and hang out with friends stressfree.” “We are all so proud of your first semester of college,” Ross said. “Do not take these moments for granted, as college goes by so fast.” news.ed@ocolly.com
I shall know him. I shall know him. When redeemed by his side I shall stand. I shall know him. I shall know him, by the prints of the nails in his hands. We are about to enter the most important holiday time. There is also much excitement and gift giving. However, the most important and wonderful reminder is the coming of Jesus Christ to earth and that through him God will show his great love for us. God so loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish (be separated from God forever), but have Everlasting Life.(live with God and all his blessings forever.) (Jn.3:16) Thank you, Father God!!!
Page 6A Friday, December 8, 2023
O’Colly
Cowboys at 3-5 behind close losses Parker Gerl Staff Reporter
64-59 loss to Abilene Christian, the Cowboys got within five at the 2:23 mark but didn’t score again until As the Cowboys sit at they made a free throw 3-5, they’d probably like to with 46 seconds left and have the final minutes of only made one basket the some of their losses back. rest of the way. Three of their defeats Against St. Bonavenhave come by two points, ture, OSU held a 62-58 lead with another coming by with 2:07 remaining but five for a combined differonly put the ball through ence of 11 points. the net one more time. The “We got to play better, Bonnies capitalized on this, we got to coach better (and) took a 66-64 advantage and we got to get more consis- got a stop on the final play tently productive on both to win the game. ends of the court,” said Then the Cowboys lost OSU coach Mike Boynton.” another 62-58 lead a day These lapses have been later, this one in overtime. sparked by mini scoring droughts and a failure to score a bucket in crunch See losses on 4B time. In a season-opening
Courtesy OSU Athletics Stailee Heard valued OSU’s N7 commitment when she made her college decision.
How OSU’s importance of N7 helped Cowgirls get star freshman Heard
Davis Cordova Staff Reporter Jacie Hoyt presented the Heard family a slideshow presentation. It wasn’t about Hoyt or about the Cowgirls’ fast-paced offense, it was about the importance the N7 game has at OSU. Hoyt, OSU’s women’s basketball coach, recognized how much the N7 game meant to Stailee Heard and her family – it factored in Heard’s college decision. Hoyt’s presentation of N7’s significance at OSU has led to Heard leading the Cowgirls in minutes as a freshman. Heard is a citizen of SenecaCayuga and a descendant of 11 other indigenous tribes. Growing up, Heard spent a lot of weekends dancing in
pow wows or doing something that represented her indigenous background. When basketball made its way into Heard’s schedule, it made weekends more busy, but Heard’s mom, Lila OsceolaHeard, said the participation in events never faltered. “It was really never thought about, it was the way of life,” Osceola-Heard said. “There’s a fine line between balancing basketball tournaments and pow wows. There’d be a Saturday where we’d play games all morning then head to the pow wow.” The N7 game is part of Nike’s movement to ‘inspire and enable 2 million Native American and Aboriginal youth in North America to participate in sport and physical activity.’ Part of that movement is OSU softball, men’s basketball and women’s basketball teams wearing turquoise jerseys once a year since 2015. Turquoise represents harmony, friendship and fellowship in the Native American
culture. That, in turn, has been something Heard saw growing up nearby in Sapulpa and kept in mind when she chose OSU over Arkansas and Houston, among others. “When (Hoyt) recruited us, she made a big deal about N7 and that was one of the reasons Stailee came here,” OsceolaHeard said. “Her native culture is huge in her life, she’s been dancing since she was born.” This season’s N7 game was coincidentally Heard’s collegiate debut against SIUE on Nov. 6, when the Cowgirls won 100-59 and Heard had 18 points along with 10 rebounds – the first OSU freshman to accomplish a double-double in her debut since 1993. Hoyt said the game was a ‘full-circle moment,’ because of the impact N7 had on Heard’s recruitment.
See Heard on 6B
Ethan Scott Alan Bowman was the least sacked quarterback in the country, but he still often resorted to throwing the ball out of bounds.
The best (and worst) of OSU’s football season
Gabriel Trevino Staff Reporter The Cowboys finished the season 9-4 and await a matchup against Texas A&M in the TaxAct Texas Bowl. But first, it’s time to hand out some awards. Game of the year: Week 3 vs. South Alabama Without its 33-7 loss at home to the Sun Belt’s South Alabama, OSU may have never reached the Big
12 Championship Game. The Cowboys were blown out and it served as a wakeup call. The next week, OSU decided to start Alan Bowman and Ollie Gordon II, which turned the trajectory of the season. OSU lost at Iowa State, which in hindsight wasn’t the worst, but then won five in a row, including four against opponents it lost to last season. With all the playing time, Bowman made few mistakes and kept OSU in games, and Gordon II ran his way to awards and best running back in the country discussions. Without the home-field humiliation, OSU still may have experimented with its offense in Big 12 play. See Awards on 4B
New Cowboys have opportunity to steal spotlight in first Bedlam dual Pennsylvania (in high school),” Scott said. “So, I’d never really wrestled in front of a crowd like that.” Scott’s first taste of Bedlam? A 6-2 defeat to top-ranked 125-pounder Sam Hazewinkel. It Daniel Allen was a sour taste, but one that resStaff Reporter onated with Scott for the remainder of his freshman campaign. Of Coleman Scott vividly recourse, an 18-13 OSU win made members his first Bedlam experi- it easier to cope with. ence. And in that moment, he Feb. 20, 2005, in a nearly learned the merit within the sold-out Gallagher-Iba Arena. rivalry. Back when Big 12 dominance When No. 11 Oklahoma State resided with Oklahoma’s two in- travels to Norman to face No. 18 state programs. Oklahoma at McCasland Field Then a true freshman, Scott, House on Sunday afternoon, a burned his redshirt a little more bevy of new wrestlers will expethan a month earlier. He had rience one of wrestling’s parasome experience, but nothing of mount rivalries for the first time, the magnitude of an early 2000s like Scott did 19 years ago. File Photo Bedlam wrestling dual. “I wrestled in a small town in See Bedlam on 5B Luke Surber pinned Keegan Moore at 197 pounds to win Bedlam in 2022, creating another classic Bedlam moment.
What’s Inside
Back to Space City Page
2B
OSU is going bowling in H-Town.
Winning the portal?
Page Is OSU on track to win this year’s portal cycle?
4B
Double Trouble A new duo for OSU Tennis is blossoming
Page
5B
Page 2B Friday, December 8, 2023
O’Colly
sports
Texas A&M plays OSU in Texas Bowl amid coaching change Ashton Slaughter Assistant Sports Editor
Duke coach Mike Elko is in. Elko’s first foe? Oklahoma State, after a 9-4 finish to the season and an appearance in the Big 12 Championship Game, is heading to Houston. Only Elko won’t be leading his team, as Elijah Robinson, who served as the interim head coach for two games of the regular season, will coach the Aggies.
Elko was hired on Nov. 27 and has been tasked with turning an Aggies program that has the highest expectations and resources into a natural powerhouse. They finished with a disappointing 7-5 record in the regular season, with four of the five losses coming from ranked games. Although his coaching will
begin after the Texas Bowl, his job will be hard, no doubt. Max Johnson, A&M’s quarterback for eight games in the regular season, who threw Texas A&M’s program will for 1,452 yards, nine touchhave changed a lot in 32 days downs and five interceptions, when the TaxAct Texas Bowl transferred to the University of comes around. North Carolina on Nov. 29. The Jimbo Fisher and his $77.6 Aggies’ backup quarterback, million buyout are out; former Jaylen Henderson, started three games in the regular season, and it seems like he will be the guy against OSU. The Aggies’ leading receiver will be absent, too, for Ainias Smith, who totaled 795 yards and 53 catches on the season, announced that due to a broken finger sustained against LSU in A&M’s regular season finale, he will miss the bowl game but is hopeful for an invite to the Senior Bowl to increase his stock in the NFL Draft. New coach, a new-ish quarterback and missing the top wide receiver. Yeah, that’s pretty different. There are some familiar, top-notch faces, though, one being Le’Veon Moss (484 yards, Courtesy Texas A&M Athletics five touchdowns) who was one of the many highly-ranked reFormer Duke coach Mike Elko is Texas A&M’s new coach, tasked with turning the Aggies’ program around. cruits in A&M’s No. 1 recruit-
5 players OSU needs to keep in this offseason
ing class in 2022. Wide receiver Evan Stewart (38 catches, 514 yards) and defensive back Bryce Anderson (47 total tackles, one interception and one fumble), among others, are key contributors for the Aggies from that class. OSU and A&M are familiar with the Texas Bowl and with each other, too. The two programs faced off in the bowl game in 2019, when Fisher and the Aggies won 24-21, defeating Gundy and star running back Chuba Hubbard. Now, it will presumably be Gundy and new Cowboy star running back Ollie Gordon II taking on the Aggies in a bowl game, barring anything changing in the transfer portal. No OSU starters have entered the portal or announced their bowl game absence yet, but only time will tell if that continues. For A&M fans, though, with College Station being only 94 miles away from Houston, Aggie fans will undoubtedly make their presence known. Only they’ll have to wait to see their new coach in action. sports.ed@ocolly.com
Gabriel Trevino Staff Reporter
season when OSU was rotatDalton Cooper, redshirt ing three quarterbacks, but that senior left tackle doesn’t mean he won’t be by August. He didn’t start to begin the College football’s offseason season, but Cooper may have is more alive than it has in the Ollie Gordon II, sophobeen the Cowboys’ best ofsport’s history. more running back fensive lineman this season. Recruiting, coaching At left tackle, Cooper helped changes and development are This is obvious. The naBowman be sacked at the lowstill important. Now, with tion’s leading rusher returning est percentage in the country the transfer portal and NIL, is almost mandatory for OSU. and opened holes for Gordon II coaches’ jobs are more comGordon II will be draft elito run through. Most OSU lineplex than ever. gible after next season, so the men are in their final seasons, Last winter, 22 players Cowboys may only have him but Cooper still has eligibility left Oklahoma State after for one more year. Still, with remaining. a 7-6 season, in what many his talent rushing, catching thought could be the end for and blocking, Gordon II can do The Cowboys’ line may coach Mike Gundy. Instead, he anything in an offense. see major turnover from this showed he’s not done yet. Offensive coordinator season to 2024, but Cooper With the portal opening Kasey Dunn and whoever is staying to protect the blindside again this week, some players playing quarterback knows for OSU’s starter will have just will leave, and some will join their life will be easier with as importance as a “skill-posiOSU. But for the Cowboys to Gordon II in the backfield. tion” player returning. continue their success next season, they need to return players Nickolas Martin, redshirt Collin Oliver, junior linefrom the current roster that sophomore linebacker backer reached the Big 12 Championship Game. If Martin records one tackle OSU’s pass rush outside of Here are five players OSU in the Texas Bowl, he’ll break Oliver wasn’t the most producneeds back for next season. the record for most tackles in tive, especially considering one season at OSU. Tackles are some players were in their last Zane Flores, freshman a decisive stat among football year of eligibility. Oliver, for quarterback nerds, but his impact on OSU’s the third season in a row, led defense isn’t understated. OSU in sacks, but has yet to It is unsure if the NCAA Despite the team allowing reach the production levels he will grant quarterback Alan a record number of yards and did as a sophomore. Bowman another year of elipoints, Martin shined in the Still, his experience will gibility, and with uncertainty Big 12 Championship Game, be necessary next season around OSU’s quarterback like he had most of the season. with the number of young, room, Flores’ return may be He tackles strong and as fast as inexperienced defensive linenecessary for the Cowboys to any other play on OSU’s roster. men who may have to start. have a quarterback. He gets into the backfield efIn what would be his senior Flores has grown signififectively as anyone else, tying year in 2024, Oliver could put cantly since getting on campus for the most sacks among all together his best season as an last spring. He’s noticeably Cowboys this season. edge rusher-linebacker hybrid, built muscle with a year of For defensive coordinacontinue his tenure as the best strength and conditioning tor Bryan Nardo to continue player on OSU’s defense before coach Rob Glass’ workouts and building his defense, he’ll rely heading to the NFL. developed as a passer through- on players such as Martin to out spring and the season. build the system and lead as a Gundy said Flores wasn’t veteran on-the-field. near ready to play during the sports.ed@ocolly.com
Courtesy of OSU Athletics Gunnar Gundy is the first player to transfer from OSU who played in the 2023 season.
Gundy headlines first week of OSU transfers The O’Colly Sports Staff
last offseason after playing at JUCO. He was an NJCAA All-American in 2022 with six interceptions in 10 games. In 2023, Webb Jr. did not play for Redshirt sophomore quarterback Gunnar Gundy is one of OSU. Also in the portal is tackle five OSU players in the transfer Tyrone Webber, who did not portal. play for the Cowboys in 2022 He is the only player in the after transferring from JUCO portal who played in the 2023 and moved to Canada before season. entering his name in the portal In three games, Gundy last week. Freshman defensive threw 34 passes for 202 yards lineman Ricky Lolohea also and a touchdown. entered the portal, and did not Gundy, the son of OSU play this year. coach Mike Gundy, competed for the starting quarterback job in the first three games before being benched when the team decided on Alan Bowman. Gundy was a walk-on from Stillwater High School but recevied offers from MAC schools Eastern Micigan and Toledo. He enters the portal as a graduate transfer with two years of eligibility. Also in the portal is safety Lardarius Webb Jr. Webb Jr. is the son of former Baltimore Ravens defenEthan Scott sive back Lardarius Webb. Lardarius Webb transferred from JUCO to Webb Jr. transferred to OSU OSU. Now, he’s transferring out.
O’Colly
Friday, December 8, 2023 Page 3B
Classifieds
Houses for rent
Business Squares Come check out the wide variety of elegant clothing at Formal Fantasy! Located on 121 E. 9th Ave, Downtown Stillwater
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Spacious 1100 sq. ft 2 bedroom home. Recently remodeled, CH/A, wood floors, nice yard. 2214 E. 6th Ave., Scarlett Bus Route. 405-372-7107.
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
Cowboy Calendar Upcoming Events: 12/11/2023
Banjo Bug Trivia Stonecloud Brewing Company @ 7 - 9 p.m. h t t p s : / / w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / e v e n ts/3203831339918299/3203831363251630 Christmas at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. The McKnight Center for the Performing Arts @ 7:30 p.m. https://cas.okstate.edu/greenwood_school_of_music/ jazz/jazz_calendar.html Speed Bingo College Bar @ 10 p.m. - 12 a.m. Trivia Night Stonecloud Brewing Company @ 7 p.m. Unusual Geometries OSU Museum of Art @ 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. https://museum.okstate.edu/art/unusual-geometries.html Leon Polk Smith: Affinities in Art & Design OSU Museum of Art @ 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. https://museum.okstate.edu/art/leon-polk-smith.html 12/12/2023 12 Days of Christmas with EM EM Curators of Craft @ 8 a.m. - 11 p.m. https://www.facebook.com/events/302371186088138 Bingo at EM EM Curators of Craft @ 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. https://curatorsofcraft.co/ Santa Oklahoma Community Credit Union @ 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. Whimsical Egg Carton Animal Ornaments Prairie Arts Center @ 3:30 p.m. $25.00 members; $30 non members https://artscenter.okstate.edu/youth-classes/1289-whimsical-egg-carton-animal-ornaments 12/13/2023 Louie’s Kids’ Night Louie’s Grill & Bar @ 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. Town and Gown Theatre Presents: Irving Berlin’s White Christmas Town & Gown Theatre @ 7:30 p.m. Musicals Adults: $16 Students or Military: $14 Seniors (Sun. only): $14 Plays Adults: $14 Students or Military: $12 Seniors (Sun. only): $12 Trivia Night College Bar @ 10 - 12 p.m. Jazz Jam Sessions w/ EM EM Curators of Creft @ 7- 9 p.m. https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=85250250020874 7&set=gm.200189259801898 Live Trivia Iron Monk Brewing Company @ 7 - 9 p.m. https://www.ironmonkbeer.com/ Louie’s Bingo Night Louie’s Grill & Bar @ 8 p.m. https://www.facebook.com/LouiesStillwater 12/14/2023 Eat It Up Food Truck & Live Music Iron Monk Brewing Company @ 6 p.m. https://www.facebook.com/ironmonkbrewingco/
Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Edited by Patti Varol
ACROSS 1 Short shots 5 Shocks 10 Gum balls? 14 Shade in a neutral palette 15 Nebraska rail hub 16 Actor Guinness 17 Odd remedy for an overhead crack? 19 Speak effusively 20 Shock 21 Rejections 23 “You can’t mean me!?” 24 Go downhill fast 25 Pennies that are a dime a dozen? 30 Super __ 31 Met favorites 32 Truism 33 Sundance Film Festival state 35 Club kin 36 __ carte 37 Percussion instrument for By Lynn Lempel 12/8/23 the Mormon Tabernacle Choir? 3 Decisive Thursday’s Puzzle Solved 43 “Hardly!” 4 Chekov colleague 44 Same old same 5 Garfield’s human old 6 “Daaaang!” 45 Rational 7 Kim Wexler’s 46 CX-5 and CX-50 field on “Better automaker Call Saul” 49 Olympian and 8 Marvel villain actress Sonja who collected the 51 Decline Infinity Stones 52 Sacrifice of some 9 Early invader of data storage Great Britain space? 10 Jokester 54 Prefix with friendly 11 Many college 55 Tanqueray product donors 56 Tofu, basically 12 Bygone Chrysler 57 Munch Museum 13 Rupture in a city church group 59 Really distasteful 18 Native of Peru’s 61 Jewelry in the Urubamba Valley shape of a swan? 22 Like a bass or ©2023 Tribune Content Agency, LLC 12/8/23 66 Committed perjury a boa 67 Gochujang origin 24 Urge (on) 40 Court boundary 48 Utterly exhausted 68 Red’s friend in 41 World’s heaviest 49 “Oh, hi!” 26 Planetary path “The Shawshank 27 Ventimiglia of snake 50 Versatile celeb’s Redemption” 42 Component achievement “This Is Us” 69 Boys of some small 53 Roosters 28 Ripened 70 More confident castles 58 Some Mex. 29 Chances to 71 Baseball gripping 46 Montreal spouses determine point university 60 Quilting qty. proficiency 47 Garza who 62 “Why, I oughta ... ” 34 Holi celebrant DOWN co-founded the 36 Get credit for? 63 Name-clarifying 1 Delt neighbor 38 Urges on Black Lives word 2 Gear for 39 Olympic gymnast Matter 64 Otoscope target 49-Across movement Lee 65 Workout spot
Daily Horoscope
Nancy Black Tribune Content Agency Linda Black Horoscopes Today’s Birthday (12/08/23). Grow foundational health and strength this year. Regular coordination and connection builds family harmony. Winter stresses require recuperation, before social changes shuffle springtime cards. Finding fun, romance and creativity this summer leads to autumn renovation or relocation and celebratory parties. Your work reaches new heights. 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 an 8 — Collaborate and coordinate for ease and efficiency. Keep financial engines running. Discover hidden treasure. Feed savings to grow stability and strength. Reinforce foundations. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is a 9 — Love and partnership grow with consistent coordination and disciplined contribution. Share the load and deepen your connection. Keep doing what works. Just show up. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is a 9 — Others admire your work, which is in demand. Monitor statistics and measures. Accept a challenge. Prepare for high performance. Practice makes perfect. Outwit the competition. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is a 9 — Have fun with someone you love. Invent enticing possibilities together. Don’t worry if you don’t know how. Start with foundational structures. Learn by playful experimentation. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is a 7 — Clear clutter by giving away things you don’t use anymore. Beautify your home with art, flowers and nice lighting. Share home-cooked meals and candlelight. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is a 9 — Trust your instincts. Search for clues to solve an intellectual challenge. Gather information and condense for simplicity. Creative aspirations materialize with focus and discipline. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is a 9 — Work faster and use your wits to increase profits. Coordinate lucrative solutions. Seize an opportunity with swift action. Disciplined actions earn valuable rewards. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is a 9 — Harness your power and confidence for positive purposes. Love empowers you to stretch your boundaries. Manage your energy wisely. Prioritize practicalities. Self-discipline pays. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is a 7 — Reflect on the past for guidance on the journey ahead. Finish one stage and embark on the next. Peaceful privacy leads to productivity. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is a 9 — Friends can open new doors. Social connections spark possibilities. Expand perspectives by sharing experiences and personal viewpoints. Teamwork and collaboration yields gratifying outcomes. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is an 8 — Explore and cultivate intriguing professional prospects. Stay open-minded. Employ your persuasive skills. Craft an appealing presentation. Your work’s gaining recognition. Disciplined preparation pays off. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is an 8 — Exciting adventures beckon. Study, listen and learn. Explore a variety of options. Experiment with new concepts. Share your bold discoveries far and wide.
Level 1 2 3 4
12/8/23
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
© 2023 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.
Page 4B Friday, December 8, 2023
Awards... Continued from 1B Offensive MVP: Leon Johnson III
O’Colly
sports and UCF, there were more second-half shutdowns. Nardos defense in the second-half shut out Arizona State, allowed seven to Kansas and Houston, 10 to Oklahoma and just a last-second field goal to BYU. OSU’s defense ranked last in the Big 12 in yards and 12th in points, but somehow found a way to contribute to nine wins.
OSU coaches planned to redshirt Johnson III. The 6-feet-5, 23-year-old receiver still had room to grow. But when the Cowboys’ receiver Snooze fest: Alan Bowdepth waned, Johnson III was man’s 182 incompletions given a choice. He could’ve kept his redBowman was the least shirt, pushing his final season sacked quarterback in the to 2024. Or he could have country on a rate basis. burned it, playing in the final OSU’s offensive line gave him few games of 2023 to help clean pockets, and he had just OSU now. enough mobility to run from He chose the latter, unself- defenders and throw the ball ishly being a major contribu- out of bounds. tor to the Cowboys’ offense. But the number of times In the final five games of that happened was too many. the regular season, Johnson Not all 182 of his incompleIII caught 27 passes for 446 tions were tossed to the sideyards and a touchdown. line, but a large number were. Gundy said he needed to Defensive MVP: Bryan stay in the pocket longer, but Nardo’s mentality most times, if his first reads weren’t open, he’d just throw There were a number of it to the first row of seats. times this season it looked It was the right play, most like OSU’s defense would of the time, but you’d like to be blown out of the stadium. see him take risks at some Although there were still point this year. games that happened, such as against South Alabama sports.ed@ocolly.com
Losses
the basket late. Out of a timeout down 68-70, Small missed at the rim and Williams’ shot off the rebound with three seconds Continued from 1B left was no good. Another tight game, another late game loss. “A lot of times — if it’s a After going up four with time game esepcially — you 2:34 to play, OSU didn’t put probably want to just get the another point on the board until ball in the hands of your best there were just three seconds player and let him make the deleft. It simply wasn’t enough, cision and live with the result,” and Notre Dame battled back Boynton said. to hand the Cowboys another The Cowboys are asking a 66-64 loss. lot of their freshmen, but they And in its most recent loss could very well be holding a on the road at Southern Illinois, much friendlier record had OSU again failed to put one in they executed and scored some
points down the stretch of these games. As OSU’s rotation will continue to feature young players, and conference play still a ways away, there’s no better time to get back on track than right now. “We have our guys and we believe in these kids,” Boynton said. “We’re talented enough. We don’t have a great margin for error... So what you do is block out the noise, and it’s warranted, and focus on the task at hand.” sports.ed@ocolly.com
Connor Fuxa The Cowboys have lost four games by a combined total of 11 points this season.
Column: OSU will again win the transfer portal Ashton Slaughter Assistant Sports Editor
crumbling down in the first week of December. For OSU, though, it hasn’t, as the Cowboys’ have no starters in the transfer portal, and Anytime an OSU player was only four players enter overall. asked about the difference beThis may not sound imprestween last season and this one, sive, but it is. Here’s some food they would deliver a similar for thought: TCU has eight message. players departing, OU has 10, “This year’s team is differKansas State has 13 and Cinent,” he would start. “We’re cinnati has 20. all bought in, and we’re all so OSU is on the right side of close.” things. But maybe we all should Yeah, yeah. It’s common have seen it coming; maybe we player talk. should have known it wasn’t In an era of college footjust all talk. Cowboy wide ball where players are entering receiver Rashod Owens just told the transfer portal at record the media this in Arlington last pace — 1,127 entered on Dec. Saturday. 4 (the transfer portal’s opening “I really can’t see a lot or day), 780 entered on opening anybody hitting (the portal),” day in 2022 — it’s even more Owens said. “This team’s real challenging to not hear players close to each other; we’ve built speak highly of their teammates a relationship since January, and assume it will all come since we built this new team. A
Courtesy OSU Athletics OSU’s defense had several opportunities to collapse this season, but kept together and contributed to a 9-4 record.
lot of relationships have been built on trust. I don’t already see a lot of people hitting that portal, and it’d be surprising if somebody did or a few people do.” OSU has been proclaimed “portal winners” since last season, turning guys like Leon Johnson III, Dalton Cooper and Alan Bowman into impact players despite losing Spencer Sanders, Jabbar Muhammad and Mason Cobb, just to name a few. By this time last year, OSU had 11 players in the transfer portal following a disappointing 7-5 regular season. After an unexpected Big 12 Championship Game appearance and a 9-4 record heading into the Cowboys’ bowl game, players like Joe Michalksi, starting center, are announcing their return, with more expected to come in the coming days. Sure, it’s expected that someone will enter the portal that OSU fans don’t want to see leave, and despite Ollie Gordon II and others not posting their celebratory “I’m not leaving” messages yet, it seems likely that next season a lot of familiar faces will still be with the program. Maybe OSU’s gonna be a two-time transfer portal winner.
Payton Little OSU wide receiver Rashod Owens said last week that he “can’t see anybody hitting (the portal)” when it opened, and so far, few have.
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sports
Friday, December 8, 2023 Page 5B
Bedlam...
face. In last season’s 21-15 thriller in Norman, which Luke Surber capped off with a pin in the final bout to Continued from 1B clinch an OSU win, the Sooners logged their largest attendance for a home meet on the year (3,150). “It’s a heck of a feeling,” said Even in a small, 5,000-seat Scott, now an associate head coach arena, the attendance can be misfor the Cowboys. “Experiencing leading. something like (Bedlam) for the “It gets loud,” Plott said. “You’ll first time (as a wrestler), it’s fun.” feel it.” Although a 149-27-10 all-time But in the Bedlam rivalry, new record in favor of the Cowboys (1heroes have been born. Recently, 0) might diminish its hype at first it’s been the unforeseen that have glance, it still holds immense value sneaked their way into the spotlight, to the Oklahomans on the roster. putting themselves on the college “I just think it’s really important wrestling map with late-dual herofor the growth and development of ics. Oklahoma and the state of wresCould another young champion tling,” said 184-pounder Dustin emerge this Sunday? Coach John Plott. “A lot of kids (in high school) Smith, Scott and others said they that live near Norman or near the hope so. central Oklahoma area, to be able “That’s what you see in this to go watch higher-level wrestling match. It’s passion. Guys rising up,” at OU or (here at OSU) and to get Scott said. “(Fans) truly care about to see us and OU go at it a couple this and care about us (OSU) and times every year, I think is an expe- doing everything that we can come rience that really helps a lot of kids out on top. continue to pursue wrestling.” “It will be a little bit of a surOf the Cowboys’ 10 usual start- prise, but (the younger guys) will ers, four are freshmen. OSU’s lone be ready. I think that, again, they’re dual of the season – a 38-6 home carrying their passion for this place win over Bucknell, which featured and (the rivalry), and (it will) spill minimal attendance – is far from over down there in Norman.” the atmosphere those freshmen will sports.ed@ocolly.com
Courtesy OSU Athletics Bedlam duals mean extra to Oklahomans on OSU’s roster, such as Daton Fix and Dustin Plott.
Cowgirl Tennis via Twitter (X) Ange Oby Kajuru and Anastasiya Komar have become a good doubles team, defeating the No. 1 team at the ITA Fall National Championship.
Kajuru, Komar meshing as doubles partners Gina Foster Staff Reporter
in the third. ment each other pretty well “Getting the win over the on the court.” No. 1 team in the country in Before finding her the semifinals is when they perfect partner, Komar only The saying ‘better showed themselves,” said played doubles with one together’ could not be more OSU coach Chris Young. “I other teammate, making the accurate for this dynamic think both of them can be transition into the season duo. really intimidating players. I and with a new team fairly Although these two stars think it’s important for them easy. shine brightly on their own, to do that, especially at the Having success as a team junior Ange Oby Kajuru and top of the lineup.” is also a portion of what redshirt sophomore AnastaMaking it to the finals contributed to bringing this siya Komar have been just was an incredible acnew team together. The as good as doubles partners. complishment for these team overall was successThis international duo Cowgirls, but it did not end ful in many collegiate and concluded their fall season the way they had hoped. professional tournaments differently from anyone in They were unable to create this fall. Besides Kajuru and the OSU program, dating to a rhythm and fell short in Komar being the national 1984. They competed in the both rounds to Elizabeth runner-up, the team had a finals of the Intercollegiate Scotty and Reese Brantregional title and multiple Tennis Association Fall Na- meier, the No. 2-ranked professional titles. tional Championship in San team from North Carolina. “I think that having a Diego at the Barnes Tennis The first round concluded at good fall always gives me Center. 6-1, while the second round more confidence for the In the semifinals, the duo finished at 6-2. spring,” Komar said. “If you swept past the No. 1-ranked The duo is still pleased do well in the fall, you’ll team, Savannah Broadus with what they accomfeel a lot better during the and Janic Tjen from Pepper- plished, though. spring season, especially dine, winning 6-3 in the first “I think we are a pretty when your team is doing round. Pepperdine forced good doubles team,” Komar good.” a third-round tiebreaker said. “I think and I hope by a dominating 6-1 in the we’re gonna play in the sports.ed@ocolly.com second but fell short again spring, as well. We comple-
Plott gaining comfort at new weight ahead of Lehigh, Bedlam Braden Bush Sports Editor One of John Smith’s biggest gets in the offseason wasn’t on the roster. Coleman Scott joined the Cowboy staff as an associate head coach in August after spending the past eight seasons as the coach at North Carolina. Scott helped revive the Tarheel program and led it to one if its best runs since the 1980s. Scott spent four seasons in Stillwater with Smith from 2005-08 and became a fourtime All-American and an NCAA champion. Scott and Smith built a tight relationship during that time and during his two years as a volunteer assistant. Now, they have been reunited, and Scott said during Wednesday’s press conference that things haven’t changed much between them. “He’s been pretty mellow since I’ve been back,” Scott said.
Cowboys gain experience at Cliff Keen Invitational
short period of time.” Dustin Plott finished third in the 184-pound bracket and said With an empty date last it was a good learning experiweekend, OSU took to Las ence for many new wrestlers on Vegas for the Cliff Keen Invita- the squad. The Cowboys face tional to keep active. duals against Lehigh on Friday Three Cowboys placed, and Oklahoma on Sunday, their including Izzak Olejnik, who toughest opponents yet, so the won the 165-pound bracket. tournament kept the Cowboys OSU placed ninth as a team, but ready. the important thing was getPlott said having the tournating some experience for young ment experience could be a big wrestlers and keeping some of advantage later down the road. the older ones in tune. “It’s awesome,” Plott said. “I The only downfall of the didn’t get a tournament my first tournament was the injury two years here until Big 12s, of Luke Surber and Konner and so to have that this early on Doucet, who both medically in their careers and to have that forfeited out of the tournament level of competition this early before the quarterfinals. in the season, I think is going to “I think going through a be something really great and tournament of that caliber, it’s really helped us build throughnear impossible to come out of out the season.” there unscathed,” Scott said. “But I do believe that we figPlott gaining comfort at ured some things out internally, new weight individually, with what our guys needed to do and where With weight shuffling on they needed to be and what they the OSU roster, Plott made the need to continue to work on. So jump from 174 to 184. That’s I am really excited about the not unusual, but it is still an progress that we’ve made in a adjustment.
Adjustments take time. matching up with tough compePlott wrestled at his old weight tition and getting a feel for how in freestyle tournaments durhe stacks up at the weight. ing the summer, and he has “Kind of answered a lot of wrestled in just one dual at 184 questions for me moving up,” – nearly a month ago. The Cliff Plott said. “I hadn’t felt a lot of Keen Las Vegas Invitational those better guys at the weight was an opportunity for Plott to yet, so I was kind of curious on get more reps at the weight and just the strength and size and do so against quality opponents. got those answered and definite“I haven’t been wrestling ly a lot more confident now.” this heavy since high school,” sports.ed@ocolly.com Plott said, “so I felt really good, body felt good, opponents didn’t feel too big or too strong or anything.” Plott entered as the No. 4 seed and defeated the No. 14, No. 11 and No. 5 wrestlers in the country on his way to a thirdplace finish. Of course, first place is always the goal. Ethan Scott But the imporDustin Plott said he needed though matches, and the invitatant thing was tional gave him that.
Page 6B Friday, December 8, 2023
Heard...
mitment to the Heard family and the N7 game, Hoyt called Osceola-Heard and asked if she would like to gather a group Continued from 1B to display her heritage in the form of a pow wow dance at “It’s such a big part of her halftime. family and culture and to be Osceola-Heard said she able to allow her to represent happily accepted the invite and herself in that way was really rounded up roughly 20 friends special and full circle,” Hoyt and family members from said. “Stailee Heard isn’t going around the state to perform. anywhere, and I’m excited to “I didn’t expect my whole see what she can do to continue family to be there,” Heard said. to elevate N7 and that was “It was awesome to know that something else that was talked they all came to support and to about in the recruiting process.” show our culture and let people Hoyt also made something know how that works and stuff, happen at the N7 game, not but I find that really cool.” even Stailee knew about. Heard is finding her place To further elevate her com- quickly on the new-look OSU
O’Colly
sports team. She has started every game for the Cowgirls and has quickly become one of OSU’s most valuable players. She brings value to the Cowgirls with her ability to adapt quickly as a freshman and the versatility she provides for Hoyt. Since the start of OSU’s season, the Cowgirls have dealt with injuries and eligibility issues. In OSU’s first four games, the Cowgirls were without 6-foot-3 forward Praise Egharevba due to injury and are still without 6-5 center Hannah Gusters, who’s waiting on the NCAA’s decision for her waiver. Under those circumstances, Hoyt played Heard as OSU’s
center, where she played well for a freshman and went toe-totoe with Colorado’s Aaronette Vonleh, the Pac-12’s Co-Most Improved Player from a year ago. Since Egharevba’s debut against Penn State, the Cowgirls have struggled with injuries. Forward Chandler Prater ruptured her achilles and will miss the remainder of the season. Guards Ale’Jah Douglas and Kennedy Fauntleroy haven’t played in OSU’s past two games. This allowed Hoyt to utilize Heard as the point guard when guard Anna Gret Asi was on the bench. Hoyt said that there aren’t
many other athletes like Heard, who can play any position and will give 100%, everytime. “Stailee Heard is a winner. She does what winners do,” Hoyt said. “She probably does get tired, but doesn’t show it. She’s been really sick all week, but she never missed practice. She’s found a way to be there. She played post defense and ran the point for us today. She’s just a winner. “She does whatever it takes to win and it’s just awesome to coach a kid like that. There’s just not very many kids who are built like Stailee anymore.”
sports.ed@ocolly.com
Courtesy of Lila Osceola-Heard (Left photo) Stailee Heard (right) and her sister Tyla (left) dressed in indigenous dresses at a young age. (Right photo) Stailee Heard has been dancing in pow wows her whole life, even competing in competitons while balancing basketball.
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