Tuesday, March 21, 2023
Daton, Derek Fix look to the future after fourth place finish at NCAA Championships The smiles followed, then came the exchanges of embracement between his coaches. But just two matches later a lingering decision awaits. Daton’s goal of attaining his first individual national championship and Daniel Allen a fourth consecutive appearance in Staff Reporter the finals fell short following an 11-3 defeat-by-major decision to Vito Arujau TULSA — Derek Fix didn’t know of Cornell. Two matches later, he fell his son reached a milestone achieve2-1 to Michael McGee of Arizona State ment. to finish fourth in his weight class – his It became a realization when the worst placing during his college career public address announcer at the BOK and the first time he has suffered mulCenter announced it following Daton’s tiple losses in nationals. victory over Kyle Biscoglia of Northern He holds one year of eligibility, Iowa in the 133-pound quarterfinals but a return isn’t guaranteed. Friday evening. His 100th win. See Daton on page 3
Andy Crown Daton Fix, OSU’s 133-pounder, has a year of eligibility remaining but hasn’t announced a decision on his return.
OSU finishes 18th, worst in history Rowdy Baribeau Staff Reporter
then, the results were lower than the standard. Smith has 13 seasons of one to no losses in duals in his 32-year TULSA — Decoaching career. spite a “poor” finish in Smith now holds the NCAA Tournament, back-to-back seasons OSU coach John Smith of placing outside the gave credit where credit top 10, the first time in was due. the program’s history. Smith said he Smith said, “it’s not knew the season would fine,” but he admits he be a taxing one golikely made mistakes, ing into it. Wrestlers leading to the back-toat new weights, firstback poor results. year starters; OSU saw “We kind of went quite a few changes into this season knowgoing into the year. ing it was going to be Two of the wrestlers at a battle,” Smith said. new weights wrestled “Between transfers and their final match in an the portal and those orange singlet. Smith type of things, we probsaid he’s not sure what ably fell behind, maythe roster may look be. You see that you like next year, but he gotta get in that game expects some notable if you’re gonna stay in names to return. Smith this game. So what that also addressed why he this is the first time in was unable to have a our history, who gives press conference after a damn, I don’t care. I Friday night. don’t accept the results. Is OSU lowering But what I do need is to the bar in wrestling? make sure that we don’t The team combeat our program up.” piled a 14-3 dual-meet Smith said skill record, including topwas an issue, not effort, 10 wins over Missouri and praises the work and Michigan in the the Cowboys put in all same weekend, as well season. as placing first in the Southern Scuffle. Even See History on page 4
Courtesy of OSU Communications Garth Brooks will return to OSU and play two shows at the McKnight Center.
Family Reunion: Garth Brooks to play an exclusive concert for OSU students Luisa Clausen News & Lifestyle Editor
Molly Jolliff On Saturday, OSU wrestling recorded its worst finish at the NCAA Wrestling Championships. John Smith stated accountability, but some fans are still frustrated with OSU’s downward trend.
launch of an initiative for a new million dollars to put toward the scholarship program. new scholarship program and the In an exclusive interview money will go to students pursuing with The O’Colly, Brooks ana degree at OSU. nounced a show for only OSU stuThe funds from the donors dents on April 14 and detailed his show will provide the base of the Two concerts and thousands second show on April 15 for OSU scholarship program. Details of of lives changed. alumni and donors. Each show will how students can apply for the Garth Brooks, Oklahoma target a specific audience. program have yet to be shared. State University alumnus and “You just never know what In 2022, Brooks said he country music superstar, is partyou’re going to do when it’s just would love to play at Boone Picknering with his alma mater to you and the guitar,” Brooks told ens Stadium but the stadium is not make the dream of graduating col- The O’Colly. “It’s going to be a equipped for his type of stadium lege possible for thousands of OSU fun, family reunion. I’ll be playing shows. He said the two concerts students. music, which is my favorite thing at the McKnight Center are not a Brooks will perform two to do, but we will also be opening consolation for that. concerts at The McKnight Center doors for thousands of students.” It’s something better. for the Performing Arts as fundBrooks said OSU President raisers to support the creation and Kayse Shrum set a goal to reach a See Brooks on page 6