Tuesday, April 25, 2023

Tuesday, April 25, 2023

‘A rich culture’

meno Ononeme, presented the welcome speech. Afterward, Kugbeme Isumonah gave a presentation on the geopolitical zones of North and South Africa.

Rowdy’s review

How college wrestling became my favorite sport

Rowdy Baribeau Staff Reporter

I asked Adam Engel, my co-partner on the Oklahoma State wrestling beat for the O’Colly who John Smith was.

I was in my third year at Oklahoma State, from Bryant, Arkansas, (less than 20 minutes from where Pat Smith coaches) and until October 2021, I knew nothing about the sport of wrestling aside from its existence.

Adam constantly preached to me.

“Immerse yourself in wrestling.”

Adam sent me wrestling videos explaining the simplest rules such as scoring a takedown, near fall and team points. Because I never thought much of wrestling, I didn’t know what to make of it, or what the main goal of it was. Adam told me something that I have never forgotten and it exemplifies the sport of wrestling.

“When you wrestle, you’re going out on a mat to try and take someone’s manhood.”

Man, It put it in perspective for me.

I often look back and shake my head, sometimes with a grin followed by a

chuckle. I compare myself now, to that frazzled 21-yearold who was beyond skeptical about covering wrestling. I went along with it because I wanted to get involved in my student newspaper… not because I wanted to cover that specific sport.

I chuckle because the sport I was so skeptical of covering as a young journalist, has been so impactful on my life, and my career as a journalist, for it is undoubtedly my main passion.

But, other times, I shake my head in disappointment and disbelief. It is disbelief because I reflect and I wonder, “Why did it take me so long to find my passion for this sport?” I even had a coach ask me during my freshman year of high school to join the wrestling team. I never did. Because football was what everybody did, that’s what I did. I never gave it a second thought. Where I came from, wrestling wasn’t popular.

Amateur wrestling at the high school, college, middle school and even youth level… is awesome. It goes deeper than just the action.

As a journalist covering one of the most historically renowned Division I wrestling teams, I didn’t realize the privilege I had. I didn’t realize

One event combined education, trivia, comedy, fashion and food all in one.

On Saturday, the African Student Organization (ASO) hosted African Night in the Student Union Theatre. The event was the third and last of the 2023 “An African Experience” events hosted by the organization.

“The program was designed by us for the non Africans to have an African experience,” said Damilola Adeyemi, a graduate statistics student who played the lead role in the drama portion of the event.

The event started at 4 p.m. and ran through 6 p.m.

A reception at the Wesley Foundation followed, with music, dance and food, such as fufu.

The vice president of the organization, Oghalo -

A dance followed the presentation. Six students, one man and five women, performed the dance. Oluwafikayo Adewumi, a graduate student in the learning design and technology program and president of the organization, was one of the dancers.

“The outfits we had on had prints popularly called Ankara in Nigeria, and we call that Ankara and other cultures call that other things but we all have this unique print in common,” Adewumi said. “We are also used to wearing royal beads, like you saw on stage. We always have that, It’s a sign of royalty.”

The event also had a kahoot consisting of African trivia. The top two participants won prizes. A choir followed, their first performance a song called “Kumama Papa”, or “Thank you, Father.”

See Culture on 5

that during the course of the wrestling season, I would be talking to an NCAA champion, Olympic Gold Medalist and NCAA Tournament-winning head coach on a weekly basis. It was cool. But back then, in my mind, it wasn’t a big deal. I wasn’t interviewing a world-renown person, just a guy who was good at wrestling and coaching. So, I thought.

In a recent conversation I had with someone whom I can’t remember, they told me that here in the U.S. if you ask a random person on the street who John Smith is, they might think you knew their cousin or reference Jamestown. There is an unfathomable amount of “John Smiths” in the United States. But, they said if you go to the Republic of Dagestan in Russia, they only know one John Smith.

On Jan. 8, 2022, I covered my first away dual for the O’Colly. It was Oklahoma State wrestling in what is basically my hometown of Little Rock. The Cowboys were wrestling the ArkansasLittle Rock Trojans. It was Christmas break, I was home, and I made it clear before the semester ended, I would cover that dual.

See Wrestling on 2

“An Evening with Leslie Odom Jr.” to start on Friday

Isaac Terry Staff Reporter

From Hollywood to Oklahoma, Leslie Odom Jr. is set to visit Stillwater. Odom Jr., a popular face in acting from Broadway to TV, will be at the McKnight Center for “An Evening with Leslie Odom Jr.” and is set to give an encore performance on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Odom Jr. is well-known for

playing the role of Aaron Burr in the original Broadway casting of “Hamilton” in 2015. For his singing and acting in the musical, he won a Grammy and a Tony. Odom began acting in theatre at the age of 17, performing in “Rent”.

Hamilton isn’t Odom’s only call to fame, as he has landed both his acting and voice acting in various films

and television shows, such as “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery,” “Murder on the Orient Express,” “Central Park” and “One Night in Miami...”. Odom will also be playing a role in the upcoming “The Exorcist”, a sequel to the original 1973 film of the same name, according to IMDB.

See Odom Jr. on

Carson Toulouse

Dustin Plott, OSU’s 174-pounder, repeated as Big 12 champion with a 5-3 win over Missouri’s Peyton Mocco.

The African Student Organization hosted “African Night”

Stephanie Landaverde Staff Reporter

Knowing what little I did at the time, I knew OSU was a clear favorite and UALR had an advantage at a few weights because of injuries to the Cowboys. OSU beat UALR 35-6.

After the dual, it took me 30 minutes to talk to coach Smith. Since it was my first away dual and my deadline crept closer and I had no quotes, I was nervous. It was also my first time talking to a coach by myself.

As I stood in the concourse of the Jack Stephens Center containing my nerves, I observed why it took Smith so long to talk to me. It was because of the hundreds of kids, parents, athletes and coaches there to see Smith. I wondered why so many people came to the dual. I quickly found out why.

I learned a lot from that day.

I learned that John Smith is exactly who he is: An NCAA champion, Olympic Gold Medalist and NCAA Tournament-winning head coach. I learned that it means something to these coaches and athletes when fans show up to their events. I learned that wrestling coaches and athletes don’t turn away fans. They signed autographs, took pictures and talked with everyone who asked. I learned that day, wrestling is about selflessness.

After my brief interview with Smith, he told me “thank you” and he appreciated me coming out to cover the team. I thought it was odd. I was so used to seeing press conferences of coaches in other sports clash with media members. I didn’t realize there was an appreciation from some coaches for the media who cover their team.

When I covered the 2023 Oklahoma State Wrestling Tournament for the Still-

water News Press, I got the chance to talk to Stillwater wrestling coach Ethan Kyle. Kyle said the same thing. He thanked me for the coverage, simple as that.

I realized back in January of 2022, wrestling is different. The wrestling community is different. Over the last two years, I’ve studied the sport’s technique and immersed myself into the history of wrestling. I’ve come to understand why the sport is so impactful.

The personalities, the history, the coaches, the technique, the grit and the heartbreak. I have gotten to witness it all in two years of covering the sport. It’s something that is hard to put in to words other than it has impacted my life in ways I couldn’t have imagined.

What I don’t understand after two years of covering

folkstyle wrestling, is why a sport so impactful has such little impact in the United States. The 2023 NCAA Wrestling Championships had under 450,000 viewers. The Men’s NCAA basketball championship game averaged almost 13 million. The Women’s NCAA Basketball Championship had 9.9 million viewers. As a fan of folkstyle wrestling, seeing the drastic difference in viewership is concerning and upsetting. There was no promotion for the NCAA Wrestling Championships by ESPN. While wrestling is growing in regard to participation in high school, the interest in collegiate wrestling remains stagnant. Why? A lack of promotion for the sport doesn’t help. But, neither does scheduling it during the men’s and women’s March Madness Tournament.

It also doesn’t help that it isn’t aired on ESPN’s main channel. A lot of the ignorance behind wrestling is because people have not been exposed to it.

Well, how can the sport reel in viewers when there isn’t a single promotion for it, and it crosses over with a far more prominent college tournament? It can’t unless it makes changes.

I’m sure I’m preaching to the choir, but it’s frustrating to see, and I have only been around the sport for two years. In those two years, I have developed two conflicting thoughts.

This sport must make changes because its coaches, teams and wrestlers deserve recognition, and they aren’t getting the proper recognition with the way things are run.

Despite being a relatively small sport in regard to its prominence, those who are

around it are part of a unique, tight-knit community that wouldn’t be the same if it had bigger prominence. The thought that typically takes over is No. 1. As a new fan of the sport, it became obvious that college wrestling doesn’t have the impact that college football and basketball do. It might never reach that level. But, it would be one of the greatest things to see the sport grow and impact people in the same way it impacted me. All it took was one dual. One dual and I was hooked. I didn’t quite know what I was watching, all I knew was that I wanted to watch more of it. I’m thankful to everyone who helped me get into the sport, for I have made it my mission to give back to wrestling by exposing it to as many peers as possible. And, make sure it gets the recognition it deserves.

sports.ed@ocolly.com

Molly Jolliff

The BOK Center and Tulsa hosted the 2023 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships.

Jacie Hoyt receives contract extension

Chad Weiberg liked what he saw in year one.

Friday, the OSU athletic director announced Cowgirl basketball coach Jacie Hoyt received a contract extension, pending approval by the OSU Board of Regents.

At the moment, the details of the extension are unknown. Last March, The O’Colly reported Hoyt’s initial contract was a five-year deal worth $500,000 annually.

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The extension comes after a successful season where the Cowgirls went 21-12 overall and 10-8 in the Big 12. Entering the season with a completely retooled roster, coaches picked OSU ninth in the Big 12 preseason poll. Instead, the Cowgirls finished fourth and won a game in the Big 12 Tournament.

Hoyt became the first OSU head coach to lead the Cowgirls to the NCAA Tournament in her first

year coaching. No. 8 OSU lost to No. 9 Miami in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

“When we hired Coach Hoyt, we were confident that she was the right person to return Cowgirl Basketball to being competitive in the Big 12 and nationally,” Weiberg said in a press release. “After one season, she is ahead of schedule and we look forward to the future under her leadership.”

sports.ed@ocolly.com

Chase Davis

Jacie Hoyt coached the OSU Cowgirls to 21 wins in her first season in Stillwater.

Ben Hutchens Staff Reporter

OSU baseball complete sweep of Jayhawks sports

Ben Hutchens Staff Reporter

The Cowboy bats ran cold Saturday. OSU scored only eight runs.

The Cowboys lost their four-game double-digit run streak Sunday, but still did enough to beat the Kansas Jayhawks. OSU (28-13 overall, 11-7 Big 12) beat KU 8-3 Sunday. It concluded a monstrous weekend series where OSU scored 37 runs. After a fivegame losing streak between games against TCU, Oral Roberts and West Virginia, the Cowboys are now on a five-game winning streak.

Sunday, OSU piled up 12 hits, although none left the confines of Hoglund Ballpark. The Cowboys, the Big 12 leader in home runs, used a little more small ball to beat the Jayhawks. Shortstop Marcus Brown doubled twice.

Six cowboys drove in runs. Second baseman Roc Riggio and first baseman David Mendham each drove in two.

OSU coach Josh Holliday swept the Jayhawks in Lawrence for the first time in his 10-year career.

sports.ed@ocolly.com

CheckouttheOriginalHideaway!

Chase Davis

David Mendham and the OSU Cowboys have won five straight games.

Culture...

Continued from 1

Damilare Ajagbe presented over the geopolitical zones of Eastern and Western Africa. A comedic drama presentation was next. A fashion show was the last presentation before appreciation to the sponsors and closing remarks. Several members of ASO walked in the fashion show, as well as two little girls.

Gbenga Akingbulere, a master’s student in statistics, participated in the drama presentation and the fashion show. “I enjoyed it because we displayed our rich African culture,” Akingbulere said. “Our culture is all about creativity, it’s about fashion, it’s about our clothes and the way we think, so we just came to display our lives.”

Campbell Clark, a graduate student in public diplomacy, said he came to the event to support his friends. He said he enjoyed every part of the event, but the drama portion was his

favorite. “I thought it’d be really cool to connect and learn more about African culture,” Clark said. “I really enjoyed the enriching cultural experience.”

Adewumi said the fashion show was a way to exhibit their fashion and colors, just like they do back home. She said planning this event was rigorous because the association had not met much since the pandemic. ASO was able to organize various events this school year, like a field trip to Turner Falls.

Adewumi said events like this one are important because they are

a way to erase historical biases and misinformation about Africa. She said Africa is a beautiful place, but often represented inaccurately, so events like African Night help clear away stereotypes and allow the students to show who they truly are.

“If you are willing to try the African Student Organization, please join us,” Adewumi said. “We welcome anybody into our organization because we want to share our culture as much as possible with everyone. So if you are willing to try and check us on campus link, we will invite you over.

Stephanie Landaverde

Students perform a typical dance from Africa and wear outfits with prints called Ankara in Nigeria.

Odom Jr. ...

Continued from 1

Acting isn’t Odom’s only forte, as he has released multiple music albums, with his most recent being “The Christmas Album” and “Mr,” released in 2020 and 2019 respectively.

He has also written two books, the first being the popular “Failing Up: How to Take Risks, Aim Higher, and Never Stop Learning” published in 2018. In this book, Odom talks about challenges he has faced and overcome, as well as giving a look into his personal life but mainly focuses on helping the reader overcome their own challenges and strife in their goals.

Odom Jr’s more recent book was published this year, being “I Love You More Than You’ll Ever Know,” which he wrote with his wife Nicolette Robinson. The book is made up of the lyrics to the song of the same name Odom and Robinson made with Katie Boeck and was made specifically for Odom and Robinson’s two children and is an illustrated children’s book. Tickets for Odom’s evenings are on sale now. According to mcknightcenter.org, “Single ticket prices start at $41... Student Rush tickets are based on availability and can be purchased on the day of the performance for $15. Must present a valid student ID. Limit of two tickets per ID.”

news.ed@ocolly.com

Courtesy of Tribune News Service

Tony and Grammy-Award winner actor Leslie Odom Jr. will perform at the McKnight Center for the Performing Arts on April 28 and 29.

CEAT students place at the AIAA 2023 Regional Student Paper Conference

Michael Clark Staff Reporter

On March 31 through April 1, several Oklahoma State University College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology students placed in the top of their categories at the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics 2023 Regional Student Paper Conference.

Josh Melvin placed first in the master’s degree category thanks to his work on a turboelectric aircraft ground test rig. Dawson Manning placed second in the undergraduate category with their project, a small

scale propeller flow controls. Austin Rouser and Drew Cooley placed third in the undergraduate category for their small-scale propeller surface roughness. Drew Cooley presented the undergraduate rocket-assisted take-off team and ultimately placed second.

“My contribution is mentorship, along with Dr. Ryan Paul,” Adviser Kurt Rouser said. “The propeller projects also align with a class lab exercise in my senior-level propulsion course. This is an intersection between research and academics that prepares our students for the workforce after graduation.”

Textron donated enough to help

three undergraduate researchers attend the conference as well. Two of those students presented their work on a wind tunnel with 16-diameter propeller leading edge roughness.

“The engineering team from Textron Aviation has had a productive relationship with OSU faculty and student groups over the last several years on various projects,” said Joe Phillips, director of engineering flight at Textron Aviation. “Partnerships on technical projects such as this [effect of propellor roughness on performance] are important for us not only from the technical perspective, but also in providing students with industry-relevant challenges that will

better prepare them as engineering leaders of tomorrow.”

Textron is a multi-industry company that has received plenty of accolades for their work in the field of aircraft, defense and business. The company has continuously supported the CEAT much to the appreciation of students and staff alike.

“Students are part of the CEAT Undergrad Research Scholar program that provides scholarship funding, but it takes a company like Textron to provide the students’ gift funding to cover their conference expenses,” Rouser said.

news.ed@ocolly.com

Courtesy of OSU

Several Oklahoma State University College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology students placed in the top of their categories at the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics 2023

Regional Student Paper Conference.

‘Dracula’ sequel, ‘Renfield’ plays after 90 year wait Lifestyle

Taylor Carroll Staff Reporter

Renfield is an assistant to a serial killer.

The movie, “Renfield” focuses on world-famous Conde Dracula’s assistant Robert Montague Renfield, whom Nicholas Hoult plays. Dracula gives Renfield part of his power to be his assistant and brings Dracula “meals.”

The power Renfield has is like Dracula’s. Dracula feeds off people’s life force through blood, and Renfield eats bugs, gaining their life force, to gain similar strength and power.

The movie shows the point of perspective through Renfield’s eyes and describes his relationship with Dracula as toxic. It portrays Dracula, whom Nicolas Cage plays, as a narcissist who uses Renfield to do his bidding without worrying about Renfield’s feelings. This causes Renfield to have low self-esteem and rely on Dracula for attention and friendship.

Renfield tries to feed Dracula cruel people who have done harm to people in his support group. Dracula doesn’t like this and demands that Renfield bring him people who are pure, which taste better, such as nuns. When Renfield was killing impure people, he crossed a crime boss. Renfield killed his men and scared the son of the mob boss, Teddy Lobo.

Ben Schwartz is a comedian with an improv Netflix show called “Middleditch and Schwartz.” He portrayed Teddy Lobo becoming a villain, who is the heir to the crime boss Bellafrancesca Lobo. He has been in many other shows

and movies before, but this movie demonstrated his range as an actor. One part of this movie needed to show how Dracula turned Renfield into a familiar, a vampire’s servant. The movie stated that it happened but never went into the details of how a familiar is made.

The viewers needed to know that information to learn more about the ending. The movie added a love interest with Rebecca Quincy, whom Awkwafina portrays, a traffic cop at the New Orleans Police Department. Her interest in Renfield blossoms, and they try to take down the

crime boss who murdered Quincy’s father.

Renfield’s character had some changes from the original book. The book began with Renfield eating flies and wanting to eat a cat to feed off of their life force. In the movie, he eats whatever bug is near.

Courtesy of Tribune

Although this movie is like its own, it is a sequel to the 1931 “Dracula” movie. The movie came out more than 90 years ago, and “Renfield” is one of the most extended wait times for a sequel.

entertainment.ed@ocolly.com

Nicolas Cage, left, as Dracula and Nicholas Hoult as Renfield in “Renfield.”

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Daily Horoscope

Nancy Black

Tribune Content Agency

Linda Black Horoscopes

Today’s Birthday (04/25/23). Plot to realize dreams this year. Pull together with friends for greater connection, collaboration and ease. Springtime muses inspire backstage creativity. Share support and partnership with summer changes, energizing your physical performance this autumn. Upgrade your brand this winter. Go for the gold.

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 — Household issues require attention. Make repairs and manage chores. Complete lingering domestic projects. Disciplined efforts reap satisfying rewards. Bake, cook and share something delicious. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is an 8 — Learn from an experienced teacher. Take on a project you’ve delayed. Words flow like running water. Get productive with creative projects. Tie up loose ends.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is a 9 — Lucrative potential pays off with consistent action. Follow up on recent connections. Keep producing great results. You’re energized to take advantage of lucky conditions.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is a 9 — Take extra time for yourself today. Handle a personal project you’ve been putting off. Indulge your favorite activities and diversions. Savor hot water and bubbles.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is a 7 — Settle into a peaceful, private place to focus on your fascinating plans. Learn from the past. Consider new possibilities. Imagine, invent and envision.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is a 9 — Connect with friends. Collaborate for common gain and make extra advances. Teamwork can accomplish amazing results. Build for a vision that inspires you all.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is a 9 — Consider the bigger picture, with your career. You can get especially productive today. Maintain momentum. Complete projects to clear space for what’s next.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is a 9 — Make a long-distance connection. Advance your research by leaps and bounds. Push boundaries and limitations. The work you’re doing helps to fulfill a larger vision.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is a 9 — Profits abound. Collaborate for shared support and rewards. Contribute time, talent and funding for your joint venture. Generate and celebrate positive cash flow.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is a 9 — Deepen the bonds of a partnership. Discover something new about someone familiar. Collaboration comes easily. Bounce ideas off each other. Come up with something hot.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is an 8 — The work you’ve been doing reflects you well. Maintain healthy practices for strength and endurance. Nurture your mind, body and spirit for energized performance.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is a 9 — “Shower the people you love with love. Show them the way that you feel,” sang James Taylor. Serenade from your heart. Have fun together.

Edited by Patti Varol and Joyce Lewis

Solution

Jennifer Lee & Victor Galson