The O'Colly, Friday, May 26, 2023

Friday, May 26, 2023

OSU Unified finishes school year with Special Olympics Summer Games

there is so much joy amidst a lot of friendly, but fierce competition. The difference this year is that our OSU Unified athletes and partners felt so connected because they’ve had the opportunity to compete all year long. OSU feels like home and everyone loves to get to play big games on their home turf.”

Last week, almost 4,000 Oklahoma athletes traveled to Stillwater for the 2023 Special Olympics State Summer Games. Oklahoma State University has served as host for the event for a long time, but this year’s games featured something different: A team of athletes and partners representing the university as OSU Unified.

Jennifer Jones, director of the OSU Center for Developmental Disabilities, said for athletes and their families the competition in the State Summer Games was the climax of a journey that began about a year ago.

“Having done Special Olympics for 21 years, Summer Games at OSU are my favorite three days of the year to be on campus,” Jones said. “The air is lighter,

The OSU Unified delegation included 12, two-person bocce teams (one Special Olympics athlete and one partner), two 3v3 basketball teams (each with three athletes and one partner) and four coaches.

In July, OSU became the Special Olympics Unified College Program in the state after broadening its partnership with Special Olympics Oklahoma. A collaboration between the OSU Department of Wellness and the Center for Developmental Disabilities launched unified intramural sports opportunities, allowing OSU students, faculty and staff to compete alongside Special Olympics athletes throughout the school year in bowling, bocce and cornhole tournaments, 6v6 volleyball, 5v5 flag football leagues and more.

See Olympics on 6

OSU gives up season-high walk total in loss to OU at Big 12 Tournament

seeded OSU’s 9-5 loss to seventh-seeded OU in the first round of the Big 12 Tournament on Wednesday evening.

an emulation of their team mantra ensued: “chaous” -- chaos with an ‘OU’ touch.

Daniel Allen Staff Reporter

ARLINGTON, Texas

-- A tale of discrepancies would be a proper analyzation of the last four Bedlam baseball contests. OSU coach Josh Holliday acknowledged it as he sat at the podium in the conference room of Globe Life Field after second-

Through four regular season contests, the Cowboys outscored their in-state rival 43-16, producing a double-digit run total three times. This time, it was different.

“They were a different team,” Holliday said. “Not much else to say.”

Prior the Big 12 Tournament, the Sooners ranked 18th nationally in walks with 58. On Wednesday, OU produced 13. As a result,

“‘Chaous’ is about playing together as an offense and making it hard for (other teams) to get going,” OU coach Skip Johnson said. “I think Ted Williams said it best, ‘Get a good pitch to hit.’”

The Sooners (31-24, 11-13 Big 12) did just that, extending 17 at-bats to three-ball counts and forcing four of OSU’s five utilized pitchers to 39 pitches or more. None extended beyond 2 1/3 innings of work.

See Tournament on 3

‘She’s killing it; she deserves all the glory’

How former OSU pitcher helped Becker become a Cowgirl

Rachel Becker went out on a limb and sent the email.

Becker, who was in her fourth season at Purdue, entered the transfer portal in January 2022 and had been receiving emails from college coaches across the country that were interested in adding the All-American to their roster. What Becker had never done was send an email to a coach; usually they came flocking to her.

Despite her nervousness, Becker’s Boilmaker teammate and former OSU pitcher Gabby Sprang pushed her to reach out. She knew firsthand the caliber of program her teammate could be walking into.

“I think she was scared to reach out first,” Sprang said of Becker reaching out to OSU coach Kenny Gajewski. “But I was like, ‘The worst thing he’s gonna do is not reply to you; just reach out to him.’”

Becker hit send, and Gajewski didn’t waste any time responding; he was interested.

Now, over a year later, Becker has become a star on Gajewski’s team and is leading the Cowgirls heading into the Stillwater Super Regional against Oregon. It’s what Becker wanted—to be challenged, to play on the biggest stage—and she found it in Stillwater.

But she may not have ended up a Cowgirl if it weren’t for Sprang, who gave her all the inside information about Gajewski’s program.

Sprang transferred to OSU after her freshman season at Tennessee, looking for a team and a program that felt like a family. During her recruitment in middle school and high school, Sprang got close with Gajewski, who at the time was an assistant coach at Florida, and knew when she entered the transfer portal that she wanted to play under him.

“Honestly, it was just Coach G,” Sprang said on why she transferred to OSU. The whole atmosphere that he built, and he really makes you feel like

a softball player but also a human, I mean, I still text him... he still supports me, still writes letters of recommendation; he’s just the best guy.”

Sprang played three seasons at OSU before transferring to Purdue. She had 14 circle appearances her sophomore season but missed her junior season entirely due to a left elbow injury, ultimately pushing her further down the Cowgirl pitching staff, leading to only two appearances her senior season.

Following her third season as a Cowgirl, Sprang entered the transfer portal. It wasn’t because she was unhappy at OSU; she loved it there. It wasn’t even because of the injuries; it was just better for her education.

“I wanted to expand my education,” Sprang said. “I kind of wanted to try something new, go to school a little bit closer to home in the Big 10, and so I was able to get a master’s in one year at Purdue, which was not offered at most other schools, and it wasn’t offered at Oklahoma State.”

On the field, Sprang also knew she could have an increased role as a Boilmaker. However, her fifth-year production was limited after she re-injured her left elbow.

Despite her injury, Sprang thoroughly enjoyed her time as a Boilmaker, and loved being around her teammates, one of whom was her “locker buddy,” Becker.

Courtesy of OSU Oklahoma State University has served as host for the event for a long time, but this year’s games featured something different: a team of athletes and partners representing the university as OSU Unified.

Carson Toulouse

Just four days removed from a Bedlam series win, OSU lost to Oklahoma, 9-5, in the first round of the Big 12 Tournament on Wednesday night.

Luke Tolbert

Rachel Becker’s seventh inning heroics helped earn the Cowgirls a spot in their fourth-consecutive NCAA Super Regional.

Ashton Slaughter

Assistant Sports Editor

Stephanie Landaverde

News and Lifestyle Editor

Duck hunting

Cowgirls look to continue momentum against Oregon in Stillwater Super Regional

Ashton Slaughter Assistant Sports Editor

Chyenne Factor rolled her eyes at her head coach’s remark.

Kenny Gajewski was recalling his ESPN postgame interview following a 5-2 OSU victory over Nebraska to capture the Stillwater Regional title, an interview that included several interesting accessories and objects thanks to his players.

An orange boa, a cowboy hat, a hard hat, multiple crawfish and the Cowgirls’ newest dugout mascot, Bullet (a stick horse wearing sunglasses and an OSU hat), accompanied and even crashed Gajewski’s interview. So yeah, it made some noise afterward.

What did Gajewski think about his players’ antics?

“I’m like a punching bag to these guys,” Gajewski said with Chyenne Factor to his right, rolling her eyes. “Have you ever heard of a bully?

That’s what these two (Factor and Kiley Naomi) do to me.”

The light-hearted, fun and energy-filled vibe from the Cowgirl dugout in last week’s regional round will look to be carried over to this weekend, where they host Oregon (3815) in the Stillwater Super Regional.

The Cowgirls (44-14) play at 8 p.m. Thursday, 5 p.m. Friday and will play a third game, if necessary, on Saturday at a time that is to be announced.

OSU faced the Ducks their first game of the season in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, for the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge. The Cowgirls came out on top, 3-0, but now, 57 games later, both teams have

made it to the final 16.

Oregon is coming off an upset regional title in Fayetteville, Arkansas, where the Ducks defeated No. 11

Arkansas twice on their home field, going a perfect 3-0 on the weekend.

“Obviously, Oregon is swinging a hot bat,” Gajewski

said. “I’ve watched their three games now in Fayetteville twice... they’re going pretty dang good. Now, we’ll see if a different look with different arms that do different things (will affect) them.”

In the Ducks’ three games in Arkansas, they outscored their opponents 29-12, headlined by a 14-4 run-rule victory over the Razorbacks to punch their ticket to Stillwater.

But the Cowgirls have some momentum, too, and look like a completely different team than the one that closed the season on a 2-11 skid.

“I feel like our team’s in a really good spot,” Gajewski said. “I felt that same way last week; I’ve been feeling that way for a while.”

Melyssa Lombardi, Oregon’s head coach, and Gajewski have a longstanding relationship, adding to the competition aspect between these two teams. Although Gajewski wants to see his friend succeed, someone has to lose.

That’s what makes having friends in softball so hard.

I’ve known Missy for

a long time, back in our college days, so it’s pretty cool,” Gajewski said. “I know her family well.

“I don’t enjoy coaching against friends cause one of us is gonna lose. So, I hate that part of that. But I enjoy competing against people that do it the right way. I felt that way when she was in Norman (where she spent 21 years on Patty Gasso’s staff), I feel the same way at Oregon... I’ve known her and John, her husband, for a long time.”

On Wednesday, the Cowgirls added 2023 stickers to the right field wall and the wall under the press box at Cowgirl Stadium, joining the rest of the years that the program has made the Super Regionals. For Gajewski and Co., it serves as a reminder that they’re where they want to be in late May.

But they aren’t done yet.

“They were just putting new stickers up on our wall,” Gajewski said. “Want to do everything I can to make sure we get a couple more of those.”

sports.ed@ocolly.com

Luke Tolbert

The Cowgirls are hosting Super Regionals for the fourth season in a row, excluding the COVID-canceled season in 2020.

Luke Tolbert

Kenny Gajewski feels like his team is in a good spot heading into the Stillwater Super Regional. “I felt that same way last week,” Gajewski said. “I’ve been feeling that way for a while.”

Signs of progress as Cowboy tennis team’s season ends

Progress is not always a linear path, and that can be said for this year’s Cowboy tennis team

OSU finished with 12 wins -- the same as last season. However, comparing records doesn’t do the Cowboys justice.

Last year’s squad was swept by Texas, 4-0, in the first round of the Big 12 Championship. This year’s Cowboys made it past the opening round with a 4-3 win against Texas Tech and earned a spot in the NCAA Tournament. In the first round, the Cowboys defeated No. 20 Florida, 4-2, then were eliminated by No. 15 Arizona in a 4-0 sweep.

Despite a second round NCAA Tournament loss, OSU coach Dustin Taylor was impressed by his team’s performance.

“Their resiliency throughout the year,” Taylor said. “They got off to a good start. Getting to top 30 in the country, and then some bumps in the

road started with a Spring Break trip out in California. And then Big 12, play is never easy. A few of those didn’t go our way. The guys stayed the course. And they picked up steam at the Big 12 against Texas Tech, took a decent crack at TCU in the Big 12 semifinals and beat Florida to get a good opportunity against Arizona. Just proud of the guys and how they stayed the course. They came together as a team and really rallied behind each other and around each other.”

The Cowboys showed Taylor the weaknesses and strengths of his roster and how the team can build on those in the offseason.

“It certainly shows that we’re going in the right direction,” Taylor said. “It also exposes some of the things that we really need to work on. We really need to work on our leadership and really setting these guys up to be great leaders for themselves, but also for each other. The big takeaway from this year is just moving forward. Great teams are led within, and they’re held accountable by the coaches, and they’re led in some

way by the coaches, but then the players lead themselves and lead each other.”

Taylor looks to the future for how the team can improve. The Cowboys lose senior captain Chase Ferguson to eligibility, but Taylor expects the rest of the roster to stay.

“None of our guys as of right now are going on the transfer portal,” Taylor said. “We’re bringing in three freshmen, a top Polish kid, a top German kid and a top American. And we’ll be looking for one transfer portal guy to solidify our doubles. Hopefully one of the top doubles players in the country comes across the transfer portal because that’s where we felt like we were a little weak this year. That’s where our priorities lie. There’s gonna be very little changes. I think that’s the exciting thing moving forward is that there’s not going to be much of a different look next year. It’s just gonna be a lot more experience. And, and a bunch of guys that are hungry and want to take this program one step further.”

Continued from 1

“That’s the pitcherversus-hitter battle element of the game is one of the best facets of the game,” Holliday said. “That’s their offensive philosophy and they’re good at it. They stuck to it, played it well.”

OSU starting pitcher Carson Benge -- responsible for a team-high 2 1/3 innings -allowed a season-high seven earned runs. It was an atypical performance for the redshirt freshman, who hadn’t exceeded five earned runs in his last five outings. Two leadoff walks – both of which were extended to full counts – set up OU star shortstop Dakota Harris for a two-RBI single up the middle, giving the Sooners a lead they wouldn’t give back.

“That was huge,” Johnson said. “It busted the bubble a little bit. We’ve talked about making sure we’re aware of where we are present and he (understood the situation). Him coming out and getting a hit in the first inning was big.”

OU plated all seven of Benge’s earned runs through the first three innings to take a 7-0 lead.

The Cowboys (37-17, 15-9) attained their best opportunity for a rally in the bottom of the third with three consecutive oneout base hits, highlighted by an RBI double from center fielder Zach Ehrhard. OSU plated two more that half inning with a two-out, two-RBI single from Benge, who also played the designated hitter role.

However,

a deep flyout to the warning track by catcher Chase Adkison ended an opportunity to trim OU’s lead to two runs or less, and the Cowboys never garnered any offensive fluency after. The OSU bullpen displayed good moments, surrendering just two runs – both coming in the top of the seventh – through the ensuing 6 2/3 innings following Benge’s departure. But it wasn’t enough. OU junior southpaw reliever Carter Campbell pitched 4 innings, striking out two batters and surrendering just one run, which came in the bottom of the ninth.

With the loss, OSU will face thirdseeded West Virginia – who the Cowboys lost a series to in April – on Thursday. With OSU’s RPI intact at No. 24 nationally, even after the loss, its chances of hosting a regional are on edge. All OSU can do now is win some games, and most importantly, not lose Thursday.

“We’ve had our fair share of victories and we know how to respond to a defeat,” Holliday said. “That’s the game of (baseball). That’s how the big boys do it. You’ve got to be able to rest quickly and have a good, short memory of processing this game and then move on.

“We’ll show up in the right head space tomorrow for the second round of the (Big 12) Tournament.”

sports.ed@ocolly.com

Jaiden Daughty

The Cowboy Tennis team had the same number of regular season wins as last year but had more postseason success.

Baylor Bryant Staff Reporter

Continued from 1

It was there, in the Purdue locker room, that Becker started asking Sprang questions about OSU and the transfer portal. Becker didn’t know collegiate softball outside of West Lafayette, Indiana, but Sprang did.

“She kind of just gave me more inside information,” Becker said. “It’s easy for somebody on the team that’s been there to be like, ‘You’ll fit in right away; it’ll be great; the team will welcome you,’ because they haven’t actually done it themselves. But when

you’re actually talking to somebody who’s kinda taken a leap of faith and left their school to go to a new one, I feel like they actually understand.”

Sprang had nothing but positive things to say about Gajewski’s program and her time in Stillwater. This prompted Becker to reach out to Gajewski, who expressed his interest right away, which led to them having conversations right after the Cowgirls postseason was finished.

Gajewski knew Becker would fit as a Cowgirl, there was no doubt. He also knew she’d shine in the biggest moments, much like her go-ahead hit in the seventh inning against Nebraska last weekend in the Stillwater Regional.

CheckouttheOriginalHideaway!

“I can remember recruiting her

SINCE 1957,

and telling her, ‘This is going to happen, and you fit here,’ I can see it just in the talks,” Gajewski said.

Becker ended up committing to Gajewski and his program, the program that Sprang had left but still loved and the program that she wanted her teammate to be apart of.

When Becker told Sprang that she was going to be a Cowgirl, Sprang was ecstatic and told her she couldn’t wait to visit, which she lived up to when she came to Stillwater for homecoming this past fall.

It was full circle. She was back in Stillwater with her former teammates, but now her Purdue “locker buddy” was in orange and black.

“Seeing her in orange and black, I

was like, ‘Wait a minute, this is so full circle for me,’” Sprang said.

Now Sprang is following along as her friend and former teammate leads her alma mater to postseason success. It’s what Becker wanted, and it’s what Sprang and Gajewski both envisioned—Becker leading this team on the biggest stage.

“She’s such a good player, and people are seeing that now,” Sprang said. “I wanted her to be able to experience postseason and hosting and hopefully going to the World Series, and just things that a lot of players don’t get to experience.

“She’s killing it; she deserves all the glory.”

sports.ed@ocolly.com

230 S. Knoblock St. Stillwater, OK 74074

Mia Ledbetter

Rachel Becker may not have ended up a Cowgirl if it wasn’t for Purdue teammate and former OSU pitcher, Gabby Sprang. “I think she was scared to reach out first,” Sprang said of Becker reaching out to OSU coach Kenny Gajewski. “But I was like, ‘The worst thing he’s gonna do is not reply to you; just reach out to him.’”

Maple syrup, a new Oklahoma industry

Stephanie Landaverde News and Lifestyle Editor

Maple syrup production is a $132 million industry, and Oklahoma State University researchers are hoping to tap into it by exploring production in Oklahoma.

The U.S. produces almost 4.5 million gallons of maple syrup annually, but the industry is nonexistent in Oklahoma.

So, Lu Zhang, OSU assistant professor of horticulture, and her colleagues are spending the summer visiting maple groves across Oklahoma.

“There is a large maple production industry in the northern part of the U.S., but not here, so we wanted to look at whether maple syrup collection was possible here,” Zhang said.

Five maple tree species are indigenous to Oklahoma: sugar maple, red maple, silver maple, boxelder and Florida maple. Sugar maple, the maple species most commonly used to produce syrup, and silver maple are found in at least 15 Oklahoma counties. Sugar maple syrup can be harvested, and the other four Oklahoma species have potential for being harvested, according to Zhang’s preliminary research data.

“The potential taps in Oklahoma for the five maple species are 5.8 million,” Zhang said. “It is important to explore the potential of alternative maple species for syrup production in different geographic locations.”

OSU researchers and Extension specialists will visit maple groves in Idabel, Talihina and Quapaw this summer to establish them as sap harvesting locations for research through a $500,000 U.S. Department of Agricul-

ture grant. Oklahoma Native American tribes traditionally collected sap from sugar maple trees. Zhang and colleagues Bob Heinemann, superintendent of the OSU Kiamichi Forestry Research Station, Mike Schnelle, OSU professor and Extension ornamental/ floraculture specialist, and Lu Zhai, assistant professor of natural resources, have formed a working relationship with the Choctaw Nation to explore syrup production. “We will determine how much maple sap can be collected seasonally from the five maple species using traditional buckets/bags, gravity-based tubing systems and high-vacuum tubing systems,” Zhang

said. “This project will answer the basic questions landowners ask before investing in maple syrup production. This could be the start of a maple syrup industry in Oklahoma.” Zhang said the other part of the project is letting people know about the potential of syrup production. Researchers will create and share information through a regional maple tapping network that uses standardized tapping techniques for sap collection and data recording. Schnelle will establish maple production workshops this fall to share the research findings with potential syrup producers.

“Over the next two years, I will be providing outreach

to landowners,” Schnelle said. “I want to work with people already blessed with large trees and people who are just starting out. For those who aren’t established, they can start up for the future. If people are willing to wait years for pecan and chestnut trees to come to full term, they should be willing to do so for maple trees.”

Schnelle wants to encourage people to grow dualpurpose maple trees for syrup production and ornamental use as well as encourage encourage landowners with maple trees who do not want to harvest syrup to lease their land to others who want to do so.

Schnelle and his colleagues will bring in Michael

Farrell, an expert from New Leaf Tree Syrups, to train the research and Extension specialists in maple tapping. Initial planning for fall workshops is underway for the Idabel and Talihina areas.

“Right now, we are staying with indigenous maples, but I could see us expanding to other maples in the future,” Schnelle said. “This could be a great long-term project. We’re excited with what we are seeing and hearing so far with people’s interest. This whole idea of Oklahoma-made syrup is exciting. I think people could make a good living out of this, especially as a side business.”

File Photo

Five maple tree species are indigenous to Oklahoma: sugar maple, red maple, silver maple, boxelder and Florida maple.

Continued from 1

Athlete interest was strong across the state and OSU students, staff and faculty joined as partners, Jones said. As well as participating in a number of intramural events, OSU Unified held monthly gatherings to build relationships.

Athlete Brandon Rhodes traveled from Ponca City, Oklahoma, to participate. Brandon’s mother, Janiece, said she has been amazed to see his growth

and the connections he has formed.

“We started in November with volleyball, and since that time, he has become more confident,” Janiece said.”He has autism and he’s been speaking, having conversations. They treat him just like he’s one of their regular peers and that’s what is wonderful about it. When he first started, he was so into himself. He had a hard time communicating. He was frustrated. Over the past several months, he’s come out of his shell. He’s blossomed into a (wonderful) version of himself I didn’t know I was ever going to see.”

Athlete Abby Allison actively participated with OSU Unified during the school year. Abby’s mother, Kathy,

said it’s been a great experience for Abby and her family.

“Because of this, she’s making friends with other people, not only with special needs,” Kathy said. “The (OSU) students have been amazing. We’re seeing relationships develop that honestly, I had not expected. We’ve had so much support and encouragement for her. She feels like she’s part of a team and part of a greater community than before.”

The Allisons live in Stillwater have a strong connection to OSU. Katy, her husband and Abby’s siblings are OSU alumni, and they are proud to be part of the Cowboy family.

“Seeing OSU do this is a real family thing for us,” Kathy said. “It

means so much. When Abby sees anything OSU, she’s like mom, ‘OSU! Go Pokes!’”

Thanks to a special investment, OSU Unified is expected to grow and will continue in the fall with a full roster of intramural sports.

“We are so grateful to Chelsea Alexander and First Cowboy Darren Shrum for the funding provided by Chilly Cowboy that will allow us to continue to expand our programming,” Jones said. Athlete and partner registration for fall events will open in mid-July.

Monday - Wednesday: 10:00am - 10:00pm

Thursday - Saturday: 10:00am - 11:00pm

128 N Main St. Stillwater, OK 74075

Courtesy of OSU

The OSU Unified delegation included 12, two-person bocce teams (one Special Olympics athlete and one partner), two 3v3 basketball teams (each with three athletes and one partner) and four coaches.

Paseo Arts District to host annual festival News

artists from across the country.

Memorial Day weekend isn’t just an excuse to go to the lake.

All across the country, people decide how they want to spend this special holiday and honor the veterans who have given their lives serving in the armed forces. For thousands of Oklahoma City residents, the Paseo Arts Festival is how they will spend their weekend.

People who live in or around the area said this annual arts festival, hosted in the Paseo Arts District in Oklahoma City, is one of the most anticipated events of the year. Thousands of people will come to the largest fundraiser of the year supporting the Paseo Arts Association.

“We are extremely excited to be planning our annual festival for the Paseo Arts District,” said Amanda Bleakley, executive director of the association. “We see thousands of new people each year who get to enjoy everything the district has to offer.”

The festival is free to the public and attracts over 60,000 visitors every year. There are a range of art mediums and types that are showcased each year including paintings, sculptures, jewelry and pottery. This year’s showcase will feature more than 90 juried

The event will also have 20 different food and drink vendors at the center of the festival, and host over 50 live performers on two stages including spoken word, dancers and music such as country, jazz and rock n’ roll.

The festival is family friendly and offers multiple children’s activities and play areas. The free children’s area on 29th and Dewey is open Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Monday until 5 p.m.

The Paper Play Theatre will also be open along with face painting, caricatures and henna. The festival, including art and food, will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday with music going on until 10 p.m. and Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Leashed pets are also allowed on the festival grounds, and service animals are welcome on the shuttle that takes passengers to and from the free parking lot at NW 36th and Walker and the festival. The shuttle will run on a continuous loop and can hold over 50 people. There is also free parking in the surrounding neighborhood. The festival helps fund different art programs and events in the Paseo throughout the year. They take volunteers for the event, which can be signed up through their website. To volunteer or see a full list of performers and artists, please visit thepaseo.org/festival.

news.ed@ocolly.com

Courtesy of the Paseo Arts Association

The festival is free to the public, and there are a range of art mediums and types that are showcased each year including paintings, sculptures, jewelry and pottery.

Mallory Pool Staff Reporter

Memorial Day

An homage to those who serve

women who worked on the landing gear and served so he could continue their hard work.

Memorial Day Weekend is dedicated to honoring our nation’s fallen, whether they served in peace or wartime. The nation celebrates with American-style cookouts and time at the lake for everyday Americans. Many take the day to visit their fallen loved ones and remember their service and sacrifice.

It’s a hot summer’s day. The heat is simmering as it reflects off the tarmac. It’s only midday, but it seems like the work is never-ending.

Aaron Smither takes a break from working on the landing gear before him. F-16s and several other planes sit behind him, waiting on repairs. The sounds of planes flying overhead, heading in and out from Tulsa International Airport, drown out the shouts of his fellow mechanics.

It’s hard work, but a nice threeday weekend is coming up. However, it’s not just any three-day weekend; it’s Memorial Day weekend.

As he watches a plane fly across the sky above him, he thinks about what Memorial Day means; not a day off, but a day to remember the men and

The United States Military observes the day, allowing many members to take the day off. Ceremonies are hosted across the nation by multiple Veterans and military organizations. Service members take the day to pay homage to those who paved the way for their service.

Aaron Smither is a hydraulics mechanic for the Oklahoma Air National Guard’s 138th Fighter Wing. When he is not working on F-16s, Smither is a junior working toward a degree in mechanical engineering at Oklahoma State University (OSU). As a service member, Smither views Memorial Day as a way to honor the men and women that served before him.

“It’s an honor to come after peo -

HIMALAYAN GROCERY STORE

ple who’ve served and people who have fallen for our country,” Smither said.

The military recognizes the day as a national holiday. Smither will spend the three-day weekend helping his parents out at their small business, Elk Creek Marina, on the lake, but he plans on visiting with one of his personal heroes, his grandfather, who served in Vietnam next weekend.

“I have a grandfather who served in Vietnam, and my other grandfather was in the Army Reserves,” Smither said. “I’ll be able to have a few meals with him and spend some quality time with him.”

Smither hasn’t lost anyone personally to him who has served, but that doesn’t stop him from observing the importance of Memorial Day. He views their sacrifices on and off the battlefield as the reason why he has the opportunity to serve.

“We wouldn’t have this country without the soldiers who have served and who have fallen for the protection of this country,” Smither said.

Memorial Day is not just for those who have lost friends and family who served. Smither encourages all OSU

students to observe the day and take a moment to remember those who laid the groundwork to ensure their futures.

“We wouldn’t have colleges without the soldiers who have served,” Smither said. “We wouldn’t be able to live our lives as we do in America without them.”

Smither hopes everyone will remember this weekend, as school lets out and summer goes into full swing, that our nation’s fallen service members made it all possible.

For those in the Stillwater area and looking for a way to be part of the Memorial Day celebration, the Murph Challenge, in honor of Lieutenant Murphy, who gave his life in the line of duty, will be taking place at the Colvin’s east fields from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The challenge is very physically demanding; those who do not wish to participate can attend to support the participants. For every one home for the summer, check out local community websites for event information. Have a great weekend, stay safe, and don’t forget to take a moment to thank those who came before.

Courtesy of Beth Smither

Aaron Smither, center, is a hydraulics mechanic for the Oklahoma Air National Guard’s 138th Fighter Wing.

Hayden Alexander Staff Reporter

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FOR RELEASE

Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle

Edited

by Patti Varol and Joyce Lewis

Daily Horoscope

Nancy Black Tribune Content Agency

Linda Black Horoscopes

Today’s Birthday (05/26/23). Organize to realize dreams this year. Persistence pays.

To grow professionally, keep showing up. Your springtime social life blossoms. Care fully navigate summer physical health or work challenges, before autumn fun with people you love. Adapt to winter transitions with peaceful rituals. Imagine perfection.

To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most chal lenging.

Aries (March 21-April 19) — Today is an 8 — Physical action gets lovely results. You’re growing stronger. Catch an unexpected moment of beauty. Your work repre sents you well. Make a creative move.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is a 9 — Savor precious moments shared with people you love. Indulge in some spontaneous fun. Romance catches you by surprise.

Align your actions with your heart.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is a 9 — Savor domestic beautification projects. Discover a crazy bargain or lucky opportunity. Inspiration flowers into lovely results. Fill your home and garden with love.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is a 9 — Advance a creative project to the next level. Express a beautiful idea. You’re especially persuasive. Use your charms and talents to share an inspiring possibility.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is a 9 — Grab a lucrative opportunity. A bonus or perk adds unexpected value to your work. Maintain positive balances. Replenish reserves. Harvest extra abundance and conserve.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is a 9 — You’re especially attractive. Connect and communicate to broaden your reach. Pursue personal passion projects to grow your heart and spirit. Love feeds you.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is a 6 — Quietly process recent changes. Completion fosters creativity. Sort and organize. Put things away. Beauty and love inspire you. Find it in unexpected places.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is an 8 — A pleasant surprise benefits team efforts. Build and strengthen lasting connections for shared resilience. Pull together for a common passion. Your heart motivates action.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is a 9 — Professional profits could arise from unexpected sources. Provide excellence. You can find the resources necessary to take your project to the next level.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is an 8 — Discover unexpected serendipity along the road. Your research turns up a treasure. Luck follows initiative. Savor truth, beauty and goodness. Make a lovely discovery.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is a 9 — Lucrative prizes tempt. Discuss potential financial strategies and solutions for shared accounts. Pull together and surge ahead. Support each other. Catch extra silver in collaboration.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is an 8 — You and your partner are on the same wavelength. Work together to grab a lucky opportunity. Conditions favor love, romance and partnership. Explore possibilities.

ACROSS

1 Datum from Elias Sports Bureau, e.g.

5 Take

Andrew Anker

“White Men Can’t Jump”

Harlow, hoops and high hopes

Tanner Kenyon Staff Reporter

When the timeless beat of a basketball on an asphalt court meets the rhythmic flow of hip-hop, a familiar yet original idea echoes through the sun-drenched courts of Venice Beach.

In a Hollywood landscape that is currently studded with remakes, reboots and revivals, the announcement of yet another redo took many off guard, especially whenever they learned it was a remake of the 1992 classic “White Men Can’t Jump,” starring Grammy-nominated rap artist Jack Harlow. Harlow, known to millions for his rap hits, is set to switch out his mic for a basketball as a means to fill in the shoes of Woody Harrelson in this modern remake.

Harlow, the charismatic rapper, is making his bigscreen debut in this film. Opposite to him is Sinqua Wells, known for his roles in “Shark Night”, “Teen Wolf” and “American Soul”, thus making him a more well known face in Hollywood.

“White Men Can’t Jump” delivers what its predecessor delivered, and that is an organic basketball movie with excellent acting. There were three highlights of the cast in my eyes, the first being Jack Harlow. Harlow impresses the audience in his acting debut as he effortlessly blends his character, Jeremy, charismatic charm and wit that mirrors his off-screen personality.

The second highlight would be Sinqua Wells, who

played Kamal. Wells is an established actor in Hollywood; however, this was one of, if not the biggest role of his career yet. Due to the circumstances, he brought his A-game and visualized his depth as an actor throughout the film. I believe his character arc to be excellent as it shows us Kamal going down a journey of self-discovery. Wells smoothly balanced his intensity and charisma.

I personally believe that Harlow and Wells chemistry, which is crucial to both this film and the 1992 version, flows naturally and effortlessly thus mimicking the Woody Harrelson-Wesley Snipes dynamic of the original. However, I do prefer the original cast more than the new one.

The third and final highlight of the cast would be Teyana Taylor, who played Imani, Kamal’s significant oth-

er. She portrayed an excellent anchor character for Kamal. She was always there for him and understood him like no one else could. Without spoiling the film, the climatic ending of the film could not have happened without her excellent character arc balanced on top of her outstanding performance.

The film also had excellent use of humor. I can tell that Jack Harlow had his own creative input upon the film as the humor that I have seen him portray in interviews is beyond apparent in this film. They use humor to tackle issues ranging from economic disparities to racial stereotypes.

The soundtrack, a blend of contemporary music and hip-hop, overall complements the tone of the film. It also helps create an immersive experience in a sense for the viewer. This occasionally results in moments where the

film falls short to me.

Some of this film’s aspects missed the hoop. At times, I thought that the film struggled to maintain its narrative rhythm, with some scenes feeling stretched out or just not needed at all. I can vividly remember a time in the film about halfway through where I had no clue where the film was going.

The film juggles a plethora of themes ranging from the importance of family and friends, income struggles and more. However, I believe that some of these themes get left behind and do not receive the depth and screen time they potentially deserve. It creates a feeling of wanting more as well as creating underexplored story concepts.

Lastly, the film does run the risk of leaning too heavily into nostalgia, sometimes at the expense of originality. While

I am one to enjoy an homage to a predecessor, I believe this film would have benefited more from taking a more personal spin on the story.

Overall, the remake of “White Men Can’t Jump” stands as a testament to the potentiality of reimagining and recreating original films or shows. With commendable performances from both Harlow and Wells, as well as a modernization of the film and its core themes, it serves as a respectable nod to the past and a thrilling exploration of the present. I personally prefer the original but I, without a doubt, enjoyed the remake. As we continue to see Hollywood revisiting its past, “White Men Can’t Jump” visualizes that a remake can retain the spirit of the original while confidently dribbling into the modern era.

20th Century Studios

Sinqua Walls, left, and Jack Harlow, right, star in “White Men Can’t Jump.”