Issuu

Friday, February 5, 2021

Burning desire Hargis prepares for post-retirement life Ryan Novozinsky

What’s inside

Burns Hargis has ambitious work plans after his retirement.

O’Colly Creative

President Burns Hargis couldn’t help himself. When asked about how his final semester at Oklahoma State University was going, he immediately chimed in with his signature wit. “You mean my lame duck time?” Hargis said. With this being one of Hargis’ least daunting workrelated semesters, many assume the 76 year old will ride off into the sunset and live the

rest of his days with few responsibilities. Some have even wondered if health could be an issue in his decision to retire. Hargis, however, is charging forward. “Everybody tells me ‘You’ll be as busy or busier,’” Hargis said. “I’m looking forward to that because I’m not good at sitting around.” Hargis said he will continue to work for OSU at the university’s center for ethical leadership and will help introduce the new president to new donors and legislature. Hargis and his wife Ann plan to live in Oklahoma City, where he plans to return to his See Burning on pg. 3

Sports | 1B

News | 3A

A whiteboard and a poll

vaccination

Two things that help motivate the Cowgirl basketball team.

Students discuss their decisions on whether or not they will take the coronavirus vaccination or not.

Pound the alarm Car break-ins and bicycle thefts continue on campus By Amelia Jauregui Bicycle thefts and car burglaries have been a continuously growing problem on Oklahoma State’s campus since the fall of 2020. An email sent in early November through OSU News shared that at least 24 bicycles have been stolen and 10 vehicles have been burglarized since Oct. 1, 2020

“

It was clear that someone had been through it all. While nobody thinks that their own bike will be stolen or that their own car will be burglarized, it actually did happen to student Mikayla Doty. “I was really confused when I first found out because I was like ‘um why is my car door not closed well?’” Doty said. “I proceeded to open the door and see that my glove box was open and my sunglasses (like 3 pairs) were all over my passenger seat. My back seat was pushed down and it was clear that someone had been in there and looked

through it all.” The email sent reminded students to properly secure their vehicles and check in on their property daily. opinion “I vividly remember locking my car the night before,” Doty said. “I had just gotten groceries and didn’t have a hand to reach and lock it. So I remember how much of a pain it was to set my groceries down in the middle of the parking lot to lock it.” Doty proceeded to call the OSUPD to take next steps on reporting the incident. “I did call the OSU police after the fact. They offered to send out someone to investigate. Since nothing of much monetary value was taken, I did not see a point in this,” Doty said. “I just asked to file a report and leave it at that. The police were supposed to call me later, but never did. So I am unsure if the report ever got filed or what happened since I haven’t been contacted again.” While nothing of great monetary value was taken from Doty, a sense of security may be hard to rediscover. “After the confusion went away, it has become paranoia and anger with the whole situation,” Doty said. “As a girl, it becomes really scary because if someone broke into my car, someone could break in and hurt me when I get in my car.” In the event of an emergency or suspicious activity, dial 911 or call the OSUPD at 405-744-6523 for non-emergencies. news.ed@ocolly.com

Oklahoma State University has a rise in car thefts recently.

Oklahoma State University has a rise in bike thefts recently.

Joshua Cleary

Page 2A Friday, February 5, 2021

Page 2

Annemarie Chaney

Editorial board

Reporters/photographers

Editor-in-chief Ryan Novozinsky editorinchief@ocolly.com

Photo editor Joshua Cleary photo.ed@ocolly.com

News editor Maddison Farris news.ed@ocolly.com

Digital editor Adam Engel digital@ocolly.com

Lifestyle editor Sheyenne Mitchell-Brown entertainment.ed@ocolly.com

Sports editor Sudeep Tumma sports.ed@ocolly.com

Design editor Anna Tucker design.ed@ocolly.com

Adviser John Helsley john.helsley@okstate.edu

Newsroom 108 Paul Miller Stillwater, OK 74078 (405)-744-6365

CHRIST’S CHURCH! I became a Christian in November 1956 in Japan while a member of the U.S. Air force. Shortly after, a friend and I traveled to visit some missionaries. While talking with one, I asked him; Which group or church should I join? There are so many. Which one is right? Wisely, he did not answer my question directly, but handed me a church card and said, I have heard that God is working in a wonderful way at this church. If you get an opportunity, it would be good to go by and visit. On my way back to my base, I prayed that the Lord would get me stationed near Waco, Texas if he wanted me to visit this church. My orders came in a few days later, I was stationed at Ft. Worth, Texas, 85 miles from Waco. I had a wonderful time there. Was it a perfect church? No! But God taught me many good things while there that

laid a solid foundation for my Christian life. The real church (Called out ones) is made up of individuals around the world who have responded to the gospel message. They have opened their hearts to Christ, put their trust in Him as their Saviour and Lord. Their sins are forgiven and they have a new life by the Holy Spirit. The church is growing in China and the Far east. Though persecuted, God is calling out people in the Middle East. The church is South America is expanding in many places. All over the World, people are responding to the call of Christ to trust and follow him. The meetings and outward forms vary, but the Lord is building his church. (Mt.16:18) God’s love gift, the good news, is still offered to all through Christ. Be sure it is yours! Come and follow Jesus!

Sports reporters: Jared A‘Latorre Kylie Austin Ryan Breeden Alex Callaway Adam Engel Jospeh Fazio Ben Hutchens Sam Hutchens Gavin Pendergraff Dean Ruhl Molly Smith Jacob Sturm Marcus Trevino Photographers: Joshua Cleary Zachary Hunter Bryan Pizana Alicia Young

News reporters: Addie Duling Claire Hosterman Amelia Jáuregui Anna Pope Jared A‘Latorre Ellen Slater Robert Owens Lifestyle writers: Maleeha Hameed Jonathan Harrington Amelia Jáuregui Ellen Slater Christopher Sneed Designers: Annemarie Chaney Kayla Ballero Christian Van Curen Emily Weed

News Burning Continued from pg. 1

O’Colly File Photo Nancy Randolph Davis was the first Black OSU student.

OSU announces Feb. 1st as Nancy Randolph Davis Day By Ellen Slater Stilwater, USA- the year is 1949, President Truman is in office and a gallon of gas cost 17 cents. It is four years post World War II but another four years before Edmond Low Library even opened its doors. Nancy Randolph Davis makes history as the first black student to ever enroll at Oklahoma State University. A mere 72 years later, the building that houses human sciences classes, offices and Planet Orange is named after her. This Black History Month, the OSU community celebrates her, and the many others that followed the path that she paved. Feb. 1, the first day of Black History Month, was deemed as Nancy Randolph Davis day at OSU. It was a day of celebration in the OSU community. Professor Quraysh Ali Lansana was the featured speaker of the first night of the Black History Month Speaker Series. This speaker series will be continuing as a new speaker is hosted each week throughout the month of February. Her talk

was titled “Reflections on the Legacy of Nancy Randolph Davis: Lessons Learned.” On Monday night, there was also a candlelight vigil in honor of Davis in front of the building that was renamed after her. There were students, faculty, and community members in attendance, but the majority of the attendees were online viewers, since the Human Science building was making COVID precautions a priority. Davis has surviving family who are able to watch the legacy that she left at OSU unfold. “Mom is smiling from Heaven above,” said her son, Calvin Davis in a comment on OSU Human Sciences Facebook page. OSU will continue to honor her legacy with future Nancy Randolph Davis Days and everyday as students enter the doors of the building named after her. To learn more about the events happening in honor of Black History Month at OSU, check out https://diversity.okstate.edu/. news.ed@ocolly.com

Have a news tip? Submit it to editorinchief@ocolly.com

Unsplash The COVID-19 vaccine is being injected in people nationwide.

pre-OSU duties as civic life leader in the community. Before starting his tenure as OSU’s president in 2007, Hargis served multiple terms as chairman of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, where he headed various fundraising drives and raised support for a light rail system in the city. Oklahoma City Business Roundtable president Mark Funke, who sat next to Hargis’ desk for 10 years while the two were in banking, expressed the city’s excitement to have Hargis return. “I think everyone in Oklahoma City is excited to have Burns back in our community,” Funke said. “He is not a guy who

believes retirement is a casual opportunity. He will always continue to be a voice for causes he believes in.” While Hargis still plans to work in three prominent positions, he anticipates –– and is excited for –– less stress in his post-president career. This lack of pressure allows him and Ann to return to one of their favorite hobbies: travelling. “We’ll be able to do trips that we wouldn’t have otherwise been able to do,” Hargis said. “Stay longer than we otherwise would. We used to go to Taos, New Mexico, every summer. So this year we’ll probably stay longer than we normally do. Normally we have to get back to school in August.” He has a travel wishlist too, with countries like Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and nations in the western part of Africa at the

top.

As it stands now, Hargis still has six months of OSU president work before he officially retires. While his work schedule has been easier and interaction with students has been diminished, he’s still enjoying his retirement tour across the OSU campus. “I had a lot of nice comments made, a lot of nice things written about me, which I appreciated,” Hargis said. Aside from the ceremonial aspects of the retirement tour, Hargis also sees a light in terms of the COVID-19 pandemic and his students. Above all, he wants to see the pandemic dwindle away during his final days, which was one of his stated goals. “We’ve got the vaccine coming, hopefully we’ll get out of this smog,” Hargis said. news.ed@ocolly.com

Joshua Cleary OSU President Burns Hargis will retire in July, but his post-retirement career has only just begun.

To vaccinate or not to vaccinate? Students discuss their plans for vaccine acceptance, refusal By Claire Hosterman OSU has announced that they intend to provide students with the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible. This is all part of the schools’ multi-phase plan to obtain and distribute the COVID-19 vaccine. But will students and faculty all opt to receive it? “I received the vaccine at the Payne county health department, the only other people receiving the vaccine were health care workers,” said OSU junior, Josh Soliz, who was offered the vaccine through his job at the COVID in-take lab near campus, “It honestly just felt like a normal shot, needles are very sharp now and I didn’t feel much of anything.” As we come upon the one year anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic, multiple vaccines have made themselves available for use. However, the distribution and accessibility process is still selective. In the state of Oklahoma, four phases have been set in place for residents to receive the vaccine. Teachers, staff and residents in educational settings are set to receive the vaccine in the third phase, which includes colleges and university settings. Though the arrival of a vaccine is a relief for many, others are skeptical about timeliness and effectiveness. In an AP-NORC poll in mid-May, fewer than 50 percent of Americans surveyed said they would commit to getting a coronavirus vaccine whenever it becomes available. According to the poll, there

O’Colly File Photo Most OSU students are part of Oklahoma’s Phase II vaccine phase.

has been an increased amount of distrust in vaccines of many kinds over the past 20 years. “My parents have advised against me taking the vaccine because they are unsure of everything that is in it and the long term effects it could have. My mom is especially against it. So, if it were offered to me I wouldn’t take it.” said senior Ryan Bain. “I am not skeptical of the vaccine because I think it is something we need,” said student, Kat Ruck, “but I don’t think I will personally get the vaccine since I have already had COVID.” Despite some having doubts, at least 1.6% of the U.S. population has already received both doses of the vaccination, according to NPR. Currently, Health care personnel and residents of long-term care facilities are in the first phase to receive the shot. Senior Allison Lawrence was elated at

the offer of the vaccine through her job at the COVID in-take lab. “I was excited because my immunity period was up from when I had the virus, and I had a chance of catching it again,” said Lawrence. “So when they approached me at work with the option to get vaccinated, I was pumped.” While some may place their trust either in their own immunity or ability to avoid the virus, Soliz has full trust in the medical community. “You have to trust the medical community and the incredibly brilliant people who worked night and day to come up with the vaccine as quickly as possible. I understand it’s not an easy decision but doctors take an oath to do right by their patients so I believe they wouldn’t put out a product that they didn’t believe was safe.” news.ed@ocolly.com

Page 4A Friday, February 5, 2021

News

One down, two to go fundamentally linked to physical health,” Christensen said. “It was nice to dedicate a day to mental, physical and even social wellness.” Marcus Trevino The College of Arts and Sciences was the only And on the twelfth college to have an event day, Oklahoma State stu- listed specifically for the dents rested. wellness day. Students Wednesday was the could join CAS staff first Wellness Day of the and take a walking tour semester and OSU stuof campus to find 10 of dents used the opportuOSU’s historical sculpnity to mentally refresh. tures. The Department of Then, they could Wellness hosted several pick up a “Watercolor for events to promote physical Wellness kit” at the Garactivity at the Colvin Cen- diner Gallery of Art. If ter. Students participated the students brought back in a three-point contest, a their decorated postcards, cornhole tournament and they would be included even disc golf. in the “Well I Wonder: The Colvin staff Watercolors for Wellenjoyed the day, too. They ness” exhibit that will be had free access to the displayed in the Gardiner rock climbing wall for gallery. two hours. “It is a huge deal for Todd Christensen, as- artists to have their work sistant director of fitness, displayed in a gallery and said a person’s health now (they) can get that is not exclusive to their kind of honor,” assistant physical fitness. dean Amy Martindale “Mental health is said. “They can pick up

the postcard at the end of the two weeks.” Unfortunately, not every student could take advantage of the “day off.” Many had long shifts at work or used the time to reduce their pile of assignments. Jerret Carpenter said the day was a perfect opportunity to do homework, but he wished he could have used the time to rest stress-free. “I wanted to play golf with my roommates, but I don’t think I would’ve been able to enjoy it,” Carpenter said. “I was too stressed about the things I had to do for school.” The next Wellness Day will be Thursday, March 4. The Wellness Center will use this day to help students develop a personalized plan for their self-care and holistic needs. news.ed@ocolly.com

Joshua Cleary A student posed with their dog as they enjoyed the weather on the first wellness day of the semester.

Courtesy of Bill Annan

OPINION: Wellness days are not a fair trade for spring break not be happening. I understand the effort to “replace” spring break, but this effort has truly failed by fault of the school. Maddison Farris I would love to know how many students Over winter would have wanted break, Oklahoma to trade the iconic State announced its week of spring break plan to refund stufor three measly days dents for the memoof “relaxation”. It’s ries and experiences not even fair trade, as that they lost due to students are cheated the riddance of spring out of two full days of break. Students were vacation, and robbed reimbursed in the of the chance to even form of wellness days. have a long weekend. I may not get OSU realizes that to see the beautiful students go home on mountains of Colothe weekends anyway, rado since my trip right? is now canceled, but While this seat least my weekly mester, in my opinroutine will be interion, has been much rupted a total of three better and way more times throughout enjoyable, I just don’t the semester. Thank understand why we goodness, because couldn’t have all just having a whole week been tested for COto really pull myself VID-19 again after together and encourreturning from spring age myself to finish break? The school the semester strong may argue that they honestly made things did not want students more difficult. to be able to go to These three days large parties at a lake are also conveniently or raise their chances placed in the middle of contracting COof the week so that I VID-19, but who is can not go home to to say that students see my family that didn’t do that over I miss dearly, but at winter break or even least I won’t have any still do on the weekhomework that day or ends? the next. Except that Spring break I will. should not have been Many students, canceled, and “wellmyself being one, ness days” are not a have already reported fair trade. This is the assignments being definition of “the bare due on wellness days, minimum.” despite the school promising that would news.ed@ocolly.com

Lifestyle

Q & A: What Does Black History Month Mean to You? By Anna Pope

ing? More information being shared about black history, or highlighted?

Chasidy Winslett, senior business management major with a minor in marketing.

A: “In my opinion, I learned about Black history through regular teachings of history, like I’m kind of obsessed with history, but it’s just as interesting as regular history,” Dorsaint said. “Its (black history) not really more important or less important, it’s equal.”

Q: What does Black History Month represent or mean to you? A: “For me, it’s a chance for us to really embrace our true selves and just expand on all the great things we’ve created, we’ve embarked on, we’ve experienced and what is to come in the future,” Winslett said.

Q: Would you like to see more of an embrace of that happen in general? A: “I believe there’s a possibility of that, you know, happening now,” Winslett said. “More so with everything going on and with recent years and everything so, definitely yeah.” Jimmy Dorsaint, sophomore trombone performance major.

Q: What does Black History Month represent or mean to you? A: “I guess the point it serves is to highlight the fourth comings of the Black community,” Dorsaint said. “Like, it’s not really to give special recognition, it’s just to, I guess, inform people.”

Q: Do you wish to see more of that happen-

Gregory Samuel, senior political science major.

Q: What does Black History Month represent or mean to you? A: “To me, Black History Month is really symbolic of the progression we can have as a country when we realize things that have happened and the ways we would try to rectify that,” Samuel said. “I feel like Black History Month was that rectifying act from the U.S. government to finally have Black people on a platform, almost as a time where everybody can be comfortable to talk about racism and the issues of race relations that we currently have. It definitely just kind of held that placeholder within history to have these types of conversations especially on one specific designated month. I think the utility of Black History Month is really important in the way that we’ve been able to talk about race and talk about racism is going to be critical...”

Q: Do you see that progression being more

outright? (Mentioned the NAACP making black history….) Having it a constant topic of conversation, do you think that should be our attitude moving forward? A: “Honestly yes, I feel that the conversation is getting more regular that it doesn’t just have to be designated in February to have conversations about racism,” Samuel said. “But I think the biggest thing we have to kind of get over is that status quo that we only talk about these things during this month. I mean, recent events like Black Lives Matter and kind of everything that has happened this past year has really propelled the conversation to happen more often, but usually when it ends, then comes this large amount of tension to the issues, especially racism. It often dwells out and that’s one of things that I consistently always fear Is that the fire and the energy in the time that people have right now talking about the issue will you know, not be commensurable once regular life continues after COVID… So yeah, it’s really just a progression of all of us. Staying accountable and staying consistent about what we value in this country, and what world we want to have and what we want to pass on to our kids.”

Unsplash OSU students answer what Black History Month means to them.

A: “For me it means we get to celebrate, like, our freedom and what everyone has done for us, to get there where we are today in life,” Neal said.

Q: Do you see more conversations about that happening more frequently in your life?

Shanequa Neal, Junior applied exercise science major.

A: “I do with people of my own race but not as a majority,” Neal said.

Q: What does Black History Month mean or represent to you?

entertainment.ed@ocolly.com

Page 6A Friday, February 5, 2021

College is hard. Snacks help. Get FREE delivery. Start your 6-month trial, no cost to you

amazon.com/OKstate

Friday, February 5, 2021

Bill Annan

The Cowgirls use a preseaon poll to motivation poll for the season.

Board and a poll Two things that help motivate the Cowgirls By Sam Hutchens A quick glance into the Cowgirl basketball film room is all it takes. Every day when players

enter the facilities to access their locker, hang out in the lounge or even use the whirlpool, a sign in the film room shows the players exactly where the team stand and provides motivation. The orange wooden sign is big, spanning a whole section of wall from top to bottom. The left side has slots for all 10 teams in the Big 12,

and on the right side, there is a whiteboard. Every team in the Big 12 has its record written in with a dry erase marker. The teams are slotted in according to the standings on the left side — best teams on top, worst teams at the bottom. Obviously, every week, every day that games happen, we update that board,” coach Bill Annan said.

“Move teams up and down in the rankings and also update exactly where they’re at when it comes to wins and losses in conference and then overall.” For the student-athletes juggling coursework and regular life with basketball, the ever-updated sign serves as a constant reminder of See Board on pg. 2B

An important business trip OSU prepares for Bedlam as it looks to keep its undefeated streak Sweat will drip.

Photo Courtesy: OSU Athletics OSU uses its in-state rivarly to propel it forward.

dual,” Smith said. “I’ve been in a lot of them, and I’d have a lot of surprises doing things that I didn’t think my wrestlers could do.” In 2016, then true freshman Kaid Brock pinned defending national champion Cody Brewer just 42 seconds into the match. For many Cowboys, Bedlam is personal. Like many Oklahoma-born OSU wrestlers, Lewallen, a Yukon native has attended numerous Bedlam duals in his childhood. Sunday marks his fifth Bedlam dual appearance. “We’re trying to win the state of Oklahoma,” said 149-pounder Boo Lewallen. “Every time we wrestle OU, I’m thinking, ‘You’re not going to beat me.’ We have to care of our state.”

Enthusiasm and adrenaline will fill the Lloyd Noble Center just hours before Adam Engel Super Bowl LV. There is a cerThe No. 5 Oklatain word in the homa State Cowboys English language that (7-0 overall, 3-0 in triggers emotion in Big 12) dual No. 19 two Oklahoma based Oklahoma (5-3) in demographics. Norman at 1 p.m. One group is Sunday. clad in crimson and “We take Bedcream. The other, lam seriously,” decked out in orange Cowboy coach John and black. Smith said. “It’s not something we ignore. Bedlam. It’s maybe a dual that has more importance The battle for than any other.” state supremacy. In rivalry duals, The rivalry nothing except the spills onto the hard- present is relevant. wood, the courts, the Previous records mat, the course, the and predictions are diamond, the arena just that — predicand, of course, the tions. field. The Cowboys In some cases, have torched the the rivalry exists in Sooners in the overthe form of a blood all series 38-4-1, but drive or canned food Smith has witnessed drive. all the losses. This Sunday, “You never there will be blood underestimate what sports.ed@ocolly.com on the mat. can happen in that

Page 2B Friday, February 5, 2021

sports

Gregg Ellman

The Cowgirls are sitting at third in the Big 12, exceeding expectations this season.

Board Continued from pg. 1B

how far they have come, and also what teams are ahead of them. “If they walk through there to lift weights, they can see that,” Annan said. “We have film three or maybe four times a week, so they can always look at that to see where they are at and to see how things are shaping up.” “Every day we walk into the locker room, and we see where we are ranked at,” senior forward Natasha Mack said. “And I see that every day. It gets me fired up.” Oklahoma State is third in the Big 12 right now. Before the season, some would have predicted that the OSU plaque on the left side of the sign would never rise that high. In the Big 12 preseason poll ‚— where head coaches in the conference are sent an email tasking them to predict, among other things, the season results —OSU was projected to finish eighth. That spot is dangerously close to the Big 12 cellar did not sit too well with the team. “I think that was a bit disrespectful to us,” freshman guard Nefertali Notoa said. “So we kind of took that, and I think we made our own statement with how we came out in the first few games and especially how we’re going right now.” “I think it bothered our players a little bit, but we honestly didn’t talk about it,” coach Jim Littell said. “I’m about the process, I’m about coming in the gym and getting better every day.” While the perceived slight may not have been addressed directly, there may have been a correlation between the release of the poll and an extra-tough practice. “We came into practice one

day,” Mack said. “Coach was upset and we were like, ‘What’s going on?’ They were like, ‘This is what happened. We got picked eight out of 10.’ That practice went extra hard.” “We were running those threehour practices like nothing,” Notoa said. “We were running our butts off but hey, it all paid off.” Mack said it felt good to practice hard after the preseason rankings came out. Although it may have served as motivation, the preseason poll is far from perfect. Littell puts thought into his submissions, taking an evening to sit down and break it down. Even with head coaches making the poll, there will always be things unaccounted for. “The game isn’t played on paper,” Littell said. “The game is played on the court and you never know how some people are going to respond once the lights come on. You don’t know how hard some people have worked in the summer. We are seeing right now that Ja’Mee Asberry has done a 180 on what she’s done. She put in a lot of time in the summer.” “There’s so many things that you cannot factor into polls and rankings. You just give your best guesstimate and move on.” A small tradition has emerged in the wake of a winning streak has inched OSU away from their projected finish. “Last night, (after the KU at OSU win), one of our players erased the eight and put up the nine,” Annan said. “That has become a little bit of a ceremonious postgame ritual that our players do. The coaches have nothing to do with that… (the players) actually take care of that before most of the coaches get down to the locker room after the game.” A team that turns motivation into gym time and extra-focused practices can be a formidable force. If the Cowgirls can channel that force, they might need to get a new marker.

OSU’s women’s basketball recent history in Bedlam

By Ben Hutchens The Cowgirls don’t treat it like any other game. OSU women’s basketball coach Jim Littell has noted how the two most important games on the schedule every year are the games against Oklahoma. Bedlam is taken extremely seriously by both fanbases, regardless of what sport is being played and either team’s record coming into the game. Here is a list of the last 10 women’s basketball Bedlam results to prepare for when the Sooners come to Stillwater on Saturday.

2020-21: 66-53 OSU wins in Norman. 2019-20: 77-75 OU wins in Stillwater, 73-69 OSU gets revenge later that season in Norman. 2018-19: 84-74 OSU wins in Stillwater, 75-66 OU wins in Norman. 2017-2018: 68-62 OU wins in Norman, 66-60 OU wins in Stillwater to complete the most recent sweep in the series. 2016-17: 73-42 OSU wins in Stillwater in the largest defeat of the last 10 Bedlam games.

sports.ed@ocolly.com

GOOD MONEY

New Donors Earn Up to

A LITTLE TIME

s $10 BToHnu WI D THIS A

A GREAT CAUSE

sports

Playing through Cowgirls to play in national tournament after shutdown

Adam Engel Two weeks. Without live competition. Now, a National Championship tournament awaits. Coach Chris Young and his Cowgirl tennis team are used to adversity. Last season, OSU pieced together an 11-1 start before the coronavirus derailed a season with plans of hosting the Big 12 Championships along with the NCAA Championships. But then, good things started to happen in an unfortunate situation. In October, the NCAA announced OSU would host the 2024 NCAA Tennis Championships at the Michael and Anne Greenwood Tennis Center — a delayed consolation. In the fall, the Cowgirls hosted a Big 12 fall tournament —

the first of its kind. Off the court, the Cowgirls were winners of a different kind of accomplishment. A semester without any COVID cases or contact tracing issues. But then, the loathed virus made its way inside the Cowgirl and Cowboy tennis programs. Before the shutdown, OSU’s spring season started with a pair of wins against Missouri on Jan. 16. Wyoming was scheduled to visit on Jan. 19.

the Michael and Anne Greenwood Tennis Center. “All the pressure is completely on UCLA,” said Cowgirl head coach Chris Young. “We’re not expected to do anything, and we haven’t played in two weeks. Historically, OSU is just 1-1 against the Bruins with the last match resulting in a 4-1

loss in Stillwater on Feb. 2, 2019. The Cowgirls will be thrown into action in a loaded eight-team field that includes North Carolina, Ohio State, Georgia Tech, Pepperdine, Texas, Northwestern and UCLA. “All three days will be very exciting,” said Young. “A good team can go 0-3 this weekend and still be a

top ten team.” In a situation filled with unfortunate circumstances, health and safety remains a top priority. “If the girls aren’t able to play on Friday, then that’s just the way it will be,” said Young. “If someone isn’t ready, we won’t push it.” Sports.ed@ocolly.com

Canceled. The next three matches against Arkansas, SMU and Oral Roberts? Postponed and canceled. A tune-up dual versus Texas on Feb. 2? Canceled. Now, the Cowgirls are nearing the end of a two-week shutdown from a positive test and contract issues. Their first match since the pause? No. 2 seed UCLA in the quarterfinals of the ITA Indoor Nationals at 3:30 p.m. inside

Bruce Waterfield The Cowgirls have to prepare for a national championship despite not playing for two weeks.

Bad luck for Brock

Brock ‘more than likely’ done for season, Hone to start

OSU’s Kaid Brock is more than likely done for the season after sustaining another injury.

Dean Ruhl Four — since March 22, 2019, Kaid Brock has only been able to wrestle in four matches for the Cowboys. Brock was hopeful for this season. He was excited to be back on the mat. He said he felt great and was ready to wrestle hard and beat some people. But with an undisclosed injury that was suffered in practice, coach John Smith delivered the harsh news. “More than likely Kaid

Brock’s season is over.” This isn’t the first time this news has been delivered to Brock. Back in August 2019, he suffered an ACL tear that kept him out of competition for the entire 2019-20 season, and during his freshman campaign in 2016, he suffered a knee injury that cut his season short. Boo Lewallen, who’s been a member of the squad for just as long as Brock, has shared a similar path. Lewallen has missed seasons suffering season-ending injuries of his own. “It’s tragic,” Lewallen said. “We grew up wrestling together. It sucks. It’s something that’s not explainable. Kaid’s an awesome man and he’ll move past this.”

Brock said he focused on training for most of his time away from the mat, almost 22 months, and it had revitalized him. It showed on the mat. While his first victory of the season came via forfeit, he went on to earn a 8-4 decision over Oregon State’s Grant Willits, a 12-7 decision over SIU-Edwardsville’s Saul Ervin and a 10-4 decision over Little Rock’s Conner Ward. Brock then missed the next three duals. Dusty Hone was given the starts in those three, building up a 1-2 record, including a big victory against Northern Iowa. Hone is no stranger to filling in Brock’s shoes though. After Brock’s ACL tear last season, Hone was named

Bruce Waterfield

the starter, a gig that he took full advantage of. He finished the season 21-9, 9-7 in duals and placed third in the Big 12 tournament at 141. He earned an automatic berth to the NCAA championships and was given the No. 14 spot before they were cancelled. Hone will be a solid starter in Brock’s absence. With the free year of eligibility, Brock will most likely return for another season, but as Smith has preached about the depth of this team, now is the time to see it. “It’s just an injury that if (Brock) could wrestle, he would wrestle,” Smith said. Sports.ed@ocolly.com

Page 4B Friday, February 5, 2021

sports

Finding the focus Cowboys looking to rebound from another loss

By Chris Becker

OSU Athletics The Cowboys look to refoxu in a showdown with Texas.

From the first game of the season, Oklahoma State has struggled to capitalize from the free throw line. On the season, the Cowboys are shooting under 70% from the free throw line. The struggle hit again when the Cowboys fell to TCU Wednesday. The Cowboys shot 22 of 32 from the line. Leaving 10 points on the board proved costly after losing the game by single digits. “In some games, we shoot them well,” Boynton said. “Some games, we don’t. I think it’s a focus deal. Tonight we weren’t focused. That’s one of the stats that’s a little telling as to where our mindset is, is if we are stepping up there and shooting them the same way. But we’ll get back, and we’ll practice them like we always have.” Despite improving throughout the season in all aspects of his game, Matthew-Alexander Moncrieffe struggled to start the season at the free throw line. He has

since improved from the line slowly with his average currently sitting at just under 50%. “Making my free throws, I missed a couple of them,” Moncrieffe said. “I shot 5 for 8 and that’s better.” Aside from the free throw line, Moncrieffe’s game is taking off. For the fourth-straight game, Moncrieffe scored in double-digits and for the third time in those four games, he recorded a double-double. In those four games, he’s averaging 15 points and seven rebounds. His streak of success can be counted toward him growing into his roll and settling down to the speed of college basketball. “I mean it’s really just been what the team needed me to do,” Moncrieffe said. “If they need me to go out there and not score and just rebound and defend, then I’m okay with that. Today, it just happened that they needed me to score. The past couple games, Cade (Cunningham) was out, they needed me to score a little bit more, so I don’t think anything’s changed. It’s really just been my role in what the team needs me to do.” Coming off another tight loss, the Cowboys will have the chance to avenge a loss from ear-

I think it’s a focus deal. Tonight we weren’t focused. lier in the season against Texas on Saturday. The Cowboys lost to the Longhorns in Austin on Dec. 20 77-74, giving the Cowboys an 0-2 start to conference play. The Cowboys are coming off another onescore loss to TCU on Wednesday in a game when coach Mike Boynton said his team lacked mental focus. If the Cowboys hope to pull out an upset over the No. 6 team in the country, the team will have to restore that focus. “I’m going to give them the benefit of the doubt, first and foremost, because that’s not something that’s been an issue for this team,” Boynton said. “We’re 15 games in or something like that, and I can’t really pinpoint a time where I felt that way. So, I’ve got confidence in our staff and myself and in these kids that they’ll come back tomorrow understanding that this isn’t good enough.” sports.ed@ocolly.com

FOR RELEASE FEBRUARY 5, 2021

Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Roommates Wanted Room for rent: $300/month includes bath, washer/dryer. Stillwater. 918-630-0319

Help Wanted

Business Squares

4pm-9pm you can get steak, a side of your choice, and a salad bar, all for only $10 at Freddie

of beer, wine and liquor that Stillwater has to offer! Perfect for all your game day needs, come

Visit us for more information at http:// freddiepauls.com or give us a call at 405-377-8777. See ya there!

Shop located on 128 N. Main

Furniture Showcase is applications for student ad representatives. Duties include contacting clients and providing them with advertising options for print editions, online editions, special editions and advertising bundling should be able to meet clients at their businesses.

To apply come to room 106 in the Paul Miller email Lori@ocolly. com

Help Wanted

Furniture & Mattress Store! Located in Downtown Stillwater, we can help you design any room. Visit http://Stillwater FurnitureShowcase.com to see more!

Need some extra cash? Visit become a donor today! Located on Washington Street and open everydayeven weekends!”

Help Wanted

Come check out the wide variety of elegant clothing at Formal Fantasy! Located on Downtown Stillwater

Church Meetings Join us every Sunday for our live streaming services! Matins @ 8:50am and Divine Liturgy @ 10:00am.”

Join the New Covenant Fellowship for service every Sunday at 10am and share in our passion for Jesus Christ!”

UKirk university group at First Presbyterian Church meets every week! Join us for Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.! For more information or for Zoom access, visit us at stillwaterfpc.com

Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis ACROSS 1 3.0 and 4.0, briefly 5 “The Fall” guy? 10 AOL rival 13 James’ evil golfing opponent, in a 1964 film 15 Up to one’s neck 16 Subj. of a “delayed” notice 17 Kitty Hawk? 19 Monk’s title 20 Asset for a musician 21 One with all the answers? 22 Englishman Charles’ rippedup early essay attempts? 27 Tight gp. 31 Some voting machine parts 32 Arcade plumber 34 2010s White House name 35 1860s White House name 38 Good insurance risk? 41 “Didn’t I tell you?” 42 U.S. laundry soap since 1918 43 Mound stats 44 It might be a bust 46 Where Ford gets an F 47 Pre-Christmas affair? 52 Forgets the lyrics, maybe 53 Evil laugh 58 59-Down need 59 Winning, in sports slang ... and what each of four puzzle answers is doing? 63 Bit of online mirth 64 Bury 65 Gooey goody 66 Poetic conjunction 67 Shoot for the stars 68 Corrosive chemicals DOWN 1 Rubberneck 2 Sheer 3 R&B’s India.__

By Bruce Haight

2/5/21

4 Take the offer 5 Three-time Best Director of the 1930s 6 Spiked punch? 7 Kid’s cry 8 Neil Armstrong alma mater 9 __-crab soup 10 Smart regarding marketing 11 Picnic spoiler 12 Desert along Africa’s southwest coast 14 Mull (over) 18 Sailing moniker 21 Shooting option, briefly 23 School meetings 24 “That ’70s Show” role 25 The “Tristia” poet 26 Quake causes 27 Autobahn autos 28 One may be taken for a ride 29 Shopper’s lure 30 Quote qualifier 33 Gumbo pods 34 Screen lists 36 Fliers with combs 37 Source of “clan” and “slogan”

Thursday’s Puzzle Solved

39 Miller option 40 Evan : Welsh :: __ : Scottish 45 Pranks, in a way, informally 47 More than a high roller, in casino lingo 48 Buzz 49 Cyberchatting 50 Have mastery over 51 Badgers

2/5/21

54 Webmaster’s code 55 Call from a bridge 56 “__ goes!” 57 Floors 59 Part of a band tour 60 “The Realistic Joneses” playwright Will 61 Slow boat 62 TNT component?

Daily Horoscope Nancy Black Tribune Content Agency Linda Black Horoscopes Today’s Birthday (02/05/21). Fortune follows personal projects this year. Amplify opportunities with disciplined, coordinated action. Planning pays

Level 1

fun and romance. Make a home improvement next winter, for an especially sparkling holiday season. Take charge for the results you want. To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging. Aries (March 21-April 19) — Today is a 9 — Educational opportunities present themselves. Learn from a master. Discover a wider community. Research and prepare for what’s next. Choose your course for long-term gain.

resources. Your collaboration now can get especially lucrative. Coordinate actions. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is a 9 — Deepen your partnership. A current passion, romantic or otherwise, has long-term potential. Connect Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is a 9 — Practice for excellence. Your health, energy and vitality are on the rise. Pour your heart into your work Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is an 8 — You’re especially attractive and

and fun with family. Nurture your garden and it blossoms.

2/5/21

Solution to Thursday’s puzzle sparks and crackles. Express what’s in your heart. Take advantage of a lucrative opportunity. Fortune follows your own ini-

new heights. Creativity and inspiration blossom naturally. Do the homework to realize a dream. Indulge your curiosity, imagination and wonder. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is a 7 — Fine-tune your domestic environment. Clean closets and hidden spaces. Enjoy peaceful privacy. Give in to nostalgia and reminiscing. Plan and organize for the next phase. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is a 9 — Together, advance by leaps mitments. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is an 8 — Crazy professional dreams seem possible. Grab a fun opportunity and things can develop naturally.

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 © 2021 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.

Page 6B Friday, February 5, 2021