Friday, January 29, 2021
The story of Jose Sagarnaga Faith, Fraternity, Service and Air Jordans
By Ben Hutchens
Courtesy of Jose Sagarnaga After receiving an offer from Oklahoma State for a graduate assistantship, Jose Sagarnaga drove 15 hours with his aunt and two cousins to check out OSU first hand.
Basketball became Jose Sagarnaga’s emotional outlet. Sagarnaga, who grew up in Chihuahua, Mexico, doesn’t remember exactly when his parents got divorced, but he was around 12 years old when issues began. “Divorces were not as common in Mexico back
then,” Sagarnaga said, “so I was one of a few, if not the only one within my network, whose parents were getting a divorce. It was difficult and at the same time embarrassing.” Although his parents still gave him their time, resources and energy, Sagarnaga was thankful for an amazing support network outside of his family he could turn to. “The professors I had were so caring and my directors and professors (and even basketball coaches) See Jose on pg. 3
Students for ‘hire...’ sort of By Maddison Farris
the third party.” the warning said. The ongoing criminal activity has created a realm of worry for many students who fear that they may be targeted and are beginning to find it hard to decipher the truth. Kate Shaw, a sophomore majoring in early childhood education, eluded to the distrust that that can place in a real promotional email from real internship opportunities. “It makes it hard for me to trust it when the real ones do come,” Shaw said, “I could potentially lose out on an internship.” Allie Parker, a sophomore majoring in psychology and pre-law, bring up the impact that this has and may continue to have on the student body. “It’s just kind of alarming because you don’t want that to happen but there are so many people it has affected.” Parker said, “It’s a little bit concerning, I hope that I don’t get targeted.” The OSUPD continues to investigate ongoing scams, including one that started last semester where a caller pretends to be OSU Police Cheif Leon Jones and ask for personal information and sensitive content. OSU would like students to know that the school does not email checks and would never ask a student to send money to an outside party. If you receive an offer that seems too good to be true, feel free to call the university or OSUPD at 405-744-6523 to see if it’s a real offer or a scam.
Yet another elaborate scam has made its way to OSU. This time, students are promised a job and tricked into sending money to strangers. “The Oklahoma State University Police Department is investigating reports of a scam involving the promise of an internship. Students report receiving an email that appears to come from an OSU email address or one very similar.” said the campus warning that was sent to students’ OSU emails. In the newest campus scam, students are promised an internship from an email address that has masked itself as one coming from the school. The “employer” asks students for personal information after providing details about the internship including hours and pay. After students comply and give the sender various pieces of information such as a non-OSU email address, cell number and address, they are congratulated for being hired for the internship. Once the “hiring process” is complete, students are sent a check, in some cases, multiple checks, and asked to go ahead and deposit the money into their bank accounts. The scammer then informs them that they can keep a portion of the money for their trouble, but to send the remaining amount to a third party by way of a money app such as Venmo or Cash App. “The checks emailed to the student bounce, and the student loses the money they News.ed@ocolly.com sent from their account to
VisitStillwater.org Ross Szabo recently spoke about mental health at the McKnight Center.
Thinking strong Expert Ross Szabo says building mental health is much like building physical strength By Amelia Jauregui The stigma surrounding mental health has been an ongoing issue for years, but luckily there are people like Ross Szabo who have dedicated their life to remove the stigma and teach young people about the importance of maintaining a healthy mind. The McKnight Center hosted Ross Szabo on Wednesday evening to talk about his own personal experience with mental health, focusing on the importance of viewing it similarly to physical health and teaching ways to better understand one’s own journey. Szabo openly shared
about dealing with loss at a young age, diagnosis with bipolar disorder as a teenager and struggle with addiction, while explaining his lack of understanding and acknowledging of complex feelings. This accumulation of life events has brought Szabo to where he is now, an expert in the field of mental health awareness and education curriculum. “I think the biggest takeaway is that your mental health is like your physical health and that you have to work on it in the same way,” Szabo said, “No matter what you’re going through though, you’re not alone.” See Thinking on pg. 4
Page 2A Friday, January 29, 2021
Page 2
Featured Photo of the Week
Cade Cunningham always seems to be the focal point.
Joshua Cleary
Ranger the Little Cowboy in: Ol’ Reliable
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
Lifestyle
Jose Continued from pg. 1 became my mentors, they became my guides throughout high school,” Sagarnaga said. Along with those people in his life, basketball is what helped Sagarnaga get over the toughest experience of his childhood. “I think basketball became my emotional outlet,” Sagarnaga said. “I was able to get rid of all (my) negative emotions through running and nonstop training and playing seven days a week.” While attending Institute La Salle, one of the largest Catholic school networks in
Mexico, it was never Sagarnaga’s talent that made him excel on the basketball court. He said it was energy and tenacity with which he played that made him a valuable defensive player. Although he is only 5’11, Sagarnaga had his NBA comparison at the ready. “I was always able to get rebounds with the big guys,” Sagarnaga said, “kind of like Charles Barkley (who was) short compared to other players but was a big rebounder.” Sagarnaga’s teams often embodied his competitive nature and made multiple state championships because of the fierceness and discipline with which they played, of course, the sneakers they wore also helped. “We had talent, but not as much as (other teams). I think similar to me, we made up (for the talent disparity) with our dedication and Air Jordan shoes. As Sagarnaga reminisced about his days playing basketball, he realized he still uses much of the things he learned on the court in his current job as the director of the Center for Advanced Global Leadership and Engagement at the Spears School of Business. “I can use (basketball) as an analogy for how I lead and how I collaborate,” Sagarnaga said. “I’m willing to do whatever it takes to see my team succeed, it doesn’t matter the role, it can be defense, rebounding, passing, it doesn’t matter.” Sagarnaga first came to Oklahoma State University in 2004. The university had offered him a graduate assistantship with international studies. He wanted to check out OSU firsthand, so along with his aunt and two cousins, Sagarnaga drove 15 hours for a visit. Although the only things he knew about Oklahoma prior to that trip was that it was north of Texas, had tornados, and was an agricultural powerhouse, Sagarnaga liked OSU’s people, campus, environment and the proximity to Mexico enough to enroll as a student. As an OSU Cowboy, Sagarnaga worked toward a master’s in international studies with an emphasis in international business and economic development. Sagarnaga said he had a great experience as a college student at Oklahoma State. He had
matured as a person since his undergrad college days in Mexico, which helped make his time at OSU more fruitful. “(During college in Mexico), my time with my friends was more going to the bars and going to dates those things. Here (at OSU), it was exchanging ideas, talking about religion, going to a mosque, going church with my friends, going to sporting events together and always learning about their backgrounds, their cultures and their families,” Sagarnaga said. Sagarnaga befriended OSU
Photo provided Lessons from basketball taught Sagranaga how to collaborate with his team at the Spears School of Business.
students from Japan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Russia, Brazil, Malaysia and France. Many of those friendships he made still last to this day, including meeting his daughter’s godfather. Interacting with his friends through events like a potluck where all the food was eaten using his hands gave Sagarnaga an opportunity to learn outside of the classroom about other cultures. Sagarnaga said that the most memorable cultural experience he had as a student at OSU was a Mexico-Uzbek art exhibition. Sagarnaga invited an artesian from Mexico while a friend invited two artisans from Uzbekistan. They hosted an auction, listened to guest speakers and showcased art of all kinds from the two respective countries. “I felt like I was sharing a little bit of my culture with the OSU community and it went great,” Sagarnaga said. He still has a Uzbekistani carved ash tray he got from the exhibition sitting on a bookshelf behind his desk. Even though Sagarnaga learned a lot and enjoyed his three semesters at OSU tremendously, he never thought he would be back in any lasting capacity. After graduating, his plan was to return to Mexico to work in business. Some of Sagarnaga’s mentors encouraged him to go back to school and pursue a doctorate degree. “I said if I (get a doctorate) it is because I will stay in academia, so that’s what happened,” Sagarnaga said. In 2014, Sagarnaga earned a Ph.D. in economic development from Universidad Popular Autónoma del Estado de Puebla in Mexico. True to his word, he remained in academia, which
the associate dean of the Spears School of Business. “That’s one other thing we talk about all the time: it’s not about students just going abroad, we want them to be able to do that, but we know (many can’t). It’s about bringing the world to (the students) and providing them with a global perspective.” “His classroom is an open space for ideas where different opinions are encouraged,” said Juan Parra, an OSU student who has been working as Sagarnaga’s graduate teaching assistant for the past five semesters. “He keeps a respectful environment where anyone can share their thoughts.” However, Sagarnaga is not considered a great teacher because he can talk in depth about the dozens of places around the - Juan Parra globe he has been to or moderate an effective discussion. It is his love for his students that makes him an extraordinary teacher, according to those who have observed him. “I think there are certain people who are just very interested in people and helping them,” Mason said. “I think he just has that natural (gift).” In fact, Mason’s favorite thing about Sagarnaga is how much time and knowledge he invests in his students. She said that when Sagarnaga leads students on study abroad trips they are always amazing because of the time and dedication he puts into them. College students can usually tell if a professor is genuinely invested in their lives. “It means a lot (when a professor cares about you),” Spears School senior Micah Weston said. “I like it when (professors) remember something small that you said to them. When they ask you how you’re doing or about whatever (that small thing was).” Juan Parra has a hunch why Sagarnaga cares so much about his students. “I think that Jose does not see teaching as his job but as his passion. He wants his students to succeed,” Parra said. “He is always available and looking for ways to help students and ways to improve their learning experience.” Most professors have a desire to give back to students. Sagarnaga has a burning feeling of responsibility to give his time, effort and attention back to students. “If I had an opportunity to experience (caring and hospitality), I need to be a part of that experience for my students,” Sagarnaga said.
“He is a model father who deeply cares about his family. He spends quality time with his children. He knows the importance of the family in today’s society.”
brought him back to OSU and the Spears School of Business. Once back in Stillwater, Sagarnaga was officially the program coordinator of OSU’s Center for Executive and Professional Development, but he also began teaching business courses for students. Sagarnaga has taught everything from upper level management courses like “Business & Social responsibility” to “Business ColloquiumDoing Business in Mexico.” The classes he teaches are eye-opening to some of his students. “In his classes, he opens up minds,” said Dr. Marlys Mason,
Photo provided While at OSU, Jose Sagarnaga made friends from all over the world.
Sagarnaga pointed to the time in his life where he most needed help, when his parents separated, and he was able to turn to a strong network of school directors, professors and coaches. The motto of the school he attended as a youth is “Faith, Fraternity and Service.” “You saw that (motto) lived out in every classroom and every professor,” Sagarnaga said. “It was part of the culture I grew up with, so that’s what I experienced. That (is) part of my inspiration. (My teachers) were willing to give their time during work hours and also after hours and that dedication is something I won’t forget.” Sagarnaga yearns to be one of the trusted mentors in his students’ support networks and to make a positive impact on their lives. Of course, he wants his students to learn the course material, but he said that his goal in the classroom is to make a difference in at least one of his student’s lives. As dedicated as Sagarnaga is to his students and his job, he is above all dedicated to his family. He and his wife are both committed to raising their two children in a loving environment where they can flourish. “We are two Mexican parents raising two American children,” Sagarnaga said. “It’s challenging, but I think our similar values makes it easier. We have no issues on religion because we are both Catholic, we have no issues on language because we both speak Spanish at home. Our values are very similar so we bring them to our house.” Mason said that even though Sagarnaga is constantly working and she sometimes fears he will get burned out, he knows when to take time for his family. The Sagarnagas might live in Stillwater, but their home is a slice of Chihuahua, Mexico. “We make our home like our little Mexico environment,” Sagarnaga said. “Only Spanish, Mexican food and (we place an emphasis on the cultural value of education).” “Jose has a beautiful family,” Parra said, “He is a model father who deeply cares about his family. He spends quality time with his children. He knows the importance of the family in today’s society.” Sagarnaga knows the importance of many things. He knows that small details like boxing out a defender correctly can help secure a rebound against a larger player. He knows that it is more important to listen to his students and be available for them than it is to help them pass a test. He knows that being a loving husband and father is his most important job on earth. “Jose is always giving back,” Parra said. “He has opened my eyes and made me realize that we have to give back, small actions can deeply impact society and can contribute to change people’s lives.”
Entertainment.ed@ocolly.com
Page 4A Friday, January 29, 2021
Lifestyle
Thinking Continued from pg.1 Feelings of isolation and loneliness are common among people who struggle with their mental health, but reminding ourselves that there are other people who understand how you feel is very important.. “There are so many other students going through the same thing, but for some reason we can’t find a way to connect and we can’t find a way to do effective coping. We tend to seem like we’re so disconnected or different,” Szabo said. “So just that basic message of knowing your mental health is like your physical health and that it’ll take some work to change the patterns already had in our own lives.” For Szabo, one of the rewards about traveling to different universities to talk about mental health, is seeing the lightbulb moment many students have. “I think college students really do want to know about their mental health but nobody finds a way to kind of explain it in a system where they’re like “ah that makes sense,” so having a chance to give them a language, and a map, and a guide and an example, is exciting,” Szabo said. “I find this generation is so vulnerable and so understanding and so concerned and there’s just a chance to like this approach that gives them skills to run with it. I think, you know, it’s time and i think this generation has been held back because they don’t get to develop those skills.” Freshman student Haden Reed attended Szabo’s speech with not much expectation of what she was going to hear, but came out with a whole new perspective on mental health. “I just didn’t realize how physical health and mental health are so related and I think it was really interesting to think about how we were raised in a way where we were so focused on our physical health and we didn’t pay enough attention to our mental health,” Reed said. “I think that it was really cool that he was stepping away and taking more steps towards action instead of just awareness.” News.ed@ocolly.com
Chloe Blue is stranded in France, but at least she has croissants.
Courtesy of Chloe Blue
Abroad but locked in Chloe Blue’s Experience in France By Ellen Slater When Chloe Blue started planning to study abroad during the spring 2021 semester, she never would have imagined that it would be amid a worldwide pandemic. The Oklahoma State junior started preparing to study abroad back in fall 2019. Blue was assigned to the University of Grenoble Alpes in Grenoble, France. There was a time when she was not sure if she would be able to go abroad due to the pandemic, but because of Oklahoma State deeming her studies in France as essential, she was a part of a fraction of students that were able to carry on with their travel plans.
Blue is a French major, which is why OSU deemed her studies in France essential. She is the only OSU student who is studying abroad at this particular university this semester. While her classmates back in Stillwater are taking precautions in classes with socially distanced seating and mask-wearing, Blue’s precautions across the world are looking even more strict. “All of my classes are online because the French government has all universities shut nationally,” Blue said. “It’s so different. There’s actually rules and measures in place here, and people follow them way more than in Oklahoma.” Blue’s area is currently in a lockdown that will probably last for three weeks
due to the new variant of coronavirus. Oklahoma is not in any sort of lockdown at the moment, even though the same variant has made its way to the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Blue said the hardest part of her first few weeks in France has been meeting people since she is not going to class in person or interacting with other students as much as she would like to be. Blue plans to finish out the semester at the French university and return to OSU for her senior year next fall. “I’m trapped inside, but at least I have the croissants,” Blue said. Entertainment.ed@ocolly.com
News
‘Why not me?’ OSU student petitions for shot at vacant university president job
Courtesy of Ryne Garrison Ryan Garrison, an OSU senior, wants to be the new president.
Hargis as OSU’s president. In Garrison’s mind, however, this wasn’t a joke. “I was just joking around with some buddies and I said ‘hey, I’ll do it, why not me?’ I started thinking a little bit By Ryan Novozinsky more about it and then I was like ‘you know what would Oklahoma State student be even funnier than telling Ryne Garrison was hangmy friends about it? Starting a ing with his buddies when he petition to actually get an inheard the news. terview,’” Garrison said. “Then “Burns Hargis retires af- it actually turned into a serious ter 13 years at OSU,” the head- thing. It turned into something lines read. I never expected.” Garrison’s friends joked Garrison then started an that he should try to replace online petition titled “Let Ryne
Garrison interview for President of OSU,” which now has 145 signatures. He started it to show that he could lead his favorite university and to let OSU prove that it cares about the voices of its students. This opportunity particularly appealed to him because of his own Cowboy roots. “Ryne was born and raised to be an OSU Cowboy,” said Carl Garrison, Ryne’s father. “Even as a baby, the last song of the night was always the Alma Mater hymn. He has proven leadership abilities and I have no doubt he could handle an opportunity of this magnitude. Ryne Holds all of the values and skills to take OSU far into the future. Maybe even the next 50 years.” As for Garrison’s qualifications, he’s had a fulfilling career at OSU. He was named a class of 2022 top 10 freshman man, serves in various clubs and has been a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity for years. While he understands the chances of him receiving a job offer are slim, he still aims to use this as a means to advocate for student voices. “I’m realizing now that it
can be a platform just to say ‘hey listen we’re not alumni yet, we’re not in that place of significance that some of the other alumni that are making these other decision are in, but the current student body should have a say and maybe even have an inside look at the process to decide who’s going to lead us,” Garrison said. OSU has four student representatives on the presidential search committee. Some members of the committee, including Stillwater Mayor Will Joyce, are impressed with Garrison’s courage as a student wanting to lead the school. “I think that’s an interesting idea,” Joyce said. “We’ve had a student mayor here in Stillwater. So I suppose you could consider a student for that petition. It definitely would be really tough to (be OSU’s president) and also pursue your studies… I’m excited about folks who, at that point in their life are looking for ways to get involved more and make a difference. So I’m interested to see where that would turn out for him.” news.ed@ocolly.com
How’s the presidential search going? Selection committe provides update on Hargis’ replacement process
Maddison Farris Last October the Oklahoma State community was made aware of President Burns Hargis’ plans for retirement, effective July 1. Since then the new Presidential Search Committee has been at work trying to find someone willing to try and fill the shoes of President Hargis. No recent updates have come from the committee, but The O’Colly has reached out to various members for feedback. “Everything is going well,” said Maegan Berg, a student member of the Presidential Search Committee. The committee has met only a couple of times, but reports say that good progress is underway. Will Joyce, Still-
water City Mayor and member of the search committee was happy to share about the group’s progress. “It’s going well, we’ve met a couple of times. I think it’s a great group” Joyce said, “The process is moving along the way that we hoped it would.” Student Government Association President, Jaden Kasitz, also reported good progress. “The process is going well,” Kasitz said. Possible candidates include Dr. Kayse Shrum and Linda Livingstone, but the committee has neither confirmed nor denied these propositions. As the search continues, President Hargis works hard to leave OSU better than he found it and make his last few months wearing America’s brightest orange as beneficial for students as possible. news.ed@ocolly.com
Kayla Ballero
Page 6A Friday, January 29, 2021
Friday, January 29, 2021
A deadly combination tasha the teammate and tasha the star
route to a second-half Angelina comeback win. While skipping the pregame meal may have been a bad decision on Mack’s end, what Coleman recalls most about coaching Mack is the excellent decision making she displayed and the excellent teammate that she was. Putting pre-game dining decisions aside, the examples that Mack set for her teammates become the gold standard. “She comes to work every day and she is the hardest worker,” Coleman said. “It makes it easier to follow her because that’s what she does. She comes in and works. It’s easy to rally around a kid that’s the hardest worker on the team.” Mack, an OSU women’s basketball record holder and 2021 WNBA projected firstround pick, is known just as much for her impressive work ethic and zeal to be a good teammate as for her on-court OSU Athletics dominance. Natasha Mack has been a stud on the court, and her teammates value her contributions off. “In order to be a great leader on the court, you have to losing in their conference tour- was innocuous. set a great example off the court nament to powerhouse Trinity “She didn’t like the preas well,” Mack said. “I’m trying Valley. game meal,” Coleman said. “I “We were kind of strugthink we had some sandwiches. my best all the way around.” Her efforts have paid off, gling, probably six or seven but she didn’t care for the food both at Angelina and now at points down at halftime, and Ta- so she didn’t eat.” OSU. sha was not playing very well,” With Mack’s uneasy stomSam Hutchens “Mack is a great teamAngelina coach Byron Coleman ach putting her game off-kilter, mate,” OSU coach Jim Littell said. “She just didn’t have that there was only one solution. said. “We’ve had a lot of great Natasha Mack entered the burst and I was like, ‘What’s Someone pulled out a Snickplayers here, but Mack’s an elite locker room and laid down on going on?’” ers bar and offered it to Mack. teammate. She cares about the the floor. It was odd to see Mack, the She wolfed it down and then It was halftime. Mack and leader of the team, in such a rut. proceeded to feast on the comthe Angelina Roadrunners were But the cause of her slow start petition — playing awesome in See Deadly on pg. 2B
More than a matchup Cowboys preparing to take part in Big 12/SEC Challenge Chris Becker It’s only fitting that the year Eddie Sutton was put into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, two of his former teams square off in a matchup the same week as the Remember The Ten anniversary. Oklahoma State will square off Saturday at Arkansas as part of the Big 12/SEC Challenge. The meeting will be the seventh between the two schools, OSU has won five of them, but Arkansas won the latest meeting. “Very, very important weekend coming up in Stillwater, we’ll Remember The Ten on Saturday, the anniversary of the plane crash, that devastating moment in 2001,” coach Mike Boynton said. “I think it’s a little bit fitting that the year coach Sutton went into the Hall of Fame, we’re going to be playing another univer-
sity that he coached in this challenge. “It’s a great opportunity to honor those people that he led through a really difficult time and to remember him as well.” The Cowboys are coming off a win over a skeleton crew Iowa State, which was missing eight players, to get back to .500 in Big 12 play. Despite shooting nearly 60% from the field, the Cowboys had a season high 24 turnovers. The Cowboys credited the turnovers to playing too fast and getting sloppy. “I feel like today we came in with a game plan to play fast and play smart,” Rondel Walker said. “I feel like we played one of two. We didn’t play smart at times and kind of got loose with the ball. Of the 24 [turnovers], about 20 were unforced. So that’s just something we need to clean up.” The Cowboys have also been without Big 12 leading scorer and See Matchup on pg. 2B
OSU Athletics The Cowboys will look to grab a win in Stillwater while honoring the Remember The Ten.
Page 2B Friday, January 29, 2021
sports
Deadly Continued from pg. 1b people that she’s on the floor with. It is not always the case for a team’s best player to also be one of the most beloved and respected. The combination of likeability, work ethic and skill Mack possesses is a powerful thing. “It’s a deadly combination,” Coleman said. “She elevates everybody around her.” Whether it is loudly cheering on the bench, tweeting out congratulations to teammates after a big game or even just smiling widely when recognizing a teammate’s contributions at the postgame presser, Mack’s selfless, teamfirst approach to the game has been great for the Cowgirls. “It’s never been about her,” Littell said. “She gets 31 and 14 the other night at Texas and is talking about her teammates (postgame).” For Mack, encouraging the younger players on the team is no small thing. “It’s very important, especially when they’re freshmen because they are still getting a feel for college,” Mack
said. “They are nervous, so I’m just there to support them. For Mack, who is routinely the focus of both opposing game plans and TV broadcast highlight reels, the small things like cheering on teammates are very rewarding. “They are great players, I’ve just got to let the world now,” Mack said. “It’s not just me. Everyone on this team is great…We cannot do it without each other.” sports.ed@ocolly.com
Kayla Ballero
Natasha Mack and Kassidy De Lapp
Matchup Continued from pg. 1b highly touted NBA prospect Cade Cunningham for the past two games. Cunningham has been trying to get back into game shape after the Cowboys’ COVID-19 pause. His status for Saturday’s game is still unknown. “He did a little bit more [Monday], and we’ll continue to monitor his progress as we go through the week, hopefully it continues to get better and he’ll be closer to being game-ready on Saturday,” Boynton said. “He’s not injured to my knowledge, but being in physical conditioning is a physical thing as well. “I don’t want to attribute it to an injury, but part of it is just getting back up to speed from a conditioning standpoint and getting more reps in practice, which he still hasn’t really done.” OSU wants to extend its win streak on Saturday against Arkansas.
OSU Athletics
sports.ed@ocolly.com
sports
OSU Athletics
Jalin Harper has proven to be a key cog for the Cowboys.
Stepping up Jalin Harper a valuable asset for the Cowboys at 157 Dean Ruhl
to.
Someone had to step up. Jalin Harper wasn’t scared
Replacing a nationally ranked wrestler isn’t an easy task, especially when you haven’t started a dual in your career. That hasn’t stopped the Manhattan, Kansas, native, Harper, from making the most of this opportunity. Wyatt Sheets, currently the No. 12 wrestler at 157 according to InterMat, has yet to make his season debut because of an undisclosed injury, which has catapulted Harper into the starting spot for the time being. Harper has won his past three matches, one against SIU-Edwardsville, Little Rock and Air Force and has solidified himself as the starter at
157 in Sheets’ absence. This season didn’t always look like it was going to be a positive for Harper at the beginning though. Harper earned his first career start for the Cowboys against Chattanooga on Jan. 10, and while the redshirt sophomore was able to get a takedown and almost two minutes of riding time in the first period, he quickly was pinned by Weston Wichman in the second period. “I felt really good going into the match,” Harper said. “In the end, I felt like I was the better wrestler, and it just didn’t go my way that match.” Coach John Smith replaced him with Daniel Manibog in the Oregon State match later that day, who also lost, this time via technical fall. “I’m glad I didn’t judge (Harper) on that Chattanooga match,” Smith said. “It’s good to see him fight back into a level or wrestling he’s probably hoped for.” The following week,
Harper did indeed fight back. He secured his first two career dual victories and carried the momentum into last week’s dual against Air Force, when he beat Parker Simington in a 3-1 decision, winning his third straight dual, and improving his season record to 3-1. “Getting that win (over Ruffin) helped me realize that I am right there, I can beat these guys,” Harper said. His toughest test will come this weekend though. Harper will see action from Iowa State’s David Carr, who sits at No. 3 in InterMat’s current rankings. “I know (Carr is) a great offensive wrestler and scores from a lot of positions,” Harper said. “But I think if I were to change how I go into the match, then that would just play out in his favor.” After this weekend, Smith will have a tough call as to what he wants to do at 157. Wyatt Sheets wrestled in an extra match against Air Force, getting a 12-2 major
decision win over Noah Blake, and he will most likely get another extra match in this weekend. It can be speculated that Sheets might be ready to return to the starting lineup when the Cowboys travel to Norman on Feb. 7. “Unfortunately I got an opportunity off an injury, which you never want to happen,” Harper said. “(Sheets and I) had wrestled early in the year, and he had beat me so it definitely was his spot.” Iron sharpens iron, and whether Smith returns the starting spot to Sheets, or keeps going with Harper, this season has shown that Harper has the potential to be more than just a filler for the Cowboys roster. “I saw it as my chance to step up,” Harper said. “Like coach (Smith) said, fill in and do my job, and as far as I know, I’m just going to compete to the best of my ability.” sports.ed@ocolly.com
Extra dominance Bonus point wins drive Cowboy wrestlers
where I can separate myself from others, and I need to do that.” For an outsider, a technical fall or technical superiority is equivalent to a run rule in softball. Once a wrestler leads by a margin of 14 points, the match automatically ends, and five team points are added to the winning wrestler’s team. At this point in the season, Lewallen is one of eight undefeated starters. The 2019 Big 12 149-pound champion has outscored his five oppoOSU Athletics nents 64-14. The old sports adIn wrestling, how one wins can make all the difference in the world. age “stats don’t lie” hold significance with the In wrestling, howev- fall are both wins, No. 5 Cowboys. According to er, a technical fall — an 149-pounder Boo LewalWrestleStat, four Pokes immediate stoppage once len always strives for a are tied second nationthe winning wrestler is tech fall because that ally for most technical ahead by 14 — is worth domination translates to falls — three. OSU has five points. A pin or more points on the stat only wrestled five duAdam Engel forfeit is six team points, sheet. als thus far. Three of the a major decision (margin “I’ve got a big four are freshmen (AJ between 8 and 14 points) commitment to myself Not all wins are Ferrari, Dustin Plott, and is worth four points and created equal — in wresmaking sure I start my Luke Surber) and Surber a regular decision (mar- matches the way I want tling that is. doesn’t even start. gin less than 8) is three In sports such as and not just standing The Cowboys will football and basketball, a points. around being lackadaicontinue their Big 12 For example, while a sical,” Lewallen said. 40-10 win counts for the schedule against No. 16 same as a 40-39 victory. regular decision and tech “This is an opportunity Northern Iowa and No.
13 Iowa State Saturday with “three, maybe four” freshmen starting. The 197-pound AJ Ferrari’s signature double leg takedown and his relentless motor have allowed him to score 91 points while allowing 22 — all via escapes (worth one point). Many of the escapes, if not the majority, were intentional. Ferrari’s prolific double leg blast takedown gives him a tremendous advantage in the neutral position. “Once he gets in his offensive routine, he is going to be more dominating,” coach John Smith said. In any sport, strong defense remains critical. No. 19 freshman 125-pounder Mastrogiovanni has not allowed over four points in a single dual. His first-ever collegiate win was against then No. 19 Fabian Gutierrez of Chattanooga. “This weekend will be the toughest challenge for us so far,” Smith said. sports.ed@ocolly.com
Page 4B Friday, January 29, 2021
sports
Remembering the
File Photo
The Will Hancock Memorial Scholarship continues to honor the Remember The Ten.
Lasting legacy Will Hancock’s memory continues to impact others 20 years later
Ryan Breeden
in 2002 for aspiring sports information students, and 13 have been awarded the scholarship since its creation. Maguire served as the recipient three years in a row, from 2010-2012, a period that came at a perfect time for Maguire. “In our field, going on and being a grad assistant is the first step to working in a career, so getting that scholarship enabled me to do that and enabled me to take those steps to get to where I am today,” Maguire said. Several people who were close to Hancock are still at OSU today, and they’re doing their part in keeping his memory alive. Maguire is the only three-time winner in the award’s 18-year history, and those who were close with Hancock feel that the scholarship honor is fitting. “Sean kind of epitomizes the way Will was,” said Mike Noteware, who worked alongside Hancock and now serves as the athletic learning center coordinator. “I was surprised to hear that he won the scholarship three straight years, but he was the most deserving of
Sean Maguire hurried into the media workroom at Gallagher-Iba Arena. As the Assistant Director of Athletic Communications, he has a busy schedule. But he’s never too busy to look at that one plaque on the wall, the one listing each Will Hancock Memorial Scholarship winner. Maguire’s name makes the list. Three times. Oklahoma State has done many things to honor the 10 members of the men’s basketball traveling party who tragically lost their lives 20 years ago Wednesday in a Colorado plane crash. In a way fitting for the person Hancock was as OSU’s media relations coordinator at the time, he is not only being remembered, he’s changing people’s lives still. People like Maguire. The Will Hancock Memorial Scholarship was formed See Lasting on pg. 6b
The date Jan. 27 stands special at OSU, marking the anniversary of the 2001 plane crash that took the lives of 10 members of the basketball traveling party returning from a game at Colorado. So we Remember The Ten: two members of the basketball team, Nate Fleming and Daniel Lawson, trainer Brian Luinstra, manager Jared Weiberg, playby-play announcer Bill Teegins, radio engineer Kendall Durfey, pilots Denver Mills and Bjorn Fahlstrom, director of basketball operations Pat Noyes and basketball media relations director Will Hancock. -Mike Boynton, OSU men’s basketball coach
GOOD MONEY
New Donors Earn Up to
$
A LITTLE TIME
s $10 BToHnu WI D THIS A
A GREAT CAUSE
Courtesy of OSU Athletics The Will Hancock Memorial scholarship benefited many students.
Keeping the tradition Teubner reflects on the Will Hancock Memorial Scholarship
By Chris Becker
to me, helped me realize that I was doing things the right way,” Teubner said. “Anytime you get a scholarship, the money is great, however, it’s solidifying the hard work and the dedication you put in.” Teubner was employed as a student sports information director working with Hancock and credits him with teaching many valuable lessons of what he knows. One day, Teubner was transcribing quotes after a football game to include in the next game notes for OSU and rushed through the work and sent it off to his boss. When Teubner went back to the office the next week, Hancock called him into his office and told him what he did wrong. “I had a nice conversation with Will, the moment he was in the office and I was there,” Teubner said. “He called me and he taught me the errors of my ways. From that point forward, you better believe I made sure all punctuation was right.” Knowing Hancock, learning from him and how he went about his life made the award even more special to Teubner. “It was definitely an honor, for sure, Will was one
Ryan Teubner sat at a friend’s house, casually watching TV, when a picture of his mentor Will Hancock flashed across the screen amid breaking news. Hancock was dead, one of the fatalities in the tragic 2001 plane crash that claimed all 10 members of the Oklahoma State traveling party returning from the Cowboys game at Colorado that Jan. 27 night. Hancock and Teubner were close while they worked together in OSU;s sports information department. A year after the loss of Hancock’s life, a scholarship was made in his memory. Teubner was named as the first recipient of the Will Hancock Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship was designed to be given to a hard-working individual in the sports information office at OSU and has been given out to one student each year since Teubner. “I think the scholarship, See Keeping on pg. 6b
FOR RELEASE JANUARY 29, 2021
Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Roommates Wanted Room for rent: $300/month includes bath, washer/dryer. Stillwater. 918-630-0319
Help Wanted Tulsa manufacturing company looking for
Business Squares
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
Free Wi-Fi, great place to study, free bottled water and keurig coffee! Fun board games and card games only walking distance
Join us every Sunday for our live streaming services! Matins @ 8:50am and Divine Liturgy @ 10:00am.”
Coffee House at 519 W. 3rd Ave is open
Join the
Come see us on campus corner and
com
Business Squares extra cash? Visit become a donor today! Located on Washington Street and open everydayeven weekends!” Come check out the wide variety of elegant clothing at Formal Fantasy! Located on Downtown Stillwater
Church Meetings
Fellowship for service every Sunday at 10am and share in our passion for Jesus Christ!”
Furniture Showcase is Furniture & Mattress Store! Located in Downtown Stillwater, we can help you design any room. Visit http://Stillwater FurnitureShowcase.com to see more!
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
Promote your business here. Business Squares are a great way to get your business noticed. Call Lori at 744-7355 or email lori@ocolly.com
Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis ACROSS 1 Hybrid cycle 6 Technology that uses polarized light, briefly 9 Boo-boo 13 Baba ghanouj ingredient 14 Yellowfin tuna 15 “That was close!” 16 Preserve, in a way 17 *Reference work for canine lovers? 19 Range in the home, maybe 20 Keep going 21 *Instructional work for expectant mothers? 23 Punk rock offshoot 26 Calculating 27 Grunts, so to speak 28 Got going 30 Simmons competitor 32 Cork’s place 33 *Fictional work about a pick-up artist? 38 Requiem Mass word 39 Layers 40 There are lots of them 44 Beats by __ 45 Some tags 48 Afternoon refresher 49 *Illustrated work for bullpen pitchers? 52 Tries to influence, with “with” 54 Worship 55 Paperback designed to simulate animation ... and a hint to the answers to starred clues 57 Tried and true 58 Choice 59 Parrot 60 Unbending 61 Written reminder
1/29/21
By Gary Larson
Thursday’s Puzzle Solved
62 “The Spanish Tragedy” dramatist 63 Strong point DOWN 1 Cat, say 2 “Yowza!” 3 It can be grand 4 Darkroom gear 5 Skeptical, as a view 6 Weighed down 7 Group that blends well 8 Tries to unearth 9 Major work 10 Formal wear 11 Mil. roadside hazard 12 Sweater material source 13 Shades of blue 18 River to the Colorado 20 Noodles 22 Barcelona-born surrealist 24 Cruciverbalist Reagle of “Wordplay” 25 Words of praise 29 Guns
©2021 Tribune Content Agency, LLC
30 What many writers work on 31 Be in a cast 33 Specialty 34 Rin Tin Tin autograph, e.g. 35 Leather sources 36 Soft ball material 37 Mine vehicles 38 Keeper’s concern 41 Spirited horse 42 Saturate again
1/29/21
43 “Hang on __”: 1965 #1 hit 45 Apple videoediting app 46 Run 47 Chanel product 50 Signed 51 Dinnertime draws 53 Duel tool 55 __ club 56 WC 57 Smokey Bear TV spot, for one
Daily Horoscope Nancy Black Tribune Content Agency Linda Black Horoscopes (TNS) Today’s Birthday (01/29/21). Grow your leadership this year. Steady action develops a personal dream into reality. Win through social connections this winter, and share support through summer changes, before renewed love, passion and romance inspire your creativity. Make plans for sparkling celebrations next winter. Enjoy the applause. To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.
Level 1
2
3
4
Aries (March 21-April 19) — Today is a 7 — Listen and observe as conditions for creativity, romance and fun continue to shift. Reassess and adapt plans. A transition reveals new opportunities. domestic comforts. Extra rest and good food support family through a domestic transition. Clean, sort and organize possessions. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is a 7 — Edit and revise communications. Errors and misunderstandings can spark easily. Make time to clarify. Do the homework. Conditions shift in real time. Monitor closely. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is an 8 — New income opportunities arise. One door opens as another closes. Listen for potential and possibility. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is a 7 — Delays or breakdowns could affect a personal project. Don’t get pushy around sensitivities, especially your own. As you gain strength, you gain options. Recharge. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is a 6 — Answers and solutions could seem elusive. Find a private spot to think and make plans. Avoid controversy, travel or expense. Peace and quiet soothes your spirit. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is a 7 — Focus on a team project. The action is behind the scenes. Patiently review the data. Social interactions require extra coordination. Solve a puzzle. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is a 7 — Monitor professional changes and transitions. Listen before advancing, to avoid a communications breakdown. Follow emotion as well as intellect. Review options and opportunities. webinars, classes and educational pursuits. Adapt your research to changing conditions. The focus of your exploration is shifting. Monitor the situation. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is a 7 — Changes necessitate budget revisions. You can get what you need. Collaborate to keep shared accounts positive. Adjust plans to take advantage of new opportunities. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is a 7 — Allow extra patience for your partner. Miscommunication and mistakes spark easily. Avoid arguments. Let the little stuff go. Remember what’s important. Share the load. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is a 7 — Reassess conditions as they shift. Prioritize health and safety, and adapt strategies. Lay low to avoid crowds or chaos. Slow down and nurture your energy.
1/29/21
Solution to Thursday’s puzzle
Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit sudoku.org.uk © 2021 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.
Page 6B Friday, January 29, 2021
sports Keeping
Lasting Continued from pg. 4b anybody. He’s the one that’s shown a lot of the same characteristics that Will had.” Those characteristics described by Noteware are “hardworking, passionate, bright and kind.” Many viewed Hancock as an up-and-coming star in the sports information industry, and Noteware knew him well. For nearly five years, Noteware worked as the women’s basketball sports information director while Hancock was in the same position for the men’s team. The two worked together every day, and they became very close friends. Maguire learned many things about Hancock from Noteware and others, and knowing the things he knows now, the honor is even more special to him. “Hearing how people who knew him spoke about him, I knew it was a pretty significant honor to receive,” Maguire said. “I never knew him, but just through talking to people, I almost feel like I knew him.” Noteware doesn’t just want people to know who Hancock was, though. He wants to make sure that the winners understand his legacy and continue to live on with it. “Will could’ve done just about anything in his career, and to me, sports information isn’t one of the most glamorous career paths you can follow,” Noteware said. “But he was so good at it and took so much pride in it that I wanted to make sure those students realized that and carried it on
as well.” And carry it on they have. Maguire worked his way back at OSU in the athletic department, while other past winners have made it into the field as well. John Langham works in athletic communications at the University of Texas, Harry Endicott serves similarly at Texas Tech and Meagan Bordayo does social media work for the NBA. Maguire, among many others who have been impacted by Will Hancock’s legacy, is honoring and continuing that legacy every day. “You look across the country and see how those people are spread out and how so many are still working in the field,” Maguire said. “It’s a pretty cool legacy that we’re tied to.” The past winners certainly are tied to the legacy, but it’s equally important that there be more in the future. On the plaque, there are 45 slots for names, and 18 of them are filled. That means there are 27 empty slots waiting to be filled by other aspiring information students. Will Hancock’s legacy will live on. “Time marches on, and the longer it goes, the fewer people will know about him,” said Ryan Cameron, who worked under Hancock and now serves as an OSU assistant communications director. “So it’s nice to have that scholarship to honor him, and hopefully it’s an honor for the winners to be associated with something that has his name on it.” sports.ed@ocolly.com
Continued from pg. 4b
File Photo Ryan Teubner is forever grateful for the scholarship he received.
Gerald Fleming graduated Oklahoma State in 1975 with a B.S. in journalism. When he found out about the Remember The Ten plane crash in 2001, he sat down and started writing. The Ode To The Oklahoma State Basketball Tragedy is what he created
of those guys where everyone liked him, and he took pride in his work,” Teubner said. “As a student SID at the time, that’s who you wanted to look up to and try to emulate. Being awarded the first scholarship, it was amazing. At the time, I was elated, happy and speechless.” The purpose of the scholarship is to continue to give back to the department Hancock loved so much and to keep his memory alive. It has successfully been done. Hancock’s legacy in the sports information office is known for his abilities of telling the story, what happened in a sporting event and how someone should handle themselves in the media room. Teubner is now working in the insurance industry at Rich & Cartmill Inc. where he has been for the past 11 years. Teubner has been named 2016 Oklahoma Young Agent of the Year and the 2017 National Young Agent of the Year through the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America. “(Hancock) laid that groundwork to be somebody you want to look up to as you’re going through being a student SID,” Teubner said. “Being the first, it was awesome, but I know there will be many more to come as well and that’s the exciting thing about it.” sports.ed@ocolly.com