Friday, March 19, 2021
Cashing in Second round of economic stimulus now available to OSU students
By Anna Pope Last week many Oklahoma State University students who are eligible for federal aid were notified of a $1,000 grant to help alleviate COVID-19 financial burdens.
For this round of collegiate stimulus, Pell grant recipients immediately qualify for the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act grant and students without a Pell grant who wish to be considered can fill out an application.
While the grant is $1,000, the value can change based on available funding, according to the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid. On Dec. 27 the CRRSA Act was made into law. Eligible students at Oklahoma State have access to a grant resulting from the act.
Emily Weed
Chad Blew, director of scholarships and financial aid, said funding is limited and because of this, not all students applying for the grant have a 100% chance of See Cashing on pg. 4A
Tulsa race massacre taught Randy Krehbiel an important life lesson
Sudeep Tumma
Maddison Farris The current mask mandate in Stillwater is set to expire on May 25. Some OSU students think that it should be extended, while others say it is time to leave it behind.
End of an era? OSU students to potentially see a maskless fall semester
Maddison Farris Protest, extend, repeat. When it comes to the mask mandate, it’s time to break the cycle. Mask mandates have been covering the smiles of Stillwater for over a year and many citizens, OSU students included, are ready to see them go. The current Stillwater mask
mandate is set to end on May 25, shortly after the end of the spring semester. Stillwater Mayor Will Joyce is hopeful for a strong finish to beating COVID-19 in Stillwater and a gradual return to normalcy as the school year continues. “If we stay where we are, my hope would be that we let it (the mask mandate) expire on the 25th of May,” Joyce said. Vaccination numbers continue to increase by the day, and current hospitalization and See Era on pg. 3A
When Randy Krehbiel published “Tulsa, 1921 Reporting a Massacre,” he didn’t receive the hate mail and criticism that most would expect. Instead, his intense reporting altered the way he viewed things. “I had to really stretch my reporting muscles to understand why these people believe what they believe,” Krehbiel said. “In other words, sometimes it’s not what people believe, it’s why they believe it. Because why people believe something informs what they believe. “Some people would come into these meetings or I talk to
first in a series them and they have these firm beliefs that, to me, are so outlandish. The first impulse is to kind of dismiss them thinking, ‘These people are crazy.’ Then you find out that this is their frame of reference. Maybe, to them, it’s not so crazy.” Krehbiel, a Tulsa World reporter for over 40 years, scoured through thousands of pages of documents to formulate his book, which details the events of the Tulsa race massacre. The event is widely considered one of the worst racially-
motivated events of American history, yet also one of the least known. But through so much unknown, Krehbiel started to see things through a different lens. “What I learned is really how important it is to listen to other people and where they’re coming from,” Krehbiel “As just kind of a basic white guy who grew up on a farm in western Oklahoma and went to OSU and wasn’t terribly im See Tulsa on pg. 5A
Page 2A Friday, March 19, 2021
opinion Opinion: Experiences as an Asian living in America
The Asian American Club at OSU has fun and spreads awareness in many of their events.
By Michael Lor It is strange to compare my childhood to the younger generation who is growing through the midst of a war of discrimination and injustice. Growing up, I viewed the world as though I was colorblind; I saw no difference in the skin color of people in my community. It was never a big deal as everyone got along in front of my eyes. However, when middle school came around, I discovered something shocking. I could be a victim of racial discrimination. The first of my experiences triggered in the hallway of my middle school where I was asked by a fellow student to switch seats with him. Obeying the classroom rules, I sat still and silent due to my inability to speak up for myself. Before I could find courage to speak up, Asian slurs of attempted mocks and accents flooded my ears like a megaphone of unrecognized sounds. Aware of the imitation, I quickly grabbed my backpack and left that seat. As I left, crowds of laughter diffused through the hallway. Fastforwarding to high school, the majority of the Asian students and I became numb to the many attempts to poke fun at who we are and where we originated from. To me, it was a mutual situation; I was not fazed by their words and they weren’t getting the attention they needed. Ultimately, the Asian community learned to cope with the discrimination. It certainly is melancholy
that discrimination against Asians have become normalized in American society, but I think this is an opportunity to grow and better our communities. This experience is nothing compared to the many other instances that have been evident in recent newscasts and on social media rooting since the introduction of the COVID-19 virus. These recent events in our country are absolutely unacceptable. This country continues to be a beacon of freedom and liberties to countries who do not have the same rights that we hold in our hearts; yet we are still blinded by the essence of the word “race” and treating others with disrespect who we do not look like or associate with. It was especially disheartening to hear about the deaths of not only middle-aged Asian individuals, but also the Asian elders. Knowing that my family members are prone to hate crimes is unsettling and fearful, especially being away from them. As one of the executive members of the Asian American Student Association at Oklahoma State University, we can start bringing awareness starting at the local level by holding and attending events to shed light on the global rise in Asian hate crimes. As an Asian American, I can only respond to the discrimination that I have personally experienced. That being said, we all need to stand up for one another as a more impactful force to raise awareness for the discrimination facing the population as a whole.
Michael Lor
Michael Lor Michael Lor and the Asian American club are trying to spread awareness against racial discrimination.
News
Student Q&A Do you think the Stillwater mask mandate should be extended past May 25 or should it be dropped after it expires?
Freshman, Emily Pascale - “I mean I think it should be extended like I’m from Texas and we just dropped our and it’s just causing a lot more chaos on who’s allowing what and I think it’s good that private businesses should still be able to require it if they want to so it kind of gives people the right to do what they want, but I think it should be extended at least through August.” Maddison Farris The current mask mandate in Stillwater is set to expire on May 25. Some OSU students think that it should be extended, while others say it is time to leave it behind.
Era... Continued from pg. 1 ICU capacities reside at healthier levels than those recorded in past seasons of coronavirus outbreak that Stillwater has experienced. “I think if the situation remains like it is right now in terms of cases and hospitalizations… I would not vote for extending it (the mask mandate),” Joyce said. With Oklahoma officially settled into Phase 3 of the vaccine distribution plan, OSU students are eligible for vaccination, whether through the school or participating pharmacies. As students receive vaccinations and the idea of herd immunity is tossed around, many begin to wonder what next semester will look like. For two semesters, the OSU community has endured social distancing and mandatory maskwearing when inside campus buildings. For many students, this has had a major impact on their college experience. Shaelyn Niblett, a senior in biology, feels that COVID-19 has made it difficult to fully experience college life, saying, “I feel like I’ve missed out on a lot of things because of it.” The battle of mental on campus continues as students look forward to normal socialization and freedom from isolation. For sophomore and exercise science major, Maddie Gardner, it has been difficult to meet new people and build new friendships during the pandemic. “It’s just really hard to get to know people in classes and different things like that with a mask on and being 6 feet apart, so hopefully –– I am very hopeful –– that we do not have to wear a mask in the fall,” Gardner said. “Hopefully it will be safe enough that we will be able to do that.” Whether the City of Stillwater will extend the mandate or not is unknown, and OSU has yet to make any mention in regards to requiring masks on campus in the fall. However, It is known that the school currently plans to host in-person graduation for the spring 2021 semester and allow Boone Pickens Stadium to be used at full capacity in the fall.
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Student, Carsen Crowe “I see both sides of it because it’s like a freedom thing. A lot of people think that it’s kind of an infringement on their freedom if they’re forced to wear a mask, but at the same time, a lot of people won’t wear a mask unless they’re forced to. I think the vaccine will, hopefully, help a lot, kind of slowing the curve.
Freshman, Tommy Colston “I think the mask mandate should probably end by May 25th because COVID cases have rapidly declined and are at an all-time low.”
Sophomore, Trenton Cox “I think it should end, I mean you can keep wearing a mask if you want, I don’t think it should be a mandate for everyone, especially with the vaccines that are being able to be given out by the university. I think everyone should be vaccinated… With the vaccines coming out and the ability to wear a mask if you want, I think that the mandate should end soon. And that’s still another 2 months, so by that time hopefully all students will be vaccinated. You know, use common sense whenever you’re out and about, but I think it should end.”
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News Cashing... Continued from pg. 1A
Kayla Ballero
Initiative brings awareness to food insecurity on campus By Rachel Williamson A staggering amount of Oklahoma State students don’t know where their next meal will come from –– 43%. The Oklahoma Collegiate Cattlewomen Association and the Oklahoma Beef Council partnered up to help change that. A 2018 OSU graduate survey found that nearly half of the student body faces food insecurity. Cowboys Helping Cowboys is an initiative with the Oklahoma Collegiate Cattlewomen, the Student Government Association, and the Oklahoma Beef Council all partnering up to raise awareness about food insecurity on campus while also promoting the benefit of beef in the diet. “We reached our goal practically overnight,” said Kinzie Burtrum, president of Oklahoma Collegiate Cattlewomen. “We got about three thousand engagements with over 13 thousand views on Instagram and Facebook.” The initiative ran for a week in February and hit its $1,500 goal long before the week was up. The goal amounts to 1,500 beef sticks being provided to Pete’s Pantry. The Oklahoma Beef Council would donate one dollar for each like, share, or comment on the beef advocacy posts made on the OCCW Facebook and Instagram pages that week. Student Government Association Chief of Staff and Food Insecurity Director, Amarie Griffeth, agrees that the initiative was an all-around great success. High-quality protein is worth its weight in gold at food banks since many people don’t think to donate it. “We were able to promote the value in animal protein in the diet, while stocking our own pantry with protein, an item rarely donated,” Griffeth said. “We are so grateful for
OCCW and the Oklahoma Beef Council.” However, the partnership happened totally by stroke of good fortune – and great timing. Kinzie Burtrum had been in a brainstorming session with Heather Buckmaster, the executive director of the Oklahoma Beef Council, when the idea of partnering with Pete’s Pantry came up. Buckmaster had seen an article about the pantry opening up on campus and pitched it to Burtrum. “The stars aligned,” said Buckmaster. “Within the week, I received a separate call from Luke Muller regarding support for Pete’s Pantry. It was a sign to me that this was a project that needed to move forward as a joint partnership.” The plans fell into place perfectly, and the initiative more than fulfilled its monetary and awareness goals. “The partnership exceeded its promotion and education goals while raising the awareness of college hunger issues and Pete’s Pantry and ensuring students that participate have a high-quality protein source in beef.” Buckmaster said of the success of Cowboys Helping Cowboys. Pete’s Pantry is a resource provided by the Student Government Association in the Student Union, Room 211P. It offers nonperishable food items, clothing, blankets and menstrual hygiene products, provided by the SGA Red Pantry Committee. It is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m to 5 p.m, and it is completely free for any student to use. Monetary donations or food item donations are always greatly welcomed.
receiving it. He said CRRSA funding is the second round of stimulus to make its way to OSU students, and there will be another cycle of stimulus, but the school has not been notified when that funding will be made accessible. Blew said he hopes this will lift a portion of the economic burden off those suffering during this pandemic. “Obviously as we all know there’s a lot of families that are hurting right now,” Blew said. “So hopefully this in cooperation with the stimulus grants that families are getting help.” Before the COVID-19 pandemic, college students were already facing financial difficulties. In a 2019 report published by The Hope Center, 48% of students at two-year universities and 41% percent of students at four-year universities faced food insecurity along with other financial burdens. One year later, students are still trying to meet their basic needs. Robert Owens, a junior electrical engineering major, said “money is money” and this funding will help struggling students. Owens said last semester he wasn’t notified of any stimulus assistance and he welcomes the change because he knows other students can’t even afford necessities like food. Dayiu Johnson, junior apparel design major, said her major is expensive outside of tuition, and adding in the financial factors of the pandemic, any assistance is helpful. Johnson said because of the pandemic some students are not only stressed because of their financial situation but also because they are relying on economic assistance from loved ones. She said this can result in students feeling guilty but with this grant, she feels it will help resolve those emotions. news.ed@ocolly.com
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OSU announces in-person graduation ceremonies for spring 2021 By Megan Cherry With the onset of COVID-19, many in-person activities and events were canceled or switched to virtual delivery. Now that the vaccine is becoming available to the majority of the Oklahoma population, events are beginning to return to face-to-face settings. The Oklahoma State spring 2021 graduation ceremony is one of those events. The ceremony will be held in person May 7-8 at Boone Pickens stadium. The event will enforce a mask policy and seating will be socially distanced. “I think it was the right decision to have the ceremony in person especially with the state transitioning to Phase 3 of the vaccine and the university making the vaccine available to students,” graduate student Katey Butler said. “They are taking the proper steps to still make it Covid-safe by enforcing masks, limiting guests and having it in Boone Pickens which is open and allows people to be spread out” The event is open to 2020 graduates as well. Students that graduated virtually that wish to have an in person ceremony must register in advance by April 16. Many students are seeing the recent vaccine availability as a valid reason to have the commencement in person. “I was actually supposed to graduate in 2020 , but had 2 minors to finish. I am glad it worked out that way, but was really concerned
OSU has announced in-person graduation ceremonies for spring 2021, fall 2020 graduates are invited to join.
that the quarantine period would be never ending” graduate student Alexis Skurnack said. Students may receive up to eight tickets and seating will be limited due to social distancing rules. Seating will be limited to four per group and masks must be worn in the stands. Cap and gowns will be available starting two weeks before the event, additional information can be found on the Oklahoma State University website. The decision was made by the commencement committee ear-
lier this year with the knowledge that the vaccine would be available. “Everyone that I know of on the decision making side has been excited and we’ve all been looking forward to when we can return to in person ceremonies, the decisions last year were last year the decision was made with the best interest in mind.” Registrar board member Rita Peaster said. Students who are immunocompromised or do not feel comfortable attending the commencement ceremony can watch it live, or watch the recording whenever they
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choose. “I plan on attending the ceremony in person because I plan on getting vaccinated and have not felt unsafe up to this point being on Oklahoma State’s campus” Butler said. Oklahoma State University is working hard to ensure the public safety at this event for both graduates and their guests and encourages all attendees to follow the guidelines set in place. news.ed@ocolly.com
News
Kelly Kerr
Randy Krehbiel extensively researched Tulsa’s Black Wall Street and wrote an in-depth novel about it.
Tulsa Continued from pg. 1 mersed in the life of Black Oklahomans, I had to learn their point of view. It really stretched me to become more understanding of different people and to understand there’s no such thing as a monolithic group.” Krehbiel brought up while Oklahoma is heavily viewed as a conservative state, 35-40% of resdidents wouldn’t put themselves in that category.
But it goes back to “why” people believe in something. Krehbiel recalled a story that didn’t have to do with these events but illustrates his points. He was talking to a group of African Americans who lived in North Tulsa. He asked them what they thought an issue was. They said they didn’t like the government moving the 911 call center from downtown to North Tulsa, close to Carver Middle School, after 9/11. The government’s justification was that the first target to be hit in Tulsa would be downtown, so moving the call center was in an effort to preserve the 911 call center. But the group thought the call center would be to be the
target of a bombing, and subsequently, the middle school. “I really didn’t think that anybody ever making that decision had ever given that a moment of thought,” Krehbiel said. “But that explains it. First of all, you think, ‘Wow, what sort of impression do they have of the city’s leadership if they would do something so cold-blooded?’ And they really believed that. “That’s one of the things that I came to understand. There are such things as objective facts, but people can look at the same facts and honestly arise at different conclusions.” Looking at all this, seeing not only what people say, but why they say how, and that they believe
something can certainly shape the way one thinks. It wasn’t some scary, traumatizing event that shifted Krehbiel’s mindset, it was years and of reporting. “As I’m reading all these newspapers and the documents and all that, you come to understand that these people had 1000 indignities inflicted on them every day,” Krehbiel said. “It wasn’t like the bad guys are over here and the good guys are over here, either racist or not racist. Almost everybody was racist, it was just a matter of how they expressed it.”
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GREENWOod here and now
Episode 1: A conversation with Randy Krehbiel Premiers Friday, March 19 On the O’Colly TV streaming service
Page 6A Friday, March 19, 2021
Lifestyle
Life Behind the Steering Wheel OSU Bus Drivers’ Experiences on Campus
Gary Lawson
The iconic orange buses drive the Stillwater community anywhere and everywhere they need to go in town.
By Samantha Sanchez Oklahoma State University bus drivers get sneak peeks of the stories of hundreds on a daily basis, transforming temporary travels into long-lasting memories. Lyndal Chapman was a former OSU attendee in the media department, and in the five years that he has covered routes for the university, he noticed that skateboards were the number one cause of funny wipe-outs on campus. There was this one incident he witnessed in the corner of Monroe Street and Farm Road of a student that made his eyes squint of laughter. “This kid was coming down Farm, and you are supposed to stop at stop signs, but he did not. He thought he was going to make that turn and just zip down through there and look cool. He had his hands in his pockets, and he was styling. He didn’t make
a sharp enough turn, and when he did, he hit the bus, bounced off three times, and then hit the ground. He was not injured, but it was the funniest thing I’ve ever seen,” Chapman said. Transitioning from working for radio stations and ESPN to driving for Oklahoma State, Chapman’s main motivating force was the flexible working hours that allowed him to support his wife. “My wife has stage four cancer, and we go to MD Anderson in Houston every third week for her cancer treatment. So we are here for two solid weeks and then part of the third week, we’re in Houston, and they work around my schedule. I just tell them what days we are going and they make it happen,” Chapman said. Aside from the flexibility, both Chapman and student driver Stephen Paris agree that the best part about driving for OSU is the level of interaction they achieve with students.
Chapman has been able to learn from students from states like Texas to countries like Nepal, and Paris enjoys the opportunity to guide the public in the grand OSU campus. “Interacting with the townspeople who rely on the bus as well. As you know, new students always need to figure things out about campus layout and how everything runs and it seems like the buses usually are a part of that. So it’s nice to help,” Paris, a mechanical
DON’T STUMBLE! (Part #3) “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate one another,” (Mt.24:9-10) All this I told you so that you will not go astray. (stumble) They will put you out of the synagogue, in fact a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God.” (Jn.16:1-2) The are many places in the scripture that tell of persecution of true believers. Jesus said if they did it to me they will do it to those who follow me. (Jn.15:20) Many times this will separate the true believers from the false. No one likes hardships, difficulties and certainly persecutions, but the challenge comes and we don’t want to stumble and fall away.
Jesus speaks to the Smyrna church in Revelation: "I know your afflictions...slander...do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer...the Devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be careful..." Does God allow persecution and trials of different kinds? He certainly does! Couldn't God deliver them out of bad situations? Of course! Sometimes He will and sometimes not. He even governs how long the difficulties will last. These are times when we see the grace of God in wonderful ways. His grace is made perfect in weaknesses. (2 Co.12:9) That is why we are not to be offended at God's ways. Difficulties can seem to be hindering the very work of God, but the Lord is working in and through the situation to accomplish something good in the end.
engineering senior, said. In addition to delivering students around town, bus drivers play a vital role in the lives of many, as is the case for Paul Weber. He started driving for his alma mater recently this year after selling his 40-year-old truck business last December. Weber’s responsibilities range from transporting senior citizens to doctor’s appointments to providing service for people with disabilities, and although it proved to be a change in
Emily Weed
tempo from handling a business, he finds himself more relaxed and proud of his work. “One case last week, I took a gentleman to get his haircut, and because of Covid, it was his first haircut in 52 weeks. Because of health reasons he wanted to remain sheltered, which makes sense. So on that part of the job, it’s interesting. That feeling is rewarding,” Weber said. news.ed@ocolly.com
Lifestyle
Art at a glance
Preview of OSU Museum of Art’s Materials Matter exhibition
By Samantha Sanchez The Materials Matter exhibition emphasizes the technologies and materials that shape the design of everyday objects across multiple historical turn points. Tulsa collector George R. Kravis II began gathering pieces as early as 12 years old, focusing not only on their functions but on their aesthetic and overall artistical value. In 2018, he granted over 600 items of his collection to the Oklahoma State Museum of Art, 27 of them displayed in the Materials Matter exhibition. One of the main purposes of the collection is to identify how events such as the Industrial Revolution, the World Wars or the rebellions of the ‘60s, pushed for ideas of mass production and the introduction of new materials that, in turn, created everyday products capable of inciting conversations on their design. “I think by seeing this, people can go home and look at their own environment and become more appreciative of what they have,” Arlette Klaric, Associate Chief Curator and Curator of Collections, said. OSU’s art gallery is currently focused on how the transformation of materials can take different meanings when converted to pieces of art, more specifically, on their end-use. The exhibition connects the extraction of materials to their final functionalities as well as the artistry they hold when they are not of use anymore. “Because the larger exhibition we have here is addressing water in relation to ecological issues, I decided to link this exhibition to it by looking at materials and technologies that were used for making industrial design objects,” Klaric said. The accessibility of the display not only offers viewers a different perspective on ordinary objects but also gives OSU students an opportunity to have direct exposure to the diverse aspects of design. “We’ve been able to connect with a lot of different students, especially for the art department and architecture, because there are a lot of cool objects in this exhibit that architects design. So, it’s a cool opportunity for OSU students and faculty to come see it in person and kind of get this close-up experience. We just want to be available for students when they have papers or projects, or even if you just want to learn more,” Kristen Duncan, Marketing and Communications Specialist, said. The OSU Museum of Art will be booking appointments for this exhibit all the way to June 26th, 2021.
Provided by Kristen Duncan, OSU Museum of Art’s communication specialist. Addison Industries Model A2A
“Designers kept revolutionizing the design of chairs. Ray and Charles Eames were husband and wife, a team. During WWII, they worked on molded wooden splints, so bending wood. They took that technique and used it for the Navy and transferred it into bentwood chairs, and this is probably one of the most famous. This is sort of an end all be all chair for people who really want to have a broadcaster status, but it’s also supposed to be very comfortable,” Klaric said.
Waterfall Radio, ca. 1940,Designer Unidentified Made by Addison Industries Ltd., Oklahoma State University Museum of Art, George R. Kravis II Collection, 2018.016.069.
“This is a radio from the 1930s. The material is called Catalin, and it’s an early form of plastic. Initially, if you look at radios up until the 1930s, most of them were made of wood and they use the example of furniture as to how to design a radio to make it look like furniture. The development of Catalin came with a different means of creating radios because they could be molded. You could have a shell of plastic as opposed to having to take pieces of wood to connect them. So, for one thing, it made it much less expensive to design radios and they were much more portable,” Klaric said.
Provided by Kristen Duncan, OSU Museum of Art’s communication specialist. No. 670 & 671 Lounge Chair and Ottoman, designed 1956, Miniature, 19922008, Charles Eames (American, 1907-1978) Ray Eames (American, 1912-1988) Made by Vitra Design Museum, Weil am Rhein, Germany, Bent plywood, cast aluminum, and leather. Oklahoma State University Museum of Art, George R. Kravis II Collection, 2018.016.034.
Provided by Kristen Duncan, OSU Museum of Art’s communication specialist. One from the Heart Table Lamp, 1989, Ingo Maurer (German, 1932-2019) Made by Ingo Maurer GmbH, Oklahoma State University Museum of Art, George R. Kravis II Collection, 2018.016.081.
“This is the period of the counterculture, the hippies, and the designers start to create things that go against examples of modernism. They get away from very geometric forms, very pared down, neutral colors, steel. They go to pop culture and borrow hearts and plastic crocodiles and very unconventional designs for a lamp. And they have reinvented. So, instead of having some kind of base with a lampshade per se, the lampshade turns into this heart-shaped plastic form and the heartshaped mirror and polished metal faces then sandwiched between. So, the light hits and reflects and it actually will cast hearts into the walls. Then you also notice that the wires are exposed. So, it’s all a way of being rebellious,” Klaric said.
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16 T H O F APRIL The department of Design, Housing, and Merchandising presents its 10th annual Euphoria fashion show. This is a fully student-produced event where students gain valuable, hands-on experience in planning and executing all aspects of a fashion show. For their final project, our graduating seniors create one -of-a-kind collections to showcase their skills and talent. For the first time in Euphoria histor y, these will be presented through individual designer vignet tes that display their creative vision to the audience. Please join us for an orange carpet af fair, coming to you virtually on April 16, 2021. To purchase tickets or learn more information about Euphoria, visit our Instagram @okstate_euphoria.
Page 8A Friday, March 19, 2021
News
‘They’ is here to stay OSU enables more pronoun options on Canvas By Jennifer Maupin Two small words added to the end of Oklahoma State students’ names on Canvas marks a big step towards inclusivity on campus. A group of students and professors noticed Canvas, the website students use to communicate with professors and find their coursework, had a pronoun setting available, but OSU hadn’t enabled the setting. Irissa Baxter-Luper, coordinator of Women’s and LGBTQ Affairs, with the help of seven students and faculty members known as The Chosen Name and Pronoun Working Group, worked to implement the change. She/her, he/him and they/them are the options a student can designate to show how they would like to be addressed. Baxter said giving people a safe space to express their identity will make students feel more welcome. “It’s just a sign of respect saying I want to get your identity correct,” Baxter said. “I don’t want to refer to you incorrectly, misgender you or dead name you. I want to get it right. I want to respect who you are. It can have such positive effects on people’s mental health, on their well-being, on their identity, especially for college students.” Rita Peaster the Registrar for OSU worked with Baxter-Luper to include pronouns and chosen names on Canvas and Banner, systems the university uses to communicate with students. “When Irissa came and suggested the use of pronouns on Canvas, I thought that that sounded
Provided by Irissa Baxter Irissa Baxter, an OSU student, wanted to help bring a change to OSU’s Canvas by bringing pronouns.
great,” Peaster said. “I proposed that we considered just expanding the scope of her proposal a little bit to not just include pronouns, but also chosen names and look not just at Canvas but at the bigger picture in terms of other student systems.” The Chosen Name and Pronoun Working Group created a webpage explaining the process of designating pronouns and chosen names. The site provides educational information on the topic and links to support for LGBTQ
students. Lynn Jolliff, a theater sophomore, said she hopes OSU working to recognize pronouns will make students feel safer on campus and in class. Jolliff uses she/they pronouns. “It’s important to have opportunities to state/ask one’s pronouns because being a young trans[gender] or gender nonconforming person is downright terrifying,” Jolliff said. “It feels like the world is determined to see you as a person you aren’t.”
‘They’ and ‘them’ have historically been known as plural pronouns. The singular use of ‘they’ might be confusing to those who have had little experience with its usage, but more organizations are accepting that a singular ‘they’ is grammatically correct, including Merriam-Webster, the Modern Language Association and The Associated Press. The choice to designate pronouns on Canvas is up to each professor and student, but one OSU adviser argues that cisgender people displaying their pronouns is an important act of allyship. Sarah Mutschelknaus is an undergraduate history, philosophy and religious studies adviser whose pronouns are she/they. Those who have two pronouns listed typically prefer the use of both pronouns. “We really need our allies to be involved,” Mustchelknaus said. “The more cis[gender] or straight folks that use pronouns and this language, the better, to really normalize this. From Baxter-Luper hearing about the pronoun option through Canvas, to the designation being available on OSU’s Canvas, it took roughly a year, but Baxter-Luper said inclusivity is a life-long mission of hers. “It’s hard to say why it’s so important to me because it is just so vital,” Baxter-Luper said. “I don’t see diversity as something that is necessarily just about my work or about philosophy or theory. It’s quite literally we want to make people feel more included more safe and more welcome and more heard. Why wouldn’t we want to do that?” news.ed@ocolly.com
Friday, March 19, 2021
Joshua Cleary
Through patience and perserverance, Mike Boynton has delivered the Cowboys to the NCAA Tournament.
Work Wins
Boynton’s vision for Cowboy Basketball coming to life By Grant Ramirez
Mike Boynton picked up the same microphone he held in his hands three years earlier. His program in a completely different place, and his reputation flourishing. After Oklahoma State’s second victory in a row over rival Oklahoma to complete a Bedlam sweep, Boynton’s voice boomed through Gallagher-Iba Arena. “I remember taking this
microphone for the first time my first year when we lost to Wichita State,” Boynton said. “I told you guys that if you keep doing what you’re doing, we’ll build a program you can be proud of. I sure as hell hope everybody’s proud about what we got out here today.” Boynton has addressed the crowd postgame a handful of times over his four-year tenure as head basketball coach, both after critical victories and disheartening losses. He loves to connect with the fanbase that gives his program life.
When a pandemic isn’t ravaging the country, Boynton shows up on campus, speaks to clubs and in classes and shows up to support other OSU sports. He doesn’t mind picking up trash in GIA. He takes pride in being a regular, decent person. On the sideline, he gets as amped up as any player, regularly yelling in excitement, pumping his fist and occasionally crouching down into a defensive stance and slapping the hardwood beneath him.
His character quickly gained him popularity on campus, and he has never been more popular than now, with his team set to appear in the NCAA Tournament for the first time under his leadership. The job isn’t a popularity contest, though. Boynton knows better than anyone, it’s a results-based business. His rookie season, OSU (2115) realistically should have made See Work on pg. 4B
Culture Club Wrestlers just roll different Adam Engel Dustin Plott heard the pop. He didn’t flinch. No one did. As he walked back to the center of the orange and black mat with a giant portrait of Pistol Pete occupying the center, the Oklahoma State freshman jerked his left arm toward his head, popped his shoulder back in place and punched himself twice in the right cheek. Plott is different; not necessarily from other wrestlers, but different from most other athletes. How many athletes would pop their own shoulder back in place? Plott is among nine Cowboys who will compete at the NCAA Tournament in St. Louis this weekend. Three days of constant whistles, blood and plenty of emotion. In football, 11 guys on each side are on the field at a time. Basketball contains lineups of five. Nine occupy positions on a baseball diamond. Wrestling is different. Most say you have to be somewhat crazy to wrestle, stepping out on
Wrestlers have to deal with intense injury, and be in peak physical condition to compete.
a mat one-on-one, with physical domination the goal in full focus and for all to see. No left guard to protect the quarterback. Nothing between the two wrestlers except thin air. “I fell in love with the aspect of controlling my own destiny,” OSU legend Kenny Monday said. This week, at least one Cowboy — Boo Lewallen will don the orange singlet for the final time. For seniors, the NCAA Tournament is the last shot to shine for most
wrestlers. When the tournament ends, there is no wrestling draft, no professional leagues or promises of lucrative contracts. Mainstream fame is nonexistent. And when you fail, there are no fingers to point. The sacrifice and pain is what weeds out wrestlers from a young age. But for those who wrestle, that’s also the attraction of the sport. “It’s not on TV and you just don’t see wrestling often,” Monday said.
Alicia Young
“Growing up, the guys in my neighborhood were playing football and basketball.” At its core, it’s an individualistic sport with a close community. “Sometimes you aren’t making enough sacrifices,” OSU manager Keenan Seymour said. “If you’re drilling hard six or seven times a week and getting beat, you aren’t sacrificing enough.” In many cases, winning still isn’t enough. Cowboy 133-pounder Da-
ton Fix exudes an extreme level of mental toughness and a persistence that borders on insanity, one reason he’s the No. 1-ranked wrestler at his weight. “When you’re a young wrestler, and they get scratched and they see their own blood and then it happens repeatedly, they know it’s OK,” Gary Calcagno, OSU’s wrestling strength and conditioning coach said. “They wipe it off and carry on. Wrestlers work through so much more pain than anybody I’ve ever seen.” And Calcagno also coaches football players. Kaid Brock embodies the wrestling mentality. The summer of 2019, after a second surgery to repair a damaged left knee, which revealed a torn ACL, MCL, LCL and meniscus, Brock returned to the mat. “When I was coming back in practice, I hit a fake and my repaired meniscus dislodged,” Brock said in December of 2020. “I re-tore it. “For about two weeks, it was jiggling around, and I could feel it in my leg.” He continued to wrestle and eventually figured out how to maneuver his knee to put the meniscus back in place. It’s See Wrestlers on pg. 2B
Page 2B Friday, March 19, 2021
sports Wrestlers Continued from pg. 1B a sight to make an ordinary human faint. In his college debut for the Cowboys, Brock beat Oklahoma’s Cody Brewer, the defending national champion in a stunning upset that projected great things to come. Then injuries betrayed his career. This season, after using a medical redshirt in the 2019-20 season, another injury crushed Brock’s dreams of finishing strong. And a familiar injury, a mangled left knee. The two-time All-American finished his career on crutches. “I’m now looking forward to the future, not back at the past,” said Brock in an Instagram post addressing his retirement. “I do know that I can thank this sport for teaching me how to endure and overcome adversity.” Wrestlers are different. In 2018, Cornell freshman Yianni Diakomihalis won the 141-pound national title with a torn ACL. Back during the 2010-11 season, Arizona State’s Anthony Robles went undefeated in winning a national championship while wrestling with one leg. Sacrifices are common for wrestlers. That’s just the warrior mentality. At the beginning of this Cowboys season, freshman Trevor Mastrogiovanni was off the mat for two months after contracting mono and COVD-19. Now, Mastrogiovanni joins AJ Ferrari and Plott as OSU’s three true freshmen competing at the NCAA Tournament in St. Louis. “This freshmen class is different because they’ve always won,” Calcagno said. “In their mind, they expect to win when they step out on the mat because that’s normal for them.” Two weeks ago at the Big 12 Championships, Ferrari was responsible for OSU’s ninth-consecutive conference title. A loss against No. 10-ranked Stephen Buchanan of Wyoming would mean heartbreak for the Cowboys and their quest of
Alicia Young
To be a wrestler you have to be wired differently in order to put their bodies through the wringer day in and day out.
a ninth straight conference crown. A bonus-point victory would give OSU an outright title. A win as the underdog would force OSU to share the title with rival Oklahoma. The outspoken freshman, with as much horsepower as his name suggests, delivered a legendary performance, upsetting Buchanan and nearly pulling off bonus points. With pistols in the air, Ferrari’s hand was raised and he walked off the mat as a Big 12 champ. “Wrestlers have to be selfish and that’s OK, but seeing guys
wrestle for their team is refreshing,” Calcagno said. “‘You had AJ telling coach (Chris) Perry, ‘Don’t worry coach, I’ll get these bonus points to win outright.’ “That’s what he believed and he damn near did it.” Even off the mat, wrestlers live differently. In elementary school, Monday recalls taking his own lunch to school, a meal consisting of a turkey sandwich and bananas, while other students were chowing pizza and hot dogs from the lunch ladies. His classmates likely didn’t ap-
Kelly Kerr
Through blood, sweat, and pain wrestlers are just a different breed.
preciate his eating habits until a gold medal dangled from Monday’s neck at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. Perhaps the mental toughness of wrestling is best displayed in this mask-filled life during COVID-19. “The virus shouldn’t be taken lightly,” Lewallen said. “We train hard every day. We make sure we’re taking the best food and things in our body.” Still, the wrestlers stride to the center of the mat and proceed to exchange sweat and blood over the course of a grueling seven minutes. In a wrestling career that often seems fleeting, there’s no retreating, not even from the virus. On a daily basis, wrestlers deal with cauliflower ear — a deformity of the outer ear caused by repeat trauma. Ringworm, staph infections and general bloody gashes are among the other obstacles, all rendered as mere irritants by these combatants. Wrestlers are different. Mental toughness isn’t the only trait possessed by wrestlers. “Wrestlers’ workout regimens top all others,” said Calcagno. “If you’re a wrestler at this level, you’re here for a reason. Their work ethic is damn near second to none.” As unassuming lightweight wrestler can be average height and present no bulky muscles, yet conditioning like stadium steps and constant late-night runs that fuel their strength. All these sacrifices are what makes wrestlers elite athletes. As legendary coach Dan Gable once said, “Once you’ve wrestled, everything else in life is easy.” sports.ed@ocolly.com
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sports
Missing Mack Was the Cowgirl great fully appreciated
It has been an outstanding season for an outstanding player, but according to Cowgirl basketball fan Stephanie Wheatley, Mack has not gotten all the appreciation she deserves. “I don’t think you can pin it Ben Hutchens on Cowgirl fans,” Wheatley said. “I think a lot of this has to be blamed Natasha Mack is one of the on COVID.” best to ever don a Cowgirl basketCOVID-19 regulations have ball uniform. limited attendance in Gallagher-Iba Coach Jim Littell didn’t need Arena to 25% capacity this season, any stats to back up that assessreducing the amount of people ment, he just needed to examine able to watch “The Mack Show” in Mack’s ability to change a game. person. “We’ve had awful talented “I just wish it was a year players; we’ve had six in the where our fanbase could have come WNBA, but I don’t know if I’ve had out in full force,” Littell said. “I anybody that impacts both ends of believe that the fans that have been the floor more than Mack does,” here really enjoy watching this Littell said. group play. We would have had a Mack is set to play in what lot more people in the gym if they is in all likelihood her last games weren’t worried about COVID, but as an OSU Cowgirl. As the NCAA the people who have been here have Tournament begins on Sunday, been amazing and they’ve graviMack winds down her career 10 tated to Mack and it’s easy to do.” points shy of becoming OSU’s 25th Wheatley, who has watched 1,000-point scorer, 11th on OSU’s two games in Gallagher-Iba Arena all-time rebounding list with 658, this season, knows that fans would and 203 career blocks all in less have been able to better appreciate than two complete seasons. She everything Mack brings to the table has received some national attenif they saw her in person. tion, but some think Mack hasn’t “If you could get 10,000 received enough attention for her people in Gallagher-Iba to watch remarkable season. Tasha Mack do Tasha Mack things Mack received many conferyou’d have 10,000 people walking ence awards, including All-Big out saying ‘holy crap, I’ve never 12 Tournament team, unanimous seen something like that before,’” All-Big 12 First Team and Big 12 Wheatley said. Defensive Player of The Year. Mack cried on senior night Big 12 Conference “She’s been on a lot of lists, when her name was announced, and Natasha Mack has been one of the best to come through the Cowgirl program, but did OSU fans people are very aware of who she the support and appreciation she get the fully experience. is, and now you’d like to see her has received from local fans has gible, she isn’t focused on if she know who I am, but as long as we win all of those awards cause she’s meant so much to her. garnered enough national attention keep winning that’s fine with me.” deserving, but people around the As the NCAA Tournament country know who Natasha Mack comes into focus and Mack’s legacy or love from the local fanbase. “I’m looking forward to winis,” Littell said. as a Cowgirl becomes more tanning,” Mack said. “You can not sports.ed@ocolly.com
Page 4B Friday, March 19, 2021
sports “I became a better coach the day he walked on campus,” Boynton joked. Cunningham chose to Continued from pg. 1B stay at OSU even after sanctions banning it from the the big dance but settled postseason, largely because of for an NIT appearance, a his relationship with Boynton promising start to his young that started at 14 years old. coaching career. He believed in what The next year was Boynton was building. Boynton’s worst. He dis“Last year wasn’t a missed several players from year they were proud of, but the program, which resulted I know it’s a bunch of guys in playing essentially a sixthat wanted to win and we’re man rotation for a large chunk gonna do everything that it of Big 12 play. The team took to win,” Cunningham (12-20) was even forced to said. “Having a group of guys hold open tryouts just to have like that, with the coaching enough bodies to practice. staff, that’s what I wanted to In 2019, a great start surround myself with.” was derailed by Isaac Joining Cunningham on Likekele’s extended absence due to mononucleosis, sending the Cowboys (18-14) spiraling. Still, they rebounded to make a strong push at the end of the year before their season was abruptly cut short by COVID-19 after a victory in the Big 12 Tournament. Not terrible results for someone with no previous head coaching experience, but not good enough. Boynton knew all along it would take time for the pro- the Cowboys were four-star gram to take shape the way he freshmen Rondel Walker and envisioned, but this was a big Matthew-Alexander Moncriefyear for him. He needed to fe who both played key roles prove he could win. immediately. “Over time, if we don’t For the first time, Boynwin, I won’t be able to have ton’s roster was constructed this job,” Boynton said. “I get solely of players he personally that. But I doubt it. Because I recruited. He knew them and believe work wins. their stories, and he hand“And over time, we’ve picked guys who would fit just continued to work at this his mold: ultra-competitive, thing. And we’ve met every extremely tough and having circumstance, whether selfno quit. inflicted or not … and we “(Quitting) is not an ophaven’t let it deter us from tion in our program,” Boynton showing up and doing the jobs said. “Now that means not to the best of our ability.” everybody’s gonna fit ... As Enter the reinforcelong as I’m the coach here, ments. that’s not changing. If someLeading them, Cade body above me wants to try to Cunningham – the No. 1 redo this a different way, they’ll cruit in the country, potential have to find another coach to top pick in next year’s NBA do it because I don’t believe it draft and budding superstar. can be done any other way.” Almost impossibly, he has In addition to having met all those expectations. high-level talent that just
Work...
seems to keep getting better, up and down the roster there are a bunch of junkyard dogs who will do whatever it takes to win, from Likekele to Avery Anderson to Bryce Williams. Even Cunningham is laying out to save balls inbounds in low-profile games. Likekele has caught himself a couple times saying ‘luckily’ in interviews before quickly correcting himself with ‘not luckily – due to our work.’ That mindset is ingrained in who these guys are. And because they were Boynton’s recruits, they know their coach believes in them. Boynton recruited this incoming class not once, but
“It’s not often for a team that young, albeit talented, could have the success they did without the way coach Boynton nurtured that talent with his coaching and his belief.” Cunningham’s 40-point performance in Norman. A win against West Virginia in Morgantown, without Cunningham. A statement game against No. 1-seeded Baylor in the Big 12 Tournament. And a large portion of the run where the Cowboys won 8 of their last 10 games was without Likekele. The young team is playing with elite confidence. They believe they can beat anyone no matter who was in or out of the lineup. And
He himself has come a long way since most people didn’t know who he was when he was hired. “(The difference was) the persistent effort behind coach Boynton’s great plan,” Fraschilla said. “He was hired as someone who had, from the outside looking in, very little experience. But he knew exactly what he wanted to accomplish in terms of what he wanted the team to look like, act like and play like.” Boynton still has more work to do. He wants to keep the program consistently relevant on the national level, and maintain that even when Cunningham is soon gone to the NBA. He can’t let up, not in the Big 12. “I’m at a place where everybody in our league is a national championship level, borderline Hall of Fame-type coach,” Boynton said. “So I can’t take anything for granted and that’s why I work so hard. I have pride. I want to show I can go toe-to-toe.” Although it’s not currently on his radar, Boynton is in line for a big payday. twice after NCAA sanctions for the most part, they have A rising star in the were handed out, allowing proven that. coaching ranks, OSU will any player to transfer without “Guys were able to lose him to another school penalty. see it through without the if it hesitates to open up its There’s a different level people that weren’t playing,” wallet. He is the 65th highestof trust there. Boynton can Likekele said. “And the whole paid coach in the country and tell every one of his guys in entire time everyone was able the lowest paid in the Big the huddle, “We recruited you to stick together and keep our 12, which isn’t nearly what here for this moment.” eyes on the goal.” he’s worth now. Boynton has He demands a lot from The Cowboys’ run fell earned a big raise with the job his players, but he oozes con- short of a Big 12 Championhe’s done this year. fidence into them. ship, losing to Texas in the But he won’t take the Still, this young roster title game, yet their season credit. needed time to learn and isn’t done. “I just get to sit over gain some experience. The The NCAA didn’t didn’t there and call timeouts,” Cowboys still make too many rule on OSU’s sanction apBoynton said. “And every mistakes, but after OSU’s loss peal, so the Cowboys will be now and then I get up and talk at Kansas, everything clicked. in the big dance. They are to an official and I ask Cade if They became the hottest slotted as a No. 4 seed, set to he wants to come out.” team in the country. play Liberty on Friday. “These kids work so “The most important Boynton’s Cowboys hard, they care about each accomplishment by OSU this have come a long way since other, they want to win and year is being able to win with some people called for the they take pride in representyoung players in as demandcoach’s job after late-game ing Oklahoma State basketing a league as there is in collapses against TCU and ball. And that’s a big deal.” college basketball,” ESPN West Virginia earlier this sports.ed@ocolly.com analyst Fran Fraschilla said. year.
These kids work so hard, they care about each other, they want to win and they take pride in representing Oklahoma State basketball. And that’s a big deal.
Trendy Topic Can the Cowboys snap their NCAA skid? Ryan Breeden Oklahoma State hasn’t won an NCAA Tournament game since 2009 when it beat Tennessee in the first round. That’s a long time for a program with a rich basketball history, and 2005 stands as the last time OSU last made the Sweet 16, meaning it won more than once game. Oklahoma State is a 4-seed in the Midwest Region, where the Cowboys have an opportunity to end the skid when they take on 13-seed Liberty on Friday evening. “We’re going to have to really focus on having a good game plan and preparing well to give ourselves a chance to move on,” coach Mike Boynton said. Will this be the year that OSU can win an NCAA game? OSU does have one trend on its side: roughly a third of the teams that made the Elite Eight the last decade had a primary ball-handler who was an All-American. OSU has that with Cade Cunningham, who was named AP First-Team All-American on Tuesday. They have another thing on their side too: a coach who has been on the other side of a few upsets. Boynton was an assistant coach at Stephen F. Austin when it beat 3-seed West Virginia in the first round. “I’ve focused on getting our guys to understand how this thing can turn quickly,” Boynton said. “If you’re not playing well, there’s real pressure on you to not have one of
Big 12 Conference OSU has struggled in previous NCAA appearances, but the 4-seed could help the Cowboys.
those upsets happen to you.” Since Selection Sunday, OSU’s seeding has caused some controversy, with many believing the Cowboys deserved better. Why does it matter? A deep dive into how 4-seeds have fared in the big dance since the year 2000: There have been 80 4-seeds since the 2000 NCAA Tournament, with a path to the Sweet 16 involving beating the 13-seed first, then the winner of the 5-12 game after that. Over the past 20 tournaments, the 13-seed has upset the 4-seed in the first round 17 times, which is good for 21%. Of the 63 teams, or
79% that have advanced, the 4-seeds have lost in the second round 24 times, or 30%. This means that of the original 80 4-seeds, only 39 of them have made it to the Sweet 16. So, what happens when they do make the Sweet 16? Of those 39 that made it, only 11 advanced to the Elite Eight. Beyond that, only five have gone to the Final Four. None have made the National Championship game. Cowboy fans have been intrigued by a potential matchup with Brad Underwood and N0. 1-seed Illinois in the Sweet 16, yet a No. 4 seed has only won those matchups six times. The most recent was 2014, when Michigan State took down
Virginia, but then lost to 7-seed UCONN in the Elite Eight. The last thing to look at: how has OSU fared as a 4-seed in the past? It has happened twice, and it was back-to-back years in 1994 and 1995. In 1994 the Cowboys were upset by 12-seed Tulsa in the second round. Most OSU fans fondly recall what happened in 1995, as the Cowboys advanced to the Final Four, led by Bryant “Big Country” Reeves. So, some of the trends are in OSU’s favor and some are not. How will the Cowboys do this time around? We’ll have to wait and see. sports.ed@ocolly.com
sports
Weekend Warriors Challenges continue as Cowboys head to Lubbock
Ryan Breeden
The Cowboys head into Big 12 play facing a top-10 Texas Tech team.
Joshua Cleary
Oklahoma State hasn’t played a Big 12 opponent since it faced off with Texas Tech in the 2019 Super Regional. Friday, finally, that will change. The No. 14 Cowboys travel to Lubbock to take on the No. 7 Red Raiders in a threegame series. OSU started the season 10-0-1, but is now 11-3-1 after losing two of three to No. 2 Vanderbilt last weekend and losing Tuesday night to UL-Monroe. The Cowboys faced the No. 1 and No. 2 pitching prospects during the Vanderbilt series, and even in losses, those reps were valuable. “It exposed us to a lot of good baseball, and I think it’s super valuable,” coach Josh Holliday said. “Across the Big 12 there are others who possess similar talents that
we’ll need to be able to handle better than those two.” For a young team, early season challenges are more than welcomed. “When we play good teams it tells us what we have to improve on,” freshman Nolan McLean said. This weekend’s three-game series with Texas Tech will tell even more about where the Cowboys stand. The Red Raiders were the preseason favorite to win the Big 12, and are 11-0 at home this season. OSU was tested last weekend. This weekend will be no different “Should be some regional-caliber baseball early in the conference season,” Holliday said. As the Cowboys head into conference play, Holliday said he likes the direction of the team. “I feel very good about where we’re at, and I’m encouraged about where we’re headed,” Holliday said. sports.ed@ocolly.com
Sleepers on deck What Liberty presents to OSU that could spark danger
Jared A’Latorre What Liberty could bring to the table could be sneaky against the Cowboys come Friday. While the Cowboys love to play fast when they go up the court, the Flames are slower but just as efficient in their offense, especially in their shooting. The Offensive shows With the way the offense is run, the Flames wait for the play to develop. They have guys that can cut in and move around and score. It runs a Virginia-style offense with guys moving on offball screens on the perimeter. With 5-foot-9 Darius McGhee and Chris Parker moving around, they can catch anyone off guard when the Flames fake their cuts inside or bounce back outside. But on the other side of Liberty with their defense, of course you can’t forget about the offensive show that the Cowboys can bring to the table. “We’ve seen athletic guards throughout the year, it just so happens that one of their guards is (6-foot-7) who can see over people, he’s one of the best passers in college basketball, and then I don’t know why Bryce Williams and Avery Anderson, Likelele, I don’t know why they don’t get as much credit for how good they are,” Liberty coach Ritchie McKay said. This game has the chance
Liberty Athletics Liberty could spell trouble for Oklahoma State in the Round of 64 of the NCAA Tournament.
to be an offensive show, but it’ll be up to whose defense can get it done. From downtown The Liberty big time scorers can hit from deep. While the Cowboy defenders are fairly solid in defending in their zone, the Flames can still knock down their long range shots. The Flames have five big scorers that can knock it down from outside. Keegan McDowell is shooting 40.2%, Elijah Cuffee shoots 41.7%, Drake Dobbs at 45%, Parker at 37% and their star, McGhee, shoots at 41.7% from 3-point range. Cuffee said they’re staying with their gameplan in this game,
nothing different. “Kind of keep the game at our pace, and just kind of what we do every game, not really changing much of what we do,” Cuffee said. With many shooters on a basketball team, no one knows where they could end up. The veterans vs. the youngsters When it comes to the NCAA Division I tournament, it comes down to who is older and has seen the dance more often. In Liberty’s young history, this is their all-time peak, mixed with stars who know how to shoot, move but also experience
the game. You may think in a game, it probably doesn’t matter, and that’s a decent argument to be had, but in a tournament, it does. It’s also the first dance for coach Mike Boynton and his team to participate in while Liberty has been in this scene back in 2019. “I do think our experience will be a benefit but I don’t know if that’ll have much relevance,” McKay said. While star matchups can easily take over, it’s important to look at all aspects into what can make this a game. sports.ed@ocolly.com
Page 6B Friday, March 19, 2021
sports
Boo’s Last Chance Lewallen looking for the elusive National Championship
Adam Engel Boo Lewallen walked to the center of the mat and laid his headgear on the blue NCAA logo. His right arm raised to the sky. Tongue hanging out of his mouth. He’d completed this process hundreds of times, but this was different. Not just because of a buzzer-beating overtime takedown to beat Campbell’s Josh Heil 7-6 to advance to the quarterfinals, but because of his weekend is his last time in a Cowboy singlet. “It has been a good day,” Lewallen said. “Feeling good and as for the win (against Heil) it’s not the way I wanted to wrestle, but I got the takedown when I needed to. I’ll be better tomorrow.” After session 2A, Daton Fix and Lewallen advanced to the quarterfinals while Trevor Mastrogiovanni and Wyatt Sheets won their consolation bouts. OSU sits fourth in the team standings with 18.5 points — seven points behind the leaders, Iowa. The results of the final five weights did not make press time. This is the end of a complicated career. Two-time All-American, three-time Big 12 champion. An NCAA title, however, remains absent. One final chance for Boo Lewallen to be engraved under the 149-pound trophy. “He always loved wrestling,” said Joe Lewallen, Boo’s grandfather. “He’s obsessed. He was good in other sports, but he was obsessed with wrestling. Boo has always had that love.” Lewallen’s obsession began
OSU Athletics
Boo Lewallen is in the midst of his final chance to win the a NCAA Championship.
as a 4-year-old, 37-pound wrestler in Yukon. When Lewallen laced up his wrestling shoes, crazy things happened. Joe recalled Boo’s youth coach telling him to stop pinning his opponents. Boo could win via fall, but he wasn’t collecting significant mat time. In middle school, Lewallen would watch John Smith technique videos and take notes in the upstairs of his childhood home. “Boo is probably one of the
most resilient people I’ve been around,” said Smith. “There were so many reasons why he could’ve quit after his shoulder and ankle injuries he’s had.” Through all those years, Lewallen’s prolific ankle pick has only improved. His 54 takedowns on the season ranks second on the squad. That skill is the namesake of his Twitter handle — IPickAnkles1. “I’m going to shoot it, it’s
my shot,’ Lewallen said. ‘If it doesn’t work, I’ll figure out how to get to the legs somehow. That obsession drives Lewallen’s strength. In the weight room, he can easily power clean 225-pounds from the floor. After defeating Heil, Lewallen will wrestle No. 12 seed Max Murin of Iowa. sports.ed@ocolly.com
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39 Book after Joel 52 Typical winter 40 It may be gross highs at the 41 Simona who won summit of Mt. Wimbledon in Washington 2019 53 Facts and figures 42 Prefix with Pen 46 Channel for reality show fans 58 Barnyard mom 59 Method
Daily Horoscope Nancy Black Tribune Content Agency Linda Black Horoscopes Today’s Birthday (03/19/21). Lay foundations for bold visions this year. Organize and coordinate consistent efforts for a long-term prize. Navigating shifting professional conditions this spring leads to a delightful family phase. Changing directions with a creative project this winter leads to a career highlight. Imagine, plan and organize. 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 7 — Focus on practical correspondence and communications. Distractions abound. Ignore rumors or gossip. Strengthen foundational structures. Patiently clarify. Avoid crowds, controversy or noise. tions. Balances expenses with income. Shop carefully for best value. Minimize risk or fuss. Expect delays and misunderstandings. Pad the budget. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is a 9 — Think before speaking. You could blurt something you regret. Edit statements carefully. Minimize cost or hassle. Verify value before committing. Follow your own rules. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is a 7 — Stop and consider. Rest and recharge. Avoid noise, crowds or distraction. Peaceful privacy soothes and Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is an 8 — Support team efforts without engaging in gossip or controversy. Dreams and illusions fade. Take action for concrete results. Reinforce structural supports. Pull together. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is a 7 — Forge ahead with professional priorities. Let go of preconceptions or assumptions. Misunderstandings and mistakes abound. Ignore distractions. Patiently reinforce basic foundational elements. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is an 8 — Stick to digital explorations. Monitor news and conditions. Avoid risky situations. Passions could get stirred. Keep your tone respectful. Dig into research and studies. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is a 7 — Tune out the chaos or noise.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is a 7 — Compromise with your partner. Keep your bargains, sense of humor and patience. Clarify miscommunications. Avoid rumors, gossip or misinformation. Reduce noise or distraction. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is an 8 — Physical efforts get farther than words, which can get tangled. Work for satisfying results. Avoid distractions, confusion or chaos. Clean messes. Prioritize basics. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is an 8 — Focus on basics, like love, family and sunshine. Feed roots and shoots. Avoid sensitivities or controversy. Relax and enjoy simple pleasures with your inner circle. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is a 7 — Settle into domesticity. Things could get messy. Misunderstandings and mistakes come easily. Take it easy. Patiently forgive miscommunications. Find simple fun at home.
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3/19/21 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
Page 8B Friday, March 19, 2021