Friday April 9, 2021

Friday, April 9, 2021

By Ryan Novozinsky, Editor-in-Chief

Kayse Shrum set up the first Native American medical school in the country, secured a $197.5 million investment from Purdue Pharma to pay for the National Center for Wellness and Recovery and became Oklahoma’s first secretary of science.

All within one year.

That’s your new Oklahoma State University president.

Continued on page 4

Page 2A Friday, April 9, 2021

page 2

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

Sports reporters: Chris Becker Jared A‘Latorre Kylie Austin Ryan Breeden Alex Callaway Adam Engel Joseph Fazio Ben Hutchens Sam Hutchens Gavin Pendergraff Dean Ruhl Molly Smith Jacob Sturm Marcus Trevino

Lifestyle writers: Maleeha Hameed Jonathan Harrington Amelia Jáuregui Ellen Slater Christopher Sneed

Photographers: Joshua Cleary Zachary Hunter Bryan Pizana Alicia Young

Designers: Annemarie Chaney Kayla Ballero Christian Van Curen Emily Weed

News reporters: Addie Duling Claire Hosterman Amelia Jáuregui Anna Pope Jared A‘Latorre Ellen Slater Robert Owens

News

From Motown to Greenwood Keith Ewing appreciates his time on Greenwood

Keith Ewing hails from Detroit but ended up in Greenwood to expand his business.

Ewing was in Tulsa for about 15 years but never knew anything about the race massacre.

That is until a few months before Ewing moved in and an older man popped in and struck up a conGrowing up in Detroit, Keith versation.

Ewing’s dad would always flip to his The man asked Ewing if he go-to song: “You Dropped a Bomb on knew about the race massacre. When Me On Me” by a popular Michigan Ewing said he didn’t, the two sat outband named the Gap Band. side and the man told Ewing the story But Ewing never realized the of what happened on Greenwood and significance until about two years ago. the historical background.

Gap stands for Greenwood, Ar“I’m like, ‘Wow, this wasn’t cher and Pine — three historic streets taught in any of the schools in Michiin the Greenwood District. And the gan,’” Ewing said. “I would talk to song was about the bombs that were some of the residents here in Okladropped on Greenwood in the Tulsa homa, been born and raised here, they race massacre of 1921. never even heard about this.”

“Being on Greenwood has been Like many across the country, on so serendipitous for me in the Ewing was unaware of what occurred sense that it was a band I grew up lis- on the street he works on many, many tening to,” Ewing said. “To know that years ago. years later that I would be officing on Still, he takes so much pride in such a historical place, it was just an the location he’s settled into. He wants honor for me.” to be a part of the movement to fuel Ewing, a Farmers insurance Greenwood forward. agent who shifted his business to “Being on Greenwood really Greenwood in 2018, moved from De- helps me appreciate the sentiment troit to Tulsa in 2003. behind it,” Ewing said. “I feel like He joined Farmers in December I’m indebted to Greenwood, to the 2014 but was about five miles away, business owners before me that lost in midtown Tulsa. He was looking their lives to create a strong, healthy for an inexpensive location close to foundation.” downtown and stumbled upon 116 N. Greenwood Ave. news.ed@ocolly.com Prior to moving to Greenwood,

Kelly Kerr

Sudeep Tumma, Sports editor

FOUrTH IN A SERIES “Greenwood Here and Now’ is a project by The O’Colly Media Group that highlights the tragedy and triumph of the Greenwood District in Tulsa, 100 years after the Tulsa race massacre.”

Page 4A Friday, April 9, 2021

News/lifestyle Madam...

Continued from pg. 1 Shrum was named the 19th president of OSU last Friday, becoming the first female president in the university’s history. She has served as president of OSU’s Center for Health Sciences since 2013.

“I recognize the historic nature of this,” Shrum said. “I hope that this moment inspires all of those women, young and old, to dream big.”

Shrum’s goals include further growing the university from an academic and social perspective.

“What I would love to continue forward is focus on academic excellence and growing academic programs and research and really continuing to build on the student experience and how we support students and make this a wonderful experience for them,” Shrum said.

Shrum was raised in Coweta and is proud of her Oklahoma roots. She completed her undergraduate studies at Connors State College. After that, Shrum received her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from the OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine, which was her first step in a long and successful OSU career.

After being a student, assistant professor and dean at OSU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine, Shrum was named president of OSU Center for Health Sciences in 2013, becoming the youngest and first female president of a medical school in Oklahoma history.

Her medical background allowed her to help the state during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kayse Shrum is ready for the opportunity to lead OSU –– a university system she is very familiar with.

Shrum was a member of the COVID-19 taskforce in Oklahoma and served 15 months as Gov. Kevin Stitt’s secretary of science and innovation.

Shrum has won many awards for her work. She was Journal Record’s 2019 Woman of Year, and won the 2019 Tulsa Osteopathic Medical Society Osteopathic Impact Award. She also completed executive leadership and management training programs at Harvard University During her under-

graduate years, Shrum was a star softball player, even turning down opportunities to play at Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas and Nebraska.

Shrum and her husband Darren, who will become the first “first Cowboy” in OSU history, have six children, five of whom attend OSU. Three of their children are adopted and from Ethiopia.

“It’s an honor (to be the first ‘first Cowboy’),” Darren said. “It’s just an incredible opportunity. It’s

just a once-in-a-lifetime position for Kayse and I. I have no problem supporting her 1,000%.”

Months before Shrum was chosen, President Burns Hargis noted that he would want to see an OSU alumni fill his vacancy.

“That’d be great if we could find an OSU grad,” Hargis said. “It gives you instant credibility with the faculty, students, donors and alumni. I think it really helped me a lot to know that I drank the same Kool-Aid.”

Ian Maule/Tulsa World

When the board introduced her, regent Joe Hall was particularly excited because of Shrum’s strong resume and OSU ties.

“Our national search brought us back home with the selection of Dr. Kayse Shrum,” Hall said. “Dr. Shrum is well known and respected not only by the Regents and our university community but by the state and national community as well.” news.ed@ocolly.com

Happiest color corner Ann Hargis’s one day pop-up shop

By Ellen Slater Staff Reporter

OSU’s First Cowgirl Ann Hargis will leave quite the legacy on campus following the retirement of her husband President Burns Hargis after this semester.

A legacy that is a little more tangible than expected: her closet.

Ann Hargis had donated a selection of OSU items that will be for sale at a oneday pop-up shop. All of the proceeds will benefit Pete’s Pet Posse, the pet therapy program that Ann brought to life during her time as First Cowgirl of OSU. The shop is called the Happiest Color Corner at OSU, to represent all of the orange items that will be sold.

“These items have been hand-selected from the First Cowgirl to continue their happy orange journey with the OSU family,” a video on the Happiest Color Corner Facebook page said.

The selection was hand-picked by Ann and includes exclusive OSU scarves, including two from the name brand Hermes, according to the shop’s Instagram shop, @happiestcolorcorner.

The store will be located in the Student Union

Atrium Saturday, April 10.

It will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Shoppers can expect to see items ranging from designer handbags to Rustic Cuff bracelets, to light-up sneakers. Mainly, shoppers can expect to see a lot of orange.

The students behind the shop are students in the Spears School of Business and were asked to help out by their entrepreneurship professor, Kyle Eastham. Kamryn Chapman is a freshman at OSU and jumped on the opportunity to help.

“We thought that it would be a great way to get some experience in marketing and entrepreneurship,” Chapman said. “And it is going to a great cause.”

Katie Tidwell is a freshman who is working on this shop and said that the items that were generously donated by Hargis have been very interesting to see and points out that it is open to everyone.

“Anyone can take home some exclusive orange items,” Tidwell said.

Ann Hargis will already be leaving a huge legacy in Stillwater, but why not have something tangible and stylish to remember this First Cowgirl by. entertainment.ed@ocolly.com

Provided by @happiestcolorcorner.

The one-day pop up shop features the first Cowgirl’s closest, and all proceeds go to Pete’s Pet Posse.

news

'Come and See' Rev. Wakulich discusses plans for new building, hopes to attract students Logan Smith O’Colly Contributor

The Reverand Wakulich, Priest of the St. John’s Student Parish Center, expressed his distaste for the current state of the structure to students in an open house last Wednesday.

“Get a look at this building,” Wakulich said. “It’s kinda ugly… This building was also made to be a fallout shelter.”

A common word used for the building by most who have seen it is “modest.”

Regardless of people’s opinions, the building is scheduled to be demolished and rebuilt with an entirely new design in May of this year, with In his tour, Wakulich uses nearby campus landmarks to describe the stature of the new church.

“See that glass structure there, on the front of the business college,” Wakulich said. “Our new bell tower is twice as tall as that.”

The bell tower, the tallest part

Not only is the size of the building project astonishing, the design choices, some unique and some copied, are ambitious as well.

“This church is, was, and still is one of the basilicas in Milan,” Wakulich said. “We’re going to take the beauty of the early Church and rebuild it here on the corner of Miller and Knoblock.” The basilica he refers to is the “Basilica di Sant’ Ambrogio,” which was constructed in the year 387.

Aside from appearance, the current church’s functionality is also a reason for it to be rebuilt larger and grander. During his visual presentation inside the center, Wakulich explained just how crowded the schedule and small space had become.

“We have exceeded its capacity.” Wakulich said. “We were having funerals in the church, and Thursday student lunch in here.”

The 15-foot-tall “Vine and Branches” Mosaic and other art prepared for the new place is much more intricate and special than what currently exists in the church. Wakulich explains the purpose of including this incredible art in the new church plan.

“To help people's minds be lifted to heaven,” said Wakulich. “We can evangelize people with beauty.”

This welcoming environment to students of the Oklahoma State Stillwater campus is done in other ways besides art. The archway leading to the parish hall will have etched in stone the beatitude “When I was a stranger, you welcomed me.”

“It’s for the students” Wakulich said. “It’s going to mix with the style of brick around campus as well.”

All of these concepts were created and developed while keeping the student body involved and in mind.

The one hour open house extensively presented what is to be expected in the building, while also leaving out details for time’s sake.

“We’ve been working on this for a very long time,” Wakulich said.

“If I brought you all of our drawings, The community of St. John’s hopes that the project stays on schedule for its 14-month construction, so soon students can invite their friends using the biblical phrase “come and see.” news.ed@ocolly.com

Joshua Cleary St. John Catholic Student Center was open to students all day for prayer and meditation.

Page 6A Friday, April 9, 2021

Lifestyle

Pedal, pedal, pedal!

Mid South bike race brings cyclist, cold brew, beer together Anne-Marie Hagen Staff Reporter

Courtesy of Dean Carter Bikers who took part in the Mid South Bicycle Race traveled over a gravel course and competed for prizes.

Courtesy of Theresa Dohm Bicycles leaned against a wooden structure as their owners celebrated their accomplishments.

Courtesy of Theresa Dohm Colorful couches lined the side of a road and awaited bikers who were tired after a long, successful bike race.

The “Incredibly Socially Distanced Mid South 2021” bike race brought community together and fueled local appreciation.

A young woman, covered head to toe in mud, approached carrying her bicycle. She said that her bike broke on mile 38.

The Mid South race was on. This Payne county course is hailed by racers to be the 2nd hardest gravel race in the USA. On March 13, over 3,200 people participated in this event hosted

by Stillwater’s one and only, District Bicycles.

The energy was high as bikers who were arriving after some 15 hours of biking were welcomed with cheers, hoots, hollers and beers. Iron Monk even created a special Mid South IPA for the occasion.

The chatter of trials, successes, and of local celebrity Bobby Wintle wafted through the afternoon air as staff members ushered finishers to the “swag table.”

The service manager, Austin Turner, spoke with 9 years of experience regarding the trials of the event.

As a cyclist himself, he shared some of the tribulations racers experience in the sport.

“There’s a lot of darkness in cycling,” Turner said. “Food helps.”

But the dark times make way for the bright times for these bikers, where their family and friends wait along the side of the road at the finish line and a cold brew is ready to refresh them.

Floral furniture was set along the side of an old dirt road for a muchneeded rest in style.

District Bicycles prepares all year for the event, with coordinators and crew helping people from all over the country cycle through smoothly.

The Mid South has been going on for 9 years and is normally accompanied by a closed down 7th Street to make way for the racers. The event looked different this year due to COVID-19 precautions, and joining with other independent bike shops, District Bicycles was able to help coordinate Mid South celebrations across North America.

Although COVID-19 changed the way the race looked and operated, hopes remain high to have a big biking turnout for 2022.

The sun set on a vibrant set of cyclists. Some departed, while others stuck around in hopes to see the arrival of Bobby Wintle, the founder of the race. He made a grand entrance, arms raised high, and even after 100 miles on a bike, the man was all smiles. Wintle stepped off the bike, embraced a fellow racer, and said, “I felt every single millimeter of that.”

The feeling of companionship continued into the evening in true cycling fashion. As Turner put it, “we like to party, cyclists.”

entertainment.ed@ocolly.com

GOOD MONEY

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.

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Lifestyle

Courtesy of Fraternity & Sorority Affairs This year Greek Discovery Day will be held on both April 17 and 24. This day is a great time for incoming OSU students to discover Greek life.

Everything you need to know about Greek Discovery Day Addison Duling Staff Reporter Greek Discovery Day is an event for incoming students to learn about the four different Greek councils at Oklahoma State.

This year, Greek Discovery Day (GDD) will be held on two weekend dates, April 17 and April 24.

The four councils – Interfraternity Council (IFC), Multicultural Greek Council (MGC), National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) and Panhellenic council – share information about their different chapters during a browse session in the morning. In the afternoon, there are fraternity and sorority presentations, house tours and a mock formal recruitment.

Registration for IFC and Panhellenic open on April 17, the date of the first GDD. MGC and NPHC host their various membership intake processes during the fall semester.

Panhellenic Council is the

umbrella organization at OSU for women’s sororities. For Panhellenic women, GDD serves as preparation for formal recruitment, which is planned to take place in person this coming August.

Maddie Wells is a panhellenic woman who serves her sorority as Director of Primary Recruitment. In this position, she is also in charge of preparing her chapter for GDD. “I would say GDD is overall helpful for girls going through recruitment to see what it will be like in August and for current members to practice for recruitment,” Wells said.

IFC serves the different fraternity chapters on campus.

Recruitment for fraternities takes place throughout the summer.

Bryce Slagell works at the External Vice President of IFC. One of his jobs in this position is to help plan GDD. Many fraternities at OSU rely on GDD to learn the names of any potential new recruits.

“Because of the GDD process, OSU can foster a more com-

petitive rush environment where members can find the house they fit best with,” Slagell said.

The purpose of MGC is to promote awareness of multicultural diversity across campuses. NPHC is composed of historically African American fraternities and sororities. Each council serves several chapters at OSU. Jessica Meza is the External Vice President for MGC and the representative for GDD. She has been a part of preparing for GDD and will also be very involved on the day of.

“Greek Discovery Day is an opportunity for each of the chapters in MGC to showcase what makes them unique. We will be placing an emphasis on our recruitment process, as well as allowing each individual organization to present their organization’s values, events, culture and traditions,” Meza said.

MGC and NPHC hold events throughout the fall semester to help connect students with opportunities to join their chapters. Big events like GDD really help expose

students to the organizations that are part of MGC and NPHC. “In comparison to the Interfraternity and Panhellenic Councils, MGC is relatively small in numbers. Being a part of Greek Discovery Day puts us on an almost level playing field as the bigger councils because we will be getting as much exposure as they do,” Meza said.

Traditionally, GDD is a oneday event where close to a thousand students and guests attend to learn about Greek life. In addition to having two separate dates for GDD, other changes have been made to compensate for the pandemic.

Most of the event will be hosted outside, and students will spend the day in small groups. Everyone in attendance is expected to wear a mask and social distance.

Although there have been modifications, chapters across campus are excited to share their experiences in Greek life at OSU with incoming potential recruits. entertainment.ed@ocolly.com

Page 8A Friday, April 9, 2021

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CONTACT ADS@OCOLLY.COM TO RESERVE A SPOT!

Episode 4: premieres Friday, April 9th

Friday April 9, 2021

Yavapai guy Encarnacion-Strand making a name for himself as a Cowboy

Ben Hutchens Staff Reporter

Yavapai College has been kind to Oklahoma State University baseball.

The junior college located in Prescott, Arizona, has less than half the number of students OSU does, but its fingerprints are all over Cowboy baseball.

“Yavapai college has been awfully good to Oklahoma State. It gave us Gary Ward and essentially, I should be grateful because he brought my parents with him,” OSU baseball coach Josh Holliday said. “We’ve got a long pipeline there with players from Coach Ward’s days and many, many other players who have come here.”

Yavapai’s latest contribution to OSU is third baseman Christian EncarnacionStrand. He spent two seasons in junior college before transferring to OSU, and taking the team and the Big 12 by storm. He has started every game at third base and leads the Cowboys in batting average, .336, home runs, 9, and RBIs, 30.

Encarnacion-Strand is from the San Francisco area and was a well-known player coming out of high school. As talented players in the Northern California area often do, he committed to traditional

Abby Cage

Christian Encarnacion-Stand has burst onto the seen at OSU at the hot corner.

college baseball power Oregon State. However, because of a mix of academics and over recruiting, he became interested in going the junior college route.

“As far as us, the timing worked out perfectly because we were in need of a big physical corner bat.

Some people told him some pretty good things about our program and some people told us some pretty good things about him, so it was a mutual match,” said Yavapai College baseball coach Ryan Cougill.

Cougill said Encarnacion-Strand always had a look in his eyes. He wanted to develop himself as a person and player and be great.

“Probably the biggest skill that he developed here was confidence. Life skills: living on your own in the dorms, his academics skyrocketed here I think he started to take that seriously.

Whenever you start to see academics improve and your social skills improve, that’s when you start to see some leadership and usually the result is you end up getting the most out of your baseball ability,” Cougill said.

Encarnacion-Strand squeezed every drop out of his baseball ability, hitting .402 his first collegiate season and .430 in his second, a year he played only 25 games.

“Yavapai gave Christian a platform to get the most out of himself and develop his confidence and develop some off the field skills that would continue to help him in his career. We certainly didn’t give Christian a magic pill.

He was always a good baseball player and he just developed,” Cougill said.

Next Three Baseball and Softball

See Power on pg. 2B

Kayla Ballero

Ballin’ Busbys A major league pitcher father and an OSU softball daughter

Dean Ruhl Staff Reporter

Mike Busby threw his final major league pitch July 8, 1999.

He tossed three scoreless innings in relief as the St. Louis Cardinals, the team he had spent his entire career with, lost 8-5 to the Cincinnati Reds.

Forty-one days later, his daughter, Hayley, was born.

Hayley Busby, a senior at Oklahoma State, is an integral part

of the Cowgirl’s softball lineup.

The influence her father has had is playing a crucial role in how she has developed.

“He’s had a huge impact on me and of course on my career as a softball player,” Haley said. “He always likes to claim that I’m the son he never had.”

Mike’s career in the MLB ended before his daughter was born, but she was around during his time spent in the minor leagues in Memphis and Indianapolis.

“I don’t remember a lot of that kind of time,” Hayley said. “I get to hear all the stories; I get to listen to him talk about his time when he was playing.”

Mike retired from professional baseball at 28. He returned to Phoenix, where he had lived

since 1991, opening up a batting cage in 2002 called Hardball USA. He thought that people would be interested to be coached by a former major league pitcher.

“I would be there all the time,” Hayley said. “I wanted to be there. When people were done with their rounds and they were picking up balls I would jump into a cage and start picking up balls. I even threw the machine on myself and tried to hit it when I was five years old.”

Mike operated the cages for several years, eventually closing them in 2005.

“She was always doing something,” Mike said.

Hayley was playing with baseballs before she started walking. She was fielding ground balls

Episode 4: premieres Friday, April 9th

while other kids watched cartoons.

She was swinging a bat before she had started elementary school.

Hayley’s playing career began with baseball, not softball.

Just like her father, she was a pitcher. It was something she said her father persuaded her to do.

At 10, Hayley made the transition to softball and a change in position.

“She tried to pitch in softball,” Mike said. “I just let her do what she wanted. She liked to hit, she liked to catch, then she found her niche at third base.”

Hayley agreed.

See Busbys on pg. 4B

Page 2B Friday, April 9, 2021

sports

Sco’s new role

Jenkins has taken on more administrative duties since becoming interim coach

Jared A’Latorre Staff Reporter While interim head coach Scoville Jenkins has been taking over as the Cowboy coach, he’s been the same guy with the same personality, but he’s starting to feel the effects of taking more of the administrative role.

It’s been two months since Jay Udwadia decided to take a break from tennis and take a leave of absence to focus on his family.

Since then, Jenkins has seen the difference of his last role compared to where he is today.

“I eat very fast on the go, I just don’t have any time to sit down and eat,” Jenkins said.

Jenkins said that he wants to take in every moment he can when he’s not on the tennis courts.

“Any little time I have in the day that is not on the tennis court, I try to use as much as I can to do administrative work,” Jenkins said.

While Jenkins has been taking on the new role, he also considers his players when making his decisions.

Jenkins wants to make his decisions around his players because at the end of the day, he said they are his top priority.

“It’s really tough but I just want these guys to be ready and I want them to know that no matter what I have going on, you guys come first,” Jenkins said. “So, if you want an individual at eight in the morning, and I have to switch things around because I want them to know they come first.”

Jenkins gave examples of what he endures now on a daily basis with

Scoville Jenkins took over as interim coach, to his surprise, and has since seen his role grow exponentially.

recruiting, practice, scheduling and family life.

“I was playing with my son and I fell asleep on the floor for 30 minutes, I didn’t know where I was,” Jenkins said. “I’m getting hotels for everything, talking to multiple kids every single day, I forgot to call a kid yesterday, I just forgot. It’s a lot more administrative work, but this is wanted, so I can’t complain.”

In practice, the players are eager to get their time with Jenkins, considering his former professional career as a reason they always want to be playing on the other side with him.

Jenkins doesn’t mind it, but he’d rather the players get in their own reps with each other, knowing that they’re the ones that have to

play in the matches.

It also comes back to him later whenever he remembers he has to do his work.

“I was a pretty good player so they all want to always hit with me,” Jenkins said. “I try and make sure I give them all the time because they are the most important thing but, if I do that, then it leaves me every night doing administrative work until three in the morning, which I do every night now.”

Jenkins did provide an update on Udwadia, and what he’s been doing since taking a leave of absence.

“He’s in California right now. His wife is from the Southern California area, and there’s a great eye doctor at the UCLA campus that they’re taking their daughter to see,”

Courtesy of OSU Athletics

Jenkins said. “It’s really good right now that he’s around family. I think he’s playing some tennis too, so, I think he’s having a nice little break being around his family, so I think he’s doing pretty good.”

OSU’s top singles player Matej Vocel said he’s known Jenkins for almost seven years.

He describes his friendship as different from on the court and off the court, but it’s still all about respect.

“I think outside of the court we are good friends, and when we are on the court and he’s my coach, I respect that,” Vocel said. “I think we work really well, and it’s important to respect each other.” sports.ed@ocolly.com

sports

Trench warfare Sills has high expectations for healthy offensive line this season

Gundy said. “Last year he wasn’t in shape. Came in coming off an injury, we had COVID. I think he’s in better condition now than he’s been probably in 18 months. I’m excited about the direction he’s Dean Ruhl moving.”

Redshirt junior Hunter AnStaff Reporter thony and redshirt sophomore Cole Birmingham returned to spring Josh Sills kept his tweet practice after suffering undisclosed simple. ankle injuries early in the 2020 “See you soon Stillwater,” season.

Sills said.

Hunter Woodard and Jake On Jan. 6, 2021, Sills had Springfield filled in their spots announced that he wouldn’t be following the injuries, a move that following the same path as felwas initially hard for them. low linemen Tevin Jenkins and Ry “Whenever you have that Schneider, who declared for the many young guys step in like that, NFL draft, instead using his free it’s hard,” offensive coordinator year of eligibility and returning to Kasey Dunn said. “You’re thrown Oklahoma State. right into Big 12 football. So those Sills was the anchor on an guys are in the fire right away.” offensive line that struggled to stay Despite the initial shock, healthy, playing in all 11 games. they will each compete for starting Six of them he spent at left guard, spots this season. one at left tackle and four at right The new face on the offensive tackle. line is Danny Godlevske, a transfer With an offseason to recenter from Miami (Ohio). During cover, Sills, along with coach Mike his time with the RedHawks he Gundy, have high expectations for earned three All-MAC honors. the offensive line this season.

Godlevske isn’t a complete “In the winter we’d get stranger to Sills. together and do extra stuff in the “We went to a lot of the same weight room,” Sills said. “Coach camps out of high school,” Sills (Rob) Glass would have stuff for said. “I kind of knew who he was us, it’s just the willingness to work then, and the first day that Miamifrom everybody really, it’s night Ohio offered me, Danny was there. and day difference.”

I remember he held an offer from Sills is the veteran on the them already.” team. A sixth-year senior, he is not Sills started his college caonly a leader on the field, but a vo- reer at Toledo, before transferring cal leader in the locker room. to West Virginia and then OSU. “I’ve taken myself to a new When he found out Godlevske was level,” Sills said. “This is my last transferring to OSU, he messaged year to make it count and reach him congratulations. and chase what I want. I’ve got to “With Danny coming in it’s make the most of every moment.” really helped,” Sills said. “He’s After transferring from West super smart he’s picked up the Virginia in 2019, Gundy said he offense really quick. His football made substantial progress since instincts and football smarts to arriving on campus. be able to read a defense is really “We’re looking forward to good. He’s helped us a lot.”

Josh performing at a really high With the healthy offensive level, mentally and physically,” line, Gundy said he is impressed

OSU offensive line in 2020 30 sacks allowed Allowed a sack on 3.06% of plays ran 1 game with 0 sacks allowed 3 games with 5 or more sacks allowed 60% of starters returning in 2021

Raymond Carlin III The Cowboys struggled up front in 2020, but 2021 is looking up when it comes to the offensive line.

with the pass protection they’ve shown in spring practice. Last season he said it was one of their biggest weaknesses.

“It looked like we were better, in protection, which will allow us to be a better run blocking team,” Gundy said. “I’m excited about that.”

The expectations are high for the offensive line, with a combination of experienced veterans and

young players who have stepped up under pressure. Dunn said he sees the energy in the group.

“I see those guys bouncing around, and there’s no indecision out there,” Dunn said. “Everybody’s kind of pulling the rope the same direction.” sports.ed@ocolly.com

Page 4B Friday, April 9, 2021

sports How Megan Haines found her way at OSU team.

Every soccer team does one-on-one’s a little differently, but the function remains the same. Like a craftsman superheating gold in a crucible to remove impurities, the soccer drill refines players.

When Oklahoma State brings the goals in at practice, the heat is applied. Players crowds around the shrunken field to watch two players square off.

It’s a simple drill.

There is no one to pass to, and only one defender to beat.

In the soccer version of a crucible, there is only pressure. There’s no hiding.

“If you’re one step off, they are going to go right past you,” defender Ally Jackson said. “You definitely get exposed for sure.”

Weariness grows with every oncoming challenger looking to knock off the champion.

“It’s pretty physically demanding,” coach Colin Carmichael said. “We want to see who can compete.”

For Megan Haines,

“It was really exciting,” Haines said. “Especially my parents, they were super excited and happy for me. It’s phenomenal, it was super exciting to tell them.”

After all, making the team was, at least for a time, not something even she expected.

The decision When Megan Haines toured OSU before her freshman year in 2019, her mind was set.

“I knew I always wanted to come here,” Haines said. “Both my parents came to OSU. I always knew I would come here.”

Playing soccer, though, was not initially in the plans. Fortuitously for both Haines and CarmiAlicia Young chael, plans change.

Haines didn’t plan on playing soccer in college, but plans change and now she’s loving her experience.

“Going back a couple that drill was an informal that I could for a first imcompetes,” Carmichael years ago, for different reaintroduction to Division I pression,” Haines said. said. “That makes an sons we ended up a little soccer.

Haines was not the impression on the coaches low on numbers,” Carmi“We did this drill only nervous one when she right off the bat.” chael said. “We were in a that everyone still talks started the drill.

Those that knew situation where we were about where we had to run “When you get a Haines, may not have been trying to add maybe two or around the field when your freshman like Megan who surprised at the fight she three additional players.” team was out,” Haines steps in there, right off the showed that day.

Around the same said. “It was challenging.” bat you look at her and “Opposing teams time Haines was touring She checked in as a think, ‘Man she might get looked at her and said, classrooms, a conversa5-foot-4 walk-on. Her pool hurt against some of these ‘Oh, I got this,’ but she tion took place that would of opponents consisted of 21-year-old women,’” Car- shut everybody down,” said shape her future. players three years older michael said.

Amanda Jo Johnson, the Carmichael and the and three inches taller than When the drill got Jenks girls soccer coach.

OSU coaching staff were her. underway, however, Haines The tenacity actalking with Richard BeatThe first practices of showed that the only quired through challenging tie, who coached Haines’ Haines’ OSU career were people with the right to be battles molded Haines into club team, about the critical. nervous were those that a player who could enter a vacancies. “(I was) just trying underestimated the under- ring of Division I athletes Beattie coached to stay with the team and sized walk-on. and compete successfully. make an impact the best “She just goes in and Haines made the See Big on pg. 5B

Busbys...

Continued from pg. 1B “When I went over to softball, we did pitching for about two months and that was about it,” Hayley said. “I feel like it really wasn’t my thing.”

Shortly after switching, Hayley tried out for a travel team, Club Liberty. Her father said she fell in love with the team.

“She likes more of the mental game,” Mike said. “We go back and forth, talk a lot, she knows a lot about sports. She’s my boy if I ever had one.”

Mike said he coached all of her teams to some degree. He finished coaching her after she turned 18 and played her final season of travel ball. Her father was her coach and played an important role in her development.

Hayley said they butted heads early in her playing career.

“We did butt heads a lot when I was younger,” Hayley said. “It was like, I was young, he was a professional, he knew what he was doing. Now that I’m older and in college, we don’t disagree too much anymore.”

Mike said his competitive spirit led to them butting heads, but it quickly helped to build a stronger relationship.

“I was probably just like any other parent,” Mike said. “I just wanted her to be successful. I wanted her to know that whatever you do in life, you don’t take no for an answer. That’s been her mentality the whole time. Prove people wrong.”

He said it’s the Busby way.

The Busby name means you have to work hard. There isn’t an easy path and nothing is given to you.

Their work ethic proves it.

Haley attended high school at Sandra Day O’Connor in Phoenix, lettering four years, and was named the 2016 Arizona Gatorade Player of the Year.

It’s an achievement her father said made him realize his daughter could play college softball.

“In high school, when she got Gatorade Player of the Year, I

just knew this was something she wanted to do,” Busby said. “I’m a firm believer that all these girls can go to college. There’s a college for them somewhere.”

Haley started her college career at Virginia, spending her freshman and sophomore season with the Cavaliers before transferring to OSU, a difficult move for her.

“Virginia will always have a special place in my heart,” Hayley said. “I love the girls on that team. My dream has and always will be to go to the World Series, and unfortunately that program didn’t seem like it was the best fit for me.”

Virginia also made her switch positions. Hayley was accustomed to playing third base, she transitioned to shortstop while at UVA, a difficult move.

“They stuck her at shortstop and that was all kind of new to her,” Mike said. “You play third base your whole career then you’ve got to go to shortstop, it’s different.”

Mike said his daughter made the move to OSU because she wanted to be a part of a winning organization. When she arrived, Hayley bounced around positions, starting in the outfield at times. Her father had one piece of advice on what to do.

“I always told her one thing, if you hit, they will find a place for you to play,” Mike said.

Mike makes time to attend every Cowgirls game he can, even while owning a restoration company in Phoenix. He travels every weekend to Stillwater or wherever OSU is playing.

Coach Kenny Gajewski said he has developed a relationship with Mike because of how frequently he attends games.

“I’m a baseball guy, so I think when we talk it’s easy conversation,” Gajewski said.

“He was a great player obviously to play in the big leagues with the Cardinals, and he knows a lot about the game. I think that’s where Hayley has gotten a lot of her instincts and savviness from watching and seeing him.”

Gajewski said his former teammate Kevin Levinger is close friends with Busby, and the three have a group text they occa-

Courtesy of Mike Busby The Busby’s relationship was strengthened when Haley got too OSU and began to play softball.

sionally use to exchange stories.

“We just talk and laugh about stories and stuff like that,” Gajewski said. “I’m recruiting the kid more than the parent, but the parents are a huge deal as we go through with all this stuff.”

Hayley’s biggest influence was her coach. A coach who happened to be her father. A father who taught her the passion and love for softball.

“I definitely don’t think that having him as my dad or having him play professionally

gives me an edge over anybody else,” Haley said. “I think that it gives me a little more passion for the game. I think it gives me just kind of that fire to go be better and work really hard.”

For her father, he is happy to be her fan.

“Hopefully she can continue her success that she has had over the past couple of weeks and hopefully they have a legitimate shot at the championship,” Mike said. sports.ed@ocolly.com

sports

Claire Boomer

The Cowgirls golf team is searching for OSU’s first women’s national championship in school history.

Swinging for a breakthrough

Chris Becker Staff Reporter

Hanging from the rafters of Oklahoma State’s Gallagher Iba Arena are banners for all 52 NCAA National Championships in school history, but something’s missing from those banners.

A women’s title.

OSU has had good women’s teams in all sports on campus over the years, but none of them have been able to capture the

Big...

Continued from pg. 4B Haines and decided to reach out to OSU. “We talked to Megan and then they came over and took a little visit and hung out with us and we explained the opportunity that she would get,” Carmichael said.

An opportunity to walk on.

Ever since exploding onto the scene as a sophomore at Jenks, Haines was a spectacular player for the Trojans.

“Freshman year we knew it was there, Johnson said. “It just wasn’t quite time yet.”

There were a lot of good players in front of Haines, and she had not developed into the force she became.

“I think going through that helped her develop that hunger and chip on her shoulder,” Johnson said. “Then that sophomore year it clicked, and she’s taken off ever since.”

Haines was a multiyear all-district performer in high school and earned all-state accolades her senior year.

There were conversations with Haines about playing college soccer.

Others around her had done it, and she had progressed impressively.

elusive championship.

“You look up into Gallagher Iba and see all those banners able to put one up there that says women’s golf or have a women’s sport up there would obviously be something incredible,” OSU women’s golf coach Greg Robertson said.

Now in 2021, the OSU women’s golf team is trying to change that, and they’re on a good path to do so.

“I think everyone here wants to win a National Championship,” Cowgirl star Maja Stark said. “I think it would be really cool if we were the first women’s team at the school to win an NCAA Championship. We all have it in our minds.”

The Cowgirls are on a tear in the midst of their 2021 season.

“By her junior year — we always have Division I players and people who go onto the next level — she was just slicing through them,” Johnson said.

Trojan teammates of Haines signed at ORU and UCO. Another player she played with, Haley Ledford, even went to OSU. A strong senior year helped Haines establish herself in college soccer, but she had rounded into top form too late for most schools to offer her.

Haines knew where she wanted to go to college and was willing to take her chances with soccer at OSU. “You can go be a big fish in a small pond, or a small fish in a big pond and go take it,” Johnson said. “She never backs down from a challenge.”

Carmichael was honest with Haines about the prospects of walking on.

He could promise an opportunity. Nothing else.

“You could come here, earn minutes, play, get on the field, start, whatever,” Carmichael said. “But you could also be No. 30 on the bench and never get on the field.”

Carmichael was not necessarily looking for a player who would play when he signed Haines. he just wanted numbers, and good people.

“We talked with Megan and her family and

They have won their last two tournaments, three total this season, and have won five individual events.

“Just to see this group right now, they’re working hard, they’re a talented group,” Robertson said. “I know it sounds cliche, but we just have to keep taking it one step at a time. If we do all those little things, all that other stuff will fall into place.

Robertson, since taking over, has completely turned around the program. Before Robertson took over the Cowgirls had not had a multi-win season since 2015-16. In the seven seasons prior to Robertson the Cowgirls won just ten total events. Robertson has led the Cowgirls to four in just two seasons, with his first season being cut short due to

it was more about that than the actual playing side of things,” Carmichael said.

It turned out that Haines possessed the intangibles to join the team, and the very tangible skills to become a differencemaker.

“To get a kid who can actually come in and compete is a bonus,” Carmichael said.

Haines earned the respect of her teammates immediately.

“She’s one of those players that you can’t help but notice,” senior wingback Hannah Webb said.

The goal heard around the state The ball shot across the UTEP goalie box, going from left to right until it was deflected by a foot.

Haines’ sliding foot, the next thing the ball contacted was the net.

In her sophomore year, it was the first goal of Haines’ career.

Jumping up with both hands raised, Haines was swarmed by teammates.

“I had always been waiting for that moment… it was really cool to see my hard work pay off,” Haines said.

Haines had come a long way from the person who did not plan on a posthigh school career. She saw significant minutes in almost every game of the 2020-21 season and was put on scholarship.

COVID-19.

A national championship win would mean more to him than just the first women’s title in school history. It would mark how far the program has come, and would be his second repping the orange and black as he was a part of the 1995 NCAA Championship team at OSU. “To win a NCAA Championship you have to have a talented team, No. 1, you have to be peaking at the right time and you have to have some things fall your way,” Robertson said. “If you take care of all the things you can control, your attitude, your work and preparation that’s when special things start to happen.” sports.ed@ocolly.com

File Photo Haines scored her first goal, and teammates around the state celebrated her accomplishments.

“She came in here as a walk-on and earned everybody’s respect for her work ethic and how hard she plays the game,” Carmichael said.

Her story permeates beyond OSU. “She’s actually setting the tone for other players (at Jenks),” Johnson said. “Just because you’re not getting looks doesn’t mean there’s not opportunities to go out there and play at a high level.”

The Trojans watched OSU’s game against UTEP from their bus when traveling back from a match

against Deer Creek. Seeing Haines score was a moment Johnson will treasure forever.

“Those are those moments that are way better than rings and trophies,” Johnson said.

When looking at Haines’ story, some might point to good fortune. Others point elsewhere.

“Megan Haines is generally always the hardest worker on the field,” Olyvia Dowell said. sports.ed@ocolly.com

Page 6B Friday, April 9, 2021

sports Guy...

Continued from pg. 1 The race to get Encarnacion-Strand was on. OSU started recruiting him after his first season in Prescott.

“When you see guys on the field at third base who have big strong bodies like he does and move around and throw really well, you’re immediately intrigued by that because those are hard athletes to find. Those are things you rarely walk away from,” Holliday said.

Holliday sent one of his top recruiters to Arizona, OSU director of player development Roland Fanning.

“That guy can talk your ear off. He got me to come to decide within a day to come on a visit so within that next day I was already coming, Encarnacion-Strand said. “He just kept talking and he convinced me.”

Leaving Yavapai behind was sad, but it wasn’t too difficult of a choice for Encarnacion-Strand to make.

“That school, it’s all about getting out and moving on to the next thing,” Encarnacion-Strand said.

“That was a big thing with (Cougill) it wasn’t ‘Stay here, keep our program the best it can be’ it was ‘Do what you got to do to move on with your career’ and that’s what I liked about him a lot.”

Even though he had never been to Oklahoma before he took a visit to Stillwater. Adjusting to life as a Cowboy hasn’t been

too difficult for Encarnacion-Strand.

“Off the field I love it,” Encarnacion-Strand said. “Everyone here is super friendly, so it’s been super easy.”

Encarnacion-Strand said getting on a routineoriented strength schedule has been the biggest development in his time at OSU. Working with coach Matt Holliday has helped him open his power in the box to all fields.

It took him a while to get adjusted to swinging an aluminum bat, because the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference used wooden bats.

“In the fall it was rough switching back over to metal cause…I hadn’t swung metal since high school, ‘’ EncarnacionStrand said. “Switching back over was a little weird but I got comfortable with it in the springtime, so it hasn’t been too bad now.”

Saying “it hasn’t been too bad now” might be the understatement of the year. EncarnacionStrand leads the Cowboys in hits, batting average, home runs, and slugging percentage.

“He is starting to settle down and do on a consistent basis a lot of really special things,” Holliday said. “I see him settling in and trusting his abilities.”

There is only one bad part about having Encarnacion-Strand in the lineup.

“The worst part of having Christian was having to type EncarnacionStrand on a roster and trying to make it fit on your excel sheet, that was about it,” Cougill said. sports.ed@ocolly.com

Q&A: Basics of equestrian Dean Ruhl Staff Reporter The Oklahoma State Equestrian team is one of the top teams in the country. The O’Colly sat down with coach Larry Sanchez to discuss the basics of equestrian, and how the national championships will work this season.

Q: How do you set a starting lineup? Is it like football with a depth chart, or baseball with a rotation?

A: “There’s no rotation usually. In the regular season, we have five riders per event, there are four events, so a total of 20 can compete. We just have to come up with the top five riders that can best represent OSU in that event on that day.”

Q: How are the events broken down in equestrian?

A: “We’re riding four horses per event, and there are four events. (There’s) the jumping seat events, Basically that’s your traditional English attire and an English saddle.

They’re generally riding warmbloods or horses that are capable of jumping big fence heights, where on the western events they’re on a traditional western saddle and western attire and they’re doing reining

Alicia Young The Cowgirls equestrian team is one of the nation’s best, but the sport is unique in it’s set up.

and western horsemanship, which are two events in our industry that showcase rider ability.”

Q: Can you scout your opponent in equestrian?

A: “The opponent, what they do with that horse isn’t as important…

We usually scout horses when we’re going. Like when we go to Texas A&M, we’re going to watch tape on meets this year they’ve had, where those horses we could potentially see when we go down there, so we can be ready and prepared for the type of horses we’re going to ride down there.”

Q: Does the draw matter? Are the horses differing in skill level or is it nominal?

A: “If you ask my team, the draw is huge.

Another way to explain it is if you score a horse as

far as their ability goes on a scale from 1-10, with the best horse in the country a 10 and the worst horse in the country a one or a zero…Finding a rider that’s really good on whatever horse you put them on, there’s very few who are good at that. I’ve got a lot of girls on the team that are really good at riding those eight, nines and tens.

That’s what they grew up competing on, their parents could afford that caliber of horse and so they’re used to driving that Ferrari. But you put them in an old Jeep without power steering and a stick shift, they struggle.

That’s just to give you an idea of what these girls have to deal with…The girls that I like are the ones that can ride every ability level horse but they also have the confidence to like the tougher ones”

See full story on ocolly.com

FOR RELEASE APRIL 9, 2021

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sentiment 63 False move 65 Lays down the lawn

4 Wine orders 5 Tennis wear 6 Hebrew scripture

Thursday’s Puzzle Solved

8 Toulouse title: Abbr.

10 Arch support 11 More likely to give 12 Pretend to be 14 Two-spread short 20 Yiddish cries 22 Travel here and there 23 Coop collections Hera 25 Ill. neighbor

©2021 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

in some court proceedings, and 32 Fed on also (in two ways) 33 Depressing 35 Napoleonic Code to starred clues part 36 Swearing-in DOWN custom 1 NBC show with 37 Birdbrain, or an Ego Nwodim 2 Try to win 38 Claim with 3 Verizon competitor 3

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4/9/21

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Daily Horoscope

Level 1

2

3

4

Nancy Black Tribune Content Agency Linda Black Horoscopes (TNS) Today’s Birthday (04/09/21). Together, you can do anything this year. Consistent, coordinated actions with allies get outsized results. Springtime research deviations lead to summertime creative prizes. Resolve winter income transitions that lead to expanding educational boundaries and exciting new terrain. Enjoy precious moments with dear friends.

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 — Review priorities. Assess potential strengths and weaknesses. All is not as it appears. Complete projects and issues from the past. Restore integrity where missing.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is an 8 — Check public opinion. Things may not go as planned with a team effort. Wait for developments. Consider risks and consequences. Make a stable connection.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is an 8 — Team up with a genius. Professional creative inspiration. Discover hidden truth.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is a 9 — Study, research and travel entice. Explore fresh terrain in your neighborhood. Pursue educational goals and curiosities.

Fall into a fascination or creative obsession.

weight-bearing structures in advance. Collaborate to strengthen foundations.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is a 9 — Consult an excellent strategist. Go beyond the automatic reaction. Look before leaping. Consider another view. Partnership provides strength and comfort. Enjoy a loving connection.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is a 9 — Slow to navigate sharp corners. Focus on improving your health and physical performance, despite a challenge. The workload could seem intense. Take a refreshing pause.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is an 8 — Focus on what you love. Don’t gamble now. Passion is invigorating. Draw upon hidden resources. Imagine happy endings. Connect with your dear ones. Rekindle hope.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is a 7 — Relax into domestic comforts.

Imagine the changes you’d like. Consider color and function. Research carefully for best value. Cook, clean and savor the delicious rewards.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is a 9 — You’re especially clever. Listen to a hunch. Follow the money for hidden clues. Avoid risk or controversy. False hopes get shattered. Unravel a mystery.

faith; you’ve got this.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is a 9 — Advance a personal cause without Learn new tricks to step ahead.

4/9/21 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, April 9, 2021