Friday, July 11, 2025
Money Hungry
Cash hunts bring campus together with hidden $20 drops
BY BRYSON THADHANI I SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR
Anonymity is part of the fun for the person behind Oklahoma State’s unofficial money tree: surprise cash hunts around campus.
The Instagram page that runs the game doesn’t list a name, and its creator asked not to be named in this story. The mystery is intentional, helping build what the money man refers to as an “exclusively college” vibe designed for students.
“It’s fun to run around with friends and try to see who can get there first,” he said. “Even people who show up a little late think it’s funny because you meet other students who saw the video at the same time.”
Connections through clay Prairie Art Center creates friendships
a new place. It’s very therapeutic and humbling — and it’s helped me meet so many great people.”
Here’s how it works: The page posts a short video clue showing where a $20 bill is hidden somewhere around Stillwater. Students race to find it. The first to arrive keeps the cash.
The idea started after the account’s founder saw others hiding cash to be found in bigger cities.
“I saw the pages in big cities
Jennifer Catoe didn’t
“I have no talent in painting at all,” Catoe said, laughing. “But pottery has been a really big help moving to
Under the guidance of local ceramic artists, students at Prairie Arts Center learn how to center clay, pull walls and throw basic forms in a four-week beginner wheel throwing course. For $135, students receive all materials, including a 10-pound bag of clay, tools, glazes and in-studio firing. Classes run Monday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m., July 7-28. See CLAY on page 3
doing this,” he said. “I felt that college campuses have such cool cultures and atmospheres.”
He said OSU was an ideal fit.
“Oklahoma State has such a unique atmosphere inside the college bubble,” he said. “It’s just a fun thing to do, kind of exclusively for the college town.”
See MONEY on page 2
OSU student gets eliminated from ‘Love Island USA’ days before finale
RAYNEE HOWELL NEWS & LIFESTYLE EDITOR Review
Most contestants on ‘Love Island USA’ leave the Villa with nothing but a suitcase in hand.
Taylor Williams, Oklahoma State veterinary medicine student, walked out with his connection’s hand in his. In the first couple elimination of the season, Williams and Clarke Carraway received the fewest votes for favorite couple, which ultimately sent them home.
Yet it wasn’t a complete surprise after last Thursday’s episode when
the islanders played a game titled “Hate to Burst Your Bubble.” It revealed Carraway and Williams were considered the least genuine and least trustworthy by viewers, most likely due to Williams ending things with his previous connection the episode before. Williams was one of the vulnerable islanders in a mass island dumping in that same episode. Williams and Carraway were one of two strong connections at risk, the other being TJ Palma and Iris Kendall.
See LOVE ISLAND on page 3
Raynee Howell
The operator of the Instagram account @findthecashokstate hides $20 bills, like the ones pictured, at points around OSU and Stillwater, then posts short videos guiding money hunters to the prize.
Erin Williams
One of the pottery instructors, Kimberly Bryant, at a previous open house at the Prairie Arts Center.
Courtesy PeacockTV
Taylor Williams and Clarke Carraway (right) wait to hear the results of the first couple elimination on
Right now, $20 is the standard prize at OSU, though he hopes that grows.
“We just started, so there’s no big reason for more than $20,” he said. “It’s as much as I can afford. I wish it was more, and my goal is always to give away more. But for now, $20 is good.”
At other schools, the money man has done bigger drops.
“The most we’ve done is $300 at Texas A&M,” he said. “That page is at 25,000 followers. It was getting so much support that local restaurants and small businesses actually helped fund some of the drops.”
In Stillwater, he uses local students to do the hiding.
“I really trust the student hires,” he said. “They help run the page and hide the money. The students know the campus better than I do.”
He also pays the students a cut.
“I usuall send them $120,” he said. “They’ll hide five twenties and keep $20 so they get paid a little bit.”
The rush to find the cash is fast. With 2,000 followers on the account, the cash typically is found within 5 to 10 minutes. Even with the speed, the mean behind the account is trying to make it more challenging.
“I’m thinking of ways to give more people a chance,” he said. “Maybe show less of the spot or hide it under a rock so it takes longer to find. It makes it more fun because more people get to look for it.”
The reactions from students have been overwhelmingly positive.
“Everyone loves it,” he said. “On social media, there’s so much negative stuff that goes viral. This is 100% positive content, so it’s cool to make something people enjoy.” He described one particularly memorable incident.
“Something weird happened at Texas Tech,” he said. “Two people both sent me pictures of half of the bill. I think they met up and took it to the bank to get a fresh $20. They split it.”
Looking ahead, the anonymous organizer hopes the idea keeps growing. He also envisions bigger stunts in the future.
“I just know that the bigger the page gets, the more we can give away,” he said. “It’d be cool to work with mascots at football games,” he said. “You could tape a bill to the mascot’s back and whoever finds them first gets it.”
For now, the cash hunts keep popping up around Stillwater — and the mystery behind them is all part of the appeal.
news.ed@ocolly.com
Stillwater Public Library construction ends, main building open to public
RAYNEE HOWELL NEWS & LIFESTYLE EDITOR
A construction project replacing the fire suppression system has changed operations at the Stillwater Public Library for the past six months.
During the Fourth of July holiday, volunteers and staff moved materials back to the main building from the north building to reopen to the public July 5. Stacy DeLano, the library director, said she is thankful not only for the patience of the Stillwater community, but also her staff and volunteers who stepped up.
“We thank all of our patrons for
their amazing patience during this project,” DeLano said in a Facebook post. “But most of all, thank you to this outstanding staff and volunteers. I didn’t require working on the holiday, they are just that incredibly dedicated”
The library’s north building, which contained the main lobby and several meeting rooms, was closed from Dec. 16 to May 22. Meeting rooms became limited to the two rooms located in the main area, and reading events were moved to offsite locations, such as the Stillwater Armory and the Community Center.
Once construction was completed in the north building, the library
closed for two weeks to move as many services and materials it could to the north building to allow construction to begin in the main building.
Now that construction is complete, the main building is back open to the public with checkout services, computers and events scheduled in its usual locations.
Although the library is open, the staff is still working on getting things back to normal. Some computers are still rebooting, the fax machine is out of service and several meeting rooms are not yet open.
news.ed@ocolly.com
Stillwater Strong
Around 1,500 donors raised more than $545,000 in support of Stillwater residents affected by the March 14 wildfires through the Stillwater Strong Relief fund. Applications for financial assistance are now open through Aug. 1. You can scan this QR code to make a donation.
Raynee Howell
The Instagram account @findthecashokstate hides $20 bills like the ones pictured, but the founder hopes to eventually offer bigger prizes.
File photo
The fire suppression replacement project at the Stillwater Public Library has now ended, opening the main library to the public once again.
Continued from 1
Palma was ultimately dumped to give Williams more time. His leaving caused Kendall to couple up with Pepe Garcia Gonzalez. Both couples continue to foster their connections, but Williams decided Tuesday night’s episode was the one to close off. Each boy in the Villa helped spell out C-L-A-R-K-E in cheerleader fashion while chanting to her. Williams then asked if she wanted to be exclusive, and she said yes. It was a happy moment that would soon turn bittersweet with the elimination looming.
Many predicted either Carraway and Williams or Kendall and Gonzalez would be eliminated. Kendall and Gonzalez were only in a couple for a few days, and therefore at risk of not receiving as many votes as couples that are fan favorites.
Even with Caraway and Williams having a stronger connection, viewers held a grudge for the way Olandria Carthen and Williams’ connection played out.
Carraway originally chose Taylor in a recoupling during Casa Amor — a twist in the series that separates the original islanders from each other and introduces new girls and boys. Williams chose Coco Lodge originally, but 24 hours later coupled up with Carraway.
From then on, they were inseparable. Williams built something with Carraway in a few days that he couldn’t build with Carthen in weeks. When Carthen returned to the main Villa, Williams said he was open to exploring both connections, but ultimately put more effort into Carraway.
This caused Kendall and Gonzalez to somehow receive more votes as a couple despite both being in stronger connections previously. In the producer’s game of twisting emotions, they put Carthen and her connection Nicolas Vansteenberghe and Carraway and Williams next to each other at the fire pit as the last two remaining.
To make matters worse, the room at a watch party at a bar called DVL in Tulsa erupted in cheers upon the couple’s elimination. As much as ‘Love Island USA’ is for “finding love,” it’s also about making viewers happy. Making fans of Carthen upset ultimately was Williams’ downfall, at least in terms of winning the money.
Williams will attend veterinary school at OSU for the next three years and, based on comments made in the show, will try long distance with Carraway.
news.ed@ocolly.com
Lifestyle
Continued from 1
The studio also offers Wheel Throwing II on Wednesday nights, July 9-30, for those who’ve completed the introductory course. That class builds on the fundamentals, encouraging students to refine their technique and experiment with more advanced shapes and designs.
“I started taking Wheel I, then Wheel II, and now I just come to Open Studio whenever I can,”said Abigail Richardson, a recent architecture graduate. “I’ve always painted and sewn, but pottery was something I knew I’d fall in love with — and I did.”
The studio’s Open Studio program allows past students to use the space independently throughout the week. Open Studio is $85 a month and includes shelf storage, glazes and kiln access. Students may work during posted hours Tuesday through Saturday, with clay available for purchase at $1.50 per pound.
“It’s not a led class, but it’s incredibly collaborative,” Catoe said.
A SPECIAL PEOPLE!
“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.” (1 Pet.2:9-10 NIV)
The apostle Peter is writing to a people who previously had no real relationship with God, but as they came to Christ, to trust and follow him all things changed. They are now special people, a pure people, chosen to be a special group who were taken from spiritual darkness. They are God’s people!
If you have come to Jesus, and received forgiveness of your sins; this is also your new condition. The Apostle Paul said it this way; “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;
old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Co.5:17 NIV)
We are the people of God and we have sto ry to tell. We can proclaim it clearly and sincerely to all. This happened to me in Japan, November, 1956. I heard the good news of Christ and things begin to change in my life. Jesus became real and began leading my life. It has been an adventure, learning to fellowship and walk with the Lord. I have made many mistakes, but the Lord keeps encouraging me to keep following Him.
The God, who has started a good work in me and you (fellow believer) will finish it with eternal consequences. All through the ages to come we get to experience life with Christ. If you have not yet put your trust in Him and begin following him. I urge you to do It now. He is faithful to lead your life into the best (sometimes difficult) things and will glorify Himself and produce lasting blessings. It’s open to al!.
“We’re always helping each other — offering tips, answering questions and encouraging each other when pieces don’t turn out the way we hoped.”
That community is part of what keeps students coming back, even after frustrating moments.
“Centering the clay is probably the hardest part,” said Riley Messman. “It takes a lot of patience. You’ll fail. You’ll mess things up. But you keep coming back anyway — because it’s fun, and it’s also really satisfying to improve.”
Many students say the studio has grown significantly in the past year, with classes often full and open studio racks nearly maxed out. Some now sell their pieces at seasonal sales hosted by the center, at local farmers markets or through online platforms like Etsy.
Whether working toward artistic mastery or just making a mug for morning coffee, students agree that the experience is about more than the clay.
“We joke about how many bowls we have at home,” Catoe said. “But what we’re really building here is connection — something solid, like
the clay itself.”
Lauren Oyer, who has worked at Prairie Arts Center for more than a year and a half, sees that connection play out every day.
“It’s just a great place of collaboration,” Oyer said. “We get so many people who come in with new ideas or want to help — whether it’s for a class, a summer camp or just open studio time.”
In addition to pottery, the center offers a diverse range of creative courses in printmaking, stained glass, jewelry and metalsmithing.
“One of the things we do really well is having very versatile classes,” Oyer said. “It’s not just for students at OSU — it’s really for the entire community.”
That mission is reflected in everything from affordable art supplies through its donation-based art shop to beginner-friendly classes open to anyone 15 and older.
“I wish I had known about it earlier when I was a student,” Oyer said. “It’s such a valuable resource for anyone who wants to be creative but maybe doesn’t know where to start.”
news.ed@ocolly.com
@loveislandusa Via Instagram
Clarke Carraway (left) stands with Taylor Williams after being eliminated as a couple four days before the finale.
Erin Williams
In the wheel throwing pottery class, students receive all materials, including a 10-pound bag of clay, tools, glazes and in-studio firing, for $135.
Eskimo Joe’s hosts weeklong celebration for 50th anniversary
Event List
July 12 – Kids’ Carnival
July 14 – Game Night
July 15 – Juke Joint Karaoke
July 16 – Cowboys vs Cancer Celebrity Waiter Night
July 17 – Glow Party with DJ
July 18 – Clem Night
July 19 – Street Party
July 20 – Family celebration
July 21 – Time capsule reveal
RAYNEE HOWELL NEWS & LIFESTYLE EDITOR
Cheese fries and good times.
Two things Eskimo Joe’s continuously brings to Stillwater.
The “Jumpin’ Little Juke Joint” on Elm Avenue first opened in July 1975, when two recently-graduated Oklahoma State students took a gamble and opened a bar. 50 years later, Joe’s has become a household name across Oklahoma and beyond.
To celebrate its long-lasting success, the restaurant is hosting events and concerts throughout next week. Grab your friends, family and a basket of cheese fries to celebrate alongside those who love Joe’s.
The celebration is beginning early, as Friday is National Fry Day. The Big Idaho Potato Truck will be at Joe’s from 4-8 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
A kids’ carnival — complete with inflatables, face painting, free snacks and more — will also take place in Joe’s parking lot from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. To grab a free keepsake to start the anniversary week off right, Joe’s clothing store is giving away free posters from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will also be limited-edition 50th anniversary shirts for sale all week; buy one as soon as possible to guarantee you get your hands on one.
Monday is game night and Tuesday is
karaoke night. These classic activities will warm up the celebrators before the havoc really begins. Wednesday is Cowboys vs. Cancer Celebrity Waiter night from 6-8 p.m. with live music following from artist Hosty at 10 p.m. During the night, a “Wheel of Beer” will be spun for drink specials every 30 minutes. Thursday will be another late night on Elm Avenue. A glow party with a DJ will begin at 10 p.m. Next Friday is Clem night, a live music event featuring Craig Clemons and other musical artists, paying tribute to Joe’s roots of live music events.
Next Saturday, the street party returns. Several performers including Richmond Road, Smokin’ Oaks and My So Called Band, will fill the street with music and melodies. The venue opens at 5 p.m., and music will start 30 minutes later.
The next day is a family affair. The restaurant will have a family celebration with complimentary cupcakes, cake and a balloon artist from 12-3 p.m. To round out the festivities on July 21 — the exact date Joe’s opened — the time capsule from the 25th anniversary will be revealed at noon
If you can’t make it to all the events but still find a time to stop by for a meal, the staff at Joe’s is hiding prizes in the silverware packs. There’s a chance customers can spin a prize wheel or play Plinko for exclusive prizes.
news.ed@ocolly.com
Payton Little
A neon sign outside of Eskimo Joe’s honors the year it opened, reflecting a deep history to passersby.
Friday, July 11, 2025
Gundy talks starters, talent during Big 12 Media Days
FRISCO, Texas — Mike Gundy and three Oklahoma State football players participated in the Big 12 Media Days on Wednesday afternoon at the Ford Center.
Coming off Gundy’s worst season in 2024 (3-9,0-9), Oklahoma State is gearing up to try and mount a comeback season.
Here are the five most notable things Gundy had to say about the upcoming year.
‘The Big 12 has the best commissioner in all of sports.’ Gundy held nothing back in giving credit to Brett Yormark, the thirdyear commissioner of the Big 12. He
discussed personal conversations he’s had with Yormark and how the businessman has taken the bull by the horns to modernize the league.
With modernization comes support for the so-called “5+11” College Football Playoff model, which Gundy endorsed. He echoed the words of the commissioner that a model that forces teams to earn it on the field is best for college football.
‘I’m going to go on vacation, and I’m not sure that I know who will be the starters in eight of the 20 spots.’
With 65 new players — 35 of whom the coaches haven’t even seen practice yet — there’s plenty of uncertainty heading into fall camp.
But there’s more clarity at one
position based on experience.
“The one position group is secondary,” Gundy said. “There will be returning starters that we’ve seen play, one of them being here (Cam Smith), but beyond that it’s a new team.”
That being said, Gundy is placing a huge emphasis on August said that’s when the majority of roster decisions will be made — including at quarterback, where Zane Flores and Hauss Hejny are competing for the starting spot.
“I think it would be unfair to say one or the other right now,” Gundy said when asked if both quarterbacks would see the field in the first game.
“We’ll just have to wait and see.”
‘When we start on July 27, two
things have to go out the window: One, thinking of transferring, and two, the money aspect.’
With a new season Gundy is setting a new standard for his player. A sentiment shared between OSU coaches at a roundtable was that entitlement has encroached upon college football players in the name, image and likeness-funded era.
To combat it, Gundy said that he has been preaching two things that have to be out of sight and out of mind when the players report to fall camp July 27: Transferring and money. If his players can keep these temptations at the back of their mind and winning at the forefront, they can achieve success.
See MEDIA on page 6
Connor Fuxa
Oklahoma State football coach Mike Gundy talks to the media at Big 12 Media Days on Wednesday at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas.
ALYSSA BRANDON STAFF REPORTER
‘I’m confident that we’re fine, I just don’t know when we’re going to show up.’
A large portion of the conversation Wednesday afternoon was center around how Gundy’s team will bounce back from last season’s 0-9 record in conference play. It’s not an acceptable outcome two years in a row.
Gundy is optimistic, but with so many new factors at play, there is no sense of when that comeback could happen. The longest-tenured Big 12 coach is about to see his 21st season, but he’s never seen these types of challenges.
More new players, fewer roster spots, less time to develop, more college football chaos.
The reality is that the business side of college football is seeping in, and it’s threatening to turn the sport into a pro-level environment, calling for a whole different approach from even the most well-seasoned coaches.
“I’m hoping by the middle of August, our coaches will say, ‘OK, this is who we are. This is our identity on offense. This is who we are on defense. Now let’s find a way to get ready to play in the first game.”
‘Our running back room is a whole lot like this conference; we could have five guys go out there and rush the ball for 100 yards.’
OSU added several new players in the offseason, and one group that should have a lot to show for it is the running back room.
The Cowboys have a good ol’fashioned mixed bag — two new transfers, two tested returners and two redshirt freshmen. There are officially seven running backs listed on the roster, but these six look like the guys most likely to make an impact this year.
Headlining the group as newcomers are Kalib Hicks, who transferred from Oklahoma, and Freddie Brock, who led Georgia State in all rushing stats in 2024. Then there’s Trent Howland and Sesi Vehilahi. The two combined for 329 yards and three touchdowns last year, but each showed flashes of capability as a lead back.
Rodney Fields and Jaden AllenHendrix fill out the remaining spots. Both bring fresh legs as Fields finished the 2024 season with 21 carries on 99 yards, and AllenHendricks comes in with no in-game experience. news.ed@ocolly.com
Gundy, Ford discuss Cowboys’ quarterback room
ALYSSA BRANDON STAFF REPORTER
FRISCO, Texas — Going into the 2025 season, one of the most pressing matters at hand for the Oklahoma State football team is the state of its ongoing quarterback battle — Zane Flores vs. Hauss Hejny. To no surprise, coach Mike Gundy didn’t name a starter this week at Big 12 Media Days.
“I think it would be unfair to say one or the other right now,” Gundy said when asked when he would roll out his starter. “We’ll just have to wait and see.
“They’re both accurate. They’re both mobile, they’re tough, they’re grinders. They have a lot of similarities. Here’s the bad news: I haven’t seen one of them play a game yet.”
Flores is entering his third season in Stillwater without a college snap in a live game. Hejny, a transfer from TCU, has seen the field, but he hasn’t completed a pass.
“He didn’t even pitch an option
backwards,” Gundy joked with reporters with a chuckle.
Hejny entered four games for the Horned Frogs last year, primarily involved in run plays, and ended the year with 15 carries for 65 yards.
“So that makes me feel better,” Gundy said sarcastically. “Neither one of them has attempted a forward pass in college football.”
Sophomore tight end Josh Ford rooms with Flores but has seen potential in both QBs.
“Both great quarterbacks,” Ford said. “(They are) both well-versed in a lot of different ways.
“I was saying in the offseason how we were doing sprints, and (Hejny) would be leading the pack with his speed and that really stood out to me… He can fly. He also has a great arm, very accurate.”
The 6-foot, 206-pound dual-threat Hejny was brought over from TCU following OSU’s hiring of offensive coordinator Doug Meacham.
“We recruited (Flores), we know him, so we like that,” Gundy said. “Doug knows Hauss.”
While Hejny has seen more snaps, Flores has the longer tenure with the program, being part of the Cowboys’ system since 2023. He took a redshirt his first year and was sidelined with an injury in the 2024 season.
Ford’s relationship with Flores goes back to before Ford’s college days. Before Ford was even enrolled at OSU, Flores earned his respect.
“I remember coming to camp when he first committed here, and he was in camp as well, and I remember seeing him and just being very impressed about how accurate he was,” Ford said. “I then got here as a freshman, he didn’t really get a chance to play… but I think he is going to compete very well this year.”
While both seem to get praise from Gundy and Ford, there is still a decision to be made at the Cowboys’ quarterback spot.
“We very well could (play both quarterbacks),” Gundy said.
“Somebody is going to have to take the job, or we have to play both.”
news.ed@ocolly.com
Connor Fuxa
The Cowboys are looking at a fresh 2025 team, giving Gundy and Co. a range of options for starters, talent and playmaking.
Connor Fuxa
Josh Ford is expected to be a standout returner for the Cowboys in the 2025 season.
OSU tennis fires head coach, put on 3-year NCAA probation
Oklahoma State women’s tennis coach Chris Young has been relieved of his duties after an NCAA investigation revealed recurring violations, the school announced Wednesday. Assistant coach Henner Nehles will act as the interim coach while the school conducts a national search to fill the position.
The NCAA investigation concluded that “the violations were classified as Level I-Mitigated for Oklahoma State and Level I-Standard for Young.” The investigation also found “underlying violations in this case are Level II, but Young’s conduct during the investigation elevated the case to Level I.”
The conclusion of the NCAA’s investigation brought Level I-Mitigated violations for OSU and Level I-Standard violations for Young. Young’s “conduct during the investigation” elevated the case from a Level II to Level I.
Young was said to have not cooperated with the NCAA’s investigation “by not producing all of the electronic communications he had with a student-athlete and then directed that student-athlete to withhold information from NCAA investigative staff.”
The NCAA has placed the Oklahoma State women’s tennis program on probation for three years. Young impermissibly contacted three transfer athletes, the NCAA found. College Tennis Nation first reported the news.
In one instance, Young “had in-person contact with a student-athlete… who was enrolled at another school and then began interacting with her on social media before she had entered the portal,” according to the case summary.
In another instance, Young began recruiting an athlete who had entered the portal and whose teammate, “while interested in transferring, had not,” according to the summary. Those three transfers all transferred to and competed for Oklahoma State. Young
Carriers Needed
made impermissible contact with a fourth prospective transfer through one of those three, but the fourth athlete elected to remain at her thencurrent school.
The NCAA also found that Young did not cooperate with its investigation and that he told a prospective transfer to withhold information, which is a violation of head coach responsibility rules.
Along with three years of probation, OSU will also pay a fine of $35,000 plus 1% of the women’s tennis program budget. OSU will also limit its official recruiting visits
The O’Colly has carrier positions open for the new school year. These positions are each Friday from 5 a.m. to approximately 7 a.m. Carriers deliver approximately 1000 papers each to newspaper racks all over campus. We also have a position open to deliver to several hotels in the Stillwater community. Campus carriers are required to have a backup carrier in the event you are not able to deliver papers.
If you are an early riser and are dependable we urge you to apply. Position starts August 15, 2025.
Please send resume to Lori@ocolly.com
by 18% based on the average number of visits for the previous four years.
The school prohibited unofficial visits for 10 weeks during the spring of 2025 and prohibited off-campus recruiting for 10 weeks during the 2024-25 academic year. It also prohibited recruiting communications for three weeks during the 2024-25 school year — such communications will also be prohibited for seven weeks during the coming school year. Young will be required to serve a four-year show-cause
order, during which he is not allowed to communicate with prospective transfers in December for each year of the order. He will be suspended from two regular-season contests during the 2025-26 season. OSU is also required to vacate wins and records from matches in which the improperly recruited transfer participated.
sports.ed@ocolly.com
sports.ed@ocolly.com
Davis Hicks
Oklahoma State women’s tennis coach Chris Young was relieved of his duties after the program received a three-year probation sentence for recruiting violations.
Hendrickson, Stark up for 2025 ESPYS
athletes earned national recognition as the best in their sport.
Two of Oklahoma State’s finest products are X nominated for awards at ESPN’s Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly Awards on July 16. Wyatt Hendrickson (Best College Athlete in Men’s Sports) and Maja Stark (Best Golfer) are used to competing against the best of the best, but this time, it will take place in fancy suits and dresses as they take to the stage in Los Angeles. Hendrickson is stacked up against some of college’s best athletes in Duke’s Cooper Flagg, Colorado’s Travis Hunter and Cornell’s CJ Krist. Hendrickson, the heavyweight national champion, knocked off Olympic gold medalist Gable Stevenson in the NCAA finals in
cinematic fashion. Hendrickson finished his historic season with an unblemished record (27-0) and defeated nine All-Americans in the process.
Hendrickson collected his third conference championship when he took the Big 12 title and concluded his career with a 127-11 record. He is just the third Cowboy to win the Dan Hodge Trophy, celebrating the best wrestler in the nation. He also added Big 12 Wrestler of the Year and NCAA’s Most Dominant Wrestler to his resume at the conclusion of the 2024-25 season. The competition in the men’s college athlete category doesn’t present an easy road for Hendrickson, as Flagg and Hunter went No. 1 and No. 2 in the NBA and NFL drafts, respectively. Just like Hendrickson, both standout
Stark also has a tough path to her possible award in the “Best Golfer” category, competing against names such as Nelly Korda, Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler. Between the four nominees, they share 11 major wins, with Stark’s U.S. Women’s Open victory being the most recent.
In her two-year stint as a Cowgirl, Stark earned Big 12 Golfer of the Year and shattered the school record in stroke average (-1.42 to par) in 2021. No other player in OSU history has recorded more birdies (139) or rounds of par or better (22) than the Cowgirl alumna.
She led the program to its first NCAA Championship finals match and 10th Big 12 Championship in her second year. As just a sophomore,
Stark tied for 16th at the U.S. Women’s Open, acting as a testament to her early success and driving her to join the LPGA tour in 2022.
Since her inaugural season, Stark has added two career wins, 14 career top-10 finishes and 19 career top-25 finishes. Of her 14 top-10 finishes, four came in 2024, including back-toback runner-up results at The Chevron Championship and JM Eagle LA Championship.
Stark is in good company, running alongside the 2025 Masters (McIlroy) and PGA Championship (Scheffler) winners, as well as one of the winningest LPGA tour participants (Korda).
Viewers can watch or stream the 2025 ESPYS live on ABC or ESPN+ on July 16 at 7 p.m. CST. KENZIE
sports.ed@ocolly.com
Bailey Schmitz
NCAA wrestling champion Wyatt Hendrickson is one of two Oklahoma State alums nominated for the 2025 ESPYS, which will be held July 16 in Los Angeles.