Friday, June 13, 2025
Courtesy Brandi Simons While representing OSU at the 65th Hearst National Journalism Championships, former Editor-in-Chief Ashton Slaughter placed second in the National Writing Championship.
Making Headlines
Former Editor-in-Chief places second in Hearst National Writing Championship
A
BY KENZIE KRAICH
shton Slaughter had a decorated journalism career at Oklahoma State. Last week, the May graduate added one final collegiate accolade. The former Editor-in-Chief of The O’Colly represented OSU on one of
the biggest stages in journalism at the 65th Hearst National Journalism Championships in San Francisco, CA, earning second place in the National Writing Championship. The recognition and $7,500 reward for Slaughter’s hard work are great indicators of a successful week, but it meant more than material things
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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
for the Owasso native. “This was just the cherry on top of my experience with the Hearst Awards, and a great footnote to my college journalism career,” Slaughter said. The “footnote” would add to the accolades for Slaughter as he took various leadership roles in
The O’Colly after starting as a staff reporter in his first semester at OSU. After being named assistant sports editor for the 2023-2024 academic year, Slaughter jumped into the sports editor position the following summer and fall.
See SLAUGHTER on page 2
Audit reveals problems with payroll, misuse of work vehicles in Payne County RAYNEE HOWELL
Payton Little
the department was not consistently NEWS AND LIFESTYLE EDITOR maintaining full-time hours. She requested a forensic audit from SA&I in July 2023. Three employees in the Payne Using camera footage to track the County Environmental Enforcement employees’ claimed hours, the audit Department drove county vehicles for found an overpayment of $2,796.46. personal use and claimed hours on The camera footage monitoring timesheets they did not work, causing the parking lot and gate were only them to be overpaid thousands of maintained for a small window of time. dollars, an investigative audit from the Oklahoma Office of the State Auditor & The Sheriff’s office was able to give District 3 commissioner footage from Inspector (SA&I) revealed. March 27, 2023, through May 15, 2023. The report, released June 4, states that the District 3 commissioner found See AUDIT on page 3
Shrum was named as Chickasaw Nation’s chief health strategy officer on Monday.
Shrum named Chickasaw Nation’s new chief health strategy officer KENZIE KRAICH EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Former Oklahoma State president Dr. Kayse Shrum has been named as Chickasaw Nation’s chief health strategy officer on Monday, despite her earlier claims to remain with OSU. After her resignation on Feb. 3 and a public acceptance of it by the Board of Regents on Feb. 5, Shrum
has been under a magnifying glass. Ongoing investigations into the Innovation Foundation’s misuse of state-appropriated funds have kept the former president in the public spotlight. Despite all the buzz, the Chickasaw Nation has put Shrum in a full-time position in which she is expected to assist in the strategies and execution of the upcoming Newcastle medical center campus.
See SHRUM on page 2
Raynee Howell Three employees in the Payne County Environmental Enforcement Department were paid for several hours they did not work, according to an investigative audit.
Page 2 Friday, June 13, 2025
O’Colly
News Slaughter Continued from 1
Connor Fuxa The OSU/A&M Board of Regents announced it accepted former OSU President Dr. Kayse Shrum’s resignation Feb. 3.
Shrum
Continued from 1 “Dr. Kayse Shrum’s qualification in rural health care, education and collaborative system development are exemplary, and the Chickasaw Nation is happy to have her on board,” Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby said in a press release. “A longtime advocate of rural health care, we are confident in Dr. Shrum’s ability to help augment our health care programs and services in a way that prioritizes excellence and accessibility.” Shrum has an extensive background in healthcare. She joined a private practice in Muskogee after graduating from the OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1998, but just a few years later (2002) decided to return to OSU as a professor. Her tenure at OSU included various accolades: Dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine (2011), president of OSU-CHS (2013) and the university’s 19th president (2021).
Within that time, Oklahoma governor Kevin Stitt appointed Shrum as the Secretary of Science and Innovation (2019). Shrum established the Office for the Advancement of American Indians in Medicine and Science, various high school initiatives such as Operation Orange and Blue Coat to White Coat, and she kick started residency programs across tribal health systems — all initiatives the Chickasaw Nation took to heart when hiring her. To add to her dedication to rural and tribal health, Shrum led the development of the OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine at the Cherokee Nation, standing as the nation’s first medical school on a reservation with tribal affiliation. The OSU Academic Medical District, located in downtown Tulsa, is another one of Shrum’s projects, aiming to enhance the area into a thriving research campus to house the OSU Medical Center, newly constructed VA and psychiatric hospital and research buildings. “Dr. Shrum’s proven commitment to rural health care and her deep
expertise in academic medicine will be a tremendous asset to the Chickasaw Nation,” said Chickasaw Nation Secretary of Health Dr. Charles Grim in a press release. “We are excited to welcome her leadership as we continue to expand access and innovation across our health care system. Born and raised in Coweta, where she and her husband, Darren, now live, Shrum is rooted in finding the best health care options for rural Oklahoma populations. “I’m thrilled to join the Chickasaw Nation leadership team,” Shrum said in a press release. “I have great admiration for Governor Anoatubby and his commitment and vision to provide quality, accessible healthcare to Chickasaw citizens.” “My career has always centered around creating equitable access to health care and education for rural and underserved communities. I believe the Chickasaw Nation is uniquely positioned to lead the way in innovative, community-based health care. I’m honored to join them.” news.ed@ocolly.com
Before entering his final year at OSU, Slaughter spent time with the Tulsa World as an intern during the summer of 2024. From there, he achieved his goal of becoming The O’Colly’s Editor-in-Chief this past spring. His desire and commitment to storytelling has driven Slaughter’s success in and out of the newsroom, making his appearance at the Hearst Championships no surprise to his peers. “It’s wonderful to see (Slaughter) represent himself and The O’Colly so well on a national stage,” said Kennedy Thomason, former Editorin-Chief for The O’Colly. “He has a great ability to tell heart-touching stories, so I’m glad to see his hard work recognized this week.” Finalists for the award were drawn from a pool of 1,260 across 105 accredited undergraduate journalism programs affiliated with the Association of Schools of Journalism and Mass Communication. Over the academic year, 14 competitions prepared the selection of finalists, and Slaughter was on that list for the second year in a row. “Qualifying again for the Hearst Championships was evidence of (Slaughter’s) talent and his development,” O’Colly adviser Brett Dawson said. “To finish second in a competition that’s based on the work you do that week shows his gift for deploying the skills he’s picked up.” Over the course of the week, finalists were put to the test, completing assignments they had never seen before under a strict deadline. These assignments were then passed along to industry professionals to be judged. Slaughters work was voted second out of 10 finalists in the writing category. “I couldn’t do it without my parents, supporters and everyone who has poured into me to become a better journalist,” Slaughter said. The impact he has had will extend past Slaughter’s graduation, and the sky is the limit in his next steps. “(The Hearst Championship) is a tremendous honor and a signal that he’s ready to excel in a career in journalism,” Dawson said. news.ed@ocolly.com
Courtesy The Hearst Foundation Ashton Slaughter participated in various interviews and reporting processes throughout his week in San Fransisco, during the Hearst Championships.
O’Colly
Friday, June 13, 2025 Page 3
News Audit
Continued from 1 The number of hours was calculated from the time the employees entered in personal vehicles and left in personal vehicles, then compared to signed timesheets. W. Kelly Gilbert, the department head at the time, reported 48 hours and 58 minutes over the time the camera showed he was at work, reflecting an overpayment of about $1,000 for him alone. John William Howell II reported around 45 hours more than the camera showed, giving him an additional payment of $841 for hours not worked. Austin Lee Shirley reported almost 50 hours over the time the camera showed, receiving about $950. County vehicle misuse, determined by GPS coordinates, showed that the same three employees were paid for 290.75 hours of personal use, totaling $5,809.28. GPS tracking device records were available for the three trucks primarily driven by the three employees. Gilbert’s truck had a record shown for the entire audit period beginning in January 2022. The other truck’s GPS records began at a later date but still tracked misuse. If a trip home was made, a 30-minute lunch period would be adjusted on the timesheet. The GPS records showed each employee went above the allowed 30 minutes of personal use while traveling to and from home, to doctor’s appointments, the pharmacy and on other personal routes. Gilbert took the largest chunk with 250 of the 290 hours coming from his use of the vehicle. The cost was $5,161.61 for him alone. The other two accounted for the remaining $647. The total overpayment for the three employees, including the cost of the personal use of the vehicles and incorrect timesheets, equaled $8,605.74. “While the dollar amount in this case is relatively small, it speaks to a larger problem of oversight and accountability,” auditor Cindy Byrd said in a press release. “Mismanagement tends to start with seemingly minor violations then, as government employees get away with it, their activity can snowball into substantial fraud and abuse.” The O’Colly reached out to the District 3 commissioner and did not receive comment in time for publication. news.ed@ocolly.com
Raynee Howell Three employees using county vehicles were paid for personal use in the sum of $5,809.28.
he t t ou k c e Ch
Courtesy Oklahoma Press Association The O’Colly and its staff placed in the top three 11 times in the 2024 Better Newspaper contest.
The O’Colly wins multiple honors at Oklahoma Press Association convention RAYNEE HOWELL
The sports section also brought home this accolade based on three submitted newspapers. The OPA judges complimented the array of talented writers, informative reporting The O’Colly made its mark in the and eye-catching graphics. College News Media category of the Parker Gerl, Co-Editor-in-Chief for 2024 Better Newspaper Contest. the upcoming fall semester, has run Winners were announced at the the sports section as sports editor and Oklahoma Press Association annual assistant sports editor the past two two-day convention that was held last semesters. weekend. The O’Colly and its staff “I’m excited for The O’Colly’s sports placed in the top three 11 times among department to be honored with a other college newspapers across the couple of awards,” Gerl said. “It’s state. a small representation of the work The awards of the highest honor we try to do daily, and we’re looking were based on a collaborative effort forward to the upcoming school year.” among the staff. With a submission With a mix of photos from wrestling of three newspapers from the past matches, protests and events on year, The O’Colly won first place for campus, photography also took home news content, sports coverage and first place. Payton Little has run the photography. photo department for the past three “This is a serious newspaper semesters. She said the award is an showing strength beyond its college honor. roots,” the OPA judges wrote. “I am so proud of the effort my team “Excellent coverage of real, important and I put into making this possible,” news. Layout is clean and easy to read. Little said. Columns are thoughtful and wellThe O’Colly also took home a third written.” place in Digital Media. The seven Hayden Alexander, O’Colly alumna, other awards from the contest were ran the news section for the past two individual awards. semesters. Alexander said during her Kennedy Thomason, O’Colly time as a news editor, she was thankful alumna, won three of those awards for the amazing team she was able to including third place for in-depth lead. reporting, first place for business story “I was thrilled to learn about the and news story. award,” Alexander said. “It feels The stories Thomason wrote that earned. It has been a challenging took home the prize include “The year with numerous major breaking ‘Boys From Oklahoma’ are back,” news stories and events, so seeing “Block 34 to bolster community” and the dedication and hard work of the “Stillwater residents embrace, brace news and editorial team pay off is for planned data center.” wonderful.” “It’s an honor to receive these
NEWS AND LIFESTYLE EDITOR
way! a e d i al H n i g i Or
SINCE 1957,
awards,” Thomason said. “They represent all the things I learned through my time with The O’Colly, and I couldn’t be prouder to represent the newsroom.” Raynee Howell, Co-Editor-in-Chief for the upcoming fall semester, won third place in the news story category with a story about the former city manager of Stillwater: “Former city manager Meek blindsided with termination; city officials say she wasn’t ‘a good fit.’” Bella Casey won third place for her feature story titled “Tattoo tensions: OSU student sports OU ink.” The O’Colly sports reporters also took home some hardware. Gabriel Trevino, O’Colly alumnus, won first place for sports story for “Remembering the rowdy; The modern complexity of OSU’s Gallagher-Iba Arena.” Gerl won third place for “Net gains: Could popularity spike bring volleyball to OSU?” Brett Dawson, O’Colly adviser, said the work the students put in isn’t in the name of winning awards. The O’Colly staff is focused on informing the OSU campus and Stillwater community, but seeing those efforts recognized is nice, he said. “The OPA awards are the latest in a long run of well-deserved honors,” Dawson said. “While it’s great for individual students to be recognized, I’m particularly proud of our firstplace finishes in news and sports coverage and photography, indicators of the team effort it takes to make The O’Colly successful.”
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news.ed@ocolly.com
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O’Colly
lifestyle Review
A day pass at Okana Resort & Indoor Waterpark ranges from $50 to $70. There are two waterslides outside the resort and 15 inside.
Raynee Howell
OKANA resort brings paradise to Oklahoma RAYNEE HOWELL
grassy lakeside ramps for the average NEWS AND LIFESTYLE EDITOR Oklahoman, but you can’t miss the feeling of the pool bottom once you enter the water next to the beach. Watch out lakefronts and riverbanks, After tanning on the large sandy beach there’s a new beach in town. or sitting under one of the several large OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark umbrellas, guests who are over 21 can recently opened in Oklahoma City and enter a separate section with a swim-up is bringing a true beach experience to bar. The concrete barstools under the Oklahoma. The experience for each water is the perfect place to relax with visitor depends on the amount of cash a cold drink. One side of the bar faces a they can dish out, but a good time can be giant screen for entertainment, including had on its cheapest end. fun ‘80s music videos. For about $50, visitors can purchase a Younger visitors and families can day pass to the outside of the resort. It’s venture over to one of the two water complete with a beach replica, tanning slides, try the zip line or brave the chairs, pools, water slides and more. water obstacle course as each activity is The beach replica has real sand with included in the day pass. On weekdays, beach chairs straight from a beach the lines seem to never be longer than resort in Florida. It’s a nice break from about 10 people.
The prices are standard for a waterpark and resort. Most cocktails were around $10, and beer and seltzers were around $6. A trip to the Waterbryd, the only outside restaurant, ran about $20 for a meal with a drink. Free water was also available. As for parking, the outside lot fills up quickly. If arriving late, the parking garage connected to the resort may be the only option. The first four hours are free, but after that, it’s costly. To take it up a notch, visitors can purchase a day pass for the indoor and outdoor areas for about $70. The indoor waterpark is connected to the resort and several restaurants. It’s 100,000 square feet and features 15 waterslides, compared to the two outside. It’s a more immersive
experience for those who have the extra cash — and maybe a few kids who need more entertainment. For large families or those who need guaranteed shade, cabanas were also available to rent for the day. A majority were open, but the giant, and free, umbrellas on the beach were packed. Cabanas are also available for rent on the inside. College students on a budget may only be able to afford a day pass, but there is almost too much to do in one day. If you’re able to stay in the resort, the outdoor and indoor waterpark activities are included. The inside also has a spa, arcade and several restaurants making a new experience available for each day of a longer stay. news.ed@ocolly.com
O’Colly
Friday, June 13, 2025 Page 5
Friday, June 13, 2025
Connor Fuxa
Oklahoma State women’s basketball guard Stailee Heard will participate in the USA Basketball AmeriCup Team Trials next week in Colorado Springs.
Cowgirls’ Heard to take on USA Basketball AmeriCup Team Trials KENZIE KRAICH
the red, white and blue next week. The trials are set to begin on June 17 at the EDITOR-IN-CHIEF U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. Stailee Heard has been a catalyst for The rising junior led the Cowgirls in Oklahoma State’s women’s basketball points, rebounds and steals, averaging program in her first two years, and the 16.8, 8.2 and 1.8, respectively. Heard shot nation has been put on watch by her 48% from the field and 41% from beyond performances. the arc in her sophomore campaign. Heard was selected to participate in Leading OSU to the Big 12 semifinal the 2025 USA Basketball AmeriCup matchup against Baylor in March, Heard Team Trials, giving her an opportunity to was named an All-Big 12 selection and represent the orange and black alongside to the league’s all-tournament team. She
also found herself an honorable-mention selection for the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association All-America list. The Sapulpa native is slated to join big names for the trials, playing alongside some of the nation’s best in Madison Booker, Hannah Hidalgo, Flau’jae Johnson, Olivia Miles and Audi Crooks, all of whom made USBWA’s Women’s All-American list this past season, surrounding Heard with like-minded athletes and a loaded roster. The U.S. will travel to Santiago, Chile,
for the 2025 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup from June 28-July 6 and open Group B play with host nation Chile. Columbia, Puerto Rico and Mexico await the likes of the newly constructed U.S. team in the days following. Teams will chase a berth to the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup hosted in Berlin next summer, and Heard can be expected to bring her experience back to Stillwater in August. sports.ed@ocolly.com
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Page 6 Friday, June 13, 2025
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Sports Recent NCAA settlement allows colleges to pay players; what it means for OSU athletics TIMOTHY CHRISTENSEN
STAFF REPORTER Shockwaves were sent across the entire collegiate sports world June 6 when Judge Claudia Wilken approved a settlement in the House V. NCAA case, allowing colleges to put money directly into athletes’ pockets. The days of amateurism in college sports have dissipated as colleges will now be paying not only future athletes but also those who played in the past. The settlement includes $2.8 billion in back damages to be paid over the next 10 years to any athlete who competed in college from 2016-2024. Plaintiffs argued that the NCAA illegally limited the athletes’ opportunities to make money off their name image and likeness. While that is a lot of money, the NCAA President Charlie Baker claimed this was the best option for the association: “It is an opportunity for the D-I community to pay for back damages over 10 years instead of triple that amount all at once,” Baker said during a keynote address Tuesday in Orlando, Florida. “It creates a future that comes with choices instead of bankruptcy.” The NCAA’s legal troubles are not completely over yet, though. It still has a lawsuit pending on whether student athletes need to be treated as employees and provided the benefits that come with that, including minimum wage. The NCAA’s survival is not the only impact that this settlement will have on college sports; it’s changing programs altogether. Colleges will now be able to pay their athletes directly, limiting the need to go through back channels like NIL to entice them into joining programs. To keep payments from getting outlandish, colleges will be limited to a spending starting at about $20.5 million. It’s expected to rise every year based on the revenue college sports collect. Despite NIL no longer being the only form of payment in college sports, it is not going anywhere. NIL money will not be included toward a team’s Payton Little $20.5 million cap, so it will most Oklahoma State athletic director Chad Weiberg will face new challenges in raising and distributing money in the wake of a court ruling that changes how college likely still be utilized. athletes can be compensated. However, the plan is to more being able to buy championship will need to deal with is finding OSU will now need to evaluate There will be many tough closely regulate NIL money. rosters. the $20.5 million to make the money dispersion between sports decisions made by executives, All NIL deals of more than While big brands will always most of the cap. programs. With high-revenue coaches, players and donors $600 will need to go through have an advantage, a cap should OSU has already made teams on campus colliding moving forward, meaning the a clearinghouse to validate create advantages for smart attempts at funding its NIL with historically successful time of mourning the old college that players get the correct programs — those that know initiatives with ventures like the non-revenue programs such sports system is over. Those who value for their endorsement or which players to pay and at Boys From Oklahoma concert as wrestling and golf, deciding accept the challenge of the future promotion. what price. This is the system in April and adding QR codes to how much money each sport the fastest will have the best The goal of a spending cap that Oklahoma State and figures football players’ helmets. More gets will be a critical task for the chance at success, despite the is to keep parity in college like athletic director Chad outside-the-box thinking will university and its boosters. uncertainty. sports. The cap will prevent Weiberg will have to navigate. be expected from OSU in the One thing is clear: College highly-funded programs from The first problem that OSU future. sports will never be the same. sports.ed@ocolly.com
O’Colly
Friday, June 13, 2025 Page 7
Sports Bodendorf tabbed NCBWA All-American
Brainard named OSU equestrian’s associate head coach WESTON WERTZBERGER
WESTON WERTZBERGER
STAFF REPORTER
Oklahoma State equestrian has created a new role for the program, promoting assistant western coach Laura Brainard to associate head coach. Brainard has spent the past six years with the Cowgirls, and under her previous role, she helped OSU contend on the national stage every year. “I’m incredibly honored and grateful to step into the role of Associate Head Coach at Oklahoma State,” Brainard said in OSU’s press release. “It’s been a privilege to be part of this team’s journey and to witness the dedication and growth of our student-athletes year after year.” Brainard has helped the Cowgirls win five consecutive Big 12 championships, multiple national semifinal appearances and the 2022 NCEA National Championship, securing the program’s first title. She was also named the 2022 NCEA Western Coach of the Year after helping deliver OSU a conference and national championship. “The success we’ve had, from making history with our first national championship in a women’s sport to winning five consecutive Big 12 titles, is a reflection of the incredible dedication of our student-athletes, the support of our administration and the rich traditions of excellence in OSU athletics and the equestrian community,” Brainard said. “Coach Laura Brainard has been an integral part of our program for the past six years and has contributed to the great success we have had,” said OSU head coach Larry Sanchez in Tuesday’s press release. “I really appreciate her dedication and hard work and am proud to announce her muchdeserved promotion to associate head coach.” During Brainard’s time at OSU, she has coached 18 All-Americans, three Big 12 Riders of the Year and 14 All-Big 12 selections. The Cowgirls will return to work in the fall as Brainard commits to her role while continuing to improve her legacy. OSU aims to capture a sixth-straight Big 12 title and a second NCEA championship. sports.ed@ocolly.com
Courtesy OSU Athletics Laura Brainard has helped OSU equestrian to five straight Big 12 titles entering her first season as associate head coach.
TIME OF GOD’S FAVOR! “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near.” (Is.55:6 NIV) It is worthwhile to take the time; to stop and consider your way of life and make resolutions; new steps to take to make your life more meaningful or productive. Maybe you are doing this, or maybe you have just given up on the whole idea. Can you remember when you were a child, how time went by so slowly? It seemed like it took forever for the holidays to arrive. Now time passes so swiftly; the years seem to rush by. The turn of the century seemed so far away when I was younger. Now we are nearly twenty years into the 21st century. I want to encourage you to stop and consider your life; especially the remainder. None of us know when our life may end. Jesus spoke of those who
STAFF REPORTER
Courtesy Duke Athletics Clar Anderson, who wrestled at OSU and coached at Duke, Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame on Wednesday.
Cowboy alumnus inducted into Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame WESTON WERTZBERGER STAFF REPORTER
Former Oklahoma State wrestling national champion Clar Anderson was inducted into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame on Wednesday. Anderson won the 1983 National Championship at 134 pounds and went 73-17-4 in the orange singlet for a 79.9% winning percentage. The Olean, New York, native was a two-time All-American at OSU and earned the same honor at Auburn in 1981. He helped the Cowboys win backto-back Big Eight championships in 1983 and 1984, along with 44 consecutive wins and 22-straight home victories. After spending time on the mat, Anderson moved to the sidelines as an assistant coach with the Cowboys and later went to NC State in the same role. After three seasons with the Wolfpack, he stayed in-state and took the head coaching job at Duke. Anderson changed the culture of the Duke wrestling program. He led the Blue Devils to the most successful season in school history in 2000 and coached the first All-American in program history when Konrad Dudziak earned the honors in 2009 and 2010. Anderson won the ACC Coach of the Year award in 2004 and received the Bob Bubb Excellence Award for mentoring student-athletes both on and off the mat in 2007. The wrestling great was recognized for his significant contribution to the sport as both a wrestler and coach. His legacy has helped emphasize his impact on the wrestling community and establish a norm for future generations. Anderson will be part of the 35th class to be inducted into the Hall of Fame since its inception in 1991 and will be one of 415 members to receive this honor. He will join Mike Buczkowski, Joey Giambra, Jack Jurek, Tom Montemage, John Murphy, Paul Owens, Jim Peelle, Meaghan Sittler, James Starks, Kathy Sweet and Jillian Vogtli in the 2025 class. sports.ed@ocolly.com
Oklahoma State pitcher Harrison Bodendorf has earned 2025 All-American honors from the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA). Bodendorf was named to the NCBWA All-America second team. The junior lefty becomes the 151st member of the OSU baseball program to earn an All-American selection. He became an ace immediately after transferring from Hawaii and was the first starting pitcher for the Cowboys later in the season. Bodendorf posted a 10-1 record overall and a 3.30 ERA in 17 appearances (16 starts) with a .204 opposing batting average. In conference play, he went 6-1 with a 2.20 ERA in 11 outings (10 starts). His efforts helped him become the Big 12 Co-Newcomer of the Year and earned him a spot on the All-Big 12 First Team. Bodendorf became the first OSU pitcher since 2019 to post 10 wins, ranking ninth nationally. He struck out 102 batters and pitched 92⅔ innings, becoming the 17th Cowboy to record 100 strikeouts in one season. Bodendorf finished top five in multiple categories: He was fifth in the Big 12 and 36th nationally in strikeouts, second in the Big 12 in opposing batting average and third in ERA. His most improbable performance came April 11 in Arizona, where he recorded a 10-inning complete game, striking out 10 and allowing only one earned run and three hits in the 4-2 win. Bodendorf became the first Big 12 pitcher since 2009 to record 10 innings pitched in a game and the eighth conference pitcher to accomplish that feat since 2003. The junior out of Temecula, California, became the eighth and final pitcher to earn All-American honors under pitching coach Rob Walton in his 13-year tenure with the Cowboys. Walton retired following the season. sports.ed@ocolly.com
Payton Little Oklahoma State pitcher Harrison Bodendorf was the Co-Big 12 Newcomer of the year and went 10-1 in his first season after transferring to OSU from Hawaii.
Courtesy Creative Commons Dez Bryant is one of 79 players to make the 2026 College Football Hall of Fame ballot.
Bryant pinned to College Football Hall of Fame ballot WESTON WERTZBERGER STAFF REPORTER
Former Oklahoma State wide receiver Dez Bryant is one of many legends named to the 2026 College Football Hall of Fame ballot. The National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame announced the news last week, with Bryant one of 79 players added to the ballot. Bryant played for OSU from 2007-09 and was well known for his astounding sophomore season in 2008, during which he had 87 receptions for 1,480 yards and 19 touchdowns, scoring 128 points. He also returned two touchdowns in his 20 punt attempts. He was named a consensus AllAmerican, Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Year and First-Team All-Big 12. Bryant’s final season in the orange and black ended with just three games in the 2009 season before he headed off to the NFL Draft. Sixteen years later, Bryant remains one of the greatest wide receivers in OSU history. In 28 games played, Bryant ranks in the top 10 at OSU with 147 catches and 2,425 yards and places top five in touchdowns with 29. On special teams, Bryant is second all-time with 19.6 yards per punt return, only trailing Darrent Williams, and is tied with Williams and Barry Sanders for most punt return touchdowns (3). Bryant’s 19 touchdowns back in 2008 were – at the time – the program record for most touchdown receptions in a single season. The record lasted for two years before Justin Blackmon broke it in 2010 with 20. Bryant went on to have an outstanding NFL career from 20102020, particularly during his eight years with the Dallas Cowboys. The OSU legend will have to wait until early 2026 to find out if his name will be listed as part of the 2026 College Football Hall of Fame Class. If Bryant gets voted in, he will be the ninth Cowboy to join the hall. The previous eight are Lynn “Pappy” Waldorf, Bob Fenimore, Barry Sanders, Thurman Thomas, Jimmy Johnson, Leslie O’Neal, Terry Miller and Justin Blackmon. sports.ed@ocolly.com
would come into their purposes in the “eleventh hour;” right at the end of life’s work day.(Mt.20) You may think that it is too late to turn your life over to Christ; there is such little time left on “your calendar.” Yet, those who come in at the “eleventh hour” will receive the same wages as those who labored the whole day. We need to work in God’s purpose for our lives while we still have time. The Bible tells us the time is coming when “no man can work.” (Jn.9:4) As you set your heart and get definite about trusting God with your life and serving him, you will find wonderful opportunities will open for you. You see God has his purposes for you planned out, and he will begin to open doors that you know nothing about. There will be such great satisfaction in serving and finishing what he has for you to accomplish. When your life does end, and it will, you will be so glad you have followed Christ. The Bible tells us that your labor for him is not in vain. (1 Co.15:58)
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Sports OSU women’s basketball announces final coaching staff
PHOTOS: OSU WOMEN’S BASKETBALL CAMP
WILL THOROGOOD STAFF REPORTER
Head coach Jacie Hoyt has announced changes to the Oklahoma State women’s basketball team this offseason, and the finalized coaching staff was announced on Tuesday. Terran Hoyt, Jacie’s sister, has been named an assistant coach, and Cali Mercer was promoted to director of basketball administration for the program. Terran Hoyt has spent the past three seasons as the Cowgirls’ director of basketball administration. From 2020-2022 she was a graduate assistant for the Missouri-Kansas City women’s basketball team, where Jacie Hoyt was the head coach before coming to Stillwater. Terran Hoyt played at Tabor College in Hillsboro, Kansas, from 2018-2020 and helped lead the Blue Jays to the KCAC regular season and tournament titles as they qualified for the NAIA national tournament in 2019. She was tabbed as a KCAC and NAIA scholar-athlete on two different occasions as she graduated with degrees in communications and business administration. Her older sister has applauded the work she has done in her position for the Cowgirls the past three seasons. “Terran has been an instrumental piece in our success over the last few years,” Jacie Hoyt said in a release. “Her heart for mentoring young people and her passion for the game aligns perfectly with our goals to not only win, but change lives.” Mercer started as a student manager for the Cowgirls in 2020 and became a graduate assistant last year after graduating in the spring of 2024 with a degree in sports management. The Miami, Oklahoma, native is a Manager of the Year recipient from Grow the Game, an organization founded in 2020 that connects student managers to professional development and networking resources. Jacie Hoyt has enjoyed getting to know Mercer over the past few years and has seen her excel in her role within the Cowgirl basketball program. “She is more than ready to take the next step as our director of basketball administration,” Hoyt said in a release. “Her organization, forward thinking and work ethic all operate at an elite level.” Jacie Hoyt’s staff is finalized for the 2025-26 season after these two promotions, and the arrival of new assistant coach Mandi Carver from Fresno State is expected to revitalize the Cowgirl staff after the loss of Jhasmine Player. sports.ed@ocolly.com
Daisy Gower