Friday, June 6, 2025
Community, Creativity and Continuity: Native American Art in Everyday
The beauty within
Native American work on display at OSU Museum of Art
The bold geometric shapes and vivid portrayals of everyday life didn’t just appear overnight on the walls of the Oklahoma State University Museum of Art.
BY MJ NYAMDAVAA I STAFF REPORTER
They were chosen, curated and installed by students, guest curators and faculty — some handling artwork for the first time; others designing banner layouts by hand. It all came together in an exhibition that tells a story.
RAYNEE HOWELL NEWS AND LIFESTYLE EDITOR
The famous phrase “It’s like a car crash, I can’t look away,” perfectly describes the 90-minute premiere of Love Island USA.
From the second the contestants appeared on the screen lip-syncing and dancing, any reality TV fan could tell it would scratch the brain’s addictive itch to terrible, but addicting entertainment. The hype of last season was at the forefront of the mind as the intro ended and the first woman, Chelly, entered the Villa when the
show aired Tuesday night. Chelly, 27, spoke about good sex and being family-oriented in her introduction interview. It started the show off strong with one of its selling points — sex appeal. Olandria, another 27-year-old, followed closely behind Chelly. The Alabama native spoke about her time being single and how she was looking for a country man who could get his hands dirty. Thankfully, a man would enter the Villa in a cowboy hat later that day in hopes of winning her over.
See LOVE on page 3
“I really hope visitors feel the connection to the exhibition’s themes right away, especially the sense of creativity and continuity in Native American daily life,” said Ladan Abdolahipourbadizi, one of nine students who co-curated the show.
“There’s so much beauty and depth in these artworks. Even though they reflect everyday moments, there’s something very modern and powerful in how they’re expressed.”
See BEAUTY on page 3
Stillwater airport presents new 20-year master plan
RAYNEE HOWELL NEWS AND LIFESTYLE EDITOR
Stillwater Regional Airport has plans for the future beyond the construction of a new terminal.
Mead & Hunt, a planning and construction services firm, created a 20-year master plan outlining a vision for the airport’s future development. The plan was approved at Monday’s city
council meeting, but it has been in the works for far longer.
Research showed that the traffic at the airport exceeded previous predictions over the past five years. After the Covid-19 pandemic began in 2020, the amount of enplanements — which only includes commercial service and charter flights — was expected to drop by about 2,000. It only dropped by about 1,000.
See AIRPORT on page 2
Raynee Howell
Life is on view through Aug. 23 at the OSU Museum of Art
Courtesy Ben Symons of PeacockTV Contestants of season seven of Love Island USA get acquainted before the first coupling ceremony.
Bryson Thadhani
Stillwater Regional Airport’s 20-year master plan was approved at Monday’s city
The numbers skyrocketed to exceed the forecasts in the following years. By the end of 2025, Mead & Hunt predicts the enplanements will reach 35,650, which is 7,650 flights over the initial prediction.
“What this tells us is Stillwater Regional Airport rebounded from the Covid-19 pandemic a lot faster than we anticipated,” Mead & Hunt employee Kelly Maddox said. “In fact, in 2023 and 2024, that rebound continued to occur much faster than we anticipated.”
The forecasts and analysis of the current facilities determined the potential need for improvements. The existing terminal became the main concern, prior to the decision to construct the airport terminal in its current construction site.
Under the assumption that a terminal could host two commercial airlines — American Airlines and potentially another service in the future — and chartered university flights, the analysis revealed it would need approximately 29,500 square feet. The existing terminal building is about 10,000 square feet, with 1,000 set aside for the fixed-base operator.
“So you can see that even under the 2020 conditions (the lowest number in the forecasts), the terminal building was upside down in needs,” Maddox said. “(It was) severely underwater.”
The terminal currently being built to meet the airport’s needs is 31,375 square feet, according to a City of Stillwater
press release. The plan also includes future development for general aviation through private investments and the construction of a new parallel taxiway to accommodate the growth on that side of the airport.
To financially support the developments, the long term cost is predicted to be around $161 million. The funding can come from the city, state grants, Federal Aviation Administration grants, private funding sources and partnerships with OSU.
Airport director Kellie Reed will implement the projects as they arise and are possible.
“I would say that it (the plan) is meant to be flexible,” Maddox said. “We know that a plan is only as good as its first year, and after that it becomes out of date. So, as priorities change… as funding elements change, it is intended to be flexible to allow Kellie and the city to implement the newer priorities as they see fit.”
Mayor Will Joyce has continually expressed his excitement for the improvements at the airport. He said the number of the enplanements surpassing the predictions was great to see.
“It’s also something we talk about a lot… needing to support our commercial service by continuing to improve those enplanements,” Joyce said. “We would love to see more people flying in and out of Stillwater. I think the new terminal will have a great effect on helping get the word out for folks that are looking for a place to fly in and out of.”
news.ed@ocolly.com
RAYNEE
After 28 years of service in Stillwater, Terry Essary is moving on.
Essary — who has been the chief of Stillwater Fire Department since 2021 — began his career as a paramedic at SFD in 1997. Throughout the years, he was dedicated to training and learning through leadership programs and courses at the National Fire Academy, Center for Domestic Preparedness and more. His efforts ultimately made him an ideal candidate for chief.
After four years at the helm, Essary had a chance to step into a new role at a new department. The Edmond Police Department announced Monday it is hiring Essary to fill the position of its previous chief, Chris Goodwin, who retired after seven years.
The City of Stillwater announced his departure Thursday via press release, after City Manager Brady Moore made a statement at Monday’s city council meeting. Moore said Stillwater is sad to see Essary go but excited for him to take his next step.
“We all know Terry and Amber (his wife) and his family and love them,” Moore said. “They’ve had a lasting impact on our community, especially his leadership during the recent March
wildfires… he’s not only an employee but a close friend of mine and our staff, so we just wish him the best.”
EFC, a 160-person department is a step up for Essary from SFD’s 60-person staff. Essary will begin his new position July 1.
Deputy City Manager Christy Driskel also wished Essary success in his future endeavors after praising him for his work at SFD.
“Chief Essary has been a pillar of leadership and professionalism within the City of Stillwater,” Driskel said in a press release. “His ability to lead with compassion, strength and expertise has shaped the culture of our fire department and left a lasting legacy.”
In Stillwater’s press release, Essary spoke of his love for Stillwater and its people. He said he will forever cherish his time here, but is excited to embrace his next steps.
“As I begin this new chapter as fire chief for the City of Edmond, I’m deeply honored and humbled by the opportunity to serve this incredible community,” Essary said in Edmond’s press release. “Together, we will uphold our values, strengthen our service and continue the tradition of excellence that makes this department, and this city, truly special.”
The new terminal at Stillwater Regional Airport is expected to be completed and operational by August 2026.
Courtesy City of Stillwater
Stillwater Fire Chief Terry Essary is leaving Stillwater Fire Department after 28 years of service to take on the role of chief at the Edmond Fire Department.
Bryson Thadhani
Huda, a 24-year-old mother and fitness coach, spoke in her interview about being a teen mom. She confided in Chelly and Olandria, forming bonds almost immediately.
The champagne began flowing and the shrieks of joy from the girls were following. Belle-A, who I immediately dubbed the token blonde, is a 22-yearold woman. She admitted in her interview that she is delusional; what a way to be self-aware.
Lastly, Yulissa, a 27-year-old woman who owns a mobile bar in Miami, ventured into the Villa. She would become the first to wear an ugly bikini and the first to steal someone’s man, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
The first guy to enter the Villa after the girls was the man who Yulissa stole after the first coupling. Ace, who previously met Chelly outside a club, described himself as a loverboy at heart. He also had his name tattooed across his back, which makes me think the person he loves the most at heart is himself. Ah, the jokes write themselves.
Nicholas, a 24-year-old nurse with curly hair, said he likes quality time and physical touch. He also referred to himself as feral and said he liked girls who were crazy. The girls all smiled and nodded along when he announced that.
Taylor, Olandria’s cowboy, is from Oklahoma. He presented himself as a rodeo man with southern charm. His biggest turn-off: Ugly feet.
Austin, a 26-year-old pool boy, constantly talked about his job, joking about seducing women who hung out by the pool. He also admitted to being a nervous guy, which clearly fit his personality more than the pool boy scam he was trying to pull.
After a glass of champagne and surface-level introductions, it was time for the first official coupling of the new season. Without meeting the future bombshells who will enter the Villa to
shake up the relationships, The O’Colly predicted which relationships will last after the first episode.
Chelly and Austin
These two are only a couple because Yulissa stole Ace from Chelly. Chelly also said she loves outgoing men, and Austin is introverted. They seem like friends from high school in an awkward I’ll-wave-at-you-when-I-seeyou-around type of way. The verdict: 100% chance of break up.
Huda and Jeremiah It’s hard to tell whether Jeremiah is playing the game or is truly head over heels for Huda. He refused a mouth kiss from Yulissa and later took heat from the guys for being all-in on the first night. Huda seemed just as interested but told the girls she was being careful. The verdict: 25% chance of a messy break up, 75% chance of staying together.
Ace and Yulissa
Ace is a player and would take any girl, even the host. He is only truly interested in Chelly. I thought Chelly dodged a bullet when Yulissa stole him, but after a chat and a secret kiss shared between them, there’s trouble brewing. The verdict: 100% chance of breakup. (Update: Yulissa has left the Villa with no explanation from the streaming service.)
Nicholas and Belle-A
Belle-A is classy and sweet. In other words, probably too good for Nicholas. She only offered up cheek kisses to the guys, but Nic kissed a girl while Belle-A was blindfolded. The verdict: 75% chance of breakup.
Olandria and Taylor
By far my favorite couple. It’s like Taylor fell right into her lap. My main concern is how willing Olandria is to get to know other men. I know she’s keeping her options open, but Taylor is the right one. The verdict: 75% chance of staying together.
checklist revisions, double-checking dimensions to ensure there’s enough room to display everything, confirming artwork condition, etc.” King said.
Community, Creativity and Continuity: Native American Art in Everyday Life, on view through Aug. 23, showcases Native artworks from 1940-1990, each piece reflecting the intimate ways tradition lives on in daily practice. It is the product of a semester-long museum exhibition course that gave students curatorial responsibility — from research to final wall text.
The exhibit is a collective tribute to the artists and cultures behind each object and a lesson in how traditions continue.
“Native art is deeply rooted in tradition but also constantly evolving,” said Hilary Luke De-Heer, a graphic design master’s student. “We wanted to show that creativity and cultural identity are always growing and changing.”
De-Heer, who designed marketing materials and researched artworks, found himself especially moved by a painting of a community dance.
“It reminded me how art brings people together and keeps traditions alive,” he said.
From textiles to paintings, the works highlight daily life. Activities such as grinding corn or dancing aren’t separate from art — they embody it.
Much of the collection was donated in 2016 by Charles Little, a former OSU faculty member with many works on public display for the first time. The students were challenged not only to select from the collection but also to respect and interpret what each piece represented. That included researching tribal histories, contacting experts and understanding when to step back.
Behind the scenes, Michael King, the museum’s preparator, helped students see what it takes to bring a curatorial vision to life.
“We go through multiple rounds of
“This process results in a tentative layout, grouping artworks in a logical way to convey the stories the curators want to tell.
“Of course, there is plenty of other work behind the scenes – label and didactic text being written and revised, exhibition branding and marketing, educational materials, etc. Once all the artwork is laid out against the gallery walls, there is typically further rearranging and final adjustments to make sure everything looks cohesive visually.”
The process, he said, also helped students take ownership of the exhibition, and that personal investment is clear as visitors move through space.
Works such as Native Male Painting Outdoors by Cherokee artist Joan Stone Hansen or Teaching Traditions by Mary Adair Horsechief, who student curator De-Heer assigned to research for the exhibition, capture everyday moments with reverence — proof that cultural preservation isn’t just about what’s remembered, but how it’s lived.
“Everyday activities like basket weaving, beadwork and dancing are powerful art forms,” De-Heer said. “They deserve to be celebrated just as much as paintings or sculptures.”
And that celebration is the point. While the exhibit focuses on art from the 20th century, its message is current: Native traditions are not relics. They are expressions of living cultures. As visitors exit the gallery, they may find themselves thinking differently about tradition — not as something fading, but as something continuous.
“I hope people walk away feeling inspired and more curious about Native American cultures and life,” Abdolahipourbadizi said.
Raynee Howell
The Native American art display teaches attendees about tradition and culture.
Courtesy Ben Symons of PeacockTV
Contestant Taylor Williams on the new season of Love Island USA is from Oklahoma.
news
Bringing life to campus
With students out for break and faculty hidden in offices, Oklahoma State’s Student Union Activities Board is bringing life to a campus craving interaction.
The club’s annual Summer on the Plaza event was rained out this week but is scheduled to take place every Thursday through the end of June. It is set to host various Stillwater community partners, activities for the kids, great food and so much more.
While the initial thought of attending the event might entice young kids, there is plenty for parents and young adults to enjoy right alongside them. And, let’s face it, you’re never too old to have some fun on a waterslide.
Live music is the main pull for older attendees, with the only current listed artist being Mason Lough on June 12. Lough, who graduated from OSU in 2024, served as SUAB’s talent director from 2022-2023 and is now seemingly pursuing small outreach for a potential music career.
Stillwater Public School’s Book Bus will also be at the event. The “mobile library” provides easy access to books for children of all ages throughout the summer, making an appearance at the Summer on the Plaza a nobrainer for the program.
The university is diving into the opportunity as well, providing popsicles, dining options and opening the University Bookstore for the duration of the event. Pete’s Pet Posse is rumored to bring some of Stillwater’s favorite four-legged friends, making the Student Union Plaza that much more inviting.
‘Wicked: For Good’ trailer reveals new characters, music
ALIYAH YOUNG STAFF REPORTER
The anticipation for the second part of “Wicked” is reaching new heights with the release of the first trailer for “Wicked: For Good.”
The trailer opens with a moody shot of a dark window reflecting the green glowing lights of Oz.
The window breaks, revealing Glinda (Ariana Grande) in her perfectly pristine pastel pink room. The long-standing tension between good and evil finally reaching a breaking point sets the tone for the rest of the trailer.
The trailer definitely teased the movie just enough to keep fans intrigued. Familiar faces accompanied with new scenes left me curious and wanting more. Specifically, the shot of Prince Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey) leading an army toward a visibly-vulnerable Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo).
The dynamic between their characters, teased to be romantic and now riding the line of enemies, lets me know this sequel will have some good twists and turns.
New characters have also been revealed: the Cowardly Lion, who is rendered to look like an actual lion, Dorothy, the Tin Man and the Scarecrow. Although the faces of these characters are not shown, “Wicked” fans may already know who each one may be.
The first “Wicked” was praised for its cinematics, humor and storytelling, but most notably, for the music. The incredibly talented Grande and Erivo made the soundtracks iconic and addictive, so I am definitely excited to hear the music in “Wicked: For Good.”
The song “For Good” was featured during the middle of the trailer, sung by both Elphaba and Glinda. This song and many others can be expected in the official soundtrack of the movie.
The aesthetic and visuals in this trailer
are consistent with the origins. It is magical and alluring.
The short snippet of the yellow brick road looks as dreamy as I could have imagined. I would say that for the style of this movie, none of the scenes in this trailer disappointed. I would be surprised if this sequel doesn’t outperform the original, based on the quality of this trailer.
It left me with a good impression. It was as fantastical and iconic as the first one, with new twists and characters. The emotion, music and overall vibe feel like a natural continuation of the first “Wicked.” Sequels never seem to achieve the same effect as the original movie, but I think “Wicked: For Good” will be the outlier.
With a powerful cast and a storyline that already feels compelling, the trailer suggests this sequel could be something truly unforgettable.
news.ed@ocolly.com
Friday, June 6, 2025
OSU’s Bratton tabbed national coach of the year
Oklahoma State men’s golf head coach Alan Bratton was named as the 2025 Dave Williams National Coach of the Year by the Golf Coaches Association of America on Tuesday, marking his second COY during his tenure at OSU.
Bratton first won the distinction in 2018 after leading the Cowboys to their 11th national championship and was named a finalist for the award twice (2016, 2021).
In the final five tournaments of Bratton’s most recent season at the helm, OSU placed first, including the conference, regional and national tournaments, ending with a total of seven tournament victories.
The Cowboys won their 12th NCAA championship last week at Omni La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, CA.
Since Bratton stepped in as head coach in 2013, OSU has won three Big 12 championships and two NCAA championships. This year was the first time since 2000 that the Cowboys have won both the conference and national titles in the same season.
Bratton has produced 41 tournament titles, 35 individual medalists, 29 All-Americans, 21 Academic All-Americans and 31 All-Big 12 selections, further solidifying his impact on OSU’s “golf school” traditions.
After winning the conference title and producing one of
the most improbable duos in college golf history in Matthew Wolff and Viktor Hovland, Bratton was named Big 12 Coach of the Year in 2019.
Bratton completed the national championship trifecta a few years ago and is now a four-time national champion at OSU. He won the title as a player (1995), assistant coach (2006) and head coach (2018, 2025).
THURSDAYS
He has also had experience as the Cowgirl head coach for two seasons and as an assistant for both the men’s and women’s teams for seven years. As the Cowgirl head coach from 20112013, Bratton won the 2013 Big 12 Championship and was named Big 12 Coach of the Year.
IN JUNE
During his playing career at OSU, Bratton was a fourtime All-American, earning first-team honors in 1994 and 1995. He was also named co-recipitant of the 1994 Jack Nicklaus Award and won Big Eight Player of the Year honors twice (1992, 1995).
Bratton is tied for fourth on
OSU’s all-time wins list with seven victories.
This season, Bratton led four Cowboys to All-Central Region honors, with Ethan Fang, Gaven Lane, Eric Lee and Preston Stout all earning the accolade. Fang and Stout were also named firstteam All-Americans and Arnold Palmer Cup selections.
Courtesy OSU Athletics
Coach Alan Bratton (left) said Oklahoma State’s program has expectations to “be in the hunt” for a national title heading into the postseason.
sports
OSU track and field leading with ‘quiet confidence’ entering NCAA Championships
PEARSON GILLAM STAFF REPORTER
With the NCAA Championships creeping closer, it’s time for Oklahoma State track and field to put past performances behind it and lace up for four days of events. While Oklahoma State is undoubtedly prepared physically, it remains mentally composed as well – something that couldn’t be said in recent years.
“We are going to the national meet right now, for the first time in a long time, without any real major anxiety cases,” OSU coach Dave Smith said. “Right now, we got a lot of people with quiet confidence, a lot of poise, and that’s a great place to be.”
That confidence is abundant among the women, despite losing some key members from last year’s nationals trip. The Cowgirls are hitting their stride and peaking at just the right time.
This could very well indicate that yet another efficient outing is on the horizon in Eugene, Oregon.
“Based on the number of people we get (to the NCAA Championships) and the number of points that come out of it, we’re higher than almost any program,” Smith said.
Senior Emma Robbins leads the way on the women’s side, entering her third appearance at the NCAA Championships. She sits fifth
nationally in the hammer throw and aims to improve upon her fourth-place finish last time she took to the national stage.
Greg Watson, assistant throwing coach for OSU, has witnessed much of Robbins’ collegiate journey as the two were at Kansas State and LSU before coming to Stillwater.
Junior Annie Molenhouse ranked first in the country in the women’s Heptathlon earlier this year and will be in the mix for a possible podium finish in a couple of weeks. To have a strong outing, she will rely on her consistency throughout the seven different events.
“One of my strengths is actually that I don’t have a high event,” Molenhouse said. “If something goes wrong, it never goes drastically wrong – I can make up for it, and I think that’s what’s carried me through this season.”
Molenhouse arrived at OSU during a time of high expectations and has improved during her time in Stillwater thanks to belief in herself.
“I think having that mindset of… nothing’s ever given to me, and I have to earn every single thing I’ve gotten on this team… that has kind of given me the confidence,” Molenhouse said.
Josphine Mwaura had an outstanding performance at the NCAA West Prelims. The sophomore skyrocketed in the women’s 10,000 meters from No. 43 to No. 24 nationally, ultimately claiming the
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
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)
final ticket to nationals.
Fellow underclassman Isca Chelangat ranks No. 18 nationally in the 5,000 meters, joining good company in Cowgirl legends Taylor Roe and Gabby Hentemann to become the fourth Cowgirl to qualify for the event in the past five seasons.
Kaylie Politza punched her ticket in the 800 meters, becoming the seventh Cowgirl to make nationals in the event in the past five years. She enters the last meet of the season with the No. 17 spot in the nation.
For the Cowboys, experience is abundant as four of the five qualifiers have competed at the NCAA Championships before. They are aiming to remain focused and collected to put a plethora of points on the board.
“It’s just knowing that everyone on this team has the ability to stay composed, and they have been in these experiences before and produced at this bigger stage,” senior Alex Stitt said. “We have a good opportunity for everyone to score, which I don’t know when the last time we actually had that opportunity was, so I think it’s a testament to the culture that we’ve built over the last couple of years.”
The men’s confidence also stems from Smith’s coaching as they run patiently and wait for the perfect time to strike. This was on full display in the NCAA West Prelims when Stitt
catapulted from ninth to second in the final 100 meters of his 1,500-meter race to secure his third straight appearance at nationals.
“It’s kind of nice to run that way and know you can do that against the competition that you’re competing against,” Stitt said. “So having that speed and being able to run not only from the front, but also be able to sit back and be poised… and be able to trust in your instincts and kicks brings a lot of confidence.”
The duo of Fouad Messaoudi and Brian Musau rank eighth and sixth nationally in the 5000 meter, respectively. Musau placed fourth in the event last year as a freshman and will look to add to his already decorated trophy case. Sophomore Denish Kipngetich is also familiar with the NCAA Championships, finishing third in the 10K a season ago, and he will get another crack at the event next week.
In the field, senior Blair Anderson will make his first outing at the NCAA Championships in the long jump. Anderson holds the second-best mark in program history and ranks No. 3 in the country.
The NCAA Championships will take place at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, from June 11-14. All the action can be caught on the family of ESPN networks. sports.ed@ocolly.com
Courtesy Mason Harbour/OSU Athletics
OSU track and field will take part in the NCAA Championships from June 11-14 in Eugene, Oregon. Both the men’s and women’s teams will compete.
Young named Cowgirl golf head coach again
I’m convinced that (Young) is the right leader to take the program to that level.”
Oklahoma State women’s golf named a new head coach Tuesday — one the Cowgirl program is all too familiar with.
Annie Young, a former AllAmerican at OSU, has been promoted to head coach of the team after serving as assistant coach this past season. She’s returning to Stillwater for her second tenure as head coach of the Cowgirls, having previously coached OSU from 20082011.
“There was high-level interest in this job, which confirmed to me the position our program has nationally in women’s college golf,” OSU athletic director Chad Weiberg said in a press release. “After many discussions with golf coaches around the country, former Cowgirl golfers, current players on the team and through conducting the interview process, it became clear that the best candidate for the job was already in Stillwater.”
“Our goal for Cowgirl golf is to compete for championships, much like the Cowboy golf program, and
During her first stint as head coach, Young led the Cowgirls to the 2009 Big 12 title and a pair of top-10 finishes at the NCAA Championships. She also coached the program’s first individual national champion when Carolina Hadwell won in 2010. Five Cowgirls were named All-Americans under Young’s direction.
While playing for the Cowgirls, Young earned first-team All-America and Big 12 Golfer of the Year honors as a senior in 2005. She was a twotime Big 12 individual champion, a two-time Big 12 team champion and finished as a national runner-up at the NCAA Championship in 2004.
“With the recent renovation to Karsten (Creek), the men’s national championship and Maja Stark’s big win at the U.S. Open, it’s an exciting time for Oklahoma State golf,” Young said. “I’m grateful to Chad Weiberg for giving me another opportunity to lead this program. I’ve grown as a head coach over the last 14 years and am eager to apply what I’ve learned.”
“I look forward to reconnecting
with Cowgirl alumni, engaging with the OSU community and building a championship culture that we can all be proud of.”
After a season at Cal State Northridge, Young coached Colorado State for six years, leading the Rams to a third-place finish at the Mountain West Championship, their best conference finish since 2010.
Young went on to coach at Tulsa for six years, leading the Golden Hurricane to their first American Athletic Conference title in 2021 and back-to-back NCAA Championship berths in 2023 and 2024. She was named AAC Coach of the Year twice (2021, 2024) and a finalist for national coach of the year in 2023.
Young will take over the program after Greg Robertson, the previous head coach, led the Cowgirls for five seasons.
Robertson coached OSU to two Big 12 titles in 2021 and 2023, guided Maddison Hinson-Tolchard to the individual championship last season and led the team to a national runner-up finish in 2021 — matching its program best.
Cowgirl alumna Stark wins U.S. Women’s Open
WYATT TESSIER STAFF REPORTER
Former Oklahoma State golfer Maja Stark won her first LPGA Major Championship, The Women’s U.S. Open, on Sunday at Erin Hills Golf Course in Wisconsin, becoming the second Cowgirl to win a major championship.
Stark, who joined the LPGA tour in 2022, a year after graduating from OSU, picked up her second-ever tournament win at 7-under par, beating the runner-up by two strokes. She played consistent golf over the weekend, shooting 70, 69, 70 and 72 in the four rounds, respectively.
“I tried to not look at the leaderboard and play my own game and stay aggressive,” Stark said in OSU’s press release. “I had a friend tell me, ‘You need to be confident and trust yourself.’ That’s what I tried to do, to make myself and my team proud.”
Stark won her first major through her approach shots and putting as she finished top five in strokes gained for each category.
The Cowgirl alumna has solidified herself as one of the top golfers in the LPGA, currently ranked No. 6 by USA Today. Stark is continuing what was a dominant career at OSU into the professional sphere.
She was named First Team AllAmerican, Big 12 Golfer of the Year and set multiple OSU school records while sporting the orange and black.
“I don’t really think I ever felt that my confidence was great,” Stark said in her post-win press conference. “I think I just stopped trying to control everything, and I just kind of let everything happen the way it happened.”
Stark was able to do something in this tournament that put herself above the rest – she didn’t have a round in which she went over. While she never shot the lowest, she played some of the most consistent golf in the tournament, with her highest score being a 72.
Stark had struggled weeks prior to this tournament with confidence in her ability to win a major, and in this tournament, she said her confidence wasn’t high either. However, she was able to take it one shot at a time and focused on minimizing mistakes – something her competition wasn’t able to do.
“Then obviously with the pressure and everything, your mistakes get bigger, but it felt like I could just control anything that was thrown at me today.” Stark said.
As Stark is taking in all that comes with the victory, she doesn’t have long until the next major championship. The KPMG Women’s PGA Championship is set to kick off on June 19 at PGA Frisco in Frisco, Texas.
sports.ed@ocolly.com
Courtesy OSU Athletics
OSU named Annie Young as Cowgirl golf’s newest head coach on Tuesday.
Claire Boomer Maja Stark becomes just the second Cowgirl to win a major championship in program history after her Women’s U.S. Open victory last Sunday.
Staffing changes, draft decisions drive OSU baseball’s offseason
WESTON WERTZBERGER STAFF WRITER
This past Sunday, Cowboy baseball concluded its season in the Athens Regional final with a 3-2 loss to Duke, finishing with a 30-25 overall record.
The recap
The Cowboys made two significant trips to the Lone Star State in the first three weeks, participating in the Shriners Children’s College Showdown in Arlington, Texas, and the Astros Foundation College Classic in Houston. Against the six nonconference major programs in the two trips, OSU went 3-3, with wins against Louisville, Mississippi State and former No. 1 Texas A&M.
The Cowboys were barely able to hold onto a winning record entering conference play at 9-7 overall. They had a tough time finding their identity at first, going 1-6 in Big 12 action after a lone loss to West Virginia, a series loss at Utah and a sweep at Kansas to fall below .500 at 12-13.
After a midweek loss at Missouri State, OSU bounced back at home with a sweep against Kansas State and a series-opening win at Arizona for four-straight conference victories.
The Cowboys fell back into old habits after a four-game losing streak, including an 11-1 blowout loss at home to in-state rival Oklahoma.
Entering an April 27 series finale at Cincinnati, OSU was in deep trouble at 18-21 overall and 6-11 in Big 12 play with its 11-year regional streak on the line.
The Cowboys went on to win nine of their last 10 regularseason games, finishing with a 15-12 conference record. They defeated Baylor in the Big 12 Tournament opener before falling to Kansas in the quarterfinal round.
The late push was enough for OSU to make the NCAA Tournament with an RPI ranking of No. 44 and extend its 12-year streak of regional appearances.
OSU, entering as a No.3 seed, lost to No. 2 Duke in the Athens Regional opener before eliminating No. 4 Binghamton and No. 1 (No. 7 overall) Georgia to advance to the regional final. The Cowboys failed to force a winner-takeall against Duke, missing out on the Super Regionals for a fifth consecutive season.
The future OSU pitching coach Rob Walton announced his retirement a few weeks ago, ending a 13-year run with the Cowboys. He returned to his alma mater in 2012 alongside Josh Holliday, who was hired as head coach that same offseason.
“He’s been fabulous,” Holliday said. “Wonderful, absolutely awesome. Wonderful partner.”
Holliday will have to search for a new candidate to take over the role, and one college baseball analyst believes in a specific fit.
“Don’t be surprised if Justin Parker, Mississippi State interim (head coach) and pitching coach, gets hired at Oklahoma State as the pitching coach,” SEC Unfiltered’s Harrison Cordell Fant said on X.
This comes after MSU hired
former Virginia coach Brian O’Connor as the next head coach of the Bulldogs. Parker took over as interim head coach when the team was 25-19 overall and 7-14 in SEC play under the previous head coach, Chris Lemonis.
He turned around the Bulldogs’ season, going 11-4 overall and 8-1 in conference play in his new role, which secured a spot in the NCAA Tournament. However, MSU was eliminated in the Tallahassee Regional.
OSU ranked No. 34 nationally in earned run average (4.55), while MSU ranked higher at No. 27 (4.44).
Hiring Parker as the Cowboys’ next pitching coach could be the move to make and improve the bullpen for next season.
Sean Youngerman, the second ace in the OSU pitching rotation, could be on his way to the MLB Draft
as he’s ranked No. 114 in the 2025 MLB Prospect Rankings. Harrison Bodendorf and Hunter Watkins should be back in the rotation.
Other pitchers who could contend for a spot next season include Mario Pesca, Noah Wech, Matthew Brown and Ryan Ure. Catcher Ian Daugherty and first baseman Colin Brueggemann have graduated, and outfielder Nolan Schubart may be heading to the MLB Draft as well, ranked No. 122 in the 2025 MLB Prospect Rankings.
Even though infielder Aidan Meola is a senior, he will return for next season, according to an OState Daily post on X. He suffered a season-ending labrum injury in early March, earning him at least one more year with the Cowboys.
As for the 2026 season,
there are a few positions that should be clear choices: Beau Sylvester at catcher, Brayden Smith at second base, Alex Conover in left field and Kollin Ritchie in right field.
Aidan Meola started at third base before being injured, and Brock Thompson has been a great replacement since taking over the spot.
Meola could be moved to first, and either Drew Culbertson or Avery Ortiz will compete for the shortstop position. Right field will see someone new, and it might be Jayson Jones. If not, he could moved around in the infield again.
Overall, the Cowboys have a lot of moves they could make this offeseason, and it will be interesting to see which route Holliday and Co. decide to take.
news.ed@ocolly.com
Payton Little
Pitching coach Rob Walton (center) announced his retirement from the Oklahoma State baseball program last month. Finding his replacement will be a key part of the Cowboys’ busy offseason.