Friday, January 18, 2019

Friday, January 18, 2019

Boynton Means Business After the departure of several players from the OSU basketball team, coach mike boynton is focusing on the bigger picture.

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cowboy basketball

Boynton: ‘Every decision I make is with the big picture in mind’ J e r e my Ko lok , S po rts Ed itor , @ Je r emyKo lok

Mike Boynton smiled as an assemblage of media members surrounded him in a semicircle on Eddie Sutton Court.

“This is another new one for me,” Boynton said jokingly. “I think I got nine players eligible for practice. I keep myself in shape, maybe I’ll help out a little bit.”

Boynton, Oklahoma State’s men’s basketball coach, smiled T.C. Brewster/O’COLLY through a tough situation Oklahoma State coach Mike Boynton looks on as his Cowas he met with the media boys take on Tulsa in the Reynolds Center on Dec. 5. on Wednesday afternoon to sarily make good decisions. the time. discuss his recent decision And when they don’t, there’s “I don’t know exactly to release three players from consequences to that.” everything that happened, so the OSU men’s basketball Boynton said he originally I don’t want to speak ahead of program because of a violation heard some noise about the the situation,” Boynton said. of team rules. incident late last week, but the Redshirt sophomore guard “I think it’s still kinda being details were “cloudy.”

Michael Weathers and freshlooked into. But I have enough More information then man forwards Maurice Calloo information now to have made came to him when the team and Kentrevious Jones are no the decision I’ve made at this longer with the program, OSU returned to Stillwater on Satpoint. urday night after OSU’s road athletics announced in a press “Every decision I make is win against West Virginia. release Wednesday morning.

Boynton then talked to Jones with the big picture in mind.

Boynton said he’s “aware on Sunday and told reportThis isn’t about basketball. of a situation that these young ers that Jones’ status with the This is about education. This men were a part of that doesn’t team was “uncertain” after he really fit into what we believe is about doing things the missed the Cowboys’ home is the right way to build our right way and the way that’s loss to Baylor on Monday. program.” representative of a lot of More information on the “So we’ve decided to move people who care about this incident reached Boynton on,” Boynton said program and this university. on Tuesday night. He talked Boynton said, to his underMy responsibility goes greater to Weathers and Calloo on standing, this recent incident than trying to win a game in Wednesday morning and involved all three players. informed them the time has Ames on Saturday. I’m going “These days aren’t fun,” come for them to “part ways” Boynton said. “Certainly, I to always be committed to that with the program. care a great deal about these as much as I can.”

Boynton said the incident young men and I want to see Jeremy Kolok is a was related to what kept them all have success. We try university studies junior Kentrevious Jones out in to push them and we try to from San Antonio, Texas. talk about things that are really OSU’s loss against Baylor He can be reached at on Monday, though he didn’t relevant to life. sports.ed@ocolly.com. “(Kids) don’t always neceshave a lot of information at FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019

OCOLLY.COM

PAGE 2

cowb oy Wrestlin g

SP ort s

Notebook: Smith not happy with reaction to Fix’s victory J o seph Faz io,

Assistant Sports Editor,

@ Jo s ephD Fa z io

The way the match ended was different than any other this season.

But the end result was the same for Daton Fix. Fix continued his stellar freshman season Sunday when he defeated No. 3 Nick Suriano 3-2 in front of a raucous crowd at the Rutgers Athletic Center in Piscataway, New Jersey.

The match was controversial in many ways. It lasted more than 30 minutes because of multiple replays. Fix then won the match on a handsto-the-face call in the second sudden victory.

“That was a hostile environment,” Fix said. “7,000-plus fans, all cheering against me. It was nice to get my hand raised, even though that’s not how I want to win. Hopefully we get to wrestle again and I can wrestle more how I imagined it.”

The length of Fix’s match, and how it eventually ended, has been publicly criticized.

But coach John Smith is having none of the negativity surrounding it.

“I read a few comments that were really silly, people talking about what’s wrong FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019

with wrestling,” Smith said. “Well, there’s nothing wrong with wrestling. Wrestling’s in its good ol’ days…

It’s tougher than it’s ever been, more competitive out there than it has ever been, more people watching wrestling than there’s ever been.

“The people out there making stories up, shut up. You don’t know what you’re talking about. You got a freshman (Fix) out there wrestling against a hometown kid (Suriano) who’s pretty good.

Wrestling doesn’t hang on that match… In the Nhan Doan/O’COLLY end, there’s things you Oklahoma State’s wrestling coach John Smith watches the action on the mat during learn from and move OSU wrestling match vs. Oklahoma on Dec. 9, 2018. forward.”

World Championship tweet, they can post, eyes up… We’re not Fix is 20-0 on the in 2017, puts a target whatever they want. going to overlook it. season at 133 pounds, on his back. It doesn’t But that doesn’t score We need to be ready to which Smith sees as phase him though. you any points on the go. This is really our the toughest weight In fact, he enjoys the mat.” last long road trip and class in the country. challenge.

‘More so than I realthen the next month is Seth Gross, a two-time “I want everybody’s ized’ at home.” finalist and defending best,” Fix said. “WhoSmith knew before The Cowboys will NCAA champion at the season started the face another tough 133 from South Dakota ever I’m wrestling, I team when they take State announced Thurs- want them to be at their schedule would be best. I don’t want to challenging. But even on No. 15 Pittsburgh day he will not wrestle beat someone whenhe’s been a bit surSaturday. this year because of a ever they’re on a bad prised by it.

The schedule is back injury. Smith said day. I want them at the “More so than I realsomething Andrew he believes whoever absolute best they’ve ized,” Smith said about Shomers, a transfer wins at 133 this year ever wrestled and to be how tough the schedule from Edinboro, has had should probably win able to go out there and has been. “I think if to adjust to. the outstanding wrescompete against them. we would’ve started “So much more tler award.

“I’m sure a lot of the at the beginning of challenging,” ShomFix faces two more guys that have been on the year and looked at ers said about the ranked opponents a college team might which matches would schedule compared to Friday and Saturday feel like I’m getting be tough, I think our past years. “Obviously in No. 15 Matthew too much hype because two toughest was these the biggest challenge Schmitt of West VirI’m a freshman… Only last two (Princeton and is traveling. When I ginia and No. 4 Micky thing that really matRutgers). Very comwas at Edinboro, we Phillippi of Pittsburgh. ters is what happens petitive teams. Defiwrestled pretty much His wrestling history, which includes a Junior on the mat. They can nitely kinda opened my all the state schools…

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two, maybe three hour drives. Here, we’re flying every trip. It’s draining. We just got off a flight yesterday (Monday). Be back on one Thursday to go out east. That’s the biggest challenge.”

Familiar Faces Shomers will see plenty of familiar faces this weekend. Against West Virginia, he and Dakota Geer will be opposite the mat from their former coach Tim Flynn. Flynn took the job at WVU this season after coaching 21 seasons at Edinboro, where he compiled a 223-95-5 record.

“It’ll be interesting, maybe a little awkward,” Shomers said.

“Obviously, we wrestled for him for three years. It’s gonna be different, kinda excited though. I’m ready to go compete.”

Shomers is from Ransomville, New York, but has many family members in Pittsburgh that will be there watching. They’re also going to make the hour trip to Morgantown on Friday night.

“It’ll be nice, give you a confidence booster seeing people back home,” Shomers said. “Other than that, I just want to wrestle.”

Wade Haugen is a sports media junior from Weatherford. He can be reached at wade.haugen@ okstate.edu.

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En t e rtainmen t

Cowboys dealing with roster changes before Iowa State road game Hallie Hart, Staf f R epo rt er , @hallieha rt

With a diminished roster, Oklahoma State is striving to avenge a Big 12 loss.

The OSU men’s basketball team faces Iowa State at 5 p.m. Saturday in Ames, Iowa. As the Cowboys prepare for the matchup, only nine players remain. Mike Boynton, OSU’s coach, dismissed redshirt sophomore guard Michael Weathers, freshman forward Maurice Calloo and freshman forward/center Kentrevious Jones on Wednesday because of a rule violation.

OSU is preparing to take on the Cyclones for the second time this season. In the Cowboys’ 69-63 home loss to Iowa State on Jan. 2,

they had 13 players available, though Jones and Mike Cunningham didn’t compete in their third straight game after breaking team rules.

Six days later, OSU Athletics announced in a press release Cunningham was no longer with the program.

After losing four players in fewer than two weeks, Boynton said the coaches might have to take on more active roles in practice.

Devin Lawrence wilber/O’Colly “I keep myself in shape; Mike Boynton and the OSU basketball team head to Ames, maybe I’ll help out a little Iowa this weekend for a match-up vs. the Cyclones. bit,” Boynton said. “And I Likekele and Yor Anei, the more walk-ons soon. OSU think I got a coach in coach Cowboys’ roster includes is holding open walk-on (Scott) Sutton, who could Curtis Jones, Duncan tryouts at 6 p.m. Thursday in make a jump shot back in Demuth, Trey Reeves and Gallagher-Iba Arena. his day, and coach (John) Luke Major. Major, a freshThe Cowboys seek an Cooper, who could maybe man from Edmond, is the increase in depth as two conrebound some.”

Cowboys’ lone walk-on after ference matchups approach.

Along with starters CamReeves received a scholarFour days after they face eron McGriff, Lindy Waters III, Thomas Dziagwa, Isaac ship, but they might have Iowa State, they host rival

Oklahoma at 8 p.m.

A loss to Baylor on Monday knocked OSU to 8-9 overall and 2-3 in the Big 12.

“We’re gonna come out and practice, and we’re gonna try to enjoy the opportunity to still do this,” Boynton said. “And when we have a chance to play, we’re gonna try to win that game … If that means we need to play faster Saturday and that means we don’t have as much legs on Wednesday (against OU), I’ll figure that out on Wednesday. If we need to play slower and guys are tired or (in) foul trouble or whatever it is, we’ll deal with it as it comes up.”

When the Cowboys dropped their home game against Iowa State, they struggled to find consistency on offense. They had a 36-35

lead at halftime but lost the edge.

The Cyclones’ road victory against Texas Tech on Wednesday improved them to 13-4, 3-2.

As the Cowboys adjust to personnel changes and aim to erase a losing record in conference play, Boynton said the coaching staff is ready.

“We’re here for these kids,” Boynton said. “At the end of the day, that’s our job is to make the kids here have a great experience moving forward no matter what.”

Hallie Hart is a sports media junior from Chandler. She can be reached at hallie.hart@ okstate.edu.

GRAPHIC BY T.C. BREWSTER/O’COLLY

FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019

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PAGE 4

cowgirl basketball

S P o rt s

despite youth, cowgirls still primed for tournament bid J o seph Faz io, Asst. Sports Editor, @ Jo s ephD Faz io

After winning its first six games against lowertier teams, the Oklahoma State women’s basketball team struggled numerous times against tougher opponents.

The Cowgirls’ (11-4, 2-2 Big 12) non-conference schedule, compared to many other teams, seemed to lack in difficulty.

Victories against teams such as Grambling State and Houston Baptist only served to boost the Cowgirls’ record.

The only two games that mattered were against Tennessee and UCLA. The Cowgirls lost by double digits in those games.

In reality, the Cowgirl’s non-conference schedule seemed to hurt OSU’s chances of making the tournament.

To give credit to coach Jim Littell, he may have picked an easier non-conference schedule to combat the lack of maturity on the team.

Last season, thenseniors Loryn Goodwin, Mandy Coleman and Kaylee Jensen made Oklahoma State into a force in college basketball.

Littell was so confident in his team that he scheduled the Cowgirls to play Mississippi State, which was the runner-up in the 2017 national championship. The Bulldogs only lost by three.

Now, without those three stars, Littell may FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019

have not wanted his team to have that tough of a non-conference schedule.

Luckily for Littell, two players have stepped up for the Cowgirls in monumental succession.

First is sophomore guard Braxtin Miller. After starting numerous games last season, Miller has taken the role of team captain under Littell’s roster.

Although she is only a sophomore, it is easy to see how she impacts her teammates on the court during games by giving words of advice to the younger players as well as bringing the team together.

Miller currently averages 18 points a game and Logan Biggins/O’COLLY just under four assists per Vivian Gray shoots during the Oklahoma State - Texas Tech Big 12 Conference game at game.

Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater, Jan 12, 2019.

The second differencedrop.

Hobbs is statistically As a team, the Cowgirls maker for the Cowgirls is As the Cowgirls move OSU’s best shooter. She average 43 rebounds sophomore forward Vivian further into Big 12 play, has shot 43 percent from compared to 37.3 from Gray. there are many things they the floor and from behind their opponents. In games Gray, a transfer from need to work on. the three-point line. where the Cowgirls were Division-II school Fort The biggest problem The main problem here victorious or defeated, Lewis College, had a quiet plaguing the Cowgirls’ is that Hobbs’ shot atthe rebounding category start to her career as a offense is turnovers. While tempts are limited. She is often correlates with the Cowgirl. After scoring 23 averaging only six points outcome. points against Praire View, numerous teams turn the ball over many more times from 4.4 shots per game.

The Cowgirls have only Gray instituted herself as than the Cowgirls, ball Hobbs is a tremendous won one game where their the main threat to oppocontrol is still something three-point shooter but opponent ended with more nents’ defenses. the Cowgirls can work on. needs the ball in her hands rebounds. In all of OSU’s Similar to Miller, Gray Gray is the biggest more. She even holds the defeats this season, its opcurrently averages 18 culprit when it comes Cowgirls’ single-game ponents had a double-digit points per game. Gray to turnovers, averaging record of three-pointers rebounding advantage. also adds six rebounds per almost three per game. made with eight in the At the start of the game, the second most on Most of them come when NCAA tournament against season, senior forward the team. she attempts to pass to her Syracuse.

Latashia Jones was a Both players are the teammates for the open Having that vital third powerhouse when it came ones who decide whether shot. option as a scorer would to rebounds. In the first the Cowgirls will win or Another notable probgreatly help the Cowgirls’ game, she ended up with lose. If one of them is lem is the lack of shot takchances against teams such 21, one less than tying the struggling, the other must ers. Gray and Miller take as Baylor and Texas. single-game record. kick it into the next gear 52 percent of the shots for The last hopeful thing Jones ended with to help out. If both players the Cowgirls. the Cowgirls can focus on double-figures for the struggle, then the Cowgirls’ record will likely Sophomore guard Jaden in the future is rebounding. next five games. Moving OCOLLY.COM

forward, Jones’ average has continued to decrease game after game. She still averages nine rebounds per game, but it may not be enough.

At the beginning of the season, Littell stated that rebounding would have to become Jones’ priority. He was looking for close to 15 rebounds per game after Jones’ hot start.

In defeats against West Virginia and Texas, Jones’ ability to rebound could have swayed the tide of the game.

It does not help that starting center Mariam Gnanou has played limited minutes in many games.

She averages only 5.4 rebounds in 15 minutes of play time.

Other than turnovers, minimal shot takers and rebounders, the Cowgirls’ season has been pretty solid. An 11-4 record is no easy feat after losing three of your four best scorers from the past season.

With how the season is going, if the Cowgirls tone back their play style and make the necessary adjustments, they will be primed for a bid in the NCAA tournament.

Joseph Fazio is a sports media sophomore from West Bridgewater, Massachusettes. He can be reached at aubrie.bowlan@ okstate.edu.

PAGE 5

Campus of Many Cultures OSU’s diversity efforts win national honors Oklahoma State University strives to make its campus welcoming to everyone. And those efforts have been noticed — and honored.

Recently, OSU received its third consecutive Institution Committed to Diversity Award from Minority Access Inc., a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit agency. Alumnus Justin Biassou accepted the award on behalf of the university.

The award was presented at Minority Access’ 19th annual National Role Models Conference in National Harbor, Maryland. The conference assembles innovators, recruiters, researchers, faculty, administrators, students, mentors and alumni, as well as institutions with exemplary records in producing minority researchers.` Dr. Jason F. Kirksey, vice president for Institutional Diversity and chief diversity officer at OSU, was delighted with the award.

“We are honored to continue being recognized as a national leader for our commitment to sustaining and enriching a culture of inclusion at OSU,” Kirksey said.

More than 70 diversity-related student organizations at OSU empower students to promote their heritage and become leaders. The university also supports K-12 programs that facilitate students’ ability to successfully transition to college.

That’s not the only honor OSU has received recently for its diversity efforts.

Kirksey himself received the 2018 Distinguished Service Award from the Association of Public Landgrant Universities’ Commission on Access, Diversity and Excellence. Kirksey received the award at the

FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019

association’s 131st annual meeting in New Orleans.

The award goes to one recipient nationally who has created partnerships, broadened access and opportunity in higher education and contributed to the achievement of diversity at all levels of an academic community.

Kirksey has served as OSU’s chief diversity officer since April 2009.

"While I am certainly honored and humbled to be individually recognized with this nationally prestigious award for distinguished service, I owe a huge debt of gratitude to a phenomenal team within the OSU Division of Institutional Diversity,” he said. “I am privileged to work alongside a group

Dr. Jason F. Kirksey, OSU’s vice president for Institutional Diversity and chief diversity officer.

of individuals who show up every day with a commitment and a passion for improving the lives of the students, staff, and faculty we serve at OSU and beyond. The unwavering commitment of the OSU administration and Board of Regents to sustaining and enriching our culture of inclusion makes the necessary work we do that much more enjoyable and rewarding."

Kirksey, who grew up in inner-city Denver, is a first-generation college graduate. He came to OSU as a walk-on football player in 1985. He left with two bachelor’s degrees, one in political science and the other in economics, as well as a master’s degree in political science. He earned a doctorate in political science from the University of New Orleans in 1997.

In 1995, Kirksey returned to OSU as an assistant professor and held the Hannah D. Atkins Endowed Chair for Political Science and Government Information for 15 years. He was the first AfricanAmerican faculty member at OSU to hold an endowed chair. In 2009, he was appointed the interim vice president for Institutional Diversity. After a nationwide search, President Burns Hargis selected him to take over the position permanently. During his tenure as vice president at OSU, Kirksey has served as principal investigator for almost $6 million in National Science Foundation funding, and has overseen an additional $11 million in NSF and U.S. Department of Education projects serving students from historically underrepresented groups, and students who are first generation, low income or have disabilities. Institutional Diversity is also wrapping up an unconventional five-year capital campaign focused primarily on engaging OSU alumni of color, which raised $5.6 million.

Although Kirksey won the award, he deflects the credit to those who have positioned OSU as a leader in diversity and inclusion. He believes he is standing on the shoulders of those who came before him.

“When we talk about creating a culture of inclusion, that’s where it comes from — from everyone willing to do the work. This is heavy lifting, as I tell people,” he said. “We have been very fortunate to have had that throughout President Hargis’ tenure. That’s a decade of significant and sustained transformation and change at OSU. I tell people we aren’t just raising the bar; we really are the bar. It’s not bragging if it’s true. We have an inclusive excellence wall that houses nationally prestigious trophies and awards, and we are, without a doubt, the single most highly decorated institution in the nation in terms of nationally prestigious awards over the past several years.”

“THIS PAGE PRODUCED AND PAID FOR BY OSU BRAND MANAGEMENT.”

HONORING DR. KING Stillwater Community United: Looking Back, Moving Forward In October, OSU professor Dr. Earl Mitchell (center), with Dr. Jason F. Kirksey and OSU President Burns Hargis, was inducted into the OSU Diversity Hall of Fame, which recognizes those who have significantly contributed to the advancement of diversity and inclusion at Oklahoma State University.

A community commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King

Sunday, Jan. 20

Black Panther screening and discussion afterward, 2 p.m., Stillwater Public Library, 1107 S. Duck St. Popcorn and soft drinks will be available. Free.

Monday, Jan. 21

Unity March, 6:30 p.m., Stillwater Public Library. Meet at the library’s northwest parking lot to join the march with fellow community members to the MLK Celebration at the Stillwater Community Center. Free.

Alumnus Justin Biassou accepted the Institution Committed to Diversity Award from Minority Access Inc.

Oklahoma State University is one of 10 universities nationwide to earn the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from Insight into Diversity for seven years in a row. Since 2009, Oklahoma State University has experienced a 96 percent increase in the enrollment of students of color (African-American, Latino, Native American, Asian-American and biracial/ multiracial students) and a 222 percent increase in first-generation students of color. Since May 2010, OSU has witnessed a 90 percent increase in students of color earning a bachelor’s degree.

Also, over the past decade, more Native American students earned a college degree from OSU than from any other institution in the nation.

MLK Commemoration, 7 p.m., Stillwater Community Center, 315 W. 8th Ave. Speakers include Aundrea Jackson, an OSU African-American Student Association officer; Kay Stewart, a longtime Stillwater resident; and Dr. Earl Mitchell, the first African-American tenure-track faculty member at OSU, former president of Payne County NAACP and chair of the Oklahoma State Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. A community choir will perform. A reception with cake, punch and cookies will close the program. Free.

Organizers: Stillwater Community United, Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Oklahoma State University Division of Institutional Diversity, City of Stillwater and the Stillwater Public Library

On Campus Tuesday, Jan. 22

Because of King’s Dream, I Can ...

Information table, Blue Key Lounge in the Student Union, presented by the African-American Student Association.

Better Together Unity Walk, 4:30 p.m., Willard Hall steps.

PAGE 7

Aroun d Town

N ew s

Crime notes: Roommate horror story and public intoxication El li e Meler o, C it y N ews Editor , @ el e an or _m el er o

Roommate conflict Stillwater Police responded to a domestic disturbance call involving threats made at Cimarron Townhomes early on the morning of Jan. 11.

Officers arrived at approximately 1:30 a.m. and began talking with Stormy Linn Lawson, 24. Lawson told officers she got into an argument with one of her roommates and that said roommate had threatened her with a gun.

When officers asked for more details, Lawson admitted her roommate

had never mentioned any guns, according to police reports.

The roommate told officers Lawson had entered her room asking her to roll her some cigarettes, which she told Lawson she couldn’t afford. She and Lawson then began arguing about money and Lawson demanded she move out.

During the argument, OColly/FilePhoto Lawson threw some of A Stillwater Police officer pulls over a car during a trafic stop. the roommate’s belongings out the window and ance Tuesday, where her was arrested early on the a small karaoke machine bond was set at $2,500. morning of Jan. 12 for at the roommate, accord- Her next court date is public intoxication and ing to police reports.

Jan. 22 at 1 p.m. paraphernalia.

Lawson was arrested Stillwater police were for domestic assault and Public intoxication and patrolling the area of battery and taken to the paraphernalia Hall of Fame Avenue Stillwater Jail. She made and Main Street at apher first court appearA Stillwater resident proximately 2 a.m. when

Brandi Michelle Combs, 39, illegally crossed the road, according to police reports.

Combs was dressed in only a t-shirt and shorts with no shoes and carrying multiple bags while yelling profanities. When an officer approached, she was noticeably intoxicated and smelled strongly of alcohol, according to police reports.

Combs said that she had discovered her boyfriend was cheating on her and had grabbed her stuff an left, which was why she was not dressed for the weather. She admitted that she’d drank a few hour before but denied using any drugs,

are a part of different youth mentoring programs.

The Mentoring Initiative has been working with several departments at OSU, such as the College of Education, Health, and Aviation and the chemistry department, to integrate the celebration of these mentors with an experience to reach out to community members of all ages.

Beverly Woodrone, the director of Oklahoma Mentor Day, said having this event at the universities encourages students to get more involved with the programs provided.

“That provides interactions between college students, faculty, as well as with mentees of all ages,”

ties around the state.”

Throughout the event, there will be plenty of networking opportunities for students and community members to explore the many departments within the university and to visit with the mentors.

The mentoring programs represented will showcase a wide variety of programs ranging from faith-based organizations to corporations.

The event was designed to give recognition to the people who can be easily overlooked in their contributions to the community.

“People are inspired by these mentors and their stories and look at them and may decide to start

according to reports.

Combs had four confirmed city warrants.

She was placed under arrest for the warrants in addition to a public intoxication charge, according to police reports.

Combs was taken to the Stillwater Jail. There, her belongings were processed and police discovered a lightbulb and syringe with methamphetamine residue.

She was additionally charged with possession of paraphernalia.

Ellie Melero is a multimedia journalism sophomore from Leavenworth, Kansas. She can be reached at news.ed@ocolly. com.

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Oklahoma State to host Oklahoma Mentor Day

H ale y M ach a S taff R epo rt er @ h aleym ach a

The seventh annual Oklahoma Mentor Day will take place at Oklahoma State University on Friday.

This is the third year the event will take place at a university, bringing the Stillwater community and college students together to recognize the impact their mentors and respective mentoring programs have on communities across the state.

The keynote speaker, Kayse M. Shrum, and the David and Molly Boren Mentoring Initiative will honor 86 mentors from throughout Oklahoma who FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019

Via Office of Health Services

Kayse M. Shrum will be the keynote speaker at Oklahoma Mentor Day on Friday in Wes Watkins.

Woodrone said. “...And it’s those people that really help to inspire the kids, that maybe don’t know what they want to do, to think, ‘Oh, I could be a college

student, I could go into chemistry,’ or whatever it may be. They are role models in their community.

Their programs are adaptable models for communi-

OCOLLY.COM

mentoring in their own communities, which helps children in many ways,” Woodrone said.

Registration begins at 9:15 a.m. in the Wes Watkins Center. The day’s events will include many activity stations in the main lobby, including a giant game of Operation and many more hands-on activities from different departments at OSU. The event’s recognition ceremony begins at 10 a.m.

Haley Macha is a sociology freshman from Frisco, Texas. She can be reached at haley.macha@ okstate.edu.

O’Colly SPRING 2019 EDITORIAL BOARD

FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019

OCOLLY.COM

PAGE 9

Upcom in g

En t e rtainmen t

‘Mortal Kombat 11’ gameplay, story and character details announced J e t Turn er

Entertainment Editor

@ jboy_31 5

You’re Next.

Following the “Mortal Kombat 11” reveal event that on Thursday, new gameplay trailers have been released and eight characters have been confirmed for the highly anticipated sequel to 2015’s “Mortal Kombat X.” The next installment of the legendary fighting game, produced by NeatherRealm Studios, builds on the studios’ strengths as it continues to have an engaging story with classic and new characters featuring a diverse set of playing styles.

Of course, the fatalities released at the reveal event take the gory spectacle to new highs with faces being ripped

off, spines being removed and people being stabbed with their own blood.

NeatherRealm has been able to release a steady stream of fighting games since it was founded in 2010, switching between “Mortal Kombat” and “Injustice.”

“Injustice 2” was the last video game released by the studio in 2017.

Character announcement was another big part of Thursday’s reveal, as speculation on who will be included as been rampant since the announcement of the game in late 2018.

The demo showed 25 character boxes, eight of which were filled.

Characters announced so far are Raiden, Baraka, Scarlet, Sonya Blade, Scorpion, Sub-Zero and newcomer

“Mortal Kombat”/Twitter

Mortal Kombat 11 is available April 23 in stores and online.

Geras. Shao Khan was also presented as a preorder bonus.

Sonya Blade is being voiced by former UFC and current WWE superstar Ronda Rousey.

Speculation is already beginning to arise as to who the next crop of characters could

be. Among those speculated to be revealed at the next event on Jan. 30 is fan favorite Kabal. Lui Kang and Kung Lao also showed up in some cinematic cutscenes, but nothing has been said yet on if they will be playable characters.

“Mortal Kombat 11” looks

like it is going to stay true to its traditional fighting mechanics while improving on what worked in the previous installment.

“Mortal Kombat X” utilized a three-variation character system, allowing for further specialization in gameplay. “Mortal Kombat 11,” however, is taking a page out of the “Injustice 2” playbook by providing weapons and costumes you can use to customize your characters and their play style.

Story-wise, “Mortal Kombat 11” is going to pick up right where the events of “Mortal Kombat 9” left off.

“Mortal Kombat X” fastforwarded into the future, presenting to us the decedents of some of our favorite characters.

Time looks like it is going

to play a major factor in the story, as newcomers Geras and Chronica can manipulate time, and it seems like Chronica is going to be the main villain of the story.

Nothing has been confirmed yet, and nothing has been said on whether Chronica will be a playable character or not.

“Mortal Kombat 11” is set to release on April 23 on Playstation 4, Xbox One, PC and Nintendo Switch.

Jet Turner is a multimedia journalism sophomore from Van Buren, Arkansas. He can be reached at entertainment. ed@ocolly.com.

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‘Avatar 2’ and ‘Avatar 3’ have finished 10 year

J e t Turn er

Entertainment Editor

@ jboy_31 5

Ten years after the release of the original “Avatar,” production on “Avatar 2” and “Avatar 3” has finally finished.

Four sequels for the highest-grossing movie of all time were announced back in 2017, eight years after the original movie was released in 2009.

Director James Cameron came up with the idea for “Avatar” in 1994, and it took about 10 years to finish the movie.

“Avatar” went on to beat 1996’s “Titanic” as the highest-grossing movie of all time, grossing an FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019

estimated $2.79 billion.

Cliff Curtis is set to play Tonowari, the leader of a clan of reef people, in the James Camerondirected sequels. Returning cast members Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana and Sigourney Weaver will rejoin Curtis for the sequels. The movie is, reportedly, supposed to almost entirely take place under water.

This announcement of production wrapping up on the second and third movies comes amidst claims that the fourth and fifth movies may never be made due to the upcoming Disney-Fox merger, which may limit Cameron’s creative control in the

“Avatar”/IMDb

Production for “Avatar 2” and “Avatar 3” have finished.

process.

Fox was reportedly waiting to see how the second and third installments of the “Avatar” franchise did before giving the green

light to start production, but now that the DisneyFox merger is happening, the decision is ultimately going to be up to Disney.

The merger could

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be beneficial to Cameron, however, since the Pandora-World of Avatar exhibit has been finished and is now a part of Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

The estimated costs of the fourth and fifth movies combined is $1 billion, so it is no surprise that the studio is not prematurely jumping into the project.

The original “Avatar” follows Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), a paraplegic marine who is drafted to infiltrate the peaceful Na’vi people of the moon Pandora so the military can mine the mineral “unobtanium” from them.

However, Sully ends up switching sides after he

falls in love with the native Neytiri (Zoe Saldana).

James Cameron has stated that the title of the movie will more than likely not be “Avatar 2” since Sully is not an avatar anymore and instead a full Na’vi.

“Avatar 2” is set to hit theatres on Dec. 18, 2020, with “Avatar 3” premiering a year later on Dec. 17, 2021.

Jet Turner is a multimedia journalism sophomore from Van Buren, Arkansas. He can be reached at entertainment. ed@ocolly.com.

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FOR RELEASE JANUARY 18, 2019

Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis

ACROSS 1 Figura de __: Spanish skating move 5 Besides 9 Cut back a lot 14 It might not be proper 15 Secular 16 Edmonton athlete 17 Likely to B surprisingly difficult 20 __ space 21 Spring bloom 22 __-fa: set of musical syllables 23 One might Q Shamu 26 Cycle starter 27 Place to drive from 28 Not irr.

29 Affirmative reply 32 “The Aviator” (2004) Oscar nominee 34 Buffoons 37 “The fool __ think he is wise ...”: “As You Like It” 38 U can soak in one 41 Biblical hunter 43 It was originally called a “Biscuit” 44 They’re mostly on the phone 48 Bygone predators 50 Long-legged runner 52 Bulldog booster 53 Component of a sweep, maybe 54 Something to C at Carnegie Hall 58 Downed 59 Countenance 60 Lenya of “From Russia With Love” 61 Possible reason Y lights get turned off 65 They’re changed on the road 66 Sandwich staple 67 Frequently 68 French greeting 69 Reach 70 Out of __

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1/18/19

By Bruce Haight

DOWN 1 College town WSW of Albany 2 Island resort near Cancún 3 Went like a runaway train 4 It’s a start 5 Lord of the ring?

6 Brit’s bud 7 Sub (for) 8 Earthy tone 9 Juniors, maybe 10 Razz 11 “My temper got the best of me” 12 Holiday candle holder 13 Heat at a meet, for short 18 LAX landings 19 Opposite of stuffy 24 Entire range 25 Shoshone Falls state 30 Academic address ending 31 Nagano noodle 33 “Iliad” warrior 35 Behind 36 Handle the wheel 39 Ont. neighbor

Thursday’s Puzzle Solved

©2019 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

40 Heavy reading?

41 Coastal East African country 42 Coastal West African country 45 In a smallminded way 46 Army outfit 47 Bit of obscenity?

48 Musical saw sounds 49 Bias

1/18/19

51 Pauley Pavilion Pac-12 team 55 Fits one within another 56 Best 57 Frat letters 59 Guinness book adjective 62 French vineyard 63 Biological chain letters 64 Moving aid PAGE 11

h o ros cop e

Daily Horoscope

By Nancy Black Tribune Content Agency O’COLLY MEDIA GROUP AT OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY

Level 1 2 3 4

106 Paul Miller Building • OSU • Stillwater, OK 74078 Phone: 405 - 744 - 6363 The mission of O’Colly Media Group is to provide a professional environment where students create outstanding media and help local businesses.

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To place an ad, call 405 - 744 - 7371 or email ads@ocolly.com To place a classified ad, call 405 - 744 - 7355 or email lori@ocolly.com To pitch a story idea, call 405 - 744 - 6365 or email news.ed@ocolly.com To report an error, complaint or other issue, email editorinchief@ocolly.com To report an issue with newspaper delivery, email lori.radford@okstate.edu or call 405 - 744 - 7355

1/18/19

Solution to Thursday’s puzzle

Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9.

For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit sudoku.org.uk

© 2019 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019

Available throughout campus in print MWF, inside the Stillwater News Press TWF

O'Colly Creative provides creative solutions for all of your marketing needs from website to video and ad campaigns to social media.

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Today’s Birthday (01/18/19). Imagine the future you want this year. Articulate plans, and schedule consistent action. Take breaks for love, romance and beauty. Unkink your shared cash flow this winter to propel a partnership into new territory.

Summer plot twists lead to a well-earned moment in the spotlight. Envision perfect results.

To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

Aries (March 21-April 19) -- Today is a 6 -- Focus on domestic matters. Actions taken now can succeed. Secrets get revealed.

Share your vision to get farther. Get your family on board with your idea.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) -- Today is an 8 -- You can learn what you need. Communicate and network to adapt to the news. A creative flurry swirls and inspires you into action. Express your heart.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) -- Today is a 9 -- Draw upon hidden resources to invest in your own success. Conditions and expectations are changing. Allow an insider advantage. Profits are available.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) -- Today is a 9 -- Write your own ticket. Set things up the way you want. A brilliant personal insight leads you to try something new. Go for your heart’s desire.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) -- Today is a 6 -- Rest, and review the situation. Consider the road ahead, and work out details. Don’t act in haste, or risk a breakdown. Listen to your intuition.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- Today is a 7 -- Discuss long-range goals with trusted friends. A surprising development requires adaptation. Accept the truth, even if you don’t like it. Share the load.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) -- Today is a 7 -- Keep your professional objective in mind. Keep your deadlines and promises.

Don’t try new tricks now. Work takes precedence. Focus on the job at hand.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) -- Today is an 8 -- Expand your territory. To find answers, go directly to the source. Try new flavors and experiences. Study with a master. When one door closes, another opens.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) -- Today is an 8 -- Invest energy into a shared economic venture. Think outside the box. Make a long-contemplated improvement. Fix something before it breaks. Collaborate for common gain.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- Today is an 8 -- You can work things out with your partner. Misconceptions could confuse; have patience. Remember what’s important. Make a date to do something special.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) -- Today is a 7 -- Try finesse rather than force. Push too hard and risk breakage. Release excess physical energy through exercise, while building strength. Aim for balance.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) -- Today is an 8 -- Take action for love. Imagine the fun you can have. Disciplined efforts get results. Enchant someone special with your enthusiasm. Share your amazing discovery.

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