The O'Colly, August 21, 2026

Friday, August 21, 2026

“kinda chic to be a 2026 cowboy” First week of classes, here’s how freshmen feel convince his fellow freshmen to join. “We just kept saying ‘one more time, one more When Parker White time,’” White said. attended Cowboy Kickoff, “So, I got up and ran he didn’t expect to make around and was like, a memory that he would ‘Hey, we’re doing the remember for the rest of wave, do it right this his college experience. time,’ and we did.” When White’s first attempt White plans to remember his at starting the wave only made it halfway around the stadium, experience at Cowboy Kickoff long after his freshman year. he wasn’t ready to give up. “Years from now, looking The agribusiness major from back, I’m going to remember Grandview, Texas, took it the Cowboy Kickoff,” White upon himself to run around said. “I was the one who Gallagher-Iba Arena and Ashley Yarbrough

NEWS & LIFESTYLE EDITOR

started the wave.” As an agriculture major, attending Oklahoma State University has been a long time dream for White. “The first day of class it was just like pure ecstasy for me,” White said. “I was like, ‘oh my gosh, I’m really attending Oklahoma State University.’” For OSU’s new freshmen, the first week of classes has been more than big campus events. They have been about navigating

The graduating class of 2030 posed on the field of Boone Pickens Stadium for the annual class photo.

the unexpected changes and independence of college life in Stillwater. Tova Stone, an animal science major from McAlester, Okla., said that her favorite moment from her first day of class was in her dorm. “My favorite moment has been playing board games with the people I met in my dorm,” Stone said. “We were all in the lounge together and definitely stayed up way too late.” Stone hopes to continue meeting new people as she adjusts to life at OSU. “I want to branch out and meet new people here,” Stone said. “I come from a small town.” Shayla Wells, a business and marketing major from

Mansfield, Texas, said that she has had an easier transition than most from high school to college. “I definitely feel like it’s been easier here than high school,” Wells said. “Everybody’s going through the same things, and so everyone is accepting.” Wells plans to continue training to achieve her dream of being on the OSU Pom team. “I tried out for the Pom team this summer and then didn’t make it,” Wells said. “But I’m going to be doing a lot more training this year, hopefully.”

See FRESHMEN on page 4A

Courtesy Oklahoma State University

UPP E R CL A SSMEN ADVICE TO FRES H MEN ‘ 2 6 “Definitely go out more to make new experiences and friends. You only have a few years and school isn’t everything. You want to have a life too.”

“Try to find as many resources that are available and useful to you. There may be some that are available, but not as beneficial.”

Carly Johnson, Junior, TX

Hector Luna, Fifth-year Senior, OK

“At the risk of burning yourself out, introduce yourself to everyone you can. You’ll never know who you’ll meet.”

“Read the syllabus before going to class because sometimes teachers sneak extra credit in them.”

Elaina Johnston, Senior, OK

Amariah Smith, Sophomore, TX

“Get parking early so you don’t have to park in the overflow lot.”

“Go to all your classes and take notes on everything.”

Xavier Williams, Sophomore, OK

TJ McArthur, Sophomore, OK

DOW orders OSU research security audit Caleson Coon

to address the active institutional ties and collaborations with foreign entities identified under Section 1286 of the On Aug. 17, 2026, the Department of FY19 NDAA, along with organizations War ordered research security audits associated with rebranded Confucius to 30 domestic academic institutions Institutes. – one of which is Oklahoma State “Universities are critical partners in University. executing a wide range of Department According to the U.S. Department of War research programs, and the of War, these formal notifications were department must therefore ensure directing the universities to initiate that our research investments are well immediate and comprehensive reviews protected from foreign exploitation,” of their academic, financial and said Dr. Joseph Jewell, Assistant research collaborations with foreign Secretary of War for Science and entities of concern. Technology. Laken Chambers, The O’Colly The notification itself was intended See DOW on page 3A Oklahoma State University is one of two institutions to recieve an order from the DOW. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Page 2A Friday, August 21, 2026

O’Colly

News

ED B OA R D INT R O S

Dear readers,

What’s up Pokes, I’m Chance and I’m entering into my senior year as a sports media student here at OSU! I’m pumped to meet - and photograph - each and every one of y’all!

I’m Caleson Coon, the editor-in-chief at The O’Colly! I’m eager to keep readers on campus up to date with the latest news. Enjoy reading! CALESON COON | EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

CHANCE MARICK | PHOTO EDITOR

Hey! My name is Ashley Yarbrough and I am going into my junior year as a multimedia journalism major with a marketing minor. I am the news and lifestyle editor! This will be my third year at The O’Colly!

Hey y’all, my name is Megan Gibson, and I’m the social media editor for The O’Colly. I’m excited to continue growing my skills, creating content and helping bring The O’Colly’s stories to life across social media!

ASHLEY YARBROUGH | NEWS & LIFESTYLE EDITOR

MEGAN GIBSON | SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR

What’s up y’all! I’m heading into my fourth year as a sports media student at OSU. This semester, I will be stepping into the sports editor role, and I’m so excited to provide great coverage during the fall!

Hey Pokes! I am in my senior year as a sports media student and this is my fourth year with the O’Colly, but my second semester as the assistant photo editor. I can’t wait to get started and to meet everyone!

WESTON WERTZBERGER | SPORTS EDITOR

ANDON FREITAS | ASST. PHOTO EDITOR

What up homies! I’m heading into my fifth semester here at The O’Colly and first as a design editor. I’m excited to see what I come up with.

JOSE BRITO | DESIGN EDITOR

KALINA WILLIAMS | ASST. NEWS & LIFESTYLE EDITOR

Hey y’all my name is Kaitlyn Robertson I am a junior studying strategic communications. This is my third year at The O’Colly, and I am so excited to be one of your design editors!

Hey y’all! This is my third year with The O’Colly, and my first semester as an editor. This semester I am serving as the assistant sports editor and am looking forward to keeping y’all updated with OSU athletics.

KAITLYN ROBERTSON | DESIGN EDITOR

CAYDEN COX | ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

Editorial board Editor-in-Chief Caleson Coon

editorinchief@ocolly.com

Design editor Jose Brito

design.ed@ocolly.com

Design editor Kaitlyn Robertson

design.ed@ocolly.com

Hi Pokes! My name is Kalina Williams and I’m going into my junior year as a multimedia journalism major. This semester, I’ll be working as the assistant news and lifestyle editor, and I’m looking forward to sharing some great stories!

News and Lifestyle editor Ashley Yarbrough news.ed@ocolly.com

Photo editor Chance Marick

photo.ed@ocolly.com

Assistant Photo editor Andon Freitas photo.ed@ocolly.com

Sports editor Weston Wertzberger

News & Lifestyle reporters:

Social Media editor Megan Gibson

Caden James Delaney Waterman Marcus Mesis Matt Sammon Aliyah Young

sports.ed@ocolly.com

news.ed@ocolly.com

Asst. Sports editor Cayden Cox

sports.ed@ocolly.com

Asst. News & Lifestyle editor Kalina Williams news.ed@ocolly.com

Newsroom

The O’Colly Staff Sports reporters: Ben Schatzel Logan Cole Marcus Mesis Ryan Ruston Timothy Christensen Will Thorogood

Photographers: Bailey Schmitz Brianna Martinez Catherine Dzanski Daisy Gower Davis Hicks Dominyk Jones Laken Chambers Kia Mace Karsten Levings Matthew Miner Natalie Koepp Payton Little Trey Creel

108 Paul Miller Stillwater, OK 74078 (405)744-6365

Students’ Right to Privacy Notice The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (Buckley Amendment) was designed to protect the privacy of educational records, to establish the right of students to inspect and review their educational records in all offices, and to provide guidelines for the correction of inaccurate or misleading data through informal and formal hearings. An OSU student has the right to: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Inspect and review information contained in his or her educational records within 45 days of the day that the University receives a written request from the student. Challenge the contents of the educational record. Have a hearing if the outcome of a challenge is unsatisfactory. Submit an explanatory statement for inclusion in the educational record if the outcome of the hearing is unsatisfactory. Secure a copy of the institutional policy, which includes the location of all educational records. Prevent disclosure, with certain exceptions, of personally identifiable information from the educational record. File a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the University to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is: Student Privacy Policy Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20202-8520.

Withholding Disclosure of Information. Currently enrolled students may withhold disclosure of directory information. A student may file a written request with the Office of the Registrar to not release personally identifiable information, including directory information. Such requests will be honored until revoked by the student. The University assumes that failure on the part of any student to specifically request the withholding of directory information indicates individual approval for disclosure. Access to Records. Students may inspect and review their educational records by making a written request to the office that maintains the records (See Location of Records below). No non-directory information regarding students’ educational records may be disclosed to anyone without written consent of students, except for selected purposes as authorized by federal law, such as to "school officials" who have a "legitimate educational interest" in the student, to another institution to which a student seeks or intends to enroll or is already enrolled if the disclosure is related to the student's enrollment or transfer, and in response to a lawfully issued court order or subpoena. Parental Access to Records. At the postsecondary level, parents have no inherent rights to inspect their son’s or daughter’s educational records. Information regarding educational records is best obtained by direct communication between the parent and the student. Students may consent to release their educational records to parents, legal guardians, or other individuals by completing the appropriate form in the Office of the Registrar. Such consent should be given in an uncoercive environment. Parents of a dependent student may challenge denial of access to educational records by producing the most current copy of Internal Revenue Form 1040. Definitions. "Educational Record" refers to those records which are directly related to a student and are maintained by an educational institution. "Directory Information" includes: student’s name (including chosen or preferred first name); local and permanent address or hometown; telephone number; year of birth; major field of study; weight and height of student participating in officially recognized sports; dates of

attendance at Oklahoma State University; degrees, honors, and awards granted or received, and dates granted or received; academic classification such as freshman, sophomore, junior, senior, etc.; institutional electronic mail address; most recent educational institution previously attended; dissertation or thesis title; or thesis/dissertation advisor; participation in officially recognized organizations, activities, and sports; parents’ names and addresses (city and state only). “School official” is defined as an individual currently serving as a member of the Board of Regents for the Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical Colleges; the President of OSU and the administrators, faculty and staff they supervise; the President and CEO of the Alumni Association and President and CEO of the Oklahoma State University Foundation and the staff they supervise; the National Student Clearinghouse; and contractors, volunteers and other nonemployees performing institutional functions as school officials with legitimate educational interests. "Legitimate educational interest" is defined as an interest which results from the duties officially assigned to a school official and which are related to such a school official's responsibility for facilitating the student's development. School officials may have legitimate educational interests both in students who are currently enrolled and in those no longer enrolled. Location of Records. Several offices share responsibility for maintaining and releasing information pertaining to student education records. These include but are not restricted to: a) the Office of the Registrar for academic records, b) the Office of Student Conduct Education and Administration for disciplinary records, c) the Office of the Bursar for billing and payment records, d) the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid for scholarship and financial aid records, e) the Human Resources office or Career Services office for employment/ placement records, and f) the Communications Service office for directory information. Challenge the Content of Records. When a student seeks to challenge the content of the educational record, the following steps will be used: 1. 2.

3.

The student will submit a written request to the official responsible for maintaining the record, with such request specifying the content being challenged, the grounds for the challenge, and the exact action being sought. Within one month of the request, the official shall provide a written response. If the official grants the request, the change(s) will be made. If the request is denied, the letter will explain why and will inform the student they may add an explanation to the record and/or appeal the official’s decision. If the student adds an explanation to the record, the explanation will accompany the part of the record to which the explanation pertains, whenever that part of the record is released. An appeal may be filed by submitting a written request to the Vice President to whom the official responsible for maintaining the record reports.

O’Colly

Friday, August 21, 2026 Page 3A

News/LIFESTYLE

Ben Schatzel, The O’Colly

Oklahoma State University installed over 1,400 new washing machines throughout the resident halls.

Laundry day just got easier...or did it? Kalina Williams

ASST. NEWS & LIFESTYLE EDITOR

The new school year at Oklahoma State University brought new washers and dryers to campus dorms, deluxe apartments, University Laundry and Brumley Laundry. OSU installed over 1,400 machines with the goal to make laundry day run smoothly. Most of the appliances were outdated and often needed mechanical attention, but now the new machines should withstand disruptions for longer periods. Along with the new

appliances comes the “Speed Queen” mobile app, which aids in the laundry process. From the app, students can now see which machines are available, know when their cycle is complete and report machine issues. For some students, the change might appear necessary and helpful, but for others, like junior English major Sophia Torres, she isn’t sure the change was ever needed. The app appeared useless to Torres when she first saw it and pointed out other methods that were already being used prior to the installation. “We already have a place to

communicate, ‘Group Me,’” Torres said. “We’ve also been fine using the white boards to keep people accountable for their laundry.” After living in deluxe apartments last year and now living in Bennett Hall, the change raised questions for Torres regarding the amount of money being spent and what could’ve been done instead. “How many unnecessary things have they added in the sake of this recent convenience everyone feels the need to suddenly have?” Torres said. “We can’t even do laundry without putting technology between us now.”

Although some may share the same opinion, other students taking part in campus laundry for the first time have noticed a lack of commotion. Freshman hospitality major, Ashton Vinson, lives in Allen Hall and found his first laundry experiences to be smooth and comparable to when he would do laundry at home. “I had heard horror stories about college laundry experiences and I was really nervous at first,” Vinson said. “Once I saw the washers and downloaded the app, I was really surprised with how easy and helpful it was.” On the contrary to how

Torres felt, Vinson thought the app can continue to work well for a long period of time as long as other students can respect the process. “I think if everyone uses the app correctly, then it can actually be a really good system for the school,” Vinson said. “It’ll make things run more smoothly and hopefully avoid the conflict I’ve heard about” The new system’s future is unsure, but hopes are high that students’ laundry experiences will turn into a process that is no longer dreaded, and add another positive aspect to the OSU dorms. news.ed@ocolly.com

DOW

Research and Engineering. “Institutions that receive “Oklahoma State University is committed to helping to protect the funding from American Continued from 1A taxpayers must uphold integrity and security of the U.S. research enterprise.” the highest standards of The action, executed by the research security, and these Office of the Under Secretary mandated audits will ensure OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY of War for Research and accountability across the Engineering, was designed to board.” protect American taxpayerAll notified universities must funded research investments According to the U.S. security of the U.S. research supporting productive complete a comprehensive from unauthorized technology audit of all identified foreign Department of War, it is enterprise,” according to research partnerships while transfer, intellectual property collaborations, assess the through these audits that the OSU in a written statement. safeguarding sensitive theft and adversarial Department of War intends “The university is reviewing information, technologies and exposure of sensitive or exportexploitation. to better anticipate emerging the letter and coordinating federally funded research.” controlled research, implement “The Department of threats as the department with appropriate campus OSU and Northeastern strict mitigation plans, which War has zero tolerance for pursues this alongside partners offices to ensure continued State University (NSU) are includes the termination of academic partnerships that in Congress. compliance with applicable the only two, among the 30 problematic partnerships to compromise our national “Oklahoma State University federal research-security universities, of Oklahoma to maintain eligibility for future security,” said Emil Michael, is committed to helping to requirements. The university receive this order. federal research funding. Under Secretary of War for protect the integrity and remains committed to news.ed@ocolly.com

A SPECIAL PEOPLE! “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.” (1 Pet.2:9-10 NIV) The apostle Peter is writing to a people who previously had no real relationship with God, but as they came to Christ, to trust and follow him all things changed. They are now special people, a pure people, chosen to be a special group who were taken from spiritual darkness. They are God’s people! If you have come to Jesus, and received forgiveness of your sins; this is also your new condition. The Apostle Paul said it this way; “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;

old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Co.5:17 NIV) We are the people of God and we have sto ry to tell. We can proclaim it clearly and sincerely to all. This happened to me in Japan, November, 1956. I heard the good news of Christ and things begin to change in my life. Jesus became real and began leading my life. It has been an adventure, learning to fellowship and walk with the Lord. I have made many mistakes, but the Lord keeps encouraging me to keep following Him. The God, who has started a good work in me and you (fellow believer) will finish it with eternal consequences. All through the ages to come we get to experience life with Christ. If you have not yet put your trust in Him and begin following him. I urge you to do It now. He is faithful to lead your life into the best (sometimes difficult) things and will glorify Himself and produce lasting blessings. It’s open to al!.

Page 4A Friday, August 21, 2026

O’Colly

Lifestyle Lights on Stillwater makes its annual arrival Kalina Wiliams

ASST. NEWS & LIFESTYLE EDITOR

Lights on Stillwater made its annual arrival to town for all across campus to implement themselves into the Oklahoma State community. The event took place Wednesday night on the north side of Boone Pickens Stadium. Vendors, student organizations and businesses gathered to showcase their purpose and display ways students and other members of the community can become more involved. Fan favorites such as Texas Roadhouse also attended the event in hopes to give back to the community that provides vast support. For Marketing Manager Avery Dunn, she enjoys doing events that get the restaurant’s name out and seeing new people join the community. “I love getting out in the community and seeing all of our people,” Dunn said. “I think Texas Roadhouse is a great place for people to get together and I love seeing all the new people coming to Stillwater to do so.” The event was also a way for businesses to show how they have expanded and display the new services they have to offer. Hello Gorgeous Salon, located on The Strip, has been attending the event for 22 years and expanded into a barber school within the past 10 years. For its owner, Heather Sinclair, the event has continuously helped her business grow and reach its primary audience. “It is one advertisement that we do every single year,” Sinclair said. “It hits our demographic, and that’s college. Our goal for both of our businesses is the college age.” While the community walked around, students from the barber college applied hair

Vendors, student organizations and businesses all hosted displays at Lights on Stillwater. tinsel and shared the different services offered at the school for those who might choose to go. Live music was another aspect that could be enjoyed. Individuals were able to sign up and display their talents for the crowd in hopes to eventually get their “big break.” Discovering her love for music through church and her family in Texas, freshman music industry major, Della Moorman, took advantage of this opportunity. Moorman officially decided music was her passion almost six months ago, and was introduced to the idea of performing through one of her professors. Moorman’s goal is to be a touring artist and saw the event as the perfect way to get her name familiar to the public. “I love all the music from Oklahoma, like Turnpike Troubadours, Wyatt Flores and

Cross Canadian Ragweed,” Moorman said. “That’s why I wanted to do music in Oklahoma. I feel like the Stillwater community definitely supports this music as well, which definitely helps.” However, her performances won’t stop outside Boone Pickens. Moorman has events over the upcoming months in the Tulsa area where she hopes to continue growing her fanbase and expanding others’ knowledge about her talents. While some freshmen chose to partake in the event, many walked around and learned about what Stillwater has to offer. With the event always held the first week of classes, social outings can help ease their nerves and make the rest of the year easier. Freshman political science major, Mckellyn Johnson, discovered new opportunities and enjoyed how many people

Kaitlyn Robertson, The O’Colly

Happy Herman’s Lemonade served drinks to students and families. were learning at the same time she was. “I thought it was really cool that there were a lot of people here,” Johnson said. “I know there was a lot to do, but I didn’t know exactly what until I came here.” Johnson further enjoyed the experience by entering

(From left to right) Serenity Salinas, Shelby Anne, Elizabeth Adams and Aubrey Fansler are in the first weeks of their freshmen year.

Freshmen

she enjoys how fast someone can become a familiar face on campus. Continued from 1A “I feel like everytime I meet someone new I start to see For Aubrey Famsler, an them everywhere on campus,” agriculture business and Adams said. pre-law major from Ukiah, Adams has also seen the Calif., one part of campus has difference in independence already become her favorite. in college compared to back “The Chick-Fil-A in the home. student union has been the “It’s been great to have best part of my first two days,” more freedom here at OSU,” Famsler said. Adams said. Elizabeth Adams, an For Shelby Anne, a nursing elementary education major major from Allen, Texas, the from Wamego, Kan., said that amount of freedom she has

at OSU has made coursework more manageable. “It’s been nice to be able to do things at my own pace,” Anne said. “It’s been nice especially for homework.” However, for some freshmen their first week has not gone entirely the way they thought it would. Dawson Blue, a member of Cowgirl Softball majoring in sociology from Laurinburg, N.C., did not expect to be slowed down on her second day. “I play softball here at

Kaitlyn Robertson, The O’Colly

OSU,” Blue said. “My first two days were fine until I sprained my ankle.” However, Blue is keeping a positive outlook and expects this to be an unforgettable memory in her college experience. “Looking back I’m definitely going to remember walking to all my classes in a boot,” Blue said. “Hopefully I can get a scooter.” Serenity Salinas, an agribusiness major from El Campo, Texas, faced the unexpected challenge of

different raffles and collecting an abundance of free items from vendors. Lights on Stillwater continues to show that when interests are shared along with ideas being heard, one event can help shape the community into what is loved by many. news.ed@ocolly.com

Ashley Yarbrough, The O’Colly

trying to park on campus. Salinas said that she forgot students need to print out their parking passes. “I was walking out of my first class and I got an email that I already had a ticket,” Salinas said. Despite having to pay her parking fine, Salinas said that she feels welcomed by the cowboy community. “Everyone at OSU has been so nice to me,” Salinas said. “They have all been so understanding.” news.ed@ocolly.com

O’Colly

Friday, August 21, 2026 Page 5A

News

Kaitlyn Robertson, The O’Colly

Local author Alysha Rameera’s debut novel “A Soul for a Crown” is on the shelves at Barnes and Noble.

A representation of the community: Barnes & Noble Caleson Coon

community is bringing in local authors, one of whom cut the ribbon for the grand opening On Aug. 12, 2026, Barnes was Alysha Rameera. & Noble Co. cut its ribbon, Rameera, doing a signing opened the doors and became a for her debut novel “Her Soul permanent fixture in Bradford for a Crown,” graduated from Plaza. Oklahoma State University in As Barnes & Noble welcomed 2012 with a degree in finance people to its new location in and accounting, but always Stillwater, store manager Eric secretly prayed that her dream Van Etten, hopes it will be a of becoming an author would reflection of the people and come to life. community. “It’s wild, honestly, if you had “Barnes & Noble, one of our told me when I was here for four principles now, is that we school that I would be an author believe that we should represent that would come to a signing at our local community,” Van Etten Barnes & Noble here, I would said. “So, anything that we’ve not believe you,” she said. set up, it’s based off of what we Rameera said she never think people in Stillwater are believed that she could pursue going to like and want.” her dream full time as a fresh Van Etten noted that Barnes graduate until she heard the & Noble isn’t a “cookie cutter name John Green, a wellstore” in the intention that is put known author of young adult behind the set up of each store. novels. He said there are plans for an “Because I had this idea that, opening in Yukon and that store to be an author, you have to will look different because it’s a have a career first, then retire different city. and be an author,” Rameera “So, we want to reflect where said. we’re at,” Von Etten said. But such was not the case as A part of reflecting the Rameera quickly realized and EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Barnes & Noble welcomed a full house on opening day.

only six months after graduating – and working for a California start up as a marketing person, – and she soon enrolled at OSU for a Master of Fine Arts degree to learn the craft of writing. But it wasn’t until August of 2025 that her dream finally reached the shelves; It took her three years to write “Her Soul for a Crown,” before submitting to publishers and waiting another year and a half. She said throughout the grueling process, her mindset all came down to one recurring thought. “I knew the only way I could really fail is if I stopped,” Rameera said. “I would not become an author if I stopped trying, if I stopped writing, if I stopped submitting.” It all deemed worth it as she is now the author of an “enemies to lovers” fantasy book based upon Sri Lanka history and mythology. Rameera said her intent was to do a retelling of the first queen’s rise to power since she was known as “the poisoner queen.”

Kaitlyn Robertson, The O’Colly

The antagonist is written to be a young poison master who wants to end the evil rajas in her kingdom and is willing to do anything to accomplish that – including selling her soul to a blood demon. Rameera said her hope for readers of the novel is for it to speak to them as novels have spoken to her. “I’ve had books speak to me, that the author probably had no intention to make a book be so emotional or help me through a difficult time, but they do,” she said. “So, I hope at some level, it helps someone through a hard time, if only to take them out of reality for a minute, or give them hope of some kind – like we can do hard things and still look fabulous doing it.” She also spoke to the dedication of her book being to “all those who believed” when she couldn’t and admitted to there being times when she considered quitting. “But all of them [husband and loved ones], they always encouraged me to keep going,” Rameera said. “They were

like, ‘You can do this, this will happen for you.’ I think if you’re passionate about something, if something’s really in your heart, it could be to travel the world, but you see financially how you could possibly do that or writing a book, creating a video game, stuff like that. If that’s really in your heart, I believe it will happen because it was placed on your heart for a reason. “So, believing in yourself, if you could just believe and hold on to that as tightly as possible.” Van Etten himself spoke of what a priority it is for local authors to be a part of Barnes & Noble in Stillwater and hopes it is a reflection of the town itself. He also plans to have local story times as he wants the store to be a true part of the community. “If I just drop someone magically in the middle of my store, I want them to know they’re in Stillwater, Okla. so I want to reflect that,” Van Etten said. news.ed@ocolly.com

Kaitlyn Robertson, The O’Colly

Author Alysha Rameera graduated from Oklahoma State in 2012.

Page 6A Friday, August 21, 2026

O’Colly

Lifestyle

Welcome to Campus!

Courtesy OSU

Freshmen move in during Welcome Week at OSU.

Kaitlyn Robertson, The O’Colly

OSU students unpack and arrive at campus.

Oklahoma State Resident assistants helping students move into the commons.

Freshmen pose for the camera at the annual Cowboy Kickoff.

Courtesy OSU

Freshman poses before taking the 2030 class photo.

Courtesy OSU

Students pose for first day photos in front of Edmon Low Library.

OSU student prepares her waffle at Waffle Tuesday in North Commons.

Kaitlyn Robertson, The O’Colly

Courtesy OSU

Ben Schatzel, The O’Colly

O’Colly

Friday, August 21, 2026 Page 7A

Lifestyle

welcome to the sisterhood

After a long week and rush, new members of Chi Omega run home on the Greek Walk for Bid Day.

Each sorority house decorated through the night.

Kaitlyn Robertson, The O’Colly

New members of Alpha Omicron Pi celebrating.

Kaitlyn Robertson, The O’Colly

Kaitlyn Robertson, The O’Colly

Kaitlyn Robertson, The O’Colly

Sigma Chi members cheering on new members running home.

Laken Chambers, The O’Colly

New members of Alpha Delta Pi strut home.

Kaitlyn Robertson, The O’Colly

New members rush to meet their sisters.

Page 8A Friday, August 21, 2026

O’Colly

Lifestyle Column

A message from the editor Caleson Coon

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Dear readers, I’m Caleson Coon, the Editor-in-Chief at The O’Colly! I consider it a great privilege to lead a newsroom of such talented and dedicated young journalists this semester, as I do so with the same integrity as past editors before me. Since beginning my journey as a reporter for The O’Colly fall 2025, I have gained journalism experience, invaluable mentorship and a true foundation for my current and future journalistic pursuits. As editor, I intend for all coverage from The O’Colly to be for the good of the

public, so that we may serve as a voice for all who are entering or continuing their time on Oklahoma State’s campus. We intend to report the unbiased and untold truths with no regard for outside influence. Each week, we plan to bring you a newspaper filled with photos and stories of the latest happenings on campus and in Stillwater as well as updating our website, ocolly.com, and socials on a day-to-day basis. Here at The O’Colly, our intention is to bring news, lifestyle and sports coverage for all who call OSU home. The O’Colly has covered all that impacts OSU students since 1985 and we will continue to report with transparency, consistency and accuracy as we enter the 2026 fall semester. As the new semester begins, a new editorial staff - ranging from news and

lifestyle, sports, social media and photography to graphic design, has been built to continue to be a voice for those near and far from OSU. The O’Colly is entirely student-led from editorial design to reporting and intends to prioritize covering all that directly impacts students, faculty and workers, along with Stillwater and Oklahoma residents. We believe in the courage it takes for all who step forward to speak with us each week on campus as we fill our paper, website and social media throughout the semester. The O’Colly will persist in carrying the legacy that has been a part of OSU’s campus since ‘85 as we continue to listen, see and understand the needs of our fellow readers. news.ed@ocolly.com

Kyle Walkine, The O’Colly

The O’Colly editor board excited to welcome everybody back to OSU.

1995. 31 years ago.

On This day

Every Oklahoma State University student has a new address, which gives them a place to spend their long college nights. Computing and Information Services installed a new program, Z-mail, that gives every student access to E-mail. Students can pick up their new online addresses today. “We are going to give every student enrolled an E-mail ID,” said J.L. Albert, CIS director. “We have intended for the Z-mail to be entirely for the students” OSU will purchase its Z-mail license with money from the Student Technology fee, approved in June by the State Regents for Higher Education. AMY KENNEDY | THE DAILY O’COLLEGIAN REPORTER, 1995

Friday, August 21, 2026

File Photo

In April, Staliee Heard elected to return to Oklahoma State for her senior season, and helped the coaches retool the roster.

Inside Heard’s ‘chaotic’ offseason

S

B Y C AY D E N C O X

tailee Heard had one word to describe her offseason. ​Chaotic. ​“It was kind of chaotic,” Heard said. “I got a glimpse of being a coach, which I love, because that’s where I want to be one day, and [I was] helping build my team. It was fun, but

I

there were definitely some stressful moments to it because I had to be everywhere all the time.” ​When the Cowgirls’ season ended, Heard had a decision to make, follow everyone into the transfer portal or stay. ​Ultimately, she decided to stay.

A S S T. S P O R T S E D I T O R ​“I love this place,” Heard said. “I love the people I go to war with every day. I love being here [and] having the support staff that I have. There’s nothing really negative to say about this school, so I don’t know why I would leave.” ​That decision left her as the only Cowgirl in Stillwater

during April and May.​ Those two months would be filled with events for her, as she not only had to go through her offseason workouts but also assisted Oklahoma State’s coaching staff in rebuilding OSU’s roster.

See HEARD on page 4B

From Pop Warner to college teammates How Mestemaker, Coleman built friendship

​“100% [he helped)]” Mestemaker said. “Having a guy that was up there on campus [and] knows all the coaches [made that move easy]. Cayden Cox ASST. SPORTS EDITOR The only coach whose number I had was coach [Sean] Brophy because Before Drew Mestemaker threw he called me. Having a guy up there a football for the then-North Texas that knew all the coaches and knew coaches, he already had a connection everyone and could put in a word for with the Mean Green. me definitely helped.” ​Mestemaker’s former high school ​Growing up in Austin, Texas, teammate and childhood friend, Miles before their days at Vandegrift High Coleman, was playing for the Mean School, UNT and Oklahoma State, Green. Mestemaker knew Coleman could ​When Mestemaker first walked on play at the next level. at UNT, Coleman was the guy who See POP helped ease his transition. on page 3B

Courtesy of Devin Wilbur

Oklahoma State defensive end Keviyan Huddleston prepares for his season with the Cowboys after a breakout year at North Texas.

Huddleston’s journey comes full circle as he looks to build on breakout season at OSU Weston Wertzberger SPORTS EDITOR

Chance Marick, The O’Colly

Drew Mestemaker and Miles Coleman have played together since they were 5.

Keviyan Huddleston has been working his way into the defensive end room as he prepares for his first season at Oklahoma State. It didn’t come easy for the 6-foot-4 redshirt junior. Huddleston struggled to find his footing early in his collegiate career before breaking out last season at North Texas. Now, he’s not trying to reinvent himself but rather to build on what he showed.

Head coach Eric Morris saw those signs when he led the Mean Green last year. “Keviyan is a guy that — he’s not real flashy in the way he does things, and that’s kind of how he was last year, and then all of a sudden he shows up in the stat line every single week and ends up having a sack here and two or three tackles for loss,” Morris said. “Keviyan’s someone that’s going to be in the rotation to play a ton of football for us.”

See HUDDLESTON on page 2B

WHAT’S INSIDE 5B

Four Big 12 teams ranked in AP Top 25 Preseason Poll, Cowboys receive votes

6B

Beyond the stars: Three OSU football players who could surprise in 2026

8B

OSU fall sports roundtable: Our biggest questions for the Cowboys and Cowgirls

Page 2B Friday, August 21, 2026

O’Colly

Sports

Trey Creel, The O’Colly

Caleb Hawkins looks to become the second OSU running back to win the Doak Walker Award.

Hawkins named to Doak Walker Award watch list Will Thorogood

named finalists for the award, with Gordon winning it in 2023. Ever since 1990, the Doak Gordon became the first Walker Award has been OSU running back and fourth honoring the top running sophomore to win the award back in the Football Bowl as he rushed for 1,732 yards Subdivision of college football, on 285 carries and scored 21 and Oklahoma State and touchdowns. Alongside him, running back Caleb Hawkins Jonathan Taylor (Wisconsin, are not new when it comes to 2018), LaMichael James this award. (Oregon, 2010) and Darren On Tuesday, the PwC SMU McFadden (Arkansas, 2006) Athletic Forum announced have won the award as that Hawkins was named sophomores. Gordon compiled to the Doak Walker award a streak of six straight games preseason watch list, as he with more than 120 rushing looks to become the second yards and was a three-time OSU running back and the Doak Walker National fifth sophomore to win it. Ollie Running Back of the week that Gordon II, Chuba Hubbard season. and Kendall Hunter are the Hubbard led the nation other three Cowboys to be with 2,094 rushing yards in

STAFF REPORTER

Huddleston Continued from 1B

Coming out of Chapel Hill High School in Tyler, Texas, Huddleston arrived at TCU in 2023 but didn’t get meaningful opportunities. He played in only one game while redshirting and recording one solo stop against Nicholls. In 2024, he played in two games as a freshman but did not record any stats. Huddleston decided to enter the transfer portal in search of a better opportunity. Greg

Richmond, the North Texas defensive ends coach, came calling. “… Coming from TCU, I didn’t get a rep at all, some stuff like that,” Huddleston said. “When coach Richmond gave me the chance, I just took full advantage of it. I knew I could do it, but things weren’t as right at TCU, but I [took] it for granted.” Huddleston became a perfect fit in Richmond’s system as he appeared in all 14 games, making two starts. He led the Mean Green with 9.5 tackles for loss and 5 sacks. He also totaled 31 tackles, two fumble

2019 on 328 carries, scoring 21 touchdowns while averaging 161.1 yards per game. He was one of three national finalists for the Doak Walker Award, alongside Taylor and J.K. Dobbins (Ohio State). Hubbard reached the 1,000-yard mark in the sixth game of the season, becoming the fastest Cowboy running back to reach 1,000 yards in a season, which surpassed Barry Sanders’ 1988 Heisman season. Hunter highlighted OSU’s first season with double-digit wins since 1988, with a big year on the ground in 2010. He finished the year with 1,548 yards on 271 carries with 16 touchdowns. James, who won the award that season, was Hunter’s teammate on the

San Francisco 49ers from 2012 to 2013. Along with being a national finalist for the award, Hunter was a consensus firstteam All-American in the 2010 season. Before the announcement of the preseason candidates for the award, Hawkins had already entered fall camp on multiple award watch lists. He was named to the Walter Camp Player of the Year and Maxwell Award watch lists, and the 2026 Walter Camp Preseason AllAmerica team. Last year with North Texas, Hawkins finished as a Walter Camp, Sporting News and Phil Steele All-America selection after claiming the NCAA record for the most touchdowns scored by a freshman. The 29

total touchdowns (25 rushing), 174 points scored and 13.4 points per game put him at No. 1 in the FBS. Hawkins was the American Conference Rookie of the Year and a semifinalist for the Doak Walker Award, and he is no stranger to that award. The PwC SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors will name 10 semifinalists for the award in November before naming three finalists later that month. The recipient will be determined when the committee casts a second vote in December, and the award recipient will be announced live during The Home Depot College Football Awards on Dec. 10 on ESPN. sports.ed@ocolly.com

recoveries and one quarterback came down here, I liked him. I hurry. love him.” Huddleston’s connection to Now at OSU, Huddleston OSU, though, dates back even is looking to prove himself further. In 2022, Richmond at a higher level. Over the was serving as OSU’s defensive offseason, he identified one line coach in the fifth and final part of his game that needed year of his first stint in the role the most attention. and had offered Huddleston “Just trying to really get a spot with the Cowboys. my pass rushes and abilities Huddleston wasn’t ready to better,” Huddleston said. make the move then. “Obviously, I was good in the “When [coach] Greg run game, but last year I was Richmond was here first, he trying to get my pass game gave me the offer,” Huddleston more. So this year, like when said. “He wanted me to come it was spring, I was trying to down here, but I was like, ‘Ah, get my pass rushing right. Still, that’s a little bit too far out of same thing in fall camp too. my range.’ And then when I So, I’m just trying to get my

pass rush way better.” Huddleston isn’t the only former North Texas player trying to make that same jump at OSU. With the season opener approaching, he wants to see those players find the same success they had in Denton. “I really want them to exceed because coming from a small conference like the [American], and then coming up here, I’m pretty sure we can do the same thing we did at UNT,” Huddleston said. “So I just hope we can all bring that down to the first game on Sept. 5.” sports.ed@ocolly.com

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Friday, August 21, 2026, Page 3B

Sports Vegas gives Cowboys uphill climb in Big 12 title race Logan Cole

as a new head coach adjusts to the big chair. Kansas State is seen as a long-shot A new season is upon us, and that candidate for the Big 12 title, though means Las Vegas is rolling the dice on it is in a similar situation to the Utes. the Big 12. Houston is also expected to have a shot Oklahoma State currently has the at the conference title with a returning ninth-best odds to win the conference core led by QB Connor Weigman and at +2900, according to DraftKings. third-year head coach Willie Fritz. That means putting $10 on the Though for those who love a good Cowboys now would win $300. underdog, or simply hope for a FanDuel Sportsbook sets OSU’s winning lottery ticket, putting $10 on over/under win total at 6.5, with UCF, Colorado, Cincinnati or Iowa the Cowboys a popular over pick as State will get you a bang for your the revamped roster brings an air of buck. excitement to Stillwater. The addition The Knights are led by coach Scott of quarterback Drew Mestemaker Frost, who in his second tenure with alone was enough to send OSU up the the school, hopes to take UCF to its sportsbook charts. first bowl game since 2023. Colorado Vegas does expect most of the Big is trying to recover from a disastrous 12 to be in bowl contention, as OSU 3-9 (1-8 in conference play) campaign shares its 6.5-win O/U with Arizona, from last season, and the Bearcats Baylor, Kansas and TCU. Texas Tech, are trying to become a contender in which is also the odds-on favorite to the conference for the first time since repeat as conference champs at +100, joining. sits at an O/U of 10.5. Then there’s ISU, which is The Red Raiders may be the heavy reminiscent of the 2025 OSU team, favorite for the Big 12 crown, but don’t though, hopefully for Cyclones fans, pencil them in just yet. Vegas gives the reassembled roster is the only BYU and Utah odds of +550 and +850, similarity. Vegas isn’t confident, respectively, to take the title and both however, with the Cyclones being share an O/U of 8.5 wins. +11000 underdogs according to BYU was last season’s conference DraftKings. Putting $10 on ISU to win runners-up and is returning production the Big 12 would cash in $1,100, which from Bear Bachmeier and LJ Martin, would make a dent in a college kid’s who will lead a veteran roster looking tuition. for revenge. TTU is more talented Vegas odds are notoriously on paper, but with a brand new unpredictable, just like college quarterback at the helm and offseason football. There’s a chance TTU goes drama to boot, the Cougars can stay winless, and there’s a chance ISU goes lurking. undefeated and wins the Big 12. But Utah is also returning quarterback the oddsmakers have high hopes for Devon Dampier and running back the league this season. Wayshawn Parker; however, the Utes are expected to be more unpredictable sports.ed@ocolly.com STAFF REPORTER

Chance Marick, The O’Colly

Miles Coleman caught Drew Mestemaker’s first collegiate touchdown.

Pop

think that flipped his mindset a little bit to really lock in. Ever since then, he’s been the hardest worker I’ve been Continued from 1B around.” ​When Mestemaker finally got a ​As early as 5 years old, the two were chance at the college level, Coleman playing Pop Warner football together, was on the receiving end of his first and Coleman already had signs of a career touchdown pass. next-level player. ​During the First Responder Bowl ​“Everyone in Austin knew Miles was against Texas State on Jan. 3, 2025, going to be that guy from like 5 years Coleman broke through the seam, and old,” Mestemaker said. Mestemaker hit him in stride for a ​Once they first played on the field 46-yard touchdown. Throughout that together, Coleman and Mestemaker game, Coleman became Mestemaker’s clicked and formed a lifelong bond. favorite target, as he hauled in ​“ We’ve been best buds ever since six catches for 104 yards and the Pop Warner,” Coleman said. “That touchdown. connection has been there since [we ​The two carried their connection were] 5 years old.” over to the 2025 season, where ​In their early Pop Warner days, Mestemaker was the full-time starter. Coleman and Mestemaker were on Coleman had the best season of his opposing teams until Mestemaker, then college career, with 47 catches and 550 playing wide receiver, made a crazy receiving yards, both ranking third on play against Coleman’s team that led the team. to Coleman’s dad wanting Mestemaker ​“He’s always been the athlete that he on his team. is now,” Mestemaker said. “[He] puts ​“He caught a little post ball and in the work to be as athletic and as made our whole team miss,” Coleman quick and as fast as he is. His football said. “He was going crazy. [Hit a] knowledge has really grown, and I feel crazy spin move. [He] looked like like that’s helped us be on the same Wyatt Young out there, but it was a fun page out there on the field.” experience. My dad recruited him to ​Coleman had a front-row seat as come to our team. Ever since then, he’s Mestemaker went from a backup in been a dog.” high school to walking on his freshman ​While he played receiver in Pop season where he led the NCAA in Warner, Mestemaker eventually passing yards and now the transition to transitioned to quarterback, while OSU and the Power Four level. Coleman primarily remained a ​He’s seen the entirety of receiver. However, with the Vipers, Mestemaker’s development and said Mestemaker was the backup there’s no one else he would want to quarterback and served as the team’s lead the Cowboys’ offense. punter during his senior season, as ​“His leadership in general, I think, well as playing safety. has grown tremendously over these ​During that time, Coleman saw a past few years,” Coleman said. “His switch flip in Mestemaker and has seen voice, the way he runs the team, leads a different type of player since. the huddle, everything leadership-wise, ​“Drew’s been the same guy ever I think he’s taking the next step to be since senior year, where he didn’t that guy.” play in high school,” Coleman said. “I sports.ed@ocolly.com

Chance Marick, The O’Colly

FanDuel Sportbook predicts Oklahoma State to win 6.5 games.

Page 4B Friday, August 21, 2026

O’Colly

Sports From orange and black to orange and black Will Thorogood

portal additions this offseason. “I came here as more of like a special teams guy,” Kolb said. “And Carson Kolb is familiar with I’m fully tight end; I’m fully bought wearing orange and black, but his in. So it’s just been an awesome arrival at Oklahoma State presents a experience just getting to learn different role for him than his time how to be a tight end under Coach with Oregon State. Svoboda.” Kolb has gone from linebacker to Oklahoma State head coach Eric tight end, back to linebacker and Morris spoke highly of the energy then back to tight end with his new and improvement that he has seen squad in Stillwater. Despite all the from Kolb from the spring to fall challenges, his resilience led to him camp. getting reps with the starters in “He’s someone that’s always practice on Tuesday. drinking an energy [drink], full of “I was in the meeting room with energy, screaming in the weight [tight ends coach Drew Svoboda], and room,” Morris said. “He’s someone we were getting out of our position that thinks fast; he’s able to do meetings,” Kolb said. “And he said, multiple things out there. He just ‘Hey, you’re now running with the continues to be a guy that gets ones today.’ I thought, ‘Sweet.’” noticed around here in every camp.” Kolb attended Horizon High Kolb gets to play alongside fellow School in Scottsdale, Ariz., and tight end Oscar Hammond, who has played linebacker with tight end as experience being coached by Morris his secondary position. Through 29 the last two years at North Texas. games on the Huskies’ varsity squad, While the two have been showing he totaled 157 total tackles, 31 tackles out in fall camp, Morris has noted for loss and 15 sacks. Through that differences between them. time, Kolb recorded 10 receptions, “I think Oscar’s game is a little bit 128 receiving yards and one more finesse,” Morris said. “Better touchdown in his secondary position. route runner, better receiver out there When he got to Oregon State in in some one-on-one matchups. And 2024, the coaching staff had tight end Carson’s a little bit better in the core as his main position. This presented a and able to run an iso on a linebacker, tough challenge and change for Kolb, run split zone, cut off the backside who redshirted that season after defensive end and all those things.” appearing in only four games. Kolb talked about what it’s like “Transitioning from [linebacker] to playing with Hammond. tight end at Oregon State was really “He’s a great guy,” Kolb said. “He hard,” Kolb said. “I didn’t fully buy brings a great energy to every meeting. in.” He’s never down. If he is, he never lets The following season, he returned it show. He is a great positive energy. to the linebacker group, which was I want to be as much like him as I a big help. Despite recording only can. Physically, mentally, he is a great six total tackles, Kolb appeared in player overall.” every game for the Beavers, gaining Apart from not changing team valuable collegiate experience. colors, he spoke about what he thinks “Just this last year at Oregon State, about Oklahoma State. I fully bought in,” Kolb said. “Got “I was gonna say I got to keep most converted back to linebacker, so that of my gear, so that’s nice,” Kolb said. was difficult.” “Honestly, it was a complete 180. The After a rough season that saw town’s awesome, the coaches are Oregon State go 2-10 and fire head awesome, the people are awesome. coach Trent Bray after an 0-7 start, Everyone’s behind the football Kolb wanted a change and entered team, and everyone’s behind coach his name into the transfer portal. Morris as a whole. So it’s just been a The turnover and buzz at complete 180, and I love it here.” Oklahoma State led him to join the Cowboys, as he was one of 66 transfer sports.ed@ocolly.com STAFF REPORTER

Chance Marick, The O’Colly

Stailee Heard worked with assistant coach Mandi Carver during the offseason to improve her 3-point percentage.

Heard

Continued from 1B ​“Stailee and I are one and the same,” OSU coach Jacie Hoyt said in May. “We both knew what was coming this offseason. We were in sync and in stride together every step of the way. The great thing about her is that she has this maturity where she can think like a coach. ​“I told her, ‘I’m going to need your help recruiting. I’m going to tell you who we’re talking to and how these conversations are going. I’m going to need help on visits. I need you to tell me if someone’s not a good fit and what you’re feeling.’ She was able to do that. She was basically part of the coaching staff this offseason.” ​Heard got a first-hand look at what it was like to be a coach during the portal season. She was in the facility when players visited and was able to share what it was like playing for OSU and Hoyt. ​“I was on almost every single person’s visit,” Heard said. “I was a big factor in who came here and why people wanted to come here. I got to hear everyone’s story.” ​Aside from rebuilding the roster with the coaching staff, Heard had her own personal workouts to go through. In a normal offseason, those sessions would be with the team, however, Heard did them solo. ​Before the rest of OSU’s roster arrived on campus, Heard trained with assistant coach Mandi Carver as well as the student managers and graduate assistants. ​After a rocky junior season where Heard saw her numbers dip by nearly five points per game and three rebounds per game, and what was statistically her worst season at OSU, she was able to reset in the spring. ​She used those months to focus on getting her game back to the level that it was at during her breakout sophomore season. ​“It was awesome,” Hoyt said. “She got all the attention. She got in and she worked hard and it was really neat to see her understand that that was an opportunity for her to really grow her own game. She got a lot of 3s up in the spring. That’s been a part of her game that I think has been a little more inconsistent than what we have wanted.” ​When summer workouts began and Heard was joined by her team, Hoyt immediately saw the progress she made in the spring. ​“I’ve seen [her work] pay off this summer,” Hoyt said. “She’s a knockdown 3-point shooter at this point. The spring was really good for her to grow in her confidence and work on parts of her game that, if she would’ve been with teammates, maybe couldn’t [have gotten much attention].” ​Not only did Heard improve her game, but she also got comfortable working with a new coach and carried that over into the summer. ​Carver joined the Cowgirls’ coaching

staff before the 2025-26 season, and Heard had not yet adapted to her style until the spring. ​She said that she was able to bond with Carver over the spring and had a desire to continue working alongside her over the summer. ​“In summer practices, I’m like, ‘Oh, I want to go work out with Mandi,’” Heard said. “Some of the things that we work on will really help me, and it actually has been helping me. I just want to keep adding to my bag and keep finding ways to help our team and be better for our team.” ​After assisting with retooling the Cowgirls’ roster, Heard finally got to see it come to fruition when everyone arrived in Stillwater. ​Despite the fact that Heard knew OSU was getting one of her friends in Audi Crooks as well as Liv McGill and Ellie Brueggemann, summer practices were when she realized what her team looked like. ​“It’s kinda surreal,” Heard said. “Just seeing all these big-time players and seeing our team come together was kind of crazy to see. I kinda couldn’t believe it for a little bit because I feel like everything happened so fast for me… ​“It’s been so fun. I actually told the coaches, ‘I’m pretty sad the summer’s over.’ It was just so fun getting to play against each other and with each other. But I’m excited to see what the season [has in store] and how much more fun we’ll have.” ​Despite the fact that the Cowgirls have only been together for a couple of months and are still missing a few players due to their international ties, Heard believes the Cowgirls are already clicking at a high level. ​“It feels like it’s already January with the way we are with each other,” Heard said. “We mesh so good together, and it’s because it’s all about basketball. We all have the same goal. We all want to win. We all want to win a Big 12 Championship. We all want to go to a Final Four [and] win a Natty… It’s kind of refreshing because we don’t have to worry about anything else but basketball, and that’s all I’ve ever asked for and all I’ve ever wanted.” ​Heard was one of the first players to be recruited by Hoyt at OSU and has built a near family-like bond with her coach. ​Having to rebuild a roster wasn’t easy, but Hoyt wanted to build a team around Heard that could lead the Cowgirls to new heights and close Heard’s tenure at OSU on a high note. ​“I think that was something that was very important to me as I assembled the roster around her,” Hoyt said. “I love that kid so much. I love her like my own daughter. She is like a daughter to me. [I] wanted so badly, not just as a coach, but personally, to send her off into the sunset like I think she deserves. She’s given this program so much; that was really important to me and something that I took a lot of pride in.” sports.ed@ocolly.com

Chance Marick, The O’Colly

Carson Kolb transferred to OSU after spending two seasons with Oregon State.

O’Colly

Friday, August 21, 2026, Page 5B

Sports Four Big 12 teams ranked in AP Top 25 Preseason Poll, Cowboys receive votes Weston Wertzberger

The next ranked opponent on OSU’s schedule is at No. 23 UH on Oct. 23, which is making its first College football is inching closer preseason poll appearance in four every day as the Associated Press years. The two teams faced off in released its Top 25 preseason poll for Stillwater last year, with the Cougars the 2026 season on Monday. winning 39-17. Ohio State is the preseason No. 1 UH is coming off a 10-3 season team for the first time since 2015 and with a win over LSU in the Kinder’s the ninth time in program history, Texas Bowl that saw double-digit while the Big 12 saw four members wins for the second time since 2015 make the rankings. under Willie Fritz’s second year The defending Big 12 champions, as head coach. Senior quarterback Texas Tech, lead the conference Connor Weigman returns, as the at No. 12. Right behind is BYU Cougars seek to make the Big 12 at No. 14. Utah is the next Big 12 Championship game for the first time team ranked at No. 21, followed by since joining the conference in 2023 Houston at No. 23. as the starter for the second year. Among the teams that fell short The final matchup against a in the poll but received votes preseason-ranked opponent is a are Arizona (32), TCU (11) and home game against No. 12 TTU Oklahoma State (8). These teams are on Nov. 14. Last season, third-year unofficially ranked Nos. 29, 30 and head coach Joey McGuire led the 34, respectively. Red Raiders to their first conference The Cowboys will face only two of title since winning the Southwest the Big 12 teams mentioned above, Conference in 1994 with a programalong with a Top 5 nonconference best 12-2 record and an appearance opponent in Eric Morris’ first season in the College Football Playoff as head coach. Quarterfinals before getting shut out OSU will open its home slate with by Oregon in the Capital One Orange a test for the ages by welcoming No. Bowl. 2 Oregon to Boone Pickens Stadium TTU brings back a lot of experience on Sept. 12, which earned its highest on defense, which was ranked preseason ranking ever and got 14 third in the FBS last season in first-place votes. The two teams met points allowed per game (11.8) and last season in Eugene, where the yards allowed per game (258.3). Cowboys were annihilated by the Quarterback Will Hammond is the No. 6 Ducks in a 69-3 blowout, cleared to play in time for the start of suffering their largest loss since 1907. the season after suffering a torn ACL Oregon is coming off a 13-2 season against OSU last season on Oct. 25 with an appearance in the College during the Red Raiders’ 42-0 win in Football Playoff Semifinals before Lubbock. falling to eventual national champion The SEC leads the poll with nine Indiana in the Chick-fil-A Peach teams, six of which rank inside the Bowl. Dante Moore returns as the Top 11. The Big Ten has eight teams starting quarterback for the Ducks with three inside the Top 6. The Big as one of the favorites to win the 12 has four teams, followed by the Heisman Trophy. At the same time, ACC with three and Notre Dame as Dan Lanning heads into his fifth the lone Independent team. season as the head coach, hoping to lead Oregon to its first-ever National Championship. sports.ed@ocolly.com

SPORTS EDITOR

Chance Marick, The O’Colly

Texas Tech won the Big 12 Championship on Dec. 6, 2025 in Arlington, Texas.

‘I think this year tells’ Texas Tech seeks to challenge parity of Big 12 football Weston Wertzberger SPORTS EDITOR

Chance Marick, The O’Colly

Texas Tech enters the season as the highest-ranked Big 12 team in the AP Poll.

For most of the Big 12’s existence since 1996, the conference has not been familiar with parity. Over the past few years, that narrative has changed. Texas Tech is looking to become the Big 12’s next dynasty after winning the conference title for the first time last season, and the Red Raiders won’t make it an easy challenge for their foes. “I think this year tells,” Oklahoma State coach Eric Morris said on Aug. 8 during media day. “[Texas Tech] had one really good year and I think they’ve built another good roster from the looks of it. But that’s a cool thing about this sport, and I’ve always loved it, and just my mentality, and quite honestly, I have little men syndrome, and so I’ve had it my whole life: this is a sport you got to come out, you got to prove it year in and year out.” From 1996 to 2020, Oklahoma dominated the conference, winning 14 conference championships, while no other team won more than three. In the last five seasons, the Big 12 has seen a new champion every year with no one winning it twice. The departures of Oklahoma and Texas to the SEC have partially helped address parity within the conference, but college football has also changed significantly since the introduction of NIL in 2021. “I think nowadays with revenue share, NIL, transfer portal, it’s created a ton of parity, and I think fans love parity and it’s healthy for the sport,” Morris said. “I think the NFL’s been that way for a while now. There hasn’t been a true dynasty in the NFL for a while now. There’s all these new teams each and every year that are up there at the top. I think it creates that.” The rest of the Big 12 outside of TTU can prove to extend the streak of parity. BYU has won at least 11 games in back-to-back years and reached the Big 12 Championship game for the first time in years. Head coach Kalani Sitake returns for his 11th season and brings back key pieces of sophomore

quarterback Bear Bachmeier and star running back LJ Martin, paired with a veteran defense under new coordinator Kelly Poppinga. Utah and Houston both also won double-digit games last season while retaining their quarterbacks and keeping high expectations. Morgan Scalley will be in his first year as head coach of the Utes, but he’s been with the program since 2007. Thirdyear head coach Willie Fritz has brought UH back from the dead and become a stable program in a Power Four conference. The three teams that received votes in the AP Poll, TCU, Arizona and OSU, also have a chance to make a run for the Big 12 title. Even teams who may not be given a chance can still make a surprising run. Arizona State did just that when winning the 2024 Big 12 title after being projected to finish last in the conference. “I think obviously you look at what Houston did last year,” Morris said. “I think you look at what BYU did last year. Or what Utah’s been able to do for the last 15 or 20 years. What Arizona State did two years ago. Like there’s a lot of things that say, ‘Hey, like there’s going to be some dogfights this year, and you’ve got to go prove it and earn it each and every week.’” The SEC and Big Ten are still the best conferences in college football, with strong supporting casts of ranked teams and national championship contenders. Still, the Big 12 has evidence that it is one of (if not) the most exciting and fun conferences in the sport, thanks to a high number of close one-possession games and wide-open championship races every year. TTU will still be the favorites to win the Big 12 at +100, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. The Red Raiders, who are spending the most on NIL in the conference, have also kept building their roster with half of their starters returning from last season. But in the Big 12, anyone’s got an opportunity to take the crown. “I think, obviously, Tech’s been in the media for some different reasons right now,” Morris said. “But they’re definitely the reigning champs. That’s who everybody’s chasing right now. And you’re going to have to prove it one way or another; whoever is deemed the champion at the end of this thing.” sports.ed@ocolly.com

Page 6B Friday, August 21, 2026

O’Colly

Sports

Beyond the stars Three OSU football players who could surprise in 2026

Timothy Christensen

DB Christian Bodnar Bodnar transferred to OSU from Liberty for his junior With 89 newcomers, there year. Bodnar played all over are a lot of unfamiliar names the secondary for the Flames, on the 2026 Oklahoma State playing some corner and football roster. safety. Morris plans to utilize Head coach Eric Morris Bodnar at nickelback this placed heavy emphasis on season. bringing in fresh blood to Bodnar was one of three Stillwater this season, a fitting players to win the 2025 approach to steer the program Comeback Player of the Year away from the 1-11 campaign Award after missing most of in 2025. 2024 with a rare condition Morris brought over that caused him to lose the some big names with ability to walk temporarily. him from North Texas, Now that he has teamed including quarterback Drew up with Morris and defensive Mestemaker, running back coordinator Skyler Cassity, Caleb Hawkins, wide receiver there is a lot of enthusiasm Wyatt Young and linebacker around the impact Bodnar can Ethan Wesloski. Those make on this OSU defense. players’ previous production “I think he’s a guy that makes them obvious stars to is gonna be really, really a watch this season. household name by the end Morris and his staff of this thing,” Morris said. helped those players emerge “How well he can play man nationally last year at North coverage in the slot. He’s a Texas, and he will attempt great blitzer off the edge. We to find other hidden gems at can be aggressive with him. OSU. As the team begins fall He tackles well in open space. camp, a few early candidates Super-excited.” could surprise fans this year. Here are a couple of darkWR Justin Bowick horse players to keep an eye Bowick has transferred on this season: several times during his

STAFF REPORTER

college career, spending time at Eastern Illinois, Ball State and Illinois. Now Bowick will spend his redshirt senior year at OSU. Bowick has never truly broken out as an elite pass catcher with his former teams, but his size and length are undeniable. He stands at 6-foot-5, making him the tallest receiver on the roster. Outside of his size, Morris also complimented Bowick’s work ethic this summer. “Almost every time I went in [the training facility], Justin Bowick’s in there,” Morris said. “Whether he’s catching jugs, working on his craft… I think he’s an older kid, but he’s super committed to the processes of getting better, and I think you’ve really been able to see that pay off.” With his catch radius in Morris’ offensive system, Bowick could be poised for a breakout season in Stillwater.

Chance Marick, The O’Colly

Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Bowick will play for his fourth school in five years.

Despite a tumultuous tenure with the Cowboys, Johnson has stuck around for his senior year to play under Morris and Cassity. Morris has praised Johnson all offseason, calling him the “most disruptive player” of spring practices and claiming DE Jaleel Johnson Johnson might be the player the defensive end has the “size and talent to play on fans are most familiar with Sundays.” because he has spent his Johnson is ready for football entire college career at OSU.

season to continue ramping up. “I cannot wait to put pads on and really get physical with these guys and see who’s really top dog,” Johnson said. “… We’ve only had a couple of days, but I can already tell the energy shift in the team and how we’re locking in to actually get ready for this upcoming season.” sports.ed@ocolly.com

Bindbeutel’s journey back from two ACL tears Marcus Mesis

was hard, but the mental part at your life from a different player, she just brightens your of recovery the second time was perspective. At least for me, day. She comes in and she’ll harder even. it was eye-opening because smile a lot, she laughs a lot, One ACL tear is hard to come “I think I found myself I learned more about myself she kind of brings the place up, back from; two is more than outside of soccer for sure,” and what I’m capable of, and I livens the place up. Training, most athletes can handle. Bindbeutel said. “Being a learned how to exist outside of she works her socks off, so she’s Gracie Bindbeutel tore her collegiate soccer player-that’s the white lines.” a kid that the others thrive ACL for the first time during all you’ve known your entire Her comeback has served as off for energy. If practice is a the 2023 season after being life for any sport, for that inspiration for the team and little bit lackadaisical, she’ll named to the 2022 Big 12 Allmatter. So, when you’re able head coach Colin Carmichael. get everybody fired up. If we’re Freshman team. She would to kind of separate yourself, “She’s just such a positive having a team meeting and play in the 2024 season and whether you’re forced to or influence in the group,” we’re talking about some hard then five games in the 2025 whether you choose to, from Carmichael said. “Beyond truths, she’ll lay it on the line season before she tore the other the game and kind of look being a very, very good soccer for everybody.” ACL. Coming back from her As a senior on the roster with second injury was harder for 17 newcomers, Bindbeutel has her than the first. joined other players as a leader “You know, you go through it on the team and has been the first time,” Bindbeutel said. named a captain. “There’s a lot of unknowns, “We had the girls vote to see but then you come back from who they thought should be it and you’re fine. And then it captains, and then we take that happens again, and it’s kind of on board, and we meet as a a double-edged sword because staff,” Carmichael said. “Gracie, you know what to expect, but Loudon and Logan were voted. then you also know what to It was quite an easy split for expect, and you know it’s a long them to be captains, and that recovery and a long journey. would have been our choices And then there’s even more too. So that was an easy one.” doubt of, ‘Oh, will I still be the Bindbeutel’s decision to come same person, same player that I back to the Cowgirls was a was before this?’” decision that she made during In her first game back against last season, during what would Sam Houston, she scored 12 be a nine-game losing streak minutes into the match. It was and the first losing season the her first goal since Oct. 10, Cowgirls had in 25 years. File Photo 2024, against Houston. Getting “I think I almost had to make back physically from the injury Oklahoma State forward Gracie Bindbeutel returns to the field after that decision (to come back) recovering from her second torn ACL.

STAFF REPORTER

pretty early,” Bindbeutel said. “I think that if I would have sat on it and thought about it and weighed all my options, it would have been harder to kind of find my way out of that. It’s ACL recovery and all of that stuff. It’s definitely physically taxing, but it’s also very mentally taxing, and a lot goes into it. “So I think making that decision early and knowing that I still felt like I had more to give, and I knew that our program had more to give, helped me make that decision pretty quickly.” Bindbeutel’s leadership isn’t just about the things she does with the program. Her choice to stay with the Cowgirls has also shown her commitment to OSU. Having Bindbeutel back from injury has been a boost for the team and coaching staff. “Having a kid like Gracie, like Loudon, some of those players like last year, XCaret, those are the kids that really stand out because they do show loyalty and they do want to stay, and they do buy in, and they do love everything about OSU,” Carmichael said. sports.ed@ocolly.com

O’Colly

Friday, August 21, 2026, Page 7B

Sports

Chance Marick, The O’Colly

Oklahoma State safety Mose Phillips III will be playing for a third new school in three years.

After bouncing around, Phillips III found a home at OSU Ryan Ruston

Phillips broke out in his sophomore season, starting 11 games. He was tied for Mose Phillips III made his third on the team in tackles, fair share of recruiting visits with 65. He had 3.5 TFLs the past two offseasons; this and a sack; he also added an time around, he wanted to get interception to go along with straight to the point. his two forced fumbles. “I don’t got to put on Phillips entered the portal the uniform to feel the after two years at Virginia atmosphere here,” Phillips Tech and committed to said. “You just walk around, Missouri. and you see Barry Sanders, In limited snaps with the Thurman Thomas; it’s like, Tigers, he recorded five that should get you ready to tackles, as well as a forced go,” fumble and a PBU. Phillips played his freshman Phillips learned from his and sophomore seasons at first time in the portal what Virginia Tech. He started two really matters when finding a games as a freshman and had home out of the portal. a standout performance in “I’ve been through that the Military Bowl, making a process multiple times,” season-high seven tackles and Phillips said. “I’ve learned forcing a fumble. through maturing and being

STAFF REPORTER

an older player that really what matters is that scheme. How do you fit in the scheme, and being in the portal, I didn’t want to be in there long, just shopping around the country…” “I went to find a home, find somewhere where they believed in me, and somewhere where we could win now. Me being an older guy, and it just checked all the boxes once I came out here.” One reason Phillips chose Oklahoma State was defensive coordinator Skyler Cassity. Cassity runs a 4-2-5 defense, but will shift depending on the look, and Cassity is not afraid to dial up the pressure. “I describe it as a fun defense to play in,” Phillips said. “…He likes to keep

people around the ball, especially his safeties around the ball. So that stood out to me as well. And I like how he cut up the front, let the d-line play and be themselves and be aggressive.” Phillips has taken on a leadership role in the defensive back room; many of the younger players look up to him and follow his lead. “When I came here, my expectation for myself was just to be myself,” Phillips said. “Get back to being myself, helping the guys around me. I think that’s really where you create your legacy is the guys you impact, not just making plays on Saturday for you guys to see me, but having younger guys like Braeden Presley come in years later and

still make plays from stuff I’ve taught him.” This season will be Phillips’ third new school in the last three years, but he has a new excitement and rejuvenation for the sport. “This place here, I don’t know how you don’t get excited to come play football here,” Phillips said. “You got to walk by them statues, the trophies, you go upstairs to eat and you see a Heisman trophy, a Biletnikoff trophy, just a ton of different great traditions here. “We just learned about all the game day traditions, Pistol Pete, Bullet, all those different things. If they don’t get you fired up, man, you don’t love football.” sports.ed@ocolly.com

AUCTION OSU POLICE & BICYCLE & UNCLAIMED PROPERTY 11:00 A.M. Saturday, August 22, 2026, Viewing at 10:00 A.M. 720 West 4th Ave, Stillwater, OK 74078 BICYCLES (242): Schwinn; Roadmaster; Magna; Mongoose; Columbia; Diamondback; Nest; Raleigh; GMC; Iron Horse; Ozone; Kent; Pacifica; Hyper; Delrio; Townie; Vista; Dynacraft; Trek; Hurley; Specialized; Nishiki; Genesis; Cannondale; Concord; Scoot; Infinity; Freespirit; Alpine; Verticle; Giant; Phat cycles; Hot wheel; Viper. MISC.: Power inverters; calculators; air tags; head phones; chargers; USB; cameras; earbuds; umbrellas; tools; purses; hats; BB & pellet guns; costume jewelry; fine jewelry; wallets; fanny packs; power banks; sunglasses; pocket knives; key chains; Rosary beads; backpacks; guitar; fishing tackle; misc. TERMS: Cash, check, VISA/MC/Discover/ on day of sale. There is a 3% convenience fee to use a credit/debit card. Driver’s license required to register. Oklahoma Tax Comm. requires a copy of tax exempt certificate for exempt purchases. All items sell as is with no warranty. Descriptions are accurate to best of knowledge. Announcements made day of sale will supersede all other advertising. Seller or Auction Co. not responsible for accidents. Purchaser acknowledges that items purchased could be subject to United States laws and regulations, including those that relate to the export of items subject to export controls under the Export Administration Regulations, 15 CFR 730-774, and/or sanctions administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Controls. Purchaser agrees that it is Purchasers responsibility to comply with any applicable laws or regulations regarding the export of the item(s).

Page 8B Friday, August 21, 2026

O’Colly

Sports

OSU fall sports roundtable

Our biggest questions for the Cowboys and Cowgirls O’Colly Staff

get a single conference win. Coach Colin Carmichael made many additions to the roster, The Oklahoma State athletics with forward Sherline King, season has already begun for the midfielder Keaton Mitchell 2026-27 year, which means that and defender Chloe McHugh prediction time has arrived. coming to Stillwater. Some teams are coming off of Carmichael went all over the successful seasons, while others soccer world to bring players in; are looking to bounce back. King was a Division II player, We asked our staff for their Mitchell played at Tennessee predictions for each falland McHugh was the captain semester sport and how far OSU of Liverpool’s U21 in England. could go. The start of the season has been a chance for the Cowgirls to Football: Can the Cowboys experiment with their roster handle the hype and reach construction and who is playing bowl season? with whom. The Cowgirls have The last two seasons have two tough nonconference games seen the Cowboys become coming up against Oklahoma a laughingstock in college and powerhouse Mississippi football, losing their last 20 State. These games give the straight games against FBS Cowgirls a chance to see what opponents. But with 89 new this new-look roster will look players, the program is looking like. — Marcus Mesis to enter refresh mode after bringing in the No. 15 transfer- Men’s Cross Country: Can portal class, including Drew the 2026 Cowboys be just as Mestemaker, Caleb Hawkins good as the 2025 squad? and Wyatt Young. Last season saw the Cowboys Coach Eric Morris begins reach the pinnacle of college his tenure with the Cowboys athletics when they outran expected to win around 6.5 the likes of New Mexico, Iowa games, which is just enough State and Syracuse to claim the to make a bowl game. The 2025 NCAA team title. Three Cowboys’ home opener against top-12 NCAA Championship No. 2 Oregon on Sept. 12 could individual finishers from a tell early how OSU can compete year ago (Adisu Guadie, Denis against highly talented teams. Kipnegtich, and Brian Musau) — Weston Wertzberger return and coach Dave Smith is back at the helm for his 21st Soccer: Can the Cowgirls get season. Can Smith and Co. build back to their 2010s form? off the momentum from a year The Cowgirls made the ago and go back-to-back? — Ben NCAA tournament seven times Schatzel in the 2010s but have only made it back twice since 2020. Women’s Cross Country: Can OSU reached the third round the Cowgirls close the gap in 2020 and the first round in to the top dogs and return to 2024. Last season was not one form? to remember for the Cowgirls, The 2025 Cowgirls as they went 4-13-2 and did not finished 12th at the NCAA

STAFF REPORT

Championships with 432 points, more than 200 points shy of the top five (NC State won the title with 114 points). This was an improvement upon their 27th-place finish in 2024, but nowhere near the level of recent years, with top-5 finishes in 2022 and 2023. The 2026 season will see Isca Chelangat (top-10 individual NCAA Championship finish in 2025) and Billah Jepkrirui (2023 Cowboy Jamboree champion) try to lead the Cowgirls back to their winning ways and close the gap towards a championship. — Ben Schatzel Men’s Basketball: Can Lutz lead the Cowboys back to the NCAA Tournament? The Cowboys have failed to make the NCAA Tournament for five straight seasons; they’ve made it to the dance only once in the last nine seasons. Coach Steve Lutz has brought in the No. 7-ranked high school class in the country according to 247Sports. They have also brought in the No. 30 overall transfer portal class. Those new players will join returners Kanye Clary, Benjamin Ahmed and Ryan Crotty. With the expanded NCAA Tournament, this season looks like OSU’s best chance to make the tournament since Cade Cunningham led the Cowboys to the big dance in 2021. — Ryan Ruston

Chance Marick, The O’Colly

Eric Morris looks to lead OSU back to a bowl game. coming to Stillwater, there’s a ton of hype surrounding Cowgirl Basketball. But nearly an entire new team is coming in, and nobody on the roster has made it past the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Cowgirls have the talent to make a Final Four run and have an early test at South Carolina on Dec. 6 that could show how well they can compete with the top teams. — Cayden Cox

the 2026-27 season, including eight All-Americans and three freshmen national champions. However, Penn State is bringing back nine starters, including three national champions, who finished 49.5 points ahead of the Cowboys in the NCAA Championships in March. But make no mistake, Taylor has brought great energy to the Cowboys and has shown great interest in facing the Nittany Lions in a dual in the near Wrestling: Can the Cowboys future. OSU is eager to reach ​Women’s Basketball: Can surpass Penn State and the top of the podium for the the Cowgirls live up to return to their glory days? first time since 2006, but it expectations? The David Taylor era has won’t be an easy task against a Expectations have never been been off to a tremendous start, program that has won the last higher in the Jacie Hoyt era. with third- and second-place five and 13 of the 15 previous After putting together the No. finishes nationally in back-to- national championships. — 1 portal class, and the likes of back years. OSU is returning Weston Wertzberger Audi Crooks and Liv McGill all 10 NCAA qualifiers for sports.ed@ocolly.com

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