Pepper’s
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Vold’s influence extends far beyond Oklahoma. She has danced in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, taught at conventions with nearly 1,000 attendees and built friendships with top choreographers across the globe. Her team recently traveled to Florida, where they danced 33 choreographed numbers in a row—an impressive feat that underscores their passion and precision.
For Vold, it’s not just about the numbers.
“The best part is the community,” Vold said. “We’re like a family now. We travel together, celebrate holidays and support one another. Many people have joined us during difficult times — grief, loneliness and life changes — and they find a sense of belonging here.”
The classes are open to everyone and follow a progressive format that starts with beginner-friendly dances and gradually advances to more complex routines.
“There are no mistakes in line dancing, only temporary solos,” Vold said, quoting the motto printed on her team’s T-shirts. “The beauty of this is that everyone begins at their own starting point. You don’t need a partner, just come as you are.”
Her passion for dance and teaching goes beyond the stage.
A Stillwater resident since 1991, Vold is also a sales professional and a single mother of two daughters — one of whom occasionally joins her on the
dance floor.
She teaches classes over six hours per week and leads a competitive team of women over 50 years old, who are currently preparing for a major competition in September.
Vold’s impact is being recognized throughout the region. She’s performed at OSU events, Big 12 celebrations, weddings, retirement homes and for the Pioneer Woman. With 28 events booked and a new T-shirt design in circulation, Pepper’s Dance Group is becoming a local brand to watch.
“It’s surreal,” Vold said. “I never thought it would get this big.”
The future looks bright, with upcoming workshops like Boots and Beats, a line dancing and country swing workshop in Goldsby, where Vold will serve as both an instructor and a judge. Another workshop is scheduled for October at Oklahoma Ranch.
Despite all her accolades, Vold remains grounded.
“It’s not about me, it’s about everyone who comes to dance,”
Vold said. “The volunteers, the students, the friends who come just to support — I couldn’t do it without them.”
Whether you’re a seasoned dancer or have never taken a step, Vold encourages everyone to give the hobby a try.
“Get outside your comfort zone,” Vold said. “You don’t have to know how to do it, you just have to be brave enough to show up.”
For updates, videos and upcoming events, you can follow @PeppersDanceGroup on TikTok and Facebook, and @PepperVold on Instagram.
news.ed@ocolly.com
‘F-Word’
Even if you shop at your team’s official store, odds are the shirt you’re buying came from Fanatics. What used to be a market full of competing brands has become a onebrand system with rising prices, declining quality and shrinking alternatives.
That reality has made its way to Stillwater.
Dustin MacDonald, the owner of Chris’ University Spirit, says it’s gotten harder for local retailers to compete.
“Anytime you say Fanatics, we call it the ‘F-word,’” MacDonald said. “They dominate everything and everybody, and they don’t care. Their whole deal is money, money, money.”
Chris’ University Spirit has sold Oklahoma State gear since the late 1980s, and it still has access to collegiate licensing. That allows the store to produce some custom items, including NIL deals with former players Ollie Gordon and Alan Bowman, but Fanatics’ grip on Nike and on-field jerseys makes certain items impossible to stock.
“I was not able to get actual player jerseys from Nike,” MacDonald said. “So they hold the monopoly on that.”
Even for casual fans, the issue is hard to miss.
Fanatics jerseys often cost more than $150, yet many are heat-pressed instead of stitched. Customer complaints about peeling logos, fading nameplates and poor durability have circulated for years.
One video from YouTuber Joon Lee compared Fanatics jerseys to knockoffs and vintage options. His verdict?
The Fanatics version was lower quality than even the high-end fake.
“They’re just massproducing blank Red Sox jerseys and slapping on patches,” Lee said in his video. “There’s no quality to it.”
That may sound like nostalgia, but the lawsuit filed by Panini, one of the few remaining competitors in the trading card space, suggests deeper concerns.
Panini accused Fanatics of anticompetitive behavior, saying the company pressured leagues and players’ unions into exclusive contracts, then used that position to lock out rivals and corner the market.
A federal judge allowed much of the case to proceed in March, writing that Fanatics’ behavior “possibly violated antitrust law and showed signs of an anticompetitive intent.”
Even if that lawsuit succeeds, it likely will not affect jerseys. But the legal system reveals what many fans already feel: Fanatics isn’t just a seller — it’s a system.
“They’re going into campus bookstores and buying them out,” MacDonald said. “If you go to OU, their campus store is run by Fanatics, and it’s the same cookie-cutter product at every school.”
MacDonald said he’s floating the idea of a classaction lawsuit among independent retailers but doubts the funding exists.
“I don’t think there would be enough capital to make it happen,” MacDonald said. “They’ve got lobbyists. They’ve got the power.”
The result for fans is a strange duality. You can either pay premium prices for massproduced, often disappointing gear, or search the internet for fakes that may not even last a season. There’s no middle ground,
However, fans in Stillwater are trying to push back.
“We hear it from people coming in all the time,” MacDonald said. “They say, ‘I want to buy from you because I don’t want to support Fanatics.’ They want something local, something that supports the university directly.”
For fans, a jersey is more than fabric — it’s about identity. It’s about tying themselves to a team, a memory and a place. When that experience becomes cheap, rushed and monopolized, it doesn’t just feel frustrating… it feels personal.
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Daisy Gower
Pepper’s Dance Group has been a staple in the Stillwater community for decades and plans to continue offering classes this summer, including at The Dirty Rooster Saloon.
Daisy Gower
Chris’ University Spirit and other independent retailers sometimes struggle to compete with large entities like Fanatics, which operates official online stores for many universities. Chris’ owner Dustin MacDonald has considered a class-action lawsuit.
Modella
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“Every Wednesday morning, the kids have gotten to pick a club to participate in,” Horton said. “We have a garden club, bike club, guitar club, art club and leadership club. The kids have done a great job.”
Music industry students from OSU are often a part of the local music performances at Modella. To open the event, Jake Taylor, a senior music industry major, performed a few of his original country songs. The crowd ranged from those who heard his music floating through the open door to parents of students from Lincoln Academy.
After a short set, Taylor found a seat to watch the emerging talents of the school’s students.
Walter Kelly, the guitar instructor, took the stage next with two of his students. Kelly said he was proud of his students for presenting at the event.
“It does take a lot of courage to do this when you haven’t maybe had as much experience doing that (performing), and just willing to put yourself out there and perform it,” Kelly said. “It really shows a lot.”
The group went through a presentation showing its knowledge of music theory and fundamentals before playing a song. One student also performed a song in front of the crowd on his own. Kelly said the student
had continued to step it up week after week.
Another brave student took hold of the microphone to introduce the garden club. She showed a few of the plants and spoke about her experience in the club.
“Mr. (Scott) Peterman and Mrs. (Kris) Fowler started gardening club together, and they have taught us everything,” the student said. “They took us on all these trips and took us to Our Daily Bread, which is a very, very, very, very good, important place that everyone should go to and volunteer at… I really am happy that we’ve started all this together.”
The programs that couldn’t be showcased at the gallery were the bike and leadership club. Horton said students have been learning to fix bikes and ride them around town, while members of the leadership club have been doing service projects in Stillwater and around the school.
Lincoln Academy’s clubs will continue to grow in an attempt to find an interest for every student. Next year, Horton said the school is starting a shop club for students to learn basic carpentry, plumbing and more. His goal is to get students involved.
“I just appreciate our kids getting to come out and express themselves, share what they’ve been learning and working on, because Lincoln (Academy) is probably one of my favorite places to work,” Horton said. “I just don’t think there’s many schools that offer everything that we get to offer and do with our kids.”
news.ed@ocolly.com
YOUNG STAFF REPORTER
Summer is the perfect time to start getting active, and Stillwater has endless opportunities to fulfill your fitness needs. Whether you’re here for work, classes or enjoying the quiet campus life, there are unlimited ways to keep fit and have fun.
To do this, look no further than Oklahoma State’s campus.
The Colvin Recreation Center has a full gym equipped with cardio, weight training, ADA accessible equipment, rock climbing and more — all open during the summer. Looking to have some lighthearted competition? Grab your friends and hit the basketball, tennis or any of the 14 multipurpose courts available for your enjoyment.
If you’re new to the gym and don’t know where to start, consider personal training. It is a great way to boost your workouts with extra support from dedicated, certified staff members. It is an opportunity to get personalized workouts tailored to help you reach your fitness goals. Personal training can help keep you accountable and grow your confidence inside and out of the gym.
If you’re not spending your whole summer in Stillwater, don’t worry. You don’t have to miss out on this opportunity.
You can stay connected through the virtual fitness classes offered by the Colvin. They include pre-recorded
videos that guide you through workouts, allowing you to work at your own pace and stay consistent anywhere you go. Not feeling a solo workout? No problem. Try out a group fitness class.
The Colvin offers a wide variety of group fitness classes, including Pilates, dance, cycling and much more. Whether you’re looking to build strength, try out a new hobby, or simply have fun, there is something for everyone.
The Colvin also offers F45 training, which is a high-energy functional group training class that takes you through exercise circuits. Each workout is different, so the excitement never wears off.
Students and staff get a discount when joining any group fitness class.
If you prefer outdoor activities, Stillwater does not fall short when it comes to scenic trails. Boomer Lake is an iconic favorite, with a gorgeous trail perfect for running, biking, pet walking or getting your steps in, making it a definite must for all residents.
Another local trail with more of a peaceful vibe is the Kameoka Trail, which has a tree-lined path and dreamy views. It is perfect for shading a hot summer workout.
No matter your style of exercise, Stillwater has got you covered. Make the most of your summer by staying active, making connections and having fun.
Raynee Howell
Lincoln Academy student artwork inspired by OSU Museum of Art’s Ralph Steadman exhibit.
Daisy Gower
The Colvin Recreation Center offers a variety of fitness classes and opportunities throughout the summer.
ALIYAH
Find your weekend getaway Artistic escapes to Dallas, OKC and Tulsa
MJ NYAMDAVAA STAFF REPORTER
As the semester ends and summer begins, it’s a great time to take a break. Get out of Stillwater and let your mind wander beyond the lecture halls.
Luckily, there’s no need to go far to find inspiration. This Memorial Day weekend, nearby cities are offering a variety of artistic events that are sure to lift your spirits and encourage creativity.
Whether you’re into painting, architecture, live music or hands-on artmaking, Dallas, Oklahoma City and Tulsa all have something exciting lined up for you.
Dallas
In Dallas, creativity takes center stage with two unique offerings. On Saturday, “Art in the Park” will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the scenic Leonhardt Lagoon in Fair Park.
Led by local artist Karla Ceballos, this free, weekly workshop invites participants of all ages to explore a variety of artistic techniques and media. There is no need to bring anything — all art supplies are provided.
Whether you’re an experienced painter or just curious to try something new, this relaxed lakeside session is a wonderful way to spend a Saturday morning surrounded by nature and creativity.
For those interested in more traditional fine art, the Meadows Museum at Southern Methodist University in Dallas is currently hosting an exhibition titled “The Sense of Beauty: Six Centuries of Painting from Museo de Arte de Ponce.”
Open now through June 22, this exhibition brings together more than 60 works from Puerto Rico’s leading art museum, ranging from Italian Renaissance masterpieces to contemporary Puerto Rican art. Highlights include works by Peter Paul Rubens, Elisabeth Louise Vigée-LeBrun, John Singer Sargent and the iconic Flaming June by Frederic Leighton.
The exhibit also features dazzling 19th-century American landscapes and powerful pieces by modern Puerto Rican artists such as Myrna Báez and Francisco Rodón. It’s a rare chance to see a wide-ranging collection that bridges continents, styles and centuries — all without leaving Texas.
OKC Meanwhile, in OKC, the annual Paseo Arts Festival
returns to the vibrant Paseo Arts District from Saturday through Monday. This free, three-day event transforms the neighborhood into a lively celebration of visual and performing arts.
More than 90 artists from across the country will showcase works in a wide range of media, including ceramics, fiber, jewelry, sculpture, painting, photography and mixed media.
Beyond the galleries, visitors can enjoy live performances between two stages, with music ranging from jazz and blues to rock and pop. Acts such as Uncle Zep, Matthew Scott, Jahruba & the Jahmystics and Limp Wizurdz promise a lively soundtrack to a day of
browsing.
Food is also part of the Meadow Museum’s experience, with more than 20 food and drink vendors offering everything from smoked barbecue to global street food. Younger visitors — or young-atheart adults — can explore the free Children’s Area at 29th and Dewey, where spin art, chalk drawing and craft stations offer an opportunity for hands-on creativity.
With its welcoming atmosphere and wide range of activities, the Paseo Arts Festival offers a perfect blend of culture, community and summertime fun.
Tulsa If you’re craving something
a bit more architectural and historical, head northeast to Tulsa, where the city’s iconic Art Deco Walking Tour gives a dazzling glimpse into the past.
Taking place every Saturday, with various start times, the one-mile tour explores Tulsa’s well-preserved Art Deco buildings. Expert guides lead you through ornate facades and stunning interiors that are normally closed to the public. Along the way, you’ll learn about the oil barons who built the city, the design trends that defined an era and the rise of Art Deco as a dominant style following 1925.
This year is a particularly special time to visit: 2025 marks the 100th anniversary of Art Deco, and Tulsa is one of the
best cities in the country to appreciate it.
With tickets priced at $45 for adults and $20 for youth (ages 13–17), this tour is a must for architecture buffs, history lovers or anyone interested in seeing a city through a new lens.
This Memorial Day weekend, you won’t have to travel far to find beauty, creativity and culture. Whether you wander the artistic streets of OKC, swing by the lagoon in Dallas or trace the golden age of design in Tulsa, these nearby getaways offer a refreshing change of pace and a reminder that inspiration is just a short drive away.
Courtesy Creative Commons
For travelers interested in architecture, Tulsa’s Art Deco District — about 60 miles from Stillwater — offers a wide range of buildings and a walking tour.
Falling Short
How a Cowgirl softball season that started with high hopes ended in unmet expectations
stretch. But they never did.
Winning isn’t easy. But winning year after year to live up to the expectations of a historic five-year Women’s College World Series streak is darn near impossible.
Oklahoma State softball felt the weight of those expectations last Sunday, when a Karli Godwin fly ball was wrangled by a diving Arkansas defender near centerfield who flung to first base, completing a double play and ending OSU’s season in one blow.
“I think the last play of the game is kind of a microcosm of our entire year,” OSU coach Kenny Gajewski said after the Cowgirls’ 12-0 loss to Arkansas in the NCAA Tournament Fayetteville Regional final. “Just little things that weren’t synced up right.”
Things have seemed out of sync for the Cowgirls since the beginning of the season.
OSU went 2-2 in the season-opening Puerto Vallarta College Challenge, understandable given a need for team chemistry after welcoming several new players. The Cowgirls followed that with a 3-2 record in their second tournament, a Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational loaded with highly-ranked Southeastern Conference opponents.
The understandable growing pains wouldn’t have been cause for major concern if they subsided as the season hit the home
The Cowgirls struggled in conference play, beginning with a Big 12 series loss to No. 15 Texas Tech, in which they recorded only six hits through the first two games.
A theme developing there — and one that reared its head throughout the season — was offensive energy with a burst at the bats.
Just when it looked like the Cowgirls were putting together a string of heavyhitting games — like when they bounced back for 10 runs against Penn State or out-hit Arizona and Arizona State in back-to-back road games — they would slink down again.
After their first win against Arizona, the Cowgirls lost five of their next six games — only one of them against a nonconference opponent.
The lack of offense was exemplified by three run-rule losses in that sixgame stretch.
OSU’s offensive inconsistency was even more apparent in the postseason.
In an elimination game against Indiana last week, OSU scored 12 runs in the third inning before its first out, breaking the NCAA postseason record for runs scored in an inning before an out was recorded.
The inning saw every player in the Cowgirl starting lineup get on base and score, and they eneded the game with a season-high 18 hits.
It’s clear the Cowgirls
had the ability to explode on offense, but they couldn’t string together long enough stretches of doing so when it mattered most.
The result is the end of streak of five straight Women’s College World Series visits.
“Obviously a disappointing finish for us, not the way we’ve been used to finishing,” Gajewski said. “But like I told our team, it’s life, and it’s the path that we earned.”
The Cowgirls finished with a 35-20 overall record, their lowest win total since the 2016 season, Gajewski’s first as head coach.
In conference play, OSU finished 13-9, better historically than its overall record. The Cowgirls went 10-8 in the Big 12 in 2023 but made up for it with a Women’s College World Series appearance.
Prior to that, the last time OSU failed to surpass
13 conference wins was in 2019.
The difference in output was notable enough for Gajewski to reflect on what caused the season to fall flat.
“I just look back and I wonder where we (the staff) could’ve done a little bit better for these guys,” Gajewski said.
Last summer, it appeared that the staff had made moves that would set up the team to make it past simply appearing in the WCWS.
OSU made moves meant to win it all.
Amanda Hasler, Megan Delgadillo, Rachel Hathoot, RyLee Crandall and All-American Ruby Meylan joined the team as stellar offseason additions, prompting even the best players to question if this year could really be the year.
“I think that’s where I kind of realized, ‘Holy cow, this team is gonna be even better than we were
last year,”’ first baseman Karli Godwin said last fall.
The hopes were there, but after falling short again — and this time a much earlier exit than anticipated — Gajewski’s staff will have to reevaluate the program to get it back to one capable of not only contending for the national championship, but winning it.
“In the end, that’s on me, and I’ll go back and evaluate what I need to with our staff and do all of that stuff and try to help this program take the next step moving forward” Gajewski said.
“I’m proud of what these kids have done, what they’ve achieved and most importantly I’m grateful for the relationships that we’ve created, the memories, and looking forward to what’s next for all of them.”
sports.ed@ocolly.com
Bryson Thadhani
OSU softball coach Kenny Gajewski had led the Cowgirls to five straight Women’s College World Series appearances prior to this postseason.
Big 12 Tournament offers OSU baseball a chance to keep keep hope alive for postseason appearance
Oklahoma State baseball was in a dire situation, trailing Baylor by two runs in the sixth inning Wednesday at the Big 12 Tournament with its postseason hopes on the line.
The Cowboys found an answer with a sacrifice fly to left field by Colin Brueggemann to shorten their deficit to one. Then, to help their case, the Baylor defense made two critical errors.
The Bears committed a throwing error in the bottom of the inning to tie the game. Then, a fielding error in the seventh sent Drew Culbertson home for the OSU lead.
With the help of relief pitchers Mario Pesca and Gabe Davis, the OSU bullpen saved the team’s season as the seventhseeded Cowboys (28-22,16-12 Big 12) completed the comeback for a 4-3 victory over 10th-seeded Baylor (33-22, 13-18) in the first round of the Big 12 Tournament in Arlington, Texas.
Baylor wasn’t the only team making costly mistakes. A throwing error by Sean Youngerman resulted in two unearned runs going against OSU in the third. The starting pitcher’s only earned run was in the fifth on a sacrifice fly to right field, which led to his removal on the mound in exchange for Pesca.
The reliever was sharp in 3⅔ innings pitched, allowing only two hits and striking out a pair to earn his seventh win this season. Davis finished the job in the ninth with no hits allowed and one strikeout for his third save as a closer.
With several comebacks and gutsy wins lately, OSU coach Josh Holliday is proud of his team for showing strength and holding its head high while it tried to find momentum early in the season.
“The only people that matter chose not to be dead in the water, and that is the players and the coaches,” Holliday said.
“The credit goes to the players for staying with things when things aren’t easy. It (also) goes to the coaches for
continuing to believe in the players and work with them on a daily basis, knowing there was a better version of us awaiting.”
A few weeks prior to the Big 12 Tournament, Holliday knew his team was at risk of missing the NCAA Tournament and sat below the bubble.
Even with a strong schedule that included two competitive tournaments in Texas, Holliday said the adjustments made after the first month and playing in a “deep, challenging conference” helped the team adapt to playing smart baseball and gain momentum for the postseason.
“I’m really proud of this team,” Holliday said. “I feel great. We’re playing great, and I think that means something to be playing great at this time of year.”
“I hope the Big 12 will be given credit for the (talent) it possesses because it’s a real thing, and that’s on display when you look at the ball clubs here playing in a unique single-elimination tournament. They’re playing hard
because it’s a lot to play for.”
OSU’s RPI has continued to climb as D1Baseball’s Kendall Rogers has the Cowboys moving up four spots to No. 40. The opening-round victory should bolster OSU’s postseason hopes, though a tournament berth is not guaranteed.
By defeating the Bears for a third time this season, the Cowboys advanced to the quarterfinals against second-seeded Kansas (42-14, 20-10 Big 12), arguably the most threatening team in the Big 12. Earlier in the season, KU swept OSU in Lawrence. The game, which was set for Thursday at 4 p.m., provided another opportunity for Holliday’s team, with D1 Baseball ranking KU at No. 23. It’s part of a significant weekend for an OSU team trying to lock in its 12th consecutive appearance in the NCAA. For continuing coverage of the Cowboys — including Thursday’s game — visit www.ocolly.com
sports.ed@ocolly.com
Kaitlyn Robertson
The OSU baseball team celebrates a 4-3 win against Baylor on Wednesday in the first round of the Big 12 Tournament in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys were scheduled to play Kansas on Thursday.
WESTON WERTZBERGER STAFF REPORTER
OSU pitching coach announces plans to retire
After 13 years with the Cowboys, Oklahoma State baseball pitching coach Rob Walton has announced his retirement from coaching following the end of the 2025 season.
Walton has been with the program as the pitching coach since 2012. He followed head coach Josh Holliday, who took over the program that offseason.
“Rob and I have been side by side since day one,” Holliday said in a release. “What an amazing ride it has been the past 13 seasons, working together at our alma mater with the players and staff to put Cowboy baseball back among the very best.”
“Rob’s passion for Oklahoma State — both as a hall-of-fame player in the 1980s and his contributions as a coach the past 13 years — make him one of the most significant figures in our rich baseball history.”
Walton played as a pitcher for the Cowboys from 1983-86, when he went 20-3 in 54 career appearances with trips to the College World Series in all four seasons. He was inducted into the Cowboy Baseball Hall of Fame in 2018.
During Walton’s coaching career at Oral Roberts, he coached 16 AllAmericans, 14 conference players of the year and 12 conference pitchers of the year in the Summit League from 2004-12.
Walton was also named head coach of Team USA in 2008, where he helped the squad win a gold medal at the World University Baseball Championships.
Since Walton’s return to Stillwater
in 2012, he has coached 41 All-Big 12 pitchers, seven All-Americans, two Big 12 Pitchers of the Year and 41 MLB Draft picks, two of those being first-rounders. The 2022 season saw a school record for strikeouts thrown in a season combined.
In 2016, Walton was voted the ABCA/Baseball America Assistant Coach of the Year.
“We have had some of the best pitching staffs in the country during Rob’s time, and the individual development alongside the team success that our pitchers experienced was simply fantastic,” Holliday said.
“He will forever be celebrated inside these walls, and I’m going to miss him dearly. What a competitor, teacher, and friend.”
“His family is also a huge part of ours. We can’t thank Rob and Michelle, Davis, Donovan and Cassie enough for coming to Stillwater and making this home.”
Under Holliday and Walton’s leadership, the Cowboys have won five Big 12 championships, clinched NCAA Tournament appearances in all 12 previous seasons, appeared in three Super Regionals and earned a trip to the 2016 College World Series.
Walton’s work isn’t finished just yet as OSU aims to add another trip to the NCAA Tournament. It will head to the Phillips 66 Big 12 Baseball Championships this week with postseason hopes on the line.
“We still have games to play this season, and we’re going to finish the right way,” Walton said. “The game has given me so much, and I’ll be forever grateful for the people and the experiences that it has brought into my life.”
sports.ed@ocolly.com
Former Cowboy national champion joins Oklahoma State wrestling staff
the Year honors in 2019, when he led the team to a 10-3 record, 4-1 against EIWA opponents.
Coming off a huge in which it crowned two NCAA champions, the Oklahoma State wrestling staff appeared to be in top form. But there’s no time to pump the brakes on progress if the Cowboys seek to continue their return to prominence.
OSU wrestling is welcoming former Cowboy Kevin Ward as its newest assistant coach, head coach David Taylor announced Monday.
“I’m excited to welcome Kevin Ward back to Oklahoma State wrestling,” Taylor said in a release. “Kevin was part of four NCAA team titles as a Cowboy wrestler, helped start a successful program from the ground up at Ouachita Baptist and has been a consistent force at Army for more than a decade. His return to the wrestling room here at OSU is going to help us reach our goals for the highest levels of success on and off the mat.”
It’s been a journey for Ward on his way back to the orange and black, but he returns with experience and a vision for a successful program.
In 2010, Ward was named as Ouachita Baptist University’s first-ever head coach of its inaugural wrestling program. In his first three seasons with the Tigers, he led the team to three top-15 finishes in the NCAA Tournament. In four years, he coached 10 All-Americans, two NCAA finalists and was named DII Coach of the Year in 2014.
The most successful stop in his career so far, however, was his 11-year tenure at West Point as Army’s head wrestling coach.
Ward earned a 59-53 dual record during this time and led 54 wrestlers to the NCAA championships, elevating Army into consistent contenders for one of the top 25 wrestling programs in the nation.
He also picked up EIWA Coach of
In his most recent season, Ward shined, sending the seven wrestlers to the NCAA championships, the program’s most since 2021. Other accomplishments in the 2024-25 season included an 8-3 overall record in duals, going 5-2 in the EIWA; the program’s first power conference win since the 2019-20 season; and a dominating victory over rival Navy.
Since Ward spent his entire wrestling career as a Cowboy, it’s a full-circle moment to return to Stillwater.
“It’s hard to put into words my appreciation for the opportunity to come back to Oklahoma State,” Ward said. “It’s where my college wrestling and coaching careers started, and it’s a program that has given me so much over the years. The opportunity to give back to the program is something that’s really special for me, and I’m thrilled to join Coach Taylor and his staff.” Ward wore the orange singlet for Cowboy wrestling from 2001-2006 and captured a Big 12 Conference title for the program as a 157-pounder in 2005. He saw the program hang four national championships banners during his time at OSU.
Now, he’s looking to bring OSU back to that kind of status. And with the recent changing of guard that saw Taylor come into command, the position looked all the more exciting for Ward.
“Coach Taylor has energized and elevated the program, and he has a vision for Oklahoma State wrestling that is inspiring for everyone involved,” Ward said. “I’m looking forward to working alongside all the great coaches, athletes and supporters of Oklahoma State wrestling.
“Our goal is to be the best program in college wrestling and to be a destination for the most driven and motivated wrestlers in the country. I’m excited to get to work.”
sports.ed@ocolly.com
Payton Little
After 13 years with the baseball program, OSU pitching coach Rob Walton will retire after the season.
Payton Little
Oklahoma State wrestling head coach David Taylor and associate head coach Jimmy Kennedy coaching at the Big 12 Wrestling Championship Tournament in Tulsa, Oklahoma at BOK Center on March, 9 2025.
WESTON WERTZBERGER
Sports
Runners pave to way to multiple conference titles for OSU track & field
PEARSON GILLAM STAFF REPORTER
With the pack closing in Saturday at the Big 12 Outdoor Track & Field Championships, Oklahoma State’s Fouad Messaoudi dropped a blistering 57.40 last lap to claim first place in the 1500 meters, becoming the second man in the Big 12 to win the event three times.
“Fouad is an internally optimistic guy, he always believes in himself, very rarely does he have moments of doubt in his abilities,” OSU coach Dave Smith said. “He ran the Big 12 Championships this weekend that way.”
Fellow Cowboy Alex Stitt followed in fourth as the two added 14 points to the Cowboys’ total.
That was among the many highlights for OSU in the Big 12 Outdoor Championships, which took place May 15-17 in Lawrence, Kansas.
Junior Annie Molenhouse locked down her heptathlon title Friday with a runner-up finish in the 800 meters. Her 5,729-point total ranks third in school history and makes her the only multi-event athlete at OSU to win a conference championship.
“She’s just a gritty, competitive, hard-nosed kid,” Smith said. “She’s a great example for other women on our team in all events.”
Olivija Vaitaityte (third), Katie Chapman (seventh) and Jamila Isman (eighth) also scored in the heptathlon, accounting for 19 of the Cowgirls’ total points.
The Cowgirls came out swinging in the hammer throw as well. Senior Emma
Robbins secured second after a 68.92-meter toss, while Rachel Neaves and Johnna Orange produced new personal bests and rounded out the top five in the event.
Thursday’s action concluded with the men’s 10,000 meters, in which Denis Kipngetich finished fourth, scoring five points. On the women’s side, Josphine Mwaura ran to a new personal record and added another point to the Cowgirls’ tally.
In the field, freshman Zeddy Chongwo received All-Big 12 honors as she leaped to an eighth-place finish in the women’s long jump.
For the Cowboys, sophomore Kade Benjamin improved significantly on his personal best in the high jump, slotting himself in fourth. Blair Anderson also locked up the silver medal in the long jump as the duo combined for 13 points.
A host of OSU runners scored on the final day, beginning with Hafez Mahadi’s fifth-place result in the 800 meters. His time of 1:46.65 placed Mahadi second alltime for the program. Denis Kipngetich returned Saturday to conquer his previous personal best by more than 10 seconds in the 5000 meters and gain six more points for OSU.
In the 400-meter hurdles, Caio Almeida came through in seventh, and the 4x400 relay team of Jordon Smith, Will Bynum, Ty Cook and Mason Page placed fourth, topping off the scoring for the Cowboys.
Freshman Isca Chelangat led the way for the Cowgirls, putting up a second-place performance in the 5000
meters. Her run of 15:31.35 slotted Chelangat second in OSU history. Kaylie Politza also moved up in the record books in the 800 meters with a personal-best time of 2:03.13. Maddie Surber (1500 meters) and Kileigh Mixon (high jump) earned scoring bids for the team, while the 4x400 relay squad consisting of Ansley Scott, Annie Molenhouse, Kaylie Politza and Jinah
TIME OF GOD’S FAVOR!
“Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near.” (Is.55:6 NIV)
It is worthwhile to take the time; to stop and consider your way of life and make resolutions; new steps to take to make your life more meaningful or productive. Maybe you are doing this, or maybe you have just given up on the whole idea.
Can you remember when you were a child, how time went by so slowly? It seemed like it took forever for the holidays to arrive. Now time passes so swiftly; the years seem to rush by. The turn of the century seemed so far away when I was younger. Now we are nearly twenty years into the 21st century.
I want to encourage you to stop and consider your life; especially the remainder. None of us know when our life may end. Jesus spoke of those who
would come into their purposes in the “eleventh hour;” right at the end of life’s work day.(Mt.20) You may think that it is too late to turn your life over to Christ; there is such little time left on “your calendar.” Yet, those who come in at the “eleventh hour” will receive the same wages as those who labored the whole day. We need to work in God’s purpose for our lives while we still have time. The Bible tells us the time is coming when “no man can work.” (Jn.9:4)
As you set your heart and get definite about trusting God with your life and serving him, you will find wonderful opportunities will open for you. You see God has his purposes for you planned out, and he will begin to open doors that you know nothing about. There will be such great satisfaction in serving and finishing what he has for you to accomplish. When your life does end, and it will, you will be so glad you have followed Christ. The Bible tells us that your labor for him is not in vain. (1 Co.15:58)
Mickens-Malik rounded out the scoring for the Cowgirls with its seventh-place performance.
The newcomers on both the men’s and women’s teams made an impact and strung together impressive performances, ultimately hinting at a bright future in Stillwater.
“(Chelangat) in the 5,000 shocked all of us,” Smith said.
“She jumped up to a top-25 time in the NCAA... Our two freshmen, Will Bynum and Mason Page, both splitting 45, which is really, really good for freshmen.”
When all was said and done, the men finished seventh and the women placed sixth. OSU now focuses in on the NCAA West Prelims, beginning on May 28 in College Station, TX.
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Dave Smith and OSU track & field are hopeful entering the NCAA West Prelims on May 28 in College Station, Texas.