Feb. 22-28, 2022 by OU Daily

W E E K LY E D I T I O N | F E B . 2 2 - 2 8 , 2 0 2 2 | O U D A I LY. C O M

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The University of Oklahoma’s independent student voice since 1916

OU coaches call for new arena Moser, Baranczyk advocate for new basketball facility ROSS LOVELACE, COLTON SULLEY, ALEXIA ASTON rosselovelace@gmail.com colton.m.sulley-1@ou.edu alexiaaston@ou.edu

Oklahoma men’s and women’s basketball coaches Porter Moser and Jennie Baranczyk advocated for a new basketball arena during their respective media availabilities last week. The first-year Sooners coaches, hired away from Loyola-Chicago and Drake, respectively, were adamant that a new arena is needed and said they’ve had conversations about it with athletic director Joe Castiglione since arriving in Norman in April 2021. “I definitely think it’s time for a new arena for a lot of reasons,” Moser said. “Definitely been talking since

I was hired with Joe (Castiglione). He’s very much in those conversations and very aggressive with those conversations. “There are people who have had two arenas since (1975). It’s a huge part of what we want and the direction we want to go.” A project was created in 2017 when the city of Norman unveiled a plan to develop a new entertainment district to potentially house OU basketball, with restaurants, hotels and other amenities. The OU Foundation requested tax incentives through the University North Park tax increment district in 2018 to build the arena, the Norman Transcript reported. Following opposition from community members and a lawsuit regarding records allegedly subject to the state open records act, the OU Foundation withdrew its request in July 2018. The new district would have been located between Rock Creek and

PHOTO PROVIDED

A 2018 three-dimensional rendering of a proposed 10,000-seat arena situated in University North Park.

see ARENA page 4

ALEXIA ASTON/THE DAILY

The OU Board of Regents and OU President Joseph Harroz (center) meet on Dec. 2, 2021.

OU leaders inquire about student regent Student Government Association chair, OU regent suggest campus leader to fill vacant role KAROLINE LEONARD karolineleonard@ou.edu

Following Phil Albert’s resignation from the OU Board of Regents on Jan. 24, OU SGA Chair Crispin South said he, along with other OU students and faculty, began inquiring about the appointment of a student regent to complete the remainder of Albert’s term. Albert resigned amid two years of litigation with a $7.4 million embezzlement allegation from Pelco Structrual, a company he helped found. South tweeted Jan. 25 saying Gov. Kevin Stitt should nominate a student, as other state universities across the country have student regents. In Texas, 10 universities, including the University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University, currently have student regents who serve for one-year terms. The majority of these student regents do not have voting power, according to the Texas Education Code, but they can voice student concerns to the board to sway votes. “If there was a student in some capacity on the Board of Regents, then they would be able to more effectively lend a student voice and represent student concerns to the board,” South said. “It’s just in line with best practices (with)

universities across the country.” OU Regent Rick Nagel said while he doesn’t know the extent of the legislation in Texas, the idea interests him as he believes it would amplify students’ voices and improve relationships on the board. According to the education code in Texas, the respective chancellors for each university create an application system for potential student regents where student government associations and chancellors recommend students for the position to the governor, according to the education code. Student regents possess the same responsibilities and opportunities as the rest of the board. However, they cannot vote and are not counted in determining whether a quorum exists. Student regents are also not compensated. Nagel said Oklahoma can surely build upon Texas’ system, and OU could better implement the system. Since student regents in Texas typically serve for one year, South said the remainder of Albert’s term provides a unique possibility to appoint a student regent without altering state law. “If it works out well, then we can legislate it and have it become an actual codified part of Oklahoma state law,” South said. “Being able to provide a student voice on the Board of Regents and have some kind of student input for the biggest decisions that affect our whole university, I think is something that we would really benefit from.” As a former lobbying force coordinator and vice chair for the University of Oklahoma Student

Association — now known as OU SGA — Nagel said he believes in involving student voices and aims to improve their accessibility to the board. In one of his first meetings with the board, Nagel said South spoke and joined him in opposition to the 2.75 percent tuition increase approved during the summer of 2021. Nagel said, at the very least, a student government representative should be given a place to speak and offer student opinions in every meeting. “I think the student government representatives should have a standing place on the agenda to present whatever items that are topical to the students (and) to address issues, raise concerns and provide feedback, positive or negative, so we can act on it,” Nagel said. “The University of Oklahoma Board of Regents need to be perpetually in tune with our customers.” Nagel said a student regent could build relationships and trust with the board as a whole and act as a conduit between the student body and the Board of Regents by offering their insights and opinions. “The important thing really is that there is legitimate student representation on the Board of Regents, and there’s someone responsible and thoughtful and in touch with the student body who ends up on the board,” South said. OU President Joseph Harroz Jr. announced a few days after Albert’s resignation that OU Board of Regents Vice President for University Governance and

Executive Secretary Chris Purcell 8-9, according to an email from a is retiring. This year’s officers are university spokesperson. slated to be elected at the next OU Board of Regents meeting March

UNIVERSITIES WITH STUDENT REGENTS/TRUSTEES • Baylor University (Non-voting member) • Texas A&M (Non-voting member) • University of Texas (Non-voting member) • Washington State University • Indiana University • University of Massachusetts

OU BOARD OF REGENTS STITT APPOINTMENTS • Gary Pierson (2019-2021) • Eric Stevenson (2019-current) • Michael Cawley (2019-current) • Anita Holloway (2020-current) • Rick Nagel (2021-current)

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NEWS

Feb. 22-28, 2022

PEGGY DODD/THE DAILY

Norman City Council meets Oct. 12, 2021.

City council hears housing plan Homelessness prevention, 2023 budget presented in study session PEGGY DODD peggy.f.lail-1@ou.edu

The Norman City Council heard a plan to end homelessness from a non-profit homeless prevention organization and reviewed the status of the Capital Improvement Projects Budget for the 2023 fiscal year budget during its study session Feb. 15. Ki mb e r l y C o f f ma n , a member of the financial staff for the city of Norman, said the purpose of the Capital Improvement Budget is to support services of a municipal government, including transportation, water, wastewater and stormwater projects. Funding for these projects involves voter-approved bonds, capital and Norman Forward sales taxes, intergovernmental grants, room tax proceeds and private funds. Projects underway during this fiscal year include the Imhoff Road Bridge emergency repair project, which the council allocated over $1.4 million toward. Coffman detailed a proposed bridge maintenance bond program, saying that of the 77 bridges in Norman, five are structurally deficient, 12 are functionally obsolete and 10 are at risk of becoming structurally deficient. According to the presentation, city staff are currently working to establish cost estimates and a more detailed project scope for Norman’s bridges. Mayor Breea Clark asked what kind of liability the city could have in cases like the Imhoff Bridge, but City Attorney Kathryn Walker said liabilities aren’t a major concern because, if a bridge was not safe, the city would close the bridge down. Several Norman Forward projects were completed during this fiscal year, including the Ruby Grant Community Park and Phases III and IV of Griffin Park. Other projects are still underway, like the Young Family

Athletic Center and the Senior Wellness Center. Both are estimated to be completed in 2023. For the fiscal year budget in 2023, another member of the city financial staff, Jacob Huckabaa, said upcoming challenges would include exterior security updates to the Norman Police Department’s building and the construction of Fire Station No. 10. Huckabaa said the new station is necessary as the department attempts to relieve some duties from Fire Station No. 9, which serves the majority of the OU campus. The first public hearing for the 2023 fiscal year proposed budget will be April 26. In an effort to address homelessness and affordable housing in Norman, Homebase, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping cities end homelessness and lower poverty rates, presented a three-step plan to council members. The series includes securing housing for all of Cleveland County, increasing access to resources and mobilizing a countywide response. Ho m eb a s e s e p a rat e d the plan by presenting five “achievable” priorities the council could meet in year one, which include focusing on developing a countywide landlord engagement campaign to encourage landlords to rent to individuals who are experiencing homelessness, building single room occupancy units, constructing a year-round and low-barrier housing shelter, passing a “moving on” policy within the public housing authority and proving optional “wraparound” services. The countywide landlord campaign would work to educate the public about housing and create incentives for landlords that choose to rent to a tenant who has experienced homelessness and holds a “housing choice voucher” granted by the Norman Housing Authority. Homebase also recommended a landlord risk mitigation fund to compensate landlords for any damage a tenant may cause. Single room occupancy

units would provide an affordable housing option so individuals who are experiencing homelessness will not have to pay extra for a second bedroom or additional space they do not need. A low-barrier shelter would not require sobriety, identification or proof of income. Homebase defines shelter in its council agenda packet as “temporary or interim places for people to stay, which include year-round emergency shelters, winter and warming shelters, navigation centers and transitional housing.” “Moving On” policies would prioritize granting vouchers to provide affordable housing options, shortterm services and other resources to support program participants as they transition out of homelessness. Homebase staff said Norman could work to offer more street outreach programs, mental health resources and case management services to expand wrap-around services. Ward 4 Councilmember Lee Hall said Norman has already made progress on several of its year one priorities, noting that the council recognized the need for a low-barrier shelter and opened one in December 2019. The shelter was originally open for three months, but later reopened in December 2020 with funding secured until August 2022. “I think the commitment is there. As a municipality, we’re recognizing that we may not be the best people to run the shelter, but we have definitely recognized that need that is currently being done,” Hall said. “This is not something that we have to start up. We just have to figure out how to keep it going.” Hall also said the city had discussed creating a housing navigator role for years, and an organization called Care-AVan is in the works to promote street outreach. Mayor Breea Clark said Jan. 1 can mark the beginning of year one of Homebase’s program, and she wants ad hoc committees to continue discussing pieces of this plan. The only member of council

Student leaders lobby for higher education at capital Student government presidents make ‘voices heard’ KAYLIN CARPENTER kaylin.n.carpenter@ou.edu

OU student government leaders met with Gov. Kevin Stitt and state legislators at the Oklahoma state Capitol on Feb. 15 to lobby for higher education. Higher Education Day is an opportunity for student leaders from Oklahoma universities to meet with state legislators to share their college experiences and discuss the importance of funding higher education. OU student leaders met with about 60 legislators while at the state

Capitol, Student Government Association President Zack Lissau wrote in an email. “Higher Ed Day allows important dialogue to take place between students and those who represent them,” Lissau wrote. “We were successful in making our voices heard, and I, along with the other University of Oklahoma student leaders, am excited to continue advocating for OU students and students across the state that benefit from higher education.” Lissau was one of four student government presidents to attend Higher Education Day at the capital. He was joined by OU S GA Vice President Denzel Akuffo, other OU SGA executive members and student government rep-

resentatives from Oklahoma State University, the University of Tulsa and the University of Central Oklahoma. Lissau wrote that it’s important to discuss higher education funding in light of OU’s proposed 3 percent tuition increase. He urged OU students to contact legislators and register to vote to make their voices heard. “Higher Ed Day is immensely important because elected officials have an opportunity to engage with their constituents,” Lissau said. “Legislators should listen to students. We are the future generation, and the decisions they are making today will affect us all for generations to come.”

to speak against the plan was Ward 3 Councilmember Kelly Lynn, who said business owners and homeowners in Norman didn’t want homeless shelters or other resources near their properties. He also disagreed with spending money on “a small part of the city’s overall population.” “I understand wanting to help people,” Lynn said. “People did not move to Norman to have projects and ghettos built around them. … It’s taken resources from our police. It’s driving people insane.” Lynn said one in five people listed on the sex offender registry in Norman were homeless. According to a homelessness gaps analysis performed in September 2021 for Cleveland County, of 104 individuals listed as sex offenders, 18 identified as homeless, or 17 percent. No violent offenders identified as homeless. Ward 7 Councilmember Stephen Holman responded to Lynn, saying that, if his statistic is true, four out of five sex offenders are not

homeless, adding that, without Norman’s overnight shelter, 30 more people would be sleeping in front of businesses. Lynn also referenced a recent homicide that happened on Jan. 20, saying that most people in Norman would agree with him that, following the incident, the council had to be “realistic” about homelessness. Holman said the homicide wasn’t unique to Norman, but before the construction of the warming shelter, two homeless individuals froze to death downtown. “Talk about a homicide, a single homicide that could have happened anywhere,” Holman said. “To me, two homeless people freezing to death on a sidewalk in a city of this wealth is way worse of an image than a single homicide.” Ward 2 Councilmember Lauren Schueler said Homebase’s plan doesn’t simply focus on those who are currently experiencing homelessness, but it could also help prevent future homelessness for many people “on the fringes” through increased housing

solutions. Schueler also cited the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, saying many people in Norman are right on the edge of becoming homeless and are at risk of losing housing. She encouraged the council to “widen their scope” of thinking about this issue within the community. Clark said every city in Cleveland County should be “brought to the table,” and Norman should encourage a countywide approach to homelessness. She said this conversation serves as an opportunity to look at homelessness with a different perspective after several staff members from the city’s homeless program stepped down from their positions. “We’re already making progress. Let’s continue this,” Clark said. “Honestly, this is as much of a clean slate as you could possibly get. I think it’s time to approach the problem with fresh eyes, and we have just the opportunity to do that.”

CULTURE

Feb. 22-28, 2022 •

COMING UP AT OU Tuesday Baseball vs. Wichita State, 4 p.m. The Sooners will take on the Wichita State Shockers for their home opener. First pitch is at 4 p.m. in L. Dale Mitchell Park. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit soonersports.com. Don’t forget, students get in free with an OU ID. For game day coverage, visit oudaily.com and follow us on Twitter @OUDaily or @ OUDailySports.

MAGGIE JENSEN/THE DAILY

OU alumnus Taylor Ratliff performs as Plasma LaRose at Crimson and Queens on March 13, 2021.

Drag to return in person

Friday Baseball vs. Northwestern State, 4 p.m. OU will take on the Northwestern State Demons at home. First pitch is at 4 p.m. in L. Dale Mitchell Park. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit soonersports.com. Don’t forget, students get in free with an OU ID. For game day coverage, visit oudaily.com and follow us on Twitter @OUDaily or @ OUDailySports. University Theatre: “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” 8 p.m. University Theatre and the Helmerich School of Drama present “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” This production contains light-hearted adult content. Video on demand will be available. The production will be on stage Feb. 25 through March 6. Tickets can be found online at ou.edu/finearts/universitytheatre.

Crimson and Queens to make return with ‘exciting’ new features COOPER MARSHALL

cooper.r.marshall-1@ou.edu

Applications for Crimson and Queens, OU’s annual drag show, have gone live. The applications are open until March 11. Crimson and Queens is the OU-organized drag show that features performances from drag artists at OU, in Oklahoma and in the professional drag world. The show will be held in person April 28. Many organizations are working on the event, including the Gender + Equality Center, the Union Programming Board, the

Student Government Association, the Student A l u m n i B o a rd a n d t h e Campus Activities Council’s Speakers Bureau. Jerry Lessley, an organizer and founder of Crimson and Queens, said that all different kinds of drag are welcome. “There are drag kings, drag queens, drag monsters and so many more who all have various gender identities and sexualities,” Lessley said. “We just want to make sure everyone knows that they are all welcome to register and apply.” The application is open to both students and professional drag performers — local and national — outside of OU. In the past, queens from RuPaul’s Drag race, such as Alyssa Edwards, have headlined the show.

Last year, Crimson and Queens went online to accommodate for the pandemic. Through partnering with Chakra Media and OU Esports, Crimson and Queens was livestreamed. Over the years, Crimson and Queens has gained popularity. Lessley hopes this year’s show will continue to bring people the joy of drag. “Drag is for everybody,” Lessley said. “There’s so many different people interested in enjoying it … and being able to showcase drag to everyone is great.” This year, Crimson and Queens will be in person at the Oklahoma Memorial Union’s Molly Shi Boren Ballroom on April 28. While last year’s stream went well, Lessley is excited to be back in person.

“We are excited … to showcase it to so many more people and just have a bigger and better show than ever,” Lessley said. Lessley hinted at something new and exciting for this year’s show. “We do have something new this year that I think is pretty exciting,” Lessley said. “But we’re not quite ready to announce it yet.” The application asks for basic contact information, as well as questions about the applicant’s drag experience. Applicants can then sign up for in-person or virtual auditions. For more information, check the GEC’s Twitter, Instagram and Facebook even page.

GEC to host ‘Kiki’ screening Event to center on Black ballroom scene

Saturday

ALAYNA HENDRICKS

Men’s basketball vs. Oklahoma State, 11 a.m. The Sooners will take on the Oklahoma State Cowboys at home. Tipoff is at 11 a.m. in the Lloyd Noble Center. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit soonersports.com. Don’t forget, students get in free with an OU ID. For game day coverage, visit oudaily.com and follow us on Twitter @OUDaily or @ OUDailySports. – From staff reports

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Previous Solution

alayna.n.hendricks-1@ou.edu

The Gender + Equality Center will host “Ballroom Culture and the Movement for Black Liberation” on Feb. 24 from 6-9 p.m. The event is hosted alongside Shamari Reid, an assistant professor in the department of educational leadership and policy studies, and African American Programs and Services. There will be a screening of the documentary “Kiki,” a 2016 film about the ballroom

HOROSCOPE By Eugenia Last

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2022 ASTROGRAPH by Eugenia Last PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) Adjust your finances to ensure you can afford your lifestyle. Be cautious when it comes to shared expenses and joint ventures. Balance and integrity will make a difference. ARIES (March 21-April 19) Nurture relationships instead of building a wall of separation. Be willing to adjust and compromise, but don’t let anyone take advantage of you. An open dialogue will help you maintain peace. TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Be open to suggestions and eager to put muscle behind your dreams, hopes and wishes. Share your feelings, and be willing to trying something new. Love and romance are favored. GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Depending on others will lead to disappointment. Don’t get caught up in an emotional situation that causes problems at work or can affect your position, reputation or peace of mind. CANCER (June 21-July 22) You’ll make connections that can change your life. Pay attention to what others say and do, and the information will lead to personal growth and self-improvement. Nurture meaningful relationships.

Instructions: Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9. That means that no number is repeated in any row, column or box.

scene, followed by a conversation with special guests around ballroom culture as Black history and its relationship to the movement for Black liberation, according to the OU Engage website. Reid said this event came from the need to talk about ballroom culture as Black history “because it is Black history.” “We often don’t think of it as such because it comes from the imaginations and the resilience of Black, trans and queer people, so they are often left out of the conversation,” Reid said. Special guests at the event will include Gia Love, a Black trans woman from New York

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) Don’t make a change or sign up for something for the wrong reason. Follow the path that empowers you to reach your goals, not one that tends to stifle your plans.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) You can make a difference if you concentrate on positive change, assist those who require help and look on the bright side of any situation. Take physical action and push for what you want to achieve. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) Anger will not help you bring about positive change, but kindness and consideration will encourage others to see things your way. Be reasonable and ready to move forward alone if necessary. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) Be open to suggestions, and accept changes that encourage others to feel comfortable. Home improvements and creative projects will help you overcome emotional setbacks. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) Use intelligence regarding money matters and when dealing with a friend or relative who is out of control or in a negative space. Innovative suggestions and hands-on help are favored. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Make the changes that will brighten your day, surroundings and relationships with those you love and respect. How you deal with others will alter the path you follow. Live, love, laugh and be merry. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Go about your business and immerse yourself in projects that ease stress. Refuse to let what others do or say put you in a funky mood or lead you into an unwanted battle.

City who is the star of “Kiki”; Jonovia Chase, who worked on the TV show “Pose”; ballroom archivist Noelle Deleon; and Byrell the Great, a ballroom DJ. Reid said the special guests are legendary in ballroom culture and are recognized in the Kiki community as icons. “These are people from the culture to engage us in these conversations,” Reid said. “It’s the first time OU, and really Oklahoma, has had anything close to this.”

After the documentary, there will be a reception with food, music and a Vogue Archive installation. “This is the first time we are having this conversation during Black History Month,” Reid said. “We’re talking explicitly with the Black LGBTQ community. … This never happens.” The event is Thursday, Feb. 24 at 6 p.m. at the HendersonTolson Cultural Center. To RSVP, go to the OU Engage event page.

Universal Crossword Edited by David Steinberg February 22, 2022 ACROSS 1 Make into a paper crane, say 5 22, for this constructor 8 Practices sawm during Ramadan 13 Cleveland’s lake 14 Hello, in Montevideo 16 Cottonwood relative 17 *Bits steeped in a bag (Theme hint: Say the first words of the starred clues’ answers in order) 19 Country where a 4,000year-old bowl of noodles was found 20 Largest artery 21 Silent entertainer 23 Brewery barrel 24 *“Everyone good to go?” 28 Celebrity gossip site 31 Apt word within “GMC Savana” 32 Sisters, aunts, etc. 33 *Where to see a big E 36 Language in Iran 40 Overworks 41 Birthplace of Motown 43 Beachwear choice 44 *Marine gas-

2/22

tropods with no shell 45 FedEx rival 47 Eats 48 Biblical possessive 49 *Necklace chain? 54 Word before “dog” or “banana” 55 Altar exchanges 56 “Another card, please” 60 Baseball’s “Hammerin’ Hank” 62 *“What’s the point?” 65 Lose a staring contest 66 Reader of the future 67 10.04 square miles, for Tuvalu 68 Small Business Saturday events 69 Genetic stuff 70 Wheel tracks DOWN 1 Greek cheese 2 Treat in 2012’s Daily Twist campaign 3 Polygraph target 4 The Nile’s includes Alexandria 5 “I see it now!” 6 www.medicare.___ 7 Tin or hydrogen 8 Procedures that reduce jowls 9 Volcanic emission

10 Sharp increase 11 Principle 12 Small holdup 15 Home to about 60% of people 18 Organ with a drum 22 Big initials in civil rights 25 “Dear ___ Hansen” 26 “Storage ___” (show in which bidders compete) 27 Boxer’s warning 28 Part of a “Jeopardy!” audition 29 Legend 30 20 - 20 34 Swedish Fish, e.g. 35 Boisterous fun 37 Shellacking 38 (It wasn’t meant to be) 39 Tiny,

informally 41 Distribute cards 42 Worry-free feeling 44 Relative of a man cave 46 Headed, as a conga line 49 Down Under marsupial 50 Month of showers 51 Really impresses 52 Letter after pi 53 Raga instrument 54 Surfer’s accumulation? 57 By way of, on some signs 58 Swimmer’s event 59 Paleozoic and others 61 Number also written as “I” 63 Strong desire 64 Supportive garment

PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER

2/15

Sounds Complicated by Adrian Johnson

SPORTS

• Feb. 22-28, 2022

Sooners’ weekend of victories Women’s, men’s gym both see Saturday wins NATHAN AKER LOUIS RASER nathanchristian@ou.edu louis.d.raser@ou.edu

Women’s gym wins Metroplex Challenge

No. 3 Oklahoma (10-1, 2-0 Big 12) defeated Washington (4-5, 1-3 Pac-12), No. 19 Stanford (3-7, 2-4 Pac-12) and No. 12 Denver (5-4, 2-2 Big 12) on Feb. 19 at the Metroplex Challenge in Fort Worth. The Sooners’ score of 198.175 marks the third time they have eclipsed a 198.000 or higher this season. Washington placed second with a 196.825, while Stanford and Denver finished third with 195.450 and fourth with 195.050. OU began on vault and sophomore Audrey Davis opened with a 9.8. Freshmen Danae Fletcher and Danielle Sievers assisted with 9.850s. Senior Allie Stern earned a 9.9 before freshman Jordan Bowers and sophomore Katherine LeVasseur notched 9.975s to lead the Sooners. OU finished with a 49.550 score in the event. Transitioning to bars, Sievers began with a 9.825. Following was LeVasseur, who returned on Saturday after missing last week’s contest due to rest, and posted a 9.925. Fifth-year senior Karrie Thomas subbed in for Fletcher on bars and tallied a 9.9 in the third spot as junior Ragan Smith followed with a 9.875. Bowers and Davis capped the event with 9.925s and extended the Sooners’ lead to .650

Freshman Raydel Gamboa during the meet against No. 3 Nebraska on Feb. 19.

with a score of 99.100. Oklahoma entered the third rotation on beam. Senior stalwart Olivia Trautman returned to competition for the first time this season after battling a knee injury and notched a 9.9. The Sooners rebounded from LeVasseur’s 9.325 with a 9.975 from Smith alongside 9.925s from Davis and fifth-year senior Carly Woodard. The scores furthered OU’s lead by 1.200. Washington entered the final rotation in second, with Stanford holding third and Denver trailing in last. Sophomore Bell Johnson paved the way on floor in the

final event with a 9.9. Davis and Woodard followed with a 9.875 and 9.8 with Fletcher adding a 9.825. Bowers tallied a 9.850 and a career-high matching 9.975 from Smith concluded the Sooners’ well-rounded night. Oklahoma returns against No. 2 Florida (9-0, 6-0 SEC) at 5:45 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 25 in Gainesville, Florida.

Men’s gym knocks off Nebraska

No. 2 Oklahoma (9-1) topped No. 3 Nebraska (4-4) 414.200-403.300 on Feb. 19 in Norman. The Sooners claimed the

high score on five of six events. Freshman Fuzzy Benas earned the high score on vault, parallel bars and tied with senior captain Spencer Goodell for the high score on still rings. Three-time All-American Vitaliy Guimaraes shared ownership of the high score on floor, and Raydel Gamboa earned the title on high bar. Freshman Emre Dodanli kicked the night off with a 14.000 on floor. Sophomore Zach Nunez fed off the early momentum by earning a career-high 13.700. A 14.150 by junior Jack Freeman and a team-high 14.250 by Guimaraes caused the crowd

TREY YOUNG/THE DAILY

at McCasland Fieldhouse to erupt and gave the Sooners an early 69.700-67.100 lead. Junior Alan Camillus began the second rotation by notching a career-high 13.500 on pommel horse to extend the Sooners’ early lead. A few uncharacteristic stumbles by Gamboa didn’t slow the Sooners down, as Benas rebounded with a 13.500. Nunez closed out the rotation with a 14.200 to help Oklahoma maintain its 136.500-134.550 lead. Freeman and redshirt junior Evan Perreault received a pair of 13.300-plus scores on still rings in the third rotation.

Gamboa recovered from a disappointing performance on pommel horse by notching a 13.800 while Benas continued to impress with a 13.950. On his first still rings performance of the season, Goodell landed a 13.950 to send the Sooners to the halfway mark with a 204.900-198.400 lead. A nearly flawless landing and 14.550 by sophomore Daniel Simmons got the Sooners off to a hot start on vault in the fourth rotation. Nunez and Benas continued their superb nights with scores of 14.100 and 14.750, respectively. Redshirt junior Josh Corona added fuel to the fire with a 14.700 to increase the Sooners’ already comfortable lead. Camillus kickstarted the Sooners on parallel bars with a 13.650 which was followed by yet another career-high of 13.700 for Nunez. Goodell nabbed a 13.800 to go along with a 13.550 from Gamboa. A few Nebraska mishaps and a 14.100 from Benas put the Sooners in control with a 346.100-336.850 lead heading into the final rotation. Competing on high bar in the final rotation, redshirt junior Cesar Gracia earned a career-high 13.950. Gamboa provided insurance with a 14.050, and Benas stuck a 13.450 to secure the victory for the Sooners. Next, OU will send individuals to compete at the Winter Cup from Feb. 25-27 in Frisco, Texas.

Bratzler reports ‘plateau’ in state COVID cases Chief COVID officer emphasizes vaccines for pregnant people ALAYNA HENDRICKS

alayna.n.hendricks-1@ou.edu

OU Chief COVID Officer Dr. Dale Bratzler discussed declining case counts and the effects of vaccines on pregnant individuals during his livestream on Feb. 16. Oklahoma is ranked 31st in the nation, with a daily COVID-19 case count of 39 positive cases per 100,000, according to the New York Times. Bratzler said the state peaked at over 300 about a month ago, creating a 90 percent decrease in the number

ARENA: continued from page 1

Tecumseh Road about six miles from OU’s campus. In 2017, OU agreed “in principle” to be the multi-purpose arena’s anchor tenant, and Castiglione said the university’s interest level was “very high,” according to a previous article from The Daily. “It’s definitely a priority, and it’s definitely really essential,” Baranczyk said. “Especially for where we’re going here at Oklahoma. We’re entering a new conference at some point. We’re recruiting high level athletes. It is an essential piece. “In understanding recruiting, our job is really based on getting 14- to now-23-yearolds to see something special when they walk in. They’ve got to walk in. They’ve got to feel it, and they’ve got to see it, especially with the way that our world is, but we’re starting recruiting at such a young age. And obviously with the transfer portal and things like that, there’s a lot of comparison going on.” The Transcript reported that, after the request’s withdrawal, the project was unofficially presented to the city of Moore, but the proposal was

of new cases per day, which he said is “really good news.” The seven-day rolling average for new cases reported by the Oklahoma State Department of Health has also started to drop from weeks previous. “The seven-day average (over the past two weeks) has started to plateau,” Bratzler said. “We’re staying right in that 1,500 to 1,600 cases per day (range), and we’ll see if it continues to come down.” Hospitalizations have also come down, Bratzler said, dropping 48 percent from last month’s peak. He said Oklahoma will most likely continue to see some counties with lower rates of transmission going forward, as seen on the CDC transmission map. never submitted, said City Manager Brooks Mitchell. OU’s current arena, the Lloyd Noble Center, opened in 1975 and holds up to 11,562 fans. When asked if the idea of an off-campus arena was possible, Moser said he would offer more insight about a new stadium after the season. In an effort to get more students in seats, Moser has spoken at multiple greek life events, offered free pizza to early arrivals and even made a half-court shot to grant students free tickets for the entire season. For Baranczyk and the Sooners’ Feb. 16 game against Texas Tech, the greek life affiliation with the most students in attendance received a $500 reward. “I’m doing what I can control right now,” Moser said. “That’s trying to get those students in there and the people in there and put a product on the floor where we’re playing our tails off that people want to root for. “I’m going to keep doing that to connect with the students. I love our student body. I think they’re awesome. But also, we all know it, we definitely need a new (arena).”

Bratzler said OU Health has seen some cases come through with poor outcomes, specifically involving pregnant females. He said COVID19 and pregnancy don’t mix, as the disease can have “substantial implications” for the mother and child, ge and encouraged pregnant individuals to receive their vaccinations. “The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the Society for Fetal and Maternal Fetal Medicine and the CDC all strongly recommend that pregnant women get the COVID-19 vaccines,” Bratzler said. “There is no study that shows any impact on fertility with the COVID vaccines.”

VIA OU HEALTH YOUTUBE

OU Chief COVID Officer Dr. Dale Bratzler speaks to members of the media before an OU COVID-19 vaccination clinic March 26.

Oklahoma: Lloyd Noble Center

Renovated: 2001, 2003 ($55 million)

West Virginia: WVU Coliseum

Construction cost: $75 million ($103 million in 2020)

Opened: 1975

Capacity: 16,540

Opened: 1970

Capacity: 15,061

Construction cost: $6 million ($28.9 million in 2020 dollars)

Texas Tech: United Supermarkets Arena

Construction cost: $10.4 million ($69.3 million)

Renovated: 2017 ($17.1 million)

Opened: 1999

Capacity: 14,000

Florida: Exactech Arena/ Stephen C. O’Connell Center

Construction cost: $62.775 million ($97.5 million in 2020)

Alabama: Coleman Coliseum

Capacity: 15,098

Opened: 1968

Kansas State: Fred Bramlage Coliseum

Construction cost: $4.2 million ($31.3 million in 2020)

Opened: 1988

Capacity: 15,383

Construction cost: $17.5 million ($38.3 million in 2020)

LSU: Pete Maravich Assembly Center

Capacity: 12,528

Opened: 1972

Iowa State: Hilton Coliseum

Construction cost: $11.5 million ($71.1 million in 2020)

Capacity: 10,967 Oklahoma State: Gallagher Iba Arena Opened: 1938 Construction cost: $1.5 million ($27.6 million in 2020) Renovated: 2001 ($55 million) Capacity: 13,611 Kansas: Phog Allen Fieldhouse

Opened: 1955 Construction cost: $2.5 million ($24.2 million in 2020) Capacity: 16,300 Baylor: Paul J. Mayer Arena/Ferrell Center Opened: 1988 Construction cost: $12.5 million ($27.4 million in 2020) Capacity: 10,284 Texas: Frank Erwin Center Opened: 1977 Construction cost: $34 million ($145 million in 2020)

Opened: 1971

Construction cost: $15.6 million ($49 million in 2020) Capacity: 10,500 Tennessee: ThompsonBoling Arena Opened: 1987 Construction cost: $40 million ($91.1 million in 2020) Renovated: 2007 Capacity: 21,678

Auburn: Auburn Arena

Mississippi: The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss

Capacity: 14,267

Opened: 2010

Opened: 2016

TCU: Ed and Rae Schollmaier Arena

Construction cost: $86 million ($102 million in 2020)

Opened: 1961

Capacity: 9,121

Construction cost: $96.5 million ($104.1 million in 2020)

Construction cost: $1.45 million ($12.6 million in 2020)

Arkansas: Bud Walton Arena

Renovated: 2015 ($80 million)

Opened: 1993

Opened: 1998

Capacity: 6,800

Construction cost: $30 million ($53.7 million in 2020)

Construction cost: $36.7 million ($58.3 million in 2020)

Capacity: 19,368

Capacity: 12,989

Construction cost: $8.165 million ($52.2 million in 2020)

Capacity: 13,215

Opened: 1980

Missouri: Mizzou Arena Opened: 2004

Capacity: 9,500 Texas A&M: Reed Arena