The O'Colly, Friday, November 17, 2023.

Friday, November 17, 2023

Hate on Campus

Students report recurring traumatic incidents Bella Casey News and Lifestyle Assistant Editor

“It was just like we were just stuck staring at each other. And then, we snapped back

Racial slurs echoed into the night as a truck full of men screamed at Kandyce Lewis.

She wasn’t surprised. Happened before.

The image of the familiar gray truck was ingrained in her mind. She knew two white men would be sitting in the front of the truck, and one white man would be sitting in the backseat.

Across campus, students of marginalized communities know the gray truck. They know not to walk alone at night. They know the men will laugh as they speed away. They know they would be targeted for the color of their skin, their sexuality, their gender or their weight.

“They’ve been doing it for a couple of years now,” said Malese Pete, who the men in the truck targeted. “It

to reality, like, ‘Wow, that really just happened.”

Diamond Russell Okstate Stand United Treasurer could go back to late 2021 and early 2022.”

Pete, Lewis and Diamond Russell left Okstate Stand United’s Table Talk together Monday night at Edmon Low Library. Pete and Russell are executive members of Okstate Stand United and described the night as a success.

The room inside the library overflowed with students. A panel of multicultural figures and OSU President

Dr. Kayse Shrum sat at the front of the room, eager to discuss diversity and answer questions.

Pete, Lewis and Russell said they left the event in high spirits. They laughed and discussed the event. Students wanted to discuss diversity and wanted to get involved with multicultural organizations.

“It was a good event where we all come together and talk with each

other, and then it’s immediately slightly ruined by hate,” Lewis said.

As the three women left the library and crossed the street behind the Noble Research Center, the gray truck drove past them, the men inside spewing racial slurs and curse words.

The women wanted only to walk to their cars.

“So what about us walking or sitting or breathing makes (the men in the truck) so angry?” Pete said.

As the truck raced away from Pete, Lewis and Russell, it then approached Jeremiah Moore.

Moore said goodbye to the three women after the Table Talk and walked home, which was on the opposite side of campus from where the women parked.

He walked down North Monroe Street with a group of friends.

Three men in a gray truck yelled racial slurs and insulted him, targeting his weight.

Moore wasn’t surprised. Happened before.

See Hate on 3A

Multicultural community supports SGA bill promoting inclusivity Luisa Clausen Editor-in-Chief

Courtesy of Taylor Kelner Taylor Kelner is a full-time student at OSU while owning three businesses.

Student entrepreneurs at OSU defy odds juggling businesses, school Ashton Miller Staff Reporter

ten two weeks before they were due, and we have a news article due next week and I already have half of it done.”

Kelner has a media business, a boutique and a magna Taylor Kelner started her wave company. Out of the three first business at 15 years old, businesses, and schoolwork, the then another one at 16, then media business she started at another one at 18.

15, Top Hand Media, takes preAs a full-time student with three businesses, Kelner, a cedence if she had to choose.

“I will never give up my junior in ag communication, is media business,” Kelner said. successful at her time manage“When I come home at the end ment skills. Balancing work, of the day, it’s something that school and social life can be tricky to manage, but Kelne said doesn’t drain me to do. It’s very she has figured out how to make structured and I know what I have to do to make it happen.” it work.

The work itself is reward“I work ahead on my ing for Kelner, and the relationschoolwork when anything opens,” Kelner said. “One of my ships made along the way are another factor that keeps her writing classes has five news articles. I had two of them writ- motivated to maintain her media business.

What’s Inside

Embracing the uncomfortable: OSU multicultural figures discuss diversity

“I just have a really good client base, and they’re not something that I want to let go of,” Kelner said.

A year after starting her media business, Kelner started her boutique, Branded TK. Through the boutique Kelner has made connections with other business owners and put together Cowgirl Market.

Cowgirl Market provides small businesses the opportunity to sell their products in person while OSU’s Rodeo Team hosts the Cowboy Stampede.

“I saw a need for people to sell things in person and I figured that if we could get enough vendors in one spot then people would come,” Kelner said. “ When we unlocked the doors at 4:45, people started flooding in, so it was really nice to see.”

See Businesses on 4A

2A

When Sonika Poudel invited her new American friends to support her as the Miss International, only one person showed up.

Poudel left her family and friends in Nepal to pursue her masters in the U.S. She expected the experience to be challenging, what she didn’t expect was to have to fight for a place at OSU. “ It’s a tough reality, but it made me realize that the interest in different cultures is more of an individual inclination rather than a trait linked to nationality or student status,” Poudel said.

The Student Government Association passed a bill requiring all senators to attend one multicultural general body meeting or one multicultural event per semester of any organization. Christian Jimenez and Azariah Lang, SGA senators, worked on the bill for a few months. After presenting for the first time, the bill did not pass. SGA senators wanted Jimenez and Lang to accommodate certain things on the bill. Initially, the bill stated that if senators did not attend

one multicultural event a semester, they would receive one senate absence.

Jimenez and Lang adapted the bill without taking away its intent. When it was time to decide, 11 students from different multicultural groups showed up to support the bill. Poudel was one of them.

“As an international student and Miss International, being present was crucial for me,” Poudel said.

“I felt a duty to represent and advocate for the international community. SGA holds significant importance at OSU, and the passage of this bill would undoubtedly convey to international and multicultural students that their contributions, programs, and events are highly valued.”

Jimenez said the support the multicultural community showed them was a stepping stone to mend relationships between SGA and the multicultural community.

“We can start working together and make campus more inclusive to everyone,” Jimenez said. Kandyce Lewis, a sophomore at OSU, attended the meeting as Lang’s guest. Lewis said it was a last-minute decision after she learned the previous bill had not passed.

See Bill on 4A

Luisa Clausen Sonika Poudel, a masters student from Nepal, have a speech in front of SGA senators to advocate for the importance of inclusivity. Poudel is OSU Miss International.

Study break: Noon concert series plays at library

3A

Trevino: Now would have been a great time for Arland Bruce IV at OSU

3B

Page 2 Friday, November 17, 2023

O’Colly

news SGA election results Education and Human Sciences 4 seats open and only 3 people ran…

1 seat remains open!

Wyatt Collins, Tinslee Allan, Payton Brezina Constitution (82.35%) & Bylaws (76.47%) passed

Ferguson College of Agriculture 4 seats open and 4 people ran… all seats filled!

Cody Loganbill, Madeline Dollarhide, Ty McLaughlin and Jaren Stone Constitution (68.57%) & Bylaws (70%) passed

Courtesy of OK State Stand United OSU President Dr. Kayse Shrum and OSU multicultural figures voiced their perspectives on diversity and inclusion, answered questions from students and shared their college experiences.

Embracing the uncomfortable OSU multicultural figures discuss diversity Bella Casey News and Lifestyle Assistant Editor

College of Arts and Sciences 7 seats open and originally 8 people ran but 1 withdrew… all seats filled!

Wyatt Moore, Juliana Cuvea, Wesley Hurlbut, Lillian Banks, Azariah Lang, Zoey Russell, Dayli Pollard Constitution (81.39%) & Bylaws (81.39%) passed

Spears School of Business 6 seats open and 6 people ran… all seats filled!

Landry Carlton, Chance Justice, Cannon Mitchell, Peyton LeGrand, Madeline Eng, Alex Willard Constitution (61.36%) & Bylaws (56.81%) passed

College of Engeneering Architecture and Technology

4 seats open and only 2 people ran…

2 seats remain open!

Samuel Hiltz, Trinity Young Constitution (70.83%) & Bylaws (62.5%) passed

afraid to try something new.”

To the panelists, this was interpreted as joining a multicultural club, talking to someone new or attending a multicultural club event.

Lee said once one overcomes the Nia Grigsby rarely sees another initial fear of taking the first step and black woman in the Ferguson College of trying something new, people seem less Agriculture. scary. It is all about embracing the disGrigsby, vice president of OSU comfort of trying something new.

NAACP, stands out within her college Shrum reflected on how her family and at OSU. Despite the discomfort it influenced her diversity and inclusion brings her, she stays strong as an exvalues. She has six children, three adample for others. opted from Ethiopia.

She pictures a nervous freshman Once Shrum had children, she who has yet to find their place in Fergu- viewed the world through a new lens. son or at OSU. She remembers how few The world looked different through people in Ferguson look like her. her childrens’ eyes. Sharing one’s differ“You never know how nervous ences, having difficult conversations and somebody could be, and although I may respecting others carried a new sense of not enjoy being nervous all the time, importance.

I’d rather share that nervousness with “I think my goal for Oklahoma somebody else,” Grigsby said.

State is no different than what I want for Grigsby is not the only student my family,” Shrum said. who feels they stand out at OSU. She’s Shrum said OSU’s amount of not the only student who uses her expe- diverse students increased more than riences to motivate others, either.

200% in the last decade. The most recent Tuesday night, OSU Stand United freshman class is the most diverse in hosted a table talk with multicultural OSU’s history. leaders and OSU President Dr. Kayse Caleb Garcia, panelist and Mr. Shrum. Panelists, students and staff Native American OSU, said he viewed shared experiences, discussed diversity this as a step in the right direction. He at OSU and talked about ways to get said he feels OSU gives students access involved with campus multicultural to adequate resources in the context of organizations. careers, and it is up to students to focus The browsing room of Edmon on improving their communities.

Low Library overflowed with people.

“I think it’s really important for There was not an empty chair in front students to take charge, and take action of the panelists, and audience members into this, because the leaders that are without a seat lined the back wall of the here right now, they’re not gonna be here room. forever,” Garcia said.

Each person there represented a Students will not be here forever, piece of advice James Lee, panelist and either. But they have the power to leave Mr. Asian OSU, gave the crowd: “Show a lasting impact on OSU. up. Just put yourself out there. Don’t be news.ed@ocolly.com

Editorial board Editor-in-Chief Luisa Clausen editorinchief@ocolly.com Sports editor Braden Bush sports.ed@ocolly.com Assistant Sports editor Ashton Slaughter sports.ed@ocolly.com Design editor Ben Holieway design.ed@ocolly.com

The O’Colly Staff News & Lifestyle reporters:

News & Life editor Kennedy Thomason news.ed@ocolly.com Assistant News & Life editor Bella Casey news.ed@ocolly.com Photo editor Ethan Scott photo.ed@ocolly.com Adviser John Helsley john.helsley@okstate.edu

Addie Wagner Ashton Miller Cloe Campfield Emi Norton Hayden Alexander Isaac Terry Jake Sellers Jaycee Hampton Jessica Pearce Lauren King Michael Clark Taylor Carroll

Newsroom

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

Sports reporters: Alyssa Brandon Baylor Bryant Calif Poncy Daniel Allen Davis Cordova Gabriel Trevino Gina Foster Griff McClellan Ivan White Kenley Cordray Kenzie Kraich Parker Gerl Payton Little Savannah Chenoweth Tessa Dorrell

Photographers & Designers: Cassius Davis Davis Cordova Ethan Hilbert Jaycee Hampton Karlie Boothe Kendall McGhee Molly Jolliff Michael Clark Sam Beebe Rebekah Cleary

brownsshoefitstillwater OSU Dept. of Theatre presents Macbeth

by William Shakespeare

Nov. 17 • 7:30 pm Nov. 18 • 2:00 pm Nov. 18 • 7:30 pm Nov. 19 • 2:00 pm Vivia Nail Locke Theatre

Seretean Center for the Performing Arts Stillwater, Ok

$15 General •$12 Senior (65+) $10 Student theatre.okstate.edu | 405-744-6094

For Tickets Scan QR code or visit: www.tix.com/ticket-sales/okstatetheatre/7287

Content Transparency:This production of “Macbeth” contains violence, death reenactments, and dark psychological themes.

browns.stillwater 201 S. Perkins Rd · 405-372-7170 Mon–Fri 9:30–6:30, Sat 9:30–5:30, Sun 1–5

O’Colly

Friday, November 17, 2023 Page 3

news

Study break

Noon concert series plays at library Jessica Pearce Staff Reporter Ethan Brown came to Edmon Low Library to study, but found himself focused on music that filled the library during the Edmon Low Noon Concert Series.

Brown, a junior majoring in electrical engineering technology, said though it may have distracted him, he enjoyed listening to the concert from afar. He even moved his items to be as close as possible to the concert without interrupting the performers.

“I wasn’t upset about it (the music),” Brown said. “I wish I could’ve actually seen more of the concert. It sounded pretty nice.”

Attracting students like Brown is one of the goals of the long-running series, which was established in 2004 to bring cultural programming to the library, according to the Edmon Low Library website.

Since then, the series became a hallmark of library programming, bridging the gap between arts and academics with free, hour-long concerts featuring students from the Greenwood School of Music on select Thursdays throughout the academic year in the Peggy V. Helmerich Browsing Room.

Lanette Lopez Compton, OSU’s professor of horn and the director of the noon concert series, said that the ability to reach new audiences— especially students and young families— in an informal setting sets the noon concerts apart from the GSM’s

other performances.

“Students often perform under the bright lights on a big stage with the audience in the dark,” Compton said. “It can feel like there is a barrier between the performers and the audience. In this setting, there are no spotlights, and it is a more casual and inviting experience.”

The most recent concert, on Thursday, Nov. 9, which featured the GSM’s flute and trumpet studios, attracted an audience that filled the browsing room’s main floor and balcony space. Many in the audience were also music students, but Compton said the concerts are also an opportunity for family members, prospective students and curious members of the public to appreciate music.

“It has become something that we have regulars attend,” Compton said. “It’s a great way to show others who are interested in attending OSU what we have to offer. We have some organizations who plan their luncheons during a concert.”

Andrea Bahena, a senior in the flute studio, is also conscious of how special the noon concerts are and said the unique atmosphere helps make the arts more accessible to non-music students.

“The attendance growth from when we started this series has been so great to see,” Bahena said. “Having it [the concert] in the library rather than somewhere in the McKnight or Greenwood School of Music allows students to have a little study break and listen to some very talented musicians.”

Although the noon concerts give the public an accessible way to appreciate music, they are also a valuable experience for

the student performers. The noon concerts provide a rare opportunity for students to perform on unfamiliar instruments, like a bass flute.

For some students, it is also an opportunity to lead an ensemble of their own. Bahena and Parker Edwards, a senior in the trumpet studio, both conducted a piece in the flute and trumpet performances, respectively.

The flute and trumpet studios spent several weeks rehearsing the pieces they performed for the concert, featuring songs that ranged from jazz to classical to their own compositions.

Bahena conducted her own arrangement of “Planetarium” from “La La Land,” an opportunity not presented to students for typical performances.

“I have arranged a few pieces before, but actually hearing an ensemble play it is a whole different kind of accomplishment,” Bahena said. “I have not had a chance to conduct it in other settings.”

The final noon concert of 2023 was held on Nov. 16, with future concerts planned for the spring semester. Dates usually fill up quickly, for there are more ensembles that wish to perform than available dates. Compton said she is proud of the program’s growth and is grateful for the opportunity for students to perform for a nontraditional audience.

“I find the main goal of these concerts is outreach,” Compton said. “There are so many talented students in the Greenwood School of Music and it’s wonderful to have the opportunity for them to perform in a different setting and to a new audience.” news.ed@ocolly.com

Jessica Pearce The flute and trumpet studios rehearsed for weeks in preparation for the concert series.

he t t ou k c e Ch

way! a e d i al H n i g i Or

SINCE 1957,

230 S. Knoblock St. Stillwater, OK 74074

Stop in for fresh Fried Mushrooms or Pizza made to your liking!

File Photo OSU students were verbally harassed by three white men in a big silver truck. They were walking from the library to their car parked at Boone Pickens Stadium.

Hate . . .

pened.’”

Getting out of bed the next day proved difficult. Moore worried every Continued from 1A truck that passed him could be the gray truck Months ago, Moore that targeted him. Heskett feared the men she walked walked down The Strip, headed home for the eve- past could be the ones ning. Someone screamed who yelled at her. Pete wondered how she could racial slurs at him from protect herself if this hapa gray truck, and they pened again. insulted his weight.

Despite their heavy He recognized the hearts, they took action. yells. The truck. The slurs.

Pete and Russell filed po“There was the same lice reports with OSUPD gray truck with the winand made a post to the OK dows down, three people State Stand United Instain it,” Moore said. gram account on WednesAfter terrorizing day that received over a Moore, the gray truck made a final stop. A dorm. thousand likes. Messages poured in from others who Mel Heskett sat on had been targeted by the a bench outside PatchinJones while she waited for truck.

The movement for a friend. She rarely sits change started with them. outside at night.

“I think the least our “I tried to be aware university can do is back whenever people walked us up,” Pete said. “Beby, and then I looked up cause you see how much for like, half a second, people on campus that is look back down, and then affected.

And you also they yelled,” Heskett said.

“I was like, ‘Whoa,’ and I see how big it is and how important this topic is in just… I was baffled.” general.”

Heskett, however, OSU provided this wasn’t surprised. Hapstatement: “Oklahoma pened before.

State University is comThe gray truck mitted to ensuring our previously targeted campus is a place where Heskett for her sexuality everyone feels welcome. and weight in a parking The university condemns lot. She tried to laugh all forms of racism. This it off, but she knew she type of behavior is inconwould never forget the sistent with the Cowboy experience. But when it community standards. We happened the first time, encourage any student she didn’t know the men who has experienced this would return.

The weight of what type of behavior to rehappened to Pete, Lewis, port it to the OSU Police Department. Students Russell, Moore and Hescan contact the police kett took time to set in.

The moment each of them department by phone (405-744-6523) or use the were verbally assaulted, Rave Guardian app to chat they felt frozen in place.

“It was just like we directly with dispatchers. were just stuck staring at OSUPD has implemented each other,” Russell said. extra patrols and is encouraging anyone — even “And then, we snapped individuals who simply back to reality, like, ‘Wow, that really just hap- witnessed an event — to report it.” news.ed@ocolly.com

Page 4 Friday, November 17, 2023

O’Colly

news Bill . . .

Continued from 1 For Lewis, it was interesting to see SGA’s dynamic and how they work. She said having more people to talk about their personal experiences and why it was important for the bill to pass helped change the senators’ minds.

“Some people may feel like showing up to multicultural events might be intimidating,” Lewis said.

“But it is something you have to push through if you want to expand your horizons. Some people don’t want to.”

Lewis said some people have preconceived notions about how multicultural students act and sometimes don’t care to learn about other people’s cultures. She said students should be more involved and try to understand what SGA is working on because they have representatives for different colleges and the bills they pass can directly affect students.

“Anybody can go to the meetings,” Lewis said. “I went there as moral support but it does really affect all of us.”

Landon Thomas is a junior

highly involved on campus. As the vice president of the Male Initiative, Thomas said one of his biggest challenges is to connect students who do not understand the hardships and challenges of multicultural students and the lack of interest in trying to bridge that gap.

When it comes to accepting and being curious about multicultural students, Thomas said things are 50/50.

“Some American students are afraid of saying the wrong thing,” Thomas said. “A lot of students don’t go out of their way to learn about multicultural students, they usually keep to themselves.”

Thomas’ passion for diversity and inclusivity was not the only reason he attended SGA’s meeting.

He wanted to support Lang and Jimenez. Thomas said he knew the presence of multicultural students would help the bill pass and that would mean more equality in the long term. Thomas said he is confident the bill will help students make connections and learn more about each other.

“We are all humans, no matter our race, gender, heritage, culture,” Thomas said. “We should all be treated the same. Diversity is truly what makes our world special and unique.” news.ed@ocolly.com

Courtesy of Taylor Kelner Kelner has a media business, a boutique and a magna wave company. Out of the three businesses and schoolwork, the media business she started at 15, Top Hand Media, takes precedence if she had to choose.

Businesses . . .

Continued from 1

Luisa Clausen Christian Jimenez and Azariah Long, SGA senators, wrote a bill to require SGA senators to attend one multicultural general body meeting and one multicultural event per semester.

Kelner’s boutique is completely online, but for people without the same connections and marketing, it can be hard to get small businesses up and running.

Along with her boutique and media business, Kelner’s magna wave company, Southwest Magnawave, brings in even more clients. Magna wave is similar to a TENS machine but for livestock.

“It exercises the cells to the point that if there’s any arthritis or inflammation it kills it off,” Kelner said. “It’s electromagnetic, so it’s really similar to the patches.”

Kelner went to the Arkansas Youth Expo in Fayetteville last summer for magna wave appointments. However, when she got there, she saw how all three of her businesses were working together.

“I had a lot of clients, a lot of appointments, and then I took a bunch of boutique stuff to deliver, and then there were people there asking to do graphic work,” Kelner said. “I was like ‘Oh my gosh, I’m actually an adult now, I’ve made it.’ It was just a really good feeling.”

Running things online is most common for student owned businesses. Although online businesses take up more time than the typical part time job a college student may have, it’s still incomparable to owning an in-person business.

However, Sean Fernandes-Flack, a junior in aerospace engineering, made owning a storefront and attending OSU full time possible.

Fernandes-Flack opened StillyKicks four months ago to provide customers with a fun place to find unique shoes. But juggling a business and schoolwork proved difficult even with how successful FernandesFlack’s business has been.

“My adviser doesn’t like me right now, my grades aren’t the best for my classes, definitely because I’m doing aerospace,” Fernandes-Flack said. “It’s a lot of labs, so

OPEN YOUR HEART TO GOD! “Open your heart and let him in. God will remove all your sorrow and sin. He may not pass this way again, so open your heart and let him come in.” These are words from an old hymn.

Many struggle so hard to take this step, not wanting to give up their independence; not wanting to humble themselves before God. In the Psalms, David said: “When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all the day long. Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me.

My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, ‘I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.’ And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.”

(32:3-5 NLT) It seems so simple, and it is! Yet, so many

struggle with honesty and humility. These qualities are of great importance with God. The truth is another has paid the penalty for your sins and mine. That is the good news! What we could not do (get rid of our sins), Jesus did by dying in our place. Therefore, “Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven,whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him.” (Ro.4:7-8 NIV) Again, blaming friends or relatives will not help; getting religious does not help, thinking you are among the “better” people does no good. Trust what God has done for you through Christ. Get honest and humble yourself before God. Confess your sinfulness, and God will freely forgive. You will be free of guilt and stand innocent before God. Then you can begin a lasting and fruitful relationship with this great and loving God.

it’s kind of impossible to juggle it but I’ve been managing it.”

Fernandes-Flack makes sure to schedule his classes in the morning so he has time to open up his store in the afternoon.

Although the business itself is thriving, Fernandes-Flack plans to pursue a career relating to his degree instead of pursuing this business full time.

“This is just a hobby, in a way, to help fund fun things,” Fernandes-Flack said. “I like buying vehicles and just having fun with things. This kind of funds my addictions to those kinds of things.”

Fernandes-Flack’s love of shoes and the business keeps him motivated even when things get overwhelming.

The love of the products is what keeps many involved with their business even with school work. While sometimes things take priority over others, when things calm down, these businesses are something to enjoy rather than stress over.

Seth Young, a senior in political science and philosophy, liked hats so much that he decided to make a business out of selling them.

Young started White Mesquite Hat Co. in July 2021 with one of his friends.

Since starting his business, Young has figured out the most efficient way to make and market the hats he designs.

“We didn’t really know what we were doing at all,” Young said. “It was a lot of failing over and over. I think the biggest challenge we had to overcome was finding the cheapest places we could get all the work done and not having poor work be done.”

Even though the hat business is something Young enjoys doing and likes to work on it any chance he can, it is not one of his top priorities.

“It goes on the backburner for weeks or months at a time until I can get the school and the work and the clubs under control,” Young said. “I try to get a post up every few weeks, and I’m partnered with a few musicians here and in Amarillo, and they do a lot of marketing for me when they’re playing gigs.” news.ed@ocolly.com

O’Colly

Friday, November 17, 2023 Page 5

When: Saturday, 3 p.m.

Where: Houston, Texas TV: ESPN2 Radio: 93.7 FM Series: 10-9-1 Houston Last Meeting: 45-35 Houston

VS.

In OSU’s Big 12 title game pursuit, a familiar foe stands in the way: Dana Holgorsen Daniel Allen Staff Reporter

File Photo The Cowboy and Cowgirl cross-country teams have been building up in recent seasons and finished top five at NCAAs last year, but now coach Dave Smith said they need to win.

‘A new benchmark set’ as OSU heads to NCAA Championships Braden Bush Sports Editor

and can see the improvement, but he said the team has gotten better. knows the next step.

Taylor Roe won the Big 12 “When we were not qualifychampionship, Billah Jepkirui ing for the national championship, finished second and Molly Born we were talking (about how) we’re rounded out the top five. With GabiDave Smith has always had gonna get there and we’re gonna be ja Galvydyte, a 15th-place finisher goals and next steps for his protop 10,” Smith said. “And we got at Big 12s, Smith said before the gram, but now there is only one in the top 10, we’re saying ‘OK, we season he has four athletes who are place to go. need a trophy.’ Then since we got a potential top-20 finishers. Sure, the From 2016-18, OSU’s men’s trophy, we’ve been like, ‘We need to Cook loss hurt, but the program has and women’s cross-country teams win.’ And there’s always been a step reached a point where one athlete never finished better than 13th at forward, and now it’s like we need doesn’t make or break the season. the NCAA Championships, and the to win.”

“I had so many people call women’s teams missed the chamOSU heads to Charlottesville, me, friends and coaches saying, pionships in 2013 and 2014. Last Virginia, for the NCAA Cross“Ah, sorry about that (Cook leavseason, the two teams had their best Country Championships on Saturing),’” Smith said. “And I’m thinkcollective finish, as the women’s day, and the mission is clear. The ing, ‘Hey, we’re OK.’” team placed fourth and the men’s bar has been raised at OSU, and the Roe has watched the progresteam was runner-up. OSU was the No. 2 Cowboys and No. 4 Cowgirls sion of the Cowgirls firsthand. only program to have both teams have one thing in mind.

Before the fourth-place finish last place in the top five.

“There’s no higher place to year, a fifth-place 1989 season was It was a long road to success. go,” Smith said. “We’ve got to win the previous program high.

Still, a tiebreaker kept the Cowboys a title.”

“Every year that I’ve been from their first national title since The Cowgirls lost seventhhere, we’ve gotten better,” Roe 2012, and the Cowgirls were left place finisher Natalie Cook to Colo- said. “We definitely made some big still looking for their first champirado in the transfer portal after last jumps every single year, and I think onship banner. Smith looks back season, but other than that, Smith this year will be no different.”

See NCAA on 2B

really.”

Holgorsen’s personality was difficult to judge, but his offensive prowess was apparent On a spring 2007 based off the minimal afternoon, Mike Gundy conversations he and stood alongside thenGundy had.

Texas Tech coach Mike Three years later, Leach, scouting a 7-on-7 Holgorsen coordinated event near Houston.

Oklahoma State’s offense Leach’s Red Raid- in an en route to 11 wins ers had beaten Gundy’s and an Alamo Bowl win Cowboys the season in 2010. And 13 years before, and he made sure after that, a Holgorsento make note of it. Any led team is an obstacle time the two met off the barricading OSU’s path football field, a pair of to a Big 12 Championcollege football’s unique ship game berth. personalities would colWhen the No. 23 lide.

Cowboys (7-3, 5-2 Big Leach sported old, 12) travel 453 miles ratty jeans and an oversouth to face Houston (4sized black Texas Tech 6) at TDEDU Stadium, golf shirt – to which two figures who instilled Gundy noted “looked the modern shape of like s**t” – as he sipped OSU’s offense will cross coffee from a Styrofoam paths. cup. Next to Leach stood A full-circle moDana Holgorsen, who ment. then served as his offen“Coach Gundy sive coordinator, grasp- gave me a lot of creative ing a near-empty Red freedom to do my job (at Bull can.

OSU),” Holgorsen said. “(Leach) and I “Our philosophies and were bulls*****ng,” approaches meshed well Gundy said, “and Dana together. He’s a comwas with him. I didn’t petitor, and so am I. And know Dana then. I didn’t obviously, certain games even know who he was. create more buzz and “But anybody who excitement.” was hanging with Leach See Holgorsen on 3B was open to anything,

Courtesy of Houston Football via Twitter (X) Dana Holgorsen helped bring an offensive eruption to OSU, and now he stands in the Cowboys’ way of a Big 12 title-game berth.

Big 12 tiebreaker criteria clarified.

A look at OSU’s path to Arlington Braden Bush Sports Editor

Bryson Thadhani To go to the Big 12 title game, OSU must either win out or go 1-1 with an OU loss and Kansas State loss.

The Big 12 announced clarifications on the conference championship game tiebreaker scenario, which puts OSU in a nice spot.

On Wednesday, the Big 12 clarified some “ambiguous language” in its multiple-team tiebreaker for a scenario in which three teams tie for the final spot in the Big 12 title game.

Originally, the first tiebreaker stated,

“Head-to-head (best cumulative win percentage in games among the tied teams). If not, every tied team has played each other, go to step 2.”

With that wording, it could be interpreted that even though OSU claims head-to-head wins against OU and Kansas State, the tiebreaker would move to different criteria than head-to-head because OU and Kansas State do not play each other this season.

However, the Big 12 cleared up the tiebreaker and said head-tohead wins take precedence, so the

tied team that defeated the other teams in the tiebreaker – in the case of an OSU-OU-KSU tie, that would be OSU – would earn a conference title game berth. The Big 12 said no changes to the rules were made, and those rules were agreed upon before the season, so this was merely a clarification of the rule.

With that in mind, here are the paths to the Big 12 title game under the tiebreaker rules for the five teams still in the hunt for Arlington: See Tiebraker on 4B

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sports NCAA . . .

Ethan Scott OSU coach Mike Boynton and players have mentioned having more of an offensive identity in 2023-24, and 3-point shooting could be a part of it.

Cowboys embracing offensive-minded attack, weapons they have Parker Gerl Staff Reporter

floor general who can hand out a smooth assist on any possession, among others.

Then there’s guards Bryce Thompson and Wright, who A roster shakeup means were with the team last year an identity shakeup. and provide scoring and offenIn recent seasons, OSU sive ability, too. teams went for a foundation “Like I said, we will be a built on defense. But that’s not really good offensive team, we the case anymore. An influx of got a lot of threats…you guys youth put the Cowboys behind will be seeing a lot of offense defensively but ushered in more this year.” Small said. skill on offense.

Dow, Hicklen, Wright and “I think this will be Thompson’s shooting capabilmore of an offensive orientated ity, combined with Small’s group,” said OSU guard Johnplaymaking, has contributed to Michael Wright before the sea- a more comfortable offensive son. “We got a lot of shooters, attack so far this season. There lot of guys who can make plays are more lanes for cutters and on and off the ball.” space for guys such as ThompSome of the new faces son and Dailey to go to work in who stepped in the Cowboys’ the midrange and get downhill. program brought offensiveAnd the drive and kick minded approaches, leading to game — a small sample size a scoring-centric identity for so far — has improved from the 2023-24 season. last season, leading to better Connor Dow and Jarius looks all-around. All of this has Hicklen — a couple of shooting helped OSU slowly break an specialists – along with Eric old habit of stagnant offense.

Dailey Jr., who has a unique “You know, I think the point-forward type skillset, spacing is a lot better,” ThompJustin McBride, a big man who son said. “I think we’re able can do just about everything to make more plays for others offensively and Javon Small, a because of the spacing and be-

cause we can shoot the ball…

I think just the players we have (are a good offensive group).

Kudos to the coaching staff for recruitment and allowing us to play freely.”

An Achilles heel for OSU the past couple of seasons was its 3-point shooting. It lacked guys who could consistently knock down shots, meaning inefficient shooters were taking most of the team’s 3-pointers.

But now that the Cowboys feel more confident in who they have spotting up on the perimeter, they’re OK with taking a hefty amount of 3s, such as the 33 they took against Sam Houston. If those are the looks they get and it is the right guys shooting them, it will be a big piece to OSU’s offensive charge this season.

“I can say I believe we have good shooters, over the course of the year we’re gonna make a fair amount of 3s,” said OSU coach Mike Boynton. “I try not to focus on the number as much, of 3s we take, as much as the type of shots, how they came, where they came from, who’s shooting them.” sports.ed@ocolly.com

Cowboys were finishing outside the top five and often top 10, then finally broke through and won championships in 2009, Continued from 1B 2010, 2012.

But that was a dozen years ago.

The men’s team was “Most of these guys hit even harder with losses. weren’t even born when we Isai Rodriguez, who finished were winning titles,” Smith eighth, graduated in the said. “Now we’re starting all spring, and Rory Leonard, over.” who finished 32nd and was the In OSU’s way of champififth Cowboy point earner at onships is Northern Arizona, NCAAs, left school to return who boasts the nation’s No. 1 to the United Kingdom and run men’s and women’s teams. The professionally.

NAU men have won six of the But in came Brian past seven titles, and now the Musau, who won the Big 12 women’s team is knocking at individual title this season as a the door. freshman. Coupled with Alex Last year was OSU’s first Maier (second at Big 12s) and season back in the spotlight Fouad Messaoudi (fifth), the as a national contender. It’s a Cowboys rebounded and are tough ask, especially against a primed for another push for the powerhouse. title.

“It’s hard not to fall apart Will Muirhead finished and crumble under the pres140th at NCAAs last season, sure,” Smith said. “And last but Smith said he has seen year was the first year in this more improvement from him new cycle. But we thought than maybe anybody on the we got a chance to win, and team. Muirhead placed eighth we didn’t cave, and we didn’t at Big 12s and could be a plac- fade… This is our time, and er for the Cowboys as NCAAs. we’ve got to be ready.”

And after the Cowboys lost Gone is the underdog in a tiebreaker last season to role the Cowgirls and Cowboys Northern Arizona, every point have had in recent years. They matters. aren’t sneaking up on anyone “I’m sure we all think anymore. Championships are about it every day,” Muirhead the goal, and that is clear. said. “I mean, it’s the last way “I think there’s been a you want to lose, honestly. It new benchmark set,” Smith also helps knowing that we said. “We expect a trophy evwere right there.” ery year, and we want to be in Smith has seen a simithe hunt for titles. I think we’re lar rise to this point as he did in that situation this year.” when he first got to OSU. The sports.ed@ocolly.com

File Photo The Cowboy cross-country team hasn’t won a national title since 2012, and the Cowgirls have never won a national championship.

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Friday, November 17, 2023 Page 7

sports utilized 10 to 15 Holgorsen . . . often play calls. Offensive

Continued from 1B

File Photo OSU transfer receiver Arland Bruce IV hasn’t practiced with the team after being named in a gambling scheme within the Iowa football team in August.

Trevino: Now would have been a great time for Arland Bruce IV at OSU Gabriel Trevino Staff Reporter

OSU coach Mike Gundy said he would have started with the Cowboys with his abilities after the catch. At Bruce IV’s 5-foot10, 200 pound size, he could Before the season began, have be anywhere on the field. there was a hint Oklahoma State OSU is 112th in team would get unlucky. passing efficiency, 72 in drop Prior to injuries to receiv- back EPA and is a mediocre ers De’Zhaun Stribling, Jaden team in most other offensive Bray and Blaine Green, transpassing stats, such as 3rd down fer Arland Bruce IV would be conversion, red zone offense, named in the Iowa football gam- first down offense and scoring bling investigation in August, offense. pleading guilty to underage Brennan Presley, Rashod gambling in September. Instead Owens and Leon Johnson III of starting the season, Bruce IV have played well, but Bruce IV will likely never see the field could’ve been perhaps the most this year. dynamic player on the offense.

At Iowa, Bruce IV was And if he played, maybe Johna second-team receiver, but son III wouldn’t have to burn

his redshirt and could return next season with another year of development in OSU’s system.

His presence wouldn’t have been enough to reverse the result of OSU’s losses to South Alabama or UCF, but he could’ve helped against Iowa State and make the Cowboys’ wins more comfortable.

“He comes out here every day after practice,” Owens said.

“He still comes talking and communicating with us. It’s still a blessing he’s still around, because a lot of people could just quit and leave, especially in a situation he’s in. We hope he comes back soon. It is what it is.” sports.ed@ocolly.com

Gundy saw how superb an unleashed Holgorsen could be during his two-year stint as Houston’s offensive coordinator from 2008-09.

Gundy even saw it firsthand in 2009 when No. 5 OSU hosted the Cougars.

Houston posted 512 yards on the Cowboy defense in front of a sold-out, Boone Pickens Stadium crowd.

Houston quarterback Case Keenum threw for 366 yards and three touchdowns on 42 pass attempts, as the Cougars upset OSU, 45-35.

It resonated with Gundy. So, he retired his playcalling duties the next season to reel in Holgorsen as his next offensive coordinator.

“We thought that he was a smart offensive coach – which he is,” Gundy said.

“He had a lot of experience calling plays, and we knew that we had a lot of firepower throwing passes. He had a history with coach Leach, so that’s why we (hired him).

“Dana came in and kind of put terminology in.

He used the talent that we had and just – I mean, you can probably ask him, but he just said, ‘I just need to get it rolling.’”

That he did.

His impact was immediate, and the results were staggering.

The Cowboy offense ranked third nationally in total offense, averaging 44 points a game and exceeding 60 points twice.

“We had a lot of firepower, and that level of success (at OSU) hadn’t been accomplished in a long time,” Holgorsen said. “We had a lot of talented players (who were) bought in.”

Gundy said under Holgorsen the offensive unit

practices would be short, sweet and to-thepoint. Sometimes even ending with Holgorsen chugging a Red Bull.

“He’d go through like a case of those a week,” Gundy said with a laugh. “He was always (equipped).”

In 2011, Holgorsen departed for the West Virginia head-coaching vacancy.

But Gundy retained aspects of the 2010 offensive system that worked well.

He allowed future offensive coordinators Todd Monken and Mike Yurcich to work within those realms. Thus, OSU’s offensive success was recurrent.

Seven times over the next eight seasons, the Cowboys ranked in the top 20 in total offense. Three times, they finished in the top 10, which had been done just once under Gundy before to Holgorsen’s arrival.

As for Gundy’s matchups with Holgorsen, the offensive numbers were videogame-like. Three times, Gundy’s Cowboys and Holgorsen’s Mountaineers combined for 80-plus points when facing off, averaging nearly 68 total points through seven matchups.

Will Saturday’s game be any different? TBD. Given the Big 12’s recent three-way tie rule clarification, the Cowboys control their destiny in the hunt for Arlington. Standing in the way is a familiar foe. “(Holgorsen is) a lot like Leach,” Gundy said.

“They have the way they do things. It might be at 11 a.m.

It might be at 6 p.m. It might be at 2 a.m. Whatever they do, they do. They know, they understand what they’re trying to get accomplished, and they go about it a different way than most conventional coaches do.

“And most of the time, it works out.” sports.ed@ocolly.com

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sports among the tied teams). of conference opponents (i.e., Tiebraker . . . games If not, every tied team has strength of conference sched-

Continued from 1B

Molly Jolliff OSU coach John Smith said he sees a lot of Daniel Cormier in top-10 commit Cody Merril and that Merril could end up being a Daton Fix-type of recruit.

John Smith breaks down OSU wrestling’s 2024 early signees Savannah Chenoweth Staff Reporter Last week was early signing day, and the Cowboys started off the 2024 recruiting class with a bang.

OSU landed big-name wrestlers from around the country, as well as around the world, and coach John Smith said he is excited about the future of the program.

The Cowboys signed California standout Cody Merril at 197 lbs. In 2021, Merril competed in Fargo and finished as the 16U freestyle runner-up and the Greco-Roman national champion at 170 lbs.

Merril is a top-10 recruit in the class, but Smith said he thinks Merril could still be ranked too low.

“I’m telling you this kid is good,” Smith said. “Daniel Cormier, I spent a lot of time with him. We see a lot of Daniel in (Merril). He’s quick, explosive, and he uses his speed. I mean, it may be one of those Daton Fix signs.”

Stillwater native JJ McComas also signed with the Cowboys. McComas is an Oklahoma state champion and threetime state placer. He competed at Fargo, finishing as a runnerup and All-American.

“Great kid. He’s really progressed each and every year,” Smith said. “He’s dedicated. He was devoted, I

mean you see his attitude and it’s something that rubs off on everyone.”

OSU has a history of Japanese wrestlers, and former Cowboy wrestler Yojiro Uetake was just inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

This year’s recruiting class is adding to that history.

Rin Sakamoto from Tokyo, Japan, signed with the Cowboys. Sakamoto is a Japan Junior World Team member making it to the quarterfinals of the 2023 World Championships in Amman, Jordan.

Smith said Sakamoto wanted to wrestle and got to college in the U.S. as well as become prepared to someday represent Japan at the Olympics. Smith said Sakamoto has that ability and that it is a good fit for both Sakamoto and the program.

“Rin Sakamoto, he’s good. He’s quick, he’s fast, he’s something,” Smith said. “For us, it was maybe our history of having Japanese wrestlers that really helped us, and a lot of them having success.”

Kolter Burton of Pocatello, Idaho, rounds out OSU’s early signees, and he has been committed to the Cowboys for more than a year. Burton is a three-time Idaho state champion and will compete at either 141 or 149 pounds. “(Burton’s) just a bonus,” Smith said. “He’s solid, and his efforts and everything he does is just really hard.” sports.ed@ocolly.com

Here is the official tiebreaker criteria from the Big 12’s website: Multiple-Team Ties In the event of a tie between more than two teams, the following procedures will be used. After one team has an advantage and is “seeded”, all remaining teams in the multiple-team tiebreaker will repeat the multiple-team tie-breaking procedure. If at any point the multiple-team tie is reduced to two teams, the two-team tie-breaking procedure will be applied.

1. Head-to-head (best cumulative win percentage in

1st: Texas (9-1, 6-1) Remaining schedule: @ Iowa State vs. Texas Tech Path(s) to Big 12 title game: Win out, or Beat Iowa State, or Beat Texas Tech + OU loss + OSU loss

T-2nd: Kansas State (7-3, 5-2) Remaining schedule: @ Kansas vs. Iowa State Path(s) to Big 12 title game: Win out + OU loss + OSU loss, or Win out + Texas loss to Iowa State

played each other, go to step 2.

2. Record against the next highest placed common opponent in the standings (based on record in all games played within the conference), proceeding through the standings.

When arriving at another group of tied teams while comparing records, use each team’s win percentage against the collective tied teams as a group (prior to that group’s own tie-breaking procedure) rather than the performance against individual tied teams.

3. Win percentage against all common conference opponents (must be common among all teams involved in the tie).

4. Combined win percentage in conference games

ule).

T-2nd: OSU (7-3, 5-2)

T-2nd: OU (8-2, 5-2)

5. Total number of wins in a 12-game season. The following conditions will apply to the calculation of the total number of wins: Only one win against a team from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision or lower division will be counted annually.

Any games that are exempted from counting against the annual maximum number of football contests per NCAA rules. (current Bylaw 17.10.5.2.1) shall not be included.

6. Highest ranking by SportSource Analytics (team Rating Score metric) following the last weekend of regularseason games.

7. Coin toss sports.ed@ocolly.com

Remaining schedule: @ Houston vs. BYU Path(s) to Big 12 title game: Win out, or Go 1-1 + OU loss + KSU loss

Remaining schedule: @ BYU vs. TCU Path(s) to Big 12 title game: Win out + OSU loss, or Win out + ISU wins out, or Win out + Texas loss + KSU loss

5th: Iowa State (6-4, 5-2)

5th: Iowa State (6-4, 5-2)

Remaining schedule: vs. Texas @ Kansas State Path(s) to Big 12 title game: Win out + OSU loss, or Win out + OU loss

Remaining schedule: vs. Kansas State @ Cincinnati Path to Big 12 title game: Win out + OU lose out + OSU lose out + Iowa State lose out + West Virginia lose out

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Friday, November 17, 2023 Page 9

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Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Edited by Patti Varol and Joyce Lewis

ACROSS 1 Become more approachable, say 5 “Let me demonstrate ... ” 11 Rx watchdog 14 Palindromic pop quartet 15 God often depicted with green skin 16 “Snowy” bird 17 TikTok videos made by athletes?

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Daily Horoscope

11/17/23

By Jamey Smith

DOWN 1 Arabic for “crown” 2 Network with programming streamed on Max 3 Core workout rep 4 Coming to 5 Baffled 6 “... or thereabouts” 7 Native language in Oklahoma 8 Possible cause of an unearned run 9 Hold back for now 10 CIA predecessor 11 Muppet bear in a pork pie hat 12 Overshadows 13 Pond growth 18 Join the team?

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Thursday’s Puzzle Solved

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Nancy Black Tribune Content Agency Linda Black Horoscopes

Today’s Birthday (11/17/23). Benefits arrive in collaboration this year. Love, creativity and romance grow with regular attention. Support each other around winter transitions, before spring reorganization. Prioritize health and fitness for growing strength and ease this summer. Make creative changes for exciting autumn possibilities. Connection flowers.

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

Aries (March 21-April 19) — Today is an 8 — Pursue a professional dream. It may not look like much now, but you see the potential. Clarify and share your vision. Your enthusiasm energizes others.

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Widen your exploration. Grab a dreamy opportunity when it passes. It may not appear as imagined. You can work with it.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is an 8 — Possibilities spark in conversation with your partner. Imagine the future you’re building together. Dream big. Reaffirm objectives, roles and responsibilities. Invest in home and family.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is a 9 — Collaborative dreams can come true. Invent inspiring possibilities with your partner. Coordinate who does what. You can get farther than imagined. Support each other.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is a 9 — Take a chance to get outside in the fresh air. Physical exercise builds healthy habits that feed your body, mind and spirit. Enjoy dreamy conditions.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is an 8 — Accept a creative challenge. A lucky break is worth chasing. Let others help you succeed. Passion is your secret ingredient. Blend it to perfection.

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Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is an 8 — Find out the inside story. Make connections. Do the research. Stretch your mind to consider a puzzle from another perspective. Practice tact and diplomacy.

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You can find what’s needed. Dive into a dreamy and lucrative project.

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11/17/23

Solution to Thursday’s puzzle

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

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

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