The O'Colly, Friday, February 2, 2024.

Friday, February 2, 2024

Group connecting abortion to slavery raises tensions at OSU Luisa Clausen Editor-in-Chief

“I love Black History Month,

tion where we already have racial issues going on. People do not need to see that.”

Russel Hunter, a member of the Abolitionist Rising group, said the group chooses to spread its message in colleges because students are still parOn Wednesday, Imunique Gilliam ticipating with abortions and its goal is planned to spend her day at home. to encourage students not to “advocate She drove to campus wearing for their destruction.” Hunter said the pajamas and slippers, parked by the ideology between slavery and abortion meters and walked to the Center for is the same.

Africana Studies to drop off a canvas.

“If you look at the abolitionists of Gilliam said as soon as she slavery or the abolitionist movement, walked into the center, she knew someand what they believed and why they thing was wrong. Several of her peers did what they did, it’s 100% identical,” gathered in distress. They were heading Hunter said. “We believe that human to the Student Union, where the Abolibeings are made in the image of God. tionist Rising group from Norman held And just because you pass laws that say with no attempt to regulate or reduce said. “It was a terrible correlation. First, signs containing racial slurs and images a particular set of human beings can be abortion by treating it as healthcare.

I’m going to listen to your point, then of slaves bleeding. destroyed or can be treated as though Wilson, Gilliam and her peers I’m gonna get into it.”

“They were trying very hard to they don’t have their own bodies, but questioned how that was connected to A number of Black students gathconnect abortion with slavery,” said you can use their bodies for what you race. ered around the group, explaining why Karen Wilson, the program coordinator want. Or you can kill them. Just beGilliam rushed to the parking lot they felt offended. Gilliam said they for CAfS. “So I grabbed my keys and cause laws protect that kind of action. to add more coins to the parking meter were trying to understand the comparimy camera and went out there.” . . so those laws in that practice need and then raced to the Student Union. son between slavery and abortion, and One of the signs had racial slurs to be abolished. So, it’s not just like an Gilliam first saw a sign of a white the men in the group were focused on depiciting Black people being sold. On analogical argument. It’s actually like a woman saying, “My body my choice,” addressing their beliefs against aborthe same side, it read “If you are not historical continuity.” pointing to a Black man with welts on tion. an abolitionist of abortion today, you The students from CAfS listened his back from whippings. Although at “I am not here to talk about aborwould not have been an abolitionist of to the group but didn’t walk away. Gilfirst glance that’s what it looked like, tion,” Gilliam said. “I am here for the slavery in the past.” liam said everyone has their right to the group said the depicted woman and race conversation. You have a board The group travels around the nahave their opinion about abortion, but man connected on the poster. portraying a certain image for Black tion calling for the total and immediate connecting to slavery and using offen“It didn’t make no sense,” Gilliam people at a predominantly white institucriminalization of abortion as murder sive graphics was crossing a line.

but Black people don’t just exist in February.

We exist year-round.”

Antonia Grigsby CAfS student

See Tensions on 4A

Sound the alarm

Ground breaks on Fire Station No. 2 Hayden Alexander Staff Reporter

File photo In 2023, December was the month the most animals were surrendered to Stillwater Animal Welfare.

Surrender is the new adoption

community of Stillwater. The station is a step toward enhancing emergency services’ response time and its ability to serve the community.

“It puts on a main artery that goes all the way During winter break, around the city so we can the Stillwater Fire Departjump on the road and go,” ment and City Council began Fire Chief Terry Essary said. building Fire Station No. 2.

“It puts us in the right locaThe new fire station is tion where we can serve OSU a part of the city’s T.I.M.E, and the entire community.”

“Together Investing in MuThe new station will be nicipal Excellence” initiative, bigger and better, with five which seeks to improve the bays, room for two engine

companies and better living conditions for firefighters.

One new aspect of the station is its decontamination equipment. Firefighters pick up carcinogens and other dangerous chemicals when they are out on the job and a place to clean up will save lives.

“The station is designed specifically for performance for firefighters and to keep them healthy,” Essary said.

See Station on 5A

Addie Wagner Staff Reporter

easily return them like an item from a store.

It happens every day.

For Buster, surrender was the result of financial difficulties.

“He did nothing wrong, and the owners were also very upset Buster, a year-and-a-half to surrender him,” said Rachel old pitbull mix, sits patiently in his barred home, as his cagemate Wasserman, the Stillwater Animal Welfare supervisor. “That greets his new family. was just one of those instances His big, brown eyes are filled with unanswered questions that was just bad for everybody.”

Financial trouble is one about why he is back in a kennel when he once had everything he of many reasons people give for returning pets. had ever wanted.

When someone chooses to Buster begins another era at the shelter after his former own- adopt a pet, employees warn that young pets need a lot of veters surrendered him. erinary care, and oftentimes the Cats and dogs put their thought of large vet bills scares trust in new owners on their people off. This, with the added adoption day at Stillwater Animal Welfare. However, the owner expense of caring and providing for an animal, can be too much who seemed perfect can just as for some.

See Adoption on 5A

What’s Inside

The Grammys

4A

Pop music predicted to dominate

Andon Freitas The new location of Fire Station No. 2 is on Western Road, where it will have easy access to the entire city.

New Frontiers On track for fall 2025 completion

4A

Percy Jackson Epic first season ends

7A

Page 2A Friday, February 2, 2024

O’Colly

page 2 Black History Month: This is an article The O’Colly published on Nov. 15, 1969. Black students staged a walkout and gave the university 12 demands to increase its diversity efforts.

Ben Holieway

How have snow days affected your course schedule?

Fran Junnier “I always include some ‘wiggle room’ in my course schedules for events like these, but I have definitely needed to re-think some lesson plans.”

Kelley Sittner “The snow day affected my course schedule at first because we were missing days early on, but I decided to make recorded lectures to (make) up for those missed days to avoid falling too far behind. I’d say that we will be able to get caught up.”

Jerry Rackley “The snow days haven’t really affected my courses, because I have been able to record my lectures that were missed and put them online so we have just stayed right in stride.”

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 Payton Little photo.ed@ocolly.com

Addie Wagner Ashton Miller Cloe Campfield Hayden Alexander Isaac Terry Jaycee Hampton Jessica Pearce Raynee Howell

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

Newsroom

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

Photographers & Designers: Andon Freitas Ashlyn Bryant Brock Mills Bryson Thadhani Connor Fuxa Davis Cordova Ethan Hilbert Gabriel Trevino Grace Galvin Jazmine Robinson Karlie Boothe Lexie Higgins Marcus Conrad Michael Jane‘t Philip Soliz

brownsshoefitstillwater browns.stillwater OUR EYES ARE ON CHRIST!

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

“ As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid look to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD our God, till he show us his mercy.” (Ps.123:2 NIV) “My heart is not proud, O LORD, my eyes are not haughty...But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me.” (Ps.131:1,2 NIV) “ I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit...he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.

He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear (stand in awe) and put their trust in the LORD.” (Ps.40:1-3 NIV) “But they that wait upon the LORD shall

renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” (Is.40:31 KJV) There is something definite and real about waiting on the Lord. I remember years ago when I sensed the Lord speak to me.

“Make yourself available!” I thought I was! I was reading my Bible some and going to church regularly. As I considered this challenge from Lord, I felt I should spend some quiet time daily with the Lord. With my busy days,I decided to spend a hour (5 to 6 a.m.) each day.

That decision brought about important changes in my life and service to God. I was learning to wait on the Lord. What a loving and faithful God we have to help us find his best for our lives. It pays off to have a definite, daily time with your Bible and Jesus

O’Colly

Friday, February 2, 2024 Page 3A

News OSU professor, wife are early morning Colvin constants Bella Casey News and Lifestyle Assistant Editor

A (Howard): “That’s when we actually started. I got an email at work that said ‘From this day forward, spouses are free.’ And we said well, ‘What’s the Colvin? Let’s go check it out.’ So we did, and it is fabulous.”

A (Margaret): “And I love that it was founded by a woman. She worked as a professor of physical education from 1929-69. Can you imagine? Wow. So yeah, we love (it).

As college students are climb- The atmosphere is wonderful there. I ing into bed in the early hours of think the kids do a great job.” the morning, Margaret and Howard A (Howard): “It’s so nice, bePotter are starting their day. cause it’s not an atmosphere. . . I’m They get to Colvin Recreation guessing there are gyms where the Center when it opens at 5:30 a.m. atmosphere is very competitive and every day. Margaret rides the same you feel like unless you’re a freak, treadmill, Tina, each morning, and you’re gonna be out of place. It’s not the couple spends time on the stathat way at all. Everybody does their tionary bikes, track and using other own thing. No one cares. You know, workout equipment. this one can barely pick up a weight Besides being two of only a that one over there is picking up few people at Colvin at 5:30 a.m., 1,000 pounds.”

Margaret and Howard are differQ: What if someone else rides ent from many others who workout Tina while you are there? at the Colvin. Howard is a music A (Howard): “We’ve seen professor at OSU who taught at people ride Tina when we’re there. the Eastman School of Music, and Not when (Margaret) is there, more Margaret is a published writer and like when we’re leaving.” author.

Q: What led you to a fiction But the main reason the couple book of all the things when you stands out is their age. Although they could write anything? are in their 70s, they make exercisA (Margaret): “Well, because ing a priority.

I love Cape Cod. And I learned, you Q: When the gym closes, do know. . . Howard’s sister Pamela, she you still get up that early? and her husband lived in Cape Cod, A (Howard): “Yeah, because West Barnstable, for years and years. now it just happens. We stay on For many years, we just loved going schedule, London (schedule).” there (Cape Cod). We had the guest A (Margaret): “And now we let room where all four of us could look ourselves rest a little bit on Saturday out and see the edge of Provincand Sunday. So, it’s a little bit later. etown. We just, I just love the water.”

It’s fiveish.”

Q: Is Colvin admission free news.ed@ocolly.com (because you are a professor)?

Q&A

File photo Margaret and Howard Potter, a couple in their 70s, start each day at the Colvin Recreation Center at 5:30 a.m. The couple still gets up early when the gym is closed.

Kennedy Thomason Eight dads graduated from “Strong Dads” on Wednesday, the second group to complete the program.

8 ‘Strong Dads’ graduate with new outlook on parenting Kennedy Thomason News & Lifestyle Editor Small circles noted the changes 12 weeks made.

A string of easelsized Post-its hung along the wall in front of eight dads.

On Wednesday, they were part of the second group to graduate from the Strong Dads program, which strengthens parenting skills for dads in Payne County. The program gives dads a chance to learn healthy communication and coping skills, among other things.

“Honestly, you know, personally, whenever I first started this, I didn’t really have a playbook,” dad Dontae Redmond said. “I had no idea what being a dad was supposed to look like. So this kind of gave me a really good idea and (I) figured out I’m not doing as bad as I thought it was.

So that’s been huge.”

As a part of the graduation, the dads evaluated where they started and where they ended up. A majority of the dads noted progress on the chart, moving up one or two levels on a scale from “very poor” to “very good.”

The five topics Strong Dads focuses on are self-awareness, caring for self, parenting skills, fathering skills and relationship skills.

“In every single

he t t ou k c e Ch

field, we all hear, ‘listen, listen, listen, listen, listen, listen,’ but hearing also from other peers and having the perspective, you realize actually how much more you can accomplish or how much more you can learn by actively sitting and listening to the child or the co-parent regardless of the conflict or regardless of difficulties,” dad Moustapha Sanogo said.

The consensus from the dads was “caring for self” was one of the hardest areas to improve, but that it was the most visible. Changes they made were directly noticeable because they were only influencing themselves.

Small acts like eating a piece of cake or tidying their workspace were ways the dads have improved in the “caring for self” category.

The first group to go through the Strong Dads program fluctuated from five members to two, then back up to five.

The second class held at consistently nine dads, until one dropped out of the program with a few weeks left. With eight dads graduating from the program on Wednesday, Fatherhood Field Coordinator Greg Brungardt said participation is trending upward.

Twelve of the 15 available spots are filled for the next session starting Feb. 28.

Brungardt said the societal role of fatherhood can influence how dads interpret their role.

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

“The role is sometimes looked at as secondary,” Brungardt said.

“Like, go make some money while we raise the kids, type of thing. So, we talk a lot about that and the very first step of it is realizing that we have a unique perspective that kids need that they don’t get from moms, right.”

Regardless of traditional roles, Strong Dads is reaching fathers in Payne County who want to learn to be a better dad.

The eight graduates are a diverse group, from race to background. Over the course of 12 weeks, Brungardt said they have become a well-meshed group and camaraderie has developed. Some joke with each other over which of their soccer clubs are competing better that week.

Despite differences, the eight men connected over their goals of becoming a better dad.

Dad Michael Deer said the importance of fatherhood is universal.

“I think we can say that through each of our cultural identity groups, that being a dad is important,” Deer said. “A key piece to the family.

Being a strong man is very important to your family.

And what that means (is) that it’s important to your tribe, your people, where you come from, so having strong dads and having that strong family foundation, that’s only going to help the community and the tribe as a whole.” news.ed@ocolly.com

SINCE 1957,

230 S. Knoblock St. Stillwater, OK 74074

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

Page 4A Friday, February 2, 2024

O’Colly

News/lifestyle New Frontiers Ag building on track to open for fall semester Ashton Miller Staff Reporter

Six years ago, plans were made to re-home the Ferguson College of Agriculture.

Now, those plans are becoming a reality as construction on the New Frontiers project is steadily advancing.

In 2018, Tom Coon, former vice president and dean of OSU agriculture, talked with faculty and board members to initiate the start of the New Frontiers project. The construction crew broke ground in April 2021, and students and faculty began counting down the days until July 2024, when the building is scheduled to be completed.

Randy Raper, assistant vice president of the facilities division of agricultural sciences and natural resources, was one of the people working with a team of architects to ensure the New Frontiers project fit all of Ferguson’s needs.

The New Frontiers building will give students access to a variety of resources, including state of the art labs, research centers, collaborative spaces and a return of the famous dairy bar.

Although New Frontiers will provide students with the academic tools needed for their endeavors, student relations were taken into consideration when planning out the space.

“You’re going to see a tremendous amount of space in this building dedicated toward collaborative efforts,” Raper said.

“Spaces for students just to hangout, to get together with faculty and of course, Larry and Kay’s Dairy Bar.” Raper, along with teams of architects and administrators, communicated with faculty and students to see what the old Ag Hall is missing to ensure New Frontiers checks all the boxes.

Not only will people be able to spend time in the community spaces together, but also the classrooms and labs because they were built with collaboration in mind.

“The research labs are meant to be very collaborative, so, different from what we have at Ag Hall where we have private labs,” Raper said. “What we have in this building is large, shared labs, where we can have half a dozen faculty members working together on their projects.”

With many different aspects, along with starting construction during the peak of the pandemic, it would be understandable if the New Frontiers project were a couple of years behind schedule.

That’s not the case.

“Spring of 2024 would have been our target, so essentially what this means is it’s going to be delayed by one semester, which isn’t horrible at all,” Raper said.

“In some ways, it’s even better because what it means is people will be able to experience that building all at the same time with faculty. We’ll all get used to it at the very same time.”

Having New Frontiers open over the summer will give students and faculty the chance to start the fall semester off strong

in the new facility.

For many, the New Frontiers opening will be a bittersweet moment because the current Ag Hall has been Ferguson’s home for years.

Cody Loganbill, a sophomore in agribusiness, said he instantly felt at home in Ag Hall, but knows it is the people who make Ferguson family, not the building.

“I love the character of old Ag Hall,” Loganbill said. “I think a lot of us are going to miss it when we’re not going to be in it as much. Just coming in off the front steps, coming into the fishbowl, hanging out, just that overall atmosphere that you have in here is just really good.”

Because a large aspect of the design process for New Frontiers was designated to student collaboration and interaction, the new student success center will hold twice as many people.

The student success center, or the fishbowl, is known for being a welcoming place for new and old students alike.

“Whenever we introduce new students to Ferguson College of Agriculture, we talk about the Ferguson family,” Loganbill said. “Building that community from the start, and the fishbowl, or student success center, is a great way to do that. I think an expanded student success center is going to be really good for more people to be in here at once, and then hopefully offer some more resources for the students as well.”

As a senator for the Ferguson College of Agriculture and Freshmen In Transition Student Academic Mentor, Loganbill said he can see how much students will benefit from the New Frontiers project.

“I’m very excited, I think it’s going to be a great opportunity for our students to really get the facilities they deserve,” Loganbill said. “This is a premier land grant institution, as Dr. Shrum always calls it, so it’s really good that the university is trying their best to get us the facilities that we need.”

Andrea Martin, a sophomore in agricultural education, said the windows throughout the new building aren’t just for aesthetic purposes.

“Being an education major means I have to make lesson plans and give them in future classes,” Martin said. “The New Frontier has amazing facilities to accommodate each major including open windows in classrooms, which allows students to watch other classes and have an example or just extra practice.”

Some students have started thinking about the specific projects they’ll work on in New Frontiers.

Harrison Wicker, a sophomore in agricultural communications, said he is most excited for the new computer labs. With 13 shared teaching and computer labs, students like Wicker will be able to work in a variety of environments and collaborate with students and faculty alike.

“As an ag communications student, our current lab is showing its age, and we are ready for a new space,” Wicker said. “The new lab will allow our students to have new equipment to create the Cowboy Journal, which is the official magazine of the Ferguson news.ed@ocolly.com

Alexis Higgins The New Frontiers building will give students access to a variety of resources, including state of the art labs, research centers, collaborative spaces and a return of the famous dairy bar.

Mental health emergency resources: - Call 988: 24/7 helpline for mental health emergencies - Call SAM (1-855-225-2726): Mental health emergeny helpline for students.

On-campus mental health services: - Psychological Services Center (PSC): 405-744-5975 - University Counseling Services (UCS): 405-744-5458 Affordable off-campus mental health services - Grant Mental Health 844-458-2100

‘Tis the winter season. . . of depression Alli Themer Staff Reporter

DeMond Grant in the Laboratory for Emotion and Psychophysiology. Although their research does not The start of the spring include much analysis on seasonal depression, Grant semester means winter is studies links and common dragging on into spring, factors between anxiety and and students are feeling its depression. effects.

“Both of these psychoBurke Hahn, an aslogical disorders are highly sociate director of therapy comorbid, meaning if someat OSU, said as hours of one struggles with anxiety, sunlight lessen, so does chances are high they also students’ productivity. struggle or have struggled “Although I cannot with depression and vice speak to every student, versa,” Hahn said. as a therapist-in-training, Hahn said there are I have heard from many ways to reduce repetitive clients how school stress and negative thinking, which holiday stress negatively impacts their lives,” Hahn said. counters seasonal depression. His recommendations “Thus, variations in mood, productivity and motivation include mindful meditation, resetting the body and mind are certainly a valid and and behavior activation. difficult part of students’ Ways to reset the experience.” body and mind include usHahn works with ing cooler temperatures to

decrease heart rate when feeling overwhelmed, using higher temperatures to increase heart rate when feeling down or depressed and participating in intense exercise and progressive muscle relaxation.

Behavior activation includes identifying how current behaviors reflect your mood, then slowly changing your activities to reduce negative thinking. To do so, Hahn said to track your daily activities, rating your mood and adding enjoyable activities to combat times your mood is lowest.

“Finally, one of the best ways to combat the seasonal scaries is to know what you’re struggling with, acknowledge it, educate yourself and seek help,” Hahn said. news.ed@ocolly.com

Grammys embracing alternative music in 2020s Gabriel Trevino Staff Reporter

Column The great thing about popular music is that it reflects, well, what’s popular at the time.

The Grammys have reflected that in its “Big Four” awards. . . for the most part.

The Recording Academy’s awards have never been perfect. Rap and hiphop have always been left to the wayside when it comes to Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Best New Artist, and even nominations for other genres are hard to come by.

Listening to all music released in the streaming age is impossible. Hidden gems stay so and smaller bands, groups and artist won’t get any attention at awards, no matter how great their music is.

Past winners in the 2000s and 2010s include pop megastars Taylor Swift, Adele and Bruno Mars, with some fun (and great) choices sprinkled in like Daft Punk and Arcade Fire. The Grammys reflected popular music in the 20th century, too.

But popular doesn’t always mean the best.

When it comes to what the academy deems popular, alternative music is taking king at the Grammys this decade. The 2024 Grammy awards televised on Sunday at 7 p.m. will continue that streak.

Alternative stars Lana Del Rey, Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo and supergroup boygenius are nominated in three of the Big Four categories. Eilish, who swept the 2020 Grammys — winning best album, record, song and new artist — is back with her hit “What Was I Made For?” for the “Barbie” movie.

Courtesy of Tribune Content Agency Lana Del Rey performs during the Mita Festival at the Jockey Club of Rio de Janeiro, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on May 27, 2023.

Olivia Rodrigo, the winner of Best New Artist at the 2022 Grammys for her debut album “Sour,” is nominated for Album of the Year with her follow-up, “GUTS” and Record of the Year and Song of the Year with the single “Vampire.”

Taylor Swift is expected to win many awards with her album “Midnights” and single “Anti-Hero.”

Although she is undoubtedly the biggest star in music, her latest album doesn’t compare with her previous work, such as 2021 Album of the Year “Folklore” in terms of quality.

She will likely sweep three of the four categories, in some part because of her status as one of, if not the biggest, entertainer and celebrity in the world, but the Grammys, if they are truly highlighting the best of music, choosing from the pool of nominees the academy chose, there are two who are above the rest of the competition.

Lana Del Rey released arguably her best album in 2023 with “Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd.” Her 2019 album “Norman F***ing

Rockwell!” was nominated at the 2020 Grammys for Album of the Year, but 2024 could be the first year she brings the award home.

After their 2018 EP, Phoebe Bridgers, Julien Baker and Lucy Dacus’ debut studio-album as ‘boygenius,” “The Record” blends the three artists’ styles together in a great folk album.

Though it’s not alternative, SZA’s “SOS” is another great R&B, hip-hop album that should be considered.

Even if Swift takes home the most of the awards, boygenius is nominated for Best Rock Album and song alongside alternative legends Foo Fighters, Paramore, Arctic Monkeys and Queens of the Stone Age. The best alternative categories will also be dominated by the aforementioned groups and Lana Del Rey. Now it’s time for the academy to catch up with hip-hop, rap and R&B. SZA will likely dominate some of these categories (and rightfully so), but the Grammys have long forgotten artists for more major awards. news.ed@ocolly.com

O’Colly

Friday, February 2, 2024 Page 5A

News chewing on furniture, very Adoption . . . ken, simple resolutions that just take

Tensions . . .

Continued from 1A

Continued from 1A

A young cat named Evee is the longest resident at the shelter because of this reason.

“She is the sweetest cat,” said Tori Starkey, the morning kennel tech. “She loves to play, she loves to be held, she has a little cute face. But she’s just another gray tabby who gets overlooked, on top of having a feline immunodeficiency virus.”

Evee’s immune system does not affect her lifespan, yet people are afraid to care for a pet with a minor health issue. She is $25 to adopt.

Wasserman believes people planning to adopt should think through their decision beforehand.

“Sometimes they get home and their roommate says ‘no,’ or sometimes they get home and the landlord sees and the landlord says ‘no’ because they did not check ahead of time,” Wasserman said.

Other times, a new owner may not realize the workload that comes with owning a new pet, especially a puppy. Dogs are surrendered more than cats because of their human dependence.

“They get home, the puppy’s crying in the middle of the night, it’s not housebro-

time, and that’s the reason why they bring them back,” Wasserman said.

Time is another factor that influences people to surrender pets. People claim they are at school or work all day and cannot take care of them. Many owners realize this too late, and the pet is the one that suffers.

The surrender process can also traumatize the animal.

“People say animals don’t have feelings,” Wasserman said. “I don’t believe that. I’ve watched the dogs sit here, watch the owners walk out, cry for them and try to get out to chase after them. They definitely understand what’s going on.”

In 2023, the most popular time of year to surrender pets was December, just before the holidays. Most said they were going out of town, the dog was too old or were looking for an excuse to get rid of their pet. The list to surrender a pet to Animal Welfare is seemingly never-ending, and names get added to the ‘returned’ list daily.

“Really look at your lifestyle,” Wasserman said. “Look at your finances. Start setting money aside every month. Ask yourself if you’re home a lot.

Look at the breed you’re adopting, and compare it with your lifestyle. You’re not just paying an adoption fee.” news.ed@ocolly.com

File photo Rachel Wasserman, Stillwater Animal Welfare supervisor, said she believes people planning to adopt should think their decision through beforehand, considering their finances and lifestyle.

Station . . .

Continued from 1A Clean equipment saves lives, but Tony McAeavy, a professor in the Fire & Emergency Management Program, said a dirty jacket was a sign of skill.

“The dirtier your fire equipment is, the more experienced and respected you are,” McAeavy said.

“There is growing research that particles get on the equipment when they breathe and can cause cancer.”

Many traditions are being made new. The original Fire Station No. 2 sits on University Avenue, in the middle of the action. Built in 1938, the station can’t keep up with the 21st century, but its history speaks for itself.

“It’s iconic,” McAeavy said.

“It represents the history of the tradition of Oklahoma State, our land grant mission, the Stillwater Fire Department and also our programs.”

Fire Station No. 2 chronicles a narrative of a partnership between OSU and the fire department. As the first college-sanctioned fire department in the nation, the station provided a 4-year program for students to work and learn from and paved the way for the rest of

the world.

“Every program in the nation was inspired by that program, and there’s been a lot of great firefighters that helped shape the fire service,” Essary said.

McAeavy, originally from the United Kingdom, came to Stillwater after a career in emergency services and teaching in the UK and the Middle East. He works with emergency services to run exercises and evaluate emergency response.

“I get the opportunity to not just teach and research but also to support the wider community,” McAeavy said.

The original program isn’t in effect, but the department works with OSU to better educate students.

“We work with Chief Essary quite closely in terms of the particularly minor level, integrating student visits into the first station so we get to understand what a living, breathing fire station is like,” McAeavy said.

OSU owns the original Fire Station, so what happens next is up to OSU. The National Register of Historic Places protects the structure, and OSU has plans to repurpose the building.

McAeavy and Essary said they will miss the old location but hope the building will find new life in its next chapter.

“It’s bittersweet because it’s

Wilson said she talked to the group and explained things point by point. But they continued to say they did not see a problem with their signs.

“How does it make you feel knowing that we are offended and you are a white man who is speaking on how someone should think/feel about imagery around being slaved, beaten, whipped?”

Wilson said.

After a period of discussion, Wilson left the scene to bring the issue to President Dr. Kayse Shrum, but Shrum was busy at the time, so Wilson walked back to the center.

On Thursday, Shrum issued a statement.

“The racial messages by an outside group on campus yesterday were repugnant and hurtful. They in no way reflect the values represented in the Cowboy Code or of the university community.”

Gilliam went after an OSU police officer to see if there was anything they could do.

But they couldn’t. OSU is a public institution that protects the constitutional right to free speech.

The coordinator texted all of the students and asked them to meet her at CAfS. It wasn’t an option.

There, she let them express their feelings and gave a speech where she said the CAfS is a safe space for all students, regardless of gender, race or sexuality.

“Ms. Karen has been giving, giving and giving to us,” Gilliam said. “She always says what she means, but she says it respectfully.”

Hunter said he understands it is shocking to see such signs, but people need to have the ability to stop and reflect on what is being said.

He added that people choose to be offended instead of listening.

“Slavery was legal, this was covered by laws,” Hunter said. “And there did have to be people who stood up and said, ‘This is wrong and unjust. (It) doesn’t matter what the Constitution or the laws or the courts say.’ So that’s the type of connection you’re making there that like, all lives matter. Slavery was wrong in the light of scripture, and abortion is wrong.”

Hunter added that Abolitionist Rising believes abortion is a sin and what the group is doing is something political, social, cultural and evangelistic.

The group offered to go to CAfS to talk to students, but they all said no. They

Luisa Clausen The Abolitionist Rising group displayed signs connecting the abolition of slavery to the abolition of abortion. Students from CAfS explained why the signs were offensive to Black students, but the group continued to display the sign until the end of the day.

agreed they did not want to feel cornered in their safe space.

“Slavery should never have been involved in the abortion conversation because that’s race and abortion is a woman’s body,” Gilliam said. “Those two things don’t intersect.”

Antonia Grigsby, a plant and soil sciences major and a member of CAfS, said Sgt. Adam Queen from OSUPD went to the center and spent two hours talking to the students. He answered all of the students’ questions.

Grigsby said he made them feel heard.

Queen said the only way they can lawfully remove someone from campus during a similar situation is if they’re disrupting the flow of natural campus life and or blocking sidewalks or disturbing classes.

“Police officers don’t usually do what he did,” Grigsby said. “It was a good change of pace.”

Grigsby said she was not surprised that the signs were on campus one day before Black History Month.

She said things like that happen every day.

“I love Black History Month, but Black people don’t just exist in February,” Grigsby said. “We exist year-round. We always have people on campus talking about anti-abortion, and I don’t care. People have their own agenda. But putting what they did on those signs.

sentimental to us because of all the people that built our fire department actually helped build that, live there, work there and it’s sad to leave that behind,” Essary said.

“I hope that whatever it is used for reflects the history and the traditions of emergency services and Oklahoma State,” McAeavy said. “We would love to maintain a connection there.”

With its new location, the fire department is making efforts to create a more inclusive space for the men and women who work, live and serve the city. “(Fire Station No.2) wasn’t really built for the modern fire service and the diversity that we have,” Essary said.

The senior station is small and lacks multiple bathrooms and private living quarters. The new station fixes this issue and will have a kitchen for 10.

“A third of their lives are spent on duty with their fire department families,” said Essary. “So it’s important for them to be comfortable.”

Construction on the new station is set to finish in July 2025.

Although the station is moving, it will continue to serve OSU. “We’re going to be interacting with students all the time, which is incredible and a great energy, and we are there to serve them,” Essary said. news.ed@ocolly.com

. .that was crazy for me.”

The Abolitionist Rising group left at 5 p.m. and said it was happy with the overall turnout of the day. Hunter said several students stopped to talk about the abolition of abortion and said they plan to come back in the future.

Leon Jones, the chief of police at OSUPD, said that though there is nothing they can do to stop free speech, the university wants to help students navigate through anything, especially when it comes to students who don’t feel safe on campus.

“Call us and let us know what’s going on,” Jones said. “We can investigate it, but we can also make sure they get to the resources as best as I can do to conduct even counseling service of whatever is needed to make sure that they stay on track and reach their goals.”

The students from the CAfS said they want to leave this behind, but they ask for their white peers to stand up when they see something similar happen.

“Rather than being a bystander and saying, “I don’t know what to say,” just say something,” Grigsby said.

“Because if you have higher social status, which is really sad, I have to say, if you are a white person, you need to be opening your mouth. If you have Black friends, stand up with them. It’s not that hard.” news.ed@ocolly.com

File Photo Once the department transitions to its new station location, OSU has plans to repurpose the building.

Page 6A Friday, February 2, 2024

O’Colly

news

Karen Wilson reflects on Black History Month, meaning, challenges Luisa Clausen Editor-in-Chief

Q&A Karen Wilson believes in unity for the community.

Wilson is the program coordinator for the Center for Africana Studies at OSU and was born and raised in Oklahoma. Since a young age, she has experienced trauma and racism.

Wilson said she is transparent with students and works to foster a safe space for them to feel comfortable with who they are and share their thoughts, ideas and concerns.

Q: You have been working with CAfS for two years.

How did you prepare for this job?

A: “I do come with my own experiences, things that happened at my “young old” age while completing undergrad as well as graduate studies. I’ve done other things throughout the community, creating community nonprofits. I’ve done food services. I’ve created this mobile-free food recovery where I would personally deliver items through multiple communities throughout Oklahoma City. From the state capitol to Douglas Boulevard, not associated with a club, church or organization, that’s just you see something, do something.

I’ve done youth ministry and women’s ministry. I’ve had folks in and out of my home over time, where I’ve cared for community members who may have been homeless or fallen on hard times. So with all that being said, as well as employment positions, I’ve seen a lot, I’ve lived a lot. . . I’ve never worked with all-Black faculty, staff or students. Everything that I’ve done, it’s always been very diverse populations. So this was an opportunity for me to work with Black and Brown academics in a different way.

You know, in providing some very net needed and necessary support in multiple ways, but mostly being in space and being in place to see you, to hear you, to help you process the micro to macro, things that you would experience but some folks would just think it is something that’s normal. Some things can have a profound effect on a young budding student’s mind and could very well be triggering, and it could very well cost him to drop out depending on how egregious that is.”

Q: How do you create a safe space for the students who walk through your doors? How do you make them comfortable?

A: “I’m gonna have to keep that a secret. I’m gonna keep that a secret because it’s

Luisa Clausen Karen Wilson said she is proud of her ancestors and displays art in her office that honors them. Wilson said students trust her because of her transparency.

not a thing. It’s a collection of coming from a different culture, the “free- free.” If we were things. It’s not something that I coming from a different perto sit, think and dwell on the can just easily go down and just spective or standpoint. When atrocities that have happened bullet point everything. I do be- we’re in this space, we are one. to people of color, we would be lieve in unity in the community. I serve them. They serve the livid. We would be depressed.

But the students trust me for be- center in their own capacity. We But with that being said, other ing transparent. They trust me come to a consensus on things folks are coming into the center to be holistic in giving them the things or community conversa- from different cultures, ethnicicomplete framework on whattions take place. Very real ones ties and backgrounds as well. ever the theory, the idea, of the may I add. I tell them ‘I may Because they’re looking for problem situation may be. I give tell you a joke, and I will never that authentic perspective, just them all of that. Let’s zoom out, tell you a lie.’ So it’s the trans- being blatantly open. They are or let’s look at things through parency, me being real being coming in. So, yes, unity in the a different lens. What does the authentic and letting them know community is my platform. I research show? What does the that I see and hear them in stand on that. I love all people, research say? Then, once you’ve whatever capacity they need.” all races and all backgrounds. had the facts, I give my opinion Q: You use the phrase We are all learning. I would on whatever that might be. But “unity in the community.” Do rather learn alongside. I want literally, when I am on campus you think OSU students are to know everything about other and I’m communicating with getting better at unity and cultures and communities and students from all backgrounds, inclusivity? give them the opportunity to I literally tell them to bring A: “Not really. It’s going see us in a different way so that your good, your bad and ugly to to be a continuous effort on ev- they can look past the stereothe Center for Africana Studeryone’s part. It is not the ener- type of the loud, radical Black ies. We’re gonna work on it gy or the life energy of the Cen- woman. Our food, our culture, together. My goal is to get you ter for Africana Studies, like our communities, our language, to the finish line, whatever that faculty, staff or students to edu- our swag, our clothes, our culmight look like. I’m concerned cate other communities about ture, the arts, everything that about things that concern you what our thoughts, feelings and comes from the least of them, while you’re on campus. But ideas are and what Blackness it’s been used in profit by those I also want to be able to show means to us. I find it fascinatwho are at the top. But here we and direct you to resources that ing the common thread there is. serve one another.” may be in your community. We Individuals literally think that Q: With Black History are not a cookie-cutter. Every- the only thing we talk about Month starting, do you think one’s background is different. in this space is oppression and the community stops to reflect The only thing we have is we’re oppressive topics and what oth- on what this month means?

Black and Brown bodies but we ers have done to us and what What does it mean to you? come from a different religion, it is that we’re trying to get for A: “I don’t think that

people talk about it or maybe are even aware of what that means for our community. I don’t think that they notice; it’s not noted because you’re not affected by it. To be clear, at the Center for Africana Studies, we’re not just celebrating Black History Month. We’re Black every day, all 365 days of the year, with our seconds and minutes hidden out to be accounted for equally.

The Center for Africana Studies invites our attention to the historic ongoing innovation, creativity, complexity and wisdom production of African Americans in the Black diaspora during February and beyond. Just because one of the realest things is that history is often whitewashed, and we just simply don’t get our flowers and our roses and the things that Black and Brown bodies have created, where they broke down doors and crashed glass ceilings and things that have been created by those Black and Brown bodies have gone under-appreciated and unnoticed and this is a time where we celebrate our ancestors and the accomplishments for which our students stand on today.” news.ed@ocolly.com

O’Colly

Friday, February 2, 2024 Page 7A

news

‘Percy Jackson and The Olympians’ gives epic, inspiring end to first season Hayden Alexander Staff Reporter

Review “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” is a faithful adaptation that brings the demigod of sass to life.

From start to finish, Season 1 is a roller coaster of prophecy and quests. From having lunch with Medusa to a deadly waterpark, the show fully commits to delivering media to fans old and new.

The season started out strong, and it kept the ball rolling. Each episode featured a part of the hero’s quest. This created a consistent feeling while offering something new every week.

Apparently, all it takes to win a quest is two demigods and a Satyr. Our trio of heroes is purer than a golden drachma.

I couldn’t get enough of their dynamic. The three actors put in the work to bring their roles to life, and it shows.

Walker Scobell is Percy Jackson, and I am so excited to see him grow with the character. He is a natural at depicting Rick Riordan’s vision for the character. Percy isn’t just a snarky 12-year-old, and Scobell understands this, embodying the emotion of the supreme lord of the bathroom.

As I suspected, Leah Jeffries’ performance only improved as the show continued. She embodies Annabeth’s intelligence with a hint of stoicism while portraying her defenses steadily falling around Percy and Grover. She embod-

ies Annabeth in every way and is a true wise girl.

Aryan Simhadri’s Grover is the most relatable in the bunch and the heart of the show. Grover’s arc gave the character room to show off his value. He’s not another sidekick best friend. The savvy Stayr outsmarts Ares without missing a beat.

The Greek pantheon is known for many valiant and lurid things, but this show is still for kids, so we’ll leave the lurid stuff at the gates to Tartarus.

It’s interesting to see Lance Reddick rest in peace as Zeus. He doesn’t give off the vibes of a womanizing king with daddy issues. I can only see Reddick Charon, the perfect gentleman concierge from the John Wick series. The few minutes we see of him as Zeus are powerful.

Ares lives for war, and I’m living for Adam Copeland’s portrayal. He pairs power with the god of war’s childlike temper perfectly. I am excited to see more of Hermes (LinManuel Miranda) and Hades (Jay Duplass). Both only had a few minutes of screen time, but they did a lot in a few minutes.

Posiden’s (Toby Stephens) Tribune Content Agency relationship with Percy and In the titular role, Walker Scobell discovers his powers amid great loss in “Percy Jackson and the Olympians.”

Sally, Percy’s mom, is an emoOlympians” accomplishes proportions. tional story that shows the god twelve, so their battle scenes are more kid-friendly, but just everything it set out to do. In The empowerment in the of the sea has a heart. the end, it achieves something series creates a safe space for The best part of the books like the books, the match-ups far greater. kids and a hero in which they and show is these powerful be- are only going to get better Riordan’s purpose for can see themselves. The books ings, gods, monsters and titans from here.

The cinematography, set writing the novels is more than brought an escape to many over chilling in the most basic outfits and places. The minotaur wears design and score meld together an interest in Greek mythology. the years, and the show continThe writer’s son has dyslexia ues the magic. tighty whities, Hermes is rock- like the relationship of our and ADHD, so Riordan wrote Season 2 is in the works ing a sweatshirt, Posiden looks three protagonists. I love the a story about a character whose on the writer, producer and like he’s on his way to Margari- colors in the show. Something differences made him exemshow-runner side, but Disney+ taville, while Areas is living it about them feels vibrant and mythical at the same time.

The plary. hasn’t given the green light yet. up at the local diner. costumes reflect the characters, Through his writing, The original plan involves five I’ve seen some critique with Percy always dressed in Riordan gave his son and other seasons covering the first five of the fight scenes because blue-green hues. The show is a kids the ability to turn what novels. With a show this good, they don’t feel crazy epic, but win for the production team. makes them different into an I don’t think it will be long remember, this is Percy and “Percy Jackson and the epic quest of mythological before we get an answer. the gang’s first outing. They’re news.ed@ocolly.com

Mazzio’s award-winning traditional or boneless wings take flavor to another level.

Try them today.

OFFER AVAILABLE ONLY IN BARTLESVILLE | MUSKOGEE DEL CITY | STILLWATER

STILLWATER’S MATTRESS STORE 424 SOUTH MAIN STREET, STILLWATER,OK 74074

Nine bold flavors:

405-624-3212

Mild Buffalo / Sweet BBQ / Hot Buffalo / Garlic Parmesan Mike’s Hot Honey®/ Memphis Dry Rub Lemon Pepper / Spicy BBQ / Thai Sweet Chili

MONDAY-SATURDAY | 9:30 - 6:00 SUNDAY | 1:00 - 5:00

EXPIRES 02-10-24

8-pc.

Wings & Fries

9

$ 99 5-pc.

Void with other promotions or coupons. One coupon per customer, please. Offer good for Dine-in, Carryout or Delivery (where available). Certain delivery restrictions or charges may apply.

Coupon accepted only at participating locations in Bartlesville, Muskogee, Del City, and Stillwater.

9177

Wings

1

$ 99*

*with purchase of any large pizza.

EXPIRES 02-10-24

WWW.STILLWATERFURNITURESHOWCASE.COM

Limit one per order. Void with other promotions or coupons. One coupon per customer, please. Offer good for Dine-in, Carryout or Delivery (where available). Certain delivery restrictions or charges may apply. Coupon accepted only at participating locations in Bartlesville, Muskogee, Del City, and Stillwater.

9176

Page 8A Friday, February 2, 2024

O’Colly

Smith hopeful Big 12 conference chooses to strengthen in wrestling realignment

of changes, and the stability of it (has changed). For us as a program, it’s about making adjustments quickly.”

And it hasn’t just been OSU forced to make on-the-fly adjustments.

When Missouri announced its intention to depart the Big 12 for the SEC in 2012, all major sports left for a new home. Except for wrestling.

Daniel Allen The problem being the SEC doesn’t sponsor wrestling.

Staff Reporter Missouri’s wrestling program joined the Mid American Conference.

Seldom does anything in modern college athletics The Big 12 added North Dakota State, South Dakota astonish John Smith.

State, Wyoming, Air Force, Utah Valley State and NorthNot even in his own sport of wrestling. Now in his 33rd ern Colorado as conference affiliates. West Virginia also season as the head coach of his alma mater, Oklahoma joined as a full-time member. Northern Iowa was eventuState, Smith has analyzed the effects the latest wave conally added as well. ference realignment has enforced on college wrestling.

Payton Little “It’s hurt us for sure,” Smith said. “You lose either way.

OSU coach John Smith said the first round of conference It’s been going on for quite some time. They’ve made a lot See Smith on 6B realignment hurt Big 12 wrestling programs.

Blazin’ Orange

Alexis Higgins Brandon Garrison is scoring more points on higher effciency since the start of conference play.

Garrison finding self, still growing Parker Gerl Staff Reporter Via OSU Athletics Kurt Budke donned an orange blazer for Bedlam games as coach of the Cowgirls during his six seasons in Stillwater.

Budke’s legacy represented by his Bedlam fashion

treated people. It keeps his legacy alive and his memory from fading.

The family brings out the blazer occasionally, reminiscing on the memories it has of the husband and father Kurt Budke was. Shelley Budke remembers the origin Davis Cordova of the orange blazer, and it started Staff Reporter before his time at OSU. When Kurt Budke coached at Shelley Budke thought her hus- Trinity Valley Community College band was all talk. in Athens, Texas, from 1993-2000 She didn’t believe he would he rocked a similar blazer in the wear it until a box arrived on her doorstep.

She opened the package and found a wrinkled blazer in the most vibrant shade of America’s brightest orange.

The blazer now belonged to her husband, Kurt, who made the fashion statement his signature style on the sidelines for Bedlam games. It became a tradition during his time as OSU women’s basketball coach from 2005 until his death on Nov. 17, 2011.

On Saturday, the Cowgirls will play in Bedlam, the rivalry where Budke made the blazer famous.

The blazer, now hanging in Shelley Budke’s closet, is not only a reminder of the way her husband

What’s Inside

Bench Presence The Cowgirls have had a few bench players step-up.

2B

school color: red. He wore it for the four NJCAA championship games he won at TVCC and carried on that tradition to OSU. Budke, though, didn’t plan it when he arrived in Stillwater. It took a conversation with an OSU administrative member to get his now-famous blazer.

Calvin Anthony, an OSU Board of Regents member from 2006-22 spoke with Budke about traditions and the red blazer he donned at TVCC. Budke said he’d wear an orange one if Anthony bought it.

Sure enough, hours before tipoff for a Bedlam home game, the blazer arrived at the Budkes’ front door.

Shelley Budke had to get it to a dry cleaner before the game, but her husband wore it that day against OU. No wrinkles, and freshly cleaned.

Shelley Budke said the first time her husband wore the big orange blazer was the first time she knew he was fully dedicated to the Cowgirls.

“I opened it up and said, ‘Oh boy, it’s here, but it’s a mess,’” Shelley Budke said.

See Blazer on 3B

Portal Update

As the saying goes, numbers don’t lie.

When finding a silver lining in Oklahoma State’s disastrous 9-12 season thus far, look at Brandon Garrison’s progress. The freshman big man has gotten better, and his production in the Cowboys’ eight conference games should be noted.

In Big 12 outings, Garrison is going for 9.1 points per game on 61.5% shooting. He’s scored in double figures four times with two 20-point games. Pretty good for a defensiveminded player.

“I’d say (I’m) more comfortable (on offense),” Garrison said.

“Just doing my job.

Screening, rolling and running the floor and getting open, that’s how I get my points.”

There are still subtle moments in which Garrison’s youth comes out.

In the four games that he didn’t score 10 or more points, he took three or fewer shots. Personnel aside, Garrison is too

4B

Look to see what former Cowboys are doing at their new schools.

much of a talent to pass up shots and not look for his own on that end.

But now OSU is going to be without starting guard Bryce Thompson for “significant time” due to a torn labrum in his right shoulder, Cowboys coach Mike Boynton said Thursday. Thompson’s absence means OSU needs a boost on offense elsewhere, and Boynton wants Garrison to be more decisive in searching for his shot.

“He’s still (being) way too passive,” Boynton said. “He’ll be better for this, but I need him to continue to be more assertive as we move forward.”

On defense — Garrison’s calling card — he’s done what was expected.

Garrison’s presence in the painted area has caused offensive players to put up awkward shot attempts and make finishing at the rim difficult.

He’s had multiple great efforts as a help side defender, too.

See Garrison on 4B

Rally Page One of music’s biggest stars makes an appearance.

8B

Page 2B Friday, February 2, 2024

O’Colly

sports

Holliday, OSU baseball needs an ace. Who could that be?

Daniel Allen Staff Reporter Finding the right ace pitcher can be a tall task in college baseball.

As paramount as filling the role is, it’s not always easy to do. For Oklahoma State, it was virtually nonexistent for the latter half of this past season.

The result was inconsistencies on the mound in big games and an implosion in the Stillwater Regional. A lot played into the Cowboys’ 5.41 team ERA – the secondworst total in the Josh Holliday-era – but the lack of a true team ace played a vital role.

“I think there’s a lot of work that goes into finding that guy,” Holliday said. “And when you’re lacking, or not as efficient in that area, it can come back and hurt you in big moments for sure.”

Now, for the second time in as many years, Holliday and pitching coach Rob Walton must pinpoint a new ace pitcher.

After the 2022 season, Holliday and Co. were tasked with replacing the entire starting pitching rotation, including All-American righty Justin Campbell. He tried by bringing in Juaron Watts-Brown from Long Beach State.

Halfway through the season, the move paid

dividends. Watts-Brown had a 2.61 ERA and led the Big 12 in strikeouts heading into a matchup against a struggling TCU. Then came the downfall. Horned Frog batters raked off OSU’s ace, logging five earned runs in their win and series victory.

It only worsened for Watts-Brown down the stretch. He was ineffective in big moments, in contrast to his peak.

His ERA skyrocketed to 5.03, finalized by a seven-earned-run outing in a season-ending loss to Dallas Baptist.

Teams that have gone on College World Series runs in recent years have had a dynamic ace.

Names such as LSU’s Paul Skenes, Florida’s Jac Caglione and Wake Forest’s Rhett Lowder are generational arms and fit the narrative.

“Ace pitchers are a big part of the game,” Holliday said. “I think if you look at any team that’s had notable postseason success has had a stout pitching.”

Who could that be for OSU this year?

Holliday said he sees a couple options. To name a couple: sophomore righty Gabe Davis and former BYU transfer right-hander Janzen Keisel.

Walton said in April Davis had, “first-round stuff.” Particularly given his 6-foot-9 stature.

Davis, who throws 100mph, has been developing his slider, which Walton said could be an effective knockout pitch.

His 7.92 ERA was unideal, though somewhat skewed due to Davis having not pitched in a full season.

Keisel can also throw triple digits, but his breaking pitches aren’t as electric. Not to mention, his pitch command was spotty a year ago, leading to a 7.85 ERA. However, Keisel had a productive season in the Cape Cod Summer League and was among the names Holliday claimed to have had pristine fall camps.

Whoever trots onto the mound come Opening Day will be in the spotlight as a first-time ace. If they succeed, the Cowboys, given their returning offensive production, could be set for immense success in 2024. If they don’t, it could be the same story as a year ago.

“I like the team we have and the direction that we’re headed,” Holliday said. “This is a time to develop and see where we’re at. But I think we have some guys that could step up and take whatever role they’re handed in stride.”

sports.ed@ocolly.com

File Photo Ace pitchers are big factors toward a team’s College World Series aspirations, and the Cowboys are looking for theirs with players such as Gabe Davis.

Pfefferkorn ready for spring season after improved fall Gina Foster Staff Reporter

Courtesy OSU Athletics Rylee Langerman comes off the bench and is one of OSU’s most consistent offensive rebounders.

Cowgirls’ bench beginning to take shape late in season Calif Poncy Staff Reporter

her footing in Hoyt’s complex system.

“I’ve learned a lot from her in the time she’s been here already,” said OSU guard Stailee Heard. “She knows the The Oklahoma State Cowgirls have game, she’s a smart player.” had only seven players play at least 10 Rylee Langerman, like Ebert, was games this season. a portal acquisition during the offseaWhether it be health or eligibility son and became one of the team’s most concerns, the Cowgirls’ depth has been important players as soon as she got to under attack all season.

Stillwater.

“This is our third game in a week Langerman plays the vital role playing a rotation of six or seven kids,” of “glue guy,” the one who comes in said OSU coach Jacie Hoyt. “At the end and flies around the court, doing all of the day, this is a team that goes off the dirty work no one else wants to heart and toughness.” do. Langerman is one of OSU’s most Hannah Gusters received permission consistent offensive rebounders while to play from the NCAA in late Decem- thriving in her role as somewhat of a ber, Praise Egharevba recovered from a free safety on the defensive end. knee injury and Emilee Ebert was made “She brings energy, she brings eligible after transferring to OSU from toughness,” Hoyt said. “She’s a really Kansas State. special kid. She’s gone through a lot of The addition of these three players things in her life that have expedited her has allowed the Cowgirls to establish a maturity process, and we really feed off traditional rotation. Although an eight- that.” player lineup is still lighter than what Langerman and Ebert both played most teams trot out, it is better than vital roles on other Power Five teams what OSU was fielding early in the and have brought that expertise with season. them to Stillwater. After a season filled “It’s nice to get in a rotation, it’s with availability issues, the Cowgirls nice to get a feel for things,” said OSU have finally found a consistent rotation, guard Quincy Noble. “We’re all getand the ever-expanding roles of Ebert ting to know each other better, we’re all and Langerman are a big reason why. coming from different places, it’s a lot “I know exactly what I’m gonna of transfers and freshmen.” expect from my teammates, and when it Ebert comes to Stillwater after being all comes together as one, it’s a show,” a major part of the rotation for KSU the Noble said. past three seasons. After a feeling-out process in the early going, she is finding sports.ed@ocolly.com

a chance, it’s a new season and see how things play out, but again, over the course of the semester it wouldn’t surprise me if you see some differAngelica Pfefferkorn is making ent lineups,” said Cowgirl coach Greg waves during her final season as a Robertson. “You know, we do have a lot Cowgirl. of different players that could get in that She forged her path as a walk-on in top five at any time.” her freshman season but only played in Pfefferkorn recognizes this need and tournaments individually. Pfefferkorn, chooses to focus on enhancing her skills now a senior from Caramel, Indiana, and preparing for qualifiers. debuted in the Caramel Cup this fall, “I think just to continue to reach kicking off her final season and carding for better scores, consistency on the a career-best 72 in the second round. golf course, especially with my scoring Pfefferkorn concluded the fall with as well, I’d like to see and continue to success in the Jim West Challenge, as shoot some lower numbers,” Pfefferkorn she carded a 6-under 66 in the third said. “Over break, I was able to see (my round. This score marked her first round swing coach) again, which I normally in the 60s. don’t see him while I’m in school. We With the improvements made in did some indoor work, there’s some simthe fall, Pfefferkorn said she hopes to ulator nets to hit into and then indoor continue the triumph into the spring. putting green was about it.”

However, with more competition within Pfefferkorn’s role has expanded from the team, the practice never ends. leadership and positivity to being a “I think after last fall, it was a big scorer on the competitive side. Practicmotivator,” Pfefferkorn said. “It showed ing her wedges to increase the number what I was capable of, and I think is of birdies is one way she has embraced propelling me to practice hard over the this new role, but also, she has worked winter and excited for the spring. Your on her confidence and mindset to imlimits can really set some really high prove the mental aspect. goals and reach for them.”

“I think that’s something that will be There are eight potential tournaimportant is to find some success early ments for each player to attend, and in the spring, and not be scrambling consistency is necessary to get them to find your identity at some point but there, but with the depth, it’s a tough hopefully establish it here at the begintask. ning,” Robertson said.

“It’s exciting for us to kind of get sports.ed@ocolly.com

Courtesy OSU Athletics In the fall season, Pfefferkorn scored her first round in the 60s while at OSU.

O’Colly

sports

Blazer...

Friday, February 2, 2024 Page 3B

Riley scored 45 points with no turnovers, and the Cowgirls beat No. 6 OU, 82-63, in 2008 in front of a Continued from 1B sold-out crowd in Gallagher-Iba Arena, the highestattended women’s sporting “I didn’t think it would hap- event in Oklahoma. That pen. But Calvin came through day, Budke wore the orand got it.” Kurt said, ‘Well, it ange blazer, got the biggest came in, so I gotta wear it,’ and win of his career, and gave he did. He’s a man of his word. people in attendance, such “He didn’t go to OSU; he as Larry Reece, a moment wasn’t a grad, but that’s when I they will never forget. saw he was committed to OSU. Reece, OSU’s public He wore it with pride.” address announcer, said Sherri Coale, former OU that game is one of his women’s basketball coach, favorite games. remembers the twice-a-year “I’ve been calling battles she had with Budke and games here for 34 years, remembers how much fun she and it is definitely in my had being his rival. top three or four all-time Budke would make fun of games,” Reece said. “I the words Coale said in Big don’t know that I’ve ever 12 coaches meetings. Coale seen a better day in GIA would fire back, asking Budke than what Andrea Riley where he got his bright, vibrant put on display.” orange blazer from. They were Former OSU player rivals, Coale said. They were Tiffany Bias-Patmon friends, too. remembers why she com“I think it would be easimitted to OSU. Budke’s est to say we had a tremendous personality and faith drew Courtesy of Oklahoma State Athletics amount of respect for one her to Stillwater, and as a Kurt Budke (middle right) and Miranda Serna (middle left) were killed in a plane crash in 2011. another,” Coale said. “While sophomore in high school, that you’re bigger than the OSU supporters Olin and Paula women’s coach Jim Littell and he was in Stillwater is when we she decided to attend OSU. Branstetter, were killed in a developed a friendship. He was Bias-Patmon started attend- game. You’re not just basketOSU men’s coach Mike Boynball. He wanted to make sure 2011 plane crash. Olin Bransfun and funny, and we teased ing OSU basketball camps in ton have all wore an orange tetter was flying the small plane jacket to honor Budke. each other. eighth grade, so she was able to that we were having fun. You when it crashed in a wooded “We would go back and build a relationship with Budke should be having fun when Ford, who now coaches at you’re out there, whether that area near Perryville, Arkansas. Saint Louis, said wearing an forth and have the best time. It like so many did in Stillwater. be with an orange blazer or just The group was headed back added a little something special She remembers the blazer he orange blazer was to pay tribute playing hard on the floor and to Stillwater after a recruiting to the rivalry from my vantage donned; she loved it. to Budke, and people continupoint.”

Bias-Patmon said the blazer remembering why you play the trip to Little Rock, Arkansas. ing to wear the blazer when the game.”

Budke was 50.

Budke got one win against represented his constant mesrivalry game comes around is a Bias-Patmon would get Budke left a legacy at OSU. representation of how respected Coale in 13 tries, but the sage to his players: to have fun three chances to play for Budke The orange blazer is a big part he was. triumph is probably the most with the sport. wearing the blazer. of that. It’s what people have to iconic game in OSU women’s “That orange blazer is “It was something just to Budke, along with assisremember his boisterous, carbasketball history. iconic. It was a statement,” honor him. Plain and simple,” tant coach Miranda Serna and ing personality.

Former OSU star Andrea Bias-Patmon said. “It showed Ford said. “It’s a sign to honor In the aftermath of Budke’s him, a sign to carry on his death, the Stillwater, OSU and legacy. He really made an imbasketball communities were pact on not just OSU women’s left with an irreplaceable hole. basketball, but Stillwater in Budke went 112-83 at OSU. general. He was somebody The Cowgirls went 0-16 in everyone respected.” conference play in his first year, Reece remembers Budke but two years later, Budke and as someone who loved living the Cowgirls made it to the life. Reece said Budke would Sweet Sixteen. wander through GIA, always Coale remembers her loca- ribbing someone, joking with tion when she heard of Budke’s someone or visiting with somedeath. She dropped to her knees one. in her bedroom the morning Reece said Budke’s personafter the crash. His death, she ality is missed in GIA. said, forever affected the Bed“Gallagher-Iba Arena hasn’t lam rivalry for her. been the same since we lost “I can’t say if it’s right or him,” Reece said. “I remember wrong or doesn’t matter, but he was fun. He knew how to it’s true in my heart. Bedlam live life and have a good time, was never the same for me,” and he had a boisterous personCoale said. “You’re going ality. along, coaching ball, and you’re “He is a person we want to worried about your players not remember. From time to time, blocking out. Am I going to get I put on my orange blazer and I this kid? Is this kid going to think of Coach Budke. He was visit next week? And you get a really down-to-earth person; that phone call, and none of that’s why he fit in so well at that matters.”

OSU.” That season, OSU won the Shelley Budke will always WNIT. Shelley Budke got to keep that orange blazer that cut down the net in GIA. On showed up on her doorstep in the ladder, holding the nylon, her closet. She said it will stay Shelley Budke pointed to the with the family forever. sky, honoring her late husband.

Shelley Budke said she is Travis Ford, former OSU appreciative of the camarademen’s basketball coach, had rie and the people her husband another way of honoring his impacted in his six years in friend.

Stillwater.

Ford and Budke were co“I love it. It’s a great way to workers for more than two remember him and the impact years and built a lasting friend- he had,” Shelley Budke said. ship. Ford said he looked up to “I think it’s really special, Budke. and I am very thankful for Ford wore an orange blazer the coaches that do that in his for the men’s Bedlam games to honor. It really means a lot to honor Budke. our family.”

Ford is not the only person to have worn an orange blazer for Bedlam meetings. Reece, File Photo OSU women’s basketball manager Landry Gum, former OSU Former OSU men’s basketball coach Travis Ford wore an orange blazer during Bedlam games to honor Kurt Budke. sports.ed@ocolly.com

Monday - Wednesday: 10:00am - 10:00pm Thursday - Saturday: 10:00am - 11:00pm

128 N Main St. Stillwater, OK 74075 Great selection, prices, & staff!

405.372.5080

Page 4B Friday, February 2, 2024

O’Colly

sports

Spring season can’t come too soon for OSU Gabriel Trevino Staff Reporter

Only spring can save the year now as each basketball team is trending below or near .500.

Cowboys wrestling, at 10-0 and No. 3 in the country, will finish the season in March as one of the top teams. To end the season they’ll host January was a hangthe latest edition of the over month for OSU. greatest rivalry in college Following one of the wresting, when No. 2 more memorable falls in Iowa visits Gallagher-Iba history with the season Arena for the first time the football team had, since 2018, which will fans were eager for Big likely be the first sellout 12 basketball season. in the venue in years.

Mike Boynton’s Cowboys Baseball will play were on a five-game win its first home game at streak and Jacie Hoyt’s O’Brate Stadium at the Cowgirls were looking to start of March, with fans take the next step after hoping this is the year making the NCAA Tour- the Cowboys return to nament last year.

Omaha.

Thirty-one days later, Kenny Gajewski’s those two teams have six top-10 softball squad combined wins. What will have been traveling was hoped to be another the country for a month thrilling sports season before their first game in became dreadful. Wres- Stillwater. Gajewski has tling is the team exceed- transformed the Cowgirls ing expectations, but into one of the best teams students seldom attend with one of the best game duals.

Column

Garrison...

Continued from 1B Sure, there’s been moments in which Garrison’s struggled against savvy, experienced players like Hunter Dickinson — one of the best in the country —but that’s nothing to be down about.

“At the end of the day, I can learn from him being older and (being) in college more,” Garrison said. “I can learn (from him) and change my game.

But every time I go against him, I’m trying to challenge him.”

After Garrison scored OSU’s first seven points in its road loss to Kansas on Tuesday, Dickinson offered Garrison, 19, a nod of respect.

“As me and him were running down the court, he was just telling me how I got a bright future and just little things like that,” Garrison said. sports.ed@ocolly.com

day atmospheres in the sport. When baseball is usually teetering at the end of the season and into the postseason, softball is drawing crowds of thousands despite their meager stadium due for a redo.

Don’t disregard tennis, either. Not only is the women’s team No. 3 in the country, but the 2024 NCAA national championships will be held in Stillwater at the Michael and Anne Greenwood Tennis Center.

The disappointment will likely carry through February until the spring season truly begins. But if all goes well, the wait through another disappointing basketball season will have been worth it for the three months of high-level competition in Stillwater.

File Photo

sports.ed@ocolly.com

Fans should look forward to spring sports like softball and tennis, where OSU is expected to be in the top 10.

Garrison in Big 12 games

Vs. Baylor: 20 points, eight rebounds, four blocks Vs. Texas Tech: Four points, five rebounds Vs. Iowa State: One point, eight rebounds, one assist Vs. Kansas: 10 points, five rebounds Vs. Kansas State: Five points, three rebounds, two steals, one block Vs. TCU: Two points, three rebounds Vs. West Virginia: 20 points, five rebounds, four assists, one block, four steals.

Vs. Kansas: 11 points, five rebounds

TCU Men’s Basketball/X Avery Anderson transferred to TCU after four seasons at OSU.

A midseason look at how OSU transfers are faring at new teams Parker Gerl Staff Reporter

Marcus Conrad Thompson’s injury will likely put guard Jarius Hicklen in the starting lineup, who is shooting 42% from 3.

Thompson will miss “significant time” with torn right labrum Gabriel Trevino Staff Reporter

may not return this season.

Thompson is OSU’s second-leading scorer, averaging 11.6 points on 39% shooting. The 6-foot-6 guard improved After hitting the floor hard four defensively since his first year in Stillminutes into OSU’s loss to Kansas on water and is now one of the team’s best Tuesday, Bryce Thompson didn’t return on ball, all-around guards. to the game. He and the Cowboys Senior guard Jarius Hicklen is likely returned home, where after an MRI, the to replace Thompson in the starting team discovered he tore his left labrum, lineup. Hicklen, a North Florida transcoach Mike Boynton said. fer, is OSU’s best 3-point shooter, makThe senior guard will miss “signifi- ing 42.4% of his attempts. He is slowing cant time.” down, though, shooting 29% from the This announcement comes almost a field in his past three games. year after it was revealed former OSU For the team at the bottom of the guard Avery Anderson would miss the Big 12 standings, a serious injury to one remainder of last season with a broken of the team’s best players won’t help the left wrist.

Cowboys climb back into relevance.

It is not known how much “significant time” means, but with a six weeks remaining in the season, Thompson sports.ed@ocolly.com

playing slightly more than 16 minutes a night. Cisse’s defensive skillset still remains evident, as he is blocking 1.2 shots per game, along with his careerThe Big 12, the SEC and the Atlantic best 0.7 steals per game.

10. Those are where some of the six who 4.0 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 56.5 FG% transferred from Oklahoma State after last season now reside.

Kalib Boone, forward (UNLV) With a blend of veteran guards and bigs leaving Stillwater, it forced coach Kalib Boone’s fifth season of college Mike Boynton and the Cowboys to hoops is going as expected. The offenretool their roster. Boynton said a reset sive-minded big man is having another felt necessary ahead of this season. season of success on that end, putting up “There’s no question (remaking the 13 points per game on 62.2% shooting roster felt needed),” Boynton said. “We and going for 15 or more seven times. needed a reset, and it came at a really The Rebels are getting Boone’s best good time because there was an opdefensive season from a numbers standportunity to reestablish a foundation of point, too, as he’s putting up 1.6 blocks basketball.” and 1.4 steals per game.

So, are those transfers fareing well at their new schools?

Tyreek Smith, forward (SMU) Avery Anderson III, guard (TCU)

Like Cisse, Tyreek Smith is, too, at his third school but is getting a bit more Avery Anderson opted to move burn. He’s playing more than 17 minutes closer to his hometown of Justin, Texas, a night for the Mustangs and is averagand join the No. 25 Horned Frogs. He’s ing more than 7 points per game. now in a role where he’s not relied on as Through 12 games, Smith is posting heavily as a scorer and has given TCU 7.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocks great minutes whether he’s starting or per game. coming off the bench.

That role is better suited for AnderWoody Newton, forward (George son, given that his field-goal percentage Mason) is much improved from his past two seasons with the Cowboys while dishWoody Newton is playing close to ing out more assists per game on fewer one minute more per game than last seaturnovers. And it allows the former OSU son, however, he’s started just one game guard to have more of an impact defen- compared to 13 with the Cowboys. He’s sively. shooting 33.3% from 3.

8.9 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 3.7 APG, 45.8 5.4 PPG, 3.4 RPG FG% Chris Harris Jr., guard (N/A) Moussa Cisse, center (Ole Miss) Chris Harris is not known to be Now at his third school, Moussa enrolled or listed on a roster. He played Cisse’s role with the Rebels is lesser three seasons at OSU. than what it was with OSU. He’s started in seven of 15 games this season and is sports.ed@ocolly.com

O’Colly

Classifieds Business Squares Come check out the wide variety of elegant clothing at Formal Fantasy!

Located on 121 E. 9th Ave, Downtown Stillwater

Friday, February 2, 2024 Page 5B

FOR RELEASE FEBRUARY 2, 2024

Houses for rent

The best selection of beer, wine and liquor that Stillwater has to offer! Perfect for all your game day needs, come to Brown’s Bottle Shop located on 128 N. Main “The Original Hideaway, located on the corner of Knoblock and University.

Serving quality pizza and more since 1957.”

Murphy’s Department Store 815 S Main, Downtown Open 10-6 Monday thru Saturday

Cowboy Calendar Friday, 02/02/2023 Cowboy Wrestling: Cowboys vs. Arizona State Gallagher-Iba Arena @ 7 p.m. https://okstate.com/sports/wrestling/schedule Cowgirl Tennis Vs. North Carolina Greenwood Tennis Center @ 6 p.m. https://okstate.com/sports/womens-tennis/schedule Diamond Club Banquet Was Watkins Center @ 6 p.m.

Coach Gajewski’s Table $2,500 Assistant Coaches Table $1,500 Players Table $1,000 Individual Ticket $100 https://okstate.evenue.net/www/ev_okstateathletics/ss/ev/SpecialEvent?specialEvent=SB BANQ&siteId=ev_okstate-athletics&locale=en_ US&linkID=okstate-athletics&elq_cid=77191&ehas h=04984b24265d75d440526103af558ad6fe6e9cd1 6e44b9645219d66f3bffa984 Downtown Funk EM Curators of Craft @ 8 - 10 p.m. $5 https://curatorsofcraft.co/pages/on-stage Game Night The Hub @ 5 - 7 p.m. https://mybluepeak.com/ Painting/Ceramics w/ Pizza StillyArts @ 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Book your tickets here: https://stillyarts.com/paintnights Fee: $20 (8x10 canvas + pizza) / $30 (11x14 canvas + Pizza) Saturday, 02/03/2023 Business Basics Stillwater Public Library @ 1 - 3 p.m. https://stillwaterok.gov/libraryregister CASA for Kids: Night at the Disco Gala ConocoPhillips OSU Alumni Center @ 6 p.m. https://www.facebook.com/events/7189706434765 18/?ref=newsfeed Cowboy Basketball: OSU vs. Kansas State Gallagher-Iba Arena @ 1 p.m. https://okstate.com/sports/mens-basketball/schedule Cowgirl Basketball: OSU vs. Oklahoma Gallagher-Iba Arena @ 4 p.m. https://okstate.com/sports/womens-basketball/ schedule?elq_cid=438419&ehash=e86157a204a75 e7c8eea39ac470e0154c36673f74efc88636835d55 c73c184e0 Crafting Conversation Clay Hearts Prairie Arts Center @ 1:30 p.m. $30 https://artscenter.okstate.edu/adult-classes/ pottery/1323-crafting-conversation-clay-hearts

Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Edited by Patti Varol

ACROSS 1 Body art 5 Split __ 10 Soft “C’mere!”

14 Begin to form 15 Re 16 Chicano poet Luis __ Salinas 17 World of Warcraft beast 18 Zelle alternative 19 Herding dog from Hungary 20 Veinte, por ejemplo 22 Athena’s domain 24 Fast-food chain with Epic Burritos 26 Tips over one’s king, e.g.

27 “__ be my pleasure” 28 Usage charge 30 Dry __ 31 “Thus with a kiss I die” hero 33 TV watchers?

34 Beta preceder 37 Bird-related 38 Howe’er 39 “Great blue” or “little blue” bird 40 Obtain 41 Free of wool 43 Not available at the moment 44 Seasoned vet’s opposite 47 Part of JD 50 Fizzled out 51 Playing surface 52 Ooze 54 Sizable plot 55 “No running” on a pool deck 62 Small horse 63 “Now __ talking!”

64 Line graph display 65 Look for answers 66 Awards for “Abbott Elementary” 67 Break DOWN 1 Govt. security 2 Go back and forth

Daily Horoscope

2/2/24

By Amie Walker & Matthew Stock

3 “No running” to an incumbent 4 Lemonade alternative 5 Chaos 6 Dad on “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” 7 + or - particle 8 Pirate song spirit 9 Madeleine of “Revenge” 10 Stick in the freezer?

11 “No running” at a cosmetics store 12 Place where one might leave tips for tips 13 Cuts back 21 Hazardous gas 23 “Da 5 Bloods” actor Whitlock Jr. 25 With 26-Down, “No running” to a newspaper reporter 26 See 25-Down 29 Helpful Amazon gadget 31 Joplin work

Nancy Black Tribune Content Agency Linda Black Horoscopes Today’s Birthday (02/02/24). Domestic and family joys illuminate this year. Lucrative projects flower with dedicated efforts. Adapt to winter domestic changes that set the stage for brilliant springtime art and creative communications. Professional changes reorient summer plans, motivating an autumn journey and investigation. Tend your garden with love.

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 — Monitor financial conditions carefully to adapt gracefully around changes.

Discuss dreams, potential and possibilities with your partner.

Don’t worry about the future. Watch for opportunities.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is a 9 — Adapt around a formidable barrier. Collaborate with someone who can see where you’re blind. Together you can both get farther than either would solo.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is an 8 — Your heart skips a beat. Love energizes your performance. Slow for the tricky parts. Things aren’t as they seem. Prioritize your health and work.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is a 9 — Follow love where it leads. Don’t worry about uncertainties. Balance new fun with existing responsibilities. Draw upon hidden resources. Indulge creativity and playfulness.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is an 8 — Dedicate efforts to home beautification. Don’t spend a fortune. Stick to household basics. Manage chores and cleaning. Cook up something delicious. Family comes first.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is a 9 — Listen to your intuition. Recent changes could have a silver lining. Monitor conditions. Check news and updates. Discuss possibilities, ideas and options. Connect the dots.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is a 9 — Generate profits.

Use your persuasive arts. Talk about what you love. Discuss crazy dreams. Hunt for hidden opportunities. Develop a conversation into lucrative gain.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is a 9 — Follow your heart. Focus on personal priorities. Take extra care of yourself.

Grow by pursuing passions despite complications. Pay attention to what you love.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is a 7 — Focus on immediate needs and stay close to home. Avoid noise, chaos or stress. Find a peaceful space for productivity and planning.

Imagine the possibilities.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is a 9 — Advance short-term objectives with help from friends. Don’t worry about the big picture. Focus on immediate needs. Connect collaborative forces for shared benefit.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is an 8 — Keep taking care of business. Work responsibilities could take an unexpected twist. Careful management handles urgent needs, step by step. Get help when necessary.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is an 8 — Explore a fascinating subject. Deepen a research project. Find new beauty in your own backyard. Discover rare treasure. Discuss opportunities. Study the possibilities.

Thursday’s Puzzle Solved

©2024 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

32 “The Great British Baking Show” appliance 35 3,600 seconds 36 Crumb-collecting insect 41 Skeptical look 42 Tally marks 45 Thin and wavy 46 [Time’s up!]

48 Remedy

2/2/24

49 Line graph display 53 Formal 54 Off course 55 Escape room?

56 __ Gatos, California 57 Body art 58 “Delish!”

59 Tail movement 60 “We’ll get there then” approx.

61 Water source

Level 1 2 3 4

2/2/24

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

© 2024 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.

Page 6B Friday, February 2, 2024

Smith...

Continued from 1B The conference still took a drastic blow to its prestige. And it came during a time when the Big Ten was establishing a stronghold on college wrestling. Iowa and Penn State had won the past five national titles. Not to mention, the Nittany Lions were developing their dynasty.

OSU’s fellow Big 12 bluebloods weren’t near their peak forms. Iowa State was still rebuilding.

Oklahoma hadn’t come close to matching its reputation in decades.

As a result, programs OSU often competes with in recruiting used the Cowboys’ strength of schedule – or lack thereof – as a selling point. And more often than not, it worked.

“It was tough for sure,” Smith said. “We (the Big 12) only had four teams at one time. Then they added the others.

And the Big Ten was hammering us with it.”

Since 2007, only Big Ten programs have won a national championship.

Iowa and Penn State have combined for 14. Ohio State and Minnesota each have one.

However, Smith said he has been pleased with the Big 12’s willingness

O’Colly

sports

to strengthen its status in wrestling conference such recent years. as the Big 12, perhaps In 2021, Missouri they could blossom. rejoined the Big 12 after “It’s a good thing a decade of dominance in when there’s that type of the MAC. (talent), and when I look Most recently, it was at North Dakota (State) announced that OU would and South Dakota (State) remain in the Big 12 for and Northern Iowa and wrestling amid the Soon- even Iowa State now, all ers’ transition to the SEC the teams are rising,” in all other major sports. Missouri wrestling coach “That was big for our Brian Smith said in 2022. conference,” Smith said. “Just what’s been happen“I’m glad OU is staying ing, it’s exciting. I know in the conference, too. that we (the Big 12) have “We’re fortunate that more (national) qualifiers we’re able to do this. this year than last year.

We’re fortunate that we’re The growth in the Big 12 able keep OU. And that’s is exciting. And I really for a variety of reasons.” look forward to the next And it won’t stop couple of years to see there. Come next seawhat happens.” son, Arizona State will Regardless of who the join the Big 12 amid the Big 12 adds, John Smith demolition of the Pac-12. is hopeful for the conBut could the Sun Devils tinued expansion of the be the only newcomer a conference. Not one that year from now? would deliberately dam“I sure hope not,” age other conferences, but Smith said. rather take advantage of Smith said he hopes the current state of colthe Big 12 considers Or- lege athletics. egon State as an addition.

He offered his two He noted Oregon State’s cents on a feasible aprecent success under proach moving forward. current head coach and “I would love for the former Cowboy wrestler Big 12 to pull those teams Chris Pendleton as a sell- and just make our confering point. ence that much stronger,” The other Pac-12 left- John Smith said. “I’m over, Washington State, not sure what’s going to doesn’t have a wrestling happen. Whether or not team. But like the Big those schools stay in the 12, there are remaining Pac-12. But I think that conference affiliates. our conference needs to Cal Poly, Cal State stay focused on growing Bakersfield and Little and strengthening our Rock have endured scat- conference.” tered success in recent sports.ed@ocolly.com years. But in a known

Marcus Conrad Teague Travis saw the Cowboys had a role to fill at 157, and he stepped up and wanted to be the guy − a theme on this young and rising OSU team.

Travis stayed ready, is returning home to Missouri as OSU starter Braden Bush Sports Editor

Alexis Higgins Oregon State, a member of the crumbling Pac-12, came to Stillwater and wrestled OSU this season.

a redshirt sophomore, said he walks around at 164-65 pounds, so those were big cuts.

“I spent a lot of time in the weight On Sunday, Teague Travis will room this summer, just kept getting wrestle five miles from where his cabigger and bigger and just kind of fillreer began. ing out and maturing more,” he said.

After a dual with Arizona State on “I saw that the 57 spot was open, and I Friday, the OSU wrestling team travels was like, ‘Go be the guy there and do it to Missouri to take on the No. 5 Tigers. for the team.’

Travis, the Cowboys’ starter at 157 “I’m not like the fastest or the most pounds, attended Fr. Tolton Regional athletic guy, so I’ve always had to work Catholic in Columbia, about a 10-min- hard to get to where I am.” ute drive from Missouri’s home mat at That’s been a big difference for this the Hearnes Center. His father, Brooks Cowboy team. Young guys like Travis wrestled at Missouri. stepping up, filling in where they are “I mean, I’m not making it bigger needed and having success. than what it is,” Travis said, “but obviLast season, Travis was a sparously can’t ignore that I did grow up ring partner for Daton Fix, OSU’s there.”

133-pounder. He said Travis never got A season ago, it wasn’t clear Travis tired in matches and was always a fight. would have that chance, though. It’s Fix said the move to 157 for Travis has just another cool experience for Travis, been beneficial for everyone. who wrestled at three weights for the “I think he feels really good at 157, Cowboys in his three years in Stillwater and I think that it just helps that he’s before making his first start this season going to be able to use his gas tank to and taking the job at 157. be able to wrestle hard, really hard, He waited for his chance, and now those full seven minutes,” Fix said. it’s here. Travis is ranked No. 17 and “And he definitely utilizes those seven holds a 14-2 record entering a pair of minutes.” ranked matches this weekend. It took That’s a recurring description of patience.

Travis. A guy who wrestles hard and “Just kinda every day go as hard as has done everything he has to be ready you possibly can and just keep putting for his moment and contribute to the your head down and knowing eventuNo. 3 Cowboys’ run. ally my time is gonna come,” Travis “He’s a kid that probably in the last said. “Just staying ready for every optwo years is the hardest-working athlete portunity.”

I had on the team,” coach John Smith Staying ready wasn’t easy. As a said. “You talk about somebody that backup, he had to prepare as if he were does all the extras putting in just some competing in duals without the excite- serious hours into his conditioning.” ment of competing in the duals.

And the past two years, he spent time at 141 and 149 pounds. Travis, sports.ed@ocolly.com

O’Colly

Friday, February 2, 2024 Page 7B

sports Week 1

vs. South Dakota St.

Week 2

vs. Arkansas

Week 3 at Tulsa

Most intriguing Big 12 game each week of 2024 season Davis Cordova Staff Reporter

Week 4 vs. Utah

Week 8 at BYU

Week 11 at TCU.

Week 5

at Kansas State

Week 9

at Baylor

Week 13

at Texas Tech

Week 6

vs. West Virginia

Week 10

at Arizona State

Week 14

vs. Colorado

Football schedule takeaways: Toughest stretch, home matchups Ashton Slaughter of their last six games on road against the Wildcats road. under coach Mike Gundy Assistant Sports Editorthe OSU hosts SDSU — the last game resulted OSU had its list of opponents, but now it gets to mark the calendar with games.

The Big 12 unveiled its 2024 schedule Tuesday morning. The Cowboys’ nonconference games are against South Dakota State, Arkansas and Tulsa, followed by hosting Utah in the Utes’ first Big 12 game.

A November Homecoming game and a post-Thanksgiving trip to Boulder to square off against Deion Sanders and Co. are also highlights.

Front-loaded home games The Cowboys play four of their first six games at home and four

(reigning FCS champions), Arkansas, Tulsa, Utah and West Virginia early in the season.

The Cowboys’ last two home games are against Arizona State and Texas Tech in November.

Toughest three-game stretch Hosting star quarterback Cam Rising, a road trip to Manhattan and playing a Mountaineers team coming off a surprising, successful season is a grueling stretch.

Weeks 4-6 is OSU’s toughest stretch. Utah will be playing its first home game, and the Utes are more than prepared to hang in the conference.

Kansas State at home is never a gimmie, as the Cowboys are 5-3 on the

in a dominant 48-0 victory in 2022 for K-State.

West Virginia was picked last in the 2023 Big 12 preseason poll but finished sixth in conference record.

Other options are the nonconferene slate, highlighted by an SDSU team that has won 29 straight games in the Football Championship Subdivision and a home game against the Razorbacks and the late-October and early-November Big 12 matchups against Baylor, Arizona State and TCU, but it is too hard to tell now with Baylor and TCU coming off down seasons. sports.ed@ocolly.com

The Utes follow up their visit to Stillwater with a home game against a familiar opponent.

Both teams are The Utes visit Stillexpected to be the prewater while Primetime season favorites to make travels to West Texas. the Big 12 ChampionThe Big 12 released ship Game in December. its schedule on Tuesday and with that, here are the Arizona lost coach Jedd Fisch to Washington, but most intriguing matchdidn’t lose many players ups for each week in the to the portal because of it. conference.

Week 1: Penn State at West Virginia

Week 6: UCF at Florida

Penn State is expected to be among the teams competing for the new 12-team playoff. The Mountaineers lost to Penn State last season, but are returning many starters like quarterback Garrett Greene.

This game is just fun.

Both teams might not be as good as once before, but this has little brother vs. big brother written all over it. Could the Knights go into the Swamp and escape with a win?

Week 2: Iowa State at Iowa

Week 7: Kansas State at Colorado

Week 10: Texas Tech at Iowa State It’s nice to see some of the ‘Hateful Eight’ games still happening on the conference schedule. Both teams are potential dark horse candidates for the conference championship game.

Week 11: Colorado at Texas Tech Forget the Holy War, people want weird things to happen in Lubbock.

CU coach Deion Sanders may be thankful for his shades in Lubbock, to protect his eyes from flying tortillas. Hoping this game is similar to the Pac-12 After Dark games and a game time no earlier than 8 p.m.

This is what conference realignment is all about, getting an old game back on the schedule. There’s just something special about K-State purple clashing with the gold and black of Colorado.

Week 12: Utah at Colorado

Week 8: Colorado at Arizona

Week 13: Texas Tech at OSU

This might be one of the biggest games of the year. Arizona is coming off an Alamo Bowl victory for a 10-win season, Week 4: Utah at OSU and Colorado has two of the best players in the nation in Shedeur Sanders This is one of the and Travis Hunter. premiere matchups of the year in the conferWeek 9: Kansas at ence – and it happens to Kansas State be the Utes’ first Big 12 game ever, on the road in Hopefully Jalon DanStillwater. Both teams are iels stays healthy through expected to be contenders for the conference cham- the season for this game.

Only gripe is that this pionship. game is not at KU, because then it would Week 5: Arizona at be played in Arrowhead Utah Stadium.

Some fans suggest this is the new rivalry game for both schools, with Texas and Oklahoma leaving. After all, the series is in favor of OSU, 24-23-3.

This game is always a big one, and both teams are on the rise for 2024.

Intriguing to see if Iowa’s offense can score on Iowa State’s defense.

Week 3: Arizona at Kansas State Yep, that’s right. This game is technically an out-of-conference game, but it will still be significant for the conferences’ outcome.

What was thought to be a big game in 2023 is expected to be one in 2024 in a new conference, unless injuries derail the game, again.

Week 14: OSU at Colorado To round out the conference’s regular season – Gundy vs. Prime. Deion’s shades will be on and Gundy’s mullet will be flowing. Since it’s in lateNovember, the Cowboys might get a snow game in Boulder. sports.ed@ocolly.com

Page 8B Friday, February 2, 2024

O’Colly

PISTOL PETE’S ALTER-EGO:

ANITA WYNN