The O'Colly, Wednesday, June 5, 2024

How OSU star pitcher Brian Holiday’s competitive flare, moxie molded

game

Brian Holiday’s smug facial expression as he exited the mound was ordinary, but he was pissed. As Oklahoma State pitching coach Rob Walton neared the mound and motioned for a reliever out of the bullpen, ace pitcher Sam Garcia stood outside the dugout alongside his teammates, waiting to greet Holiday after the eighth inning of the series finale against BYU. The OSU right-hander’s facial appearance, however, gave Garcia a feeling that this departure from the mound would be just like any other.

“He comes in (the dugout) and he’s mad,” Garcia said. “And I’m like, ‘You did really good.’” Holiday’s response?

“Not good enough.”

Not even after 7 1/3 innings of work with 10 strikeouts. Of course, five earned runs are a glaring blemish, but an extensive outing to go with a double-digit strikeout total would be an achievement for most college pitchers.

Not Holiday. Each time the 5-foot11, red-headed pitching savant takes the mound, a competitive aurora nonpa reil to most who share the baseball diamond with him is on display. It’s a mentality Holiday has held from the moment he first suited up in a baseball uniform during his T-ball days. And so far, during his first season at OSU, it has sufficed.

Through 15 starts and 104 innings pitched, Holiday ranks third in the Big 12 with a 3.12 ERA and second in the confer ence with 118 strikeouts. Such production earned him spots on the AllBig 12 first team and on D1Baseball’s midseason All-American list.

“I knew it was gonna happen,” Mississippi State reliever and former teammate of Holiday’s at College of Central Flor ida, Cam Schuelke said. “I’ve been around him for a full year. He’d been successful at the Cape Cod Summer League. He’d been successful in high school. And he’d been successful at junior college his whole life.

“He was underrated going in… that pissed Brian off going in. And if there’s one thing you don’t want to do, it’s piss Brian off.”

Kennedy Thomason Editor-in-Chief

Gov. Kevin Stitt announced June as the “Month for Life” in Oklahoma on Saturday. This coincides with Pride Month, the annual celebration of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex citizens in the U.S. Stitt’s announcement, which came via X (formerly known as Twitter), said “the inherent dignity and value of every human life are fundamental principles that shape our society.”

His proclamation named March for Life, a national pro-life organization, as a core part of its explanation. He identified it as a “beacon of hope and advocacy.”

March for Life has worked since 1973 to fight abortion policies in the U.S.

“We promote the beauty and dignity of every human life by working to end abortion—uniting, educating and mobilizing pro-life people in the public square,” March for Life’s website says.

Former President Bill Clinton declared June as Pride Month in 1999. It has since evolved, changing names under various presidents, but retaining the same purpose.

Gov. Spencer Cox of Utah declared June “A Month of Bridge Build-

Gov. Stitt and Secretary of State Josh Cockroft signed the proclamation. Comments under

ing,” which has drawn criticism of its detraction from Pride Month. Gov. Cox and Gov. Stitt are Republicans.

Gov. Stitt’s post ranged from fervent supporters to disappointed and outraged opponents. Some users noted the proclamation coincides with Pride Month, saying “Every life is precious!”

Connor Fuxa

Oklahoma State coach Josh Holliday called pitcher Brian Holiday “special.”

his

Kaytlyn Hayes

State

Daniel

Staff Reporter

Marty Smith

Marty Smith (left) holds a mound visit with Brian Holiday (right) at NJCAA World Series game.

Staff Reporter

sports

Holliday...

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During his adolescence, when he and Zack weren’t enduring the daily grind of baseball, they’d compete head-to-head on MLB 2K5 for hours each day.

The brothers are separated by only three years in age, and they naturally meshed. Brian looked up to Zack on the diamond. He asked his brother for advice on throwing mechanics, pitch delivery, feasible arm slots, all at a young age.

But off the diamond, they were fierce rivals.

Brian said he most often claimed victory during their video game sessions. Zack, of course, said otherwise. However, when Brian did lose, those nearby would endure his wrath.

“He was maybe 4 or 5 at the time, but he broke a video game controller over my thigh, just because he lost the game,” Zack said with a laugh. “I just remember looking at him, speechless, like, ‘What the heck was that?’”

Simultaneously, such actions didn’t surprise Zack. It was, retrospectively, an early sign of the competitive flare that would so often define Brian’s baseball career.

“That’s just the competitive nature in Brian,” Zack said. “If he isn’t first, he’s nothing. He’s gonna be angry about it. It’s win at all costs with him.”

During a premier travel-ball event during his senior year at Land O’Lakes High School, Brian got touched up in his team’s opener. Zack said Brian didn’t utter a word the rest of the day. Pure stone-cold silence.

Days later, in a matchup against the Scorpions Baseball Club, featuring former No. 1 MLB Draft selection Jackson Holliday, OSU third baseman Aidan Meola and others, Brian threw a seven-strikeout, no-hitter through seven innings.

knew of him. They dreaded hearing his name echo over the ballpark sound system when Land O’Lakes’ starting lineup was announced. Zack said he recalled hearing scoffs and grunts from opposing fans when they heard Brian’s name announced.

“Brian is just so determined and driven in everything he does,” Zack said. “His work ethic is through the roof. You won’t find anyone who works harder than Brian.”

By the end of his senior season, he’d built himself a reputation as a ballplayer. All thanks to his grit, passion for the game and the aid of a 12-6 curveball.

Zack was 12 when he learned the art of throwing the 12-6 curve. It did wonders for him until he gave up baseball after his high school career concluded.

Brian’s unorthodox size had always been a turn-off to college scouts. His fastball velocity was average at the time. So, Zack knew Brian needed a pitch that would set him apart from his competition.

During one of their backyard catch sessions, Zack pulled his brother aside and explained the history of the pitch and how to throw it. Naturally, Brian wanted to emulate his brother. Zack initially warned Brian that throwing it improperly could result in damage to his throwing arm.

“Brian just didn’t take ‘No’ for an answer,” Zack said.

So, Zack gave his two cents.

“Look, Brian,” he explained. “If you want to throw this pitch, don’t (jerk) anything. Just throw it naturally.”

The brothers spent multiple days each working on the pitch, until eventually Brian got a feel for it.

gloves to his coach, he looked at Land O’Lakes’ first baseman and uttered, “That kid is going places. That is a big-league pitch.”

Eventually, word got back to Zack, who admittedly couldn’t contain his emotions.

“Just hearing something like that after you work so hard to achieve or develop something is so fulfilling,” Zack said. “And it was still a workin-progress. But to see it start getting noticed was pretty cool.”

It remains a pitch that sets him apart in college baseball. Just like he had hoped when he and Zack first began practicing its mechanics.

“It’s pretty dang high in terms of (curveballs I’ve faced),” said Cowboys’ left fielder Nolan Schubart. “Especially when he’s got his slider and changeup working as well. I mean, it’s pretty gross.”

Ryan.

On every pitch he’d throw, Holiday would kick his left leg up in the air moments before delivery. Soon, it became routine.

Now, it’s part of him.

“The 12-6 curveball, the old-fashioned leg kick — he’s just so unique,” D1Baseball national writer and analyst Mike Rooney said. “Any time I talk to someone from Oklahoma State, they just rave about his competitiveness. He’s a little bit of a mystery, but, of course, in a fun way.

“His whole get-up is just very old-fashioned, and I dig that.”

Brian’s former coaches and teammates don’t have many complaints about him. But Marty Smith, Brian’s head coach at College of Central Florida, had to endure the minuscule total.

nities—or entered the junior college transfer portal.

But once Brian added a slider to his pitch arsenal, he became “virtually unstoppable,” Smith said.

“I knew it was good,” Smith said. “He just had the appropriate feel to just have the same feel he has with his 12-6 curve. And it just became another weapon for him and something else hitters had to look forward to. They couldn’t just say, ‘OK, fastball, curveball. Fastball changeup.’”

So, the mound visits were a “hassle” for Smith, he said. Pitching changes were notably worse.

“I always knew I’d have a tough time getting off the mound,” Smith said. “And each time was an adventure. He wanted to stay in the game. It was never ugly. It was always, ‘Hey, I got this. I’ll get out of this.’”

who encountered him said immediately, he’s just different.”

Few are astonished of his immediate success at the D-I level. From the moment Brian stepped foot on campus at OSU in the fall, everyone close to him knew he was a unique talent.

“You could tell from the start that he was special,” Schubart said. “He’s just so gross. I didn’t get a hit off him in the fall, I don’t think. He pretty much owned me in the fall.”

And the pitch paid dividends once Brian began his chapter at College of Central Florida.

It earned him the side title “Doc,” based off the nickname tethered to former Philadelphia Phillies All-Star pitcher Roy Halladay.

Brian’s prior version of a curveball featured a sidearm slot that sent just enough spin on the baseball off the release point to generate a slight drop.

SATURDAYS IN JUNE

“Even though our names were just totally different,” Brian said with a laugh. “It is what it is, though.”

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And the nickname found its way to Brian’s other travel team. Shortly after, his teammates at Land O’Lakes received word. It stuck. And all Brian could do was embrace it. Which he did.

Soon, Brian “Doc” Holiday became a statewide legend. Every opposing team

Now, “Brian had a breaking pitch that was three years more advanced than anyone else (his age),” Zack said.

At one point during his freshman season at Land O’Lakes, Brian faced a kid committed to Florida State during an at-bat.

Brian got ahead in the count but struggled to deliver the knockout blow. The opposing batter fouled off pitch after pitch. Eventually, Brian threw Pitch 9 of the atbat, missing just outside the strike zone for Ball 4.

Once the batter reached first base and handed his shin gear and

“It’s nasty,” Schuelke said. “He has a tendency to make batters look pretty foolish.”

But the 12-6 curveball isn’t his only unique trait. Enter the Nolan Ryanvariated leg kick.

Early in his freshman season at Land O’Lakes, Brian missed playing time due to a shoulder impingement. So, when he started working to regain pitch velocity and proper mechanics with his assistant coaches, he wanted to try something different.

Holiday grew up idolizing Nolan Ryan. One of his favorite pastimes includes watching old clips of Ryan dominating the rest of the Major Leagues.

So, he tried to emulate what he studied from

“I’ll tell ya, he never wanted to come out of a game,” Smith said with a laugh. “Regardless of his pitch count, his efficiency, whatever, he’d always want to stay in the game and finish it out.”

Smith described Brian as an “embracer of the moment.” And why wouldn’t he be?

Brian walked on to Florida Southwestern State College out of high school. Brian said he thought many overlooked his competitive side.

He would have taken a D-II offer, he said. Instead, he settled for a walk-on spot at a junior college.

He was primarily used as a reliever during his lone season as FSWSC. But his stuff and upside were promising enough that Smith offered Brian a scholarship once he sought other opportu-

His mound production spoke for itself. Brian finished his sophomore season with a 3.07 ERA through 16 starts and 88.0 innings pitched, striking out 141 along the way. His stellar campaign guided College of Central Florida to an NJCAA national title, where Brian was named the MVP of the World Series.

He committed to OSU in September 2022. But the hype around his name carried more and more aurora and buzz as the months went by.

Eventually, his opportunity at OSU came calling. And the rest is history.

“He always had the track record of being a dominant presence when he performed at whatever level,” Holliday said. “But more than anything, it was the way people spoke about him as a person, his leadership, the way he carried himself. People

Throughout the fall, Brian firmly established himself as one of the goto guys among his teammates and coaches. Now, he’s merely writing his story. From complete-game efforts against TCU and UCF in the Big 12 Tournament semifinals to the unsung pitching gems against Arkansas, Central Michigan and Houston, Holliday and Co. haven’t shied away from the fortune that comes with having a prospect like Brian on the roster.

And since his first start on the road against Sam Houston State on Opening Weekend, Brian hasn’t looked back. To some, it’s an abrupt rise to the college baseball limelight. But to those close to him, it’s been years in the making.

“Just the way he competes and wants the ball and trusts himself, and just the way he handles things, it’s remarkable,” Smith said. “It’s fun. You want every one of your kids to compete like he does and do things the way he does.”

sports.ed@ocolly.com

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Zack Holiday

Ever since Brian Holiday was a kid, he’s had a competitive fire. He started learning to pitch the 12-6 curve at 12.

Continued from page 1

Offense can’t make adjustments

Oklahoma State (42-19) couldn’t rebalance its offense on Monday following the previous day’s loss to Florida (31-28).

In Sunday’s game against Florida, only Nolan Schubart was consistent in the batter’s box. That was different in the regional final, as the entire lineup swung one or no hits and only combined for five with two runs.

While the Cowboys did score twice in the fourth and fifth to keep themselves alive in a close game against the Gators, Oklahoma State couldn’t find a single hit in the last four innings, leaving them no chance for a comeback.

The OSU offense got cold at the wrong time, costing the Cowboys their season and preventing them from reaching the Super Regionals.

Pitching staff can’t catch a break Multiple pitchers had trouble against the Gators, starting with Tommy Molsky, who was starting his second game of the year. In the bottom of the third, following a hit-bypitch and a double, right fielder Ashton Wilson singled to right field, bringing in two runs and throwing another hit-by-pitch right after.

When Evan O’Toole came

in to start the fourth, he allowed a single, followed by a strikeout and a stolen base. Then, center fielder Michael Robertson singled to left field for a run to keep Florida ahead by two.

As Robert Cranz became the final reliever for the Cowboys, he allowed a solo home run on the first at-bat in the sixth by left-fielder Tyler Shelnut to push Florida back ahead by two.

The pitching staff allowed eight hits for four runs while striking out six in eight innings.

Cowboys can’t get past regionals again

After Saturday’s 7-1 win over Florida, Oklahoma State was getting hot again and was on the brink of breaking a fiveyear drought by going to the Super Regionals. Instead, two losses in the regional final will keep that drought going.

Oklahoma State has been eliminated as regional hosts for the last three seasons, becoming the fifth team in NCAA Tournament history to be on this list. It joins 1983-85 Florida State, 1987-89 Mississippi State, 2009-11 Georgia Tech, and 2016-18 Clemson.

The Cowboys finish the season with an overall record of 42-19 and as Big 12 Tournament Champions, but once again fail to reach out of regionals.

sports.ed@ocolly.com

Kaytlyn Hayes

Oklahoma State’s offensive struggles meant the Cowboys couldn’t keep up with Florida.

Kaytlyn Hayes

OSU head coach Josh Holliday said that he and his players were “hurting inside” following the loss.

OSU Student Farm doubles acreage to serve Oklahoma food banks

The Oklahoma State University Student Farm is in its second year of operation and has harvested over 7,000 pounds of cool-season crops in 2024.

The idea was sparked by First Cowboy Darren Shrum, husband of OSU President Kayse Shrum, and is facilitated by the OSU Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture.

Department head Justin Quetone Moss leads the project and secured a partnership with Rachael Condley, director of Stillwater’s Our Daily Bread Food and Resource Center, to deliver fruits and vegetables to the food center and serve Payne County residents. Fresh produce is also supplied to Pete’s Pantry, the food bank located on campus.

Co-managers Matt Beartrack and Lynda Carrier work alongside a small group of OSU Extension assistants and student employees to harvest a variety of cool- and warm-season crops. Located on the west side of campus on Highway 51 in Stillwater, the site’s initial 2 1/2 acres produced more than 54,000 pounds of food for residents in 2023. This spring, the team doubled its planted acreage with seasonal favorites featuring cabbage, Swiss chard, broccoli, cauliflower, squash, sweet corn, spinach, potatoes and onions. New additions this year include sweet potatoes and Irish potatoes.

The OSU Student Farm is a hands-on living classroom for employees and volunteers involved in all aspects of vegetable production from planting, irrigating and fence building to weeding and harvesting. Beartrack said the team has

improved the logistics of its daily deliveries to Our Daily Bread Food and Resource Center in Stillwater.

“This year, we’re more streamlined and communicating better about how much space we have for cold storage and what can be delivered,” he said. The farm appreciates the generosity of P&K Equipment for donating the lease of two John Deere tractors. Great Plains Kubota also has provided the use of a Kubota tractor.

Installation of a post-harvest wash station is expected by August to prepare fruits and vegetables for distribution to food banks in Oklahoma’s

metropolitan areas. This new feature is made possible through a partnership with the OSU Innovation Foundation and support from OSU’s Human Performance and Nutrition Research Institute.

As the original site of the OSU Swine Research and Education Center, the land, swine barn and caretaker’s house sat vacant for over a decade before OSU began transforming the space. The house now serves as the farm’s headquarters and has undergone minor renovations, such as painting, cleaning and repairs on the home’s water and central heat and air systems.

Beartrack said additional expansion with an organic fo -

cus is planned for later this fall; an OSU doctorate student will oversee the production of an acre of certified natural-grown produce.

“We’re about to plant summer crops on it and finish the fence,” he said. “The irrigation is in, the pipe poles are set and we’ll be ready to grow strawberries on it this fall.”

Even the most experienced gardeners face challenges with growing vegetables, and the Student Farm is no exception. Despite the team’s attempt to rotate the planting location of its cool and warm season crops, squash bugs and other common insects keep the gardening crew on alert. Although some

of the produce is smaller this year compared to 2023, abundant rainfall has required less irrigation, and the farm’s crop is thriving.

“The quality of the produce — like our cauliflower, cabbage and broccoli — is awesome this year, and we’ve received a lot of positive feedback from the public on watching the season’s progress as they drive by the farm,” Carrier said.

Read about the mission of the OSU Student Farm in the winter 2023 issue of STATE magazine.

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“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering , and the time of my departure Is at hand. I have fought a good fight. I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that Day, and not to me only but to all who have loved His appearing.”. (2 Tim.4:6-8 NKJ)

Here is a man who has lived a life in serving the Lord Jesus and others. He is in a prison cell, expecting his execution at any time. According to history, Paul was beheaded at Rome.

In his last words to a young man and minister, Timothy; Paul was looking ahead to greater and lasting judgement that would come from Christ himself. A

well done to a good and faithful servant. We all can take encouragement from his life of service to the Lord and his vision of something much better that awaited him.

As Jesus neared the end of his life. He prayed:to God “I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which you have given me to do. And now, O Father, glorify me...with the glory which I had with you before the world was.”

(Jn.17:4-5 NKJ)

Brother and Sister in Christ: Let us set our goal for a triumphed ending by finishing the work God has called us to do. If it be large or small to our eyes; no matter! Let’s be faithful to that calling and receive a greatly blessed entery into the eternal presence of God. Remember, this life is not the end. It is only a short beginning that will last for eternity.

Courtesy of OSU News

Planting oninos and potatoes at the student farm at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024.

OSU Rodeo sends three to College National Finals Rodeo

Oklahoma, in April.

Three members of the Oklahoma State University Rodeo Team are set to participate in the College National Finals Rodeo, June 9-15, in Casper, Wyoming.

Joby Bush, Kenna McLemore and Lexie Russell will compete against athletes from 11 regions nationwide.

OSU Rodeo concluded its regular season at Oklahoma Panhandle State University in Guymon,

Joby Bush will represent OSU Rodeo in tiedown roping, ending his senior year as the Central Plains Region reserve champion tie-down roper. Bush said he appreciates the coaching staff and their help in pushing him to succeed in the arena.

“I’m ready to compete,” Bush said. “I’m feeling confident coming off a good spring season and preparing to win a national title in Wyoming. Representing OSU while doing something I love is special to me.”

Kenna McLemore will

compete in breakaway roping, ending her freshman year at OSU as the Central Plains Region reserve champion breakaway roper.

“I’m super excited to be going into the college finals as a freshman,” McLemore said. “I know it’s going to be a great experience, and I’m hoping one of us finishes with a national title.”

She said the OSU Rodeo Team has had a positive impact on her life.

“This program has helped me grow as an athlete and a person, and gave me a strong support

Monday - Wednesday: 10:00am - 10:00pm

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

system,” McLemore said. “I’m looking forward to sharing this experience with my team.”

This year marks the fourth CNFR appearance for Lexie Russell, who will compete in breakaway roping. She is confident in her abilities to compete in Casper and represent OSU Rodeo one final time.

“This year has been all about fun as it is my last one in the black and orange vest,” Russell said. “I’m counting on making four runs in an environment where I have competed before and am

comfortable in.” Russell credits her fourth CNFR qualification to her coaches and teammates and is thankful for a team with a history of excellence.

“I couldn’t have made it without the support from my superstar teammates, like Lariat Larner, Kenna McNeil and Cheyenne Bartling,” Russell said.

Cody Hollingsworth has led the OSU Rodeo Team for 12 years, coaching many athletes to the CNFR.

“Our CNFR qualifiers stepped up this year when

there were opportunities to capitalize on their abilities,” he said. “They all rope aggressively and are consistent, and I think that’s exactly what you need to be in that arena.” The OSU Rodeo Team is part of the university’s Ferguson College of Agriculture. The team has been a member of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association since 1948 and competes in the Central Plains Region. For more information, visit rodeo.okstate.edu.

Joby Bush competes in the tie-down roping event at the Cowboy Stampede Rodeo in Payne County.

Oklahoma State’s season ends with 8-0 loss to Stanford at the Women’s College World Series

Parker Gerl Assistant Sports Editor

OKLAHOMA CITY

— Kenny Gajewski felt his team had a “pretty good offensive performance,” even though it finished with just three hits and no scored runs.

Because No. 8 Stanford, which downed Gajewski’s five-seeded Oklahoma State squad 8-0 in six innings Friday night at the Women’s College World Series, didn’t hand the Cowgirls any easy opportunities.

“The hardest balls we hit were caught,” Gajewski said. “We hit multiple

balls hard… We had multiple opportunities; we just couldn’t make little things happen.”

Now OSU is headed home.

The Cowgirls’ offense was quiet for the second straight day, as Stanford star pitcher and Collegiate Player of the Year NiJaree Canady pitched a complete-game shutout to leave OSU scoreless for the second straight game — a stunner to a team that scored six runs or more four times in regionals and super regionals. “The end, it’s just been so dreaded,” OSU outfielder Jilyen Poullard said. “But at some point it was gonna come. Unfortunately, that was

tonight.”

Going cold offensively came at the wrong time. OSU’s star ace pitcher

Lexi Kilfoyl struggled in what wound up being her final collegiate game, giving up five hits and four earned runs in her 3 2/3 innings of work.

Kilfoyl gave up a solo home run to Ava Gall in the second inning, which was the first of Stanford’s eight runs.

It was also the second day in a row that Kilfoyl gave up a homer that opened things up for her opponent. Then the Cardinal plated two more runs off Kilfoyl in the third.

“When she gave up the home run,” Gajewski

said, “I saw a look on her face... And I think it’s just you start to feel things slip away.”

The Cowgirls tried to respond in the third.

Lexi McDonald hit a leadoff double to put OSU the closest it came to threatening Stanford — and perhaps the closest it came to scoring at the WCWS.

McDonald’s double, the lone OSU extra-base hit in the WCWS, set up pinch runner Macy Graf to advance to third on the next at-bat. Then Tallen Edwards hit a ball down the left field line, which would have presumably scored Graf, cut into OSU’s deficit and put pressure on the Cardinal

and Canady.

Except Edwards’ near-run-scoring hit fell into foul territory by the length of a fingernail.

And that wasn’t the only time Edwards came close to delivering a big-time hit; Stanford just made the plays to prevent them all.

“It’s just a little bit of bad luck,” Gajewski said, “and a little bit of Stanford just doing what they needed to do.

“Tallen Edwards has no hits and had three balls that were hit well. Jilyen (Poullard) had the last one that scorched.”

By falling to Stanford, OSU is now 5-10 in WCWS games since 2019.

And in those 10 losses,

they’ve scored 10 combined runs. Gajewski feels like his Cowgirls can turn that corner, though, as a handful of his key contributors from this season will return next year.

“We got a lot of these young kids that are gonna be right back in here,” Gajewski said. “We have a nucleus of kids. We got a couple of freshmen that are coming in. And we’ve already been busy in the portal.”

Oklahoma State suffered a season-ending loss to Stanford at the Women’s College World Series. The Cowgirls struggled offensively, sending them home Friday.

Oklahoma State men’s golf season recap

Dalton Arredondo Staff Reporter

The Oklahoma State men’s golf team’s season came to an end last weekend after not passing the qualifying round of the NCAA Championship.

The team tied for 23rd with Notre Dame with a score of 43-over. Auburn beat Florida State 3-2 in match play to win the championship, while Georgia Tech’s Hiroshi Tai took home medalist honors.

Although the Cowboys did not win any tournaments, they did have six top-three finishes, including a second-place finish in the Thunderbird Invitational and third in the Big 12 Championship. Head coach Alan Bratton said the team did not live up to expectations, but the team has a bright future to go back to the NCAA Championship.

“We didn’t perform to our standard, but we saw good improvement from a lot of young guys. (It) was nice to see Preston win the conference, and our young guys got better as the year went, so they’ll be good leaders for next year,” Bratton said.

“Having seen and played the championship, to be able to communicate to their teammates (about) what we can expect going forward, since you’re going back to the same spot, that’s one of the real good things about having a permanent home like that for multiple years as you prepare, (so) there are no surprises. You know what to expect, and they can help deliver that message

to the guys that weren’t there, or the incoming freshmen, and that’ll help us be more prepared next year.”

Outside of Stout getting medalist honors at the Big 12 Championship, two other Cowboys were victorious on the season, such as graduate student Rayhan Thomas winning the Grier Jones Shocker Invitational in the fall and senior Jonas Baumgartner winning the Pauma Valley Invitational in the spring. Baumgartner said he will miss playing with his teammates and representing the school as his time at OSU ends.

“The biggest thing is just playing tournaments and then competing with your teammates out here,” Baumgartner said. “I think when I turn professional, it’s more like just playing for myself, obviously, which is fun to compete against the best players. But out here it was just a great environment to practice at Karsten Creek together, compete at home and then obviously play with the guys, then having those tournaments like the National Championship, the Big 12 Championship, those big events representing your school and the other guys was always really fun.”

Along with Baumgartner and Thomas, Bo Jin, Dillion Stewart and Hazen Newman are also leaving the program after playing their final season. The team will be young, as they have five freshmen, two sophomores and a junior returning from this year’s roster.

sports.ed@ocolly.com

Boone Howeth/OSU Athletics

Jonas Baumgartner is one of the five Cowboys whose OSU career is over.

Classifieds

Business Squares

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Cowboy Calendar

Wednesday, June 5

Kids’ Night @ 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.

Location: Louie’s Grill & Bar

https://www.facebook.com/LouiesStillwater

Live Trivia Night @ 7 - 9 p.m.

Location: Iron Monk Brewing Company

https://www.ironmonkbeer.com

Louie’s Bingo Night @ 8 p.m.

Location: Louie’s Grill & Bar

https://www.facebook.com/LouiesStillwater

Wednesday Bingo Night @ 9:30 a.m.

Location: The Union Beverage Co.

https://linktr.ee/theunionstilly

Singo Wednesdays @ 7 - 9:30 p.m.

Location: Em Curators of Craft

https://curatorsofcraft.co/pages/weekly-events

Open Mic Night 2024 Competition @ 7 - 9 p.m.

Location: Bad Brad’s Bar-B-Q

https://badbrads.com

Stillwater Summer Farmers Market @ 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

https://www.stillwaterfarmersmarket.com/

Team Trivia Live @ 10 p.m. - 12 a.m.

Location: College Bar

An Artful Decade: Celebrating 10 Years @ 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Location: OSU Museum of Art

https://museum.okstate.edu/art/an-artfull-decade. html

Beginning Acrylic Painting w/ Mark Crow: 4 Week Course @ 6 p.m.

Location: Prairie Arts Center

Admission: $70

https://artscenter.okstate.edu/adult-classes/drawing-and-painting/1326-beginning-acrylic-paintingwith-mark-crow-wednesdays1

Plants & Bugs Camp @ 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Location: OSU Insect Adventure

Admission: $200 / child

https://agriculture.okstate.edu/departments-programs/hla/research-extension/youth/youth-camps.

html

Teen Musical Jeopardy @ 2 - 4 p.m.

Location: Stillwater Public Library

https://stillwaterok.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=2080& month=6&year=2024&day=5&calType=0

Disney’s Beauty & The Beast @ 7:30 p.m.

Location: Town & Gown Theatre

Admission: Musicals Adults: $16 Students or Mili-

tary: $14 Seniors (Sun. only): $14 Plays Adults: $14

Students or Military: $12 Seniors (Sun. only): $12

https://www.townandgown. org/?fbclid=IwAR2bP2ZHCTi1R_BZJ08wi2jvd2JM-

Daily Horoscope

Nancy Black

Tribune Content Agency

Linda Black Horoscopes

By Joe Deeney

Today’s Birthday (06/05/24). Personal passion projects flower naturally this year. Build professional status with persistence, preparation and excellence. Summer social challenges set the stage for professional triumph this autumn. Redirect a passion project this winter, before savoring autumn sweetness at home with family. Share your infectious inspiration.

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 a 9 — Communication is your special magic today. Open new doors. Invent possibilities in conversation. Create a masterpiece. Make valuable connections. Issue public statements and share widely.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is a 9 — Lucrative opportunities abound. Discover extra perks and benefits. Monitor cash flow to manage for growth. Grab a lucky break. Make hay while the sun shines.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is a 9 — You’re a star. Take advantage of a favorable situation to grow and advance. Personal passion projects come together naturally. Smile for the cameras.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is a 6 — Find a quiet spot to organize your thoughts. Note dreams, possibilities and wild ideas. Listen to intuition. You’re especially creative and inventive. Make exciting plans.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is an 8 — Friends make the world go around. Reconnect with someone special. Team participation leads to extraordinary results. Pull together and win a resounding victory.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is a 9 — Take advantage of a lucky break. Career opportunities abound. Advance your professional goals in leaps and bounds. Support the others below as you rise.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is an 8 — Embark on an adventure. Exciting avenues beckon. Investigate clues to unravel a mystery. Explore possible solutions to a challenging puzzle. Fascinating discoveries abound.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is a 9 — Engage in lucrative ventures with your partner. Take advantage of lucky conditions to rake in a bundle. Simplify to conserve resources. Collaboration pays.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is an 8 — Romance is in the air. Have fun with your partner. Enjoy common interests and diversions. Deepen your connection. Fall in love all over again.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is an 8 — You’re strong and growing stronger. Practice physical routines for endurance and ease. Your work is gaining respect. Nurture your health with loving care.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is a 9 — Dive into fun with someone special. You’re especially creative, interesting and attractive. Play your favorite games. Share a romantic getaway in your own backyard.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is an 8 — Home beautification

for a slugger

“Keep in touch!”

“Speaking of which,” briefly

Chases a toddler, say

“Catch my drift?”

Onetime breakfast option marketed by a 1980s TV icon

“There it is!”

“__ side are you on?”

Farm layers

Neptune’s domain

Tree with serrated leaves

Dominic of “The Crown”

“__ directed”

Cul-de-__

Amusingly unconventional

“Behold!” of old

__ out a living

App annoyances

Pallid

“Casablanca” actor Peter 51 Spot for a muchneeded drink, perhaps

Photoreceptor cell

Solution to Tuesday’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