Mallory
See Positions on 6 Devon Energy announces Sports Lab initiative with OSU and OU Devon Energy announced a new partnership with the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University Thursday morning in an effort to influence the youth in Okla homa through STEM education. The initiative, Sports Labs, will be an incorporation of sports and science into a learning program that will excite young kids about STEM and sports. A press conference was held Thursday morning at the Devon Tower in downtown Oklahoma City and over 200 employees, kids, fans and stu dents were in attendance. The event was surrounded by OSU and OU softball and football players participating in a Sports lab with the kids, performances by the Cowboy Marching band, the Pride of Oklahoma, the pom and cheer squads from both universities and a tailgate celebration afterward. Pistol Pete and Boomer and Sooner also made an appearance along with the Sooner Schooner and Bullet.President of Oklahoma State University, Kayse Shrum, spoke with The O’Colly at the event. As a former junior col lege athlete with a background and career in medicine, Shrum talked about the importance of both science and sports.
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Friday, August 12, 2022
During spring practice, no other position attracted more attention than the offensive line. And not for great reasons. The offensive front was uncomfortably thin with the departure of six players, includ ing a pair of seasoned veteran starters in left guard Josh Sills and center Danny Godlevske because of exhausted eligibil ity, along with the transfers of promising prospects Hunter Anthony and Tyrese Williams. Then, right guard Hunter Woodard underwent surgery in January to repair a torn la brum, which limited him in the spring, while Preston Wilson, who started OSU’s final seven games at left tackle, recovered from a shoulder injury. Be tween injuries and exits, the O-line depth fell into the single digits in SomeApril.mending has oc curred. Freshmen are on cam pus and transfers have arrived since then. The roster now lists 21 offensive“We’velinemen.gotafull room right now, everybody’s healthy,” Wilson said. “It’s great to have a lot of depth that we’ve had.” Depth was a common problem in 2021 as well, and the Cowboys often had to mix and match the line from game to game. But stabilization took place in the summer, and now it’s full steam ahead. OSU coach Mike Gundy said the offensive line is not high on his list of concerns and that he’s comfortable with the group. “I’ve said this for years,” Gundy prefaced at OSU’s me dia day, “We need three guards, three tackles and two centers to make it through a season and hope that we don’t have to go any further than that.” That’s why Gundy feels at ease. That depth and experience is there.Wilson expects to take over at center, a position he has not played much of but was called on by offensive line coach Charlie Dickey to take over early in the spring. Better yet, there will be experience behind Wilson in Joe Michal ski, who appeared in all 14 games last season and started the final four at center. The left tackle spot was manned by Cole Birmingham in 2021, but a knee injury in the spring puts his availability in question. Caleb Etienne, a red shirt junior, didn’t play much a year ago in his first year in the program, but has physically developed, dropping as much as 40 to 50 pounds, per Gundy. Now, he will need to help fill the gap. At the opposite guard spot, Jake Springfield has 16 careerThestarts.most experienced man in the trenches is Hunter Woodard, a redshirt senior who has 22 starts (second-most on the offense behind QB Spencer Sanders) and is frontrunner for the job at right guard. Taylor Miterko, a redshirt junior, will battle for snaps in the rotation with highly touted JUCO trans fer Tyrone Webber, as well. “We don’t have to go any further than that when you deal with maturity and experience and toughness, and I think we have that right now,” Gundy said. Cowboy offensive line projected starters: Left tackle: Caleb Eti enne, redshirt junior, 6-foot-7, 325 pounds Left guard: Taylor Mi terko, redshirt junior, 6-foot-6, 295 pounds Center: Preston Wilson, redshirt junior, 6-foot-5, 295 pounds Right guard: Hunter Woodard, redshirt senior, 6-foot-5, 300 pounds Right tackle: Jake Springfield, redshirt junior, 6-foot-5, 310 pounds Key Reserves: Joe Michalksi, Casey Collier, Tyrone Webber, Jason Brooks, Eli Russ Braden Bush Staff Reporter
Mallory Pool Devon Energy announced a new partnership with the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University in an effort to influ ence the youth in Oklahoma through STEM education.See Sports Labs on 8 Pool Staff Reporter
Encouraging depth at O-line, youth at running back and cowboy back
The depth of OSU offensive line will be a key storyline entering the 2022 season.
Courtesy of Tribune News Service
Ryan Gosling (center left) and Chris Evans (center right), considered some of the best-dressed men in Hollywood, aren’t afraid to mix sophisticated classics with more vibrant pieces.
As summer is winding down, fall is right around the corner.With the new season comes new designs and trends to wear for the fall time, many of which we are already start ing to see. Here is a list of the top five best places to secure a few new pieces for that fall and winter wardrobe. No. 5: Todd Snyder Coming in at No. 5, Todd Snyder’s pieces provide a clas sic, timeless look that doesn’t go out of style. Based in New York, this menswear company is fairly new, and has had quite a bit of growth in the past cou ple of years. With everything from cashmere sweaters to knit polos, this brand is starting to introduce some fall items. Though a tad on the pricey side, a piece from here is sure to last you many years. No. 4: Buck Mason Known for their basic essentials, Buck Mason is the perfect spot to hit to build that capsule wardrobe. With items like basic tees to the thermal henley, this style is for the more understated individual. Founded in 2013 by Sasha Koehn and Erik Allen, the brand aims at making pieces that last. Though the brand is largely e-commerce based, there are retail stores in Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco. No. 3: Zara Men Zara Men encompases pieces for every type of mens wear aesthetic. Even though the most affordable on this list, Zara still offers some timeless pieces with decent quality. While Zara’s consistency with quality has been a bit debatable recently, they still offer some great pieces at an even better price. No. 2: Everlane If you’re looking for a more casual, but still elevated style, Everlane is the place to go. They offer everything from basic v-neck tees to slim-fit oxfords, all at a decent price. Focused around sustainability, Everlane’s mission is to make exceptional quality pieces with ethically sourced materials and factories. Everlane is also focused on making their pieces last for decades to come, so you’re sure to be making an investment in your everyday wardrobe. No. 1: J.Crew Mens Coming in at number one on this list, J.Crew is arguably one of the most recognizable menswear brands on this list. Focused on preppy-casual ev eryday pieces, J.Crew provides great basics and some fun new designs for a pop of color. Originally focusing on cash mere and outerwear, J.Crew has since developed into a powerhouse of menswear. As well as encompassing time less styles into your wardrobe, J.Crew also strives to make sure all of their clothes help give back to the environment by being made from ecofriendly fabrics. The brand also focuses on inclusion, and develops clothes to fit anyone’s personal style. If you’re needing some great quality pieces for the upcoming season, this list will give you everything from time less basics to more unique, but still sophisticated, styles.
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menswear brands for fall
“Right now we’re able to roll two (offensive line) groups in practice, and the third group is getting quality reps,” Gundy said. “I think there’s seven guys who are experienced and can play at a really high level. We’re trying to keep everybody healthy, because they need to be.”As for the receiver depth which became a cause for concern early last season, it’s now one of the team’s larg est strengths. Quarterback Spencer Sanders will have no issues finding receivers to catch his passes, with six underclassmen all competing for start ing jobs.At running back, junior Domi nic Richardson is the likely week one starter for the Cowboys, but his young er backups may have to be ready for a number of carries each game to relieve his workload, or to be ready if an injury occurs.“We’re looking for nothing more than they are just able to function,” Gundy said. “When (Richardson) is out catching his breath, we need guys we can go to who have a chance for suc cess.”Just two weeks into training camp, and one week into full pads, no Cowboy starters have gone down with serious or trivial injuries, a sigh of relief for Gundy and his staff compared to a year“Offensively,ago. we’re further ahead from a health standpoint than when we were last season,” Gundy said. Oklahoma State 2022 Preseason All-Big 12 selections: Spencer Sanders (Quarterback) Collin Oliver (Defensive lineman) Jason Taylor II Cordova Trevino to season imperative for Cowboys
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Before OSU entered conferenceplay last season, the Cowboys lost many pass catchers to injuries, such as Tay Martin, Braydon Johnson and Jaden Bray, forcing young, inexperi enced players, such as Cabbiness, to take the field in their place. “(Last season) We were beat up, we couldn’t practice and we were playing freshman who shouldn’t have been on the field, but they had to be out there,” Gundy said. “Once we got healthy and we had some continuity, I felt like we were pretty good.” Even on the offensive line, players went down and missed time, requiring some to play different positions across the line, something tackle Cole Bir mingham expressed displeasure with in the spring.Inorder to avoid another early injury fiasco in 2022, Gundy and his staff are ramping up the intensity dur ing training camp, to get his players game-ready.
(Safety)Davis
Over the next few weeks, The O’Colly will be releasing its Big 12 preseason rankings in the form of team previews. Our writers picked Oklahoma State to finish third in the Big 12. 2021 OSU record: 12-2 overall (8-1 in Big 12) Cale Cabbiness’ crucial catch that concluded the contest between OSU and Boise State during week three be came a cherished moment for the team and walk-on receiver, but OSU coach Mike Gundy and the Cowboys don’t want to repeat the cause for his appear ance again in 2022.
OSU’s ability to limit injuries will be key in a season without several key returners. Gabriel
in 2022
All
Peyton Little Staff CampusReporter is blooming once again...
Students have started to arrive on campus, The Cowboy Marching Band has been hard at work prepping for football season. photos by Abby Cage
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Formed in 1967, President’s Lead ership Council, PLC, is an organization within the Hargis Leadership Institute that selects around 130 incoming fresh men and gives them the opportunity to learn about how they can tell their story, how they can lead as an individ ual as well as in a group, form quality relationships and how they can apply their skills at college and in the world. PLC also requires their students to participate in community service as a way to help give back to the commu nity in Stillwater. PLC has aspects that make it unique outside of just being a leadership organization for incoming freshmen as told by PLC Undergradu ate Coordinator Lanie Varner. “PLC is so much more than just a scholarship program for first year students,” Varner said. “PLC is a lead ership program that helps you navigate your first year with the help of a small group family and two mentors known as facilitators. PLC also teaches three parts of leadership: Identity, relation ships, and skills.” Last weekend, the new students of PLC were welcomed into the organiza tion through a summer retreat held in Stillwater. Students got the opportunity to view parts of campus as well as stay in dorms to learn a bit more about what life at Oklahoma State will be like once schoolAndrewstarts. McGee, former Cowboy football player and manager of PLC, emphasized the importance of hold ing a retreat before the students get on campus.“It is three days of fun and learn ing about leadership,” McGee said. “This retreat exists to introduce our students to what life is like on campus and to have the opportunity to start making plans and create a vision for their first year on campus at Oklahoma State University.”Ontheagenda were events for students to take part in from Friday to Sunday. There was an excursion at the OSU Outdoor Adventure Challenge Course, a slip and slide kickball tour nament along with kayaks and swim ming at Lake McMurtry and a plethora of fun social events and leadership workshops.Inone of the workshops con ducted over the weekend, students got to learn more about their “true colors” with the true colors personality test. This test is essentially a breakdown of the different traits and personality dif ferences of others. It is a great way to see how others choose to lead in certain spaces, as well as taking an introspec tive look. This was a favorite for PLC member Daniel Castillo Jr., a freshman majoring in musical theater. “Learning about the colors and connecting them to people really did make a difference in my understanding of the other PLC members around me,” Castillo Jr. said. “It helped me commu nicate better with some of them as well, despite the fact that the concept of the true colors was new to me overall.” For many of the students, getting to meet their families for the year was the highlight of the weekend. This fam ily group will be together for the entire school year, a unique dynamic that the President’s Leadership Council brings to the table. Freshmen Hattie Howell, Payton Irick, Thess Holloway and Audrey Arant all agreed that meeting their new family group was a highlight of the“Myweekend.favorite part of the retreat was family time,” Howell said. “I was able to get so close with my family over the weekend through deep con versations and some intense games of spoons.”“The PLC retreat was an amazing opportunity to get to know the people that I’d be around for the rest of the year and get to know them in a relaxed and fun setting,” Irick said. “We know each other well and aren’t awkward anymore.”“My favorite part of the retreat was getting to meet my family group,” Holloway said. “I can already tell that we’re going to have lots of fun togeth er.” “The PLC retreat was way more than a quick little get together or meet ing before the year begins,” Arant said. “I gained new friends and a whole family.”Others, such as freshmen Bryce Kincannon and Emily Griffith, men tioned how they are excited to see how they can grow their leadership through the curriculum taught, as well as have meaningful conversations. “I am looking forward to being able to have deep conversations with people,” Kincannon said. “It is always very interesting to talk to people and get to hear their stories. You get to real ize how different people really are.” “The retreat made me super excited to not only come to OSU, but to be a part of PLC,” Griffith said. “I am looking forward to learning different types of leadership and just getting the most out of every class.” If one thing is for certain, all of these students are ready to be a part of the President’s Leadership Council and the many opportunities that it brings. “I’m so excited to be in an orga nization like PLC,” freshman Sydney Martens said. “I love the emphasis they put on inclusion and making others feel seen as well as focusing on your own journey. It’s very cool to see the impact that past PLC members have had and continue to have on campus, and I’m so thankful that I have facilitators to help answer my questions and mentor me through my freshman year at OSU.”
Courtesy of President’s Leadership Council PLC is an organization within the Hargis Leadership Institute that selects around 130 incoming freshmen and gives them the opportunity to form quality relationships that they can use during their college experience.
President’s Leadership Council welcomes a new class of students with summer retreat
is looking for a passionate digital web editor to help us create and distribute engaging web content. As a digital editor, you will be responsible for taking content from concept to publication by utilizing the O’Colly news, sports, and event assets. Ultimately, you should be able to maintain quality and consistency across all media types and web platforms and work with our syndication partners to ensure deadlines are met. Requirements and skills: Proven work experience as a digital web editor, Digital web editing skills with an exceptional portfolio of published work, Attention to detail, Exceptional communication skills, One-onone collaboration with staff to ensure deadlines are met. To apply send resume to lori@ocolly.com or come to Room 106 Paul Miller Journalism Building Houses for rent Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Edited by Patti Varol and Joyce Lewis FOR RELEASE AUGUST 12, 2022 ACROSS 1 “__ your age!” 4 Hound 7 Mischievoussprite 10 For instance 13 Bach work 15 “Fore!” site 16 __-K 17 Recordcollection? 18 “And there’s more” abbr. 19 Extra periodsNBA 20 Simple style 21 Meringue-basedconfection 23 Perched on 25 Defensive retort 26 MVP of the first Super Bowl 30 Copies, for short 33 Flying start? 34 Sudden attack 35 Bentley “Yellowstone”of 38 Inventor who coined the “horsepower”term 39 Exxon partnermerger 40 Musical symbol 41 Nordic runner 42 Breezes (through) 43 Let up 44 Bo’s’n’s quarters 46 Storage place 47 With forcookbookwhoundefeated60-Across,boxerwrotethe“FoodLife” 49 Prefix between kilo- and giga52 Passage 55 Do better than 60 See 47-Across 61 Mauna __ 62 Brandy-basedcocktail,andahinttolocatingthesecondpartoffourthree-partpuzzleanswers 63 Mauna __ 64 Break off 65 Snob 66 Couturemonogram 67 Leaves in hot water? 68 “The Matrix” hero 69 Justice Dept. arm DOWN 1 “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap” band 2 Really overcook 3 Lug 4 Org. with a long track record? 5 Languagespokenalong the Bering Sea 6 Eat at 7 Agenda listing 8 Like five bones in the hand 9 Nocturnal piglike mammal 10 Athletic apparel 11 “Star Wars” droid nickname 12 Basic question type 14 Stick on a crudités platter 22 Latin 101 word 24 Snag 26 Proverbs 27 Tropicalhardwood 28 Synthetic 2931 Dwarf planet once known as Xena 3234 Tin __ 36 Canadian gas brand 37 Dandelion part 39 Italian cheesecream 40 Where stars may align 42 Miss in the game of Clue 45 Flamenco cheer 46 Brief exercise? 47 Hardly seaworthy 48 Turnpike toll factor 50 German industrial city 51 Trickery 5354 “All done!” 5657 Low-pHsubstance 58 RSVPconvenience 59 Mex. miss ©2022 Tribune Content Agency, LLC By Roger & Kathy Wienberg 8/12/22 Thursday’s Puzzle Solved8/12/22 Solution to Thursday’s puzzle Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold oncontainsborders)everydigit,1to9.ForstrategieshowtosolveSudoku,visit sudoku.org.uk © 2022 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved. Level 1 2 3 4 8/12/22
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File photo Braden Cassity (No. 90) will lead the Cowboy back position group this season. Abby Cage Dominic Richardson (No. 20) is the most experienced running back on the OSU roster and will lead the young unit.
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Running Backs Just like the offensive line, Gundy has a quota he wants fill with his running back group. It’s a position that gets hit every play and the snaps are high mileage, so the coach said there will be three backs that see regular playing time. Last year, the trio seemed clear. Seniors Jaylen Warren and LD Brown and redshirt junior Dezmon Jackson headed the position. Now, all of those veterans are gone, leaving behind a young group in the backfield.“We’ve got guys that we like, but there’s really not a lot of experience,” Gundy said. “Dom (Richardson) hasn’t had that much experience either, in crucial situations. Some, but not a lot.”Richardson, a 6-foot, 210-pound junior who ended up being second string by the end of last season, ran for 373 yards on 79 attempts, the most of any returning running back. But that carries little weight. No other back on the roster recorded more than 14 rushes last season.Nonetheless, Richardson will be the featured back when the Cowboys trot onto the field Sept. 1.“He’s the one that’s proven, he’s the one that’s been through the games and the battles before for us,” offensive coordinator Kasey Dunn said in fall camp. “He understands the system better than the other guys.”The battle for reps behind Richardson is wide open. Red shirt freshman Jaden Nixon’s 14 carries for 122 yards is next-best in the room, and he showcased his potential against TCU with a 63-yard touchdown run. Dunn noted that Nixon would “have the next leg up” on the other Freshmanyoungsters.OllieGor don has the track record and stature (6-foot-1, 211 pounds) to suggest he will be a factor in the running back rotation, and Texas A&M transfer Deondre Jackson is another option, though he has little experience from his two years in College Station. Other options: Zach Middleton, CJ Brown and Andre Washington Cowboy back This position, a combina tion of a fullback and tight end, doesn’t get much recognition compared to receivers, run ning backs and quarterbacks. But its importance throughout the offense – from receiving to blocking – is huge. And it’s another spot lacking significant experience. Redshirt senior Braden Cassity is the unit’s veteran after the graduation of sixthyear senior Logan Carter. Cas sity is the only current cowboy back who recorded a catch last season.He played in 11 games last year and started in seven of those.But there’s been a major addition to the group, as inside wide receiver Blaine Green has made the full-time switch to cowboy back. Green was the Cowboys’ third-leading receiv er last season (314 yards) and was used in a pseudo-tight-end role at times, showing that he could potentially make the move.The lack of experience at the position and need for more of a receiving threat made the 6-foot-1-inch, 220-pound Green a natural fit, and his physicality allows him to be an effective rush blocker, too. “For him to kick inside like that and be able to block somebody, but then run a route like a wide-out, he’s a huge weapon for us,” Dunn said. True freshman Tabry Shettron has the look of a tight end at 6-foot-4, 230 pounds, and was a receiving threat and blocker, earning the title of Oklahoma high schools’ COAC Tight End of the Year in 2021. Other options: Jake Schultz, Luke McEndoo, Quinton sports.ed@ocolly.comStewart
Positions... Continued from 1 sports
O’Colly Friday, August 12, 2022 Page 7 sports
Derek Mason may not be the 2002 general manager of the Oakland A’s — but he is going to try the same concepts used to win games. The 2003 novel by Michael Lewis and 2011 film starring Brad Pitt with the same title, “Moneyball,” follows the story of how Billy Bean, GM of the 2002 Oakland Athletics, who after losing three star players in the offsea son, tries to not replace the players, but replace their production while tightrop ing a small Mason,budget.inhis first year as Okla homa State’s defensive coordinator, is facing a similar issue, replacing seven starters on defense without many four and five-star talents. The principal idea of “Money ball” is replacing player’s production with a collective group of players. The 2002 Athletics did this by signing un dervalued players Jeremy Giambi and Scott Hatteberg, who together, could replace a star player. For Mason and OSU, he plans on using his deep, young roster to replace the production of the lost stars, such as Malcolm Rodriguez, Devin Harper and Christian Holmes, with youth, such as linebackers Mason Cobb and Xavier Benson, and defensive backs Korie Black, Thomas Harper and Kendal Daniels, who all received little playing time last“It’sseason.hardto replace some of the production from a year ago, but it’s sort of like ‘Moneyball’,” Mason said. “It’s not replacing (Malcolm) Rodriguez or (Devin Harper), it’s the idea of replac ing the production, and you do it with numbers.”Ashort plotline in the movie in volves the relationship between Beane and veteran player David Justice. With a young, underconfident team, Beane tasks Justice to lead the younger players inside the clubhouse, and also takes it
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The final comparison Mason made between his defense and Beane’s “Moneyball” A’s is the aspiration of versatility in the lineup. In “Money ball,” Beane signs former catcher Hat teberg to play first base for his team, something he had never done until that point.In OSU’s defense, Mason wants his personnel to be flexible, moving players around to positions they might not have before in college, such as mov ing some edge rushers to the interior of the line, and defensive backs to play on the boundary, over top, or inside. “I want to see versatility from all of these guys,” Mason said. “(Korie) Black or Jabbar Muhammad might have to play nickel. These guys are good enough to play outside, but sometimes the best receivers are in the slot. “ In 2002, the “Moneyball” formula lead to the Athletics winning a league best 103 games, including a 20 game win streak, an at the time MLB record — a similar goal Mason thinks his defense can reach. “This group is a bunch of alpha males, all they want to be is great,” Mason said. File Photo With several players lost to the NFL, OSU defensive coordinator Derek Mason looks for group production rather than one individual. Gabriel Trevino Sports
‘Moneyball’ defense to be collectively productive, versatile
upon himself to build personal relation ships with every player throughout the story. Mason, like Beane, realizes the impact a healthy relationship has on his players, and has made it a priority that he, and other coaches on OSU’s staff, develop bonds with each and every player.“Our guys truly have to believe they are valued and are valuable,” Ma son said. “We’re constantly telling them how much we love them. They need to know there is a human element to what we do. It’s about having the personal side, but also the challenging side.”
“It’s two things that I love,” Shrum said Thursday afternoon. “I love science, and sports is something that I’ve enjoyed my entire life. For OSU to be a part of that in a meaning ful way and to make a difference in our state, that makes me very happy. I’m really proud we are a part of this and that we get to have an impact in that way and that our student athletes will have an opportunity to have an impact in thatTheway.”athletes in attendance were able to do a Sports Lab and drills with the kids from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. before the official press conference. “It was a blast,” Deion Imade, a former Oklahoma State football player, said. “I’m a big math and science guy, so seeing how they are teaching the kids how to incorporate education and athletics both together was a bril liant idea. I’m glad they are doing this because this is something I wish I had when I was growing up.” Rick Muncrief, president and CEO of Devon Energy and an OSU alumnus, said he is thankful about this partnership.“I’mthankful that Devon Energy gets to be a part of this initiative,” Muncrief said. “It’s so important for our young people and it’s rewarding to get to see these two universities come together to accomplish something impactful.”TheSports Labs are set to begin starting in the fall with football and expanded to other sports throughout the year. Both athletic directors for the universities spoke during the press conference.“There’s something about sports that brings us together anytime of the year,” Joseph Castiglione, director of athletics for the University of Okla homa, said. “Sports Labs will provide a road map for many children of all ages to experience something and find a way to do it better…We want to con nect. We want to entertain. We want to innovate, and we want to make sure that we help teach the people of tomor row.” “We at OSU are so excited to help teach these concepts at a young age using sports and to be a part of the Devon Energy Sports Labs,” Chad Weiberg, Oklahoma State University’s athletic director, said during the event. “Thank you, Mr. Muncrief. Thank you, Devon. We look forward to seeing you all at a Cowboy game this fall.” via okstate.edu Devon Energy announced a new partnership with the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State Uni versity in an effort to influence the youth in Oklahoma through STEM education.
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