The O'Colly, Friday, October 13, 2023.

Friday, October 13, 2023

The man behind the mic

Voice of the Cowboy Marching Band pumps up crowd Carter White O’Colly Contributor

Ben Holieway

Beyond the Battle

Finding purpose past diagnosis Kennedy Thomason News & Lifestyle Editor

Brooke Taylor, discovered she had breast cancer six hours before giving birth to her daughter.

After completing “traditional” cancer treatments in 2019, such as IV Each October, little pink ribbons appear chemotherapy, surgeries for surprise staph infecacross campus. tions and a double masThey serve as a reminder that it is Breast tectomy with a partial reCancer Awareness month. construction, Taylor found out that chemotherapy had For some people, this been successful. month brings a flood Then her cancer of memories from their returned in March 2022, experiences with breast this time as stage 4 cancer. metastatic triple negative Building a lasting breast cancer. legacy After going through OSU alumnae, round two with breast

cancer, Taylor said her scans currently do not show any cancer. However, Taylor said stage four cancer is “incurable,” so she will never be “cancer free.”

“Living with an allegedly incurable diagnosis feels a lot like walking the plank,” Taylor said.

“At any second you could jump off the plank, but today I’m safe, today I’m fine.”

In March 2022, Taylor launched her brand, Rural Gone Urban, just two weeks after her diagnosis.

recurrence of a tumor in my left arm that I had once before in high school,” Lester said.

Lester was diagnosed with desmoid tumor, a sporadic form of cancer that is a locally invasive non metaFor 23 years, Chuck Lester’s static sarcoma. Lester went through 26 voice has padded Boone Pickens Starounds of radiation treatment followed dium. by a six-week rest period and then a As the Cowboy Marching Band 14-hour surgery to remove the tumor enters Boone Pickens Stadium on game and reconstruct his left upper arm. day, fans hear the famous line echo “It was a life changing experithrough the stadium. ence,” Lester said.

“The brightest band in all Lester was focused on getting the the land! The Spirit of Oklahoma treatment he needed, but while he did State University! Your O-S-U Cowthat, his academics suffered. He spent boooooooooyyyyy Marching Band!” seven years as a member of CMB and During CMB performances, Les- changed his majors several times until ter readies the crowd for the band and he chose psychology. the game with enthusiasm. He works as “My experience with cancer a grant manager for OSU and on game played a huge role, it took me a while days he takes time to celebrate his to find myself,” Lester said. alma mater.

But that did not stop Lester from Growing up in Oklahoma, Lespursuing what he loved: the band. After’s family had an influence on his ter years playing the saxophone, Bryant connection with OSU. Warren, Lester’s friend and teammate, Lester’s dad, Charlie Lester, was suggested Lester should play a different the first Pistol Pete mascot in 1958-59 instrument.

Lester said his dad always wore “My ride or die still to this day his Pistol Pete ring, which is now Les- was the tuba section leader, Bryant was ter’s. But Charlie Lester never bragged like, ‘You’re playing tuba now,’ and I about his role. was like, ‘Uh, ok, I don’t know how to “In the same way that he was play that instrument,’ and he said ‘It’s humble about it, I do my best to be fine. We need one body.’ So for my last humble about it, because I didn’t have four years in the Cowboy Marching anything to do with it,” Lester said.

Band that’s what I did,” Lester said.

“There’s a definite source of pride to it During his years in the band, and just a connection to the university. Lester would do impersonations of the I don’t have to necessarily go around band announcers at band banquets. and tell everybody. I see Pete, and I Lester became known for his joke know. That was my dad.” announcements and in 1999, he got a Lester got involved with band in message that would impact his career. high school, and he pursued his pasWhen former CMB announcer, sion through college; He always knew Scott Hubbard, decided to step down he would choose OSU. But his path from the position, leaving the position was not conventional. open for Lester, who was not expecting “My first year in school, I had a the opportunity.

See Voice on 4A

See Awareness on 6A

Annalise Moyes Protesters greeted Alex Epstein on Monday outside of the Student Union Theatre, where Epstein discussed climate change.

Climate change talk sparks controversy Ashton Miller Staff Reporter

the negative impacts they have on the environment.

Alex Epstein, writer and fossil fuel expansion advocate, gave a talk on Monday advocating for With talks of clithe expansion of fosmate change becoming sil fuel usage. This has increasingly present in recent years, tensions can proved to be a controverbe high when it comes to sial topic given Epstein’s background. the future of our planet.

With a major in phiFossil fuels have losophy, Epstein doesn’t been named the main contributor to climate change. have the typical background someone might However, some believe that the benefits outweigh have if they were going

What’s Inside

into a field regarding fossil fuels and their impact on both people’s lives and the climate.

“I wanted to be a practical philosopher outside academia,” Epstein said. “I got a philosophy degree because that was the easiest degree to get so I could train to become a writer.”

After writing about various topics over the years, Epstein landed in the energy industry.

OSU alumna returns to direct ‘Ride the Cyclone’ - A theatrical roller coaster of emotions

See Climate on 4A

3A

Courtesy of Chuck Lester Chuck Lester has been the voice of the Cowboy Marching Band for 23 years and does not plan to step down any time soon.

The ballad of Pistol Pete’s spurs

5A

Decoding the buzz: Navigating caffeine consuption in college

7A

Page 2A Friday, October 13, 2023

O’Colly

page 2 Editorial Note: The previous version of ‘Nothing is going to stop us’: OSU student shares experience as a drag queen’ contained an error. The student organization, Theatre Council, produced the event.

The previous version of the story was incorrect. The O’Colly regrets the error.

Ben Holieway

Q: Where do you get your outfits?

A: “I shop kind of a variety of places here in Stillwater. So just any of those little boutiques I’m always kind of looking. And just over the years I’ve kind of developed a little, I guess philosophy on shopping that makes it easier to put together outfits.”

Q: What has changed from when you started as the dean for OSU-CHS to now?’

A: “I am more confident now in my leadership skills. I was 30 at the time, and it took me a while to realize a leader is the person who is on the seat and that is uniquely you at the moment. The best thing you can do is just be yourself and embrace those things that make you who you are.”

G ot th at b eauty potio n for yo u, Bro

O’COMIC

HUH? Nothing HAP PENED T HAT’S ALREADY YOU B RO

Q: What do you want your legacy to be?

REAL. Kendall McGhee

A: “I don’t know if there is just one particular thing I want to be my legacy. But I hope that when I do leave, I’ve made Oklahoma State a better place and been able to to invest in students and faculty and help them grow as people. As long as I feel like I’m making a difference, that’s fullfiling to me. I hope I can say I left a positive impact.”

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

Luisa Clausen

The O’Colly Staff News & Lifestyle reporters:

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

Addie Wagner Ashton Miller Cloe Campfield Hayden Alexander Isaac Terry Jaycee Hampton Jessica Pearce Lauren King Michael Clark

Newsroom

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

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

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

O’Colly

Friday, October 13, 2023 Page 3A

News OSU alumna returns to direct ‘Ride the Cyclone’: A theatrical roller coaster of emotions Hayden Alexander Staff Reporter

In a return to her alma mater, Oklahoma State University, Broadway alumna Liz Bealko takes the directorial reins in the exhilarating production of “Ride the Cyclone.”

The Oklahoma State Theatre Department’s production promises to be a roller coaster of emotions and zany antics and Bealko’s return makes the show highly anticipated.

Bealko’s experience in the field of arts is widespread.

After graduating from OSU in 2013, Bealko found herself in New York, working as a professional performer.

During her time in New York, students from Belalko’s hometown of Henrietta, Oklahoma, gave her a proposition to help them build a theatre program.

“For 30 days, I would fly down from New York and do an entire show with them,” Bealko said. “After that, I started directing and choreographing professionally in New York City.”

Making it big in the Big Apple didn’t stop Bealko from returning to her roots. When the offer to direct a show at her alma mater came up, she took it.

“I love giving back to the places that have helped me become who I am,” Bealko said.

“I wanted to extend my creativity to collegiate, so this was an awesome opportunity.”

From her first musical to her final performance, Bealko bleeds orange.

“I came to see a musical before I came here, and it was my deciding factor,” Belako said. “I wanted to be a part of something like this because it was magical and beautiful.”

For Bealko, being back at OSU makes her feel like she never left. She walks the pathways and remembers herself at 20. She goes to the games and can still picture sitting by the band with her friends so they can hear the music. She steps

on stage, and her castmates from the “Drowsy Chaperone” appear around her. It feels like home.

“Being on campus, that beautiful familiarity and this type of comraderie and home that you feel at Oklahoma State, that you’re part of something, that has been comforting because it feels normal.”

Bealko may be reliving her time, but the young collegiate performers looking to her for direction are in the middle of their college experience.

“My time has passed, and a new time is happening, Bealko said. “The students have been super trustworthy, trusting me with all this, directing and choreographing all their dances.”

Not only do her students trust her, but they’re falling head over heels for who she is and the new style she brings to the stage.

Sophomore cast member Brigham Miller appreciates Bealko’s hands-on directing and willingness to listen to her cast.

“I love how collaborative it is,” Miller said. “Yes, she does have these visions, but she hears ideas from us and is inspired to do things.”

“Ride the Cyclone” features a group of teens who die in a roller coaster accident. In a twist of fate, the teens are stuck in the afterlife, and they get to decide which of them gets to return to the world of the living.

Miller plays the angry and misunderstood Mischa Bachinski and one of his co-stars, sophmore Kyndall Reed, plays Ocean Rosenberg, the perfectionist high school cheerleader and resident mean girl. The two love how Bealko takes the time to meet with each cast member to explore new angles and different takes on their stereotypes that align with the cast member’s vision.

“She’s very supportive of all our creative ideas, and she loves to talk to us and make sure that we have our own opinion,” Reed said.

Junior Jenna Hooper plays Jane Doe, a character who works to find herself after

literally losing her head in an accident. She finds confidence and excitement in working with a young director.

“I feel like it’s rare to see such a young director, somebody who cares so much about the message and every intricate detail,” Hooper said. “She’s given us so many tools to navigate this world just from being our director and showing us this is what it’s like in the professional world.”

To the cast, the shared connection of OSU makes working with Bealko more accessible because they can tell she cares.

“She has worked in that same room as us; she has performed in that same room as us,” Hooper said. “ She understands what it’s like to be a student and be 20.”

Bealko, being a true artist, recognizes greatness when she sees it and gives all the praise back to her cast of hardworking students. Without them, the show is not the same.

“They work tirelessly, and I’m challenging them, but that’s the great thing about college is to challenge them and for them to then thrive,” Bealko said.

“They give 110% every day, which I am so thankful for.”

Bealko is going full out for her alma mater with the promise of a show that is wilder than anything imaginable.

She and her cast and crew are claiming the show as their own.

“I’m not going to watch videos and copy what other people do; this show is ours,” Bealko said. “It’s Oklahoma State’s production.”

For anyone tip-toeing the line and still deciding if they want to see it, the outpouring of passion for the show might give students the push to free up an hour and thirty minutes of their time.

“The show is cool, it’s weird, it’s wacky, it’s heartbreaking,” Bealko said. “It’s beautiful, and especially since the students put in for it, they really wanted to do this show.”

“Ride the Cyclone” had its debut on Thursday but will continue to run from today through Sunday, and Oct. 19-21. news.ed@ocolly.com

Courtesy of Creative Commons Drake has set a new record as the most listened to rapper on Spotify.

New Drake album sets records Dalton Arredondo O’Colly Contributor

and Ed Sheeran, according to Kworb.ne.

He has made his mark on the industry through his ability to produce music to evolve his image and likeness.

Drake is the most lisDrake started his own label tened rapper on Spotify, surpassing Travis Scott with over record, ‘October’s Very Own’ 75 million monthly listeners. with Canadiens Noah Shebib, a songwriter/producer better “I’m always selfknown as 40, and manager conscious about my music,” Oliver El-Khatib. OVO has Drake said at the 2021 Billmade a name for itself as it board Music Awards. “Even has gained attention from if I do a good job, I’m still radio stations. wondering how I could have “His Sound 42 radio done it better.” partnership with SiriusXM Drake released his eighth studio album on Oct. 6 gives him a broad reach featuring new tracks and col- across all of North America,” Scott Thomas, CEO of Exlaborations with Bad Bunny, egan Media and EntertainNicki Minaj, SZA and Lil ment Inc. said. “A platform Yachty. It was set to release Sept. 22, however, because he to introduce, promote and generate revenue for all acts was on tour with 21 Savage, signed to OVO.” the release date was pushed About to turn 37 to back. release his eighth studio al“I’ve been a fan of Drake since I was a little kid,” bum, it is hard to say whether Philip Thomas, a student who Drake has hit his prime or if he has even hit his full potensaw Drake on tour this year, tial. said. “The show was incredHowever, people still ible and seeing him perform listen to his older albums, and live was amazing for me.” even up to his early albums in It has been over a year since Drake released “Honest- the early 2010’s.

“As long as he is still ly, Nevermind,” his latest stuproducing good quality music. dio album, which he dropped in June 2022. His album “Her He will hit his prime sooner rather than later, or he may Loss” with 21 Savage, rehave already hit it by now,” leased November 2022. student Zane Dwight said.

On Spotify, Drake is 21 Savage, who colthe third ranked artist in the laborated with Drake for world, only trailing behind Taylor Swift and The Weeknd. “Her Loss,” was No. 1 on the Billboard 200. He said Multiple of Drake’s songs the friendship goes deeper have hit one billion plays to than just making rap songs. help propel him to one of When Nicki Minaj had writers the most well-known artists block, Drake inspired her to on Spotify. “Hotline Bling”, write again and get back to “One Dance”, and “God’s what she loved doing.

Plan” are a few of the songs “Drake normalized the that hit one billion plays. idea of a rapper that can sing,” Much like he did on Spotify, Drake has his music student Scott Thomas said.

“Where in the ‘80s or ‘90s on another streaming platform, Apple Music. Drake has might have been considered racked up the third most total extremely corny, he’s paved the way for rappers to play streams since April 2013, dual roles and create broader trailing behind Taylor Swift array of sounds.” news.ed@ocolly.com

Three Drake albuns ranked by sales

Courtesy of OSU Theatre Department ‘Ride the Cyclone’ is a production put together by the Theatre Department at OSU and features a group of teens who die in a roller coaster accident. In a twist of fate, the teens are stuck in the afterlife, and they get to decide which of them gets to return to the world of the living.

1- VIEWS (2016): 7,687,247 sales 2- Take care (2011): 6,920,000 sales 3- Scorpion (2018): 6,433,983 sales Source: bestsellingalbums.com

Page 4A Friday, October 13, 2023

O’Colly

News Voice...

Continued from 1A “It all happened in the summer.

I got a phone message from somebody that said, ‘You need go talk to the director when you get back,’ and he said, ‘You’re going to be the announcer now,’” Lester said.

“Everybody was always telling me where I needed to go, which is fine, I’m good with it.”

Joshua Jones, current member of CMB, said he has only heard Lester’s voice and it is special to hear his voice when he is announcing the band. Jones admires Lester’s career and the 23 years of experience.

“It’s a lot of pride that goes into that,” Jones said.

Gaylin Washam, the CMB social media coordinator, said she first heard Lester announce when she was a part of the band in her high school. At the time, Washman and her band mates would work at the food concessions, and while she worked, she watched the pregame and heard Lester announce. She said people would not get as hyped for the band as they would for football games, but hearing Lester helped change that.

“It’s fun to see him behind the scenes of what he does,” Washam said.

“Game days are really long days and can be stressful at times, but it just seems like anytime you’re around him, you smile.”

The band rehearses three times

Courtesy of Chuck Lester Through life adversities, Chuck Lester found comfort in volunteering as the announcer for CMB.

a week for two hours, it performs at all football games and other university events, and Lester is present for most of its events. His voice has become recognizable to the fans, and Lester said it was a cool feeling to go through that.

“I am the most replaceable person in the building, and that’s not being false humility, it’s 100% true,” Lester said. “But it is pretty cool to know, if nothing else, I’ve been doing it for long enough that everybody knows what is

coming, and they will do the intro along with me.”

The support the Stillwater community has shown Lester has encouraged him to keep doing his best. He said he could have gone to other places, but OSU has a gravity on him because it always felt like his home.

Lester works in the department of wellness, managing six grants that try to lessen the negative impacts of substance abuse in six counties in northern Okla-

homa. Lester said his passion for his occupation ties back to wanting to have an impact on other people’s lives.

Announcing the band at OSU games is volunteer work for Chuck, but he said the band has made him a more confident public speaker, and he doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon.

“I could literally do it until I keel over dead, which is my goal,” Lester said. news.ed@ocolly.com

Climate...

Cloe Campfield The polo club is open for all members of the OSU and Stillwater communities to join.

Hooves and horses

attendance felt drawn to voice their concern because they will someday be working in fields that deal with the impacts of Continued from 1A climate change.

Lana Daniels, an environmental biology major, In energy-rich countries is learning first-hand the with the resources to take out effects fossil fuels have on fossil fuels, it’s easy to see the climate. Daniels, along how they should be removed with many others attending because of the negative envithe protest, believe that havronmental impacts. ing Epstein talk about fossil However, Epstein said fuels negatively reflects OSU’s citizens of poverty-stricken ideologies. countries need those fossil “I think it’s frustrating fuels to stand a chance against for OSU to promote something the various hardships they so anti-science at a place of experience. higher education,” Daniels Epstein stressed that it is said. important to take into account His busy schedule didn’t both the negative and positive stop Sam Wilson, a zoology effects. major, from attending the Because fossil fuel usprotest. age has been named the main “I have a test this week contributor to climate change, but if I fail the test then I fail students were left confused as the test,” Wilson said. “We to why a fossil fuel expansion- only have one chance with our ist would be asked to give a planet.” talk. A protest was organized While there were plenty to voice concerns. of people opposed to Epstein’s Gavin Lara, an entomol- views in attendance, there ogy major, was one of many were also people who were who thought that having there to learn more about the Epstein talk was poor taste for subject and hear Epstein’s OSU. point of view.

“I think it’s really stupid Eason Pinney knew who that they’re having someone Epstein was from a book he with a BA in philosophy come was given to read at an internto a place that claims to foster ship. Even though Pinney has higher education,” Lara said. varying views on the subject, “This is where you’re supposed he still attended the lecture to to go to be the top of your field broaden his understanding. eventually, so I think it doesn’t “I like to be educated make sense that they’re even about things that are impacting offering him a platform.” our world,” Pinney said. “I like Lara wasn’t the only to be someone who’s educated one who thought this. It was on both sides so that if there a common argument made are people arguing, I can insert by the protesters that Epstein myself and just be knowledgewasn’t qualified to be talking able about my future, the on such a serious issue. future of our country and the Many of the students in world.” news.ed@ocolly.com

Oklahoma State’s polo club Cloe Campfield Staff Reporter

Outside of town lies a small corral and pasture full of horses dedicated to the OSU polo club.

With around 35 members, the polo club allows anyone to participate, even without experience. Gabby Rimer, a senior, said participants don’t need to be a student.

“In the polo club, you can be a student or a member of the community to participate and practice with us,” Rimer said.

“It’s a great opportunity to figure out the sport of polo. I love learning about our different horses because they all have such different personalities.

Some are super slow and easy, and you can learn the sport off of them and some are super hot and fiery.”

Past members and polo athletes donate all of the horses, as well as the saddles, bridles and pasture.

However, a project is in the works to move the organization onto campus, giving members easier access to their club.

Thomas Kettles, a freshman, said finding the polo club was a happy accident.

“I was browsing campus links and looking at all the clubs when I stumbled upon the polo club,” Kettles said. “I had never even heard of polo, but I came and tried out and love it.

I had no prior experience with polo, but I used to volunteer at a horse rescue and that’s about it.”

The polo club arranges its horses in color coordination to pair each rider with a horse that fits their skill level. White labeled horses are for beginners with no experience; yellow are for beginner-to-intermediate level riders; red is for experienced riders; and purplelabeled horses are for the most experienced and skilled riders.

Traven Suter, a sophomore, said the best part of the club is the people.

“The best part of polo club is the community that you can be introduced to,” Suter said. “I get to learn new experiences. We play other colleges, Division II, sometimes even Division I, it just depends on what division we ranked in that year. We go to tournaments and get to travel all around, which is super fun as well.” news.ed@ocolly.com

Alexis Higgins Alex Epstein speaks on Oil, Coal, & Natural Gas: Climate Catastrophe or Climate Mastery in the Student Union Theater

O’Colly

Friday, October 13, 2023 Page 5A

News

‘Beckham’ The layers behind the legend Luisa Clausen Editor-in-Chief

tionship and the constant criticism from the media toward her.

The documentary addresses Beckham’s affair that happened in 2003 while he was playing for Real Madrid and had two kids with Victoria. She said that was the moment when she was the unhappiest. Among matrimonial conflicts, judgment from the media and the stalking from the paparazzi, Victoria decided Fame, paparazzi, gossip and to stay with Beckham and fight together for their family and their chaos dominated part of Dalives together. vid Beckhamn’s life, but all he The series is packed with wanted to do was play soccer. famous names, from Beckhamn’s In the new Netflix docuManchester United and Real mentary series, the truth behind Madrid teammates to figures one of soccer’s most talented such as Anna Wintour and former players in history is put on discoaches. play.

The documentary mastered With candid storytelling, its portrayal of soccer and the director Fisher Stevens found a impact of the sport on different vibrant tone to tell the darkest players. More than just showsides of Beckham’s challenges ing Beckham’s talent, it showed throughout his life. The doc folthe impact of a team in sync. lowed Beckham from his early Showing the former players and stages in Manchester United Beckham watching their old to the father-and-son relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson, the games was a genius technic that conveyed more emotion than just team’s coach. watching the plays.

The layers and nuances of The interviews capture the the relationship between the two sparks in the players’ eyes, who were approached realistically, still love and are involved with showing both sides of the story with an interview from Ferguson soccer, More than just the sport, the discussing everything from their documentary portrayed Beckham early closeness to Beckham’s as a whole. His role in the world eventual exit from the club.

Although Beckham said he of brand partnerships, him as a celebrity, as a father and as a likes to be in control, the documentary shows a vulnerable side friend. Brutally honest and carefully made, this is a well-made of him and his family. His wife tribute to one of soccer’s biggest and former Spice Girl, Victoria names.

Beckham, bluntly talked about the ups and downs of their relanews.ed@ocolly.com

Review

Ethan Scott Every part of Pistol Pete’s wardrobe is important, especially his spurs.

The ballad of Pistol Pete’s spurs Daniel Allen Staff Reporter

Third story in a series: In honor of the Year of the Cowboy, the 100th anniversary of Pistol Pete, The O’Colly will be producing weekly stories pertaining to Oklahoma State’s mascot.

And soon, the inevitable happened.

As a conversation of a potential lucrative donation was sparked, Clark transitioned it to the topic of Often strolling around Pistol Pete, asking why the campus is the beloved OSU mascot lacked spurs on Oklahoma-State mascot, Bank of Fairfax, a position his cowboy boots.

Pistol Pete. passed down to him through “I explained to him Various aspects of Pete family inheritance. That that traditional spurs would resonate with bystanders. To sense of loyalty was espescrape the maple court of some, it’s his cowboy boots. cially prevalent when work- Gallagher-Iba Arena, or alter For others, it’s the 45-pound ing with his bank clientele. the playing surface of Lewis mask tethered to a towering “He was a loyal man,” Field,” Petty said. orange cowboy hat, or even Lynn, who now goes by Lynn Clark’ was unsatisfied the shotgun or pistols he fires Elsberry, said. “He would with the answer. blank rounds from on athalways go out on a limb to “He said, ‘What if I doletic game days. meet (the needs of) his cus- nated spurs for Pistol Pete?’”

But perhaps the most tomers. That was pretty big Petty said. “And I said that significant feature are his for him. would be OK, but they would spurs, attached to the heels “He went to the bank probably get worn down over of the mascot’s boots. every day, it felt like. There time.”

For 20 years, the Spurs wasn’t a day to my recollecAnd again, Clark had a Ceremony has served as an tion where he didn’t go to the solution. official induction of canbank.”

“He said, ‘No, no, I didates into OSU’s mascot He didn’t hesitate to want to give them to every fraternity. Each new memdo the same with his alma Pistol Pete, and when I’m ber receives their spurs -mater. gone, my family will conmarked by their respective When the opportunity tinue to do that,” Petty said. chronological categorization arose to serve as a guest “So, I just said, ‘Alright,’ and -- while being recognized by speaker or a preliminary went along.” various Pete alumni. donor, he took advantage.

The first pair was craft“Afterwards you’re offiAnd one day, the latter ed in a way that made the cial,” said Caden Schaufele, came into fruition. spurs arched far enough off Pete No. 96 who was inductScott Petty, a Pete the ground. Josh Pulver, Pete ed into the mascot fraternity Alumni (No. 40) then servNo. 46, was the first to wear in August. “It’s a pretty cool ing as a university fundrais- the custom-made spurs. little ordeal.” ing official, sought donations As for Clark’s aforeBut for nearly twice from OSU alumni on a mentioned proposition, that long, Pete was deprived spring 2003 afternoon.

Elsberry has handled the disof that feature.

Eventually, Clark’s tribution process for Pete’s And if it weren’t for a name was recommended. So, spurs for the past 17 years banker whose legacy remains Petty made the 50-minute since her father passed away tethered to his alma mater, trek north to Fairfax to meet in 2006. the renowned university with Clark.

“I know Daddy would mascot could have remained To Petty’s recollection, love that we’re still doing spur-less to the modern day. he was instantaneously com- this,” Elsberry said. “He Bob Clark – a gradupelled by his Clark’s profes- loved OSU and helping ate of OSU in the late 1920s sionalism.

(OSU) in any way he could.”

-- was a frequent attendee for Subtle pop culture As the tradition that OSU sporting events. Often references kept him engaged. is the Spurs Ceremony lives by his side was his daughter Clark was nothing short of on, one of its catalysts is not Lynn, who at some point educated when it came to forgotten. Without the mind during a game, routinely western movies. That beof Clark, the acclaimed OSU heard one distinct rhetoricame apparent the moment mascot likely wouldn’t have cal question muttered by her they entered the bank, when looked the way it does today. father.

Petty noticed an assemblage “The significance of “Why doesn’t Pete have of more than 100 cowboy the Spurs Ceremony is not any spurs?” spurs. lost over time, and hopefully Clark was born in From local ranchers, never will be,” Petty said.

1908, a time which he often riders, famous cowboys to “It’s very meaningful for described to Lynn as derenowned western actor Ben those of us that have gotten manding and rigorous. But Johnson, Clark’s spur collec- to wear the head (of Pistol through it, a sense of loyalty tion was vast and immense.

Pete) and hopefully will was instilled -- something “It was impressive,” continue to live on over the he applied to his everyday Petty said. “I’d honestly next handful of generations endeavors. never seen so many spurs to come… Bob played a huge Clark was a longtime in one place before. It was part in all this.” owner of the First National amazing.” news.ed@ocolly.com

Tribune News Service ‘Beckham’ has been the most-watched Netflix show since its release on Oct. 4.

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O’Colly

News Awareness...

Continued from 1A For Taylor, the decision to create Rural Gone Urban was a way to build her legacy.

“I could just envision that people would start a scholarship fund at the local bank,” Taylor said. “And I just remember thinking, ‘That’s cool, but I’m such an entrepreneur.’ I was like, ‘What if I just do it myself? What if I create this thing so big that it cannot be ignored when I graduate to heaven and my friends and family have to keep the ball rolling?’”

Aside from the blog posts and clothes Taylor sells, there is another side to Taylor’s business — the Rural Gone Urban Foundation.

One aspect of the foundation’s mission is to support women living with breast cancer. Taylor does this through what she calls “Love Bombs,” or no-questions-asked grants.

Part of the inspiration for “Love Bombs” comes from a trip Taylor was able to take with her daughter after she was “upgraded” to stage 4.

“We went shopping at Tiffany’s of all places, and she now has, saved in our safe, wrapped teal boxes for her high school graduation, college graduation, wedding and first baby,” Taylor said. “Gifts from me that if I’m not here, she will still have a piece of me.”

Through the foundation, Taylor wants other women with breast cancer to be able to take care of the people and things they care about most.

“We hope that ‘Love Bombs’ can kind of act in that same way of allowing women in the ring with cancer to focus on the things that really matter,” Taylor said.

Split between two worlds In January, Taylor Johnson’s world shifted.

Her mom, Joan Johnson, was diagnosed with stage 1 B breast cancer on Jan. 15, one day before OSU started its spring semester. By the end of February, she had a double mastectomy.

But Joan Johnson refused to let her diagnosis stand in her way of being a single mom or teacher.

“Before she had surgery, she literally prepped six weeks of lessons, recorded them, got worksheets together, made sub plans, et cetera, so that her students wouldn’t take as big of a hit with her absence,” Johnson said.

Johnson missed the first week of class during the spring semester so she could spend time with her mom and brother.

Even though Johnson said she felt pulled toward her family, she knew her mom wanted school and Johnson’s commitments to remain a priority.

“It’s a weird feeling,” Johnson said. “It’s always present in the back of your mind.

Like no matter what you’re doing, kind of thing, but people don’t see that externally.”

As the older sister, Johnson stepped in to play a “check-

Courtesy of Brooke Taylor Brooke Taylor gave birth to her daughter six hours after she was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic triple negative breast cancer.

in” role for her brother, who is in high school. She said her oldest sibling attributes and “take it or leave it” personality helped her to advocate for her brother when the extra attention

professors were accommodating and did their best to meet her where she needed.

The support she received from friends and family alike made a difference.

“Living with an allegedly incurable diagnosis feels a lot like walking the plank,” Taylor said. “At any second you could jump off the plank, but today I’m safe, today I’m fine.”

Brooke Taylor OSU alumnae became overwhelming.

This was just one of the ways Johnson stepped up for her family.

Prior to her mom’s diagnosis, Johnson already had a demanding schedule. With the diagnosis, she felt pulled in more directions than before.

“At the same time, I had a whole other network of communication and tasks that, I guess you could say I was doing that people don’t always see,” Johnson said.

Johnson said all of her

“There are just so many people that come out of the woodwork,” Johnson said. “And I think it really shows like all the relationships you’ve built with people that reach out for you or are there for you, whether they know or not. And so that was kind of a cool domino effect as well. Definitely shows how loved you are.”

Good, but bad, but good Hannah Blair was 8 when her mom was diagnosed with stage 1 grade 3 invasive ductal

carcinoma.

As a child, Blair said witnessing and trying to understand her mom’s diagnosis was difficult.

“I won’t ever forget, the moment she told us,” Blair said. “And I think it really hits after the hair is gone, is when it’s like, ‘Oh, this is real,’ she can get sick sometimes, but the hair is gone, and it’s not growing back, why is it not growing back.’ That’s kind of where it hit my brother, especially, because he’s so young.”

Blair said her mom’s physician assistant encouraged her mom to get a mammogram at 35, instead of the typically recommended 40.

It likely saved her life.

“Thank the Lord, because, let’s be real, if she didn’t go in five years early, she would not be here today,” Blair said.

Ange Blair was diagnosed in June 2011. A week later, Blair said her mom had therapies and treatments planned.

Ange Blair underwent 13 rounds of chemotherapy and 21 rounds of radiation, along with a few Lupron shots.

Blair said her mom’s transparency about the diagnosis helped her understand what was happening. Her mom let her tag along to doctor’s appointments, ultrasounds and chemotherapy treatments.

After almost a year, her mom successfully completed treatment. Blair said experienc-

ing her mom’s journey with breast cancer has made her passionate about helping those with the disease.

Blair is a member of Zeta Tau Alpha, a sorority on campus. ZTA’s philanthropy is breast cancer education and awareness, which caught Blair’s attention when she went through recruitment.

As a member, Blair has participated in various philanthropy events, such as making catheter pillows, blankets and care baskets for women with cancer.

“It is really special to me that I actually get to connect something that I’ve actually been through to what I’m actually doing, so I have a lot of purpose behind it,” Blair said.

While Blair has focused her philanthropic efforts on helping those with cancer, her mom’s story has remained central to her motivation.

Even though Ange Blair recently celebrated the 10 year anniversary of her remission, Blair said she still lives with the knowledge that the cancer could return at any time.

“It was like closing a chapter if that makes sense,” Blair said. “Like moving on from something that was good, but bad. And then all good. It’s hard to wrap your head around for a while. But once it’s over, it’s over. Which is crazy, because like I said, you can’t see it. So, is it? We don’t know.” news.ed@ocolly.com

O’Colly

Friday, October 13, 2023 Page 7A

News

Breaking Ground OSU’s surge in female leadership, insights from Cynda Clary on navigating agriculture and academia Kennedy Thomason News & Lifestyle Editor

Q&A OSU has more women in leadership than ever before.

Cynda Clary is the associate dean for academic programs in the Ferguson College of Agriculture. As one of many female leaders on campus, she has spent her career establishing her reputation. Clary has moved across the country from North Carolina to New Mexico, and in 2012, she joined OSU’s faculty. She grew up in an agricultural part of California, and became involved in agriculture before a lot of women joined the field.

Q: What was it like to be one of the first girls to be part of FFA? A: When I was a freshman in high school, girls (had) been allowed in FFA for four years, right. But I’ll just tell you, I never noticed those things. You know, because you don’t notice what you grow up in, right? So in terms of like, going into a room and thinking, ‘Oh, I’m the only girl there,’ which I wasn’t the only girl in FFA my chapter or anything like that. Or when I was an ag business major at Cal Poly, I didn’t think about those things. All my best friends were usually guys except for my sisters. So, you know, it’s not something even through graduate school that was on my mind. Definitely it was on my mind in the sense that I knew in certain environments that I was the only one. And maybe that had some other challenges

with that. Yeah, things weren’t always as appropriate, as maybe we hope they are now, right?

And they’re not always perfect, but it wasn’t something that was a constant thought.

Q: Why did you choose to take your position at OSU? A: “They were the true land grant, college of agriculture type-mission. And so a friend of mine had told me about the position being open.

There’s a lot of connections as you know, in agriculture. Wherever you move to, wherever you go, people odds are, someone’s from there, and someone knew you from somewhere else. So there are a couple of individuals here that were in college at Cal Poly and same time I was, so we’re in different majors but you know, that kind of at least connection.

Q: How would you explain your position?

A: “This job isn’t all about students. I mean, it’s about the faculty and the staff who teach and support those students. It’s about the faculty members’ development in their instructional part of their jobs and their student organization advising and their development as people in their recognition of their success. So it involves all areas and a lot of collaboration with my colleagues in charge of research and in charge of extension.”

Q: How have you seen the field evolve as more women go into agriculture?

A: “We have seen fields where women didn’t automatically go into a number of years ago, where you certainly have more women in them. We see that here at OSU. So certain interests, maybe it’s students interested in veterinary medicine or medicine as a whole. We may have more female students

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Kennedy Thomason Cynda Clary is the associate dean for academic programs in the Ferguson College of Agriculture.

enrolled than male students. So you see that shift, you see eventually, like any group that starts out as being underrepresented, you see as people move through their steps, you start seeing the representation at other levels.

You do see that shift in any group, well, you hope to. But yeah, it’s kind of just a mix. But the world isn’t all female either.

Not all female, not all male.

It’s not all any one group, and it’s important that you know we have opportunities and challenges and recognitions that cut across all.

Q: What did you notice as a woman pursuing higher education?

A: “I really was interested in marketing and advertising.

And so, you know, an MBA was a big thing back then,

trying to get more women into MBA. There were lots of books on dress for success, which basically meant dress like a man, in terms of the same color.

You wouldn’t have worn bright pink. The suits were exactly the same. They just put them on a woman.” news.ed@ocolly.com

Page 8A Friday, October 13, 2023

O’Colly

News

Decoding the buzz

Navigating caffeine consuption in college Ashton Miller Staff Reporter Caffeine consumption is a telltale sign of being a college student.

How much caffeine is too much? Where is the line drawn between a quick RedBull to get through exams and caffeine dependency?

Four-hundred milligrams or less of caffeine a day is a safe amount for most people, acording to the Food and Drug Administration. RedBull, Monster and Celsius all fall below 400 mg. So why are energy drinks considered bad when coffee and tea are not?

The caffeine itself is not the concern but the added ingredients can be prejudicial to the health. Extensive research has been published on the effects of coffee and how much is a healthy amount to take in.

The same goes for tea.

Norman Hord, department head of nutritional sciences, said caffeine is not what is harmful in most cases. It’s the extra, understudied ingredients that accompany caffeine in so many popular beverages.

“We have a better handle on coffee or tea because it’s so prevalently consumed,” Hord said. “These have been studied extensively. These newer things like RedBull and Monster, and even newer things than those, that have other ingredients, just haven’t been studied a whole lot.”

Because energy drinks have quickly risen to popularity, Hord said the FDA does not have the resources, manpower or money to regulate everything about them.

“The FDA has the power

to regulate, but they don’t have the people or the resources or the money to go after everything,” Hord said.

However, if energy drinks were causing real harm, Hord said the public would know.

“Since so many people take energy drinks, and federal agencies like the FDA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have not reported widespread harms in relation to these drinks, then it’s safe to assume they’re fine so far for

GOD IS TRUSTWORTHY! God is worthy of our trust! “... I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled.” “...so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” (Jer.1:12,Is.55:11 NIV) Certainly from these verses it is clear that the Lord “means what he says.” When he speaks, or makes promises, he makes sure they are fulfilled. The life of Abraham shared with us in the first book of the Bible is telling us of a man who believed that God could be trusted. Abraham had to wait many years to see some of God’s promises fulfilled, and some for hundreds of years, and there was one he waited for thousands. God promised that all the world would be blessed through the offspring of Abraham. Jesus came through his natural lineage.

most people,” Hord said.

The possible health effects don’t stop some students from enjoying a pick-me-up before class.

Brooklyn Smith, a freshman, doesn’t rely on energy drinks to get her through her day. However, she still drinks them as a sweet treat.

“I probably could go without them since I don’t see an effect from drinking them,” Smith said. “I just like the flavor, and I use them as a reward

Jesus brought to all people the blessing of forgiveness and eternal life. God is trustworthy!

“The just shall live by faith.” (Ro.1:17) The theme all through the Bible is the life of faith. The true faith mentioned in scripture has one object; that is God. We are to trust the faithful God! We are to look to this God who has proved himself over and over a faithful God, who keeps his promises. He is worthy of our trust. As we except Christ, God’s gift to us, there is forgiveness of sin. We will not be condemned at the final judgment.

He promises to guide us, to comfort and strengthen us in this present life. He will make us fruitful in helping others; laying up treasure in heaven.. The challenge is to take him at his word. Put your life in his hands for he is trustworthy. He will do in and through you what he has promised.

for going to class.”

Smith gets an energy drink before her classes on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. In high school, Smith didn’t consume any energy drinks because she would have had to pay for it with her own money, but now she uses her meal plan.

With so many other sugary options, such as Starbucks’ signature pumpkin spice latte, some don’t even bother with energy drinks.

Luisa Clausen

Kloee Vanmeter, a sophomore, said she prefers to have something from Starbucks rather than an energy drink. “There are three things that are important at Starbucks and that’s flavor, flavor and flavor,” Hord said. “What I’m concerned about with the sweet cream foams and the other flavorings they use is the high amount of sugar that you’re getting, and I’m more concerned about that than I am about caffeine.”

news.ed@ocolly.com

vs.

WHEN: Saturday, 2:30 p.m.

SERIES: 41-30 OSU

WHERE: Stillwater

LAST MEETING: 37-16

TV: FS1

KU (2022)

RADIO: 93.7 FM

Game preview on 3B

Miller should be a part of OSU’s GOAT running back conversation Gabriel Trevino Staff Reporter

them all.

At halftime of Saturday’s OSU game vs Kansas, Miller will be the fourth player inducted into OSU’s Ring of Honor, joinColumn ing other running backs Sanders, Thomas and Bob Fenimore.

Fenimore himself wasn’t popular Oklahoma State’s football (since he played in the 1940s) until lore is full of running backs.

Thurman Thomas, Barry Sanders, he was enshrined last year.

Many OSU fans worship Tatum Bell, Kendall Hunter, JusSanders for winning the school’s tice Hill, Chuba Hubbard. But one first Heisman Trophy and likewise who is often forgotten, especially Thomas for being an NFL legend by younger fans, is Terry Miller. after college, but make no mistake Yet, he has a case for the best of

about it, Miller was OSU’s first modern star. Fenimore played when the U.S. had 48 states.

Miller finished fourth in Heisman voting in 1976 and second in ‘77 before heading to the NFL. “One of the problems with that is that things are so skewed, media coverage was not nearly what it was in the later years,” Miller said. “Oklahoma State may have been on TV once, at best twice, a year. The circumstances were just different.”

See Miller on 4B

‘Blossoming Star’

Courtesy of OSU Athletics Terry Miller will be the fourth player inducted into the OSU football Ring of Honor at halftime during Saturday’s game.

Hale’s emergence ‘a long time coming’

Braden Bush Sports Editor

Ethan Scott Before Laudan Wilson became a freshman sensation on the Cowgirl soccer team, she sharpened her skills playing on a boys team.

From playground games to all-boys team, Wilson pushed to be the best

place?”

Wilson, now a rising-star freshman midfielder at OSU, didn’t always have soccer in her plans. But once she got started, there was Parker Gerl no stopping. Wilson Staff Reporter has always challenged herself and pushed to be the best, and it’s shown It was tough for Lisa Wilson to watch her in her first year in Stilldaughter get tackled over water.

Growing up in and over again.

Osawatomie, Kansas, It wasn’t because Wilson was filled with her daughter, Laudan energy night and day.

Wilson, played physically, but because of the She’d wake up and get right to letting it out, competition. Laudan and after some time, her played on an all-boys parents, Lisa and Jon soccer team from age Wilson, wanted to find 6 to 13. She took a lot something to keep her of hits, some dirty, but occupied. always got back up.

“I was always runFor Lisa, it was worrining around, going crazy some, though, because as a kid,” Wilson said. she didn’t know whether “So, (my mom’s) like, Wilson was OK. “Laudan is not the ‘Well, how can we get one that says, ‘Ouch’ or, some energy out of you?’

So she threw me in soc‘That hurts,’” Lisa said. cer and I loved it.”

“She takes it, and so we Wilson’s older were so worried. Were sister, Logan, was the we asking too much of first in the family to pick her? Was she in the right

What’s Inside

up soccer. And she was pretty good at it, too, triggering a belief within the family that she’d be the one to excel in the sport.

That’s before Wilson got involved.

When Logan would practice with her friends, the younger, energy-filled Wilson couldn’t resist.

She joined in on Logan and her friends’ games, and over time learned the sport. After more consistent practice, Wilson began to excel.

“She started practicing with her ball and her sister,” Lisa said.

“She started doing rainbows around and over the top of the girls, (and) she would love to come across the field and slide tackle her older sister’s friends, (and they would) say, ‘Could you get Laudan off the field?’”

After dominating the playground matches, it was time for organized soccer. Lisa and Jon took Wilson to a three-versus-

From Kenya to OSU

Page

2B

How an OSU cross country runner overcame an ocean to run.

Alex Hale doesn’t need anyone to motivate him.

OSU coach Mike Gundy has figured that much out since Hale arrived on campus in 2018. Hale played soccer in his home country of Australia, surfed and wakeskated, in which he won the Junior Wakeskate World Championship before heading to Stillwater.

Then, against Kansas State this past Friday, Hale made five field goals, including a 53-yarder.

“Everything that he’s been involved with, he’s had success,” Gundy said. “So he’s pretty mentally tough.”

A lot happened between his surfing days in Australia and his 17-point performance last Friday. A fluke injury cost him his starting job, and he could have jumped into the transfer portal. Nobody would have blamed him.

Instead, he waited and is back among the nation’s top kickers.

After only two appearances with five kickoffs in two seasons, Hale broke out as a sophomore in 2020 and was named a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award, given to the nation’s best kicker.

Hale made 13 of 14 fields goals and led the nation with 2.17 field goals a game entering Bedlam.

That’s when things went wrong. In warmups in Norman, Hale sustained a non-contact injury to his plant leg, which ended his season.

“OU’s grass is slick and stuff, so I can see how he slips because everybody slips on that,” OSU receiver Brennan Presley, who was a freshman at the time, said. “So it’s a little weird, but it’s just kind of one of those things that’s really unfortunate to happen.”

Hale underwent ACL surgery and then went on to rehab. For the next two seasons, Tanner Brown replaced Hale as the Cowboys’ starting kicker.

See Hale on 4B

three tournament for Toca F.C. Wilson’s teammates? Two boys, meaning she’d be participating in the boys tournament.

Wilson sported shorter hair at the time and looked like the best player at the tournament, resulting in coaches and spectators mistakenly inquiring about Lisa’s “son.”

“She went and we had people coming up to me going, ‘We want to put your son on our team,’” Lisa said. “I said, ‘That’s a girl.”

Toca F.C. still wanted to put Wilson on a team. But it didn’t have a girls team for the U6 age group. So, they put Wilson on the all-boys team, where she’d spend nearly seven years.

“It was like, ‘try it out,’” Wilson said.

Payton Little

See Wilson on 4B

A family’s legacy

Page The Solheims continue to impact OSU golf on and off the course.

Alex Hale (right) tied the OSU record for most field goals in a game last week with five against Kansas State.

7B

The O’Colly Sports team picks another set of games across the country

Page

8B

Page 2B Friday, October 13, 2023

O’Colly

sports

Jepkiuri battled geography, anxiety at OSU Kenzie Kraich Staff Reporter

have been the most difficult she’d ever have to make, but through it all, she continues to break the barriers and have success.

Jepkiuri said the competiBillah Jepkiuri’s running tion in Kenya is tough. Little career began on the way to did she know, when she made school. the decision to come to the U.S., From a young age, Jepkiuri she also made the decision to ran with her friends to school overcome some of life’s toughest each morning in her hometown obstacles. of Kapsabet, Kenya. Naturally, Jepkirui had big dreams, that turned into friendly races. but transitioning to a new way “And I could beat all of of life, a new environment and them,” Jepkiuri said. culture was the difficult part of What began as friendly achieving her goals. Jepkiuri competition quickly turned into not only trained three times a a passion that would take Jepday for the opportunity to run kirui places she never imagined. at OSU, but she had to sacrifice Being ahead of the pack is anyher comfort zone along with the thing but unusual for the sopho- thousands of miles between her more, but as she fell in love with and her family. running, she also found a desire “I think she went through to pursue her education. OSU some emotional anxiety over all cross-country coach Dave Smith the change,” Smith said. “When said it was important to Jepkiuri you’re coming from rural Kenya, to get an education when she there’s a lot of benefits being came to America. here, but it’s overwhelming, it’s Jepkiuri decided to take a overstimulating, and probably different path than most of her extremely stressful. friends and her older sister when “Last fall was tough, but she made the choice to leave she’s very comfortable in her Kenya and attend a university in routine, and her running has America. This decision might improved because of that.”

Behind her outstanding achievements from last season, it would be hard to notice Jepkiuri had anything on her mind other than winning. She ranked in OSU’s top 10 in three events and was named the Indoor and Outdoor Big 12 Freshman of the Year. Jepkiuri represented the Cowgirls at the 2022 NCAA Cross Country National Championships, too.

Jepkirui won the 2023 Big 12 title in the indoor Distance Medley Relay, and she won the outdoor 1,500 meters.

These accolades followed into her sophomore season, for she was named as a Big 12 Cross Country Runner of the Week in September.

Jepkiuri has so much more than those accolades, though.

It’s important to understand there is much more to her story.

Athletes like Jepkirui sacrificed to be where they are at and to be role models for the generations behind them.

“It makes me feel motivated to continue going,” Jepkirui said. sports.ed@ocolly.com

File Photo Billah Jepkirui traveled more than 8,500 miles to run at OSU after growing up in a small village in Kenya.

Former OSU, Dallas Cowboys standout back Garrison died Braden Bush Sports Editor

OSU game, Garrison helped lead OSU to its first Bedlam win in 20 years.

The Dallas Cowboys selected Garrison in the fifth round of the 1966 NFL Former Oklahoma State and Dal- Draft and spent all nine of his profeslas Cowboy standout Walt Garrison died sional seasons with the Cowboys. He this week, the university announced won a Super Bowl with Dallas in 1972 Thursday. and retired as third on the team’s allGarrison was 79. time rushing list.

In 1962, Garrison arrived in StillAway from the field, Garrison water and spent a season playing linespent part of his offseasons on the probacker before transitioning to offense, fessional rodeo circuit. where he spent his final three seasons at Garrison was inducted into the OSU. During his junior season in 1964, Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame in 1993, Garrison rushed for 730 yards, which and he was put into the Oklahoma State led the Big Eight Conference and led the Athletics Hall of Honor in 2000. He was likes of Jim Grisham and Gale Sayers. also inducted into the Texas Cowboy Garrison’s 1965 senior season Hall of Fame and Texas Sports Hall of was his most productive. He finished Fame in 2012. with 924 rushing yards, 107 receiving yards and five touchdowns, earning and All-Big Eight team selection. In his final sports.ed@ocolly.com

Courtesy wired photo Cameron Epps was the first player since Jason Taylor II in 2021 to score a defensive touchdown.

After mistake-filled start, Epps flashed ‘promising future’ Daniel Allen Staff Reporter Antoine Torrey stared intently his TV. He watched as Oklahoma State battled Iowa State at Jack Trice Stadium on Sept. 23.

Torrey is the football coach of Chaminade High School, where OSU safety Cameron Epps used to play.

Epps, who later would make his first career start in OSU’s Week 6 upset win vs Kansas State, earned a starting role is satisfying for Torrey three weeks ago.

“It makes me ecstatic to see,” he said.

“I’m beyond happy.”

Epps used to play with and against Missouri’s premier highschool talent. He’s had to learn new schemes, techniques and even positions on-the-fly. And still, he’s come out better each time.

Epps started as a quarterback, hoping to attain the team’s starting role. Instead, he was beat

by Brady Cook – now the starter at Missouri.

So, Torrey moved Epps to wide receiver.

That way, Epps could still be part of the offense.

But fate trended elsewhere. Over the course of his freshman season, Epps gradually made his worth as a defensive back. By his sophomore year, Epps

was a starter.

Two years later, a number of Power Five offers and a four-star rating from multiple recruiting sites followed.

“To see him learn that position (defensive back) so quickly is honestly pretty remarkable,” Cook said. “But that’s who he is. He’s an adaptive learner, always wanting to learn. He’s smart, instinctive and really just has a good football I.Q.” On first down with OSU trailing 20-17, ISU wide receiver Daniel Jackson began on a 10yard post.

Given his leverage as a safety, Epps was in position to make a break on the pass. And Torrey noticed.

“Break on that Cam. Break on that,” Torrey shouted toward his TV. Seconds later, Jackson broke right, Epps slipped and Jackson scored a touchdown.

The slip wasn’t Epps’ lone mistake.

Other blown coverages and missed tackles were a problem.

Still, Torrey’s confidence in his former player didn’t dwindle.

“I’ve seen Cam overcome adversity more than you can imagine,” he said. “He was fine.

(That was) just a bump in the road for him. I knew he’d bounce back.”

Two week later following a bye week, it was announced that start-

ing safety Lyrik Rawls underwent season-ending surgery on his left leg.

It was Epps’ time to shine. And this time, he didn’t disappoint.

Epps intercepted K-State quarterback Will Howard twice.

The first came in the first quarter, when Epps cut off K-State receiver Philip Brooks on a deep post. The second in the winding seconds of the first half, again cutting off Brooks. This time, for a touchdown.

“He played really well,” said OSU coach Mike Gundy. “The thing that he did that’s getting everyone’s attention is he finishes plays. You’ll see the young players that have a promising future at times be in the right spot, but if they don’t finish the play, we don’t talk about it as much.”

The stage is set.

The opportunity to cement himself on OSU’s defense is in grasp for Epps. And if fate follows a similar trajectory for him in college, those close to him foresee a potential star-in-themaking.

“He’s gonna be great,” Torrey said.

“He’s a work horse who’s always wanting to get better. And that’s something that you can’t teach. (Epps) has that natural talent. And I look forward to watching him thrive.” sports.ed@ocolly.com

OSU Cowboy Football/Twitter (X) Walt Garrison went to the Dallas Cowboys after playing at OSU, and is ninth in the team’s history in career rushing yards with 3,491.

O’Colly

Friday, October 13, 2023 Page 3B

sports Game Day Preview

3 storylines: OSU vs Kansas Ashton Slaugter Asst. Sports Editor

Will the Cowboys slow down the red-hot Kansas offense?

Courtesy Kansas Athletics

Jason Bean, Kansas’ backup quarterback, started last week. Usually, this is a “yikes” moment for teams. But not the Jayhawks, for with Bean, they let the running game dominate, picking up 399 (!) rushing yards in their 51-22 victory against UCF. The most points an OSU opponent has totaled the week before its matchup was Kansas State with 44 (against Troy).

Bean also torched OSU in the two teams’ last matchup.

Another ticket to the Rashod Owens show?

In De’Zhaun Stribling’s absence last week, Owens had a career-high 75 receiving yards on five catches. Now, with Stribling out for the season, Owens will continue to get snaps moving forward, not only in the slot but on the outside, too. With quarterback Alan Bowman looking more settled into the OSU offense, maybe Owens will continue to get the ball after the QB1’s best performance as a Cowboy. After switching back to receiver from tight end, Owens looks to be a staple on the outside.

By: Ethan Scott

Bean’s running a challenge for OSU Jason Bean (9) and the Kansas rushing attack presents challenges for the Cowboy defense.

Ashton Slaughter Asst. Sports Editor

Can Kansas win in Stillwater?

By: Davis Cordova

Missy Minear/Kansas Athletics

The last time KU won in Boone Pickens Stadium, Beyoncé’s “Irreplaceable” was the top song of the year, the iPhone was just announced and Barry Bonds became the MLB’s alltime home run leader. Ah, 2007.

What a time. Anyway, it’s been that long since the Jayhawks won in Stillwater, and despite their football program’s rebirth under coach Lance Leipold (pictured left), they have something to prove on Saturday. Oh, and Kansas can clinch bowl eligibilty with a win.

back, is just as mobile as the star in front of him, Jalon Daniels. The Cowboys will face Bean this Saturday, just like OSU nose tackle Justin they did last year, when Bean Kirkland doesn’t mind, but ran for 93 yards during a 37-16 he’d rather not chase a quarter- victory in Lawrence, highback across the field. lighted with a 73-yard scamper.

When playing a quarter- His long run last November is back who can extend plays with a prime example of why coach his legs rather than just stand Mike Gundy finds Kansas’ ofin the pocket, it gets tiring and fense difficult to defend. is challenging for a defense.

Bean lined up in shotgun “Our D ends, we harp on with tight end Jared Casey to keeping people in the pocket, his right with star running back and so obviously, we don’t Devin Neal behind him. Bean want people to get out of the hiked the ball and read the pocket,” Kirkland said. “...We defensive end; he could either do a good job running to the give it to Neal (who ran for sideline (when they do get out 224 yards this game) or keep it of the pocket). himself. He decided to keep it, “As someone who’s 340, and it paid off, resulting in the I don’t want to necessarily run long touchdown after shedding to the sideline, but, I mean, if three tackles and cutting from push comes to shove, we’ll be the right hash to the Cowboy at the sideline.” sideline on the opposite side of Jason Bean, who, despite the field. being Kansas’ backup quarterThis “triple option”

Kansas players to watch: Neal, Logan lead their units

look — as Gundy calls it — puts tremendous pressure on a defense.

“With what they do in their run game… they have a quarterback threat to keep it or pitch it on most (of) every one of their plays, so you have to be accountable on everything you do, (or) you’ll miss a guy,” he said.

Coming off a 51-22 victory against UCF, where Kansas ran for 399 yards, its running attack is in full effect.

Although Neal is the star of the backfield, knowing Bean can dart between defenders for long gains presents challenges, too.

A challenge that OSU’s 88thranked rushing defense must face.

sports.ed@ocolly.com

Ashton Slaughter Asst. Sports Editor

No. 4, Devin Neal, RB Neal was the leading man on the ground in Kansas’ 51-22 win against UCF last week, racking up 154 of its 399 rushing yards. Through five games, Neal has 593 rushing yards and five touchdowns, averaging 7.7 yards per carry. OSU enters the game against a surging rushing attack and has the 86th-ranked rushing defense in the country, allowing 154 rushing yards per game. This will be the Cowboys’ biggest test yet, for the Jayhawks enter as the 7th-best rushing unit in the country, at 230 yards per game, meaning Neal could have a field day.

Davis Cordova Kansas has the sixth best rushing offense in the country, averaging 232 yards per game.

Courtesy Kansas Athletics

No. 1, Kenny Logan Jr., Safety

Logan, a Preseason All-Big 12 First Team player, has lived up to his lofty expectations through five games. Averaging 7.6 tackles with two takeaways on the year, the fifth-year senior is undeniably a leader on the Jayhawk defense. With OSU players such as Ollie Gordon II and Jaden Bray being freaks of nature from a physical perspective, having a reliable option in the back line to drag players down is critical, and Kansas has just that.

Courtesy Kansas Athletics

OSU vs Kansas: Who wins and why?

Gabriel Trevino Columnist Kansas is not just one of the best rushing teams in the Big 12, but it’s the sixth best in the country.

Although quarterback and preseason Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year Jalon Daniels will not be starting, Jason Bean is good enough to lead the Jayhawks. Bean, with explosive running backs Devin Neal, Daniel Hishaw Jr. and Dylan McDuffie rushing behind a veteran offensive line is a powerful attack.

Kansas rushed for 351 yards against OSU in

last year’s 37-16 win in cost them when Kansas Lawrence, and while the State began mounting a Cowboys’ defense is much comeback last week. improved, the Jayhawks My prediction: have a formula to beat Though OSU stopped OSU. Kansas State’s offense, I OSU’s offense will be don’t think it will repeat the key if the Cowboys that performance vs Kanwant to find a win. Alan sas. KU is averaging 36 Bowman will be making points per game, and OSU his third start knowing hasn’t scored more than he will play a full game, 30 since last October. The compared to last year Jayhawks will continue when Garret Rangel made its strong running against his first career start at the Cowboys’ three-man Kansas. Ollie Gordon is front, while OSU will go also coming off arguably back to trying to figure his best game, and OSU out its offensive identity. will need him to kickstart Kansas will win 36-19. its offense.

The Cowboys need to find a way to score touchdowns, as attemptsports.ed@ocolly.com ing six field goals almost

Page 4B Friday, October 13, 2023

Hale...

Hale sits second in the Big 12 in field goals made and field-goal perContinued from 1B centage, and he is 3-for-3 on attempts from longer than Hale could 50 yards. No other have gone elsewhere Big 12 kicker has as and tried to regain many makes from starting status more that distance. Presquickly, but he ley said that through didn’t. the recovery pro“It’s just a cess, Hale showed great school to be that same kind of at as a specialist,” mental toughness Hale said. “Coach Gundy brought up.

Gundy is really good “To work out to specialists, really and have that type appreciates us, treats of blind faith to go us well and really out there and work understands what all the time, I think we go through… I it’s just really showwouldn’t want to be ing off, and it’s just anywhere else.” paying off for him,” This season, Presley said.

Hale’s chance came Presley said to return to the start- the Cowboys don’t ing lineup. And he’s want to settle for too made the most of it. many field goals,

O’Colly

sports but it is comforting to have Hale on the sidelines when the need arises. And for Hale, he’s just glad to be back out there.

Hale kicked more field goals than normal on Friday, but to be honest, he said he lost count.

Hale has lost time to make up for.

“It’s nice to get back on the field and get lots of kicks,” Hale said. “Been here a long time, so it’s been a long time coming.”

File Photo

sports.ed@ocolly.com

Hale’s three made field goals made from farther than 50 yards leads the Big 12.

Miller...

Continued from 1B The College Football Hall of Famer ran for 4,582 yards and 46 touchdowns across four seasons at OSU. Neither of his best seasons were good enough for the Heisman, but he was competing with Tony Dorsett and Earl Campbell. That’s how good Terry Miller was.

He twice led the Big Eight in rushing yards and touchdowns, and led OSU to a threeway tie of the conference championship, the only time the Cowboys would do so in the old conference, and last champion-

ship overall until 2011.

He’s most remembered for a run in the ‘76 Bedlam game to break a streak of nine straight losses for OSU vs the Sooners. In OSU’s triple-option offense, he took a pitch from quarterback Harold Bailey 72 yards for a touchdown on the third play of the game. This is when Barry Switzer was coaching Oklahoma and won backto-back national championships the two years before. Future Heisman winner Billy Simms was the team’s third string running back.

Yet, it was Miller who shined. Thomas never beat OU. Neither did Sanders. But Miller did. He led an OSU team that hadn’t won nine

games since 1945 to the lone OSU Bedlam win in a 28 year span.

Almost 47 years later, No. 43 won’t be forgotten. When there are talks about OSU’s legends, Terry Miller will forever be a part of that conversation after his name will be nailed into Boone Pickens Stadium.

“I’m excited for my teammates,” Miller said. “They’re the guys who made it possible. It’s hard for me to explain until after it happens.

But I anticipate it will be exciting.”

sports.ed@ocolly.com

Bruce Waterfield/OSU Athletics Despite being a sophomre, Justin Kirkland is 22 years old and is married while playing football.

Kirkland, OSU defensive line’s pressure key to force turnovers Alyssa Brandon Staff Reporter

really well, and then I’m like, ‘Oh what stats did I get?’ and then its like ‘Justin Kirkland played,’” he said.

Flashy stats such as This type of perlinebacker Nick Martin’s formance doesn’t bother career-high 17 tackles Kirkland, though. are what stand out when Three interceplooking at OSU’s box tions from the defensive score from its win vs resulted in positive OSU Kansas State. play, and for him that’s But, it’s the battle all that matters. in the trenches that led “We had the back the Cowboys to put the end getting interceptions lid on the Kansas State putting points on the offense. board from the defensive Justin Kirkland, a side,” Kirkland said. sophomore nose tackle “And so yeah if my stat transfer from Utah State, is Justin Kirkland played, posted zero tackles on and we played like that, the night but made his I’ll take that every time.” presence felt on the deHoward ended the fensive line. game with three picks, “I feel like I did one shy of his intercep-

tion count before facing OSU. Pressure turning into turnovers could be the piece that this OSU team has been missing.

“We put pressure on the quarterback and he was getting rid of the ball quicker than I think he wanted to and was in an uncomfortable situation,” said OSU coach Mike Gundy.

OSU looks to continue this pressure on the line in order to try and topple No. 23 Kansas on Saturday and the reputable conference opponents that follow.

“If this is what we can do, why don’t we just do this every week?” sports.ed@ocolly.com

Wilson...

Ethan Scott Wilson is still just a freshman, but she enrolled in the spring and played to gain early experience.

Courtesy of OSU Athletics Terry Miller finished in the top-4 of Heisman voting twice and led OSU to a Bedlam win in 1976.

“They definitely let me know that they were there, which is fine, it’s soccer. But I mean, it Continued from 1B helped me in the end.”

Although it was an experience that got her beat up, it shaped her into Playing in organized the player she is today. all-boys games brought The X’s and O’s, necessary adjustments. speed and physicality that The speed of the game, comes with playing with decision-making process boys taught her a lot and and overall physicality. helped her in the long The boys didn’t go light run. When she returned to on her. playing with girls, it felt They got in an oceasier. casional cheap shot and “The physicality, caught Wilson surprised. the speed they play it, it’s If she didn’t make a pass, a whole different level shoot or get rid of the ball than girls,” Wilson said. on time, a hard hit was on “I think doing that from the way. a young age helped me And for the boys, tremendously.” there was a little animosAt 13, Wilson went ity seeing a girl playing. back to playing with “When you play girls on high-level club with boys, if you hold teams across Kansas. the ball, you’re gonna get She continued to improve tackled,” Wilson said. and blossomed into a star “So with the boys, it was prospect. kind of like ‘Get off the She won a number ball or you’re gonna get of honors through high whacked,’ because they’re school: U-17 Midwest like ‘Oh, a girl (is playing Conference Player of with us).’ the Year, two-time All

Midwest Conference First Wilson has become one Team. Wilson was named of the team’s leaders in as the No. 3 recruit in assists and wowed with Heartland region and No. her flashy dribbling skills.

22 recruit nationally.

On Wednesday, TopDrawThen, it was time erSoccer ranked Wilson for another jump. She No. 9 in its Freshmen Top went through the recruit- 100. When the Cowgirls ment process before put a goal on the board, choosing OSU over the she’s almost always inlikes of TCU and Texas volved.

Tech.

“Laudan is a blosWilson enrolled soming star, it’s fair to early in the spring and say I think,” OSU coach participated in the spring Colin Carmichael said. exhibition season. It was a Wilson’s stellar start new team for Wilson with of a freshman season has a lot of new faces needCowgirl soccer fans buzzing to mesh. The usually ing. She’s often talked rowdy Wilson was more about as someone who reserved when first joincould be the next all-time ing the team.

OSU great.

After some time, For Wilson, those and a transition to the conversations don’t feel fall season, senior teamlike pressure. More so mate Mollie Breiner said something to chase.

Wilson is back doing what “It gives me motivashe always does. tion,” Wilson said. “It’s “She was a quiet something that I want to girl, but now you’ll see do. I want to be an Allher messing with me,” American. And I want Breiner said. “I’m like, to push myself to be the ‘Aren’t you still a freshbest.” man?’ She loves messing with people.” sports.ed@ocolly.com Since her arrival,

O’Colly

Friday, October 13, 2023 Page 5B

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

Located on 121 E. 9th Ave, Downtown Stillwater

FOR RELEASE OCTOBER 13, 2023

Houses for rent

Spacious 1100 sq. ft 2 bedroom home. Recently remodeled, CH/A, wood floors, nice yard. 2214 E. 6th Ave., Scarlett Bus Route.

405-372-7107.

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 10/13/2023 Adventuring Academy: A Pathfinder Campaign Stillwater Public Library @ 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Black Cat Open Golf Tournament @ 7:30 a.m. https://www.unitedwaypaynecounty.org/blackcat5 Chris Botti Concert & Tailgate Party The McKnight Center for the Performing Arts @ 6:15 p.m. $25+ https://mcknightcenter.org/Online/default.asp?

BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::permalink=chrisbotti& BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::context_id= Classic Cinema Stillwater Community Center @ 7 p.m. https://sccfriends.weebly.com/202306-mr-smith-goes-towashington.html#/ Erik Larson Headlines The H. Louise & H.E. “ED” Cobb Speaker Series Meditations Banquet Facility @ 6 - 9:30 p.m. $125 https://friends.library.okstate.edu/index/cobb-series/ No Justice Live Tumbleweed DanceHall @ 8 p.m. $15 on Sale OSU Theatre: Ride The Cyclone Seretean Center for the Performing Arts @ 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. $10 Students, $12 Seniors, $15 General Admission https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/okstatetheatre/7287 Orange Friday Iron Monk Brewing Company @ 5 - 7 p.m.

Painting/Ceramics with 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) Techniques for Pastel with Jude Tolar PSA, IAPS/MC Prairie Arts Center @ 9 a.m. $125 members, $150 nonmembers https://artscenter.okstate.edu/adult-classes/drawing-andpainting/1263-techniques-for-pastel-with-jude-tolar-psaiaps-mc Workshop: Cosplay Costume Creation Prairie Arts Center @ 6 - 8 p.m. https://stillwaterok.gov/ Calendar.aspx?EID=1269&month=10&year=2023&day= 13&calType=0 Saturday 10/14/2023 Cowboy Football VS. Kansas Boone Pickens Stadium https://okstate.com/sports/football Re/Max Signature Family Friendly Tailgate @ 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Secondary Saturday @ 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. https://museum.okstate.edu/art/leon-polk-smith.html Silk Art Exhibit Modella Art Gallery @ 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Sunday 10/15/2023 Fall Fest The Twelve @ 10 a.m. - Dusk $8 Per Person kids 2 and under are free https://bookthetwelves.com/our-calendar

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

ACROSS 1 __ Griffin Way: street in Beverly Hills 5 “Superfudge” writer 10 Completely level 14 Lip balm additive 15 AL and NL divisions 16 In history 17 *Refrain from walking on the lawn?

19 Recital highlight 20 Unassuming 21 Some invisible inks 22 *Doesn’t pay enough in island taxes?

27 Traffic jams 28 Hacienda material 29 Single section 30 Nimble 31 Alternative to OAK 34 With 37-Across, By Doug Peterson up on the latest 3 Financial trends, and a performance fitting description measure, for of the answers to short the starred clues? 4 Martini ingredient 37 See 34-Across 5 Fathers 39 __ for tat 6 Merry escapades 40 Dapper 7 NATO member 42 Creme-filled 8 Pts. of a range snack 9 Cornering 43 Less risky challenge 44 Business news 10 Get out of a jam 46 *Gives the third 11 Keep clear of degree to the 12 Writer Fitzgerald decorator?

13 Consort of 49 “Start the music!”

Psyche 50 Bunches 18 UMD athlete 51 __ interview 21 Honey-colored 52 *Put a limit on 22 Red Sea wash time? peninsula 58 Many an Olympic 23 “Money __”: event Spanish Netflix 59 One-fourth of a crime series 45-Down 24 Skittles package 60 Result of 25 Spiritually cogitating enlighten 61 ThirdLove 26 Chocolate-andgarments caramel candy 62 Circuit device 27 Clump on a lawn 63 Shows 30 Got in on the deal drowsiness 31 Noncom nickname 32 Less restricted DOWN 1 More, in Mexico 33 Baking soda target 2 Caribou kin

Daily Horoscope

Nancy Black Tribune Content Agency Linda Black Horoscopes Today’s Birthday (10/13/23). Grow shared resources with ease this year. Build vitality, strength and health with consistent practices. Autumn glory shines your way, before you and your partner navigate extra winter expenses.

Springtime influences new personal directions, inspiring summer creativity, passion and fun. Joint ventures prosper and thrive.

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 — Partnership is your secret magic. Connect and collaborate. Reinforce strong bonds. Rely on each other. Be receptive to another’s view. Share support and romance.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is a 9 — Physical action gets results. Stretch to warm up. Get down to the actual work. The pace quickens. Recharge with good food and rest.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is a 9 — Feed your heart with love, beauty and goodness. Savor connection with people you love. Creativity abounds. You’re attractive and attracted. Romance is distinctly possible.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is a 7 — Make household decisions. You’re especially good at solving problems.

Rearrange furniture to suit new circumstances. Clear clutter and clean surfaces. Savor your cozy nest.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is an 8 — You’re especially creative. Develop your idea to the next level. Focus on correspondence and communications. Express an inspiring possibility. Accept encouragement.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is a 9 — Gather valuable information. Watch for a new source of income. That money could show up any time now. Rely on a friend’s experience.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is a 9 — OK, now you can blast forward. You’re hot. Accept more new assignments. Do the job quickly. Don’t get cocky. Ask for help when needed.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is a 7 — Retreat from the world for now. Rest and recuperate. Invest in your career. Go on a treasure hunt. Contemplate your next move.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is an 8 — Friends are glad to give you a boost when needed. Ask for it nicely.

Empathy can go a long way. Replace what’s broken.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is a 9 — Take advantage of interesting professional opportunities to shine.

Pursue an intriguing possibility. Develop exciting career directions. Your status and influence are on the rise.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is a 9 — Adventure calls. Explore an exciting possibility. Advance an important investigation. Study and research. Organize your ideas, objectives and itineraries. Expand your boundaries and limitations.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is an 8 — Store provisions for the future. Harvest what you’ve sown together.

Reap the benefits of your labors. Support each other to grow. Profit in collaboration.

10/13/23

Thursday’s Puzzle Solved

©2023 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

35 Poorly chosen 36 Clods 38 Grown less appealing 41 Uno e due 43 Strikes down 44 Word said with a curtsy 45 Impressive entertainment acronym 46 “Soul” studio 47 City near Rome

10/13/23

48 Hummus brand 49 Kitchen garden plant 52 Electric __ 53 Bowl over 54 Playmate 55 Phrase preceding “By the power vested in me ...”

56 Evangelical character on “The Simpsons” 57 Island purchase

Level 1 2 3 4

Solution to Thursday’s puzzle

10/13/23 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

© 2023 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.

Page 6B Friday, October 13, 2023

O’Colly

sports

Drafting who the next players in OSU’s Ring of Honor will be O’Colly Sports Staff in a defensive-first era. career interceptions.

Braden Bush: It’s time for defense to be represented in the OSU Ring of Honor. Leslie O’Neal is one of seven OSU representatives in the College Football Hall of Fame, and he holds the singleseason OSU sack record (16.0) and career record (34.0).

Rodney Harding is often forgotten, but he sits in the top 10 at OSU in sacks and tackles for loss and was a huge part of dominant early-1980s Cowboy defenses.

Finally, some offense, with Hart Lee Dykes. Dykes sits fifth in OSU history with nearly 3,200 receiving yards, in a time before pass-dominant offenses.

Ashton Slaughter: First, I took Walt Garrison, who in three seasons at running back totaled 2,254 total yards and 11 total touchdowns

File Photo

Gundy wants to ‘catch up’ on Ring of Honor Mike Gundy said Hart Lee Dykes (11) is “one of the greatest receivers who ever played” football.

Braden Bush Sports Editor In 2020, Thurman Thomas became the first Cowboy inducted into the OSU Ring of Honor.

Thirty-three years after his last game as a Cowboy.

The OSU Ring of Honor lines the top of the upper bowl in the west end zone at Boone Pickens Stadium, paying tribute to some of the greatest Cowboy football players.

Thomas, Barry Sanders and Bob Fenimore were the first inductees, and the newest, Terry Miller, will join on Saturday when OSU hosts Kansas. It took Sanders 33 years to have his name immortalized in the stadium, too. For Fenimore, 76 years. Miller played in his last OSU game 46 years ago.

There are a number of worthy players on the waitlist to enter the Ring of Honor. Leslie O’Neal, Hart Lee Dykes, Mark Moore to name a few.

Brandon Weeden, Justin Blackmon and Dez Bryant are some more recent names. To this point, only running backs are in the ring.

Even with the long waitlist, OSU only inducts one player each year, which means it will take a long time to get those deserving in. With a laundry list of candidates across more than 100 years of football, it could be time for OSU to play catch-up and put some long overdue names up.

“That discussion has been brought up,” said OSU coach Mike Gundy. “Then there’s an administrative side of it that’s over my head. The only thing that I have said, and I don’t mind saying this, is there are a lot of really, really, really good football players that have played at Oklahoma State, and there’s not much mentioned of them.

“And I would like to catch up.”

OSU athletics director Chad Weiberg said he emphasizes honoring former players across all sports, and it shows. This year, OSU held a banquet for its Hall of Honor class, and the inductees returned to Stillwater and did interviews and interacted with OSU fans.

That emphasis has carried over to the creation of the Ring of Honor.

“We talk a lot about

student-athlete experience, and that being our true north,” Weiberg said at the Hall of Honor banquet. “We put a lot of time and resources into that. That extends to our former athletes. If that’s true of your athletes when you’re here, it has to extend to when they leave.

Nothing really changes at that point. And so, this is a very important part of that, to be able to acknowledge and celebrate them.”

Gundy has a few names he said he would like to see on the side of the stadium. O’Neal is a six-time Pro Bowl selection and ranks in the NFL’s top 15 for all-time sacks. Dykes, as Gundy said, is “arguably one of the greatest receivers who’s ever played this game.” Gundy should know, for he was the one throwing passes to him.

“You can go on and on,” Gundy said. “There’s just a lot of guys that deserve to be up there.

So, at some point, they might try to play a little catch up and get them up there.”

He also won a Super Bowl with the Dallas Cowboys. With my next pick, I took Jon Kolb, who was an All-Big Eight and All-American for OSU at center; he won four rings of his own with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Lastly, I selected Kevin Williams, who started 42 games as a Cowboy and recorded 160 tackles and 18 1/2 sacks; he was a severaltime All-Pro and FirstTeam selection in the league.

Davis Cordova: It’s not a matter of if, but when for Mike Gundy to have his No. 12 and name put up in the Ring of Honor.

Gundy not only is one of OSU’s greatest quarterbacks, but he’s the best coach in the program’s history. My second pick is from the same era, All-American defensive back Mark Moore.

Moore was a three-time All-American from 1983-86 and totaled 16

My last pick is from left field, but deserving. Dan Bailey won the school’s only Lou Groza Award, given to the best kicker in the nation, and went on to the NFL and at one point was the most accurate kicker in NFL history.

Gabriel Trevino: OSU’s greatest season in its history and maybe for the rest of time was led by Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon. Weeden is perhaps the program’s best quarterback, and Blackmon won two Biletnikoff awards.

Forget the offthe-field-issues with the latter, Weeden and Blackmon needs to be enshrined in Boone Pickens Stadium together.

Dez Bryant started the run of great OSU receivers before his suspension in 2009. Also, it’s Dez freaking Bryant.

Throw up the X in the Ring of Honor.

Ring of Honor Draft Board 1. Bush: Leslie O’Neal, DE, ’82-85

2. Slaughter: Walt Garrison, RB, ’63-65 3. Cordova: Mike Gundy, QB, ’86-89 4. Trevino: Justin Blackmon, WR, ’09-11 5. Trevino: Brandon Weeden, QB, ’08-11 6. Cordova: Mark Moore, DB, ’83-86 7. Slaughter: Jon Kolb, OL, ’65-68 8. Bush: Rodney Harding, DT, ’81-84 9. Bush: Hart Lee Dykes, WR, ’85-88 10. Slaughter: Kevin Williams, DT, ’99-03 11. Cordova: Dan Bailey, K, ’07-10 12. Trevino: Dez Bryant, WR, ’07-09

sports.ed@ocolly.com

O’Colly

Friday, October 13, 2023 Page 7B

sports

Solheim continuing family legacy on OSU golf team Gina Foster Staff Reporter

dad had gone to camp, my cousins were going, and so I had to get new clubs because I hadn’t played in so long.”

That camp was so influential, that by her senior year of high school, Jenna Karsten Creek Golf Club is the place people think about when they hear quit every other sport and planted her focus on golf. She had not improved about Oklahoma State golf teams.

But the golf club has an important enough to receive much recruitment, but person behind it who helped make it the she had enough potential to walk on at OSU her freshman year. home of OSU teams.

During her collegiate golf career, That person is Karsten Solheim, she has not played in the major tournathe great-grandfather of OSU graduatements with the team and has only played student golfer Jenna Solheim. in a tournament or two each year. AlThe golf course opened in 1994 with the intent of hosting championships though she hasn’t been a standout, Jenna and housing the OSU golf programs, and has found her role.

“It’s great having Jenna on the Karsten Solheim’s donations made that team,” OSU coach Greg Robertson said. possible and gave the course its name“She brings a good attitude and spirit. sake.

She always has the right attitude about Along with being partially rehow things go.” sponsible for the opening of Karsten It’s a similar role her father, AnCreek, Karsten Solheim was the founder drew Solheim, held while on the golf of Karsten Manufacturing, known as team. Robertson got to know him as PING. Before Jenna Solheim knew it, this family-owned business became her teammates in the mid-1990s, then stayed in touch here and there, but their relafuture. tionship has continued with help from Golf has always been a part of Jenna’s life, but it wasn’t until her fresh- Facebook and PING’s relationship with man year of high school that she discov- OSU golf.

“He is a lot like Jenna,” Robertson ered the part it would play in her own story with OSU golf, continuing a family said. “He has a great personality and is a fun, loving guy. He’s just one of those legacy. guys that you can’t help but like. He “I always had golf clubs and kind hasn’t changed much at all since he was of played here and there,” Jenna said. in school, and he’s just an awesome guy.”

“The first time I ever really tried golf Not that shooting a low score isn’t was when I went to OSU golf camp. My appreciated, but being a great teammate is, too. Jenna sends text messages to each teammate on the mornings of tournaments.

These messages include positive affirmations but always conclude with the words, “You are a winner.”

Jenna graduates in May with her master’s in marketing and management. This passion led her to join the family business. For the past five summers, she interned in the marketing department at PING. Eventually, she plans to make her way File Photo to CEO, but for now, her goal is to improve Kartsen Creek Golf Club, OSU’s home golf course, is named after Jenna marketing.

Solheim’s great-grandfather, Karsten Solheim. .

Cole Weiberg/OSU Athletics Jenna Solheim, a graduate-student on the Cowgirl golf team, carries the legacy of her family at OSU.

“I’ve gotten the opportunity to work in the social media department, and I got to start a TikTok account,” Jenna said. “I’ll be coming in as a firstyear employee, so I don’t have any power yet, so my biggest goal would be to support those who I’m working with and work hard so they understand the level of commitment I have for the organization and for our mission.”

Jenna adds another generation to the family business, joining her father, her uncle John K. Solheim (president of PING) and her grandfather John A. Solheim, the CEO. It can be difficult living up to a family legacy, but Jenna and the Solheims see it as an opportunity.

“I would say it’s about doing the right thing in all aspects of life,” Andrew Solheim said. “It’s kind of what

I see as being a Solheim and what it means to live up to the legacy before us.”

Jenna is forging her own path on the OSU golf team and in the family business, and she is proud to be a Solheim.

“When I think of the legacy that my family has left before me, I think of the impact they had on people,” Jenna said. “They’ve done some incredible things and there’s incredible business that’s come out of my family, but the most impressive thing to me is how they treated their employees and how they treated people.”

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Page 8B Friday, October 13, 2023

O’Colly

sports

Point / Counterpoint gabriel Trevino

After watching four quarters of the Red River Rivalry, I was left wanted more. Not only are Oklahoma and Texas the best teams in the Big 12, they are two of the best teams in the country. Luckily for us onlookers, we’re sure to see a sequel.

I don’t see a world where either team loses another game this season, and even if they drop one each, the rest of the Big 12 isn’t strong enough to get into that game. West Virginia has the best chance with its remaining cupcake schedule, but I’m still longing for a Red River rematch in Arlington.

Are Oklahoma and Texas locks to make the Big 12 title game?

Braden Bush

It’s easy to say they are, but there are still outside shots for other teams to make the Big 12 title game. Kansas State still has the talent and pedigree to make a return to Arlington, even though they already have a conference loss. West Virginia was picked at the bottom of the league in the preseason, but has surprised early and is in the hunt. Even OSU (I’m not predicting this) is still alive with a single Big 12 loss.

OU and Texas are the favorites, but there’s plenty of time for the field to catch up.

The O’Colly Sports Picks

Week 7 Games

*Highlighted games are locks of the week by the pickers

Braden Bush

Total ATS: 31-29 Last week ATS: 7-3 Total Straight: 40-20 Last week straight: 5-5 Lock of the week: 3-2

Ashton Slaughter Total ATS: 33-27 Last week ATS: 4-6 Total Straight: 29-21 Last week straight: 6-4 Lock of the week: 5-0

Gabriel Trevino Total ATS: 30-30 Last week ATS: 4-6 Total Straight: 44-16 Last week straight: 6-4 Lock of the week: 1-4

Davis Cordova

Total ATS: 33-27 Last week ATS: 7-3 Total Straight: 37-23 Last week straight: 5-5 Lock of the week: 1-4

Daniel Allen

Total ATS: 27-33 Last week ATS: 5-5 Total Straight: 34-26 Last week straight: 3-7 Lock of the week: 3-2

KU (-3.5) @ OSU

Michigan St. TAMU @ @ Rutgers (-5.5) Tenn. (-3.5)

Oregon KState @ @ Wash. (-2.5) T. Tech (-1.5)

Wyoming USC Miami @ @ @ AF (-10.5) NDame (-2.5) UNC (-3.5)

Washington Kansas State

Wyoming

USC

Miami

Ore. St.

Duke

(25-24)

(34-33)

(37-35)

(31-27)

(26-21)

Ore. St.

Duke

Kansas

Rutgers

Tennessee

(34-23)

(27-13)

(38-26)

OSU

Rutgers

Tennessee

(29-28)

(25-16)

(34-30)

Kansas

Rutgers

Tennessee

(36-19)

(31-24)

(31-14)

(63-60)

OSU

Rutgers

Tennessee

(27-23)

(18-13)

OSU (38-31)

(54-52)

(34-30)

Washington Texas Tech (44-40)

(33-29)

Air Force

Notre Dame N. Carolina

UCLA NC State @ @ Ore St. (-4.5) Duke (-4.5)

(27-22)

(35-32)

(30-20)

(23-18)

(20-15)

Air Force

USC

N. Carolina

UCLA

Duke

(27-19)

(31-26)

(44-38)

(35-27)

(24-20)

(31-20)

Washington

Texas Tech

Wyoming

USC

N. Carolina

Ore. St.

Duke

(37-27)

(31-30)

(38-34)

(33-30)

(41-35)

(38-33)

(24-20)

(26-20)

Rutgers

Tennessee

Oregon

Kansas State

Air Force

Ore. St.

Duke

(10-3)

(41-31)

(59-53)

(30-24)

(21-20)

(25-21)

(14-10)

Washington Kansas State

Notre Dame N. Carolina (35-31)

(45-35)

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