Friday, September 2, 2022
Orange... Power
THE ‘BOYS ARE BACK
Thursday marked the first game of OSU’s foot ball season, and students and alumni alike couldn’t wait to pack into Boone Pickens Stadium to cheer on the Cowboys. With so many game day festivities, The O’Colly set out to find the favorite game day tra ditions of Cowboy fans. The Band The first stop is the cherished Cowboy March ing Band. With blaring horns, striking drum lines and captivating field formations, the Cowboy Marching Band keeps Boone Pickens Stadium rocking.Itdelivers other beloved OSU favorites like “the Waving Song,” “Rideem,” “Never Been to Spain,” and the Oklahoma State Alma Mater.
OSU freshman, Kodi Gaugh, doesn’t want to be late. Class, events or anything else. Now, as an OSU student, away from her Texas home, she won’t be late for curfew.There no such thing in town.the4,270.freshmanmemberofafterjustingnewthousandsketingGaugh,college.amarmajor,andofotherstudentsareadtocollegelifethefirstweekschool.She’saoftherecordclassofMorethanhalfsizeofherhome
A majority of fans voiced how much they love the Cowboy March ing Band, which reveals how much the “brightest band in all the land” con tributes to the game day atmosphere. Luke Swen son, a Cowboy Marching Band member and music education major, wouldn’t disagree“My favorite tra dition is probably the Cowboy Marching Band,” Swanson said. “Though, I might be biased.” Bullet Next is a phrase ingrained into every OSU fan’s head.“Here comes Bul let’’ is a good sign for OSU fans, meaning the Cowboys just scored a touchdown. After every touchdown, Bullet gallops across the field in celebra tion and fans erupt in cheers.“I’ve lived in many different places for work,” a fan said. “The one thing that is unique for OSU is Bullet. I’ve seen The Walk at many other universi ties. Bullet is what I love because it is different.” Garth, Of Course Oklahoma State alumnus, Garth Brooks, made an impact on his alma mater, and his song “Friends in Low Places” plays at every home game. Fans across the stadium link arms and sing boldly to the classic country tune. It is a staple of Okla homa State events, and fans cannot help but blame their love for the song all on their roots. “I love singing it with friends or with my family when they come into town for a game,” said Jordan Allevato, a second-year student. “Even outside of football season, the song always resonates back to memories at OSU football games.”
The near 60,000 fans at Boone Pickens Stadium can be heard outside the stadium during the “Or ange Power” “Orangechant.Power” is a tradition designed for get ting the stadium as loud as possible, with one half of the stadium yelling or ange, and the other yelling power.Sophomore and management informa tion systems major Avery Allsup speaks highly of the tradition using just one word.
See
“I came from a town of 7,000 people to a campus of 25,000 people,” Gaugh said. “That was probably the biggest thing. Just getting where you’re supposed to be on time is probably the hardest part.” A week in, she figured out the route to her classes but said she still struggles with directions off campus. “It’s hard to ask an upperclassman (for help) but there are a lot of upperclassmen who reached out to me and have been very willing to help,” Gaugh said. “That’s one of the best parts about it here. The community is fantas tic.”
School has been in session for only two weeks and I can already feel my motivation draining. College students are pushed to their limits not only with classes, but campus involve ment and itearedifferenthandlestionally.physicallyyourselfarewaySelf-caremaintaining20slateforexpectations.socialAbigstrugglestudentsintheirteensandearlyisfiguringoutandself-care.isagreattomakesureyoukeepingupwithmentally,andemoEverybodyself-careinways.Heremytopfivefavorwaystoprioritize
self-care as a busy college student. No. 5 Planning One thing about me is that I am orga nized. I love filling out my calendar every Sunday with what my week is going to look like. It forces me to take a deep breath and not be as schedulethattopaintingbefeelwhateveryouule.ningimportanttimeacademichoursBlockingthroughoutscrambledtheday.offafewadayfornonactivitiesorforyourselfissowhenplanoutyourschedTakethattimesetasideanddomakesyourelaxed.Itcouldaself-careshower,orlisteningmusic,butblocktimeoffinyourtoavoidfeelingoverwhelmed.
THURSDAY NIGHT LIGHTS
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No. 12 Oklahoma State opened its 109th sea son Thursday night against Central Michigan. The Cowboys finished 12-2 in 2021 and won the Fiesta Bowl. There is optimism that the Cowboys can reach the Big 12 Championship again and coach Mike Gundy is on the cusp of career win No. 150. For full game cover age, visit ocolly.com.
Mackenzie Janish
Fan-favorite traditions Traditions on 4A Payton Little Staff Reporter
Top 5 tips: Prioritizing self-care as a busy college student
Oklahoma State tra ditions are like none other on home football game days.
Josiah Huff, a freshman mechanical and aerospace engi neering major, used resources to his advan tage in the first Jaiden Daughty Students are beginning to adjust to life on campus, many of who come from small towns that don’t compare to the number of students at OSU. Settled in Stillwater New students adjust to college life
Page 2A Friday, September 2, 2022
Each year on Sept. 2, Nation al Blueberry Popsicle Day is celebrated. In 1905, 11-year-old, Henry Epperson invented the pop sicle. These sweet summer treats have quite the history. Originally called “Eppsicles”, it transitioned to its common name in the 1930s. They traditionally are enjoyed on wooden strirring sticks, now referred to as “popsicle sticks”, but now can be found in and in many different and
National Blueberry Popsicle Day
plastic wrapping,
flavors. Editorial board Sports editor Gabriel sports.ed@ocolly.comTrevino News editor Teyte news.ed@ocolly.comHolcomb Photo editor Mackenzie photo.ed@ocolly.comJanish Co-Editor-in-chief Abby editorinchief@ocolly.comCage Sports reporters: Sam PJDanielAshtonDavisBradenHutchensBushCordovaSlaughterAllenTikalsky Photographers & Designers: Jaiden Daughty Molly Jolliff Sarah BradenMichaelKarlieJakeEthanZacharyColeChaseRebekahBriscoeClearyDavisGueldenzophHunterHilbertSpringerBootheClarkKing O’Colly Staff 108 Paul Miller Stillwater, OK 74078 Newsroom (405)-744-6365 Design editor Sam design.ed@ocolly.comBeebe Adviser John john.helsley@okstate.eduHelsley News & reporters:Lifestyle Luisa Clausen Kylie Hammack Jaden ConnorPaytonRowdyBetesdaBaribeauLittleGray Lifestyle editor Claire news.ed@ocolly.comHosterman Co-Editor-in-chief Adam editorinchief@ocolly.comEngel Assistant sports editor Ben sports.ed@ocolly.comHutchens Graphics by Rebekah Cleary Assistant news editor Mallory news.ed@ocolly.comPool
shapes, sizes, colors
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ETERNITY IN MIND!
“ Therefore, my beloved brethren, be stead fast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Co.15:58 NKJ) Just about everything in this life is tempo rary. Yet, most people work very hard to have a pleasant few years in their lifetime. I would like to remind the true Christians that God is offering us an eternity of bless ing as we serve him and his purposes now. 1InCo.15 the Apostle Paul is reminding these believers of Christ’s resurrection and how true and real it was. He continues by emphasizing the sure promise of God that we are going to share in that resurrec tion one day. We will have a new, eternal body like Jesus has now. As we help in the work of God, furthering his kingdom; demonstrating the love of God in blessing and serving others; as you and I get involved with helping missionary work, even going to help in short term mission trips or providing finances for others to go, we are laying up treasure in heaven “where moths cannot corrupt and thieves cannot Actually,steal.”this kingdom of God, with forgive ness of all our sins and a new relationship with God as our Father, is offered to all mankind. If you have never opened your heart to Christ, asking for a clean heart and a new life; the door is open wide for you to come. You will not be turned away. Then you too can begin to live for the eternal: laying up treasure in Heaven. I en courage all to consider these words, no matter your age, and choose the best and most satisfying life. It is a life following Christ as your Lord, and going for God’s best in eternity. It is a great and sure future!
One of the biggest events in the Office of Sorority and Fraternity Af fairs at OSU is Freshman Follies. A show competition involving all of the houses on campus that present a musi cal piece with singing, dancing and acting on a stage for eight minutes. The competition is a large phi lanthropy event for OSU Greek life, as all proceeds go toward the charity highlighted in that given year. Follies began Tuesday and all directors and cast members got to go and show their support.Wes Watkins was home to over 400 people starting off the Follies sea son with a bang at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. The evening highlights videos from directors, last year’s Follies promo and talk about fundraising and the phi lanthropy. The Follies kickoff and the director’s retreat on Sunday were large events that helped the Greek and Still water communities grow excitement for the upcoming Follies and homecoming season. Freshman Follies is one of the first big events new members are in cluded in during homecoming season. Steering, the committee that oversees all show productions and makes sure Follies runs smoothly, held a director’s retreat Sunday that helped train directors for the upcoming show season and equipped them with the leadership skills needed to produce an eight-minuteMargaretshow.Patterson, a freshman Follies steering member, spoke with The O’Colly about the importance of Follies to Oklahoma State. “I think people get involved with Follies because it is a great opportu nity to meet new people,” Patterson said. “It’s a way to celebrate others and encourage each other while navigating college. People remember follies for all of college. Chapter members, cast members and steering members alike remember follies for what it gave them. It gave them a community and a place to be themselves in college. Oklahoma State students all have a hand in making OSU what it is, and I think Follies is a large part of that during the homecomingAccordingseason.”toseveral steering members, Follies is a talented and intricate event to put together, so it is fun to watch it when it’s done. Singing, dancing and acting, all while painting a full story in eight minutes is hard, but these freshmen and directors do a fantastic job. The kickoff is just the beginning to the next several weeks of show season and all the casts are excitedShow. week is Oct. 11-15, and tickets will go on sale soon. Keep on lookout for them and go experience the longtime OSU tradition for yourself. For more information regarding Fresh man Follies, please visit edu/gogreek/freshman-follies.lcl.okstate.AliciaYoung
NASA has not returned to the moon in 50 Artemisyears.I,NASA’s “mega rocket,” experienced a launch delay due to an issue with one of the four engines. But NASA will take another shot at the launch on Saturday. While the idea of going to the moon isn’t a totally new idea, many students have never actually witnessed a man on the moon. OSU student Claire Stolfa said she thinks it’s awe some.“I’ve never seen anyone go to the moon,” Stolfa said. “Being able to witness that would be pretty cool.” NASA’s mission to go to the moon has been in the works for some time, and would have been the first return to the moon since 1972. While the mission is temporarily delayed, no new date has been set yet to return to the moon.Even though the mission was planned to begin early Monday morning, a problem with the cooling system in one of the engines caused a delay in the launch date. A NASA representative told CNN the potential risk of an engine bleed was never out of the“Oncequestion.we got through the propellant loading on the rocket, both on core stage and the upper stage, they started the engine bleed,” said mission manager Mike Sarafin. “We talked in our flight readiness review about the engine bleed, we knew that that was a risk heading into this launch campaign and it would be the first time demonstrating that success fully.” Via Google NASA’s Artemis I “mega rocket” has been de layed due to an engine malfunction.
TeyteEditorNewsHolcombNewsEditor
See NASA on page 4A Bullet and thousands of students packed Boone Pickens Stadium Thursday night for OSU’s opener against Central Michigan. For full game coverage, visit ocolly.com.
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The women of Gamma Phi Beta and the men of Sigma Nu perform their Follies show last year.
NASA moon launch delayed Mallory Pool Assistant
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OSU Greek life kicks off Freshman Follies Show
O’Colly Friday, September 2, 2022 Page 3A
Abby Smith
Jaiden Daughty
Traditions...
Page 4A Friday, September 2, 2022 O’Colly Lifestyle/news news.ed@ocolly.com entertainment.ed@ocolly.com
Abby Smith OSU cheer sqaud prompts the Orange Power chant.
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Recent OSU graduate, problemssolutionssionfutureweekgathertherepresentativetivearocketproblemhaveunsafe,madeconditionsgineotherbenefitcouldfeeldergrassgoingpoint.shegothinkthatPendergrass,Brynnsaidwhiletheyit’scooltotothemoon,doesn’tseeany“Whyareweback,”Pensaid.“Ilikethatmoneybeusedtocitizensinways.”Besidesenissues,weatheralsothelaunchwhichcouldresultedinawiththealltogether,NASArepresentatoldCNN.Thesaidlaunchteamwilllaterinthetodiscusstheofthemisandpossibletotheproposed.
Students...
Thousands of students are learning to live independently as college students.
NASA... Continued from page 3 week of school. He can access the Endeavor Lab and various makerspaces with the help of faculty, to work on projects and model“Iairplanes.doitfor hobbies and for classes,” he said. “Right now, I’m not working on any specific projects but just knowing that I have the tools available to me gives me the oppor tunity to think of things that I could make and design.” He quickly made friends through numerous student organizations such as “Engineers Without Borders” and “Missionary Baptist Student Fellow ship.” Sawyer Pool, a junior transfer from Carl Albert State College, faces the same challenge as Gaugh. “It’s a whole lot bigger than where I came from so you might have to walk a little bit farther between classes,” Pool said. The freedom is a bonus. “You can go get food at 2 a.m. and not get hated on for it,” he said.
Courtesy of CNN
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The OSU marching band ranks high among fans’ favorite traditions. news.ed@ocolly.com Photo
NASA’s Artemis I rocket launch to the moon has been delayed over a reported problem with one of the engines.
Sophomore and management informa tion systems major Avery Allsup speaks highly of the tradition using just one “Iconic,”word.Allsup said. Of course, there are many other beloved traditions at Oklahoma State. Other students highlighted the cama raderie of singing the Oklahoma State alma mater, the manic energy of keys dangling before kickoff, the ever-boom ing presence of the Paddle People, tailgat ing outside the stadium before the game and The Walk of the team into Boone Pickens Stadium.Whatever it may be that gets Cowboy fans excited, one thing is for certain: Stillwater was buzzing anew with all of these traditions Thursday night.
The Spirit Rider takes a lap aboard Bullet after every touchdown.
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Maintaining self-care can enhance your mental, physical and emotional well-being.
Self-care... from Read full story at ocolly.com Vaccines for COVID-19 may soon be come harder to find, and students at OSU could feel the effects. A week ago, Pfizer and BioNTech received a lawsuit filed by Mod erna claiming that the technology used to make Pfizer’s vaccine was copied using technology developed by Moderna. Pfizer and BioN Tech said they were shocked at this lawsuit and “have not yet fully reviewed the complaint.” Pfizer and BioNTech said they believe they have not violated any patent laws, in a state ment provided to U.S. News.“We remain con fident in our intellectual property supporting the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine and will vigorously de fend against the allega tions of the lawsuit.” OSU employee and graduate, Spencer Web ster, said he believes this lawsuit could potentially affect at which vaccines are distributed to the public.This doesn’t seem like it is something that would benefit the public in the long run, Webster said. “These vaccines have saved lives, and it’s awful to see companies hashing out problems like this.”Moderna said that it does not wish to remove Pfizer’s vaccine from the market, and is not seeking damages from its sale
Pfizer and BioNTech sued regarding vaccine technology
‘Homecoming’ Randy Rogers Band album review TeyteNewsHolcombEditor Mallory Pool AssistantEditorNews
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Via Google Images
self. Yes, some people, including myself, need recharge time, but going out with friends or going to campus events for a few hours to get out of the dorm or house is a great way to prioritize your mental health. Be ing around people can enhance your sense of safety, belonging and security. No. 2: Working out Working out is something I’ve incorpo rated into my self-care routine recently. I used to only work out when I had time, but now, I have been making time to take care of my physical health. Doing at least 30 minutes of exercise a day can release “feelgood” chemicals in your brain that enhance your sense of well being. I find myself less anxious throughout the day and feel better about myself because I’ve accom plished something. I feel like I’m doing something good for my body, which boosts my mental health. No. 1: Going on drives/taking a walk Taking long drives is my favorite form of self-care. Going on a walk can be another great alternative if you don’t have a car. I love blasting my favorite music with the windows down while driving around Stillwater. You could either listen to mu sic, a podcast or just your own thoughts. Whether you take a drive around town or take a walk around campus, taking this time for yourself can be good for your wellbeing.
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O’Colly Friday, September 2, 2022 Page 5A Lifestyle
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“Homecoming,” the ninth studio album from the Randy Rogers Band, will be released on Oct. 14.
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Randy Rogers Band’s new album, “Homecoming,” embodies the sound that the band created for the past two decades.Randy Rogers Band recently an nounced an upcoming album release set for Oct. 14. This 11-track record is a beautifully tragic story about first heartbreaks, small towns and nostalgic feelings.“Homecoming” is the band’s ninth studio album and marks their 20th anniversary playing together. The album brings a lot of their past music full circle and revisits personal topics and memories for the group. “This song embodies the sound that created the last two decades of touring for our band,” Rogers said in a statement about the album. “Recorded and written with Radney Foster, it’s a return to the origins of the Randy Rog ers Band.”Tenof the album’s 11 songs were co-written by Rogers, with co-writers such as Parker McCollum, Randy Mon tana, Jon Randall and more. Radney Foster produced the project, and has previously worked with the band. Foster produced several of the group’s early works, including “Rollercoaster’’and “Just a Matter of Time”, making “Homecoming” a full -circle moment. ““Homecoming”is a renaissance orchestrated by Radney Foster,” Rog ers said. “We went back to our roots working with Radney again as well as recording this record at two iconic studios that produced some of our most successful music. Dance with the one that brought you.” The O’Colly reviewed this album before its release in October. The album itself is incredible. I may just be saying that as a huge red dirt fan, but Randy Rogers Band has always been one of my favorites.Thetwo songs that have been re leased, “Nothing But Love Songs” and “Picture Frames”, were the best songs to release first. “Nothing But Love Songs” includes the tough journey of hearing sappy love songs on the radio after a breakup. The fiddle and electric guitar really add a good balance and unique air to the heartbreaking song. The songs are a good scene setter for the rest of the release in October. I love the contrast to the breakup songs with the song “Small Town Girl Goodbye.” As someone who wanted to leave my small hometown, I really resonated with these lyrics. The song is well-crafted and one that I think a lot of young women will relate to. The upbeat music and Rogers’ vocals make for a good break from the sadness. The album jumps right back into the heartbreak on track nine, “Heart For Just One Team”. Rogers and John Baumann co-wrote this song about Rogers’ “old man” who would take him to Sunday football games. The heart break of losing a loved one shows. in this song and adds a depth that many country albums lack. My personal favorite off the up coming album is “Know That By Now.” It was the song, to me, that felt the most real and raw. A song about drinking dividing a relationship and not being able to move on from someone you love is sung about in several country songs I’ve heard. This song, however, stood out to me. Rogers’ voice sounds so heartbroken and meaningful in “Know That By Now,” and I listened to it on repeat for 10 minutes. The whole album is amazing and one that red dirt fans should get excited for, especially with Randy Rogers Band headlining in Stillwater. Hopefully, the band will play a song or two from “Homecoming.”TheRandy Rogers Band will per form at Outside City Limits Music, a local music festival with more obscure red dirt country music artists than Calf Fry. The festival begins next Sept. 9. For more information on Outside City Limits or the Randy Rogers Band, please visit calffry.com/outsidecitylim its or randyrogersband.comCourtesyofRandy Rogers Band
Pfizer and BioNTech is being sued by Moderna for violating a patent implemented by Moderna regard ing the mRNA technology used to develop Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine.
No. 4: Reading Reading is a good way to stimulate brain activity and keep a healthy mind. It can boost happiness and improve reading and english skills. If you are feeling anxious, pull out a good book and take a break from whatever you are doing. Lose yourself in a different world for a little bit. It helps selfcare so much. I know reading isn’t for every one, but I think people will find it helps more than they think. No. 3: Socializing I know it tosocializingself-explanatory,soundsbutisagreatwaytakecareofyour
Page 6A Friday, September 2, 2022 O’Colly 230 S. Knoblock St. Stillwater, OK Stop74074in for fresh SINCEMushroomsFriedorPizzamadetoyourliking!1957,CheckouttheOriginalHideaway! Photo AllInaugurationShrum’sPresidentphotosbyAbbyCage
Home of Garth Brooks’ first performance, Willies has been on “The Strip” since 1974. A great honky-tonk vibe,Willies offers signature shots, including its famous ice shots, beer/drink towers, a pool table and much more. Willies will host live music on occasion, offering open-mic
The Union Beverage Co. This bar offers a club-like at mosphere, disco lights and all. The Union has been voted by Barstool Sports as the best bar in Stillwater the past four years, offering pool tables, beer pong, karaoke night and $2 shots of tequila per the DJ’s an nouncement. Salty Bronc Sa loon The Salty Bronc is an other bar on localthestagepooloutdoorOfferingmusichonorsvibecowboyathatStrip”“Thegivesrustic,thatthescene.asmallarea,twotablesandaforlivemusic,SaltyBronchostsmusicianstodebuttheircountrymusic.
O’Colly Friday, September 2022 Page 7A STILLWATER’S MATTRESS STORE 424 SOUTH MAIN STILLWATER,OKSTREET,74074 MONDAY-SATURDAY | 9:30 - 6:00 SUNDAY | 1:00 - 5:00 405-624-3212WWW.STILLWATERFURNITURESHOWCASE.COM 1329 S Sangre Road, Stillwater, OK 74074 | (405) 533-3376 117 Patton Drive, Ponca City, OK 74601 | (580) 576-3369 915 E Owen K Garriott Road, Suite D, Enid, OK 73701 | (580) 599-0648 916 19th Street, Woodward, OK 73801 | (580) 377-3644 Thomas Hall, MD Kenda Baker, PA-C Erin Paige Kruckenberg, PA-C Sara Metcalf, MD Deanna Cummings, PA-C Shannon Clark, PA-C WE ARE HERE FOR YOU! Visit A Dermatologist Close To Campus, Who Specializes In Skin Health! Lifestyle Bars on ‘The Strip’
J.R. Murphys Spend a night under the orange palm trees at this Stillwater classic. Residing on “The Strip” since 1975, it offers large areas for socialization with one outdoor and two indoor bars, multiple pool tables, dart boards and a jukebox. They say “Straight to Murphy’s” for a reason.
The Copper Penny
College Bar College Bar offers a closeknit environment with booths and picnic tables to share with friends and leave your signature, along with many others, on the wall. The bar has many signature drinks, beer and ale on tap and offers $5 pitchers of beer on special nights. Some special nights include speed bingo on Mon days, team trivia on Wednesday, Funk and Beers, a funk band made up of OSU marching band mem bers, on Thursday and occasionally hosts drag shows on Saturdays.
Shots Billiard Hall An underrated bar on “The Strip”. Shots is a less popular bar with students, more popular with the locals. The bar offers skee-ball lanes and various pool tables to play casually with friends, or more competitively with op ponents.
“The Strip” is one of the most iconic places for an OSU student to hang out at. With bars lining the strip, it’s no wonder there seems to be an infinite amount of options when choosing where to go out. you like a more casual vibe or more of a club scene, the bars on The Strip have something for IslandStrip.spotsmostofHereeveryone.isalistsomeoftheiconiconThehotdog has been in Stillwater for over 50 years. A recently added bar and rooftop, the only one on “The Strip,” made itself the new home for visitors looking to enjoy a drink outdoors. The bar and roof top feature three fireplaces, TVs to enjoy sports, cornhole, live music and more.
The signature drink, the Limey, makes Cop per Penny special. The Limey holds the most liquor an establish ment can sell you, eight seconds of a vodka pour, and a Limey race might leave you feeling buzzed. The Copper Penny also offers a rustic feel with saddle seats, pool tables and an outdoor patio featuring a fire pit and a bench swing.
Outlaws
The only two-story bar on “The Strip” is a great place to go country dancing with friends with out having to travel all the way to Tumbleweed. Outlaws offers a large area, featuring two bars, a dance floor, cornhole and more to people who love to listen to all types of country music.
ClaireLifestyleHostermanEditor entertainment.ed@ocolly.com Graphics by Rebekah Cleary
No. 2 “Rudy” (1993) “Rudy” is one of those films that tells the classic story of beating the odds, but pulls it off in a way that is smart, heartwarming and pushes all the correct emotional buttons. A story of a dyslexic who wants to play foot ball at the University of Notre Dame, must deal with the hurdles of both overcoming his dyslexiaand making it into school and the football team is a great premise. One of the biggest things that “Rudy” has going for it is that it does not ever feel like Rudy is trying to achieve these unrealistic goals and is some above-life hero. He is simply a kid who shows great persis tence and will, and he always gives his all and tries to do the best he can in his situation. Sean Astin as Rudy is almost cheating in a way since Astin is such a loveable and fun guy to watch. “Rudy” delivers the perfect amount of senti ment and good feelings that is wanted from a football movie. No. 1 “Remember the Titans” (2000) The only football movie that I could fathom placing in the top spot over “Rudy,” is “Remember the Ti tans.” A bonafide classic that tran scends being just a great football movie. This 2000s hit is not just an en tertaining watch but is also a thoughtprovoking and compelling crowd pleaser. Something “Remember the Titans” does remarkably well is the depth and personality it gives to each individual player providing the story with several well-defined charac ters. It is impossible to mention “Remember the Titans” without giving credit to its cast, but Denzel Wash ington steals the show. He is giving cinema one of its most memorable and nspiring performances, Washington’s performance of coach Boone is a gift to see.
Ranking top football films
Via Google Images “The Blind Side”, starring Sandra Bullock, released in 2009.
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Page 8A Friday, September 2, 2022 O’Colly Lifestyle
There have been numerous sports films over the years that tend to blend together sometimes. That does not mean that there aren’t some that are incredible despite the mold. With the return of Oklahoma State football, now seems as fitting a time as ever to rank what I think are the three best football movies. No. 3 “The Blind Side” (2009) Telling the biographical tale of Michael Oher, as he finds a fam ily who cares about him both on and off the field. “The Blind Side” shows the heartfelt story of a boy realizing his potential and just how much he is capable of in the classroom and on the football field. It goes without saying that “The Blind Side” runs into some of the cliché flaws of the genre and it rides the line of being too sentimental, but in the end, I feel like it manages to be a rare case where despite the for mula the film works. The strongest part of “The Blind Side” is without a doubt the performance of Sandra Bullock who provides the heart and soul of the movie that separates it from just being mediocre.
Connor Gray Staff Reporter
Braden Bush Staff Reporter
New outlook giving Maier, team confident approach to cross country season
Braden Cassity crouched alongside Spencer Sanders, melting in with the fragments of leaves and branches cover ing them.Afew noises of twigs cracking and snapping sounded off, but they weren’t worried. They were practi cally unnoticeable to nearby animals, blending in with the surrounding environment with a mixture of stealth and dexterity.Itwas precisely what one would watch in a reality huntingSandersshow. reached into his pocket, got out a duck call, took a deep breath and blew into the device. Patches of ducks began gravitating toward the two camouflaged outdoorsmen. A smile grew across Cassity’s face. This was where he made his move. Moments later, Cassity and Sanders were carrying loads of ducks back to Still water, celebrating a successful day outdoors.Onthefootball field, Cassity is a towering figure. During games and practices, the cowboy back delivers blocks, clutch catches and provides a veteran presence for newcomers and younger teammates.When it comes to offthe-field shenanigans, Cassity is polar opposite from his ingame persona. Regarding the outdoors, the Austin, Texas, native is known as the special ist, but others like to claim that title as well. “I think I’m pretty flashy when it comes to hunting and outdoors stuff,” Sanders said with a chuckle. “It’s just something about me.” Cassity was quick to rebut that claim. “Hunting with Spencer is like trying to get a toddler to drive,” Cassity said. “Not necessarily like actually teach ing a toddler to drive, it’s not that bad. But he definitely has his moments.”Regardless of who considers themselves to be the expert, the hunting duo em braces every opportunity to take part in a lifestyle in which they even consider to be an alter-ego of theirs.The two are well-re nowned hunting buddies. The confidence the two have when casting a line or staring down the sights of a hunting rifle wasn’t always present. It took countless trips to build that chemistry.They have certainly had their productive days out in the woods. Sanders recalls count less instances where Cassity couldn’t fit a full load of tagged ducks in the back of his truck, struggling to find a way to bring all of his catches back with him.
wALKINGWALKTHE
Daniel Allen Staff Reporter
OSU players bond while duck hunting, boat fishing
See Walk on page 3B Alex Maier didn’t attribute his national runner-up finish to a change in workout or training.Of course the physical preparation side of running can not be overstated, and it played a huge role. When Maier finished second in the men’s 10,000 meter at the NCAA Outdoor Cham pionships in June, a year after failing to even qualify for the championship, he said his new mentality was key. “The biggest change for me was I saw myself as a much more capable runner,” Maier said. “Whereas I used to kind of do things like, ‘Oh man, I hope this goes well.’ It’s more like, ‘No, this is going to go well because I’ve done the preparation that I need to.’” Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Dave Smith said it was rewarding to see Maier fight through personal battles and watch his work pay off. Smith observed his distance runner be ing hard on himself, to the point he said it was “detrimental.” He understands how tough inner-conflict can be. Smith compared these situations with runners to nights on the side of Mount Everest, on the way to the peak. Not fun, but the only way to the top. The sooner that’s realized, the clearer an athlete can become mentally. “You can give advice, you can talk, you can kind of guide, but ultimately, I think in our sport, kids got to find a way out of the woods,” Smith said. “It’s kind of just the way it is, you’re lost in the woods, you gotta find your way “Ultimately,out. Alex had to figure out for himself.”That came from taking time for himself to deal with the prob lem. While training physically, he changed the way he thought. Maier said if the at titude and mentality is right, the physical side will naturally follow.
“I shifted my mentality more from kind of being my own worst enemy to being much more supportive of myself,” Maier said. “Understanding that when times get really tough, it’s up to you to support yourself… I just stopped beating myself up so much, and I started gaining a lot of confidence just as a result of not doing that.” As a senior on the cross country team heading into the fall season, Maier is now a veteran on the squad –which finished third as a team at the past two NCAA Cross bringingthisandChampionships.CountrySmithMaierbothagreeteamiscapableofhome
Walking is a mun dane task, but not when there’s 35,000 people watchingOneyou.ofthe oldest OSU traditions on game day, “The Walk,” isn’t as simple as the name sug gests. Started by coach Les Miles in the early 2000s, the inaugural walks drew a modest crowd of local, loyal fans. Now, years later, the tradition Mike Gundy carried on is a spectacle beforeWhengames.OSU players and staff exit their rooms at the Atherton Hotel on campus, walk straight up the brick-paved Hester Street, past the Student Union and through the middle of campus, all the way to Boone Pickens Stadium, with thousands of orange-dressed fans next to them, it’s no lon ger just a stroll through the school.“Our game day here is awesome,” said OSU coach Mike Gundy. “On game day, we have 35,000 registered tailgaters on campus, and numbers are rising. It’s a great tradi tion. It gives the fans a chance to see the players on game days and the little kids to see them face-to-face.”Theatmosphere is an aspect of the college football game most people gravitate to more than professional — especially in a college town such as Stillwater.OnSaturday morn ings, fans from all over the state, and the resi dents of Stillwater, come together on OSU’s 1,489acre campus, setting up canopies and chairs, start ing the grills and cracking open cold ones, waiting for the game to start. All of that stops a few hours before kickoff for “TheTheWalk.”Cowboy March ing Band leads the play ers through the corral of screaming fans, playing the OSU fight song, while members of the football team interact with fans and kids.“As a fan, I’ve usu ally had a few cold ones at The Walk, so it’s a little better being on the other side,” said former OSU quarterback
Braden Cassity started an Instagram page @90_outdoors to showcase his hunting suc cess.
See Bond on page 4B
via @BradenCass on Twitter
See Maier on page 3B
BrandonAbby Cage The Walk draws large crowds of fans who want to get an up-close look on the OSU players and staff as they walk to Boone Pickens Stadium.
Gabriel Trevino Sports Editor
Daniel Allen Staff Reporter sports.ed@ocolly.com
In Scotland, soccer is practically a religion. Most kids play it at a young age, whether it be club ball or for school. OSU soc cer coach Colin Carmichael carried the trend, picking up any soccer ball in his vicinity, kicking a ball any opportuni ty he had, and joining a pick up match within a reasonable distance. But he didn’t think he wouldCarmichaelcoach. played college soccer at South Alabama, where he would play under coach Roy Patton. After college, Carmichael gained interest in coaching. Patton took on a mentor role, teaching him the tidbits of coaching and preparing. From that moment on, Carmichael was all in on the coaching lifestyle.Patton set up Carmi chael with a coaching job, there was just one problem: Carmichael had zero amount of coaching experience. The whirlwind of emo tions and increasing levels of anxiety made him question a handful of things in the mo ment. “I was like, ‘what’,” Carmichael instantly respond ed. “I was only 21 years old. I didn’t know much about head coachingAfterthen.”amoment of con templation, Carmichael got on board with Patton’s proposal. Shortly after, Carmichael ac cepted a position as the head women’s soccer coach at Saint John’s Episcopal High School, right down the road from his alma mater.Carmichael led his girls to three straight winning seasons, and an appearance in the stateFollowingchampionship.histeam’s run to the Alabama state championship, he felt it was time to move on. He began coaching women’s club soccer in Mobile, Alabama, gradual ly progressing his name in the soccer world and constructing his resume as a coach, even tually leading him to OSU. The major aspect of coaching Carmichael tried to imitate from his old mentor when it came to being a suc cessful as a soccer coach was to maintain a strong rapport with his players both on and off theAnnafield.Beffer, a former player for Carmichael at OSU, credits her former coach for the majority of her success in life post“Hecollege.actually cares,” Beffer said. “He’s different than most coaches. He genu inely cares about his players, and actually wants to have a relationship with you outside of soccer.”Beffer is now color com mentating for Cowgirl Soccer games. It can be bittersweet for her at times, knowing all of the ups and downs that she went through in college. She says the opportunity to not only come back and see where it all began for her, but also the man who made ev erything happen for her is one of the more special aspects of announcing OSU games. “He’s understanding,” junior defender Molly Breiner said. “He’s not at all afraid to say what he feels, and he’s very good at communicating with you without downgrad ing (you). If you had a prob lem, any problem, he’d know how to deal with it with a certain edge and that’s what makes him so special.”
File Photo Isai Rodriguez will return to the cross country course after a car crash in January.
Carmichael using former coaches’ knowledge to connect with players Rodriguez still battling from accident ahead of season Braden Bush Staff Reporter
Isai Rodriguez stumps his coaches constantly.Though Ro driguez, a graduate student and distance runner from Ring wood, may take more risks than coaches like, or pace himself quicker than coached to do, he still manages to perform at a high level. “He’s just a freak of nature,” said Dave Smith, Oklahoma State director of track & field and cross coun try. “He might be the toughest athlete I’ve ever met in terms of what he can put him self through in a race and his pain tolerance during a competition, no one’s ever been bet ter. I think that’s his strength.”
File Photo OSU coach Colin Carmichael finds it important to build strong connections with all of is players.
But Rodriguez’s strength was tested on Jan. 24 when he was the passenger in a car wreck with former OSU wrestler AJ Ferrari, which left him in the hospital for a day. The days since the wreck have been taxing,Hetoo.went on to compete in the spring outdoor season and even finished seventh in the 5,000 meter at the Big 12 Rodriguez.wasphysicalaspectknowstollaboutRodriguezdingeda“He’shurt,”dingedhimselfwreckSmithmaybetotheChampionship.OutdoorStill,wreckcontinuedaffectRodriguez;evenmorethanrealized.“Sincethehehasnotbeenandhe’sbeenup,he’sbeenSmithsaid.beenprobablylittleemotionallyup,too.”Smithsaiddoesn’ttalktheemotionalmuch,butthathetheemotionalcanhaveaimpact,whichthecasewithAfterthe
accident, his training slowed down expo nentially, and heading into this season, the 24-year-old runner wasn’t in the best shape.But progress is finally starting to take place, according to Smith, and Rodriguez is beginning to re-take form and see “light at the end of tunnel” ahead of the cross countryDespiteseason.a stag nant summer with little training, Smith knows better than to assume Rodriguez won’t be competitive. This has happened missedbefore.Rodriguezalmosta month of training during his redshirt freshman season, due to fear of injury. When the team showed up to nation als, he was behind the others in prepara tion. Smith wanted his distance runner to coast behind the senior leaders and just try to finish in the top 40. “I said, ‘Don’t be crazy. Don’t go after the leaders, these guys are men. They know what they’re doing, they’ve been here be fore. You need to just take a back seat in this one.’”No amount of convincing worked, and Rodriguez shot to the front and remained there. He finished fourth that Whileday.the effects of the car wreck have been harsher than his freshman injury, his mindset is the same. When it’s time to run, he’ll run. After finish ing 22nd at cross coun try nationals last year (team-best), Smith expects Rodriguez to be back in contention this year.“He doesn’t care what his train ing is or isn’t,” Smith said. “Now that he’s actually running and making some progress, I think 13 weeks from now when we get to the national champion ships, I think he’ll be fine.”
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“So this group of freshmen, if they can come in and get back to where they ran as freshmen [in high school], I’ll be thrilled,” he said. “Now some of them are go ing to break that mold and jump right into improving and doing really well and I think it’s impossible to decide which of this group of 14 freshmen women are gonna help us this year. It may be Natalie Cook, it may not. It may be some of her teammates, it may not. It’s just hard to know. But, I am confident that there’ll be a couple of them that make our top seven.” Braden King Coach Dave Smith said these might be the best teams he has ever coached.
Expectations large for Cook, women’s freshmen runners with big season on horizon sports.ed@ocolly.comAbbyCage
Weeden. “It’s cool for fans to get an up-close look at the players and staff.”While still college students, college them,fanstheupcominggetsaygame,travelilymeet“TheeveryportunityFord,linemanandJakeoffensiveplayers,friendsbeIIthosepointbody’stotakeserslookersaudience,”loteration,thepossible.asto15-minutetimeSanders,terbacksuchkids.butfansarefootballespeciallyathletes,starplayers,admiredbyofallages,especiallyForsome,asquarSpencerhetakesoutofhiswalkinteractwithmanykidsas“It’saboutyoungergenthere’saofkidsinthatSandsaid.“Theyuptoplaylikeusanditfivesecondsmakesomeday.AtoneIwasoneofkidsandifgotahigh-fivewouldprobablybraggingtomyinschool.”ManyothersuchaslinemanSpringfielddefensiveTraceusetheopbeforegameatWalk”towithfammemberswhotoeverywhichtheyhelpsthemreadyforthecontest.EvenwiththousandsofsurroundingSpringfield and Ford said they always know where to spot their loved ones through the sea of orange.“It’s always nice because my parents always come and they always stand in the same spot so I know where to look,” Springfield said. “I’ll go over, take a photo with my mom and hug them. It’s a pregame ritual for me. I see them on the walk, then I start getting my mind ready for the game.”More than just team.”ofgoing.it’sallbandoutside,momentgettallycansotired.allaroundyou’renightlatesomeWeedenaboutcoolestitStadium.ofthethat60-minuteforpreparetionanduselows“Thefamilymunity,withinteractingthecomfansandmembers,Walk”alforplayerstotheadrenalinestimulatomentallythemtheloomingbattleawaitswithinfortificationBoonePickens“Asaplayer,wasoneofthethingsgameday,”said.“ForofthoseafternoonorgameswhensittingthehoteldayyougetThere’sonlymuchTVyouwatch.Menyouhavetogoing,buttheyouwalkheartheplayandseethosepeople,hardnottogetIt’saboostenergyforour
“The Walk” could take 15 minutes for players and staff to get to the locker rooms at Boone Pickens Stadium from the Atherton Hotel.
Rowdy Baribeau Staff Reporter
“You either run more or you run with more intensity,” Maier said. “So, I think a lot of the guys are kind of understanding that they understand that there’s not really any shortcut to this sport.”
Courtesy of OSU Athletics
If Natalie Cook can mirror the times she posted during her senior year of high school, she would find herself among the nation’s best. Cook enters her fresh man year at OSU with a notable amount of hype. She became the female Gatorade National Runner of the Year with times considered fast for high school runners. OSU cross-country coach Dave Smith stated, humorously, that it’s difficult to get a plan going forward for her because she’s essen tially already where most collegiate runners are in regards to times. “I told her this, ‘Nata lie, I don’t think I want to change anything from what you did in high school,’” Smith said. “‘Let’s just re peat your senior year and we don’t have to do more, we don’t have to go faster, let’s just try to match what you did in high school. If you can run like you did in high school, you’re gonna be an All-American, and that’s all we need.’”Many coaches can be impressed with newcom ers by how hard they work and how coachable they are among other factors. What blows Smith’s mind is Cook’s lack of training with the results that follow. “What’s stood out (about Cook) is that she doesn’t train,” Smith said. “I mean, she does not train. Honestly, I’m saying that and I’m not being facetious. You know, she probably does 25% of what someone with her performance marks, does typically in the NCAA. She runs four or five days a week, she never runs more than four or five miles in a day.” Smith looked back at his time as a Ph.D. scientist for a piece of advice for himself when coaching Cook.“In science, they tell you always trust your own results first,” Smith said. “It doesn’t matter what the literature says, it doesn’t matter what the dogma says, if you get something that contradicts it, believe your own results first and I think Natalie is that. I have to trust her results first and not get stuck in, ‘what I think you should do’ or ‘what I think you have to do’ to be a top-level NCAA athlete. She’s running at a level that’s better than most Divi sion I athletes ever get to.” Now that Cook is on campus, NCAA champion Taylor Roe is excited about working with her and the talented freshman class, which Smith deemed one of the best incoming classes in the country.“It’sreally exciting,” Roe said. “I mean, every year you add in new people, and especially with Nata lie in particular, it’s been exciting to see her. It’s only been a couple of weeks, but to be able to work with them throughout the seasons this year will be fun.” Roe laughed and replied with an, “Oh, yeah.” when asked about being pushed in practice by Cook, alluding to the fact that she’s been strong in prac tice. While Cook is the most prominent name among the talented group of Cowgirl freshmen, Smith thinks there are multiple names that could emerge to mak OSU’s top group.
Alex Maier finished runner-up in the 10K finals at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Champion ships last week in Eugene, Oregon.
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WeddingPageant/PerformaceParty/Semi-formal sports.ed@ocolly.com the title this year. Much of the potential coincides with the team’s mindset.“Idon’t think our mentality as a team back then was ‘we can win,’ Maier said. “I think our mentality was more ‘we can hope.’ Now, I think we kind of shifted to, in our minds, we’re the favorites.”That’s where Maier’s story serves as testimony to the rest of the team. He is an example to other athletes on the mental approach and its importance for results in competition. “I think that people are what they think they are, and the group you’re in heavily influences what you think you want,” Smith said. “And we all kind of become those around us. So having people like Alex, to be that which we become, is really, really good for our team.”Maier flipped his 10,000 meter results from a missed qualification to next-best in the nation. After finishing 147 individually last year at the cham pionships, Maier is looking to duplicate that transformation into cross country and help his team in the championship race. Smith said this team looks like it could be Althoughspecial.perhaps his most crucial contribution is his experience. Dur ing Maier’s process of maturation, he rubbed off on other distance runners and showed what it takes to be success ful.
Walk... Continued from page 1 Continued from page 1
The expansive 10-kilo meter Greiner Family OSU Cross Country course con tains an unfathomable num ber of grass blades. Well, maybe not unfath omable for Alex Maier, senior OSU distance runner. “Alex joked that, ‘I keep telling you guys, we’re going to know every blade of grass on a first-name basis by the time we get to that race,’” Cross Country coach Dave Smith said. “We’re going to say, ‘Hey, Joe, how are you and Mary and Jane?’ and we’re going to know every blade of grass. That’s how familiar we’re going to be with it.”Familiarity will be an advantage when the NCAA Cross Country Champion ships, the race Maier alluded to, come to Stillwater on Nov. 19. The OSU men’s and women’s teams dominated the course last season, plac ing first in the Big 12 Cross Country Championship and Cowboy“We’rePreview.going to know every blade of grass on that course,” Maier said. “To be able to have that kind of advantage of training where the championship is going to be, I feel like it’s such a huge thing.”Smith doesn’t have an exact measurement to quan tify the value of home course advantage.“Does it move you up five or 10 seconds? Maybe,” Smith said. “And if you have five guys and five seconds, that’s probably a 50 to 100 point difference. It doesn’t take much... So, who knows how much it’s worth? Two seconds is worth it. We’re going to get every bit out of it we can.”Construction on the Greiner Family OSU Cross Country Course completed in July 2019. It was named after the Greiner family in 2021. It is a vote of confidence in the pedigree of the course to bring the championships back to one of the sport’s premier facilities.“Ithink we’ve got the best course in the world,” Smith said. “And that’s not hyperbolic. I really believe after having been to cross country courses my entire life, I’ve never seen anything better than this.” OSU hosted the NCAA Cross Country Champion ships to cap the 2020-21 season, but the event will be look much different this time around.Smith said the previ ous time OSU hosted he was told there couldn’t be any fans present because of CO VID-19. Five days before the race, the rules were changed to allow limited fans but by that time it was too late, and the home crowd advantage wasn’tExpectationsenormous. are big this year.“Ihope we can get 5,000-10,000 people out there running around like idiots, screaming and jumping, crashing into bushes and root ing people on,” Smith said. “I think we’ll have a big alumni presence coming back to watch, and hopefully people will come to watch us run.”
Home trail advantage NCAA Championships coming to Stillwater in November Ben AssistantHutchensSportsEditor
“It’s funny seeing him have a good day and then (stuff) like that happens,” SandersThesaid.two have a private spot up north, close to two hours from Stillwater, that they use for hunting trips. A lot of the time, the hunting pair will take other teammates to have a bondingDuckexperience.huntingis a com mon occurrence when the two go hunting, but recently, senior safety Sean Michael-Flanagan introduced boat fishing to the hunting duo. They’d done it before, but Cassity said, Fla nagan introduced a new level of boat fishing. A level that has made both Sanders and Cassity re-evaluate their understanding of it. Cassity owns a camou flage boat with a mud motor attached, one that he would frequently take out to go jet-skiing or other lake-based activities in past years. After one trip with Flana gan, Cassity renovated his boat into one geared for many more boat fishing trips in the future. “I’d done it maybe once before,” Cassity said. “But it’s just so addicting. I can’t really explain why, but I’m hooked on it now.”While Cassity and Sand ers both enjoy having frequent friendly competitions, to outkill the other, their favorite aspect of the trips is the chem istry generated as a result of it. Life for college football players isn’t easy. Near daily football practices lasting for hours at a time, games on weekends, and then fulfilling the duty of schoolwork, on top of it doesn’t exactly create a feasible lifestyle for them. That’s why when the opportu nity presents itself for them to take a hunting or fishing trip and enjoy the beauty of nature, they never pass on it. “It’s kind of an escape from football,” Cassity said. “Especially when playing high level football. It’s that good get-away. You get to just go outside, not worry about foot ball or school and truly experi ence the outdoors. That’s what I like best about our hunting trips. It’s a nice little, stress free escape from reality.”
via @BradenCass on Twitter Braden Cassity usually does not hunt alone, usually with teammates or friends. Bond... Continued from page 1
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Gundy expects, wants to coach for a long time
Senior Cowgirl Taylor Roe is coming off a historic season highlighted by her NCAA Indoor Champion ship in the 3,000 meters. Roe finished runner-up when OSU hosted the NCAA Cross Country National Champion ships in 2021 and is looking forward to the atmosphere the Championships should provide.“It was a really cool ex perience having it years ago, but it’ll be even more exciting because we can have more people out,” Roe said. “Dur ing COVID, a lot of people couldn’t come to it, and it was kind of just a weird time. And so it’ll be fun to have like the real, full experience here.”
Gundy enters Thursday’s game with 149 career wins.
sports.ed@ocolly.com
Stillwater will host the NCAA cross country National Championship for the first time since the odd 2020 season. sports.ed@ocolly.com
Chase Davis
Mike Gundy has occupied the office reserved for Oklahoma State’s football coach for 18Theyears.tasks he performs there have evolved.“I don’t really do anything anymore,” Gundy said. “Honestly, I don’t.”That is what Gage Gundy, Mike’s 17-year-old son, jokes, too. “(Gage) comes in all the time and he sees me in my desk,” Gundy said. “Usually I’m thinking, and he says, ‘You don’t do anything. What do you do? You just sit there.’ And I say, ‘Well, believe it or not, they pay me to think, so I’m thinking.’”In2022, Gundy said he has more time to think. And he can envision himself in that role for a long time. “I feel better now than I have in years and years here,” Gundy said. “I thought one time at 65 about checking in. I don’t see that happening now if I feel good.”Early in Gundy’s coaching career, he said he was “out of control.” He said he was bouncing all over the place ten years ago, dabbling in every facet of OSU football. If he were forced to miss a coaches’ meeting, it probably would not have gone smoothly. Safe to assume it was hectic in Gundy’s of fice on the west side of Boone Pickens Sta dium.Gundy credits former OSU athletic director Mike Holder for retaining assis tant coaches. He said Holder started sign ing assistant coaches to long-termunprecedentedcontracts to keep the football staff intact.“Then coaches stay, place runs itself now,” Gundy said. Gundy, 55, has afforded himself some time to ponder his future.When will he retire from coaching? What would come next? He didn’t rule out becoming a TV ana lyst. Junior defensive end Trace Ford said he thinks Gundy would be good in that role. Or maybe, Ford floated, Gundy would take up golf. Spencer Sanders, OSU’s senior quarter back, offered a differ ent guess when asked about what his coach would do after retiring. “He’s probably going to go farm,” Sanders said. “Never forget where you came from, and that is in his roots.”Junior offensive lineman Jake Spring field has trouble imag ing a retired Gundy. “He’s never go ing to retire so I don’t know,” Springfield said. “I think he’s just gonna stay the same. The hair is just gonna get longer.”Gundy, the 2021 Big 12 coach of the year, said he does not get caught up in coach ing milestones. Career win totals don’t moti vate him.“From where we started when coach (Les) Miles took that job (at LSU) to where we are now, I do reflect back on the success that we’ve had to build what we have here now for a Saturday game day that we can all be proud of,” Gundy said. “That to me, I get sat isfaction out of it.” For a coach who claims he doesn’t do much, Gundy’s com mitment to coaching for a long time betrays him. He must be stay ing busy. He doesn’t enjoy merely lounging around.“In the summer when I go on vacation, if I go somewhere for a few days, about a day and a half is about all I can take, then I’ve gotta find something to do.”“I can’t just sit by a pool and look around,” Gundy
Sam Hutchens Staff Reporter sports.ed@ocolly.com
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Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is a 7 — Slow to consider before letting harsh words fly. Competition or collaboration? Winning the argument is the booby prize. Focus on shared commitments and love.
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emmer, spelt, or einkorn 24 “Divergent”novelistVeronica 25 “Boys Don’t Cry” Oscar winner 26 Trunk hardware 27 “Have a ball!” 28 In the past 31 Going head-tohead 32 “You’re __ friends” 33 Deck chair wood 35 Shaving brand 36 Mineral abrasivesin 38 Inflict upon 39 Woo-shik of “Parasite” and “Train to Busan” 40 Hoisted 41 Wanda who plays Dr. Karl in the “Bad Moms” films 42 Old enough to vote, say 43 “Frasier” role 44 Stretch 47 “Phooey!” 48 Intimateapparel item 49 Bee flat? 50 State openly 54 Mauna __ 55 Start spring?of ©2022 Tribune Content Agency, LLC By Jeffrey Wechsler 9/2/22 Thursday’s Puzzle Solved 9/2/22 Solution to Thursday’s puzzle Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold oncontainsborders)everydigit,1to9.ForstrategieshowtosolveSudoku,visit sudoku.org.uk © 2022 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved. Level 1 2 3 4 9/2/22
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is a 7 — Patiently support your team around a challenge. Old assumptions get challenged. Don’t talk back. Help folks let go of unrealistic expectations. Listen for potential.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is an 8 — Domestic projects could stall or stumble. An improvement could make a mess. Navigate complications, delays or breakdowns. Prioritize rest despite chaos. Patiently listen. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is a 9 — Diplomacy wins the day. Don’t get pushy. Patiently untangle misunderstandings. Clarify and edit communications carefully. Fact and fantasy clash. Stick to the truth. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is an 8 — Keep a budget cushion for unex pected expenses. Maintain positive cash flow despite obstacles or delays. Post pone unnecessary purchases. Stash away the surplus. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is an 8 — Pamper yourself with small luxuries. Avoid conflict or controversy. Ignore negative internal monologues. Get into dialogue if it’s too loud. Practice love and kindness. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is a 6 — Postpone public engagements and find a peaceful spot for private productivity. Avoid crowds, noise or confusion. Adapt plans for new circumstances. Envision creative solutions.
Small willingscheduling.FlexibleStillwater.Mustbefriendlyandtolearn.Noexperiencenecessary.Call405-743-3668 that preys on red kangaroo and wallabyswamp Après-ski drink Analyst for Ducks and Penguins? Initial phase Cy who pitched the first perfect game of the modern era Earthquake-resistant? Touched down Still in the game Dish (out) factor Records, in a way Aerial enigmas Set up: Abbr. Pour out forcefully Some lit. degrees DOWN Guys Hail, in a hymn Falter in that may be fried pickled of the of
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Today’s Birthday (09/02/22). Reap an abundant harvest together this year. Priori tize health with faithful routines and practices. Enjoy family fun at home this au tumn, before resolving a professional challenge this winter. Spring brings explora tion, innovation and discovery, before summer domestic changes take attention. Profit through coordinated collaboration. To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most chal Arieslenging.(March 21-April 19) — Today is a 7 — Monitor conditions closely. Edu cational explorations could get complicated. Don’t get pushy. Wait for develop ments. Avoid hidden dangers. If it doesn’t feel right, turn it down. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is an 8 — Shared financial matters could seem blocked or challenged. Don’t push. Breathe deeply. Count to 10. Let your hackles down. Patiently strategize with your partner.
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Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is an 8 — Listen to your body. Stretch before launching into action. Plan your moves. Obstacles block the path. Avoid accidents or injuries. Slow for tricky sections. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is a 7 — Keep an open mind and flexible at titude. Romantic obstacles abound. Work could interfere with playtime. Listen to multiple viewpoints. Relax and wait for developments.
medical office seeking reliable employee in
6 Diary pages 7 Actor Omar 8 Order of Darth Sidious 9 Showssatisfaction 10 Silk source 11 Tatted up 12 Out
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“The ServinglocatedHideaway,OriginalonthecornerofKnoblockandUniversity.qualitypizzaandmoresince1957.”
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O’Colly Friday, September 2, 2022 Page 5B
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order? 14 Chamber group 20 CBS regionaldramamilitarywithspinoffs 21 __ on
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Help Wanted Check us out on the web at www.ocolly.com Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Edited by Patti Varol and Joyce Lewis FOR RELEASE SEPTEMBER 2, 2022 ACROSS 1 __ Cass 5 Some poemsSappho 9 Not chancewisegreat, 13 Malicious 14 Ruminant with striped legs 15 Locks in a stable? 16 Chimney concern 17 Horror movie locale 18 Rankles 19 Storage area for Christmas toys? 22 “The Comedy of Errors,” for one 23 Prepped 24 Clippers used by Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cotton-tail? 29 Cookies that once came in collectible tins 30 Flying things 31 Basic nutrient 34 Hors d’oeuvres carrier 35 Hand-pickedinstrument? 36 Arrived 37 Very popular 38 Canine
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Experienced transfers replacing valuable minutes for Cowgirls
Braden Bush Staff Reporter Mackenzie Janish Midfielder Niah Johnson played four seasons at Mississippi State before transferring to OSU, hoping to help an experienced team reach its goals.
“I want to be on the field at all times,” Johnson said. “Like, I want to be a key player on the team that they can depend on, and I can be there for them, they can be there for me kind of thing.”Even Eryka McIntyre, another senior transfer from Missouri, who started 36 matches for the Tigers, made plays right away. At the end of the Tulsa match a week ago, McIntyre subbed to stiffen-up the defense in a tight match, and Carmichael raved about her defensive play. This Cowgirl team is a blend of experienced seniors, numerous fresh man with a talented future and key transfer players with droves of minutes in their“Wehistory.(transfers) are kinda the tweeners,” Johnson said. “(Freshmen) can ask us about here, they can ask about other schools and they can ask the older players. It’s kind of just being the bridge and trying to mesh every one.” That’s the idea of bringing in transfers. Bringing in talent to fill gaps left behind that are still dealing with younger players undergoing develop ment. The Cowgirls’ transfers have been immediate assistance to help stouten this team. “Any time you get kids that have played at a high level at any D1 program, it’s gonna translate to our conference,” Carmichael said.Mackenzie Janish Blythe Beldner provides another set of legs at the wingback position for the Cowgirls, a position of need after key players departed after last season.
There’s plenty of talent on that part of the field with senior Grace Yochum, as well as freshman Xcaret Pineda, who has seen fair amounts of action.But it’s the additional leadership of Johnson that made her beneficial to bring in. Self admittedly, she said she was a leader on that MSU team, which carried over to Stillwater. “Niah, she’s so composed,” Carmichael said. “She brings leader ship, she gets on the ball, she slows the game down for us and creates tempo… Having Niah step in there and play big minutes, I mean she’s just such a composedWhenplayer.”Beldner and Johnson transferred in, they were looking for a meaningful role. The proposition of starting on a historically consistent team was appealing to them, and hav ing more experience was welcomed by the Cowgirl coaches.
When the 2021 season ended, thousands of minutes of experience dissipated from the Cowgirl locker room.Wingbacks Hannah Webb and Charmé Morgan started a combined 35 of 36 matches in 2021, and Kim Rodriguez, a two-time All-American defender, started 13 games last season. All, gone.There were plenty of familiar faces to work in, as well as new ones with loads of potential. Alex Morris, a junior, stepped up to wingback, senior Megan Haines also transitioned to the spot, but transfers were important in helping replace those minutes. Blythe Beldner, a senior trans fer from Missouri, who started every match for the Tigers the past two sea sons, became an immediate reinforce ment at the position. She played 201 minutes in the first three contests and provided experience at wingback. “Blythe coming in has re ally helped a ton,” OSU coach Colin Carmichael said. “She came in and she’s very, very fast, dynamic. Fits our system well. So, that’s been huge.” Even with returning talent and promising incoming freshmen, a need to bridge the gap between seasoned veterans who know the system and the freshmen existed. So, bringing in ex perienced talent from the portal helped provide more comfortable depth. Back out at midfield, another transfer, Niah Johnson of Mississippi State, has been a mainstay on the field, playing 221 minutes so far, fifth most on the“Bothteam.of them (Beldner and Johnson) have hit the ground running,” Carmichael said. “…The transfers have definitely helped. It’s not they’re new, but they’re experienced, so there’s not that sort of learning curve that maybe the freshmen are going through.”
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