Friday, Feb. 10, 2023

‘Called to serve’

Kirksey shines a light on Black History Month

Jason Kirksey wears many hats on campus.

Serving as Oklahoma State University’s vice president for Institutional Diversity, the chief diversity officer and as an associate professor in the department of political science, Kirksey is a dedicated and experienced leader in diversity.

He is an instrumental part of OSU’s continuing efforts in diversity, equity and inclusion.

“From a senior-level executive position, you’ve got greater access to individuals who have final decisions, issues in policies and the opportunity to affect change more broadly,” Kirksey said.

The role of the Division of Institutional Diversity is to provide support to minority and marginalized communities. The division also celebrates these communities through events during Black History Month.

As a Black man, Black History Month is a time of celebration and reflection for Kirksey.

Growing up in northeast Denver, a predominantly Black community, Kirksey remembers feeling called to create change from a young age.

“My parents always told me that when I was 7 years old, I had announced that I was going to become a criminal defense attorney,”

See Kirksey on 4A

Love on the menu Local eateries brace for holiday

Little Staff Reporter

Hearts will be glowing and stomachs will be full with Valentine’s Day rounding the bend.

There is no textbook definition for best date destinations, but going to a restaurant would have to be high up on the list if there was.

With a perfect environment for dressing up, eating prepared food and having enough room to have private conversations, restaurants check off many of the boxes needed when planning a Valentine’s Day date.

Bailey Thomp -

son, a service manager at Olive Garden, said Valentine’s Day is one of the restaurant’s busiest days of the year for the restaurant, only standing toe to toe with one other holiday.

“It is probably the second busiest day of the year right behind Mother’s Day,” he said. “We spend a lot of the month of January prepping for that, making sure that we have the staff necessary to meet the needs of our community and making sure our staff knows what to expect.”

The holiday brings about a more serious tone, as couples aim to impress one another. Meaning, Stillwater’s sitdown eating establishments are about to see late-night-Whataburger levels of production.

See Menu on 4A

‘Looking through a soda straw’

OSU professor explains Chinese spy balloon

Luisa Clausen News & Lifestyle Editor

A seemingly old-fashioned and ponderous way of obtaining information has ignited a diplomatic crisis between the U.S. and China.

The U.S. military shot down a Chinese spy balloon off the Carolina coast Saturday, after the balloon spent five days traveling from Idaho to the Carolinas.

Jamey Jacob, the director of the Unmanned Systems Research Institute and the director of Oklahoma Airspace Institute for Research and Education at OSU, said high-altitude balloons are the oldest form of aerial platform. They have been used over the past century to provide aerial observations of the atmosphere.

“We usually use it for things such as weather, climatological observations and pollution measurements,” Jacob said. “You can even carry instrumentation inside the balloon to do things such as stellar astronomy because you get above the lower atmosphere.”

The State Department said Thursday the Chinese spy balloon was capable of collecting communications signals and was part of a fleet of surveillance balloons that the Chinese

military directed and had flown over more than 40 countries across five continents. The department said it was “clearly for intelligence surveillance and inconsistent with the equipment onboard weather balloons.”

American officials said they do not know exactly what kinds of communications the satellite was trying to collect.

Jacob, who has been studying aerospace since 1990, said high-altitude balloons can get the size of a football field when they are up in the air.

“Balloons themselves are difficult to control, they drift with the wind,” Jacob said. The altitude, however, can be controlled to try to catch different air currents. The thing about balloons is that they don’t give a big field of view. It’s kind of looking through a soda straw, it can get good pictures, but of small areas.”

The balloons have some advantages over intelligence-gathering because they are not as predictable to militaries and intelligence agencies as the fixed orbits of satellites. The reason for that is because they fly closer to earth and drift with wind patterns. They can also hover over areas, while satellites are generally in constant motion

“The pros of a balloon is the low expense and proximity to the target,

while the downside is controllability and visibility. It is a trade off,” Jacob said.

Long before the Chinese balloon was floating over the U.S., Taiwan glimpsed Beijing’s ambition to turn balloons into a powerful tool for China’s military power. Chinese military scientists have been studying new materials and techniques to make balloons more durable, more steerable and harder to detect and track, according to The New York Times.

U.S. Joe Biden’s administration received criticism from a portion of civilians because they did not order the balloon to be shot down immediately. Jacob said they couldn’t have shot the balloon down over open air and had it fall down with unintended consequences.

“I think the right action is if you’re going to shoot it down at all, make sure you do it in an area it’s not going to cause any harm,” Jacob said. Jacob added he thinks it remains to be seen wether shooting it down was the right action or not.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said last Friday that the balloon was a civilian machine from China, mainly used for weather research, and that it had regrettably drifted off course.

Courtesy of The Ranchers Club The Rancher’s Club has no available reservations for Valentine’s Day because of its popular fine dining experience.

Courtesy of Jason Kirksey

Kirksey brings about 25 years of experience teaching, researching, and active engagement with issues related to diversity and inclusion.

Kennedy Thomason Assistant News & Lifestyle Editor

Black History Month

Payton

Super Bowl

Courtesy of Tribune News Service

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Adviser John Helsley john.helsley@okstate.edu

By Kendall McGhee

News & Lifestyle reporters:

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Payton Little

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The O’Colly Staff Newsroom

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Kendall McGhee

Jaiden Daughty

Molly Jolliff

Chase Davis

Michael Clark

Karlie Boothe

Ethan Hilbert

Paul Houston

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Cassius Davis

Ava Whistler

Brittney Purcell

Andy Crown

Mia Ledbetter

Ben Holieway

Happy Valentine’s Day

“Valentine’s Day is just another day to truly love like there is no tomorrow.” - Roy A. Ngansop

This week is a special edition of my column because we are celebrating Valentine’s Day. Love is in the air and people are thinking constantly about ways to show their love this week. What is there not to enjoy? Let’s help love win Valentine’s Day.

Valentine’s Day is a contrived “holiday,” all a plot by the flowers and candy crowd to monetize one day in time. Should I share my thoughts with my girl, or just pony up and not rock the boat?

What you will find in relationships my friend, is that there are more compromises than one tends to realize.

I’m sure there are things you wear, shows you watch and jokes you make that your girl goes with to make you happy. And, that is not morally dishonest, it’s your girl focusing on the good and trying to make you happy. Now it’s your turn to pony up and ask yourself, “What’s wrong with having a specific day with spoiling my girl?”

I understand that all you see is dollar signs on Valentine’s Day. But, she can see a passionate, caring and thoughtful man who adores her to the end of the earth. So, why not turn her thoughts into a reality? Make this year a Valentine’s Day she will never forget.

What should I give to my valentine? Chocolate or flowers? Why?

For Valentine's Day gifts, my philosophy has been quality, with a little quantity. You can never go wrong with a bundle of roses. Unless your partner has previously stated they do not like flowers. But, you shouldn’t stop at giving them just flowers and a card. Your philosophy should be, “Today’s focus is on spoiling my partner even more than I normally do.”

I hope you know what your partner’s love languages are. If they are a cuddler, get them nice flowers and a cuddle coupon book. If they are more words of affirmation type, you should sit down and hand write a heartfelt, genuine letter. Expressing your favorite qualities and memories you have of them. The gift love language is pretty straightforward with flowers, clothes, jewelry or anything else they have desired. Don’t stop with flowers or chocolates and call it a day. Think about your partner this week and find ways to spoil them.

If you’re already engaged/ married, do you still need to ask them to be your Valentine?

I understand not everyone feels they can be or are romantic. Some find it difficult to come up with grand gestures or express their feelings. But, it’s the little things in a relationship that can mean the world to your partner. Being cared for or being made to feel special by your partner is a gift to have. Those tiny acts reinforce the foundation of your love, which can blossom into something truly beautiful years down the line. So, while the act of asking your partner to be your valentine seems small, insignificant and cheesy. It should be a must, and you’ll be shocked at the positive results.

As a guy, should I expect flowers from my girl on Valentine’s Day?

I don’t think you should expect it.

I have seen that becoming a trend over the years, and if you haven’t made any comments on it, there should be no reason to expect. However, if you would like something equal to the value of flowers, you should express that feeling to your girl. Tell her, you’d appreciate a small Lego Star Wars set or a gift card to your favorite restaurant. It doesn’t have to be much, but the gesture is priceless. That’s why we give flowers, chocolates, jewelry and other gifts on Valentine’s Day.

I’m in love with someone who is in a relationship, what should I do?

Love can be tricky and this does happen occasionally. We don’t plan or prepare for who we fall in love with, not normally anyways. First, you need to understand that they might not reciprocate those same feelings and you must respect that. Love should never be used as an excuse to come in and destroy someone’s relationship. However, you have the right to go to that person and express the feelings you do have. But, make it clear upfront that you do not wish to break up who they’re dating. That you respect the person they’re with and that this conversation was something you needed to do. Then after you express your feelings, give that person time to process everything you shared. I can’t promise what will happen next.

Is it OK to ask your date to go Dutch for Valentine’s Day?

This is one of the trickier questions I’ve had submitted to me, especially with the unique circumstances with Valentine’s Day. My rule of thumb for going Dutch is that it can be completely acceptable. If it’s a first date that you both mutually stumbled upon, then sure. Another instance is that you have discussed going Dutch before dates and agree. Then by all means, go for it.

Going Dutch on Valentine’s Day is a no go for me. That takes away the spirit of what the day is about. Complete enamoration of your partner. If you go Dutch because of your budget, then go eat in a park or cook at home. But, Valentine’s Day should be one of the few times you do not go Dutch.

Dr. Amore, all knowing sage in the matter of love, is Valentine’s Day a good time to ask the question?

I’m in the camp that Valentine’s Day is a good time to propose. It’s a day centered on love for your partner. A day specifically set apart on romance and unity. Over the years people have moved away from proposing on Valentine’s Day, deeming it too “tacky” or “unoriginal.”

Nevertheless, there’s no need to listen to the crowd’s concern. If you feel it’s right, trust your heart to propose on Valentine’s Day. But, what is truly fascinating about the date when you ask the question is it will become a date locked into your heart forever. That set of numbers will be truly special to you and your partner.

I’m looking to take my date somewhere nice for dinner in Stillwater. Where do you suggest?

As great of a town that Stillwater can be, the fine dining options are limited. I will first suggest options where the budget is no worry, then focus on more affordable options. Arguably the finest dining option that comes to mind is the Ranchers Club and good luck getting reservations. They are most likely booked to capacity at this point. I do think Tokyo Pot is a nice place to dine with a good atmosphere and Karsten Creek Dining has a good menu selection with a lot more privacy available.

If none of those catch your eye and you’re willing to drive a little, Click’s Steakhouse in Pawnee is a great option. They make one of the best steaks you will have in the state and the 40 minute drive gives you time to travel down memory lane.

If those options are above your modest budget, you can go with my preferred choice. Buy a few candles, make a home cooked meal or get food from your partner’s favorite spot, drive to Boomer Lake with a table and eat together while watching the sunset. It’s the most intimate and affordable option for college students.

All graphics by Sam Beebe

Dr. Amore

Jaiden Daughty

Bonding over butter How OSU’s

Beta Tau Rho butter

engineering and management, serves as the president, while her friend and co-founder Barclay, a junior majoring in hospitality and tourism management and accounting, acts as the vice president for the organization.

churning club began

the love on bread if available.

Payton Little Staff Reporter

Most familes have its own unique traditions when it comes to holidays.

What OSU student Darby Guinn did not know was how a tradition would completely change her college experience.

It may seem that butter churning has gone the way of the dodo. With so many supermarkets and grocery stores stocking the commodity, the practicality of butter churning has seemingly become nothing more than a piece of history. However, two OSU students have flipped that narrative and created one of the most unique clubs to grace the campus.

Guinn and Kate Barclay are bringing butter churning back to OSU one jar at a time through Beta Tau Rho, the butter churning club. Guinn, a sophomore majoring in industrial

Menu...

Continued from 1A

Those looking for a romantic night out with a side of cheese fries may find local favorite Eskimo Joe’s to be the place to go. The staff compared Valentine’s Day to that of an OSU game day, so the atmosphere of college town will be flowing throughout the restaurant. In addition, Eskimo Joe’s is offering a special Valentine-themed shake, best served with two straws.

If you need something to really liven up the night or you want to get all dressed up for a night on the town, Ranchers Club has the

The two had mutual friends and knew of each other before starting the club, but it was actually butterchurning that made the duo as close as they are today.

“Darby was a mutual friend of mine or a friend of my roommate, so I walked in and I expressed how I needed dinner that night,” Barclay said. “ I had an option for rice, but I needed something to go with it. Butter is great on rice, so I say something like, ‘Oh, I need butter,’ and Darby exclaims, ‘I have a butter churner’ to my solution of not having butter.”

The two then went to Braum’s to pick up heavy whipping cream, instead of actual butter there, they made butter that night for about five hours. As the butter churned, the two got to know each other better, ultimately creating a carefully churned friendship.

The story of Beta Tau Rho takes even more time to come together, almost like making butter itself. Guinn

Stillwater fine dining experience that could be in order. However, those that haven’t reserved already may find themselves out of luck, as the restaurant has packed itself with reservations leading up to the holiday. Scoring a table will find a four-course meal with a flat rate for couples looking to spend a fancy evening on campus.

Tatum, a four-year staff member of Ranchers Club who asked to keep her last name private, reflected on the time as a very busy, yet fun environment.

“As a server, I really enjoyed it,” she said. “I’m a manager now, so just busier times means a busier night for me for sure.”

news.ed@ocolly.com

exchanges gag gifts with her family each Christmas. One year, her mom gave her a gift that led to a new friendship and a whole lot more butter.

“For Christmas, my family does more of like a gag gift exchange thing,” Guinn said. “My mom got me (drew her name), and she was like, ‘You eat butter all the time, so you can just make your own butter.’ She got me a butter churner as a gag gift. Little did she know not even six months later, Kate and I came up with the idea to have a butter churning club.”

The idea was pitched to the Student Government Association shortly after, and the fall 2022 semester saw the first launch of Beta Tau Rho.

Beta Tau Rho meets on Thursday nights to churn butter, listen to guest speakers and meet new people interested in the club. Jars can be provided for those without their jars, and marbles are mixed in with the few ingredients used to churn butter. These marbles help in the churning process, while also creating a fun, unique clanging sound that echoes throughout the room piercing through conversation and music. At the end of the process, attendees keep their own butter creations and even spread

Throughout the club’s short existence, Guinn and Barclay have seen the club grow in support and number.

“I think it’s definitely grown and gotten into random parts of campus, which is really exciting because obviously, we’re not associated with any college or any specific major,” Barclay said. “It’s really just whoever wants to come to churn butter can come and churn butter.”

The two look forward to the future of Beta Tau Rho. The organization will be showing students how to make garlic butter, maple butter accompanied with pancakes and even Texas Roadhouse-inspired honey cinnamon butter. Students can follow the Instagram page @okstate.butter for updates on new events and guest speakers. The butter crew left one final message for those looking to attend in true Beta Tau Rho fashion.

“You butter be there next time.”

entertainment.ed@ocolly.com

Kirksey...

Continued from 1A

“My parents always told me that when I was 7 years old, I had announced that I was going to become a criminal defense attorney,” Kirksey said. “I was going to become a criminal defense attorney and work to support the rights of, you know, individuals within my community, that, in my eyes, I had seen as not being treated fairly and equitably by our system.”

Kirksey’s interest in these issues did not stop there. After earning a bachelor’s degree in political science and economics, Kirksey went on to achieve his master’s in political science, both degrees from OSU.

He recalls feeling drawn to the field because of his lived experience and a desire to help others.

“Some of it was just, I would say, was probably organic, from my childhood grow-

ing up,” Kirksey said. “I had parents who always emphasized knowing and understanding, not just my culture, as a Black American, but also understanding issues of inequality in representation.”

This personal investment in areas of diversity and minority issues has given Kirksey valuable insight into OSU’s continued efforts in diversity.

His vast experience as part of OSU’s community has given him a unique perspective. He highlighted the evolution of OSU’s celebration of Black History Month.

“Obviously, as a Black alum of OSU, who came here a long time ago, in ‘85, so almost 40 years ago, to see what Black History Month celebrates and (has) grown into, across, not just the Stillwater campus, but across the university system, is certainly something that, personally, I have a sense of pride of,” Kirksey said. The growth of OSU’s diversity efforts

is not limited to a more expansive celebration. Various programs and resources, which are provided through the Division of Institutional Diversity, have contributed to OSU’s success. As a Black student on campus and now a vice president, Kirkey shared how he has seen growth in diversity on campus.

“The fact that OSU, a predominantly agricultural school, is one of the most highly decorated higher-ed institutions in the nation, in terms of nationally prestigious university inclusion awards, is something that certainly makes a strong and powerful statement about the work that has been done, and continues to be done,” Kirksey said.

“And as I tell people, the awards are never our goals or aspirations. Our work was to make OSU, you know, as open and welcoming. An institution that celebrates and respects and values every member of our community.”

While OSU’s campus has made

progress, there are always areas in need of growth. Kirksey emphasized the importance of OSU’s land grant mission in relation to diversity efforts. He said that as a land-grant university, OSU invites the world to its campus. In turn, OSU has to be ready to receive it with a community that accepts and welcomes them.

Through OSU’s efforts to provide inclusive spaces, there have been noticeable increases in undergraduate enrollment, first-generation undergraduate enrollment and bachelor’s degrees earned by minority students.

While OSU celebrates Black History Month during the month of February, Kirksey emphasized the importance of celebrating other communities. This includes Women’s History Month, Native American Indian Heritage Month and FirstGeneration students, among others.

Courtesy of The Ranchers Club

The Ranchers Club is the place to be for Valentine’s Day.

Best movies to watch before Valentine’s Day

Luisa Clausen News & Lifestyle Editor

Sometimes the ob

vious needs to be stated: Valentine’s Day is about love.

Not one specific type of love, but all its shapes and forms. The love between friends, family, co-workers and even between a teacher and his or her students. It’s a day to celebrate a wholesome feeling.

Finding the perfect movie to watch during this time can be fundamental to setting the mood for celebrations.

Some people are looking for movies to distract them from their personal lives, while others watch to get in the mood for the holidays.

Here is a list of movies that talk about love, all kinds of love, and hopefully they can make you smile:

No. 1: “CODA”

When people look up the word “love” in the dictionary, this movie is what they should find.

“CODA” is a love letter to all the people who feel unheard, unseen, and, at the end of the day, hopeful for something better.

The movie tells the story of the only hearing daughter, Rubi Rossi (Emilia Jones) in a family where the mom (Marlee Matlin), the dad, (Troy Kotsur) and the brother (Daniel Durant) are deaf. Rubi grows up playing the role of her family’s interpreter and working on the family’s struggling fishing boat every day before school with her father and older brother until she gets to the point of her life when she decides to join the school choir.

That is when Rubi learns about her talent: singing. Soon she finds herself drawn to her duet partner, Miles (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo). Her enthusiastic, tough-love choirmaster (Eugenio Derbez) encourages her to apply to a prestigious music school, Ruby finds

herself torn between the obligations she feels to her family and the pursuit of her own dreams.

“CODA’s” shortcomings are less an indictment of the film itself and more a reminder of how desperately we need more deaf representation on-screen and especially behind the scenes

Writer and director Sian Heder won an Oscar for Adapted Screenplay in 2022 and “CODA” was the first film with a largely deaf cast to win the Best Picture category. This achievement has built a new bridge between non-hearing and hearing communities.

The movie is available for streaming on Apple TV No. 2: “Set it up”

If you are looking for something to make you fall back in love with romantic comedies, this is it. Claire Scanlon directs Zoey Deutch, Glen Powell, Taye Diggs and Luci Lu in a hilarious and chaotic storyline around New York City.

The Netflix movie released in 2018 follows two assistants, Harper Moore (Zoey Dutch) and Charlie Young (Glen Powell), who work over hours and desperately need a break from their bosses (Lu and Diggs). Moore and Young work in the same building and randomly meet one late night when their bosses need dinner and they are both desperately trying to find something for them.

As the movie goes, the two decide it would be a great idea to set their unhappy bosses up to see if they get less invested in their professional life and let the assistants live their lives.

The movie is a hilarious attempt at making love work and the chemistry between Deutch and Powell turns cheesy scenes into moments you just want to keep re-watching. Can you guess the end based on the beginning? Yes. But what viewers cannot guess is the wild ride

and the way love is celebrated first in the shape of a friendship, and later on in the shape of a romantic relationship.

No. 3: “Mona Lisa Smile”

Mike Newell directed the 2003 American film starring Julia Roberts, Kirsten Dust, Julia Stiles and Maggie Gyllenhaal.

The movie is set in 1953 and follows the story of Katherine Watson, who Robert plays, a 30-year-old graduate student who takes a position teaching the history of art at Wellesley College, a conservative all-girls school where women have the chance to get a degree before they get married and go on to live their lives as stay home wives.

Watson is faced with a big challenge: show her students they can have everything they want. They can work and have a husband. They do not have to choose between one or the other.

Throughout the movie, we meet deeply layered characters who face their own insecurities and existential crisis. Robert’s character stays true to herself while while teaching and learning from her students.

Even though this movie is 20 years old, it still approaches subjects discussed in our society today. It shows how beautiful a relationship between a teacher and her students can be, and how selfless the art of teaching is.

This movie reminds us, love, is everywhere. Even though it is a fictional story, everyone who has admired and respected a teacher will have tears in their eyes when the story comes to an end. It’s a timeless masterpiece.

The movie is available for streaming on HBO Max.

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OSU Theatre Council prepares for star-studded comedy, ‘Matt and Ben’

aspirations and doesn’t mess around. Harris portrays Damon, a stickler who remains focused on earning his big break.

Adam Engel Editor-in-Chief

Alyssa Dunavant walks to class, earbuds in, listening to her voice. That’s her job, one she started three weeks ago, to become Ben Affleck. It’s one of her methods to memorize an hour worth of script. She’ll perform that this weekend.

Dunavant and Anaya Harris star in OSU Theatre Council’s production of “Matt and Ben” on Friday and Saturday night at the Jerry Davis Studio in Gundersen Hall.

The hour-plus comedy play follows the story of actors Matt Damon and Ben Affleck before their big hit. Suddenly, the script for “Good Will Hunting” magically appears in their Sommerville, Massachusetts apartment.

Though some parts of the story are true, director Brigham Miller said the production is a parody.

“They were both aspiring actors,” Miller said. “They had peaked a little bit but they were nowhere near where they are now. It’s just a really special story of friendship and forgiveness. I’m super excited to share it with our community.”

Dunavant, a secondyear sophomore, plays Affleck, a guy who likes to “chillax,” eat and have fun. Matt focuses on his

The show occurs in the duo’s living room, adorned with heavy metal band posters hung above a faux fireplace and dart board.

Audiences will sit feet away from the two creating an intimate setting.

“When the show gets rolling, you just feel like you’re in there with them,” Harris said. “Throughout the show, we reference and talk to the audience just to make them feel more involved with the show.”

Future comedy stars

Mindy Kaling and Brenda Withers wrote the play in 2001. Kaling and Withers tried to break through, just like Damon and Affleck. Like these OSU students, too.

The crew started production three weeks ago and held several rehearsals each week.

Dunvavant and Harris needed to know every cue line. Every movement. Each response. So, they did.

“For me, it was kinda just, let’s see what you can do, girl,” Harris said. “Let’s see how that brain works.”

Dunvavant said she made her roommate and brother practice lines with her. It’s a show that gives the two an opportunity to shine.

“My brain is still like, oh shoot,” Harris said. “What’s the line? But most of the time I just can keep it following and then I’ve gotten in the

Full cast:

Producer – Liliana Cudly

Director – Brigham Miller

Production Manager and Fight

Captain – Dallas Rogers

Stage Manager – Scout Bragg

Lighting Designer and Engineer – Braden Pauley

Sound Designer and Engineer –Elizabeth Calandra

Props Designer – Kyndall Reed

Costume Designer – Chloe Felts

Lighting Apprentice – Thess Holloway

What: OSU Theatre Council’s production of “Matt and Ben”

When: 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday

Where: Jerry Davis Studio (Room 203) in Gundersen Hall

Tickets: $10 at the door or Venmo $10 to @LilianaCudly

habit of memorizing.”

That’s the purpose of OSU’s Theatre Council, a student-run organization. Miller is just a freshman.

“It’s such a great place that people can just say, “‘Hey, I want to do something,’” he said. “We don’t care if you’re a senior. We don’t care if you’re a freshman. If you have an idea, we are here to make it happen.”

Harris and Dunvavant participated in high school theater and moved to OSU to pursue their goals. They are used to musicals and dramas and “Matt and Ben” breaks that trend.

“I’m a musical theater major but my heart lives in comedy,” Dunvavant said. “This has been a really fun process for me just to get to have fun and laugh.”

Miller said fans can expect a laugh-heavy show this weekend.

“There is not a boring part in this show,” he said. “There are so many little interesting things that they’re going to find and they’re going to love it.”

Sound Apprentice – Savannah Harrod

Props Assistant – Olivia Shetter

Costume Assistant – Cooper Thomas

Fight Choreographer – Scott Russell

Faculty Adviser – Leslie Currell

Matt – Anaya Harris

Ben – Alyssa Dunavant

Gwyneth Paltrow – Kyndall Reed

JD Salinger – Katigan Barksdale

Ethan Hilbert

Anaya Harris (left) and Alyssa Dunavant (right) star as Matt Damon and Ben Affleck in “Matt and Ben,” an OSU Theatre Council production. The show premieres Friday night in Gundersen Hall.

OSU students talk about their plans for Valentine’s Day

The O’Colly talked to OSU stu dents to find out what are their thoughts on Valentine’s Day and what they have planned to celebrate.

Caden Davis is a sophomore marketing major from Bartlesville.

Q: What does Valentine’s Day mean to you?

A: “Valentine’s to me is a great day to show appreciation and love to your partner. Yes, this should be an every day act and should be done without needing a specific day for it, but Valentine’s Day is a good reminder to keep this a priority in our daily lives.”

Q: What is a green flag you look for in a partner?

A: “Someone who has high self-awareness. Being able to know what they want, how to get it and make it happen is a big encouragement to me. Knowing how to be better in certain situations also helps them not put the blame on one person. Being self-aware ultimately helps the relationship in the long run.”

Q: What is a red flag you don’t want in a partner?

A: “A common red flag to avoid for me is jealousy. This stems from many different factors, but it is something that directly affects a relationship. Jealously might come from fear, suspicion, their past or something else.”

Q: What is a way you can show someone that you love them this Valentine’s Day?

A: “It will look different for everyone, depending on their love language. It could be getting flowers, writing a note, cooking a homemade meal or going on a date. Anything you feel shows your appreciation and love will be a great idea.”

Q: Do you have any plans this Valentine’s Day? If so, what are your plans?

A: “Luckily my girlfriend’s birthday is a few days before Valentine’s

Day so we can, in a way, do a 2-for-1. This year, it’s her 21st birthday so we are planning to go to Dallas and spend the weekend down there. Trying new restaurants, going to a big city for a couple of days and seeing new things will all be a part of it. I am excited to get away for a couple of days and celebrate just me and her, with no work, school or other commitments. It should be a fun weekend.”

Hailey White is a senior majoring in public horticulture is from Tulsa.

Q: What does Valentine’s Day mean to you?

A: “I don’t really care too much about Valentine’s Day, but growing up I did have somewhat of a connection to it in terms of my dad because he would always get me those big, basket arrangements. So to me, Valentine’s Day is about family.”

Q: What is a green flag you look for in a partner?

A: “Communication. If you’re able to tell me what’s wrong or if I did something wrong and you don’t necessarily like it, hopefully we would talk it out and be mature about things instead of keeping me in the dark about it because I wouldn’t want to do that to you.”

Q: What is a red flag you don’t want in a partner?

A: “If they were to ignore me. I am not saying we have to be together 24/7, because I don’t want that either. But if we are together, at least give me attention. Not in a possessive way though.”

Q: What is a way you can show someone that you love them this Valentine’s Day?

A: “If you just come hangout with me, we don’t have to do anything crazy. If you are just around, that is what I would want to do with someone else to show them love rather than a extravagant gesture.”

Q: Do you have any plans this Valentine’s Day? If so, what are your plans?

A: “Depending if I get my homework done, I might go shopping by myself.”

Emily McCaslin is a sophomore mul timedia journalism major from Owasso.

Q: What does Valentine’s Day mean to you?

A: “Valentine’s Day is the day of love. I’m obsessed with love and I have been since I was little. It makes me really happy getting to celebrate the people that I love and see love all around me.”

Q: What is a green flag you look for in a partner?

A: “Trust and loyalty. Those are very important in a relationship and I need to know that the other person is being respectful behind my back. Another one is if they are kind to their friends and family.”

Q: What is a red flag you don’t want in a partner?

A: “Lack of trust. If I’m feeling controlled then the relationship will just simply not work. If you really love someone then you will trust them enough to let them make their own decisions.”

Q: What is a way you can show someone that you love them this Valentine’s Day?

A: “A simple handwritten note can speak volumes. It is my favorite gift and it is so personable. It is also something they can keep for years to come.”

Q: Do you have any plans this Valentine’s Day? If so, what are your plans?

A: “Yes, my boyfriend and I decided that we’re going to stay in and have an at-home candlelight dinner. He also knew that I loved the movie “Titanic” and it’s coming back in theaters for its 25-year anniversary, so he bought us tickets for that.”

Abby Pawloski is a junior sociology major from Mannford.

Q: What does Valentine’s Day

mean to you?

A: “Valentine’s Day is a day to be intentional and show those around me that I love them.”

Q: What is a green flag you look for in a partner?

A: “If they are interesting and spontaneous.”

Q: What is a red flag you don’t want in a partner?

A: “If they drive a Jeep.

Q: What is a way you can show someone that you love them this Valentine’s Day?

A: “I like to give gifts with letters to show that I appreciate people.”

Q: Do you have any plans this Valentine’s Day? If so, what are your plans?

A: “I am going to go with my girlfriend to get her new tattoos.”

Lainey Kirshberger is a freshman zoology and plant biology major from Dover, Arkansas.

Q: What does Valentine’s Day mean to you?

A: “Valentine’s Day typically doesn’t have a lot of meaning for me. I don’t have a romantic relationship right now so it is just another day.”

Q: What is a green flag you look for in a partner?

A: “Someone with a compatible personality.”

Q: What is a red flag you don’t want in a partner?

A: “Nothing comes to mind.”

Q: What is a way you can show someone that you love them this Valentine’s Day?

A: “I’m not big on giving gifts, so just little things like trying to make someone’s day easier.”

Q: Do you have any plans this Valentine’s Day? If so, what are your plans?

A: “I do not have any plans.”

Jaycee Hampton Staff Reporter

Hailey White

Abby Pawloski

Emily McCaslin

Lainey Kirshberger

Caden Davis

What single people do for Valentine’s Day

Taylor Carroll Staff Reporter

Valentine’s Day can be overwhelming for people. The comercial side of the holiday emphasizes couples, but the day is also an opportunity to celebrate other types of love, such as friendships.

Thirty-one-percent of adults in the U.S. are single, according to pewresearch.org. At 65 years old, and older, 49% of women are single. Men are most commonly single between ages 18 and 29, taking up 51% of the men’s population.

McElla Carter, an undeclared freshman, has no specific plans for Valentine’s Day besides hanging out with friends. At 19, she has not gone on any dates during the holiday in the past and is content with being with friends.

“I like it,” Carter said. “I think it’s a cute

holiday.”

Laura Johnson, a freshman communications science and disorder major, will go to bible study and the men’s basketball game with some friends. She is going home this weekend, so her family can do their own Valentine’s celebrations.

Johnson’s family will be going to a nice restaurant for dinner. Her mom gives Johnson and her sisters gifts because they are also single and decorates their house.

“I get the concept and though it’s a great idea, it’s extremely commercialized and puts a lot of pressure on couples to do something special for each other,” Johnson said. “When you’re young and in college, flowers and chocolates are all you can afford.”

Johnson broke up with her boyfriend a week before Valentine’s Day last year. She had her mom take the decorations down because she didn’t

want to participate in the holiday that year.

Half of the people who are single are not looking for a relationship or anything causal. Tenpercent of individuals are looking for causal dates exclusively, and 14% are looking for serious relationships only, according to pewresearch.org. The other 26% of single people are looking for dates or relationships.

Eric Clemmerson, an applied exercise science major, plans to hang out with friends and watch a movie or workout on Valentine’s Day.

Last year, he did the same thing on the holiday, but two years ago he had a girlfriend. They hung out for the holiday instead of doing anything big for it.

“I think it is just a holiday to spend time with your loved ones,” Clemmerson said. For more statistics on single people, visit pewresearch.org.

entertainment.ed@ocolly.com

Courtesy of Pew Research Center

Lifestyle

Open heart and closed wallet Affordable Valentine’s Day activities

Stephanie Landaverde Staff Reporter

Open your heart, not your wallet.

Valentine’s Day can be an expensive holiday. As college students, we don’t always have the funds to meet these pricey expectations. So, if you’re looking for affordable Valentine’s Day plans, look no further. Here are five activities for you and your loved one that will fill your heart without emptying your wallet.

No. 1: Valentine’s Day Yoga

The Colvin offers partner yoga for couples and friends in celebration of the holiday. Amber Manning, an assistant professor in higher education and student affairs, teaches yoga at the Colvin and will lead the class.

Manning said anyone wishing to attend does not need to bring a partner, but there will be partner poses and stretches for anyone who does. Manning said partner yoga allows for additional poses, stretches and creativity as opposed to yoga without a partner.

A group fitness membership or day pass and prior registration online is required, but no experience is needed. Group membership is $40 for the semester, while a day pass is $7.32. The class is at 7 a.m. on Feb. 14 at the Colvin in dance studio one.

Manning said she tends to lead a slower flow that wakes the body during morning yoga. Through stretching, endorphins are increased and the connection of mind and body through meditation make for an excellent start to your day.

“It’s really about loving yourself, connecting with yourself,” Manning said. “If you’re coming solo, I think that’s a great way to give yourself some self love. And we all need a little bit of self love.”

Spots are limited. Sign up through rec.wellness.okstate.edu.

No. 2: Pack-A-Critter

From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, the Student Union Activities Board will host Pack-A-Critter: Valentine’s Day Edition. Weather permitting, the event will take place in the Student Union’s

plaza. If there is bad weather, the event will be postponed or moved inside the Student Union.

Be sure to take your student ID; you’ll need to swipe it to get a critter. This is a popular event and critters are limited, so be sure to get there early.

No. 3: Beaded Medicine Pouch

Making

Native Connections is offering a beaded medicine pouch making activity focused on self-love. Native Connections is a grant under the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration, and its intention is to reduce suicidal behavior and substance abuse among Native youth. This activity is free for Native youth between the ages of 10 and 24.

Lisa Fox, project director and counselor, said the grant also offers a weekly talking circle for this age group on Wednesdays from 3:45 p.m. until 5 p.m.

Hinglu Huber, youth outreach coordinator for the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma Native Connections Program, will lead the activity. In an email, Huber said participants will learn the importance of a medicine pouch and how to create one.

The activity takes place at 4 p.m. on Valentine’s Day at Perkins Family Clinic Building 2. It will focus on selflove rather than external love. There are currently five spots available.

“Valentine’s Day brings a lot of attention to loving others, but this year we would like to highlight the love we should show ourselves because love is medicine,” Huber said.

Huber said he would like to encourage Native youth to join Native Connections in its activities.

“This is a great opportunity to meet other Native youth and help start the conversation of mental health in our tribal communities,” Huber said.

No. 4: Arts & Crafts

There are many ways to have affordable dates involving art. At Walmart, packs of canvases are available for less than $20 and acrylic paint sets with 12 colors are $10.

If you do not want to draw your own design, a paint by number canvas is an easy and affordable way to create

a beautiful painting. These are available on Walmart’s website for as little as $8 and at Hobby Lobby ranging from $6 to $25.

If painting isn’t your preference, origami is another artistic activity you and your partner or friend can have fun with. There are plenty of free tutorials on YouTube, but if you still want to buy something, origami books with included paper are a fun purchase. You can easily order one through Walmart or Amazon’s websites. Mari Ono, an origami expert who has authored many origami books, teaches the best techniques to craft the art. Her books come with paper that complements the created design perfectly, and are available on Amazon for as little as $11.

No. 5: Stargazing

Finish off Valentine’s Day with the stars.

From 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/ Hispanics and Native Americans in Sci-

ence will host a stargazing fundraiser. The fundraiser will take place on International Lawn and SACNAS will be bringing out telescopes from the astronomy and physics department for the event. It will be selling hot chocolate for $4 and pastries for $1 to $4. SACNAS’ mission is true diversity in science. Iris Borunda, a mechanical engineering student and president of SACNAS, said its fundraisers aim to create better cultural experiences for Latino and Native American STEM students. “Our fundraiser’s purpose is to financially support a community that exemplifies true diversity in STEM by creating scholarships, professional development events and a space for cultural expression,” Borunda said.

entertainment.ed@ocolly.com

Courtesy of OSU

Valentine’s Day Yoga at the Colivin Recreation Center provides an opportunity for people to work on self love.

Naomie Alnatas

Heart of a lion

Alnatas’ unlikely path to OSU, relationship with God

it based on the situation, but whenever I go through hard times, I definitely think about it.”

Davis Cordova Staff Reporter

Naomie Alnatas’ leap for a rebound put her future in jeopardy.

Her short jumper clanked off the rim and she soared for the board, only for her right leg to buckle on the way down. She writhed on the hardwood floor, screeched in agony –she tore her right ACL, MCL, meniscus and fractured her femur during a game at Iowa Western.

The painful injury ended her second collegiate season, yet may have paved the way to play for OSU coach Jacie Hoyt and for her to form an unbreakable relationship with God.

Hardships with Alnatas’ body, family and faith throughout her six-year college basketball career challenged her limits and while she still is weathering bumps in the road, she says her ‘heart of a lion’ mentality has yet to fail her.

“It’s so hard for me to explain what it is because it’s just a feeling,” Alnatas said.

“Some things you can’t really explain. For me, it’s a fire that has been placed inside of me by God. I’m still learning how to live with

Bryce Thompson

‘Shaken but not taken’

TIPOFF: 2 p.m. Saturday at GallagherIba Arena (ESPN+)

Thompson regaining confidence in his shot at OSU

Alnatas always embodied the lion’s mentality even when she didn’t know it. Her mom, Amour, said she saw it when her daughter moved across the world for high school ball.

Alnatas grew up mostly in French Guiana, a small country in South America, and in similar countries, the structure of basketball is not the best for aspiring college players. So, every year, scouts from French club teams host combines to pick a few middle school girls to take back to France.

Chalon Basket picked Alnatas, and she spent four years in Bayeux, France, at Jeanne D’arc High School.

“The first time I saw (the heart of a lion) in Naomie was when she went to France,” Amour said. “She had a period where it wasn’t going well with her teammates at the time.

As a mom, it was not easy to know that your daughter is in a whole other country and to see things like that happen to her, but I saw Naomie take it all in and still step into it and deal with it so it’s in those moments that I saw it.”

A lion is not the biggest, strongest or fastest animal in the jungle, but the mentality

TIPOFF: 5 p.m. Saturday at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa (ESPN2)

Bryce Thompson’s return lasted 13 minutes.

Tipoff: Tuesday, 8 p.m., Gallagher-Iba Arena. Watch: ESPN, Radio: 93.7

Just nine games into his freshman season at Kansas, Thompson cracked a vertebra in his lower back, sidelining him three games. When he returned, in a game at OSU, he dove to the floor after a loose ball and came up clutching his hand. A broken finger on his right hand – his shooting hand. Thompson sat on the bench for a month and missed the next seven games. It wasn’t the start to his college career he wanted. Thompson won a state championship at Booker T. Washington and became a McDonald’s All-American, known for his shooting ability. That ability had never been questioned. But for the first time, his confidence wavered. Now, he’s finding it again two years later at OSU. “I was literally just sitting and watching,” Thompson said.

“So, then once I got back it was like it’s an uphill battle trying to get my condition right, get my feel back, and just all those little things that you don’t really notice while you’re playing.”

Scoring had always been the easiest part of Thompson’s game. He could do it at all three levels of the offense. But the injuries stalled his development and made it difficult to find rhythm in Lawrence.

Thompson averaged only five points after returning from the broken finger. He struggled from 3, where he shot less than 20%.

What had always been the surest part of his game was now a little unsure.

Thompson’s father, Rod Thompson, had never seen his son like that.

“I mean, that was the only time he ever questioned his shot,” Rod said. “Ever. Ever, ever. First time you ever questioned his shot.”

Before Bryce became an All-American, he had to put down the cleats.

Rod played basketball at Tulsa and coached an AAU program. He coached lots

of Oklahoma talent, including former Cowboy player and current OSU director of development Keiton Page. So, basketball was in Bryce’s genetics. But as with most elementary school kids, he wanted to try other sports, including football.

But during the summer before Bryce’s sixth-grade year, his focus shifted. He spent the summer traveling with his dad’s AAU team, Oklahoma PWP, and followed around former OSU basketball player Mitchell Solomon, who was on the team and started getting recruited.

Forget football. Being around the team that summer gave Bryce ambition to stay in the gym and go allin on basketball.

“That gave him a lot of confidence because he saw those guys, he saw kinda their journey and just kind of saw them have good games, bad games and just the process,” Rod said. “So, it always kind of gave him that confidence that he always had.”

Confidence: Bryce never lacked it after that. That was because he spent hours in the gym every day working on his shot.

Braden Bush Assistant Sports Editor

The Cowgirl Softball season begins Friday. Read how coach Kenny Gajewski plans to use his pitchers in the early games of the year. See on page 7B

Coast-to-coast

Out-of-state transfers’ impact on Oklahoma high school wrestling

in Ohio, I wouldn’t have been able to watch him,” Victor said. “I also think the level of talent a place like (Stillwater) faces every week has made him so much better.”

championship alongside teammates is what every high school athlete works for from the first day of practice.

Another wrestling school lies less than one mile from OSU.

For years, Stillwater has served as a backyard pipeline for OSU athletic programs, developing, relaying siblings and relatives of its student athletes. This dates before Stillwater wrestling coach, Ethan Kyle — in his third season with the Pioneers — coached his first dual.

“I think a lot of it, more than most people may realize is solely due to luck,” Kyle said. “I honestly think we’ve lucked out with a lot of the kids we’ve been able to get. We’ve been very fortunate to be located right down the road from, in my opinion the premier college wrestling program in the nation in Oklahoma State.”

Victor Voinovich wrestled at Brecksville High School in Ohio, and two years later, he started at 149 pounds for OSU. His brother, Kael, was also at Brecksville, before he and his family moved to Stillwater to follow Victor.

Now, Kael has immersed himself as one of the premier high school wrestlers in the nation, the No. 11 ranked wrestler in the 150-pound class, according to MatScouts.

“It’s nice having him around because if he were still wrestling

But how does this affect other high school wrestling programs that aren’t close to a college wrestling blueblood?

Will Delk has coached at Bridge Creek, Edmond Memorial and now Mustang. Delk notices the urge for a high schooler to move to a championship school.

“Whether it’s nationally, top-tier kids coming in from outof-state so they can go to school at Oklahoma State or Oklahoma, or even kids just moving to be a part of a powerhouse (high school) team, it’s all the same,” Delk said. “It just puts a lot of distaste in my mouth. It all goes back to pride in your school or hometown for me.

“Instead of staying and having pride in your school or wherever you’re currently at, parents are taking their kids at the junior high level and moving them across the country to be a part of a dream team where they can, or at least think they can, win a state championship.”

Of course, the ethics of out-of-state transfers could be questioned. Delk certainly loathes the idea of it.

Coaches such as Ray Blake at Bixby High School see it as an opportunity rather than an obstacle.

The goal of a high school wrestler is to win an individual state title. The idea of winning a

“I understand these teams are working within the rules and that’s just the fact of the matter,” Blake said. “It does make it harder for other teams to win, don’t get me wrong. But is the goal always to win? Or is it to become the best individual wrestler you can be? You can’t get better as a student athlete if you don’t go up against better competition. If the goal is to be the best wrestler you can be, then having that better competition will help you achieve that goal.”

Stephen Buchanan, now at OU, spent his first three seasons of college at Wyoming. Now, Buchanan finds himself with an opportunity with a prestigious wrestling program.

In Kyle’s eyes, the same rules of logic apply to transfers in high school. Moving wrestlers in-state garners more attention and notoriety toward the latter portion of their high school careers. In the end, it’s solely to help the kids.

“I understand their frustration,” Kyle said. “But at the end of the day, my job is to help a kid continue his wrestling career beyond college. Whether it be here or somewhere else, it prepares kids for elite of competition after (high school).”

sports.ed@ocolly.com

Cowboys test win streak, embrace dual schedule

position ourselves a little bit better as we go down the stretch for the Big 12 tournament and the NCAA Championships.”

One streak will end Friday.

Bottom struggles appear old news as offense becomes the new norm for OSU wrestling. A one-loss first semester led into eight wins in the Cowboys’ past nine duals. No. 7 OSU battles at No. 16 South Dakota State on Friday night. The Jackrabbits haven’t lost since Dec. 18, 22-17 to Nebraska.

Two teams in strong form. After three top-15 wins, the Cowboys broke into the top 10. Still, a team outside trophy contention. Are the Cowboys turning things around?

“The team is coming together,” OSU coach John Smith said. “We all know dual meets is different than tournament scoring. The next thing I really need to start seeing is that we

Carter Young, OSU’s usually inconsistent 141-pounder, trends toward consistency with five straight wins. His struggles from bottom disappeared. He’s the one riding, earning the riding time point in four of his past five wins.

Perhaps Smith’s lectures about aggressiveness are formulating. Young and his teammates attack. It’s the necessary steps needed for the Cowboys to elevate.

A cross-country gauntlet hardened the Cowboys. Trips to Tennessee for the Southern Scuffle. Oregon the next week. New York City the other. A trip to Iowa, too.

“I think that’s callused us a little bit,” 133-pounder Daton Fix said. “We’re a tough team and we’re kinda taking these guys into deep waters. We’re the ones that are surviving.”

Momentum and repetition shows at a critical time. Guys are progressing. Nine starters are ranked but Smith

said the next four duals provide a chance to rise. Only Fix’s ranking shows All-American status, a top eight finish at the NCAA Championships. One All-American doesn’t win a national championship. The Cowboys understand the work needed.

“You need to move yourself a little further,” Smith said. “I think we have that opportunity probably at all 10 weight classes.”

An 11-2 Jackrabbits squad will test the Cowboys. A quick turnaround and a battle with Stanford occurs Sunday. Next week, OSU clashes with Oklahoma and Iowa. It’s crunch time in every team’s road to March.

“The Cowboys, we’re coming,” 197-pounder Luke Surber told FloWrestling. “We’re gonna be a lot better than we are right now at the end of the year. I promise you that. We didn’t have a great NCAAs last year. We didn’t have a great beginning but we’re turning up.”

File Photo As more wrestlers transfer to schools such as Stillwater High School, wrestling around the country is

Molly Jolliff

Luke Surber, OSU’s 197-pounder, fresh off a win over No. 1 Rocky Elam of Missouri, joins the Cowboys in their search for a Big 12 championship.

Daniel Allen Staff Reporter

Adam Engel Editor-in-Chief

Getting 0’s playing time How the Cowboys will replace Anderson

backcourt maintaining its balance.

Sam Hutchens Staff Reporter

After starting for OSU in 75 consecutive games, senior guard Avery Anderson’s message to OSU fans came unceremoniously, from social media, rather than a postgame podium. Surgery to address a nagging left wrist injury may have robbed him of an in-person farewell.

“I’m sad I can’t finish out my senior year with my guys,” Anderson wrote in part.

While Boynton did not put a timetable on when Anderson could return, Anderson’s Instagram post had a less optimistic tone.

“It’s going to put him out indefinitely,” coach Mike Boynton said. “You deal with different bumps in the road throughout the season. Obviously, this is another one for us.”

The Cowboys won without Anderson against No. 15 TCU on Saturday. In that game, senior guard Caleb Asberry started his first game for OSU. Asberry will be a key piece to OSU’s

“Obviously more opportunity for everybody in terms of a minutes load or to impact play,” Boynton said. “Positionally, Chris (Harris Jr.) is another guy right there, next to Caleb Asberry. (Quion Williams) has kind of gone back and forth between a wing and some form of a four. We’re just going to piece it all together.”

Asberry, a Texas State transfer, played well after starting in Anderson’s place, scoring 19 points on Saturday and five on Wednesday. He answered the challenge that coaches floated out to the team.

“I was just hitting shots, pretty much,” Asberry said. “That’s all coach told me to do. He told everybody to step up. That’s what I tried to do.

“(Starting) felt cool, it was cool. It’s different than starting in the Sun Belt.”

Asberry is the logical choice to step into the starting lineup full time. He averages 24.5 minutes per game, trailing only Bryce Thompson and John-Michael Wright as healthy backcourt options.

Expect Harris Jr. and Williams to play more, too. While they aren’t as proficient

slicing through the lane on dribble-drives, Harris and Williams are bigger than Anderson and can handle the ball if needed.

Wright will likely be primarily in charge of activating the offense. Wright, who has started every game this season, played almost 37 minutes against TCU — his second highest tally of the season. When OSU’s lead narrowed late, the Cowboys turned to Wright to do what Anderson usually does.

“When (TCU) started making runs, my coaches came to me in the huddle and was like, ‘Just be the voice out there, slow everything down, make sure we get a good shot, if you have a gap – attack,’” Wright said.

Boynton called Anderson the Cowboys’ best on-ball defender, noting the Cowboys will be without one of their top defensive guards. He said there is no one on OSU’s roster as explosive as Anderson.

“We don’t have anyone like Avery,” Boynton said. “No one is as dynamic with the ball. No one has the fast-twitch athleticism that he has. But they all have different skills they bring to the able that can be beneficial.”

sports.ed@ocolly.com

File Photo

Caleb Asberry is the player to replace the injured Avery Anderson in OSU’s starting lineup.

Thompson...

Continued from 1B

and prowess it possesses makes it the king of the jungle. Alnatas said to translate a lion’s mentality to life and basketball, regardless of what comes her way, she will make something of herself.

Alnatas’ fascination with the lion started young. She’s always liked the king of the jungle, but once she met Hoyt, she started to embrace the lion, or lioness, inside along with her religious side.

Alnatas and Hoyt’s first interaction commenced with an awkward hug. In French Guiana, a greeting is with a kiss on the cheek, never a hug. So, when they met inperson, Hoyt bear hugged Alnatas.

Alnatas quietly said, “I don’t like hugs.”

The two laughed it off and seemingly built a strong coach-player bond.

“I feel like my testimony is very similar to Naomie’s,” Hoyt said. “We both had something taken away from us through an ACL tear and it was incredibly hard and I think when you’re at rock bottom you have nowhere but to look up.”

“I went through it multiple times and to see her go through exactly what I went through I think really helped me encourage her and point her in the right direction knowing that’s the direction she believed in already, never forcing anything, but that’s always been something that bonded us.”

Before the injury, Alnatas said she believed in God, but the bond wasn’t as strong as it is now. She was cocky and had her next day planned – visiting and possibly committing to Texas Tech. Alnatas said God just had different plans for her.

The injury occurred in the second game of her sophomore season at Iowa Western. While Texas Tech wasn’t the only school recruiting Alnatas, it’s the one she remembers most because Red Raider coaches stopped calling on the scheduled day of her visit, just like the other coaches at inter

City to Cayenne, French Guiana. She arrived at a Kansas City post office, sharing her story with the man working the counter. If he didn’t give Alnatas encouraging words that she still remembers, she may have just quit the sport she loves.

“Whenever I went to that post office, that guy I saw there, he was a believer,” Alnatas said. “I remember he told me that, ‘Listen, your mom is doing her best. You don’t have to worry about that. Sometimes in life you go through hard times.’”

Man, that was huge for me because I was so close to quit and that just gave me so much encouragement and I just really felt that God opens doors and that things happen for a reason, so I just felt a deeper connection to God after that season.”

After last season, Hoyt took over OSU, and Alnatas followed her to play her sixth year.

This season, Alnatas’ game has translated well into Big 12 play. She leads the team in scoring at 13.9 points per game and is No. 31 in the NCAA with a 2.32 assist-turnover ratio. The Cowgirls are 17-7 and are competing for a bid in the NCAA Tournament.

Even as a Cowgirl,

aunt was hospitalized, her mom wrecked her car and Alnatas’ apartment flooded. Still, her heart of a lion shone through the afflictions two days later against Kansas State.

She scored 17 points with five 3-pointers, grabbed six rebounds and dished out seven assists. Her coach at Iowa Western, Vande Hoef, who she still talks to Alnatas daily, said a performance like that with the amount of adversity she’s gone through and continues to go through is phenomenal.

“Her strength and that lion mentality shows up in times of adversity,” Hoef said. “And having that strength to just do that where other people would almost second guess themselves, but she just embraces the challenge and always comes out stronger.”

Between Hoyt, Amour and Hoef, the three have shaped Alnatas into a success-seeking, disciple of God. Oh, and a good basketball player, too.

“For me, it’s all about embracing it,” Alnatas said. “It shows me that I have way more power or light placed on the inside of me than what I can imagine. For me, it’s all about em

Conley Phipps, a former Booker T. Washington coach, who led the team to a state title in 2019, became the coach of Booker T. during Thompson’s sophomore season. Phipps already knew Rod, and he coached Bryce on a YMCA team when he was in early grade school.

Phipps knew Bryce was a great scorer. But he had a unique element to his game that he still uses.

“Yes, he could finish; yes, he could pass; yes, he could shoot the 3,” Phipps said. “But what separated him as a high school player was his ability to shoot 13-, 17-, 15foot shots off the bounce. His mid-range game was phenomenal.”

Bryce had a good mentor in that department. His favorite player was Kobe Bryant, known as one of the best mid-range shooters in the NBA. Thompson molded his game after Bryant, and part of that was adopting the mid-range shot.

That helped him separate from the pack. Thompson averaged almost 25 points a game and led the Under Armour Association in scoring. When Booker T. Washington won the state title in 2019, Bryce picked up more national attention and recruiting interest, along with the All-American status.

Who wouldn’t be confident after all that?

But Bryce was prepared. He said he felt the expectations and admitted pressure was there, but that he plays better when he’s having fun and not thinking.

Heading into his freshman year at Kansas, confidence wasn’t an issue.

“There’s not a McDonald’s All-American that comes into college that isn’t a 10 on the confidence level,” Rod said. “They’re very confident.”

During the season, Bryce tried not to think about what was next.

Bryce was raised to put his head down and work, then evaluate later. Once his freshman season ended, he sat down with his parents and discussed his future at Kansas. He just felt off, and he carried concerns.

“I think as far as confidence goes, it was

just kind of getting back to my old self and just the time that it took to get there,” Bryce said. “Just one of those experiences you go through it and if not for you, you just leave.

And that’s kind of what I did.”

season af fected him and his shot.

Rod com pared it to boxing, saying Bryce’s shot is his upper cut. Without that uppercut or go-to knock out move, every other part of the game seems less sure, too. In a heavyweight boxing ring like the Big 12, there’s no room for uncer tainty.

wanted comfortability when he entered the transfer portal. His re lationship with coaches Mike Boynton, David Cason, who coached at Tulsa, and Page made OSU an easy fit. needed a scorer, too, since Cade Cunningham went to the NBA. The rest of OSU’s roster shot just 30% from 3-point range, and Bryce could provide that edge. So, OSU it was. Iba Arena court where two years earlier he broke a finger – and maybe some confidence – Bryce now called it home and was healing his game and get ting back to his style of basketball.

great, great fit for him,”

Phipps said. “I think OSU needed Bryce bad, and Bryce needed OSU bad.”

Bryce showed flashes of breaking out his sophomore year, but he said it took a while to get going. He averaged 8.1 points over his first 13 games in Stillwater, before closing the year scoring double digits in 11 of 16 games.

His 3-point percentage was up from the 22% mark at KU, but he still shot less than 30%, which wasn’t where he wanted to be.

“I understand that I have games where I’m really good, and I have games where I don’t play well,” Bryce said, “So, just trying to stay levelheaded through it all and try not to just be up and

long range. Boynton said earlier in the season he wants his guards to take more 3s, and Bryce has done that. His assist average has also more than doubled. It hasn’t come easy, but Bryce’s confidence is back. Rod has a saying that he’s relayed to Bryce, especially during the last couple years. “It can be shaken but not taken,” Rod said. “And I do think his confidence was shaken, but he’s a hard worker. (He’s) been doing this a long time but it will never be taken.”

sports.ed@ocolly.com

Andy Crown

Alnatas suffered a massive leg injury in her second season at Iowa Western. She went up for a rebound and on the way down her leg gave out, which tore her ACL, MCL, meniscus and broke her femur.

down.” He’s kept shooting, a sign Bryce was getting confident again with his shot.

Chase Davis

Bryce Thompson increased his 3-point percentage from 29% last season, to 38% this season.

Edited by Patti Varol and Joyce Lewis

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Daily Horoscope

Nancy Black Tribune Content Agency

Linda Black Horoscopes (TNS)

Today’s Birthday (02/10/23). Benefits flow through communication this year. Personal practice builds self-confidence and ease. Adapt with winter changes for home and family, inspiring buzzing springtime creative communications. Alternative professional opportunities reorient your summer, leading to incredible autumn exploration and discovery. Talk about what you love.

To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

Aries (March 21-April 19) — Today is an 8 — Strategize with your partner. Review long-term plans and discuss any changes. Write agreements or statements of shared possibility. Support each other to reach farther. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is a 9 — Exercise energizes you. Savor time for yourself for physical activity that feeds mind, body and spirit. Score extra points for connection with nature.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is an 8 — Relax and have fun. Don’t take things so seriously. Indulge in your favorite activities, passions and diversions.

Invite someone interesting to play along.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is a 7 — Imagine long-term improvements. Discuss possibilities with housemates and align on changes. Advance a domestic project step by step. Rearrange and renew. Provide treats.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is an 8 — Develop your idea to the next level. Creative muses inspire your words, ciphers and illustrations. Express an inspiring possibility. Research clues for interesting deductions.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is a 9 — Profits flow in with determined action. Provide excellent products or services. Tap into a lucrative market. Discuss objectives and goals. Communication opens doors.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is a 9 — Relax and consider personal passions, projects and priorities. Nurture yourself with time to indulge your own interests. Share with friends. Communication builds lasting value.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is an 8 — You can get especially productive behind closed doors. Write, organize and plan. Consider long-term implications and potential consequences. Strategize and prepare for what’s ahead.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is an 8 — Network and share with your friends, team and community. Build and strengthen lasting connections for shared resilience. The truth gets revealed. Provide reliable support.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is a 9 — Keep taking care of business. Your work is getting attention. Smile for the cameras. Collaborate, network and negotiate. Creatively uncover solutions. You’re building lasting value.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is an 8 — Prepare for upcoming adventures. Explore options. Research, study and document findings. Find useful and practical applications for what you’re learning. Make exciting long-distance connections.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is a 9 — Collaborate for shared financial gain. Don’t rely on luck. Determination and persistence get you farther. Monitor accounts for positive balances. Pull together and surge ahead.

ACROSS

1 Hullabaloo

5 Regional spinoff starring LL Cool J

11 Detergent brand

14 Take a turn

15 Led Zeppelin drummer John

16 Sheepish sort

17 *Sailing-inspired sportswear brand based in Montana?

19

Solution

Muchnick

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

Behind-the-scenes at Boone Pickens Stadium constructions; Upgrades fans will notice next season

Ben Hutchens Staff Reporter

The north side of Boone Pickens Stadium is off limits right now. OSU Athletics doesn’t want anyone bothering the construction crew working on putting the multi-year, $55 million seating upgrades into place. That is why it pays to know Kyle Waters, Senior Associate Athletic Director for Facilities. Waters led a behind-thescenes tour of the upgrades and explained what fans can look forward to next football season.

Upgrades are being installed on the north side of the seating bowl. The south side will be addressed next year.

What will immediately jump out to fans is the four inches of added leg room in the 200 level on the north stands. A couple rows of seats were sacrificed to make 27 inches of tread into 31 inches, on par with the standard of most modern venues.

In some places of the north side stands, permanent chair backs similar to the ones in the south side will be installed. But, mostly, old benches in the 200 level will be replaced with a more comfortable concave bench, identical to the aluminum benches sitting in the west side of the stadium.

“It’s a little more comfortable,” Waters said. “And as long as college football games take now, you know, it’s a five-hour endeavor, so anything helps and just doing what we can shows that we care, and fans are important.”

Friday, a disassembled crane will be carried through a tunnel piece by piece and reassembled on the field. Waters said his crew had to remove a door to gain two extra inches to fit all the pieces through. The crane will assist with installing the new bleachers.

Another addition is more aisles, which will make it easier to get to a seat in a crowded section. Some of the larger sections will be split into an “A” and a “B” with an aisle running down the

middle.

“When we come back in, we will add more aisles and handrails,” Waters said. “You know, if you’ve got that middle seat, previously, you might have to go over 28 people to get to your seat. Now we’ll split that up and make it a little bit more fan friendly.”

The renovations will open up additional areas in the concourse for fans. The north concourse is dimly lit, but

as OSU upgraded its concession stands the last few years, making that area an inviting space is becoming a priority.

Waters said proper lighting will be installed in the north concourse, the gravel areas with picnic tables will be made concrete and TV’s can be installed to make the environment more pleasant to hang out in.

“Now, it’ll be a lot nicer and little by little will be able to kind of see what

works and can add to it,” Waters said.

“It gives us kind of a blank canvas to add to.”

OSU fans interested in seeing their season ticket seat installed or a crane fit through a tunnel can watch the live “Stadium Construction Camera” on okstate.com.

sports.ed@ocolly.com

Jaiden Daughty

OSU is in the middle of multi-year $55 million seating bowl upgrade. The north stands are under construction now, and work will begin on the south stands next year.

Pitching depth to aid OSU in early season

Two more pitchers who have yet to enter the circle for OSU are freshman Kyra Aycock and sophomore Bailey Runner, whom Gajewski praised for their velocity and workethic as underclassmen.

throughout a season. He plans to use the first two weeks of the season to test his younger pitchers, and get his veteran starters an opportunity to face top-ranked teams before the season takes off.

Most know Kelly Maxwell’s name, and she has two more seasons with OSU to make her left arm legendary.

She’ll return as the ace for the Cowgirls in 2023, but the other pitchers who combined for 217.2 innings last season won’t be.

Miranda Elish graduated, Morgan Day also did — though, she’s still around as a grad-assistant — and now-sophomore Tatum Clopton will miss the entire season after going through shoulder labrum surgery.

So in the offseason, coach

Kenny Gajewski, like he had done before, brought in transfers and highly ranked freshmen to retool his “cult.”

“They are the tightest group of people, and they’re all competing for innings in the most selfish position in softball,” Gajewski said. “They pull for each other. Kelly is out there coaching, and talking to them. That’s what Kelly is. And that’s what makes her an elite person.”

The new No. 2 pitcher will be Alabama transfer, senior Lexi Kilfoyl.

To complement Maxwell’s rise ball, Kilfoyl specializes in a drop ball. Last season, she even threw a perfect game against Georgia. But, Maxwell is coming off a long season and a trip with Team USA in the offseason and Kilfoyl a hip injury.

Gajewski doesn’t anticipate both No. 1 and No. 2 pitchers to be at their expected inning count immediately, which means the Cowgirls may rely on a collection of three

Gajewski emphasized the importance of early season invitations, such as Puerto Vallarta and Clearwater. Even though softball teams typically only use two pitchers, OSU is an outlier for using three consistently

“This is the best staff we’ve had here,” Gajewski said. “They have the talent, they have a really good coach, and they have a team around them that will help them.”

Schedule

March 10: vs

Florida State

March 11: vs

Florida State

March 12: vs

Florida State

March 15: at Cen-

tral Arkansas

March 17: vs UCF

March 17: vs Ari-

zona State

March 18: vs Ari-

zona State

March 18: vs UCF

March 19: vs UCF

March 22: vs North

Texas

March 24: vs

Baylor

March 25: vs

Baylor

March 26: vs

Baylor

C:

April 15: vs Iowa State

April 16: vs Iowa State

April 19: vs Wichita State

April 21: at Texas

April 22: at Texas

April 23: at Texas

April 28: at Texas Tech

April 29: at Texas

Tech

April 30: at Texas Tech

May 3: at North

Texas

May 5: vs Oklahoma

May 6: vs Oklahoma

May 7: vs Oklahoma

Ivy Rosenberry, a junior transfer from Virginia Tech, was a pitcher Gajewski saw talent in, but was stuck behind another talented pitcher whom took most of the innings.

“I think she’s a hidden gem,” Gajewski said. “She has a power arm. When she throws, it’s 68-71. There’s been some 72s. But when she’s throwing that hard, she’s not as good. But she didn’t get a good opportunity at Virginia Tech.”

March 3: vs Maine

March 3: vs Mis-

souri

March 4: vs South

Dakota State

March 4: vs Tar-

leton State

March 5: vs South

Dakota State

March 29: at Tulsa

April 1 (DH): vs

Incarnate Word

April 5: at Wichita

State

April 6: at Kansas

April 7: at Kansas

April 8: at Kansas

April 11: vs Tulsa

April 12: vs UT-

Arlington

April 14: vs Iowa State

May 11-13: Big 12 Championship (Oklahoma City)

May 19-21: NCAA Regional

May 25-28: NCAA

Super Regional

June 1-9: NCAA

Women’s College World Series (Oklahoma City) * = neutral site invitational

Chase Davis

Ivy Rosenberry will open the season as OSU’s third pitcher, but will take the load off Kelly

and Lexi Kilfoyl throughout the

Gabriel Trevino Sports Editor