Friday, April 7, 2023

BUSINESS, MAN

Spears dean Eastman closing memorable run

Eastman’s 10-year period as dean marked a time of growth for the business school, as Eastman oversaw developments such as the planning and construction of the business building, thoughtful changes to the core curriculum and the implementation of bold initiatives that targeted enhancing the connection between students and faculty.

America chapter president traded caring for hogs for textbooks, although not for long. Once Eastman arrived at college and discussed dreams of becoming a lawyer with fellow students, he realized law school was not for him, and he dropped out to return to the farm.

Eastman said he doesn’t regret dropping out, and even suggested it was the best decision he’s ever made.

Ken Eastman spun records in a radio studio, quit school and returned, again and again, all part of a varied and strong résumé that soon concludes with his retirement as dean of the Spears School of Business.

After 34 years with OSU, Eastman will retire from his position as dean following the spring semester.

Although Eastman is a wellestablished leader, he comes from humble beginnings.

A first-generation college student, and one-time college dropout, Eastman’s story began on a farm in north central Iowa.

After high school, the senior class president and Future Farmer’s of

Spirit Band delivers the beat from GIA

received the ball. She sprang into action driving forward through West Virginia’s defense.

Proctor said. “It was this huge moment of hesitation before we finally realized.”

“I think some of the bravest decisions are to quit,” Eastman said. “If you’re on the wrong path, it’s insane to keep going.”

This is a message Eastman preaches to students inside the Spears School of Business. Evelyn Larson, a sophomore marketing major and

member of the Business Student Council, described herself as a “go, go, go” kind of person who struggles to say no. Larson said the dean’s perspective on quitting shaped how she lived out her freshman year.

Eastman’s college journey didn’t end with quitting.

Each weekend, Eastman’s friends returned home from Iowa State University, and their visits encouraged him to return to college. Eastman attended a junior college where he received a two-year degree in broadcasting, sparking his time working as a radio DJ for a large country music station after graduation.

OSU students start nonprofit to fund sustainable water source in Zimbabwe

On the last day of her study abroad trip, Lily Chavez received a letter from Mark Trent, husband of Oklahoma State alumna and “Oprah’s Favorite Guest”, Tererai Trent.

The letter was from a Zimbabwean village-head pleading for a local sustainable water source. Women had been traveling miles every day to acquire the water their families needed in order to drink, bathe, cook and produce crops. Reading this letter sparked something in Chavez.

“This was the seed that inspired me to make a difference,” Chavez said.

And so her mission began.

During her time in Zimbabwe, Chavez, is a junior majoring in global studies, learned that in a nearby village, when a local sustainable water source was introduced, all aspects of life improved.

The health of the people, the production and selling of crops and the school attendance rates increased. The ratio of male to female students began to even as the girls no longer spent their days fetching water. She used this evidence as the foundation for her mission, and for two months she worked along side faculty to create ideas. From the brainstorming sessions, “Wishes for Water” was born, three words that represent why the organization began and what they are working to do.

Jacob Proctor stood in the Oklahoma State Spirit Band’s designated section in Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Missouri, as the OSU Cowgirls were locked in an intense game against West Virginia.

With a chance at progressing in the Big 12 Tournament and only three seconds on the clock, Proctor knew the Cowgirls had to act fast. Proctor held his trumpet tightly as OSU’s Terryn Milton

Milton shot, and Proctor raised his trumpet in the air, cheering her on. The ball landed on the rim. Proctor and his bandmates fell silent as the ball circled the rim for an agonizing second.

Proctor hesitated anxiously, tapping the keys of his instrument, not knowing whether to celebrate or pack up. The ball came to a stop tilting before falling through the basket. The buzzer sounded, and Proctor and his fellow members exploded into a wave of OSU’s victory, celebrating with their team in their own way. “It was the coolest thing I’ve ever seen,”

Proctor and his spirit band members devoted their spring break to traveling with OSU’s men’s and women’s basketball teams for their Big 12 and NCAA Tournament runs. They spent the trip recreating the spirit of GallagherIba on the road.

“Being the biggest spirit group on campus, we definitely brought a lot of that spirit and made the whole trip worth it,” Proctor said.

The recognition and inclusion from the OSU basketball program in bringing the rowdy to Gallagher Iba Arena was an important take away for the band.

Courtesy of Cayden Clark

The OSU Spirit Band performs at every regular season game, making its members view themselves as a pivotal part of gameday activities. Courtesy

Jaiden Daughty

Ken Eastman is a well-established leader who comes from humble beginnings. A first-generation college student and college dropout, Eastman’s story began on a farm in north central Iowa.

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By Rebekah Cleary

New nursing program at OSU increases enrollment

school didn’t offer a nursing program at the time.

“It’s very exciting for me to be able to offer this for the university for the students, and even for Stillwater,” Cluck said.

Oklahoma and satisfy the state’s nursing shortage.

Oklahoma is ranked No. 46 among all states for the number of registered nurses per capita, according to the Oklahoma Nurses Association.

After a basketball camp in sixth grade, Faith Street knew she belonged at OSU, but something bigger stood in her way.

“I stayed at Bennett Hall, and when the camp was over that week, I told my mom, ‘Take a pic with Pistol Pete because I am coming to college at OSU someday,’” Street said.

As Norman natives, Street said her parents didn’t take her claim seriously. Street stuck to her plan and announced to her parents she wanted to go to OSU when she was a senior in high school.

Street’s plan had one flaw: OSU did not offer a four-year nursing program.

Similar to her passion for OSU, Street knew she wanted to be a nurse practitioner since she was young. Street said her passion for nursing began with doctor appointments with nurse practitioners and physician assistants when she was younger and progressed as she became a lifeguard in ninth grade, where she took courses in CPR/AED for the professional rescuer and first aid.

Alana Cluck had a similar story, with a different ending. The director of the nursing program said she came to OSU to get her prerequisites but had to leave to finish her degree somewhere else because the

OSU’s four-year nursing program will enable students to get their Bachelor of Science in Nursing at OSU’s Stillwater campus, a degree pre-nursing students had to complete online or relocate to receive in the past.

Cluck received her BSN from the University of Oklahoma and returned to OSU in 2017. In 2018, Cluck contributed to an effort to introduce a four-year nursing program to OSU that was not granted approval at the time.

Street reached out to Cluck and other faculty members at OSU who told her they had high hopes for a four-year nursing program at OSU. Street said her parents felt choosing a college that already had a four-year program would be the more practical choice, but Street said she had faith the nursing program would be approved.

Just before Street enrolled in her first semester of classes at OSU, she saw an Instagram post announcing the nursing program’s approval.

“I just knew in my spirit that OSU was the place for me and that the nursing program would be approved,” Street said.

“Now it’s all working out in perfect timing, and I am planning to be one of those people that they approve.”

The program’s establishment reflects OSU’s land grant mission and aims to improve health care in

Students who have grown up in Oklahoma or surrounding states are familiar with the need for nurses. Rienna Franks, a sophomore animal science pre-vet/pre-med major, said she thinks the program is amazing.

“Nursing is a profession that is in high demand,” Franks said. “It’s a lot of bang for your buck with a great career outlook.”

Cluck said the program will offer clinical experience in urban and rural settings, which provides students with a broad perspective on health care. OSU is renovating an area on campus to create a fullyequipped simulation lab for the program that is expected to be completed in 2024.

The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education accredited the program.

To apply for the program, students must complete 59 hours of prerequisite coursework. In the semester prior to completing those 59 hours, students must submit a competitive application to continue professional coursework toward the nursing degree.

OSU plans to admit 50 students this fall and grow the program to 100 students in its second year. OSU also offers online RN and BSN degree programs accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

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Mr. and Miss Asian pageant shares inspiring stories

ture that they felt best represented them.

A new reign begins.

2023 marked 12 years since the first Mr. and Miss Asian pageant at OSU, and this year Luan Nuam and James Lee took the crown home.

The pageant showcased the diversity of Asian cultures with the presentation of cultural wear and the talent competition.

“It’s a great way to show our heritage and identities,” 2022 Mr. Asian Jordan Lim said. “A lot of contestants don’t always have the time to explore what makes them truly them, so the whole process motivates the growth of their knowledge on their heritage.”

The event started with each contestant providing a brief description of their platform. Lee discussed his passion for providing clean drinking water for all.

“What winning this title means to me is that I am able to promote my platform of water equity so I can help spark change that will hopefully inspire each student and individual to do their part to conserve and protect their water resources,” Lee said.

Nuam wanted to raise awareness about challenges faced by immigrants in America.

“I saw it as an opportunity to use my voice and my platform to make a positive impact in my community,” Nuam said.

During the cultural wear portion of the pageant, each contestant presented clothing from their cul-

After the cultural wear portion, it was time for each contestant to participate in the talent competition. Lee performed “Oklahoma” from the musical “Oklahoma” on his violin.

“I practiced my violin in preparation for my talent and shared it with my violin studio class and my private lesson teacher who helped me with phrasing and showmanship,” Lee said.

Nuam performed a dance called Chheih Lam.

“[It] is a popular folk dance in Mizoram, India, characterized by triplets sung with improvised lyrics praising honored guests and recounting heroic deeds,” Nuam said. “It is also known as the bird dance.”

First Miss Asian runner-up Corrianna Hong won the People’s Choice Award for the night, as well as the talent and cultural wear awards. Second Miss Asian runnerup Hannamei Carlson won the evening wear award.

“Winning this title means the world to me. It is an honor and a privilege to represent the Asian community at OSU and to use my platform to make a positive impact,” Nuam said.

Lim said the bar for cultural representation has been raised since the first pageant 12 years ago.

“It’s not just another way of showing off our heritage,” Lim said. “ It’s a way for us to take action for our communities which is much more difficult than it sounds.”

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Courtesy of OSU

of Science in Nursing at OSU’s Stillwa-

Courtesy of OSU

Luan Nuam and James Lee win the Mr. and Miss Asian pageant in an event that pageant showcased the diversity of Asian cultures with the presentation of cultural wear and the talent competition.

Bella Casey Staff Reporter

Olivia Lane Staff Reporter

Eastman said his time as a DJ was the best experience for being dean, even compared to his Ph.D. program. Talking on air taught him to speak in front of crowds and on video, which he does often as dean.

Although Eastman enjoyed being a DJ, it wasn’t paying the bills.

“I was in charge of millions of dollars worth of equipment making minimum wage,” Eastman said.

Eastman once again returned to college, this time at Iowa State University. He graduated with a degree in business and began working as a warehouse supervisor, a job he said he hated.

“So, I went back to whine to a couple of my professors at Iowa State,” Eastman said. “They said ‘You should do this.’ I go ‘What? I can’t be a professor.’

“’I’d go ‘I’m not smart enough. I can’t do this.’ And after what I call counseling sessions, they convinced me.” Eastman returned to college a final time, this time at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. After completing his Ph.D. program, Eastman attended a national business conference in hope of landing a job. He interviewed with a variety of schools, but one stood out:

Oklahoma State University.

Eastman said Wayne Meinhart, the department head at the time, showed a passion and positivity for OSU that drew him to the school. One he may have never considered.

Eastman recalls a time he hated the idea of moving to a state like Oklahoma through a conversation with high school buddies.

“We were walking down the hall of our high school contemplating our futures,” Eastman said. “I remember vividly saying, ‘If we’re not careful we’re going to end up in some godfor-

saken place like Oklahoma.’”

Eastman got the job, but once he arrived at OSU, he said he suffered heavily from “imposter syndrome.” He said he remembers referring to fellow colleagues as “Dr.” rather than their first names, as he still viewed himself as a farm boy from Iowa rather than a professor.

Slowly, Eastman grew comfortable in his new environment. He credited key figures such as Meinhart with supporting him throughout his journey to becoming dean and helping him transition from warehouse supervisor to business professor.

“No one goes through it alone and you shouldn’t feel you have to or you should,” Eastman said. “Finding people who will invest in you is important. That’s why I always tell kids to get to know some of your faculty.”

As dean, Eastman played the same supporting role Meinhart and other professors played in his career for students and faculty at the Spears School of Business. Eastman’s longtime friend and colleague Rick Wilson described Eastman as part of his “squad” and as someone who has always been there for him and supported his goals.

“You need good people around you to make it through life - to enjoy the good times with you, to help you survive the not-so-good times, to provide advice, to just be there, and sometimes just knowing that someone

Spirit...

Continued from 1A

The OSU Spirit Band is comprised of over 70 students and performs at every regular season game allowing its members view themselves as a pivotal part of gameday activities. Members from the marching band, the student body and alumni take part in the band. The band shows playing the OSU fight songs and stand tunes for the team and fans while distracting the opposing team.

Luke Swanson, a sophomore at OSU, plays the clarinet and said he works hard to find the perfect pitch to break through the weak points of an enemy huddle.

“I think it’s an underrated home-field advantage when you have a band that can get way into the game,” Swanson said. “We’ll just turn and play as loud as possible at the other team as they’re in their huddle drawing up a play.”

Swanson said the

can be there and sets a good example,” Wilson said.

Wilson and Eastman met through the Department of Management at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1987 while working toward their PhDs. One year after Eastman interviewed with OSU, Wilson did the same and followed Eastman to Stillwater.

The two friends shared what Wilson described as a “nearly parallel career,” as they served as junior faculty together in the same department, became directors of master’s programs and department heads, and spent many

years socializing over softball games, racquetball matches and lunches in the student union.

“The place will not be the same without him,” Wilson said. “Just knowing a trusted friend and colleague is a floor away… even if I would go weeks without talking to him… it was comforting. It will all change in August.

“That will be a tough lacuna to fill.”

Relationships such as the one Wilson and Eastman share take an effort to maintain. Wilson described Eastman as a great listener, and as dean, Eastman has used the “Power of Personal” to ensure students feel heard.

Eastman strives to make a personal connection to students through dean’s lunches, TikToks and even phone calls to concerned parents. Larson said it is common to see the dean wandering the halls of the business building with the media team or sitting in the Keystone lobby.

Eastman’s biggest accomplishment as dean revolves around his students. Although the new business building is one of Eastman’s greatest achievements, he said the changes he’s made to the school’s core curriculum meant the most to him.

Eastman described the changes as a blend of content combined with the skills and talents a student needs to be successful, such as professionalism, interpersonal skills and critical thinking. Eastman steered classroom content away from memorization and lectures and toward team-oriented, engaging teaching.

Eastman’s vision for the school is what motivated him to apply for the position of dean. After multiple deans shuffled in and out of the business building over the course of a few years, Eastman stepped in, prepared to make difficult decisions for the sake of the business school.

Wilson said it was Eastman who “stopped the madness” and stood up for the school.

“Outsiders would come in to lead us, and they kept wanting to measure our value to students and the community in traditional, inappropriate ways,” Wilson said. “We needed an insider to stand up and declare that we live the “Power of Personal.”

“And that is what makes our students, alumni and our community so successful instead of comparing ourselves to others. Ken was the person who did this.”

Eastman, now recognized as the third-longest serving dean in the school’s history, said the COVID-19 pandemic introduced him to the idea of retirement. He said once the idea was mentioned, it was difficult to stop thinking about it.

Eastman compared his retirement realization to riding a trail horse. Once the barn is in sight, the horse is focused only on heading back to the barn.

Eastman said it is time for him to head toward the barn.

Once he retires, Eastman said he plans to spend time with his wife and return to Iowa. Eastman’s official retirement date is Aug. 2, and he said it’s the people he will miss the most when he retires.

“That will be hard to walk away from,” Eastman said. “I’ve enjoyed being dean, but it doesn’t define who I am.”

spirit band members see themselves as part of the team and their support never flinches.

“We are very ride or die with our team,” Swanson said. “We celebrate hard, and we go crazy if we win. If we lose, you know, we are just as upset as the team is.”

The coaching staff has not let the band’s devotion go unnoticed. Junior Cayden Clark has noticed a defiant change in the three years since joining the band.

“The only interaction we had with the coaches was the women’s coach when we would play Hawaii, the women’s coach would step out and listen because that was his favorite stand tune,” Clark said.

Head coaches for the women’s and men’s basketball team, Jacie Hoyt and Mike Boynton are changing the standard, and Swanson and his other bandmates feel the difference. During the season, both coaches sent videos to the band, expanded the spirit band section to make room for more members and acknowledged

the band whenever they could.

“They don’t have to go out of their way to do the things that they do, like expanding our band section and acknowledging us in postgame stuff,” Swanson said. “It feels like the basketball teams really value what we do and the job we do.”

Clark sees their renewed involvement as an acknowledgment of the band’s role in returning the Gallagher-Iba arena to its former glory.

“They actually care about us, and we’re a part of that rebuild of bringing everybody back to Gallagher Iba,” Clark said. “They want us to be there and to bring the energy.”

The woman at the center of this revival, Hoyt, led the women’s team to many victories this season and propelled the team into the spotlight on the national stage. However, she has never forgotten the band.

“She is incredible. She brings a whole lot of spirit to the team and to the spirit band,” Proctor said.

Before the Big 12

Tournament, Hoyt climbed onto the band bus to talk to the band. She told the band how much she appreciated their involvement.

“I’ve never had a coach get on the bus with us and tell us that they value our impact,” Swanson said. “Hoyt is a great advocate for band involvement.”

The connection she fosters continues to grow in the off season, and the band members are excited for the coming season.

“I’ve seen more connection between the coaches and the spirit band than ever before,” Proctor said.

The spirit band finished their season with unyielding support for the teams in the face of the end of their tournament runs.

Proctor, Swanson, Clark and the other members said they are eager to play their part in a winning Cowboy season.

“Band is the coolest place to be because everyone’s completely into the game,” Proctor said. “Everyone wants to be there.”

Courtesy of OSU Spirit Band

Members from the marching band, the student body and alumni take part in the band.

Finding people who will invest in you is important

Ken Eastman

Courtesy of OSU

Eastman said his time as a DJ was the best experience for being dean, even compared to his Ph.D.

Zimbabwe...

Continued from 1A

She needed a team.

Chavez took her mission and presented it to her peers in the President’s Leadership Council, hoping to gain support and a team, and she did.

Twenty students volunteered to work along side her with the goal to fund a sustainable well in the Hurungwe School District. To reach this goal, the students would need to raise $15,000 and work through the legal challenges of becoming a nonprofit. “EIN” and “501 CR” became new terms in the team’s vocabulary.

Becoming a state recognized nonprofit was just one of the obstacles the Wishes for Water team had to overcome.

“Our biggest challenge is that our volunteers are college students, but our donor demographic isn’t. We’ve had to get in touch with our Stillwater community,” Chavez said.

The team quickly got to work to reach the community, creating the website, wishesforwater.org, as the central point of the organization and functioning as a hub for donations and information. The Wishes for Water staff continue to try and find new, creative ways to gain support and donations.

“It’s so hard to communicate our mission and the reality of what’s at stake over an email,” Chavez said.

So the team got creative.

For every dollar donated, the donor’s name was entered into a raffle for Cowboy baseball tickets, merchandise and an Iron Monk Brewery tour. Other Wishes for Water staff focus their time

and Lifestyle

on larger opportunities for donations.

Member Jacob Smith works to spread the mission through face-to-face interactions with possible donors. Smith spent his time in Wishes for Water building a presentation to be shown to donors that details the importance and necessity of the teams goal.

“Through showing the technicalities of what we’re doing, along with the moral reasons, I hope I can show why what we’re doing is so important,” Smith said.

Embedded in the presentation are maps of the local villages and the routes a woman must take to acquire water each day. By providing visuals, such as the map and student-taken photos of the families and children who will be impacted, the team hopes they are able to inspire the hearts of donors to fund a sustainable water source for the Hurungwe School District.

With four weeks left to reach their target of $15,000, the team continues moving forward.

“Knowing the life-changing impact we are capable of making pushes me to do my best every single day,” Smith said. These students know the real change they are able to make through the mission’s success.

“We’re doing this not for ourselves or our resumes, but for the people who’s lives seriously depend on this. We want to uplift communities and see them grow and innovate. We know that change is very possible and very necessary,” Chavez said.

To help bring a sustainable water source to the Hurungwe School District, bettering the health, stability, economy and education of families in Zimbabwe, donate and learn more at wishesforwater. org.

‘Adventure Time’ celebrates anniversary

land of Ooo, and the series has hundreds of storylines and plot points throughout the 10 seasons.

On April 5, 2010, the first episode for “Adventure Time” was aired. Many kids and teens today look back on the TV show, which aired on Cartoon Network from 2010-2018, with a sense of warm remembrance. Teens are not the only ones who think the show was good, as it has garnered a rare 100% average on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite “Adventure Time” being a kid’s TV show, it had some deeper and darker themes, such as death, mental issues and other factors that can relate to teenagers. The show mainly features Finn the Human, a 12-year-old boy at the beginning of the series that ages along with it, and his brother, a half-demon stretchy dog named Jake. They live in the

Seven-time Emmy Award winner Pendleton Ward created the show. He is also well-known for “Over the Garden Wall,” “Bee and Puppycat: Lazy in Space” and many other shows.

“Adventure Time” is not unlike “Steven Universe” in its humor and the creator of “Steven Universe,” Rebecca Sugar, worked on “Adventure Time.” Sugar did some visual work and also wrote its iconic intro theme song, “Island Song - Come Along With Me.”

Aside from Ward and Sugar, the series hosts other recognizable names and voices. John DiMaggio, the same voice as Bender from “Futurama,” voices Jake.

Jeremy Shada, popular for playing Lance in “Voltron:

Legendary Defender,” voices Finn, and Tom Kenny, the voice of Spongebob SquarePants, also

voices other important characters, such as Ice King and Simon. The series was also one of the first cartoons to have a lesbian relationship in a kid’s show, another thing it shared with “Steven Universe.” The relationship is between Marceline the Vampire Queen and Princess Bubblegum. The series inspired spin-offs as well, with “Adventure Time: Distant Lands” being the most notable. This aired from 2020-21 and was nominated for an Emmy, despite only having a handful of episodes. Although new episodes are no longer produced, you can still watch the series on Amazon, Hulu or Cartoon Network. The series still has a strong following, especially because it ended a few years ago.

To celebrate “Adventure Time”’s 13th anniversary, pop some popcorn, dim the lights and strap in to binge watch the more than 250 episodes in the series.

Spring DIY decorations for your college home

Creating a bird feeder is a cool way to connect with wildlife that resides in Stillwater, too. There are multiple ways to make them, but here is the easiest.

The weather is warmer, the days are longer — it’s springtime in Stillwater.

Decorating your college dorm or home is the perfect way to transition into the spring season. Easy and affordable projects are a productive way to take time away from studying and enjoy something different, with friends or on your own.

There are many craft stores throughout Stillwater, including Hobby Lobby and Joann’s, but almost everything listed can be found in Dollar General or Walmart as well.

A simple craft that can be done for cheap is painting mason jars, creating a small flower pot or vase. Mason jars can be purchased at Hobby Lobby. Prices vary but the cheapest is $2.79. Hobby Lobby also sells acrylic paint, in bulk for $15.99 or singular tubes for as cheap as $0.63.

Creating a design, painting a rainbow or configuring all of your favorite colors in a unique pattern is a great way to create something meaningful that matches your personality. Fill it with a simple bouquet from Walmart, and you have the perfect springtime vase for your living space.

All you need is an empty plastic water bottle, two small wooden spoons, a utility blade and birdseed. You will skewer two holes into the plastic bottle with the wooden spoons, allowing birdseed to come through as it is filled.

Bird seed at Petco ranges from $3.99 to $13.19 in smaller portions.

If you have access to a balcony or an open window, brighten a bird’s lucky day. Using empty water bottles is a cool way to recycle and give back to nature in some way.

A flower wreath for your door is another easy way to get into spring. Wreaths are common door decor year round, so there are many options on how to create a wreath with differing price ranges.

For a quick and cheap way, all you will need is a grapevine wreath, scissors, floral wire, a glue gun and differing kinds of faux flowers to intertwine with the grapevine wreath. Depending on the amount of flowers and kinds acquired, each stem can range from $2.49 to $6.99.

Gather your supplies, trim the flower stems to your liking and frame them within the wreath. A hot glue gun can help hold things in its exact place, securing the floral wire and extra leaves around the wreath. After it’s done, hang it up on your door for everyone to see.

Courtesy of Lily Chavez

Alumna, Dr. Tererai Trent (left) and student Lily Chavez (right) work together to build a nonprofit that will fund a sustainable water source in rural Zimbabwe.

Courtesy of Fred Seibert via Flickr

Cartoon Network’s “Adventure Time” premiered 13 years ago. The show follows Finn the Human and his brother, Jake, who is a dog.

Jaycee Hampton Staff Reporter

Isaac Terry Staff Reporter

OSU Theatre Council hosts showcase with scholarships and performances

Isaac Terry Staff Reporter

Savannah Harrod

woke up Monday thinking her day would hold no surprises.

But at the end of it, she had a new scholarship.

On Monday, OSU’s Theatre Council hosted its first donor party and performance since 2020.

The event, which was open to those who donate to the theatre department, students and staff, offered food to its guests before the scholarships were distributed.

“I was just here to enjoy the night,” Harrod said. “I wasn’t part of the extravaganza.”

Harrod said she was just excited to see her friends perform and to mingle. Different people handed out the scholarships, including Lee Brasuell and Sandi DeVore, who worked behind the scenes to make the event happen. “As the interim

head of the department of theatre, I’ve been working with the team, especially Sandi DeVore, to get this done,” Brasuell said. “The theatre circle is even creating a scholarship for the fall of 2023. We’ve got the first funds to deliver this next year to freshmen.”

After the scholarships were handed out, the Evening Extravaganza began. A member of the Theatre Council group took the stage and, with a shaky voice, announced the council would be shutting down because of a copyright issue with a previous play that had been performed this school year. Shortly after, all members of the group jumped out on stage, shouting “April Fools!”

Acts included everything from monologues, bad dating advice, dancing duets, a singing man and muppet, a recycled fashion show and a drag queen performance.

The 2022-23 TCO President Liliana Cudly was in charge of getting the acts to flow together.

“I was basically the executive producer of this,” Cudly said. “I was also in charge of a

lot of the communication between all the students and the tech side of things.”

They posted a casting call of sorts on their Instagram account, tco.okstate, asking for people who would like to perform for the donors to try out and sign up.

“We wanted it to be a huge showcase of everything that we are doing in the theatre department,” Cudly said. “Instead of just like a cabaret style where it’s all songs. Before COVID-19, it was formally a thing called ‘The Mistcast,’ where girls would sing guys’ songs or people perform things that they never would have performed in a million years, stuff like that. We wanted to take that and focus it on showcasing the talents that we’ve been honing this past school year.”

The performers worked on their performances on their own time. They started working at the beginning of February and only had a month of rehearsal time before they would perform live on the Vivia Locke stage in the Seretean.

news.ed@ocolly.com

Simplicity and surprise

‘Dungeons and Dragons’

Against all the odds, “Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” might end up being the most pleasant surprise the film industry has to offer this year.

Despite mediocre trailers and poor marketing, this movie is a nice surprise for “Dungeons and Dragons” fans and general audiences. Simplicity makes this movie work.

Instead of worrying about ambitious plots, deep, complex characters or an unnecessary spectacle, “Honor Among Thieves” takes a light approach and tells a rather predictable, yet heartfelt story with a lovable cast of characters and a great comedic core. This movie doesn’t want to sell you something or tease an ambitious franchise like a majority of modern films. The earnestness of this film is almost unnerving in a sea of movies that desperately want to be the next best thing.

With that in mind, I can say that “Honor Among Thieves” is the most fun I’ve had with a movie in a long time, and a large portion of that is thanks to the fantastic cast.

Chris Pine delivers an excellent

Review

performance as a charming bard with a dark past, but there isn’t a poor performance across the board. These actors could have delivered cheesy or overthe-top performances, but the fact that each character is played completely straight makes for a fun time. Some people have compared this movie to a medieval “Guardians of the Galaxy,” and that comparison fits well. If you liked “Guardians of the Galaxy,” you will likely enjoy this as well. Obviously it isn’t a perfect film. The CGI looks particularly bad during a chase sequence, although this sequence is creative, it is a bit hard on the eyes. There are a few characters that are rather underutilized. Especially the tiefling character who can transform into any animal. However, she does have a few scenes where she shines. The cast is utilized well for the most part. The directing and editing is extremely wonky in a few scenes, with some strange cuts and shots.

Despite this, “Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” makes up for its flaws and does something Hollywood hasn’t done in a long time: it delivered an honestly fun and enjoyable film. With great humorous beats, fun action and a great, memorable cast of misfit characters, it’s a film that is extremely hard to hate and is certainly worth your time.

Isaac Terry

Savannah Harrod receiving her scholarship from OSU’s Theatre Council.

Michael Clark Staff Reporter entertainment.ed@ocolly.com

Courtesy of Tribune.

Chris Pine in “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.”

‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ brings fun to families, fans

rio and mountains upon mountains of references.

The Pros:

“The Super Mario Bros. Movie” delivers exactly what the title says. It is a movie starring Nintendo’s popular Super Mario video game characters on the biggest screen yet. It also explores areas of Super Mario that the games tend to shy away from, with the biggest focus being on the family.

a reference in this movie at any point. They are crammed to the brim with fun easter eggs for Mario and Nintendo fans to try and spot. It may be as big the Punch-Out Pizzeria, being a callback to the NES game of the same name, or subtle like a background shop being named Sunshine Travel Agency as a reference to “Super Mario Sunshine.” These callbacks add an excellent layer to the movie, making it rewatchable for fans of the franchise.

film.

Throwback pop tracks are fun to have here and there in a film, however, when dealing with a franchise like Super Mario, which has more than 35 years of material to use, using songs like “Take on Me” or “Thunderstruck” felt a bit too out of place.

It’s been 30 years since Nintendo’s last venture to the silver screen, but this time, landing into the Mushroom Kingdom was much smoother.

“The Super Mario Bros. Movie” has been a topic of conversation in the movie and video game landscape. With a voice cast filled to the top with celebrities and animation company Illumination at the helm, many fans were skeptical about whether “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” would deliver.

These worries should be quickly put to ease, as the “Super Mario Bros. Movie” provides a product full of gorgeous colors and animation, fun character interactions in the wacky Nintendo-made world of Super Ma-

Everything in this movie pops. The bright colors of all the Mario locales are here, looking better than they ever have. Whether it is the lush jungle of the Kong Kingdom or the various pipes and shops lining the Mushroom Kingdom, there is always something to look at.

Coincidently enough, the best things that make a Super Mario game were the highlights of the movie. The platforming scene being redesigned as a big obstacle course was a cute way to call back the 2D platforming roots, and the Mario Kart segments taking place on Rainbow Road were nostalgic yet modern, all the while iconic themes accompanied themes the Super Mario franchise has produced. An excellent appreciation for the source material.

One could throw a rock and hit

The Cons: This movie acts almost as a Mario speed run of shorts. Right from the beginning, it hits the ground sprinting, barely giving time for anyone to breathe. It creates a fairly bare-bones plot, yet this is nothing new for the franchise. The plots of the Super Mario series have never been known to tell much of a grand story. If there would have been around 20 more minutes added to the run time, it may have created a more seamless experience.

Luigi being a damsel in distress is a blessing and a curse. While it opens up the opportunity for Anya Taylor Joy to shine as Princess Peach, Charlie Day’s excellent execution of the green half of the Mario Brothers just seems to get lost for a majority of the

Those that have never picked up a controller may have a hard time with this film. It is clear that “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” was created with families and super-fans in mind, and that may leave some moviegoers in the dust when it comes to understanding references and character portrayals.

Overall: “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” is a colorful, delightful experience for families and enjoyers of the Super Mario Brothers franchise. Movie lovers may still have a good time with this film, but given the focus more on how the movie looks and references spanning more than 35 years of games, shortcomings with the plot may be harder to excuse. Nonetheless, “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” bashes every box that a Super Mario movie should strive to hit. entertainment.ed@ocolly.com

Mario (voiced by Chris Pratt), left, and Princess Peach (voiced by Anya Taylor-Joy) in “The Super Mario Bros. Movie.”

Payton Little Staff Reporter

Review

Underrated TV shows to comfort students during study breaks

Being able to transport yourself into an entirely different world for a half hour is a great way to relax and take a study break.

Scrolling through streaming services can be a hassle, but to ease that decision for you, here is a list of some underappreciated TV shows that you maybe haven’t heard of before.

“Arrested Development” follows the eccentric Bluth family. Being forced to keep his family together, Michael Bluth (Jason Bateman), takes over the family real estate business after his father is sent to prison for using the company as his own personal piggy bank. While juggling the needs of his spoiled and slightly insane family, Michael does everything he can to keep things afloat. Fox originally canceled the show in 2006 because of low ratings and viewership, but Netflix picked up the series years later for seasons four and five.

“Arrested Development” is the greatest example of absurdist humor in a sitcom, and cast members such as David Cross, Michael Cera and Will Arnett bring an uncomfortable, second-hand embarrassment feeling someone might feel when watching “The Office” (2005).

“Pose” is a show based on the 1980s and 90s New York City ballroom culture. Following characters who are dancers and models, they compete for trophies and recognition in an underground LGBTQ culture. They receive support from one another in a network of chosen families known as houses. The show is not only fabulous, but it discusses important issues

within the community. With cast members such as Evan Peters and Billy Porter, creator Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk strike gold once again with another terrific series. The show has received many nominations, which led Billy Porter to be the the first openly gay Black man to be nominated for and win an Emmy for a lead acting category. It is currently streaming on Hulu.

“Kaguya-sama: Love is War” is a Japanese romance comedy that follows student

council president Miyuki Shirogane and vice president Kaguya Shinomiya. The chemistry between the two is obvious, and despite them liking each other, pride gets in the way. Too proud to be the first to admit their feelings, believing whoever confesses first would “lose” in their relationship, the student council room quickly becomes a war zone. Quirky characters, such as Chika Fujiwara, add humor to the schemes they go through trying to get the other to come

clean first with their feelings. Streaming on CrunchyRoll and Hulu, “Love is War” is a great introduction to anime.

“Freaks and Geeks” (1999) is a short-lived show that had an amazing cast and too much potential to waste.

Despite being canceled after season one, “Freaks and Geeks” follows Lindsey (Linda Cardellini) and her younger brother, Sam, as they attend high school, making friends with the “freaks” and “geeks.”

Cast members Seth Rogen,

Jason Segel, Busy Phillips and James Franco created great potential for more seasons, but it fell short. Too many good shows have been canceled after one season, like “Generation” (2021) and “I Am Not Okay With This” (2020). It’s a shame considering the fanbase and traction these shows have gained over the years. These short-lived programs tend to go unnoticed, but thankfully “Freaks and Geeks” is streaming on Paramount + and Hulu.

entertainment.ed@ocolly.com

Will Arnett (left) and Portia de Rossi (right) starred in “Arrested Development,” a FOX and Netflix sitcom that lasted five seasons.

Jaycee Hampton Staff Reporter

Tearin’ it up

‘I’m

here’

Smith reassures future as OSU wrestling coach

Adam Engel Editor-in-Chief

After two torn ACLs, broken forearm, Wark

slugging for OSU

Gabriel Trevino Sports Editor

The Wark family is unlucky.

Three of the four sisters played softball; Melissa, Maia and Micaela, and all three tore both of their ACLs.

“It might be genetic,” said Bill Wark,

their father.

Micaela, a redshirt freshman at OSU, tore her first ACL in her junior year of high school, then COVID shut down the season.

Five games after she recovered from the first injury, she tore another ACL and suffered a compound forearm bone break on the same play.

After missing almost three years of softball and transferring colleges in between, Micaela is starting at first base and hitting fourth in

No. 2 OSU’s lineup, adding a .400 bat to a team eyeing another trip to the Women’s College World Series.

“She’s got a chance to be a really special player here,” said OSU coach Kenny Gajewski.

After her first injury, Micaela contemplated ending her softball career. There were complications after the surgery forcing a subsequent surgery where her surgeon had to “go in blind” to finish repairing her knee. But she returned.

Even when physically recovering from a serious injury, the mental hurdle can be difficult for athletes to overcome. Her sisters’ support and experience helped her recovery, though. Maia — who medically retired from softball after a short career at North Texas in 2022 — used her knowledge of ACL recovery and the mental challenges that caused her to not play a game she had for most of her life to help Micaela recover.

See Wark on 4B

Benge progressing after a lost season

ing appearances.

Benge started on the mound last Tuesday at Dallas Baptist.

John Smith usually leaves his office and goes fishing the week after the NCAA Wrestling Championships. Not this year. Or recent seasons. He said there is too much responsibility, especially after a poor ending like OSU’s program-worst finish at the tournament a few weeks ago in Tulsa.

“I’m here,”

Smith told The O’Colly. “I got work to do. We’re moving things forward. It’s important that we address everything as we’re moving forward.”

Smith led his team of 10 qualifiers to Tulsa and the Cowboys left three days later wounded, battered and defeated. No one outwrestled their seed, and OSU logged 28.5 team points — the program’s lowest since the modern scoring era began in 2001.

Travis Wittlake stayed overnight in a hospital because of an arm infection. Kaden Gfeller departed the tournament with

a dislocated right shoulder. Carter Young hobbled around with a knee injury and Reece Witcraft defaulted with a concussion. Now, Smith deals with the aftermath of consecutive finishes outside the top 10 for the first time in his career.

“You can’t go anywhere when the season ends,” he said. “Even in a successful season maybe. There are potshots and sneaky people. There’s a lot of negative. Damn, there is a lot of negative in this world. I’m glad I’m sure not around it for the most part.

See Story on 2B

Gordon spent offseason building body, chemistry in running back room

sophomore running back made progress on his itinerary.

Josh Holliday had big plans for Carson Benge in 2022.

But days before his freshman season, Benge felt discomfort in his throwing arm. The unordinary feeling turned into Tommy John surgery, which put Benge out for most of the year.

This season, Benge, a redshirt freshman, is finding comfort using his surgically repaired right elbow and doing so as OSU’s starting right fielder, with frequent pitch-

In his fourth appearance this season, he allowed five runs and received the loss. His dad, Kevin Benge, gave him strong advice following the loss.

“I told him, ‘Baseball is a game of failures, and if you can’t accept failure, then you’ll never go far in baseball,’” Kevin said. In the outing, Benge wasn’t finding his spots consistently and was pitching about 92 miles per hour, compared to his 96-97 MPH range before surgery.

Sam Hutchens Staff Reporter

Ollie Gordon had a few goals for his first college offseason. Between offseason film study, lifts and trips to Texas Roadhouse, OSU’s burgeoning

“I wanted to gain weight,” Gordon said. “That’s really what I wanted to do. And then learn the game even more. I learned last year, but you can’t learn too much.

Those two things, for sure.”

He also said he wants to help his teammates build close bonds. Four backs from 2022 are not playing

for OSU: Dominic Richardson, Zach Middleton, CJ Brown and Andre Washington. Elijah Collins, a super senior transfer from Michigan State with more than 1,500 career yards, seems in place to be the key addition to OSU’s running back room in addition to Gordon, Jaden Nixon and Deondre Jackson.

Carson Toulouse

Davis Cordova Staff Reporter

Molly Jolliff

OSU coach John Smith said he is making sure his program is moving forward in an exclusive interview with The O’Colly.

Mackenzie Janish

Ollie Gordon emerged as an OSU fan-favorite in 2022 after playing in every game as a freshman.

See Ollie on 2B

With 18 new players on OSU’s spring football roster, who is sticking out to Mike Gundy and the Cowboys so far?

See more on Page 2B

Cooper, Stribling, highlight newcomers throughout Cowboys’ spring football season

works hard, he wants to be here. He’s fit in well with the program. He’s fit in well with the group of guys. He just meshes well. He’s a guy that I can for sure see playing here.”

Arland Bruce IV, Jr. – WR

Hometown: Olathe, Kansas

The transfer portal shuffles college football rosters like a deck of cards.

The Cowboys are no exception. There are 18 newcomers on OSU’s spring football roster, including 13 from the transfer portal. Spring practice is two weeks in. Coaches and players have now had a live look at these newcomers.

Who’s standing out?

Dalton Cooper, Rs Sr. – OL

Hometown: Prague.

6-7, 311 pounds

Previous school: Texas State Eligibility remaining: two seasons

Health and experience were things the Cowboys’ offensive line lacked at times last season, and that’s what Cooper brings.

Cooper transferred from TSU, where he started in 36 consecutive games at left tackle. Last season, he allowed just three sacks on 429 pass plays.

OSU coach Mike Gundy said the offense is adapting its run game to get more production, and Cooper – who played more than 2,500 snaps at Texas State – brings the reps to help rejuvenate the rush. He was rated the top left tackle in the Sun Belt Conference in 2022, according to Pro Football Focus.

Cooper is from Prague, so staff was familiar with him when he entered the transfer portal after last season. Through two weeks of spring practice, redshirt senior lineman Preston Wilson likes what he sees.

“He’s a pure country boy,” Wilson said. “He

5-10, 200 pounds

Previous School: Iowa

Eligibility remaining: two seasons

Jaden Bray knew of Bruce through mutual friends in high school, so when Bruce entered the transfer portal, Bray reached out and helped recruit him.

And through the first two weeks of spring, Bray hasn’t been disappointed. “Arland’s really twitchy and fast,” Bray said. “He runs great routes. He can get out of break really fast. I feel like he’s a really good route runner.”

In two seasons at Iowa, Bruce had 44 catches for 396 yards and two touchdowns. Gundy compared him to former OSU slot receiver John Paul Richardson, saying he’s physical, especially for his size.

Brennan Presley, a senior receiver, said Bruce’s route running and evasiveness has most impressed him.

“His feet are amazing,” Presley said. “He got them sticks — I don’t know if y’all say that. But, like, he can stop on a dime. He’s made some cuts and stuff that have made some people miss. He’s a very shifty dude.”

Josiah Johnson, Rs Sr. – TE

Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida

6-5, 235 pounds.

Previous school: UMass Eligibility remaining: one season

With the deconstruction of the Cowboy Back position to traditional

tight ends and fullbacks, Johnson brings what OSU needs.

The Cowboys completed just eight passes to Cowboy Backs last season, totaling 75 yards and a touchdown. The position was block-heavy, and while Johnson can do that, he also brings receiving.

In five seasons at UMass, Johnson caught 50 passes for 465 yards and five touchdowns. Thirtyfive of those catches, 278 yards and three touchdowns came in the last two seasons.

Johnson is the tallest in the tight end room. Gundy said Johnson is filling out his 6-foot-5 frame and will look even better by fall.

“Josiah has come in here and worked hard,” Gundy said. “He’s 23 pounds heavier than when he walked in here in January. I would guess he’ll gain another 12-15 prior to August.”

De’Zhaun Stribling, Jr. – WR

Hometown: Kapolei, Hawai’i

6-3, 205 pounds

Previous school: Washington State

Eligibility remaining: two seasons

OSU might have a new red zone threat.

Stribling caught 95 passes for 1,073 yards and 10 touchdowns in two seasons at Washington State, but eight of those touchdowns came in the red zone. Seven were inside the 15-yard line, and his longest touchdown catch is 29 yards.

Stribling is able to get up and locate balls, which helped lead to success in the short field. In Tuesday’s practice, Bray said Stribling made a tough catch in the endzone and kept a foot in bounds.

But Bray said Stribling’s skill isn’t just in pass catching.

“Strong, physical guy,” Bray said. “Just throughout his first six

practices, seven practices, he’s gotten plenty of pancake blocks and plenty of touchdowns, as well. So, he’s not afraid to block and he takes every part of the game pretty serious.”

Jack Endean, Fr. – OL

Hometown: Tucson, Arizona

6-6, 297 pounds

Previous school: Tanque Verde High School

Eligibility remaining: four seasons

Endean might not see much playing time this season, but he’s a player to keep an eye on.

When asked which newcomers have been most impressive through the early portion of spring ball, Wilson named only Endean, a freshman, specifically.

“He’s got the right mindset,” Wilson said. “Very few freshmen come in with the mindset that he has.”

Endean was the No. 12 overall prospect from Arizona and the No. 67 offensive tackle in the country, according to Rivals. He received offers from several West Coast schools, such as Arizona and California. After helping lead Tanque Verde to its first winning season, Endean enrolled at OSU early to participate in spring practice.

Wilson said Endean sought him out as soon as he got on campus and made it clear he’s willing to work.

“(Endean) came in the first week and he was like, ‘Hey, man, from what I understand, you’re a leader around here,’” Wilson said. “He’s like, ‘Will you take me upstairs and show me some film, show me something?’ I was like, ‘Man, this guy wants it. He wants to be here. He genuinely does.’”

Oliver changing to hybrid linebacker role for OSU

said. “Change, it’s gonna be tough for anybody, but I’m adjusting really well. It’s coming natural for me.”

Allen Staff Reporter

Collin Oliver grinned when talking about a position switch.

Three years ago, Oliver was an outside linebacker for Edmond Santa Fe. Now, with new defensive coordinator, Bryan Nardo, and a new scheme, Oliver said he feels at ease.

“It’s a good change for me,” Oliver said. “Don’t get me wrong, I love pass rushing and I love being on the (defensive) line. But this is good for me. It’s real comfortable for me though, being back at linebacker.”

Oliver was a pure edge rusher in the 4-2-5 defense in his first two seasons at OSU.

Nardo runs a 3-35 defense, with three defensive linemen, three linebackers and five defensive backs.

Oliver will play more of a “star” linebacker role. He will likely drop in coverage more, something Oliver said isn’t too daunting now that he weighs 235 pounds and feels leaner.

“I’m very comfortable right now,” Oliver

The new-look scheme relies heavily on Oliver’s new role. It’s dependent on his ability to make a read, play in coverage or make a tackle in the open.

As a freshman, Oliver recorded 11 1/2 sacks, earning the Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year award and was a Freshman All-American. He was thrown into the limelight at an early stage of the season and capitalized. In his sophomore year he had five sacks and 7 1/2 tackles for loss. In his new role in 2023, Oliver sees it as an opportunity.

“He finally gets to show how versatile he is,” senior linebacker Xavier Benson said. “That’s just a natural athlete. That’s a God gift for (Oliver) to just be able to adjust like that. I’ve loved watching his development. I love being able to talk to him and be more involved with him. He’ll be fine. He’s gonna be great this year. I’m looking forward to it.”

Chase Davis

Collin Oliver will make the switch to linebacker this season.

Daniel

Braden Bush

Assistant

Sports Editor

Jaiden Daughty

Arland Bruce IV had 44 catches for 396 yards at Iowa in two seasons.

Courtesy of Texas State Athletics

Dalton Cooper allowed just three sacks on 429 pass plays last year at Texas State.

Benge...

see that velocity tick up for a few more months.”

Through his recovery, Benge had a few people there to help him out, such as his brothers Garrett and Tyler.

Ollie...

Continued from 1

Gordon is in a unique position. Despite coming off his true freshman season, he had the most carries last season of any returning Cowboy. Working at those offseason goals gives Gordon a chance to lead the OSU backfield in 2023. With a reshuffled offensive line, there are new faces all around. Speaking about the entire team, Gordon made it a point before the spring to familiarize. That’s where Texas Roadhouse comes in. It’s not just a hearty meal to fill out his 6-foot-1, 211-pound frame. Gordon gets steak — always medium rare — weekly with his roommates; second year quarterback

Garret Rangel, receiver Talyn Shettron and tight end Tabry Shettron. “I want us to be closer together,” Gordon said. “Last year we were close. But I feel like we should build a bigger, better bond this year.”

After getting invaluable experience in the second half of OSU’s 2022 season, he has knowledge to lean on and pass along.

“I feel like this year I’m more into it,” Gordon said. “I know what I’m doing, since I had a season last year. I can thank all the running backs last year for taking me under their wing. Now this year we have new faces in the running back room. I feel like I have to play my part in bringing them under my wing. Even though I’m still one of the youngest backs in the room.”

He said he sits next to Collins during film

sessions. Sometimes Collins, who has played in 41 games for MSU, will point out something to his younger counterpart. Occasionally Gordon returns the favor, helps Collins with pointers tailored to the OSU offense.

Coach Mike Gundy said he had some things in mind for Gordon, too. Manage physicality. With padded practice underway, Gundy said he was looking forward to seeing Gordon’s downhill style in live reps.

“There’ll be more contact over the next two to three weeks than what he’s been accustomed to,” Gundy said. “And as he adjusts to the physicality, which he should be fine, he has to do that and he hasn’t proven that to us yet. We haven’t given him that chance yet.”

sports.ed@ocolly.com

Tommy John surgery reconstructs the ulnar collateral ligament. The surgery is common in baseball but still challenging to fully recover from, considering the timetable is between 12-16 months. Benge is around 14 months, and it will take a few more to get back.

It took Benge about nine months to throw a baseball again. He actually threw before he could swing. He couldn’t swing until February.

The recovery now for Benge is not about the UCL or soreness, it’s about rebuilding stamina and regaining strength in his arm.

“I just think it’ll take a little while longer to get back up to speed,” Benge said. “I’ve been throwing it for 13 and a half months, so I won’t

Although Benge is in his second collegiate season, he said he feels this is his freshman season.

“You see why going into last season we had a big role in mind for him,” Holliday said. “To lose him was a major blow to last year’s team because he’s got such a loose, athletic swing, versatile defensively and as a pitcher we think he has tremendous upside.

“Yeah, it’s my first time playing ball in college,” Benge said. “Which is like a big change from high school, especially at the D-I level. It’s just a whole new wave of competition. It’s completely new.”

Benge took a few weeks to settle in at the plate.

Eight games in, Benge hit .200, but since his three-hit, four-RBI game versus Austin Peay on March 5, he’s improved his average to .367. He holds the second-best average on the team.

Continued from 1 sports.ed@ocolly.com

Holliday said Benge has a lot of potential to be OSU’s next two-way player.

“He’s a starting pitcher and hits fifth in the lineup. Go find college baseball players to do these things. How many guys do both? Many guys come to college thinking they can be two-way players. Very few ever do. He’s actually doing it.” A silver lining from going 10 months without baseball for Benge? Finding the passion for baseball.

“I really realized how much I loved the game,” Benge said. “I realized that it’s tough being away from the game, but as I got back into it, I just love it even more now.”

Chase Davis

Carson Benge is starting in right field and pitches for OSU this season after Tommy John surgery that didn’t allow him to play in 2022.

Chase Davis

From trips to Texas Roadhouse to film sessions, Gordon made it a goal to familiarize himself with teammates during the offseason.

sports

Wark...

Continued from 1

“Within a couple weeks, she went to go support her teammates,” Bill said. “That was really important for her to be there. My wife and daughter got her to do that. You have to go back into that surrounding. For these girls, it starts when they’re 8, 9 years old. They’re living that life, and an injury can take you out.”

After the second set of injuries — a play where she collided with fellow Cowgirl Audrey Schneidmiller in a high school game — many schools recruiting Micaela backed off. She previously committed to Houston in eighth grade, but decommitted because of a number of factors, including experiences of the family’s car being broken into while at the campus. Later in high school, she committed to Kansas, one of the few schools to remain loyal to her after the injuries.

“If I was them, I would take that chance, too,” Gajewski said.

Wulfert flourishing, starting at third base after injury to starter

ning of the spring season. OSU coach Josh Holliday tried to work Wulfert in as much as possible, putting the talented bat at designated hitter and pinch hitter.

While she recovered at Kansas, a 10-hour difference separated Micaela from her family; the

constant in her recovery. Without many connections, she said she felt isolated in Lawrence.

So, she entered the transfer portal after a redshirt season, and immediately, Gajewski, whom remembered recruiting Micaela while she was in high school, showed interest.

Micaela remembered him, too, so she sent him an email asking about the program. While at the gym with her friend, Gajewski responded.

“All it said was, ‘Are you still available?’”

Micaela said.

After a call and trip to Stillwater, Micaela canceled her other visits, shut down her recruitment and committed to OSU — saying she wanted to join a family who can help her mentally recover and compete to make her a better player.

“Coach G showed confidence in me, and that’s something I hadn’t felt in a couple years,”

Micaela said.

Before the season, Gajewski talked about the option for three first basemen for the 2023 season. Morgyn Wynne, a senior who also transferred from Kansas; Claire Timm, a freshman Gajewski saw potential in; and Wark, who won the job.

Through 31 starts as a Cowgirl, Wark is reaching base 45% of the time with a 1.090 OPS— third among starters. Working with team strength and conditioning coach Chance Marek allowed her to regain strength in her lower body — although she said she still can’t jump as high or run as fast.

Gajewski nor Micaela said they are shocked at the offensive production, but Bill, is. He said he treasures watching his youngest daughter succeed, but finds more appreciation in the road it took her to get to this point.

“If you would have asked me, I was questioning it a little bit,” Bill said. “OSU is a really good program, they’ve been to the World Series a few times, but that’s what Micaela wanted. She competed. We thought she would get a few at bats here and there, but she’s the No. 4 bat for the second team in the country. That’s what makes me more proud. She battled all the way back, and she’s there and she’s playing.

“That’s going to be a life lesson that she’s going to have forever.”

sports.ed@ocolly.com

Before Oklahoma State, Tyler Wulfert never had to guess if he’d be in the starting lineup.

From 2020-22, Wulfert played two seasons of junior college baseball for the Midland Chaparrals, getting all the action he could have desired, playing in 104 of 105 games.

Wulfert hit .390 with 26 home runs and 26 doubles for Midland, drawing Oklahoma State’s attention. He joined the Cowboys, and in fall scrimmages picked up where he left off, batting better than .500 in scrimmages against Air Force and the Texas Rangers instructional league team.

But opportunity is a fickle thing. Wulfert found that out when Aidan Meola assumed the role of starting third baseman at the begin-

Smith...

Continued from 1

It didn’t come together immediately for Wulfert as it did in the fall. In his first seven games, Wulfert slashed .176 and struck out nine times.

“I was a little frustrated with myself, but I just needed to continue working hard and focus on what I could do to help the team and regain the confidence that I had in the fall,” Wulfert said.

“Just trusting in myself and my abilities.”

On March 24, a warm Friday series opener against Baylor, an opportunity for Wulfert sprung from the ground.

Meola swung through a pitch with so much torque, he injured his hand.

“It sucks when one of your teammates get hurt, especially when he was having a good year so far,” Wulfert said.

“You never want anyone to get hurt, especially one of your own teammates.”

“I want our guys to feel a little disappointed in finishing 18th and I also want them to be motivated about their future. That’s what we’re here for.”

Smith said he recently “recovered” from the finish and focused on meeting with his wrestlers. He said he wants to see motivation in disappointment.

“For some of these guys, it’s a real painful experience if they don’t have the season they want,” Smith said.

Some instantly returned to the mat to transition into freestyle season.

But how does a squad go from 18th to a top-five finish at NCAAs?

“Athletes,” Smith said. “We got to do a better job recruiting. We gotta do a better job making sure that we have people coming in and we have a level to work with if we’re going to be very competitive.

I feel good about where we’re at.”

The Cowboys only lose one point of their NCAA

Wulfert, at the time dealing with a nagging quad injury and hitting only .214, got pressed into the starting lineup. Since Meola’s injury, Wulfert has been OSU’s primary third baseman. He flourished in the opportunity, racking up seven hits and raising his average to .287.

“We knew when he found his swing it would be a good swing,” Holliday said. “He goes on the shelf with a quad injury, so he just never had a chance to get those rhythms and those box mannerisms and all the things that go into being a great hitter reestablished in the second semester.”

Mark Wulfert, Tyler’s dad, said the Tyler who knocked five hits in the weekend series against Texas is the player he’s used to watching.

“You just got to stick to your faith, and if the good Lord presents opportunities just got to take advantage of it. He’s done that with his second chance here,” Mark said.

sports.ed@ocolly.com

Championships total. Wyatt Sheets, who went 1-2 at 165 pounds, also exhausted his eligibility. Smith said he feels “way better” about this season compared to this time in 2022 where he said he knew the season would be one of development.

Eight starters return plus three of MatScouts’ top-10

incoming freshmen: heavyweight Christian Carroll (No. 2 overall), 184-pounder Brayden Thompson (No. 5 overall) and 133-pounder Cael Hughes (No. 8 overall.).

Of course, the inevitable usage of the transfer portal, too. Smith said he still doesn’t like the portal. A year ago, he called it a “cop out.”

“It doesn’t matter what you think about it,” he said.

“You gotta be involved in it.”

The Cowboys recently landed Sammy Alvarez, a 141-pounder from Rutgers. Smith said he expects more transfer additions before the end of the school year. Three non-starters dipped in the transfer portal last week, but

the focus remains on OSU.

“Although there is some uncertainty after a finish like we had, you need to solidify what we got,” he said. “Make it easy for people to leave. If you want to leave, put your boots on and head out.”

Molly Jolliff

Micaela Wark broke her forearm and tore an ACL on a collision at first base in high school with fellow Cowgirl Audrey Schneidmiller

Molly Jolliff John Smith and the OSU wrestling team will return eight starters from this year.

Ben Hutchens Staff Reporter

Molly Jolliff

OSU third baseman Tyler Wulfert raised his average to .306 since moving into an everyday starting role.

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

Located on 121 E. 9th Ave, Downtown Stillwater

The best selection of beer, wine and liquor that Stillwater has to offer! Perfect for all your game day needs, come to Brown’s Bottle Shop located on 128 N. Main

“The Original Hideaway, located on the corner of Knoblock and University.

Serving quality pizza and more since 1957.”

Murphy’s Department Store

815 S Main, Downtown Open 10-6

Monday thru Saturday

Help Wanted

Yost Lake (private lake located northeast of Stillwater) is hiring certified lifeguards to work Saturday-Sunday from May 25th-September 3rd and July 3rd-4th.

$15/hr with bonus and paid uniform. Call/text Cathy at (405)788.6435 to apply.

Business Squares Business Squares Company Coming?

Check out “Cowboy Cabin”

550 steps east of Boone Pickens Stadium

Daily Horoscope

Nancy

Black

Tribune Content Agency

Linda Black Horoscopes

Today’s Birthday (04/07/23). Develop personal talents, skills and ambitions this year. Realize dreams with disciplined efforts following thoughtful plans. Springtime en courages blossoming. Unexpected expenses require adaptation and collaboration this summer, strengthening and renewing partnership bonds this autumn. Shift directions for increased winter cash flow. Dress for success.

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

Aries (March 21-April 19) — Today is a 9 — Contribute your energies to reduce debt and build wealth together. Collaboration is key. Find clever ways to reuse and repur pose things. Send invoices.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is an 8 — Collaborate to realize shared dreams. Share talents to grow and build resources together. Honey gets farther than vinegar. Support each other to blossom.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is a 9 — Set goals to raise physical performance levels. Action speaks louder than words. Nurture yourself with good food, exercise and rest. Savor time in nature.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is a 9 — Romance is in the air. Express it with the object of your affection. Discuss passions, interesting curiosities and delightful diversions. Your energy is contagious.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is an 8 — Invent possibilities. Nurture your family with home improvements. Clean and clear clutter. Your trash may be someone else’s treasure. Cook up something dreamy.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is an 8 — Creative muses inspire your words and illustrations. Share your ideas, passions and dreams. Adapt communications around a transition. Changes confirm your intuition. Practice diplomacy.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is a 9 — Keep lucrative gears in motion. Provide excellent products, services and results. Have faith in your own capabilities and imagination. Prepare a winning pitch.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is a 9 — Review your profile or brand. What do you want to be known for? Build your unique and valuable contribution. Take action for love.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is a 7 — You can get especially productive in private. Nature and beloved creatures inspire your creative spirit. Envision new possibilities. Imagine and dream. Sketch your ideas.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is an 8 — Imagine and envision what you would love. Collaborative efforts get a lucky boost. Build and strengthen lasting connections for shared resilience. Lead by example.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is a 9 — Discover and develop interesting professional opportunities. Put your creativity, talents and passion to work on a juicy project. Your work is gaining respect.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is an 8 — Investigate a fascinating possibility. Study and research. Explore options, opportunities and potential directions. Expand boundaries. Coordinate and network. An adventure develops in conversation.

FOR

Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle

ACROSS 1

to

Thursday’s

Boone entering transfer portal

that multiple outlets confirmed. He has one year of eligibility remaining.

transfer Wednesday.

The Cowboys are set to lose their most talented offensive big man.

Kalib Boone, a 6-foot-9 forward, is entering the transfer portal. The Athletic’s Tobias Bass first reported the news

Boone played four seasons at OSU, developing a reputation as a streaky but talented interior player. In 2022-23, he averaged 21.2 minutes, 10.6 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. He is the second key Cowboy to enter the transfer portal. Senior guard Avery Anderson announced his intentions to

Moussa Cisse and Tyreek Smith now anchor the Cowboys’ front court. Cisse, a 7-foot-1 center, is an outstanding defensive player but does not possess Boone’s shotcreating skills and scoring ability. Smith played well down the stretch and scored in double digits in three of OSU’s last six games.

sports.ed@ocolly.com

Anderson III first Cowboy entering the transfer portal

nounce he’s entering the transfer portal. In a tweet, Anderson thanked the man above, Boynton, his coaches and teammates and said “sometimes in life you just need a change.”

Mike Boynton knew the transfers were coming. Now it’s here.

“I don’t expect everyone that’s eligible (to return) to be back, in all candor,” OSU coach Boynton said.

Avery Anderson III is the first Cowboy to an-

Former OSU running back Hubbard part of lawsuit against the NCAA

Gabriel Trevino Sports Editor

On Tuesday, lawyers filed an antitrust lawsuit against the NCAA for past educational payments to athletes as a part of the NCAA v. Alston case. The plaintiffs in the case are former Oklahoma State running back Chuba Hubbard and former Oregon and Auburn track athlete Keira McCarrell.

In 2019, Claudia Ann Wilkens, district court judge of the United States District Court for Northern District

of California, ruled against the NCAA, requiring it to allow schools to provide up to $5,980 in “non-cash education-related benefits” beyond scholarships to student-athletes, as the NCAA’s previous restrictions for schools violated the Sherman Act. The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and the United States Supreme Court upheld the decision.

The law firms that won the case, Winston & Strawn LLP and Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP, filed the lawsuit on Tuesday on behalf of Hubbard and McCarrell.

The attorneys say as many as 5,000 athletes are owed years of payments from the original NCAA v. Alston decision in 2019, and are seeking triple the damages.

Attorneys also say the number of athletes could become 20,000, which makes damages seeking between $200 million and $1 billion.

OSU announced it would be offering the $5,980 in March 2022. Hubbard played at OSU from 2017-21. The lawsuit alleges that Hubbard was deprived of receiving those benefits throughout his career because of the NCAA’s restriction of schools such as OSU from offering them.

McCarrell competed at Oregon from 2017-19 and at Auburn from 2020-22, with the lawsuit alleging she was also deprived of the benefits in her three years at Oregon and first two at Auburn.

A trial could begin in 2024.

sports.ed@ocolly.com

Anderson’s best season was arguably his sophomore campaign, when he averaged 12.2 points a game and scored 37 points in two NCAA Tournament games. Anderson came to OSU as a four-star recruit from Justin, Texas. He chose OSU over TCU, Texas Tech, LSU and others. This season, Anderson started 22 games and aver-

aged 11.1 points per game. He shot 39.9% from the field and 18% from the 3-point line. He fought through a left wrist injury that sidelined him for OSU’s final 14 games. In those games, the Cowboys struggled from a playmaking perspective offensively, and will surely look to fill the hole Anderson leaves with a guard capable of penetrating defenses.

“There’s going to be a lot of fluidity in the roster, honestly,” Boynton said last week.

sports.ed@ocolly.com

Chase Davis

Avery Anderson III is the first Cowboy to enter the transfer portal this season.

Andy Crown

Kalib Boone became the second Cowboy to enter the transfer portal.

Ben Hutchens Staff Reporter

Sam Hutchens Staff Reporter

File Photo

At OSU, Chuba Hubbard rushed for 3,459 yards and 33 touchdowns in three seasons.

Cowboys tennis prideful of top grades throughout OSU athletics

Bryant Staff Reporter

Cowboys tennis coach Dustin Taylor and the Cowboys strive for success on and off the court and in the classroom.

The Cowboy tennis team returned to the Greenwood Tennis Center after a week-long stretch of road matches in California in March. With fans anticipating the home return of the Cowboys and how they would fare in their next match, many fans would not think about the other side of being a student athlete, being a student.

With tough and busy schedules that put strain on your body and mind, how do tennis athletes have the time for their class work especially when they can spend upward to a week across the country training for and playing in matches almost everyday? Well, Taylor has a plan in place to ensure that the Cowboys are set up for success in the classroom.

“We have weekly dialogues every Sunday,” Taylor said. “They answer five questions, one of those being how is school? That’s when they can let us know that they have exams coming up and they got papers, or if it’s going to be a light week. But I believe we have the highest GPA on campus. We want them to take care of what’s off the court, so then on the court they can really be locked in and feel confident about themselves. I think our team GPA is up to around 3.6. And it hasn’t really been an issue to be quite honest.”

Even with good scheduling and help from coaches, staying up to date in class work along with being a collegiate athlete can be difficult. Chase Ferguson, senior captain of the team, acknowledges how keeping up to date with classes can be challenging, but there are ways to stay on top of things.

“It’s obviously a challenge and

the best way to do it is trying to get it in early,” Ferguson said. “Whether that’s if you know you’re going on a trip, say on a weekend especially you can try and get all of that done in the beginning of the week. There are always challenges, especially when you’re traveling. But I think the guys do a really good job of it. They are all pretty studious. I would say I’m the least studious, but I still get work done.”

Players have commended the professors at OSU for accommodating their busy scheduling and understanding how busy the life of a student-athlete is. Ferguson has seen professors with an understanding mindset when it comes to studentathletes.

“There are definitely some professors out there who are really into sports,” Ferguson said. “Sometimes there are ones who are really into tennis. That’s always a wonderful help being able to get some extra time here and there and getting some extra help. I don’t really tell my professors that I like playing tennis, so I’m not sure if they all know but, I’ve experienced that for sure.”

On the tennis court it is Taylor’s goal to turn these aspiring college athletes into professionals, but Taylor is also there to set up the student-athletes for their future career and ensure that they have successful futures. Tyler Zink, senior and Cowboys tennis court one player, commends Taylor for what he has been able to do for the team outside of tennis.

“He helps a tremendous amount,” Zink said. “He does a really good job. Him and Alan Good, have a good schedule for us that we’re able to achieve outside of the tennis courts. They have a good schedule as far as Monday through Friday where we’re able to get our schoolwork done. So it’s not always tennis first. It’s a good balance I feel and all credit to that goes to (Taylor) I feel.”

guy mentality’

Holt using blue-collar work ethic to provide for OSU

the game late. I’m going to capitalize.”

Daniel Allen Staff Reporter

Nolan Schubart just walked-off a series win, but he was deflective about his late-game heroics.

“If Brennan didn’t start that one-out rally I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to (walk it off),” he said.

Brennan? OSU center fielder Brennan Holt and his 5-foot-9 stature.

Trailing in the bottom of the ninth, Holt went to the plate and hit a single up the middle to conclude a lengthy atbat, and represented the tying run on base.

Two walks later, Schubart delivered his base hit, clinching a 4-3 win for OSU.

Holt’s hits aren’t monstrous, but they do come in a timely manner. He isn’t a starter, but he says he wants to make the most of a pinch-hit or pinch-run opportunity.

“Little guys stick together,” Holt said. “That’s my little guy mentality. I’m going to work so hard to help my team win, whether or not I’m starting or whether that means an opportunity when I come into

He knows he’s the little guy, whose power and offensive potential can often be overlooked. Still, he shows up to practice and games with a blue-collar approach.

“Finding my role and helping the team win in any way possible,” Holt said. “(Winning) is the end goal and I’m here to help make that happen.”

His father, Scott, recalls an instance that encapsulates his play style.

Holt, 13 at the time, was in a batting session with former LSU hitting coach, Bill Dailey, whom coached his U13 travel team.

One day when he was struggling, Dailey pulled Holt aside, with Scott standing in plain sight.

“(Dailey) told him, ‘You see those guys? They don’t have to try,’” Scott said. “The problem is that everyone, scouts and coaches at some point, are gonna pass them up. But you have to work your ass off just to be on the baseball field. That work ethic, when (it does click) is gonna propel you past all of these other guys.

“From that moment on, Brennan always played with an extra chip on his shoulder.”

Holt earned a scholarship offer from his hometown program, LSU, and committed.

Matt Holliday, the brother of OSU coach Josh Holliday, scouted Holt at a Perfect Game event in Atlanta. The Cowboys made a push, and Holt passed up the opportunity to play for his dream school.

“It’s like a full-circle moment for me kind of,” Brennan said. “It’s kind of surreal.”

With Nolan McLean and starting center field Zach Ehrhard both out for the foreseeable future with injuries, Holt is making the most of his opportunity. His steady .267 batting average has kept a prolific Cowboy offense afloat, even without two of its vital pieces.

He doesn’t know how long it will last, nor does he know how his role will alter once McLean and Ehrhard return. Regardless, he’d rather be the guy to help his team win in pivotal moments than a superstar in the spotlight.

It’s all part of the little guy mentality.

“It’s guys like Brennan that are really the glue to everything,” Schubart said. “You see the guys in the spotlight but the true guys that hold the team together are guys like Brennan. It’s the guys that don’t necessarily get the spotlight. But they’re the ones doing all the hard work and keeping our team going in the right direction.”

Andy Crown

At 5-foot-9, 175 pounds, Brennan Holt adapted a “little guy mentality.”

Mia Ledbetter

The Cowboys tennis team GPA is 3.6, per coach Dustin Taylor.

Baylor

sports

Gundy sees potential in new quarterbacks added for depth, experience

When quarterback Spencer Sanders announced his intentions to enter the transfer portal, OSU was left with minimal experience at the position.

Gunnar Gundy, who split time with Garrett Rangel as Sanders’ backup last season, played in four games. Yet, the team needed experience and depth. The Cowboys added three-star recruit Zane Flores and Alan Bowman from Michigan in the transfer portal. OSU coach Mike Gundy said the two quarterbacks he reeled in this offseason are as advertised.

“(Bowman) acted very mature, handles himself ex-

tremely well,” he said. “We’re rotating him in with all three groups, never says a word. When I was evaluating him the other day, very similar to Spencer, except Spencer chose to make plays with his legs. So far, Bowman’s choosing to make plays, buying himself time and using his arm.

“Gunnar and Rangel are progressing like you would think freshmen would, moving into their next year. Just maturity, getting it, seeing things they didn’t see a year ago, the game has slowed down for them. Zane’s done good. Zane is showing us what we thought he was, last year. Very athletic,

very powerful arm, but he’s trying to figure it out.”

Wide receiver Bray getting back to full health after an injury-plagued career

In 2021, Cowboy coaches got a glimpse of who could be Tay Martin’s successor on the outside. Cowboy offenses typically have two things: a gunslinging quarterback and a true No. 1 outside wide receiver. With a 6-foot-2 205-pound frame matched with high-level 50-50-ball abilities, Bray had all the makings of being the next star receiver for OSU. But injuries hampered his ability to play and make necessary steps in his development. Bray said the help he got mentally and physically helped him

get through the difficult time of being sidelined.

“It’s been good, Oklahoma State does a good job, especially with the training staff,” Bray said. “They’re always with me, getting me back healthy. I feel great going into this season. I feel like spring has been good for everybody.”

Gundy says lack of physicality from offensive line falls on him

Gundy acknowledged the fact his offensive line hasn’t been where he wants it from a physicality standpoint. He also acknowledged there is a lot of work to do on that front and that his guys are aware of it.

“Well, you just tell them

the truth,” Gundy said. “And it’s also not their fault. A lot of what we do here, as we’ve changed over the last four or five, six years, didn’t stress the physicality on them that we had my first 12 or 14 years here. We stressed it based on play calls, sets, formations, tight ends… We started to get away from physicality based on our concepts and schemes… What we’ve learned is, we lose our physicality, (being physical) is not fun. So we told them the truth and we also took the blame, I took the blame. I now need adjustments to take place.”

sports.ed@ocolly.com

Mia Ledbetter

Alan Bowman, a sixth-year player from Michigan and Texas Tech, adds experience to a quarterback room full of underclassmen.

Rowdy Baribeau

Staff Reporter

Notebook