Friday, January 26, 2024
Sparks and surges
Power outage blacks out dorms Kennedy Thomason News & Lifestyle Editor
the Brumley neighborhood and the veterinary medical center also lost power. The source of the outage was a 48-year-old wire that failed. Brandon Neal, the interim director of energy services, said three Sinking their teeth into freshly cables shorted out, creating an electrical surge that knocked out power to baked chocolate chip cookies, Tia Stretch and her roommate sat as their the affected areas. Despite the freezing temperaapartment lights flicked off. They didn’t turn back on for an- tures, Neal said weather did not cause other four hours. Neither did the heat. the outage. “We just have some aging in“It was kind of funny because frastructure,” Neal said. “In this case, we have male roommates above us,” some of that aging infrastructure Stretch said. “I’ve never heard such failed. girly screams before.” “Aging infrastructure never Stretch, who lives in PetersonFriend, was part of the power outage consults us to see when it would be a convenient time to fail,” he joked. that affected several other buildings on Jan. 19. The Villages, Kamm, See Sparks on 5A
Parker Gerl Eric Dailey Jr. (left), Roc Riggio (second to right) and Ollie Gordon II (right) interviewing a student after their podcast, getting behind-the-scenes content.
Gordon II, Dailey Jr. record podcast in the Student Union Ashton Slaughter Assistant Sports Editor
media influencer-students weren’t normal students, though; they were Doak Walker Award-winning running back Ollie Gordon II and Cowboy basketball forward Eric Dailey Jr. OSU students Before tapping into strolled around the first their Travis and Jason floor of the Student Kelce and Draymond Union like any other day Green-like talents, the on Thursday afternoon. two headed toward a Some were heading to table with a black sheet class, others were picking over it, with three brown up some Chick-fil-A or chairs awaiting their Shake Smart, and some and their guests’ arrival. were preparing to record There was a sign that and film a podcast. read, “RESERVED: Ollie These podcasting,
Gordon & Eric Dailey.” The duo, which filmed their sixth episode of “Crossover with Ollie and E” in the Student Union, announced on their fifth episode, which was released on Jan. 18, that they would be taking the podcast “mobile.” “I feel like we should take our next podcast mobile,” Gordon said. “Where we going with it?” Dailey asked. “Feel like we going to campus with it,” Gordon said. See Gordon on 5A
Students adjust to icy, snowy start of semester Jessica Pearce Staff Reporter
Snow and ice could not dampen Lauren Coker’s excitement for the spring semester. After a long break, Coker, a sophomore, said
she was ready to return to OSU refocused and reenergized. Although she is prioritizing academics, Coker, like many students, must balance her studies with her job as an OSU tour guide. Despite careful planning, Coker said one class required for her environmental science major prevents her
from working as often as she wanted. “It’s 9:30 on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, but I carved out time on Monday, Wednesday and Friday (to work),” Coker said. “If I have a 9:30, I can’t give tours at all. I can’t say ‘OK, y’all go walk to the library and figure it out, and I’ll see you after class.’” See Students on 5A
What’s Inside
Opinion: ‘Barbie’ should be on the Oscars stage
5B
Kennedy Thomason An electrical surge charred the once red ladder, which leads down to the burnt cables. Brandon Neal, the interim director of energy services, said the problem is not fixed and they are still discovering the extent of the damage.
Phantom photos Ghost art exhibit added to OSU Museum of Art Ashton Miller Staff Reporter
these because they are faint and kind of unknown.” The reason these particular images are so hard to find is because they’re on the back of other photos. “It turns out that platinum photographs have the ability to leave When Andy Mattern stumbled an impression of themselves on other upon a photograph with a “ghost” image in the back, he never thought pictures if they’re left in a stack and forgotten for a long time,” Mattern it would take him this far. said. “My process has been to colMattern, an associate profeslect these images, these accidental sor of photography at OSU, found pictures, and then re-photograph the ghost art at an antique store them in a specific way so that they in Washington. Since then, he’s become more visible, and then searched for more of the elusive reproduce those ghost images as pieces. platinum prints.” “We found these by accident, Using a chemical process and once I realized what they were working with lighting and angles, through research, then I started Mattern is able to extract the ghost hunting for them,” Mattern said. images and re-photograph them, “That process has taken me about two and a half years to start and find making them the focus once again. See Ghost on 4A
Andy Mattern Platinum photographs leave an impression of themselves on other pictures if they’re left in a stack and forgotten for a long time. Andy Mattern calls these impressions “ghost photos.”
Dear students, here’s professors’ advice
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Former Miss OSU reflects on year with crown for school year
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Page 2A Friday, January 26, 2024
O’Colly
page 2
10 tips and tricks to survive this winter Addie Wagner Staff Reporter
OSU students are used to the automated message, “Classes are canceled.” But what about when students wake up to a frigid 30 degree day and that message is nowhere to be found? 1. It’s an ice skating rink out there To prevent slippage, and more importantly, your reputation on campus, walk with a shuffle step and always look for black ice. This undercover ice appears to be water, but don’t be fooled. 2. Keep your hands in your pockets UNLESS you are crossing an ice patch Keeping any bare skin covered is always a good idea, but when braving OSU’s slick brick, take your hands out of your pockets. If you do happen to slip, you can catch yourself with your hands or arms. 3. Wear wool clothing Wool fabric acts as an insulator for heat. Wearing wool socks and beanies is beneficial for staying warm. 4. Drink warm beverages Ones that contain sugar
may be especially helpful, according to OSU’s Department of Public Safety. Go treat yourself to a nice hot chocolate or tea. 5. Keep your dorm warm Alexa Padilla, who lives in Peterson-Friend, said sources of warmth are a must. “We haven’t had the heat go out yet, but I would definitely recommend getting a heater or a space heater,” Padilla said. Space heaters are a lifesaver, especially if you are in a thermostat war with your roommates. This way, you heat your room and no one else’s. However, use caution with space heaters and where you place them. Fires can start if you put them directly on carpet or tip them over. 6. Drip you faucets Dripping faucets is key if you leave your home for an extended period of time. This prevents pipes from freezing. It can also help to open cabinets under your sink. “Over weekends, if none of my roommates are home, or over breaks, we drip the faucet,” Padilla said. 7. Don’t underestimate a heating pad Skylar Guarnieri, who lives in Davis Hall, said a heating pad is one of the most
useful things for staying warm. “My cold weather tip for staying warm in my dorm is using a microwavable heating pad in bed, because I am always cold,” Guarnieri said. 8. Keep those hands covered Charly Thomas, a freshman, said there’s strategy to keeping your hands warm. “If you don’t put your gloves on before you get cold, you’ll never get warm,” Thomas said. “Always put your gloves on before you walk outside.” 9. Electric blankets If you can’t get warm using heaps of regular blankets, you might need an electric blanket. Electric blankets are useful in cold weather because when plugged in, they heat up and leave users toasty and comfortable. 10. LAYER Put that closet to use. OSU’s Department of Public Safety recommends wearing several light layers of clothing. “For when I’m walking to class, I either wear really thick leggings or sweatpants,” Guarnieri said. “I also layer with like two sweatshirts.”
Ben Holieway
Snow days
Bonus or disastrous? Paige Hunden “I feel like I’ve done a good job about trying to get ahead and not fall behind in my classes, but freshman year I wouldn’t have done that. People who are starting college now are probably already pretty behind.”
news.ed@ocolly.com
Mary-Kate Glisson “They’re a plus, I mean who doesn’t want time off school. Even though it does hurt your grades a little bit, I think it’s a plus. I think it’s fun, everyone likes to go out in the snow.”
Audrey Cornett “Academically, they’re probably hurting students, but as far as me not wanting to fall and break something, then definitely a plus.”
Editorial board Editor-in-Chief Luisa Clausen editorinchief@ocolly.com Sports editor Braden Bush sports.ed@ocolly.com Assistant Sports editor Ashton Slaughter sports.ed@ocolly.com Design editor Ben Holieway design.ed@ocolly.com
The O’Colly Staff News & Lifstyle editor Kennedy Thomason news.ed@ocolly.com Assistant News & Lifestyle editor Bella Casey news.ed@ocolly.com Photo editor Payton Little photo.ed@ocolly.com
News & Lifestyle reporters: Addie Wagner Ashton Miller Cloe Campfield Hayden Alexander Isaac Terry Jaycee Hampton Jessica Pearce Raynee Howell
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108 Paul Miller Stillwater, OK 74078 (405) 744-6365
Sports reporters: Alyssa Brandon Baylor Bryant Calif Poncy Daniel Allen Davis Cordova Gabriel Trevino Gina Foster Griff McClellan Kenzie Kraich Parker Gerl Payton Little Tessa Dorrell
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O’Colly
Friday, January 26, 2024 Page 3A
news Students, here are professors’ tips for a successful, productive semester
Tribune Content Agency Ryan Gosling, (left), Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie attend the press junket and photocall for “Barbie” at Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles.
‘Barbie’ should be on the Oscars stage Hayden Alexander Staff Reporter
Opinion Come on, Barbie, let’s go party. . . but not at the Oscars. That’s right, The Academy snubbed the biggest and most fabulous movie of the year. Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” movie turned a cultural icon into a movement this past summer. The director and her team set multiple box office records. The film is ranked #14 among the highest-grossing films in the world and #11 domestically in the United States and Canada. “Barbie” grossed about $1.4 billion worldwide, making it 2023’s highest-grossing film. Gerwig is the highestgrossing female director of all time, but the Oscars doesn’t seem to recognize female genius. Gerwig and Margot Robbie were excluded from the Oscar nominations. Robbie’s co-star Ryan Gosling is in the running for Best Supporting Actor. Gosling put out a statement citing his disappointment with the decision. “There is no Ken without Barbie, and there is no “Barbie” movie without Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie, the two most responsible for this history-making, globally celebrated film,” Gosling wrote. Gosling said the nomination was an honor but praised Gerwig and Robbie when criticizing the decision. “Against all odds with nothing but a couple of soulless, scantily clad and thankfully crotchless dolls, they made us laugh, they broke our hearts, they pushed the culture and they made his-
tory,” Gosling said. “Their work should be recognized along with other very deserving nominees.” The decision outraged the film world, from the media to fans, and I can’t blame them. It makes no sense that a movie this culturally profound is not receiving more nods. It’s a movie about women’s triumphs being overshadowed, and the Oscars is perpetuating the issue instead of spearheading the change. I understand the Oscars is supposed to have an air of prestige, but its push for supposedly higher-level films leaves great films behind. It creates a disconnect between the average moviegoer and the film industry. Some films resonate better with audiences but never reach the Oscars’ stage. This leaves a movie like “Barbie” out in no man’s land because it delivers its important social message layered in disco, bountiful colors and dancing. Gerwig and Robbie took the Barbie doll concept and produced a well-thought-out feminist message about girlhood and a beautifully cathartic look at what it is to be a woman. Robbie is Barbie, and Gerwig is the woman who taught us we can be anything and womanhood is complex but shouldn’t be. The story communicates everyone has value and deserves love and support in whatever they do. These women stitched together a movie that gave women across the globe the chance to fall in love with being a woman again. To embrace their femininity and celebrate it. They started something, and their devotion to telling the story of womanhood through “Barbie” resonates across borders, cultures and genders is worthy of all the awards. news.ed@ocolly.com
thing you need later on in the semester, it’s helpful to have Raynee Howell that relationship.” As far as coursework Staff Reporter goes, Gregory said time management is important and allows students to stay on top of Adjusting to new sched- studies. She, as a student and ules, classmates and professors teacher, dedicates chunks of can be stressful. time to certain activities to be Taylor Gregory, a gradu- able to complete all her tasks. ate teaching assistant who She also encourages her teaches entry-level English students to find a community classes, said she can relate outside of coursework and to the feelings of stress stuschool-related activities. Finddents experience because she ing a balance between school, has been, and still is, in their work and life is how she reshoes. lieves some of her stress. She said she knows col“I encourage people to lege can feel like an isolating be the person that reaches out experience, which is why she even if it feels awkward, just wants to build connections invite somebody to coffee or to with her students to nurture hang out,” Gregory said. “Find healthier learning environtime for self-care or spending ments. time with friends, family, hob“It’s helpful to get to bies and things.” know the instructor,” Gregory Ashleigh Bakke, an assaid. “Just have a working sistant professor in the school relationship, and if there’s any- of accounting, encouraged
students to take care of themselves first. “Don’t be afraid to ask for help,” Bakke said. “Your professors are on your side, and we want you to do well.” Bakke assures students who are struggling to settle in that teachers are feeling the same way. Despite recent cancelations because of snow days, starting off the semester strong is still possible. Bakke said students should focus on prioritizing and scheduling. “Sometimes it can help to kind of mentally walk through your week and walk through your schedule,” Bakke said. “Organizing my week helps me not forget anything.” Bakke said students should ask for help when they need it. Professors and other students are often more than willing to help. OSU also has resources for students to reach out for help with academic, physical and mental needs.
news.ed@ocolly.com
Continued from 1
File Photo With the start of the spring semester underway, professors said getting to know instructors and making a weekly plan will help students be successful.
OSU Dept. of Theatre presents
Duality
Spring Dance Concert
Feb. 3 • 7:30 pm One night only! Get your tickets today! Vivia Nail Locke Theatre
Seretean Center for the Performing Arts Stillwater, Ok
$15 General •$12 Senior (65+) $10 Student
theatre.okstate.edu | 405-744-6094
For Tickets Scan QR code or visit: www.tix.com/ticket-sales/okstatetheatre/7287
Page 4A Friday, January 26, 2024
O’Colly
news Ghost . . .
Courtesy of Andy Mattern After Andy Mattern stumbled upon a photograph with a “ghost” image, he was hooked. Now, he has an exhibition at OSU mueseum of art.
within a frame of that unseen picture.” The way Mattern re-photographs these images is one of Continued from 1A the ways people have re-figured found art and reframed the focus. “It goes through a whole Most ghost images have spectrum, where on the one side, imperfections. The original prints you’ve got people that are mascan sometimes be seen through sively altering found images, and the pictures, but those imperthen on the other side of the specfections are one of the reasons trum, there are folks who are just Mattern was drawn to the reshowing the exact physical object photographing process. that they found and putting that Although Mattern said he on the wall,” Mattern said. would not have put any of the Regardless of how it’s done, photos in the exhibit if he did not re-figuring old pieces of art can think they were strong enough provide viewers with a new percandidates, he does continuously spective. return to one photograph. Jessica Easton, a junior A photo of a girl with an studying studio art, said this type oval impression running through of photography provides a new it. viewpoint that isn’t as common in “There’s just something typical photographs. about the simplicity of the oval, “It makes it feel more like which is the impression from the a memory than a photo,” Easton other side of the picture,” Mattern said. “I love that I’m looking at said. “On the back of that object memories of people’s lives. I’m would be some other picture getting a glimpse into the people that is in an oval, and that three that lived before us.” dimensional shape is the frame Easton, who focuses on
Honor roll students have hobbies, too Bella Casey News and Lifestyle Assistant Editor
Column
After high school, I had no interest in changing. I cared only about staying the same. I clung to my lifelong interest: my horse. As many high school seniors made the transition to college freshmen, they left behind their hobbies, sports and pets. College is an opportunity to reinvent one’s self, and many welcome the opportunity to take on the new chapter as a different person. Older hobbies are replaced with Greek life, sports become studying and pets stay home. When I was 17, I bought my horse, Nova. I spent every day of my senior year of high school with her, and I was not ready for our routine to come to an end. My parents told me not to bring her to college until my sophomore year. They said she would be a distraction. Spoiler alert: I brought the horse. She proved to be the opposite of a distraction. As I watched my friends sleep through class, fail tests and forget to do their classwork, I flourished. Yet, I had more on my plate than ever before.
My schedule forced me to carve out time to do homework and class each day. My classmates, who were overwhelmed by their newfound free time, frequently told themselves, “I can do it later.” They never did it later. I, on the other hand, had no time to “do it later.” My horse and my friends were meant for “later,” so homework had to happen “now.” I woke up at 5:30 a.m. to feed, ride and clean up after Nova before my 9:30 a.m. class. I went to class and studied in the library until around 4 p.m., then I cleaned her stall again. After that, I ate dinner with my roommates and stayed up late with friends. Like clockwork, I went from barn, to class, to barn, to friends. I never skipped class, and I never turned in an assignment late. All thanks to Nova. She held me accountable, and taught me responsibility and time management. The thing many assumed would be “too much” for me at college kept me grounded. Whether it is an intramural sport, a student organization, a favorite pastime or a workout routine, I advise all college students to form a routine or invest in a hobby. I’m a junior now, and Nova is still in Stillwater. My focus shifted to student organizations and clubs, and Nova lives at a barn that helps care for her. Now, I’m open to change, but it is thanks to the thing that made me want to stay the same.
drawing more than photography, was able to see how all forms of art can be connected, even when using different mediums. “Seeing what he does is inspiring in its own way because you’re thinking of all these different layers and whenever you’re painting and drawing, you can kind of think of that in layers,” Easton said. “I can feel the layering that’s happening here.” Being able to revise and alter original pieces of art can provide artists and audiences the ability to appreciate past and present works. Nayelly Morales, a senior in studio art, is working on combining photographs with her paintings. “One way of implementing oil and photography together is by printing a photograph on canvas and painting on top of it,” Morales said. “One of my recent works is actually a collaged photo canvas, which I ended up painting on top of.” news.ed@ocolly.com
SGA takes on Washington D.C., during busy spring semester speaker, said. Moore said he encourages students to follow SGA’s Instagram (@okstatesga) because they can get news regarding Melissa Echols opens debates and election dates. every meeting for the Student Following up on the anGovernment Association with nouncements, the senators apannouncements for upcoming proved a resolution providing events. the attendees of the Big 12 On And trivia. The Hill conference in Wash“Who is the oldest Gram- ington, D.C. The resolution’s my winner to date?” Echols, goal was to inform the senators coordinator of SGA programs, of the purpose of the trip and asked on Wednesday. make sure everyone was on the After a few guesses, same page regarding the details Echols answers Pinetop Perof the trip. kins. Six SGA members along It’s her way to lighten with Echols will spend the up the mood before senators week in D.C. to advocate for can discuss plans and bills for issues on behalf of OSU, the OSU. state of Oklahoma and the Big Although off to a slow 12 Conference. The senators start, SGA will have a busy are meeting with Oklahoma spring semester. Senators and four of the five In addition to possible Oklahoma House of Represenbills discussed by the Senate tatives. on Wednesdays, SGA will have “We’re talking about six a presidential campaign and different topics,” Moore said. election starting soon. “Campus safety, mental health, “We’ve revamped our campus dining, construction elections bylaws to make funding, rising student debt elections easier for everyone and house insecurity.” involved and to allow better The members will rerepresentation for students on turn Feb. 2 and there will not campus,” Wyatt Moore, vice be a senators meeting next
Luisa Clausen Editor-in-Chief
week. Moore said not having a meeting does not slow them down because the committees are still expected to meet and all Senators are required to do their office hours so work still gets done. Before taking on D.C., the senators voted for a new Budget Committee Chair. They had to decide between Wesley Hulrbut, who served in the position for a year, and Jared Jones, who served as the Budget Committee Chair in the fall. Jones won with 19 of the votes against 16 for Hulburt. Hulburt said he believes Jones will do a great job and will be there for him if he needs any advice. “As fun as this is, as impactful this is, the impact is something that shouldn’t be taken lightly,” Hulburt said. “It’s a weekly job. Every day there’s something new whether it’s checking for new applications, reviewing them with the bylaws or checking with the treasurers for those organizations.” SGA Senate meetings will return on Feb. 7. news.ed@ocolly.com
news.ed@ocolly.com
Bella Casey My horse, Nova, taught me how to be responsible and manage my time efficiently, which helped me be successful at college.
Luisa Clausen SGA will not have a Senate meeting next week because six of its members, including the speaker and vice-speaker, will be in Washington, D.C. to attend the Big 12 on the Hill conference
O’Colly
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news Gordon . . . Continued from 1A
possible, and wearing an orange Cowboy football jersey and black and orange flip flops, she is clearly a superfan. She’s a maThey scheduled the event jor fan of Gordon and Dailey’s for noon on their Instagram. But the duo didn’t show up until podcast, too. “I listened to their last 12:18. Celebrity status. The party doesn’t start until Gordon podcast — I listen to every one — and they announced they and Dailey walk in. You get it. were gonna go mobile; they Three minutes later, posted on their Instagram story, former OSU baseball star Roc Riggio, who’s now a member of and I was like, ‘OK, I don’t have the New York Yankees organiza- class (so I’ll be there),’” Rotter said. tion, met the duo at the table; The duo, who both have their guest had arrived. Riggio dapped Gordon up loud enough flamboyant and outgoing personalities, released their first that it echoed throughout the podcast episode on Nov. 10. open food court. If students Dailey credits the creation of the didn’t register that the three athletes were there before then, “Crossover with Ollie and E” podcast to his dad, who told him they knew now. he should start one. Quickly, fans and OSU “If I do a podcast, I staff members came up to the three players. Pictures were tak- wouldn’t want to do it by myen (one with two girls who were self,” Dailey told his dad. Luckily, Gordon was his touring OSU), a lady bought first guest, and after seeing the something from the University two’s chemistry, Dailey’s preStore to have Gordon sign and two of the orange “Pokes” pad- ferred co-host option became dles used by The Paddle People apparent. “I was like, ‘Bro, just do were signed by the athletes. the podcast with me full time,” The paddles belonged to Brie Rotter, who is a sophomore Dailey said to Gordon. “We ended up meeting; we at OSU and has been a “paddle clicked right away, and it stuck,” person” for two years. She Gordon said. “Me and E toattends every game or match
gether, we’re really unstoppable. This is just the beginning before we really pop out for real now.” The two have had teammates from their respective sports on their show, like Javon Small and Trey Rucker, but they are seeking to have Cowboy and Cowgirl athletes from every sport on their show. Golf and tennis were mentioned atop the two’s list; they got their baseball connection in with Riggio on Thursday. Both are unsure about their media futures, but for now, they’re looking to keep the show OSU-centric, saying that it’s for the fans, students and everyone at the university, hence why they filmed in the Student Union. With more episodes under their belt and promotion of the podcast increasing, they want to keep improving their podcast skills and involve OSU fans in every step of their experience. They film at Eskimo Joe’s and Dailey said there’s an open invitation to all. “It can only get bigger, and it’s only gonna get better each time we do it,” Dailey said. news.ed@ocolly.com
Ashton Slaughter Eric Dailey Jr. and Ollie Gordon II recording the sixth episode of their podcast, “Crossover with Ollie and E.”
Sparks. . . Continued from 1A File Photo Freezing temperatures and winter weather greeted students as they returned for the spring semester.
way to layer to actually Weather . . . best be warm but not too warm.
Continued from 1A Living on or off campus, students were unable to escape the troubles the cold front brought on. With pipes frozen or broken, students were left to search for amenities elsewhere. Outside of personal challenges, the cold weather presents a unique set of difficulties to those with pets. Alexa Davis, a freshman, said caring for her horses in the snow has been a struggle this week. “I have to break ice every morning and night, at least twice a day if not more,” Davis said. “Food gives them energy, and you have to feed them a lot more, so it’s economically more challenging. I had to be out there a lot longer.” Being from California, Davis said she felt underprepared for the winter weather. Her horses sported blankets to keep the cold out. Davis wasn’t the only out-of-state student feeling this way. Sawyer Pratt, a freshman from Visalia, California, said she wasn’t prepared for the cold either. “The Central Valley doesn’t usually get cold like this,” Pratt said. “I’ve just been trying to figure out the
Especially going into classrooms where the heaters are on, you have to take off all the layers.” OSU canceled classes on Tuesday, Jan. 17. The cancelation gave students a chance to acclimate to the weather and remain indoors while temperatures plummeted below zero. However, not everyone was appreciative of the delay. Lucy Beckner, a freshman, said not starting on the scheduled first day made her feel weird. “It kind of made me feel a little disorganized, to be honest,” Beckner said. “The schedule was messed up, and it messed with my mind and made me feel unorganized.” Whether struggling with housing malfunctions, caring for animals, staying bundled up or feeling disorganized by schedule changes, students can look forward to warmer weather in the coming weeks. Kaitlynn Northam, a sophomore, said she plans to enjoy the cold while it’s here. It won’t last forever. “It makes when the sun comes out that much more special,” Northam said. Parker Bradley, Marlie Armatta and Raynee Howell contributed to this story. news.ed@ocolly.com
In response to the loss of heat and power, the Colvin Recreation Center was reopened so students would have a warm place to stay at about 9:30 p.m., shortly after the outage was reported. Madison Metzger, a supervisor at the Colvin Recreation Center, was one of three employees called in to reopen the Colvin. She turned off the “New Girl” episode she was watching and quickly collected her things after she got a text from her boss. “I had nothing else to do, and I figured why not go help,” Metzger said. “So I got up, and I got out the door pretty quick and came up here. Metzger said there were about 20-30 students that utilized the Colvin. They played basketball, ping pong, pool, built Legos and hung out in the lounge area as they waited for the power to be restored.
Although an invitation to the Colvin was extended, Stretch and her roommate decided to stay in their apartment. It wasn’t the first time they were without heat. A week prior, on Jan. 14, Stretch’s apartment lost heat. They were no strangers to the situation and bundled up on the couch with blankets instead of making the walk to the Colvin. Jason Linsenmeyer, the assistant director of wellness, said the Colvin is suited for responding to situations like a power outage. “I think in times like that we can house lots of people and bring them in and just let them destress and not worry about what’s going on out there until they can get power put back on,” Linsenmeyer said. The Colvin’s staff were not the only ones quick to respond. “I was on campus within 8 minutes or something like that,” Neal said. The crew tasked with restoring power started tracking the outage shortly after it was reported. “It’s slow because it has to be safe,” Neal said. “So we work our way from one device to the
next device to the next device to figure out where the problem is. In this case, it was really easy to understand where the problem was because you could smell it.” The fried cables smelled like burned wire, one of the crew members said. “It’s not like a campfire,” Neal added. The cables burned inside the vault where they are kept, creating a flash of electricity that left residue covering the entire area. The ladder, which leads down into the vault was once red, but the electrical surge charred it black. Although power was restored at about 1:30 a.m. the next morning, Neal said the problem is not fixed. He said they are still discovering the extent of the damage, and it could be several weeks, or longer, before the problem is resolved. “In a perfect world, you say, ‘Oh, it’s going to fail next week. We’ll replace it this week,’ Neal said. “But we never know, we don’t have the crystal ball.” news.ed@ocolly.com
Courtesy of Victor Mose Damage to three cables caused the outage on Jan. 19. These cables feed power to multiple buildings on Farm Road.
Page 6A Friday, January 26, 2024
O’Colly
news Former Miss OSU reflects on year with crown Alli Themer Staff Reporter
Q&A As Tatum Shelton’s time as Miss OSU 2023 came to an end, she reflected on the past year. The Homecoming parade, the Miss Oklahoma Pageant and her community service initiative “Combatting Child Hunger” all stand out, Shelton said. During her time as Miss OSU, Shelton had a full-time job and student commitments, but she made it work and nourished her sense of self in the process. Last night she handed her crown to Miss OSU 2024. Q: What was your favorite memory or best moment this year as Miss OSU? A: “I had a lot of great memories on campus. I got to be involved quite a bit. I got to be in the Homecoming parade. I got to light the Christmas trees on Library Lawn, but without a doubt, my favorite memory was just wearing Miss OSU across my chest in Miss Oklahoma. There’s something so special about being there and having all the OSU alumni support you, even though they don’t directly know you. They’re still in your corner and hoping that you do well, and it was very sweet to have that feeling with me throughout my second week.” Q: What did you accomplish and where did you serve as Miss OSU? A: “I accomplished quite a bit. My community service initiative is called, “Combatting Child Hunger.” So I got to do a lot of volunteer work through the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, through Pete’s Pantry on campus and a bunch of organizations. One thing I am most proud of is I got to work on a health bill through our state legislature, striving to raise the income of money that a family receives in order to have free and reduced lunches, although I will say it did not pass. However, this is something we’ll be working on next year in this upcoming session to help raise that percentage so more children can have free reduced lunches. This was a goal of mine last year. Although I didn’t accomplish it, it’s on my radar for this upcoming year.” Q: You are a full-time Thunder girl and a full-time student. How did you balance the title with other obligations? A: “Since I am here in Stillwater, Miss OSU wasn’t too bad of a time commitment. Everything that I did was either on campus or on my own time, such as when I started my interview preparation for Miss Oklahoma. Being a Thunder girl is super fun. Yes, we practice four days a week on top of the games that we have, which we dance at 40 home games, so being able to navigate it all can be a
he t t ou k c e Ch
File Photo As Tatum Shelton’s time as Miss OSU 2023 came to an end, she reflected on juggling multiple roles and staying true to herself. She was second runner-up for Miss Oklahoma.
lot sometimes. However, it was easy. I love being a Thunder girl, so finding time for both (is) easy for me because of the love I have for both of them.” Q: What was your talent at Miss Oklahoma? A: “I won preliminary talent for my group at Miss Oklahoma, and I ended up being the overall talent winner. I danced for my talent. My talent was (a) musical theater performance to the song “Life of The Party,” and I actually will be performing it at Miss OSU 2024. I also was second runner up to Miss Oklahoma, and I earned $10,000 in scholarship money through that, which is now currently paying for my
way! a e d i al H n i g i Or
tuition here at Oklahoma State University. I could not be more grateful.” Q: What piece of advice would you give to girls who would like to compete? A: “Be unapologetically yourself. When I went into my interview as competing for Miss OSU, my goal was to just show them my heart and show them why I wanted to be Miss OSU. I wanted my name associated because I love this university. I grew up coming here. My first football game was when I was three months old. So, I had this love and aspiration to be Miss OSU and just represent the community that had really built me into the woman that
SINCE 1957,
I am today. And so for every girl who’s competing this week, and for any girl who wants to compete for Miss OSU, she should just be unapologetically herself because the reason the judges chose me is because they saw me. They saw my heart and that’s exactly what I did throughout my years. As Miss OSU, I was 100% Tatum.” Q: How will you use the lessons you gleaned as Miss OSU in your future career? A: “The biggest thing I am taking away from being Miss OSU is always remember you’re representing yourself, whether that’s a post on social media, whether that’s the school you’re walking into, whether
that’s the restaurant your walking into, you’re always representing yourself. In this case, I was representing Miss OSU anytime I walked into a building. This means taking accountability for my actions, being someone that when I was 5 years old, I want to be someone I (would) look up to. Just always remembering to be a good representation of yourself. I think that every girl competing this week will learn that the most important thing about being Miss OSU is who you are.”
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Friday, January 26, 2024 Page 7A
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Miss OSU 2024 contestants prepared for the pageant hours before they appeared on stage. All Photos by Payton Little
Mikyah Davis
Emma Place
Katelyn Woods
Megan Bradley
Mckenzie Deitz
OUR EYES ARE ON CHRIST! “ As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid look to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD our God, till he show us his mercy.” (Ps.123:2 NIV) “My heart is not proud, O LORD, my eyes are not haughty...But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me.” (Ps.131:1,2 NIV) “ I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit...he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear (stand in awe) and put their trust in the LORD.” (Ps.40:1-3 NIV) “But they that wait upon the LORD shall
renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” (Is.40:31 KJV) There is something definite and real about waiting on the Lord. I remember years ago when I sensed the Lord speak to me. “Make yourself available!” I thought I was! I was reading my Bible some and going to church regularly. As I considered this challenge from Lord, I felt I should spend some quiet time daily with the Lord. With my busy days,I decided to spend a hour (5 to 6 a.m.) each day. That decision brought about important changes in my life and service to God. I was learning to wait on the Lord. What a loving and faithful God we have to help us find his best for our lives. It pays off to have a definite, daily time with your Bible and Jesus
Page 8A Friday, January 26, 2024
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The Days Ahead
Courtesy Tulsa World
How the 2001 Cowboys navigated tragedy The Cowboys pushed through an unthinkable tragedy to finish the season, and it left scars along the way.
Braden Bush Sports Editor On a few turbulent late-winter plane rides, Maurice Baker saw his teammates’ demeanors change from excited to anxious. The stress was evident. The emo-
tions were still too raw, too fresh. What Baker, a guard on OSU’s 2000-01 basketball team, saw from his teammates were the scars of pain. Weeks earlier, specifically on Jan. 27, 2001, the Cowboys basketball team was returning from a game against Colorado when one of the team planes crashed near Strasburg, Colorado, taking the lives of the 10 members of the OSU basketball community on board. Players Nate Fleming and Daniel Lawson. Student manager Jared Weiberg. Radio broadcaster Bill Teegins. Pilots Denver Mills and Bjorn Fahl-
strom. Director of basketball operations Pat Noyes. Trainer Brian Luinstra. Media relations coordinator Will Hancock. Television/radio engineer Kendall Durfey. The memory never left anyone’s mind, from Baker and his teammates to media relations coordinator Steve Buzzard. The scars were especially noticeable on a bumpy plane ride to an away game. “Sometimes we got into a couple little storms flying, and some of the guys just grabbed each other’s hands real quick and like, ‘I love you,’ and
‘Knock this tree down’
OSU is off to one of its worst starts in Big 12 play this century, leaving the Cowboys searching for answers.
Inside Cowboys’ emotions during six-game skid
Gabriel Trevino Staff Reporter The Cowboys, in the middle of the woods of a sixgame losing streak, are hack-
What’s Inside
Hylton excited for last season of college at OSU
Iowa State and Kansas; All in the AP Top 25. The other three were by a combined 14 points, such as a four-point loss to Kansas State, the No. 2 team in the Big 12 standings. OSU’s 0-6 start to Big 12 play is only matched by the start of Brad Underwood’s team that made the NCAA Tournament in 2017 and in 2019-20. See Emotions on 4B
3B
See Tragedy on 2B
Alvarez is bringing veteran prowess to OSU wrestling
Alexis Higgins
ing away at the same tree. It’s been three weeks since OSU’s men’s basketball team last won a game. The football team has won a Big 12 game more recently, and that was in November. The calendar will soon change to February, where the Cowboys may still be standing before an upright tree, wiping their sweat. Three of OSU’s losses have been blowouts to Texas Tech,
stuff like that,” Baker said. “It was very stressful around that time for us.” On Saturday, when the Cowboys host West Virginia for the annual Remember the Ten game, it will be exactly 23 years since that fateful night that left a mourning team pressing through the final two months of the season. A night that changed that 2000-01 team in every way. A night that the Cowboy team was forced to rally around itself for the rest of the season and continues to do to this day.
No. 26 Finn Solomon of Pittsburgh. OSU coach John Smith opted for Alvarez over former starter Jordan Williams, saying he “wanted a little bit more experience.” It paid off, with Alvarez earning a 12-4 major Daniel Allen decision over Solomon. Staff Reporter “It’s about time,” Smith said. “We need more of that from Sammy Alvarez emphatihim.” cally jumped off the mat in Success on the mat isn’t new Gallagher-Iba Arena. for Alvarez. Through four seaCheers from the home crowd sons at Rutgers, Alvarez ranked echoed through the venue, and as high as No. 5, cracking the assistant coach Coleman Scott top 10 at 133 pounds three times greeted the Oklahoma State and earning All-American hon149-pounder with a back slap. ors during the 2019-20 season. The hoopla came shortly after a Now, after transferring to 4-1 sudden-victory win against OSU in the offseason, he’s back No. 15 Nash Singleton of Orin a starting role. Although egon State. Smith noted, “whoever I wrestle “When you get in those tight this week (against Northern matches, it’s important to win Iowa and Iowa State), that’s not them,” said 133-pounder Daton a finalized weight class for us.” Fix. “But he got his hand raised He didn’t shy away from comat the end. So, it was a good win plimenting Alvarez’s success. for him.” It was only Alvarez’s third match of the season. His first came Jan. 12 against See Alvarez on 3B
Cowgirl basketball upset on road with tourney chances dwindling
4B
Rally Page to Remember the Ten
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Page 2B Friday, January 26, 2024
Tragedy... Continued from 1B A night that never seemed to end for coach Eddie Sutton and his team. “Every single day the rest of that season, there were challenges,” Buzzard said. Carrying on Eddie… Eddie… Eddie… Buzzard still remembers hearing that chant several minutes before Sutton ever stepped out of the tunnel onto the court of Gallagher-Iba Arena for what the Hall of Fame coach later called the most important game of his career. The Cowboys beat Missouri that February night in their first game since the plane crash. Wins are typically all that matter. But what was most important that night was that it was “good medicine,” as Buzzard called it. The students filled the stands 90 minutes before tipoff. The crowd gave a standing ovation for the entire game. Sutton cried at the postgame podium. “The game itself was maybe the most unbelievable sporting event I’ve been to,” Buzzard said. And yet, after the emotional high the team felt that night, surrounded by a fan base and family that had its back and wasn’t letting it lose after one of the toughest weeks a team could go through, it was back to work the next day. Two days after the Missouri game, OSU had a game to play at Nebraska. It was back to business as usual. That included taking a plane to Lincoln. OSU forward Antoine Broxsie remembers the dread. “Nobody wanted to fly again,” he said. “That was one of the things that people kept saying: ‘Hey, how do we get to games?’ And Coach Sutton was like, ‘Guys, we gotta fly. We will fly together. We’ll fly bigger planes. But we have to fly together.’” And they did, but the uneasiness was always there. Sutton had a message for his team through this time, though: No matter what happens in life, we still have to move forward. We still have to give 100%. He was tasked with leading a group of young men through an unthinkable tragedy and its effects. Just as heavily as it weighed on the team, it weighed on him. Ten regularseason games awaited his team after the crash, along with the Big 12 Tournament and the NCAA Tournament. The next two months took all Sutton had. “Coach Sutton, he was the rock behind the whole thing,” Buzzard said. “And I know it hurt him. You could see it in his eyes. But he stayed strong through the whole thing, and that’s one of the things that kept everybody going.” The team knew it had to keep playing. It’s what the 10 loved ones it lost would have wanted. That didn’t make it any easier to separate basketball from life. In fact, those two areas often collided. “It was still tough just to
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sports get ourselves out of bed, come to practice and just see those lockers empty with those guys not there,” Baker said. “It was just tough from the accident on. It was a hard time for us. “Everything reminded us of those guys. You’re going into the locker room, you’re thinking of those guys. You go into the study hall, anything; (you were) always thinking of all those guys.” But he knew they had to keep going. That season had to go on for the sake of the fallen teammates and their families. And along the way, the team continued to honor the 10. Baker wore Lawson’s practice jersey under his jersey every game and kept a pair of Fleming’s practice shorts, too. Sutton still worked the team hard, though. Broxsie said the rumors were true about Sutton’s practices being tough. They had to focus on the task at hand, which meant no excuses and keeping attitudes right. All while that terrible night sat in everyone’s minds. “It was very exhausting,” Broxsie said. “You don’t go back and tell nobody you were super tired, but going through all that was mentally and physically draining.”
Courtesy Tulsa World Maurice Baker (left) said the team started showing love to each other more openly after the crash.
and their families, whom he had come to know. Or off Teegins, who, although he was the Cowboys’ radio announcer, also hosted Sampson’s TV show at OU. Sampson wrote a letter to Buzzard. Words were hard to come by, as nothing he could say would change anything. Sampson wrote that everyone was in his prayers and that they wouldn’t be going through this alone. “One of the nicest, most heartfelt letters I got during that whole time,” Buzzard said, “and it was handwritten and, you know. He didn’t have to do that.” Pregame, Sampson met with Sutton. Again, words were almost impossible to come up with. All Sampson could say was
love you and be careful and all those types of things,” Baker said. “We always loved each other, but then after that, we started saying it out loud and showing each other that we really love each other.” Up until that point, there had been a sense of invincibility. Division-I athletes in their prime didn’t have anything to worry about except basketball and class. Then the unthinkable happened. Moments that ‘transcend “They always say, you’re rivalry’ here today, gone tomorrow,” Broxsie said. “Well, you were Kelvin Sampson coached in here an hour before, and you’re gone an hour later. Think about how fast that is.” Broxsie said mental health wasn’t something talked about much at that time. They tried to store things away in their minds. Hiding weakness was the “tough” thing to do. But that season was long. There wasn’t any hiding of emotions, and everyone knew what the others were going through. Sutton told his players he loved them, too, and checked on them every day. Still, they often turned to each other for relief. They found themselves venting, talking about what Lawson would do in a situation or what Fleming would have Bedlam games for 12 years as “I’m sorry.” to say. They the head coach of Oklahoma, Sooner players confided in but the one on Valentine’s Day warmed up in orange Remem- each other. In many ways, Jan. 2001 was unique. ber the Ten shirts, then tossed 27, 2001, brought them closer. It wasn’t an instant clasthe shirts into the crowd as “I think one of the toughest sic like other Sampson-Sutton they walked to their bench. things to do is, actually, men Bedlams. OSU trounced the Never before had the heated ri- telling each other they’d missed No. 13 Sooners, 72-44, in valry ever seen such a gesture. them or being vulnerable with Gallagher-Iba Arena in the “But there is no Cowboyyour teammates, when in Cowboys’ second home game Sooner rivalry when you’re actuality, that’s the best people after the crash. going through that,” Sampson to be vulnerable with,” Broxsie Sampson said there was said. said. “… Young men, you try to a pall over that game. Even That night, OSU players show each other that you’re the though his team lost, he and fans took out some penttoughest. I think that’s one of couldn’t help but feel that it up emotion. It happened to be the things we learned to do is was right. on the Sooners. The Cowboys let go. Let down all those walls “Those Bedlam games played lights out, held OU to its and decide we’re gonna be with when Coach Sutton and I were lowest point total in more than each other with love. there were always magical – two years and won by their “We were our therapists.” the most magical games I’ve largest margin in 37 years. ever coached in anywhere,” “We basically walked in Bittersweet ending Sampson said. “But that night, with a rose, and the problem losing was irrelevant to me. I was Oklahoma State walked in OSU went 7-5 after returnknow it was almost cathartic, with switchblades,” Sampson ing to the court and made the almost therapeutic, (OSU) win- said. “They just carved us up. NCAA Tournament as a No. 11 ning that game.” “… The MVP of that game seed, losing to USC in the First Before the game was ever was not the game or the score. Round 47 days after the crash. played, Sampson reached out That was irrelevant, big picThe emotions after eliminato the OSU program. He heard ture. I think what was most tion were weird. about the crash while recruitimportant that night was giving On the one hand, there was ing at a Midwest City game the fans a reprieve from what disappointment. Once in the after the Sooners beat Nebras- happened. It gave them sometournament, why not make a ka earlier in the day. He was in thing to cheer for. It made them run for a title? In it to win it. shock. feel good. The fact that it was But on the other hand, it Sampson couldn’t get his us – so be it. What that game was a chance to finally take a mind off the student-athletes meant for people at that time step back. That’s what OSU was the most important thing.” forward Fredrik Jonzen did. Never before or again has “I think all of us are tired a loss felt like a positive for right now,” Jonzen said after Sampson, who is now the the game. “But it’s kind of hard coach of the Houston Cougars. to know exactly how we feel. Bedlam has never felt so tame, It’ll take a little while to reflect either. on it. I think we all need a bit At that moment, life was of a break from basketball.” bigger than a game. For some, it took longer “When tragedies like that to reflect. Broxsie said it felt happen… it transcends rivalry,” strange not having Lawson or Buzzard said. “It just does.” Fleming around during the summer. There wasn’t much ‘Our own therapists’ else to do in Stillwater when school was out of session other The course of the season than basketball and hanging taught the Cowboys one impor- out with teammates. tant thing. Nobody is ever too New teammates came in tough to express love. during the offseason, and it was Not that any of them ever full throttle for the next season. doubted whether their teamIt wasn’t until after that season, mates loved them. They all Broxsie’s senior season, that he knew it. But saying it didn’t let all those emotions surface. always seem necessary until “I don’t think I’ve ever spothey couldn’t tell their late ken about this, but I didn’t get a teammates that again. chance to really mourn, prob“After that, we always ably until really I graduated,” Alexis Higgins started telling each other we he said. “I believed my team-
That night, losing was irrelevant to me. Former OU coach Kelvin Sampson
Eddie Sutton made sure his team moved forward depsite the circumstances.
mates needed me to be strong for them. So, they didn’t see me cry much. “I never really got an opportunity to mourn until probably a year after we graduated. I sat back and just broke down.” Remembering, 23 years later Broxsie can hardly get through the stories without laughing. He and his teammates played “bumper cars,” but not the conventional kind. There were no bumper rails, and they weren’t using the little amusement-park vehicles either. “We would just drive up to each other’s car and bump it,” he said. “Like, I’m driving to you, and I just bump the back. We don’t hit it hard; we just bump it just enough that you’d get out and be mad as all get out.” It was harmless fun, they thought. They never dared scrape the sides, just the bumpers. And nobody enjoyed doing it more than Lawson. Broxsie remembers returning the favor one time, driving his truck into the back of Lawson’s Toyota Camry, and he recalls the reaction that followed. “Dan used to do this all the time to my truck, and I did it to him, and he gets out of the car, and he gets so mad,” Broxsie said, between laughs. “We didn’t get into a fight, but he said, ‘I’m doing it to everybody now.’” That’s how Broxsie remembers his teammate. He was one of his best friends and someone who always kept everyone laughing. Today, most of that team stays in contact almost daily through a group text. They relive the happy memories like Broxsie’s, talk about each other’s kids, each other’s games – Baker is on the Indiana Pacers coaching staff, and Broxsie is on the Cleveland Cavaliers coaching staff – and, of course, Oklahoma State basketball. Victor Williams, Melvin Sanders and Jason Keep, members of that team, are also in the chat, along with a few later additions, such as Tony Allen and John Lucas. It’s been 23 years, but the group kept in touch. The group was already close, but their experience made them inseparable. “I view them as brothers. I view them as all brothers,” Broxsie said. “One of the best group of guys that I’ve (ever) been around.” Every year, when Remember the Ten rolls around, there’s no avoiding it. No matter how much time passes, the scars and emotions are still there. “There’s never a day – never a day – that goes by that I don’t think about that time, that I don’t think about those guys, that I don’t think about that night,” Buzzard said. “That’s just etched in.” And for the members of the group chat, it changed their lives forever. That season was grueling and took so much away. They vowed to never forget, and they haven’t. They carry the memories and the lessons with them every day, and in many ways, it created an unbreakable bond. “It made us understand that basketball is big, but life is so much bigger,” Broxsie said. sports.ed@ocolly.com
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Alvarez...
Friday, January 26, 2024 Page 3B
sports
ing that time.” And yet, for the first semester, Smith maintained confidence. He trusted that once Alvarez first took the Continued from 1B mat, a display of experience and talent would be a highlight. He was right. However, success appeared dim for Now ranked No. 17 at 149, holding Alverez at the beginning of the season. a 2-1 record in duals, Alvarez has the Ineligible to wrestle the first semester opportunity to cement his legacy in of the academic year due to NCAA the college wrestling world, should he transfer rules, Smith said Alvarez at grasp the full-time starting job. times appeared unmotivated in pracCan he capture All-American hontices. ors or maybe even more? Teammates His talent and fierce work ethic believe in him. So do his coaches. were apparent. However, as Smith “I think that it’s time for him to noted, it’s difficult to stay intense when challenge himself a little bit,” Smith not competing. said. “I mean, here you are at the end Smith and Co. had hoped to enof your career. It’s time to challenge hance a handful of Alvarez’s techyourself and ask something out of niques. However, due to his ineligibilyourself and actually play a role on a ity, those efforts didn’t materialize. team that you can help. I think a lot “You just can’t wrestle,” Smith said. of his (matches) in the last couple of “It made it a little bit tougher to chalweeks, he has (impressed) the team as a lenge him both mentally and emotion- motivator to wrestle well. So, good for ally. And you’ve got to keep it together, him.” because you still got to train hard dursports.ed@ocolly.com
Courtesy Kobe Hylton/Instagram Kobe Hylton spent two seasons at UTEP before transferring to OSU for his last season.
Hylton excited for OSU, last season in college Parker Gerl Staff Reporter
Courtesy Bruce Waterfield/OSU Athletics Sammy Alvarez was ineligible during the first semester because of transfer rules but has risen to No. 17 at 149 pounds after three matches in January.
far as a family feeling, and finishing my last year on a strong note,” Hylton said. “(I was looking for) one of the best schools, situations and conferKobe Hylton knew where he wanted ences, and considering that two of my to be as soon as his visit ended. junior college coaches are on the staff, After spending the past two seasons it kind of felt right.” at UTEP, Hylton entered the transfer As Hylton walks into his first season portal and landed at Oklahoma State of Big 12 football, he’s already gotfor his final season. He weighed multen to start building relationships with tiple Power Five offers before visiting returning pieces of OSU’s defense. Stillwater and committing the day of. Defensive coordinator Bryan Nardo “I toured around the facility and made a quick impression on Hylton, once I seen what I saw, I was all in (to along with the guys he’ll share the field OSU),” Hylton told The O’Colly. “You with. don’t get too many blessings often “Coach Nardo, that man is a getimes in life, so once I saw what was nius,” Hylton said. “He’s like a mad displayed in front of me, I just took it scientist, just sitting down and talking and ran with it.” to him... He definitely has a plan. Hylton racked up two honorable “(And) everyone who’s coming mention all-conference honors in back, Trey Rucker, Kendal (Daniels), Conference USA and more than 140 we got Cam Epps, Nick Martin and Cotackles in the last couple of seasons. In lin Oliver, everyone that’s coming back. 2022, he posted 91 tackles. Last season, It’s more to name. I don’t want to leave he earned 54 tackles with two forced anybody out. It’s gonna be a fun year, fumbles. I’m not gonna lie.” Before the 2022 and 2023 seasons Now that Hylton has jumped from with the Miners, Hylton had bounced JUCO to Power 5 football, everything around from various schools. He spent that comes with it is far different from 2019 with Long Island, 2020 at North- his previous situations. Although this eastern Oklahoma A&M Community is where he’s at, remembering football College and redshirted at Louisiana in — which is what got him here — is the 2021. heart of it all. The now sixth-year was looking for “It’s surreal, it’s definitely surreal a place to call it ends enjoyably. And I’m not gonna lie,” Hylton said. “But with a couple of previous connections I’m not gonna let this moment get too to members of OSU’s staff, playing for big and I’m not gonna forget the main the Cowboys made sense. thing.” “I was trying to find the right fit as sports.ed@ocolly.com
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Page 4B Friday, January 26, 2024
Emotions... Continued from 1B The longest conference losing streak this century was the year prior in Travis Ford’s last season in 2018 when the Cowboys lost the last seven games of the season. OSU hasn’t put the axe down, though. Nobody has been fired or left the team. There are still 12 games remaining. As far as OSU coach Mike Boynton and his players are concerned, if they keep working, a game will be won. “At some point we got to be able to knock this tree down,” Boynton said. But they aren’t acting as if the team can cruise to the NCAA Tournament. They’re three games below .500 and know it. “I saw some positives out there but not enough to celebrate, because at the end of the day, results do matter,” Boynton continued after OSU’s 74-69 loss to TCU on Tuesday. “What’s encouraging is we are 0-6, but we were 0-5 coming in. It seems to me like our guys are sticking with that process. Continue to encourage each other, keep chopping more... When I wake up tomorrow, I’m gonna come here and give everything I have to make our program better.” Keeping emotions in check is easy for Boynton. For the players, it’s about getting them off their phone. Social media is rampant with fans hiding behind anonymous names saying what they want to anyone. Opinions are shared at will, and during a losing streak, most are negative. The seventh-year head coach wants the locker room and the players inside it to shut out negative comments. If not, it can turn to shifting blame and a team full of turmoil who can’t be together, nevertheless play together. What’s harder is finding ways to win. Of OSU’s 15 players, five are freshmen, three are transfers who have never played Power Five or Big 12 basketball, three walk-ons with a combined 57 minutes in their careers and one who asked for a leave of absence from the team. Bryce Thompson, John-Michael Wright and Quion Williams are the only players who have played in the Big 12. Thompson is the lone player to be in the NCAA
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sports Tournament, where he made one shot in two games as a starter with Kansas as a freshman. This Cowboys’ roster hasn’t gone through a grueling 40 minutes and ended it with a win in Quadrant 1 games. “Obviously nobody likes to lose,” Small said. “But at the same time, we have to continue to think positive. We know the wins will come. We’re still trying to learn how to win. So even though it’s tough mentally, everyone has their head on a string. We’ve been having pretty good, consistent days in practices. Everybody’s been locked in. I feel like we need to continue to do that, we’ll eventually come up with one.” There’s no rest in the Big 12. OSU still has to face Houston — the No. 1 team in the NET Rankings — go to Allen Field House against the Jayhawks, play the last Bedlam Big 12 basketball games (twice) and on the road against teams that will be fighting for NCAA Tournament spots. If the Cowboys were to win out in the regular season, with their nonconference losses, they would still be on the bubble of making March Madness. Realistically, they’re in the middle of the ocean and out of control. Despite, OSU hasn’t drowned yet. Its last two games have been the best this season. After two weeks of blowouts, the Cowboys are continuing to fight. With their best chance at a win yet coming Saturday vs. 7-12 West Virginia in Gallagher-Iba Arena, OSU isn’t lost looking at a destination. Time will tell what holds at the end of this season coaches, players and fans would like to forget. For now, belief is enough for them. “They’re playing against the best competition they’ve ever played with the most exposure they’ve ever had,” Boynton said. “A lot of it is, can they stay focused to the message inside the locker room? That’s the challenge. Staying focused on the present is a matter of what voices are you allowing to determine how you feel about what’s happening. And it’s not like we’re telling them, ‘All is well, we’re 0-6.’ We tell them that from Baylor to Tech, to Iowa State to Kansas, to K-State to today, we’re getting closer. “Close isn’t enough. Close is actually one of the worst things in the world, because ultimately you want to be rewarded for the work.” sports.ed@ocolly.com
File Photo Mike Boynton finds it easy to balance his emotions during losses, but needs to convey the message of staying levelheaded with the locker room.
File Photo OSU’s 0-6 start in Big 12 play is the second time a Cowboy team under coach Mike Boynton is winless through six conference games.
Comparing OSU’s bad Big 12 start to other Cowboy teams Ashton Slaughter Assistant Sports Editor
An 0-6 start to Big 12 play is a familiar feeling in Stillwater. More than one would imagine. For the third time this century, OSU has lost all of its first six conference games. Brad Underwood’s last season in Stillwater (2016-17) started rough in Big 12 games; Mike Boynton’s third season (201920) began poorly; and Boynton’s seventh season — this year — has unfolded in just as brutal fashion. The Cowboys’ lack of success this season — heading into a season with lofty expectations from fans because of Boynton’s 10th-ranked recruit class, according to 247Sports — has surprised many. They’re currently last in the Big 12 (picked 10th in the Big 12 preseason poll) and the only team without a conference win. So how bad is this OSU team? What teams from this century can it be compared to? Since 2000, 12 Cowboy squads have started with a sub-.500 record in their first six conference games: 0-6 three times, 1-5 once and 2-4 eight times. OSU’s 8-11 record is also the worst record through six Big 12 games this century for the Cowboys. An 8-10 start in 2018-19 came close, a 9-10 start in 2011-12 was a little better and a 9-9 start in 201920 is the other .500 or worse overall
record. The fates of those three teams ended with no postseason appearances and an exit from the Big 12 Conference Tournament after one game. These teams’ records once the season concluded varied: 2011-12: 15-18, (7-11) 2018-19: 12-20, (5-13) 2019-20: 18-14, (7-11) If this year’s team is being compared to these other three, the wins can range from 12 to 18. However, with only eight wins in late January, the Cowboys have the ninth-hardest remaining schedule, according to ESPN. This remaining schedule includes Kansas (away), Houston (away), OU (home/away), BYU (home/away), Cincinnati (away) and Texas Tech (home). Oh, and that’s not including Kansas State and Texas, who are projected to be either in the tournament or on the bubble come March. The Cowboys’ start has been unquestionably disappointing for OSU fans. If compared to past teams, there seems to be no light — or just a dim one — at the end of the tunnel. This is the worst OSU team since 2018-19 when the Cowboys only won five conference games all year. With seven ranked games out of the 12 games remaining on the schedule, five seems far-fetched. Boynton said after Tuesday night’s loss to TCU that he told his players “they’re getting closer.” Closer to the worst team this century, maybe. sports.ed@ocolly.com
Cowgirls upset by Cincinnati, tourney hopes on the ropes Davis Cordova Staff Reporter
Payton Little The Cowgirls dropped their second-straight game on Wednesday in an upset loss at Cincinnati, 58-56.
to pull away, but the Bearcats made a few unusual plays and shots that kept them in the game. OSU didn’t score in the final 2:48 Anna Gret Asi drove left and and scored just two points in the initiated a dribble-handoff to Lior final 5:19. In the Cowgirls’ last three Garzon. losses, they’ve averaged 13 points in The ball got lost in translation, the fourth quarter. and Cincinnati’s Malea Williams got The Cowgirls were led in scoring the steal for an easy, open layup to by freshman Stailee Heard, who had break a tie with 2.6 seconds left. 14 points and 11 rebounds. OSU couldn’t get a basket to fall OSU drops to .500 in conference in the final seconds in the Cowgirls’ play and has lost three of its last four 58-56 loss at Cincinnati on Wednes- games – all before a key five-game day. The final five minutes looked stretch, which begins Sunday at home similar to ones the Cowgirls have had against No. 13 Baylor. in the past, and the final two plays determined the Cowgirls’ fate. Cowgirls’ next five games: Garzon received the turnover on Sunday: vs. No. 13 Baylor the botched dribble-handoff from Wednesday: at Iowa State (ISU Asi, which occurred in the game’s won meeting on Dec. 31) most critical moment. The Cowgirls Feb. 3: vs. Oklahoma (11-8 overall, 4-4 Big 12) had the Feb. 10: at No. 4 Kansas State ball with 17 seconds left and no shot Feb. 14: at Texas Tech (OSU won clock with the game tied, but the meeting on Jan. 10) game flipped in Cincinnati’s favor once the exchange was lost. The loss to Cincinnati gives a The Cowgirls had another chance critical blow to OSU’s NCAA Tourto tie or take the lead after Cincinna- nament hopes. Cincinnati is the ti’s layup. The Cowgirls had 6-foot-5 109th-ranked team in the NET Rankcenter Hannah Gusters post-up in the ings – the worst in the Big 12 – and paint, and the inbound pass from the doesn’t help OSU, which has been sideline was to her. It was tipped, but on the wrong side of ESPN brackshe gathered the ball and missed a etologist Charlie Creme’s tournament layup to end the game. bubble since its loss to Kansas last The Cowgirls had many chances week. sports.ed@ocolly.com
O’Colly
Friday, January 26, 2024
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Murphy’s Department Store 815 S Main, Downtown Open 10-6 Monday thru Saturday
Cowboy Calendar Monday, 1/29/2023 Banjo Bug Trivia Stonecloud Brewing Company @ 7 - 9 p.m. https://www.facebook.com/even ts/3203831339918299/3203831363251630 Bliss Books & Bindery Presents House of Flame & Shadow Release Party Bliss Books & Bindery @ 10:30 p.m. - 12 a.m. Borracho Bingo EM Curators of Craft @ 7 - 8:30 p.m. https://curatorsofcraft.co/pages/weekly-events Exploring Taos: Arts, Architecture, & Landscape Modella Art Gallery @ 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. https://www.modellagallery.org/ Littles on the Move Stillwater Public Library @ 10 - 11 a.m. https://stillwaterok.gov/506/Calendar Speed Bingo College Bar @ 10 p.m. - 12 a.m. Trivia EM Curators of Craft @ 7 - 9 p.m. https://curatorsofcraft.co/pages/on-stage Trivia Night Stonecloud Brewing Company @ 7 p.m. Tuesday, 1/30/2023 Some Recent Apparitions | Andy Mattern OSU Museum of Art @ 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. https://museum.okstate.edu/art/some-recent-apparitions.html Trivia Tuesdays EM Curators of Craft @ 7 - 9 p.m. https://curatorsofcraft.co/pages/weekly-events Weaving a Scarf w/ Rigid Heddle Loom Prairie Arts Center @ 6 - 8:30 p.m. $85 https://artscenter.okstate.edu/adult-classes/fiberarts/1313-weaving-a-scarf-with-a-rigid-heddle-loom Winter Art Academy for Ages 6 - 10 Prairie Arts Center @ 3:30 - 5 p.m. $90 h t t p s : / / a r t s c e n t e r. o k s t a t e . e d u / y o u t h - c l a s ses/art-academy?mc_cid=1aee060693&mc_ eid=b1daf3abf6 Wednesday, 1/31/2023 Cowboy Tennis VS. UCLA Greenwood Tennis Center @ 1 p.m. https://okstate.com/sports/mens-tennis/schedule Louie’s Kids’ Night Louie’s Grill & Bar @ 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. https://www.facebook.com/LouiesStillwater Singo Wednesdays EM Curators of Craft @ 7 - 8:30 p.m.
Page 5B
Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Edited by Patti Varol
ACROSS 1 Moussaka ingredient 5 Harmonious church groups 11 Parachute necessity 15 Cookie with a Java Chip flavor 16 Solitary sort 17 Mind 18 Wolverine, for one 19 Esoteric information 20 A few 21 EMIT? 24 Not quite aligned 26 Inventor who said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work” 29 Slugger Judge who was AP Athlete of the Year in 2022 30 Ankle-length attire 34 Mouthwash brand 35 Feudal estate 36 Selena or Selena Gomez 38 Katniss Everdeen portrayer, to fans 39 LOOP? 42 Overhang 43 Midwestern Native 44 Five-time Olympic gold-medal swimmer Ian 47 Comes down hard? 51 “Just a Geek” memoirist Wheaton 52 SPOT? 57 Tate Modern filler 58 Verdi aria that translates to “It was you” 60 Lisa Halaby’s royal name 61 Sunlit lobbies 63 RAW? 66 Intense 67 Some green sauces 68 Senate position 69 Divisions in an outdated atlas: Abbr. 70 Plumes 71 Exxon constituents? DOWN 1 Bagel topping
Daily Horoscope
1/26/24
By Luke K. Schreiber
2 Branch 3 Vegetarian 4 Pot sweetener 5 Root words? 6 Cilantro, e.g. 7 Wolf of the sea 8 Apple since 1998 9 Curling spot 10 Washington, but not Washington, D.C. 11 Life itself, to a crepehanger 12 Recital piece for a double-reed woodwind 13 “Collapse Into Now” band 14 Go green, perhaps 22 Kylo __: “The Last Jedi” villain 23 Picks out, for short 24 Lummox 25 Just 27 Iridescent gem 28 Not old 30 Spice cookie spice 31 QB stat 32 Roman dozen 33 Accommodating places 36 Flatten 37 Shocked
Nancy Black Tribune Content Agency Linda Black Horoscopes Today’s Birthday (01/26/24). Home and family shine this year. Provide reliable excellence for lucrative results. Reorient spring adventures and investigations for renewed summertime creativity, connection and collaboration. Adapt to autumn financial challenges, before exciting winter investigations, research and studies. Generate household harmony with love and attention. To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging. Aries (March 21-April 19) — Today is a 7 — Relax and enjoy the people and activities that you love. Don’t make expensive promises. Partnership issues demand attention. Just talking really does help. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is a 6 — Match thought with action, especially at home. Clean, sort and organize. Align on plans with family, and then get going. Elbow grease gets results. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is an 8 — Study new developments. Fresh horizons call to you. Investigate the possibilities. There are no stupid questions, but your timing may be off. Pay attention. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is a 9 — Estimate the necessary resources. A busy person is a great source of information. Repay debt. Keep or change deadlines and promises. Maintain communication. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is a 9 — Focus on personal matters. Resolve basic issues before making elaborations. If you’re stuck, try something new. Minimize risks, nurture yourself and take it easy. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is a 6 — Review where you’ve been. Regroup privately to organize and plan. Strengthen foundational structures. Avoid noise, chaos or upsets. Envision what’s next. Rest and recharge. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is a 7 — Get together to coordinate, edit and revise team strategies. Punctuate your agreements with optimism. Lend a helping hand. Share stories, news and treats. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is a 9 — Adapt to a professional challenge. Talk about the practical demands of your plan. Replenish reserves. You may have less than expected. Resist impulsive moves. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is a 7 — Explore the possibilities. Distant horizons beckon. Make a long-distance connection. Monitor conditions carefully before embarking. Avoid traffic, delays and frustration. Study the situation in advance. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is an 8 — Costs may be higher than expected. Don’t spend on extras quite yet. Discipline is required. Obsess on the details. Keep stashing pennies; they add up. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is a 9 — Work with your partner to advance your collaborative agenda. Discuss the game plan. With study and a loved one’s backing, you can win. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is an 8 — Adapt to an unforeseen turn of events. Prioritize health, work and fitness. Physical labors and exercise help you process emotion, stress and anxiety. Nurture yourself.
Thursday’s Puzzle Solved
©2024 Tribune Content Agency, LLC
40 Squiggly baby, to a sitter 41 Radio waveemitting star 44 Dances provocatively 45 New faces in the staff lounge 46 “Last Week Tonight” host John 48 Swab target 49 Emergency priority system
1/26/24
50 Unblinking looks 53 __ Miami CF 54 Self-composure 55 Friendly horn sounds 56 “ ... but I could be wrong” 59 Heavy weights 62 Variety 64 Lines at the register? 65 Donkey
Level 1 2 3 4
1/26/24
Solution to Thursday’s puzzle
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
© 2024 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.
Page 6B Friday, January 26, 2024
O’Colly
sports
Cowgirls start season off with two top-20 home wins Gina Foster Staff Reporter
File Photo The duo of Tyler Zink (above) and Alex Garcia is 3-0 in doubles on court 1 and 3-0 in singles on courts 1 and 2.
Cowboy tennis team has veteran presence, young depth Baylor Bryant Staff Reporter
team is right now.”
Young Talent The veterans on the team are not the The Cowboys’ season leans on veteran only stars on the court. Freshman Erik depth, young talent and an avid fan base Schiessl has made a significant impact on supporting them. the team. In singles, Schiessl has gone 3-0 OSU men’s tennis is in full swing with in matches among Courts 4 and 5, going the Cowboys starting off their first two 37-14 in sets. weeks of the season undefeated. The CowHaving a player that can consistently boys double header season opener against get wins on the mid to lower courts is UTRGV and Omaha ended with two 6-1 integral to winning tough matches. Taylor victories. The next week, the Cowboys has been impressed by Schiessl’s perforhosted Middle Tennessee in a back-andmance and has said he believes Schiessl to forth battle that resulted in a 4-2 win for be one the best freshmen in the country. the Cowboys. With the start of coach Dustin Taylor’s Involved Fan Base third season with the Cowboys, here are Oklahoma State is known for its dedithree takeaways from the first two weeks cated fan base, but this season seems like of the season. it will be a total change at the Greenwood Tennis Center. Veteran Depth and Bonds In the first three matches of the seaCourt 1 and 2 players Tyler Zink and son, the Greenwood Tennis Center had Alex Garcia were brought in during Taysome of the largest and most vocal crowds lor’s first year, and they have been intein the Taylor era. Taylor expressed how gral to the team’s success. Both Zink and impactful the fans can be for the rest of Garcia are nationally ranked on the ITA the season. singles ranking with No. 18 and 48. “This is Stillwater, Oklahoma State, This season, the duo is 3-0 in doubles Greenwood Tennis Center; it doesn’t get on Court 1 and 3-0 in singles on Courts 1 much more special,” Taylor said. “And and 2. Garcia credits the growth the team then probably growing which is super exand coaches have had together with the citing. I always say that the best fanbases success they have had so far this season. in the country are in Stillwater, and if you “Yeah, I feel like we’re all growing,” give them a product to get behind and to Garcia said. “I was new here. DT was new cheer for they’re gonna be there for you. here. Basically everyone was new. Nobody They’ve been there the last three years was here before we came. It’s been great. for us in this rebuild and couldn’t be more The coaching staff is perfect. Now we grateful for them. And here we are hopeunderstand each other way better. And it’s fully giving them what they deserve.” just like great, great chemistry right now, and I couldn’t be happier with where the sports.ed@ocolly.com
advantage. “I think that we’ll keep things the same for this weekend,” Young said. I think as the season goes, there’s The Cowgirls have made a posialways going to be a lot of changes tive statement after winning two because of the depth that we have. straight against top-20 matchups. Maybe some injuries, maybe some illIn its first match of the spring, the ness, there’s a lot of things that work OSU women’s tennis team defeated like that.” No. 4 Michigan, 4-2. Competition will continue to heat The Cowgirls were victorious up as the Cowgirls face off against against No. 14 Ohio State, 4-1, to fin- No. 12 UCLA on the road this week ish the weekend. and No. 6 Pepperdine at home the “I think it’s great,” said coach following. As they take on talented Chris Young. “We were very excited teams, the goal is the stay focused with the way that the girls played. I and keep winning. think the girls came out against two “I think that’s the challenge,” really good teams, and they each Young said. “It’s just keep the mopresented different challenges. I think mentum going, keep progressing. We we won different ways.” have a lot of things that we need to The depth of this team is just one improve upon.” sports.ed@ocolly.com
Connor Fuxa Kristina Novak was one of the Cowgirls who was instrumental in OSU’s dominant outing against No. 14 Ohio State.
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O’Colly
Friday, January 26, 2024 Page 7B
sports
Predicting OSU football’s 2024 schedule Gabriel Trevino Staff Reporter
Going on the road to Tulsa won’t be tough, as it’ll likely be a home crowd, but it’s one more “away” game on OSU’s schedule. In less than a week, the Big 12 will Conference play is much different reveal its complete schedule for the this upcoming season. 2024 season, according to The Athletic. OSU only played at Houston as its OSU’s conference opponents and away games in Texas last season. Now, nonconference schedule are known, but they’ll go to Baylor and TCU, two areas the order of Big 12 games isn’t. The full of recruits. Kansas State has given Cowboys’ 2023 schedule was considOSU troubles in Manhattan in past ered easy by experts and fans, but with seasons, too. The Wildcats beat OSU another set of four new teams, this fall 48-0 last time they played in K-State’s appears much more difficult. homecoming game. For one, OSU’s nonconference foes Away games at BYU and at Coloare far from tune-up games. The Cow- rado will be altitude adjustments and boys open with the reigning back-towith far travel, OSU could face shorter back FCS champion South Dakota State weeks. Jackrabbits at home. Although some of Utah is one of the best teams in the their production is sure to leave, and nation and will visit Stillwater for what FCS is different than FBS, SDSU is could be OSU’s homecoming as the 29-1 in the past two seasons. best game on the schedule. Texas Tech Arkansas, despite finishing last will also be a contender for HOCO, season 4-8, is an SEC opponent that but could also be OU’s replacement in will match up with OSU in terms of rivalry week. talent. The Razorbacks kept it close in Here is a prediction of what OSU’s some games last season, such as a one- 2024 schedule could look like: score games against LSU, Ole Miss and sports.ed@ocolly.com Alabama.
Predicted Schedule:
vs. South Dakota St.
Week 1
vs. Arkansas
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
vs. Arizona St.
at BYU
at Tulsa
BYE WEEK Week 7
Week 8
at TCU
vs. Utah
Week 10
Week 11
at Baylor
vs. WVU
Week 12
at Colorado
Week 9
at Kansas St.
Week 13
vs. Texas Tech
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File Photo Ollie Gordon has 15000-1 odds to win the Heisman Trophy next season.
Looking at Gordon, Big 12 players’ odds at 2024 Heisman Ashton Slaughter Assistant Sports Editor
Ollie Gordon II could make OSU fans some serious cash next season. Early Heisman Trophy odds were released on Monday for most sportsbooks. Atop the list are five quarterbacks: Quinn Ewers (Texas quarterback) and Carson Beck (Georgia quarterback) are the favorites with 750-1 odds; then Dillion Gabriel (Oregon quarterback) at 1000-1; and Will Howard (Ohio State quarterback) and Jalen Milroe (Alabama quarterback) round out the top five with 1200-1 odds. The star OSU running back sits at 15000-1 odds. This means a $1 bet would win $150, a $10 bet would win $1,500 and a $100 bet would win $15,000. Big 12 players whose odds sit above or are tied with Gordon are: Noah Fifita — Arizona quarterback (2000-1) Jalon Daniels — Kansas quarterback (4000-1) Shedeur Sanders — Colorado quarterback (4000-1) Avery Johnson — Kansas State quarterback (5000-1) Cam Rising — Utah quarterback (5000-1) Travis Hunter — Colorado wide receiver/defensive back (7500-1) KJ Jefferson — UCF quarterback (10000-1) Tetaiora McCillian — Arizona wide receiver (15000-1) Behren Morton — Texas Tech quarterback (15000-1) Josh Hoover — TCU quarterback
(15000-1) In Vegas’ eyes, 10 players in the Big 12 are just as or more likely to have a better upcoming season than Gordon. Fifita and Daniels? Sure. Sanders and Hunter for the Colorado believers? OK. Rising coming of an injury? That may be a popular bet. Jefferson, Morton and Hoover over Gordon, though? Vegas might know something that Big 12 fans don’t. Gordon was in the Heisman race for a solid chunk of the 2022-23 season, despite carrying the ball only 19 times in the Cowboys’ first three games. Staggering performances in a six-game stretch against Iowa State, Kansas State, Kansas, West Virginia, Cincinnati and Oklahoma put him in serious contention. A down game against UCF stunted his chances, though, before getting back on track to end the regular season. Although he wasn’t a finalist for the Heisman, Gordon did take home some national hardware, winning the Doak Walker Award, given to the best running back in the country. The O’Colly doesn’t have any oddsmakers, so be financially responsible, of course. However, $1 to win $150 on the best running back in the country? Not bad. Mark Ingram (2009) and Derrick Henry (2015) are the only running backs who have won the Heisman this century. Most say it’s a quarterback award now, which may be fair, but most trends can only “trend” for so long. Can Gordon break it? Can any Big 12 player win? Who knows. Just put your money where your mouth is, fans. sports.ed@ocolly.com
Page 8B Friday, January 26, 2024
Kendall Durfey Bjorn Fahlstrom Nate Fleming Will Hancock Daniel Lawson Jr. Brian Luinstra Denver Mills Pat Noyes Bill Teegins Jared Weiberg
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