Friday, Jan. 13, 2023

Friday, January 13, 2023

College free speech group sues OSU over policies that discipline students

Speech First, a college free speech advocacy organization, is suing Oklahoma State over three university policies.

Adam Engel Editor-in-Chief

Speech First launched a lawsuit Tuesday against OSU that challenges three speech policies the school claims are designed to relax and silent student speech. Speech First and executive

‘Surprisingly existential’: “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” Review

Michael Clark Staff Reporter

This shouldn’t have been a good film.

DreamWorks’ once legendary track record of movies has slowly slipped from their grasp over time. I’m not big on animated films but I didn’t want to waste my AMC Stubs tickets this week, so I saw this movie on a whim.

I could not believe how happy I was when I walked out of the theater. Even though I’m nearly 20 years old, “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” was a strong reminder of why animated movies can still be good.

The premise is

simple, yet surprisingly existential. The titular Puss in Boots has used up eight of his nine lives and the Grim Reaper himself is on the prowl to finish him off. As he goes on a journey to restore his life count, our fearless feline contemplates what it means to be alive and what to make out of the inevitability of death.

This movie is a full-blown existential crisis, yet, it handles these themes beautifully in a way kids and adults alike can enjoy.

“The Last Wish” manages to tie these themes back into its main cast beautifully.

See Boots on 6A

that the policies deter, suppress and punish students for constitutionally protected speech about political and social issues.

Speech First boasts a nationwide group of free speech supporters, according to the organization’s website. These policies are a violation of

the First and Fourteenth Amendment rights of students, according to the lawsuit.

“These policies not only force students to censor themselves when they interact with one another,

See Sues on 3A

Negotiations between Blue Cross Blue Shield and Stillwater Medical Center may affect OSU employees

Kennedy Thomason Assistant News & Lifestyle Editor

Oklahoma State University employees may be without health insurance.

Negotiations are ongoing between Blue Cross Blue Shield, which insures OSU employees, and Stillwater Medical Center. If an agreement is not met by May 1st, Stillwater Medical Center, Stillwater Medical - Perry and Stillwater MedicalBlackwell will no longer be in-network providers with Blue Cross Blue Shield.

OSU employees would have to use other medical centers that are providers of Blue Cross Blue Shield. The nearest carriers are located in Tulsa and Oklahoma City.

This decision will also affect employees of the City of Stillwater because they are insured under Blue Cross Blue Shield.

The Stillwater News Press and involved parties over the rising costs of medical care described the situation as an “impasse.”

Blue Cross Blue Shield and Stillwater Medical Center created web pages to describe their point of view on this situation, according to The Stillwater News Press.

Stillwater Medical Center’s website cites increasing costs as a primary reason a solution has not been reached.

“These negotiations, which include but are not limited to increased payments for services, are necessary due to

historic rapidly rising costs of healthcare since 2019, pre-pandemic,” the website reads. “On Tuesday, December 20, 2022, negotiations reached an impasse. This impasse with BCBSOK means we must make some difficult decisions.”

Stillwater Medical Center reports a 26% increase in pre-pandemic costs. They want Blue Cross Blue Shield to recognize this, and provide them with appropriate funding. Blue Cross Blue Shield denies this line of thinking and instead wishes to protect its customers from price increases.

Stillwater Medical Center’s website thoroughly explains their perspective.

“If Stillwater renewed its contract with BCBSOK at the rates

offered, it would not be able to continue to deliver the same level of quality care and service offerings that our Community currently enjoys today, given that the collective rate payments for BCBSOK’s patients, comprising 21% of Stillwater’s patient base, would not allow for Stillwater Medical to continue to administer and staff the hospital to the level it needs to be able to provide the quality of care its patients so desperately need and deserve,” Stillwater Medical Center’s website reads.

In a statement posted on OSU’s Human Resources website page, it details the latest updates of the negotiations as of Jan. 3.

director Cherise Trump argued

Jaiden Daughty

Speech First, a college free speech advocacy organization filed a lawsuit against OSU over three university policies.

The origins on Friday the 13th extend much further than the popular 80s horror movie franchise. There are many associations with the No. 13 but it stems from an old Norse myth.

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra to perform at the McKnight Center

Kennedy Thomason Assistant News & Lifestyle Editor

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra is coming to Stillwater.

The performance will happen at the McKnight Center for the Performing Arts on Jan. 28 at 8 p.m. Concert tickets are sold out, but a waitlist is available to join.

The CSO is the third major orchestra Oklahoma State has hosted in Stillwater this year. In the last year, OSU had the privilege of bringing in some of the most notable orchestras in the nation. These include the Philadelphia Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Mark Blakeman, the McKnight Center’s Marilynn and Carl Thoma Executive Director, said bringing the CSO to town is another step in accomplishing the McKnight Center’s goals.

“One of our artistic goals is to present all of the ‘Big 5’ orchestras here in Stillwater, and this concert brings us closer to achieving that ambition,” Blakeman said. “Making this concert even more special is the opportunity for our audience to celebrate the musical legacy of one of the world’s preeminent conductors, Maestro Riccardo Muti before he retires at the end of the performing season.”

CSO musicians are accomplished performers. On average, they perform

more than 150 concerts each year. Most of these are held at the Symphony Center in Chicago, but they also tour the world. The CSO has performed in 29 countries, totaling five continents. The orchestra is currently on its 63rd international tour.

The CSO has a history of performances in Oklahoma. They first performed in Oklahoma in April 1903. The most recent concert in Oklahoma was in January 1987. The CSO at the

OSU celebrates MLK’s day

A look into the celebrations

Clark Staff Reporter

Oklahoma State celebrates Martin Luther King Jr Day, one of the most important civil rights leaders of the 20th century.

On the third Monday of every January, Jan. 16 for this year, a federal holiday is held to appreciate one of the strongest Black voices in history. OSU holds several events all across campus to help keep his memory and accom-

plishments alive. Even before Monday, this week holds a few opportunities to get involved and contribute to the upcoming events. Submissions are due for the Powerful Love Art Contest on Wednesday, Jan. 11, and the Martin Luther King Essay Contest entries are due Friday. Winners of the contest will have their submissions posted online by the OSU Libraries and receive up to $1,500.

See MLK on 5A

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but they also put students in the mindset that they should be offended by the opinions of others they disagree with, and that by committing the offense of being ‘bias,’ or what most of us may just call ‘being opinionated,’ warrants disciplinary action against you,” Trump said.

OSU defines bias as “a disproportionate weight in favor of or against an idea or thing, usually in a way that is close-minded, prejudicial or unfair.”

The university said it would be careful reviewing the case, according to a statement provided to The O’Colly “Oklahoma State University values and cherishes everyone’s right of free expression on campus as an essential pillar of democracy,” the statement said. “The free exchange of ideas and opinions is part of the educational experience and fosters excellent critical thinking insight. We respect different viewpoints and strive to promote healthy and

McKnight Center for the Performing Arts will be the first time the group has visited Stillwater.

The concert program has been released and includes a vast array of pieces:

Ludwig van Beethoven | Coriolan Overture, Op. 62

Ludwig van Beethoven | Symphony No. 8 in F Major, Op. 93

Anatoly Lyadov | The Enchanted Lake, Op. 62

Modest Mussorgsky | Pictures at an Exhibition

The Oklahoma Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts funded part of the concert.

To find more information on tickets or the waitlist, visit www.mcknightcenter.org or contact the box office at 405-744-9999.

news.ed@ocolly.com

considerate discussion,” the statement added. “As a matter of course, it is inappropriate to comment on pending litigation.”

Students were reported for actions such as tweeting “#BlackLivesMatter,” chalking “Build the Wall” on a sidewalk, expressing support for Donald Trump and writing a satirical article about safe spaces, according to the lawsuit.

Bias-response team members recorded the incidents, investigated the situation, met with relevant parties and attempted to reeducate the offender, according to the lawsuit. This could result in formal or informal discipline.

Universities claim this process is voluntary, but students don’t see it like that, according to the lawsuit.

OSU’s Harassment Policy is the second policy the lawsuit challenges. This policy disciplines students for speech deemed “intimidating,” “verbal abuse,” “intimidat[ing],” “verbal abuse,” or other conduct that is “persistent, severe, or pervasive” and “threatens or endangers the mental … health” of another student, according to the

lawsuit.

The lawsuit states the policy doesn’t give students any details about what the school considers “abusive” or “intimidating”.

OSU’s Computer Policy is the third challenged policy. This “forbids students from using their students email accounts for protected political speech,” according to the lawsuit.

“It [the policy] doesn’t tell you what counts and what doesn’t,” Trump said. “Students don’t actually know if they send something that’s political in an email, whether or not they might lose access to their emails later on.”

Comments made in class, a written statement “incorrect name or pronoun usage” or an “offensive picture or image” are actions that could result in student punishment, according to the lawsuit.

“Oklahoma State’s policies are clearly designed to monitor, investigate, and restrict student speech all together,” Trump said. “The fact that students can’t even express an opinion without worrying that another student can use a campus policy to report on them

shows us that the school’s administrators have no interest in protecting students’ rights.”

Trump also argued that the policies will lead to students self-censoring speech. As a result, this would impact the college experience.

“Universities should focus their efforts on fostering and promoting debate and open discourse” and “encouraging students to engage with ideas they find challenging,” Trump said. “Oklahoma State’s policies have the opposite effect and violate their students’ First Amendment rights.”

OSU isn’t the only school with bias-response teams that Speech First challenged. Teams at the University of Texas, University of Michigan and the University of Central Florida are now defunct.

“It is evidence of a prevailing trend across the country on college campuses that needs to be stopped,” Trump said. “University officials have created a series of rules and regulations on campuses that restrain, deter, suppress and punish speech based on anything that’s political or social.”

Courtesy of Tribune News Service

Vocal soloist Alexey Tikhomirov (center left) and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chorus perform Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 13, “Babi Yar,” with Riccardo Muti conducting. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune/TNS)

Jaiden Daughty

Speech First claims that three of OSU’s policies lead to students

self-censoring speech, according to the lawsuit.

Via U.S. Embassy New Delhi

OSU and Stillwater will host several events on Monday to honor the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

Michael

legacy

Martin Luther

The Stillwater Community Center will be bringing back its annual commemoration event on Sunday at 7 p.m. This commemoration’s theme is “Forgetting Not Our Past in Hopes of Our Future.” Speakers from Stillwater’s formerly segregated Washington School will discuss the past and future of Stillwater and their country as a whole. Refreshments will be provided alongside choir performances.

On Monday, the Family Resource Center & Habitat for Humanity will have community service projects from 8:30 to 10:30 am. Afterward, the annual Unity March will happen at 1 p.m., leaving from Southern Woods Park and ending at the Spears School of Business.

From there, the MLK Jr. Day March will commence at 2 p.m., with Brittanie Cannon singing before

the march. Cannon is a junior majoring in psychology and minoring in pre-counseling.

Once the march ends, Tre Smith, who is an OSU graduate with a degree in agricultural communications and minors in marketing and Africana studies, will address OSU students on the steps of the McKnight Center.

Finally, on January 19th at 6 p.m., Los Angeles actor, Jay Ellis, will share how Dr. Martin Luther King Jr impacted his acting career. Ellis is best known for his work as Lawrence in HBO’s “Insecure” and his role as Payback in the 2022 film “Top Gun: Maverick.” A Q&A will be hosted by Inside OSU’s Meghan Robinson.

Martin Luther King Jr Day is an important and memorable look back at one of history’s most important civil rights leaders. One who is still impacting students and alumni alike to this very day. For more information access Studentaffairs. okstate.edu

News/Lifestyle

Most anticipated shows of

Michael Clark Staff Reporter

2023 is looking to be another strong year for television. From brand new shows like “The Last of Us” to returning classics like “The Mandalorian,” here are some of the most anticipated television shows of the new year.

“The Last of Us”

If you haven’t played the critically acclaimed video games, Craig Mazin’s live-action adaptation of “The Last of Us” is looking to be a faithful, harrowing adaptation of two of the greatest games ever made. The series follows Joel Miller (Pedro Pascal) traveling across the country on a postapocalyptic road trip with a young child named Ellie (Bella Ramsey.) “The Last of Us” debuts Jan. 15, on HBO.

“You” Season 4: “You” has been a consistent guilty pleasure for many. While it might not be high art, every season thus far has been violent, gruesome fun. Imagine the TV show “Dexter” but a little more unhinged. It’s unsure exactly what Joe (Penn

Badgley) will be up to in France, but if previous seasons are to judge, it’s bound to be a bloodbath. The new season of “You” will be available Feb. 9 on Netflix.

“The Mandalorian” Season 3: With “The Mandalorian” being the first big hit on Disney+, its third season has a lot riding on its shoulders. Featuring several returning characters from a galaxy far, far away, this season’s scale seems to be grander and more epic than ever. The third season of “The Mandalorian” hits Disney+ on March 1.

“Succession” Season 4:

HBO’s darling flagship “Succession” is back for another season after storming the Emmys in 2022. After the shocking twist end of season three, the Roy family seems to be picking up the pieces as they become even more divided, and in some ways united, against each other. Season four of “Succession” is set to premiere in the spring on HBO.

“Severance” Season 2:

The first season of “Severance” was a surprise hit in 2022. Ben

Stiller’s dramatic series was a trippy, existential masterpiece. With another cliffhanger ending, one that had audience members at the edge of their seats, it’s no surprise why “Severance” was immediately picked up by Apple TV for another season. While there is no release date set, “Severance” season two is expected to hit Apple TV in 2023.

“Loki” Season 2: While many of Marvel’s Disney+ TV shows have been hit or miss with audiences, “Loki” was one of the biggest hits of 2021. Two years later,

the next season is finally set the debut and hopefully answer some hard questions from the twisty finale. The second season of “Loki” is premiering on Disney+ in mid-2023.

There are plenty of other shows debuting in 2023 that will be sure to give us a run for our money. “Barry,” “The Boys” and “Invincible” are three other shows that may be worth tuning in for across the next year.

Recapping The Golden Globes

Michael Clark Staff Reporter

The same thing seems to happen every year.

Before The Golden Globes starts, film buffs and television snobs alike get their hopes up expecting their favorite movies and shows to win but then are faced with disappointment.

Thankfully, this year’s Golden Globes, streamed live on NBC on Tuesday night, held great

victories for favorite actors and directors, but also featured some controversial decisions.

On the nice side of things, “Abbot Elementary,” which was expected to win the “Best Comedy/Musical TV Series” award, took the award home as predicted. Seeing this humorous mockumentary get some deserved praise was satisfying.

Via State Library and Archives of Florida

The Stillwater community to come together on Monday to celebrate the life of Martin Luther King Jr.

Courtesy of Nerdist

Sylvie Laufeydottir (left) plays Sophia The Martino, and Tom Hiddleston plays Loki. “Loki” was first released in 2021 and makes its comeback this year.

Courtesy of Tribune

Angela Bassett won the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture for her work in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times/TNS)

News/Lifestyle

BCBS...

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“During these negotiations, BCBS has acted as our thirdparty administrator, negotiating on our behalf with the intent to keep our medical costs down while allowing reasonable increases due to the nationally rising costs of healthcare,” the brief says. “As our group health plan is self-insured, these increased costs are shared between OSU and its employees.”

The statement says OSU “remains hopeful” that both sides will see a solution met before the May 1st deadline.

The Stillwater News Press has reported Stillwater Medical Center’s Board of Trustees voted in December to table a report from the Chief Financial Officer, Alex Lovelace. This report shared that about a 3-4% increase in income is needed for Stillwater Medical Center to keep up with inflation.

Blue Cross Blue Shield’s communications manager, Tricia Ament, said that Blue Cross Blue Shield is open to continuing negotiations, according to the Stillwater News Press No updates have been provided since Jan. 3.

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In the “Best Comedy/Musical Motion Picture” category, “Banshees of Inshirin” ended the night with the trophy. While its victory was unexpected and contrary to our picks for “Best Comedy,” it deserved the recognition. While “Banshees” remains a bit obscure amongst other picks such as “Glass Onion” and “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” it is a hilarious and poignant film that perfectly balances a melancholy story with heaps of dark humor.

Steven Spielberg’s “The Fabelmans” took home “Best Screenplay” and “Best Drama Motion Picture.” This, too, is deserved. “The Fabelmans” could end up being one of Spielberg’s final films, and it is a beautiful send-off to his career as well as a love letter to cinema.

In a shocking twist, Angela Bassett, starring in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” was awarded a Golden Globe Award for “Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture.” This is the first time an actor from the Marvel Cinematic Universe received an award for his performance. The pick will surely prove to be controversial, but Bassett’s performance was easily one of the best parts of “Wakanda Forever.”

“Everything Everywhere All at Once,” which many expected to take home several awards, only received awards for its acting. Michelle Yeoh received an award for “Best Actress in a Comedy/Musical” and Ke Huy Quan received “Best Supporting Role in any Motion Picture.”

In the most controversial decision of the night “House of the Dragon,” beat out the most critically acclaimed show of the year, “Better Call Saul,” and an up-and-coming hit “Severance” for “Best Drama Television Show.” This decision is getting negative social media reactions. While “House of the Dragon” is a great start to the series, the first season mainly consists of setups for later plotlines. It hardly stands amidst two of the best shows of this year.

Kevin Costner also beat out Bob Odenkirk, Diego Luna, and Adam Scott for “Best Actor in a Television Drama.” While this was

entertainment.ed@ocolly.com

a rightfully stacked category, this decision seemed to surprise a lot of fans.

There were well-deserved victories at the Golden Globes, but

just like every year, there were some serious snubs that will stick in the back of our heads until it happens all over again next time.

File Photo

The Stillwater Medical Center and Blue Cross Blue Shield must come to an agreement before May 1st to avoid the hospital not accepting the insurance.

Courtesy of Tribune News Service

Steven Spielberg backstage at the 80th Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023, in Beverly Hills, California. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times/TNS)

Boots...

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The animation is reminiscent of “Into the Spider-Verse” with the stylishly choppy action scenes, yet this pays off extremely well. The fights and set pieces in this movie are great and every moment is part of a fully realized vision. The acting, the writing, and the animation are great. This film really does fire on all cylinders. However, the scene that really sold me on this film, with minimum spoilers, features a character having a genuine

panic attack on screen. It’s an honest and emotional look at the fear of death. This film teaches us to embrace mortality and live life to the fullest without fearing the end of the road. As stupid as this sounds for a review of a movie about a cat that wears boots, I felt genuinely moved.

Each character in this movie has a distinct outlook on life and these values clash in interesting ways. This movie was made for the teens and adults who grew up with this franchise. There is even a surprising amount of swearing, most of which is censored to more significant comedic effect. I laughed

and I also got a little choked up. The 102-minute runtime flew by as smoothly as butter.

With that, I have to say I recommend “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” more than any animated movie since “Into the Spider-Verse.” It is a masterclass on how to make an animated kids’ movie, all while having brilliant themes and writing, genuinely funny moments and more heart than anything DreamWorks has put out since “How to Train Your Dragon.”

If their upcoming movies are as good as this, I’ll be the first to see them.

entertainment.ed@ocolly.com

“Utterly profound”: ‘Babylon’ Review

It seems every few years, a great movie comes along that is a critic or commercial flop. Over time, fans uncover it and realize its true value. Beloved movies such as “The Shawshank Redemption,” “The Thing” and even “Citizen Kane” did not find success until years after their release.

After a contemplative walk home from seeing “Babylon,” I can safely say that despite the bad reviews, this movie will someday be revered alongside those aforementioned movies.

“Babylon” is director Damien Chazelle’s latest and most ambitious work. You may recognize that name from recent classics such as “La La Land” and “Whiplash.” Clocking in at nearly 190 minutes, “Babylon” is a beast of a film that has a lot to say.

Its simple premise is a raunchy look at the good, bad, and ugly of Hollywood, and I do mean raunchy. Be wary of watching this one with your family. While this film may

suffer from being a bit too stuffed, “Babylon” is a heartbreaking, tense and utterly profound ride through the highs and lows of stardom.

With a stacked cast including Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Tobey Maguire and more, there isn’t a weak performance across the board. Robbie in particular gives her best performance to date as a newfound Hollywood star. Pitt plays an actor who has just left his heyday and is struggling to stay relevant. I won’t spoil Maguire’s role, he comes out of nowhere, but it is a far cry from Peter Parker. Even if you’re going just to see your favorite actors perform, you won’t leave disappointed.

The technical aspects of this movie are great. The editing is concise, the chaotic directing fits Chazelle’s style perfectly, and the jazzy soundtrack is reminiscent of “Whiplash.” In some ways, this film feels like an answer to many of the questions the themes of “Whiplash” provided.

The biggest bone I have to pick with this film is its lengthy runtime, and more im-

portantly, its third act. “Babylon” stumbles in momentum and takes a surreal direction, but once it gains its footing, the film sticks the landing with a truly beautiful ending montage. Reminiscent of “2001: A Space Odyssey,” Chazelle evaluates all the hard questions he’s asked across his career in film and brings it all together with an emotional, open-to-interpretation conclusion. Does the pain that goes into art justify the means of creation? “Babylon” doubles down on this pain, but answers that question with a resounding “Yes!” because movies are forever, and affect us all in ways no other medium ever could.

At the end of the day, “Babylon” is a critique and a love letter to movies as a medium. A scathing hatred of the conditions our actors are put through, yet a celebration of what our favorite films mean to us. While it may feel bloated and tonally inconsistent, I have no doubt “Babylon” will be beloved amongst film buffs someday.

Michael Clark Staff Reporter entertainment.ed@ocolly.com

Courtesy of Tribune

Puss in Boots returns to the big screen in “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.” It’s the second installment in the “Puss and Boots” series.

Courtesy of Tribune

From left, Lukas Haas, Brad Pitt and Spike Jonze in “Babylon.” (Paramount Pictures/TNS)

Upper middleweight success critical to Cowboys’ goals

Adam Engel Editor-in-Chief

John Smith doesn’t make excuses. He tells things like it is and doesn’t care if hurts feelings.

After Sunday’s win at Oregon State, he simply called out a few of his wrestlers.

“Losing at 65, 74, and 84,” Smith, OSU’s wrestling coach, said. “That wasn’t ideal.”

Oklahoma State’s usually-dependable trio, couldn’t win. Their opponents scored first and dictated the pace. An opposite trend of the Cowboys’ previous bouts. Their success as All-Americans will be imperative for team achievements this semester.

OSU’s middle-upperweight trio of Wyatt Sheets (165), Dustin Plott (174) and Travis Wittlake (184), collected a combined 11-3 mark in the first semester. The trio went 0-for-3 at Oregon State. They will have an opportunity to win Sunday at Columbia.

Oregon State’s Aaron Olmos spoiled Plott’s undefeated season with a controlling 9-4 win. Plott, an explosive offense wrestler, couldn’t find any flow. He only scored escapes.

Plott created a statistical anomaly when Olmos scored that early takedown. Plott surrendered his bout’s first

points only once in the first semester. Olmos’ aggressiveness created a role reversal. Plott spent the first semester as the aggressor, and it shows with his previously undefeated record.

No aggression Sunday. Not just with Plott either.

“Dustin Plott never was in the match,” Smith said. “Didn’t look like he had much defense at all. A little surprised by it coming off a Southern Scuffle victory.”

A constant theme emerged.

Oregon State’s Matthew Olguin sent Sheets matbound early in the first period. Olguin’s riding time, accumulated from that first takedown, sent the bout into overtime. That set the Beavers’ middleweight victory parade in motion.

At 184, Travis Wittlake recorded his second loss at his new weight.

“I thought at 84 he (Wittlake) found a shot at the end of the match,” Smith said. It wasn’t enough. Time ran out. We need that at the beginning of the match.”

It’s what Smith referred to as “not being tough.” To him, the Cowboys must dictate the pace and constantly attack. Not attack when it’s too late.

Smith didn’t list excuses for the losses either. A large crowd on the road but that didn’t matter. Not to Smith.

“Grow up,” he said. “Get tougher. They weren’t tough enough.”

Offense shouldering blame in Cowboys’ 1-3 conference start

team. This time, 57 points. A little better, but still not enough in another tight loss.

Braden Bush Assistant Sports Editor

Mike Boynton didn’t defend his team’s offensive outing.

Sure, it was against a top-10 Texas team, but 46 points doesn’t cut it.

“We just gotta get back to the drawing board,” Boynton said. “We gotta play more consistently well on the offensive end.”

After two days at the drawing board, the Cowboys had another shot against a hot Kansas State

At times, the Cowboy offense has operated smoothly. But four games into conference play, the offense is still largely inconsistent, going through prolonged scoring droughts and depending on one hot hand for a spark. And it has cost the Cowboys in their 1-3 Big 12 start.

Against Texas, OSU had stretches of 11:22 and 8:20 without a field goal. A total of 19:42 –nearly a full half – without making a bucket. Hard to win games that way. In the second half at KSU, the Cowboys went six minutes without a made shot and had their four-point lead turn into a 10-point deficit.

What’s causing the droughts?

“I think it’s just the little things,” guard Bryce Thompson said after the Texas game. “Keeping your position, getting catches, just being strong with the ball. Just a lot of little things that you don’t really see.”

Lots of things have contributed to OSU’s 59-points-per-conference-game average. The turnovers still rear their head. Sixteen against the Wildcats and 18 against the Longhorns. Boynton said they haven’t done well at trying to create easy baskets. Missing center Moussa Cisse doesn’t help, either. But the inconsistent scoring from starters has been big.

In the four games before the two-game skid, John-Michael Wright averaged 13 points per game and was shooting nearly 45%

OSU early-enrollee QB Flores talks receiver transfers, early enrollment, expectations

A three-star recruit, Flores is OSU’s highest-rated recruit of 2023 according to 247Sports.

But Gretna is behind him. Flores is enrolling early at OSU and starting classes in the upcoming semester.

Sam Hutchens Staff Reporter

By the time next football season comes around, Zane Flores will already be familiar with OSU.

Flores, the Nebraska Gatorade Player of the Year, was a four-year starting quarterback at Gretna High School in Nebraska. He passed for 3,117 yards his senior year and accounted for 41 touchdowns against seven interceptions.

“It’s tough to leave (high school friends) a few months early, but I figured in the long run, it would be best for me,” Flores said. “I can get in here, start working with coach Glass right away, start putting on some more size. And I get in the playbook, start getting more familiar with things. Learning it now and all that compared to coming in in the summer is a big benefit.”

While he will have extra time to get acquainted with the weight room and the playbook before OSU coaches

pick a starter for 2023, familiarity with wide receivers will have to be built from the ground level.

Flores said he followed OSU’s transfer portal situation a little bit. Six receivers have opted to leave OSU in the offseason. Freshman Braylin Presley, sophomore John Paul Richardson, sophomore Bryson Green and freshman Stephon Johnson — all departures — were once conceivably viewed as long-term building blocks in OSU’s receiving corps.

Chase Davis

Inconsistent offense from veteran players such as Avery Anderson (0) has contributed to scoring droughts in the Cowboys’ 1-3 conference start.

Molly Jolliff

Wyatt Sheets, OSU’s 165-pounder, lost his third straight dual bout with a 7-5 sudden victory loss to Oregon State’s Matthew Olguin on Sunday.

OSU’s tennis season begins today. Here’s a preview of the new-look Cowgirl tennis team.

sports

downs this season, hosted Flores on Flores’ official recruiting visit. Flores said it was tough to see Richardson leave.

Continued from 1B

“Obviously it is not ideal, as a quarterback,” Flores said. “Because those guys are all ballers. It would have been awesome to play with them. But if that’s what is best for them, that is what is best for them.”

Richardson, who had 49 receptions for 503 yards and four touch-

like it’s gonna be real beneficial for me.”

“(Richardson is a) super cool, super nice guy,” Flores said. “When he entered the portal, reached out to me and said, you know, ‘As long as you keep working hard and being you, you’re gonna do great things there.’”

Flores has been in one quarterback battle; when he won the starting job as a freshman at Gretna. With Alan Bowman, a senior quarterback who has

played at Texas Tech and Michigan, joining an OSU quarterback room with young players Garret Rangel and Gunnar Gundy, it could be a tight offseason battle.

“Obviously I want to play as much as I can (this year),” Flores said. “There’s a couple other good quarterbacks in the room, too. It will be tough but I’m just going to focus on what I can control right now which is working hard on the offseason.”

Despite the exodus of receivers, Flores remains confident in the team he

is joining.

“It’s just kind of how it is,” Flores said. “It doesn’t really concern me a whole lot. You know, I trust this coaching staff and the players there. They still have plenty of great players on their team. And you know, I haven’t really met those guys a whole lot. But from what I’ve seen, you know, they’re super good players.”

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The Cowboys will continue to be tested with multiple duals each week. Everyone will. Welcome to the alwayselevating Big 12. A conference with seven ranked teams and a few returning national champions Conference competition resumes Jan. 20 with Northern Colorado. Every performance remains critical in a chase for a Big 12 championship.

OSU’s trip to Northern Iowa on Jan. 28 starts a stretch of five straight ranked opponents.

“I know the Big 12 is pretty tough so I’m gonna get tested, OSU’s 197-pounder, Luke Surber, said. “So, I think I just gotta put it together. I didn’t feel like I wrestled that well at the beginning of the season. The more matches I get, I feel

In October, Smith repeatedly mentioned development. He still does. That’s what he wants to see. He wants to see tough wrestling, too. Guys proverbially throwing punches and tossing bodies to the mat. Not passive wrestling that some showed Sunday.

Lightweights such as 125-pounder Trevor Mastrogiovanni and 133-pounder Daton Fix displayed the Cowboys’ potential.

Development, Smith hopes, will come soon.

“You can find any reason to wrestled bored,” Smith said. “I mean there’s a lot of reasons. There’s only a handful of reasons why you wrestle good. Got myself ready to go. I did the right things. I’ve prepared. I knew it was gonna be tough and I went out and did it.”

Cowgirl tennis preview 3 players to spot this season

Little Staff Reporter

With half of the starting roster not returning, the Cowgirls look to reload.

The OSU Cowgirl tennis team is gearing up for its spring season, and with it, a new slew of impact players. As the spring season is rapidly approaching, here are three names to look for out of this shifted Cowgirl tennis roster. The Cowgirls open their season Friday at the Freeman Memorial Invite in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Martina Zerulo

The most experienced Cowgirl on the roster, Zerulo enters her sixth and final season as a collegiate tennis player. Although recovering

from injury during the offseason, the graduate student will make an immediate impact on the court in her return. Zerulo played on court three for a majority of the last season, just behind Lisa Marie Rioux and Mananchaya Sawangkaew. With neither of these players returning, Zerulo will add some much-needed high level experience to this group of Cowgirls.

Kristina Novak

With the uncertainty of the roster during the summer, the Cowgirls’ head coach, Chris Young, landed an impact player in the transfer portal in Novak. Transferring in from Nebraska, Novak was the highest rated Cowgirl in the ITA preseason rankings. Novak is also no stranger to Big 12 opponents, as Nebraska faced the likes of Kansas, Kansas State and Texas Tech the season before. Having already played three years of collegiate tennis, Novak is another piece that adds depth to this semi-battle tested squad.

Sophia Rojas

Rojas is entering her second year as a Cowgirl, and it may just be a step up from her previous freshman season. While residing in the lower numbered courts last year, many of Rojas’ matches were tightly fought, allowing Rojas to gain more experience. The development of her game has seemingly escalated, as Rojas won the ITA Intercollegiate Championships during the fall. Obviously, this accomplishment displays major flashes of growth for Rojas and her game. If anyone from last year’s roster is going to make a giant leap forward in production, Rojas is top of the list.

The Cowgirls roster is surprisingly deep despite losing the teams two biggest impact players from last year. With just the right mix of experience and developmental play, this OSU team has a chance to make a statement within the Big 12 thanks to the help of these three players and the rest of the Cowgirl tennis team.

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Courtesy of OSU Athletics

Dustin Plott, OSU’s All-American 174-pounder, lost his first match of the season on Sunday. Oregon State’s Aaron Olmos won 9-4.

FIle Photo

Martina Zerulo, a sixth-year from Italy, highlights the experience on a Cowgirls tennis team with many new faces.

Payton

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Daily Horoscope

Nancy Black Tribune Content Agency Linda Black Horoscopes

Today’s Birthday (01/13/23). Home is your castle this year. Harvest abundance with steady coordination and action. Your heart pulls in new directions this winter, before spring domestic upgrades sparkle. Help friends with summer transitions, before your work earns a professional prize next autumn. Tend your garden with love.

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

Aries (March 21-April 19) — Today is a 9 — Don’t rely on luck and good looks. Action is what your partner’s counting on. Realize common dreams with communication, intention, coordination and work.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is an 8 — Get up and go. The hardest part is getting out the door. Exercise energizes and recharges you. Maintain healthy practices for strength and endurance.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is a 9 — Creating something beautiful may require making a mess. Keep refining and shaping your idea. Generate dreamy results with disciplined action. Express your heart.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is an 8 — Make household decisions. Check to make sure you have everything you need. Reorganize, rearrange and clean. Plan menus and assemble ingredients. Savor domestic arts.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is an 8 — Diplomacy and thoughtfulness get you farther than luck. Use creative expression. Discuss dreams, passions and curiosities. Invite collaboration and participation. Motivate others into action.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is a 9 — All your hard work is beginning to pay off. Keep strengthening foundational support structures. Build lucrative ventures on solid bones. Make a heart connection.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is a 9 — You’re more confident; and less patient. Inspire, rather than demanding. Put in the preparation behind the scenes to ensure success. Encourage and empower others.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is a 6 — Finish up what you’ve promised. Keep your end of a bargain. Complete old projects and clear space for new. Recharge with private rituals and relaxation.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is an 8 — Don’t let a team challenge discourage you. Keep the faith. You may not know how, but where there’s a will there’s a way.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is an 8 — Focus on practical professional priorities. Build momentum with words and actions. Motivate, persuade and cajole others into pulling together. Coordination and preparation win.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is an 8 — When one door closes, find another. Exploration reveals a more complete picture of your subject. Study and develop a passion. Discover solutions and applications.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is an 8 — Reap the abundant harvest that you’ve earlier sown. Build upon previous efforts. Don’t rely on luck. Put in the required efforts. Steady contributions add up.

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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

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Edited by Patti Varol and Joyce Lewis

OSU football’s 2022 uniforms ranked

it does not embodyOklahoma State like a uniform combination should.

No. 11: at TCU

With orange, black, white and gray, 2022 had loads of combos to display.

Through out the 2022 season, the Cowboys experimented with the way the team looked in a major way.

Multiple new color combinations took center stage, along with new helmet designs for some games. With so much variety and distinct looks throughout, here are the uniforms of the 2022 Cowboy football season ranked.

No. 13: vs Central Michigan

Donning white helmets with the full Pistol Pete logo and stripes down the middle, orange jerseys and orange pants, this look just falls a bit flat. The helmet looks alright, as the stripes are always a fun way to spice up the helmet game, but the orange on orange just did not work how it should have.

No. 12: vs Arkansas-Pine Bluff

The last nonconference game of the season saw the Cowboys wearing their gray uniforms.

With black helmets bolstering the Phantom Pete head, gray jerseys and black pants, this is the proper way to put gray uniforms on display. This look is not egregious, yet

There is nothing inherently wrong with this set. In fact, it has some features that lend themselves quite nicely to the look overall. A new helmet in the full Pistol Pete logo with stripes on a matte black, white jerseys and black pants, this set has all the makings for a solid road combination. Color is the only thing missing, and unfortunately, there is only so much color that can be added to a road combo.

It is a sleek road look, but overall, it lacks flare that other combinations have. No. 10: at Kansas

Classic. Plain and simple. White helmets featuring the brand logo with stripes down the middle, white jerseys and orange pants is the look that Oklahoma State took to Lawrence, Kansas. A call back to past days, this look has been in the shadow of the all-white combination for a good deal of time.

No. 9: at Baylor

All white screams sleek, and the Cowboys are no exception to pulling off the look. White helmets with the brand logo and stripes down the middle, white jerseys and white pants took the field in against Bay lor in Waco, Texas, this year.

While always a welcome look, the combo looked

even fresher when compared to the Bear’s gold-out uniforms, wearing a mustardy yellow from head to toe. A great annual look for the Cowboys.

No. 8: vs Texas

Homecoming fits always aim to shake things up, and the tradition lived on in 2022.

All orange everything came in the form of orange helmets with stripes and the Oklahoma A&M rider on display, orange jerseys and orange pants. What made this look even more fun is its appearance against Texas, the only other school in the conference that uses orange.

No. 7: vs Arizona State

This look is classy. White helmets with the cursive script, black jerseys and white pants, this look is as close to a home white-out as it gets. Cursive script always elevates the look of helmets, although, the cursive script on white is the weakest of the three possible cursive helmets.

All in all, this combination works for a nonconference or conference opening type of game. Great to see early, but it does not try and overstay its welcome. No. 6: at Oklahoma Cursive carries. That’s the name of the game for this look. The Cowboys brought an orange overload to Norman with orange helmets sporting the cursive logo and stripes, white jerseys and orange pants. The closest possible combo to a Bedlam

color rush, this look is solid. Although outscored 76-13 when in use this season, ironically, the helmet is the best part of this look. The white between oranges works great, as both the helmet and pants get a chance to stand out. It is a great road set, even if it did clash with Oklahoma’s crimson.

No. 5: vs Iowa State

All black is always a fan favorite, and it is not hard to see why. Black everything with the brand on the side of the helmet was the look for this year’s blackout game. The Cowboys took the field almost looking like football ninjas in the all-black set, and the crowd was decked out in black from head to toe. The look is just classy, and a combo that gladly fits in the rotation year after year.

No. 4: vs West Virginia Tri-color attacks can be hit or miss at times, but in a season where the Cowboys seldom wore orange, it was a welcome addition to the rotation. The senior day outfit consisted of black helmets bolstering the brand logo, orange jerseys and white pants. This look is just fun, giving a big nod to all the colors of OSU through the uniforms.

No. 3: at Kansas State

While the West Virginia game gave the Cowboys a nice looking home three-color look, the set worn in Manhattan, Kansas, showed how to

elevate a tri-color display. With orange helmets that featured the cursive script logo and stripes, white jerseys and black pants, this OSU look is one that does not see the light of day often despite its sharp look on the field.

No. 2: vs Texas Tech If there were a uniform to represent black tie casual on a football field, this set would be first in line to make its case. Donning a black helmet with cursive script and stripes, black jerseys and white pants, this look works perfectly for what it is trying to accomplish. The white cursive pops off the black helmets, and the black jersey compliments the white pants beautifully to create the right mix of white and black.

With this season marking the first time the look has ever made an appearance, the style and swagger of this look ensures its status as a potential mainstay.

No. 1: vs Wisconsin The game was ugly, but the uniforms were anything but. During the Guaranteed Rate Bowl facing Wisconsin, the Cowboys wore black helmets featuring the full Pistol Pete logo and stripes, orange jerseys and black pants. This look is quintessential Cowboys. There is a reason this color combination has been praised as a fan favorite for so long. The darkness of the black on top and bottom allow the orange to shine through, and the set made the full Pistol Pete

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Payton Little

Staff Reporter

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Chase Davis

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Chase Davis

Mackenzie Janish

Chase Davis

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sports

from 3. In the two losses, he scored three and seven points, going 0-8 on 2-point shots. But Kalib Boone, whose scoring average once dipped below 9 points, scored 16 and 23.

Avery Anderson, OSU’s top scorer in nonconference play, only scored five against UT and didn’t score on the Wildcats. Similar for Bryce

“We’re getting close, but close isn’t good enough in this league,” Boynton said. “You’ve gotta get the job done.”

The defense has kept the Cowboys in games. Texas scored 103 points in its game before the trip to Stillwater. Kansas State scored 116 and 97 in its last two. OSU held them to 56 and 65, respectively. Not much more can be

“We’ve got to add something with that (defense), and we can’t just stop them and then we not have a good game as well,” Thompson said. “Then, it’s kind of up in the air.”

Boynton acknowledged that the offense has struggled at times but said games like Texas are more of an

“We haven’t been the Golden State Warriors in my six years as head coach,” Boynton said on Saturday. “But we’re better offensively than we were (against Texas). And people probably don’t want to accept that because there are nights like this that still show up.”

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Thompson, who scored five in each of the losses. The Cowboys haven’t been able to get all their scorers going at the same time, which has kept the offense from peaking.

asked of the defense, and that should be good enough to win games. But the stifling defense hasn’t been enough. Despite often holding opponents to season lows, the Cowboys haven’t been able to add much offense to pull out close conference games.

anomaly than the truth. And three of the four conference games have been against teams in the top 11. But he’s still searching for answers to get the offense back in a rhythm.

Continued from 1B

Davis Cordova

Opponents have held OSU guard Avery Anderson III to five points in two games. He didn’t score in Tuesday’s loss against Kansas State.

Kassidy De Lapp’s new role, bond with teammates making fifth-year special

Davis Cordova Staff Reporter

For four years, Kassidy De Lapp started 53 of her 106 games played for OSU.

This year, De Lapp fills a new role – backup forward.

It’s not often a fifth-year starter gets benched, but the new Cowgirl team is not like most.

In March, when coach Jacie Hoyt took over the program, 12 of De Lapp’s teammates entered the portal, graduated or left the team.

So why did De Lapp stay and not leave like the others? It’s simple, OSU felt like home.

Sure, there were thoughts and talks with parents about potentially leaving OSU and moving closer to her hometown of El Dorado Hills, California, but, when given the chance, De Lapp was willing to come back to a place she loves.

“I knew that I wanted another year of basketball, but it just felt wrong to do it anywhere else,” De Lapp said. “I knew I just wanted to finish my career where I started. I just felt that there is this community of fans that have invested so much time into me and I feel I owe it to them to pour everything I have, basketball wise, back into them.”

The fanbase that surrounds the team and De Lapp was more than enough to ease the worries Kathy and Keith De Lapp felt when sending their youngest daughter 1,700 miles away, again.

For Kathy and Keith, they don’t get many opportunities to watch their daughter play in person, but they surely watch every game on TV.

When the De Lapp’s make a trip to Stillwater, the support they receive from the fanbase tells them all they need to know as to how much of a good impression Kassidy makes representing the program.

“When you go to Oklahoma State as a parent and watch them play, and the alumni comes up and tells you how much they love your daughter, that’s pretty impressive,” Keith said.

The camaraderie and love Kassidy receives everyday from the fans and her mostly new teammates makes up for the loss of playing time.

“They thanked us for letting her come to OSU,” Kathy said. “I mean, we don’t get to see her often, but when you send your kid that far away and to know those people have her back, is amazing.”

This season, Kassidy is playing

about 11 minutes per game, compared to her almost 21 minutes per game last year as starting center.

Kathy and Keith said Kassidy expected to come back and continue her role as the starting center while also being a main leadership anchor on the team, but that changed once preseason camp started. Hoyt said multiple times that there are too many deserving players for starting roles and not enough spots. But besides Kassidy’s backup role, there’s another one she fills –mama bear. She makes sure everyone is taken care of.

Kassidy’s mama bear role stems

from the different bond the team shares with each other. They feel more connected, more like a family and it’s Kassidy’s biggest difference from last season to this season and why she is having more fun in her final year.

“The friendships that we’ve made on this team have been very special,” Kassidy said. “We instantly clicked, it was as if we had known each other for 10 years. It’s very special to have a team like this and it doesn’t come very often.”

Davis Cordova

The 10-2 Cowgirls are in a position to fight for a tournament bid. They are currently the seventh team out according to ESPN’s Bracketology.