The O'Colly, Tuesday, August 22, 2023.

Tuesday, August 22, 2023

Chelf talks quarterback battles, OSU career

parallels to one he underwent a decade ago.

Clint Chelf spent five seasons in Stillwater (2009-13), and while he had a productive career, he was also part of a couple of quarterback battles.

“I didn’t really know anything other than showing up and working my tail off,” Chelf said. “There was no transfer portal or anything else back then. And I was determined to prove the coaching staff wrong.”

And he did just that: 8-4 overall as a starter, 17 touchdowns and 2,139 passing yards in his last season of college football.

With a quarterback competition underway at OSU, a former Cowboy quarterback sees some

“The last couple (games) didn’t end how I wanted them to,”

he said. “But the general ending couldn’t have been much better.”

With just two weeks remaining until OSU’s season opener against Central Arkansas Sept. 2 at Boone Pickens Stadium, The O’Colly caught up with Chelf.

Q: What was your favorite game you played in at Oklahoma State?

Chelf: “I’m not gonna lie, beating Texas is always fun. So, if I had to choose a particular game, I think going into (Darrell K Royal Texas-Memorial Stadium) and beating the heck out of the Horns was pretty memorable, at least for me. We got on ‘em from the start and didn’t look back.”

See Battles on 3

Student enrollment hits new high

This semester, Oklahoma State University set a new record for the highest undergraduate enrollment in school history with 21,219 students enrolled for classes.

The number includes a record-setting first-time freshman class of 4,868 students. With total OSU System enrollment reaching 34,000 students, OSU remains the largest university system in the state.

The new records include non-resident enrollment, the Honors College, new graduate students, the Spears School of Business, Native American students, first-generation students and online students.

Promise students and the College of Education and Human Sciences, which is welcoming its first group of students in the new nursing program this semester.

The OSU College of Veterinary Medicine continues to grow with a North American Veterinary Licensing Examination passage rate from 92 to 96% – 10 percentage points higher than the national average. The college will see its largest class in history this fall with the creation of the Oklahoma State University Veterinary Medicine Authority.

File Photo

Other enrollment highlights include increases in the number of new Oklahoma

Karen Chen, vice president for enrollment management, said these positive enrollment figures highlight OSU’s academic quality, its visionary strategic plan and its commitment to students.

See Enrollment on 6

going through a competition for the starting QB job is

This 6-year-old boy just won a national mullet contest

“I feel famous,” Rory told The Inquirer after waking up from a nap on Wednesday. “I’m never going to cut my hair off.”

PHILADELPHIA — America’s most well-regarded mullet sits on the head of a 6-year-old slugger from Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.

Rory Ehrlich — the soon-to-be first grader from West Pottsgrove who asked his parents for permission to compete in the USA Mullet Championships — won the kid’s division this week by nearly 6,900 votes.

Ehrlich, who is referred to as the jorts-loving “Cheddar Whiz” on his mullet profile, earned more than 16,000 votes to clinch the top spot, according to competition founder and Michiganbased barber Kevin Begola. He beat out Ezekiel “Mr. Aloha Mullet” Arita of Hawaii and Luzerne County’s Kamden Cunningham, whose curly mullet was the result of an impromptu haircut from his older brother.

Begola started the mullet championships in 2020 after watching beard competitions take off. In the kid’s division, Begola said Rory competed against around 900 children over four rounds to become America’s favorite pint-sized mullet.

Contestants are judged on the number of votes they receive, money raised for former Minnesota Viking defensive end Jared Allen’s charity Homes 4 Wounded Warriors, and style points awarded by judges. Fan votes are weighed the most, Begola said.

Rory’s mullet has “great flow,” said Begola, 43, who is part of the juding panel. “If Rory was older I could see him playing for an NFL team and taking off his helmet and whipping around. It’s cool.”

Courtesy of OSU

Aug. 21, 2023, kicked off the year with highest attendence in OSU undergraduate history.

Former OSU quarterback Clint Chelf said

a demanding task.

Courtesy of Tribune

Rory Ehrlich, beat out Ezekiel “Mr. Aloha Mullet” Arita of Hawaii and Luzerne County’s Kamden Cunningham, whose curly mullet was the result of an impromptu haircut from his older brother.

Beatrice Forman

The Philadelphia Inquirer

Lauren King Staff Reporter

Daniel Allen Staff Reporter

Q&A

Hovland wins BMW Championship behind course-record performance

Davis Cordova Staff Reporter

Viktor Hovland needed something crazy to happen on Sunday – and he did just that.

Hovland won the BMW Championship at Olympia Fields Country Club in Olympia Fields, Illinois, after a courserecord, 61-stroke final round. The former Cowboy entered the day three strokes out of the lead and shot a 28 on the back-nine of the final round, including seven birdies. The win scored Hovland $3.6 million.

“Well, I wouldn’t say making seven birdies on the back is trying to play more conservative going into the greens. It kind of worked out that way,” Hovland said on CBS Sports.

“I think it was more of a mindset thing. Instead of, ‘Oh my god, I got a chance to win. I need to birdie this hole, I need to birdie this hole, I need to birdie this hole to have a chance.’ It was more, ‘OK, what is the right decision right here now and commit to it.’

“I hit some great shots. I got a couple of nice bounces, and the putts went in. It wasn’t like I mapped the whole thing out. I was just trying to make the best decision every single shot.”

He entered the fourth round 8-under par and three strokes back from co-leaders Scottie Scheffler and Matt Fitzpatrick. By the time Scheffler and Fitzpatrick made it to the 18th tee as the final group, Hovland could already start to celebrate a win as he was ahead by two strokes.

This championship was the penultimate tournament of the FedEx Cup with the final coming next week in Atlanta, where Hovland will sit second to begin the Tour Championship, two strokes behind Scheffler.

sports.ed@ocolly.com

Courtesy of OSU Athletics

Former Cowboy golfer Viktor Hovland shot a course-record 61 in the final round at Olympia Fields Country Club on Sunday to win the BMW Championship.

Continued from 1

Q: What was it like for you to learn behind a player like Brandon Weeden?

Chelf: “Oh goodness, it was amazing. It was such an amazing experience. I can’t even put it all into words.

“A guy like (Weeden) just has so much knowledge of the game, and obviously he’d been around for a while. He was (27) when he became the top quarterback on the depth chart. And then seeing the plays he made, the arm talent, it was just so incredible.”

Q: Take me through your perspective and general experience in a quarterback battle.

Chelf: “First and foremost, I wouldn’t recommend it. There’s just so much wear and tear that it takes on you mentally. It definitely takes its toll, no doubt.

“You’re out there going against your guys, your brothers and obviously only one guy can win the job. So, even if you were to win it outright, there’s still the lingering thought of, ‘What will they think? How are they going to react?’ It’s all just so demanding, it’s a lot and I wouldn’t recommend it.”

Q: What advice would you give current college — or even high school — players undergoing a quarterback

battle?

Chelf: “Go in there with an open mind. You might or might not win the (starting spot). It’s gonna suck if you don’t. But the last thing you can do, or should do, is display your emotions. The end result will get the best of you either way but try not to show it.”

Q: Is there any game you wish you and your teammates could have back?

Chelf: “I would say both Bedlam games I started in. We were just so, so close in both. But if I had to pick one, I’d probably go with Bedlam 2013. We led almost the whole game and then (Oklahoma) had that game-winning drive late and it left us with such little time. And we would have won the Big 12 title had we won that game, to my

recollection. It was a heartbreaker, for sure. It stung afterward.”

Q: What is your general outlook on Oklahoma State’s football team this season?

Chelf: “I think they’ll be pretty good to be honest with you. I think the defense will be improved upon a lot. I think the offense will be better than it was in the second half of the season last year when (Spencer Sanders) went down. Plus, you got a very experienced guy in (Alan) Bowman, and if he doesn’t win (the starting spot) then you have a very talented guy in (Garret) Rangel. And if (Rangel) wins the spot I guess that means something for OSU. But I think they’ll be pretty good this year.”

sports.ed@ocolly.com

File Photo

Clint Chelf said his favorite game he played in was in a win at Texas.

OSU hires former North Carolina head coach Coleman Scott as new assistant

Braden Bush Sports Editor

On Monday morning, Oklahoma State officially announced the hiring of former OSU standout wrestler Coleman Scott as its new associate head coach.

The move comes four days after the departure of Zack Esposito, who left to accept a position with USA Wrestling as its National Freestyle Development and Resident coach.

Scott recently finished his eighth season as the head coach of North Carolina, where he guided the Tar Heels to a 12th place finish in the 2023 NCAA National Wrestling Championships — the program’s best finish since 1995.

Introduced as UNC’s head coach in August 2015, Scott led the Tar Heels to a 7549 dual record. He coached and helped develop 13 All-Americans and nine ACC individual champions.

As a wrestler at OSU, Scott is one of 15 four-time All-Americans in program history, winning an individual national title in 2008. He was also a member of OSU’s 2005 and 2006 national championship teams.

“Coleman (Scott) is a champion and one of the brightest young coaching minds in our sport,” OSU coach John Smith said in a statement regarding Scott’s hiring. “Success has followed him wherever he’s gone, and we’re excited to have him and his family back home with us at Oklahoma State.”

sports.ed@ocolly.com

File Photo

Former OSU wrestler and North Carolina head coach Coleman Scott was hired as the Cowboys’ newest assistant coach, it was announced Monday.

Lights on Stillwater to welcome students back

This annual event will take place on Wednesday from 6:15-9 p.m. on the North side of Boone Pickens stadium. Students and community members are both welcome to visit the student organization and company booths.

as active as you can.”

The vice president of SGA usually spearheads the project on behalf of the organization. However, it is an effort by all members of SGA.

making sure that it’s a safe environment. So having the roads blocked off, having correct personnel there, just in case anything was to happen to an individual.”

Kennedy Thomason News & Lifestyle Editor

Stillwater will welcome its residents back this week with Lights on Stillwater.

Hilary Albrecht, vice president of the Student Government Association, has been preparing for the event “all summer.”

“For us, we want students to be involved here at Oklahoma State,” Albrecht said. “You’re only here for a few years of your life, so we want you to be

The event, historically, has a large turnout as many of the booths offer up free items. Albrecht said SGA is prepared for the big crowd.

“One thing for sure is we have plenty of volunteers,” Albrecht said.

“We have all of our members in SGA required to come and help… Outside of that we have a lot with just kind of

The entrance fee is either a $1 donation or an item listed on the Student STACHE list.

To learn more about the event, visit https://lcl.okstate.edu/sga/lightsstillwater.html.

news.ed@ocolly.com

Courtesy of OSU SGA

The Student Government Association will host its annual Lights on Stillwater event on Wednesday from 6:15-9 p.m.

Enrollment...

Continued from 1

“From the new nursing program, which is striving to better meet the health care needs of our state, to our surging business, honors and graduate college enrollment, we are empowering OSU graduates and our state to thrive as we position OSU as a truly modern land-grant university,” Chen said.

The program has students from “77 counties in Oklahoma, 50 states and 128 different countries.”

Summer Priest, mother of incoming freshman Hannah Priest, said OSU was the college Hannah dreamed of attending.

Priest said there may be challenges, but she appreciates OSU’s efforts to avoid raising tuition and fees, as well as its flat-rate tuition structure and scholarship offerings. As an educator, she said she appreciates OSU’s commitment to higher education and its impact in

CheckouttheOriginalHideaway!

SINCE 1957,

the state of Oklahoma.

“Hannah is following my footsteps and pursuing a degree in elementary education,” she said. “OSU’s College of Education is top-notch in a state that is hurting for highly qualified teachers.”

OSU President Kayse Shrum said that she is excited to begin the semester and continue to provide for OSU students’ needs.

“These enrollment trends reflect the transformative work happening at Oklahoma State University,” Dr. Shrum

said. “Last October, we unveiled a strategy to reshape higher education with a student-focused approach, and we’re doing just that. Not raising tuition and mandatory fees for the second year is indicative of this effort.

“We’re providing access for countless students, bolstering workforce development and serving the needs of our state by equipping students with the skills they need to be career ready when they walk across the stage at graduation and empowering them to tackle society’s greatest challenges.”

Biden dispatches California storm aid on way to inspect Maui fire damage

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden flew to Hawaii on Monday with FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell to inspect wildfire damage in Maui while also keeping tabs on havoc spurred by Tropical Storm Hilary in Southern California and another set of fires that destroyed 200 homes in Washington state.

The events underscored the compounding threat of the nation’s climate disasters in the West.

Biden planned to name Bob Fenton, a veteran FEMA official, to serve as a longterm recovery leader for Maui, where more than 100 people died and hundreds more are unaccounted for.

In addition to making remarks, Biden planned to survey damage and meet with children and other victims who lost family members during the fires.

“We’re going to be there for the long term to make sure that — not just today and tomorrow but into the future — there is a coordinated strategic federal response,” Olivia Dalton, deputy White House press secretary, told reporters aboard Air Force One, “because this is going to be a long, hard process.”

The federal government has more than 1,000 people in Maui, including 450 working on search and rescue. The administration has also committed to spend at least $8.6 million to help individual families with rent and other needs.

Criswell told reporters that she had also been in touch with disaster officials in California following a call Biden had on Sunday with Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Biden, who had been vacationing in Lake Tahoe, directed the Coast Guard to station aircraft in the region before the storm in case they were needed for search and rescue. Teams of federal disaster workers were also dispatched to the state as well as to Nevada and Arizona.

“Fortunately, Californians listened to their local officials and took the necessary preparedness actions to help protect themselves and their families,” Criswell said as she

discussed early damage assessments that included mudslides and flooding.

FEMA announced earlier Monday that the agency had sent two teams to California to manage the federal response and would keep more officials on standby if needed.

The agency sent additional teams to help state and tribal leaders, and to provide communications and technical support. The agency said it had supplies in place before the storm at March Air Reserve

Base in Riverside. Criswell told reporters on Air Force One that FEMA was using a “layered approach” to make sure resources are available in all the disaster areas — tapping regionally based employees and getting help from other federal agencies as needed. But she also said the agency was running out of money, putting some recovery projects on hold as the federal budget year ends and the Biden administration asks Congress

for $12 billion more for the agency as part of a larger spending package.

“As we continue to see the impacts of what these disasters are bringing, we’re going to have to closely analyze how much is going to be needed to continue to support the increase in the number of these severe weather events with these truly complex recoveries,” Criswell said.

news.ed@ocolly.com

Courtesy of Tribune

Aerial images east of Lahaina, Hawaii, where homes and businesses lay in ruins on Aug. 17, 2023, after devastating wildfires swept across Maui and through the town.

Noah Bierman Los Angeles Timesr

Mullet...

Lifestyle

out they won the contest on Tuesday, they ran around the kitchen screaming, but the news still feels a bit surreal.

alpaca for his 7-year-old sister Emmaline.

“I’m going to name it Chelsea,” Emmaline said.

of Tribune

tion journey in Eagles and Phillies Facebook groups, fans were overwhelmingly receptive.

Rory’s mom, Airen Ehrlich, previously told The Inquirer that her son’s commitment to the “business in the front, party in the back” lifestyle likely comes from his devotion to the Phillies. He asked his parents about the haircut after seeing video of pitchers such as Austin “Big Fudge” Davis and Mitch “Wild Thing” Williams throw strikes (and balls) with long tresses flowing out of their caps.

Ever since, Rory has been going to Sal’s Barbershop in Boyertown to maintain his mullet.

When Ehrlich and her son found

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“I don’t think it’s really sunk in for us,” Ehrlich, 33, said on Wednesday. “I know that sounds crazy because we’re talking about a mullet competition.

Begola said the mullet champions win $5,000 dollars and a pair of sunglasses. Many also go on to spend their crowning year making appearances at sporting events. Some winners have gone on to throw out first pitches or receive custom NHL jerseys, according to Begola.

Rory said he hoped to parlay his award-winning tresses into Flyers tickets or a meet-and-greet with ultrabearded Phillie Brandon Marsh.

As for the money, it’s going to an

A mullet for the people

Ehrlich said that Rory’s bid for best mullet on a youngster has rallied the community in unforeseen ways.

“Some people just aren’t open to mullets, so when we pushed out [the news], we were expecting it to be relatively negative,” Ehrlich. “It’s actually been so the opposite.”

The West Pottsgrove School District sent out an announcement about the voting, Ehrlich said, and Rory’s teachers have been excited for him.

Continued from 1 entertainment.ed@ocolly.com

Philly’s overlapping sports fandoms have also been a surprising source of support, per Ehrlich: When she began posting about Rory’s mullet competi-

Since making it to the final round, Ehrlich said Rory has been recognized in public a few times, but his sister has been quick to humble him.

“To be actually famous, you need $2,000 and to know a lot of people,” is Emmaline’s common refrain, according to Ehrlich.

Begola said that Rory would receive an automatic bid to the top 25 if he chooses to defend his title next year, but competition is stiff: 2022 champion Emmitt Bailey came in twelfth.

Rory, however, isn’t too keen on returning. Why?

“I don’t want to do this many interviews again,” he said.

Courtesy

Rory Ehrlich, 6, won the kids’ division of the 2023 U.S. Mullet Championships, which benefit Homes 4 Wounded Warriors. He is shown during baseball practice; he is a pitcher and second baseman.

FOR RELEASE AUGUST 22, 2023

Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle

Edited by Patti Varol and Joyce Lewis

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Daily Horoscope

Nancy Black

Tribune Content Agency

Linda Black Horoscopes

Today’s Birthday (08/22/23). Professional status, respect and influence grow this year. Disciplined, coordinated partnership builds financial strength. creative work this autumn opens new winter professional doors. Adapting the story for new developments next spring leads to amazing and valuable exciting and lucrative projects.

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

Aries (March 21-April 19) — Today is an 8 — Collaborate to grow shared accounts. Together you can bring home abundant resources. Avoid silly arguments and distrac tions. Maintain your patience and sense of humor.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is a 9 — Work could interfere with romantic plans. Collaborate to find and implement solutions. Share love a partnership deepens with each fulfilled commitment.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is a 9 — Prioritize health, fitness and wellness. Despite a challenge, you’re growing stronger. Emotions can get stuck in your body. Stretch and move for release.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is a 9 — Romantic barriers or limitations abound. Don’t fall for empty promises. Resolve misunderstandings and untangle complications. Discover spontaneous fun and romance when least expected Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is an 8 — Home and family hold your attention. Complications require adaptation. Use gentle pressure rather than force. Honey gets more than vinegar. Feed your worker bees.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is an 8 — Use your quick wit to navigate a challenge. Avoid assumptions or illusive promises. Propel a creative dream by inviting collaboration. Share practical resources and information.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is a 9 — Stick to practical financial plans. Impulsive moves could get expensive. Protect your digital security, passwords and data. Monitor accounts closely. Patiently untangle any kinks.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is a 9 — Prepare to launch a personal project. Distraction and procrastination abounds. Organization is key. Avoid risk or hassle. Nurture yourself as you patiently persist.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is a 6 — Rest, recharge and review plans. Don’t react blindly to incoming surprises. Wait to process what was said before responding. Consider potential solutions. Simplify strategies.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is a 7 — Connect with friends, colleagues and allies. Focus to support a group project around a challenge. You can see what doesn’t work. Avoid expensive pitfalls.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is a 7 — Proceed with caution at work. Fantasies dissipate to reveal naked realities. Stick to reliable sources, routes and connections. Integrity provides workability. True your course.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is an 8 — Deviations and detours shift your path. Research your route and destinations. Avoid risk or unstable travel conditions. Launch an exploration from your own backyard.

ACROSS

1 Garden soil

5 __ broke: risk it all

10

Solution

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