Friday, Sept. 30, 2022

How the Grant family’s heart healed Lasting smile

Gabriel Trevino Sports Editor

DUNCANVILLE, Texas — Ver non Grant Jr.’s smile illuminated. And it proved genetic.

Vernon Grant III is just like his dad — energetic, full of life and an unwavering human spirit. Which is odd, considering the two barely knew each other.

Grant III was only 8 months old when his father, Grant Jr., was unable to survive injuries suffered from a car crash in his hometown.

But the boy who grew from the shadow of having no father became a person as bright as his dad in almost every way.

Including the smile.

*****

Vernon Grant Sr. didn’t have a second thought on what name he wanted to give to his son.

“There always needs to be a Ver non on this earth,” Grant Sr. said.

The Grant family members de scribe themselves as outgoing people

everyone wants to be around, and Grant Jr. personified the extreme of their nature.

Since childhood, they say Grant Jr. carried an exuberant personality who loved family, enjoyed every aspect of life and brought others up with an infec tious smile. On someone’s darkest day, those close said Grant Jr.’s smile could bring people back to life with charm and sympathy.

Whether it be jumping on his cousin’s bed from excitement to helping uncles with work, Grant Jr. became a treasured, irreplaceable member of the family and community.

He transferred his joy to sports.

At Duncanville High School, Grant Jr. led the Panthers on the track, and on the football field.

“Even as ninth graders, we just enjoyed life,” said Daniel McLemore, lifelong friend and teammate of Grant Jr. “He was so joyful. At practice we flew all over the field, made jokes and laughed. He brought excitement to the game. If you were having a bad day he would come over to you and smile.

“That smile brightened your day.”

Grant Jr. wasn’t just the overexcited teammate, he was the star of his teams. On the track, Grant Jr. helped set the school record for the 4x100 meter relay, a mark that stood for more than 20 years.

As a defensive back on the southDallas suburb’s powerhouse football program, Grant Jr. became a player his

From the moment I stepped into the Seretean Center for the Performing Arts, I could tell David Weber and his production team weren’t clownin’ around.

In advance of the weekend’s opening of “Slapped!” set for Friday and Saturday at the Seretean Center, I took in a final rehearsal that delivered on the promise of a lively show.

From the lights and sound crew to the actors on stage, there was the buzz of last-minute prepa rations whirling around the wellsized theater.

As the show began, Dakota Norman, who plays Andie, began this well-orchestrated menagerie with a series of slapstick gags that he presented superbly and kept the antics engaging and relaxed, which gives the show an authentic feel from the start.

As the lights came up, I was instantly introduced to nearly the

September

30, 2022 Micah McKamie Staff Reporter

teammates loved, and opponents hated.

“In elementary school he won an oratorical contest,” said Phynice Brown, Grant Jr.’s aunt. “He was vocal. He was also a leader. When he hit the field, he had a big mouth. His teammates would have to tell him ‘Let them see what you could do.’”

So he did both.

Grant Jr. earned the mark of a four-star rated recruit and committed to Oklahoma State for football in 2002.

In his time at OSU, fans became well-aware of No. 20.

Right before kickoffs, Grant Jr. ran onto the field, pointed at the crowd, waved his arms in the air and received the attention of the 50,000 fans at Lewis Field, raising the volume in the stadium single-handedly.

The on-field antics and level of play made Grant Jr. a fan favorite. In an era long before NIL, fans in attendance sported his jersey in support for their beloved player.

Everywhere he went, Grant Jr. drew others to admire the spectacles he created.

“On game day he came with a lot of energy, and he got everybody hyped up,” said Anthony Grant, his cousin and former teammate. “He brought so much energy to the field, and he was one of those players that everybody loved to play with.”

Off the field, Grant Jr. didn’t change from his younger years.

In the classroom, Grant Jr. had

No clownin’ around: “Slapped!” review

dreams of becoming an engineer, even while playing football. Professors said they admired his effort while his family appreciated his high grades, even if his loved ones did not understand when he would try to teach them complex con cepts and systems.

His leadership qualities appeared more often as the level of play became more serious. It was a trait he always had — something instilled from his father — but the way he carried it out wasn’t as intense.

“We used to have morning work outs and one day he came into my room, turned on my light while I was in a deep sleep and started jumping on my bed yelling ‘Wake up, it’s time to get to work,’” McLemore said.

“He had that kind of energy.”

In late May 2005, Grant Jr. trav eled home to Duncanville with a goal.

Friday, Pete’s Pet Posse helps students adjust to college

The Stillwater and Dallas celebri ty visited his hometown for the weekend to spend time with family before the start of his senior season at OSU. Eight months prior, Grant Jr. suffered through the loss of his mother, Vanessa, but also experienced joy with the birth of his son, Vernon Grant III.

entire cast in a showcase of ac robatic skills and well-delivered humor uniquely layered with an up dated hip-hop soundtrack that most will find jovial and pleasing.

The backdrop and set are dy namically colorful, but with a mod ern minimalist look which lends well as a story-telling platform and allows for the cast to really be set center stage.

With the circus as a setting,

a layered love story unfolds and ultimately leads to the punishment of two greedy elitists and examines philosophical ideas in that SHE (Someone here exists) finds the ad miration she seeks from society and lets them laugh at her pain.

This brightly presented look at the sad clown, a life altering love affair and the downfall that accom panies overzealous power

Starting in 2013, Pete’s Pet Posse has become a staple on campus and its cards have become a part of every collector’s prized

possessions.

The Posse spends its time patrolling the campus looking for stu dents, faculty and staff who need a little emo tional support or anyone who just wants

Graphic by Sam Beebe

Karlie Boothe “Slapped!” an OSU Department of Theatre production will premiere Friday.

Jacob Plaxico Staff Reporter

Ethan Hilbert

Pete’s Pet Posse helps students across campus adjust to college, keep up with their mental health and have a good time with some cute dogs.

ALBUQUERQUE INTERNATIONAL BALLOON FIESTA

The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is a nine-day event held annually in the first full week of October. It is the most photographed event on earth, and the largest annual international event held in the U.S. The festival starts Saturday.

Fantasy Football Advice

Start:

- DJ Chark, WR, Detroit Lions

- Greg Dortch, WR, Arizona Cardinals

- Khalil Herbert, RB, Chicago Bears

Sit:

- Michael Carter, RB, New York Jets

- Davante Adams, WR, Las Vegas Raiders

- Garrett Wilson, WR, New York Jets

Cut:

- Darrell Henderson, RB, Los Angeles Rams

- Kirk Cousins, QB, Minnesota Vikings

- Travis Etienne, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars

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Engel editorinchief@ocolly.com

Upcoming Album Releases

Entergalactic by Kid Cudi (Friday)

Can I Take my Hounds to Heaven? by Tyler Childers (Friday)

- Charlie by Charlie Puth (Oct. 7)

- Being funny in a foreign language by The 1975 (Oct. 14)

- Midnights by Taylor Swift (Oct. 21)

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Rebekah Cleary Jaiden Daughty Molly Jolliff Cole Gueldenzoph Chase Davis Michael Clark Karlie Boothe Zachary Hunter Ethan Hilbert Paul Houston

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Lifestyle/news

Center for Global Learning holds study abroad fair

to spending a semester abroad.

With the pause on study abroad trips the past few years because of COVID-19, the OSU Center for Global Learning is campaign ing for students to get back to traveling the world.

A study abroad fair was held last Thurs day for prospective stu dents who wished to be a part of the program.

Jeff Simpson, the director of the Center for Global Learning, said he enjoyed meet ing all the students and loved seeing their inter est in studying abroad.

“It is great to be able to see people out,” Simpson said. “We’ve already had significant interest.”

He also shared some impor tant infor mation regarding study abroad statistics.

“We see about 25% of our students study abroad,” he said. “It’s interest ing how study abroad connects with career readiness.”

There are many different ways students can study abroad. Op tions range from spend ing one to three weeks on a faculty-led program

Students can also travel with affili ated program providers. Private study organiza tions, an established university abroad or another U.S. university coordinate and organize these trips. Often times, affiliated program pro viders allow students to travel places OSU is not currently offering.

Another way stu dents can travel to dif ferent places is to study away via the National Student Exchange. This is a program that allows students to travel while staying in the U.S., its territories and even some Canadian prov inces.

A semes is another option. This program lets students take a whole semester to study on a cruise ship.

Information was pro vided to attendees about semester at sea at the study abroad fair.

There are many scholarships and finan cial aid opportunities

available to lessen the cost of the experience of studying abroad.

Many students wandered around the tables at the fair, learn ing about their options for different programs to study abroad. Each col lege presented informa tion specific to their stu dents’ career path. Other programs like affiliated company partners, the OSU Honors College and Semester at Sea had booths as well.

Alexandra Wil liams, an OSU student with a Spanish minor, hopes she will be able to study in a Spanishspeaking country such as Spain.

“I would love to take the language and apply it to the real world,” she said.

Other students milled about, munching on the glazed donuts and orange juice that were provided.

Some students, such as Jonah Bark er, were exploring all options.

“I have wanted to visit Italy for a long time,” Barker said. “If I get credit, then it’s a good option.”

As much of a cul tural experience travel ing abroad is, it is also a great way to earn credit toward your degree.

For more infor mation, schedule an appointment with the Study Abroad Office online.

news.ed@ocolly.com

Slapped...

Continued from 1A

and greed is well cast with solid perfor mances from Genievre Thomas-Alexis as Polly and the rest of the flam boyant clown crew.

This also included the well-choreographed acrobatics from Isaac Bohls, who also serves as the show’s second lead and main love interest.

Strong female lead character SHE, played by Syd Bradley, guides the show. She takes the crowd on an emotional journey of shame and pain all while laughing at her misfortune and masking her torment with an ostentatious clown’s smile.

This rendition of “Slapped!” a remake of “He Who Gets Slapped,” isn’t just a tale about the circus, but a story about human rights and the

ability of one to break free from the constraints of societal normality and escape exploitation, which I feel is a poignant topic today.

This delightful three rings of chaos mixed with a dark love story and then sprinkled with clowns kept me engaged the entire show with various mixed me diums of visual storytell ing, which is artfully presented by the cast and crew.

There are several highlights of the show that involve acrobatics and silly stunts, which are not to be minimized, but the culmination of the fever dream sequence in the second act is a dy namic choreographed bit that I would encourage everyone to experience for themselves.

Overall, I left the preview impressed with not only the solid perfor mances but the creative costumes, ingenious set designs and the tiny details that go into the

What: Reimagined stage presentation of the original work, “He Who Gets Slapped.”

When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Where: Seretean Center for the Per forming Arts.

Tickets: $7-$12, ok state.universitytickets. com, or via phone at 405-744-609

well-managed circus that is the theater depart ment.

One thing is for sure, this wasn’t just “Slapped” together.

entertainment.ed@ocolly.com

Karlie Boothe

The premiere of “Slapped!” will feature many acrobatic stunts and songs.

Courtesy of the Center for Global Learning

Students mingle while learning information to see if they want to study abroad.

Kennedy Thomason Staff Reporter

Karlie Boothe

Performances this weekend for “Slapped!” are $7-$12 and will be at the Seretean Center for the Performing Arts.

Graphic by Rebekah Cleary

DIY Wednesday

Students Arts Alliance hosted another edition of DIY Wednesday this week at the Student Union Plaza. Students created tie dye T-shirts, bandanas and pillow cases.

All photos by Cole Gueldenzoph

An unforgettable evening The New York Philharmonic re-

Luisa Clausen Staff Reporter

A performance worthy of a five-minute standing ovation.

The New York Philharmon ic made its return to the McK night Center this past weekend. The series of shows opened last Friday night with a concert that left the crowd speechless. The black-tie gala event started at 5 p.m with an exquisite menu filled with flavorful appetizers.

As guests arrived, the ex citement and admiration started to spread across the room. Stu dents, alumni, community mem bers and classical music admirers gathered around, ready to honor the New York Philharmonic.

Taylor Hatheway, an OSU senior, attended the event with the President Leadership Council.

“I don’t know what to ex pect but I am excited to spend this time with friends and listen to good classical music,” Hatheway said. “Everyone here is very dis tinguished and it’s a nice chance to dress up.”

Family and friends of the OSU Greenwood School of Music students performing Friday night wandered around the reception waiting for the show to begin.

Tim Sewell attended the event to watch his son, Benjamin Sewell, a music major at OSU, sing alongside other students during the finale of Beethoven’s “Ninth Symphony.”

“My son is not the type that gets nervous,” Tim Sewell said. “But it’s an incredible opportunity and we are very proud of him.”

Jaap Van Zweden, the music director of the New York Philhar

monic, orchestrated a beautifully choreographed dance, building a story, song after song, and left everyone in the crowd with chills when the performance ended. The orchestra challenged the viewers’ sense of time and space by trans porting them to a world where only music mattered.

Caroline Heaney, the publicist for the New York Phil harmonic, is responsible for promoting the work of the New York Philharmonic in New York and around the world. Heaney has worked for the NY Philharmonic for two and a half years.

“My favorite part about the job is getting to work with our amazing musicians and showing the world how fantastic they are,”

Heaney said. “I am a classical music fan, so it’s a great privilege to work for an institution like this.”

The night ended with Van Zweden and his artists playing the alma mater in a way never heard before. The audience sang every word with a voice filled with pride followed with a standing ovation.

“I enjoyed this evening,” Heaney said. “It’s always a joy to hear the philharmonic and to be in a new city and watch people’s reaction to the orchestra is a real treat.”

entertainment.ed@ocolly.com

Joy Hofmeister stops at OSU on campaign trail for governor

Luisa Clausen Staff Reporter

On Monday, State Superin tendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister attended a meeting at OSU, which the National Associa tion for the Advancement of Col ored People sponsored, to discuss her four year plan as a Democratic candidate for governor.

Hofmeister shared her life story and connected to the students through current events affecting all the citizens of Oklahoma.

“The role of State Super intendent has given me some perspective on education that I wouldn’t have had if I didn’t have a front row seat to how education walks hand in hand with health outcomes,” Hofmeister said. “I think about three areas that I be lieve it’s really important that we get balanced and growing. That is public education, access to quality, affordable health care and infra structure for a robust economy.”

During her speech, Hofmeis ter pointed out some areas where Governor Kevin Stitt and herself differ and what she would change.

“There are a lot of things I don’t agree with the governor on,” Hofmeister said. “We are witness ing his initiative of privatization of medical care, SoonerCare, which gives medical support to those who need it, 53% of them being kids. People that need that care are go ing to see fewer of those resources. It’s putting under the governor’s initiative of privatizing medical care and putting someone else between the doctor and the patient and that is not right. We need health care freedom.”

Avamare Blackmon, a senior at OSU majoring in public health and the president of OSU’s NAACP chapter, said she wants the organization to be a place where everyone is invited and is willing to play an important role in the community.

“OSU needs a sense of com munity and we want to bring that,” Blackmon said. “We want every body to know their rights and to vote.”

Blackmon emphasized that

researching both sides before an election is crucial to democracy. She said students at OSU can join the NAACP and learn more about their duties and rights as citizens.

“It’s important that people know both sides politically,” Blackmon said. “We want to educate people on their options. I liked what the superintendent said tonight. I think we need a balance here in Oklahoma, and I believe she could bring that balance.”

Jordan Credle, the vice presi dent of NAACP, was responsible for bringing Hofmeister to OSU.

“I talked to her campaign manager, Teresa Hill, about having Joy Hofmeister speak with us,” Credle said. “It took a little while because she is busy, but it was worth the wait.”

Hofmeister touched on a diverse amount of subjects, includ ing women’s healthcare, gun and

gang violence, education, race issues and global warming. After a 15-minute speech, the Demo cratic candidate spent 40 minutes answering students’ questions, lis tening to their inputs and creating a safe space for students to share different opinions.

“I learned a lot about Okla homa tonight,” Credle said. “I was really shocked when she talked about critical race theory. I don’t hear a lot of politicians talk about that and I was really happy to see she knew more than most politi cians. I was very grateful she took the time to come here today. She wanted to hear everybody’s con cern and wanted feedback for her platform, so that shows she really cares.”

Ethan Hilbert

The New York Philharmonic performed three times this past weekend at the McKnight Center for Performing Arts.

Jaiden Daughty

Joy Hofmeister talks with OSU’s NAACP organization on Monday.

It was a much needed return home.

“I told him, ‘I want you to touch as many people as possible,’” said Laveta Grant, Grant Jr.’s aunt.

But another tragedy went unseen on the horizon.

On May 23, 2005, Grant III assisted his uncle, Jeff Scott, with his trucking com pany. For the 22-year-old’s all-day effort, Scott wanted to treat his nephew with some cash before a return to Stillwa ter the next morning.

After work, Scott drove to the ATM with Grant Jr. trailing in a separate car.

“He was following me. I turned left at a light, and I expected him to come up behind me. And he never did,” Scott said.

Near 9:45 p.m., another car battered Grant Jr.’s at an intersection near Interstate-45 in south Dallas.

Scott checked his rearview mirror and in spected the dam age.

The col lision swung Grant Jr.’s car from the junction to the embankment of the high way. Scott rushed his frayed neph ew’s body to Baylor Uni versity Medi cal Center in Dallas and began making phone calls.

ously attempted to resupply Grant Jr.’s body and mood in

communities helped the ailing family.

They never forgot him. His name will always be remembered.

Patricia Grant Family member

Within minutes, most of the Grant family stormed into the operating room in tears.

Others couldn’t manage to face the dire situation.

“When we went to the hospital, I stepped to the room’s door, but I stepped back,” Laveta said. “I would not go in. He was like my son. It hurt me so bad.”

Those in the room were disoriented, distressed and boisterous in agony.

Grant Sr., at the sight of his shattered son laying on the operating table with blood exiting his body from every orifice as doctors simultane

the room, couldn’t formulate words. Only his lips moved.

“Is he going to make it?” Grant Sr. mouthed.

“No,” the nurse demon strated in response.

At 10:47 p.m., Grant Jr. was pronounced dead.

His smile couldn’t com fort the wailing family. It was gone.

The funeral was grand, a fitting goodbye for Grant Jr.’s larger-than-life character.

More than 4,000 people from Duncanville and Oklaho ma attended the service. Some donned Grant Jr.’s No. 20 OSU jersey. The support from both

Pro fessors sent letters, fans sent gifts, and one couple, whom the Grant fam ily has never met, sends a notable donation to Grant Jr.’s foundation every year. “They never for got him,” said Patri cia Grant. “His name will always be remem bered.”

Also in attendance, 8-month-old Vernon Grant III, a child now without a father. But his family would make sure he would be loved, just as his father loved him.

*****

LaToya Moore doesn’t get to watch much of her son’s high school football games despite having a sideline seat.

As the assistant cheer director at Duncanville High School, she’s mostly stuck at tending to her duties as a coach during the contests.

So Grant III makes time to find her.

After recovering a blocked punt in a game against Cedar Hill, Grant III took the ball and gave it to his mother as a souvenir.

“It’s a turnover, why give it back?” Grant III said.

Since the ball belonged

to the opposing team, Duncan ville was penalized 15 yards for the act.

But Grant III did not care. He plays football for those moments with his family.

From the moment he first held a football, Grant III knew he was going to be the latest member of the family to be a football player.

Raising the young boy without his father was difficult for the entire family, but they made it through the challenges for Grant III’s sake. When Moore would be in school or at work, Grant III’s great aunt, Vickie, volunteered to babysit.

Knowing he needed a father-figure, McLemore, Grant III’s godfather, Anthony and Scott collectively stepped up to fill in for the late biological dad.

As he got older, the family noticed the similarities between Grant Jr. and Grant III despite not really knowing each other.

In fact, they believe the two are identical. Even their smiles.

“Looking at them, they are so much alike,” said Brown. “They have the same efficacious smile.”

The smile the family lost that fateful night returned with Grant III to give the family a new source of joy.

Now in his senior year at Duncanville High School, playing on the same field his dad did 20 years prior, Grant III could be mistaken for his father.

“He’s a leader,” Vickie said. “He’s very motivated to achieve whatever he puts his mind to. He doesn’t like to listen to anything negative. Whenever people tell him, ‘You can’t do that,’ he’ll say, ‘Oh I can.’” That was just like

his dad. They’re like David, they think they can take down any giant. (Grant Jr.’s) spirit is just like him.”

With another member of the family carrying on their love for football, the Grant’s have escalated their support for Grant III. When Grant Jr. played, they displayed signs in the stands. Now, they bring large banners and tapestries of their shining son.

Even 21 years after Grant Jr. was crowned Duncanville’s Homecoming king in 2001, Grant III carried on the royal succession, winning the same title in 2022.

The strange similarities were beginning to become miraculous.

As his high school career winds down and college looms, Grant III only has one dream. A dream passed down from his father: Play football for OSU.

The Grant family did not push him to pursue college football, some would be happy with whatever path Grant III wanted to follow. He chose to pursue football and OSU on his own will.

The loss of Grant Jr. shocked the tight-knit family and brought them to the depths of despair. But after Grant III grew up and brought the same energy, love and passions as his father, both he and the fam ily know the legacy his dad left needs to be carried on to be at peace.

“Our family has some unfinished business,” Laveta said. “We want (Grant III) to follow in his dad’s footsteps, but we want him to take it higher. So his dad can look down and watch.”

Gabriel Trevino

Vernon Grant III (middle) was collectively raised by his entire family, who never let him forget about his late father’s legacy.

Gabriel Trevino

Vernon Grant III holding his late father’s framed OSU jersey.

Gabriel Trevino

Vernon Grant Sr. wears his late son’s No. 20 OSU jersey at his grandson’s high school football games.

The Disability Justice Initiative at Oklahoma State University, a group of students, faculty, alums and parents of students, is seeking improvements from the university dedicated to the disabled at the school.

The group has penned an open let ter to President Kayse Shrum and the school’s Board of Regents, in an appeal for the improvements.

The letter:

To: President Kayse Shrum and Members of the Oklahoma State Uni versity Board of Regents

Date: Sept. 2, 2022

Oklahoma State University boasts a strong and diverse student body, with over 500 unique student organizations, as well as students from over 100 coun tries and all 50 states. Though there are over 70 diversity-related student, faculty, and staff organizations, there is one group of students that is currently woefully underrepresented – students with disabilities. Not only have stu dents with disabilities historically been excluded from higher education (Dol mage, J.T., 2017), they also graduate at much lower rates than their able-bodied peers (Postsecondary National Policy Institute). We, members of the Disabil ity Justice Initiative, write on behalf of OSU students with disabilities and the wider OSU community to call on Okla homa State University to invest more in disabled students and work with mem bers of the OSU disabled community to create resources for students, faculty, and staff in order to be more inclusive of students with disabilities and create a welcoming space for all students to succeed at OSU.

The Disability Justice Initiative at Oklahoma State University is a group dedicated to creating a space by and for disabled people to advocate for our selves. Disability justice builds upon the framework of the disability rights movement by acknowledging that dis ability isn’t merely something one has but is also a part of one’s identity. Dis ability justice strives to include other marginalized identities in the conver sation, as well as how disability inter acts and influences a person’s life and other identities a person may have (Sins Invalid). We are committed to bringing this kind of justice to Oklahoma State University.

The Disability Justice Initiative believes that disability justice should be a principle that the University val ues and prioritizes. Oklahoma State is a university that claims to be inclusive and welcoming of all people, across all backgrounds. After all, as the Univer sity states on The Cowboy Code web site, “... our students make the Cowboy family a vibrant and inclusive culture. We welcome you with arms wide open, ready to help you turn your curiosity and interest into knowledge, passions, skills, and talent that will take you as far as you dream to go.” If this is truly the character of the University, then disability justice, as used above, fits right into the Cowboy Code. Specifi cally, it matches: We have a passion to do what’s right, even when it’s hard; We stand for what matters, even if we stand alone; and We finish what we start.

We ask that Oklahoma State Uni

versity commit to the following recom mendations. While this is not an ex haustive list, we believe they are good first steps to ensuring that Oklahoma State University is open to everyone, regardless of disability status:

That the University meets with members of the Disability Justice Ini tiative and other students with disabili ties to further discuss implementation of accessible standards.

That the University creates an up-to-date accessibility map of the Stillwater campus. An ADA map cur rently exists, but it is out of date and does not include newer buildings like the Spears’ School of Business or the McKnight Center for Performing Arts. A suggestion for this accessibility map is having it be a toggle feature on the OSU Campus Interactive map; this will ensure that the ADA map is cur rent and easily accessible to students, faculty and staff, as well as parents and visitors to the University.

That the University revitalizes Student Accessibility Services. Gaps in services to students have been identi fied by the Disability Justice Initiative, and we want to create a collaborative relationship between students with disabilities, Student Accessibility Ser vices, and OSU Administration so that SAS works to the best of its ability for disabled students, which are the very students it is designed to support.

That the University invests in the creation of Disability Advocates, who are there to advocate on the behalf of the student, not for the University. These Advocates will work as a media tor between students, SAS, and profes sors to ensure student accommodations are being met and to hold professors accountable when they are not. The Disability Advocates can support stu dents with disabilities by helping them to develop self-advocacy skills while also giving them a safety net when a situation gets too overwhelming or too severe to be done by a student alone.

That Faculty be required to attend educational seminars and training that explain the nature of accommodations. Accommodations are not designed to give advantages to the student with a disability over their non-disabled peers; they are designed to level the playing field and give the student with a dis ability the same equal opportunity to succeed. It is up to the student to take advantage of this opportunity or not.

Oklahoma State University has shown that it is dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion. From the Diver sity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force website: “At Oklahoma State Univer sity, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) matter. Providing a wide range of ways to understand and engage with the world, identifying opportuni ties and creating solutions are core to our mission as a land-grant university. We fulfill our mission and enrich our campus community by maintaining a welcoming and inclusive environment that appreciates, values and fosters a sense of belonging for all… Diversity means a variety of different and unique identities, characteristics, experiences and perspectives. Equity is defined as making available to everyone what they need to succeed by increasing access,

resources and opportunities for all — especially for those who are under represented and have been historically disadvantaged. Inclusion is what we do. Inclusion creates a welcoming culture where differences are celebrated and everyone is valued, respected and able to reach their full potential.”

OSU has made great strides over the past two years in their effort to sup port diversity, equity, and inclusion. It is now time to bring disability to this conversation.

Thank you for your time, and Go Pokes!

Signed by: Belle Wood, Student, Education and Human Sciences, Leader of OK State Disability Justice Initiative

Abigail Engles, Student faculty/ Community Mentor, Arts and Sciences

Toni Wood, Parent of Student, Education and Human Sciences, Parent with disability

Maeve Moore, Student, Arts and Sciences, Worked with Belle about per sonal experiences

Paxton Bryant, Student, Education and Human Sciences

Emma P., Student, Education and Human Sciences, Uses service dog

Camille Columbus, Student, Arts and Sciences

Maci Watkins, Student, Arts and Sciences, Works with disabled man

Annisa Clark, Student, Arts and Sciences, Neurodivergent

H.O., Parent of Student, Spears Business

Virginia Coonce, Student, Educa tion and Human Sciences

T.K., Parent Lynn Wood, Alumnus and Par ent of Student, Education and Human Sciences, Parent of Student with Dis abilities

Michelle Shelton, Student, Engi neering and Architecture Technology

Stacy L., Parent of Student, Fergu son College of Agriculture

Nercissa Newberry, Alumna and Parent of Student, Arts and Sciences

Elizabeth Thomas, Alumna, Arts and Sciences

Anonymous, Parent, Spears Busi ness

N.V., Student, Arts and Sciences\ Samantha Kathol, Parent of Stu dent, University College

Kate Lobpries, Student, Education and Human Sciences

Kimberly Cox, Stillwater Com munity Member and Former Faculty, English

Kimberly Hale, Faculty, Arts and Sciences

Emily Tucker, Current Faculty and Alumni, Education and Human Sci ences

Autumn Poe, Student, Education and Human Sciences

Elizabeth Thomas, Current Staff and Alumni, Education and Human Sciences

Brianna Hall, Student, Education and Human Sciences, President of Ac tive Minds Chapter at OSU

ETERNITY IN MIND!

“ Therefore, my beloved brethren, be stead fast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”

(1 Co.15:58 NKJ)

Just about everything in this life is tempo rary. Yet, most people work very hard to have a pleasant few years in their lifetime. I would like to remind the true Christians that God is offering us an eternity of bless ing as we serve him and his purposes now. In

1 Co.15 the Apostle Paul is reminding these believers of Christ’s resurrection and how true and real it was. He continues by emphasizing the sure promise of God that we are going to share in that resurrec tion one day. We will have a new, eternal body like Jesus has now. As we help in the work of God, furthering his kingdom;

demonstrating the love of God in blessing and serving others; as you and I get involved with helping missionary work, even going to help in short term mission trips or providing finances for others to go, we are laying up treasure in heaven “where moths cannot corrupt and thieves cannot steal.”

Actually, this kingdom of God, with forgive ness of all our sins and a new relationship with God as our Father, is offered to all mankind. If you have never opened your heart to Christ, asking for a clean heart and a new life; the door is open wide for you to come. You will not be turned away. Then you too can begin to live for the eternal: laying up treasure in Heaven. I en courage all to consider these words, no matter your age, and choose the best and most satisfying life. It is a life following Christ as your Lord, and going for God’s best in eternity. It is a great and sure future!

Students caught in a pickle with SUAB Lifestyle

turnout that the event garnered.

Payton Little Staff Reporter

OSU was in quite the pickle Wednesday, as the Stu dent Union Activities Board threw the first Picklefest at North Dining.

Those who attended the event received a sticker, photo booth opportu nities, a pickle top pings bar, pickle soda, a mechanical bull and giveaways. The pickle bar came with all sorts of unique toppings such as ranch powder, Tajin, Kool-Aid mix, and even chocolate syrup. With this being the first Picklefest at OSU, there were a lot of creative liberties taken to ensure the event would run at its best. Dallan Thomas, the SUAB North Din ing activities director, made it known that the process of coming up with Picklefest took a little bit of work.

“Every year at the beginning of the semester we have event selection,” Thomas said. “That was one that was brought up, Picklefest. And we were like ‘Picklefest?’ and we ran with it.”

Employees from Pickleman’s Gourmet Café were present.

With a restaurant name like Pickleman’s, it was perfect for the restaurant to promote its business and hand out some goods. The staff at Pickleman’s were pleased to see the

“Oh, I love it,” a staff member said. “It’s amazing. Great atmosphere just giving out swag items.”

The giveaways conducted at Picklefest were unique, and it put students in a bit of a pickle to win the priz es. Pickles were hid den all across North Dining, and those who found a hidden pickle could turn them into the prize table and walk away a winner.

One student, OSU junior Ashley Rickey, just so happened to strike it big in the search for a pickle.

With her roommates being in SUAB, she saw it as a fun night to hang out, but it soon turned into an easter egg like hunt for a pickle. Rickey thought the whole event was a giant stroke of luck for her.

“There were two over here (West Commons) that were already found, and then we all just kind of figured that they were over in that one (North Commons),” Rickey said. “So, we were looking through all the bushes.”

Overall, SUAB’s Picklefest had a large turnout for students try different sort of pickle products. Pickles may have a sour taste to them, but students found the event to be pretty sweet for them.

HIMALAYAN GROCERY STORE

All photos by Jaiden Daughty

Students dipped pickles in chocolate sauce, crushed up Takis and ranch powder among other toppings at the Picklefest on Wednesday night.

Posse...

to pet a dog. This volunteer oper ated force has made all the difference for students on campus going through stressful times.

While the dogs can often be found wandering about campus, the posse almost always has a few planned spots per day around campus. The schedule for the dogs can be found on its Twitter, @pets4pete, or its Insta gram, @pets4pete. The group is known to go to common gathering places and even certain dorm buildings.

Susan Grammer, who owns a golden retriever, Jackson, spoke with

The O’Colly in the Griffith Commu nity Center. She said she thinks that the positive effects on student’s mental health cannot go understated.

“I had a student once, while I was walking Jackson, run up to us and just hug him while crying,” she said.

Grammer thinks the posse is not only good for students, but good for parents, too.

“I think parents see the posse and see that OSU really cares about their kids’ mental health,” Grammer said.

One of the first members of Pete’s Pet Posse, Rick Eggers, spoke with The O’Colly inside the Edmon Low library with his Australian Shepherd, Disco. Eggers talked a bit about what it was like to be in the Pet Posse and the need-to-know risks any potential member has to contend with. Egg ers said Disco caught heat stroke last

year while working. He spoke about the importance of making sure you have enough water for yourself and the animal.

Several students gathered around Disco and said they mostly see infor mation on the Posse’s Instagram. The students usually set aside time to come visit.

“I actually have work right after this,” one student, Iris, said. “I’m skip ping a nap to come pet Disco.”

Several students make a point to meet every dog and to collect all the trading cards. Each dog has its own unique trading card that students can find when they visit the dogs.

The therapy dog card collecting has become a bit of a niche but a dedi cated hobby on campus. One student, Ethan Chestnut, has collected 33 cards this year, despite only being a fresh

man. He keeps them all in a binder and plans to collect as many as he can.

After the tragedy that took place at OSU Homecoming in 2015, the Posse proved a great help to those affected. The dogs visited patients in the hospital and comforted families that were hurting. The program just finished accepting applications for the year, but any dog is eligible to become a member, as long as they can meet certain training qualifications. They need to be a registered therapy dog and need to pass the Canine Good Citizen Test. Applications are accepted once a year during August and September.

For more information regarding Pete’s Pet Posse, please visit hr.okstate. edu/pet-therapy/.

All photos by Ethan Hilbert

Pete’s Pet Posse has garnered a large fanbase with its collectable trading cards and frequent public appearances. Some favorite dogs include Sophie, Disco and Jackson.

‘Road Guy’: Martin, Cowboys embrace away atmosphere

social media posts. Plas tered in the tunnels of Boone Pickens Stadium.

A few weeks ago, after coach Mike Gundy spoke to the team about that topic, Martin had a message.

Brock Martin is an outlier.

He’s one of the few fathers on the OSU foot ball team. An old guy compared to his team mates. He’s 23 and in his sixth year. An every down pass rush bruiser who lives off discipline and toughness.

Martin, a defen sive end, likes it loud and thousands rooting against him. It’s why he prefers playing on the road. The No. 9 Cowboys will do that Saturday at No. 16 Baylor.

“I kind of like hearing the chirping from away fans,” he said. “Sometimes, they take it overboard. Sometimes I feel like I play better at away stadiums. So, I think I enjoy going into hostile territory.”

It’s added pressure for him and his team to perform. Last year, Martin dislocated his left elbow against TCU. Normal recovery time suggested six weeks. He returned three weeks later.

“You just can’t show any emotion in your face when you’re hurting,” he said. “You just have to keep it straight.”

It’s because he thrives on discipline and toughness. Those words are OSU’s slogan. DAT. It’s stamped to the end of the Cowboy football’s

He told Gundy that his only traits are discipline and toughness because he’s not that good.

“I said, ‘Well, there’s two things, one; that’s true,’” Gundy said. “’Two; you are pretty good, because you choose to do that and you are tougher than most people that step on the field.’”

Martin likes to do things differently.

At home, everyone except a sliver of away fans cheer for OSU. On the road, the Cowboys are public enemy No. 1.

Martin said West Virginia and Texas Tech are his favorite away en vironments. In Lubbock, students toss tortillas onto the field. The odd tradition originated in 1992 when a sportscaster said there are two things in Lubbock — Texas Tech and a tortilla fac tory.

In West Virginia, thousands of rowdy fans heckle the opposition.

“I feel like it’s part of the game,” Martin said. “You kinda take it and make it your own. OU is very interesting because it’s kinda like our stadium. They’re right on top of you. Right behind you. You can hear everything they’re say ing. They’re not far away from you at all.”

Bears in the backfield

Protecting Sanders key to limiting turnover repeat

interception in 73 pass attempts. Sanders seemed to turn the corner in lim iting turnovers.

Then came the Baylor game and a triad of interceptions.

On Saturday, the Cowboys take on the Bears and, again, Sand ers has just one intercep tion in 95 throws. OSU has kept turnovers to a minimum, but Baylor and its top-25 defense will try to rattle Sanders for the first time this season.

point in the season where special teams yards, turnovers and missed assignments play more of a factor than anything in the game,” coach Mike Gundy said.

There isn’t just the one case of Baylor rat tling Sanders and his of fense, though. Still fresh on the minds of fans are the four interceptions in the Big 12 Championship game. Sanders has com mitted 12 turnovers in four games against BU, and nearly one-third of

“We’re still to the

Boone talks brother, Boynton on Memphis

Kalib is a steady presence and provided a watchful role over his more free-spirited twin. Kalib described his twin’s free-spirited nature as reckless.

Kalib Boone said it was OK to use the word reckless.

Smiles abounded at the first OSU men’s basketball press conference of the season. New life seems to bubble from players and coaches no longer under the shadow of a postseason ban.

The team has a fresh look.

This summer, former Cow boy Keylan Boone transferred to University of the Pacific. The twin brothers parted ways after “one last dap.” It will be the first time they have played basketball on different teams for an extended period of time.

This season, Kalib can focus his time and energy on himself.

“I’ve been big brother for 21 years, I’ve never truly had a moment to be like, ‘OK, I don’t got to worry about Key lan and this, this, that’” Kalib said. “I don’t have to wake up at 5 a.m. to make sure he’s up at 5:30 (a.m.) to come to workout or to do a lift or anything like that. So it’s great honestly.”

loud, hostile environments. his career interceptions have come against them (10 of 32).

Chase Davis

Cowboy defensive end Brock Martin prefers to play on the road in

Abby Cage

Spencer Sanders threw seven interceptions in two games against Baylor last season.

See Bears on 3B

Mackenzie Janish

Senior forward Kalib Boone discussed the departure of twin brother, Keylan, this offseason.

Adam Engel Co-Editor-in-Chief

Braden Bush Staff Reporter

Ben Hutchens & Sam Hutchens

Boone

Martin

OSU at Baylor

Saturday, 2:30 p.m. CT McLane Stadium, Waco, Texas Radio 93.7 TV FOX

Spencer Sanders finds himself in a similar spot.

Through three ap pearances in 2021, the OSU quarterback was protective of the foot ball, throwing a single

sports

Hoyt has tenured players, meshing new team

Eligibility issues

new team.

Cowboys once again can dream on an NCAA Tournament berth

Parker Gerl Staff Reporter

On Nov. 3, a new season will bring a fresh start for the OSU men’s basketball team.

The Cowboys will open their season that day vs. Ouachita Baptist for an exhibition game.

This year, the Cow boys will have something to play for.

Last season, OSU was an energetic team that struggled with perimeter shooting and taking care of the bas ketball. They were last in the Big 12 in 3-point makes and percentage. However, OSU held its opponents to a field goal percentage of 39% and was top four in the Big 12 in rebounding.

OSU finished last season with a 15-15 re cord and an 8-10 record in conference play. Last season was filled with many ups and downs because of OSU’s one year ban from postsea son play.

Consistency was an issue for OSU as well. It stole two big games on the road, one to beat Baylor and one at home vs Texas Tech, but strug gled in nonconference play, losing to Xavier and Oakland at home.

OSU’s roster for the 2022-23 season has a nice mix of returning players and fresh faces.

Key players returning

for the Cowboys include guards Avery Anderson, and Bryce Thompson, and forwards Moussa Cisse and Kalib Boone.

OSU is also get ting back Chris Har ris Jr., who dealt with season-ending injuries in the 2020-21 and 202122 seasons. OSU made some moves through the transfer portal, adding guards John-Michael Wright from High Point University and Caleb As berry from Texas State.

This is a roster with multiple players who will compete for a starting spot and big time minutes, with the opportunity to be versa tile.

“We’ll have the ability, I believe from what I’ve seen so far, to play different styles,” said OSU coach Mike Boynton. “Depth is cer tainly an asset for us.”

Boynton said to expect an offense that leans on Anderson and Thompson for scoring duties. Both were the two leading scorers for OSU last season, and each showed they can be go-to scorers for OSU when it needs a basket.

Anderson had five games of 20 or more points, and Thompson had six games of 15 or more points. However, if OSU wants to see improvement on the of fensive side of the ball, Thompson and Anderson will need to improve

their shooting percent ages.

Efficiency was something both guards struggled with last season. Anderson had nine games where he shot 30% or less from the field, and Thompson had eight games where he shot 33.3% or less from the field. Anderson and Thompson are two high upside players. If they can clean up the poor efficiency, the offensive side of the ball could see improvement.

Cisse will certainly be the anchor for OSU’s defense once again. Cis se is coming off a season where he led the Big 12 in blocks, averaging 1.9 a game, and has shown no signs of slowing down. The Cowboy defense is active on the perimeter and in the passing lanes — finishing third in the conference last year in steals.

Overall, OSU will look to put last year behind, with the expecta tion to return to postsea son play.

“The opportu nity to participate in the postseason this year, it’s always part of the goal,” Boynton said. “We want that to be the expecta tion.”

A new team, a new coach and a new season.

OSU women’s bas ketball started practice Monday in a place it hasn’t been in since the early 2000s: with a new coach.

On Tuesday, new OSU coach Jacie Hoyt spoke with the media. Here are some key points from Hoyt.

Mixing new pieces

The program had a face lift this offseason from the coaching staff to the players. Hoyt added 10 transfers from six schools along with, Praise Egharevba, a freshman from Ger many.

For a new coach, it’s difficult to mesh with a new team, but it’s at a new level consid ering the players are also trying to get used to each other, let alone the new coaching staff. But, Hoyt seems to not be concerned about the

“It’s really been kind of magical watch ing them come together in terms of their chem istry,” Hoyt said. “Now, in terms of maybe some old habits that we have to break or learning a new terminology, those things have been, you know, something that’s going to take time but all-in-all, our chemis try is really, really in a good place.”

Experience aplenty OSU did bring in all these new pieces this season and experience is now piled on the roster, something it lacked of last season.

OSU boasts five players who are fifth or six-year seniors, which is the most in the Big 12. The five seniors have played a combined 512 collegiate games, which brings tons of ex perience for a new team and coaching staff.

“The experience has just been so much fun for me,” Hoyt said.

“Just a group of girls who have gone through the process, they un derstand what it takes at this level. It’s been really great watching them as leaders kind of show the others what this is supposed to look like and have account ability and high expec tations for them.”

Egharevba, the only true freshman on the Cowgirls, will not be joining the team until December or January because of NCAA eligi bility issues. Egharevba, a 6-foot-3-inch forward from Germany, who hasn’t been with the team, ran into enroll ment and eligibility issues.

“It honestly was just a lot of bad luck,” Hoyt said. “Situations kind of stacked on top of each other but Praise will be here for the second semester, we couldn’t quite make that enrollment. You can expect to have her back in December and join our team.”

Situations like this one could put a player behind but Hoyt is not concerned about Egharevba joining late.

“The great thing about Praise is that she’s a great athlete,” Hoyt said. “We don’t really have to worry about her coming in, not in shape or being able to fit into the style of play that we want to play. It will be more of a learning curve for her, but I am super confident she’s going to pick things up pretty fast.”

sports.ed@ocolly.com

sports.ed@ocolly.com

Mackenzie Janish

Avery Anderson had high scoring games last season, such as against Cleveland State, and inefficient games such as at Texas Tech.

Abby Cage

Jacie Hoyt brought in 11 new players during the offseason, after a coaching change led to an exodus out of Stillwater.

Davis Cordova Staff Reporter

Notebook

from page 1

In Waco, running back Dominic Richardson said he expects a wild environment.

Baylor is marketing the game as a “gold out.” In 2020, against Baylor Richardson secured 169 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

“This is a big game for us and it’s a big game for them as well,” Richardson said.

“I’m pretty sure it’s gonna be

a full house and it’s gonna be exciting to get out there and just battle ‘em out. We know we can handle that for sure.”

It’s a difference the play ers said they appreciate. There is something therapeutic about silencing a stadium full of haters.

“They all rally up and they’re ready to go,” Rich ardson said. “Their fans are crazy because they’re home and when we beat them it feels great.”

sports.ed@ocolly.com

sports

Continued from 1B

“(Spencer) knows if he gets hit, the ball goes a different di rection,” Gundy said. “He can’t control it. He’s not going to tell you guys because he’s not going to push the blame on anybody else.”

Gundy said Sanders’ inflated interception tally doesn’t concern him, largely because he was hit when throwing the ball. What does concern him is the amount of push the Bears get up front that allows them to create those turnovers.

In particular, Siaki Ika.

“He’s a problem,” Gundy said. “He should be playing on Sundays right now.”

Ika, a 6-foot-4, 358-pound defensive tackle, recorded half a sack in each game against the Cowboys last year. His strength and ability to move the line of scrimmage back is what makes him disruptive.

“Whenever he comes off the ball and goes straight in that direc tion, whoever’s in front of him is going that direction,” Gundy said. “He dumps everything back in the backfield, which creates a problem for an offense.”

Much of that responsibility falls on the offensive line to hold ground and keep the pocket clean. This year’s offense morphed from a run-first scheme a year ago to a more pass-heavy one. That means the job of running back Dominic Richardson has also changed.

Now, Richardson is more involved in pass protection. He said while the offensive line is the first defense of protecting Sanders, he also has to attack the line of scrimmage.

Richardson has worked on reading blitzes and learning who is rushing and who he needs to pick up in protection to help out the line. To give Sanders clean space to work with and prevent a pile of turnovers again, the backs have to also be physical and meet rushers at the line and make clean blocks.

CheckouttheOriginalHideaway!

“If the running back can’t block, he can’t play,” Richardson said. “You can’t go out there and miss your block and get your quar terback killed. So, I keep that in my head. I need to keep my main guy safe. So, I play my butt off in pass protection very, very hard.”

“Just make sure no one gets to my quarterback.”

Teammates said Sanders hasn’t practiced differently in the week leading up to Baylor. Thoughts of the conference title game and seven interceptions haven’t fazed him.

Sanders has the opportunity to end the turnover trend against the Bears. Wide receiver John Paul Richardson said his quarterback has grown and moved on from those Baylor matchups and that it doesn’t bother him. He said Sand ers is just focused.

“He’s locked in,” John Paul said. “You can just tell that it mat ters to him. You know, he, like everybody else, we want to win.”

sports.ed@ocolly.com

SINCE 1957,

230 S. Knoblock St.

Stop in for fresh Fried Mushrooms or Pizza made to your liking!

3 storylines for OSU at Baylor

Braden Bush Staff Reporter

‘Good on good’

OSU’s defensive line, Baylor’s offensive line. Arguably the two most dominant units on the field. The OSU D-Line, headlined by a string of vet erans who returned from a top-five defense nationally, against Baylor’s offensive front, which features two preseason All-Big 12 linemen and the conference’s top tight end.

Baylor averages over 200 yards a game on the ground, while OSU prides itself on stopping the run and applying pressure. Watch the battle in the trenches.

Baylor quarterback Blake Shapen torched an experienced OSU second ary for three touchdowns on 82% pass ing in the Big 12 Championship game. Shapen has continued his efficiency (seven touchdowns, one interception), while the OSU secondary got younger and is still dealing with growing pains.

OSU’s secondary will have to grow up fast in its first conference game or it could be in for a long day against Shapen and the passing game.

Waco wary

Waco used to be a place of solace for the Cowboys.

From 1997 to 2009, OSU went 6-1 on Baylor’s turf. Since then, the Cow boys are just 1-4 in Waco. For OSU to leave McLane Stadium with an increasingly scarce win on Saturday, it will have to defeat a top-20 team on the road for the first time since 2014.

Chase Davis

OSU coach Mike Gundy blamed most of Spencer Sanders’ interceptions last season on the offensive line.

Bears...

Shapen vs. Cowboy secondary

Mackenzie Janish

Brock Martin (middle) said he thrives off discipline and toughness.

sports

Fall Softball Home Schedule

Cowgirls integrating transfers with unique team building program

lot of time into.”

Sam Hutchens Staff Reporter

When Chyenne Factor plunged into the YMCA pool at 5 in the morning, she was not sure how long she would be in the water.

None of the Cowgirl softball players were.

There are plenty of new play ers for OSU heading into fall ball. Some key members of the 2022 Women’s College World Series team graduated, including Sydney Pennington and Chelsea Alexander. The transfer portal whirlwind was active as ever, with players leaving and others filling the void.

“We’ve got 14 new faces, which is a lot,” coach Kenny Ga jewski said. “Some really good ath letes, really good people, you know what I mean. It was disappointing to lose a couple of kids that played a lot last year. I never thought we couldn’t replace their talent. We’ve done that. I mean, we’ve replaced people with better athletes, better softball players. It’s just hard when you lose people that you’ve put a

The Cowgirls beat the Uni versity of Science and Arts of Oklahoma 19-7 on Wednesday in their fall ball season opener. Perhaps the win was because of a unique, intentionally frustrating program that Gajewski employed to get his team to gel.

The Program.

It was a two-day extravagan za, like something out of a reality TV competition. It started on the first or second day of classes this semester. Every softball player met on the field in Cowgirl Stadium, as the sun met the horizon to begin the day.

The team completed theoreti cally simple challenges, such as counting together.

“Everyone had to be on the same page,” Factor said. “So it was like, if we did it right, it was sup posed to take just 16 minutes to do everything.”

About four hours later, long after hopes of a 16-minute finish vanished, the Cowgirls completed their tasks.

“I think it kind of got us together like really fast,” Factor said. “You kind of get to know how people are going to be in pressured situations…so it was good. It was tough, but it was good.”

The Cowgirls met at the YMCA pool the next morning. At

5, they again started the tedious team building work. On day two, there was a twist. After completing a challenge, players dove into the pool, swam across, and did another challenge.

Redshirt senior pitcher Kelly Maxwell says, in hindsight, the exercises were worth the toll.

“I think it’s been very good for us,” Maxwell said. “It was something different that I’d never done before. It was hard. Very mental and tough. Being able to get through that and push with new faces and new kids, it gives a new type of feeling for this team that we haven’t figured out completely yet. But it’s something special.”

Gajewski said OSU had some recruiting battles with Oklahoma in the offseason. He has turned OSU into one of the top transfer destinations in the country, along with OU. Getting talented players, though, and then getting them to integrate with the returners to play well, are two different matters.

“There’s a lot that goes into all this and to create the best team,” Gajewski said. “And so we’re in the process of doing that. And these kids have been all in. Crazy great fall up to this point and this team is really close.”

sports.ed@ocolly.com

3 players to watch for OSU fall softball

Abby Cage

After losing many players in the offseason, such as outfielder Chelsea Alexander, the Cowgirls reloaded the roster and relationships on the team.

Mackenzie Janish

Karli Petty and Kiley Naomi celebrating.

Rachel Becker, graduate infielder: Becker, a graduate transfer from Purdue, batted more than .400 in her last two seasons with the Boilermakers, while slugging more than .800. With a hole at second base, Becker is expected to become a veteran starter for the Cowgirls.

via @micaela_wark on Twitter

Micaela Wark, redshirt-freshman infielder: Wark did not see any action in her first year with the Kansas Jayhawks, leading her to transfer to OSU this offseason. Wark drew praise from OSU coach Kenny Gajewski and outfielder Chyenne Factor for her raw power abilities.

Ivy Rosenberry, junior pitcher: With the departure of pitchers Miranda Elish and Morgan Day after the 2022 season, OSU replenished its rotation in the transfer portal this offseason. But with injuries to Tatum Clopton and Lexi Kilfoyl, as well as with ace Kelly Maxwell receiving a lesser workload this fall, Rosenberry will be the pitcher Gajewski will throw in key moments this fall.

Chase Davis

Chase Davis

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Located on 121 E. 9th Ave, Downtown Stillwater

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

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Murphy’s Department Store 815 S Main, Downtown

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Houses for rent

Now Available Nice Home at 2214 E. 6th Ave. 2-bedroom, 1- bath, Living Room, Dining room, all appliances, washer/ dryer hookups, CHA. 405-372-7107

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Daily Horoscope

Nancy Black Tribune Content Agency

Linda Black Horoscopes

Today’s Birthday (09/30/22). Fall in love all over again this year. Keep the spark alive with regular routines for fun, romance and passion. Creative accomplish ments illuminate autumn, before winter educational adventures shift direction. Spring profits flood shared accounts, before summer communication challenges require diplomacy. You’re better together.

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 — Travel entices. Good news comes from far away. Examine educational opportunities. Can you mix business and pleasure? Classes, conferences and seminars recharge and enlighten.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is a 9 — You’re making a good impression. Find a way to increase profits. Review budgets and spending. Store provisions for the future. Take advantage of lucrative conditions.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is an 8 — Collaboration can lead to fun and romance. Pay a good deed and watch it ripple forward. Partnership deepens with loving attention. Share your appreciation.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is a 9 — Get your heart pumping. Love mo tivates your actions. Reconnect with fun, nature and beauty. Prioritize health and energy. Physical action gets lovely results.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is an 8 — A romantic possibility is ripe for the plucking. Dress to impress. Someone’s charms enchant you. Mutual interests align. Advance the game to the next level.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is a 7 — Enjoy a sweet domestic phase. Savor domestic comforts, arts and crafts. Prepare delicious treats. Clean and beautify your spaces. Sink into your favorite chair.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is a 7 — Investigate a subject that you love. Summarize your discoveries. Write and illustrate the story. Creative projects flower. Express your heart. Share and connect.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is a 9 — Have faith in your own imagination. It could get lucrative. Lead with heart. Provide excellent services. The love in your work makes it irresistible.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is a 9 — You’re especially strong and creative. Develop a passion project to new heights. Love inspires your actions and feeds your spirit. Take charge for your heart.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is a 6 — Rest and recuperate. Savor private rituals, traditions and contemplation. Consider where you’ve been and what’s ahead. Organize, plan and prepare. Recharge batteries.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is an 8 — Social events reveal shared poten tial. Reconnect with friends old and new. Remember what’s really important. New connections open new possibilities. Collaborate for common gain.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is a 9 — Advance your career in the direction your heart leads. Love increases the value of your work. Blossom professionally by inquiring into your own passion.

Los

ACROSS

1 Blood relative?

6 Like a WiFienabled toaster

11 Storage acronym

14 “Always Innovating” infomercial brand

15 Pointed, in a way

16 AQI monitor 17 *Teachers who demand perfect asanas?

19 High pts. 20 Acrylic alternative 21 California’s Big

22 Word with hot or fine

23 Semi 24 *Blogs and newsletters about raising a family?

27 Gets 29 Notable time

30 Wickerwork

31 Fancy-free adventures

33 Willing subject?

34 City on the Rhine

37 Recital pieces

38 Confirmed, in a way

40 Farm machine

43 Exactly right

44 Mike and __ 45 Inbox clogger 49 *Lion or tiger in the National Zoo?

51 Mendes of “Girl in Progress”

52 Actress Cheryl 53 Hägar creator Browne

54 Area that’s far from a strike zone

57 Inventor Whitney 58 *Ocean predator taking whatever comes its way?

60 Summer along the Seine 61 “SNL” alum Cheri 62 Nightingale, notably 63 Sci-fi/fantasy publisher whose logo is a mountain peak 64 Velvety garden flower

By Jeffrey Wechsler

65 Extra, and a twoword hint to the answers to the starred clues

DOWN

1 Young chickens 2 Coin that’s for the birds?

3 Order from Captain Picard

4 Many a “We’ve suspended your account” text

5 Pandora’s box remnant 6 Benchmark: Abbr. 7 Oppressive atmospheres

8 Per __ 9 Go back over 10 XFL scores 11 Like some skillbuilding classes

12 Joins 13 Treatments that many are prone to enjoy?

18 Bull on a glue bottle 22 Life guides 25 Synagogue structure

26 Shot not allowed in some pool halls 28 Came down hard?

32 __ nothing 34 After-school lineup

35 Entrance 36 Less liable to last 39 23andMe’s stock in trade 40 Quarrels

41 Pseudonym letters 42 Free 46 “Hoist with his own __”: Hamlet

47 Unwilling 48 Prominent 50 Compare 55 Sch. where John McCain is buried 56 Dull sound 58 Custodial need 59 Handy initials

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

O’Colly Friday, September 30, 2022 page 5B © 2022 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.

Edited

Hentemann discusses switch to long distance running

college middle distance astonished her.

Daniel Allen Staff Reporter

Gabby Hentemann came to OSU with her mind made up and her goals set.

Her dream out of high school had been to be a long-lasting middle dis tance runner. Years of rigorous training in the hottest and coldest of tempera tures, intense racing atmospheres and strict dieting had the Grand Haven, Michigan, native poised and ready to take on any challenge that stood ahead of her, in hopes of achieving her ath letic goals.

“I came in ready to be that next great runner,” Hentemann said. “I was pretty confident in my preparation for middle distance running because, I mean, I’d basically done it my whole life, or for most of it at least.”

For student-athletes, not every thing always goes as planned. It didn’t take long for Hentemann to realize that middle distance simply wasn’t for her. From day one, the competition levels in

She described it as a culture shock, and a major surprise regarding the level of preparation that went into it. Additionally, she found the lengthy and gradual preparation put into long distance racing to be significantly easier than the rigorous, fast-paced, constant practices for middle distance events.

Hentemann was a competitor, and said she always had been. She hated the thought of not fully going through with a predetermined goal, regardless of how premature it may have been, and it was a turn off for her. After a hand ful of conversations with OSU coach Dave Smith, it was in her best interest to make the switch to long distance running.

“Over time, I was just able to realize with long distance you can put in a lot more work over the years and grow into it,” Hentemann said. “I still think everyone has the potential to be a really strong (long) distance runner. Sometimes with middle distance run ning all that can be a little bit harder.”

The idea sparked heading into the winter portion of her junior season. Hentemann wasn’t getting the race results she anticipated. Not to say her results weren’t impressive or productive by any means — it just wasn’t to the caliber of success that the third-year

runner hoped for.

She was frustrated.

So, when she won the 3K at Big 12 Indoor Track and Field Champion ships, nothing was more satisfying for her than a bounce-back race as such.

Shortly after, in a team meeting, Smith said he needed more girls to run the 5K races because of a slight short age in participants. Eager to jump at the opportunity, Hentemann agreed to it.

“That was kind of a gateway to the longer distance,” Hentemann said. “Of course, I’m glad I did it.”

After days and weeks of training in the cold, howling winter Stillwater winds, Hentemann quickly cemented herself as one of the Cowgirls’ primary long distance runners. As she looks back at the discrepancies between middle and long distance running, Hen temann is happy she made the switch — for purposes regarding the toll that she had felt middle distance running had taken on her, both physically and mentally.

As she begins her senior season, she believes she is in a better position than she has been in during her college days. She says she doesn’t care where she has to go or what she has to do in order to maintain a consistent level of success, she just wants to make it hap pen.

“Gabby is extremely hard work ing and is someone who has big goals,” Smith said. “Obviously coming in, those goals may have been unrealistic, and she’s adjusted, and I’m proud of her for it… she has transformed herself into a distance runner and one of the best distance runners in the country.”

Monday

Wednesday:

Saturday:

Chase Davis

Gabby Hentemann was named a 2022 Outdoor First-Team All-American for the 10K race.

sports

Harris Jr. slated to return Chris Harris Jr. will be doing the same things for his team he did last season. Just, with the ball this time.

“I just want to keep my head high and be the energy guy,” Harris said. “Be the encourager. Try to help every one.”

For the past two years, Harris has been relegated to the bench. Two torn ACL’s cost Harris most of the 202122 season and a sizeable chunk of the season prior.

Harris recently got his knee brace off, and the Cowboys expect to get his high-energy motor and playing style back in the lineup.

“I feel great, 100% cleared,” Harris said. “I’m just ready to get out there and show y’all the stuff I’ve been working on, show y’all I’m the same Chris, or even better. ... Last year I just wanted to get in the best shape I could to potentially play or come back, but me and my doctor and (Kevin Blaske) had a great plan to see how I felt come Jan. 8 against Texas, we just decided that I wasn’t ready, so they redshirted me and now I’m back.”

Harris will help bolster OSU’s

3-point shooting, something the Cow boys have struggled with in his ab sence.

“I told him if he doesn’t pull like eight threes a game, me and him might have to fight after the game,” senior Kalib Boone said.

Senior guard Avery Anderson said Harris has remained dedicated through the long recovery period.

“I’m just proud of him, for real,” Anderson said. “Because that is my roommate. I talk with him every day. He had some highs, he had some lows, but he always just stuck with it every day. He came to work out with me in the mornings and all that, so I applaud him for staying the course.”

Cisse settling into junior season

Coach Mike Boynton does not anticipate Moussa Cisse having many more years at OSU, but he said he believes Cisse has gotten to the point of drawing comfort from Stillwater.

“I think there’s a sense of peace that (Cisse) has now,” Boynton said.

“He probably left Stillwater three times thinking he would be gone from Stillwater for weeks, and he wound up coming back within days. And I think he feels at home now.”

Cisse, OSU’s 7-foot-1 center who was a former five-star recruit for Memphis, will be a key player for the Cowboys. Cisse emerged as one of the

top shot blockers in the Big 12 last year. His defensive prowess is one of the reasons Boynton anticipates Cisse potentially leaving OSU after the year. He is the type of prospect NBA teams covet.

Boynton said he noticed Cisse’s maturity grow ahead of his junior year.

“I think in many ways, (Cisse) came in here and felt a lot of pressure,” Boynton said. “Guy is a five-star com ing in, that kind of creates a certain ex pectation from the outside about what you should do, what you should like. He just turned 20 years old a couple of weeks ago. He’s been in college three years. So, when he gets to college at 17 over two years ago, he’s not ready to do anything that people said he was gonna do. But he didn’t understand that.”

Now, Boynton said Cisse is in a position where he can narrow his focus.

“I think that’s a very positive thing that he’s comfortable, he likes where he is, he feels like he’s getting better,” Boynton said. “And I don’t think he’s focused on what’s next any more. I think he’s really centered on trying to be the best he can today.”

Boynton talks Memphis ruling:

When a head basketball coach at a Big 12 school uses a clown emoji in a tweet, it will draw attention.

That’s precisely the emoji Boyn ton used when reacting to a reminder

his program was hit with a postseason ban, scholarship reductions and recruit ing restrictions for a former assistant coach accepting bribery money.

The reason the NCAA’s decision returned in the news cycle is a verdict in the Memphis men’s basketball pro gram case stemming from the 2019-20 season where multiple level I and level II violations occurred.

The NCAA punished Memphis with a $5,000 fine, three years of probation and vacating three wins. It is a much softer penalty than the one the Cowboys received.

“Listen first and foremost, I’m a (Memphis coach) Penny Hardaway fan,” Boynton said Tuesday. “I’m a basketball fan, so I’ve always admired Penny. We’ve actually become good friends. So, in no way — and I hope it wasn’t taken this way in some sort of sleight at them — I’m actually happy for their kids that they don’t have to endure the agony of going through what we went through. Doesn’t make it any less frustrating. Glad it’s behind us though and looking forward to just kind of moving forward.”

sports.ed@ocolly.com

Mackenzie Janish

Chris Harris Jr. came to OSU as an exciting 3-point shooter, but has had an injury-riddled career.

Abby Cage

OSU coach Mike Boynton discussed the NCAA’s decision not to bar Memphis from the postseason following its own allegations.

Picking winners (and losers)

Iowa State

NC State

Clemson

Arkansas

(32-23) Baylor (37-35)

Kentucky (30-28)

Page 8B Friday, September 30, 2022 O’Colly Record: 13-8 Last week: 2-3 Clemson (25-17)

Ole Miss (35-27)

(31-27)

OSU (30-28)

OSU (27-20)

Baylor (35-31)

Kentucky (38-30)

Ole Miss (31-21)

Alabama (41-31) Alabama (43-28) Alabama (34-27) Alabama (45-24)

@ Kansas (37-9) Kansas (28-24)

Clemson (31-30)

Last Week’s Guest Last week: 0-5 Dean Ruhl OSU Kansas (31-30)

OSU NC State (24-20)

Ole Miss (28-24)

Ole Miss (38-28)

Alabama (35-20)

Alabama (42-21)

Clemson (33-16)

Clemson (21-7)

Hutchens Braden Bush Adam Engel Ben Hutchens Gabriel Trevino Guest Picker Record: 13-8 Last week: 3-2 Record: 16-5 Last week: 3-2 Record: 18-3 Last week: 4-1 Record: 15-6 Last week: 4-1 Overall Guest Record: 9-6 OSU @ Baylor Kentucky @ Ole Miss Alabama @ Clemson (20-19)

Kansas

Guest Picker leader board

Iowa State (35-31) Kansas (38-27)

@ Iowa State (28-21)

About this week’s guest picker: Michael Haag is the sports editor at the Baylor student newspaper, The Lariat. Haag expects to graduate Baylor in 2025. He also contributes to writing on racedaysa.com. To see more of Haag’s work, visit baylorlariat.com/sports.

Sam

Darren

Kenny

Dean

Michael Haag