Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022

Students keep busy over winter break

Kennedy Thomason Staff Reporter

An end to the semester means winter break is here.

Students have almost 30 days to reset for the spring semester. This amount of time can seem daunting to fill, or a relief to those finished with a tough fall semester. Either way, the month of free time affords you the opportunity to do as you please.

There are plenty of ways to utilize the time off. One way is to hold a job. Students use their time to make some extra money before the next semester begins.

Hannah Brown, a communications sciences and disorders major, said she will be working over the break.

“I am working with the Grand Lake YMCA,” Brown said. “I will work part time with the childcare facility they have and then part time at the ice skating rink they just built.”

One of the most popular ways to spend winter break is spending time with family. With holidays like Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, students gather with family to celebrate.

Emma Taylor, a music industry and political science double major, said she is looking forward to being at home for the holidays.

“For Christmas break, I’m spending time with my family,” Taylor said. “We’re all going to watch movies, relax and spend time with each other since we

typically live far apart.”

Along with family, connecting with hometown friends is a good way to use your break.

“I’m possibly having my best friend over for a day or two since I haven’t seen her in person in a year,” Taylor said.

But don’t forget to stay connected with your college friends while you are at home.

Heat check

How the Cowgirls are performing thus far

this season.

Calif Poncy Staff Reporter

Offense, offense, offense.

For first year coach Jacie Hoyt, completely revamping the offense was a necessity, and because of her fast paced style, the Cowgirls have found themselves with an 8-2 record through 10 games.

So far this season, OSU has gone as far as its offense has taken them. In its two losses, the Cowgirls have mustered only 56 and 65 points, marking their only two outings in which they failed to score at least 70 points

OSU’s most recent game against Loyola Marymount was an indicator that when the Cowgirls offense is coming, they can beat almost anyone, but when it’s struggling, they can lose to almost anyone.

In the first half against LMU, the Cowgirls scored only 39 points, giving them only an eight point lead heading into the half against the 1-7 Lions. This single digit lead coincided with a poor shooting performance from the Cowgirls, who, despite shooting 37% from three-point range as a team on the season, made just four first half three’s. This lack of shooting completely stunted the Cowgirls first half offense.

Hello Wisconsin! A look at the Badgers’ quarterback situation

This season was his best statistical year, with more than 2,100 passing yards and 19 touchdowns. Now, the Badgers must fill the hole of an offensive cornerstone responsible for half of their offense.

Braden Bush Staff Reporter

The Badgers and Cowboys enter the postseason with similar situations in their quarterback rooms.

Just as four-year starting quarterback Spencer Sanders entered the transfer portal, Wisconsin’s three-year starter Graham Mertz announced his decision to transfer ahead of the Guaranteed Rate Bowl, as well.

Mertz appeared in 34 career games, throwing for 5,405 yards, 38 touchdowns and 26 interceptions.

“We’ve got to continue to move ourselves forward in all that we’re doing. So, does that open up some things for us? Yeah,” said Luke Fickell, newly hired Wisconsin head coach. “I think that’s another one of those unique things that we’ve got an opportunity for this bowl practice to find out what we’ve really got and have had behind him. That’s what we’ll do.”

So, who’s behind Mertz?

Wisconsin has just two scholarship quarterbacks remaining – senior Chase Wolf and freshman Myles Burkett – and neither are heavy in experience. Wolf has only 12 appearances in his four-year career, with 176 passing yards, two

touchdowns and four picks to show for. He attempted six passes and completed two in a pair of appearances this season.

Burkett also played in just two games in his freshman season and put up miniscule numbers: 4-for-5 passing for 84 yards and no touchdowns. The freshman hasn’t appeared in a game since Sept. 17.

True freshman Marshall Howe, who has no recorded stats, is the only other quarterback on the roster.

Regardless of who gets the start, the depth at quarterback gives the OSU defensive line a chance to take advantage of inexperience if it can create pressure. Already a rush-first team, expect the Badgers to hand the ball off more times than not to avoid too much pressure on an inexperienced quarterback.

Courtesy of Wisconsin Athletics

Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell (right) is looking for a replacement at quarterback ahead of the Guaranteed Rate Bowl after starter Graham Mertz departed for the transfer portal.

Cole Gueldenzoph

OSU guard Naomie Alnatas, a Kansas City transfer, leads the Cowgirls’ high powered offense

sports

The first half against LMU was eerily reminiscent of OSU’s two losses, games in which the Cowgirls couldn’t get anything going from beyond the arc. In their two losses, OSU shot 5-23 from three, and 8-28 from three, with five of its threes during OSU’s loss to Purdue coming from guard Naomie Alnatas.

The Cowgirls easily could have faced the same fate against LMU, but, instead, they recaptured their shooting ability in the second half, knocking down eight threes and extending their lead all the way to 21 come the end of the game.

This game perfectly encapsulated what OSU can be this season. When they are shooting well, they can be a high scoring, solid team, but when their shots aren’t falling, they are easily able to be upset by inferior opponents. While that is the case for many basketball teams, the Cowgirls are especially vulnerable when their shot isn’t falling.

Going forward, OSU fans have plenty of reason to be optimistic. Hoyt has completely changed the feel of Cowgirl basketball in her short time in Stillwater, and the Big 12 appears to be weaker than some thought before the season, so if everything breaks right for them, the Cowgirls could finish higher in the standings than anyone thought in the preseason.

This Sunday, OSU faces off against the UNLV Lady Rebels, who come to Stillwater with a 9-1 record, with their only loss coming to Pacific.

UNLV will be one of the Cowgirls toughest tests to date, and if OSU wants to capture their ninth win of the season, they will have to be able to outshoot the Lady Rebels.

sports.ed@ocolly.com

Cole Gueldenzoph

OSU guard Naomie Alnatas leads the team with an average of 14.9 points per game. The Cowgirls enter Sunday’s game against UNLV at 8-2.

sports

Smith recaps Bedlam comeback win

Bradley Cook Staff Reporter

OSU rallied a late comeback to defeat OU for Bedlam bragging rights on Sunday.

On Monday on his weekly radio show, here is what coach John Smith had to say about the dual.

On early match woes: “Those first five (matches) nobody put off any energy. You know, outside Daton, was a major decision which was important after losing two straight. But other than that just not a lot of good energy and I think that’s how you win tough duals, that’s how you become a good team.”

On Konner Doucet:

“Unfortunately, you know, it’s just not enough. He’s lost two overtime matches, but more importantly, he’s good. He’s athletic. I’m gonna tell you he is athletic. You know, and I don’t like the 0-0. I don’t like that. But I guess we got to live with him, you know, for a little while until he builds some confidence. So obviously just an area where he needs to believe in himself.”

On Daton Fix and his major decision:

“He got to watch two matches that didn’t go well. And l thought he kind of wrestled a little bit slower than I was hoping. But I think as the match went on he took him down at

will and pretty much did what he needed to do.”

On 141-pounder Carter Young: “He got beat in the first period. I’m sure his next match is going to be good. But we need to go through these moments of just learning. He needs to kind of piece all that together to recognize it. He needs to put a match together. And, and he can but he’s got to be disciplined.”

On Plott’s technical fall and Surber’s fall:

“Between (Plott) and Surber, those two guys alone scored 11 points. So that’s big. You know when we got two guys scoring 11 points in tough matches and against pretty good, competitive guys that have been to the NCAA championship and won matches at the NCAA championships. That’s important no question.”

Smith’s overall thoughts on the win:

“It was a lot of good energy following the match. I mean, people can sit around and say, ‘Oh, it shouldn’t have been that close.’ Oh, well. I’m glad it was because I really feel like the energy that we had following that match, you feel like he could have beat anyone from here on out. We just need to really respect the good times because they do bring you up another notch. They bring you up a level, you know.”

sports.ed@ocolly.com

HIMALAYAN GROCERY STORE

Abby Cage

OSU wrestling coach John Smith reflected on the Cowboys’ Bedlam win during his weekly radio show Monday night.

photo

Pancake Night

All photos by Cole Gueldenzoph

Continued from page 1

“I am working with the Grand Lake YMCA,” Brown said. “I will work part time with the childcare facility they have and then part time at the ice skating rink they just built.”

One of the most popular ways to spend winter break is spending time with family. With holidays like Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, students gather with family to celebrate.

Emma Taylor, a music industry

and political science double major, said she is looking forward to being at home for the holidays.

“For Christmas break, I’m spending time with my family,” Taylor said. “We’re all going to watch movies, relax and spend time with each other since we typically live far apart.”

Along with family, connecting with hometown friends is a good way to use your break.

“I’m possibly having my best friend over for a day or two since I haven’t seen her in person in a year,” Taylor said.

But don’t forget to stay connected with your college friends while you are

at home.

Another way to use your time over break is channeling creativity. Fun ways to spend your time can include creating a blog, making TikToks, baking cookies or taking photos.

Taylor shared the creative outlet she will be returning to over the break.

“I’m working on releasing a new line of stickers for my Etsy shop,” Taylor said.

One way to spend your winter break is giving back to the community.

OSU President Kayse Shrum challenged OSU students to serve their communities “at least once” through an Instagram post shared on Dec. 9.

“Your act of service can be as simple as raking leaves for your elderly relative to helping a food bank package holiday meals,” the caption read.

Students are encouraged to submit pictures of their service using #CowboysForACause.

With New Year’s falling in the middle of winter break, now is a good time to think about what you want to accomplish in the next year. You can spend the time off from school to reflect on your personal and academic goals. Take a personal inventory of what you learned this year. Use that information to prioritize goals for 2023.

File photo

Campus will be less busy with most students going home for break. For those looking for something to do, there are plenty of options.

The other cowboys

Dallas Cowboys’ fans share their pride

Drew Allen, Ben Cohen and Grayson Singleton O’Colly Contributors

The Dallas Cowboys are historically America’s team.

But could the Star’s fandom just be a lifestyle that has been successfully passed down from generation to generation? In a social media survey of NFL fandom, 5% indicated they were Cowboys fans. Furthermore, all of them noted it was because of “family or a friend’s influence.”

One fan in particular is Michael Joyce, who is a Cowboys fan from New York.

“My father was raised in New Jersey, but for all his life he was a Cowboys fan,” Joyce said. “They were always broadcasted on national television, and he grew love for them, and gave that love to me.”

There were other franchises for which this reasoning was used such as the Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers and Houston Texans. Reasons for this could be of the historical significance of teams like the Browns, Packers and Lions (another team whose fans unanimously cited family or friendships influence), or the fact the Texans (and Lions) are not very good and thus don’t attract new fans that were not born into love for the franchise.

Conversely, Kansas City Chiefs fans unanimously cited their favorite player, likely quarterback Patrick Mahomes, as a reason for fandom. It makes sense why the Chiefs are the trendy team. Mahomes is one of the league’s most entertaining players and the team has appeared in each of the last four conference championship games, and won Super Bowl LIV in February 2020.

“I just started watching football a few years ago,” said Tyler Usen, a Chiefs fan from Massachusetts. “When I started watching, Tyreek Hill and Patrick Mahomes were the most entertaining. They always made highlight plays.”

Meanwhile, the Cowboys have to

rely on fans born into a lifestyle of rooting for the team. Though young stars CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons may change this, Dallas doesn’t attract fans based on a particular player and hasn’t won a Super Bowl since 1996.

The Cowboys, founded in 1960, rose to popularity in the 1970s, a decade in which the team won two Super Bowls and appeared in three others.

The franchise’s base swelled after Jerry Jones bought the team in 1989 and it went on to win three more Super Bowls in the 1990s.

According to DStillery, a data science company, Cowboys mostly fall into the age 35-44 bracket, meaning these fans were, at minimum, alive

when the Cowboys were last competing for championships.

Truett Fowler is a 40 year old native of Arlington, Texas. He is one of these fans, who grew up during the Cowboys success.

“Growing up in that atmosphere made me undeniably a Cowboy fan,” Fowler said. “The team’s success definitely brought more popularity to the team across the nation.”

This survey mostly confirmed the trendier teams of today’s NFL. Fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks all cited recent success as the reason they rooted for that particular team. Coincidently, the Steelers, 49ers and Seahawks have

all appeared in multiple Super Bowls since 2000, with only the 49ers failing to win one in that time.

However, when it comes to the Cowboys here’s what can be concluded. The fan base is generally older and fandom is passed down from parent to child.

The other thing to conclude is that it isn’t trendy to root for the Cowboys since the team hasn’t sniffed a championship since the 90s and hasn’t had players that captivate a national audience the way the Chiefs and Patriots have.

Via Dallas Cowboys

Dallas Cowboy’s medical team escort a player off the field after injury.

The Golden Globes

Nominees and Predictions

Michael Clark Staff Reporter

It’s award season yet again.

While we wait for the Golden Globes on Jan. 10 to arrive and snub our favorite shows and movies, now is a good time to break down the awards and predict what’ll win. For the sake of time, we’ll just be breaking down the four biggest awards.

Best Television Series Drama

- “Better Call Saul”

- “The Crown”

- “House of the Dragon”

- “Ozark”

- “Severance”

A stacked list, for sure. This is likely going to come down to a fierce battle between “Better Call Saul” and “House of the Dragon.” Because Saul Goodman is on his way out and the Targaryen reign has just begun, the award will likely go to “Better Call Saul’ for its phenomenal final season. “House of the Dragon” still has a long way to go.

Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy

- “Abbott Elementary”

- “The Bear’

- “Hacks”

- “Only Murders in the Building”

- “Wednesday”

With “Wednesday” and “The Bear” both being unexpected, massive hits, it is hard to tell which one will take home the award. With “Wednesday” breaking records for Netflix’s view time, it may win based on popularity alone. Critics also love “Abbott Elementary,” so it stands a chance too. This prediction will go for “Wednesday” for now, but this category will be contentious.

Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy

- “Babylon”

- “The Banshees of Inisherin”

- “Everything Everywhere All at Once”

- “Glass Onion”

- “Triangle of Sadness’

This one will easily go to “Everything Everywhere All at Once.” This film was a sleeper hit and currently stands as one of the highest reviewed movies on IMDb and Letterboxd. Be -

Courtesy of Tribune News Service Dozens of nominees for the 2023 Golden Globes Awards were announced Monday. The show will take place on Jan. 10.

cause of its cult film status and storytelling, this should be an easy win for The Daniels, the two directors of the film.

Best Motion Picture – Drama

- “Avatar: The Way of Water” - “Elvis”

- “The Fabelmans”

- “TAR”

- “Top Gun: Maverick”

Does anyone else find it strange that “Avatar” is on here despite not having been released? Regardless, this could go several ways. It’s hard to predict whether “Avatar” will take the W considering no one has seen it, so this brings the predictions to either “TAR” or “Top Gun: Maverick.” Maverick may be a little too mainstream for an awards show, but may get the award simply for

breaking box office records. “TAR” is a beautiful film, and is probably the best out of these five.

Those are the four biggest categories, but the official Golden Globes website has the entire list available if you’d like to check these nominees out for yourself and see what’s in store.

Courtesy of Tribune News Service

2022 proved to be a strong year for TV shows with the “Better Call Saul” series finale. Rhea Seehorn, left, starred as Kim Wexler and Bob Odenkirk, right, starred as Jimmy McGill in the show.

Rick and Morty Season 6 Review: Uneven, but Better.

Michael Clark Staff Reporter

“Rick and Morty” has to be one of the most inconsistent TV shows I’ve seen. Some days, I tune in and get an episode with fantastic sci-fi concepts, brilliant humor, and mind-bending stories. Other days, I tune in and get a mediocre mess.

The first two seasons of “Rick and Morty” are phenomenal, but the show slowly succumbed to an uneven mix of flaws and brilliance over the years. After season 5 had episodes regarded as the worst in the series, the hopes were low for the next seasons. Thankfully, season six is a great return to form, even

if it remains flawed.

There aren’t any episodes in season six outside of the season premiere, “Solaricks,” that really advance the story. One of the weirdest things about this show is its ability to really bring home the story episodes. This season does not have many and focuses more on weekly antics and some surprisingly funny concepts. However, this may be for the better. Most of these episodes are fantastic.

These episodes bring us the funniest moments in the series. I particularly liked “Night Family” for being existential and hilarious. “Final Desmithnation” has a supremely messed up premise, but manages to run with it and make it funny. “Analyze P***” shows a surprising new side of Rick’s character.

What really makes this season great is its heart, it sacrifices the cynical nihilism of Rick Sanchez to take a kinder look at him and his family. Many people watch Rick and Morty to have their nihilistic points of views validated, but don’t understand that the show is critiquing this lifestyle. So instead of wallowing, this season takes an approach to healing. Instead of constant angry bickering, the Smith family is slowly working out their differences and functioning better. This benefits the show greatly and is a massive breath of fresh air.

Unfortunately, there are a few rough episodes. I personally dislike the meta aspect of Rick and Morty. “Meta” is essentially a term that refers to a piece of media being self-aware

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and self-referential. Every few seasons, an episode comes along that takes this concept too far, and either comes off as condescending or as if the show is tooting its own horn. This season does that quite a bit, and not many of the jokes land. I found myself rolling my eyes to some of them.

All in all, season six of “Rick and Morty” may have some middling episodes and rushed concepts, but the heart and depth it adds makes up for its flaws and results in perhaps the best seasons in years.

“Rick and Morty” is available on HBO Max.

entertainment.ed@ocolly.com

Courtesy of Tribune News Service

Season six of “Rick and Morty” premiered Sept. 4 and is available for streaming on HBO Max.

Murphy’s Department Store

Houses for rent

ACROSS

Longtime ThinkPad maker

With 12-Down, mantra on embracing difficulty

Bun holder

Incentives

“It’s curtains for me!”

Río contents

__ roast: Sunday entrée

Grace of “Will & Grace”

With 22-Down, idiom meaning “easy peasy”

Lizzo genre

Exams for srs.

Gobble (up)

With 30-Down, aphorism excusing misconduct that didn’t cause damage

Part of a schmear campaign?

With 44-Down, expression describing an absence without leave

Baseball hats

Golden Rule preposition

Jekyll’s alter ego

Most aged

Barnyard bird

Members of a cabal, maybe

Tennis pundit Shriver

Home of Firenze

Wall, in Spanish

See 22-Across

“Dang!”

See 30-Across

Daily Horoscope

Nancy Black Tribune Content Agency Linda Black Horoscopes

Today’s Birthday (12/14/22). Prioritize home and family to grow this year. Action, persistence and determination realize creative dreams. Winter obstacles affect work and health, before springtime relaxation inspires flowering romance. Redirect plans over a summer transition phase, before social connection illuminates the autumn. Share domestic comforts and love.

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

Aries (March 21-April 19) — Today is a 7 — Put heart into your efforts. Adapt around challenges or barriers. Stick to practical objectives. Prioritize your health and work. Get extra rest and good food.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is a 7 — Relax and enjoy. Creativity, fun and romance take priority. Don’t push against a brick wall. Some doors remain closed. Ignore illusions. Connect hearts.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is a 7 — Discuss potential with renovation or relocation ideas. Talk with family and make plans. Don’t get into action yet. Uncertainties abound. Fit pieces in place.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is an 8 — Get the word out. Adapt around communication barriers. Find new networks, connections and channels. Inventiveness and ingenuity spark. Take notes. Don’t launch campaigns until ready. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is an 8 — Lucrative ideas fill your head. Plot and plan. Consider options. Don’t act yet. Wait for things to firm up. Clarify and define. Prepare materials.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is an 8 — Nurture personal dreams despite formidable obstacles. Don’t push. Coordinate and plan. Discuss possibilities with potential collaborators. Distill your fantasy into attainable goals. Perfect your pitch.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is a 7 — You’re especially intuitive. Tranquility soothes and stimulates imagination. Avoid noise, traffic or chaos. Adapt plans. Put stuff away. Clarify spaces. Process recent transitions. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is a 7 — Talk with friends and allies. New possibilities tempt. Keep confidence. Avoid rumors, gossip or drama. Keep a secret behind your apron until it’s fully cooked. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is an 8 — A professional project could seem stuck. Apply your love, talents and connections to reinforce practical foundations. Strengthen support structures. Focus on immediate priorities. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is a 7 — Plan an adventure. Travel and fun are favored. Coordinate and save for a vacation, conference or class. Imagine perfection. Get romantic. Invent a wonderful journey.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is an 8 — Strategize for maximum efficiency. Pull together for common gain. Don’t launch projects or make purchases yet. Research, plan and prepare first. Coordinate logistics. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is a 7 — Listen generously, especially with your partner. Don’t get pushy. Provide comfort and support. Don’t offer advice unless asked. Dreams seem elusive. Notice silver linings.

“Don’t move!”

“No Scrubs” pop trio

Real blanketyblank

Aces

Takes interest, maybe

Catkin trees

See 44-Across

Fresnel __: lighthouse installation

Solution to Tuesday’s puzzle

Promised

Part of STEM, briefly

Home of the Munch Museum

Brand of sport sandals

Baseball’s “Iron Man” Ripken

Bath rug

“The Princess Diaries” novelist Cabot

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

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

Edited