Friday, February 26, 2021

Friday, February 26, 2021

housing edition

Super-sub

Courtesy of Dr. Jeanette Mendez Dr. Jeanette Mendez first came to OSU in 2005 and is currently a professor of political science and vice provost of student affairs.

provost.

At the beginning of January, it was announced that the Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Maddison Farris Affairs, Gary Sandefur, would be stepping Jeanette Mendez down from his position. strives to be an adHis retirement is set to vocate for success at be effective on March Oklahoma State. Work- 31, just two months being behind the scenes fore current Oklahoma and filling crucial State President Burns positions wherever the Hargis’s retirement is university needs are the also made official. essence of Mendez’s Jeanette Mendez resume. has been part of the Mendez’s record OSU faculty since paints her as the go-to 2005 and is currently a super-sub for ensuring political science profesharmony within faculty sor. With a bachelor’s and administration. degree in combined History repeats itself as science and master’s as Mendez prepares to fill well as a doctorate in the position of interim political science, Men-

dez has found passion in teaching as well as administration.

Her history within OSU has ranged from interim dean for the College of Arts and Sciences to department head of CAS and being ready to serve wherever the school has needed her.

“This is my second year in the provost’s office being the vice provost for undergraduate affairs, and so I’ve been working extremely closely with our provost,” Mendez said. “The things that I’m doing on the undergraduate side and working closely with See Super-sub on pg. 3

Batchin Crazy Student suing OSU for $175K in damages due to bat ticks in dorm

Ryan Novozinsky Oklahoma State student Mary Ledbetter filed a lawsuit against OSU on Nov. 24 for physical and emotional damages suffered in 2019 after being repeatedly bitten by bat ticks while living in Patchin Hall –– which, according to the lawsuit, has been nicknamed “Batchin Hall” by some.

Bat ticks are routinely found in houses and buildings that are infested with bats, according to researchers at Iowa State University’s extension program.

Ledbetter’s lawyer, Randall Gill, alleges in the lawsuit that OSU knew of bat and bat tick infestations on campus dating back to 2017, but did not warn students. OSU students are required to live on campus their first year.

After being bitten multiple times, Ledbetter had to receive eight rabies shots, which gave her symptoms such as fever, shaking, fatigue and hot and cold flashes.

Ledbetter was then granted permission to move into Village D because she “mentally and physically could not live in Patchin Hall.”

Two weeks after she moved, Ledbetter was gathering the last of her belongings at her former Patchin Hall room. Despite OSU alleging that the room was safe, Ledbetter found even more bat ticks in the room.

“OSU treated Mary as if she were a nuisance and continuously assured Mary the dorm room was safe when it was not. OSU never properly eradicated the bats or bat ticks in Patchin Hall,” Gill noted in the lawsuit.

Ledbetter requested the amount of $175,000 for mental, physical and financial suffering, reimbursement of all expenses, rabies vaccine

Courtesy of Iowa State University Bat ticks are found where bat infestations are. One OSU student is suing the university for bat tick related incidents.

and humiliation from other students.

In addition to Ledbetter’s case, The O’Colly knows of at least one other bat-related incident at OSU. According to a video posted on social media in late September, a bat

was hanging in Edmon Low Library with students present.

When asked for a comment, OSU officials said that they cannot comment on pending litigation. news.ed@ocolly.com

Page 2A Friday, February 26, 2021

news Student thoughts: Living on vs. off campus

By Anna Pope From accessibility to campus activities and amenities, to shared hall bathrooms and meeting new people, campus housing helps students experience college life.

Oklahoma State University houses over 5,972 students in 27 residence halls and six family-style neighborhoods.

Generally, students at Oklahoma State are required to live on campus for their first year of college.

Living on campus is convenient but some students after their first year choose to live off-campus. Oftentimes, residences off campus gives students more autonomy and provide personal amenities like a personal kitchen. For Samuel Davis, sports and coaching science senior, a residence feeling truly his own is a perk of offcampus living.

Davis said he lived in a Ker -Drummond his first year in college but now lives off campus. He said one of the reasons why he prefers to live off campus is because he pays less rent for more room, a kitchen and washing machine.

More amenities than he had easy access to when living in the dorm.

However, Davis said living on campus is worth it because it is essential to the college experience and the campus resources to students are extremely convenient. He said living off campus places more responsibilities on people and could create a stressful situation if an individual is not familiar with managing their finances.

“Your bills have to be paid on time versus being on campus,” Davis said. “It’s kind of just attached to an account that you can pay over time.”

For Laney Kinder, agriculture business major junior, said that, though she lives off campus, she is closer to her classes than when she lived in Morsani-Smith Hall.

Kinder said off-campus living offers more residential options to choose from. While living on campus Kinder said she lived in the style of housing she wanted, but it was a hike every day to her classes.

Kinder said living on campus, especially during a student’s freshman year, is an effective way to meet new people and join a community while being introduced to college life.

“Since I had to find roommates, I ended up becoming really good friends with people

Joshua Cleary Of the many housing options that OSU offers to students, the Villages are among the most popular.

I didn’t know and we’re still friends to this day,” Kinder said.

People who live on campus during their freshman year are having similar experiences.

Sara Duca, human resources management senior, said this makes it easier for students to make friends.

Like Davis and Kinder, Duca lived in a dorm her first year and then decided to move off campus. Duca said she prefers living off campus, but she misses being in walking

distance to campus life, food options and amenities.

Duca said she lives off campus because she wanted her own room and she is saving money living off campus than living on campus. However, while housing is expensive, she said students for at least their first year in college should live on campus because everything is condensed together which makes it easier to adjust to living away from home. news.ed@okstate.edu

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News

Joshua Cleary Dr. Jeanette Mendez is filling the role of interim provost.

Super-sub Continued from pg. 1 the provost already, being in those meetings, meeting with the deans frequently, meeting with our vice president of administration and finance frequently. Those are all the kind of ‘on the job training,’ that would be necessary of being an interim provost or provost, and so I think with the transitioning it will help in that way.”

Mendez is confident in this position and has expressed a great desire to do well in the duties that she will be tackling later in the spring.

“As interim provost, I’ll continue working with our vice provost for undergraduate education as well as our vice provost and graduate dean,” Mendez said. “I will work closely with all of the

deans, meeting with them monthly, sometimes more than that, and really just providing advice and counsel to the colleges as we’re moving forward and navigating.”

Mendez is entering this position at a time when not only the current provost but the current president as well, have both set retirement dates within two months of each other. With both positions changing holders at roughly the same time, a smooth transition is a desire for Mendez.

“I hope people would know that I’ve spent a while working with our current provost, and specifically in the last few months, really preparing for the transition,” Mendez said. “So that’s my ultimate goal, is that I would want to see a seamless transition.”

The process of starting a national search and process of hiring a new provost

is delayed due to the ongoing search for a new president. This will lead to Mendez holding the position of interim provost for an extended amount of time.

“A rough guess is 15 months. Normally academic appointments follow a life cycle. So we’ll get a new president, that president will start this summer, I would expect that sometime in the fall that we would do a national search for a new provost,” Mendez said. “We’ve heard of a few examples recently where people have gone through like four or five presidents and three or four provosts in a short amount or period of time. We’re just so lucky at OSU that we haven’t had that, that we haven’t seen that change in quite a while.”

Regardless of how long she will hold the position, Mendez is determined to give it her all. With a background in being a student, fac-

ulty member, professor and even administrative positions, Mendez feels that she has an understanding of the many different positions and connections of the school and how they relate to one another.

“I also had served in arts and sciences, I was the interim dean for a year, I was the associate dean of research for two years, so I think all of that helps give me perspective in being interim provost,” Mendez said.

Mendez was not always set on being in the administrative sector of college function.

“I never had any intention of being an administrator. I love being a faculty member, I love teaching classes, I love doing my research and just opportunities put me in different places, so I always say that I’ll go where the university needs me,” Mendez said.

While excited to pursue this new adven-

ture and continue her past trend of “taking on new challenges,” Mendez does not know if her time in the provost’s chair will extend past those supposed 15 months. Mendez discussed the possibility of applying for the position herself.

“I am not sure at this moment, but I am certainly looking forward to learning more about the position and really just being in a position to best help OSU. That’s really what I’m here for,” said Mendez.

Even with many changes happening in a short amount of time, Mendez is determined to continue to be the biggest advocate for OSU’s success.

“I always think as an administrator that the biggest thing I could do is be there to support everyone and advocate and be the biggest resource. I’m always fighting for our faculty and See Super-sub on pg. 5

OPEN YOUR HEART! Open your heart and let him in.

God will remove all your sorrow and sin. He may not pass this way again, so open your heart and let Him come in. Take His hand. Take His nail scared hand. Let Him show you the way. Jesus will be your dearest friend, so open your heart and let Him come in.

This song is especially for those who have never come to Christ; to receive His forgiveness and a new life of reality with God. This invitation is open to all. No matter what your background. No matter the magnitude of you sin. Jesus can save, forgive and change any or all that come to Him. To die without Christ, is to face God’s judgement without a Saviour, and to face eternal existence without the blessing and presence of a loving God; who sent His son, Jesus

Christ, into the world to die and take the penalty for my and your sins.

Everyone who is without Christ in their lives, ought to be running to Him; not delaying a moment longer.

The Bible tells us that “whosoever calls on the name of the Lord (Jesus) will be saved. You don’t have to be in a church building. You can pull your car over to the roadside; you can stop a moment at work or home. You can pray with a friend.

You can sincerely call on the Lord wherever you are. He turns no one away.

I did this very thing in November, 1956 and started an adventure with God that continues today. Go for life’s best. It counts for now and for eternity. “Jesus! Jesus!

Jesus! Sweetest name I know. Fills my every longing. Keeps me singing as I go!”

Page 4A Friday, February 26. 2021

News

Trailblazer

Nancy Randolph Davis’ legacy lives on

By Ryleigh Clem February is nationally recognized as Black History Month, a time to celebrate Black voices and remember how they have shaped history.

In 1949, Nancy Randolph Davis made history when she became the first African American student admitted to OSU, formerly Oklahoma A&M College.

Davis had just obtained her bachelor’s degree in home economics from Langston University, and she sought to continue her education in her home state. At the time, it was almost unheard of for a person of color to attend a non-Black university. Davis was encouraged by a recent Supreme Court case, which allowed Ada Lois Sipuel Fisher to pursue a law degree at the University of Oklahoma.

This court decision gave Davis the push she needed to seek her master’s degree.

“It was not boldness on my part, and it was a struggle, but I was never afraid. God used me as a vessel at that time, and it is so worth it to know my granddaughter and oth-

Joshua Cleary A statue of Nancy Randolph Davis stands in front of the Human Sciences building to honor the barriers she broke and history she made.

ers can choose to go anywhere,” said Davis.

After being admitted to the school, Davis was not permitted inside the classroom.

She had to sit outside until enough students requested she be allowed in.

Davis grew up with her parents and four siblings. Her father was the one who encouraged her to continue her education at Oklahoma A&M. He was no stranger to racial injustice, and he had

the desire for each of his children to make the most of the opportunities given to them.

After graduating from Oklahoma A&M in 1952, Davis taught school for 43 years — 20 at Dunjee High School and 23 at Star Spencer High School.

She married Fred C. Davis, who was also an educator.

Davis had always been a promoter of social justice, taking an active part in the Civil Rights Movement in

Oklahoma. She would take her daughter picketing with her, much to the dismay of some of her friends. She also served as an adviser for the Oklahoma City NAACP. Davis never shied away from taking a stand, especially in the name of progression.

Davis’s life continues to inspire students today who must overcome obstacles to seek education, though that was not her initial intention.

“I didn’t know I was a trailblazer; I just wanted to earn a master’s degree in my home state.”

Davis’ story has had an impact on OSU students Kamari Willis and Princess Berry.

“Randolph was brave enough to make the first step. Her perseverance reminds me that no matter how hard things may seem, I can always rise to the occasion and excel,” Willis said, who serves as secretary of the AfricanAmerican sorority Zeta Phi Beta.

“Nancy just proves that no matter the skin color, we are just as talented and just as smart to go to a university and graduate. We just have to work 10 times harder just to prove we belong here. She gives me the courage and the strength to keep going and fight [until] I graduate,” said Berry.

On Oct. 23, 2020, the OSU A&M Board of Regents moved to rename the Human Sciences and Human Sciences West buildings to honor Davis. A lifesize statue of her sits in front of the building now called Nancy Randolph Davis. news.ed@ocolly.com

What are students doing to celebrate Black History Month?

By Kenlee Smith

Joshua Cleary Student, Kamari Willis looks forward to continuing traditions during Black History Month.

Joshua Cleary While not actively taking part in Black History Month traditions, Student Janae Lyndon takes in the activities of others and the culture around them.

Celebrations are held throughout February in honor of Black History Month which began in 1926 as a week dedicated to remembering black history.

Black History Month is an annual month-long holiday which recognizes the cultural heritage, achievements, and hardships of the African American community There are many traditions African American families participate in during this month of celebration. Some popular ways to celebrate include supporting Black businesses, cooking and hosting heritage themed meals and spending quality time with family.

When asked how she celebrates Black History Month, Brooklynn Farley said, “For Black History month the most important thing that me and my family does is get together and have dinner at least once in the month of February and just celebrate our heritage and the successes of our family.”

Celebrating doesn’t always have to be a big party, but rather just acknowledging the achievements people have made.

Janae Lyndon states,“I don’t celebrate it, I just experience the culture around me and different things and take in that and see what everybody else is doing” “It’s not anything in particular that I do, it’s just really a recognition of all the accomplishments we have made as black people” said Kamari Willis, Junior.

When asked if Kamari and her family partake in

It’s just really a recognition of all the accomplishments we have made as black people.

any traditions during Black History Month she stated, “Growing up, my mom would always make us do Black History book reports so as kids we know the importance of everything and how innovative and influential black people have been.”

Here at Oklahoma State, the Office of Multicultural affairs has celebrated by having a speaker series. These speaker sessions are shown live on OState TV and included guest speakers, Professor Quraysh Ali Lansa, Andrew R. Belton, Ph.D., and Erica Townsend-Bell, Ph.D. Professor Belton and Professor Townsend-Bell are two of our very own professors here at OSU. Some sessions and events have been rescheduled to take place in March due to the ice storm of last week and various technical difficulties. news.ed@ocolly.com

News

Presidential search update

Super-sub Continued from pg. 1

Maddison Farris The search continues for a president capable of attempting to fill the large shoes that are being left behind by current OSU president, Burns Hargis, who will be retiring officially on July 1.

Current Vice Provost and soon-to-be Interim Provost, Jeanette Mendez sees the process moving smoothly and is confident in the updates her department has received, despite not being on the committee herself.

“I think the process is moving pretty quickly. The updates we’re getting is that the search committee has been meeting frequently and have a list of applicants that they’d be interested in,” Mendez said. “I think we started the search early enough, and that was purposeful. President Hargis didn’t announce his retirement a month before retiring, because, I think, there was a desire to have a permanent president in place.”

Updates have also come from members of the search committee, including Megan Berg, vice president of GPSGA, who says that

Joshua Cleary OSU President, Burns Hargis, became Oklahoma State’s 18th president in May of 2008.

things are “progressing forward.”

An official announcement from the committee can be ex-

pected within the range of late March to early April. It is known that a list of candidates has been organized, but

the amount and identities of individuals are unknown. news.ed@ocolly.com

our staff and our students and making sure we’re doing the best job possible,” Mendez said. “Someone told me long ago that change brings opportunity. I think it’s really easy in an institution where we haven’t had a lot of change at the provost and presidential level for quite a while now to be nervous or too uncertain of what that means.

But the day-to-day function of our university from our faculty, our staff, our student body, the core is not changing.”

Mendez encourages that even though big changes are coming, the values and commitment for success that drives OSU to be a great school will not change.

“We are not going to have some massive change that’s going to pull us or derail us or move us in a different direction. I think all of us are committed to what OSU is and who we are as a family.”

news.ed@ocolly.com

Page 6A Friday, February 26, 2021

Opinion OPINION: Sonic’s storied history deserves to be told better than a misleading sign

Chris Becker What if I told you one of Stillwater’s claims to fame isn’t what it seems?

That’s right, the Sonic on Main Street is a fraud.

You heard me right, a fraud.

The big red sign that says “America’s First” doesn’t tell the full story of the history of Sonic.

Now I could just tell you to Google it, but that wouldn’t tell the story either, it would skip over important history of the franchise, much like the sign in Stillwater.

To begin we have to go all the way back to 1953 when Troy Smith Sr. and a business partner started Top Hat, a walk-up root beer stand in a log cabin on a five acre-plot of land in Shawnee, Oklahoma.

The second Top Hat location would certainly be in Stillwater, right?

Wrong, the second franchise was in Woodward, Oklahoma in 1956.

In 1958, Enid, Oklahoma and Still-

Joshua Cleary The sign outside of the Sonic Drive-in on Main Street claims it to be the first of the chain, but this claim may be disputed.

water each got their own Top Hat franchise. There was only one issue with the business, the name Top Hat was already trademarked, so Smith had to change it.

That’s when Sonic started.

The first franchise to receive a new sign was Stillwater.

That’s the reason the sign is placed outside

of the Main Street location, but don’t let that fool you, the first Sonic was in Shawnee.

That’s easy to prove. Googling ‘where is the first sonic’ gives you the answer of Shawnee, Oklahoma. The only claim to Sonic Stillwater is that it was the first franchise to receive the sign under the new name of

Sonic.

The sign reading “America’s First” should come with asterisks because of the misleading nature of the claim. With the main Oklahoma State campus in Stillwater the town should pride itself on academics and teaching, so instead of just having the sign, which is misleading, it should

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teach the history of the chain.

Stillwater already has Eskimo Joes and Hideaway as restaurants to claim and not even to mention the home of the Wrestling Hall of Fame. Why do they need to claim a sign? Let Shawnee have this one.

Lifestyle

Competitive Cosplay The Story of Two Women, a Machine and a Dream

By Emmett McKeel The art of cosplay is a growing medium as media fans learn about the concept of attending conventions and meeting their favorite characters.

OSU students Allison Breckon and Marlie McLaughin aren’t new to the game, but their popularity is only growing.

Breckon is finishing her senior year here at OSU, soon to be a graduate holding a degree in design housing and merchandising with a concentration in apparel planning and production, and a minor in merchandising with an emphasis on costume design. She chose her major because of her love of cosplay and sewing and is grateful to have been able to pursue something she loves. Breckon said that being able to make her patterns from scratch has been the most helpful aspect of her education.

McLaughlin just graduated with a major in geology and a minor in theatre as well as geophysics. For her, college encouraged and introduced her to cosplay. She was took sewing courses and made her first costume in the summer of 2017. This costume, Elsa from Frozen, was created within a week and done last minute for her first convention.

Breckon and McLaughlin began to create duos together after their friendship grew and made cosplays such as Elsa and Anna, Link and Zelda, Aphrodite and Athena, as well as a few others. These cosplays grew in popularity as

Provided by Marlie and Allison OSU students Allison Breckon and Marlie McLaughin specialize in cosplay.

they traveled to new conventions and entered into competitions. Most notably are their Frozen cosplays, which were featured in the Tulsa World in 2020.

Breckon won her first award at Glitchcon 2016 in a Queen Amidala cosplay where she received first place, while McLaughlin was at Pryor Con as Anna in her coronation gown. Their first joint first place award was as Anna and Elsa at Vision Con in Branson, Missouri.

Overall they have 27 placements. They’ve judged contests at conventions 15 times and been asked to guest 13 times. Guesting at a convention typically includes paid travel and food, occasionally a gifted hotel room, and usually, the two will table their booth where they can sell trinkets they’ve made. They’ve given a few panels about cosplay creation such as Cosplay on a Budget at Tulsa World Comic Con in 2019. Before the cancellations of conventions due

to COVID-19, they were due to guest another three conventions in 2020.

The arrival of COVID-19 has caused a change in every aspect of everyone’s lives, and for these two it’s no different.

While in a normal year they’d be making extra money at conventions through their booth sales and the cosplay commissions they do where they make custom cosplays for buyers.

Due to the hardships, everyone is facing, there have been fewer commissions available as people don’t have the extra money to spend. In addition, their motivation to create content has taken a downfall.

Breckon has only cosplayed once throughout the pandemic, and she finds it difficult to work on her projects without the upcoming prospect of a convention.

McLaughlin has a similar issue but is also utilizing her free time to work on a Ball Gown Princess Peach. She’s been building and sewing the gown from scratch and posts updates on their joint Instagram account. She said she hopes to debut the gown at a convention when they reopen.

While the cosplay community has surely taken a hit, this pair is still marching on.

Along with her Princess Peach cosplay, McLaughlin is working on a Guardian Link.

Breckon has a new Zelda cosplay coming and hopes to have Isabelle from Animal Crossing done in the future.

For more information on the two, you can find them on Instagram and Facebook under ‘Divine Creations Cosplay.’ entertainment.ed@ocolly.com

Page 8A Friday, February 26, 2021

Friday, February 26, 2021

Photo Courtesy: National Wrestling Hall of Fame Kenny Monday always worked hard, even through the face of adversity.

Cultural Champions Monday, Moore among many great OSU Black wrestlers

Adam Engel Kenny Monday didn’t have to seek greatness.

He was surrounded by it.

Long before Monday stood between a Soviet and Bulgarian in South Korea, becoming the first African American to win a gold medal in the world’s oldest sport, he

was just a kid in an all-Black Tulsa neighborhood with big dreams.

An after-school program at a north Tulsa YMCA forged Monday’s love with wrestling.

Every day, Kenny and his brothers, Michael and Jim, would spend hours swimming, shooting hoops and acting like kids until their parents Fred and Elizabeth Monday picked them up at 6 p.m. after work.

At the time, Kenny, Michael and Jim began to be surrounded by a whole volume of wrestling lore. Oklahoma was the wrestling hotbed.

Reflecting through Black History Month, Kenny Monday and Hardell Moore represent two of many Black wrestlers who excelled at OSU and beyond.

Kenny grew up with future NBA players Wayman Tisdale and John Starks but was drawn to the one-on-one aspect of wrestling. An hour east of his childhood home, Oklahoma State coach Myron Roderick was creating a dynasty filled with cultural diversity. Japanese wrestlers Masaaki Hatta, Yojiro Uetake and Tadaaki Hatta won a com-

bined five individual national titles as Cowboys.

In 1965, when Uetake won his second national title at 130 pounds, heavyweight Joe James became OSU’s first Black national champion.

“It was easy to watch some amazing wrestling,” said Monday. “I fell in love with the sport because I was exposed to greatness.

“My first idea of the Olympics was in 1968 with Bobby Douglas. He wrestled at OSU, and I followed him.

See Cultural on pg. 2B

All the little things prided ourselves in getting better over the course of the season,” coach Mike Boynton said. “His progress is evidence that we keep preaching that mesBy Chris Becker sage.”

On Feb. 19, Kalib The key to the Boone sat down in front shift in directions for of a computer to talk Boone was just focusing with the media, dancing on the little things and on his way to the chair having the big picture and even while seated, come to him. In the with a smile across his beginning, Boone had face. placed too much presBoone is in the sure on himself with his midst of a breakout expanded role. stretch of games for When he took that Oklahoma State, just pressure away, the plays a little over a month came to him. removed from sharing “After I told y’all his confidence struggles how I felt, and that I earlier in the season. haven’t been playing Instead of letting my best for the team, himself get discourI just said, ‘I’m going aged, Boone evolved to do the little things and is now a center and commit to my role.’ piece to the CowThat’s all I do,” Boone boys lineup. Boone said. has boosted his averSince opening up ages from just above about those struggles, six points per game at Boone has also set new the start of January to career highs in points, just under 10 points per twice, rebounds and game nearing the end of blocks. He is also on Courtney Bay February.

It was a struggle to begin the year, but Kalib Boone has fulfilled the promise in Year II. “We’ve always See All on pg. 4B

Page 2B Friday, February 26, 2021

sports The Oklahoma Wrestling Academy website lists hard work, integrity, positivity and humility as the core Continued from pg. 1B values preached to its wrestlers. The academy, Those guys inspired in its eighth year of me to make a name for operation, has featured myself.”

Cowboys such as Boo Twenty years later, Lewallen, Kaden Gfeller Douglas coached Monand Dustin Plott. day and Team USA in “Hardell has defithe 1988 Seoul Olymnitely played a big role pics. in me developing as a As Monday realized wrestler,” Plott told Flo his talents, others did as Wrestling. “He’s a great well. And not always in a guy.” good way. In youth wresAccording to tling, the referees noticed Moore, about 110 to 120 his all-Black team. kids wrestle at OWA. “The referees kept Moore said “it screwing us and taking makes me smile” when away some points,” Mona former wrestler excels day said. later in life.

Monday realized “We’ve been fortuKenny Monday stands atop that to be the best, he nate enough to help kids the podium at the 1988 Seoul would have to train like get scholarships at OSU, Olympics. the best and force the OU, West Virginia, and Heel Wrestling Club in referees to call matches Central Oklahoma,” he North Carolina. Twofairly. said. “You are a part of time OSU All-American that young man’s jourHe did just that.

Moore, who followed “My parents sat me ney.”

Monday to OSU 12 years down and told me I just Monday and Moore later, uses his lifelong needed to get better,” achieved excellence Monday said. “That took knowledge of wrestling as Cowboys, and their to coach Oklahoma me to another level berespective accomplishcause I knew the matches youth on the mat and in ments as wrestlers are life. couldn’t be close. I had just a part of the story.

Moore’s passion to dominate. I started And their experience as project, Oklahoma working my butt off.”

Black athletes at OSU Wrestling Academy, a After that lifewas positive. changing lesson from his nonprofit, has prepared “I was welcomed young men and women parents, Monday didn’t with open arms, and in the Oklahoma City lose a match between that’s one thing about the area for life on and off seventh and 12th grade.

OSU wrestling family,” the mat.

During his time as a Moore said. “Obviously, “OWA is about Cowboy, Monday comthere was a lineage of helping young men and piled a 121-12-2 record African Americans that women with our mission already laid the foundaand captured an NCAA statement to achieve their tion. title as a senior. wrestling goals,” Moore OSU owns a long “We are a part of a said. “More importantly, special family at OSU.” history of Black wreshelping them for life tlers succeeding on the Monday and Moore after wrestling. mat. In the late ‘70s, are dads, husbands, “We’re teaching life coaches and leaders in Jimmy Jackson won three NCAA titles. Dan- lessons.” the community. And During the day, iel Cormier transformed Stillwater was a launch into a UFC champion af- Moore is a pharmaceuti- pad for their successes. ter his time in Stillwater. cal sales rep, but after “I’ve been an OSU work and on weekends, And the examples don’t fan since I’ve been an he transforms into a end there. itty-bitty boy,” Monday teacher for hundreds of Monday reached said. the peak of the sport and kids, including his young son and daughter. now coaches at the Tar sports.ed@ocolly.com

Cultural

OSU wrestling’s Black All-Americans Joe James: 1962, 1963, 1964 Ron Ray: 1974, 1975 Jon Jackson: 1974 Jimmy Jackson: 1976, 1977, 1978 Charles Shelton: 1979 Thomas Landrum: 1980 Kenny Monday: 1982, 1983, 1984 Greg Hawkins: 1982 Reggie Wilson: 1986 Glen Lanham: 1987 Laurence Jackson: 1988 Hardell Moore: 1997, 1998 Tyrone Lewis: 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 Daniel Cormier: 2001 Jerrod Sanders: 2003 Chris Pendleton: 2003, 2004, 2005 Muhammed Lawal: 2003 Jordan Oliver: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 Jamal Parks: 2011 Jacobe Smith: 2018

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Page 4B Friday, February 26, 2021

sports

All Continued from pg. 1B pace to break the school record for field goal percentage in a season. Boone is currently shooting 63.3% from the field, the record held by Chianti Roberts is 62.5% Boone’s hard work and dedication to improving and helping his team has began to pay off. Boone has scored 15 or more points in three of the last five games. He’s scored 15 or more six times total this season.

In the Cowboys’ game on Feb. 16 against Iowa State, little things from Boone led to two big Cowboy plays in the first two trips down the court.

The first was a lob play that began with a Boone screen on the perimeter, and he rolled hard to the basket and he finished.

The next play he did the same thing. He set a screen and then rolled to the basket, this time, however, the

TC Brewster

Kalib Boone is working hard to improve his game this season.

Cyclones over helped on his roll. That left Cade Cunningham wide open for a 3-point basket.

“Those things make me feel good because I’m not just thinking about myself,” Boone said. “I’m not

one of those people who worry about me, me, me. I like to worry about my teammates.

Me doing stuff like that

Dean Ruhl When Mike Boynton speaks, the words “we” and “us” are as common as “the” and “and”.

In his fourth season as the Oklahoma State basketball head coach, he’s built the culture of being team first.

Adding the No. 1 overall recruit, Cade Cunningham, can make that difficult.

But now Cunningham has bought into Boynton’s philosophy and coaching without a problem.

Cunningham is clapping up and down the court, communicating with teammates even when he’s on the bench and can occasionally be seen slapping the floor.

The difficulty comes from the media and their critiques.

The majority of them remain positive.

His athleticism is off the charts. His passing is some of the best in this draft class.

Court vision and defensive IQ are excellent.

They all remain overwhelmingly positive, but a consistent negative always is brought up.

Cunningham is too unselfish.

Not the worst negative to have as a basketball player, but it’s a common evaluation of his play.

Anytime you turn on an ESPN broadcast, these comments are heard. It’s a constant talking point for analyst Fran Fraschilla when he’s calling an Oklahoma State

TC Brewster Cade Cunningham’s unselfishness in the first half has been a big talking point this season.

game.

“He’s been a notoriously slow starter,” Fraschilla said on the national broadcast.

“He looks for his teammates first and his own offense second, and I think that has to change later in the season.”

The low scoring first half doesn’t mean he’s invisible on the court.

His teammates accredit his passing and vision during games, reinstating what Fraschilla said about teammates first and his own scoring

second.

“Some point guards worry about their stats,” Kalib Boone said. “Their assist to turnover ratio, but Cade always goes out there and if he thinks our play is there, he’s going to make that play and he’s not going to regret it.”

With the passivity in the first half, Cunningham elevates in the second half.

The past few games, he has struggled with foul trouble but still leads the team in

is me spreading my positivity around.

“I’m in my world when I hoop.” sports.ed@ocolly.com

most stat categories.

His points per game (18.7), 3-point percentage (43.7%) and steals (27) are best on the team.

He comes in second on rebounds per game (six), free-throw percentage (83.8%) and assists (69).

“Cade doesn’t second guess himself, and that’s the one thing about his playmaking and vision,” Boone said.

“If he sees something, he sees it.”

Cunningham deferring to teammates in the first isn’t something coach Mike Boynton is worried about either.

“Cade does what we ask him to do to try to help us win,” Boynton said. “If he is more efficient shooting the ball and doesn’t turn it over, I feel good about it. Whether that means, he’s more aggressive in the first half or the second half, I’m not as concerned.”

As the season dwindles down, and the Cowboys will attempt to make their first NCAA tournament since 2017, the national narrative has begun to shift over Cunningham’s future not at OSU, but in the NBA. Not if he gets drafted, but when.

He was ESPN’s No. 1 overall player going into the season and has unanimously been seen as a top five pick come draft day.

“He’s going to be a tremendous NBA player,” Fraschilla said on the national broadcast. “He’s not going to fail, he’s going to be terrific around other good players.

My one concern about Cade is the passivity in the first half of these games and not taking over.” sports.ed@ocolly.com

sports

‘Shoulda coulda woulda’ Kim Rodriguez is back with a purpose Ben Hutchens Should’ve, could’ve, would’ve.

Kim Rodriguez should have been the second Cowgirl soccer player drafted to the National Women’s Soccer League.

She could have doubtlessly hung in a league with some of the top professional women’s soccer players on earth.

She would have been drafted if she hadn’t decided to return to OSU to complete her senior year.

“I know Kim got a lot of interest, I probably talked to four or five NWSL teams about her, but the fact that she had indicated that her intention was to come back here, I think some teams just thought, ‘Well let’s just see how things look next year,’” OSU soccer coach Colin Carmichael said.

According to Carmichael and NWSL draft prospect lists, Rodriguez was easily among the top 40 college seniors who could have been drafted. That’s why it was disappointing for Rodriguez to not hear her name called

by NWSL commissioner, Lisa Baird.

“I was obviously hoping to get my name called, but it’s fine,” Rodriguez said.

It is fine for Rodriguez because she is coming back

Alicia Young Kim Rodriguez is back to compete for the Cowgirl soccer team in her senior year.

to Stillwater, who decided last December to complete the broken-up NCAA soccer season she started last fall for two reasons.

“I want to win another Big 12 (championship) again and, honestly, a bunch of (NWSL) teams probably don’t have that much money right now because of COVID and all this going on, so I feel like it’s better and safer for me to stay here another semester,” Rodriguez said.

Carmichael is ecstatic to have Rodriguez back.

“We’re really going to lean on Kim, she’s so good on set plays, she’s so calming out of the back, some of her passing out of the back is incredible, so she’s going to be a huge part of what we do,” Carmichael said.

Rodriguez is in a position to have her best season as a Cowgirl.

Her ankle, which she sprained during preseason

last year, has fully healed.

Her quickness and right foot have gotten better. But the top reason Rodriguez could be the best version of herself this season is purely psychological.

“Yeah, (I can use not getting selected for motivation) because I can enter the draft again after I finish another semester here at OSU,” Rodriguez said. sports.ed@ocolly.com

Hospitality in Houston A text that helped OSU recover from cancellation

One simple text changed the beginning of the season for OSU softball.

Sam Hutchens

Kenny Gajewski tapped away at his phone, writing a message that would shape Oklahoma State’s season.

The Cowgirl

Claire Boomer

softball coach had just found out his team’s next four games were canceled. With inclement cold in Louisiana forcing an abrupt end to the Best

on the Bayou Classic, Gajewski knew what he needed to do.

“I have a contact at the Scrap Yard,” Gajewski said. “While all this was going on, I texted her and said, ‘Would you even entertain having some college games at your place?’”

The Scrap Yards is an innocuous name for a rather impressive complex.

Located in the Houston area, the Scrap Yard complex has 10 all-turf fields, parking and amenities built to host tournaments. Even the USA softball national team has trained there.

Gajewski’s contact was accommodating, and a potential venue was identified.

Now he just needed to get other teams on board to play.

“I just reached out to the other coaches and said, ‘Hey, do you guys still want to play if we can move it south?’” Gajewski said.

The coaches had already identified the weather in Louisiana could be an issue.

When their concerns manifested in the form of snow, backup locations were proposed. Corpus Chris-

tie was floated out, but Gajewski tried to find a more central location to reduce drive time.

Houston was determined to be a good spot, and OSU was able to schedule games against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, North Texas and Tarleton State.

The Cowgirls played two games in Houston on Saturday and played two more on Sunday, keeping their season moving along nicely.

Gajewski described the Scrap Yards’ hospitality as “a huge favor.” In the scheduling chaos that many teams have found themselves in, the coaches like Jeff Cottrill and Vanessa Shippy that do most of OSU’s scheduling appreciate the kindness.

After all, scheduling make-up games with other teams in different locations and situations is no easy task.

“You just start to scramble,” Gajewski said. “You go into fight mode. Trying to keep everybody happy is not easy.” sports.ed@ocolly.com

Page 6B Friday, February 26, 2021

sports

Banquet room and hotel pools How the Cowgirls stay in shape while traveling Sam Hutchens

ing.

Everyone knows the feel-

As the car finally coasts to a stop after gliding down the highway all day, there is nothing more satisfying than reaching toward the sky, spine contorted in such a way that it pops like microwave popcorn.

Emerging from a car or plane after a long trip normally leads to a hasty, unorganized combination of stretching. After not moving for so long, nimbleness returns to the body one stretch at a time.

The Cowgirls are no different. Staying loose on the road is important. But for OSU, which makes a point to be nimble, the post-road trip fitness process looks a little different.

It starts right on arrival.

As soon as the team gets off the bus or plane, it loosens up together.

“When we have a long road trip, Nick will get them in an open space in a hotel, and he’ll stretch them as soon as they get off the bus or the plane,” coach Jim Littell said.

Nick Hoheisel is the strength and conditioning assistant at OSU. He is in his 11th year at OSU and has become a trusted member of the coaching staff.

“Nick does a great job of getting our kids back to where

The Cowgirls don’t let the road get in the way of their fitness.

they’re ready to play,” Littell said. “I just turn him loose. He says, ‘I need this amount of time,’ and I say, ‘You got it.’ I trust him. He’s really good at what he does. I believe in him.

(He is) a very important part of our program.”

For 6-foot-4 forward Natasha Mack, leg room is critical. As long as she is able to procure an aisle seat, Mack finds an airplane more comfortable than a bus.

For 5-foot-5 guard Ja’Mee Asberry, the roominess of a bus is preferable to an airplane.

“I’m smaller,” Asberry said. “I kind of fit the whole seat.”

Regardless of the traveling situation, the Cowgirls road fitness routine is just starting when they arrive in the host city. Especially for extended excursions, like their six-day road trip in Texas,

Bruce Waterfield

OSU has to squeeze in workouts and stretching for its players.

After the initial stretching session, OSU’s shootaround is another opportunity for Holheiser to keep the team in top shape.

“Then when we go to shoot around, and he’s there with us either that evening or the next day and he’s stretching and working the kids out,” Littell said.

Oklahoma State also opts for team workouts on the road, in addition to getting limbered up.

Hotels are not fitness centers, but the Cowgirls find areas to do their stretches.

“We usually have a banquet room,” Littell said.

“That’s where we eat our team meals and where we have our film sessions. You can pull the TV back. You could also stretch in one of the corridors

of a long hallways.”

Ja’Mee Asberry said even though the whole team participates in the banquet room stretching sessions, it is normally a pretty quiet ordeal.

They only last about 20 minutes.

Hotel workouts are a little more logistically challenging.

Because fitting a whole team into a small hotel gym for a quick workout is not feasible in COVID times, the Cowgirls rotate in three groups.

Aside from the standard exercises, Hoheisel and the Cowgirls get creative. OSU was planning on doing some aquatic exercises in the outdoor hotel pool in Austin, but it did not quite pan out.

“We didn’t do (aquatic exercises) because it was too cold outside,” Mack said. “And it started raining.”

Although the most creative attempts to keep the Cowgirls loose may have been foiled, the path that Holheisel has the team on seems effective.

On the final day of the Texas road trip after the Cowgirls had been traveling for five days, OSU started swiftly against Texas Tech and cruised to victory.

The aquatic stretches being cancelled was unfortunate for players hoping to loosen up. However, it’s safe to say that even the players feeling most stiff probably remained ahead of another, slightly older member of the team.

“I haven’t stretched since 1977,” Littell said. sports.ed@ocolly.com

Daily Horoscope Nancy Black Tribune Content Agency Linda Black Horoscopes (TNS) Today’s Birthday (02/26/21). Connect with your higher self this year.

Steady action behind the scenes pays. Pursue passion projects. Resolve springtime career challenges before sweet family fun this summer.

Discover and share new creative inspiration for a winter career launch.

Find a renewed sense of purpose.

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 6 — Concentrate on work, but don’t overdo it. Health and well-being are more important. Stick to reliable routines. Don’t try a new trick now.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is a 7 — Things could seem complicated with romance. There’s plenty of emotional support available. Rely on family and friends. Find solutions in conversation.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is a 7 — Focus on family matters.

Avoid stepping on sensitivities. Prioritize domestic diversions and comfort food. Listen to the hidden undercurrent or mood.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is an 8 — Tap into creative inspiration. Talk about dreams that now seem within reach. Organize and connect the pieces of the puzzle. It’s all coming together.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is a 7 — Take advantage of a possibilities. Adapt and shift to catch a windfall. Find hidden treasure.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is a 9 — Consider what you really want and discover something unexpected about yourself. Advance passion projects and diversions. Explore your own fascinations.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is a 6 — Avoid fantasies and illusions to focus on basic facts. You’re especially productive in peaceful settings. Savor familiar routines and rituals. Organize your plans.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is a 7 — There are too many Zoom calls. Graciously make the best of it. Connect as you can for shared support. Collaborative efforts can generate satisfying results.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is a 7 — You’re attracting admiration. Compete for new professional responsibilities. You can learn what you need to know. Focus on practicalities to advance your career.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is a 7 — Develop your educational exploration. Stick to practical roads, as many avenues can be blocked. Creativity with your investigation brings unexpected gifts.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is a 7 — Maintain healthy practices and routines. Nurture your energy with good food, exercise and rest. Savor connection with natural settings. Take excellent care of yourself.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is a 7 — Negotiate and compromise. Collaboration gets results. You’re persuasive, but tempers are short. Practice patience and model it for others. Forgive misunderstandings. Listen for love.

Level 1 2

3

4

2/26/21 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

Announcements Business Squares

Church Meetings Join the New Covenant Fellowship for service every Sunday at 10am and share in our passion for Jesus Christ!”

Come check out the wide variety of elegant clothing at Formal Fantasy!

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 Shop located on 128 N. Main

UKirk university group at First Presbyterian Church meets every week! Join us for Bible study every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.! For more information or for Zoom access, visit us at stillwaterfpc.com Join us every Sunday for our live streaming services!

Matins @ 8:50am and Divine Liturgy @ 10:00am.”

Announcements

Announcements

Help Wanted Applications for both Summer Semester 2021 and Fall Semester 2021 Editor-in-Chief of The O’Colly will be accepted from now thru Tuesday, March 9, 2021.

The O’Colly at OSU is now taking applications for student ad representatives.

Duties include contacting clients and providing them with advertising options for print editions, online editions, special editions and advertising bundling specials. Students should be able to

meet clients at their businesses.

To apply come to room 106 in the Paul Miller email Lori@ocolly. com

Applications are now available in the Paul Miller Journalism and Broadcasting Building, room 106. Applicants must return their completed applications to room 106 no later than 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 9, 2021. This application process involves two separate positions; EIC for Summer and EIC for Fall.

Applicants can apply for one or the other, or both positions. Be sure to indicate which position(s) you wish to be considered for on the application form.

To be eligible for Editor-In-Chief, the applicant must be a student on the Stillwater campus of Oklahoma State University, be in good academic standing (i.e., not on academic probation), have a grade point average of not less than 2.5, and have completed at least 60 hours toward a degree.

Applicant must show evidence of having worked one semester writing for The O’Colly. Students serving as an Editor-in-Chief may take up to 6 credit hours of independent study in consultation and approval of their major advisor. An internship on a newspaper in a newsroom capacity may be substituted for one semester of service on The O’Colly. The internship must meet the requirements of the School of Media and Strategic Communications’ current internship course.

FOR RELEASE FEBRUARY 26, 2021

Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis ACROSS lock ... or a loch

INTRODUCING

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ACCESS CARE FROM ANYWHERE IN OKLAHOMA

VIDEO VISITS WITH SAINT FRANCIS PROVIDERS

et al. to the Mississippi

By Peter Koetters

35 Common online

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Through a simple video visit, adult and pediatric patients with minor illnesses or non-emergency conditions can be evaluated and provided with a treatment plan.

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ending stack 46 Otherwise 47 Hoop site?

52 One-named “Unapologetic” singer 54 Pang me!”

59 Range way ... and a hint to the creation

DOWN 1 Earth tones 2 Fair-hiring problem 3 Venetian marketplace

2/26/21

Thursday’s Puzzle Solved

mater: Abbr.

8 Honky-tonk line?

9 Big name in games 11 Hawaiian wedding accessory?

12 Early internet co.

13 Still 18 Needing

©2021 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

34 Bochco series 35 OAS part: Abbr.

answers topper 25 Carmaker Ferrari *If you are experiencing severe illness, a major injury, symptoms of a heart attack, stroke or shortness of breath, please call 911 or visit your nearest emergency room.

saintfrancis.com/urgentcare

67 Binge-watching mealtime aids 68 Not cool at all 69 Mint holder

Japanese dish?

2/26/21

48 One with an anthem 49 Plant deeply 51 Lie atop 53 Score in a score 56 Memo intro 57 Old despot 59 Pretend to be

45 Wading bird 30 Came down with

63 34-Down actress

Page 8B Friday, February 26, 2021