Friday, October 1, 2021
Along for the ride
Abby Cage
Cadlyn Smith said riding on the field is pure adrenaline.
Like other orange-clad spectators on game days in the fall, Smith watches the football game intently; eagerly hoping for a Cowboy touchdown. Smith’s vantage point is a little different from most fans, though, and her reaction to scores is different Sam Hutchens too. She watches the entire game in a Staff Reporter saddle, perched on top of her horse in the west end zone tunnel, Smith canCadlyn Smith has never watched not relax or exhale when the Cowboys from the metal stands of Boone Pickens score. Stadium, despite taking in plenty of A touchdown is go time. Oklahoma State football games. As soon as the extra point is atHer seat is made of leather. tempted, she rides Bullet, a black geldSmith, a senior at OSU graduating ing, in a loop around the east side of the in May with an Agricultural Leadership field. The experience is surreal. degree, has the most visible role in a “It’s like the movies where it’s beloved OSU tradition. like muffled, because you’re not really She is the Spirit Rider. registering that everyone is yelling,”
Elise Wade, the 2017 Spirit Rider, said. “I swear you can feel the ground shaking because there’s nothing like 60,000 football fans cheering for a touchdown.” The Spirit Rider, decked out in a Pistol Pete long sleeve shirt and black cowboy hat, is tailed by three yell leaders bearing flags. The trio sprint after the horse in a rough oval route passing the student section. Each of the flags have a letter, combining to spell O-S-U when unfurled in the wind. Since 1984, the Spirit Rider has raced to the 30 yard line at every football game celebrating not only the touchdown, but to rally everyone together. Despite the overload of sensations coming with the Spirit Rider’s job— the serenade of cheers, the spray
of crumb rubber from the turf and the wind whipping through her hair. Smith, a first-year rider, cannot recall her first ride. “I don’t remember any of it,” Smith said. “I blinked and I was at the end of the band, I don’t know.” The experience only lasts a few seconds, but the feeling that slams the riders forges an unshakeable memory. “It’s just a really cool experience, like, just pure adrenaline,” Smith said. “I’ve never experienced anything before but it is absolutely the coolest experience I’ve ever had.” Not every trip Spirit Riders take is a euphoric gallop in front of a full stadium. See Ride on 3A
West coast coffee in Stillwater Inside... Dutch Bros. finds success in its first week Kylie Hammack Staff Reporter With lines of cars spilling into the neighboring parking lots and dozens of fresh employees, Dutch Bros. Coffee has had a successful first week in Stillwater. The Oregon-based coffee company Dutch Bros. opened its first location in Stillwater Friday, Sept. 24. Dutch Bros. gained greater popularity in recent months as they have expanded their operations from mainly western states such as Arizona to Southern states like Oklahoma and Texas. Stillwater’s Perkins Road is now home to one of those new loca-
tions and, if the wrap-around drive-thru line is any indication, many people are excited Dutch Bros. has come to town. Jordan, a Dutch Bros. “Mobster” came to Stillwater all the way from Carson City, Nevada to stay for at least four weeks. Around eight Dutch Bros. “Mobsters” are sent to each new location when it opens and are tasked with training new employees, maintaining the company culture, and building the Dutch Bros. brand. “The first weekend was very busy, and we are just now starting to train new employees,” Jordan said. See West Coast on 3A
COVID-19............................ 7A Some students are feeling confident about their performance in classes this semester.
Bartlett.................................. 6A The Bartlett Center has a new exhibit called The Color of Dreams.
Concrete wall........................4A After an afternoon of shoveling concrete into a trough Oklahoma state students 3-D printed a concrete wall.
Halloween................................8A Willistean Bennett Dutch Bros operates on a drive-thru and walk-up order system. There is no indoor seating.
Students are starting to plan Halloween costumes.