Friday, March 6, 2020

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THE COST OF A DREAM Boo Lewallen has faced multiple injuries and disappointments on his way to Saturday’s Big 12 Tournament

C OV E R S T O RY

Boo Lewallen’s journey through injuries, his own expectations Sa m Lan e Sports Ed itor @ Sa m Lan eOK

In the days leading up to the 2019 NCAA Wrestling Championships, Boo Lewallen was at home recovering from his latest surgery, this time his worst shoulder separation yet.

The immense pain that came with the postsurgery process required Lewallen take a nerve blocker to peacefully sleep. Unfortunately for Lewallen, one slip up brought him to his rockbottom.

At 2 a.m. Lewallen was in his bathtub battling the worst pain of his life.

Lewallen had forgotten to take the nerve blocker, and the full rush of pain he had been trying to avoid was ever-present.

Thankfully for Lewallen, he wasn’t alone that night.

As the tears came across his cheeks, trying to relieve the crippling pain, the faint sound of a dog scratching at the door could be heard.

That dog belonged to Lewallen’s girlfriend, McKenna Sokolosky.

Sokolosky was there for Lewallen throughout his rehab process, and it couldn’t have come at a better time for him.

“I’m really fortunate that she came into my life at the time that she did,” Lewallen said.

The pair met in 2018, and when it came time for Lewallen to get surgery FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2020

to repair his shoulder, she was by his side the whole way. “(She was there) comforting me, and especially whenever I was watching the NCAA tournament, helping me keep my mindset of not feeling sorry for myself,” Lewallen said. “She was definitely harder on me than you would expect, but it’s what I needed.”

Lewallen’s career has been riddled with injuries — adding up to more significant injuries in his eight years of high school and college combined than most athletes have in a lifetime.

It all started with a dislocated left shoulder his sophomore year of high school. Following that, Lewallen finished out his career at Yukon healthy and was a three-time state champion.

Then came his time at OSU. Before he even had the chance to put on the illustrious orange singlet,

“It was easy to get past that day with the support I had. Being able to realize that wrestling is something that you get to do, not something you deserve to do.”

boo lewallen

he broke his ankle, ending his season.

That wouldn’t be his last significant injury, though.

After going 11-2 as Dean Heil’s backup the next year, he had a successful college season.

Unfortunately, the next time the Big 12 Tournament rolled around, he would have to experience it in a hospital bed and not on the mat.

Just when Lewallen thought his shoulder problems were a thing of the past, the 2019 dual season began, and he quickly realized that would not be the case.

Lewallen reinjured the same shoulder and missed the next two months of the season. When he came back, it was more of the same.

Within seconds of a win against Iowa State’s Jarrett Degan and the goal of a national title in sight, disaster struck.

Lewallen went in on the same single-leg shot that he was injured on in high school. The difference was that once dislocated, his shoulder didn’t go back into socket.

“It was easy to get past that day with the support I had,” Lewallen told FloWrestling. “Being able to realize that wrestling is something that you get to do, not something you deserve to do. With that mindset it made it a little bit easier.

It gave me a whole different perspective.”

Adam Luther/O’Colly

OSU wrestler Boo Lewallen has gone through multiple severe injuries in search of a national championship. OSU will compete at the Big 12 tournament on March 7 and 8.

STORY CONTINUES ON PAGE 4

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What to Expect in the Mail When it’s time to respond, most households will receive an invitation in the mail.

Every household will have the option of responding online, by mail, or by phone.

March 12–20

An invitation to respond online to the 2020 Census.

March 16–24

A reminder letter.

March 26–April 3

A reminder postcard.

April 8–16

A reminder letter and paper questionnaire.

April 20–27

A final reminder postcard before we follow up in person.

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FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2020

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C OV E R S T O RY STORY CONTINUEd from PAGE 2

When it came time for him to defend his Big 12 title he had won the year prior, he instead had one eye on a battle much more difficult than just another 149-pounder, and the other on what was to come.

“I was sitting in my hospital bed after my surgery the first day of the Big 12 Tournament,” Lewallen said. “I just remember watching it and being pretty depressed, but excited for what was to come.”

With the knowledge that he would not accomplish his dream of winning a national title that season, he had no other option than to reflect on life outside of wrestling.

“When you’re expecting to be the best, or you’re expecting to be the national champion that season,” Lewallen said, “And then having to sit back and watch everything unfold, and not be able to do anything about it, it makes you realize how little the sport is, but how much you appreciate it.”

Last place Standing on the podium at the NCAA Wrestling Championships is something most wrestlers can only dream of; most would be ecstatic to just make the podium once.

But for Lewallen, that is the baseline for where he believes he should be.

Since he can remember, becoming a national champion has been the main goal, but there were hurdles.

Injuries are not the only thing that has kept FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2020

lifestyle Lewallen from wrestling for OSU. For the first two years of his Cowboy career, he competed at 141 pounds.

The only problem was OSU’s best wrestler competed at the same weight.

Heil was a two-time national champion for the Cowboys, but one tournament almost changed that.

At the 2017 Southern Scuffle, fresh off a Reno Tournament of Champions title, Lewallen was vying for Heil’s starting spot.

The two had had multiple ranking matches, with Lewallen coming away with enough wins for Smith to have a fight on his hands for a 141 starter.

But for Lewallen that would be as close as he got that year.

He fell to North Carolina’s Joey Ward in the quarterfinals, while Heil defeated Ward to claim a Scuffle championship.

Lewallen said that the most difficult part of his journey wasn’t the countless injuries but knowing that he would have to be a backup for the first time in his life — Something he would have to come to grips with before he could continue his journey.

“Sitting behind (Heil) and learning and realizing there’s still a way that I can get better... Staying positive through that is definitely hard ... I took a route that wasn’t the easiest on myself, but with that, it taught me a lot.”

The next season — now fully healthy and up eight pounds at 149 — Lewallen had the best season of his career.

He went 29-8, won three tournaments and finished eighth, securing his first, and only, All-American finish.

But for him that wasn’t enough.

“One thing that stuck out with me after I (became an All-American) was I was standing on the podium, and I was standing up there and I got last place, I was in eight place, and I just remember looking at the guys and thinking ‘I’m never feeling like this again,’” Lewallen told FloWrestling. “I remember going back and I ate a chicken strip dinner from the concession stand, and I was sitting there and thinking in my head ‘This isn’t how I’m going to be feeling’.”

Lewallen’s expectations of himself have always been higher than anyone’s, but that is what makes him who he is.

He will endlessly work to get a title of his own and will stop at nothing until his career is over.

“There’s a huge emphasis, mentally and physically, that I have on myself every day. A commitment that I put (on) myself everyday that I want to be the best, and hopefully I can obtain that this season,” Lewallen said.

“I want to be a national champion, but you know what, if that doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen. But I promise that I will do everything I can to give myself the best opportunity, and whenever the opportunity comes I’m going to do my best to catch it.”

Q&A Miss Hispanic OSU 2019 Megan H ays L i fe s ty l e E di to r @ megth e re p o rte r

The Mr. and Miss Hispanic OSU pageant is Saturday. The O’Colly had the opportunity to sit down with Michelle Fierro, Miss Hispanic OSU 2019, to talk about her experience and the impact the position has had on her and her platform.

What is your platform?

What have you done to accomplish your goals?

My platform was mainly focusing on high risk youth and getting them more tied into the community.

I went to U.S. Grant in Oklahoma City, and it is a predominately Hispanic community and Hispanic school. Not a lot of us had the opportunity to go to college, but one thing I like to do is I like to go back and talk to the students, give them the support or the words of encouragement that they might not hear from other people.

At my job we got a donation drive for the full month of February, and we donated over 30 pounds of clothes to the Sisu Youth Shelter.

It is an LGBTQ shelter, and they do amazing work there. They have different substance abuse programs.

They have housing there from ages 15 to 24.

I know a donation drive might be small, but donating clothing is an opportunity to go to a job interview or to go out in public.

How has winning Miss Hispanic OSU affected you?

I think it gave me a really big boost of confidence that

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Zach Hake/O’Colly

Michelle Fierro was crowned Miss Hispanic OSU 2019 by being her genuine self displaying her tattoos and her passion for helping at risk youth.

I didn’t have.

For me it was like the stepping stone to finding my voice and being able to go out and go get it.

After winning, I just felt more comfortable going to interviews, talking to adults in general.

I think the most I gained from it was confidence.

I always had dreams and ideas. I just never reached my full potential until I got that burst of confidence.

How did it feel to represent the Hispanic community?

My perspective is pretty unique because I think of myself as not a very traditional Hispanic person.

I’m not very into Hispanic music. I’m very familiar with my culture because I love my parents and they talk about it all the time, but I have tattoos everywhere. I have piercings everywhere.

I’m not the traditional looking Hispanic person.

I remember when I won, one of my friends’ aunts came and talked to me. She mentioned that her daughter was like, “Oh she can’t win.

She has tattoos,” and then later on that evening I ended

up winning. So it feels really good to represent a different side of our community.

What qualities should Miss Hispanic OSU have?

Definitely discipline, I think that’s the biggest thing.

You have to be able to balance what you have to do and then your family and your extra curricular activities if you have those as well.

You definitely have to be genuine. When you meet people, it is really important to be genuine and be who you are. I think that’s one of the best qualities you should have.

How does it feel to be passing on the crown?

I’m so excited. I’m a senior, man, I’m so excited.

I’m ready.

I’ve loved my regin. I’ve had so many opportunities, met so many people, but I really think it is time for someone to come in and represent the Hispanic community in a different way.

The Mr. and Miss Hispanic OSU pageant will be hosted at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday in the Student Union Theater.

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FOR RELEASE MARCH 6, 2020

SGA holds presidential debate ahead of elections B r e nn a M cCa n n S GA Report er @ b r en n a_mc can n _

While people have been focusing on the national presidential election, Oklahoma State has its own presidential campaign it will wrap up in the coming week.

Four candidates took to the debate stage in the Student Union Theater on Tuesday night to persuade voters they would be the best candidate for Student Government Association President and Vice President.

Paired off by the moderators, two candidates took to the stage to answer questions and state their solutions. Topics discussed were related to food insecurity, diversity, student involvement and others deemed relevant to students by the moderators.

“We want ideas to come from the students,” Daniel Hernandez, a presidential candidate, said in his opening statement.

There was general consensus among the candidates about wanting student concerns to be heard and to encourage student involvement in extracurricular activities.

During his introduction, Hernandez said he wants his campaign to focus on his constituents rather than solely on himself. He said his campaign’s social media accounts directly conveyed this by posting FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2020

Isaac Dennis/ O’Colly

Student Government Association held a presidential debate Tuesday ahead of next week’s election.

videos of students and their concerns in the past few weeks.

Luke Muller, Jaden Kasitz’s runningmate who currently serves in the SGA as University Chair, wants more people to take advantage of the opportunities they have on campus.

“There are so many clubs,” Muller said.

“Many students may not be aware of all of the ones the campus has to offer.

Oklahoma State has over 500 student organizations spanning many different interests, backgrounds and goals.”

Food insecurity is one of the most important issues SGA has committed to this semester, and the moderators wanted to ensure candidates have kept up to speed on the issue.

Haley Macha, Hernandez’s runningmate, said she would like to remove the stigma behind needing help. She suggested food pantry events be renamed or worded differently so as to not alienate students and stop them from get-

ting the help they need.

Another issue at the forefront of the SGA docket is affordability of post-secondary education, with senators returning from the Capitol just last week who pursued talks with federal legislators about just that. Jaden Kasitz, current chief of staff of SGA and a presidential candidate, had an interesting approach to the idea of financial aid and affordability.

“What’s valuable about an OSU degree is not that it’s cheaper than any other university,” Kasitz said.

“It’s about our programming that helps create a student as a whole person.”

While affordability should be a priority, making sure the money is used in ways that benefit students is of the utmost importance, Kasitz said.

The election will be held Tuesday, and there will be various polling stations across campus.

Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis

ACROSS 1 Mid-size Nissan 7 Ammo sold in rolls 11 By way of 14 Like many arcade games 15 Helter-skelter 16 Mantra syllables 17 What Dr. Frankenstein kept at his bar?

19 Fiddle player of rhyme 20 North-of-theborder gas 21 Zany trio member 22 “See if __” 24 Sass from a therapist?

28 “SNL” castmate of Gilda and Jane 31 It “hath charms to soothe a savage breast” 32 Oak fruit 33 Marine mammal group 34 Bed foundation?

37 Specimen for 23-Down 38 Uncle Buck, perhaps?

42 Broadcasting pioneer 43 Religious offshoot 45 Meddle 46 City near the Golden Spike 48 Veronica of “Hill Street Blues” 50 Spurred on 52 Dracula’s haul in the poker game?

55 Orchestras tune to them 56 One of Venus de Milo’s two that are conspicuous for their absence 57 Drink brand with a lizard logo 61 Leave in ruins 62 Big cat’s belly?

66 Take advantage of 67 Parrot 68 Tater Tots maker 69 Sniggler’s quarry 70 It may be cracked open 71 Sweat inducer

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3/6/20

By Ed Sessa

DOWN 1 Highest point 2 Restrooms for blokes 3 Metal containers 4 To such an extent 5 Bon __ 6 So-called missing links 7 Checked out before a heist 8 GP’s gp.

9 D.C. figure 10 Knitter’s supply 11 They help one speak one’s mind 12 Japanese porcelain 13 __ in the right direction 18 Scoundrel 23 Forensic TV episodes 25 Melon feature 26 Reassurance after a fall 27 A4 automaker 28 Youths 29 Teen malady 30 Black Flag product 33 Humanities subj.

Thursday’s Puzzle Solved

©2020 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

35 Cold drink brand 36 Come down 39 Letters near zero 40 Creator of Perry and Della 41 Kindle rival 44 Scotch roll 47 Hangman player, e.g.

49 Took for a ride 50 First razor with a pivoting head 51 Force (through)

3/6/20

52 Popularity 53 Treat badly 54 Flavor 58 Andy’s catfishing partner 59 Beefcake features 60 Flight deck data, briefly 63 Prefix with conscious 64 “I see it now!”

65 R&B group __ Hill

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c l a ssif ieds

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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.

FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2020

Casa Mia Apartments has a few vacancies!

This month’s rent is FREE! All bills paid, including cable (no caps or overages). Less than a block east of campus. Furnished & unfurnished units available!

Also pre-leasing for December/January.

140 N. Duck or CasaMiaOSU.com 405-372-1228

Applications for both Summer Semester 2020 and Fall Semester 2020 Editor-in-Chief of The O’Colly will be accepted from now thru Tuesday, March 10, 2020.

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.

Cathy’s Management Service, 405‑372‑5532.

Apartment Rentals

APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR BOTH SUMMER SEMESTER 2020 and FALL SEMESTER 2020 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF THE O’COLLY

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 10, 2020.

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.

Valley Acres Mobile Home Park, 2800 W. Lakeview.

Lot available, $275/month.

Requires 2008 or newer mobile home in good condition.

Horse Stables ATTENTION! NOW LEASING FOR Summer and Fall 2020 Move‑In Dates!

www.campbellmgmt.com

405‑372‑9225 ext 0

Business Squares

Formal Fantasy * Party/Semi-Formal * Pageant and Performance * Wedding 121 E 9th Ave, Downtown (405)780-7720 formalfantasy.com Alterations by appointment

Classified Line Rates: 35¢ per word per day Logos and graphics are available at an additional cost of $1 per day.

Borders are also available for a flat rate of $2.

Deadline for Classifieds – Noon the business day prior to publication

Society Squares $5.00 For 7 lines. Each additional line 50¢.

Each Line is approx. 14 characters wide.

Graphics and logos available at an additional cost.

Society squares are for campus organizations, departments and the greek community only.

Business Squares $8.00

We Also Have Units Available for Immediate Move‑In 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5 Bedroom Homes, Apartments, Duplexes All over Stillwater and Surrounding areas.

We also have rural properties with small acreage for Horses

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For 7 lines. Each additional line $1.00.

Each Line is approx. 14 characters wide.

Graphics and logos available at an additional cost.

Student Notices $3.00

Per day for 25 words. No borders or graphics available at this rate. Only for student groups and organizations.

Activities must be free and open to everyone.

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Hor osc ope

Daily Horoscope

By Nancy Black Tribune Content Agency

O’COLLY MEDIA GROUP AT OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY

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106 Paul Miller Building • OSU • Stillwater, OK 74078 Phone: 405 - 744 - 6363 The mission of O’Colly Media Group is to provide a professional environment where students create outstanding media and help local businesses.

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To place an ad, call 405 - 744 - 7371 or email ads@ocolly.com To place a classified ad, call 405 - 744 - 7355 or email lori@ocolly.com To pitch a story idea, call 405 - 744 - 6365 or email news.ed@ocolly.com To report an error, complaint or other issue, email editorinchief@ocolly.com To report an issue with newspaper delivery, email lori.radford@okstate.edu or call 405 - 744 - 7355

3/6/20

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

© 2020 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.

FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2020

Available throughout campus in print MWF, inside the Stillwater News Press TWF

O'Colly Creative provides creative solutions for all of your marketing needs from website to video and ad campaigns to social media.

We make cool stuff. Come by Studio 108 and hang out!

For a free consultation, email ocollycreative@gmail.com

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Today’s Birthday (03/06/20). Fortune follows collaboration this year. Strategic coordination wins with disciplined action. Shared winter accomplishments come before you navigate a love challenge. A professional obstacle this summer leads to romantic breakthroughs and team changes. Winter domestic renovations motivate a career blastoff. Connect and grow stronger together.

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 an 8 -- Harmony may require effort. Relax and take it easy. Go for substance over symbolism. You don’t have the full picture; wait to make important decisions.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) -- Today is a 7 -- Clean up a household mess. Avoid controversy or provocation. Adapt to an unexpected change. Sometimes it’s good to tear everything down and start over.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) -- Today is a 9 -- Diplomacy saves time, energy and money. Discuss recent changes and potential adaptation strategies. Listen and learn. The truth gets revealed. Don’t react blindly. Consider well.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) -- Today is an 8 -- Confirm intuition with hard facts. Costs may be higher than expected.

Estimate the resources required. Keep your deadlines.

You can get what you need.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) -- Today is a 9 -- Use your optimism and confidence to collaborate on a solution to navigate unpredictable circumstances. Avoid stepping on toes.

Keep it practical and simple.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- Today is an 8 -- Look back for insight on the road ahead. Envision an ideal situation. Notice the gap between what’s so now and what you want.

Schedule carefully.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) -- Today is a 9 -- Refine your team strategy to deal with unexpected changes. Hold meetings and gatherings. It could get messy or chaotic.

Stick to simple, clear messaging.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) -- Today is an 8 -- A professional challenge requires attention. Don’t spend if you don’t have to. Patiently review. You may need to take something apart and rebuild it better.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) -- Today is a 9 -- Your exploration takes an unusual twist. Adapt in real time to unexpected conditions. Restraint serves you well. Resolve details in advance. Communication is key.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- Today is a 9 -- Monitor budgets carefully with a joint venture. Avoid overindulging or overspending. If you make a mess, clean it up. Collaborate for common gain.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) -- Today is a 9 -- Collaborate and delegate with your partner. Strategize to navigate an unforeseen pothole. Stay patient, especially with the ones you love. Clean up messes later.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) -- Today is an 8 -- Balance your physical actions, work and exercise with good food and sleep. Don’t worry about money (or spend much, either). Guard your energy.

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