Friday 2/18

Friday, February 18, 2022

Nolan McLean

Sydney Pennington

TITLE TALK

Still chasing

Unfinished business keeps Cowgirls fighting Softball

The time is now. With already consistent squads reloading rosters in the offseason, expectations have intensified at OSU this spring. A handful of teams rank in the top 10, and are primed for a postseason push. Optimism reigns across the sports landscape.

JoJo Roberson

championEquestrian ship trophy yet and that is what we’re still working toward so we need to not worry about what other people are doing to us and what they’re working toward which is usually beating us.”

In the small sample of games this season, OSU has been the chased. On opening night, No. 21 Arizona State attempted to claw back into the game against the Cowgirls late. Utah built a lead and held a tie with OSU until Cowgirl center fielder Chyenne Factor hit a walk-off home run.

No. 20 Duke, led by pitcher Peyton St. George who fanned nine batters and allowed three hits, handed the Cowgirls their first loss in shoutout fashion.

player Chelsea Alexander said. “We take our softball. We play softball and we take our game to them. We’re Dean Ruhl not going to sit there and let Sports Editor you chase us. We’re going to chase you down and we’re goThe perception of Cow- ing to defend what’s ours.” girl softball has changed.

Numerous core pieces The shabby, basementfrom last season’s Women’s dwelling team coach Kenny College World Series team Gajewski inherited seven returned. Where talent was years ago is no more. Prelost, Gajewski methodiseason rankings continue cally maneuvered the transfer to rise year-by-year. Talent portal, yanking a handful of continues to ooze into OSU’s premier players with plugprogram. The national recog- and-play potential. Capped off nition of the Cowgirls’ brand with a formidable recruiting continues to grow – exponen- class, the recognition equaled tially. the hype.

So does the number of The softball landscape team vying to beat them. But is trying to keep up. In most the team is adamant it isn’t coaches’ offices across the the standard. country, they’re chasing the The Cowgirls aren’t the Cowgirls. But OSU isn’t done chased. They’re still the chas- chasing. ers.

“We don’t have that “We go to teams. We ring,” pitcher Tatum Clopton chase teams,” designated See Chasing on 2A said. “We don’t have that

Omaha aspirations

PRESEASON PROWESS Where OSU ranks in the polls No. 1: Equestrian No. 2: Women’s Golf No. 3: Men’s Golf No. 7: Baseball No. 7: Softball No. 17: Women’s Track No. 22: Women’s Tennis

Taylor Roe

Women’s Track

This issue

Alex Maier

Cover design: Sam Beebe Photographers: Chris Becker, Abby Cage, Abby Smith

Men’s Track

Isabella Fierro

Cowboys reload for title push

Luke Hammond

See Omaha on 3A

Men’s Tennis

tion Edi

Eugenio Chacarra Alana Wolfberg

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Women’s Tennis

rts

Men’s Golf

ing

due to consistency.

“Especially in the preseason, when you’re ranking teams, you’re not Ben Hutchens always ranking upside as Staff Reporter much as your ranking who are the teams that I trust?”

It is an important Rooney said. “And under yearly battle for Mike Josh Holliday, Oklahoma Rooney and the staff at D1 State’s been remarkably Baseball. consistent.”

Get the preseason Holliday, entering rankings right. his 10th season as coach, Rankings trigger has led OSU to an NCAA vehement reactions from Regional every season. fanbases upset or thrilled Holliday has set a with the amount of respect high expectation, but the being showed to their team. expectation isn’t the only Poorly judged preseason reason the Cowboys are rankings can quickly be a favorite to compete for proven off-base and reflect a College World Series in poorly on the people makOmaha. ing the selections.

“I think we were all Rooney is one of three really optimistic on Oklaprimary contributors to D1 homa State,” Rooney said.

Baseball’s No. 7 preseason “They had a really good ranking given to OSU. The offseason. It’s a program outlet’s confidence in the that’s extremely well Cowboys is partially coached and then when

(Aaron Fitt) saw them in the fall he was blown away by the depth. That’s the thing one thing that stood out to me when we were talking, he was like, ‘I just can’t believe how deep their roster is.’”

The Cowboys are deep. After losing five positional players with more than 37 starts and three of their seven most-used pitchers, there are few areas the Cowboys have an obvious weakness in.

Holliday reloaded his roster with the transfer portal, bringing in sophomore pitcher Victor Mederos from Miami and slugger graduate student Griffin Doersching from Northern Kentucky.

The Cowboys also enter 2022 with the No. 5 recruiting class according to Collegiate Baseball Newspaper.

Spr

Baseball

Women’s Golf

Page 2A Friday, February 18, 2022

Feb. 18 – Michigan* Feb. 18 – LSU* Feb. 19 – South Florida* Feb. 19 – Washington* Feb. 20 – Northwestern* Feb. 25 – Texas Southern’ Feb. 25 – Tennessee State’ Feb. 26 – Texas Southern’ Feb. 26 – Texas A&M’ Feb. 27 – Texas A&M’ March 4 – vs. Stanford (DH) March 6 – vs. DePaul March 6 – vs. Minnesota March 9 – vs. Minnesota March 11 – Central Arkansas^ March 11 – Memphis ^ March 12 – South Dakota^ March 12 – Southeastern Loui siana^ March 15 – @ North Texas March 16 – @ UT Arlington March 18 – vs. Wichita State March 18 – vs. Kansas City March 19 – vs. Kansas City March 19 – vs. Wichita State March 25 – vs. Texas Tech March 26 – vs. Texas Tech March 27 – vs. Texas Tech March 30 – vs. Tulsa April 1 – @ Baylor April 2 – @ Baylor April 3 – @ Baylor April 6 – @ Wichita State April 8 – @ Iowa State April 9 – @ Iowa State April 10 – @ Iowa State April 14 – vs. Kansas April 15 – vs. Kansas April 16 – vs. Kansas April 20 – @ Tulsa April 22 – vs. Texas April 23 – vs. Texas April 24 – vs. Texas April 28 – @ Florida State April 29 – @ Florida State (DH) May 5 – @ Oklahoma May 6 – @ Oklahoma May 7 – @ Oklahoma May 13 – Big 12 Tournament * - St. Pete Clearwater Elite Invitational (Clearwater, FL) ‘ - Reveille Classic (College Sta tion, TX) ^ - Memphis Tournament (Mem phis, TN)

O’Colly

sports

Abby Smith

Maxwell eyeing ace role OSU pitcher Kelly Maxwell will lead a talented pitching staff comprised of premier transfers and decorated freshmen.

Softball the Missouri Valley Conference First Team in her senior year at Illinois State.

OSU also landed Tatum ClopSam Hutchens a high-level recruit who Assistant Sports Editor ton, was the two-time Gatorade Player of the Year in Kansas.

Kelly Maxwell has a But coach Kenny Ganew title. jewski named Maxwell OSU’s Add it to the pile. ace. After biding her time as One of the titles for the No. 2 pitcher behind EbMaxwell, a junior pitcher, erle, Maxwell is OSU’s rock. is official. 2021 Unanimous “Losing Carrie, and All-Big 12 First Teamer. knowing the role Kelly and Other labels, like rising star, Carrie played last year, I or strikeout queen, will not be think we kind of expected found on a stat sheet.

Kelly to be our ace this year,” Her newest title may be senior outfielder Chelsea Almost important. exander said. “We had some Ace. big-time recruits come in, After Carrie Eberle, but the experience Kelly has OSU’s star pitcher, ran out of with this program, I think she eligibility in 2021, the Cowearned that ace role.” girls amassed an impressive Maxwell redshirted her load of talented arms in her freshman year and started stead. only eight games in 2020 Miranda Elish, a senior before taking a consistent role who was the 2020 Softball behind Eberle in 2021. The America Shortened Season Cowgirls joke that Maxwell, National Player of the Year, whom Alexander said was estransferred in. So did Morgan sentially a cheerleader during Day, who was named to games two years ago, has 20 years of eligibility left.

Chasing...

She has three years of eligibility left, but already possesses a dastardly arsenal of pitches.

“She is literally one of the best pitchers I’ve ever seen or faced,” senior third baseman Sydney Pennington said. “I was just telling some of my teammates that hit that this is the best I’ve ever seen her. And I’ve faced her for four years now. And she continues to get so much better.”

Maxwell went 15-5 with a 1.81 ERA in 2021. She averages 8.80 strikeouts, a mark second in OSU history.

Even surrounded by other pitchers who have been aces at other schools, Maxwell is respected. “(Elish) respects Kelly as the ace here,” Gajewski said. “That’s how I feel. I haven’t seen anything other than that.”

If there was a knock on Maxwell last season, it was her ability to finish tough games. She breezed through some opponents, but at times struggled to power through the sixth and seventh inning.

Maxwell, who primarily threw rise balls last

season, developed a drop ball in the offseason that centerfielder Chyenne Factor said is “pretty nasty.”

“I think she just kind of wanted to mix something in…she was always reliant on the rise ball,” Pennington said. “I think with teams kind of knowing her now, she needed to change it up a little bit.”

Maxwell is not the type of pitcher to stomp around the circle. When she strikes a batter out, the calm, determined expression on her face hardly wavers.

“Her demeanor on the mound is incredible,” Clopton said. “Nothing fazes her. I would love to be exactly like her someday in that way.”

Alexander said she enjoys playing behind Maxwell. “(Maxwell) has grown a lot,” Alexander said. “I thought she was good when they redshirted her, I thought she’s always been good. But she continues to get better and is starting to get a lot of recognition that she deserves.” sports.ed@ocolly.com

Continued from 1A

MAKING THE CASE The Cowgirls got a boost, and they don’t need to go far.

After losing in the 2021 Women’s College World Series, the Cowgirls added players who could get them over the hump.

If the additions to the roster can outweigh the players who graduated, OSU has the talent to win the WCWS.

he t t ou k c e Ch

way! a e d i al H n i g i Or

The chase is on.

“Once you continue to build a program up, you start to get a target on your back, like people are coming out and they want to beat you,” Alexander said. “They’re going to play their best game against you. We see that with a lot of programs as we’ve continued to get better. We get people’s best.”

People’s best come when expectations rise. Gajewski has ushered in a renaissance, but to remain chasers, OSU plays with a “chip on its shoulder.” Having the unanimous No. 1 preseason team an hour away in Norman helps with that.

For Clopton, not getting caught up in rankings, bad at-bats or poor pitches is crucial to not getting overwhelmed by the expectations.

“You can’t get caught up in the little things because each moment is building toward the next big thing,” Clopton said.

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230 S. Knoblock St. Stillwater, OK 74074

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File Photo OSU’s designated player Chelsea Alexander (right) said the Cowgirls are playing with a chip on their shoulder this season.

To the Cowgirls, the chase is on. But they aren’t in the lead – yet.

“I think when you take it day-by-day, I think you’re going to meet your expectations or exceed your expectations,” right fielder Hayley Busby said.

“I think when you’re thinking about the end goal before you start, I think that you’ve already set yourself up for failure.” sports.ed@ocolly.com

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Friday, February 18, 2022 Page 3A

sports

Abby Cage

Several options available to replace Strand’s offense Third baseman Nolan McLean tallied eight home runs last season before suffering a back injury.

Daniel Allen Staff Reporter

Baseball

transfer from Northern Kentucky, has the potential to be the next slugger for Replacing the team home run the Cowboys this season. Doersching and batting average leader is no easy was named the No. 7 first baseman in task.

D1 Baseball’s rankings, and has the But, OSU coach Josh Holoffensive stats to back it up. liday and his staff had to do it this He participated in the 2019 coloffseason. Third baseman Christian lege baseball home run derby, recordEncarnacion-Strand was drafted by ing 20 home runs en route to a win. the Minnesota Twins, and now plays “(Doersching) brings some cerfor the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels, tified power to our lineup,” Holliday a minor league affiliate. In his lone said. “Having hit a lot of home runs season in Stillwater, he led the team at Northern Kentucky before grad in overall batting average, home runs, transferring.” runs batted in and slugging percentNolan McLean provided power age. for the Cowboys last season prior This year, with Encarnacionto suffering a back injury. McLean Strand enjoying the pros, the Cowtallied eight home runs, the highest boys are without their best batter. number of any returning Cowboy.

Through the transfer portal, OSU “Nolan (McLean) just needs has numerous candidates to fill the to be Nolan,” Holliday said. “He’s a Encarnacion-Strand left. very talented player. When he gets on Griffin Doersching, a graduate a streak he can carry you and he’s got

a lot of presence about him. He’s a competent player, he’s strong, he likes the big stage. He’s played in a lot of high level events growing up so the big stage never scared Nolan.”

Caeden Trenkle enters this season as the second highest returning Cowboy in home runs hit last year with five. Trenkle was inconsistent during the course of his sophomore season, but found his rhythm in the postseason.

He went 7 for 19, accumulating a .368 batting average in the conference tournament. With one full season as a starter, and power having been showcased multiple times during his two years at OSU, Trenkle has the potential to be one of the breakout hitters for the Cowboys this season.

With the difficult schedule OSU has on deck in 2022, a clutch hitter is something the Cowboys will be in desperate need of throughout the season, especially with the expectations sports.ed@ocolly.com

Omaha...

Feb. 18 - @ Vanderbilt Feb. 19 - @ Vanderbilt Feb. 20 - @ Vanderbilt Feb. 22 - vs. Sam Houston State (Ar lington, Texas) Feb. 25 - vs. Wright State Feb. 26 - vs. Wright State Feb. 27 - vs. Wright State March 1 - @ Arizona State March 2 - @ Arizona State March 4 - vs. Gonzaga March 5 - vs. Gonzaga March 6 - vs. Gonzaga March 8 - vs. Missouri State March 10 - @ BYU March 11 - @ BYU March 12 - @ BYU March 16 - vs. Dallas Baptist March 17 - vs. Seton Hall March 18 - vs. Seton Hall March 19 - vs. Seton Hall March 20 - vs. Seton Hall March 22 - @ Oral Roberts March 25 - vs. Kansas March 26 - vs. Kansas March 27 - vs. Kansas March 29 - vs. Oklahoma (Tulsa) April 1 - @ Kansas State April 2 - @ Kansas State April 3 - @ Kansas State April 5 - @ Wichita State April 8 - vs. Oklahoma April 9 - vs. Oklahoma April 10 - vs. Oklahoma April 12 - vs. Wichita State April 15 - @ West Virginia April 16 - @ West Virginia April 17 - @ West Virginia April 19 - vs. Oral Roberts April 22 - vs. TCU April 23 - vs. TCU April 24 - vs. TCU April 26 - @ Wichita State April 29 - @ Texas April 30 - @ Texas May 1 - @ Texas May 6 - vs. Southeast Missouri State May 7 - vs. Southeast Missouri State May 8 - vs. Southeast Missouri State May 10 - @ Dallas Baptist May 13 - vs. Texas Tech May 14 - vs. Texas Tech May 15 - vs. Texas Tech May 19 - @ Baylor May 20 - @ Baylor May 21 - @ Baylor May 25-29 - Big 12 Championship

Continued from 1A Senior outfielder Jake Thompson spoke highly of the more than 20 new additions to the roster.

“We got a lot of great kids,” Thompson said. “The first couple days walking into the locker room it was almost like we were the new guys, there being so many (new faces).”

The additions shore up many of the holes left by departures of key players like Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Cade Cabbiness, Carson McCusker and Max Hewitt. What OSU will do at catcher is the only thing Rooney said is a question mark.

“You start nitpicking teams at this level, too,” Rooney said.

“And, you know, the nitpicks that you have for Oklahoma State are just really minuscule.”

The Cowboys had high hopes last season, beginning the season in the consensus top 25 and opening O’Brate Stadium, but didn’t meet them finishing 12-12 in conference play and lost twice to UC Santa Barbara in regional play.

Abby Cage OSU outfielder Jake Thompson is optimistic for the 20 additions OSU made this offseason.

One of the reasons why the Cowboys struggled last season, injuries to their pitching rotation, might be the reason they are set up for a bounce back 2022. The injuries created opportunity for previously less experienced arms like Mitchell Stone, Trevor Martin and Colton Bowman to experience pressure situations.

“That helped all those guys, and it did get guys more prepared for this year,” Holliday said.

“That probably benefits us now even though it was tough

to go through those injuries last year.”

The Cowboys will fight it out in a talented Big 12 that includes No. 1 Texas, No. 14 Texas Tech and No. 17 TCU. “I think Oklahoma State is pretty clearly the No. 2 team in the league,” Rooney said. “I think Oklahoma State is, to kind of beat up the cliché, this really is an Omaha-looking roster.”

MAKING THE CASE Led by a stout combo of junior standout Justin Campbell and transfer Victor Mederos, coupled with potential from guys like Bryce Osmond, the bullpen has serious depth. A line-up including transfer power-hitter Griffin Doersching makes the Cowboys dangerous at the plate.

Mixed together with a Holliday-Walton staff, OSU is an Omaha-caliber team.

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Page 4A Friday, February 18, 2022

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sports

KEY PLAYERS

Ace apparent

Campbell set to lead transfer-aided pitching staff

Adam Engel Staff Reporter

OSU second baseman Hueston Morrill.

File Photo

Justin Campbell: Posted a 2.57 ERA last year and will open the season as the pitching staff’s ace.

Victor Mederos: Started eight games at Miami last season and will factor heavily into OSU’s rotation.

Griffin Doersching: A 6-foot-4 graduate transfer from Northern Kentucky. Winner of the 2019 Col lege Home Run Derby.

Jake Thompson: A veteran out fielder who led the Big 12 with a .393 conference batting average in 2020.

Nolan McLean: Has turned his sights 100% turned to baseball after quitting the Cowboy football team.

Marcus Brown: A sophomore who finished last season strong and will compete for a full time starting infield role.

Hueston Morrill: A strong veteran infielder known for consistency.

Caeden Trenkle: Was named to the All-Big 12 Tournament team after a 7-19 batting performance.

Trevor Martin: Named to the AllBig 12 Freshman Team and ap peared in 22 games.

Bryce Osmond: Third on the Cow boys in strikeouts last season and will compete for a weekend starting role.

Justin Campbell remembers stomping off the mound after a start gone wrong in the NCAA regional against UC-Santa Barbara in March.

For the latter half of the 2021 season, Campbell attempted to carry the bulk of OSU’s pitching staff — one that crumbled with injuries.

Now, a new season brings optimism and a healthy squad.

The tall, lean Californian said he left the early postseason exit in the past and focused on the upcoming season.

But one guy can’t do it all. Not in a 55-game regular season.

The Cowboys play four, sometimes five games a week. Depth is required. Josh Holliday, coach, plucked six reinforcement pitchers from the transfer portal including Victor Mederos of Miami, the Big 12 Preseason Newcomer of the Year.

Mederos’ addition has turned into a self-proclaimed one-two punch.

“You know we’re gonna be getting the win Friday and Saturday,” Campbell said. “It’s gonna be a pretty damn good season.”

Campbell established himself as one of OSU’s top options and holds himself to high standards, a mindset shared by Mederos.

“We’re very competitive,” Mederos said. “We want to win. We push each other and I feel like that’s something that this team has that the team I was at didn’t. We always want to go out there and see how we can push each other to be the best.”

Campbell and Mederos pitched together in 2015 at the U.S. team trials and not much has changed.

“He was lights out there and I

OSU pitchers Justin Campbell and Victor Mederos are a self-proclaimed one-two punch.

Chris Becker

Baseball

ros, Holliday said he expects Bryce Osmond and Kale Davis to start along with Dillon Marsh, a Kenexpect a lot from him this year. tucky transfer.

High expectations for him,” CampIn the bullpen, Mitchell Stone, bell said.

Roman Phansalkar and Trevor MarAnd a power-heavy batting tin return as key pieces. lineup compliments the pitching staff.

“Mitchell’s breaking ball by the “They can easily put up four to end of the year was virtually unhitfive runs a game and we can shutout table,” Holliday said. “He’s a great guys for six or seven innings,” Camp- luxury to have. None of us envisioned bell said. “They can help our bullpen Mitchell being here for his fifth year, throw one or two guys a game and but we are thrilled to have him beit’s gonna help us out a lot.” cause he’s been a workhorse.”

Beyond Campbell and Mede sports.ed@ocolly.com

Gajewski retooled team through portal

KEY PLAYERS

Softball

Gabriel Trevino Staff Reporter Kenny Gajewski isn’t content with just getting OSU to the Women’s College World Series.

He expects to get to the championship game.

The four new transfer players who were added to the roster agree.

A season removed from the best year under Gajewski, and after an eventful offseason which brought in 13 new players, Gajewski and the Cowgirls are preparing for another push to Oklahoma City.

Losses of Big 12 Pitcher of the Year Carrie Eberle and first baseman Alysen Febrey led Gajewski to utilize a tool which has long been his friend.

The transfer portal.

Pitcher Kelly Maxwell is slated to replace Eberle, but Gajewski still needed to find a new second arm.

He found two. Morgan Day, a transfer from Illinois State, has already found her role in an OSU uniform. “(Day) loves to play,” Gajewski said. “She’s the most talkative player I have ever been around. She walked in here on the first day and made her presence felt. She invested in all the new kids right away. She’s earned a role, she’s going to have a huge impact.”

Miranda Elish is another option. Elish, a former player of the year and AllAmerican pitcher at Texas in 2020 opted not to play

File Photo OSU coach Kenny Gajewski added four key players through the portal.

in 2021. Gajewski noticed she was willing to return in 2022, and pounced on the opportunity to bring her to Stillwater.

Gajewski already had Maxwell and Day, but adding Elish to the rotation made the seven-year head coach believe he accom

to coaching, figuring out how to use them.”

Febrey’s departure was also addressed. Gajewski plucked Morgyn Wynne, Kansas’ first baseman, out of the transfer portal. Even after hitting .355 with 17 homers, Gajewski said she can continue to develop with the Cowgirls.

“On the field she has not been the best version of herself yet,” Gajewski said. “She has won the job…

She’s going to be a huge asset. I’m glad we have her for two years, because I think we can really help her. She needs to work on things as well.”

After the transfer success of catcher Reagan Wright, Gajewski turned to the portal to replace her.

He grabbed Julia Cottrill, Florida’s starting catcher and daughter of assistant coach Jeff Cottrill, at the end of fall ball .

“Julia (Cottrill) has been one of the top two hitters since we have been back,” Gajewski said. “She’s a leader, her voice carries.

She plays and hits balls like Busby and Pennington do.

It’s a different sound off the bat.”

The Cowgirls have become a hotbed for transfer talent. Chelsea Alexander, OSU’s fifth-year designated player, said the home environment the Cowgirls can offer has made OSU a good destination for players.

“Anybody who steps foot on campus, students and athletes, knows there is something special about this place,” Alexander said. “Everybody knows that. This is something everybody wants to be a part of.”

plished something he had yet to do.

“This is the most talented set of arms that we’ve ever had, maybe in our history,” Gajewski said. “(Elish’s) job is to come out here and be the best version of herself. She doesn’t have to be a horse. It comes down sports.ed@ocolly.com

OSU center fielder Chyenne Factor.

File Photo

Brianna Evans: A freshman who worked her way into the starting lineup, and potential to make instant impact at first base.

Kiley Naomi: A senior with con sistent presence at the plate, and dazzling acrobatic catches at short stop.

Chyenne Factor: Named the clutchest player on roster by coach Kenny Gajewski.

Hayley Busby: Named an AllAmerican last season, Busby hit 19 homers and now transitions from designated player to right field.

Sydney Pennington: Broke the record for most career home runs at OSU last season, and anchors the left side of the infield.

Julia Cottrill: A junior transfer from Florida with a knack for catch ing batters attempting to steal sec ond.

Morgyn Wynne: A Kansas transfer tasked with replacing Alysen Febrey at first base, and at the plate.

Kelly Maxwell: A constant pitch ing presence, Maxwell pencils into the ace role after Carrie Eberle’s departure.

Morgan Day: An Illinois State transfer who serves as a No. 2 be hind Maxwell.

Miranda Elish: Missed the 2021 season, but received POY awards for her dual-threat pitching and hitting.

Chelsea Alexander: A talent for bunt singles, Alexander returns to anchor the back of the lineup.

O’Colly

sports Cowboys’ lineup unresolved Men’s Golf Jax Tompson Staff Reporter Oklahoma State men’s golf coach Alan Bratton has a tough decision on his hands.

At the end of an in-house qualifying round before the Cowboys’ most recent tournament (the VyStar Gator Invitational in Gainesville, Florida) every scorecard was at 69 or better, no small feat at Karsten Creek.

“We have a deep team…a lot of talent on the team, a lot of good players,” Bratton said.

But a standard college tournament only allows for five spots per File Photo team.

After two spring tournaments, OSU coach Alan Bratton has numerous options for his final three lineup spots.

Two tournaments into this spring season, events and secured Ari Invitational. the top “He’s playing two really good…he’s rollspots MAKING THE CASE ing it really good and in the has a lot of confidence lineup With Eugenio Chacarra returning in himself,” junior are set. and a lot of depth coach Alan Bratton Brian Stark said.

The leads the No. 3 Cowboys with hopes of a Stark himself top National Championship with their biggest owns the second bag. spot threat sitting in Norman.

He is a good player behimself, finishing in longs the top 20 in his last to senior Eugenio Lopez- an individual win in the two starts.The third posiChacarra, who’s already first tournament of the tion was debated for much played well in PGA Tour spring season, the Amer of the fall, but junior Ray

made

Friday, February 18, 2022 Page 5A

MAKING THE CASE The Cowboys continue to break school indoor records, and are primed to carry the success into outdoors. OSU could be a dark horse come nationals with players like Alex Maier, Shea Foster and Victor Shitsama leading the way with personal records set.

han Thomas has

it his spot to lose after finishing in the top five of two straight tournaments.

“Things have been going really well. I’m just trying to make progress and have fun doing it,” Thomas said.

The final two spots are less certain. In the first two tournaments of the season, Bo Jin, Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen, Jonas Baumgartner and Tiger have all occupied those spots. Talented senior Aman Gupta, who appeared in several fall events but has yet to play in the spring, will also challenge for a spot.

With the talent the Cowboys have, Bratton will be looking to get the most out of his roster and give his team the best chance possible at postseason accolades. But coach and players alike are confident that no matter who gets the nod any given week, the Cowboys have a chance to win.

“We got a lot of guys. You can put any single person in the lineup and they’re gonna contribute to the team,” Stark said. sports.ed@ocolly.com

Fierro honored to travel to Augusta

Abby Smith Cowboy runner Alex Maier said he runs 120 miles a week.

Maier aiming for All-American status Track Dean Ruhl Sports Editor

File Photo Cowgirl golfer Isabella Fierro is the 47th ranked amateur, earning her an invitation to the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.

times she has played the event.

MAKING THE CASE “It’s just a huge opportunity Caley McGinty departed the Cowand it shows us how girls after one spring event, but the Cowmuch women’s golf girls have five other individual winners Chris Becker has grown,” Fierro on the roster looking to repeat their run Editor in Chief said. It gives me from last season. chills every time I think about it. It’s tournament. Fierro’s title clinching going to be an honor and I’m excited put came on the first green, her 16th Women’ Golf to tee off on the first hole.” hole of the final round. She sunk a Isabella Fierro gets to relive The event, which runs from birdie putt to clinch the solo lead her favorite memory from Augusta March 30- April 2, is in its third eventually finishing with the trophy National this year. event, after beginning in 2019, but in hand.

For some, playing Augusta is not being played in 2020. Coach “It’s just taking it one shot a once in a lifetime opportunity, for Greg Robertson agrees the event at a time,” Fierro said. “It was just Fierro her trips came as a part of one shows the growth of women’s golf. really important to stay patient out the most prestigious women amateur “It’s incredible that opportuthere. We had a lot of adversities in events, the Augusta National Wom- nity they are giving them,” Robert- our way, so I was just admiring the en’s Amateur. son said. “I was there for the very view and keeping myself focused Those lucky enough to play first one because we had a couple of and calm.” the course have varying best memo- players from Kent State play in it.

The Cowgirls next event is ries, for Fierro hers is simple, stepI don’t know if they will have full Feb. 21-22 in Humble, Texas at ping onto the first tee and seeing her attendance this year or not, I don’t the ICON Invitational. Fierro will family. believe they did last year because of headline the Cowgirls lineup along The green envelope which COVID, but I think there were some with Maddison Hinson-Tolchard, arrived at Karsten Creek addressed 20,000 people out there watching the Lianna Bailey, Clemence Martin and to the OSU junior let her know that final round three years ago.”

Han-Hsuan Yu. The Cowgirls finshe will get to play the event for her Fierro won individual honors ished third at the event in 2021 with third time thanks to her Amateur at the Cowgirls most recent event, Rina Tatematsu capturing individual ranking, which she ranks No. 47. the Columbia Classic. She posted honors. sports.ed@ocolly.com Fierro has missed the cut both a final tally of 2-under-par for the

Maier said. “So, it has just been really exciting.”

Maier said he hopes to achieve AllAmerican honors in indoors this season and reach the same status in the 10k event during the outdoor portion of the season when is starts in a month.

His personal record in the 10k is roughly 29 minutes, a number he said he hopes to shave down to around 27 this outdoor season.

He emphasized training to help improve his times. Maier isn’t invested in diet plans, he likes to eat what he wants, when he wants, but said most of the calories get burned off in running. His main focus has been base-building, which improves on aerobics, durability and stamina.

He has also increased his volume of running, clocking in 120 miles a week.

“That can vary, like in this past week in Seattle, I did the 5k and the mile, so I decreased my mileage for that week,” Maier said. “But usually in peak training it is between 110-120 for me.”

The heavy workload results in Maier tearing up his shoes quickly. He uses two pairs of running shoes, a pair of Nike Pegasus and Nike Odyssey, which get destroyed within a month of him using them. In a normal year, he could run through more than a dozen pairs of training shoes.

“His attitude, his work ethic, he is running 120 miles a week, he is doing all the little things right. He is just determined to be a great athlete,” Smith said.

Alex Maier was in a slump.

He’d grown a few inches since the previous season. His body was changing. After a decorated sophomore season at Lewisville Flower Mound High School in Flower Mound, Texas, he regressed in his junior year.

Dave Smith, OSU’s track and field coach, had been recruiting Maier for some time. He noticed the struggles. Amid the frustrations, Smith sat Maier down and looked him in the eyes.

“Your talent doesn’t go away,” Smith said. “I know it is there and you’ll run well again someday. We might have to do things differently but we’ll get you back there.”

The reaffirmation relaxed Maier. He eased up and went on to finish a two-time state champion and three-time high school All-American. Smith’s pitch also brought Maier to OSU, where he has become a national contender in the 5k and 10k races.

Maier focuses on the 5k during the indoor portion of the spring season, where he set a school record in the event this past weekend with a time of 13:25.79. The Cowboys will compete in the Big 12 Championships next weekend in Ames, Iowa, ahead of the national championship the weekend after.

“I feel like coming into it, I knew I was fitter than I’ve ever been before, but I think in some ways I’ve exceeded kind of what I sports.ed@ocolly.com thought I could do,”

Page 6A Friday, February 18, 2022

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O’Colly

Galvydyte crucial piece for Cowgirls Rowdy Baribeau Staff Reporter

Track and Field

“She was resistant but said, ‘I’ll try American food has never been a it,’” Smith said. “She kind of dipped her favorite of Gabija Galvydyte. toe into the first year, then, last year she The cuisine might not be her kind of embraced it a bit then got hurt, favorite, but since arriving in the United went home, ran pretty well.

States in 2020, Galvydyte has become “Now, she has fully bought in and engrained in the culture and people. She is just starting to see her potential, I has also become a crucial member of think she could end up being our school OSU’s track and field team. record holder in the 800-meter.”

Galvydyte is a native of Jonava, Switching races was an adjustment Lithuania, a country in northeastern for Galvydyte she wasn’t used to. The Europe. She could training methods and regihave opted for school ments changed along with MAKING THE CASE in her home country, the race she focused on. or even remained on The distance was difficult to the continent, but The Cowgirls were adjust to.

Galvydyte saw an op- favorites to win the Big 12, but To further compliportunity to compete have suffered numerous inju- cate things, she suffered an at the highest level ries. OSU has been relying on injury during last season. in something she’d younger talent to pilot the team Galvydyte suffers from always done. Running throughout the indoor season, compartment syndrome, a track. condition where pressure but look primed for a deep run “I feel like we builds to dangerous levels in in the outdoor season. have more opportunimuscles. ties here,” Galvydyte She was dealing with said. “The way school complications from the and practice and traveling (are), I think condition, something difficult for her it’s easier.” to handle. Through her treatment and Galvydyte said the opportunities rehab process, she found cross-training, presented in America for student-athletes exercises that improve aerobic fitness, are a major difference between the like swimming.

United States and Lithuania.

“I used cross-training to help me “Back home, I feel it’s hard to find because I couldn’t exactly do the runa spot to be seen as an athlete and as ning,” Galvydyte said. a student,” Galvydyte said. “And here, Galvydyte went back home to I feel it’s pretty good. We have like a Lithuania and ran competitions, which treatment and (if) you’re gonna come to is when she noticed the positive effect of the school (for sports), you get everythe training. thing you need.”

“I went back home and competed Prior to attending OSU, Galvydyte there and having done cross-training, was one of the top Lithuanian track just like seeing positives pay off and I athletes in her class, and made her name ran pretty good there too,” Galvydyte known in the Lithuanian junior nationals said. “So now I’m trying to continue in the 400-meter hurdles. doing cross-training because I definitely Galvydyte also placed top-10 in the see some benefits from it.”

400-meter hurdles in the 2017 and 2018 The young Lithuanian’s impact on World Juniors. Galvydyte also notched her peers and fellow athletes has been top-10 finishes in international competi- contagious. Alex Maier, a distance runtions in the 2019 World Relay Champiner for the OSU men’s track team, had onships and in the 2021 European U-23 nothing but gratification for his teamChampionships. mate.

Despite Galvydyte’s success, she “Gabija? Fantastic,” Maier said. has dealt with her share of adversity.

“Great runner, she has a really good When Galvydyte arrived to OSU, she energy to her. She’s always like, peppy was a 400-meter hurdler, but coach Dave and you know she can tell if she’s having Smith had another idea. Smith opted a good time, I feel like that’s definitely a to utilize Galvydyte in the 800-meter good bonus.” sports.ed@ocolly.com instead.

File Photo OSU distance runner Gabija Galvydyte is a native of Lithuania, a country in northeast Europe.

O’Colly

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Allen, Pini providing valuable lineup depth Jax Tompson Staff Reporter Leighton Allen and Francisco Pini have been steadying presences on an all but steady Cowboy tennis team.

With only one player returning this offseason, one senior and six transfers, the Cowboys are still sorting out their everyday lineup. Injuries and absences have made that even more difficult.

In the midst of this, Allen and Pini have quietly put together a string of strong performances. They are the only doubles pair to remain unchanged this season, and have won their last four matches together, all against strong opponents.

“You gotta love Francisco Pini and Leighton Allen. They’ve been a rock-solid third team,” coach Dustin Taylor said.

Allen is a sophomore transfer from Texas, and a former top-10 recruit in his class. When Allen decided to look for something new after his freshman season, OSU was a destination his team endorsed.

“His private coach and I were touring coaches together about ten years ago, and he was a mentor of mine. He reached out to me as soon as I got the job and told me he’d love for Leighton Allen to come here,” Taylor said.

The change of scenery has rejuvenated Allen, who was 6-1 in the fall, and only just lost his first singles match of the season this past Friday. It ended a streak of four wins in a row, but Allen bounced back with two more wins to close out the weekend.

Abby Smith

Cowboy tennis player Leighton Allen transferred from Texas this offseason.

Men’s Tennis

MAKING THE CASE

After hiring a new coach and having to

“My transition overall [from Cowboys are relying on new faces to guide the team.

Texas] has been unbelievable,” Allen Luke Hammond is the only returning player, and the said. senior is guiding a team of transfers and freshmen to Pini is a freshman from Argenbe dark horses in the conference. tina. He’s gotten off to an even better start than Allen, going 8-0.

“Francisco Pini has shown to be a The duo has not been put in the top freshman right now in the country,” most glamorous roles this year. They Taylor said. have played all their singles matches reconstruct an entire roster in the offseason, the

in the bottom three spots in the lineup, and all but one of their doubles matches in the third position.

While others might balk at being left lower in the lineup, they understand every position is important. They have remained focused and motivated no matter which spot in the lineup they occupy. sports.ed@ocolly.com

After testing pros, Marie-Rioux back at OSU Daniel Allen Staff Reporter

Women’s Tennis

starting in February 2021.

During her time playing professionally, she would continuously find Lisa Marie-Rioux was devasherself baffled at the difference in tated. talent in Japan compared to the talent Marie-Rioux’s hopes of a chamlevel in college. Despite winning, she pionship in 2020 were cut short after felt her game was regressing due to the the NCAA canceled all spring sports lack of competition in comparison to because of the COVID-19 pandemic. what she had faced back in the United The Cowgirl tennis team was its States. best season since 2016. OSU boasted In November 2021, Marie-Rioux an 11-1 record, its only loss coming to reached out to Cowgirl tennis coach a top 25 Ohio State team.

Chris Young in hopes of rekindling “It hurt a lot, for me especially their friendship. She thanked him for because we were really good,” Marie- all he had done for her during her time Rioux said. “I think it was our best in Stillwater, showing appreciation for season in a long time so we all had the all of the lessons he taught her, both feeling we in and out of could go tennis.

MAKING THE CASE far in the “He tournatold me he After reeling in a cast of talented freshmen was happy I ment. But obviously prospects mixed with key transfers and the return felt that way,” of Lisa Marie-Rioux, Chris Young’s team have Marie-Rioux when the talent to make a deep postseason run this said. “He said COVID year. hit, any he knows how chance at it’s hard to doing that went away, which hurt.” realize everything in the moment but Distraught and bitter about the he was glad that I didn’t forget about end to her junior season, Marie-Rioux my time at OSU.” began to lose motivation for playing Immediately after her exchange tennis. The pandemic halted all prowith Young, she knew what she was fessional tournaments and with public missing at OSU. Memories started to tennis facilities closed back home in pour through her head, causing her Japan, she was left with little to no op- to reminisce over her initial time in tions to keep herself going.

Stillwater.

Marie-Rioux enrolled in graduate At that moment, she realized school at OSU the following semesleaving college was one of the worst ter, continuing to train. As the year decisions she had ever made. Time progressed, she began to question her passed as she continued playing proinitial decision to remain in school. fessionally in Japan, winning, yet still She wanted to play college tenremaining nostalgic. nis, however the overall difficulty of “I always knew I wanted to finish graduate school and the heavy task my college career, I just didn’t know of managing her time properly in the where,” Marie-Rioux said. “I always midst of passing her classes and comhad a thing for Oklahoma State and peting at a high level proved to be too considered it a possibility, even before much for her.

I talked to Chris. I just missed playing “I would find myself questioning at the college level.” myself, ‘Why am I doing this, what In early December 2021, just am I gaining from this,’” Marie-Rioux weeks after her initial exchange with said. “I really didn’t know what I want- her former head coach, Young reached ed to do in school so it made no sense out to her, suggesting she return to to me what I was doing. The academics OSU for her final year of eligibility. for graduate school is also really hard.

After weeks of communication It was just not fun for me.” and negotiating the circumstances and Marie-Rioux left OSU and began logistics behind a potential return, playing professional tennis in Japan Marie-Rioux agreed to come back for

File Photo Cowgirl tennis player Lisa Marie-Rioux has started this spring season undefeated after returning from playing professionally in Japan.

her final year of eligibility.

“I had a sense she missed what she had here,” Young said. “With COVID there just wasn’t a lot of opportunities for her at the time. So, like I said she missed what had here and decided it would be important (to) come back and reengage with her studies and tennis career.”

Marie-Rioux returned on Jan. 4 for the first time in more than a year.

Since her arrival to Stillwater, she has embraced every moment of her second stint with the Cowgirls. Competition wise, she has accumulated an undefeated record in both singles (2-0)

and doubles play (3-0).

She has not only provided a spark to her teammates with her experienceand knowledge of the game, but has also been a huge backbone in the Cowgirls 4-1 start.

“It’s just been great having her back,” Young said. “I think she’s learned a lot through, you know, being here before, that she can really relate to the girls and I think it’s just been super helpful for both her and for us as a team.” sports.ed@ocolly.com

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Roberson, an OSU family affair Daniel Allen Staff Reporter Larry Sanchez has known JoJo Roberson for a while.

It started with Sanchez’s relationship with Roberson’s mother, Stacey, who taught and developed two of his former riders. Through those riders, the two developed a rapport.

“I got to know the type of training that she puts her students through and obviously how well it transitions over to the college level,” Sanchez said.

This strong rapport between Sanchez and Stacey, led to discovering Roberson. Years later, Roberson would become the third student of her mothers who would end up riding for Sanchez at OSU. Since her arrival at Stillwater her freshman year, her coaches and teammates have seen exponential growth in Roberson. What was once a timid, shy rider from Stratford, Oklahoma, is now one who leads by example and a key piece on No. 1 OSU’s equestrian team. “(JoJo) is super sure of herself, but in a good way,” senior Abigail Brayman said. “When she is super sure of herself that sort of rubs off on her fellow teammates, usually helping them rise to her level of confidence which is already indescribably high.”

Roberson has been able to connect with her teammates. There have been numerous occasions requiring her to work with the most stubborn of horses. However, her leadership skills she developed with her teammates have carried over smoothly to her performance in the pen, as well as her ability to communicate effectively with her horses to carry out a good enough performance in game, regardless of how stubborn they may be.

“Something I’ve found is that our riders whose parents work in the industry, as was the case with JoJo, they have an opportunity to ride many different horses,” Sanchez said. “Sometimes that involves the horses who are rather less than stellar or more stubborn than most others.”

Equestrian MAKING THE CASE The Cowgirls will look to win their seventh national championship under head coach Larry Sanchez who is currently in his 23rd season. With key pieces returning for Sanchez’s squad, Oklahoma State looks to continue its streak of dominance this season.

Alicia Young OSU’s Jojo Roberson during the Oklahoma State vs. TCU equestrian match on Saturday, Feb. 15 2020 at Totusek Arean in Stillwater.

Roberson’s was named team captain heading into this season.

The process in determining the equestrian team captains differs drastically from other sports, like football and basketball. It starts with any member of the roster with a desire to become a team captain giving a lengthy speech in front of the entire team toward the latter part of the season on why they would be a good fit. Shortly after the speeches are given, the team votes on who the next four captains

should be.

“I am without a doubt a lead by example type of person,” Roberson said. “I think that played a huge factor in regards to why they elected me as a captain. Of course, I also had to make sure I got better at communicating as well.”

According to Roberson, being a team captain on the equestrian team contains a large quantity of unspoken negatives that make the role significantly more difficult than it may ini

tially seem to be.

A major displeasure of Roberson’s is the fact that the title of captain causes her teammates to look at her in an entirely different manner than days prior.

“It’s like once you become a team captain, people automatically change their perspective as a person,” Roberson said. “Sometimes you have to rediscover that balance within your team. It’s important that they realize you’re there to lead them and provide a support system while still being their friend. That’s why they elected you.”

Despite the difficulties of adjusting to the role of captain from an average teammate, Roberson believes that her communication skills and ability to lead by example has been key.

“JoJo is such a good leader by example that it sort of offsets the need to be as vocal like most others leaders are,” Sanchez said. “She’s good at what she does. She’s got an incredible amount of talent. She has really done a nice job of transitioning from primarily just a teammate, to a captain and really a leader of the team.”

sports.ed@ocolly.com

Gfeller looks to get himself, team back on track Braden Bush Staff Reporter Losing his 12-match win streak didn’t sit well with Kaden Gfeller.

“You’ve just got to let it fuel you,” said Gfeller, OSU’s starting 149-pounder. “I mean I was fired up. I was really pissed off. I think I ran like three or four miles right after the dual.”

Coach John Smith didn’t fancy the 23-9 thumping the Cowboys received at the hands of the Hawkeyes either.

Gfeller said Smith had the team practice as soon as they got off the buses upon returning from the Bout at the Ballpark followed by two-a-days ever since. 157-pounder Wyatt Sheets said the Sunday practice ended with the team running the steep steps of Gallagher-Iba Arena.

Gfeller’s frustrated post-dual reaction against Iowa greatly contrasts that of a week previous.

Just six days before, the redshirt senior was flexing and pointing at his teammates following a pin of top 25 foe Josh Edmond of Missouri. The poise Gfeller showed then was something Smith took notice of.

“He’s got a level of maturity that he has never had, that’s what it is,” Smith said. “(There’s been) a level of maturity that we’ve seen, and not so much off the mat, but on the mat. Not letting little things bother (him), not letting little things slow (him) down in matches. We’ve just seen him be pretty solid when it’s critical in the match.”

Gfeller said he recognizes the maturity he possesses this season and attributes it to having learned from past mistakes. The ability to pull out wins in crucial situations had become commonplace for the Cowboy.

Then came the Iowa dual.

In a pivotal match against No. 10 Max Murin, Gfeller was ridden out in the second period and unable to mount a rally in the third. The result was a 5-2 win for Murin and the first loss for Gfeller since before Thanksgiving.

“I just didn’t come out with the level of intensity that I needed,” Gfeller said. “I mean, (Murin) is known for bringing intensity and pressure. You’ve got to make your opponents feel

Habbie Colen

OSU’s 149-pound starter Kaden Gfeller had his 12-match win streak snapped this past Saturday.

presure; and I didn’t do that. So, yeah, I need to get better.”

Despite the disappointing loss, the upperclassman has situated himself as an anchor on the team and he believes past experiences and maturity have given him a recipe to bounce back.

“I just need to wrestle hard from the start, make adjustments,

you know,” Gfeller said. “Get more takedowns on my feet, man, and just wrestler hard. I feel like I was a little tired during that match. Maybe just like anxiety or nerves, you know, such a big arena, big stage, but that can’t be an issue.”

Not only has this loss fueled Gfeller to work harder and bounce back, but he believes he can continue to

anchor the young Cowboy team down the home-stretch of the season.

“I’ve learned from past mistakes and I can try and help these younger kids not make the same mistakes that I’ve made,” he said. “Just being a leader and leading by example.” sports.ed@ocolly.com

O’Colly

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Friday, February 18, 2022 Page 9A

Cowboys still looking for answers Gabriel Trevino Staff Reporter After every loss, OSU players and coaches cite the same issue.

A lack of focus.

No matter how many practices, how many shots made in the shootaround, and no matter how “locked in” the team comes into a game, after a loss, concentration is pointed to as the main culprit.

OSU has not won back-to-back games since the middle of January, and before then, November was the last time the Cowboys strung together a win streak of more than two. After a 23-point victory at home against West Virginia, players believed they could build upon the victory, but those hopes were squashed after a double-digit loss to Kansas.

“It’s frustrating when we win, then lose,” OSU guard Avery Anderson said. “We have to find something that we can do game after game. We’re going to get in the gym, watch film, make shots and get back to being us.”

Anderson again attributed the loss to a lack of focus, and absence of attention to certain details, such as defensive rebounding. “Locking into the game plan” was a specific detail Anderson, and other Cowboys believe they could focus on, but coach Mike Boynton does not have an answer to his team’s struggles.

“I don’t know right now,” Boynton said. “We did not perform well. I’ll think about it over the next couple of days. Things are wiring down for this group, and we’re trying to salvage things for the end.”

As OSU comes down to the remaining five

Noah Weber The Cowboys haven’t won consecutive games since the middle of January, and haven’t won more three straight since November.

games of the schedule, players said they are aware of the physicality needed in order to finish the season on a good note. Forward Moussa Cisse said he is ready to bring the intensity needed, but knows he must stick to his fundamentals.

“I had to bring the energy, that’s how I play,” Cisse said. “I am an energetic guy. I came out trying to rebound.”

Boynton is still looking for new ways to fix the issues on his team. He is trying new starting lineups

and attempting new combinations of players on the court at the same time. Toward the end of the game against Kansas, Boynton played Cisse and forward Kalib Boone at the same time on the court together, but already knew the game was lost.

“At that point in the game I was trying to figure out some things for the future, to be perfectly honest,” Boynton said. “It’s something I could get some tape on and use later.” sports.ed@ocolly.com

Q&A: Mayer’s transfer from Butte to OSU Ben Hutchens Staff Reporter

brother came out to Vegas, and I got to visit them for the first time in a few months. So that was good.

Q: Did you go to Butte with the idea in mind you would eventually play Division 1?

A: It was my goal, since I was very young to play at a high level. Division 1 obviously was my main goal and so I kind of work toward that. Out of high school I wasn’t eligible to go to a four-year because my grades, I didn’t really focus in high school. So I had to go to a two-year no matter what. So out of high school I had a lot of junior colleges offer me and I had other schools offer me also but I was ineligible so I went straight to junior college where actually my high school coach was then my JUCO coach.

Q: What brought you together with your teammates?

A: In the beginning of June and all throughout June and July, me (Tori Garza) and Macie (James) and Tracey (Bershers) would all come into the gym together and they didn’t really lift weights much at all at in high school and stuff. So, I’d actually take them to the Colvin and they asked me to help teach them how to lift weights more.

So, I was lifting weights with them.

We’d go lift weights with them and then we come into the gym, and we’d get a bunch of shots and you know, coming from a junior college, I had a little bit more experience than them. So, I was trying to help them out and push them to be better as they were trying to do the same to me.

Chloe Mayer, a native of Chico, California, is in her first year with the Cowgirls. She transferred to OSU from Butte College and has appeared in five games this season, a number limited by an undisclosed injury. The O’Colly caught up with Mayer earlier this season.

Q: What was your process coming to Oklahoma State from Butte College?

A: I was supposed to play my second year, my sophomore year at Butte. The season actually got canceled because COVID, so I got that year of eligibility back and then I got recruited by coach (Bill) Annan and then he talked to my coaches there and they offered me a full ride. I wasn’t able to come on a visit because COVID either, so I actually came out here in the beginning of June with my parents, and they kind of gave us a tour and everything.

I got to meet everybody for the first time in person because I was only Noah Weber talking to everybody on Zoom over OSU guard Chloe Mayer has played in five games for the Cowgirls this season. the phone and FaceTime. So, I came out here with my parents and I got to Q: That’s a long way from home.

A: We had a tournament in Las meet everyone, and they showed me A: Yeah, it is about 25 hours.

Vegas against Green Bay and Tennesthe campus and everything and I really Q: Did you get to go back home see. So actually, my family, my mom liked the facilities and stuff like that. for Thanksgiving or anything? and my dad and my grandma and my sports.ed@ocolly.com So, I ended up committing

HIMALAYAN GROCERY STORE

Page 10A Friday, February 18, 2022

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OSU HOCKEY CLUB

Upcoming Schedule Friday, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, 2 p.m.

vs. East Texas Baptist

March 4, 7:15 p.m.

March 5, 3:15 p.m.

@ Arkansas

April 1, 6:30 p.m.

April 2, 6:30 p.m.

vs. SMU

The Oklahoma State Hockey Club is in the middle of its first season in 20 years.

All photos by Habbie Colen.

Friday, February 18, 2022

Bernadette Peters dazzles in McKnight performance

Courtesy of John Helsley Students enrolled in Bryan Finch’s sports management travel course at Fiesta Bowl Headquarters in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Study abroad programs offered for summer March 2020, OSU students studying abroad were forced to return home.

Unfortunately, it didn’t end there.

Since COVID, hundreds of upcoming study abroad programs have been canceled or delayed.

More students are able to study Jeremy Hicks, peer adviser abroad this summer through the Cen- for Center of Global Learning, said ter for Global Learning. this halted the program and deterred When the pandemic began in students.

Dru Norton News Editor

“COVID had an impact on everything, but especially study abroad,” Hicks said. “A lot of international countries had either locked their borders or made it very difficult to get in. So, we thought this was a good time to build from the ground up.”

See Abroad on 3B

Hosting hospitality

OSU’s Hospitality and Tourism Management department gear up for H-days

Teyte Holcomb Lifestyle Editor Next week, OSU’s Hospitality and Tourism department will be hosting H-days for anyone interested in the hospitality field.

Hospitality days, now known as H-days, is a yearly career fair that students in the Hospitality and Tourism Management department put on for fellow undergraduate students.

In order to plan this annual event, weekly meetings are held that allow students to set up and execute a successful career fair.

Since 1956, hospitality days aim at helping young students get connected with future employers and companies. While hospitality days have been around for some time, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed some of the ways the event is held.

Konrad Olbert, the executive chair for hospitality days 2022, said he is excited to return to hosting H-days after the

COVID-19 pandemic.

“This year is a bit different since we’re coming back from COVID,” Olbert said.

“Now that we are back to in-person events, having each company come in and meet our students on a more personal level is super rewarding.”

Originally geared more toward hospitality and tourism management students, this year H-days has worked with the Spears School of Business to bring in more student interests. Olbert said that by incorporating other colleges, potential recruiters and employers can get a more diverse group of students.

“Now that we’re newly part of Spears, it is for all the business students too,” Olbert said. “Because hospitality is such a vast industry, being able to personally meet with recruiters and build relationships early on is extremely beneficial.”

The event will begin on Monday, Feb. 21 in the Nancy Randolph Davis building.

Beginning at 7:45 a.m., students will get the opportunity to meet

with recruiters from all across the country.

Companies from every aspect of hospitality will be in attendance, allowing students to get a broad sense of the hospitality and tourism industry.

Hotel management, travel management and booking agencies are a few categories of companies who will be recruiting at H-days.

Even if students interested in hospitality are not directly part of the hospitality and tourism management department, Olbert says that the event is catered to everyone.

“No matter what your major is, these big

hospitality companies need people with a variety of skills,” Olbert said. “H-days is a really cool way to see the different aspects of business within the hospitality market, so companies are looking at people with all sorts of skills and backgrounds.”

H-days begin on Monday, Feb. 21 and will be open to any students who are interested in hospitality and tourism management.

More information about H-days as well as a list of events can be found at business.okstate.edu. entertainment.ed@ocolly.com

Dru Norton News Editor

nie Get Your Gun” in 1999, Mama Rose in “Gypsy” in 2003, Sally Durant Plummer in “Follies” in 2011 and more.

In 2018, she returned to the Broadway stage in the revival of “Hello Dolly!” where she played the starring role, Dolly.

Peters worked closely with award-winning composer Stephen Sondheim in many of her roles until his death in November 2021.

In the concert, Peters performed songs from her renowned roles in the concert, and shared the backstory of each character she portrayed.

Now, Peters devotes her time and talents to events benefitting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and Broadway Barks, a dog and cat adoption charity event she co-founded with actress Mary Tyler Moore.

She resides in New York City and Los Angeles with her two dogs, Charlie and Rosalia.

Students interested in attending performances at the McKnight Center for Performing Arts for the remainder of the spring season can view the schedule and ticket prices at mcknightcenter.org.

Discounted student rush tickets are typically available the day of the performance and are usually $15, but depend on the performance. Students will need a valid student ID and are limited to two tickets.

Lights radiated the stage as Bernadette Peters entered, commanding the attention of all eyes in the 1,098-seat venue.

The McKnight Center for Performing Arts hosted Peters, a legendary Broadway actress and singer, for a nearly sold-out Valentine’s Day concert at 7:30 p.m.

Paired with her curly bright red hair and a striking silver dress that sparkled from head to toe, Peters delivered an unforgettable performance at 73. From her covers like Peggy Lee’s “Fever” to her show-stopping “My Funny Valentine,” she customized each song on her setlist specifically for the romantic holiday.

Since her first theatre performance in 1968, Peters has grown comfortable on a stage. This was clear as Peters moved around the stage with ease, telling humorous and sentimental anecdotes.

Peters has a long list of achievements and honors, being nominated for seven Tony Awards, winning two, winning a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Musical and multiple Grammy nominations.

Her most notable theatre performances include her role of Dot/Marie in “Sunday in the Park with George” in 1982, Witch in “Into the Woods” in 1987, Annews.ed@ocolly.com nie Oakley in “An-

Courtesy of The Mcknight Center Bernadette Peters starred as “Dolly” in the Broadway revival of “Hello Dolly!”

What’s Inside

Plane Ride Page 4B

Learn how one OSU student was given a lifetime oppourtunity.

Active Minds Page 6B

Active Minds founder shares importance of mental health.

The place to be Page 4B

Birchfield Barber Co. is the place in Stillwater to stop by for a haircut.

Page 2B Friday, February 18, 2022

O’Colly

Page 2

Spring Break Countdown

22

days Trending TV Shows Euphoria: A group of high school students navigate love and friendships in a world of drugs, sex, trauma and social media.

Photo of the week By: Habbie Colen

Daton Fix wrestled for his school, Oklahoma State, and Team USA at the historic Bout at the Ballpark in Arlington, Texas, this past weekend.

The Tinder Swindler: A group of women who were victims of a dating app-based swindler, join in an attempt to hunt him down and recover the millions of dollars that were stolen from them.

Love is Blind: Singles try to find a match and fall in love -- without ever seeing each other faceto-face, as emotional connection attempts to conquer physical attraction.

Last week, the Texas A&M president Katherine Banks staged an attack on student journalism.

Banks told the students working at The Battalion, the A&M student newspaper, that they were to stop printing or risk losing funding.

The students fought back using social media, phone calls and a hashtag that flooded Twitter.

Since, Banks announced the addition of representatives from The Battalion, which includes the adviser and two students, are being added to a working group, which was formed earlier this year, to focus on the future of the publication.

The Batt has been printed since 1893, except for a period during WWI. The O’Colly stands with our fellow student journalists.

-The O’Colly editorial staff

Editorial board

Reporters/photographers

Editor-in-chief Chris Becker editorinchief@ocolly.com

Sports editor Dean Ruhl sports.ed@ocolly.com

News editor Dru Norton news.ed@ocolly.com

Design editor Sam Beebe design.ed@ocolly.com

Lifestyle editor Teyte Holcomb entertainment.ed@ocolly.com

Photo editor Abby Cage photo.ed@ocolly.com

Assistant sports editor Sam Hutchens sports.ed@ocolly.com

Adviser John Helsley john.helsley@okstate.edu

Sports reporters: Adam Engel Ben Hutchens Sudeep Tumma Davis Cordova Calif Poncy Ashton Slaughter Daniel Allen Gabriel Trevino Gavin Pendergraff Kaleb Tadpole

Newsroom

108 Paul Miller Stillwater, OK 74078 (405)-744-6365

News & Lifestyle reporters: Luisa Clausen Jake Sellers Sierra Walton Rachel Williamson Kylie Hammack Mak Vandruff Reagan Glass Stephen Stumpf Ellen Slater Jaden Besteda Rowdy Baribeau Anna Pope

Photographers: Jaiden Daughty Braden King Branson Evans Habbie Colen Abby Smith Alex Hernandez Molly Jolliff Sarah Briscoe Karisa Sheely Noah Weber Karlie Boothe

O’Colly

Lifestyle/News

Friday, February 18, 2022 Page 3B

12 Angry Men debut performance Sheets held many roles off the stage like working in a technology booth.

With the exception of one week, the complete cast was not able to rehearse Anna Pope because many had COVID-19.

Sheet said not being able to Staff Reporter have consistent rehearsals with With pencils flying, the whole cast early in the prohands clenched and voices duction process was difficult. raised, “Twelve Angry Men” “But it really crippled made its debut appearance at us because a show this comthe Town and Gown Theatre plicated and this fast moving, on Feb. 10. and everybody is so dependent The play, directed by on the others, you have to have Linda Thrasher, opens with everybody together in order for Perry Mason’s theme setting it to work,” Sheets said. the scene of a courtroom. The The theatre put on this jurors, all men, are then explay in the past and many of cused to deliberate on whether the cast from the previous a 19-year-old man is guilty of run are featured in the show murdering his father. Then, this season. Although there the jurors walk into the room, are some people who pertired and restless, and some formed in the play before, it is are eager to leave.

Thrasher’s debut directing and When the group takes theatre’s first production of the a vote on the man’s verdict, year. Trish Ellis is a friend of 11-1 believe the man is guilty. Thrasher, and has been attendBecause the verdict must be ing the Town and Gown’s prounanimous, the men talk more ductions for at least 10 years. and reexamine the evidence, “I’ve been coming to causing some to clash opinwatch her and her daughter ions. At its core, the play is perform here and this is my meant to bring to light how first opportunity to see Linda people can judge others for the direct,” Ellis said. “That was sake of convenience and how really awesome.” bias can pollute decisions.

Ellis has not seen the Keith Sheets plays Juror play before and although she #1 who is also the jury’s fore- likes comedies, she enjoyed man and said he has been the show. active in the theatre since 2008. Over this period of time, news.ed@ocolly.com Kiara Wood Students sip hot cocoa and learn more about studying abroad at Spears School of Business.

Abroad...

tions regarding a sports event or team they have talked about in class.

“It gives students a Continued from 1 perspective and understanding that they are not going to get on YouTube or in the classroom,” Finch said. “Study abroad and The Study Abroad Oftravel courses, whether domesfice became the Center for tic or international, are very Global Learning. This change beneficial.” stemmed from the center’s During the years, Finch mission to allow students to and his students have visited experience life outside of OSU, San Diego, Boston, Montreal, preparing them to become toPhoenix, Washington D.C., morrow’s global leaders, Hicks Australia and more. There, said. Thus, the study abroad of- students enrolled in the sports fice was renamed to the Center management travel course view for Global learning. the fan base, stadiums, and The restructured program sports team managers in the also focuses on getting more area they have studied. Finch students involved in study said he uses his connections, abroad, even during these chal- mostly where former students lenging times, Hicks said. work or reside, to choose the By 2027, the Center for place.

Global Learning expects 25% Now, he is planning his of OSU students to engage in first abroad trip post-COVID to global education.

Kansas City in May. Once the This summer, 37 majors pandemic has come to an end, are offering opportunities to Finch said he wants to travel study abroad. Students who internationally again. missed their chance to study “I had big dreams,” Finch abroad during the pandemic, said. “I had plans to go to Japan can now travel anywhere from for the Winter Olympics. That Hawaii to Guam. got completely blown out of the Bryan Finch, associate water. But, I would really like professor of professional prac- to take a group to Japan one tice of management, was one of day.” the many who canceled his trip Students can enroll in abroad the past two years. travel courses like Finch’s class, Since 2008, Finch has or use one of the Center for taught sports management Global Learning’s three protravel courses, traveling with grams to study abroad.

8-28 students to different locaThese programs include:

direct exchange, affiliated program and national student exchange.

Through the direct exchange, students can pay OSU tuition, rather than an international college to study abroad.

Students can utilize their OSU scholarships and Pell Grants using this study abroad method.

“Usually the biggest concern or the biggest detriment for students to study abroad is the cost of it,” Hicks said.

“Studying abroad is actually very affordable, for the average student.”

The affiliated program or third-party vendor allows students more flexibility of location and degree plan timeframe, better suited for members of fraternities and sororities, Hicks said. The third option, national student exchange, allows students to travel anywhere within the U.S. and Canada.

“Students are able to get outside of Oklahoma using this program, if they aren’t feeling the international life abroad,” Hicks said. “This choice has been more popular due to COVID times.”

Students interested in learning more information about study abroad options, deadlines to apply and the Center for Global Learning can go to global.okstate.edu/studyabroad. news.ed@ocolly.com

SFC Welcomes Back a Fellow OSU Alumni!

Monica Harden, D.O. is Now Accepting New Patients of All Ages

Call To Schedule an Appointment Today!

4 0 5 . 5 3 3 . 2 4 3 3 | w w w. s t i l l w a t e r f a m i l y c a re . c o m

Karlie Boothe “Twelve Angry Men” is about a group of jurors deliberating whether a 19-year-old man is guilty of killing his father.

Page 4B Friday, February 18, 2022

O’Colly

lifestyle/News

Jaiden Daughty Birchfield Barber Co. offers a wide variety of services for men in Stillwater.

Birchfield Barber Co. is the place to be ​

Asa Lucas Staff Reporter

There comes a time in every man’s life where you realize the power of a great haircut. When that moment arrives, you understand that you have to forgo your mom’s friend, who has been giving you the same haircut for the past 10 years.

Places like “Sport Clips,” while affordable, do not give you any added swagger or a clean fade to impress your friends and peers. ​So, where do you go in the small town of Stillwater?

Well, there is one barbershop in town that will not disappoint. One place that’s filled with regulars and friends, called Birchfield Barber Co. Located right here in Stillwater on 602 S. West St Suite D, Birchfield is filled with awesome decor and even better barbers.

When walking in, it is easy to be taken aback

by the atmosphere. You immediately see a pool table for people to play and enjoy. As well, a small mini fridge next to the pool table houses complimentary beers and water for customers to enjoy while they wait. ​Comfortable leather couches are up against the wall, and scattered across the walls of the barbershop are a few charming animal heads. ​At this point, whichever barber you scheduled with online or over the phone will call your name.

When sitting down in the luxurious black and white leather chair, you begin to relax without thinking about it. ​Your barber will ask you a few questions about how you want your haircut to look or what kind of design you want your beard trim to have.

Most haircuts are between 30-40 minutes and a beard trim/shave takes about 20 minutes. T ​ ime flies while you’re sitting in the chair, soaking in this feeling of comfortability.

You can hear the barbers’ banter back and forth

and, depending on the day you come in, they will always play something different and unique to watch on the large television near the center of the shop.

You will find the prices to be fair for the product and atmosphere they deliver on, with a Classic men’s haircut $31. As well, a classic beard trim is $16, a premium men’s haircut is $38, a premium beard trim is $22 and a premium razor fade is $40. ​O nce you have paid and walked out of Birchfield Barber Co. you will feel like a new man. You will be ready to take on the rest of whatever obstacles you have to face, because you know you will look good while doing it.

There is no better feeling than a fresh fade, and Birchfield Barber Co. definitely delivers on this promise.

entertainment.ed@ocolly.com

Plane ride leads to opportunity Kendall Suess Staff Reporter

Most students do not go to the pool in another country and leave with an internship.

Oklahoma State student Gavin Abendschein was offered an opportunity as a sophomore to move across the country on a whim when he happened to sit next to Brian Scalise, manager of BPS Aviation and a Spirit Airlines captain.

“I try to network with as many people as possible because I want to learn their story,” Abendschein said. “I sat next to (Scalise) in Panama while on vacation with my mom and it just so happened that he was also a pilot.

We started talking and hanging out every day. We did things like eat lunch together and sit near the pool to get to know each other.”

After spending time together for a few days, Abendschein, a professional pilot major, was told if he could get his instrument rating, an oral exam and flight test to earn a Federal Aviation Administration license, Scalise would offer him a summer internship at his aviation company in Destin, Florida.

Having some reservations about recently meeting Scalise, Abendschein was not sure whether the offer would happen.

“It almost seemed too good to be true,” Abendschein said. “I ended up researching his background and company while having a few back up options for the upcoming summer in case this opportunity fell through.”

On vacation with his mother, Denise Kent, Abendschein sought her advice. Kent had some hesitancy about her son accepting the internship from someone he had met in another country.

During the vacation, Kent was able to spend time getting to know Scalise. She found the opportunity for Abendschein to be something he couldn’t refuse.

“I am usually a pretty good judge of character and he seemed like a genuinely nice guy,” Kent said. “I have remained friends with Brian and even went to visit him and his daughter during Gavin’s internship. Gavin has always been a responsible person, so I knew he could handle himself personally and professionally at this job.”

Before accepting the offer, Abendschein knew OSU did not accept training or flight hours gained outside of school. His flight credits would not be valued, and he had to make the decision whether to change his major to aviation management and no longer be

A flight instructor (right) helped Abendschein (left) pass his pilot test.

in the OSU flight program.

Getting advice from other students in his major, Abendschein worked with Jake Hickox, an OSU professional pilot student who helped him study for his coming tests. Hickox worked with him several times leading up to his Federal Aviation Administration exam.

“Almost every day leading up to the check ride, I would met with (Abendschein) to go over interview questions, discuss maintenance logs and go over the documents that might be on the exam,” Hickox said. “It is important to gain this kind experience in your flying career, so I encouraged him to go through with changing his major and take the new job. Being able to rightseat in a private jet and read back clearances and follow flight plans alongside professional pilots is exactly what he is going to be doing in airlines.”

After thinking it through, Abendschein accepted the internship. Abendschein did not want to let this experience pass because it can be hard for someone who has logged low flight hours to fly in jets. He started his instrument license at the time of the offer. He set a goal to have it done by May and completed it May 1.

Abendschein arrived mid-May in

Florida and began his internship.

“The first day of my internship was quite hectic,” Abendschein said.

“I am a college kid, so I was used to being on my own sleep schedule. I had to wake up early and start out right away on a trip flying through Florida. I got a call in morning that I was going to have to take a few passengers to the Florida Keys, down to Miami and back to Destin.”

Abendschein had different duties throughout the internship. He was a pilot and co-pilot on jets and turboprops for any flight he was told to be on. When he wasn’t flying, he made sure the planes were detailed, the GPS equipment was up-to-date and worked on legal documentation for the company, such as leases for customers to rent the planes.

Abendschein’s co-worker Nathan Hansen, a pilot for BPS Aviation, flew are several trips with Abendschein where he executed the duties of a Second in Command Pilot. While going on flight trips together, Abendschein assisted in preparing the aircraft with Hansen and taking care of the passengers.

“As a pilot of a high performance passenger jet, flying the Premier jet is unique because a single pilot can fly it,

Courtesy of Gavin Abendschein

which means you do flight planning, coordinating fuel for transportation, hotel rooms, drinks for the passengers, preparing the cabin and cleaning the jet after the flight,” Hansen said. “It is a demanding and challenging type of flying, but it is also extremely rewarding and fun. We flew together on trips to Colorado Springs, Aspen, Vail, Houston and shorter trips around Florida and the Southeastern United States.

Having (Abendschein) help out with these things was beneficial and greatly enhanced the passenger experience at a minimal cost to them. Some clients liked having him along and would pay for his food and hotel on multiday trips.”

During the summer, Hickox visited Abendschein on one of his flight trips to Fort Worth. Hickox said he drove to the airport and Abendschein showed him around his plane, what everything does and all of the features on the outside of the plane.

See Plane on 5B

O’Colly

Friday, February 18, 2022 Page 5B

Lifestyle

Star studded halftime show earns high praise from NFL fans Chris Becker Editor-in-Chief

as the best halftime show.

“The halftime show was awesome,” Ryan Hill, an OSU student said on It was a Sunday Twitter. (In my opinion) of nostalgia for some it rivals Prince’s halftime when the Los Angeles performance.”

Rams took on the CincinThe star studded nati Bengals in the Super show was everything one Bowl. would expect from the West coast rap made lineup, which targeted the its appearance on the west old-school rap and milcoast at halftime show of lennial crowd. the Super Bowl 50 Cent dropped Snoop Dogg, Dr. in upside down, a nod to Dre, 50 Cent, Eminem, the “In Da Club” music Mary J. Blige and Kenvideo while Snoop Dogg drick Lamar performed and Dr. Dre performed on during the event, which top of a set, which paid many people referred to homage to Los Angeles

including a map of Compton on the field at SoFi Stadium.

The highlight was the performance of Dr.Dre singing Tupac’s ‘California Love.’

The show lit social media ablaze with praise from the watching audience. Comparisons were drawn to Super Bowl performances of the past from celebrities and students alike.

All-in-all the performance was a hit that will be talked about for Super Bowls to come. entertainment.ed@ocolly.com

Courtesy of Tribune News Service Snoop Dog, Dr. Dre, and Mary J. Blige headlined the star-studded halftime show.

‘Death on the Nile’

Plane...

The ups and downs of the murder mystery thriller

Continued from 4B “On the premier jet (Abendschein) was flying, one of the windows is painted on and not a real window to make the illusion the jet is bigger than it is,” Hickox said. “He showed me the checkpoints he goes through before the flight to ensure the safety of the customers and the lounge area he gets to use in between the flights.”

Throughout the internship, Abendschein met with Associate Professor Matt Vance, who helped guide him and recommended he apply to get college credit for the internship. Abendschein was able to earn nine credit hours for completing the internship.

Vance met with Gavin on multiple occasions regarding flight training and other potential internship opportunities. With OSU approving his internship and applying his class credits, he is able to come back to OSU with some real-world experience and more credit hours. “(Abendschein’s) now professional career exposure will hopefully motive accelerated degree completion and has opened his awareness to the attributes and characteristics of quality people,” Vance said. “He is already better equipped to find a company that exudes aviation integrity and befits his personality. Both are necessary for long-term employment stability, productivity and happiness in one’s career.”

Using his resources, Abendschein was able to be mentored throughout the summer and stay caught up with his degree because of his communication with Vance.

“I really look up to (Vance) and appreciated his opinion because he has been in aviation for so long and knows what he is doing,” Abendschein said. “He gave me his professional insight and fully supported me throughout the summer.”

The internship changed Abendschein’s career path. Being able to log hours flying private jets is necessary for pilots and can be hard experience to get for people who have logged only 400 flying hours. Abendschein said the average person is not able to start logging jet time until flying at least 1,000 hours.

After staying in Florida for the summer, Abendschein asked his mother whether he could extend the internship into the semester. The downside was Abendschein had to change his classes to those he could pursue online. After speaking with Abendschein’s academic counselor and director of the OSU flight program, Kent agreed this would be a great chance for her son and his career path.

The internship ended up being extended through the Fall 2021 semester, and Abendschein did the semester online from Florida.

Abendschein said it was hard to be away from his friends and in-person classes all semester, but he matured as an adult with real life experiences and responsibilities. Kent said she is extremely proud of her son for moving across the country alone as a young adult.

“I was happy once we decided he would stay longer at his

Connor Gray Staff Reporter

Courtesy of Gavin Abendschein Abendschein plans to continue his internship at BPS Aviation this summer.

internship, as real world knowledge and lessons are invaluable,” Kent said. “He continued to gain numerous flight hours and useful information from his internship. We are fortunate to live in a time where we can learn almost anything from anywhere, so we changed his major and classes.”

Being able to watch her son grow during this experience, Kent enjoyed seeing her son use his natural ability to communicate with people and go through life lessons. She said watching Abendschein struggle and grow from each lesson gave him a solid foundation of experience to use throughout his life.

The job was not all glamorous. Abendschein had able to deal with difficult situations and learn how to interact with pilots on the job as well as customers.

Abendschein had to learn to work with customers who were not always friendly.

“Not only was I submersed in the flying portion, but my other duties included loading baggage, setting up rental cars and making sure the customer’s trip was worth their money,” Abendschein said. “One time our customer’s flight to Colorado Springs was stuck on the ground, and we had to go and buy our two clients on the plane quesadillas because they told us they wanted quesadillas.”

Hansen said Abendschein’s performance when dealing with these situations was exceptional. Abendschein approached the situations with professionalism, attention to detail and interpersonal skills. For a pilot with limited experience, Abendschein’s radio presence and checklist discipline impressed Hansen. Hansen said

the amount of work Abendschein put into learning the skills required of a pilot through lots of hours of studying and using flights simulations will contribute to his future success.

“I hope he learned that only a small amount of your success depends on your technical skills and knowledge that you are picking up in college,” Hansen said. “That’s just the minimum requirement to get you in the game. Once you are there, your level of self-awareness and self-mastery, problem solving skills and how well you deal with people and influence others will determine your success.”

The experience will be something Abendschein said he will cherish for many years.

Abendschein knows firsthand taking chances can become something rewarding. Abendschein was able to form relationships with people who could help him down the road in his career.

“The most unexpected part of the journey was how much I ended up flying,” Abendschein said. “I wasn’t anticipating to fly as much, but I’m glad I did. Part of the reason I took the job was to gain some industry experience. I gained that experience and so much more. I dealt with situations that were not anticipated, I flew different places and I met new people all while dealing with real life problems I ran into.”

Starting this semester with a new outlook, Abendschein has moved back to Stillwater. He plans to return to Destin next summer to continue his internship at BPS Aviation. news.ed@ocolly.com

The most important part about a murder mystery is just that, the mystery. Whenever the mystery is not written well, the If OSU students whole film is put at stake. need an excuse to go see a The mystery in movie this weekend, look “Death on the Nile” was no further. “Death on the not terrible per se, but it Nile” is a film about love, certainly did not leave murder and everything in much to the imagination. between. The latest film in The mystery was cliche and the murder mystery genre, predictable, while providand the experience was ing little detail. quite underwhelimg.

The explanation and There were some grand reveal at the film felt aspects of “Death on the cheap and basic, and the Nile” that were well-crafted viewer is left still trying to and genuinely enjoyable, find out if the solution they while in other parts it landed on is even logical. simply felt dull and predictDespite all of this, able. some aspects of the movie One of the biggest did not go unnoticed. Kenflaws is undoubtedly the neth Branagh is the spine pacing of the story. Every of “Death on the Nile” and story needs to have exposi- truly carries the perfortion to set up the future of mances on his back. the film, but with “Death The supporting cast, on the Nile” it falls into which is quite loaded, has the trap where it has such its standouts, with great an abundance of setup that moments from Sophie it must limp its way to the Okonedo in particular. actual murder mystery.

Okonedo and Branagh steal It feels like an incredibly each scene they are in and sluggish start to an otherwhen they get to share a wise decent film. scene together, it is nothAnother place that ing short of a treat for the the movie falters is that it audience. tries so hard to be stylistic “Death on the Nile” is and smart, when it simply a film that struggles with a is not. There were a few slow opening and tries too shots where it was clear hard to be different, and they were trying to make is simply not a memorable an artistic choice with the movie. If given the oppordirection and cinematogra- tunity to see it in theaters, phy, but it distracted from go for it, but if you do not the story line. make it to the theater, you The film used colare not missing much. ors well throughout the “Death on the Nile” is not entirety. Whether it be in a bad choice for a murder the sets, costume design or mystery, but there are betlighting, colors feel well ter options out there that. used during the movie and Final “Death on the in that way, the movie was Nile” Score: 6.5/10 successful. entertainment.ed@ocolly.com

Tribune News Service ‘Death on the Nile’ is the newest murder mystery to hit the screens.

Page 6B Friday, February 18, 2022

O’Colly

Lifestyle

Stillwater History Museum displays COVID-19 exhibit

Teyte Holcomb Lifestyle Editor

answer in hopes of “documenting the pandemic experience while it is fresh in people’s minds.”

The five-question survey addresses everything from stay-at-home work to how vaccinations affected relationships with individuals. Individuals all around Stillwater are encouraged to fill out the survey and email it to the Stillwater History museum.

Although much of the exhibit covers a broad sense of what the pandemic has done to our world, there are some things specific to Stillwater that the exhibit includes. Pictures of tents set up outside of Stillwater Medical Center help visualize to viewers just how deadly the pandemic was.

Along with these visualizations, the exhibit also highlights the stark differences between how community officials and citizens in the community were handling COVID-19 cases. Side-by-side pictures show tents set up outside Stillwater Medical Center while also showing tents set up outside for football tailgaters.

The exhibit captures much of what the world was facing during the pandemic, but it also puts in perspective how hard the city of Stillwater was hit. The exhibit ends with a plaque titled “lives lost in Stillwater as of March 31, 2021,” stating that 35 lives have been lost because of COVID-19 in the city.

Residents who have died from COVID-19 have been placed on a memorial in the exhibit, with empty slots that residents can add to. The exhibit at the Stillwater History Museum lasts until Feb. 28, and Stillwater residents are encouraged to go see how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted our society.

Located on Duncan St. the Stillwater History Museum presents unique and niche artifacts that tell the history of Stillwater. Along with these pieces of Stillwater history, an exhibit telling more recent history for Stillwater residents has been set up.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been something that has not only strained relationships, but it has also brought communities together. The exhibit, titled “COVID-19: a year in review,” seeks to show how the pandemic has affected residents in the Stillwater community while telling the history of events during the pandemic.

From telling stories about at-home workouts to mass mask mandates, the exhibit encompasses events during the pandemic that were not seen before. Of these events, the history of Oklahoma’s state-wide shutdown is explained through newspaper articles and government announcements.

Along with information about government shutdowns and state-wide mandates, less serious aspects of the pandemic don’t go unnoticed. Posters showing popular “quarantine hairstyles” and exhibits addressing the at-home workout craze show how people around the world were handling the pandemic.

Along with artifacts describing the history of the pandemic, the museum also uses citizen experiences to highlight certain issues that have happened during COVID-19. Titled “Pandemic Perspectives,” the Stillwater History Museum has set up questions for residents to entertainment.ed@ocolly.com

Abby Smith The Stillwater History Museum holds artifacts that help visualize the COVID-19 pandemic

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WHEN IS LITTLE MUCH?

There is a short chorus that has encouraged me many times. “Little is much if God is in it. Labor not for wealth or fame. There’s a crown and you can win it. If you go in Jesus’ name.”

The woman, who poured the precious ointment on Jesus just before he was crucified, was criticized for “wasting” this expensive item. Yet, Jesus said everywhere the gospel is preached this woman’s action would be told. (Mk 14:3-9) Little things mean a lot as we are willing to serve the Lord. Paul mentions many in Romans 16 who helped him. The Good Samaritan stopped to help the man beaten and robbed.

(Lu.10:30-37) Paul writes as you have opportunity, do good to all men, especially to other believers.(Gal.6:10) When the poor widow dropped the two pennies, all that she had, into the temple offering. Jesus said she gave more the large offerings given. Her “large giving” was in relation to what she had. (Mk.12:41-44)

Many people may plan to give when they receive a great amount of money, but that large amount of money may never come. We may plan to give time or talent to a project when we have more time, but that perfect time arrangement may never happen. Again, the apostle Paul encourages us “as you have opportunity, do good to all men.”

We never know when a little gesture of kindness, with money, or helping in an area of service, spending a little time with a person, a word of encouragement, will be just the action that will be a great help to someone. These can be practical ways of living out the Lord’s challenge to love one another. This is the fulfilling of the many commandments in the Bible: loving people by word and action.

MONDAY-SATURDAY | 9:30 - 6:00 SUNDAY | 1:00 - 5:00

O’Colly

Friday, February 18, 2022 Page 7B

News

Let it be: These bugs are good

Courtesy of OSU Ag Research This American burying beetle’s saliva has the potential to create a natural antibiotic, OSU researchers said.

“This collaboration combines ecology, microbiology and genomics,” Hoback said. “That way we can figure out how to just concentrate on the material that we want, versus spraying our carcasses with beetle secretions.”

The beetle’s name, the burying beetle, comes from the way it feeds its Rachel Williamson offspring. Hoback said these large beeStaff Reporter tles are capable of burying small mammals such as rats and squirrels. Once Researchers at Oklahoma State the beetles get the carcass buried, they have discovered the way a rare beetle use their saliva to preserve the meat for feeds its offspring shows potential to their offspring. create a natural antibiotic.

“These beetles bury an animal Leading the research is Dr. Wyatt carcass, because their babies eat meat, Hoback, an entomology and plant pakind of fresh meat,” Hoback said. thology professor. He has been studying “They’ve buried things at room temand conserving these beetles for over perature. So we are researching how the 20 years, and now he’s focusing on the beetles use their own biology which is medical potential of American Burying some saliva, some enzymes, to help slow Beetle saliva by collaborating with the down decomposition.” biochemistry and molecular biology and The American burying beetles animal and food science departments. can work in teams to get carcasses

moved and buried.

“Two American burying beetles working with their heads can bury something the size of a Volkswagen Bug in a couple of hours in loose soil,” Hoback said. “They’re amazing. if an animal is dead on the road they’ll actually move it six to nine feet just by kind of shuffling it along over their bodies.”

Hoback explained that these carnivorous beetles also carry around their own microbiome “in their guts” to place on the animal carcass to compete with the other microorganisms that are trying to decompose the meat. The end result is meat that is preserved at room temperature for weeks.

“For us, it gives us potential for new sources of antibiotics, or maybe a way to preserve meat at room temperature,” Hoback said. “Many parts of the world don’t have refrigeration. If we can figure out the chemistry, then we have a way to develop a product for humans

without actually having to coat our meat in burying beetle secretions.”

Although the research is still in the early stages, Hoback said once the researchers narrow down which microorganisms the burying beetles are using, then the project can move forward with developing preservatives and antibiotics.

“Once we identify which microbes are present, we can identify their properties and figure out how they’re keeping all these other species from taking over the carcass,” said Hoback. “Then, we’ll have the next penicillin or terramycin or one of these classes of compounds that can directly help humans.”primarily spread from person-to-person with symptoms usually appearing two to 14 days after exposure. The most common symptoms of the coronavirus are fever, cough, shortness of breath or loss of taste or smell.

Active Minds founder speaks about importance of mental health

Karlie Boothe

Alison Malmon, founder of Active Minds, created the organization after her brother’s death.

Originally founded on the east coast, Active Minds activists have traveled across the country speaking to college students about the impacts and importance of suicide prevention. During the talk, Malmon discussed ways students everywhere can be impactful to Teyte Holcomb peers facing mental health struggles.

Lifestyle Editor “We may not all have mental illness, but we do all have mental health,” Last Tuesday, Active Minds found- Malmon said. “You do not need to be an er Alison Malmon discussed mental expert to help, you just need to be there.” health awareness and suicide prevention Even though Malmon says that to OSU students. many facing mental health struggles Active Minds is a mission dedicat- are silent, some express their feelings ed to helping college students across the to friends before anyone else. While country build relationships that bring relevant to college students, suicide and mental health awareness to the forefront. mental health problems have been of Created after the death of her brother, growing concern in Oklahoma.

Alison Malmon says that mental health According to an article published is something everyone overlooks. by oklahomawatch.org, sucide rates are “After my brother’s death, and on the rise. knowing how preventable it was, I re“Last year, 883 Oklahomans died solved that no matter what, [I am going] by suicide, according to data provided to do something to change the way we by the state medical examiner’s office,” approach mental health in this country,” the article said. “That’s nearly a 10% Malmon said. increase over 2019, and the highest num-

ber of suicides since at least 2006.”

Though mental health awareness has grown in popularity, Malmon says that there still needs to be work done.

She also says there are key ways to help someone who is facing mental health struggles.

“Validate, appreciate and refer,” she said. “Their feelings are valid, regardless of what you think.”

These mental health awareness events are part of OSU’s Grief and Loss Events, which aim to help prevent suicide and bring awareness to mental health issues. Though Active Minds is not the only organization working with OSU, it is the most recent in speaking to OSU students.

The event ended with a backpack that was gifted to Malmon. This backpack was a donation for the Active Minds exhibit Send Silence Packing.

This exhibit, which travels all across the country, hopes to end the silence that surrounds mental health and suicide awareness.

Malmon concluded the event with

saying that everyone needs to talk about mental health, not just those who are struggling.

“We all need to talk about what we’re going through all the time,” she said. “As someone who is around someone struggling with mental health, you deserve a therapist also.”

OSU’s next Grief and Loss Event will be held on Feb. 28 in the Student Union. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, more information about the importance and suicide prevention can be found at mentalhealth.gov.

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Page 8B Friday, February 18, 2022

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Daily Horoscope

Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis

ACROSS 1 Ketch pair 6 Pre-weekend letters 10 Damson or Mirabelle 14 On the lookout 15 Decimated sea 16 “All __” 17 “It’s the truth!”

18 Old comics character who said, “We have met the enemy and he is us.”

19 Apple product 20 Naivete personified, literally 23 It’s needed, but often “not included” 24 Many a Nora Ephron film 28 Old speedster: Abbr.

29 Ice cream holder 31 Bother 32 Co-founder of Artists Against Fracking 33 Abandoned, literally 36 Angry 39 Doce meses 40 Equal 41 Low, literally 46 Medium power 47 Give a hand 48 Tennis strategy 49 Rte. finder 52 Presumes 54 Feature of some Birkenstocks 56 Metaphor for a sitting-pretty situation, literally 60 Modern diary 63 Like father, like son?

64 Accord creator 65 Bridges of Los Angeles County 66 Fourth letter in a famous mnemonic 67 Like Barbara Bush, vis-à-vis Jenna 68 Lincoln or Jackson 69 Twice-monthly tide 70 Works in a garden

2/18/22

By Dick Shlakman and Fred Geldon

DOWN 1 Rays that can live 50 years 2 Island exchanges 3 Handpicked 4 “Survivor” group 5 Cat burglar’s asset 6 It’s broken at many races 7 Become 8 Classic stage betrayer 9 Request for maximum speed 10 Light bender 11 Sass 12 Gulf War support gp.

13 Pill, say 21 Word with collar or chip 22 American Girl purchase 25 Abs are part of it 26 Some time ago 27 Comic Jay 30 Lacking pizzazz 31 On the wrong side (of) 33 Rocker Nugent 34 One who may go deep 35 Good times 36 Aerobic bit

Thursday’s Puzzle Solved

©2022 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

37 Quite 38 Gym set 42 Hammer-strikesthumb reaction 43 Guys with gifts 44 Particle in a beam 45 “Sesame Street,” e.g.

49 About half of Trenta, at Starbucks 50 Protected, in a way

2/18/22

51 “Femme Fatale” artist, 2011 53 PC fixer 55 Oar fulcrum 57 HBO’s “__ of Easttown” 58 Latin “others” 59 Like some pockets 60 “Doctor Who” airer 61 Island greeting 62 Bit of horse feed

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Today’s Birthday (02/18/22). Listen, observe and plan this$250/MONTH year. Envision dreams ONLY worth realizing and plot steps advancing steadily.ads@ocolly.com Winter unveils professional breakthroughs, before good news hits your springtime feed. Shift travel and study itineraries around obstacles next summer, before exciting educational opportunities flower next autumn. Discover unimagined treasure.

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 — Find common objectives. Ponder big questions. Get especially productive in privacy under the Pisces Sun. Begin a onemonth planning and organization period. Imagine and envision.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is an 8 — Walk outside with friends for shared health and support. The next month, with the Sun in Pisces, favors friendship, teamwork and collaboration. Get social.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is a 9 — Prioritize fun, creativity and passion.

Infuse love into your work and it catches attention. Your professional status rises with the Pisces Sun this month.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is an 8 — Domestic comforts seem seductive.

Adventure and exploration beckon this month under the Sun in Pisces. Blend the best of both worlds. Investigate and study.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is a 9 — Communication is your golden key.

Discuss financial plans and strategies with your partner, with the Sun in Pisces this month. Discover lucrative solutions.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is an 8 — Keep bringing home the bacon.

Share the load with your partner. Reach new levels of collaboration this month, with the Sun in Pisces.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is a 9 — Consider personal dreams, goals and ambitions. Prioritize your work, health and energy this month under the Pisces Sun. Practice your moves and grow stronger.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is a 7 — Get productive in peaceful privately.

Over four weeks, with the Sun in Pisces, you’re especially lucky in love and romance. Share your heart.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is an 8 — Connect with friends and family. Domestic matters have your attention over four weeks, with the Sun in Pisces.

Work from home may be possible.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is a 9 — Enjoy professional projects. Creative communications flower over the next month, with the Pisces Sun. Write your story. Edit and add illustrations. Sketch the possibilities.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is an 8 — Explore and study. The next month gets especially lucrative, with the Sun in Pisces. Dig and hit pay dirt. Look for funding and find it.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is a 9 — Contribute to shared accounts. Advance a personal dream this month, with the Pisces Sun. Prepare materials. Update current styles. Dress for the role you want.

Level 1

2

3

4

2/18/22

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

© 2022 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.

O’Colly

Friday, February 18, 2022 Page 9B

Lifestyle COVID-19 a year in review The Stillwater History Museum is holding artifacts that help visualize the COVID-19 pandemic, from a city level to a nationwide level.

All photos by Abby Smith.

The exhibit is on display through the end of February.

OUR COACH

Page 10B Friday, February 18, 2022

MIKE BOYNTON “I think he’s a guy that builds real relationships.

He cares about the kids.”

- Aaron Torres Fox Sports Radio

“He is a high-profile coach in the Big 12.”

- Matt Norlander CBS Sports

“I think it speaks volumes about the university and the basketball program.”

- Tom Izzo Michigan State Coach

“He just loves people.

He’s a caring, unselfish individual.”

- Mike Holder Former OSU AD

“He knew exactly what he wanted to accomplish in terms of what he wanted the team to look like, act like and play like.”

- Fran Fraschilla ESPN Analyst

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